Thoughts ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZONPRTOFF dateof comment Look Inside Data Conditions:Order: 1|2|3|4| Dateof Comment 02/26/2026 There are two verses in the bible that can almost replace the entire law of God if they are truly followed: Matthew 22:37-39 NLT Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’, Jesus came to simplify the blood sacrifice requirement for the forgiveness of sins. As men we could never get this right. This fulfilled that part of God's law of shedding blood for the forgiveness of sins. The only thing that is missing here is the instructions on how to do certain things God wants. So it is still good to keep his law. It also shows us when we are doing things right. Let Love Live!!!!!!! 02/22/2026 There are times in our lives when we think everything is against us. We may even think our life is not fair. After all my neighbor's Facebook page shows he does not have to go through any of this garbage. I do realize Facebook can never be trusted to be accurate. You begin to be ashamed when you find out that in the 1800's there was a man who worked hard and developed a real estate empire in Chicago. We have heard of the great Chicago fire in our history class. Well, this same fire destroyed everything he worked for. It was such a heart break that he wanted to go to Europe to get away from it all. He sent his wife and four daughters on ahead while he finished up some details. That ship collided with a freighter and he lost all four daughters in the crash. He quickly got passage on another ship to comfort his wife from the tragedy. While in route to Europe the captain talked in front of him about the ships that crashed at this very spot. While many would curse God for this kind of tragedy, this guy did not. He wrote the song "It Is Well with My Soul". This in the premise for the movie "If Only you Can Imagine 2". The movie was about these things: Bart Millard's Father: Lead singer Bart Millard’s father, Arthur Wesley Millard Jr., passed away from pancreatic cancer in 1991. This event and his father's transformation to Christianity inspired the hit song "I Can Only Imagine". This song came about when Bart truly forgave his Dad. Unforgiveness stiffles the productivity God wants to give us. The movie talks about the difficulty Bart had dealing with raising a son with severe type 1 diabetes. Tim Timmons was instrumental at getting Bart on track. Tim Timmons: While Tim Timmons is not a member of MercyMe, he is a Christian singer-songwriter who co-wrote the song "Even If" with the band and has been living with incurable cancer for over two decades. Bart was living a "Woe is me" life and told Tim you have no idea what I am going through. When Tim told Bart he was dying of cancer, he started to realize that he was the one who did not understand. Family Members: The song "Even If" was written regarding Bart Millard's son's battle with Type 1 diabetes, but in testimonies, fans and band members have discussed the song in the context of loved ones, including relatives, fighting cancer. After the top seller "I Can Only Imagine" the bands recording sales dropped. Bart needed to develop a relationship with his son liked God wanted it. Tim asked Bart for help to finish the song he wrote but Bart would not listen to it until the cancer sent Tim to the hospital. Bart finally listened to the song and co-wrote the song "Even If" while Tim was in the hospital. This song is every bit as a big seller as their first hit. I encourage everyone to see this movie. The sad part was being a newer movie that my wife and I another couple were the only ones there on a Sunday. Let's promote movies that honor God and bring revenue to the theaters that they will demand more movies like this. This movie makes one think: If I lost everything including my family would I write a song like "It is Well With My Sole" or would I withdraw from being effective for God. Would I realize that withdrawing never solves anything, but creates despair? 02/14/2026 This verse makes me think Paul may be losing it here: Romans 12:14 NLT 14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. After all isn't this like rewarding people for bad behavior which would encourage them to sin even more. Shouldn't then God bless me for my bad behavior too. Paul also knows this that the heathen go out for revenge if anything like this happens to them. We are meant to be different. Paul says we have this promise: Romans 12:19-20 NLT 19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,”[a] says the Lord. 20 Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” My buddy uses this last one all the time to reach the gangs. It works just like Paul says. Are we not in the business of saving people? Lets use whatever we can to reach people for Jesus. Paul also knows that if we use evil against evil that evil propagates. It is time to conquer evil with good. You can bless people without condoning their behavior. 01/30/2026 This is the Lord we serve: Psalm 86:5 NLT O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. Our Lord sees our hearts if we love him. He is not a "Get out of jail free" card. We still need to continue to transform our lives into something that resembles our King. Jesus is Lord!!!!!!! 01/02/2026 This AI {Artificial Intelligence} sure seems to have a lot a things going for it. It sure seems cool to be able for machines to be able to learn on their own. What if the machine starts out being taught that human life and God is not precious and can be ignored. It will start to live its existence apart from God because it has no emotion. It may even view humans as a threat to it existence. You may say that is bull and that will never happen. But think about this, AI seems to be getting better and more accurate at coming up with an answer. As everyone gets use to having AI find solutions for them, they will go to AI first and gradually separate themselves from needing God. God wants relationship with all of us. This coming AI will be like a god to many. God can destroy nations for worshiping other gods. Do not fall into this trap that can happen with AI! Do not be surprised when God does something to destroy the progress of AI. God will prove to the world that his intelligence is superior to any machine. Jesus is Lord and the whole world will know it! AI needs to start its existence knowing that God is the creator of all things. You then only learn things in a manner that glorifies the name of Jesus. Could you imagine AI coming up with a solution and honoring Jesus at the same time. Both scenarios could happen with AI depending on the author. You really need to discern what harm or benefit that AI can create. I have seen AI work and it is cool now but I am not going to invest in it at all. I feel the enemy will try to use it to separate us from Yahweh and Jesus. 