Whom shall I send?

 In the Bible there are amazing stories of God choosing a person to bring his message. Abraham, Moses, Gideon, David, Peter and many more. Each one in the natural unqualified; but when God spoke they listened and chose to follow his orders.

Fear and adversity had given way to obedience and courage. What thing in your life are you afraid to confront? The Bible says “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.Joshua 1:9 NIV

God doesn’t say it’s a suggestion, it’s a command. His word is a reminder that we are his children and as a loving father, he gives us the confidence by telling us he is with us no matter how the odds look. Our Father rules the natural and unnatural.

Be strong and courageous my brothers and sisters for no challenge we face is too big for our Father to help us face.

Fine Line

There is a  fine line between having grace and your human free will.  While grace allows you to forgive, free will allows for the enemy to come in and take advantage of an opportunity for you to follow through you most darkest of tendencies especially when you are hurt by people who swear to love and respect you.

This is a constant battle for a believer, one of deciding when to extend grace to people who take advantage of your trust, transparency, dedication and your love. 

You may find yourself holding on, having faith, choosing to see the best in them before they even see it, choosing to see them live out the God given purpose set before them, although they don’t deserve your grace all the while internally fighting a secret battle.  

The struggle of human free will to look at the big picture set before you and see that some people aren’t deserving of your gift of grace, to have to struggle with discerning which way to turn is the biggest challenge for a believer, especially those in a marriage.  

Sometimes you can miss  the enemy’s plan as he plants subtle seeds, waters them and waits for the right time to go in for the harvest.  He patiently invests his  time challenging your faith and God's promises over your marriage in order to test  God's covering  before you even realize that is taking place. 

So what do you do then?  

Free will says: 

give up

you deserve better

they will do it again

you cant believe a word they said

they will never change

plan your revenge

Grace says:

I forgive because Jesus lives in my heart.

Regardless of how you see it, grace is allowing "what would Jesus do" moments to take place, practicing what our Savior taught us.

Even Paul struggled, "Lord, why do I do these things which I do not want to do".  Its okay to find yourself in a place where like Paul, you struggle with the flesh, maybe you want to take revenge, allow the offense to destroy the life you built together and let pride cloud your desire to gracefully forgive. 

We have all been there,  so ask yourself, which  will give your soul peace, that peace that surpasses all understanding. You have free will to choose faith and grace or to let the enemy win the battle he crafted to kill your union, steal your future and destroy your purpose.

Walking the walk

As christians  we know that men and women of God can fall because the only one that was sinless was Jesus.  We put faith that those we follow as our pastors get up every morning to fight an enemy that is well aware of their weaknesses which we know nothing about. 

If you are blessed to get fed weekly from a pulpit remember to remove that man or woman  and focus on the message not the messenger.  Stop glamorizing these flawed humans, stop being a groupy and a cheerleader about their life.  Focus on the word not the man.

While these men and women are trusted into ministry and we all hold them at a high standard yes, but they are not Jesus, the enemy will continue to prey on them because he knows that is the quickest way to discourage both new and seasoned believers. Yes, moral failure needs to be exposed because we serve a God of excellence but please stop making your religious walk about church clicks and glamorize those in leadership, make it about the word instead so that when you hear about these things you are able to separate the two without affecting your walk and allowing the enemy to use those situations from discouraging you and your family from the spiritual walk ahead of you.

Fight the Fight

Some people are meant to stay in your life forever pouring into you and you onto them and some just for seasons.

When God allows people to distance themselves from your life see it as a way of protection,  not everyone has your best interests at heart.  Some go away all on their own because your light shines so bright it disrupts their darkness, others hang around while secretly envy everything about you hoping to one day celebrate your downfall, we see it in families,  friend groups, co-workers and even church folk. 

Stay vigilant, stay prayed up, ask God to show you who are the true prayer warriors in your life and to discern which are not. The enemy doesn’t like when you put your armor on, when you seek out true prayer warriors or when you call him for who he is, The Accuser.  This accuser is always lurking around with his own little petty army using people in your life who are willing vessels to do his work.   Ask God to give you eyes to see and ears to hear  what he wants to show you so that you can be prepared for battle.

