11/18/12 - Luke 24; John 20 - 21

S - John 21:15 - When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?"  He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you."  He said to him, "Feed my lambs."  16 He said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"  He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep."  17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said o him the third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Feed my sheep.  18 Truly, truly I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go."  19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.)  And after saying this he said to him, "Follow me."

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . do you love me more than these?  (But what are these Lord?)  These are all of the other things that occupy your time and take time away from our personal time.  Do you love me more than all of the other things that fill your day?  Do you love me more than your job?  Do you love me more than your family?  Do you love me more than television?  Do you love me more than your computer and telephone games that you play?  Do you truly love me?  Follow Me?

A - I truly do love my Lord more than all of the other things that take up my day and take time away from my quiet time with him.  Why do I let all of those things fill up my day then?  I need to put those things away and spend some quality time with God each and every day.  I need to spend enough time I that I have time to sit and listen to what he has to say to me.  I need to spend enough time so that I can tell him my troubles and my worries and let him take them off of my back.  I need to spend enough time so that I can rest in him and let him refresh me the way that he wants to.  I need to Follow Him.

P - Heavenly Father, forgive me for not giving you my time.  Forgive me for all of the things that clutter up my day and take time away from my time with you.  Help me to remember to sit with you each day and listen to you.  Help me to have the courage to come to you with all of my worries and my cares and let you take them away from me.  Refresh me and give me a deep joy that only you can give.  Give me a sense of peace that can only come from you.

11/17/12 - Matthew 28; Mark 16

S - Matthew 28:16 - Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had directed them.  17 And when they say him they worshiped him, but some doubted.  18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Mark 16:14 - Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.  15 And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.  16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.  17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;  18 they will pick up serpents with their hands/ and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . you are one of the chosen ones,  You have believed and been baptized.  You are saved!  Now this applies to you also.  Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.  Speak of it where ever you are.  Help the lost find what they are looking for, Me.  

A - I must not be shy about speaking of my Lord and Savior.  He is the reason that I have a joy in my heart and eternal life.  Others can have this also, they must simply believe.  And it is my responsibility to tell them of the Lord so they can believe.

P - Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times when I have not spoken of you.  Give me the courage to speak your name where ever I am.

11/16/12 - Luke 23; John 18 - 19

S - John 18: 25 - Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself.  So they said to him, "You also are not one of his disciples, are you?"  He denied it and said, "I am not."  26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, "Did I not see you in the garden with him?"  27 Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.

O - My child whom I love, today i want to tell you . . . how often do you deny me?  It is so easy to say that you don't know me.  That saves any more questions about me and it won't embarrass you I know.  Are you not proud of knowing me?  Do you not want others to know me?  Will you continue to deny me to your friends and relatives, or will you announce boldly that, "Yes, I am a disciple of Jesus!"

A - I will tell anyone I know that I am a disciple of Jesus.  I want to follow him to the cross.  I want to live my life to please him.  I do not want to deny him any more.

P - Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times when I have denied knowing you.  Forgive me for my sins of neglect.  Help me to have the courage to follow you anywhere you ask me to go.

11/15/12 - Matthew 27; Mark 15

S - Mark 15:16 - And the soldiers led him away inside the palace (that is, the governor's headquarters), and they called together the whole battalion.  17 And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him.  18 And they began to salute him, "Hail, King of the Jews!"  19 And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him.  20 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him.  And they led him out to crucify him.

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . do you also mock me?  Do you also spit on me?  Are you one of the ones laughing and hitting me?  When you sin, I feel the slap in my face.  When you lie, I hear you laughing at me.  When you deliberately commit sin and then do not ask for forgiveness, I feel the reed hitting my head.  The price I paid was for you.  The death I died was in place of you.  Do you really appreciate it?  Do you really accept it as your redemption?  There are many who do not believe that I did this, or that I did it for them.  Are you one of those?  Or will you accept my free gift of life, paid for by my death?

A - Wow!  Every time I sin, it is a slap in my saviors face.  Every time I lie, it is laughter in his ears as he stands there before his accusers.  Every time I am unwilling to forgive someone, I am twisting the nails in his wrists and his feet.  Every time I gossip, or repeat dirty jokes or stories, I am sinking the thorns deeper into his skull.  This just makes me think that it really was for me that he went through all of that.  And if it was for me alone, and no one else, he still would have done it.  So, what is my reaction going to be.  Do I accept his free gift of salvation and live my life for him, or do I spit in his face, like the rest of the people did that day?

P - Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to live on this earth as a man and to die on the cross for my sins.  Thank you for the price you paid so that I might have eternal life with you.  I confess to you that I am a sinner.  I have committed many sins and will continue to do so as long as I life here on earth.  I repent of my sins and I turn away from that life.  Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me.  I thank you for the free gift of salvation that you offer me, and I accept it willingly, and I thank you for the price that it cost you.

11/14/12 - John 14 - 17

S - John 15:1 - "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.  2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.  3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.  4 Abide in me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.  5 I am the vine; you are the branches.  Whoever abides in me and I in him, he is is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.  6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches  are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.  7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done or you.  8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.  9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Abide in my love.  10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.  11 These thinks I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . abide in me.  Keep my commandments.  If you can do this, you will be abiding in my love.  If you stay connected to me as a branch stays connected to the vine, I will continue to fee you like the vine feeds the branches.  I want to provide you with your daily sustenance, but we must have a good connection for that to happen.  I stay where I am, just see that you do not move away and we will be fine.

A - I must continue to love the Father and do his commandments.  I want to receive daily sustenance from him.  I will continue to come to him on a daily basis.  I will continue to ask for forgiveness of my sins, read his word, and speak with him.

P - Heavenly Father, forgive me for my sins.  Thank you for the blessings that you provide.  Thank you for providing for me in such an awesome way.  Help me to continue to abide in you.  Give me the strength and courage to continue to follow your commandments and thus remain in your love.

11/13/12 - Luke 22; John 13

S - Luke 22:31 - "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat,  32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.  And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."  33 Peter said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death."  34 Jesus said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me."

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you , , , I am praying for you just like I prayed for Peter. Satan wants to get ahold of all of you.  He uses his cunning and his lies to attract you.  But I am praying for you that your faith might me strengthened.  

A - I must remember, always, that Satan is looking for any and every little way to get his claws into each one of us.  I must fight the temptations that come all the time.  I must continue to pray to the Father for strength.

P - Heavenly Father, for give me for the times when I fail you.  Forgive me for the times when I give in to temptation.  Give me strength to defeat Satan at every turn.  Help me have the courage not to give in to his lies.  Thank you for sending your Son to die for me and to pray for me.  

11/12/12 - Matthew 26; Mark 14

S - Matthew 26:36 - Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I go over there and pray."  37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled.  38 Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even unto death; remain here, and watch with me."  39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will."  40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping.  And he said to Peter, "So, could you not watch with me one hour?  41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.  The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."  42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done."  43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.  44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again.  45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Sleep and take your rest later on.  See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.  46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand."

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . I went to the cross willingly.  Sure I wanted it to be another way, but I was willing to do what I did, just for you.  I knew that you would be a sinner and would deserve to die.  But I loved you so much that I went to the cross in your place.  I died so that you would not have to.  What are you doing about that.  Every time you sin, it is like driving another nail into my hands and my feet.  My death was not a pass for you to sin whenever you want to and get free forgiveness.  You should want to live your life as much sin-free as you can.  

A - My sins drove my savior to the cross to die for me.  Because of my sins, he was tortured and crucified.  Every sin is another nail in his hands and his feet, another thorn in his head.  And to think that he did that all just for me, willingly!  My response should be to do my best to not sin as much as possible.  I will make every effort to live a life that is worthy of his dying for me.

P - Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your son to go to the cross in my place.  Thank you for taking my sins away.  I confess to you that I am a sinner by nature.  I am going to sin.  I repent of that sin and ask you to forgive me of those sins.  Thank you for your grace and forgiveness.

11/11/12 - Matthew 25

S - Matthew 25:20 - And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have five talents more.'  21 His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.  You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much.  Enter into the joy of your master.'  22 And he also who had the two talents came forward saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.'  23 His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant.  You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much.  Enter into the joy of your master.'  24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed,  25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground.  Here you have what is yours.'  26 But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant!  You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed?  27 Then you should have invested my money with bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own talent with interest.  28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.  29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance.  But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.  30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness.  In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . use the talents that I have given you to increase my family as much as possible.  You have been richly blessed.  Make use of your talents.  The more you use them, the more they will increase.  

