Thoughts ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZONPRTOFF dateof comment Look Inside Data Conditions:Order: 1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10|11|12|13|14|15|16|17|18|19|20|21|22|23|24|25|26|27|28|29| Dateof Comment 05/31/2026 How many of us have been duped by those who want to control our lives. I remember when theater popcorn was popped using coconut oil. They all said that we would die if we did not stop this. Now they are touting that coconut oils is good for you. The next thing they touted is that sunlight gives you cancer. You better stay out of the sun. Now they say get some sun to get vitamin D, stronger bones and a stronger immune system. Water is not even safe. Large quantities of water will cause you kidneys to shut down trying to remove the excess water out of you system. Nothing is truly safe and Paul warns us about people making a bid deal of things. Colossians 2:20-23 NLT 20 You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, 21 “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!” 22 Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. 23 These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires. In the end you end up living in fear and no ones life is better off, spiritually. Just pray Psalm 91 over your life and let God carry you through the maze of crazy ideas. 05/30/2026 Do you think David had any problems with spam and phishing schemes? These verses said he did. It was though he had to deal with email: Psalm 36:1-4 NLT 1 Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all. 2 In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are. 3 Everything they say is crooked and deceitful. They refuse to act wisely or do good. 4 They lie awake at night, hatching sinful plots. Their actions are never good. They make no attempt to turn from evil. We even have a political party like this. They believe that anyone should be able to do what they want unless it opposes their narrative. The pro-choice people never ask the question, "What does God think about my choice?" What is even more sad is that many do not even know who God is to answer the question correctly. Paul was like this. He killed Christians because he believed he was doing God a favor. He had to learn who God and his Son are to realize his choice was wrong. Talking about doing a 180, I need to learn about God and Jesus as fast as Paul did. I have noticed that there is a correlation between sin and the fear of God. Those who fear God always seem to sin a lot less. Those who live to sin could care less about what God thinks. This is dangerous because of where we will spend eternity if we do not change and put that "reverent fear of God" back into our lives. 05/29/2026 Have ever thought about the importance of talking to people about Jesus? Timothy was trying to be a pastor and Paul was giving him information on the importance of reaching souls for Christ: 2 Timothy 1:1 NLT Greetings from Paul This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I have been sent out to tell others about the life he has promised through faith in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:8 NLT So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. 2 Timothy 4:5 NLT But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. Have ever thought about the impact you can have on people by telling them about Jesus? Here is a testimony of a man who was changed because of such people: "I grew up in a semi-religious family and would go to church every other weekend. As I grew older, I stopped going to church and led a life separate from God. During my senior year of high school, I was diagnosed with cancer. I underwent chemotherapy for about 4 months and was confined to my house. After I was declared cancer free, I went back to life, but this time more broken and helpless than before. I started wondering about my purpose and what the meaning of life is. I started looking for it in all the wrong things, and it left me emptier than before. The week after spring break, I was approached by two guys from Foundations Church. They started preaching the gospel to me and I knew this was something that I needed to pursue. After the first couple Bible study meetings and going to church where there were people my own age, I was starting to see the impact that God had on their lives. A big change happened when I opened my Bible; reading through the gospels and seeing what Jesus did for me on that cross convicted me. On April 23, after a meeting where we were talking about the decision to repent, I felt a strong conviction from the Holy Spirit, and I knew I had to do it that night. Since then, I've noticed two distinct things in my life. I feel more secure knowing that my life is in the hands of God, the same God who created everything in the entire universe. Also, I know my identity is rooted in being a child of God." You and I both can be people who change the world for Jesus. This guy really noticed a change when he opened his bible and read the gospels. So encourage people to search God's word to see who Jesus is! 05/28/2026 Paul's letters are similar in telling us to how to model our lives after Jesus Christ, get sin out of lives and the church, and to love and forgive one another. But when he write to the Colossian church, he does something a little different. He describes who Jesus is: Colossians 1:15-20 NLT Christ Is Supreme 15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, God looks a lot like Jesus based on what he said to Philip: John 14:9 Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? One girl who had a chance to see heaven painted what Jesus looked like. Others who have been to heaven confirm that the painting was him. 16 for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. The universe is so big we do not know what is all out there. We make new discoveries on our own planet each day. In the atomic level they think there are smaller things yet then the atom. 17 He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Good thing Jesus has a good memory or we might just disappear. 