Defend the needy....

 Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy.

4 Deliver the poor and needy;

Free them from the hand of the wicked.(Psalm 82:3-4)

Thank you the individuals and families who have sacrificed to help preserve and provide freedom throughout the world. Much respect and honor is given. 

Now as we as a Nation fight both physical and cyber wars to protect and defend, let us who name Jesus remember to fight to protect and provide the freedoms He provides.

The battle is the Lord's but we are still His enlisted ones!

Keep growing . . . . watch out for the weeds!

 Dear friends, you have already been warned about this. So be on your guard. Then you won’t be led astray by people who don’t obey the law. Instead, you will remain safe. Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3:17-18)

Well . . . we are almost there . . . summer! They are releasing Covid-19 restrictions and school has let out (at least for us).  The grass is green and flowers are popping up. Folks are watering lawns, planting veggies, fertilizing, pruning, and weeding. Pools are opening and even the cicadas are singing!!!! 

We must be carefully planning and preparing spiritually as well. As we are freed up from some time constraints and able to wander about a bit more freely, we must look out for dangers of spiritual poisons .  . . . weeds of false teaching, droughts in devotions, insects that can pierce and poison the soul, and entertainment that draws us away for our roots! We need to stay well fed and well watered, refreshed and rested, and not run dry and brittle. 

Oh yes, celebrate the season with friends and family, but let's not forget our faith! Keep growing spiritually and watch out for the weeds!

Giants still fall . . .

It seems like I am always facing a giant or two in life, even though at times no one else can see him. Like now . . . but if you are like me, because God has come through before, we have faith for Him to come through once again! What about you? Giants still fall! 

Remember when a young David was facing the menacing Goliath? All David had to stand upon was his faith in God . . . with a rock and a slingshot!

David said to Goliath, “You are coming to fight against me with a sword, a spear and a javelin. But I’m coming against you in the name of the Lord who rules over all. He is the God of the armies of Israel. He’s the one you have dared to fight against. This day the Lord will give me the victory over you. I’ll strike you down. I’ll cut your head off. This day I’ll feed the bodies of the Philistine army to the birds and wild animals. Then the whole world will know there is a God in Israel. The Lord doesn’t rescue people by using a sword or a spear. And everyone here will know it. The battle belongs to the Lord. He will hand all of you over to us.” . . . . He took out a stone. He put it in his sling. He slung it at Goliath. The stone hit him on the forehead and sank into it. He fell to the ground on his face. (1 Samuel 17:45-47, 49)

Keep fighting, but know the battle is the Lord's. Many times we do all we are able and then we just stand and wait. We do not retreat . . . we stand and watch for God to work . . . .  AGAIN! 

Just watch . . . Giants are still falling!!!!

Do you still believe?

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! (Psalm 27: 13-14)

 

So do you still believe? After the pandemic of the past nearly twenty months, do you still believe that God is present and good? Despite the illnesses, job losses, deaths, isolation, did you have faith that you would still see the goodness of God in the middle of it all?

The psalmist wrote that he would have lost all hope had he not believed! Many did lose hope. Many are still without hope. Yet we who still believe must now go out and instill that hope once again. We have work to do, while we are still in the land of the living. 

Summer is not a time to take a break, but to increase our focus upon the Lord and those in need! Please help us reach those needs in Puerto Rico this summer! Let's give others a reason to believe! Click the link (https://www.facebook.com/donate/805571283695673/) to donate today!

 

 

 

Do not get lost in the season . . .

 

“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36)

Ahhh......summertime! Will Smith (Fresh Prince and DJ Jazzy Jeff) sang it best in his song from 1991 (https://youtu.be/Kr0tTbTbmVA). But hold on . . .Do not get lost in the season!

While it is cool to kick back and relax a bit now that school is ending and vacations are once again possible, we cannot forget our God!  Especially this summer, after all we have been through the past fifteen months or so, we must keep our focus upon God!

