Bro. Mickey's Blog

2010-03-23T06:00:00.001-05:00

Psalm 119:66 - "Teach me good discernment and knowledge". We need the Lord thinking FOR us while we submit our walking and talking to His will and way.

2010-03-23T05:59:00.001-05:00

Psalm 119:66 - "Teach me good discernment and knowledge"

2010-03-18T05:48:00.001-05:00

I've been praying one word this week: OVERFLOW. I want to see it in my personal life and in my church. God pouring blessings not in addition but multiplication!

Welcome Back!

2010-03-17T13:05:00.002-05:00

Hello.
Many of my church members have been asking why I stopped posting a blog each day. Well to be totally honest with you, I don't know. It seems time got away from me. But after much consideration and to fulfill the request of some I will try to once again post some thoughts during the course of my day.

I also invite you to follow me on Twitter. Just simply go to: www.twitter.com/mickeybell

There you will get random thoughts through the course of my day.

Please share this blog with friends and family who you think might enjoy it.

2010-03-17T13:03:00.001-05:00

Test

2009-04-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

We continued our study in the book of Nehemiah and this week we were looking at the importance of not saying a word about what God is birthing into your life until it's time.

Nehemiah said in chapter 2 verse 12 that he "has not told anyone what God has put into his heart to do at Jerusalem." The reason? Because Nehemiah knew he was being watched. He knew everything he did and said would get back to two trouble makers in the making. Sanballat and Tobiah made no bones about the fact they were not happy that Nehemiah was in town and rebuilding what was destroyed by the enemy.

There are "Sanballats" and "Tobiahs" in your life. They may look the part of your friend and they may play the role to some degree but trust me, not everyone who calls you their "BFF" (best friends forever) really want you to succeed. They are okay with you reaching a certian plateau until you start getting close to passing them or making them look bad and then its an all out war. They drop you like a hot potato.

People in your church don't want to see you succeed. They are sitting there knowing they come to church with the attitude of wanting to see the preacher, the deacons, the elders, etc... fall on their face. You can always tell who these individuals are because just as soon as they hear that someone in the church is upset, they are on the phone with them trying to rally around them in the negative sense. They haven't talked to that person for three years but just as soon as they see an open door to help cause trouble, they are walking through it.

They are everywhere! So Nehemiah warns us to keep quite until God says its time to speak. Don't give the enemy an opportunity to rally a force to come against you before you are ever ready to step out to do what God has commanded. But we serve a God that when it does come time we can pray to him Psalms 35:

"Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me. Take hold of sheild and buckler, and stand for mine help. Draw out also the spear and stop the way against them that persecute me; say unto my soul, I am thy salvation." - KJV

2009-03-17T13:39:00.002-05:00

John 16:33

2009-03-12T09:50:00.003-05:00

The word I woke up thinking about this morning was "Sacrifice".

This week has been one more week for me as a pastor. But I have seen right before my eyes this word sacrifice demonstrated in a very strong way.

I was in the room of a nursing home watching as a dear precious saint of God was taking her final breath. As I stood with the family I couldn't help but fix my eyes on the daughter and granddaughter of Ms. Elizabeth Gage and ponder the thoughts of what they have sacrificed for their loved one. Many hours away from their 'normal' routine of life to care and to love on their mom and grandma. What a picture of sacrifice I witnessed this past year as it came to a close just before midnight Wednesday night.

Earlier in the week, I was able to witness another perfect demonstration of sacrifice as a sister admitted herself into the hospital to donate one of her kidneys to save the life of her brother. What compassion she showed in giving up something as important as a vital organ of the human body. Sacrifice!

It caused me to think this morning on the ultimate sacrifice that was given. God in heaven gave up His very best when He sent His Son to this earth to die for you and me. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ who gave up His very life so that you and I could have eternal life with Him. Sacrifice!

We can get so wrapped up in this fast-paced world that we very seldom stop and think about the many sacrifices that take place around us everyday. This week has been very busy, very tiring, very demanding but also very rewarding!

Thank you Elizabeth Gage family for showing me that while sickness may not ask your permission to invade your family, you showed me how to sacrifice...

Thank you Holmes family for showing me that sacrifice can pull families together and save lives...

Thank you Jesus for the sacrifice you gave for me!

2009-03-09T14:38:00.002-05:00

On Sunday morning, I preached a message entitled, "Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus".
We opened our message portion of the service with a video which portrayed the writing of the song, "Tis So Sweet". How that God took a trial in a women's life to bring us a song that would become a great hymn of the faith.
Taking my text from Luke 9:57-62, I preached about three men who teach us when to trust Jesus Christ. When we are going through trials and times of testings, we learn the importance of trusting Jesus.

1. Trust Him in times of Doubt2. Trust Him in times of Distractions3. Trust Him in times of Distortion

*On Wednesday, you will be able to go to www.unionhillbc.com and watch our service via a video stream.

2009-03-04T08:11:00.002-06:00

I heard a great message today before coming to work and the preacher was "telling it like it is". I love those who do that. It challenges me and forces me to either get offended or get on the offense and start making some changes in my life. Mostly that latter one.

But he made a comment that I loved.

"You are a nobody if you are trying to be like somebody else. Because you can not be them. And while you are trying to be, you are not being yourself. So that makes you a nobody."

He goes on to encourage us to be who God made us to be. Quit trying to become a carbon copy of the person that sits next to you. God didn't make you to be them. That's what He made them for. He made you to be you.

God told Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:5) "Before I formed thee... I ordained thee." God put His plan into your life when He made you. Quit trying to be like everyone else and be who God has created you to be.

Prayer: "God, help us today to focus on what you have created us to be"

2009-03-03T08:53:00.002-06:00

Life seems to send some things our way that will cause our feet to fall out from underneath us. We can preach and teach about having faith but there seems to be those moments, though very few, that will have us sigh in desperassion.

Such was the case for me when I hung up the phone with my accountant. Though I have not even turned in my tax paper for her to figure for me she could already tell me the hole I would be digging myself out of. That's always encouraging.

There was a moment where I did more than sigh. I actually screamed out a little. But I find encouragment today in Ephesians 6:10 where the bible says,

"Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might".

I don't have to be strong all the time because I have a Heavenly Father who will be my strength for me. So when I feel weak that is when He comes along and makes me strong. All I have to do and all you have to do is simply trust that God is on your side working "all things out for the good".

It reminds me of a portion of a song I sang as a child:
Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong they are weak but He is strong.

I can take comfort today because my strength doesn't come from my own body. It comes from God and why does He give me this strength? That's easy... because Jesus Loves Me!

Prayer: "God, provide for me the strength to make it through this day and this week."

snow.jpg

2009-03-01T08:51:00.001-06:00

It has been more than 12 years since we have seen snow like this. It was wonderful to see Logan able to enjoy the pleasure of playing in the snow and building a snowman. We made some great memories!

2009-02-26T08:18:00.003-06:00

On Wednesday night, I preached on a text that is not found in the bible. Alright, close the email you were about to send and let me explain.

We are going through the book of Nehemiah. In chapter 1 we have the bad news that Nehemiah has received about his homeland. He spends six verses in prayer and in fasting that concludes the reading of the chapter. Chapter two picks up four months later and if you just jump right into the verses you miss two very important lessons.

That space between verse eleven of chapter one and verse one of chapter two is a very important blank spot in this story. And it's a blank spot that we need to learn and apply to our life each day.

During that four months you have to understand that NOTHING took place out of the ordinary. Nehemiah had the calling on his heart and knew it was God's will for him to return to help his people rebuild the wall. But during these four months of nothing he had to learn two important facts on what God wants you to do until He says go.

1. You have to work - keep your commitment to those you currently serve. God maybe revealing to you that you are going to be placed at another job site or another ministry opportunity but until God says "GO!" you have to honor the commitments you have now.

In our story, Nehemiah started getting himself prepared for the mission. He was praying, he was fasting, he was calculating his time away from work, calculating the amount of money that would be needed for supplies. All while he was still keeping his commitment with the king. He was busy working on himself.

2. You have to wait - God is not only working on your side of the question mark but He is also working on the other side. And the reason you can't leave just yet might be because God has not prepared the course for you to take. Wait and give Him time to develop the road and to get it paved so you will have a smooth trip.

But when you wait, don't sit around and do nothing - but wait with great anticipation of something to come.

Prayer: "Lord, help us to learn that we are not to move until You say move. And in that meantime help us to work and wait on YOU!"

2009-02-23T08:41:00.000-06:00

Thursday night I was able to lead a Sr. High boys bible study session. Our topic was on forgiveness and even though it wasn't in the lesson, my thoughts went to the book of Luke 23:34.

Jesus has been arrested. He has gone through torture with beatings and the crowd making fun of Him. Leading up to this verse we find Christ nailed to a cross. And just at a moment when you think He is about to take His last breath - Jesus gives us a lesson on forgiveness.

"Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."

He didn't wait for them to come and ask for forgiveness. This statement didn't come after a public apology. The Lord showed us by way of example how to forgive while you are still being mistreated.

It may not be easy and it may not seem right to this world but we must forgive! Not for their sakes but for ours. Unforgiveness in your heart will be an open window for bitterness and anger that will lead to a miserable life.

Prayer: "Lord help us to forgive as you forgive. "

2009-02-19T06:03:00.000-06:00

On Wednesday night I began a new study in the book of Nehemiah. What a great book to carry a congregation through that will help teach about prayer, sacrifice and tenacity. We see it all in Nehemiah.

The first thing we learn about this man is his dedication to prayer. The book opens with him receiving some bad news concerning his hometown. Instead of getting all bent out of shape or getting so upset he had to get placed on medication, he did what we all should learn to do when we find ourselves in the same predicament.

verse 4 says, "when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven."

He says before I did anything. Before I jumped to conclusions. Before I allowed my mind race to think of speculations. Before I ran home to try and fix the situation. Before I got mad at those responsible... I stopped what I was doing and went before the One who could help me through this situation.

Nehemiah had a dedicated prayer life and you could tell. Because those who do not will jump ahead of things and wait to find themselves waiting until the last resort before they decide to prayer. Nehemiah knew his first action needed to be to STOP and PRAY.

Prayer: "God, help us realize going to you first will not only help our situation but it will help us through the situation."

2009-02-17T08:44:00.002-06:00

Have you ever found yourself sitting in a needy situation? In a place where you were in need of something that you could not provide for yourself?

We tend to get in these moments of our life when we are facing some great obstacle. When we find out a loved one or friend has just received bad news from the doctor. When we experience death in our family we find ourselves in need of something we can not give ourselves.

The fact is, many people will go to work today searching for something to provide a need in their life. While that need is simply a relationship with Jesus Christ, they are trying their best to find their answer in business success, their bank account, their social life, etc...

But the encouraging word today is Psalms 69:33, "For the Lord hears the needy..."

This excites me today because I have needs. I can be one of those who is considered needy today but this verse also tells me that the One who can take care of my need is listening. All I have to do is spend time in his word and on my knees talking with Him because HE IS LISTENING!

Prayer: "Lord, hear the cry of my heart and take note of the need that is ever before me, I give it to you for a solution to take place."

2009-02-16T08:07:00.002-06:00

Hebrews 10:19-25 was the text of Sunday AM's message. We dealt with the subject matter on "Why Go to Church?". It's very interesting to note in this scripture that we go to church for other people instead of the mindset in which we have had that we go to church for ourselves.

The writer tells us to encourage one another but also to provoke or to spur one another along. Oh, how important it is for you and your family to be in a church setting on Sunday. I only write this today to hopefully encourage you to make the decision right now that no matter what - you will be in church this weekend.

v. 25 - "Not forsaking our assembly together as is the habit of some..."

Don't fall into that habit of not going to church. Once you do, it's a bad habit to overcome.

Prayer: "Lord, thank you for the wonderful services we had on your day. Please encourage all of us to do whatever it takes to be in service this next weekend. Help us not to find excuses on why not to go but to see every reason on why we should go."

*You can hear the entire message by going to www.UnionHillbc.com

2009-02-09T00:00:00.000-06:00

Are you a morning person? Some people I know have a hard time getting going each morning while others try to beat the sun up so they can take in every moment of the day.

But those who have a hard time motivating themselves are normally those who say, "Don't talk to me until I have had my cup of coffee." So they roam around the house with their eyes half shut daring someone to speak or even acknowledge their existence.

