Which door are you headed toward?

Traveling down this road of life, we often try to open doors that were never meant for us to go through. When that doesn't work out, we get frustrated and upset. We wonder what went wrong. However, when we look back after stepping through the doors that God has opened for us we will see that the disappointments and sadness of the closed doors worked out for the better. This is what Paul was talking about when he told the church at Rome that all things work together for good to them that love God and to them who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Tonight, ask God to open the correct doors for your life. Ask Him to open the doors that He would have you to go through. When you do and you go through those God opened doors you will live a much more satisified life knowing that all things have worked out for good.

I've been doing alot of this lately, asking Him to open up the doors He wants for me to step through.

Miracles

In the Bible we read of countless miracles. They happened all throughout from Old Testament to New. We read of miracles of healing. We are told about miracles of restoration. We are amazed by the miracle of resurrection. What ever the event, God was the source of each and every one. So, these has led many to wander, are the days of miracles over?

With that question out there, what do you think? Are miracles a thing of the past? Oh wait, it don't matter what we think. God is still in the miracle working business! Problem is that we stand in the way. We have let our prayer life diminish to the point that we don't spend enough time in prayer. This lack of prayer starves our faith which in turn hinders that miracle that is sometimes needed in our lives.

One day, we will need a miracle of healing or even of restoration so I challenge you to start today to spend more time in prayer. Make it a point to spend quality time in prayer and worship. Wade out deeper into the waters of God's spirit and draw closer to Him. This will grow your faith and as that faith grows stronger miracles will soon follow.

The Beginning

I ran across these today and they brought back some memories. Many have wondered how this ministry exactly got started and the pictures show the very beginning. Back in the early 90's I knew I had to do something for God. I could feel Hi...s tug on my life. So back before there was an internet, I began to write short devotionals called The Good News. I typed them on an old typewriter and made copies of them. I then folded them over and mailed them to whoever I could think of about once a month. Seems like ages ago. So thankful for where God has brought from to where it is today. Back then I never dreamed that my ministry would touch every continent and over 27 different nations. Neither did I dream that God would bring me from behind the keyboard to speaking in front of a congregation. I am so excited and so expecting for what God is going to do next with me in ministry. I am looking for open doors and areas of opportunity to serve God. Please be praying with me for the doors and oportunites to come forth. Looking for great things to come

Everyone Hates a Thief

I have heard many times people saying how much they despise a thief. Maybe it is because they have been a victim of theft. Maybe someone they know has been a victim. It could even be that it is just the thought of another taking something that is not theirs.

So, why do we stand idly be and let the biggest theif of them all steal from us each and every day? Jesus tells us that our enemy the ...devil, comes only to kill, steal and destroy. (John 10:10). Even though we know that fact, we allow him to daily take the good things that our Father has for us. This is not what is intended for us but somehow we keep letting it happen.

Tonight, go on down to the enemies camp and take back what was stolen from you! Begin to stand on the promises of God and claim what He has for you. Let our Father restore the joy of His salvation (Psalms 51:12) to you and let the peace of God crush Satan under your feet (Romans 16:20). Live in the peace and grace of Christ Jesus!

Going to the Enemy's Camp

Troubles. We have all faced them. At one time or another something has happened in our lives that made us think that our lives had come to a screaching halt. This is what happened to David when a foreign raiding party came and burned his camp and took all the possessions and families of the David and his men. Like the rest of his men, the man who was soon to be King of all of Isreal, lost both of his wives, his children and all the he owned to the raiders. What did David do? He did not sit and mourn. He did not give up. Instead he turned to God. He sought first the Lord on what he should to. He ask God, should I stay or should I go. Then Lord did not make David wait but He said to him, “Yes, go after them. You will surely recover everything that was taken from you!” (2 Sam. 30:7)
David left to pursue the attackers with 600 men. However, one-third of them could not continue so David left them behind.

Two things we need to look at here. First, David trusted in God so much that he ask God what to do. You see, David did not try to go it alone, he wanted to obey God. Secondly, soon after leaving, David faced another problem with loosing a third of his force. David could have given up there. He could have quit saying that he did not have enough men. He didn't though. David did not let his faith waiver. Instead, he stood on the promise of God. That is exactly what you and I need to do. We need to remember all those things that God has promised and stand on those promises because God will never fail us. David continued on his quest and just as God promised, everything that had been stolen was taken back plus some. Today, I ask you to take an inventory. Has our enemy taken something from you? Has he stolen your joy? Has he stolen your marriage. Has he stolen your children? It does not have to be that way! Stand strong, stand on faith, stand on God's promises and with the Lord with you, go and take back what the enemy has stole from you!

