Numbers 15:37-40

[37] Again the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, [38] “Speak to the children of Israel: Tell them to make tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and to put a blue thread in the tassels of the corners. [39] And you shall have the tassel, that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the Lord and do them, and that you may not follow the harlotry to which your own heart and your own eyes are inclined, [40] and that you may remember and do all My commandments, and be holy for your God. 

It's common today to see ribbons and symbols that bring reminders of people's lives, certain acts, charities, and awareness of things that impact many humans. You probably have some type of symbol on your person or displayed on your property. 

Today's verses come from the book of Numbers. The Israelites just received a report about the land promised to them by God. It was a good report, up until the spies told about the Giants who currently occupied the land. Fear settled among them and doubt caused them to question God and frustrated with Moses, so much so, they were ready to stone him. God saw their disbelief and told Moses to turn his people back into the wilderness for 40 years. There, God gave instructions for His people to add a blue thread to their tassels as a reminder of God's goodness He showed them previously. 

We live in a world full of problems: health, financial, relational, and the list continues. We can get so wrapped up in the bad news, that we forget God's goodness in past events, where He either lifted the burden or helped you walk through it unscathed. Those life events can lead you to believe God has let you down, adding to your fears of the unknown. That is not how God wants you to live. 

Years ago I purchased a silver ring with crosses on it as a reminder of God's goodness. In the 12 years I've owned it, its never been taken off. I encourage you to find something that stays with you, as a reminder of how God has worked in your life. Trust me, you don't want to frustrate God with your lack of trust in Him. Wear it with confidence, knowing God will never leave you, nor forsake you. God bless. 

 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6

 The Christian life is not about receiving God’s blessings, but being filled with the Holy Spirit. You might be saying to yourself, but I’m a Christian, so I’m already filled with the Holy Spirit. There is truth in your statement, but how full of the Spirit are you?

 Today’s passage, spoken by Jesus Christ, tells us exactly how to be filled. Only by hungering and thirsting for God will you truly be filled. Let me share an example. Have you ever been so hungry that you became weak, you weren’t yourself, and you knew if you didn’t get food in the next few minutes, you were going to fall out. Everything you were doing halted, and all your efforts were focused on filling your stomach with food. That’s exactly how empty you should be in your desire for God’s Spirit to fill your life.

 God desires for you to have that kind of desire, passion, and hunger for Him, every single day. Unfortunately, we fill our life with the things of this world, leaving barely enough room for God. It’s kinda like eating at a restaurant and you fill up on the main course, when asked if you want dessert, you are too full for the sweet things offered. Are you so full of life’s pleasures that you have no room for Jesus Christ?

 God oftentimes strips away those things that move Him to the dessert menu, so you realize your dependence upon Him. The world offers many wonderful pleasures, but the truth is, they are temporary. God’s Spirit, living inside of you, is eternal and always needs to be front and center, so you can become more Christ like in every aspect of your life.

 In closing, do you hunger for God’s word? Do you long to be filled with His righteousness? If so, ask God to empty anything or anyone that stands in the way of completely filling your life with the fullness of God and He will in turn bless you with His presence and guidance as you navigate through life.

 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33

 Have you ever had trouble finding something, only to realize after a while it was right there in front of you? This happens often with me, I’ll ask my wife to help me find something in the refrigerator and she will walk up and point to it, right there in front of me. How does this happen?

 You can say the same is true of God’s children, who make life decisions without seeking His wisdom. Relying on your own intellect will often lead you down a path of regret and shame. Examples are: decisions about having children, making a home purchase, choosing a career…and the list is endless. Your ability to chose wisely is based only on the wisdom you’ve gained through years of experiences. God’s wisdom goes beyond what’s in front of you, it sees beyond the moment and into the future.

 When you seek after Godly wisdom and guidance, you alight yourself with God’s ultimate plan and purpose for your life. His answer is always in front of you, but you have to submit to God and be willing to have faith that what He shares with you is sound and good for your life.

