God still reigns!

 

Why do I not trust Him?

 Why do I worry so much? Do I not trust God? Do I not believe what He says? Is it true that He cares more for me that the birds? So . . . . why do I not trust Him?

When I watch the birds fly around, seemingly playfully in the air and among the trees, I do not see them worrying at all. They soar . . . they land gracefully upon the ground or on the tiniest of limbs, yet they have no worry of falling. They wander upon the ground and eat up what God has provided, not concerned with meal plans. The gather twigs and leaves and make complex homes for their young without budgeting for electric, water, and home repairs. They trust!

So . . . why do I not trust Him?

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? (Matthew 6:25-27)

When will I fully trust the Creator rather than the created things? 

God is . . . (Part I)

This week I am focusing upon who God is, coinciding with our school's Spiritual Emphasis Week. I hope you will read along with me as we discover/rediscover just WHO God is . . . .

 

God is . . . .

A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation. (Psalm 68:5)

 

In a world where fathers have received a bad rap . . . and in many cases it is justified, we can still cherish the name FATHER, especially when it comes to God our Father! Even though men have failed us all in one way or another, God remains faithful. Whether a father is absent, unknown, in and out, abusive or maybe, just maybe, a wonderful dad, none compare to God . . . our Father!

If you are like me, while my dad was always present in the home physically, many times it was like a war zone. There was uncontrolled anger, bitter words, abusive actions. I learned that sports was my escape! Though he coached all the sports and was at all the games throughout college, he was never satisfied. To this day, as a sixty-one year old man . . . husband, father and grandfather . . . there is a longing to hear, "I love you son; well done".

Yet once Jesus found me and changed my heart's desires for life, I found the dad I always wanted! God the Holy Spirit filled the hole in my heart. He affirms me. He comforts me. He disciplines me. He guides me. He loves me . . . despite all my failures, successes, and all that in between!

You see, God is LOVE.  (1 John 4:8) Until I discovered that, I could never have known the love of a father! My dad comes from a generation of fathers who did not know how to express love. It was assumed, not shown. However, I have learned to accept that because I know my Father's love surpasses anything this world can give!

May you experience that love today . . . God is my Father!

 

He can and He will!

Miracles happen when we are uncomfortable and have no where to turn . . . but to God. Ever been there? I have! All we can do is trust God despite the challenges we face. Consider Elijah . . .

Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 9 “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.” 11 And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.”

12 So she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” 13 And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son. 14 For thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.’ ”

15 So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by Elijah. (1 Kings 17:8-16)

 Elijah had to trust an old widow and a dying son, in a dangerous territory, to save his life . . . not very good odds huh? Yet he trusted God and he and the widow and her son were cared for by God.

What do you need to trust God for today? For me it to supply funds for another mission trip, just weeks after completing one. He can and He will . . . just as He has done before!

https://www.facebook.com/donate/536627981092960/

Do not be afraid!

 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

My wife and I can tell you stories of how this verse and a few others convinced us to leave our secular jobs and serve God full time in ministry through local and short-term missions. We heard His voice individually soon after our marriage when we pledged to serve Him as a family. 

Twenty-four years later, hundreds of salvation stories, thousands of people served, enriched by dozens of cultures, and blessed beyond measure by so many friends and supporters, we can honestly say this summer . . . Do not be afraid!

We can relate to biblical accounts of struggle, doubts, trials and failures. However, we can see where God has provided time and time again. Even during the most trying of times; saying "see you later" to precious family members, threatened foreclosures, children in need, and yes . . . even suffering through Covid-19 personally, our God has provided! He has gone through fire with us and parted waters on our behalf. He has moved mountains and helped us climb others. He has shut lions' mouths and opened locked doors. He is still Almighty, Jehovah Jirah, our Rock, our Fortress, our Abba Father!

Now that we are allowed to go out and travel once again more freely, we are saying,  "Here we are . . . send us!" (Isaiah 6:8) We cannot be afraid because of how God has provided in the past!

As my young student, now with the Lord would say . . . "Let's go!" 

Black HIStory, my HIStory, our HIStory!

Come and hear, all you who have respect for God.
    Let me tell you what he has done for me.
17 I cried out to him with my mouth.
    I praised him with my tongue.
18 If I had enjoyed having sin in my heart,
    the Lord would not have listened.
19 But God has surely listened.
    He has heard my prayer.
20 Give praise to God.
    He has accepted my prayer.
    He has not held back his love from me. (Psalm 66:16-20)

As I complete my studies and reflections upon Black HIStory for this month, I cannot help but praise God that it is indeed a part of my HIStory. I am grateful to have been grafted in to such a vibrant, strong, faithful, caring, challenging, and accepting culture! I am better for it, as a man, a husband, a dad, grandpa, and most importantly, as a follower of Jesus Christ! 

Today, I celebrate my youngest son, yes, my black son! God gave Michael Gerard to us long before he was born as we asked for another child. We named him while he was yet unborn, yet growing in his birth mother's womb. Michael Gerard . . . a gift from God and mighty in battle. Since birth, he has been an indelible piece of our family. He has travelled with us on the mission field since he was six, from New Orleans, to St. Vincent, to South Carolina and Puerto Rico. I asked God to indeed prepare Him and use Him and God has been faithful!

I began asking God to send Michael to college over four years ago, knowing it would have to be by His grace and provisions . . .  hopefully to our alma mater, Liberty University. God has provided for Michael to attend Liberty, providing for him is so many ways! He is still providing and I know He always will.

