Thankful for What Matters

 Psalm 100:4
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Even during our worst days, we can think of things we can be thankful for. The fact that we are alive and breathing is enough to stop and give thanks to the creator of life. Most of us are prone to complain about the things that we have very little control over. The weather, the traffic, the workings of politics, and the price of eggs (and thank God they have come down). It sometimes takes work to give thanks in “everything” But being thankful is more than counting our blessings. It is an attitude that is grounded in how we view God. We are creatures of comfort, and often view our blessings by how comfortable we are. But I purpose to you that being THANKFUL is to look through the looking glass of the Kingdom of God. The things in this life will fade away with the passing of time. The things we should be thankful for are eternal.
 On this Thanksgiving Day, be thankful for the many blessings, family, friends, material things, and good health, but let us not forget to be thankful to God for what really matters. Be thankful for the TRUTH of His word, thankful for a HEART that can be made clean, be thankful for being an ANCHOR in the Rock of Ages, that He will NEVER leave us alone. Thankful for His KINDNESS toward us, His FAITHFULNESS  to keep us day by day, and thankful for His UNCONDITIONAL LOVE regardless of our sinful condition, and knowledge that we can have eternal LIFE, and live in His presence for eternity. BE YE THANKFUL FOR ALL THAT HE HAS DONE.

Life Eternal- Thankful

 John 3:15 
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life

I’m THANKFUL for eternal life. That there is life after death. Heaven is not a fairy tale, but is a real place. A place where we will live with Him forever and forever. Because our names are written in the Lamb's book of life, we can see God face to face. Because we have been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, and the oil of the Holy Spirit has filled our vessels, we are prepared to enter the gates of heaven. Jesus said, “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Jesus said, “Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name have you done many wonderful works?” Life eternal is only secured by those who have been saved through the blood of Christ and are living according to His commandments. The world likes to believe that there are many ways to eternal life, that having a sincere motive and living a good life is all that God requires. Many in the world are critical of Christians, who believe that Jesus is the only way to have eternal life. But we stand on the truth of God’s word. Jesus said it, and I believe it! On the day of judgment when we all stand before God, we will give an account of the life we lived. God and God alone will judge rightly. Until then, we lift the Name of Jesus to the World, and proclaim that in Him is everlasting life. I’m THANKFUL for the hope of eternal life.

Unconditional Love- Thankful

Romans 5:8 
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

I’m Thankful for His unconditional love. For when we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. We don't deserve His love. “He paid the debt he did not own. I owned the debt I could not pay, I needed someone to wash my sins away. And now I sing a brand-new song, "Amazing grace" Christ Jesus paid the debt I could never pay’”. For God so unconditionally loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.” Unconditional love means He loves you in spite of your imperfection and failures. He does not require you to change who you are to love you. His love will cause you to want to change to please Him. He loves you too much to leave in your sin. His love will cause you to love yourself unselfishly (Love your neighbor as yourself) because you are special to Him. His love will put in your heart a desire to love others unconditionally, and to love even your enemies. His love will give you the grace to forgive others, because He forgives you. How great is His love. It is unfathomable, inconceivable, relentless, and will keep chasing you until the end of your days. Be THANKFUL that He pursued you and did not give up on you. Be THANKFUL that His love is unconditional.

Faithfulness of God- Thankful

 Lamentations 3:23 
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

I’m THANKFUL for God’s faithfulness. The prophet Jeremiah wrote in the book of Lamentations, “It is of the Lord's mercy that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” We serve a God who is unchanging in His nature. He is steadfast, reliable, and trustworthy. He is faithful to keep his promises. What he says, He will do. He is faithful to never leave us alone. He is faithful to love us no matter what we do. He is faithful to save us to the utmost and adopt us into the family of God. He is faithful to keep us in time of trials and temptations. Faithful to pour out His grace and show His mercy. When we get up in the morning, He is faithful to provide our daily bread. When we go about our duties and responsibilities throughout the day, He is faithful to guide and direct our path. When we lay our heads down at night, He is faithful to protect us from the evil one. How great is His faithfulness! And faithful is He who has called each one of us into a life of Holy Living.  For, “Faithful is He who calls you to be sanctified, will also do it! (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

Kindness of God- Thankful

  Titus 3:4 
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared.

I’M THANKFUL that I serve a good and kind God. “Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.”(Ps 63:3) God demonstrated the exceeding riches of his grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:7) Kindness is defined by the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate: God considered our sin, and was generous to send His Son to die for our sins so that we could be reconciled to Him.
As Christians, we should be living in the spirit of kindness. It is one of the evidence that we are children of God by the kindness we show to others. There are those in the world that see the virtue of being kind to humanity. How much more should God’s people reach out to a messed-up world and show kindness, and let others know about the loving kindness of Jesus. The words we speak are powerful. What you say, and how you say it changes how others see Jesus in you. I’m THANKFUL that Christ was kind to me, giving me the chance to be kind to others. “ If you can't say something good or kind about someone, it is best not to say nothing at all.” Let kindness abide in your heart and be spoken through your mouth. Why? Because Jesus has been kind to us.

