WEEK ONE

New Year

Scripture

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature: Theold things passed away but new things have come.

2 Corinthians 5: 17 (NASB)

Meditation

This is the first day of a new year. Throughout the worldpeople celebrate the end of an old year and the beginning ofa new year. We have made resolutions that we intended tokeep. Some will keep them but a lot will forget about themby the end of the week. Some of us will have hangovers, guiltand suffer from the things that we did the year before. This isa good time to resolve not to do the things that we regretteddoing the year before.

Saul of Tarsus was a devout Hebrew who strongly believedthat he was doing the correct thing by doing what the churchleaders believed. He thought that it was God's will for him topersecute, imprison and stone to death those who had becomeChristian. One day, on the road to Damascus, God shined agreat light in Saul's eyes and Saul became blind. He was ledto Damascus where God sent Ananias to find him.

So Ananias departed and entered the house, and afterlaying hands on him and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesushas appeared to you on the road by which you were cominghas sent me so that you might regain you sight and be filledby the Holy Spirit."

Acts 9:17 (NASB)

Saul was converted to a new way of life and was re-namedPaul. His spirit was reborn and he became a new creature, adevout follower of Christ Jesus and his way of life. We all canbecome new in spirit and become new persons if we followthe teachings of Christ, "Emanuel, God with us".

As we begin a new year let us think and meditate on thewords of Paul that he wrote to the church in Philippi.

"Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever things arehonest, whatever is right, whatever is lovely, whatever is ingood report, if there is any excellence and anything worthyof praise, dwell on these things."

Philippians 4:,8 (NASB)

Thoughts for the week

As we begin a new year, let us rememberthe things that we have done the year before,and let us resolve not to do those thingsover again the coming years.The teachings of Christ, "Emanuel"will guide us in our actions.

Prayer

Almighty and everlasting Father, God of those before us,we give thanks to You for being with us, providing for us andguiding us through the years. We pray that You will continueto be with us, through Your Son, Christ Jesus, as we begin anew year. May we be steadfast in his will and love throughoutthe year and through each year of our lives. We pray this inthe name of Christ Jesus, "Emanuel".

Amen

WEEK TWO

God's Creation

Scripture

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.2 And the earth was formless and void, and darkness wasupon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God movedupon the face of the waters.

Genesis 1: 1, 2 (NAS)

Meditation

Moses, who wrote the Torah, the first five books of the OldTestament, tells us that God created the earth and everythingin it. Scientist tell us that God created the heavens and theearth over a long periods of time. The large mass of hot gascooled ant the solid land was separated from the water and theair. The life that God began in the waters of the seas evolvedover a long period of time until there were microscopic plantsand animals that evolved into fish, larger fish and large whales.The early living things on the earth evolved into larger plantsand animals, including man. Christ, "Emanuel", told us thatwe did not need to pray to Him for things because He hadcreated everything that we need.

As I sit on the porch in the mornings meditating on God'smagnificent creations I sit in awe at what God had done. Asthe sun rises over the trees and the mountains new leavesseem to spring forth on the trees. The grasses and other plantsseem to burst forth with buds and beautiful flowers. Theleaves clean the air after being used by machines, automobiles,plants, animals, and man. The leaves and grasses recycle theair; cleaning the air of carbon dioxide and giving off oxygento be used again.

I think of how God has created the plants and the animalsof the seas and of the plants and animals that cover and roamthe earth. After vegetation God created animals to feed onit. Animals had ample vegetation to eat, grow and reproduce.Hummingbirds, bees, insects feed on the nectar of the flowersand pollinate the plants so that they can produce seeds andreproduce themselves.

As I feel the cool breeze and breathe the clean air I beginto reflect on our bodies. New born babies are clean, pure andfresh from God. I recall the times that I have cut or bruisedmyself. An army of blood cells come to the defense and beginto clean up the injured tissue, contamination and germs. Thewound becomes red and inflamed and the battle progresses.After the inflammation clears and the wound is clean millionsof worker cells come and repair the wound. When we breaka bone millions of cells come and clear the blood and injuredbone. Other cells come and after a few months the break isrepaired. When our body is invaded by bacteria, viruses, orfungi immune system sends a host of cells to attack and defeatthe invading organism.

When I recall what my God given defenses have done forme I remember the time when I had a respiratory infection.The doctor took an X-ray of my chest and told me that I hadbeen infected in the past with TB (tuberculosis). He said thatmy normal defenses had had destroyed all of the TB germsand all that I had left was two healed scars where the battlehad been fought. He gave me some cough syrup and said thatmy immune system would take care of the rest. A few yearsago I stepped into a blood mobile to give blood. A few dayslater in received a letter stating that my blood could not beused because it had antibodies against the hepatitis C virus. Imust have stuck myself with a contaminated needle and myimmune system had destroyed the hepatitis C virus. Yes! Yes!We have an awesome Creator!

