Galatians 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. 

One of the dangers of serving in the church is to get caught up in pleasing those in leadership. Finding gratification from the preacher or other leaders will result in failed expectations. They are men (or women) who God appointed to lead, but they are also human, and they are not capable of seeing your heart’s desire to serve. 

I sometimes find myself guilty of seeking the acknowledgement from my church leaders, whereas my focus should be on God. They might not see the literal blood, sweat, and tears, I've put into the work of the church, but God sees and keeps record of my loyalty and will reward me in ways that far outweigh any human recognition. 

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

Maybe you are seeking some approval from leaders in your church. Just remember, that will never fill your cup like the blessings of God. Stay prayed up and seek after God's approval and you'll have the motivation to give Him your best. 

For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

 Fall is my favorite time of the year, as it brings in cooler temperatures, beautiful colors on the trees, a refreshing breeze, and unwelcomed pollen. Well, we haven’t had much of the Fall ingredients, but the pollen has definitely arrived and my sinuses are suffering. As we get ready for our Judgment Journey production at church, I still have a lot to do and my body wants to lay low and do very little. Don’t have time for that, so I’ve been praying frequently for God to restore me back to good health so I can finish the work which began over a year ago.

 When doing the Lord’s work, you’ve got to know Satan will do all he can to disrupt progress. He threw a hurricane at us this past week and through much prayer, God protected our community, and the various scenes of our production from damage and flooding. I see in the news another potential storm will be brewing and again has our community in its sights. Prayers for God’s protection must continue for the show to go on!

 Life is like that, you know. We set out to achieve some special tasks, and it’s met with resistance. When that happens, doubt and discouragement can easily creep in and reduce your confidence to the point you want to simply give up. Today’s verse encourages us to walk by faith, and not let the visible troubles discourage you. God is on your side and He knows what it takes to accomplish the task. Why not trust Him with it through prayer and faith in His ability to see it through, not matter what the external circumstances looks like? I can promise you, if its His will, He will do everything in His power to help you accomplish the work you began.

 Maybe you are facing a big project at work and you can already feel the resistance from others, it’s a troubled relationship and your partner doesn’t seem to care about what happens, or maybe it’s a poor health report and the news doesn’t appear to have a positive outcome. Take it to God in prayer and have faith that He will provide you His very best! He will do it because He loves you. You are His creation, Your Heavenly Father, and He loves to embrace your troubles with you. If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can tell this mountain to move and it shall be moved. Matthew 17:20

 

 

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16

Have you ever wondered how God thinks; what He likes, dislikes, and the wisdom He is willing to share? You go to church and hear a sermon about a certain topic, then at some point, you talk with someone else who has an opposing opinion about the same subject, leaving you to wonder what is the truth.

 Thankfully, God never meant to leave His creation in the dark. He inspired everyday people to write down His thoughts, wisdom, and life’s guidelines for living a life pleasing to Him. It’s called the Bible, and today’s verse is proof of the true authorship. Think about it, the God of this universe has provided us the instruction book of life.  

 You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. Deuteronomy 4:2

 If you search for a bible, you’ll find there are countless versions of God’s word. Man has taken God’s word and simplified its words over the years to make it easier to understand. In the process, they have added or taken away critical words, even scripture. The NIV bible is one of the easiest to read, but many scriptures have been removed or the intent of a verse has been changed. I’ve found the best bible is the King James, or New King James version. Do your research, but know that certain versions have been modified from the original intent.

 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap upon themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 2 Timothy 4:3-4

 Unfortunately, there are preachers that water down God’s word or completely remove scripture from their sermons to suit their audience. God help these preachers who will stand before God one day to give an account for their deceptive teaching.

 Navigating life is difficult, but God’s word provides the best instruction to get you through each day under the guidance of your maker. You won’t know what God thinks unless you read your bible. Listen to your preacher and check out his instruction to make sure He is giving you biblical truths. If not, change where you worship. Blessings.

 

 

 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Matthew 18:21-22

 Do you ever struggle with certain sins? They seem to draw you away like a kid in a candy store and you find resistance short of impossible. Once the sin is committed, guilt follows and you begin to question God’s forgiveness.

 In today’s verses, Peter asks Jesus how often he should forgive someone who sinned against him, Jesus’ reply was 70 times 7. If you do the math, that seems like a lot of forgiveness, but that is exactly how God feels towards you, His creation. From the moment man was created, and throughout the generations until now, He knew no one was capable of living a sinless life. He had to make a way to bridge that gap, that’s when Jesus Christ came to earth to bare the sins of mankind.