Never Alone- Thankful

 Heb 13:5 he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

I’m THANKFUL that we serve a God who will never forsake us. “Moses encouraged God’s people: “Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, He is that will go with you; He will not fail you, nor forsake you.” And the writer of the Hebrews affirms the promise of God. “ I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” When it feels like you are all alone, fear not, for He is with you! Examples can be found of many who experience being alone. During the time that the COVID epidemic reached its peak of impact, many were shut in, left alone. Cut off from family and friends. Hospital beds were filled with people left to die without a loved one by their side. Being left alone to face the end of life. The greater epidemic was that of loneliness. Look around you. You may know of people who may feel forsaken, isolated from others. Feeling alone even in a crowded room, filled with conversation. I’m THANKFUL in my hour of loneliness that God made Himself known to me. His Spirit never left me alone. Even though I didn’t know it, He was by my side, guiding me every step of the way. I’m reminded of the old hymn, Never Alone, “When in affliction's valley I tread the road of care, My Savior helps me carry the cross so heavy to bear; Though all around me is darkness, earthly joys all flown; My Savior whispers His promise, never to leave me alone! No never alone, No never alone,” THANKFUL that Jesus sent the Comforter that we never need to be alone.

Anchor in Jesus- Thankful

 Heb. 6:19 
Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil

I’m THANKFUL for the ANCHOR we have when the storms of life come our way. The Hebrew writer pinned the words, “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast.” We all face “storms” that will cause our lifeboat to face perils beyond measure. Like the disciples, we may cry out, “Master, care not that we perish.” THANKFUL that Jesus can be our ANCHOR and is able to keep us steady, our faith can be anchored in the Rock of Ages. We don’t have to drift through life with uncertainty. We can be anchored in knowing that Christ will take us through any crisis that we will face. We can sing with assurance the words of the songwriter, “We have an anchor that keeps the soul, steadfast and sure while the billows roll; fastened to the Rock which cannot move, grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.” Is your life anchored in Jesus? Are you trusting Him with your life? Storms are inevitable. Don’t be caught without an anchor. Thankful for the Anchor in Jesus!

Heart can be Clean- Thankful

 Psalm 51:7 “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” 

I’m THANKFUL for a Heart that can be made clean by the blood of Jesus. A heart that was darkened by sin can be made whiter than snow. THANKFUL that God can take a heart that is full of selfishness, a heart that is bent toward sin, and purify it by faith in the Blood of Jesus. Do you remember the day that Jesus came into your life and made your heart clean? Like David, we cried out, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” The heart is desperately wicked. We were all born into sin with this sinful carnal heart. We were born with a heart that was enmity with God. Separated from God’s holiness. All have sinned and come short of His favor. No amount of “good deeds” are able to make it clean. The Sin nature can be cleansed by the blood of Christ. THANKFUL that Christ died, so we can draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to us.. James says, “Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded.” Thank you, Jesus, for a new heart!

Truth of His Word-Thankful

John 17:17

 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth 

 I’m THANKFUL for The Truth of the Word of God, for it speaks to us truth that is not negotiable, it is absolute! It is a light, a lamp that directs our path. It speaks of Jesus being the way, the truth that leads us to the Father. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” We live in a day when truth has been rejected for a lie. Paul writes in Romans 1:25. Who, Who are the “who”? (those who have rejected God’s word as absolute truth) changed the truth of God into a lie, (Calling evil good, and good evil) and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator.” I’m THANKFUL that we can stand on the authority of God’s word. His word has never failed. I trust we never take His word for granted. We need to hide His word in our hearts so that we may be able to withstand the evil in our day. I’m THANKFUL for His truth, it is our firm foundation. It is more than just words printed on a page, it is God speaking to us. Hold on to God’s word. Read it, study it, live it, let it fill your daily life.

Adopted Children

 Eph 1:7
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.

Predestination basically says that God is sovereign, He is in control, knowing all of what will happen in the future, and therefore is able to predetermine what man can and will do beforehand. There are two main thoughts in regard to how God predestined the outcome of human behavior. Either man has no say in what will happen, and therefore their fate is sealed before they are even born, or because God is all knowing, He already knows the choices that man will make and therefore salvation is predestined based on the fact that God knows whether a person will choose to believe or not believe.  All of this can be confusing to a person who is seeking God and desires to live pleasing to Him. I don’t claim to know or have any insight into the mind of God, but I know that it is God’s  desire that all who are born in this world come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. I am also convinced that God does not determine the choices we make. History is made by the choices made by man and the effect of these choices can change the future. It is God’s good pleasure that all be saved and not perish. God has given us the gift of choice, we are free moral agents to do good or to do evil. The scripture is full of verses that support this. “ And let him who is thirsty come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” (Rev. 22:17) It is not just a select few who are predestined to come, but whosoever means anyone, anybody, leaving no one out. The message is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Come to Jesus, He has the answer to all our needs. Jesus speaks, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” God desires that we all become adopted into the family of God, and not only be a child of His creation, but a child through Christ.” But ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” (Roman 8:15). The joy of being part of the family of God, being adopted for His good pleasure. We are His children, He is our Father. Thank you, Jesus, for making this possible!

Saved By Grace

Oct 30th, 2025
Eph 2:8,9
 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:.. Not of works, lest any man should boast.

