SELF INVENTORY: A Christians Daily Guide

Romans 12:9-21, 9) Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10) Be devoted to one another in brotherly Love. Honour one another above yourselves. 11)Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12) Be Joyful in Hope, patient in affliction, Faithful in prayer. 13)Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14) Bless those who persecute you; Bless and do not curse. 15) Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16) Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17) Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18) If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19) Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20) On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

In the above versus we can find an outline for our daily life as a Christian. As you read notice that it begins with Love. These scriptures tells us what to do in  the first several versus and then advises us what to avoid (except vs. 20). These versus can be described as a checklist or guide in our walk. I first noticed the key words that was used in these versus, Love, Honour, Serving, Joyful, Hope, Faithful, Prayer, Share, Rejoice and Harmony. Then it also mentions hate, proud, evil, curse and revenge.  Powerful words for a single day of living.

Love, this word is the very essence of what God wants for us. 1 Corinthians 16:14, Let all that you do be done in love. So it's no surprise it's first mentioned in this set of scriptures. Then it goes on to tell us hate evil, but cling to good. Our Love must not only be sincere, but we are to Love others above all things. Honour others before ourselves and serve our Lord. Have Hope and Patience and be Faithful in Prayer. Share and practice giving freely. Forgive others who curse you and Love them and feed them if necessary. I could go on and on, yet I suggest reading this set of scripture everyday for a week and meditating on them. I feel you will have much more clarity as I have discovered.

The versus then go on to warn us of the pitfalls we can and will encounter. And it is made clear not to be ensnared by these tricks of the enemy. 1 Peter 5:8, Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. The closer we try to walk with God, the more the enemy will tempt us. Prayer and staying in the Word is the best way to prepare for the pending attacks. Our Father gives us the tools in these versus as well to fight the enemy and his devices. We choose the Lords dominion over the enemies. Trust in God fully, believe in His word fully and give Him praise, fully. Gods purpose for you is waiting and you just need to unlock it by following Kingdom Law.

Let's Pray: Father God, we all want to feel Your Grace Father. We ask you bless us by forgiving our sins. Father we know Your word guides us as a manual through this life. Father we also want the knowledge in it's bindings to help us lead a path that You have designed for us. Father show those who misinterpret or misunderstand Your teachings Lord, the proper meaning of Your word Lord. Father we ask You show us how to serve and Love others as You Love us. Father we ask this in Jesus name....AMEN.

SELF INVENTORY: Are You Reverting?

Jeremiah 3:12-14, Go and proclaim these words toward the north and say, ‘Return, faithless Israel,’ declares the LORD; ‘I will not look upon you in anger. For I am gracious,’ declares the LORD; ‘I will not be angry forever. ‘Only acknowledge your iniquity,  That you have transgressed against the LORD your God And have scattered your favors to the strangers under every green tree, And you have not obeyed My voice,’ declares the LORD. ‘Return, O faithless sons,’ declares the LORD; ‘For I am a master to you,'

Have you started back down the path you once traveled? God has seen this before. With all of Israel at one point. Yet no matter our transgression our Father in Heaven Loves us and tells us to come back to Him. He knows if you have returned to addictions, lust, anger, idolatry, etc. Are you being true to yourself? God already knows if you are harboring any sin. Our Father cannot bless you a He wants with this weighing on your heart. So look deep down, stop the reversion to your old ways and look upward, claiming victory once again and falling back into your Fathers waiting arms.

Proverbs 16:3, Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Once you have stopped your regression and started down the path of light again, our Father will be able to bless your life again. He wants you to succeed and the only thing standing in the way.......Free Will. Yes that dreaded thing that keeps so many from the blessings of Christ. Free will has caused many to revert back to their old ways. Free will is the single most thing that the enemy counts on. The enemy waits for us to slip through free will and then he attacks. He uses our guilt to hold us in chains. He will even allow us to think God is on our side, yet we can't see any blessings coming our way. This should be the first clue we have reverted and the enemy has us under his control.

Let's Pray: Father God, please allow us to see our sin and lean on You Father. Father show us our reversion and give us the strength to rebuke the enemy and choose Your Grace and Love Father. Please give us the wisdom to see through the enemies deceitful ways so our hearts are open to You. Father we Thank You for giving us the Grace we do not deserve. Father we praise You for all You do in our lives. We ask all this in Jesus name...AMEN.

A FRESH START: Don't Forget to Appreciate the Roses

James 5:7, Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 

All to often we forget to be patient and praise God for what he is doing. Even I am guilty of this, more than I care to share. We live in a High-Speed world and we want results, blessing and everything else now. When we should slow down, live one day at a time, let God work and make sure we are giving thanks for what He does for us. Thank Him for the beauty of the Rose, the smell of it and the result when you give someone you care about a few of them. God gives you all of these things and more, yet we forget that and accept it all as status quo. 2 Corinthians 9:15, Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Getting complacent with our daily lives can be dangerous and lead us back down the path we do not need to travel. By giving thanks to our Father in Heaven daily it places us in the mindset of the path we need to be walking. But just as important is taking time out to appreciate the world and all that is in it, which God has created for us. We are always in a hurry we don't stop to be thankful for our Wives, Children, Friends, house, car, dog, weather or even the Starbucks on the corner. What if you woke and all of it is gone. Your family is gone, the friends don't answer the phone, car won't start, the house burned down, the dog ran off, you walk to the Starbucks in the coldest rain only to find out its closed for good. So you walk into work to find it too is closed and you are unemployed. No you didn't miss the rapture, you just failed to recognize the gifts you had around you everyday and you didn't stop to appreciate all of it. When is the last time you told your Wife you appreciated her? Your Children? The clerk at Starbucks who makes your cappuccino just right everyday? When is the last time you stopped and smelled the flowers in your garden? When is the last time you thanked God of all of this? Psalm 136:1-26, Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever; ...

