God still reigns!

 

Saved to the uttermost . . . . .

 

Choose to win...choose Christ

 

Draft Day . . . what we see and what we do not see right now.

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)

So yesterday began the annual NFL draft. Teams as well as athletes are anxious and excited as to who is drafted by whom and what that means to the team and the individual. Teams have seen film of past games and now they wonder if that will translate into a future NFL career. They are hoping that what has been seen will produce later . . . what we cannot see right now.

As believers, we sometimes get bogged down in what we see today. Like the NFL teams today, we all have needs. We have suffered losses. We have failed. After all, in the NFL there is only one winner every year! Yet with Christ, every believer has a bright future and we all are winners, despite our circumstances!

Drafting a college player in hopes he will work out is a gamble. Trusting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior is a guarantee! Do not focus so much on today, but keep striving for tomorrow with Christ. The future is bright!🌅

God is right here!

 God is right here! Just read the following verses: 

The servant of the man of God got up early and went out, and behold, there was an army with horses and chariots encircling the city. Elisha’s servant said to him, “Oh no, my master! What are we to do?” Elisha answered, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “Lord, please, open his eyes that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servants eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha. (2 Kings 6:15-17)

You see, just as the Lord had to open the eyes of Elisha's servants, so must we open our spiritual eyes and see the army of angels all around us! Despite the dangers and pitfalls of this world, God is right here with His children. We may not see Him, but He is right here! 

We have to trust that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He is our Jehovah Nissi (Exodus 17:15). He is our strong tower (Proverbs 18:10). He will grant us success according to His will (Philippians 4:19).

Trust God at His Word. As with Elisha, He is still right here!

Play to WIN!

 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. (2 Timothy 2:4-5)

Every athlete wants to win. If they do not, they might as well not be playing! Yet we do not always win on the field or on the court. However, through Jesus Christ, we know we are winners, so we always conduct ourselves in that manner.

Christ following athletes play hard. We play fair, We play to honor our Lord . . . until the final whistle, the final buzzer, or the final out. We compete according to the rules and we play to win!

Whether we are playing a game, working at our jobs, or simply living life within our families and associates, we do all we possibly can to be successful. We never quit, despite the circumstances or the score. We stay focused on the finish line. Our desire is to bring honor to our Lord and Savior . . . the one Who enlisted us for His team!

What about you and me? Are we focused? Are we seeking to please our fans or our God? Are we locked in to the eternal victory to which we are headed? Let's keep competing as hard as we possibly are able until He hits the buzzer and says, "Well done!" 

Play to win guys!!!!!

NO PAIN......NO GAIN

 I have said this over and over again in my mind . . . No Pain . . . No Gain. Whether in sports or in this CHRISTian walk, there will be pain. However, it is what we gain from the pain that matters! In sports, I have learned that the pain of a hard workout, a long run, even a painful loss, can bring greater rewards in the future. My muscles grow from the pain of stressing them in a workout. My endurance increases from a consistent cardio plan. I gain strength and stamina. Game losses can cause me to press harder for future success.

In my walk with Jesus it is no different. As the Spirit pushes me day to day to keep focused, endure the struggles, and learn from the losses, I gain strength for the journey and confidence to move on with Him tomorrow. I can look back at the pain of lost relationships, sinful choices, and painful enemy attacks and see where I have gained spiritually. 

Oh yeah . . . this walk is a lifetime workout of sweat and pain . . . but stay focused upon the gains!

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. (Genesis 50:20)

There is more to life than championships and talent!

But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. (1 Timothy 4:7-8)

During a 2015 interview with The New York Times’ Mark Leibovich, Tom Brady explained he was open to different belief systems. “But I think we’re into everything. . . . I don’t know what I believe. I think there’s a belief system, I’m just not sure what it is.” 

Many people will argue that Mr. Brady is the G.O.A.T. , especially after winning Super Bowl LV (his seventh) and another M.V.P. Comparing trophies and titles, he probably is! At 43 years old, he is indeed special! However, there is more to life than championships and talent!

A talent is something that you are instinctually born with that gives you unique skills and abilities. Talent is set apart from knowledge in that it is not a learned behavior, although it can be strengthened and practiced. The Bible tells us that we are all born with distinct talents and gifts that set us apart from each other. When you discover the talents that God has given you and you use them to glorify Him, you will experience a full life!

