His messenger

For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you well know. And God is our witness that we were not pretending to be your friends just to get your money! As for human praise, we have never sought it from you or anyone else. As apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to make some demands of you, but instead we were like children among you. Or we were like a mother feeding and caring for her own children. We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God's Good News but our own lives, too.
(1 Thessalonians 2:4-8 NLT)

The closer I get to the person God intended for me to be the more fierce the enemy becomes but I am not special for you too will taste of the enemy’s vengeance as you move closer to God's purpose for your life. Have you ever wondered if you were on the path God has planned for your life? You will know as the opposition increases, guarantied! It seems odd but the enemy, in this way, is predictable. If you are on a route that is less than what God has called you to do Satan will leave you alone but if you are stepping in the footsteps of Jesus often the enemy will know it sooner than you yourself realize it and he gives it away by his attacks. Many times these attacks will start in your dreams tempting to lead you off course and eventually threatening hopelessness and promising your past will also be your future but don’t take your eyes off of Jesus. On my own I am bound to repeat the same mistakes I have made before, for in me is brokenness but in my Savior is victory and I cannot not lose as long as I am careful to step where Jesus steps.

Image a winter scene where the trees and ground are covered with new snow yet untouched by man or beast and as you look out across the valley to mountains in the distance you marvel at the wonder of it all but you also realize on your own you could never reach your destination except for your guide that has promised to lead you through the wilderness. You trust Him completely because He spoke truth to you and told you of your need, which no one else could have known and even more important for the first time in your heart was born hope and peace like you’ve never known. Your guide instructs you to carefully step where he steps as you listen intently, for you know how easily you will sink in the deep snow, become cold and wet, and possibly freeze to death. If someone looked at where you two have been they would only see one set of tracks because each step you take is purposefully chosen. The enemy has been watching too and he knows if you venture off course you will lose your way, your heart will become cold and your strength will weaken and if you remain off course you will die. Why would he attack if you do his work for him but it is the one who follows the Guide closely whom he fears will reach their destination and therefore he attacks with the intention of distracting, even if only for a moment. At first the distractions will come seemingly innocently tempting but if that doesn’t work the tempting turns to threats so guard your soul because that is where the battleground begins and keep your eyes fixed on your guide – Jesus, for though He cannot be seen with human eye by His Spirit He leads you and it is by His Spirit you must learn to see. For this is the message, awakening all who would set out on the great adventure, come see what the Lord has done!

How precious is Your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of Your wings. You feed them from the abundance of Your own house, letting them drink from Your river of delights. For You are the fountain of life, the light by which we see.
(Psalms 36:7-9 NLT)

Our legacy

And now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. We don't need to tell them about it, for they keep talking about the wonderful welcome you gave us and how you turned away from idols to serve the living and true God. And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God's Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the One who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment.
(1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 NLT)

When you think about that special person in your life who meant more to you at a particular time than others think about what made them stand out from the crowd. I would be willing to say it was because of one or more of these three things: faith, love, and hope. Not only that they had those things but they took time to share them with you in your time of need because these things mean more than gifts the world can give.

As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(1 Thessalonians 1:3 NLT)

Remember this as we take time to give this Christmas money can bring temporary happiness but these things bring an everlasting joy regardless of our financial situation. You can’t use them up because the more you give away the more you get in return. A thief cannot steal them, for they are given freely, they do not break down after time has gone by because their source is eternal, and it does not matter who you are or what you have done because when Jesus, God’s Son, came to die He died for all, especially those who recognize their need for Him but there is an enemy and this enemy will use the spiritually weak to try and take these gifts of God from you so be on guard by keeping your eyes on your Heavenly Father and being sensitive to the moving of His Holy Spirit. As David was pursued unjustly so will you be as you push back the darkness from people’s lives but like David we have a Protector and Provider who leads us with purpose and light.

I did them no wrong, but they laid a trap for me. I did them no wrong, but they dug a pit to catch me. So let sudden ruin come upon them! Let them be caught in the trap they set for me! Let them be destroyed in the pit they dug for me. Then I will rejoice in the LORD. I will be glad because He rescues me. With every bone in my body I will praise Him: "LORD, who can compare with You? Who else rescues the helpless from the strong? Who else protects the helpless and poor from those who rob them?"
(Psalms 35:7-10 NLT)

Don’t be confused, those who come against you are not as they appear. Those who try to trip you up are not the ones that ordered the attack but merely pawns who for the most part are unaware of what they are doing. No, the enemy is not after you but the one who lives inside of you and through the Holy Spirit you have been given spiritual eyes to see, if you don’t allow your flesh to rule your soul. Why would you not be attacked as you spread the good news of Jesus Christ who defeated the enemy and opened the door for people to return to their Creator so that they could once again have communion with Him? For you are taking back territory that enemy has stolen and he is enraged. Who said being a Christian is for the weak?

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the world's rulers, of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
(Ephesians 6:12 MKJV)

So be encouraged, be strong in the Lord Jesus Christ, for He is with you! Give away what you have been given because of the work He has done but be aware there is an enemy who has set himself against the Holy Spirit living within you. Don’t be caught off guard lest you stumble and fall. Above all remember God’s grace is sufficient and He loves you beyond your understanding, think before acting, and listen before speaking and then your life will be a pleasing sacrifice to your Heavenly Father and you will have left a legacy for those lives you have touched.

Tell me how you are doing

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about His mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains.
(Colossians 4:2-3 NLT)

All too often Christians take on hardships as if they belong to them and them alone but Paul shared what he went through so brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus may see what God was doing and so they could take part as they offered up prayers for him. It’s hard to imagine but sometimes we go through things not only because we need to learn something but also for the building of faith of our brothers and sisters.

Many times circumstances are kept to ourselves because of pride. We are too concerned about what others might think or say or do but that battle is not yours to own. Instead it only serves as a reminder they have issues too and like you they can either deal with them or they can choose to be blind through their own pride and arrogance but the mature in Christ will speak truth in love for the purpose of helping others to grow as they are growing.

Paul always seemed to have close brothers in the faith near him, a support system of sorts to encourage him and to remind him of the purpose he serves by being obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ even though his body suffers and his mind is troubled. Therefore it is important that we do the same. When I was a teenager God sent those people into my life even though I did not understand how much they were needed, for I would have surely died without them. As an adult I learned to be strong and self-reliant. Partly because my path took me places others could not go but something was lost and until recently I thought gone for good but once again God has given me a support system. Not only do I share my struggles and difficulties but my victories and triumphs and in this way others pray for me and invest in the things Christ is doing through me and as I do the same for them.

We all go through difficulties but not all of us are strong enough to admit we need help. Too often the phrase “I’ve got this” comes up in our vocabulary. Even if we are able to handle it only propels us further down the road to the ideal that “I am strong enough” but there is no such thing as the “self-made man”. What happens when you come upon a real battle, something larger than you are capable of taking care of yourself? Do you have a support system in place? You see there are way too many circumstances in our lives for us to make a large impact on them all by ourselves. It would be like having a line of marbles stretched from the left side of the table to the right and you trying to push them all back with a pencil point. Yeah you might be able to push one or two but the overall impact is very little but the support system allows you to trade your pencil for a 8’ 2x4 laid down the width of the table pushing all those circumstances back at the same time, not because of your abilities or the abilities of your friends but because of prayer and the love of God. Through your circumstances others will know Christ Jesus but it’s through the letting go of pride and having faith enough to trust God with your heart that the circumstances the stand before us are moved back. I am truly amazed, all the effort in all the years of adulthood does not equal what the Lord has done is just moments and it all started in my heart like someone turning on the lights in a dark room with no windows.

