Tag: god

How Long Will You Wait?

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How Long Will You Wait?

I hear it all the time; “I have to work on some things before I can go to church.” I hear so many excuses for so many different areas of life, and while of course some are legitimate others are not. At some point we must launch. We cannot sit on the launch pad forever. While there may be delays in the launch, we need to be ready when the weather clears and we are a go for launch. We cannot continue to shelve problems, or kick the can down the road to deal with later.

Do we move with intent towards God every day? Do we push ourselves to move beyond our lazy nature, or do we become stagnant swamp water? When I think of moving forward with Christ I think of the Apostle Paul. The fight he faced for so long in his life was beyond what most of us would ever face. If we were faced with that kind of opposition would we pick up our ball and go home? Would we keep our faith, or would we go back to our old ways of life? When you live in Christ your spirit is constantly refilled in the Holy Spirit.2 Timothy 4:6 (NKJV)“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.”Paul knew his time was at hand to depart this world, and he knew that his work was good work. The thing about Paul was he wasn’t afraid to die. You cannot truly face life, and face challenges if you are afraid to fail, or die. Paul knew he would suffer in the name of the Lord, and he was prepared because he knew God’s grace was sufficient for him. 

When we consider the challenges in our life, would we be willing to die for Christ? There are hills to die on and there are fights that aren’t worth the effort. Christ is the hill to die on. Christ is the only hill we face that we need to ever truly worry about. So many of us live for this world. So many people live to make money, or seek fame. So many people live for trinkets or other things that keep them tethered to this world, but we are called to cleave to Christ and sever the desires of this world. 2 Timothy 4:9 (NKJV) “Be diligent to come to me quickly; 10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.”Will we abandon those we are called to serve along side, or will we remain faithful and vigilant like Luke? Will we fight when the fight comes to our door or will we cower in fear? Will you stand on the truth and preach that truth, or will you forgo doctrine for the pleasing of others? 2 Timothy 4:3 (NKJV)“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;”It is not easy to stand against the pressures of the world, but we must remember what’s at stake. Jesus came to us on a rescue mission. Jesus deployed from Heaven to come and rescue us from the hostage situation we were in. We were being held in bondage by sin, and that sin was never going to negotiate. Jesus came to save us, and give us a change at forever. God gives us a spirit of strength not fear. 

In order for us to truly launch we must understand that nothing we face in this world is by chance. We make choices that send us on a path. We face our own repercussions. God corrects our actions as needed. We face preparation, or face the sins of others. No matter where we find ourselves we are on a divine appointment. No matter if it’s at the store in the check out line, or rolling up on a rollover accident we are where we need to be when we need to be there. God wants you and the question is, are you available to answer the call? When the time comes how will you finish your journey? Will you finish it like Paul? 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NKJV)“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

When we prepare to take our last trip around the sun how will we answer to God? God gives us all talents and we have the opportunity to grow those talents, or squander them away. Christ gives us the opportunity to launch and we have the button for a go/no go for launch. Will you rise to the occasion or crash into the water? The choice is yours. Finish your journey strong and pleasing to the Lord.

Be Like A Tree

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Be Like A Tree

Are you growing in knowledge of wisdom? Are you growing with God or have you remained stagnant? As you grow have you gained a line in the tree ring of large growth or a tiny insignificant increment? Are you growing in favor of god or have you been walking on your own in the dark?

Are you growing the things Jesus has given you? How are you managing your gifts? Are you growing them or burning them to the ground? We are nothing without God. We can squander what we are given, or as the parable of the talents we can do nothing or use as an opportunity to double. God has given us all something, a talent, a purpose, special gifts, that we all have the choice to use for the purpose of good, or evil.

“Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with that ability is your gift to God.” Leo Buscaglia

Are you being your best self? Are you cultivating a life pleasing to God? No matter what it is you do, stocking shelves, cooking burgers, a nurse, lawyer, police, a pastor, a writer, no matter what it is you do, do all for the glory of God. I’m a writer and I’m a Christian man. I was guided by God, through friends to open a door for me to write the word of God. I have grown in the word, grown with the spirit and I have grown in faith. Grow yourself as we are called to always grow.

