Fantastic Friday!!

Hope you're having a lovely day. I am so busy, creating little Extreme Primitive Cats & Rabbits!!! They're so much fun to make. When their faces come together, their little personalities come out...LOL. That's when I name them, because I have a better idea of WHO they are.

Makes me think of a wonderful Biblical truth. WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST. If you abide in HIM and He abides in you, you are ROYALTY. You are the sons and daughters of the KING of KINGS! Thank God our personalities don't determine who we are in Jesus. The enemy knows and trembles! Jesus paid the price of our ticket to Heaven.

I'd love to share a fantastic devotional I read today. It's from the Girlfriends In God Daily Devotional.

February 8, 2008
Travel Theology
Gwen Smith

"I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." (Psalm 16:8 NIV)

Friend to Friend
I recently heard a friend say, "I used to think that the Bible was the road map for life. Now I feel that it is more like a traveling companion for the journey." That was profound to me. While it's true that we don't always know which direction to take next, I'm so thankful that we do have a heavenly hand to hold along the way.

I am a 'regular' at the Charlotte, NC airport. Not long ago, while at my gate preparing to board a flight, I overheard an agent at the ticket counter ask a common travel question, "What is your final destination?" The inquiry tickled my mind into a reflective wonderland.

What is my final destination? Beyond the obvious boarding-pass-answer, I began to think about the significance of that question concerning my life. I'd like to invite you to pack your bags and take a journey with me over the next few minutes as we consider a few questions that could help define your own 'travel theology'. Hang on! I must caution you, this ride could get bumpy. No need for concern though, I anticipate we will soon be soaring in amazing, revolutionary skies of grace. Let's consider the following five questions as we prepare for take off:

1. May I have your ticket please?
Before you board the Heaven-Bound Express you must have a ticket, but your money doesn't have any value in this foreign land. Do you possess the free "ticket of grace?" If not, I've got good news for you! A ticket was purchased on your behalf by the Son of God Himself, Jesus Christ. He came to earth to make a way for each of us to have access to God through the forgiveness of our sins.

Jesus said in John 14:6 "I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Your ticket is free. You just need to accept it.

2. Do you have any baggage to check?
Are there any anxieties, worries, past sins, past hurts with you today should be placed in the able hands of Jesus? The Bible says in Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Psalm 55:22 says "Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you. He will never let the righteous fall."

3. Can I please see your ID?
Who are you? What defines you? Who does Christ say you are? What is the 'Emotional Security Number' on your ID? These are important factors of identification. Be sure that you have the proper ID with you today.

4. Is your seat belt fastened?
Once onboard, there are a few important details that must not be overlooked. A seat belt is one of them. We use seatbelts to hold us firmly in place, securing our safety. During travel, the flight can often become bumpy. The word 'turbulent' is defined this way: tur·bu·lent (tûrZbyM-lMnt) adj. 1. Violently agitated or disturbed; tumultuous: turbulent rapids. 2. Having a chaotic or restless character or tendency: a turbulent period in history. 3. Causing unrest or disturbance; unruly: turbulent, revolutionary undercurrents.

Turbulence is often unavoidable, both on a flight in the sleekest jet and in the lives we live. Do you remember that childhood book "Going On a Bear Hunt?" The chorus would chime in as each new obstacle blocked the path of the adventurers, "Can't go over it, can't go under it, can't go around it, you have to go through it." Like that exhausting childhood story, turbulence is often in our path of travel and there is simply no way around it. You have to go through it. So be sure to fasten your Seatbelt of Faith.

Psalm 16:8 "I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."

As we prepare to land...one final question...

5. Are you traveling alone or with a companion?
Jesus said He came so that we would have abundant life -- a full, satisfying journey! We were never promised a problem-free trip. Are you traveling alone today? If so, let me encourage you to take His hand...the ride won't necessarily be easier, but it will be sweeter and your destination will be sure!!!

Let's Pray
Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of grace. Would you be with me today on this journey? Would you please hold me securely through the turbulent times that are inevitable? Please increase my measure of faith. It is a blessing to know that you are by my side at all times. Thank you for being my traveling companion.
In Jesus' Name
Amen.

AMEN & AMEN!!!

Hope your "JOURNEY" today is BLESSED.

Penny