For he went on teaching his disciples and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after he is dead, he shall rise the third day. Mark 9:31

Back in the day when someone said they were going to do something, they did it. Deals, loans, and any other agreements were sealed with their word and a handshake. It's always comforting to know when you can trust someone's word. 

As Jesus laid in the tomb, his disciples were worried, fearful, and uncertain of the future. The man that they faithfully followed for 3 years, died and was placed inside a tomb. They forgot or didn't believe in the statement Jesus made in the scripture above. Throughout those 3 years of following Jesus, he always did what he said he was going to do, but yet his disciples lacked faith. 

 Can you imagine if they believed Jesus and we're waiting in eager expectation for his new life? But yet that's not the case, and it wasn't until Mary came and told the disciples she saw Jesus, alive and well, on day three, just as he had told them. 

We too struggle to believe God's word, that he is always with us and will help us in times of crisis, in times of sadness, in times of worry and fear. If only we had the eager expectation of what he's going to do during our time of need, it would change our whole outlook on whatever issues we face.

The next time you feel alone, defeated, fearful, or anything that you bring before the Lord, have an eager expectation of what he's going to do in your situation and trust in God's word. By doing so, you strengthen your faith and belief in every word that is in the gospel. And by doing this, you'll have confidence the next time you bring your concerns to the Lord, know that he will always respond with his best, wrapped in his love for you. Happy Easter. 

 And we know that all things work together for good to t hose who love God, to those who area the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

 Have you ever had an issue develop that made you want to tackle it right then? Maybe that issue was a financial burden, a health crisis, or a troubled relationship. Sleepless nights, anxiety, and reckless behaviors were the result of things undone. Sound familiar?  

 Let me share something I’ve learned after many years of living life. Time usually resolves things, and, if you let the issue work itself out, it might turn out better than expected. Yes, some things do need an immediate response like a payment before foreclosure tomorrow, or a court date that you must be present. But for those issues that can truly “wait”, you’ll find that today’s verse will be applicable to your situation.

 You see, God doesn’t work on your schedule. He sees beyond the mountain before you and knows how to get you either over it or around it, using time as a tool to grow your faith and trust in Him. He loves it when you surrender your concerns to Him, because it shows Him that you trust His plan for your life and your devotion to the Lord.

 As I thought about today’s blog, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 came to mind where Paul had an issue, a “thorn in the flesh”, and he pleaded with God to remove it. God responded with “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness”. Paul learned to trust God with his thorn in the flesh, and actually used it to strengthen his trust in the Lord. Like the apostle Paul, you must be willing to yield it to God for His handling and trust His timeline to respond. Getting into a hurry will only draw you into the chaos, missing God’s best for your situation.

 Let God’s time table help resolve your issues, and soon you’ll develop a pattern of patience and confidence in the One who has a plan to give you good things as you navigate life’s circumstances. Blessings!

 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. John 15:15

 In the late 1960s, on a few southern beaches of California, gathered a group of young people who turned from the worldly culture at that time to a culture of spiritual awakening and finding Jesus Christ. By 1971 it was reported that over 3,000 groups of “Jesus freaks” scattered all across America. Contemporary Christian music was birthed during this powerful movement and still today massive congregations gather to hear the word of God so they too can become friends of Jesus!

 In today’s verse, Jesus called His disciples “friends”, as they followed Him throughout His 3-year ministry before His death on a Roman cross. Friends because they followed Him and had the insight to God’s wisdom through Jesus’ teaching. Can you imagine the impact that Jesus had on their lives, face to face with the Savior of mankind?

 Well, thankfully after 3 days in the tomb, Jesus was raised back to life! As we near Easter Sunday, take time to consider your relationship with Jesus Christ. Are you a faithful friend of Jesus? Or, are you friendly to Jesus, but haven’t surrendered your heart to Him? There’s a big difference, and only those who’ve truly repented of their sin, asked for His forgiveness, and committed their life to Him will be called a friend of Jesus by God the Father.

 Although Jesus is not physically present, you have all the resources available to understand who Jesus is, His wisdom, and insight to your everyday life. Following Him through His word and committing your life to Him is one of the easiest things to do, for He made the path to a relationship with Him simply by praying one prayer. If you are ready for that commitment, say the prayer below, so you too can become a friend of Jesus Christ. God bless!

 Dear God, I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus paid for my sins on a cross, died and rose back to life 3 days later. I ask Jesus to come into my heart, forgive my sins as I commit my life to Him. I want to be a friend of Jesus and have that special relationship with Him. Amen!

 Brethren, pray for us. 1 Thessalonians 5:25

 You see a prayer request on social media, or hear someone say they need prayer; what’s your response? If you are like most, you’ll quickly comment, “praying for you”. Truthfully, some will pray, others with good intentions will offer prayer but soon forget their commitment to pray.

