But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 14:26

At the age of 15, I took Drivers Education in High School. Back in the day, the school system found it beneficial to make sure everyone had proper training in how to drive....today they leave that up to the child...which is why it seems no one can drive proper these days..rant over, back to my blog. 

As part of our training, we had to drive with our instructor for so many hours. On his side of the car, was a brake pedal. He would use it to stop the vehicle if the student was about to make a wrong move. He used it once on me as I was about to pull out onto a busy highway and a car was approaching too close for me to make it safely out into my lane. A little embarassed, but I learned to be patient at intersections and go when safe. 

As a child of God, you have the Holy Spirit of God living inside of you. He is like that drivers education teacher. He is there by your side helping you navigate life in the proper order. He will apply the brakes when you need to learn something important. It's always important to put aside your personal agenda and listen to His voice of reason. He wants to ensure you go through life safely and bring glory and honor to Him. When you make wrong choices, His Spirit will apply the brakes and speak to you through various circumstances. Listen and follow His adivice.

How can we hear His voice? Through prayer, conversing with Him about everything. A praying child of God keeps the line of communication open. When you stop praying, it's like hanging up the phone...you won't hear Him. The Spirit is right there beside you and wants to give you all the advice you need....are you listening?

   "As for you also, Because of the blood of your covenant, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. Return to the stonghold, you prisoners of hope. Even today I declare that I will restore double to you. 

Zechariah 9:11-12 

I recall years ago we had a small fire in our home. After the fire department put out the fire, we had a mess and had to live somewhere else temporarily while construction workers basically remodeled 1/4 of our house. From new paint, flooring, carpet and fixtures....once completed we had what seemed like a new home. Those rooms were out dated and this tragic event brought about something better than we could have asked for at that time. 

Our journey with the Lord is often the same. There are things in life that we must surrender if we want to live by God's standards. So many delightful pleasures that abound these days, but for the the discerning child of God, they know the limits of their pursuits and often refrain themselves from putting their trust in things that lead to temptation and sin. The benefits of living a discerning life keep the child of God pure and weight free of sin's strong gravity...pulling you down.  

Are you faced with things in life that you know are outside of God's will? Burn them. Even if you are temporarily displaced, it's better to let go of the things seen, and look forward to the unseen rewards that await you in Heaven. I assure you, those rewards in Heaven are double and more pleasureful than anything this sinful world can provide. Put your faith and stronghold in the Lord. 

God bless!

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2

God has a plan and purpose for each child of God. Like a machine that has many parts, you are one of God's many moving parts that works together, with other believers, to accomplish the Lord's will. You may feel insignificant in the big scheme of things, but trust me...without your active participation, spiritual production will be minimal at best. 

How do you keep the spiritual production working properly? By keeping yourself well maintained. Today's scripture talks about renewing your mind in Christ. When you allow worldly things in your life, they diminish your testimony, weaken your faith which could lead to part failure. Don't be the broken part that has to be replaced! Stay in tune with God and well maintained by filtering out impurities, read God's word daily....throughout the day, and make time to pray often. Unless you keep your life free from rust and decay, you will eventually halt God's production of saving souls and ministering in your local community. 

How about it....is your life well maintained and actively working for the Lord? Ask God to give you wisdom to keep that brain and heart free of the world so you can perform effectively for Him. He has a plan and purpose for your life, do it well my friend and never stop working for the Lord. God bless.

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

Since the discovery of North America, thousands of "sons" have given their life to defend the freedoms we have in the United States of America. If you are a citizen of this country, you are blessed. Take a moment and remember those who have sacrificed their all so you can live freely. 

There is another freedom sought after;  sadly so many people are still bound in slavery to sin and have never experienced this freedom to live a full and enriching life here in the US and abroad. Jesus Christ represented mankind's sins on Calvary. He died so you and I can have true freedom, knowing that our eternal home will be in Heaven one day. But more than that, God provides His Holy Spirit to every believer, to sustain them through this earthly life. Hope for every tomorrow is only through acceptance of Jesus Christ. 

Have you found true freedom in Jesus Christ? If not, call on Him today. It's nothing you can do on your own. It's believing, accepting and turning from sin that sets you free indeed. Live life eternally free from the bondage of this sinful world and find true happiness and peace in the Lord. Happy Independence Day friends!

But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Luke 6:35

Day 3 and God has led me to continue to write about love. Today's passage probably doesn't apply to many of you....Jesus says to love your enemies. If you have any enemies, raise your hand. Lol...if we were all in a room, most likely everyone would have their hand raised. 

At some point in life, you will have an enemy. It could be a co-worker, neighbor, even a relative....or soon to be ex-spouse. Somewhere in time you will be mistreated by someone else along with being disliked or hated. If you are like me, it grieves you to know someone is ill at you. And yet, behind your back, they do or say things in hopes of bringing discomfort or destroy your reputation just to make life difficult. Jesus says to love them. Wow...heavy load isn't it? I'm quickly reminded how Jesus hung on the cross to die for your and my sins. We were an enemy of God by our unrighteousness. He still loved people, as He hung on the cross, inspite of insults and poking by the guards He asked His Heavenly Father to forgive them. That's love. 

Is there someone in your life causing you persecution? You might not be hanging on a cross, but life is uncomfortable as a result of your enemy's behavior. Love them, pray for them and ask God to sustain you during the difficult times brought on by your enemies. God wants you to display Christ love to everyone. It's called "suffering" for the Lord. Never stop loving anyone, even your enemies. God has a plan and your love holds that plan in tact. Don't question God, just trust Him. He will sustain you and supply the love you need, even for the most vile of enemies. God bless.

And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma. Ephesians 5:2

Yesterday I talked about love and how it binds all the attributes of Christ so others can see Christ in us. Today's verse reinforces the action to "walk in love". When I read that passage, I think about Jesus walking from one city to the next. Everywhere He went, He addressed the crowds, healed the sick and pardoned the guilty. 

Are you walking like Christ? Reaching out to the needy, giving Godly advice to those hungry for His word and forgiving those who trespass against you? If not, you need to examine your relationship with your Savior. Jesus doesn't call for us to walk portions of the journey with Him. He requires your every step to be in line with His. Through prayer, daily bible reading and a willing spirit to surrender your ways for His....you will have a stride similar to Christ. 

Be a sweet aroma to others as you go out each day into the world. They need a Savior and you can be the example of Christ's love to them. Walk in love and your stride will be right for the Lord. God bless.

But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 

Colossians 3:14

Yesterday I had the opportunity to visit a furniture store. Looking over bedroom suits, the salesman was showing me the quality of these drawers and how well they were constructed. Well supported underneath with special bracing and put together with dovetail joints. But the one thing that held it all together was this special wood glue. Without it, something would eventually loosen and give way, making the drawer fall apart. 

Today's verse talks about love and it's power to hold everything together. When a person is full of love, they easily forgive, they respond to other's needs, they find peace instead of anger or frustration and most of all they have a way of supporting friends and family members in times of crises when everyone else has left the scene. I think of Christ's love for you and me, in how He surrendered His all to allow us the opportunity to come before God, washed clean by His blood. Love is a powerful thing. Without love, we would not have this special bond with our creator. 

How is your heart? Is it full of love or full of worldly emotions and stained as a result of sinful living? Ask God to cleanse your heart of anything impure, weather it be sin or negative emotions, and fill your heart and mind with love so you can be that glue that holds everything together in your life. Love is the only thing that covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). Find love in Christ, read about His love in God's word and show the world a true example of His love to a world lost in its ways. God, help me to have a heart of love so I can be a reflection of you. 

Have a blessed day!