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. Also, I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 2 Timothy 4:17

 Loneliness is very prevalent in today’s world. It’s a void that can drive people to do things normally out of character. The Apostle Paul experienced this same feeling when everyone of his supporters failed to stand by his side when he faced the Roman tribunal. Yet, he was strengthened by the Lord.

 Sometimes God strips away everyone, and sometimes everything, so our only focus will be on Him. Many might say they don’t’ rely on the Lord, but the truth is, down deep within our soul, we long for our Heavenly creator to come to our aid and He is more than capable and willing to fill your void if you allow His presence to touch your heart.

 As a child of God, there have been countless times in my life when I’ve been alone, yet God never failed to fill that void and kept me satisfied with my situation at that moment. LOL, there were times when I questioned why I wasn’t feeling lonely, but God truly filled me and I’m so thankful He did, as He aligned me with a precious wife and family that has further defined my purpose in this life.

 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Revelations 3:20

 God is ready to do the same for your life. But you have to truly open the door to your heart and allow Him to come in and take the lonely moments and fill them with His loving presence. It’s a powerful experience and sometimes unreal, but it is real and He is knocking at this very moment. Welcome Him into your empty heart today! God bless!

 Have you ever had a question come to mind that made you do some deep thinking? This morning the biblical story of Lott’s wife being turned into a pillar of salt came to mind. The question that I sought answer to was: why a pillar of salt?

 The story of Sodom and Gomorrah’s destruction is quite interesting, recorded in Genesis 19:1-29. These two poplar cities had become vile and its residents committed all kinds of sinful acts and God had a plan to destroy both cities. Just before doing that, He sent two angels to Lott’s house to warn them of the pending doom and instructed them to run from the city and not look back. As Lott and his family hurried away, his wife looked back and God turned her into a pillar of salt.

 You are the salt of the earth. Matthew 5:13

 As God’s children, we are to be salt of the earth. That means season our life with spiritual aspects and fruits and using them to make a positive eternal impact to our friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and people we converse with in the check out line. By doing so, we extend the love of Christ to others in hopes they will see the way to eternal life through Jesus Christ.

 If the salt loses its flavor; how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. Matthew 5:13

 Here's the connection to Lott’s wife turned into a pillar of salt: Salt is beneficial, but when it’s not used for its intended purpose, it is wasted. Lott’s wife had God’s blessings of being rescued from destruction, but she chose to disobey and thus her body was and is now a wasted resource, just dissolving into the ground.  

 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Luke 9:62

 As a child of God, are you “looking back” at your former lifestyle? Are lusts of the flesh, prideful living, and the old sin nature, still present in your life? Don’t’ waste the goodness of God’s blessing in your life. Turn forward to look at the new life you have in Christ and live consistently for Him. Otherwise, your saltiness will be wasted, never to be useful again. Be the salt of the earth! God bless!

 James 5:16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. 

While in high school I had a conflict with one of my closest friends. For a period of time we didn't speak to each other and our friendship was in shambles. It was so evident that you could feel the tension and it disrupted the continuity of our youth group at church. During a gospel concert we both felt the need to confess our trespasses towards each other, and from that point the healing began. 

This is the third and final step in the forgiveness process, confronting one another to talk it out, confess the wrongdoings so the healing process can begin. That might just be the hardest part of forgiveness, but necessary to bridge the divide, otherwise there will always be an accepted valley between the two of you.  

Are you ready to end the tension, the bitterness, anger, and avoidance? 1. Forgive them. 2. Pray for them (with a loving heart) 3. Heal the brokenness by talking it out. I guarantee you this process works and will keep you free from the negative effects of unforgiveness.  

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

 My daughter is raising her two young children, a boy and girl, who enjoy playing hard. Stains on their clothing from outside dirt, magic markers, food, and who know what else, has made her a master at stain removal. I recall one time my granddaughter made a big messy stain on one of her expensive outfits, weeks later we saw her with it on and the stain was completely removed.

 Yesterday’s blog talked about the importance of forgiving others who offend or hurt us. Today I want to talk briefly about the next step, forgetting the wrongs done to us. Today’s verse comes from the very lips of God, who says He is the one who blots out our transgressions (sins) for His own sake, and He will not remember them any longer. Can you say that about yourself when you’ve offered forgiveness and tried to forget what that person did to you?

 I absolutely love the part of verse that says “for My own sake”. I can’t imagine how much God would have to remember if He always kept in mind our sins. But, He doesn’t when we ask for forgiveness. God doesn’t want to remember our sins; He is holy and just and wants to forgive and forget what wrongs we’ve done.

 As a child of God, He expects you to fall in line with His character, to forgive and forget. That might be a tall order to forget, but with God’s help, He can give you the necessary resources to blot out the pain and suffering you’ve experienced, FOR YOUR OWN SAKE. God doesn’t expect us to carry around the remembrance of other’s wrongs in our hearts. He wants, and needs us to be merciful to forgive and forget.

 When you pray today, ask God to help you forget the past sins of others, so you can look at them through the loving eyes of God.   

 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. Matthew 5:44

 Prayer is a powerful tool, especially for those who are children of God. We know that God hears our prayers and engages us when we seek Him for wisdom, help, encouragement, protection, and pray for others who are suffering. But, have you considered praying for your enemies; those people who you despise because of how they treat you, what they’ve done to you in the past, their beliefs (political and spiritual), and how they act in general.

 If you are like me, a few names come to mind quickly, along with a rise in blood pressure or anxiety. It’s strange how they can have such a negative effect on your life and cause so much stir in your heart that your character changes when you see them or they surface in your thoughts. 

