I recieved this email a few weeks ago and thought about sharing it. I guess now is the right time. Not sure if it is true or not, but it's a great story. I'm sure there is some truth to it.
=======================================================
A man from Norfolk , VA called a local radio station to share this on Sept 11th, 2003, TWO YEARS AFTER THE TRAGEDIES OF 9/11/2001.
His name was Robert Matthews. These are his words:
"A few weeks before Sept. 11th, my wife and I found out we were going to have our first child. She planned a trip out to California to visit her sister. On our way to the airport, we prayed that God would grant my wife a safe trip and be with her. Shortly after I said 'amen,' we both
heard a loud pop and the car shook violently.. We had blown out a tire. I replaced the tire as quickly as I could, but we still missed her flight. both very upset we drove home..
I received a call from my father who was retired NYFD. He asked what my wife's flight number was, but I explained that we missed the flight.
My father informed me that her flight was the one that crashed into the southern tower. I was too shocked to speak. My father also had more news for me; he was going to help. 'This is not something I can't just sit by for; I have to do something.'
I was concerned for his safety, of course, but more because he had never given his life to Christ. After a brief debate, I knew his mind was made up. Before he got off of the phone, he said, 'take good care of my grandchild.. Those were the last words I ever heard my father say; he died while helping in the rescue effort.
My joy that my prayer of safety for my wife had been answered quickly became anger. I was angry at God, at my father, and at myself. I had gone for nearly two years blaming God for taking my father away. My son would never know his grandfather, my father had never accepted Christ, and I never got to say good-bye.
Then something happened. About two months ago, I was sitting at home with my wife and my son, when there was a knock on the door. I looked at my wife, but I could tell she wasn't expecting anyone. I opened the door to a couple with a small child.
The man looked at me and asked if my father's name was Jake Matthews. I told him it was. He quickly grabbed my hand and said, 'I never got the chance to meet your father, but it is an honor to meet his son.'
He explained to me that his wife had worked in the World Trade Center and had been caught inside after the attack. She was pregnant and had been caught under debris. He then explained that my father had been the one to find his wife and freed her. My eyes welled up with tears as I thought of my father giving his life for people like this. He then said, 'there is something else you need to know.'
His wife then told me that as my father worked to free her, she talked to him and led him to Christ. I began sobbing at the news.
Now I know that when I get to Heaven, my father will be standing beside Jesus to welcome me, and that this family would be able to thank him themselves .
When their baby boy was born, they named him Jacob Matthew, in honor of the man who gave his life so that a mother and baby could live."
=======================================================
This story should help us to realize this: God is always in control.
We may not see the reason behind things and God is ALWAYS in control; all you have to do is trust in Him.
Until next time!
B
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
It Is Never To Late!
Today I was sitting at my desk cleaning it out for my move back to our Troy, MI office and came across a little notebook. In this notebook are journal entries from my past 5 years working in Perrysburg. I got to reading some of them and wow was I a bitter person. As I was reading them I tried to remember what was going on that caused me to write these awful entries. There are about 20 entries in this journal and 15 of them are all negative. I even cuss in a couple of them. The mood in the entries changed when I made the decision to get my life right, and get it right in more than one aspect.
In June of 2009 I stopped drinking pop, stopped eating fast food, and stopped a normal intake of caffeine. The only caffeine I get now is from chocolate, which I do not eat very much of in the first place. Kicking pop was one of the hardest things I have done in my life. Quitting cold turkey was very hard. It felt just like coming off of a drug. I had cold sweats, hot flashes, and a headache that would not go away no matter what I did or what I took for it. That went on for 6 days. On the 7th day I was fine. I woke up full of energy. As the months clicked by my wife noticed that more changes were happening. While I was on pop I was a horrible person. I was mean, moody and stressed and let that get the better of me every time. Andrea started to notice that I had changed for the better. That was just one aspect of getting my life right. The other was getting involved with a good church. Andrea returned to the church I grew up in. What a difference that made. I love going there and actually look forward to going to church again. Pastor Scott is a wonderful spirit filled pastor. I love every message he preaches. It has seemed for the better part of a year that every sermon has been just for me.
I know it has been a while since I wrote, but I felt the time was right to come out with this message. It is never too late to get your life right with yourself and especially with God. These are the things I changed to get my life right.
1.) Started praying and worshiping daily
2.) Kicked Pop, caffeine, and fast food.
3.) Forgave a lot of people that wronged me in my life.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9
Step #4 in this process of getting my life right is going on a diet and shedding a lot this weight I carry around. I'm not totally excited about it, but I have to do it for myself and more importantly my wife and kids. I want to be around to see them grow up.
I will keep you posted on how it is going. Andrea is doing this with me as well. Until next time!
Get your life right!!!!!
B
In June of 2009 I stopped drinking pop, stopped eating fast food, and stopped a normal intake of caffeine. The only caffeine I get now is from chocolate, which I do not eat very much of in the first place. Kicking pop was one of the hardest things I have done in my life. Quitting cold turkey was very hard. It felt just like coming off of a drug. I had cold sweats, hot flashes, and a headache that would not go away no matter what I did or what I took for it. That went on for 6 days. On the 7th day I was fine. I woke up full of energy. As the months clicked by my wife noticed that more changes were happening. While I was on pop I was a horrible person. I was mean, moody and stressed and let that get the better of me every time. Andrea started to notice that I had changed for the better. That was just one aspect of getting my life right. The other was getting involved with a good church. Andrea returned to the church I grew up in. What a difference that made. I love going there and actually look forward to going to church again. Pastor Scott is a wonderful spirit filled pastor. I love every message he preaches. It has seemed for the better part of a year that every sermon has been just for me.
I know it has been a while since I wrote, but I felt the time was right to come out with this message. It is never too late to get your life right with yourself and especially with God. These are the things I changed to get my life right.
1.) Started praying and worshiping daily
2.) Kicked Pop, caffeine, and fast food.
3.) Forgave a lot of people that wronged me in my life.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9
Step #4 in this process of getting my life right is going on a diet and shedding a lot this weight I carry around. I'm not totally excited about it, but I have to do it for myself and more importantly my wife and kids. I want to be around to see them grow up.
I will keep you posted on how it is going. Andrea is doing this with me as well. Until next time!
Get your life right!!!!!
B
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Forgive and Forget
I know it has been awhile since my last post. I have been dealing with something I want to talk about today, forgiveness. Forgiveness is not a feeling; it's not forgetting; it's not pretending you weren't hurt; it's not trusting the person again; it's not even reconciliation. Forgiveness is a DECISION you make to obey God. No one, not even God can make you forgive someone. You must decide to give up your right to hurt the person back. I forgive those who hurt me because God has forgiven me for the hurts I have caused him. Forgiveness protects the forgiver from himself. Forgiveness cancels a debt like Christ cancelled our debt. God says, "I do the punishing; all I want you to do is the forgiving." Forgiveness is a process, it takes time, but it is an act of grace that reflects God's treatment to us. When I forgive, I release God to work directly on the other person.
". . . forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." - Ephesians 4:32
When I refuse to forgive, I create a barrier between God and me and I can't pray. When I don't forgive I'm saying that what that person did to me is more important than going on with God.
I know I have truly forgiven when the love of God can flow through me to the person who wronged me. When my decisions are not controlled by the other person's behavior, I know I have forgiven. When I am free from the pain, anger and hatred towards that person and experiencing God's peace, I know I have truly forgiven.
This is something I still need to work on. My flesh really wants to be angry and the people that have hurt me in the past. God has really been tugging at my heart to forgive people so that my relationship can move forward. It doesn't happen overnight. Like I said earlier, it is a process. But I know if I walk in unforgiveness my relationship with God will not advance to the place He wants it to be. I have not told any of the people that I forgive them, but in my heart I have told God that I have forgiven them. My relationship with Him is moving forward, but there are still things I need to forgive people for in order to fullfill what God has planned for me.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9
I have noticed now that I have started forgiving people for past hurts that my life is moving forward in the right direction. It is truly better to forgive, than to live in unforgiveness and be angry all the time. Ask my wife, I am a much happier person these days because of changes God has help me make in my life.
