Darkness or Light (1 John 1:5-7)

I remember when each of my children were born.  Each day was a high mark in my life.  As I held each child, my mind dreamed of plans for them.  I tried to imagine what they would become and what type of future God had prepared for them.

In a similar fashion, God has birthed us into his family and with that has given us gifts, abilities and a path for our lives.  Although each of us are different and have a different course set before us, we do have a common plan set by God.  One aspect of that plan is for us to have joy in our lives.  As we live in this fallen world, it may seem difficult to experience joy, but nonetheless God has ordained it.

And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. (1 John 1:4)

The contents of John's first epistle is intended to bring us to the point of experiencing the fullness of God's joy.  Experiencing the fullness of God's joy is not a matter of how to obtain it, but more so how to overcome obstacles that keep us from having it.  For you and me to have joy has been set forth by God.  However there are situations that may rob people from experiencing it.

The first is light versus darkness.  God is light and in him is no darkness.  For us to experience joy, we must live in the light.  People who live in the light are those who have experienced salvation and the new birth that is associated with it.

Ye are children of the light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.  (1 Thessalonians 5:5)

God clearly marks the obstacle that robs his creation from experiencing joy and that is salvation.  He contrasts light and darkness: the recognition of our sinfulness and need of salvation contrasted with self righteousness or sinlessness. (1 John 1:8)

We do not get joy by being sinless.  We get joy by recognizing our sin and calling out to a savior.  We must not get confused and think that it is a matter of staying in the light.  It is not staying in the light, but being in the light.  Those in the light are cleansed from sin--hence they sinned while in the light. (1 John 1:7)

God plans for you and me to have joy.  Hopefully, you have recognized your need for salvation and have experienced his Holy Spirit transformation from darkness to light.

What Is There to Declare? (1 John 1:1-3)

From the beginning of our salvation until now, we have heard the Lord and even seen him evident in our lives.  What is it that you have seen?  How many answered prayers have there been?  How many times has the Lord spoken to you through the scriptures.  On how many occasions has he guided you in your decisions?  Honestly speaking, we probably cannot number these occasions.  What I believe to be the best interactions with the Lord are when he encourages us.  He picks us up when we fall.  He mends our hearts when they become broken and encourages us as we live in this fallen world.  All of these instances are part of our fellowship with him and the fellowship continues as we lift our hearts to him and offer praise, thanksgiving and adoration.

As the apostles, we have a responsibility with this fellowship and that is to share it with others so that they too may fellowship with God.  We owe this responsibility to our brothers and sisters in Christ.  By doing so, we lead them from where they are in their fellowship and relationship with God to where we are.  It is the mature believer teaching the younger.

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:3)

With these thoughts, we must ask ourselves a few questions.  Have I been having fellowship with the Lord?  We know that we have in the past, but in recent days has there been fellowship?  If you were to share a fellowship experience with someone, how far back would you need to reach?

Another question would be: have I shared my fellowship experiences with others?  Our lives are like plants bearing fruit and seed.  The fruit of the Spirit is what our lives should produce because of fellowship and the seed within the fruit comes from us sharing our fellowship experiences with others.

So, what should we do with this fellowship?  Share it at work.  Share it at home: even blog it on the media, but whatever you do, share it.  By doing so, others may begin to experience the wonderful relationship with God that he so longs to have with them.

An Ornament for God (Psalm 78:61)

At Christmas time, many people look forward to decorating their tree.  For some , it is a family gathering where decorative ornaments are placed by the hands of young and old.  Some families have retained ornaments that have been passed down from generation to generation.  Not only are they beautiful, but the memories that they carry are much more ornate than the item itself.

And delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemy's hand.  (Psalms 78:61)

God has declared that we are his glory or as this word many times refers, his ornament.  He places you and me in the midst of a troubled world.  Our lives are intended to shimmer and shine of the love and reality of God, just as a ornament shimmers and shines on a tree.

Make it a point to understand your purpose in life and then shimmer and shine as a testimony for God.  You can only accomplish this by getting close to God.  As you walk closely to him, you will reflect him to all those around you.

Truth Inside (Psalm 51:6)

Have you ever faced a decision that you needed to make and you found yourself undecided?  Of course you have.  As you begin to figure out a solution to your problem, you convey it by saying, " I am leaning towards ..."

When it comes to pleasing God, he wants our hearts to lean towards truth.  The only way our hearts can do this is for truth to be present in our hearts.  Consider Psalm 119:11, where the psalmist states that he hides truth in his heart and the believer is encouraged to meditate upon truth as stated in Psalm 1.

Without truth in your heart, it will become more difficult for your heart to lean towards it.  It seems that when we sin, the effect of truth in our hearts is either erased or at least its effect is diminished.

It is like the old game, King of the Mountain where each person playing attempts to pull the one person down from on top of the mountain and once this is achieved, they take his place and the game continues.

Truth in the heart sits supreme, but our sin pulls it down and then has its time of power.  Only by cleansing away sin can truth again influence the heart.  That is why the psalmist asks the Lord purge and clean him (Psalm 51:7).

In order to live as God desires, get truth into your heart and when you fall, seek him to cleanse away your sin.  This is a daily process and should never be neglected or ignored.  With truth in your heart, your ability to lean toward and respond to truth will become more consistent and successful.

Stooping Down (Psalm 51:1)

God's mercy: we talk about it, read about and even sing about it.  But what is it?  I know that you may have coined phrases and shoot from the hip definitions for this term, but have you ever personally tried to define it?

In Psalm 51, David cries out to the Lord for mercy.  The definition of the Hebrew word for mercy means " to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior".  Think about it.  Whenever God shows mercy towards us, he, in the splendor of his high exalted state, stoops down to you and me.

Why would such an exalted being be willing to perform such a humbling task?  He does this because of his loving kindness.  As a loving expectant mother feels love in the womb for her child, our Heavenly Father experiences the same towards us.  This form of love is described as tender mercy and it is this tender mercy that moves him to stoop down.

