Aarons Faith

Father, Give me faith, so that no matter what battle is before me I am able to fight it with trust. Use me to encourage others as they go thru their battles as well. Help me to be strong and very courageous, remembering your promise that you will never leave nor forsake me.

Who was Aaron?
Aaron is the older brother to Moses by three years, and he is the younger brother to his sister Miriam, who is ten years his elder. When the time of the Exodus came, God sent Aaron (Exodus 4:14, 27-30) out to meet the returning Moses (who had just spent 40 years out in the Sinai with Jethro), to join with him in their assigned task. Aaron was to be the spokesman for Moses, who was unable to speak well. (Exodus 6:30; 7:1-2,9-10,19). Even though Moses was the leader, Aaron would be the one who would speak to Pharaoh through the events leading to the Exodus, and the crossing of the Red Sea.

Aaron was a faultless servant with his brother, at least at first. When Moses overlooked the battle with the Amalekites from a nearby hill with the rod of God in his outstretched hand, it was Aaron and Hur (Miriam's husband), who held up Moses' tired arms until Israel's forces under Joshua won the battle (Exodus 17:8-13).
Aaron's greatest lapse in judgment occurred while Moses was away on the mountain receiving the Ten Commandments from God. For whatever reason, Aaron gave in to the people's demands, and made that now-infamous golden calf for the people to worship (Exodus 32:4). When Moses returned, Aaron was scolded in a sharp manner, but was forgiven by God after Moses prayed for him. Aaron came very close to being killed for that incident (Deuteronomy 9:20)

Thru other incidents in Aaron and Moses life they neither one were permitted into the Promised Land, however they both were able to get back into Gods Graces. Aaron would die at the age of 123 at Mount Hor after his priestly authority was transferred to his son Eleazar. (Numbers 20:23-29, Deuteronomy 10:6, 32:50). The people mourned his passing for 30 days.

Aaron was a forerunner of Jesus Christ in his role as the high priest. Some believe that his priesthood was a "shadow of heavenly things," and was intended to lead the people of Israel to look forward to the time when "another priest" would arise (Hebrews 6:20).

This is just a small portion of Aaron’s story, I do pray that you will read the enclosed scripture and get a better understanding of Aaron’s life. I wanted to write this today because I wanted you to see that you can find forgiveness out there, look at what Aaron did wrong, and How God found forgiveness. Aaron most definitely went thru some trials and tribulations in his life, and he too had to overcome, even to the point of almost losing his life.


Aarons faith was upheld, Will yours be?

Jesus Sees Your Inner Beauty

I can't do anything right, and I'm so angry about that. I'm such a loser! I'm a fat, stupid, ugly, klutzy, unlovable.. I'm no good to anybody. I'm just plain worthless!" Have you ever felt this way? Or worse yet, others make you feel like this. Do you feel like any of these words apply to you lately at home, in the work-place, or in your relationships? Why does it feel like it’s “high school all over again” – Is there that one bully that loves to be the center of attention

In your life? Well seems I have one of those in my life, and I have found myself crying for four days now. When I talk to others about it, I just cry more, why do they have that much control over me? I know it’s all about sin, they are the sinners here, they thrive on making you feel insufficient, it’s up to you to stand your ground and not let Satan defeat you.


I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. John 5:30


First we have to look at our self, and make sure
We like ourselves. Self-perception affects how we see God and react to the difficulties of life.
o I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (see Philippians 4:13).
o My success comes from trusting God (see Proverbs 16:3).
o I am God’s beloved child (see Ephesians 5:1).
o I am eternally secure in Jesus Christ (see John 10:28-29).
o I am wonderfully made (see Psalm 139:14).
o God gives me good gifts out of His unconditional love for me (see James 1:17).
o I belong to God’s family and I am a co-heir with Christ (see Romans 8:17).
o Christ died for me so I will live for Him (see 2 Timothy 1:8-10).


The one thing I learned tonight is that no one has control of me, other than Christ, I refuse to let anyone steal my joy anymore. If they need the grandeur, then I will step aside and let them wade in it, while I get closer to God. I hope you too can do this my friend. You are beautiful, Jesus lives within you.


Praise you Father!

"Evil that takes our Soul"

Today is the day you need to stop drinking; this is the day to start your new life. Hasn’t it stolen enough from you? Are you feeling trapped? The truth about drinking is that you do not know yourself, somewhere along the way you lost you. You fell in line with what others are doing, or as I say, you fell into a trap, that you just cannot get out of. Maybe you feel a couple of drinks make you more adept to what is going on in the world, or they make you sleep your life away. The truth about alcohol is unpleasant, for far from being the bearer of good times it actually brings pain and remorse into your life. It promises that you will feel good while drinking it, yet at the same time it silently wreaks havoc on your body, your mind, your relationships and your finances. Moreover, just when you may start to realize the great damage it is doing to you, it deceives you yet again into believing that it is somehow the best escape from the problems in your life, Problems that alcohol caused in the first place. My friend it is not an escape, it is the problem, it steals from you, not only your money, but your precious time, today you have to make a decision to want life again, to live, to share, to dream. You must put Jesus back in your life today.




The Bible is very strong in its condemnation of drunkenness and its warning about the dangers of drinking. Let us look first at 1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. Chapter 6:9-10 9Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. Proverbs 23:29-35 who hath woe? Who hath sorrow? Who hath contentions? Who hath babbling? Who hath wounds without cause? Who hath redness of eyes? 30They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. 31Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. 32At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. 33Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. 34Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. 35They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.


Many will run, for alcohol changes people, I know the heart that lies underneath, I pray today that you can crawl out of that black pit and reach towards the Heavens for better answers. Jesus has not left you; He is waiting for you to cry out to Him. Do not put it off my friends. You can have your sins washed away, Jesus forgives all, I ask of you today to say this prayer with me.