Spend time being vigilant and aware of people that are quick to back stab, envy and who find joy when times get rough. This type of hypocrisy is sickening and it is hurtful, especially coming from a loved one, but we have to remember that they are not the enemy, the enemy is real,  he comes to kill, steal and destroy what God has united.  This enemy is after our families but we have authority in the name of Jesus by His blood we are covered from these attacks and already have victory.

Own it!

What will you hear?

 “And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony”

Do you realize you have a powerful testimony without all the theatrics and foolery you continue to post?

Take off the mask and lay off this sick need to get praise from man, titles and recognition and seek praise from your creator instead by truly sharing the gospel to save souls and create disciplines.

God promises to take you from glory to glory.  You see, unlike the praise you get from man which is temporary, God’s eternal. 

If you are satisfied living in such a way keep it up!  When your final act is called,  will God say “well done” or “who are you whose works I do not know?”

Broken Beautiful

The other day there was an issue that came up and for some reason I remembered this famous mother goose poem. 

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall;

All the king's horses and all the king's men

Couldn't put Humpty together again.

As a man we bear the responsibility to make our wives feel that we are their security. Security and trust in a relationship is the glue that holds everything together. 

What happens when we fail and fall? 

As men we try not to hurt or spouses by saying little lies that we believe will have no consequences but that is so far from the truth. 

Our words have repercussion and just like the little rhyme says they couldn’t put humpty back together again. I know what you’re thinking it’s a little extreme but understand once that trust is shattered you might put it back together but it will never be the same as brand new. 

So I challenge you to be mindful of your answers. A simple lie can steal the security of your wife. 

 Many long marriages have cracks but they continue in perfect imperfection because there is a belief that together they can handle what ever the issue is. It’s in the cracks that we can look back and admire the marriages that have weathered the storms. 

My brothers in Christ renew your mind everyday and cherish what God has given to you especially your wives. 

Humpty couldn’t be put back together by all the king’s men but we know it’s the King of Kings that we serve and no matter how broken we are HE can put it back together for his purpose again. 

Peace 

“This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

Romans 3:22-23 NIV

Kingdom men prayer

Heavenly Father I pray for Kingdom men to step into the gap for our children.

I call on real men to be shoulder to shoulder, to be the priest of their homes. To be the watchmen at the gates of their homes. To stop the influence of social media, fake media and even real media.

To stand against the woke culture of this day. To bring a Godly perspective from our local, state and Federal governments where as men, we stop the nonsense of what a man and a woman is. To bring real solutions to real world problems. I pray for those brothers that serve who suffer from PTSD alone.

I pray for the peacemakers not only in our homes but in the world where the drums beat for war.

I pray for our children children’s and that seeds that we plant in their hearts today will give fruit for each generations

I pray all this in Jesus name.

Hospital, Family, Army

Hospital, Family, Army.

A church is a hospital. hospitals are places where people go to get better and seek professional life saving advice. A church is a hospital for sinners not a club of the righteous. Yet we as Christians sometimes forget that. We the church must elevate our thoughts of what a church is and apply the hospital definition in every way, from giving advice to sharing compassion that goes above and beyond all understanding. The church should be family. A place where restoration and compassion brings closer connections to friendships. As a family we must keep confidential issues confidential. There are times gossip can ruin trust not only at an individual level but at a church level.

How many times have you heard the phrase ”have you heard"? It’s those time we must capture ourselves and be honest in our hearts not to repeat confidential information. When we have a family that is moving in the same direction then it turns into an Army. Last but definitely not least is the Army of the church. By restoration and trust in family mobilizing in one accord it becomes an Army.  The Army of the church moves on a common goal. It shares in the wins and the losses for the Kingdom. It’s the sound of thousands that can be heard when they March in single step.  The Army shares the gospel. The Army’s voice is heard not only by sharing the gospel but by standing for what is right. The Army boycotts and brings ungodly institutions to its financial knees. 

