What they see!

Good Morning! Ephes 4:1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Something that has been said, And I find it so true is, "The only Bible some people will ever see or read is the one demonstrated in the life of a Christian!" This statement makes me worry sometimes. What do people see when they look at me? Do they see the Christ like traits described in Gala 5:22-23 like love, joy, peace or gentleness and self control. Or are they looking at me and going "Man! This guy is a Christian? He don't act any different then anybody else." This is a problem I have. I want to live a life that is true to Jesus, but the ways of the world sometimes are more important than that. But the thing is, as Christians we have to be very Careful. Because everything we are doing, there is always someone watching us. So I ask you, What are they seeing in you today. I try very hard everyday to let the Holy Spirit run the way I live. But at some point I fail terribly each day. That is why I always have to be on my guard against myself. For as Paul says in Roms 7 I want to do the right thing, but I don't. So it is important for us Christians to be on our guard at all times about the way we are acting. For you may be where you think no one is watching, but remember God is always watching. So something I try and put in perspective when I am out in the world. Is that, simple thing! God sees everything we do, and when we are out there, we are representing Him. So what He sees, others are seeing too! So what is everyone seeing in you today. Are they seeing the traits of Christ? Or just someone trying to be a Christian? Man that is one to ponder all day! HABD!

Keeping it between You and God!

Good Morning! First off let me apologize for yesterday. But I had a busy day and it started early. And for you at C.R. I went to a Memorial Service for a guy, Bob Erwin who helped start the Celebrate Program in Murphy I was a member of. Him and His Wife Judy also helped Mark and Sharon get this one in Blairsville started. He was the Teacher of the first 12 step program I went to. He will be greatly missed. Matt 6:16 When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth they have received their reward in full. VS 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, VS 18 so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your father who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. There are many places in the Bible where Jesus tells us not to be out going in showing what we do for God. Like praying, in Matt 6:5 He tells us to go into a closet. And when it comes to giving He says don't let the right hand know what the left hand is doing. But sometimes I wonder if I am not like the Hypocrites? For even last night I was boasting about doing this text ministry and things I do. When it is only because of God and what HE has done in my life I have the privilege to do this. Can any of you relate with me? I know for me, I tend to want to show people what a good a devout Christian I am. I like to let people know all the Good things I am doing for God. Does anyone else out there feel this way? We are all like the Pharisees. We like to let people see all the good we are doing for God. When I read these Vs this morning it just reminded me and put back in perspective how I should be as a Christian. We are not to boast about ourselves and what we do, but boast about our God, our Father and what He does. For I know that none of the life changing things that have come in my life are from anything I have done. I am not clean and sober today because of my willpower, it is because of His Power. I don't get up every morning to share his word with you because I want to. Because believe me there are some mornings I would rather sleep. But it is His Spirit that drives me to do this. So today whatever you are doing for the glory of God, don't be boastful about it like the hypocrites here Jesus is talking about. Do it humbly as Jesus did things humbly. Serving the Father and letting His will be done. For it doesn't matter how many things you let people see you do for God. God knows the heart and He will be the one handing out rewards in the end. So what you do for God today, keep it between you and Him. Cause He's the only one you really have to worry about, and what he thinks. Not what others think. HABD!

Easier Said Than Done!

Good Morning! Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Now I don't know about you, but this Vs is Easier said than done. Now let me ask you the old saying, "Why can't we just all get along?" Well I want to point out something that is key in this Vs. Paul says, as it depends on you! So what is he saying? Cause I try and get along with everybody! Yea right! Even as hard as I try to get along with everyone there are always a couple people in my life that just rub me the wrong way and I could care less if I'm around them or not. And there are times I can be a little sarcastic or mean towards them. But why is this. As Christians we are supposed to strive to show the love of Jesus. But that is the problem, with me anyway. I tend to let myself shine more than Jesus in my life. I tend to let Dan be in control of my actions and thoughts more than Jesus and His Spirit. I want to go back to some Vs right before this Vs. Rom 12:14-16 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. LIVE IN HARMONY WITH ONE ANOTHER. Do not be proud, but willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Why are all these things so hard for us to do? Well I have news for you today. It is because in one way or another we are all Conceited. Yes whether you want to admit it or not, it is because we all think we are better than each other in some way or another. Lets face it, when you see a bum on the street, do you feel sorry for his situation and maybe try and help? Or do you shun away and view him as a Panhandler only out to take you? When someone is abusive to you in words or deeds, do you go out of your way to be nice to them? Or are you abusive back. You see as people and because of the sin in our lives we are driven to judge each other. And sometimes it can even be that you feel that someone else is better than you. But I have some news for you today. Paul is telling us this, To Get Along With Each Other! Because we are all Children of God. In His eyes we are all the same. God does not look at you different than He looks at me. So why should we look at each other that way. I think if we can learn that concept, it would be alot easier for us to get along. So today if you look at someone and say, Oh but I am not like them, or Oh I wish I could be like them. Remember God sees us all the same. So it doesn't matter what you have or don't have, We are all the same in Jesus Christ. And here is another thing to remember. We all put our pants on the same way! So why can't we just all get along? HABD!