 What are you seeking in life? Be sure to seek after the wisdom and knowledge of God, so you’ll have the perfect plan laid out for you for today and the tomorrows that follow. God bless!

 

 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. 1 John 5:14-15

 I can’t tell you how many times in my life I’ve had an unexpected expense show up and the funds were less than adequate to pay it. With each occurrence, I’d pray, asking God for His help and like clock-work just prior to the due date, an unexpected check shows up that perfectly matches the debt. It’s amazing how that happens, and I give God all the credit for orchestrating these unexpected blessings when the unexpected happens. Sometimes though, I ask why didn’t these resources arrive any sooner?

 Today’s two verses give us the confidence to know that when we call out to God for help, He provides the best response. Notice though in the first part of the verse: “ask according to His will”. Knowing God’s will is important if you want to ask Him for the right things. He knows what you need and is willing to provide it if you align your request with His intentions to bless you down the path of that request. Praying to Him with an open mind and heart, allows you to hear Him. I know at times I’ve prayed and literally heard Him say “NO”. Like any parent, His NO means no and nothing you say or do can persuade Him to change his mind. God will provide the answer and give it to you, but in the meantime, let today’s verses give you the confidence to know He will provide what is best for you.

 Now, back to the original question, why does HE wait until the last minute to provide? The simple answer is so you won’t mess up His plans. If God had given me the resources to pay for something in advance, I’m sure I could find other ways to spend it and it not be available when the unexpected shows up. Although God doesn’t live within the realm of time, He uses our time to distribute His blessings at just the right moment.

 Maybe you are seeking a new relationship, maybe a new job, maybe a home purchase (or selling one), or remedy for a health issue. There is an endless number of things you can ask, but in due time, God will provide.

 

 He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3;30

 As a type 2 diabetic, I have to pay close attention to my sugar and carbohydrate intake. Bread is one of my favorite things to eat, as it goes with almost everything. If you’ve ever read the label on bread, it’s loaded with carbs and will raise that blood sugar with 1 single slice. Lately, I’ve discovered this low carb bread that has helped me maintain sugar levels. It’s still bread, still has the same ingredients, it’s just a thinner slice, cutting the carb count almost in half.

 In today’s verse, John the Baptist, made this statement that, “He (Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease. You might be asking what a slice of bread has to do with today’s verse, and to be honest I don’t have a clue myself, but I’m going to let God take control of my fingers on the keyboard and explain.

 A healthy Christian is one who sets aside time, throughout the day, to recognize the presence of God in his/her life. Through prayer, bible reading, and focusing on spiritual thoughts, a child of God can actively take in the wisdom of God. The result of this process is a life reflecting the true characteristics of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

 Let’s face it, our fleshly bodies are prone to worldly thoughts, lustful pursuits, and prideful living. This happens when we are self-absorbed in pleasing ourselves with the temporary pleasures of the world. According to God’s word, things of this world are an enemy to Him (James 4:4).

 Thus, less of me and more of God. By focusing on the intake of God’s nourishing resources, we can easily shape the world around us with the touch of His light, shining through us. Like that thinner slice of bread, it’s still YOU, just you in a different manner, less of the world and more of God! Try a slice of Heaven today by focusing on less of the world and more of what God offers you: peace, love, joy, and abundant grace and mercy that saves your soul. God bless!

 I will remember the works of the Lord; surely I will remember Your wonders of old. Psalm 77:11

 As a child of God, I believe one of the greatest failures is forgetting what the Lord has done in our life. We all live, moment by moment, tackling issues and circumstances that come to us unexpectedly. Immediately, we go into problem solving mode, and try to find the quickest and easiest process to overcome the challenge facing us at the moment; often forgetting that God is with us every day, minute by minute, ready to provide wisdom and guidance. We try our best, and sometimes we succeed to overcome, but many times we fail and then turn our focus towards God. Sound familiar?

 One way to help you be reminded of God’s great works in your life is to praise Him every time you pray. Thank Him for helping you resolve your child’s problem at school last week, thank Him for keeping you safe when you slid off the road in the snow, thank Him for giving you a reminder to take care of an important task that made your day just a little easier. Recalling His goodness during prayer time is essentially worshipping Him and recognizing His importance in your life.