It's during this silence that we also refrain from talking to God. We allow ourselves to make many decisions, prepare our day and even walk out the front door without even acknowledging God and to seek out His purpose for our day. It's almost like we run out to our work day forcing God to have to catch with us.

Psalms 55:17 says, "Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice."

Don't take another step or say another word to anyone with bowing your head and talking to God. Ask Him to walk before you, speak before you. Commit your day to him so that you do absolutely nothing that will displease Him.

Prayer: "God, help me to look to you not only as the one who ends my day but also the one who needs to start my day."

2009-02-05T07:45:00.002-06:00

I have to share with you a thought God allowed me to share with our church during our Wednesday night service...

Psalms 18:2 is a verse from a praise psalm where David is thanking God for getting him out of a tough situation. King Saul was after David's life and God spared him. You thought you were having a bad day, try having a king running after you wanting your head on a platter.

And in this psalm, David used several words to describe God. He said things like: "my strength" "my rock" "my fortress (security)" "my deliverer" is his description of what God did for him.

But the one I like is where he called God his SHIELD.
You see God is looking out for you during every turn of your life. We think He only shows up when we get in a tight situation or when we mess up and start crying out to Him. The truth is, He never leaves us nor forsakes us and isn't that what He promised?

You need to thank Him today for being your shield in that He is watching over you when those trials seem to try and overtake you. Realize those trials had to first go through the hand of God so He already knows all about it.

But what about those times in your life that you don't know about. When you could have been the one in the wreck but God put a delay in your life that kept you four cars back. Or it should have been you that received the bad news of the company shutting down but God had already moved you to another place to protect you. What you thought was a bad thing in having to switch jobs turned out to be the best thing because of what happened later.

That is just simply God being your SHIELD.

Prayer: "God, Thank you for protecting me from the things that I saw coming but also those many times in my life when you kept me from falling into a place I didn't even realize was there."

2009-02-04T08:07:00.002-06:00

Psalm 18:1 - "I LOVE Thee, O Lord, my strength."

Hopefully you are already thinking about Valentine's Day and what you are going to do for that special someone in your life. Or maybe you haven't even thought about it until now and you are sweating from the panic you just received trying to find a calendar to see what day it is. Calm down, you have another week.

February 14th is set aside for the theme of LOVE. My question today is simply how long has it been since you told God you love Him?
Was that last time He bailed you out?
Was it the last time He answered one of your prayers?
Was it the last time you prayed? Was it last year at this time?

The love God has for us is an unconditional love. In other words, He doesn't love us any more when we have been extra good that day nor does He love us any less because we messed up. The truth of the matter is that God has already proven His love toward us once and for all when He gave His Son as a sacrifice for our sins.

We should daily tell God how much we love Him. Not just when we have had an answer to prayer or because we know we are getting ready to ask for something else. God wants to hear from you today. Try not carrying any request with you when you approach His throne this morning. Just simply take the time to tell God how you really feel about Him.

Prayer: "God, I love you for who you are. Thank you for being so faithful to me."

2009-02-03T08:34:00.002-06:00

For 16 years the rulers and the people in 520 B.C have had a delay in rebuilding the temple. The prophet, Haggai, comes along to share with these folks four message of encouragment to get their focus back on God.

If he was preaching a series it would be called, "Consider your ways" because that is the statment that rings out throughout this small Old Testament book. The first message in Haggai 1:2-11 explains why the people are experiencing lack in their lives.

The more they work - the less they have.
The more money they make - less they have.
The more clothing they put on - they are still cold.

Haggai tells them through the Holy Spirit that its because they have devoted so much time into rebuilding their houses and they have forgot about God's house.

How easy it is to get so busy with our home life that we forget about coming to God's house to worship Him. Many will say, "Preacher, God will understand if I have to miss due to 'this' or 'that'." Really? You think our God understands and allows you to continue to place Him on the back seat of your life while you continue to feed your own personal life?

I don't think so. The bible says that God is a "jealous God". He wants your full attention. Excusing yourself from worshipping Him and serving Him is the reason these folks in our text where in lack. Because they continued to live only for themsleves.

Prayer: "God, help us to put everything else on hold while we run after you!"

2009-01-29T08:43:00.002-06:00

"If God is for us who can be against us?" - Romans 8:31

I shared with the church last night how that Paul used several verses following this one to answer the question. The first question is "IF God is for us". How can we be so sure that God is on our side.

Well he proved it verse 37 when he said "we are more than conquerors through Christ who loved us." It was by God's love that he proved that he was on our side when He sent His Son to die for our sins.

Not only are we conquerors but the bible says we are more than conquerors. But not through our own abilities and strength but through Christ. And if God send his very best [which He did] why would he not want the very best for us [which He does].

Just remeber today that God is on your side. He wants you to succeed.

Prayer: "Lord, thank you for giving us your very best proving to us that you are for us."

2009-01-27T07:17:00.001-06:00

While waiting on God to show us the next step in our life there is another we must practice not only in our vocabuary but in our daily walk. Its the word trust.

When God called Saul as we read yesterday he didn't give him all the details of his future. The now Paul tells King Agrippa why he had to learn this word trust.

Acts 26:16 - "but arise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen but also to things in which I will appear to you.

God is wanting to do things for you that you have yet to even comprehend. You know you are called but maybe you don't know where you are going. If it was up to you and me, we would settle for the first feasable opportunity that comes along but God says, "WAIT I have something new and very special for you but you are going to have to trust me. "

We have to know that while it seems quite on our end, God is busy at work on our behalf on the other end in which we can not see. So we must... Trust HIM!

Prayer: "Lord help us to trust you while we wait on you"

2009-01-26T07:52:00.002-06:00

Are you looking for a clear direction in your life? Not sure what decision to make or where to go?

Acts 9 tells the story of a man who persecuted the church in a bad way but on this day he comes face to face with Christ. His name was Saul (you will later know him as Paul).

The story unfolds when Saul is walking down the road when a light from heaven flashed around him. The light was so powerful it caused Saul to fall to his knees and here were his instructions. "Rise and enter the city and it shall be told you what you must do."

God never leaves you hanging. Saul had a choice to make. He could either sit there and wait for another "sign" or to hear another "voice" from God. But his instructions were not to sit and wait but to rise up and go.

Many times we find ourselves in a situation of decision. Don't just sit and do nothing while waiting on God to move but rather be doing what you know you are to do. God's word is very plain in that you have your instructions. If God has not moved you yet, then do what you are suppose to do until he have a clear sign that it's time to move on. He put you in your current sitution for a purpose. Now you are to continue with that purpose until He moves you forward to your future.

Prayer: "Lord, help us realize you are at work on our behalf but we are too working for you in the place where you have put us. Help us to continue our work at the present before you carry us to our future."

2009-01-21T08:42:00.002-06:00

There was a man in the book of Mark who was filled with demons. After a brief conversation with Jesus Christ this man became a new creature who was demon free.

I wanted to highlight what Christ told this man in chapter 5; verse 19.

"Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you."

When God does something great in our lives we should want to share it with others. And Jesus Christ informs us here that the very first people that should hear your testimony is the "home" people or "Your people". Those close to you should be the ones who knows all good things that God has done in your life.

We share it with our Sunday School class. We share it with our prayer partners but there is something special about your family hearing your testimony. You may think they don't care about what God is doing for you. As I read this scripture, no where are we told to ask their permission or if there is an interest to hear it. God wants to use YOU to reacher YOUR family. But you will never reach them for Christ if they never hear you bragging on your God.

Share your testimony to your family and let them know what God is doing in your life.

Prayer: "Lord, help us to not neglect those closest to us in sharing the good news."

2009-01-20T09:08:00.002-06:00

A new day for America!

As I sat and pondered the sights and sounds the media was broadcasting from Washington, D.C I couldn't help but think about the many hours that were spent praying for the election.

People gathered in their churches, it was printed on many bulletins and prayer chains were formed. We prayed for the vote and we prayed for hope. And now that President-Elect Obama is about to become our Commander in Chief, what do we do?

We do what we should have been doing before things got bad... we pray. There should never be a day when we as Christians fail to bow our head and pray for our nation. The person in the White House should not determine the amount or the energy placed in our prayers. He is a man just like I am a man who is in constant need of a Heavenly Father to guide and direct in all areas of his calling.

Don't fret because of his skin color or questions concerning his leadership abilities and personal agenda. But also don't get to carried away in putting all of your trust in our new President. I understand the excitement of those who travelled a great distance to be a part of this historical event. But we must realize that God is still in control of all things and we should be looking to HIM for a great awakening not a human being who was put into a position by a majority vote of other human beings.

Prayer: "God, no matter who is in the White House we recognize you as the One in charge. We put all of our trust in you."

2009-01-19T00:41:00.001-06:00

Getting to know God in a more personal way. That is what we all desire right? Then why is it when we think we are on a roll for Christ does it seem that the wheels fall off?

Have you been there?

Whether bad choices on your part or just a bad situation, something always happens.

Let me answer that by asking you a series of questions:
How are you going to know God as a healer without getting sick?

How are you going to know God as the great provider if you are never in want or in need?

How are you going to know God as a comforter if you never find yourself up crying after midnight?

When you ask to know God in a deeper way just know it will happen but maybe not the way you expected it. But I have this one thing to be true. God has always been everything I have ever needed and more!

Get to know God in a more personal way and don't let the tears scare you away.

2009-01-14T00:00:00.000-06:00

The one thing I hate about going to the doctor is of course, getting a shot. Have you ever noticed that the nurses try to ease your mind by giving you a heads up on when it's going to happen? They will say, "Now there is going to be just a little pinch". The little pinch is not what I am worried about lady, it's the needle you are putting in after you pinch me.

In God's word we read of a warning that Jesus gives us. He tells before hand that something is coming so we better get ready. No need to act surprise because we are getting a fair enough warning.

John 16:33, "These things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace, in the world you have tribulation, but take courage (or be of good cheer); I have overcome the world."

He tells us that we are going to have tribulation. He doesn't hold back any punches or trys to soothe our thoughts. Accept it, as long as you are living in this world you are going to have tribulation. But I am glad that Christ gave us a comforting word as well.

He tells us that we also have the option of having peace. Are you in need of peace over a certain situation today? Well this scripture plainly tells us you won't find it in this world so you might as well quit trying. Peace only comes through one source and that is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Your choice - Tribulation or Peace? The world or Christ?

Prayer: "God, grant us the peace we need to overcome those situations in our lives that seem hopeless"

2009-01-13T00:00:00.000-06:00

Romans 8:31 - "If God is for us who can be against us?"

I have to share one other thought with you today about this scripture text. I see a question mark that is obvious when you read it. But inside this question I see another question.

I see that we have a choice as to who will actually be against us. Because if we choose the ways of this world then we have gone directly against God. And if we go with God we have gone against the world.

There will be many times throughout this day even when you will have to make a choice between the world and God. You will have determine by the conversations you have, by the speech you use, by the attitude in which you work if you are going with God or going with the world.

I have to encourage you today to stay with God in all aspects of your life. Because if God is on your side, there is no advesary you need to worry about for God is able to handle them all.

Prayer: "Lord, help us to choose your ways today and not be tricked into going along with the world."

2009-01-12T00:00:00.000-06:00

As we start this work week I wanted to share a scripture with you that is so well known. It is the very words the Lord woke me up with this morning.

Romans 8:31 - "...If God is for us who can be against us."

Here's the fact of this scripture. You must be in a place, before you can claim this as a promise, where God is for you.

God is not for the sin you have in your life.
God is not for that habit that goes against his word.
God is not for the backbiting and the hurt you might be providing to someone else.
God is not for those secret things you have in your life that is displeasing to Him.

But here is the uplifting part of this scripture.
God is for YOU! So even if you have those areas in your life that do not measure up... God is not for those things but God is for you rising above those things in your life. And He is able to help you get above them.

Here's the application:
If you have people or distractions in your life that continue to bombard your mind and emotions, "if God is for you who is against you?".

It doesn't matter that other people don't agree with your logic.
He told us in His word that this world would never understand until they believe in Him.

It doesn't matter that they are constantly fighting you on issues. The only thing you and I have to worry about is PLEASING GOD! And if God is on our side with the matter - then (mickey's translation) "who even cares about who is against us".

Your job is to please God and not man.

Prayer: "God, help me not to worry about people but to focus all of my attention upon you. Help the distractions and the insults bounce off of me while I keep my eyes on you."