Forgive and forget. It's just not worth the hurt.
Until next time!
B
". . . forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." - Ephesians 4:32
When I refuse to forgive, I create a barrier between God and me and I can't pray. When I don't forgive I'm saying that what that person did to me is more important than going on with God.
I know I have truly forgiven when the love of God can flow through me to the person who wronged me. When my decisions are not controlled by the other person's behavior, I know I have forgiven. When I am free from the pain, anger and hatred towards that person and experiencing God's peace, I know I have truly forgiven.
This is something I still need to work on. My flesh really wants to be angry and the people that have hurt me in the past. God has really been tugging at my heart to forgive people so that my relationship can move forward. It doesn't happen overnight. Like I said earlier, it is a process. But I know if I walk in unforgiveness my relationship with God will not advance to the place He wants it to be. I have not told any of the people that I forgive them, but in my heart I have told God that I have forgiven them. My relationship with Him is moving forward, but there are still things I need to forgive people for in order to fullfill what God has planned for me.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9
I have noticed now that I have started forgiving people for past hurts that my life is moving forward in the right direction. It is truly better to forgive, than to live in unforgiveness and be angry all the time. Ask my wife, I am a much happier person these days because of changes God has help me make in my life.
Forgive and forget. It's just not worth the hurt.
Until next time!
B
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Live Life, Not Death
You never know what you have until it’s gone. This morning I woke up to a voicemail from dad. I called him back and he informed me that my Grandpa Sheppard passed away in his sleep this morning sometime around 3:00am. He said when the nurse made her rounds during the night at the place where he was living they found him. In recent years he has been in and out of the hospital for various reasons. He had some health issues for awhile. We thought a couple of times he wasn’t going to make it through the night, but he did. I have been praying for a long time to God, that when the time came for Him to take him home that it would peaceful and in his sleep. Well, God answered my prayer this morning. It was his time. Did I want him to leave us, or course not; he is my grandpa. I am the oldest of all the grandkids, so I have known him the longest, but I was furthest away. Before my grandma died a few years back I remember when they would come and stay with my parents in Dryden for almost an entire month. It was something I looked forward to every year. I always made it a point to go up there and see them. My biggest joy in seeing them was playing cards with them. We would play late into the night. It was always a fun time during the summer for me. My grandpa was the one that taught me how to fish. Sure my dad taught me to, but I learned a lot from grandpa as well. I have good memories of him to keep me company not that he is gone. But he is not gone totally. I will see him again. Just this year my dad had the opportunity to lead him to the Lord. So I know I will see him again in heaven when I get there.
In a way we all die twice in life. Once when we are born again and then when we are called home to be with our Savior. In 1 Peter 3:18 is says, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:”
Receive Jesus as your Savior: If we believe our sinful condition, recognize we deserve an eternal Hell, desire to turn from our sin and be made clean, understand that we are unable to make ourselves clean, and recognize the Sacrifice of Jesus as our only means of Eternal Life, then we now must open the door of our heart and ask Him inside.
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock - if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him." - Revelation 3:20
“As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” - John 1:12
If you truly understand and believe, I urge you to ask Jesus into your life - do not delay!
“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” - Hebrews 3:15.
Tell Him you believe in His sacrifice as complete forgiveness for your sins and ask Him to be your Savior. If you have come this far, do not let another moment go by!! There’s no special prayer required. Simply tell Him you believe and ask Him to save you. Pray a prayer something like this:
Dear God, I know that I am a sinner who deserves an eternal death. I desire to turn from my sin, but I know that on my own, I can never achieve a sinless life. Left on my own I will be forever separated from You. I believe that Jesus Christ died and rose again as an eternal sacrifice for my sin. I accept the gift of Jesus and ask Him into my life as my Savior. Amen.
If this was prayed with a sincere heart, you are from this very moment, His Child. You have been "born again" (John 3:3), made a "new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17), and will one day enter into the Kingdom of God (Heaven).
If you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, you will want to begin your new life. You will want to know how to walk with Him, talk with Him, worship Him, and learn how to have His peace in your life. This isn't a requirement for Salvation. But a true understanding of the gift of Salvation naturally leads to a desire to fellowship and walk closer with your Savior. It leads to a heart of thanksgiving and a desire to praise Him. I encourage you to begin your Christian walk today!
Life is too short. If where to die right now, do you know in your heart where you spend eternity? I do!
Live life, NOT death.
B
In a way we all die twice in life. Once when we are born again and then when we are called home to be with our Savior. In 1 Peter 3:18 is says, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:”
Receive Jesus as your Savior: If we believe our sinful condition, recognize we deserve an eternal Hell, desire to turn from our sin and be made clean, understand that we are unable to make ourselves clean, and recognize the Sacrifice of Jesus as our only means of Eternal Life, then we now must open the door of our heart and ask Him inside.
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock - if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him." - Revelation 3:20
“As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” - John 1:12
If you truly understand and believe, I urge you to ask Jesus into your life - do not delay!
“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” - Hebrews 3:15.
Tell Him you believe in His sacrifice as complete forgiveness for your sins and ask Him to be your Savior. If you have come this far, do not let another moment go by!! There’s no special prayer required. Simply tell Him you believe and ask Him to save you. Pray a prayer something like this:
Dear God, I know that I am a sinner who deserves an eternal death. I desire to turn from my sin, but I know that on my own, I can never achieve a sinless life. Left on my own I will be forever separated from You. I believe that Jesus Christ died and rose again as an eternal sacrifice for my sin. I accept the gift of Jesus and ask Him into my life as my Savior. Amen.
If this was prayed with a sincere heart, you are from this very moment, His Child. You have been "born again" (John 3:3), made a "new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17), and will one day enter into the Kingdom of God (Heaven).
If you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, you will want to begin your new life. You will want to know how to walk with Him, talk with Him, worship Him, and learn how to have His peace in your life. This isn't a requirement for Salvation. But a true understanding of the gift of Salvation naturally leads to a desire to fellowship and walk closer with your Savior. It leads to a heart of thanksgiving and a desire to praise Him. I encourage you to begin your Christian walk today!
Life is too short. If where to die right now, do you know in your heart where you spend eternity? I do!
Live life, NOT death.
B
Monday, August 16, 2010
Let Me Talk To Daddy!
As most of you know I have a daughter and one on the way. Emma is three and a half going on sixteen. I love it when Andrea calls me at work and hear her in the background singing or playing. Then I hear her closer to the phone and she says, “Who is it”. Andrea will say, “It’s daddy”. This is my favorite part, Emma will respond with, “Let me talk to daddy”. I love hearing that. It’s even funnier when she is on the phone with me and Andrea is trying to talk to her too. She says, “Shhh mommy, I’m on the phone with daddy”. Having children really changes a person. You are responsible for that little life. You need to feed it, teach it, cloth it, and love it.
God would love for us to say the same things. How often do we only call on God when we need something? God if You just get me this or get me out of that, or fix this problem it would enable me to serve you better. I don’t know about you, but something else always comes up after that problem is fixed or that situation is over. How often do we come to God with our little list of things we want, but aren’t really ready to do anything for them. If the things on your list are not what God wants for your life then you aren’t going to get them. Some of the things that were on my list where pretty selfish. I have since changed my list to only one thing. I pray, God whatever You have in store for my life please give me the tools so that I may do Your work. Nothing else matters to me. Sure my flesh would love a new Xbox 360, a car, or even a bigger TV for my man cave, but those are just things. They will not help me in anyway accomplish His plan for my life. We also need to quite the “world” in our lives. Shut off TV, disconnect the internet and seek Him for direction.
