Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8

We saw a bear!! While visiting the Smokey Mountain National Park yesterday, we got an up close encounter with a bear while riding in our car. We stopped to watch and video him. The whole time he was focused on eating grass and plants as he walked around. At one point I spoke a few words to him and he scurried off. Although he was focused on eating, when he heard my foreign voice, he knew it was not in his natural environment, so he ran away to protect himself from harm. 

With my encounter I learned a lot from this bear. As Christians we should mimic a bear's behavior, always feeding on the word of God. When we focus on His word, we feed ourselves the natural things a Christian needs to stay faithful in this foreign land. We are set apart from the world. 

Secondly, as today's scripture says, be sober minded and alert to Satan's temptations.  By staying in the Word, we should easily recognize the satanic voices calling us in a different direction, trying to steer our focus away from God. When we hear that foreign voice, we should flee from the temptation and seek shelter in our natural environment, in the arms of God. 

You can learn a lot from a bear. His instincts to feed and protect himself are critical to his survival. Same is true for you. God bless. 

 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27

My wife and I are currently vacationing in our favorite place, the Great Smokey Mountains. One of my loves is sitting along a creek and listening to the water rustle over the rocks and take in the sounds of nature. Unfortunately, those wonderful sounds compete with the noise of the world: loud cars passing by, people's voices and airplanes overhead. But, in-between the passing sounds, my ears hear the sweet sounds of nature and my heart is full of joy. 

Living the Christian life is much like my experience in the woods. We long to hear the sweet words of Jesus guiding us through life. But oftentimes the noise of the world try to compete, even attempt to block out Jesus. Satan is good at making noise through trials, conflicts with people, envy and pride. 

We must make a way to keep our ears and hearts focussed on Jesus and block out the noisy messes of life. Quiet time in the morning is one great way to start the day off right, listening out for the good words of Jesus. They fill your heart with the right ingredients needed for the day's making and feeds the heart with goodness in a world not so good. 

Jesus is speaking, and if you can't hear Him, you need to walk further into His presence and further from the world's chaotic mess so you can be fed with love, wisdom and encouragement for the day. God bless! 

 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10

When trouble comes, your first reaction is to run from it. But what are you running to? A winning lottery ticket, a new job, a new relationship, a new place to live? We can find hundreds of things to run to, but none of them provide for your personal care and last longer than what God provides. 

Seeking after God is your best resource for help. He intimately knows your situation and knows what you need to find a way through it, not a way from it. And the best part is, He allows difficulties to bring you closer to Him, where He can strengthen your trust in Him, and continue in His plan to prosper you. 

Let's face it. If you run from every problem, you'll never stop running. When trouble comes, don't run, just turn to God who can be your strong tower through the storms of life. God bless 

 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” John 13:7

 

Ever have one of those moments when you realize why something worked out like it did? I look back over my life and see the painful things I’ve been through and recognize now the purpose. I recall once begging God for something and He said no. Seeing how things are now, I’m so glad He saw fit to shield me certain disaster.

 

God is ALWAYS working in the life of His followers, providing wisdom and protection from things that are certain to disrupt your relationship with Him. He gives you “free will” to choose, but it’s always best to consult with Him first before pursuing what your heart desires. That heart can be misleading; everything in you says “yes”, but God’s guidance says “no”.

 

Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

 

The surest way to stay on track with God is to seek after His wisdom and keep an open mind and ears focused on His still soft voice of reason. It’s best to find quiet times throughout the day to pray and sincerely listen to what He's telling you. To give assurance it’s His voice, He will oftentimes lead you to scripture that backs up His advice so you know it’s truly Him speaking and not the devil whispering lies.

 

You might not understand why God is directing you in a certain way, but His way is always best and you can be assured that He loves you and wants to provide the best for your life, now and in the future. 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. God bless!

 

 …in which it is impossible for God to lie.. Hebrews 6:18

 

If you spend much time on social media, read or hear the news, you realize everyone has an opinion about any topic concerning life. Sadly, many people take other’s opinions and statements and consider them truth, which in fact many times is further from the truth. This careless way of thinking will only lead someone further into wrong thinking and affect their life. Leaving you to ask, “where can I find the truth?”

