"Importance of Alignment"

Written by R. E. Bailes

AAA Contract Good for Alignment


When we talk about our automobiles we often discuss the things that are necessary for keeping our maintenance up to date and how to know if the tires are rotated or aligned properly. I remember my father telling me something when I bought a vehicle at the age of nineteen. He took a look at the wheels and told me that it would be a good idea to get the car checked for alignment so that the wheels would last longer. I remember say something like, "ok" and that was the last time I thought about it. I had bought the car to deliver news papers and was putting quite a few miles on it every day. It wasn't long before my front tires had gone almost bald on the inside edges, so I went to the tire place and asked if rotating them would help. That is when I learned that the tires were not safe to put anywhere else on the car except to keep them where they were until they wore out. Once again I was asked if I would like to get an alignment by the mechanic and I told him I didn't have the extra money because I needed to save for the tires I needed to soon purchase. He said, "ok" and I went on my way. Those tires that should have lasted me at least a year only lasted about six months! Did I intentionally do something wrong? No. Did I understand why the car needed an alignment? Not really. I thought that the alignment just corrected the pull of the car to the right or left. What I didn't understand was that you can tell when it needs alignment just by looking at the wear on the tires.

If you want to know more about this yourself, just drop into a local gas station and they will be glad to tell you!

Missing the purpose and benefit of alignment really cost me allot of money and I didn't forget that! There is something that is very important about our relationship with God that will cost us greatly also, if we don't understand it fully. The thing we need to understand is the importance of being in alignment with God! If we don't understand this we may go through our lives paying the price for things that we could have avoided all together. Do you and I need alignment with God? The answer without a doubt is "Yes" and the reason is that we lose without this alignment. You may be thinking to yourself, "I don't believe I'm losing anything so I'll just close this devotion and go on with my life!". Hold on and hear me out because it might just be possible that you could learn something about this that you hadn't seen before! I'll only take a few more minutes of your precious time and just maybe it will benefit you for the rest of your life.

The alignment between God and our souls is what allows the flow of His blessings and living water to go from His throne to our souls! The pipeline must be completely aligned though to receive all that God has for your life. There are many things that we allow to become a part of our life but they must be placed in alignment between ourselves and God. You see, God always must be at the top and we must be at the bottom of the things in our life. That pipeline must flow directly through all of those things in order for God to bless them too. This includes our relationships with other people. If you are married, your spouse should be at the top of the priorities in your life but God should come above that person. That is right, God wants first place and everything else to fall in line right beneath Him so He can flow through all that your life is filled with.

If we are to be in alignment, then how do we know if we are out of alignment? That's seems like a good question!

The way you will know your life is not in alignment with God is when you find yourself holding onto things for yourself and surrounding yourself with things horizontally instead of vertically. You may have a friend that you know is a little too nice so you put them over to the right of you since you know it wouldn't be right to align them with God in the first place. You already have your wife or husband up there and it just wouldn't look right to put that person in the pipeline too. You might have a really nice car that you really want to keep for your own personal reasons and God might decide to put it to use too if you stuck it up there in the pipeline so you stick over here to the left. After a while you begin to feel pretty secure surrounded by all the things that you have accumulated over the years and it really doesn't seem necessary to put them in alignment with God anyways. Life is Good! It always makes me wonder when I see that bumper sticker "Life is Good!". Is it really that great when it's not in alignment with God. What happens when we begin to move things horizontally?

When you move the first thing a little to the left or right, it creates a small leak in the pipeline and then another small leak starts when we move something else. The first thing we notice is the power of God seems to be decreasing in our lives and we begin to look pray for that peace that comes from His flowing power into our soul. We begin to desire other things to replace that missing peace that once was there as the flow begins to slow even more and our decisions begin to get out of alignment with God as we try one thing after another to bring back the life flow that has slowed down to a trickle. The flow never stops completely but it has been redirected because our desires and decisions are not in alignment with God. When our life purpose changes we allow the pipeline from God's throne to shift somewhere in between and most of the flow is just spilling out where we allowed the pipe to shift and it is running down to the ground all around us but the flow that we once had full of new life, spiritual growth and blessings that is connected to our soul is barely a trickle.