(4) "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, no more can you, unless you abide in Me. (5) "I am the vine, you are the branches. He that abides in Me and I in Him, the same brings forth much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing.” – John 15:4,5
The main purpose for your life is to stay in Christ and walk well pleasing before the Lord. Without Him you cannot accomplish anything for His Kingdom. Abiding in Him is the target, if your desire is to produce fruit.
“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” - Romans 8:29-30
Until next time, Let's Talk To Daddy!
B
God would love for us to say the same things. How often do we only call on God when we need something? God if You just get me this or get me out of that, or fix this problem it would enable me to serve you better. I don’t know about you, but something else always comes up after that problem is fixed or that situation is over. How often do we come to God with our little list of things we want, but aren’t really ready to do anything for them. If the things on your list are not what God wants for your life then you aren’t going to get them. Some of the things that were on my list where pretty selfish. I have since changed my list to only one thing. I pray, God whatever You have in store for my life please give me the tools so that I may do Your work. Nothing else matters to me. Sure my flesh would love a new Xbox 360, a car, or even a bigger TV for my man cave, but those are just things. They will not help me in anyway accomplish His plan for my life. We also need to quite the “world” in our lives. Shut off TV, disconnect the internet and seek Him for direction.
(4) "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, no more can you, unless you abide in Me. (5) "I am the vine, you are the branches. He that abides in Me and I in Him, the same brings forth much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing.” – John 15:4,5
The main purpose for your life is to stay in Christ and walk well pleasing before the Lord. Without Him you cannot accomplish anything for His Kingdom. Abiding in Him is the target, if your desire is to produce fruit.
“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” - Romans 8:29-30
Until next time, Let's Talk To Daddy!
B
Saturday, August 14, 2010
The Pickle Is the Extra Step
A few years ago my wife and I were going through the drive thru at White Castle (a.k.a. WC Lounge). I ordered a sack 10 with no pickles. She ordered some with extra everything. WC is slow anyway. I just told here to forget about the toppings. She then said it would take longer for them to make mine without pickles. I preceeded to say, "The pickle is the extra step." Have you ever seen them make the burgers? They put the pickles on last, thus in my case the pickle is the extra step. She still teases me to this day about that.
When we are first born again we are on fire for God. We want nothing more than to be where He is and please Him as much as we can. How often does the pickle become our extra step. When things are going well we sometime tend to take the lead and put God in the back seat. When we do that we are putting the pickle (our flesh) in the way of God's direction.
"(3)"For you are my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your name's sake, Lead me and guide me. (4)Pull me out of the net they have secretly laid for me." - Psalm 31:3-4
God has really been dealing with my spirit the past couple of weeks. I really think there is a move of God on the way and we need to be ready for it. I started this blog because God told me to. I had been asking Him for a while what to write about. Since I have been back at Zion and getting involved I think God is calling me to be something more. He is calling of us to be something more. When we are first born again God appears to us. After some time of "going through the motion" we get beat down with everything this world is bombarding us with. Some of us just give and try to make it by our own means. When we do that we effectively put the pickle in our relationship with God. After a while we get that sour taste in our mouth and want something to change. That is when we run back to Him.
If you are making the extra step by putting the pickle in your relationship with God. Wake up and cut it out. Sorry for being blunt, but sometimes you need to be shaken and broken before God can use you. He is the potter and we are the clay. He molds us into who He wants us to be. You never see a potter talking to his clay saying, "Be something". No, he puts water on it, molds it, and shapes it into what he wants. He might be making a cup, or a bowl, or a whatever. The point is God does that with us. He shapes us into what He needs for His purpose. Once you realize that and take the pickle out of the realtionship (your flesh) God will do what He needs to do in your life for His purpose.
Until next time!
B
When we are first born again we are on fire for God. We want nothing more than to be where He is and please Him as much as we can. How often does the pickle become our extra step. When things are going well we sometime tend to take the lead and put God in the back seat. When we do that we are putting the pickle (our flesh) in the way of God's direction.
"(3)"For you are my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your name's sake, Lead me and guide me. (4)Pull me out of the net they have secretly laid for me." - Psalm 31:3-4
God has really been dealing with my spirit the past couple of weeks. I really think there is a move of God on the way and we need to be ready for it. I started this blog because God told me to. I had been asking Him for a while what to write about. Since I have been back at Zion and getting involved I think God is calling me to be something more. He is calling of us to be something more. When we are first born again God appears to us. After some time of "going through the motion" we get beat down with everything this world is bombarding us with. Some of us just give and try to make it by our own means. When we do that we effectively put the pickle in our relationship with God. After a while we get that sour taste in our mouth and want something to change. That is when we run back to Him.
If you are making the extra step by putting the pickle in your relationship with God. Wake up and cut it out. Sorry for being blunt, but sometimes you need to be shaken and broken before God can use you. He is the potter and we are the clay. He molds us into who He wants us to be. You never see a potter talking to his clay saying, "Be something". No, he puts water on it, molds it, and shapes it into what he wants. He might be making a cup, or a bowl, or a whatever. The point is God does that with us. He shapes us into what He needs for His purpose. Once you realize that and take the pickle out of the realtionship (your flesh) God will do what He needs to do in your life for His purpose.
Until next time!
B
Friday, August 13, 2010
Man, Not Today!
Have you ever woken up from sleep and from that very moment everything has gone wrong? All you want to do is go back to bed and wake up in a few hours to a more pleasant day. Well today I am having one of those days. I woke up this morning and nothing has gone right for me all day. We recently got new box springs for our bed. I am still getting used to them being on a frame now. Long story about that for another time. I got up this morning and jammed my heel on the new bed frame. It felt like I had just ripped off my foot. I’m fine now, nothing actually happened to it, just slammed it real hard. I’m getting out of the shower and realize I left my towel on my bed. So I have to walk soaking wet to the bed and back to dry off. Now there is water all over the carpet. I can’t tell you how much I hate stepping in water when I don’t want to get wet, especially when I already have socks on. After that was done I went downstairs to do my hair. That didn’t go very well either. Somehow I got gel all over my shirt. So back upstairs to change. I finally get in the car and start my drive to work and I hit every stop light and found every slow poke on the road the entire drive to work. I finally get to work and have to deal with customers and sales reps, which I normally have no problem doing. I was just not in any mood to deal with anyone or even be at work for that matter.
So I’m sitting here listening to music and on comes this song by Danny Cox called “Jesus Make Me Small”. In case you didn’t know Danny is the worship leader at Kensington Church in Troy, MI. Anyway, it talks about making us small, and God breaking walls. Here are some of the words.
Please come and let me see you
Please come and break these walls
Please come and let me see you
O Jesus make me small
Cause I’ve tried it on my own
And I couldn’t get that far
So I had it all to you now
Cause in my weakness you are strong
Please come and let me see you
Please come and break these walls
Please come and let me see you
O Jesus make me small
Cause I’m humbled by your face
And I’m inspired by your Word
And what you did on the cross
Lord, you came and saved this world
Please come and let me see you (Open up my eyes, Lord)
Please come and break these walls (Break these walls in my heart)
Please come and let me see you
O Jesus make me small
“Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.” – Psalm 122:7
A lot of times when things don’t go our way or we are having a bad day remember that God is there for you. In 1 Peter 5:7-11 it says, “(7) Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you. (8) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: (9) Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (10) But the God of all grace, who has called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. (11) To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
Cast all your cares and worries on Jesus. You don’t need to be bothered by them. Jesus died so we can bring anything to Him. So if you are having a rough day, sit down and take a minute and pray. Pray that God that will free you from your issues of the day so you can have peace. It only takes a minute to ask for help. I did and I feel much better.
Until next time!