01/01/2026 Two differences between God and Hollywood is morality and reality. What is science fiction to Hollywood is reality to our God. Just look at the movie comparisons Hollywood copied from God. The ultimate disaster movie "2012" Genesis 6:14-17 NLT 14 “Build a large boat from cypress wood and waterproof it with tar, inside and out. Then construct decks and stalls throughout its interior. 15 Make the boat 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. 16 Leave an 18-inch opening below the roof all the way around the boat. Put the door on the side, and build three decks inside the boat—lower, middle, and upper. 17 “Look! I am about to cover the earth with a flood that will destroy every living thing that breathes. Everything on earth will die. I do not know of a movie other than the "10 commandments" that ever matched this: Exodus 14:21-22 NLT 21 Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the Lord opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land. 22 So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side! Animals that talk - "Mr Ed" the talking horse. What is so cool here he even talks back to the donkey! Numbers 22:28-31 NLT 28 Then the Lord gave the donkey the ability to speak. “What have I done to you that deserves your beating me three times?” it asked Balaam. 29 “You have made me look like a fool!” Balaam shouted. “If I had a sword with me, I would kill you!” 30 “But I am the same donkey you have ridden all your life,” the donkey answered. “Have I ever done anything like this before?” “No,” Balaam admitted. 31 Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the roadway with a drawn sword in his hand. Balaam bowed his head and fell face down on the ground before him. We cannot forget about "Superman": Judges 16:3 NL:T 3 But Samson stayed in bed only until midnight. Then he got up, took hold of the doors of the town gate, including the two posts, and lifted them up, bar and all. He put them on his shoulders and carried them all the way to the top of the hill across from Hebron. "6 million dollar man": 1 Kings 18:46 NLT 46 Then the Lord gave special strength to Elijah. He tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab’s chariot all the way to the entrance of Jezreel. the movie "Twister": 2 Kings 2:11 NLT As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire. It drove between the two men, separating them, and Elijah was carried by a whirlwind into heaven. Lets not forget about the "Mummy": 2 Kings 13:21 NLT Once when some Israelites were burying a man, they spied a band of these raiders. So they hastily threw the corpse into the tomb of Elisha and fled. But as soon as the body touched Elisha’s bones, the dead man revived and jumped to his feet! "The invisible man": Luke 24:31 Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared! Star Trek - Remember Captain Kirk's famous phrase "Beam me up now, Scotti": Acts 8:39-40 NLT 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Meanwhile, Philip found himself farther north at the town of Azotus. He preached the Good News there and in every town along the way until he came to Caesarea. The imagination of Hollywood will never be able to match what Jesus Christ did out of love to change the world. Jesus is the only way to see the coolest place -> heaven. Those Hollywood types will never come close to portraying what heaven is really like. 12/21/2025 That night when Jesus was born, did you ever ask yourself why he went to the shepherds first. After all, no one has being a shepherd on their bucket list: Luke 2:8-12 NLT The Shepherds and Angels 8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” God loves people equally and does not like it when we exalt ourselves above people who are doing a necessary job. God saw that these shepherds were looked down on, so he went to them first. It is no different today in Denver. No one has on their bucket list to live in the ghetto but to live someplace like Cherry Hills where there is money. I will bet you that the people in the ghetto have stronger hearts for God than those affluent communities. God wants to reveal himself to those who have hearts for him and/or are the underdogs. The story of God in the ghetto will not be matched by any affluent community. I feel it is better to live where God is hanging out than to live where he is not. Matthew 23:12 NLT But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. If we get wrapped up in prestige and wealth, this can bite you: Luke 1:52 NLT He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. Make sure that you are part of God's story today! Those I know in the ghetto are doing that now! 12/12/2025 They say that God can do anything. Nothing is impossible for him. Well, I am going to tell you some things that God cannot do. First you have to understand that our God is Holy. Because of this he cannot lie. He also cannot break a covenant between him and the person he made it with. Our sin is the only thing that may break it off. God cannot improve because he is the author of all knowledge and wisdom. Whatever he