Thoughts of the week

Let us think of the magnificent heaven and earth thatGod has created.

Let us thing of the vegetation and animals that God hasmade.

Let us think of the marvelous bodies God has created.

Let us thing of the food and water and air that Godcreated for us to use.

Let us think of our bodies, the temple of our souls, andhow they can adapt to environment we live in.

Some of us live in areas of the world that is hot andmuch sun light. Our skins are full of Melanin that causesthe pigment to develop, causing our skin to become dark andprotect us from the suns rays. Otherwise we would blister andwe would either die of infection of dehydration.

Let us be grateful that God has made everything so thatnature is balanced and we can live at peace in the world.

Prayer

Almighty and everlasting God we stand in awe in yourpresence. We are grateful for the things that you have donefor us. We can live in peace, knowing that we can live in theuniverse that you have made. May we always live by yourteaching and care for your world.

Amen

WEEK THREE

The Temple of the Soul

Scripture

18 Flee immorality. Every sin a man commits is outside thebody, but the immoral man sins against his own body.

19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of theHoly Spirit who is in you whom you have from God, andthat you are not your own.

1 Corinthians 6: 18-19 (NASB)

Meditation

Our bodies are the temple of our souls. It has been saidthat the mind is between the spirit and soul. Our minds maybe filled with the Spirit of God, truth and love, or the spiritof the evil one, the spirit of hate, anger and lies. Our bodiesare the vehicle which carries the spirit, mind and soul aroundin this world as we live on the earth. The health of our bodiesdepends on how we treat it. Throughout the bible God hasgiven us suggestions and instructions for keeping our bodiesin good health.

When man chose to gain knowledge of good and evil andbe like God, God drove them out of the Garden of Eden.Man then had to work in order to provide food, clothing andshelter for himself. God then created in man a soul whichwill live forever. Medical Scientist have discovered that ourbodies need to move, work, exercise in order for our musclesand bones to remain strong and our joints to remain movable.It is a pleasure to taste, see and feel what our work has done.

God has instructed us not become drunk with hard drinkand hard wine. We know that alcohol losers our inhibitionsand we say and do things that we would not do otherwise.Prolonged and over use of alcohol will slowly destroy thebrain and our mind and tem of the soul will be damaged.Other mind and body altering drugs used for our social lifelowers our inhibitions allowing us to follow the crowd tolead us to immoral acts that we would not do otherwise.Continued use will damage the mind and body, the templeof the soul.

God intended for man's body and mind to remain healthyand for us to live a long, healthy and joyful life. Our livesare much more pleasant if men and women love each other,marry, raise a happy healthy family and be able leave ourchildren to have a healthy, happy life on earth and theirtemple of their souls, the way God intended.

Thoughts for the Week

Be still my soul: Your God will undertaketo guide the future, as in the past.Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake;all now mysteries shall be bright at last.Be still my soul; the waves and wind still knowthe Christ who ruled them while he dwelt below.

Katharina Von Sledge, 1752

Prayer

Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;wean it from earth; through all pulses move;stoop to my weakness, mighty as thou art,and make me love thee as I ought to love.

George Croly, 1867

WEEK FOUR

Martin Luther King Day

Scripture

44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them thatcurse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray forthem which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

45 That ye may be the children of your Father, which is inheaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and onthe good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 For if you love them who love you, what reward have ye?Do not even the publicans do the same?

47 And if you salute your brother only, what do you morethan others? Do not even the publicans do the same?

48 Be ye therefore perfect, as your Father which is in heavenis perfect."

Matthew 5: 44-48 (KJV)

Meditation

On January 15, 1929 a man named Martin Luther KingJr. was born. After graduating from Morehouse College inAtlanta, Georgia, he studied theology at Crozer TheologicalSeminary in Pennsylvania. He was elected president of apredominantly white senior class. He was awarded his B. D.degree in 1951. He earned a doctorate from Boston Universityin 1955.

As president of the Southern Christian LeadershipConference, Doctor King patterned his operational techniqueof non-violence and soul force after Mahatma Gandhi.Under his leadership the Afro-American experienced less ofthe injustices, prejudices and segregation practices throughthe non-violent and soul force means than they had everexperienced in America.

When Mart in Luther King, Jr. was awarded the NobelPeace Prize he stated that he had rather be known for whathe had done for the brotherhood of man than as the winnerof the coveted Nobel Peace Prize.

