What A Beautiful View

Good morning to all:

This morning I woke up remembering that I had not taken the trash can to the road. I get up and get dressed and make my way to get it done. As I leave the can at the road, I turn around and look up to see the moon with nearly one half of it brightly shining on the east side with the other half of it not visible. What a beautiful view it was. As I stood there and looked, I began thinking to myself… “I wonder how many would notice if the brightness of the moon was on the west side this early in the morning and think to themselves that something is wrong?” I believe that some would not even notice and continue on with their day. As Christians there are certain things that God has ordained to be in our lives and anything different should catch our eyes 👀 and cause us to examine. Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh…

My illustration may seem a little far-fetched this morning, yet, if we look around us we’ll see a lot of things in this world that are out of place from where they should be.

My encouragement this morning is simple:

1 Peter 1:16 …. Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Just because the world has followed suit with sin and nothing seems out of place to them does not mean that we need to.

Love you till the next time.

The Stranger of Galilee

Good morning everyone,

I stand amazed at the presence of the stranger of Galilee. The reason why many things seem to be so confusing nowadays is because of the prince of the power of the air. The scriptures teach us that God is not the author of confusion for that would be Satan. The only way that this world as we know of it today can receive true peace is through the Lord Jesus. Will you ask Him to open your eyes and heart this morning for a glimpse of His presence? Unfortunately, to the majority of the world, the Lord Jesus is a stranger. Today can be the day that you meet Him, this stranger of Galilee. If you are a born again child of the King, I encourage you this morning to move aside the hustle and bustle of the world, and look to Jesus. The only real peace we have is in Jesus. God bless each of you.

The Tabernacle In The Wilderness

Today we finished the last two chapters of the book of Exodus. God had been very specific in his instructions on how to build the Tabernacle in the Wilderness. Every-thing was accomplished according to how God had instructed Moses to build it and nothing was left undone. When everything was completed, God’s presence came down at the door of the Tabernacle of the Congregation in a thick cloud and His Glory filled the place. As long as the cloud remained in place, the Children of Israel would also remain in place. As soon as the cloud lifted up from the door of the Tabernacle then the Children of Israel would move with it. I am reminded of how much this pictures you and I as Christians. Everything concerning the Tabernacle pointed to the Cross of Calvary and everything completed in the Christian is a picture of the Cross of Calvary as well.

To think of the Glory of the Lord is one thing but to think of the agony that the Lord Jesus endured on the cross is entirely something else. And once again I say that everything concerning the Tabernacle of the Congregation in the wilderness points to the time when Jesus would suffer on the cross for you and me. Every time God accepted a blood sacrifice in the Holy of Holies was a picture of how God would one day accept His own Sons blood on the mercy seat in Heaven after Jesus died on the cross. It makes me want to give Him praise even now just thinking about it.

As everyone saw the Glory of the Lord shine from the Cloud in the door of the Congregation, then even today everyone should see Gods Glory shine through you and I as we live for Christ daily. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

We love you till the next time and may God bless.

What God Put Together

This may come as a surprise to some but… It was not man who ordained marriage but it was God. He was the One who set the standard of how things should be. He established everything according to how our relationship with Christ and the Church should be and so the marriage should be mirrored. He ordained who should be the head of the family even as we submit ourselves to Him for He is head of the church. With prayers and supplication and intercessions we go to Him daily for guidance and then it is that we find all things work together for them that Love God and are called according to His purpose. Setting our own boundaries of how things are done are empty without God. We can paint every religious picture as to what we want the world to see, but God sees beneath the outside layer of oil we paint within our lives. I never knew what it meant to step up to the plate and serve God faithfully until I got saved and turned everything over to the Lord. He is our peace… He is our grace… He is our mercy when we know we don’t deserve it and He is our guide. It’s time to look unto the hills from whence comes our strength. We have nothing by which we can prove ourselves to God for anything, for we are but dust. So many times I’ve looked in the wrong places thinking to get some sort of approval from God when all along it should have been Him I was looking at but had not. If we are to rejoice in the Lord it will be because of our obedience to Him. It’s not about us… it’s about Him. God Bless.

What Would Your Excuse Be

May I speak from the heart for just a couple of minutes? From the beginning of time man has always found a way to excuse themselves from being held accountable for their own actions. Some will read this and say that they know this doesn't include them cause they and God are real tight. It is easier to look elsewhere towards someone else even when you know God is dealing with you about it all along. God knows the beginning from the end so why do we act like we can work something out without God? Sometimes I could just imagine myself listening to Adam and Eve as they spoke to the Lord in the Garden of Eden as to why they disobeyed God. As you read the scripture in Genesis, you can tell that as long as the Lord Himself was speaking, everyone listened to him. They knew that He was God Who had created them, so they reverenced His Presence and His Words. As I have said before, Adam blamed Eve, Eve blamed the Serpent, and the Serpent ended up not having a leg to stand on. God's purpose for man was interrupted because man jumped ahead of Gods purpose to please his own curiosity.

