Showing posts with label rbc ministries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rbc ministries. Show all posts

Aug 13, 2010

What Today's Devotions Help Me See

Today's Devotion: Freedom
Today's Bible Reading: Romans 13:1-10

This devotion hits home with me because I feel the same way when it comes to driving. My queen teases me for driving the speed limit but in the end she thanks me because she doesn't have to worry about unnecessary drama like getting a ticket or hitting the brakes because I see a highway trooper and like Mr. Lamborn's wife has to remind him from time to time, "It's the law."

It is liberating and not a "hinder" when you do the right thing. It's a simple to remember; not easy to live by but the alternative is much worse in the end. That is how I view the Bible in two ways in regards a sense of freedom because even if people wrong you in the end you are the winner because it is you who took the high road and knowing that once you leave this earth you be in presence of God.

Again, I'm not going to lie it is so hard to not be effected when it comes to living right now because with the climate of corporations wanting to pay workers barely a living wage, people living their lives in a immoral way, racial tensions at a all time high, news organization reporting news before getting the facts in order. You can find yourself wanting to reach out and begin living that way but what I have found out is that in the end that way of living turns to ashes. It may not happen at that moment but it will happen and what I have learned the longer you live that way the longer it takes to rebuild your life and rebuild trust and respect from people.

For me the way of the world is going it's pushing me back to my Maker because the more I watch television (which is less and less) the more I getting back to the basics of reading books, rediscovering how much I love God, the price He paid by sending His son to die for my sins. For many people, the older you become the more you see how wonderful life is and you don't have time to waste it.

I wish more people could see the freedom in doing it God's way but as always it's best to lead by example and not just our speech.

Aug 10, 2010

What Today's Devotions Help Me See

Today's Devotion: Now Is Not Forever
Today's Bible Reading: Revelation 21:1-5

"The confidence we have as Christians is that God has something good planned for us. Suffering was not part of His original act of creation, but it serves as a temporary reminder of what happens in a world where God’s order has been broken."

~ from Now Is Not Forever {Our Daily Bread 10August2010}

To be honest I can't add anything to that but I will try. Many times we think God is trying to keep us from having fun. In today's world many people want God out of their lives because they feel it's an intrusion and Satan blinds people time and time again that most pleasures of this world is the best way to live but in the end that happiness is only temporary. This is what happened to Eve in the garden.

The serpent made Eve focus on a tiny part of the Garden of Eden instead of her keeping her eye on the Creator and if she would have done this she would have see all that God had blessed her and her mate with. Eve and her husband Adam would have to work but it wouldn't be as hard as today. She would have had pain in regards to child bearing but not that much pain.

Instead she allowed herself to take her eyes off of her blessings and focus on a moment of happiness which in the end cost her dearly in the end in regards to true happiness and joy. Lately many people around me is reminding me little by little how important life is when less and less unnecessary drama is allowed in my life.

There will be heartache from time to time in my life but many times small things like turning off the news, not watching the latest gossip show and opening an informative book or relaxing to some good music or just sometimes just being still for 15-30 minutes and listening to God and focusing on Him my day will go much better.

This past weekend my best friend said something to me which helped me greatly in dealing with my job,

"Focus on each day and what that work day is paying and allowing you to enjoy."

That's pretty cool advise and reading this devotion ties into that...

"Think about how good it will feel when it stops hurting."

In today's world where people think they are entitled to talk to people harshly not think about the other person's feelings. but we (especially myself) have to keep in mind this is not something we have to endure 24/7 and when we begin focusing on the wonders that God has blessed you and with it makes the day more bearable.

Great devotional for today for my spirit.

Apr 29, 2010

Wisdom For Me and To Share for 29 April 2010

Today's Devotion: Our Demanding Schedules
Today's Passage: Mark 1:32-39

Today this devotion and passage tells me one thing and one thing alone...begin my day with my Savior each and every day and go to bed with His word in my heart in my head. It's funny how I go to bed each night watching late night television and not really putting the most important thing in my head and spirit because God gives me life each day and gives me wisdom to deal with the problems every hour of the day.

My Prayer:
Lord, help me realize that today is not a hectic day when I put you first.

Proverbs that stuck out to me today in Chapter 29...

Proverbs 29: 1

Proverbs 29:3

 Proverbs 29:7

Proverbs 29:11

Proverbs 29:15

Proverbs 29:20

Proverbs 29:24

Mar 26, 2010

Daily Devotion Reading of Our Daily Bread 27March2010 - Loving God

I will try and do this on a daily basis if time permits, let me know what you think this reading.




