Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgement, but has passed from death into life. John 5:24

 

Ever since we crossed into 2022, the stock market has not been friendly to its investors. The uncertainty of potential war overseas and economic challenges has stunted the growth of investments, and they certainly have plunged downward. As money has less value and things still not back to a good normal, just about anyone can feel a little hopeless. That’s the bad news!

 

The good news can be found in today’s passage, from the very words of Jesus Christ. Belief in God and the great sacrifice He presented to mankind through His Son, Jesus, is the very foundation we as Christians should have. It’s the hope of eternal bliss in Heaven. But, before you get there, be reminded of His promise that He is always with you, everywhere you go. “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you”. John 14:18

 

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

 

As a child of God, you don’t have to fret over the shaky ground in which you experience in this life. God has you protected and covered by His unconditional love. It’s the best investment that will never fail you; and give you the assurance of hope for tomorrow, here and into all eternity. Invest your faith and life in Jesus Christ, the returns on your investment are eternal! God bless!

 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of the all. Psalm 34:19

 

Ever ask yourself why you encounter problems in life? It might be relationship issues, health issues, financial issues, employment issues…there is a whole lot of things that can work against you. Here in the past few months I have been dealing with a painful headache, and now I have a tooth giving me issues, all the while everything else in my world is needing my attention at work and home. It makes you ask, “why God?”.

 

I can tell you that during this time of struggles, my prayer life has stepped up its game, my thirst to read God’s word never seems to be quenched, all the while everything else doesn’t seem as important. God gave me a loving and caring wife who has completely extended herself to ensure my needs are met, resulting in a deeper love and appreciation for her. My desire to spend money on things, has shifted to an appreciation for what I have and how I need to better utilize the pleasantries God has blessed me. And finally, I have spent a precious weekend at home, resting and knocking out little things that have lingered for months.

 

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

 

God often allows the afflictions of life to redirect your focus on the bountiful blessings he has provided you and to steer your internal compass in the direction He has willed and purposed for your life. Never discredit what great things God is doing in your life as you face the challenges and struggles that come your way; healing and restoration is on the other side of the valley. God bless!

 For whom the Lord loves, He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives. Hebrews 12:6

 

As a child, you might have found it difficult to understand that your parent’s discipline was administered in the name of love. They cared enough about you to help mold you into a better person. The consequences of your wrongful actions brought punishment, for some it was severe. It might be difficult to reason the discipline you received, but it was present and thankfully you are still here today to talk about it. Hopefully it turned you into a God honoring person.

 

Sadly today, discipline in the home and even in our justice system appears to be lacking or out of whack (no pun intended). You see children completely out of control in public, all the while the parent stands there and does nothing. For some reason “spare the rod spoils the child” is not well understood. Our justice system has failed many times over by watering down discipline of wrong doers; as a result they have no incentive to change their ways and continue to commit crime.

 

“He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly. Proverbs 13:24

 

Today’s passage above is clear, the Lord loves you and will chasten, or discipline you, when you do wrong. His administration of discipline is intended to bring you back into His will. It is a true sign of His love for you. God oftentimes uses the painful consequences of your wrongdoing to impart His discipline. It may cost you a day, or a lifetime, but honestly deserved because He loves you that much.

 

Accept His discipline as love and seek to correct your behavior through it. Life will become more seasoned and blessed by the lessons learned through His amazing love for you! God bless!

  

 Can a man take fire to his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? Can one walk on hot coals, and his feet not be seared? So is he who goes in to his neighbors wife; whoever touches her shall not be innocent. Proverbs 6:27-29

 

You hear about it all the time. A man and woman commit adultery, by cheating on their spouses. Its usually the result of unmet needs in the relationship that drives one to seek pleasure outside the bonds of marriage. Its an easy trap to fall into and the results of adultery impact not only the two engaged, but their family members, children and friends.

 

For some reason, God has laid this concern on my heart and today I’m asking that if you are one who is caught up in this sin to reconsider your actions and turn away from the one whom you are finding pleasure. Finding pleasure outside your marriage is dangerous and will eventually bring negative consequences to your life and those around you. Not to mention, your walk with the Lord is hindered and prayers not heard.

