Saturday, December 31, 2011

Goals for the new year start with prayer seasoned with believing! Matthew 21:21-23

Good morning everyone,
When you open up the paper, especially on Sundays, it is filled with various ads of clothing, jewelry, and sporting goods.  This time of year is crucial for retail because they are trying to get rid of the old merchandise before releasing their new inventory.  Another year over and done with; the new year just hours away.  Just like retail, we as individuals should look at our year sometime before December 31 to make necessary adjustments to be more effective in the new year.  Goals are only achievable if they have several key elements included in them.  In searching out steps to easily achieving your goals, I found lots of ideas.  Personally, any goal worthy of its accomplishment is not easy!  I would like to share a list with each of you and modify it to place Jesus Christ in the center of the list and I think your important list will be vastly altered.
    (1) Be specific about what you want to achieve.
         Instead of having a goal to read through the entire bible, when you seldom open it, start by studying one book (something short like James) and then you have 65 additional treasures to explore next.
    (2) Draw up a plan of action.
         Be open to allowing God to alter that plan.
    (3) Make a list of steps.
         List the steps that you need to take in order to study through the book you have chosen:  exact time that you are going to study each day!  Personally, early in the morning is best for me.  
    (4) Act, do not be passive.  
         Most goals never happen, because we procrastinate.  We have good intentions, but those intentions are never carried out.
    (5) Read and listen to advice.
         Study the scriptures and meditate on them so God can direct your thoughts.
    (6) Alternative plans.
         If your specific time is interrupted, don't allow that to throw you off track.  Be consistent in giving Him time and your time will become His time.
    (7) Examine your goals periodically.
         Don't wait until December 31st to see if you are on track to complete your goal.
    (8) Repeat affirmations.
         At first make your tasks small so that you can rejoice with your Savior so that it will propel you on to accomplish bigger tasks!
    (9) Visualize your goal.
         Seeing small steps completed will give you a sense of completion and that will motivate you to stay the course.
   (10) Take action.
          Be consistent in taking the required steps in order for your goal to come to fruition.  If it means you need to get up earlier, ask God to help you with the sleep you need so that you will be sharper when awake to accomplish more. 
Brothers and sisters, let's bring in the new year totally connected to God's direction and ready to do what He ask!  Matthew 21:21-23 says Jesus replied, 'Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done.  If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.'  Everything done according to His will will result in accomplishments that reflect all of the  'light' back on the Savior!   
Your brother in Christ,
p

Friday, December 30, 2011

Why does seeing others hurt effect you? James 5:19-20

Good morning everyone,
Unless you just put your head in the sand, it doesn't take long to look around to find someone who is having difficulties!  Those could be physical ailments, struggling financially, broken marriages, spiritually broke or a combination of things.  Folks, there are people right next to you that are struggling just to put one foot in front of another.  For them, life doesn't make much sense anymore.  For me, there are several examples that some of my dear friends are going through right now and it makes my heart ache!  I don't really have any answers for them except I can offer my time to them and pray with them.  Good people, but life altering things happening to them.  Sometimes, life becomes a bunch of things happening that we as individuals have a hard time putting a hold on to get it to slow  down.  I've often explained the analogy of the spin cycle on your washing machine and you are in it and the machine will not stop!  Has your life become a viscous cycle that you can't slow down?  If it has, then we need a prayer meeting and I offer my service up to you!  If you are hurting and you can't make sense of the chaos that you find yourself in, we need to take time to go see Jesus!  All along, we try and handle problems on our own because we feel as though Jesus is too busy doing other things.  I want to tell you right now; Jesus wants to know any and ever concern you have whether it be something really little or something monstrous.  See, Jesus is in the business of changing the way we deal with things because when we include Him, He takes over the problem!  Pray right now and don't put it off!  James 5:19-20 says, 'My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this:  Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.' 
Your brother in Christ,
p

Thursday, December 29, 2011

The birth of Jesus changed everything! John 3:16-17

Good morning everyone,
Is your life back to more of the same mundane stuff that you had before or is your life different because of the birth of Jesus?  See, Jesus is the reason that we should get excited about the season, but it shouldn't end there!  His birth should be the springboard for us to have hope and to go out and encourage those that we encounter on a daily basis.  Fears, struggles, failures, death and diseases are just to name a few of the conditions that we will encounter while we are on this earth.  Without Jesus, you will never know the Prince of Peace!  Without Jesus, all of the above conditions are a recipe for a miserable life with no destination!  But with Jesus, He will show you how you can be an integral part of His ultimate plan.  Think of each of us as being a pawn in a chess match!  Even the lowliest pawn can be used to take down the king in disguise!  I know many of you do not feel worthy of your importance but I would like you to consider that Jesus Christ wants everyone to come to know Him and it just might be you that He chooses to use to accomplish that!  Pray that you allow Jesus to move you (a lowly pawn) wherever He wants to in order to accomplish 'mighty works!'  John 3:16-17 tells us, 'For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.'
Your brother in Christ,
p   

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Recanting your faith! 2 Corinthians 12:7

Good morning everyone,
Just a few days left until 2011 is over and the new year of 2012 will be upon us.  Several emails I read today remind me of the strength of our faith being the key ingredient that determines our makeup!  My buddy Scott got great news yesterday and for the time being, he doesn't need to have surgery again.  Even at his bleakest moments, his faith has remained rock solid and that is a testimony about knowing your Savior intimately!  Another email that caught my eye is about a pastor in Iran that is on death row because of his belief in Jesus Christ!  For over a year, he has been imprisoned and probably being tortured because of those beliefs.  Due to the media getting hold of this information, Iran is being watched very carefully to see if they are going to follow through on the verdict or if they are going to release this man of God.  In the mean time, they are trying to test him every way possible to see if they can get him to recant his faith!  How far would you be willing to go to show how strong your faith is or would you shake a fist at God and tell Him you deserve better?  It doesn't matter that you are attacked physically, emotionally, spiritually, or a combination of these; Jesus is willing to carry you through the situation.  In fact, the more serious the situation, the more he can use you to reflect a light back on Him so that others will see that a miracle is revealed!  Get to know the Savior intimately and the next time you are tested, He will give you a 'light' to help you see the 'way!'  2 Corinthians 12:7 tells us that Paul had some type of problem, obstacle, or hinderance that caused him great anguish yet it kept him from becoming conceited.  That humility allowed God to use Paul and show folks that any and all obstacles can be overcome if we put our complete faith in the Father!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Why was He sent? Luke 4:43

Good morning everyone,
As we approach the time to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ, do we really stop and think about the magnitude of why He was sent?  Luke 4:43 tells us, But He said, 'I must proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.'  He was born into this world some 2000 plus years ago to begin a mission to save the world.  In a little over 30 short years, He completed His physical life and people are still talking about the impact that He made while He was here.  There have been many famous people that have come and gone over the last 2000 years but none come close to the importance of our Lord and Savior.  Once He was born, He took very little time to learn everything He could so that He could begin His ministry about sharing love with everyone.  He didn't rest very often, He passed up eating when others reclined and dined, and He prayed when others couldn't stay awake.  'A Man on a Mission' is the title that could have been placed on His tombstone because He took those short years of life and made the most out of them!  He didn't waste time with trivial stuff.  He made the wisest people seem trite and He showed worth to even the simple minded!  Anybody who thought they were much; He brought low and anybody who thought they were insignificant; He showed them compassion.  I want to ask each of you a question.  What is your mission while you have time left?  Let me encourage each of you to put a sense of urgency on showing God's love like Jesus did so that 2012 can be looked back on as a year of celebration!  Merry Christmas and may the love of Christ fill each of your homes as you celebrate together!
Your brother in Christ,

