August 17th. MONDAY, there were clouds in the sky this AM, and we are still here with the opportunity to represent The Lord Jesus Christ.This is the day that I normally ask the personal questions to provoke you to recall who and whose you are.These questiions will be useful as you give your testimony because you can make bold,positive and confident statements that are factual with biblical references relative to your salvation experience.Has there ben a change in your life? Have you dealt with the matter of sin? Have you seen the significance of Jesus Christ as The God-Man?Have you sought forgiveness through faith?Are you a child of GOD?>John 1:12. Have you been justified?>Romans5:1. Have you been adopted?>Ephesians1:5. Are you free from condemnation?>Romans 8:1,2.Are you the salt and light of the earth?>Matthew5:13.Are you a minister of reconciliation?>IICorinthians 5:17ff.Are you forgiven and redeemed?>Colossians1:14.Are you accepted?>Ephesians1:6. Is GOD The Father, The Lord Jesus Christ and God The Holy Spirit the love of your life?Then act like it is so.

Nehemiah 12:27-13:31 concludes the report by Nehemiah regarding his work in Jerusalem in building the wall around the city.What a man to emulate. If you have small boys in your family or grandsons, please tell this story and pray for them to surrender their life's ambition to serve GOD.We as men to set the example.To be the Tirshatha for The LORD. He was not the king, but he spoke for him because he had been given a commission to do the work. He was not a priest, yet he cooperated with Ezra and provided the opportunity to put The Word of GOD, The law of Moses, in it's rightful place. He was not a prophet, yet GOD used him to do His good will and Nehemiah was faithful to give GOD the glory. Nehemiah was a man! He prayed! He waited! He worked! He depended upon the grace, mercy and power of GOD to do the work. He loved the people, hated the enemy and made good choices.GOD was his God!Nehemiah was a man of prayer and a man of action.He cleaned house in v13:8ff. It is fascinating how he often asked The LORD to remember him and his actions as well as the actions of the enemy. Put the last sentence of the last verse of the last chapter into your prayers.I've incorporated this request into my prayer life. This proves to me that it is good to read the entire book because maybe the finest jewel is under the last rock to be moved. Read to know Him.

1st Corinthians 11:3-16 Genealogy in the Old Testament and Lordship in the New Testament. The way of GOD is BEST.If this is not clear, spend more time in prayer and ask The Holy Spirit to teach you the truth that will cause you to see The LORD more clearly. Follow Him.Read to know Him. What is the difference, respect and love?

Psalm 35:1-16 GOD is not a bully and all bullies flee from Him, so if you are confronted by a bully get behind The LORD. That is where we should be with our cross.

Proverbs 21:17-18 fun and wine for a season, then poverty.Look at Psalm 1 and see the judgment in v4,5 & 6. We all have the opportunity to make either good/best or poor/worst decisions. Be careful, gather the facts, then choose The LORD's way. pj
Put The LORD first early each day. Remember to pray for one another and for the students going to all schools and colleges. GOD is GOD!