Thoughts ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZONPRTOFF dateof comment Look Inside Data Conditions:Order: 1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10|11|12|13|14|15|16|17|18|19|20|21|22|23|24|25|26|27|28| 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!!!!!!! 02/24/2026 Even though America is the greatest place in the world there still a lot of sinning going around. Yet I still see the blessings on our nation from God. Why is that? You would think God would be cursing us by now. This could be one reason: Exodus 34:6 NLT The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. Numbers 14:18 NLT ‘The Lord is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love, forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. But he does not excuse the guilty. He lays the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations.’ If God was like me, he would have buttons that could be pushed. I am learning to love people, so it does not bother me much when someone pull out in front of me if they continue to get the lead out. I realize that with all of the traffic on the roads it is hard to merge into traffic. What infuriates me is when they pull out in front of me then drive slowly. If God had my buttons, it would be like giving someone a flyswatter in the fly season. It could get messy. I am thankful that God is not like me. It is still possible to push God too far. King Josiah found this out. When they found scrolls in the temple they realized they had not been following God's law. The prophets gave Josiah a word about these sins: 2 Chronicles 34:23-28 NLT 23 She said to them, “The Lord, the God of Israel, has spoken! Go back and tell the man who sent you, 24 ‘This is what the Lord says: I am going to bring disaster on this city and its people. All the curses written in the scroll that was read to the king of Judah will come true. 25 For my people have abandoned me and offered sacrifices to pagan gods, and I am very angry with them for everything they have done. My anger will be poured out on this place, and it will not be quenched.’ 26 “But go to the king of Judah who sent you to seek the Lord and tell him: ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says concerning the message you have just heard: 27 You were sorry and humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this city and its people. You humbled yourself and tore your clothing in despair and wept before me in repentance. And I have indeed heard you, says the Lord. 28 So I will not send the promised disaster until after you have died and been buried in peace. You yourself will not see the disaster I am going to bring on this city and its people.’” Israel and Judah were eventually conquered by Babylon and hauled off to a foreign country. This lasted for 70 years. There were men like Daniel who loved and served God but still fell into God's judgment. Our sins do affect the innocent when God's anger cannot be quenched. I believe the next judgment against us will be the tribulation. It cannot be stopped either. I believe we have pushed God too far and it is just around the corner. I also believe just like what God did for Josiah that if we are truly repentant and try to model our life after Jesus Christ that God will delay his judgment for us too. The Old Testament is full of stories where people have changed the timing of God's events. God is waiting to see what his children will do. 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? 02/19/2026 We all know about this promise from God: 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. If you have been searching after God, I bet many of you have amazing talents that your are getting good at. My buddy without mentioning names is impressed with your accomplishments. God wants this to happen to us just because of how we live our lives for him. The problem that can happen when God blesses us amazingly is that we forget to give credit to the one who gave it to us in the first place. King Uzziah fell into this trap: 2 Chronicles 26:16-21 NLT Uzziah’s Sin and Punishment 16 But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall. He sinned against the Lord his God by entering the sanctuary of the Lord’s Temple and personally burning incense on the incense altar. 17 Azariah the high priest went in after him with eighty other priests of the Lord, all brave men. 18 They confronted King Uzziah and said, “It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord. That is the work of the priests alone, the descendants of Aaron who are set apart for this work. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have sinned. The Lord God will not honor you for this!” 19 Uzziah, who was holding an incense burner, became furious. But as he was standing there raging at the priests before the incense altar in the Lord’s Temple, leprosy suddenly broke out on his forehead. 