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

While ordering breakfast at McDonald's this morning the cashier appeared agitated and I asked how her day was going. That opened the door for her to share her frustration with her coworkers not doing their fair share and how the manager isn't on top of her game. I told her all she could do was her best and not worry about how her fellow coworkers acted. 

I can't tell you how many times I had to fall back on today's verses during my career. There were times when I felt like no one else was invested in “the job”, putting more work on me. It got bad at one point until I adopted the attitude that I'm working for the Lord, no matter who is beside me or ruled over my position. It really helped me keep my head up and maintain a positive attitude. 

Maybe you are currently experiencing the same frustrations or will one day. Let today's verses remind you that your job is a blessing by God and you should do your very best when others fall short. Your outlook will be positive and possibly land you a better job or position in the workplace. God bless. 

 I Corinthians 3:16-17 NKJV

[16] Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? [17] If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

I recall, in my younger years, living on a farm, Mom would fuss at Dad for tracking in dirt from his work boots, bring in a watering hose (a long hard black hose covered in dirt) to thaw out, and a few times we'd have a newly born baby calf in the laundry room to warm up. Yeah, messes were made, but that's life living on a farm. 

As children of God, we have to always keep today's scripture in mind and filter out those things, people, even places we go that will bring the dirtiness of the world into our lives. You are a temple of the Holy Spirit, therefore you should always keep it as pure and holy as possible. Satan tries to convince you that bringing the world into your spiritual temple is acceptable, reasonable, and worth it. The equation he uses will always benefit YOU, but not God. 

Let that thought sink in for a few minutes. Is there anything in your life that is pleasing to you, but not God? 

If you've identified some things, people, or places unacceptable to God, make every effort to remove them before they become a permanent stain on your soul. God will bless your obedience for putting Him first and keeping His home pure and undefiled. 

Matthew 24:42  Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.  

 Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will. Ephesians 15

 When I was employed as a park ranger, I’d visit area schools and talk to students about career opportunities. One suggestion I’d always offer is to find out what you enjoy doing, then find a career that aligns with what pleases you the most. I’d ask kids what they wanted to do and why. I got various responses. One student said he wanted to be a doctor because they made a lot of money. I prodded him further by asking if he enjoyed school and he said not really. Boy, is he in for a big surprise. The average person achieving doctor status will require 10 additional years of education and training. Hopefully he will find this out and chose a different path.

 I share this story to ask, if you claim to be a Christian, why did you choose to do so? Was it because you didn’t want to go to Hell? That makes sense, but if that’s your only reason, then you truly have missed the mark of why accepting Jesus Christ is so important. It’s not as much about being “saved” as it is having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Let’s face it, if you truly want to live like a Christian, you know it is difficult in this world to hold true to God’s standards. The effort it takes to stay engaged in your everyday spiritual life can be a struggle.

 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. Matthew 11:29-30

 But, when you bond with Christ (as the verse above says), your personal relationship with Him will make life more simple, easy to follow, because you will want to please God, not just do the right things to “maintain” your Christian status. James 4:8 says when you draw near to God, He draws near to you. Why would you want to live any other way?

 God chose you before the creation of the world. You accepted His invitation to enter into a relationship with your redeemer, Jesus Christ. Pursue that relationship, just as you would with your children or spouse, and you’ll find a rewarding and blessed bond with the One who calls you His own! God bless!

 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

 Studies suggest that 68% of all humans will experience “guilt” at some point in their life Almost 11% live with daily guilt, most likely from past mistakes that haunt them throughout their lifetime. Those burdened with guilt could be men and women locked up in prison, spiritual leaders who’ve acted immorally, or maybe this speaks to you. Guilt comes with a heavy weight, almost like an anchor, and it reduces the quality of one’s life, especially when it relates to your spiritual life.

 As a child of God, you need to be reminded of today’s verse. Jesus Christ became a sacrifice for YOUR sins, so you could stand before God, holy and righteous. You might be thinking that your wrongful actions (sins) have negatively impacted so many lives and believe it to be impossible for God to even consider forgiving you. Let me remind you about King David’s immoral actions. David saw Bathsheba and lusted after her, had an adulterous affair with her, she became pregnant, and David had her husband put on the front lines of battle to be killed. After David came to his senses, he repented. Although his life had serious repercussions from his sinfulness, God called him a man after His own heart (Acts 13:22).