Take a moment today to Thank every member of your family, the service workers you encounter, the firefighter, police officer,  soldier, teacher, etc.. Everyone deserves to be noticed. So does the beauty of nature, so practice being thankful for the obvious and the creations we tend to forget. Then remember to give God the Glory for all of it. Let Him know you notice and you are thankful for His thought to even put the color in the butterflies so your daughter will smile at just the sight of one. God, your family, your friends and everyone else deserves a blessing of thankfulness every now and then. Ephesians 1:16, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,

Let's Pray: Father God, we come to You today, thankful Father. Thankful for all the things we take for granted in our daily lives Father. We are thankful for patience to wait on Your blessings. We are thankful for the Loved ones You placed in our lives. We know You have done so very much for us and continue to offer Your grace to all who ask. Father Thank You. We are undeserving and yet You Love us anyway. Please forgive us for our sins and allow us to feel Your presence Father. God please guide us and remind us how to live for You and serve others Father. We Love You and thank You for the one and only son You sacrificed for us. We ask all of this in is name Jesus Christ....AMEN.

A FRESH START: Gathering the Troops

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. 

Have you surrounded yourself with good Christian men? Why should you do this? How can this help your future walk? These are all questions we should be asking ourselves and taking an inventory on the influences in our lives. The road ahead is going to be tough enough as you now have an enemy who never sleeps, is cunning, patient and holds nothing back. He will tempt you with every weapon in his arsonal and when that fails he will use those around you. So prepare now, surround yourself with other Christian Soldiers and train. It is time to gather the troops and do not wait as the attacks will start soon. 

In Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, the scripture explains that two are stronger than one, they can help each other in failures and congratulate each other in victories. James 5:16, Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Add God to the relationship and now you have the triple or three braided cord that is virtually unbreakable. We are designed to fellowship with other men and use those relationships to become stronger, wiser and greater Christians, Husbands, Fathers and Leaders. Zig Ziggler believes that without fellowship and surrounding ourselves with key Christians we will never become the leaders we are designed to be. In fact he has an award for just such growth. 1 Corinthians 1:10, I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

Not only does such fellowship help us grow into better men, it prepares us for the pitfalls that are surely to come in our walk. We are facing a time that everywhere we turn it is not popular to be a Christian. People are waiting for us to slip up and fail, so they can chastise us but again. This will only get worse and if we are not bonded with other brothers we will fall. It will be very difficult to face those circumstances along with everything else the enemy is throwing at us daily. We will stand together and we will Love them no matter what they throw at us. John 13:34, A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. Together we stand, separate we fall. This isn't difficult to understand so lose the pride and ego and get hooked up with fellow Christian men and use those relationships for what they have been designed for. God will use you to strengthen others also. so prepare yourself. Your about to experience life in a whole other understanding. 

Let's Pray: Father God help us connect to other Christians who will strengthen our armor Father. We need that rear guard in the upcoming battles Father and we know with you no one can stand against us. However there will be those battles we will stand our ground until You arrive Father and we need to be prepared. So we call to You to help each of us gather the troops and train Father. Train to be better Christians to serve Your Kingdom, better Husbands to our wives, better Fathers to the future of our world and better Leaders in everything we do. Father we Thank You for all that You have done and will do for us Father. We ask for Your forgiveness in our sins Father and lead us from the enemies temptations so that we may lead a righteous life for Your Kingdom and Your Glory. We praise You Father God and ask all of this in Jesus name...AMEN.

A FRESH START: Staying the Course

Colossians 3:2, Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

As we walk this path set before us, God outlines the map to follow in the Bible. He gives us all the direction we need and all we must do is follow our moral compass and the navigation of the Holy Spirit within us. Combining this with a constant calibration, through prayer, with our Heavenly Father, we will find our way to the Kingdom. However there are many storms and whirlpools along our journey. By using the tools god has provided and uniting our crew, the journey is much less treacherous.

God reminds us to follow the ways of the Kingdom and not of this world. Romans 8:5, (For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.) explains just that, we need to live according to the Spirit and not the flesh. When we go through our daily lives and encounter situations of immoral or unloving behavior, we should rebuke it and remove ourselves from the situation. Easy right? No it isn't, and the Devil doesn't make it easy on purpose. It's all very well designed trap. It starts with the sin, then the guilt and then shame, now you feel lost and unworthy. The enemy has you in his trance. Break free and know that God is just waiting for you to ask for forgiveness and he will send the enemy running and release you from your bonds.

As a people we try and make being a Christian harder than what it is. Most of us has been brought up to know the guidelines whether or not we were raised in a Christian home or not. God just dials everything down another level so we can not only be better Husbands and Fathers. But we can be better people, we can serve others, we can stand for those who cannot speak for themselves and we can Love everyone, yes even those who do not deserve it. Thats all God asks us to do. The Bible gives us the instructions to prepare for the road ahead and to answer those difficult questions or issues we may encounter. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. When in doubt, go to prayer and let God give you specific direction and He will help you no matter what you are facing. He will never fail you, leave you or deceive you. His shoulders are broad to carry any problem, His Grace is exceeding and His Love is Eternal. Just reach to Him and follow the ways of the Kingdom, not the ways of this world and your life will be Blessed beyond understanding.

Let's Pray: Father God, we Thank You for giving us the Bible and allowing us to understand the principles presented in it, so that we may grow and follow the Christ like path You have laid before us. Father we are very thankful for the opportunity to Love and Serve to express our Praise to You Father. We cannot begin to Thank You enough for all that You have sacrificed for us Father. We ask humbly for the forgiving of our sins Father and that You continue to bless us, keep us safe and watch over our Loved ones. In Jesus name...AMEN.

A FRESH START: The First Steps

Years ago Billy Graham attended a rally for President Clinton after the President’s sex scandal. As a Christian magazine relates the story, someone from the media was curious and asked Billy Graham, why are you here supporting President Clinton after everything he has done? Rev. Graham’s answer was succinct, powerful and true. “It is the Holy Spirit’s job to convict, God’s job to judge, and it’s My job to love.”