 God has and will always continue to do good works in your life. By keeping them fresh in your memory, you will be quick to call upon Him when crisis hits, instead of trying to do your best to tackle it with your own resources. God has your day mapped out already, call upon Him with thanksgiving in your heart, and He will provide you His very best to make this, a day to rejoice in the Lord.

 I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High. Psalm 7:17

 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

 Wisdom, it’s something gained through years of life’s experiences. Some are good and some are painful, but together they produce knowledge to make sound decisions in the future. I can say without a doubt, my life’s experiences have provided me a lot of wisdom. Sometimes I wish I could do life over with the wisdom gained. How about you?

 Here’s a thought, what if you could have a resource for wisdom as you navigate life, and avoid some of the painful lessons that come from poor choices? According to today’s verse in James 1:5 you can! God loves you and wants you to live within His perfect will. Many of life’s choices are hard to make and trying to decide which way to go can leave you with a lot of anxiety and fear. God never intended for life to be lived in this manner. God wants to give you wisdom to make right decisions, but you have to be willing and open to receive His wisdom.

 In 1 Kings 3:7-14 Solomon asked God for wisdom, and God gave him a mind to make right choices and discernment between right from wrong. Verse 10 says: The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. God is pleased when we seek after His wisdom and our dependence upon Him. As we read further into this passage, God also blessed Solomon with riches and a long life (verse 13). He didn’t even ask for those things, but God blessed him for seeking wisdom.

 For me, the most beautiful thing about a relationship with God is He sees into my future and knows the challenges I’ll face and the results of my decisions before I make them. When I depend upon Him for godly wisdom and guidance, I gain much more than just wisdom, I gain other blessings I never thought about asking God.

 Life has its challenges and making sound decisions doesn’t’ have to be difficult when you rely on God to provide you the wisdom, He so lovingly wants to share with you. Seek Him out everyday and the blessings of life will bring prosperity and lasting joy! God bless!

 

 

 Yes indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus My Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.  Philippians 3:8

 Thousands of people in California have suffered the loss of everything they’ve owned due to the wildfires that have ravaged their communities. Over 12,000 homes and businesses have been destroyed in these fires. One has got to ask, “how can there be any good come out of this awful situation?”.

 One of the non-profit groups I support is Samaritan’s Purse, a worldwide ministry that shares the gospel of Jesus Christ and goes to areas impacted by natural disasters to give aid to the suffering. Today, they have a rapid response team whose set up 2 headquarters with staff available to assist those suffering in their losses and sharing the hope of Christ. In addition, they are building volunteer teams who will go into the impacted areas and help homeowners sift thru the ashes to find any valuables that might have sustained in the fire.

 Christians helping people is what it’s all about. I’m sure, beyond a doubt, that the message of hope they’ll share will touch the lives of non-believers or those who might not have their faith totally grounded in God’s word. Just think, if this tragedy didn’t happen, there might be hundreds, possibly thousands, of souls miss the opportunity to believe and accept Jesus Christ into their life. If you pray, I encourage you to pray for the victims and the volunteers that they can share freely the good news of Jesus Christ, instilling the more important thing, beyond personal belongings, that is an eternal relationship with Jesus Christ.

 For more information about Samaritan’s Purse, check out their web site at

www.samaritanspurse.org

 Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

Back in the 1980s my grandfather was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. He was a roofer by trade and in one moment of chest pain, the doctor ordered him to stop climbing ladders and not to exert himself. What a life changing event. As the few years passed, his heart got weaker. My grandmother shared a story with me, that many nights she would lay awake and watch him breath, praying his breathing would not stop. One night, while deep in her worries, she heard a voice in her heart say “Be still and know that I am God”. Although a very devote Christian, she was not aware that this verse was in the bible. She later discovered it and just knew it was God giving her the assurance that everything would be ok if she left it in God’s hands.

