A song, a photo, a medical breakthrough, an expose’, what do you want to be remembered for? Ash to Ash Dust to Dust and just like that all that’s left is memory. Some people want to get by day to day and never put much thought in the end game. A young mans dream to make such a difference in this life to reach higher then others but falls short. The dreams of a child often never become a reality. What actually holds us back? Is it a lack of faith? Is it a lack of opportunity? In this life we often only get once chance. In this life we can look back 10 years and just like that it’s gone. What do we hold onto? The heart of a warrior, with the desire of the greats, but standing still. If you gave everything, jumped into the deep end, stop holding back and reach for that one golden ring of glory. To be the hero to someone, to be wanted, to be loved, to be someone’s all. The truth is as every new day comes the battle can always change. If you feel like you’re on the loosing side find a new tactic. Never stopping reaching for the sky. Follow your heart, never stop reaching for the sky. If you have the heart of a lion, the faith of warrior, never stop moving those feet. Never stop moving forward. Never hold back from the one above. Have the faith to move a mountain and answer your call. Never settle for 2nd It’s okay to give everything to God and know that you are literally 1 in 16 billion. You are special, you are unique, so when God calls on you, be ready to answer the call. Never back down, never quit, never surrender. 2 Chronicles 15:7 “Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.”
Tag: love
God’s Not Dead
God’s Not Dead
Matthew 16:16 “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” The words speak for themselves. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good. God touches our hearts, He works miracles in our lives, allows us to beat the odds, and blesses those who believe. As the old saying goes someone’s never gone as long as we remember and believe in them. As for me and my house I believe in the Lord. I serve the Lord today, tomorrow, always.
Jeremiah 10:10 “But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.” I will not lay down and deny God in my heart. I will not be silenced. I will not allow others to bring me down, and force me to change my mind. I will not let the Devil pull me away from my God. The Devils schemes and lies are strong and powerful. The Devil tries to tempt you away from Christ. The Devil tried to tempt Jesus and at every turn failed. The Devil can be beat, and will be beat. The Devil is prophesied to fail to take control over this world.
Revelation 20:10 “10 Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” We must not be fooled by the whiles of the Devil. Christ tells us how to fight the devil. Using the Armor of God, prayers for our enemies, loving everyone. We don’t want to be caught on the wrong side of the final judgment. Revelations 20:11-14 “11 And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. 12 I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave[a] gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. 14 Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire.”
Miracles do exist. We don’t see them everyday, but all over the world, people’s prayers are being answered. Cancer is disappearing, diseases are disappearing, and insurmountable odds are being overcome. Faith is the only thing we have some days. Faith gives us hope when there is no reason for it. Faith in the Lord Almighty gives us peace when the world is unrelenting. Romans 12:21 “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Through Christ all things are possible. Through our living God we can accomplish many things. 1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” God’s love for us is perfect. Our salvation is perfect. The perfect gift was the gift of salvation bought at an extreme price. Praise to God.
The Rise and fall of an Age
The Rise and fall of an Age
As the son rises and falls over the vast sky the sun also rises and sets on chapters of our lives. When each chapter comes to a close we must remember that in all things fall to the glory of God. Psalm 113:3 “From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’S name is to be praised.” When I’m with the Lord I feel peace. When the sun sets on a chapter of my life I raise everything to the Lord and I know that I’ll be all right. Ecclesiastes 1:5-7 “The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. 6 The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. 7 All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.” Because of Jesus we are told not to worry about tomorrow, for it will worry for itself.
The pain that comes from heartbreak, the pain that comes from loss, yet the joys that come from birth, and rebirth, the joys of success, and peace, all comes from the Lord. Daniel 2:21 “And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:” The truth will set you free. Of course it’s easier said then done. We are left with scars of times long past. We pray for absolution, that sometimes never comes. 2 Timothy 4:2-4 “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” No matter the time, the season, the place, God’s on the move and is still in control. We must have faith and understand that sometimes we too will have to stand up and scream to the world that God is in control.