Our Precious Lord Jesus Christ, King of kings, you have power over life and death. You know even things that are uncertain, and our very thoughts and feelings, they are not hidden from you. Cleanse me Father from my secret faults, and I have done wrong and you have seen it. You know how weak I am, both in soul and in body. Give me strength, O Lord, in my mind and body and sustain me in my sufferings. Grant me forgiveness and peace, dear Lord, and let me always be mindful of your blessings. Let me be with you until the end. O’ Father give me guidance today, help me for I have fallen so deep, only you can pull me through and protect me today. I ask this in Jesus Holy Name, Amen!


Isaiah 43:2When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee

Enjoying life

I am sitting outside under the gazebo enjoying the surrounding beauty and my dogs, one playing in her kiddies’ pool and the other one chewing on his fresh new bone. Just wondering what Jesus is doing today. When I think of "Heaven”, many wonderful images come to mind. Streets of gold, imposing walls, glorious homes for each of God's people, all in a city of fantastic light. Where there will be no more tears, pain, sorrow or death.



However, we know that heaven is much more than a place to spend eternity. It is also the place where God and Jesus Christ live. Where we do not have to see darkly as through a smoked glass, but where we can see our Lord and Redeemer face to face. He promises that forever. Revelation 21:3 (KJV) And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.


Psalm 50:1-6 The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken , and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. 2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined . 3 Our God shall come , and shall not keep silence : a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. 4 He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. 5 Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. 6 And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.


When I think of the wonderful land and the abundant freedoms we live in, I realize that so many are unhappy, including many Christians. Do you know that God wants you to be happy, He tells us in His word. In Psalms, 40:16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified. In Mathew, chapter 5 you will find where Christ tells us Blessed and Happy are the meek of Heart. Jesus tells us that our happiness is a result of having our minds filled with the right understanding of reality and our hearts set on desire for spirituality in our lives. As I write this it makes me have a better understanding of why Jesus wants me to be happy and content, for see all this shall pass, our real reward is awaiting us in Heaven. All dreams shall be fulfilled, those aches you have will disappear, the financial woes shall be no more. I wish I saw myself in Jesus eyes, for I know to Him I am beautiful inside out. I hope today that you will open your eyes and see all that the Lord has given to you and start to see things in a different light. He loves for us to laugh and smile and just to be happy. Praise Him today for loving you, I know I do. God bless and love each of you my friends.

Satan Attacks

1Corinthian 10:13 KJV There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Jesus never said we would be protected from trials and tribulations. So we ask not, what can I do to avoid difficulties? But, How can I best handle them when they arise? We have to know how to handle adversity when it attacks.

Satan loves to tell us things about ourselves and others to keep our mind astray, he loves when he is able to get to our soul. Just a simple thing as a disagreement that grows in proportion, he sits back and just laughs. Satan loves to break down your interior wall and get inside your mind. He likes when you think someone is talking about or making fun of you. Have you ever walked into a room and everyone got quiet. I have many times, and right off the bat you believe they were talking about you. When in actuality you probably wasn’t even mentioned, but see satan loves for you to believe otherwise. This happened to me today at work, my boss was in a very aggressive mood, and I took everything he said personal and found my feelings to be very hurt, to the extent of I told my other boss I was going home. When in all actuality, when we were brought together to talk, it was easily explained. But see for that time frame the devil had already took away all my joy and put a negative taste in my mouth. My faith went out the door, and I let satan enter, and when it was all said and done all I had was guilt, and an ugliness within myself for even bringing the situation up. Praise God I have Him to help me to realize I am human and I will screw up, but He (God) will help me thru these situation and help me to find peace again.

So you ask, what can I do to avoid these types of difficulties? When I can’t, how do I handle them? For me, I know I have to take a few minutes to breathe and realize that all things are not as they seem always, to take a second and step away from the situation. Afterwards find a nice place and see if you can discuss what had happened and what you can do to prevent it in the future. Every second of every day, satan is looking for loop holes to your soul…protect yourself! We need to be aware of the fact that Satan’s going to attack. You know, James in chapter 4 says, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Satan is going to come after us, and we have to be ready, and we have to get the armor on.

Build a strong mind: (1) Read your bible and pray daily. (2) Go to church and  Bible study on a regular basis. (3) Praise God and be thankful.


(Zechariah 2:5) For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire around about, and will be the glory in her midst.

"I choose Jesus"

Father, I ask today that you help us to be real, to be true to ourselves. Father help us to open our minds so that we know when satan is attacking us. Give us authority over satan, precious Father, give us the tools needed to stay in constant communication with you. Help us to be faithful to you always. Do your work in our midst, as you move and trim those lamps, may ours be one that shines bright for your glory in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Has the Sun, “Son” shined on you lately?

Psalm 84:11 The LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.


Malachi 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee

Light removes darkness, reveals danger and shows paths clearly. When we live our lives for God, the sun shines more often than not. I know that when I have sidestepped I have found myself lost in the darkness, surrounded by deep dark depression, which feels like the light will never shine again. Have you ever felt like you have fallen into a dark hole, well that is how life feels without God as your light.


John. 8:12 Jesus says, "I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life."


We are reflected light, a light that shines if Jesus reflects us. Sun is the source of light and the moon reflects light from the sun to the earth. Jesus is our source of light and we are to reflect that light to others. Our lives are to reflect the mind and will of God! If we can understand that we are a reflection of Christ, we will be able to be better Christians. If you step away into the darkness, it will show that you have stepped away from Christ and are no longer serving Him.


1 PETER 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;


Ephesian 5:8-9 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth. When it is daytime we see clearly because the light of the sun shines, however the real light shines from the word, the Bible. When was the last time you picked yours up? Is your space dark? Are you afraid of the dark? You have a way out, JESUS; He is your source of light.