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. (Psalms 51:1)

When you pray, God stoops down to answer and meet your needs,  When you need help, he stoops down to give you strength and when you fall, he even stoops down to pick you up.  He stooped down to become man and stooped down even further to become our sin bearer. If you think about it, possibly the greatest manifestation of God's love is his stooping down.

Thanks be to God for his mercy.

What Are You Offering? (Psalm 50:14-15)

Have you discovered the most important things in life?  Years ago, I thought it was possessions and experiences.  Boy was I ever wrong.  You have heard the phrase, you never know how much you need something until you don't have it.  Well it is true.  If you have buried a loved one, you experienced it.  They are gone and your heart longs to see them again.  Through that and other experiences in life, we can learn that the most important things in life are people and our interactive relationship with them.

Because we are created in the image of God, we are very similar to him.  He likewise desires a relationship with us.  He doesn't need our money or any offerings that we choose to give him.  He already owns everything.  So there is nothing more on this earth that he could need.  Understandably, he may need "no thing", but he does need someone and that someone is you.

God wants to have a relationship with his creations and in that relationship, he wants us to give him something.  He wants what is in our hearts.

Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. (Psalms 50:14-15)

He seeks for individuals who are thankful, yielded, who look to him in times of trouble and will glorify his name.

Israel fell into the cold ritualistic mannerisms of their religion and if we are not careful, we can do the same.  So, as you assess your relationship with God, don't count the "good" actions that you offer up to him, but instead focus on the motives behind them.  Do they reflect being thankful, yielded, seeking and glorifying?

Ceasing From Fear (Psalm 46:2)

We do not cease from fear as we would from food or drink.  We do not control fear as we would our actions.  We cease from fear when we recognize our safety in the Lord our refuge.

Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; (Psalms 46:2)

Think about it for a moment.  You do not fear the weather's storms as they pound upon the earth, because you are safe within the shelter of your home.  You do not fear the gravest of beasts as you walk the corridors of the zoo, because you are safe on your side of the bars.  You don't will to cease from fear, you simply rest in safety.

The storms of life are great and many shall we face in this life, but we can live free from fear.  Seek his refuge and he will shelter you with his presence.  The storms may rage outside, but within will exist a calm peace.  Rest in God! 

Thankful Response (Psalm 40:8)

God has done wonderful works for us that are beyond number.  As humans, we cannot remember all that he has done and understandably, there have been many occasions when God was working in our lives and we did not recognize him or his handy work.  Because God has done these many works for us, what does he expect from us?

Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. (Psalms 40:6)

According to this passage, it isn't sacrifice and offering.  Wait!  Why not?  Didn't God institute both of them?  Didn't he inspire an entire book of the bible on the various types of offerings and how to prepare and offer them?  If so, then why isn't that what he wants?

Sacrifice and offerings may be what we need, but they aren't what God wants.  Sacrifice and offerings are external actions that can be performed by anyone, but God is more concerned about what is on the inside.  Just as he chose a king for Israel based on what was within man, God is also concerned about what is within us.

I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. (Psalms 40:8)

God wants a heart condition.  He wants us to be willing to do his will and to carry his law in our hearts.  If we focus on the outside, we become no different than the Pharisees.  As Jesus said, we do nothing more than clean the outside of the cup.  If we focus on the inside, the heart becomes yielded and sensitive to God.  Once the inside is right, the outside will take care of itself.

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalms 139:23-24)

Wonderful Works (Psalm 40:5)

God works many wonders in our lives.  However many of the blessings we seem to forget and merely focus on current circumstances.  I decided to list 100 of God's workings in my life.  I know that I probably have missed more blessings than I have counted.  I encourage you to do the same and then share them.

Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. (Psalms 40:5)

Many of these are very personal.  I ask that you be quick to read and slow to judge.  God bless.

1. He saved me and all the work that brought it to pass.
2. He removed me from ungodly influences.
3. Gave me my son as a direct answer to prayer.
4. After salvation, he led me away from paganism and settled my feet into Christianity.
5. He gave me my first house.
6. He gave me work in the midst of the extreme recession in the early 80's.
7. He delivered me from a being killed in a steel mill accident involving a locomotive.
8. He relieved the financial burden as the recession increased and everything in my life began to crumble.
9. He provided housing in a very desperate time.
10. He comforted my wounded heart.
11. He empowered me to minister to hurting people.
12. He blessed my ministry involvement.
13. I grew in grace.
14. He brought friends into my life to support and help me.
15. He led me to advance my education.
16. He provided transportation.
17. He provided a car.
18. He answered prayers for food and finances.
19. Unemployment was extended.
20. He blessed with me getting called back to work after 20 months of being laid off.
21. He enabled me to by my truck.
22. He guided me through some legal turmoil and enabled me to escape the attack.
23. I moved to my new apartment in Spring City.
24. God blessed my work, ministry service and life.
25. Anthony memorized Psalm 23 before he turned 4 years old.
26. God continued to comfort my wounded heart.
27. He strengthened me to stand strong and live for God.
28. He helped me pass my Greek classes.
29. Helped me through a terrible sickness.
30. Found a better place to live.
31. He caused a person to fall into the pit that they prepared for me
32. Was able to leave the steel mill and be off work on Sundays.
33. Found a new job.
34. Learned maintenance skills that I would later use in God's work.
35. Received a great promise from God.
36. Graduated from college.
37. Received another great promise from God that would come true seven years later.
38. Married Beth.
39. Signed a lease for an apartment two days before the wedding. (That was close)
40. Lost my job.
41. Found a deer that had recently been hit.
42. Able to sell my truck to pay the rent.
43. Picked up extra electrical side work.
44. Exhaust on car fixed for free.
45. Transmission went, got many rides to work while hitch hiking and had to walk much less.
46. Somebody gave us a station wagon.
47. Found a place to live closer to church
48. Refrigerator broke and someone bought another one.
49. Did not get to adopt my niece and then Beth found out she was expecting just several weeks later.
50. Marybeth Princess was born.
51. Strength as we faced uncertainty with Marybeth’s heart condition.  God gave strength.
52. Somebody gave us a car after the engine seized in the wagon.
53. Anthony enrolled in Christian school
54. Moved to Font.
55. Great ministry days with hundreds of kids attending church
56. Marybeth’s open heart surgery was successful.
57. Injured ankle and out of work for months.  Secured a new job.
58. Promoted at work
59. Went full time into the ministry
60. Able to get away with the wife for a three day vacation
61. Honey bucket of blessings dumped over on us at Christmas
62. Became principal of Landmark Christian school
63. School enrollment increased the next year
64. Bought a house with $1down and 120% financing.  Yep, $1 down and extra cash for renovations.
65. New roof, bathroom, carpet and tons of paint along with residency inspection in 30 days.
66. School enrollment increased by 150% from my first year.
67. Able to buy my first computer
68. Bought a car instead of having one given to us.
69. School increased by another 40%.
70. Moved the school to a larger location and added a library.
71. School maxed out at 257% larger than the first year I became principal.
72. Many learning disabled children helped at LCS.
73. Able to visit the Dominican Republic
74. Able to visit the DR again.
75. Senior class trip to the DR.
76. Able to return to Northeast.
77. Mentored by Dr. Bish…what a guy.
78. Permitted to create the special education curriculum for Northeast
79. Invited to speak on special education issues at Ocean City, MD for the Delmarva Christian school association
80. Big personal setback, but the Lord gave much grace
81. God’s hand of blessing on me
82. Everything began to crumble around me, but God continued to bless my life.
83. Strength to work two full-time jobs
84. Expose to the mental health industry
85. Relief from financial setbacks and back to one job
86. Wisdom, patience and guidance were given
87. Able to go back to school again
88. Leadership to leave Northeast
89. Comfort through disappointment
90. Three meetings on the calendar. No job or money.  God filled up the calendar and met our needs.
91. God blessed to help countless people through speaking engagements as I traveled around the country
92. My wife and daughter were not killed in the auto accident
93. Grace through the painful months
94. Medical insurance obtained
95. Secured work at Devereux
96. Promoted to Treatment Manager (thank you for the financial trouble which exposed me to the mental health industry)
97. Promoted to Learning Specialist
98. Promoted to Learning Manager
99. Promoted to Operations Manager
100. I have great health

