‭Matthew 16:25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it

As I get older, I realize there are more important things to life than stuff, financial security, good health, and relationships. Yes, those are all good, but God offers something special, that can only be obtained by living an obedient and sacrificial life in Jesus Christ. I'm sure you are like me in that you find life more enjoyable when things go smoothly and needs are met. God desires for you to have a fulfilling life as well, but only by reliance on His provisions.

Today's passage reminds us that if we spend the majority of our life trying to benefit us, we will lose our focus on God's provisions and blessings. I can tell you from personal experience, I see the hand of God working when I have less material things to focus on. Recently I sold my motorcycle, which I thoroughly enjoyed riding. It was a big part of my life, yet I felt deep inside it was more than a simple pleasure, it was a distraction to my relationship with God. I have no regrets of selling it, and look forward to more time focusing on areas of my life that I need God’s intervention. 

You can spend a lifetime pleasing yourself, but in the end it will simply be a memory. Why not give more of your attention to the lasting things of God and be witness to His presence in your everyday life. I promise you'll never regret the things sacrificed for a closer relationship with your Heavenly Father. 

 “And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” John 17:26

 Last night my wife and I watched the move, Titanic. Lori is not a big fan of the movie, but I am, and I find the romantic theme that accompanies the ship wreck a unique story in history, one that continues to fascinate people who read about it or watch it on the movie screen. One of the most moving parts of the movie was when Jack provided a piece of floating debris for his lover, keeping her out of the frigid waters, as he holds on for dear life, and eventually succumbs to hypothermia.

 Today’s passage is the last recorded prayer of Jesus Christ before dying on the cross. This special moment in the history carries a special love theme between God, Jesus Christ, and mankind. Jesus Christ completely fulfilled all the prophecies in the bible about the Messiah, who would save the world from their sins. Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross for you and me, and all of mankind, is a testament of God’s love. Because of His death, burial, and resurrection after 3 days, we have complete access to God the Father.

 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6.

 Wrapping up today’s blog, YOU are loved. Jesus Christ is the life boat that saves you from eternal damnation. God wants a personal relationship with you. He loved you before you were even born!!   Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, you can be adorned by His unconditional love. Simply receive Jesus Christ into your life, asking for forgiveness of sins, and believing HE is the Savior, you can embrace that love that never ends, no matter what happens in your life. Are you ready to be saved? Call upon Him today!

 

 

 ‭Jude 1:5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 

They say “seeing is believing”, and it makes sense to believe in what you see. But today's verse states that even the Israelites God saved from a life of slavery, some still didn't have faith in God, and He destroyed them. You've got to wonder what happened that a certain group failed to see the goodness and blessings of God. 

‭Matthew 13:15. For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their  ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with  their  eyes and hear with  their  ears, Lest they should understand with  their  hearts and turn, So that I should  heal them.’

It's sad to think that everything a person sees, they still don't get it. When the heart gets hard, you become deaf and blind to God’s simple message for His creation, you and me, He loves you and covered your sin debt with the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Although you were not witness to His crucification, God's word documents this historic event and captures His ministry and dealings with everyday people. 

Maybe your environment has hindered you from hearing the truth of God and His free offer of salvation (forgiveness of sins). Seek out His word and absorb its truths. God will soften your heart and so your eyes will see the blessings only He can give you when you experience His presence in your life. 

 To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

 My wife and I were talking the other day about this year, 2024, in how there has not been much good in it. A series of sad and unfortunate events has left us to question, what’s next. This morning as I was praying about the latest downer, God laid today’s passage on my heart and I wanted to share a few thoughts.

 Life is like the stock market, there are highs and lows, and sometimes those come in the same 24-hour period. There is nothing consistent about the things that happen in a person’s life. Example: If you are like many people who come into a little money, something always seems to break down that needs that extra money. From your viewpoint, it can be a downer, but the fact is, God has blessed you with that extra money to pay for the necessary repairs. Let’s face it, whatever failed was going to fail eventually, so the arrival of those extra funds was perfectly timed. It’s how you have to look at the situation objectively.

 Every good and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:17

 The second point I want to make about the highs and lows of life, God remains consistent. Nothing about His character and love towards you changes. He has remained the same from day one of this world and will remain the same into eternity. In a world that changes daily, you can put your faith and trust in God to help you maintain a place of sanity, along with peace, joy, and security; which this world can’t provide on a long-term basis. God provides all the resources needed to get through the difficult days. Call upon Him in prayer and seek His help, so you can maintain a consistent flight pattern as you navigate the highs and lows of life. God bless!

