Saturday, September 30, 2023

Dive in…

"As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?""
‭‭Acts‬ ‭8‬:‭36‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Reading this passage makes me smile. They were not afraid to stop what they were doing and show the world that they believed in the Heavenly Father!

So many times, the opportunity comes up for us to show the world we are Christians. But we back down, we cave to political or social pressures. We worry what people will think of us.

Stand up for your faith, when the opportunity arises, stop what your doing and "dive into the water!" Show the world who your Lord and Savior is and Be Blessed!

Friday, September 29, 2023

Fix your eyes…

"fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Have you ever gone "all in" for something? Maybe learning a new hobby, you buy all the gear, watch all the videos and spend all your free time at it. You "fix your eyes" on it.

Running the race of life, we need to fix our eyes in Jesus. We need to go all in! Have laser focus on Him! Dedicate our time and resources for His glory. Jesus doesn't just want part of you, He doesn't just want you attention some of the time. He wants an "all in" relationship with you!

So "fix your eyes" on Jesus, I guarantee you will Be Blessed!

Thursday, September 28, 2023

Leaders…

"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

An old military saying goes: "Leaders lead from the front!" When I first read this verse I thought about how God is going before us and fighting for us. But I took a moment and thought about it from a husband / father / man's perspective. It is an example of how we must lead!

Our families must see us as a leader, that we will never leave them, that we will fight for them. They should never be afraid because their husband / father is guiding the way. We should be the example in their lives; morally, and in their Christian walk.

"Leaders lead from the front!" Are you a man that your family is proud to follow? Step up fir the ones you love, follow God, and they will follow you, then you will Be Blessed!

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Confidence in prayer…

"Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Do you ever worry when talking to God? Like when you had to tell your parents you did something wrong or messed up? Sometimes I get that gut feeling when I'm praying too.

But the first part of Hebrews 4 describes Jesus, as the high priest, who goes before us! Making intercession, so we can have confidence to ask for grace and mercy.

So approach God with confidence, know Jesus is interceding for you. God love you, He wants the best for you, that's why He gave His Son for you, so that He can show you grace and mercy! Live with that thought when praying and Be Blessed!

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Tripped up…

"The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again."
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭24‬:‭16‬a NLT

Do you know how many times I have failed? It's way more than seven, probably more than seventy times seven! But with God help, His grace and mercy, I get back up again and keep going.

You will never progress in your Christian walk if you give up when you fail. But what we must do is learn from our mistakes, get up, keep moving and don't make the same mistakes again!

Don't beat yourself up when you fail, ask forgiveness, He will grant it. Get up and move forward. As you progress you will Be Blessed!

Sunday, September 24, 2023

The gardener…

""I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭1‬-‭2‬, ‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

My wife is a flower gardener, she grows beautiful flowers, plants and trees. She makes sure the roots are strong, the vine is growing and the branches are pruned. Apparently, you produce more flowers and fruit when pruned promptly.

Our Christian lives are much like my wife's flowers, we must have strong roots in the Word of God, remain with Jesus the vine, and allow Him to prune us so we can produce good fruit and flowers.

Do you allow Jesus to nurture you and prune your life? What are you holding back that needs to be pruned so you can produce more fruit? Allow the gardener to work in your life and Be Blessed!

Saturday, September 23, 2023

The morning…

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life."
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭143‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The old saying goes, "I woke up this morning so it's a good day!" But I try to wake up and spend some time in God's word, then it's a good day.

Those few minutes remind me of God's love. It gives me time to speak to God, see what He has for my life that day. Without my few minutes with God, the day can go off course.

How do you spend your morning? Is time with God a part of it? Make it a habit and Be Blessed!

Friday, September 22, 2023

The light…

"In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I woke up in my hotel room this morning, I had pulled the black out curtains last night, but light was piercing the corners with the sunrise. Darkness cannot overcome the light!

No matter what darkness your going through, their is still light. Jesus is that light! He can overcome all darkness in your life.

So as you awake and you feel like darkness surrounds you, look for the light of Jesus. He is there for you, He will drive away all the dark, let Him be your sunrise and Be Blessed!