Though Mr. Brady has achieved so much, there is always a desire for more. He seems to never be satisfied. There has to be one more . . . When one is seeking worldly acclaim, there is always going to be one better, another accomplishment to achieve. Nothing is ever enough! Yet the one who is working and living to bring glory to God can find inner peace in knowing they are pleasing God, if not man!

The world demands more . . .God provides peace and contentment! 

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. (1 Timothy 6:6-7)

Exercise yourself toward godliness. . . .

But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.  These things command and teach. (1 Timothy 4:7-11)

Sports was my life . . . . since I can remember, around five years old, it was constant baseball, basketball, football. I was in organized sports since then, played into college, and coached for some thirty years after playing. Even into my thirties, playing men's softball and pick up basketball, I played hard, played to win, but did not care who lost or how the losers felt! It was win or nothing.

Since the Lord found me, however, I realized there was more than just winning . . . . there were values to be taught and to learn . . . . eternal values. So as I engaged in Church league softball and coached in CHRISTian basketball and football leagues, it was a different life. I still love to win and prepare to win, but I realize the ultimate goal is to represent Christ! We all win with Him!!!

So I still love to exercise with my wife, work out, throw the ball around, and shoot hoops with my grandkids and youngest son. I still love, watch and fanatically support my Ravens and Orioles, but sports is not the end all . . . . Christ is all and all. 

I am a fan of my teams, but a follower of Christ!

 

 

The real black Friday......what a bargain, but what a price... do you believe?

 Holy Week or Horror Week Part IV

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.  And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:  I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.(John 17:20-23)

 The real black Friday......what a bargain, but what a price... do you believe? Before being arrested, Jesus prayed for us . . . those who would come to believe in Him through the apostles' testimony . . . that we would be one, united, of the same belief, not denomination!  That's you and me . . . if we believe!

Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation. And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him. But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”(Luke 22:43-48)

Jesus, to the point of sweating blood (Hematidrosis), had given His all in this life. His closest friends fell asleep on Him. To top it off, one of His friends would betray Him. He was brutally treated as a common criminal, even worse! Yet we who say we love Him betray Him daily with our sin! Do we really believe? 

Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This Man is calling for Elijah!” Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink. The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.” And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.Then, behold,  the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:45-54)

The real black Friday......what a bargain, but what a price... do you believe? 

It's not over . . .SONday is coming . . .He will be back!

Delays are NOT denials!

And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.  Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.”(Daniel 10:11-14)

I am learning to wait on God! His DELAYS are not His DENIALS! Many times God has us wait on things because He has to do a work in us before He does a work for us! Like Daniel, there could spiritual warfare going on that we can not even see. Waiting for God to work . . . expecting God to work . . . is part of walking out our faith.

I heard a sermon recently where the preacher said to live as if it is already done! Much like a pregnant women preparing for a child . . . . buying little booties, diapers, onesies, even a crib . . . . because the baby is coming!

What are we expecting God to do? Live like it is already done! Walk out in faith! We may not see it yet, but we walk by _______, not by _________! (2 Corinthians 5:7)

Here am I, SEND ME!

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it, and said:“ Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged.”  Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” (Isaiah 6:1-8)

These verses changed my life! Sitting in the church pew, newly saved, eyes wide opened and heart on fire some twenty-eight years ago, I heard these verses clearly . . . . "Here am I, SEND ME!"

I had seen and heard from God. As He spoke to Isaiah, He was speaking to me! I walked down and told the waiting minister that God had called me to serve Him full time! I knew my calling and I was answering. Jesus said " follow Me" and I responded with a "yes!"

Twenty-eight years later the answer is still "yes!" The fire is still burning! God is still speaking . . . still working . . . still meeting needs. Hundreds of souls saved . . . thousands touched by His love in our home, on the streets, on mission trips on the mainland and over the seas.

Until He calls for me, I cannot . . . . I will not  . . . . Quit! God be glorified!!!

no fear

 “Death is swallowed up in victory."“ O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. ( 1 Corinthians 15:55-58)

Yes, we all will stand before God (Romans 14:12). There is no fear of judgment upon our death if we are a faithful believer in Christ. Our limited time on earth is a test of our faith: pass the test and we achieve eternal peace...rest in heaven.