 Today’s verse gives a different perspective on how to handle our enemies. Pray for them, bless them, even love them. I know those are hard to accept given the mistreatment you’ve probably experiences, but the truth is the power of prayer can change your circumstances, specifically your heart and attitude towards them. They too are God’s creation, and you are no better than they are. God loves them just as much as He loves you.

 Baby steps. It will be almost impossible to completely love them right away, that’s where prayer comes in. Praying something like this…”Lord, you know ______ and I don’t get along. They’ve hurt me and I have these negative feelings towards them. I know I need to forgive, I need your help to overcome my anger and bitterness and show them the love, grace, and mercy you show them, including me, and let my light shine bright so they might see You living in me.” When you turn over your enemies to the Lord, He works in both your life and theirs, to bring about a mutual understanding. You might not see it from your blurred vision, but God is working behind the scenes to reconnect the two of you in a way that will eventually bring peace and healing. Trust me, it works! Pray for them, love them, and keep blessing them. God will use those things to bring resolution to your situation! God bless!  

 Luke 2:25-32  25] And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. [26] And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. [27] So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, [28] he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: [29] “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; [30] For my eyes have seen Your salvation [31] Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, [32] A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

Modern technology lets parents know the sex of the baby while still in the womb, even recognizing human traits. But the one thing all this medical equipment doesn't do is forecast the baby’s purpose in life. Lori and I are blessed with four grandchildren and one on the way. We both look at them and wonder what they will become as adults. 

In today's scripture, Simeon was just and devout. The Holy Spirit informed him he would not die till he saw God's Son. On day 8 of Jesus' life, his parents brought him before the Temple to be circumcised. It was there Simeon knew this wasn't just any baby, He was the One who would bring salvation to the people. Every day of Jesus’ life was purposeful, as recorded in the Bible, and meant to give you and me guidance on how to live in this world. 

Do you know your purpose, why were you created? You might have figured out your career, family, and resources, but there's a deeper purpose for you being here. God's ultimate goal for each of us is to model our lives after Jesus Christ. That's all that truly matters in this brief life. Make it a point to study God's word and let it transform your mind, behavior, and generate love, as you live out your purpose to reflect Jesus’ character to others in your corner of this world.

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

 Well, we finally made it to the month of December, a time that is meant to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. I love all the things that accompany this special holiday such as gift giving, the decorations, the music, and family get togethers. It’s a special time of year!

 Sadly, this holiday can also be a burden for many families and individuals. Gift giving is expensive and can burden an already strapped budget, some family members have struggles getting along with one another, the holiday busyness can cause undue stress, and for many there will be a great void of family members who’ve passed on from this life.

 Jesus Christ knows all about the busyness of life, financial burdens, relationship struggles, even loss. Today’s verse comes from His very lips: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” Sometimes its necessary just to simply step back and fall into the arms of Jesus Christ through prayer and find comfort, rest, and peace amongst this sometimes stressful and chaotic holiday period.

 I can tell you; I’ve had to do this very thing and it’s amazing how things that I worried over and felt burdened by slowly dissolved and a peace like no other infiltrated my heart to the point I could actually enjoy the Christmas season. Jesus does that very thing when you seek Him for help and relief.

 If you are like the average person, your calendar is full, bank account struggling, and the stress of buying for everyone is overwhelming your soul. Come to Jesus Christ, HE is the reason for this season and will help you refocus on Him and not the worries of the holiday! God bless!   

 You must not fear them, for the Lord your God Himself fights for you. Deuteronomy 3:22

In the news, Russia has started testing their nuclear weapons, China continues to build its military and vessel fleet, and other countries are trying to develop nuclear weapons. All of these actions are signs of strength and intimidation against their enemies in hopes they won’t attack. But the truth is, if we enter into a nuclear war, no one will win, everyone will be wiped off the face of the planet.

 You might be fighting a battle that doesn’t require nuclear weapons or a large army. Trouble with a fellow co-worker, neighbor, family member, or situation that appears to be beyond your control are issues that weigh you down and defeat you emotionally, physically, and spiritually. God doesn’t want HIs children to be or feel defeated, because we are not defeated, but already victorious.

 As the Israelites moved toward their “promised land”, they faced large people and strong armies who were ready to defend the land they occupied. But God had different plans and that was for His people to have a land flowing with milk and honey, a prosperous land that was suitable for living and thriving. God took care of their battles and they occupied that land promised to them.  

 And the Lord, He is he One who goes before you, He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8

 The Lord promises to be with you through this life and help you in times of trouble. Your enemy might appear big, even have weapons of intimidation, but they are nothing compared to the resources available to God to use on your behalf when you call out to Him for help. Let God fight your battles today and every day! God bless!

 For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. Psalm 91:11

 Our children are God’s blessings, some make life easy, while others can keep us in a constant state of prayer. My youngest child fits the one that keeps me constantly praying. From a youngster up until today, as a young adult, he has always lived an independent life, many times living on the edge. Although he is like me is some ways, he is also braver and fearless when it comes to most things. Thus, I make it a point to keep him covered in my daily prayers.

 And this is why I keep praying for him….On the day of Thanksgiving, I texted him to see how his duck hunting trip in Missouri was going, no response. Then late afternoon I got a text saying he’s had the wildest 24 hours of his life, my heart about stopped. He called me later to tell me he had a tire blow out on his truck on the way up there Wednesday, got food poisoning, had to wait 4 hours in the parking lot, sick as a dog, before getting a hotel room, his boat motor went haywire while out on the lake on Thanksgiving, had to call 911 to have a state patrolman tow him in and had to wait 4 hours in the cold for his help to arrive. Anyhow, it was a long two days, yet when we talked he was headed a few hours north to meet up with his buddies to duck hunt at another location. God help him please!!!

