Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.

Matthew 5:11 

It's pretty obvious these days when we see a foreigner come into our presence. They look different, act different, speak a different language. Everything about them is so unlike who we are in America. Thankfully, this country welcomes those outside its borders to visit this great nation. 

As a child of God we are called to live as foreigners in the world. Jesus stated this clearly in John 15: 18-19. Our citizenship is not on earth, but Heaven. We are called to live a different way of life that does not resemble the ways of the world. Anything that resembles darkness should be voided from our life....everything. 

Reality check....do your words, thoughts, actions, reputation go against the grain of the world? If so, you will most likely face ridicule, isolation and a life challenged by the people who live as citizens of the world. As God's children we can expect to be treated poorly if we are truly living out our faith. The world took the life of our Savior Jesus Chirst. That's how much the world hated Him. 

The good news though, He defeated everything the world tried to do to Him. He arose from the dead three days later and now reigns in Heaven and on earth inside every believer. Understand, you will face all kinds of difficulty here on earth, but the One who saved your soul resides in you. You have the victory inside your heart. Draw upon the power of God's spirit to sustain you in the midst of persecution and trials. He will bless you richly when you live in complete obedience to Him. 

Praise Him when trouble comes...He will bless you for your faithfulness! Have a blessed day friend  

Righteousness will go before Him, and shall make His footsteps our pathway. Psalm 85:13

One of my enjoyments is hiking. We are very fortunate in the Southeast to have so many state and federal parks that offer miles and miles of trails. Each pathway was designed and constructed, through thoughtful planning and hard work, for our enjoyment. It always fascinates me how much work has gone into some of the most challenging trails. 

As children of God, we journey through life not alone, but with our Savior Jesus Christ, who resides in us through His Holy Spirit. If we keep our focus on Him, we can hear His wisdom calling out to us in the steps we should take. He has laid out a specific pathway for each believer. Some parts of the trail are smooth and easy traveled: others are more challenging, long and strenuous. Each portion of the pathway has a purpose to grow us, strengthen our faith and provide opportunities to rest and thank Him for guiding us step by step. 

Maybe today you are on the long, strenuous stretch of pathway that seems to have weakened your spirit and you are ready to give up. Stop and rest, draw upon His Spirit's strength to restore you so the next steps ahead won't be so painful. He will restore and sustain your journey if you simply look to Him. Find Him on your knees in prayer. He is faithful and will bless your acknowledgement that you can't do it alone....you need His help. Call on Him today. 

Keep moving ahead, the trail will level out soon!

God bless.

In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:6

Butter, it's my favorite food! When having bread, baked potatoes or anything deserving butter, I make sure the entire surface is covered. By doing so, it flavors all that I eat. 

God's presence in a believers life is sweet. But far too often, we limit portions of our life to His influence. A prideful heart holds Him back from areas of our life that don't fall in line with His ways...little sinful pleasures we covet and try to keep hidden from God, keeps us from giving Him our "all". In the process, we loose out on His goodness in all areas of our life. He knows what's best for each of us and He wants to sweeten your life. By surrendering yourself to His will, you open all areas of your life to be covered by His blessings. 

What area of your life are you holding out on God? He sees your entire surface and longs to cover all of your life with His love and goodness. Won't you surrender everything to Him today? Life will have more flavor and blessings are sure to follow. God bless. 

And that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4:24

Have you ever noticed when you go to a restaurant, the images of food on the menu don't look like the food you receive? The food in those images ‎were situated just right, used the best meats, buns, veggies and doctored up to entice everyone who walks in the establishment. The company wants their product to look perfect so you'll buy it. 

As children of God, we need to prepare ourselves daily before we step outside our home. Prepare ourselves to reflect His image to a lost and dark world. Preparation for our best is by morning prayer, bible reading and devotion...just to name a few things. We need to reflect on the day ahead and ask God to give us the courage and strength to maintain our Christ like attitude even in the most challenging situations. The Devil will do all he can to mess you up so your delivered product to the world will look like a sloppy hamburger with katchup and mustard all over the buns and meat half in the sandwich. LOL, I know it's a strange analagy, but it's truth. The Devil doesn't want Christians to look like Christ. 

Are you prepared to reflect the image of Christ today when you leave the house? Pray, study and seek out God to help you walk and talk as Christ would. We have many customers out there hungry for love and a peace that only our Savior can give. Reflect His image today through preperation of heart. God bless.

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9

From my youth, I have always been fond of airplanes. It's amazing how they can lift off the ground and soar high. I view a lot of documentaries about planes and some that have mechanical problems while in flight. When an alarm goes off, the pilot remains calm and works through the situation with a troubleshooting guide book. Even up to the final minute before crashing, the pilot still hasn't given up on trying to correct the situation in order to sustain flight. 

How are you flying for the Lord? Is there an alarm going off and you can see danger up ahead? Don't pull the eject lever....give it to God. He has a plan for your "in flight" emergency and will provide you the necessary wisdom and guidance to sustain flight. Yes, it would be easier to simply give up when the problem arises, but all your efforts to live a Godly life and serve Him would be in vain. Hang in there friend....God never intended for you to crash. 

Trouble at work, home, with friends....all these things can send off a trouble alarm. Don't fret! Take a deep breath and ask God to show you the way forward. Your flight might be bumpy at times and you'll wonder how close to the ground you'll get....by faith and trusting in Him, He will sustain your flight. Never give up on your purpose as a child of God. He will bless you for staying on course. 

God bless.  

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lust.

Romans 13:14

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Many places of employment provide employees a uniform to wear. It provides identity for the person that they belong to a certain business, organization or function. At the end of the day, that uniform comes off and no longer display the identity of the company who employs you...yet you are still employed by them.

As a child of God, we have been provided the identity of Christ by receiving the Holy Spirit, which resides in our heart. Although His Spirit isn't visibly seen, God sees us and knows us and always monitoring our behavior. What He requires is we display our allegiance to Him by reflecting outward His ways, His words, His love to those around us. Every morning we need to mentally "put on Christ" in our life so others can see who we truly follow. 

Every word spoken, every good deed and every sacrifice should be a reflection of His presence in our life. Do others see the uniform of Christ in your life? Put on Christ each day and touch the lives of those who need His Spirit the most. God bless.  

 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Psalm 34:8

Two of my favorite foods (besides donuts) are peanut butter and honey. Peanut butter, by itself, is sticky and can have a dry taste. Add honey to the peanut butter and you have a delicious, sweetened treat! I usually add this combination to bananas or simply eat it from a spoon. 

Life is like peanut butter in a way. Oftentimes our life becomes dry and boring or we find ourselves in sticky messes that bring stress or feeling overwhelmed. But, if you add God to your life, things become more palatable. Although your circumstances might not change much, your outlook will, with God's help. He is available 24/7....always ready to sweeten life with His presence.

Has life become routine? Struggles got you feeling overwhelmed? Spice up your life and walk through the daily grind with God...He will season each day if you simply open your heart and trust Him in all areas of your life. Won't you add Him to your life today?

God bless.