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| Dateof Comment 10/12/2025 God is really big into our parents that he even wrote one of the ten commandments about it. What Solomon said about out parents is also accurate with our heavenly Father: Proverbs 1:8-9 NLT My child, listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck. Honoring our parents is like Spock saying on Star Trek, "Live long and prosper!" It is also a promise from God when we honor our parents while honoring him. 10/10/2025 One thing that can be fun is watching people. You can see some interesting things. But when you see the spiritual side of people watching as Jesus did, he said this: Matthew 7:13-14 NLT The Narrow Gate 13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. Do you realize that more than 50% of the people you see on the streets are going to hell. It is even worse where the spirit of woke-ism is present. That is the reason why it is important for us to live for Jesus and talk about him to those 50% to get this number down. We have to be real or people will see right through us. If Jesus is the King of kings and you wanted to have a relationship with him, wouldn't you want to please him. He also wants to have a relationship with you. He can see your heart to know if you are real. We have to work to stay on that path to life while we continue developing our relationship with Jesus. Jesus desires for us who have found the path to bring that number down for those who are lost. Let's make Jesus proud. Proverbs 19:20-21 (New Living Translation) Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life. You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. 10/08/2025 How many people who are doing religious things but do not realize they may hear these words. Matthew 7:21-23 New Living Translation True Disciples 21 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ Here is a testimony of one young man who discovered this could happen to him: "I went to Catholic school until I switched to public school in 8th grade. I went to church basically twice a week for 10 years. I was pretty religious throughout high school. However, I was still living for myself and doing what I wanted to do. I didn't realize any of what I was doing was wrong or the separation it was creating between God and me. It wasn't until I went to the Bible studies with an evangelist from Foundations Church that I realized I had not given my life to God yet. The more I read the Bible, the more I understood what I was doing was wrong. I knew that to fully give my life to Him I needed to change, but I could tell my heart was getting harder. At church, I asked that they pray for God to soften my heart. That night before I went to sleep, I felt a switch; it was like a flame inside me had been ignited. I decided then that I finally wanted to repent. On August 8th, I prayed to give my life to Jesus. Ever since that day I have felt more alive than ever. I have been shown time and time again that God is there for me. I was struggling hard with school at the end of the semester, and I was afraid I wouldn't get the grades I needed to maintain my scholarship. I prayed that I could get a 3.5 GPA so I could keep my scholarship, and I ended up getting exactly what I needed. I have never been happier in my life since I gave my life to God." -Jake It is work to live to know and serve Jesus but like Jake "I have never been happier in my life since I gave my life to God." Jesus is a GOOD King. Shouldn't he be treated like one? Deuteronomy 13:4 NLT Serve only the Lord your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him. 10/05/2025 Here is a verse that made me take a double take: Isaiah 55:6 NLT Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. I said to myself "God is always near." But then I read something in Jeremiah: Jeremiah 18:17 I will scatter my people before their enemies as the east wind scatters dust. And in all their trouble I will turn my back on them and refuse to notice their distress.” You can only push God so far with sin before he will be forced by anger to abandon us to a fate. Sometimes we push him so far that even when we say we are sorry that fate still occurs because he is so angry. Look at what happened with Israel and the Babylonians. That was a long 70 year period to allow God's anger to subside. Let's have reverent fear for our King now and not force his hand on our lives because we refuse to live like Jesus. God can be pushed too far! Isaiah 26:4 (New Living Translation) Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock. 10/03/2025 Before Jesus Christ shed his blood for us, God's Spirit only entered into a few people. Since then, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit for all of us. Now we have this: 1 Peter 1:3 (New Living Translation) All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, Life is better for us today that anyone had before Jesus came. Jesus is so much more than the free gift of salvation. I am glad "Jesus is Lord!" 10/01/2025 If we truly believe that only God's opinion matters, this is a good verse to remember: Matthew 5:11-12 NLT “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way. It may not be fun to experience this but if we endure it, God is well pleased. Jesus warned his disciples that: John 15:20 NLT Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. It is also a guide to how much we please God. The more we make the enemy angry is proportionate to how much we please God. Matthew 5:10 NLT God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. Always think about what we do each day. Do our decisions honor God or man? Even though it is possible to do both, God's honor and glory