What do we need to be saved from? The word saved implies that we need help, or we need to be recused. Saved from a life-threatening situation. When someone is lost in the mountains, a rescue team is sent out to save them and bring them back safely. Spiritually, we are all lost. Every human being born into this world is born with a sin nature. No matter where we were born, or who our parents are, we all must come to the realization that we are sinners, with a bent to satisfy the sinful flesh. As civilized human beings, we are also created in the image of God and God has instilled within each one of us a conscience to do good. But sin is ever present, tempting us to put ourselves and our wants first. Therefore, we need to be saved from this sinful nature, because sin will destroy and will eventually lead to eternal death (hell). We cannot redeem ourselves. No matter how many good deeds we do, it cannot save us from the sin that we were born with. Jesus came to earth and did many good works, but His main purpose in coming was more than just setting a good example of how to live, but He came to save us from our sin and set us free from the bondage of sin. So by the grace of God, God the Father sent His Son to die and pay the debt for the sins of the world. It is grace, a gift that we receive by believing that the blood that Jesus shed on the cross, giving His life, can and will bring forgiveness of sin. Many believe that their good deeds will outweigh their bad deeds and God will see all the good things they have done on earth and let them in through the gates of heaven. But the truth given to us in the Word of God is that there is only one way, and that is through the forgiveness of sin provided by Jesus Christ. Isaiah says, “All our righteousness are as filthy rags.” I have been to many memorial services, and the accolades of their good works are made known, and many truly were good and kind people, but salvation is not possible by good works lest any man should boast. A person who is saved through Christ will manifest good works. The Holy Spirit does a work in the believer, and the fruit of the Spirit will be manifested as they walk in the light of God. So good work is an outcome of our faith, and not the way to have eternal life after death. So faith in Christ is essential to salvation. His grace is sufficient to save us from all sin.

Courage of Your Faith

 Joshua 1:9

Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

The enemy is camped all around us. Satan is using people given to their lust and selfish desires to fight against those who have the courage to stand up for truth and the gospel of Jesus Christ. For too long, those who mock God and deny that Jesus is the truth and the way have controlled the culture of this world. Evil is called good and good is called evil. They have rejected the word of God, and have refused to acknowledge that He is Lord. They have become reprobates and haters of God, being deluded by their corruption that they believe their own lie. In the face of this type of opposition, God says to be of good courage and don’t back down from their accusation. Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. Charlie Kirk was a man who demonstrated courage for his faith and for the word of God. That is what he desired to be known for, his courage to defend and persuade others to give their lives over to Christ. To believe that Jesus could bring them out of their sins. Much has been said since his assassination on September 10th and his courage has been passed on to thousands of believers. Don’t be afraid of what the enemy can do to you. Like Paul, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Today is the time to let our voices be heard, the cry of the Lion of Judah, and roar it across our land. Jesus is Lord and is the answer to our world’s sinful condition. Be courageous and fearless in this present world. God has promised to be with us.

We Speak Truth

 Psalms 19:14

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

To have the approval of God is all that matters in life. We seek to please people and those around us for various reasons. Everyone desires to be liked by others and to have a good reputation. It is important that we speak in such a way that others are edified and find comfort in the words we speak. But often, when we speak the truth, it goes against the way someone is living and behaving. Your words are not met with approval. Your words are received as judgmental.
 This has been a week of reflection for me and many who call themselves Christians. Charlie Kirk was killed because he spoke words and truth that were acceptable to God and unacceptable to those who have rejected the truth of God’s word. To please God is to have faith in Jesus as the Messiah and redeemer of our hearts. This, above all, is what makes us acceptable in the sight of God. Charlie was a defender of truth and moral righteousness, but beyond standing for living a righteous life was the hope he gave to others that Jesus was the answer for this generation. How we speak is as important as what we speak. The words of our mouths must be spoken in love and kindness, for this is acceptable in the sight of God. Let the words of our mouth speak truth, and our thoughts be virtuous. When defending the truth, we must tell it in a way that points to Jesus. May the words of our mouths speak Jesus. For He is our only hope for this generation.

The Mind of Christ

 Phil 2:5
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

To have the mind of Christ is only made possible through the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit leads a person to understand that they were born with a carnal mind, and it is through the death of Jesus on the cross that the carnal mind can be transformed and be made new. The Holy Spirit at Pentecost filled the believers with His power, and fire consumed the remnants of the carnal mind. The mind of the world and the self-life are radically opposed to those who stand up for truth and proclaim that having the mind of Christ is the only way to have perfect peace and comfort. Having the mind of Christ is rooted in love and humility. Jesus so loved the world that He came to this world and gave His life so that others may live. He, who was equal to God, humbled Himself to the very people who desired to kill him. He spoke love and truth everywhere He went. Such was the life of Charlie Kirk. He was a Christian that lived and understood the mind of Christ. He spoke truth with love and grace to those who debated him and to those who hated him for the truth He spoke. The Holy Spirit used Charlie’s boldness to convict sinners and convince them that Christ was the answer to life’s problems. The liberal left of our culture have turned their hearts away from God, and have consumed their lust to gratify the carnal mind and appetites of the flesh. Those who have the mind of Christ have bowed their knees and have confessed that Jesus is the Lord of their life. One day, every man, including those with the carnal mind, will bow their knees and recognize that Jesus is the way, the truth, and life that leads to eternal life.

