But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 2 Peter 3:8

 

Here we are, the last day of 2021. Where have the days gone? It seems like just yesterday we were brining in the New Year. But, as I reflect back over this year and all the events that have occurred, I can see how each day has added up to December 31, 2021. Did you have a good year? Did you accomplish much or was this year not as successful as you had planned?

 

As a child of God, I often remind myself that God is on a different time table than mine. Some of the things I want to happen in a short amount of time equals years to the Lord. He doesn’t always agree with my time line, and yet He allows me the freedom to wait patiently for Him or try to push my way through. Each “waiting” experience grows my faith in Him. It can be trying at times, but I know that testing my faith produces patience.

 

“But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:4

 

As you bring in the new year, what do you desire to happen in 2022? When you ask God to supply all your needs, be reminded of His time table and wait patiently as He prepares to bless you with your request. Sometimes it doesn’t always turn out the way you planned, but God knows best, and will provide just enough of your wishes to keep life simply fulfilled and ready for the next blessing. Happy New Year friends!  

 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20

 

Here lately I’ve known several people who have left the United States and moved to other countries. Because they are fed up with what’s happening in America or they are seeking a better life, they have changed zip codes in hopes of a better life.

 

As a child of God, your citizenship is in heaven; but for the time being, your place of residency is where you currently live. Your living accomodations and things around you might not be the best, but its where God has placed you and your focus should be heaven bound.  

 

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor. Philippians 1:21-22

 

Paul, a disciple, had a mission to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. He suffered for the cause, oftentimes giving up personal conveniences to accomplish God’s mission. Although you may not understand it now, your residency is on God’s mission field and your mission is to model after Christ on a daily basis so the world can see His character and find hope through salvation in Jesus Christ.

 

God has a plan for your life, right where you are. The sacrifices you make to accomplish God’s mission will yield much fruit from your labor of love and obedience to the Lord.  Hang in there friend, Jesus Christ is preparing your eternal home (John 14:2); your passport to Heaven won’t be ready until you finish His work. God bless!

 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. Philippians 4:14

 

You don’t have to spend much time on social media to realize there are many people suffering from sickness, struggling financially, or experienced severe crises that has put them in a state of great need. When faced with these difficult circumstances, one feels barricaded from others and isolation makes it difficult for them to ask for assistance. I know this first hand and it can lead to depression and a sense of worthlessness.

 

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

 

As a child of God, its your duty to help others in need. Not all needs can be met, but God oftentimes places a person’s specific burden on your heart and He will make a way for you to respond. At first you might question your resources and feel less than adequate to help that person. But God, “And My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 When God places that need in your view, ask God how you can provide for that need and be a blessing to that person. God will show you the way and provide all the resources.

 

There is much need out there. Pray and ask God to give you someone’s burden and act on it. Your burden bearing heart will bless that person in need and show them the love of Christ. God will bless you in return! Share in someone’s burden today. God bless!  

 

 To the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. Ephesians 3:10

 

One of the most important parts of a motorcycle is its wheels. Although they don’t propel the bike, they provide traction to stay on the road. Tires affect how the bike performs when the tires are inflated to the recommended pressure, they provide stability, better gas mileage and cushion the ride when it encounters all kinds of rough terrain. Without good tires, the bike’s performance is hindered.

 

As a child of God, compare your behavior to that of tires on a bike. How you act, your prayer life and trust in Jesus Christ, impact what happens outside the realm of your vision. Let me explain.

 

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

 

If you’ve read the bible much, you understand there is a spiritual battle going on outside your view.  How you live life can impact what goes on in that battle. Your prayers strengthen the warriors fighting on your behalf and protect you from devastating strongholds that can smother your joy. When you entertain evil thoughts or walk in purposeful sin, you chalk one up for the enemy.

 

Everything you do in life affects the spiritual battle being fought on your behalf. Don’t give the enemy another opportunity to win the battle. “See that you walk circumspectly; not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”  Ephesians 6:15-16. And put on the Whole Armor of God. The outcome of today’s battle depends on you, dedicate it to the Lord in prayer and obedience so the victory will be yours! God bless!

