Two angels playing tic-tac-toe???????

Morning! It's a drizzly morning here in East Tennessee. I have been sitting on my back porch this morning drinking a cup of coffee and it got me thinking of what someone said to me one day. Did you know the man is supposed to bring his woman coffee? It says so right in the Bible..... "He-Brews"!!!!! I know a little corny but, kinda cute. Well, this morning I just sat there and enjoyed spending some quiet time. I have a problem and it sometimes drives me nuts. I am a planner and a go-getter! Sometimes we can plan too much and go-get too hard. It doesn't matter if the key fits in the door if you rush to put it in and its upside down! Let's dig into the good stuff and see what we can find.............

Bible Verse: Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

I guess the one word that comes to mind is faith. If you believe something with all of your heart then you must have the faith that God will work it out. In the book of John a nobleman's son became ill, so he went to Jesus to heal him. When he found Jesus, he asked Him to come to his home. But instead of physically going to the boy's bedside, Jesus healed him by His word. John 4:50 says, "And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way." Now, that's faith! There have been things that have happened in my life lately that I believe with all my heart God had done them. Yet, I try to control them. Whether it's speeding things up or slowing them down. Most of the time trying to grab the steering wheel and push the gas. Ok, so I have a control problem! I get it! Where's my faith?

What the cool part about the story of the sick son was it wasn't a wonder, not a sign, not a vision, not two angels playing tic-tac-toe on the boys ribs, or cold chills going up and down his spine...the man believed Jesus' Word and went on his way! He had that much faith! Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible, and receives the impossible.

I will not doubt in darkness what God has showed me in the light. Doubt sees the obstacles, faith sees the way. Doubt sees the darkest night, faith sees the day. Doubt is scared to take a step, faith soars on wings of eagles. Doubt questions who believes, faith answers, "I"! I will walk by faith not by sight! Have a great day and God bless.

Are You On The Proving Ground????????

What's up!!!! Are you having a good week? If you are a Christian and have been under attack or have been having some really hard times, have you ever just asked why? I mean wondered why God was allowing you to go through those hard times. Yeah, I know we've all heard the saying "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" right? Well, sometimes that just doesn't help but, I think this will! Let's dig into the good stuff and see what it shows us...........

Bible Verse: Psalm 26:2-3 "Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. For Thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in Thy truth."

Ok, How does Ford make sure their vehicles are safe for people to drive? They put their vehicles onto a proving ground. They're driven hundreds of miles over rough roads and through water and heat, screeching, turning, twisting, hitting the brakes, accelerating to top speeds. They want to see if that automobile will stand the test. They want to push it to its limits and see if it will still perform.

Now, this is the same with our spiritual lives. God gives the test first and the lesson afterwards. I know that really stinks sometimes. Read throughout Scripture and you will find this to be true. Joseph was tested. David was tested. Moses was tested. Peter was tested.

When God gets ready to prove you, He is not going to test you in the good times because that is not a test. Anybody can serve God in the sunshine. The test is not how you behave when there is victory all around, the test is how you behave when God brings you to the wilderness. He wants to know what is in your heart. Are you fully devoted to God? Or, are you a fair weather Christian? have a great day and God bless.

From a white furry Caterpillar...........

Was up early today and just sat of the back porch listening to so many birds and bugs doing they're thing. Then I saw this white furry caterpillar crawling across the floor heading for higher ground. I took my foot and pushed it back. It turned back around and continued to head for higher ground. Every time I pushed it back it turned around and for some reason continued in the same direction. It never wavered, nor changed directions even after numerous set backs. I must say I did this probably 6 or 7 times. I know I might have been a little mean but, it got me thinking. When we have a mission. When God has given us a mission or we feel led to serve Him in some way. Do we ever complain while doing it? Complain because we don't have the resources or the help to do it? Hey listen, I have been so guilty of doing this over the years. When I should have just rolled up my sleeves and got to work. Let's dig into the good stuff and see what it can show us..........

Bible Verse: Philippians 2:14-15 "Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world."

I guess the bottom line is or maybe the problem with many of us is when we obey God and murmur while we are doing it! And I think God is taking notes, because halfhearted obedience isn't obedience at all. Remember, God is looking at the heart, not the deed that's in 1 Samuel 16:7. Yeah, I had to looked it up.

Have you ever thought about why we murmur? Well, in my opinion, if it's worth anything is because we've taken our eyes off the cross. Jesus didn't murmur on the way to there for us. This got me to thinking.........Do I thank God for the pains my life? Or only the gains? Boy, what a reality check! Ephesians 5:20 says, "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." I am going to do my best this week to give more thanks for the things God has given me. Because He can so easily take them away. Have a great day and God bless.

Just ask for it..........