Keep watching to see where He is working and join Him . . . yes even in summer! We cannot simply relax and live carefree as if nothing is happening. God is always at work, even during vacations. During these times we can express our thanks for all He has done. We can take the time to observe His works all around us. We may even take time to serve others in a way we simply cannot during the busy seasons. 

So as we prepare to slow down a bit, remember to keep watching . . . God is at work! Do not get lost in the season!

A new beginning . . .

But the Lord says “Forget the things that happened in the past. Do not keep on thinking about them. I am about to do something new. It is beginning to happen even now. Don’t you see it coming? I am going to make a way for you to go through the desert. I will make streams of water in the dry and empty land. (Isaiah 43:17-19)

End of school . . . end of Covid restrictions . . . beginning of summer and a new beginning for us all! It is time to stop thinking about what was and begin to think about what will be . . . what God is doing next. God took the Israelites through high waters and dry deserts. He has surely brought us through these past fifteen months or so. As He provided a land of milk and honey for the Jews, (Exodus 3:8)He is providing opportunity for us as well. Will we embrace the new or go back to the old?

Was your GPA not quite as high as you wished? It's done . . . move on! Did Covid restrictions cramp your style? Let's change styles! Have we been stuck in the past and all the doom and gloom? Well, God is about to do something new . . . It is happening now . . . new opportunities, new friends, new areas to explore . . . don't you see it coming? 

Each day is a new beginning. Seek God and embrace His will for you today, tomorrow, this summer, next year. He still rewards those who diligently seek Him! (Hebrews 11:6) 

In a challenging world, we have great joy, perfect peace, and hope!

Our God is a God who strengthens and encourages you. May he give you the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had. Then you can give glory to God with one mind and voice. He is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ has accepted you. So accept one another in order to bring praise to God. I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews. He teaches us that God is true. He shows us that God will keep the promises he made to the founders of our nation. Jesus became a servant of the Jews. He did this so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercy. . . . May the God who gives hope fill you with great joy. May you have perfect peace as you trust in him. May the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope. (Romans 15:5-9,13)

So as a school year comes to an end and society seems to be opening back up again, many have fears and anxieties as to what to do, where to go, when to go, how long to stay, etc. We as believers need not to fear or be anxious. Rather, we have great joy, perfect peace, and hope!

Thank God for the doctors. Thank God got the nurses. Thanks God for the hospitals and researchers. Thank God for the scientists and government leaders who have rushed the vaccines to so many world-wide! While they have done a tremendous job, my faith is not in them, nor the masks or the anti-bacterials, but my faith remains in God!

I look back and thank God for getting us through this past year and a half. He has kept us for sure. I now move forward: 

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14 )

Let's trust God now as we move forward and share that great joy, perfect peace, and hope that others so desperately need!

Simple advice to us all . . . but it takes love!

💗💕

How can a young person keep their life pure?
By living according to your word. I trust in you with all my heart. Don’t let me wander away from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart so that I won’t sin against you. (Psalm 119:9-11)

Simple advice to each of us . . .young and not-so-young! Many students ask me how can a person live a pure life . . . a life that honors God? Here it is: keep God's Word! He did not say to be perfect or sinless, but trusting God at His Word. We have to learn His Word and apply it and as we go through life, as we mature in His Word, we will be more and more like Him, until that day when He declares us sinless!

Solomon advised us to love God and keep His commandments. (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Jesus instructed us to keep His commandments , if we love Him. (John 14:15) Mark wrote to remind us to love God and people with all we have within us! (Mark 12:30-31) 

These all are quite simple instructions . . . simple advice to us all. Yet it takes work! It takes real love 💘. . . real effort . . . real work!

Are we willing to put in the work? 

What are we doing with what we are learning?