 

 

Stand on That Promise

People can say anything. Sin allows us to utter untruthful statements and misleading words. This has caused us to learn to question almost everything that we hear. Sometimes this is a prudent thing to do in life when conducting business or interacting with complete strangers. However, there is one excepting to that rule. You see, God is not human, therefore He cannot lie. He never has and He... never will. Each and every word that He has ever spoken is true. Each letter, word and sentence that can be found in His word, the Bible, is one hundred percent correct. Not one misleading word or verse can be found within its pages.

So, if every word of God, whether written or spoken is true, then why do we not trust it completely? The promises of God are without fail! Whatever you are going through, whatever trial that you are facing, God is right there with you. He has a plan for all of us and those plans are for good and not to harm us (Jer. 29:11). He only wants the best for His children.

Tonight, instead of worrying, instead of letting go of our faith and not trusting His word, try standing on His promises. They will never let you down, they will never mislead you.

This is the type of faith that we need to employ today, the same faith shown by the Roman soldier to Jesus in Matthew 8. This centurion had a sick servant at his home and desired for Jesus to heal him. Upon Jesus offering to go and heal the servant, the Centurion would hear nothing of it. He knew that all Jesus had to do is to speak the word and the servant would be healed. There was no one who had this great of faith in all the land and that is the same type of faith that we need to exercise today. The word tells us that faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17) the word of God. Dig deep into your Bible. Read the promises of God and then stand on them and proclaim them over your life. Let your faith grow even greater than the Roman soldier and soon you will see that mountain in your life shrink into nothingness.

You Can't Hide That!

How many of you as a kid did something that you weren't supossed to and tried to hide it? Maybe you broke something of your parents. Maybe you were mean to a younger sibling. Maybe you took something that wasn't yours. What ever it was, I bet it didn't stay hid for long. Somehow mom or dad found out and boy o boy were you ever in trouble. Happened to me bunches.
Our habit of trying to hide our mistakes or maybe I should say sin, never left us. We all want to keep private things private. We don't want anyone to find some things out. However, in the long run it just doesn't work like that. Paul tells them Hebrews in the letter to them that nothing is hidden from God. (Heb. 4:13) He knows every act, every word, every thought. We just can not hide anything from Him. We must confess it all to Him and He is faithful and just to forgive our sins. (1 John 1:9)
Someone once said that confession is good for the soul. How true that is! Confession is how we get forgiveness. Tonight, I ask you have you confessed it all to Jesus! Give Him all you sin, all your mistakes, all your habits and He will take those all from you and give you a fresh start, you can begin your new life in Him. Let Jesus transform you into who you are meant to be in Him.

Soon and Very Soon....

"Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King. Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King..." That was the chorus of a very popular song out of the red back hymnal that I used to hear as a child at church. That was true way back then and it is even more true today. People dont seem to want to hear that or even believe it but it is a very real event that really is getting ready to happen. I believe that with every fiber of my being that Jesus is coming back to rapture His church and it is going to be soon. Paul told the church in Thessalonica that the day of the Lord was coming like a thief in the night (1 Thess. 5:2). He will return when the majority of people are not expecting Him. Paul goes on to warn the church to be ready at all times and to live daily for Jesus. Earlier, Paul had told this church that the Lord Himself would come with at shout and the dead in Christ would raise first and then, those of us who believe would be caught up to meet Him. (1 Thess 4:16-18) I want to be ready for that great day and I want to be sure you are ready too. If you don't know Jesus, please pray today and invite Him into your life. Jesus is coming soon whether you are ready or not. He is ready, willing and able to come to you, forgive you, and live in you. Tomorrow may just be to late! Pray that prayer today so that you to can go and see the King.

The Walk

 Last night as my mind began to wonder, as it frequently does, I thought about the word "walk". As I did, I began to think about walking with God and my walk with Him. Then out of the blue the Holy Spirit placed in my mind about Enoch. He spoke to me "And Enoch walked with God and was no more." (Genesis 5:24 Amp) What would it be like if we walked with God as closely as Enoch did? Imagin...e the fellowship with our Lord. Imagine the revival spirit that would flow through us.