18 Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. God just had me write a comment on this: Ephesians 4:32 NLT Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. 1 John 4:19 We love each other because he loved us first. James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. 19 For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, Matthew 3:16-17 NLT 16 After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” 20 and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross. Between the death of Jesus and his resurrection Jesus fought the devil to take over the authority of the earth. I bet that was a battle but Jesus won. He is now in control over everything. Jesus is Lord!!!!!!!! 05/26/2026 When you read the story about David, one of the things I picked up that his men would give their lives up for David. They believed in him. Yet David went through times like this: Psalm 31:9-13 NLT 9 Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress. Tears blur my eyes. My body and soul are withering away. 10 I am dying from grief; my years are shortened by sadness. Sin has drained my strength; I am wasting away from within. 11 I am scorned by all my enemies and despised by my neighbors— even my friends are afraid to come near me. When they see me on the street, they run the other way. 12 I am ignored as if I were dead, as if I were a broken pot. 13 I have heard the many rumors about me, and I am surrounded by terror. My enemies conspire against me, plotting to take my life. I wonder if President Trump has the same thoughts that David had. He has experienced letdowns by our corrupt judicial system and congress. I myself have seen a lot of the lies and lack of loyalty to this great president. I know he is going to set the record on the attempts on a man's life. All of this because he wants to turn the power back to the people and he is affecting the free lunches that screw the people. I also would like to say these words for our President Trump: Psalm 31:14-18 NLT 14 But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!” 15 My future is in your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly. 16 Let your favor shine on your servant. In your unfailing love, rescue me. 17 Don’t let me be disgraced, O Lord, for I call out to you for help. Let the wicked be disgraced; let them lie silent in the grave. 18 Silence their lying lips— those proud and arrogant lips that accuse the godly. Whether you are in a position of leadership or not, you may be going through this too. If you love the Lord, these words are for you too. 05/25/2026 I believe we are living in the Matthew 24:14 timeline: Matthew 24:14 NLT 14 And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come. Base on what I hear from God's prophets, God will have to do a bunch of things in the worlds financial systems to destroy those who are apposing the spread of the Gospel. This action will be good for the rest of us. What a spectacle that will be to see God's Glory moving as he gives everyone a last chance to come to him before the Lord returns. This is one thing I would like to be alive to see. I am even anxious to see God's final work blossom in our current ministries. He is doing big things as I write this. I was reading Psalm 30 and came across these verses: Psalm 30:8-10 NLT 8 I cried out to you, O Lord. I begged the Lord for mercy, saying, 9 “What will you gain if I die, if I sink into the grave? Can my dust praise you? Can it tell of your faithfulness? 10 Hear me, Lord, and have mercy on me. Help me, O Lord.” God likes it when we remind him of his word. It also proves that you actually opened your bible. I am going to use this so I can be around to witness God's greatest move ever. Just make sure you have been doing these things already. Your heart will reveal if you are serious about this. 05/24/2026 I have talked about parts of this chapter but it would be fun to break it down: Psalm 26 NLT 1 Declare me innocent, O Lord, for I have acted with integrity; I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. (I do believe that I waver from time to time. Integrity is very important) 2 Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart. (I haven't gotten an A on this one yet but I am getting closer.) 3 For I am always aware of your unfailing love, and I have lived according to your truth. (I always seem to have this one mastered. Then there is that one thing that I do that messes this up.) 4 I do not spend time with liars or go along with hypocrites. (I definitely do this one. But sometimes I say to much about it. ) 5 I hate the gatherings of those who do evil, and I refuse to join in with the wicked. (Because of the power of Jesus Christ I do not want to be near this stuff.) 6 I wash my hands to declare my innocence. I come to your altar, O Lord, (Because of sin, am I truly innocent? Jesus can make it happen though.) 