Your strength…

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him."
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭28:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Where does your strength come from? For me, in the past, I have relied on myself. There were no limits to what I thought I could do. I consider myself 'Superman'. (And if you know me, I still wear that 'S' tattooed on my arm.)

I worked hard and climbed to the pinnacle of my career. But I was all about me. Slowly, over time, God changed me, for the better. He showed me that life was not about just me. That He had given me skills and gifts to help others. To show His love, to so many people in a variety of ways with the gifts He gave me.

I'm still a work in progress, but now my strength comes from Him. I hope I live my life in service to Him so that I can Be Blessed!


Sent from my iPhone

That feeling…

"God designed us to feel remorse over sin in order to produce repentance that leads to victory. This leaves us with no regrets. But the sorrow of the world works death."
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭7:10‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Have you ever done something and immediately regret it? Well, if your a Christian, that's how God designed you.

We feel remorse over the sin we just committed and we don't like that feeling. So guess what, that feeling we don't like prevents us from repeating that sin. And that leads to victory.

Now, it's not perfect, sometimes we are all repeat offenders. But God designed us for victory and life. Trust those feelings of remorse, turn from that sin and Be Blessed!

Words…

"For the Scriptures say, "If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies."
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭3:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The tongue is such a small muscle but can cause so much damage. It's impact can be tremendously detrimental.

Words can't be taken back once they leave the tongue. An evil word or lie can do more damage than we could ever imagine. It could affect someone for a lifetime.

So think before you speak. Speak words of life. Speak words of wisdom. Honor God with your words and Be Blessed!

Unafraid…

"Now, because of you, Lord, I will lie down in peace and sleep comes at once, for no matter what happens, I will live unafraid!"
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭TPT‬‬

King David had many trails and tribulations in his own life, but he lived unafraid because he knew God had his back.

Often we worry about this or that, or we are afraid of what may happen in our lives. That is our human side, not trusting God.

We must live in the knowledge that God's got this, no matter what it is! So lie down and sleep in peace, live unafraid and Be Blessed!

Fix your thoughts…

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What do you fill your mind with? What are you watching on TV? What's scrolling through your phone or on your social media? Would you let Christ go through your browser history?

Satan takes every opportunity to fill your mind with things other than God. Make sure your winning the small battles and guard your mind and heart.

Fix your thoughts on God and Be Blessed!

Trusted to keep promises…

"Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise."

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10:23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We always want God to answer things in our time. To get us out of a mess or a situation 'right now'. But God doesn't work on our time. 

Pray today, not for God to give you words of comfort or rest, but to receive fresh words to fight against the enemy. It does not matter how long you've been fighting. If the promise has not yet come to pass, keep waging the good fight. Stay in the battlefield. God will bring the victory, as He promised.

Keep pushing, keep fighting, God will keep His promises and you will Be Blessed!

The past…

""Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:18-19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Have you ever let you past bring you down or hold you back? I know I have. Remember, God has forgiven you past. He has new plans for you.

You see, nothing is to big for God to overcome. Not a sinful sexual past, not addiction, not financial failure, not divorce…nothing is too big for God. As a matter of fact, if you have repented, God doesn't even remember this past that you speak of.

God is doing a new thing in you if you will let Him. Forgive yourself, He has and move forward so you can Be Blessed!

Trials for good…

"I want you to know, dear ones, what has happened to me has not hindered, but helped my ministry of preaching the gospel, causing it to expand and spread to many people."
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1:12‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Paul knew that his trials and tribulations on earth were not just punishment. God would use them for good.

So many times we wonder why this or that is happening to us. We feel like God doesn't love us or He is punishing us. But God has and individual plan for each of us, a plan to better His kingdom.

But who better to minister to the sick if we have never been sick, who better to minister to the poor if we have never been poor. Who better to minister to those with great lose if we have not suffered great lose ourselves.

God uses everything for good. We may not understand it now, but one day we will. Count these trials as future triumphs and Be Blessed!

Let the party begin…

"for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.' So the party began."
‭‭Luke‬ ‭15:24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Most of us know the story of the prodigal son. He left a good life and squandered all his riches, when he was dead broke, he returned to his father and ask for forgiveness. His father threw a party for his son had returned.

Are their things in you life that your ashamed of? Have you squandered all the riches God has given you?

God is there waiting and watching for you to return. Just come back to Him, ask His forgiveness and see how He blesses you!

It's never to late to Be Blessed!

24/7

"So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most."
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4:16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Sometimes I am busy at work or with a project and can't answer the phone when it rings. I also work night shift, so my phone is on 'Do Not Disturb' during the day when I am sleeping. But no matter what I am doing or if the DND is turned on, my son can always get through. I will always answer his call.

As a child of God we have that same privilege. We can 'come boldly' before God and know, that because we are His child, He will answer, any time, day or night. God is always there for us.

Aren't you glad you have a God that gives you 24/7 access? He is there when we need Him most. Thank Him for His grace and love, and Be Blessed!

Hiding from God…

"There is not one person who can hide their thoughts from God, for nothing that we do remains a secret, and nothing created is concealed, but everything is exposed and defenseless before his eyes, to whom we must render an account. He understands humanity, for as a man, our magnificent King-Priest was tempted in every way just as we are, and conquered sin."
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4:13, 15‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Do you ever try to hide from God? Like children who have done something wrong, we think we can hide from God.

I remember trying to hide inside a pull out sofa one time. I thought if I could t be found I would t get in trouble.

We think that if we don't tell anyone about our sin, or our private thoughts that they will be hidden from God. Or maybe we sinned while on a work trip, all alone, nobody will know, right?

God is always present, He sees all. And some may think that He is just there waiting to catch you in a sin, I believe He is there to help you avoid that sin.

Christ went through the same struggles and temptations that you do. He is for you, not against you! Live a life worthy of His sacrifice and Be Blessed!

Faults…

"Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace."
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:2-3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As humans, we're not perfect. We each have our faults. As Christians, we need to be the bigger person and make allowances for others faults. And recognize we have faults if our own.

Sometimes instead of arguing, we just need to agree to disagree and show love to the one who has offended us.

And man, this hits me right in the gut, cause I could argue with a wall. But as I have matured in Christ, I try to take a deep breath and be humble and gentle and show some love. (Even if it takes a finger poke, in the side, from my wife)

God called us to be kind to one another, love each other, and live in peace. If we can do this then we all will Be Blessed!

Decisions…

"Listen before you speak, for to speak before you've heard the facts will bring humiliation."
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18:13‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Listening is very difficult sometimes, especially for men. We tend to hear what we want and make snap decisions. But getting all the facts can help make a better choice, wether it is about an important matter in your life or just a simple disagreement with your spouse.

But once we have the facts, and have made our decision we must ask: "Is this what God would want? Does this go against my biblical beliefs?"

King Solomon was a wise man, and gave us the Proverbs for a reason. Gather the facts, see if it stands with Godly beliefs and make a well informed choice. Then you will Be Blessed!

Lead your family…

"His heart should be set on guiding his household with wisdom and dignity; bringing up his children to worship with devotion and purity."
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭3:4‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Men, do you lead your family? The chances of all family members knowing Christ increase exponentially when the husband/father knows Christ and leads his family well.

We set an eternal precedent that have ramifications to the end of time. Children and grandchildren will follow the fathers lead. They will learn from him, follow his direction. They will glean from his worldly and biblical knowledge.

A Godly father/husband will affect generations to come. Lead your family well, bring them up in a Godly household and Be Blessed!

Love your wife…

"However, each man among you [without exception] is to love his wife as his very own self [with behavior worthy of respect and esteem, always seeking the best for her with an attitude of lovingkindness]…"
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:33‬a AMP‬‬

Men, I might step on your toes, but know, that at times, I am stepping on my own.

Do you love your wife well? With respect and esteem? So many times in todays society marriage is just a fleeting thought. Something we do and if it doesn't work out, we just get a divorce. Divorce rates are 50% among Christians and non-Christians alike.

