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!

 

 James 1:2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 

Anxiety, panic, anger, confusion…all of these emotions can be generated when trouble comes your way. I recall vividly a time when I faced something much bigger than my confidence and it consumed me to the point I was physically sick. And from my view, nothing was within reach to overcome one of the greatest challenges of my career. 

But God. 

You get to a point when the only thing you can do is pray to God, which I did, continually, until the moment I faced the challenge. God came through on my behalf and in the process my faith became stronger and a closeness to God like I've never experienced before. 

It may seem ridiculous to find joy in the trying times of life, but let me assure you, God will fight for you when you earnestly seek Him for help. Whatever you are going thru right now, trust God with your cry for help, and He will bring you through it and experience a joy like no other. 

 Ephesians 2:8-9

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

Forgiveness, it can be one of the most difficult things to do for others, especially when the hurt runs deep. Oh, the offender can apologize, maybe even correct the wrong they did towards you, but sometimes that's just not enough to find it in your heart to forgive. How can you get to the point of offering forgiveness when everything inside you wants to seek revenge, cut them out of your life, block them on social media, and so forth? 

We just witnessed Charlie Kirk's wife state that she forgave the man who took her husband's life. I can't imagine how painful that decision had to be for her, but as a child of God, she knew she had to forgive. Nothing the shooter could do will right his wrong, it was up to Mrs Kirk to take a brave step forward to forgive. 

Today's verse sheds light on God's forgiveness of our sins. Nothing we can do on our own can gain His approval. He willingly forgives those who come to Him in faith by accepting Jesus Christ. Many try to right their wrongs, even live a near perfect life, but none of that truly matters, it's God's love and grace that is powerful enough to call you redeemed. 

It's wise to live in obedience, but just know your efforts to make things right will only exhaust your soul. Live with the peace and assurance in knowing all your wrongs have been righted by Jesus Christ. 

 For You have armed me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under e those who rose up against me. Psalms 18:39

 For many working people, Sundays can be a dread, thinking about the start of a new workweek on Monday. The battles expected, whether it’s your computer, people, or situations beyond your control; these things can consume your mind and zap any enjoyment you’ve experienced at the start of the weekend. Are you one of those people who dread Monday on Sunday? If so, read on….

 The bible is full of stories about people who faced battles, greater than anything they’ve experienced, and each time, they turned to God for help and He helped them become victorious over their enemies.  David was no different. He faced a giant in battle, he battled with a jealous king who tried to hunt him down, and even battled against his own flesh and blood. But with each battle, God protected him and armed him for the battle’s he faced.

 God has not changed his offer to help those who seek after Him. Simply praying something like this “Dear God, I am facing this battle of _________________ and it’s causing me anxiety and dread today. Please equip me for the battle ahead and prepare a smooth path forward as I look to you for strength, wisdom, and courage to face what’s coming on Monday. Thank you for always watching over me!” When you give it to God with faith, He calms your heart, mind, and soul, which gives you more time to experience the blessings of Sunday, and not stay in turmoil.

 Thus says the Lord to you: “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 2 Chronicles 20:15

 What battle are you facing tomorrow that’s on your mind today? Give it to God, by faith, and watch Him fight the battle on your behalf. God bless!

 

 Psalms 18:28 For You will light my lamp; The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.

There was a time in my life when I had several options, with regards to my college degree and an opportunity to take part in a 2 year Coop, which would delay my graduation date, but provide me real life experience in the workforce. I felt totally in the dark, not knowing which path to choose. After much prayer, God responded with open and closed doors. I chose the Coop and it led me to a career that gave me a future, and now I'm enjoying the benefits of retirement.

You might be in the dark about a decision that's facing you. Let God light your path through prayer and faith in how He responds. Sometimes the path may seem overwhelming or difficult, but with a little faith, you can follow in confidence knowing His plan is best for your life's journey. 

 Matthew 16:23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

When Jesus shared with His disciples that He would be crucified, Peter tried to hush Jesus because he didn't want or believe it would happen to this man he followed faithfully for 3 years. I'm sure Peter’s heart was pure, but He couldn't see beyond God's plan for Jesus and saving all of mankind from their sins. Jesus could plainly see Satan was whispering in Peter's ear to deny what was about to happen. 