If the Word lights your path then it exposes any hidden traps that the enemy has set in your path. The Word’s light cannot be overcome by powers of this dark world. This is Gods truth to you.

You can become a child of God by accepting Jesus Christ as your personal savior and lord. You must study the Bible, which is the Word of God, and memorize parts of the Word. You must spend time in prayer using the Word that you have memorized to deal with the dark situations in your life. You must live a life consistent with the Word that you have studied.


Now that the light is shining again in your life you must go out and help others that are lost in the dark. God bless you this day!


Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

“Walking by Faith”

I started my first day of pool therapy today for my knees, and I took a big walk of faith as I entered the water. The water was warm, the view out the window was beautiful, the sun putting beams of color over the water thru the glass window, all seemed well, when a woman approached me and started conversing. This woman was experiencing severe pain as she was also there for therapy. She was so down and out; she had fallen the day before in the changing room at the pool. I looked at her and asked do you know God; her answer was I sure do. This gave me the perfect opportunity to say I find that sometimes we have to walk by faith and trust God for our healing. I am excited to be here today, even if I do have to incur pain, she asked you are in pain too. I said yeah I am, but you know Jesus holds His promise to us, that He will not let us suffer anymore than we can handle. By the time this woman was thru with her therapy she was smiling and thanked me for reminding her that walking by faith makes Jesus happy. I felt so full of love, that I was able to get thru my own therapy with ease.


Romans 10:17 17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

To walk by faith is to walk according to the word of God. One who walks according to the word of God has faith in God and one who does not walk according to the word of God does not have faith in God. The faith of Abraham is accounted for righteousness hears the word of God and obeys. Abraham's faith is exemplified in offering his son. Paul says: "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac (his son), and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, 'In Isaac your seed shall be called,' accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead . . . " (Heb. 11:17-19 KJV). 17By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 9Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. Abraham did not understand how God could keep his promise if he were to kill his son, but He believed God was able to do whatever He said - even if it meant that God had to raise Isaac from the dead. Therefore, Abraham obeyed God and offered his son. Walking by faith is believing that God is able to do whatever He promises - not wavering at the promises of God (Rom. 4:20-21) 20He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. Therefore, those walking by faith obey God.

Where is your faith today? Are you obeying God? Take a walk in faith and Trust God to get you through your day, no matter what you may be going through, He promises to be there with you. God bless you this day!

“Standing after the fall”

Many of us are facing some kind of storm in our life. These storms come into our lives in many different ways. You need to be rooted and grounded so that you can stand strong when the storms in life come. You need to know that you and your home/family will be strong and stand. You have to know that God gives you firm ground to stand on; He gives us bridges to cross when the floods come. The questions Is, are you taking the higher ground, or are you trying to walk against the wind and finding yourself to be continuously getting pushed backwards? Have you felt the beating of life in your family and in your life? Do you feel that now you just cannot seem to pick yourself up.

Jesus is about to tell you how to survive and thrive. Matthew 7:24-27 Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25And the rain descended and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27And the rain descended and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell and great was the fall of it.

You need to know that Jesus is the answer for your storm. I want to tell you that you can overcome. You do not have to be defeated by every storm that comes you way. Jesus said His words would give you life. In the sermon on the mount Jesus said


"He that hears these sayings of Mine and does them...will overcome the storm."


Jesus said: When the rains descend, the floods come, the winds blows, and beat upon your house, you will not fall. Praise God!


I want you to realize today that you belong to God, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t or won’t be able to get thru the disappointments in life, for God’s word tells you different, don’t take my word on it, read the good news, pick up a Bible and read His word, His truths… Read Matthew chapter 5, the Sermon on the Mount….He is not talking to the world here, he is talking to us, and those of us who desire to follow Him. You will not find how to get to Heaven in the Sermon, but you will find that you have to be born again to get there. Let Jesus hold you up, He laid his life down for you and me, so no flood, no storm in life can keep Him for being there for you.


One of my favorite scriptures reassure me of the love my Father has for us; Psalm 91:1-11 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 3Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 4He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. 5Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 7A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. 8Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. 9Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; 10There shall no evil befall thee; neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 11For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.


Will you be standing after your next storm? Wait no longer; accept God into your life today so that all storms will be in His hands. God bless you this day my friend!

Friends ?

Ephesians 3:19 (KJV)  19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.


Jesus can do something to those who trust in Christ that nothing and no one else can do: He can fill our life with a fullness and satisfaction that nothing can take away. I hold this thought close to my heart this day, as I have to let a friend go, for they feel I am not needed in their life anymore. It is with great sadness and many tears that I do so. Christ who surpasses all knowledge understands, for I do not. One thing I know for sure is that I cannot allow it to continue to hold me back from following my savior and this journey here on earth to climb Jacobs’s ladder to Heaven, so with that said. I love you my friend, I will cherish you always, and my best wishes for you in all your future endeavors. God bless you!


Ephesians 3:20 (KJV) 20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,


I find we are strange of sorts; we like to hold on to everything, even when it’s bad for us. The ideal that someone else let us go, knaws at us until we just breakdown. Something happened this week that made me want to quit. After a few thousand tears, I realized I could not, but I could surely Let God. However, maybe he was teaching me to 'let go' and 'let God' handle the whole situation. I was having a time with this, because it is not easy to let go when you love someone and his or her friendship so much. Nevertheless, GOD knows!

Psalm25:2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. Psalm 25:5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.


As Christians, he is our Shepherd and leads us through paths of righteousness, through the thick and thin, where, if we put our full trust in him, we are never hurt or burned. Just as God used an earthquake to loosen the prison doors for Paul and Silas, he will do it for you. Just as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were delivered from the fiery furnace, with protection from the Son of God. He will deliver you from the same kind of hurt. We only have to trust him completely. Therefore, this day I forgive all, and I let go and let God. I love all with love from above. A true friend I will be.