After nearly six thousand years, man is still doing the same blame game with an acception that they don't give much heed (if any) to God's presence or what God says. People have convinced themselves that they are okay with God and they won't take long at asking you to look so they can prove it to you.

As I look back over the years, (before I got saved), it was easy for me to look good to others while all along I was lost, yet, God knew my sin. I'm so thankful for the day that God showed me my lost condition. In my heart I had to get lost before God could do anything with me. Yes, I had to realize I WAS lost before I could even get saved.

My friend, where is your heart right now before a Holy God? When I stand before God one day, it won't be my brother or my sister or my momma or my daddy or any other excuse I can come up with but it will be ME. If you stand in need of a touch from the Lord Jesus today then drop the baggage that holding you back and let Him make it right. I've yet to see God fail at making something that was seemingly an ugly situation beutiful again.

God does all things well and I'm sure glad I'm saved and belong to Him. Love you till the next time and may God bless.

Insurmountable

In scripture in 2 Kings 8, We read where the enemy had surrounded the city to the point that it appeared that there was no escape for Elisha or his servant. It was early in the morning, and when the servant saw the mighty army that has surrounded

the city, he was overwhelmed, and he was frightened. In his fear, he looked at his master Elisha and said, oh no, what should we do?

The Bible records that Elisha begin to pray, and asked the Lord God to open up the eyes of his servant. Immediately the eyes of Elisha's servant was opened and he could see an "insurmountable" number of angelic warriors around the whole horizon in position and ready to protect Gods servant along with his own servant. Sometimes all it takes is for God to open our eyes that we can see what ordinarily we would not. My friends, how many times has the Lord sent help our way and we had no idea. We may have felt closed in on all sides with what appeared to be No Way Out. I know this may sound repetitious but God is never surprised by what's going on around us. Elisha had faith to call on God even in behalf of his own servant. I love what Jesus had said to Peter in that "I have prayed for you that your faith fail not." Folks, let's not throw in the towel yet cause God is still in control. We love you till the next time. God Bless

For God Still Loved The World

Jesus died for the sins of the whole world… for all of mankind… Man can make every excuse for not turning to the Savior… and they can paint life’s picture any way they want just to excuse their lifestyle… but in the end… they just love their sin more than the Savior… folks, Jesus made a way for lost sinners to leave their sin behind and follow after God… they don’t have to die in order to be dead in their sins, they are already dead.

Jesus said, come unto to me all you that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.

Things That Are Not In Heaven

Not too long ago my wife and I have had to spend some time with her sister at the hospital. The Doctors were having to figure out what's going on with her concerning some health concerns. This morning while I was here with her, I believe the Lord allowed me to view some things that were around me in a different light. As I began to look around the room and even the hospital itself, I begin to imagine what it would be like to leave a surrounding like this and suddenly end up in Heaven. Think about this for a moment as you first get there and for some reason you ask someone up there "where the hospital is at." With a strange look on their faces someone looks at you and says..."We don't have a place like that up here." Folks, a place with no doctors offices or hospitals, no pharmacies, no funeral homes or grave yards. All the many things we use to make life easier such as glasses or hearing aids or walking sticks!!! The list goes on and on. No jails or prisons for theirs no sin up there. Oh meeeeeee!!! I'm getting excited just thinking about it. The best part is I AM GOING!!!!

I AM NOT GOING TO HELL!!!

He died for me!!! He died for you!!! He died for the world!!! Just make sure you don't miss out on Heaven.

Love you till the next time. God bless!!

Giving Thanks

Scripture:

1Tim. 2. [1] I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

Blog:

How long has it been since you’ve been in a position where you’ve had to throw up those hands and remind yourself that only God can help me now? You’ve sought others in your task and they’ve done their best but now it’s up to the Lord. Then, when everything is accomplished and you’re happy now, you truly thank everyone for their part yet you forget the Lord for taking care of business.

Their are 3 words that drive home to me in this verse I used here: and those words are simply “first of all.” God has an order in which things are to be accomplished in our walk for Him and sometimes we just need to be reminded. I am thankful for those in my life that have been a positive influence along the way, but could I just take time to thank the Lord for being an ever present friend to me. He has been a friend like no other.

