Spend time with God today and everyday . . . throughout the day!

My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. (Psalm 62:7-8)

Many call upon God when things get challenging . . . and that is acceptable and understood. However, most of go through our daily routines oblivious to God . . . like He doesn't care so much about our everyday, ho-hum life. Yet He does! He notices everything!

The more we include God in our everyday life . . .  no matter how insignificant we may think it is . . . it strengthens our dependance upon God and our confidence in Him. Our relationship with Him becomes a daily, 24/7 thing. By the way, it also pleases God that we include Him in everything!

This way, when things do go haywire, we are already in touch with our Rock and Savior! We do not have go search for Him or feel ashamed in any way. Spend time with God today and everyday . . . throughout the day!

Waiting for the next big story?

Terrorism . . . natural disasters . . . gun violence . . . Covid scares . . . what next? How else will those in the media world continue to focus upon fear-inducing subject matter. Many today are so focused upon the news that we are living in fear every minute of the day . . . almost waiting for the next big story.

Yet we who trust in the Lord and His promises . . . we who know the future . . . we can rest in Him and know He is still in control. We have read the prophecies. We know what is going to happen to the world, those who trust in its promises, yet we also know what our future holds. 

Rather than seeing the world as doom and disaster, we see the things non-believers cannot. We see sun bursting upon the horizon in the morning and the soothing beauty of a sunset. We hear the calls of the grackles and sweet melodies of the sparrows. We observe nature and see God still at work . . . providing and protecting for even the smallest of creatures. 

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled; Though the mountains shake with its swelling. (Psalm 46: 1-3)

We have eyes to see and ears to hear the things of God. We also have the duty to share this Good News rather than spread the propaganda of the media! So what is the next big story?

Less is more . . .

Doing less and spending more time with Jesus is a good thing! Many are trying to stay busy thinking this is how to live a productive life. We spend time at work . . . time at school . . . time practicing and training . . . time with family and friends . . . but how much time do we spend with God?

While all the things listed above can be productive and result in positive emotions and relationships and even make life comfortable and enjoyable, the less time we spend with our Lord makes the things we do spend time doing futile!

Walking in His Presence brings peace, contentment, and an unhurried pace of living. Others will notice. They will experience what they really need . . . Who they really need . . . JESUS! Less busyness and more resting in Jesus. It is not laziness, it is contentment!

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Everlasting Father . . . Prince of Peace . . . my God, Savior and Friend!

Who is God to you? I believe it is of utmost importance to understand Who God is as we celebrate His incarnation. He is not simply a god in the sky or a god who is not attached to us personally. He cares so much for us that He sacrificed His very own life for our eternal redemption. He is Father, God, Savior and Friend.

So . . .

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (Romans 8:31-35)

I pray we can all come to an understanding of Who God is . . . what He has done and what He continues to do into eternity!

Celebrate CHRISTmas . . . celebrate eternity with Him!

Have you figured God out yet? Stop already!

Many are trying to explain God and give a reasonable scientific explanation for His existence. Well . . . you simply cannot! 

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:10-13)

You see, God is other. He was not created, but He started created everything that was created. Science cannot explain Him because he created science in the first place. Because God is infinite and eternal, any finite way to describe Him fails. The human mind cannot possible figure out the mind of the One Who created the human mind! To top it off, we reject Him, ridicule Him, abuse Him, and even put Him to death . . . and He suffers on a cross so we can be with Him eternally.

So stop already! It's crazy. It doesn't make sense to us. Because He is God and we are not!

CHRISTmas Blessings . . . expect them from God not man!

My soul, wait silently for God alone. For my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; the Rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. (Psalm 62:5-7)

Many people today look forward to the giving and receiving of gifts at CHRISTmas. That is not a bad thing in and of itself. We all do! However, as I have matured in Christ and at the same time been disappointed and let down by people, I have come to look forward to CHRISTmas blessings from God! 

