“Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Matthew 7:21

 You obtain a driver’s license, and soon learn that disobeying the speed limit can cost you your license. You enroll in a college class, and experience a failed grade because you didn’t do the work expected. You are hired for a job, and find yourself unemployed for not doing your work. These are all hard realities of life; they are painful, and something you wish you could redo to make things right.

 Today’s verse speaks to people who profess to be Christians but don’t live according to the biblical standards God has presented in His word, the Bible. On the day of judgment, they will discover their profession was false and will spend an eternity regretting how they lived. Because someone professes Christ, doesn’t give them the freedom to live in sin. No one is perfect and we all sin, but those who chose to live in deliberate sin are not living within the will of the Father.

 “Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” “And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” Matthew 7:22-23

 OUCH! Can you imagine those who thought they were saved, and discovered their self-willed life sent them to Hell? It’s a hard reality, but it’s truth and those who are not living the Christian life, even in the secret and private parts of life, will have an eternity to regret their decisions.

For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13

 A life of obedience to God’s word is the result of true confession of faith. If you have been living for self and not God, then you still have time to change your direction. The hard reality is it’s difficult living a godly lifestyle in a godless society, but with the help of God’s Holy Spirit, living inside of you, it can be done. Pray and ask God to help you change those areas of your life that need God’s touch to remove the world out of you, so you can experience God’s blessings of faithful living today, and into all eternity. God bless!

 

 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” John 4:26

 This verse really spoke to me this morning as I was reading it quoted in one of my daily devotions. In the story, Jesus was talking to the Samaritan woman at the well. After Jesus accurately spoke of how she lived her life, she quoted the bible stating the Messiah would soon come, that’s when Jesus identified Himself to her. Can you imagine the impact He had on her life? This was the first time Jesus identified Himself as the Messiah. But why her? Why did He identify himself with a woman living in sin, an outcast in her community, and an empty soul looking for acceptance, love, and understanding?

 Jesus said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Mark 2:17

 Has Jesus identified Himself to you? Although He isn’t present, physically, in your life, He speaks to you in many other ways. I have heard His voice leading me through the decision-making process using open and closed doors, I’ve heard Him speak through spiritual leaders providing me sound wisdom during times of uncertainty, I’ve felt the power of God’s healing hand upon me when I needed restoration, and I experienced His presence when I questioned His existence.

 Jesus speaks to us in the highs and lows of life. Can you hear Him? So often we are quick to fill our minds with solutions to problems, route a pathway far from trouble, avoid circumstances that we fear, and oftentimes find relief from things of this world. All of these generate “noise” that drowns out His voice guiding you to God’s perfect plan and purpose for the circumstances He brings you to in life. All He desires is for you to listen quietly for His voice and soon you’ll understand the why, the how, and the timeline He has to move you onto the next chapter of life.

 In one of my grandmother’s writings she wrote, “Jesus is the only fountain who can satisfy the thirsty soul.”  Friend, Jesus does identify Himself in every aspect of your life. Be patient as you listen and quench all your thirsty moments with His voice of reason, I who speak to you am He! God bless!

 

 

 A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” John 4:7

 Today’s scripture comes from the story of Jesus Christ who spoke to the woman at the well, found in John 4:4-26. Jesus came to the well and asked the Samaritan woman for a drink, as He had nothing to draw water from the well. During their interaction, Jesus gave specific details about this woman’s life and how misguided her life had been. He offered her living water, eternal water of salvation that would change her life for all eternity.

 If your community is like mine, there are many homeless people looking for help, a drink of water, a serving of food, a few dollars to get them by. But what they really need is a living hope and you, my friend, have the resources to provide that to them. When you share your resources, out of the love of Christ, you provide them with something greater. You show them unconditional love that was shown you by God’s Son; grace, mercy, and love when you were unlovable.

 And the King will answer and say to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” Matthew 25:40

 Opportunities abound to give hope to those around you, by sharing the love and resources God has bless you with in your life. Let your heart give generously to those in need, for when you do, you are serving a cup of water to your Lord and Savior! God bless!

 

 And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” Matthew 9:20-21

 One of the definitions for “faith” in the Merriam-Webster dictionary is: firm belief in something which there is no proof. For the average person, we have faith in something because we know it to be true from what we’ve seen or experienced. So often though, we go through life with a touch of faith, believing the plane we fly in won’t crash, the medicine we take will make us well again, or the vows of marriage will last into eternity.

 Here comes Jesus Christ! This woman who had an issue with bleeding for 12 years heard about the healing power of Jesus. She was considered an outcast because of her medical condition, and probably didn’t think Jesus would pay her any attention, so she had faith that touching His garment would heal her, and it did exactly that. Jesus, sensing the power had gone out from Him, looked to her and said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.”

 The most powerful message in this interaction is the fact that Jesus didn’t touch her, like He had with many other miraculous healings. No, this healing took place because she had faith in just touching His garment. That my friend is a level of faith very few of us posses these days.