Things He Can! Things He Can't!

Good Morning! "Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power.... Nothing is to hard for you."You know the Bible is all about what God Can Do! We know He made the Heavens and the Earth, unless you believe in the Big Bang stuff. We know He delivered His people out of Egypt. We know He came to earth in the form of His Son to live with us and to die for us, so that our sins could be forgiven. And He raised Jesus from the dead so His Grace and Mercy would last forever, and would be Free to all who wish to receive it. God can do miracles! He healed the sick, he made the blind see again and made people to walk. He cast out demons and set people free from the bondage that Satan can put on us with sin. I know this for a fact, because I have been without a drink or a drug for 4 1/2 yrs now! But did you know there are some things God cannot do! Yes there are things He cannot do. For instance God cannot tell a lie or go back on His Word. He cannot go back on His promises. Why? Because God cannot do anything that is contrary to His basic character. Remember: God is not some vague force like gravity or electricity. He is a person, and He is holy and perfect in His character. So guess what that means, all the things God can do in the Bible are for our benefit, because of the things He cannot do. So you know what that means? That means whatever you are facing today, God is there to help you. Because He will never leave or forsake us. Whatever hurt you are going through, He is there for comfort. God has made promises to us in His Word of all the things. He Can and will do for us, if we will just let Him. And it is because of all the things He cannot do, that I know He can. Trust God today because of what He Can and Cannot Do and HABD!

Searching in Wrong Things!

Good Morning! Eccles 2:10-11 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I had surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. Now lets face it we all like to have fun and enjoy life to its fullest. After all God richly provides everything for for our enjoyment (1Tim 6:17) But the problem I found in my own life is I started to let these enjoyable things get in the way of my relationship with God. It got to a point where I could not find satisfaction in those things anymore and as Solomon said, I was just chasing after the wind. There are many passages in the Bible that tell us that God gave us pleasures to enjoy, like food, friends, even the intimacy we find in a marriage relationship. But thinking we can find lasting pleasure in people and things is ultimately an empty pursuit. All our fun and pleasure will never be satisfied by the thrills the world has to offer. I will give you an example! When I got clean and sober, I thought this is it, no more fun in my life, my life is going to be dull and boring. But as time went on and my relationship with God and Jesus Christ grew I found a Joy and Pleasure in my life that I had never experienced before from the pleasures of the world. I found a pleasure that was always there. It didn't just come after I had a drink or a hit of something, or a pill. This Joy! This pleasure is with me all the time. Because God is with me all the time. Prov 21:17 tells us, He who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich. Oh! And by the way Solomon wrote most the Proverbs too! So he knew the ramifications of chasing after pleasure, for he had the means to do so. But some of us don't. And that is why we end up with nothing from chasing after pleasure and we spend all we have trying to be satisfied by it. But I have found the only pleasure in life that will always be there is in a fulfilling and growing relationship with Jesus Christ! Believe me I to like Solomon used to deny my heart whatever it desired and was never satisfied. But today I can say I am satisfied. I am satisfied in the Joy and Love I can only find from Our Father in heaven, and the forgiveness that came from His Son. If you think you will find these things in anything else these days, try going out and catching some wind. I think you will find you will chase it all day and never get any. Be satisfied with Christ today and find the true meaning of Pleasure! HABD

Our Best Defense

Good Morning! John 9:25 "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!" If you read this Chapter of John you will see it is about a man who was blind from birth. And Jesus healed him on the Sabbath. Well this did not sit well with the Pharisees and they began to question the man. Well let me ask you do you ever have people question you about your faith? What do you do? Do you come at them with Bible verses? Or do you end up getting into a kind of debate who is right and who is wrong? Does it end in neither party actually getting their point across? That is because our Faith and Jesus are hard things to explain to ones who do not believe, or just want to have a political argument about it. But just as this man Jesus healed said, "I was blind but now I see!" That is the one thing we have and can use to explain and show people our Faith. And that is what Jesus has done for you. Let me tell you if you would have seen me in 2005 and now today! You could not deny that Jesus is real and He has the power to change lives. You see that is our biggest testimony of Jesus, not what we tell people he is or does, But what they see He has done in our lives. Sometimes you don't even have to say anything to them, if like me they knew you before and after. So today make sure that your testimony is polished and ready, because in this day and age it is not what you can tell people Jesus did. It is what they can see what Jesus did and does to this day. And that is heal, change and forgive. So today if someone wants to know about your faith, don't try and whip out Bible Vs on them. Just tell them what Jesus has done in your life. That is our Best Defense of our Faith! HABD!