However, lets take a little closer look at Enoch. Enoch lived during a time that sin was increasing and people were turning from their creator. He was one who loved God more than anyone during his time and likely ours too. Truely, he walked the walk and talked the talk. In Genesis, it says that Enoch walked with God and was no more. Our walk with God should be exactly the same way, we should be no more. I am not saying that we will be swept up by the Lord as Enoch was, but I am saying that we should be taking on the attributes of Christ. Paul told the church in Corinth that when one chooses to follow Jesus, "the old is gone, the new is here." (2 Corth 5:17 NIV) The old us should be no more just as Enoch was no more. You see, when we decide to follow Jesus we should be letting go of our old life and surrendering it all to Him with nothing held back. We must be willing to walk the walk just as Enoch did.

So, tonight I have to ask you, are you holding on to a small part of the old you? Are you holding part back from Him? Let it go, let it go! Give it all in surrender to Jesus and start today walking with God as Enoch did and be no more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love

Love. That is a word that gets thrown about a whole lot these days. We love this. We love that. But what does the Word say about that. In the first letter of John, the writer urges us not to just say we love each other, but let us show that love by our actions (1John 3:18-19). So my question tonight is, are we really doing that or are we just going through the motions with empty words? Jesus commanded us to love one another just as He has loved us (John 13:34). Jesus showed us His love for us by His actions and so must we. We must show our love for not only our brothers and sisters in Christ but for all those around us who need Jesus as well. It may a simple act such as buying a meal for a complete stranger at a resturant. It could be doing a chore or odd job for a neighbor. It could even be as easy as reaching out to someone just to let them talk. Showing love for another is not complicated. Give it a try.

Giving Your All

The other day I saw a bumper sticker on a vehicle that was promoting a certain university. Being a big football school this is nothing unusual. However, this sticker caught my eye. This sticker proclaimed "Today, I will give my all for ______". ( The school name was where I put the blank). As usual this got me thinking. I ask myself, "What would happen if we gave our all for Jesus today?"

If... we would really seek God with our whole heart and go forth with boldness, imagine the revival that would break out in our homes and our churches. The sick would be healed. Marriages would be restored. Miracles would be a common occurence and the lost would be saved.

This is my hearts desire. I want to give my all to Jesus each and every day. I want nothing more out of life for myself. Jesus is my all in all and I want to serve Him more than anything. Tonight, if Jesus is not your greatest desire I pray that you would turn completely to Him. Let Him become Lord of your life so that you can give your all for Him today.

All Burdens can be carried away!

A few days ago on my drive home from work, I noticed a hawk flying low crossing the road in front of me. Around here this is nothing unusual as I see them quite often. This time though as I watched it ascend skyward, I noticed something odd. It had what looked like a stick hanging from its claws. However this stick wiggled and moved. This hawk had caught a snake and intended to have a hardy meal of it. I had never seen anything like that before.

A few minutes later as I thought about this scene, it was like the Lord was telling me that if we let Him, He will come into our lives like that hawk and remove anything that will cause us to be separated from Him. He will take away the fear and the stuggles that keep us from His perfect will and carry it far away.

Are you carrying around things that hinder you? Are you letting things come between you and our precious Lord? If so, open up your heart and let Him come in and take that out of your life. He will not only remove it but He will heal the wounds and hurts that thing has caused. Give Him all your cares and worries. Give Him every aspect of your life. Give Him complete control and watch those things causing you problems and strife be carried away,

Going all in!

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

Earthly treasure is here but for a short time. It is not lasting. In,stead invest in heavenly treasure. It is forever! Tonight, do a complete audit of your spiritual investments. Where have you invested, earthly goods or heavenly treasures? Begin to move your accounts and go all in with Jesus.

Your Calling

Is God calling us? Yes He is! He is calling us to live a pure and holy life. He is calling us to live set apart and not to bow to worldly influences. We cannot go around reaching for Jesus while we are clinging to some part of this life. Surrendering every part of our life to God is the only way for us to live. Nothing can be held back. Remember the story of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5)?  They tried to hold onto part of their old life when they promised not to. How did that work for them? Not to well! It won't work for us either if we refuse to let go of this world and surrender all that we are to Jesus. This is my goal in life and I pray that it is your too. Today, I urge you to surrender everything to Him and don't ever look back.