 Prayer is a powerful tool, especially in the thoughts and hearts of God’s children. Over the course of my life I’ve heard and witnessed people diagnosed with a terminal illness who were miraculously healed, stories of God’s protection when missionaries faced an enemy at gunpoint who quickly turned away freeing them from torture or death, and many other stories that leave you amazed at the powerful acts of God because many faithful prayers were lifted up on other’s behalf.

 Who do you pray for? I’m sure you can put together a list of people who are within your circle of influence that could use prayer for encouragement, healing, and most of all experience the presence of God in their lives. Prayer is not complicated, it’s simply talking to God, just like you would a friend. And trust me, God wants to hear from you, so lift up others in prayer today, and add a word of gratitude for God’s blessings in your life. You’ll be amazed at the outcome of your faithful commitment to pray!

 Then Jesus spoke 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

 Last week I had to change our granddaughter’s diaper. We use our bedroom (and bed) as a changing area. Once done, I set her down on the floor and proceeded to walk out of the room with the expectation of her following me. Once in the other room, I discovered she was not behind me and found her crawling through the bathroom and into the closet, in complete darkness.  I thought to myself, that girl hasn’t learned to fear the darkness yet.

 Today’s scripture, quoted by Jesus Christ, says that anyone who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but follow His light. The question we all need to ask ourselves, “are we afraid of the darkness?”. As Christians, we should be fearful of darkness, because that is where the Devil resides, and nothing good is found in the dark things of this world.

 Sadly, the news has been full of stories of people who’ve chosen darkness over the Light of Christ. The result yields prison, ruined marriages ending in divorce, addictions that take away every possession, including their souls, and worst of them all, suicide. This is not the kind of life Jesus Christ provides for all of mankind.

 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9

 God gives each of us “free will” to chose who we’ll follow through this life. If  you claim to be a child of God, your duty, your calling, and your desires should be focused on following the light of Christ in strict obedience. My prayer is you’ll always be fearful of darkness, so you’ll remain in the light of your Savior, Jesus Christ. God bless!  

 

 “Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” Mark 10:15

 If you have grandchildren, you know what a blessing they are in your life. They are inquisitive, wanting to know everything you know, want to mimic what you do, and most of all love to see you and spend quality time with you. As a grandparent, you do your best to accommodate their every need and request, sometimes spoiling them with hugs, kisses, giving them treats and buying them gifts you know they’ll enjoy. I am richly blessed with 5 beautiful grandchildren and I absolutely love it when we can get together.

 In today’s verse, Jesus welcomed the children to come to Him, to receive His love and attention. He made a profound statement that whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a child will by no means enter it. If you have grandchildren, you understand His statement, and the enthusiasm a child has for you. Do you have that same enthusiasm for the Lord? Do you desire to please Jesus in your every day life and follow His example by how He lived during His brief 33 years on earth?

 At this stage in life (seasoned in age), you probably wain in your enthusiasm for the Lord. Life has somehow extinguished some of the joy you once experienced when you accepted Christ. You check the boxes of your relationship with Jesus, but there is something missing and you can’t put your finger on it. If that is you, you need some revival of the soul (which we all need). May I offer several scriptures to restore that joy, so your enthusiasm for the kingdom of God will be the centerpiece of your heart.

 Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18. I believe one of the reasons we lose that enthusiastic spirit is because we stop communicating with God through prayer and thanking Him for His blessings. If you stopped seeing your grandchildren, you’ll soon lose touch with their wants and needs. Same is true in your relationship with God.

 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11. Somewhere along the way, you probably lost connection with God in the busyness of life. Prayer, bible reading, and worshipping God are ways of experiencing His presence. These actions bring you closer to Him and you begin to see Him working in your life, and witness even the smallest of blessings.

 Take some time to ponder the enthusiasm of your grandchildren, then ask God to restore that kind of joy that’s been missing in your life. God will honor your request, and through it your heart will be enthusiastic about the relationship you have with your Savior, Jesus Christ. God bless!

 

 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her. Luke 10:42

 We live in a world driven by priorities. Those priorities are either set by ourselves or others. They can be found in the workplace, in a church setting, a hobby, vacation, even in the home environment. Some priorities are taken seriously, others are left up to the person, knowing there are consequences for allowing them to go by the wayside in pursuit of something more meaningful.

 Today’s verse is part of a dialogue between Jesus and Martha (Luke 10:38-42), where Jesus visited Martha’s home. Martha stayed busy serving her special guests, while her sister, Mary, sat at the feet of Jesus to hear what HE had to say. Martha’s concern was she was left alone to serve, while her sister avoided doing the work alongside her. Jesus told her that Mary’s actions were in good faith and to leave her alone so she could connect with Jesus.