20 When Azariah the high priest and all the other priests saw the leprosy, they rushed him out. And the king himself was eager to get out because the Lord had struck him. 21 So King Uzziah had leprosy until the day he died. He lived in isolation in a separate house, for he was excluded from the Temple of the Lord. His son Jotham was put in charge of the royal palace, and he governed the people of the land. I know many you have worked to get where you are at today but never forget where your talents came from in the first place. God silently opens doors to our minds and reveals things to us that we many times take credit for. I myself have seen God give me multiple solutions in the last 3 months to solve coding problems that I have been working on for years. It is possible to be blessed and not let pride destroy us. Uzziah's son Jotham proved that this is possible: 2 Chronicles 27:6 NLT 6 King Jotham became powerful because he was careful to live in obedience to the Lord his God. If your pride becomes to big you may face something you do not like Uzziah did. Remember a insignificant shepherd became king of Israel. Only Jesus has his name mentioned more then David in the bible. Do not look down on anyone or you may end up serving them. And for sure do not challenge the rules of our King. I still wonder what was going on Uzziah's head when he went into the temple. Does power warp our thoughts like that. It is probably a good idea that God keeps most of us from get too powerful. 02/16/2026 I was reading about King Jehoshaphat and all the good things he was doing for the Lord. When we live our lives for Jesus we need to focus on who we associate with while we walk with him. King Jehoshaphat did not think about this: 2 Chronicles 20:35-37 NLT 35 Some time later King Jehoshaphat of Judah made an alliance with King Ahaziah of Israel, who was very wicked. 36 Together they built a fleet of trading ships at the port of Ezion-geber. 37 Then Eliezer son of Dodavahu from Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat. He said, “Because you have allied yourself with King Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy your work.” So the ships met with disaster and never put out to sea. When you ally yourself with evil people your good intentions can end in disaster. Your hard work may go up in smoke. Paul even warns us about this: Ephesians 5:11 NLT Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 NLT Stay away from every kind of evil. I myself like what AI can do and have used it but I also realize it has the power to take God out of the equation. I am turning down the income potential of AI to not be part of something that will never glorify the name of our King. I also believe there are evil men who are helping develop it. Honoring God is the last thing on their mind. What is even more scary if it will be used to persecute Christians in the near future. 02/15/2026 2 Chronicles 26:5 Uzziah sought God during the days of Zechariah, who taught him to fear God. And as long as the king sought guidance from the Lord, God gave him success. I really believe this verse is not for kings only. Both you and I can see the same results if it is God who sits on the throne. The question we need to ask ourselves "Do we really want this because his guidance may be something we do not want?" God does not put anything in his word that we cannot use in our own lives. A cold heart can stop what God wants to do for us. 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. 02/13/2026 When all know John 3:16 It really takes love to give up the life of your special son for someone else. Paul is the only one I know who describes how powerful that love is: Romans 8:38-39 NLT 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. We walk away from God. He never walks away from us. If we reject him, he will leave us alone. I know he does not go too far away because I have seen God protect people who appeared to be hopeless but because a single situation occurring in their life, they give their hearts to Jesus. Jesus can forgive us for anything we do to him. But are we ready to serve him and make a life change for him in return. 02/11/2026 Sometime I feel like I am dense when I read God's word. Issac is so much more than a promise to Abraham: Romans 9:7-9 NLT 7 Being descendants of Abraham doesn’t make them truly Abraham’s children. For the Scriptures say, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted,” though Abraham had other children, too. 8 This means that Abraham’s physical descendants are not necessarily children of God. Only the children of the promise are considered to be Abraham’s children. 9 For God had promised, “I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” Isaac is the key through which his covenant follows. Kudos to those who already knew this. I just found out. The sad part about this is I missed it in the old testament too: Genesis 17:19 But God replied, “No—Sarah, your wife, will give birth to a son for you. You will name him Isaac, and I will confirm my covenant with him and his descendants as an everlasting covenant. The motto is, "Even if your dad is Abraham, you may fall outside of God's covenant". Paul calls those of Isaac "The children of the promise". You may ask what does all this have to do with you and me. Remember what Paul said: Romans 11:17 NLT But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree. Pretty cool now! But wait if we become arrogant or we do not produce fruit: Romans 11:18 NLT But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root. Thank you Lord for letting the Gentiles have access to your Kingdom too. Let our minds and heart realize the honor it is to be part of you. Nourish us so we can produce good fruit always. 