We have all been there, on both sides of this statement. But hopefully today most are standing with Rev. Graham and more then not, we find ourselves facing others who choose to do God and the Holy Spirit's job. Yet we still are to Love those as well. The first steps in A Fresh Start is to always remember to look at others with Love, even in the most difficult circumstances. God commands it: John 15:12, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

All throughout the scriptures God makes it clear that Love is His NUMBER ONE objective. There are literally hundreds of scriptures that reflect this. For instance God is Love and without Him we cannot Love, (1 John 4:8, Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is Love.) the command that we do ALL things in Love (1 Corinthians 16:14, Let all that you do be done in Love.)and finally that Love is the strongest (1 Corinthians 13:13, And now these three remain: faith, hope and Love. But the greatest of these is Love.) In these scriptures it doesn't take much to understand the importance of Love in our Fathers Kingdom. He places this above all things, hence we should live our lives exemplifying Love, speaking Love, sharing Love and displaying Love. As a Christian I strive for just this ideal.

On the other side of that coin is the destroyer, who wants us to think we are unworthy, inept and corrupt. He will attempt to remind us of our deeds and our old selves as much as he can. He did so with me this today and he used my daughter to do so. I claim that she is free from his influence once and for all. He is not allowed back in her thoughts or heart anymore. James 4:7, Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. That goes for everyone who reads this, I proclaim that the enemy has no domain in our lives, your lives and those around you. In today's prayer we will be asking specifically for this release and his banishment. Do not let him invade your lives again, you have made great strides and deserve the life God is showing you. Stay the course and as I have discussed before God will restore your life beyond what we deserve and He will Bless us with more than we had before. 

Love is a powerful weapon of the Kingdom and cannot be defended against except if we let the enemy gain a foot hold. So I pray all of you Stand with me, Praise our God and Love all, even those who do not deserve it, and together let us push the enemy back, showing him who really has domain in our lives and our families lives.God will bond us together united in the same purpose, to free ourselves and others from the bondage of sin and Live to Love. 1 Corinthians 13:8, Love never ends.

Let's Pray: Oh Magnificent Father, we feel so very blessed to know Your Love Father. Thank You for what You do in the name of Love and please forgive each of us for our sins Father as we try to become more Christ like with each breath. Father we ask in unison for the strength to remove the enemy from our lives and our families lives and show him You have the only domain in our lives. That we will not fall victim to the tricks of the destroyer, but in turn we will lift up Your Kingdom Father. In Jesus name the enemy is banished from our lives entirely. We will not recognize his attempt at authority in our lives ever again, instead we lead with Love and look to You for guidance, strength and dominion in our lives. Father we Thank You for all that You have done and continue to do in Jesus name...AMEN.

The Assignment

Proverbs 16:6, Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the LORD, people avoid evil.

I am doing something a little different today, I would like everyone to leave a comment about what this scripture means to them. There is no right or wrong answer. Just read it, meditate on it and share your thoughts. 

Let's Pray: Father God, Thank You for another amazing day and all that You do in our lives Father. Father God we humbly ask that you forgive us for our sins Father.We praise You Father for the Mercy You show us daily Father. We pray you continue to Love us and we ask You guide us in our lives Father. Please allow others to comment without restraint Father and use the comments to help others grow. We ask all of this in Jesus sweet name....AMEN.

REBUILDING: Maintaining Mercy & Grace During Trial

Hebrews 4:16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

I find that delivering Grace while maintaining mercy is more difficult than believed. People are unusually cruel and destructive in their ways. They seem to thrive on others struggles and tend to take every opportunity to remind us of our inequities and even try to make some up at times. However, I stand firm in forgiving them and Loving them even as difficult as it seems at times. As we try to be more Christ like this becomes easier in most cases. 

God wants us to deliver Grace to others as he would even in the daily trials we face. God is with us in each step and knows what we are capable of handling and will not give us more than we can handle. God wants us to succeed and promote His Kingdom. What better way than to display the traits we look to Him for? What better way then to look at those who would ridicule or taunt us and express the Mercy we have learned from our Fathers Grace. Showing them Love when it isn't merited. Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. That could change entire communities if it would just catch on. We have a choice to be bitter and worldly or to glorify our King by taking the path less traveled. 

By following the direction our Lord and Savior has placed in front of us, He will surely bless us as a reward for our obedience. God doesn't want us to fail, in fact he wants nothing more as a Father than to see us succeed. All through out the scriptures are wondrous stories of our Fathers Mercy and Grace applied in times where the world definitely did not deserve it. If we could only show a fraction of what Jesus applied than we could effect lives around us in such a positive way. John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Let's Pray: Father God, thank You so very much for the Grace and Mercy You show us daily Lord. Please forgive us for our sins and help us walk in Your steps and deliver the same Grace and Mercy to those around us Father. Father help us glorify You Lord in all that we do and we ask all this in Jesus name....AMEN.

REBUILDING: Passing The Baton

Mark 10:45, For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 

If Jesus came to serve others, do you not think that we should be serving others also? Do you serve your wife? Your family? Your church? Your community? I can hear it already, well I don't have time, or I give my tithes and offerings, she knows I Love her. You wonder why your blessing are limited? Here is a hint, read Mark 10:45 over and over until it clicks. Maybe this will help...WE ARE HERE TO SERVE OTHERS, NOT OURSELVES. Freely and without expectations, just try it with your wife and family. Now, after that try the community and church.

Serving is truly a selfless act, it's humbling in many aspects and yet it fills that gap that has been tugging at you. I was a taker in many ways for years (something else I realized in the last several months). I now spend as much of each day I can serving others. Sometimes simple things like carrying something for someone, helping them if they are lost, feeding them and any other way I can find to help. I feel great afterwards. I have been ministering to the homeless for months now, and last week one of them gave me a little bead necklace they made for my daughter. She was so excited to get that. Seeing the smile on her face, was worth any amount of money. All I did was give my time to someone and they blessed my life with a small gesture in most perceptions, but to my daughter it was a big thing, in turn it was to me also. God moves through us, but as my pastor said tonight, first we must move. Then God will work. By serving, you may bring others to Christ, God has a calling for you, serve and see what that is. 2 Corinthians 5:7,  For we walk by faith, not by sight. 