 

Today’s scripture comes from the book of Hebrews and is clear: it’s impossible for God to lie. God is holy and righteous, everything in Him is pure and true. He is the purest form of truth you will ever find. His word, the bible, is full of life changing truths and wisdom that can guide you down a good path and provide blessings along the way. But the only way it will benefit you, you have to pick it up and read it daily. God will lead you through His word and apply its wisdom to your life’s situations.

 

The solid foundation of God’s word is available to you today. Don’t miss out on the freedom you have in this country to study it, learn it and let it guide you down a path of truth and righteousness. God has a message for you every day through His scriptures. Find it today in the word of God. God bless

 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 1 Corinthians 9:24

 

Yesterday I witnessed a triathlon event at my work. There were 223 competitors, determined to complete all three events (swim, bike and run) in record time. As I watched them pass by, I noticed the ones up front were moving quickly and had a look of determination on their faces. As more came by, they had slowed down and some looked tired and almost defeated, all the while took a much slower pace and were in no hurry to cross that finish line.

 

This leads to today’s blog. There is no doubt, living the Christian life is not easy. As a matter of fact, Jesus said we are foreigners in this land (as children of God) and would encounter much tribulation in life. Your number 1 enemy is satan and he is bound and determined to make living the right way a challenge. Sinful habits, distorted thinking and fleshly desires all work against Godly wisdom. The battle is more than you can handle! That is why God gave His children the Holy Spirit, to provide wisdom and power to overcome the troubles life brings. But the choice to stay in the race is up to you!

 

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1

 

The choice is yours in how you run the race of your Christian journey. Staying focused on Jesus and His ways will take effort and determination, but the blessings that follow, through your faithful obedience, are greater than anything this world has to offer. Run in such a way that you may obtain it! God bless!

 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord. Luke 1:45

 

This weekend my wife and many other ladies from our church are participating in the Women of Joy conference in Pigeon Forge this weekend. A weekend of spirit filled worship and music to grow and strengthen their faith. It will certainly be refreshing for those in attendance!

 

Today’s scripture references Mary, Jesus mother, who “found favor with God”. She was chosen to carry the Son of God and raise Him under the care of herself and Joseph. It was her faith in God that made her the prime choice to be used in part of God’s plan to save mankind from their sins. All throughout the bible God has used women to carry out His plans to impact the world.

 

I ask that you take just a moment to pray for the ladies in attendance at Women of Joy conference that God will move in them to carry on His plan for their families back home. Their dedication to take time away from home to worship and grow their faith, is certainly favored by God. Asking for God’s blessing upon them and their safe return on Sunday! God bless!  

 

 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

 

Who is your hero? Many people have a hero in their life that they look up to, even wishing they were them. Some want to be famous rock stars, wealthy icons of our time, or someone in great power and authority. It doesn’t hurt to have a hero, but don’t let your dreams turn into jealousy and bitterness.

 

Today’s verse is a great reminder that YOU were created by God for a purpose in life. Weather that’s a father figure, mentor to troubled youths, a server in the food line….the list is endless, but you should “rock” where God has placed you. You should never feel less of a person for who you are. As a child of God, you have the resources to help you be 100% of God’s calling for your life. And the truth is you want to win His favor, not that of this world and others.

 

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. Colossians 3: 23

 

Take time today to think about your position in life and how you can make your corner of the world a little brighter with your Christian influence. God put you right where you are, so don’t doubt for a minute your position is not worthy of His service, it is! And, God will bless you for doing your all!

 

 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulations produces perseverance; and perseverance, character, and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4

 

Yesterday’s blog was about the purpose in our trials and that good comes through everything we experience in life, good or bad. God’s purpose is to improve “you”! Today’s verse gives proof of what tribulations can do as you work your way through them and not give up. Giving up, is giving up on your faith in God to help see you through.

 

God promises to never abandon His children. He encourages us to seek “rest in Him” (Matthew 11:28). With this promise, we can free ourselves from the anxieties that come with tribulation and focus on growing our faith and Christ like character. Nothing should hinder our growth, that is why God gave us His Holy Spirit, as a mentor, encourager and eternal connection to His awesome power and insight.