It Is Difficult to Wait (Psalm 33:20)

Waiting is probably one of the  most difficult task for us to do.  We are most vulnerable at these times and have no control over the situation.  Because of this, we hate being in that position.

Recently, my son became pastor of a wonderful church.  To celebrate the event, I was able to get a last minute flight out of Philadelphia so that I could be there for that very special day.  My flight was at 5:30 AM.  Everything went smoothly until things began to unravel at the Detroit airport.  My flight was first delayed by 30 minutes.  Then moments later it was pushed back to 45 minutes.  Before I could process the whole thing and calculate my new arrival time, it was delayed again.  What a mess.  I struggled inside until I finally recognized that there was nothing I could do to solve my problem.

Did you ever think about the fact that we begin waiting on the Lord immediately after we stop trying to be a part of the solution to our problem.  Once I reached that point, the anxiety went away along with the disappointment of missing the morning service.  It seemed as if I began to "enjoy the ride" and whatever it had to offer.  God was in the midst of my problem and in complete control.  Why he wanted me to miss part of the event, I'll never know, but what I do know is that he was there working on my behalf.

Had I not yielded control to God and rested in him, I would have continued to stress.  The stress would have manifested itself with aggressive words or actions and then the Holy Spirit would have convicted me about them.  Disappointment would have gone through the roof and resulted in griping and complaining.  Instead of having a blessed day, it would have been one of the most miserable.

The difference between the two days would have been one thing: waiting on the Lord.

Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield. (Psalms 33:20)

Brighten the Corner (Psalm 34:2)

Did you ever want to do something great with your life?  Have you ever desired to make such an influence upon people that the effect would be estounding?  Did you know that each of us can?  In fact, it is part of God's design and plan for your life.

God has equipped you in at least two areas of your life for this purpose.  One enabling comes from the Holy Spirit giving you at least one gift for purpose of minister to others.  Another equipping are the words that you choose to speak.  Death and life are in the power of your tongue. (Prov. 18:21). It is important to understand that the words that you say can either make or break someone.  Consider the following passage.

My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. (Psalms 34:2)

There are key words in this passage that are important to identify and understand in order for the principle to be understood.  The word humble carries with it the idea of being depressed and glad is another term for meaning to brighten up.  In this passage, we can see that when I praise the Lord, those in depression will hear and brighten up or become glad.

As you live your life, The Lord wants you outwardly to praise him and as You do, he will use your words to encourage those who are struggling in their lives.  You may never know who these people are and may also never see the outcome of your words, but he has assured you that he will use them.

Instead of complaining about circumstances in life, why not look to the Lord for your help and then praise him for his wonderful works.  By doing that, his work continues through you to reach others.

Holy Enough? (Psalm 33:18)

How good is good enough?  We know for certain that sin can rob believers of blessings from the Lord.  Therefore, in an effort to keep God from removing his hand of blessing, we strive to live a holy separated life.

At one point in my life, I thought that I lived a holy life, but as I grew in wisdom, I realized that my desperately wicked heart had been deceiving me.  To myself I may have appeared to live righteously, but I was wrong.

Around10 years ago, my son called to speak with me as he often had done.  During our conversation he stated that he came to recognized that although he was saved, he was a "wicked" person.  I chuckled and said, "Yeah, I know.  I raised you."  He then went on to explain that for years he had focused on outward behaviors and because they were in line with righteousness, he believed that he was living righteously.  He continued to explain that as of lately, he recognized much more evil sins such as pride, stubbornness, unforgiveness, and self righteousness.  He too had been deceived.

It seems that for so many people as they strive to become more holy, they may in fact become the opposite.  If you separate yourself enough from sin to where you believe you are then living holy enough to be blessed by the Lord, you immediately become more sinful.  We never have and never will live holy enough to be blessed.

Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; (Psalms 33:18)

What God expects is for us to fear him and to believe that his blessings only come as a result of his mercy.  This is something that each if us can do each day.  There is no level of holiness to achieve, but instead a condition of the heart and this condition reflects the principles of the first or great commandment.