 Maybe you have a child that brings you to your knees in prayer on a frequent basis. Look at it this way, it’s not a bad thing, although your anxiety is high, God watches over them and will give them His best protection, while you continue to summon for God’s help. Rest easy moms and dads, I can assure you God is faithful as my son is nearing 28 and still enjoying life to its fullest. Don’t forget to thank God for watching over them and recall the times when He worked a miracle of protection on your behalf. God is faithful! Pray often!

 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 are you thankful for on this annual day of celebration, Thanksgiving? You might be thankful for friends, family, the freedom you have to worship, your home, job, or health. These are all great things to be thankful for, but digging deeper, brining it closer to your life, can you think of times when God has perfected something that was heavy on your heart?

 For me, I can think of many times in my life when I literally faced a brick wall and there appeared to be no way around the obstacle I faced. Taking it to God was the only solution, and today I can tell you He made a way better than I could have ever imagined. And because of those answered prayers, I am thankful for the abundant blessings He’s provided me throughout my life.

 I encourage you to take a few minutes to recall those times when God was faithful when you called upon Him for help, and think about how He perfected what seemed impossible to make a way for you to come out on the other side with a blessing. After a few minutes, I’m sure your attitude of thankfulness will be more heart-felt, in the acknowledgement of those blessings, so you can rejoice and give thanks to God who loves you! God bless!

 

 Psalms 103:8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

If you could count the days you did things right, would they outnumber the days you messed up? Unless you are living in a bubble, you probably can count your mistakes for this week needing 2 hands. How many times have you battled with a sin, an addiction, or a bad habit, and said to yourself, “I'll get it right one day”? My hand is raised for sure. 

Thankfully, we have a God who is patient, full of grace and mercy, always forgiving when we mess up. He knows your struggles, temptations that haunt you, He even knows the attacks Satan has planned with the hope of making you feel unworthy of God's love. Don't believe those lies, because they are just that, lies of the enemy. 

God knows you try, and He is always available to help strengthen you at your weakest moments. Seek Him out daily, sometimes by the minute, to give you the power to make right choices. Yeah, there will be days when you will need to start over, that's ok, God loves you, forgives you, and desires to heal your brokenness. You might not get it right this side of Heaven, but the day will come when everything you fought against will be put aside to rejoice in the perfect life eternity holds for those who are God's chosen. 

 For God so loved the world John 3:16a

 I was reminded of a trip back home, years ago, during this time of year, leading up to Thanksgiving. While looking for a snack in the kitchen, I noticed my mom’s calendar book and it had the dates marked out of my stay with her and noted “Dave home for the holiday” with several hearts. Her excitement about my time home was well noted as she showered me with much love and devoted time to talk and catch up on things. Looking back now, I regret the times I wasn’t fully engaged with her love, and wish I could relive some of those moments when she needed my attention.

 While sitting in church yesterday, these thoughts came to mind and aligned with today’s verse. God loves each one of us as His creation. He longs to have a personal relationship with every living human on planet earth. Maybe you are one of His children, a follower of Jesus Christ, and assured a home in Heaven when you pass.

 Let me ask you, are you giving God your very best?

 He gave you Jesus Christ, His Son, to make a way for you to freely commune with Him and receive His unconditional love and forgiveness. Nothing matters more to Him than your devotion and love in return. When you live a life of honor and respect towards Him, He blesses you with much wisdom, strength in the tough times, and wraps you in His loving arms when no one else shows you love. He is the answer to every issue you’ll face in life. Nothing compares to a personal relationship with Him. And if you stay engaged, you’ll have no regrets this side of Heaven and even more when you pass through the golden gates of your eternal home. Let God know you are thankful for Jesus Christ and show Him love through your obedience and commitment to serve Him as a child of the living God!

 

 Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you so, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

 Many of you are probably dieting this week, leading up to Thanksgiving so you can indulge in the delicious feast. If you have food to eat, you are blessed and should be grateful to God for His provisions in your life. So often I think we take for granted the food we have in our fridge and the pantry stuffed with canned goods, boxes of cereal and crackers. Today, there are so many suffering from hunger that they’d give anything just to eat a few crumbs from your surplus. This is true of people around the world in others countries, and even right here in the blessed USA, there might even be some within walking distance of your home too!

 I heard on the news a few days ago an interview with a father who resides in the Gaza strip. It’s winter there and he and his family are sheltering in a tent because their home was destroyed during the war between Israel and Hamas. He stated one night it rained so hard that their tent was flooded, and their children were shivering from the cold, wet conditions. The place where they normally sat to eat had over 1 foot of water in that space. It’s a sad story, and I know there are many more just like this one. Although it’s tough to hear this kind of news, I believe it’s necessary for us to understand just how blessed we truly are in this country.

 I encourage you to do what you can to support local ministries who help feed the needy and pray for those who are at risk of starvation. They need our prayers to ensure proper resources help fill their needs. I also encourage you to thank God before each meal, even if it’s a simple snack. Give God all the glory HE deserves, because He’s truly blessed you with the essentials of life.

 

 In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

 I’ve been following a family I know, whose husband had surgery and developed complications that has left him paralyzed on one side of his body. In his healing process, it is necessary for him to receive special therapy to regain mobility and live a normal life. Over the past month, they’ve endured many challenging setbacks, but at the same time God has come through with answered prayers and God answered a big prayer through the insurance approval process of his rehabilitation. Even in the midst of struggles, this beautiful family has found time to express thankfulness for God’s provisions along their journey to recovery.