 

Adultery is not the answer to your problems. Deep down I’m sure you have questioned your actions. Satan is good at manipulating your thoughts to make you actually believe your affair is beneficial and will give you 100 reasons to continue to cheat. But God gives one reason not to cheat and truth is, God has the final say.

 

Take time today to consider this wrongful path you are taking and know that it leads no where good. Ask God to help you break the bonds you’ve established and find His forgiveness and those you’ve hurt. Ask God to help you heal your heart and work on the problems you face with your spouse. There is a better way, and finding pleasure outside the home is not one of them. You owe it to yourself and God to walk a path pleasing to Him. Seek forgiveness today and avoid getting burned. God bless friend.

 

 

 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jeus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1

 

Many years ago, I lived in the mountains of Colorado. I worked at a resort where it would literally snow in feet. At the time I drove a Monte Carlo car and had to buy better tires for improved traction. With these new wheels, I had a sense of inner confidence to ride in snowy conditions I wouldn’t have thought to do with my old tires. Well, it didn’t take long to realize they weren’t so good and my confidence once again found me stuck in the deep snow.

 

When someone accepts Christ, He is a new creation, the old has passed, behold all things new ( 2 Corinthians 5:17). Before accepting Christ, a person might find themselves stuck in many sins. When that person accepts Christ, they are like a car with new tires. A sense of confidence builds up, and they feel as if they can ride through their old sin patterns of life. Well, it doesn’t take too long to realize that a new creation and confidence of forgiven sins gets them in much trouble. That person will find themselves getting stuck in the same sins as they did before their conversion.

 

Friend, as a child of God, you must tread lightly. Sin must be avoided at all cost. Yes, Jesus made payment for your sins, but that doesn’t mean your life should live on the edge of sin and thinking you are free from getting stuck in the snowbanks of unrighteousness. And that’s exactly what it is, unrighteousness.

 

A righteous man who falters before the wicked, if like a murky spring and a polluted well. Proverbs 25:26

 

I say then; Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16). When rely on Jesus as your compass, you will navigate around those sins and find yourself free to keep moving instead of bound by the bonds of sin. Travel sin free today with a closer walk with Jesus.

 The scribes and Pharisees asked, “How is it that He eat and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need o a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance. Mark 2:16b-17

 

For the past three months I have been suffering from a horrible headache and tender sinuses. I have sinus issues, but keep them in check with daily meds. I’ve never had this type of problem and pain. So, yesterday I called the doctor’s office, asking to be seen. I was told by the receptionist that the doctors aren’t seeing sick patients, only healthy ones. She said I could opt for a telehealth appointment; I quickly told her I needed to see a doctor. Thankfully I was able to get in to see him and treatment has begun. Please pray for me.

 

I was quite set back when I heard the receptionist say the doctors weren’t seeing sick people. But, itsn’t it true of us? We’d rather steer clear of people who are spiritually sick and without Jesus in their life. As a child of God, you have a mission to spread the good news of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world. Without connecting to the sinners of this world, they will go without the opportunity to receive Christ, and doomed for Hell.

 

And Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:15-16

 

Your mission field starts right outside the front door of your house. There are many people within your reach who are in the dark and need to see the light of Jesus, shining forth from you. Do your part to help the sick and find blessing in their healing. God bless!  

 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come”. And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. Matthew 14:28-29

 

Today’s scripture comes from the popular story of Jesus walking on the water to meet His disciples who are in the middle of the sea, in a boat. Peter seeing Jesus, wants to experience the miracle of walking on the water. As the story goes, he begins to walk on the water, but the waves distract His vision of Jesus and he looses his confidence, thus he sinks. Thankfully Jesus reaches down and saves him, and asks “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

 

Every day Jesus asks you to walk on the water of faith and trust with Him. One of the most challenging things for a Christian is to maintain personal faith and focus on Jesus. This world has so many distractions, especially with social media and all the technologies of the world, it can be hard to build confidence in what Jesus asks of you. But, you must not allow the things of this world to hinder the very thing given to you, faith! The sacrifice of Jesus Christ is the one act of love that should keep you committed to living out your faith every day.

 

Oh taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Psalm 34:8

 

Jesus is asking you to step out of your comfort zone and trust Him today, and every day. You can do it! Trust Him with each committed step and He will bless your journey through this foreign land. Walk by faith, not by sight. God bless!  

