Jesus’ mother said to the servants, “whatever He says to you, do it.” John 2:5

 Welcome to the last day of 2024. As you reflect back over the year, can you say you kept your previous New Years resolutions? Like most people, within a few months, you’ve failed at trying to fulfil those resolutions and found yourself set back in your old ways of doing things. Sound familiar?

 In 1988 the Nike Company came out with a marketing campaign slogan that said “Just Do It”. The purpose was to motivate people to buy Nike brand products and get out there to live healthy lives. It worked and sales increased that year by 40%. Today, Nike is one of the top retailers of athletic wear in the United States and abroad.  

 Today’s passage comes from the story where Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding ceremony. His mother told the servants to do what He says, John 2:1-12. Falling in line with this story, have you considered asking God what He wants you to improve upon in 2025? Let’s face it, God is the author of your life and has a specific plan to grow you into a more mature and developed child of God. His expectations of you are to focus on His plan so you’ll be encouraged to “just do it”.  By trying to set goals for yourself, outside His will, most likely will lead to personal failure or shortfalls, leaving you to question why even try.

 Spend some time in prayer today and this week asking God what He wants to improve upon in your life and use His goals to motivate you to remain obedient to His perfect plan for YOU! JUST DO IT! Happy New Year friends!

 

 

 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 16:25

 Yesterday I watched a program, “My 600-pound life”, where a person weighted 600 plus pounds and was seeing a weight loss doctor to help her get off the excess. The doctor told her within 30 days he wanted to see her drop over 100 pounds. At her next appointment she weighed in and missed her mark by 80 pounds. The doctor was firm with her, telling her that she needed to lose it quickly before it ended her life. At the end of the program, she finally did lose the weight and was able to have surgery to help curb her intake of food.

 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26

 Today’s verse came to mind as I thought about that program. God wants us to have a wonderful life here on earth, but we must be careful not to weigh ourselves down with worldly things, pleasures, and such that can easily distract us from the true purpose of our life, serving God. It’s ok to have things, but when they become our obsession, our focus shifts from God and onto things that have ZERO eternal value.

 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. Matthew 16:27

 Your life is but a brief moment in time. Ask God what needs to be removed from your life so you can better serve Him. Your reward for losing those earthly things will yield eternal blessings both now and forever. God bless

 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God ma be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

 This Christmas I purchased a back massager for my wife. When she opened the package, we both noticed there was no instruction manual, so we winged it by figuring out how it charged and worked properly. Unfortunately, we had issues with the device, and I had to exchange it for a new one. Thankfully the new one came with instructions and we got it working right out of the box.

 As Christians, we have available to us the bible as a tool to figure out how God wants us to live. As crazy as it sounds, many Christians never refer to God’s word and attempt to go through life using their own wisdom and life’s experiences. This method of living the Christian life can often lead to misguided steps, and cause you a lot of heartache and trouble.  

 As Christians, WE ARE responsible for our actions, our words, even our thoughts. Living in a world that is opposite of God’s ways can make it almost impossible to decipher God’s truth without reading His word. God gave us His instruction manual for life and the ONLY way you’ll truly be able to reflect His character is by studying it daily.

 As we approach the new year, I encourage you to carve out no less than 30 minutes each day to read His word; pick up a good devotional to help you with your studies, and ask God to open your mind you can absorb its wisdom and live out the instructions He’s provided you for each day. God bless!  

 “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11

 Here we are, the eve of Christmas. Many of you will be finishing up your preparations to celebrate this special holiday with friends and family. If you have children, you will probably talk about Santa Claus coming to bring them toys. The excitement of children is an inspiring emotion to experience, one that I greatly miss now that my kids are grown.

 Through the business of the holiday and storytelling, have you considered sharing the real meaning behind Christmas? In the bible, Luke 2:1-20 gives the best account of Christ birth and the lives He impacted at the announcement of His birth. God came to planet earth in the form of a human man out of love for His creation. Sin is what separates us from His holiness and only through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, are you able to have a personal relationship with the God of this universe.