What have you done with yourself this last year? Have you been a person of action? Have you sat around waiting for God to make you a table, or a canoe, or have you heard God say “I gave you the tree and the talent, have you used it?” God gives you tools to make something great. He expects you to grow cultivating your gifts.

The last few months I’ve watched some pretty significant storms come through. I’ve watched these storms assault trees. The wind would blow and they would sway. The water would saturate the ground and yet the trees would stand tall, and firm.

Jeremiah 17:8 (NKJV)8 “For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not [a]fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.” Are we baring good fruit for the Lord? Have we allowed our roots to dig in deep to hold us firm in the ground? 

Psalm 1:3 (NKJV)3 “He shall be like a tree Planted by the [a]rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.” The rings I have added to my life, I can only hope I am growing stronger and tougher every day. I don’t know how I will be viewed as I get older. I don’t know if I will be viewed as a strong sturdy tree of God, or weak and frail. I don’t know if my roots are deep enough to weather the storms to come, or if I will break and fall under the pressure. All I can do is continue to let my roots grow deep, continue to soak up the eternal water of Christ, and have the Holy Spirit flow through me. 

So Glad I’m Forgiven

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So Glad I’m Forgiven

Even though I’m a sinner forever in this life, Christ, the greatest physician heals this world to give us eternal hope. I am not a perfect man, and I’ve made plenty of mistakes in my life. While I’ve always tried to walk a good path, I haven’t always put my best foot forward. I can never do enough to work to earn my way into Heaven. I cannot work hard enough to make my way into Heaven. It is by grace alone I am saved.

1 John 1:9 (NKJV)9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 

Because of grace which we can see that grace while Christ was on the cross,

Luke 23:32-43 (NKJV)

32 There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. 33 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. 34 [a]Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

And they divided His garments and cast lots. 35 And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.”

36 The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, 37 and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.”

38 And an inscription also was [b]written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, [c]“If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”

40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said [d]to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Even in the final hour, being able to offer nothing to Christ, the criminal on the cross was forgiven and promised Heaven. Forgiveness is a gift, it’s a gift we could never deserve, yet through grace we are given anyway. I know I can never do enough to tip the scales in my favor. Matthew 6:14-15 (NKJV) 14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. We are given a choice how we want to live in this life. Will you live with love and forgiveness in your heart, or will you hold hate and grudges in your heart? We must always be a reflection of Christ in all we do. The love we share must always be the reflection of our Heavenly Father. When we live in the Lord we shall be rewarded in kind. 

I know I’m not perfect, and I know that there is no reason for Jesus to forgive me for the sins that I commit, but He does in fact forgive me every day. I am lost in the darkness without my light, and I have no hope in this life without Jesus Christ. I have seen and known so much pain, and I have lived this life in a constant struggle, but even when I’ve cried in the night, I was set free from my chains by the blood sacrifice of my Lord Jesus Christ. The darkness fades away in the light, and I am not covered in the tar of my sins anymore. The white covers my life, and the darkness tries to slip, slither back in, but Jesus Christ is my shield, the bubble of white I live in protecting me when I walk through the valley of the shadow of Death. 

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700

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700

I almost missed this milestone, and how sad that would have been. How fitting that last night I watched the video for the first time I taught class in church. The lesson I taught was on the full armor of God. I have been putting thought in my own growth over the last few days. It’s interesting how God works things out, that I had lost track of how many posts I have had, and this gives me the opportunity to see at least how far I’ve come in numbers. I started this ministry on February 23rd 2017, and now 700 posts later, I’m still, by the grace of God, going strong. I’ve tried to step away and slow down, and while I must admit I’ve missed a day or so in the last couple months, I’ve maintained a steady stream of posts. It’s not been an easy road, maintaining full time school, this ministry, and my social events. God has been good to me, blessing me, and watching over me as I have continued to try my best to do good works.

2018 has been a good year for my blog. While of course my numbers aren’t where I’d like them to be, I feel blessed that this year there was an increase then that of 2017. The number of views I’ve had so far this year have been 9,497. The visitors has been 5,901, likes 637, and 112 comments. While some of these numbers are far lower then I’d like, I must confess that if my blog just touches one life and helps strengthen someone’s walk with Christ then I’ve done exactly what God has asked me of. This year my blog has been viewed in 105 different countries. While I’m not able to go out to all the nations, I have been able to reach many, and I thank God for giving me the ability to continue the great commission in my own way.

