For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

 

The day after Thanksgiving is typically one of the busiest days for shopping, appropriately called “Black Friday”. As purchases are made, “gift receipts” are given as proof of purchase. I always save my Christmas present receipts just in case what I purchased doesn’t work out for the recipient.

 

As Christians, we have a similar receipt, Jesus Christ. He was made payment for our sins. And through His sacrifice, we each have received the Holy Spirit as proof of our eternal salvation. Thankfully we don’t lose our status, we only gain points of blessings as we serve and honor God throughout our earthly existence.

 

As you navigate the retail stores and collect those gift receipts, let them serve as a reminder of your status in Christ, saved and eternally secure, bound for a beautiful place called Heaven. Let your life serve as a living example of your relationship with your creator! God bless and be safe shopping!

 

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Hebrews 13:2

 

The other day I had an encounter with a homeless man. He was standing at an intersection near several businesses. As I approached, I felt compelled to give him some money. As I got closer, I rolled down my window and called out to him, but he never looked my way. Finally, I got his attention, handed him some money and he thanked me. He also stated he was deaf and could not hear when I was calling out to him. My heart went out to this man and I prayed for God to watch over him and provide for his necessities.

 

On this day of Thanksgiving, we make statements about what we are thankful for and the people in our life who make us feel loved and appreciated. But how can we express our thankfulness? I truly believe its through giving. One thing you must understand….

 

Nothing you possess is yours without God’s generous blessing. He provides for your needs through your finances, food, shelter, clothing and family. When you share a portion of what He has blessed you with, you in turn bless others, just as His blessing was intended. And the return on your giving is more than you could make up on your own.  

 

Be alert for ways you can share your blessings. It might be a special ministry, giving someone in need some cash, baking that elderly person you know a nice dish of food….the list is endless, but there are many opportunities to share God’s blessings. And the cool thing is, you might just entertain an angel. God will bless you friend when you give. Show your gratitude this holiday season through giving! God bless!

 

 

The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth. 1 Kings 17:14

 

Today’s verse comes from the story of Elijah and the Widow, 1 Kings 17: 8-16. God instructed Elijah to go to Zarephath, and informed him that a widow would provide for his food. Upon arrival, he saw the widow and requested bread from her. Her reply to his request in Verse 12: she replied that she didn’t have any bread, only a small amount of flour and a small portion of oil, just enough to make one small loaf of bread to feed both her and her son. She had just enough. She was at the end of her rope and had nothing else. But God! She went and did as Elijah asked and as we read thru the passages, she had enough for all three of them, and flour and oil left over.  

As we enter into the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, you might find yourself with just enough to get by. Weather its food, visiting family members or money, you have just enough to get you by. Things might appear desperate, but trust me, God can supply all of your needs if you trust Him with what you have.

Give your “just enough” over to God this holiday season and see how He can multiply His blessings more than you could do on your own. God loves His children and will meet their needs, financially, spiritually, emotionally even your supply of food. Give it to God and watch Him keep your bin of flour just enough full to get you through. God bless!

 

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9

 

In October 1985 I came face to face with mother nature head and almost lost. I was with a group of college students climbing Pikes Peak mountain in Colorado when a blizzard hit us just a few miles short of our destination, two warm log cabins at timberline.

 

 At 11,000 feet, the oxygen level drops significantly and the miles and miles we hiked had my body simply worn out. I’d take 5 or 6 steps and fall down trying to catch my breath. The wind and snow was blowing between 30 – 40 mph and the trail was now covered in snow. Thankfully our group leader knew the way and kept encouraging us to move on. As time went on, our group spread further and further apart. Quite honestly it was a struggle to survive.

 

As I was just about to lay down and give up, one of the guys ahead said “we are getting close.” With those words, I mustered up as much energy as I could and started climbing, slowly, step by step. Eventually we all made it to the log cabins which were warmed by a hot fire in the fire place. Mother nature almost won that day and ever since I’ve had much respect for weather and its power.

 

So, where am I going with this blog? I can say with ease, 2020 has been a struggle. All the chaos and challenges we’ve faced, not to mention I had COVID-19 for two weeks and it kicked my butt. I’m sure you’ve had your challenges too. My walk with the Lord has also been a struggle. With a lack of church attendance (because of government restrictions), I personally have struggled to keep my focus. Many of our church activities, which have energized my spirit, were cancelled, thus reducing the spiritual nourishment I’ve thrived on in past years.