Persecution of Christian

 Romans 12:14
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

Persecution has always been what caused the Word of God to spread across the world. It is not new to our generation and certainly not in other parts of the world where preaching Jesus is certain death. But in the USA, for years, persecution has been the ridicule of believers who stand against the evil of this day. In our current culture, evil is called good and good is called evil. The events of this last week have awakened the church of Christ across the world. Being murdered for standing for the truth of God’s word has not happened in the public arena. The murder and assassination of Charlie Kirk has caused a shock wave across America and the world. Charlie was not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ and preaching against the wicked culture of our day. He proclaimed Jesus on the campus and universities across America with open debate and discussion. His motto was “Prove me Wrong.” He was a master apologist defending truth from God’s word. His murder was an attempt to silence the voice of truth and reason. His words were used by the Holy Spirit to convict people of their sin. Across the liberal media, he is being persecuted for speaking against the woke lifestyle of this age. He is accused of hate speech because he dared to call sin for what it is.  He gave hope to those that were trapped in their sin, he lifted Jesus Christ as the answer to sin and evil. Because he spoke and preached a gospel of deliverance, he was martyred for his faith, and the liberal media is celebrating his death, while the rest of the world is grieving the loss of a man of God who did not fear what man could do to him. Throughout history, those who dare to proclaim that Jesus was the way to God, that He had the power to forgive sin were scorned, ridiculed and even put to death. We curse not those who persecute us, we pray that they will come to see Jesus and know the truth that he died so that we may live. May the life of Charlie put a fire under each one of us to share the grace of God, and not be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ..

He is All Things

 Rev. 4:11
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Revelation reveals Christ in all of His glory. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end of all things. “And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.”(Col 1:17). He is our all in all. All things for every circumstance in life. We wake up in the morning and breathe in all that Jesus has given us. We go through our day and submit our will to the one who will work all things for good so that He will receive glory, honor and praise. We end our day with thanksgiving for all the things He has done and will do. He is worthy today and into eternity to be praised and glorified. Who can stand before Him and not bow the knee and worship Him? We worry about many things in life. He knows our frame, that we are weak and need Him to make the impossible happen. We can do all things through Christ, who gives us the power to do what is needed. In return, we give Him all the glory for all the things He has done and will do. We don’t have to wait till we get to heaven to cast ourselves before Him as John saw the 24 elders do. We live each day knowing that He is in control of all things in our lives, and we give Him praise. He is worthy as we lift our voices to Him in praise. We are His creation and worthy of our worship in word and deed.

Living without Sin

 1 John 3:6
Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

I am not a Greek scholar, but I desire to read God’s word with an open heart.  Sin takes place when we break God’s law. It is a willful transgression against the known will of God. We are born into this world with a sin nature, and we come to realize that we are spiritually lost without a Savior. Christ, who knows no sin, came to earth to give His life as the supreme sacrifice to forgive us of our sin. This is salvation in a nutshell. By confessing our sins to Christ, we have acknowledged that we are sinners. We now abide in Christ and have turned away from our sinful way. We no longer willfully commit sin when we abide in Him. A person who willfully goes against the known will of God is ignorant of God and God’s will to set them free from the bondage of sin. We realize that we are human and born into a world where sin is ever before us. Temptation is real and Satan is relentless in his attempt to cause a follower of Christ to violate one of God’s commandments to live holy and righteously in this present world. Many Christians have fallen for the traps of Satan and have fallen into sin. Many have made shipwrecks of their lives and have left the Way for whatever reason. It is not God’s will that any person be lost, but His will that we live in fellowship with Him. God’s word is full of dos and don'ts, and keeping track of every law leads one to live in bondage and fear, but Jesus simplified it all by telling us that the law can be wrapped up in two statements. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself. So how does one live a life without sin? Are our words and actions pleasing to Jesus? The Holy Spirit came to dwell in us and to guide us in all we do. We sin not, because we know Him, and because we know Him and love Him, we desire to please Him.

God is Ready to Pardon

 Neh 9:17b
.. but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsook them not.

The children of Israel historically wavered in their faith. Any time things started to get bad, they would turn from trusting God and relying on the gods of the world around them. We find over and over again that God would deal harshly with their sin, but would always make a way to turn back to Him. Nehemiah recalls the days they were set free from Egyptian slavery, and it was not long after they were complaining about the prospects of dying. Because of their unbelief, they were made to wander in the wilderness for 40 years, the consequence of their disobedience. But God did not cast them away, He would not forsake them. We serve a God who is merciful and full of grace. If any man wavers, or falls into sin, we can go to Christ, who is our advocate to the Father, and be forgiven. Like the story of the prodigal son, God’s arms are wide open, ready to pardon. He is a God of second chances, and extends His mercy to any who will turn to Him with a sincere heart of repentance. God does not tolerate sin and will not abide by it. Through the blood of Christ, He has provided a way of escape. We don’t have to succumb to the temptation of Satan and fall into sin. Our faith does not have to waver in times of temptation. He will not forsake us in our time of need. We can overcome temptation with the help of the Holy Spirit and the power of God. But it is possible that one could fall from fellowship and communion with God, but one does not have to despair, for God is slow to anger, and of great kindness, and will not forsake His own. “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)

Keep The Sabbath

 Ex 20:8-10
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy… Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:..But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work.