Thank you Lord for saving my soul,

Thank you Lord for making me whole

Thank you Lord for giving to me

Thy great salvation so rich and free.

The Greatest Commandment

Good morning everyone hope you're having a wonderful day.

In Matthew 22:35-40 there was a certain lawyer, who asked the Lord a question and all along was tempting the Lord. Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said him to him, that thou should love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment and the second is like unto it that you love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two Commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

I've read that during Bible times there were 613 laws that the people of Israel were to adhere to. Jesus is saying that the greatest of all these laws was to love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, soul and mind. Jesus went on to say that the second greatest law was to love thy neighbor as thy self. First and foremost, we are to love the Lord with everything that is within us. When I think of how good God is and how he has been there through every area of my life, watching over me, leading me and teaching me along the way, then not only is it natural for me to love Him, but I want to tell him that I love Him.

Yes, it is easy to love the Lord but how about your neighbor? I wonder what that lawyer was thinking after Jesus said, you must love your neighbor as yourself.

In my own life, I know that there are certain people that I would rather not be around me for too long, yet Jesus is saying in scripture that I need to love them as myself. Folks, I've seen Jesus save the vilest of sinners from a life of despair. I've seen where people that were bound by drugs, alcohol, illicit sex, hate, demonic oppression and scores of other sins set free at the name of Jesus. As you look at your neighbor or whoever God puts in front of you at any given time, it may be easy to turn your head, and look the other way, to ignore their presence and perhaps hope the best for them and pass by them on the other side. I say again that the God we serve can save the vilest of sinners and use them for His Honor and His Glory.

As Christians, God has commanded us to love our neighbor, as we love God, and as we love ourselves. That seemingly hard to reach person beside you needs Jesus just like you did before you got saved. If God got a hold of you, then God can get a hold of that somebody else who might be standing next to you at this very moment. The God who has saved you from a life of sin, and despair can certainly change that someone that you might feel has no hope. Let us be that instrument whereby God can use to reach somebody else for Christ.

I love you my friends and until the next time May God Bless.

Looking Back When It’s Too Late

How often have we been through situations in our lives and we quickly realize what a mistake we made. As long as we are on this side of eternity it is for sure we will make mistakes. Some mistakes can be (as they say) swept under the rug while others can possibly stick with us for a lifetime. Of all the mistakes I could possibly put in my mind to remember, only one will make a difference when it comes to eternity. Let me be specific when I ask, what is your relationship with God?

Once again I say that while we are on this side of eternity, life has many escape routes we can take to avoid problems that may arise from our mistakes we have made beforehand. That of course is nothing less than hiding your sin. Folks, when we stand before God one day, there will be no way out of the decision you or I made in our acceptance of Christ as Lord of our lives or not. It is a decision that is as important now as it will be at judgment. As I said before, many decisions have I made in life and thought for a period that everything in time sill work itself out. Btw, that is a lie from the Devil himself. Satan wanted me to feel ok with what was going on in my life while all along I was headed down a dark smokey road to Hell. I’m glad the Lord convicted of my sins and allowed me to accept Him as Lord of my life before it was too late. How about you, have you turned your life completely over to the Lordship of Christ? What situation are you in life? Don’t you realize Christ can give you that peace you’ve been longing for all this time? Today is the day to make sure you know Christ as Savior of your life. Now is the acceptable time for salvation (2 Cor 6:2) Hope you are having a good day. We love you my friends and May God Bless

Convictions

I was recently reminded of the story in scripture about Abraham and Lot. Abraham had given to Lot the choice of where he wanted his family and all his substance to live. If Lot chose to go to the left then Abraham would go to the right, but if Lot decided to go to the right then Abraham would go to the left. The choice was entirely up to Lot. We know that Lot chose the fertile land near Sodom which left Abraham to go to the upper mountain area where most people would not choose. In time the hearts of the people of Sodom became so wicked that God said He would destroy the city. God knew all along what would eventually happen to Sodom as well the nearby city of Gomorra. For the time came when God destroyed both of those cities because of their sin.
Yes, I say that God knew all along how things would turn out with Abraham as well as Lot. Who do you believe made the right decision in the first place? It was the one whose decision did not end up in in a total mess. Abraham knew God would take care of him no matter what as long as he kept his eyes on The God of Heaven. I don’t see where Lot had that “conviction“ in himself to go where God would be pleased. Folks, where are our convictions these days. Are we concerned about ourselves or are we concerned about what God see in us? The choice is ours alone and the end result God knows already. The road may not be easy but I say “Let’s go God’s way. May the Lord Bless you real good.

