Will you give God a Chance to Act?

 

God will lead you to the right girl or boy in His own good time if you will just give Him a chance #HughPyle

My Testimony: The Faithfulness of God

 

My Testimony:

 

The Faithfulness of God

“Where your focus goes, the power flows…”—Vincent Newfield

 

“One thing that I have finally surrendered to God and determine to continue to, even as I write this, is to leave ‘the girls’ in God’s hands.”—Ryan Marks

        Growing up I always seemed to focus on girls before God. I accepted Christ at the age of four, but didn’t take Him seriously until 5^th grade. At the age three I was already “girl crazy.” In fact, my mom says that I have always “liked” girls. 

It turns out that ‘like’ was equivalent with LUST in my life.

       As I mentioned, at three I was already proven to be girl crazy. It was that year of my life when I came home from preschool and asked my mom if we could change my sister’s name to Anna, the name of the girl that I had a crush on.

    Between the ages of five and ten or eleven I proposed to three to five girls (I am not exactly sure how many anymore). However, in fifth and sixth grade, God interrupted my proposal rush and started dealing with me about how I “loved” girls more than Him. The reason that the Lord began to deal with me on the subject is that during my fifth and sixth grade years I had begun to grow close to the Lord. I served Him, received my prayer language,  started worshiping Him passionately, began to pray for others, began getting-up by alarm to have a quiet time and started to write lyrics of praise.

       Although I was growing in God, I still didn’t want to give up “liking” girls. As a result I pursued a girl, who is now a good friend, for about two years. However, I stopped “following-my-heart” when her Dad got involved. Her Dad, a close friend and mentor of mine now, was an instrument in the hands of God. I was scared to death of him and his talk with my own father led to me backing off.

    Because I did not listen to the Holy Spirit’s promptings about putting girls ahead of Him, this confrontation had to come. Because of disobedience to God I was reproved by my father on behalf of hers and God dashed my own quest of following-my-heart for love like the world tells us to do. I had to be corrected by God, through my father, before He could bring our families so close together as He would in the future. Just a few years after this incident, her father became my mentor and I found my past had been forgiven and wasn’t mentioned.

      Yet despite the Lord’s correction, I hadn’t fully yielded, “completely surrendered.” Through seventh and eighth grade, I only concealed the way I felt, so now my once bold form of proposal became a carefully calculated mental sin. I “liked” a few girls during this time, only to have God expose my wrong mindset and motives yet again.

     In the midst of these challenges, I was considered “ok.” People told me, that I was a pretty stable guy. As a man said that to me recently, I laughed inside as my mind raced through a part of this story of girl “trouble” and “obsession.”

      In high school, I listened to the audio book I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris and a couple of times and immediately after doing so made a personal commitment to wait and see what God would do in my “love life.”  I can tell you that the journey through high school and in college has not been easy. I’m I guy and have still been attracted to a lot of young women, there’s been a couple that I thought I might even end up marrying one day. Thankfully, however, my focus has remained on the Lord’s approval and He has always guided me to His will.

      What has kept me stable amidst the emotional roller coasters of life is seeking the Lord and trusting Him. I can’t say that I have all the answers and I also can’t say that I have completely been through be single and am married for that has not happened yet, but I want to encourage you to not seek a relationship, but to trust in the Lord and focus on Him first and foremost. And then, when the time is right, God will supply a wife if that is His will for us (Matt. 6:33, Prov 19:14).

         As we go on in this article, I want to share with you some principles that I have learned as in my own journey with the Lord in this area of life.

·         Where your attention goes the power flows.

·         You can be mad at God and others simply because you didn’t understand why something happened.

·         You can be shaken, but won’t fall when standing with the Lord.

·         If you continue blaming = inability to love and you become negative, which in turn produces anger and pride.

·         Thankfulness breaks you free of negativity.

·         Move forward when God directs you, otherwise, the grace won’t be there.