 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.  James 3:17

 

As you close out 2021 and look forward to 2022, have you made any New Year’s resolutions? If you are like me, you probably hope things will improve with the economy, bring an end to this crazy pandemic and desire that life get backs to normal. These things are all good and well, but the truth is, these external things are out of your control. Nothing you can do will change the outcome of the ways of this world.

 

The only thing you can the source of wisdom you live by. When you seek after the wisdom of the Lord, good things will come your way. Just like good shocks on a car, God’s wisdom cushions your life from the potholes of adversity. It changes the way you respond to crises and environmental conditions you never planned to encounter through your daily journey of life. No matter how much chaos surrounds you, there is an inner peace when you seek after the wisdom from above.

 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6.

 

A better year begins with changes within your life. Study God’s word, seek after His wisdom through prayer and keep an open ear of wisdom from friends God has placed in your life. Put your trust in the Lord always and you will experience a better and more stable year. God bless!  

 But many who are first will be last, and the last first. Mark 10:31

 

It is no surprise that Jesus Christ’s, the Son of God, entry into this world came by less than ideal situations; born in a barn and His first resting place was a feeding trough.  His purpose in life was not to be first, but to be last….taking on the role of a bondservant (Philippians 2:7). His purpose was to save mankind from their sins (Matthew 1:21). He lived a humble life and gave us a pure glimpse into the character of God.

 

On this Christmas Eve, I encourage you to reflect on the purpose of Jesus Christ and thank Him for His unconditional love for you. He put Himself in last place so you could have a personal relationship with Him. That is how much He loves you and all of mankind. As a child of God, He wants you to live a humble and caring life, like Jesus. The rewards are great for those who humble themselves (Matthew 23:12).

 

Merry Christmas friend and God bless!

 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me. Psalm 138:7

 

It’s been called the “invisible enemy”. Covid has affected millions of lives across the globe. Our country’s leaders and medical professionals have a list of recommendations to prevent the spread of this unseen virus, and put into place restrictions and mandatory injections to protect people. All the while, this virus keeps spreading to the young and old, even those vaccinated. This virus also bypasses some people in the same home where others have been infected.  The result; making people live in fear for their lives and stop living life. Everyone has their opinion and I accept that. My personal view is the show must go on! We shouldn’t stop living, making memories and doing the work of the Lord.

 

Today’s verse gives hope to those who have faith in God. Its certainly ok to take preventative measures, but to live in fear is not what God intended for His children.  At some point your trust in God to shelter you must be greater than the fear that’s being instilled by people who have an alternative agenda. And yes, I said it. I truly believe Satan is behind the scenes to instill fear around the world and he is doing a great job.

 

Whose directing your life? Make the decision to listen to God’s voice of direction and trust in His hand of protection against this invisible enemy. Yes, some will get sick and die, as well all have our “appointed time” (Ecclesiastes 3:2). But don’t let that make you live in fear and miss out on the blessings of life. Trust in God today and make it a life worth living. God bless!

 

 

 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:17

 

Three days til Christmas! It’s hard to believe it’s actually upon us. It seems every year Christmas traditions change; with varying schedules, work commitments, changes in family status…how can one find consistency during the Christmas season?

 

 

I believe one thing that really taints the Christmas spirit is expectations of what Christmas time should be. LOL, like Sparky in the movie Christmas Vacation, we build up these great and high expectations in our minds of how family events should go, certain gifts we expect to receive and the outcome of family members coming together.   

 

Don’t let the changes and expectations make it difficult to find joy in the holiday season; find joy in the consistency of Jesus Christ. The birth of Jesus Christ should be the focus of your celebration with all family gatherings, expectations of certain gifts and family traditions. Nothing truly matters, other than your celebration of Christ. God bless!