02/10/2026 Accounting and Inventory is a great way to keep track of where your money and time is going and keeping track of what you bought and have in your life. This prevents oneself from overspending, duplicating and seeing if merchandise is being stolen. This is a good thing to do when doing earthly things. Now on the spiritual side, keeping track of everything can be dangerous. Paul does not want us to ignore what is going on around us, but if we truly love people he said this: 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 NLT Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. When you do spiritual accounting and inventory try not to be so precise and keep track of everything that people do to you. If we truly love someone we won't want to write everything down. Jesus is a master at forgetting to write stuff down. When he forgives us he loses that data. Shouldn't we do the same thing Jesus does when people ask for forgiveness. Even if they don't, holding on to that wrong will make you bitter. So just let it go. Last time I heard is that we serve a God of justice. Let him take care of it. LET LOVE LIVE!!!!!!! 1 Corinthians 13:6-7 NLT 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 02/09/2026 One of my concerns that I see is that people don't take the gift of salvation seriously. They feel that they do not have to change to accept it. One person testified that this was him. Before I gave my life to Jesus, I was definitely lost. I was under the impression that I understood what it meant to be saved, but my life was still full of sin. I was walking around every day with the weight of my sins, often feeling heavily convicted even over things that had happened long ago. I never really understood what it meant to give my life to God fully in repentance. I knew that if I died then I would not have gone to heaven. I wanted to give my life fully to the Lord, live for Him, and grow like never before. I repented and surrendered my life to Jesus on October 1st, 2025. On that day, I felt as if I was literally a new human. Since then, God has revealed to me a lot about myself and about Himself. I’ve also begun to feel more conviction for certain behaviors or habits in my life that I otherwise wouldn’t have noticed. And while these things haven’t always been easy to grow in, I am learning that my walk with God requires time and effort.?I’m confident that giving my life to Jesus was and will always be the best decision I ever made. For that reason, I am determined to follow God all the days of my life. Since Jesus is Lord, he reveals things to all of us in different ways but in the end our love for him should increase as we live under his authority. He will in turn show us what we need to change in our lives and the cool plans he has for us. This is the most important thing "I am determined to follow God all the days of my life." 02/08/2026 My buddy knows how to confuse his enemies when God called him to bring the gospel to gangs and drug cartels. When they threaten to kill him, he will always say, "Before you kill me, let me pray for you first. It doesn't matter if it is someone else you love, let's pray for them right now, then you can kill me!" He can say this with confidence. He has learned to trust God with his life. This always catches them off guard. Praying changes their plans of destruction. Jesus knew it would too: Matthew 5:43-45 NLT “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. We have to live with our enemies but we don't have to accept it. Let your love actions for Christ change the world! 02/07/2026 If someone asked for a single word to describe Romans 8:28, what would that be? Many would probably say "good". They would be right but there are three other words that are more important: "love", "called", and "purpose". Romans 8:28 NLT 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. Jonah is a good example of everything not being good when he opposed his purpose: Jonah 1:1-3 NLT Jonah Runs from the Lord 1 The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.” 3 But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish. It is tough to run from an omnipresent God. Jonah was about to find out that his world was about to collapse. When we go against God's will, destruction can come against people around us. Even the dice were against Jonah: Jonah 1:4-16 NLT 4 But the Lord hurled a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm that threatened to break the ship apart. 5 Fearing for their lives, the desperate sailors shouted to their gods for help and threw the cargo overboard to lighten the ship. But all this time Jonah was sound asleep down in the hold. 6 So the captain went down after him. “How can you sleep at a time like this?” he shouted. “Get up and pray to your god! Maybe he will pay attention to us and spare our lives.” 7 Then the crew cast lots to see which of them had offended the gods and caused the terrible storm. When they did this, the lots identified Jonah as the culprit. 8 “Why has this awful storm come down on us?” they demanded. “Who are you? What is your line of work? What country are you from? What is your nationality?” 9 Jonah answered, “I am a Hebrew, and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land.” 10 The sailors were terrified when they heard this, for he had already told them he was running away from the Lord. “Oh, why did you do it?” they groaned. 11 And since the storm was getting worse all the time, they asked him, “What should we do to you to stop this storm?” 12 “Throw me into the sea,” Jonah said, “and it will become calm again. I know that this terrible storm is all my fault.” 