1 Peter 4:10-11, As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen...See moving with God and serving others Honours our Father, in turn he brings Honour on your house. Every where Jesus went He served others, washed their feet, fed them and many other actions. He knew that the ultimate way to show Love was to do through acts of Love. So I challenge you to go home today, serve your Wife, serve your Family, then find a way to serve our Father and Glorify His Kingdom. YOU WILL NEVER BE THE SAME, this I promise. 

Let's Pray: Father God, Thank You for all the blessing You reign down on our lives. Father we ask you forgive our sins and teach us humility. Father show us how to serve Your Kingdom and glorify You through acts of Love. Father show each man how to serve his wife and family. Father we pray that by the husbands and fathers leading their families in serving, this will begin a servolution in each and every home and the Houses of God. Father we thank you for all those who already serve and  help them share their stories so lives can be positively impacted. Father I ask for You to continue to allow me to serve You and I thank you for all the opportunities to do this. I ask all this in Jesus name...AMEN.

REBUILDING: Dancing in the Storm

1 Pet 4:16  ... if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

Giving praise to God even in the midst of the storm. I know all too much how difficult this can be at times. We have an uncanny ability to have a "pity party" in times of distress. Instead we should take inventory of what we do have, praising God of for this and trusting in Him for the rest.I have taken the stance to Dance for God in the Storms rather than give in to the enemy, will you Stand, Believe, Praise, Dance and Fight with me?

Today I discovered a statistic while reading an article that gave me mixed feelings, as I fit in this "category". I was reading an article about a high murder rate amongst the homeless population of Austin. While that concerned me a little, the sheer number of homeless concerned me more and really made me feel blessed all at the same time. The estimated homeless in Austin, Tx. is staggering 5800 people. Most sleep literally on the streets. Leviticus 25:36-36 “If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you. Take no interest from him or profit, but fear your God, that your brother may live beside you. I am technically homeless, yet I am blessed as I have a vehicle to sleep in, so I have a little shelter. Now I am also blessed to be able to meet and minister to a lot of this population. I find so many different stories and reasons they are homeless. Most often has been some sort of relationship break up due to any number of reasons. With limited work or funds, most are left with little choices and no where to turn. I see God working wonderful works with these people even though they have far less than most. Psalm 66:8-12 Praise our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.

I tell you this story, not for pity or charity, but so that you may look inward at your own life. Then evaluate what you do have in comparison to where you could be and rejoice by praising God for all that you are blessed with, i.e. Wife, Family, Home, Job, Vehicle, etc... We must look at these times as the "glass half full" instead of the alternative. Our suffering could be much worse and in some cases may get worse, yet God is there. All we must do, even though we do not understand why we are going through this time, is have Faith in God that He will see you through this storm and season. Romans 8:18, I think that what we suffer in this life can never be compared to the glory, as yet unrevealed, which is waiting for us... You will not only be stronger afterwards, but more prepared for the next season of your life. In this you will find your blessings God will deliver upon you.

If you are in the middle of sin, STOP NOW and lift your life and issues to God. It doesn't matter what the sin is, turn it over to God and let Him restore you to what He wants you to be. Your Wife, Family, Coworkers and Friends will thank you for your decision. What you may face could be difficult, but the alternative is almost unbearable. 2 Timothy 3:12 Persecution is inevitable for those who are determined to live really Christian lives. In all cases stop and thank God for all of His Glory and Love and the opportunity to be forgiven due to the blood of Christ. God sacrificed everything for us, so for us to praise Him for all he has already done is a small small cost to you and I. 

When the seasons change and the storms come, turn up the music and share with me in dancing for the Glory of God. 2 Samuel 6:14, And David danced before the LORD with all his might… Praise Him for the blood of the Lamb and all the things we do have. Give God the Honour He deserves and be prepared, as the blessings will start bringing change to your life.

Let's Pray: Father God, we come to You today dancing in Your Honour Father. Thank You for all You are and all You do for us Father. Please grant us forgiveness for our sins Father and we ask for those who may be still caught up in Sin that You reach them Father. Give them the strength to turn it all over to You and then praise and Glorify You Father. Father help each of us do an inventory of our lives and be truly thankful to You for what we do have. Father, we have all suffered and some more than others, but Father we ask You to help guide us from our current storms and look to You for help through this season. We want to Glorify You Father in all that we do. Father we ask you watch over all of those who are less fortunate in this world, allow them to find You and discover what You can do in their lives Father. Father we ask all of this in Jesus name...AMEN.

REBUILDING: G.P.S. - Gods Positioning System

John 15:1-27, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ... 

We have all heard and know, as believers in Christ that God has a path for each and everyone of us. We must step back and follow the God Positioning System (G.P.S.) that has been designed for each of us. If we try to choose our own path, then we make a mess of things and have to find our way back. Usually forcing us to start over, without passing go or collecting $200.00. You know exactly what I am talking about because as you read this you can think of something you tried to fix or do on your own and messed the whole thing up. Now God is picking up the pieces and trying to restore it.

I know I have made a mess of things up until the last year or so. In fact I would have to say most of my life if I was being totally honest. Leviticus 26:3-5 ("If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit. Your threshing will continue until grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting, and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land.") describes to us by following Gods decrees and commands we will yield a great harvest and be safe. Leviticus 26:14-39 goes on to describe what will occur if we choose not to follow Gods design. Let's just say I'd rather not have terror, death and fear in my life. I believe He is saying that we can make a horrible mess of our own lives, that if we just stop and give Him a chance, He will bless us beyond our worldly understanding. 

In Isaiah 61 God tells us that if we follow Him, have Faith He will not only restore  and rebuild our lives better, but he will give us double portions for following Him and being faithful. The scriptures are full of promises just like this one and the only things it requires is, for us to follow Him and have Faith and Trust in His plan for each of us. Isaiah 61:1-7, The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.Aliens will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.And you will be called priests of the Lord, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast. Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs. 