Praise is Comely (Psalm 33:1)

Do remember the days back when you were dating and the whole process that you went through to get ready for the date?  I remember making sure that my favorite shirt and pants were in perfect order.  Then, I would shave twice just to make sure my face was free from nubs and baby soft.  I spent unlimited hours getting every hair in place and making sure that it stayed there.  Why did I do this?  I wanted to look appealing to the beholder or to stretch the term, I wanted to be "beautiful".

We should do the same with God, but remember, God is not focusing on the outside of the vessel, but the inside.  Make the inside right and the outside will follow, but if we focus on the outside instead of the in, we are merely pharisaical at best.

How do we make the inside beautiful?  Our inside is beautiful when we genuinely praise God.

Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. (Psalms 33:1)

When we praise God, he experiences pleasure in the same manner as we do when gazing upon the beauty of our children or are enthralled with a spectacular sunset.

Do you want to be beautiful?  Focus on the goodness of God and then lift your heart in praise to him.  You will be stellar.

The Plan (Psalm 33:11)

God has a plan and nothing will change it.  His plan was from eternity past and will continue to remain throughout all the generations.

The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. (Psalms 33:11)

I am living in the midst of God's plan.  My life is fulfilling his purpose.  Regardless of how I feel or what I think, I am special and significant.  The Holy Spirit's in dwelling and gifts are my abilities and empowerment.  What an exciting opportunity.  What I may think to be casual words or conversations may be instruments to encourage believers or bring people to Christ.  Chance meetings or encounters no longer exist.  Each event is part of God's dynamic and wonderful plan of which I am living on the center.

Praise God for the wonderful opportunity of my life.

To the End That... (Psalm 30:12)

Why did God allow David to face opposition?  Why didn't he, as trouble began to stir against David, stop it in its tracks.  The answer provided may seem simple, but it's understanding is anything but that.  God allowed the difficulty to occur so that he could lift up David and subsequently be praised and glorified.

To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever. (Psalms 30:12)

God does not selfishly do this, for he is praised by angelic creations.  He does not need our praise, he is already praised continually. However in order for us to understand God and his greatness, we must experience him and his mighty works.  When we do, we "know him and the power of his resurrection" and comprehend the splendor of his greatness.  Without the trial or the dark nights, we cannot come closer to fully knowing God.

Each trial is intended to open our understanding and draw us closer to God.  It will only be in the resurrection when we can know him as we are known.  Until then, trials are essential for our growth, faith and the ability to know God better.

Seeing the Land (Psalm 27:13)

I remember as a kid, there was this street in the neighborhood that had a steep hill on it.  My goal was to ride my bike to the top of the hill without stopping to push it up the rest of the way.  On many occasions, I failed to accomplish the task.  However, there was one time that after I peddled vigorously, it seemed as if I could not go any farther.  It was then that I lifted my eyes to see that I was nearly at the top of the hill.  Suddenly I found resources of strength that I did not know I had.  As I focused on my destination, the peddling became easier and I eventually made it to the top.

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. (Psalms 27:13)

There are many times in our lives when we will strive to overcome obstacles and feel as if we cannot go any further.  What we need to is see the finish line.  The finish line is the place that God has prepared for us.  I am not necessarily speaking of Heaven, but the promised land, which is the land of victory.  We must continue on and not faint.  Sometimes, the only thing that can keep you from fainting is your faith in the Lord. Your perspective of what you see he can do will become a strength to you.

As you go through trials, spend time with the Lord.  Submit to his will and allow him to reveal to you his plan and purpose.  With this vision, you will overcome.

Where there is no vision, the people perish: (Proverbs 29:18)

How Can This Be True? (Proverbs 12:21)

At first glance, this passage seems to indicate that evil events will not happen to just people.  From my own personal testimony, I can give countless examples of how people did evil to me or evil events came into my life.  As I quickly surveyed just people in general, I spanned evil happening to just people from the Apostles martyrdoms to present day when people have lost loved ones due to sin, crime and injustice.  How can this verse be true?

Many times in Scripture and in particular passages in Proverbs, the complete truth can be determined by reading the text in context or as in the middle chapters of Proverbs, read the latter portion of the verse.

There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. (Proverbs 12:21)

The passage is providing for us the promise that as just people live their lives and make decisions, they will not fall into evil or as the latter part of the verse says, mischief.  Those who walk with the Lord, will be guided by the same as they live their lives.  They will not be allowed to stumble and stagger in darkness, but will have the light of his presence and scripture to light their path and to guide their footsteps.

So if I want to be free from falling into evil, I must walk with the Lord, allow him to inspect my life and removed that which is not just, seek his face as decisions must be made and rejoice in the promise of his goodness and protection.

Pride and Shame (Proverbs 11:2)

Why is it that pride and shame go together?  Is their some mystical connection?  I think not.  Shame is the emotional condition experienced by a person who made and recognized a wrongful or poor act and sees it as a reflection of what they are.

As children, we experienced shame.  Our shame usually involved life events such as elementary school toileting accidents, disappointing others, failing tests, not being faithful to others in relationships, etc.  Some of these events of shame can be related to our abilities, but others come from pride.  Think about pride and shame?

When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2)

Shame comes to the proud, because they are destined to make wrong actions and decisions.  They are destined because they are blinded to truth which would enable them to make right decisions.  What blinds them from truth is pride.

Pride causes people to downplay the help and wisdom of others. It leads them to trust in their inflated ability instead of recognizing the abilities of others.  Pride blinds because it is selfish.  It wants to be right and to take complete credit for success.  Because of their pride, these people are destined to experience shame.  What is sad is that more than likely, they will blame their shameful condition on the inabilities of others and not recognize that their plight was of their own making.

To keep this from happening to you, heed to the wisdom of the scriptures.  Seek advice from those who demonstrate wisdom and humility.  Through prayer, seek guidance from God.  And finally, strive to make right decisions and not just be right.  When right decisions are made, praise the wisdom and efforts of those involved who enabled you to make the right decision.

God Gives and Calls (2 Peter 1:3)

God gives and calls.  He gives us salvation's promise and calls us to believe.  He gives us commandments and calls us to obey.  However, he also gives us ability and a calling.