13 Instead, the sailors rowed even harder to get the ship to the land. But the stormy sea was too violent for them, and they couldn’t make it. 14 Then they cried out to the Lord, Jonah’s God. “O Lord,” they pleaded, “don’t make us die for this man’s sin. And don’t hold us responsible for his death. O Lord, you have sent this storm upon him for your own good reasons.” 15 Then the sailors picked Jonah up and threw him into the raging sea, and the storm stopped at once! 16 The sailors were awestruck by the Lord’s great power, and they offered him a sacrifice and vowed to serve him. The one good thing is the fact the sailors had a chance to witness the power of God and began to serve him but it still is not good for Jonah. Jonah 1:17 NLT 17 Now the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights. Jonah began to have a change of heart and began praying to God to fix his life. God answered his prayer and had the fish puke him on a beach. Some people think it was a whale but envision what fish do and what God was doing at the same time. 1. They swim underwater and if the fish would open its mouth, water would come in and Jonah would drown. 2. Whales can dive 1000 ft. The pressure would have killed Jonah. 3. There is this thing called digestion. Jonah was not digested. 4. The fish did not puke him in open water but placed Jonah on a beach. God did not give up on Jonah but Jonah had to endure painful things to get in tune with what God wanted. Jonah is fortunate because God could have rejected him. Good things do not happen when God rejects us. If we want to see good things happen we have to have "who love God and are called according to his purpose". 02/06/2026 Psalm 97:10 NLT You who love the Lord, hate evil! He protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked. Really, if we truly love Jesus we will want to hate evil. The rest of the verse is a promise if we do. Boy, do we need God more than ever with all the wickedness going on. Our God sees all the evil going on around him. He is using great control to not smite the sin around him. As Paul says, it is probably Jesus pleading for us. Romans 8:34 NLT Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. 02/04/2026 Stand firm in the Lord's plan for our lives. Paul is always encouraging us to push on for the prize: 1 Corinthians 2:9 (New Living Translation) That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” Our minds or Hollywood cannot fathom what heaven is like. The catch phrase of this verse though is "for those who love him". Do not let the world take this prize from you! 02/03/2026 Do you know why it is so important that our lives resemble Christs? This is from a testimony who saw so called "Christians" who did not: When she explained the gospel I thought, ‘What if this is the answer to all of my problems?’ Since I had no background with Christianity, I learned everything with her. I never thought God could be my answer because the only ‘Christians’ I had known were taking part in the same worldly life I once was. But as I started to read the Bible and surround myself with people at Foundations Church, I began to understand there is a difference between lukewarm Christians and someone who has given their life to Jesus. I became so invested in learning about God. I was thinking about Him all the time even though just months before, I hadn’t even known who He was and what He did for us. On November 2, 2025, I gave my life to God. How many people are going to hell just by how our walk with the Lord is? Let's then look at people like this: How many people who have been saved by our walk with Jesus? You are one or the other. Jesus said, Matthew 6:24 NLT “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.{entertainment, cars, cellphones, and anything else that separates us from God.} 02/02/2026 Most of us would have to agree that Paul, who wrote much of the New Testament, would be a good role model. Yet, he still wrote this in Romans: Romans 7:21-25 NLT 21 I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. This is definitely a unique way of saying why we need Jesus Christ in our lives. Also because of Jesus Christ we have the solution to get out of this mess. So the next time you look down on yourself remember what Paul said about what he faces. As cool as Paul is, he is fighting sin too. Never let a setback keep you from changing your life for Jesus. 02/01/2026 How many of you have a fascination with fire? God was a master with it. These are some large scale events that God used fire in: Exodus 14:19-20 NLT 19 Then the angel of God, who had been leading the people of Israel, moved to the rear of the camp. The pillar of cloud also moved from the front and stood behind them. 20 The cloud settled between the Egyptian and Israelite camps. As darkness fell, the cloud turned to fire, lighting up the night. But the Egyptians and Israelites did not approach each other all night. 2 Chronicles 7:1-3 NLT The Dedication of the Temple 7 When Solomon finished praying, fire flashed down from heaven and burned up the burnt offerings and sacrifices, and the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple. 2 The priests could not enter the Temple of the Lord because the glorious presence of the Lord filled it. 3 When all the people of Israel saw the fire coming down and the glorious presence of the Lord filling the Temple, they fell face down on the ground and worshiped and praised the Lord, saying, “He is good! His faithful love endures forever!” 