 

One Specific Example of During Highschool

    The Lord had just told me to continue waiting and not take action just a few weeks before. The Royal Rangers Pow Wow had come and I was selected to ride in the van with the younger Discovery Rangers (3^rd-5^th grade boys). I sat in the back and visited with a guy and he said something out of nowhere which shocked me. Now, it was gossip, but I so wanted to believe it; and yet the Holy Spirit inside said, “be cautious, do not just believe this.”

   The younger Ranger told me that the very girl I was just impressed upon to WAIT for had a crush on me. He said that the word was all over a particular ministry at my church. I tried to play it cautiously and asked why he thought this. He responded by telling me that whenever I would talk to this girl that she turned red. Ok, so what if she turns red? I never noticed this and it really wasn’t even close to being a “solid” rumor, of course are any rumors solid? NO!

  Ok, so I knew that a 5^th or 6^th grader was telling me this and I couldn’t just believe it, I mean I was in my second year of high school, but I so wanted to.

   I tried to put the gossip in the back of my head and forget about it but I just couldn’t….it would pop up again and again, like an annoying spam email. And the next day when I got up it was still troubling me, so I got up and took a walk on the campgrounds, a walk far back in the woods, well not really that far, I was on a dirt road; so that no one could hear me, and I talked to God for thirty minutes to an hour. I asked for courage to not give in to the temptation of believing this rumor that I so badly wanted to believe. Even if it was true, Proverbs warns of listening to gossip! I didn’t feel too much better after I talked to God, but I was strengthened and now I have found the Scripture reference to back up why. The Holy Spirit gave me this passage as I cried out to Him to remove the burden of the gossip, even though I didn’t know chapter and verse.

But they that wait upon the LORD shall

renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings as eagles;

they shall run, and not be weary;

and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 30:31 (KJV)

 

   This brings me to the time that I am now writing this, the journey isn’t done. God still wants me to wait, and the Divine Hand of a Providential God has definitely been at work in this area of my life. Despite my childish and ignorant responses at times, just look at how God was still there working during those hard times . . .  how HE continued to lead me back towards the path as a Faithful shepherd.

People who conceal their sins will not prosper,

 but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

 Proverbs 28:13 (NLT)

  I have heard many stories about how people ‘used to be’ before they found God or how they didn’t trust HIM in a hard time. I think that is what Proverbs 28:13 means: confessing, saying,  “yes, I have done this, but by the Lord’s grace may l learn from it, follow HIS leading, and discard the blasphemous thoughts of this world, the flesh and the devil, that are so entrenched in my mind.”

    Lord, my prayer remains the same, “Please, show me things for what they really are, that I might not be deceived and dishonor you.”

   Truly, power does flow where your focus goes. Let’s focus on the right things, and let the natural power flow aid us instead of working against us, aiding our three-part enemy: the World, the Flesh, and the Devil. Seek the Lord first (Matt 6:33)!

I might not know a lot, but this I do:

God has been faithful, so why won’t HE continue to be?

 

For since the beginning of the world men have not heard,

nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen,

O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.

Isaiah 64:4 (KJV)

 

      That “beside thee” refers to revelation. What God ‘shows us’ is the only way to ‘see-the-future,’ that is in a sense, what HE did for Abraham and Noah.

 

  As you have hopefully seen God has been faithful in my life and He can and will be in your life. I don’t always understand His ways, nor can you (Is 55). Yet I say like David, how mysterious are your ways O Lord…And you are Faithful!

 

God will give us the strength to stand if we seek and focus on Him

(1 Cor. 10:13, Matt. 6:33)

 

Be Careful

Be Careful

“When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.” Proverbs 26:25-26 KJV

      This passage warns about charming speech. Many a young woman believes that a “prince charming” will appear one day and sweep her off her feet. The problem is that this notion is a fantasy and certainly has no Biblical basis; instead it is rooted in a cartoon world of Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast, not to mention Sleeping Beauty.

        God loves us, and He desires to protect His daughters and His sons. One warning that the Lord gives us, as He a spoke through Solomon, is that charm is really of no value. Charm is a deceptive tool, in most instances. However, the young man who is living in the Lord’s will and yet appears to be charming to the young women in his  fellowship is quite different issue. Young women and men should “keep their eyes open” for the young man or woman who is following the Lord, not for charm.