 It seems in today’s world of priorities; we live a life of busyness. Between home, work, and church, the pressure to do this, be on a committee, go here, serve in this manner…etc. After a while of pulling out your hair trying to figure out how it will all get done, you just want to regress and cut off everything from your life. Our church family can put pressure on you to do more, which might sound good, but all your work wont’ be done with the right attitude.

 As I’ve gotten older, I relate to Mary. I want to sit at the feet of Jesus Christ and learn from Him, know Him better, so I can live a life that reflects His character to those around me. Serving the Lord is important, but if you don’t know Him personally, your service will not be done in good faith. Once you get a full understanding of Jesus Christ and what He’s done for you, your attitude towards serving Him will come without reluctance. Your service will be with honor and joy in serving your Savior.

 Take some time to think about who you can relate to, Martha or Mary? Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her!

 

 

 Therefore, we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. Hebrews 2:1

 It’s funny how we can sit in church or a classroom and learn about something important, then by the next day or week, we’ve completely forgotten the lesson. Our brains are like chalkboards, we can only hold so much information in our thoughts, until other things come along and push them out. I’m just as guilty. There have been times when I’ve left church and by the time I got home forgot the important facts of the sermon.

 I believe the author of today’s verse experienced the same problem we have today. It’s easy to forget biblical teachings. We spend so little time feeding our lives with God’s word at church, leaving ourselves vulnerable to information the world wants to feed us through social media, television, news outlets, and our entertainment choices. It’s funny how we can recall almost every aspect of a movie, but scripture somehow eludes us before it has time to actually stick in the soul.

 If you are a child of God, I strongly encourage you to keep up with a steady stream of daily reading God’s word. Download the bible on your phone, as you are probably reading this blog on your phone. In addition, there are so many spiritual devotionals out there, written for men, women, married couples, and people going through all sorts of battles. These spiritual nuggets feed the soul with hope, wisdom, encouragement, and remind us that God loves us, even with our human frailties. God’s word should be our daily “go to” for living life to its fullest. Without it, you’ll soon find your spiritual life adrift, susceptible to the world’s ways. God bless!

 

 

 Likewise, you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. 1 Peter 5:5

 Last weekend we celebrated one of our granddaughter’s first birthday with a party that brought family and friends together. Later that evening, one of our family stated that our middle grandson said to him, “it’s good to see you sir”. What a polite young man, and he is always saying thank you, please, and all the other proper words. His parents have worked with him to respect others and it shows by his behavior.

 We could all learn from my almost four-year-old grandson. Today’s verse goes right along with his home training, respect your elders, submit to them, and be humble about yourself. It’s important to teach our children to behave in such a manner, as this essential trait will follow them all through their life, into adulthood. As an adult, do you still show respect for your elders? If there is someone older than you, then you should show them the respect they deserve.

 You mean I have to show respect to that grumpy old man, or that criticizing old lady? Yes. By doing so, you exhibit a character trait of Jesus Christ, and God sees your humbleness and will bless you. And the truth be told, there are probably younger eyes observing your humbleness and respect and hopefully they’ll follow suit. Even at 80 years of age, you will run across someone older, show them the respect, and love of Christ, through a spirit of humbleness and your reward will be great in your eternal Heavenly home! God bless!

 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

 

 But He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid and marveled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him.” Luke 8:25

 Have you ever heard someone say, “my prayer was answered’? Maybe it was a prayer for safety during a storm, an answer to a problem, or a miraculous healing from some illness. Praying works in all situations, and those who rely on its power do so with faith that God will respond.

 Today’s verse comes from the short story (Luke 8:22-25) about Jesus and His disciples out in a boat when a storm came upon them, rocking their boat, filling it with water and they were fearing for their lives. Jesus was asleep, so they woke Him and sought His help. He commanded the wind and waves to be calm and, in an instant, things were back to normal.

 Maybe you are going through some life storm and the waves of adversity seem to tower over you. I encourage you to seek God for help, by praying to Him, and have faith in His response. It might not come immediately, that is because He is working behind the scenes, while you wait patiently. At other times, you literally can see the very things threatening you simply dissolve without explanation. God works in mysterious ways, and your faith grows each time you experience His amazing response to your cries for help.

 If Jesus can order the wind and waves to stop, so can He help you in times of great distress and times of uncertainty. Call out to Him the next time your life is rocked by difficulty circumstances. In the meantime, praise Him for His faithfulness to walk by your side in the good times and bad. God bless!

 

 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. Isaiah 43:2

 While at a birthday party last night, I was holding our 1-year-old granddaughter, PK. At one point she was getting restless, so we went outside to look at the stars. Out of nowhere, a truck with a very loud exhaust roared, as it took off from the stop sign. That sound frightened her, and immediately she turned from it and looked to me for protection. I hugged that sweet baby girl so she would know that sound would not hurt her.

