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Love NEVER Fails

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“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Galations 5:14

God is love and God is perfect. He will continue to love everyone he has ever created with perfect love because he knows everyone’s thoughts and needs completely. We are not perfect though and we will make mistakes that can cause us added problems as well as sins. I There are consequences for sin. I know I would do anything for my children but I will fail them because I don’t always know their needs or wants. Let me try to explain in a way most will understand. I use my iPad every day and write on it. I got new charger cables that are magnetic. When I first plug them in they glow as they are charging. When they are perfectly charged it shows 100%. God’s love is flowing continuously at 100%. We can cause draining to happen by our own imperfection. We can even have God’s perfect love when it doesn’t feel like it. We might not even know what we really need. Or even how he is also working on millions of others needs and that also is a factor. He won’t fail to love anyone perfectly. With the spirits strength we can love others as we love ourselves. That won’t be perfect but it will make a big impact on the lives involved. Treating others how we want to be treated is way more than most people do. If you really know how much God loves each human life and you treat them like they matter to you also you will be following God’s law. Maybe not perfectly but in your heart you are.

Sickness

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“When he heard this, Jesus said, ‘This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.’” John 11:4

We all have trials and sickness and we have no control over it. We have been given authority to command the enemy to get his hands off of us. But what if nothing seems to work? Do you still trust God? He can have many reasons why things progress as they do. He could be strengthening us. Like he did Job when he challenged him. It made him a better man. Or I know firsthand that nearly dying will cause you to rethink your lifestyle. I have talked to other people besides myself and they tend to draw closer to God once you realize that you were not living right and causing yourself destruction with your life choices that can be selfish and prideful. The awesome thing is that God is always in control and he knows what’s best. Doctors can be confused why a patient doesn’t get better when they are doing everything right. Then things can turn around all at once and make a miraculous recovery. They may die when we don’t understand why they weren’t healed. Maybe their work on earth was finished and God is ready to reward them for a life well lived. We do have to die one day so that we can enjoy an eternity with him in heaven. I don’t think anyone gets to paradise and doesn’t want to be there no matter how much their family and friends want them here. Some people have died and had a near death experience that they can share to encourage others. Trials are a part of life so embrace them and see what God is trying to do in your life.

New Year, New Plan

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I watched some New Year’s resolutions people were making last night when I couldn’t sleep. They were interesting and got me thinking. I always tell myself that if I just do the next right thing that I don’t need to make resolutions. But this was more. They were really making plans to do the next right thing in detail. There are so many things that take a little thought that you can implement throughout the year. Do some investigating of charities that you can support on a regular basis. Tithing at your local church. Do you realize only 10% of people actually tithe anymore but you really can’t afford not to. Tithing makes the world go round. What about the over abundance of stuff you have and don’t need. Who could be blessed by it. Give it away. Become a blessing to others by giving, tipping, giving compliments and encouragement. Speak life and not complaining and grumbling over yourself and others. Go out of your way to talk to people and lift them up. Work in different ministries and help out those in need and the marginalized. I always thought that because I’m in a wheelchair that I can’t do much but there is so much I can do. Offering to pray for others that may seem down or just might be a little grumpy because of what they are currently going through in their life. Life can be difficult and people have many battles they are going through. Rejoice over the little things throughout the day. There are so many things to be thankful for. People in other countries have so much less than Americans do but yet they are so much more grateful for all that they do have. What can you do to make a difference in your world in 2024.

All In

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“Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words to eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:68

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession , that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10

At one time I knew there was a God but I didn’t know God. Once God is revealed to you it changes everything. My eyes were opened and I knew that I knew that there was no other way for me. I remember I had been searching for more and decided to do whatever it took. Well one day I heard God speak to me that he loved me just like he loved David. Who me? David was a man after Gods own heart. But it says in the Bible that God loves everyone the same. He doesn’t have favorites. That really stuck with me. The more I sought the Lord the more he opened my eyes. You never know how much you need Jesus until you realize you could never live without him and you just want more. Before I wasn’t one of his chosen people but once I was, his grace and mercy became so evident in my life. Every day his mercy is more and more, giving me the strength, wisdom and desire to be all that he created me to be. It’s not up to me. I can do nothing good without him. I can try and wear myself out trying but it is his work in me that makes the difference. The life of a child of God can be so exciting if you let it and cooperate with God. He is doing so much all the time. It is not a boring life by any stretch of the imagination. It can be very exciting.. First of all his ways are not our ways. He will do whatever is necessary to meet different people right where they are. Example: he took a young shepherd boy and made him a giant slayer with a few rocks and then made him a very famous king. When you work for him and his kingdom you never know what you’ll experience. Some pretty cool stuff. Miracles! The more you ask for in prayer the more you can see. Healings, battling Satan and his evil bunch and just seeing God moving in the lives of different people around you. And he uses everyone that is willing to be used in awesome ways. Who knows what he has for your life next.

