Inspirations

Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence. Psalm 21:6 Did I mention that I absolutely love chatting with my daughter while she’s away at college?  It is always a pick me up. In a small way, it makes me feel connected to her.  This weekend she came home for a very short visit.  It was wonderful to have her home. Chatting with her on the phone or computer is nice, but it can never compare to having her right here with me; that is “the bees knees”.  I sent her back this morning; as I did I was reminded of how God must feel about us, his children.  I imagine that God must long for the time when we go to his house and see him in person.  We chat with him; read his letter, the Bible; even fellowship with other believers, but that will not compare to the satisfaction we will know when we finally see Jesus in the flesh. For Him, that will be the fulfillment of his joy.

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.  John 10:29 I just spent the morning, on the computer, changing passwords to the different sites that I visit frequently.  I do this because I realize that it is very easy for people to access your accounts and get vital information about you that they can use to steal your identity.  While we may joke about, our identity is precious to us.  No one wants to have their identity taken, and we will take precautions to be sure that it doesn't happen.  However, as prized as our identity here is, there is another identity that is much more valuable; that is our identity in Christ.  It is infinitely more essential than our earthly identity. Our spiritual identity determines our eternal destination.  The good news is that once we are in Christ, we are safe and hidden in him.  Our spiritual identity can never be stolen or swiped. No one can gr...

  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value  others  above yourselves.  Philippians 2:3 You know you’re invisible when…   You wait in line for your turn, and they skip over you. You swipe your hands under the automatic faucet, and it won’t turn on. Your parents move and forget to tell you. You speak, and no one responds. The waiter comes and takes your food while you are eating. You walk through airport security and no one notices. You don’t have a name. You move and no one notices for days. Some of these are funny and yet the stark reality is that, at times, we all feel as though we are invisible.  We feel as if we have a shroud of invisibility wrapped around us.  We have all experienced the sting of being skipped over, forgotten and lost in the shuffle as though we don’t exist.  No one enjoys that feeling of being invisible.  God wants us to be concerned with the people aroun...

Be on your  guard ; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.  I Corinthians 16:13 My daughter and I went walking.  We both love walking, and it is a good way to exercise.  We were almost home when, out of nowhere, one of the hugest black Labrador retrievers I have ever seen in my life, came charging at me.  Let me tell you I have mad running away skills and all I could do was stand there and cower.  My daughter, on the other hand, stared that dog down and commanded him to leave which he did.  I have since nicknamed him sin.  As I was reflecting on the incident, I was reminded of how sin is much like that dog.  Sin, like that dog, looked harmless enough, until I got close.  For my part, I was distracted and not ready for "Attila the Hun" to come barreling out of the driveway.  I was unprepared, so when that beast came charging. I did not know what to do; I was paralyzed with fear. My daughter, on the other hand, sh...

Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. Philippians 3:17 Today I said, “goodbye” to an amazing man of God today.  He has now joined the “great cloud of witnesses” that have gone on ahead.  So, what made him amazing? Was it his job?  No, it wasn't his job; he worked in a machine shop.  Then perhaps, it was that he had money.  No, He may have had some money, but he certainly was not rich by anyone’s standards.  He had no power or influence according to how the world measures significance.  So what was it about him that made him stand out?  Well, in the time I knew him, I never heard him say an unkind word to anyone.  I never heard him talk about others behind their back.  When things went wrong, I never saw him lash out in anger at those around him.  He was always ready to do whatever needed to be done in the church....

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.  John 8:36 It’s July 4th, Independence Day, so naturally my thoughts turn to freedom.  Our country was founded by people who craved religious freedom.  The Revolutionary War was fought because we sought freedom from England.  From the dawn of time, people have desired, struggled, and fought for freedom.  I believe it’s because God put it in our nature to hunger, thirst, for and crave freedom.  In reality, the freedom we yearn for and need most isn't political freedom, or even religious freedom. Those freedoms are good, and I Praise God we live in a country where we have them. Yet, even here in the United States of America where we have much freedom people are still in chains.  The freedom we desire can only be attained through belief in and following Jesus of Nazareth.  Only when we take up our cross and follow Jesus, the son of God, can we find real freedom and life.  .   Friend...

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not  fear  their threats; do not be frightened.  1 Peter 3:14 How many of you, like me, suffer from a chronic case of the “what if’s”.  Even though I love to travel, until about a year ago the longest distance I had driven is about forty-five minutes away because the “what if’s” would take over.  Every time I would start thinking of going someplace that would require driving, my mind would immediately start; “what if” you get lost; “what if” you have an accident; or “what if” your car breaks down?  Until I decided that I was not listening the “what if” voices, I didn't Sunset in South Carolina realize how much I had let the fear of the unknowns hold me back from doing some things I would have loved.  I was afraid to take chances because; what if I’m wrong; What if something bad happens ; What if….. Sometimes I am afraid that we let that carry over into our spiritual life, as...