God has a special plan for your life and Satan knows it. He will do everything in his limited power to disrupt, even thwart that plan, so you too will doubt God's future for your life. He often attacks Christians by doubting their salvation. Like, how could God forgive all the crazy stuff you've done in your life. If you believe that lie, Satan has already been working on you. 

So how do you fight back against an evil force that targets your faith? By telling Satan to hush, binding him in the name of Jesus Christ. Friend, there is power in the name of Jesus. Demons flee when the name of Jesus is spoken, because they already know what their future holds! Misery loves company, so why not target as many people, including you. 

You might have to say it daily, even minute by minute, but when you say, “Satan, I bind you in the name of Jesus Christ” you push him away at that moment, giving you room to listen to God's voice. Trust me, it works. Even as I type this blog, I can feel the darkness trying to overcome me, but with Jesus Christ, I have nothing to worry over, His name is above all names. Call out to Him today. 

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

 Yesterday we lost another vocal Christian who stood up for what he believed. Taking to the college campuses to speak the truth of God’s word, Charlie Kirk was shot dead in the middle of an assembly. His final words before being killed: Jesus loves you and shared the love of Christ with the thousands in attendance.

 Today’s scripture sums up his life. He was not afraid to share the biblical truth. Although he never attended college, he saw the direction our youth were going, being misled by the woke agenda being taught in classrooms, on college campuses and everywhere on social media; the feeding grounds of our next generation. Although many people debated him, he still stood for the truth, and I’m certain opened the eyes of thousands of young adults who Satan had blinded using teachers, professors, and important people in the lives they admired.

 If you are a child of God, you should carry on the work that Charlie and so many others continue to do for the sake of Jesus Christ. We’ve hidden behind church walls long enough, it’s time for the good news of Jesus Christ is shared within our families, communities, across this nation, and around the world. You might not be able to travel to another country, but you can help financially and prayerfully support missions through your local church. Jesus said it well in Matthew 9:37 “the harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few”.

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

 Charlie Kirk, enjoy your reward in Heaven, you’ve earned it!

 

 I John 3:9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.

Since the beginning of time, people find ways to blame others for their sins or wrong doing. Eve blamed the devil for tempting her to eat the forbidden fruit, Adam blamed Eve, comedian Flip Wilson blamed the devil for his misdeeds. Yesterday's news reported a man stabbed his wife to death because he couldn't take her anymore. It's easy to blame others, but the truth is, each one of us makes a conscious decision to sin. 

Today's verse has some eye opening wisdom, as it says anyone born of God (a Christian) cannot sin. That sounds like a tall order, but God doesn't take sin lightly. He didn't send His Son Jesus Christ to the cross for sins payment just so you can pick and choose your pleasures that are opposite of His moral standards. We can't blame others or our situations for choosing to sin, we bear that responsibility. 

Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

As God's children, we must take obedience seriously. Obedience is a choice and when you remove the ease of temptation, living rightly for God becomes easier. Why put yourself in a situation that you know will tempt you? Guard your steps, protect your mind, and seek after Godly wisdom in His word and your life will simply align with Jesus Christ. Sinful living will have no place in your heart, mind, and soul. 

 Jonah 1:17 Now the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights.

One of the most familiar stories in the Bible tells about Jonah, who was instructed by God to warn the people of Nineveh to turn from their wickedness, but he chose to disobey and run from God. While on a ship traveling in the opposite direction, a horrific storm came up on the vessel and the shipmates determined it was Jonah who brought on the storm. Jonah instructed the men to throw him overboard. The storm stopped and as we see in today's verse, a giant fish swallowed him. 3 days later the fish vomited him up on the shores of Nineveh. Talk about God getting your attention! 

I want to point out something missed in this story, when Jonah was thrown overboard, God saved Jonah by that fish. Left at sea, he would have eventually drowned. Maybe you are like Jonah, you avoid God's call to: attend church, go on a mission trip, volunteer at a community activity, or better yet, accept Jesus Christ into your life. Something tragic has happened in your life and you blame God and want no part of His call to action. If that's you, God will continue to press and encourage you to change your trajectory and come to Him in obedience. He will use anything to get your attention, in the meantime keep you safe (like Jonah) from harm til you realize your running away isn't worth the trials and tribulations meant to turn around. 

God has a special purpose for your life, especially if you feel His calling to serve in some way. Trust me, it's better to obey than disobey by making excuses for why you don't want to do His bidding. Choose to obey today and God will bless your faithfulness. 

 Colossians 1:9 So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. 