7 singing a song of thanksgiving and telling of all your wonders. (As I age spiritually, this does get stronger and stronger.) 8 I love your sanctuary, Lord, the place where your glorious presence dwells. (Nothing is better then going to church where the Holy Spirit resides.) 9 Don’t let me suffer the fate of sinners. Don’t condemn me along with murderers. (Jesus Christ makes this possible. He has this one for me.) 10 Their hands are dirty with evil schemes, and they constantly take bribes. (I want no part of this either. I do a good job of keeping this one.) 11 But I am not like that; I live with integrity. So redeem me and show me mercy. ( I believe in living for integrity. But do I have as much integrity as David did?) 12 Now I stand on solid ground, and I will publicly praise the Lord. (I do it in church. I am weak in public because of preoccupation.) The book of Psalm gives you a lot to ponder about. 05/23/2026 Our God does not hide himself but reveals himself to everyone through his creation. These two men, David and Paul, sure did see it and wrote about it: Psalm 8:3-9 NLT 3 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers— the moon and the stars you set in place— 4 what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? 5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. 6 You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority— 7 the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals, 8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents. 9 O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Paul says we have no excuse to not see the God of the universe: Romans 1:19-20 NLT 19 They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Isn't it interesting that the more we know about and love our God, our thoughts become united under Jesus Christ. Our stand on things will also become the same. After all isn't living for Christ the same as thinking like Christ. We will mimic him on every aspect of our life. Granted, 0-60 in under 4 second will have a different meaning for everyone. 05/22/2026 Have you ever had one of those days where you felt God was a million miles away? It was Friday just before the Memorial day weekend. I had to go over and pick up an electric motor that I found out there was nothing wrong with it. It cost me $400 bucks to get it cleaned and checked out. I started back home and I assumed I had it secure enough, but when I was half way home, the electric motor tipped and it spilled oil all over my pickup bed. I tried to pullover to lift it but it was too heavy to set it right. When I got home, I called the people who serviced it and asked them if I could have a problem tipping the electric motor over. They confirmed that I could can have some major problems getting oil in the windings. They asked me to go ahead and bring it back, and they would look at it. They noticed that I got oil inside of it. So they had to physically take it apart again. It would be a rush to get it done before the holiday weekend. This holiday made it worse because I won't be able to pick it up till Tuesday. My mistake of assuming that I had tied down securely got me and now I'm going to have to pay again to have him clean it up. At this moment, I felt God was gone. I found out that I was not alone in these feelings. Everyone assumes David was like this: Psalm 18:6 NLT 6 But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears. David also had moments like I did, and he felt like this. Psalm 22:1-2 NLT 1 My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? 2 Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief. If David had these moment we will too. It has nothing to do with spirituality. David was about as close to God as anyone. God is definitely giving me a C- on this test. I blew it on some parts of the test. This is no excuse to give up either. I need to pull my grade up. It probably would have helped to pray for my trip that God would keep me from doing dumb stuff. I know he can keep us alert in traffic. He can also give us wisdom to do it right the first time. 05/20/2026 A lot of churches throw the baby out with the bath water when it comes to this verse: 1 Corinthians 1:10 NLT I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. One thing I like about a church who invites the Holy Spirit in, the message will always apply to me and the worship will glorify our King while sounding good. They are more focused on pleasing Jesus then wanting it their way. Go to Burger King to get it your way. Only Jesus can make all of us weird people come together and be united in one mind. I have seen it and I know it is possible. This would be a good time to show that love because it does not demand its own way. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT 4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. LET LOVE LIVE!!!!!!! 05/19/2026 When God takes us through our periods of testing, do we look at our God like David does? The first thing was how he sees God: Psalm 18 NLT 1 I love you, Lord; you are my strength. 2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. 3 I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies. (David was corned from every direction by his enemies. It must to have been overwhelming what he went through. He used prayer to communicate with our God to solve this problem) 4 The ropes of death entangled me; floods of destruction swept over me. 5 The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death laid a trap in my path. 6 But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears. (I liked the way David described God's reaction when he was coming to his aid. God appears to be angry!) 