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

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

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

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

 The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands. Psalm 138:8

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

 For God so loved the world John 3:16a

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I Corinthians 13:1-13 NKJV

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

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

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

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

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

 Titus 2:6-8 NKJV

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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