TO LIVE.....

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

TO LIVE in My Presence, you must expose and expel rebellious tendencies.  When something interferes with your plans or desires, you tend to resent the interferences with your plans or desires, you tend to resent the interference.  Try to become aware of each resentment, however petty it may seem.  Don't push those unpleasant feelings down; instead, let them come to the surface where you can deal with them.  Ask My Spirit to increase your awareness of resentful feelings.  Bring them boldly into the Light of My Presence, so that I can free you from them.

The ultimate solution to rebellious tendencies is submission to My authority over you.  Intellectually you rejoice in My sovereignty, without which  the world would be a terrifying place.  But when My sovereign will encroaches on your little domain of control, you often react with telltale resentment.

The best response to losses or thwarted hopes is praise:  The Lord gives and the Lord takes away.  Blessed be the name of the Lord.  Remember that all good things - your possessions, your family and friends, your health and abilities, your time - are gifts from Me.  Instead of feeling entitled to all these blessings, respond to them with gratitude.  Be prepared to let go of anything I take from you, but never let go of My hand!

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace in His Presence"

DRAW NEAR TO ME...

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from me, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

Draw near to me with a thankful heart, aware that your cup is overflowing with blessings.  Gratitude enables you to perceive Me more clearly and to rejoice in our Love-relationship.  Nothing can separate you from My loving Presence!  That is the basis of your security.  Whenever you start to feel anxious, remind yourself that your security rests in Me alone, and I am totally trustworthy.

You will never be in control of your life circumstances, but you can relax and trust in My control.  Instead of striving for a predictable, safe lifestyle, seek to know Me in greater depth and breadth.  I long to make your life a glorious adventure, but you must stop clinging to old ways.  I am always doing something new within My beloved ones.  Be on the lookout for all that I have prepared for you.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace in His Presence"

This Is The Day That I Have Made!

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

THIS IS THE DAY THAT I HAVE MADE! As you rejoice in this day of life, it will yield up to you precious gifts and beneficial training. Walk with me along the high road of thanksgiving, and you will find all the delights I have made ready for you.

To protect your thankfulness, you must remember that you reside in a fallen world, where blessings and sorrows intermingle freely. A constant focus on adversity defeats many Christians. They walk through a day that is brimming with beauty and brightness, seeing only the grayness of their thoughts. Neglecting the practice of giving thanks has darkened their minds. How precious are My children who remember to thank Me at all times. They can walk through the darkest days with Joy in their hearts because they know that the Light of My Presence is still shining on them. Rejoice in this day that I have made, for I am your steadfast Companion.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

True Friends

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

       "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."  Romans  12:15

True friends have no solitary joys or sorrows.  Both are shared.  In the hour of peace and gladness, what is our want?  Friendship.  When our hearts overflow with gratitude, what is our need?  A friend.  When distress haunts us and misery walks by our side, where do we turn?  To friends.  Friends to share.  Friends to bear.

Can You Take Criticism?

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven."  Matthew  5:11-12

     How are you at making enemies?  No, I did not ask,  How are you at making friends?  That is easy.  Just be a good Joe, an easy spender, a tolerant sort of fellow who never offends anyone.  Solomon wisely says,  ". . . the rich hath many friends"  (Proverbs 14:20).  And again he says,  "Wealth maketh many friends, but the poor is separated from his neighbor"  (Proverbs 19:4).  Yes, you can have lots of friends if you are willing to pay them for it. And again we read,  "A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men"  (Proverbs  18:16).  Yes, there are many ways of making friends.

     But how good are you at making enemies?  If you are a child of God and you can move among wicked, ungodly, cursing men and women today, and not be different enough to incur their disfavor or even reviling, you certainly are not much of a testimony.  Do you just silently endure taking the Lord's name in vain for fear of jeering?  Do you take "just a nip" because you fear ridicule?  Do you dread criticism for your faith in Christ?  Are you ashamed of Him for fear of losing friends?  I would rather make enemies for Jesus's sake than make friends for my own comfort's sake.

     In the thousands of letters we receive each week we have both letters of appreciation from our listeners, and also many of criticism and condemnation.  I can honestly say that I appreciate the "critical" letters (some of them unprintable) as much as any others for it confirms the Gospel I preach ) - that it's a two-edged sword cutting both ways:  a savor of life - and a savor of death  (2 Corinthians  2:16).

"Bread For Each Day"

THIS IS THE DAY....

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

THIS IS THE DAY THAT I HAVE MADE.  Rejoice and be glad in it.  Begin the day with open hands of faith, ready to receive all that I am pouring into this brief portion of your life.  Be careful not to complain about anything, even the weather, since I am the Author of your circumstances.  The best way to handle unwanted situation is to thank Me for them.  This act of faith frees you from resentment and frees Me to work My ways into the situation, so that good emerges from it.

To find Joy in this day, you must live within its boundaries.  I knew what I was doing when I divided time into twenty-four-hour segments.  I understand human frailty, and I know that you can bear the weight of only one day at a time.  Do not worry about tomorrow or get stuck in the past.  There is abundant Life in My Presence today.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

IT'S ALL RIGHT TO BE HUMAN...

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

IT'S ALL RIGHT TO BE HUMAN.  When your mind wanders while you are praying, don't be surprised or upset.  Simply return your attention to Me.  Rejoice in My Love for you, which has no limits or conditions. Whisper My Name in loving contentment, assured that I will never leave you or forsake you.  Intersperse these peaceful interludes abundantly throughout your day.  This practice will enable you to attain a quiet and gentle spirit, which is pleasing to Me.

As you live in close contact with Me, the Light of My Presence filters through you to bless others.  Your weakness and woundedness are the openings through which the Light of the knowledge of My Glory shines forth.  My strength and power show themselves most effective in your weakness.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

THIS IS THE DAY....

Come....sit and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."   Ephesians  4:31


THIS IS THE DAY THAT I HAVE MADE!  As you rejoice in this day of life, it will yield up to you precious gifts and beneficial training.  Walk with me along the high road of thanksgiving, and you will find all the delights I have made ready for you.

To protect your thankfulness, you must remember that you reside in a fallen world, where blessings and sorrows intermingle freely.  A constant focus on adversity defeats many Christians.  They walk through a day that is brimming with beauty and brightness, seeing only the grayness of their thoughts.  Neglecting the practice of giving thanks has darkened their minds.  How precious are My children who remember to thank Me at all times.  They can walk through the darkest days with Joy in their hearts because they know that the Light of My Presence is still shining on them.  Rejoice in this day that I have made, for I am your steadfast Companion.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"