7 Then the earth quaked and trembled. The foundations of the mountains shook; they quaked because of his anger. 8 Smoke poured from his nostrils; fierce flames leaped from his mouth. Glowing coals blazed forth from him. 9 He opened the heavens and came down; dark storm clouds were beneath his feet. 10 Mounted on a mighty angelic being, he flew, soaring on the wings of the wind. 11 He shrouded himself in darkness, veiling his approach with dark rain clouds. 12 Thick clouds shielded the brightness around him and rained down hail and burning coals. 13 The Lord thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded amid the hail and burning coals. 14 He shot his arrows and scattered his enemies; great bolts of lightning flashed, and they were confused. 15 Then at your command, O Lord, at the blast of your breath, the bottom of the sea could be seen, and the foundations of the earth were laid bare. (Don't you believe that our God would do this for us also? If we are living for Jesus Christ I can see this happening for sure. Living for this world would produce a different outcome.) 16 He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters. 17 He rescued me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me. 18 They attacked me at a moment when I was in distress, but the Lord supported me. 19 He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me. 20 The Lord rewarded me for doing right; he restored me because of my innocence. 21 For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I have not turned from my God to follow evil. 22 I have followed all his regulations; I have never abandoned his decrees. 23 I am blameless before God; I have kept myself from sin. 24 The Lord rewarded me for doing right. He has seen my innocence. (David talks about the characteristics of God here.) 25 To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity. 26 To the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd. 27 You rescue the humble, but you humiliate the proud. 28 You light a lamp for me. The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness. 29 In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall. (Just as we should too, David glorifies the name of our God.) 30 God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. 31 For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? 32 God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect. 33 He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights. 34 He trains my hands for battle; he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow. 35 You have given me your shield of victory. Your right hand supports me; your help[d] has made me great. 36 You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping. (I like the confidence God can give you in fighting your battles. I do not think as individuals we should be grinding people into the dust but as a nation serving God, the Iran conflict was justified.) 37 I chased my enemies and caught them; I did not stop until they were conquered. 38 I struck them down so they could not get up; they fell beneath my feet. 39 You have armed me with strength for the battle; you have subdued my enemies under my feet. 40 You placed my foot on their necks. I have destroyed all who hated me. 41 They called for help, but no one came to their rescue. They even cried to the Lord, but he refused to answer. 42 I ground them as fine as dust in the wind. I swept them into the gutter like dirt. 43 You gave me victory over my accusers. You appointed me ruler over nations; people I don’t even know now serve me. 44 As soon as they hear of me, they submit; foreign nations cringe before me. 45 They all lose their courage and come trembling from their strongholds. ( The best way to end a story is by giving thanks and glory to the God of the universe!) 46 The Lord lives! Praise to my Rock! May the God of my salvation be exalted! 47 He is the God who pays back those who harm me; he subdues the nations under me 48 and rescues me from my enemies. You hold me safe beyond the reach of my enemies; you save me from violent opponents. 49 For this, O Lord, I will praise you among the nations; I will sing praises to your name. 50 You give great victories to your king; 05/18/2026 Just as King David was to Israel and Judah, President Donald Trump is to America. They both fought for the people and I consider them warriors. I thought about our president when I read these verses: Psalm 4:1-2 NLT 1 Answer me when I call to you, O God who declares me innocent. Free me from my troubles. Have mercy on me and hear my prayer. 