Hope is the key to the Christian life-1 Corinthians 15:54-57

Hey everyone,
I would like to say thank you to each of you for being in my life in 2010 and may our relationships grow as we enter 2011.  Some people rub you and I both the wrong way and we try and steer from them at all costs!  Why?  Have you ever thought that God may be putting that person in your path for a reason?  We all struggle with life at times and some struggle more than others because they feel as though they don't fit in!  They can not relate well to others so they avoid relationships.  As you approach 2011, ask the Lord to give you a heart for people that are 'odd balls!'  At one time in your own life, maybe you were the odd ball that everybody else tried to avoid!  God gives each one of us opportunities daily to connect with folks that normally are thought of as different!  If we were not different, life would be totally boring.  Give someone else hope just like the Christian life gives you hope!  (54) When this happens---when our perishable earthly bodies have been transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die---then at last the Scriptures will come true:  "Death is swallowed up in victory.  (55) O death, where is your victory?  O death, where is your sting?"  (56)For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.  (57) How we thank God, who gives us victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ our Lord.  The relationship you build with someone may be the key to introducing them to the Savior that has given you hope!!!  The power that God gives is the power that can change your heart to reach out and even love someone that everybody passes up!  God Bless you as you begin the journey that God has in store for you in 2011!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Encouragement through prayer! Psalm 28

Good morning everyone,
Many of us have experienced difficult times in our lives and probably some of us are going through trials as I write this devotional.  Life is about dealing with those setbacks in a way that pleases our Lord.  There is no formula or set of guidelines dealing with issues other than praying about it as it says in Psalm 28!  O Lord, You are my rock of safety.  Please help me; don't refuse to answer me.  For if You are silent, I might as well give up and die.  Listen to my prayer for mercy as I cry out to You for help, as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary.  Don't drag me away with the wicked---with those who do evil---those who speak friendly words to their neighbors while planning evil in their hearts.  Give them the punishment they so richly deserve!  Measure it out in proportion to their wickedness.  Pay them back for evil deeds!  Give them a taste of what they have done to others.  They care nothing for what the Lord has done or for what His hands have made.  So He will tear them down like old buildings, and they will never be rebuilt!  Praise the Lord!  For He has heard my cry for mercy.  The Lord is my strength, my shield from every danger.  I trust in Him with all my heart.  He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.  I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.  The Lord protects His people and gives victory to His anointed king.  Save Your people!  Bless Israel, Your special possession!  Lead them like a shepherd, and carry them forever in your arms.  No matter what obstacles you are faced with, God is our only real source of safety.  Prayer is our best help when trials come our way because it keeps us in communion with God.  If we dine regularly with the Lord, He delights in us not coming to Him just when we are in trouble!!!  As you approach the New Year, commit to spending your first minutes awake with Him and see where it goes!!  I guarantee you will be Blessed! 
Your brother in Christ,
p

Stress is unhealthy! Psalm 27:1 & 3 are the answer!

Hello everyone,
This time of year brings joy for many but with that joy, stress trys to creep in and destroy!  Stress can be brought on suddenly or it can be brought on slowly.  The more we try and handle situations that are beyond our control, the more we need to let God be the answer!  I know sometimes we feel we are in a terrible downward spiral that seems to be out of control.  Psalm 27:1 says, 'The Lord is my light and my salvation---so why should I be afraid?  The Lord protects me from danger---so why should I tremble?'  Psalm 27:3 says, 'Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will know no fear.  Even if they attack me, I remain confident.'  Both of these verses address the fact that the Lord will keep you free from carrying the weight of the stress!  It doesn't say that you will be excluded from stressful situations, but what will you do when stress comes your way?  Will you try and take it on alone or will you let the Lord be your light and let Him protect you?  Sometimes repeating verses over and over again and ingraining them in your heart is the best way to steer toward the Light and away from stress!  The more we can recall Scripture during stressful moments, the more we can keep our blood pressure in check!  The Lord is in the business to carry your burden, no matter what it is!  Don't take my word for it, but take His Word!    
Your brother in Christ,
p

Isn't it wonderful that God's Goodness has nothing to do with how good we are? Psalm 51:1

Hey everyone,
Regardless of how good we are, God is unfailing (certain; reliable; steadfast)!  Genesis 32:10 says, 'I am not worthy of all the faithfulness and unfailing love you have shown to me your servant.  When I left home, I owed nothing except a walking stick, and now my household fills two camps!'  Numbers 14:18 says, 'The Lord is slow to anger and rich in unfailing love, forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion.'  Job 10:12 says, 'You gave me life and showed me your unfailing love.  My life was preserved by Your care.'  Psalm 48:9 says, 'We meditate on your unfailing love as we worship in Your Temple.'  Psalm 51:1 says, 'Have mercy on me, O God, because of Your unfailing love.  Because of Your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.'  John 1:14 says, 'So the Word became human (flesh) and lived here on earth among us.  He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.  And we have seen His glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father.'  Isn't it amazing, wonderful, necessary for our eternity, that the Father saw that we were sick and we needed a doctor!  That doctor came in the form of Jesus Christ.  Dear brothers and sisters, we are all sick in need of the Great Physician!  He knew that we were messed up and He was willing to show His unfailing love by being the God of second chances.   We mess up and unless we go to Him asking for forgiveness, we either add that mess to our backpack or we do like a kitty kat and try and cover it up!  After a while, that mess starts to smell and we begin to not like even being around our selves.  Instead of thinking you are too messed up beyond being fixed, pray that the Lord will change you from the inside out.  He thought you were important because He created you so let Him use you accordingly!      
Your brother in Christ,
Paul

Devotional for Monday 12-27-2010---John 3:16-17

Hey everyone,
I pray that everyone had a Blessed Christmas and are excited with anticipation for what the Lord is going to do in your life in 2011.  One of the most famous scriptures in the New Testament that is probably recognized more than any other is John 3:16!  'For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him will not perish but have eternal life.'  Begotten and not forgotten refers to 'One of a kind.'  No matter what you have done in your life, there is hope in Jesus name.  And verse 17 speaks directly to the fact that 'God did not send His Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it!'  We are all sinners and verse 17 addresses that fact but God has the answer for us and verse 18 tells us that we can be saved from judgbment .  Many feel as though they have done too much in their life to ever warrant enough grace to save them from whatever eternity they have waiting for them!  The definition of Grace is unmerited favor and so our works have nothing to do with where we are going to spend eternity.  Grace is something we totally don't deserve but because we Believe in Him, we will spend an eternity with Him.  You have 2 choices when it comes down to eternity:  you will either spend it with the Father or you will decide to spend it separated from Him.  He does not make that choice for you; you make it for yourself because He has given you 'free will!'  As long as we have breath to breathe, He extends the invitation for us to accept Him as our Lord and Savior and to begin to live for Him.  After we accept Him, the adventure begins because we start to realize what He actually has done for us!  Each second that we live on this earth, we are actually closer to our mortality (whether you've considered that or not)!  My prayer and desire is for each of you to accept your Creator as Lord of your life and start enjoying life like you never thought possible!
Your brother in Christ,
Paul

Twas The Night Before Jesus Came! Luke 2:1-6

Good morning everyone,
Everyone most likely has heard the story 'Twas the night before Christmas' and probably multiple times but Luke 2:1-6 tells a different story.  Joseph had been forced by the government to make a long trip just to pay his taxes.  His fiancee, who had to go with him, was going to have a baby any moment.  But when they arrived in Bethlehem, they couldn't even find a place to stay.  When we do God's will, we are not guaranteed a comfortable life.  But we are promised that everything, even our discomfort, has meaning in God's plan.  Jesus was born over 2000 years ago in a lowly manger, not in a rich palace, to come to this earth as our Savior!  He is coming back as He promised!  As you read the following take on His return, prepare to ask the question; Are you ready?
                   