 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. Matthew 24:6

 

Before starting my devotional time, I skimmed the headlines of a news website and afterwards today’s verse came to mind. Right now, America is standing by and watching as several countries position themselves for war. Although we’ve tried to intercept and discourage conflicts, the intervention doesn’t look very successful. I could share the others news stories, but don’t want to depress you on this first day of the week!

 

Although the end of times has not arrived, I believe we are at the beginning of the end times and people need to get their lives right with God. As a Christian, your mission never ceases. You must continue to live out your faith and share the good news of Jesus Christ with those around you. With the internet, you can help support missionaries in the field, right from the comfort of your home. They need your financial support and most importantly, your prayers.  One mission that I support helps Christians who are persecuted, The Voice of the Martyrs.

 

For those who have never accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, I encourage you to do so without delay. There is only ONE way into Heaven, and that is through belief in Jesus Christ, confessing your sinfulness, asking for His forgiveness and accepting His payment for your sins. As a result of your confession, you will walk in obedience, as provided by God in the bible. Getting plugged into a local church will help you grow spiritually and provide a means to become baptized; a symbol of your confession of faith. Another way to grow is through reading a daily devotion. One I use is by In Touch Ministries.

 

Time is ticking, what are you waiting for? Your boarding pass out of this world will one day be called, are you ready?

 

 

 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

 

Do you think if the disciples of Jesus Christ knew that their leader would be crucified and die that they would have begun their 7-year journey by following Him? Possibly not. If you read through the bible, you’ll sese there were many unpleasant things that happened around Jesus, yet He made a way through the heartache, disappointment and sadness to fulfill His purpose. The death of Lazarus showed the power of Jesus to restore life, the disciples encounter with stormy seas, yet God’s words calmed the waters, and the adulterous woman subject to death, yet Jesus put everyone on the same playing field and she was shown mercy.

 

Yesterday, my wife and I encountered two very unfair situations. One was the funeral of a young man who was living life to its fullest and everything stopped with his last breath. A family member who is always giving of herself, yet is suffering due to her body shutting down and death is eminent. As the preacher said at the young man’s funeral, “why God?”.

 

There are many bad things happening in the world right now and maybe you are victim of some personal tragedy or circumstance that is out of your control and totally unfair. These things can leave you asking, why God? All I can tell you is trust God. Leave the why to Him and let His perfect will have its way in your life. God knows your life’s journey and there is nothing you can do to stop, change or redirect your troubles.

 

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

 

Your Savior is with you right now, ready and very capable of calming the troubled waters. Look to Him and not your troubles; ask Him to restore your faith so you can find rest in the One who has the best plan for your life and those around you. God bless!

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

 

One of the best things ever made was WD40. It’s a spray lubricant that can be used on anything that is difficult to open, unlock, turn, unscrew, break loose and helps minimize friction. For weeks now I’ve been using this vice to hold my pen blanks and the handle gets harder to turn the more I use it.  I finally grabbed my WD40 and gave it a spray and in no time the vice handle turned effortlessly. It makes a tough job easy.

 

As a child of God, I hope you actively pray on a daily basis. Communication with God is important if you want to stay aligned with His will for your life. If you are like me, you mention the difficulties you face during your prayer time. And it’s ok to let God know your struggles; but, do you insert some praise and thanksgiving with your request?

 

Today’s verse reminds Christians the importance of offering praise and thanksgiving to the Lord.  You could say that thanksgiving is the lubricant to your prayer request. Just like you and me, God likes to be recognized and honored. He deserves it, 100%! When you insert a few words of thanksgiving, you are saying that you trust God in how He will handle your situation and it lessens your anxiety because you’ve turned it over to Him. I always try to make as much effort to thank God and praise Him as I do with my request for help. I can personally tell you, there is a calming effect that comes over me when I do this, and it will work for you as well.

 

Want to struggle less with your prayer request? Insert words of praise and thanksgiving in your prayer time and experience the confidence of God’s ability to work out your situation in the best way possible. God bless!

