Friday, June 29, 2018

Be Aware

AS YOU GET OUT OF BED in the morning, be aware of My Presence with you. You may not be thinking clearly yet, but I am. Your early morning thoughts tend to be anxious ones until you get connected with Me. Invite Me into your thoughts by whispering My Name. Suddenly your day brightens and feels more user-friendly. You cannot dread a day that is vibrant with My Presence.

You gain confidence through knowing that I am with you— that you face nothing alone. Anxiety stems from asking the wrong question: “If such and such happens, can I handle it?” The true question is not whether you can cope with whatever happens, but whether you and I together can handle anything that occurs. It is this you-and-I-together factor that gives you confidence to face the day cheerfully.*

In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. —PSALM 5: 3

O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. —PSALM 63: 1 NKJV

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. —PHILIPPIANS 4: 13

*Young, Sarah. Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence (p. 188). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

**See Gene Allen Groner's books, biography, photo, and daily messages of hope and peace on his author page at https://www.amazon.com/Gene-Allen-Groner/e/B077YTVSJZ

Thursday, June 28, 2018

90 Minutes in Heaven

Last night I watched the DVD movie titled 90 Minutes in Heaven. I had previously read the book by Don Piper and my heart was touched by his story. He tells of driving in the pouring down rain across a bridge, when an 18-wheel tractor trailer driven by a prison inmate crashed into his car head-on. His car was so mangled the EMT's had to cut the top off to get to him. The county coroner pronounced him dead at the scene and a tarp was laid over the wreckage with Don still inside. A passing minister felt led to pray over Don, even though he was pronounced dead. The minister pried open the trunk and reached in as far as he could. Although he wasn't able to reach Don, he placed his hand as close to him as he could and prayed. As he prayed, Don moved a little, and the minister asked the paramedic to check his pulse. Don was alive. Piper had been clinically dead for 90 minutes. He was in the hospital for nearly four months and endured over 30 surgeries. He later related his experience during the 90 minutes he was out of his body, and in what he described as Heaven. He said there was a tremendous amount of love like he had never before experienced, and he saw many people whose lives had been a blessing to him--all healthy and happy.

After regaining his ability to walk, he devoted the remainder of his life to telling his story to congregations around the country. Many people believed his story, some had their doubts. But there was never any doubt that he had died and came back to life, and that his life and purpose for living had radically changed. I don't know if you believe his story or not, but if you haven't seen the movie, I suggest you rent the DVD from your local library, or buy the book--it's on Amazon.com. The book is titled 90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death and Life. At the very least it is an interesting story, book, and movie. It's a true faith journey you will surely enjoy.

*See Gene Allen Groner's books, biography, photo, and daily messages of hope and peace on his author page at https://www.amazon.com/Gene-Allen-Groner/e/B077YTVSJZ

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

REST WITH ME A WHILE. You have journeyed up a steep, rugged path in recent days. The way ahead is shrouded in uncertainty. Look neither behind you nor before you. Instead, focus your attention on Me, your constant Companion. Trust that I will equip you fully for whatever awaits you on your journey.

I designed time to be a protection for you. You couldn’t bear to see all your life at once. Though I am unlimited by time, it is in the present moment that I meet you. Refresh yourself in My company, breathing deep draughts of My Presence. The highest level of trust is to enjoy Me moment by moment. I am with you, watching over you wherever you go.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” —MATTHEW 11: 28 NKJV

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. —PSALM 143: 8

“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” —GENESIS 28: 15

*June 27 devotional from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

**See Gene Allen Groner's author page for all his books, biography, photo, and daily messages of peace and hope at https://www.amazon.com/Gene-Allen-Groner/e/B077YTVSJZ

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

STAY CALMLY conscious of Me today, no matter what. Remember that I go before you as well as

with you into the day. Nothing takes Me by surprise. I will not allow circumstances to overwhelm

you, so long as you look to Me. I will help you cope with whatever the moment presents.

Collaborating with Me brings blessings that far outweigh all your troubles. Awareness of My

Presence contains Joy that can endure all eventualities.

The LORD is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

PSALM 23 : 1 – 4 (NKJV)

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For

our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

2 CORINTHIANS 4 : 16 – 17

*Jesus Calling Daily Devotional June 26

**See Gene Allen Groner's books, biography, photo, and daily messages of hope and peace on Amazon.com at https://www.amazon.com/Gene-Allen-Groner/e/B077YTVSJZ

Monday, June 25, 2018

Daily Devotional June 25

“OPEN YOUR HANDS and your heart to receive this day as a precious gift from Me. I begin each day with a sunrise announcing My radiant Presence. By the time you rise from your bed, I have already prepared the way before you. I eagerly await your first conscious thought. I rejoice when you glance My way.

Bring Me the gift of thanksgiving, which opens your heart to rich communion with Me. Because I am God, from whom all blessings flow, thankfulness is the best way to draw near Me. Sing praise songs to Me; tell of My wondrous works. Remember that I take great delight in you; rejoice over you with singing.”

Psalm 118:24 – The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.

Psalm 95:2 – Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.

Zephaniah 3:17 – The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

*from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.