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: (2 Peter 1:3)

God has given us the whole of what we need for life along with its problems and loyally living for God.  He has called us to have a God glorifying testimony (glory) and an ability to face life and it's challenges (virtue).

The divine power that we need comes from knowing God: not knowing facts about him, but a knowledge that comes from interacting with him.  Your knowledge, which will be your enabling, comes form your experiences with God.  The more you experience him, the more strength you have and the less you experience, the less strength you have.

Start each day looking for God's hand and handiwork in your life. Make sure that you praise him for what you recognize and experience. Having this interaction is both pleasing to him and empowering for you.

Wisdom (Proverbs 9:12)

The wisdom that you gain is for yourself.  You will be the beneficiary of your wisdom an no one else.  You may strive to pass wisdom along to others, but in order for them to benefit from wisdom, they must accept it for themselves.

If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself:but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.  (Proverbs 9:12)

Just as spiritual growth is solitary, so likewise is wisdom. Seek daily for wisdom from God's word.  Pray and ask God to provide you with wisdom.  If he corrects you in your life, yield to his correction and receive the instruction of wisdom.  If you do these, your inner life will feast on the goodness of the Lord.

Trust or Lean? (Proverbs 3:5)

Man's understanding is contrary to God's way.  When facing a trial, difficult situation or even a decision to make, we will face two persuasions: God's way or ours.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)

God wants and expects us to run to him for refuge and not to support ourselves with our reasoning or understanding.  Instead of leaning on our reasoning for support, he wants us to lean on him.

In this day of self help and positive thinking, we constantly face this proverbial fork in the road.  Today as you face life, what will your response be?  Will you support yourself or will you go to God for refuge?

Mercy and Truth (Proverbs 3:3)

Our attitude towards the law will determine whether or not we forget the law and commandments.  If we desire them and their benefits, our hearts will be inclined to guard God's laws and commandments, but if we seek the world and its vanity, we will forget or mislay them.

Mercy and truth may come to us, but they will not stay with us unless we hold onto them.  If we do not bind them about our necks and write them upon our hearts, they will depart.  When mercy and truth depart, their blessings leave with them.

He Still Wants to Use Me? (John 21:17)

Peter cannot bring himself to say that he loves (agapao) Jesus.  The best type of love that he believes he has is phileo or brotherly love.  Jesus continues to prompt him to feed his sheep and lambs.  Peter cannot get past his failure of denying Christ.  How can he feed God's lambs and sheep with such limited love?

Jesus knows his inner turmoil and condition of love.  He then--with that understanding confirmed--gives the charge again to Peter.  God's calling upon Peter's life was prior to his failure and in recognition of it.  He wanted Peter to know that regardless of what had happened, he still wanted him to be an Apostle.

Like Peter, we sometimes limit ourselves from what God has planned for us.  We get so focused on our failures and cannot see God's plan or believe his calling is upon our lives.

Instead of trying to figure it out, we should just listen to the voice of God's leading.  He will lead us to exactly where he wants us to be.

How Can I Approach God?

As a kid, one of the greatest difficulties I faced was approaching my father and trying to get him to do something for me.  It seemed like I always faced some type of resistance and a troubling discussion.  Those childhood experiences affected my perspective of my Heavenly Father.  It wouldn't take a counselor to recognize that as a believer in Christ, I would be convinced that my father in heaven would react the same way to my requests.

It took some time to overcome, but God eventually was able to get through to me and teach me about our relationship and how to approach him.  I finally recognized that he wants me to approach him and that there is a way to enter into his presence.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. (Psalms 100:4)

In this Psalm, the writer uses the analogy of entering a king's castle to teach us how to approach God.  The first step in approaching God should be to express thanks for whatever he is doing in your lives.  This can be very difficult for some of us, because there are many things that God allows into our lives, which are part of his sovereign plan that we may see as very unpleasant.  In order for us to be thankful, we will need to submit our will to him.  That is part of the great commandment loving God with all your heart, soul and mind.  When you express thanks to God, you enter through the gates and approach his presence.  You will not be as close as you could be, but you will be in his presence.

After expressing thanks, you should praise God.  Praising God is done by declaring how wonderful God is and saying it to him in your own words and from your heart.  When you do this, you have entered into the court of his presence.  Once you enter this place, stay there, fellowship with him, make your petitions known to him and enjoy the splendor that you were created to experience.

Your Christian life was meant to be enjoyed.  It does not mean that all of life will be enjoyable, but regardless of what circumstances we face, we can enjoy God in the midst of them.

What Is Stopping You? (Matthew 21:32)

What does it take?  In order to be or do something, it usually requires some preliminary steps or skills.  To run, you first need to walk.  To read, you must memorize and recognize letters, their sounds and words.  But what about something like believing.  What does that take?

For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.  (Matthew 21:32)

It appears that repentance affects a person's ability to believe.  It seems that when the publicans and harlots had their lives changed as a result of John's message, those who witnessed it should have then recognized John as a man from God.  Yielding to that truth would then have caused the listeners to accept and believe John's message and how it pertained to their lives.  By repenting, they would have enabled themselves to believe.

Repentance continues to be a major aspect of the believer's life both before and after salvation.  In salvation, man must repent and believe what God had said about him and his sinful condition.  Once man recognizes and yields to this, his entire attitude about himself, his condition and his ability to save himself will be changed.  He then can believe the gospel.  Again, repenting enables a person to believe.

Repentance continues to affect us after salvation.  As we face trials and difficulties, our hearts have a tendency to have fear and sometimes even doubt about the goodness of God.  It is only when we allow God's word to turn our hearts around and accept the truth of passages such as Romans 8:28, that we then again can believe and trust the Lord.

What action of repentance do you need to do in order to help you believe and trust God?


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What Is a Disciple? (Luke 14:33)

What is a disciple?  Is it merely a person who is a believer in Jesus?  Or is it a person who is mastering principles and practices of life?  Many times in English, the word disciple can refer to a person who is disciplined.  Is that a disciple?

