Our response says it all!

And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. (Luke 2:16-20)

Our response says it all! It seems fitting that shepherds were the first to be told of the coming of the Good Shepherd. These particular shepherds provide a model response in at least three ways: First, they responded in faith to what they’d heard and went to find the child. Second, they rejoiced at what they’d heard and seen and spread the good news to others. Finally, they gave praise and glory to the Lord for all of it. 

Many Bible scholars believe these shepherds were watching over special flocks—animals used for the Temple sacrifices. In that case, there’s a double meaning here: Those taking care of the repetitive sacrificial animals were the first to learn that the perfect, once-for-all Sacrifice had come! 

The shepherds were special in God's eyes. . . . So we are too! So how do we respond to this Good News? Will we respond in faith, rejoice within our hearts, and thus give God the praise for it all? 

Finally, our response says it all . . . will we share this Good News . . . a Savior has come!

Are we communicating Christ within our culture?

As we go through life, our experiences play a major role. We can either be changed by our cultural environment, or we can be the change! How are you interacting with your culture? Can your friends, classmates, co-workers, neighbors, even those you interact with when shopping . . . can people recognize the Christ in you? Are you and I influencing the people and places we engage, or are we being changed? Is the culture eating up God's plans for your life? These are some serious questions as we navigate a challenging culture!

Listen to Paul's words:

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . (Ephesians 5:15-20)

We must be aware of the culture around us and not hide from it. As things get worse . . . and they will . . . we must be even more bold and seek to redeem the lost by our actions. People must see and witness the Christ in us. We cannot allow the culture to change us, but we must continue to communicate Christ to the culture in which we live!

Who is the "Holy Spirit"? What is dunamis?

 “I have much more to say to you. It is more than you can handle right now. But when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own. He will speak only what he hears. And he will tell you what is still going to happen. He will bring me glory. That’s because what he receives from me he will show to you. Everything that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said what the Holy Spirit receives from me he will show to you. (John 16:12-15)

Many people profess to know Jesus Christ. Many more express a knowledge of God. However, we do not hear many talk about the Holy Spirit and Who He is or what He does! Perhaps that is why many of us fall short so often and why we seem so much like the world! 

It is the Holy Spirit that convicts us, directs us and instructs us as to living a Christ-honoring life. Without Him we have no power! (Acts 1:8) The Holy Spirit spurs us to share the Gospel in ways in which we may be a bit uncomfortable. He speaks for us when we do not know what to say. He comforts us when we have no more strength to go forward. He is present within us when no one else is around. 

The Greek word for power is dunamis. When the Bible uses the word dunamis, it never refers to our strength or ability but rather to His power through us. It is His power alone that keeps us, while forming our character as we glorify Him. This is Who the Holy Spirit is!

Do YOU know Him? Are YOU filled with His POWER?

https://youtu.be/e1-_vVA0JdI

Foretold and Accomplished . . . What's left?

Well, another Good Friday! What is GOOD about a brutal crucifixion some two-thousand years ago, you might ask? Glad you asked! It was in the makings since man first sinned (Genesis 3:15). God has given man so many opportunities  to make it right with Him, but He decided to do it perfectly and for ever . . . by becoming our perfect and eternal sacrifice! No one is good but God (Mark 10:18) and no one could do this but God! You decide!

The sacrifice foretold (second century B.C.):

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.(Isaiah 53: 3-9)

The sacrifice accomplished (A.D. 30-33):

But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified. Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him. From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice,

“Eli, Eli, lemasabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'                                                                                                                                                              When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.  At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs.  Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons. As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.  Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,  and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.  Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb. (Matthew 27: 26-61)

What's left? You decide! Do you believe it? (Romans 5:8 . . . 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 . . . Romans 10:9-10)

 

Be Prepared!

 Tuesday of Holy Week . . . . BE PREPARED!

And I am going to be lifted up from the earth. When I am, I will bring all people to myself.”  He said this to show them how he was going to die. The crowd spoke up. “The Law tells us that the Messiah will remain forever,” they said. “So how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?” Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light. Do this before darkness catches up with you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. While you have the light, believe in it. Then you can become children of light.” When Jesus had finished speaking, he left and hid from them. (John 12: 32-36) 

Even before His crucifixion, Jesus’ heart would be pierced by Israel’s lack of faith. Their failure to recognize His deity left the people unprepared. The mourning of the nation of Israel would be great. 