Onward Christian Soldiers

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“For are struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

As Christian’s we are in Gods army, everyone of us. It is not just for pastors or the leaders around us but he has called each of us. When you become a soldier of the American army you are sent to boot camp to learn what will be required of you. To receive your weapons and all important orders that you will need to do your job and stay alive. It’s very important that you use everything given to you to get the job done. Well it is no different with God. First of all he has given us his word written thousands of years ago but still very relevant for our lives today. He has given us his Holy Spirit to give us guidance and counsel and the strength to do what we need to do. He has given us the armor we will need to fight. The helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, the shoes of peace, the sword of the spirit and the shield of faith. Everyone’s battle looks different. I remember the last few years I told God I didn’t understand why I had this stroke because it left me broken and unable to do much anymore. What could I possibly offer to God? Well he has plans for everyone and he will use everyone that will be used right where they’re at. I am in a wheelchair and speak with difficulty because of aphasia. People have difficulty understanding me and I can’t just get around and do everything like I once did but, God helps me write and communicate through my writing with people around the world, thanks to the World Wide Web. I write books, devotionals, and a blog. I am encouraging others in their Christian walk. Maybe he called you to feed the homeless or provide needs for the needy. To provide a service that is really needed or just to lift people up and encourage them. When Jesus called the apostles he didn’t pick leaders and perfect people that had everything together. The people he used in the Bible in powerful ways were usually the week and humble that didn’t see it in themselves. Perfect for God because that just makes him look good and even more powerful. The ones he has a hard time using are the ones who think they can do it themselves. They don’t need God or his help. So get out there and serve or love on others but be available for whatever God has for you. He will reward you greatly one day.

Good Isn’t Good Enough

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“I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the father but through me.” John 14:6

There is nobody good except God. There is nothing we can ever do to make us good enough to stand before a Holy God. But his son was willing to give up everything to become a man, not just any man. He only did the work that he saw his father doing and that was a miracle considering he was tempted in every way that we are and yet he did not sin. He lived a perfect life. Without sinning. He was hated, abused, despised, and brutally murdered so that we would never have to be separated from our Heavenly Father. We can be joint heirs with him to all God has for his family. Oh, and God desires a really big family. This is why he allowed his son’s death. Oh, Satan thought he had won when he got Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus but it was the ultimate setup and Satan lost. I had a chance this week to hear Bill Weiss, an excellent speaker who went to hell for 20 minutes. What he saw would horrify anyone. You can google him I’m sure. It is well worth hearing. It is worse than you could ever imagine. The pain, the horrible smells, the isolation and darkness. Nothing good, only horror forever. He has spoken everywhere and even to atheists. One he spoke to said God won’t send me to hell because I’ve never done anything really wrong and I’m a good guy. And Bill told him a simple story. There was this guy, an average guy, but he had heard of this rich guy that had a really nice mansion on a beautiful estate. This guy longed to live there and be someone important. But do you think he could just drive up to this estate and knock on the door and they would welcome him in. No, I’m sure they would have extensive security. They didn’t know this guy. Well God wishes to make everyone members of his family and he even let his son die to see that happen. All he wants is for you to accept his son, which is the gift he has for you that is free. To have a real relationship and to ask for forgiveness for not being perfect, which nobody is, and not meeting Gods standards. Then serving him and living by the house rules, which by the way lead to the best life possible. And then when you die you get the mansion in paradise forever with all of his riches and love and then spend forever with a really big family that loves you.

Beauty From Ashes

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“and provide for those who grieve in Zion- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:3

Why Lord do you cause us to suffer? This is not a perfect world. We don’t always get what we want. But we do get what God knows is best. His ways are so much beyond our own. He can take the worst situations and turn them around if we just trust him and let him work. The hardest thing had to be when his very own son willingly let himself be crucified for our trespasses. When sin entered the world God knew that he could fix things that were broken. Jesus had been with God from the beginning and he would have to be willing to become a man like us. Giving up his rights as the chosen prince. God loved and respected his precious son. He even declared that to the world. Even Jesus lost his living father to death and his cousin was be headed. His very good friend died and it grieved him to see the sisters suffering even though he knew it was only temporary. I know when I had my stroke so many people came to the hospital to check on me when they heard about my stroke. I wasn’t really coherent but I knew they were there. I’ve known women who tried for years to successfully have a child. Even Hannah cried out to God in bitter grief wanting a child of her own. Her son was very important and took time but she still gave him back to God. I know a woman who had a baby that weighed only one pound. It did not look good but he hung on. My stroke actually saved my life because a destructive behavior that was not good for me had taken over my life and the stroke woke me up when I almost died. Things can hurt but we need to trust God. We need to stop looking backwards but to the future. It is impossible to not grieve when someone you love dies. But will you let God make you better through it or bitter. It’s up to you. God will give you the strength to grow better if you just ask. He can turn things around if you let him.