 

 I ran across today’s verse the other day and it reminded me of that mountain side struggle. Although the world’s elements and chaos make it difficult to live out my faith, I must forge on, keeping the faith, continuing to do the good works of the Lord. I can hear the Lord saying, “you are close to the end of this struggle and blessings wait you!” Keep forging on friend! A few steps to glory wait you! Never give up on your faith in God! God bless!   

 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another. Romans 12:10

If there is one clear message for every American, we are all different. Different in our race, culture, beliefs, how we live, how we treat others….the list of differences goes on and on. From state to state, city to city, even house to house in the same neighborhood, differences abound. One of the struggles for many is the ability to accept the fact that not everyone has the same belief system. This is especially true for people as they get older and set in their ways….my hand is raised!

 

Today’s verse is a great reminder that although the person across the street or another family member may view life differently, we MUST love one another and have respect for their beliefs and decisions. We might not understand it or accept it, but love must be present if we are to live in accordance to God’s will.

 

If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 1 John 4:20 You might not hate a person for their beliefs, but how do you treat them? Do you put them down in conversation with others? Which leads me to my last point, what is love?

 

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7  

Love is a tall order, but God expects us to show His love to others without any conditions. Love is what will bridge together everyone! Love on someone today! God bless!

 

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God: Philippians 4:6

 

This past Sunday I observed several people sitting in the pew sobbing. Most likely they were in the middle of some painful difficulty and it was weighing heavy on their heart. I’ve been there and know how life’s difficult moments can overwhelm you to the point that you lose control of your emotions and cry out for help.

 

As I observed the emotional outpouring, a thought came to mind: when faced with difficulty, ring God’s door bell for help. I know it sounds corny, but there is much truth to the statement. So often we get side tracked with a difficulty that consumes us from all sides. Unfortunately, it can be so distracting you forget to call upon God for help. As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit with us 24/7. He is always there, ready for us to push that help button, and He will respond. God Himself said: I will never leave you!

 

The next time you face difficulty, don’t face it alone, ring God’s door bell. He will answer no matter the time of day or weight of your trouble. Trust me, I speak from experience! He will help you too. Call upon Him today! God bless!

 

Therefore thus says the Lord God:

Behold, My servants shall eat,

But you shall be hungry;

Behold, My servants shall drink,

But you shall be thirsty;

Behold, My servants shall rejoice,

But you shall be ashamed.

Isaiah 65:13

 

In yesterday’s blog I talked about the importance of not only doing the right things, but believing and supporting those who seek after God’s word. I’d like to continue with this chapter 65 in Isaiah.

 

In this country, and many places around the world, it’s the “majority” that win when it comes to decisions, such as this recent election. Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter if the majority’s thinking aligns with God’s standards, its about what feels right. This type of thinking can move a generation away from God. If you attend church, its very evident by the attendance that people aren’t interested in what God has to say. In my opinion we are headed in dangerous territory! God will not bless a land that doesn’t bless Him.

 

The good news is that God will protect His children, regardless of what’s the popular standard of their society. You might feel like the majority has control, but nothing comes about without God’s allowance. And as you know, God has a plan for everything that happens in this world, including your life. So, don’t despair when you aren’t holding the popular view.

 

Until the return of Jesus Christ, the child of God needs to live out their days faithful to the Savior, pray for this nation and most importantly, love your enemy (Matthew 5:44).

 

If my people who are called by my name humbles themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.        2 Chronicles 7:14  God bless!

 

Sharon shall be a fold of flocks. And the Valley of Achor a place for herds to lie down, For My people who have sought Me. Isaiah 65:10

 

During my quiet time God led me to today’s verse, Isaiah 65:10. Although the verse by itself might not make much sense, it has much meaning when you read the entire chapter of Isaiah 65. No doubt this election process we have been going through has been much deeper than Trump vs. Biden. Its good vs. evil in my personal opinion. No one political party (or person) is any holier than the other, yet if you look at each party’s platform, its clear that one aligns more with God’s word than the other. If you don’t believe me, take time to study the bible and search scriptures that support or go against their respective political beliefs (if you value God’s word).