**Follow Gene Allen Groner's daily devotionals and books, biography, photo, and messages of hope and peace on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Gene-Allen-Groner/e/B077YTVSJZ

Saturday, June 23, 2018

Psalm 148 New King James Version (NKJV)

Praise to the Lord from Creation

148 Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord from the heavens;
Praise Him in the heights!
2 Praise Him, all His angels;
Praise Him, all His hosts!
3 Praise Him, sun and moon;
Praise Him, all you stars of light!
4 Praise Him, you heavens of heavens,
And you waters above the heavens!

5 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
For He commanded and they were created.
6 He also established them forever and ever;
He made a decree which shall not pass away.

7 Praise the Lord from the earth,
You great sea creatures and all the depths;
8 Fire and hail, snow and clouds;
Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;
9 Mountains and all hills;
Fruitful trees and all cedars;
10 Beasts and all cattle;
Creeping things and flying fowl;
11 Kings of the earth and all peoples;
Princes and all judges of the earth;
12 Both young men and maidens;
Old men and children.

13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
For His name alone is exalted;
His glory is above the earth and heaven.
14 And He has exalted the horn of His people,
The praise of all His saints—
Of the children of Israel,
A people near to Him.

Praise the Lord!

Thursday, June 21, 2018

Wait Patiently with the Lord

WAIT PATIENTLY WITH ME while I bless you. Don’t rush into My Presence with time-consciousness gnawing at your mind. I dwell in timelessness: I am, I was, I will always be. For you, time is a protection; you’re a frail creature who can handle only twenty-four-hour segments of life.

Time can also be a tyrant, ticking away relentlessly in your mind. Learn to master time, or it will be your master.

Though you are a time-bound creature, seek to meet Me in timelessness. As you focus on My Presence, the demands of time and tasks will diminish. I will bless you and keep you, making My Face shine upon you graciously, giving you Peace.

But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD,

I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.

MICAH 7 : 7

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

REVELATION 1 : 8

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you

and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

NUMBERS 6 : 24 – 26*

*Jesus Calling Daily Devotional June 21st

**See Gene Allen Groner's books, biography, photo, and daily messages of hope and peace on Amazon.com at https://www.amazon.com/Gene-Allen-Groner/e/B077YTVSJZ

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

"In Touch Ministries" Daily Devotional June 19th

Jeremiah 6:16-17 (NASB)

¹⁶Thus says the Lord,
“Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths,
Where the good way is, and walk in it;
And you will find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
¹⁷“And I set watchmen over you, saying,
‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’
But they said, ‘We will not listen.’

Look for the Good Way

If you’re a hiker, you know how important it is to stick to the marked trails in unfamiliar territory. To venture off on your own could lead to disaster if you get lost and can’t find your way back to safety.

This is similar to what happened to the nation of Judah. They veered from the Lord to make their own way by adopting foreign gods. As a result, God told the prophet Jeremiah to point them back to Him. Sadly, they refused to listen and continued in the wrong direction.

But we don’t have to follow in their footsteps. The Lord will lead us onto His path if we’ll heed these commands from Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV):

“Stand at the crossroads and look.” God sometimes uses trouble to open our eyes and let us see we’re at an intersection. This is the time to stop and immerse ourselves in God’s Word so we can discern His way.

“Ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is.” Saints from the past have left footprints for us to follow. After meditating on psalms or prayers offered by people in the Bible, we should ponder how their petitions reveal trust in God. It’s also helpful to notice what happened next in the scriptural accounts.

“Walk in it, and ... find rest for your souls.” With eyes firmly fixed on Jesus and with full reliance on the Holy Spirit’s strength, we can walk the road of obedience and follow Christ to sweet, soul-satisfying rest.

If you’re uncertain regarding God’s will, avoid the tendency to run faster. Pause, follow Jeremiah’s instructions, and trust the Lord to show you the good way. Then start walking.

*See all of Gene Allen Groner's books, biography, photo, his personal autobiography Journey of a Disciple, and daily messages of hope and peace on Amazon.com at https://www.amazon.com/Gene-Allen-Groner/e/B077YTVSJZ

Monday, June 18, 2018

Psalm 90 New International Version (NIV)

A prayer of Moses the man of God.

1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place
    throughout all generations.
2 Before the mountains were born
    or you brought forth the whole world,
    from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

3 You turn people back to dust,
    saying, “Return to dust, you mortals.”
4 A thousand years in your sight
    are like a day that has just gone by,
    or like a watch in the night.
5 Yet you sweep people away in the sleep of death—
    they are like the new grass of the morning:
6 In the morning it springs up new,
    but by evening it is dry and withered.

7 We are consumed by your anger
    and terrified by your indignation.
8 You have set our iniquities before you,
    our secret sins in the light of your presence.
9 All our days pass away under your wrath;
    we finish our years with a moan.
10 Our days may come to seventy years,
    or eighty, if our strength endures;
yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,
    for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
11 If only we knew the power of your anger!
    Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.
12 Teach us to number our days,
    that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

13 Relent, Lord! How long will it be?
    Have compassion on your servants.
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,
    that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
    for as many years as we have seen trouble.
16 May your deeds be shown to your servants,
    your splendor to their children.

17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us—
yes, establish the work of our hands.

*See Gene Allen Groner's biography of Moses, King David, Deborah the Prophetess, other Bible characters, and all his other books, bio, photo, and daily messages of hope and peace on his webpage

at https://www.amazon.com/Gene-Allen-Groner/e/B077YTVSJZ.

Gene Groner, Author