Jan 21, 2010

Reflection's on Today's Devotion


Today's Devotion: A Mutual Friend
Today's Passage: John 15:9-17

My wife sometime feels social networks like Facebook, Craig's List, Twitter are bad things but I say to her time and time again, "The social networks on the web are just like anything else, it's who hands it's in and how they are using them, that's the problem. Although a couple of years ago with the misuse of MySpace by a mother who pretended to make friends with a young girl and then tear her down resulted in the suicide of the young lady was a terrible thing again falls into the category of "the user" and not the site.

How did this tie in to my reflection for this devotion? Easy...connections

Many people feel that with today's technology with the World Wide Web (I know, I'm ol' school) people feel we are more in front of the computer than connecting with "real" people. Sometimes that can happen but what I have grown to learn is that by connecting with people from different places in the US and around the world via Facebook, Twitter, and other social networks I have now made connection with people that I would have never met and that is a very cool thing. Once I begin traveling I have connection from New York to California. These people can not only tell me and my wife where to go but also places to avoid.

True, you have to careful of who you meet on the web because there are scammers but for me what makes it so different is this, putting Christ Jesus first.

When you put Christ first in your life, study his Word, follow the Holy Spirit, He places people in your life with your same love of Him and love of life and the most important characteristic, people who loves themselves. When you connect with a person who loves themselves they treat you the way they wish to be treated. They are patient with you, they do not pass judgement. Is this person perfect? Of course not because we all have shortcomings but you look pass that because that is how friendships grow.

And look around now, many Christian organization are using these wonderful social networks because they are now realizing that you have to connect with young people a whole new way because this is where they are, on the web. We have to go where they are and when they see the older generation is trying to reach out to them and not writing them off and being negative of this new way of communication they will not only connect with their my generation but will connect with their peers showing them that people that are Followers of Christ are truly genuine people because trust me, the youth want to connect with people that are real, not perfect.

What Christ Jesus also tells you is who not to encounter because again Christ will never put His children in harms way as long as you obey the Holy Spirit and know Christ because one thing I have learned now that I'm older is that many times you lead not by your heart because feelings can sometime get you into trouble but I do know that when you turn your heart over to God's Son he gives you a heart of gold but wisdom for the streets so you will not fall into the pitfalls of life. You may pass through tough times because we live in a fallen world but Christ gives you the strength, the knowledge to get through tough times and tough situations.

When you connect with Christ Jesus with all your heart He connects you with people that are good to you and good for you.

photo: J.schobre
InterfaceLIFT.com

Jan 19, 2010

Reflection of Today's Devotion


Today's Devotion: "Never Satisfied But Always Content"
Today's Passage: "Philippians 3:7-14"

"Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,  I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."
~Philippians 3:13(b)-14

The entire passage is on point for me today but the part of the passage above really jumped out at me because I have a hard time doing this in my life. When I stumble in life sometimes I have to realize this is going to happen as long as I keep living and just learn from my mistakes and move on and when I have great accomplishments I tend at times to rest on them instead of being grateful and happy in the moment and learn from that moment and continue on because sometimes what worked today may not have the same results tomorrow.

It's funny how we want a balance life but two things we do not practice on a daily basis being a Follower of Christ Jesus: first, read, study the word of God. (This part I'm really speaking to myself the loudest); second, we must learn to put our priorities in perspective. There is nothing wrong with doing your best, but when hang everything on that, trust me it's never enough...you will always want more. We should be happy when we accomplish a goal or overcome an obstacle but we can't rest on that moment and think, "I've done it all".

Why do I slip back in that frame of mind time and time again. I know from the past that when I do all that I can and let God do all that I can't that I have best day physically, mental, spiritually because I know I put the most important thing first: knowing Christ. When doing that you learn how to love yourself and the people in your life, to have patience, you learn to avoid the pitfalls of life, to receive love, constructive criticism, what to tolerate and what not to tolerate. It's really true, the Bible is the greatest instruction book for your life.

We have to balance in our lives. I've said this so many times, God is not our "Genie in the bottle", in order for God to give us the best we must trust Him with everything and that means being obedient, doing what we need to do ourselves while at the same time knowing where our strength comes from and where our wisdom lies because when we try and do everything on our own it will not work and at the same time when we just set back and do nothing our lives will be filled with regret.

With a balance life comes a fulfilled life.

photo: The Real7
InterfaceLIFT.com

Jan 18, 2010

Reflections From Today's Devotion


Today's Devotion: It Is My Business
Today's Passage: Leviticus 19:11-18

Sometimes devotions and passages when reading them do not register with me until later in a "ah-ha" moment; and then there are others that hit me right square in the face...this devotion is the latter. I'm not going to lie, what's going on in Haiti is terrible, the injured, the death, the loss of homes but it's one of these moments where I'm asking God, "why do I feel really bad about this tragedy?" and then it hits me and I know why.