1 Kings 18:36-39 NLT 36 At the usual time for offering the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet walked up to the altar and prayed, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, prove today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant. Prove that I have done all this at your command. 37 O Lord, answer me! Answer me so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God and that you have brought them back to yourself.” 38 Immediately the fire of the Lord flashed down from heaven and burned up the young bull, the wood, the stones, and the dust. It even licked up all the water in the trench! 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell face down on the ground and cried out, “The Lord—he is God! Yes, the Lord is God!” The first fire event God told Moses to "get the lead out" because of what he was about to do: Exodus 14:15-18 Escape through the Red Sea 15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! 16 Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground. 17 And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will charge in after the Israelites. My great glory will be displayed through Pharaoh and his troops, his chariots, and his charioteers. 18 When my glory is displayed through them, all Egypt will see my glory and know that I am the Lord!” People have reports in this area of this fire storm, the fire was so hot that it physically melted the ground. I firmly believe that I would have deserted Pharaoh's army before going against a God who could do this. The last two fire events were different. God was quite until prayers were lifted up to him that glorified and honored his name. They were in a public setting and spoken in a manner that people could hear what was being asked. When they finished praying, that sacrifice didn't have a chance. I liked it when Elijah soaked the wood to make it more challenging for our God. It was even cooler when God consumed the water and everything around. I firmly believe because of God trying to get us to do things by faith that he would show off more like this. Even Jesus would have done more miracles if it wasn't for people's lack of faith. The motto is that God is quiet in our lives many times because we do not ask. It took the vocal prayers of Elijah & Solomon to get fire to come down from heaven. Even Jesus said, Matthew 7:7-8 NLT Effective Prayer 7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. It really is true that even though God can read our thoughts that he would rather hear our voices. So speak up when you pray to God. Let other people hear what you are saying if your words honor God. Expect an answer and allow God to perform miracles in your life. 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!!!!!!! 01/29/2026 How many of us get the case of anxiety attacks with all the deception around us. This is what Paul said about anxiety: Philippians 4:6 NKJV Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; Is this the cure all for anxiety? Probably not! Jesus himself had one of those moments: Matthew 26:36-38 NLT Jesus Prays in Gethsemane 36 Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” 37 He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. 38 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Jesus spent his life staying pure and away from sin. He was about to take our sins on himself which defiles everything. Not a pleasant picture in our Kings mind. He also knew about the pain and suffering he was going to endure. The second unpleasant thought in our Kings mind. These thoughts turned into "agony" that caused him to sweat blood. No one ever has this on their bucket list to do what Jesus was about to do. Jesus was about to let his Father know that he really did not want this to happen to himself. He followed what Paul told us. He started by praying and being honest about what he was thinking Matthew 26:36-38 NLT 39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” {After Jesus made his petition to his Father, he emphasized that "Your will be done, not mine". Our Father appears to be silent. } 40 Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? 41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” 42 Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open. {Jesus rephrased his prayer emphasizing that he was focused on doing the will of the Father. Again, our Father appears to be silent. } 44 So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again. Jesus prayed three times to see if our Father would take this terrible cup away from him. It appears our Father was silent each time. Jesus knew what he had to do and did not expect to have have our Father explain it to him again. Jesus got up and proceeded to do the will of our Father. David did this same type thing in 2 Samuel 12:13-23. Our King did not deserve what he went through but David did. Both hoped our Father would change the outcomes but both accepted what happened and what Jesus was yet to face. Just like Jesus and David, God did not take away their anxiety but brought them through it. We need to watch, the problem with anxiety is that it usually happens when our faith in God diminishes. Go to our King in prayer and tell him what you are thinking, reverently, and let him carry you through your anxiety. Who knows, he may even remove it. Nothing is impossible for our King!
