And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 1 John 3:22

 My oldest grandson is at that age where there are consequences for disobeying. That means the things he enjoys are taken from him for a period of time based on the severity of his disobedience. I recall one time he was grounded for an entire week and pretty much everything was taken from him so there’d be a lesson learned. Just the opposite of bad behavior, is good behavior and during those times he has free access to all his electronics and things he enjoys. You’d think a few times of punishment would be enough to learn that obedience is the best way to live.

 As a child of God, one of the best things you can possess is God’s blessings. Those come in the form of answered prayers, financial support, health, and little surprises that make life easier and brings happiness. When disobedience is enacted, those sweet blessings seem to disappear, which leave you feeling the wrath of God instead of inner joy and contentment. God withholds those blessings for a purpose, to steer you back to dependence upon Him. He longs for you to walk in His perfect will, and that includes making wise choices to honor Him, which is pleasing in His sight.

 How obedient to God have you been this year? Maybe life would be enjoyable with a few more blessings? Start 2024 with a resolution to live in obedience to the Lord and make room for His blessings to be sprinkled throughout the coming year. God wants to give you His best, but He can’t do it unless your life is postured to receive it through living obediently. God bless!

 

 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. Romans 13:14

 Have you ever heard your mom say “don’t play in the mud” when she dressed you in nice clothes? Most likely you were either headed to church, a wedding, or it was picture day at school. Why did she say that? Because she didn’t want you to look messy, but also she knew those nice clothes you wore came at a high cost and she didn’t want them stained.

 If you are a child of God, you should put on your best attitude, your best behavior, your best words and thoughts, you should put on Jesus Christ. Why? Because you represent a holy and amazing God who wants to connect to others through your life. You can do this by avoiding certain places, things and even people who might stain your witness or affect your character. The enticement of sin is strong and can easily influence you if you open the door of opportunity. It’s like playing in the mud with your best clothes on. And if you are like the average person, you’ll fall for the temptation at your weakest moment.

 Is 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

 Thankfully, Jesus Christ has the power to clean you up, even when you’ve played in the muddiest sins this world has to offer. Come clean through Jesus Christ and walk worthy of the Sacrificial Lamb who paid for your sins and made you pure white in the sight of God. Stay out of the mud! God bless!

 

 “Avoid popularity if you would have peace.” Abraham Lincoln 16^th United Stated President

 If anyone knew how popularity brought anything but peace it would be Abraham Lincoln. Because of his popularity and sometimes unpopular beliefs, he was assassinated during one of the most trying times of this country’s history. If he was alive today and knew his future, I wonder if he’d still desire to be center stage of the Civil War.

 As I get older, I crave peace. After 33 years in a busy career and sometimes in the limelight, I’d rather be in the shadows of those making history today. The business of life and complexities in the workplace have no benefit for me at this stage of life. Social media is one unnecessary resource that can wreak havoc in people’s lives, yet day after day, we see people get buried in emotional bondage, comparing their life with the smiling, good looking, wealthy appearances of people, who in actuality are faced with the same challenges as those who long to be that popular person. It’s a maddening cycle that is the most toxic drug for all ages. How can one get back to the root of peace?

 That you may aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands, as we commanded you. 1 Thessalonians 4:11

 This one verse has become my motto over the years and I’ve strived to mold my actions into the very words it provides. A quiet life, minding my own business and working. These are the foundation of staying out of the limelight of popularity of finding peace in the quietness life has to offer. It’s shedding those unnecessary pleasures that seem to bring more peace than actual pleasure, it’s keeping my focus on self and not other people’s lives and it’s staying busy. Idle time yields desires that are not God honoring.

 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3

Maybe you are like me, ready for a new change in 2024. Some peace, some quietness, some rest for your weary soul. Focus your mind on Christ and find pleasure in pleasing Him and He will restore your soul and instill peace in the process.  

 

 But your eyes have seen every great act of the Lord which He did. Deuteronomy 11:7

 One of my many blessings is having great neighbors. Yesterday he and I had a conversation about some of his life’s experiences. One of his stories was about a time when someone pulled a gun on him and thankfully wasn’t shot. He said God was watching over him. As our conversation continued, we both concluded that we are truly blessed with everything God has provided us.

 Today’s passage in Deuteronomy is a good reminder that we should always keep in mind God’s goodness. By doing so, it gives you confidence when faced with desperate situations, even when facing a gun, that God is with you and helps in time of crises. Everything about God is good and everything He permits to come your way is meant to grow your faith and trust in Him. In the process, you develop His characteristics, as you become more Christlike. I don’t know about you, but I can’t think of anything better than becoming more like Him.