Silver Tongued Saint

Good Morning! I took this from one of my Devos! Prov 10:20 The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver. The heart of the wicked is worth little. Going faithfully about our daily lives, we may not think we have a great impact on our world for Jesus. We can try to live honestly, do a good job, and raise our families well, but the day-to-day business of our lives seems so small. What importance do they have in the great scheme of things? God doesn't say we all have to be spiritual giants. Not every Christian will be a Mother Teresa or a Billy Graham. We may not reach around the world to people, unless its with our missions giving. But that doesn't mean God doesn't value all we do.This Proverb describes a basic difference between the faithful believer and the unbeliever. When Christians speak out, whenever they are, using the wisdom of the Scriptures, their words become important. They may not get the public attention that one wicked opinion maker who's covered with approbation by the media receives, but to God, their faithfulness is worth more than any TV or radio coverage. Though each believer may only touch a few lives, that impact may go far beyond any famous persons reach. Clearly, we need to understand that though God can use politicians or radio or tv personalities to accomplish His will, he doesn't have to. Public opinion doesn't have to go with Him, and it rarely does. But in the end, when the final day of justice comes, God may show the whole world that the blessed silver-tongued saint who lived down the street was priceless to Him and His work, while the wicked opinion maker was nearly valueless to anyone. This is from me! Today are you the one full of Gods Word? Or are you just full of opinions? HABD!

It is a Challenge!

Good Morning! Psalm 119:9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I believe it is a Challenge today not only for young men, but for all of us to live a pure life today. We are called to be Holy and Pure. In 1Pet 1:15 it tells us, But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: Be holy, because I am holy. But I don't know about you, but I find it hard to be Holy and Pure in this world today! With all the Advertisements and Entertainment that have become saturated with sexual themes and images that they are hard to avoid. Greed, self gratification, and the lust for power seem to drive our culture today. Even the Government is wanting more power to tell us how we should live and not live. I thought this was a free country? But I'm not here to talk politics. I want to talk about the Challenge we are given to live Pure lives. Something I have learned in my walk and recovery is I am not perfect! And if there is anyone out there that thinks because you are saved you do not sin anymore, this Vs is for you. 1John 1:8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. You see I know I sin everyday. But one thing I have found out is to try and that's what it is all about today. Is to try and live a Holy and Pure life. And to meet this Challenge we must make some commitments. I'll be honest if it were not for me doing this everyday and getting into Gods Word and having Prayer and Devotion time with God, I could easily fall back into the ways of the world and be living the way I used to. Cause let me tell you this living a Pure and Holy life, Can be very Challenging sometimes. So today I want to share 3 things that help me TRY and live a Pure life. 1. Everyday I make a commitment to Christ. To commit my mind, body and spirit to him. This is the toughest! But the other 2 help to TRY and do this. 2. I try and avoid situations that might encourage impure thoughts or actions. I don't go hanging around Bars or places where unsavory living can be a temptation. This is just common sense. It comes down to the old saying; If you hang around a Barber Shop long enough, eventually your going to get a haircut. I love that one! And 3rd. We must fill our Hearts and Minds with Christ, by Prayer and feeding on Gods Word on a daily basis. I admit for me everyday is a Challenge to live the way God wants me to live, but if we do these things it is not a Challenge as much as it becomes a way of living. And I believe that's all God wants from us today, is to TRY and meet the Challenge. To try and live a Pure and Holy life. But remember! Jesus is there when we don't! HABD!

Why not Me?

Good Morning! Psalm 73:2-3 But as for me, my feet almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. You know here for the last 6 or 7 months I have been struggling with this Why not me syndrome. And it wasn't until I read this Psalm today I understood what is going on. Maybe some of you can relate? But you know I look around today and I see people who do not live for the Lord being the ones who are prospering in these days and times. In Vs 9 it says, Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their mouths take possession of the earth. As Asaph the writer of this Psalm was back then, I have been of late. Envious of the wicked! I look around and see people who don't even think about God and doing His work being prosperous and as Vs 8 says, They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills. And as Asaph did way back then, I have been questioning if trying to live a Godly life is worth it when, Vs 12 This is what the wicked are like-always carefree, they increase their wealth. But there has been something that has kept me from really falling to all this temptation. And it is this! This thing I do every morning. In Vs 16-17 it hit me! When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me, till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. For a long time I have been letting the world and all its temptations of Wealth and Prosperity creep back into my life. But by me going to the Sanctuary of God every morning it has kept me from falling all the way down. It is by doing this that God has spoken to me through His word today. He has made me realize that Vs 27 Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. You see instead of saying, Why not Me Lord? I should be thanking God for choosing me. Thank him for the privilege that He is always with me. Vs 26, My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. So today if you are having problems with looking at people who you think are getting way better than they deserve, and you should have a little of it. Ask yourself, but do they have a Loving God like we do. Who has given us the one and only thing of value in this life. And that is Salvation! When I go to His Sanctuary it is there I see my riches. So today don't be envious of what others have, whether they are wicked or not. Because when it is all said and done, they may be the ones saying Why not me Lord! HABD!

Mine! Mine! Mine!