Why? Because men these days don't lead and they don't love their wife well.

Lift her up, compliment her daily, praise her in front of others. Spend much needed time with her. Talk to her. Lead her spiritually. Love her more than you love yourself.

Love her like Christ loved the church and in the end, your life, your family and your marriage will Be Blessed!

Like a child…

""Learn this well: Unless you dramatically change your way of thinking and become teachable like a little child , you will never be able to enter in."
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭18:3‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Have you ever taught a child? They are like sponges, soaking up any and all information you give them. Their little brains are constantly improving and learning. Then they begin to ask questions, sometimes hard questions.

But they ask out of curiosity and the thirst for knowledge? They don't just have blind faith, they seek to understand and gain knowledge.

That is how Christ wants us to be. It's OK to ask our Savior the hard questions. And He really wants you to seek His knowledge out, to dive into His word and find the answers your looking for.

Seek out Christ, glean from Him the knowledge and answers your looking for and Be Blessed!

Love…

"So now I live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God's love. I'm convinced that his love will triumph over death, life's troubles, fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken his love."
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:38‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Did you ever think: Man, I messed up, nobody can love me after this, especially God.

Good news: Roman's tells us that nothing can separate us from God's love. You see, God is love, He loved you before you were born, He chose you and He loved you so much, that He died for you.

Now I have mess up big on my life , but one thing was constant, God still loved me. Soak that in for a minute, God loves you, no matter what, and Be Blessed!

A choice…

"Then the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the same place with the wild beast and the false prophet—the lake of fire and sulfur—where they will be tormented day and night forever and ever."
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭20:10‬ ‭TPT‬‬

A price must be paid for sin.we can pay that price or we can allow Jesus to pay that price for us.

No one much likes to talk about hell anymore. It's not politically correct. But it is a real place. A place for punishment for the choices we make. The ultimate choice: to live with Christ or to reject Him.

God gave us free will to chose. And just like any choice, there are consequences. Chose Christ: live eternally with Him, reject Christ: be tormented day and night, forever and ever.

So why is this important for us as believers? Well, I have a lot of people in my life that I don't want to see suffer that fate. It's my job to be sure they know the good news of Christ. By my testimony, by the way I live and how I treat them.

Live a life for Christ, share the good news, be the seed that is planted to help others escape the eternal torment and Be Blessed!

Grace…

""The landowner replied, 'Friends, I'm not being unfair—I'm doing exactly what I said. Didn't you agree to work for the standard wage? If I want to give those who only worked for an hour equal pay, what does that matter to you? Don't I have the right to do what I want with what is mine? Why should my generosity make you jealous of them?'"
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭20:13-15‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Life is not fair. This parable often baffled me until I looked at it from a grace standpoint. The landowner gave more grace to the men who only worked one hour vs the ones who worked all day.

Sometimes we look at others and ask, why did God give them this or that? I worked harder than they did, it's not fair.

Sometimes others need, and get more grace. God gives more grace to the murderer who eventually accepts Him, as their savior, than the man who has served God his whole life. Both will inherit the kingdom of God.

God never promised a fair life, but His grace is sufficient for all. Isn't that great news for those of us who have failed in our life. Aren't you glad God gives us more grace when we need it so we can Be Blessed!

His plans…

""My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55:8-9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We have limited, present earthly perspectives, but God sees His plan for the whole universe; past, present and future.

Sometimes when we wonder why God didn't do this or that. Or why He didn't answer a prayer the way we wanted, maybe we need to remember His ways are higher than ours.

My wife and I were discussing recently, something that happened in our past. If that event had not happened, we would have never had the opportunities to serve God the way we do now. And we would have missed out on so many blessings.

Remember we exist to serve God, not the other way around. His plans are greater than ours and they always lead to us being able to Be Blessed.

Silence…

"O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me."
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭13:1-2, 5-6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Even David, a man after God's heart, struggles to hear from God at times.He thought God was silent and was allowing his enemies to attack. But David kept the faith, he knew God was always there with him, silent or not.

Do you go through times when you feel God has abandoned you? I believe we all do. For whatever reason, sometimes God is silent. But rest assured, He has never left you! His love is unfailing!

Cry out to Him, like David did! He will eventually speak and you will Be Blessed.

Faith…

"Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen."
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:1‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Do you ever have the hard questions for God? What about the sick children? Or why someone had to suffer? Maybe about the trial you are going through.

That is where faith comes in, we can't always see the end goal. But we must trust God's process. Faith is a HUGE step in your Christian walk.

I know it is hard to trust God sometimes, when you feel the world is crashing around you. But have faith, He has a plan, trust Him and Be Blessed.

Love…

"Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins."
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Oh how the world would change if we just loved each other. We are all different in what we think, do and say. But just because we're different, we don't have to take offense to our differences. We can still love one another, be kind and still be different.

"Love covers a multitude of sins"! You see, the intense love that Jesus had for us all, meant that we were forgiven. He loved us so much that He sacrificed Himself so we might live. He didn't do that just for the people He agreed with, no He did that for everyone. He loved, despite the differences.

So take a moment today to love, show some kindness, feel the difference that love can make and Be Blessed!

Trials and sorrow…

"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.""
‭‭John‬ ‭16:33‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We have peace in Christ, not because we don't have problems, but because He has overcome those problems. We need to lower our of what's possible in this life on earth. We must have and eternal/heavenly viewpoint. We will experience ONLY joy and peace in heaven.

Our problems are not a measure of our spirituality. Faith does not depend on a worry, stress free life.

God's grace is sufficient. We must focus on the eternal and not the worldly. If we can keep that viewpoint, God's viewpoint, then we will Be Blessed!

Taken from: Out of the cave, by Chris Hodges.

Encouragement…

"But continually encourage one another every day, as long as it is called "Today", so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭3:13‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Who encourages you on a regular basis? Do you encourage someone in your life? Lifting each other up in this world is a much needed thing.

You would be amazed how much a kind word can help someone who is having a bad day. The devil attacks us emotionally and fills us with sinful, depressing thoughts, but a call or text from someone who encourages us can make all the difference.

Take a moment today to encourage someone and you too will Be Blessed!

Troubled waters…

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you."
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:2‬ ‭AMP‬‬

He never promised the water won't be deep and treacherous, never said that you will not face the fire. But he did promise you will not be overwhelmed, you will not be burned.

You see when the Israelites crossed the sea, God didn't get rid of the sea, He simply parted it, they still had to walk through it.

We will still have to walk through tough times in this life. But trust me, God will make away, you will come out on the other side and you will Be Blessed!

Life together…

"It takes a grinding wheel to sharpen a blade, and so one person sharpens the character of another."
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭27:17‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Life is better…together. God did not intend for us to do life alone. That's why He created Eve, Adam was lonely.

Life is tough already, but to do it alone would just stink. Now my best friend, is my wife, she hold me accountable and lifts me up daily in prayer and walks beside me.

But maybe your single, or need the accountability of another Christian friend. Find good Christian friend that you can do life with. Outside of my wife, I have a group of men that I serve with at church. I rely on their friendship, camaraderie and counsel.

We all need someone to do life with. Join a small group or bible study, or confide in a close Christian friend. Your life will be better for it and you will Be Blessed.

Treasures…

""Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be."
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:19-21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Thanksgiving: a day when we sit back and think about all we have been blessed with and are thankful. Living in the richest country on the planet, we all have "stuff" to be thankful for.

But what are you eternally thankful for? "Stuff" fades away, and we surely can't take it with us. But what about our heavenly treasures? I am proud to say, that my wife, my children and grandchildren (that are old enough) are all a child of the King. They will be with me in heaven for an eternity. That isa much greater treasure than any "stuff" I could accumulate here on earth.

What eternal treasures are you thankful for? Are you working daily to add to those heavenly treasures? Focus on the heavenly and not the earthly and you will Be Blessed!