I have spent the last three hours mowing and really enjoying quiet time. I guess you would say doing some self examination. Thoughts just kept filling my head. Well, really questions. The thought that God loves us even when we sometimes turn our back to him. If He loves us then, how much will He love us if we actively pursue Him. If we talk to Him as if He's our best friend. I don't know about you but, I have so many questions. I have found that the more I pursue Him, the more He shows me. Kinda funny how that works. Let's dig into some of the good stuff and see what it shows us.........

Bible verse: James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

Now, some of us have a problem asking for help but, in James 1:5 it tells us that if we lack wisdom, we are to ask God. Let me tell you what I think that means. If you lack wisdom, just ask for it.  God is a "giving" God. Have you even thought of God as the "giving" God?

What's crazy is that God desires to pour out His blessing upon you? I know that's hard to believe for some people that think He's all about punishing you for doing wrong. Now on the other hand, do you say to yourself, "Oh goodie, goodie, let me see what I can get from God"? Or does it humble you a little bit that the God who created the air you breathe, the ground you walk upon, and the body you are in...this God loves you and wants to bless you? I hope it is as humbling for you as it was me. Have a great day and God bless.

Just shaking hands??????

Good morning! Happy Friday!!! Are you ready for a long weekend? I want to share with you something that has been on my heart lately. I guess the reason why it has been on my heart is because God has been convicting me a bit. I have found that over the last year I have not witnessed as much as I did before. Now, I still shared but, not like I had in the past. Let's dig into the good stuff and see what it shows us...........

Bible Verse: John 3:36 "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."

This makes me think of a story about a painting of a shipwreck hanging on the wall of a store. There were sailors in lifeboats reaching out their hands to people floating on debris from the ship. This little boy looking at the painting one day and asked his daddy, "Are those guys in the lifeboats trying to save those people or are they just shaking hands?"

I guess I wonder the same thing about us. It is all right to have friends? In fact, really we all should. But are we doing more than just socializing? Wouldn't it be a shame if all we did was shake the hands of those around us, when we could be serving and showing them the way to God through Jesus Christ? We don't pray, live, and witness as if people are dying and going to hell or heaven every day around us. I pray God has mercy on me and helps me to do better! The need of the hour is for men and women to have a servant's heart and share a little Jesus! Have a great day and God bless!

The prize to run for..........

Good Tuesday morning! I woke up early today and was thinking of our Sunday school lesson at church last Sunday. What do to share Jesus with people? Am I the soul warrior from the past? Have I lost some pep in my step? Have I lost my boldness? All these questions brought me back to the scripture and they are giving me renewed boldness and wisdom from above. Let's dig into the good stuff and see what it shows us..........

Bible Verse: Hebrews 12:2 "...who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Here's the deal, Jesus is our example. He is a champion who, when He ran His race, received a crown of joy. When Usain Bolt, the Jamaican sprinter runs, he runs to win the gold. In our verse today, what is "the joy that is set before Him"? It's winning the race. He "endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

That crown gave Him the ability to endure. If we keep the crown in mind, we can bear the cross. But we cannot have the crown if we don't bear the cross. I have some awards, plaques, and trophies that I won back in my law dog (police) days. Do you know what happened to all those trophies? They are sitting on a shelf gathering dust. Do they matter anymore? Did they really matter then? The bottom line is, athletes run "to obtain a corruptible crown, but we for an incorruptible" (1 Corinthians 9:25). Running the race, Jesus had the joy that was set before Him and He endured the cross. He despised the shame. There is a prize to possess. Have a great day and God bless. 

Who Will You Be?

Good morning! I have been wrestling and praying about a decision that I must make in the very near future and I am amazed how God can speak to you when you listen and pay attention. If  you have to decide something. Do you allow good to help you and guide your decision? I have to be honest. I don't very often. I try and make a lot on my own and find those are the ones that I struggle with the most. Let's dig into the good stuff and see what it can show us............

Bible Verse:  Luke 18:29-30 "And He said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting."

Check this out, God has given you abilities and God wants you to take those abilities and invest them in Him. Friend, it is a sin for you to be less than what God called you to be. I know, you want to punch me in the face for calling you out on that one. If I could actually kick my own butt right now I would! Now let's be real, you may not be the next Einstein, Michael Jordan, Peyton Manning, Betty Crocker, or Billy Graham. But that's not the point. The problem or maybe danger is that you will not do what you can do.

There are three people inside you...who you are right now, who you could be for evil if you allowed the devil to get a hold of you, and who you could be for God. I pray you will let go of this world with both hands and give your all to God for Him to use you. I know this is super scary and you are probably saying "This guy doesn't know me!" Your right I might not, but I know me and I am dealing with it. So, I thought other might be too! Have a great day and God bless!