I say this to let you know God still provides! He is Jehovah Jireh. He is the God of HIStory . . .Black HIStory, my HIStory, our HIStory!

Under God!

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."  

Here is an interesting fact on this very peculiar day in our Nation . . . . (https://www.ushistory.org/documents/pledge.htm).  

Despite the history of the Pledge, today I hold my hand over my heart and pledge allegiance to a flag that stands for a Nation under God! I realize the negative history behind our Nation and the flag, but it is not a flag I honor! I honor and pledge loyalty to a country based upon Godly principles and His laws. I live by those principles and laws. Despite our challenges, the laws were put in place to create a Nation free of prejudice and injustice. We still have hope . . . we can still fulfill the dreams . . . we have the promises of the same God!

I know the plans I have for you,” announces the Lord. “I want you to enjoy success. I do not plan to harm you. I will give you hope for the years to come." (Jeremiah 29:11 NIRV)

Let's not give politics or politicians our loyalty. Let's not make programs or policies our goal. CHRISTians . . .let's commit to CHRIST and His values and live our    HIS-tory! 

It's time!!!!!!!

From beginning to end . . .stay focused! The TRUTH reigns . . . .

 

 I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father. And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it. For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. (2 John 4-8) 

We live in a deceptive and dangerous world, no doubt. I am burdened for my students and young adults as they are faced with this deception. Many ask as Pilate did when face to face with Jesus (John 18:38), "What is truth?" 

Truth has a name . . .Jesus Christ! His Word is Truth. He is the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6) Even among "church" folk, there are deceivers who do not fully believe the Gospel. Some use the word god. Some use the name Jesus. Many call themselves Christians. They do not however, as John wrote, confess Jesus Christ as eternal God in the flesh, living and true, and coming again to judge each of us according to what we have dome on this earth.

Be encouraged. Keep walking in Truth and allow the Spirit of the Living God in you to move and breathe within you. Steer clear of deceivers. I know He lives . . .He lives in me and in you! May others "see" Him in us and come to embrace Truth!

He Who was God then for the Jews is our God today . . .New year, same God!

 

Thus says the Lord God: “On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also enable you to dwell in the cities, and the ruins shall be rebuilt. The desolate land shall be tilled instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass by. So they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the wasted, desolate, and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.’ Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, the Lord, have spoken it, and I will do it.” (Ezekiel 36:33-36)

Hey, I know it's rough these days . . . . Covid illnesses and deaths . . . political unrest . . . . social injustice . . . . schools, restaurants, and churches closed or limited in operations . . . . plans put on hold. All around we experience desolation, ruin, waste, depression, isolation, depression, and yes death. Yet as with the Israelites, there is hope in the person of our Father (Deuteronomy 30:3-13) . . . . Jehovah . . . . the same God then is the same God now . . .. Immanuel, Jesus, God with us, Who gave His Spirit so graciously to comfort, console, and restore! (John 14:15-31) 

In 2021, may we trust in God to provide (Jehovah Jireh), heal (Jehovah Rapha), to look over us (El Roi), and to protect us and fight for us (Jehovah Sabaoth). He Who was God then for the Jews is our God today . . .New year, same God!

I have overcome the world!

 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)

Jesus was about to go to His death . . .a lonely, excruciating, unusual and painful death. Yet He trusted that though He would be abandoned . . . isolated . . . alone . . . He could trust that the Father was with Him! He spoke from the future present . . .I have overcome the world!

Fast forward to 2020-2021 . . . . Here we are, many of us isolated, feeling abandoned by friends and family, yet we say we trust God through all things! This is indeed a test of faith! We say we trust Him when things are going well, oh but when tings go crazy . . . .

In sports and even in war, we prepare to our best ability to win. We exercise, we practice, we examine the enemy's schemes and we have a game plan that we believe will work. Well friends, we already have victory over this world because God has been to the end and back . . .He executed the game plan to perfection . . .and He won! We now fight from victory, not for victory!

So in this battle with Covid-19, be of good cheer. Be at peace. The battle is won. It is just a matter of time . . . .Victory comes in minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years . . .and into eternity! 

God Omnipotent reigns!

The Lord rules forever.
    He has set up his throne so that He can judge people.
8 He rules the world in keeping with what is right.
    He judges all its people fairly.
9 The Lord is a place of safety for those who have been treated badly.
    He keeps them safe in times of trouble.
10 Lord, those who know you will trust in you.
    You have never deserted those who look to you. (Psalm 9:7-10)

When Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in 1865, future President James Garfield happened to be visiting in New York. Known as one of the president’s closest friends and most trusted political and military advisors, he was implored by city officials to address the agitated throngs that had gathered in the streets. He climbed aloft a scaffold and somehow won the crowd’s attention. He simply said, “My fellow citizens, the president is dead, but the republic lives — and God Omnipotent reigns.” To the astonishment of all, the mob quietly and quickly dispersed.

When the Nation was in sudden transition in 1865, the future President stood tall and proclaimed ,  "God Omnipotent reigns!" He still reigns today . . .as He did when David wrote these words. Charles Spurgeon's Treasury of David reads this way concerning verse 8: Whatever earthly courts may do, heaven's throne ministers judgment in uprightness. Partiality and respect of persons are things unknown in the dealings of the Holy One of Israel. How the prospect of appearing before the impartial tribunal of the Great King should act as a check to us when tempted to sin, and as a comfort when we are slandered or oppressed. 

God still reigns. He still rules. He still protects! This is a promise, a warning, and a comfort!