GOD Came Looking for Me!

Do you ever give much thought to where you once were in life compared to where you are now? Do you ever give any thought to the fact that if you had continued down the path you were once on that you might not even be alive today?

I don’t think we give enough thought and consideration to where we were and where we are and to how we arrived at the place we now find ourselves in. I am talking to those of you have discovered the new life of being in Christ Jesus.

I can look back at my early years and discover very quickly that had I continued walking my self-centered, self-willed path, my life would’ve been destroyed by now. I can look at the lives of those around me who have chosen their own path and I can see the destructive nature of living without Christ.

It is easy to see the wear and tear on the lives of those who have failed to accept Jesus as their Lord. The consequences of sinful living are dredged into every facet of their lives. Their lives are spiraling out of control with an eternal crash landing at the end. And most of all, I see the emptiness that encompasses every aspect of their lives. From this, I can only respond, “Thank you, Jesus, for not giving up on me!”

As you are thinking about this in your own life, consider how Paul ties this all together in writing to Titus. He said: “We too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, captives of various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another. But when the goodness and love for man appeared from God our Savior, He saved us- not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that having been justified by His grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:3-7 HCSB).

What a beautiful synopsis of what GOD has done for each of us! We were all sinful, disobedient creatures living out our worldly desires. But GOD, for some reason, out of His great love and mercy reached down and pricked our hearts and brought us to a place of realizing and accepting His saving mercy and grace.

A key to understanding this in its entirety is recognizing that it wasn’t out of any good in me because there was none. It was the work of His Spirit working in me that changed me—changed my heart, my attitude, my desires, my outlook, my path—and brought to me an eternal hope in and through my Lord Jesus Christ.

I don’t know where you have come from in life or what gutter GOD may have drug you out of to get you to where you are in Him today, but I do know that you are where you and you what you are because GOD came looking for you! GOD doesn’t give up on any of us. Jesus died for all of us and GOD’s desire is for the salvation of all humanity.

Maybe you haven’t found what I am talking about? Maybe your life is still on a downward spiral leaving you hopeless with nothing to look forward to in the life yet to come? GOD is looking for you right now. I believe He is speaking to your heart by His Spirit attempting to draw you into a relationship with Him. Turn your life over to Him by seeking His forgiveness for your sins through Jesus Christ. Make Jesus the Lord of your life today!

GOD came looking for me! GOD came looking for you! We are what we are today simply because of that fact. May we be ever mindful of GOD’s great love and patience with us as He worked to bring us to where we are and as He continues working in us—moving us ever closer to being just like Christ Jesus!

Scripture Reading: “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord proclaim that He has redeemed them from the hand of the foe and has gathered them from the lands- from the east and the west, from the north and the south. Some wandered in the desolate wilderness, finding no way to a city where they could live. They were hungry and thirsty; their spirits failed within them. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He rescued them from their distress. He led them by the right path to go to a city where they could live. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His faithful love and His wonderful works for the human race. For He has satisfied the thirsty and filled the hungry with good things. Others sat in darkness and gloom- prisoners in cruel chains- because they rebelled against God’s commands and despised the counsel of the Most High. He broke their spirits with hard labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and gloom and broke their chains apart. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His faithful love and His wonderful works for the human race” (Psalm 107:1-15 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, I give all glory and honor to You for who I am today! As I look back on the destructive nature that once controlled me, I recognize You saved me from my own destruction. Help me to always be mindful of the fact that you came looking for me out of Your great mercy and love. Please keep me ever mindful of where You brought me from and of the glory yet to come for all who place their trust in Jesus Christ.  I give all glory and honor to You and to You alone! Praise be unto Your name, my GOD and my Savior!…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

America’s Fall Has Come?

Opening an internet news site today, I was confronted with the headline: “Usain Bolt Caught Grinding Against Young Woman at a Club.” Just below it: “Usain Bolt Shares a Bed with Brazilian Student.” Unfortunately, most people just scroll on down past such articles without giving them a second thought. But, I have to give them some thought because what has become of America is all tied up in those articles.

Think about the fact that just a short time back, the news was filled with stories of Olympian swimmers robbed at gunpoint while in Rio. It wasn’t too long before that all changed and we discovered they had created their own mess by their own bad behavior, partying, drinking, living it up, and then lied about it all. Some people shamed them for their behavior while others had the attitude of: “Oh well, just part of the game! Boys will be boys!” In my heart, I am asking “Why?” What has created such behavior in individuals across America? Why have so many deemed it as acceptable?

