Thankful anyway

 

God has been so good!

 

Simply say "thanks"!

 

Just wanna say "Thank You . . . Gracias Señor!"

Rejoice always,  pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1Thessalonians 5:16-18)

One thing that really impacts me in our mission trips to Puerto Rico is how the people pray. Not just the pastor or church leaders, but everyone! They are a thankful people . . . rarely asking for anything from God. It is constant worship and thanksgiving!

When I grumble and complain, I am really telling God that He has forgotten something or messed up in some way. 

"C'mon God, why is this happening?" 

"God You know I need this or that!" 

"Fix this for me, God."

"You gotta do something, God!"

God, please help me to learn to be more thankful and less needy. Teach me to trust You more each day and to be thankful for each day! 

Gracias Señor indeed!

Can we just praise God?

What have we done for Him lately?

I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. I will constantly speak of his glories and grace. I will boast of all his kindness to me. Let all who are discouraged take heart. Let us praise the Lord together and exalt his name. (Psalm 34:1-3)

Seriously . . . we are always asking God for something! When is the last time we just did something for Him . . . without needing or asking anything in return?

Today . . . with so much to praise Him for . . . can we just praise God? Why not make a list?

Agradicido!

 Agradicido . . . so thankful!

    I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. (Psalm 9:1)

As I relax here at my adopted family reunion, I can only be thankful . . . agradicido Señor  . . . grateful Lord indeed! Grateful for not only added family here on earth but an eternal family from every color and culture as a result of God placing us in the mission field!

He has shown me the beauty of shared music, food, and HIS-tory. I now see the beauty of the Body and understand that in Christ there is no color or race, just CHRIST-followers or not. 

So as I bask in agradicido, I pray, for everywhere He sends and everyone He leads to me, that I represent Him well in hopes of winning some for Him!  

May we all be ONE . . . (John 17)

God is!

 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

 I am sure many of us are familiar with these verses. Many times, we have read verses and then simply put the Bible down and feel satisfied that we read it and did our devotions/quiet time with God. Then there are times when the Word speaks volumes to us directly! 

This is such a time. . . .

As we are going through physical and financial challenges, dealing with Covid-19 directly and trying to get our son off to Liberty University, I have pleaded with God day after day. God is Jehovah Rapha, Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Nissi, El Roi, Jehovah Shalom, and so much more. He heals, He provides, He battles for us, He sees our struggles and He gives us peace. 

All I can say is the more we face, the more we see of God's presence! God was in 2020 . . . God is in 2021 . . . and God will be into eternity! 

Who is God to you?

Born to Die . . .So We Could Live!

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.  Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:15-17) 

Jesus was born to die . . .for you and me to have a chance to live! While we focus on the Baby Jesus this Season, we must remember that without His death (and resurrection), we would have no life! The gifts the Magi presented told a story we often miss: gold, frankincense and myrrh (an embalming spice) represent a king, a deity, and death! 😔

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

So let's remember that as innocent as the Baby Jesus was and as glorious as the occasion was, it all would lead to a brutal death on our behalf. While we were yet sinners, Jesus came into this world, God with us, to die for our sins and to bring us to new life in Him in His resurrection! 

GOD supplies every day!

 

 . . . speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 

always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:19-20)

Yes, we all gather around the table (or the games) and say what we are thankful for this year. Unfortunately, some do not even mention God as they thank the nurses, the doctors, the employers, the neighbors, etc. All well and good, but GOD supplies all the people and the resources every day!

So we are over Thanksgiving and now looking forward to CHRISTmas . . .yes CHRIST-mas! He still supplies all to us, according to His riches in glory!

While I pray for healing, jobs, the economy, and all to get back to some sense of normalcy, I pray the most for God to be blessed, for me to give Him what He is due, for the Church to be BOLD and be HEARD and SEEN, and for our Nation to repent and turn back toward Him as well.

Then, only then, can God Bless America! Thank You God for not giving up and still being merciful even in this time! Your grace is still sufficient!

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 !!!! 

God Alone When I am Alone

To You I will cry, O Lord my Rock:
Do not be silent to me,
Lest, if You are silent to me,
I become like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my supplications
When I cry to You,
When I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary. (Psalm 28: 1-2)

 Despite my failings and shortcomings . . .my SINS . . .God continues to be my Rock and my Strength. He is faithful when I am not . . .which is way too often. 

Yet, He is still God . . . still understanding . . . still forgiving! It is God alone even when I am alone in my sin. When others abandon me, shun me, reject me (and rightly so), He remains open to my pleas for mercy and grace. His mercies are new every day and His grace is available to all who call upon Him with a genuine heart. Only God . . . .