 Don’t let this special moment pass by without sharing the story of the birth of Christ. It’s an amazing story and still fascinates me even today. Santa might come down the chimney to bring gifts, but Jesus came down, as a gift to all mankind, to enter our hearts. Nothing compares to this wonderful story of God’s love for you and your family. Share it today with everyone! God bless!

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

 We live in a society today where families are split, due to divorce. Children oftentimes connect more often with their mother than their father. They don’t love their father any less, its just a natural thing for a child to find wisdom, comfort, and understanding from their mother, as God has given them these gifts as mothers. This can be hard for fathers, and oftentimes find ourselves either over-compensating our love by showering them with excessive gifts OR shun the child, to the point of hardly acknowledging them. Both can have devastating effects on the child, especially as they grow and mature into young adults.

 Prior to becoming adults, children are just that, children. They oftentimes make decisions based on emotion over fact. The one parent who receives less attention from that child, should not make them show less of their love and support (financially, emotionally, and physically). The child will remember that abandonment and it will carry with them into their adult years.  

 Today’s verse is a great reminder that we should have unconditional love for our children no matter the circumstances. Right now your child may have cut you off from all communication, this is the perfect time to let your love remain a constant. Trust me, trust me, trust me, when I tell you that consistent love will be the one rock they hold onto in their years of emotional ups and downs of your broken family. Give your child the love they so desperately need without any expectations of receiving it back. You’ll find blessings of your fervent love later in life. God bless!

 “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20

 Since the invention of food delivery services, like Grubhub and Instacart, many people enjoy eating at home; with the simple click of a few buttons, an order is placed and within a short amount of time the food or products selected are at the front door. Another service is worshipping God by watching a church service through online streaming from the comfort of home.

 Recent statistics report that 27% of Americans watch church services from home, either by TV or online, and 1/3 actually attend services in person. Of those who watch virtually, only 25% of them actively participate by praying, singing and engaging in the message, while 75% of the virtual participants feel a disconnect. 65% of those who attend a church service in person feel connected with others and all aspects of the service.

 The truth behind these comfort services is they lack certain qualities that can only be obtained by being there in person. Warm food, the décor, and enjoying fellowship with other restaurant goers makes dining in a memorable experience. The same goes for attending church in person, the close fellowship with others, the welcome feeling you get when you are there, and most importantly the presence of God.

 Today’s verse tells us where two or three are gathered, God is in the midst of them. It takes effort to attend corporate worship (waking early, getting dressed, kids ready…ect), but the benefits of being there are greater than sitting at home, disconnected from other believers and quite possibly God’s presence.

 One of the most impactful events in history is the birth of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Tomorrow is the Sunday before Christmas and would be a perfect time for you to reconnect with God by attending church service in person. I can assure you, when you come to church, prepared to worship God, He will instill in you a connection to Himself that you won’t’ get sitting at home in your pajamas. Make time for God this Sunday and every Sunday, God will bless you with a genuine worship to keep the fire alive in your heart and soul! God bless!

 Remember Lot’s wife. Luke 17:32

 In the bible, Genesis 19, recounts the story of God’s destruction of two cities, Sodom and Gomorrah because of their sinful lifestyle. Two angels visited the city and were welcomed into Lot’s home for the night. The next day, the angels warned Lot and his family that God would destroy the city and for them to flee the area and not look back. As they ran for their lives, Lot’s wife took one look back and became a pillar of salt.

 Why did she look back? She probably still had an interest in the city and she felt a loss by leaving. God spared no one in those two cities, destroying them both, along with Lot’s wife who looked back on what she knew and probably enjoyed.

 Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Isaiah 43:18

 As a child of God, do you find yourself day dreaming about the sins of your past? Let’s face it, sin is a temporary pleasure that most likely leaves a significant remembrance of what you enjoyed. Although it’s wrong in the eyes of God, you somehow still have thoughts or feelings about what occurred. The danger in this line of thinking is it regenerates those same feelings and Satan can use them to reignite the desire to follow through with your past sins.