 

There will never be a shortage of life’s troubles. Use the pressure of tribulations to mold you into the character God desires for your life; a life made into the image of Jesus Christ. Through every encounter you should see growth and changes in your thinking and hope for tomorrow. 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

 

When things go right in life, you most likely feel good and have this confidence in your tomorrow. But when bad things happen, how do you respond? Life is like a mountain range, there are peaks and valleys, good times and bad. And to be honest, those rough days can drain you mentally, emotionally and even physically. Can there be any good in the bad times?

 

According to scripture, everything works out for your benefit when you seek after the wisdom of God. Before you even wake, God already knows what’s instore for you that day and works the details of each moment to grow you. From His mile high view, He knows even the worst days have purpose. His hands sift through the difficulties of life, just enough to grow your faith in Him, provide wisdom and oftentimes removes things that aren’t meant to be. As painful as they are, they are part of God’s plan to prosper you.

 

I encourage you to pray for God’s wisdom at the start of each day and accept what happens is part of God’s plan. You might not always understand at that moment why bad things happen, but eventually His plan will be revealed to you and the understanding that comes with that knowledge will grow your faith and trust in Him. He has your best interest at heart, trust me! When you seek after the good in bad times, life will remain a constant and peace will prevail even on the worst days! God bless!

 You have heard that it was said, “And eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”. But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. Matthew 5:38-39

 

The truth is, we live in a fallen world. People will fail you, let you down, and not meet your expectations. Some of these people are the closest to your heart. And when this happens, you hurt, and hurt badly. As a result, resentment slowly creeps into your heart and a hardness for that person develops. Has this happened to you?

 

God never intended for His children to have a harden heart. As the heart hardens towards your offender, you have less grace and mercy for him/her. Eventually that bleeds over into other relationships. Eventually you will drain whatever joy you had and stay trapped in this toxic view of the world around you.

 

Happy is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. Proverbs 28:14

 

Maybe it’s time to reset your heart and empty the resentment that you’ve built up against this person(s). Ask God to help you forgive them for their wrongdoing, to fill the heart with the unconditional love of Christ, so you can go about your day, full of grace and mercy for those who are a slap in your face. Turn the cheek in love, just as your loving Savior did 2,000 years ago. Leave no room for resentment and revenge. God bless!

 The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands. Psalm 138:8

 

What would you consider the “perfect life”? Maybe it’s a big house full of healthy family members, a great job and all kinds of toys to make life fun and exciting. We all have visions of what that perfect life would look like, but have you considered what God has in store for you?

 

You see, God has created you for a purpose in this world and He has a plan to use you within that purpose. Sometimes that purpose involves leaving the comforts of home and going to foreign lands to share the gospel, sometimes He asks for you to sacrifice something to provide for those who are in need of your abundance, sometimes He simply asks for a precious moment of your time to help in some way in the name of Jesus Christ.

 

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

 

God has a perfect life for you and He can make it happen when you get on board with His will and your purpose for being here. What He’s expecting of you to achieve might seem impossible, but trust me, He already has the resources available to help you accomplish the great works He desires for your life. All you have to do is trust Him by faith and let go of your ways to bring honor to Him through obedience. God always blesses obedience and your life will be perfect when you align your sights with His. God bless!

 

 He is Risen, Matthew 28:1-8

 

Happy Easter everyone! Today we celebrate our risen Savior, Jesus Christ. His soul purpose was to pave a pathway for us to have a close and personal relationship with God. Jesus paid your and my sin penalty by dying on the cross and raised to life 3 days later, having victory over death!

 

As you go about your day, thank God for His provision, His love, His presence in your life. This one act changed the world and the message of Jesus saving grace continues to be spread throughout the world, even into the most remote parts of earth. Spread the joy in your salvation experience by sharing your experience with someone outside the faith.

 

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19

 

Share the good news of Jesus Christ, He is alive!

 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example that you should do as I have done to you. John 13:14-15

 

If you knew this was your last day to live, what would you do? Maybe gather around family, go do something fun or simply reflect on life? Whatever you do, it matters most to you.

 

One of the last things Jesus did before His death was, He washed His disciples feet. Back in those days, washing the feet of guests was left to the lowest of servants. Yet, Jesus took the time to perform this act of service to be the example that we all need to see, a loving Savior who gave His all for you and me! He encouraged His disciples to serve others and not put themselves higher than anyone else.