 Here is what I’m telling you. I am speaking for the Lord as I warn you. You must no longer live as the Gentiles do. Their thoughts don’t have any purpose. They can’t understand the truth. They are separated from the life of God. That’s because they don’t know him. And they don’t know him because their hearts are stubborn. They have lost all feeling for what is right. So they have given themselves over to all kinds of evil pleasures. They take part in every kind of unclean act. And they are full of greed. But that is not the way of life in Christ that you learned about. You heard about Christ and were taught about life in him. What you learned was the truth about Jesus. You were taught not to live the way you used to. You must get rid of your old way of life. That’s because it has been made impure by the desire for things that lead you astray. You were taught to be made new in your thinking.  You were taught to start living a new life. It is created to be truly good and holy, just as God is. So each of you must get rid of your lying. Speak the truth to your neighbor. We are all parts of one body.  Scripture says, “When you are angry, do not sin.” (Psalm 4:4) Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.  Don’t give the devil a chance.  Anyone who has been stealing must never steal again. Instead, they must work. They must do something useful with their own hands. Then they will have something to give to people in need. Don’t let any evil talk come out of your mouths. Say only what will help to build others up and meet their needs. Then what you say will help those who listen.  Do not make God’s Holy Spirit mourn. The Holy Spirit is the proof that you belong to God. And the Spirit is the proof that God will set you completely free. Get rid of all hard feelings, anger and rage. Stop all fighting and lying. Don’t have anything to do with any kind of hatred.  Be kind and tender to one another. Forgive one another, just as God forgave you because of what Christ has done. (Ephesians 4:17-32)

What are we doing with what we are learning? It has been a challenging year to say the least. Yet, for those of us who call ourselves followers of Jesus Christ . . . His disciples or students . . . we have a bigger challenge in front of us: What are we doing with what we are learning? We are instructed to DO the things we have learned. (Philippians 4:9) Jesus said, "If you love me you will keep my commandments." (John 14:15)

So here we are . . . the end of a school year and what is seemingly the end of pandemic restrictions and limitations. So again I ask us all: What are we doing with what we are learning?

So how do we as believers act?

Therefore let the one who thinks he stands firm [immune to temptation, being overconfident and self-righteous], take care that he does not fall [into sin and condemnation].No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].Therefore, my beloved, run [keep far, far away] from [any sort of] idolatry [and that includes loving anything more than God, or participating in anything that leads to sin and enslaves the soul]. (1 Corinthians 10:12-14 Amplified)

Ok everyone . ..school is coming to a close . . . the Class of 2021 is having a somewhat normal graduation . . . people are getting vaccinated . . . the world is about to "open up" again. 

So how do we as believers act?  I believe the verses above are fairly appropriate to exam in light of our society today. 

We cannot think we are "immune" to not Covid-19, but the temptations offered now that we are a bit free-er. We still must be diligent, not simply from viruses and germs, but from the temptations of this world! You think Satan hasn't been preparing for this?

Temptations will abound this summer for young and old alike. Be diligent. Be on the look out. Know that God is able to keep us. Be watchful for opportunities to witness for Christ, not chances sin against Him! It is simple but challenging: do not love anything more than God! 

Can we do it? Yes, we can and God is there to assist!

Play by the rules . . .compete!

 

And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. (2 Timothy 2: 5-7)

I love the references Paul makes to sports . . . boxing, running, competing.  It makes it easy for me to understand much better the ways of the CHRISTian life. It is NOT easy. As with athletics, it takes daily training, struggling through injuries, dealing with losses, and dealing with success. We only get better through practice as well! 

Finally, as with athletics there is only one Champion in the end . . . Jesus Christ! Jesus played by the rules to every last detail. He competed until the very end . . . even to the cross! He won the victory for each of us. So now, let us compete from victory until the very end and we hear "well done"!🏆

Never compromise . . .

O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babbling and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. (1 Timothy 6:20-21)

As Paul is advising Timothy in pastoring the churches in Ephesus, he warns him not to give in to the knowledge of the day. We can learn form these verses today. We hear so much (even as recent as yesterday) of church leaders, denominations, and others twisting and adapting the early church doctrines and teachings and traditions into modern philosophies and doctrine. Compromise is never good when it comes to our faith! Never compromise!