I was listening to Doctor King speak one evening and wasvery much impressed when I heard him say, "Now is the timeto lift our nation out of the racial injustice to the solidrock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice to allof God's Children. I have a dream that one day this nationwill rise up and live out the meaning of it's creed." I alsohad a dream that all men could be able to disagree withoutbeing disagreeable and sit down at the table of brotherhood.All men are created equal in the sight of God. I believe thatall men should be judged by their character rather that theirbeliefs or the color of their skin.

Thoughts for the Day

Let us think of all of God's creations

Let us think that all men and women are created equal inthe sight of God.

Let us not think of ourselves being better that any ofGod's children.

Let us be grateful for men such as Martin Luther King, Jr.

Let us be grateful for men such as Mahatma Gandhi.

Let us be grateful to God for coming to earth to teach ushow to live in brotherhood.

Prayer

Our gracious heavenly Father, creator of all mankind, wepraise your holy name. We give thanks to you for souls suchas Martin Luther King, Jr. May we live in harmony with allof your children as well as all of Your creation. May we seeothers for the content of their character rather than their race,religion or creed.

Amen

Man

Scripture

26 Then God said, "Let us make ma in our image accordingto our likeness and let him rule over the fish of the seasand over the birds on the sky, and over the cattle and overall the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps onthe earth.

27 God created man in His image; the image of God Hecreated him; male and female He created them.

Genesis 1: 26, 27 (NASB)

7 Then the Lord God formed man out of the dust of theground, and breathed into his nostril the breath of life,and man became a living being.

Genesis 2: 7 (NASB)

Meditation

Notice that in Genesis 1: 26 God said, "Let us create manin our image; according to our likeness." Then in Genesis2: 7 (NASB) the bible reads, "The Lord God formed manof the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostril thebreath of life and man became a living being." Our physicalbodies were made on the dust of the ground and can breath,eat, walk, and reproduce as the lower animals can. A perfectbody it is.

Then God created man in his image. He said. "Let usmake man in "Our image". As we grow in body we also growin mind, spirit, truth, and love and think and know rightfrom wrong as God wished for us to do. Some of us may learngreed, hate and become self righteous as the evil one wouldhave us do. The spirit of God came to The Hebrews in thebody and mind of Jesus as the Christ, Emanuel, "God withus", to show us how to live, love and to bring peace and goodwill to mankind. The mind and soul, created through the spiritof God, is what separates man from the lower animals. Thesoul is what will live in the warmth of Gods love throughouteternity when we pass from this earthly life to the life foreternity. It has been said that the mind is between the spiritand the soul. The spirit of God is love and truth.

Beloved let us love one another, for love is from God: andeveryone who is born of God and is of God and knows Godand everyone who loves is born of God is and knows God.The one who does not know love does not know God; for Godis love. By this the love of God was manifested is us that Godhas sent His only begotten Son into the world that we mightlive through Him. 1 John 4: 7-9 (NASB) God our creator isthe great spirit of truth, love and light, the power behind allcreation. This we can believe but may not fully understanduntil we are with Him in eternity. As apostle Paul told us, weunderstand only in part and see God as looking through asmoky glass. We will not fully know our creator until we seeHim face to face.

Thoughts for the Week

Let us think of the body of man a higher animal who lives,breathes, eats and reproduces.

Let us think of the spirit of man as one who thinks, loveshis fellow man, the truth and God, his creator.

Prayer

Spirit of the God of love and truthCome into our minds and soul.Spirit of the God of love and truthRemain in us through out our life.Guide us and show us the wayuntil we are with you for eternity.

Almighty, omnipotent, ever-present, and everlasting God,maker of mankind, guide us as we strive to develop our mindsand souls more like Thee. May we always be mindful of whatyou are and what you taught us as You walked on the earthin the body and mind of Jesus the Christ. May we meditateon your will, love and truth as we walk in your steps.

Amen

WEEK SIX

God's Word

Scripture

1 And God spake all these words, saying

2 I am the Lord thy God which have brought thee out of theland of E'gypt, out of the house of bondage.

3 Thou shalt have no other god before me.

4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or anylikeness of any likeness of anything that is in heaven above,or is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water underthe earth.

5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them, forthe Lord thy God am a jealous God visiting the iniquitiesof the fathers of the children, upon the third and fourthgeneration of them that hate me;

6 And showing mercy unto thousands or them who love, meand keep my commandments.

7 Tho shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain,for the Lord Will not leave him unpunished who take Hisname in vain;

8 Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.

9 Six days thou shalt labor and do all thy work;

10 But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God:in it thou shalt not do any work, not thy sons, not thydaughters, thy manservant, not thy maidservant, mot thystranger that is within thy gates:.