should be first in all our decisions. Jesus is Lord! 09/30/2025 Many people talk about the wonderful gift of salvation that Jesus Christ gave by shedding his blood but shy away talking about the things he desires from us. This verse has some amazing things in it: Philippians 1:9-10 NLT I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. A. Love was the first thing mentioned. We could always love more, not only God, but people in general. B. "knowledge and understanding" - Even as old as I am I realize what I do not know and what I have learned about spiritual things. C. "live pure and blameless lives" - In order to have this one, we have to master the first two. Even if we mess up we can tell people we are sorry and mean it. This goes for Jesus too. But never give up on the "live pure and blameless lives". Jesus will not give up on you. Jesus is Lord! 09/25/2025 Even when we are trying to serving and obey God, this verse will always be true. It was written by Paul who was amazing when it came to spiritual things: Romans 3:23 NLT For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. When we fail, this is also true: 1 John 2:1 NLT My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. Definitely "Jesus is Lord" 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! 09/24/2025 God sees, God judges and God restores My friend, I want to tell you something tonight that is as real as the ground beneath your feet. God sees everything. Nothing escapes his sight. Proverbs 15:3 NLT 3 The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good. The Bible declares in Proverbs 15:3, "The eyes of the Lord are in every place. Keeping watch on the evil and the good." That means no secret, no line, no betrayal, is hidden from him. He sees your pain. He sees the injustice. He sees the tears that fall in the dark when no one else notices. Sometimes, when we are wronged or when someone slanders us and when betrayal cuts deep, we wonder, "God, do you see? Do you care?" The answer from scripture is a resounding "Yes". He is not blind and he is not absent. He is the God who sees. Just as Hagar in the wilderness lifted her eyes and called him El-roi (the God who sees me), so can you. But seeing is not all he does. He also acts. God's justice is flawless. Human justice is weak, swayed by money, power or pride but God judges with perfect righteousness. Deuteronomy 32:4 NLT 4 He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is! Deuteronomy 32:4 says, "He is the rock. His works are perfect in all his ways are just. He does not make mistakes. He does not ignore evil. He does not overlook sin and he will never allow the wicked to escape his judgment." You may look around and wonder why liars prosper, why the corrupt seem to rise, Why those who do evil appear to go free? Psalms 37 answers, "Do not fret because of evildoers, for they will soon wither like the green herb." God's timing is not ours. He is patient, giving people space to repent. But patience is not weakness. The day of reckoning will come. Pharaoh thought he was invincible, yet God brought him down in the Red sea. Hayman plotted against God's people, yet he perished on the very gallows he built. God always has the last word. This is why the bible warns us in Romans: Romans 12:19 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,” says the Lord. Do not take revenge my dear friends but leave room for God's wrath. For it is written "It is mine to avenge. I will repay." says the Lord. Vengeance is not ours. It belongs to him. When we try to carry it, it poisons us. It makes us bitter. It traps us in anger. But when we release it to God, we are free. He is the judge and he never fails. Look at Joseph, betrayed by his brother, sold into slavery, falsely accused and thrown into prison. If ever a man had reason to take revenge, it was Joseph. But years later, standing in power before the very men who had wronged him. He said, "You meant it for evil. But God ment it for good." Genesis 50:20 NLT 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. That is the perspective of faith, the ability to trust that God can take betrayal and turn it into blessing. What the enemy intends for harm, God can use for salvation. Then there is forgiveness. Jesus said in Matthew: Matthew 6:14-15 NLT 14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. If you forgive others when they sent against you, your heavenly father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your father forgive your sins. Forgiveness is not optional. It is commanded. Why? Because unforgiveness keeps us chained to the very hurt we long to escape. It is like drinking poison and hoping the other person suffers. Jesus hanging on the cross, beaten and mocked, looked at his enemies and prayed, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34 NLT 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”[a] And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. That is divine forgiveness and he calls us to do the same. Forgiveness does not mean excusing sin or pretending nothing happened. It means placing the matter in God's hands. It means refusing to let bitterness rule your heart. It means trusting him to be your defender, your judge, your redeemer and here is the good news "God restores". Job lost everything; his wealth, his health and even his children. Yet, Job remained faithful. The Bible says, "The Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as before." Job 42:10 NLT 10 When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before! Joseph lost years of his life but God elevated him to save a nation. Naomi lost her husband and sons, but God gave her a grandson through Ruth, restoring her joy