There are several families I've been praying for who've experienced tragic events, either with themselves or one of their family members. Following up with them, it appears God is working miracles and healing has begun. 

You might have people in your life who are undergoing similar events and wonder what you should pray for. Today's verse gives the best answer to that question. Praying for Godly wisdom, understanding about their circumstances, and to see the path God has for them as they go through this trial. 

Maybe you are the one needing prayer! this verse will help focus your prayers to God for direct results. Sometimes we just need to be very specific with our prayers to God, so we can actually see His specific response to our situation. Trust me, I've prayed for specific things and God literally did exactly as I requested. He might not always respond in that manner, but He will always give you His very best. Pray for wisdom, understanding, and vision to see His will and purpose for this thing you are going through. God bless. 

 Psalms 23:5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.

One of the greatest fears for soldiers fighting in battle is running out of ammunition. Sadly, it has happened more times than you'd expect, requiring them to either retreat or fight hand to hand combat. 

Today's verse reminds God's children that He will prepare a feast before your enemies. Our battle isn't fought with bullets, but with the power of God. No human power or wisdom can overcome the power of Satan, only by engaging God in your battles will you stand tall and not have to retreat in fear. 

Maybe your enemy is an addiction, a rude neighbor, an evil coworker, even a medical condition that has overwhelmed you…there are countless battles you’ll face in life, but God. He is capable of supplying all you need to come out victorious. Release it into His hands by prayer and faith in Him, you'll be amazed at the outcome. 

 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes. Psalm 119:71

 There is nothing more painful, shameful, and regretful than suffering the consequences of wrong doing. Maybe you were caught up in a lie, arrested for shoplifting, committed an awful act against another person, and the list is long of other offenses. The reality is each sin comes with a penalty and it can impact you for a day, a lifetime or anywhere in-between. If you have any conscience, you accept your wrongdoing and seek forgiveness. The end result is hopefully you’ll regroup and find a way to get back on the right path for your life.

 The author of today’s verse acknowledges the benefit of learning from his mistakes and seeks to gain wisdom to help him do better in life. As a child, you were probably (hopefully) disciplined when you did wrong, and as a result, you discovered that doing right was less painful (on your rear end) than the pleasure you sought while sinning. Hopefully your heart hasn’t hardened to learning and a desire to do better. There are jail houses full of hard hearts who never learn from their mistakes and keep on repeating sin and wrongdoing that comes with longer periods of discipline.

 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word. You are good, and do good; teach me Your statues. Psalm 119:67-68

 Take advice from today’s scripture, learn from your mistakes and desire to do God’s will by remaining obedient to His standard of living, and the law of the land, so you won’t have to bear the consequences of your wrongdoing.

 

 Luke 15:20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 

Jesus told the parable of the “lost son”, a story where a son asked his father for his share of the inheritance and went to a place where he spent it on wild living. After the money ran out, he was hungry, homeless, and full of shame. He returned home, expecting the worst, but his father ran to him with grace and mercy. Lovingly, he embraced his son, and received him back into the family. 

There's a good reason Jesus shared this powerful story. He knows we struggle to keep ourselves separated from the world, and sometimes step away from the fold, only to find ourselves full of shame, regret, and expecting the worst. Maybe that's you! 

Friend, the love and forgiveness of Jesus goes further than any human could provide, given a similar situation. He is always ready and willing to wrap His arms around you and welcome you back to the family of God. 

This world may provide some pleasures you enjoy, but at some point all that will leave you empty. Come back to Christ, He's ready to dress you in His best robe and celebrate your return home. 

 He existed before anything else, and He holds all creation together. Colossians 1:17 NLT

 When I look back over time, I see the world we live in filling with business, pressure to perform, and a complexity of demands that truly no one can live up to. Between family, friends, work, spouse, home, projects, and any extra curricular activities, each demands your time and when something gets off balance, your world seems to spin out of control. I’ve been there on many occasions and wonder how I will get it all back in order.

 The bad news is, you won’t. When life spins out of control, no matter how much effort you put into resolving the issues, repairing damaged relationships, making up for something you sacrificed…..it is truly beyond your capability to make it get in sync with your life. So, how can you recover from the messes life brings you?