 What a wonderful lesson we can learn from PK. So often when we encounter something difficult, challenging, or fearful, we tend to focus on it, allowing it to turn up our anxiety and worry; it becomes an overwhelming monster in our eyes and we feel totally helpless. Just a PK did, we need to turn from it and turn to our comforter, God! When we do, we bring awareness of God’s overwhelming presence and that thing or circumstance that concerns us becomes insignificant in the big scheme of things.  

 If only we consistently kept our focus on God and allowed His presence to filter out life’s difficult moments, we’d have less anxiety and more praise! God is always there with us when we walk through the waters, when the flames of adversity try to scorch our plans, all we have to do is look up to Him, as He hugs us with His love, protection, and wisdom.

 Yea, though I walk through the valley of shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

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

 Decompression sickness oftentimes occurs to divers who come up too fast, creating bubbles in their bloodstream, which left untreated could be fatal. The treatment for this sickness is to put the person in an enclosed pressure chamber and administer 100% oxygen. This proven method has saved thousands of lives.

 No doubt, we live in a world where many people appear to be living for themselves and care very little about their neighbors, coworkers, even friends and family. This behavior can cause friction, resentment, even hate. Just one example, statistics state that of all the US drivers, 80 – 82% of them will experience road rage at least one time a year. Well, if you drive in my town, this figure can be increased by 10-fold!

 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35

 Today’s verse challenges us to love others, even those people we drive next to, live with, work besides, even our enemies. It also offers a reason for loving others; it covers a multitude of sins. To incorporate this verse into my daily life (when I leave the house), I have to frequently remind myself, these other people are God’s creation and He loves them, just as much as He loves me. If I give them anything less than love, I’m not following God’s call to love my neighbor.

 Just like a sick diver being placed in an atmosphere with 100% oxygen to heal his sickness, we need to live in a world, saturated with 100% of love, God’s love, for others. By doing so, we’ll take on a different view of those around us, and by doing so God will recognize you as one of His children. Who do you need to love on today?

 But as it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. 1 Corinthians 2:9

 I know a good man who for years worked hard, to support his wife and kids. Within eyeshot of retirement, his wife decided to leave the family and take most of the retirement money with her. I know a family whose adult children were on their way to a successful life. One day their son had a life altering injury that required him to move back home to receive constant care by his aging parents. These are just a few stories where unexpected events brought significant changes, adding new chapters to their life.  

 Today’s verse provides some hope for those who are dealing with issues that question God’s plan, most importantly asking “why me”? Honestly, it’s a good question and unfortunately many people in these situations won’t receive the answer to their why until they meet their Savior in Heaven. Until then, it’s important to sustain faith in God and not blame Him for the circumstances that have put faith and trust in God to the test.

 The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace. Exodus 14:14

 If you’ve encountered such tragedy in your life, don’t give up! God has a plan to add new chapters to your life. It might seem dreadful to live out the script God has for you, but He will sustain you through the next days, weeks, and years to bring you to a place of confidence, peace, and healing when you trust God to supply all your needs.

 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2

 In the last 14 years of my employment, I was a supervisor, which meant if there were any complaints, I was the one who had to hear them. Some days it seemed like nothing would go right, but then, out of nowhere, someone would pay a compliment to how we operated or about one of our staff. Those positive comments were uplifting for me and my team, and gave us the encouragement to work harder to accomplish the mission successfully.

 Today’s verse gives encouragement for us, as Children of God, to pray earnestly and be vigilant to the needs of others and for ourselves. It also adds one caveat, give thanks in your prayers. I truly believe God is just like us, He loves to receive compliments and praise for what He’s done and currently doing in our life. I’ve said for years, “praising God greases the gears of our prayer requests”.

 Maybe you are experiencing a dryness in your prayer life. You ask God for help, but very little seems to be happening. Try to incorporate praise in your prayers. It does 2 things: 1. Helps you take your focus off your problems and allows you to see what great things God has blessed you with, 2. It shows God that you trust Him enough to solve your issue by praising Him and not just giving Him the heavy burdens you want to pass along to Him. Trust me when I say, this works! Been there, done that. And when I give Him praise, it opens my eyes to the inner workings of His response to my request.

 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation. Psalm 68:19

 Your world may seem like nothing good is happening, but when you turn your attention to God’s blessings, you’ll soon see He’s providing everything you need in your moment of need. God bless!

 Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Psalm 37:5-6

 Have you ever watched a rock climber? They scale sheer cliffs grabbing the smallest slits in the rock to hoist themselves to the next level. For their safety, they use spring loaded mechanical devices that wedge into crevasses that secure a rope that is connected to them, in the event they slip, it will prevent them from falling to their death. A committed climber must have trust in his equipment, otherwise he won’t have the confidence to perform the climb.