God bless you all my friends!

"Fathers Day"

Happy Fathers Day!

Did you get your father a tie, maybe some shoes, or some other materialistic gift today? For some of us father’s day is hard, our fathers have passed on. For me I lift my eyes towards heaven. My dad was my world, I loved him so much, and now I miss him. However, I still have my heavenly Father and I cherish Him, and I know I will see my earthly father again one day.


Deuteronomy 1:29-31 (KJV) Then I said unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them. 30The LORD your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes; 31And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the LORD thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place.


Is your dad a man who serves God and follows Gods ways? Enlighten him today with the love of your Heavenly Father. Be the example and show the love your heavenly Father has for you and others.


HEBREWS 12:7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?


When we are patient with our children, we create a safe environment where they feel free to discover life. If we intimidate and fill them with only fear, then we shut them down. We shut down their creativity, their desire to explore and discover the desire to soar. As Fathers we must teach our children right from wrong, raise them in the love of the Lord. Being a good father means being patient, God is so patient as our Heavenly Father that he withholds his judgments and waits for us to repent. Take time and teach your children about patience and the rewards of waiting on Gods timing in their life.


I pray that you will be patient fathers, fathers who provide what your kids need in the natural and the spiritual realm, fathers who protect and correct, fathers who go the distance in love. If you do these things, you will be better fathers.


God bless you this day, and a very Happy Fathers Day! Love your dads; cherish them, for they are gone before you know it. Share the Lord with dad; inspire him this day with your Fathers love. I miss you dad, and I shall always love you.

"Respect"

"My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons." (James 2, 1)

It is up to each of us to treat our loved ones with respect; even those that we do not care for deserve that same kind of respect, for as you see in James, we are not told to respect certain people. The Lord respects each of us the same, He loves us the same. Jesus would not walk away when something comes before Him, where would we be if he did. I am so blessed that my best friend Jesus Christ is always beside me, always respects me and will never deny his love and friendship for me. He is my Heavenly Father.

From the time I was a child my parents raised us kids to be respectful, just as it was taught in the Bible. Ephesians 6:1-4 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. 4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. I remember going to bible school as a child and learning all the little stories on love and respect. So to this day, I respect all people, even those that hurt me I still find love, forgiveness and respect for them.

To be respected you must respect others, the sooner you learn this, the sooner your life will be good, filled with happiness and love. One of the commandments is to honor your mother and father. Is this possible without respect? If God takes respect so serious, shouldn’t we as well? Do you understand that God wants happiness for us? God wants you to be happy and He has made it possible for you to be truly happy thru Jesus Christ. All that is left to do is for you to make up your mind that you want to be happy. Turn to Jesus today and be truly happy, leave behind the disrespect and anger you have for others, lay it before Jesus this day and live anew in Christ. God bless you my friends. If I have ever shown any of you disrespect I ask for forgiveness this day. I forgive those of you who have been disrespectful to me in Jesus Holy Name. Amen!

"Failure"

The Bible says in 2 Peter 1:3 that as we grow in our knowledge of God, through his divine power he gives us everything we need for life and godliness. Jesus relied on the Word of God alone to overcome obstacles, including the devil. God's Word is alive and powerful (Hebrews 4:12), useful for correcting us when we are wrong and teaching us what is right (2 Timothy 3:16). I try so hard to rely on God for all my needs, to help me get through each day with all the trials and tribulations that are set before me. It surely feels like of late the more I try to do God’s will, the more things continue to fall apart. I made my mind up however that no one and nothing is going to get in my way as I take this walk with Jesus. Sure, I am a failure, for in many things I mess up and fall short.

I feel so blessed that God loves me this much and that I have his understanding for all the times that I fell to do as He wishes. We cannot do it on our own. The strength comes through Jesus that allows us to master the difficult situations of life and to succeed where all human wisdom sees only failure. Don’t rely just on what you feel or believe, Trust the wisdom of Jesus, for He walked these roads of earth, He felt the pain, He suffered at our own hands, yet time ant time He has forgiven us, even though we are just failures.


Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.


Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV) Prayer is probably the most ignored secret weapon in the world! Nevertheless, you have to be "righteous" first for God to hear your prayers. Now that is a good trick, isn't it? However, God does not mean that you must be perfect. Oh, no! You must have faith and trust God, just as Abraham did and was called righteous and God's friend! I too want to be Jesus’ friend. James 2:23 (King James Version) 23And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Do not be failures, Trust in God to help you through each day, you are His child, and He loves you. God bless each of you.

Religious? Christian?

(James 1:26, 27)
If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

(2 Timothy 3:5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away

Religious ~ about religion; a person can be religious; but he may not really know God; how many people do you know like this? I know I have personally met many. I know those who believe that if they go to church they will go to Heaven. The minute they leave the property, they are out drinking and partying with their friends, never once picking their bibles up again, until time to go to church the next time.

When you hear, someone say I am a Christian the first thing you think of is religion, but these two are as different as night and day. You may ask how this can be. Let me see if I can shed some light on this. Religion is God, no you would be wrong, religion is knowing about God.


We are continually reminded in the Word of God to be separate from the world in how we think, act, and speak. You will find that both Christian and religion require discipline, loyalty, dedication and desire. Christianity is the only one who lives for the love and understanding of God, for they dive into their bibles to know God. Are you ready to tell others about God, get out there to spread His news, no matter the consequences; are you a Christian or just religious?

(Hebrews 11:6) 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.
(James 1:27) Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.


I think it’s so important for everybody that if you claim to be a Christian that you walk as Jesus did, to actually do what He wants you to do, day after day, week after week, to quit working a schedule, and ask God, “What do I need to do to change my walk for you?”


