VOICE ACTIVATED

I live in a "gated community," which means there's a closed gate that will not allow access to strangers.  It opens by "voice activation." (by phoning) calling to one of the residents within).  In like manner, the Lord knows the voices of those who reside and abide with Him.

The "only way" to "enter His gates" is [with] thanksgiving"; the only way to "come into His courts is [with] praise." 

The Lord's gate is "voice activated."  It will only OPEN when we sing or speak songs/words of PRAISE and THANKSGIVING.

We need to ACCENT the POSITIVES and ELIMINATE the NEGATIVES in our lives.  Give praise and thanks for the positives in your life and eliminate negatives like murmuring and complaining.  [Phillipians 2:14]

Remember what happened to Jonah...

Jonah "bellyached"...and look where it got him!!!  [The Book of Jonah]

WHAT A TRIP

Many years ago, a few of us gals wanted to do something different--something daring--something exciting.  So we decided to go whitewater rafting on a cold October weekend.  We were very inexperienced.  In fact, one of the gals couldn't even swim.  As the Guide was talking to us, telling us the dangers that lay ahead--as we sat shaking--tightly clutching our paddles and huddled together in our tiny raft (while still on dry land)--he clearly discerened we wouldn't make it on our own! Therefore, the Guide decided it best to go in the raft with us and calmed our fears by saying, "I'll go with you!"  [See:  John 15:5]

It proved to be a very exciting trip.  We paddled hard, got drenched, swallowed a lot of water, slammed into a few rocks, got spun around, and were even tossed out of the raft.  But our Guide knew what to do--and he carefully watched over us--leading THE WAY.  He let us do our part, but when we got into deep water or trouble, he always rescued us.  He was always within arm's reach.  What a trip it was...what a journey!  And know this--your JOURNEY with JESUS will proved to be even more exciting and full of adventure, if you have the courage and the passion to go with Him.

Never forget that He is THE WAY...THE TRUTH...and He will give you a more abundant LIFE!  So, fasten your seatbelts...here we go!  [See:  John 14:6]

TRUTH or CONSEQUENCES

There used to be a TV game show called, "Truth or Consequences."  Either you answered the question correctly, or you paid a consequence.  Well, the game of life is played much the same way.

John 14:6 tells us that Jesus is "THE WAY...THE TRUTH...and THE LIFE."  He leads us down THE PATH of TRUTH and shows us the way we're to go.  If we fall off the path or go another way, the thief will come and rob us, mislead us, and even try to kill us.  [See:  John 10:10]

It's our choice and our responsibility which path we decide to follow.  But if we choose to journey with Jesus, many blessings will accompany us along the way.  Miraculously our hearts will be transformed.  If we trust and obey, Jesus will have this to say:

"Since you have purified your souls in obeying the TRUTH through the Spirit in sincere love...through the word of God..."[I Peter 1:22-23], I will extend to you many blessings.  Therefore, walk on the PATH of TRUTH beside Jesus, and you'll arrive safely at your destination.  

If you disobey and stray onto a different path, know this:  You will pay the CONSEQUENCES!  The thief (satan) will come and rob you, wound you, and try to kill you.  But, Jesus said, "IF you follow Me, I will give you a more abundant life!"