2009-01-08T00:00:00.000-06:00

Many of us have problems with the word "faith". We say as Christians that we have faith and we quote Hebrews 11:1 like no body's business. But when it comes down to it, it's the lack of faith that causes us to do what we do.

Worry | Fret | Freak Out | Discouragement | Hyperventilate

It also causes us to stress over the future. We have to keep in mind Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord."

We must realize that God has a plan for each of us. And just because we are doing one thing today does not mean will be doing that one thing for the rest of our life. God has a plan! And since "our thoughts are not his thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8) we can't comprehend what He has for us.

So why stress? Why get so worked up over what God has in control? We are a people that can't rest until our hand is on it. I know what I do when I get in charge - I mess things up. That's why I am glad that God is the one in charge and the one with the plan. My job and your job is to simply call upon the Lord and put our faith in that He knows what He is doing.

Simply put: Trust Him!

Prayer: "Lord, help us to trust you even if we can't see where and how you are going to work it all out."

2009-01-07T00:00:00.000-06:00

How would you like for everyone to get along with you...even your enemies?
Many of us deal with certain individuals in our lives that bring havoc every time they show their face around us. You know who I am talking about, those people that you try at all cost to avoid.

God's word is very plain in that if we are going to experience REAL Revival we must have a heart that even reaches out to our enemies. But He does offer us help.

Proverbs 16:7 - "When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him."

Notice there is a condition for us. We must make sure that all of our ways are pleasing to the Lord. Not just some - but all. The promise is that when they are, God does a miraculous thing in causing our enemies to be at peace with us. You may say, "I don't think they will go along with that too much."
You talk like they have a choice. When God gets a hold of people, they do things and then have ask the question later in "why did I just do that?".

God says if you will honor and trust Him with everything in your life He will do even greater things for you. Even cause those people that bring havoc to your life to change their ways. While you have been spending time praying, "God do something with them", God has been waiting on you to honor His word in making all of your paths straight to Him.

You will be amazed at how quickly God will respond and deal with "those" people when you get serious about getting your life in line with Him.

Prayer: "God, help us not to be so focused on trying to change other people but rather spend our time allowing you to change us."

2009-01-06T00:00:00.000-06:00

We read yesterday in Isaiah 43:18 on how not to look back to the "former things" or to ponder on the past because it will keep us from moving forward today.

The very next verse of Isaiah 43:19 says:
"Behold, I will do something new..."

So many times we go to God and pray for certain things and needs that we want to see. And maybe for this New Year you have taken some requests to God asking for Him to move in certain areas of your life. But I want to encourage you to trust God today because he says in our text that He wants to do something "NEW" in your life.

New meaning something you haven't had before. Something that you are not accustomed to yet. Something new that is fresh. Something that you may have not even thought of before but because God is omniscient in knowing all things, He knows how blessed you will be with something NEW.

So today just focus on God and say something to Him like this:

Prayer: "God, you know what you want to do in my life so I ask that you do it. Help me to stay out of the way so that you can do something NEW in my life"

2009-01-05T00:00:00.000-06:00

If you haven't heard, Union Hill Baptist Church is seeking real revival in 2009. In fact, we are dedicating this entire year for revival that will spread outside our church walls and stir the people in our community.

For us to have REAL revival we must forget about what has happened in the past. Not only the bad things but we must stop living off yesterday's successes and trust God for new ones.

Isaiah 43:18
"Do not call to mind the former things or ponder things of the past."

Yes, He was God of yesterday but He is also God of today. We must turn our attention to what we are doing for Him today. It's great that you served so well back in the 80's. It's great that you led someone to the Lord last year but what are you going to do for Him today?

What steps are you going to take today that will enable you to experience revival in your life? Just as you shouldn't hold on to yesterday's successes, you shouldn't hold on to yesterday's defeats.

Maybe you tried committing to God more and it never worked out the way you thought it should. You probably took prayer needs before God one time before but never saw it work out like you thought it would. JUST HOLD ON! God is not finished saving. God is not finished healing. God is not finished in blessing His children.

Let go of the "former things" - God is getting ready to do something special in your life today. So what are you going to do for Him today?

Prayer: "God, it is so easy to hold on to things of the past. Help us today to release those things that will hold us back from experiencing more of you today"

2009-01-01T00:00:00.003-06:00

Happy New Year!

Isaiah 43:18
"Do not call to mind the former things or ponder things of the past. Behold I will do something new, now it will spring forth."

Click Here for details!

2008-12-31T06:00:00.000-06:00

Psalms 119:129, 130
"Thy testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul observes them. The unfolding of Thy words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple."

Why do we try to make it so hard on ourselves?
We want to walk in God's will and fulfill the plan He has for our life but we tend to walk around in circles, throwing our hands up in the air in disgust, our heads our low in despair wondering what to do next in our lives.

What should be your next step?
How can I be everything God wants me to be this New Year?
Should I change jobs?
Should I step up and commit to teach that Sunday School class?
Should I join the church?

Again, why do we make it so hard on ourselves?
The psalmist says that God's word "gives light". When you seem to be in the dark when it comes to the things of God, turn on the light. And you turn on the light by opening up God's word and allowing Him to speak to you.

He says, "It gives understanding to the simple." So you may not have a college degree. You may not even have a high school diploma. Who cares when it comes to finding God's will? His word brings understanding to the simple. That includes you. That includes me.

You need a light of confirmation?
You need it given to you simple and straight to the point?

Read God's Word!

Prayer: "Lord, gives us understanding from your word what you would have us to do today"

2008-12-30T06:00:00.000-06:00

Jeremiah 1:7
"...Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, and all that I command you, you shall speak. (8) Do not be afraid... for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord."

During the course of our week we have many opportunities come before us. We tend to come to a crossroads in our life and we struggle on which way to go. Many times the reason we are at the crossroads is simply because we got off the path in which God laid out for us.

The verse says it well:
"Go - where I send you" | "Say what command you to speak"

We are to do what He tells us to do.
Then there is a promise. He tells us not to be afraid because He is with us. The key though is to be where God wants us to be to keep from getting ourselves into decision making positions. We know from verse 5 that God has already set the course for our life. It is just up to us to get on that path and not stray from it.

His promise is to deliver us. But His command is to go where He tells us to go and speak what He tells us to speak.

Prayer: "Lord, help me to walk where you want me to walk and say what you want me to say. Knowing that if I get away from you I am on the wrong path and it will lead to confusion."

2008-12-29T06:00:00.000-06:00

This time of year causes people to evaluate themselves. Many people will spend time and money to help improve their outside but give no thought to their inside. Our commitment to God should always come before a gym membership or even surgery.

When I think back over this past year there were many ups and many downs. I think of all the times I have failed God in doing His work while trying to accomplish my goals and run after my dreams.

God shares some precious words with the prophet Jeremiah 1:5
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you. And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you..."

So the plans for our lives have already been determined by the Lord. So why are we running around trying to do our own thing when God plainly states in the life of Jeremiah that He has already determined our future?

What you should do today is simply give up your will and start running after God to find out what He wants to do in your life this New Year. Quit trying to figure it out and just start going to God and asking Him to do what He wants to do with you.

Prayer: "Lord, I turn in my thinking cap and I point my running shoes in a new direction. Help me to listen to you and simply follow your command when you said, 'Follow Me!'."

2008-12-22T06:00:00.001-06:00

If you remove Christ from Christmas that leaves you with a mas.

mas is greek for "a mess".

Okay it's not an actual greek word but it is true. Keep Christ in Christmas and have a great holiday with your family and friends.

We will be taking the rest of this week off to spend time on the road and with family.
We love you!

Bro. Mickey, Wendy and Logan

2008-12-19T06:00:00.000-06:00

I know this was the scripture that I used yesterday but there was another point that stuck out to me in this portion of Psalm 119.

Do you remember the television commercial about a popular motel chain? You got acquainted with this familiar voice that was just comforting to hear. He would describe all of the amenities of this motel chain and then right at the end of the commercial these famous words would come from the speakers of your television. "I'm Tom Boddett and we'll keep the light on for you"

The writer of Psalm 119 says the same thing about God's word.

Verse 130 - "The unfolding of Thy words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple."

Many times people will refrain from reading the bible because they say they never understand what it means. I have to remind them that the Bible is no ordinary book. This is not a read that you can just do and put it down like other novels or non-fiction stories. This is the bible and requires reading but also applying.

You will never understand the will of God in your life until you learn how to understand His word. In reading His word, you must read it in the mindset of "God, what are you wanting to tell me". How can I take this portion of scripture and grow in my life from it?

Just as Tom Boddett says, 'God just turns the light on for you.' The Holy Spirit will always be the one used to flip the light switch so don't keep yourself from God's word because of your lack of understanding. Simply read it and allow the Holy Spirit time to turn on that light and cause His words to become simple.

Prayer: "God, help me understand today what you want to accomplish through me in what I read in your word."

2008-12-18T06:00:00.000-06:00

My daughter Logan is of the age where she really doesn't like holding Mommy's hand when we are going through the mall. She likes to be able to wander towards the things she likes to look at. I have notice that as long as Wendy has Logan by the hand, she can guide her wherever she wants to go. And Logan, to be honest, really doesn't have a say to what direction she is led to.

Such is the case this morning from our scripture. Psalms 119:133, the writer asks the Lord to "establish my footsteps in Thy word." He is simply asking God to take him by the hand and lead him to the places where God wants him to be.

When you allow God to "establish your footsteps" -

He determines what job you take
He determines where you are on Sundays
He determines who your with at all times
He guides you to places of ministry that He wants you to accomplish

We are still in a battle trying to do what our flesh tells we want to do. And when you listen to the flesh, you will be depressed when the flesh says you should be depressed. You will be angry when your flesh says to be angry. You will run away from church when the flesh says to run.

When are we going to learn our lives will become a lot less stressful when we simply say "God, establish my footsteps according to Thy word." "Please take me by the hand and don't let me stray from you."

Prayer: "Lord, we have our own agendas and goals. Help us to throw those away and walk where you want us to walk."

2008-12-17T06:00:00.000-06:00

I dedicate the following devotion to those who are dreading the Christmas holiday.

Like Jesus: Ed Young

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us - John 1:14.

Whether they are traveling through a small farming town in Nebraska, a surfing village in California or an industrial community in Pennsylvania, politicians love to show how they can relate to the people in that area. But the sad thing is that they can't really meet those people on the same level; they can't identify with them no matter how hard they try to make it appear like they can.

Jesus, though, never gives us that illusion of identity. He doesn't throw up a façade to try and appear like he gets where we are coming from. Jesus Christ connected with the people of two thousand years ago, and he connects with you and me today on a level that we can understand and appreciate.

At one point we've all said, "No one understands my situation." But that statement could not be farther from the truth. Jesus understands; he's been there; he knows what we go through day in and day out. He had a job - for most of his life he was a carpenter. He had the same relationships that you and I have today - mother, father, brothers, sister, friends, and enemies. He even faced the same temptations that you and I face. Jesus knows what daily living is like. He knows because he's been there himself.

So this week, when you feel like there is no one that can grasp what you are going through; when you feel like throwing up your hands and giving up; when you have that gut reaction of, "No one understands my situation..." remember that our Savior has been there and then add two words to your statement: "Like Jesus."

2008-12-16T06:00:00.000-06:00

Psalms 119:121-128, the psalmist is pleading his case before God. While his oppressors have come up against him so far he has remained faithful to the precepts of God. He has kept his mouth shut and his weapons down. He has allowed God to do whatever He wills.

Then we come to this section of scripture where it seems everything stops. It is that defining moment in a movie when you know from the music that something is about to happen. Nothing is taking place as far as the eye can see but you can sense something is about to take place so you brace yourself.

The writer senses it too. So he pleads his case to God. Listen to what he is able to say.
"I have done justice" "I have done righteousness" "I have longed for Thy salvation"

He is able to hold his head up instead of bowing it in shame knowing he has handled this situation the way God wanted him to handle it. So he pleads to God that on behalf of his integrity, "God, do not leave me to my oppressors" and "do not let the arrogant oppress me."

He is simply asking God to act. Do you need God to act on your part today? Trust me when I say He will! All you have to do is ask after you do what the psalmist did and present yourself as a clean vessel of integrity who has handled your tight situation in the way God has commanded.

Prayer: "Lord, you know what I face on a daily basis. Please help me to live and to react in a way of integrity. And do not allow the oppressors to come any closer."