 As children of God, we too can relate to a climber’s equipment. Once saved, our life should be committed to Christ for the remainder of days on earth. But there is the second element that keeps you loyal to your commitment, that is faith in God! Your spiritual journey will be met with resistance from the world, that includes your friends, neighbors, co-workers, even family members. We live in a world today that encourages people to rely on self rather than a higher power. I can assure you; self will always fail and bring you crashing down, with repercussions that can last a lifetime.

 As your faith in God grows from various experiences, you will slowly develop an inner light that will shine, even during life’s darkest moments. I’ve witnessed seasoned Christians go through traumatic events that would otherwise devastate the normal person, yet out of their circumstances, they put their faith in God, and He provided inner peace, strength, and encouragement to forge on. Without making myself sound prideful, I’ve come to that point in my life where I can trust God in all circumstances.

 My prayer is that you too either possess this commitment, backed by faith in the One true God or are in the developmental process of building faith in Him. Either way, God will continue to bless you when you sustain your commitment to live the Christian life in this dark world. God bless!   

 “Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. Luke 11:35

 While sitting in Sunday School (Life Group) this morning, I noticed a number of light bulbs were burned out, creating dark spots across the room. At one time those bulbs shined brightly, but over time they eventually gave out.  

 With the thought of my observation this morning, today’s verse came to mind. As Christians, we are like a room full of light fixtures with light bulbs inserted. Some, shine brightly, while others are either faded dim or completely burnt out. The truth is, it can be difficult to live the Chrisitan life in this world full of ungodliness and moral depravity, combined with an eager enemy (Satan), always scheming to trip up those closest to Jesus Christ. As you take a moment to reflect upon your life, ask yourself if your light for Christ is shining brighter than when you accepted Him, or has the fiercest battles put a hole in your light?

 Then Jesus spoke 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

 A good indicator that your light isn’t shining, if your daily walk is darkened by sinful pleasures and spending less time indulging in spiritual matters and more time in worldly affairs. If that’s you friend, you must seriously consider the sincerity of your Christian status. Darkness and light cannot co-exist. You are either the light of Christ or spiritually dead. There is no middle ground.

 If you claim to be a child of God, yet struggle to shine for Christ. Let me remind you who you are as a child of God. Let this verse be the encouragement you need to light up the darkest parts of your life.

 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10

 

 …bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

 The concept that thoughts turn into action is best summarized by the quote often attributed to Lao Tzu: "Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny". 

 Have you ever experienced this for yourself? A sinful thought comes into your mind and later that day you find yourself fulfilling that desire. We all have done this and it gets frustrating because we want to live a life pleasing God. How can we avoid fulfilling these lustful desires and evil thoughts?

 Today’s scripture brings this process into play for the everyday Christian. We are to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. That might sound good on paper, but getting that job done might seem impossible, but is it really impossible for you to avoid putting sin into action? God has given us His Holy Spirit to not only provide wisdom, but help us fight the daily battles that go on in our mind. What’s truly powerful is the Holy Spirit prays constantly for us Romans 8:26-27. God has equipped you with all the necessary resources to discard those sinful thoughts, so you can keep living a life of obedience to Him.

 The next time a sinful thought enters your mind, stop giving it more attention, and pray, asking God to erase that thought and focus on the cross of Christ. What He did for you, to save you from eternal damnation, should be reason enough not to indulge in behaviors that can tarnish your witness, even worse, harm your relationship with Jesus Christ. It may take days, weeks, maybe a lifetime to honestly bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, but when you do your life will align more with Christ and in the process God will bless your obedience.

 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6

 Have you ever been around someone who exhibits arrogance? The way they carry themselves appears that they are always “in charge”, and will do anything to belittle those around them, especially those in authority. This is a classic case of narcissism and they are a pain to be around, especially if you unfortunately live with them.

 Today’s verse gives us a good idea of who is actually “in charge”. The God of this universe orchestrated your life to fit in with others, at work, home, community, and in the church. He doesn’t need anyone to take on the role of king over His people, He wants us to live a humble life, willing to love others unconditionally, help others in need, comfort the suffering, and most of all, submit to God’s will. God may have placed you in the role of a supervisor, CEO, or preacher, but that doesn’t excuse you from living humbly with those you oversee.  

 Who’s in charge of your life? You or God? Make the right choice to humbly submit to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Your life will benefit greatly and perfectly fit in with others who co-exist with you during your lifetime! God bless!

 

 Happy Valentine's Day. Let today's scripture be your guide in loving others and yourself. 

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.

 “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. Matthew 7:21

 You obtain a driver’s license, and soon learn that disobeying the speed limit can cost you your license. You enroll in a college class, and experience a failed grade because you didn’t do the work expected. You are hired for a job, and find yourself unemployed for not doing your work. These are all hard realities of life; they are painful, and something you wish you could redo to make things right.