Living in Florida was an eye-opening experience for me because of the many cultures and what I found out is that when living in the Midwest we as African-Americans encounter hatred toward Blacks every day one way or another and according where you live it's subtle or just blatant from White America but to live in a place where not only Whites but other races try to look down upon you kinda through me for a loop. I found out that many Haitians and Africans look down upon African-Americans and that's truly blows my mind at times. When living in Florida many times Haitians would bypass me to give wonderful customer service to a White person and give mediocre service to me. At first I thought this was just someone having a "bad day" but this would happen time and time again. It's sad in a way because in a way this has left a really bad taste with me because on one hand Haitians look down upon African-Americans but when disasters hit come their way we are all "one" and the older I become the more this bothers me.

In a way I can understand sometimes why they would feel this way toward African-Americans. If I lived in another country and when seeing the news and all the images I saw of African-Americans were negative I guess I would feel that way too, I guess their mindset is, "They are so lazy. They (Blacks) do not appreciate what they have in the states." But most Blacks do appreciate what we have every day. I guess the difference between African-Americans and other races is the when we see someone act un-neighborly we just chalk it up say, "That person" and we do not group a race in one barrel where with other races they lump us all together. It's been this way for years and I guess it will continue to be this way until the day I die but still it's hurtful because we as African-Americans are the first to lend a hand to others and many times we still get shunned but we keep going on with our lives, instilling in our children that you work hard for what you want, never give up, and just take one day at a time.

In Florida I met some wonderful people and I can't wait to get back there and touch base with friends I met there but at the same time now I know that in a melting pot you're going to encounter hurt and sometimes it will come at the hands of a culture or race you least expect. So my prayer to God is for my heart not to become harden as I get older but at the same time not to be surprised when dealing with people that look like me try and treat me like dirt. I will ask God to help me work through my feelings and not feel the way that I do because in the end it only hurts my walk with God and reflects on me as a Follower of Christ Jesus.

photo by paul.charles.k
interfaceLIFT.com

May 8, 2009

Reflections for Friday 08May09


Inspired by Today's Devotion from Our Daily Bread
Bible Passage[2 Kings 5:1-15 (New Living Translation)]

Sometimes I forget that many times to accomplishing big goals is to take small step, one day at a time. I was reminded of this when I woke up this morning to find our kitchen sink full to the brim with water because I forget to turn the water faucet off all the way. I'm so thankful that we have a double sink and it did not overflow onto the floor but to hear that constant "drip, drip, drip" sound and to think that in a matter of 4-5 hours the entire sink was full of water.

That is how we should accomplish many positive things in life, take small steps but be consist ant. It's amazing how my Heavenly Father can take a bad experience for me and have me flip it for my good. I have been saying for about a month now, "I have to start walking, I have to start doing push-up, ab work but allow myself to talk myself out of it because I am wanting results NOW. I remember what a good friend told me years ago, "The same way you get yourself out of a hole is the same way you get out of it...one shovel at a time.

The devotion I read for this morning ties into this because with the bad thing that happened with the overflowing sink when at first I thought was "Thank goodness the water did not damage our floor" to "Ah! This is how I should read God's word...This is how I should pray...this is how I should look and act toward my goals!" Those 'one drips at a time' translates for me, 'One day at a time' or 'One step at a time'.

Isn't life's experiences something?

Be Blessed, Be Safe,
Have a WONDERFUL Friday/Weekend.

~DarrenKeith

Messages to listen to and download...

Dr. Charles Stanley
An Inspiring Example of a Godly Mother[from In Touch Ministries]

Pastor Paul Sheppard
Conclusion of: Storm Proof Your Life -- Part 2[from Enduring Truth]

photo:InterfaceLIFE.com

Feb 14, 2009

Reflections for Saturday, 14 February 2009


Devotional Reading: Our Daily Bread
Passage Reading: 1 John 4:7-19 (New Living Translation)

This past week two tragedies hit people families and it began to hit, "We truly do not know when our last day is on earth". I mean, the way people lose their lives and how sudden it can happen. A person can land a job in another state and can be happy one minute and the next a drunk driver can end their life or just yesterday a plane full of passengers can be headed to another destination only to crash. I'm not trying to sound morbid or be a downer on Valentine's Day but we can not take two things for granted, the people in our lives and our life eternity.

Last night at work I was talking to my supervisor at work and we were talking about how another relative (his aunt) has passed away and she died on her birthday! In 2007 he buried his father then in 2008 he buried his mother. He surprised that she lived this long because of how close his aunt and his mother were. It's amazing how death can truly make you realize how precious life is on earth and for me how even when living a long life once it's over it's over.