2008-12-15T06:00:00.000-06:00

**I have to begin my week of devotions giving a shout out to my favorite choir: Union Baptist Church Choir. You guys did a fabulous job with your Christmas concert. As I said in the service, "If not the best Christmas concert I have ever witnessed". I am so proud of you all!

Psalms 119 is where I have been spending most of my mornings. Several of my preaching mentors have also been preaching on the subject and the scriptures seem to fit our daily lives. I like this particular Psalm because the writer calls it what it is. Such is the case in today's scripture.

Psalms 119:113-120 - "I hate those that are double minded but I love Thy law".

Double minded people will be those who profess to be a Christian but yet choose to act out in a un-christian like manner. Whether it be with their hobbies, their social life, their retaliation, etc... They may say they are Christians but with their actions they are "double minded".

But what an encouraging verse that I can testify to today in verse 114.

"Thou art my hiding place and my shield."

Let me tell you from personal experience when it seems like everyone is against you - God is for you. When it seems you can't fight your battles by yourself, God says He will fight them for you. And when you seem to be standing in the middle of fiery darts from others, God promises in this scriptures to by my "hiding place" - a place I can retreat to for encouragement and love. I can pick up God's holy word (His very words) and its like He can put a bubble around me that shuts out the noise this world trys to put into my head. I can get in that "hiding place" and just think upon the good things of God.

He promises to by my shield - so when those darts are thrown, they never reach me because God has placed a shield in front of me that no man can get through. I don't have to get down because of others. I don't have to be scared of tatics. I don't have to worry about problems this life seems to offer because God is my shield and to get to me you have to first go through Him.

Prayer: "God, thank you for standing guard of my mind by providing me a hiding place. Thank you for standing guard of my heart by providing a shield. Help me to concentrate soley on your word and not this world."

2008-12-11T06:00:00.000-06:00

When we understand the value of God's word in our life, we will crave it at all times. That is what the psalmist is saying when he penned Psalm 119:97-104.

From the words of the writer, these eight verses are why he feels this way about God's word. He tells us from his own experiences why we must commit to the reading and living out of God's word. Remember, it's not just reading it but it's living it!

Notice what he says God's word does for him.
v. 97 - "It is my meditation"
v. 98 - "It makes me wiser than my enemies"
v. 99 - "I have more insight"
v. 100 - "I understand more"
v. 101 - "It keeps my feet from the evil way" - helps me from falling into Satan's traps

I have to agree from my own life. Things come up that will challenge our faith and also challenge our trust in God. When these times come and when your enemies come against you, you are tempted to fight back in the manner in which they are fighting but then you get a hold of God's Word. And that's when you find out that He will do the fighting for you. And you begin to read words of encouragment that tells you not to fret over what He already has under control.

Then you start seeing God's word become as the writer says in verse 103, "How sweet are Thy words to my taste"

Prayer: "Lord, help me to crave your word knowing how I can improve as a person by abiding by what you say."

2008-12-10T06:00:00.000-06:00

I continue my daily reading through the book of Psalms 119. It just amazes me how God works through situations that appear out of nowhere.

The writer is praising the word of God. And I can relate how about you?
v. 92 "If thy law (God's word) had not been my delight then I would have perished in my affliction."

v. 93 "For by them (God's words) Thou hast revived me."

What a blessing we have to be able to read God's words. When it seems we are down in our lowest afflictions, God seems to revive us with His word. When the times around us should cause us to be depressed, angry or upset, God's word seems to come in and calm our feelings.

v. 95 "The wicked wait for me to destroy me I shall diligently consider Thy testimonies"
This verse tells us why we can be happy when others try to tear us down. Because of the testimony of God we can smile knowing that He has saved us from situations before and He will save us again. Knowing that we were in a tight place before and He rescued us then - He'll do it again!

We serve an awesome God who has blessed us with His word to live by. So make it a priority in your life to read and live out God's word. It will make a difference in your life especially when the enemy comes knocking at your door.

Prayer: "Lord, I thank you for your word. While this world seems to cave down around us your word will always stand. So help us to simply stand with your word!"

2008-12-09T06:00:00.000-06:00

Have you ever had people tell lies on you? They may not have been things of great value but you have some of those people in your life that just want to make things difficult for you. The Psalmist in Psalms 119 deals with this issue. Not only in presenting that it happened to him but the writer gives us an example on how to handle such situation.

Psalms 119:85 - 87, "The arrogant have dug pits for me, men who are not in accord with Thy law. All thy commandments are faithful; they have persecuted me with a lie; help me! They almost destroyed me on earth, but as for me, I did not forsake Thy precepts."

Who are they that want to cause trouble?
Those who are not in accord with God. Those people who are thinking more about themselves than about the work of Christ.

Have you been there where the psalmist was? "they have dug pits around me", "they have persecuted me", "they almost destroyed me". Let me tell you I have and I have to agree with the writer when he yells out to God, "Help Me!"

But notice the writer sets for us an example on what we should do and how we should handle it.
First, we should cry out to God - "Help Me!" he said. For God is the only One who can handle your feelings and emotions during this time of persecution.

Then, we should do what he says he did or actually didn't do in verse 87, "But as for me, I did not forsake Thy precepts." Whatever you do, you can not forsake God's word. Don't cry to God for help and then try to help Him. He doesn't need your help. You let God focus on the fight and you focus on His word.

Prayer: "God, many times in life things happen that are just not fair. Help me today to focus only on your word and what it says rather than believing what others say."

2008-12-08T06:00:00.000-06:00

There are some things I read that I would love for you to read as well. When those times come I debate whether to summarize what I have learned so you can hear from my heart. But then there are times like today when I don't even want to touch one word and just give credit to the writer.

If you ever needed to fully understand GRACE, read this devotion by Bishop E. Earl Jenkins.

"Grace to help in a time of need." Hebrews 4:16 (NAS)

Grace reminds us of an ambulance coming to treat someone with a medical emergency. The paramedics offer assistance to the victim on the spot. They dispense immediate grace to the most serious symptoms. Then they slide them into the ambulance, which is equipped with more grace - more medical facilities - to deal with the problem. And as the paramedics are administering more grace to the patient, the ambulance races to the hospital where even more grace awaits.

And once the patient is admitted, the hospital keeps dispensing grace to meet the need until the problem has been addressed and the patient can go home again. As the beloved hymn goes: "'Twas Grace that brought me safe thus far, and Grace will lead me home."

One day Jesus heard our emergency call: "I am a sinner and I need a Savior." He came to earth, found us dying in sin and reached down to save us. And as our High Priest, He also transported us from where we were, to a place that has all the grace we will ever need as long as we live, until we are finally and fully restored at the resurrection and go home with Him.

So, how can we have a Savior and High Priest like this and not draw near to Him in prayer? "But I'm tired" you say. That's ok, just draw near. "But you don't understand. I'm hurting and I feel like quitting."

Others may not understand, but Jesus does. Just draw near to Him. He will meet you where you are, then take you to where He is - before the throne that dispenses grace!

2008-12-04T06:00:00.000-06:00

Why do bad things happen to us?
Why does it seem the more we try to go forward it seems this world knocks us backwards?
Why are we in a financial crisis in America, better yet throughout the world?

The Psalmist gives insight to a portion of his life and with his words he paints us a picture that could be very similar into answering the questions above.

Psalms 119:96 - "Before I was afflicted I went astray..."

You see many times these hardships will be sent by God to get our attention to make us realize that we have gone astray. Somewhere down the line we have made a wrong turn while the bible was telling us to turn right, we were turing left. When God was giving us instructions we were too busy listening to the world to hear Him clearly.

So the psalmist says, "I was afflicted". But notice he is not bitter about it. When you read on down into verse 71 he says, "It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Thy statues."

In a sense he was saying, "Thank you God for the affliction you sent my way because it woke me up and got me on the right path." Not all affliction is used by God for direction. Many times it is simply to test our faith. We say we love Him when things are going good but how are we going to react when we are afflicted? Are we still going to be just as much in love with God as we were when we didn't have issues in our life?

Prayer: "God, help us to evaluate the afflictions we may be experiencing. Get us on the right path and help us not to be bitter but instead thankful that you care so much about us that you are willing to do whatever it takes to get our attention."

2008-12-02T06:00:00.001-06:00

There is a statement from a book I am reading that spoke to my heart when I read it. In fact, I have not been able to get away from the thought ever since it entered into my mind.

"If God's people stand together, they can withstand almost anything; but when they turn on one another, God no longer stands with them." It's not just the fact they are no longer standing with each other but they have also seperated themselves from God.

Notice the key words in that statement: "God's people" - those who are committed to His ways and not their ways

When they turn on one another they turned away from God and start looking for their own gain. They start trying to live according to what they want and to what they feel is right. When are we going to learn that God is always right and there is no need for us to try and prove Him wrong?

But I also see the importance for the church to stand united together in the will of God. Because there will come times when opposition will try to disrupt the great things God is doing. God's people must stand together and not separated.

Psalms 119:37 - "Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, and revive me in Thy ways."

Prayer: "God, help us to stand with you and not with anyone else."

2008-12-01T06:00:00.000-06:00

Psalms 119:25 - "I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to your word."

Have you ever been stuck?
Stuck in a situation that you did not know how in this world you were going to get out of it? Stuck in a relationship that looks to be a dead end.
Stuck at a job where you see no future?
Stuck in your finances and making no headroom in getting out of it?

The Psalmist here speaks of being "low in the dust" - stuck! But notice what preserves him, the Word of God.

We have before us a bible. Some only look at it on Sunday morning's when the preacher is reading his text. Others do a little better by having it with them in Sunday school. But when we realize what a treasure we have in God's word, we will want to read more!

Especially when you are stuck and you feel there is no way out. You can get out of any situation you are in by simply turning a page in God's Word.

Read your bible and let it preserve your life! Let it get you out of your sticky situation.

Prayer: "Lord, we go to friends and family when we are stuck. Help us today to try your word and find out that it provides and escape route out of our situation."

2008-11-23T06:00:00.001-06:00

I am out of the office today. I am spending time with family at Huntsville Hospital for the surgery of Wendy's grandmother.

Please pray for Ms. Wanda Westbrooks.

Click Here to listen to Sunday's message: "Thank You God for Jesus"
In the season where we are being thankful, we should stop and thank God for Jesus!

Thanks!

Bro. Mickey

2008-11-20T06:00:00.000-06:00

Many people ask me the same question. It comes from people who do not have a relationship with Christ. It comes from new believers just after they accept Christ. It comes from church members who are working on certain areas of their life.

Here's the question: "Pastor Mickey, how do you live the Christian life?"

Now for some of you this may sound like a very elementary question but I beg to differ. There are many people who want to live the Christian life that will be pleasing to our Heavenly Father.

So how do we do it?

There maybe certain areas in your life that you just can't seem to get a hold of. Be it your temper, your mouth, the computer, your thoughts, etc... So I will ask the questions again for you, "Pastor Mickey, how do you live the christian life?"

Psalms 119:9 gives us the answer:
"How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Thy Word."

The only way you can live the Christian life is by God's word. You have to read it, meditate on it, memorize it and apply it. It has to be so much a part of your life that you can't live without it. This scripture text takes on so much more than just reading a verse a day. It is presenting the picture of God's word becoming so alive in you that you mimic exactly what it says.

What does God say about my temper?
What does God say about my mouth?
What does God say about the computer and my thoughts?

Find it in God's word and live by it!

Prayer: "God, you have already given us the manual for which to live. Now help us to take the initiative to not only read it but to live it."

2008-11-19T06:00:00.000-06:00

I have a great challenge for you today. We seem to get in a bad habit of always asking God for things. And we are approaching a time of year where we will ask our loved ones what they would like to have as presents for Christmas.

Do we not treat God sometimes like a "cosmic Santa Clause" that we approach each day with our list of wants. We will take three minutes of our day to crawl up into his lap and try to convince the jolly man that we have been good enough today to receive a blessing or an answered prayer.

What if we could just spend the entire day doing Psalms 118:29?
"Give thanks to the Lord for He is good"

Everything that happens today - Give Him Thanks!

When your car starts - Psalms 118:29
When your children come home from school or their job safe and sound - Psalms 118:29
When your boss hands you your paycheck - Psalms 118:29
When someone brings you good news - Psalms 118:29
When someone brings you bad news - Psalms 118:29

Let's join together and bring in as many people as possible on our quest to have a Psalms 118:29 day. And when they ask you what that means, just say, "We are giving Thanks to God for He is good!" No matter what comes our way today, we are going to thank God!