A - God has blessed me with many talents.  I don't want to let him down and hide my talents until his return.  Some of my talents have yet to be discovered.  When they are, I want to use them as much as I can for his glory.  I want to use all of my talents and abilities to praise him and further his kingdom here on the earth.

P - Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times when I don't use my talents for your glory.  Forgive me for taking them for granted.  Help me to use the gifts that you have given me to your glory and honor.

11/10/12 - Matthew 24

S - Matthew 24:3 - As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"  4 And Jesus answered them, "See that no one leads you astray.  5 For many will come in my name, saying, "I am the Christ,' and they will lead many astray.  6 and you will hear of wars and rumors of wars.  See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.  7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.  8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

36 "But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.  37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.  38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark,  39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept then all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . no one knows.  It says it right there in the Bible.  So, if you believe the Bible and believe that I am coming back someday, why don't you believe that part.  There are many who claim to know when that day will be.  Don't believe them.  They using man's finite wisdom to try to guess at God's infinite wisdom.  It can't be done.  But, you are to be ready at any time.  Just as those people who have said that the day was coming and it didn't, there will be people predicting the day and they will plan for that day and they won't be ready when the actual day comes.  It is just a good idea to be ready every day and at all times.

A - No one knows when the Lord will return to gather his church to him.  No one knows when the end of time will be.  Many have guessed and they have all been wrong.  It is just a good idea to plan for it at any time.  I we are in the midst of sin and he returns, we will be "caught with our hands in the cookie jar!"  It is probably the wisest thing to just stop sinning, as much as possible, and anticipate that the Lord will be returning in the next few moments.  But, don't be disappointed.  If he doesn't come right away, that give us more time to do his work here on earth and try to gather more people into his church so they will also be saved on that day.

P - Heavenly Father, forgive me for my sins.  Forgive me for anything that I have done that has led anyone astray or has impeded anyone from entering into your kingdom.  Help me to live in such a way that many more will want to develop their own relationship with you and come into your kingdom.  Help me to look only at you and not to believe, or even listen to, those people who claim to know when you are returning.  

11/09/12 - Mark 13

S - Mark 13:32 - "But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  33 Be on guard, keep awake.  For you do not know when the time will come.  34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake.  35 Therefore stay awake -- for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning -- 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.  37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake."

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . stay awake!  Stay alert!  You have been given a job to do while I am away, do it well so that I might find you worthy when I return.  You are to spread my word in the world.  You are to bring as many as you can into the fold before I return to judge the earth.  I want to return to find you diligent at your job and working as if you are working for me, since you really are.  So, be ready, I will return and I will be taking my elect back with me to my home.  Will you be one of them.  How many others will be coming on account of you?

A - It is my job to spread the word of God here on earth while he is away.  I must be diligent about my job.  I want to have as many people as possible returning to heaven with me.

P - Heavenly Father, give me the strength and courage to spread your word throughout the land while I am here on the earth.  Help me to find it within myself to tell people about you at every opportunity.  

11/08/12 - Matthew 23; Luke 20 - 21

S - Matthew 23:25 - "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.  26 You blind Pharisee!  First clean te inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.  27 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness.  28 So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . do not be like the Pharisees and the scribes.  Be the same person on the inside as you portray on the outside.  Do not hide sin in your heart and portray righteousness on the outside.  Be real to the people that you deal with.  Ask for forgiveness when you have sinned and sin no more.  

A - I must be true to the person that I am.  I must portray on the outside the same person that I am on the inside.  If I want to be a righteous person, I must be righteous on the inside as well as portray it on the outside.

P - Heavenly Father, forgive me for my secret sins.  Help me to be wholesome on the inside and on the outside.  Help me to wash the inside that the outside of my person would be clean as well.

11/07/12 - Matthew 22; Mark 12

S - Mark 12:41 - And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box.  Many rich people put in large sums.  42 And  poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny.  43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box.  44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . what do you think this woman was thinking when she put the last of her money into the offering box?  It was all she had but she gave it to me.  She was able to do that because she trusted in me.  She believed that by giving her all to me she was showing that she trusted me to provide for her needs.  I will take care of such people.  You are not poor and I do not want more of your money than necessary.  What I want from you is your ALL.  I want your job, I want your finances, I want your family, I want your talents and skills. I want you to dedicate them all to me and allow me to take care of you and use you for what I have planned for you.  Are you willing to give it all up for me?

