It's time we break the chains!!!!!!!!

Good morning everyone. I know this is a little long today but, I want to share with you a comment from one of my friends on Facebook yesterday "A teenager can be the cruelest living thing on this planet. Just reading some of the FB comments alone makes my stomach turn and dread ever having to walk into RC High." Why are the kids/teenagers (most) the way they are these days? Who is responsible? Do we blame society? The school system? Our parents? I know there are some hard circumstances for some of the kids in this nation/world. But, a lot of the fault lays on us as parents. If we have a child, it is our responsibility to raise them up to be an asset to the world. It doesn't matter about where they are born or if they were born with a silver spoon. It is our duty as parents to raise our kids up to be better than we are. Where are manners anymore? Where are the young gentlemen? What happened to the young ladies? Let's dig into some of the good stuff and see what God's Word has to say about it........

Bible Verse: Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Where is the discipline? As a parent it gets under my skin to ask my child ten times to do something. I know this might offend some but, here is a tonyism. You ask.....You tell.....You make! Why do our kids laugh in the face of authority these days? Because some don't realize what authority looks like. Or, feel they don't have to listen. I once arrested a young man in Harriman that was 17. When I asked him why he was being so disrespectful he said "I don't respect my parents. So, why should I respect you?" Hey guys don't think that the other youth don't see what's happening in the world. They see what is going on. They see and are losing hope. I see so many struggling kids too. Some that don't have parents. Some that are being raised by the system. Some that their parents just gave up on them. Some that their parents never even tried to have an influence in their lives. So many that feel they have no hope.

It pains me to deal with so many teenagers that feel they have no hope. They feel they are trash and no one loves them. I think it is our responsibility as adults to help the helpless and give hope to the hopeless. I had a lot of youth one night and nine of them live in a home with both parents. It is hard enough with both but, I can't imagine with only one. Well, yes I can. My mom raised me. My hat goes off to the single parents that actually care the outcome of their children. I deal with so many that just want them out of their hair. It takes a community or to go even as far to say a church community to raise kids. We need to be seeking God’s grace, praying for wisdom and guidance, and passing on the lessons of personal responsibility to our kids. We need to be men and women of courage.  They need positive role models. Not everything they see on TV. We need to pray and take a stand for the youth of our area. Heck, our nation!

Here are just some of the lyrics of a Casting Crowns song "Courageous" I think it hits the mark!

we were made to be courageous

we were made to lead the way
we could be the generation
that finally breaks the chains
we were made to be courageous
we were made to be courageous
we were warriors on the front lines
standing, unafraid
but now we’re watchers on the sidelines
while our families slip away
where are you, men of courage?
you were made for so much more
let the pounding of our hearts cry
we will serve the lord
we were made to be courageous
and we’re taking back the fight!

Let's get to work! Not just for our kids, for a nation! A world! Have a great day and God bless.

Who are you in Christ????????

Good morning friends! I received an email from a friend that works in a prison. He wrote and told me that he had been giving my devotions to an inmate. Well, yesterday the inmate almost got into an altercation with another inmate and he told my friend that the devotion kept him from punching the other guys in the mouth. I am not sure which one but, I am super glad it helped keep him out of trouble. I would like you to say a prayer for this man. His name is NY. God knows who he is and what he needs. Ok, so yesterday I had a meeting with a pastor from another church about partnering up on a future mission trip. Well, we began share our visions and the topic of Christian life came up. And how some Christians really don't know who they are or what they are supposed to be doing as a Christian. Let's dig into some of the good stuff and see what it says. This ones for you NY!

Bible Verse: Romans 8:1 "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." 

Before we get to deep. Some may not be sure what condemnation means. Well, here it is. The act of condemning, The state of being condemned, Severe reproof; strong censure. And the root word is condemn which means: to pronounce to be guilty; sentence to punishment. That punishmant is eternity in Hell. But, I believe with all my heart that the key to living a victorious Christian life is to discover who you are in Christ. This is going to be hard to hear for some but many Christians have never discovered this. They remind me of the man who had an identity problem and an energy problem at the same time. He didn't know who he was and he was too tired to find out.

