Then Jesus said 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

 This summer the flies were terrible. Anytime we opened the door to our house it seemed they were ready to fly in and make their home in ours. And nothing is more frustrating and annoying than a fly, buzzing around you, landing on your food or dive into your favorite beverage.

 There’s one thing I’ve learned over the years in my Christian journey, that when I sin, I open the door for more evil to come into my life, causing me frustration and temptations to live in a way that counters God’s standards.

 Sin causes friction between a Holy God and ourselves. The destructive power of sin can tarnish our witness, and tempt us to partake in other sins in attempts to completely isolate ourselves from God. Once birth is given to sin, Satan will speak lies, trying to convince you that you are unworthy of God’s forgiveness and love. Sadly, some people live a lifetime believing these lies and miss out on the true blessings of God’s forgiveness.

 How can you put an end to this cycle of madness? Keep the door of your heart closed to sin. Only by the power of God’s Holy Spirit, living inside you, can you turn from sin’s grip and walk in a manner worthy of God. It takes constant prayer and complete surrender of yourself, your desires, and avoidance of things that will lure you in…all of these things will work to help you fight against turning off the narrow path. God knows your heart and wants to help you every day. Trust Him to help you walk in the light of life so you won’t be bothered by the burdens that sin brings when you allow it to enter your heart. God bless!

 

 Psalms 36:6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike, O Lord.

My sweet mother had a fondness of Cardinals (red birds) and squirrels. Every day she would feed them with peanuts and birdseed. They were well fed, especially the squirrels, as they were huge in size. Every time I see one of them, I'm reminded of my mother. 

This morning, while sitting on the balcony of our hotel in the Smoky Mountains, a squirrel ran up and down a tree and stayed within my view. I've got to say, a few tears came from my eyes as I was reminded of her love for the animals that resided on her property and under her care. That's why I continue the tradition of keeping critters fed in my corner of the world. 

God created us and animals for His pleasure and to love. He keeps all of His creations well fed and loved continually. I encourage you today, and every day, to look upon all He's created as reminders of His unconditional love and have comfort in knowing He will take care of your every need. God bless. 

 Matthew 4:7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”

We often live a life of constant trials and errors. We test things, people, even ourselves as we navigate each day. If something doesn't work like we thought, we try a different method in hopes of getting past or through another challenge that confronts us. The errors of our testing might be damaged friendships, physical harm, addictions, financial crisis, divorce, jail, and so many other painful things. How can we have more stability? 

Today's verse, from the very lips of Jesus Christ, says we are not to test God. As a child of God, He doesn't expect you to make decisions by trial and error, He wants you to rely on His wisdom to guide you through the everyday choices you make. I think many Christians “test the waters” to see if God will approve of our desires. That's not a good way to live life, because the consequences of wrong choices can be painful and possibly remain with you throughout the rest of your life. 

Jeremiah 17:10 But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.”

God knows your heart, more than you do, and He doesn't want you to test your way through life but to rely on His wisdom provided by the Holy Spirit living inside you. Life’s choices don't have to be complicated, but simplified through faith and trust in God, who knows everything and wants to bless you with a life of purpose and direction. When you are tempted to test the waters, take it to God first and see He’ll provide what works best for your life.  

 Love, everyone has its own definition that fits for how they live and love others, especially their spouse. The scriptures below give the best definition of love and how we should live in this world: at home, work, standing in line at the grocery store, while driving ... everywhere! 

After reading this scripture, what areas need improvement? God is love and when you love more, people will begin to see Him shining out of your life. Love the world around you! 

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.

https://bible.com/bible/114/1co.13.1-13.NKJV

 I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord. Psalm 116:17

No matter what you are going through in life, there's always room to give thanks to God for what He's done and continues to do through your circumstances. You might not feel like giving thanks, but trust me, when you sacrifice the things that weigh heavy on your heart to God, with thanksgiving, you give God the "green light" to have HIs way in your life. That's all He's looking for anyhow, a completely surrendered YOU! 

God doesn't need your money, property, good works, He just wants you. When you sacrifice you, God blesses you in return. You might not have a dime to your name, another day left on this planet, or find reason to live another day without the person you lost, but don't let those things stop you from the sacrifice of giving thanks to the One who gave His all for you to have a personal relationship with a Holy and righteous God. Give thanks this month! 

 Titus 2:6-8 NKJV

[6] Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, [7] in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, [8] sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

The youth of today need spiritual leaders they can look up to for a pattern of living. Parents of young children might not recognize the importance of their lifestyle and choices they make, but those little eyes are watching and processing every moment under your care, and beyond the bounds of their family home. How you live your life matters!! 

I see the world in which we live today without a firm foundation in spiritual matters and honestly it concerns me how misguided the next generation of leaders are and the direction we are headed. These midterm elections are one example of how our culture is moving further from God's truth. As always though, the outcome will be painful to digest and the misguided will continue to corrupt the truth with fairytale philosophies and we will all pay the price. 

Today's scripture is clear, we must ensure our children are nourished with God's word, and witness scripture lived out through your life. Otherwise these young minds will develop their own mindset, fed by the toxic lies of Satan and his political instruments at work, willing to undo the reason people fled to a new land. You are never too late to do your part to influence the eyes watching your every move. Let them see Christ and His character in your life. God bless. 

 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8

 When I was a senior in high school, my parents lifted my curfew and permitted me free will to decide when to come home after hanging out with my friends or on a date. By that point in my life, I had proven to them I could be responsible and they trusted my decisions. Because of this approach, I wanted more than ever to continue to prove to them that I would do right by coming home at a decent hour….and many nights I came home well before my normal curfew.

 God gives everyone of His creation (you and me) free will to chose whom we’ll serve, Him or the world. He never drags us to church, puts fear in us to follow in obedience, or bring harm when failing to live up to His standards. No, He gives you the opportunity to commune with Him in obedience, being faithful in all things, and seeking His forgiveness. This freedom is something I see in today’s world as being abused and taken to the extreme. Many so-called Christians have strayed from the path God has provided and sadly they are suffering the consequences of their choices.

 Satan is the great deceiver and from the time he lured Eve to take of the forbidden fruit, until this very moment, he works to convince you it’s ok to live a life of self-pleasure, no need to follow God. The fruit Satan offers is toxic, and will ruin your opportunity to have an eternal relationship with your Creator, God.

 Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in and by it. Because, narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13-14

 What path are you on today? God wants you on His narrow path to give you life eternal. Jesus Christ paid the price for you to have “free will” to chose God, why not draw near to Him today and experience the blessings He wants to pour into your life!