 

 He who heeds the word wisely will find good; and whoever trust in the Lord, happy is he. Proverbs 16:7

 

How much do you trust God with your everyday life? As a child of God, you are provided with His holy word to guide you through life. The bible provides precious resources that give wisdom, encouragement, hope and prepares you to receive God’s blessings. Its up to you to apply the truth to your life.

 

I like to think of the Christian journey as one who is climbing a ladder. The more devoted you are to the Lord, the easier it is to climb to the next rung. But once you lose your focus on God, a rung is knocked off the ladder, making it hard to take that next step upward. Until you make mends with the Lord, you will not climb any further. Thankfully when you return to the Lord, He restores that next rung so you can continue your climb.

 

“He who heeds the word wisely will find good.” Friend, you have life’s instruction book available to you; use it! This world is NOT your home, and the only way you’ll safely navigate through it is to heed the word of God. When you do, blessings will shower you as you make it through another day. Trust God as you climb the ladder to sanctification. God bless!  

 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7

 

Years ago my family and I headed out on a road trip to visit my family in Illinois. The journey was 865 miles long and we got off to a late start. It was around 9 PM and we had been riding in the car for 7 hours with 4 kids. We all were tired and ready to stop for the night. After hitting our third hotel, we finally found an open room. Unfortunately, it only had 1 bed, so some of our group had to sleep on the floor with blankets.

 

In the story of Mary and Joseph, they had traveled almost 90 miles on a donkey, with Mary 9 months pregnant. Once they arrived in Bethlehem, they discovered the local Inn was full. The only accommodation they could find was the innkeeper’s barn. I can only imagine how unsettled Mary was, but at the same time grateful for shelter. There, in that barn, she bore the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Not the most fitting place for a king, but it was where His life began and certainly a reflection of His humble reason for entering the world to save mankind.

 

Where is Jesus in your life? Do you have Him at the center of your life or is He stuck somewhere in the corner of your heart, only accessible when you need Him for something? I like to think of Jesus as a light. If He is at the center of your life, you should have His light reflecting over every area of your life. There should be nothing hidden from His presence. If He is stuck in the background, there will be areas not illuminated, and those dark areas provide a doorway for Satan to enter. A good indicator of Jesus placement is your spiritual temperature. Is your spirit cold or hot, or simply luke warm? Think about it for a while.

 

Luke warm will result in Jesus spewing you out of His mouth (Revelation 3:17). If Jesus is not front and center of your life, maybe its time to clear out the clutter and make room for Him. I promise you blessings will follow when He is the light of your life. Make room for Jesus today! God bless!

 Can you discover the depths of God?

Can you discover the limits of the Almighty?

Job 11:7

 

Yesterday my wife and I attended a college graduation party for a young man. What’s special about this young man, he is autistic. For those who aren’t familiar with autism, it can be challenging for that person to interact with others and can bring a wide range of impairments. Sadly, many people with this condition, and their family members, put limits on their ability to function in society.

 

Thankfully, this young man was blessed with parents who saw no limits to his condition and continued to push and encourage him to develop. In addition, God placed certain people in his life to help him overcome some of the social challenges autistic people usually face. Through his trust in God and the support of family and friends, he attended college and obtained a degree. He is now ready and equipped to go out into the world and use his talents for the Lord. 

 

One thing I’ve learned in life, you can never put limits on God’s creation. He creates each person with a gift (1 Peter 4:10), that is part of God’s plan and will for His children. This gift is to be used to benefit others and honor God. Oftentimes God allows things in our life that seem restrictive, but in actuality are builders of our faith in what God can do beyond our capabilities. No doubt, this young man has done exactly that, overcome his limitations and has made his journey through life sweeter for him and those who’ve been a part of his life.

 

Maybe you have a condition that you feel limits your ability to benefit others. Put those negative thoughts aside and ask God to give you a new perspective on life. God has gifted you with special talents and abilities, nothing can hinder your successes when you put your faith and trust in your creator, the author and perfector of your faith! God bless!

