Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8

We saw a bear!! While visiting the Smokey Mountain National Park yesterday, we got an up close encounter with a bear while riding in our car. We stopped to watch and video him. The whole time he was focused on eating grass and plants as he walked around. At one point I spoke a few words to him and he scurried off. Although he was focused on eating, when he heard my foreign voice, he knew it was not in his natural environment, so he ran away to protect himself from harm. 

With my encounter I learned a lot from this bear. As Christians we should mimic a bear's behavior, always feeding on the word of God. When we focus on His word, we feed ourselves the natural things a Christian needs to stay faithful in this foreign land. We are set apart from the world. 

Secondly, as today's scripture says, be sober minded and alert to Satan's temptations.  By staying in the Word, we should easily recognize the satanic voices calling us in a different direction, trying to steer our focus away from God. When we hear that foreign voice, we should flee from the temptation and seek shelter in our natural environment, in the arms of God. 

You can learn a lot from a bear. His instincts to feed and protect himself are critical to his survival. Same is true for you. God bless. 

 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27

My wife and I are currently vacationing in our favorite place, the Great Smokey Mountains. One of my loves is sitting along a creek and listening to the water rustle over the rocks and take in the sounds of nature. Unfortunately, those wonderful sounds compete with the noise of the world: loud cars passing by, people's voices and airplanes overhead. But, in-between the passing sounds, my ears hear the sweet sounds of nature and my heart is full of joy. 

Living the Christian life is much like my experience in the woods. We long to hear the sweet words of Jesus guiding us through life. But oftentimes the noise of the world try to compete, even attempt to block out Jesus. Satan is good at making noise through trials, conflicts with people, envy and pride. 

We must make a way to keep our ears and hearts focussed on Jesus and block out the noisy messes of life. Quiet time in the morning is one great way to start the day off right, listening out for the good words of Jesus. They fill your heart with the right ingredients needed for the day's making and feeds the heart with goodness in a world not so good. 

Jesus is speaking, and if you can't hear Him, you need to walk further into His presence and further from the world's chaotic mess so you can be fed with love, wisdom and encouragement for the day. God bless! 

 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10

When trouble comes, your first reaction is to run from it. But what are you running to? A winning lottery ticket, a new job, a new relationship, a new place to live? We can find hundreds of things to run to, but none of them provide for your personal care and last longer than what God provides. 

Seeking after God is your best resource for help. He intimately knows your situation and knows what you need to find a way through it, not a way from it. And the best part is, He allows difficulties to bring you closer to Him, where He can strengthen your trust in Him, and continue in His plan to prosper you. 

Let's face it. If you run from every problem, you'll never stop running. When trouble comes, don't run, just turn to God who can be your strong tower through the storms of life. God bless 

 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” John 13:7

 

Ever have one of those moments when you realize why something worked out like it did? I look back over my life and see the painful things I’ve been through and recognize now the purpose. I recall once begging God for something and He said no. Seeing how things are now, I’m so glad He saw fit to shield me certain disaster.

 

God is ALWAYS working in the life of His followers, providing wisdom and protection from things that are certain to disrupt your relationship with Him. He gives you “free will” to choose, but it’s always best to consult with Him first before pursuing what your heart desires. That heart can be misleading; everything in you says “yes”, but God’s guidance says “no”.

 

Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

 

The surest way to stay on track with God is to seek after His wisdom and keep an open mind and ears focused on His still soft voice of reason. It’s best to find quiet times throughout the day to pray and sincerely listen to what He's telling you. To give assurance it’s His voice, He will oftentimes lead you to scripture that backs up His advice so you know it’s truly Him speaking and not the devil whispering lies.

 

You might not understand why God is directing you in a certain way, but His way is always best and you can be assured that He loves you and wants to provide the best for your life, now and in the future. 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. God bless!

 

 …in which it is impossible for God to lie.. Hebrews 6:18

 

If you spend much time on social media, read or hear the news, you realize everyone has an opinion about any topic concerning life. Sadly, many people take other’s opinions and statements and consider them truth, which in fact many times is further from the truth. This careless way of thinking will only lead someone further into wrong thinking and affect their life. Leaving you to ask, “where can I find the truth?”

 

Today’s scripture comes from the book of Hebrews and is clear: it’s impossible for God to lie. God is holy and righteous, everything in Him is pure and true. He is the purest form of truth you will ever find. His word, the bible, is full of life changing truths and wisdom that can guide you down a good path and provide blessings along the way. But the only way it will benefit you, you have to pick it up and read it daily. God will lead you through His word and apply its wisdom to your life’s situations.

 

The solid foundation of God’s word is available to you today. Don’t miss out on the freedom you have in this country to study it, learn it and let it guide you down a path of truth and righteousness. God has a message for you every day through His scriptures. Find it today in the word of God. God bless

 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 1 Corinthians 9:24

 

Yesterday I witnessed a triathlon event at my work. There were 223 competitors, determined to complete all three events (swim, bike and run) in record time. As I watched them pass by, I noticed the ones up front were moving quickly and had a look of determination on their faces. As more came by, they had slowed down and some looked tired and almost defeated, all the while took a much slower pace and were in no hurry to cross that finish line.

 

This leads to today’s blog. There is no doubt, living the Christian life is not easy. As a matter of fact, Jesus said we are foreigners in this land (as children of God) and would encounter much tribulation in life. Your number 1 enemy is satan and he is bound and determined to make living the right way a challenge. Sinful habits, distorted thinking and fleshly desires all work against Godly wisdom. The battle is more than you can handle! That is why God gave His children the Holy Spirit, to provide wisdom and power to overcome the troubles life brings. But the choice to stay in the race is up to you!

 

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1

 

The choice is yours in how you run the race of your Christian journey. Staying focused on Jesus and His ways will take effort and determination, but the blessings that follow, through your faithful obedience, are greater than anything this world has to offer. Run in such a way that you may obtain it! God bless!

 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord. Luke 1:45

 

This weekend my wife and many other ladies from our church are participating in the Women of Joy conference in Pigeon Forge this weekend. A weekend of spirit filled worship and music to grow and strengthen their faith. It will certainly be refreshing for those in attendance!

 

Today’s scripture references Mary, Jesus mother, who “found favor with God”. She was chosen to carry the Son of God and raise Him under the care of herself and Joseph. It was her faith in God that made her the prime choice to be used in part of God’s plan to save mankind from their sins. All throughout the bible God has used women to carry out His plans to impact the world.

 

I ask that you take just a moment to pray for the ladies in attendance at Women of Joy conference that God will move in them to carry on His plan for their families back home. Their dedication to take time away from home to worship and grow their faith, is certainly favored by God. Asking for God’s blessing upon them and their safe return on Sunday! God bless!