 Today’s verse reminds us that God is always in control. Even in our chaos, He holds the future of everything in His hands, including your fast paced life. When you rely on Him to help keep it together, He provides you resources (that you don’t possess on your own) to help you navigate those difficult moments that have you filled with anxiety, fear, and tears. He will interject little miracles, that when you begin to look in His direction, you’ll see His hand working to bring healing, order, and even spare moments to thank Him for what He did on your behalf. 

Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. 1 Thessalonians 5:24

 This is my favorite part about this subject, God has a plan and purpose for this moment of chaos to draw you closer to Him, strengthen your faith and build confidence when the next crises surfaces. Trust me when I say, “God has you in His hands, He is in control of all things! You just need to get onboard with that knowledge and work with Him as you live out each day for His glory.

 O Lord God of hosts, Who is mighty like You, O Lord? Your faithfulness also surrounds You. Psalm 89:8

 Any seasoned Christian can relate to today’s verse. I consider myself seasoned as well, knowing the things I’ve been through in life and by putting my trust in God’s care, He has helped me navigate some of life’s most difficult moments. He has ALWAYS remained faithful, even in times when I’ve been anything faithful to Him. As my Creator, He knows me intimately. From my weaknesses to my strengths, and everything in between, He works in my life to trust in His ways. I can say there has never been a moment when He has let me down or left me defenseless to life’s challenges.

 Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:5

 If you are young in your faith, or maybe have years under your belt as a “Christian”, yet still haven’t learned to fully trust God, I encourage you to test God by praying about those things that are out of your control or overwhelm your life, then faithfully watch Him work in and through you. Faith and trust doesn’t happen overnight, it takes time and many occurrences to become seasoned in your faith. But trust me, God is faithful in all things and you’ll see His faithfulness will engulf your life with many blessings. Trust Him today!  

 Colossians 2:8 Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. 

Studies reveal there are between 4,000 to 10,000 religions in the world today. From the moment God created Adam and Eve, man has created religions that are far from the truth of God and His love for mankind. Religion vs relationship seems to always be in conflict with each other. God's desire to have a relationship with us is more important than the man-made rules that support the various religions of the day. 

I Thessalonians 5:21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 

In a world of religious information, how do you know truth vs. Fiction? The verse above encourages you to test all things; use your Bible as a guide when seeking Godly truths. If something you've heard does not align with God's word, then it's false and should be avoided. Jesus said on many occasions that “false teachers” will come and deceive people, especially people who are not grounded in the Bible. History has shown us many people have died while following false teachers, including Jim Jones cult in which 900 people committed suicide at his direction in the late 1970s. 

I encourage you to study God's word; don't believe everything you hear until you cross reference it in the Bible. Even the most well meaning churches in this country can be far from God's truth..God loves you and a relationship with Him doesn't require rituals, just a committed life to Him through His Son Jesus Christ. 

 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8

 Every morning, I turn on my computer, check the news, social media, bank account, and dive into my bible study. This morning, I reflected over the news and social media post I viewed and thought…what a waste of time. Over an hour was spent feeling the emotional highs and lows of the news…with a bit of anger mixed in, leaving me drained emotionally and spiritually for my time with God. Useless information that will only be forgotten within an hour and no way to get that time back. Can you relate?

 As God’s children, we are to separate ourselves from the world, which means we should be cautious as to what we allow into our minds. Social media can be good, but it also provides opportunities to spread hate, anger, and views that counter God’s standards for living the Christian life. The news media is more concerned with how to spark your interest than actually sharing the news of the day. Many news media have moved towards a talk show forum, which battles against their opponent, mostly political in nature. All of these things together can influence your decisions and feelings. Quite frankly, they are no good and serve no purpose in growing spiritually.

 I know, I know….a long post about what we should not watch. Just want to make the point that we need to always be on guard to what we fill our minds with on a daily basis….this goes for me too! You can start with God’s word and good books on growing your faith by such authors as Dr. Charles Stanley, Dr. David Jeremiah, and others. When you fill your mind with spiritual things, you’ll be more inclined to live out the truth of God’s word in your daily life for others to see…and this world could use more of Jesus!

 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:10

 Mud riding is a popular thing in Georgia. People who own a four-wheel truck or off-road vehicle will do all they can to find a mudhole and ride through it. In my career as a park ranger, I’d occasionally come across someone taking part in this activity on public land (which is illegal) or be stuck in the mud. Besides a hefty fine, they also had an expensive towing fee to pay. What seemed like a lot of fun at the moment, ended up costing a lot of money, and sometimes damage to their vehicle.