 You might not be going through a rough patch right now, and things are running smoothly, but can you still find things to be thankful for? God has a special love for His creation, you and me, and He longs to be the center of our lives. Having an attitude of thankfulness opens your eyes to the good things God does in your everyday life. I’ve tested this in the past and it’s so true, when you find things to be thankful for, you discover so much of what God does in and through your life. From the red light that changes green, to a door held open for you while carrying bags of groceries, to an unexpected check that helps pay the bills and so many other little things that otherwise would go unnoticed, God is in all of those blessings.

 Start today with an attitude of thankfulness, so your heart will be full of gratitude when Thanksgiving gets here and you’ll have plenty to thank God for His love and daily provisions in your life and the lives of those you cherish. God bless!

 Then Jesus said 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

 This summer the flies were terrible. Anytime we opened the door to our house it seemed they were ready to fly in and make their home in ours. And nothing is more frustrating and annoying than a fly, buzzing around you, landing on your food or dive into your favorite beverage.

 There’s one thing I’ve learned over the years in my Christian journey, that when I sin, I open the door for more evil to come into my life, causing me frustration and temptations to live in a way that counters God’s standards.

 Sin causes friction between a Holy God and ourselves. The destructive power of sin can tarnish our witness, and tempt us to partake in other sins in attempts to completely isolate ourselves from God. Once birth is given to sin, Satan will speak lies, trying to convince you that you are unworthy of God’s forgiveness and love. Sadly, some people live a lifetime believing these lies and miss out on the true blessings of God’s forgiveness.

 How can you put an end to this cycle of madness? Keep the door of your heart closed to sin. Only by the power of God’s Holy Spirit, living inside you, can you turn from sin’s grip and walk in a manner worthy of God. It takes constant prayer and complete surrender of yourself, your desires, and avoidance of things that will lure you in…all of these things will work to help you fight against turning off the narrow path. God knows your heart and wants to help you every day. Trust Him to help you walk in the light of life so you won’t be bothered by the burdens that sin brings when you allow it to enter your heart. God bless!

 

 Psalms 36:6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike, O Lord.

My sweet mother had a fondness of Cardinals (red birds) and squirrels. Every day she would feed them with peanuts and birdseed. They were well fed, especially the squirrels, as they were huge in size. Every time I see one of them, I'm reminded of my mother. 

This morning, while sitting on the balcony of our hotel in the Smoky Mountains, a squirrel ran up and down a tree and stayed within my view. I've got to say, a few tears came from my eyes as I was reminded of her love for the animals that resided on her property and under her care. That's why I continue the tradition of keeping critters fed in my corner of the world. 

God created us and animals for His pleasure and to love. He keeps all of His creations well fed and loved continually. I encourage you today, and every day, to look upon all He's created as reminders of His unconditional love and have comfort in knowing He will take care of your every need. God bless. 

 Matthew 4:7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”

We often live a life of constant trials and errors. We test things, people, even ourselves as we navigate each day. If something doesn't work like we thought, we try a different method in hopes of getting past or through another challenge that confronts us. The errors of our testing might be damaged friendships, physical harm, addictions, financial crisis, divorce, jail, and so many other painful things. How can we have more stability? 

Today's verse, from the very lips of Jesus Christ, says we are not to test God. As a child of God, He doesn't expect you to make decisions by trial and error, He wants you to rely on His wisdom to guide you through the everyday choices you make. I think many Christians “test the waters” to see if God will approve of our desires. That's not a good way to live life, because the consequences of wrong choices can be painful and possibly remain with you throughout the rest of your life. 

Jeremiah 17:10 But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.”

God knows your heart, more than you do, and He doesn't want you to test your way through life but to rely on His wisdom provided by the Holy Spirit living inside you. Life’s choices don't have to be complicated, but simplified through faith and trust in God, who knows everything and wants to bless you with a life of purpose and direction. When you are tempted to test the waters, take it to God first and see He’ll provide what works best for your life.  

 Love, everyone has its own definition that fits for how they live and love others, especially their spouse. The scriptures below give the best definition of love and how we should live in this world: at home, work, standing in line at the grocery store, while driving ... everywhere! 

After reading this scripture, what areas need improvement? God is love and when you love more, people will begin to see Him shining out of your life. Love the world around you! 

I Corinthians 13:1-13 NKJV

[1] Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. [2] And though I have the  gift  of  prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. [3] And though I bestow all my goods to feed the  poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. [4] Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; [5] does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; [6] does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; [7] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [8] Love never fails. But whether there  are prophecies, they will fail; whether there  are tongues, they will cease; whether there  is knowledge, it will vanish away. [9] For we know in part and we prophesy in part. [10] But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. [11] When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. [12] For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. [13] And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

https://bible.com/bible/114/1co.13.1-13.NKJV

 I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord. Psalm 116:17

No matter what you are going through in life, there's always room to give thanks to God for what He's done and continues to do through your circumstances. You might not feel like giving thanks, but trust me, when you sacrifice the things that weigh heavy on your heart to God, with thanksgiving, you give God the "green light" to have HIs way in your life. That's all He's looking for anyhow, a completely surrendered YOU! 

God doesn't need your money, property, good works, He just wants you. When you sacrifice you, God blesses you in return. You might not have a dime to your name, another day left on this planet, or find reason to live another day without the person you lost, but don't let those things stop you from the sacrifice of giving thanks to the One who gave His all for you to have a personal relationship with a Holy and righteous God. Give thanks this month! 

 Titus 2:6-8 NKJV

[6] Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, [7] in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, [8] sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

The youth of today need spiritual leaders they can look up to for a pattern of living. Parents of young children might not recognize the importance of their lifestyle and choices they make, but those little eyes are watching and processing every moment under your care, and beyond the bounds of their family home. How you live your life matters!! 