 Today’s verse speaks to people who profess to be Christians but don’t live according to the biblical standards God has presented in His word, the Bible. On the day of judgment, they will discover their profession was false and will spend an eternity regretting how they lived. Because someone professes Christ, doesn’t give them the freedom to live in sin. No one is perfect and we all sin, but those who chose to live in deliberate sin are not living within the will of the Father.

 “Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” “And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” Matthew 7:22-23

 OUCH! Can you imagine those who thought they were saved, and discovered their self-willed life sent them to Hell? It’s a hard reality, but it’s truth and those who are not living the Christian life, even in the secret and private parts of life, will have an eternity to regret their decisions.

For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13

 A life of obedience to God’s word is the result of true confession of faith. If you have been living for self and not God, then you still have time to change your direction. The hard reality is it’s difficult living a godly lifestyle in a godless society, but with the help of God’s Holy Spirit, living inside of you, it can be done. Pray and ask God to help you change those areas of your life that need God’s touch to remove the world out of you, so you can experience God’s blessings of faithful living today, and into all eternity. God bless!

 

 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” John 4:26

 This verse really spoke to me this morning as I was reading it quoted in one of my daily devotions. In the story, Jesus was talking to the Samaritan woman at the well. After Jesus accurately spoke of how she lived her life, she quoted the bible stating the Messiah would soon come, that’s when Jesus identified Himself to her. Can you imagine the impact He had on her life? This was the first time Jesus identified Himself as the Messiah. But why her? Why did He identify himself with a woman living in sin, an outcast in her community, and an empty soul looking for acceptance, love, and understanding?

 Jesus said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Mark 2:17

 Has Jesus identified Himself to you? Although He isn’t present, physically, in your life, He speaks to you in many other ways. I have heard His voice leading me through the decision-making process using open and closed doors, I’ve heard Him speak through spiritual leaders providing me sound wisdom during times of uncertainty, I’ve felt the power of God’s healing hand upon me when I needed restoration, and I experienced His presence when I questioned His existence.

 Jesus speaks to us in the highs and lows of life. Can you hear Him? So often we are quick to fill our minds with solutions to problems, route a pathway far from trouble, avoid circumstances that we fear, and oftentimes find relief from things of this world. All of these generate “noise” that drowns out His voice guiding you to God’s perfect plan and purpose for the circumstances He brings you to in life. All He desires is for you to listen quietly for His voice and soon you’ll understand the why, the how, and the timeline He has to move you onto the next chapter of life.

 In one of my grandmother’s writings she wrote, “Jesus is the only fountain who can satisfy the thirsty soul.”  Friend, Jesus does identify Himself in every aspect of your life. Be patient as you listen and quench all your thirsty moments with His voice of reason, I who speak to you am He! God bless!

 

 

 A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” John 4:7

 Today’s scripture comes from the story of Jesus Christ who spoke to the woman at the well, found in John 4:4-26. Jesus came to the well and asked the Samaritan woman for a drink, as He had nothing to draw water from the well. During their interaction, Jesus gave specific details about this woman’s life and how misguided her life had been. He offered her living water, eternal water of salvation that would change her life for all eternity.

 If your community is like mine, there are many homeless people looking for help, a drink of water, a serving of food, a few dollars to get them by. But what they really need is a living hope and you, my friend, have the resources to provide that to them. When you share your resources, out of the love of Christ, you provide them with something greater. You show them unconditional love that was shown you by God’s Son; grace, mercy, and love when you were unlovable.

 And the King will answer and say to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” Matthew 25:40

 Opportunities abound to give hope to those around you, by sharing the love and resources God has bless you with in your life. Let your heart give generously to those in need, for when you do, you are serving a cup of water to your Lord and Savior! God bless!

 

 And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” Matthew 9:20-21

 One of the definitions for “faith” in the Merriam-Webster dictionary is: firm belief in something which there is no proof. For the average person, we have faith in something because we know it to be true from what we’ve seen or experienced. So often though, we go through life with a touch of faith, believing the plane we fly in won’t crash, the medicine we take will make us well again, or the vows of marriage will last into eternity.

 Here comes Jesus Christ! This woman who had an issue with bleeding for 12 years heard about the healing power of Jesus. She was considered an outcast because of her medical condition, and probably didn’t think Jesus would pay her any attention, so she had faith that touching His garment would heal her, and it did exactly that. Jesus, sensing the power had gone out from Him, looked to her and said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.”

 The most powerful message in this interaction is the fact that Jesus didn’t touch her, like He had with many other miraculous healings. No, this healing took place because she had faith in just touching His garment. That my friend is a level of faith very few of us posses these days.