Today . . .after all the facts . . . are you and I prepared for His coming?  

Everything that the prophets wrote about the Son of Man will come true. . . . all will come true!

 Prepping for Holy Week  ( Part I)

Jesus took the twelve disciples to one side. He told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem. Everything that the prophets wrote about the Son of Man will come true. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will make fun of him. They will laugh at him and spit on him. They will whip him and kill him. On the third day, he will rise from the dead!” (Luke 18:31-33)

As we close in on the Resurrection Celebration in two weeks, let's not make this just another break. It's not a spring break as most see it. It is not a time to go away and go crazy. It is not a break for Easter either; a time to search for eggs with money and candy surprises. It is a break to focus (or re-focus) our attention on the Cross, the Sacrifice, the Atonement for our sin, and the eventually conquering of death and the grave. 

It all is true . . . and more will come true as we anticipate His return!  

Its time to wake-up!

 Its time to wake-up! Stop ignoring the actual Word of God! Read!!!!!!!

Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.  I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways.  I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you,  except to hold on to what you have until I come.’

To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’-- just as I have received authority from my Father.  I will also give that one the morning star. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Revelation 2:18-29)

You have seen and read the news....now make the decision to follow Truth! 

 

We should not be passive!

 I ran across these words when searching for answers this !morning . . .

 The Bible simply and clearly says that we are God's children and Christ's ambassadors. Because of this, we should not be passive. Instead, we should learn to stand on life's issues. We are salt and light, bringing in God's colors and flavours to this bland, tasteless world in which we live in but don't belong.We all have a role to play in letting Christ's light shine in the darkness. Here are some Bible verses telling us to take a stand on life's issues.

Paul said it like this: 

No matter what happens, live in a way that brings honor to the good news about Christ. Then I will know that you remain strong together in the one Spirit. I will know this if I come and see you or only hear about you. I will know that you work together as one person. I will know that you work to spread the teachings about the good news. So don’t be afraid in any way of those who oppose you. This will show them that they will be destroyed and that you will be saved. That’s what God will do. Here is what he has given you to do for Christ. You must not only believe in him. You must also suffer for him. You are going through the same struggle you saw me go through. As you have heard, I am still struggling.(Philippians 1:27-30)

It is not enough to just believe as a CHRISTian, we must live it out! We must take a stand in life. . . . as individuals and most importantly, as a Body! If the world could only see families living for Christ, schools living for Christ, churches living for Christ, rather than an individual here or there, imagine the impact! 

 We should not . . .we cannot be passive CHRISTians in this world!

Consequences and Grace

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.  Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.(Luke 23:32-34)

I was reading from some of Pastor Charles Stanley's writings today as I was pondering  concerns about my alma mater, my son's attendance there, and how present public opinion could change my recruitment strategies. He made it clear as did Christ: The thief dying with Jesus was completely forgiven. Yet moments later, the man died an excruciating death. His sins had been erased in God's sight, but he suffered the punishment for his crime.

Recently, Pastor David Nasser of Liberty stated that, "what is needed now is neither extravagant grace nor rigid judgment, but rather the balance of grace and truth that Jesus exemplifies".

You see, Christ indeed forgives the repentant sinner, yet the physical consequences remain. The more damage done by the act, the more severe the consequences will be, yet His grace will abound even more spiritually!

Yes, my school has been damaged by the acts of a few, yet the founding principals remain intact!   However, God still makes beauty from ashes! We move on and continue to build Champions for CHRIST! 

It is the same with us as individuals. Our sin can complicate things and even run us off the track at times. We may need to regroup, rethink and yes, repair. Despite the obvious consequences, there is grace, forgiveness and hope in Christ! Let's keep our eyes fixed upon Him, the Author and Finisher of our faith!

 

you will have great success

 I will give all of you every place you walk on, just as I promised Moses. Your territory will reach from the Negev Desert all the way to Lebanon. The great Euphrates River will be to the east. The Mediterranean Sea will be to the west. Your territory will include all the Hittite country. Joshua, no one will be able to oppose you as long as you live. I will be with you, just as I was with Moses. I will never leave you. I will never desert you. Be strong and brave. You will lead these people. They will take the land as their very own. It is the land I promised to give their people of long ago.