In this passage, a disciple is a person who is a pupil or learner.  He or she is a person who is learning about Jesus.  Learning information is one thing, but a disciple of Jesus is a person who is learning about Jesus.

We all have learned about somebody. Whether it be a spouse, a child you are raising or even a close friend.  The more we spend time with these individuals, the greater the opportunity we have at learning about them.

As with everything in life, there can always be hinderances.  The hinderances to learning about Jesus occurs when we fail to yield our lives to him.  In this passage, he speaks about forsaking all.  Forsaking all means to say adieu to what you think you have control over in your life.  Remember in Matthew 11:29, when Jesus admonished us to take his yoke upon us and to learn of him?  It is at that time of yielding when we learn of Jesus.

When we fail to yield to him or we refuse to submit our lives to his care, we fail to learn of him and we fail to grow.  Do you want to grow in Christ?  If so, say goodbye to controlling your life and when you do, Jesus can begin to reveal things about himself to you.

Trauma (Psalm 27:1b)

Trauma is a terrible thing.  It reaches deep into the resources of the soul and damages everything that it touches.  Only now are we beginning to understand the effects of trauma as we help soldiers returning from war, but trauma isn't something new.  We have been battling trauma on the domestic front for years.  Even though many lives have been destroyed by it, there is hope.

Hope for those traumatized can be provided by those whom they can trust.  Please let me illustrate.  This morning I woke up to the sound of rain.  I looked next to the bed and sure enough, the Shepherd was under the chair.  Our rescue had been traumatized by gun shots, being hit by a car and taunted by passers by as he remained tied to a fence with a broken hip.  It doesn't take much to trigger fears and even reenactments.  So while he was terrified to go outside and do his morning business because of rain and the potential for thunder, I went out into the yard and called him to me.  As he approached, I gave him the repeated rhythmic shsh, shsh, shsh, shsh, shshshshshshsh that I give to soothe him when he is overcome with anxiety.  He recognized my call of caring and came next to me.  He practically knocked me over to get close enough to feel safe.

Jesus provides the same type of care.  He recognizes our fears and calls us to him.  As we hear his voice and get close to him, he provides comfort and security.  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1b). In this verse, the Psalmist declares that the Lord is his defense or fortified place.  He was that for him and he wants to be the same for you.  Will you hear his call?  Will you run to him for comfort and security?  He is waiting and ready to aid you in your trauma.

What is being spiritual?

What is being spiritual?

Is it knowing the bible very well to where you can quote large amounts of scripture or at the least scripture to pertains to life's problems?

Is it demonstrating a faith attitude while in the midst of life's dark circumstances?

Is it being separated from the world so that you don't look, act, or speak like them?

Are you spiritual when you overcome the hurts, fears and abuses of life?

I am glad to say that the answer to all of these questions is, "No!"  Satan memorized scripture and then quoted it to Jesus, so that knocks out the first.  The outward appearances of man are not nearly as significant as the inward.  Just because a facade of faith is demonstrated on the outside does not mean that it is possessed on the inside.  Being separated is not an indication of spirituality because countless cults around the world, who deny Jesus Christ, have stringent guidelines for conduct and appearance, yet these people are not spiritual.  In fact, they are still lost in their sin.

Finally, we will look at the overcoming of hurts, fears and abuse.  I know many spiritual people who have not overcome.  This may surprise you, but it is true.  Many may state, "What about greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world?"  I John 4:4 is a good verse.  My reply to that is a question.  How can it be expected for people to overcome in Christ if they have not been given instruction in truth or have been given an incorrect manner of going to God for deliverance.  It is just like countless millions who have been told that they must serve Jesus with works in order for him to save them. These individuals may work tirelessly for years and never obtain salvation.

In like manner, what victory would be obtained for those who have been hurt and abused if they were given the following advice.

If you want to get victory, sell out for Jesus, live holy, give, separate from the world and pray.

What a legalistic approach.  How much selling out will be enough?  How can I know when I am holy enough?  Is tithing enough or should I give more? If so, how much?  Hair, clothes, words, actions, entertainment: I am separated...should I turn off my electric too?  After all this, there is no victory.  And then we wonder why people only stay in churches for five years.  These hurting people have done everything they were told to do and came up empty.  No wonder they leave...no wonder they give up.

It is time for us to be spiritual and make a difference.  Let us start with Galatians 6:2: Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Being Hid (Psalm 27:5)

Many years ago, I went to visit an Aunt and Uncle in Tennessee.  During the daytime hours, my sister and I stayed at the grandparents' house and played with the neighborhood kids.  On one occasion, we were playing hide-and-go-seek and I frantically ran into the kitchen and asked grandmother to help me find a place to hid.  I remember she opened up the cabinets under the sink, took the contents out and told me to get in there.  Moments later the kitchen was filled with the voices of those seeking to find me.  They never did, because I was safely hid.

God is much the same.  The Psalmist learned that when he faced trouble, the Lord would hide him in his secret place. The trouble may be present, but he was hid safely from the harm that the problem could cause.  God wants to do the same for you and me.  He wants us to run to him and seek refuge from the harm that we face.  He will protect us, but at the same time reveal himself to us as we hide in the tabernacle of his care.

Psalms 27:5
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion:
in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me;
he shall set me up upon a rock.

Trials and troubles are inevitable, but what we have is a God who will care for us as we seek refuge in him.

Can't You See? (Psalm 119:18)

Open your eyes!  Can't you see?  These are common phrases that we use when we speak to people as they struggle either to see something physically in front of them or to recognize a truth or principle.

What stops people from being able to see?  It isn't always their eyes.  Sometimes people can't see something because they are focusing in the wrong direction or their ability to see is blocked.

"Open thou mine eyes", means to denude the eyes.  The psalmist is asking God to remove from his eyes what is causing him not to see things from his law.

If you can't see what God is doing in your life, ask him to make your eyes nude or completely uncovered.  Hurt, sorrow, fear, bitterness, confusion and worry can block your spiritual eye sight.  We cannot remove what causes these emotions, but God can strip them from our eyes and show us truth that we need to gain victory.