 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. Romans 7:15

 Even Paul, one of God’s greatest apostles, who spread the gospel to the Gentiles, struggled with repeated sin. Satan will be quick to make you think you are the only one who struggles with certain sins, with the hopes of alienating you from God’s forgiveness. I can assure you; you are not alone in your struggles with sin, and yet the blood of Jesus Christ is available for all of His followers who accept and receive His free gift of forgiveness. Mind you, His willingness to forgive doesn’t give you permission to continually live in purposeful sin. He provides a way out of sin if you are willing to utilize the help of His Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 10:13).

 The next time you struggle to understand how Jesus could forgive you again and again, let Matthew 18:21-22 remind you of His unlimited ability to forgive.  

 

 James 2:16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does  it profit? 

When someone shares their struggles, the common response is, “I'll be praying for you”. Prayer is great and accomplishes much, but sometimes God expects you to go the extra mile and give them more than lip service. 

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

Jesus' life was the perfect example of serving others, that was His life's ministry, and if you are a genuine Christian you should follow in His footsteps. Yes, life is busy and we often make excuses for the added responsibilities, but you've got to consider, what's my priority? Serving others or serving self. 

As I write this blog, the feeling of guilt confirms I need to do more by reprioritizing my daily tasks. And the wonderful benefit of serving others is it provides a window for them to see Christ through you, and God will surely bless you, either here or in Heaven one day. 

Matthew 25:34-35 NKJV

[34] Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  [35] for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;  

 Deuteronomy 16:8 Six days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall  be a sacred assembly to the Lord your God. You shall do no work on  it. 

Before Jesus was born, God commanded His people to take off a day from work to worship Him. God knew the pursuit of money, through work, and business of life could totally consume them, putting them at risk for not focusing on God. The Jewish people took this to heart, literally preparing themselves so they didn't have to focus on anything but God on that one day of rest. 

Somewhere along the way we’ve lost that sacred tradition, as many businesses remain open 7 days a week and people fill their time off from laboring with pleasures that promote anything but God. No wonder we are living in stressful times. 

Making money to support your family is important, but when it or other endeavors are put before God, you lose out on His blessings and that free time seems to be used up at a quicker rate. 

As we near the weekend, I encourage you to make time to rest and worship God. He has done so much for our country that we should be thankful for His blessings poured out over this great nation. Without our worship, God's hand of protection will be removed, opening us up for physical attacks, like 9/11, to draw us back for dependence upon Him. 

 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. James 2:10

 A few weeks ago, I received a warning notice in the mail that I was caught speeding in a school zone. Newly installed radars and cameras have been placed at most of the school zones throughout our city and county in an effort to combat speeding through these areas. I questioned the legitimacy of the notice as I usually drive the speed limit and always cautious, especially around school zones. This one was out in the county, on the open highway, and I was running late for a dentist appointment. I pay closer attention to my speed due to this warning, and thankfully it was just a warning.

 As Christians, we try our best to do the right things, but every now and then we mess up and find ourselves overwhelmed with guilt and shame. Ever experience guilt? That feeling is most likely the Holy Spirit notifying you that something went wrong in your desire to live in obedience and change needs to occur so you don’t do it again. Seeking forgiveness erases that violation of God’s law, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. But if the guilt continues, you can probably pinpoint the repeated reminders on Satan, who enjoys ridiculing God’s children. By doing so, he keeps you feeling unworthy of God’s love, grace, and mercy, and sadly, some Christians never break free from their guilt.

 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

 No matter how hard you try, you’ll mess up sometimes, and God will always be ready and faithful to forgive you when you acknowledge your trespasses and work to change your ways. We are all guilty, but thankfully we have been found not-guilty by the blood of Jesus Christ and His great love for you and me!

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

Every morning I put out corn for the deer that reside in the woods next to my house. A momma and her two babies routinely come up to feed every morning. It's fun to watch them, and they've become relaxed when approaching their feed. But, they are always postured, ready to run at the first sign of danger. 

Today's verse reminds us that the devil is always on the prowl, waiting for us to get comfortable in our setting, so he can slip in some temptation, one opportune moment, or corral emotions to steer us towards something spiritually dangerous. You see and hear about it all the time, perfectly normal people who turn from good to bad without much thought, and end up living a lifetime of regret, sometimes taking their own life. 

As children of God, we should never get “comfortable” in our worldly setting. Compromising our beliefs and values open the door for Satan to slip in something damaging to us. Looking back, I can see times in my life where I was comfortable, maybe even confident, in my faith that I walked easily into one of his traps. No one is immune from his plans, especially when you are serving God on the battlefield. 

Staying prayed up and setting limits on what you do, think, read, ingest, and take pleasure in, will help you remain alert to the wiles of the devil. 

 John 11:40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”  

Today's scripture comes from the story of Jesus raising Lazarus back to life. Lazarus' sister questioned Jesus when He said to remove the stone covering the cave. The key word is “believe”. 