 As a child of God, He has forgiven you of your past sins and no longer remembers them, neither should you. Your mind should be focused on what God has instore for your life, letting the things of the past disappear in your mind and yearn for God’s wisdom and blessings moving forward.

 Then next time you begin to think about your sinful past, remember Lot’s wife, to be reminded how important God views your thoughts and keep looking forward so you won’t be caught up in your past sins.  

 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

 In many jobs, employees are given a performance appraisal; a report on how well they did their job during the year. During the appraisal meeting, the boss will advise the employee of areas he needs to work on and also note his accomplishments during the rating period. As a federal employee, I had these each year and always looked forward to receiving my evaluation, knowing that I gave my best effort throughout the year.

 As human beings, we too will have an appraisal upon our death, with God being the judge. Have you considered this important evaluation? The decision to accept His Son, Jesus Christ, into your life will determine the outcome of that judgment. Without Jesus, you are doomed to Hell forever. With Jesus Christ, you will still be judged, but Heaven will be your eternal home. A replay of your life will be shown before you and God. How you live your life today will determine the rewards for your faithfulness.

 Maybe you haven’t given God your very best, in the decisions you make, how you live your life, the thoughts you have, the words that come from your mouth, your personality (it prideful or humble?), and most importantly how well have you surrendered your life to God’s call to obedience. All of these factors will be in place on that day you stand face to face with the almighty God. Let today’s blog be a reminder of your life appraisal and start doing the right things that will bring glory and honor to God by how you live your life, so on that day God will welcome you with “Well done my good and faithful servant”.

 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. Luke 2:10

 When a child is born, the couple is quick to share the news to all their friends and family, the important people in their lives. When Jesus was born, an angel announced His birth to a group of shepherds living in the fields. The King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, announced to some of the lowliest people on the planet. Why them?

 …the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. Luke 2:15

 If you think about it, their job was to watch over the sheep and protect them from predators. When they experienced the angel’s announcement, they left the animals to go see the baby Jesus. They made time to come to Jesus. They didn’t have a “to do” list, they had 1 thing to do, but seeing this miracle baby became more important to them.

 Secondly, shepherds were lowly people. Who’d want that stinky job anyway? But that is who Jesus came to minister to; the humble, the weak, the sick; people who need hope.

 Thirdly, it doesn’t make sense to announce the birth of the One who will save mankind from their sins to this lowly group of shepherds. “Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:17-19 When things don’t make sense, they become more notable, special, and this occasion was held in the heart of Mary.

 We all have busy lives, especially this time of year with the celebrations of Christmas. But the primary message from this blog is: 1. Do you have time to come to Jesus? He should be your main priority during this holiday. 2. Have you humbled yourself to be able to receive what Christ offers, an eternal relationship with God? 3. Sometimes things don’t make sense in life, that’s where faith and belief in what Jesus promises us…”I will never leave, nor forsake you”. Somehow, in the crazy moments of life, Jesus pulls it all together and makes for a special memory to cherish for a lifetime.  This is the time to put aside all other things and make Jesus your priority so you can fully experience the joy of the birth of Christ. God bless!

 John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  

As we wait for our next grandchild to be born, our love for Palmer Kate grows more and more with each passing week. That's the beauty of a baby, our love for him/her, the whole reason to have a child. 

With the month of December, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. He did not come into this world because we loved Him, but because He loved us. God's desire to commune with us is hindered by the sin that lives in us. Because He is holy and righteous, He can't even look upon us as sinful people. 

But God. He sent His Son to earth as a sacrificial lamb, to take our sins to the cross, die, and came back to life 3 days later, defeating death. By believing in the virgin birth of Christ, asking Him to come into your heart, seeking forgiveness, and committing your life to Him, you can have a personal relationship with God. The blessings of that relationship are eternally secure. 

As you celebrate the birth of Christ this month, remember why He came and make room in your heart for His unconditional love to fill you with joy, peace, and love, so you can share the gift of Jesus Christ with those close to you. 