B
So I’m sitting here listening to music and on comes this song by Danny Cox called “Jesus Make Me Small”. In case you didn’t know Danny is the worship leader at Kensington Church in Troy, MI. Anyway, it talks about making us small, and God breaking walls. Here are some of the words.
Please come and let me see you
Please come and break these walls
Please come and let me see you
O Jesus make me small
Cause I’ve tried it on my own
And I couldn’t get that far
So I had it all to you now
Cause in my weakness you are strong
Please come and let me see you
Please come and break these walls
Please come and let me see you
O Jesus make me small
Cause I’m humbled by your face
And I’m inspired by your Word
And what you did on the cross
Lord, you came and saved this world
Please come and let me see you (Open up my eyes, Lord)
Please come and break these walls (Break these walls in my heart)
Please come and let me see you
O Jesus make me small
“Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.” – Psalm 122:7
A lot of times when things don’t go our way or we are having a bad day remember that God is there for you. In 1 Peter 5:7-11 it says, “(7) Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you. (8) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: (9) Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (10) But the God of all grace, who has called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. (11) To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
Cast all your cares and worries on Jesus. You don’t need to be bothered by them. Jesus died so we can bring anything to Him. So if you are having a rough day, sit down and take a minute and pray. Pray that God that will free you from your issues of the day so you can have peace. It only takes a minute to ask for help. I did and I feel much better.
Until next time!
B
Thursday, August 12, 2010
T.G.I.F.
Today God Is First (T.G.I.F.). What does that mean exactly? Well to me it means this. Put God into everything you do. I posted something like this before, but felt pressed to say it again. This is something that was taught to me from my dad. Being the Christian dad he is he wanted me to understand that if I do everything like I am doing for God then God will bless anything I do. I know sometimes that is hard because we have this little thing called flesh. The flesh is lazy and likes to take the easy road. I have found several times in my life that if I take the easy road just to get something done it almost always turns out wrong or bad for me. Take my job for example. I am a technical editor for a large aftermarket brake company. I manage a database of parts, when I take the easy road things get messed up. Parts get put on the wrong vehicles and all matter of chaos ensues. When that happens it takes a lot more time to fix the problem than actually doing it right the first time. Doing it right the first would have been my best.
“Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” - Matthew 6:33
Put Trust in God First: Jesus never put His trust in any person. Yet He was never suspicious, never bitter, and never lost hope for anyone, because He put His trust in God first. He trusted absolutely in what God’s grace could do for others. If we put our trust in people first, the end result will be your despair and hopelessness toward everyone. You will become bitter because you have insisted that people be what no person can ever be— absolutely perfect and right. Never trust anything in yourself or in anyone else, except the grace of God.
Put God’s Will First: “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God” - Hebrews 10:9. God’s obedience was to the will of His Father. People are dying without God. We must go and tell them about Him.” But we must first make sure that God’s “needs” and His will in us personally are being met. Jesus said, “. . . tarry . . . until you are endued with power from on high” – Luke 24:49. The purpose of our training is to get us into the right relationship with God and His will.
True success always begins with putting God first. Putting God first includes looking to Him as our source to His resources. How much does God care for us? Each one of us is made in His image and after His likeness. Seek God first (who He is) and then look for His hand. It’s pointing in the direction leading to His resources.
T.G.I.F.
Until next time!
B
“Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” - Matthew 6:33
Put Trust in God First: Jesus never put His trust in any person. Yet He was never suspicious, never bitter, and never lost hope for anyone, because He put His trust in God first. He trusted absolutely in what God’s grace could do for others. If we put our trust in people first, the end result will be your despair and hopelessness toward everyone. You will become bitter because you have insisted that people be what no person can ever be— absolutely perfect and right. Never trust anything in yourself or in anyone else, except the grace of God.
Put God’s Will First: “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God” - Hebrews 10:9. God’s obedience was to the will of His Father. People are dying without God. We must go and tell them about Him.” But we must first make sure that God’s “needs” and His will in us personally are being met. Jesus said, “. . . tarry . . . until you are endued with power from on high” – Luke 24:49. The purpose of our training is to get us into the right relationship with God and His will.
True success always begins with putting God first. Putting God first includes looking to Him as our source to His resources. How much does God care for us? Each one of us is made in His image and after His likeness. Seek God first (who He is) and then look for His hand. It’s pointing in the direction leading to His resources.
T.G.I.F.
Until next time!
B
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Live Love Not Hate!
I remember just a short time ago, about a year and a half; I was a very bitter person. I would get angry at the drop of a hat. Road rage was a very large part of my bitterness and hate towards others. I drive a long way to work, 48 miles one way. That is approx 500 miles a week just going to work and back. So needless to say I spend a lot of time in my car. A year and half ago I hated my job, I hated myself, and I hated my life. Often I would come home from work and already be raging from the drive home and the day I let myself have. I quite regularly would explode at the smallest little thing that really wasn’t that big of a deal. That explosion was directed at people that it shouldn’t have been directed at. People that I loved and I knew that loved me for who I was not what I was. For 5 years I was like this. I hurt many of the people in my life that cared about me. Mainly my wife, but she hung in there until God changed me. She recently told me that she prayed for this change to happen for a long time. Well baby...........I’m back from the dead.
I want to share a little bit about God’s love and how it changed my life. Sure I heard them as a child, but never really knew what exactly they meant till now.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. All the special gifts and powers from God will someday come to an end, but love goes on forever.” - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV)
Here are fourteen ingredients of love.
Love is patient: Literally love suffers long; it has a long fuse. When Jesus was wronged, he was patient and silent.
Love is kind: Love is going out of our way to be full of grace toward others.
Love does not envy: Unconditional love desires the best for others. Our main goal is for our beloved to be all God intends them to be.
Love does not boast: Jesus never showed off. His greatness is often revealed in what He suppressed, rather than what He did or said.
Love is not proud: God's love is not arrogant. Pride is inflated selfishness. Love is genuine humility.
Love is not rude: It is never inconsiderate or inattentive.
Love is not self-seeking: God's love does not grasp for its own rights. This rules out selfish, conditional types of love -- the "I love you if", and the "I love you because" loves.
Love is not easily angered: It does not become irritated, it is not touchy. Jesus never retaliated when wronged. He never grumbled or had a bad temper. (His temple-cleansing was a controlled and calculated response.)
Love keeps no record of wrongs: God's love forgives and forgets. Jesus came to blot out our sins and remember them no more.
Love does not delight in evil but it rejoices in truth: Love is never glad when others do wrong or wrongs happen to others. It does not delight in the weakness of others. It does not gloat or gossip.
Love always trusts, and believes all things: God's love gives the benefit of the doubt. It is loyal, yet not gullible. It is tolerant in judging others.
Love always hopes: It never takes failure as final. It always looks toward the future, not the past.
Love always perseveres: It endures all. God's love can not be conquered. If we endure with Christ, we will reign with Him.
Love goes on forever: Love is eternal. It never fails. It never loses strength. It never leaves its place. It is immovable and indefatigable.
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” - 1 John 4:16 (NIV)
The goal for us is to be more like Him. Try something for me. Re-read the above ingredients and replace Love with your name. If you feel in your heart and in your spirit your name doesn’t fit into any one of those, pray to God that he will change you. While we will never be perfect, I believe that it pleases God greatly for us to be growing, progressing toward perfection -- and not just be static. So what we really have here are fourteen qualities or values for being Christ-like.
Live love, NOT hate!
B
I want to share a little bit about God’s love and how it changed my life. Sure I heard them as a child, but never really knew what exactly they meant till now.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. All the special gifts and powers from God will someday come to an end, but love goes on forever.” - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV)
Here are fourteen ingredients of love.
Love is patient: Literally love suffers long; it has a long fuse. When Jesus was wronged, he was patient and silent.
Love is kind: Love is going out of our way to be full of grace toward others.