You see, there are the basic doctrines of the faith and there are the traditions, or teachings and practices, of the early church. If it is not written in stone, then we look to the early ways the followers of Christ worshipped and lived. In today's CHRISTian culture, we find compromise in both areas . . . doctrine and practices!

As Paul warned Timothy and we are warned today . . . both young and old . . . never compromise! It becomes a slippery slope we sometimes cannot climb back up.

 . . . in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created . . . (1 Timothy 4:1-3)

So again, do not give in to today's culture of compromise and casual CHRISTianity. Be warned as well of those who are advocating a legalistic approach to our relationship with Christ. Jesus freed us to follow Him, not the world!

 Never compromise!

Confident faith in God . . .not this world!

Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: “For yet a little while,

And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.

Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back,

My soul has no pleasure in him.” (Hebrews 10:35-38)

Confident faith in God . . . not this world! Trust me, this world will tear you up, spit you out, and mess with your mind, soul, and body along the way . . . and then leave you lost! It is what Satan does. He rules this present world after all. (John 12:31) The writer of Hebrews reminds us all in these words that we have to endure . . . trust God at His Word! We must live by faith . . .He will come back and reward us all one day in His timing!

Keep pressing toward the finish line in all that we do . . . and do it all to His glory. What awaits us is incomparable to anything temporary this world can give. Be confident! Great . . . so great is our reward! (Matthew 5:12)

I have confidence in you!

 

You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump.  I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is. (Galatians 5:7-10)

Paul writes to encourage the believer to not fall back or be influenced by evil. Remember when the Lord first found you (us)?  We were ready to run through fire and over any mountain . . . I know I was! But things in life can get us down, depressed, feeling empty and even ignored! These feelings are not from God, but the enemy!

Whether it's been challenges with virtual school (for students, parents, and teachers), job challenges, financial burdens, health issues (duh . . . Covid-19!), social isolation, cabin fever, or any other of the myriad of tests and trials this past year, we cannot allow the enemy to hold us down and keep us from serving God and receiving His blessings. 

We serve as we teach, learn, work, battle illness, reach folks via social media, and commit/re-commit to the work of God. We stay connected and committed to God as we go through the fires and even as the waters overtake us. We cannot lose hope or confidence in our God!

I have confidence in God. I have confidence in you. God will keep His promises and we must keep ours! (Philippians 1:6) Keep running!!!

Do not lose those things you have worked for!

 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. (2 John 1: 8-11)

Beware of the fancy words, the slick talkers, and the one with the charisma and charm. There are many who sound great and speak with flair and romanticize the Gospel. They smile, encourage, and even comfort many of us with their words and presentation. BEWARE! There are still wolves in sheep's clothing! (Matthew 7:15)

We still must try every spirit, especially in these challenging days. Many come promising cures, emotional relief, financial prosperity and more. When in doubt, we must always compare what we are reading and hearing with the doctrine of Christ . . .the teachings of Christ and His disciples. If there are inconsistencies, then flee! 

Jesus gave too much for our souls. We also have sacrificed along the way in our walk with Christ. Do not give it up for nonsense! Do not be fooled!!!

Especially to my seniors on their last day . . . . Remember this one thing!

The words of the wise are like goads (spikes), and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd. And further, my son, (or daughter) be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God and keep His commandments . . .

For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment,

Including every secret thing, whether good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:11-14) 

Now that the school year for our seniors has come to a close as far as "classroom learning" is concerned, what piece of advice do I have? Who better than Solomon to quote?  

Fear God and keep His commandments!

With all the knowledge our students take in over twelve years of schooling (some over fifteen years counting Pre-K and more), there is no greater knowledge to retain than to come to know the Creator God as Lord and Savior and to follow His ways. This is the only way to success in life! Without this foundational truth, all other knowledge is useless!

With all the books read and all the lectures given, there will be one final exam in life. Each of us must answer this: So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. (Romans 14:12) 

Students, teachers, parents, everyone reading this blog today . . . . I will end with this question: What will your response be?