I see the world in which we live today without a firm foundation in spiritual matters and honestly it concerns me how misguided the next generation of leaders are and the direction we are headed. These midterm elections are one example of how our culture is moving further from God's truth. As always though, the outcome will be painful to digest and the misguided will continue to corrupt the truth with fairytale philosophies and we will all pay the price. 

Today's scripture is clear, we must ensure our children are nourished with God's word, and witness scripture lived out through your life. Otherwise these young minds will develop their own mindset, fed by the toxic lies of Satan and his political instruments at work, willing to undo the reason people fled to a new land. You are never too late to do your part to influence the eyes watching your every move. Let them see Christ and His character in your life. God bless. 

 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8

 When I was a senior in high school, my parents lifted my curfew and permitted me free will to decide when to come home after hanging out with my friends or on a date. By that point in my life, I had proven to them I could be responsible and they trusted my decisions. Because of this approach, I wanted more than ever to continue to prove to them that I would do right by coming home at a decent hour….and many nights I came home well before my normal curfew.

 God gives everyone of His creation (you and me) free will to chose whom we’ll serve, Him or the world. He never drags us to church, puts fear in us to follow in obedience, or bring harm when failing to live up to His standards. No, He gives you the opportunity to commune with Him in obedience, being faithful in all things, and seeking His forgiveness. This freedom is something I see in today’s world as being abused and taken to the extreme. Many so-called Christians have strayed from the path God has provided and sadly they are suffering the consequences of their choices.

 Satan is the great deceiver and from the time he lured Eve to take of the forbidden fruit, until this very moment, he works to convince you it’s ok to live a life of self-pleasure, no need to follow God. The fruit Satan offers is toxic, and will ruin your opportunity to have an eternal relationship with your Creator, God.

 Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in and by it. Because, narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13-14

 What path are you on today? God wants you on His narrow path to give you life eternal. Jesus Christ paid the price for you to have “free will” to chose God, why not draw near to Him today and experience the blessings He wants to pour into your life!

 Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live. Psalm 116:2

 You see it all the time on social media, someone posts about a need and the replies are “praying for you”. If that’s your response, do you actually pray for them? Is God still waiting to hear your prayer for Him to provide the proper response of healing, wisdom, or blessing for that person you promised to pray for? I think we are quick to use the “praying for you” response to let that person know we care, but the truth is we are quick to go onto the next posts and soon forget to pray.

 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

 Prior to Jesus Christs visit on earth, only the High Priest could go into the inner area of the temple to commune with God. When Jesus died on the cross, that veil was torn in two, signifying God’s graciousness, allowing us to come to Him in person to pray. Jesus Christ didn’t die on the cross to let us flippantly use prayer as a response to people’s need. It’s a privilege and honor to come to the God of this universe.

 God doesn’t take prayer lightly and neither should you. If you make a commitment to pray for someone, don’t delay. Pray right at that moment so you don’t forget or lose sight of the need that’s been presented. God will honor your commitment to pray, seeking His help, and will respond accordingly.

 Finally, Pray without ceasing 1 Thessalonians 5:17, encourages believers to stay in a continual state of prayer. When you commit to pray, you keep an open line of communication with God, and those special prayer request can easily slip into your current dialog. It’s not a complicated process and can be easily accomplished with your commitment to stay in tune with God throughout the day. Keep your commitments to pray for others!

 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

 In my house are things of family members who have passed: pictures, an old wallet, a sword used in WW2, a metal match holder, recipe books, and many more things. Although useful to them during their lifetime, they serve as reminders of their life.

 Today, the cross is used on home décor, jewelry, tattoos, books, pictures, and so forth. For Christians, the cross serves as a reminder of the death of Jesus Christ, and His resurrection for payment of mankind’s sins. To those outside the faith, it is simply a symbol and they have no true understanding of its power.

 Years ago, when I went through one of the most trying times of my life, I made the decision to purchase a silver ring with crosses on it as a reminder of my faith. I still wear it today on my right hand and every time I look at it, I’m reminded of who I am in Christ. A sinner, forgiven, by the grace, mercy and love of God.

 What does the cross mean to you? My hope and prayer is you’ll truly understand its purpose and if you have the symbolic cross on something or somewhere displayed, that every time you look at it, you’ll be reminded of the life of Jesus Christ and His great sacrifice for you to have a One to One relationship with Him. God bless!

 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering (patience); bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. Colossians 3:12-14

 If there is one thing I’ve learned in life, people are going to offend you either by the words they say, actions they take, or speak negatively about you behind your back. When these things come to your awareness, how do you respond?

 Today’s verses encourage you to freely forgive those offenders. That might sound like a tall order, given some of the evilest things you’ve experienced from another human. So how can you develop an attitude of forgiveness? Scripture above addresses that as well; having the following characteristics of tender mercies, humility, meekness, longsuffering, and bearing with one another. These character traits don’t come easy, they take time, maybe years to develop, but are necessary if you are to develop an attitude of forgiveness. As traits come naturally, those things that used to raise your blood pressure become opportunities to show them how powerful the love of God is through your forgiveness.

 Love is the next step; as God directs us to “love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44). If this seems impossible, ask God to give you a heart after Jesus Christ. He never deserved death on a cross, but He willingly paid your sin debt to free you from Hell and the chains that keep you bound up from enjoying the fruitful life He promises. Let me leave you with three words to use next time you are offended, Forgive, Forget, and Love. Do these three and you’ll change the world around you! God bless!

