That you may know . . . just in case you have doubts.

If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:9-13)

There are times when we all have doubts concerning God and His promises. It is quite normal in this crazy world. We experience so much turmoil, trials, and tribulations. It must have been the same during John's day from his writings above.

So, just in case you have any doubts today, think back on what you know. Even those in Jesus' day had some doubts (Mark 9:24). If you have repented of your sinful nature and sincerely confessed Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then you indeed have eternal life. 

Keep believing. Keep trusting. Keep living. Believe it and live it out . . . so others may know as well!

No privilege here!

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.(Galatians 3:26-29)

No privilege here! No one greater . . . smarter . . . better looking . . . better hair . . . better skin color . . . richer or poorer. In God's eyes, His children are one!

Oh, if we as a Body would only get that! The Jews thought they were Abraham's chosen. However, when God blessed them and blesses us with benefits, we are to share them with those that do not have the same opportunities we have. The only reason one has things is because God has allowed them to have it!

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. (1 Timothy 6:17-18)

As believers we all have been blessed by God by His grace, not our works. In a world that is begging for change, maybe we can be that change?

We need to be God explorers!

Discerning God’s voice goes beyond simple daily prayer time. It takes patience and lots of journeying with God to be able to hear Him. Hearing God’s voice obviously means listening to our pastors whom God chose as shepherds of His faith for us. It means listening to the good counsel of our fellow believers in Christ. It also means studying what bible verses about hearing God teach us, for He gave us these devotional scriptures to guide us in our relationship with Him.

But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. (John 10:2-4)

You see, to hear from God we have to dig a little deeper than a casual prayer. Like in any relationship, we need to dig deeper to get to know God and is plans. We need to be God explorers!

Are we willing to take that journey? It could be a bit challenging. Along the way we may face some challenging hills and valleys. We may get misdirected a few times. We just might take a wrong turn. Yet the map . . . God's Positioning System (GPS), His Word in other words, always leads us to Him!

Why read scriptures and journal?

“Thus speaks the Lord God of Israel, saying: ‘Write in a book for yourself all the words that I have spoken to you. (Jeremiah 30:2)

Why read scriptures and journal? Well, there are a few reasons . . .

• It keeps a record.
• It helps us study.
• It opens our eyes up to the Word.
• It challenges us.
• It creates a conversation.
• It helps us listen to God.
• It helps us respond to God.
• It disciplines us.

The spiritual discipline of journaling sets aside a time to read God's Word, listen to His Word, and respond to His Word. It is not just talking to or at God. It is a conversation . . . listen and respond. As we read and respond, we begin to have a HIStory of our conversations with God. We can begin to see how He has responded to us in various times and over months and years. 

Throughout both the New and Old Testament, God instructs the authors to write it down. How do you think we received the Bible? I hope one day my children and grandchildren will be able to pick up this blog and my old Bibles and read what God has accomplished in my lifetime. 

What about you? What is God saying? How do you respond?

What is your vision?

Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, hat he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come . . . it will not tarry. “Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith. (Habakkuk 2:2-4)

What is your vision? What do you see yourself doing in life . . . next week, next year, in five years, in ten years? Is it what God has planned for you? Have you really sought is opinion? 

We all have to watch that we do not get caught up in what we want for ourselves or what others want for us. Many have good intentions. The world offers some very enticing career choices. But at what price?

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36)

Knocking on God's door more often

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7)

As many students and teachers are starting a new semester, we look forward to a fresh start but also we look back at what we need to change. Even in life in general, it is good to do a reboot now and then. As believers, it is always good to assess where we are and how we got to this point.

One ting I can always do better is seek the Lord. If you are like me, I find myself seeking the Lord more after I screw up than before I attempt a task. I can look back on my failures and see where I did not seek His advice or chose to follow my own heart rather than His desires for me.

While there are many times, especially in my recent past, where I know it was just God, I also know I need to seek His wisdom first before acting. In hindsight, I see my mistakes. Looking forward, I am going to knock on His door more often before hitting my head against more brick walls!