 

Examining your life, what acts of service do you perform on behalf of Jesus Christ? There are many opportunities out there to share the love of Christ through acts of service. I encourage you to make time to act upon Jesus words, to serve others so they too can see what HE has done for you.

 

If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. John 13:17

 

 

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:7-8a

 

Ever feel at times like the devil is on you like bees on honey? It seems everywhere you turn, he is trying to bring chaos into your life and tempting you to do everything wrong when all you want to do is live for the Lord. I think all Christians come under strong bombardments from the enemy. What is the best thing you can do in times like this? Draw close to God.

 

You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word. Psalm 119:114

 

The closer you get to God, the less space the devil has around you to attack. His power is greater than the devil and the devil knows this and will avoid being around you if God is clearly visible in your corner of the battle. He is like a big brother, intimidating the enemy.

 

One way the devil attacks is through temptation. Once he can get you to commit a sin, he uses guilt to make you feel unworthy to experience the forgiveness, grace and mercy of God. But it’s all just a lie. Jesus promises to forgive us when we bring our sins to Him and ask for forgiveness.

 

Maybe you are feeling locked down by the wrong things you’ve done or currently in the middle of a battle with the devil. Draw near to God through prayer, obedient living and seeking His grace and mercy… and He will draw near to you. The devil doesn’t stand a chance when God is around. Call upon Him today and stay shielded from the attacks by the wings of His love and protection. God bless!   

 

 

 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:17

 

If you think back over your life, do you see times when you’ve made bad choices and seemed to be in a pattern of disobedience? I think we’ve all had those moments when most of what we were doing wasn’t pleasing to God and most likely didn’t experience any of His blessings.

 

As a child of God, you have a purpose for your existence. God has blessed you with talents that can be used for His kingdom. Every moment of your life has been strategized by God, and He wants to share His plan with you. When you are in tune with His plan, you have more wisdom to make right choices, avoiding your own plan which oftentimes fails. I speak from experience!

 

By humility and the fear of the Lord, are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

 

Want a better life, full of God’s blessings and wisdom? Stay rooted in His word, constant in prayer and humble yourself to Him and be willing to follow His plan for your life. It will keep you grounded in your faith, avoiding sin’s traps, and give new meaning to your life. Stick to His plan and be blessed!

 Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. 1 Corinthians 2:9

 

As a teenager growing up there was a movie that came out with famous actress, Jody Foster, called “Freaky Friday.” Basically, the daughter and mother miraculously swapped brains for a period of time. The daughter was living in her mother’s body and the mother in her daughter’s body. It was funny to watch them trying to live out the life in each other’s role and it was life changing for both of them.

 

Wouldn’t it be cool if you could have the mind of God for a day? To think like Him, reason like He does and see people the way He sees them. Thankfully, as a child of God, He doesn’t leave you without His mind, heart and character. His Holy Spirit lives inside of you to help you navigate this life as He would have you to. The real question is, how in tune are you with His Spirit?

 

But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:10

 

For me personally, I have to carve out a time of quietness in the early morning hours, so I can focus on His voice and study scriptures and read a few devotions so I can be more in tune with Him. Every single day, He provides nuggets of quality wisdom I can apply to my life. The more I can clear my mind of the world, the more space I give Him to reveal His will and wisdom for me.

 

You too can have this close connection with God. He has great plans for your life and until you are ready to listen, you will miss all the great wisdom He offers you to get through the challenges of life. Start today with a mind set on learning God! He’s already equipped you with His Spirit. Study and learn upon Him today and be blessed!

 

 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Luke 6:35

 

Take a moment and think about someone in your life who you consider an enemy. Think about what they’ve done to you. Now, think about what you’ve done to them. Have your actions toward them been in line with today’s passage? Most likely not, and that is quite understandable. As humans our natural tendency is to protect and defend ourselves using the same weapons directed toward us.

 

As a child of God, it’s important for you to maintain the consistent character of Jesus Christ. His own words in today’s passage are meant to stretch your faith, removing prideful ways and filling your heart with love which generates fruits of grace and mercy.