 As humans, we are prone to sin, it’s in our fleshly nature to sin. Those sinful things appear pleasurable and our minds can become addicted to it so much so that it becomes part of our life. But there is a downside to sin, it causes division between us and God, it can destroy your reputation, it hurts yourself and others impacted by wrong actions and the biggest impact from sin is a heaviness of guilt, shame, and regret. God condemns sin and requires His followers to repent and turn from it.

 When I kept silent, my bones grew old, through my groaning all day long. Psalm 32:3

 When you live with unconfessed sin, you carry a burden that can only be released by seeking God’s forgiveness. When you do, the weight of sin is eased and your heart, mind, and soul find peace once again with God and that open line of blessings resumes. As today’s verse in James 4:10 says, humble yourselves in sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. At some point, you’ll realize those sinful pleasures aren’t worth it and following in obedience to Christ is a much smoother path. Obedience doesn’t restrict you from enjoying life, it simply provides you a life of joy, peace, and fulfills God’s best plan for you.

 Humble yourselves under the will of God and find a lasting joy that only He can provide! Blessings!

 And then I will declare to them, “I neve knew you; depart from Me you who practice lawlessness”! Matthew 7:23

 The other day I was approached by a man in Walmart who called out my name and started talking to me. As I listened to him and looked him over, I had no clue who he was. After a brief time, he could tell I was wondering who this man was, and he recalled a time when he knew me at a local church. Still to this day I can say I never knew him.  

 Jesus said in Matthew 7:21: “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” There are many people today who claim to know about Jesus Christ and speak of him on occasion, but are not known by Jesus Christ. On the day of their death, they will be greeted with the words, I never knew you. What an awful feeling that will be for those who are not recognized by Jesus.

 Today, there are many people who claim to be a Christian, but never do anything for Jesus Christ. They live their own lives on their terms, omitting biblical standards, and don’t resemble any Christlike characteristics. Don’t get me wrong, your works don’t get you into Heaven, faith in Jesus Christ and asking His forgiveness of sins is the only way to Heaven. But, the life of a child of God doesn’t end with that decision, it’s a lifetime commitment to Him. It’s praying to Jesus, it’s participating in worship, it’s sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost, it’s living a life of obedience and allowing the Holy Spirit of God to lead you daily through this earthly life.

 If you were to run into Jesus today, would He know you? Make yourself known by being His true friend by pursuing a relationship with Him on a daily basis. You can’t expect Jesus to know you if you are living like the devil, yet still call yourself a child of God. Jesus Christ wants to know you on a deep and personal level.  Open your heart to His presence and see what being a true friend of your Savior can do for your earthly life and into eternity! God bless!

 Proverbs 27:2 Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth— a stranger, not your own lips.

I can't think of very many people who don't like to be praised for the good things they've done in life. Some people are very humble and quietly thank the complimenter, while others toot their own horn about their accomplishments and don't act surprised when given praise by others. Although our president has accomplished much, he toots his horn far too often (in my opinion) and quite frankly it's a turn off to many people. 

Today's Proverb encourages people to receive praise from others, and not by your own mouth. Why?, because it can turn people's opinion about you in a negative manner, and they won't listen to anything you have to say. I've seen this happen in several people I've known and slowly their friends step back from them, sometimes even say negative things about them to others. 

If you are a Christian, God doesn't think highly of pride, He actually despises it amongst His children. If there's anyone who should receive praise it's your Heavenly Father. He provided a way for you to have a personal relationship to Him through Jesus Christ. Anything you accomplish in life is because He made a way for you to achieve it by giving you certain talents that should be used for His glory and praise. 

You might be the most successful person on this planet, but don't shortchange the One who made you who you are. Give God the praise and see Him reward you with blessings greater than and success achieved in your lifetime. 

 Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Have you ever thought about your past? Maybe you are young and 25 years is behind you, or maybe 50 years. Whatever the number, take a moment to reflect til you reach your current situation. How did you fare? Did your hopes and dreams come to a reality or has life not provided you the joy and happiness you desired? 

When I accepted Christ I was 12 years old. From that moment on, the Lord had a plan for my life. I honestly was clueless to my future, but I kept praying that God would guide me into His plan. Yeah, there were moments when I detoured off His narrow path and pursued other things, but with each misguided step, He brought me back to “The Plan” for my life. Sometimes He used painful lessons to teach me obedience, other times His gentle hand moved me back, front and center, through the voice of wise people who influenced my life. Through it all, God never lost His patience with me and always had a hedge of protection around me. 