What is joking? . . . Crude, Rude, or just plain ‘Snude’

What is joking? . . . Crude, Rude, or just plain ‘Snude’

Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,  Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “I was only joking!”

Proverbs 26:18-19 NKJV

    This passage is another passage which proclaims errors that we make daily in our conversations. Have you “made fun” of others, ridiculed outcasts, and giggled at the perverted jokes of your friends? Cry out to the Lord to help you stop. These “jokes” are revealed to be deadly firebrands, flaming arrows leading to death!

The end of one thing…the beginning of another

The end of one thing…the beginning of another

Ecclesiastes And Proverbs—the end of a matter

     Throughout the books of Ecclesiastes and Proverbs the Holy Spirit reveals wisdom through Solomon. Ecclesiastes teaches repeatedly that there is a time for everything. There is a time for the passion that burns within a man to be expressed, and that time is in the covenantal bond of marriage. There is a time to morn after a loss or death. There is a time to rejoice. There is a time to give up, but there are also times in which God calls us to start something. And at other times, God’s call is to move on to something else without completing the previous agenda. God has a divine purpose for seasons of life! The Hand of Divine Providence does rest on the affairs of the righteous! There is a time for war, a time for feasting, a time for peace, a time for enjoyment etc…

      Nothing is wrong with courtship in and of itself; but problems arise when it is not the right season, the right timing in a man and woman’s lives. Commit the seasons of your life that you desire to God, because He is able to guide you to that season in the best possible way, totally prepared for what He is going to do.

 

       And if this is a hard season in your life, I encourage you that God will bring you through this season some day, if not on this earth then in Eternity. Joyful seasons end just like the valleys of the shadow of death will end. The point is that throughout it all, regardless of the circumstances: are you placing your faith in God and clinging to God?

Respect

Respect

     We are to respect those who have authority us. The Bible teaches respect: children respect their parents, wives respect their husbands, husbands respect their wives and all are to respect the Lord, both with fear and trembling. We even see David, so respectful to wicked King Saul that he will not dare to take Saul’s life and proclaim himself king. If you really want to go in depth about what respect means—study the life of David.

      I have respected many men throughout my few years on this earth. They have been unofficial mentors in my life: whether it was a Sunday School they taught or a conversation we had, or even a skill that they taught me, I looked up to these men because I could see God in them. And as a young man, I have grown to respect my parents and recognize their wisdom much more than I did as a child.

       Who do you respect? Does Christ shine from their life? Do you admire character flaws and sins or do you love humility, faith, perseverance, godly living, etc…

Women . . . which ones are good and which are bad ? ? ?

Women . . . which ones are good and which are bad ? ? ?

(a poem)

 

I once met a damsel with hair so fine,

Yet something about her warned FOLLY! FOLLY!!  is it to dine

With such a woman as me.

Though her beauty surpasses all others,

And though her mouth drips honey so sweet.

Though her embraces are warm and her kisses tender, her path leads down to

The PIT.

 

She seems so great, so fine, so fair;

She seems so lovely, so charming, so completely wonderful!

But the Lord directs me away from her embrace.

My soul, my being, my HEART scream YES, STAY with HER!

God, O guide me away, guide me in Your way everlasting!

O’ Lord, take my thoughts and make them obedient to Your ways!

O my King, take these passions so that this wretch may honor You!

Preserve me, heal me, and make me new!

So that when the true, and wise, and righteous, and prudent

Woman comes my way that I may rejoice and say:

“I have found her! I have found her!

The prudent wife that comes from the Lord!

Without looking, without searching, without seeking . . . . simply waiting, the Lord

Has brought us together and wrought inside us a true love which is so

NEW, so Clean, so Fresh, so sweetly fulfilling!”

 

O, My Lord, thank You for sparing me from the honey lips of that harlot woman.

Thank You for guiding me into the way everlasting

And for bestowing upon me so beautiful a gift,

As the companionship of this righteous, godly and prudent woman.