                      'Twas The Night Before Jesus Came'
                           written by Unknown Author

Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
        Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
           Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
              In hopes that Jesus would not come there.
       
         The children were dressing to crawl into bed.
              Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
         And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
         Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

         When out of the East there arose such a clatter.
          I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
               Away to the window I flew like a flash,
          Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

          When what to my wondering eyes should appear
               But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
          With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
               I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!

              The light of His face made me cover my head
               It was Jesus returning just like He had said.
         And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
               I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

               In the Book of Life which He held in His hand
                 Was written the name of every saved man.  
             He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
           When He said "it's not here" my head hung in shame.

           The people whose names had been written with love
                  He gathered to take to His Father above.
           With those who were ready He rose without a sound.
                  While all the rest were left standing around.

                   I fell to my knees, but it was too late:
              I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
               I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
                    Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.

              In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
                   The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
            There's only one life and when comes the last call
                 We"ll find that the Bible was true after all!

May God richly Bless each of you as you prepare for His Birthday and ultimately His return!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Remember the purpose of Celebration!! Esther 9:19-22

Hello everyone,
Only 2 days left before we celebrate CHRISTmas day!  (19) So to this day, rural Jews living in unwalled villages celebrate an annual festival and holiday in the late winter, when they rejoice and send gifts to each other.  (20) Mordecai recorded these events and sent letters to the Jews near and far, throughout all the king's provinces, (21)encouraging them to celebrate an annual festival on these two days.  (22)He told them to celebrate these days with feasting and gladness and by giving gifts to each other and to the poor.  This would commemorate a time when the Jews gained relief from their enemies, when their sorrow was turned into gladness and their mourning into joy. 
We tend to have short memories when it comes to God's faithfulness.  To help counter this, Mordecai wrote down these events and encouraged an annual holiday to commemorate the historic days of Purim.  Jews still celebrate Purim today.  Celebrations of feasting, gladness, and gift giving are important ways to remember God's specific acts.  Today the festivities at Christmas and Easter help us remember the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Please don't let the celebration of the exchanging of gifts hide the meaning of these great events.  Let me suggest that you present a gift to a loved one in Jesus name!!  Before opening your gifts, go around in a circle asking each person to share why they are thankful!  God Bless you and yours as you celebrate His birth!
Your brother in Christ,
Paul 

All I want for Christmas! 1 Corinthians 13

Good morning everyone,
When we think about what we want for Christmas, we probably have a different answer for this year than we've had in years past if receiving gifts is not the focal point!  In other words as children of God, we mature into realizing that there is something much more than a beautifully wrapped present unless that present is Jesus Christ!  Everything you receive under the tree on Christmas day will quickly fade and if you ask someone what they received in years past, they probably will have a hard time remembering especially if it happens to be a number of years ago.  On the other hand, for folks who have received the 'gift of Jesus Christ', that gift never dulls or gets old or loses it luster!  If you convey to the world that you personally have received the best gift ever in the form of a relationship with Jesus Christ and you let them know that gift is for them also, then you have given them something that will last an eternity!  This year all I want for Christmas is to share the Love of Christ with everyone that comes in contact with me!  I want to have a heart like the heart that is described in 1 Corinthians 13!  I can have all the gifts in the world, Spiritually speaking or materially speaking, but if I don't have Love, I am lost forever!  Forever you guys is a long time and there are many people that you and I both know that are missing out on the 'opportunity of a life time'!  In 1 John 4:8, we are reminded that Love is the greatest of all human qualities, and it is an attribute of God Himself.  Many people have fallen into a trap that will never be filled unless they realize Jesus Christ is really the only 'Gift' that matters!  This year when you are searching for the perfect gift, know that the 'Gift of Christ' is the best gift you could ever give! 
Your brother in Christ,
Paul

Mary Visits Elizabeth-Luke 1:39-56

Hello again,
Well, when I last left you, Mary had just told the angel that whatever the will of the Father was for her, that was what she wanted for her life!  Do you have that kind of faith?  A mighty 'faith' for such a young girl!  She now goes to the hill country of Judea to visit her cousin Elizabeth.  Once she arrives at Elizabeth's house and her voice is heard, Elizabeth's child leaped within her and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.  They were both overjoyed at all the events that were taking place.  The Holy Spirit filled them both and you can not stop what the Holy Spirit has started!!  Anytime the Holy Spirit enters into a human, miraculous things happen.  Pray that as you start your day that everything you do would be pleasing to Him.  He took the lowest income type to conquer all the septics with something only He could do!  Yet many still doubt this chain of miracles that we as Christians celebrate today!  Pray that the doubters in your life will come to a realization that Jesus is real and that He came to the earth so that all would have reason to 'believe'!  Once someone believes, they have 2 choices; accept or reject the greatest love ever given to humanity!  Will you accept Him today if you haven't already?
Your brother in Christ,
p

But how can I have a baby? Luke 1:34-38

Hello everyone,
Okay, I really can't have a baby, but I'm referring to the disbelief that Mary felt because she was still a virgin.  Mary asked the angel, "But how can I have a baby?  I am a virgin."(miracle #1) At the time, Mary probably felt completely alone, scared and confused.  She quickly was told that she not only was pregnant but also was going to deliver the Savior of the world (miracle #2)!  Wow!  That would be a lot to handle in one setting with an angel.  Oh, by the way, who would believe her story as friends found out?  It would take a divine intervention like no other!  It would take a faith like only our Savior could give.  Every piece of the puzzle had to be put in place exactly in perfect order!  How many times do we face much smaller scale issues in our lives and still doubt knowing God is in control?  The angel went on to say, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  So the baby born to you will be Holy, and He will be called the Son of God.  What's more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age (miracle #3)!  People use to say she was barren, but she's already in her sixth month.  For nothing is impossible with God."  Reread that last part and let it soak in!  Nothing is impossible with God!!!  Whatever challenge you face, face it looking through it with God's eyes!  If you think that is impossible, just pray to Him that He will let you see it as He sees it!  I guarantee it will make all the difference in the world.  Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever He wants.  May everything you have said come true."  And then the angel left.  God gave Mary a task that was bigger than anything you will face in your life and it comes down to whether or not you are willing to accept whatever He wants!!! 
Your brother in Christ,
p