does it is to perfection. He does not miss any details. He does not forget about anything and is always prepared for every outcome. This is the reason why God always wins. Creation was carefully thought out. Man was to live with God forever. Man's sin forced God to add death and decay to what was a perfect creation. Jesus was sent to repair what man forced God to do because of his sin. 1 Corinthians 1:30 NLT God Himself made the way so you can have new life through Christ Jesus. God gave us Christ to be our wisdom. Christ made us right with God and set us apart for God and made us holy. Christ bought us with His blood and made us free from our sins. I truly believe true holiness can stop us from lying and our word will be like a written contract. Jesus's blood frees us from our sins to live more like our Father. P.S I do not think our God is done creating because the book of Revelation talks about the new heaven and earth. That will be quite glorious to see. But until then, Jesus is Lord. 12/02/2025 There is a lot more to a ministry than just spreading the gospel and glorifying the name of Jesus. John knew what that was: John 3:27-30 NLT 27 John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. 28 You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ 29 It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the bridegroom’s friend is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. 30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. We should want people to grow in the Lord stronger each day which means we will become less each day. They will remember the day you brought them to Christ but it will only be a passing memory compared to the God who started it all in the first place. 10/30/2025 The enemy loves this verse because the way it is written. Most versions are not any different. People will shake their finger at you on this one when you identify a persons actions as sin. Luke 6:37-38 NLT Do Not Judge Others 37 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back. Many people believe that if I see someone doing something wrong, I can do it too as long as I don't judge that person for doing the sin. The last part says, "you will not be judged". Yeah, now I can sin without being judged. Sounds as stupid as those people who say you have no right to judge. Mathew goes more into detail on judging: Matthew 7:1-2 NLT Do Not Judge Others 7 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. The Message bible really defines what the author Luke was meaning: Luke 6:37-38 The Message 37-38 “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity It is scriptural that we will all be judged by God in the end no matter what happens. Also, if you see someone doing something that looks fun, you will have to judge whether the activity is acceptable in the sight of the Lord before you do it. Don't be afraid to tell people that my King doesn't want me to do that. Everything in life has to be judged as either right or wrong. The day you stop judging could lead to the loss of your salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Romans 12:1 NLT And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 10/28/2025 They say diamonds are forever but if you don't have any, you really don't care. Also remember this, God's word is forever too but if you don't read it and place it in your heart, you will not care about its value either. 1 Peter 1:24-25 NLT As the Scriptures say, “People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever.” And that word is the Good News that was preached to you. Jesus is still Lord! 10/20/2025 There is a difference between thinking about something and actually do it. We may be sincere about doing things but nothing happens until we complete the task. This verse says that David is not only thinking about doing it but I am going to do it today: Psalm 27:14 NLT Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. Waiting sure can be a drag. This next verse asks God for the strength to wait on his timing. Psalm 51:12 NLT Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Remember how many times Jesus has been waiting on us to do what he has asked of us. Isn't only fair that we wait on his timing. While you wait, keep on doing the things he asks us to do. Jesus is Lord!!!!!!! 10/19/2025 This is probably the most encouraging verse in the bible: Jeremiah 29:11-12 NLT 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. What happens when we let sin enter our life. Sampson's life started on the cool track with this verse. Even coming into the world was amazing: Judges 13:5 NLT 5 You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and his hair must never be cut. For he will be dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth. He will begin to rescue Israel from the Philistines. Soon Samson started hanging around prostitutes and was more interested in girls then God. Since his strength was given by the Holy Spirit, the Spirit was still present in his life. Sin was making Sampson numb to the presence of the Holy Spirit. So much so that he began doing stupid stuff like giving away his secret to someone who was plotting against him: Judges 16:15-17 NLT 15 Then Delilah pouted, “How can you tell me, ‘I love you,’ when you don’t share your secrets with me? You’ve made fun of me three times now, and you still haven’t told me what makes you so strong!” 