Have you ever tried to build a structure? A #master #builder follows the #blueprint. My grandfather built the city hall, the brick church with sainted glass windows, and numerous homes many years ago in Clarendon, Texas. Then my father became a master carpenter following in his father’s footsteps. As a child, I remember seeing construction plans spread out on the table with detail instructions for commercial buildings. He would explain the ratios set forth on each sheet which had to be followed to insure the stability and integrity of the structure. Details were integral for a solid foundation. Today as I read the Bible, I am in awe of “THE MASTER BUILDER” as I see His blueprint “THE BIBLE” spread out on my table. 1Corinthians 3:9-16 “We are laborers together with GOD: you are GOD’S husbandry, you are GOD’S building. The grace of GOD which is given to me, AS A WISE MASTER BUILDER, I have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon. Take heed how he builds for other FOUNDATION can no man lay than is laid -which is JESUS CHRIST. If any man builds upon the foundation of gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble then every man’s work shall be shown up for what it is. If man’s work abides he shall receive a reward. Know that YOU ARE THE TEMPLE OF GOD AND THE SPIRIT OF GOD LIVES IN YOU.”….23.”YOU ARE CHRIST’S, AND CHRIST IS GOD’S” Genesis 1:26 “GOD SAID, ‘LET US MAKE MAN IN OUR IMAGE AFTER OUR LIKENESS”

Is there someone who gives you #pleasure just to be in their presence? With all our electronics, video, TV, and phones, I observe less and less actual personal encounters. People seem to fear eye to eye contact. As I was growing up many years ago, I remember hearing …”Look me in the eyes and tell me that!” Today I hear, ‘what is right made out to be wrong and what is wrong being said it is right’. Now I know God can look through all this smoke screen of players and see the truth. Can the LORD find pleasure in you, His creation? I say, “YES” because His Word tells me so! Psalm 149:4 “For the LORD TAKES PLEASURE IN HIS PEOPLE; HE will beautify the meek with salvation” What a blessed promise from our LORD! Ps.16:11 “GOD will show me the path of life: IN GOD’S PRESENCE IS FULNESS OF JOY; AT HIS RIGHT HAND THERE ARE PLEASURES FOREVERMORE” < Now is the time to turn your eyes upon Jesus>

Which #way do I go? All #roads do not take you to your desired #destination! In years passed the Indians had a scout to direct their path, and vikings looked to the stars for their guidance in sailing the seas. Today most drivers follow their audio GPA. Have you ever been taken in circles from those directions? We were driving in the smokey mountains using this “new” technology and kept seeing the same car passing in opposite direction. Each of us was being given instructions that lead us around the mountain in the same circling path. Then recently my granddaughter got a new car in which she was driving the family to lunch using the latest technological guidance system. I said, “oh, just one more block on the left”; however, Artificial Intelligence said, “Turn Here to your right” It was an alley that lead to an empty backlot parking lot of an abandoned building! As we looked out across a busy roadway – there was our restaurant! Why am I telling you all this? Because we need to follow the correct path in our life. (Is.30:21) We all make wrong turns, but corrections are possible with the right guide showing us the way. Isaiah 40:3 “Voice of him that cried in the wilderness, ‘Prepare you the WAY OF THE LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and rough places plain.” Dueteronomy 8:6 “You shall keep the commandments of the Lord to WALK IN GOD’S WAYS” Ps.18:30 “WAY OF GOD IS PERFECT” John 14:6 “JESUS said, I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE NO MAN COMES UNTO THE FATHER BUT BY ME.” HABAKKUK 3:6 “GOD’S WAYS ARE EVERLASTING” I choose to follow His way….”JESUS said to them, FOLLOW ME”

The word #master is rarely used today because of its connection to #slavery; however, the word is relevant to our lifestyles. Who or what is your master? Webster’s dictionary defines the word master as one having another subject to his will, direction, and rule. Interesting…..Are you self willed? ….Going where you want as you please?…….Following the latest fade, in-crowd, or ideology? Can you make up your own mind or do you just go with the flow – wherever? God’s word tells us His Master Plan. Interested? Jesus said, “Pray, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven…..for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The light of the body is the eye: if your eye be single your whole body shall be full of light, but if your eye be evil, your whole body shall be full of darkness…..NO ONE CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS: EITHER HE WILL HATE THE ONE, AND LOVE THE OTHER; OR HE WILL HOLD TO THE ONE, AND DESPISE THE OTHER. YOU CANNOT SERVE GOD AND MAMMON.” Matthew 6:9-24 In John 13:11-17 Jesus gives us an example of the true Master. “You are not all clean, so He washed their feet….. and said, Do you realize what I have done to you? YOU CALL ME MASTER AND LORD: AND YOU SAY WELL; FOR SO I AM. If your LORD AND MASTER washed your feet you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you an example….for the servant is not greater than his lord; neither the messenger that is sent greater than he that sent him. If you know these things you will be happy if you do them.” I say, “Choose you this day whom you will serve, but as for me I will serve the LORD.”

Do you need more #strength? Seems to me that someone is always promoting the latest #energy #booster, #supplement, or #equipment that will increase your #stamina, #endurance, and #muscles. I am sure all have some benefit even psychological for awhile until you tire of it and move on to the latest fade. Back in the 70’s my husband and I had dinner with the man who held the title “Strongest Man of the Year” . I was struck by his huge muscular frame and as he talked, I could hear pressure on his breathing and vocals caused by the enlarged muscles around his heart and lungs. He only lived a few years after our meeting, and that reminded me of how man’s strength is so fragile. There is a strength that never wanes which belongs to the LORD. “STRENGTH-POWER BELONG UNTO GOD” Ps.62:11 “Be exalted LORD IN THINE OWN STRENGTH: so we will sing and praise thy power.”Ps.21:13 This is my personal prayer today from Psalms 71:16-18: “I WILL GO IN THE STRENGTH OF THE LORD GOD: and make mention of His righteousness only. Now when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not until I have showed THY STRENGTH UNTO THIS GENERATION and thy power to everyone that is to come.” Ps.71:16-18