 Delight yourself also in the Lord, and he shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

 

Electricity is fascinating to me. You can’t see it, but it’s there, and with it you can operate any appliance, tool and light. Although I don’t understand it well, there is one thing I know; if the voltage is not enough, it wont power that appliance, and could possibly damage it. So, you’ve got to know which outlet provides the proper voltage for safe operation.

 

You could apply this truth to your everyday life. We all have needs and desires and where we go to fulfill these determines if we find the right thing or person to fit our life. Today’s verse is a good reminder to plug into the Lord on a daily basis. When you delight yourself in the Lord, you connect your mind to His, thus what He provides is lasting and just enough to fulfill your needs. He knows you better than you know yourself, that’s why it’s important to seek after His wisdom and blessings.

 

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

 

Friend, what needs and desires do you have? Bring them before the Lord and seek after His wisdom and still quiet voice. He will give you the best things in life as long as you continue to seek after Him. Anything short of God’s blessings will eventually burn out and leave you broken. Delight yourself in the Lord today! God bless!

 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

 

There is nothing like a church revival! The gathering of people, both Christian and non-Christian, to hear the word of God preached and many who open their heart and receive Jesus Christ. As a result, the church family’s bond is strengthened as the Holy Spirit moves in the hearts of those present. When is the last time you attended a revival?

 

Today’s scripture comes from Luke 16:1-5, where a disciple named Timothy, joins Paul and Silas as they journey through Jerusalem, preaching the word of God. Every meeting they led, revival sparked the hearts of those in attendance and churches grew in size on a daily basis. Yes, daily basis. Can we say the same is occurring today across this country?

 

The answer to that question is no. Society has become spiritually complacent and it shows by the downward shift in morality and lack of church attendance. We as children of God, must resume revival on a daily basis, otherwise the mission to spread the gospel in our communities will cease.

 

So what can you do? Several things: Pray for your church and its family, especially the church leadership; satan does everything he can to weaken the bond of church members….they need your prayers of protection and strength. Invite someone to attend church with you; it wont grow if the outside world isn’t invited. Study up; read the bible and use a devotion(s) to guide your study, there is nothing more satisfying than understanding your Savior so you can model after His life. Finally, live the life God’s given you. The world is watching every believer and they need to see the hope you have in this troublesome world. Revival starts with YOU! Lets see the church grow again through revival of the church family. God bless!

 A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart. Proverbs 18:2

 

Have you ever been in a conversation with someone and one of you battled to have the “last word”? In most situations, the “last word” is the flaming arrow which desires to hit the bullseye and defeat the other with strong words. If you really think about the last time you had a heated conversation, your mind probably tuned out the other person and your focus was more on what you wanted to say. Ouch! My toes are crunching!

 

Friend, God never intended for you to get the last word in. Today’s proverb should make you question your motives when talking with others. Do you listen to what they are saying? It takes a humbled spirit to withdraw from the soapbox and work to understand the words of others. When you do, you will become in tune with others around you and live in harmony, not frustration and always feel like you are at war with your words.

 

It's certainly ok to express your opinion, share your thoughts and even give advice. But make sure the dialog goes both ways by keeping your ears open to what they say, respond with understanding and always make sure your conversation seeks peace, not victory. Don’t be that “last word” kind of person, reflect the character of Christ and let Him have victory in all conversations. 

 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24

 

During a recent visit with Lori’s mom, we found her in the company of other residents at the nursing home. During our conversation with four ladies, one lady would ask where her room was as she seemed lost in her environment. As most people age, dementia sets in and the brain doesn’t work as it should, oftentimes making it impossible to remember things and where they are in life. It’s sad, but a reality we all might face one day.

 

I believe as Christians, we too can succumb to spiritual dementia. The struggles to maintain a God honoring life in culture of social media information can leave even the most devout child of God in a state of wonder. As I look around, I see acquaintances have beliefs that are far from God’s word and I wonder how they go to this place mis-information.  And the sad truth is, people will flock to those who are leading the charge of changing what’s wrong to make it right.

 

…there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Sprit. Jude 1:18-19

 

Friend, I encourage you to open the door to your heart to allow God to search your thoughts and life for ways contrary to God’s word, the bible. Ask God’s Holy Spirit to reveal the truth and study His word daily. His word is truth and anything contrary to it, is false. You know who you are in Christ, don’t forget God’s word as you navigate through this world on your way to Heaven! God Bless!  

