But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
James 1:22-25
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
Lamentations 3:22-24
John 14:15 – “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
1 John 5:3 – For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
Luke 6:46 – “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?
And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” John 10:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5
Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. Luke 9:23
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24
I believe in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
I believe in the virgin birth. Jesus was born, died, and rose after 3 days. God gave His Son so we could have everlasting life.
I believe the Bible is God’s holy word and doesn’t lie.
I believe in heaven
I believe simply living a moral life will not get us to heaven.
I believe we all must accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.
I believe there is a hell.
I believe life begins at conception and an unborn baby’s right to live
I believe every child has a right to an innocent childhood, free from brain washing about their sexual orientation.
I believe offering children the right to surgeries to change their sex is mental and physical abuse.
I believe kids have a right to learn about Jesus in any setting and I’m willing to fight for their right.
I believe schoolchildren should be reciting the pledge of allegiance and praying immediately following.
I believe it’s not ok for any politician to make fun of God or followers of God.
I believe there is a time for pastors to get political and that time is now if they haven’t already.
I believe if you want to live in this country, you should do it legally only.
I believe in making an honest living and having a good work ethic.
I believe in lower gas prices, a good economy, and cheaper eggs.
I believe we all must vote.
I believe one must have a photo ID to vote.
I believe if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.
I believe if you are a business owner or hope to be, you need to vote for DJT
I believe it’s everyone’s responsibility to vote for Donald Trump, like Him or not.
“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Luke 6:37-38
When I was a kid, many times one or both parents would ask me to do something. I would often ask why. Their response was always… “Because I said so.” I wish I knew how many times I asked why and how many times I got the response, “Because I said so.”
It just occurred to me this morning, I have been going through this same scenario with God. He asked me to do something and for the life of me, I can’t think of any good reason why He would want me to do this thing in a specific scenario. In fact, I almost find it absurd. I guess that is why I keep questioning whether I even heard Him correctly and what He is really requiring of me when He put this thing in my heart.
Every now and then when I would ask my dad why, he would respond a little differently than “because I said so.” Sometimes He would say… “It’s not for you to question why, but for you to do what I say.”
Maybe I need to quit questioning God and just do what He said to do. Maybe I should quit making excuses and just do it. Why? Because He said so.
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:13-16
I guess memories pop up whenever they feel like it. This morning as I was going about my normal morning routine, I could see my dad in my mind’s eye at the emergency room trying to breathe. The scene will always be part of me. It was hard to watch my dad gasping for air. He was laboring so hard that it made him unable to speak. The nurse pulled us aside and told us they were going to have to intubate him. She told us to take a moment and tell him we love him. As I stood outside the room, I remember saying, “I Love you, dad.” He didn’t make eye contact with me, so I said it louder as I watched him gasp for air, “I love you, dad.” His eyes meant mine and I could tell he desperately wanted to say the same to me, but I knew he couldn’t. My heart was breaking.
After that very difficult moment, I prayed that it would not be my last memory with my father. I knew I wouldn’t be able to handle watching him gasp for air, being my last memory of dad.
Days later, after every option had been exhausted, we made the very difficult decision to take him off life support. My sisters and I were singing to him as they took the breathing tube out. We had been taking turns spending the nights with him, so that night as he still hung onto life, I went home to get some rest as I had been there the night before.
I was very abruptly awoken by The Lord the next morning. I jumped out of bed, brushed my teeth and got dressed. I knew I had to get to the hospital right away.
When I walked in the room, both of my sisters were there. One of my sisters decided to go ahead and leave. In her heart she knew she didn’t want to be there when he passed. My oldest sister and I were there for the very few minutes that remained of my dad’s earthly life.
The nurse told us his breathing was becoming shallower. I found myself talking to dad and praying at the same time. I told him it was ok for him to go to heaven, that Jesus was waiting to greet him. I let him know we all love him, but that we will be ok. It was a very precious moment I will never forget. I was there the very moment dad went to heaven. I can’t explain it, only through the witness of The Holy Spirit, but I knew He had arrived safely. I knew he was being greeted by angels. I am grateful to God for allowing me to experience such a special moment. I am grateful the first memory I told you about didn’t have to be my last with dad. Thank you, God, for answered prayer.
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:2-12
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
James 4:7-10