 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

 Friend, if you believe in what Jesus Christ did on the cross to make payment for your sins and have asked Him to come into your heart to forgive you and make His home in your life, then you are considered “GUILT FREE” in the eyes of God. Let go of that heavy burden of guilt that has been holding you back from becoming a free child of God. God loves you and wants to forgive and forget your past. Live today for Him knowing you are free indeed

Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36

 Come, and let us return to the Lord; for He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. Hosea 6:1

 My wife and I watch one of our granddaughters several times each week. She is now 14 months and wants to explore every power cord, open every cabinet door, pull on the blinds, and attempt to climb on anything her little body can reach. As she attempts to do these dangerous things, it’s necessary for us to stop her actions by saying “no”, swat her hand, or remove her from the activity that we know will only bring her harm. When we do, she whines and fusses, until something else grabs her attention. It’s a busy (and exhausting) day keeping up with her energy level.

 This morning, I opened my bible and this verse in Hosea came to light. As a child of God, we are sealed with His promise of eternal salvation, but most of all His presence in our lives. Just as parents (and grandparents) are concerned about our children’s safety, so is God. He sees us heading toward danger, and His Holy Spirit attempts to summon us back to the narrow path. But just like children, we often are more focused on what’s behind that closed door, that invitation to take part in something dangerously pleasureful, even venture into a relationship that isn’t right for our wellbeing. At that point, God has done His part, and He releases us to be on our own until we experience the pain of disobedience.

 God is always watching and ready to take us back, and that’s the beautiful thing about His abundant love and unwarranted grace. This doesn’t mean we need to freely chose the world than retreat back to God. But on those days when life’s choices aren’t aligned with His will, we can always count on God’s loving hand of discipline to bring us back to a safe place.

 Maybe you’ve been living on the edge of the world, yet still acknowledge a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Friend, it’s time to find your way back to the narrow path of life. Nothing this world has to offer can yield God’s blessings, only regret and shame. Come back to the One who can heal your worldly scars, give you hope in your hopeless situation, and most of all give you the love you so desire to experience this side of the grave.  

 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10

 After raising my children and now being blessed with grandchildren, I often ask, “do they really know how much I love them”? From the moment they entered into my life, love consumed them. No matter what they have done or do, my love for them never fails and never will. That’s the blessing of being a parent and grandparent.

 There’s someone else who loves, even loves more than myself and that is God. His love is accounted for all throughout the bible. Just as a parent loves his newborn baby out of the womb, so has God loved you and me before the creation of the world. It’s mindboggling to think about, but the fact that no matter how we act or what we say, His love never lessens.

 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

 If you have difficulty finding love or feeling loved, just know the author of your existence loves you unconditionally and wants to wrap you in His unchanging world; a world that always keeps loving, a world that is so full of love your human mind can’t comprehend it.

 If you love God, tell Him today how much you love Him for what He’s done in your life. God bless!

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

Ever heard the expression, “their loss is my gain”? Maybe you applied this statement to the end of a relationship, or maybe a resignation from a position, or you found something to treasure that was once held by someone else. It makes you feel good to be on the “gaining” side of the equation. 

But what if you are on the losing side? How do you respond? A typical response might include sadness, anger, even revenge. Although those are valid emotions, what good are they if you can't move beyond the moment? Sadly many people keep these emotions alive well after the initial loss. This will impact future relationships, instill a lack of self worth, and can hinder you from an open door to something even better in life. 

If you are a child of God, today's verse must be embraced for every event you encounter. Understanding that God has allowed the loss to move you into a position of greater gain. From this perspective, you can see the hand of God working in your life and trust Him to provide, even in times of your greatest loss. 

I thank God for the losses in my life, because I've seen what God has done to fill the void, heal the hurt, and sustain my faith in Him, especially when I don't understand the reason. Friend, God can do the same for you if you learn to trust that no matter what happens, God will bring about something better in your life to exchange your loss for something wonderful. God bless. 