A lot has been written concerning the keeping of the Sabbath day. There are many who feel very strongly that the Sabbath should be kept to the letter of the law as described in the Old Testament, and others who feel it is no longer relevant to the dispensation of Grace. That Christ's death made the OT law obsolete.  I do find it relevant that the Ten Commandments include this law as part of God's standard of holy living. We know that Jesus says that, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” It was not to be a law that was a burden to keep. It was meant to provide a time of rest from the labors of life, a time set apart to focus our attention on worshiping God. A holy day to focus our time and energy on resting in the presence of Jesus. This law is different from the ceremonial laws given to us in the OT. The sacrifices required by God in the OT were fulfilled when Jesus died on the cross, once and for all. But, Jesus said to keep His commandment if you love Him. What laws were we to keep? The Ten Commandments were not done away with, but Jesus summarized them into two: “Love the Lord thy God with all your heart, and your neighbor as yourself.” To keep the Sabbath day is to rest in Jesus, and make Him Lord of our life.  The commandment to keep the Sabbath day holy is fulfilled in Christ, who is the Lord of the Sabbath. If He is the Lord of our life, we have perfect rest in Him. We set aside this 7th day to put aside the labors of life and the cares of life to rest in Christ. I don’t pretend to know in our current culture what labor is and not labor, and I will not judge people in regard to this, but I know that God is pleased when we take time to rest from the labors of the week and praise and worship Him, and to break bread with other believers. I believe that it is good to keep the Sabbath day special and use it to administer good works towards our neighbors and those who are needy. For those that need to work to provide income, I trust that God will open the doors and provide a way to meet your needs and let you take time to rest in Christ. He is the Lord of our Sabbath, and daily we can rest in Christ to meet our needs.

Living Fearless

 Matt 26:35
Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee.

Bold words from the mouth of Peter. I believe he meant it with all of his heart. That was Peter’s personality. He was not afraid to step out. He was the one who stepped out of the boat into the water when Jesus called out to Him. He was the one who drew out his sword and whacked off the ear of Malchus, a servant of the high priest. Impetuous, acting quickly and without thought or care of the consequences. Here he is again, in the heat of the moment, speaking out without really thinking. Jesus, who knows our hearts better than we do, looks at Peter with a heart of compassion and says, “Peter, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me three times”. What a blow that must have been for Peter, but when the rubber hit the road, Peter gave in to his fears. Our humanity is so prone towards self-preservation. When the going gets tough, we take the road of least resistance. This proneness is made more evident without the help of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. We see a different Peter after Pentecost. Peter at Pentecost experienced the power of the Holy Spirit in His fullness.  (Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost…Acts 4:8)   Filled with the fire of God, Peter’s fear was gone as he spoke with boldness about Jesus. As newborn Christians, we have become a follower of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit is with us, guiding us into all truth. The Holy Spirit will lead us to a place of full surrender. To a place where we give everything to God and allow the Holy Spirit to remove the proneness to sin. Being filled with the Holy Spirit does not dehumanize us, but it does empower us to live victorious and fearless where we are not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. When we are tempted to fear, we can stand up to our adversary and truly say, "Though I should die, I will not forsake my God.”

Jesus is Praying for Us

 Luke 22:32
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not...

Jesus, speaking to Peter, knew that Peter would deny Him when the going got tough. But he also knew that Peter had a tender heart and a desire to serve Him. The fullness of the Holy Spirit and the work He was to do had yet to be released. Jesus said, when the Holy Spirit comes, He will purify, fill, and empower the followers of Jesus to be a witness that would turn the world upside down. As determined as Peter was, fear gripped his heart, and he feared for his life when the pressure was on. Jesus knew that Peter would “drop the ball” and his faith would falter. Our humanity, without the grace of God, is so prone to fail. Jesus prayed for Peter that even in times when trails come, and we fail, that we do not have to quit and give up. Jesus, who sits at the right hand of God, is interceding for us even now. When Satan is doing all he can to shake us up and cause us to cast our faith away, Jesus is praying that we hold on and trust God who will find a way of escape. We sometimes come through the battle beaten up and sometimes wounded, but our faith in Jesus can remain true. It is good to have friends pray for us, and we are encouraged that our brothers and sisters in the Lord are praying, but to know that Jesus is praying for us, and His prayers are sure to reach the throne of God. If the cock crows in your life, don’t give up; turn to Jesus, who is praying that your faith will not fail.

Run the Race to the Finish Line

 Heb 12:1
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us

The metaphors used by the writers to the Hebrews can be interpreted and translated to convey different meanings and applications. Words such as cloud, weight, run, and race were all used to help the reader to connect and apply the truth that was given. It is always my intention as I read the Bible to understand the meaning and the relevant application to my daily walk with God. The Holy Spirit is able to take what I read and apply it directly to my life. It may not be what was implied by the writer as they penned the words, but it is what the Holy Spirit takes and writes to my heart.
 Much has been written about the cloud of witnesses that surround us. Many believe the witnesses are those who have gone before us in death and are now looking down from heaven, cheering us on to keep the faith and don’t give up. That application of scripture encourages the heart to keep pressing on. We all need encouragement not to give up when life gets hard. 
The writer says that we are in a race. A race implies that there is a finish line, a goal that is desired. Running the race means that we are not spectators, but participate in this race. Winning the race is not necessarily being the first one to cross the finish line, but to win is to complete the race to the finish line. Making it to the finish line is what every Christian seeks and desires, but too often there are weights, things in our lives that keep us from being all that God wants us to be. I don’t know what those weights are. They are different for each person, but the Holy Spirit is able to show us what weights we need to lay aside. What keeps us from being all that God wants us to be? Is it a besetting sin of unbelief that hinders us? The sin that keeps us from running could be that the carnal nature is still in control of our lives. A failure to fully surrender to the will of God. The sin of pride and self-will, not letting go and letting God take full control of our lives. John Wesley calls this entire sanctification, a full consecration to the will of God. The Holy Spirit is able to cleanse our heart from the sin that hinders us from finishing the race. It appears that there will be those that will start the race, but will not finish it. Many have quit running, not willing to lay aside the weights and trust God. It is God’s desire that all that start this race finish to the end. Let us run the race with all diligence, and let the Holy Spirit give us the strength and endurance we need to make it to the finish line.

