Who He is

A very hard truth, but true it is; Our life is not about what God will do for us, nor is it about what He has done for us, but rather our life is about "Who He is".  It is because of "Who He is" that all other blessings come about.  I once heard that "we need to stop focusing so much on the gifts and start focusing more on the gift giver."   I submit to you and others (including myself) its not that we don't focus enough on the gift giver, but rather we need to ONLY focus on Him, not just focus more.  I say that because He IS the gift, and cliché as it may sound He truly is the Gift that keeps on giving.


Let us pray for ears to hear and an open heart. 

Our peace is at stake

I never really understood how important repentance is. I was always taught to say sorry when I did something wrong, that I should feel remorse for hurting others, but even at a young age it was always a "so what's my punishment going to be?" "How long am I grounded?", "does dad have to know?!" You know, the important questions to a kid/teenager... But now, as a growing adult, I realize that my peace, peace with God is at stake, our relationship...it's as though I'm being dishonest with Him, does that make sense? I mean even when my wife doesn't know (and she knows everything...you know what I mean). The secret sins of my heart literally eat at me, at my peace and its not until I repent, go to God humbly...I don't know, maybe I'm rambling, maybe somebody else feels like me? Here's the good news, Jesus didn't die so we could feel guilty, no, he died to redeem us from the wrath, the separation from God, from His love, from His peace, friends, family, HIM. I know this is a long post, but I pray that we return to what should be our first love, because we can, you can, I can, because of what He did, because of who He is...He does love you if you are His child, and if you are His child, why would you let anything or anyone hold you back from going back to His loving arms? Even yourself?! Come back...I pray this helps you and encourages you as it is me.

Awesome God

"Our God, is an awesome God He reigns, from heaven above, with wisdom, power, and love, our God is an awesome God". What a beautiful truth presented in the form of a song...let your heart song His praise today! Let me join with you in thanking Him for all that He has done. *remembering that to us this includes past, present, and future that we have yet to experience! Hallelujah and amen.

Growing wiser, learning more

Proverbs says "Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, ". Many times we say we hear, possibly truly hearing, and yet can we really say we grew in learning? Do we understand what has been said? Did we take the good advice and after testing it for truth and soundness, did we incorporate it into our life in a productive way that honors God?....whew, that's a lot to take in, but its almost cliche now when I hear or get to ask "it's not whether or not you read the bible, but do you study it? Do you have a relationship with God in such a way that as you hear His word you obtain guidance?" No one wants to be a fool, but do we do what is necessary to become wise? Hear, increase in learning, and obtain guidance from God...I hope and pray this encourages you to dig deeper, to draw closer, and to grow wiser.

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Walk by faith

Walking by faith...being obedient to His word

Growth in 4 areas

Luke 2:52 the 4 areas of growth that are mentioned that I discussed with my boys tonight ; grow in wisdom, growth in stature, growth in favor with God, and growth in favor with men. While we were talking about those four things I found myself considering what areas The Lord was addressing with me in my life, where do I need to grow with Him? I pray you too are being drawn closer to Him, growing in godliness and holiness, it can and should happen anywhere and everywhere. 

Real blessings

I love my wife and kids, family and friends...why then do I at times take them all for granted?! The real blessings in life are the ones that you didn't earn, can't buy, and that only God can provide. To all those afore mentioned people in my life I love you and thank you God for you.

Just be quiet

"Never miss a good opportunity to just be quiet." Put another way, if you don't have something nice, good, edifying, helpful and pleasant to say, then don't say anything. How many of us know that person gag bloke just be quiet, how many times are WE that person. Ask God for help controlling that, because we all know we can't do it by ourselves.

Let me remind you

Last night I posted the qualities that we should strive for found in 2 Peter 1:5-7, so tonight I want to just quickly post what follows in verse 12

"Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have."

I find it the most opportune time to remind others, even myself of these words. It can be difficult to remain steadf...ast, endure, be patient when you see and hear of so much hurt and pain, wondering "how?" and "why?" But then to say "still I will love and trust in you God". Only he can provide peace in times like these, and then use his children to share his love. Maybe your life hasn't been shaken to the core like those of Boston and West, yet still your life and its issues and problems are worth noting...BUT remember Gods goodness, his truth, grace, peace, love and mercy in your life, and through your life...