 That you may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 1 Timothy 2:2b

 If you’ve been a parent for any amount of time, you know that raising a child can be stressful. From birth until they become grown adults, everything they do or say influences your emotions. Peace can be fleeting, especially when they are infants and teenagers. Over time you begin to “pick your battles” to help maintain peace in your life and the household. You realize that the things you used to argue with them over is insignificant in the big scheme of things. If you’ve raised a child into adulthood, congratulations!

 As children of God, it can be difficult to find peace in the world. If you watch the news, you realize there is anything but peace all around you. The truth is living a godly and reverent life can be difficult when your peace is disrupted by circumstances beyond your control. One thing I’ve learned in life as a Christian, you have to work at finding pockets of peace in your daily routine. That might include not having that conversation with a person you know will raise your blood pressure, saying no to a lunch invitation where you know gossip will abound, ordering out instead of cooking so you can have more time to yourself, making peace with your enemies (even if you have to eat crow)…and the list can go on forever.

 It’s ok to take care of yourself! Finding moments of peace so you can maintain a spirit of godliness and reverence is acceptable. Jesus is the prime example; He oftentimes withdrew from the crowds to pray and seek His Father’s will so He could maintain the character traits He wants us to follow.   As you look at the rest of today and this week, don’t sweat it! Find ways to sustain peace by making choices to help you maintain the life of a child of God.

 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay Your hand upon me. Psalm 139:5

 In our bathroom, next to our shower, is a woven floor mat. It perfectly matches our shower curtain and towels.  Over time, the seams have loosened and it’s slowly unraveling. I’m sure we paid good money for it and will be a shame when it has to be thrown out and replaced.

 As I looked at that mat, Psalm 139:5 came to mind. As a child of God, you are sealed for the day of redemption. What a blessed assurance of your salvation. But with this comes the responsibility to stay engaged in your relationship with Jesus Christ. By doing so, you stay tight with the Lord and your life is folded into His perfect will and protection. When you don’t stay close to the Lord, your life tends to unravel, oftentimes rather quickly.

 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you doubled-minded. James 4:8

 If your life seems chaotic and everything in it seems to be unraveling, it’s a good time to evaluate your closeness to God. I specifically recall a time in my life when things were unraveling at a rapid pace, which eventually caught my attention and helped me refocus on God! Notice in the verse above, YOU are to draw near to God, not Him draw near to you. Why? Because He gives you “free will” to chose how you want to live. Will you live for God or live for yourself? If you answer for yourself, you will encounter much unwanted turmoil, regret, and your heart will eventually grow cold. Who wants to live in chaos? Not me!

 Stay tight with God! The things and people in your life will stay connected without the unraveling of living a lose life. God wants you to stay connected with Him! The choice is yours. Follow Him closely, as He hems you in, behind and before! God bless!

 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:15-17

 As I get older, I find myself reading obituaries of people, some I know and some I don’t, and read about their life and what mattered most. One guy’s obit said he enjoyed fishing, drinking beer and hanging out with his friends, another said she enjoyed growing a flower garden and knitting. Sadly, in those two obits, God was not mentioned at all. Their life was full of the world, yet they had no investment in their eternal security with God. How sad and depressing for those of us who know how important a relationship with Jesus Christ is in the timeline of eternity.

 Today’s verses offer a recommendation for what should matter most in your life. Don’t get me wrong, fishing, sharing time with friends, knitting, or any moral pursuit is ok, just as long as it doesn’t rule your life. Jesus Christ should come first in every life endeavor, from the relationships you develop, your financial management, your devotion to service. Applying biblical wisdom to your choices and pleasures keeps you from pouring your soul into something (or someone) that can rob you of eternal security in heaven.

 Let God touch every aspect of your life to keep you from drowning in the world’s ways, so you can keep Jesus Christ in perfect view at all times and help you live a life dedicated to the One who gave His all to save you! God bless!   

 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Many years ago I stood in the middle of my house and prayed for God's help as I watched my marriage unravel. It was probably one of the most painful moments of my life mixed with a feeling of helplessness. I questioned God and He remained silent. All I could do was continue in my faith that He had a handle on my situation. 