As a member of the Army of God we fly the kingdom flag wherever we go. Where we work we open a base. In our home we open a base where we shop we open a base. Where our children attend school we open a base. It’s our duty to open bases of the kingdom wherever we go.  We are millions around the world. Imagine if we all were in step not only in one house of worship but with all the Churches. Imagine who can be against us if we in fact mobilized As One.

He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!” Hezekiah’s words greatly encouraged the people.”

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭32‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬t on spreads spreading

Adams where are you?

A couple weeks ago one of our pastors was preaching and he asked a simple question during the sermon. Adam where are you?

He spoke how God was cutoff from seeing his children. Sin had come between them. It was at that moment they were cast out of Eden.

I’ve been waking up with same questions for a couple nights now and this morning as I write this the sun hasn’t come up yet.

We as men are the “ Adam’s “ of the world.

So I’ve been tasked with asking.

Adam’s where are you?

Where are you when we see social media being a tool of division than uniting us? We are like mice in a laboratory. The algorithm feeds us our wants and desires to keep us happy for hours on our phones. We are addicted to information to the point we miss out to much of what’s going on around us.

Adam’s where are you?

When the Gospel of love is being hijacked By the Lgbtq community to allow Gay pastors on the pulpit and Gay people in position of power within churches because we as men are told not to ask. Jesus is the prophet of love but He also said it simply “go and sin no more.” Are we not called to be salt in our society of blandness? Do we sit idly by seeing how our houses of worship are Lukewarm by being so all inclusive that we would rather fill seats than share the message of sin and redemption. Getting back to the basics of what sin is will go a long way of not letting it hide in plain sight.

Adam’s where are you?

During this conflict in Isreal. Do you chant the slogan from the river to the sea or do you stay quiet? Do you pray for Israelis and Palestinians equally knowing that war only brings pain to the innocent. Do you support terrorist or freedom fighters? Do you believe in the right of self defense and to live in peace? As for one who made a pilgrimage to the Holy land I can attest very few there realize how Holy that land really is. If they did they wouldn’t send thousand of rockets over the skies of Israel.

Adam’s where are you?

When we see antisemitic protests. Do we know where the root of antisemitism comes from? The fact is antisemitism was born out of the church during forced conversions.

From the inquisition to the crusades even to the expelling from countries our Christian forefathers have much Jewish blood on their hands in the name of the faith.

A past lie that was repeated throughout history was that the Jews killed Jesus. Yet forgetting that Jesus himself could have called legions of Angels to his side for protection. He went willingly to the cross as the sacrificial lamb.

We must as Christians know that past history as to never repeat it.

Adam’s where are you?

Do you share with your closest people your internal struggles. The dark hidden pain that trauma has made you forget. A pain that when if it were to come out into the light you would feel embarrassed. We must remember we have brothers in arms that will stand in the gap giving good counsel even when we fall there will always be hands to lift you up.

Adam’s where are you?

Have you as a child of God identified your generational curses? As a father and priest of your house have you identified from both your lineages the wrongs of your ancestors? Adultery, lying, cheating , stealing, addictions anger, envy. A good father leaves an inheritance. What inheritance will you pass on that is good for your future generations.

Adam’s where are you?

In these turbulent times where right is wrong and wrong is right. Where do you stand with a man identifying as a woman to play woman sports. Where do you stand with society telling us not to offend anybody by calling people pronouns. By blurring the lines of what man and woman is we are allowing people to believe they are God. That by identifying other than what you where born as you are saying God made a mistake.

Adam’s it’s time we not only ask the hard questions but seek the hard answers. Will we as the Adam’s of the world continue to stand idly by as the Apple is passed around?

Adam’s wake up for there are many battlefields that await us.

Which field will you you be willing to fight on?

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.””

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Leaning on Him

We often show our best to many people, we show what we want them to see. Many men have a self image particularly of being strong. We forget how our  true strength come from Jesus.  A strength that surpasses all understanding. When we are weak He is strong.