Olympians were once the standard-bearers representing their nations in integrity and uprightness, but now some have become party animals overwhelmed by the atmosphere combined with the partying and alcohol creating animal-like behavior within them. What is wrong with this picture? Are you shaken at all by it? Does it trouble you like it does me?

These young athletes are simply products of the free-spirit that has overtaken America. Truth is no longer regarded as truth. People prefer to accept and live out the lies propagated by the evil spirits that have taken control of our nation. Politicians lie and deceive and cover-up and go on—and we simply accept it as the norm. We hold no one accountable when lives are destroyed because of these things. The freedoms we once enjoyed are no longer ours. The few we have left will soon be reasoned away by the liberal-mindedness of Supreme Court justices whose lives have been influenced by evil spirits as well as their own desire to destroy what we once held dear.

Paul warned of this as a part of the last day’s experience. He warned that the man of lawlessness, the Antichrist, was standing in the shadows waiting to be revealed in order that he could loose his atrocities upon al civilization. Consider Paul’s warning for a moment: “The coming of the lawless one is based on Satan’s working, with all kinds of false miracles, signs, and wonders, and with every unrighteous deception among those who are perishing. They perish because they did not accept the love of the truth in order to be saved. For this reason God sends them a strong delusion so that they will believe what is false, so that all will be condemned-those who did not believe the truth but enjoyed unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 HCSB).

A strong delusion has overtaken the minds of people across America. The events that took place in Rio by our athletes were simply the result of that delusion. We can blame no one but ourselves for their behavior as we have allowed our nation to be taken over by the evil of liberalism. The destructive nature of this ungodly, evil pattern of thought has slowly eroded away the foundations of our free nation and created the mindset that befell some of the American athletes at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

It is important to recognize what Paul has declared in this passage. America allowed a spiritual delusion to fall upon our nation. It has swept through churches across this nation destroying the minds and hearts of multitudes while at the same time allowing America to fall. Because of this, God has sent an even stronger delusion so that the population as a whole believes the lie.

The news outlets are filled with the lies of the current presidential candidate and America has apparently bought into as “It’s okay!” But, beware of buying into these lie for verse 12 says condemnation from God will fall upon all who have bought into the lies and deception!

Strongly consider the warnings of this Psalm:

Scripture Reading: “I will thank the Lord with all my heart; I will declare all Your wonderful works. I will rejoice and boast about You; I will sing about Your name, Most High. When my enemies retreat, they stumble and perish before You. For You have upheld my just cause; You are seated on Your throne as a righteous judge. You have rebuked the nations: You have destroyed the wicked; You have erased their name forever and ever. The enemy has come to eternal ruin; You have uprooted the cities, and the very memory of them has perished. But the Lord sits enthroned forever; He has established His throne for judgment. He judges the world with righteousness; He executes judgment on the peoples with fairness. The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know Your name trust in You because You have not abandoned those who seek You, Lord. Sing to the Lord, who dwells in Zion; proclaim His deeds among the peoples. For the One who seeks an accounting for bloodshed remembers them; He does not forget the cry of the afflicted. Be gracious to me, Lord; consider my affliction at the hands of those who hate me. Lift me up from the gates of death, so that I may declare all Your praises. I will rejoice in Your salvation within the gates of Daughter Zion. The nations have fallen into the pit they made; their foot is caught in the net they have concealed. The Lord has revealed Himself; He has executed justice, striking down the wicked by the work of their hands. The wicked will return to Sheol- all the nations that forget God. For the oppressed will not always be forgotten; the hope of the afflicted will not perish forever. Rise up, Lord! Do not let man prevail; let the nations be judged in Your presence. Put terror in them, Lord; let the nations know they are only men” (Psalm 9 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, I pray first for my own life and the wickedness that I have allowed to enter. Please cleanse my heart and change me—change my perspective on things. Help me to recognize the ungodliness of the world we are living in. Help me to recognize the deception that is overtaking the minds of young and old alike. Help me to see what is happening and to stand up against this evil—to speak out against the evil. Help me to become a standard-bearer of truth in the face of the lies of the enemy. I pray for America! I pray for a holy boldness to overwhelm our pastors and preachers so they will rise up and declare righteousness in their churches, in their cities and in the political arena across this nation. Father, I love You and praise You!…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

I Have No Fear of Dying!

Do you ever struggle with the fact that one day soon you will die? Do you have a fear of death? Do you fear the hereafter? Maybe you are one who simply doesn’t believe in a hereafter so you give it little or no consideration?