I have heard some pretty disturbing things at times about how people were treated when they came to church (Not my church by the way). I have had people tell me that no one talked to them or people looked at them with judging eyes. Here is the thing it is not the churches responsibility to clean someone up. This is the Holy Spirits job. Here is why.....God doesn't work from the outside in. He works from the inside out. God doesn't modify our behavior in order to change us. He changes us in order to modify our behavior. One of the coolest lines I have ever heard concerning this is. You're never going to purify the water by painting the pump. I don't care if you wear a three piece suit to church if your all jacked up on the inside. People get caught up in legalism, and that's a dead end to discovering who you are in Christ. Let's focus on the inside and finding out who we are in Christ. Do me a favor take your Bible and find the phrase "in Christ." As you find those phrases that apply to your life, write those down. Start the sentence with I have "no condemnation" now that I am "in Christ." I pray you have an awesome day and God blesses you!

Are you hungry this morning???????

Good morning everyone. I received some emails yesterday after I sent the devotion out. Some people wanted to know how to grow closer to God and how to learn more about living as a Christian. Well, I smile in my heart to share just a couple of ways to learn and grow closer to God. So, without further a due. Let's dig into some of the good stuff........


Bible verse: Psalm 119:162 I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure

Ok, for the record I like to eat. I have put myself on a diet due to all my pants shrinking. I couldn't figure it out. Almost every pair were tight! So, I have been eating a lot of tuna, boiled eggs, and drinking a metric ton of high quality H2o! I went through the drive through at Krystals yesterday and got (1) Krystal Chik. Yes, I said one. What I am trying to get at is this. I am craving a juicy Big Mac w/ extra sauce. Now, I want you to look at it this way. If God's word was a big mac or a big juicy chicken sandwich would you gobble it up? If you hadn't ate in two days and someone laid that chicken sandwich in front of you. I would dare say you would inhale it! So, why can't we have the same hunger for God's word. Job said (Job 23:12), " I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food." When God's word is as important to us as food, then we are going to grow leaps and bounds in our Christian life. Think about this. What if the dust on our Bibles testifies against us one day! I read this and have to pass it on. "These hath God married and no man shall part, dust on the Bible and drought in the heart." Who wants to stay a spiritual babe? I don't think anyone does. You can do something about it. Pick up your Bible and read this beautiful love story. Learn of someone who loves you so much very much.

I have to tell you about an awesome man of God that I know. He was telling some folks the other day about a fast he did. A fast is when you go without food or I guess you could fast from anything. But, he fasted for 21 days. He said that he has never grow so close to God. See, he replaced the time that he would eat with prayer time or reading the Bible. He said it was the best experience he has ever had. Now, most cannot do 21 days but, I bet you can do one. How about we try to fast for one day and hunger for God's word together! Let me know what you think. I pray you have a great day and God bless. 

In a world of trouble and turmoil........

Good morning guys and gals. I got home from work this morning at about 6:30am and crashed. I woke up at approx. 09:30am soaking wet with sweat from having awful dreams about the world we live in. It was like I was being force fed news of all kinds. Kind of like sitting in front of a huge TV and the stuff was going by real fast. When I awoke, I was scared out of my mind because the last thing I saw was numerous tornadoes all around me. I jumped up and was worried for my family. Only to realize I was dreaming and they were at work and school. What is going on in the world? Have you stopped to look? Do you care? If it doesn't directly affect you. Let's be honest. Sometimes things slip my mind. I forget about all the men and women fighting for freedom and against terrorist in the middle east. Let's dig into the good stuff and see what it shows us........

Bible Verse: John 12:32 "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me."

I really think for the first time in history, man is afraid of what he knows. His head and his hands have outrun his heart and we are being faced with things that we have no answers for. The plague of AIDS, the volatile tinderbox in the Middle East, the outbreaks of famine and hunger, the irregular weather disturbances everywhere (6.7 magnitude earthquake in Chile, Numerous tornadoes rip across the Mid-west and kill many and destroy so much, etc.), A terrorist tries to bomb the New York subway, 11 Secret Service agent get caught hiring prostitutes, Iran test long range missile, a man drowns after being attacked by swans and much more.