Fightened and confused-Luke 1:29-33

Good Sunday morning to all,
As we continue to look at the anticipated birth of Jesus, we pick up in Scripture in Luke 1:29-33:  Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.  "Don't be frightened, Mary," the angel told her, "for God has decided to bless you!  You will become pregnant and have a son, and you are to name him Jesus.  He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His ancestor David.  And He will reign over Israel forever; His Kingdom will never end!"
Frightened and confused probably don't begin to describe Mary's emotional state.  A 'power' much greater than her own would be required to take her through the chain of events that were to follow.  Mary was very young, poor, female--all characteristics that, to the people of her day, would make her seem unusable by God for any major task.  But God chose Mary for one of the most important acts of obedience He has ever demanded of anyone.  You may feel your ability, experience, or education makes you an unlikely candidate for God's service.  Don't limit God's choices.  He can use you if you trust Him.  Even though God's favor rested on the mother of our Savior, much pain would come to her.  Her peers would ridicule her; her fiance' would come close to leaving her; her son would be rejected and murdered.  But through her son would come the world's only hope, and this is why Mary has been praised by countless generations.  So the more insignificant you think you are, really the more God can use you because you don't have 'you' in the way!  It takes a 'Big Faith' and a 'Big Trust' to realize that God can use you in a mighty way just like God used Mary!  And the more we depend on Him, the more will be revealed that a 'Mighty Power' was required to accomplish what seemed impossible! 
Your brother in Christ,
Paul

An Angel Promises the Birth of Jesus to Mary (Luke 1:26-28) Part 1

Hello everyone,
Over the next couple of days, I would like to focus on the birth of our Lord and Savior breaking down the Scripture, starting in Luke 1:26 and going through 1:28 for today.  In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary.  She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David.  Gabriel appeared to her and said, "Greetings, favored woman!  The Lord is with you!"  Gabriel had important messages from God each time that he appeared to people.  Some 500 years earlier he had appeared to Daniel (Daniel 8:15-17; 9:21), several months earlier to Zechariah and now Mary!  Gabriel delivered words of prophesy to Daniel and revealed miracles to both Zechariah and Mary! Gabriel was an important messenger that God chose to deliver news with 'Eternal' significance!  We have the same opportunity as 'Children of God' to be able to deliver hope to a world that is lost!  Every conversation we have with non believers should be an opportunity to share the 'Living God'!  We were all lost and until Jesus came into our lives, we had no hope!  Doesn't even the worst harden criminal deserve the same Jesus that you have? 
Your brother in Christ,
Paul   

What do you put your Faith in? Psalm 118

Hello and good morning to everyone,
Just what do you put your faith in?  Is in something of earthly value or does it have eternal value?  Remember faith is defined as the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen.  It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see.  It is placing our trust in something way beyond our ability.  It is complete trust in Jesus Christ!!!  Psalm 117 says, 'Praise the Lord, all you nations. Praise Him, all you people of the earth.  For He loves us with unfailing love; the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.  Praise the Lord!'  With everything in this world in such a flux, people are continuing to trust in things that will fade away!  Why? Jesus Christ is at your finger tips and he is knocking on the door for you to let Him in!!!  Instead of trying to figure out things on our own, let us start by trusting that God will give us a different prospective even as we go through the many trials that we face!  Some would think trusting in an invisable God to give us faith to get through any situation is a worldly definition of insanity!  For us as Christians, it really is just the opposite!  As you begin your day, no matter what you may be faced with today, give everything over to the Lord and pray that He will keep 'your mess' and that you will not take it back!
Your brother in Christ,
p   

A psalm of Thanksgiving-Psalm 100

Good morning everyone,
Only 10 days left until we celebrate the birth of our Savior!  As you attend a Worship Service or several in honor of Him, think about Psalm 100!  Shout with joy to the Lord, O Earth!  Worship the Lord with gladness.  Come before Him, singing with joy.  Acknowledge that the Lord is God!  He made us, and we are His.  We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.  Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise.  Give thanks to Him and bless His name.  For the Lord is good.  His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation.  Don't let the festivities of commercialism and buying gifts deter from you praising the One that created you.  Gifts, toys, and things only last for a season but the 'Gift of God' lasts for an eternity.  Don't you think that getting to know the Creator of the universe might be exciting and refreshing?  If not, we need to talk!  Lets make a pack for the new year.  Agree with me that you will turn over a new leaf for the coming year!  Agree that whether you stayed up late or not, that you will spend your first couple of minutes of every morning in Solitude with the Lord; your first fruits of the day!  If you will be faithful in the little, He will free up time and energy that you didn't even know you had.  Only a very short time ago, I was too busy to see straight.  But He has still allowed me to put the first moments of the day in His lap.  This time next year, you will be excited about what you have to report back to me.  I guarantee it!!!
Your brother in Christ,
p        

Who is your Shepherd? Psalm 23

Good morning everyone,
Several days ago I thought about the phrase, Just who is your Shepherd?  Psalm 23 is a chapter that we have all heard read at more funerals than you can probably shake a stick at and for good reason!  'The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need.  He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams.  He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name.  Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me.  Your rod and staff protect and comfort me.  You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.  You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil.  My cup overflows with blessings.  Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.  As we approach the Christmas Season, think about this chapter in a text that maybe you haven't before!  The Lord is your Shepherd but are you letting Him truly be 'Shepherd of your life'!  Ladies and gentlemen, He came to this earth and lived the perfect life so that we would have the 'Perfect Model' to be as our example!!  All the key words in this chapter describe our Lord as  'Leader', 'Protector', 'Provider', 'Comforter'!  What more could you want or need?  100% of the time He is ready to take care of whatever and whenever any situation in your life happens.  Remember to praise Him in the good times and praise Him in the bad times and Chapter 23 will come to fruition more times in your life than you will ever be able to thank Him!!
May God richly Bless you as you go through today realizing just how wonderful of a Shepherd you have in your life!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Praise the Lord! Psalm 117

Good Sunday morning to all,
Anytime we can praise the Lord, well let me just say, that is a good (God) thing!  Psalm 117 says, 'Praise the Lord, all you nations.  Praise Him, all you people of the earth.  For He loves us with unfailing love;  the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.  Praise the Lord!  A short passage but packed with a 'Love' that you can sink your teeth into and be filled up!!!  He doesn't limit His love to a few people but to all people!  Okay now my head is spinning.  How many times a day do you disappoint the people you live with or how many times a day do you get disappointed?  Probably more than you can count if you are really honest.  You have very little control about reactions others bestow upon you but you have complete control on how you react to others!  When someone frustrates you, chose to praise them instead of lashing out with retaliation on your mind!  See what happens!  Ephesians 4:32 tells us to do opposite of what we might first want to do!  It says, 'Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.'  When someone does something to offend you, ask God to give you a demeanor to be Christ-like back to them.  An ounce of kindness goes a long way when someone does something to you that really grinds on your nerves.  We live in a fallen world and unless we love like Christ instructed us to do, we have very little hope of getting through to people who don't know Christ.  Ask Christ to help you to be 'Children of Light' so that we change our hearts first so that others may be receptive to hearing about the Jesus that died for all!!!
Your brother in Christ,
p