Fear not, for I am with you!

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name;

You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,

Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God,

The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place.

Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you;

Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life.

Fear not, for I am with you . . . . (Isaiah 43: 1-5)

The school year is winding down for colleges and high schools. Seniors are preparing to move on to unfamiliar territories. Underclassmen and teachers are pondering going back into classrooms after more than a year of isolation and fears of Covid-19.  Businesses are reopening and employees are considering a new work environment or stay at home jobs. Many of us are actually planning family travel and vacations.  There are some real questions . . . real fears  . . . real concerns.

Oh, but listen to our God and Savior: He gives us some real promises and assurances. 

Fear not . . .I have redeemed you . . .I will be with you . . . I am the Lord your God . . . Fear not . . . I am with you!

As things are opening up and opportunities await, we who are called by the name of Christ must be bold and confident! His promises are still "yes and amen". (2 Corinthians 1:20) 

Running . . .running . . .running

 

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3: 12-14)

Running . . .running . . .running . . . even when we are standing still sometimes it seems as if we are always running! Life never stops, even during a pandemic. We may be restricted to certain areas and within certain boundaries, but life never gets easy, especially for the Christ follower. 

I don't know about you, but many times it seems I am either running the race with Christ or fleeing the lusts that Satan puts before me! Either way, I seem to always be running . . . even in my sleep at times! Running from the past . . . running away from temptations . . . running to the cross . . . sometimes it seems as if I am running in circles! The CHRISTian race is constant! 

I remember one piece of advice I received years ago . . . always be found leaning forward! I think this is Paul's reminder in his words above to those in Philippi: reach forward to those things which are ahead . . . the prize that awaits us in Christ! We must keep our eyes on the prize, despite the challenges we face here on earth. 

Young or old, male or female, we must keep leaning forward and never stop running spiritually! We may get physically tired, we may get weary in the legs, we may even end up walking or crawling at times, but keep leaning . . . pressing  . . . forward! (Isaiah 40:30-31)

By the way Feliz Cinco de Mayo y'all!

Looking toward the end . . .

 

The end of a thing is better than its beginning;
The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
9 Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry,
For anger rests in the bosom of fools.
10 Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?”
For you do not inquire wisely concerning this. (Ecclesiastes 7:8-10)

So many of us are looking toward the end . . .the end of the school year . . . the end of high school . . . the end of this pandemic and the masks, the limits, the restrictions. Sadly though, many people want to go back. 

There is a reason why the windshield of a car is much larger than the side and rear view mirrors. Life in the past is HIStory. We lived it, good or bad. It is the past however!  We cannot change it nor can we relive it. We should look forward. Forward has so many more options!

There was a reason why God allowed what He did in 2020. We may not understand it all right now, but in time we will. Yes, there were a lot of terrible things happening from pandemics to protests to political embarrassments. Yet God has us here . . .in the present and looking forward . . . to the end! Where will you and I end up?

As we glance in the rear view mirror, we see good times and bad. We see success and failure. We see sorrows and joy. But they are in the past! God has a full array of hope ahead. He is painting a canvas of hope. We must move forward and join Him at work!

The end is ahead . . . as we look forward, if we know Christ we know for sure the end is glorious so we move forward with excitement and anticipation of what is to come. 

Where will you and I end up?

Wait upon the Lord . . .

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:2-8)

Trials and testings . . .all seem to be a part of the end of the school year for students, teachers, and parents! What will my final G.P.A. be? Will I be promoted? Will I be accepted? Can we afford college? Will the scholarships come through? Will we really be in a classroom? When will we know the answers?

Guess what? God knows all the answers to these questions and more . . . all we can do is our part and then trust Him to work things out . . . according to His timing and His will. (Jeremiah 29:11).  Things just may not work out according to our plans. However, God's plans are always best, as we will see as we wait upon the Lord. (Isaiah 40:31) 

I know it's tough waiting and not taking action. I have learned from experience that it is better to wait then to hastily decide and then regret it.