In closing, the idea of G.P.S. is simple, let God direct our journey and he promises it to be fulfilling. He doesn't say it will be without sorrow and tests, but He makes it clear that He will be there for us no matter what. He will restore us, rebuild our lives better then before, we must however believe He can and will do as He promises. Give Him praise no matter what season you are in, lift up everything to Him and follow the little voice from His G.P.S., instead of your own and the destination will be the Kingdom of Glory. 

Let's Pray: Father God, Thank You for all that You do in our lives. Father please forgive us for our sins and for not putting our trust in You Father to guide our journey in this world full of traps set by the enemy. Father even today as we follow the path You have chosen for us, we come under attack. Father we are thankful for Your protection and as we may not understand the future You designed for us. We ask that You see our Hearts Father and listen to the prayers and return us back to our lives, mending the brokenhearted and showing us our double portions Father. We trust completely in You Father and Thank You for keeping us on track with Your G.P.S., that is built into each one of us. Allow those Father who have not discovered it, to find You Lord and activate their systems as soon as possible. Father Thank You for allowing me to share these words with the world and I truly Hope it reaches those in need. We ask all of these things in Jesus name...AMEN.

REBUILDING: Looking Through God Goggles

1 Samuel 10:6, "Then the Spirit of the LORD will come upon you mightily, and you shall prophesy with them and be changed into another man.

As you change into the man God has destined for you, you begin to see the world with God Goggles, others around you will react to your changing a couple of different ways. They will either be shocked but delighted in the "New You" or they will see the changes in disbelief. In the scripture above we are told this metamorphosis will be noticeable. In fact it says you will "be changed into another man." The enemy does not want this for you or your family and will try and shake you. You are now becoming a threat, he cannot allow that.  Those who respond positively will also have the goggles of God and those who challenge the changes, only see through the worldly flesh.

God promises change if you truly desire it and give your life to him.2 Peter 3:9, The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. Now we all know that some of these changes will show almost immediately and dramatically. Others take time to develop. Lets look at Peter, he takes years to develop his Faith and still denies Christ three times and then is led to start the first church. Others who watched him develop and go through trials and changes seen Peter as many see our changes today. Once our decision is made to follow Christ we will strive to become more like Christ with every step and breath. This is a goal we will never truly achieve, yet in this instance it is how we finish the race.

In Acts 9:1-20, we discover that anyone can have a spiritual breakthrough. Acts 9:1-4, But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” So while Saul was spewing hate, God visited him, changed his heart and he then started him on his journey for the Kingdom. Now those who knew Saul in his murderous days, I'm sure perceived him skeptically and most likely did not believe what they were seeing. Without Saul's transformation to Paul, we would be without most of the New Testament. So he is an excellent example of how God can transform any or all of us.

We should watch these changes in our brothers in awe and excitement. Breathe life into them so they are not overwhelmed. We all will face these issues and when this happens, turn to the Lord, let him send you help and accept that help with open arms. Pray and give thanks that you can even have this opportunity and do not let the enemy or those he has a grip on, change your ideals or perspective in your faith. God can and will deliver you and in the process we pray that the naysayers around us see these changes and want the God Goggles we have. God can do it, we cannot. Trust in the Lord. 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!

Let's Pray:  Father God, Thank You for another day to Love those around us Father. Father we ask humbly that you forgive us for our sins and allow us to forgive others Father. Father grant us the strength to understand those who cannot see our new hearts Lord. Father help others see the creations You are making in us and to support our walk. Father help others see us through the God Goggles and draw near to us for our decisions. Father we ask that those around us see the works you are creating in us and crave that fro themselves. Father we ask all of this in Jesus name....AMEN.

REBUILDING: Carefully Moving Forward

"You send away what you should draw close because of how you perceive your situation!" - T.D. Jakes

How many of us do this? We are so hurt, we push those away God has sent to us? I think Bishop Jakes hit the nail on the head today, in that we need to stop feeling sorry for our selves and step up and "Handle Problems" as he said. God will send us help to either learn from or help to get through the tough battles. We send others away when we "wish we could do it over". According to Bishop Jakes, "we send them away because we have to work to hard to win our dreams" and "our time has passed." These are the excuses we allow ourselves to believe. 

God wants us to stand up and manage our issues. It is never too late for a miracle. Look at Abraham, 99 years old and God allowed him to create another child. He questioned God, blocking his blessing, until he understood and stood on Faith. Then God did as he promised and blessed Abraham. Abraham had thought his season had passed and asked why God didn't come to him when he was younger. The problem is simply perspective. We are killing our own dreams and blessings through our own perceptions and lack of understanding. Why is this happening? What do I do now? How can I ever get through this? How can this ever be restored? I cannot handle the pain anymore....Is God planting these thoughts in our head? Of course not, it reeks of death and destruction, therefore it can only come from one direction, the enemy. John 10:10, The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

So we must carefully ask God to guide us in our path, listen for Him. We need to stand and make positive decisions based on Faith, scripture and not our own understanding. If God is sending us many people with the same message and its backed by scripture or confirmation from clergy, then maybe we should listen. Psalm 57:3, He will send help from heaven to rescue me, disgracing those who hound me. Interlude My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness. The enemy will have his voice and he will have a few messengers too. Yet most of us will still ignore the overwhelming many and God and choose the few out of our own fear, perceptions and believing our time has passed. Don't fall into that trap. God has a destiny for you, choose to listen and stand on Faith that we probably will not understand. "God will call you to something and grow you into it" (TD Jakes). So listen for the call and trust in God to Grow into it, move forward slowly and carefully. 

Let's Pray: Father God, Thank You for a great men's conference (Manpower 2012) and the inspiring words of Bishop Jakes. Father allow us as men to grab a hold of that wisdom and use it to promote Your Kingdom Father. We want to be blessed like Abraham Father. We choose to stand on Faith for You to guide our lives into that promotion, job, restoration, healing and any other need that needs to be met Father. Father want nothing more then to open our arms to those You send to us, and we want to hear their message You have sent through them. We want to accept their help. Father please forgive us for our sins and missing the many messengers you may have sent before. We are listening now Father, we are standing with open hearts and arms. Father Thank You for all that You do in our lives and Thank You for Your son Jesus Christ, without Him we couldn't have this relationship with You and so we ask all this in His name....AMEN.