Good Morning! 1John 2:16-17 For everything in the world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world. THE WORLD AND ITS DESIRES PASS AWAY, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.I don't care who you are, LUST is a part of our lives. Do you know somebody who has everything? And they want to make sure you know they have everything. Or how about someone who really doesn't have much, but they want to put off like they do? Or how about that person who has just what's needed to live happily, but that is not enough! It is funny how we are never satisfied with what we have. We are not happy until something or someone we want is ours, so we can say its MINE! LUST is a funny thing, it is never satisfied. I want to give you an example! I know a lady here in town that won a Million Dollars on the Lottery! Now let me ask you? If you won a Million Dollars on the Lottery would you quit playing? I would like to say I would! But the truth is I don't know! But the point I am trying to make is she hasn't. I see her everyday still out there trying to win more. And like it did to me, this lust to have more has turned into an addiction for her! You see we are all driven by lust to have more. Even when we are doing good things for people alot of times it is driven by the lust to have Recognition for the things we have done. You see the world tells us we must have more and what is not mine, I must make mine! The world wants to tell us that if you don't have things, you are a nobody. Peter tells us in 1Pet 2:11 Dear friends, I urge you as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. You see we are at war, not with anybody or anything. We are at war with ourselves and that MINE Desire! So today ask yourself what are your desires? Are they to please the Lord your God? Or are they to please the God of this world with all his Lusts and Desires. When you are working today are you doing it for the Lord? Or are you doing it so you can hoard your money away in a Bank Account or you can go buy something you want? And if you do have all the things in life, but you don't share them with anyone. I have to say I am thankful today for what I have. Its not much, but it is what the Lord has given me! Because something I have to remember is none of it is MINE! It is all His! HABD!

Who do you Fear?

Good Morning! From everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear Him. I don't know about you, but sometimes I can worry about the smallest, stupidest things. But there is something that helps me and believe me I have used it alot here lately! And that is remembering the Bibles promises about Gods steadfast love and that He loves us, no matter what happens to us. And He will always love us. This was demonstrated by giving His Sons life for our salvation. This morning I read 3 different Vs about fear. But the one that concerns me is this one that deals with fearing God. If God loves us so much why should we fear Him? In 1John 4:18 it tells us, Perfect love casts out fear. Now I know this is going to sound crazy and a little backwards. But when we fear God, we don't have to fear anything of this world or man. Because in fearing God, we will know His love for us, and that He is always there. And it is because of that love, He gives us His Spirit! And His Spirit has No Fear as one of the old commercials used to say. In 2Tim 1:7 it tells us, God has not given us a Spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of sound mind. And in 2Tim 4:7 Paul talks about fighting a good fight. Well the key to fighting that good fight is fearing God, not people or this world.. Most fear comes from the unknown and worry too! But when we fear God and have that love relationship with Him. And it is through that love, God produces in us sound mind so we can see our circumstances from His perspective. Fear of people and this world paralyzes, but reverent fear of God empowers. It empowers us to look beyond what is happening in this world today. And look ahead to the world to come. A world where there will be No Fear! There will be no sorrow and no crying! But the thing is, we can almost have that life today. Now I am not going to sit here and tell you that when you fear the Lord, your life will be perfect. Cause it won't! Things are going to happen. But it does mean that nothing we experience catches God by surprise or is to big for Him to handle. It may be for us! But nothing is to big for God to handle. So today Fear God! And then Fear Not for in Matt 6:26 Jesus tells us that God takes care of the smallest birds. So we can trust Him to take care of us. After all, "Are you not much more valuable than them?" So today I think what these Vs are saying is to Fear God is to Trust God. So today put all your fear into God. Trust Him cause His love is from everlasting to everlasting. HABD!

He will protect us!

Good Morning! Heb 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." This Vs really hit home for me this morning. You see God really does talk to us through His Word, like I said the other day, you see this is one of my biggest problems, The Love of Money! And it is something I battle with on a daily basis. And that is something we must all realize. That we are always in the midst of a spiritual battle with Satan. One thing I think alot of us do is underestimate Satan's determination to discourage us and defeat us. Satan is a bully! And just like the bully back in school he attacks us at our weakest points. For me it is money, for someone else it may be sex or Co-Dependency, Addiction etc, etc. But God is there for us always and He wants to give us spiritual training. Just as we build up the body on the outside with exercise, we must build up our spiritual body on the inside. And God has given us all the tools to do that through the Bible, prayer, faith, righteous living and the Holy Spirit within us. But just like physical training, we must be diligent in the application of these things God gives us. In 1Corinth 10:13 it tells us, No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. AND GOD IS FAITHFUL; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. Our problem is we never take that way out! We are always under attack by Satan and his demons. And sometimes he may not even be attacking us directly, but may be doing it by attacking people around us. I want to ask you right now to pray for my Family as Satan is attacking it right now and trying to break it up. Thank You! But we must remember! God has not promised to shield us from the troubles of this world. But He has promised to protect us in the midst of trouble. As long as we reach out for Him and take His Hand. But the one thing we as Christians have to remember the most is Christ's death and resurrection. Because it is there we find our greatest defence against Satan. And that is knowing that Jesus has already defeated Satan. He is a defeated foe. And some day the war will be over. But until then we must be prepared for battle. And we must remember that God is with us, For HE WILL NEVER LEAVE OR FORSAKE US! HABD!

Making a U-Turn!