I will boast only in the LORD; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the LORD's greatness; let us exalt His name together. I prayed to the LORD, and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD listened; He saved me from all my troubles. For the angel of the LORD is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear Him.
(Psalms 34:2-7 NLT)

But the LORD will redeem those who serve Him. No one who takes refuge in Him will be condemned.
(Psalms 34:22 NLT)

A godly family

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly. Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.
(Colossians 3:18-21 NLT)

Many in the church today are either not willing or not ready to hear this with all the voices making themselves known about “equal rights” which is really a trick, a Trojan horse of sorts, from the enemy to rob people of the rights God has set in place for all mankind and the family has suffered greatly because of their blindness. Colossians 3:18-21 is God’s direction for the family and with each command that is given a stepping stone is placed for the foundation of the one following it and with each new step more responsibility is given. In this way the family works together as one to offer a pleasing sacrifice to the Lord, through obedience as the family humbly submits their will for God’s.

Wives often don’t realize it but their devotion to the Lord is the foundation of the family. Their attitude either creates a place for the family to grow so that freedom in the Lord is known by her family or turmoil takes over to bind and blind the lives in her household. It is the wife’s decision that either builds up the husband so he can focus on Christ or tears him down so his soul is consumed with trouble and so God says to submit so that He may lead the husband by God’s Holy Spirit and verse seventeen says whatever we do or say do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Next in the same way husbands are to love their wives and never treat her harshly. This command is given so that it does not depend on what the wife does or does not do. Yes it would be easier and greater things would be accomplished if she was obedient to the Lord but it is not a prerequisite for the husband to be obedient to the Lord, for this command was given to him by God and it is to God that he will answer. Furthermore the husband has the greater responsibility whether the wife wants to partake in God’s blessings or not, it is the responsibility of the husband to love her and treat her right and through his obedience he provides testimony to the love Christ Jesus has for the church, not only to her but to his children and those who know the family.

Next are the children, again in the same way the wife and husband are to be obedient to the Lord so are the children to be obedient, for when they choose not to obey their parents it is not only the parents they have to answer to but ultimately to God! Once again obedience to God is not dependent upon the steps before it. Regardless of what the child thinks of his or her parents or parent God expects for all children to obey their parents always. If the parent is wrong it is through the child’s obedience that God will grip the heart of the parent and move them towards making things right but if the child is disobedient that child distracts the parent and tempts them to take their eyes off of God’s leading.

Once again the father has the greater responsibility and this time he is told not to aggravate his children and you guessed it the father’s obedience to the Lord does not require the child or children obey the step before. In the same way the father’s disobedience will distract and hinder the children from knowing God because of the turmoil he is causing. In each case the greater responsibility is on the husband and father but he is not an island; by the wife and children being obedient to God’s Word they enable him to be who God has called him to be. So wives do you have a husband who is secluded and seemingly lazy? Children, do you have a father who isn’t living up to your expectations? Then examine your own lives and test yourselves to see if you are being obedient to God’s Word. Fathers, does your family drain you of energy, is your soul filled with trouble when you think about your family and the situations they are in? Then see them for what they are ~ the Lord’s harvest! Witness to them of God’s love, provoke them to be who God is calling them to be not through anger but through God’s love. Treat your wives as Christ Jesus treats the church and plant seeds in your children’s hearts that point to the Big Dream, the vision God is calling them to. Give them something to spend their energy on, encourage and give hope so they may do greater things than you have done. Do you want to see your children succeed? Then prepare them and send them on their way through your obedience.

All these things can and will be accomplished by and through obedience to the Lord. What do we take God for, does He or does He not know what He is doing? A better question is this… do we trust Him with our lives? The Lord says test Him in this. Be obedient, whole heartedly and see if He does not bless you, see if you don’t become the family you always wanted and hoped for.

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in My Temple. If you do," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put Me to the test!
(Malachi 3:10 NLT)

And this is the secret

For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing His glory.
(Colossians 1:27 NLT)

We belong to Christ Jesus, though this world can be cold and often a mist obscures our view in this we can be sure; the very purpose of God has been placed within our own hearts and Christ Jesus himself has walked before us and yet He stands with us even now as we face the unknown. The very thing the world searches for is hidden from them within this pilgrim’s heart. The world is busy with many things yet lacks direction, things are accomplished yet nothing gained but the value they seek is within the heart of those who have abandoned the world for the sake of seeking the things of God and one day this secret will be revealed and the world will know what they have been looking for was in their midst all along, over looked and disregarded as simple and weak. Was it not God that explained through Paul, “Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And He chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.” (1 Corinthians 1:27 NLT)

God will not share His glory with one who is foreign to His ways, His thoughts, His very character but instead calls all who are broken, who are discouraged, and without hope to seek His Son through the moving of His Holy Spirit so that they may gain new life and return back to the place God originally intended, to Himself and it is because of Jesus, God’s Son who lives in us, that we have this assurance of sharing His glory – the hope of mankind.

A psalm of David. Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night Your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Interlude Finally, I confessed all my sins to You and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the LORD." And You forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Interlude Therefore, let all the godly pray to You while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment. For You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. Interlude The LORD says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control." Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD. So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey Him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!
(Psalms 32:1-11 NLT)

Burgandy and Isaac

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:4-7 NLT)

Lord help me cause my children’s eyes to see the things you have been trying to show them. Burgandy and Isaac in spite of all that you have gone through, are going through right now, and will go through in the future you are loved by your Father in heaven. You both have had some tough roads to walk and you both would do yourselves a great service by understanding that you don’t understand all the other one has endured. Though this is not the place to have discussions of great depth I am not blind to the fact that I am responsible for a great many things but maybe what neither of you have been able to see or understand is that there is purpose in everything that you have faced. You cannot run from God’s love and because of His love you are both blessed whether it seems that way or not and one day you both will look back and see it. You both are free agents and make decisions that mold who you are and when things get tough it is difficult to see God is carrying you. We all make mistakes and we all can learn from them but in the middle of our busy lives God takes our offerings whether broken or scarred and turns them into something beautiful. Do you both remember the names I gave you in 2004? They were names I felt that were from God that described something about you both which pointed to who He made you to be. Burgandy the name I felt God gave me to give you was “Freedom”. You have been living life based on decisions you have made, sometimes the choices weren’t very good but you made the decision that worked best for you. God gave you this freedom because He has been wanting you to see something, something that could not be told but only experienced and mom and I pray for you as decisions continue to come your way but with each decision that is made your life is molded a little more and with each choice a piece of freedom is taken away. God is your source and He replenishes every time you come into His presence and your purpose is to tell others about the freedom you found in Christ Jesus. That’s why it is so important to make decisions based on God’s Word. Isaac, I gave you a name at the same time, do you remember? You are “Warrior” look at your life in just that last few years have you not fought many battles? Is there not a fire inside of you? Do you not protect those whom you love? But you too have responsibility. You are responsible for learning where your strength, this fire, comes from. It is not anything you have done but it is God’s hand upon your life. Your purpose is to lift up the weak and protect those who cannot protect themselves. You both have come through these things unaware that you have been in training to be what God has called you to be and to accuse each other is only evidence that you do not understand yet what God has planned. Mom and I love you both very much and pray for you often. Be encouraged you both are blessed and God is present in your lives but your strength comes from recognizing He is with you and not from yourselves.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
(Philippians 4:8-9 NLT)

Love the LORD, all you godly ones! For the LORD protects those who are loyal to Him, but He harshly punishes the arrogant. So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the LORD!
(Psalms 31:23-24 NLT)

Don't look down now

I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.
(Philippians 3:14-16 NLT)

At some point in each one’s life a threshold is crossed, which becomes the point of no return. Though things don’t get easier by faith you know your future is in what lies ahead not behind so you press on toward the mark. I cannot say where that point is in another one’s life but in my own life it came as my spirit hungered for more of Christ Jesus yet my flesh would not let go of things that brought comfort. It was a grand collision and the result of it was finding myself in a place where there was no hope but for God, my flesh surrendered, and my spirit strengthened, and by faith I walked through the rubbish holding Jesus’ hand.

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with Him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God's way of making us right with Himself depends on faith.
(Philippians 3:8-9 NLT)

I no longer concern myself with my own ability to keep the law, for when I did condemnation was my companion and eventually hopelessness overtook me but with each new day I draw closer to Jesus; Paul said, “I become righteous through faith in Christ.” My eyes have been taken off of self and fixed on Christ, forgetting what is behind and focus on what lies ahead.

