Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. Ephesians 3:17

 

When building a structure, the foundation must be supported using “footings”. These are trenches of concrete that go down deep into the soil and help support the actual foundation. They are especially necessary when building on troubled soil (soil that doesn’t have much compaction).

 

Today’s passage reminds us the importance of seeking after your life’s construction foreman, God Himself, who is putting you together, piece by piece. Through life’s experiences, He is shaping you into God’s image as a Christian. Your part is to ensure your foundation is secure in Him. Unless you keep your foundation solid, anything He brings into your life’s construction site will not be fully supported and you will suffer loss….loss of His blessings or missed opportunities to grow in your faith.

 

God is working in your life right now. How you begin your day is important to the success of His work in your life. Start each morning in prayer, seeking after His will and purpose for your life and never settle for anything less than His standards. When you do, your life will reflect His character and bless others in the building process. Let your roots grow down into God’s love today! God bless!

 So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. Exodus 23:25

 

In all my years of life, I can honestly say the United States of America is plagued with sickness. From the Covid-19 pandemic and other rampant illnesses, the demoralization of today’s society to the lack of strong leadership across the land, this country needs help! Looking abroad, our country has strained its relationships with many of its allies. We live in seriously troubled times and America is headed down a path of internal destruction if it doesn’t get help soon!

 

I truly believe the prescription America needs is loyalty to God. The men and women who sought after a land for religious freedom, founded the Untied States and God blessed them through victory in war and one nation built under God’s wisdom and leadership. We’ve certainly strained from the founding beliefs and look where we are today! God help us.

 

What can you do? Pray and dedicate your life and your household to the Lord. Commit your ways to God and He will bless you and protect you. You might encounter resistance to your loyalty to God, and that’s ok. As a Christian, this planet is not your permanent home. You are simply taking up space for a brief time. Its what you do in your life that matters. Together we can reshape our communities, one person at a time.

 

Pray for the leadership of this country. From your town mayor, state governor to the governmental leaders and president. They all need your prayers and God will work in their lives when you cover them in prayer.

The only way this country will heal itself is by its citizens praying and turning back to the one who blessed us with this great nation. God bless

 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

 

Last Friday seemed to start out as an easy day of work. I event texted my wife and told her it should be a good day. Most of the things on my “to do” list had been accomplished earlier in the week and I actually found time to get out of the office and check on some things in various parks that I oversee. Unfortunately, things seemed to take a turn after 1 PM and it all went down hill crazy after that, creating a variety of emotions, including anger and frustration. By the time I got home, I was zapped. Looking back, I could have done a better job keeping my character in check by seeking after the Lord when chaos hit.

 

Today’s verse is a good reminder that life isn’t always steady. There will be good times and bad, easy times and challenging times, plenty and not so much. As Christians, its important for us to be prepared emotionally and spiritually when things turn south.

 

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:6-8

 

The devil oftentimes uses sideway moments to steer your focus off God and onto the situation/problem at hand. That’s when he slips in more chaos and pretty soon you are an emotional wreck….yes, guilty! When the heat is turned up in life, that’s should stir an automatic response in you to call out to God for help. Knowing He has the wheel will allow you to trust in what happens and keeping you calm. Bind satan in the name of Jesus Christ when things get bad….trust me, it works.

 

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 1 Peter 5:10 What you go through might be painful and leave some emotional scars, but through it all, God has a plan and purpose to make a better you through it all. Always keep your focus on Him to keep you steady in your walk with the Lord! God bless!

 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long: We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Romans 8:35-36

 

I’ve got to tell you, the people of Afghanistan have been on my mind and heart, especially the Christians who are struggling to survive under Taliban rule. The battle between good and evil is being played out in that country and many Christians are being slaughtered for their faith. I read of one account of an underground church being attacked in recent days, as the reporter heard gunfire and screams until silence.

 

I read of another account of Christians who knew their time was short, were emboldened by the Holy Spirit, and went door to door telling people about the saving grace of Jesus Christ. These Christians knew their life was in danger, yet the love of Christ in them pushed through the threat of life, to simply share the good news of Christ.

 

Friend, the battle of good and evil is right outside your doorstep and pretty soon will be in your face. Will your faith and love for Jesus Christ embolden you to take a stand for your Savior? Its seriously time we, as Christians, dig in and take that stand, even if it cost you your life.

 

“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32-33

 

Will you take a stand for Christ?