Perhaps the one thought that haunts more people than any other is their fear of death—be it a fear of what is on the other side, a fear of the crossing over, a fear of the possible “aloneness” that must be endured during the transition from here to wherever. I personally have no fear of dying. The simple fact is, I have already died and therefore have no need to fear a death that I will never face again.

Call me crazy, but keep on reading! Paul told the Galatian church: “I have been crucified with Christ; and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (2:19-20 HCSB). Crucifixion always ended in death. No one came off a cross until they were deemed dead. When Jesus died, I died.

Paul told the Romans: “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him, because we know that Christ, having been raised from the dead, no longer dies. Death no longer rules over Him” (6:8-9). As a child of GOD, a believer in Jesus Christ, I am comforted by the fact that I must never face death because Christ has already died for me.

When I came to the place in my life where I recognized my need for something I could not attain otherwise—eternal life—I fell on my face before my Lord Jesus Christ seeking forgiveness for my past and His free gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23). At that moment, my old man died (Romans 6:6-7), thus my first death, and I was raised to new life, eternal life, in and through my new found faith in the death, burial and resurrection of my Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul told the Corinthian church that for believers to be absent from the body meant they were present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:6-8). Certainly this old fleshly body must one day pass away; but, the real me, the real you, will continue to live on forever. The real me has already died when Jesus died because I put my faith in Him; therefore, I rest assured in total peace that I have no need to fear the crossing over. Paul clarified that experience as simply being gone from here and present there with the Lord.

Humanity was created to be with our Creator. When the relationship was broken in the Garden of Eden by man’s first sin, the earthly body was deemed for destruction—man’s physical body began the process of dying. But Paul tells us GOD has something special in store for us. He wrote: “For we know that if our earthly house, a tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1 HCSB). This body is not our real home. GOD has something more.

Heaven awaits all who have prepared themselves by faith in Jesus Christ. Paul tells us that “we groan in this one (this physical body), longing to put on our house from heaven (our glorified body)” (2 Corinthians 5:2). Our spirit man is groaning to be loosed from the confines of this physical body in order to be free to worship GOD and to enjoy everything He has prepared for us since the very beginning of time.

Paul then exclaims with great excitement: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). I died with Christ so I can inherit the coming kingdom of my Father GOD who loves me and cares for me. Therefore, I have no fear of dying!

Scripture Reading: “Brothers, I tell you this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, and corruption cannot inherit incorruption. Listen! I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. Because this corruptible must be clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal must be clothed with immortality. Now when this corruptible is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting? Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:50-58 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, I do not want to fear death any longer. I want to rest assured in Your promises of life—life eternal! I confess my sins and sinful ways and ask You to forgive me. I ask Jesus to become Lord over my life, to take control of my life as I surrender fully unto Him. Thank You, Jesus, for dying for me and rising to new life that I, too, may experience the free gift of eternal salvation. I love You and praise You, O GOD, for making my salvation possible…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

Pride’s Destruction Desires to Overtake You!

Perhaps one of the greatest enemies you and I will ever be forced to confront in this life is our own pride. Pride rises up within us and prevents us from being able to admit our mistakes, to take blame for problems we’ve created, and to step up and confess our faults and failures. Pride has been the downfall of many a great leader who refused to take the blame and clear the air.

We are told in the Scripture that: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6 HCSB). We also find that: “When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2). Again, we find the warning that: “Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).

It’s interesting to note the Scripture’s ongoing warnings concerning pride and its end product of absolute destruction. Maybe you have a problem with pride in your heart and life. Maybe your pride is preventing you from confessing your faults and sins thereby preventing you from discovering God’s forgiveness? (James 5:16).

Perhaps the single most significant Bible character we find whose pride brought him very low would be King David. Certainly, it is difficult to believe that a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22) could fall under consideration of such a failure, but he did! Now certainly there were a great many other sins involved at the time in David’s life, but it was his great enemy, pride, that prevented him from admitting his wrong before God and others.

The story begins in what would appear to be a very harmless situation. The Bible says: “In the spring when kings march out to war, David sent Joab with his officers and all Israel…but David remained in Jerusalem” (2 Samuel 11:1). While it was not a common practice at the time for kings to stay behind during a battle, it was not necessarily unheard of.

So, “one evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing-a very beautiful woman” (v. 2). It wasn’t necessarily the first look that created the problem for David but the extended stare provoked by a deep lust in his heart that led to an invitation for her to join him in his chamber.