 She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet. Proverbs 31:21

 

The south is expecting a rare encounter of snow. I seriously doubt it will come this far south (where we live), but its moving in this direction as I type. With the anticipation of snow, everyone, including myself, is eager to see if the white stuff will fall.

 

When I came home Friday afternoon, my wife said she had planned an overnight trip somewhere, further north from here. She still hasn’t revealed where, but I thought it funny with a winter storm coming, she wasn’t afraid to make plans to face it regardless of what it brings us.

 

I’ve got to say, that is my wife. She might not feel confident or strong, but deep down her faith is just that, grounded and trusting in the Lord. She has encountered many difficult storms in her life, yet she hasn’t let that slow her down, she keeps moving forward, trusting in the Lord to make a way.

 

I am so blessed to have her as my spouse. She is the human rock I needed in my life to keep me grounded in any storm that comes my way. My prayer is that everyone who reads this can find someone they can depend upon to help them through life. Make sure they have their feet firmly planted in the word of God and trust in Him. Everyone stay safe this weekend. God bless!

 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16

 

What famous person have you met, or even know personally? My mother lived next door to a man named Charlie Earp, a direct descendent of the famous western lawman, Wyatt Earp. My love of the old west and its history came to life every time I had a chance to speak with him. He even looked like Wyatt Earp. How cool is that?

 

There is another person who is more famous than anyone who ever lived on planet earth, God! God, the most holy, most powerful, most respectable, most honest, most just, and most loving. He is all of these and more. Although your mind might find it hard to fathom a personal encounter with Him, you can meet Him face to face. He provided His Son, Jesus Christ, as a sin offering on your behalf, so you could have a personal relationship with Him for all eternity. As today’s scripture says, He dwells in you.

 

As a child of God, His presence goes with you daily. He is no further than your thoughts, no further than your emotions and no further than your heart, mind and soul. His words have been preserved throughout history in the bible. I personally feel blessed to have Him in my life. He is all that matters to me in this world. There is not one famous or rich person on this planet that can do more for me than Him.

 

And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all of your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

 

You don’t have to go far to meet the most famous person in the universe. Seek after God, through acceptance of Jesus Christ into your life, and your encounter will change the way you live for all eternity. God bless!

 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. Matthew 5:30

 

Yesterday I had a meeting with my contractor who is working to improve a bike trail at my work. One issue they’ve been having is mudholes. Although they keep filling it with more dirt, it continues to remain full of water. During the meeting, we decided the best thing to remedy the water issue is to cut a ditch in at the mudholes, so the water will drain off, making it dry. The ditch won’t be appealing, but it will certainly resolve the issue.

 

How serious are you about removing sinful behaviors from your life? Jesus was pretty clear, in today’s verse, about how to remove sin. Although I don’t believe He intentionally meant to disable your body, yet He was serious in the fact that you must address the root issue of your sin so you can resolve it. It takes commitment to cut away places, people, things, and pleasures that entice sin, but it’s necessary if you continue in your pursuit of righteousness through the process of sanctification.

 

Make time today to evaluate the sins that you struggle with and look deep at the root cause. Once you’ve determined what initiates the sin, then prayerfully consider how you can remove the issue with God’s help. Walking in obedience takes a committed heart. The first step to righteousness is removing those stumbling blocks so you can walk freely with the Lord, bring honor to your Savior, and receive His blessings in the fulfillment of your spiritual journey! God bless!

 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

 

When you say “I can’t”, you mean that you are not capable of doing something, you have surrendered to something big, or you have given up on whatever you are facing. Those two words represent a sign of weakness and we often use them without thinking, me included.

 

As a child of God, you should always follow “I can’t” with today’s scripture.

I can’t do this on my own, but I can do this through Christ who strengthens me. The most awesome gift God gives His children is His Holy Spirit who resides in the lives of those who have committed their life to Jesus Christ. God Himself can do anything and when you acknowledge the power that you possess, you’ll never question your strength again.

 

Be reminded, all the while you seek after God’s strength, the devil is trying to whisper lies into your mind, such as: You can’t do this, you will fail, God isn’t interested in this matter you are going through, the doctor said there is nothing left to be done…. These are simply lies of satan and your ears should block them out with today’s scripture.