 The embrace of that wayward wife, that flirtatious young creature, that

Seemingly perfect viper—O that was the path to death,

Yet the waiting, the seeking of my Lord’s will has brought upon me the greatest

blessing  besides the rapture of my own soul—her: a godly woman who loves Jesus!

 

O Lord, O my God, guide the flirtatious women, and the foolish men, to wisdom,

To Life, to true love, and to Forgiveness!

May your direction reign upon all of the people of the earth ,

May they seek You in their devastation, in their valley, in their cleft.

O God whom I cling to! Guide the simple in mind and the poor in spirit and the

Weak of the earth.

May you be their shield!

Their Shepherd!

Their Counselor!

Their wonderful Friend!

. . . . O my Lord, guide them . . . show them Your perfect plan.

 

         Is your life like this? Do you look back with pain and guilt? . . . I regret the years that I have followed the lies of this culture. I might only be sixteen, but that doesn’t mean that I am too young to have the anointing of the Holy Spirit on my life to lead me away from the cares of the World, or that I  cannot hear the small, still  voice of my God speaking to me.

 Get quiet and cry out to Him what you need Him to change—transform—in your life.

Have the faith that He will direct you . . .  and Listen for His voice.

Peace be to you Brothers and Sisters, . . . May you rejoice always in your salvation and

May your joy in Christ be a source of strength to you.

Habit becomes Character

Habit becomes Character

      The habits that you have mold who you are. The World understands this: exercise is built upon habit. The successful man has a habit of doing an excellent job in his work. The point is simple, our habits can either make us or destroy us. The man that views pornography daily continues to feed a Destructive habit. Having a Morning Prayer time is a Constructive habit. Looking lustfully at a woman is a precursor of adultery, sexual immorality, and all kinds of other evils and it is a Destructive habit. On the other hand, daily repentance is a Constructive habit that can make a man humble.

What is your character like?

O Lord, reveal to the readers what they need to change: what habits need to be broken . . .  as well as what habits need to be formed and where repentance needs to heal. ~ Amen

Living a Quiet and Disciplined Life

Living a Quiet and Disciplined Life

Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.

Zephaniah 2:3 KJV

    Many of the great Christians of the past that God has used have lived a quiet and disciplined life. They spent hours upon hours of their spare time studying and learning, pushing themselves to learn new languages and acquire knowledge to achieve their dream of knowing God more intimately and touch people with the Truth of the Gospel. They didn’t run around partying or pursuing entertainment, instead, they sweated, they worked, they pressed on toward a goal! Their lives where worth something and they didn’t waste them away on excessive pleasures. Today, many Christians struggle with befriending the world. They watch the same stuff, play the same stuff, and live the same way that the unbelieving pagan does. History and the Bible show us a different picture in the lifestyle of the great heroes of the Faith, though. They were cupbearers, servants, archeologists, and young men that had a God-given passion and dream and while the world was racing by, wasting its time on the newest music, art, or other currently fashionable entertainment, they lived a quiet and seemingly obscure life. They honored God, respected others, and worked to achieve the things that God had put a passion and desire in them to achieve. Dear Reader, where are you today? Are you seeking that quiet and peaceable life? Or are you chasing the fast world of change and shifting pleasures?

True Love

True Love

Read 1 Corinthians 13.

      The following is a definition came to me one day during school. I had been thinking about love and how to describe what it was to a group of young men I was sharing with on lust the previous week. You see, we had talked a lot about what lust was, but I hit a roadblock on how to describe love. Thus, as I was doing some homework or something one day, I had an idea and grabbing a piece of paper and a pen this “definition” is what came out of it. May those who read be given some insight into what Love is and don’t give me credit—give the credit to Jesus who by His gift of the Holy Spirit has taught me these things.

 

Definition of Love :

  Love cannot be adequately defined by a modern dictionary or Hollywood, it is not an emotion or bubbly feeling, but rather, a patient, sacrificial person whom God created to be of the utmost importance in our Christian lives.

