even more than we could imagine!

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 3:20-21)

God, I believe you are able to accomplish infinitely more than I might ask or think. As I fight this battle, please help me keep my eyes on You  Lord . . . not on the challenges I face. Give me the courage and strength to surrender this situation to You. By Your grace, help me trust Your love for me and my family and live with the confidence that You care about this even more than I do. In a day when many doubt if You are present, may You receive the glory and credit for all to see . . .and even come to know You personally themselves

Lord knows I have been pleading and asking for over a year to provide for our son to attend Liberty University on campus. It has been a dream of mine and his since we first took him on campus when he was in eighth grade! The first semester was delayed due to Covid-19 but he did attend on line and completed four classes successfully! We are now trusting God to continue to supply . . .even more than we could imagine!

https://www.facebook.com/donate/439278593917781/ 

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?

But He was asleep . . .

 Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” Matthew 8:23-27)

Is it not  safe to say we are in the middle of a storm today . . .whipped by the winds of the pandemic . . .tossed up and down by news of a vaccine, yet worsening conditions in hospitals . . . fearful of not only today's news, but tomorrow's as well?  Some would say that Jesus is asleep . . .not present or not involved. Where is Jesus for you? 

There is encouraging news . . .He is right in the boat with us . . .caring. loving, protecting and providing. Why do I say this, because I know for myself!

“Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to You on the water.” “Come,” Jesus said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:28-31)

Jesus is asking His people to out only reach out to Him, but others as well. We must trust Him more than ever. He is reaching out to each of us to assure us of His love . . . in the middle of this stormy pandemic. We too have to keep serving, sacrificing and trusting God to provide. Press on. Keep living. We may be isolated and restricted, but we do not have to hide! 

I have been blown away by the love and care of the Body of Christ just recently. We have asked for support to serve food during Thanksgiving and toys, clothing and more food for CHRISTmas. So many gave from their hearts and we were able to spread that love to many in need. We were simply the hands, feet, and van of the Body . . .you were the heart! Even today, many of you are meeting precious needs so we and others can keep pressing forward! 

God is not asleep! He is alive, awake and aware of all that is going on . . .thank you for reinforcing that fact! Oh, we of little faith . . .why do we doubt?

A "brother" is born for a time of adversity!

 “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17)

Friends, family or brothers . . . biological family or family of God? As my family has been forced to isolate over the past few weeks due to positive testing to Covid-19, I have learned a lot about the meanings of family and friend. Since coming to Christ nearly thirty years ago, I have come to realize the difference, but even more so during these past few weeks of isolation.

While I do realize that this pandemic has people on edge, I believe this is a time to serve more than ever . . . with phone calls, emails, text messages, sending food and needed items (so many deliver methods today) and more. People really appreciate these efforts when they have been locked in and locked out for weeks at a time . . . especially during these special days of CHRISTmas.

I so appreciate the few who have reached out to us. I must say family has been nearly invisible. It has been disappointing to say the least. However, those who have sacrificed their time and reached out to us with calls, texts, emails, messaging, and even sending needed items were genuine brothers and sisters, members of our CHRISTian family! His Blood does run thick! We have not only been cheered up by Church members, but by our family of believers from around the world . . . New Orleans, St. Vincent, and Puerto Rico and more!

It has solidified my love for the brotherhood (1 Peter 2:17). While we served others up until our isolation, we are more burdened now than ever before to continue to serve! Our work is not for our glory, but for others to see Christ and honor Him . . . come to know HIm. (Matthew 5:16)

Now that we are released from captivity, we can't wait to get back to work. Thank you so much for your love and care family! Thank you for being Jesus with skin on!

We have a HIStory with God!

Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying,  “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” 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.”  And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” 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.” 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. 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.’ ” So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. 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 17:9-16)

Elijah was led into isolation by God. However, as bad as the situation seemed . . . while he was alone and fed by ravens or now with the widow and her dying son . . . he trusted God. Despite our isolation . . . despite the loneliness . . . despite the depressed state . . . we must trust God. He has always cared for His people despite the situation. We have a HIStory with God!