friend. What have you lost, a relationship, an opportunity, or a dream. God is still in the business of restoration. Joel 2:25 NLT 25 The Lord says, “I will give you back what you lost to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts, the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts. It was I who sent this great destroying army against you. I will restore to you the years that the locusts have eaten only God can give back what time and sin and sorrow have taken away and he does it perfectly. He does not merely return what was lost but he makes it better. He turns ashes into beauty. He takes mourning and gives joy. He takes brokenness and brings wholeness. So tonight, remember this: God sees, God judges, God restores. The enemies that rise against you are in his hands. The pain you carry is not wasted. The loss you feel is not the end of the story. Trust him. Forgive those who hurt you. Leave vengeance in his hands and believe that he will restore more than you ever dreamed. Because at the cross, justice and mercy met. Jesus bore the penalty of sin, defeated death and opened the door to new life. The same savior who rose from the grave, is alive today watching over you ready to carry your burdens and make all things new. Will you trust him with your enemies? Will you surrender your pain? Will you let him restore your life? In honor of Billy Graham 09/23/2025 Even as powerful our God is, it is possible to hurt him by human wickedness: Genesis 6:5-6 NLT 5 The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. 6 So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart. I bet many of you have experienced a broken heart yourself. It hurts you just like it hurts God. We have to ability through Jesus Christ to counter wickedness. All these things will put joy in God's heart: Deuteronomy 30:10 NLT The Lord your God will delight in you if you obey his voice and keep the commands and decrees written in this Book of Instruction, and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul. Start living like Jesus and "Just do it!" Psalm 147:11 NLT No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love. Proverbs 11:1 NLT The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights. God loves it every time we are honest and respectful. Proverbs 11:20 NLT The Lord detests people with crooked hearts, but he delights in those with integrity. God loves it every time we show character. Proverbs 12:22 NLT The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth. God loves it every time we tell the truth. Something the world has forgotten. Proverbs 15:8 NLT The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright. God loves the communication through prayer. Especially if we do it before we begin our day. Always pray in a fashion where his name is honored. Proverbs 15:26 The Lord detests evil plans, but he delights in pure words. If Jesus wouldn't do it, you should not do it either. God loves good plans. God sees everything good and bad at the same time. The bad things God sees does not interfere with the worship we give him. We have his undivided attention. Let's start filling God hearts with the things he likes to see to counter the evil of this world. Jesus is Lord! 09/22/2025 The habits that grieve the heart of GodEach morning when you open your eyes, you are given a gift, the gift of a new day. The first steps you take, the first thoughts you allow, the first choices you make will set the course for everything that follows. Many people never stop to consider this. They rise in a rush. They then reach for their phones. They dive into the world's noise before ever turning their hearts to God. And yet, the way you begin your day matters deeply to the Lord. The Bible says, this is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 NKJV 24 This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. But for so many joy never enters their mornings because they've already allowed habits that grieve the spirit of God to take root. Habits that seem small but carry eternal weight. The first of these is neglecting prayer. Prayer is not an option for the believer. It is the lifeline of the soul. To skip prayers is to tell God, "I can do this on my own." But my friend, we cannot. We are weak, frail and vulnerable without him. Jesus himself prayed constantly. If the sinless Son of God needed prayer, how much more do we. When you begin your day without prayer, you walk into battle unarmed, exposed to temptation, weighed down by burdens that God never intended for you to carry. The second is filling the mind with the world's distractions. Too often before the hands are folded in prayer, they are scrolling through screens. Before Gods word is read, the news and the noise of social media flood the heart. The result is anxiety, comparison, and fear. The world shouts, "You are not enough. You do not have enough. You will never be enough." But God whispers, "You are mine." The Bible commands us, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2 NLT 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. What you allow into your mind each morning shapes your entire day. The third thing is harboring unforgiveness. Unforgiveness is poison to the soul. It begins as a wound, but if left unhealed it festers into bitterness and bitterness shuts the heart away from gods love. Jesus said plainly, "If you do not forgive others their sins, your father will not forgive your sins." Matthew 6:15 NLT 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. Those are sobering words. Many people wake up each morning rehearsing old hurts, replaying betrayals, carrying resentment as if it were shield. But unforgiveness is not a shield, it is a