I’ve heard of Christian leaders, some pastors, some evangelist, and others who after proclaiming Christ’s name fell away but with each case these spiritual leaders took their eyes off of Christ, which opened the door to doubt, and faith was let lose, almost as if faith was never present in their lives. For these struggle with faith more so than those who never believed.

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.
(Hebrews 11:6 NLT)

It’s as if they walked a spiritual tight rope and in doubt looked down, for the fear in that individual is greater than the fear in the person that never left the ground. We cannot walk that tight rope on our own, it takes more than we can give. Jesus gave all so that we might follow Him but we can only do that by faith in Him. Knowing that God is love and if God calls out to us to come then He will make a way but we must forsake all else, for we cannot go where He is calling us while holding onto the things that used to bring us comfort.

A psalm of David. A song for the dedication of the Temple. I will exalt You, LORD, for You rescued me. You refused to let my enemies triumph over me. O LORD my God, I cried to You for help, and You restored my health. You brought me up from the grave, O LORD. You kept me from falling into the pit of death.
(Psalms 30:1-3 NLT)

Unity and selflessness

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
(Philippians 2:3-4 TNIV)

When we do things to satisfy our own wants and turn a blind eye to the needs of others we remove ourselves from God’s blessings, even more so we are at odds with the very heart of God! Matthew 25 Jesus tells us about the King (God) separating the people like a shepherd would separate sheep from goats on judgment day. Speaking first to the sheep the King surprised them when He said, “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Then speaking to the goats He surprised them as well when He said, “whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”

Selfishness can be seen in everything we do, oh we disguise it with the pretense of helping others, so much so sometimes we even believe the lie and walk away feeling good about what we’ve done but regardless of what we believe it will not change our motivation. It is our motivation locked away deep down that continues to push us towards selfish actions. No selfishness does not tuck its tail and run so easily but must be pried out as we set our faces northward and our eyes trained on Jesus Christ, in whom all hope is turned to trust as we watch Him change our hearts to be like His own as we, with discipline, obey His Word. Christ gave His life, even unto death, while we still hated Him so that we might live and now Christ Jesus is exalted at the right hand of our Heavenly Father. He is a trail blazer and we, like Him, are to give away that which we have been given. Why then do we struggle with hoarding stuff? I’m not pointing fingers, for I have many possessions myself. No, my intent is to wake up the spirit that sleeps inside of us. Not to be perfect but to do my best and allow God to fill in the holes.

Discipline can be difficult to wrap your mind around for it is not I that touches the broken and down cast but God; however if I don’t get up every morning and plan to bless someone it won’t get done. You can say you are waiting for God but the truth is He is waiting for you, for He has already provided. He has provided the means for you to choose to be a blessing but you must take the first step, in faith! I’m learning things don’t always just fall in place – if I want to be healthy I must get up early and exercise and then again before going to bed. I must eat right, not just once or twice each day but every time I put food in my mouth. If I want to be closer to God I must make time to read His Word and pray. If I want to be the person God purposed for me to be I must make an effort to learn how to do that, again not just once or twice a day but 24/7/365.

2 Thessalonians 3:13 tells us to never tire of doing what is good. If we truly are soldiers in the Lord’s army then we must understand what a soldier does. For discipline will either make or break them. The disciplined soldier does not count on circumstances turning out in his/her favor but follows the leading of the commander and depends on the training received to help them decide what to do when things get tough. Always press forward in doing what is right, even when you don’t feel like it. Though the opposition seems impassable the Lord will make the way but you are the one who puts one boot in front of the other. A good place to start is being in unity with your brothers and sisters and giving of yourself. Do this and see if God doesn’t reveal Himself to you but keep your heart sensitive to the moving of the Holy Spirit, go where He leads, step out of your comfort zone, which shows God you trust Him.

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
(Malachi 3:10 TNIV)

The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.
(Psalms 29:4 TNIV)

The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.
(Psalms 29:11 TNIV)

With eager expectation

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
(Philippians 1:20-21 TNIV)

To be so saturated with Christ Jesus that your expectations are of Christ being glorified regardless of what happens to your own person, for this is the place where we are headed if we love Him who has set us free. Paul was totally sold out and his only concern was that the glory of Christ Jesus be known through his life, whether in life or death because he knew to die was to be with the one he loved but he chose to stay present so that more people may also know Christ as he did. The evidence of Paul’s life being a vessel for the Lord’s purpose became more visible as his persecution grew. For in persecution there are two paths, one requires that you willingly let go of your beliefs in an attempt to return to your Egypt. Those who liked the movie The Matrix will remember the scene where Cypher (the traitor) was sitting in a fancy restaurant savoring a thick, juicy steak as he gave away information that would destroy his friends. Even though he knew the steak wasn’t real and selling out would mean his imprisonment he no longer had the strength or desire to fight for what was right, the truth. The other option is to dig in knowing the nearer you get to the Truth the more dangerous you become and therefore the more fierce the forces of the enemy.

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.
(Psalms 28:7-9 TNIV)

Honor your parents

Ephesians 6

You want to live a long life so you watch your diet and exercise regularly but have you honored your parents for Paul told the Ephesians do this “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” and fathers have you exasperated your children? If so stop and instead bring them up with training and instruction in the Lord. Do you dream about being a missionary in a foreign land then first work hard for your boss, just as you would for Christ Jesus. You can serve God’s will for your life by serving wholeheartedly those you work for because you are not working for them but for Christ. Employers, do you want to grow your business, do you spend money and resources on seminars and training but don’t treat those who work for you in a way that is honoring to Christ? You might as well throw your money out the window, for at least then it might bless someone on the sidewalk below your high-rise office building.

All people, all walks of life, the key to a successful life is honoring Christ Jesus through obedience to His Word. We search and search for things that will advance our careers or things that will help us live longer or healthier but we refuse to humble ourselves before our Creator and live according to His principles. Knowing the Bible isn’t an option or something to pass time but it is essential to living a full life. God has given us life and it is ours to do with as we please but if we want to experience it to the brim then we simply must know the One who created us!

For those who do seek Him God has given you tools to use so that you may face all the enemy sends your way. The “Belt of Truth”, the “Breastplate of Righteousness”, your feet fitted with the “Gospel of Peace”, the “Shield of Faith”, the “Helmet of Salvation” and the “Sword of the Spirit” and do this while praying in the Spirit on all occasions. Learn to wear these and carry them and use them so that when the day comes and you are called to battle you can walk out onto the battlefield knowing you have been prepared not by man but by God, that it is not your strength but the Lord’s and you have not your own desires but the mind of Christ, for it is not your will but that of your Heavenly Father’s.

Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
(Psalms 27:1-4 TNIV)

Come out from the shadows

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
(Ephesians 5:6-14 NIV)

Oh brother of mine, you have made known my deeds which were distasteful to you so that you might gain support of others. You have drug my name through the mud and muck but now that you have freedom you are doing more shameful things than I. Warning signs have gone unnoticed as you plunge deeper into the shadows. Your hatred for me seems to drive you blindly towards this dead end road somehow unaware that the hole you must climb out of is slippery and dark but when you hit bottom you will be reminded that my words are true. Obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22) and the work before you is great but will be greater still if you don’t turn from your wicked ways this day. Come back to the Lord now while you can still see the light for if you fall down this slippery slope the day will come when you will wish to be back where you are today, even though this is not where you want to be now. You are a child of the light, therefore live as you have been taught, loving righteousness and truth. Confess your sins to those who are trust worthy for if you do not expose them yourself one day they will be revealed against your will and those who joined you in the beginning will turn on you as well for they are as a pack of wild dogs turning on the weak and unsuspecting.

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
(Ephesians 5:15-17 NIV)

Cause yourself therefore to be thankful in all things, even when you don’t feel like it. Do not allow bitterness and strife to take root in your heart. Seek out that which gives life to your spirit but be careful of that which indulges the flesh. For spirit life comes as you position yourself, through obedience, to receive God’s blessings and then those blessings overflow so much that you can’t help but give them away so others might also taste and see the blessings of the Lord.