Saving grace…

"So I say to my soul, "Don't be discouraged. Don't be disturbed. For I know my God will break through for me." Then I'll have plenty of reasons to praise him all over again. Yes, he is my saving grace!"
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭42:11‬ ‭TPT‬‬

During the holidays, many are depressed and discouraged, for a multitude of reasons. Maybe financial, maybe relational, more often; spiritually. Suicide rates increase during the holiday season.

When I am down, I always turn to the Psalms. David reminds us that God is always there for you! He is your saving grace. When God is done with you, you will do nothing but sing His praises.

So during these holidays, encourage someone, share David's psalms with them. Or take a moment to sit with them and let them feel the love of God through you, then you will Be Blessed!

Afraid..

"Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Have you ever been truly afraid? Maybe scared for your life? I know we all have been discouraged at times. Maybe down and depressed. Either way, did you come out of it on the other side?

In all my life, through my depressions, my fears, and my anxieties; my God has always been there for me. Granted, sometimes I didn't feel like He was there because I wasn't in the right state of mind, but He never left me!

Whatever your going through today or in the future, always remember God is for you! He will strengthen you if you allow Him and you will Be Blessed!

Follow me!!

"The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Come, follow me.""
‭‭John‬ ‭1:43‬ ‭NLT‬‬

How many followers do they have? That's what social media success is; your number of followers. Celebrities, athletes, influencers and politicians; they all want followers.

But are we following the right people? Do we follow them for the right reasons? Jesus said: "Come, follow me!"

I wonder if Jesus was on social media, how many followers he would have? Would He even warrant a blue check by His name?

Forget the world and it's influence. Follow the King of kings, the Lord of lords and the Lion of Judah…you will Be Blessed!

Humility…

"Be free from pride-filled opinions, for they will only harm your cherished unity. Don't allow self-promotion to hide in your hearts, but in authentic humility put others first and view others as more important than yourselves. Abandon every display of selfishness. Possess a greater concern for what matters to others instead of your own interests."
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:3-4‬ ‭TPT‬‬

How many time do we put ourselves first? I have to do this, or I don't have time to help them. I have more important things to do than go help them.

Being humble and putting others first is part if what God called us to do. Serving others and putting others first is exactly what Jesus did.

So stop being prideful and all about yourself. Help others, put their needs above your own and you will Be Blessed!

Great things…

""I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father."
‭‭John‬ ‭14:12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Directly from Jesus' mouth! He believes in you, He knows you can do great things, because you believe in Him.

God did not desire for Jesus to stay on earth forever. He was sent to die for our sins, because God knew that those who trust in Jesus can do great things.

God entrust us to do His work here on earth. He trust us to spread His good news and love. With His help we can accomplish anything for good.

Believe that the Father gave you this power, use it to enhance His kingdom and Be Blessed!

Common ground…

"When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings."
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭9:22-23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Common ground not condemnation! How do we win over people to Christ? The sinner, the alcoholic, the abusive friend; we find a common ground on which to connect with them. Then we show them love and acceptance. Maybe it is a simple as both of you liking the same sport, or same restaurant.

But people tend to open up and listen to our options when we have a common ground with them. It gives us an opportunity to share Christ with them.

What is your common ground? And are you using it to sever God? Find it, use it and Be Blessed!

The Shepherd’s voice …

"The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won't follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don't know his voice.""
‭‭John‬ ‭10:3-5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There are so many voices in today's world. All pulling us in different directions. Each with a different agenda. Some are satan, some are the innocently confused, others are just trying to sell you something.

But one voice, one single voice calls you to greatness. The voice of your Shepherd, Jesus Christ! Are you able to discern His voice? Are you able to follow Him when so many others are calling you?

Listen for that voice, ruminate on what He is telling you. Follow that voice and you will always Be Blessed!

Revitalize…

"God will continually revitalize you, implanting within you the passion to do what pleases him."
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:13‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Do you ever wake up tired, anxious, depressed? You just feel like you can't conquer the world today?

Most of us do at some point in our lives. But always remember that someone has your back! God will pick you up, revitalize you and give you the help you need to make it through the day.

So when the morning stinks and you don't think you can do it, turn to Him. Let God help you through the day and Be Blessed!

Christ power…

"I know what it means to lack, and I know what it means to experience overwhelming abundance. For I'm trained in the secret of overcoming all things, whether in fullness or in hunger. And I find that the strength of Christ's explosive power infuses me to conquer every difficulty."
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:12-13‬ ‭TPT‬‬

I have been in need before and I have also been in abundance before. And through my ups and downs of life, I always found the power to succeed with Christ.

He has helped me overcome my faults, He has helped me conquer my fears, He has picked me up and carried me when I could no longer stand, much less walk.

No matter what your facing, Christ is there for you. Allow Him to lead you and guide you and Be Blessed!

God will provide…

"But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.""
‭‭Acts‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Do you ever think: I'm not bold enough, smart enough, I'm not worthy to share the gospel? Satan will provide you with any excuse.

But God promises to give you the power and ability you need to be His witness. Maybe it is as simple as inviting someone to church. Saying a quick prayer over them, or leading a men's group online.

Whatever it is, God will provide. Trust Him and Be Blessed!

Your mission…

"Overcome every form of evil as a victorious soldier of Jesus the Anointed One. For every soldier called to active duty must divorce himself from the distractions of this world so that he may fully satisfy the one who chose him."
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:3-4‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Soldiers are given a mission by their commanding officer. Theydon't question the authority and they stay focused on the task at hand.

Christ is our commanding officer, He has a mission for you specifically. Don't get bogged down by the things of this world. Stay focused on the task laid before you.

God's plan and purpose will lead to a greater price. Stay "front sight focused" on the task He has given you and Be Blessed!

Priorities…

"And the rain fell, and the floods and torrents came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock."
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:25‬ ‭AMP‬‬

What are your priorities in life? Name your top 5, your top 3. Is God on that list?

Do you build your house, your life, on the rock that is Jesus Christ? Have you laid a godly foundation in your marriage, your finances, your family?

You see, your priorities, your foundation will stand the rest of time, if it is built on the Rock. Take a moment to write down your priorities, show it to a pastor or trusted friend. I hope God is number one so you can Be Blessed!

Your purpose…

"So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together for good, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose."
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:28‬ ‭TPT‬‬

"His designed purpose"; not our purpose but His! What has God designed you for? Not your job, not your hobbies, but God's purpose in your life.

Now He may integrate your talents, hobbies and your job for His purpose. But He uniquely design you, specifically for a task in His kingdom. Finding that purpose in your life will fulfill you more than you will ever know.

God's purpose makes us whole, it fills you up and gives you meaning. Use your purpose for Him and Be Blessed!

Now, I would like some feedback…what is your purpose?

New and fresh…

"Now, if anyone is enfolded into Christ, he has become an entirely new person. All that is related to the old order has vanished. Behold, everything is fresh and new."
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:17‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Maybe your like me; you gave your life to Christ as a child. So seeing the old you is difficult. But have you let sin creep in as an adult? Christ is still in you and can make you new again. You just have to allow Him.

Or did you give you life to Christ as an adult? Can you see that change? Did you allow Christ to make you fresh and new.

Either way, Christ has a plan for you. He is willing and waiting to mold and shape your life to the person He sees you being. The person full of joy and peace with a passion and a purpose for His kingdom.

Let Christ make you new and fresh a no Be Blessed!

Christ in you…

"It is necessary for him to increase and for me to decrease."
‭‭John‬ ‭3:30‬ ‭TPT‬‬

What changed with you when Christ came into your life? Do you still act like your old sinful self? Do you still revert back to who you were before Christ? Especially when times get tough?

You see, we must lose the old self and let Christ shine through us. We must show the world Christ or else, how will they know Him?

You see satan isn't afraid of Christ in you, he is afraid of Christ coming out of you for all the world to see!

Share Christ in you and Be Blessed!