Are you a True Christian? Do you love Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit and the teachings of the Bible? Is Jesus your Personal Lord and Savior? Do you display any of the fruits of the Spirit as described in Galatians? 5:22 ~ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 5:23 ~ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Or do you find that going to Church once or twice a week will get you to Heaven? I hope that you will seek your soul for the answers needed to give your heart and soul to our Heavenly Father and to get off your tush and get out there and start your daily walk with God.


I ask God to guide and lead you as you start this new journey in your life and patience and love as you find many disappointments along the way. Being a child of God isn’t easy, but how easy was it for Jesus? Think about that, when you go to crying because so many put you down, or spit on you for asking the simple question DO YOU KNOW JESUS? God bless you my sisters and brothers.

“Answered Prayers”

As Christians, we have an invincible God who not only has the power to heal us from any ailment, but He actually does want to heal us if we properly approach Him in our prayers. Every time God decides to heal someone, He is showing incredible mercy, love, goodness and compassion towards that person. If you do not believe that God the Father is a good, merciful, loving, kind and compassionate God – then you may not be able to receive a divine healing from Him because you will not have enough faith and belief in His ability to heal you in the first place. Psalms 145:8 (KJV) The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.


“Jesus Heals the Woman Suffering from Bleeding"
20And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: 21For she said within herself, if I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. 22But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. Matthew 9:20-22 (KJV)


In Matthew chapter 8, vs. 1-4 you will find where Jesus healed a man with leprosy, In spite of the leper being deemed "unclean", Jesus did not hesitate to reach out, touch him, and heal him. This event shows the kindness, willingness and the power of Christ. He risked his life so that this man could live just as he would do later for us on the cross. Leprosy is a chronic, mildly infectious disease in which most of us would not have dared touch this man.


This is just two of the many times when Jesus healed; He continues to heal this day. I have been undergoing test and treatments for kidney stones and possible cancer. Today I went to the doctor for yet another test on my kidneys. Was I scared, and nervous, of course, I am human, but I had no doubt that no matter what the test would show I knew that Jesus would be with me, and help me get thru it. There have been many praying for me, and I thank each of you sincerely, for your prayers were heard. My kidneys and bladder are cancer free. I trust Jesus with my life, for I belong to Him, the creator of you and me. I sat in the office talking to God asking for His divine intervention and for peace unknowns to me, and I received. Praise His Holy Name. God’s kindness is unlike any I have ever seen, His willingness to take me under His wings and to Love me is unconditional. Jesus only ask that you love Him, trust Him, honor Him


In addition, talk to Him. Have a conversation with God, tell Him what you are needing, sure He already knows, but He wants to hear it from you. Let God be your best friend, you will not find a more reliable friend.


Thank You, God, for giving me life and for saving my life. Amen

Gods way of loving

Norris Lake Tennessee is where I spent my Sunday with some great friends today. I sat on the back of the boat just looking at all of Gods beauty that He created and I was just in awe. I took several pictures of the scenery and of the clouds. I felt so blessed to be alive today to be out to enjoy nature and to be with wonderful people. So today, I want to write on being thankful. As I was praying and looking up scripture, I went to talk to friends and was hurt so badly. Seems the more I try to do for the Lord the more I get hurt. I seem to make so many stupid mistakes and lose good friendships. This one hurt really badly, no words to even explain. Therefore, I stop here and ask God to take the pain away, and dry my tears, for this hurt is so deep. I struggle with what lies ahead tomorrow for me, answers I am not sure I can take, but I cannot let satan step in right now. I am on a journey to heaven, and even though I may lose all friends and loved ones here on earth, I know Heaven is where I am heading.


I pray Father that this too can be fixed, and you find a way for this friendship to be mended. Father I want to write this but the tears are soaking my face, please guide me, please help me Lord, I am so hurt. Give me a heart of thanksgiving, worship and praise. Father I ask for humbleness, and a heart of forgiveness. I cherish my family, and friends Father, I ask for your blessings on their life this day and ask for forgiveness for them all. I ask that you give me the love of a child, of understanding towards others.


 [Let your] love be sincere (a real thing); hate what is evil [loathe all ungodliness, turn in horror from wickedness], but hold fast to that which is good. Romans 12: 9 I love you Father in Jesus Holy Name. Amen!

Forgiveness, The Power to Change!

A little over a year ago, I had a family member who crushed my heart when they did not stand up for me when some horrific things were said to me. I harbored ill will for a good year. Every time I would think of the situation, I just could not forget. I had told them I forgive them, but my heart was so heavy. I just could not make peace within. I did not go to their house for a year, birthdays, and holidays came and went. I needed them to say they were sorry, it just did not happen. I came to a dead end and really missed this family member, so I went out of my way to try to make peace. Here it is all this time has gone away and what did I miss? The love of this family member, the sharing, the shopping, and all family events where they would be present. I called myself a Christian during this time, and now I see I was not giving this over to the Lord, I was not forgiving as I had thought. Now, as time has gone on I am happy to say that we are back to talking and I even went over to their house a few times now, and we were able to go shopping again. So today, my heart feels so much stronger, and I give so much praise and glory to God for bringing us through that hard time, and more importantly for giving me the power to change my cold heart. Today I love my family and am excited about growing more and more in the Lord as the Lord blesses with a new breathe each day.




Jesus commanded us to forgive our brother from our heart (Matthew 18:35). Yet because we have memory, sometimes the hurt and pain resurface, and we find that once again we are struggling with the very issue we thought we had forgiven. If you too have someone you need to forgive so you can grow in Christ, you will have to realize first that forgiveness is a process. Forgiveness gives over our right to get even, and finally realize that forgiving leads to reconciliation. Sure, you may feel tormented by your old feelings and have setbacks, but the Lord will be there for you to guide and direct you every inch of the way.


This does not mean you will ever truly forget but God does give what it takes to forgive. Seek Him for the answers of how to overcome the anger and hurt you are feeling.


Step back and remember a time when you desperately wanted someone to forgive you and how you handled it, as well as how did he or she go about forgiving you?