Matthew 28:16-20Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.18 “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” 

We all have our own gifts, our own voice, our own special talents, and we must be thankful for what we have because we have been specially chosen for them by God, to live a life with a special purpose. We all our place in this world, and even when someone feels lost, or disconnected, or even alone, fear not, we are never far from God. The wonderful thing about God is we don’t need an appointment to sit down with Him. We don’t need to wait in a crowded hospital emergency room to be seen for our ailments. God is right there waiting for us when we are ready to accept His Son Jesus Christ into our hearts. There’s never a time when Jesus stops loving us. There’s never a time when God forgets us. There’s never a time we are alone on our path. We may be lost in our own way, but the path of God is always lit up. It’s not easy being a Christian today, with so many reasons not too, with so many opinions, and science, and hateful people, but as we understand scripture, the name Christian will become more offensive as we get closer to the end times. We should not be surprised that holiday’s such as Christmas begins to get pushed back in meaning, while the name alone survives. The birth of a baby boy is so far removed from peoples minds, that now it’s about the gifts, the deals, the food, and very little is about the birth of our savior. How wonderful it is to be able to write about God freely without fear of being persecuted by my government, without fear of executions or my family being targeted as enemies of the state. For now I write and I am blessed that God has given such a wonderful gift.

I can only hope and pray that as time moves forward for me, and as I work to a new type of ministry, this has not only allowed me to reach thousands of people in the time since it’s inception, but it’s helped me grow closer to God by diving deeper into His word, and teaching me valuable lessons not only about scripture, but myself also. I wonder how much I’ve grown, and not just in scriptural knowledge, but in a visible way. As I study to be approved, and I continue on a path towards ordination, and finishing my degree, I pray God continues to light my path, remove obstacles unnecessary for my growth, and continues to forge me into a Soldier of Christ. I do not claim to look forward to the trials ahead, but I know and understand, and expect them to come. It’s in trials we learn the most, and show how far we’ve come. God has blessed me with a wonderful lady Argie in my life, wonderful friends, an amazing best friend and brother Glen in Christ, and I could not ask for more blessings. It’s taken me a long time to find contentment in my life, and as I have not always been the most ideal picture of patience, I confess I am glad in some ways that wait is over. Even though there are trials ahead, and challenges in both my walk with Christ, and my relationship with such a wonderful woman of God, I know that God is still in control, and still working out the board for the path to twist and turn exactly where it needs too. I am so grateful for my friends that are always there for me, especially my few close friends in the Philippines. I am truly blessed to have a couple friends from that wonderful country that are so wonderful, and sweet, and loyal.

I am looking forward to m hiking trip in January on the Appalachian trail that I will be focusing on a series I’ll write about the Apostle Paul. I will be on the trail for somewhere around six days maybe longer on a set route. I am blessed to be able to take time away from my busy life and dive into God’s word, and hear the message He lays upon my heart. I expect it to be a challenge physically and mentally as I will face cold, and separation from friends and family. This will be an amazing opportunity for me, and I pray God blesses my trip, and keeps my friends safe while I’m away.

Other then my relationship change, and my continued efforts towards finishing my degree there isn’t a whole lot new in my life. The status quo seems to be a fairly constant and consistent motion for now, and while there have been spiritual attacks along the way, with the guidance and blessings from God, along with God appointed people in my life at the right times, I have been able to weather all the storms and keep pushing forward. It’s hard to believe it’s been another 100 posts but God is good, and as long as God continues to bless me with messages, I will continue to write and post, and pray to inspire others along my own spiritual journey. God bless all of you, and please feel free to share this website with others, maybe we can get a small ember to turn into a flame for God. 

What Did It Cost You?

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What Did It Cost You?