 Colossians 1:2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Just like churches back in biblical times, there were faithful members and some who were not so faithful. It's said 20 percent of the workforce does 80 percent of the work. If that statistic is true for church members, we are going to have a hard time reaching the lost with few devout members.

In Paul's letter to the church, he directed it to all the members, but specifically pointed out those who were faithful to Christ. He encouraged them to sustain their faith and be careful for those who tried to promote false doctrine. Satan tries to target God's faithful followers, so they will believe things not true about living for Christ. That's why it's so important to study God's word and rely on His Holy Spirit to provide wisdom as you navigate verse by verse. 

Matthew 22:14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

If Paul were to write a letter to your church, could you say you are one of the “faithful” members and closely followed biblical standards for living? It's an honor and blessing to be found faithful to Christ. Ask God to help you in your faith and keep you from believing false doctrine. The truth of God's word will keep your life grounded and your faithful service going until you meet Him in Heaven, greeted with, “well done my good and faithful servant”. 

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

 When I’m not watching Fox news (which is probably a mistake), I might catch an episode on HGTV where designers completely remodel someone’s home. From the floor to the ceiling and everything in between, it all gets replaced with updated and modern materials and décor.  Anything that was old is thrown out, so the new items can make the home beautiful and attractive for the homeowners.

 Today’s verse aligns with a home designer’s thought process, to put out the old stuff and bring in the new. As Christians, old patterns of sinful living should be replaced with a life led by the Holy Spirit, which yields fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, Galatians 5:22-23. These character traits might already be present in one’s life before coming to Christ, but after the conversion, they become more meaningful and without conditions.

 Re-read those fruits again and ask yourself, are they present in my life? No one is perfect and quite frankly, I have a lot of work to do with some of them myself, and that’s ok. Transforming your life after Christ doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, years of learning God’s ways, experiencing the value of trusting in God when your faith waivers, and most importantly building a love relationship with your Savior to the point that nothing else in life matters but Jesus Christ. Time spent with God in prayer, bible study, and communal worship will help in your transformation process.

 God loves you and wants complete surrender so He can make something beautiful in your life, that will bring Him glory, bless others, and strengthen the bond between you and Him. What part of your life can you start remodeling today?

 Romans 12:2 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.

When I began working with the Federal government as a civilian in the Army, I was trained to perform my job duties in a certain manner. Policies and regulations guided my daily duties. At first it was very overwhelming as things are done differently than in the private sector. I was exposed to rigid guidelines that kept my daily routines structured and with purpose. Even in retirement, my daily actions and my code of ethics represents who I became in the federal workforce. 

Today's scripture instructs God's followers to follow His life instructions, not to place a burden on His children, but to represent God's Holiness so others can see the kind of life He can give to those who chose to follow His way. It's a life that goes against the world’s grain, reflecting His character, through love, grace, and mercy to those outside the faith. 

If you are a Christian, you have to ask yourself, do I stand out amongst peers, family, and your enemies, as a follower of Jesus Christ or do you resemble the ways of the world? A true follower will be seen in a different light, not to be better than others, but humbly represent the character of Christ. Jesus said you will face criticism, even persecution for following Christ, but that's ok, God's blessings will be poured out on those who suffer for the cause. Take time to truly evaluate your life to make sure it aligns with Romans 12:2. Your life will lead others to Christ. 

 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” Mark 4:40

 Several years ago, while on one of my motorcycle rides, I found myself on the North side of Atlanta, 75 miles from home and it was raining and getting dark. I knew if I went the backroads my trip would take 2 hours to get home, but if I took the interstate, I’d be home quicker. I chose the interstate. If you’ve ever had to drive through Atlanta, you know it can be a harrowing experience. With a prayer and rain gear, I started my drive home. When I finally pulled into my driveway, I thought, wow, that was an easy ride with no issues.

 Today’s verse comes from the story of Jesus with His disciples in a boat that encountered a great wind storm, big waves, and they were fearful (Mark 4:35-41). Meanwhile, Jesus was asleep in the back of the boat. When they woke Jesus, He quieted the storm and asked them why they had little faith or doubted that Jesus would protect them. That could have been my fear when deciding to ride home through Atlanta, but I knew from past experiences, when I put my faith in God, He always comes through.

 Maybe you are heading towards a harrowing experience; a health crisis, a marital problem, financial burden, or simply a drive in rough conditions. Have faith that God is always with you, watching over and protecting you from disaster. As a child of God, His Holy Spirit goes with you, just like Jesus was with His disciples. Yeah, you might encounter something unexpected along the journey, just believe that it’s there to bring you closer to God, and will strengthen your faith when you think something is beyond His capability. He’s got you covered, so trust Him as you begin your journey into the unknown. On the other side you’ll say to yourself, thank you God for bringing me through it unscathed! God bless!

 

 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said “It is enough!” Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” 1 Kings 19:4

 Elijah was one of the most important prophets in the Hebrew bible. He faced many challenges and threat against his life, yet He continued to be faithful. At one point, he was ready to give up. He had enough of the threats, the challenges, and now the princess Jezebel had her eye on killing Eligjah. As many of us would, he ran from the threats and prayed that God would take his life. As we read on in the same passage, God sent an Angel to wake him up and provided food and drink. He encouraged Elijah to seek after God’s direction. Elijah remained faithful to God and was swept up and taken into Heaven without experiencing the pain of death.

 How many times have you been ready to give up? Maybe a failed relationship, loss of employment, the battle of addictions, a devastating health diagnosis, so many things in life can bring you to a point you are willing to give up. Friend, I encourage you to continue on with life. God created you in His image, He loves you, and He has a special plan for your life, otherwise you wouldn’t be here. Don’t let the weight of your circumstances rob you of God’s greatest blessings.  