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Are you ready to celebrate His birth? Luke 2:1-20

Good morning everyone,
Yesterday I heard a conversation on the radio and the discussion was about how most of us approach people with greeting them on the street this time of year.  Do you greet them by saying Happy holidays or do you say Merry Christmas?  The poll of the people taken showed that approximately 60%-70% greeted people by saying Merry Christmas.  Thank God!  Interesting enough, the holiday that was started to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior has become a marketing bonanza for retail around the world.  The focus has become less and less about Luke 2:1-20 and has become more about the almighty dollar!  Let me encourage you to make Jesus Christ the focal point of the remaining time through Christmas day and into the new year!  Even if you spend more on Christmas than some low income families make in a year, make sure you share the love of Christ with everyone.  Let them know that Jesus is the real reason for the season and even incorporate that Truth into your gift giving.  As you participate in opening gifts, may I suggest that you take a little extra time in having discussions about what He means to you and how He wants all of us to share His love all year long!  Maybe, before each gift is opened, have the recipient share one thing about what they are thankful.  I think that you will find Christmas having a whole new set of traditions for years to come!
Your brother in Christ,

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Is your way all about you or does it represent 'The Way?' John 14:6

Good morning everyone,
Jesus Christ tells us in John 14:6 that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life!  He goes on to tell us that no one comes to be with the Father except through Him!  If your way is any other way than the one that He describes for us, then you are totally trying the wrong way.  You will frustrate yourself until you realize that He is the One that will set you free.  The beautiful thing is that it's not too late.  You still have an opportunity as long as He allows you to still draw a breath!  Many will go to their grave never giving God the chance to show them the Way!  Many of us make it difficult when Jesus Christ has made it so very simple.  My good friend Scott Arnold is struggling for his physical life but he knows that his eternity has already been guaranteed for him.  See, once you have tasted all that Jesus has prepared for you, death becomes only a stepping stone to get to the Father!  Doesn't that give you a sense of anticipated excitement?  I know that it does for me.  So please pray for his family as they struggle with seeing Scott go through a rather rapid decline with his health!  Is God through with him yet?  I don't think so but it does put life in prospective as far as how short this life is and it also puts a sense of urgency in us, making sure that we have the same guarantee as Scott!  Don't delay!  If you haven't done so, give your life over to the One who is called 'The Way!'
Your brother in Christ,
p

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Conversation with God! Psalm 46:10; Colossians 4:6

Good morning everyone,
Tap, tap, tap!  Startled, I awake to a darkened room.  On the night stand I can see the red glowing numbers of a clock that hasn't quite come into focus.  I'm not sure where I'm at; just confused what woke me up.  As I gain my composure, I realize that light is trickling through from around the curtain on the far left side from where I'm laying.  By now, I can read the clock and it appears to be 5:30 but I'm not sure if it is a.m. or p.m.!  First, I think I'd overslept because I was supposed to be at work at 4:00 a.m.  Then I realize that I'd only been asleep a few minutes and the time is actually 5:30 p.m.  From alarm to fear and back to relaxation in a matter of a few seconds makes me wonder again what woke me up!  I again hear a tap, tap, tap!  My eyes pop back open and I almost hear myself say, 'who is it?'  That tapping sound wasn't an actual noise picked up by my ears but rather an internal plucking on my heart strings.  Then it happened!  As clear as a normal verbal conversation, I hear the Lord speak to me.  No, not in a verbal sense.  I reason that maybe I'm dreaming but then I realize I'm wide awake.  The word 'yes' falls from my lips.  Then I wonder who I'm speaking with or have I been up so much that I'm losing my mind!  For years, I've had similar experiences but I've shrugged them off to being exhausted.  God has literally taken me by the hand and has escorted me from bed.  I've tried numerous times staying there so I can return to my long winters nap.  More times than not I've laid there with a sense of uneasiness.  This time I heard Him tell me that there is work to be done.  You can sleep later!  The few minutes of rest I just gave you is sufficient.  What I've learned, ladies and gentlemen, a power nap from the Lord is truly all you need.  When you experience His presence and you do not respond to His prodding, you will not rest like you should.  Listen to His still small voice or as Scott Arnold would say, 'His loud clear voice', and do what He tells you to doThere is no peace until you know Peace!  Whether it be prayer for your brother or sister, prayer for a specific need, or a message He wants you to write down; do not delay.  Know Him and know what He is trying to get you to do!  When you do that, you will have your own conversation with the Father!  Psalm 46:10 tells us to be still so we can know that He is God.  Colossians 4:6 reminds us that if we have conversations with the Father then our conversations with others will be full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that we may know how to answer everyone.
Your brother in Christ,
p

Friday, December 16, 2011

Content but available for growth! 1 Timothy 6:6

Good morning everyone,
Do you find yourself in a place that you feel there should be so much more?  I think it is really easy to look at your neighbor and wish that you had what they have!  Some years ago I heard a sermon on contentment and it has stuck with me ever since and it changed my attitude toward my own situation.  At the time I didn't have a job and Deborah was the only income in the family.  Things were tight and my self esteem was lost in the closet.  The message was about being content where I was but allowing God to use me so that He could mold me into something so much more.  At the time, I thought how could He use nothing because that is what I thought I had to give.  I've learned that God is the Master of creating something out of nothing.  Let me explain!  When everything is against you and after you've tried all the things humanly possible (you feel as though you are at your lowest), that is when a true miracle can actually happen.  In the last 15 years, I've tried to contribute anyway I could to help support our family.  I've worked a number of jobs and most of them have not been that glamorous but I have never stopped trying to provide!  Through all of the early stages of my marriage, Deborah saw a man that was struggling but one that had great potential.  Let me encourage you to never stop seeking the Lord and you will find that He can show you what plan He has for you!  The situation you find yourself in may be rather grim, but the result of how He can use you can be life changing.  I look back now and I'm in awe of the adventure that Deborah and I have been on and He isn't through with us yet!  Give God the glory and you will be amazed at the contentment He gives while He creates an opportunity for expansion and for the focus to be on Him!  1 Timothy 6:6 says, 'But Godliness with contentment is great gain.'
Your brother in Christ,
p

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Peace that surpasses all understanding! Philippians 4:7; Isaiah 26:3

Good morning everyone,
Philippians 4:7 says, 'And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your minds in Christ Jesus.'  Isaiah 26:3 says, 'You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind (both its inclination and its character) is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.'   Peace seems to avoid many of us because we fail to be able to cut out the distractions of life.  Have you ever ask God to stop the spin cycle so you can hop out of the machine to regain your bearings?
Much of the time, we try and juggle too many activities and thus we can't focus on one particular area where we need to serve Him!  Peace comes to those who trust in His guidance and direction.  If the Father doesn't think it is important, why should we feel as though it is super important to get all 53 projects done before we can spend time with Him.  It is funny how we justify that work requires us to do such and such in order to be considered a success!  The people that I admire are the ones that use their profession as a platform to shine a light on Jesus.  True peace comes to those that prioritize the things that are important and they don't let work become their God.  Even if you are successful at getting all 53 projects done, do you think your work will require anything less in the weeks to follow?  If you are so tired and out of gas on the weekends that you go into your closet instead of spending time in church and taking time to fellowship with other believers, you are confusing what God deems to be important.  Please consider consulting with the Coach so you will know what game plan He has for you to carry out!  Then peace will surpass anything that can you can understand!  
Your brother in Christ,
p