“How much does God have to take from you before He has your undivided attention?”Rev. Glen Newsome, Jr M.A.C.S

God deserves our best and we give our last. We curse God when things go badly, but we are often to blame for most of our own hardships. We curse God when life takes a turn, but we miss the signs saying ‘wrong way’ or ‘turn around’. We walk this life thinking we know best, and we have the attitude of “I do what I want.” So I must ask, when you walk this lifestyle what does it cost you? When we consider what sin is, how can we fathom living in this sin lifestyle and do so with no care. Cosmic treason is the crime and the cost can be eternal damnation in hellfire and brimstone. 

Psalm 147

147 Praise[a] the Lord!

For it is good to sing praises to our God;

For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.

2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem;

He gathers together the outcasts of Israel.

3 He heals the brokenhearted

And binds up their [b]wounds.

4 He counts the number of the stars;

He calls them all by name.

5 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;

His understanding is infinite.

6 The Lord lifts up the humble;

He casts the wicked down to the ground.

7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;

Sing praises on the harp to our God,

8 Who covers the heavens with clouds,

Who prepares rain for the earth,

Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.

9 He gives to the beast its food,

And to the young ravens that cry.

10 He does not delight in the strength of the horse;

He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.

11 The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him,

In those who hope in His mercy.

12 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!

Praise your God, O Zion!

13 For He has strengthened the bars of your gates;

He has blessed your children within you.

14 He makes peace in your borders,

And fills you with [c]the finest wheat.

15 He sends out His command to the earth;

His word runs very swiftly.

16 He gives snow like wool;

He scatters the frost like ashes;

17 He casts out His hail like [d]morsels;

Who can stand before His cold?

18 He sends out His word and melts them;

He causes His wind to blow, and the waters flow.

19 He declares His word to Jacob,

His statutes and His judgments to Israel.

20 He has not dealt thus with any nation;

And as for His judgments, they have not known them.

[e]Praise the Lord!

The Lord commands it all, and we must understand the nature of God. When the Lord of Lords lifts everyone, but also casts judgment. When we consider the cost, are we willing to pay it? Are we willing to count the cost of God’s wrath when we walk a path of wickedness? The evil of the world are promised the chance of redemption, but what of those who live in an upright life but watches the wicked with no voice outspoken against the evil? Ezekiel 3:18 “When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.”Guilty is the charge for those who stand by and do nothing. It’s not just enough to love your neighbor but to love the sinner is to point out that sin. It’s not far enough to just love God because if we don’t love our brothers and sisters enough to be a light for those in darkness, then we are in darkness. 

(Avengers: Infinity War Spoilers Ahead) 

The darkness isn’t always as simple as we would think. What about those who do the unthinkable for the right reasons? Fictional characters such as Thanos who watched his own home planet devised a plan to save the universe. This plan was brazen, but with the power to carry out the plan, with a single snap of his fingers, the infinity gems combined caused half the universe to fade away in dust. It exacted a horrible cost however, and it nearly killed Thanos. When we look at the cost if we do not follow Romans 12:18 “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” We may not like the outcome. 

What do you take with you when you can’t reconcile? We take nothing with us to the life after, but there is a cost, a terrible cost that will come to those who choose to stay in darkness. The Day of Judgment comes to all, and sin is equal at the foot of the cross. The difference is the ones who know Christ will face different justice, while the evil will face wrath. Ezekiel 3:18 (NKJV)18 “When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.” 

The cost of wickedness is unpleasant. The idea of scared straight is just so simple, yet when one doesn’t believe in Christ the idea of eternal damnation is not a true concern. Our feelings however do not express a true sense of reality. The truth of reality is Job 36:6 (NKJV)6 “He does not preserve the life of the wicked, But gives justice to the oppressed.” We must consider what it costs you to live life with cruelty, hatred, and distain in your life. The wrath of God is not to be tested. God shall not be tempted and we must not gamble with our salvation. Death is the cost, and not just death from this world, but the suffering of the eternal soul as the lakes of fire will consume you. 