Love does not envy: Unconditional love desires the best for others. Our main goal is for our beloved to be all God intends them to be.
Love does not boast: Jesus never showed off. His greatness is often revealed in what He suppressed, rather than what He did or said.
Love is not proud: God's love is not arrogant. Pride is inflated selfishness. Love is genuine humility.
Love is not rude: It is never inconsiderate or inattentive.
Love is not self-seeking: God's love does not grasp for its own rights. This rules out selfish, conditional types of love -- the "I love you if", and the "I love you because" loves.
Love is not easily angered: It does not become irritated, it is not touchy. Jesus never retaliated when wronged. He never grumbled or had a bad temper. (His temple-cleansing was a controlled and calculated response.)
Love keeps no record of wrongs: God's love forgives and forgets. Jesus came to blot out our sins and remember them no more.
Love does not delight in evil but it rejoices in truth: Love is never glad when others do wrong or wrongs happen to others. It does not delight in the weakness of others. It does not gloat or gossip.
Love always trusts, and believes all things: God's love gives the benefit of the doubt. It is loyal, yet not gullible. It is tolerant in judging others.
Love always hopes: It never takes failure as final. It always looks toward the future, not the past.
Love always perseveres: It endures all. God's love can not be conquered. If we endure with Christ, we will reign with Him.
Love goes on forever: Love is eternal. It never fails. It never loses strength. It never leaves its place. It is immovable and indefatigable.
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” - 1 John 4:16 (NIV)
The goal for us is to be more like Him. Try something for me. Re-read the above ingredients and replace Love with your name. If you feel in your heart and in your spirit your name doesn’t fit into any one of those, pray to God that he will change you. While we will never be perfect, I believe that it pleases God greatly for us to be growing, progressing toward perfection -- and not just be static. So what we really have here are fourteen qualities or values for being Christ-like.
Live love, NOT hate!
B
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Live Faith, Not Fear!
As I was sitting here thinking about a post from my friends blog about fear. I thought God was telling to me write one as well. Not to copy my friend, but to let people know. I have many different friends than he does. Fear is a powerful emotion. After reading his blog I started thinking about when I was a kid, about 7. I had the big room in the house and I had a double closet with wooden doors. Laying in bed at night in certain light the knots in the wood looked an evil face. At least it did to me in the dark. I remember it would paralyze me to the point I would shake and ultimately call for mom or dad. Whoever decided to get up and see what I calling them for; they would always ask me what was wrong and pray with me. Most of the time it worked and I fell right to sleep, sometime before the prayer was finished. I eventually solved the problem and slept with closet doors open. I remember other times I had really bad dreams. I used to have the same dream all the time. It started with me playing with my brother in his room. For some reason it was dark out and the lights were off, but the hall light was on. My brother and I were playing and all of sudden a shadow on the floor would catch my eye coming from the direction of my room. Mine was at the end of the hall. And then peeking around the corner of my brother’s bedroom door would be an evil figure. Back then it looked like Dracula to me. At this point in the dream I was frozen in place. My heart was pounding and I started to cry. The figure would get more and more revealed in the doorway and then out of nowhere it would run at me. That’s when I would wake up yelling for mom and dad again. One of them would come in and comfort me and pray with me and I would fall back to sleep. That dream started for me around age 8 and stayed with me till I was 16.
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity— of cowardice, of craven, cringing and fawning fear. But He has given us a spirit of power, and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control” (2 Tim 1:7 Amp).
Fear is a powerful tool that the enemy uses on us. Sometimes it can be as easy as fearing fear. I know many people that have had bouts with fear. Fear is an unpleasant, often strong emotion caused by expectation or awareness of danger; anxious concern, panic or terror. God has given us authority. He has empowered us through the blood of Jesus Christ to rule over anything that is not of Him. He has put us in control of fear. He has given us the power to rule over fear so fear cannot come in and control us unless we let it. Some examples of fear include, but are not limited to:
Fear as a spirit: Fear can be an evil spirit that the enemy has sent to attack us (like the one in my dream). When we have an evil spirit attacking us, we cast it out in the name of Jesus. We are in a spiritual war and we need to realize that when fear tries to attack us, it is spiritual war time. We need to take authority over that spirit of fear and deal with it.
Fear as sin: When we allow fear to control our lives, we are moving in doubt and unbelief, we are not moving in faith and have allowed sin to creep in. The enemies kingdom is founded on fear and God’s kingdom is founded on faith. They are total opposites. We cannot have both operating at the same time. “Whatever is not from faith is sin” (Rom. 14:23b NKJ).
Fear as torment: Fear is relentless; it will pound us and pressure us. If we open a door to fear, it will attack us physically, mentally and spiritually. Fear keeps us from maturing. It keeps us from walking in God’s love and being convinced that He loves us. It also keeps us from realizing that Jesus has already delivered us from fear.
“There is no fear in love— dread does not exist; but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out- of- doors and expels every trace of terror. For fear brings with it the thought of punishment. And so he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love— is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection” (1 John 4:18 Amp).
Fear as a producer: Some of the fruits of fear are depression, despair, hopelessness and discouragement. If the enemy can get us to have this negative fruit in our lives, we have no ability to conquer fear. We need to allow faith, not fear, to be a producer in our lives. God is good; He is faithful! When you are believing the Lord for something, He will never let you down if what you desire is according to His Word.
The above examples of fear were taken from a devotional I found online called “Ruling Over Fear”.
It is my prayer that if anyone is struggling with fear that you be set free by the Power of Jesus name.
Live faith, NOT fear.
B
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity— of cowardice, of craven, cringing and fawning fear. But He has given us a spirit of power, and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control” (2 Tim 1:7 Amp).
Fear is a powerful tool that the enemy uses on us. Sometimes it can be as easy as fearing fear. I know many people that have had bouts with fear. Fear is an unpleasant, often strong emotion caused by expectation or awareness of danger; anxious concern, panic or terror. God has given us authority. He has empowered us through the blood of Jesus Christ to rule over anything that is not of Him. He has put us in control of fear. He has given us the power to rule over fear so fear cannot come in and control us unless we let it. Some examples of fear include, but are not limited to:
Fear as a spirit: Fear can be an evil spirit that the enemy has sent to attack us (like the one in my dream). When we have an evil spirit attacking us, we cast it out in the name of Jesus. We are in a spiritual war and we need to realize that when fear tries to attack us, it is spiritual war time. We need to take authority over that spirit of fear and deal with it.
Fear as sin: When we allow fear to control our lives, we are moving in doubt and unbelief, we are not moving in faith and have allowed sin to creep in. The enemies kingdom is founded on fear and God’s kingdom is founded on faith. They are total opposites. We cannot have both operating at the same time. “Whatever is not from faith is sin” (Rom. 14:23b NKJ).
Fear as torment: Fear is relentless; it will pound us and pressure us. If we open a door to fear, it will attack us physically, mentally and spiritually. Fear keeps us from maturing. It keeps us from walking in God’s love and being convinced that He loves us. It also keeps us from realizing that Jesus has already delivered us from fear.
“There is no fear in love— dread does not exist; but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out- of- doors and expels every trace of terror. For fear brings with it the thought of punishment. And so he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love— is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection” (1 John 4:18 Amp).
Fear as a producer: Some of the fruits of fear are depression, despair, hopelessness and discouragement. If the enemy can get us to have this negative fruit in our lives, we have no ability to conquer fear. We need to allow faith, not fear, to be a producer in our lives. God is good; He is faithful! When you are believing the Lord for something, He will never let you down if what you desire is according to His Word.
The above examples of fear were taken from a devotional I found online called “Ruling Over Fear”.
It is my prayer that if anyone is struggling with fear that you be set free by the Power of Jesus name.
Live faith, NOT fear.
