The Oyster

It lay unobtrusive in the belly of the oyster

Under the cold blue waters

A single grain of sand

An irritant

The beginning of a blessing

Trouble twists and turns us

Along the path

But God uses hardships

For our benefit

The Lord transforms our peril into pearls

It is only through the irritant

That a pearl is formed

It is only through difficulty

That our character is carved

Into Christ's likeness

The Holy Spirit uses our pain

To produce within us His priceless pearls

Building blocks comprising Christian maturity

Joseph felt the sting

When they sold him into slavery

When they thrust him into prison

Though innocent

But these years made him

Into a man

Wise and full of integrity

At the appointed time

He was lifted to a place of prominence

Second in command of Egypt

The Lord transforms our peril into pearls

Suffering into a treasure of the sea

As we offer Him our lives,

God is changing you and me

A Glorious Invitation

God calls us to a glorious invitation. We have been invited to partake in a bountiful banquet. We have access to the presence of the King. The Lord desires intimacy with all His children, and it is possible for us to experience a deep personal relationship with our Lord. You can hear His voice. You can experience His presence.

Christ's blood was shed so that we could have boldness to enter into the holy of holies. All our past sins have been forgiven. They are washed by the blood. We must believe that we have been forgiven. God wants us to repent of our sin, confess it before Him, and accept His gift of righteousness.

The Holy Spirit desires to draw us into a more personal relationship with God. We can come into His presence through praise and worship and through prayer. We can also grow in our relationship with Him by reading and obeying His word. The Father is looking for those who will worship Him in Spirit and in truth.

Let's draw near to the One who changes hearts. Let's worship the Master. Let's approach Him in humility. In His presence is fullness of joy. Let's make it our practice to enter into His presence every day. When we spend time with our Father God, we experience inner transformation. When we draw near to Him, we are changed. Come and partake of the bountiful banquet the Lord has prepared for you. Come into the presence of the King. Make it your habit to come into the King's presence and you will never be the same – all because of His glorious invitation!

Dear Father God,

Thank you for inviting me into Your presence. Please forgive me of any sin that would hinder me from knowing You. I thank You that I have been made righteous because of Your precious blood. Lord, I surrender all to You and I worship You. You are pure and holy. Lord, I love you. Help me to know You more. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!         

Inside This Well

Lord You see the recesses of my heart

Every nook and cranny

Every single part

Is the water clean inside this well?

Am I bound to heaven or bound to hell?

Is wisdom flowing from this spring?

Or is it foolishness I bring?

Help me Lord to live for You

To abide in love

To live for truth

You see the rooms inside my heart

Take up your throne

Fill up each part

When Your blood atones for my misdeeds,

Then I shall be pure

Then I shall be clean

Let me not taint the water I give away

With selfish deeds and selfish ways

Come search my heart oh Holy Spirit

Let me know Your truth

Let me always fear it

Come search my heart oh Holy King

Come seek until you find anything

That grieves Your heart and brings displeasure

May Your blood cleanse and bring this treasure

Of a willing heart and willing mind

Of a well within where beggars find

Your living water flowing full and free

Bringing others to blessed eternity

Whatever God Touches Flourishes

If you'd like to read a devotion of mine that was published in christiandevotions.us, please click on this link...
www.christiandevotions.us/viewblogentry/109 

I believe this devotion will minister to you greatly. Have an awesome day!

Blessings,

Tom Toya

A Brand New Day

The beauty of another day

Commences with light bursting on the horizon

Your mercies are new every morning

The sins of yesterday forgiven

All is new

We can set our sights high

Up where the stars dwell

We can make it our goal

To please Him

You created the heavens and the earth

Your handiwork like the strokes of a master painter

Fill the canvas of the sky

Lord teach us to number our days

Train us in Your ways

You are the Mighty One

Creator God

We are your people

Washed in the blood of the Lamb

We are your children

Ready to face a brand new day

A Word From the Lord

I gave this prophecy this morning at FaithBridge Church, West Chicago, IL.  To God be the glory!


There is a banner flying over our heads.  The banner over us is love.  It is love that causes the army of God to prevail.  You are winners, overcomers in His name.

I am your source of victory, your strength.  Lay aside the guilt, lay aside the burden, lay aside those besetting sins and come to Me.  Come to the cross and let Me be your victorious King.  Let me give you My victory.

Love Never Fails

Like a river let Your love flow

Through my heart Lord

Cause me to grow

Love is stronger than bitter hate

Love can grip a nation and make it shake

Love is pure and undefiled

Warms the heart

Makes a home thrive

Love lays pride low to the ground

Becomes a servant

With actions loud

The love of God can renovate a heart

Run to Him and never part

Call upon His merciful name

He who banishes guilt and shame

Faith Hope and Love endure

But the greatest is love

It is the cure

Faith Hope and Love will last

But the greatest of these will accomplish the task

When we are motivated by this heart

We find success, we hit the mark

Come let's set our sails

And propel to the direction of God's love

For love never fails