Some things we should know about this woman; she was married and her husband, Uriah, was away fighting battles as a soldier in the king’s military. So, to complicate any already despicable situation, she became pregnant. David, rather than admitting his great failure and sin, sent for her husband in order to try to coerce him to lie with his wife, which he refused to do.

So, to make matters even worse, David sent word to the commander to put Uriah into a place in the battle where he would be killed which is just what took place. A short time later, David married Bathsheba. No doubt, David was enduring a tough time in his life at this point. His sin had separated him from GOD. In his heart, he knew he had committed a great many sins; but, his pride prevented him from attempting to make things right.

But, a loving GOD was not willing to just write David off. He was not willing to allow David’s enemy of pride to win this battle. He stepped into David’s situation through Nathan the prophet. Nathan, risking his own life, willingly went in before the king and exposed his sin.

At that moment of exposure, David stood at a crossroads in his life. He could continue in his prideful way and have Nathan executed or he could take back control and win the battle over his pride by humbling himself in the presence of GOD. David chose to claim the victory. His heart broke and the peace of GOD began to flow over him as he humbly confessed all his sins, faults and failures.

He cried out to GOD: “Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithful love; according to Your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion. Wash away my guilt, and cleanse me from my sin. For I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me. Against You-You alone-I have sinned and done this evil in Your sight. So You are right when You pass sentence; You are blameless when You judge” (Psalm 51:1-4 HCSB). Probably the single most humbling experience David ever passed through and yet it became a doorway to victory over his enemy and a restoration of peace with GOD.

Then David went further in his prayer recognizing a need for a complete cleaning and purification. He said: “God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not banish me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore the joy of Your salvation to me, and give me a willing spirit” (vv. 10 -12).

Perhaps you are going through life with a great deal of pent-up pain from past sins and failures that are holding you in bondage? Perhaps the enemy of pride has prevented you from letting go and letting GOD take over. Maybe you need to be broken before GOD today? Maybe your heart has hardened due to the influence of pride and sin preventing you from discovering GOD’s peace? It is time to come home. It is time to make peace with GOD by humbling your heart, confessing your sins and renewing your relationship with the Father.

Is there a battle raging in your heart? Has pride almost won the victory in your life? Give it to GOD today. Find His peace and restoration!

Scripture Reading: “Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithful love; according to Your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion. Wash away my guilt, and cleanse me from my sin. For I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me. Against You-You alone-I have sinned and done this evil in Your sight. So You are right when You pass sentence; You are blameless when You judge. Indeed, I was guilty when I was born; I was sinful when my mother conceived me. Surely You desire integrity in the inner self, and You teach me wisdom deep within. Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice. Turn Your face away from my sins and blot out all my guilt. God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not banish me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore the joy of Your salvation to me, and give me a willing spirit. Then I will teach the rebellious Your ways, and sinners will return to You. Save me from the guilt of bloodshed, God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness. Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise. You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it; You are not pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart. In Your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper; build the walls of Jerusalem. Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on Your altar” (Psalm 51).

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, I have sinned against You! I acknowledge to You that I have allowed my enemy of pride to influence my life and decisions to the point of my near destruction. Please forgive me. Give me the victory over my prideful spirit. Humble me in Your presence that I may worship, praise and adore only You! Forgive all my sins and failures and help me to walk in purity and holiness before You. I love You and thank You…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

Turning Your Difficulties into Victories!

How often do you find yourself going through life feeling bogged down by all the hardships and difficulties? It seems you finally gain one victory only to discover another problem staring you in the face? You begin to wonder if GOD really cares about you or has any concern about your problems and hardships?

Life is certainly filled with problems for all of us—it just wouldn’t be life otherwise. We can choose to accept the path we have been chosen to follow after and make the very best of it, learning as we go; or, we can continue feeling moving along bogged down by all the problems and difficulties.

James has a word that should encourage our hearts in these times. He tells us: “Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4 HCSB).

Now, I know that none of us takes pleasure in difficulties or considers our difficult times as something to find joy in. However, we can rest assured knowing that GOD can use these times to build us up, strengthen us and better equip us for the battles this life throws at us if we will only submit ourselves fully over to Him.

Paul dealt with this issue in his own life as well. He discovered there were some great positives to be gained through his personal experiences with difficulties. He said: “We also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope” (Romans 5:3-4 HCSB).