There is hope though, and we celebrate that hope this holiday season. Christmas isn’t about the gifts, the lights, the shopping, the food, no, it’s about a little baby who has not been number one in many lives for a long time. That little baby changed the world, and gave us the hope we never had. The baby boy who found himself being turned away from the inn, turned away from his home, and every city right up till his death. The savior of the universe proclaimed the multitudes will persecute in the name of Christ and that still happens regularly. How sad it is to have so much hope in the evidence in abundance and yet the countless turn and walk away from the Lords love and grace. The cost of souls is so very real and yet means so little to so many. We cannot live in this life living it however we want thinking there is no repercussions awaiting us. There is hope that is seen at the end of that babies life, two men on the cross, one even in death found no fear of God, while the other, turned to Jesus and owned responsibility of his actions, and asked for the forgiveness of the Father. He earned nothing, and could never work for his salvation, and yet grace and mercy were in abundance, finding him and in a word, Christ promised Heaven. What does it cost you? Your heart to the Lord is all that’s asked, just to allow Christ to fill your heart, and burn away the old self, and you to become new creation born in the Holy Spirit, as your sins are washed away. Faith in the Lord and trusting that Heaven is the reward for the cost of love. 

Hard Love or Harder Love?

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Hard Love or Harder Love?

Either we aren’t walking with God so we bring them upon ourselves. Someone else isn’t walking with God and we are in the line of Fire. Satan is attacking us trying to pull us away from God. Or God is trying to correct our path.

There’s a war going on and we live our lives mostly oblivious of the truth. We gripe and complain when the hard Knox come around but we miss the point. You are loved by Satan, but don’t be fooled it’s not you he cares about, but your sin, that cosmic treason is what he loves. Do you love your sin so much that you are siding with the Devil?  

We have a saying that you learned something from the school of hard knox, the learning by way of personal, usually negative experiences in life verses a formal education. How much of our life is experience verse being taught. As the song goes 

Hard Love by, NeedToBreathe

“Hold on tight a little longer

What don’t kill ya, makes ya stronger

Get back up, ’cause it’s a hard love

You can’t change without a fallout

It’s gon’ hurt, but don’t you slow down

Get back up, ’cause it’s a hard love” 

We must love the light because it shines down upon us this season, no not Christmas but rather this life, the time between the risen Lord and the second coming of our savior. Are we walking in the light or causing our own turmoil? Jesus comes under the light of a star that shown down as a message to the world that the savior had come. Matthew 1:21“And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

Jesus has given us every tool, everything we’d ever need, and here Christ lived and did so as an example to us. We can relate to Christ, because Christ could relate to us. Jesus lived a hard knox life, a life of sorrow, loss, persecution, and ending his life in torture beyond what any other man could have withstood. Even though our savior suffered so much we still turn our love to Satan. If we are not walking in Christ we are walking with Satan. Satan did not work for the throne of Earth, and he does not respect us so why do we follow? We love the decorations, the lights, the cheer, the food, and we can have peace in any hard knox we come through for the one reason we have all these things, Happy Birthday Jesus. 

If we want it done right do it yourself, so God sent Jesus to become word, the word, the light of the world. Emmanuel came and be I Am, and is everything we’d ever need. The true God of the Universe tells us those who are for Him, that no one would stand against Him. We are called to not worry, to have a soul of courage, that our hearts be filled with joy for the savior has come. It’s a hard love to follow Christ because there will be pain along the way. It’s an even harder love to love sin because the Devil would love your company in the pits of fire that awaits those who deny Christ. A hard love, or a harder love, your choice.

Dark days come and are coming and the wolves try every day to breach the defenses and we must remain strong while Satan tries to break up the party. Satan wants to destroy the hope and the lights that shine brightest for the Lord. Fear not for the wolves don’t like the light in the darkness. Light the fires with the Holy Spirit, and you will fend off all attacks that try to destroy what’s been built in the name of the Lord. It’s a birthday, Christ’s birthday, let us not ruin the festivities with despair.  

What Dwells In Your Heart?

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What Dwells In Your Heart? 

Colossians 3:16-17“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

If you live life focused on just yourself, your heart I daresay is not with the Lord. If you make decisions without care of others, their feelings, or even their well being, I would say you are missing out on love and your sin is making you believe you are on high above God. We are called to live in love and if we become selfish we don’t love others, you love yourself.

Are you allowing Jesus to shine through you? Do you feel bad when you hurt someone? Thankfully there is hope for our lies and there is a time for change and the time is now. In the season of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, we can be like the Grinch and Ebenezer Scrooge or we can allow our hearts to grow three sizes today.