 Whatever is facing you right now, God already knows about it and has allowed it in your life to draw you closer to Him. Let this time of trial, suffering, and pain, take you to a deeper level of relationship with your Creator. His plan will never fail when you stay the course and remain faithful to Him. Seek Him in prayer for encouragement, wisdom, and healing as you move from day to day through this dark cloud that has overshadowed you. God will break through those clouds with His mighty power and bring you through it. It might take a long period of time, but God is in no hurry to teach you a lesson about His love, comfort, and inner peace He provides in the darkest moments. Seek Him today! God bless!

 

 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20

 At the end of this month, thousands of children (and some adults) will be knocking on the doors of people’s homes with expectations of receiving candy for Halloween. Some neighborhoods welcome these youngsters and freely give out candy, while other neighborhoods shun this activity and keep their lights off and doors locked. I’m sure those closed doors will be a reminder for them not to go by their house ever again.

 Luke 10:1-12 gives an account of Jesus who sent out 70 people into neighboring cities to heal the sick and proclaim “The kingdom of God has come near to you” (Luke 10:9). His instructions were for them to carry nothing, but the clothes on their backs and the people who receive them will furnish food, drink, and fellowship. But for those who didn’t receive them, they were to wipe the dust off their feet and leave the city with the message, “Nevertheless, know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you”.

 But I say to you, that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city. Luke 10:12

 Sodom was a city of people who lived in purposeful sin and ignored God’s call to obedience. God destroyed that city with fire and brimstone, taking the lives of every resident. In Jesus’ own words in Luke 10:12, He described how awful it will be for those residents who rejected Jesus Christ.

 Jesus Christ is still knocking on the hearts of people today, seeking forgiveness of sins, sharing His love for all creation, and most of all desiring to have a personal relationship with everyone. Have you been rejecting God’s call to surrender the locked door of your heart to God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross? He is knocking and at some point, He will stop. Don’t delay his call. Receive Him today through this prayer of faith:

 Dear God, I am a sinner. I believe in Jesus Christ, that He made payment for my sins and rose back to life 3 days later. I ask Jesus to come into my heart, forgive my sins and save my soul. I commit my life to you now and every day. In Jesus name, Amen!

 

 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance for you serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24

 As a Christian, when you do something for God, are you doing it for Him or yourself? Many people would quickly answer that they are serving God, but when you peel back the layers of intention, is your acts of service true worship?

 We can easily mess up our service with other intentions. Let me explain. Maybe you haven’t been living in obedience to God, like you should, so you think in your mind if I serve God, it will right my wrongs. Possibly you are trying to “fit in” with the active member’s club at church and feel this is your doorway to acceptance. And then there is always the prideful approach, where you believe your acts of service to the Lord will make you look good in front of other people, giving you a certain status amongst your peers. There are other intentions that can drive you to serve that only serve yourself and not truly God.

 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17

 So, how can you make sure that you are serving God and not for other reasons?  Prayer is essential for any act of service. Prayer opens the line of communication with God and He speaks through His Holy Spirit, directing your service. In your prayer, you ask God to empty anything in you that might take away from the purity of service, such as pride, deceit, even jealousy. Train your mind to understand that the only reason you are serving Him is because He so graciously served you through His Son’s sacrifice on the cross for the redemption of your soul, and you are serving Him out of thankfulness. Finally, realize that you are the hands, feet, and mouthpiece of Jesus Christ in your service and everything you do should be a reflection of Him. Any service that doesn’t reflect Christ’s character should be purged and reset your heart.

Consider it a blessing to serve God, by returning a very small portion of His blessings back to Him for what He has done and will continue to do in your life. Serve Him with a pure heart! Blessings!  

 

 

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

 One of my favorite videos to watch is pilots, inside the cockpit of jets, while they take off. One thing I notice every time, the pilot always has his/her eyes on the instruments as they lift off the ground and continue to watch them until they reach their proper altitude. Why? Because the instruments don’t lie, they tell the truth about the performance of the plane and watching those instruments ensures the plane is at the right speed, right angle for lift, and is moving away from earth and not headed towards it. Left to visual flying, the pilot might get confused by what he sees and crash.

 For the Christian, today’s verse gives encouragement to live your life by faith and not sight. Many times in life, you’ll encounter things that can generate anxiety, fear, sadness, even failure, leading you on an emotional rollercoaster. God never intended for His children to live that way. He wants you to feel the security of His presence, His control over your situations, and most of all embrace you with His love, forgiveness, and hope. In the process, your flight through life goes much smoother and avoids the pitfalls that many outside the faith find themselves battling, like addictions, destructive behaviors, even suicide.

 Your life as a child of God can ONLY be lived out by faith, not by the sight of your circumstances. No matter what comes your way, God allows it to draw you closer to Him for faith building and learning to let go and let God handle the crisis. He will do it, if you simply allow Him to take control as you carry on in faith. Look towards Jesus Christ and you’ll fly high and straight every time! God bless!

 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls; for My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

 Several years ago, we had to put my wife’s mother in an assisted living facility as she was not able to properly care for her basic and medical needs at home. The first year there, I recall she was always worried about her bank account, her bills, and living expenses. All of that was being handled by my wife; all she had to do was live and enjoy the last few years of her life with other people in similar situations. The benefits of assisted living far outweighed the burden put on my mother-in-law.

