God has used me in a mightily way several times lately. One time all I really done was show concern and love to someone who was so broken down and defeated, they were thinking of suicide. God wants people who are ready, willing, and able. I am not saying I am all that. But I do put an effort into being God's servant to His people and His witness. Even at the yard sale yesterday, two people I have not seen or had contact with for years showed up. I got to talk about my church and one has moved closer to the area and is looking for a church. Of course I invited her. Love on the people you come in contact with, you never know how you will bless their life or save their life. God bless-----------------------

Have you ever thought about what a sacrifice really is? I was reading in Exodus about the different sacrifices they made to God. They were to offer on the alter each day a lamb, once in the morning and one in the evening. The one in the morning was to be offered with flour and a hin of oil from pressed olives. A hin is about equal to a quart. That is 32 ounces. One olive will only produce about 3-5 drops of oil. Think about an eye dropper or a medicine dropper. that is not much. But those people pressed enough olives daily to make this offering. Olive oil had multiple uses like: food, health, beauty and energy, anoint people, as well as for burial. It was sometimes referred to as an ointment. The best ointments were kept in small alabaster boxes that best preserved it aroma. Some of the better ointments were known to keep their distinctive scents for centuries.
So, I would say God ask these people to make a great sacrifice just by requiring the oil to be used. It took their time and energy to produce the oil, which is over and above what they normally would need and use for their own personal use. Has God changed? NO, HE has NOT. God still requires we give Him out time and energy. God is not going to ask for something that you will come by easy. It has to stretch you. You can not go buy what God wants. The simple way is to commit to God to do His will. Give God the sacrifice He wants from you. Then He will give back to you more than you can possibly ask for. Getting up an hour or two earlier in the morning to spend time with God is hard. But the more you do it the easier it gets. Then one day, you will just wake up from an internal time clock just to spend time with Him. Then you will have to find another sacrifice. Spend another hour in the evenings. Oh, boy. Try breaking way from family and friends on a regular basis.
May God bless you ---------------------

God has been dealing with me about things a lot lately. One thing is the song I sing and play in my car while driving, "I Am A friend of God." We all know and sing this song. One morning God just simple ask me, "What is a Friend?" Webster's definition--a person one knows well and is fond of, an ally, supporter, or sympathizer. And reading that, it pretty much sums up a friend.
But what does the Bible say about a friend? A friend will love you at all times(good times, bad times, sickness, broke, busted), a friend will stick closer than a brother(this is a blood relative), a friend will lay down his life for you(will back you up, always on your side, step in front of you when a gun is pointed at you). How many friends do you have that is really a friend? Are you a real friend to any one to that extend? Jesus is our friend in that way. The only one we can depend on. Most friends are not going to be there for you in the very worst of times. And do you really know of someone who will take the bullet, take the chance of being killed for you? Jesus made a sacrifice for us. Are you willing to make a sacrifice to be his friend? It is not easy to speak of the Bible, religion, and God at times. But that is when we are forced to sacrifice. I would much rather make a sacrifice now than have God turn His back to me later. Just take a few quiet moments and reflect on your friendship with God. Are you making a sacrifice for him?
If not, maybe your friendship with God is not what it should be.
Until next time, may God bless you ------