Spirit of Liberty

 2 Corinth 3:17
Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

We were once in bondage to sin and the law. Servants to sin that controlled our lives. But Christ has set us free from sin. Sin is no longer Lord over us. The Holy Spirit who leads us to experience a full surrender to His will and control is now our Lord. We now have the freedom to approach the throne of God. We have been delivered from the bondage of sin and now can live a life of liberty to show God’s love to the world. Sin keeps us from doing what is right, it is a road block from obeying God when He speaks to our heart. The world’s concept of being free is to do whatever you desire without any thought of how it may affect others or how it may lead to harmful consequences. Liberty in Christ is not a license to disregard the commandments of God and behave in a manner that will reflect a negative influence on the Christian life. Paul warns the Galatians: You have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. The Holy Spirit is our truth detector. He will lead us into all truth, and the truth will set us free and keep us free. True liberty comes when we are set free to live how God wants us to live without any inhibition or fear of what the world might think.

God of all Grace

 1 Peter 5:10
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

It is God, and God alone, by His grace, that we are made children of God. In our humanity we are weak and incapable of living a life that is perfect, a life that is able to overcome the attacks of Satan as he seeks to destroy our faith and standing with God. Suffering comes with the territory of trying to live a godly life. But, through it, we are made stronger and become rooted and grounded in Christ. Peter says that the God of all grace is able to make us perfect. The word "perfect" is translated from Greek to mean “equip or adjust us.” In our humanity we are not equipped to handle the trails that we must face. God is refining our faith as we go through suffering and hard times. His purpose is to make us strong in the face of adversity. His desire is that we become established in Christ at a place where we don’t have to fear Satan and his attacks. We can trust and have faith in Christ to resist the temptations that we face in our lives each day. Temptation to put our trust in the flesh, temptation to cast our faith away, and think that God does not care about our situation, our suffering. He is the God of all grace, and we can believe He is able to do all that He has promised to do for His glory and our good.

God's Thoughts

 Isaiah 55:8,9
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

God’s love and mercy are beyond human understanding. We are quick to judge and quick to serve justice. Many times our first reaction is, “They deserve what is coming to them.” Israel turned their backs on God. Why should God pursue them? God told Isaiah, tell my people to turn back to me, tell them I have water and food to satisfy their hunger. Tell them I will listen to their cries of confession of sin and unbelief. Let them know that I will not turn them away if they only seek me. Time after time, Israel rejected and left the covenant that God made with them, yet God continues to call out to them. 
We may have friends and loved ones that have turned away from God and their faith for whatever reason. They cannot see their way back to God and don’t feel that they deserve God’s mercy. They have lost their way and in their thinking God is far away, and nowhere to be found. They have failed God over and over again and have given up trying to serve Him, and like the prodigal son, they seek to find happiness in the pleasures of this world. But in their lostness, God's thoughts are toward them and desires that they should turn from their ways of sin and turn and run to Him. With jealous love, God pursues them and shows His love and mercy. His thoughts are of love and forgiveness, thoughts of reconciliation, thoughts of redemption. This type of thinking is beyond comprehension. We must not give up on those that God has not given up on. Let our thoughts be like Jesus, and love others unconditionally and extend hope to all who have lost their way.

Not Ashamed

 2 Tim 1:12
Nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Paul, knowing that his time on earth would be coming to an end, admonished believers to hold fast to their faith. Stand up and not be ashamed of what they believe to be God’s truth and salvation to man. Times have changed, but the message is still the same. Jesus came to save sinners. All of humanity is lost in sin, born with the Sin nature, in need of forgiveness. I had a friend who believed that men are basically good and just needed to be trained and surrounded by a good environment. This thinking is contrary to the teaching of the Bible. Paul writes in the book of Romans that ALL are born sinners and must come to God for salvation. This is the message given to us by Jesus. We need not be ashamed, for the answer is found in Christ. Accepting Jesus as our savior means that we have confessed our sins, turned away in repentance. He is then faithful to save us from being lost for eternity. This truth is sealed in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. As we commit our hearts to Christ, take up our cross and follow Him, He has promised to keep us by His grace and to hold steadfast the commitment we made the day we gave our heart to Him.

A Time of War

 Ecc 3:8
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Today we remember those who fought for our country and our freedom. Soldiers of war who gave their lives so that we may live our lives in freedom. It is sad that there has to be a time of war. A time when we have to stand up and fight for what is right. And in many cases, standing for what is right means giving up life. The fight between good over evil is seen in every society throughout history. Destroying life to save life seems contradictory, but we are surrounded by evil, and evil does not desire compromise. It seeks to destroy and oppress. It desires dominion and instills fear in others and the masses. This, unfortunately, is reality. Solomon recognized as long as evil was present in this world, that war would exist. Jesus some day will return to earth, set up His Kingdom, and all war will cease and peace will reign. But until then, kingdoms will rise above the kingdoms, and those who desire to rule and conquer will continue to force their will and threaten the freedoms of others. 
In our spiritual life, we also fight a war. This war is not against flesh and blood, but we wrestle (fight) “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”(Eph 6:12) We fight for our spiritual freedom in Christ. Satan desires to bring us back into bondage to sin. God has promised to fight our battles for us. In time of war, we can put our trust in the One who will lead us to victory. “Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before! Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe; Forward into battle, see His banner go!“ Fight the good fight of faith!