If you are breathing and in the family of God, He still has a plan for your life. Maybe you've drifted off course; don't despair, He is always ready to bring you back to the center of His perfect plan for your life. Seek Him today for the best roadmap you'll ever need this side of Heaven. 

 Therefore, there was a division again among the Jews because of these sayings. John 10:19

 As a Christian, do you ever encounter family, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances who are confused by your beliefs and how you live? You don’t go out bar hopping, you attend church on a regular basis, you volunteer in your community….the list is endless. People just don’t get why you do what you do.

 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. John 15:19

 When Jesus came into the picture, He confused the Jews. They lived by a strict set of God given rules (and some made up rules) that governed how they lived. Many prophecies were made about The Christ who would come, and the Jews could not see that Jesus Christ was the true Savior. He fulfilled the promise of God and gave them a new way to live, forgiven of sins and eternal security by faith in Jesus Christ. What a misfortunate thing for them to miss the true Messiah.

 I personally have family and friends who are confused about Christ and it’s frustrating for me that they can’t see past their own thoughts and beliefs. Maybe you have very similar people in your life. The best you can do is pray for them, continue to live your life in obedience to Christ and be the example for them to see what Christ offers. A child of God living in peace, loving others, sharing the gospel, and most importantly forgiving others even while being persecuted.

 May God bless your life for being different than the world around you. People need to see the way to the Father, and your life can help others find their way, keep living the Christian life! God bless!

 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

 Food allergies can cause serious problems for certain people, that’s why on many food packages you’ll read something like this: “This product is made in the same facility that has eggs, milk, peanuts”. If you have an allergy to any of these, there is a potential they could cross contaminate with the food you plan to eat, and will make you very sick, maybe even cause death. One of the biggest food allergies today is gluten and many people I know become very sick if it’s in any of the food they eat.

 Wrongdoing, or sin, starts in the mind. A thought develops in the mind to do something wrong or against God’s standards. It seems to grow and when you think about it often; it’s like watering a plant, you are literally nourishing that thought, and eventually it turns to action. But it doesn’t stop there, from the action, it might easily become a habit, which in turn influences your character. Your character is who you are, it’s how you interact with the world, it’s how you behave, and it impacts the lives of those around you, and people form their opinions about you by how you live your life.

 If you struggle with evil thoughts, sinful thoughts, or battle addictions, let today’s verse be an encouragement for you to fill your mind with the good things of God. Satan will try his best to whisper those negative and sinful thoughts, but when you have a mind filled with biblical scripture, he stands no chance of influencing you to do wrong. Pray to God for help and protection and He will do it for you. God bless!

 Create in me a clean heart O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

 Welcome to another day of life on planet earth. No matter what happened yesterday, today is a new day and hopefully you’ve put yesterday’s worries and troubles aside to face the new challenges that will come. How you prepare for each new day determines your response to things, situations, and news you’ll have to deal with.

 The author of today’s verse starts with a plea from God to clean up his heart and renew a steadfast spirit within. Steadfast isn’t a word we use much in today’s language, but it has a powerful meaning; determination and unwavering are two words that describe steadfast. Asking God to sustain you through the daily grind will ensure you can run today’s race with endurance and assurance you’ll cross the finish line in good standing. Left to your own strength and wisdom will lead you through a day of emotional highs and lows that will totally exhaust you by days end. Who wants to live that way?

 I encourage you each and every day, take about 15-20 minutes before the wheels really get spinning and spend time with God in prayer, recite today’s verse as you seek His strength and wisdom for the day’s challenges. Find a good devotional to accompany your prayer time so you’ll have a nugget of wisdom to keep your mind focused on what’s really important, your relationship with Jesus Christ and your impact on the world around you.

God bless!  

 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8

 Several years ago, I went out on a long motorcycle ride up through Alabama. There are plenty of beautiful country roads that make riding a motorcycle enjoyable. After many hours of riding, time had escaped me and I needed to get home rather quickly. I decided to part from the 2-lane road and get on the interstate to make up some time. My GPS kept telling me to turn off onto a 2-lane road, but I kept going. Eventually I ran into a very long line of cars, slowly creeping along the interstate due to a semi-truck accident 2 miles ahead. It was about 90 plus degrees and I was a sweating mess. If only I had followed my GPS, I would have gotten home sooner than my experience on the interstate.