Faith…

"It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him."
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:6‬ ‭MSG‬

Faith: complete trust or confidence in someone or something. Do you have COMPLETE trust in God? Or do you believe He can do something, as long as you give Him a "little" help; maybe you carry part of the burden or worry.

When we earnestly seek God and have complete faith in Him; we turn it completely over to Him, and we don't pick it back up.

God does exist and He will respond to those who seek Him. Maybe not on your time or the answer you want, but He has a greater plan for you to Be Blessed! Have faith…

What do you believe…

""Everyone who hears my teaching and applies it to his life can be compared to a wise man who built his house on an unshakable foundation. When the rains fell and the flood came, with fierce winds beating upon his house, it stood firm because of its strong foundation."
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:24-25‬ ‭TPT‬‬

What do you believe? Maybe you believe the core truths in the Bible, but not so much the small stuff. Maybe you believe it cover to cover, word for word; I do!

But what you believe is the core foundation for your life. And as a result, like a good foundation, you will stand or fall based upon those beliefs.

So read the word, dissect it, know how to defend it. God's word is the foundation for a Christian life. Believe it cover to cover, word for word and Be Blessed!

The price…

"Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault."
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1:22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Christ died for you and me! He took hour sins upon Himself so that when we stand before the Father we will be holy and blameless.

You see, the price for our sins had to be paid. Either by you or Him, and trust me , you don't want to pay that cost.

So stand in the light and shine it throughout the world. Let everyone you come in contact with, know that Christ paid their cost too.

Live up to the price He paid for you and Be Blessed!

Who are you…

"But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light."
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2:9 NLT

Who are you? I am the son of Gary, husband to Lynn, father to three wonderful kids and Poppa to four glorious grandkids. But most importantly, I am a child of God!!

But the best part, He chose me!! He picked me! And as a child of God, I represent Him.

We should show God's goodness to everyone we meet! We should spread His light to the world, we should represent God to a dying world, for He chose them too, they just can't see it yet. Show them God and Be Blessed!

Mask…

"We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don't try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this."
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Do you struggle with being the same person through the week as you are on Sunday morning? Sometimes we were two different "mask": our Christian Sunday morning mask and our week "worldly" mask.

Why do we hide who we really are? A child of God! Are you afraid the world will reject you? Are you afraid if persecution?

Stand up for what you believe, shed off any mask that might be hiding the child of God. Be bold in your faith and Be Blessed!

What’s next Papa?

"This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what's coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him!"
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:15-17‬ ‭MSG‬‬

I love this MSG translation: "What's next, Papa?", mostly because my grandkids call me Papa. But it reminds me who we are in Christ! We are a child of God!

And like my children and grandchildren, all that I have will be theirs and all that God has, is ours! What a wonderful life He has planned for us, what adventures and blessings He has in store for us!

So trust in God, trust His plan, ask Him: "What's next, Papa?", and Be Blessed!!

Sin’s stronghold…

"Could it be any clearer that our former identity is now and forever deprived of its power? For we were co-crucified with him to dismantle the stronghold of sin within us, so that we would not continue to live one moment longer submitted to sin's power."
‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:6‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Do you, from time to time, go back to hour sinful life? Rely on yourself for self worth or need the praises or 'likes' of others to feel like your life has meaning?

As a child of God, our old sinful life can no longer fulfill us. Only God can fulfill us!

Sin no longer has a hold on us! We have been set free! Rely on God and Be Blessed!

Our duty…

"God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another."
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

"Whatever job I am given, whatever duty I am bound by, I will do it to the best of my ability." -The Hero Code: Admiral William H. McRaven

God has given each of us talents and gifts. He has entrusted us to do our best with them and to serve one another accordingly.

But what amazes me, is God correlates and guides our lives to show us His blessings. As I read my devotion today, it went alongside the book: The Hero Code, that I am currently reading.

God is in everywhere, look for His hand, use His gifts to serve others and Be Blessed!

Fight…

"The Jews who lived near the enemy came and told us again and again, "They will come from all directions and attack us!" Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, "Don't be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!""
‭‭Nehemiah‬ ‭4:12, 14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The enemy will attack us from all directions. Now days it is from the news, commercials, work, magazines, sports, your phone, even the grocery store. He spreads his lies and hate from every direction.

As men of God, we must be prepared to fight his attacks. To defend our families and to led them well. Satan wants to tear down the walls that protect you, to find the slightest crack and open it up as a gaping hole.

Be prepared with the word of God. Stand up for your beliefs, even if it is not politically correct and do t worry about who you offend. Truth, the truth from our Heavenly Father, is the one thing that satan cannot defend against. He must flee from it.

Trust in the Lord, live His truths and Be Blessed!

Hike on…

"I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I haven't been hiking in a month or so, but this week we are in Cheaha Mountain. So I decided to hike to the highest point in AL, 2407 ft above sea level, but only about 0.25 miles from my campground. Yet it was a rocky, steep 0.25 miles.

My pup and I stopped about 3/4 way through. We could see the observation tower but it got steeper still. We took a deep breath, kept our eyes on the prize and hiked on. The views at the top were amazing and well worth the hike.

Life is tough, hard even; satan attacks from all directions. But keep you eye on the heavenly prize, hike on, with God by your side, and Be Blessed!

Boast on Christ only…

"As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world's interest in me has also died."
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Boasting is pride in one's self. Weather it is your successful job, trophy wife, physical fitness, or bank account; all of our accomplishments belong to Christ. We owe it all to Him!

When we begin to value "what we did" above "what God bless us with", then we begin to fail. Life will never satisfy us when we rely upon ourselves.

So boast only about "the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" and Be Blessed!

Deep waters…

"When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you."
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Have you ever been through a difficult time and feel like your all alone? Feel like no one loves you and you have no where to turn?

But you made it through it and you were better in the other side. Know this, God is with you, no matter the situation.

In those time of difficulty, remember that God is right beside you, even carrying you through the flames. He will make sure you come out on the other side so you can Be Blessed!

Faith….

"And what more could I say to convince you? For there is not enough time to tell you of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets. Through faith's power they conquered kingdoms and established true justice. Their faith fastened onto their promises and pulled them into reality! It was faith that shut the mouth of lions, put out the power of raging fire, and caused many to escape certain death by the sword. Although weak, their faith imparted power to make them strong! Faith sparked courage within them and they became mighty warriors in battle, pulling armies from another realm into battle array. These were the true heroes, commended for their faith, yet they lived in hope without receiving the fullness of what was promised them. But now God has invited us to live in something better than what they had—faith's fullness! This is so that they could be brought to finished perfection alongside of us."
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:32-34, 39-40‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Faith can help you with many things. But most importantly, faith helps you live the fullest life that God has in store for you.

When you are down, have faith; when you are sick, have faith; when you are weary, have faith. There is an ultimate plan for you, have faith and Be Blessed!

Your body…

"Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body."
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6:19-20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I was always taught that whenever you borrow something, return it as good or better than you found it. Example: if you borrow someone's car return it with a full tank of gas.

Now, I am not a gym rat, or gym mouse; but I do try to take care of the body that God's bought and paid for, with His Son's blood. We must honor God in everything we do. Mind, body and soul; completely dedicated to Him.

Talk a walk, hit the gym, eat a little healthier and Be Blessed.

Spirit is life…

"The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace."
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

"What we do in life echoes in eternity!" Maximus- Gladiator

Such a famous movie line can be based from Paul's letter to the Romans. How we live our lives and what we focus our minds on, will determine if we live a life of fleshy death or one of peace.

There are so many things in this world that can pull our minds astray, but for what reward? Material things, sex, money, power; those will all fade away and leave you empty and dead inside.

But a life filled with God, love and peace will bless your soul. And no matter where you are, or what you have, God will always provide you with a life worthy of eternity.

Let God's spirit govern you mind, body and soul and Be Blessed!

Counsel God…

"Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord? Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him?"
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40:13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Do you ever find yourself telling God what is best for you or your family? Do you think your wise enough to counsel God?