Good Morning! Prov 16:25 There is a way that seems right for a man, but in the end it leads to death. Are you walking down a path that you realize is not the one that God wants you on. I will admit I haven't here of late. I'm not doing these things today, but not long ago I let some old behaviors creep back into my life. And I am still feeling the repercussions from it today. Now if we go back to Deut 28 this whole chapter is on Blessings and Curses from the Lord. For obedience and disobedience, and I'll bet you can figure out which one gets you which. You see the Lord has set down rules and commandments in His Word that we are to follow. And by following them our life will be Blessed and by not following them, I won't say your life will be cursed, but it just won't be as good as it could be. How do I know? Because I am experiencing it now and have experienced it many times before. Now I don't want you all to get worried, because right now I am in the middle of making one of those U-Turns in my life. I know you all remember when I was having a problem with the gambling, well it kind of returned again for a little while. But what also returned with it, is many of the repercussions of when I was doing it before. And more people are finding out about my problem. Cause maybe you all think just because I write this thing everyday I don't have problems, but hey! I am a man! But the thing is, is if I didn't do this every morning, I would probably have bigger problems in my life. That is why I call this Views of a Sinner, because I am not perfect and I make mistakes. But Hey! I do have some good news in all this. We serve a God full of Grace! He wants to help us, He wants to forgive us. But He cannot do that until we make a U-Turn off that path leading to no where back on the path that leads to him. You see I have felt the Lords Blessings and I have felt His Wrath. I know what it is like to walk with the Lord, and to try and walk on my own. And believe me without Him it is not easy. In Duet 28:1 it says, If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all His commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. Vs 15 However, if you do not obey the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today all these curses will come upon you and overtake you. So what I am trying to say today is, is there something in your life that is keeping you from all the Blessings God wants to give you. Make a U-Turn from it and get back to His commandments. And please say a prayer of strength for me. Because I'm turning this Bus around. HABD!

You can't hear God, If you don't pick up His word!

Good Morning! Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than a double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Today is a perfect example of how God talks to us through His Word. This is a discussion I have had with quite a few people over the last couple weeks. And here is the Vs that God is telling me, that if we don't read the Word, we cannot know God and His Will for our lives! And I'm talking about this on a personal basis. You see we can go to Bible studies and study the word of God and listen to what everybody thinks and their opinions on how they understand the Bible. But it is not until we sit down and read it alone by ourselves, that God can talk to the heart on a one on one basis. The Bible is not merely a work of religious literature. It is living and powerful. Its truth is active and real in our lives today. Let me ask you a couple of questions. Have you ever in your life, read something in Gods Word and then an hour or a day later experienced what it said? Have you ever opened Gods Word and whatever you were reading that day spoke directly to you? Have you ever read Gods Word and then you read it a couple days or even months later and find a whole new meaning or significance in that Vs that you didn't notice before? And has Gods Word ever convicted you and revealed to you sin in your life. You see that's what I am talking about! It is great to go to Bible studies so you can listen to the opinions and Theological answers that you will hear. But to really hear God, you must have some time, when you can just sit down. Just you, Him and His Word. And the main thing you have to have is open heart so you can hear what He's saying! Because how you hear God depends on the condition of your heart. So that is why when you sit down to read the word ask God to open your heart. A pure and open heart will be ready to receive whatever God has to say. But someone with a hardened heart, or a heart distracted by the ways of this world will not recognize it, let alone acccept it. So today realize Gods Word is living, it is powerful, it can pierce your heart and soul right down to the joints in your body. If your heart is open and willing to listen. But like I said in the beginning of the text. You can't hear God, unless you get into the Word. Gods word speaks to us all differently, because it is through His Word we have our relationship with Him. So how close is your relationship with Him today? HABD!

Living in Compromise

Good Morning! 1Tim 2:9 I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes. Now today I am going to give you a few more Vs that are also in the Bible, but so we can keep up with the standards of today we manipulate and declare things "Old School" so we can say its alright to do these things. Now Lady's I'm not trying to come down on you, but one thing I see with the way alot of women dress today is a lack of modesty. I was even watching the other night where a young pop singer was being interviewed. Now she professes faith in Jesus, but when asked about her skimpy clothes? She said, "All that dress stuff is so Old School." In Leviticus 19:28 it says, Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord. And I remember one time when I said something to someone about that, they told me, "Oh! That is Old Test and doesn't apply to today! But right at the end of that Vs it says God said that, and I don't think he changes His mind so we can conform to this world. In Lev there are many rules that were laid down for righteous living, and yea! Some were for 2000 yrs ago. But do we discount everything in the O T, because it is the O T? The 10 Commandments were in the O T, and yes I know they are in the N T too, but are they Old School because they were written 2000 yrs ago? In Rom 12:2 we are told, Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. I think today to many of us are trying to renew the Word and manipulate it, and conform it to a way of living that still lets us have the best of both worlds. We are Christians but we can still dress and live the cool life, because some of Gods word doesn't pertain to us today! It is Old School! But I have news for you today, God is the same, back then, today and tomorrow. And His Word never changes! So let me ask you this today? Do you not read books that are 30 yrs old, because they are out of date? Do you not study Bible studies from years past, because they do not pertain to today? You know the world is changing, but if you ask me, not for the better! Many of us want to compromise and try and take the Word and mold it into our way of thinking. When the Word is supposed to help us get into Gods way of thinking. So today ask yourself, is there things you do in your life that you justify doing them cause, God told us not to do them in the O T so that doesn't apply today? Or do you manipulate the Word so it adjusts to the way you want to live today? Gods Word never changes and neither does He! So think about that the next time you want to say something is Old School! HABD!