To Protect and Defend! The book of Jude

Good morning everyone,
Back at home after lengthy travels on the road!  God is good though and He continues to protect me as I go about hopefully defending Him wherever I may be!!!   One of the smallest books of the bible is Jude.  Yet it has some powerful motivation for Christians everywhere to recognize the dangers of false teaching, to protect themselves and other believers, and to win back those who had already been deceived.  Jude reminds the church of the need for constant vigilance--to keep strong in the faith and to oppose heresy.  Jude was the brother of Jesus and James.  Christians should "defend the truth of the Good News" (1:3) by rejecting all falsehood and immorality (1:4-19), remembering God's mighty acts of rescue and punishment (1:5-11, 14-16) and the warnings of the apostles (1:17-19).  We are to build up our faith through prayer (1:20), keeping close to Christ (1:21), helping others (1:22,23), and hating sin (1:23).  Then Jude concludes with a glorious benediction of praise to God (1:24,25).  As we read and study Jude, we can be reminded to stand firm in our faith and defend God's truth at all costs.  Nothing is more valuable!!!  As you go about your day, remember that I love you and my desire for you is to be Blessed in Jesus name. 
Your brother in Christ,
p

Even though you may think you're all alone, you never are!! Romans 5:8

Good morning everyone,
This time of year for most of us is a very special time because it signifies really what life is all about.  It is to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.  In Romans 5:8, we are reminded that God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.  Even before you knew Him, while we were yet sinners, God sent His only Son to come and save us from being lost forever.  Not because we were good enough, but just because he 'Loved' us!  Whenever you feel uncertain about God's love for you, remember that He loved you even before you turned to Him.  For some folks, they continue to want to hold on to the 'baggage' that has become their security blanket.  Their heart strings have been plucked and they know that they can not handle their burdens alone, yet they continue to refuse the 'Gift' that God has already given!!  Think about it this way brothers and sisters; any debt you owe has already been paid in full.  All you need to do is accept it!  But Paul, I'm in over my head and there is no answer in sight!  Good thing you mention that.  All the more reason to say, 'Lord, even in my brokenness, I give you my all.'  That is exactly what He wants.  If you can't fix yourself (which none of us can!), don't you think it is about time to let the Doctor fix you!  By you releasing your baggage, amazing things will happen!  Instead of you carrying around that massive amount of guilt, those financial issues (that most of us have), selfishness, greed, stubbornness, bad decisions and the list goes on and on; maybe it is time to get out of the constant insanity (doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results) that you find yourself in!!  But Paul, that is easier said than done!  Yes, I agree unless you realize who is in control.  Most if not all of the issues that you are faced with will continue because in the big scope of things, we have very little control of the exterior elements we live in and that is life as we know it.  But God is the 'Creator of change' within us!  He can change our attitude to be that of gratitude.  He can help you see through the fog when your sight is completely impaired.  For some, this time of year is bitter sweet.  You may have lost a loved one recently and Christmas only brings up loneliness to you.  My prayer for you is that others reach out to you and remind you about the Love of Christ.  Instead of focusing on the issues and problems that you are faced with this Christmas season, ask Christ to fill your heart with so much love so that you can go out and love folks right where they are at!!  It literally may be the difference between life and death!  Until we know Him personally, we are all dead!  Once you know Him, don't you want to introduce Him to those that You love?
Your brother in Christ,
p

Do you wake up with a heart that wants to serve or do you want to go back to sleep? Matthew 20:28

Hello everyone,
Jesus reminds us in Matthew 20:28 that He came into the world to serve and not be served! The Lord of all came to serve and we have difficulty getting out of bed.  But Lord, I'm tired!  I don't have time to serve!  I'm already involved in more than I can handle!  Work has me strapped down and so busy, I can't add any more on my plate!  Jesus never complained when people needed Him.  He didn't question their motives.  He simply responded with a servants attitude.  If our minds and our hearts are loaded down with clutter, it simply is impossible to see the opportunities that He gives us.  My prayer for all of you is that you will humbly ask the Lord to show you how to free up time so that you can serve.  Just like the widow that gave all she had, if you will seek His face, Matthew 25:21 will come to fruition in your life.  The master was full of praise.  'Well done good and faithful servant.  You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities.  Let's celebrate together.  The widow didn't have much and maybe you feel as though your little will not be worth much to the Lord.  I beg to differ!  The widow was faithful with the little she had (Mark 12:43) and the Lord said that because of her sincere heart, she truly gave more than anybody else.  The Lord knows better than you how much time you have available.  Ask Him to show you!  He delights when we stop what we are doing and give Him praise.  If we give him just a little bit more of our time, our hearts will be changed right before our eyes!  Before long, you may look at getting out of bed in a whole different prospective!  If we free up a little of our clutter, do you not think that He cannot free up space in your garage so you can park inside! 
Your brother in Christ,
p

Gift of Christmas-Romans 6:23

Good Monday morning to all,
When we think about Christmas, much of the time it has become common for families to spend more on presents to give to their love ones then what some families make in a single year!  Commercialization has tried to completely destroy the true meaning of Christmas!  Yesterday at church, Brother Charles Gibbs tried to remind us just what the Gift of Christmas is all about:  Romans 6:23 tells us, 'For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.'  There is quite a contrast between what we deserve and what God gives!  He made 3 main points in his sermon about the 'Gift':  (1) Free but not cheap; (2) Mysterious but not complicated; and (3) Lofty but not distant!  Eternal life is a gift from God.  If it is a gift, then it is not something that we earn, nor something that must be paid back.  Consider the foolishness of someone who receives a gift given out of love and then offers to pay for it.  A gift cannot be purchased by the recipient.  A more appropriate response to a loved one who offers a gift is graceful acceptance with gratitude.  Our salvation is a gift of God, not something of our own doing (Ephesians 2:8,9).  He saved us because of His mercy, not because of any good things that we have done (Titus 3:5).  How much more we should accept with thanksgiving the gift that God has freely given to us!  
Your brother in Christ,
p  

Sunday mornings devotional-Genuine Faith-Hebrews 2

Good morning everyone,
As you start your day, ask yourself this question?  Do you consider yourself to have genuine faith?  Talk is cheap, and too often we soon realize that the boasts were hollow, quite far from the truth.  Faith has several definitions:  reliance, loyalty, or complete trust in God; a system of religious beliefs.  I like the verse that refers to faith as being the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen.  It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see.  James 2 speaks of genuine faith!  'My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim that you have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people more than others?'  If we really search high and low, we probably would all have to agree that we are prejudice in some way or another.  James warns against favoritism and for the necessity of good deeds.  Even though we serve a God that saved us not because of good works, but because of Grace, He expects us to not be lazy!  There are 3 principles that James says are necessary for faith to be genuine!  (1) Commitment is an essential part of faith.  You cannot be a Christian simply by affirming the right doctrines or agreeing with biblical facts (2:19).  (2) Right actions are the natural by-products of true faith.  A genuine Christian will have a changed life (2:18).  (3) Faith without good deeds doesn't do anybody any good-it is useless (2:14-17).  James's teachings are consistent with Paul's teaching that we receive salvation by faith alone.  Paul emphasizes the purpose of faith: to bring salvation.  James emphasizes the results of faith: a changed life.  Ask God to radically change you for you to carry out the full mission of faith and not leave a stone uncovered!!!!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Inconveniences throw us for a loop! Luke 14:15-24

