Rejoice

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“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Phillipians 4:4

Rejoice! Yes it is a choice but God is trying to tell us that it is very important. Not once but he repeated it and added an exclamation mark. In the home where I live they have a piece hanging on the dining room wall that says, ‘Thankful Grateful. Blessed’. It really does say it all. If you are just thankful and grateful you will be blessed. That’s Gods way. To truly be thankful just start thinking of things you are thankful for. First is salvation and what Jesus went through just for people who didn’t know or care about him. We can be very selfish and messed up but he loves us so much and couldn’t imagine a future without us. For the sun rising every morning with a brand new chance to have a good day. Who doesn’t like a do over when they have messed up. With God we can have a fresh start anytime. Delicious food, beautiful artwork, family love, friends, puppies, kitties, babies: you get the idea, you could think of things forever. Are you grateful when someone does something nice for you? Or even when they just show respect and are helpful now days that is a plus. That is why God has called us to take care of widows and orphans or anyone who is marginalized and needs help. Helping others to be grateful is such a blessing. One that keeps giving. When you are thankful and grateful you can’t help but be truly blessed. The peace that Jesus promised comes into your life and you can’t help but rejoice. Singing praises also blesses you and makes you want to rejoice. Rejoicing just fills your soul with contentment. There is no better feeling than peace and contentment in your soul. When you are struggling or hurting just start praising and you will feel the peace that comes with joy.

Fear The Lord?

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“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10

What does it mean to fear the Lord? You should not tremble in fear over the Lord unless you are doing things that you shouldn’t and if you don’t know the Lord the only thing you should really fear is the one who can send you to hell for all eternity. It is not because he is mean but because you have chosen to have nothing to do with him and prefer to be your own Lord and do as you please. If you do not want him in your life he will never force you and will give you your desires to be free from him. And the only place you can be free from him is in hell. Your choice. But to fear the Lord is complete respect and reverence for God and never wanting to be apart from him. You also choose to do all you can to please him not wanting to ever hurt him or upset him. Always trying to keep his commands because they will bring life. There is absolutely nothing to fear if you love the Lord because he is in control of everything. He does what he pleases because he knows all and he is the one who loves you more than anyone ever will. He will always do what is best for you. We can’t know what is best for us because we do not know all the variables but he does. He cannot do anything wrong it just isn’t his character. He is only good and he has done so many things for us and given us so much. You could spend your life thanking God for your blessings but you would barely scratch the surface. There is no limit to all the good things and if you think you are truly blessed he will show you there is so much more. No situation has ever come upon you that he can’t control and no one has power over your life but him. That doesn’t mean that you might go through something hard but through it he will always give you strength to endure and he will use it for a good outcome. Example: I had a stroke and am in a wheelchair living in a nursing home. But I now have a real relationship with the Lord and have never been so very happy and full of joy and peace and he is using me in some mighty ways. I am experiencing so many miracles and powerful things I would never have thought possible. Nothing is impossible for God and I’m experiencing them.

Purpose

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“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastics 3:1

This world keeps spinning around and there is nothing new under the sun. Everything has a purpose. Everyone is born at just the perfect time for them. There purpose is for that exact period of time. This morning I welcomed my tenth grandchild into the world. It never gets old. But one day that child will grow up and God will call him home. Nobody enjoys saying goodbye to a loved one. But if they know the Lord it is a big promotion. Their very best days are ahead and if we truly love them we’ll realize all that’s ahead and be excited for them. There is a time to plant and uproot. We are told to sow what we wish to reap but if we sow anger and struggles we may need God to help us rip them out. So we can move forward with a good life. A time to kill and heal. We should pray when we need healing and believe that God is more than able. But sometimes the best healing comes through death and that can be a blessing also. A time to build and a time to tear down. I’m sure you have seen a building implosion torn down when it was no longer able to be patched. Well are lives can get to that point as well but God can and will rebuild what is broken. That’s his specialty. A time to weep and a time to laugh. We all enjoy laughter and good times. Times with family and a great vacation but we also have hurts in this world and it’s ok to be sad. A time to mourn and a time to dance. David danced before the Lord with all his might and sometimes when we a mourning we need to realize that God is so good to us and to start dancing and you will see a breakthrough. There is a time to search and a time to give up. Sometimes we can be so stuck in fixing a problem that we are only seeing what we ourselves can do to make it better and we need to give it up to the God who is in control and is so good. He knows the answer but sometimes he needs us to get out of the way. A time to be silent and a time to speak. This is a very important one. Have you ever felt God say, just keep quiet. Usually before we put our foot in our mouth. He can also have something we need to say to someone that they really need to hear. A time for war and a time for peace. Just as when the Assyrians came against the Israelites God had said it would happen because they wouldn’t repent from evil. He has also told us that in the last days there would be many wars. But he keeps his word and this is a time for us to be excited about. Because Jesus we be returning soon. We need to be praying for those who don’t know him. Now more than ever.

