The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7

Every day people across the world step aboard an airplane and fly to their intended destination; people join thousands of others on a cruise ship and sail across the ocean; people drive over long bridges every day of the year. What’s the one thing in common with all of these people? “Trust”. Trust is the one thing everyone has when flying on a plane, trusting it will get off the ground; a ship will stay afloat no matter how many people are on board and trust that the steel reinforcement of a bridge will stay secure while they cross in safety. If we didn’t trust things in life we’d stay in a state of fear and harbor insecurities.

There is someone we can put our trust in to help see us through each day, God! The Lord is good! I can tell you after 50 plus years of life, God has never let me down and the more I lean on Him, the stronger my faith and trust grows in Him. I’m at the point in life where no matter the challenge, I know and trust the Lord to help see me through the day.

You can too friend. You can trust the Lord with your troubles. Troubles will come along and try to shake you spiritually. But when you give them to the Lord, He will strengthen and protect you, giving you peace and confidence in knowing He is in control. What He allows to happen is for your best. Trust Him today as you add another page to your chapter of life! God bless!  

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

One thing that astounds me when cooking is the individual ingredients for something delicious and how they all come together. By themselves they aren’t good, but when they are mixed with other ingredients, YUM!

While reading The Purpose Driven Life this morning, God laid upon me a thought. As we go through life, we encounter various things that shape us into who we are today. Some things might be bad, like totally awful and shameful, while other things have brought blessings into our lives and made us happy. But God, He had a plan for each life event, good or bad. He knew just how much to measure out so it would enhance and grow your life, not destroy it.

Sadly for some, they chose to chew on the individual ingredient (life event) and remain bitter. That’s NOT what God had planned. He needed that event to mix with the other things in your life to bring out a better you, a stronger you and a you totally dependent YOU upon God for strength and to help others going through a similar situation.

Lesson for today, don’t focus on the individual event, but allow God to stir it in with the rest of your life so you can come out with a beautiful flavor to others to enjoy and be a blessing to God and those around you! We are His handiwork and He has just the right ingredients to make your life awesome for His kingdom! God bless!

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Yesterday I started reading “The Purpose Driven Life” with a friend. Together we started a 40-day journey to discover God’s purpose for our lives. As we began to discuss the chapter, God laid a simple thought into my mind. When I keep my focus on Him, I can accomplish more in life than when I focus on me. And I’ve lived out this the majority of my life, focusing on Him and relying on His wisdom, His strength and His encouragement.

Today’s society wants you to focus on self…self-improvement, personal success and accomplishing goals to win in life. But when the energy runs out, when the audience leaves, and when the top has been reached, then what? With God its not about me, but what He can do in and through me. And trust me, He can do more with a single mustard seed of faith than I can do when fully rested and energized.

Maybe you’ve been trying to achieve success, but the failures outnumber the successes. You are feeling defeated and overwhelmed. Take your eyes of YOU and focus on HIM, the author and perfecter of your faith. God has a plan for YOUR life and HE can do great things through you if you simply rely on Him to supply all your needs and strength! Pray and ask God to help you focus more on Him and trust He has the perfect plan for your life! God will bless you when you focus on Him. God bless!

Be angry and do not sin, do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Ephesians 4:26-27

Lets face it, we get angry at people and circumstances that happen in life. Its ok to be upset, but don’t let it fester throughout the day. When we carry our anger to bed, it affects our sleep and mental wellbeing. It also opens the door for Satan to come in and wreak havoc in our mind and heart. Over time this uncontrolled anger affects our personality and witness.

Whats been angering you lately? If its gone longer than 24 hours, I think you’ve chewed it long enough. Time to spit it out and move on. Don’t let the sun go down on frustrations. It’s a toxic seed that will produce nothing in your life!

In closing, “forgiveness” is the best solution to rid yourself of that anger. Its like roundup in the garden, it eliminates those toxic weeds that consume the good stuff from your soul. Forgive, heal and move on friend! God bless!

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Hebrews 8:11

Sin. It’s real, it’s easy to fall prey to its temptations and for the Christian its even more real as the eyes of God’s children are open to its presence in their lives. The struggle is real when Christians try to follow in Godly obedience, the flesh is bent towards sin. Just because one is saved, doesn’t mean they don’t face temptations. They are more keenly aware of its power.

“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  Jesus never intended for us to live the Christian life in our own strength. Rather, He gives us His life through His Spirit. Gods grace does not change the nature of our sin – it always leads to death. Instead, His grace enables us to rely on the power of His Spirit to put to death our sinful urges and desires.

As a child of God, the addictions and temptations are real. But our God is stronger than anything you face in life. And through His Holy Spirit, you too can put to death those sinful patterns and habits that bring division between you and God. Take up your battles with God today and find victory over them through the power of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior! God bless!

Mark 11:25 – And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

If you could sum up Jesus Christ in one word, I believe it would be forgiveness. His entire life’s ministry was based around forgiveness. One of the last words of Jesus spoke just before His death on the cross was “Father forgiven them.”  Jesus Christ gave His life for payment of our sins, so we could live a life of freedom.

So why is it so hard for us to forgive our offender? Sometimes the hurt and pain can run so deep that its like being cut with a knife. The scar is a good reminder that you were hurt, deceived or knocked down. Today’s passage is a good reminder that God’s forgiveness of us is the encouragement we need to forgive those who’ve hurt us. Yea, the pain is real and that person might be unwilling to ask for your forgiveness, but it doesn’t mean you have to carry the burden of anger, hate and revenge.

What person are you unwilling to forgive? If you want God’s forgiveness, then forgive those who need your forgiveness! There is no need to carry that burden any longer. Forgive and let God heal you from the inside out! Through your act of forgiveness, you show your offender that you take the high road and want to be a Christ like example to them and those around you! Forgive someone today! God bless

All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies. Psalm 25:10

Over my lifetime I’ve been fortunate to hike on trails in the Rocky Mountains, Smokey Mountains, even locally at Pine Mountain. Although the trails might vary in length, steepness and beauty, one thing stays constant…the rules. You see, hiking has its own set of rules that most outdoor enthusiast proudly follow. Simple things like..stay on the trail, don’t litter (pack out what you brought in), don’t remove wildflowers…it’s a long list, but its purpose is to sustain the trail and environment in which it weaves.

Today’s scripture is an excellent reminder that no matter where we go in life, we should always give mercy to those who need it and live out God’s truth no matter the environment we find ourselves. Some days the journey will be rough and the climb so challenging you want to give up; don’t give in to your weaknesses…sustain your faith no matter how hard the day goes. Other days will be much easier and the view captivating; thank God for the moment of peace and soak in His grace as you find reprieve from life’s challenges.

Hows your day going? Are you living out the truth of God no matter how challenging the path? Find God’s blessings in those days when you remain constantly focused and obedient to His truth, His way and His calling for your life! He will reward you for your faithfulness as you blaze new trails through life! God bless!