James 1:12 “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” Will you be judged by man, or allow man to judge us and stand right before God? We always get the choice to live life pleasing to God. Will we be the ones to deny God to save our own skin? Throughout all times God asks only Loyalty and Obedience. It’s easy to praise God when times are good, and things are in perfect alignment, but when it falls apart, that’s when our faith is tested. Psalm 31:14-15 “But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!” Scream Hallelujah, because God is good.
As we move towards Easter remember what the resurrection did for us. Remember what our future means because Jesus bled and died for us. He fulfilled the promise of scripture and the change of seasons happened that first Easter morning.
No matter what season you’re in, no matter what chapter you’re in, the sun will rise and fall and the old will pass away into memory. Try not to fear tomorrow. Try instead to embrace it, and see the positives in the changing river.
Forrest
War comes to those who least expect it sometimes. War is hard, war is evil, war is devastating, war comes in many ways. The blind do not see the trees in the Forrest. Do not doubt we are at war. We didn’t start it, we didn’t wish it, and some deny it. The failure to see the evil as it grows, festers, and begins to creep out of the shadows and into the light of day is the way we fall. The truth is incontrovertible and I pray we see the writing on the wall. This is just the beginning. Be ready, vigilant, and for Gods sake don’t worry about being politically correct, safety is more important. God bless.
Turn Around
Gods not dead, praise Gods in my heart, God is with me and my family, God is blessing and caring for my loved ones. Thank you God for opportunities, grace, mercy, and love. You’re never too far gone to turn around and walk back to God, one step away, faith and Gods love can wipe away all your mistakes, your not alone, Gods love and grace can turn you around, can put you back in the light. God is always there with us. Be a new bloom, be a blossom for Christ.
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be Strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.
Be the Butterfly
Be the Butterfly
Before Christ we were destined to die once and only live once. A promise made by God to life, the curtain of eternal death, and restore the gates of Heaven and allow all the possibility to enter was bestowed. Eating of the fruit from the tree of knowledge was the turning point for humanity. Genesis 3:6 “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” We fell from grace that day, to live a life as a worthless doomed worm upon the ground. A promise however in a prophecy stated that one day the savior would come, and would save us from our sins. Isaiah 53:5-12 But he was pierced for our transgressions he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” While there were foretelling of the details, the importance is all were fulfilled.
Do you wish to remain a lowly caterpillar or do you wish to ascend to be a beautiful butterfly? 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” When you follow Christ you undergo a fundamental change. You can never be the same again. The light inside snuffs out the darkness and forever will you know you cannot in good faith or good conscious remain a habitual sinner. Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
That coming to Christ moment in your life is like being awakened from a long cocoon. When you emerge you will be forever changed. The truth is we undergo two changes. The first is our heart. Second is upon our death. John 3:3 “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” When you arrive to heaven the body will be remade into perfection. Ephesians 2:5-6 “even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” We are destined to have a room in heaven. John 14:3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
Revelations 21:1-4 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place[a] of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people,[b] and God himself will be with them as their God.[c] 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” When the day comes we will be transformed like the butterfly. Follow Christ and allow Gods light to transform you. The realm of Heaven is perfect, and so shall we. The only one to stop our transformation is you and me. Allow yourself to undergo the revolution and be one with the Heavenly Father.
Akula, kotorya Ne plavayet, Ne tonet. “The shark that does not swim, drowns.”
Akula, kotorya Ne plavayet, Ne tonet. “The shark that does not swim, drowns.”
In our walk with Christ it’s important that we never stop moving. The call of the Great Commission was one that would continue till the day we are called home. Philippians 3:12-14“12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” In life it’s hard to not live in the past. It’s hard to have faith and live in the present. We must always continue to move forward but remember to do so in accordance with God’s plan for you. If your plans are just and faithful then perhaps God will allow for your plans to come to pass.