It took me awhile, until one day, the Lord spoke to me and asks me what makes you think you should not forgive others but you expect me to forgive you of all my sins? My heart ached when I realized what I had been doing. “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)


Isaiah 43:25-26 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. 26Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.


Our Heavenly Father, I know that you will give me the strength to forgive and I thank you that you love me. I know I do not deserve this kind of love, and I feel so blessed that you love me as I am. It is hard to face up to the wrong that is in my life. When I feel your forgiveness, I feel clean, good inside, and so free to be what you want me to be. Help me feel this goodness, and strengthen me to forgive those who have wronged me. In my heart, I need to feel your forgiveness, so I thank you for it in Jesus Holy Name. Amen!

“Facing your Illness”

Are you facing any kind of sickness or disease that is challenging your faith? Here are some truths that will help you when the enemy tries to play mind games in order to destroy your faith and keep you from receiving divine healing. God wants to heal you because He loves you! This is the truth you must start with because your faith works by love. Jesus came to this earth to reveal the Father, Father of unconditional love, and then Jesus “healed them all” and He will do the same for you. Get into the presence of God daily where you can rest and enter into the peace of God and the glory of God.




As I myself have been sickly of late, my first thought was why? Why is my year going this way? Is God testing me, or is the devil trying to steal all my joy? The Lord is the love of my life, He is my doctor, my best friend, let’s face it, the Lord is my all. Sure, I love others here on earth, I love and adore my mom, I have respect and love for my family and friends. There is no greater love that the love the Lord has for us.


You will run into several people in your life, including your closest family members who will convince you that you can’t be healed, even your doctors try to tell you how much time it will take for you to feel better. You have to remember that you have the Mightiest Physician already available to you that is your Heavenly Father. Of course, God uses doctors to heal us here on earth; however, He does not give them control over you. If you have a physician like this, please seek a doctor who has love for the Lord.


Why would God allow me to suffer? Maybe so that I can increase my faith in Him, increase my compassion for others, or be better able to encourage and help other hurting people (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. He cares about our physical suffering, healing our soul is more urgent because it is the soul that lives forever. Our relationship with God is what determines WHERE that soul spends eternity. It is my prayer that all who suffer here on earth will seek God and TRUE healing (of the soul) that He offers, so that they can all gather in Heaven where there will be no more sickness and pain.


Romans 8:18: "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth being compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us!"


James 5:13: Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. 14Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.


"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray." This is the best advice I can give to anyone. Let Go and Let God….God bless you this day!

Heaven Awaits You

Revelation 21:3 (KJV) 3And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.




Streets of gold, imposing walls, glorious homes for each of God's people, all in a city of fantastic light. There shall be no more tears, pain, sorrow or death. I know this is what most of us think of when we picture heaven. As I look forward to these things myself, I also look forward to seeing my Father face to face, bowing before Him, and Praising Him. What a glorious day that shall be.


Ephesians 2:6 (KJV) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: When our Lord was here upon earth, He said to His disciples: “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). He was thinking of His Death, Resurrection, and Ascension into Heaven itself in the presence of the Father. The dwelling of God always has been a stately abode. Jesus describes it as a place of “many mansions,” one Heaven divided into many rooms. The desire of the heavenly Bridegroom is to make a room for each of His redeemed ones. Since we have a divine revelation of our heavenly home presented to us by the Holy Spirit, we are assured of the accuracy of every description that He has given. John says: “I saw a new heaven and a new earth . . . the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:1, 2).


To go home you must be part of the family. To be part of the family you must be born into it. Ye must be born again. John 3:3-5 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.


To be part of the family your sins must be washed away. Isaiah 59:1-2; Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.


Matthew 13:41; The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;


Acts 2:38; 38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost


1 John 1:7-9. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.


Are you ready for Heaven? Do you look forward to meeting your Father? God is love, He is kind, and gentle. He wants to lavish His love on you. He is not looking for more servants to add to His Kingdom but more children to fill His house. He wants to be in relationship with you, not because you deserve it but just because He made you, and is "head over heels" in love with you. Ask Jesus into your life today, and watch as you will feel at peace, and find life to be more rewarding. God bless you this day!

Heaven Awaits

“Praise His Holy Name”

Psalm 18:3 says "I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise…"Isaiah 43:21 explains that praise is one reason we were created, "This people I have formed for myself; they shall declare my praise." Hebrews 13:15 confirms this: "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess his name." Psalm 34:1 instructs, "I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips."




"How do I start praising God?" If praising God is new to you, try praising God for who He is to you, personally. Proclaim that God's goodness is without measure; it is abundant and overflowing! Has God been faithful in delivering you from sickness, trouble and sorrow? Did you give Him thanks for the blessings you have received? Let us remember all of His answers to prayer and give Him praise!


When Noah climbed off the ark with his family and stepped on dry land, He knew what God had done for him. Maybe Noah was like us--while building the ark, maybe he thought about all he was doing for God. When he climbed off the ark, he knew he did nothing for God, and that God did everything for him. While he was building the ark, Noah lived among extremely wicked people. How wicked? Genesis 6:5, 6 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, The Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth and He was grieved in His heart. Those wicked people did not offer sacrifices to God; in fact, they did not waste" their time thinking about God. Do you know the first thing Noah did when he climbed off that ark on dry land? He offered a sacrifice. Genesis 8:20 Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. The Lord smelled the soothing aroma; and the Lord said to Himself, "I will never again curse the ground on account of man, for the intent of man's heart is evil from his youth; and I will never again destroy every living thing, as I have done. Why did Noah offer a sacrifice? Did God command? “No. Noah was grateful, and he thanked God who was worthy of all the honor and praise that he could give him. His sacrifice arose as a soothing aroma to God, an aroma that God treasured. "I guess that God likes the smell of burning meat." No. Noah was profoundly grateful to God for what God did for him. God felt touched by Noah's gratitude.