Yet, He demands excellence. Jesus told his disciples that if they loved Him, they (we) would keep His commandments. I strive to be holy, because He is holy, yet only by His grace am I able to stand before Him. I thank God for hearing my heart even when my words and actions fail Him. 

Please honor Your Word Lord and forgive me, cleanse me, renew my heart for You Lord!(1 John 1:9)

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!!!!

Born to die....

Born to die....

Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,But a body You have prepared for Me.In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin,You had no pleasure.Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—In the volume of the book it is written of Me—To do Your will, O God.’ ”(Hebrews 10:5-7)

On Christmas Eve while others focus on gifts and shopping...remember Jesus...the baby in the barn...was born to die!

To Know True Greatness......

To Know True Greatness......

After watching a late night Ravens victory over the Super Bowl champion Patriots, I realize I am witnessing the potential greatness of a new superstar in Lamar Jackson, the new "Great 8" in Baltimore (after Cal Ripken of course). While all that was great and I am excited as a fan, I am reminded of The G.O.A.T, Jesus Christ, winner and always Champion over sin and death!!!!

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,  from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,  that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,  may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,  to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:14-21)

Of all the joys on this earth . . . of all we could ever experience in this life . . . of all the achievements and successes . . . . NOTHING compares to my God and knowing Him personally and for eternity!  There never has been nor will there ever

be one like Jesus! All Hail King Jesus . . . . The G.O.A.T. for ever!

Elohe Chaseddi

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.(Hebrews 4:16)

 Elohe Chaseddi . . . the God of mercy has covered my sin and turned His anger away from me . . . and will do so for anyone who calls upon Him name for mercy! (Romans 10:13)It doesn't get any better than that for a sinner like me! Thank You Father!!!!

My God of mercy shall come to meet me; God shall let me see my desire on my enemies.(Psalm 59:10)

 Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.  But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.  And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus . . . (Ephesians 22:3-6)

Friends may turn on us. Jobs may dismiss us for strange reasons we may never understand.  Even our health will fail us! Yet the God of mercy, Elohe Chaseddi, showers us with mercy, compassion, and grants us grace . . . Rather than punishment and death, He offers life!

That's something to look forward to . . .

Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! While I live I will praise the Lord; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. Do not put your trust in princes,  nor in a son of a man, in whom there is no help. His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; In that very day his plans perish. Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God, Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; Who keeps truth forever. Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives food to the hungry. The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; The Lord raises those who are bowed down; The Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; But the way of the wicked He turns upside down. The Lord shall reign forever—Your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the Lord! (Psalm 146: 1-10)

Very seldom do I quote an entire book of scripture in my journaling, but these verses not only caught my eye but my heart! Just read the words and realize just how good . . . how awesome . . .  how mighty . . . how gracious . . . how loving God is!

I can only say very simply, "Praise the Lord! "

He was, is and always will be REAL!

Faith is a walk in the light....not a leap into darkness. It is placing complete trust in someone or something . . . in this case The Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was born, was crucified, and overcame death and the grave for anyone who places their trust in Him. He was, is and always will be REAL! I believe. Do you? 

Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Have you placed your complete trust in the One Who lives, yet died for you and me? Who else do you know who would willingly die for a stranger . . . the enemy? (Romans 5:8) Jesus would do it and did do it . . . even if it had been for just one . . . just for me . . . just for you!

Will you commit today to live for Him?

Don't be selfish with the Cross!

 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."(Matthew 6:14-15)

Don't be selfish with the Cross!  God has forgiven me billions of times over my life. I have definitely lost track. Yet I can still recall the hurt and pain others have caused me. Not only can I recall them, but still feel the hurt and pain at times! Yet Jesus informed us that if we do not forgive those that wrong us, He will not forgive us!

The psalmist tells us that God not only forgives, but forgets!(Psalm 103:12) Easy for God maybe, but hard for us. We not only recall how others have hurt us, but we even beat ourselves up with our own past!

Don't be selfish with the Cross! If Jesus did all that to remove our sin, then embrace it as He did! Accept it. Share it. Believe it! Live it! There is forgiveness and freedom in the Cross of Christ! It is available to all who choose to accept it.

Only what I do for Him will last!

Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

35 Some of those who stood by, when they heard that, said, “Look, He is calling for Elijah!” 36 Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink, saying, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down.”

37 And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. (Mark 15:33-37)

 All He did for me, the least I can do is live for Him. I cannot forsake Him. He never leaves me. His work however is not yet finished in me! Only what I do for Him will last!