A - I must be willing to give up everything I have to follow Jesus, my Lord and Savior.  I must give to him my everything.  I must trust that by turning it all over to him, he will take care of me and provide for me.

P - Heavenly Father, I relinquish into your hands everything that I am, everything that I have, and everything that you would have me become.  I trust you to take care of me and provide for me.  I want to be a follower of yours and to trust in you for my future.  I want to do what you want me to do.  Please lead me into the future and show me where you would have me.

11/06/12 - Mark 11; John 12

S - John 12:24 - Truly, truly, I say unto you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.  25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also.  If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

44 And Jesus cried out and said, "Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me.  45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me.  46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.  48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.  49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment -- what to say and what to speak.  50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life.  What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me."

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . I am not here to judge you.  I am not here to criticize you.  I am only here to love you and accept you the way you are.  When you sin, you sin against the Father.  When you do not obey my commandments, it hurts the Father.  I am here to support you, to hold you up to the Father, blameless and spotless.  Because I have already paid for all of those sins and hurts.  All you have to do is accept that I have paid it all and accept me and love me.

A - I know that I am a sinner.  I know that I am sinning against God.  But Jesus says that he is not judging me.  I will be judged by the Father in the last days.  And when I sin, I am sinning against the Father.  Jesus has already paid for those sins, so each time I sin, I am driving another nail into his wrists, into his feet, or a thorn into his head.  This should be reason enough to fight off temptations call out to him for help when I feel myself getting weak in my own power.

P - Heavenly Father, forgive me for my sins.  Forgive me for my part in the death of your son.  Thank you for sending him to earth so that I might be forgiven.  Help me to seek him out when I am feeling tempted and getting weak in my own strength.  Thank you for giving me the ability to come to you and speak to you at any time.  Thank you for loving me enough to forgive me.

11/05/12 - Luke 19

S - Luke 19:1 - He entered Jericho and was passing through.  2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus.  He was a chief tax collector and was rich.  3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature.  4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way.  5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today."  6 So he huttied and came down and received him joyfully.  7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner."

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . I am coming to your house today.  I want to come in and spend some time with you.  You don't have to run home and clean it up.  You don't have to order food or prepare anything.  You just have to allow me in to spend time with you, that is all that I want.  I will come in and do the cleaning if you want me to.  I will take care of everything.  Just open the door so that I can come in.

A - Jesus doesn't want us to prepare our homes for him to come into them.  he wants us to let him in so he can clean them out.  He is not judgmental at all.  He will take out the trash and dump it without going through it and judging us for all of the things that we have done that are not right.  If we will just let him come in and then give him complete reign over our lives he will take care of everything.  That is what I want to do.  I am releasing my entire life to him so he can rule in it.

P - Heavenly Father, forgive me for not allowing you total control over my life.  Help me to have the courage to turn over everything to you and let you control it.  I release it all into your hands right now.  

11/04/12 - Matthew 20 - 21

S - Matthew 11:20 - When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree wither at once?"  21 And Jesus answered them, "Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' it will happen.  22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."

43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . have faith.  What ever you ask for will be given to you if you have faith in me and do not doubt.  You have not because you ask not.  If you will but ask and believe that what you are asking can be granted to you, it will be.  But you are afraid to believe completely.  You want to believe but you have that little doubt in your mind.  Have total faith.

A - I must believe that my Heavenly Father is capable of doing all of the things that He has said that he would in His word.  I must have faith when I call on him an ask for things that I need.  If He said that He would take care of me then He will hold to his promises.

P - Heavenly Father, forgive me for my lack of faith.  Forgive me for my fear.  Help me to trust in you. Help me to believe that you will do the things that you said that you will.  Give me the faith to put my total trust in you.

11/03/12 - Matthew 19; Mark 10

S - Matthew 19:13 - Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray.  The disciples rebuked the people,  14 but Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven."  15 And he laid his hands on them and went away.