 

  

 

 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:14

 

Sin and addictions are powerful. They can control many areas of your life. I’ve known people whose lives have been ruined because of sin or their addictions. The battle within to live free from those things can be a constant struggle, every minute of the day. And the truth is, sin has a penalty, eternal death (Romans 6:23) That’s the bad news!

 

…but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

 

The good news for Christians is you are saved by grace. Your sins were washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ’s, when He sacrificed His life for yours on the cross. Sin and addictions have no control over you!

 

You might ask why do I still struggle with these things. Its important to understand you have the freedom and power to overcome these sinful behaviors and addictions. This came when you accepted Christ into your life. “ knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin” Romans 6:6

 

You have the power, through the Holy Spirit, to overcome these things. This power comes by seeking God’s help to remove that which weighs you down. Have you tapped into the power of the Holy Spirit?

 

Lets pray: “ Dear God, I am in bondage to these sins and addictions ________. I know that You are greater than anything I battle and I’m asking right now that you help me over come these temptations and be victorious so I can live the free life you have provided me, in Jesus Christ I pray it, Amen!

 

Every day is a battle to live the righteous life. But with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). Feel free to message me if I can pray for you! God bless!

 The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. Isaiah 58:11

 

Did you know that nearly 70% of your body is made up of water? Taking a closer look, your lungs are 83%, brain and heart 73%, skin 64%, muscles and kidneys 79%. When you become dehydrated, your body doesn’t work efficiently and eventually organs begin to shut down and fail. That’s why its important to drink fluids to stay hydrated, especially when you are sick so your body can function as it was designed.

 

How hydrated is your spiritual life? As Christians, we need God’s guidance and wisdom to help us make right choices, strength when times are tough and health when we are exposed to the toxic things of this world. The only way to stay spiritually hydrated is to thirst for God’s word by reading it daily, communicating with God through consistent prayer and be health conscience with the things we allow to enter our life. This world, and some people in it, can totally dehydrate your soul to the point your spiritual health becomes sick and fails.

 

A good way to check your spiritual health is to measure the fruits of the spirit in your life: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control Galatians 5:22-23. If these traits are lacking, maybe you need to change your source of nourishment.

 

God needs a healthy family. It all starts with YOU by taking in the goodness of His word and maintaining a strong communications plan with the Savior so you can be ready to give an account of your faith to others, 1 Peter 3:15. Stay spiritually hydrated friend! God bless!

 Cast all your anxiety upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

 

Over the past month or so I’ve seen this kind hearted commercial where an elderly lady walks out of a store carrying heavy bags of groceries. As she gets a little way from the store, the bag boy runs up to her and carries her bags to the bus stop. Every time this lady comes to the store, the bag boy always carries her groceries to the bus stop, no matter how bad the weather. The last scene shows the lady hand the boy a gift as she rides off on the bus, it’s a pair of mittens to keep his hands warm for the winter. A very touching commercial!

 

In one week, we will be celebrating Christmas. I know this time of year can be very stressful with all the holiday plans, shopping, wrapping, baking goods….it seems like every time you check something off your list, 3 more things are added. Besides the stress of the holiday, there are those who are hurting from the loss of a loved one. That void makes it difficult to celebrate what should be one of the happiest times of year. Sadly, the anxiety of the holiday season can weigh you down instead of lift your spirits.

 

How can you get through this holiday without losing your focus on the reason for the season? Cast all of your anxiety upon the Lord! He knows your heart; He sees your busy schedule and the weight of life you are trying to tote. All you have to do is acknowledge your need and call upon Him for help. Like that bag boy, He will come alongside of you and carry your baggage.

 

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. Out of the very mouth of Jesus, He is ready and willing to help you. Hand your bags of anxiety, busy schedules, commitments and hurt into the loving hands of your Savior. He loves you and wants you to experience the true joy of this Christmas season. God bless!

 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have. Luke 24:39

 

As you go through life, people will hurt you emotionally and even physically. The result will leave emotional and physical scars that last a lifetime. In reality, they shape and mold your life into the person you are at this moment.  Sometimes these scars can define you, and change you for the good or bad.