You see, it is no longer the toys, the gifts or the money that excite me so much. For that matter, it is not even the people. Gifts can disappoint . . . wrong size, wrong color, etc. Money is spent way too quickly. People . . . well we all have been let down by friends, families and others on occasion, especially during the HOLYdays. 

Yet God has never let me down. He knows what fits for me. He gives me what I need when I need it. So as I look back and remember the past, I can see how faithful He has been. So I wait on God. I expect things from Him. I won't change my course any longer to follow man's designs. He alone is my Rock and my Comfort. I trust Him!

What blessings are you expecting this CHRISTmas? 

Oh Come . . . Oh Come Emmanuel . . . Looking Forward

For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.  Not only that, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. (Romans 8:22-23)

It is the last day of school and the beginning of CHRISTmas Break! Most of us have been looking forward to this day. This has been a long-awaited time for teachers and students alike . . . maybe not so many parents . . . but a few weeks of rest and doing what we please! Thank You Lord!

So what are we looking forward to now . . . travel, seeing friends and family, games and tournaments? Anyone looking forward to experiencing Jesus . . . even His return? Wouldn't that be something . . . for Him to gift us with His return as we celebrate His birthday?

Would we be ready???

Oh come . . . Oh come Emmanuel . . . be with us forever! 

Set apart for God . . . me?

Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)

Several scriptures call us as believers to be holy, that is set apart by God for His work. That to me still blows me away. Yes, I have asked Jesus to cleanse me from sin, knowing I am an awful sinner and deserving eternal hell. I trust in His blood  sacrifice upon the cross and look forward to eternal life with Him as a result of His resurrection. 

Yet still . . . me . . . set apart for God? I will never understand why a perfect and Almighty God would even care to want to be in a relationship with me. He also wants to use me to represent Him in this world? That is simply crazy . . . the crazy love God has for me!

Thank You God for allowing me into Your presence and changing my heart to serve You. Help me to do just that!

Take a look around, now look inward.

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling . . . For we live by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:1-2, 7)

Take a look around . . . . The world we live is broken. It is literally falling apart and no one can really do anything about it. No matter how we try . . . recycling, electric cars, all-natural products . . . we and the world are going to end one day! As we close in on death every day, so does this earth.

Now, look inward! Yet there is GOOD NEWS! The God who has my soul in His hands is still in control and not only does He is He preparing a new heaven and earth, but a new me as well!

He promises a great future for those who know Him as Lord and Savior. It is referred to as abundant life in John 10:10. Thought Satan would have us believe all is lost, trying to steal our joy and destroy our dreams, He is defeated. 

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and His righteousness. As I take a look around, things seem pretty bad. Yet I now look inward and trust the promises of God and keep my head up! It will all work our for my good . . . and yours too if you know Him. Live by faith . . . .

Stop and know His work

God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; He does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’ So that everyone he has made may know his work, He stops all people from their labor. (Job 37:5-7)

Isn't God full of surprises? Yesterday, here in the DMV, we had heavy rain and 60 degree weather. This morning at 4:30 a.m. I wake up a see a few inches of snow on the ground and still snowing lightly . . . with a wind chill of 26 degrees! . . . This can only be God showing everyone His power and making us stop and know His work!

Job states that God thunders in marvelous ways. In just twenty-four hours, He has indeed told the rain to be a might downpour and He then allowed the snow to fall on the earth! He is still God!

Same God then . . same God now! I see You!!!

All I really need is Jesus!

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:  I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. . . . .Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (PHILIPPIANS 4:11-19)

I need so much . . . you need so much.. However, the closer I get to Christ and the more I understand Who He is and what He wants from me, all I really need is Jesus! He knows what is best for me. Though others may offer advice and give me temporary fixes, Jesus knows me intimately. He knows what I need and when I need it.