Going forward . . . .

 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 3:13-14)

For students and teachers, today marks the beginning of the second semester. It marks and chance to forget the past for some and have a fresh start. For others, it is an opportunity to continue going forward, not slacking up but pressing ahead and building upon the success of the previous semester.

As adults, we too have to take time to assess where we are at times. Have we been slacking in some areas? Where are we succeeding? Where can we improve? 

None of us have apprehended as Paul wrote or reached perfection. We all can improve in one area or another. For students, it may be getting work turned in on time or studying better for tests. For teachers, it may be to prepare lessons for all students to be able to grasp. For athletes, it may be as simple as getting more restore practicing harder. For all of us, as Christ followers, it can always be to seek more of Him and to serve others more as well.

Thank God for new starts and second chances! Today, let's examine what we will be doing going forward . . .

What if . . . exam results

Exam week is over . . . . now what?

Do you get nervous waiting for your exam results? Maybe you can’t eat because your stomach is churning so much. Perhaps you are too upset and worried to sleep? You keep wondering about a whole bunch of questions:

• What will the results be?
• Will I make honor roll?
• Will I still be eligible to play?
• Will they be enough to get into my university course?
• What if... what if I don’t get to do what I really, really wanted to do?

Everyone wants to get the "A". But what if . . .Oh, the shock of bad exam results. Maybe I get the good grade. But what if . . . One minute I had my world all planned out, and the next ... well, the next moment everything crashed down around me. 

Here are some questions to deal with:

• How much am I thinking, "Good marks equals a good person"?
• How much of my self-esteem depends on my academic results?
• Am I trusting in God, or am I really trying to control Him by planning out my own future?
• Have I been expecting God to automatically approve my ideas, rather than letting Him be in charge?
• What now??????

Exam week is over for students. We teachers now have a stack of tests from nearly a hundred students to correct. Then they receive the exam results. What if?

Remember this: In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.        (Proverbs 16:9)

• God loves you.
• God knows you better than you know yourself.
• His plans may be different than ours.
• He loves you for who you are, not what you do.
• There is nothing too big for God, so keep praying and seeking Him, not the applause of man!

Think on these things now that exam week is over . . . until next semester!😉

Still more tests?

“What is man that You magnify him, and that You are concerned about him, that You examine him every morning . . . and try him every moment? (Job 7:17-18)

Yes, it is still Mid-Term Week at school and the students are saying things like, "Still more tests?" Well, duh . . . it is Mid-Term Week! The fact is, as a believer, we are tested daily so God can examine us to see that we are ready for the challenges ahead! School is simply a microcosm of life in Christ!

God has a magnifying glass upon each of us, as Job wrote, keeping a close eye upon us. He is so concerned for us that He checks in on us often. . . . always in fact. After all, if His eye is on the sparrow (Matthew 6:25-27). . . well, you know! In fact, He tries us, or tests us, every moment! He desires for us to come out of this life pure as refined gold to receive all He has in store for us in eternity.

Thank God for more tests to come.

Another test?

"Another test?"

My students ask me this often. While we as teachers are required to test so many times a quarter, test also let us know what the students have understood and if we have taught things well. God too wants to be sure we are getting His message and that we are growing closer to the image in which He created us.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. (1 Peter 1: 6-8)

Yes, God tests us often in life . . . for us to see just where we are. Through the tests and trials we struggle through in life, we come out stronger, better equipped, and better witnesses for Christ. As we continue to learn of God, we grow closer to Him and people can better see Him in us. As I tell my students, test are needed for us to grow.

Yes, we walk by faith . . . but a faith that has been tested!

Exam week . . . every day for the believer

Exam week at school . . . this means nervous students, proctoring teachers, and yes, correcting all the exams afterwards. This is not a fun week for students or teachers. We are taken out of our normal routines and tested. 

Exams test the student and the teacher. Did the teacher teach well? Did the students grasp the concepts taught? Yet for the believer, we are tested every day!

