We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken, struck down, but not destroyed 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

When I was growing up on the farm, one job I worked was to bale hay, and we had a lot of hay to bale. The bailer, was a piece of equipment that picked up the cut grass and compacted it together to come out in long bales, which we loaded on a hay rack and took to the barn for storage. Sometimes in the process of bailing hay, the grass was thick as it entered the bailer and it put pressure on the device that compacted the hay. If too much pressure built up, this metal shear pin would break, causing us to hault work until my dad or uncle changed it out. I can’t tell you how much we looked forward to that down time. It gave us rest and also made my uncle slow down as he drove the bailer.

So where am I going with this? Life can bring a lot of pressures on us. Sometimes the pressure can be so great that it causes us to break down for a while. Although no one wants this to happen, God often allows it so we can find rest and “regroup”. As humans we often allow a lot of things into our life that bring unnecessary stress. It just isn’t worth the pressure we place on ourselves. Our brokenness can also be a sign we need to slow down and refocus on God. Whew….speaking to myself here friends!

We just wrapped up Christmas and headed into New Years. I’m sure you have a lot of “to dos” for 2020. Don’t get too bogged down that you put unwanted pressure on your life. Turn to God for that New Years direction and seek wisdom from Him for your life! God has a great plan for you! Find it in Him and with fewer break downs. God bless!

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:22

A while back I purchased a shelving unit and was going over the instructions on how to assemble it. Everything seemed pretty straight forward, so I simply went by the pictures, not paying any attention to the written instructions. Wouldn’t you know it, half way through I had missed an important step that helped to align the shelves. I had to back track by disassembling parts of what I put together and reassemble with the parts I missed. A little frustrated and extra time finally resulted in the finished product. If only I had taken the time to follow each step closely through reading the text and not taking it upon myself to figure it out.

Long story to make a point. God often calls us to do something that may seem insignificant in our life. But God sees beyond that moment and has a plan for each of us. By omitting His instructions, we oftentimes miss a blessing and delay His plans to bring something to fruition in our life. Nothing God calls us to do is insignificant. We must remain obedient and faithful when He calls us to do something, whether it’s praying for someone, standing in objection to someone who doesn’t reflect Godly beliefs, giving to someone in need….the list is endless.

I can look back over my life and see where I’ve been faithful and done something, what seemed completely insignificant OR something I did not want to do, yet God used that single moment as a piece to my life’s puzzle to bring something special into my life. He will do the same for you friend when you remain steadfast and obedient to His word and His calling! God bless!

The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the Lord. Proverbs 21:31

If you’ve been a Christian for any amount of time you realize there is an enemy out there coming against you, ready to weaken you, rob you of your joy, even try to destroy you and your witness. The closer to God you become, the stronger the devil attacks. Believe me, the battle is real.

The truth be known, the battle has already been won through Jesus Christ. But with the here and now, as humans, we still struggle in our daily walk to remain strong, faithful and obedient. Preparing for the day should include prayer, bible reading and a good devotional. By starting our minds out, focused on God and His provisions for the day, we equip ourselves to see the day through, with God’s help.

Did I mention God’s help? There are days I wake up, knowing the battle is bigger than myself. I literally can hear the devil whispering words of defeat and fear into my ears. But I quickly remind myself of the battles God and I have won and know Satan has nothing against what God can do for me and His children.

Do all you can to prepare for the battle, but the victory is of the Lord. And He will bring victory to your battles! So trust Him as you fight the daily challenges and remain strong, faithful, and obedient. God has this day in His hands. God bless!

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resist the authority resist the ordinance of God and those who resist will bring judgement on themselves. Romans 13:1-2

No doubt the impeachment proceedings have brought much division to America. Support on both sides is evident as I hear people speak and see what’s posted on social media. It can be quite frustrating and anger builds up for those who have a strong opinion on ether side. But I have to ask, whose really in charge?

Today’s verse sums it up pretty clear that God is the ultimate one in control. Although the people vote for their favorite person, I truly believe that God had something to do with who was chosen to lead this country. Regardless, we must support who governs the people.

How can we do that? Through prayer for our leaders, prayer for one another and prayer that we end the divisional walls so we can be a unified country, “One Nation Under God”. I recall hearing that back in school. Pray for your leader and support him/her as they have been chosen by God to lead our country! Go bless!