REBUILDING: Confusing Trust with Forgiveness

Psalm 51:8-10, Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me— now let me rejoice. Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.

When a reader read yesterdays Blog about lying, they requested that today's be about rebuilding trust. I struggled with this all night and through today, as this is something I am dealing with in my current season. I prayed and asked God to give me some insight, I feel He led me to write about the difference between trust and forgiveness. One of the biggest mistakes or confusion we must overcome, is confusing the two. I hope this entry will help clarify a few things about this process. 

I read an article from MMI, regarding this exact subject. The article states, "But in reality, forgiving someone and trusting them are two different acts of faith. You can forgive a person without trusting them. But you cannot trust a person without forgiving them first. It’s important to realize that trusting a person is not a prerequisite to forgiving them —trusting God is. You are trusting God, when you forgive." I don't think it can be defined any better than that. God can and will help each of us, move past this season in our lives. What can happen is the harboring of the anger and that is were we tend to confuse trust and forgiveness.

If you notice the article says these are two different acts of Faith. So we must first have Faith and forgive, not forgetting, but setting aside the trespass just as God does for us when we ask him too in Jesus name. Without forgiving, God makes it very clear that we cannot receive our own blessings. Mark 11:25, "But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too." We must learn to look at our offenders through Gods eyes and see them as He does. This is probably the most difficult action to understand, as the world would have us believe that the act of forgiving means we have forgotten the offense. It by no means infers that, it only allows the healing to begin and God to step in on our behalf. We are not meant to understand this process, in fact I am not sure we could no matter how much we try. This idea is supported in Proverbs 3:5, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

While reading the above quote again something else just clicked, when I forgive, I am truly trusting God to take care of me. WOW!! That is so powerful.We must have Faith and trust in God for many areas of this process. We trust He will help us through the healing, we trust Him for restoration of the relationship, we trust He will not let us suffer this again. In Psalm 37:5-6, Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. God promises to act on the injustice against you. So you must trust in Him to handle whatever it is you bring to Him, in His time and in His way. Gods plan for each of us can only be fulfilled if we fully trust in Him and His plan. 

 God promises in Joel 2:25, (The LORD says, "I will give you back what you lost to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts, the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts.) to restore us back what we lost. He goes on to say in Joel 2:26, "Once again you will have all the food you want, and you will praise the Lord your God, who does these miracles for you." By trusting in God he tells us that forgiveness will bring our life's blessings back, we must trust in Him and take the first step and forgive. I promise this is one of the most difficult things you will face as a Christian, yet it is arguably also one of the most important. All we have to do is Trust in Him and forgive those who have sinned against us. After that step back open our hearts and let Him work. He will, He has written it, therefor it is better than any contract. DO YOU TRUST IN GOD? Show it now, do not waste another minute. Join me in the prayer and lets see what He does.

Let's Pray: Father God, In Jesus name, Please forgive us for our sins. Father forgive us for those we may have hurt and Father give us the strength to trust in You and allow us to Forgive those who have offended us. Father we know the enemies world does not want this, he wants death and discontent, however Father we know and claim as it is written that we forgive others and stand asking You to start the healing and restorations of our lives. We rebuke the enemy and his world and stand for Love and Your Kingdom. Father Thank You for all that You do in our lives and Thank You for your son Jesus in who we trust and in His name, ask all of these things....AMEN.

The Effect of a Lie

Proverbs 12:19, Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.

lie: a false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive; an intentional untruth; a falsehood.

Lying stems from fear in most cases, fear of harm, conflict, punishment, rejection, loss and the only selfless reason are altruistic reasons (lying for friends). The average person lies about 7 times a day, that's right think about your seven today (even the little white lies count). In Gods eyes a lie is sin, no matter the purpose. Some will even use the tongue to lie to cause pain to others, this and murmuring is despised in Gods eyes. We must be vigilant not to let a single lie spew from our lips. Psalm 34:12-13, Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. 

I found that my life was full of half truths and lies. You will find that it starts small and next thing you know you have covered one lie with another and another. Even an omission of the truth can be a lie. The enemy keeps the cycle going too. He will make you believe that there is no way this person will understand the truth. They could never forgive you. Then my world all came crashing down at once, individually all may have been overcome, but all at once was catastrophic. Proverbs 11:3, The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. Honestly, only God can get you through.  Some people can forgive you and see you as God does, others will judge you and not be able too. But the only thing you can do is admit and ask for forgiveness. I have and I have even gone to most of the people I have hurt and asked for their forgiveness. Those I couldn't, I gave to God. 

The trap is simple, let one little lie out and then you justify it. Then the next and the next and they get bigger and bigger. Each one moves us closer to wickedness. This is right where Satan wants us. He can keep us caught up in the shame of our actions. Then he allows us to dig deeper. Next we are committing other sins and justifying those also. Where does it end? The answer is simple, by taking a stand for God, Love and truly deciding to strive to walk in the light. We must consciously each day make an effort not to let a single lie slip from our lips. 

Step up today and ask those who you have lied to for forgiveness, end the destruction now. I am here to testify that is will catch up to you and no reason is acceptable for this action. Had I taken the first step years ago the enemy may not have had such a foothold on my life. Now I am free and have been for all of 2012. what few little lies or deliberate omissions that slipped out I immediately asked for forgiveness. I do not want to let that back in my life again. Proverbs 24:26, An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. I ask each of you to look deep into your lives and see the damage you have caused or could cause. Give it all to God and start that walk today. You will be better for it and so will those around you. God will bless you and brighten your life.

Let's Pray: Father God, we come to you today asking for your forgiveness Father. We ask for You to forgive us for our wicked sins. We ask You to guide our thoughts and tongues so that we may glorify You Father. Let no one around us, bring us down Father for following Your commands. Father gives us the strength to stand and as the scriptures say in: Proverbs 2:7-9, He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path....let You defend and protect us Father. Allow us to stand with strength and conviction for You Father. In Jesus name cast out all of the negative influences and allow us to be clean for You Father. Allow us to promote Your Kingdom and be shining examples for others. Father Thank You for all that You do for us, for sacrificing Your son for us and Father we ask all of this in Jesus mighty name....AMEN.
 