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Unspeakable Joy! Psalm 28:7

Good morning everyone,
Psalm 28:7 is a great verse to get your day started off with an incredible thankful heart!  It says, 'The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me.  My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I will praise Him.'  Who is the One that will protect you and keep you safe?  The Creator, Lord and Savior says it all.  He created you; He should be Lord over your entire life and He is the One that will save you from your enemies!  No one else will do!  By placing your trust in Him and praising Him for all you go through, your heart will begin to see life in a whole new prospective.  You have very little to do with the circumstances you are placed in or that you are faced with but you have much to do with having a thankful heart!  It is my sincere hope that each of you stop what you are doing to just simply praise God and thank Him for allowing you to be in the place you are!  Many times we spin our wheels wishing and hoping to be somewhere else when God really wants to use us right where we stand!  Instead of being disappointed at your circumstances, spend time thanking Him and see if that doesn't give you a different outlook.  I think you will see your heart being molded into a more usable heart.  A heart that sees more like the Father sees!  He gave us eyes to see but I believe He gave us our heart to be multi dimensionsal.  Not only do things sharpen from a visual standpoint but we start to love and feel like the Father!  Our heart will experience 'Unspeakable Joy!' The littlest of the little things will speak out volumes about His Creation!  The more you thank Him, the more you will find yourself right where He wants you!
Your brother in Christ,

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Who are we as believers? John 12:24

Good morning everyone,
I just finished reading a book I would consider a 'must read' for all of you!  The title of the book is 'same kind of different as me.'  It is about a modern-day slave, an international art dealer, and the unlikely women who bound them together.  Even though we all are made up somewhat differently in a physical sense, there may be miles apart difference in the way we are raised up!  We were created by One God who determined who our physical parents would be.  Denver Moore (modern-day slave) is to be introduced by Ron Hall (international art dealer) at a small church before Denver is to deliver a sermon.  Ron is supposed to give an introduction that outlines the life about Denver's tough upbringing!  Instead Denver ask Ron to say, 'Just tell em I'm a nobody that's tryin to tell everybody bout Somebody that can save anybody!'  That line, ladies and gentlemen, is really what being a Christian should be about.  We are all created to share the love of Christ with those that don't know Him personally.  Even though there is a ton of difference financially between the rich and the poor, there is really no difference in the message that Jesus Christ wants both groups to know about!  You may never know how much your witness means because the fruit of your labor may not show up until many years after you have left this earth!  John 12:24 says, 'Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.  But if it dies, it produces many seeds.'  Our life should be devoted to sharing the love of Christ with others.  Who knows; maybe you will be connected to someone that only God could have brought together!  Go out today and share with someone what the Lord has done for you.  It may just be what draws them in to want to know more about their Father!
Your brother in Christ,
p       

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Do you ever fear you will be left behind? 1 Thessalonians 4:17

Good morning everyone,
I come to you this morning with a sense of hope!  All of you have choices that you will make everyday.  Some good and some not so good.  1 Thessalonians 4:17 says 'After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And so we will be with the Lord forever.'  To me that gives me a hope that helps me to endure.  It should do the same for you.  For believers, it doesn't matter when your eternity starts because the guarantee is that you will be with the Lord.  In essence your eternity has already started.  Whenever the Lord decides to call you home, all you will be doing is changing addresses!  Woo Hoo! The little bit of suffering that you and I experience is only a speck in the scope of what our Lord and Savior suffered for us.  Staying in touch with the Father is the key to the endurance that we need to maintain and effectively finish the race.  Some of our loved ones will leave this physical earth before we do and it is our job to receive the directions He wants us to carry own.  As I age, I see my own life evaporating right before my eyes.  Some days I look in the mirror and I start to see an aging process that pictures only a few years ago didn't reveal.  With every wrinkle, may it remind me of the scars that Jesus bore for each of us on the cross.  To me the people that are most beautiful are those that shine a light for Jesus no matter how old they are physically.  Because then the wrinkles start to tell a story of what Jesus means to them.  My prayer for each of you is to know that it doesn't matter when He decides to take you home to be with Him.  It does matter that you be ready when that happens.  Live for Jesus as if He were coming today!
Your brother in Christ,
p    

Friday, December 9, 2011

What does Christmas mean to you? Luke 1:35

Good morning everyone,
What are your memories of Christmas and are they good or bad?  For me, Christmas has evolved into a time of year that I reflect on how my relationship is doing with my Lord and Savior.  It is a time that I have to spend with those friends that truly enjoy the celebration of His birth!  It use to be a time that I sort of dreaded because the focus was more about giving and receiving gifts and after the fanfare, there was a lot missing.  Luke 1:35 reminds us who we should celebrate about.  'The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.'  It is good to know that if the focus is in the right place, it leaves you with a sense of why we were made the way we are!  Giving and receiving is good as long as you keep Christ in the center of the event.  To truly give a loved one a gift from your heart is a beautiful thing.  Just remember, it is not about how much you spend; it is about giving something to someone because you care about them.  Whether it be a friend or family that you buy something for this year, listen to their needs.  It could simply be spending time with that person and showing that you care.  Do something out of the ordinary this year and be available to have a conversation that will last all year long!  Christmas is really about giving your heart and loving folks right where they are.  To love as Christ is by far the most awesome gift you can give and by far the best gift anyone will ever receive!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Tis the Season for giving or is it receiving? Colossians 3:17

Good morning everyone,
I'm back at home for a few days and boy does it feel good!  I pray that each of you made it through the Thanksgiving holiday by not adding too many additional pounds.  One thing that always seems to occur this time of year;  all the routines of denying that second piece of pie seem to go by the wayside.  I seem to justify that one more piece is okay because my will power seems to have taken a vacation.  Do you find yourself doing the same?  Today I would like to speak on what the season of Christmas should be for each of us.  Most of society has turned it into a free for all on how much can be spent on our loved ones.  Let me remind you that no matter what you spend, that isn't really what most of our loved ones need.  Have you ever noticed that once all the presents are opened, there seems to be a big let down in the period that follows.  We spend many hours decorating, stuffing wrapped presents under the tree and then the clean up!  Is that really what Jesus is all about?  What most people need is not a new shiny truck but they do need the love of Jesus!  The shiny truck dulls after a period of time but the love of Jesus shines all year long!  Jesus expects you to give your heart and the gift of love instead of expecting the newest technology that will be outdated before you unwrap the gift that you just have to have!  My prayer for each of you this year is to turn your eyes on those in need!  Take some of that money you would have spent on the gift that has already been forgotten and spend it on someone who has been forgotten by society.  This year consider giving the gift of Jesus as a re gift because Jesus has already been given to you!  Colossians 3:17 says, 'And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.'
Your brother in Christ,
p

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Should we forgive everyone? Matthew 6:14-15