Prayer: "God, Thank you for being exactly who you promised us you would be in your word."

2008-11-18T06:00:00.000-06:00

I conclude my reading today through the book of Proverbs. The message I have for you today actually goes more for the women than it does the men. But it is good that the men read it as well.

Every lady should read this. In fact, if you have any friends that you email on a regular basis it would be helpful to them to hear this scripture text today.

We have ladies who work so hard to be something they are not. They apply makeup daily to cover up blemishes on the outside and hide behind name brand clothing to hide the blemishes on the inside. Some depend on their personality to get them through life each day while others hold on to their rough texture of being someone who speaks their mind and who need not be messed with.

But read and learn from God's word today!

Proverbs 31:30
"Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears (has reverence for) the Lord shall be praised."

When it comes to getting things you want in life, don't fall into the temptation of thinking that a wink from your eye will get his attention. Don't use your sweetness to work your way to the top. We will flirt with possibilities that we think will make us happy.

Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain. You are being called out today to be a woman of God and the Lord promises that if you will fear Him, you will be praised!

Prayer: "God, help us not to depend on ourselves to make us happy. We realize today only you can do that."

2008-11-14T06:00:00.000-06:00

In my daily reading I received a great word. It's a good challenge for us on this foggy Friday. Here's what I read: "Encouragement supplies others with courage and hope."

Wow! You have the power to give someone who is living in fear some courage. The words that come out of your mouth today could be used to give someone hope. A co-worker could be ready to give up on life, family and/or church. A friend could be tired from caring for a sick mom or dad. A total stranger could have the look of someone who is in despair. And yet, you have the power today through Christ to change all of that.

1st Thessalonians 5:11, Hebrews 3:13, Hebrews 10:25 tells us:
"Encourage one another... daily"

It didn't say those only who are close to us. It didn't say those we prefer to talk with. The bible is clear that we are to encourage one another.

Your challenge for today is to find someone you don't even know but after looking at them you can tell they are struggling with something and simply encourage them. It could be something light hearted or it could be a scripture truth. But live out the bible today: Encourage one another! (I would love to hear your encouragment stories)

Prayer: "Lord, help us to see people through our day that needs and encouraging word. Guide our lives to cross their paths for the purpose of encouragement."

2008-11-13T06:00:00.000-06:00

Proverbs 29 gives several warnings and instruction when it comes to dealing with people. We all have those people that we could just "go off " on. You know what I mean? Those people that we are around constantly that can push our buttons. So how do we keep from losing it?

The one verse that sticks out today is Proverbs 29:11
"A fool always loses his temper but a wise man holds it back."

You have to understand all the previous verses of this book to fully understand how a man gets wise. The writer is very clear in that you become wise once you seek wisdom from God. And that wisdom comes from reading and applying His word.

Proverbs 1:1 - "A wise man will hear and increase in learning" He will hear God speak through His word and will take it to heart. Not let it go in one ear and out the other but actually apply God's word to his life.

A fool lives without God's word. He goes about doing what he thinks is right. Making decisions on his own without consulting God beforehand and we see in our scripture today that it is this same fool that loses his temper. If you are one to lose your temper try putting more of God's word inside of you. For the bible says that "a wise man holds it (or is able to hold it) back."

Do you think it's from his own power? No! It's from the workings of God's word that he has on the inside of him.

Prayer: "Lord, help us today to get more and more of your word into our life knowing that it will benefit us in many ways including helping us control our temper."

2008-11-12T06:00:00.000-06:00

There's a verse found in Proverbs 28 that shows us the importance of confession and repentance. We sometimes seem to think that confession of sin is only for the time we accept Christ as our personal Savior but I have to tell you that we are instructed to confess each day our wrongdoings.

Proverbs 28:13, "He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion."

Confess and Forsake. Acknowledge and Turn away from. Do not hide the sin in your life, don't conceal it but rather confess it.

He plainly says that unless we confess and forsake the sin in our life we will not prosper. This is nothing more than a good reminder for us today to check our life to see if there be any sin that might be hindering us from moving to where God is.

You have to understand that sin and God can not be in the same place. So if we want to get closer to God we are going to have to remove the sin that is found inside us. We may have it hid from the pastor, the church and our family but we can hide nothing from Almighty God.

Confess and Forsake that sin that is in your life.

Prayer: "Lord, we want so much to be closer to you and we understand to do this we must remove the sin that is in our life. Help us today to confess and forsake that which is not right in our life."

2008-11-11T06:00:00.000-06:00

Proverbs 27:1 is probably one of my most quoted scriptures. When talking with others it is one that needs to be on every tongue and every heart.

It says, "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth."

How many things have you put off to do later?
We keep saying we are going to invite our parents to church but we'll wait til later...
We'll say that one day we will invite our co-workers to church but I will just wait... til later...
My best friend needs to hear about Jesus but this is not a good time...I will wait till later...

But another thought comes to mind.

We go to work each day working harder than ever before to get that promotion that will come one day... later on...

We strive to put up and save for later... when we are retirement age... you know... later.

But let this scripture be a wake up call for us today. Later may never come. Don't put off for tomorrow what you need to do today. Because the scripture plainly states that tomorrow's sunshine may never rise.

Do you need to tell someone you love them today?
Do you need to apologize to someone today?
Do you need to invite someone to church today?
Do you need to share Jesus with someone today?

Prayer: "Lord, please help us heed the warning that this could be our last opportunity to do what you are asking us to do. Help us not to put it off like we have in the past."

2008-11-10T06:00:00.001-06:00

Today's blog is more on a personal note to show you how God works so I apologize for it being longer than normal. This should encourage you to do what God tells you to do and not worry about what people may think.

In our Sunday PM service, I preached a message that I never had preached before. It was a warning of how problems can rise up in the church and how the enemy will use those on the inside to cause it to happen.

The first message of this small series dealt with those people who deal with their problems by running away from them. It happens in the world with divorce, quitting jobs, leaving home, etc... people are just accustomed to running away from the situation. That also carries over into the church. When something comes up that looks like a problem, they run! So the message was simply a warning to turn in your running shoes because if people are getting saved and God is blessing the church - you are going to be in a battle with the enemy. Satan does not like those churches that are moving forward toward God.

The Personal Note:
So I went home with a heavy pastor's heart. I was hoping and praying that people could really see that I was preaching this message as a warning and as a way to get people strapped in and ready to stand for the church no matter what comes our way.

I was concerned that some might have taken the message out of context and took it more as a personal attack or a hidden agenda. So I prayed. I was feeling confused wandering if I had made a mistake by preaching the message. So I prayed. I asked God to confirm for me that I did what I was suppose to do under His leadership.

Then I read my personal devotion today from one of my daily books that I read. Here's what it said.

Agabus...Acts 21:10 from the One Year Life Lessons from the Bible

Agabus holds the distinction of being one of the few prophets of New Testament times to have his name recorded in Scripture. We have two of his prophecies on record; He predicted a severe famine that would affect Judea, and he foretold of Paul's imprisonment in Jerusalem. But Abagus' prophecies were not intended as declarations of doom. Rather, they offered knowledge that could be used to prepare the right response.

In his first instance, his prophecy stirred the church into a relief action for the believers in Judea. In the second, Paul's companions panicked while Paul rightly took the news as advance notice of God's plan for him; he declared his devotion to Christ and got ready to go. Everyone learned from that.

Should Abagus have held his tongue because of "what people might think"? Of course not! He delivered God's words because that was his God-given job. God gave him a prophecy; he had to hand it off.

Don't be timid about serving God with the gifts he's given you just because you see some natural barrier. Many people around you need your word of encouragement, act of hospitality, or whatever other gift you may have.

God works among his people through his people.

2008-11-06T06:00:00.001-06:00

Money and wealth is something most people don't really like to talk about especially in the arena of the church. But when you read God's word, He has much to say about it.

If you have ever dealt with a teenager, you hear them complain saying that God is trying to take away the fun by not allowing them to do certain things until they are married... that God is a kill joy because they are not allowed to drink and party like the world. As an adult you will advise differently. You will say things like, "God is just trying to protect you."

But I have to say this: Don't we as adults take on the same attitude as our teens when it comes to dealing with God and our money? We will say somewhat the same thing, "God is just not being fair when He asks us to give."

As God deals with teenagers, He deals with us. It's not that He is trying to make your life miserable but rather He is trying to make it better by keeping you from getting caught up into things you can't handle. Such is the case with Proverbs 23:4

"Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, cease form your consideration of it."

This world says to be happy you have to be wealthy with a lot of money and a lot of material things. God says, 'Do not run after it'. Why? Because the next few verses explain that you will never catch it. You will spend all of your time and energy trying to gain wealth but you will never be satisfied. You will keep running for more and for more and for more.

The time you spend running after wealth you are not running after God. Hold on to His promise that He will supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory. Is that not enough?

Prayer: "God, help me to be like Paul and be content with what you give me. Help me to try and please you today and not myself."

2008-11-05T06:00:00.000-06:00

Have you ever found yourself in the place where you have allowed your finances to determine who you are? You get depressed when you look at others and wonder why you can't have what they have. Or better yet, you look at them and think they are happy because they have more then you.

There is a scripture that is found in Proverbs 22:2 that you need to put on your heart today and for the rest of your life.

Proverbs 22:2 - "The rich and the poor have a common bond, the Lord is the maker of them all."

My question to you is who are you living for? Are you living for yourself or for God? Just remember that we have what we have because of God. We think if we can work harder and longer hours the we will one day reach that status of being able to say "I have made it".

But have you seen people that do this it seems the more they work and the more money they make the less they seem to have? Its because they have made it all about themseleves and have left God out of the equation. The bottom line is that we were created by God, the rich and the poor, for a purpose. Our job is not to run after wealth but to run after God.

And what is His promise? "I will supply all of your needs!"

Prayer: "God, help us to know that we were created by You for a purpose. Help us to seek out that purpose and make you proud of the fact that you created us."

2008-11-04T06:00:00.001-06:00

I pick up from where I left off yesterday with verse 1 of Proverbs 22. The writer speaks of our "good name" and how we need to strive to have a good reputation with others no matter the cost.

But he takes it a step further and says also in that verse: "Favor is better than silver and gold."

Favor - God's Favor!

When you have the favor of God on your life you have no need of additional gold and/or silver. No need to strive for anything more in your life because God's favor is all around you. Things just seem to fall into place when you have God's favor. Now I can say this from experience - God's favor is more satisfying than anything you can gain from this world.

Example of God's Favor - You are balancing your checkbook and you realize that you brought in way less than what your bills show. But somehow - things got paid. GOD'S FAVOR!

Today, instead of running after gold and silver that will perish - I challenge you to run after God and seek His favor on your life. It will change the way you think, the way you pray and the way you live. But His favor doesn't just happen. It comes after you dedicate your entire life to Him and live a holy life.

Prayer: "God, I need your favor on my life today. I know the only way that comes is by the way I love a holy life before you."

2008-11-03T06:00:00.000-06:00

As you know I have been taking my morning quite time to read through a chapter of Proverbs. I have written a few articles on what God has been speaking to me. I say a few because He speaks in volumes when you take time to let the words of this book sink in.

Such is the case this morning. When I read the first verse of chapter 22, I simply can't go any further.

"A good name is to be more desired than great riches." - Wow!

If we could concentrate our day on this verse. If we could just end the day and be able to say that when it is all said and done my name is in good standing. I didn't jeopardize my good name just to make a few extra dollars. I didn't bring my name into question when dealing with customers or fellow employees. The way I treated others today caused others to respect me instead of disrespect. When they encounterd me they could walk away from our conversation and would be able to say "now there is a born again Christian"

When I lay my head down on my pillow tonight I can say without a doubt - my name is still in good standing with God and with those around me.

Prayer: "God help me today to keep my name in good standing with You and with those around me."

2008-10-31T06:00:00.000-05:00

Proverbs 19 continues to deal with issues of people who need to clean up their speech. It's not just in the areas of curse words but actually in the areas of always being truthful.

I am sure that I am not the only person who has been the victim of someone who has shared false information. You know how it feels to have things said about you that is absolutely not true. So that should remind us to watch what we say when we are tempted to do the same to another person.

How tempting it is to fire back with opponents with harsh words of criticism and hate. But Proverbs 19:5 tells us that God knows what every person says and does. He even goes on to tell us that He will not put up with it.