Let This Cup Pass From Me

How many times have you been through a trial in your life that you asked God to completely remove it? Rather than go through it you plainly asked God to totally remove it so you wouldn’t have to deal with it? “OH GOD PLEASE TAKE THIS AWAY FROM ME!“ The storms of life truly get rough and we know God can remove them so why not? I am reminded of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane just before He went to the cross, He prayed to the Father these words: “Father if their be any other way let this cup pass from me, nevertheless not my will but thine be done.“ Jesus wanted His Disciples to pray but He found them sleeping. Jesus knew that the Spirit is strong but oh how weak the flesh is. Christ had come for that hour and no matter what was to come He wanted to please the Father in Heaven. How about you and me? God has us going through this storm for a reason and being removed from it may not teach us what God wants us to learn. God has a purpose in what He does in our lives and we can trust Him. Have you put your trust in Jesus today? He is waiting on your response to Him.

Let’s Ride Hard For God

This morning we began our day quite early, so it allowed me to ponder on a thing or two while I was puttering around getting ready. Many times my wife has taught me (by example) that a smile so early in the morning can change the direction of even the most daunting of days. I am reminded of a gospel song entitled “One Day At A Time” which allows us to focus more on the present and less on an uncertain future. As a Christian I also remind myself that I am not alone nor ever will be in this time of uncertainty. Each day that passes by I tell myself that perhaps today will be the day that Jesus returns and takes us home to Heaven. All the signs of His return is centered around Israel yet we can’t help but see the signs even here in America as we fall farther and farther away from God. The Lord Jesus is faithful to the end and it is to Him we must return. We are constant in reminding ourselves of the past while all along God has placed them in the sea of forgetfulness. We are constant in our concern for the future yet God says now is the acceptable time for Salvation. Folks, if you are a Christian it’s time to hop back in the saddle and ride hard for God. The Lord we serve has never failed us so let us not fail Him in this race of life. May God bless.

Let God Handle It

This morning I would let to share something that's on my heart. I listened this morning to someone who spoke a little bit about the story in scripture where Peter had fished all night long and caught nothing. Fishing was not a new thing for Peter as he had done so all his life. They say that fishing at night is the best time to fish and that's exactly what Peter had done. I'm sure he had become frustrated as the night progressed because not one fish had been caught. This was a big thing for Peter for he probably had big plans for all those fish he though he would catch. Yet as the story goes he caught nothing. Nada. He was empty handed. Early in the morning Jesus comes along and actually enters Peter's boat and urges Him to thrust out a little from land so as to teach the people. And Peter may have been frustrated with the night of fishing but he obeys the Lord and launches out. After Jesus had finished speaking to the people, Jesus tells Peter to launch out in the deep waters and cast out his net once again. In perhaps what might be Peters frustration speaking, he tells the Lord that he's been fishing all night long and has caught nothing yet at His command to cast his net, he'd do so. Again I say that it was a big thing to Peter that he has been out there all night long fishing and has caught nothing. What happens next is not because of the expert ability of Peter's fishing, but it was the miracle working power of God. Peter caught so much fish that his boat as well as another boat were as though they would sink. Yep, Peter Caught A Bunch Of Fish That Morning! Folks, sometimes our efforts in this Christian walk seems useless as well as time consuming. Yet it is times like these when we just need to let go of our ability and seek Gods. It doesn't matter how good we think we are in this life, sometimes we just need to take the net and drop it on the other side of the boat. Whatever the case may be... make sure God is leading you to do it. GodBless

Absence Make The Heart Grow Fonder

Their is proverb that says “absence makes the heart grow fonder.” Many times this has proven to be true when two hearts are reunited after a lengthy time apart. Perhaps a soldier returns home from war or a family member returns home from a business trip. Oh to miss a loved one so much that you just can’t wait to see them again. So many examples can be used to express that “absence makes the heart grow fonder“ but can we say that when it comes to spending time with the Lord. Does our heart yearn for His presence so much that unless we get back in His Word or until we spend time in prayer as we ought we’re not satisfied. This is evidence that a person is truly saved because they can’t stay away from the Word of God too long without missing it or they can’t wait to talk to the Lord in prayer. If a Christian misses church attendance then they just can’t wait to assemble again with the saints of God. I had to miss church tonight and I felt so out of place because I wasn’t there. Yes for sure “absence makes the heart grow fonder” indeed and that includes God’s people. I often wonder what it’s going to be like when we get to Heaven where we will never have to say goodbye. We’ll be forever with our loved ones in Glory. We’ll always be in the presence of the One Who died for us. NO MORE SEPARATION!! I get excited just thinking about it. I hope you know the Lord as Savior of you life today and if not I hope today you’ll ask Him to come into your heart and save you. May God Bless!!