chain. It binds you to the past and blinds you to the blessings of the present. God has called you to let it go. Not because the offense was small but because his grace is greater. Forgiveness is not weakness. It is freedom. The fourth is living without gratitude. How tragic it is to wake up each day with breath in your lungs, food on your table, family around you and yet never pause to give thanks to the one who gave it all. Ingratitude hardens the heart. It blinds you to God's blessings and robs you of joy. These Istaelites were delivered from slavery, fed by God's own hands and led by his presence, and yet they grumbled. Their ingratitude kept them wandering in the wilderness. The Bible commands us to give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ, Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Gratitude is not reserved for the good days. It is the posture of the believer's heart in every season. My friend these 4 habits: [prayerlessness, distraction unforgiveness and ingratitude] are not small matters. They are spiritual dangers. They draw you away from Gods presence and leave you vulnerable to the enemy's schemes. But the good news is this, "What the enemy uses to separate you, God can use to draw you back." The moment you choose to pray. The moment you set aside the world's noise to hear his word. The moment you release bitterness and choose forgiveness. The moment you lift your heart and gratitude, everything changes. Jesus Christ is made a way for you to walk in freedom, peace and joy. The cross has broken every chain, the resurrection secured your victory and the Spirit of God longs to fill your mournings with his presence. But you must choose him. Each day begins with a decision, "Will you walk in your own strength or will you walk in his?" Do not wait until tomorrow. Do not assume you can push it off another day. Start today. Begin your mornings with prayer. Fill your mind with scripture. Forgive as you have been forgiven. Give thanks for every blessing, large and small. And as you do, you will discover that the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your heart and your mind in Christ, Jesus. In Honor of Billy Graham. 09/21/2025 Trusting God in every season of life Wherever you are and whatever season of life you may be walking through, I welcome you to this sacred moment. Right now just pause and take a deep breath. The very fact that you have made it to this moment is a blessing from God. Life isn't always easy. Some of you are students carrying silently the heavy weight of expectations. Some of you are parents trying to balance many responsibilities while staying strong for your families. Others may be in retirement wondering what comes next, longing to feel useful again. Seasons may differ, but one truth binds us all together. We all need to trust God more deeply. In Genesis 12:1 The Call of Abram 12 The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. we read of Abraham. God called him to leave his country, his people and his father's household, and to go to a land that he would show him. There were no directions, no map, no timeline, just a promise. Abraham went. That was radical trust. I think of Joseph betrayed by his own brothers. He was sold into slavery, wrongly accused and thrown into prison. Yet years later, Joseph stood in a position of authority in Egypt and declared to those very brothers; you intended to harm me but God intended it for good: Genesis 50:20 NLT 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. His pain had a purpose. His story did not end in a pit. It ended in a palace. My friend, what about you? What fears are you still carrying? What burden rests heavy on your heart? What are you clinging to that God is asking you to release today? The invitation of scripture is clear. Lay it all down and trust that God knows what he is doing. His plans are always higher than ours and his ways are always good. Let us now turn our hearts to pray: Heavenly father, gracious and loving God, we come before you today with praise on our lips and gratitude in our hearts. You are our refuge and our rock and our shelter in the storm. You are the creator of heaven and earth. The one who set the stars in place and calls them by name. And yet, you know us, you know our thoughts, our struggles, our hopes, and even the words we are too afraid to speak out. Thank you for being holy, kind, merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and rich and love. Father, we thank you for waking us up this morning. Thank you for the breath in our lungs. The beat of our hearts and the chance to begin again. Your word says that your mercy's are new every morning and great is your faithfulness. Even when we falter, you remain constant. Even when life shifts around us, your love never changes. Lord, we come to you as we are imperfect and weak but willing. Forgive us for the times we have strayed from your will. Forgive us when we acted in fear instead of faith when we leaned on our own understanding instead of trusting you. Wash us clean father. Create in us pure hearts and renew right spirits within us. Help us to walk in the freedom and grace that Jesus secured for us at the cross. And as you forgive us, help us to forgive others. Remove bitterness from our hearts. Heal the places that are broken. Fill us with peace that surpasses all understanding. As we face the hours ahead, grant us wisdom in every decision whether large or small. We want to acknowledge you. Show us the way we should go. Open the doors that no one can shut and close the doors that are not of you. Keep us from fear of the unknown. For we know that you go before us. Father, we bring you our worries, concerns