B
Monday, August 9, 2010
Awe Struck
Yesterday, on my drive to church, I was listening to some music and just looking around while I was driving. It was 7am, the sun was out, and the air was fresh (well as fresh as it can be in Detroit). As I was driving, I was looking at all the things we have. I saw birds, trees, bugs hitting my window and the sun shining in my face. Then this came to my mind.
“(1) In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (2) And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.” – Genesis 1:1-2
I have traveled to a lot of different places. I have been to most of the states on the east coast from Virginia to Florida, and as west as Missouri. I have been further west, but not on a regular basis. My favorite place to go is the mountains - the Smoky Mountains to be exact. If you have never been, you should go. My parents first took my brother and me camping there when we were very little, and I have been back several times. It is a very beautiful place to be! Gatlinburg, Tennessee is place I have visited the most. The last time I was down there was about four years ago. We all took a family trip; Andrea, Reba, Mom, Dad and I all went and rented a cabin in the mountains. When I woke up every morning, I would find myself sitting on the deck just looking at the beauty that had been created - the birds, the bears and trees, right down to the smallest bugs. I couldn’t help but wonder how it all came to be. I know how it got there, but I never really thought about it. I sat there and thought “If God can create this, there is no limited to Him.” Take a person for instance. How in the world can we think we evolved from an ape? We are so complex, it is unfathomable. We each have our own personality, our own way of thinking, and the free will to make whatever choice we want. We were created in God’s own image. God created us to have a relationship with us. Someone to talk to, someone we can confide in. The Bible says that Adam walked with God in the cool of the day. How awesome would that be to actually walk with God? Well, you can walk with Him, which is what being born again is all about - a personal and intimate relationship with Him. God wants nothing more than for us to be with Him.
Pastor Scott said yesterday during worship that many of us are beaten down by the things of this world. He then told a little story about Jacob. When Jacob was in Bethel, he made an altar unto God. It was there that God appeared to him. We need to get back to that place where God appeared to us; we need to get back to our Bethel. In this day and time, I cannot stress this enough. I was in this same place. I was beaten down by what I was doing and what was influencing me in the world. I had to get back to my Bethel, and let me tell you, IT’S AWESOME HERE. I can’t believe I ever left.
If you want to read about Jacob and Bethel, read Genesis, chapter 35.
Until next time!!
B
“(1) In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (2) And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.” – Genesis 1:1-2
I have traveled to a lot of different places. I have been to most of the states on the east coast from Virginia to Florida, and as west as Missouri. I have been further west, but not on a regular basis. My favorite place to go is the mountains - the Smoky Mountains to be exact. If you have never been, you should go. My parents first took my brother and me camping there when we were very little, and I have been back several times. It is a very beautiful place to be! Gatlinburg, Tennessee is place I have visited the most. The last time I was down there was about four years ago. We all took a family trip; Andrea, Reba, Mom, Dad and I all went and rented a cabin in the mountains. When I woke up every morning, I would find myself sitting on the deck just looking at the beauty that had been created - the birds, the bears and trees, right down to the smallest bugs. I couldn’t help but wonder how it all came to be. I know how it got there, but I never really thought about it. I sat there and thought “If God can create this, there is no limited to Him.” Take a person for instance. How in the world can we think we evolved from an ape? We are so complex, it is unfathomable. We each have our own personality, our own way of thinking, and the free will to make whatever choice we want. We were created in God’s own image. God created us to have a relationship with us. Someone to talk to, someone we can confide in. The Bible says that Adam walked with God in the cool of the day. How awesome would that be to actually walk with God? Well, you can walk with Him, which is what being born again is all about - a personal and intimate relationship with Him. God wants nothing more than for us to be with Him.
Pastor Scott said yesterday during worship that many of us are beaten down by the things of this world. He then told a little story about Jacob. When Jacob was in Bethel, he made an altar unto God. It was there that God appeared to him. We need to get back to that place where God appeared to us; we need to get back to our Bethel. In this day and time, I cannot stress this enough. I was in this same place. I was beaten down by what I was doing and what was influencing me in the world. I had to get back to my Bethel, and let me tell you, IT’S AWESOME HERE. I can’t believe I ever left.
If you want to read about Jacob and Bethel, read Genesis, chapter 35.
Until next time!!
B
Friday, August 6, 2010
Confused!
God, my spirit is left wanting something more than my selfish hopes and my selfish dreams. I'm lying with my face down to the floor. I'm crying out for more. Give me words to speak, God. Don't let my spirit sleep. Because I can't think of anything worth saying, but I know that I owe You my life. So give me words to speak. Every night and every day I find that I have nothing left to say. So I stand here in silence awaiting Your guidance. I'm wanting only Your voice to be heard. Let them be Your words. Amen.
That is my prayer. How often do we find ourselves having nothing to say to God? Or wanting to say something but don't know how to approach Him with what is on our mind?
(5)"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. (6)But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (7)And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. (8)Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." - Matthew 6:5-8 (NIV)
You don't have to be all Thees and Thous with God. Just talk to Him like you would talk to a friend. After all, that is what He is. He should be your ultimate friend. Someone you can talk to about anything. Believe me I am no expert on how to pray. I still can't pray out loud in front of anyone. But I can talk with God in my private time. We talk all the time. Sometimes He even wakes me up in the middle of the night to tell me something. My flesh doesn't like it, but if my heart is open and my mind is clear I soon know why I am up at 2:00 am. Not because of a baby crying, but because God has to tell me something or show me something that He is so excited for. Or even for me to pray for someone that needs prayer right then for something. When you have a healthy prayer life things will happen.
At the beginning of this post I wrote out what I called a prayer. If those words sounded familar to you, they should be. It is from a song from Aaron Shust call "Give Me Words to Speak".
In closing, I want to challenge you to pray, worship, and read the Word and just see if your life or situations don't improve. I guarentee they will in some form or another. Now don't expect for it to happen over night. God does things in His time when they are best for us. Part of praying is waiting in silence for His guidance.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. I truly hope it helps someone.
Until next time!
B
That is my prayer. How often do we find ourselves having nothing to say to God? Or wanting to say something but don't know how to approach Him with what is on our mind?
(5)"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. (6)But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (7)And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. (8)Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." - Matthew 6:5-8 (NIV)
You don't have to be all Thees and Thous with God. Just talk to Him like you would talk to a friend. After all, that is what He is. He should be your ultimate friend. Someone you can talk to about anything. Believe me I am no expert on how to pray. I still can't pray out loud in front of anyone. But I can talk with God in my private time. We talk all the time. Sometimes He even wakes me up in the middle of the night to tell me something. My flesh doesn't like it, but if my heart is open and my mind is clear I soon know why I am up at 2:00 am. Not because of a baby crying, but because God has to tell me something or show me something that He is so excited for. Or even for me to pray for someone that needs prayer right then for something. When you have a healthy prayer life things will happen.
At the beginning of this post I wrote out what I called a prayer. If those words sounded familar to you, they should be. It is from a song from Aaron Shust call "Give Me Words to Speak".
In closing, I want to challenge you to pray, worship, and read the Word and just see if your life or situations don't improve. I guarentee they will in some form or another. Now don't expect for it to happen over night. God does things in His time when they are best for us. Part of praying is waiting in silence for His guidance.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. I truly hope it helps someone.
Until next time!
B
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Who Are You?
I remember when I was a teenager in youth group. When summer would come around I knew youth camp was soon to follow. Those times in my life were very important to me. They laid the foundation of my faith and walk with God. During those times the youth leaders and Youth Pastor taught me what my faith and walk should mean. They also taught me what not to do. I also discovered a few things at camp. One year I asked the Holy Spirit for my prayer language (Speaking in tongues). Another year I recieved a few more gifts (intersession, discernment) because I was open to recieve. I wanted whatever God had for me. It was a time where everything was clear. No distractions, no TV, no internet, no cell phones. Hard to imagine right? I just had my Bible, prayer time, and worship. Not to mention great services twice a day. It was an awesome time in my life. But it only lasted for a week. When I got home the high would only last for a few weeks. Why? Because I got back into my old rut.