Thursday, September 21, 2023

A masterpiece…

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Have you ever seen a piece of marble or wood before the artist has used it for his creation? It's just a big blank rock or chunk of log, doesn't look like much. But once the master artist chips away, it becomes a thing a beauty!

Although we were born in a sin nature, God created us for so much more! If we allow Him to "chip away" all the sin nature, He can carve a masterpiece out of our lives!

He is preparing you for so much more, but we have to let Him remove some things to get to that point. Allow Him to creat a master in you and Be Blessed!

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

Faithful…

"These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect."
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭39‬-‭40‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Hebrews tells us of the unnamed faithful that we're served others, spread the gospel, even tortured and stoned for their faith. We may not know their names but God does! They may not have received a promise on earth but God was waiting for them at the gates of Heaven!

You may not be on the forefront, you may not have your name in lights as a dynamic speaker or singer, but God knows your name! Remain faithful, keep doing good work. Spread the gospel, share your story!

God is faithful, He is waiting for you with open arms! Then you will truly Be Blessed!

Monday, September 18, 2023

Children…

"And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them."
‭‭Mark‬ ‭10‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As I welcome my granddaughter, Lorén, I to the world today; I see how Jesus loved the children. Their innocence, love and grace. They weren't judgmental or fearing of Jesus. They loved Him because He loves them.

Shouldn't we love Jesus just as much as a little child? Not wanting any from Him but a hug and a blessing. Jesus loves you so much today. Love Him back!

He gave His life for all His precious children. He loves you that much, bask in that and Be Blessed!

Saturday, September 16, 2023

Fear…

"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe."
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭29‬:‭25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Fear is the enemies way of attacking us from the inside. He puts thoughts of doubt, anxiety and fear inside us to hold us back for what God has in store for us.

If we let it, fear will overcome us and cause us to fail. But, we have a Savior, who will conquer those fears. Jesus will help us overcome but we must replace that fear with focus on Him. We can't overcome if we are balled up in a corner, worried with fear.

We must stand up, fix our eyes on Jesus, put our faith in Him and move forward. Trust that He will help you conquer your fears and Be Blessed!

Friday, September 15, 2023

More than your soul…

"And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?"
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Have you achieved success? Do you have the important title, the fanciest truck, the nicest gold clubs, the lush bank account? You have climbed the corporate ladder and reached the top, but you still feel an emptiness inside.

You don't have love or happiness, their is no peace in your rest. Your soul longs for something more? Jesus is calling, He is waiting for you. Only He can give you the peace and contentment you desire.

Is anything worth more than your soul? I know my answer, do you? Seek out the One who can send you peace and Be Blessed!

Thursday, September 14, 2023

An example…

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Paul is speaking to Timothy, a young Christian, telling him to set an example. I want to encourage you to do the same. No matter where you are in your Christian walk.

We must set an example. Non-believers are watching, to see how we talk, and conduct ourselves. To see if we live with love, in faith and act purely.

They may not know that you have only been a Christian for 1 month, 1 year or 30 years. Frankly, they probably don't care. They are looking to see how you act and treat them.

So model Timothy, set and example and I guarantee you will Be Blessed!

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

Eternity…

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Sometimes we often get focused on ourselves or worldly things. We work so we can have this or that. Or we cling the corporate ladder so people can say "look at him."

But what about the unseen, what about focusing on God's Kingdom. Winning souls, or feeding the poor, helping the elderly. In the long run, those things will make such a difference. Your fancy boat or car can be gone in an instant. But what you do in the unseen will last forever.

Change your focus, look to eternity and see where you can make a difference. Then you will Be Blessed!

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Burden…

""Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Have you ever carried a burden that feels like your toting a couch up ten flights of stairs, by yourself? Sometimes the mental things we carry are much more than the physical.

Maybe it's a past sin or guilt? Maybe it's worry or shame? Whatever it is, give it to God, let Him carry it for you!

Let Him carry the load for you. When you turn it over to Him, completely, you will feel that burden lifted from your shoulders. Then you will Be Blessed!

