For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven Ecclesiastes 3:1

 As I get older, my body reminds me the abuse I put it through over the years. Jumping off tractors, riding on bumpy hay wagons while bailing hay, running in track, bouncing around in a boat during my career, and lifting heavy things that strained my back. I really feel it every morning, as I slowly crawl out of bed, the pain greets me, from head to toe. My first inclination is to reach for the ibuprofen, but what I’ve learned is if I can stand the pain for an hour, my body slowly adjust and the pain eventually goes away. Last thing I want to do is rely on pain meds to help me overcome something I know will sooner or later dissolve.

 As humans, we tend to reach for the first thing that brings us relief when we experience pain. Not only physical pain, but emotional pain as well. An argument with a friend, a difficult day at work, a family member who generates friction, and let’s not forget about anxiety that seems to be more prevalent than ever these days.  Alcohol, drugs, prescription meds….all of these (and other things) seem to be the “go to” when faced with difficult days. Slowly over time these temporary relief items become more routine, then a habit forms, and eventually an addiction takes over and every excuse in used to find relief. Is that who you want to be?

 Today’s scripture reminds us that the things we go through in life have a time limit. You might experience difficulty over the course of a few hours, weeks, maybe even years, with little relenting. The faith in Christ you claim to hold onto is put to the test. Are you going to seek something to relieve the pressure, sadness, or anger? Or, are you going to trust in Christ to keep you free from those addictive things and behaviors that God disapproves? I can tell you after years of dealing with some issues myself, God sustained me in the battles, and not once did I find relief in any temporary things or pleasures that Satan tried to entice me.

 I know my wake-up pain will only last an hour or so, and if I can hang in there, it will get better without pain meds. The same goes for you and the things you battle against daily. Hang in there, put your faith and trust in God to see you through, and He will do it for you and bless you in the process for keeping your body, heart, mind, and soul free from the toxic relief meds the world wants to throw at you.  

 

 That you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:10

 If you’ve read about Jesus Christ in the bible, you know His life was consistent with what He taught His disciples and those who followed Him. At no time did He act out of character, even when tempted by Satan.

 Colossians 1:10 encourages us to follow in the same path as Jesus Christ. As God’s children, our thoughts, words, and actions should be clearly visible for those outside the faith to see. By doing so, you open the door, or view, for people to truly see who this Jesus Christ is and the impact He has on your life.  

 I recently had a conversation with a fellow Christian who shared an experience where she was with a friend. They were hungry and her friend stopped at a local bar/restaurant for food. As they went in, she immediately felt out of place. Even two people in that establishment told her she did not belong there and it would be best if she left. So, she dragged her friend out of there and went to a place of safety. 

Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. Isaiah 60:1-3

 I truly believe people in that establishment saw the light of Christ in her, giving her the warning to leave. Do others see the light of Christ in you? Do you live your faith continually throughout each day? Or do you have moments when the flesh takes over and you find yourself in a place not fit for a child of God?

 As my wise wife always says, “life is all about choices”. You have the choice of who you will follow. Yes, it’s difficult to maintain that strict walk while in a world enticing you to step out of character. By leaning on God’s Holy Spirit, you too can ensure your words, thoughts, and actions reflect the life of Christ. God bless!  

 

 12 Then Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel:

 “Sun, stand still over Gibeon;

And Moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.”

13 So the sun stood still,

And the moon stopped,

Till the people had revenge

Upon their enemies.

 Is this not written in the Book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and did not hasten to go down for about a whole day. 14 And there has been no day like that, before it or after it, that the Lord heeded the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel. Joshua 10:12-14

 Sometimes I think we, as children of God, underestimate the power of our Creator. We encounter a problem and are reluctant to give it to God for His help. Maybe it’s something sinful we’ve done and the results are disastrous and we need a way to get back on the path of righteousness. There are many opportunities for God to intervein, but He’s waiting on us to acknowledge Him in our day of trouble. How much trust do you have in God to help you?

 We read in today’s verses, Joshua 10:12-14, Joshua requested God stop the sun’s movement, so Israel could finish the battle. God answered his request by halting the sun and moon. WOW, talk about powerful. Although Joshua was a man of strong faith, I believe he was probably awed by God’s ability to manage the universe for Israel’s advantage. Even today, we see God intervening in Israel’s battles with their enemies.

 What battle, or battles, are facing you today? They come in all shapes and sizes and many of them look impossible to defeat. Turn your battles over to the One who controls the universe! He can and will work a miracle on your behalf when you have faith in His abilities. Faith is the necessary ingredient that gives power to your prayer request. Have faith in Him as you release those battles into His hands. God bless!  