An Apology & An Act of Love

Philippians 2:1-11, Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of Love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

This passage personifies my my weekend and in some way glorifies it and in others gives God no glory. Let me start by saying I am angry. God is not guiding my thoughts here today, I am. My goal today is two fold, explain to EVERYONE what happened this weekend and the traps that snared me and then APOLOGIZE to EVERYONE also for my actions.  This verse from Philippians is how I should have responded, and no matter my intentions the enemy won this weekend and destroyed a little more of what I was working towards. I also need to mention that at this point I may not be writing this daily. I am not sure when I will post new entries, so you can either sign up for email updates on the right or twitter.

 I am 100% responsible for the actions of this weekend as God clearly states I am responsible for what happens in my house. Acts 5 shows us that a Husband and a Wife are responsible equally for what occurs in their home as they are in everything they share. Although God makes it very clear that the Husband is ultimately responsible for the events in his house. 1 Timothy 3:12, "must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households." Acts of Love were clearly mistaken for selfishness and the enemy used them as he wanted, over and over. So I am here to say to my wife, I am sorry for how this weekend turned out. The enemy won this weekend and for that I am sorry. Everyone including our daughter lost. I am sorry for my actions, and the results of the weekend. In front of the world I release you in writing and give you the freedom you desire. I pray for your happiness and I step away. This blog entry will be the last time my wife will ever be mentioned, to clarify this is also meant as an act of Love. I will continue to pray over my family.

I am also angry with God. I may be impatient in some manner, but I feel He has not stepped in when called. I feel as if He has left me standing in this storm now I feel abandoned by even Him. I am not saying He has, this is how I feel. Philippians 4:19, But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. I have a specific need that I have shared with my God. He still does not grant it. So in turn I feel angry and used. Deep down I know different, but it doesn't change the fact. I have jealousy in my heart as I see other married couples, one spouse will abuse the relationship over and over yet they still are given forgiveness and they keep their family. Yet, I stand after a big mistake and end up standing alone, what does this say? God has shown me one thing and here I stand without even a hint of this coming true. This morning i heard about a couple divorced for 40 years, remarried over the weekend. My vision had no separation, but I felt God saying I need to do that to show Love. My vision showed no Divorce, yet it will be final in about 30 days. Where is God now? If I hear one more person tell me about free will, I will probably puke. You see I know God can redirect free will, there is clear scripture supporting it. So what am I supposed to learn from all of this? I have absolutely, no idea. All I get is silence from God and those who matter, well the silence is deafening and sometimes the lack of action speaks volumes (The Greek scholar and Monk Rufinus in 398 wrote in the "Apology of Jerome", "If that is the cause of discord between us, I can submit to death, but not to silence.), while letting the enemy gain a foothold.

I am left with little or no hope, wavering faith and the enemy gaining ground daily. Most cannot understand what I speak of unless they have experienced, or are experiencing this same issue. I pray, with no response, I continue to stand and gain no ground. Why? What am I supposed to do? How? When? GIVE ME SOMETHING GOD!!!!! I was so frustrated I went and drank alcohol Saturday night to the point of passing out. Now I know it isn't going to solve anything, that wasn't the point. I needed to be numb to sleep. See I only receive about two hours of sleep a night. So after ingesting a little alcohol I slept for 6 hours. Now I would never recommend this behavior and I am in no way justifying it, just letting the readers know of another pitfall. I could have easily got into all kinds of trouble, had I driven, or other things. But the enemy won that day and Sunday.

Apologies: I ask for my Wife's forgiveness, for my behavior my lack of understanding and for not having anything left in me to fight. I ask for her forgiveness for the things I have brought to the door step. I give her forgiveness for her actions and behaviors. She need not ask. I ask for my Churches forgiveness as I cannot hold them responsible for any of my emotions. 

Let's Pray: Father God, I ask for your forgiveness Father. I ask for You to forgive me for my lack of Hope, Faith and Love. Father I have no Hope left. I have very little Faith left and My Love has been reduced to very little. Father forgive me for the anger I have towards You and all involved. Father I no longer pray for anything other than to hear Your voice and give me direction. I ask You to protect my children. I ask You grant me strength to find my way. I ask for Your direction Father and You restore my Hope, Faith and Love. Father give me the strength to face my future alone. I am afraid. I am empty. I have nothing left Father. I need understanding why You have let it all be stripped away again, leaving me standing naked and empty. My pain is beyond words and beyond measure. I cannot take anymore disdain and contempt in my life from anyone. Father I am done, SHOW ME MY PATH in this world. I no longer believe the things I once believed. If You meant them, that is up to You to produce. I only have today, right now. I do not look to tomorrow as I have no assurances it will come. Father my new focus is to Love You. To Love my Children and to try to gain strength and understanding. Father I Thank You for the ability to share this journey and insight with the world and if You want it to continue and it is truly helping people, I will be waiting for a sign. Until then it will remain without words after today. Father I Thank You for giving me beautiful children. Forgive me for releasing my wife. I Loved her too much to keep her. I honour my covenant with You Father and I will stand for that. Father I thank You for all that You have done in my life and what You will do in the future. I ask these things in Jesus sweet name...AMEN.

When You Turn From God

Matthew 10:12-14, As you enter the house, greet it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.

God places us in certain situations and expects us to reach out to those in need. Especially to our brethren, I know without the help of my brethren at key times I would not be typing this. Yet at times there comes a time that we may have to turn that person in need over to God and wash our hands of them. It is a tough decision, but if they continue in their Sin, refuse to turn back to God we must take measures to help those we can. I doesn't mean we stop Loving this person, it simply means we have to trust in God to guide them back, dust off our sandals and leave.