Good morning everyone,
As I start my day here in New York, I find myself tired and out of gas!  By the time I get back home, I will have been gone for a month.  There seems to  be cracks in my makeup.  Life here in New York seems to make the busy traffic in California seem like a cake walk in Central Park.  People don't have time to stop and respond to you saying hello because for the most part, they think you are wanting something in return.  They also have so much on their plate, they are driven to the point of the fast spin cycle in your Maytag!  Warp speed is what I call the mayhem in trying to drive and maneuver around the borough's of the city.  That brings me to the point of what this devotional is about today.  Everybody needs forgiveness!  Is it your job to determine what is going on with the people you encounter for you to determine if they should be forgiven?  In the situations I've described above, we have no earthly idea what they encountered before they come across our path.  Maybe they just got fired from their job, maybe they are going through a divorce, maybe they just committed murder, or maybe they are contemplating suicide!  The thief on the cross that ask for forgiveness is in Paradise with the Savior!  Should we not also forgive those that have committed the most heinous crimes and let God be the judge?  Matthew 6:14-15 addresses that issue!  "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."  That is not a suggestion; that my brothers and sisters is a command!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Don't say not yet! Luke 9:23, 59

Good morning everyone,
I hope and pray that all of you are having a Blessed holiday!  I often wonder why we procrastinate when it is obvious that Christ asks us to lay down our crosses daily and follow Him!  There are two reasons why we should not delay in following Christ!  (1) Tomorrow may never come and (2) God may get tired of asking you.  Everyday, realize that you are living your life as a gift from God.  That is why they call it, the 'present!'  Yesterday is gone and cannot be relived and tomorrow is uncertain.  But today, you can live for Jesus and become a true follower and not just be a fan!  In Luke 9:23 Jesus says, 'If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.'  In Luke 9:59 Jesus says to another person, 'Come, follow me.'  The man agreed, but he said that he needed to return home to bury his father first.  What excuses do you make before you are willing to follow God with your whole heart?  Whether it be a cold heart, an unforgiving heart, or a life style that doesn't include the Savior, everyday without Christ is one day closer to shutting Him out for good!  Ask God to take you right where you are at to consume you so that any and all barrier walls will be broken down!  He seeks you many times during the day.  Are you so busy being busy that you fail to notice?  Do you say, 'God, you can have this part of my heart, but that part I'm not willing to let you change yet?'  Pray to Him for a complete restoration of your heart right now and if it is a sincere request, He will honor that request!  You make the choice!
Your brother in Christ,
p      

Friday, November 25, 2011

Joy in the morning! Psalm 30:4-5

Good morning everyone,
Thanksgiving day was a day to celebrate with family and friends.  I ate way too much, but it sure was fun.  For you individuals that spent it alone, I pray that you had special time with the Lord!  Whether you had a difficult day or you had a time of joy, remember that Jesus is there to carry you!  Psalm 30:4-5 says, 'Sing to the Lord, all you Godly ones!  Praise His holy name.  For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime!  Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.'  Regardless of the trials and tribulations you face, God is ready to restore your soul to carry you to your final destination!  That destination can be an eternity with Him.  Some of you feel as though you've done way too much to ever receive grace from the Creator.  Even though we've all disappointed Him, it is because of His grace that there is hope and restoration.  None of us have been written off as hopeless!  Wherever you are at, remember that Jesus can still use you to have His light shine through your situation.  Even though it may appear hopeless, Jesus is ready to perform a miracle.  Choose this day whom you will serve.  As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15)! 
Your brother in Christ,
p

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Ready to be thankful! Colossians 2:6-8

Good morning everyone,
Tomorrow is a day for all of us to celebrate as a nation about being thankful!  I'm not sure everybody that you or I know will have the same opportunity to have a big meal with all of the trimmings.  It should also be a time when we thank God for all that He has provided!  You may say that you don't have much to be thankful for but I would beg to differ.  No matter what you may be going through, I would like to remind you that your Lord and Savior is still there to love you in the midst of any suffering that you are enduring!  He will give you reason to celebrate even in the midst of pain and suffering.  If He celebrated while carrying the cross, shouldn't we celebrate all the more knowing that He is there to carry us until our lives have finished?  Even a brain tumor cannot stop my friend Scott from celebrating the victory of eternal life over death!  Just like Jesus rose on the third day, Scott is shining for Jesus even though he has been given a death sentence.  He has been promised that he will be sharing eternity with the Father.  In fact, we all have been given a death sentence and in the scope of eternity, we will all sit down at some point and have a personal conversation with our Maker.  Some will have that conversation quicker than others.  Let me encourage you to shine for Jesus as you approach Thanksgiving and do something extra special for folks who feel as though they are already dead!  Your act of thankfulness and compassion may be the turning point for individuals who have given up to see that Jesus loves them too!  Colossians 2:6-8 says, 'So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.  See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.'  Happy Thanksgiving and don't forget to include Christ in your festivities as you celebrate why you are thankful!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Relief from your enemies! Esther 9:22

Good morning everyone,
Are you tired of getting beat up from those individuals that seem like they bully you more than your fair share?  Do you ever wonder why so many individuals feel intimidated by your successes?  Have you ever prayed for those individuals instead of taking it so personally?  Esther 9:22 says, 'as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration.  He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.'  When you go through tough times, when you encounter people that attack you for seemingly no reason, when you feel as though the world is against you, who do you turn to for refuge?  Have you ever thought about doing something nice for those that treat you wrong?  It is possible that the people that are attacking you are simply scared and they live in defence mode.  In other words, they only know how to attack because that is the way they survive.  Maybe nobody has ever shown them the love of Christ!  Let me encourage you to do something different the next time somebody attacks you; pray for them first and ask God to give you His love to shower them back with and see what happens.  When you do that, your days of sorrow may just turn into days of feasting and joy!  Gods love can overturn any and all obstacles so that Jesus Christ shines through to make a bad situation one that will require a celebration!  
Your brother in Christ,

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Are you hungry? Matthew 25:35

Good morning everyone,
As I sit and ponder what I'm going to do today, I wonder if you feel the same way I feel?  Have you been so busy lately that you're not sure what has kept you going?  My schedule has been chaotic to the point of exhaustion, but my Lord has restored this tired and weary soul!  Today has been my first lazy day in a long time and I've been thinking about a question that I think we all need to consider!  For most of us here in the United States, hunger is quickly disappated because we eat because we can!  In a lot of countries, hunger is a common occurance and many individuals go to sleep at night with their stomachs still growling!  It isn't a matter of opening up the pantry and fixing a late night snack!  It is more about simply trying to survive!  As you approach your day, consider feeding someone else so that you can put yourself in a hungry persons shoes.  As you buy someones meal, also offer them this verse!  Matthew 25:35
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,Matthew 25:34-36 (in Context) Matthew 25 (Whole Chapter)

Ladies and gentlemen, feed people with physical food and in addition, feed them the word of God and they will see the face of God!  Love folks right where you are at and share what God has so richly Blessed you with and two things will happen!  Love changes each heart and Jesus Christ will shine through the situation.  See, people need to know that Jesus Christ is real in your life and they need to see Him at work and not be just a bunch of words!
May God richly Bless each of you as you seek His face and serve so others are given the same opportunities that you have been so richly given!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Friday, November 18, 2011