Good Saturday morning to all,
The scripture reading in the devotional this morning is really a self check for each of us!  Ask yourself this question:  Is being a Christian a convenience in my life or is it a way of life for me?  The illustration in the scripture shows that a big feast was given and many were invited!  But very few showed up because they had excuses why they couldn't be there!  Do we make excuses for giving time to the Lord?  We have been invited to the 'Great Feast' but are we too busy to show up?  The conclusion to the story was not a good ending for those who were invited and didn't come!  Today as you start your day, ask the Holy Spirit to free up time so that you can spend it in prayer and reading the Word.  It all starts by what choices we make.  If I start my day asking God for directions, I don't seem to get as lost.  And for those of you who know me, you know that I am directionally challenged!  Ha!  I need all the help I can get!  For those times I try and do it on my own, I really get frustrated.  I love each of you and I care about you and I want this Christmas Season to be a Blessing in each of your lives!  Let me encourage each of you to reach out to someone in need and take a little time with them so that maybe you can give them something that they have been missing!!  
Your brother in Christ,
Paul       

How to pray for other Christians? Colossians 1

Good morning everyone,
How many people in your life could be touched if you prayed in this way? 
     (1).   Be thankful for their faith and changed lives (1:3).
        (2).  Ask God to help them know what He wants them to do (1:9).
        (3).  Ask God to give them deep Spiritual understanding (1:9).
        (4).  Ask God to help them live for Him (1:10).
        (5).  Ask God to give them more knowledge of Himself (1:10).
        (6).  Ask God to give them strength for endurance (1:11).
        (7).  Ask God to fill them with joy, strength, and thankfulness (1:11).
#7 really stands out to me because it is only because of Jesus Christ that I live with a thankful heart!  #1 caused #7 to happen in my life.  Your story may be different and I would like to know.  As I read through Colossians 1, I'm reminded of all the people that have prayed for me and continue to pray for me!  In Colossians 1:9-10, Paul writes, 'So we continue praying for you ever since we first heard about you.  We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what He wants to do in your lives, and we ask Him to make you wise with Spiritual wisdom.  Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others.  All the while, you will learn to know God better and better.'  These scripture verses are the core of what Jesus Christ modeled for all of us!  As you read this devotional, may you realize just how incredibly 'special' you are!  You were beautifully made to live out these verses while you have breath to breathe!!!!  Pastor Bro preached on this scripture sometime back and one of the quotes he made was this:  'You never know Jesus is all you need, until Jesus is all you have!'  Why don't we get that point much earlier in life?  We try to find the answers to life going down so many different bumpy roads before we eventually realize that those answers are given to us in the Son himself!  Changed hearts start one prayer at a time!  As you start your day, know that you have been prayed for and you are loved beyond measure! 
Your brother in Christ,
p            

This is the day that the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Psalm 118:24

Good morning everyone,
Psalm 118 starts and ends with the same verse:  'Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!  His faithful love endures forever.'  That promise says that He is the same today that He will be tomorrow that He was yesterday.  Never changing, always caring and has promised to love you forever!  All He asks from us is to give Him thanks!!  When your heart is a humble heart and you praise Him for every situation in your life, He will love you in return.  That is a covenant that nothing else can be compared to!  In verse 24 we are asked to rejoice and be glad in the very day that we are now living because it is made by the Lord.  When situations in life bring more than we can handle, remember the 'Rock' is still there for us to stand upon and proclaim to the world how we stood!  We may get banged up along the way but think about those battle scars as being evidence of Who brought you through it all!  For anyone in the middle of one of those storms, let me commend you and let me pray for you that you will remain faithful!  God will honor your faithfulness!!!  In 2 Thessalonians 1:11, Paul writes, 'And so we keep on praying for you, that our God will make you worthy of the life to which He called you.  And we pray that God, by His power, will fulfill all your good intentions and faithful deeds.'  Anything and everything becomes a load we are incapable of carrying, but showing God even the littlest concern is His, nothing is impossible for Him to carry!  Remember to 'plow'-pray, love, overcome, worship! 
Your brother in Christ,
p

What are your expectations when you pray? Romans 1:9-10

Hello everyone,
Well back to Mobile for another couple of weeks and then it looks as though I'll be able to finish up my year working on a case in L.A.  As I traveled today, I thought about several possible devotionals and ended up with this question:  What are your expectations when you pray?  In Romans 1:9-10, Paul writes, 'God knows how often I pray for you.  Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by telling others the Good News about His Son.  One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing,  to come at last to see you.'  If we pray and don't expect our prayers will be answered in His name, what is the purpose?  Thank God and pray with expectations that He will answer according to His will!  In  Genesis 18:33, God showed Abraham that asking for anything is allowed, with the understanding that God's answers come from God's perspective.  Just like the potter continually forms his clay, God may be molding you into a priceless vessel.  That takes time!!  Are any of you in a crisis?  I can think of several of you that are and you aren't sure what God has in store!  Sleep does not come easily during a crisis.  Psalm 3:5 lets us know that David could of had sleepless nights when his son Absalom rebelled and gathered an army to kill him.  But he slept peacefully, even during the rebellion.  What made the difference?  David cried out to the Lord, and the Lord heard him.  The assurance of answered prayer brings peace.  It is easier to sleep well when we have full assurance that God is in control of circumstances.  If you are lying awake at night worrying about circumstances you can't change, pour out your heart to God, and thank Him that He is in control.  Then sleep will come.  One of the problems we seem to create is when we give God our problem that we are faced with, we then have a tendency to take it back!  Why?  Why do we cling on to our dilemma instead of clinging to the 'Solution'?  Once you release your concern, remember to praise Him at that very moment.  Praising God changes your whole makeup and keeps your eyes and heart on Him instead of falling back into the trap!
Your brother in Christ,
p  

Don't let Blessings lead you to forgetting Him! Nehemiah 9:35

Good morning everyone,
Well it seems as though I just got home and before I know it, I'll be back on the road to finish the year out!  It is extremely taxing this time of year because I don't really get to stop to count my Blessings!  I'm reminded quite regularly that I have so much to be thankful for and how Blessed I am to be grounded in the Word!  Also let this devotional be a reminder to not let our Blessings be a determent from remembering our Savior!  'Even while they had their own kingdom, they did not serve You even though You showered Your goodness on them.  You gave them a large, fertile land, but they refused to turn from their wickedness.'  So from this reading let me make a couple of suggestions for all of us to consider as we try and please Him!  Praise Him for 'Everything' no matter what it is and stay grounded when a material possession comes into your life.  Unless it is a Spiritual Blessing, all physical things will cease to exist at some point.  They really are only for a season!!  James 2:2-4 says, 'For instance, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in shabby clothes.  If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, "You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor"---well, doesn't this discrimination show that you are guided by wrong motives?'  If you have many possessions but you forget that they were given to you so that you can Bless others, you too can fall into that terrible trap!  If we judge a book by its cover and not by its content, we will be no better than those that hung our Savior on the cross!  After all, Godly content of the heart is what our Savior wants us to build so that our hearts becomes so full that we give that to others!  That is Godly character and Godly character is more important than any accomplishment that you can achieve in this life!  May God richly Bless you as you prepare for the Lords Day tomorrow!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Thanksgiving! A time to spend with loved ones! Philippians 4:6