“Be strong and very brave. Make sure you obey the whole law my servant Moses gave you. Do not turn away from it to the right or the left. Then you will have success everywhere you go.  Never stop reading this Book of the Law. Day and night you must think about what it says. Make sure you do everything written in it. Then things will go well with you. And you will have great success.  Here is what I am commanding you to do. Be strong and brave. Do not be afraid. Do not lose hope. I am the Lord your God. I will be with you everywhere you go.” (Joshua 1:3-9)

 Funny, over twenty years ago, these were the words God spoke to my wife as we were preparing to begin ministry. Now, as we are transitioning to a somewhat different life, yet still a life of total dependence upon God, He now reminds me!

About a year ago I asked God to supply what was needed to allow Michael to attend Liberty University, our  alma mater. There was no way we could pay the costs. Many doubted. They doubted that God could provide so much money (really?), they doubted Michael (he's not academic type, just a normal teen), and they doubted even more when Covid-19 struck! Oh, but God!!! I never doubted Him. I kept quiet, but no longer!

He has supplied over $25,000 in aid and grants so far. While we still need a bit more, we are walking into the land He has granted us by faith (v.8)  . . . Liberty University . . . even for the following three years, not just 2020! He has granted us the opportunity (v.3) and we now must courageously walk into it! (v.9)

That's my God!!!!

Just WOW!

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret—it only causes harm.(Psalm 37:7-8)

So many are succeeding today despite not even acknowledging God, some even outright denying His existence! Others are demanding change immediately, even by force, and getting results, but not always a Godly result!

But God is showing me that seeking His face and waiting upon Him is so sweet. Yes, I still struggle at times seeing the evil and ungodly receive results, but when I see what God can do in His timing, well, just WOW!

His rewards are so satisfying. His answers are simply mind blowing! When I seek Him and then wait . . . still working, but allowing God to act . . . WOW!

That is really the only word that comes to mind . . .  WOW !!!! 

This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me,And let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed.This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. (Psalm 34:1-7)

More than four years ago when walking the campus of Liberty University with a group of our ministry teens, I asked the Lord to somehow allow our son Michael to be able to attend Liberty. You see, as missionary/teachers, we do not have the funds to pay for a college education. It would have to be God or Community College! Our son is a great kid, loving son, caring for friends and family, but is challenged in the classroom. Occasionally he would make honor roll. He would even take and do well in a few AP courses along the way. I must say, even while playing four years of varsity soccer, he made it through by the grace of God, servant prayers of his parents, and meeting some late night deadlines!

Yes, this poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him! Not that my prayers are any better than anyone else's. I often wonder why He even bothers listening to me! Yet He did! Now we sit here at the end of June 2020 and our son has been accepted, has enrolled, and will be attending Liberty University in the Fall of 2020, Covid-19 and all!!!! Look at my God!

So yes, magnify the Lord with me! Let's exalt His name together! Oh yes, I will praise Him and bless Him at all times . . .good and bad . . .but especially now! When I began to plead with the Lord, many in my circles doubted, but I said wait and see . . .

Well, now they can see! See what God can do! Eye has not seen and ear has not heard what the Lord can and will do for those who love Him. (1 Corinthians 2:9) This is all for the glory of God! 

«Now God, please continue to work in the life of my son as he travels along the path of life. Keep a watch over Him and as he stumbles and falls, and he will, please be there to pick him up and place him back upon solid ground . . .the solid Rock! (Proverbs 3:5-6)

asking the Lord

You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.(John 15:16)

Just when I think I am something special, God reminds me that it is He Who is the only really special thing in this life!  Oh sure, I have a special, beautiful and precious bride, special children and grandchildren indeed, and what we have as a family is indeed special! However, God chose to save me for His work and for His glory and for others to see Him at work in me, not my work for Him! I am what and who I am today because of what God has done!

Three years ago I began asking the Lord

to allow our youngest son to attend Liberty University. I knew the leg work I would have to do as far as letter writing, interviews, etc, to walk out this faith in God. Not many beloved me when I said, "God will do it."

You see, we adopted Michael at birth in 2002. We named him Michael Gerard (gift from God and mighty in battle) while He was still being formed in his birth mother's womb. We dedicated him at Woodstream Church at six weeks and He was saved at five. He has attended CHRISTian schools his entire life with the help of God and His people: God even granting me degrees to teach at those schools!

Now, three years later, Michael has graduated high school and has registered at Liberty University for the fall of 2020! He has provided what we have asked! God has granted my prayer!!!

Lord, now work in and through L.U., its instructors, the staff, and the students to prepare Michael for what you have planned for him! He is and always has been Yours!!!!