Sometimes we find ourselves saying: God if you will do this then I will be happy; or God give me this and I won't ask for anything else.

Even the wisest man to ever live, Solomon, sought God's advise. Believe that God has the best for you, no matter the circumstances or situation. Trust His plan and Be Blessed!

Worry…

""So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:31-33‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In my life, I have had plenty of money, tons of material possessions and a wonderful life. I have also, briefly, been homeless, slept in my truck and lived paycheck to paycheck. But worrying about those things have never helped.

My God has been with me through the valleys and on the mountain tops. You see, my God always provided; a new job, a friend that took me in, a blessed life ahead.

I have always been a worrier, but as I get older, I have discovered not to rely on myself and turn my worries over to the Lord. He always provides and as His child, I will always Be Blessed!

Trust…

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:5-6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

How many times do we feel like we should go one way or make a certain decision but after thinking about it, we chose the opposite? We have researched it ourselves and found the "best, most comfortable route".

Sometime God wants to take us out of our comfort zone. Sometimes He has more in store for us than we can see.

Trust God, not yourself and go down the path He has chosen for you. You will Be Blessed!

The Light…

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord."
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:8-10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Darkness…statistically most crimes are committed in the dark or from the shadows. Evil doers don't want to be seen in the light or to be able to be identified.

But children of God live in the light! Light, from the sun, provides all things good: warmth, energy, nutrition for plants through photosynthesis. God is that light for us. Providing us with goodness, righteousness and truth.

When we are in the light, we can see what pleases the Lord. Allow God's light to direct you in your path. Look for His truths and Be Blessed!

Take captive…

"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10:4-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

"Taking captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." Do you have the knowledge to do that? Take captive your thoughts. Some days I do, other days not so much.

I struggle with fear of the unknown. Satan knows that and exploits those fears. But I must trust that God has given me the tools to take captive those thoughts.

God has given us the power to speak In His name and capture every thought and fear. Trust in the One who created you, use the power He has given you and Be Blessed!

Your mind..

"One of their religion scholars spoke for them, posing a question they hoped would show him up: "Teacher, which command in God's Law is the most important?" Jesus said, "'Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' This is the most important, the first on any list."
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22:36-38 MSG‬‬

Most of us know the NIV version: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind." I want us to think about our mind or as the MSG says: intelligence.

Do we learn all that we can about God? Do we have the knowledge to unapologetically defend Him in a discussion with an unbeliever? Have we learn about the science that explains some of the history in the Bible? The flood, dinosaurs, why people no longer live 500+ years?

Having a true knowledge of God and all that He is, is just as important as blind faith. But you don't need to be a biblical scholar to know some basic facts and truths. Pick up a book on Bible history or archeological. Study the science of the Old Testament.

Be intelligent about you faith and your God and Be Blessed!

Fear…

"Now I know, Lord, that you are for me, and I will never fear what man can do to me."
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭118:6‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Do you ever just have a bad day? Or a bad week? Your worried about what is happening in your life and anything that anyone does just makes you mad and more upset? Yep, that's me this week.

So I sit here, trying to calm down, and trying to read a bit. God sends me this verse. I know that He has always loved me and has always protected me. So why and I afraid? Because I am human and my faith waivers from time to time.

So if your in the same boat I am today, know that God is for you, and you have nothing to fear. Take a leap of faith and Be Blessed.

Faithful…

"This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is."
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:11-13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God never promised that life would be easy. Men of God have been persecuted since the beginning of time. God is always faithful to His children.

So know when your going through hardships it's because satan is worried about you, he attacks those that pose a threat. And even when our faith waivers, God is right there waiting for us to return. He never took His eye off of us.

So stand fast, be faithful, live for the Heavenly Father and Be Blessed!

The truth…

"So don't let anyone lead you astray with all sorts of novel and exotic teachings. It is more beautiful to feast on grace and be inwardly strengthened than to be obsessed with dietary rules which in themselves have no lasting benefit."
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:9‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Do you jump on the bandwagon of the latest Tik-Tok craze? Or the latest diet fad? How about Cryto-currency or cancel culture? Maybe you watch that latest TV pastor who doesn't even open the scriptures.

Focus on the truth! Healthy eating with moderate exercise, long term stable investments, and God's Holy Word as your source of grace and strength. There is no substitute for the truth! And the truth comes from God!

These other things may satisfy you in the moment, but God's lasting grace and strength will lead you to a life where you will Be Blessed!

Encouragement…

"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.""
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭31:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Moses is encouraging and mentoring Joshua at this time. Joshua will lead the Israelites into the promise land. Joshua is scared and afraid of this new leadership position, but Moses gives him some good advise.

How many times do we need just need a little encouragement from someone who has felt the hand of God in their life? Someone who will hold us accountable, lift us up and give us good advise.

I want to encourage all of you! God is with you! He will never leave you! He will fight for you and with you! Rely on Him, surround yourself with Godly men and Be Blessed!

Fearless…

"I'm writing to encourage you to fan into a flame and rekindle the fire of the spiritual gift God imparted to you when I laid my hands upon you. For God will never give you the spirit of fear, but the Holy Spirit who gives you mighty power, love, and self-control."
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:6-7‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Fearless, that is what God empowers us to be! The devil uses fear to control us, he wants to put you in a state where you won't be used by God.

But God will never give you the spirit of fear. He will give you all His love and power so that you can succeed and be used by Him.

Don't back down from the devil, be a fearless warrior gifted by God. Fight the good fight and Be Blessed!

Weak and hungry…

"Even the strong and the wealthy grow weak and hungry, but those who passionately pursue the Lord will never lack any good thing."
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34:10‬ ‭TPT‬‬

The strongest, most fit athletes in the world get tired and hungry sometimes. The wealthiest and most powerful men get beaten down and grow weak from time to time. Life is hard to do by yourself even when your strong and wealthy.

God didn't intend for us to do life alone, and without Him. When we try, we will fail. Continually seek God, and seek Godly men to surround yourself with, then you are sure to succeed.

When I am weak, God strengthens me, when I am hungry, God feeds me! Keep God in your corner and you will always Be Blessed!

Humble yourself…

"Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and insignificance] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up, He will give you purpose]."
‭‭James‬ ‭4:10‬ ‭AMP‬‬

I met with my physician this week, Dr Marc, we spoke briefly about the success of his and his wife's practice. He accepted none of the praise and even gave accolades to his wife for their success. I even mentioned; "Doc, you are too humble." He blushed.

God wants us to be humble, not proud and boastful for our successes. We must give credit where credit is due; to God. I can tell you, that without God in my life, I would not have a successful marriage, financial stability, career, and family. I would not be blessed with a wonderful community, neighbors and I would definitely not have lived such a long and healthy life. I owe all my "wins" to my Heavenly Father.

I took me a long time to learn to be the least bit humble and I paid for that. And sometimes I look back at those mistakes and wish I had learned sooner.

Your Heavenly Father wants to exalt you, to help you win, but we must humble ourselves before Him and give Him the glory before we can Be Blessed!

Choices…

"The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure."
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

There is always a way out! No matter what temptation or what situation, there is always a way out. But we must make a choice to take the way out. Chose not to click on that link, walk away from that dirty joke, ask for water while everyone else chooses beer.

Life is full of temptations that have choices. We must live with the consequences of our choice. There have been many time in my life, I made the wrong choice. And because of that, I and others around me suffered for my poor choices.

God always provides a way out to temptations, what choice will you make? Choice God and Be Blessed!

Know that I love you…

Lucy,

It's been a long hard week at work and we are both worn out. I am sorry that I spoiled your wishes when you got home. I would have never shut that window had I known it would have made such a big impact on you. But please, know that I love you.

Some days we are clicking along, on the same page and life is good. We are at the mountain top, walking hand in hand. And some days we seem miles apart, at each other's throats. But please, know that I love you.

