God's Presence

Our sense of taste is amazing.  Did you realize your taste buds are extremely strong?  We can taste herbs and garlic.  We can taste salt and pepper.  We can taste the slightest altering to a recipe.  Our sense of taste is so incredible that most of us love to eat and savor every bite.   

I love fresh strawberries and even better, dipped in dark chocolate. I love fresh banana nut bread, creamy frozen custard filled cones, and warm baked apple pie. I love pot roast with potatoes, carrots and onions. I love sirloin steak cooked over a hot flame of fire with that char roast flavor. I love fresh peaches ripened until they are filled with juice that drips down my chin on the first bite. I love Krispy Kreme donuts, hot biscuits with apple butter, and fresh peanut butter fudge. 

There is just something awesome about getting together with family or friends to break bread and share good times. But also there nothing quite like My God. There is no sweeter taste in all the world than that of my Lord. And His Word is sweeter than honeycomb. The Psalmist declares in Psalm 34:8, "O' Taste and See that the Lord is good: Blessed is the man that trusts in Him." 

Once you experience the presence of God in your prayer time, you will just want to stay on your knees before Him.  There is nothing sweeter than time with a personal and all-powerful God who can change your circumstances in moments. And He loves you so much that He indwells you by the Holy Spirit and speaks to you, giving you direction.

Nothing compares to the Presence of God. I enjoy a fresh rain on a hot summer day. I love snowflakes falling crisply on my face in winter.  And I like rowing a boat on an open lake and the feeling of freedom and delight of the moist air falling down on my cheeks in early morning.  But there is nothing quite like standing in the Presence of God's Glory. There is no comparison to the Sweetness of the Holy Spirit. There is nothing like the brisk overwhelming power of the Holy Ghost over you as you stand in awe of God in worship. There is none like Him. Absolutely nothing compares to Him. He is indescribable and irreplaceable.

My goal each day is to grasp more and more of God, to Taste and See.  I can not speak for you today, but each day I realize and know I need Him more. I need His Glory and His Power. I need His refreshing.  I need His inspiration.  I need His guidance and His protection. And I know that I must strive toward this goal and make a daily effort to apprehend God.

Stay Alert

We live in the country and the winding road to town is full of wildlife that jumps out in front of you without any notice.  When driving, we now have to stay alert and be watchful of animals who may be a threat. Our job as a believer is big and we must be alert and set a guard on many things. We must guard our family, we must guard our heart, we must guard our speech, and we must guard our attitude, we must guard our decisions. Scripture in Proverbs 4:23-27 teaches us to set a watch and be mindful of things that may cause a threat. 

The instruction the prophet Nahum gives us (Nahum 2:1-2) is simply put, "Watch the Road". Now a road is normally a place of entry and exit. It is a place where people come and go. And it is necessary that you and I set a watch, be alert, and guard the road to our lives.

You and I must be alert and set a watch over many things. 1 Corinthians 16:13 states, "Be brave, be strong, Watch and be steadfast." So there is a position of alertness that you and I must take. We have an adversary that constantly watches our actions in an attempt to undermine our relationship with God and others. Therefore, we must continually be alert to the schemes of our enemy.

Often, we can change the influences around us, our spouses and our children - if we will only keep our eyes open.  We must be careful who enters and exits the road to our life. We must stand in full armor with our loins girt with Truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the sword of the Spirit, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and strive to protect, preserve and guard our home.

Trees

I love big, beautiful, strong trees throughout the yard. They provide shade and allow a cool breeze on very humid days. Their beauty is remarkable as the leaves grow and change colors. But did you know that Scripture declares, "You are trees of righteousness; You are the planting of the Lord"? What a wonderful blessing to understand that we are God's seedlings. He planted us to walk in likeness and in His holiness.

In Isaiah 61:3 we find this passage, "... that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He might be glorified." It is here that the prophet Isaiah calls the redeemed, "trees of righteousness."  He holds those who stand strong in the Lord in high esteem and reminds us that God planted us for one purpose - to bring Him much glory.