 

You’ve got a life to live and God goes with you every day, waiting on you to grasp His hand to push through the challenges you constantly face. Put your trust in Him so you can say, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. God bless!

 And try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Ephesians 5:10

 

Life is full of choices and provides opportunities for personal gain and prosperity. The choices you make in life are usually beneficial for self. Although there is nothing wrong with voting for self, make sure your choices in life are pleasing to God.

 

Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:8. If your desires are for the sinful pleasures of this world, well….God wont be happy and left unchecked, He will turn off the tap of blessings. Life will be less fulfilling and His hand of protection will be less present, leaving you vulnerable to the consequences of your choices.

 

When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7. I love this verse. Pleasing God brings peace into your life and into the lives of those who oppose you. I cannot tell you how true this is, as I’ve experienced it first-hand.  When you are living to please the Lord, He calms your enemies attacks and through some miraculous way, peace and understanding shadow the battlefield.

 

There are benefits to pleasing self, but there are far greater and more awesome rewards available to you when your choices in life please the Lord. Make the right choice to please Him and be blessed.

 Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established. Proverbs 16:3

 

Well, here we are again with another Monday. I believe the week prior was the longest week ever and this weekend went by without hesitation. My brain has hardly had a chance to just rest, and my morning prayer time has been a muddled mess. Have you ever experienced this? I’m sure you have. Today, on this start of the work week, God brought to mind the Lord’s prayer. I want to share it with you and ask that you read it and simply focus on it throughout the day.

 

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name,

Your kingdom come,

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our debts,

As we forgive our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

Amen.

Matthew 6:9-13

 

Sometimes the best way to recenter your day is to focus on the goodness of God and His blessings in your life. This simple prayer is one of the best things you can focus on when life is chaos and your mind has a difficult time staying focused. Make it the center of your day and the remainder will pivot around the sweet words of Jesus Christ. God bless!

 Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may be wise in your later days. Proverbs 19:20

 

There is a popular thing happening on social media, the “ten-year” challenge. This is where people post a picture from 10 years ago and a recent photo, so you can see how the persons face, and body, has changed over the years. One comical post I saw was that of someone’s vision running a fishing line through a hook 10 years ago with great vision and now the vision is blurry. I had to laugh because that’s the reality of life.

 

If there was a way to show your spiritual life 10 years ago and compare it to today, how would it look? Do you see improvements in your walk with the Lord or has it pretty much remained the same, maybe you’ve taken a few steps backwards in your faith? No doubt, life on planet earth can be challenging and the things you experience can harden your heart, leaving you deaf to Godly wisdom. Don’t let the disappointments of life stunt your growth in the Lord.

 

Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on a rock, and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25

 

As a child of God, your spiritual growth is paramount to carrying forward the mission of Christ. Life has its challenges, but when you secure your faith on the firm foundation of God, He sustains you and provides wisdom through each and every challenging situation. Everything in your body might fail you over the years, but your faith should always be growing stronger each day. Seek after the Lord and life will never knock you off your feet. How will your spiritual life look ten years from now? God bless!

 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:17-18

 

Last night my wife and I decided to treat ourselves to a nice dinner by eating at Long Horns. As we walked in, I told my wife I wasn’t going to get stuffed on that delicious bread, then fill miserable the rest of the night. Well, I did pretty good, but instead filled my stomach with steak and shrimp and some amazing mac n cheese! Although I was pretty full, I wasn’t miserable and felt pretty good about not over eating.

 

So what does this story have to do with today’s verse? The thing I want to focus on is actually the second verse; what are you filled with? There are a lot of things in this world to fill the spaces of your life: hobbies, activities, food and beverages, pleasures society has to offer…..the list is endless. Just like food, whatever you take in, your body responds and it shows by how you live your life. Working out equals a healthy body, eating too many sweets equals overweight and the issues that accompany…get the picture?

 

As a child of God, you need to be careful how much of this world you take in. Being “spirit filled” equals a life that brings honor to God and as a result aligns you with His blessings and wisdom as you navigate through life. One thing I’ve learned, the less of God’s word I take in, the more space I leave open for Satan to whisper his lies, which can lead me down a path that is outside God’s will. Stop for a moment and re-read what I just wrote and think about that.