This Fleeting Life

Tonight as I was walking my daughters dog for her, the thought came to me how fleeting this life really is. We see examples of this on the news and in the paper every day. Even the psalmist David knew this. In Psalms 89, he encouages us to remember exactly how short and meaningless this life really is. (Ps 89:47) Nothing in this life is worth anything except for what is done in service of the Lord. In fact, David tells us that he wants to spend his life in obedience to God and His commandments. (Ps 119:56). This is exactly what we should be concerning ourselves with! All the wealth that we gather, all the friends we make, all our sucesses in this life are worthless unless we make God first and foremost in our life. Tonight, take an inventory of your life. Have you put your efforts in the meaningless or have you been laying up treasures in the next life?

Who is with me?

The Book of Revelations begins with letters from Christ to the seven churches in Asia Minor. Each letter is a reminder to the individual churches that they need to be watchful and ready but as I read them today, one stood out to me. It is the letter to the church at Sardis that got my attention. In this letter Christ compels that church to "Wake up!" (Rev. 3:2). You see, this church once was a...live. It was winning souls for Jesus. It was on fire for Him but had gotten complaciant. The people and gotten lazy and had let this world dictate their thoughts and their actions. They had let sin slip in. I am mighty afraid this is happening in many churches in this land even today. They once were on fire for Jesus. They were going out and winning souls. This fire grew cold and they grew weak. That is when sin slips in. Things of this world became more important and they grow distant from Christ. Folks, it is time that we wake up! Let us not become like the church in this letter. It is time to seek God, it is time to run after Him. I for one want that fire of God to burn bright in my soul. I want to serve God with my whole heart. Who is with me?

Free Time

How did you spend your free time today? You had many many choices of how to spend that time. Some watch TV. Some talked with a friend. Still others took a nap. (I love naps by the way.) Nothing wrong with any of these choices but I wonder how many followers of Christ chose to spend that free time in prayer or even reading God's word? We need to do both because that is where our strength as believers comes from. I will be the first to admit that I need to do a better job at both. We need that strength that comes by prayer and reading our Bibles. I read a report recently that said biblical literacy was at an all time low. This means that we aren't reading the word as we should and believe me, our enemy knows that. He is using our lack of study against us. From the beginning, that ole foe has used and twisted the word to fit his aganda. Satan used that command of God to Adam and Eve not to eat from that one tree, twisted it and used it to cause both to disobey God. Satan even tried to use a twisted word against Jesus but it didn't work. You see, Jesus knew the word. He knew what it said and He knew what it meant because He wrote it. Therein lays the issue. By not reading the word, we don't know the word and it can be easily twisted and cause us to mess up. Don't let that happen to you! Tonight, reach over and pick up your Bible or click on that unused Bible app on your phone and read. It may be just one verse, just read. Let that word sink into your mind and your soul. Let it give you strength that you need to overcome the tricks of Satan.

Revive Me O Lord!

You hear alot these days about people wanting to get closer to the Lord. Many say that they want revival and you can include me in that number. However, when I say revival I am in no way talking about a series of consecutive church services lasting several nights. That is not revival! I am talking about a true revival where people are saved, lives are changed and God draws us closer to Him. S...omeone once said that revival begins in us. It begins in our hearts with us longing for more of God. That is true. Revival will not come if we are not seeking God with our whole heart. We must have that true longing deep in our souls that cannot be satisified by anything less. That is what its going to take folks. Revival will not come to our homes and our churches is we do not want it. Tonight, I challenge all who truely want revival and are seeking it to join me in prayer for it. Cry out to God for a revival the likes of which has never been seen to sweep over us, our homes, our churches, our cities and even our countries. Beg our Heavenly Father to pour out revival that will bring a change to us and that will bring countless souls into the Kingdom. #prayforrevival#seekingmoreofgod#pouroutyourspirit

A Threefold Cord

Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiates 4:12

This is why it is important that we not forsake fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. When we bind together with other belivers God honors that. In fact, Jesus said that where ever two or three are gathered together, He is there with them. (Matt 18:20) When you have a storm in your life, don't try to go it alone. Get a couple of trusted brothers or sisters to help you pray. Agree together and watch what God will do.

Stress, Worry, Doubt, and Fear

Stess. Worry. Doubt. Fear. All of these are part of our daily vocabulary and have slowly eased their way in our everyday lives. I would hazard a guess that there is not a day that goes by when we don't experience at least one of these if not all. We worry about our bills. We stress over our jobs. We doubt that we will ever get ahead. We fear we will not be able to give our children the be...st we can. If you are a child of God then this is not the way it is supposed to be. Jesus wants to wipe all that out of our lives. In His last days on this earth He told the disciples that when He left He was leaving His peace behind. (John 14:27a). He gives us of this peace so we won't have to worry and stress. He does not want us to be troubled (John 14:27b) by anything. Tonight, take all that stress, all your worries, those doubts and fears and give them all to Jesus. He wants to take them from you and carry them for you (1 Peter 5:7). In their place take that peace that only comes from Jesus. Let His peace cover you. You do not have to be bound by stress, worry, doubt and fear any longer. Instead live free in the peace of Jesus Christ!