Monday, September 11, 2023

The walk…

"If you are wise and understand God's ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom."
‭‭James‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We can talk the talk, but do we walk the walk? I met a lot of people who proclaim to be Christians, and they probably have accepted Christ as their Savior. But is their life reflecting Christ?

The Christian walk is supposed to be constant growth. Their was a time in my life where, yes, I was a Christian but it didn't show by the life I led. Hopefully that has changed and is improving.

So where do you stand? Do you just talk the talk, or do you walk the walk? I pray you are progressing in your walk with Christ so that you can Be Blessed!

Sunday, September 10, 2023

Run from, run too…

"But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness."
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

When we are running from evil, we must also be running toward something. Run toward righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

So you may stop doing a particular sin but what are you replacing it with? You can overcome that sin much quicker if, in its place, you do something godly.

So what are you running from? More importantly, what are you running too? Chose your goal, what to pursue, and then you can Be Blessed!

Saturday, September 9, 2023

Listening….

"Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Have you ever been talking to someone but you know they are not listening? My wife says that sometimes I may hear her but I'm not listening. Yes, there is a difference.

But when we talk to God, when we pray to Him; we are guaranteed that He is listening! God loves for His children to talk to Him. He values that relationship.

So when you feel like your prayers are not getting past the ceiling; you can have peace knowing that God is listening. Pray to Him, better yet, talk to Him and Be Blessed!

Friday, September 8, 2023

Confidence…

""But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him."
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭17‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jeremy goes on to describe a tree whose roots seek out water in the deep soil. That tree has no fear during the dry season because it's roots run deep.

When we trust in the Lord and we are rooted deep in His love, we have no fear of what may come. We know the Lord will sustain us.

How deep are your roots in the Lord? Place your confidence in Him and when the dry season comes, you will Be Blessed!

Thursday, September 7, 2023

All in…

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'"
‭‭Mark‬ ‭12‬:‭30‬ ‭NIV‬‬

These are Jesus' words! It's an invitation to live life at its fullest. To obtain everything God has for you! An invitation to a deeper, more meaningful relationship with Christ than you could ever imagine.

Is it time for you to go all in? To love Him with everything you have? To put Him first in your life?

What would your life look like if you made that decision? If you embraced an all in mindset with your love for God? I guarantee you would Be Blessed!

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

God is for you…

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭31‬ ‭NIV‬‬

You feel like your world is falling in; God is for you. Your neighbor is against you; God is for you. Your boss has it out for you; God is for you.

Your marriage is falling apart; God is for you. Your struggling financially; God is for you. The enemy is coming full force; God is for you!

No matter what life throws your way; God is for you! He loves you, He has a plan and a purpose. Know that He is for you and Be Blessed!!

Monday, September 4, 2023

Sharpening iron…

"As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend."
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭27‬:‭17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

You can't get a clean razor sharp edge without removing a little metal. As a master knife sharpening will tell you. They start with a low grit sanding stone and work their way up to a high grit to polish the edge. What results is a thing if beauty.

So goes our Christian life. We must help each other, call each other out when we recognize sin in our friends life. We must help polish one another to a fine edge.

Although the process is tough, the results are beautiful! So find an accountability parents. Hold each other to the grinding stone and Be Blessed!

Saturday, September 2, 2023

Fisherman…

"Then Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.""
‭‭Mark‬ ‭1‬:‭17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Jesus can take your occupation and your talents and use them for His good. He can make you fishers of men!

Jesus doesn't want you to take His gift of salvation and hide it in a closet. He wants you to share it! He wants you to help increase His kingdom.

So it doesn't matter if your a salesman, an accountant, or tradesman; God can use you and make you fishers of men. Then you can Be Blessed!

Friday, September 1, 2023

Confession…

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
‭‭James‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

There is something about confession that sets us free. Not only confession to God but to one another.

I remember when I was struggling with a particular sin. I finally got the nerve to confess it to my wife. To my surprise, I received love and support from her, and she helped me to overcome that sin in my life. Healing began.

It's good to share and confess to another supportive Christian in your life. Allow them to help you heal, to pray for you and with you. Together you can overcome and you will Be Blessed!