Don't tap out . . . tap in!

 The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him. (Psalm 28:7)

Many times in life we just simply feel like tapping out! Life gets challenging. There are days when I just want to get home from work and simply collapse on the bed until I wake up the next day . . . and I hope it is Saturday! 

Yet with the Lord, I have the ability and the responsibility to tap in, not tap out! You see, if I simply rely upon Him throughout the day, He will strengthen me. He will shield me from dangers. If I simply trust Him and His will, I will then rejoice at the end of the day rather than collapse!

God is always active and alert. I put my trust in Him. What about you today? Tap in to Jesus!

What am I thinking?

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; (Proverbs 4:23-27)

• What am I thinking? 
• How did that happen to me? 
• Where was my head?
  

Ever ask yourself these questions? I know I have! Many times we find ourselves in situations we never thought we would find ourselves. We get lazy. We allow the wrong stuff to enter our minds and hearts. We get too comfortable in the world and soon we are drowning in it!

Daily, we must check where we are physically but more importantly spiritually. 

• What are we seeing? 
• What are we hearing? 
• With whom are hanging out? 
• What is entering our hearts and minds?

Stay focused! We must fix or eyes on the things of God! No turning to the right or left or we will become lost . . . .

Lord, guide my thoughts . . . .

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

Let's face it, it is extremely hard to live in this world and still hold true to our faith. We face challenges daily. We have choices to make as far as our actions and reaction are concerned. Not only that, but as Paul writes above, even our thoughts must be in line with or faith. Yes, our thoughts . . .

Not only do we face opinions and discussions that are extremely anti-CHRISTian in our everyday life, we also battle our very own thought life. We are faced with images and actions daily which require us to make a decision. What we think about things will shape what we do about things.

Do we agree? Do we disagree? How should we react if at all? 

We need to be prepared, that's for sure! We have to have the full armor of God on each day all day. (Ephesians 6:13-17) Our minds, our hearts, our eyes and ears, our feet and our hands must be led by God. Yet it all begins how we think!

If we can begin to think like Christ than we will act more like Christ would have us to act. Lord, guide my thoughts!

Right responses . . . .

Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.  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 16:32-33)

God is more concerned with our right responses to adversity than He is us having the right circumstances in or lives! Many times we will complain to God about all that is happening in or lives. We spend more time asking God why than we do how or what. 

We want to know why things are the way they are rather than asking, "How should I respond?" or "What would You have me to do?" After all, He told His closest friends that they would have troubles . . . and boy did they! Yet as He told them, we are to also "be of good cheer . . . I have overcome the world".

As we hold on to His promises, we too shall overcome . . . one day!

To my students past and present . . . and a prayer for me!

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. But I especially urge you to do this . . . (Hebrews 13:17-19)

Pictured below is my very first high school graduation class . . . 2012. What a special group of young people! They taught me so much. Some are now doctors, business owners, professional athletes, police officers, and more. Not many believed in them, but God knew. In my nearly fifteen years of teaching and over forty years of coaching and mentoring youth, I have been blessed to say the least by so many young people.

As a husband, grandparent, parent, teacher, coach and mentor, there is a burden I carry daily. I am spiritually responsible for so many . . . past and present. It is a role by which I am humbled but also one I cherish. I am also accountable to God, which really humbles me!

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (James 3:1)

So please students past and present. . . pray for me and those under my voice today!

Teach me Lord

 Teach me Lord . . . . yes teach ME!

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.(Matthew 13:44-46)

Think of the challenges lately . . . as a grandfather, dad, husband, teacher, coach, mentor, I have had plenty not over my lifetime, but even over the past few months. Family deaths, health issues, challenges in relationships, financial decisions, and kids . . . yes the kids!

Whether my children and grandchildren or the young people God has allowed into my life, our kids have challenges. Many times we adults wonder why they have it so tough today. After all, it wasn't that bad for us was it . . . was it?

Truth be told, it wasn't that bad for us! I would not want to be young today, but I am so blessed and privileged to be involved and engaged in the lives of so many young people today! We all had that one adult . . . that one teacher . . . that one coach who took time to discover us! 

As Matthew wrote above, they are like "treasure hidden in a field." When we discover that one pearl, we have the opportunity to build into that child and watch God work. We never know the plans God has for that one precious treasure He has allowed us to discover. 

As we think of that one . . . teach me Lord not to discard him or her or even pass them along to someone else. That child could be the gem . . . the pearl . . . the treasure He would have us to mold and shape for His use in the future. We cannot afford to blow it!