Joshua 1:7“7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success[a] wherever you go.” Some kinds of sharks will drown if they do not continue to move. As such we too must continue moving. Isaiah 43:18-19“18 Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” We must learn from the past, but do not stay in the past. We must not allow ourselves to be consumed by grief, by despair, by fear, or by hatred. We must not allow ourselves to relive our past over and over again.
Galatians 2:20-21 “20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” Our savior died for us, to wipe away the sins of old to free us to move forward in the new light.
As we move forward to Easter Sunday remember what the past is. The past was sin and death. Christ took that from us, he set our new path. Don’t loose sight of the meaning behind Easter. Don’t loose sight of our journey forward. Follow Christ and never turn around.
To All: I want to thank each and every one of you who read my posts. For those of you who are regulars my heart goes out to you in deep gratitude. For those who are new, I’d like to thank you for taking the time to read my work. As a token of my appreciation, I’d like to share a free 30 day trial to a travel shopping website. Use the promo code, and take a look. This business has tax incentives, and as partners you get $100 shopping dollars every month.
For Part Two
When you can’t see the Forest through the Trees
When you can’t see the Forest through the Trees
What does it mean ‘can’t see the forest through the trees?’ It means that sometimes you’re so caught up, so close to a situation you are incapable of seeing the big picture. When we are in the middle of our own life’s situations, when we are in the battles deep in the trenches, often times all we can see is the step right in front of us. So if that’s the case, how do we learn to take a step back and see the big picture? How do we wrestle with our own desire to remain in control? What are the simple rules of survival when lost in the woods? Today we’ll explore that together.
1 Corinthians 13:12 “12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” We grow and as we grow we change. The forest grows with no help from us. It doesn’t worry about the trees next to it or the birds that use it to perch their nests, no it simply exists. When we look at our lives as a whole we often are consumed with the ‘Fog of War’, unable to see the big picture due to the biased nature of our lives. We must learn to take a step back, climb the tree to see over the tree tops, find anyway we can to understand that in order to make a Godly decision we must first look at any situation that we may face, and try to look objectively, look reasonably, and try to understand the path God wants for us. Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” When we listen to Gods will our path will be a blessed one. It won’t be without hardships, but we need to be tested, our faith must be made strong. Ecclesiastes 3:6 “A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;” No matter what season we find ourselves we must understand that worrying about what we don’t have control over will never help us figure out our path.
When lost in the woods the first thing most people do is panic. When we panic we expel more energy then if we remain calm and work it out rationally. When lost you must find shelter, find water, and find food. It’s never easy to accept we may be lost. When that moment hits you and you can’t breath, you can’t think straight, you can’t see your own thoughts clearly, that’s when we know we are in the middle of the woods. We can’t panic when the forest gets thick. We must learn to have faith in God. Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” We have to keep the faith. When we are lost, God will show us the way. Psalm 25:16-17 “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish.” Have faith in the Lord to guide you. When lost in the woods and you cannot see your way out, and allow God to help you see your path. Keep the faith and keep your compass.
It’s not for our own understanding as to why our suffering occurs but when it does don’t loose yourself to the anguish. You are not in control and that’s an important fact to realize. We are in control of our own actions and how we handle our choices. Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” God will, will be done. One way or another, we will deal with our situations. Stop and pray that God will help get out of the wilderness. Isaiah 40:3-5 “A voice is calling, “Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God. “Let every valley be lifted up, And every mountain and hill be made low; And let the rough ground become a plain, And the rugged terrain a broad valley; Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, And all flesh will see it together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
Survival is about preparing; it’s about planning for the worst and knowing how to do that. God has given us the compass to see our way out of the woods and back to open prairies. Don’t let yourself get caught in the forest without the map. Shoot your azimuth and follow your direction north.