Paul recognized the fact that he wasn’t here for himself or for his own pleasure and self-gratitude. He recognized that life is all about bringing pleasure to GOD, pleasing GOD and helping others in order that they too may discover the saving power of Jesus Christ in their own lives. Whatever you are going through today, seek to discover the good that will come out of it. Allow the struggles to become victories. Turn your mountains of troubles into faith-building experiences.

Every new step you take, in faith, is a victory for you. Every giant you stare in the face and take authority over, in Jesus’ name, is another battle you have won. You have habits that need to be broken? You have changes in your life that really need to be made? GOD is willing to step in and help you through them all. Don’t allow your past failures to dictate your present world, move forward in the name and power of Jesus Christ making every day a new day and a new experience.

No matter how difficult your day appears, or how high that mountain has grown, or how loud that giant roars—victory is yours through Jesus Christ! Paul had his struggles, his difficulties, his hardships but he hung on to prize that was before him. Hang on to al GOD has in store for those who persevere to the end.

Think about what Paul said: “Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14 HCSB).

Scripture Reading: “Lord, how long will You continually forget me? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long will I store up anxious concerns within me, agony in my mind every day? How long will my enemy dominate me? Consider me and answer, Lord, my God. Restore brightness to my eyes; otherwise, I will sleep in death, my enemy will say, ‘I have triumphed over him,’ and my foes will rejoice because I am shaken. But I have trusted in Your faithful love; my heart will rejoice in Your deliverance. I will sing to the Lord because He has treated me generously” (Psalm 13 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father, I thank You for always being near me. I thank You that in the midst of my trails and difficulties, You are always there for me. I pray that You would give me the strength to keep going, the faith to keep trusting, the desire to keep serving You regardless of how tough life may be. Please forgive me when I fail and fall. Help me to get right back up and do it all over again. I love You and praise You for the promise of my salvation and the promise of an eternal heavenly reward awaiting me for my faithfulness and perseverance. Thank You, LORD…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

The Destructive Nature of Ungodly Choices

I remember well as a teenager my choice of closest friends was not always the best—okay, it probably wasn’t even good. It wasn’t that I necessarily had “bad” people for friends, it’s just their ideals and morals were unlike mine. Having been raised in a Christian home and environment, I had been “sheltered” to say the least. Given the opportunity to spread my wings as I moved into junior high and high school, I found myself drifting further away from my Christian beliefs.

I also remember well how my parents spent a great deal of time “railing” against my choice of friends. To an individual growing into a state of rebellion, as was taking place within me, a negative effect was unleashed. The choice was made to dig in and gravitate more toward the friendships and the moral decay they were producing.

In my heart, I knew I was doing wrong. I was well aware of Paul’s strong warning that: “Bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV). But, the good, Godly character that had once held a position of strong influence in my life had slowly eroded away as the waves of worldly influence were allowed to cycle in.

I actually had that verse memorized, quoted it to myself often and definitely recognized the destructive nature that I was allowing to course through my being through my poor judgement and choices. I was also keenly aware of the fact that my life had drifted away from the truths of God’s Word that I had once treasured into a world of deception, lies and deceit from the enemy.

Having had a call of God upon my life to be a preacher by age 13, Satan was determined to prevent such a thing from happening. He utilized my own lack of sensible choosing to continue drawing me down the wrong path—ultimately preventing me from fulfilling God’s call. Life became more and more like a roller coaster ride of choosing right for a time but quickly slipping back down the old path.

It seemed every time I would pull my act together for a time, I soon found myself slipping back into the old rut as the old friends appeared out of nowhere to beckon me back. The simple fact is I had choices to make. No one made me choose to follow a right path or a wrong path in life; I was given the freedom to choose. I understood there were consequences for my choices but my desire to follow after that which was conceived by my rebellious heart won out much too often.

I am certainly not happy nor do I glory in the outcome of my bad choices but through it all, God never left me. His Spirit continued to speak to my heart and gently nudge me to right choices. What I have become today is because God didn’t give up but helped me by His Spirit to make sound, right choices. As Paul said: “As for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through the cross, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14 HCSB). Definitely nothing I had done, but all what He had done for me!

We are all given the freedom to choose—to choose right from wrong, good from bad—and ultimately those choices result in an individual’s life outcome. Poor choices result in poor outcomes. You cannot blame anyone else for what you have become. Certainly your past, and situations in your past, can create barriers and obstacles to be overcome. Certainly, your upbringing lends a great deal to challenges you may have to overcome; but, with God’s help, a right attitude, and a desire to go the distance, you can become whatever you desire to become.