I want to close with a few verses of encouragement with you next and I would ask that you pray about this today.

Ask yourself, "Am I willing to trust in the Lord and not remain wise in my own eyes? Am I willing to fear the Lord in reverence and remove anything that would bring evil, bad or trouble into my life?".

If you find that you are willing to do these things, you will see in the verses to follow what happens when your pipeline is in alignment between God's throne and your soul with everything else placed in line, so that God can flow through them also.

Proverbs 3:1-12 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: 2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. 3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: 4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. 8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. 9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. 11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: 12 For whom the LORD loves he corrects; even as a father the son in whom he delights.

Write "AAA" on a piece of paper today and sign it if you mean business! Under "AAA" write these words; Anything, Any Time, Any Where and place it where you will be reminded of your commitment to God. This is the type of commitment that God is looking for in our bodies, minds and souls! If we can commit ourselves like this to God, we will see the presses burst to overflowing and the storehouses filled with the blessings of God!

We all have different interests and purposes and that is exactly how God will bless us!

Commit Your All and Claim his Blessings Today!

Remember, if you have a AAA contract with GOD, you won't need to be concerned with proper alignment! Everything will be stacked with God's throne at the top and your soul at the bottom of the pipeline.

"Strong, Radiant & Useful"

Written by R. E. Bailes

Feeling The Heat?


There are days, weeks or months in our lives when we especially feel the pain of the enemy's attack. During these times we continue on with what we know we ought to do in our life and with what is right although it isn't easy. These attacks can be in the form of small temptations and thoughts in an attempt by the enemy to cause us to turn our eyes away from our focus for just a moment to refocus on something different that could actually bring us relief from our struggle to do what is right.

I'm not saying that we live every day like this or we wouldn't ever be used for our purpose of existence on the earth.

The relief I speak of would offer us a break from the discipline that comes with living a life in communion with God. This discipline is our choice to take the path that leads to truth and the life that flows into our being instead of out of our being. Have you ever seen a coworker or friend the day after going out on the town and so called "living it up"? Did they look revived and full of life? They fell for the temporary deception of the enemy that seeks to destroy and take away life; not give it.

The stress that a believer feels is real and stems from satan as the temptations come and the remarks are made by those who have chosen satan's path to find relief. The chiding and sarcasm can cut deep sometimes or the false accusations and jealousy of those who wanted to live right, but didn't have the strength to do it. The thing is that God uses this stress to make us strong and beautiful and useful for His purpose and benefit. Don't turn back and go for what looks like relief!
1Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Have you ever seen a clay pot just after it was shaped and removed from the wheel? It is dull and kind of ugly and it has to dry out in the sun for a while. The next thing that happens is to add the coloring and the glaze which doesn't look very good either. When the glaze is applied over the entire pot, it appears that the vessel that took so long to make has just been ruined for sure! It remains this way until it is put into the oven and exposed to the fire. When it comes out of the fire, what appeared to be dull and ugly, now is a beautiful piece of art. It is shiny and the colors radiate with excitement and life! Some pieces even become very highly valued and collectible. The pot goes into the fire essentially useless as a weak and easy to break clay mold. It appears dull and coated with a milky coating that gives it an appearance that someone had made some kind of mistake while preparing the vessel for the furnace. Until this point there isn't much attention given to the vessel or the potter as far as that goes! I don't think many people would show up to see a museum full of pots and vases made by a potter that had never been put into the fire. Wouldn't you agree?

Only the fire can truly make the difference! The fire alone strengthens the vessel, making it able to withstand the bumps and bangs it might receive in the course of performing the purpose for which it was created.

Then there is the amazing transformation which takes place on the surface that is evident once the pot has had time to cool down. The heat turns the messy looking glaze into a shiny protective shield which will keep the pot resistant to the elements and the stains that would tarnish or fade it's radiant beauty. While going through the heating process there is a reaction that transforms the dull resins and colors into a glorious array of beauty which satisfies the eye of the potter!