Persevering when you feel beat up! 1 Corinthians 13:6-8

Good morning everyone,
Some days it would just be better if we didn't have to face the barrage of issues that are going to happen.  These past few weeks, I've seen love ones go through seemingly unsurmountable attacks!  Physical ailments, mental meltdowns, Spiritual warfare, and the list goes on and on.  Through it all, I've noticed a common thread that makes those situations bearable.  It has allowed me to spend opportunistic time with my Savior to lift those concerns to Him!  1 Corinthians 13:6-8 seems to jump off the pages of Scripture to remind me that persevering is the key to getting through those days that I would rather write off as easily forgotten.  "Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails.  The key word in that Scripture that helps me endure is always!  When we literally can't do a thing to help those that are struggling, we can still pray with those individuals and watch the miracles begin.  God says when you think about giving up, I'll be there to help you persevere!  Is that not the best hope that any of us has been given?  When you feel like giving up, let me encourage you to reach out to me so that I can pray for you!  Brothers and sisters, I feel as though I hit a wall a couple of weeks ago and the head cold of ages has rocked my world.  Working 13-16 hour days has not helped but God has allowed me to let Him carry me and He has assured me that His love will endure!  No matter what you have been carrying in your backpack,  your Lord and Savior is ready to carry it for you!  Give Him the opportunity to shine through your situation and be ready to see a miracle transpire!
Your brother in Christ,
p     

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

What is the point of recognition? Matthew 6:1-3

Good morning everyone,
All of us like to be praised when we do something that is 'good!'  That is simply part of our human nature.  But we have to be very careful why we do the things that we do.  Matthew 6:1-3 points out the dangers of wrongful giving!  "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them.  If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.  So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others.  Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.  But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what you right hand is doing."  Brothers and sisters, ask the Lord to give you a generous heart so that you give because it is the right thing to do and not simply a required thing to do!  Everything you have been Blessed with up to this point is really what He has allowed.   And remember that everything you have is really only on loan from Him in the first place.  Most of us live on what we have and not on the 'faith' of what we don't have!  To be generous with a heart like our Savior, we have to be willing to let Him stretch us to the point of truly following Him.  When we give, Father help us to give with our whole heart; not for the purpose of getting praise from men but simply because we want to please You!  Simply said, you can not out give the 'Giver!'  I know a lot of you are wondering how you can tithe anymore than you currently are doing.  There are many ways that you can tithe and my suggestion is to allow God to show you how He can use you more effectively.  Ask Him to use you to be a deflector of who He is so that when you help someone, help them to see Jesus and not you the person!  As we approach the holidays, may I make a suggestion that each of us seek His face so that we can see where He wants us to serve!  Serve as in giving of our time so that we take our eyes off of our own mess so that He can show us how better to use the 24 hours per day that we have.  Mess is the beginning of message, and God is capable of giving you a heart like His and He can turn you messes into a message of hope for others if you will allow Him! 
Your brother in Christ,
p

Friday, November 11, 2011

You are Everything! Mark 7:37

Good morning everyone,
Mark 7:37 tells us that people were overwhelmed with amazement.  "He has done everything well," they said.  "He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."  Over the last few days, I feel as though the rug has been pulled out from under me!  I've come down with a bad head cold or I'm just 'worn slick' from all the travel!  It could be a combination of the two.  Either way I'm reminded that my Lord and Savior is still right beside me.  No matter when you body wears to the point of exhaustion, remember God is there to carry you through to create a situation for His light to shine!  We were made to be courageous when we are bombarded with all the things that are thrown at us.
Courage requires trust and in Psalm 9:10 we are told, "Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You."  That verse should give you the courage to never be scared and to seek Him at all cost.  He has guaranteed you an eternity where no one else can even guarantee you the present!  Does that excite you?  I know for myself, His promises are what keep me going when nothing else makes sense.  I invite you to start your day with Him so before the messes start to mount, He can instruct to you a message that is crystal clear!  He loves each of you and more than anything, He wants you to see that by you giving Him praise, He will never forsake you!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Saturday, November 5, 2011

His Love endures forever! Psalm 100:5

Good morning everyone,
Psalm 100:5 should be the verse you read over and over again.  It states that, 'For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.'  That is a promise that should not be forgotten.  That verse is one that should give us hope and help us to realize even though the world is against us, our Lord and Savior is for us!  If we trust Him, His promise will be lived out through our lives.  In today's world, we have many promises that are made to us and many times those promises are broken.  Verse four tells us that we are to enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.  If you do that, I can guarantee that for the problems you face, He will help you to overcome the insurmountable!  If you try and do it alone, you are going to run into more obstacles than you can 'shake a stick at.'  I encourage each of you to connect with the only One that can help you to see that there is beauty in those obstacles if you see through His eyes.  Prospective is either I have messes upon messes because I'm trying to do it alone or those messes become miracles that He works through and gives me an 'attitude of gratitude.'  After all it is your choice to choose this day who you will serve!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Thursday, November 3, 2011

This is the day that the Lord has made! Psalm 118:23-25

Good morning everyone,
Why get excited about what today holds?  Have you ever had those days where you wake up and it would be better and easier to just roll over and go back to sleep?  I think we all have experienced that kind of start.  Let me tell you some exciting news about what God is capable of and then maybe you'll be able to look at things in a 'greater light.'  Just the fact that God isn't tired of our rebellion yet gives us hope!  He hasn't shut the door on us just yet and turned out the lights and said the party is over; now it is time to clean up the mess.  Brothers and sisters, there is still time as long as you are breathing and blood is pumping through your veins.
Psalm 118:23-25 reminds us to remember all that the Lord has done for us.  He put the world in motion and He is the One who put life and breath in each of us.  Why should we have an attitude that stinks before we even get out of bed?  Shouldn't we be jubilant and thankful that we were important enough to Him that He even created us in the first place!  You are an integral part of the biggest  project that has ever taken place!  It isn't just happen chance that you were one of the chosen to carry out His plans!  Shouldn't we listen a little more to Him to know how He wants us to carry them out?  Agree to spend a little more time with him and give Him the first fruits of your labor and see what happens.  Since this is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it! 
Your brother in Christ,
p

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

What's next! Matthew 25:21

Good morning everyone,
Have you ever wondered what's next in your life?  It could be that you are completely stoked about life and your are excited about the next opportunity that God has chosen for you or it could be you are completely done with all the frustrations that seem to come your way.  Did you know that God can use you either way and have His light shine through you?  In fact, the more hopeless the situation, the know He can use your situation to make a Blessing come from your mess!  I know a lot of you feel as though you are the last person on this earth that God could use to reach the unreachable!  See, I believe that God is truly the God He says He is.  He can move mountains if you will simply have the faith of a mustard seed!  Have you lost your faith?  Just remember the more hopeless your situation, the more possible a gigantic miracle can take place.  My brother Scott is a perfect example of what God can do with a tough situation.  He just recently had a brain tumor removed and has been given by his doctors a shortened amount of time to live.  Wait a minute; they don't realize the God he serves!  God is continuing to use Scott in a mighty way and through his situation, God is demonstrating character like I've never seen!  His physical death is pending but His eternal life in Jesus Christ has already started.  There is a small town here in the state of New York that I'm working next to and its name is Endwell!  It is ironic because that is what Scott is living out!  He is ending well!  Scott is living out Matthew 25:21 and I can already hear the Master saying well done good and faithful servant.  May each of you draw ever closer to our Savior to find out just what He intends to do with you next!  
Your brother in Christ,
p

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Faith is Confidence and Assurance! Hebrews 11