 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

A few weeks ago Lori and I helped her daughter and husband paint their baby room. We had 1 gallon of paint, but after working for an hour, realized we'd need more to complete the job. It was Gibson brand paint and it didn't stick well, which required 3 coats. Lori ran to the hardware store for more. After 4 hours of fun, lol, we completed the room. Although we were tired, we worked until it was finished; even putting together the baby crib and organized furniture. 

So, what does that have to do with today's scripture? You see, God has blessed each of us with gifts to serve Him and fully expects us to engage in kingdom work. He supplies us with everything we need to do the work He's called us to do, we just have to remain dedicated to the task. 

What are your gifts and what can you do? Serve Him through charity work, provide financial assistance to reliable groups who help spread the gospel in word and deed, or maybe it's simply talking to people in your community about God's saving grace. 

The harvest is great, and workers are few. Don't neglect your duty to serve the Savior who died for you. He will supply all your needs! How can you serve Him this week? 

 And the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.: Luke 15:21

 Jesus told the story of the Lost Son, who wanted his freedom to indulge in worldly pleasures and asked for his inheritance, which his father obliged. The son went and spent all his money on wild living, brought shame to his family’s name, and eventually found himself out of money and no where to live. He finally came to his senses and returned home, seeking forgiveness from his father. As the story goes, his father not only forgave him, but celebrated his son’s return. Luke 15:11-32

 Maybe you’ve found yourself in a similar situation, you wanted freedom to enjoy worldly pleasures, knowing it was against God’s will. Eventually, like the son, you came to your senses to realize it was nothing but a temporary pleasure that has left you high and dry. You ask yourself; will God really forgive me? From the lips of Jesus Christ, this story of the lost son is proof of God’s willingness to forgive you. His love goes much further than your short term back-sliding. Heaven rejoices when one of God’s children returns, in repentance of sins, and rejoins his spiritual family. I can assure you, there aren’t many people today who have the amount of grace and mercy your Heavenly Father has for you.

 Don’t let your past, or current situation, discourage you from rejoining the family of God. His forgiveness is free to anyone who comes back to the fold. Seek after His forgiveness and experience the love and restoration that your Father in Heaven wishes to grant you! God bless

 If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy day of the Lord honorable, and shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words, Then you shall delight yourself in the Lord, and I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of the Lord has spoken. Isaiah 58:13-14

 It’s Saturday and Sundays coming, will you attend worship at some church tomorrow? There are many today who find comfort in staying home on Sunday to catch up on things that need to be done around the house, take part in some outdoor activity, or simply digest before Monday’s workday.

 Whoever you are and whatever you do, the truth is YOU are God’s creation. God loves you and wants to have a personal relationship with you. According to today’s scripture, by setting aside your personal agenda and making time to worship God on Sunday, you provide yourself many many blessings that don’t even come close to the advantage of taking the day off from church attendance.

 But, let me just say, it’s not about simply attending church. It’s about truly worshipping God, giving Him praise and thanks for the many blessings He’s bestowed on your life. The most important blessing is the payment of your sins, made by Jesus Christ (God’s Son), so you can have true fellowship with the God of this Universe, your true creator.

 You might have a number of reasons to stay home on Sunday, but just remember you’ll miss out on communing with fellow believers, learning more about your creator, and receiving spiritual nourishment to get you through the week ahead. Why not dedicate this Sunday to the Lord.   

 And behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work. Revelation 22:12

 Children are made to believe that if they are good all year, Santa Claus will bring them presents as a reward for their behavior. Making Santa’s list of “good boys and girls” is a strong bargaining tool for parents who want their kids to behave. I recall one year my sister and I found a few lumps of coal in our stockings. My parents said that each lump of coal represented a gift we would have received if we were good; but that year we fought and gave our parents fits. Well, I can assure you that next year we both were on top of our game! 😊

 It's funny how today’s verse mimics the same thoughts of being good for Santa. But the gifts we’ll receive as children of God, far outweigh any earthly gift Santa could provide. Jesus reminds us that He will reward His children for the good we’ve done in our lifetime. From the generosity of giving to a charity, to providing a hot meal for a homeless person, to doing volunteer work at your church, and many other opportunities to serve, all of these will be recognized on the day of judgment before almighty God. Let me remind you, that doing the works don’t get you into Heaven, it’s a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, asking for God’s forgiveness, and committing your life to Him daily. As children of God, we should be prompted to do good.