I have heard often I’ve hurt to many people for God to save me. I’ve done so much wrong for God to love me. The excuses are far and wide, and yet none of them are true. There is always a path to redemption if someone is willing to give up their once selfish ways. Allow Jesus to enter your heart and the love will spread from the source through your soul and out into other parts of your life. Ephesians 3:17“that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,” 

I’ve seen a lot of selfish in my day, and I’ve been hurt by a lot of it in the process. Someone asked me recently how I managed to deal with loosing my ex wife, and the answer was simple, time, prayer, love, and respect. Nothing is too big for God and nothing is too much for God. This is the season of joy and good will towards Men/Women. Are we truly willing to live our lives in hate, or even fear? We need to let go of the dark seed that dwells within us, and face the light of truth. Jesus Christ is the only light we’ll ever need, and the only hope we’ll ever have to have.

There’s never a time that’s too late to turn to Christ and let go of the darkness within. 

The Fog Lifts

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The Fog Lifts

The darkness is thick and heavy. The weight presses down upon you like a boulder. What is this darkness you ask, why can’t I see? The fog that sits, and is so heavy is sin. We cannot hope to remove the sin on our own. We cannot lift the boulder that’s placed on our shoulders like Atlas. The sin in our lives will multiply and divide until we are so buried under it we have no chance to move. Thankfully there’s a cure for this great cancer and the cure is Jesus Christ.

There are other kinds of fog that will set on our lives, but usually it all comes back to a situation that was caused by sin, and leaves behind darkness. For me, even though I didn’t cause my spouses affair I was left in the darkness of trauma, fear, self-loathing, and I couldn’t see my way out. During my trauma something happened and a light shined through the darkness and acted as a lighthouse shining a way for me to travel. One might ask, if God was so great why didn’t He just tell me all the answers, or show me all I needed to know? While those are legitimate questions, the truth is very simple, God wants us to grow on our own, and when we grow in Christ the right way, we learn, we experiences, and God wants us to do this on our own with His guidance. So I was left with a light shining the way, and over the last two years I have found a path that shines brightly. There was one area of my life that was still shrouded in darkness, and that was my love life.

As my love life continued to fail, I often prayed to God asking for answers, or at least a path. As I mentioned in yesterdays post, I wasn’t specific with my prayers, and if you were God of the universe you’d probably have a sense of humor also. God thinks answering prayers in a way we don’t expect is funny. When we aren’t specific and He has a plan, often times we look at them and don’t always take them as blessings, but our tiny feeble little minds cannot possibly understand the big picture as God does.

We must trust in the Lord and not be ridged in our own ways because the moment we think we know more then God, is the moment we will be cast down a dark path. Trust in the Lord for as said in Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” I’d like to take a closer look at this passage and focus on the word hope. As we enter this holiday season we focus a lot on ‘Good Will’, and ‘Cheer’, and ‘Joy’, but were does all this come from? We have joy because we know Christ came and we know that he prepares a room for us in Heaven, but more important then the joy, is the Hope we received knowing that Jesus Christ would overcome death, and without Christ we had no hope, just eternal darkness and fire. Because of that hope we know that our future is bright. No matter what comes our way in this life, no matter how bad things get for us here on Earth, we are not doomed to this life forever. We live in this life to prove ourselves to Christ, to show we carry the love of Christ in our hearts, so we may enter the gates of Heaven.