He tells us there will be days when you and I must "put on" a garment of praise when our life feels heavy. He continues that we must give beauty and delight in return for someone who is dishing out "ashes". And we must anoint our head with the oil of joy when it appears everyone around us is in mourning. So remember who you are and get dressed with praise. Wash the ashes from your face and anoint your head to face the trial that stands before you. God is your anchor and He will see you through.

There will be times when great trouble, disappointment and heartache appear in our lives.  Times which we will be required to pull ourselves up by the bootstraps regardless of the "happenings" all around us. We must know who we are in Christ Jesus standing strong like trees as we remain in the Word and in prayer. We must trust God completely for a change of mindset when everyone else may be negative and downcast. Paul taught we live in perilous times and the faith of the righteous will be tried and tested. Therefore, consider your daily thoughts and mindset - so you might be called "trees of righteousness!"

So Busy

During my life, I have come to find that my busyness will rob me of my joy and my sense of purpose. Busyness will overwhelm me and make my life feel out of control. Busyness pokes a hole in me and empties me of daily satisfaction.

The Psalmist makes a declaration in Psalm 139:1-6, "I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me. I was mute with silence, I held my peace even from good; And my sorrow was stirred up. My heart was hot within me; While I was musing, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue: "Lord, make me to know my end, And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am. Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. Selah. Surely every man walks about like a shadow; Surely they busy themselves in vain; He heaps up riches, And does not know who will gather them."

Time is very short (like a vapor) yet we waste it so frivolously. This past year we have all faced difficulty, pain, loss, and sickness. And when we allow the distractions of life to dictate our schedule and do not seek to put God first, we busy ourselves in vain. We are merely moving shadows and all of our busy rushing and hustling ends in nothing. 

According to Scripture, we heap up wealth not even knowing how to spend it or use it for God's Glory. And in the end, we find ourselves void of JOY and living daily with a LACK OF PURPOSE. Choose today to follow a different path. Take time for important things.  Allow God to control your life and watch your JOY increase and your PURPOSE become fulfilled. Determine to let the Word light your path and pay attention where you are walking. God cares for you and sincerely desires to direct your future decisions and bless you with rich reward.

Real Health

There's a lot of talk about being healthy these days. Everyone around you is trying to be healthy, eat healthy and get healthy again.  Everyone is walking, watching their carbs, eating more fruits and vegetables and getting back to nature the way God intended. And God certainly wants us to be healthy but also walk in spiritual health.  God desires to bring healing and deliverance to all who will only ask Him for this blessing - both spiritually and physically. 1 Peter declares, "He bore our sins in His own body on a tree, that we being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes you were healed."

The pain and agony that Christ suffered on the cross for you and me, and the stripes that He suffered on His own body were for our healing. That was one of the reasons He took this suffering.  So if you are afflicted, ask God to show you His Glory by miraculously healing your sick body. Then when you receive your healing, go and tell someone. Testify of the greatness of God and how He has blessed you with good health. He is an awesome God and He is praiseworthy.

However, more than physical health He wants us to be strong and vibrant in spirit. The life He came to give to us is spiritual life. And He desires to set us free of the bondages of spiritual death and help us experience real life and health.

Build Your Faith

My Dad was the clerk in a church that happened to be in a building program before he accepted the call to ministry. I remember he sat me in the center isle on a handmade wooden box about 24" x 24" when I was 4 years old and I would sing, "working on the building" as the congregants were encouraged to give to the building fund. This small congregation had to work diligently to raise funds to begin their new church project. And just like the diligence needed to raise money, we must work hard on building our faith.

Are there times your faith seems weak? Maybe you feel hopeless and even, helpless at times. Perhaps, your circumstances have set you back.   If so, I encourage you to spend time reading Scripture. The more time you spend in the Word of God, the stronger your faith will become. Romans 10:17 declares, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." The more we partake of the Word into our mind and Spirit, the greater our faith in God's ability to do what He said.

When tough times come your way, sickness, fear, anxiety, relationship strains....God still remains faithful to accomplish His plan and purpose in and through YOU.

Faith is believing in answers before the evidence of an answer is ever in sight. Faith is complete trust and confidence in God to do what He has promised. It is believing in the promises of God's Word simply because God said so. Faith is patiently waiting and declaring that God is God - our safety, our shield, and our buckler. Faith believes God will do what He has promised.