about health, finances, family and the future. We remember that you are Jehovah Jireh our provider. You gave manna from heaven, water from the rocks and multiplied loaves and fish. You have not changed. You are still the God of miracles. Provide for us Lord. Heal us when we are sick. Strengthen us when we are weak. Comfort us when we are weary. Protect our loved ones. Keep them safe, meet their needs and draw them closer to you. But we also ask for your protection today. Place upon us the full armor of God, the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit. Guard our minds. Guard our hearts. Keep our steps steady in your path. Holy Spirit, fill every part of our day. Guide our thoughts, shape our words and lead our actions. Help us to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. Let us shine as lights in a dark world, reflecting the love and grace of Christ wherever we go. When discouragement comes, remind us of your promises. When weakness overtakes us, remind us that your strength is made perfect in weakness. When loneliness sets in, remind us that you will never leave us nor forsake us. Use us Lord. Use our words, our time, our talents for your glory. Let our lives point others back to you. So, we close this prayer resting in your love. We may not know what this day holds, but we know the one who holds it. We place every fear, every hope, every plan into your hands. Thank you for hearing us even when words fail. Thank you for being faithful always in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen In honor of Billy Graham 09/19/2025 Here is a verse that most of you probably have memorized: Matthew 6:33 NLT 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Have you thought about this part, "he will give you everything you need."? It is explained here: Deuteronomy 28:1-14 NLT Blessings for Obedience 28 “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world. 2 You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God: 3 Your towns and your fields will be blessed. 4 Your children and your crops will be blessed. The offspring of your herds and flocks will be blessed. 5 Your fruit baskets and breadboards will be blessed. 6 Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed. 7 “The Lord will conquer your enemies when they attack you. They will attack you from one direction, but they will scatter from you in seven! 8 “The Lord will guarantee a blessing on everything you do and will fill your storehouses with grain. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. 9 “If you obey the commands of the Lord your God and walk in his ways, the Lord will establish you as his holy people as he swore he would do. 10 Then all the nations of the world will see that you are a people claimed by the Lord, and they will stand in awe of you. 11 “The Lord will give you prosperity in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you, blessing you with many children, numerous livestock, and abundant crops. 12 The Lord will send rain at the proper time from his rich treasury in the heavens and will bless all the work you do. You will lend to many nations, but you will never need to borrow from them. 13 If you listen to these commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today, and if you carefully obey them, the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you will always be on top and never at the bottom. 14 You must not turn away from any of the commands I am giving you today, nor follow after other gods and worship them. Look at all the things God will do if we truly seek his Kingdom 1st. We may experience some trials along the way getting there. But remember, if we do not obey him and seek his Kingdom 1st, a curse will replace each blessing. That is not good! 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. 09/16/2025 It can be difficult to get that heart we want. Paul can relate to this: Romans 7:19 NLT 19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. Romans 7:19 says, "For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing." The apostle Paul, one of the greatest voices of the early church, spoke with brutal honesty about the struggle within every believer, the tension between the spirit and the flesh. He confessed that even though he longed to do what was right, he found himself falling into the very things he despised. My friend, have you ever felt the same way? Have you ever asked the Lord, "How do I live a life that is pure, holy and pleasing to you. This inner conflict is not new and it is not unique to you. Countless believers through the centuries have faced the same cycle. We want to be holy. We long to be free. We repent and we promise God we will do better, and yet we fall again. Discouragement, sets in and shame whispers that change is impossible. Some even begin to believe the lie that their failures define them. But here is the good news. You are not the first to feel this battle, and you will not be the last. Even Paul admitted, "I do not understand what I do for what I want to do I do not do but what I hate I do." Romans 7:15 NLT 15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. This is not a picture of hopelessness. It is a mirror of the human condition. It reminds us that our answer does not come from greater willpower or sheer determination. The answer comes from surrender. We cannot clean our own hearts. We cannot break sin's grip by effort alone. That is why Jesus came. The gospel is not the story of God giving us a little help So we can do better. It is the story of God making us new. Ezekiel 36:25-27 NLT 25 “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.