 How many times do we, as humans, worry ourselves sick over things beyond our control? As children of God, we have the assurance that God is with us and knows how to handle our situations. By trusting Him with everything, we can have an inner peace, even in the midst of life’s most worrisome moments. After that encounter with God, my grandmother was able to sleep peacefully.

 Maybe you are going through something similar and just worried sick. Give it to God in prayer, because the truth is, He ultimately controls everything. He knows what concerns you and wants to give you peace, so you can be refreshed in the spirit. Trust Him today with whatever has you worried, and see the peace of God transcend over your mind, body, and soul. God bless!

 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

 Looking back over my life, I’ve been through some very difficult and challenging times. Each occurrence costed me something, whether it be financial, personal, or emotional, it came with a price. At the time I’d question God why He allowed me to go through the tribulations. 50 plus years later I now see the purpose each one had as I share my experiences with others going through similar hardships.

 Today’s verses carries the same message, that God allows us to go through the tribulations of life so we can be prepared to help others going through similar situations. It’s painful to relive those moments, but it’s a life lesson and should be shared with those who need encouragement to press on.

 Your life is a story book, full of great things and should be shared for other’s benefit. Don’t be afraid to reach out to someone you see hurting. Your story, although parts of it painful, will let them know they aren’t the only one whose struggled and telling your story of how you trusted God through it, will be the light they need to see their way out of possibly the darkest moment in their life.

 Let’s pray: Dear Heavenly Father. Thank you for bringing me through the many challenges I’ve faced in my life. Open my eyes to see those who are suffering in the same manner as myself and allow me the opportunity to witness to them. I pray their heart will be open to my story and how it can help them through their struggles. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ.

 Your story will help your fellow brother or sister in Christ. Who can you help today? God bless!

 The poor and needy seek water, but there is none, their tongues fail for thirst. I, the Lord, will hear them; the God of Israel, will not forsake them. Isaiah 41:17

 Watching the news about the devastating fires in California makes my heart break for all those who’ve literally lost everything except the clothes on their backs. One of the most frustrating reports that has come out, firemen encountered no water in the fire hydrants. There were so many fires happening at once and fire trucks attached to fire hydrants that the water ran out. The supply was not enough to meet the great demand.

 Relating this issue to you and your life; how many times have you encountered much difficulty and the resources you drew from were not enough to meet your basic needs? Maybe the bills were greater than your bank account, the loss of a loved one left you feeling lost without them, you had friends who abandoned you at the most critical time you needed them. There are many instances in life where your hydrant runs dry and you don’t know where to find relief. Let me share with you the source of living water that can sustain any devastating fire you encounter.

 I will open rivers in desolate heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. Isaiah 41:18

 The only One who can supply all of your needs is God. He spoke today’s two verses through the pen of Isaiah’s writer. His ear is always attentive to His children’s voices, and hears them when they cry for help. He already knows your need before you ask Him and has a special way of supplying the resources needed to advance in life.

 Why then does He allow moments of dryness? So you can be reminded that your dependence is NOT upon the people and things of this world, but on Him. During those brief moments before the rains come, God uses this critical time to draw you closer to Him, so you can witness His goodness and sustaining power, even at the darkest times of your life. Believe me, I’m living proof of His goodness, and He will do the very same for you when you seek Him out for all of your needs. Come to Him in your desperate moments of life and He will always sustain you through the abundant resources (blessings) He longs to give you. God bless!  

 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

 With the recent global disasters, many non-profit organizations are asking for donations to support their respective mission. I receive many of these requests in the mail and at times it gets overwhelming because each one has a special cause that deserves support. Maybe you have had similar experiences.

 Today’s verse encourages us to freely give or support church ministries or organizations who are helping others. In my personal opinion there are several factors you need to consider before writing a check or making an online donation.

 Does the need weigh heavy on your heart? As the verse says, “give as he purposes in his heart”. I truly believe God oftentimes puts that burden on His children’s hearts to give because He knows it’s going to bring blessings to someone and honor Him. Pray and ask God to reveal His intentions. 

