Deal or No Deal......

We have all at least heard of the show. There is a contestant, 20 or so brief cases, and a banker sitting in a dark office calculating odds. I don't know much more than that. The contesteant is offered a cash prize in leu of choosing a brief case. He has the option to agree or disagree with the offer.

Maybe that should have been the title, "Agree of Disagree". It is really important for us to decide with whom we will agree with. Matthew 18:19 says: "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven."


You see, when you make a comment about yourself, either good or bad, someone will agree with you. That is why it is important to only speak positive, life-giving words about yourself, your situation, and your family. God has already said many great things about us, all we have to do is agree, and say the same. However, when we say we are dumb, or not good enough, or ugly, or poor, or whatever, the devil is right there ready to agree with us. That then makes for two people agreeing on the same thing, and according to the above scripture, we get what we agree on.

Only speak positive things from now on. You've always heard "Be careful what you say, you just might get it". I think it is soooo true.

A little football Spirituality

Okay, put yourself in a linebackers shoes. The linbacker usually makes more tackles than any other person on the defensive side of the ball. The linebacker always watches the quarterback to see where the ball is going. If the ball is handed to the running back, the linebacker moves toward where the ball is going. Then, all of a sudden, SUPRISE a blocker appears out of no where. The offense plans its plays to attempt to block the linebacker. This is called getting a blocker to the second level.

It is similar in our spiritual walks. We are the linebacker, and the ball carrier is the promises that God has set out for us. We are always trying to see where the promise is going to be, and then get to that spot before the promise is gone. Then, all of a sudden, SUPRISE a blocker known as satan, lucifer, the enemy, etc, attempts to 'block' us from our promise.

We have to be a strong linebacker, and bust through that blocker to receive the promises of God. Put on your armour and get ready......

Mind Your Business.......

I had the privilege of hearing our youth pastor, Ryan Sanders, speak tonight. He talked about being about the Father's business. When Jesus was twelve, his family journeyed home, not knowing that he stayed back in the Temple at Jerusalem. When the parents came looking for him, he asked them "Didn't you know that I would be about my Father's business?'

Whose business are you concerned with? Do you spend your time, talent, and treasure trying to increase your asset column? The bible tells us not to store up treasure on earth, because moths and rust can destroy it. It goes on to say that we should store our treasures in heaven, where they can be protected from moths and rust. The point is that we should always be more concerned with the Kingdom of God rather than building our own personal empire.

Ryan Sanders encouraged us to take the same motto as John the Baptist. We have to become less, and He has to become more. To do this, we can't worry about what others say or think, rather, we have to know that we have a God given purpose, and we should seek to fulfill it.

Be about you Father's business..........

Are Men really from Mars???

We have all heard that Men are from Mars, and Women are from Venus. But, do you really believe that? Of course not..., we all know that both women and men are from earth. However, do you have any idea why men and women are sooooooo different?

I heard of a great book. It was titled something like "Men are like waffles, and Women are like Spaghetti." It basically said that men live their lives with many different boxes like a waffle. Don't try to get your man to inter-mingle his boxes. A man needs to deal with one box at a time. These boxes may be work, family, chores, hobbies, dates, etc. There are many different boxes that a man has to deal with, and he really don't want to multi-task.

However, women have no problem juggling 10 or 12 areas of her life at once. And, believe it or not, my wife at least is really good at it. It is very seldom that she forgets something, unlike me. Women have a knack for cleaning, cooking, helping out with homework, making sure hubby has something clean to wear, and even getting everyone to appointments (practices) on time. I don't know how she does it, but she is great.

Let's consider why men and women could be so different. In the beginning, just after Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, they both were dealt different curses. We can find this story in Genesis 3:16-20. Woman's curse was a painful childbirth, and that her desire would be for her husband, and he would "rule" over her. Man's curse was actually deferred to the ground. He would spend his days working for food. It would consume his thoughts, the need to provide for his family.

Maybe you can see it now. A woman typically needs to "feel" loved. This is evident in her curse. "she would desire her husband and he would rule over her". This explains how a husbands love for his wife can either "make or break" her. And for the man, it explains his desire for respect and honor "he will rule over her". It is nothing disrespectful to women, it is just how God designed it. It also explains why he feels such a burden to provide for the family.

I know this has just helped me to see the awesome responsibility that both a husband and wife have in the dynamic of a family. I pray today that I can enact "God's plan" for my wife and I....

Why do we argue???

How many people have ever heard people argue about religion? I am sure that nearly everyone has. Do you realize that when we act foolish and argue with someone else about our beliefs, we often times affect people within ear shot of us? That right we are suppose to set an example in our action, speech, and humility, but when our ego gets in the way, we usually take three steps back with that friend that we have been trying to witness to. He or she says "They can't even agree within their own faith, why would I get involved in that, I have enough drama as it is".