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4)

James reminds us that we will come up against trials of every kind. Yet as we endure, we will come out patient and confident. Tests let us know where we stand. They help us evaluate our faith. As we go through life's testings, we mature in our relationship with Christ and grow deeper with Him . . . trusting Him more each day, through each trial we face. We learn He is there; teaching us and preparing us to face each and every test.

Yes, exams, tests, may make us a bit nervous. They may cause some anxious moments. Yet when we come through and pass, we can rest in knowing we were well prepared.

 

We face tests daily as a believer. Embrace the process and trust God with the results. He is a good teacher.

 

Justice begins with me

 It starts with us as individuals . . . 

But let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream.(Amos 5:24)

As Dr. King celebrates with the martyrs in heaven, will we live out the scriptures he died for and make changes in our lives? Don't depend upon the government or the church, you and I must be the change! Justice begins with me!

There is no room for separation of cultures. There is One Lord, One faith, One baptism . . . One Father of us all. We are Kingdom citizens as Dr. Tony Evans has stated. 

Thank you Dr. Pastor Martin Luther King for your life of sacrifice for us all.

Ready to Rumble?

Are you ready to rumble? We have a fight on our hands. It is gonna take courage and it will be intense.

So you must go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end.” (Matthew 28:19-20 (NIrV)

The world needs CHRISTians to be seen in everyday life. We need not to be in hiding! How else will a world of so many choices know there is One who offers answers to all life's basic questions:

• Who am I?
• Why am I here?
• Where am I going?

You see, if we say the world is too bad to raise children, then the world can only get worse as the enemy gains control. If we who are believers fail to impact the world around us, then again, things get worse . . . and much quicker.

We may not be able to save the world or even change it. We can however help individuals to change and lead others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ! 

Are you ready to rumble?

The Unknown

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

The unknown will happen daily. Will we be ready?

Let's face it, every day is an unknown! While we make plans and prepare for each day, something unknown pops up daily. A family illness . . . a vehicle breakdown . . . a leaky toilet . . . you name it, it will happen . . . the unknown. If we knew it would happen it would not be unknown!😟

So how do we prepare for something we don't know is coming? We make and plans and then put it all in God's hands! He has overcome it all!

We never know . . . .

We never know . . . there is always someone watching . . . someone listening . . . someone trolling our social media pages. We never know who sees what we are doing. . . who reads what we are writing and posting. . . who hears what we might be saying. 

Of course, God knows, but who else may be in the audience? 

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Colossians 4:5-6)

My wife and I planned a January birthday dinner as we have done in the past to celebrate her last evening. In my interaction with the restaurant manager leading up to the event, the words blessing and God were exchanged; not unusual in many of my exchanges with others. But this seemed different . . . 

Once at the restaurant we discovered a like faith and a shared passion for missions . . . especially Puerto Rico! Look at God. Who would have thought? We never know . . . .

As a teacher, mentor and life coach to young adults and families, I have come to realize that they not only always are observant of my actions, but they also troll social media! They want to see if we are genuine in what we say in the classroom by what we do on the outside. 

In this new year, I want to stay focused on my life's witness . . . to those whom I may not even know are watching, listening, trolling. God is always at work around us, but remember, Satan too is still seeking to kill, steal and destroy. We must remain diligent. We never know how God can use us!

Respect yourself at all times!

Honor where honor is due . . . respect given and/or respect earned . . . life has its challenges!

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so. (Proverbs 3:27)

There are positions in life that require respect . . . simply because of the position held; God (of course), President, government officials, pastors/elders, parents, law enforcement, judges, etc. Yet while respect is expected for those in authority, those in authority can do things to lose our respect!

No matter the circumstance, we as Christ followers must always do our best to respect those over us. After all, God has allowed them to be in those positions. However, life has its challenges. Leaders often do things to lose our respect for them. 

What do we do in these cases? We always do our best to do good . . . do the right thing. Trust God above all. We do not want to make things worse. In doing so we are honoring God and respecting ourselves! Whenever we are able, be sure to do good!