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Ephesians 5:18-20 NIV)

I love the house where you live, O LORD, the place where your glory dwells. Do not take away my soul along with sinners, my life with bloodthirsty men, in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes. But I lead a blameless life; redeem me and be merciful to me. My feet stand on level ground; in the great assembly I will praise the LORD.
(Psalms 26:8-12 NIV)

The inner war

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.
(Ephesians 4:17-18 NIV)

We once lived for selfish desires but the law given to us by God pointed out to us our own short comings and God’s Holy Spirit then led us to Jesus Christ who died for our sakes so that we might be saved and once again fellowship with God the Father. Being made new creatures in Christ Jesus our spirits which was once dead came to life as Christ arose from the grave. This caused a division between our newly born spirit and our flesh which once ruled supreme over our action, thoughts, and words and the battle ground is our souls.

For here in verses seventeen and eighteen we find Paul describes what this battle of the soul looks like. Without knowing it our flesh followed the ways of this world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air (read Eph. 2:2). But now that our spirits have been awakened and God has shown His light on the dark corners of our hearts the war has begun and you have been called to be courageous as you are faithful to follow Christ. I am thankful that God, through Paul, also tells us how to combat the flesh.

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
(Ephesians 4:15 NIV)

Now that we know the truth we must always speak the truth and in doing that we will become the body of Christ, for which He is the head. We will stumble and we will fall but Christ has appointed His grace unto us (read Eph. 4:7). Paul again repeats the importance of telling the truth.

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
(Ephesians 4:25 NIV)

Secondly, we are directed to not sin when we become angry but if you do make it right before you lay down at night lest you open the door to the devil (read Eph. 4:26-27). I reminded looking back on my own life the times when I was the most angry not being honest was at the core of the matter. I don’t have trouble telling the truth and disciplined myself so the telling the truth is my first reaction. I have learned as a child telling the truth is the better way but just because I don’t lie doesn’t mean I am always honest. When someone does something selfish and it affects me I should make them aware of what they have done and how it has impacted me and others around them but I usually don’t, not wanting confrontation but that’s not being honest! The issue is not resolved and becomes like an infected wound, as it will not heal and usually grows more painful the more you try to ignore it. For me the lesson to be learned, is telling the truth in love and therefore avoid the confrontation and at the same time win my brother or sister. Once again this is a war and as enlisted soldiers of Christ we have been given spiritual sight so we may see these things. We are no longer blind for the truth has set us free!

Paul directs us in a few other things as well. Do not steal and the second part of that is work! Everyone can contribute, everyone has something to give. Volunteer to help feed the poor, serve the church or your community. You and I have been given so much how is it that we don’t feel the need to give back? Next, watch your mouth. The words that come out of it are they the same wherever you go or do they change based on your current location? Do you talk differently at work than you do at church? Do you tell dirty jokes with one group and not another? You do realize the words that come out of your mouth indicate what is in your heart, right?

All these things grieve the Holy Spirit of God, the very One that brought you to salvation and the One that keeps you until such time you are called home! I don’t want any regrets on that terrible day for the Lord of Hosts is holy and righteous. But all of Christ is more than enough for all of me and in Him alone do I trust. Loving God I desire that my body be obedient. Paul ends this chapter by telling us this…

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
(Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV)

Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him. He will spend his days in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land. The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.
(Psalms 25:12-14 NIV)

He's waiting for you to ask

Heaven and earth has been moved so that you may know the love and mercy of the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus himself came to earth to live among us, died, and arose so that we might believe and know there is a better way still in the abundance of all this we must humble ourselves, come before the Heavenly Father, and ask – it is about the condition of our hearts and the preparation there of. The door to a new world has been opened to us, it is a door that we could not move yet if we allow ourselves to see by faith all that awaits us our hearts would be overwhelmed. The question is this, are we merely spectators or have we been given purpose that is beyond our abilities and if that is true then the reason for the unmovable door being opened to us becomes abundantly clear. Jesus said that we would do even greater works than He.

(John 14:12 MKJV) Truly, truly, I say to you, He who believes on Me, the works that I do he shall do also, and greater works than these he shall do, because I go to My Father.

Jesus spent His life for us to show us how to live, even unto death, not for the healthy but the sick and those who did not know Him did He die. Now if His only purpose was to die for us so we might go to heaven then why not open a window to heaven and allow us to see the sacrifice that He made from a far? Our purpose can be found in His life, it was not only the destination but the journey, for He pointed the way so that we might know how to live; not only that but all the saints that have lived before us have shown us we can mimic Christ’s work and now they watch with anticipation a people compelled and directed by God so that His glory might be known by all the earth and this is done to prepare the world for His second coming. One day the race will be ran and we will stand with Him victorious in battle and we will have won crowns because of the life that we lived but we know Jesus is the reason and so we willingly lay our crowns at His feet. All of this will happen as the Bible tells us and Jesus provided the way but we must begin by asking for His help, His help to live the way He lived and to selflessly lay down our lives for those who do not yet know Him.

so that now to the rulers and powers in the heavenlies might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord; in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through His faith.
(Ephesians 3:10-12 MKJV)

Who is this King of glory? Jehovah strong and mighty, Jehovah mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O gates; even lift up, O everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? Jehovah of Hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah.
(Psalms 24:8-10 MKJV)

Salvation is not a reward

(Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT) God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Have you ever seen a child that boasts to others the amount or types of toys he has? The ideal that “my dad is better than your dad” is for some reason a common boast among children. Did you ever have someone say that to you? Do you remember how it made you feel? If you are honest with yourself it immediately put you on the defensive regardless of who had the better gifts. When we boast of our gift of salvation what do you think that breeds in the heart of others? Have you made friends or enemies? Have you turned their heart towards or away from God?

(Ephesians 2:2 NLT) You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.

Remember from where you came and the hollow desperation inside that called out for help, now remember was there someone there leading you to God or pushing you towards the ledge? Salvation is not given so we can play games or form cliques or to wrap ourselves in exclusivity, how short-sighted is that! If this is what we are about then one day we will awake to find we are the ones standing outside in the cold and we will hear God say, “Depart from me for I never knew you” (Mat. 7:23). But God’s mercy is great and while it is still day we can return to the calling that has been placed on us to love others, including those who have never known God’s love and those who have just alike.

(Psalms 23:1-6 MKJV) A Psalm of David. Jehovah is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of Jehovah forever.

Chosen in advance

(Ephesians 1:5 NLT) God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure.

I’ve known many people that struggle with the ideal of God knowing in advance which ones would be called His. Surely, this means we are predestined to heaven or hell and therefore it doesn’t matter what we do in this life because our fate has already been determined. This is a lie straight from the enemy ultimately meant to destroy the very souls Jesus came to save. Within this lie is the ability to separate those who find it hard to believe God would love someone such as themselves from those who have not come to terms with their own sin and cannot see why God would deny them anything. Not only does this lie keep the broken hearted at bay but it also gives the self-righteous an excuse to continue in their decadence. How is it with one arrow the enemy can keep both camps from knowing God but the truth reveals God’s glory that cannot be hidden from view of those seeking it. For it is the self-centeredness of mankind to think he can know the mind of God or compare God’s ways to man’s own reasoning, it is utterly ridiculous! It would be the same as asking a toddler to explain the theory of relativity – it can’t be done. If we know anything of God it is only because His Holy Spirit has revealed it to us and not because of our own abilities.

(Job 38:1-21 NLT) Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind: "Who is this that questions My wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you know so much. Who determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line? What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? "Who kept the sea inside its boundaries as it burst from the womb, and as I clothed it with clouds and wrapped it in thick darkness? For I locked it behind barred gates, limiting its shores. I said, 'This far and no farther will you come. Here your proud waves must stop!' "Have you ever commanded the morning to appear and caused the dawn to rise in the east? Have you made daylight spread to the ends of the earth, to bring an end to the night's wickedness? As the light approaches, the earth takes shape like clay pressed beneath a seal; it is robed in brilliant colors. The light disturbs the wicked and stops the arm that is raised in violence. "Have you explored the springs from which the seas come? Have you explored their depths? Do you know where the gates of death are located? Have you seen the gates of utter gloom? Do you realize the extent of the earth? Tell Me about it if you know! "Where does light come from, and where does darkness go? Can you take each to its home? Do you know how to get there? But of course you know all this! For you were born before it was all created, and you are so very experienced!