 

Jesus body bares proof of His great love for mankind. The holes in His hands and feet was the proof it was Him, and His purpose in those marks was to bring forgiveness to everyone.

 

What emotional and physical scars do you bear from the painful circumstances that others have brought upon you? Have they shaped your life for the better or worse? Taking it a little deeper, have YOU forgiven your offender?

 

Oftentimes seeing the scars generate anger and even hate. Friend, your relationship in Christ is hindered when you allow those scars to take you places where Satan can mess with your mind, generating thoughts of revenge and despising the other person. Time to break those chains and forgive, and forget. Ask God to heal your heart, heal the brokenness so you can experience the freedom of joy and happiness in your life. Jesus bears the scars of His love for you, use your scars for the good and find freedom today through forgiveness!  

 And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He (Jesus) sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. Mark 14:3

 

Just days before Jesus’ death, this lady walks into the house of Simon, breaks open a bottle of expensive oil and poured it on the head of Jesus Christ (Mark 14:3-9). Some there who witnessed this act of kindness questioned why she would waste an expensive oil in such a manner. Yet Jesus rebuked those by saying “Let her alone. She has done a good work for Me.”(verse 7).

 

There is nothing like an unexpected gift, especially when its an act of kindness, provided on our behalf. As Christmas nears, stop for moment and think about what you can give to the Lord in return for His goodness in your life. It’s easy to donate money for a good cause, but better yet, your act of service is always a labor of love to the recipient of your generosity. What can you do for that widowed person who lives down the street, or buy a meal for that person, on the street corner, who displays a sign needing help (and talk with them), or simply time spent with a family member who needs your precious time to make them feel appreciated and loved.

 

When you give of yourself to others, you are actually giving to Jesus. Spare no expense when you give of yourself to others this Christmas season. It will mean more than money or any tangible item. Bless someone today! God bless!

 

 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

 

The other day I noticed a person running with their dog alongside, unleashed, keeping stride with his owner. That dog never strayed away or was distracted, he kept his focus as they ran down the sidewalk. I’m sure training that dog to stay by his owner took time and required a leash to keep him restrained during the training process. At some point, the dog was ready to be unleashed so he could perform as trained. As long as he was leashed, the owner could not see the results of his training.

 

As parents, we do our best to raise our kids with good morals and learning to do things right in life. At some point though, we have to cut those ties and let the child live on their own and learn their own ways through life. Unless you cut ties with them, you’ll never see the fruits of your labor in the time you had them under your wings.

 

If you have kids in training, you only have one shot at it. Train them well by keeping God in the forefront of everything you do. Be patient and help them build confidence in themselves through encouragement, not discouragement. Let Jesus be their hero so they’ll have something to model after through life.

 

If your kids are on their own, stay connected, pray over them daily, offer wisdom when requested and provide encouragement as they make their own decisions. You’ve done the hard part, let them grow into adulthood so they can leave their legacy in this world. Trusting God to care for them outside the nest is the only way you will truly let them live free. God bless!

 

 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:27

 

If you’ve flown recently, you know the airports have restrictions on the size and weight of your luggage. Taking it even further, the quantity of liquids and items you can bring on a flight has restrictions. The few times I’ve flown, I’ve had to sacrifice some of the items I wanted to bring, just so I could board the plane and get to my destination.

 

As a child of God, you have to be prepared to sacrifice things and even people if you want to keep Jesus at the center point of your life. Possessions, hobbies, habits and people can weigh you down spiritually and hinder your walk with the Lord. I’ve had to do this in my life and its very painful and oftentimes comes at a cost. But, the rewards of my sacrifice far exceeded the benefits of holding onto something that I thought was good for me.

 

Take some time today to evaluate the things and people in your life. Ask God to help you filter out the excess so you can follow Him without unnecessary hindrances to your faith. God will fill the void with a closeness to Him like you’ve never experienced. What are you willing to sacrifice today? God bless!