Faith That Pleases God

 Heb. 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

With God all things are possible, but for the impossible to happen we must believe. Believing God must be intentional. Faith is not a feeling that just comes over us, and we feel like believing. Faith in believing in God is knowing that God is who He says He is and will do what is always best. We must believe that He is in control of our lives and everything that happens is for a purpose. This is not to believe that God will always answer our prayers and give us what we desire. As Christians, we desire to please God every day of our lives. Life happens, and we are faced with the decision to trust God and believe that He will work all things out for His purpose and His glory. We diligently seek Him first, and He rewards us with His smile of approval. We seek first the kingdom of God and all the other things will happen in His time. I don’t pretend that putting our trust in God when bad things happen is easy. When we face the giants in our lives, and we feel that all is lost, we come to God and give it all to Him. We rest in knowing that He is a God who cares and understands what we need. Let our faith take hold in the God who is able to do “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”(Eph 3:20). Let us have a faith that pleases God, even in the hard times.

He Will Direct Your Path

 Proverb 3:5,6

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

We think we know and can figure it out. Common sense guides us many times to understand the path we should take. Common sense is what human beings would do given a reasonable sense of right and wrong. We make decisions based on experiences and through the things we have been taught and what we have learned through reading. God has gifted man with an ability to do extraordinary things and accomplish feats that would have seemed impossible at one time. But, in matters of the heart, we often cannot understand or ascertain the answers to many problems in life. We can reason within our minds all the variables and possible solutions, but we come up empty-handed. Some would advise you to follow your heart and do what your heart says. But the heart of man without God is flawed and can easily be deceived. A heart that will trust in God will lean on God’s word, search out the scriptures to find the right path to take. In matters that matter, it is vital that we trust in the Lord, and not let the wisdom of this world guide our path. Common sense is a reasonable guide, but it is not infallible. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”- James 1:5. In everything we do, ask the Holy Spirit to guide our path. He will never lead us astray, and will keep us on the path that is good and right.

Nailed to the Cross

 Col 2:14
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.

We are at the end of passion week. Jesus is living out his final few days on earth. Life on earth is about to enter a new age. Today, over 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ was nailed to a cross. He has suffered humiliation and shame and now hangs on a cross, a spear is thrust into His body, and His blood is spilled for you and me. On the cross, the nails that were hammered into His hands and feet, blotting out the law that condemned us to eternal damnation. The fountain of blood providing eternal life is open for all who will plunge in and be made clean from sin. For all the good reasons that Christ came to earth, this was His ultimate mission. He suffered on the cross to provide salvation, and to give us an example of what it means to give it all to the Father, and follow His steps. As follows of Jesus Christ, He tells us to pick up our cross and follow Him. He did not promise that the journey would be easy. In fact, He said that it would be one of suffering. On this good Friday, we thank God that His Son came to be nailed to a cross and die for our sin and give eternal life. Give Him glory for all He has done, for today, salvation has come.

Unity of Believers

 Eph 4:3

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Unity. The state of being united or joined as a whole. I have no illusions that it is possible to be united in every facet of life. We were not created to be robots, programmed to all think alike. God created us with unique personalities and with a will to think for ourselves and make decisions that we believe to be right. Having unity among believers is made possible when there is a common goal to live our lives to please the Lord, but it may not come without effort. Because we are uniquely made by God, we will no doubt not view every situation and problem in the same way. We may be unified in our goal, but not unified in how it is achieved. Maintaining unity is always a work in progress. It is an endeavor that requires intentionality. Unity does not just happen because we all love Jesus. Chances are, there will be many times that we will not see things eye to eye. What is important is to maintain the spirit of Christ in our hearts.  We may not all think alike, but our hearts can be united to keep our spirits in the likeness of Christ. Love and peace can still abide when Christ dwells among us. The Spirit of Christ that lives within each believer compels us to live with an attitude to preferring one another, not allowing strife and contention to arise. There will be times when things are said and done that can lead to division, but Paul says to work hard, make every effort to keep peace and be kind in our spirits. Keeping the unity of the Spirit is essential if we are going to see the Kingdom of God accomplished. 

In Old Age, He Will Carry Me

 Isaiah 46:4,9
And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you…Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me
One look in the mirror and I know that my time on this earth is growing shorter. If the Lord permits me to live as long as my mother, I am over two-thirds of the way there. It is not uncommon for us to think that we still have plenty of life left, especially if we have maintained our health and are not suffering many ailments.  But the gray hairs that sprinkle my head are not my imagination, old age is at my doorstep. I look back on my life and see how God has carried me through. He carried me through a broken home, through my teens, as I sought to find happiness and a pure conscience. He carried me through my college years as I sought to know God’s will for my life. In the turmoil of church divisions, He carried me through, still trusting Him to keep me true to His word. Through the conflict of work dynamics and interpersonal relationships, He was there to bear me up and let me know He would not leave me alone. As I have entered my retirement years, I realize that I need Him more today than ever. My years of experience living this Christian life is not enough. I must lean hard on Him even more as I enter into this new journey of life. I can see the sun starting to set, and it will be here before I know it. But I remember the past, and He has never failed. He will carry me through until the end. There is none like Him.