So where does that leave us? Does God know our future? Yes! Will that cause us to doubt His present involvement in our lives? It shouldn’t! This life is a race, a test for something we know not of in the future, does that cause us to run with any less zeal? It should make us run all the more knowing the God holds our future and it rest not on our own ability to get where we are going.

(Psalms 22:24-26 NLT) For He has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned His back on them, but has listened to their cries for help. I will praise You in the great assembly. I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who worship You. The poor will eat and be satisfied. All who seek the LORD will praise Him. Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy.

God directs us to a choice

Those who follow Christ Jesus do so by the spirit, it is by the spirit that we are led to a choice. If the spirit is strong we will choose to remain in the spirit but if the spirit is weak the flesh will overcome. In the spirit we care for each other, lift up the needs of others to the Father but in the flesh we are selfish, putting ourselves before others. Paul instructs us to not be deceived for God cannot be mocked, you will reap what you sow.

(Galatians 6:8 TNIV) Those who sow to please their sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; those who sow to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

It is right to go to church and support those whom God has placed in our lives to help us walk out this journey, so that our faith might be increased. There we will have opportunity to show others what we have learned as we help the needy, pray for each other, and put our faith into action. The Holy Spirit of God leads us to choices but it is our decision which choice we make. If you think you are something because you were led to this place by God’s Holy Spirit you should know on your own you are nothing and if you are not careful you will allow yourself to be deceived but if you choose righteousness your spirit man will grow and your spiritual territory will increase. Joshua saw this choice and told the people under his care this,

(Joshua 24:14-15 TNIV) "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

For he knew what was right and what led to life and nothing was going to get in his way of serving God. If we do not have the same resolve slowly, bit by bit, our convictions will erode until we are no longer led by God’s Holy Spirit and even the choices we once had will be taken from us because of our own sinful nature.

King David was beside himself in amazement when he spoke of what the Lord had done on his behalf.

(Psalms 21:6 TNIV) Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.

David made many mistakes but not lose sight of God’s leading and it was because of that he was blessed by God.

All or nothing

Paul told the Galatians that if they choose the law over the leading of God’s Holy Spirit then they would have to obey the law completely!

(Galatians 5:3 GNB) Once more I warn any man who allows himself to be circumcised that he is obliged to obey the whole Law.

But Paul knew that was a dead end and therefore urged them to follow as God led them. He told them a little yeast makes the whole batch of dough rise and the part-truth that they could please God by works spread throughout their ranks and took their eyes off of the truth very quickly. As people our nature is to go to extremes, which is not all bad except within us is also the nature to be selfish. If we obey the law then we do so blinded to the leading of the Holy Spirit and if we set out to obey God’s leading we abandon the law but do so selfishly, hurting others and ourselves and once again blinded to the ways of God. The truth is that when we obey God He leads us into things that the law has no rule against. If our flesh truly died with Christ then the rights we once held that demanded we be treated fairly are done away with as well, for it is no long I that lives but Christ that lives in me. We no longer spend time or energy protecting our own flesh but through loving others as Christ loves us neither are we door mats. As a father I could demand respect of my children because I provide for them in every way and I do so faithfully. I could demand that they do what is right but it creates resentment and rebellion. However, if I did not demand this respect and obedience then they would become unruly and selfish and I would become as a door mat but with Christ’s love I give up the right to demand respect but it’s a love that goes so deep that they cannot run from it, wherever they go they are reminded of it and whatever they do it is there reminding them of what is right. When my children are disrespectful they are no longer disrespecting me but Christ, if I remain in Him and so it is with us as we interact with family, friends, co-workers, church, and wherever we go and whomever we meet. Only when we follow Christ's leading completely is He glorified completely.

(Galatians 5:19--26 GNB) What human nature does is quite plain. It shows itself in immoral, filthy, and indecent actions; in worship of idols and witchcraft. People become enemies and they fight; they become jealous, angry, and ambitious. They separate into parties and groups; they are envious, get drunk, have orgies, and do other things like these. I warn you now as I have before: those who do these things will not possess the Kingdom of God. But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control. There is no law against such things as these. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have put to death their human nature with all its passions and desires. The Spirit has given us life; he must also control our lives. We must not be proud or irritate one another or be jealous of one another.

(Psalms 20:1-9 MSG) A David psalm. GOD answer you on the day you crash, The name God-of-Jacob put you out of harm's reach, Send reinforcements from Holy Hill, Dispatch from Zion fresh supplies, Exclaim over your offerings, Celebrate your sacrifices, Give you what your heart desires, Accomplish your plans. When you win, we plan to raise the roof and lead the parade with our banners. May all your wishes come true! That clinches it--help's coming, an answer's on the way, everything's going to work out. See those people polishing their chariots, and those others grooming their horses? But we're making garlands for GOD our God. The chariots will rust, those horses pull up lame-- and we'll be on our feet, standing tall. Make the king a winner, GOD; the day we call, give us your answer.

What was meant to keep you can enslave you

Jews were given the law so that they might know of their need for a savior; the Jewish people were chosen by God so that He might display His power before the kings of this world. Jesus came not to abolish the law but to complete its purpose. Under the new covenant He brought with Him not only the Jew could be saved but the Gentile as well, God’s gift of salvation was no longer for a single race but for all mankind but change was as difficult for some Jews of that day as it is for the addict today. Yes their customs and rituals were as needles and drugs and they would do anything to keep feeding their addictions, including binding the minds of the newly freed so they might live under the bondage of the law as well.

(Galatians 4:22-26 NLT) The Scriptures say that Abraham had two sons, one from his slave wife and one from his freeborn wife. The son of the slave wife was born in a human attempt to bring about the fulfillment of God's promise. But the son of the freeborn wife was born as God's own fulfillment of His promise. These two women serve as an illustration of God's two covenants. The first woman, Hagar, represents Mount Sinai where people received the law that enslaved them. And now Jerusalem is just like Mount Sinai in Arabia, because she and her children live in slavery to the law. But the other woman, Sarah, represents the heavenly Jerusalem. She is the free woman, and she is our mother.

(Galatians 4:29 NLT) But you are now being persecuted by those who want you to keep the law, just as Ishmael, the child born by human effort, persecuted Isaac, the child born by the power of the Spirit.

I believe it is good to learn how God led His people in the Old Testament because He does not change and the respect and obedience He demanded then He still demands today, for God does not nor can He change. I also believe in the work Jesus came to do, being born of man He was the Godman who lived among us to show us how we are to live, He then died for us so that we might be free to love Him without restraint. We are not to lose the awe and reverence He commanded through the display of His might in the Old Testament neither are we to try to live under the old covenant, for to do so would be to disregard what Jesus came to do!

(Psalms 19:1-2 GNB) How clearly the sky reveals God's glory! How plainly it shows what he has done! Each day announces it to the following day; each night repeats it to the next.

Because of your love for Christ

The law was given from God to Moses and from Moses to the Israelites for the purpose of showing their (our) need for a Savior. For the law magnified the fact that they (we) contained no good thing within. The Israelites sacrificed doves and lambs without blemish as a precursor to the one sacrifice that would end all others. In doing so they learned blood was required to atone for the shortcomings of the law’s requirements. Still their only connection to God was through the priest, so that even if they obeyed the law to the best of their abilities they could not petition God for anything, thereby reminding them they were unholy and a veil separated them from God, which was and is holy. Today people still try to live by the law in order to be closer to God but our righteousness is as filthy rags and the more we try the more we miss the mark.

(Isaiah 64:6 NLT) We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind.