 

 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 131:8

 

Here in Georgia, you can expect the weather to be at opposite extremes in a days’ time. It might be freezing cold in the morning and hot by 3 PM. These changes can leave you questioning what clothing you need to wear.  

 

Taking another look at the world, its changing; our climate continues to change, the values and beliefs of society change, laws change, we change. Nothing ever stays consistent. As I get older, I find myself getting more frustrated at changes. I like things to be consistent and have a good idea that tomorrow will be the same as today, but its not.

 

The one thing you can always count on to remain steady is Jesus Christ. His presence in your life never changes, no matter how far from His truth you journey. His word never changes, its wisdom provides guidance in this ever-changing world. He is an anchor for the soul. The best way to adapt to change is cling to Him and read His word. Its solid foundation of truth will give you the confidence you need to navigate the daily challenges you face in life.

 

“Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, and the strength of salvation; The fear of the Lord is His treasure.” Isaiah 33:6

 

Change got your feathers ruffled? Cling to Jesus Christ, your anchor for life. He will always give you solid ground to dig in while life changes around you! God bless!  

 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.: Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

 

Today’s passage comes from Paul’s request of God to remove a “thorn in his flesh”, something that continued to bother him, 2 Corinthians 12: 7-9.

If you evaluate your life, you most likely have a “thorn in your flesh”. Maybe it be a person who irritates you to no end, a financial burden that constantly hovers over you like a dark cloud or a situation that never seems to get resolved. The list is endless and truthfully you probably wish it would simply go away. Why does God allow these painful thorns? Let’s look at a few reasons:

 

1.    We experience God’s grace. Because of Paul’s thorn, he suffered tremendously. Yet, God made it clear that in his weakness, he was strong because of God’s grace. When you look at your suffering as an opportunity for God to strengthen you, it makes the pain have purpose.

2.    Your thorn might be the greatest connection to Jesus. Think about it, when you have an issue, your prayer life is stepped up and you communicate more with Him. Through those countless prayer sessions, you grow in your faith and closeness to God.

3.    Your thorn helps you focus on character and not wants. You might plead for God to remove your thorn, but God wants to transform your character to align with Jesus. Jesus had plenty of opportunities to avoid His thorns, yet, He carried on the will of His Father. With God’s strength, you can do the same as it builds your character.

4.    Your thorn removes pride from your life. When things are good, you have a sense of self confidence, yet that only goes so far. As Christians, we can’t allow ourselves to believe we can do this on our own, we need rely on God to sustain us through life’s thorns.

 

Trust me friend when I tell you, your thorn has a purpose. I’ve got mine, several actually, and they have brought me into a closer and more personal relationship with God. They will do the same for you. Carefully pray that God will sustain you in your weakness, build character in your life, learn more about grace than you ever thought, and remember, if God brought you to it, He will see you through it! God bless!

 Thus also, faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:17

 

I recently purchased a new vehicle, and boy does it have all kinds of accessories to keep you safe while driving. At first, I was overwhelmed by these features and would disengage them so I was in complete control. But over time I have become more comfortable with these features and often use them while driving.

 

As Christians, our relationship with the Lord is very similar. Once saved, you have available to you all kinds of resources for life to keep you on track. Yet, far too often people feel more comfortable when they have control of everything, thus cutting off God’s blessings.

 

Friend, you must relinquish control of your life and have faith in your Savior. He has great plans for you, but you won’t be able to fully function without His guidance and morale compass. As a result of your faith in Jesus, your life should be actively working to live out His will. Living life, under your control, disengages the blessings and resources God provides.

 

Before you take off for the day, engage your faith, so your works can be witness to the presence of God in your life. I promise you will never regret letting go and letting God work in and through you! God bless!  

 

 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20

 

What tries your patience? For me, it’s bad drivers. It seems this town has a lot of reckless and rude drivers, speeding, following too closely and driving erratically. When I see this, my blood pressure rises and I can get very upset. In my moment of anger, I certainly do not produce the righteousness of God. Can you relate?