You see, it is satan that tries to fool us into believing that his temptations will bring us relief and happiness; all the while drawing us away from the fire. The firing of a pot has to take place in a certain order and timing so the pot will not crack. If it cools down too fast or doesn't get hot enough it will crack and fall apart. When this happens the potter must start all over with this project until the vessel is finished and ready to be revealed to the world. The properly fired vessel is now capable of fulfilling the purpose for which the potter shaped it.

The potter shapes the clay for many purposes!
The same clay that makes vases to hold flowers is used to make the dish for baking grandma's pies or to make the bowl for feeding the hungry in Asia. Every vessel must be shaped by the hand of the potter as the wheel turns around and around. The potter's eye must remain focused on every turn of the wheel while the clay takes shape and carefully removed from the wheel to start the next step.

As the resins are added to bring out the desired colors, it is the potter who knows how the resins will react to the fire and how hot the fire needs to be to cause the proper reaction to take place in the resins that are used. When the resins are heated up, there are different reactions, depending on the type of resin used in making the colors and designs on the vessel. When the potter chooses the resins to use, there is a vision in mind of the final product, but the heat will determine exactly how it comes out!

I only know this because I'm one of those annoying people who asked allot of questions at an art viewing where there was allot of pottery on display. I have never actually done this type of work myself and don't think I would have the patience to do it either; though I love to look at them and greatly appreciate the finished product.

I have learned that there are many things that I don't understand in life but I know where to find direction when I need it! One place I look for this is in the Proverbs!

Proverb 3:5,6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

God has a vision in mind for each of you as well!
He has been shaping you and adding the resins that may not look so great right now or maybe He's been adding the glaze that looks all hazed and dull, but that is what shines and protects your life when the fire is turned up! You will become the useful vessel God meant for you to become as you stay in the path of your Potter.

Maybe you have been prepared and are already in the fire right now!
The heat has been turned up and satan is tempting you to doubt the hands of the Potter every time you turn around! That is why the Bible tells us to rejoice when we are experiencing tough times and difficulties in our walk with God. Rejoicing that God is getting us ready for the main purpose we have been intended to perform here!

God explains it in His Word, but most of us haven't heard the message enough to understand! It is in the fire that we are getting our strength; our protection and our radiant colors that make us shine and our ability to be used effectively for our unique purpose in a world of unfinished vessels! You have a unique purpose! You are very special in the hands of your Creator!

Satan wants us to turn back and enjoy the pleasures of the flesh; to cool down and crack becoming a useless vessel in the hands of the Potter! Don't be fooled!
Instead, give thanks to God; realizing that it is the fire in your life that makes you into what He wants you to be and He knows when you have reached the point of strength, protection and beauty that you need to be Useful in His hands!

Trust your life in His hands and you'll be glad you did!

1Peter 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

"Who's Your Builder?"

Written by R. E. Bailes

A Builder You Can Trust


Today I want to take you to a psalm of David. This psalm is a psalm of "ma‛ălâh" ; meaning in the Hebrew a psalm that takes us to a higher place in our lives. In Psalm 127, the KJV translation says "of degrees" but "ma alah" is the Hebrew, which I believe we will be able to relate to better as we learn from this passage today. Let's read,

Psalm 127:1 A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

I had been discussing with a friend the matter of remaining consistent in our parenting and how it is easy to give in when the children keep challenging our decisions and rules. The problem is that when we give in just once, they feel that they were able to shift our boundary and that makes them feel that they might be able to do it again and again. That is when their challenges start coming more often and with more enthusiasm! Have you already been experiencing this? Don't fret! There is a way to get through this and come out being the kind of parent that the Lord meant you to be! But first, let's look at the Lord's part in this equation!

What I'd like for us to learn today is what the Word says about the family that allows satan to move into their homes. I have heard people say so many times that their children are driving them crazy or taking over their home. The fact is that parents have allowed it to happen and I include myself in that group. Yes, I have done this before without even knowing I was doing it.

Once we have laid down a boundary we must maintain that boundary and not compromise on the decisions we have made based on our principles and moral beliefs. Let's look into the verse that we have just read and I want to look at the literal translation because it opened my eyes as I'm sure it will yours.