Mark 10:13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them.  14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.  15 Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it."  16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . be a child.  Have the faith of a child.  Jump into my arms the way a child jumps into the arms of her daddy from a branch or other high place, trusting that he will catch her.  Have faith that I will catch you, from where ever you are falling.  Don't get so wrapped up in worldly things, your job, your finances, etc. that you don't have time to do come childish things once in a while.  Just have fun in me.

A - It is so easy to get wrapped up in the things of this world and just lose sight of Jesus.  He is just waiting for us to stop our busyness and look to him for some rest and relaxation in his arms.  I must take the time to just leave all of my work behind and spend time with Jesus from time to time.

P - Heavenly Father, forgive me for those days when I get so wrapped up in my work that I don't make time for you.  Help me to always remember to take some time and spend it with you each day.  

11/02/12 - Luke 18

S - Luke 18:1 - And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.  2 He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man.  3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Give me justice against my adversary.'  4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I neither fear God nor respect man,  5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming,'"  6 And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says.  7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night?  Will he delay long over them?  8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily.  Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!"  14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other.  For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . PRAY!  Pray without ceasing!  Pray always, pray often.  And don't worry about whether your prayers will be answered.  I know that sometimes you don't answer people, but I, your heavenly Father would not think of not answering your prayer.  Your prayers will be answered and they will be answered, not 'in due time,' but speedily!  Bur remember to be humble in your prayers and be persistent in your asking.  Your heavenly Father knows what you need and what you want, and the difference between the two and your answer will be a no sometimes.  Accept it because I know what is best for you and I know how I want to bless you, and it is not always in the ways that you think.

A - I must remember to pray daily!  I must be all about prayer throughout the day.  I must come to the Father in prayer when I lay down to go to bed.  I must seek his wisdom and guidance when I wake up in the morning.  And I must continually petition him for the things that I need.  

P - Heavenly Father, thank you for the promises in your word that you will answer my prayers.  Forgive me for not seeking you out regularly.  Continue to remind me that you do know what I need and you do know what is best for me and you will answer my prayers.  Help me to be diligent and persistent in my praying.  Thank you for all of the answers to prayers that you have given already and thank you for always answering my prayers.

11/01/12 - John 11

S - John 11:21 - Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.  2 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you."  23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."  24 Martha said to him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day."  25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,  26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.  Do you believe this?"  27 She said to him, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world."  28 When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, "The Teacher is here and is calling for you."  29 And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him.  30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him.  31 When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling here, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there.  32 Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . Mary and Martha both believed. . . to some degree.  They said, ". . . if you had been here, he would not have died."  But did they believe enough to think, "Now that you are here, he can live again because you can raise him."  They might have been thinking it but they did not have total faith to say it to me on that day.  They knew after the fact.  Do you have the faith to put your total trust in me.  do you have faith to let me control your entire life, from your checking account to your wayward children to your job to your house, even to your future.  Trust in me and I will never, never let you down.  My timing is perfect and I really do know what is best for you, even more than you do.  So, sit back and let me take control of everything.

A - Wow, that is a strong command from my Lord.  I know in my heart that he has everything under control.  But my head wants to retain some control, just in case.  I must relinquish that to him now, because there will never be a 'just in case' where I will need to have control.  The sooner I realize that I should be giving it all to him, especially for the 'just in case,' he will control things way better than I could ever even imagine.

P - Heavenly Father, I relinquish control of my entire life to you right now.  I want to be able to say more than, "If you had been here. . ."  I want to be able to say, "Now that you are here . . ."  and trust you to run my life totally.  I know that you always have my best interests in mind in everything.  Take charge of it all right now and lead me on.

10/31/12 - Luke 16 - 17

S - Luke 17:5 - The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"  6 And the Lord said, "If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.

20 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, "The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed,  21 now will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you."

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . the kingdom of God is here and it is now.  You are living in it and celebrating the last days.  You need to be aware that I will be returning soon to take everyone who is living in my kingdom with you.  The more people that you can get to come into the kingdom now the happier my angels will be.  We celebrate at each conversion on earth.  Keep the faith and live for me every day.

A - I must remember that these are the last days and we are living in the kingdom of God right now.  We must continue to live in such a way to proclaim the Kingdom of God at every turn and every day.