 

Today’s passage gives some advice on what to do when you encounter trials and things/people that really try your patience. Keeping calm in a heated argument can be a challenge, but its necessary to maintain your Christian witness.

 

How can you keep your calm? Start off by praying for that person or situation that God would intervene, so you can move on safely and with dignity without loosing your cool. Praying is like a relief valve, it helps to remove the pressure of the moment and takes your focus off of it and onto the Jesus, the author and perfector of your faith. Jesus is the perfect example of keeping calm, even when He faced persecution and the cross.

 

The next time you are about to blow up, turn to Jesus for help and He will give you that inner peace to deal with your anger and transform your heart after His! God bless!  

 

 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

 

Years ago, we had a bad ice storm hit our community. A large limb fell onto my metal workshop, destroying the roof. About that same time our septic system was failing and I knew we needed to replace our fill lines at a high price. When the adjuster came to look at my damaged shed, he did some calculations and provided me with a check to replace the roof. With some help, I was able to install a new roof and even had money left over to pay for the septic line work. Although at the time I was discouraged, God made a way to take care of both things.

 

When chaos hits your life, how do you respond? Do you fret and worry? It’s a typical response and clearly understandable. But as a child of God, you have nothing to fear. God has a plan and purpose for everything, good or bad, that happens in your life. Nothing that comes your way hasn’t already been sifted through God’s loving hands. He will equip you to handle the crisis and provide blessings along the way.

 

When trouble comes, pray and ask God to help you navigate its challenges. Then keep your faith strong and trust that He is doing a work in you, as part of His will for your life. You’ve got this with God’s help! Trust Him today with everything and receive the blessings of your faithfulness to Him! God bless!

 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it. Mark 10:15

 

As a child, I remember the excitement of Christmas morning. Waking up early to see the gifts under the tree. It was something I treasured for months leading up to that special day.

 

Today’s verse is a good tool to measure your excitement about your eternal destination, hopefully it’s Heaven. Salvation isn’t just fire insurance; it came with a price (death of Jesus Christ as payment for the sins of mankind) and the transformation of your heart should be representative of a life of obedience to the Lord and love for Him. Where is your heart’s loyalty?

 

  

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21

 

It’s easy to get caught up in worldly passions and desires, but the truth is, this world is not your home, as a child of God. Your devotion should be to the Lord. The bible is clear, you cannot serve two masters, Matthew 6:24. You have a choice who to follow, Jesus Christ or the world.

 

Reality check! Do you have a child’s excitement about the Lord? If you struggle to keep your moral compass headed in the right direction, spend some time in prayer, asking God to change your heart. Read His word to better understand the love He has for you. Feeding your mind with God’s word will nourish the heart, so the excitement and joy of the Lord will be present in your life. God bless!

 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 1 Thessalonians 5:21

 

Have you ever ventured into something with fear that it wont work out? Maybe it was a new job, a significant purchase or even a relationship. Its never good when you enter into something on shaky ground.

 

Today’s verse gives some great advice; test all things. How do you test something before getting into it? Its kind of like buying a car. The first thing you do is take it for a test drive. That drive lets you experience the vehicle without the obligation to buy. But the test ride is only good unless you really check everything out and spend time behind the wheel.

 

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him as of God, wo gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5

 

The best advice I can give is to pray for God’s direction and wisdom. Trust me, He cares about every detail of your life; purchases, agreements and relationships. He doesn’t want you to enter into something that will harm you. Sometimes His answer doesn’t come right away, so you MUST be patient until He gives you the wisdom you need to make the right decision. Sometimes clues to your answer come during the “wait” time, so don’t close your eyes while you wait for a solid answer.

 

God has the best in store for you, but you have to stay in tune with Him. Seek after His wisdom when making decisions in life and you will feel more confident in the decisions you make. God bless!

 For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. Ephesians 5:31

 

Today we celebrate Josh and Kinley at their wedding. So much planning has taken place in preparation for this special day. Thankfully the Lord has provided great weather and a beautiful venue for the festivities.