 

What are you filling into your mind, your heart and life? Stay in God’s word, pray frequently throughout the day and seek after God’s wisdom. As a child of God His Holy Spirit already resides inside of you, so seek after God’s library of spiritual wisdom. Your spiritual life will be more fruitful and bring blessings your way and into the lives of others! Be full of the spirit! God bless!

 O Lord, I know the way of man is not himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. Jeremiah 10:23

 

Over the holiday break from work, my wife and I took a few day trips. One of those trips required use of my navigation system to get us to our intended destination. I first looked at a map to familiarize myself with the route and was prepared for the 2-hour drive. On our way, the navigation system routed us through some back roads, a lot of back roads, to the point I questioned if we were actually headed in the right direction. Finally, we got there, and actually cut 15 minutes off the intended drive time.

 

Have you ever questioned the path you are taking through life? Maybe it’s a job, new home purchase, or even a relationship. You have these thoughts of what it should be, yet what’s really happening isn’t going as planned. When this happens, you look for ways to change your direction or exit it completely to start over.

 

I can tell you it's much harder to change course when you are already headed in a certain direction. The best thing you can do is seek after Godly wisdom. He knows you’ll serve His purpose where you are, you just have to trust Him in your moment of doubt.

 

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:6

 

You might not be where you think you should be, but He has already planned your route and this is where you are at the moment. Engage in the Lord’s compass through prayer and reading His word for guidance and strength as you journey through unfamiliar territory. His plan for your life is to prosper you and mold you into His character. You’ll end up where planned, trust Him in the journey getting there! God bless!

 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

 

Not too long ago I traded in my old car for a new one. Funny thing is I purchased the same make and model and color as my old one, just a few years newer. Ever since then I’ve done my best to keep it clean, inside and out, as I know I’ll have it for a long time.

 

As a child of God, you should do everything you can to keep your life spotless. It means not going to certain places, refrain from reading or watching things that are toxic to the soul and choosing words carefully as you communicate with others. Those old sinful potholes should be avoided at all cost, so you don’t tarnish your witness. Although you might believe no one is watching, God is, and He weighs the intentions of the heart (Jeremiah 17:10).

 

Friend, are you treating your spiritual journey like something new? Protect it and keep it pure. This wicked world, in which we live, can easily muddy up your witness, thus removing the ability for those, outside the faith, to see the true character of Christ, living out in your daily life. Praying and reading scripture helps keep your mind and heart fine tuned for each day’s journey. Take every step possible to preserve your faith. Find a purity in the newness of today! God bless!  

 

 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-mediate on these things. These things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9

 

One thing I’ve learned over the years, riding a motorcycle required much concentration. One of the elementary rules: where your eyes look, that’s where you’ll go. If you keep your eyes focused on the road, you’ll stay there. But, once you take your eyes off the road and onto something else, your bike will veer in that direction and without correction, you’ll find yourself headed for disaster.

 

As a Christian, there is one thing I’ve learned about sin, if you think about it, you will fall right into its trap. There is a constant battle, within the mind, between right and wrong. If you focus your thoughts on a specific sin, you will eventually pursue it till its fulfilled.  That is why it's so important to keep your mind focused on good things, spiritual things, pure things, and God’s blessings.

 

As you get older, and life becomes more complicated, it can be difficult to stay focused on the righteous path God desires for you to follow. But God. Thankfully, as a child of God, you have the Holy Spirit, living inside of you, who will help you overcome sinful distractions and focus on living a life pleasing to the Lord.

 

Ask God to help you focus your thoughts in the right direction and He will aid you in your spiritual journey. Reading and memorizing scripture will also help you navigate around life’s distractions. It requires effort and concentration to stay on track, but the benefits of obedience will result in God’s blessings along the way! Stay focused on Him! God bless!  

 

 He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him. John 7:18

 

No doubt, social media has provided a false sense of approval for so many people. Let me explain. When you post something, don’t you often look back to see who liked it, commented on it and even shared it? The number of likes and comments provide a false sense of approval and can send a person into deep depression by not feeling accepted or approved by others if they don’t achieve the proper acknowledgement.