Friends and family meet

so tired, but it felt great to meet with friends and family and discuss 2 peter 1:1-11. Our focus was : "5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,
6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,
7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love." I hope and pray that you too who read these would allow God to so love upon your heart that He would show you what you can grow in, all for His glory.

Called out by a friend

I got "called out" by a friend today at work. I said something that contradicted what I usually post and say. When I say "called out" it was a good thing! It would have been wrong of her as a good godly women to continue in saying something that doesn't honor God. But do I slip, sin, make a blatantly bad choice and don't guard my mouth I was openly rebuked and I had to immediately address what... I said. I'm sorry, I'm not perfect. That's not an excuse for me to keep sinning, or for anyone else, but who has been guilty of such?! I pray that you who are reading this have true Christian friends that when they see you slip, or hear you, that they will lovingly tell so. Then if and when it does happen, don't make excuses, humble yourself and repent...restore the glory that God should be getting through your words and actions...See More

 

 

 

 

Enjoy God

"When I really enjoy God, I feel my desires of Him the more insatiable, and my thirsting a after holiness the more unquenchable."

Joy

"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." There is only one who can bring true joy. There are many things which can provide a temporary happiness, but a "joyful heart"? Only one. I pray you know Him and draw closer to Him.

Will it be okay?

"I just want to know that everything's going to be okay". Have you, like I, ever thought that? Said that? Meant that? How about desperately prayed, begged, and pleaded with God over that very notion? Have you ever felt like you needed a sign, something tangible, something that you could look to, hold to, even cling to? What would it take? What will it take? My hope is in His Word, His Son, in C...hrist. That alone is enough, all I need, it is in Him I have been given grace to live, to love, to have faith in Him. That is the hope I hold to, that allows me know "everything's going to be okay". Now my hope and prayers are that you too would come to this revelation and know Him, hope in Him, and know peace as only He can assure.

VICTORY

"We must not be concerned only with that which troubles us, but with all that troubles God. God's work is to have full victory, and universal obedience, not just victory over the sins which trouble our soul."

My answer, what's yours

I woke up asking myself,"how much time have I really spent in prayer, and studying my bible?"(not just reading it, but true biblical study). I won't tell you my answer, because it is MY ANSWER! But I will say this if you have the courage and willingness to ask yourself the same question, be prepared for a threefold answer. First, probably not as much as you thought, and second not as much as you... wanted and needed to. There is a catch however, no matter which conclusion you get to, do not be condemn, or beat yourself up over it! Worst case it will be God calling you back to more fellowship with Him, and best case, it's God calling you back to fellowship more with Him!!! Take the time, give Him quality time, and repent if you've been gone too long, but in the famous words of Winnie the Pooh "the past is gone, the future is not here yet, today is a gift, that's why it is called the present". Be encouraged, be forgiven, really start living what you've been given.

Real happiness

Real happiness is free to us, its found in the Grace of God. And based on the fact that it is a free gift that cost another His life to provide, it becomes a "stumbling block" for those that want to "buy it". What is harder still to believe is that we try to purchase counterfeits hoping they will be real enough to sustain our appetite for the authentic.

Don't worry

Gods grace is sufficient for today, so don't worry about having enough.

2 quotes

I've been recently trying to post a bible verse in the morning and a biblically related quote at night. But tonight I found two really good quotes from two "great men of the faith". I hope and pray that coupled with the study of the bible that you too supplement your reading with other good biblically based books. (just don't let other readings take first place) with out further adieu;

"To learn strong faith is to endure great trials. I have learned my faith by standing firm amid severe testings."-Mueller

And...

"Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees, And looks to God alone; Laughs at impossibilities, And cries it shall be done."-Wesley

Happiness from the world...

"If you hope for happiness in the world, hope for it from God, and not from the world." I read this in the journal of David Brainerd. I have found first that this is biblically true, and also experientially true for myself as well. Yet h...ow often do I think that this-or-that will make me happy only to find out once I have gotten it, it has lost the happiness I thought it would provide? There is only One that promises and provides happiness consistently...I pray you know of whom I trust and hope in. The answer is no mystery, the only mystery is why you don't go to Him constantly, why don't I? I pray we are reminded tonight to return to our first love, God in all His glory, grace, peace, mercy, and joy.