 

You might be thinking, but how can I do this when this enemy has totally destroyed what I’ve had…maybe your property, finances or taken a loved one from you.  As painful as it is, God has a plan for everything that happens in your life, good or bad (Romans 8:28). God often takes our losses and turns them into opportunities to fill us with something better.

 

Friend, there is nothing in your life greater than the love of Jesus Christ. And if you possess the Holy Spirit, you can love the unlovable. God might be doing a work in your life right now to align you with something more beautiful, but until then, keep reflecting that spirit of love towards your enemy. God will bless you and make peace with your enemies (Proverbs 16:7).

 

 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that ahs overcome the world – our faith. 1 John 5:4

 

Have you ever considered the strength of your faith? Faith is something that trusts, has confidence in….like a chair you sit in, you believe when you sit, it will hold you up. You have faith in a lot of things, your vehicle, your ability to walk, do things…the list is endless. But there is one element of faith in God that needs a closer look.

 

Today’s verse clearly states that your faith can overcome the trials and tribulations of this world. Your faith in God is what gives you strength to have victory over attacks by the enemy (satan). The more faith you have in God to sustain and protect you, the stronger you’ll be in the battle to keep you bound to sin and things that work against your relationship with the Lord.

 

“In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

 

Jesus was clear when He said we’d have trials in life. But, by faith in Him, you can overcome the world through your faith in Him. It sounds easy, but sometimes in the heat of the battle, fear can creep in to weaken your faith. It’s important to keep your focus on God, not your problem. Your resources are limited when you view your problems alone, but by faith you can conquer them through prayer and trust in God to help you.

 

Your born again experience sealed you into an eternal promise, your faith has saved you for all eternity. Use your faith in God to overcome the obstacles life throws at you. The battle has already been won, keep the spirit of victory with you as you head out into the world today! God bless!

 

 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

 

Every day someone in this country is saved from death by either a person’s quick actions to pull someone from a burning house, pushed away from danger, or medically saved through cpr. Maybe your life has been saved by a person who cared enough to take the necessary action to help you.

 

Friend, you might be the safest person on earth, doing everything right and by the book, but if you have never received Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, nothing you do on your own will save you from an eternal Hell.

 

The ONLY thing YOU can do to save yourself is to pray and ask Jesus to come into your life, ask for forgiveness of sin and ask Him to save you. As today’s scripture says, you can only be saved by having faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus, God’s Son, made payment for your sins by dying a painful death on a cross.

 

“It is finished.”  

 

“It is finished” were the last words Jesus Christ spoke before He died. His life’s purpose was completed, He made a way for you and I to come to God through faith and belief in Jesus Christ, He made payment for the penalty of mankind’s sins.

 

I can tell you after living 40 plus years as a Christian, Jesus Christ has always been by my side, helping me through life. Yes, I’ve made some mistakes along the way, yet my sins have been, and continue to be, forgiven because of Jesus blood sacrifice on my behalf. You can have this grace and mercy too.

 

Pray to received Jesus today. Don’t delay friends. You do not know when your next breath will be your last. Save your life today through one simple prayer: “God, I am a sinner. I believe Jesus Christ died for my sins and rose back to life after 3 days, having victory over death. Please forgive me of my sins and the horrible things I’ve done in my past. I believe in Jesus Christ and I need Him to save my soul. Amen. “

 

 Saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan as the allotment of your inheritance.” Psalm 105:11

 

When God makes a promise, He keeps it. Thousands of generations have passed since the creation of Adam and Eve, yet God continues to maintain His promise to never leave nor forsake us. From the birth of Christ and 33 years of living testament of God’s existence through His Son, you can put your faith and trust in Him, always.

 

In My Father’s house are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I go and prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that is where I am, there you may be also. John 14:2-3

 

God’s promise to the modern-day Christian: you have a mansion waiting for you in Heaven. Jesus has prepared a way to get there and God created that promised land for His followers. With this understanding, you should stand firm in your faith and confidence that God will make good on His promise to bring you into His presence. No more tears, no more suffering or loss. Everything will be amazing beyond belief.

 

As you go about your day, keep your faith steady, your actions aligned with God’s standards and your hope in the promise of rewards awaiting you in Heaven. Have a blessed day!