Husbands, Love your Wives!

It has been said for some time now that the divorce rate is over fifty percent. Sadly though, this is even true in christian households. Divorce, while sometimes necessary, is not how things are meant to be. While there is no simple solution in the worlds eyes, Paul twice offers a simple yet true suggestion that would go a long way in helping to at least lower the divorce rate in christian hous...eholds. Twice he admonished christian men to love their wives just as Christ loves the church (Ephesians 5:25) and not to be bitter toward them (Colossians 3:19). Christ gave every thing for the church and that is how we are to love our wives. We are to love them without condition and without holding anything back. And secondly we are to always forgive.

Husbands, tonight I challenge to look at how you love your wife. Are you loving her just as Jesus loves you or are you loving her because of what she does for you? Do you meant it when you say you love her or are you just going through the motions? Men, your wives are your life-long partner not just a helper or a mother to your children. You are commanded in the word of God and by the vows you took to love her. Be the man you are meant to be. Be the husband God commands you to be.

Testify!

One thing that used to happen in church back in the "good ole days" was a testimony service. It was nothing unusual for the pastor or deacon to call upon someone to share their testimony of what God has done for them. Sometimes they would share how God had healed them. Others would share how they came to know Christ. Some would tell of how God had delivered them from a storm in their life. Whole services would sometimes be devoted to the sharing of testimonies. This is fast becoming a thing of the past.

While thinking about this I wondered if this is the reason that so many christians are in a constant battle or they are living life in a state of defeat. Why is that? I believe it is because they are not sharing their testimony. They are not sharing their faith. The word tells us that we can be overcomers by the blood of Jesus AND the word of our testimony. (Rev 12:11). By sharing our testimony of what God has done for us, it builds our faith, it makes us strong and allows us to overcome those obstacles that have been placed before us. We may not be able to share our story in churches much any more, but we don't have to be in church to do that. We can share our testimony anywhere and with anyone! Share it with your neighbors. Share it with your friends and co-workers. Share it with your family. Your story may just be what someone needs to hear to help them come to Jesus or even to help them to build their own faith.

Priceless!

There are countless millions of people who are wandering this planet feeling like they are worthless. They feel like they are just a little nothing who no one cares about. Some of these people could be your neighbors. Maybe they could be your co-workers. Possibilly one of them could even be a member of your own family. One of them may even be you.

For what ever reason these just can't help but feel that they dont even matter. Tonight, I am here to tell you that Jesus didn't die on the cross for nothing, He died for you! Even when no one else does, Jesus sees worth and value in you. You are one of God's children and therefore you are priceless in His eyes. He gave up everything for you.

So whenever you start to have these thoughts or feelings, remember that you are are a child of the one true King. You are worth everything to Him and He loves you enough to die for you. Now, tell me who else would do that for you.

Where in the world is David?

Today my mind began to wonder and think upon things in the past. Now before you say it, I know that you are not to dwell on the past but to look forward but that is not what I was doing. My memories floated back to an enounter I had several years back with a gentlemen I met in a local establishment. I still remember that night like it was yesterday. I even remember much of the conversation. 
 
This gentleman was no ordinary man. Instead, he was one who many would cross the street to avoid. I first noticed this man when he first stepped into the resturant we were in. He carried every possession he had in several trash bags and an old canvas backpack. He began to share with myself and the owner of the resturant that we was homeless wandered the highways of the southeastern US. By this time the owner of the establishment had prepared the man, David, a meal and give it to him for free. The strange thing was that this man chose to live this way by choice. He explained that he could move in with family any time that he wanted but instead he chose this life. This meeting was not just a chance encounter but it was, I believe an encounter ordained by God. We talked with the man for almost two hours listening to his stories of life on the road. After the conversation ended, we had a word of prayer with him and he went on his way. He said he believed in God but believed that each man worshiped how they saw fit. Sadly, he did not choose Jesus that night but the seeds were planted.

Often, I find myself wondering what ever happened to David. While driving I occasionally scan the road head of me hoping to see that man with all the bags and walking stick. Whenever this happens all I can do is to say a small prayer for David.