Good morning and Happy Thanksgiving Eve to all,
If you were to ask me a question about which Holiday I now like better; I would have to say Thanksgiving!  Why?  Because we have not turned that day into a circus like we have Christmas.  It seems as though people start decorating for Christmas now in the summer time.  And the focus is really not on the 'Birth of our Savior', but more on the marketing ploys of all the retailers to get you to buy there stuff for your loved ones!  The gifts have become more important than the 'Giver Himself!'  Christ came into the world so that all could have life and life abundantly!  Let us use Thanksgiving day this year to jump start a new tradition in your family!  Share with your family what you are truly thankful for and more importantly share with your Father and pray for Him to give you a 'new heart!'  Philippians 4:4-5 says, 'Always be full of joy in the Lord, I say it again---rejoice!  Let everyone see that you are considerate     in all you do.  Remember, the Lord is coming soon!'  
From a retail standpoint, Thanksgiving and Christmas have been swallowed up together!  Since that is the case, lets begin to use Philippians 4:6 as our motto to live by:  'Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.'  
Your brother in Christ,
p

You are Loved beyond measure!!! Matthew 11:28

Good morning everyone,
I would like to start out this morning by saying thank you to all of you for making  me feel special!!!  I had the distinct privilege to meet 3 new people yesterday that I feel instantly became my friends.  I was standing outside my hotel talking with a co-worker admiring the rain when we both noticed a truck and trailer pull into the lot.  It was the show car for Interstate Battery for Nascar.  It stopped underneath the canopy and out popped Travis Sturt (the driver) so he could check in!  We exchanged introductions and in so doing, I noticed something very different with Travis.  He had a smile that stood out and it drew you to him.  Do any of you know someone like that?  He not only was the driver, but also a spokesman wherever he takes the car promoting Nascar!  More importantly, this Nascar team promotes, 'I am second'!  It is a movement meant to inspire people of all kinds to live for God and for others.  Athletes.  Actors.  Musicians. Business leaders. Drug addicts.  The authentic stories of people dealing with struggles of everyday living just like you and me.  Check it out and share it with others!  Pryor to that a couple (Bob and Judy) had pulled up to check in and I helped them with their luggage into the lobby.  Instantly when I told them my name, I was a hit because I have the same name as their son!  Later on, I saw the three talking in the lobby and I joined their conversation.  In so doing I realized that a church service was happening right in our presence.  "Where two and more are gathered in My name (Matt. 18:20), I am there among them."  The Love of Christ engulfed that lobby and I noticed some amazing things happen.  When the Holy Spirit is present, he restores tired souls!  All three of them had been traveling all day and I had just come in from a long day at the hospital.  It was as if God gave us a full nights rest without ever going to sleep!  Wow!  Go out today and Bless someones socks off by Loving them like Christ would!  You will be blown away with what may happen!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Why does God allow all this trouble? Deut 6:10-12; Hebrews 12:1-4; Psalm 23; 2 Cor. 12:8-10

Good morning everyone,
I heard the most remarkable sermon yesterday and I would like to say thank you in advance to Brother Terry Harbin for allowing me to use his notes for the devotional today.  I had the distinct privilege of going to West Mobile Baptist Church because that is where God directed me!  Brother Terry asked these questions as he started his message:  'Is He listening and does He Care?'  'Why does God allow All this trouble?'  We live in very troubled times and there really is only one guarantee and that guarantee is Jesus Christ!!  He wants us to remember Him-Deut. 6:10-12; He wants us to learn of Him-Hebrews 12:1-4; He wants us to depend on Him-Psalm 23; He wants to demonstrate His grace-2 Cor. 12:8-10.  In every one of these 4 examples, the word Him and His are the words that stand out!  Whether times are rich or times are lean, remember Him, learn of Him, depend on Him, and His Grace (unmerited favor) will cover you completely!  Thanksgiving is approaching and this lesson taught me, with water pouring from my eyes, how Great our Savior is and how much He Loves each of us!  May each of you be thankful in the abundance that you have been given and may that be a reflection to others!  As my friend John would say, 'Don't be scared!'
Your brother in Christ,
p

Having an attitude of gratitude is more than just saying thank you in the good times-Job 1:10

Good morning to all,
There are many of you who might not see hope where there actually is hope!  Gratitude is seeing joy of some sort in every situation that happens throughout our lives!  Do any of you know anyone that has a strange force of joy even though they are faced with crippling and life consuming illnesses?  There once was a lady that could no longer move her arms and legs, yet she would say, "I'm just so happy I can move my neck."  When she could no longer move her neck, she would say, "I'm just so glad I can hear and see."  When asked what would happen if she lost her sound and sight, she simply said, "I'll just be so grateful that you come to visit."  When you have a heart of gratitude, you simply can defy all odds and respond in a way that will be pleasing to the Father in every situation!!  It is easy to be grateful for the good things that happen in our lives, but to be grateful for all of our lives---the good as well as the bad, the moments of joy as well as the moments of sorrow, the successes as well as the failures, the rewards as well as the rejections---that requires hard Spiritual work.  When we can say thank you to all that has brought us to the present moment, then we are truly grateful people.  And we know God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28)!  A lot of today's devotional is taken from Brennan Manning's book Ruthless Trust.  I encourage you to read anything by him because he has a way of painting such a picture that it is very easy to reach out and feel as though you are in the protrait!  My mother is probably the best living example that I know that continues to live a life of gratitude worthy of our Savior!  She has had a number of crippling illnesses and setbacks yet she continues to amaze me as she endures whatever life seems to throw at her.  And she never seems to stop praising her Savior!  Shingles, breast cancer, scoliosis, a corked spine as well as a curved spine, a grand daughter murdered, 85 plus years of wear and tear!!  She taught me the importance of prayer and to always give thanks to God, because this is what God expects you to do in Christ Jesus (1 Thess. 5:18).  As you start your day, ask God to check your heart for where you are at and ask Him to 'radically change you to be like Him'!  If we know how to respond to a world that is totally against Him, maybe it will be our heart that He uses to get through to them!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Obeying God-Colossians 1:10

Good morning everyone,
I attended a men's conference a couple of years ago in the mountains of California at Forrest Home and I was presented a coin (accountability) to carry in my pocket.  That coin has the verse from Colossians 1:10 ('That you may live a life worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God') on one side and on the other Gradior Dignus (Latin for 'walk worthy') so others may live!  A simple reminder of really why we are here on this earth!!  Everyday life presents us with decisions, decisions that can bring us closer to God...or not.  When we obey God's command, we are blessed.  But, when we turn our backs upon the Creator by disobeying Him, we bring needless suffering upon ourselves and our families.  Do you seek God's peace and His blessings?  Then obey Him.  When you are faced with a difficult choice or a powerful temptation, seek God's counsel and trust the counsel He gives.  Invite God into your heart and live according to His commandments.  When you do, you will be blessed today, tomorrow, and forever.  Although God causes all things to work together for good for His children, He still holds us accountable for our behavior.  Todays devotional taken from 'Walking with Christ everyday'!  May God richly Bless each of you as you make decisions that would be pleasing to Him!!
Your brother in Christ,
p