As my path has changed since God spared my life, I was struggling in one area of my life, and that was companionship. I prayed daily for God to send me someone and while He delivered it wasn’t exactly what I originally had in mind. God’s sense of humor does not escape me, and as I have realized, God often does the exact opposite of what I say I’m going to, or not do. I told God I wasn’t going to go into the ministry, and well….. That didn’t go as I had planned. I told God I would never get into a long distance relationship, and well, again, that went about as well as the first plan of not going into ministry. You’d think I would have learned to stop telling God what I’m not going to do. The path I am on is not easy, and it in fact may turn out to be slightly more complicated then I would have liked, but I often think back to Romans 8:28 (NKJV) “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”  As my new relationship continues to go well and we grow, I see that God’s plan was to have my life connected to the Philippines in some way. This path will both give me the opportunity to go there and to minister while I’m there, but also fulfill the promise to offer me companionship. God saw fit to answer two prayers at once, and I cannot fault Him for his creativity and ingenuity.  God’s funny that way, and whenever I think I have God figured out, and think I know where He has be headed, He throws a curveball and I find I knew very little all along. Though, even though I try not to count the steps now, I see the fog lifting on the last part of my life, and I see light in every corner. God truly does deliver when you are following His path. That’s not to say there won’t be hardships, or hurt, or pain along the way, on the contrary those things are promised. Don’t let the fog set in on your life and drain you of hope. While we may not always see through the fog in every situation, we know that God will guide us through. We have hope knowing that Jesus Christ was born, lived, died on the cross, and on the third day rose again in fulfillment of the scripture. 

God Thinks He’s Funny

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God Thinks He’s Funny

Have you ever told God what you want and without specifics? I have found God has a unique and laughable sense of humor. I had been saying for years I would never be involved in a long distance relationship, but again God laughed and said ‘here watch this.” I know it seems strange but I was certain I had at least figured out the direction, but God has a habit of telling me not to be so sure I know the direction my life will take.

This message is short and sweet. Do not be so quick to think you know the plans God has for you. Don’t be so ridged that you aren’t willing to be flexible to God’s path. Don’t be so close minded that you think whatever you believed you wanted is better for you then what God wants for you. When you trust in the Lord and move accordingly God will always show how truly amazing His plan is, and how wonderful things can be when you are following close like we ought to.

While I thought so many things were certain to happen, now I see God gives us exactly what we need, or in my case, who. 

So that’s the message today, be flexible, and trust in the Lord. 

Do You Feel Outmatched?

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Do You Feel Outmatched? 

I was watching an episode of Batman the animated series and batman was physically outmatched by a robot. Do you ever feel you are outmatched in life? Perhaps you have felt intimidated by someone who’s bullied you? Do you feel that you are physically outmatched by a spouse who chooses violence to keep you subservient? There’s always going to be people out there who use physical strength, emotional attacks, even intellect to make people feel inferior. I have been bullied in my life and I’ve been made to feel low, worthless at times. When I was going through both of my prior divorces I was made to feel at fault, and that I was trash. I felt emotionally outmatched and as the spiritual war was underway I missed some very important cues that would have helped me along the way.

One of the things that makes Batman such a great crime fighter is his ability to plan for contingencies, and learn quickly to adapt to his surroundings and his mistakes. Do we learn from our mistakes? Do we face off against the Devil and his Demons and learn from our mistakes? We face challenges every day, and we face new trials often, but how often do we feel like we just can’t handle the situation. In my own life I have felt like I couldn’t take another step. I have felt outmatched and outgunned by the Devil’s attacks. The way we feel however doesn’t always mirror reality. The reality is, God’s on my side, and always has been. I haven’t always walked close enough with Jesus to realize that, but thankfully, God understands our weakness, and He is the God of many chances, giving us time to learn from our mistakes. We must learn that we will face bullies, and trials, and even sickness in this life, but this life isn’t the one we should be worried about. Our eternal salvation is based on Christ’s love and grace, and we have a choice to make in our lives, whether to live in that love and treat others accordingly, or we can be cruel, and hateful people. When we consider the actions of others, and how they treat people, we can understand the nature of their hearts. Those who walk with Christ, not just those who believe in him, but those who truly show Christ in their heart and allows that to reflect as who they are, will be the light in this life.

Batman walks a line few of us could walk, but one thing we can take away is the intellect to adapt and overcome. There’s always a bigger fish out there, someone who’s stronger, smarter, but if we are guided by love, and the Holy Spirit, we can overcome anything, any adversities we may face.  Romans 8:31“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”  With God on our side we will never be outmatched or outgunned. We will never have to fear, or worry because God is never not with us.  Joshua 1:5“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.” 

God is always on our side, so if you feel like you’re facing the world alone, those are feelings, they aren’t reality, so take a step back, pray, clear your mind, and dive into the word. You will find your strength in Jesus Christ.