Death is something that many people fear yet we all will experience. A true believer should not fear dying. How we might die can be fearful however! Jesus Christ did not fear death. However, He did not want to die by crucifixion (Luke 22:42), Yet He came to earth knowing that He would die in order for us to live. He knew the reward awaiting Him.....the joy of His Father and the restoration of His glory! (John 17:5)

We too have the promises of God to look forward to in glory....crowns in fact to receive and then present to our Savior! We have the PROMISE of an everlasting relationship with our Lord and Savior! (Romans 8:33-35)

Do not fear death! There is great reward on the other side....just be ready! Are YOU ready?

Marriage notes

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might [g]sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, [h]of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.  (Ephesians 5:22-33)

Valentine weekend....thoughts of good times, struggles, even failures and successes. However, through it all we have been committed to one another as God has been faithful to us!

I have found a good wife and she has indeed blessed me! God has given me more than I deserve. I am still striving to love her as Christ loved the Church and to honor God as a living sacrifice.

Thank you God...thank you Tamara...still in love with you!

So what is L O V E? 💞

So we will hear this word all day today and throughout the weekend . . .L O V E. So what is L O V E? 💞

He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (1 John 4:9)💕

We have been studying this verse all month in my high school classes. As I work with high school students who think they are in L O V E  with someone or other, I remind them that as CHRISTians, in our relationships, choosing someone without knowing if they know Christ, is a dangerous and unGodly road to travel.

Do not be ☒unequally yoked☒ together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with

darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14)

God IS L O V E! Believe the Word for what is says! No one who does not know God intimately cannot L O V E anyone  . . . . even themselves!

💘Happy Valentines Day!!!💘

led up by the Spirit

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.  Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from

the mouth of God.’ ”(Matthew 4:1-4)

We all have heard to account: Satan tempts Jesus after He was led into the wilderness and fasted fourty days!  First of all, this is a spiritual battle and not about food! We know the Spirit led Jesus to the wilderness to fast. He was Spirit-filled and Spirit-controlled! He was prepared for battle, weapons ready, armor fixed.

Satan could not attack the Spirit. Yet he did attack the flesh. However, the flesh was protected by the Word and the It's armor. Do we put on the armor of God daily?

(Ephesians 6:10-18) Do we read His Word and prepare for battle?

Our flesh may be weak, but walking in and with the Spirit, we will win!

Disappointments are only God-appointments .....

Disappointments are only God-appointments to shine . . . for Him! After watching the Super Bowl, I read many testimonies from both sides as to their faith. Without a doubt, each one expressed desire to honor God, despite the outcome. I recall Ray Lewis, the year before the Ravens won the 2012 Super Bowl as they suffered a disappointing loss in the AFC Championship game. He shared it was God' s will, but win or lose, they would still fight to win it all the next year . . . and they did!

Paul lived a life of both huge victories and huge defeats. Even his last days, seemingly going down to defeat, yet was able to share Christ with the leader of the known world! Keep you eyes on God and His glory . . .Paul had an army of soldiers called to protect him and deliver him to Rome!

And he called for two centurions, saying, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at the third hour of the night; and provide mounts to set Paul on, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.” He wrote a letter in the following manner . . . (Acts 23:23-25)

God's does not always provide victories in this life . . . at least not as the world views victories. Even in losses, defeats, illnesses, and various disappontments, there are opportunity to honor the Lord. In fact, like Job, it is an even greater testimony!

Bitter or sweet, sunshine or rain, heartache and pain, possessor gains . . . all opportunities to bring honor to God! There is victory in Jesus! God will provide a way!

He alone is THE CHAMPION!

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world . . . . our faith. (1 John 5:4)

Super Sunday is here. Last evening I heard many pro football players thanking family, friends, coaches and others for their awards. Some however let the world know that Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, Emmanuel, was the driving force behind their talents. He alone is THE CHAMPION!

In then past week we all have been bombarded with the news of tragic deaths. Many are lauding the lives lived and the people who were touched and inspired. Kids and adults are wearing jerseys and taking jump shots.

Yet how many are claiming Jesus Christ as King? How many are testifying to be at peace knowing they are in His arms for eternity? No matter victory or defeat here on earth, we have assurance that Jesus has the final victory! Whoever lifts the Lombardi today will be declared "champion". Yet the battle lives on..... Life is not a game.

Are you a winner? Have you claimed Jesus as Lord and Savior in your life? It must be done while we yet live! Tomorrow may be too late, regardless of ones age!

“O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.(1 Corinthians 15:55-57)