We may wonder how God can judge those who haven’t heard the good news about Jesus Christ. We may wonder how he can judge when people don’t have Bibles, or pastors, or churches — when they may not even have people setting good examples around them…
But the Bible tells us in 1 John 4:8 that God is love and, when we reflect on that, it is easier to understand. The questions become: Do we choose to love, or hate? Do we chose to forgive in mercy, or condemn? Do we spent our lives in self indulgence, or do we choose to help others?
Those who have been taught the good news have more reason to choose these good things, yes. But we all are made good and given opportunities to choose good.
“…choose you this day whom ye will serve,” Joshua 24:15

Get help relating the Bible to your life with Cheryl’s new devotions book, Fast Track to Victory, A Christian Guidebook. Download the preview at http://www.songsfromtheword.com/Textfiles/FastTracktoVictorypreview.pdf

Curious about news reports of miracles out of the central Florida town of Lakeland? Nestled between Tampa and Orlando, this community is in the midst of a month-long revival hosted by Ignited Church.

For details, or to view services via webcast, visit their website at Ignitedchurch.com

Have you ever looked back on your life and wished you had used it more profitably? Have you ever regretted not doing more … for God?

After I came to know the Lord as an adult, it seemed I’d wasted so many years of my life on unimportant things. I knew God had prepared me for today with all he’d allowed me to experience. Yet deep inside, I knew I’d been foolish — that I’d spent my time on things that ultimately did not matter.

So I dedicated myself to using my time well. I dedicated myself to making up for lost time. I have tried to use these later years of my life well.

And then I realized even with him in our lives, leading us, enabling us, we cannot really do those things which profit. God gives them to us.

John 15:5: “without me ye can do nothing.”

“by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
“Not of works, lest any man should boast.
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10

Fear God.

If there is just lesson you should teach your children, if there is just one last piece of advice you could give your teen as he or she leaves home, what should it be?

Fear God, fear the one who made you and who gives you … everything, even life itself.

“Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man,” it says in Ecclesiastes 12:13

When we really fear God, we acknowledge the inevitable fact God will discipline us when we sin. When we don’t, we may believe — or convince ourselves — we won’t really be punished, we won’t be discovered, or God doesn’t really care. We may not see God in his mercy is giving us time to repent.

Jonah learned better. When he tried to run away after God sent him to warn the people of Ninevah to stop sinning, Jonah was swallowed by a big fish. He realized he had a very real choice: Become fish food or go to Ninevah. Jonah chose the later.

“many that are first shall be last…” Matthew 19:30

IF you feel like others are passing you by …
IF you feel you can’t compete because you are the youngest, oldest, slowest, newest, least experienced or talented …
Know God is the equalizer.
Sometimes the last is first. God doesn’t play favorites.
The Bible tells us:
* “there is no respect of persons with God.” Romans 2:11
* “time and chance happeneth to them all.” Ecclesiastes 9:11
* “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalms 139:14
Sometimes we need to be patient. Sometimes we need to get where we’re supposed to be. We always need to remember the God who made the whole universe made each of us unique and special. We are the handiwork of the master craftsman, and so we are marvelous. We may not be doing what we want to be doing right now. We’re still being molded and shaped by God’s loving hands, but we are marvelous…
That reminds me of a song God gave me from Psalm 139, “Marvelous are Your Works.” Here’s the link: http://www.songsfromtheword.com/Arise,ShineMP3/MarvelousAreYourWorks.mp3
Have a wonderful day!

When Jesus arrived after Lazarus died, it looked like he was too late. Lazarus had been buried four days and “by this time he stinketh,” his sister Martha remarked. (John 11:39)

We may think God is too late in our lives. We’ve already had the surgery, lost the job, or even had our home pummeled in a devastating storm.

Like Mary and Martha, we already may have lost a loved one.

We may believe the damage already has been done; the die has been cast.

Things may not turn out as WE expect, but it is not too late … for God. All things are possible for God. (Matthew 19:26, Mark 9:23, Mark 14:36, Luke 18:27)

Even now, there is time for God’s healing, restoration, mercy, grace and provision. Even now, that tragedy can bring unexpected blessing — by drawing us closer to him.

As the story of Lazarus reveals, Jesus showed up just in time …. for God to shine.

“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
“And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die,” Jesus is quoted as saying in John 11:25 & 26.

Do you have a problem that’s been hounding you? A challenge that keeps presenting itself over and over again?

Know you have victory in Jesus. Know you are not alone.

The Bible tells us God “giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57

I’ve been challenged by fear all my life, it seems. The devil took a lot, but God has given it back to me.

I challenge you today. Why not search the Bible for a Scripture to prayer over your circumstance? Keep praying, trust God and see what he does.

If you’re not sure what Scripture to pray, post a comment and I’ll help you find one. All comments are sent to me and I can keep yours private, if you wish.

Does it ever seem God is rewarding evil?

You look at those around you who don’t have God in their life and they’re doing quite well, thank you. They don’t seem to have a shortage of money, or a bunch of health problems or … whatever.

You may wonder, what’s up?

Habakkuk felt just that same way. God told him: “the just shall live by his faith.” Habakkuk 2:4

It’s times like these when it’s helpful to remind ourselves God is in control, no matter how bad it looks. It’s a time to remind ourselves there is a day of wrath for the disobedient and unrepentent.

As God reveals through Habakkuk: “Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men’s blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.” Habakkuk 2:8

We need to continue sowing goodness, in faith: “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap,” Galatians 6:7 tells us.

Like Habakkuk, we can resist discouragement by not focusing on the evil around us and rejoicing … in God. When we focus on God, we realize the rest is not so important, after all.

We hear the expression “God’s children” so much, it may lose its meaning.

But think of it, we are God’s babies — no matter how old we are.

To him, we are cute, helpless little creatures that need him for everything.

We are made of the right stuff: We have good intentions and a good heart. But we are vulnerable.

We live in a world where the devil makes us a prey. We live in a world where we may, unwittingly, fall into the devil’s trap.

Now, think about God. He is love and he wants us to love him, but he cannot force us to love him. Forced love is not love. It’s probably a combination of obedience and fear.

So he loves us and takes care of us. He shows us what he’s like and what the devil is like.

Because we see how ugly evil is, the devil and his demons actually encourage us to choose the good…

Think of that. The devil is actually an encourager… What an awesome God we have.

“all are thy servants.” Psalm 119:91

“…choose you this day whom ye will serve.” Joshua 24:15.

Do you struggle to achieve your goals, jumping one hurdle only to face another, and another, and another?

You’re not alone.

We all face obstacles in our lives, obstacles which can hinder or prevent us from achieving our objectives.

We may focus on the obstacles so much we become distracted from our real purpose in life: Loving God.

The best way to achieve our goals is to focus on God. Put him first.

“Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalm 37:4

God, after all, is the one who inspires those goals and empowers us to achieve them.