Proverbs 19:5 - "A false witness will not go unpunished and he who tells lies will not escape."

Prayer: "God, help me to watch everything that comes out of my mouth today. Ensure that I only speak the truth no matter how tempting it may be to lie out of a situation."

2008-10-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

As you can tell from my morning devotionals, I have spent the last week or so going through the book of Proverbs taking a chapter a day and allowing God to teach me. The book begins with the opening statement that wisdom or Godly understanding is worth more to you than gold or silver.

Each chapter has taught me many things. Some I have been able to share with you but many others that have been placed back in the reserve of my mind for days to come.

The thing I notice about the proverbs is that the author deals a lot of character and speech. He talks about the importance of being upright when it comes to the words we say but also when it comes to pursuing the things of this world such as wealth.

Chapter 19 (my chapter for today) opens with a strong statement that needs absolutely no interpretation. It's a verse that speaks for itself. So I ask that you simply read this verse at least three times and allow God to speak to you and show you area in your life that could be improved based upon the words that you read.

This verse should cause everyone of us to stop and make sure of the words that come out of our mouths.

Proverbs 19:1 - "Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool."

Prayer: "God, please help us realize the words that come out of our mouth are so important. Help us know that telling a lie for whatever reason is never the route to take."

2008-10-29T06:00:00.000-05:00

Have you ever had people around you who try their best to make you mad? They will say or do things just to get "under your skin". How do you react? Do you call them up and tell them off? Do you try to do things behind their back to get back at them?

There is a great verse in Proverbs that encourages us.

Proverbs 17:27: "He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding."

We have to realize that the evil one is using people (yes, even church people) to test you. They will say and do things just to upset you or to make you mad. I have come to learn that my God is bigger than any person who trys to throw a test my way. Let them talk - I have always heard that if they are talking about me they are giving you a rest.

God says "he who restrains his words has knowledge" you have found something in God that causes you to understand how He wants you to walk and react.

Watch yourself today. Restrain your words and have a "cool spirit" about yourself today.

Prayer: "God, many people try to cause me to stumble with what they say and do. Please help me today to keep my mouth shut when I am tempted to fire back. Help me to have a cool spirit that would be pleasing to you."

2008-10-28T06:00:00.000-05:00

The power of the words! In my study of Proverbs I see another great warning to consider when tempted to talk about things we shouldn't.

Proverbs 16:27 - "A worthless man digs up evil while his words are as a scorching fire. (28) A preverse man spreads strife and a slanderer seperates intimate friends."

If the enemy can accomplish one thing with you today it's simply to use your words against someone else. There are many that Satan has already used and continues to use by enticing them to join in on bringing down other people. If he can't bring them down himself, the devil will use other people by putting thoughts in their minds to hurt others simply by what they say.

When are we going to learn as Christians to really watch what we say. You might be telling the truth at times and many will live by the saying "the truth hurts". But do we really have to set out to hurt other people? Some feel they do to save face or to get back at someone. But as Christians is this right? Do you really feel better after telling that co-worker off? Do you feel a sense of accomplishment by putting someone else down?

God is very clear about people who do this such a thing. Read our scripture agian. He calls those people in vs. 27 "worthless" and in vs. 28 "perverse".

Prayer: "God, help me watch the words that come out of my mouth. Help me to realize that no matter how bad someone else trys to hurt me that does not give me permission to tear them apart."

2008-10-27T06:00:00.000-05:00

How many of you have enemies? If you don't let me invite you to join the ministry. Once you become a pastor it is evident that you are going to have people that don't really like you. Trust me I have plenty.

But what if there was a way for your enemies to be at peace with you? What if I told you there is something you can do that can cause this. It is a promise from God found in Proverbs 16:7.

"When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him"

God tells us that if we will do our part - He will do His. We must wake up each morning to live each day "pleasing to the Lord". Our ways should not be determined by our mind but by our heart for God. We must make sure that the Lord has first place and that we don't move or speak without first acknowledging Him.

Here's what happens. When we are living our lives pleasing to the Lord, there maybe people who dislike us and would be given the term of an enemy but they would have no artillery to put in their weapons. In other words, we would not be providing them ammunition to be used against us because our lives are in line with the Lord. They just simply have to accept that they don't like us and then leave us alone!

Prayer: "God, you know those who try to work against us rather than with us. I pray you would help me live my life today pleasing to you."

2008-10-16T06:00:00.001-05:00

Today's blog is more of a personal note than a devotion that I have been doing for several months now.

God has placed upon my heart the thought "When Circumstances Seem to Overtake Us".

How should we view our circumstances?
How should we react to our circumstances?
How should we act while in a circumstance?
Who should we talk with during our circumstances?
Who should we listen to during our circumstances?

There are many people who find themselves inside of a "circumstance" that seem to be overtaking them in their daily lives. This could be anything from a death of a loved one, a financial crunch, a loss of job, sickness, terminal illness, a bad doctor's report, etc...

But where does God play in to these circumstances? That is what we will be discussing in a new message series that begins this Sunday.

If you are unable to attend you will be able to hear the messages by clicking here.

2008-10-15T06:00:00.001-05:00

Talk to any football coach and you will hear them talk in disgust about one set of stats that causes them so much grief week after week. It's the stat of penalties.

Every time the referee throws the yellow flag against your team it only means one thing: You are going backwards instead of forwards. The only way to keep this from happening is to make sure that every athlete on the field knows and understands the rules of the game.

2nd Timothy 2:5 - "Anyone who competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules".

As a child of God, we must realize God has rules for us to live by. When we go against His word we are just like the team with many penalties, we are going backwards instead of forwards. We must understand the rules of living a Christan life.

But many times on the field of the game, the players know the rules and understand what the wrong thing to do but they get so caught up in the play they allow themselves to do things before they even realize they are doing it. They know to watch the ball while on defense so they don't jump offsides but they have so much desire to get into the play they sometimes over react.

They know they can't hinder the receiver from catching the ball by constantly dragging him down to the ground but sometime we seem to do what we have to do to keep ourselves from getting beat.

Know the rules of the game when it comes to your walk with Christ. And by all means, focus on each play throughout your day and make sure you are not too zealous to over react or try pulling someone else down just to save yourself.

Prayer: "God, help us to know what is good and right in your site. But also help us to exercise what we know by making sure we remain pure with you."

2008-10-14T06:00:00.001-05:00

I remember as a young boy I really looked forward to Christmas time. That was my opportunity to make a trip to the local mall and visit the big man in the red suit with a long white beard. I was able to go up and sit on his knee and here is what he would say.

"Hello there young man, tell me what you want".

From that moment I began to spout off a list a mile long of things I wanted. I remember leaving that night and believing that what I asked for was what I was going to get because I told Santa Claus what I wanted and I know he wants me to be happy.

If we could have the same faith as adults. We read in Mark 10:36 where Jesus asked James and John, "what do you want Me to do for you?"

We all have needs. We all have wants. We all have situations and circumstances where we need God's help and here is asking, "Young man, what do you want?". Could it be that we are not getting our answers simply because we are not asking? Could God be sitting on ready to help us in our situations if we would just stop what we are doing and ask for His help?

A prayer not answered by God is a prayer that was not prayed. Now keep in mind He may not give you the answer you want but God will give an answer.

Prayer: "Lord God, you know my situation and circumstances, I ask You to take over."

2008-10-13T06:00:00.001-05:00

When we read the bible we look at as though God is showing us all the things we shouldn't do. We view it as though we have a list of sins and as long as we don't commit those sins we must be okay. So we strive as hard as we can to not mess up and have sin in our life.

But then God will come along and lay something on our heart. It might be to offer to buy lunch for a friend or even a co-worker we don't really care for. He might ask us to go and mow the yard of a neighbor who has been anything but friendly to us since we moved in.

When these thoughts make their way to our heart we will make a decision. Many times we will walk away from God's instruction with the excuse on why we shouldn't do it and then just pass it off as nothing. But the bible is very clear that it's more than nothing - it's sin!

James 4:17 - "Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin."

We can strive to do the things that we know is wrong that we consider bad things. But another sin we must watch out for this week is the sin of not doing good when we are prompted by God.

Prayer: "God, we hate sin and we strive to keep sin out of our life. Help us realize today that it could come by way of us not honoring your request. Help us to please you today whatever the cost"

2008-10-10T06:00:00.000-05:00

We have been studying this week in the first chapter of Proverbs. Very strong words concerning the lack of effort to learn God's will for our life. The lack of wanting to know Him more.

Read Proverbs 1:24-33

He is talking about those who hated knowledge. They didn't want to listen to God and go after Him but instead they wanted to do their own thing. This world offers many opportunities for us to stray away and enjoy the taste it offers. But God says you have to either come after Me or stay with the world.

And He shows us through this proverb that a day will come when you will (vs. 31) "eat of the fruit of your own way." In other words, all this sowing you are doing now will one day produce. And you will be left with a big problem in your life and you will not be able to handle.

Stealing from the company Deceiving someone Living a double life

It will eventually catch up with you all because you refused to seek God and to gain the knowledge of living the life pleasing to Him.

Prayer: "God, direct us today and show us those areas in our life that need to be cleared away to make room for what you want to do for us and through us."

2008-10-09T06:00:00.000-05:00

People are always searching...

Searching for answers to some tough questions...
Searching for relief from a draining situation...
Searching for God's will in your life.

The awesome outcome is that God has made His will available to us. Proverbs 1:23 tells us that "God has poured out His spirit on you". He says, "I will make my words known to you."

It's called biblical wisdom. But the problem is not in the lack of knowing His will it's in the lack of "wanting" to know His will. God's will causes you to change to become like Him. Knowing His will causes you to get rid of bad habits.

Listen to what the proverb goes on to say: "Because I called and you refused; I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention". When you seek out God's will for your life it will force you to evaluate everything you have in your life already. The truth is, there could be so much "stuff" i the way that is keeping God from settling in.

Wisdom into the ways of God is available - We are the ones that block ourselves from receiving it.

Prayer: "God, help me to get out of the way so I can know your will for my life."

2008-10-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

Have you ever had people try to pull you away to do something you know it's not right but they try to convince you that it's okay?

You will hear things like:
"Come with us we are going to let off steam after work and hang out at the local bar"
"Why don't you come eat lunch with us, we have figured out how to get an extra 15 minutes without the boss ever knowing"
"The boss is out of town so don't worry about getting your work done, he will never know it"

"There's no need to attend church - it's just a Sunday night service it's not important"

All of these may seem small to you but God's word gives a great warning about these people who try to pull you away from doing what you know is the right thing to do.

Proverbs 1:8-19 (take time to read this passage)
It's tell us to watch out for these people who try to entice you away from the path that a Christian should always walk. While the text goes into talking about how these people lay traps for others what they don't realize is they are getting caught in their own traps.

Don't let this happen to you is what the proverb is teaching us. Stay on the straight path. Even if the boss is not watching - God is!

Prayer: "God, you know how people are constantly trying to pull us away. Help us to realize this is nothing but an effort put forth by the enemy to get us to stumble."

2008-10-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

So many people try to tell us what is important for us on a daily basis. They say it is good to start your day with a hearty breakfast in that it gets your blood pumping. They also encourage some form of exercise. Experts tells us to get a good night's sleep if we want a productive day when we wake up.

The book of Proverbs gives us great wisdom as well. Chapter 1:1-7 teaches us about wisdom and the importance it has in our life. The only way we can gain this type of understanding is by spending time in God's word.

The cup of coffee is very important to most people to start their day but once you got hooked on God's word you will also find a need for its pages as well.

vs. 7 - "The fear (reverence) of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge."

Prayer: "Lord, help me to spend more time in your word to gain the knowledge you have set aside for me. I know I can not make it through this day without your help"

2008-10-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

Message for Bro. Mickey
I am currently on a Sr. Adult trip to Gatlinburg. Please enjoy the following devotion from "Quite Walk". My personal devotions will return on Thursday.

God Bless!
Bro. Mickey

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

What the Law cannot do in delivering us from sin, God does through Christ.

INSIGHT

In Greece, a little boy might run into the kitchen and call "Mama, Mama!" when he wants to find his mother. And late in the afternoon as he hears familiar masculine footsteps approaching the house, he may run out to his father and cry "Abba, Abba!" "Mama" and "Abba" are terms of close family endearment. God loves the whole world, but He loves His spiritual children in a different, special way. With respect and joy, we can express our love back to Him with the tender name, "Abba, Abba." It's a term of endearment in the spiritual family.