 If there is a group of verses that clearly represent a life with Jesus Christ, it’s found in Matthew 11:28-30. No doubt, living the Christian life in this world is not easy and the struggles to maintain faith can be put to the test by the trials we face, the heartaches we encounter, and living opposite of how everyone else is living. But Jesus says to come to Him with our heavy burdens and He will lighten our load. His way is not burdensome, but light when we connect with Him. I can tell you from personal experience, I’ve learned over the years that giving God my struggles, my worries, and disappointments has released its weight, allowing me to have an inner peace and assurance that God has it all under His control. Let me repeat that….GOD HAS IT UNDER HIS CONTROL. 

 Like me, you might not be old enough or disabled enough to enter an assisted living facility, but you can enjoy the benefits of having God assist your living by giving Him all your worries and struggles. He will help you navigate through them with an inner peace like no other. Put your trust in Him today and you too will see God’s assisted living facility is the perfect fit for your life! God bless!  

 

 

 Jesus said, “for the Son of Man has come to seek and save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

 As a child growing up, you might have heard your parents say phrases such as: “I’m not going to tell you gain”, “this is your last chance”, or “when I get to 3, you’d better do what I say”. If the parent was true to his word, they’d apply discipline to you for not obeying. If you are like me, you took advantage of that grace period to correct your behavior and avoid the pain of their punishment.

 Today’s scripture quotes the words of Jesus; He came to seek and save the lost. His saving grace still applies to everyone today, as He freely welcomes everyone (His creation) to come to Him seeking forgiveness of sins and living a life of obedience by His standards found in the bible. By believing that Jesus Christ (God’s Son) came to earth, died on a cross for mankind’s sins, and rose to life 3 days later, and receiving Him as your Lord and Savior, you can be assured of God’s forgiveness and have a personal relationship with Him while here on earth (and into eternity).

 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom HE has ordained, HE has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead. Acts 17:30-31

 Just like the parent who gives the child a chance to turn from their wrongdoing, so does God give you the chance to turn from sin and turn to Jesus Christ for forgiveness and security in Heaven’s home. The time to commit to Jesus Christ is today, for tomorrow might be too late. Don’t delay, because when Jesus comes back to judge the world, you will face the punishment of God (eternal Hell) and miss the opportunity for eternal paradise with your Creator. Come to Jesus Christ today!

 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 2 Corinthians 5:14

 It’s been reported that Charlie Kirk had numerous death threats made against his life, yet he continued to stand before crowds, that often mocked him, to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ. His hope was to change the minds of young people who’ve been filled with the world’s belief system, just the opposite of God’s standards. Knowing this, he was compelled to bring a turning point into the lives of our next generation of leaders.

 The Bible’s New Testament records many stories of ordinary people who proclaimed Jesus Christ’s saving grace and died for the cause. They didn’t do it because they knew their reward would be heaven, they did it because they were compelled by what they believed to be true and through personal experiences with Jesus Christ when He was living amongst them. Christ’s love touched their lives and nothing of the world caused them to retreat, from horrible beatings and even death.

 If you are a child of God, what compels you to live each day for Jesus Christ? What compels you to share the good news of Jesus saving grace to a lost and dying world? If you struggle with those answers, maybe you need to double check your standing with Christ. Jesus didn’t die on the cross for you to live an idle life and hold back the special grace and mercy He’s shown you. He commanded us to share Jesus with everyone and in every place on this planet.

 We need more Charlie Kirks in this world to touch the lives of others, to dispel the lies the prince of this world is trying to infiltrate the minds of our youth. YOU can make a difference in your corner of this world. You don’t need to stand in front of thousands to proclaim Christ, but you can live out your faith in what you say, and act, and sharing your faith with individuals who are searching for light amongst the darkness. What compels you? Ask God to give you the heart to share what you know to be true! God bless!

 Joshua 1:7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 

Airline pilots have a thorough checklist they go through to ensure the plane is prepared for a safe flight. Many accidents have happened when the checklist wasn't followed closely. 

God gave His people, the Israelites, a set of rules to follow to ensure an obedient life that aligned with God's plan for that nation. Over the course of time, they failed to follow God's commands and felt the pain of his wrath. His commands weren't complicated or burdensome, but the people chose to walk in their own way until God got their attention. 

Today we have God's word as a checklist for us to follow to ensure a life that is pleasing to God and many times yields His abundant blessings. Sadly some choose a different path and miss out on what could be a near perfect life. If that's you, I encourage you to come back to the book for wisdom and guidance as you navigate through this life. It may seem long, but eternity can't be measured, it goes on forever. Why not stay true to God and live in obedience. God blesses those who walk in His way. Start 

 For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined. You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs. You have caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; but You brought us out to rich fulfillment. Psalm 66:10-12

 God has a plan for your life. Many times, He blesses you with financial comfort, good health, and ease of life. But did you know that He also uses trials and difficulties as part of His plan to grow and strengthen your faith?  

 I recall during my last 14 years of employment as a supervisor, I was faced, almost daily, with situations that put me to the test mentally, emotionally, and at times physically. The pressure to perform in my role was very heavy on my heart, mind, and soul. I learned pretty quickly to turn over the challenges I faced to God for wisdom and direction. In the process, I developed a stronger relationship with God, learned to trust Him more, and witnessed God’s hand working in ways I could never have imagined. Without those difficulties, I’d probably stay stagnant in my faith. And beyond my growth, my testimony of trusting God has helped others in their walk with the Lord.

 Maybe you are undergoing a time of God’s testing. An unwelcomed health diagnosis, a financial burden that exceeds your budget, an enemy who seems to relentlessly pursue your happiness and joy, and the list goes on and on. Re-read today’s scripture right now.

 Your firestorm is just what God has planned to grow your faith, increase time with Him through prayer and bible reading, and show you who is really in control. Don’t fight against God, work with Him during this refining process and see your outcome yield rich fulfillment of Godly character develop in your life! God bless!