Jesus Came to Save Sinners

 1 Tim 1:15
 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Jesus came to earth for many reasons. He came to show us how to live and love. He was the supreme example, showing us how we should treat our neighbors and even our enemies. His message of the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew chapters 5-7, is a call to a higher righteousness and a life of love, compassion, and selflessness, emphasizing humility, forgiveness, and living according to God's kingdom rather than worldly concerns. Many religious leaders and founders of various religions have also proclaimed this message. There is no doubt the centrality of human desire to those who want to live in peace on this earth is to follow this teaching. But man is born in sin and no amount of good works can alter the fate of man’s condition and ultimate fate.  For all have sinned and are eternally lost without God’s forgiveness. Christ came to earth to be the supreme sacrifice for the sins of humanity. He came into the world to save sinners. We may see ourselves as good people who desire to live in harmony with others. We may have lived respectable lives, keeping the law and doing good.  Surely, this is what it takes to enter eternal life with God after death.  Compared to the “chief of sinners” who surely desire eternal punishment, we would not commit such hideous acts. The reality is that without Christ and His death on the cross we would all be lost and are the “chief of sinners” in the sight of God.  Jesus, the greatest man to ever walk the earth, died to bridge the gap between man and God.  Yes, He came and preached love and forgiveness, but greater than all that, He came to the world to save sinners. I am glad He included me and you!

To Whom Shall We Go

 John 6:68
Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

This verse reminds me of the old gospel song, “Where can I go but to the Lord.” We live in a mixed-up sinful world. A world looking for answers to the meaning of life. What is my purpose of existence? The world is full of seekers who desire love and happiness, but many are going to the wrong place to find it. Some seek it in the pleasures of sin, others in their work, and others in relationships. We are all born to this earth, but our journeys in life are not the same. The faithfulness of the Father calls all of us to Himself. He sent His Son to make it possible for all who desire to find their purpose in life. Like the disciples, we look all around us and see that the only answer to a fulfilled life is to give ourselves to Jesus. He not only has the words of life, but He is the Word of life. In Him all things are created and in Him all things exist. When we get to the end of our human resources, when life becomes overwhelmed with the cares of life, we have but one place to go. He is the answer to all of life’s problems, and in Him, we can rest assured that all will be well. Love and happiness on earth is found in Christ, and He alone can fill and meet our every need.

The Holy Scriptures

 2 Tim 3:15,16
 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus…All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

As a child, the Bible sat in a special place in our home, a sacred decoration that indicated that we were a home that believed in God, an emblem of faith in the church I attended for most of my early childhood. It contained the teachings that were held sacred to the church. Personally, I had very little knowledge of the words that were written between the cover of that book. I was taught the doctrine of the church through the catechism of classes I attended, and not by the investigation of holy scripture. I was ignorant of scripture and had no idea of the deep truths that this book contained. I was 15 years old when I came to the knowledge that this Bible contained the life-giving words of God. From Genesis to Revelation, God revealed the holy scriptures to me. I was like a little bird with my mouth wide open, taking in everything that the Bible contained. It was amazing to learn that Jesus Christ was revealed in both the New and Old Testament. The word became my spiritual life source. Over the 50-plus years of my spiritual journey, I have read it from the beginning to the end several times, not only becoming a student of the word, but a Bible teacher. Teaching others what scripture says about Christ, and how we should be living as Christians. The word is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing the hearts of men, revealing man’s sin and his redemption through Christ. I don’t claim to know all the answers, but I have experience that God’s word will guide us to truth if we have an open heart to the light He sheds in our path. Like Timothy, I want to study, to do my best to learn the holy scriptures, that I may be approved of by God, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Tim 2:15)

Seek Him with all your Heart

 Jer 29:13

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Every year this day holds special meaning for me. It is the day that I found the Lord to be real to me. It was a turning point in my life that I still hold as the most important day of my life. It was a Thursday evening in a small church in Cucamonga, California. I don’t remember the message that Rev. J.E. Cook preached that revival night. I just remember seeking to find forgiveness and acceptance. 51 years ago, I knelt at an altar of prayer as these strangers gathered around me praying that God would save me from a life lived in sin to a new life in Christ. The journey since that day remains the same. I still seek and search for Him with all my heart. He has never failed me, and is always there when I need Him. It has been a life of seeking, a desire to know the will of God. “Seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matt. 6:33 has been the journey and destination theme of my life. The path to my eternal destination is filled with failures, disappointments, and unwanted circumstances, but through it all He has never been a disappointment or led me astray. As I continue this journey, I pray that the Lord will let me see my kids and grandkids come to Him as I have known Him. He is everything to me and each day, I will seek Him with all my heart, and will be found by Him.

God's Love

 1 Corinth 13:13
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Valentine’s Day is a special day when love is expressed to someone special in your life. It is a day to celebrate the commitment to a shared relationship, or desire for one. This is love that is based on human emotions and feelings toward someone. It is an affection that is sought by all human beings, because everyone desires to find this kind of love in life. But such love is not everlasting and is known to turn into hate given the right circumstances. This is not the kind of love that is spoken here in scripture. This charity (love) comes from above and sent from God and is sealed in the hearts of Christians who have totally given their lives to Christ. “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.” (John 15:10). The manifestation of this love is made possible by the power of the Holy Spirit, which makes His home in the heart of the believer. The list of what this looks like is found here in 1 Corinthian 13, but is also demonstrated through the fruits of the Spirit and Christians living out their walk before the world and other believers. We live in a world of sin and living for self. Self is grounded not in love for others, but in self-gratification, desire and preeminence over all others. Let love rule in your heart, to live in the vine, to allow God to be in you and work through you to accomplish His love to the world that others may come to love and serve Him.