PRAYER

Because the Lord has made us a part of such a loving entity as the body of Christ, offer your praise to Him:
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
(Psalm 100:1-5)

Pause for praise and thanksgiving, and pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Achan answered Joshua and said,
"Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel."
(Joshua 7:20).

Show me Your ways, O Lord;
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day. (Psalm 25:4-5)

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
You did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." (Romans 8:15)

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

Health and strength to serve Him
His will to be done on earth
Today's activities

Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
"I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. . . . I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You." (Job 42:2, 5)

2008-09-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

Message for Bro. Mickey
I am currently on a Sr. Adult trip to Gatlinburg. Please enjoy the following devotion from "Quite Walk". My personal devotions will return on Thursday.

God Bless!
Bro. Mickey

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Christian life is a life of total dedication and service to others.

INSIGHT

To better understand the implications of the first two verses of chapter 12, it is helpful to read them backwards. We all want to be a living demonstration of the fact that the will of God is "good and acceptable and perfect." In order to do that, we must have our minds transformed and renewed. In order to have our minds transformed and renewed, we must make our bodies "a living sacrifice" to God. We all want the will of God in our lives. We can experience it if we present ourselves as a living sacrifice to Him.

PRAYER

Praise the Lord for the bond of love that binds us to Him and to other Christians:
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
O Lord my God, You are very great:
You are clothed with honor and majesty,
Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment,
Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain. . .
May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
May the Lord rejoice in His works. . .
May sinners be consumed from the earth,
And the wicked be no more.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
Praise the Lord! (Psalm 104:1-2, 31, 35)

Pause for praise and thanksgiving.

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
"For a mere moment I have forsaken you,
But with great mercies I will gather you.
With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment;
But with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,"
Says the Lord, your Redeemer. (Isaiah 54:7-8)

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
"If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love." (John 15:10)

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

That others will see Christ in you
That the Lord of the harvest will send forth laborers
Your activities for the day

Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
May the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5:10-11)

2008-09-29T06:00:00.000-05:00

Message for Bro. Mickey
I am currently on a Sr. Adult trip to Gatlinburg. Please enjoy the following devotion from "Quite Walk". My personal devotions will return on Thursday.

God Bless!
Bro. Mickey

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Christian is to obey the government and love his fellow man.

INSIGHT

Love is the central characteristic of the Christian. In Matthew 22:37-40, a lawyer asks Jesus which is the greatest commandment. Jesus says: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." Then the Lord gives the second greatest commandment: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul writes that love is the greatest characteristic–even greater than faith or hope. Now in Romans this theme is picked up again. Love does no wrong to a neighbor; love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the Law. God is love. If we are to be like Him, we also must love.

PRAYER

Thank the Lord that He loves you, and praise Him that through Him you can love others:
You who love the Lord, hate evil!
He preserves the souls of His saints;
He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.
Light is sown for the righteous,
And gladness for the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous,
And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
(Psalm 97:10-12)

Pause for praise and thanksgiving.

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin and in fellowship with Him:
He is despised and rejected by men,
A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. . . .
All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
(Isaiah 53:3, 6)

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
To me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

Greater sensitivity to sin
Your role in the ministry of your church
Your activities for the day
Whatever else is on your heart

Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
May the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

2008-09-26T06:00:00.000-05:00

Persecution is not a pleasant word no matter how it may be used. If any knew about persecution, Paul knew. He was beaten for his outcry for a nation to turn to God. He was arrested for not keeping his mouth closed about the need for salvation.

With many of us today, we are a long way from this type of persecution but yet our mouths remain close. While they tried to shut Paul up with beatings and arrests, our mouths close the moment someone says something about us.

But we learn a valuable lesson with Paul. He understood that with his persecutions came more opportunities to witness for Christ. Let us follow his lead and not allow anything to stand in our way today of sharing Christ with someone.

2nd Corinthians 12:10 list the word "persecution" in the list of things Paul said he was content with. Because as Christ promised "when I am weak that is when I am made strong". Not in our power but in the power of Christ.

How powerful is that? Well, it was powerful enough to raise Christ from the dead.
Good enough for me!

Prayer: "Lord, help me not to be intimidated by other people. Help me to speak your name to as many people as possible without allowing the enemy to shut me up."

2008-09-25T06:00:00.000-05:00

Continuing in our look of 2nd Corinthians 12:10 I see another word that we encounter on a weekly basis if not a daily basis. We see the word "distresses".

Are you distressed this week? Is there something in your life that is causing anxiety or suffering in some way? Paul knew a lot about being distressed. Your talking about a man who spent most of his adult life in a jail cell for preaching the gospel. He suffered many beatings because of his belief and his love for Christ.

Paul knew about anxiety as he started churches but had to leave them to continue on with his ministry. He would get word back that one of his beloved churches were going backwards instead of forwards. He would hear how they were fighting among themselves and that caused him to have to weep over a blank sheet of paper as he prepared writings that would go back to those church members and bring about change. How he longed to be with them but his imprisonment prevented it.

But that didn't stop him from writing here in vs. 10 "when I am weak (with distresses) then I am made strong" through Christ Jesus.

Prayer: "Lord, many are suffering today and need a pick-me-up. Anxiety has set in and they need your strength to shine through their weakness."

2008-09-24T06:00:00.000-05:00

Yesterday we talked about Paul in 2nd Corinthians being content with being weak... here's the scripture:

"Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong."

Notice the second item in which Paul is content with: Insults.

We all hate to be insulted. Words can really hurt sometime but what if you were called a "fanatic Christian". What if people were calling you "Ms. Goodie Two shoes" because of your stance for Christ. Isn't there worst names you could be called.

If insults come your way because of your stance for Christ - I say "Let them come". Paul was the same way. He had this idea that if you are talking bad about me because I stand for Christ and Him alone then you are actually talking about a good subject instead of a bad one. So keep talking. This world is going to hurl insults at you for whatever reason they can find. If they can only make fun of you because you are a Christian and because you are so involved in church - invite them to keep talking. For some, this will be the only time they will even discuss the subject matter of Christianity.

Prayer: "Lord, help us keep our cool when others are throwing insults our way. But help us realize that while we are weak in those moments You are actually making us strong."

2008-09-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

What if I were to say, "My goal today is to be weak"? You would first think I am crazy but then some of you would say that you were already there. You started your day and for some reason you feel weak in the faith.

Paul said some very strong words in 2nd Corinthians 12:10 - "Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecution, with difficulties for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong."

To the world this seems foolish. To an unbeliever Paul is just contradicting himself.

But for you as a child of God this is a great place to be. When you find yourself weak in the faith and you are having a bad day, that is when God shows up and shows us just how strong He really is. If we were never having a bad day, we would never know how good God is.

Paul says he is content with weaknesses because he knows who gives him strength anyway. So if you are feeling down and really not motivated to go any further - just be content and understand that God can do something about it. As a child of God you have a source of strength that this world can not and will not understand.

"Because when I am weak that is when He becomes strong"

Prayer: "Lord, some need you to provide strength today. The harder they try the further back they seem to go. Lift them up today and let them see that You are their strength."

2008-09-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

"Happy Birthday Wendy!"

I remember as a kid playing this little game that got on my bother's nerves. I guess that is why I continued to do it just to make him mad. I thought it was funny until Logan came along and she started picking up this game. And now I find it annoying. It's the copy cat game.

She will do everything I do. She will say everything I say. When I say a word - she repeats that word. If I scratch my head - she scratches her head. She is doing nothing but imitating me.

Paul states in 1st Corinthians 11:1 - "Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ"

My question for you today. Do you want people imitating you? If they did would they start praising others or would they be finding fault in them? Would they be a stand out Christian or would others have to ask if they were even a believer?

We should live our life today and everyday as though someone is imitating the way we live. If you have children I have to tell you - they are imitating you. A son will learn how to treat his wife by watching how his dad treats the boy's mom. A daughter will learn how to act around guys when she watches how her mom acts around them.

People are constantly watching. We should want people to imitate us knowing that if they do what we do and say what we say then we will all be like Paul who said, "Just as I imitate Christ". We will all be imitating the One that counts, Jesus Christ!

Prayer: "Lord, help me to live the way you want me to live by the example you have left for me just in case someone else is trying to live like me"

2008-09-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

Paul tells us in Philippians 1:13 that he was "imprisonment in the cause of Christ".

When you are arrested you become a slave of those who have arrested you.

They tell you where to go.
They tell you when and what you will eat.
They dictate your schedule.
They tell you what to wear (they pick out your clothes)
They tell you what type of work you will be doing.

You have no choice in the matter!

That is exactly the way Paul felt about his calling with Christ. When he was arrested on that Damascus road, he became a slave to Christ. He allowed Christ to tell him where to go. He allowed Christ to tell when and what to eat. He allowed Christ to dictate his schedule. He allowed Christ to tell him what to wear and what type of work to do. He felt as though he no choice in the matter.

We today are allowing this world to make our decisions for us. In a sense we have been arrested by this world view of how we should live. When Jesus Christ became your Savior He was also made Lord of your life. You have been arrested by Christ.

So everything you do today should be to glorify Him and not this world.

Prayer: "God, help me today to simply make you happy in everything I do."

2008-09-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

Outlook is very important. How you view yourself and the circumstances you encounter dictate the kind of day or week you are going to have.

In our look at Paul and his Philippian letter, I see his outlook portrayed that we need to take on as our own.

Philippians 1:13 - "...so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ." Did you see it?
Paul was not claiming to be a prisoner of the local government. Yes he was sitting in a jail cell. Yes Paul is having to eat (or not eat) the jail food. He has no visitors coming to see him but Paul has a different outlook than what his circumstance is currently presenting to him.

He says, "my imprisonment in the cause of Christ". Paul says he was arrested, not by the local government even though he was, by the "cause of Christ". He was saying, "I am not in jail for something I did wrong." "I am not in this circumstance because the local officials want me here".

Paul's outlook was that he was in prison for the cause of Christ. He was going through this circumstance in his life for no other reason but for God. It wasn't a pleasant experience but Paul knew his was doing kingdom work by sitting in a jail cell.

Your circumstances may not make sense to you but you may have to step back and take another look. While you can't explain why these things are happening to you, God could be up to something where He is using this for kingdom work rather than to make you happy. People are taking notice of you while you endure these current circumstances. Don't let God down while He is setting you up for a great blessing. Don't allow your attitude to go against what God is trying to accomplish through you.

You have been arrested today by God to do His work. Now go and make Him proud!

Prayer: "God, though these circumstances may get difficult, please give us the energy to make you proud in how we act and react to these situations that arise in our lives."

2008-09-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

We continue our look in Philippians 1 where Paul was thrown into prison for preaching the Gospel. Dealing this week with circumstances that come into our lives.

Philippians 1:13 - "...so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian (governor's palace) guard and to everyone else."

You have heard that bad news always travels faster than good news. That was the case here. Paul being thrown into prison had made its way from every household to even the governor's palace. People were hearing about Paul and him being thrown into jail. They were talking about Paul during breaks at work. Families were discussing his plight at the dinner table.

You might ask, "Wasn't that embarrassing?", "Was it bothering Paul that all these people were talking about him?" When you view circumstances the way Paul viewed them he saw it as an even greater opportunity to share the gospel. Because if someone is talking about Paul being thrown into prison someone down the line would have to ask, "Why was he thrown in jail?" The answer will have to be stated for "preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ".

Boom! There you go. Paul was being a witness without even opening his mouth. He was allowing his circumstances to be the witness for him. He knew he was in the right. He knew he had done nothing wrong. But Paul allowed his circumstances to take place, he just rolled with the punches, knowing that God was going to get the glory out of it.

Things may happen at work that just doesn't seem fair. People may do and say things to you that brings on a bad week. But just relax and allow God to use this circumstance to His benefit. Allow your sweet attitude and reaction to the situation to simply show people to the Cross of Christ. I didn't say it would be easy... Paul knew that as well while sitting in a jail cell being treated as a prisoner.

Prayer: "Lord, we go through things that are just not fair when we proclaim to be followers of Your Son Jesus. Use every circumstance we encounter to be a witness of your saving power."

2008-09-15T06:00:00.000-05:00

One thing that is very evident in the life of a Christian, we are going to have circumstances and situations arise in our lives. This is not going to go away just because we surrender our life to Christ. But Paul gives us an interesting take on the circumstances he had to face.