2.    You need to be responsible with your giving. There are some great organizations out there that spend more money on their cause than paying their CEO or top executives. It’s important to do your research by checking the company’s financial report and check out web sites that rate these non-profits on their fiscal management. I used to give to one organization, but after reading reviews and found some news articles of mishandled funds, I changed the direction of my giving.

3.    Have you come across some extra funds? God oftentimes orchestrates unexpected funds to come your way with the intention of you giving some or all of it to a specific charity.

4.    Tithing is important to support your local church ministry. They use your tithe to operate the church, give to missionaries, and most have a special account to help others who approach the church with a financial or physical need. Don’t neglect your church tithe to pay a charity. Church first, then give out of the abundance of your heart.

 For years I’ve been blessed to tithe to my church and help others in need. Getting rid of debts (credit cards, loans, even your mortgage) will free up additional funds where you can give freely and with a cheerful heart. The best thing about giving, you help others, and God rewards you back for your generous heart. Trust me, it works!

 Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

 With the advancement of smart phones, you can download any sound, music, or voice to serve as your ringtone. As I go out into public, I hear all kinds of ring tones. One time I heard someone’s phone sound like a loud burglar alarm, I asked who was calling, and the person responded “my ex”.  

 In today’s verse we are encouraged to pray without ceasing. What is the first thing you do when a crisis happens in your life? Most likely you pray, even ask others to pray on your behalf. Sadly, that might be the only time you communicate with God. Have you ever thought maybe God is allowing bad things to happen to get your attention to speak with Him? Trust me, God does NOT bring disaster upon you, that only happens because of the fallen world we live in. But, He will allow those things to happen to get your attention.

 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24

 Here's a thought…..maybe if you communicated with Him on a regular basis, like pray without ceasing, you would not encounter as many crises in your life. God loves it when His children talk to Him throughout the day, asking for help, seeking wisdom for decisions, and most of all praising Him for His goodness. Lord knows we have enough trouble each day and need God’s help, minute by minute.

 Sometimes my dad will call me when He hasn’t heard from me in a while. God does the same for His children. Why not spare yourself the trouble of dealing with another crisis when it could simply be avoided by talking to the problem solver (God) in advance. He is ready and willing to help you find joy in your life! Why not give Him a call right now! God bless!

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

 Have you ever had a debt forgiven? From the moment you received the funds, you struggled to make the monthly payments to the person who loaned you the money. Over time, you probably developed some form of resentment towards them, as the monthly payments became a burden and you know the person who loaned you the money didn’t really need to be repaid…he had enough. But out of the blue, that person says, “your debt has been paid in full” and you are now in good standing with him once again.

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

 That is exactly how God feels towards you. He loves you so much and wants to have a personal relationship with you (as your creator), but the sin and selfish life you are living puts a division between you and God. That is why He sent His Son, Jesus Christ to make payment for your transgressions (sins), so you can be in good standing with Him.

 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering towards us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

 What’s so important about a relationship with God? It’s eternal. Once you’ve surrendered your life to Him, He writes your name in the book of life, eternally securing you to be with Him in Heaven. The alternative to living for God is eternal separation from Him in Hell. There is no other way to save yourself, other than through acceptance of Jesus Christ into your life for the forgiveness of sins. A life with Christ is rewarding in that He gives you His Holy Spirit, that goes with you daily, to keep you, sustain you, and provide His love. He paid your debt, find freedom in His love and forgiveness!

 “for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.  Acts 17:23

 The Apostle Paul traveled the countryside, going from city to city, preaching about the salvation of Jesus Christ. During many of his journeys, he discovered communities with idols they worshipped. One community even had an idol of the unknown god.

 What is an idol? It’s anything that you worship, treasure, put before everything else, and most of all it consumes most of your time. Wither you choose to accept it, you too have an idol (possibly more than one), that you prioritize above everything else. Maybe it’s your children, your spouse, your significant other, your hobby, finances, the list is endless. What comes to your mind when you consider your idol?