Good morning everyone,
When nothing makes sense at all, faith is what gets you through any given situation.  It has often been said that faith is only as strong as the object in which it is placed!  Chapter 11 of Hebrews is a chapter completely full of individuals that God used to show their incredible faith.  Faith is believing even though you  physically can't see it!  Put yourself in the position that the people in this chapter find themselves.  For example, Noah started building an ark some 100 years before the rains came.  He was made fun of and laughed at even by his own family, and yet he let no one get in the way of his instructions from His Creator!  Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son because he had the faith that Someone greater than himself could restore and bring back to life that which he was instructed to sacrifice.  God is looking for a few good men and women who are willing to be obedient and willing to do what He says without questioning!  Are you one of those that wants your faith to be rock solid like these individuals protrayed?  Are you willing to trust that God will do a mighty work through the faith that He displays through your life?  I know I am!!  May it be your prayer today that God instill in you a faith that you will be able to withstand any and all attacks from the enemy!  God is mighty and God is willing to work out a 'life of faith' through His children.  Ask Him and you shall receive!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Are you ready for a change? Psalm 15:4

Good morning everyone,
I would like to start the devotional off this morning with me asking each of you a question.  Are you ready for a change?  Psalm 15:4 says, 'in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the Lord; who swears to his own hurt and does not change.'  Several things stand out in this scripture and it seems as though they speak directly to each of us.  Fearing the Lord is a good thing because our own corruption only has one cure and that is honoring your Creator.  We all can see the condition of the mess we live in and without Christ, there is no hope.  He is the key to changing our hearts to be more like Him.  We will never be like Him here on this earth but it should be our desire to want to please Him in all that we do.  The beautiful thing is that He is ready to change us if we will just allow Him to do so!  The condition of the physical situation you find yourself in may be what you have to live with but the condition of your heart can totally be changed by you reaching out to the Heart Surgeon!  Neither you or I can know why and it is not our job to question the Lord on allowing satans attacks!  It is our job to live life for Him so that those attacks can be victoriously won to shine a 'light' on the Savior!  Most of us complain about the muck and mire that we find ourselves in but most of us do very little in 'Praising God' through it!  Character is a gift that God gives us through the trials that we are bombarded with if we will completely trust and obey!  If you trust and obey, you will find that there is no other way because Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6)!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Friday, October 28, 2011

My heart is spoken for! Psalm 27:3

Good morning everyone,
What an incredible promise we have in knowing that our hearts are spoken for and Psalm 27:3 can give you the confidence and the reassurance that God has you covered!  'Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.'  No one else but the Father Himself can give you that assurance!  Many of you are struggling right now just to pick up your feet and put them back down again.  You feel completely out of sink and out of sorts.  Let me encourage you as you start your day; give Him glory and honor first and see if that confidence and assurance doesn't come back.  Whether it be financially, physically, emotionally or just not knowing why you've lost touch with the Savior, remember that He has your heart!  Your surroundings sometimes are jumbled and just doing the basic stuff becomes a real challenge.  You feel as though you are having a heart attack and to be honest, you would prefer to having one and getting the discomfort out of your system.  Well, our Lord and Savior may have a different set of plans for you than the ones you developed!  Everything we endure is peanuts compared to what He endured and nothing is too much considering everything is the setup for what is to come.  Let the Heart Surgeon take your heart and completely restore your soul and He will help you see it through to completion! 
Your brother in Christ,
p

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Upholding the fallen! Psalm 145:14

Good morning everyone,
When you fall down, it seems as though sometimes it is hard to get back up!  You may feel as though you've been hit right in the middle of your gut and all the air has been knocked out of you!  Psalm 145:14 jumped out at me today because it gives me tremendous hope!  'The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down.'  When we call out to the Lord for mercy and fall on our knees in humble adoration to Him, He will restore you far better than you deserve.  It is His promise to each of us!  Falling on our knees is the least we can do when we enter into His presence.  When everything seems to be completly out of control, remember what He has done for you.  If you have good health, praise Him!  If your health is bad, praise Him!   It doesn't matter your condition; He is there in the midst of your celebrations as well as your miseries.  In the Scriptures, David messed up many times but he was identified as a 'man after God's own heart!'  No matter what he did, he realized he was broken and he ask God for restoration through forgiveness!  All of us need restoration and there is only One who can give that to us!  That is Jesus Christ!  Call out to your Lord and Savior today and ask Him to clear your mind of all the clutter so that you can serve Him with your whole heart.
Your brother in Christ,
p

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

The Day of the Lord! 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28

Good morning everyone,
I know it has been a while since you last heard from me and for that I apologize.  As my dad would say, "I've been busier than a one armed paper hanger!"  It seems as though time gets out of control sometimes and the older I become, the faster that out of control gets.  For today's devotional, I would like to address the urgency of being ready.  All of us have busy life styles and I think that is the toughest element in staying connected with our Savior!  According to 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28, we are all on borrowed time.  If you feel as though there is real peace and security in your life and you haven't trusted God as your personal Lord and Savior, let me encourage you to do so this very day.  None of us know the timing of His exact return, but we are to be ready as it states in verse 8.  "But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmut the hope of salvation."  Faith, hope and love are the keys to being ready.  No matter the situation we face, God has given us the weapons we need to face the giants!  It is satans goal to knock us off course and to get us caught up in the busyness of this world.  He doesn't want you to be ready, so for today choose whom you will serve!  Ask God to show you how to stay connected to Him.  When my time with Him wanes, I wander and before I know it, I'm lost!  Stay connected brothers and sisters and ask God to show you how to release the things that are not important (temporary) and to cling to the things that have eternal value! 
Your brother in Christ,
p

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Always Enough! John 14:8

Good morning everyone,
Are you one of those that is always yearning for more?  Are you a person that has never really been satisfied with the results of your life?  In John 14:8, even Phillip has a hard time associating Jesus as being Lord and Savior!  Phillip was one on the few that intimately spent time with Jesus, yet he still had doubts about who Jesus claimed to be!  He had to be reminded by Jesus himself.  At times, if we are brutally honest, we too probably doubt!  From the outside, after reading John 14:8, you probably wonder how Phillip could be questioning Jesus!  But we do the same thing and really we have no reason to.  If you yearn for anything, make sure that it is eternal!  The things most of us yearn for are what our neighbor has and those yearnings will end in disappointment 100% of the time!  Yearn to know Jesus intimately and He will never disappoint you!  Isn't it funny that we are so easily swayed into believing the lies of satan?  We think the next big job, the bigger home, the sparkly new car, and the list goes on and on will be the solution to our problems.  In order to get the satisfaction that Jesus can provide, you need to spend time with Him.  There are no shortcuts and there is no looking over someones shoulder in order to instantly get to the top!  Jesus will take you right where you are at and He wants you just like you are!  He made you so don't try and change your appearance to get ready for Him.  If you do delay, think of all the things that you miss that He has in store for you.  Don't let satan convince you into thinking that you are a boring and nerdy person by choosing to serve your Creator!  I promise you that your life will suddenly have a 'new meaning' when you choose Christ!  Choosing Christ will provide answers that you can find nowhere else!  Joshua 24:15 tells us to choose this day whom you will serve.  But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.  
Your brother in Christ,
p