What will we be known as?

Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.  And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.  When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul.  And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.(Acts 11:19-26)

Those who had been scattered still continued to share the Good News. They shared with Jews, Greeks and anyone who would listen. Banabas would partner with Saul and go to Antioch. There, in Antioch, believers were won gold and obvious, that they were known by a special name....CHRISTians!

What will we be known as? When we have been allowed to come out, will we come out boldly or blend right back in to society? Everyone else has come out, why not us believers? It is time to be known!

Don't assume!

There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.(Acts 10:1-2)

Don't assume! Ask questions, pursue God and others, obey God's direction.

Just because someone is kind, generous, loving, caring and even a praying person, don't assume they are a believer! There are lots of kind atheist, agnostics, Muslims, and Jews. Cornelius was such a nice guy, yet he was a Roman General, a Gentile who do not know Christ! Yet God was pursuing him!

 Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.(Acts 10:28)

Jess do not associate with Gentiles. In fact, they had names for them! Yet the same Holy Spirit that spoke to Cornelius spoke to Peter. He arranged a meeting between the two. However, both had to be obedient!

 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also....(Acts 10:44-45)

As a result of asking, pursuing and obeying, rather than assuming,  many Ten times, including the Roman General Cornelius, were saved!

Don't assume! . . . . God is at work all around you and me!

He knows our needs. Just be honest!

Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”  Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.(Acts 5:9-11)

We have all probably read these passages and know the story. Believers were selling off property and sharing then proceeds with everyone in the Church so all could be supported.  Yet when Ananias and his wife came to give the money, they held back a portion. As they came in desperately, Peter challenged reach about the amount. Individually, they both lied.....not to Peter, but to God the Holy Spirit! (Acts 5:4,9)
As a result, God took their lives right there in the church!

There was great fear.......I guess so! You and impossible tremble!

But what about You and me? How many times have we made God promises only go back on our word? God, if You will do this for me then I  will __________. Have held back our time, our efforts, our money? What promises have we broken?

We all must fearfully consider our talks with God!  He knows our needs. Just be honest!

What a waste

Holy Week or Horror Week II
Wednesday

And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.” But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial.  Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests  and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver.  So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.(Matthew 26:6-16)

What a waste of money, Judas thought. To use all that precious perfume on Jesus, when it could have been sold at market for some needed cash! That seemed to have been then last straw to him. Perhaps he was always in it for the money. A religious zealot who wanted more than anything to overthrow Rome and bring freedom form the Jewish oppression. Money would help the cause!

We know the rest of the story. How ironic today. Many would rather be working, have a bustling economy that do What is right. Many are hoarding supplies, buying up scarce goods, and selfishly keeping supplies others need. For what? Who needs 50 rolls of toilet paper or 15 cases of water? Stop building cars and sports wear and make masks, medical equipment and safety clothing!

Judas was selfish and greedy. Look what it led to! What about us? As we examine ourselves, think . . . will this be a Holy Week or a Horror Week? Will we experience the joy of giving, sacrificing, and sharing or will we experience selfishness, isolation, and depression that greed can bring? Look at Judas' end!

Let's not waste an opportunity to share His love . . . .

after you have suffered a while.....

A message to the young and not so young in my life through the apostle Peter from the Holy Spirit . . . .how relevant for today

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.  To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5:5-11)

What a relevant word for today . . .for the young and not-so-young! Satan is definitely roaring around these days, yet we must stay humble before the Lord, obey authorities and seek His face! after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

He is at work!  When it is all over, if we have stayed in Him and His will, He will bring us through better and more perfected than when it all began. We will have a story to tell. Do not forget these times!

What is God doing in your life? Write it down. Keep God close. Give Him freedom to work. What a God we serve!!!!

His understanding is unsearchable

Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.

He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.

Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.(Isaiah 40:28-31)

We are facing challenging times. Things will probably get worse before they get better. However, God is STILL God! Like never before, we trust Him. Now is when we realize He IS in control! However, we must know Him and He must know us!

If you have asked Jesus to forgive your sin by His sacrifice and trust Him as Savior AND Lord, then draw close to Him. If you never have, NOW is the time! 

We all have sinned and deserve hell. Only through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross and His resurrection from the dead are we allowed to have a relationship with Almighty God for eternity! It is why we have peace in times like this. It is what Patrick stated in His prayer above: a blessing in each trial.

Do you know Him? Does He known you?