So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniele, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” Daniel 6:16

 Not to be negative, but this world is full of deceitful people who want to see the “good guys” suffer only because their life is miserable and without the presence of God in their life. I see it on a daily basis in my comings and goings. Its sad that people are so vindictive and full of evil. But that is exactly why they display evil ways, they have not the righteousness of God living in them.

Daniel was devoted to God and those around him hated his Godly ways. They tricked the king into making some ridiculous decree that Daniel would not honor because it was not honoring God. Because of his faithfulness, Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den.  As you read in the verses that follow, God closed the mouths of the lions and he was released without any harm.

Evil tried to kill righteousness, and failed. God prevailed through Daniel’s faithfulness. I can personally tell you that when you remain faithful to God, even in the face of criticism, deceit and evilness, God will shut the mouths and disable those who come against you. God has never lost a single battle and wont with you if you remain committed to Him. Keep the faith, even in the face of hungry lions! God bless!

The LORD is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come
to repentance.

Have you ever wondered how God could send a person to Hell? I had this question asked of me one night while working at my church’s Judgement Journey production. The person asking the question was saved, but still wanted to know how a loving God could cast someone into a horrible place.

This verse came to mind as she began to ask the question. You see, God did the hard part. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to instruct us on living the Christian life. But most importantly, He paid our sin debt (for the wages of sin is death) for you and me…”But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:8.

Each and ever person walking the face of this earth has a choice. To accept the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ sacrifice OR deny his offer and have to pay that sin debt on their own. Personal payment of sin is Hell.

The choice is yours. God offers you payment of your sins, all you have to do is believe in Jesus Christ in what He did on the cross, ask for forgiveness of sins and live a life for Him daily. “For those who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13. Call upon Him today and be eternally saved and Heaven bound. God bless!

And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. 1 Samuel 1:10

We read in the first chapter of 1 Samuel about Hannah, one of two wives of Elkanah. She was unable to bear children, for the Lord closed her womb (1 Sam 1:5). Elkanah’s other wife, Peninnah, on the other hand was able to bear children. As we read in today’s verse, Hannah was deeply saddened because she could not bear a child.

Hannah was a Godly woman and she prayed to God, asking for a male child. In her prayer she made a vow to God, saying she would give him to the Lord. Later we read God answered her prayer and she bore a son named Samuel. Hannah endured years of verbal abuse and criticism from her counterpart because she could not bare a child. But in the end, her fervent request was fulfilled.

I think the purpose in this story is to understand that God wants to give us the desires of our heart. Sometimes God wants to see just how committed you are to your request. That’s why He oftentimes waits to fulfil your request through His generous blessings.

What do you long for? Is it something genuine that will benefit you and bring blessings to God in return once received? God wants to see your commitment and it all begins with your faithfulness, praying on your knees in complete humbleness and obedience. God has a plan for your life and most likely your desire was put there by God if you are in tune with His will for your life. God will answer at the right time, trust Him as your pray like Hannah. Pray in faith and God will provide you with His very best! Have a blessed day!

Return, faithless people; I will cure you of backsliding. Yes we will come to you, for you are the Lord our God. Jeremiah 3:22

As a Christian, it can be easy to find yourself out of sync with God. One day of church attendance missed, easily turns into another and before you know it, you haven’t darkened the doors of a church in months. Or maybe an old habit resurfaced after a relapse in your commitment to “do better”. Maybe you’ve let your time of service to God be replaced by something worldly. Or you’ve found yourself in unnecessary debt, heavily weighted down by guilt or fallen out of grace with a fellow Christian. There are many things and situations that can cause one of God’s children to falter and its effects can be felt over time.

 

Satan uses those “backsliding” things to speak lies, telling you that you aren’t good enough for God and He won’t forgive you. Those lies can push you further away from God’s truth. And the truth is, God is a loving God and wants to bring you back within His will and life of obedience. He is full of grace and mercy, all you have to do is ask for His forgiveness and turn back towards Him. I’ve been a Christian now for 40 plus years and I have had to find God’s grace and forgiveness to bring me back in good standing. And He comes through every time.

 

Friend, no matter how far you are from God, He is ready and willing to bring you back into His fold of protection, love and blessings. All you have to do is ask. Yes, God does not favor our sin, but He gave us Jesus Christ as a bridge to close the gap through forgiveness! Turn to Him today for restoration and forgiveness. His arms are open wide to restore your relationship with Him. God bless!