 The fear of the Lord leads to life, and he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil. Proverbs 19:23

 How satisfied are you with your life? Maybe you desire a larger pay check, a house with more rooms, a bank account with unlimited funds….the list is endless. Our pursuit of “more” can sometimes become an idol, turning us away from the satisfaction we have in God’s provisions. This is something I struggle with, sometimes on a daily basis, and maybe you do as well.

 Today’s verse sheds some light on satisfaction and how we can easily get into trouble. The desire for something is an open door for Satan to interject a thing, person, or idea, that is outside the will of God, creating an idol that will eventually bankrupt you physically, mentally, emotionally, even your bank account. God never intended for you, as a child of God, to desire the things of the world, but to indulge in His abundant blessings, even if it’s a bank account with small funds. There’s a reason and purpose God often withholds abundancy, to keep you from stepping too deep into the worldly things, that don’t last but for a short moment.

 Daily communication with God and seeking after His wisdom is the only sure fire way you’ll keep your desires and wants in check. He freely provides His wisdom to those who seek after it, and when you adhere to His voice of reason, you will know it is sound and everlasting. It’s ok to have new things, new relationships, even make some extra money, but when it becomes an idol of your time, thoughts, and resources, you will soon find your relationship with God hindered and open to Satan’s attacks.

 He who heeds the word wisely will find good, and whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he. Proverbs 16:20

 

 And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 10:12

 What motivates you to live by a certain set of standards? Is it the fear of getting caught and disciplined for wrong doing or is it because you love the freedoms that you have to live a certain way? Oftentimes we live by certain standards out of duty or obligation to rules and laws. But, as so many have said, “rules are meant to be broken”. A perfect example is the speed limit. Many have a hard time obeying this law because it’s out of obligation and not because they love driving and don’t want to lose their privilege to drive. This mindset often leads to failure, and the result of not conforming leads to embarrassment, punishment, shame, and quite often a damaged reputation.

 Today’s passage in Deuteronomy provides some guidance with regards to the motivator for doing right in God’s eyes; having a love for the Lord your God. Love is a great motivator, and when it rules your heart, you are more apt to comply with the standards God has set forth. Trying to live a Godly life out of obligation oftentimes fails because your heart is not in it.

 What sins in your life are like the speed limits of the roadways? You know the right thing to do, but your heart isn’t loving God enough to care that those repeated sins hurt your relationship with Him. Whew! Let me state that again, your heart isn’t loving God enough to care that those repeated sins hurt your relationship with Him! This speaks loudly to me, and I hope you can see the transparency of the situation in yourself. How can we love the Lord our God with all our heart?

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

 Only through the power of God’s Holy Spirit living inside you, will you be able to truly love God to the point that anything outside His will is off limits to your mind, your actions, and your words. Ask God to help you love Him more and more each day. He will strengthen your relationship with Him through your continual prayer, bible reading, and keeping a watchful eye for His wonderous works in your life. As you grow in love with Him, nothing else will matter and the motivation for obedience will truly come from a heart that loves God on the level He desires for you. God bless!

 

 

 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16

 Years ago, the company Leatherman came out with a multi-purpose tool that could tackle just about any project. From a screw driver, saw, knife, bottle opener, hammer, tweezer, and so much more, it did it all. I purchased one and carried it for years at my job. It was the most helpful tool.

 There’s another multi-purpose tool that is available to everyone, the bible. Although many people might find it outdated or not applicable, the truth of God’s word has never changed and still remains a steady source of information on how to live life amongst the many challenges faced on a daily basis. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve utilized its wisdom, and every single time God’s word has led me down a path of righteousness that has never failed or backfired. You too can embrace the multi-faceted resources it provides, if you simply put your faith and trust in it.

 The morales of today seem to be in a constant state of flux and changes frequently based on which group screams the loudest. Most of those are short lived and never amount to much. But God’s word never changes, which gives you confidence in knowing it’ll always be consistent in providing the guidance and direction you need to conquer the everyday challenges and questions you face. Why not check it out and see if it can help you as much as it helped me over the years. God bless!