Philippians 1:12 - "Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel."

Paul is saying that because of what he is going through, it actually cause the gospel of Jesus Christ to go even further and reach more people. People who were reached that would not have been unless the circumstances had not come into his life.

I can think of one jailer and his family who would not be saved today if it weren't for Paul being falsely placed into prison. No it wasn't fair, No it wasn't right for Paul's sake but it was right for the Gospel's sake.

Take a hard look at your circumstances that come into your life this week. See if maybe they are there not for your benefit but maybe for the benefit of the Gospel. Is there a hospital trip in your future? Maybe it is to reach a nurse or doctor you wouldn't normally see so you can share with them Jesus. Take advantage of every opportunity you have. Remember, it's not about you but it's all about HIM! (even the circumstances!)

Prayer: "Lord God, when these circumstances come into our life we are not pleased with them. But help us to realize you have allowed it for a purpose and your will is our ultimate goal."

2008-09-12T06:00:00.000-05:00

It's Friday!! This day serves as the one day that sums up our entire week. Some have deadlines to meet today, students have test from what they have studied this week. Today just reflects or brings together what we have accomplished the last four days.

There is a verse of scripture that I feel sums up everything.

1st Corinthians 1:9 - "God is faithful..."

We were sinners who needed a Savior - God is faithful
We were backsliders who needed forgiveness - God is faithful
We are sick and needed to be well - God is faithful
We are behind in a payment - God is faithful
We are worried about our kids - God is faithful
We have co-workers who get on our nerves - God is faithful
We have customers we can not seem to please - God is faithful
We have bosses who are constantly on our backs - God is faithful
We have tests to pass - God is faithful
We have a bad doctor's report - God is faithful
We have a sick child enduring tests - God is faithful
We have problems that seem to overtake us - God is faithful
We have to experience death to a loved one - God is faithful
We too one day will take our last breath - God is faithful
We have a home in heaven promised to us as His children - God is faithful

Just an encouraging word for this Friday - God is faithful - Enough said!

Prayer: "God, thank you for being exaclty who You said You would be - Faithful!"

2008-09-11T06:00:00.000-05:00

Why are you here? Why were you ever born?

1st Peter 2:21 answers the question in a very simple way
"For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to FOLLOW IN HIS STEPS"

We are to do nothing but follow Christ. This world has us so entangled with things that really don't matter. We have priorities set in our life that really shouldn't be but because this world has told us it is important - we have started believing them.

How should I walk? The scripture is plain and to the point - "follow in His steps".

That encourages me! First we are to follow Him. No questions asked just simply follow.

But it also says "in His steps". I like this mostly because if I walk in His steps I will never go to a place where Christ has never been or where I am not suppose to be. I will never go through a storm that Christ hasn't already been through. And if something comes before me, it had to go through Christ first before it got to me. And if Christ made it through it, then I will too because I am following Him. He knows the way out!

Prayer: "God, help me to stay in the steps of Christ and not try to create my own path. Help me to simply follow Him"

2008-09-10T06:00:00.000-05:00

Ask a young child what they want to be when they grow up and you will see a wild imagination come alive. Ask a junior or senior in high school what they would like to be and they are torn with the decision.

Once out of college or directly into the workforce, many will find their niche in this world and will fall so in love with their job or career. Now they can't think of doing anything else but what they are currently doing. They love it so much they have no problem working some holidays. They are so dedicated to what they do they don't seem to mind the occasional overtime.

And you maybe there yourself. But what about your service to God? Have you found your niche in the ministry, one that you love so much that you don't mind the extra hours you may have to put in?

Philippians 2:13 - "For it is the will of God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."

God has a work already birthed inside of you. A ministry that is suited just for you and one that will bring you and God much joy. So have you found it yet? Have you even been looking? Seek out the will He has for your life when it comes to ministry. You were not put on this earth to just accomplish worldly goals and accolades. You were brought into this world with a service to provide back to God.

Let's find what that service is and get to work!

Prayer: "God, some may not know what ministry they are to be doing for you. Help them see what that ministry is and give them the boldness and encouragement to step out and begin their work for You."

2008-09-09T06:00:00.001-05:00

I love the fall time of the year when my family takes trips to the park. We love to swing and then watch Logan go up and down the slide. Up and down...Up and down...Up and down... all while I am sitting down! Amen!

But I notice many people like to take their pets to the park. And when they are strolling down the walking track, they have a leash of sorts so that the dog will go where they want to go. I thought of this as I read:

Galatians 5:16, "But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh."

That is exactly what that leash is for. It keeps the dog from doing what dogs want to do. They want to go and greet every person they come in contact with and they want to run here and run there when they have the opportunity of getting hit with something massive (car) that it could change their life forever. But as long as they stay on that leash - they are safe.

As long as you walk by the Spirit instead of running here and running there doing what you think will please you - you will not want to carry out the desires of your flesh. God has his hand on the other end of the leash and He promised to lead you only where He wants you to go.

Don't stress yourself in trying to get free - just simply enjoy the stroll through the park knowing that God is in control.

Prayer: "Lord, I submit myself to You! Simply guide me and direct me today!"

2008-09-08T06:00:00.000-05:00

If you ever need someone to pray for you I want to tell you who the best person would be. It's not the Sunday school teacher, not the Sr. Adult women's Sunday school class not even the pastor.

There is a group of people in the church that knows how to pray the correct way. The children!

John 6:1-14 we have the perfect illustration on how the minds of kids operate. You talk about faith, this one boy shows us just how our children think in the feeding of the 5000. He saw with his own eyes how many people were there that day. He saw the disciples sweating in desperation trying to figure out what they were going to do. Just like a child, this young boy took his five loaves and two fishes and gave it to the One who could do something with it.

If we could just go back to the early days of our lives and have the open mind that our kids have. They simply believe what you tell them so when God says "he loves them" they believe Him. When their Heavenly Father says, "I will take care of you" they take Him at His word. Shouldn't we do the same?

Prayer: "Lord, help us to get our thinking back to the ways of a child in believing that You will do what you say you will do."

2008-09-05T06:00:00.000-05:00

When someone does or says something to you its hard to try and keep from responding in the same tone in which they delivered their message to you? Someone pops off about something and you have to try and "bite your tongue" to keep from saying something to them.

Romans 12:17 - "Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men."

It didn't say sometime.
It didn't say only on Mondays.
It said - Never pay back evil for evil.

We have to realize that once this day is over so are the things that have been done. Unless it was tragic, two and three years from now you may never remember what was said or done to cause you to want to retaliate. Also down the road, you may have opportunity to be a true witness to that person. Don't mess up today what God may have planned for you tomorrow.

You could be the person they are lashing out at today but next week you could be the person they are coming to for prayer. Just know that God has a plan for you to reach the lost so don't put yourself in a position where you can't be used.

Prayer: "God, please help us realize that you are bigger than any problem or situation we may encounter today. The enemy will use people to try and trip us up. But we know that we are the victors so we claim victory today."

2008-09-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

I did something on Wednesday evening that is very hard for an Alabama fan to do. I actually did something nice for an LSU fan. It doesn't discredit my loyalty for the Tide but it did do something a lot bigger and that it displayed the love of Christ in front of people we didn't even know.

Paul says in Romans 14:19 - "So let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another."

When I think of the word "pursue" I can't help but go back into my childhood and remember the number two most famous cop on television to a child.

#1 was Barny Fife (and all of God's people said Amen!)
But #2 in my book was a man they called Roscoe P. Coltrain. And when he would get after the Duke boys he would make the statement, "I am in hot pursuit". He was giving it all he had to get to accomplish what he needed to accomplish.

Hot pursuit. That should be our drive everyday to reach out as the scripture says and help build someone else up. Folks who evacuated from the south due to the hurricane found themselves in enemy territory. If you wear an LSU shirt only 30 miles from Tuscaloosa, you are in enemy territory. But they were in need.

We may not be able to return home with them and help them physically rebuild or clean up from the damage the may have incurred. But we can build them up emotionally and spiritually. As our church fed these people a hot meal, that is exactly what we were doing. We were "building up one another" and letting them know that God loves LSU fans too!

Prayer - "Lord, help us to have the mind of being in "hot pursuit" to help build someone else up. Though we maybe down and find our self having a bad day, cause us to run across someone who is having a worse day so we can be a light to them through you!"

2008-09-03T06:00:00.000-05:00

I have mentioned it before but I love getting gifts. Birthdays and Christmas are always two important days in my life. Who could not love getting gifts?

As a child I learned early on that there was never much gained by reading the card before you opened the gift. Do you know what I am talking about? Why read the card - just tear into the paper, throw aside the bow and let's see what we got. That was always my theory that is until my Granny Bell decided to put something in that envelope. Oh yeah, when the green started appearing in the birthday cards then I got interested in reading the funny quotes.

But the cards serve another purpose. They are there to tell you who the gift is from so you will know who to thank at the end of the day. Well I read a card from God today in James 1:17 - "Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father..."

Every thing I have has come from God. So I need not to forget who to Thank at the end of this day.

Prayer: "God, though it may come through the earthly hands of other people help me to remember that I have what I have all because of you.

2008-09-02T06:00:00.000-05:00

Everyone wants to succeed. We want to get the promotion, we want to rise up in the company. We want to be the top salesperson on the staff. We want, we want we want...

And there is absolutely nothing wrong in growing in your company or wherever you may work. In fact, I feel that Christians should daily strive to be a better employee as a great witness of our faith. But sometimes we put to much stock in ourselves instead of realizing who will be awarding us the next promotion or bonus.

There is one self explanatory scripture I want you to read today.

James 4:10 - "Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord and He will exalt you."

Notice what we are to do. And then notice what God will do.

It didn't say your employer would exalt you.
It didn't say your parent company would exalt you.
It didn't say your stock market choices would exalt you.
It didn't say your family or friends would exalt you.
It didn't even say yourself would exalt you.

But it says that God is the One who does the exalting but we are the ones who are to humble ourselves in His presence. God wants to be a part of your company. He wants to be on your sales team. He wants you realizing that He is the One you serve not the boss.

Prayer: "Lord, we come and place ourselves in your presence asking that you guide us through this day. Be with every sales pitch, ever employee who is seeking to make a difference and every individual who needs to exalted today. We know it all comes from You!"

2008-08-29T06:00:00.000-05:00

Growing up I can remember my cousins who knew how to cuss at a young age. I mean boys who knew how to throw it on you like no body's business. I can still hear my Granny Bell saying today -"Do you want me to wash that mouth out with soap?"

I don't know what that felt like but something tells me that it would burn. But she was going to clean those filthy mouths up one boy at a time.

I read a scripture that caused me to remember those times. James 3:10 - "from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing..." I sometimes wonder if we had a recorder with us every second of the day, would we be embarrassed for others to hear the words and phrases that came out of our mouths?

Would we have a mild heart attach if it was announced that your weekly recording of your words were going to be played this Sunday morning during service?

Well I know one person who hears our words, spoken and non-spoken. God is listening and I sometimes wonder how He feels when we try to use the same mouth to sing "How Great is Our God" but just a few hours earlier we were cursing a fellow co-worker or family member?

Today - Think about who is listening before you start talking. It's not just cursing that He hears but he also hears those jokes we tell just to get laugh.

Prayer - "God, help me to realize that you are hearing every word that comes out of my mouth. Help not to say anything today that would bring shame to your name."

Nervous Energy

2008-08-28T06:00:00.000-05:00

Have you had nervous energy? Not really knowing what the future holds may cause you to fall down and just pray that God will handle the things that you don't even see coming.

It's one thing to be nervous when you are having to stand before a crowd. It's another thing when you have important meetings or dealing with situations that seem to be above your head. Those are situations that you can see coming. You know it's going to happen.

But what about those things that you can't see or that you don't realize is in front of you. When you don't know what is around the corner but you sense something. You don't know if it will be good or bad, stressful or delightful but you find yourself scared of the unknown.

Will a situation happen today that causes me to hurt?
Will a change in my life bring about more stress or will it bring more happiness?

Romans 8:28 is quoted a lot and states a real truth.
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

He causes ALL things. Those things we can see and even those things we can't.

Prayer: "Lord, help me to know that you are in control of all things. Those situations that I have a heads up on but also those that I don't see coming. When I don't know about the future I am glad that I am serving One who does. Help me to rely solely on You today and not my own wisdom and strength."