Draft Day . . . what we see and what we do not see right now.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,  while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

So yesterday began the annual NFL draft. Teams as well as athletes are anxious and excited as to who is drafted by whom and what that means to the team and the individual. Teams have seen film of past games and now they wonder if that will translate into a future NFL career. They are hoping that what has been seen will produce later . . . what we cannot see right now.

As believers, we sometimes get bogged down in what we see today. Like the NFL teams today, we all have needs. We have suffered losses. We have failed. After all, in the NFL there is only one winner every year! Yet with Christ, every believer has a bright future and we all are winners, despite our circumstances!

Drafting a college player in hopes he will work out is a gamble. Trusting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior is a guarantee! Do not focus so much on today, but keep striving for tomorrow with Christ. The future is bright!🌅

Stay focused!

Stay focused . . .

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Everyone needs a focal point to stay balanced. Speakers tend to pick out an object/objects in the back of a room during their talks to stay focused and not lose track. Athletes many times have a picture, a note, or even a scripture either in their mind, written on their shoes, or even in their pockets during games. I often send myself texts and emails to remind me of things I need to do throughout the day. 

As believers, we too need to stay focused! We must devise a way to keep our focus on our Savior throughout the day. We may do it with a songlist on our car radio or a playlist on our phones. We may have daily scriptures sent to us via email or text. Many of us have scriptures throughout our homes on pictures and other designs. However we choose, we need to have a plan in place to stay focused!

What is it you do? Keep running toward the finish . . . .

4-24-24 . . . .backward and forward . . . today is today no matter how we write it.

Today is 4-24-24. No matter if we write it forward or backward, it is still 4-24-24. This reminds me of my scripture today . . . Look at God!

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us...(Psalm 46: 10-11)

I am one to write lists . . .  daily lists, monthly lists, summer lists, etc. I need to have a plan and then I must carry it out or I feel like I failed someone or something. . . often I feel as though I failed myself or worse . . . I have failed God! Yet like the numerical date today, no matter how I write my list, I cannot change today! Whether I accomplish all my tasks or not, it is still today!

I am learning . . . slowly but surely . . . that accomplishing all I need to do is not so very important. Even pleasing everyone else and their tasks for me does not matter to such an extent. 

What matters is my relationship with Christ and how I am pleasing Him! I need to rest more in Him and seek to accomplish His agenda for me today. That requires me to seek Him more and more often. At times, His agenda for me may be to sit still for a while and rest in Him!

Today will always be today . . . no matter how I write it or plan it . . . backward or forward (4-24-24)! He made it and His will must be accomplished . . . not mine!

Yes vs No . . . Do not cheat God and family!

But my eyes are fixed on You, Sovereign Lord; in You, I take refuge—do not give me over to death. Keep me safe from the traps set by evildoers,
from the snares they have laid for me. Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
while I pass by in safety. (Psalm 141:8-10)

Many times, as a believer, we feel as though we must say "yes" to every request. We believe we must answer every call and serve on every committee. After all, if I don't do it it will not get done . . . right? WRONG!

An old mentor of mine used to work like crazy around the church. This was a good thing, don't get me wrong. However, if he did everything, there was nothing left for anyone else to do! We used to say to him, "You are taking away my blessing!"

We have to learn to respectfully say, "No". We can so caught up I doing things, that we neglect our families, our health, and our time with the Lord. Oh for sure, we are busy for the Lord and the church. Yet how impactful are we if we are falling apart health-wise? How powerful is our witness if our family is being hurt? How strong is our relationship with God if we do not spend quality time in His presence daily?

Life is about priorities, not popularity. It is about quality, not quantity. I have learned to say "No" more often lately. It may not be the popular answer, but it is the right answer. Pastor Andy Stanley (Choosing to Cheat,Doubleday Religious Publishing Group, Dec 1, 2003) once said we have to learn to cheat in life. If we place too much emphasis on the wrong things, we are cheating the best things in life.

I am finally getting it right . . . God, family, and  . . .???? Do not cheat God or family!!!!

Your will, not mine God . . . true freedom

. . .whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:34-36)

We cannot allow this world and its agenda to keep us captive. We have to break free to really experience the true fellowship available in Christ. We have our lists, our desires, expectations others have for us. These things can and do hold us captive. However, to be in God's will brings freedom.

Yes, we will sin, but the cross has made us sons and daughters of God, thus we can never be totally separated from Him. (John 10:28-30) At times we can get caught up in the rat race. However, we can always turn back. Jesus is waiting with open arms. As Jesus decided in the Garden just before His death, Your will not mine God! (Luke 22:42)

Reassurance . . . Encouragement

Sometimes we all need some reassurance. I know I do lately.