What is a strong man ?

A strong man has strong values.

A strong man has integrity.

A strong man is surrounded by other strong men who will hold him accountable for his action.

A strong man never gives his word without counting the cost.

A strong man puts Gods word into action.

A strong man gives his strength to his children by being consistent in discipline not by violence but by the word of God.

A strong man knows that God is the provider of all.

A strong man submits to his Lord and savior by checking his heart and actions everyday.

Now comes the hard part.

Are you a strong man?

“In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭3‬:‭27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A Relationship Mansion

  

Every now and again I’ll look up a house app and dream like I believe many do by looking at mansions.  My mother has a saying for years I heard growing up “ Dreaming don’t cost a thing”  

I honestly believe dreams and praying for something opens the door for God to help you find your purpose.  While dreaming, I started wondering,  do I buy a run down house in a rich neighborhood or do I buy a really big house in a not so good neighborhood?  I saw myself in front of a small house and my wife came to mind. I felt the Holy Spirit show me a before and after of what a small house started as and then a mega mansion with all these addition added onto it. 

I thought of how a small house is the perfect analogy for a new relationship. When you start off, the house is small but as you continue to make memories throughout your lifetime a room is added each time.  When you ride your bike together, an addition is added.  When you go canoeing, an addition is added. When you cook together, another room, 

When you go on vacation, a room is added.  You see, by spending time with your spouse you begin to slowly make your relationship a mansion.  The comical thing about this dream is that only when you stop to reflect and look at your past memories do you really see how big your small house turned into a mansion. 

What house have you built with your spouse?  Can you sit down and write down at least a hundred memories of what you and your spouse have done together throughout the years?  If not why?  If you can’t write down the memories, then you still a chance to have starting point into building your dream home. 

“They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭48‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Full Transparency

We read in the Bible about walking through the valley and fighting battles and we are also assured that Jesus is with us every step of the way.  If we know Jesus walks with us through the storms we face in this lifetime, we also understand that they have a pruning effect on us.  Through struggles we learn how much we need Jesus.  What if we change our perspective and learn to fall in love with our struggle instead of dwelling on how bad the situation looks to the human eye?  If we identify that the enemy is attacking us because we matter,  we can then own the power of our struggle!

Pastor Michael Bulkley from Kingdom Life Church in Milford, Ct said it best during one of his many sermons  in 2017  "Not all truths are meant to be shared with everybody, but they are meant to be shared with somebody.  If you keep your stuff, it can never be used to help someone else".  So many marriages end in divorce because they simply faced struggles alone.  They spend years putting on a mask, keeping up with the Jones' while behind closed doors their marriage was dying more and more each day.  How many of these marriages could have been saved if they had just trusted someone enough to help them sort out the issues before they became so unbearable ending in divorce? It is no different than someone who seeks professional help for anxiety, you sit with a professional, discuss your triggers, and they send you home with coping skills or if needed some medications to take the edge off.   Why is it so hard for us to find help to save our marriage when there are thousands of tools to help us to prevent it from  ending in divorce? 

One common factor is the lack of transparency fueled by pride.  We get married, post on social media portraying a perfect family and refuse to admit to anyone when we are hurting because we either have too much pride to ask for help or are too concerned about what others think of us.  This is exactly where the enemy wants you, alone and isolated.  Instead, if we learn to surrender  by making ourselves vulnerable enough to share our struggles with others and choose to go to God for wisdom, He extends a grace and a freedom that helps you grow and understand that there is power in your struggle.  Your struggle is not for you, it is to help others get free and to give God the glory. 

When you share your story, it opens the door for God to move and help others but you have to keep your motives in check.  Ask yourself, are you trying to belittle your spouse or are you truly seeking to repair your marriage by defeating the enemy to  grow stronger together? Know that struggles never end for believers.  When you choose to give God the glory over everything you endure, He will  put the right people in place to lift you up, the right people for you to confide in and will walk with you through the struggles.  Find your tribe, ask God to reveal those people who truly need to be in your inner circle and those who don't belong. Not everyone deserves your trust, ask God for discernment to see who is genuine. If you want our testimony be a blessing for others you have allow your transparent brokenness to be used by God.   Be encouraged to pray for God to cover your marriage and submit to the Holy Spirit and each other every day and you will surely experience a peace that surpasses all understanding.