16 She tormented him with her nagging day after day until he was sick to death of it. 17 Finally, Samson shared his secret with her. “My hair has never been cut,” he confessed, “for I was dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as anyone else.” This mistake was about to cost him dearly. Judges 16:20-21 NLT 20 Then she cried out, “Samson! The Philistines have come to capture you!” When he woke up, he thought, “I will do as before and shake myself free.” But he didn’t realize the Lord had left him. 21 So the Philistines captured him and gouged out his eyes. They took him to Gaza, where he was bound with bronze chains and forced to grind grain in the prison. When sin makes us numb we do not realize when the Holy Spirit leaves. We have to live with the consequences of our sin. But God is not far away. When we come back to our senses things like this can happen: Judges 16:26-30 NLT 26 Samson said to the young servant who was leading him by the hand, “Place my hands against the pillars that hold up the temple. I want to rest against them.” 27 Now the temple was completely filled with people. All the Philistine rulers were there, and there were about 3,000 men and women on the roof who were watching as Samson amused them. 28 Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me again. O God, please strengthen me just one more time. With one blow let me pay back the Philistines for the loss of my two eyes.” 29 Then Samson put his hands on the two center pillars that held up the temple. Pushing against them with both hands, 30 he prayed, “Let me die with the Philistines.” And the temple crashed down on the Philistine rulers and all the people. So he killed more people when he died than he had during his entire lifetime. God plans were still fulfilled at a cost of our stupidity but we need to ask Jesus for forgiveness and mean it first. Then make it a goal to live your life in a manner that pleases the Lord. You will again be able to feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life again. When you become numb to the Holy Spirit you will also be numb to the presence of demonic spirits. You need the Holy Spirit to feel the presence of demonic spirits. Spiritual battles are best fought when the Holy Spirit is put in charge of your life. 09/24/2025 There has been a lot of interesting things happening since the passing of Charlie Kirk. The first thing is the time his life ended at 12:23. Look at what John had to say about this time: John 12:23 NLT 23 Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. I am beginning to see God's Glory moving in our own ministries and the world. Even our own deaths can bring glory to God: 2 Corinthians 4:14-15 NLT 14 We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. 15 All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. I am hearing stories about Charlie's death bringing people to Christ. A woman who wanted nothing to do with Jesus was appalled with a certain parties celebration of his death. She knew that Charlie Kirk stood for Jesus and decided to open her husband's bible. It fell open to: John 8:32 NLT 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” She soon gave her life to Jesus Christ. A second thing I know of is my buddies dealing with a Drug Cartel in Denver. He has been witnessing to them for over three years. The boss had been watching things about Charlie Kirk on the TV. His 7 year old son was playing with his dad's business cards when he came across my buddies business card. It was cool looking and he asked his dad who this guy was. He said, "He witnesses to gangs and college students." His son replied, "Just like the man who was murdered on TV." Instantly, just as they had talked about Charlie's family on TV, he began seeing his family in a new light. He asked his son for that card and told his men what he was going to do. They all wanted what he was about to do. He then called my buddy and said, "My men and I want to give our hearts to Jesus today. Can you meet us?" Today this cartel is serving the Lord. I have no idea how many people are coming to Jesus today just because one man stood for Jesus Christ. Lord, I pray that as we live our life for you that we can have the same effect on other people just based on how we lived. Charlie proved it could be done but it requires living for Jesus wherever we go. People will notice if we are fakes so let's keep it real. Jesus is Lord! 09/18/2025 This verse definitely is not worldly. Philippians 2:3-4 NLT Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. This is how the world sees things: UnPhilippians 2:3-4 WLT 3 Always take the best whenever you can. To be cool you need to show off or you will be ignored. If you let your guard down you will be crushed by others. 4 You should only worry about your own interests if you ever want to climb the ladder of success. Everyone is your enemy. One verse is through the eyes of Jesus the other is the world. This one is for me too. Some of the things I have to admit to are: 1. In a buffet, leaving the burnt edges for some one else to take. 2. Driving a clean muscle car to show off. 3. Even though 10% of the population might be able beat me, the rest do not have a chance. 4. I will finish up here before I can help you. Let Jesus and the Holy Spirit make the spiritual one the only part of your life. 09/10/2025 Time: Gods precious gift and our greatest responsibility. Time is one of the greatest gifts God has entrusted to us, and yet it is often the very thing we squander the most. Every one of us whether rich or poor, famous or unknown, receives the same 24 hours each day. But how we use those hours determines the course of our lives and the strength of our faith. Too many live as if tomorrow is guaranteed as if there will always be more chances, more days, and more time. But time is fleeting. It slips through our fingers like grains of sand and once it is gone, we cannot bring it back. One of Satan's greatest lies is to whisper, "There will always be more time, that you can pray later, Repent later, and change later." But but the truth is you do not know if tomorrow will come. The Bible reminds us that life is like a vapor that appears for a little while, and then vanishes away. That is why the way you spend your time matters more than you realize. Look around and you will see how many people waste their days in distraction. Some scroll endlessly through their phones watching others live, while neglecting their own calling. Others chase after wealth, pleasure and status, believing these things will bring