 “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. I will build you up again, and you, Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt. (Jeremiah 31:3-4)

Ever feel like someone is lurking around the corner . . . just watching . . . ready to pounce the moment you slip up or when you are at your weakest? Welcome to the club. Believers throughout HIStory have faced the same exact dilemma. 

In fact, it is exactly what Peter addressed below! Remember what happened to him?

Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

So be diligent. Be careful. Definitely be watchful and on the alert! Satan can take many forms and some may be the ones we trust and respect the most. 

Remember Jeremiah's words: God loves us . . . always. He will build us up!

Anxious? Fearful? Unsure? Seek His PEACE minute by minute.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Let's face it, whether we are old or young, we face many challenging situations in this world. Our young people are stressed with grades, athletics, scholarships, relationships, and career choices. It is not like it was when I was young!

We as adults are facing situations concerning our communities, families, politics, jobs, and finances. Again, this is not our grandparents' world anymore!

So how do we function and not lose it? We first must know the Savior! Then as we discuss our situations with Him, we find confidence and peace . . . and His peace goes way beyond human understanding.

Like the Jews in the wilderness, His peace must be sought daily . . . throughout the day. It will help us to remain calm in the chaos. We can be confident rather than unsure.  We can face the day rather than backing down and running from reality.

The Creator, Sustainer, and Savior of the world will be with us and give us His peace! Seek Him . . . trust Him!

Stuff will happen

Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. (Psalm 112:6-8)

Let's face it . . . stuff will happen! There will be storms in life, both physical and emotional. People will say the wrong things and do the wrong things that impact our lives. There will

be rainy days ahead! Yet as Christ followers, we cannot allow unexpected events to throw us off balance!

God is training us to be steadfast and unmovable. He does not want us to be a slave to the stimuli of the world. He would have us to respond confidently and calmly to events that take place. 

However, this attitude does not just happen! We prepare for things in the future today. We trust God with the daily things so when the unexpected happens, we are already prepared. As soon as something unexpected grabs our attention, we will know to Whom to turn!

Just wanna say "Thank You . . . Gracias Señor!"

Rejoice always,  pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1Thessalonians 5:16-18)

One thing that really impacts me in our mission trips to Puerto Rico is how the people pray. Not just the pastor or church leaders, but everyone! They are a thankful people . . . rarely asking for anything from God. It is constant worship and thanksgiving!

When I grumble and complain, I am really telling God that He has forgotten something or messed up in some way. 

"C'mon God, why is this happening?" 

"God You know I need this or that!" 

"Fix this for me, God."

"You gotta do something, God!"

God, please help me to learn to be more thankful and less needy. Teach me to trust You more each day and to be thankful for each day! 

Gracias Señor indeed!

I saw God!

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord Himself, is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation.” (Isaiah 12:2)

Wow! . . . that is all I can after the experience of our latest mission trip to serve in Puerto Rico last week. I saw a man who was paralyzed two years ago walk out of his house to greet us while doing a community prayer walk. I saw ten teen agers grow in their prayer life and in responsibilities. I saw a young lady fight through heart issues and overcome to keep serving without complaint. 

I saw God!

After the past week, I am reminded that God is still God . . . more than ever actually. Getting away from this society and visiting folks who truly serve God and each other, without form of pretense in their worship or service, took me back. 

I am reminded that God alone is my salvation. I trust Him and Him alone! He is my strength from day to day and my deliverer when others seek my demise. I am so grateful for what He has taught me through the family we have in Puerto Rico!

Where will you see God today?

PR '24 . . . the hardest part of the week.

But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire 🔥shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in . . . (Jeremiah 20:9)

This is the hardest part of the week. We must wrap up our actual labor within the community. After a night of fellowship, games and food, we pack up to leave the Canovanas community and Pastor Abraham's congregation and head to our mini-retreat in Fajardo, PR. 

On this final day of work in Puerto Rico, God is reminding our team and me that our work does not end just because the week of labor here in Canovanas, PR is ending. If we truly want to honor God, we must realize that the work is not simply a planned week of ministry, but a lifelong journey with God. 

If we know say, "The work is complete", then like Jeremiah wrote,  we will become "weary of holding it in"! That same fire 🔥we feel today must continue to burn as we head home this weekend. We must continue to seek out the lost and assist those in need at home. Do not allow the fire to burn out! 🧯

Can we do that? Can you do that where you are today?

Most people who know me know that my goal is to coach, mentor, teach and inspire the people (especially our youth) that God leads my way to consider a life of ministry and missions. . . . to catch the fire! 🔥The work has to continue or many will be lost. I do not want that on my soul. 

Please keep praying.