God’s Perfect Will

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“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2

This is a multiple layered dessert that really needs to be broken down in small bites to be appreciated. Each bite has so much deliciousness in it. God has done so much for us and given us so much. He deserves all of our praise and adoration every day. Not only did he give us his very own son to move out of heaven and all the way to earth just so he could experience everything that we experience and so he could better relate to us and have greater compassion for us. He then could see people just like God does and care for them and teach them how to live God’s way and the very best way for them. He then allowed himself to be beaten and scourged and humiliated to the point of death paying our debt for our sins. So we wouldn’t have to. Buying for us that perfect mercy and grace as well as healing of Almighty God. Now we can become his very own children so he can lavish affection on us. He does not want us doing things that will harm us and ultimately can’t satisfy us. Do you desire to please yourself and those around you more than what is really good for you. I know I did at one time and it brought a lot of hurt and pain to me and my whole family. It almost destroyed everything I had worked so hard for. A you know what it all seams stupid and ridiculous to me now. How empty and shallow my life was. Now that my eyes are focused on my prize, Jesus, I can have so much more. The world holds nothing for me anymore just my friends and family and the people in my life matter to me. Yes, God made some really great things and I will enjoy them but I only live for Jesus now. His kingdom has so much to offer right here on earth that I could never explain. You have to taste it yourself to love it. Until you understand the real truth of God’s words and their transforming power and they come alive in your life you will honestly never understand. But just as we are his branches and he is our vine, or our true power source, we were never meant to be apart from his power. We can not really do anything good without him. Whether it’s good for us or those around us it all comes from him because he is the source of all goodness.

Believing Lies

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“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” Isaiah 5:20

This world is full of sin and it has blinded the people from truth. God’s ways are so much different than anything man call’s important. A common belief says he who has the most in the end wins. But all they will win is loneliness, strife and death. If it’s possessions they desire they can never bring you happiness just more work and more worries. They will soon rot and be abandoned. I have learned a lot about possessions since I live in a nursing home. I came here with one suitcase and very little money but I never lack anything I need. God has blessed me so much. I also never worry about losing something because I’ve learned that possessions can’t make you happy if I lose something I’ll get a new one. God is my provider so I’m rich. If it is power it won’t last because others want it just as bad and will take it from you. Respect and a good reputation are no longer given because people make sure if they don’t have it neither do you. And they will purposely drag your name through the mud to be sure. The only one you can truly trust is God and he knows the complete truth and will share it with everyone. That truth can set you free. Most people don’t see themselves as not free. They want to be free to do what they want. To make their own mistakes if necessary. They think they can do anything they want as long as it doesn’t hurt others but the one they ultimately hurt is themselves. God’s ways may not make sense but they are perfect and will work every time. He loves and supports his children giving them everything they will ever need. As you submit to him and his ways you get more peace, and more blessings. There are still difficulties but he equips us to be overcomers just like him. Nothing is impossible for me. I don’t have to do everything for myself because he loves doing things for me and doesn’t require anything from me because he has everything already. I’ve given him my very best because he already gave me his very best.

Happily Ever After

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“In a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. The trumpet will sound, and the dead in Christ will rise imperishable, and we will be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:52

“We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body, and be at home with the Lord.“. 2 Corinthians 5:8

