‭‭II Chronicles‬ ‭4:11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Then Huram made the pots and the shovels and the bowls. So Huram finished doing the work that he was to do for King Solomon for the house of God: 

Ever feel like you don't have much to offer God? Maybe you aren't talented with speaking, fixing things, or financially capable of giving much. Satan does his best to make Christians feel insignificant and helpless. Therefore many who attend church sit idly by and let others do the work of the church. 

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:6‬ ‭Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let  us  use  them: 

Huram made pots, bowls, and shovels for his church. Doesn't sound very significant, but without those tools, there wouldn't be bowls for food, pots to cook in and shovels to stir the coals of fire. Romans 12:6 says everyone is gifted by God with some talent to serve Him. That everyone includes you friend. 

Ask God to open your eyes to the needs of your church and where He'd use you in the most effective way possible given the talents you possess, even if it's taking out the trash and sweeping floors. God's house needs workers in all areas, and He's got a specific job just waiting for you to accept. Then watch as God blesses you for being an obedient servant to the King of Kings. God bless. 

 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God. Psalm 42:11

 One of the necessary essentials in a soldier’s first aid pack is a blood clotting solution to stop the wound from bleeding out. Many lives have been saved by this miracle medicine and soldiers are alive to share their stories of survival on the battlefield.

 As a child of God, you too are on the battlefield. Satan does everything in his power to weaken your faith by causing personal injury to our mind, soul, and even your body. If he can distract you from your focus on God, he can turn your spiritual wounds into rivers of depression, regret, anger, and feeling worthless.

 Thankfully God has an antidote for your injury, praising God! When you praise God, you literally stop bleeding out the joy and peace He provides, and your focus turns to Him. He loves praise and when received, He blesses you with His presence in the form of healing, forgiveness, hope, and restores that confidence needed when facing the enemy of fear.  

 Life has its difficulties and sometimes brings pain to your soul. Don’t let it bleed out the goodness of God from your life. Trust God and give Him the praise He so rightly deserves. It’s the best antidote to life’s painful moments. God bless!

 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 1 John 3:4

 Back in the early part of my career as a park ranger, one of the older rangers I worked with was a retired Alabama State Trooper. He perfectly fit the mold of a State Trooper. Although his park ranger uniform differed from his Trooper uniform, he wore it proudly and that “smokey bear” hat was the perfect fit. He shared with me a story about a trip he took from his home down to Florida for business. He hated the long drive, so he sped up to 90 mph to get there. Yes, he was in a State Trooper car, but he felt privileged because of his law enforcement status. Was he breaking the law by driving so fast? Yes! Thankfully he didn’t get in a wreck, or injure someone else by his dangerous driving.

 As a child of God, do you feel privileged to sin? The blood of Jesus Christ covers your sins: past, present, and future, but does His blood cover those purposeful acts you know are not right in the eyes of God? Today’s verse in 1 John 3:4 says that whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. Just like that state trooper breaking the speed limit, you are just as wrong in your belief that you can live in purposeful sin without angering God.

 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. 1 John 3:6

 Verse 6 digs deep in conviction, and it should. If you truly knew Jesus Christ in what He did on Calvary’s cross to save you, your intentions to avoid sin at all cost would resonate in and through your life. 1 John 3:5 says: And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. If Jesus Christ came to take away the sin of mankind, then how can you feel comfortable continuing in deliberate sin? Think about it!

 There is no free pass to detour from Godly obedience! If you find yourself in this category, maybe it’s time to re-evaluate your position in Jesus Christ and come to the realization that you need to completely repent and receive all of Him in every area of your life. Once you truly come to Christ and receive His free gift of salvation, you’ll have the power to overcome any temptation.

 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

 Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” John 13:8

 During the “last supper” Jesus had with His disciples, He showed His humbleness by washing their feet. Peter, one of Jesus closest disciples, saw that task as something beneath Jesus and didn’t want His act of love and service shown to himself. Jesus made clear that unless He washed Peter’s feet, he would have no part of Jesus Christ. Within a short moment, Peter came to his senses and permitted Jesus to do this task.