Fear Not

I’ve never taken time to count them but it is said that 365 times you’ll see the phrase “fear not” in the Bible. That’s one for everyday of the year. Their is so much that happens over a period of a year that you’ll never know what you will be faced with from one day to the next. We can only wish that everything will be sunshine and roses but that’s not the way life is. One day you’re on a mountain top experience and the next day the world is crushing in around you. I’m glad to report that God says “fear not”. What an ever present God we serve and He is never too late. Martha and Mary had to wait four days after their brother Lazarus had died for Jesus to arrive yet I say that Jesus was right on time. Jesus is the one who calms the troubled waters of your soul. I have more good news for you because Jesus can still give peace to a troubled heart even today. Where is your heart right now? What are you trusting in right now as you read this? Remember, that standing somewhere in the shadows you’ll find the Lord Jesus. There is nothing too hard for God to accomplish. I say you can trust God for whatever you are facing.
FEAR NOT FOR I AM WITH YOU!
I believe Jesus is tenderly calling people to Him today. Is He calling you? If He is speaking to you, will you accept Him into your life and be saved today? I hope and pray that you will. God bless!

When God Says No

From a very young age, perhaps as an infant, we are taught to pay much attention when we hear the words “yes” or “no”. In many cases we know as parents it could be a difference between life and death.
Not too long ago I heard a profound truth that stuck with me so I’d like to share it. Of the many times our parents said to us “yes”… or said “no”, it is our response to be word “no” that shows what kind of character we are made of. It also shows how mature we are in our response to “no”.
In the Christian walk this is true when God speaks to us as well. When God seems to give us a positive command we are apt to go for it much easier and quicker than if God says no. Once again when we respond to God negatively as He says “no”, we immediately present to those around us bad character and a lack of Christian maturity. Above and beyond that, it displeases God even if no one else notices. His eyes are not blind in His sight toward us and His arm has no problem in reaching us if He needs to get our attention.
How has God directed us in life and how have we responded? If we were to stand before God in just a few minutes, would we hear Him say “well done?”…

I encourage you in the Lord to let’s make our calling and election sure. This might be the day Jesus takes us home. May God bless.

Everything Is Running on Time

As I write this blog my heart is full as I consider how close it must be for coming of the Lord. I told the Sunday School class this morning that everything is continuing on just the way God said it would. The earth is still rotating from the west to the east and the sun still rises in the east and sets in the west. It’s a though God has an invisible thermometer stretched out over the eastern sky. The sun moves northward for 6 months to bring in the warm and moves southward for 6 months to bring the cold. As God has said these things shall be that’s how they are continually. So many things have changed along the way but God’s Word has never changed.

Not too long ago we made a comment that this world is leading itself down a dark smokey road to destruction. This earth and what’s in it won’t last forever yet God’s Word is forever settled in Heaven. With all the mistakes I’ve made in life I feel the least qualified to talk about the goodness of God and His Love so abundant and free. Yet it has nothing to do with my accomplishments but has everything to do with what Christ has done. All we had to do was look away from sin and look to the Savior of the world The Lord Jesus Christ. Just believing that He died on that old rugged cross for us, was buried and on the 3rd day arose from the dead victorious over death and hell and the grave. I don’t have faith in man to get me to Heaven. When I see my past all I see is defeat and failure so I can’t trust myself to get me to Heaven. But I can have Faith in God in all things because He will see me through. Yep, I’m Heaven bound with the hammer down…. Now how about YOU. God bless.

Beyond That Horizon

Have you ever stood at the seashore and looked out over the water as far as the eye could see from one direction to the other? The horizon seems to be endless as the sky meets the sea. Perhaps if you stand atop the tallest building around and view in every direction, the vastness seems too great to see it all at one time. Beyond every horizon is more than we can see with the natural eye. We are as a spec in the center of it all and our humanity only allows us a small glimpse of what’s before us. Folks, that’s why Christ needs to be the center of our lives for He sees beyond our horizons and everything in between as well. We may not see all that’s going on in our lives but God does and we can trust Him. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again to just “Have Faith in God.” I hope you know Him as Lord of your life today. If the Holy Spirit is speaking to you right now please listen to Him, for Jesus is coming soon and we need to be ready. It perhaps might be today. God Bless You!!