 Whatever you are going through in your life, have faith in Jesus, that He is right there with you, ready to heal your broken heart, mend a relationship, give you wisdom in life’s decisions, find the right person to marry, and so many other opportunities to test your faith. If you lack faith, I encourage you to read stories from the bible that tell of people who overcame simply through faith in the One who changed their lives forever. He will do the same for you when you put your faith and trust in Him. God bless!

 

 “Who considers God in everything”. William Law, 18^th Century Church of England Priest.

As a seasoned Christian, I’ve been digging deeper in my biblical studies, currently focusing on growing in holiness. To aid in my desire to live a more holy life, I’ve read The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges. An amazing book that helps the reader look at his/her life to better understand sinful habits and how we can learn to hate them, in effort to remove them from one’s life. My second book I started reading is entitled, The Practice of Godliness by Jerry Bridges. I just started reading it and within the first few pages, writer William Law is quoted, “Who considers God in everything”.

 I had to ask myself a simple question, do I consider God in everything I do? After some reflection and deep thought, I find myself coming up short in several areas of my life. Whether is just a simple oversight on my part or pure neglect, I recognize those areas are my weakest link in my pursuit of living a more holy life. The word, “AVOIDANCE” screams loudly in my mind as I realize there are things I do, say, and think that pivot me in the opposite direction of holiness.

 1 Timothy 6:11 comes to mind, “But I say flee sinful actions, man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.

 God has given each of His children the Holy Spirit. Just like when the hair rises on a dog when scared, the Spirit alerts us to the lure of temptation and sin, and at that moment we are to flee, run like our life depends upon it (because it really does), and don’t look back. One of my weaknesses is looking back. I feel a confidence that I won’t fall for another one of Satan’s tactics to sin, yet somehow that forbidden fruit becomes the focal point of my eyes and my defenses are weakened. You probably know the rest of the story, reset the holiness clock back to zero, lets try this again.

 As Christians (this includes me), we MUST always consider God in every action, every thought, and every word spoken. When we do, He acts as a filter to help us screen out anything unholy that will hurt our relationship with Him. Staying prayed up, continually, and avoiding those things, places, and thoughts that easily distract us from living a life of holiness, we can be assured another day of victory for the sake of God and His desire for us to stay the course.

 

 Therefore, whatever you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

 When looking for a job, you want the best pay and all the benefits that accompany that position. In today’s job market, that usually comes with working full time, which means dedicating no less than 40 hours a week to your employer. Part time employment only yields a smaller paycheck with few, or little, benefits.

 Today’s verse challenges Christians to be devoted to God in a full-time position. With it, comes a responsibility to make decisions that are God honoring, such as the television programs you watch, how you raise your children, the places you go for entertainment or relaxation, and so many other decisions you make about your life.

 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls, for My yoke is easy and My burdens are light.” Matthew 11:28-30

 God’s call to the child of God isn’t a life of struggle, burdens, or weariness, although you can experience those things in this world, BUT, His way brings rest to your soul, wisdom to make right choices, and all He asks of you isn’t anything you are not capable of handling. He equips you for life’s challenges so you can sustain your life’s purpose, according to His will. That’s what a full time Christian’s life looks like.

A part time Christian is one who might experience intermittent blessings, but the emotional rollercoaster of life will make you feel overwhelmed, exhausted of trying to live life by your own strength. Allowing God to touch certain moments of your life will not give you the full benefit package HE longs to give you.

 So, are you a full time or part time child of God? Maybe it’s time to do some soul searching and look over God’s description of a full time Christian. The benefits and blessings far outweigh the part time efforts you try to achieve by living your way.

 

 And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

 My wife and I had a discussion the other day on living out our faith in holiness, especially when we leave home and interact with others. One of my challenges happens while driving. I get very frustrated when people drive crazy, putting others at risk, especially those who don’t obey traffic laws, or better yet park at the front of a store in the fire zone. It’s funny when you think about it, but those things can flare up my blood pressure pretty quick, and I have to constantly remind myself, I am a child of God, supposed to have a spirit of holiness. What gets under your skin?

 Today’s verse should be memorized and mentally repeated anytime we engage with others. We live in a world where everyone has an opinion and some are on the opposite end of the scale than your thoughts and beliefs. It’s easy to let our feathers get ruffled, but by conditioning our mind to rehearse Ephesians 4:32, and heed its advice, we can interact with others, and express the love and kindness of Jesus Christ.  It isn’t easy, and it takes time to transform your mind to think differently, especially when your morals, beliefs, and standards are put to the test by others. But it can be done with God’s help through His Holy Spirit living inside you.

 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:17-18

 Let God’s Spirit feed you the wisdom and encouragement needed to be the light in this dark world. You don’t have to agree with or accept other’s beliefs that disregard biblical standards, but you can and should show love, seasoned with patience, and peace. Otherwise, no one will see Christ, especially living in you! God bless!