 There are areas of your life that you might feel Jesus should have no part in, yet He made the ultimate sacrifice to bring unity between God and mankind..that’s you and me. You are loved by God and His desire is to wash your life with the blood of Jesus Christ, cleansing you from all the dirt and grime of sin you experience in this world. Are you willing to receive His love?

 Unless you come clean through the purification of sins through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, you will have no part in fellowship with God and spend eternity in Heaven. I encourage you to repent, ask for God’s forgiveness of your sins, believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins and receive Him today. Unless you do, Heaven and His presence will not go with you in this life and throughout all eternity. Come clean through the precious blood of Jesus Christ today! God bless!

 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

 “Yep, he’s too far gone.” Have you ever thought that about someone who was consumed with wrong doing and knew there was simply no hope for that person? All their wickedness and continual evil deems them undeserving of God’s forgiveness. Maybe that person is you.

 As I thought about this verse, God reminded me the story of Lazarus, who fell ill and died. His family requested Jesus to come heal him, but Jesus delayed and when he arrived, Lazarus had been dead for four days. Through the power of God, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. What an awe-inspiring sight to see Lazarus come back to life. He was dead, but God had the power to bring life back into his body.

 Friend. You might feel your sin has buried you, making you feel spiritually dead. I can assure you that the same Jesus who raised Lazarus from the dead has the power and forgiveness to bring your spirit back to life in Jesus Christ. Today’s verse in 1 John, makes it clear that if you confess your sins, He is faithful and just to forgive you and cleanse you from all your unrighteousness.

 Maybe you haven’t connected with God in a long while and sin has consumed your life. If you are still breathing in this life, you still have time to turn from your sinful ways, ask for His forgiveness, and be restored back into fellowship with God. Hope is not lost for those who yearn to seek after the will of God. Make confession today and find new life in your mortal body and soul. God bless!

 

 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. John 15:14

 Free will is a privilege God gives to mankind. How mankind uses that privilege determines the blessings he receives from God. As your creator, God desires to have a personal relationship with you. Just like a friend, He longs for you to develop an everlasting friendship that sustains the test of time.

 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. John 15:7

 The Son of God, Jesus Christ, called those who followed Him a friend. Adhering to the voice of God and His will for your life is the hallmark of a loyal friend. Nothing God asks of you doesn’t come without His help. God’s Holy Spirit goes with each of God’s followers and through His Holy Spirit, you can do any and all things in life that bring honor to Him.

 …as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who calls us by glory and virtue. 2 Peter 1:3

 Why friend God? Because He will provide you everything you need in life. Your view of life will have greater meaning and purpose. The structure of your life will continue to develop into the image and characteristics of Jesus Christ. Nothing that happens in your life, as a friend of Jesus, will ever be faced alone. God goes with His followers, and just like a friend He will never abandon you along your journey in this life. Find a friend in Jesus Christ today!

 

 All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; to a place from which the rivers come. Ecclesiastes 1:7

 Every time I go to the Smokey Mountains, I’m just awed by the abundance of creeks and rivers flowing everywhere we go, and ponder how this much water could be produced from these mountains. I know it’s all God, but it’s still a mystery to me how it all works.

 Today’s verse speaks of this great mystery. Have you ever thought about it?

Genesis 1:9-10 states that God spoke the waters and dry land into existence and that each has its own boundary. It’s also a mystery to think that the God of this universe, who created land, seas, plants, and creatures of this earth also created you in His image (So God created man in His own image in the image of God He created him, male and female, He created them. Genesis 1:27). What’s truly fascinating is everything has order, like the seas don’t overfill from the rivers and how human life begins as one egg.

 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

 There are some things in life you’ll never understand. Maybe what’s been happening in your life is a mystery and you wonder how you’ll manage in this new year. Trust that the God, who created you and this universe we live with all it’s order, has a specific plan for your life. Trusting Him every day is essential to building trust in God and that He has your best interest at heart. No matter what happens, just know it’s ordered by Him and you are on the right path for God’s blessings and spiritual growth. God bless!