 

All through the bible we read about two kinds of people: those who follow God and those who oppose Him. Isaiah 65:12b: “Because when I called, you did not answer; When I spoke, you did not hear, But did evil before My eyes, and chose that in which I do not delight.”  I truly believe that God holds us accountable not only for what we do, but what we believe and support, either through our day to day conversations and who we support politically. If you believe in God and what He says, you will support the cause of Christ and truthfulness of God’s word.

 

Today’s blog might be a hard pill to swallow, but the truth is, there is a God, He created you, and has provided mankind His word to live by in the bible. Read it and be informed, God doesn’t mess around. He wants His followers to “abhor what is evil, cling to what is good”. Who do you seek after? For those who follow God, He will provide a place of comfort and peace. In closing, I encourage you to pray for the citizens of this country, pray for our leadership and pray that God will direct your daily path. God bless!

 

Like birds flying about, So will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem. Defending, He will also deliver it; Passing over, He will preserve it. Isaiah 31:5

 

This morning I was sitting outside doing a little bible study and watching nature around me. I saw a bird flying quickly across my yard and for a brief second adjusted his altitude so he could fly over my neighbor’s fence. That bird was moving so quickly I could barely keep an eye on him, but eventually he landed on the roof for a good view of his surroundings.

 

In today’s passage God was compared to a bird and His ability to move about with nothing in the way of His movement. God has no obstacles that hold him back, He sits on high to have everything in sight, and most of all, He has no fear of heights as He climbs above mountain peaks and storms of nature.

 

I certainly had a revelation this morning! For you, a child of God, He can help you in your every day life. You might be standing in the darkness of tall mountains of trouble, yet, God sees you and when you call on Him, His eagle eye can spot you and deliver you from your troubles. He may not remove them from you, but He will certainly be with you every step of the difficult journey out as you climb to safety.

 

For me personally, I have specifically prayed for a difficult situation, and God brought me through it, better than I could have wished. He will do the same for you. He is capable of helping you. What seems impossible from your view point, is nothing to God. Trust Him with your troubles, even the little ones, and watch Him move to bring about resolution, healing and strength as you navigate the peaks and valleys of life! God bless!   

 

Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done. Luke 22:42

 

Last Sunday our preacher was closing the service with a prayer. Near the conclusion of his prayer he stated, “may Your will be done.” As I sat there, I asked myself, am I able to accept His will for my life? I can speak from experience, sometimes God’s will for my life involve pain, and difficult times. Although I know God uses those difficult times to grow my faith and strengthen my relationship with Him, its still hard to accept.

 

Maybe you are in the midst of a difficult situation: a diagnosis that doesn’t appear to be favorable, you are facing some tough decisions that will not only impact you, but others in your life and those impacts aren’t easy, maybe there is difficulty at work and your worry constantly about tomorrow. No doubt, life can have its peaks and unfortunate valleys. But don’t be discouraged friend, God’s will has a better outcome than the difficulty currently facing you.

 

Today’s passage is a reminder that as a Christian, you will have difficult times. Jesus paid mankind’s sin debt by sacrificing His life on the cross. I’m sure his flesh didn’t want to go through the excruciating pain and momentary separation from God, yet God’s will had an eternal purpose, and Jesus stuck to the plan by being obedient to His Father. And we are so thankful He went through it on our behalf!

 

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. Stick with God’s will for your life. There is a bigger blessing on the other side of this tribulation you are encountering. God bless

 

 

 

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

 

Change, it is found in everyday life. We change phones, jobs, computer programs, laws, where we live, churches, even time changes in Spring and Fall (which I forgot to turn my clock back so I’m up at 6 instead of 7). I don’t know about you, but I struggle at times with some of the required changes I have to make. Do you?

 

One thing that never changes, our Savior, Jesus Christ. His ways, thoughts and scale of justice never changes. What He has written in the bible never changes and neither should we. God’s word is the foundational truth of our faith and belief system. Aligning your life with the wisdom and instruction of the bible will give you the strongest foundation for worldly changes. The bible’s text has strengthened me in times of weakness, given me hope when things seem hopeless and encouragement to keep on going when I don’t like the changes that have to be made in my life.

 

If you struggle with life’s changes, put your trust and faith in God’s word. Let it become your pillar of hope and strength as you navigate life’s changes and the challenges that comes with change. I assure you; Jesus consistency will be the one thing you can put your assurance in with every change; today and tomorrow. God bless!