God has been present throughout HIStory, now, and into the future. There is really no one else to trust but God! He will provide. He will never leave us nor forsake us. He is Jehovah 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! 

Give thanks in all circumstances!

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

This is timely for me ...maybe you too. Though CHRISTmas is nothing like I wished for, God is still good. Things could be worse. Even though Covid-19 has invaded our home, we can still count our blessings. My wife has suffered from cough, slight fever, chills, body aches and pains, and slight loss of taste and appetite. I have tested positive but have no symptoms. (That is weird!) Our son has tested negative, praise God! So we all have been isolated at home with no visits for CHRISTmas from our kids and grandkids. No CHRISTmas, yet we have so much. It is just a weird year to say the least. 

People do not know how to react. Some avoid us. Others ignore us. Few actually contact us with sincere concern. One thing for sure, we know who really cares! When parts of the body are in pain and suffering, the rest of the body shuts down to assist. While we have done our best to serve those in need during Thanksgiving and CHRISTmas, I must now serve my own family and be sure they are safe and healthy . . .especially my precious bride! It is a frustrating challenge . . .one of wait and see much of the time. I keep praying for God's will and that I accept what He allows! He is a caring, loving, and gracious Father.

Stay safe everyone! This is no time to relax and be careless. Enjoy the rest of the week as best you are able . . .and know that He is still in control!

Why celebrate in 2020? Because He came for us!

 Why celebrate in 2020? Because He came for us!

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)

So it's been a rough year . . . a challenging year . . . a year of upheaval and bitter fighting and much sadness . It has been a year to forget, yet we must remember. We must remember because for those of us who call Christ Lord and Savior, He has been faithful. He has healed. He has protected. He has provided. He has comforted us and He has wept with us. He has never left us, but has walked through valleys and even carried us over rough waters. 

We must celebrate because He came to save us and is still saving today! 

What a gift . . .to receive and to give! Celebrate this season!

Joy . . .Peace . . . and Hope!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

Paul writes in Romans 15 to encourage us all to love with a joyous hope as we serve one another and treat one another as equals. It is so ironic that as he was pointing out the differences between Jews and Greeks then, we today still face issues of discrimination and prejudices.  One would think that we CHRISTians would have gotten it by now . . . yet we need the reminder!

Christ has accepted you. So accept one another in order to bring praise to God. (Romans 15:7)

Who are we to think anyone is better than anyone else? If Christ, being God in the flesh, could accept me as one of His own, that I too must accept others made in His image as my equal. In fact, like Christ, I am to serve others! (Romans 15:8)

As we live for Christ, He fills us with His joy, His hope, His peace.  We need that more than ever during these challenging days.

So This is CHRISTmas?

 So let us never stop offering to God our praise through Jesus. Let us talk openly about our faith in him. Then our words will be like an offering to God. Don’t forget to do good. Don’t forget to share with others. God is pleased with those kinds of offerings. (Hebrews 13: 15-16)

We are getting closer to CHRISTmas 2020 . . .COVID-19 CHRISTmas I have dubbed it. John Lennon (of the Beatles) had a song years ago, in 1971,  So This is Christmas (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-tErSwqm7g). It dealt with the issues of war and all the turmoil coming from Vietnam and other social issues of that day. 

Now in 2020, the phrase is out there once again . . .So this is CHRISTmas. What have we done? What will we do? As believers, it is in our hands . . .well, God's hands. How we handle things is up to us! We have so much to be thankful for and to appreciate, even in the midst of the pandemic. 

Think about it . . .this is CHRISTmas!

Serve others, despite the situation.

 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” (Acts 20:33-35)

Paul, in his missionary journeys, often had to work himself to provide for his needs. He knew how to survive  . . . even thrive, whether he had a surplus of supplies or was in need. (Philippians 4:12) Despite his economic situation, he continued to do God's work and serve others.

Here we are at our Covid-19 CHRISTmas 2020. It is unusual to say the least. There are many needs for sure. As believers . . .as members of the Body of Christ . . . let us not grow weary in doing good! (Galatians 6:9)

We must continue to serve others, despite the situation!