David is like many people, they are searching for something but just can't put their finger on what that something is. David spends his life searching to fill that void by traveling the highways alone. Jesus tells us that that something is Him. Jesus is the only way (John 14:6). He is that door that we all are looking for. Have you opened that door to Christ? He is standing at the door of your heart knocking (Rev. 3:20) waiting for you to let Him in. Tonight, I ask you to open that door to Christ and He will come in and fill that void that you have been looking so hard to fill.

If you have made that decision for Jesus, don't overlook encounters such as these. God has placed you in that situation to use you. Maybe it is just to buy that person a meal. It could just be to give them an encouraging word. It could even be to lead them to Jesus.

Tonight, join with me is saying a prayer for David. #prayingfordavid

Pulling Weeds

One of my favorite things to do in the spring and summer months is taking care of my flowers. There is nothing like picking out the weeds and plucking the old dried up blooms so that they will produce even more beautiful flowers. Even watering them is something that I find relaxing. It takes all this and more to keep the plants making their colorful blossoms. We christians are much the same way. Our Heavenly Father must pluck the sin and fleshly ways from the garden of our souls. He will remove our hurts and pain so that we can show His love. God sends us that rain of the Holy Spirit to refresh our very being and give us that sustaining more abundant life. As long as we live, God will continue to nurture us and tend to our souls so that we will reproduce more and more disciples for His glory. Tonight, let Him into the garden of your soul so that He may do the work and needs to be done in you.

Who Wants to Go Swimming?

Summertime is finally here. People are taking vacations. Kids are out of school. Many are flocking to an outdoor pool to cool off from the heat. For them, there is nothing like jumping in that water to escape the heat and get some relief. People did much the same thing during the time of Christ. However there was one pool that was different. This was a pool called Bethesda in which an angel... of the Lord came down and stirred the water. (John 5) When this happened, the first one in the pool recieved their healing.

This don't happen in our pools today but there is a stirring going on. This is a spiritual stirring in which the Lord wants us to draw closer to Him so that He can move in our lives. There are many out there who the Lord wants to bless but they are missing out or maybe even ignoring that stirring in their soul. Don't let that stirring pass you by, jump in with both feet. God is wanting to do something in you and maybe even through you!

Who is First in Your Life?

You can tell alot about a person by how they live. In fact, the way we live our lives will always show what our true priorities are. Each and every action will reveal that fact, there is no hiding it. We all focus our lives in one direction. Some will focus on their careers. Others will focus on a hobby. Lots more will focus on material things. What do you think Jesus has to say about this...? Simple, Jesus says to "seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness." (Matt 6:33). He is telling us where we should be focusing and that is on Him. When we do that, our lives will show it. We will begin to bear His fruit. We will begin to let the fruits of the Spirit come forth in our lives. People will see the difference. They will notice the change because they are seeing Jesus through you. That should be the goal of every believer.

Tonight, I ask you, where is your focus? Where do your true priorities lay? If they are not on Jesus, lift up your eyes to Him. Seek Him with your whole heart. Do this, and I promise, you WILL see a difference

Lonely Old Houses

Remember the 'good ole days' when you could afford to load the family up in the giant family car and go on a peaceful Sunday afternoon drive? With $3 a gallon gas those days are long gone.

If you can remember those days, no doubt you can remember the old abandoned houses sitting out in fields and on hillsides. I do and even catch my self looking for those lonely run-down old homes even today. Those houses were once no doubt beautiful homes complete with the white picket fences. They were full of love. Children ran around outside playing while the mother busied herself with household chores and the dad worked out in the fields or was tending the animals. Eventually, the kids grew up and moved on. The moms and dads grew old and passed on leaving the unwanted old house to deteriate in the weather and strms. Even today, some of these houses could be saved and renovated if only a master carpenter would come in and invest in it.

You know, the human heart (soul) is much like these old houses. The heart that once was full of joy and peace is now broken and beaten down by the storms of this life. Where there once was joy, now only sorry remains. Just as the master carpenter could come in a save one of the old houses I talked about earlier, I know of The Master Carpenter who can come into that boken heart, torn and weather by the mess of this life and totally recreate it, making it new and whole again. All you have to do is to invite Him in. He has already made the investment, He has already paid for the renovation. If your find your heart in this condition, why don't you invite The Master Carpenter, Jesus Christ to make your heart new again? He stands ready, tools in hand to complete the job and fill your heart with peace and joy.