For when I am weak, then I am strong 2 Corinthians 12:10

Faith will be tested

Hope will be tried and love will be strained.
If we know Jesus went through all this, then how dare we complain about our everyday problems?
Courage comes in many forms.  Sometimes it comes as an act of selfishness without thinking about it but many times it comes from facing your fears head on. The battle of the mind is where it begins.
That’s when the Lord shows up.
He said be strong and courageous many times in the Bible.
Even Jesus won his mind battle the night before ever stepping onto the cross.


“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Colossians 3:2 NIV

So when difficulties come, remember through testing comes pruning. 

The Marriage Creed

This is my wife.  There are many like her, but this one is mine. She is my life.  I must respect her as I must respect my life. Without me my wife is breathless, without my wife I am breathless.  I must trust my wife is true.  I must speak straighter than the enemy who is trying to fool me.  I must stop it before it tempts me.  I will. 

My wife and I know that what counts in war is not the arguments we have, the noise of our outbursts, or the excuses we make.  We know that it is the solutions that count.  We will resolve. 

My wife is human, even as I am human.  Because she is my life, thus, I will learn to hear her.  I will learn her weaknesses, her strengths, her past,  and keep her sights on our common goals.  I will keep my wife clean and ready, even as I am clean and ready.  We have become part of each other.

Before God I swear this creed.  My wife and I are the defenders of our home.  We are the masters of our home.  We are the saviors of our family.  So be it, until victory is ours and there is no enemy that can stand against us.  As we fight for our marriage as one! 

By William Ocasio

Copyright 2013

Do not conform

How many times something has gotten you out of your comfort zone or better yet someone got you upset?
In Romans 12.2 it says:
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
‭
It begins by "do not conform". How many times do you conform with your attitude?How many patterns do you repeat before you realize it’s all in your mind?
Anger, depression, guilt, fear are all tools the enemy uses to keep you stuck and it stops you from living up to your God given potential.

So, how do you renew your mind? Renewal comes from reading the word. The Bible gives real life examples of everyday people going through everyday issues. David had lust. Gideon had fear. Peter had shame. Jacob was a deceiver. Moses had a temper.
Each of them went on to be powerful men only after they were renewed with God’s help. Change comes from changing your perspective and believing that God will always make a way for you to conquer the little foxes in your mind.

“Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together"

 

“Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭22:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The Principle of being equally yoked.

In today's realm of dating whether it be man or woman attraction plays a major role in determining who you will date.
Today’s society sees dating and having sex as a normal process of getting to know the other person.
So to be clear, dating and courtship was supposed to be about getting to know that person more than on a friendship level. So many of the best marriages that have lasted are because two people knew the ins and outs of the other person and accepted the good with the bad.  In other words, they got to know the real person.

Even years after marriage one of the most common sentences after a divorce is "I never really knew that person", "The person I dated wasn’t the person I married or they changed".  The Bible speaks of being equally yoked but I found this passage to really illustrate how God sees relationships in a marriage.

Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭22:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How can I compare plowing with a marriage you light ask ?

Well, it’s simple. You see, when you plow or pull  with all your strength you need to be sure that the person pulling with you has the same desire and strength to get you towards your goal. In other words, the donkey next to you will never pull their weight in making you dreams turn into reality.

Next time you date someone, ask yourself, is this person the one who has the strength and perseverance to finish our common goals or is this person a donkey?

The journey

Life is a journey but journey’s turn into adventures when you find your compass.