"Except the lord build the house" When I looked at the Hebrew I found that this translates to mean "Unless the Lord obtains the children of a family". How would the Lord obtain the children of a family? This means that the Lord would gain possession of the children as in a family adding a new member to their home. Let's keep going!

"they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." This is translated literally to mean "they toil in the ruin of the children: whether or not the Lord guards the city or place of encampment, the guard is on the lookout for the evil and destruction." Let's look at the next verse,

Psalm 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

As I looked at the verse in the literal translation this is what I read, "It is evil to rise up early, to delay going to bed, to consume the grief: for this reason he gives those who He loves sleep."

I used to wonder why we had to sleep so much every day and now I know that it is to restore our strength to face the evil that is in the world. Is there any way to aviod the evil in our homes though? According to this passage there is and it isn't so hard to apply to our lives. It is simply a matter of turning our children to the Lord instead of things that will draw them further into evil and destruction.

We have to watch what they are signing into on the internet, what they are watching on tv, who they are making as heroes and idols, who they are hanging out with and who is teaching them in school, to name a few.

If you are feeling weary in well doing and wonder if it's worth it sometimes, let's read this last passage,

Psalm 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

"Children are an heritage of the Lord" in the Hebrew literally means "Children are occupied of the Lord:" and they are given to us as a reward or a benefit. When we think about something being occupied we usually think of it as being taken. Children are taken by the Lord and we must let them know while they are young just how important they are to God.

Going back to the beginning of Psalms 127, we must remember as parents, if the Lord does not "bânâh bayith" , that we "‛âmal shâv'". The literal Hebrew translation is "if the Lord does not obtain children in the family or home, that they toil or work evil and destruction that then obtains the children." As I thought about this a little further, I thought about how the Hebrew dictionary had used the word "obtain children" and I realized that in order to obtain something, you are actually taking hold of it.

So, how would evil and destruction take hold of our children if we keep them within the safety of those boundries we have laid down for them? Wouldn't we be safe to say that we too need to remain in the boundaries of the lord in order for Him to guard our families in the night when we all are sleeping. You could also apply this to when we are not with our children and they are out there on their own where we cannot protect them.

Turn to the Lord and the Lord will guard your camp as your watchman which is in the Hebrew "shâmar", meaning : properly to hedge about (as with thorns), that is, guard; generally to protect, attend to, etc.: - beware, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep (-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch (-man).

Turn from the Lord and His guard is in "shâv' " which in the Strong's Hebrew & Greek Dictonary means : the sense of desolating; evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjectively), uselessness (as deceptive, objectively; also adverbially in vain): - false (-ly), lie, lying, vain, vanity.

Is the Lord guarding your family or are they allowed to pursue destructive interest of their own as the guard of the city watches over and protects them in vain. Are you getting the message that David intended for us here; to lift us higher in our knowledge and understanding concerning our families and boundaries?

This Psalm of David was called "shiyr ma‛ălâh" pronounced sheer mah-al-aw'; meaning "A Song of a Journey that is Progressing Higher!"

I felt that this was truly an enlightening passage and it helped me with my understanding as a parent when it comes my home.

I realized how the Lord wants for us to live with our families under His protection so that we can enjoy His heritance and benefits as Christian Parents today!

There is a great book called "Boundaries" that is written by Christian authors Dr. Henry Cloud and John Townsend. It is a great book for additional guidance in undersanding the difference that boundaries can make in every relationship. When to say "Yes" and when to say "No".

You can go directly to their website through the following website domain link: http://www.cloudtownsendstore.com/boundariesbook1.html

Prayer Requests - Please submit requests to be added to the Prayer for Parent link by emailing me directly.

Send all emails to: parentsdailypost@yahoo.com

"Thank You!"
I just want to take this opportunity to say "Thank You!" to those who have given in financial support of this ministry. Every gift, great or small, is a blessing in making it possible to continue in this ministry. Your financial gifts help make it possible to invest more time towards taking this ministry forward in alignment with God's purpose. I have been receiving emails regularly, giving testimony of how this ministry through the Word has encouraged and uplifted people going through various types of crisis in their lives. Let's all just "Praise the Lord"!