 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1

 

One of the gifts God gave His children is free will. Despite what many believe, Christians have the freedom to live their life, not as robots, but under the grace of God and forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. It’s not a free ticket to sin, but to live without the guilt of sin and fear of eternal separation from God.

 

This freedom came with a price, the painful crucifixion of Jesus Christ. As a child of God, you should live your life in such a way that is pleasing to the Lord, by avoiding sinful behaviors and confessing when you do wrong. It’s a continual cleansing process, but thankfully there is no shortage of Jesus blood to wash you clean!

 

Staying untangled from the bondage of sin, keeps you free under the grace of Jesus Christ to live the life He wills for you. Appreciation for God’s gift should be the reason for your commitment to live unhindered by the bondage of sin. God bless!

 

 Set your mind on things above, not on things of the earth. Colossians 3:2

 

The brain is the control center for the human body. Whatever goes on inside it, results in words spoken, actions taken and thoughts pondered. Left unchecked, the mind can lead one down a dangerous path of darkness and sinful behavior that harms the relationship between you and God. Today’s passage is simple; think about the things that bring honor to God, things that would please Him and direct your thoughts to living a more Christ centered life.

 

If you think about it, there is a lot to think about. 😊 Things like worry, fear, stress, and anger. All of these are common to each of us, but they were not meant to define you. That’s why it’s so important to have purposeful thoughts about God’s grace, mercy, love, presence in your life and His ability to tackle any problem you face in life. Thinking positive thoughts about God, minimizes the negative things of life.

 

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2

 

What’s on your mind today? Ask God to help transform your thoughts to mirror His, so you can find joy and purpose in this day God has given you. God bless!

 

 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Matthew 5:41

 

It doesn’t take long to see the need of others right outside the front door of your home. People are dealing with anxiety, financial burdens, loss of employment, loss of a home, loss of hope. I’m sure there is someone you know personally who is in crises. What can you do?

 

First thing you should do is pray for them. Ask God to help them in their distress. Then ask God how you can be useful to God by reaching out to them. You might not feel like you have the wisdom, resources or time to help, but if the request is made to God, He will provide you with exactly what’s needed in that situation. Sometimes what God asks might seem a lot, but trust me friend, He will supply all your needs according to His riches by the glory of Jesus Christ (Philippians 4:19).

 

Take time today to pray for someone you know who is hurting or in need of assistance. Ask God to intervene and provide you the appropriate response. Go with that person, even to the second mile of help. Your acts of kindness will reflect upon them the love of Jesus Christ and bring them closer to your Savior. God bless!

 

 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 1 Thessalonians 5:8

 

As a child of God, it’s important to be on guard at all times for deception and attack from the enemy. The forces of evil are constantly working in an attempt to destroy the works of the Lord in your life and Christianity as a whole.

 

Just like your morning ritual of getting ready for the day, you should have a morning ritual of bible study, reading and prayer time. It can take as little as 15 minutes of your day, but don’t you think its worth it to give a portion of your time to the One who saved your life for all eternity? Spiritual preparation for the day is essential, as it awakens your moral compass and provides wisdom and protection for the day’s battles…..and the battles will come no matter how hard you try to take cover.

 

The encouraging thing in all of this, you are blessed to have God’s Holy Spirit living inside of you, giving you the edge over satan’s enormous storehouse of weapons. Only by the power of God can you conquer the addictions, sinful habits, and destructive thoughts that work against you continually.

 

In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33

 

Are you equipped for today’s battle’s? Spend time with the Lord this morning to prepare you for what lies ahead. God has already been there and is ready to equip you with the right mindset so you’ll be able to overcome the enemies plans. God bless!

 

 

 

 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12

 

In most cases, how you are treated by others is usually a reflection of how you treat those around you. If you give others respect, they will in turn respect you, if you treat others with kindness, they in turn will treat you kindly. It goes both ways, but the truth is, it starts with you!

 

Sometimes though, you’ll encounter a spirit that is contrary to yours. One prime example is a classic narcissist. No matter what you do to give them kindness, they will turn it against you and try to shame you. They always want to be the one on top and will stand on you to get there. How do you handle this kind of person who represents just the opposite of the kindness you are trying to give? The grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.