Choices confront you every day. Some offer only momentary satisfaction or meet a temporary need while others lend themselves to molding and shaping the rest of your life. I thank God that with His help, I eventually came to my senses, began making the right choices and got my life on track. Oh, I have still had my share of ups and downs, based on the choices I continued to make; but, God has helped me to find my direction through following Him, ingesting His Word into my life and fulfilling His call for my life.

Choose wisely! Choose your close friends and confidants wisely. Choose to worship God in a house of worship that offers strong Biblically-based discipleship training in the Word and offers Christian fellowship with people who have an intense love for God and for one another. Your choices will make or break you and the final outcome is based upon your choices from the very beginning.

Scripture Reading: “How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path of sinners, or join a group of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. He is like a tree planted beside streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. The wicked are not like this; instead, they are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not survive the judgment, and sinners will not be in the community of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to ruin” (Psalm 1 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, I have had my ups and downs. I’ve been through valleys I should’ve never trekked through. I have taken paths that You never intended for me to go down. But, in and through it all, You are with me. Please help me to submit my will over to You. Help me to base my decisions upon Your will, purpose and plan for my life. Help me to choose that which is right. I desire to please You, to honor You and to do Your will in all things. I love You and thank You for always being there for me…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!

Not Finished with Me Yet!

Have you ever heard the little song kids sing that goes: “He’s still working on me to make me what I oughta be….”? Although it is but a child’s jingle, the meaning in the song is immense. Coming into the family of GOD, we have a great many rough edges that need special care. We have past hurts and failures that need to be dealt with. There are always the bumps, bruises, and of course the strong will that simply says “I’m gonna do it my way no matter what!”

We look around the church and we see smiles on many faces but a great many of those are covering up deep pains on the inside that need to be cared for. But, it is hard to do! It is hard to get into other people’s problems and issues and help them to work through them. You know, I have enough problems of my own without having to deal with someone else’s.

We are instructed to help one another. Paul instructs us to: “encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 HCSB). In verse 14, he continues by telling us to: “warn those who are irresponsible, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” The writer to the Hebrews tells us we should: “be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24).

As I look back over times in my life when I was going through something tough or difficulties were prevailing in my life, I can see where GOD stepped in through a willing individual who offered up a word of encouragement or gave me a helping hand. I can see when difficult times confronted me that GOD would have someone standing close by with just the right word to pick me up.

It is important that we recognize not a one of us has topped out. We all face problems and difficulties at one time or another. Some will show they are going through things; others will just hide it inside. But, the fact remains; there are problems that are burning within the hearts of so many sitting in the pew today. So many that need a hand extended to them, a word of encouragement, or a kind act of love displayed.

Maybe things are going great for you today! Life has been treating you well. GOD can use you to reach into and to touch another individual’s life. GOD can use you in a special way today, if you simply make yourself available and be sensitive to those around you. Rather than condemning, try building up. Rather than judging, consider loving.

Maybe things have been rough for you lately? Maybe you are going through a really difficult time? GOD loves you and wants to bring you safely through your problem. He is right there for you desiring that you trust Him completely.

Work together, Church, at encouraging and building one another up as we go through this thing called life. Find someone you can speak words of life into today. Discover that GOD can use you to help someone get rid of the rough edges and the problem areas, to heal up the brokenness and hurts. Be sensitive and be blessed as you do so always recognizing that He isn’t finished with any of us yet!

Scripture Reading: “Protect me, God, for I take refuge in You. I said to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; I have no good besides You.’ As for the holy people who are in the land, they are the noble ones in whom is all my delight. The sorrows of those who take another god for themselves multiply; I will not pour out their drink offerings of blood, and I will not speak their names with my lips. Lord, You are my portion and my cup of blessing; You hold my future. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I will praise the Lord who counsels me- even at night my conscience instructs me. I keep the Lord in mind always. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my spirit rejoices; my body also rests securely. For You will not abandon me to Sheol; You will not allow Your Faithful One to see the Pit. You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures” (Psalm 16 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, I pray for Your help in my life today. Please help me to work through the problems I am facing. Help me to deal with the overwhelming issues. Relieve the stress that is so heavy upon me. Help me, O GOD, to be free to serve and worship You without the weight of my past and the burdens of my failures. Lord, I also ask You to help me to reach out and touch others today. Help me to be sensitive to the needs others have, the hurts they are going through, so that I may offer the right word or the simply show Your love and mercy to them. Lord, I love You and thank You for giving me peace in my life in the midst of life’s storms…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!