So often we pray for things and question how God will work out a hopeless situation. But that's exactly what God does, He takes our faith, and our belief in His ability to do anything He desires, which shows us the glory and power of God. 

If Jesus can raise a dead body of 4 days back to life, just think what He can do for your situation with faith and belief in Him. Trust Jesus with every request and you too will see the glory of God at work. God bless. 

 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to them, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:36-37

 Have you ever thought about how much love you have for God. In earthly terms, we can measure love by the amount of respect we have for one another, by the things we do for the other person, time spent with them, and putting their needs before self. Jesus was asked what was the greatest command of all time, and His reply was to love God with every ounce of your being. How can you measure your love for God?

 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me, and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him. “John 14:21

 True love, true loyalty to Jesus Christ is to keep His commandments. Not just a few, but all of them. That can be a tall order for some who place a line in the sand to their obedience to God’s commandments. You see, God wants us to completely surrender our will for His. It really is not that complicated, but we make it difficult by our selfish desires and earthly pursuits, that hinder true loyalty and love to the King of Kings.

 “He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.” John 14:24

 No one is perfect and trying to keep your life perfectly aligned on God’s narrow path of obedience can be a struggle with all the worldly influences meant to distract. But the sins that you purposefully indulge in, not by chance but by choice, is a good indicator that you haven’t truly surrendered everything to Him.

 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3

 You know the truth; loving God requires complete obedience and surrender. Anything less than that makes you an enemy of God (James 4:4). I know those are strong words, but Jesus was very clear while He preached on earth that few will find their way into Heaven, only those who completely surrender to His perfect will. His will is that you love Him with every ounce of your being, with true loyalty. Start today in prayer and ask God for His help to keep you on that narrow path of righteousness. God will bless and reward you for your love and loyalty to Him.

 

 

 Matthew 12:1 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. And His disciples were hungry, and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 

Over the past week I've worked at our church, constructing doors and stairs to buildings in preparation for Judgment Journey. To be transparent, it has taken a toll on this old man's body, so today I'm resting. Although there is still much work to be done, I'll be of no use to additional work if I'm run down. It's good to rest and enjoy some much needed quiet time with God. 

Today's passage finds Jesus and His disciples on the move, hungry, and it was the Sabbath day, a day which required God's children not to work. Yet, Jesus and His disciples plucked grains to eat, and the Pharisees were right there to call them out. In the following verses Jesus gave the justification for His actions.

Matthew 12:8 For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” 

Doing the Lord's work can be taxing on His children, physically and mentally, but it doesn't go without His blessings. Maybe you are busy at work for the Lord….that's awesome. But take time to rest and regroup with Him. Without strength and a continual connection with the Lord of the work, it will all be done in vain and without the heart He seeks in His followers. God bless.

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

In the early Spring I purchased a hanging basket with beautiful flowers to attract Hummingbirds to the feeder that was next to it. Rain consistently fell and kept it blooming. As summer came, the rains dried up and my plant started to wither. So, I got out the watering can and have kept it going through the hot and dry summer. 

Today's verse reflects the same care God has for His creation. He is always monitoring our progress with plans that will promote growth to make us align with His image (characteristics). His ultimate goal is for us to release our grip on life and put our complete faith, trust, and dependence on Him. When we do this, we get a daily dose of His love, wisdom, and grace to sustain us for whatever happens throughout the day. 

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

God gives each of us “free will” to choose where we will get our strength to navigate the daily challenges. The Bible is clear, we cannot adequately sustain these challenges by relying on our own resources. Denying self shows God you are willing to trust in His faithfulness to receive what He knows is best for optimal growth and to thrive. Sometimes that involves pruning, cutting out things and people who give a false sense of security. It's all part of His plan to keep you watered and nourished through the good and bad times of life. 

Let God be your watering can and you'll soon discover a life full of beauty and growth, even in periods of drought. God bless. 

 Isaiah 43:18 “Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old.”

I was talking to a friend last night and jokingly mentioned one of the stupid things I did in my youth. He responded by saying it's easy to recall the wrong things we've done. He's not wrong, we as humans often allow memories of the worst moments of life to resurface in our mind, reliving the shame and regret those actions yielded. Lord knows I have many moments I wish I could redo, but I can't. 

Satan does his best to remind us of our past sins, in an attempt to make us feel unworthy of God's love and His gracious mercy He shows His followers. Today's passage tells us to forget the past, because there is nothing you can do to change it, only make better choices today. 

Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.

The beautiful thing about a relationship with God is He takes our poor choices and uses them to redirect our decisions that reflect more of His character and fulfill His will for each one of us. Looking back, I can see how my life has evolved into a better child of God. Not that I'm perfect by any means, but my decisions are biblically based and fall in line with His plan for me. 