 

“See that no one renders evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.” 1 Thessalonians 5:15

 

How you respond to their critical spirit is a prime opportunity to show them the true character of Christ. This means you have to be the good guy for both of you when everything inside of you screams revenge and fight back. It requires a humble spirit and one full of love wrapped in patience. I’ve learned over the years that a positive response to a negative, throws a little water on their fire.

 

As you prepare to face your world today, begin in prayer, asking God to help instill in you the character of Christ so you can reflect His love outward and in faith receive back blessings of kindness throughout the day. God bless!

 

 

 

 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. Psalm 34:17

 

My wife and I attended a local market in a nearby town yesterday. The crowd of people and vehicle traffic was almost overwhelming. As we walked through the crowds of people, I heard the sirens of a fire truck and thought he’s gonna have a tough time navigating through all this traffic, delaying his arrival to the rescue. Through a series of starts and stops, changing lanes, he got through the congestion and hopefully nothing burned up by the time he got there!

 

As Christians, our 911 is never further than a simple prayer asking for help. As today’s verse says, when we ask for help, God hears his children and delivers them out of their troubles. There is one special gift given to all of His children:

 

“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”

 

This is so fascinating to me and as I get older and experience more of His presence in my life, I realize that everything I encounter, He is right there with me through it all by His Holy Spirit living inside of me. So why wouldn’t He want to protect and help me, He is in me. There is NO delay in God’s call for help. He knows the need and begins to respond. Sometimes though, the results of His response may not be evident at first. Sometimes it might not be evident for a brief time, even a long time, but He does answer our call for help and responds in the best way possible.

 

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you have a built in 911 system that never fails and responds quicker than any conventional emergency response system. Don’t delay your cry for help, call upon Him through prayer when troubles are on the horizon and let Him provide the help you need. God bless!

 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 1 Corinthians 9:24

 

Prior to Covid, my wife and I made time to exercise several times a week at a local gym. I’d say we were pretty dedicated to staying healthy and exercise. Once Covid hit, everything went into lockdown, including us. The media and medical advisers made it seem like everything outside the door to our home was toxic, so we stayed in as much as possible. Over the past two years, the lack of exercise has resulted in me being over weight and out of shape. I regret my condition, but we are both trying to get back on track to good health.

 

I share this story to use it as an example of our Christian life. When the difficulties of life happen, how do you respond in faith? Do you go into lockdown, by blocking out your normal Chrisitan activities like church attendance, praying, reading God’s word and seeking to please Him? It’s easy to go into repair mode when bad things happen, we want to fix this so we can move on in life, leaving God out of the equation. Because of your isolation, you leave yourself vulnerable to satan’s attacks and you don’t hold up as long spiritually, emotionally, even physically. You, in essence, stop running the spiritual race you began a while ago.

 

If this is you, it’s time to get back into the race! God hasn’t called you to step off the spiritual track He set you on. He wants you to run the race with all of your faith and trust in Him. HE is your strength; HE is your mental and emotional stability; and HE has a plan to prosper you. But it won’t happen unless you keep in the race!

 

Regardless of what happens in your life, never give up on your dependence upon God. He loves you so much and nothing should derail your focus from the finish line. Run in such a way to win the blessings of God. God bless!

 Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands. 1 Samuel 17:47

 

Today’s scripture comes from the story of David and Goliath. Just before the two engaged in a fight, David told the Philistine that his victory over him would not come by modern-day weapons, but by the power of God and the battle was in God’s hands. Of course, we know what happened, David slung a rock, striking Goliath and knocking him to the ground and killed him.

 

We all face battles in life and some battles appear to have victory over us. But, as a child of God, you were never meant to face the enemy alone. Your personal strength and resources are not enough to battle satan (Ephesians 6:12). The only way to fight the daily burdens of life is to seek after the Lord and allow His plan to prevail. His plan is always best and He will win every battle on your behalf when you release it into His hands through prayer and faith. Sometimes God’s way of handling things may not turn out as planned, but it has purpose and your faith in Him should never waiver.

 

What battles are you facing today? Release them into the hands of the living God and let Him author your battle plan. He has the resources, wisdom and most of all, your best interest at heart. Trust Him as you go off battle through another day! God bless!