P - Heavenly Father, help me to remember that I am to live for you each and every minute of every day.  Help me to make every effort to bring others into your kingdom here on earth so that they will be able to celebrate eternity with you.

10/30/12 - Luke 14 - 15

S - Luke 14:7 - Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them,  8 "When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him,  9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give your place to this person,' and then you will begin with shame to take he lowest place.  10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher.'  Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you.  11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . take the place of humility.  And don't be discouraged if the person in charge does not notice you and ask you to move up.  Accept that place of humility with pride and will class.  You are not above anyone, not should you try to move yourself above anyone.   But if you are invited to move up, accept that with class and be honored that they did ask you to move.  But do not think of yourself more highly than you should.  Be humble in all things, and be proud of whose you are, mine.

A - I must abolish pride in my self from my life.  I am nothing more than what my Father has made me. Nothing of what I have done or have become is due to me.  It is all because of the blessings of my Lord and Savior.  I must accept the lowest spot and be happy there, even if I do not move up.

P - Heavenly Father, forgive me for my pride in my self.  Forgive me for the times when I acknowledge that I have done something great.  I accept that all that I have and all that I am is yours and because of you.  Help me to have a spirit of humility in all things.

10/29/12 - Luke 12 - 13

S - Luke 12:22 - And he said o his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.  23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.  24 Consider the ravens:  they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouses nor barn, and yet God feeds them.  Of how much more value are you than the birds!  25 And which of you by being anxious can ass a single hour to his span of life?  26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?  27 Consider the lilies, how they grow:  they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!  29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried.  30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.  31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . do not worry!  So, the election did not turn out the way that you thought it would.  So, the money does not look like it will last the month.  So, there are things that you did not get done.  Just remember, I have everything under control.  I am in charge.  I raise up kings and I depose kings.  And I am in charge of your presidency.  All you need to do is worry about your eternal soul.  Seek after the things of my world.  Seek after my kingdom.  Seek after me!  And lead others to do the same.  That is what your life is to be about, not anything to do with the president of your country.  My country is far greater than his and you are a part of my country.  Don't ever forget that.

A - I must not concern myself with the things of this world.  I must only concern myself with the things that my Lord has laid in front of me.  I must do my job and not worry about what is going to happen to it.  I must work as though I am working for the Lord, because, really, that is what I am doing.  If things crumble around me, so be it.  At least I know who is in charge of my life.  And his kingdom is far greater than anything anyone could ever establish on this earth.

P - Heavenly Father, forgive me for my worries.  Forgive me for not trusting in you to put things right.  I know that you are in charge of everything and you reign supreme.  Help me to focus my energies on the things that I can do here on earth while I am here.  Help me to become the best teacher that I can be, with your help.  Give me the grace to carry myself as your Son did while he was on earth.  Give me the love for people that He had.  Help me to focus on the things that He would focus on if he were here with me.

10/28/12 - Luke 10

S - Luke 10:38 - Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village.  And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.  39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.  40 But Martha was distracted with much serving.  And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not car that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Tell her then to help me."  41 But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,  42 but one thing is necessary.  Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . are you distracted by many things?  Are you finding yourself pulled from spending time with me because of work, or family, or any other things that are less important.  Take the time to spend with me.  Listen to my teaching, ask me questions, share your troubles with me, cry on my shoulder, and just lean on me in general.  Your other time will then be much more fruitful.  You will find your attitude will be better and your time will be well spent.  Take the time each day and make your day that much better by inviting me to spend it with you.

A - I must remember to spend quality time with my Lord each morning.  Sit at his feet, listen to his teaching, and ask questions of him.  This makes for a great day.  

 P - Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times when I am too busy to spend time with you.  Help me to remember to take the time to spend it with you each morning.  Help me day go even better than I could imagine, with you walking by my side.  

10/27/12 - John 9 - 10

S - John 10:22 - At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem.  It was winter,  23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon.  24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will  you keep us in suspense?  If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."  25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe.  The works I do in my Father's name bear witness about me,  26 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep.  27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.  28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them our of my hand.  29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.  30 I and the Father are one."

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . you are my sheep.  There is no one that can snatch you out of my hand.  I will guard you and protect you as a shepherd does his sheep.  Rest assured that nothing can harm you.