Wow, have you ever thought about that? Jesus actually prayed for unity within His followers right before He was crucified, so that the "world" would know that the Father sent Him. Don't get me wrong, it is important to KNOW THE BIBLE, and to stand up for the TRUTH. However, we are to stand up humbly and with love.

I encourage you today attempt to live at peace with everyone in your circle of influence.
Romans 12:18
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.


“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”- Romans 15:5-6

Why do you do what you do????

What is the motivation for what you do? Do you go to work just to pay the bills? Do you have hobbies just to make someone else happy? Do you go shopping just to make other people think you are someone you are not?

In Colossians 3:23, we are told that no matter what we do, we should do it as to the Lord and not men. People have spent a lot of time and energy doing "stuff" to please people. I would encourage you today to not worry about being a people pleaser, but rather seek to please God.

Have a Super Blessed day.

Who Cares?????

Why in the world do we carry so much anxiety (care) around with us? We have all heard that worrying about today will not add a single hour to our lives. However, we still worry. WHY? Maybe it is because we think that we can change things. NEWS FLASH we can't. Yes it is true, we do have choices every day, but ultimately, God's plan will prevail.

In 2 Peter chapter 5, we are told to cast our cares on Him, because He care for us.

I was approached on Sunday by a brother that I had literally just met. He proceeded to tell me that he felt the Spirit of God promting him to witness to me. He told me that God wanted me to cast my cares upon Him. He then went on to pray for me, and we agreed that I would acknowledge God in all my ways, and He would make my paths straight.

I encourage you today to pray to God about what concerns you. Also, after you ask Him to take care of whatever it is, LET HIM DO IT. We all too often try to intervene after we have asked God to take care of it. His timing is never late and never early, but always right on time. Trust Him today. He is faithful.

The end is better than the beginning??????

In Ecclesiastes 7, we are told that death is better than birth. What in the world does that mean? Most people are really scared of death. Why are we scared of death? Why are we scared to meet our creator? I bet most of us are scared of death, because we aren't sure what the "after life" holds. We ask questions such as "What will FOREVER be like?", "What will Jesus say about the sins I comitted?", etc. I understand the bible to say that when we ask forgiveness for our sins, they are remembered no more.

However, that is not the point today. Today, I want to explore why death could be better than birth. I wonder if it is because when one is born, his or her life is like a blank slate. Nothing is on it. But, when one dies, he or she has a "life" full of memories, conquests, and even families. I want to encourage you today, to prepare for the next season. We all experience seasons in our life. When one season dies, a new one is born. I bet that is what makes "death" better than birth, the fact that the "old" is passed away and the "new" is coming.

The Heart to Mouth Connection......

You have probably heard that the way to a man's heart is through his mouth. This may be true in a sense. However, it is absolutely true that the way to happiness, prosperity, health, salvation, and every good thing IS through your mouth. You are probably asking, "What is this guy talking about?".

Well, I am glad you asked. We are told in the bible that "out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." That means that most often, what we say is exactly how we fell. We try to hide our feelings by saying "I didn't mean that". But, according to the bible, we speak what we feel.

There in lies the problem. We can't allow ourselves to be led by our feelings. We have to understand that we will reap what we sow(plant). So, if you are reaping "bad luck" right now, stop and examine what you are saying. Have you ever heard someone said, "I am just an accident waiting to happen"? DON'T GET IN THE CAR WITH THEM.

This is were it becomes absolutely imperative that we know what God has already said about us. We have to align our hearts and mouths with His word concerning us. He said that we are more than conquers, that we are the head and not the tail, we are above and not below, we will lend and not borrow, we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. The are literally hundreds of promises in the bible, and we are told that all the promises of God are yes and amen to the believer.

Make sure you are speaking positive, life giving words. There is the power of life and death in the tongue. Choose life today, talk the right way.

Be an Example.......

I often hear people saying, "Well it is my life, I will live it however I want". I hear them saying this in response to having a foul mouth, being a "slave" to some habit, or just about their "character" in general. I often times am reminded about the verse in Romans 14 verse 13. It talks about not being a "stumbling block" to a brother. Now, this means that when someone serves their conviction by not eating meat, then don't go sit down in front of them and encourage them to join you in eating that 72oz steak.

I encourage you to read and consider Romans 14 today. The whole chapter talks about doing whatever you do to glorify the Lord.
First Timothy 4:12 tells us to set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Peter tells us in the second chapter in his first epistle that we should "pay the prices when we do wrong, but we should be more commended when we suffer for doing good, just as Jesus did.

20But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22"He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth."

So, the next time you are faced with that situation, ask yourself "Can this bring glory to the Lord?".