 Whatever you are going through in your life, have faith in Jesus, that He is right there with you, ready to heal your broken heart, mend a relationship, give you wisdom in life’s decisions, find the right person to marry, and so many other opportunities to test your faith. If you lack faith, I encourage you to read stories from the bible that tell of people who overcame simply through faith in the One who changed their lives forever. He will do the same for you when you put your faith and trust in Him. God bless!

 

 “Who considers God in everything”. William Law, 18^th Century Church of England Priest.

As a seasoned Christian, I’ve been digging deeper in my biblical studies, currently focusing on growing in holiness. To aid in my desire to live a more holy life, I’ve read The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges. An amazing book that helps the reader look at his/her life to better understand sinful habits and how we can learn to hate them, in effort to remove them from one’s life. My second book I started reading is entitled, The Practice of Godliness by Jerry Bridges. I just started reading it and within the first few pages, writer William Law is quoted, “Who considers God in everything”.

 I had to ask myself a simple question, do I consider God in everything I do? After some reflection and deep thought, I find myself coming up short in several areas of my life. Whether is just a simple oversight on my part or pure neglect, I recognize those areas are my weakest link in my pursuit of living a more holy life. The word, “AVOIDANCE” screams loudly in my mind as I realize there are things I do, say, and think that pivot me in the opposite direction of holiness.

 1 Timothy 6:11 comes to mind, “But I say flee sinful actions, man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.

 God has given each of His children the Holy Spirit. Just like when the hair rises on a dog when scared, the Spirit alerts us to the lure of temptation and sin, and at that moment we are to flee, run like our life depends upon it (because it really does), and don’t look back. One of my weaknesses is looking back. I feel a confidence that I won’t fall for another one of Satan’s tactics to sin, yet somehow that forbidden fruit becomes the focal point of my eyes and my defenses are weakened. You probably know the rest of the story, reset the holiness clock back to zero, lets try this again.

 As Christians (this includes me), we MUST always consider God in every action, every thought, and every word spoken. When we do, He acts as a filter to help us screen out anything unholy that will hurt our relationship with Him. Staying prayed up, continually, and avoiding those things, places, and thoughts that easily distract us from living a life of holiness, we can be assured another day of victory for the sake of God and His desire for us to stay the course.

 

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

 When looking for a job, you want the best pay and all the benefits that accompany that position. In today’s job market, that usually comes with working full time, which means dedicating no less than 40 hours a week to your employer. Part time employment only yields a smaller paycheck with few, or little, benefits.

 Today’s verse challenges Christians to be devoted to God in a full-time position. With it, comes a responsibility to make decisions that are God honoring, such as the television programs you watch, how you raise your children, the places you go for entertainment or relaxation, and so many other decisions you make about your life.

 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 burdens are light.” Matthew 11:28-30

 God’s call to the child of God isn’t a life of struggle, burdens, or weariness, although you can experience those things in this world, BUT, His way brings rest to your soul, wisdom to make right choices, and all He asks of you isn’t anything you are not capable of handling. He equips you for life’s challenges so you can sustain your life’s purpose, according to His will. That’s what a full time Christian’s life looks like.

A part time Christian is one who might experience intermittent blessings, but the emotional rollercoaster of life will make you feel overwhelmed, exhausted of trying to live life by your own strength. Allowing God to touch certain moments of your life will not give you the full benefit package HE longs to give you.

 So, are you a full time or part time child of God? Maybe it’s time to do some soul searching and look over God’s description of a full time Christian. The benefits and blessings far outweigh the part time efforts you try to achieve by living your way.

 

 And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

 My wife and I had a discussion the other day on living out our faith in holiness, especially when we leave home and interact with others. One of my challenges happens while driving. I get very frustrated when people drive crazy, putting others at risk, especially those who don’t obey traffic laws, or better yet park at the front of a store in the fire zone. It’s funny when you think about it, but those things can flare up my blood pressure pretty quick, and I have to constantly remind myself, I am a child of God, supposed to have a spirit of holiness. What gets under your skin?

 Today’s verse should be memorized and mentally repeated anytime we engage with others. We live in a world where everyone has an opinion and some are on the opposite end of the scale than your thoughts and beliefs. It’s easy to let our feathers get ruffled, but by conditioning our mind to rehearse Ephesians 4:32, and heed its advice, we can interact with others, and express the love and kindness of Jesus Christ.  It isn’t easy, and it takes time to transform your mind to think differently, especially when your morals, beliefs, and standards are put to the test by others. But it can be done with God’s help through His Holy Spirit living inside you.

 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:17-18

 Let God’s Spirit feed you the wisdom and encouragement needed to be the light in this dark world. You don’t have to agree with or accept other’s beliefs that disregard biblical standards, but you can and should show love, seasoned with patience, and peace. Otherwise, no one will see Christ, especially living in you! God bless!