When Bad is Good!

Good Morning! Philip 1:12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. Paul was writing this while he was in Prison. Now how could being in Prison help to spread the Gospel? In Vs 13 he tells us, As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Now I want to ask you, has there ever been any bad in your life that has helped to further the gospel in your life? Was there a dark time in your life that God brought you out of? But because it was a dark time or maybe you did some things you were ashamed of, you don't share it with anyone. Its funny I was just talking to someone yesterday, and they said they could just not picture me as being a Crack Head! But I was! And I was an Alcoholic and a Thief and a Liar and Yes! I even spent time in Jail and Prison! And believe me these were very dark times in my life. Times I wish I wouldn't have had to go through, or put others in my life through that. But they happened! So today I have 2 choices, I can put them aside and act as if they never happened, (Because I no longer live that way) or I can take those dark places I have been, to try and further the Gospel. One thing I have always stressed in my Recovery and my Walk. Is that it is not by my power I do these things, but by Christ! It was not until I asked Him for His help that I was able to rise up out of the pit and change my life. But now that I've done that, What Next? Do I just go on and act like none of that stuff happened in my life? In 2Corinth 1:4 it tells us, Jesus, comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. So you see, even though these were dark places in our lives we cannot cover them up. We cannot try and hide our pasts. Because you never know when someone is going through the same dark spot in their life that you may have already gone through. I am so Thankful today that Jesus changed my heart and my life. But if I don't share that with anyone how will they know the power of Jesus Christ and His Word? So today look at those dark places in your life, look at those Bad Times! Then look and see if there is someone around you having the same type problems. Jesus brought you out, so you can help bring them out. And that my friends is furthering the Gospel. So you see, Good things can come from the Bad things in your life. That's how God works. I know its kind of backwards, but hey! Who are we to try and understand God. So today share your Hurts, Habits and Hangups with someone else, you just never know, you might get some good out of it! HABD!

How do you know?

Good Morning! Eccles 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. HE HAS ALSO SET ETERNITY IN THE HEARTS OF MEN; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Let me ask you something today, How do you know Heaven really exists? How do we know it isn't a myth, or just a product of our imagination? I have to say one thing, it is a Universal thing, as it is a belief in most all Religions. But ask your self today, How do you know Heaven is Real? In this Vs it tells us that God has put this Hope there. And I believe that to be so. This is one of 2 reasons I am going to give you today, Why Heaven Exists. God puts this Hope in our hearts, because He wants us to know that death is not the end for us. And that we are meant to and He wants us to live forever with Him in Heaven. That is why I am convinced that even the biggest Non-Believers in this world still have this yearning, this pulling on their heart that says Heaven is real, and that means God is to! But they fight it and resist it. Because if they admit it is true, they would also have to admit there is a hell to, and that they might spend their eternity there. But now comes the main reason I know Heaven exists. And that is the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ our Savior. When He died on the Cross, He erased the only thing that can keep us out of Heaven, Our Sin! When He rose from the dead, He guaranteed for all time that there is life after death, and that Heaven is real. In John 14:2 Jesus even tells us, "I am going to prepare a place for you." and that is another reason to believe. There are so many places in the Bible where it talks about Where we will go after we pass or our Savior comes for us. So today ask yourself. Do you just believe Heaven exists, because you are told it does, or because you read in the word it does. Or is there a yearning, a feeling deep down in your Heart that says it is true? A feeling that feels so true, that when someone talks about Heaven, you just know that one day you are going there. That is because God has put that feeling there, in ALL mans hearts. And we can deny it, we can try and push it away, But I don't care what anybody says that feeling is there. Because here's the best reason we should believe there is a Heaven. And that is because God our Father loves us, and just as a Father loves his Children, He wants to love and take care of us all our lives. Which I may add goes far beyond this world. But hey! That is something the Vs for today also tells us. This is something that is so big it is hard for us to fathom. But fathom this! One day we will all be sitting with our Father and Savior in Heaven. So today can't be all that bad! HABD!

Why Worry?