We have a lost brother right now, I personally have been involved for only a few weeks, but there are a few that have been involved for much longer. Our brother has been given chance after chance to stay on path with God. He stumbled each time and his only reason, is pure selfishness. Selfishness is a powerful Sin, not unlike other sins, but in certain situations does not allow us to see beyond our own self pity or desire. This is where I was last year before God got my attention. I understand to some degree our brothers struggle. What I do not understand is once I am allowed another chance, I would cherish that like no other, never again consciously making choices to hurt my family and others. Once I chose God, I chose Life, my Wife, my Children and my Family and Friends God has blessed me with. I will stand firm and when I start to stumble I will let someone know of my intentions so that I can be free of that and the enemy has no stronghold. I am reminded what I stand to lose, at that point there is no other choice for me. 1 Corinthians 16:13, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

I feel though others for one reason or another do not see the choices they face as I do. Proverbs 14:12, There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. I would secure myself to a pipe until I was safe if I even thought I would hurt my wife and family again. I would do whatever it took to make sure that any temptation was not even an option for me. I know that with all this so fresh still the consequences are still vivid. I also have years of training of readying my mind for vicarious liability. So using that same process I remove any other option, other than the Godly one so there is no other choice available to me, except the Godly one. This is only one way God helps me remove bad choices from my heart. I reach to him over and over so that he can guide my every step. I will remember the look of hurt in my families eyes last November. I will take that to my grave and I never want to be the cause of that look again. So my choice in any situation is a clear and resounding one...God and Kingdom principles. Joshua 1:9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” This should be yours also. God will bless you and help you make these choices. In time the correct choice will seem as simple as breathing. Trust in Him and think about all you will lose with the wrong  choices. 

Lets Pray: Father God, Help our lost brethren find there way back to You Father. Pull them in Lord and keep them safe as You know they cannot do this for themselves right now. Father we pray Psalm 91 over all involved including the families, to keep them safe and over our families and us, so we cannot hurt them ever again. Father we choose You and we choose Life. We choose our Wives, our Children and all who we Love Father. Help us keep on track Father. Help us follow in Christs footsteps so we can Glorify You and Your Kingdom Father. We Thank You Lord for all that You do in our lives, please forgive us for our sins Father and allow us the wisdom to make good choices Father. We ask this in the name Of Christ Jesus....AMEN.

Part Time Christians

John 4:42, know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

Many tend to walk with Christ when we need him. Usually not even giving Him a second thought  unless our lives are turned upside down. I know, I used to be just like this. I believed, I just didn't live the life or even try to walk in the light. Unfortunately I found that if we do this to Christ, we usually do this in other areas of our lives also. We are part time husbands, fathers, etc.. Is this who you really want to be? Is this who God designed you to be? No, He didn't so step up and start by making Christ the full time Saviour of your life.

God knows our free will dominates out lives until something clicks and we discover Him. Sometimes its through tragedy, or accident and sometimes we discover Him through our Sin. In reality God doesn't care how you find Him, just that you do. Philippians 2:9-11, For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Our Father is clear that all will bow and recognize Christ is Lord. We are not designed to follow Him when we want. We are all designed to walk through this life under the guidance and laws of God and Kingdom principles.

Don't you feel that little something missing from your life? Do you catch yourself perking up and paying attention when the subject of God or Jesus is mentioned? This is God tugging at you, trying to get you to freely stand for Him once and for all. Your life will be so much better, you will understand that being a part time anything is not for you. You will yearn to be the Husband, Father and Christian you were designed for. God wants to bless you, He is stretching to you and all you have to do is stretch back and pray the following prayer. John 15:16-17, “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. “This I command you, that you love one another.

Let's Pray: Father God, we come to You today with Heavy hearts. Heavy hearts because we have been looking at the relationship with You as a part time assignment. Father we don't want to do anything part time anymore. We want to experience You and Your Kingdom to the fullest. Father please forgive each of us for our sins. Forgive us for being selfish and being part time Husbands, Fathers, Human beings Father. We want to shine to glorify Your name. Father we ask that You guide us, give us the strength and wisdom to follow You in a Christ like fashion. Father Thank You for all that You do in our lives, in Jesus name we pray....AMEN.

Accepting "No"

Romans 8:27-28, And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

All of us who pray find at times God say's no to our prayers. Now I know there are other scriptures that speak the opposite. Yet if what we are praying does not fit onto Gods plan, He will effectively say no to your request. Now this will always be leading you to something positive and He is getting ready to Bless you.

God moves to make us who He wants us to be to serve His Kingdom. He will only do things that are for our good, not our wants. I asked my wife a question today, that I had prayed about over the last week or so. Her response was cryptic and not currently positive, however I was prepared for a similar answer. God let me ask and I feel He let her choose her answer and prepared me for the worst answer. I was disappointed, however I know God is working. I have been promised something from God that He even backs via the scriptures. So some days I see a victory some I do not. I trust God to show me the path. Psalm 16:11, You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy.

I don't always get the things I pray for, even sometimes I become upset and confused with God. I try to understand, but there are times my flesh will not allow me to see clearly. When I go to prayer I usually will ask for clarity and most of the time God provides it very soon. In some things I am still waiting. I will continue to stand on the promises God has made to all of us and the ones He has made to me directly. I Thank God to even be able to speak to my wife and family, to hold them, pray with them, etc.. Do I wish for more quickly? Absolutely, I pray for it. Ephesians 4:1-3 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. But I know God will direct my path and He will direct others also. I moved using free will for years, until God gave me no more choices other than Him. I pray none of you have to discover His path for you the same way as I did. 

Let's Pray: Father God, We come to You today humble and thankful for even having the opportunity to know You Father. We are grateful that You Love us so much, You are willing to wait and guide each of us into Your Kingdom. Father we all could use some patience and a dose of humility. We praise You for the Hope and Faith You give us Father and the outpouring of Your Love. Lord I ask that You reveal the plans You have for each of us, to those who may question our intentions Father. Show them we follow You and only You. Show them we want to share so much with them while pursuing  Your desire for us. Father please forgive each of us for our sins and we ask all of this in Jesus name....AMEN