I would walk through hell and back just to see you smile. And some days, I am only human and I seem to drag you through hell and back. But please, know that I love you.

God brought us together, so many years ago. But I feel like I fail you daily. Please, know that I love you.

Your Superman!

Sent from my iPhone

Loyalty…

"But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do."
‭‭James‬ ‭1:6-8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

James here is speaking of asking God for wisdom, but this is true fir anything we ask of God. We should only expect to receive from God if we are 100% loyal and put our faith in Him.

God doesn't want a part time follower. He want a your all, every aspect of your life. He wants your good, your bad, He wants you "all in, all the time!"

If you can do that, God will bless you beyond measure! Loyalty is rewarded, love God with all you have and Be Blessed!

The voice in your head…

"Never restrain or put out the fire of the Holy Spirit."
‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:19‬ ‭TPT‬‬

You know that little voice in your head that says: Don't watch that show; Don't click on that webpage; Don't take that drink; Stay away from this situation.

Yeah, that voice! That is the Holy Spirit, trying to keep you out of trouble. And when we don't listen to that voice, we tend to fall into sin.

God sent the Holy Spirit to live beside us, to help guide our lives. Listen to that Holy Spirit in your head, He is speaking softly, trying to lead and guide you so you will Be Blessed!

God’s instructions….

"The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them."
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭19:7-11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When we have questions on, any subject, where is the best place to turn? The experts or the authorities on that subject. You ask an IT guy about your computer network issues. You ask a mechanic about your car. And when you have questions about life, you ask the Creator!

God meticulously wrote down His laws and instructions for us. Every page of the Bible is filled with the answers we seek.

So don't ask the mechanic about your computer's IP address. Ask the Creator of life about your day to day struggles. Open His instruction book and seek the truth. Go straight to the author and Be Blessed!

Commitment…

"So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet."
‭‭James‬ ‭4:7-10‬ ‭MSG‬‬

So how do we battle sin in our lives? How do we make the devil run? Well, first we have to be committed to God. Committed in our work, our marriage, our kids, our free time, completed committed to God.

When we have turned our lives over to God, the devil doesn't even want to fight that battle. He will try but he turns tail and runs when a man of God stands up to him.

Commit you life, all of it, to God. Hold nothing back and Be Blessed!

Faith…

"In every battle, take faith as your wrap-around shield, for it is able to extinguish the blazing arrows coming at you from the evil one!"
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:16‬ ‭TPT‬‬

A true warrior believes that the battle has already been won. He has planned, trained and is confident in his abilities. He has faith! Defeat is not an option!

Faith in our Christian lives is part of our battle plan! We can prepare in every other way but if we don't believe that our God will help us overcome then we will fail. Faith gives us hope!

The battle is long and hard, but faith will sustain us. God is always by your side, defeat is not an option. He will guide you through, have faith and Be Blessed!

Hide your sin…

"I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night— but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you."
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139:11-12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Have you ever tried to hide your sin? Think that nobody will notice, or this won't hurt anyone? You can try and you might fool some people, but you can never hide from God.

God sees all, hears all and knows all. Now I don't think God is lurking just to catch you in sin, but the fact is, you can't hide from Him. He is there, to love you, guide you, forgive you and bless you!

Turn from your sin, don't try to hide it, your not fooling anyone but yourself. Ask your loving Heavenly Father for forgiveness and Be Blessed!

God’s word…

"And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels."
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:10-12‬ ‭MSG‬‬

The MSG lays spiritual warfare our so anyone can understand. "This is no athletic contest…this is for keeps, a life or death fight!"

So many people ignore spiritual warfare. Because you can't touch it, or feel it or see it. But it is the most important fight of you life, literally.

God has given us the tools to fight back, to defend ourselves from the devil's attack. And it is always better to be in the offensive side instead of the defensive. Our offensive weapon is the "word of God"; "sharper than a two edged sword"!

When your being attacked, get back on the offense! Read His word, listen to it, speak it, proclaim it in your prayer life. The devil recognizes God mighty word and he too, we flee from it.

If your not spending daily time in God's word, I encourage you to do so. Spend 5 minutes in devotion. Listen to the audio bible on your drive to work or as you walk your dog. Dedicate time in your busy schedule to study God's word. This battle we call life is so much easier to win when you have the right weapons in your arsenal.

Be Blessed!

Your choice…

"But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.""
‭‭Joshua‬ ‭24:15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We all make choices in life. To be faithful to our wife, or have an affair. To be a good employee or just go in and do a job. To be a good steward of your money or live paycheck to paycheck. And with each choice comes consequences.

As we walk through life we will ultimately chose who we serve. We will serve our sinful nature or we will serve God. If we chose wrong, we will lose nothing, we were already condemned from birth to our sinful nature. But if we chose God, we gain everything! A life fulfilled, a life blessed beyond measure and an eternal salvation spent with our Heavenly Father.

What choice will you make today? Are you prepared to live with those consequences? I've made my choice, I chose to Be Blessed! How about you?

Good over evil…

Without Jesus…

"In other words, just as condemnation came upon all people through one transgression, so through one righteous act of Jesus' sacrifice, the perfect righteousness that makes us right with God and leads us to a victorious life is now available to all."
‭‭Romans‬ ‭5:18‬ ‭TPT‬‬

"Without Jesus, you have to pay for your own sins!": Pastor Chris Hodges

As a father, I have the opportunity to take my grown kids out for a meal every now and then. And no matter the cost, I always pay the bill. It is my privilege, just to spend time with them and build a relationship with them.

At the end of your life, there is a bill that has to be paid. You can pay it yourself or you can allow your Heavenly Father to pick up the tab.

The sin HAS to be paid for, you can pay it or you can allow Jesus to pay it for you. He just wants a relationship with you so you can Be Blessed!

A call to parents…

"And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up."
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭6:5-7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In our busy world today, we tend to let other people teach our children. Through public education, television, YouTube and the other kids they hang around with. But God tells us that is our job.

We must not let our children decide for themselves who they are or what they will become. Their are too many outside influences that will help them chose. We MUST teach them who they are, a child of God! They have been created for a divine purpose. Each on crafted, individually with unique talents and gifts, for God's Kingdom.

Speak God's word over your children, raise them to trust the Lord. Show them that they are a child of the King and teach them to live a life worthy of that title. In the end, they will Be Blessed.

Your gift…

"In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly."
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:6-8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What is your gift? You may not even realize what it is. But God has given each of us a gift, so that we can help others. Maybe it is as simple as listening to someone in need, mowing a yard, cooking a meal.

Your gift different than mine, that is what makes us all unique. God has a plan for yours, so use it to uplift His kingdom. When you find your "niche", spreading God's love just comes easy.

Use your gifts to God's glory and you will Be Blessed!

The shepherd…

"I am the Good Shepherd who lays down my life as a sacrifice for the sheep. But the worker who serves only for wages is not a real shepherd. Because he has no heart for the sheep he will run away and abandon them when he sees the wolf coming. And then the wolf mauls the sheep, drags them off, and scatters them."
‭‭John‬ ‭10:11-13‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Sheep know their shepherd's voice, and they follow only Him. Only the true shepherd will sacrifice Himself for His flock.

Don't get distracted by the other voices in this world. Listen to your Shepherds voice. He is calling for you to follow Him. He sacrificed Himself so that you might live.

Focus on Him, listen to His voice, follow Him and you will Be Blessed!

Rescue me…

"Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress. Tears blur my eyes. My body and soul are withering away. I am dying from grief; my years are shortened by sadness. Sin has drained my strength; I am wasting away from within. I am scorned by all my enemies and despised by my neighbors— even my friends are afraid to come near me. When they see me on the street, they run the other way. I am ignored as if I were dead, as if I were a broken pot. I have heard the many rumors about me, and I am surrounded by terror. My enemies conspire against me, plotting to take my life. But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, "You are my God!" My future is in your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly."
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭31:9-15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

David was a man after God's heart, but he was also a man who had made many mistakes and had enemies.