Strength in weaknesses

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

We have heard these verses before I am sure. Paul struggled with his health but also from persecution . . . maybe because of the persecution! Yet he cherished the fact that when he was at his weakest, that was when God showed up the strongest! 

I read this morning that it is ok to be human! It is through times that we are struggling with health, anxieties, relationships, or just everyday life, that God shows up and others can see Him as well! When others witness our dependence upon God, this is when He is visible more than ever.

We need to stop trying to be God and allow ourselves to be human. Our weaknesses will reveal His strength to the world.

Why am I here? 2024 reboot . . .

 It is a question often asked throughout life: Why am I here? 

As I begin back to work in the second semester of school, it is time for a reboot of sorts . . . for me personally, my family and for those whom I influence. Some questions . . . 

• Why am here?
• What does God want me to do?
• Are my plans in line with His will for me?
• Have I even considered God lately?
• What would it look like to totally trust God in the coming weeks . . . months . . . year?
• How do I start?

Answer me quickly, Lord; my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit.                  Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.    Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. (Psalm 143:7-8)

Back in the day when you were young . . . .

Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” (John 21:18-19)

"Back in the day" . . . "In my younger days" . . ."When I was your age" . . .We often say these things when talking with our youth today discussing activities and trends in today's world. Jesus was directing His talk with Peter here in John 21 as He was having a fish fry with His followers on the beach.

Peter would come to understand that when he was young, he was pretty much in control of what he did and where he went. However, in his old age, as a follower of Jesus Christ, he would suffer, be jailed, and eventually crucified upside down! But Jesus gave Him some encouragement: "Follow Me!"

As we age (and the closer we get in our relationship with Christ) we will find our selves a bit more restricted physically and socially. Friends may dwindle. Our physical abilities will not be what they used to be. We will not be able to go where we used to go or do what we used to do quite as often. We may even find ourselves a bit isolated and misunderstood. . . perhaps even ostracized!

These are the days when we remember Whom we are following! As our life gets more restrictive and friends become few, we must remember to keep following Jesus! He will never leave us nor forsake us!

Be encouraged!

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.(1 Thessalonians 5:11)

We all need to be encouraged . . .

As we approach Mid-Term exams at school, parents, students and teachers are just a bit frazzled. Parents want their kids to do well. Students want to get the grade not just for now but for future available scholarships. Teachers not only have to design the exams but then grade each of them . . . that would be more than 150 exams for me!

So rather than being nervous, stressed and strained, be encouraged. Students have been well prepared and id they put in the study time, they will be ok. Parents . . . trust the process. Fellow teachers . . . this too shall pass as it does every year.

Silence can be deadly....

 There are times to observe and a time to speak up....we have to know the difference. Actions also speak!

Holding one another accountable series '24......moving forward.

As we have been challenged to hold one another accountable in '24, we have read what God says about how we use our bodies and the decisions we make in life. Everything we do as a believer is a reflection of our love and devotion to our Lord and Savior. So what do we do moving forward?

First off, we know we will all face God one day and explain our decisions! So we might as well start now!

So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.. (Romans 14:12)

What about our responsibility to one another? 

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)

We also have a responsibility to represent the Lord to the outside world of unbelievers!  For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)

No turning back . . . Let's go!

Holding one another accountable in '24......what about our bodies?

The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.  Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? (1 Corinthians 6:13-15)

So what about our bodies? Unlike most popular opinions, this body does NOT belong to us. We did not make it and we really cannot control it well. In fact, God will eventually take it from us! 

So why do we believe we can do what we want with it?

It has been lent to us and we will have to give an account of what we did with it before God one day! Today is a good day to repent of our past sins and ask God to make us whole again. It is also a good day to hold one another accountable to do so going forward!

Holding One Another Accountable Series '24 . . . . choices of those in Church!

At face value, God’s take on human sexuality can seem restrictive. Sex must take place within marriage, between one man and one woman. In a sexually-permissive culture, this seemingly narrow channel for sexual expression can appear to be primitive and even unrealistic.

What about the same-sex couple that wants to get married?

What about the committed dating couple that sees moving in together as a prudent trial period before marriage?

What about the man or woman who uses pornography as a sexual outlet, believing it’s not hurting anyone?

Practices like these are common in our world and make perfect sense to those who aren’t following God. 