Be Doers

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“If you love me, keep my commands.” John 14:15

“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.” John 14:21

When you love someone you will do what they say out of love and respect. You don’t see it as unnecessary because they wouldn’t have said it if it wasn’t important. You don’t question love because love trusts. Well the God who created the universe loves those he created and he also knows everything. So knowing what is best for his own creation just makes sense. Because he is God. Now you can not trust everyone. Satan will also try to convince you to trust him. You don’t always know it’s him talking to you. You might just think that it was your thought. But if it isn’t good for you or about you, then you probably don’t want to listen to it. Satan will try to tell you that your bad, useless and don’t deserve things but God would never say anything like that. Everyone was created on purpose and for a purpose. We don’t all accomplish our purposes but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. God has offered all the help you need. Strength? Wisdom? If your parents had told you things to do or avoid doing and you never did anything they said they would be upset. First they would worry that you might do something and hurt yourself. They would also worry that you were heading down the road to disaster and be worried about your future. You wouldn’t want to make them sad. Now I understand that not all parents are perfect. Nobody is but God. But it is their job to raise you to be responsible and to one day be able to make wise decisions for yourself. To do things that would not harm others or endanger your future. Now suppose your parents had five kids. They would expect you to love and support them and not harm them. Family sticks together, right? This world is just one really big family and we all need each other. There is nothing more important than unity. Because we are much better together. Two can accomplish more than one. The more the merrier. The one who created us wants that more than your parents did. He even wants us to take care of those that may not be able to take care of themselves. What I’m saying is, if you had a brother who was handicapped, you would help him get around and do things for him. So many people just need help out of where they are stuck. When we help and care for others it makes us feel good. We matter and we are loved in return.

Freedom

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Freedom! What is that exactly? We all want to be free to do what we want. But many do not understand that our desires and wants are what really enslave us. Always needing something more or something better. It’s overindulgence that enslaves us.

‘It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

“Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32

I have come to realize that fighting on the right team is so important. What army are you aligned with? I personally know the supreme commander of my army and he is the ultimate fighter for freedom and peace. He equips all of his soldiers with the best armor and the very best weapons available. I’ve never known true freedom until getting to know my commander personally. He has told me to let him know all of my needs and wants because he wants to make sure I have everything I really need. He has also taught me how to fight. There is a real enemy out there that wants to take over the world and he is extremely vicious and devious. But he doesn’t really have the power he thinks he has and is most successful with the weaker ones that don’t know the true commander. He has pulled the wool over their eyes and they are loosing and they don’t really realize they need to fight. I don’t want to sit back and watch soldiers that are so blinded by their surroundings that they have turned on their own team and are busy trying to destroy everything and everyone around them. So make sure you are fighting the right fight and with the supreme commander of your army.

Nuggets of Truth

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“My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long – though I know not how to relate them all. I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord, I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone. Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.” Psalms 71:15-18

This is my motto. God has been so good to me I want to shout it from the roof. Getting up there will take a miracle but that won’t stop me. I want everyone to know the joy I’ve found. And I really have plenty to complain about but it no longer phases me after what I have found. Oh that pearl of unfathomable value.

“But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked “. Psalms 73:2-3

At one time I really struggled with the success and prosperity of people who were wicked. It just didn’t seem right. But God explained that he loves everyone he gives breath new every day to all and the sun shines on all because he is good and he can’t deny himself. But God can not make them change and one day it will be too late and they will suffer for eternity. We will all reap for our actions. He will always hold me close and one day I will return to be with him forever.

“Restore us God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.” Psalms 80:7

There are many reasons why we may be desperate and in need. Many times it is our own fault because of our own actions. Everything has consequences and I have had some deserved consequences in my past. But God also promises to hear us when we come to him. Sometimes trials come to strengthen us and I remember crying out for years over severe cramping in my legs. After four years I had a surgery that relieved the pain. I realized that I was so much stronger and I could ignore a lot of pain. It made me realize that with him I am always going to be all right even through the hard times.

“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold whose walk is blameless.” Psalms 84:10-11

I never wish to be away from the Lord, this world has nothing I want anymore. I am glad to be away from it. Too much drama for me. I have found so much peace and in my little world that I never really desire to go back.

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalms 90:12

Time has a way of slipping through our hands. I remember when my daughters were young it seemed like the days lasted forever. Now I can see how each year goes faster and faster. Even though I am retired and have so much free time I never take it for granted. Each minute I try to do the most important things first. I have a schedule most days and I stick to it. I used to procrastinate so often so now I say just do it, now. When I think of something I need to do. Even just emailing my daughters to check on how they’re doing. I don’t take life for granted anymore because I may not be here tomorrow.

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.” Psalms 91:1

Psalms 91 is so comforting and I memorized it and said it to myself often just as the soldiers used to do in military time to encourage them. God’s protection is always around us and his plans are good.