Yet others argue why try to keep the law at all if we are only going to fall short. As Paul said, “For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me.” But he goes on to say, “So I died to the law – I stopped trying to meet all its requirements – so that I might live for God.” (Galatians 2:19 NLT). To abandon the law is to turn from God’s purpose for mankind. You see God desires to bring us back to himself, to commune with Him as Adam and Eve once did in the garden but only He knows the way back and it begins with the law and ends with His grace and mercy offered to us through His Son Jesus Christ but why would we turn to Jesus and lay down our lives and our will if we did not understand our own need for a Savior? This is the process by which we are saved. To recognize our sin, to be drawn to that which we were created for so that when we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior we are made new, even though we still have the same bodies we now live by what once was dead but now alive through Christ. Our flesh dies with Christ, surrendering control so that our spirit may live, even as Christ lives! Paul says it better…

(Galatians 2:19-21 NLT) For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law—I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I might live for God. My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.

Yet Jesus said this, (Matthew 5:17 NLT) "Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.”

You see once we lay down our lives to follow Christ Jesus we don’t simply ignore the law but in fact it is the only way to fulfill the law, yet we live not for the law but for Christ Jesus. Only in loving Him is the requirement of the law met! Not once does God’s Word contradict itself but it comes full circle so that we might understand He is who He says He is and He is faithful to complete the work He has begun. This life on this earth is in fact a journey and we are made not to walk it alone but with the very One who created us and gave us purpose and in return we give Him glory and honor for His mighty power to save.

(Romans 3:31 NLT) Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.

(Psalms 18:28-30 NLT) You light a lamp for me. The LORD, my God, lights up my darkness. In Your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall. God's way is perfect. All the LORD's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection.

Easily followed

Not everyone’s motives are pure, still others mislead because they have believed a lie themselves. Continually we are to compare and test ideals, thoughts, and motivations against the Word of God so that we are not led astray. Paul said this to the churches of Galatia.

(Galatians 1:6-7 NLT) I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to Himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.

How important it is to read God’s Word and pray so that you might know Him. As you invest your time, sincerely seeking Him, your harvest will be the ability to recognize God’s leading or His touch in a certain area of your life and it is given fresh every morning. It is not a one-time gift that stays with you because you drew close to God five years ago. Through offering yourself as a living sacrifice God reveals the unseen, affectively pulling back the veil between the physical and the spiritual so that you can see clearly His purpose. The things not revealed to us, God has asked that we have faith in Him until such a time of His choosing.

(Hebrews 11:6 NLT) And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.

I ask you is the Lord of Hosts a God of convenience or a God of mysteries? Is He easily ignored or does he bore you? Are your interest quickly pulled to something else? If so you don’t know Him and you have been led astray.

Which has the greater responsibility – the messenger or the ones to whom the message is delivered? Is not the messenger the vessel God has purified through the fire so that what it contains would not be tainted? Paul was able to recognize false teaching because he himself remained desperately close to God knowing who he is on his own was not someone worthy of carrying God’s message to the people. Though his messages seem harsh they are for the good of the reader and he is aware of the result that will be brought about because he has already walked through these things in his life.

(Psalms 18:15-17 NLT) Then at Your command, O LORD, at the blast of Your breath, the bottom of the sea could be seen, and the foundations of the earth were laid bare. He reached down from heaven and rescued me; He drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me.

God where are you?

How is it that we do all these things for God yet He seems so distant at times? We go to church, we volunteer to help the needy, we work hard for our employer, and we try to show our children right from wrong but do we diligently seek out God’s heart for us? Are we too busy to stop and listen or even ask for direction when decisions stand in front of us? Do we make a habit out of deciding for ourselves or do we really understand the impact of placing God first?

If you are like me we all too often take the easy road because, well it’s easy. You don’t have to consider anyone else or even the impact your decisions have on your own life and living this way continues from day to day as you make a habit out of taking the easy road but when you hit rocky ground you call out to God for His help and surprise – you can’t hear His voice. We see Paul instructing the Corinthians (2 Corinthians chp.13) and giving them a stern warning for living this way. He also gives them the opportunity to make the necessary corrections before he arrives so he wouldn’t have to be tough on them, as they know from previous teaching right from wrong. However, we can see into Paul’s heart for the Corinthians as he provides the secret for getting back on the right track.

(2Co 13:11 NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

This is nothing new to the church but instead a simple reminder of who they are to be and it applies to us today. If we do these things Paul instructed the Corinthians to do then when we call out to God for His help we won’t be left wondering where He is.

(Psa 18:2-3 NLT) The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and He saved me from my enemies.

(Psa 18:30 NLT) God's way is perfect. All the LORD's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection.

If I love you more...

(2 Corinthians 12:15 MSG) I'd be most happy to empty my pockets, even mortgage my life, for your good. So how does it happen that the more I love you, the less I'm loved?

Have you ever given of yourself for the good of someone else only to be taken for granted? I have and it hurts and if I am completely honest my first reaction is to pull back to keep from being hurt anymore but looking at Paul’s example it becomes clear that advice is of the flesh, not the spirit. Still to love a person like this requires that you yourself are healthy and strong mentally, emotionally, and spiritually because you will be tested and if you are not careful you will enable the very things in that person that causes you the most pain and the more you continue offering what you believe to be love the more pain they give in return and as Paul shows us even offering Christ-centered love is not a guarantee you will be loved in return. If that be the case then what is the answer? Know the source of this love you offer, is it from you or is from Christ living in you?

What does healthy love look like? Love is tough sometimes; there will be situations when it requires that you stop chasing and allow that person to make their own choice, even if it is wrong. Did the father stop the prodigal son from leaving? If he had he would have saved the son much pain and his inheritance would not have been squandered on the foolish but what is not immediately apparent is that these things were the cost of the lesson the son had to learn and no amount of talking from the father could have taken the place of this lesson for the son. Other times love will require that you sacrifice your own feelings for the good of another, as we see Paul do time and time again. Still there are other times, other situations, other people where love requires boundaries. Some are bent on tearing down what the Lord would build up and you will know these people by the leading of God’s Holy Spirit within you. Paul’s tone may suggest he dealt with this type of person as well when he refers to the “super-apostles” who apparently amazed the people with signs and wonders but did so at a cost to the people, possibly even for their own benefit. I have known people like this as well. They make a great first impression but the more you get to know them the more it cost you until you realize the best thing to do is set boundaries and move on.

Healthy living and giving of yourself so that you inspire others to be healthy requires great discipline and I know of no better example than what the Bible provides. Aside from salvation you can stumble your way through life, haphazardly and things may turn out okay but you will have spent much time and resources on the mediocre only to fall far short of the purpose that has been placed on you and within you but to be a life-long student of the Lord Jesus Christ and to be obedient as He guides is where it’s at.

(Psalms 17:5-6 NLT) My steps have stayed on Your path; I have not wavered from following You. I am praying to You because I know You will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray.

What drives you?

Paul was not shy about what drove him. He labored so that the Corinthians might know Christ Jesus and because of his concern for them his spirit was sensitive to things they were susceptible to. He not only led them to Christ but continued to watch over them as they grew in spirit. Like sheep we are, at times, easily led astray thinking we know the way, thinking we understand what this walk of faith is all about but unless we are rooted deeply in the Word of God then our eyes will deceive us.

Do you think Eve’s intentions were evil when she believed the serpent? Wasn’t she told she would be like God, knowing good and evil? Because of her lack of spiritual understanding she fell victim to the serpent’s lies and like Eve we fall prey to the promises of the world, as our flesh is enticed so our soul becomes enslaved. However, if we knew better the Word of God we would be able to combat the devil and the lies that come out of his mouth. This is why pastors lead congregations and parents are over children. It is not that Paul was better than the Corinthians but that God placed him there to be a spiritual guide so they might learn and grow, in the light. Likewise, people today are busy with their lives and do not always understand the importance of God’s leading – they have not yet come to the place of desperation for God and therefore have not been awakened to the depths of His love and purpose for them.

Israel demanded of Samuel a king to lead them (1 Samuel 8). Until then God led his people through prophets but Israel wanted a king like other nations and God gave them what they wanted but they lost something in the process, thankfully God is great in mercy and kindness.