We are in the last days of this planet and we can see evil grow more every day and there are so many natural disasters such as earthquakes, fires and floods. Wars and unrest and extreme hatred. There is terrible pestilence such as Covid and cancer. We still need to be praying about these things but they have been forewarned. Are you doing all you can to finish your race strong? What more could you be doing to be all in? Have you asked for forgiveness for sins lately? Will you have regrets? Evil seems to be growing more each day and I am seeing things I could never imagine happening before that are becoming normal and accepted. The world could continue on for years or Jesus could return tomorrow but he will return when we least expect it. I am excited for heaven it is not called paradise for nothing. We won’t just be singing in God’s choir and playing harps all day there is so much to look forward to. I enjoy reading books about different near death experiences. Heaven sounds like a very exciting place. No more pain and no more tears. Perfect young bodies and understanding all things. It’s time to make sure you have your one way ticket ready. I know myself I have my momma and daddy anxiously waiting for my arrival. We have all lost friends and loved ones that we love and miss who will be waiting for us. When that last trumpet sounds and Jesus appears in the clouds it will be a great day because no more death. All those who have accepted Jesus and his precious gift of salvation will all get to meet him in the air. Returning to heaven with him at the same time and then spending eternity together never missing each other again. We will get to meet people like Moses and king David and getting to talk with people like Billy Graham. We will have all eternity to speak with so many different people especially Jesus himself. How could we ever get bored. But we need to be telling others that don’t know Jesus how much they are loved and what they are missing. By loving others into the kingdom so they will be coming with us. They won’t know all their missing if we don’t tell them. Knowing what awaits us in heaven makes it easier to tell others. God loves each person he made and wants to give them so much and do so much for them. He is our Father and loves us more than any natural father could because he is perfect. The more we follow his commands the more he blesses us. In heaven nobody can ever imagine all that is waiting for us. Even the little I’ve read about barely scratches the surface. God is only good and any good thing will be in heaven and we will get to spend eternity enjoying them. No evil either. We may enjoy time spent with friends and family here on Earth but not every day. Only once in a while but in heaven it will never end. There will be a huge reunion waiting for us when we arrive. The party will never end. I can just think about how I will feel sitting across from Jesus at the table in heaven. The more you think about it the more you will be ready to go. Just think about your very best vacation ever and it will be a million times better. And we’re almost there.

Tragedy Or Treasure

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“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” John 9:2

God is not vengeful or angry because we sin. He loves us and does not wish to see us doing things that he knows are not good for us. God can not do anything but good because he is good and perfect. By sinning we are sowing sin and yes it will come back to us in evil. But only Satan causes evil. God may allow evil if it brings glory to God and it is used for our good. Let me give you an example. I had a severe stroke when I was only 45, but I had been running from God and was living a destructive lifestyle. God allowed the stroke to wake me up and it did. It was really bad and I almost died but God had me in the palm of his hands. I had to work very hard but I now have a wonderful life. Yah the stroke was an awful thing and I lost everything I thought was important in my life. But I gained the one thing I didn’t even know I desperately needed. I realized that there was more to life than just me and I began to search for more and I found a wonderful relationship with my savior that I never knew before. People are always praying for God to heal me and restore what I have lost but he has healed me inside and that is more valuable than any physical healing could ever be. I am more grateful and blessed than I can imagine. If I am right where he wants me than I can’t have anything better. I have learned my purpose in the world and my handicap is a large part of it. I am touching more people right where I’m at and that has done so much for me. I still have struggles. We all will. Mine are just different from others. I have a pretty easy life because everyone does everything for me because I can’t. So it’s a pretty comfortable life of reading and writing and enjoying life. But life is just what you make it. Or how you appreciate what you have been given. It’s a treasure worth enjoying.

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.

Truth Or Dare

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“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.” Matthew 24:6

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father but through me.” John 4:16

I remember my teenage years back in the 70’s we used to play a game called spin the bottle, and truth or dare. Telling a truth like have you ever done this or that. Or choosing to accept a dare. The dares were not always easy like jump in the pool in winter or kiss somebody. Well now days if you don’t want to accept the truth the dare might be more than you ever bargained for. Most people are raised to understand what’s right and what’s considered wrong like murder. But as we are taught more and more untruths we are becoming more and more tolerant of wrongs. This country was founded on Christian principles and patriotism. But people have gone away from that because then they might not be free to be who they are. To live how they want to live. They see Christian’s as weak and needy of a crutch to lean on. Closed minded and not in touch with reality. But in reality they see and know so much more than most will ever know and they have something more and exciting like love and peace that most will never experience. But we also know the real truth and he is living in us and is always with us. One day he is coming back to take us to paradise to live with him forever. The more we know him the more we can see the lies that are being taught around us that have been accepted as truth. Most of it can be very destructive and that is why our world keeps getting darker and scarier. There is also signs that are happening that show us that the world we live in can not exist for much longer the way it is going. Scientists have shown us that global warming and other things are taking a toll on this planet. There are so many things that could happen to destroy our planet. But right now we are seeing wars and rumors of war arising everywhere. Crimes of hate are increasing all over. Natural disasters such as hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, fires are commonplace. Just this week I have seen so many devastating things occurring throughout the world. It is only going to get so much worse until no life exists on the planet. The only name that can change eternity of God’s wrath is Jesus. Jesus forgiveness can give you life not death.

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.