 Do you ever wonder why God waits so long to answer your prayers or receive His blessings? We get it fixed in our minds how we expect things to go when we call upon God, and head in that direction, totally missing His still quiet voice telling us another path towards His answers, His blessings. The truth is, we are the reason for delayed answers, because we fail to follow Him closely.

 Prayer and focus on God is essential to keeping in step with His wisdom and guidance. He sees what’s up ahead and will redirect your steps to keep you from disaster. He promised to always provide us His best. Sometimes it takes a lot of faith in God to let Him direct your path, but essential if you want His very best for your life.

 Maybe you are on a pathway, seeking God’s wisdom. Are you staying prayed up, are you looking for signs that detour your current direction? Be ready and willing to do everything He says in the process of answering your request and you’ll soon recognize His promised delivery came at just the right moment. Follow Him in faith and He’ll get you there on time, every time! God bless!

 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. For the time has come for Judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 1 Peter 4:16-17

 Today’s verses provide encouragement for anyone who suffers as a Christian. You might be thinking that being a United States citizen shields you from suffering for your faith, as we have freedoms to worship and openly express our views. But truthfully, living a life of ease should make you question your faith. Is it genuine, are you living boldly for Christ, or are you hiding your “light” under a bushel, only exposing it when comfortable?

 In 1999, there was a tragic shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado. As the shooters were killing people, they came upon a teenage girl who was calling out to God. One of the shooters asked if she believed in God, she responded “yes”. She had a choice to make, either hide her belief or suffer the consequences of being truthful. Under the threat of her life, she did not hold back her beliefs. That is true suffering and God was glorified in that moment.

 Although you might never have a gun held to your head with life threatened over your beliefs in God, you should not be ashamed to live out your Christian life for others to see. Yeah, you might have moments of ridicule, feel the pressure of keeping your job, maybe even shunned by others. That’s ok, because in the end, God will judge those who brought suffering into your life. God will also judge His children for the moments when they keep their faith hidden. Read the following verses and ask yourself, “am I being a true witness for God”?

 Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10:32-33

 1 Corinthians 13:8 NLT Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! 

You might not feel qualified to be a Christian. Maybe you are apprehensive about talking to others about Christ, you have fears that hold you back….there can be many things you want to do for Christ, but feel limited. 

I encourage you to keep the faith! In today's verse it says “love lasts forever”. I've heard it said, people will remember you by how you treated them. It doesn't matter how smart you are, capable of doing great things….none of that matters except your love for others. 

While on planet earth, Jesus instructed people to love others as yourself. Love has many redeeming features and can change a person's direction in life by simply being loved by you!  

Don't miss the greatest opportunity in the world by being a follower of Christ. Love others, just as He loved you, and you'll see the Christian life is more rewarding than anything else you'll experience this side of Heaven. 

 And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed? John 4:12

 There are many people today who have no interest in Jesus Christ or becoming a Christian. The list of excuses is long, but I believe the center of their resistance is they don’t believe Jesus has anything better to offer them than the life they are currently living.

 Today’s verse is part of a conversation Jesus had with a woman who was retrieving water at a deep well (John 4). He offered her “living water”, which she found difficult to understand because He had no rope or bucket to drawl the water, and He said His water is eternal. She had no idea who she was talking to, until He revealed her life and it opened her eyes to the truth of God. Because of her encounter, others in her village came to believe in Jesus Christ and what He offered, eternal life to those who believed He was the Son of God.

 Maybe you are on the fence about what Jesus Christ has to offer your life. You might have ideas that a Christian lives a boring and restricted life, and quite frankly you don’t want to give up your pleasures. I can assure you this is not the kind of life Jesus offers. He offers you a life of love, forgiveness, wisdom to make right decisions, conviction that holds you accountable to live a better life and pleasing to Him, and a fellowship with other believers that welcomes you as a family member, not just a friend. Looking back over my life as a Christian, I can tell you God has helped me navigate challenges and experiences that I otherwise would have failed, doing it by my own strength and wisdom.

 Jesus Christ offers you “living water”, an eternal relationship with your Creator, who will take care of your every need and desire, by simply believing in Him, asking Him to come into your heart and seek forgiveness of sins. Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven. Nothing on earth can compare to what He can offer you today. God bless!