Isaiah 43:25 “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.

God can't bless or use us unless we are washed clean by the blood of Jesus Christ. When we repent of sin and ask His forgiveness, He removes the past mistakes and failures from the book, so He can do great things in a life in submission to His will. 

Don't let your past haunt you; if you've acknowledged your wrong, it's forgotten. Today is a new day, a fresh start, for God to do great things in your life. God bless. 

 Ever feel overwhelmed with life? I know it's a silly question, but we all have been over our heads in turbulent waters at various times. Life is difficult and without faith in the One who controls the waves of adversity it can be physically, mentally, and emotionally draining. Psalm 89:8 says “Your faithfulness surrounds You”. It's one of God's characteristics you can rely on to keep you afloat when the pressures of life seem to drown you of all hope. 

Maybe you've been struggling to keep it all together and you are short of giving up. Put your faith in God, who can bring inner peace and stability in moments when your fabric is unraveling quicker than you can fix it. He is your life boat in the storm. Call out to Him today and see how His faithfulness can help you keep your head above water. God bless.

 II Corinthians 4:10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 

Today you see many people wearing crosses around their neck, on rings, bracelets, even displayed as decor in the home. The question to be answered, is it for show or do they serve as a reminder of the great sacrifice of Jesus. 

As Christians, we are to reflect the image of Jesus Christ in our daily life. The words we speak, the actions we take, even our thoughts should be held captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Surrendering your will to His plan for your life is the only way you will be able to emulate Christ’ character. That means dying to self. Sadly there are many Christians who put a limit on their surrender and miss out on God's blessings, but most of all will never fully attain spiritual fruits God expects to develop in His children. 

The benefits of pursuing Christ vs limiting your dying to certain self pleasures, far outweigh any temporary satisfaction you'll get in the world. You are not of this world, but chosen for greatness in Christ. Dying to self will always manifest Christ in and through you. What are you willing to surrender for the glory of the Lord? 

 II Timothy 4:3-4 [3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; [4] and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 

Over the past few years I've seen families leave our church to find a church more suitable to their liking. Either offended by someone, the message preached, or whatever their excuse, they have left a void in the work of the church’s mission to reach the lost. 

One thing I love about my church is the various missions anyone can get involved in. I will admit, there is much work to be done to reach others for Christ and show the love of Christ to others. It's an active and busy church, and for some, it can make people retreat to a congregation who is more comfortable with limited involvement in God's work. 

We have a huge ministry coming in October called Judgment Journey, which takes attendees through the biblical account of the “end times” and judgment of unbelievers. It's powerful and takes a lot of volunteers to make it work effectively. I ask for your prayers, that this special ministry will bring awareness of Christ's love to the lost and volunteers will put forth the labor required to make it come together in a special way. 

If you are one of those who left us, there is no shame in returning to help as we are all one big family in Jesus Christ. God bless. 

 James 2:4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

Every day I see more and more homeless people, walking down the sidewalks of our town or standing at intersections holding signs, asking for help. There's no doubt our economy makes it difficult to pay the bills and afford a safe home. As I see them, my heart wants to know their story of how they got to this place in their life. 

Today's verse calls out the blessed who are quick to judge the poor and homeless. It's easy to see the faults of others while ignoring similar behaviors in ourselves that could easily change our status with a home to homeless. God blesses certain people with resources that can help a person in the moment, and for some, make a lifetime difference. 

Jesus was actually homeless in His adult life as He ministered to people from town to town. He changed lives by the power He possessed to perform life changing miracles. He never complained either, but made it clear, His interest was not in earthly things, but the eternal. If you know Jesus, you are the result of His ministry to give hope to the hopelessly lost. 

God has blessed you and wants you to follow His lead in blessing others through the life changing works of giving and sharing the news of His saving grace. What can you do this week to change the status of the eternal homeless to eternally secure in Jesus and His Heavenly mansion He's prepared for us? 

 I Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 

In your walk with the Lord, do you ever feel as if you take one step forward, and two steps back? The challenges you face trying to live a life pleasing to God is often met with attacks from Satan, meant to bring discouragement and doubt into your mind. In that state, you feel paralyzed in your relationship with God. 

Today's verse is applicable for every child of God. When trouble comes our way, we shouldn't be surprised. The devil wants to make you less effective for God. But, the best thing to remember is nothing comes your way that hasn't been sifted through the hands of God. Although God did not bring trouble into your life, He can use it as a tool to strengthen your faith and relationship with Him. After 50 plus years of life, I've learned that progressing in my relationship with God requires some challenges, but I know God means them for my good and I can trust Him with every step forward, even the ones that take me back a few steps.