How many times in our lives do we worry about all of our mistakes? Do we fear our enemies and what the future holds?

But like David, we must trust, that our Lord will save us. That he will rescue us from whatever and whoever is hunting us down.

Trust His plan, and Be Blessed!

What has God done for you…

"The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him home, saying, "No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you." So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him."
‭‭Luke‬ ‭8:38-39‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What has God done for you? Have you told anyone? Have you shared God's love, grace and mercy? We can preach and teach people from the Bible all day long, but what really makes and impact is when others see God working in our lives.

Tell them that: My God has healed me, He has restored me, He has forgiven me, He has blessed me abundantly. My God loves me and wants to do the same for you! Give them examples and show them God living in you.

People will see what God has done for you. They will want the same for their lives, and you and them will Be Blessed!

Move forward…

"When they were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, "Run for your lives! And don't look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!" But Lot's wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt."
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭19:17, 26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As we see the disaster from Hurricane Ida and the upcoming anniversary of Sept 11th, God doesn't want us to look back on disaster. If we made it through then God showed us a way out and He has a plan for us.

Sometimes I look back on the tragedies in my life and wonder "Oh, why me?" But then I think, that help make me who I am and, with God's help, I have risen up and moved forward. I am a better man for it.

Acknowledging the pain and grief of a disaster, honor the memory of those lost. But learn from it and move forward by faith. In the end, you will Be Blessed!

Sexual sin…

"Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body."
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6:18 NLT

Guys and gals, sexual sin is everywhere today! From underwear ads, to Tik-tok, sports, and porn. All readily accessible from the small device you probably have in your hand now.

God wishes us to be sexually pure. He gave us sex as a gift, between one man and one woman. Sexual sin destroys marriages, relationships, careers and lives. It will affect every aspect of your daily life.

Remain pure to God's plan, put up checks and balances in your life to guard from sexual sin. Run from it! And Be Blessed!

Hospitality to strangers…

"No matter what, make room in your heart to love every believer. And show hospitality to strangers, for they may be angels from God showing up as your guests."
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:1-2‬ ‭TPT‬‬

It is easy to show love to someone in times of disaster. Hurricane Ida just hit and people are pouring in to help. That is great and wonderful!

But what about every other day? What about the homeless man you pass on the way to work? The elderly neighbor down the street? The single mom in your office?

We must show God's kindness and love to everyone we meet. Lend a hand, share a cup of coffee and Be Blessed!

Into your sanctuary…

"Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors. When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning. Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do."
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭73:17-28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Be Blessed!

My only hope…

"Lord, you are my secure shelter. Don't ever let me down! Let your justice be my breakthrough. Bend low to my whispered cry and save me from all my enemies! You're the only place of protection for me. I keep coming back to hide myself in you, for you are like a mountain-cliff fortress where I'm kept safe. Let me escape from these cruel and wicked men, and save me from the hands of the evil one. For you are my only hope, Lord! I've hung on to you, trusting in you all my life."
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭71:1-5‬ ‭TPT‬‬

We are not promised rescue from every difficult situation. But we do know that God hears our cries and will walk beside us every step of the way, and even carry us at times.

As David says in verse 5: "For you are my only hope."

Trust in Him, with Him we can make it through anything and in the other side, we will Be Blessed!

The Lord is here…

"God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Interlude A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it. The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God's voice thunders, and the earth melts! The Lord of Heaven's Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude Come, see the glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the world. He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire. "Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world." The Lord of Heaven's Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude"
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46:1-11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Endurance…

"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation."
‭‭Romans‬ ‭5:3-4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Over my 50+ years in this earth, I have had my share of trials and problems. Medical, financial, relational, you name it, I have had it.

But God has stood by me through it all. He has been there to pick me up and carry me. He has given me endurance and faith.

When trouble hits, have no doubt, God is with you and He is molding you into the person He has planned for you to be. Stand strong, have faith and Be Blessed!

God’s gift to man…

"Then the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him." So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man's ribs and closed up the opening. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man."
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2:18, 21-22‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God never designed us to be alone. Since time began, His plan was "family". One man, one woman: raised a family and filled the earth. That was how God designed it.

Having a spouse who is designed by God is one of the best gifts we can be given. Leading that spouse, the way God intended us to, is a great responsibility. But it is also one of the most rewarding things a man can do.

Take a moment to pray for your spouse. The gift that God has given you. A family, by God's design, is one that will Be Blessed.

Stand up for our God…

"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn't, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.""
‭‭Daniel‬ ‭3:17-18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The story of these three young men standing up for what they believe in, never gets old. They were not afraid of the consequences or the fire. They believed in the one true God and they weren't about to back down. Why? Because they had a personal relationship with the Almighty God.

When things get personal, we tend to believe in them more. We tend to stand up for it more and not back down. For example, you come at my loved ones, your going to have a fight in your hands.

But when someone comes at our God, they berate us for our beliefs, do we back down or stand and fight. If you have dove into God's word and have a close personal relationship with Him, then, I believe, you will stand and fight.

Stand up for our God, believe that He is coming to save us, and Be Blessed!

Better together…

"A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken."
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4:12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Doing life alone is tough, even challenging. That's why we need Godly counsel around us. People in our lives that we can trust and who "have our backs" when times get rough.

So much depression and suicide, in this world, comes from doing life alone. Feeling like no one is there for you. God did not design us to be alone. Wether it is your spouse or your group of close godly friends, life is much better together.

Find a warrior who will stand next to you and fight for you and with you and Be Blessed!

The lion’s den…

"So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, "May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.""
‭‭Daniel‬ ‭6:16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The king loved Daniel and had placed him second in command, but due to a law, he had to throw Daniel into the lion's den. But Daniel's influence, as a man of the true God, led the king to believe that Daniel's God would save him.

The Bible goes on to tell us, that not only was Daniel saved; but the king was so impressed and happy that Daniel had been saved, he ordered his whole nation to worship the God of Daniel.

What a man of influence! Daniel's faith led to a nation turning toward God! Just one man! What would happen if all of us men of God stood up with as much faith as Daniel? Not only could we save a nation but the world!

Stand up for your faith, we are truly living in the lion's den, God will save us and we will Be Blessed!

God’s way…

"God's way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect."
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭18:30-32‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Life is tough and sometimes we wonder why we are going through something so difficult. I have failed miserably in the past and been through some tough times, and cried out 'why God?'

But what I have discovered is that God's way is always perfect! These scars and the tough times I have gone through have made me the man I am today. God always has a plan, the toughest thing is trusting that plan.

Trust God, trust His plan and Be Blessed!

Be strong and courageous…

""Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.""
‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1:6-9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Joshua had just taken over leadership after the death of Moses, what big shoes to step into. Naturally, he was frightened. But God tells him three times, to "be strong and courageous"!

After God's pep talk, Joshua knew God was with him. He went on to lead the Israelites into the promise land.

Where is God leading you? What does He have in store for you? Are you scared or worried?

Be strong and courageous…God is by your side! Move forward into the promise land and Be Blessed!

Stand with each other…

"As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend."
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭27:17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As I reflect back on Men's Night, I see the need for godly men in my life. Although men are naturally loaners, not willing to share their feelings and needs with others. We men, always feel we can "handle it" by ourselves, that we don't need any help.

We don't need any help, until we do! So why not build a group around you, build a support system. Pick some godly men and do life together. Iron sharpens Iron, warriors can better defend themselves when they stand back to back and side by side!

Who are you doing life with? Stand with each other and Be Blessed!

Be that man…

"four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn't bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "My child, your sins are forgiven.""
‭‭Mark‬ ‭2:3-5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Let's not consider the paralyzed man right now, but the four men who carried him to Jesus, and did whatever was necessary to see their friend healed!

Wow! I want men like that in my life, men who will be there in the good times and the bad! Surround yourself with people who will pick you up and carry you. Who will do anything to help you!