2 How long will you people ruin my reputation? How long will you make groundless accusations? How long will you continue your lies? Our president may not be perfect but he has every president beat since 1900. Hum, this is about the time the central banks took over the worlds financial system in 1913. I think the Holy Spirit takes his talents to new levels above what he can do alone. Our press is like a bully in school. They like to trash everyone who does not fit their narrative. I pray that President Trump stays bold and the people around him to stay loyal to him and the people. He does have a big and important job to finish. He also need the gift of endurance too. 05/17/2026 Understanding GodOther than what we read about God in his word, I feel there is still tons of information that we are missing about the God we serve. God is involved in almost every crazy thing going on today but do I have a clue why it is happening the way it is? No, maybe this is the reason: Ecclesiastes 11:5 NLT Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things. Romans 11:33 NLT Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! God's word only shares what we need to know about him, to live like Jesus and to be intelligent when we speak to others about Jesus. He does share additional things with his prophets about his upcoming plans but his final plan is that we will always need him. Amos 3:7 NLT Indeed, the Sovereign Lord never does anything until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets. 05/17/2026 I consider myself to be someone who loves people but it seems weak when you read this: Philippians 2:14-18 NLT 14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, (Paul gets me on this one. I seem to need to complain once in a while and you have to argue with the lefties. But there lies the danger:) 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. 17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. 18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy. It sure looks like Paul is looking out for our best interest. He want us all to experience what Jesus has to offer. 05/16/2026 Every day that I get up there is always something that I seem to fall short on. Paul gives us hope if you are like me: . Philippians 3:12-14 NLT Pressing toward the Goal 12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Jesus Is Lord!!!!!!! P.S. You are right that this is work but aren't all the good things that come our way a result of hard work except salvation. Jesus did all the work here. We just reap the benefit. 05/16/2026 Did you ever wonder if Ezekiel was a procrastinator? You may ask why I brought this up. God told Ezekiel that if he did not tell the people what he said that he would be responsible for what happens next. This happened in: Ezekiel 3:16-21 NLT A Watchman for Israel 16 After seven days the Lord gave me a message. He said, 17 “Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel. Whenever you receive a message from me, warn people immediately. 18 If I warn the wicked, saying, ‘You are under the penalty of death,’ but you fail to deliver the warning, they will die in their sins. And I will hold you responsible for their deaths. 19 If you warn them and they refuse to repent and keep on sinning, they will die in their sins. But you will have saved yourself because you obeyed me. 20 “If righteous people turn away from their righteous behavior and ignore the obstacles I put in their way, they will die. And if you do not warn them, they will die in their sins. None of their righteous acts will be remembered, and I will hold you responsible for their deaths. 21 But if you warn righteous people not to sin and they listen to you and do not sin, they will live, and you will have saved yourself, too.” Then God warns Ezekiel again later: Ezekiel 33:7-9 NLT 7 “Now, son of man, I am making you a watchman for the people of Israel. Therefore, listen to what I say and warn them for me. 8 If I announce that some wicked people are sure to die and you fail to tell them to change their ways, then they will die in their sins, and I will hold you responsible for their deaths. 9 But if you warn them to repent and they don’t repent, they will die in their sins, but you will have saved yourself. I may be blowing smoke hear but God brought this up twice. I just do not remember the other prophets having to go through this. All of God's prophets are to reveal to people what God says unless there is a timer on the exact time it is to be revealed. 05/14/2026 I hear about the forgiveness of sins a lot but never hardly hear about the consequences of sin even if we are forgiven. Here is one example from our God who not only forgave but was in the restoration business. It was costly to some people. Ezekiel 44:10-14 NLT 10 And the men of the tribe of Levi who abandoned me when Israel strayed away from me to worship idols must bear the consequences of their unfaithfulness. 11 They may still be Temple guards and gatekeepers, and they may slaughter the animals brought for burnt offerings and be present to help the people. 12 But they encouraged my people to worship idols, causing Israel to fall into deep sin. So I have taken a solemn oath that they must bear the consequences for their sins, says the Sovereign Lord. 13 They may not approach me to minister as priests. They may not touch any of my holy things or the holy offerings, for they must bear the shame of all the detestable sins they have committed. 