  It is an action founded in Christ, of whom our perfected example lays. It overlooks age, race, color, and social and economic standings. It corrects, reaches, instructs, teaches, and touches the very soul. It looks past hate and pride – of which pride is forth most its enemy; since every sin somehow is stemmed from that wicked root.

     Love is thereby adequately defined by 1 Corinthians 13 which declares Love to be patient, merciful; it is an action of sorts, the opposite of hate, and above all the Divine Nature of Providence and starkly, uncompromisingly opposite to lust, hate, emotion, and pleasure – which almost invariably stem from pride. [Note for clarity: when emotion and pleasure are mentioned to stem from pride, it is referring to the emotional pleasure of those who partake of sex outside of God’s condition of marriage because they claim that they were “so in love” that they had to express it in that way.]

     Love is simply the absence of pride resulting in an “others’ oriented” mindset, seated upon Christ and worked out with healthy fear and trembling (which is due to the fact that Love is our true calling).

Side note:

Humility, Contentment, and Affection all stem from this ‘odd’ four letter word – that is, L-O-V-E.

The Christian Family

The Christian Family

“One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)” 1 Timothy 3:4-5 KJV

 

Discipline is important, but so are love and encouragement and mercy.

ABOVE ALL,

The Father & Mother should seek to instill Scripture into the hearts and lives of their children because the Word of God will not return unto Him void (Isaiah 55:11)—this knowledge of the Scriptures, like Timothy, has the ability to lead to the salvation of their soul in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:15).

The Father should LEAD & Teach his family in spiritual matters—he is the head of the home and must display Christ’s Truth through his own life example: every father is accountable to God to do this.

The Mother should care for her children in the home. She has been blessed by God to be the instrument through which God brings children into the world and He has designed her to also be a primary nurturer for a set season in a child’s life.

 

The home is an important place. The home—the family—is to do more than just provide food and drink, clothing, and shelter for a group of closely related individuals. The home is to be a place of spiritual preparation, life purpose discovery, and education. God, through the inspiration and person of the Holy Spirit, has said that one of the qualifications for ministry is that a man “ruleth well his own house (2 Tim. 3:4-5).” God considers the home to be a very important place in His redemptive plan for mankind! Today, let’s take some time to think about the Home—the Family. And may You, Heavenly Father, anoint us to hear your Truth—to have ears that hear and eyes that see Your plan. Amen.

In the New Testament we see entire families coming to salvation in Jesus Christ (Acts 16:15&33,18:8)! I was once in a service where a minister gave the current statistics for his denomination on salvations. He said that they had many programs which were winning women and children to Christ, but for every 100 men they won to Christ, they won 98 or 99 families. Fathers, I believe you have an important role to play in the family. If you take your role as the leader of your home seriously, YOU WILL IMPACT YOUR CHILDREN. Two of the three Scriptures mentioned in this paragraph referred to men being saved and their entire household following them. Forget the statistics I mentioned, but look at the principle: men do have an eternal impact on their families.

Mothers, wives, Scripture describes you in a beautiful way. I won’t go into all the verses here, but here are some traits of a godly woman/wife: loving, respectful, wise, faithful to her husband, a role model of godliness, a model of purity, a model of inner beauty instead of outward vanity, a possessor of a gentle and quiet spirit, a manager of the home, one who speaks with wisdom, and a demonstrator of prudence. Wives, Mothers, your role is important too! You aren’t called to be the leaders of your homes, but you are called to be all the things mentioned above and more. Peter instructs Christian women married to unbelieving husbands to set an example for their husband that their husbands may be won over to the faith (1 Peter 3:1-6). We need you godly wives and mothers! Our world is crying out for you in these Last Days! Please take your character seriously, live the Word, model purity and godliness.

 The Family also is God’s agent for populating the earth through the union of a man and a woman in marriage. As children are born, parents naturally discover that their children will mature and grow and that they must instruct and prepare their children for life out in this world, and most importantly, for eternal life with Christ in this life and the next. Fathers and Mothers, your role of training of a child in the way he should go (Proverbs 22:6) is another important and necessary aspect of God’s plan. In the Fear of God may you labor, to the best of your ability, for the sake of your children.