 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as in the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25

 Over the past two months I have battled sickness with sinus issues, bronchitis, stomach flu, and diverticulitis. Because of these illnesses, I’ve missed church more than I’ve attended and I feel a void in my heart as a result. Thankfully, I’m on the mend, AGAIN, and look forward to joining my church family this coming Sunday.

 If you think about it, church attendance is like getting together with your family. Each person comes together with different views, different appetites, and various stories, yet, are all related by blood and hopefully unified in love for one another.

 Maybe you don’t attend church on a regular basis, or never even considered attending. In today’s blog I want to share the benefits of attending church in hopes that you will see how a church family can benefit your life and personal family.

 Church is a place where people of all kinds come together to worship God. Each person has their own way of worship; all you have to do is sit and observe. After a while or after a few weeks of attendance, you’ll feel the motivation to join in the worship: through prayer, music, or receiving a powerful message from the pulpit that touches your heart.

 A church that is centered around Christ will be very welcoming, and you should feel their love and heart-felt conversations, just like you would your family. Over time, those conversations turn into friendships and you begin to know the people around you. You’ll learn about their life, and hopefully how their faith keeps them going, even when life becomes difficult. I’ve learned so much from people sitting around me, and those who’ve stepped up to the stage to share their testimony.

 As weeks pass by, you’ll feel a tug to get involved in some sort of ministry. An active church should have some special ministry for you to get involved, such as food pantry, distributing clothing to the homeless, going on mission trips to other countries. The list is endless, but there is always something you can plug into.

 But the most important reason for church, is for you to understand the heart and characteristics of your Creator, God! His Son, Jesus Christ, gave His life as a ransom for your sins, so that you can have a personal relationship with Him. Christians are unified by the blood of Jesus Church! You’ll learn more about that special relationship as you attend church.

 Social, physical, and spiritual benefits abound when you give church a try. Not all churches families are the same, and it might take a few visits to other churches to really find the right fit for you and your family. No matter what, just know that God loves you, He wants you to know Him better by attending His house as He will bless you with a special family of believers, who will soon become a part of your family. God bless!

 

 

 You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. James 4:3

 Ever have big dreams, knowing that the likelihood of them coming to fruition is almost impossible? Every now and then my wife and I talk about moving to an area with some space to have a pool, bigger kitchen, and not have neighbors within earshot of our outdoor conversations. Jokingly we always say, “if we win the lottery” we can do such and such. Maybe you’ve had similar conversations with yourself or significant other.

 As children of God, we have to be careful what we ask for in this life. It’s easy to get fixated on big things that can actually result in stress from more debt, responsibility to maintain the bigger stuff, and Lord only knows the tax man will want his share of that big picture. God doesn’t object to fulfilling our dreams, and He’s richly blessed so many people in our country who are some of the strongest Christians I know.

 Today’s scripture offers advice on asking for things we dream of, we long for, and sometimes an actual need. But God, in His all-knowing wisdom, has placed limits on His blessings. Why? Because He knows specifically what will help us or what could potentially derail us spiritually.  Let’s use an example. Say you have a child who has a spending problem and comes to you, asking for money to buy an expensive boat. Would you give it to them? Most likely not, because you know they are probably struggling to make ends meet, and this big-ticket item would cost more money to maintain, putting them in a financial mess.

 Do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? James 4:5

 God loves you and gave you His all, so you can make personal request. The key to asking is aligning your request and life’s plans with His perfect will and purpose. Anything outside of that, God knows, will eventually turn to ashes. Make your petition and accept God’s blessings with a spirit of gratitude. When you do, you’ll have everything you need for this life and future home in Heaven! God bless!  

 “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:8

 If you’ve ever been on a pontoon boat, you know that even though it has a motor and you steer in a certain direction, a strong wind can alter its course. During my career, I was on boat patrol quite often and can attest to this fact, the wind is a factor when boating on the water. The best way to navigate on windy days, is to work with the wind, not against it. Sail boat operators are keenly aware of this fact and use the wind to their advantage.

 Today’s scripture came to mind after reading a brief devotional from Oswald Chambers. After reading those words of wisdom, I had to sit back and do some soul searching, asking myself: do I leave room for God to work in my life? Then, this thought came to mind: Whose steering this boat? As much as I would like to take credit for my accomplishments, I can tell you that they were all governed by God Himself. Even though I was the person in charge, God actually charted my course, through the highs and lows. I might have tried my best to control the bad days; that’s when I left little room for God’s perfect will.

 The question we all need to ask ourselves: “Whose steering my ship?” When we leave no room for God to work in our lives, we work against His Spirit, against His perfect will, and find ourselves headed in a place of danger, regret, shame, compromise, even death.

 As a child of God, you are blessed to have His presence in your life to guide you. Don’t struggle against Him, use His Holy Spirit to guide you by working together through prayer, having an open heart, and surrendering your will to His. When you do, your daily journey will lead you in the right direction every time! God bless