Good Morning! 1Peter 5:7 (NLT) Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you. Do you have worries today? Is there a problem or conflict going on that is just consuming all your thoughts and time? In this Vs it tells us to cast all our worries and cares on God. But how many of us have that much Trust in Him that we can do that? I know for me it is hard, because when there is something in my life bothering me I have to take care of it. I am one who does not like alot of conflict and problems in my life. So when something arises I have to take care of it. Did you notice I use that word I alot? And that is my biggest problem, I try and take care of things All by Myself! Now this just creates more problems in my life, because when I don't pray about something and when I don't ask God for His help in matters, it usually becomes a bigger problem than it was before. Why is it we cannot put our trust in God to help us with our worries and cares? And if we cannot trust him with our problems, then more than likely we don't think He cares about us much. And let me tell you Brothers and Sisters if there is one thing God really does do, It is care about us and love us. I know this because for so many years I believed Satan's lies that I was worthless and didn't deserve Gods love and that caused me to drink and drug and live a life of rebellion against God. But then one day in a Motel room God came and told me "Daniel, I love you! And I do care what happens to you!" And from that day on my life changed. And when you really realize that and really come to grips with that, it will change yours to. I still have a problem turning everything over to God, but I am finding it easier to do now that I know God Really does care what Happens to me and you! So today are you having some difficulty turning over something to God? Are you having a problem with trusting that He will take care of it? Get on your knees and pray about it, and while your there confirm your Trust in God. That you know He cares about you, and that you know He cares what happens to you. And just see if that doesn't take some of the worry out of your life. Remember today! God is always there! And He always wants to help! So get out of His way and let Him! HABD!

Just Lip Service!

Good Morning! Isaiah 29:13 The Lord says:"These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men." Now today I'm probably going to step on some toes, But if I do, if I get you mad a little bit, lets think about WHY! All my life I have been brought up in a Good Christian Home. Being taught the Morals and Values of the Bible. And was raised a Lutheran. And I am a member of a Lutheran Church, but today I ask myself where in the Bible do I read about all these Religions? In the book of Acts for any of these Religions we are supposed to follow, I only see 2 references and that is Christian and Fellowship of Believers. So. Ask myself where did we come up with all these different ways that we are supposed to worship God, and which way is truly the correct way? In Acts 2:42 it says, They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. OK! What fellowship are they talking about. Someone said to me once, "That is why I don't join a Church, because of all the Politics! But you see if you call yourself a Christian, You are a member of a Church. Jesus' Church! In the last part of today's Vs it says Their worship of me is made up only by rules taught by men. So I ask myself today? Why do I go to the Church I go to? And what Church or Denomination is Truly correct? Is our Religions and Denominations just Lip Service to God? How does He look at all these different Religions and Denominations? For me I think it comes down to what is in your Heart. The relationship you have with Jesus in your heart. Because that is where the True Church is. Where ever Jesus is! Maybe I am a Rebel CHRISTIAN! And I'm sure someone will have something to say, or not say about what I said today. But let me ask you this, who out there can tell me what is the right Religion without going into what they were taught at Seminary or Theological College. Can you tell me who's Doctrine is Right? And who made these Doctrines. I know I don't live my life perfect and like I said yesterday, God is always watching and He knows our hearts. So am I living today the way the Bible tells me I should live. Or am I living the way my Religion tells me I should live. One thing I do know is Christ is my Savior. So that makes me a Christian! Where does that Church meet on Sundays! And is Sunday really the 7th day? These are questions that I have been asking myself lately? HABD!

Who is watching?

Good Morning! Heb 12:1 Therefor, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. There was a Preacher who used to stay up all hours of the night working on his sermon for Sunday Mornings! The thing was he had a very small congregation. One night his wife asked him,"Why do you work so hard on a message for so few?" The man replied, "You forget, my dear, how large the audience will be." In this Vs the writer of Hebrews is reminding us that not only is God watching us in our daily routine of life, but there are many spectators in the stands of Heaven looking on too! Do you ever think about that? I know I do sometimes when I may be doing something I probably shouldn't be, but Hey, no one is around. Then I have to stop and think, not only is God watching, but my Grandparents could be, my Father could be, and even King David could be. That is why this Vs is telling us, we must throw off all the things (sin) that hinder us in our race. So that we can give our best performance in this race called life. After all there are people watching. Not only are the Heavenly realms watching, but believe me when you profess to being a Christian, there are alot of people watching here on earth too! That is why today we must think about this in our daily walk. You may not think anyone is watching what you are doing, but there is always someone watching. I know I need to think about this concept in my life more. Because I believe if we do, it can help us to stay on the narrow road a little more in our lives. It is so easy for me to sin when I think that no one is watching, but somebody is always watching. So let us remember that today. For is it not true? We tend to do things better if we think someone is watching. So as you run your race today, and at some point you are away from all the other contestants, and you think you might take a rest or break from the race. Remember there is always someone in the Grandstands. Always someone looking on! So let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of God. Vs 12:2 So He could help and watch over us in our race against sin. Its a rough race, but we run it easier when we remember, Someone is Always Watching! HABD!

Do you really know?