14 They are to serve as the Temple caretakers, taking charge of the maintenance work and performing general duties. Even though these next men may not be perfect but they continued to obey God. God had this to say: Ezekiel 44:15-16 15 “However, the Levitical priests of the family of Zadok continued to minister faithfully in the Temple when Israel abandoned me for idols. These men will serve as my ministers. They will stand in my presence and offer the fat and blood of the sacrifices, says the Sovereign Lord. 16 They alone will enter my sanctuary and approach my table to serve me. They will fulfill all my requirements. As sins can be forgiven, the consequences can mean jail, destroyed relationships, and trust. This is why Paul always talks about living like Jesus to avoid all of this despair. Is one moment of pleasure worth a long time of regret? I remember one couple who prayed that their children would be caught trying to sin in school. Those kids soon learned that they would be caught and disciplined for their actions and quit getting into trouble. As Gods children we should know to that we will be caught also. God want to restore us not destroy us. We also have free will to do what we want. The famous saying is "Chose wisely" before you do anything. 05/14/2026 The clothing the priests wore are very interesting: Ezekiel 44:18 NLT 18 They must wear linen turbans and linen undergarments. They must not wear anything that would cause them to perspire. I firmly agree about that perspiring part. I dress as cool as possible. I wonder how that worked for the priests when it was 110 degrees out side. This next thing makes you wonder what the priest saw in the inner court of the temple. Ezekiel 44:19 NLT 19 When they return to the outer courtyard where the people are, they must take off the clothes they wear while ministering to me. They must leave them in the sacred rooms and put on other clothes so they do not endanger anyone by transmitting holiness to them through this clothing. The New Testament talks about living holy lives but holiness itself can harm people. We know about Moses face beaming when he was in the presence of God. The people could see it. Ezekiel never mentioned what might happen if people came into contact with holiness. We do know that the priests had to clean themselves before they entered the inner court or they would die. Ezekiel brings this up again. Ezekiel 46:19-20 The Temple Kitchens 19 In my vision, the man brought me through the entrance beside the gateway and led me to the sacred rooms assigned to the priests, which faced toward the north. He showed me a place at the extreme west end of these rooms. 20 He explained, “This is where the priests will cook the meat from the guilt offerings and sin offerings and bake the flour from the grain offerings into bread. They will do it here to avoid carrying the sacrifices through the outer courtyard and endangering the people by transmitting holiness to them.” Even though this is interesting, I am sure glad that Jesus simplified all this for us by giving his life for us. There was a lot of work and danger done to provide a sacrifice for our sins. Jesus took out the work and danger that sacrifices required for the forgiveness of sins. But now we have a different kind of work to do because we now serve the King of kings. It is time for us to bring his dreams into reality. 05/13/2026 Paul definitely defined how Jesus can change our views on things and the power Jesus has to make us righteous before the Father: Philippians 3:7-11 NLT 7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! For some reason the suffering part is not making me jump up and down. America still has some God left in her and it has kept potential suffering away from us. The important thing is to not lose that joy that Paul had if that day would come. 05/12/2026 Even the free gift of salvation requires some work if you truly want to please our King: Philippians 2:12-13 NLT Shine Brightly for Christ 12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Notice the key things: 1. Obeying God 2. Deep Reverence 3. Fear America I feel has lost the deep reverence and fear for the God whom we own our existence to. We then quit obeying God because he becomes an inconvenience. In order for God to work in our lives we have to obey him. Does your heart have the desire to please him? God is wanting to work within all of our lives. As Paul says, "His working in our lives gives us the desire and the power to please God." My buddy talks about this very thing that is happening in the ghetto today. God is moving mightily there just because they please him. Today, I really do not hear much about having a deep reverence and fear when it comes to our God. Maybe it is time we should speak up about it. Job 4:6 NLT Doesn’t your reverence for God give you confidence? Doesn’t your life of integrity give you hope? Job 15:4 NLT Have you no fear of God, no reverence for him? Job 28:28 NLT And this is what he says to all humanity: ‘The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.’” Job 37:24 NLT No wonder people everywhere fear him. All who are wise show him reverence.” Proverbs 9:10 NLT Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. Proverbs 10:27 NLT Fear of the Lord lengthens one’s life, but the years of the wicked are cut short. Proverbs 14:27 NLT Fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death. Proverbs 15:33 NLT Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor. Proverbs 19:23 NLT Fear of the Lord leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm. Check this out. It can even lead to prosperity. Proverbs 22:4 NLT True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life. Proverbs 31:30 NLT Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Do you want a powerful prayer life? Hebrews 5:7 NLT While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. It is sad, but I do not hold my King in reverence as much as he deserves. I need to be more conscious of the God I serve. I really do want those things that King Solomon talked about in Proverbs.