But more importantly, strive to be the man that carries the stretcher and will bust a hole in a ceiling to see his friend reach Jesus. I want to be that guy so I can Be Blessed!

Surround yourself….

"Afterward, Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to himself the men he wanted to be his close companions, so they went up with him. He appointed the Twelve, whom he named apostles. He wanted them to be continually at his side as his friends, and so that he could send them out to preach and have authority to heal the sick and to cast out demons."
‭‭Mark‬ ‭3:13-15‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Who do you surround yourself with? Jesus chose 12 men that He could depend on. Men that would be by His side, support Him, and help spread His message. Even though He was the sin of God, He still needed godly men in his life.

What about you and me? Do we have a support system? Do we have godly me that will lift us up, call us out when we are wrong and cheer fir us and be by our side when we succeed. Godly me who have the same agenda as us, who share God's word with you when you need a pick me up.

The old saying goes, you are who you hang out with! Who influences your life? Chose wisely and Be Blessed!

The Lion of Judah…

""Perhaps you think I've come to spread peace and calm over the earth—but my coming will bring conflict and division, not peace."
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10:34‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Many people picture Jesus as a timid man, walking around saying: "Peace unto you!" And Yes He was, but He was also the Lion of Judah! He came to destroy sin and take back His world which satan had consumed!

He came to give us a way to freedom. He came to fight a war for our souls! Matthew 10 discusses how father and son; mother and daughter will be divided. We will fight each other, separated by God truth and satan's lies!

Jesus is looking for warriors to stand in the gap beside Him and fight for souls. Those may be your family, your friends or co-workers! Join us in this war, follow the Lion of Judah and Be Blessed!

Priorities…

""So above all, constantly seek God's kingdom and his righteousness, then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly."
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:33‬ ‭TPT‬‬

So what are your priorities? I pictured mine, then I asked my wife and I got a different answer. Eye opening!

But most importantly our priorities should be based on Matthew 6:33; above all, seek God. Everything else will fall in line then.

So take a look at yourself, then look at your calendar. See what your priorities are, and then see if God is first, so you can Be Blessed!

Accountability…

"Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results."
‭‭James‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Who here has an accountability partner? I confess that I currently do not.

Another Godly man who we can go to and say: Hey, I messed up it I've been thinking about this. Someone we can confess our secret sins too and who can hold us accountable and keep us from doing that again. Someone with no judgement, just love and godly guidance. Someone who we can pray with and who will pray for us when we fail.

Every man needs that in their lives. Seek out a Godly accountability partner and Be Blessed!

Emotions..

"For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven."
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Ecclesiastes goes on to explain many things in their time. I encourage you to read that chapter.

As men, we tend not to show emotions. Pain, sadness, joy, fear, happiness; whatever it may be, most men suppress major emotions. Just because we show emotions in a healthy way, doesn't make us less of a man.

Jesus showed emotions. He was fearful in the garden before his death. He was angry at the money exchangers in the temple. He felt the pain of the nails in His hands and feet. He smiled with joy when the children came to Him.

But none of these emotions caused Him to sin. Don't t hold everything inside, be a Godly man and use your emotions to bless others and then you will Be Blessed.

Conflict…

"Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don't have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn't yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it. You wouldn't think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you'd be asking for what you have no right to. You're spoiled children, each wanting your own way."
‭‭James‬ ‭4:1-2‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Conflict: why do we have it so often in our modern culture. Because we all want what WE want and think that we deserve it. We are not willing to hear another's opinion and rationally discuss it. And no one is willing to compromise.

This is true for family conflict, work conflicts, political and religious conflicts. Everyone feels their opinions and goals outweigh everyone else's. They will do anything to get their way.

But why not seek God and His goals? Why not take a step back, pray for what is best for your family, at your work, in your life.

Seek God's goals, not your own and you will Be Blessed!

Anger…

"You can recognize fools by the way they give full vent to their rage and let their words fly! But the wise bite their tongues and hold back all they could say."
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Anger is a natural emotion, but what we do with it is what matters. For years, I was a very angry person. I was always right and would argue with a wall. My outburst of anger never led to anything good. More often than not, I and my family suffered for it.

I still deal with anger but more often than not, I bite my tongue. (Yes, I still fail sometimes.) But when we reflect God better when we bite our tongue, and be the better man.

Learn to deal with your anger, to control it. No one sees God, in a man having a fit of rage. Take a deep breath, show others God in you and Be Blessed!

Your source…

""I am the sprouting vine and you're my branches. As you live in union with me as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you—but when you live separated from me you are powerless."
‭‭John‬ ‭15:5‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Have you ever tried to do something really difficult by yourself? Maybe get back in shape, or a big project at work. It's hard and lonely. We work better when we have someone helping us and holding us accountable. Someone to be a source of information and encouragement. To help lead us and guide us.

Living this life without Jesus is very difficult. We will not produce good fruit without Him by our side. Having a relationship with Jesus brings us power, knowledgeable and understanding. That relationship will help us navigate, this thing we call life, so much easier.

Let Him be your source and Be Blessed!

Joy to a father…

"The wisdom of Solomon: When wisdom comes to a son, joy comes to a father."
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭10:1‬a ‭TPT‬‬

Today I prepared to attend my son's white coat ceremony for medical school. The joy that feels my soul, seeing him succeed, is overwhelming.

How much more does our Heavenly Father feel joy when His children succeed. When we find Godly wisdom, God leaps with joy. When we follow His teachings and walk closely with Him, He smiles from east to west.

Godly wisdom requires time in His word, time with the Father and time living out His teachings. Be wise in the Lord and Be Blessed!

The man in the mirror…

"They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, "All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!""
‭‭John‬ ‭8:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What powerful words! Jesus is saying, 'Ok, you can stone her but only if you haven't sinned yourself.'

You can condemn that post or that like, if you haven't sinned yourself. You can talk bad about they way they dress or live if you have led a sinless life.

It so easy to look at someone else's life and nitpick it. See their faults. But when you look in the mirror, do you see your own life? Do you see all the wrong things you have done and the people you have offended? Do you look at the man in the mirror and judge him first?

Take a step back, extend some grace to yourself and others. Learn how to help yourself and help others overcome their sin, and Be Blessed!

He strengthens us…

""Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him."
‭‭Luke‬ ‭22:42-43‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I want us to focus on verse 43; "Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him."

We often just skip over that verse. Jesus was intently in prayer at the garden. These would be some of His last hours. While He prayed, what did God do? He strengthened Him!!

That is what prayer does!! It strengthens us! It brings us closer to our Heavenly Father. And no matter the answer, God will provide the strength to make it through.

No matter what your going through, no matter how hard it feels, God will give you strength! So bring your burdens before Him, come out stronger and Be Blessed!

Stand on the dry ground…

"Meanwhile, the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Lord's Covenant stood on dry ground in the middle of the riverbed as the people passed by. They waited there until the whole nation of Israel had crossed the Jordan on dry ground."
‭‭Joshua‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As servants of God we don't always get to be first. The priest were the last to enter the promise land, because they were serving others.

Serving others is not a burden, not a job, it is a privilege. God gave each one of us talents by which to serve. Talents to use for His glory.

Stand on the dry ground God has provided! Serve others, so that His promises can be achieved! You never know what answered prayers you are helping come true in someone else's life.

Serve and Be Blessed!

God’s love…

"You live fully in me and now I live fully in them so that they will experience perfect unity, and the world will be convinced that you have sent me, for they will see that you love each one of them with the same passionate love that you have for me."
‭‭John‬ ‭17:23‬ ‭TPT‬‬

God loves us as much as He loves Jesus! The adopted child, us, is loved just like the natural born child. We have all the rights and privileges that God's son has!

As a stepfather, I understand this dearly. My "step"-children are MY children. They have ALL MY LOVE and all the privileges that come from being my child. When you ask me who they are, they are my children.

God is the same way! We are His children. Think about that love from the Heavenly Father and Be Blessed!