Like Paul, I can look back and realize that whether I had little or a lot, God was with me. When others abandoned me, when others ridiculed me, when others deliberately hurt me . . . there was Jesus! (https://youtu.be/28a2MSoGgjA?si=guglrgRk0pG13r6Z)

He has supplied for us as a missionary family now for twenty-seven years! He has a made a way for daily supply for family needs as well as more than the sixty individuals we ministered to living within our home. He has provided for every one of our more than twenty short-term mission trips to St. Vincent, New Orleans, NY, Jackson ,MS, Columbia, SC and Puerto Rico. 

All I really need is Jesus! What about you?

Do you see what I see?

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)

Do you see what I see? Do you see Whom I see?

Yes, these are the lyrics from a CHRISTmas song, but even more! In a world full of death, disaster, illness, and other unexpected drama, it is easy to lose sight of our Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, Almighty God. We see what is before us and get all caught up in it. Our life comes apart in pieces.

Yet God is always present. Nothing escapes Him. He sees all and knows all. He sees you and me and how we struggle to get through a day, a week, a year, a lifetime. We have to practice fixing our eyes upon the unseen but ever-present God!

Do you see Whom I see?

What is my why?

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24)

What is my why? Why do we do what we do when we do it and why are we always doing it? Why are we so focused on some things over others? Many things we do out of habit . . . even praying. Yet the things we look forward to doing . . . the things we just love to do . . . is where our heart really is. 

Our why is our heart! Jesus was clear when He reiterated the simple challenge from way back in the Old Testament in the Book of Deuteronomy:

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. (Matthew 22:36-38/Deuteronomy 6:5)

We do not love God out of habit. It should show in ALL we do. We should seek to please Him with every breath, in all we do. Why? . . . because of all He has done for us we do all we can do for Him!

What is your why today?

Feel God's presence

You have stored up so many good things. You have stored them up for those who have respect for you. You give those things while everyone watches. You give them to people who run to you for safety. They are safe because you are with them. You hide them from the evil plans of their enemies. In your house you keep them safe from those who bring charges against them. (Psalm 31:19-20)

Are there people talking behind your back? Do others like to see you fail? Has anyone ever lied on you? Do you ever feel like saying, "I just want to be rid of people?"

Well, you are not alone. We all feel that way at times, especially in the selfish world we live in today.

 Yet those of us who trust in the Lord have so much to look forward to and to rest in even today! We have so many good things. We are safe in His arms, even if we do not always feel His presence. We have to learn for feel Him with us daily. 

He keeps us safe from harm . . . even our own thoughts! Learn to bask in His presence. It takes practice, but in time we can get used to it! 

Let's examine ourselves...

Paul is reminding us here to be careful how we conduct ourselves, in all situations, because the world is watching and the world needs to hear and see Jesus! Paul is also writing from prison! The Colossian church was under attack from false teachers much like we are today. They doubted the deity of Jesus . . . was He really God?

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.  Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. (Colossians 4:5-6)

So let's examine ourselves today. Are our churches not under attack? Let's face it, we were forced to close our doors recently due to a pandemic. Many have not returned. Many are following false teachers on the internet and other sources . . . promising prosperity and good fortune. Others have simply lost hope due to the economy, disasters, and the threats of war and terrorism. Satan is on the attack . . . to kill, steal and destroy!

Jesus is still our Hope! He is still the only way to eternal life . . . abundant life! (John 10:10) People need to see and hear Jesus through us! How else will they know?

Let's examine ourselves!

Do we really KNOW Jesus?

Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You,  as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.  And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. (John 17:1-3)

Do we really KNOW Jesus? I realize many have read about Him. Many talk about Him. There are so many books . . . besides the Bible . . . that have been written about Him. There are web pages, podcasts, shows, conferences, and videos available about Him too! 

But do we really KNOW Jesus?

Getting to know someone requires more than seeing them on TV, hearing them on the radio, watching their podcasts or reading about them. It requires experiential knowledge! We must experience a person to really know a person! We do not know our neighbors by just seeing them get in their car every morning. We cannot get to know the security guard at work by simply waving "good morning" to him or her daily. We must be involved and engaged and intertwined with a person to really know them!

It is the same with Jesus. What will we do about it? Do we really KNOW Jesus?