  I’ve read numerous stories of great men and women of God and one of the most recurring themes is the fact that they had godly fathers and mothers who modeled God’s design, took their roles seriously, and prepared their children for the Way God had ordained for them to Go.

  Husband, rule your house well, sacrificially as Christ did. Protect, be Faithful, model Christ, be a Leader, Provide for your family’s needs (1 Tim 5:8), and Sacrificially Love as Christ loved us all, His Church, His Bride.

All authority flows from above, therefore Remember Christ’s example.

Five closing Thoughts on the function of the Home:

The Home is…

1. A depiction of Christ and His Church through the love, union, passion, and united labor of a husband and wife. As well as, a depiction of how Believers are to relate to the Family of God.

2. The means through which children are born & raised/trained in the Fear of God & prepared and released into their life callings.

3. A place to learn, grow, share close unity, resolve conflict, & help others.

4. A productivity center.

5. A place where Fathers are leaders, Mothers are teachers, and Children obey in the Lord.

Drafted or not

Drafted or not

Will you serve Jesus right now or are you waiting around to be drafted?

  Often we human beings just sit around and wait for a miracle to happen. We may wait for a supernatural incident in which God does a miracle or in which an angel will give us a specific task to accomplish. Or maybe we try to never pick up the Bible and read it to know it, but rather than go through the trouble, we let others endlessly give us their views of it; and all they while we really have no grasp of the Scriptures to discern whether they are right or wrong. Please don’t misunderstand me, God has sent us great teachers, evangelists, pastors, and countless others with great insight into HIS Word and He has done this for our benefit, but don’t you think that sometimes we put more weight in what others or what someone says than what the Word says, than what the Holy Spirit has taught us through personal application and study? 

I have been told many times “you should go into the military!” Why? Because people look at my “discipline” or “accomplishments” or hobbies or “leadership abilities” and automatically make a military connection. The truth is I don’t have peace about the military or many of the other jobs that others have ‘suggested’ to me: that includes: biology, law, conservation, Microsoft, psychiatrist, and others.

       First off, let me define what I mean by peace. God has given me a call to ministry and I have a peace about it. Now this peace is not un-prone to discouragement, fear, embarrassment, or anything like that.  This peace is a deep knowledge which passes all understanding—no matter what happens: no matter what obstacle I face, I know that the Lord is with me. Humans often think that peace, joy, and faith are some mysterious, unconquerable, superhuman key to life—but that belief has no Biblical roots. If we are searching for the ‘keys’ to an easier life, we won’t find them. I still have to battle the fear of public speaking before speaking to a crowd (sometimes it is harder than others), but God has given me the inner peace that this is what I was meant to do. That ‘peace’ is not unconquerable though. If I concentrate on things other than what the Lord has given me to do; I can very easily entertain the Enemies lies in my thoughts and get discouraged, doubt, worry and even make errors in my speech and actions.

     For a long time I played the ‘this is what I want to be when I grow up game’ and I would believe Ya! This is it! But time and time again it proved wrong, false, and untrue. But in ministry I found purpose, not because I thought it up and stuck to it, but because the Lord called me to it. I don’t always have a feel-good feeling because nothing like that exists all the time. We will all get discouraged at times, that is a simple truth and reality; if you thinking otherwise you might want to ask a friend to slap you and then see if you still ‘feel good.’ What God gives a person to do is not always “ministry” related. It could be entrepreneurship, car selling, managing, teaching, etc . . .

     I’ll be honest here, sometimes when I don’t have peace about something, I answer in the wrong way like the following: I have told certain friends and relatives in the past that the only way I am going to the military is if I’m drafted. That was not a proper response and I primarily said it out of annoyance. Do you have the same attitude with God and are you saying I’m not going to do it (what God has called you to do) until I’m drafted, and even then I am going to do everything I can to get out of it? Are you truly waiting to be “drafted or not”?

Real men Gotta be tough—Biblical, right?