Today I can say that God brought me through it to a better place. Yeah, I didn't like the motions I had to go through, but I kept my focus on God and He took care of the rest. 

If you are a child of God, He has a plan for your life, even when those unplanned events occur. He sees you before your birth until the conclusion of your life (and beyond), and knows the pathway necessary to get you through some of life’s most difficult and painful moments. Your response should be to continue in your faith, trusting God to handle the situation before you. You might not have a clue how to proceed , that's where your faith helps you carry on. 

When faced with a crisis or any unforeseen situation, let today's verse be the hope you cling to, as you look to God for guidance, strength, and a lesson in trust building. God will never lead you down a path of destruction. Good things come to those who put their faith and trust in the Lord. 

 Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

I don't know about you, but the Epstein case and people who associated with him have shocked me, making me question the integrity of the most powerful men and women on the planet. All the big names of people who've built things and financial institutions we use daily are guilty. You've got to ask yourself, why associate with the powerful and rich. 

Today's verse actually encourages us to associate with the humble, the less wealthy, because they are the ones who've not allowed the worldly ways to influence their day to day lives. And because they aren't full of themselves, they have room in their heart for Godly wisdom, to gain a special kind of interest that has eternal rewards that far exceed any financial gain in a bank. 

Don't get caught up in the glamour of the rich, and the movers and shakers of this world, they have bigger issues to deal with than you could ever imagine. Associate with genuine brothers and sisters in Christ, who put God first, are humble in their ways, so you can glean some spiritual wisdom to help you invest in Heavenly rewards. God bless. 

 Ephesians 4:26-27 [26] Be ye angry and sin not; let not the sun go down upon your wrath, [27] neither give place to the devil.

Anger, it's an emotion we all experience from time to time. Our spouse does something we don't like, a reckless driver almost causes you to have an accident, a boss who says something that is infuriating, your child disobeys, and the list goes on and on. Can you relate? 

Today's verse doesn't say we can't be angry, but it does tell us not to sin in our anger. Sounds contradictory, but the truth is, anger can be a true indicator of your spiritual condition. If something or someone angers you and you carry it beyond the moment, you might struggle with a spirit of forgiveness. If your anger causes you to have an opinion about a person's race or beliefs, then you might struggle to love others as yourself. A true indicator of the heart is what proceeds from your mouth when angry. OUCH! 

Not sure about you, but I recognize areas of my life that need the Holy Spirits help to transform my mind and heart to deal with my response to anger. If you are true to yourself, you probably recognize your need for God's help as well. 

It's easy these days to get angry. But don't let it spoil the christ like character you exhibit to the outside world, and certainly don't carry it into the next day. Lord, help me to forgive quickly, love others as you do, and most of all turn angry moments into opportunities to show grace, mercy, and love to the people you've placed in my life. 

 Likewise, you also, reckon yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. Romans 6:11-12

 My wife and I just got back from a 4-day vacation in Kentucky. We visited three venues: Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, The Ark Encounter, and the Creation Museum. The Shaker Village was at one time home to over 500 members of the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, commonly called “Shakers”, who lived as a group of sisters and brothers in Christ. They were very specific about how they lived, worshipped, and worked. Everything from the room we stayed in, the buildings, windows, chairs, tables and so forth, was themed after their structured lives. For us, it was foreign, but certainly helped us understand how their way of life was central to the heart of the God they worshipped.

 As children of God, we should have the same attitude about how our life should be lived. Every aspect of our life should be themed after Christ words of wisdom and how He lived His life. Unfortunately, we oftentimes have rooms in our heart that don’t resemble the Christian lifestyle, hiding within its corners are sinful attitudes, actions, and thoughts, that take away the influence our life has on others, especially those outside the faith. We might not think about the influence we have on others, but the truth is our life as Christians should be like a bright light that exposes the darkness of sin. The light’s exposure should convict others, making them want to desire to live in a similar fashion as Jesus.

 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. Ephesians 5:8

 Take time today to question your life, do all areas of your life carry the same theme of Christ, or are there any areas that don’t resemble the light of Christ? If so, ask God to help transform your heart, mind, and soul, to be partakers of the truth so your life can positively influence those in your corner of this big world.

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!