Fruit With Patience (Luke 8:15)

Recently, I posted online a picture of a tomato plant from my garden.  Hanging from that plant in mid-June were a few golf ball sized tomatoes.  My caption, "Come on" were my words of anticipation for the delicious fruit to get here.  In order to get to this point, it took a great deal of time.  I first prepared the soil and planted the seeds in little cups.  Throughout April and early May, I nurtured the plants with water and exposure to the sun.  Around Mothers' day, they were planted in the ground followed by pruning, watering and weeding.  In all, it should take about 10 weeks before I will get the fruit that I desire.  Fruit just takes time.

But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. (Luke 8:15)

It also takes time to produce the fruit of God.  It is easy to make fruit that shows on the outside and you can do it in no time at all, but it might not really be fruit.  Change your clothes, change your hair, you can even change your words and the places your feet may take you.  However, true fruit takes time and first begins on the inside of the believer and like any fruit bearing plant, it will take time to grow.  It begins with a seed of truth from God's word.  If we yield to it, it will begin to grow.  Each day, we will need to keep or guard this truth in our hearts.  As we do, the early signs of fruit will begin to show: much like my small green tomatoes.  Over time, the truth will become a habit that we have put on.  If you continue the process, you will grow and your fruit will yield 30, 60 and even 100 fold. (Mark 4:8)

Don't Wait, Call (Luke 11:37)

We know why Jesus accepted invitations to visit with the Publicans, but did you ever wonder why the Lord accepted them from the Pharisees.  From this account of Scripture, we can see that Jesus will go to wherever he is invited.  What we must understand is that we may invite him for one reason, but his purpose may be different.  In either case, it is great to know that whenever we invite the Lord to be with us, he will attend.

Regardless of our spiritual condition, he will attend.  He respond differently that we may think, but he will respond in a manner that is for our benefit.  So, wherever you are and in whatever state you may find yourself, invite the Lord to come and be with you.  He is waiting and has been for some time.

No Sign (Mat 12:39)

There is a difference between seeking direction and desiring a sign as proof before believing.  Probably one of the most noted individuals who sought a sign for direction was Gideon.  Gideon sought a sign out of cautiousness and not unbelief.  Had that not been the case, he would have been rebuke by the Lord.

An adulterous generation seeks a sign because their heart has affinity to another.  Their request for a sign is more out of not wanting to change than it is for desiring the truth.  Their prideful heart digs in becoming unmovable.

This attitude is understandable for the lost, but the saddest of testimonies for the saved.

Beyond Your Past (Luke 7:9)

When the centurion had his servant healed, he demonstrated by faith something that nobody in Israel had yet accomplished.  He had believed in the sovereignty of the Lord Jesus Christ and his ability to speak a miracle into existence.  He, being a heathen Roman officer, had great faith.

You must remember that your family history, like the centurion's, does not determine or hinder your spirituality.  Even your past--whether it be good or bad--does not determine your current spiritual state.  Your spiritual condition is directly related to your faith.  However, sin can cause you to walk in the flesh which reduces your ability to trust God, but your history does not determine your future.

As you venture forward in your walk with the Lord, live beyond your circumstances and believe in him.

Moved to Compassion (Luke 7:13)

One of the attributes of God is that he is omniscient, which means that he is all knowing.  He knows all that has occurred in the past, he knows what is in the heart of man and what is taking place currently, and he knows what will happen in the future.

When God became man, he cloaked his diety: that is to say that as God, Jesus functioned as a man and only accessed his divine powers and abilities as directed by the father.

In this passage when Jesus came face to face with the widow, he, as God, saw her and her condition for the first time.  What occurred revealed the nature of God towards man.  The scriptures state that when he saw her, he had compassion on her.  From this, we can know that as God looks upon us, he will be moved with compassion towards us.  Although his plan may require that we endure particular hardships in life, but nonetheless his heart is moved with compassion.

We too should have compassion on others.  What is needed for this to occur is to see individuals in their state.  This may come from visual sight or Holy Spirit illumination.  It is difficult to have compassion on someone if you cannot see them.  So in order for us to have compassion, we must see them.

Doubt and Pride (Luke 7:1-10)

When we approach God in prayer, we could come with one of two attitudes.  We either believe that God is the hope for our cause and that because of our devotion to him, we should expect our prayer to be answered or we are unsure of his response because we see ourselves as unworthy.

Both extremes are incorrect.  Many times because we feel unworthy, our faith is diminished hindering God from responding and answering our prayers.  Have you ever met someone who felt that they had sinned too much and could not be saved?  However, there are other occasions when people feel that because they have abstained from sinful actions and live a separated life for God that they are more likely to be heard.  In all truth, there is not one person who ever lived righteously enough to deserve an answer to prayer.

When we start thinking that we deserve something from God, we move from humble created being to proud mimic of Lucifer.  The ugliness of pride can creep into our lives without us even knowing it and when it does, it is subtle and usually undetected.  The heart is still deceitful above all things.

Have you ever been bothered because God did not answer a prayer.  If you have, it was because of pride.  Will God answer prayer? Yes!  Will it ever be based on our worthiness?  No! but remember, there are two things that hinder faith: doubt and pride.

Mercy and Truth (Proverbs 3:3)

Mercy and truth are like the sunset.  Sunsets are beautiful experiences, but unless they are captured in thought, on canvas or on film, they will be lost.  Mercy and truth are presented to us by God.  We gain it from his word, but unless we taken measures to preserve them, they too will be lost.

God tells us to bind mercy and truth about our necks and write them upon the table of our hearts. (Prov. 3:3). If we live life with mercy and truth, it us because we failed to secure it.  We may have enjoyed its pleasure for a season, but like the sunset, it was gone.

Mercy and Truth (Proverbs 3:3)

Mercy and truth are like the sunset.  Sunsets are beautiful experiences, but unless they are captured in thought, on canvas or on film, they will be lost.  Mercy and truth are presented to us by God.  We gain it from his word, but unless we taken measures to preserve them, they too will be lost.

God tells us to bind mercy and truth about our necks and write them upon the table of our hearts. (Prov. 3:3). If we live life with mercy and truth, it us because we failed to secure it.  We may have enjoyed its pleasure for a season, but like the sunset, it was gone.

