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

 

If you’ve ever been in a boat, you probably noticed there are a lot of handles around the boat. Those handles are often used when the water gets choppy and you want to grab hold of something to keep you steady an stay in the boat. I’ve been in many boats and I can tell you those handles have kept me safe on many occasions.

 

To say this past week has been rough is an understatement. My wife and I both have had struggles this week, leaving us exhausted and emotionally drained. But the one thing we both have done to weather our storms is come to the Lord in prayer, asking for His wisdom and strength

 

The truth is, God has sustained us, even during the most difficult of days. We made it to Friday evening and finding rest this weekend. Maybe you have difficult days, weeks, months, maybe it has been a rough few years. The advice I can give you is, HOLD ON! Hold on to the hand of God and let Him protect you, strengthen you when weak and hold you steady even in the choppiest of life’s waters. God promises His children He will never leave nor forsake us.

 

In closing, don’t panic when the storms of life are upon you. Look for God’s hand to grab hold to and don’t let go! He’s got you friend and will deliver you thru the choppy waters, however long it takes. Hold on! 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

 

Ever have a time in your life when you are frustrated about something? Maybe its at your workplace, a troubled relationship or financial burden. There is an endless list of circumstances that can cause one great stress and frustration. As a result, you become more tense which produces anger. Left unchecked, you will eventually blow your top, allowing unwholesome words and actions to come out for others to see and hear. Yea, I can raise my hand to this one!

 

As God’s children its so important to keep our emotions in check and not get so wrapped up in our circumstances. I’m reminded of James 1: 2-3: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” How can you have joy in the middle of a crises? By turning the situation over to God and allowing Him to work in your situation to bring about resolve and in the process develop a spirit of patience and calm. It takes some faith to trust God with the things that bother you and cause you to stress out, but He will answer your call for help. Trust me, I know this all to well.

 

What’s getting under your skin? Don’t let it sour your attitude and bring about negative words and behavior. Turn it over to God and let Him work through the challenges that trouble your spirit so you can be calm and swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath. God bless!

 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. Ephesians 5:6-7

 

Social media has created an open door for people’s personal views, and boy there are a lot of them in this day and time. As I sit and read people’s thoughts and beliefs, I question their source of truth and understanding. When I compare their words with what I believe to be truth, I see a huge division. And sadly, there are many who are following others down a pathway towards spiritual doom.

 

If you are a Christian, then you must put all your eggs in the basket of God’s word, the bible. His word never changes and His ways are always best for His children. God never changes with the times, He has written the truth on how to live life by God’s standards. When you accept a way that opposes God’s standard, you bring upon yourself trouble and cut ties with the pipeline of blessings.

 

Public opinion isn’t always right. You must stay educated in God’s truth if you want to navigate this life in a world of lies and deception. Don’t believe everything you hear or read. Read the word, and keep your heart open to God’s wisdom and understanding as you live each day. He’s counting on you to speak and live the truth so others can see the light of Christ. God bless!

 

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

 

My wife and I undertook a small home improvement project this weekend. We decided to dress up the back door entryway by painting the area then installing wainscoting white board, along with a center board and three coat hooks attached. And to finish it off, install a metal sign I had purchased last year. We both agreed on the concept and that I would do the woodwork installation. When it came time to do the work, my wife asked what she could do, I replied “stay out of my way.”

 

Not to sound rude, but the work area was small and the board required specific cuts to work around an electrical switch. I needed to concentrate on what I was doing so it would turn out right. She willingly stepped aside as I did the work, but made herself available when I needed more than two hands. She was awesome, and put the finishing touches on the paint job. Together we knocked it out and something we are proud of doing together.

 

Our journey with the Lord is much like this weekend’s project. God has specific plans for your life and the last thing He needs is for you to get in the way of His work. So often we desire for something to go a certain way and we try to step in and take over the work of God. Lord knows I’ve done exactly that in the past and I’ve messed up some great work God had planned for my life.

 

For I know the thoughts (or plans) that I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

 

Trust me friend, God’s plans include great things for your life. Every day you must pray and seek after His direction. When you work in unison with Him, blessings will shower down in your life, then you’ll know you are supporting and trusting the Lord for your life’s plans! God bless!!!

 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, “Nor are your ways My ways”, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

 

Ever ask yourself how you got here? Through a set of circumstances, you found yourself in a situation that you did not plan to be in and things don’t seem to be improving? I think we all have been there and your focus turns to how can I get out of this mess.