The lessons of tough times! Hebrews 12:11

Hello everyone and good morning,
No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful.  Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it (Hebrews 12:11).  The times that try your soul are also the times that build your character.  As I approach my reading time this morning, I wake up renewed and thankful that God saw fitting to reach down and grab me and not let me sink beyond His reach.  When we have too many distractions that keep us from realizing that God is trying to get our attention, I've learned a couple of things will happen.  Either we continue to go down the spiral until we reach complete poverty (Spiritually) or we reach for His hand so that He can pull us to safety.  We can flirt with the edge of the envelope all we want but doing that only leads to eventual chaos!  Everybody loves a good party but if that party is not one that praises our Savior, it really is only a disguise to a headache at the end!  Isn't it ironic that society says the more you have, the more you are set free.  In reality, the more you have, the easier it is to have other things occupy your time rather than spending those precious times with the Lord. 
In many cases there are people who have known dire economic straits, yet their trust has enabled them to step outside their grim conditions and to find joy in life, so they run against the grain (Brennan Manning-The Way of Gratefulness).  Do you know anyone like that?  I've always said I know the reason the Lord never made me financially rich:  because I would be so distracted, that I would not need Him!  Yet in contrast to what society says:  I am wealthy beyond measure because I have been assured of 'riches in Heaven'!  Shout to the Lord this morning as you arise thanking Him that you too are 'rich beyond measure'!!!!
Your brother in Christ,
p        

God is the Giver! John 10:10

Hello everyone,
Do you know that God knows you by name?  He wants to dine with you regularly so that He can teach you how to experience life.  The more you invest in your relationship with Jesus Christ, the more you will understand the makeup of your Creator.  There is a thief whose purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.  My purpose is to give life in all its fullness (John 10:10).  Christ came to this earth so that we might experience His abundance, His love, and His gift of eternal life.  Relationships take work in order to flourish.  The closer you get to someone, the more you experience life because you can relate to their circumstances and then pray for them.  When we step away from the comforts of this life, we instantly have an opportunity to experience a greater appreciation for where we are and how we were wonderfully made.  It is very easy to fall into the trap of just putting one foot in front of another and not noticing where God has placed you and the people that He wants you to notice.  When it becomes evident that we get caught on the fast 'merry-go-round' of life, we miss the opportunities to share with others the Love of Christ.  Ask the Holy Spirit to tug your heart strings and slow you down so you can resume the path He has for you instead of the path that satan wants to steer you toward!  Think about this as a final thought for today:  Ask the Holy Spirit to help you get out of your comfort zone today and begin experiencing life as if He were coming to your house for dinner.  Living abundantly is using the tools and talents the Lord has given you to help carry out His message.  He doesn't necessarily use the people that are the richest, the ones who do the greatest things, or the most popular people:  He uses people like you and I to accomplish tasks that most people would think impossible and then we have the opportunity to share that the reason is because of Him!!!  If we always give credit where credit is due (we were lost and now we are found), then there is absolutely no limit to what He can accomplish through us!!!!
Your brother in Christ,
p

An Attitude of Gratitude! Numbers 11:4-6

Good morning everyone,
Are you always looking for what you don't have or you grateful for what God has given you?  Even though God provided more than enough, the Israelites forgot very quickly where to place their gratitude!  Then the foreign rabble who were traveling with the Israelites began to crave the good things of Egypt, and the people of Israel also began to complain.  "Oh, for some meat!" they exclaimed.  "We remember all the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt.  And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic that we wanted.  But now our appetites are gone, and day after day we have nothing to eat but this manna!"  Brennan Manning reminds us that the way of gratefulness is the foremost quality in a trusting disciple.  If you interviewed 10 people, how would you determine which one of them was telling the truth?  In his opinion and I think I'm in total agreement, he would videotape the ten people for a month and then, after watching the videos, pass judgment using this criterion:  the person with an abiding spirit of gratitude is the one who trusts God.  Gratitude is expressing to the Creator no matter what happens, 'Always be joyful.  Keep on praying.  No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.'  It is a mindset to let the Lord take over and let selfishness go by the wayside!  If you truly want to make a change, ask the Lord to change your heart!  Ask Him to remind you about all the things He has brought you through and then you will have a story to encourage others!  Life is about meeting people where they are and helping and assisting them to see that there is something so much bigger than themselves.  We are in the seed planting business and God is in the Growing business.  As you awake this morning, thank the Lord for the gift of a new day and express gratitude throughout the day!  I can guarantee that others will begin to see a change in you.  Romans 8:28 sums it up best!  And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according  to His purpose for them.  God loves each of you and so do I!  May God richly Bless you as you continue the journey that He started!
Your brother in Christ,
p 

Real trust brings consistency of character! Psalm 125:1

Hello everyone,
Psalm 125:1 tells us that, 'Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever.'  Think of the Lord as never changing.  Even when our human relationships falter due to lack of trust or our relationship with the Lord falters, God never moves.  He loves us beyond measure.  Take your human feelings, multiply them exponentially into infinity, and you will have a hint of the love of God revealed by and in Jesus Christ.  With a strong affirmation of our goodness and a gentle understanding of our weakness, God is loving us---you and me---this moment, just as we are and not as we should be. There is nothing any of us can do to increase His love for us and nothing we can do to diminish it.   When we get waylaid from our walk with God by busyness, depression, family problems, or worse, God does not abandon us.  Nor, if we walk the way of trust, do we abandon God.  When we wander off the path, that trust pulls us back; and we do not flinch, hesitate, or worry about being unwelcome in the Father's arms.  No matter where we are on the journey, we have a quiet confidence that our trust in God's love gives God immense pleasure (excerpt taken from Ruthless Trust by Brennan Manning).  In Mark 10:14, Jesus says, 'Let the children come to me.  Don't stop them!  For the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  I assure you, anyone who doesn't have their kind of faith will never get into the Kingdom of God.'  To feel secure, all children need is a loving look and gentle touch from someone who cares.  They believe us because they trust us.  Jesus said that people should trust in Him with this kind of childlike faith.  We do not have to understand all the mysteries of the universe, it should be enough to know that God loves us and provides forgiveness for our sin.  This doesn't mean that we should be childish or immature, but we should trust God with a child's simplicity and receptivity.  As you begin your day, ask the Lord to give you an unwavering trust in Him that will continue until He has completed the 'Good Work' in you!
Your brother in Christ,
p

What do you take joy in? Philippians 2

Good Friday morning to all,
What do you take joy in?  Throughout chapter one of Philippians, Paul talks about Joy in suffering, chapter 2 is about serving, chapter 3 is about believing, and chapter 4 is about giving!  To sum it all up, the Christian life should be about all of these.  Even though none of us sit around thinking about wanting to be beat up, we should all realize that truly 'living for Christ' may require putting on the full armour of God.  Chapter 2 begins with, 'Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ?  Any comfort from His Love?  Any fellowship together in the Spirit?  Are your hearts tender and sympathetic?  Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one heart and purpose.  Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others.  Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself.  Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing.'  Suffering for a cause greater than yourself takes humility!  Let me encourage each of you to have the same attitude as Christ and study Scripture to grasp a better understanding of how our Savior suffered and died for each of us!!!  May that be our mission in the days ahead and may you see the changes that occur within you as you are obedient to His calling!
Your brother in Christ,
p 