We must follow our own Godly advice . . .

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.(Romans 8:18)

Challenges indeed test our faith. However, this is when the scriptures we like to quote to others ring true with us. We must follow our own Godly advice . . .

Have you ever told someone, "everything will be alright"? Ever let them now that, "God has you"? Ever informed them that, "God will not put more on you than you can handle"?

Well, today is one of those days when I have to advise myself. God indeed has me this day!

We are pushed hard from all sides. But we are not beaten down. We are bewildered. But that doesn’t make us lose hope. Others make us suffer. But God does not desert us. We are knocked down. But we are not knocked out. We always carry around the death of Jesus in our bodies. In that way, the life of Jesus can be shown in our bodies. We who are alive are always in danger of death because we are serving Jesus. This happens so that his life can also be shown in our earthly bodies. (2 Corinthians 4: 8-11)

He still hears prayers....New Year 2023 IV

Now it happened in the process of time that the king of Egypt died. Then the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry came up to God because of the bondage. So God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God acknowledged them. ((Exodus 2:23-25)

Ever wonder if God is listening? I know, it is hard to realize that the God of creation listens to you and me. After all, are we that important to Him? The answer  is "yes" and "yes"! 

He still hears prayers! He still listens to our cries and we are all important to Him!

Moses was living in Midian, escaping from a murder charge, far from the luxury of Egypt. The Jewish people were in bondage back in Egypt. All seemed lost. Yet God heard . . . He remembered . . . and He acted. It took some time, but look what He did!

Keep speaking with God. Keep pleading. Keep obeying. Wait Him out. He still hears prayers  . . . yes, yours and mine!

He is still in control: New Year 2023 III

For many will come in My name [misusing it, and appropriating the strength of the name which belongs to Me], saying, ‘I am the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed),’ and they will mislead many. You will continually hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end [of the age]. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs [of the intolerable anguish and the time of unprecedented trouble]. (Matthew 24: 5-8 AMP)

A week into 2023 and where are we? Back to work . . . back to school . . . back to the routine. However, we still have some things to ponder . . . some things to plan . . . some things to go to God about today.

Bombs still landing in the Ukraine. Covid strains seem to be popping up. A football player actually died on the field and had to be resuscitated twice! Weather patterns are going crazy from monster blizzards on the East Coast to atmospheric river storms on the West Coast. A college student travelled across state lines just to murder four other college students; then ride cross country home with his dad. 

What is going on anyway? What do we make of it all God? I know one ting . . . He is still in control!

Anything really new?

“….assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:21-23)

So here we are, a few days into 2023 . . . anything really new? He is the same God . . . thankfully. We are still the same people we were in 2022. So what has really changed but the calendar?

If we really want to change, it must be our decision making! As Paul wrote in the passages above, we must do away with old habits! We must decide to follow God more closely . . . to spend quality time with Him rather than other activities and people. If our one resolution or goal in 2023 is to be a better me, than it has to include the One who made me!

So as we go into 2023, let's start with time with God. Decide to make it better . . . not necessarily longer, but better. Make it more personal. Make it real. Make it genuine. Treat God and especially the person of Holy Spirit, like a real person . . . because He is! 

Let's give God the time and attention He deserves and we need in 2023.

Different than who?

New year . . . same God . . . same me.

I know that many will say that this year I will not be the same me. We make plans and resolutions with the intent to be different in 2023. Different than who? While we may make plans to do different activities and make decisions differently, we are still the same person inside.

God has wired each of us uniquely with unique DNA, personalities, and talents. He even gives us spiritual gifts or abilities that are unique too the individual. The key to being different is allowing Him to guide us and His plans to be our plans. We must decide to allow His Spirit to be the One Who makes the change!

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:18-19)

God has not changed. You and I are still the same persons. It may be a new year, but to make it different  . . . . to be different in 2023 . . . . we must decide to give God control!