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” (1 Corinthians 1:18-19)

It is not a coincidence that these words are found in a letter written to the church in Corinth. Like today's culture, sexual immorality was rampant in the Corinthian culture and had infected the church. In 1 Corinthians 1 chapters 5 and 6, Paul addresses obvious violations of sexual behavior acceptable for Christians. He is also clear that he is speaking of how Christians should behave, not those outside the church. 

But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person. For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? (1 Corinthians 5:11-12).

Immorality . . . Holding One Another Accountable Series '24

Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. (1 Corinthians 6:18-20)

Sometimes the best choice is to run. It is in fact the first thing we normally do when in danger is it not? We run from a dog chasing us. We ran from our parents when they caught us doing wrong as a young child. Criminals run from the police. We run out of a burning building!

So why, when facing trouble in our moral choices, do we choose to stay and get into trouble? We are instructed to resist the devil and he will flee! (James 4:7) We are told to flee youthful lusts.(2 Timothy 2:22)

Maybe if we looked at sexual sin and our immoral fleshly lusts more as sin than as pleasure, then we would run! Perhaps we should simply agree with God and start to think differently.

What a shame . . . .Holding one another accountable series '24

C'mon man . . . this is 2024! What does the bible have to do with us today? It doesn't address today's issues anyway. It is an old book!

Oh, really? Read on . . . .  let me know what you think after reading this!

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones.  In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. (Romans 1:24-27)

So what is God saying through Paul in this letter to the Roman believers back in the first century? Does He not still say the same today? Beware of the due penalties of our sinful lusts!

We cannot fool God: Holding one another accountable series '24

Who do we think we're fooling? We cannot fool God! As we continue to ponder the roles of male and females in our society, let's hear from Paul.  The apostle's words here are very plain and simple . . .

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.  And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;  neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. (Ephesians 5:1-7)

We love to name certain sins as the big ones and allow others to slip by as mistakes or we pass off by saying, "Well, I am just a sinner after all". Yet Paul is clear, all sin is sin and all sin has been nailed to the cross with Jesus and we must be repentant in order to be cleansed! Repentant refers to one being regretful, sorry, ashamed, and apologetic. In other words, one who repentant is not proud and boastful and openly sinning, but ashamed and desiring to change! Popular opinions do not count . . . only God's Word!

Let's commit to hold one another accountable to each other and to God.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C1ktgPbIt5D/

Dress the part . . .Holding one another accountable series '24 (#2)

"It doesn't matter what I wear!"  

"What do my clothes have to do with my relationship with God?" "Who cares what people think?" 

“A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the Lord your God. (Deuteronomy 22:5)

I read the following advice this morning in my studies of my Holding one another accountable series. In a society that is gender-confused and biblically ignorant, it offers some great advice as to our clothing . . . for both males and females.  

Dressing modestly means first that we are not defiant toward God. We choose clothes that are decent in His eyes, not clothes that are provocative, seductive, and honor nakedness. When we dress decently, we recognize that God ordained clothes to cover, and not draw attention to ourselves or our bodies. dress out of respect for Him, the gospel, other people, and out of respect for who He made us to be.

Our clothing is supposed to tell the truth about the gospel. It shows the world that Jesus covers our shame and makes us decent. Our clothes cover our nakedness as the clothing of Christ covers our sin.

Decency means we agree with our Lord about the true purpose of clothing and humbly set aside our self-interest to dress in a way that exalts Jesus. Understanding the purpose of clothing and asking yourself these three questions — “Is it becoming?” “Is it decent?” “Is it moderate?” — will help you figure out what to wear.

Clothing is not meant to be about us. It’s meant to display deep and profound truths about God and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Spiritual adornment is the reality. Physical adornment is the symbol of that reality.

(https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/does-god-care-what-i-wear)

New Year . . . . Same concerns: Holding one another accountable series '24.

I have so many concerns today as a father, grandfather, coach, mentor, and teacher. Our youths are being tricked and misguided . . . not only by TV, music and other forms of media, but directly by Satan himself. Adults too are being dragged into the scheme. I believe the old dragon is on the warpath. He has our kids believing so many lies and is twisting Truth so much that they are absolutely blinded! Not only do we need to hold our kids accountable, we as adults are to be held accountable as well!

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. (Genesis 1:27)

Let's keep things very basic today as we start out the New Year of '24 . . . Right may seem wrong and wrong may seem right, yet the Word remains true even today! God is not confused and we as Christ followers need not be confused either! Let's confront the lies with love and bring our kids back to the Father!

We must be holding one another accountable in '24.