 

 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

 I recently had a doctor’s appointment and the nurse who took down my information asked me if I had any recent falls. That question made me think of my grandmother, who in her 80s and 90s fell often. I shook my head no and thought….how old does she think I am. Well, as I’ve aged, my body tells me how many rugged miles I’ve traveled. Pain welcomes me every morning, sitting too long makes me feel like the Tin Man, in Wizard of Oz, whose joints rusted and hard to move, and truthfully I do lose my balance but haven’t fallen yet. If only I had a new body, I could do so much more.

 Today’s verse in 2 Corinthians is encouraging to me, as the outside of my body slowly degrades, the spirit inside me is alive, well, and getting better with each passing day. Old habits that were not pleasing to God have gone by the wayside, my knowledge about God’s love and wisdom grows more each day, and the most wonderful thing about this life in Christ, I get the opportunity to make tomorrow better than today. It’s a slow process, called sanctification, that yields a newer, more vibrant life inside my soul.

 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

 Your body might be aging and weak, but the true strength comes through tapping into the joy of the Lord. Only God can provide you a new life, give you strength for each day, and provide wisdom to make better decisions that not only bring honor to God, but blessings your way. Reverse the aging process by recognizing you are a new creation in Christ and the struggles you face in this life will pail in comparison to what awaits you on the other side of eternity! God bless!

 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

 

 “I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah”

Psalms 32:5 

Two words bring comfort to someone on trial for a crime, NOT GUILTY. Their slate is clean and the weight of conviction is lifted, freeing that person from punishment. 

As a child of God, your sins are covered by the blood of Christ. Jesus took on the sins of mankind so we could have a personal relationship with our Creator. But, there's one thing that can put a damper on that relationship, unconfessed sin. 

“When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah”

Psalms 32:3-4

Sometimes we get caught up in an activity which we know is wrong, but our earthly reasoning justifies the pleasure it brings vs. God's judgement. Over time this unconfessed sin becomes the likeness of a thorn under the skin, and infection sets in, causing pain and grief. It no longer brings pleasure, and we finally yield to the Lord’s discipline. 

Your earthly life was never meant to live under the weight of guilt, caused by ungodly pleasures. Confess your sins daily to God, so you can experience joy and the proclamation, NOT GUILTY! 

 “As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, To go as he came; And he shall take nothing from his labor Which he may carry away in his hand.”. Ecclesiastes 5:15 

Anytime I've driven by former places I've lived, I see the things I focussed on neglected. The shrubs in the front are unkept, the house has mold growing on the sides, and the grass is not manicured. All of these things I spent long, laborless hours perfecting are no longer visible. 

Today's verse sums up the majority of our lives. We work hard to provide for our families, and accumulate things, money, and expensive experiences to feel good about ourselves. A sense of achievement you could say. But, 5, or 10 years from now all of those things you worked hard to provide will simply be sold, broken, or forgotten. How sad it is that we spend a lifetime achieving temporary pleasures that amount to nothing when we are gone. 

““Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  ”. Matthew 6:19-20 

Doing things that invest in  eternity have benefits now and long after you pass. Spending quality time with family, caring for those in need, and most importantly sharing the message of Jesus Christ with the lost, have eternal value that never dissolve over time. God's word provides an endless number of opportunities to invest in your eternal future. You just have to decide where you'll spend your time and resources. 

Dear God, thank you for your generous provisions. May I use them to bring you glory as I walk through this life and into eternity. 

 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Luke 9:62

 Have you ever given much thought to your past? Maybe it’s your childhood, where sweet memories bring you much happiness, or maybe it was a special relationship that you treasured and now is no longer. In our reflection, we oftentimes desire to go back to the “good old days”, to relive those precious moments that seem to stay within our memory. But if you are true to yourself, you probably recognize you’ve come a long ways since then and life is different, and those moments your cherishes probably won’t fit into your life at this moment.

 That’s exactly what Jesus was telling a person who wanted to follow him, but he felt it necessary to take care of other business first. In the eyes of God, nothing is more important than serving Him, worshiping Him, and giving Him your complete and undivided attention. What’s the benefit in that you ask?

 I can tell you after 50 some years of living faith in Christ, nothing and no one compares to the goodness that God provides. He provides you with wisdom to make wise choices, He blesses you when you walk in obedience, and He has so much newness in store for your life, that when you long for things in your past, you miss out on God’s very best. You can even thwart His plans to use you for kingdom work.

 But Lot’s wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. Genesis 19:26

 You might be familiar with the story of Lot and God’s destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. God instructed Lot, his wife, and family to escape and not look back. She looked back and paid the ultimate price for her disobedience. Don’t be like her, focus on the future and trust in God’s provisions. They might not always be the same as what you’ve experienced earlier in life, but eventually they will bring you to a better place, with God’s ultimate blessings in this life and into eternity. Your future in Christ is worth staying forward focused! God bless!