Whatever you are facing, just know it's got God's stamp of approval and He will equip you for the struggle to yield a better and stronger faith in the all mighty God we serve. 

 Romans 8:28 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. 

Have you ever started reading a book and got frustrated by its story line and put it down, never to read it again? I'm guilty of this, as many books sit on my bookshelf, half read, and probably need to go to Goodwill. 

We sometimes feel the same when life doesn't seem to go in the direction we had hoped for; we are ready to close out that chapter and move on. Maybe it's a financial investment that didn't pan out, a relationship that struggled to thrive, or maybe those you depended on were taken away either by their death or they moved away. Life has its ups and downs, but when the downers come, we are quick to surrender. 

Just like a book we put down, there's still a story to be told, and the same is true with your losses, hurts, disappointments, and unmet needs. Today's verse is a good reminder that God works in all matters of our lives, even the chapters that we want to close. 

Here's the main thought of this blog: God is not done working out His plan for your life. Although the current chapter may seem boring or unwelcomed, God will work through it to make a better you. Trust me, I've lived enough years to know that even the bad times turn out for my good when I trusted God with my life. And you too can have that assurance. Your story is not over, hang in there with faith and trust God to write the perfect ending. 

 II Peter 3:18  but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

On occasion I'll take a few minutes and reflect over my life, thinking about my past, and evaluate where I am in the moment. I do this to ensure I'm growing in wisdom, learning more about my relationship with Jesus, and most importantly not repeating old behaviors that were foolish in my younger years. Well, I still have a long ways to go, but I'm steadily moving in the right direction. 

In today's verse, Simon Peter encouraged his reading audience to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Why? By gaining a better understanding of His grace and wisdom, they could grow in their faith and not become stagnant in their relationship with Him. 

I encourage you to take some time this week to evaluate where you've been and where you currently are in your faith. You will most likely see areas where you've grown in spiritual wisdom which has helped you make better decisions in life, and you'll find other areas that need some additional help to unroot those persistent sins that hold you back from your fullest potential. 

The best text book to learn from is God's word, the Bible. Yes, books are good, but they are one man's opinion and some can mislead you. God's word is straight from His very lips, it doesn't get any simpler. Grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ so you'll be better equipped to make decisions that will bring glory and honor to your Heavenly Father. 

 I Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;

There are people close to me who have or are currently going through a very difficult and painful time. Either from choices they've made or unexpected tragedies, they are feeling the painful effects. With each occurrence, I'm sure they've asked “why me?”. 

Today's verse tells us that we shouldn't be caught off guard by these turbulent moments. Jesus said in John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Oh, don't we long for peace and quietness in this busy, stressful, and noisy world? When we try to find those sweet attributes in the pleasures of this world we become frustrated and disappointed. But, when we put our faith and trust in God, He will turn a nightmare into something beautiful. Although He doesn't wish any tribulation to befall upon us, He oftentimes uses them to grow us, by strengthening our faith in Him. Trust me when I say, there is nothing more satisfying than to see His handiwork turn the ashes of life into positive growth; emotional, spiritual, and at times physical. 

Maybe you are going through one of the darkest moments of your life. Put you faith in the only Light (God) that will give you security and strength to face each day with confidence knowing, at the end of this trial, you will be a better and stronger person. God bless. 

 In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death. Proverbs 12:28

 As I get older, I oftentimes think about what lies beyond my life here on earth. As a Christian, I believe there is an eternal life in the spirit, and one day I’ll be in that realm of time; that is hard to fathom with the earthly mind. But one thing I do know, God loves me, He created me, and He has made a way for me to have a personal relationship with Him, through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus made payment for my sin on an old Roman cross, by dying a horrible death by crucifixion, then three days later rose back to life, defeating death. But, the most important thing Jesus did, He satisfied God’s requirement for the payment of man’s sin. All I had to do was believe in Jesus Christ and live each day in obedience to His ways (documented in scripture). If I mess up and sin, He forgives me when I acknowledge my errors and seek His forgiveness.

 The opposite of belief in Jesus Christ is death. Not just a physical death, but a spiritual death, eternally separated from God in Hell, for all eternity. I’ve done some research on Hell and believe me; it is NO WHERE you want to be. Even the strongest and most fearless person will live in eternal fear and pain for their choice to reject Jesus Christ. Actually, you are rejecting the love God desires to give you. To me, the choice is clearly obvious, but sadly there are many thousands of people who simply live in blindness to the truth of God.

 I’ve known many people who have planned out their tomorrow, only to die before the end of the day. Don’t put it off any longer friend. Accept Jesus Christ into your life and walk with Him daily, by reading your bible, attending a church, living in obedience to His word, praying, and most of all live with the knowledge that you are eternally safe, where there will be no death, but a joyous time with your Creator! God bless!