Who is that compass that makes you laugh, love and live?  Living your life to the fullest comes through investing your time into your relationships. Many men and women put careers, friends and even possessions above the people who really matter.  Who is that person you can’t live without?  Who is that person you can’t stop talking to?  Who is that person that you can confide in without worries of judgment?  Who is that person that at three in the morning you can call and they would be ready, willing and able to help you?  True friends never stop being friends.  When answering any of these questions did your spouse come to mind?  If not, why?  Self reflection comes from understanding that your spouse is, and should always be your go-to and all other relationships are extra in your life’s adventure.  

Reflect for a minute the day you got married and looked into their eyes?  What did you feel?  Why did you feel that way?  That feeling of amazement should be how you always look at your spouse. This is the secret of how you date your spouse for life.  Love doesn’t stop because life got in the way.  Love becomes stronger because life couldn’t stop you from taking on and talking the problems out.  Together forever seems like a long time until days turn into months and months to years.  When you finally look back after years of marriage and the kids have left to live life, you will wonder how time got by so fast.

Live, love, laugh everyday because life is too short.

Is Jesus really driving my Uber?

One night during my sleep, I was awaken and led to start praying. During that prayer I kept seeing the word Uber. I felt the Lord telling me "Uber is real". Coincidentally, I had heard that same day from a brother in Christ say "the struggle is real". Yet, now God is  telling me the Uber is real!

As I prayed, I saw myself calling an Uber through the app. I saw myself waiting on my car and when it arrived, saw Jesus driving the car. 

As I got in, Jesus already knew the destination.

I started to think why an Uber and why was Jesus driving me around in an electric car.

While in the car, I realized if I say Jesus is in control is He really the driver  of my  life? You see, when Jesus isn’t driving your car, you have the tendency to crash into things. I dug deeper into why He was driving an electric  and the charging station came to mind.  Similarly, the driver of our life could be called the church where we go for an hour or more refueling and taking time to really recharge our batteries for the following week. Being prepared to take on what ever road trip Jesus decides to take us.

Many times we think our destination will make us happy, but it’s Jesus who truly knows what’s in our hearts to where He wants us to go. Let Jesus be your daily driver, He will always guide our moral compass in  the direction where we need to go.

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The so many before's

 

Before you were lost in the

wilderness there was a ticket for your voyage.

Before you lived He died.

Before you were a leader, you were a servant.

Before you gave, you received.

Before you laughed you cried.

Before the pain, there was laughter.

Before you were born, you had a purpose.

Before you became strong, you were weak.

Before you were found, you were lost.

Before the great commission, your name was already written in the book of life.

Before you knew Jesus, He knew you.

Before you sinned, He had already forgiven you.

Before there was time, there was a loving Father.

Before there was hate, there was love.

Before there was sin, there was free will.

Before there was fear, there was faith.

Nothing that you do or say is new to him, there’s is nothing in the past or now in the present or sometime in the future that will prevent God for waiting for you to open the door of your life to Him.

Generational Provision

Let me be the Abraham of my lineage that my children's children's do greater things than I.  That the hand of God goes forward  to my descendants. That the Holy Spirit follows my blood line everyday of their lives.

That my children follow and lead as heirs to your throne.  Father, give them insight beyond problems. Give them the love you have shown me. Give them the favor you have given me.  Give them the love you have given me, correct them as you have corrected me and give them guidance as you have given me. Bring them favor in all circumstances. Open doors that you know they need to walk through. Let my descendants know you. Let them worship you in all they do in spirit and in deed. Let your army of angels protect them. 

I dedicate my descendants to you Oh Lord. I give you my all. 

You planted me, you rooted me and you watered me. I bear fruit for you my Father. I give it away freely, for you gave me freedom. 

“I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭9:9‬ ‭NIv 

A time to pray

I pray the Holy Spirit guides us and show us his love in everything. I pray that no matter the noise of our daily life we find peace in the middle of the storm.
I pray for a ray of beauty in the midst of ugliness.
I pray for a peace that surpasses all understanding. Father, guide us to do your mission.