Where should I live?????

I often times think that I have all the answers. That may be a quality (or deficiency) that was passed to me from my mother (sorry mom). But, when I get that way, I am being proud. The bible is clear when it says "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble". So that leaves me with the question, "Where should I live?".

Psalm 91 says:
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. [a]

2 I will say [b] of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.

This chapter has quickly become my favorite. It is very practical for everyday living. It is full of promises if we truly believe what God has said. I encourage you to read on. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2091;&version=31;

I have been struggling lately with "my purpose". I believe that God has a purpose for me, and everyone else. But, I am constantly struggling with my arroagance about providing for my family, and God's promises that He shall supply all my NEEDS according to His riches and glory in Christ Jesus.

I pray today that I can rest assured that those promises are for me and my family, and that I can truly say "I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in Whom I trust.

Decide where you will spend your time, talent and treasure (money). Will you "DWELL" (that means live) in the shelter of the Most High?

What are we doing?

Alright, so I was reading in 1 Samuel chapter 8 today. This book was written like 3000 years ago, but I believe that we are in the midst of repeating it. So, Israel the nation had come to Samuel who was getting old. They asked him to appoint a "king" over them since he was nearing the end of his life. When Samuel talked to God about it, God said "its not that they are rejecting you Samuel, but rather they are rejecting Me as their King". God then went on to tell Israel through Samuel that the king will be a harsh ruler, he will take your land, your grain, your livestock, he will make your young boys soliders.

God went on to tell Israel that they would eventually cry for relief for this king. He said that He would not "hear" their crys.

The point I want to make is that it sounds familiar. People are getting to the point that they don't want any responsibility. They want national health care, they want to sue anyone and everyone, they want the government to spend trillions upon trillions of dollars in the name of "economic stimulus".

There are a few voices warning that we really don't want this. They are telling of the consequences of this over spending. The value of the dollar can't hold up to this pressure. Taxes will have to go up to pay off this "stimulus". Guess what happens if your taxes get to high, you can't pay your bills, and the king (government) takes your home, land, cars, and anything else with a lien on it.

We have to acknowledge and accept that the Lord knows best, and we have to surrender control of our lives, our finances, our stuff, everything; to the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

Does God really own it all??????

I talked yesterday about God owning everything, and we are just care takers for Him. Let us see if we can find anything in the Word that supports this. Psalm 24:1 says that "the earth is the Lord's and all it contains". Well, that is pretty self explanatory. In Leviticus 25:23, God says that "the land... shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine". That is pretty straight forward too.

In Haggai 2:8, He says "the silver is mine, the gold is mine". Did you know that when the dollar bill was created, it was backed (covered) by silver and gold? That pretty much says that the money is His too. In Psalm 50:10 the Lord says "for every beast of the forest in Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills."

I think that makes a pretty good case that all we have actually belongs to the Lord. Let us live our lives taking care of His stuff. If we really believed this, we would live totally different, I guarantee it.

Whose Is It?????

How often do we talk about our stuff? We make comments like "My car, my house, my camper, my clothes, my neighborhood, my land, my apartment, my, my, my......". The list never ends. Did you know that the bible says that everything on the earth belongs to God????? Why do we have that idea that anything actually belongs to us?

I think we have had a horrible dis-service committed to us. We live in a "I want it, and I want it now" society. What would it look like if we understood that we are just stewards (care takers) of God's stuff that He has allowed us to use?

I have been reading a book, Rich Dad, Poor Dad. It is about changing the way you think about money. One thing that really stood out today is that poor people are poor because they have poor spending habits.

Think about it, do you need a drink every time you go to the gas station? How about making coffee before you leave home? What about taking a snack in your lunch box, instead of buying one from the vending machine? Not to mention our habit of choice.

I have witnessed over the last two weeks a good friend of mine stop smoking after 40 years. What a great testimony of God's grace being sufficient for all our needs.

Be a good steward of what God has blessed you with.

Are you Ready????

We have all used the excuse, "Well, I am just not ready yet". We have used it for not getting out of bed, not taking a new job, not re-locating, and many other times in our life. I would be willing to bet that we have even used it when we knew that God was asking us to do something. Isn't it funny that we think we know better than God? He asks something of us, and we have the nerve to say "not right now, I am not ready".

Here is a little secret, God doesn't always choose those who are prepared, He prepares those who He chooses.

So here's the deal, when we hear that still small voice telling us to step out in faith, we have to get moving. He knows what is best for us, all we have to do is move in the direction He has sent us. It is amazing what we can do when we allow His strength to become evident in our weakness.

As my pastor says, "Its time to get off your seat, and hit the streets". Allow God to be the captain of your ship (life).