Once I graduated high school and moved out of my parents house I started to slack on going to church. Pretty soon I wasn't going at all. I would go here and there (Christmas and Easter mostly), but nothing real steady. Until I met my wife. When I met her she got me back to church, but it wasn't the same. For a long time it felt like a chore to go. I wanted to sleep in on Sunday morning, but she forced me to go. Everyone goes through a time in thier lives where they have to do some soul search and find out who they are outside of mom and dads protection bubble. Even though I was married and going to church I was still searching for something. It took a very serious situation to snap me back and realize the error of my ways.
Looking back on who I was I was not a very nice person. Looking back I was mean, moody, didn't sleep well, bitter, unforgiving, and ultimately didn't treat my wife with the respect, compassion. and appreciation she so rightly deserved. Needless to say my soul searching days are over. I know who I am and I am getting back to the place I was before I decided to "try it on my own". We all know that doesn't work. God needs to be the center of your life. Take it from me, make Him the center and everything else will be ok. Will your journey on the road of life be easy? No, but with God's help it will be better. If you let God lead instead of you leading things will be better. God will take the hits for you.
"(28) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" - Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJ)
Until next time!
B
Once I graduated high school and moved out of my parents house I started to slack on going to church. Pretty soon I wasn't going at all. I would go here and there (Christmas and Easter mostly), but nothing real steady. Until I met my wife. When I met her she got me back to church, but it wasn't the same. For a long time it felt like a chore to go. I wanted to sleep in on Sunday morning, but she forced me to go. Everyone goes through a time in thier lives where they have to do some soul search and find out who they are outside of mom and dads protection bubble. Even though I was married and going to church I was still searching for something. It took a very serious situation to snap me back and realize the error of my ways.
Looking back on who I was I was not a very nice person. Looking back I was mean, moody, didn't sleep well, bitter, unforgiving, and ultimately didn't treat my wife with the respect, compassion. and appreciation she so rightly deserved. Needless to say my soul searching days are over. I know who I am and I am getting back to the place I was before I decided to "try it on my own". We all know that doesn't work. God needs to be the center of your life. Take it from me, make Him the center and everything else will be ok. Will your journey on the road of life be easy? No, but with God's help it will be better. If you let God lead instead of you leading things will be better. God will take the hits for you.
"(28) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" - Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJ)
Until next time!
B
You Carried Me
If you can't tell already music is a huge part of my life. I am a worshiper at heart. I love it. I can't get enough of it. It is so easy for me to meet God that way. Most of the time during church services just the band warming up in the morning gets me to that place I know so well. The pressence of God. It's a wonderful place to be. On my ride into work this morning I was playing a song from Building 429. It goes like this.
I've been so busy, I missed the reasons
I missed Your love, and I nearly missed it all
Still You love me and You've healed me
You've given all and it brought me to Your cross
I stand only because You've given me grace to walk
Only because
You carried me
You carried me
You carried me through it all
And I believe
Yes I believe
You'll carry me all the way home
Cause mercy covers all
I know the scripture, I've known the songs
I sang the words from my hollowed heart
But You've spoken softly through the storm
I've heard Your voice and I've felt the calm
I stand only because You've given me faith to walk
You carried me
You carried me
You carried me through it all
And I believe
Yes I believe
You'll carry me all the way home
Cause mercy covers all
I know that you love me
I'll never doubt it I can't live without it
Your mercy has found me
I am astounded, I can't live without it
(22) "It is through the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. (23) They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness. (24)"The LORD is my portion," saith my soul, "Therefore will I hope in Him." - Lamentations 3:22-24 (NKJ)
Mercy: compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power.
The words in this song really say it all. God's merices cover all and He will carry you though it, just ask Him. Proof: I was talking to a high school friend of mine last night. I haven't seen or spoken to him since about 1994ish. He was explaining to me that he battled with drinking for the past 13 years. He said 4 month ago that he asked God to help him stop. He said he hasn't touch a drink in 4 months. Has his journey being sober been easy. I'm not sure, but I can imagine it hasn't been. The flesh is a hard thing to tame. I do hope I get to speak to him some more and witness to him. I'm not the most outgoing person when it comes to spreading the word of God to others. I'm just not real comfortable talking face to face. Chatting online or blogging about it is totally different. I hope someone is getting something out of all these posts. Thank you for taking the time to read them.
Until next time!
B
I've been so busy, I missed the reasons
I missed Your love, and I nearly missed it all
Still You love me and You've healed me
You've given all and it brought me to Your cross
I stand only because You've given me grace to walk
Only because
You carried me
You carried me
You carried me through it all
And I believe
Yes I believe
You'll carry me all the way home
Cause mercy covers all
I know the scripture, I've known the songs
I sang the words from my hollowed heart
But You've spoken softly through the storm
I've heard Your voice and I've felt the calm
I stand only because You've given me faith to walk
You carried me
You carried me
You carried me through it all
And I believe
Yes I believe
You'll carry me all the way home
Cause mercy covers all
I know that you love me
I'll never doubt it I can't live without it
Your mercy has found me
I am astounded, I can't live without it
(22) "It is through the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. (23) They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness. (24)"The LORD is my portion," saith my soul, "Therefore will I hope in Him." - Lamentations 3:22-24 (NKJ)
Mercy: compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power.
The words in this song really say it all. God's merices cover all and He will carry you though it, just ask Him. Proof: I was talking to a high school friend of mine last night. I haven't seen or spoken to him since about 1994ish. He was explaining to me that he battled with drinking for the past 13 years. He said 4 month ago that he asked God to help him stop. He said he hasn't touch a drink in 4 months. Has his journey being sober been easy. I'm not sure, but I can imagine it hasn't been. The flesh is a hard thing to tame. I do hope I get to speak to him some more and witness to him. I'm not the most outgoing person when it comes to spreading the word of God to others. I'm just not real comfortable talking face to face. Chatting online or blogging about it is totally different. I hope someone is getting something out of all these posts. Thank you for taking the time to read them.
Until next time!
B
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Everything
When I was growing up I was always taught to give everything your best and do it unto God. Put God in everything you do and it will work out good in the end. There is a song that comes to mind that is simply titled "Everything" it is performed by my good friend Ryan Stuart from North Point Community Church in Atlanta, GA. Here are some of the lyrics.
God in my living
There in my breathing
God in my waking
God in my sleeping
God in my resting
There in my working
God in my thinking
God in my speaking
Be my everything x4
God in my hoping
There in my dreaming
God in my watching
God in my waiting
God in my laughing
There in my weaping
God in my hurting
God in my healing
Christ in me x3
The hope of glory
You are my everything
This song really speaks to me and says God should be in everything you do from the momment you wake up, all through the day, and even sleeping & dreaming. Having a health prayer life, reading the Word and worshiping God will help you accomplish this in your everyday life. Will it be easy. Of course not. Satan is always trying to get you to give into your flesh and sin. No one is perfect, you will mess up. But the beauty of God is that if you come to Him He will forgive you and help you to stay on the right path for your life.
"In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct thy path" - Proverbs 3:6 (ASV)
Until next time!
B
God in my living
There in my breathing
God in my waking
God in my sleeping
God in my resting
There in my working
God in my thinking
God in my speaking
Be my everything x4
God in my hoping
There in my dreaming
God in my watching
God in my waiting
God in my laughing
There in my weaping
God in my hurting
God in my healing
Christ in me x3
The hope of glory
You are my everything
This song really speaks to me and says God should be in everything you do from the momment you wake up, all through the day, and even sleeping & dreaming. Having a health prayer life, reading the Word and worshiping God will help you accomplish this in your everyday life. Will it be easy. Of course not. Satan is always trying to get you to give into your flesh and sin. No one is perfect, you will mess up. But the beauty of God is that if you come to Him He will forgive you and help you to stay on the right path for your life.