 The beautiful thing about God is He blesses us on earth for the good things we do, so you’ll be rewarded twice for having a servant’s heart and showing God’s love to those in your circle of influence. Santa may only come once a year, but God’s gifts and blessings continue throughout the year and into all eternity! What good can you do today to bring honor and praise to your Heavenly Father? God bless!

 “He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me”. Luke 10:16

 During my 30 plus year career with the US Army Corps of Engineers, I would receive negative comments about my agency. The Corps was involved in many missions locally and abroad, but were often misunderstood by their policies and management practices. After a while of receiving negative comments, I felt defeated and wondered if I was really a good “fit” for this job. One day, a fellow co-worker reminded me that their negative comments were not directed at me personally, but towards the agency, and that I should not take their negative comments to heart. After receiving that pep talk, I had a better view of myself and was able to remain positive during some of the most challenging times of my employment.

 Today’s verse reminds God’s children that when you share the gospel to others and are rejected, they aren’t rejecting you, but God and what Jesus Christ did to save the world from eternal damnation Satan does his best work trying to convince you to remain quiet when around those who have no knowledge of Jesus Christ, instilling a fear of rejection. I will have to admit, this has been the case for me, and I’m sure if you are reading this blog, you too have fallen to the lie of personal rejection.

 The Jesus said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Luke 10:2

 If you are a child of God, Jesus wants you to share the good news of what He’s done to save mankind from their sin and eternal punishment. Don’t be afraid to share this news with others, as they will either receive it and respond or reject it. One encouraging point to be made, I once heard a statistic that every child of God heard the message of salvation 7 times before making a decision for Christ. When you share the gospel, you are planting a seed of faith. It might take hold or it might die, but it’s one more opportunity for them to hear the gospel and respond in faith. Go tell the world what Jesus has done in your life! God bless!

 

 But those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

 Years ago, we had a small fire in our home. A plumber installed a new outside faucet by sweating it on the copper pipe. During the process, he used torch to melt the binding compound, which in turn caught the wallboard on fire behind the brick wall. As a result, the wallboard basically smoldered, which produced a lot of smoke and worked its way up the wall and out through the shingles. I called 911 to report the fire, and it seemed to take forever for the fire department to arrive. During that wait, I was overwhelmed by the sight of all that smoke and thought our home would be destroyed by the time the fire could be extinguished. Fortunately, it burned just a small area and the impact was manageable.

 When faced with a crisis, your first reaction is probably to pray to God for help. Knowing God’s ability, you expect Him to respond immediately and resolve the issue. But so often that doesn’t happen and you question why God took so long to respond. I’d like to share a thought God laid on my heart yesterday about why He takes so long to respond to your cries for help.

 When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” John 11:4

 During the time of waiting for help, your eyes become aware of the dire situation. As it grows in intensity, your mind takes you places of defeat and negative thoughts that there is no way out of this problem. At the point of complete desperation, that’s when God steps in and provides the help needed. He wants to grow your faith and belief in Him, which results in the glory of God being revealed, just as recorded in the miracle of raising Lazarus back to life (John 11). Can you imagine how much Lazarus’s family’s faith grew when they witnessed his resurrection by the miracle of Jesus?

 Your situation is no different. When seeking God’s help, learn to wait upon the Lord and witness His mighty power work through your situation. When your faith is strong enough to believe in God’s abilities, you’ll be witness to His glory and power of help, healing, and restoration. Trust and be patient with God in every situation, and your strength will be renewed! God bless!