A- Today it is just reassuring to know that I am in the Fathers hands and he is protecting me from harm.  Nothing can touch me that he does not allow.

P - Heavenly Father, thank you for the fact that you are protecting me.  Thank you for being the good shepherd.  Guide me in the way that I should go.

10/26/12 - John 7 - 8

S - John 7:14 - About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching.  15 The Jews therefore marveled, saying, "How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?"  16 So Jesus answered them, "My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.  17 If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.  18 The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . speak with authority when you speak of the Father and of the Son.  I will give you the words to speak so you know that they are true.  You have been studying so you know the word.  Study more so that when you are questioned, you will know how to answer.  And don't worry about what you will say.  I will give you the right words to say to anyone who questions you.  But you must continue to be in the word regularly and  you must continue to seek me out and speak with me and listen to me.

A - I must continue to read the word regularly and speak with the Father on a regular basis.  I must become knowledgeable as much as I can about the word of God, so that when I am questioned, I can speak with authority as Jesus did when he was on earth.  I will never have the authority that he had but he will give me the words to say so I may sound like I have authority.

P - Heavenly Father, fill me with your wisdom.  Give me the words to say to anyone who questions me  about you.  Give me the desire to continue to be in the word and speaking with you, so that I might have the wisdom to answer those people.

10/25/12 - Matthew 18

S - Matthew 18:7 - "Woe to the world for temptations to sin!  For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!  8 And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.  It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire.  9 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away,  It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . watch out for the evil one.  He comes in many shapes and forms and in many disguises.  He will tempt you to sin with things that look good.  They look fun and exciting and they will entice you, but they are sin and they will draw you away from me.  Do not fall for the lies that it is OK, you just have to ask for forgiveness later.  That is still sin and it will hamper  your relationship with me.

A - I must refrain from listening to the lies of the devil when he comes and tempts me.  The things that he tempts me with seem very enticing and fun.  Yet they are only fun for the moment, then, when I realize that I have sinned, I feel the guilt and shame.  If I would just stay in constant communication with my Lord and speak to him about those temptations, he would help me to not give in.

P - Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times when I have given in to the temptations of the world.  Forgive me of my sins of not listening to you.  Help me to be strong when it comes to temptations.  Help me to come to you and talk things over with you when I feel the pull of the old world coming at me.

10/24/12 - Matthew 17; Mark 9

S - Mark 9:42 - "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believer in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.  43 And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.  It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.  45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off.  It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell.  47 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out.  It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell,  48 'where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.'  49 For everyone will be salted with fire.  50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again?  Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . be salty!  And continue to be salty.  Watch the things that you do.  Do not let any one of your parts cause you to sin.  Adhere to my commands and watch yourself.  Be careful that the things that you do do not cause another one to stumble.  I want you with me someday and I want to see all the people that you are bringing with you here also.

A - To remain effective as a disciple of the Lord, to remain salty, means to continue to read the word, to continue to meet with him one-on-one each day, and to listen to his commands and obey them.  I must maintain a constant open communication between myself and my God.

P - Heavenly Father, forgive me for those times when I put you on the sidelines and try to do things on my own.  Forgive me for not continuing to come to you each and every day.  Help me to not lose my saltiness for you.  Help me to continue to seek you out each day and to listen to your commands and obey them.

10/23/12 - Matthew 16; Mark 8

S - Mark 8:34 - And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, "If anyone would come after me, let him den himself and take up his cross and follow me.  35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.  36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?  37 For what can a man give in return for his soul?  38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

O - My child whom I love, today I want to tell you . . . do not be ashamed of me.  Do not be afraid to tell others of your love for me and your relationship with me.  Do not hesitate to speak my name in the public places.  I will be with you and I will protect you.  What can anyone do to you except laugh at you.  And don't I know what that is like.  If you truly love me you will want to tell everyone about me, right.  

A - I must not be ashamed to speak the name of Jesus where ever I go and in what ever situation I am in.  I must tell others of his love.  If I am ashamed to do this, then when he comes back, he will be ashamed of me.

P - heavenly Father, please forgive me for the times when I have not spoken of you or voiced your name because of fear or shame.  Forgive me for not speaking of you at times when I knew I should have.  Help me have the strength and courage of Daniel and to tell everyone I meet that I love you and am proud of my relationship with you.