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

 Now, take that idol and ask yourself, is it more important than your love for God? Does it consume more of your time than praying, reading the bible, attending worship? If the answer is yes, then your priorities are out of line with God’s command to put Him first in your life.  God doesn’t mind you having things you enjoy doing, He just wants to be the Lord of your life. When you put His ways and will for your life above those things you deem important, He blesses your interests in ways you could never have imagined.

 Just sharing a personal experience, I enjoy woodworking, specially making writing pens on my lathe. I sell them at 3 local stores and they do fairly well. This past October our church held a month-long event and had a gift shop. I asked if I could sell my pens at the event, and give 50% of the sales to the church. Over the course of those 4 weekends, they sold 29 pens! That’s more pens sold than the three stores I normally sell at during a year.

Ask God to help you put Him first in everything you do in life and He will certainly bless you for loving Him above all else. God bless!

 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:24

 A few nights ago, my wife and I were awakened at 2:30 AM with a burden to pray. We both prayed for our families, and I even prayed for one of our kid’s extended family with the thought that someone was in trouble. Later that day we checked with all of our kids and no one reported any issues. Later in the day though, we found out that one of our extended family members had made a trip to the Emergency Room with heart issues. After being evaluated, he was released at 2:30 AM, the very same time my wife and I were burdened to pray. Thankfully he is ok and seeking medical help from a cardiologist.

 Have you ever had a similar experience, where God laid it upon your heart to pray for someone? As children of God, we are all connected to one another through His Holy Spirit living inside of us. When one of God’s children is in need, it’s like God sends out a call for His family to pray for that one individual (or group), and God answers the call because of our faithfulness to pray. I can assure you, when you are obedient to pray, God hears your prayers and answers according to the immediate need. You might not see the actual workings of God’s hand, but by faith, you can have the confidence in God that He is actually responding.

 The next time you feel a burden to pray, don’t put it off for a single moment. God is working at that very moment in a specific situation and without your prayers, who knows the negative outcome that could happen. Be faithful to pray when the call goes out to your spirit, there will always be a positive outcome for your obedience to pray. God bless!

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

 For most children of God, we wake up with the desire to do the right things that pleases God. But somewhere in the day, as hard as we try, we fail in our pursuit of living sinless. Deflated and ashamed, we worry ourselves if God will truly forgive us, especially those sins that we struggle with on a daily basis. How often will God forgive me?

 Today’s passage is a wonderful reminder of the grace and mercy God shows His children. Jesus used some multiplication to ensure Peter and His followers knew forgiveness is just as much a part of God’s everyday life, as the struggles we battle daily. Don’t take me wrong, God’s grace and mercy doesn’t give you the right to live unhinged from His commands to live an obedient life. The struggle is real and some days it can be overwhelming….but just remember there’s no limit to His forgiveness.

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

 God created you and knows your human frailties, that’s why He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, who made payment for your sins by dying on a cross and rose again 3 days later, defeating death and sin. He loves you and wants you to have a life full of joy and not be weighted down by guilt. Come to Him in sincere repentance and know that your past sins (even what happened minutes ago) are completely removed as far as the East is from the West.   

 “For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.” John 13:15

 Many years ago, we took a family vacation to Florida. One of the places we visited had a theatre style turntable, which we sat in seats and watched the various decades pass by from the 40s and 50s. One thing I noticed, each scene had a national hero, someone Americans looked up to. Moving forward to our current time, I’ve given much thought about who our national hero is and honestly, I can’t think of anyone who I’d model my life after.

 Today’s verse comes from the mouth of Jesus Christ. He just finished washing His Disciple’s feet  during the Feast of the Passover (John 13:1-17) and encouraged them to live a life of servanthood. God sent His Son Jesus Christ to earth to give us the perfect example of how to live our life. If you consider yourself a child of God, then your hero should be Jesus Christ. You’ll find His ways aren’t popular in today’s society, but that’s ok, because as a child of God you are not of this world, but separate from others, yet in the world to serve others and bring awareness of Christ. II Corinthians 6:17 Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.”

 Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28

 One question you should ask yourself, is your life one that expects to be served OR are you serving others? That’s a though question and cuts straight to the heart. Serving others through love, grace, compassion, and giving, are perfect examples of how Jesus Christ lived and wants you to follow suit. Ask God to help you transform your mind and heart to resemble how Jesus Christ lived and you’ll receive God’s blessings for your faithfulness and in the process bring awareness of God’s saving grace to the lost. God bless!

 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 1 John 2:3

 How well do you know God? If you are like most Christians, you are like a student, continually learning more about Him as you go through life. God came to earth over 2,000 years ago in human flesh, His name is Jesus Christ, and He lived in a manner He expects us to live. Jesus is the perfect example of God and His character. As we grow in our understanding of Him, His actions, His thoughts, and His beliefs, they will be reflected in our character. Do others see Jesus in you?

 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 1 John 2:4

 Sadly, there are Christians today who have the knowledge and understanding of God, yet fail to live an obedient life. It's more than just accepting Jesus Christ.  Living in purposeful sin is eternally dangerous and many on the day of Judgment will hear Jesus say, “I never knew you, depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness” Matthew 7:23.  Jesus did not make payment for your sins by dying on the cross for you to live a worldly/sinful lifestyle. Your choice to accept Jesus’ sacrifice is a decision you made, and you must continually engage your life and understanding of His will and purpose for you! Otherwise, you are simply a human with the title “Christian”.

 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 1 John 2:5

 If you consider yourself a Christian, you must read and study God’s word so you can truly understand His character and live in a manner worthy of Jesus sacrifice for your sins.

 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:17

 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:14

 If you are like most people, you love to receive God’s blessings. They come in a variety of ways to help you with your finances, relationships, necessities for life, spiritual….the list is endless. But, how can you obtain God’s blessings?  

 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” Genesis 2:16-17

 At the beginning of time for humans, God created a beautiful garden for Adam and Eve to live in and eat all the fruits from the garden, except from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Think about it, they had God’s blessings all around them, yet there was only a narrow way to disappoint Him. Sadly for them, and mankind, they chose the narrow path of disobedience and paid the price for their sin. The road to receiving God’s blessings was wide, and they missed the mark.

 If you love Me, keep My commandments. Luke 14:15

 One of Dr. Charles Stanley’s famous sayings, “God blesses obedience”. Today, the route for God’s blessings has narrowed down to a single path by living an obedient life in Christ. That pathway is illuminated with the light of Christ, and anything off that pathway is darkness. God does not and cannot bless you when you are walking in darkness. As this world grows more cold and evil, that pathway seems harder and harder to walk, but with the Holy Spirit guiding you, you can navigate through every temptation known to man, so you can stay in God’s graces and receive His blessings. Chose the narrow way, chose life! God bless!!!

 Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken! Psalm 55:22

 Back in 2013, I moved into my new home after my divorce. Living single, money was tight and the bills never seemed to end. I recall one week all I had was $20 in my wallet and it was a Monday with payday 4 days away. I prayed for God to help me get through the week. Not too long after that prayer, I looked in my fridge to find it full of food, more than enough to get me through the week, my gas tank was full in my truck, and all the bills that week had been paid. I literally broke down and thanked God for His goodness.

 What burden are you carrying into 2025? May be a health issue, financial, relational, or more of an emotional crisis and you feel like the world is against you. Today’s verse is a great reminder that God is ready, willing, and capable of handling any burden you carry. All you have to do is give it to Him through prayer and faith, with the belief that He will do what’s necessary to ease its weight. Trusting God is what He wants from you, so you don’t try to sustain life’s burdens alone. His love has a way of brining you back to dependence upon Him.

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

 Friend, trust me when I tell you, God wants to be involved in your everyday life. When you depend upon Him daily to meet the needs and carry the weight of your burdens, He works in ways that are beyond your sight, but all for your benefit. I’ve seen it time after time in my life and He will do the same for you! What burden can you release into His loving hands today? Happy New Year!