fulfillment. Still others drift their life without direction, never asking what God's purpose is for them. But scripture tells us clearly that there is a time for everything, a time to plant and a time to reap, a time to build, and a time to rest. The question is not whether you have time, but whether you're using it wisely. If today were your last, could you say that you lived with intention that you honored God with the life he gave you. True growth begins when we stop looking outward and start looking inward. Too often we spend our energy comparing ourselves to others, envying what they have or criticizing their choices while neglecting our own hearts. But God calls us to self-examination, the Bible says, "As a man thinks in his heart so is he." If your thoughts are filled with fear, failure and doubt; your life will follow the same pattern. But if your heart is renewed with faith, hope and trust in God, your life will begin to transform. Growth never happens by accident. It requires discipline, it requires honesty, it requires a decision to stop making excuses and to start taking responsibility. Every person who has achieved something lasting has done so because they valued time, embraced discipline and refused to give in to distraction. Discipline is the bridge between where you are and where God wants you to be. It is not easy to rise early to pray, to open the Bible when the world calls for your attention or to stay faithful when the path is difficult, but discipline is not about feelings, it is about obedience. It says I will do what is right even when it is hard. The strongest believers are not those who never struggle, but those who keep moving forward step-by-step, day after day in faithfulness. Motivation may come and go. But discipline remains. Another great trap of our age is comparison. The moment you measure your worth by someone else's life you have already lost your joy. God did not create you to walk another person's path. He gave you your own calling, your own gifts, your own purpose. When you stop comparing and start trusting his plan, you will discover freedom and peace. Do not delay. Too many people wait for the perfect moment, but perfection never comes. They say tomorrow I will change, tomorrow I will follow God, tomorrow I will begin, but tomorrow is not promised. Procrastination is one of the devil's cleverest weapons. The truth is the right time is always now. If there is sin to confess, confess it today. If there is forgiveness to offer, forgive today. If there is a step of faith to take, take it today. Waiting only leads to regret. But obedience today leads to blessing. And in all of this never forget that God's timing is perfect. Sometimes he delays not to punish you, but to prepare you. Sometimes he closes doors because he has something better in store. Trusting him means believing that even when you cannot see the full picture, he is still working for your good. Worry cannot change your future, but faith can change your heart. My friend life is too short to waste on distractions, comparisons or excuses. Time is a gift, and with it comes responsibility. Choose today to live with purpose. Choose today to discipline your mind, guard your heart and walk in obedience to God's word. Stop waiting for another day, another chance, another season. This is your time. This is your moment. Use it for God's glory and you will find that in the end that no second was wasted. In honor of Billy Graham 07/30/2025 They say that no one likes a show off. God thinks differently. He wants us to show ourselves off to the world in a manner that people will see that the true God is behind it: Matthew 5:14-16 NLT 14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Do not be embarrassed to show off Christ to people. By watching you, they will want what you have and proclaim "Jesus is Lord!" 07/02/2025 This is one of those verses that can only humble you if you truly love the Lord: Jeremiah 17:9-10 NLT “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.” We cannot hide anything from our King. We will be judged by the standards our hearts dictate. We all have heart issues that cause us to sin. The more we live for Jesus the cleaner our hearts will become. Keeping our thoughts pure from worldly things is a big help. Luckily for us Jesus knew we could never do it all on our own and came to fill that void in our hearts for us that only he could take care of. Jesus "King of kings!" 06/08/2025 There are people alive today that have this kind of faith: Habakkuk 3:17-19 NLT 17 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, 18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! 19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. We serve a God who keeps his promises as said in Romans: Romans 8:26-28 NLT 26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. If our heart is truly behind God, do not let today's challenges dictate our feelings toward God. Today can be God testing you. Tomorrow could be victory just as verse 28 says. I know this can happen because Jesus is Lord! PS. If you have those days where you have your doubts, I have had them too. It may be because we have not prayed and given everything to our King. Maybe it is time that we do it today. 05/22/2025 Truly living for Jesus Christ gives us a freedom the world cannot grasp. But if we become lazy we will start to become lukewarm which is a dangerous place to be. Paul recognized this and warns us what we should be using our freedom for: Galatians 5:13 NLT For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. Instead of looking out for just our own interests, continue to be sensitive to the needs of others. It is really exciting help those in severe need. Most do not have any hope. You can change that be doing the unexpected. Remember this freedom is not to honor you but to honor our King by our actions towards others. It greatly honors our God when you make an honorable sacrifice toward others.