"In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct thy path" - Proverbs 3:6 (ASV)
Until next time!
B
Faith Like A Child
Yesterday was a good day. After working all day I came home to a wonderful wife and child sleeping in her bed. After Andrea left for a girls night out with some friends I woke Emma up around 6pm. After she had some dinner she went on to play with her little princess toys from a Disney story book. As she got the book out of the toy box she opened the book ever so slowly and preceeded to extract each figure with gentle care. Naming each one as she took them out. She picked each one up and brought them to the couch where I was sitting surfing the internet and looking at my Facebook page. After she had them all lined up she went and got a little toy chair which later turned into a small stage. Where one by one each princess had a turn doing a show. After the first act she asked me if I would play with her. After about 5 minutes of her asking I gave in. At first she gave me Sebastian, the crab from The Little Mermaid. That lasted only a few minutes. Then she gave me Rasjah, the tiger from Aladdin. She was the director and she was telling me what to do and what to say. After we were finished she very slowly and calmly put her toys away and came and sat on my lap and thanked me for playing with her and that she loved me. She then said something that she never said to me before. She said she was happy that I was her dad. I melted or course and couldn't contain my tears. She then gave me a huge hug and kiss and then went on to play with something else.
Children see things differently than we do. Simple, peaceful, and humble. And while we spend our time, energy, and resources on balancing life's stresses and fighting to maintain the reputation we've built for ourselves, Jesus is gently calling us back to the heart of a child. A child is absolutely dependent upon thier parents to meet thier every need. And without ever realizing it, they take a step of faith every time they trust thier parents to come through. Our Heavenly Father insists that His children (you and me) carry an identical perspective.
"Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day." — Ps 25:4-5 (NIV)
"Continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." - 2 Timothy 3:14-15 (NIV)
Often times I get stressed from working a long day and my drive to and from work. But I know when I get home there is something there that can help me get past all that. Once I walk in the door and see her shining face as she says, "Dad, you're home. I'm so glad you're home. I missed you." All the stress and worry goes away. God want us to do that to Him as well. He feels the joy just like I do when we come running to Him. If you are stressed out, bored, lonely, hurting, or whatever and need someone to talk to. Shut off the TV and get off the internet, because the answers aren't there. Open the Bible, pray and worship God. He will meet you where you are. Talk to Him, love on Him because He loves you. He died for you so that you can come directly to Him for anything. Being born again is having a personal relationship with Him. He is your best friend, your listener, and your ultimate father. You can talk to Him about anything. After all, He does know it all already.
Until next time!
B
Children see things differently than we do. Simple, peaceful, and humble. And while we spend our time, energy, and resources on balancing life's stresses and fighting to maintain the reputation we've built for ourselves, Jesus is gently calling us back to the heart of a child. A child is absolutely dependent upon thier parents to meet thier every need. And without ever realizing it, they take a step of faith every time they trust thier parents to come through. Our Heavenly Father insists that His children (you and me) carry an identical perspective.
"Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day." — Ps 25:4-5 (NIV)
"Continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." - 2 Timothy 3:14-15 (NIV)
Often times I get stressed from working a long day and my drive to and from work. But I know when I get home there is something there that can help me get past all that. Once I walk in the door and see her shining face as she says, "Dad, you're home. I'm so glad you're home. I missed you." All the stress and worry goes away. God want us to do that to Him as well. He feels the joy just like I do when we come running to Him. If you are stressed out, bored, lonely, hurting, or whatever and need someone to talk to. Shut off the TV and get off the internet, because the answers aren't there. Open the Bible, pray and worship God. He will meet you where you are. Talk to Him, love on Him because He loves you. He died for you so that you can come directly to Him for anything. Being born again is having a personal relationship with Him. He is your best friend, your listener, and your ultimate father. You can talk to Him about anything. After all, He does know it all already.
Until next time!
B
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Going through the motions
I have been on such a high from our church service on Sunday. My pastor spoke a message about a spiritual reboot. Often times when we get into the motions of being a christian we lose sight of what God really wants from us. When we are first born again we are on fire and crave what God has for us. When we pray and read The Word we are feeding our spirit. Pastor Scott's illustration was about computers. Think of our spirit as a hard drive. When we are in the world we are bombarded with things we don't need. Just like your computer is everytime you surf the internet. Your computer gets slowed down by spyware, malware, and viruses. With a computer sometimes you need to reload the entire operating system and return it to factory settings. We need to do that in our spiritual life. There are so many things in this world that come at us and slow us down and get us distracted. This is when we need a spiritual reboot. The only thing; you cannot reboot yourself. God has to do it. When you press in by praying and reading the Word, and worshiping Him.
Having said that, I have been listening to a song all week from Casting Crowns called "Your Love Is Extravagant". Here are the words.
Your love is extravagant
Your friendship, it is intimate
I feel I'm moving to the rhythm of Your grace
Your fragrance is intoxicating in the secret place
Cause Your love is extravagant
Chorus:
Spread wide in the arms of Christ there's a love that covers sin
No greater love have I ever known; You considered me a friend
Capture my heart again
Your love is extravagant
Your friendship, it is intimate
I feel I'm moving to the rhythm of Your grace
Your fragrance is intoxicating in the secret place
Your love is extravagant
Spread wide in the arms of Christ there's a love that covers sin
No greater love have I ever known; You considered me a friend
Spread wide in the arms of Christ there's a love that covers sin
No greater love have I ever known; You considered me a friend
Capture my heart again
Your love is extravagant
Your friendship, it is intimate
This songs talks about love being extravagant and friendship being intimate. Webster's definition of Extravagant is exceeding the limits of reason or necessity. Intimate means to make known especially publicly or formally. God loved us so much that he sent His son to die for us. When we are born again we pray, worship, and read His Word and form a friendship. His love is so great and His friendship is so personal that we should get lost in Him. Part of the spiritual reboot is going back to the beginning. Starting over in a sense. We protect our computers with spyware, malware, and virus protection. When you pray, worship, and read the Word that is our spiritual protection against the crud of the world we live in. So shut off the TV, get off the internet. Spend time with God and watch your relationship grow. It does work. I am living proof.
Until next time!
B
Having said that, I have been listening to a song all week from Casting Crowns called "Your Love Is Extravagant". Here are the words.
Your love is extravagant
Your friendship, it is intimate
I feel I'm moving to the rhythm of Your grace
Your fragrance is intoxicating in the secret place
Cause Your love is extravagant
Chorus:
Spread wide in the arms of Christ there's a love that covers sin
No greater love have I ever known; You considered me a friend
Capture my heart again
Your love is extravagant
Your friendship, it is intimate
I feel I'm moving to the rhythm of Your grace
Your fragrance is intoxicating in the secret place
Your love is extravagant
Spread wide in the arms of Christ there's a love that covers sin
No greater love have I ever known; You considered me a friend
Spread wide in the arms of Christ there's a love that covers sin
No greater love have I ever known; You considered me a friend
Capture my heart again
Your love is extravagant
Your friendship, it is intimate
This songs talks about love being extravagant and friendship being intimate. Webster's definition of Extravagant is exceeding the limits of reason or necessity. Intimate means to make known especially publicly or formally. God loved us so much that he sent His son to die for us. When we are born again we pray, worship, and read His Word and form a friendship. His love is so great and His friendship is so personal that we should get lost in Him. Part of the spiritual reboot is going back to the beginning. Starting over in a sense. We protect our computers with spyware, malware, and virus protection. When you pray, worship, and read the Word that is our spiritual protection against the crud of the world we live in. So shut off the TV, get off the internet. Spend time with God and watch your relationship grow. It does work. I am living proof.
Until next time!
B
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)