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Count the Cost! Psalm 49:8

Good morning everyone,
I'm reminded of individuals that are struggling across our country to be able to just survive!  It doesn't take much for any of us more fortunate to look around and see all the people who are homeless and those who are wondering how their next meal will be provided!  Unless you have your head in the sand, more so than ever, the poverty of this country is right in your own front yard.  I know many people try and milk the system and are satisfied with taking advantage of welfare even though they are physically able to work.  Ladies and gentlemen, we were created to love folks right where they are at and many have lived generation after generation on hand outs.  It is a viscous cycle to get out of and the light bulb for some will never go on and I'm not trying to get you to feel sorry for folks who don't want to change.  What I am trying to get you to be aware of is the ones who are good folks and trying to get out of the cycle but those that seem to be stuck in a rut!  When you step out in Jesus name and you help someone, you may be the only Jesus representation that person has ever seen and possibly will ever see.  The next time you have the opportunity to help in some fashion, ask Jesus how you can help because He is the only one that knows the condition of the heart of the person you are helping.  It may just be that you come along side someone and just put you arm around them and pray for them.  Or it could be that you are providing a sandwich for someone that otherwise might not eat for the day!  Psalm 49:8 tells us that the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough.  Remind yourself that Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for you by dieing on the cross.  Every provision that has been provided is a gift that He allowed.  Don't you think that it is time that we go out in Jesus name and share the story of the one who paid the ultimate price for each of us.  And in so doing feed those that are hungry and if need be, provide food!
Your brother in Christ,
p  
 

Monday, October 17, 2011

Temporary Shelters! Leviticus 23:43

Good morning everyone,
I know that many of you experience pain and suffering in your life and it is hard to see any way out of those circumstances.  In Leviticus 23:43, God showed the Israelites that while they experienced the desert and temporary shelters for some 40 years, He ultimately would bring them to the 'promised land.'  The situation you may find yourself in may feel like you've been wandering for the last 40 years!  Just like the Israelites, God is ready to take you to the 'promised land.'  I know it seems as though the trials and tribulations that you face are just too much to handle but I'm here to share with you that God has made you a promise.  Give Him the glory in whatever you face, whether it is good or bad, and He will guarantee you that your suffering is only temporary.  The next time you have a setback, praise Him and trust Him and see what happens.  If you make it a regular routine, your attitude and your outlook on life will change dramatically.  Those things that you have control of are the things that you can choose in God's favor!  Those things that you don't have control of, let God control them for you!  Each of you are a blessing in my life because God gave me the opportunity to know each of you in passing or each of you personally!  Ladies and gentlemen, the body that you have been given is only temporary and know that no matter how long you live on this earth, your eternal body will not break down like your earthly body!  Praise God!!  Go out today and be a 'light' for the world to see Jesus Christ reflecting through you!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Pastor Appreciation! Ephesians 4:10-12

Good morning everyone,
For all of you, October is known as pastor appreciation month!  If you haven't told your pastor how much you appreciate them, make it a priority to do so this month.  Each one of you hopefully is being fed weekly by hearing the Word of God and letting that Word completely immerse your heart!  Ephesians 4:10-12 tells us, 'He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.  So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.'  Ladies and gentlemen, pastors across this country need to know how much you love them.  Everyday they suit up for battle to defend the One and only true God!  If they did not go to war for you, just think of the insurmountable bombardments you would receive from the enemy.  Spiritual warfare is doing everything possible to keep you from serving your Lord and Savior.  To get a more thorough knowledge of that, look around at all the things that are distractions that keep you from serving Him.  If you think you have it tough right now, just think what it would be like with no pastors.  The book of Ephesians goes into great detail on how to protect yourself from the spiritual warfare you are going to face.  If you are not involved in a regular weekly fellowship of believers that are getting fed and led by a pastor, let me encourage you to do so.  The more you get involved, the more you will see that pastors are a gift from God because their love for God goes much deeper than you can imagine.  They love God and in turn they have been instructed by Him to love you with their whole heart.  Spend time daily with the Father and before you know it, your life will be craving to know more.  If you give Him your heart, He will reveal to you what He wants you to know.  Your pastor does not want to beat you up!  He wants to meet you at the cross-roads you are at right now and hold your hand as he is directed by the Master to give you the instructions that have been laid out for you!  He loves you more than you will ever know and he goes to battle for you daily.  Isn't it time that we love our pastors back to show our appreciation?
Your brother in Christ,
p

Monday, October 10, 2011

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12

Good morning everyone,
When you look at your current situation, do you look at it with uncertainty or do you rejoice because Jesus has given you hope?  Do you easily get frustrated at the first sign of setback or do you show signs of being patient during your tribulation?  Do you use God as a last resort opportunity or do you call out His name frequently so that He hears you when you speak?  If you will read Romans 12:12, Paul reminds us that the signs of a true Christian should rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.  Ladies and gentlemen, He wants more than anything else for you to place Him first!  Before you say something that is unbecoming, if you will ask Him to intervene, He will honor your request.  I know that I have a hard time when it comes to arguing and making my point about what I'm thinking!  I need to ask Christ to give me different thoughts than what I'm thinking.  When I do that, I am more likely to give an image that is not the norm and more like Him!  When you pray first about any situation that you find yourself in, you will find that He gives you a totally different perspective than the one that satan tried to give you!  When I argue about something silly, I win nothing but I lose sight of what Christ wants me to imitate!  To sum it up, prayer is the key to staying connected to your 'Life Source' and that gives you the right way of thinking or Christ's way of thinking.  When prayer is lacking, it ends up your way of thinking and that will lead to trouble 100% of the time!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Friday, October 7, 2011

How long must I be with you and put up with you? Luke 9:41

Good morning everyone,
It is apparent to me that I get frustrated at times when there is very little I can do to change my situation.  God has placed me in the very place that I'm at to see how I will respond to things that go on around me.  I'm so busy being busy that I really miss what He is trying to show me.  I get frustrated at others when I have failed to see their dilemma because I'm so focused on my own dilemma.  Thinking back over the times that I've been frustrated at others, I'm reminded of the patience that my Father has for me!  Why can't I have the same patience for others that He has for me?  In Luke 9:41, Jesus asks the question, 'how long must I be with you and put up with you?'  Many times I'm sure that He has scratched His head and wondered will Paul ever get it?  In the heat of the moment, I say and do things that really shows my lack of sensitivity and caring for others.  Thankfully He isn't done with me yet and He gives me opportunity after opportunity to get it right!  1 Thessalonians 5:14-18 describes how I need to model my behavior.  'Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy.  Encourage those who are timid.  Take tender care of those who are weak.  Be patient with everyone.  See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to everyone else.  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.'  
Your brother in Christ,
p

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Spreading the Good News results in bringing Joy! Psalm 67

Good morning everyone,
We are always looking at what brings us Joy but many times we fail to look in the right place!  According to Psalm 67, Joy comes from spreading the Good News.  'May God be merciful and bless us.  May His face shine with favor upon us.  May Your ways be known throughout the earth, Your saving power among people everywhere.  May the nations praise You, O God.  Yes may all the nations praise You.  How glad the nations will be, singing for joy, because You govern them with justice and direct the actions of the whole world.  May the nations praise You, O God.  Yes, may all the nations praise You.  Then the earth will yield its harvests, and God, our God, will richly bless us.  Yes, God will bless us, and people all over the world will fear Him.'  Amazing Scripture to remind us that as a nation, we should turn from our wicked ways, and praise the One and only true God!  I think God expects everyone of us to identify Him as the One that we are to tell the world about His Good News!  If we don't, then the result is going to be catastrophic!  I don't want to make this sound like a doom and gloom devotional, but while we still have life and breath, we should share with others what He has done for us!  If you claim Him now as your Lord and Savior, He will claim you when you are done here!  Simple and a matter of fact!!  See God has something that comes from no other source.  He has saving power and that tells me that there is still hope for a world that denys Him!  The result for those who spread His Good News will bring in a bountiful harvest.  For those who don't, they will fear Him!  None of us know how much time we have left here on this earth, but while you are here, don't you think that it makes sense to 'spread news' about something that is beneficial for all!  
Your brother in Christ,
p