(1 Samuel 8:6-9 TNIV) But when they said, "Give us a king to lead us," this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. And the LORD told him: "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights."

And so it is today… So many depend on someone else to lead them so they might continue with the cares of their own lives and when they do that they give up something in return but God understands us better than we understand ourselves and He loves us. In terms of the parent and child there is an age of innocence where the parent cares for the child until he/she can make their own decisions. Once they are adults they are able to make up their own minds about following God’s leading or not and how much compromise they are willing to accept but today I’m talking about what drives the parent, the pastor, the spiritual elders. Paul said he does what he does because of love for those he leads and he is proud to present them to Christ Jesus pure and spotless as they remain in Christ and like a mother bear protecting her cubs Paul would fight to keep them on the straight and narrow until such a time they can see the path before them with their own eyes.

For those of us God has placed in the roll of leadership, whether parent, volunteer at church, pastor, friend, co-worker what is driving us? Have we set the cruise control and allowed those under our watch to be led astray or are we actively pursuing God’s will for our lives and the lives of those around us? Are you investing in others? Are you praying for them so they may learn to surrender to the authority of Christ as you lead the way in action? If God has truly given you this job to do then you must also be aware that one day you will stand before Him as He declares the type of work you have done.

In Jesus’ parable of the faithful and the evil servants he said this of the two, (Matthew 25:29 TNIV) For those who have will be given more, and they will have an abundance. As for those who do not have, even what they have will be taken from them.

Boldness requires confidence

(2 Corinthians 10:10 TNIV) For some say, "His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing."

If your confidence is in yourself then your boldness does not fade but if your confidence is in the Lord then you must learn how to listen, I mean really listen and that is hard to do when your mouth is open. While I do believe it is possible to grow in the Lord to the point that He empowers you and gives you a holy boldness so often that it becomes descriptive of who you are but most boldness I see today is from people’s abilities and their dependence on those abilities to take them where they want to go. Unfortunately, that takes them away from the place where the Lord’s voice is most easily heard, not to it.

As I become more mature I find myself striving to remain, throughout the day, the person I am in the morning. For in the morning I hear the Lord’s voice and I feel His presence as I read and study His Word and I share with Him my concerns with Him but as the day goes on I begin picking up weights and putting them in my satchel as I throw it over my shoulder. These weights of responsibility and concerns come at such a pace I rarely have time to ask my Lord what He thinks or listen for His reply. Sometimes so much so that my ability to hear becomes muffled, I imagine much like the sight of the blind man whom Jesus was healing and he told Jesus that men appear as trees walking around (Mark 8:24). So that’s when I slow down to listen closer. From the outside looking in I appear quiet and at times it must come across as lacking confidence and partly I do lack confidence, in my own abilities. That’s when I stop to listen and realize I can no longer hear God speaking. Usually at noon I walk and pray so that I will once again be mindful of Him throughout the remainder of the day but like Paul I am driven by something deep inside that many do not understand and if the Lord provides the opportunity for me to speak then I also know that He will also give me the boldness to speak it. So the things Paul speaks about in chapter ten are somewhat familiar and it blesses me as it reminds me I am not alone.

(Psalms 16:1-2 MSG) A David song. Keep me safe, O God, I've run for dear life to you. I say to GOD, "Be my Lord!" Without you, nothing makes sense.

(Psalms 16:11 MSG) Now you've got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of your face. Ever since you took my hand, I'm on the right way.

Bragging with caution

Have you ever bragged on someone before they did the act based on their desire to do what is right? How did it turn out? Did you talk to them ahead of time to let them know a test was coming and people were watching to see what they would do? Did they arise to the occasion or did they stumble? You might be surprised, it happens more often than you would think. This is what Paul has done here concerning the Corinthians.

(2 Corinthians 9:2 TNIV) For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action.

It would almost seem that faith in the other person is required to do such a thing or could it be Paul caught a glimpse of what God was doing and therefore saw this test for the Corinthians as a minor obstacle because God was behind it all. If that were the case then the test was not only for the Corinthians but for Paul as well. The problem is introduced when the bragging comes from human pride, this never turns out well. It may not show up as a problem at first but the trap has been set and the fall will come. This I know for one reason only, in this case your eyes have been taken off of what God is doing and your dependence is no longer on the heavenly but the earthly.

(Proverbs 16:18 TNIV) Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

In all of life’s issues and questions Jesus is consistently the way through. When facing a problem drawing closer to Jesus is the answer. What was the difference in Paul’s boasting and the boasting of an unbeliever? Motivation. Notice I didn’t say because Paul was a Christian or a follower of Christ because even a Christian who loves God the eyes of that person can all too easily be taken off of God and put back on the flesh. It requires daily training and practice crucifying the flesh and a solid prayer life to keep our motivation in check but the reward is freedom in the spirit. Things that before led to difficulties and hardship now open the door through faith in Jesus to new possibilities but it becomes ever more vital that you step where and when the Holy Spirit says to, for we still cannot know the things of the spirit unless we allow God to open our spiritual eyes and ears for the purpose of His glory (read what happened to Peter in Acts chapter 10).

(Psalms 15:1-5 TNIV) A psalm of David. LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy mountain? Those whose walk is blameless, who do what is righteous, who speak the truth from their hearts; who have no slander on their tongues, who do their neighbors no wrong, who cast no slur on others; who despise those whose ways are vile but honor whoever fears the LORD; who keep their oaths even when it hurts; who lend money to the poor without interest and do not accept bribes against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken.

That there might be equility

(2 Corinthians 8:11-15 TNIV) Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: "The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little."

Paul spoke to the Corinthians about giving of themselves, for they had an abundance but the Mecedonian churches gave beyond the giving of the Corinthians, even though they had very little. For their generosity tested the Corinthians and Paul's challenge called them to meet the test.

I don’t know about the Corinthians Paul spoke to but I do know there are areas where I have plenty and sometimes I feel almost like I’m being used because of this gift or ability. That’s right giving doesn’t always involve money, we all too often excuse ourselves from giving when finances are tight, affectively shutting our eyes to what the Lord has called us to do. It is then we must look at our situation objectively and be willing to give away what the Lord has provided. What about skills or talents at which you excel and others are in need of to complete the task the Lord has laid on their hearts? Do you think God gave them that desire so they could fulfill it on their own? Remember if God calls you to do something is it not beyond your own abilities, does it not required faith, action, and recruitment of others? Then why can’t you see God’s call on others? Are you good with computers? Do you know someone who needs your help? How willing are you to help without complaint? Do you make yourself available or do you hide when they come looking? What about spiritual matters, have you felt hard-pressed as of late? Have you not felt God walk with you through this trial, has He not revealed secrets to your spirit? Then use that to help the brother you see struggling or your sister that needs encouragement, be willing for God to use you to do something big in the life of another. “Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.”

King David spoke of those who were selfish, those who did evil, those who did not give of themselves… and their responsibility to those with less and he reminds us of the Father’s love.

(Psalms 14:6 NIrV) You who do evil make it hard for poor people to do what they plan to do. But the LORD is their place of safety.

(Psalms 14:6 MSG) Do you think you can mess with the dreams of the poor? You can't, for God makes their dreams come true.

Is Hell real?

I recently heard a recording scientists in Siberia made at the bottom of a hole they drilled 14.4 kilometers into the earth, it happened in the late 1980’s and the sound was frightening even today. Years later, for the most part it has been played down as a hoax or explained away by scientific reasoning, whether it was a made up story or facts that led to someone’s wild imagination or a cover up by someone or some government or man’s exploration knocking on the door of eternity, I’m not sure. Even those who made an honest attempt to track the source down could not verify whether it was true or not because the people with whom it originated seems to be confused or unwilling to tell what really happened but strangely enough there are some facts that remain constant and even unrelated stories of other drillings into to the earth’s crust confirms certain facts, such as the intense heat at great depths.