 

As a parent, its important that we raise our children for marriage. Teaching them the importance of being a good spouse, showing unconditional love, respecting one another, surrendering “self” to come together as one. How we do that is by the way we live our lives as fathers and mothers. From day one, this little child grows in an environment that hopefully is positive with a spiritual foundation that will instill in them a lifetime of beneficial values and traits to help them be the kind of future spouse God intended.

 

Take note of your current situation. Maybe things aren’t the best right now in your family or you’ve gone through the breakup of a marriage. Don’t give up teaching and providing your child with values to live by. Sometimes you have to regroup with him or her and admit your faults, and let them know you want to give them the best “YOU” for their future.

 

One day that little one will be joined with their spouse. Start preparing them today for that special occasion. Their spouse will thank you for your hard work and dedication. God bless!

 

 

 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105

 

Recall a time that you had to walk in the dark, it was probably a challenge to keep from tripping over things and maintain your focus walking straight. Unless your eyes adjust, you are literally blinded by darkness.

 

No doubt this is true for the child of God. When you turn your back on the Lord by walking in disobedience, you lose your spiritual vision to remain on the narrow, single path God has called you to for your safety. In the darkness, you are exposed to temptations and dark, evil thoughts that poison the soul and bring chaos into your life.

 

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. Ephesians 5:8

 

The most important thing you can do as a Christian is to fill your mind and heart with God’s word. Trust me, it is full of wisdom to help you sustain your walk, even when severely tempted to stray. Cling to it, as it will light your path as you journey through all experiences in life. The bible will light your world to a new view of righteous living. Don’t neglect your lantern today! God bless!  

 So he left all, rose up, and followed Him. Luke 5:28

 

In high school, I was actively involved with Future Farmers of America. They guys who were in the group were my classmates and some even close friends. One day I was invited to go with them to hang out. Something inside told me don’t go. Days later I discovered this group went around smashing people’s mail boxes in the local community. Not too long after that, the FBI came to the school to interview and charge those boys for their wrong doings.

 

Today’s scripture comes from the story of Jesus confronting a tax collector. When Jesus said to him “follow me”, without hesitation, he left everyone and followed Jesus. As a result, this man’s life was changed for the better.  

 

As Christians, we have a choice who we will follow: the ways of the world or Jesus Christ. The choice to partake in worldly pleasures might appear to be fun, but they are short lived and wont benefit you on the eternal side of life. On the other hand, following Jesus and living an obedient life to please the Lord, has benefits and blessings now and throughout eternity.

 

“If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” John 12:26

 

Who are you following? If you aren’t behind Jesus, maybe its time to rethink your choices in life and redirect them to the One who paid your sin debt, on your behalf, so you could have a personal relationship with your Creator! Choose wisely friend and find blessings as you follow in the footsteps of Jesus. God bless!  

 You rule the raging of the sea; When its waves rise, You still them. Psalm 89:9 

 

Do you recall the bible story where Jesus calms the winds and waves while He and His disciples were in a boat crossing the sea of Galilee, Matthew 8:23-27 ( Matthew 8:23-27 NIV - Jesus Calms the Storm - Then he got - Bible Gateway)? The winds picked up and waves came crashing over the boat; the disciples turned to Jesus for help. And what was Jesus doing...sleeping! He had to be woken and their plea for help was met with one simple action on His part, He rebuked the wind and waves and it was calm again. 

 

Wouldn’t it be cool if you could calm the calamity of storms in your life? Guess what, you can! As a child of God, you have access to Jesus Christ, 24/7. He goes with you and is ready and capable of calming even the most violent storms. There is only one obligation on your part, to have faith that He will take care of things. This is backed up in James 1:6: “But let him ask in faith, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.”  

 

Maybe you are in the middle of a storm right now and it has you worried, concerned, and experiencing a lot of sleepless nights. It's time to ask Jesus for help, and completely release it into His hands, with the faith and confidence that He will see you through to the other side. He’s got this! Trust Him so you can find a calm and renewed joy in your heart today! God bless!