 James 3: [5]See how great a forest a little fire kindles! [6] And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 

Ever find the words from your mouth start a firestorm among friends, family, coworkers, and others? Just a few words can completely destroy someone's character, relationships, even be repeated years later (as we are witnessing in the political race). How does one tame the tongue? 

Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

If you think about it, what comes out of the mouth, originates inside the heart. The heart is the center for everything we do, think, and say. How you channel it's power is determined by what you feed it, spiritually, even physically. Staying engaged in God's word, prayer, and shielding it from the harmful toxins of the world, will yield a healthy heart, mind, and soul….and from it will be a blessing to others who are within earshot of your voice. 

If you struggle to keep the flames of conflict with others by the words you say, ask God to transform your heart after His. He will help your vocabulary with a heart surrendered to His righteousness. 

 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. Psalm 63:6

 Have you ever woken in the middle of the night with a thought about an issue that concerns you? I think the majority of us have experienced that and it comes more frequently as we age and the responsibilities of life increase. When you wake, you ask why is this bothering me when I am trying to get a good night’s rest? Good question!

 Today’s passage in Psalm might have the answer to your mid-night thoughts. The truth is, God’s voice doesn’t scream, there are no flashing lights directing you to Him, and He certainly leaves it up to you to listen when He speaks. The best time to get your attention is in the middle of the night. It’s best to acknowledge that God has tapped you on the shoulder and is ready to speak. Human nature makes us want to resolve the issue so we can go back to sleep, but the reality is we never get it figured out, and next thing you know it’s time to get up, and you’ve wasted 2-4 hours keeping your mind focused on the issue and not God.

 The next time you wake at night, ask God, what is it you want to tell me. Be prepared to receive His words of wisdom, maybe even write them down, because if you fall back asleep, you’ll probably forget the nugget of wisdom He shared. It doesn’t hurt to get out of bed, and go into another room, down on your knees in prayer, to see exactly why He woke you and what He has for you. You’ll be surprised by the wisdom He imparts and your spirit will be calmed over the matter that woke you in the first place.

 God knows the challenges you face every day. He loves you so much that He wants to be involved in every part of your life’s struggles and bring meaning and purpose to each one. His words can make the process a little easier and hopefully comfort you enough to rest well and be ready to tackle the new day. Listen to God when He speaks at night! Blessings!

 I Peter 2:15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. 

Growing up, I witnessed people hold the door open for other people as they entered a business, church, or home. Over the years I have tried to carry on that tradition out of respect for others and showing an act of selfless service. Sadly, this behavior has not been passed down to some, and it's more evident today than any other time in history. 

Today's simple verse encourages us to do good to our fellow men and women. When you do, you’ll find a variety of responses from a “thank you”, a nod of approval, no response at all, and for some a state of shock or disbelief that someone would show an act of kindness to them. For those in the last category, you give them a glimpse of the heart of God, a loving and caring God. Hopefully that seed of kindness will germinate in their heart and spur them to do the same. 

Don't believe me? Next time you are at a busy business, watch the door for a few minutes and see the change from selfishness to selfless acts by one kind hearted soul who changed the moment for others. That is the will of God for all of mankind. What simple act of kindness can you do today to change the environment around you for the glory of God? 

 Psalms 97:4 His lightnings light the world; The earth sees and trembles. 

Over the past week Georgia has seen multiple thunderstorms almost daily, and they have been very intense at times. Being a weather geek, these storms draw me outside to witness their big dark clouds, strong winds, and the wall of heavy rain that plummets the ground. Just yesterday I was outside when a huge bolt of lightning lit up the sky. For my safety, I ran indoors, as the house shook from that big thunder boomer. 

From a human perspective, it might be difficult to truly comprehend the enormous power of God. Just thinking about the world's creation and all that is in it, was spoken into existence by God. Don't forget the vastness of space and other planets and galaxies. Sometimes I struggle to understand all of this, yet God's word says He is with us in Spirit everyday…He loves us on a personal level. 

Maybe you too have a hard time understanding His capability to help you navigate life's challenges. The next time it storms, safely watch it's enormous strength and recognize God created it to show you the power He possesses and what He can help you overcome through faith in Him. 

 Our Father in heaven

Hallowed by Your name

Your Kingdom come

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.  Matthew 6:9-10

Ever wonder why bad things happen to good people? As I still struggle with the thought that three of the four Nelons died in a plane crash, I keep asking God why. Looking at their concert schedule, they were supposed to perform many concerts each month through the end of this year and even into 2025. I know I’m not the only one who has questions for God.