[a] 27 And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations. In Ezekiel 36:25-27 the lord declares, "I will sprinkle clean water on you and you will be clean. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you. I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh and I will put my spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees." Did you notice the emphasis? God does not say you will fix yourself. He says, "I will cleanse you." He does not say, "Try harder." He says, "I will give you a new heart." This is grace. This is the miracle of salvation. So perhaps today you are weary from the struggle. Perhaps you have repented a hundred times for the same failure. Perhaps you are tired of taking one step forward and two steps back. Hear this, God is not surprised by your weakness. He does not turn his face away in disgust. Instead, he opens his arms wide and says, "Come to me." 2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. The bible declares in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." God is not waiting for you to clean up your life before you approach him. He is waiting for you to come as you are broken, weary and ashamed. Because it is in that very place where grace meets you. When you surrender, when you lay down your efforts and simply say, "Lord, I cannot do this without you." He does not reject you. He fills you with his spirit. He begins a transformation that no human strength can accomplish. Psalm 119:11 NLT 11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. That is why Psalm 119:11 says, "I've hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Gods word becomes our strength, our sword and our shield. Galatians 5:16 NLT 16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. Galatians 5:16 promises, "Walk by the spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." The more time you spend with Jesus, the more your desires change. Sin begins to lose its sweetness. Holiness begins to taste good. Freedom becomes real not because you are trying harder, but because you are walking with the one who sets captives free. My friend, do not give up. You are not beyond hope. You are not stuck forever. The God who began a good work in. You will finish it. Sanctification is a process, but it is also a promise. Jesus has not abandoned you and he never will. So today, bring him your heart, just as it island. Bring him your struggles, your temptations, your wounds and your weariness. Trust that he will give you a new heart, not a patched up heart but a brand new one. That is the power of the cross. That is the grace of God. Now let us pray together: .Lord Jesus, I confess my weakness. I cannot cleanse myself but I believe you can. Take my heart of stone and give me a heart of flesh. Fill me with your spirit. Break every chain of sin. Plant in me a love for your truth. I trust you Lord. I rest in your grace. I believe that what you have begun in me, you will finish in Jesus' name. Amen In honor of Billy Graham. 09/14/2025 God is still in control my dear friend. Today, I want to remind you of a truth that never changes. God is still on his throne. No matter what you are facing, no matter how many doors seem to have closed in front of you, No matter how uncertain tomorrow looks, God has not abandoned his place of authority. He sees your entire journey from beginning to end. He knows every detail, every trial, every disappointment, every prayer you have whispered through tears. Although life may seem confusing, he remains sovereign, faithful, and in control. So often we try to take charge of our own lives. We make plans, set goals, and map out the future. We believing that if we work hard enough that things will go exactly the way we expect. But sooner or later, life teaches us a humbling lesson. We are not in control. Opportunities slip away, Dreams collapse, prayers seem unanswered and doors shut in front of us. Fear begins to creep in. Worry begins to take root and in our weakness, we ask Lord, "Why, why did you let this happen? Why did you close that door when I believed it was the right one." But listen closely, those closed doors are not accidents. They are not failures. They are not rejections. They are part of gods greater plan. You and I can only see what's directly in front of us. But God sees all the dangers. We cannot see the heartbreaks that lie ahead. The hidden traps the enemy has set. Out of his love, he closes doors not to harm us but to guide us. Every closed door is a form of protection, a divine redirection towards something far better than we could imagine. Psalm 46:10 NLT 10 “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. The Bible declares in Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God." This is not a call to give up. It is a call to trust. It means releasing the need to control every outcome. Surrendering our expectations and our timeline into his hands. The moment we let go and the moment we stop striving in our own strength, that is when his peace begins to flow. Worry cannot change the outcome. Fear cannot open the right doors. Anxiety cannot create clarity. But when we say, "Lord, I don't understand but I trust you." Suddenly the weight lifts off of us and we begin to see him working in ways we never thought possible. Close doors are not signs of God's absence. They are are signs of his presence. The same hand that shuts one door will open another. The same God who says "No" is the God who is preparing a greater yes! Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own on understanding. In all your ways, submit to him and he will make your paths straight. Notice the command, "Do not lean on your own understanding!" Why, because your understanding is limited. Mine is too, but his wisdom is perfect and his plan is flawless. Look through scripture and you will see this truth again and again. Joseph was betrayed, sold into slavery and thrown into prison. Every door seemed closed, yet in God's timing, Joseph went from the prison to the palace in a single day. What seemed like setbacks were actually setups, for God's purpose. Abraham and Sarah waited decades for the promised child. Their patients was tested. But when the time was right, Isaac was born. David was anointed as king while still a shepherd boy and he waited years before taking the throne. Again and again the Bible reminds us God's delays are not God's denials. His timing is always perfect. When doors close in your life, don't despair. Don't waste your energy trying to pry them back open. Instead, lift your eyes to the one who holds the master key. He sees the end from the beginning. And he knows what is best for you. Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT 8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts. Neither are your ways my ways declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth. So are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." You may not understand what he is doing now. But one day you will look back and see that every closed door was part of his mercy. Fear will try to convince you that you are forgotten. But remember, fear does not come from God. 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 declares, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power. And of love and of a sound mind, fear paralyzes, but faith moves, mountains, faith says, I may not know what the future holds. But I know the one who holds the future." So today let go of fear. Release worry, stop striving. Start trusting the same God who parted the Red Sea, who brought down Goliath, who crumbled the walls of Jericho, is the same God who holds your life in his hands. When he closes a door it is because he has something greater waiting for you. When his answer seems delayed, it is because he is preparing you for blessings you cannot yet carry my dear friend. God has not forgotten you. He is still writing your story. And when the right time comes the door he opens, no one can shut. Trust him, walk by faith and rest in the unshakable truth that God is still in control. Jesus is Lord! In honor of Billy Graham 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 09/07/2025 Do you know what truly matters to the Lord? It is not your perfection, your resume, your eloquence, prayers, or how many verses you can recite? What touches God most is your heart, the hidden place no mess can cover up, no performance can polish, and no habit can hide. God looks past the surface and reaches into that secret place within you. And what he seeks is not flawlessness, but honesty. Not a spotless record but a surrendered will. A heart that humbly says, "God, I need you. I want you. I choose you even when I don't understand." That kind of heart moves the heart of God. Scripture gives us a living example. King David was not perfect. He sinned grievously and wounded others. Yet the Bible calls him a man after God's own heart, because David kept coming back, he didn't run from God, he ran to him. He brought his failures and tears, his praise and repentance and laid them before the Lord. Read the psalms, and you will hear his soul in every season with joy and sorrow, confession and celebration, longing and a love. God is not after perfect performance, but honest connection. Hear David's prayers like "May the words out of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight oh Lord, my strength and my redeemer.": Psalm 19:14 NLT 14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. That is intimacy. Lord, not only my words but my hidden thoughts, let them please you. Examine me Oh Lord and improve me. Try my heart and my mind: Psalm 26:2 NLT 2 Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart. With great courage, he asks, "Search me, show me, shaped me." After moral failure David prays, "Created me a clean heart Oh God and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10 NLT 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. He does not excuse sin. He seeks cleansing and a new beginning. He also writes. "With my whole heart I have sought thee, thy word I have hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee: Psalm 119:10-11 NLT 10 I have tried hard to find you— don’t let me wander from your commands. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. The heart is not just where we feel, it is where God's word can live. And when his word lives there, we are strengthened to walk in truth. The Bible says, "Above all else guard your heart for everything you do flows from it." Proverbs 4:23 NLT 23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Everything your thoughts, desires, relationships and decisions rises from the condition of your heart. So how do you guard it? With diligence, watch what you are feeding it. Every story you watch, every song you sing, every conversation you entertain is a seed sown into the soil of your soul. Gardens do not stay neutral. If you sow truth through scripture, prayer, and worship; faith and peace will grow. If you neglect the heart, weeds will take root along with bitterness, fear, pride and confusion, God is not merely concerned with outward behavior. He cares about who you are becoming within. Good fruit does not grow from hardened soil. Invite the Holy Spirit to soften, shape, and strengthen your inner life and remember God is not looking for a perfect heart. He is looking for a surrendered heart, one that keeps coming back again and again. So come to him now. Billy's