Build victorious faith in your life today by spending more time reading God's Holy Word. Ponder the Scripture and wait for God to speak to you. He is your cornerstone.

Just Pray Like Jesus

Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” Luke 11:1 (NLT)  

Sometimes when we come before God, we really do not know what to say.  And often, we just do not know how to pray. But in Scripture, Jesus taught us the way to pray.  In Luke 1 Jesus said to His disciples, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation."

If we only realized the power we have through prayer. We would never stop praying. It is prayer that moves the Hand of God.  It is prayer that brings the Spirit to convict of sin. It is prayer that heals and sets free. It is prayer that changes circumstances and opens doors that have been closed tightly. Prayer is our amazing link to the realm of the Spirit. It is the tool through which we enter the Throne Room.

God also wants us to acknowledge Him for who He is and give Him honor.  We must approach Him humbly with a heart that cries for forgiveness and help.  We must recognize that He is Our Sovereign God. Then, if we want to live successfully in this life, we must ask God for provision and guidance to help every step of the way.  Life is hard and we need God.  The more we come to realize how desperately we need the help of a loving and compassionate Savior, the better we will see things work out according to God's will.

Choose Happiness

It is said, happiness is a choice. But did you know God's will for you is to be completely content and happy?  Proverbs 3:13 shouts, "Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding."

Your relationship with God and a discipline to read God's Word can give you wisdom to push through the difficult times of this life.  The Word will breathe understanding into your mind and give you insight to make right decisions in the hard times. When you do not know what to do, God will guide you.

Did you know that happiness is actually determined by you?  It's true.  We decide every morning whether or not we choose to be happy in our present situation.  Now from experience, I know that some happenings in life are not so happy.  

Sometimes it's just hard to be happy when the car won't start, the kids are sick, or you lose your job.  Circumstances and relationships at times can drag you real low, if you allow them to. That's why many experts will tell you that happiness is determined by your happenings.  However, you can maintain a strong relation with God that helps you each and every day to choose and determine happiness regardless of the "happy" or "sad" happenings of daily life.

Psalm 146:5 declares, "Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the Lord their God."  Maintain your closeness with God each day and you will find many reasons to choose happiness.  Things happen. Life is full of challenges. But God is timeless and unchanging. He is faithful and you can always count on Him. Choose happiness regardless of your happenings today.

God - My Peace

Everyday all people everywhere are seeking peace. The word shalom is heaven's word for 'peace'. Every one of us face turbulent times on occasion. Trouble whisks into our day like a whirlwind unexpectedly and sometimes leaves us hanging by only a thread.  We try to manage our lives on our own and we search for answers, but it is not until we reach out to God that we find true peace.

Ephesians 2:14 resounds, "For He is our peace, who has made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us."  And we are built together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.

When things in life do not happen the way I planned.  And when trouble stops at the doorway to linger in my day, I know I have peace through my relation with the Father.  God is Jehovah-Shalom, He is my peace. Scripture teaches that my God will give me peace that makes no sense, peace that surpasses all human understanding.

Meaning, when I have no comfort of my own and logically it seems as if I am in a detrimental situation.  When happenings seem out of control and topsy-tervy, God is my sustainer of peace.  I know simply because I walk with God that all things will work together for good and God's has me in the palm of His Mighty hand.

The prophet Isaiah gently reminds me in turbulent times, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee." Isaiah 26:3

Control Freaks

We love being in control. We demand it. We love to control every  decision and the path our lives take. But it also would be great to realize God owns the universe and He remains in control of our lives.

It is not always easy to trust fully in God in difficult times. But God knows exactly where you are and He has a plan even through crisis. We are often troubled because we cannot see what God has in mind for our future, and it's hard for us to let go and let God take charge.

If you have surrendered your life to God, then you know that He is in control of your situation. Romans 8:28 declares, "For we know that all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." 

When trouble comes, we often wring our hands and fear what will happen next. But God teaches us in Scripture that He is in Control. Yet, many times we keep grabbing the wheel. We keep demanding our way and striving to maintain control. 

Learning to let-go and let-God is certainly a process of maturity. As we grow in our relationship with Christ, we are then able to allow Him the freedom to take control and direct our lives. It is imperative that we realize God always has our very best at heart.