 As I was doing my morning devotions, God put a reminder on my heart in the Lord’s prayer: “YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN”. Heaven is God’s home, and from this perfect place, He has plans for each of His children, even the appointed time of death. We might never understand the plans He enacts, but we can be assured that those who follow Christ are secure in Heaven. I’d like to think Jason, Kelly, and Amber are leading the Heavenly choir, praising God.

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

 One days all of His plans will come to light, when we see Jesus, face to face. His plans are always perfect and directed from the Heavenly realms, beyond our capacity to comprehend His reasoning. Until then friend, keep the faith and trust that God knows what HE is doing, and be thankful His Holy Spirit resides in you for comfort and peace during a time of sadness and loss.

 

 Mark 4:23 “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Have you ever known someone who lived near train tracks? First time you were there, the loud roar of the train made you ask how they had any peaceful sleep. The majority will tell you they never hear the train any longer when it passes by. 

The same can be said of a lot of God's followers who've lived the Christian life for years. They attend church on a regular basis, pray often, even read their Bible, yet time has numbed their heart to the voice of God. Maybe this fits the description of your life. Friend, you are missing out on a lot of good, Godly wisdom when you no longer hear Him. 

I John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

This world and our busy lives can easily drown out the still quiet voice of God. It's important for His children not to be caught up in the world’s affairs (those things and people that distract you from the truth of God). God expects us to live in this world, but not be a part of it. It's a balancing act that requires you to learn how to separate yourself, to be “set apart”.

If His voice isn't heard, it's time to reset your relationship with God. Ask Him to reveal the noise makers that compete with His voice, let go or remove them, and help you to focus on what's truly important in this life, your personal relationship with Him. 

 Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37

 Have you ever been in a position that the expectation was for you to love a certain person in your life? Maybe it was a step-parent, a pre-arranged relationship, your pastor, even God Himself. Love develops over time, it truly is not instantaneous, despite what some might think. The first stage of loving someone is getting to know them, not just their name and surface level information, it goes much deeper, like what are their likes, dislikes, what moves them to do something, and how committed are they to their obligations? In this search for understanding, you get a better picture of their moral fabric and through this process you begin to connect with them.

 Jesus said one of the most important things a person can do is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. I used to think this was a tall order given God isn’t’ here, in the physical sense, to ask questions and see His responses. Over time, as my relationship with Him grew, I began to see His hand working in my life and the lives of others, witnessed His continual commitment to help His children in times of crises, and by reading His word (bible) I began to see the character of God lived out through His Son Jesus Christ. All of these things, and more, have helped paint a true picture of who God is and what He desires for me.

 Maybe you struggle with loving God on the level He expects. That’s ok, it takes time to learn God and see the results of His workings in your life. I know it sounds like a broken record, but reading the bible truly brings everything into perspective about the moral fiber of God. Have you made time to actually read and study God’s word? If not, I encourage you to pick it up and read small portions daily. As you do so, your desire will be to read the next page and pretty soon you’ve read through an entire book.

 Just like any relationship, love grows over time when you invest yourself in getting to know them better. Loving God to the level He desires will take some time, but with a willing heart, you too will find the beauty of God’s love for you, which will spur you to know Him more through prayer, reading, and seeing Him in action. God bless!

 

 

 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5

 Do you struggle with a certain sin? Maybe it’s: gossip, lying, stealing, pornography, drugs/alcohol, swearing, thinking bad thoughts…man the list is endless. From the very moment God created man and woman, Satan was right there ready to destroy His creation through acts of disobedience. Satan is cunning and smooth talking, he knows every person’s weakness, and he used these simple tactics on Eve, who he convinced to do the very thing God said NO.

 We all struggle with certain sins. No one is immune from the deceptive tactics of Satan. What’s your poison? Let me share something that truly came to light to me this morning. As I stated, and we all know this, Satan is always attacking Christians. If he can get you to pursue your weakest sin, he will use it to bring guilt, shame, and a feeling that God’s love and forgiveness has been removed. These are the lies Satan uses on a daily basis. So how do we overcome these tactics?

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

 You might be the strongest person on the planet and have the willpower to overcome anything, except the smooth lure of Satan’s lies. You need God’s help to give you strength to fight off temptation and escape from the nets Satan sets up for you on a daily basis. It’s so important to stay prayed up throughout the day and being aware of your surroundings. If you sense temptation in the making, it’s time to pray. Example….say you lust over women. You are driving and go by a gas station and see a scantly dressed woman pumping gas, your mind kicks into overdrive and the temptation to look again and have lustful thoughts overwhelms you like a thunderstorm out of nowhere. You’ve got to know Satan probably arranged that setting just to trip you up. “God help me to keep my blinders on when I leave the house.” “God, I know there will be temptation to gossip when I’m around these people, help me to withstand the temptation or withdraw from them when the ugly conversation gets started.” “God, I’m feeling the pressure to drink or take drugs, to alleviate the pain and sadness I’m experiencing right now, heal my heart and keep me faithful to trust you in this moment of feeling overwhelmed.” “God create in me a heart of compassion and love for those I disagree with and show them the grace and mercy you’ve shown me.” The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much! James 5:16

 God’s listening and quite able to help you overcome the crafty lies Satan is speaking to you, especially at your weakest moment. Trust God to help you!