Prayer: Dear Jesus, I come with my whole heart, it may be worn, cracked and carrying hurts I cannot name, but it is yours. Only you can reach the hidden places, heal the deep wounds and make me whole. Fill me with your Holy Spirit, flood the dry ground and sweep away what does not belong and settle my soul with your peace. Give me a heart like yours, gentle and strong ready to love when it is hard to forgive because you forgave me first to walk in freedom. Instead of bitterness touch the broken and the unseen around me, bind up their wounds, hold them close and let your nearness be their comfort. Lord, grant me a heart that obeys. Teach me to say "yes" to your will, to trust your leading more than my understanding, to choose your truth over the world's applause. Create in me a clean heart oh God and renew a right spirit within me. Tear out jealousy, pride, laziness, fear, and whatever does not honor you. I do not want to live a lukewarm life. Set my heart ablaze again. Remove every idol, known or unknown. Empty me of rivals. Fill me with your love, your word, and your spirit. Do not let disappoint harden me or unanswered prayers make me cold. Restore the joys of my salvation. Light the flame again Holy Spirit. Let us first listen to the word of God. I cannot change myself. I have tried and failed. Can anything good grow in me? I surrender, my shame, my hidden wounds, my secret sins. Heal memories and plant new dreams, rebuild what was ruined and make me new. Today, I declare my heart belongs to Jesus Christ, my savior, my healer, my friend and my King. Thank you, Jesus, for never giving up on me. All glory and honor and praise be to your name, in Jesus's mighty name. Amen. In honor of Billy Graham 09/04/2025 I am sure that many of you who know the Lord may have faced some dire situations in your life. Daniel faced one of those and it was not even his fault: Daniel 2:1-3 NLT Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream 1 One night during the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had such disturbing dreams that he couldn’t sleep. 2 He called in his magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers, and he demanded that they tell him what he had dreamed. As they stood before the king, 3 he said, “I have had a dream that deeply troubles me, and I must know what it means.” Even though the king could not recall the dream he forced his staff to tell him what he dreamed and what it meant. The king did lot like the answer, "This is impossible." So he wanted to kill his entire staff. This got Daniel included in this mess. Daniel 2:12-13 NLT 12 The king was furious when he heard this, and he ordered that all the wise men of Babylon be executed. 13 And because of the king’s decree, men were sent to find and kill Daniel and his friends. When we are in a real predicament, look how Daniel handles his: Daniel 2:12-19 NLT 14 When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, came to kill them, Daniel handled the situation with wisdom and discretion. 15 He asked Arioch, “Why has the king issued such a harsh decree?” So Arioch told him all that had happened. 16 Daniel went at once to see the king and requested more time to tell the king what the dream meant. Daniel really controlled his fear as we all should: 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. He did not panic but went to the king to get more time to solve the problem. Sometimes we need to connect with the problem to help resolve the issue. After that it may require prayer. Just as Daniel did, it is a good idea to get friends to power things up: Matthew 18:20 NLT For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” There is a lot of power in unified prayer. Make sure you believe something will happen. Daniel 2:12-19 NLT 17 Then Daniel went home and told his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah what had happened. 18 He urged them to ask the God of heaven to show them his mercy by telling them the secret, so they would not be executed along with the other wise men of Babylon. 19 That night the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven. Since God gave Daniel the answer, he could have let everyone else die to eliminate his competition. But Daniel said: Daniel 2:24 24 Then Daniel went in to see Arioch, whom the king had ordered to execute the wise men of Babylon. Daniel said to him, “Don’t kill the wise men. Take me to the king, and I will tell him the meaning of his dream.” Daniel fully trusted God to take care of him and was not concerned what they may do to him in the future. His answer to the king was also amazing. We should do what Daniel did: Daniel 2:27-28 NLT 27 Daniel replied, “There are no wise men, enchanters, magicians, or fortune-tellers who can reveal the king’s secret. 28 But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the future. Now I will tell you your dream and the visions you saw as you lay on your bed. Daniel acknowledged his God first by giving him full credit for an answer that was impossible for any man to solve. Daniel wanted the king to see the God he served. When we work with bosses or coworkers do we ever give our King credit in front of men for giving us the answer to a problem. Rush Limbaugh use to irritate the lefties with the expression "Talent on loan from God." We do owe our talents and abilities to the God who created us. We all have talents and skills that God can use to change the world. God wants your individual talents and skills, not you trying to imitate someone else. Jesus is Lord and he wants us to give him our problems and use our talents and skill to glorify his name. Matthew 11:30 NLT For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