Be God’s Lego’s
Be God’s Lego’s
When you get a set of Lego’s it comes with an instruction manual or sometimes more then one. As one piece after another is put together you finally start to see the creation of your works. As such as it’s stated in the Bible that we are to be molded like clay in Gods image, I turn clay into Lego’s. We have the instructions in front of us. The most printed book in all time the Bible is now the easiest to access it ever has been, from computer, to digital, to the multiple translations of it. If we are to be Gods instruments, allow God to build us. Jeremiah 18:5-6 “Then the word of the Lord came to me: 6 “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.” If God wishes to build us, we must not let the Evil one stand in our way. Much like Lego we can be built into skyscrapers that tower over all the land, we can be super hero’s, or just simple city workers. Whatever your imagination, it’s not nearly what God’s is. Whatever you think you should be, whatever job you believe you should have, you should allow the builder of all to build you.
Philippians 2:13 “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” As for me, I enjoy a great deal to build up Lego sets. It gives me great peace to see my works turn into something wonderful. How then does God feel when we too are used to spread his good works throughout the land? What is our life to God? Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Be the good God wants you to be.
Look at the instructions and allow God to use you for great things. Be the Lego’s for God. Be a hero, a minister, a builder, a fisherman, or even a fisher of man, but be whatever God wants for you. Do not fear the future of what you could be built into. God’s got the instructions, and they are perfect.
Liberation
Liberation
We are born into a life on bondage. This life is a temporary prison filled with sin, pain, heartbreak, love, happiness, and when our bodies break and wither back to the ash from whence it came, we know that we are not tied town in bondage any longer. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ washed away our sins, and cleaned the slate for us to have a new kind of relationship with the King of all Kings. Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Christ’s Blood was powerful and broke all the chains of bondage that held us to this earthly world.
Sin isn’t the only bondage we may find ourselves in. There are things in this worldly life that can take hold of us. Addictions to all kinds of things, substance abuse, and even bad relationships can hold us captive. Lamentations 3:7 “He hath hedged me about, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy.” I firmly believe that if we find ourselves in these kinds of environments it’s the Devil working against us.
For I am liberated by truth. I am set free from the bondage you held me in. A life free of a mistake. For what seemed like a loss is now a blessing. An understanding of a true nature hidden for so long. A leopard cannot be free from its spots nor a zebra from its stripes. We are who we are, who we choose to be. A life I now choose freely, my own course, a course followed by the guiding life and love of Jesus Christ. I am set free of my chains, and now, I can finally say thank you. (With a hint of attitude as Spock would say, “Live Long And Prosper”)
As our forebear Moses took our brothers and sisters out of the bondage of Egypt. Christ freed us from the bondage of certain death. 2 Timothy 1:10 “but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,” We all sin in this life but we should hold no shame to that. Letting go of the sin, letting people see you and your faults, seeking forgiveness of your transgressions, and most importantly forgiving others who trespass against you. 2 Timothy 1:16 “The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains;”
As we escape death because of the sacrifice by Christ 2 Timothy 1:10 “but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,” What does that mean? Believing and following in Christ is the way, the only way to break free of death. Is it just death or anything else? Don’t live your life held in chains. Don’t live your life in bad relationships, don’t live in hurtful positions, don’t let fear guide you, don’t let addictions define you, or heartbreak.
Breaking the chains of bondage take courage and faith. Acts 2:27 “BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT ABANDON MY SOUL TO HADES, NOR ALLOW YOUR HOLY ONE TO UNDERGO DECAY.” Cut the bonds that hold you. Break them with the mighty sword and praise Jesus. Romans 6:9 “knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him.” You were blind once, but now you can see. The world looks a bit different after you wake up from the long dream. Jesus has a hand out and a room just for you. Don’t let your weight keep you held down. Shed those chains, and break free. You know the key, only you can unlock your own bondage. Jesus will never force you to follow, but is sad when you don’t. Live to live, don’t let death be your final death. Find the truth in the light of the Lord, and cut that rope.