Real men Gotta be tough—Biblical, right?

   Well . . . .  you’re gonna need to define tough. A real man isn’t just tough; rather, he models Jesus Christ: he lives his life as an example to those who follow him, his family and friends know who he really is, and what he really stands for because he lives out his faith. A real man rules his household by example, by servant leadership. A real man takes responsibility for his actions and admits when he messes up or is wrong.

   Believe me that being the type of man I’m describing is tough, but it earns you more respect from those under your leadership. A real man is a genuine person, and he has a low estimate of himself. He gives his best, but knows he is not perfect. He flees from pride and runs into the arms of Jesus. He is truly humble. True humility is strong, it is determined, it is resolute; yet compassionate, and it is uncompromisingly and lovingly firm. Study it out, what is true humility and what is true manhood? (Hint: the Bible contains the answers)

 

Are you are real man?

Do you know any real men?

. . .

I know the ultimate MAN –

Jesus.

And guess what? This man conquered death and GAVE His life for You.

Conviction

Conviction

     Convictions are an important component of your Christian faith. As you mature spiritually, you should develop convictions based on what you’ve learned in the Word of God. Today, examine your “convictions.” Re-evaluate them to see if there is opinion wrapped up in them or a strong Biblical foundation, having Christ as the chief cornerstone.

Extreme Delivery

Extreme Delivery

      Do you struggle with the guilt of sins tormenting your mind? (I think we all have at times) If you do, remember this: upon salvation Christ has “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:12 KJV).” We need to do some extreme mailing and cast those condemnations from the Devil away from us to the Cross and recall that Christ’s blood to covers it all.

Further Study: 1 John 1:9

 

MAYBE YOU’RE NOT STRUGGLING WITH GUILT, BUT YOU WILL LIEKLY MEET YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE—BE LIKE JESUS—SHARE HIS TRUTH AND THE ONE WAY TO LATING FORGIVNESS AND RECONCILIATION WITH GOD

“Preparing for Rain”

“Preparing for Rain”

     In the inspiring film, Facing the Giants, there is a scene where a godly older man tells a young, but struggling coach to prepare his “fields” for rain. I won’t recap the entire story, you can watch the excellent production to get that. The point that I want to make is this: are you preparing your fields for God to pour rain on the seed that you’ve planted and tilled to receive from Him? Are you laboring where God has called you to labor (historical and Biblical study, family, Biblically grounded goals, discipleship, or personal ministry [witnessing])?

      Remember, dear friend, to prepare for rain.

A Time for Everything

A  Time for Everything

    Wise old king Solomon said in Ecclesiastes chapter 3 that there is a time for everything. Everything! There is a time (season) to marry, a time to be single, a time to go to school, a time to rest, and a time to work, etc…

     There is a time and place to talk about sports and life, but there is also a time to talk about the Lord, His Truth and His ways.

How God Speaks versus How The Devil Speaks

How God Speaks versus How The Devil Speaks

     God says give and Lucifer says take. Further, God often speaks in a small, still voice despite His vastness (few ever hear Him audibly); yet Satan rants, raves and condemns because of his smallness. God is love, a consuming fire, and the Light. God teaches abstinence, reserve, conviction, balance, stewardship, conduct and love. Next time you struggle with whether it is God or Satan speaking to you, examine the voice.

Commit it to the Lord

Commit it to the Lord

       Give God your regret, unrighteous motives, lies, gossip, and bitterness. Anything that is ungodly in your life should be turned over to Him—as the song says “surrender all!” Surrender it because you cannot pay the debt for your sin. You can only accept the gifts that God gives you, two of which are salvation and the power to walk in the light as He is in the light.

“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” Romans 6:12-13 KJV

Love – you can’t spend enough time on this topic

Love – you can’t spend enough time on this topic

     A changed (transformed) life displays Christ’s love. His love is a firm love, yet a merciful, forgiving and non-compromising love.

     Love is the key to forgiveness and true love of God and others fulfills all the Commandments.

Read John 3:16-17 and all of 1 John.