What’s even stranger to me is that so many people have either argued that it is real or that it is not, while all along God’s Word says Hell is indeed a real place, as if to disregard what God has said on the subject. Do I believe scientist in Siberia drilled a nine mile hole into the earth; hit a cavity that released intense heat upwards of 2,000 degrees F. then lowered a special microphone developed to listen to the earth’s plates move but instead heard voices screaming in torment for nineteen seconds before it burned up? I’m not sure but I do believe God’s Word is trustworthy and I know that Jesus tells of a place where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Some say God cannot condemn someone to such a place or if He did it couldn’t be forever but what if we chose to go there? You say that is ridiculous but do you also believe Pharaoh made the choices that brought about plagues on his kingdom or do you believe God did it? How many chances did Pharaoh have to do what was right? In the end believing something isn’t true doesn’t make it go away, no shutting our eyes while walking only causes the fall. There are certain things God cannot do, such as take back the freewill He gave mankind, it was by this freewill that Adam and Eve were forced out of the garden, never to return, because of choices they made. In spite of all God has done to keep us if we willingly decide to live our lives apart from the laws He has set in motion then the consequences we face are because of our own choosing and believing with every fiber within us God would not send us there is a lie from an enemy already bound for this place. By mixing part truth he confuses and confounds people because of the hatred he has for God, knowing God loves people. God will have the final word, at the final judgment but it is the choices we make that determine our fate before we ever stand before Him and once this body dies our ability to choose will be no more. It is ours to own, whether we live according to the law He has given, that is what decides where we spend eternity.

Relational Currency

Have you noticed how two different people can say the same thing to the same person and one is accepted and the other isn’t? When Paul wrote to the Corinthians concerning an error they were making he acknowledged that the things he said hurt them…

(2 Corinthians 7:8 TNIV) Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while—

The difference is relationship, the Corinthians knew that Paul would give his very life if it were required to keep the Corinthians close to God. He instructed them as he watched them grow and he prayed for them as he received reports during his travels. Paul had developed relational currency with the Corinthians so that when tough things needed to be said he was able to say it without having them turn away. Too many times we come into situations where tough things need to be said and we blurt it out. We either think that simply because it is true that is all that is required and we simply lack the love and care as we announce our own righteousness or we never stop to think about whether our relationship with that person is strong enough to receive it. Either way the devil has his way when the one delivering the message does so without first getting into the trenches with the one they say they care for.

(Proverbs 27:6 TNIV) Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

Love your neighbor, your co-worker, your family, your friends so that when tough times come and speaking the truth means it might cause pain you will have the currency to do so without jeopardizing your relationship with them and you will have an assurance your message will be received thereby cause that person to move towards God instead of impeding their progress.

(Psalms 13:5-6 TNIV) But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the LORD's praise, for he has been good to me.

No good thing can be accomplished but through Christ

No matter the battles won or the foes defeated on my own I am nothing. Maturity in the Lord would tell me to be on guard against the belief I had anything to do with previous victories but the flesh is strong and continually offers reasons why I can wield weapons on my own. However, my spirit has learned the lesson of listening and my soul recognizes my Savior’s touch gently leading me where I am to go. Sometimes I can see what is on the horizon and I can feel my flesh cringe, knowing what is to come may cause pain or sorrow but my spirit knows God has promised purpose and ultimately I know He knows best.

(Jeremiah 17:9 MKJV) The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?

Without Christ my heart is entirely selfish, my motives for the things I do benefit me alone. However with Christ my heart is renewed so that it resembles the heart of my Savior and King but to turn from Him is to return to that which was left behind. Again the mature follower of Christ recognizes even the smallest bits of selfishness and cast them aside therefore maintaining a continuity of Christ’s likeness in all that he or she says and does, not for their glory but the glory of the One that leads them and there my friend is the battle and unending struggle. For in this life I am required to face opposition, how many times have I cried out to Jesus to take away the things that so easily beset me but this is the one question that remains unanswered and persistently unresolved. It would seem there are victories ahead of me and it is through these victories my spirit is strengthened yet there remains battles that will not be won until Jesus returns or this life is over, which causes me to remain at the feet of Jesus, on my face, so that I will know just how desperate I am for His guidance. In the end the difference between the believer and the sinner is the understanding of condition of one’s own heart and your inability to change it without Christ.

Why so personal?

Most of us spend a good portion of our lives trying to keep things hidden, we hide things from our boss, we hide things from our pastor, we hide things from those that enforce the law, we hide things from our wives, we hide things from our husbands, we hide things from our children, we hide things from our parents, we hide things from friends and family but what if you were in a situation where those things were revealed, at least one side anyway? What if people began to form opinions about you based on what others said and did so without ever asking you if it was true or not? What if those opinions began to affect your life so much you began to feel boxed in or at least limited by what they believed to be true? Jesus said in Matthew 13:57 “Only in their own towns and in their own homes are prophets without honor.” This is not to imply that we are holy or righteous like Jesus but rather that people’s opinions are formed on what they believe to be true, whether it is true or not and being as such these opinions limit their own ability to see what is right in front of them. In affect they willingly place blinders on their own eyes and then go around telling everyone they know the way. Jesus asked the people, “why worry about the speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?” Matthew 7:3

When your private matters have been exposed for all to see somewhere from deep down inside you begin to yearn for the truth to be known, not in part but the whole because a partial truth is still a lie and you know even those who so freely offer opinions about how to run your life have things of their own they are hiding. Job did not have good things to say about his “friends” who offered advise (Job 13:4). You don’t long for truth to be made known so those on the outside looking in can go through the same thing you did but rather you long for truth because that is what really matters, in all of our lives the façade we work so hard to hold up must come down if real growth is going to happen and it is understood that one day each of us will come face to face with the whole truth and each one will have to deal with what they have or have not done. You see on that day what your neighbor did will not be so important but that day is not here yet, still it calls out to my soul.

What if once the pain and frustration of your private life being exposed has subsided you begin to see God’s footsteps for your life, knowing His opinion is the only one that matters and what once was slander now becomes freedom because other’s opinions simply doesn’t matter anymore. What if the very thing the enemy was using to cut you down God made a stepping stool so you could see clearly above the crowd? If all these things happened to you would you be more inclined to share what is in your heart? Knowing if people are that interested in your life, they should at least hear it from you.

I believe in telling the truth in love, for it will not be of gain if I cannot learn to do that. Once I hurt someone, their heart’s door will be closed to whatever I have to say. However, I also believe it is better for us to step into the light of our own free-will than to be exposed to the light while working in the darkness.

(Matthew 6:22-23 GNB) "The eyes are like a lamp for the body. If your eyes are sound, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eyes are no good, your body will be in darkness. So if the light in you is darkness, how terribly dark it will be!

That being said there are still thoughts, ideas, struggles, habits, temptations, and sin in my life that I do not share in whole because there is an enemy and he uses these things to build walls, to divide, and conquer. Therefore, I do not want to provide him the means to build a stronghold in my life but I can tell you each time I write in this journal I have either come through or battling or about to enter what I wrote about. Even Paul, though he spoke of sin and struggles in his own life did not offer details – read 1 Timothy 1:15, Romans 7:18, Hebrews 12:1. Sin is not always easily seen, some of the worse sin happens within and therefore cannot be judged by anyone but God. Still we are told to confess our sins to one another and pray for one another (James 5:16) and the person willing to open up to you and pray with you that person is trustworthy because he/she knows and is obedient to God’s Word. So I tell you I am open about my life with the reader and I can tell you there are certain things I know about the reader such as what country they are from, such as United States, Russia, Germany, Ukraine, Brazil, Mexico, Japan, Poland, France, United Kingdom, and many others and I also know which post gets the most hits or how many hits my blog gets in a day, week, or month but more importantly I pray for you almost every morning and though I don’t know who you are God does. He knows what you are going through, He knows where you’ve been, and He knows what is to come and so I encourage you to open up to others about what God is doing in your life. Be willing to tell them how you struggle, make it real, and make God’s goodness known. In this way you will encourage others to open up as well. Many times I wonder if I have said too much and sometimes I have removed something I posted, if God leads me to do that but I am more concerned fear will keep me from posting something God says to share and He reminds me that He’ll take care of everything else.