So many people just don't have answers for everything that is happening. You don't have to have answers you don't have to throw your hands up and say, "What is the world coming to?" We can look up and say, "Who is the world coming to? I am not a doom and gloom pastor but, God is not getting out attention. We are so caught up in ourselves and our lives. That we don't see what's before us. We don't see evilness creeping ever so quickly across the world. We need to come together, we need to realize and believe what God's Word says in Romans 14:11 For it is written, As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. I hope this devotion today helps you stop and think about things for just a minute. I realized that I need to re-prioritize some of my life and decisions. Have a great day and God bless

Are you good or bad????????

Happy Monday everyone! I know those are probably not the words you want to hear this morning. I am one my "Heck" week at work this week. That means I work 3 12 hour day shifts have a quick turn around and work 3 12 hour night shifts. So, I usually try and stay up late so I can sleep later. Well, this morning that didn't happen Luke (3 yrs) came into the bedroom (where I was still sleeping) with T.J. Bearytales. T.J. Bearytales was talking real loud telling a story to Luke. I laid there trying not to let it wake me up and thought evil thoughts about that story telling bear! I wanted to dismantle it slowly and painfully. Then I received a little nudge (I think from God) to get up and see my family off to school and work. Sure glad I did too! Got hugs and kisses all the way around. That brings me to today’s subject. Are we basically good or bad? Sure, we're capable of good and bad, but deep down, which is our true nature? Today's devotion will be a little long but, you might want to read it anyways. Let's dig into the good stuff and see what God's Word says about it..................

Bible Verse: John 16:33 Jesus told His disciples "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

Ok, I know most of you probably said "Good" right? The reality is: We are sinful people. Without the strength of God. We will most of the time choose evil. The Bible teaches that every single one of us is broken. We have flaws and deep sinfulness in our lives that we try to hide. We don't want people to know the brokenness that live within us. In reality, we live in a broken world w/ broken people. The Bible teaches this and we experience it every day. But, hang on! There is good news!!!! God continues to work and move and make His presence felt in our lives and in our world even in the midst of our brokenness, our foolishness, and our weakness. I think it's when we are at most broken, our most foolish, our weakest that God's presence can really be experienced! I want to remind you of two things today. First, about the God who is there in our broken world. Look around and see the brokenness everywhere. Turn on our TV, pick up the newspaper, or just open your eyes. Did you know 25 million people in Africa are infected with HIV? If you are between 18-30 years old there is a 50% chance you have HIV. How can we comprehend that kind of brokenness? Brokenness is not only evident in disease, war, poverty, and terror. Pay attention! It's all around you. In our schools, work places, neighborhoods, in our homes, maybe in you. I have heard so people ask this question lately. "Where is God in all this pain and suffering? Doesn't He care?"

I must tell you guys. God is right there in the midst of this pain, this suffering, and this hurting! He is right here with us, experiencing the reality of this broken world in a way we cannot even imagine. Please read the scripture again and remember this was Jesus talking to His disciple just before He was crucified for mine and your sins. He is telling us to expect trouble and pain in our world. The hope He offers us is that He has overcome this brokenness and that He will be right beside us! Guiding us through it all. This brings me to the second things I wanted to tell you today. About the God who is there in our broken lives. I know many of you reading this have experienced some really painful things in your lives. Do you know how much money is spent every year on counseling and therapy? 96 billion dollars! That doesn't include 12 billion on alcohol and drug addiction treatment. 1 in 4 Americans, that's 25% experience depression, anxiety disorders, or phobias. So many people feel hopeless! I might even be talking about you right now. I want you to stop and read John 8:1-11 this is a story about a woman caught in adultery. She was hopeless. The penalty for adultery was stoning. She was regarded as the lowest of low. The religious people and the Pharisees despised her and hated her. Yet Jesus refused to condemn her and told the religious leaders "Whomever is sinless among you, let them cast the first stone." They all beat feet out of the oldest first. I like to think Jesus said "Woman, I don't condemn you, I don't judge you. You are free. Go and sin no more!"

Only Jesus has the power to invade our broken lives and make them whole. All we have to do is ask and believe! have you ever read the story of the prodigal son? Read Luke 15:11-33 all the father wanted his son to do was come home. He didn't care where he had been or what he had done. This is what our Father wants us to do. Run to Him, embrace Him! He can make you whole. We have a God who does not discard us because of our weakness, our pain, and our brokenness. We have a God who embraces us in spite of them!