 As you close out this year, take time to think back to those difficult and challenging times and see where God’s hand intervened on your behalf to yield a better you. If you struggle to see His workings, ask God to provide you that vision, and He will bring it to light. God is always with you, trust Him every day in 2024, and know His ways are working to make your life resemble His. God bless!   

 But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.” Luke 18:16

 Question. If someone were to ask your child what they know about Santa Clause vs. Jesus Christ, which would they be more informed? Did you read the Christmas story to your children? And I’m not talking about St. Nick coming down the chimney. Christmas is full of many traditions, but sadly the story of Jesus Christ birth is often left to be told in a church service. Did you attend a church service?

 Jesus Christ ministered to the adults at the time of His ministry, but He was very interested in showing His love to children as well. I’m sure that those little ears were listening as Jesus spoke, and they probably retained more than the adults. The real question to be answered, how will our children know about Jesus unless we expose them to the truth of His message of love, grace, and forgiveness?

 You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down and when you rise up. Deuteronomy 11:19

 Church is the best place to expose them to God’s word, so they can learn core values and scriptures that will stay with them for their lifetime (I still remember scriptures taught to me from my childhood). But church isn’t the only place they need to hear about Jesus, the home is ground zero for everything a child learns and develops as he/she grows up. You can reinforce the morales and values of God by simply being the example and sharing scripture about what you know from God’s word. Unless someone shares the gospel truth to them, how will they know what Jesus did for them on the cross?

 New Years is right around the corner. Why not pick up a devotional book to be read to your child every day and get into the habit of talking to them about Jesus Christ. You’ll be amazed at how their interest will be sparked by the words you share. Then, find a good church home and enroll them in Sunday school, and you too, so you both can be informed and continue good conversations about the truth of Jesus Christ. I promise you Christmas 2024 will have new meaning in their life and yours. God bless!

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

 As a child, I had to memorize this verse. It’s probably one of the most well memorized verses in the bible. Is it branded in your mind?

 God, the creator of this universe and everything in it, including you and me, had so much love for us that He sent us a gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, to live amongst us over 2,000 years ago. Jesus Christ experienced every thought, every emotion, and faced the struggles you face today. But the most important thing He gave us was the gift of eternal life through His painful death on an old Roman cross, then rose to life again 3 days later. He paid the sin debts of mankind.

 That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

 God’s gift of eternal life is available to you today. If you’ve never accepted Him into your life, you can do so by believing in what He did on the cross for you (made payment of sins), confess your sins to Him in prayer and ask Him to come into your heart to live forever. When you do, your name is sealed in the Book of Life, your invitation to Heaven. Once saved, live your life for Him and you’ll experience a rewarding life of His presence, guiding you through life’s moments, good and bad.

 Dear God. I know I’m a sinner. I believe that Jesus Christ paid for my sins through His death and resurrection. I ask your forgiveness of my sins and want Jesus to live in my heart. I dedicate my life to you. Amen!

 If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land.; But if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. Isaiah 1:19-20

 Rebellion, it’s everywhere these days. From that child who disobeys their parent’s instructions to those adults who break the laws of the land. Rebellion comes from a dangerous thought that you believe you know what’s better for yourself, regardless of what you’ve been told or instructed. In time, that rebellious person will face a painful punishment, either physically, emotionally or financially. If you are reading this, I’m sure you’ve experienced this for yourself.

 From the creation of man and woman in Genesis, mankind has been rebelling against God’s instructions and biblical guidelines forever. Today’s passage in Isaiah makes it clear that obedience will result in God’s blessings, and rebellion will have severe consequences. Why then do we still continue to break God’s commandments? Pride, and love of self are the primary culprits. So how can you live a full-filled life, yet live within the confines of God’s standards?

 Jesus said, “And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew 23:12

 For some of you reading this, “humbleness” equates to weakness. But the truth is, as a child of God, your strength comes from the Lord (Isaiah 40:31). When you dedicate your life to pleasing Him, through a humbled spirit, He exalts you in the process, blessing your life in good times, even in those difficult moments too! As you trust God with every area of your life, He transforms your mind, which aligns with His perfect will for your life and humbleness becomes routine. It’s a process, sometimes a lengthy process, but the more you yield to His ways, the easier that transformation becomes and over time you’ll see yourself putting God first and blessings follow.

 Dr. Charles Stanley used to say “Obey God, and leave the consequences to Him.” Are you ready to yield to His will?