Good Morning! Matt 7:1-2 "Do not judge others, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Well the verdict is in and they found the Anthony woman Not Guilty! Well that is all I heard yesterday. You know we as a society and as people, and yes even us Christians are always ready to judge someone. Cause We know! But let me ask you, Do You Really Know? Sure we can all voice our opinions on how we just know she did it, and its another case of "If the Glove don't fit, you must acquit. But who really knows the truth? Only the Anthony woman and God. I think the thing that saddens me the most in this case is there is a young girl that never got to live her full potential in life, because of someones selfishness. Who's I don't know! But someones! But in the end she wins cause she is with Jesus in Heaven. Why is it, we are a people so ready to lay down judgement against each other? I know for me, for many years I had people laying down judgement against me. I was a Alcoholic and a Drug Addict. Just a worthless piece of Dung. But nobody really knew the pain I was really going through in my life. Those parts of my life were just symptoms of the underlying problems in my life. But see that is the problem, we judge people on what we see on the outside. And if you say that you don't judge people, you are deceiving yourself and the truth is not in you! For we all have opinions about everything, because when we are able to judge and find fault in others, it is easy not to look at our own faults. In 1Corinth 4:5 Paul tells us, "Therefor judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. So today that is what I need to concentrate on. What is the motive of my heart? When the True Judge of us all (God) comes on His day, what will He say about me and my heart? Because He is not going to ask your opinion on somebody elses. So let us remember this, Therefor Judge Nothing! Because how you judge is how you will be judged. Remember Christ came to forgive us ALL OUR SINS! No matter what they are. And only God will hand out TRUE Judgement. So until then, who are we to say, When we really don't know? HABD!

What is Freedom?

Good Morning! Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. This is one of my life Verses, because here we are celebrating our independence day! Oh! By the way Happy 4th everyone! But let me ask you, Are we truly FREE? Sure I know we do have alot of Freedoms in this country that others don't. Like the right to practice our Faith the way we want to. And when I say Faith I mean that in Jesus Christ. Because even some Religions these days have stipulations on how we are to believe and worship. But the point I'm trying to make is we are not Free! We, Us, Man, can always find some way of keeping ourselves in bondage to something. For me for many years it was Drugs and Alcohol! And the lifestyle that went along with it. For others it may be the lifestyle of just keeping up with the Jone's. Then there are the ones who's good deeds dictate how good their lives are today. What I'm getting at is we are all in bondage and will be until that day Christ Jesus comes and truly sets us Free. Someone told me the other day "You always seem Happy!" Well they haven't seen me on a bad day. But that is the thing I have learned! Is that even on bad days I don't have to let that effect the way I am. Because Jesus has given us the Freedom to have Joy, Happiness and Serenity in our lives, no matter what is trying to keep us in bondage. True Freedom in Christ is when you can go through life's Hurts, Habits and Hangups and still come out with Joy in your heart. I want to share a few insights that are helping me find freedom today in my life. And these are things I just realized in the last month. With the Economy the way it is I worry about my finances and being broke, but Hey! Even our Government is Broke! And they have alot more Debt than I do lol! And I used to be burdened by the Yoke of Drugs and Alcohol but thanks to that power of Christ Jesus I am 4 1/2 years clean, and that is the longest I have ever gone in my life. And because of the Freedom I have found in Christ, One Day at a Time, I will stay that way. So today the point I am trying to make is even though we all have Yokes around our necks sometimes, we don't have to be slaves to them when it comes to the way we look at life. Jesus gives us the Freedom to look at life through His eyes. And when we are able to do that we can be Happy! We can have Joy! So tonight as your watching the fireworks somewhere and the Grand Finally goes off and you say WOW! Thank Jesus that he has given you the power to have that same WOW in your life today. Cause without Jesus, The world has no Freedom, this country has no Freedom, and you and I have no Freedom. Have a Safe and Blessed Holiday!

What's your Spirit?

Good Morning! Say a prayer for me today as I haven't been feeling good the last couple days. Thanks! Matt 5:3 NKJV "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven." These words describe some with a character just opposite of the scribes and Pharisees of Jesus' time. They were respected Jews who would soon become Jesus' main enemies. Though these leaders talked about God a lot about God, made every effort to look good, and probably had excellent reputations, Jesus described them as "Whitewashed Tombs" (Matt 23:27) They might have looked good on the outside, but inside they were disgusting. Maybe you've met some folks who thought they had a great spiritual life, were proud of their place in the community, and talked a good line about their faith, yet they never cracked open a Bible and lived according to their own rules, not God's. Full of their own Spiritual importance, they may not have listened when you tried to tell them about real faith. These so called spiritually full people head toward destruction at Mach speed, though they don't recognize it. They can't hear Jesus calling them to recognize their own emptiness, instead, and fly to Him for filling. Only those who know their own inadequacy, when it comes to pleasing God, are ready to be truly full. Instead of clinging to ideas that cannot save or trying to earn their way to heaven, they recognize that all they can offer cannot make them ready for eternity. God must drain them of their own spiritual ideas, values and desires first. Those who recognize that truth and turn to Jesus are filled with His Spirit and given a new life. Eventually they inherit heaven with Him. But from that breath of new life, heaven lies within their hearts, and God's filling has begun. So today I ask you to take a good look at your Spirit. Is it Gods Spirit? Or is it one of doing what you think will get you to heaven, or doing deeds to get to heaven? Remember Jesus told us, there is only one way to get to the Father and that is through me. So who's Spirit do you have today? Jesus' or Yours? HABD!