 

Friend, the only approval you truly need is from your Savior, Jesus Christ. When you seek after the wisdom of God and live out your faith you find life more fulfilling and experience the true presence of God. Out of obedience comes blessings and spiritual growth which results in more confidence in the Lord and less in people. Over time you’ll find yourself checking in less with social media and more time spent reading your bible and seeking after God’s approval.

 

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11

 

Do you want to find a place where you are accepted in this world? Seek the approval of the Lord and your life will be more rewarding and feeling accomplished. Share your faith with others and bring glory and honor to the One who accepts you for you! God bless!

 

 

 

 Be still, and know that I am God…Psalm 46:10

 

Leading up to my grandfather’s death in 1984, he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. His primary doctor happened to specialize in cardiology and provided the best care possible. He sent him to one of the finest heart surgeons in the country, but there was nothing he could do for my grandfather.

 

One night while he slept, my grandmother laid awake, worried about him. She watched as he took every breath. In the middle of the night, my grandmother heard God’s voice recite the verse “Be still, and know that I am God”. At that very moment a peace came about her as she knew Donald Baldridge was in God’s hands.  

 

There will be times in your life when you have a situation that is beyond your control. No matter how hard you try to manage it and your emotions, nothing changes the situation. Before all hopelessness sets in; be still and turn it over to God. Be reminded, He is your creator and knows you and your situation better than you do yourself. You might not understand the pain you are experiencing, but God does, and He will work on your behalf and show Himself through the situation that weighs heavy on your heart.

 

When life is beyond your control, find peace through stillness in God. He will make a way through this moment and bring comfort in the most painful times of life. Find peace for your restless heart today. God bless!

 Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

 

After spending a good portion of my day in my workshop, I came inside and sat down to watch some college football with my wife. From inside the house, you could hear the wind blowing outside and it sounded like a strong storm was approaching. At some point, I realized I left my air conditioner plugged in, so outside I went to unplug it. As I walked to the building the wind blew even stronger and the darkness made it feel pretty creepy. I was glad to get back inside, protected from the wind and darkness of the night.

 

I share this brief story as an illustration that in life you will be at the forefront of a life storm. You know its coming, possibly a conflict with a family member, a health diagnosis you don’t want to hear, the lack of security in your job….the list is endless, but you know trouble is coming. Worry and fear can paralyze you mentally, even physically. The external conditions seem out of control and you feel totally helpless. Can you relate?

 

As a child of God, your fears and worries should be placed in the hands of Jesus. He is your personal shepherd and watches over you, day and night. He knows when trouble is coming and provides wisdom for the situation, and He filters out the weight of trouble so it’s more manageable. Your trust and faith in Him should give you the confidence and peace to walk into the storm knowing He is leading the way through it.

 

What challenge lies ahead of you today? Bring it to Jesus in prayer. Walk in faith as you follow His still, quiet voice of wisdom and protection. You are never alone; He will make a way for you through life, put your trust in Him!  

 

 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7

 

For many people, New Years Day is a time to come up with resolutions for the new year. Maybe it’s to lose weight, devote more time with family and friends, finish a project that has been undone for a long period of time or simply to focus on improving yourself. I have one I’d like to encourage you to consider: loving others.

 

You might feel pretty confident that loving others comes easy for you. But if you are true to yourself, there are probably people in your life who have offended you and deep down there is a hardness in your heart that can’t let go of their trespasses against you.

 

And above all things, have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sin.” 1 Peter 4:8

 

Friend, it’s time to let go of the painful trespasses and find healing through the process of loving your enemies. The very foundation of love is forgiveness and was perfectly lived out by your Savior, Jesus Christ. He paved the pathway to forgive what you believe are the unforgivable sins of others.

 

You might question how you can love someone who completely opposes you and brings tribulation to your life. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13. Only through the help of Jesus Christ can you sincerely forgive and love your enemies and those who oppose you. Grace and mercy are the cornerstone of love and it’s gifted to you when you ask the Lord to replace the trespasses with forgiveness and love them, just as Christ commanded you over 2,000 years ago.

 

Start the new year with one solid resolution: to love everyone. In these days and times, the world needs to see Jesus and that will only happen when you show them the love of Christ. Happy New Year and God bless!