God is continually working on each of us! Philippians 1:6

Hello everyone and good morning,
Do you realize that God, the One who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on that day when He meets you face to face.  I think of it as a work in progress!  When we allow Him the opportunity to work completely on an area that is in need of repair, the Master Craftsman chips away at our selfishness.  Our thankfulness overrules our complaining! When we allow the Father to rule our lives, we enable Him to mold us into the Creation that He intended for us to be!  When we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, Jesus jump started our battery (heart) so that we could show Him our appreciation for all that He has done!  Our human side falls back to those things that keep us from growing in Christ so it should be a constant reminder for us to run to Him for repair (forgiveness).  In the process (our lifetime), if we place our relationship with Jesus as our #1 priority, our Spiritual life will flourish.  What once was important will soon be of little or no interest.  Do you sometimes feel as though you are not making progress in your Spiritual walk?  If we are honest, even those closest to Him, feel that way at times.  The key is staying connected!  If God starts a project, He will not stop until He has completed it!  My good friend and dear brother Jeff Zak is a 'Living Example' of realizing that He needed Jesus right where he was!  He didn't feel as though he needed to wait until the time was right and put off the decision.  He woke up one day feeling trapped and overwhelmed and realized that life was not right and he asked for prayer and 'wham'!  In a blink of an eye his life changed and he is continuing to grow Spiritually day by day and God is smiling!  So no matter where you find yourself, let God chip away at your granite so that He can Create 'His Masterpiece'!!!!
Your brother in Christ,
p

How great is the Love of Christ? Ephesians 4:4-16

Good morning everyone,
The scriptures that we have at our fingertips are so powerful in how they apply to each of us!  Starting in Ephesians 4:4; We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future.  There is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and there is only one God and Father, who is over us all and in us all and living through us all.  However, He has given each one of us a special gift according to the generosity of Christ.  That is why the Scriptures say, 'When He ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to His people.'  Notice that it says 'he ascended.'  This means that Christ first came down to the lowly world in which we live.  The same one who came down is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that His rule might fill the entire universe.  He is the one who gave these gifts to the church:  the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.  Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do His work and build up the church, the body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.  Then we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different or because someone has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the truth.  Instead, we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ who is the head of His body, the church.  Under His direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly.  As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.  Each one of you receiving this blog was created by the God who I just read about from Scripture in Ephesians.  That same God Loves you and He created you so that you would go out into the world and be a 'Living Example' of that same Love to others.  May God richly Bless each of you as you trust Him to lead you on this awesome adventure!!
Your brother in Christ,
p 

Are you still eating baby food or have you moved on to solid food? Hebrews 5:11:14--6:12

Good morning everyone,
Today's scripture reading refers to us becoming mature in our Christian walk.  Do you find yourself still running through the basics in your understanding, or do you feel you have moved from the comfort zone into an area where you feel that you are growing?  In order to grow from infant Christians to mature Christians, we must learn discernment.  We must train our conscience, our senses, our mind, and our body to distinguish good from evil.  Can you recognize temptation before it traps you?  Our Spiritual growth is far more important than other aspect of our walk on this earth!  I hear a lot of people say that they never feel as though God has Blessed them with any 'special knowledge'.  I beg to differ because each of us has the same opportunity to receive special knowledge which leads to maturity in your Christian walk.  Are you doing the basics which leads to growing you up in a way that is pleasing to Him?  Are you reading Scripture, spending time with the Father, and attending a church that challenges you through teaching of the Scriptures?  The more we get out of our comfort zone (not relying on milk for nourishment), the more Christ can grow in and through us!  My challenge for you today is for you to start right where you are and ask God to work with you to change you little by little and whittle away at the old you to make you a new Creation!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Does the Bible speak to you or is it just words on parchment? Hebrews 4:12-13

Good morning everyone,
Starting the week refreshed after a decent nights sleep!  More importantly, I was able to spend some incredible quality time with my wonderful wife in Tucson over the weekend.  Hard to see her leave me on Sunday evening but I feel very Blessed to have had a 3 day weekend filled with adventures!  With that said, there seems to be a letdown when our adventures end.  When there is a disconnection from those that mean the most to us, there is a sense of loss unless we have something to replace those losses.  If you don't know where to go to get recharged or refreshed, let me encourage you to go to the Word!  It is simply not a collection of words from God.  It is a vehicle for communicating ideas; it is living, life-changing, and dynamic as it works in us.  In Hebrews 4:12-13, we are told, 'For the Word of God is full of living power.  It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires.  It exposes us for what we really are.  Nothing in all creation can hide from Him.  Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes.  This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done.'  When we read the Word, it is as if God reveals everything about who He is!  It is the ultimate story about Love!  The Love of the Heavenly Father for all of His children.  He created you and He desires to spend time with you so there can be fellowship and the Word is His way of revealing who is to you!
Your brother in Christ,
p     

What is your mission? John 20:23; Acts 20:23

Hey everyone,
Well, just what is your mission?  Does your bible have letters in 'red'?  Those being Jesus' words!  When Jesus spoke and it was recorded, He had something profound to say!  In John 20:23, He says, 'If you forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven.  If you refuse to forgive them, they are unforgiven."  Jesus was giving the disciples their Spirit-guided mission---to preach the Good News about Jesus so people's sins might be forgiven.  The disciples did not have the power to forgive sins (only God can forgive sins), but Jesus gave them the privilege of telling new believers that their sins have been forgiven because they have accepted Jesus' message.  All believers have this same privilege.  We can announce forgiveness of sins with certainty when we ourselves have found repentance and faith.  Don't shrink from your mission either!  In Acts 20:23, we are asked to be encouraged regardless of our efforts of presenting the gospel.  There may be extreme suffering that we encounter as we present the Gospel as Paul did.  Verse 23 says 'except that the Holy Spirit has told me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead.'  Paul knew what was in store for him, yet he never waivered in his faith!  With Christ being for you, who can stand against you?  Paul's mission was to proclaim the gospel regardless of the obstacles he faced and he knew the reward was greater than his effort; that also should be our mission!!!!  Even though we may suffer for a brief time, the reward is eternity with the Savior!!!!!!!!!!!! 
Your brother in Christ,
p 

God uses us in spite of our limitations and failures! 1Peter 2:9-10

Good morning everyone,
Do you ever feel like you get so busy doing stuff, that you miss out on where God is in the middle of what you are doing?  Do you feel as though you have limitations that keep you for doing more?  Are you in a washing machine and you find yourself in the spin cycle and you can't get out?  All of these are traps that satan puts out and it seems as though I struggle with these from time to time.  A good friend of mine reminded me recently that I need to not beat myself up when I can't get the blog out.  It seems I'll go for several days and everything seems to click.  Then I'll add several more things to my to-do list and then I become overwhelmed.  Even though I know there is a limit to what I can do physically, I still try and stick in more.  That is a formula for disaster!  Instead of completing a hugh bucket list everyday, I need to be reminded that maybe God is trying to say, 'Instead of being so busy being busy, take time to let Me show you what are the more important things and rest assured that I will assist you in getting those done even though you have limitations'.  He can use us even through our limitations and failures and it will make the whole world wonder how the mountain moved.  Instead of being frustrated with what I don't get accomplished, I need to praise Him for what I do accomplish.  Instead of focusing on the limitations, ask Him to shine through each of our situations so that the world will know that we are different.  I shouldn't base my self-worth on what I accomplish.  Instead I should focus on the fact that He wants to be involved in everything that I do so He can show the whole world who He is!!!
Your brother in Christ,
p