Sunday, April 26, 2015

A2G: Who Programmed You?

As I listened to a message this morning, the Lord placed this question in my mind, "Who programmed you?".  It brought to mind the many challenges I've experienced in life and how many could be attributed to the negative behavior modeled for me by significant others.  Those negative behaviors impacted my self esteem, my moods, how I dealt with problems, how I responded to being challenged by others, and so forth.  Surrounded by this negativity for the most critical years of development, my early childhood, ensured many were integrated into who I became.  It did not matter how much I may have despised this behavior, I became much of what I despised.  Most difficult of all, was realizing I disliked who I became and believing it was impossible to change. 

When things in my life became unbearably painful, I began to think life was not worth living and entertaining thoughts of suicide.  In the midst of this depression, I came to find myself at church and on my knees asking Christ to come into my life.  That day, a depressed teenager began a change process that continues today.  Little by little, God began to change and teach me the truth of his word which states "if any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new creation.  The things of the pass are gone away, behold ALL things are made new."  Today I continue to become a better me, a better father, a better husband, a better friend, a better worker, a better supervisor, a better teacher, a better student, a better unconditional lover of all, and most important of all a better servant of Christ.  Becoming this better person is possible because of His world, His love, and His Spirit.  They guide me and teach me daily how to stay confident, hopeful, forgiving, and loving.  How awesome is that!  God's word provides the foundation enabling me to continuously grow into the person he intends me to be.  Hold on to His word and become who He intended you to be!  Just a little advice to go!  

WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
1. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
2. If any man be in Christ Jesus….  2 Corinthians 5:17
3. Ask and you shall receive…  Luke 11:9
4. More than conquerors……Romans 8:37
5. Spiritually controlled….. Romans 8:6
6. Refuge and Strength….. Psalms 46:1
7. Fruits of the Spirit….. Galatians 5:22-26
8. Never leave you….. Deuteronomy 31:6
9. Peace and No fear…. John 14:27
10. No more pain…… Revelation 21:4

Sunday, April 19, 2015

A Righteous Life Leads to Good!

The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.  Proverbs 11:23

How do we live a righteous life?  We can only do so by living God's word each and every day.  His word assures us we can rejoice in the midst of the storm as He never fails us.  Each day we strive to live a sinless life willing to repent and start fresh no matter how many tries it takes.  Our righteousness does not stem from perfection but from the commitment to work towards His perfection without growing weary or faint.

Victory is promised to believers who are willing to forsake their sinful desires to live righteously before the Lord.  His word tells us our righteous desires will end only in good!  Amen!  Just a little advice to go!

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Escaping the Unescapable!


Acts 12:7, 8
 7And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter's side and woke him up, saying, "Get up quickly." And his chains fell off his hands. 8And the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and put on your sandals." And he did so. And he said to him, "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me."…

Have you ever found yourself in an unescapable situation; trapped by a problem or storm with no inkling of how to escape from it.  There is nothing worse than finding yourself trapped wondering how you came to be there in the first place.  You feel hopeless and without any sense of how you are going to get through the situation.  You need only go through a few of these as a believer to know there is a light at the end of the storm's darkness, a light the Lord provides to guide you back into his grace. His grace can loosen the chains that bind you, guiding you to a place of freedom where you are no longer enduring the suffering of that moment.  

When all seems impossible remember that your Lord and Savior can make the impossible happen. 
He sets you free and redirects you back to a place of victory turning your sorrows into joy!  All you have to do is believe!  Just a little advice to go! 

Friday, April 3, 2015

What Do You Treasure?

Matthew 19: 21-22
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven:and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowfully... 

Most of us have read the story of the rich man who loved God but when challenged to sell his possessions, donate the proceeds to the poor and follow Jesus, he could not do it.  Perhaps you believe this teaching does not apply to you because you are not rich or you are broker than broke.  But it is not just about financial treasures,  but anything you treasure more than God.  


Have you pondered the question, what do you treasure?  Perhaps there are things you treasure more than the Lord, things hindering your ability to walk in alignment with his word.  Perhaps, like the rich man, you would rather walk away from God rather than surrender those treasures.  Christ calls us to surrender all and to value him above all.  Whatever your treasure, make sure you treasure your heavenly father more.   Be prepared to surrender all and follow him.  Your faith in Christ will garner you the treasures of heaven, treasures superseding all this world has to offer.  Just a little advice to go!