Truth and Hard Hearts (Mark 3:5)

It is not unbelief that angers The Lord, but a hard heart.  A person hardens their heart by resisting truth that is brought to it.  The person recognizes the truth and resists it so that it will not change them.  People who harden their hearts keep themselves from receiving the workings of God and his grace in their hearts.  They aren't confused and they aren't struggling to accept or understand truth.  They create a fortress of their heart and will not allow God or his truth to enter.

You Are Where You Are

You may not be where you want to be.  You may be looking for conditions or circumstance in your life to change.  Before you react or respond, you may need to ask yourself a few questions. What if the circumstances in my life are ordained by God?  What if he has a plan to use me and my circumstances as a way of demonstrating his grace so that others may come to Christ or some saved may be challenged to trust him? 

Instead of praying or looking for your circumstances to change, you may need to accept where you are and ask The Lord to help you to be content with it.  God has never promised you a great or easy life, but he has declared that he will provide the grace that you need to live his plan and that you can find contentment in it.

Consider the following passages.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  (II Corinthians 12:9)

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. (Philippians 4:6)

Knowing More of Him (Revelation 21:4)

As you go through a trial, remember that it is God's desire for you to live life without sorrow.  There will come a day when all of your sorrow will be gone, but until that time, he will provide to you a comforter instead of a deliverer.

God wants you to experience each facet of his greatness.  Deliverer, Judge, Ruler and King are aspects of him that we greatly desire to see and experience.  However, God wants you to know him as comforter, burden bearer, and guide.  You can only know the latter by experiencing difficulties in your life.  If you want to know him, you must follow him to where he leads.  Because it is only in those places that you can more fully learn of him.

Rejected Again and Again (Isaiah 53:3)

You fat pig!  You can't sit here.  I hate you!  We don't want your kind around here.  Have you ever heard words like these before?  If you have, you know how deeply they hurt.  These words are words of rejection and being rejected is a very difficult thing to handle.  Each of us has faced it and our first occurrence took place way back in our early childhoods.  Since then, we have staggered from rejection to rejection.  Oh, we may pick ourselves up, but each rejection adds to the last and we never seem to completely recover.  We simply harden ourselves and move forward.  However, that is only true for some of us.  For the rest of us, is there any hope?  Is there anyone who will not reject us?  The answer is yes.

I have seen it many times.  Those who have been rejected tend to have a heart towards others who have also been rejected.  This is not always true: there are some who have become hardened people and only project their hurt on others, but they are not the majority.

I have a friend who has been rejected many times and even by friends and family.  Every time I need acceptance and support he is there.  He is able to help me, because he knows what it is like to be rejected and he understands the struggles I face each time I am rejected.  He knows the sorrow that I feel, because he also has felt it.  His compassion and strength become my stability.  He is a very true friend.

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: (Isaiah 53:3)

Have you been rejected?  If so, speak with my friend.  He wants to embrace you in his caring arms and provide the comfort and support you need to overcome your hurts.  You don't need to measure up to gain his support, you simply need to reach out.

Do I Really Care? (2 Timothy 1:4)

If we knew how others viewed us, how many would say that we are self centered or all we think about is ourselves?  The number may surprise us.  In defense, we may point out the many times that we have reached out with aid to others.  We may speak of how we support others in need or simply how we act kindly towards others.  The question is, "Is that enough?"  

Is it enough to perform actions of kindness and charity?  I think not.  Actions can be just that: simply actions.  We can perform acts of kindness without the true motive for our actions being known.  Guilt, fear of rejection and pride can each be a motivation for kind acts and if they are, the works performed will not be acts of kindness.

In his letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul best describes this virtue.  Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; (2 Timothy 1:4). True kindness occurs as a result of empathy.  Paul describes this emotion as "being mindful of thy tears".  The word mindful comes from two words meaning "to stay" and "to chew".  We are mindful about something when we continue to roll the idea over in our minds.  For those being kind, they are rolling over in their minds the hurts and pains of others which causes them tears.

They may continually think of their friend's hurt from losing a loved one.  They focus on the pain and sickness of others and carry those burdens with them.  When friends are absent from church or just out of touch, they wonder how they are doing and if they are abounding through their circumstances.  These are the thoughts of a person who cares.

So let me ask you, do you really care about others?  To find out, let your thoughts be your judge.

Why Does God Allow This?

Why does God allow mean people to treatment me wrongfully? Or why does God allow people to hurt me?  These questions have puzzled many and caused countless people to struggle and even fall away from their faith.

To some degree, the Apostle Paul addressed this issue in the following Scripture passage.

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; (Philippians 1:29)

I remember as a kid, my mother repeatedly played on our stereo the same song: I Never Promised You A Rose Garden.  I was so sick of hearing that song, but one thing I distinctly remember from it was that along with the sunshine, there will be a little rain sometime.  I guess that sums up relationships, work and even life itself.

Sadly to say, there are many who are saying that if people come to Christ, their lives will be a wonderful experience.  They present it like their lives will be a bed of roses.  What a mixed up theology.  I can say that I would never even think of trading my life in Christ for anything, but I also can definitely say that as a Christian my life has not been easy.  But again, why would God want me to suffer at all let alone suffer for Christ?  

Our life experiences are a testament to the world.  Because the lost will not seek God, he brings the message of hope and love to them.  As we experience trials just as the lost do, God wants to demonstrate his comfort and love through his interaction with us.  As we experience grace and strength, The Lord sends his message of love to the lost.

God also allows the wicked to oppress us so that he may convict them by us not being afraid but remaining strong in him.  Trials and troubles are not joyful, but we can find joy while in the midst of them.  God wants to meet you in that trouble and manifest his presence to you.  When he does, the lost around you will see a demonstration of what he wants to do for them.  We must remember that we are bought with a price and because he paid the great price of our salvation, we now belong to him.  He will use us as he pleases and we must trust that whatever he does will be what is best for us and for others.  Trials never seem like what is best, but it is during those times that our faith must rely on God and his goodness.