 

Friend, God never intended for you, as a child of God, to turn your focus away from what you are experiencing. IN fact, He has permitted this difficulty to come into your life for a reason and purpose. When you turn your focus towards relief, you become less useful to Him. He allowed you to be where you are for a reason and purpose. It might be to grow you or help someone else.

 

“For as the heavens are higher than earth, So are My ways higher than your ways…” God can see beyond this moment, month, year….He already has a plan mapped out for your life to grow you and use you as a instrument for Christ. All you need to do is trust that God knows what He is doing and permit Him to lead you through the challenges of your situation and ask that He strengthen you so you’ll be a useful tool to help others along the way.

I encourage you to pray something like this….”Father, You have permitted me to be in this situation that I am not comfortable with, but I’m going to trust you and seek after your wisdom and strength as we live through this moment together. Help me Lord to stay the course and not miss an opportunity to exhibit your character to those around me…love, grace and mercy. Thank you for being present in my life and having a plan for my future and giving me hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11).   God bless!

 

 But your iniquities have made separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. Isaiah 59:2

 

Years ago, a lady made a statement at a bible study I was leading saying, “I sit on my back porch and wait to hear from God and never hear anything.” I should have been bold and asked her status with God, but avoided that question. Sadly, she recently passed and I wonder if she ever established that communication with God.

 

When you purposefully sin, you in essence build a wall between you and God. The longer you stay in sin, the higher that wall becomes, to the point you can’t see or hear from God. Yes, as Christians our sins are forgiven, but our sin can hinder our view of God and ability to hear His voice. Confession and REPENTANCE (no longer living in that sin), knocks down the wall that separates you from God. I personally have experienced this and life was in chaos for me until I completely repented.

 

The Christian life is no easy road. It’s a conscience decision to live within His will on a daily basis. Saying no to sin (and we all know the sins we battle), keeps the line of sight between you and God clear. If you are a child of God, you should want to please Him and receive His blessings in your life.

 

How’s your communication with God? Do you struggle to hear from Him or see Him working in your life? Take time to evaluate your life and how you are living. Ask God to reveal those things, in your life, that are used as materials to build a wall between you and Him. Once recognized, ask for His forgiveness and no longer partake in them. God will help you in your struggle to live a purposeful life for Him. God bless  

 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17

 

Welcome to 2021! What a start of the new year. I feel like it has been a continuation of 2020 with some added drama. If you’ve spent much time on social media or outside your home: in the workplace, shopping center, even church,  you know there is plenty to talk about. Everyone has their own opinion and it seems everyone’s voice screams to be heard, regardless of its message. As a result, many have lost friends, even family members. The whole time I keep thinking about the passage in Philippians 2:2-3: “fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”

 

Today’s verse in Colossians 3:17 gives us a good standard to go by as we converse with others. Speak and Do all in the name of Lord Jesus. Before you speak or act, you need to ask yourself will this bring honor to Jesus or would He be ashamed by my actions? If you are a child of God, you have a standard to live by and its important to live withing the parameters God has set forth through scripture.

 

No doubt, we live in a world, ruled by Satan, and he has blinded the minds of many people. Let your light and the love of Christ shine into their dark minds, so they can see the pureness of our Holy and loving God. You can be that by keeping your standard of conduct and speech in check by doing all in the name of the Lord Jesus, and giving thanks to God! Have a blessed day friend!

 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

 

Happy New Year! As most cautiously enter 2021 with uncertain expectations of what this year will bring, God has a future of hope and peace for you. Let me emphasize one word in this verse: “future”. He has plans for your tomorrow.

 

If you spend much time reading the bible, you know God has plans to prosper you, strengthen you, encourage you and help you through life. His love meters out the daily challenges in your life to prepare you for tomorrow. He is constantly growing your faith and encouraging you to trust Him with every obstacle that faces you. No doubt 2020 had many obstacles and some have pushed back from their faith or trust in the Lord.

 

It that is you, I challenge you to come back into the fold of Christ. He loves you unconditionally and will restore your relationship with Him even more today and every tomorrow. Nothing that happens is beyond His knowledge and if you are truly in line with His will, He has prepared you for what lies ahead in 2021. Trust Him today as you take day one into the next day, weeks and months moving forward. God has your back and is ready to provide for your every need this year. God bless!