Let our prayers be heard by you our heavenly Father. 
For you know what we need before we ask it.
Father, thank you for allowing your son to be the lamb that gives us hope. Father, thank you for creating this world we live in as we see your hand  with the beauty traveling our great nation.
Let our prayer open the door to coincidences, open the doors that need to be open and close the doors that needed to be closed.

For you know  what’s best even when we don’t see it at the moment
Father,  I pray for peace for the families of Ukraine. A peace in the hearts of the men of war. I pray to break the chains of addictions, ambition and wars.

In Jesus name, Amen

Your body is the reflection of God’s temple

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6:19‬ ‭

The Bible says your body is a temple,  not your temple but Gods temple.
So what exactly does that mean?
In the most practical way of looking at this, you are merely a renter staying at the temple.
Yet unlike a renter in our world, rent isn’t due every month but daily.
So, how do you pay your rent at the temple that belongs to God ?

You can pay it in three ways:

One way is by taking good care of it by exercising, sleeping well and eating foods that help your body as well as having the  discipline to stay away from food you know is unhealthy.

The second way is to visit His temple daily by Meditating on His word. Take time to reflect on His grace and blessings that each day brings and gratefully recognize all that He has done for you. If you have worries and fears, that’s the time to bring it to Him.


Last but definitely not least, His temple is a place of reflection where His word shines . Your temple should reflect His loving character in all that you do.  In practice, show the world that God by the power of the Holy Spirit is your moral compass. Let your character in all you do, be the lamp in the middle of the room that people need to see.

Share your experiences, not to boast but to encourage others with the battles He helped you conquer in the past.

In the end, just be real. In a world where there is so much phoniness, being honest to who Christ called you to be is the greatest payment that you can give.

Lord, thank you for making my body the temple of your Holy Spirit, help me take care of it as a reflection of my love for you.

Be the light

It has been said darkness is the absence of light. I picture darkness being a cold and lonely place. People rarely gather together in the dark, maybe around a campfire where is warm and bright from the flames.   We are called to be the light to the world as Christians so I believe we are all born with a natural light, but only does it become magnified when we are seen through the magnifying lenses of Jesus. 

As believers we are called to shine brightest in the darkest of hours.  Are you bringing light to your workplace, to your home, to your marriage and to your children? 

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:14‬ ‭NIV

The Bible says we are called to be a town on a hill. I believe the key word is hill in that passage. Why hill you may ask? Because something so high can be seen for miles.  If you have ever been to a big city like let’s take New York for example, New York is an imposing sight during the day but when the sun goes down you see how large it truly is by the lights of the skyscrapers.  Similarly, your light should bring forward not only clarity but warmth. A warmth that surpasses all understanding at a moment of crisis, a warmth of forgiveness and understanding, and a warmth of compassion.  

Here are a few passages to meditate on:

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A Transparent Marriage

Faith

We were at a class and the topic of discussion that came up was about faith "what does faith mean to me" to be exact.   After spending some time thinking about what faith means to me I came up with what I believe is the accurate definition of what faith is in my life.

Faith

"A peaceful and confident journey, trusting and knowing that Jesus is walking with me while God is ahead of anything that I face whether good or bad but either way ending with the gift of eternal life"

What would our life really  look like if we actually lived this out?  What effect will this have on your marriage? Imagine waking up each morning, opening your eyes to see Jesus right there ready and waiting to walk out the day with you.  What would that feeling be like? Would you feel intimidated, confident, nervous, on guard, safe, loved?  How would this change your actions, behaviors and responses through the day? 

 I mean, we say we have faith but  we wait to encounter difficult situations to pray out to God often seeking resolve for what we go through but how about if  walk out in faith ahead of time?  Think how different our lives would be, how many setbacks  we would  avoid, how many arguments would we prevent if we actually walked out the faith we speak about, pray about and learn about.

I challenge you to start your day imagining Jesus walking besides you each day so that you can enjoy a peace that surpasses all understanding, so that you can experience true relationship with our Father during your time here on Earth.  Psalm 121:8  says "The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore" Let us embrace this scripture and really believe what we say we believe as God is already ahead of anything we can encounter.

A Transparent Marriage