What in your life, do you have to be thankful for? When was last time you Praised God? You don’t need a reason to praise God, for He is worthy of praise all the time. God also gives us assurances of additional blessings as we praise Him. When we praise God, He honors us as His children, and provides His loving protection (2 Sam. 22:47-51) The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation…Failure to praise God, however, leaves us out of fellowship with God and out of His divine protection.


So to the question, how do I Praise God? Praise to God is expressed outwardly through our everyday actions, as well as inwardly in our thoughts. It is simple, when others look at you, do they see a reflection of God's praise? Psalm 113:3 declares, "From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised." Ephesians 1:3 says, 3Blessed be the


God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.

They are Muslim I am Christian.

You ask what the difference is. I am going to do my best to tell you, I feel this is an important topic. As I attempt to tell others about God I ran into someone and I ask do you know God, they responded sure I do, I am Muslim. I said I am a Christian, do you believe in the Trinity? They ask, what is the trinity?
I went on to tell them the Trinity is God, the Father, Jesus, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.


Muslims and Christians alike agree that there is one God, (Allah is the Muslim and Arabic word for God) who is the Creator of everything in the universe. Both view God as sovereign, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, holy, just, and righteous. In these ways, the Christian and Muslim views of God are the same. So you think, ok this is good to know. As a Christian I believe in the trinity, however the Muslims do not. The Bible provides the solution to sin; we believe that Christianity has the correct view of God. Becoming a human being, God’s Son died to pay for the sin of those who trust in Him. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). So if you do not believe that, how do you know God? The Muslims are to believe the Torah and the Gospels. Knowing the Gospels are true, what do they teach about Jesus? The Gospels record that Jesus foretold His life’s work: He said He would be crucified, killed, and raised from the dead (Matthew 20:19). The Gospels record this happening exactly as Jesus predicted (Matthew 27-28; Mark 15-16; Luke 23-24; John19-21).


You ask why would Jesus allow Himself to be killed? He said Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Why would God allow His own son to be beaten and killed? John3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. He loved us enough to send Jesus to be a sacrifice for us.


Another difference between Islam and Christianity, Islam teaches that Allah judges us based on whether our good deeds outweigh our bad deeds. Even if it were possible to outweigh bad deeds with good deeds, God is so holy that He will not allow anyone into heaven who has committed even a single sin (James 2:10) For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all… We all belong apart from Him in hell but God knew that the only way we could be forgiven was for our sin debt to be paid by giving His son to die in our place. God sent His Son to be born and to live a life sin free, to carry our sins and burdens to the cross, to forgive us, so that we too could join Him in Heaven one day.


“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father [God] except through me” (John 14:6).


Do you know Jesus Christ today? If not it is very simple to ask Him into your life, say this simple prayer. “Please, God, show me the truth. Please help me to know your Father and show me how to discern and reject what is false. Lead me Father so that I too can find my salvation and walk in Heaven with you one day. Father I ask for your forgiveness of all my sins today, and refresh my spirit. I love you and I want to walk daily with you. Thank you Father for all you do in Jesus Name, Amen!

“SLEEPLESS NIGHT”

It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. Psalms 127:2

I ask for rest this morning, its 2:23 am, as my mind Is running wild, so I ask God to give to me sleep, to give me a peace, and to all those who are having the same difficulty. In peace, I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. —Psalm 4:8

Often we let our minds over to satan and let him control how we actually feel. I do not want to worry or be stressed, so I am focusing on God. He does not want me to be awake and worried. In fact, He gives us sleep. Who can help us when the needed arises? If the Savior can help us in our greatest need, taking away our sin, can't He help and work through us in any and every situation. “Everything is possible for Him who believes,” Jesus said (Mk.9:23). “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength,” Paul cried (Phlp.4:13). When God works through us, more can be accomplished than we could ever hope or dream.

What are your fears, worries, doubts, or testings, dear friend? Our problems are nothing compared to God's ability to give answers – in abundance – for we have no needs for which He can't supply more than enough to help us. Let's get away with Jesus. In all things we need His help and He will work through us for the good of His kingdom for “if God be for us, who can be against us. Nothing is able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

God is faithful and true in everything that He says and does. So you can count on the promises of God to be absolutely trustworthy. 2 Peter 1:4 He has given us his very great and precious promise.

(John 14:26-27) "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. {27} "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." ( Matthew 11:28-30)

The Lord kept His promise; I fell asleep shortly after asking for peace and rest, with His love on my heart and mind. God not only gave me answers for my concerns, but He showed me that He was in control, of even my sleep. I needed His help and He was there for me, Praise you Father. The next time you have difficulty sleeping give it to God, He is the Helper, as stated above in John 14. God bless you this day!

Why Does God Answer Prayers?

I have found that when you live a life after God and try to live a life that He is proud of, He hears you when you talk to Him. Sure, we all mess up, for we are all sinners; however we have a Father who loves us and forgives us our sins. Have you ever known someone who really trusts God? You watch them repeatedly get things that they ask God for, not always understanding why.

What is so special about them, what do they have that you don’t? "Coincidence”? I don’t think so…So why would God answer their prayers? The biggest reason is that they have a relationship with God. They choose to follow God, and actually listen to what He (God) says. In their mind, God has the right to direct their life, and they welcome him doing just that! When they pray for things, it is a natural part of their relationship with God. They feel very comfortable coming to God with their needs, concerns, and whatever issues are current in their life. Furthermore, they are convinced, from what they read in the Bible, that God wants them to rely on him like that. As I am writing this, I think about a friend who is battling some difficult issues in their life right now, and I know they know God and live their life as I just spoke. I also know they are scared, for their future relies on things happening, I know that God already has the answers for this friend, I really pray that they look to God and live the life they tell everyone else about and expect greatness from God, so that they now can do God’s will.