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

How long do we need to struggle from despair? Psalm 13

Good morning everyone,
Do you ever feel like you are running on the same little cage that your hamster runs on?  The faster you run only results in running in the same place and getting nowhere!   Do you ever feel as though your praying for relief from despair and your trust in God seems to wain because He doesn't answer you immediately?  If you are really honest with yourself, probably all of us at times have felt that kind of despair!  David did and in Psalms 13, he prays up to God about relief from despair.  'O Lord, how long will you forget me?  Forever?  How long will you look the other way?  How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart everyday?  How long will my enemy have the upper hand?  Turn and answer me, O Lord my God!  Restore the light to my eyes, or I will die.  Don't let my enemies gloat, saying, "We have defeated him!"  Don't let them rejoice at my downfall.  But I trust in your unfailing love.  I will rejoice because You have rescued me.  I will sing to the Lord because He has been so good to me.'  The next time you feel defeated, deflated or just 'wore slick', don't hesitate from trusting God to restore you and even making you stronger!  Think about all and every setback as the stage to shine a light on the One who is capable of giving you a floodlight to show you the way!  Rejoice in the Rescuer before you see any signs of a rescue and before you know it, He will show you a way that you didn't even know existed!  An old hymn comes to mind and the words go like this;  trust and obey, for there is no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Do you thrive or do you just survive? Proverbs 11:28

Good evening everyone,
Many of us just do the basic stuff that we need to do to get by and I think I do that a lot also!  We don't want to step on toes because we think we need to let people believe what they want, give them space, and let them determine their own destination!  Is that what Christ did?  I don't think so!  He let people believe what they wanted but He never shied away from the Truth!  He didn't shy away from letting people know when they were totally off course!  A song I have on a new cd by Swithfoot has a great line in the words and it goes like this;  Am I here to just survive or do I want to thrive?  Folks, in order to thrive, you've got to be willing to step outside of the box and take a chance occasionally!  It may not always be the right decision, but it may give you the opportunity to see things from a totally new prospective.  I work in sales and occasionally I'll talk to my co-workers when I get the opportunity to share the keys to my previous successes.  First of all, if I'm successful, it is only because He allowed me to have success.  So number 1, the credit goes to the Father.  Secondly if you don't want to make adjustments in the way you do things, don't expect any different results (myself included)!  If you look over the course of history, all of the people that are considered successful, all failed many times before they had success.  Let me suggest that you consider the fact that God has so much more in store for your life than what you may have experienced up to this point.  Never, never stop giving Him credit and before you know it, success will be measured in a whole new way when you look at your life!  God talks throughout the Bible about thriving and in Proverbs 11:28 we are reminded that those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.  Will you thrive or will you just survive?  Pray that God will help you trust Him with your whole heart so that no matter what situation you are faced with, He will give you a new prospective to see it in a different light!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Monday, September 26, 2011

Thanking God for you! 1 Thessalonians 1:2

Good evening everyone,
1 Thessalonians 1:2 says, 'We thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.'  When you think about your brothers and sisters in the Lord, can you say that you continually pray for them like Paul did for the Thessalonians?  The power of prayer is better than any gift that you can give to someone!  And your prayer does matter!  It is amazing to me how many times I see my prayer answered before I can even put in on paper or before it even leaves my mouth.  Ladies and gentlemen, God knows your heart and He is capable of answering before you have even conceived the idea of praying!  With that said, I will get an email and someone is requesting prayer!  God prompts me to pray for that individual and at that point, I make a conscious effort to either pray or put it off!  Sometimes when I take the few seconds that it takes to respond, whether in writing or just speaking it, I will go down a few more emails and realize that it has already been answered!  The important thing is when God prompts, don't delay.  His desire is for you to listen and obey!  In the previous verse I would like to say that I love each of you so much as brothers and sisters in the Lord that my desire is to pray for you continually.  I learned a long time ago that when someone ask you to pray for them, if you delay, you will get too busy and more times than not your remembering to pray for that person will sort of fall through the cracks.  If someone ask you to pray, stop what you are doing long enough to shout out to the Lord!  Your Father is always ready to text you back!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Saturday, September 24, 2011

What is your favorite scripture? John 3:16-17

Good morning everyone,
When I prepare for the devotionals that I send to you, I usually look at the Bible Gateway website because if I'm looking for topic, I can plug one word in and it will identify a number of different scriptures.  I can also plug in a particular verse and it will show me a variety of different languages and versions.  A great tool to help you with your daily walk.  What caught my eye this morning was an article about the top 10 most searched bible verses from the 8 million visitors who stop by their website each month.  See if one of these verses is your favorite or let me know if you have a different one.

   (10) Matthew 28:19-'Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.'
   (9) Philippians 4:6-'Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.'
   (8) Romans 12:2-'Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will.'
   (7) Proverbs 3:6-'In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.'
   (6) Proverbs 3:5-'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.'
   (5) Genesis 1:1-'In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.'
   (4) Philippians 4:13-'I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.'
   (3) Romans 8:28-'And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.'
  (2) Jeremiah 29:11-'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'
  (1) John 3:16-'For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.'


There are so many favorites of mine but for the moment John 3:17 comes to mind because God did not send His Son into the world to condemn it but to save it.  That gives me 'incredible hope.'  Brothers and sisters, get to know your Bible so that you know where to go when you need to and you will find that you will never leave home without it! By the way, it is the Sword of Truth and it will protect you from anything that this world has to throw at you!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Will you recognize Him when He reveals Himself to you? John 21:1-25

Good morning everyone,
It seems simple enough to think that we would recognize Jesus if He were to be in our presence.  Yet those that knew Him intimately, those closest to Him, failed to realize who He was when He showed them how to fish.  Now the story in John 21:1-25 is much bigger than the disciples just catching a bunch of fish.  Jesus was trying to tell them a story to show them how to be 'fishers of men.'  How many times do you know something is from the Lord, but doubt creeps in and makes you wonder?  How many times do we give credit to others when the credit should go to the Lord?  Life is about us being ready to serve the Lord with our whole heart!  It is about us being ready to show compassion to folks that don't know Him as their Lord and Savior!  Think back about your journey and how your being lost equated to You not knowing Him intimately! Not identifying with having patience and compassion for the hurting world!  All that changed or should change when you said yes to following Him.  It is amazing how things become clearer when you take your eyes off of your own self.  When you stop dancing for yourself and you start dancing for Jesus Christ!  He gives us opportunities daily to interact with folks that are down and out.  Will you be ready to be sensitive to those that He sends across your path?  It may be an opportunity for you to entertain angels!  Hebrews 13:2 says, 'Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.'  My prayer for each of you is to show compassion as opportunity crosses your path and you recognize Him when He reveals Himself to you!
Your brother in Christ,