In the midst of a broken world and a broken life. We can begin to see the reality. That even though we might consider ourselves trash....Useless.....Or maybe without purpose. With God presence in our lives we can find beauty, meaning, freedom, and love. Maybe some of you guys need to experience that today. It might just be time you realize that God loves you! Have a great day and God bless.

Where the head goes....The body follows!!!!!!!!

Hello friends. Have you had a good week? Well, it is almost the weekend and some of you will get some much needed rest. It sure has been beautiful here in east Tennessee but, it got a little cold yesterday. I was thinking this morning about something. When I went through defensive tactics and how to control suspects in the police academy many years ago. One thing that I thought was pretty cool. The lead instructor said "Where the head goes the body follows." Trust me when I tell you that it is for the most part true. If you think about it that is what sometimes gets us in trouble in the world too! Let's dig into some of the good stuff and see what we can learn..........

Bible Verse: Proverbs 23:7 "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." 

I have heard people say you can accomplish anything if you really put your mind to it. I guess that can be a double edged sword. This is it in a nut shell "We are not what we think we are, what we think....We are."

I have seen people that didn't swear or drink, hang out with those that let er' rip and don't miss a sip. After awhile those people start to let a cuss word out and maybe have just one drink. Let's not be knuckleheads. We have all heard the sayings "If you lie with the dogs, you wake up with the fleas." So, what are you allowing into your mind and in doing so to control your heart, your actions, and your words? Here is a really cool thought! God made you where you can't think two thoughts at once. If you're thinking what's right, you can't be thinking what's wrong. And as you think, you will do and become.

I guess the bottom line is guard your mind. Center your mind upon the Lord Jesus. Don't let the devil take away your pure hearted devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ. I promise the devil will go into overdrive to keep you from getting your mind focused on Christ. We must stay in love with Jesus and there won't be any room for those filthy, dirty, wicked, nasty, lustful, and prideful thoughts that highjack our noodles.

So, let's start today to become more active in policing our thoughts and bringing them into focus on Christ. Remember Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Also, check out 2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. I hope this helps you keep your mind clear and focused. This is a daily sometimes hourly task. have a great day and God bless.

Don't count yourself out!!!!!!!!

Good morning everyone. I was really struggling this morning on how to convey todays devotion. I have been watching and listening to a lot of people this week and seeing how they think of themselves. Why do so many people feel they have nothing to offer the world? Nothing to offer God? They feel that they are useless and no good. I have even heard a few say they might as well be dead. HEAR the next words! God can use those whom the world rejects! Now, let's dig in and see what His Word says about it..........

Bible Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.

 
You may think that you are a nobody, maybe even a has-been or a loser in the eyes of the world. Listen, God’s Word says that if you are not wise, not mighty or not noble according to the flesh, then you are a prime candidate for Him to call on! And when He begins to use you, you will see His favor, power and increase change your life. Check out Moses. In the eyes of the ancient world, Moses was the rising star of Egypt. The Bible tells us in Acts 7:22 that in the first 40 years of his life, “Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds”. But guess what? God could not use him then because he was too smart, strong and full of himself. It was only 40 years later, after having been in the desert, emptied of himself and thinking that he was a has-been, that God sent him to bewilder the might of Pharaoh.

This kind of reminds me of me a little. When I was a police officer, I was cocky, proud, and thought I could save the world from all the bad guys. I could have been so useful to God then. I was in so many situations that I could have helped people see that God could get them through the bad situation they were in. But, guess what? God didn't use me then. Because I wasn't ready. I was too proud. I was too cocky. I was too full of myself. It took almost a decade for me to get knocked down a few pegs before God started to use me. I so wish I could go back and be put into some of the situations that I was in then and handle them the way God would have wanted me to handle them. So, basically what I am trying to say is God wants the humble! God wants the weak!  God wants the people everyone has counted out!

The world may pass by the weak, the small, the forgotten and the losers, but God can choose them to be mighty in the world. I don't know where you are in your life right now but, how about we pray this: "God, I don’t know what I can do for or give You, but You got me! Spirit, soul and body.” Maybe God is just waiting for you to turn your life over to Him so He can get to work!

I know what I was and where I came from. I know what God has done in my life and what He continues to do. Please hear these last few words. When you think that you are weak and small compared to others in the world, that is when God can use you to do great and wonderful things for Him! Remember David and Goliath????? Have a great day and God bless!