There are those of you that wonder why God does not answer your prayers as they do your friend or someone you know. It may be because you do not have a relationship with God. You may know that God exists, and you might even worship God from time to time. Further, you may never have received from God complete forgiveness for your sins. You must first begin a relationship with God. Do you really know him and does he know you? Do you have a relationship with him that warrants him (God) answering your prayers?

"...the Lord longs to be gracious to you. He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for [trust] him!" (Isaiah 30:18) And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him. "The Lord delights in those who fear [reverence] him, who put their hope in his unfailing love."(Psalms 147:11) The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

However, God's greatest display of his love and commitment to you is this: Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends,"(John 15:13), which is what Jesus, did for us. Therefore, "If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since God did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else?" (Romans 8:32) He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? He asks us to take any concerns to him in prayer and he will act upon it according to his will. As we deal with difficulties, we are to cast our cares on him and receive from him a peace that defies the circumstances. The basis for our hope and faith is the character of God himself. The better we know him, the more apt we are to trust him. I hope that today you will open yourselves up to receive God fully into your hearts, so that you too can live a life of receiving an eternal life with our Heavenly Father. God bless you this day!

"Rewards"

Peter brought up the subject of rewards to Jesus. Paraphrased Peter said to the Lord Jesus, Look, we have left our families and our houses and our jobs all behind and have followed you for the past three years. What shall be our reward?


God certainly understands what makes us tick. Perhaps no chapter in the Bible illustrates the promised rewards from God better than Hebrews 11. In a chapter that has been titled by some “The Hall of Faith,” the author highlights the lives and contributions of the great men and women of faith in the Old Testament and the rewards God gave them because of their faith in him.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for…. Moreover, without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Many of these great men and women exercised their faith but were able only to look forward to their reward; they never fully realized that reward during their lifetime. Indeed, some even endured hardship in anticipation of the promised reward. “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance” Abraham, Noah, Enoch, Jacob, Joseph and Moses all lived a life of faith in spite of the fact that the reward was in the “distance.”

This is what each of us has to do in our lives, we have to trust God and have faith that He will bring us through difficult times. Sure, there will be many trials and tribulations set in front of us, just as there was for our ancestors. Without Faith, you will not survive anything thrown your way! Well there can be no more compelling motivation for the God-fearing believer than the fact that God himself will be our reward. We will not be absorbed into him, but we shall be immersed in him, into his true glory and beauty. The rewards God has in store are more than we could ever ask or imagine.

Will you get your reward while here on earth for doing well? Only God can answer that, but His promise is all that I need. The book of Hebrew is an all-telling book; you will find many walks of faith. I hope this will compel you to read and study it.

Jesus described himself as “the gate for the sheep”). John 10:7-10 (King James Version)
7Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
8All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
9I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

As the gate, he was the one through whom his sheep would find not merely entrance into a secure fold but into a rich green “pasture The promise of life in Christ is the promise of abundant life – life “to the full” Jesus does not promise us a tiny reward; he promises us a life of fullness and abundance.

Those who come to God through Jesus will receive not merely eternal life in terms of duration; they will receive abundant life in terms of quality. Repeatedly, Jesus reminded his disciples about the benefits and rewards they would receive because they had chosen to follow him. Leaders who want to be effective will follow their example.

I ask that you take time out and read the whole book of Hebrews; I will continue studying the book myself and write more on it as the Lord reveals it to me. I hope you will ask Jesus for guidance in your life today and seek Him, so that you too will be able to get into the Kingdom of Heaven. God Bless you this day!

Heaven's Rainbow

Father, we are grateful to Thee that we can say, "Father," knowing that that means that we are sons and daughters.

Genesis 9:12 And God said, This [is] the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that [is] with you, for perpetual generations: 9:13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. 9:14 And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:9:15 And I will remember my covenant, which [is] between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.

Ever sit and just listen as it rains? You will find that there are many emotions that come with rain. There is a sense of peace, comfort, sleep, or maybe you feel fear, danger, and warning. Whatever you may feel, there is a covenant with our Heavenly Father that you should always feel joy from. He gives us that beautiful rainbow as his covenant to us that this too shall pass. As I drove home from work today, it was sprinkling; you know the annoying drops that your windshield wipers hate. The sky ahead in the west was so dark and gloomy, and as I drove closer to that darkness, I felt myself getting depressed when out of the heavens appeared a beautiful rainbow. In the rearview mirror, I could see the sky clearing. On my mind all I could think about was how beautiful that rainbow is, and how Noah must have felt when God told him about His covenant. The next time you see a rainbow; think about how much God loves you, so much that all these years later He is still upholding his word with His covenant, the rainbow.

Ezekiel 1:28 As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.

IF YOU WANT THE RAINBOW...YOU HAVE GOTTA PUT UP WITH THE RAIN! No, not all rain is pleasant; some causes much devastation in our lives; however, God assures us that not all will die at the hands of a great flood ever again. The rainbow has been defined as the arch of brilliant colors that appears in the sky when the sun shines after a shower of rain. It forms in that part of the sky opposite the sun. If the rain has been heavy, the bow may spread all the way across the sky, and its two ends seem to rest on the earth. There are seven colors of the rainbow: violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red. These blend into each other so much that most observers only see four or five colors. Have you ever just wondered how amazing that color can just be there after a storm? Remind yourself The rainbow is a sign of God's promise that He is always available to guide us through any storm and any war that we may battle. When you feel you can’t take anymore and your heart is full of dismay, just remember that God’s rainbow is coming. You have His assurance of that, give it to Him in Prayer.

Father, we thank you for all your diverse colors in the rainbow and all the wondrous diversity in your creation. Thank you for loving us and giving us this beautiful covenant of the rainbow. I love you Father in Jesus Holy Name. Amen!