 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

 

 

 

 “And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him”. John 8:29

 Unless you were a rebellious child growing up, you most likely did what your parents expected of you. By doing the right things, brought pleasure to them, and kept you from the pain of discipline. The reward that parents offer for doing right is encouraging, and for most, motivates them to continue down a path of right living.

 John 8:29 captures Jesus’ words that He always did what pleased His Father in Heaven. His life had a purpose, to save mankind from their sins, which meant Jesus had to live a sinless life. For you and me, that would be a miracle, but for Jesus, it was just a walk in the park. By keeping His thoughts towards the Father’s plans, He was able to fulfill the great commission and today we can live an abundant, spirit filled life, knowing our sins are forgiven.

 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life. John 8:12

 If you are truly a child of God, you too will have the desire to please Him in all areas of your life. He gives you the “free will” to choose who you’ll follow, Him or the world (Satan). Choosing to live out God's will for your life pleases the Father and the reward will be great on the day of judgment. Let your goal be to hear these words as you enter the gates of Heaven, “Well done my good and faithful servant”. God bless!

 

 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7

 This morning, the Apostle Paul came to mind. Of his 66 years of life, the last 35 were spent in ministry, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ to both Jews and Gentiles. He took 5 evangelic journeys to spread the gospel in 50 plus cities, trained up other evangelist and preachers, and wrote 14 books in the bible. But his life wasn’t always easy. During his journeys he was shipwrecked, beaten on multiple occasions, survived a stoning, and spent the last 5 years of his life in a prison for preaching the gospel, only to be executed.

 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear.  2 Timothy 4:17

 Looking back over my 30 plus year career as a park ranger and supervisor, I recall many times when I endured difficult moments: dealing with angry visitors, pulling drowning victims from the lake, handling employee issues, and just the stress of a busy career that often kept me up at night. What kept me going? Jesus Christ! Just like Paul, we both looked to Jesus for strength as we faced the trials and tribulations, fulfilling our purpose in life.  Of course, Paul endured so much more than I ever did, but each one of us (you included), undergoes certain pressures that strengthen our faith so we can continue our purpose, no matter what challenges we face.

 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8

 As I enjoy the blessings of retirement, I think of Paul’s retirement (reward) is in Heaven, and he is certainly rejoicing on the streets of gold, in the presence of God! That Day is also held on God’s calendar for me and you. Whatever you face in this life, put your trust in Jesus Christ for strength to navigate the turbulent times, and never give up! Your reward will be worth all the pain and struggles you endured over your lifetime! God bless!

 

 

 Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:22

 Typically, in many situations, there is a right way and a wrong way of doing things. The decision is left up to you to chose how you’ll proceed. Both have consequences, good and bad, but the truth is you have to live with each decision you make. Sometimes those decisions affect you for your entire lifetime.

 Today’s scripture gives us some pretty good advice, abstain from every form of evil. What is evil? Anything that is opposite of God’s expectations of you and the moral laws set forth under His authorship. Lying, cheating, committing sexual acts outside marriage, drunkenness, the list is endless. Doesn’t God want you to have a fulfilling life? YES! But His standards of living are to benefit you over the long term, from the here and now and into eternity. But there is a certain form of evil that you might not have considered.

 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is a sin. James 4:17

 As a child of God, you are gifted with His Holy Spirit. The Spirit communicates with you daily; helping you with your journey through this life, guiding you in the will of God, convicting you of sin, and instructing you on what to do. A good example of this: you notice a homeless person on the street corner begging for money and you sense a strong desire to give that $20 bill that’s in your wallet, but you refuse. This could be considered a sin. I can tell you personally that God has put a thought into my mind to do something, and when I followed through, blessings followed. When I rejected the thought, I usually endured some consequence for my choice to reject His instruction. That thought to reject God’s instruction is most likely coming from Satan, speaking lies to you. Satan did that very thing to Eve and Adam, and they brought sin into God’s creation, and we are still suffering today as a result of their disobedience.

 Not everything in life has the appearance of evil. It’s best to always stay prayed up and when you hear the voice of God speaking to you, make the choice to follow in obedience. God will bless you for pursuing the good things He offers in this life and into eternity. God bless!