One thing brings me so much joy and comfort is that knowing Jesus Christ. For knowing Him, getting into His word, he teaches you how to live life to the fullest, how I learn each time I am in his word that following His commandments, His teachings, fearing Him(not fear as in, "Or my God if I do this wrong He will strike me dead" but fearing Him in revering His word, knowing that His word is truth), knowing that what He wants for my life is good and when He tells me no it's not to keep me from life but to have a peaceful life. Turning my life over to God takes the fear from me in reference to death because He sent his son for me, for ME. A person for years that lived my life outside of His will but was so patient with me to realize one day that He truly loved me for me, flaws and all.

Life is short, life can be taken away from you in an instant but having and KNOWING Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior makes life so sweet. For the me this Valentine's Day I have two great gift: The love of God and without Him bringing someone to share the rest of my life with here on earth (my beautiful wife). And even if I did not have that special someone in my knowing that Jesus died for someone like me who has made mistakes and will make mistakes in the future is one of the best Valentine's Day presents I could ever receive.

Be Blessed/Be Safe
& Have a wonderful Weekend.

great messages to check out this weekend
Dr. Charles Stanley
> The Pathway of Faith {Part 1 & Part 2}

Pastor Paul Shepperd
> Dead Man Walking {Part 1a & Part 1b}

photo: InterfaceLIFT Wallpaper

Jan 30, 2009

Reflections from Today's Devotional


Devotional for Today: "Planting Time"
Passage Reading: Galatians 6:6-10 (New Living Translation)

"Sow today what you want to reap tomorrow."

What a powerful statement.

We never take this "sowing and reaping" theory to heart until something bad happens in our lives like a job loss, a love one walks away from us, a friendship ends then deep down when if we are really honest with ourselves we begin to self evalute our situation. We realize that we could have been a "little" nicer to that sales associate or we could have carried the weight a "little" more, we begin to run into the famous, "shoulda, woulda, coulda" senarios in our mind. It's amazing how I try and think behind the scenes of some events when it comes to bad news. When I see on the news when someone is being interviewed in reference to a job loss, the first thing pops in my mind is, "was he or she kind to the people around them?" "Did they treat the night cleaner nice?" Part of that comes from the fact that I'm a night cleaner and I see how corporate America treats the blue collar workers and it's not good and in my mind sometimes these are same people looking into the news camera, tears swelling in their eyes asking, "Why did this happen to me?"

Deep down you know why.

This is not to say every bad thing that happens in a person's life it's their fault, many times that person has sown good in another person life or have gone over and beyond to help their company prosper and the end results is a loss of job. That person may have been a wonderful person to everyone they have met and events take place where they have no control over the same question arises, "I've done my best/I've treated that person with honor and respect and they walk right out of my life, why?"

I have been on both sides of that coin, many of us have and what I have learned from both sides is that believe it or not it feels much better in your spirit and in your heart to have tried your best and to be let down than to have caused the train wreck in your life. That may sound odd but think about, even though both hurt it takes most people more time to recover when you were at fault. You begin going through many, "What If?" moments in your mind. When you have not caused the hurt in someone's life it really hurts but in time you realize that it may have been the best thing to have happen to you.

The devotional today from rbc makes me take in the fact that when you seek God's heart you cannot go wrong because He will always be there for you. People will be people, they will let you down but when reading His word every day it makes you realize we live in a fallen world but when you constantly sow good in other people's lives you are the winner in the end.

Be Blessed, Be Safe,
& Have a Wonderful Friday.

Great messages for Friday

Dr. Charles Stanley - The Rewards of Service
Pastor Paul Sheppard - Conclusion of: Lessons We Can Learn from Abraham 1

Nov 10, 2008

Reflections from Monday's Devotional


Devotional from Our Daily Bread: Gossip-Free Zone
Biblical Passage: Proverbs 25: 8-18

I know this is going to sound bias and I'm going to sound like a male chauvinist pig so I'm getting that out of the way right now but I often tell people that the only women I enjoy working around are geek women. With geek women gossip is truly at a minimum. They care about their appearance but I have never heard them tear down another woman, well at least while I'm around. They are not into dumb shows like Desperate Housewives, Girlfriends, Sex & the City, The Starters Wife (while USA Network airs that show I will never know), Tyler Perry movies...yes I said it.

Gossip is something I have heard men and women do from time to time and it's very easy to get caught up in it. Gossip is one of those subtle sins that before you know it you're right in the middle of that mess. You don't think you get caught up in it? Have you ever read PEOPLE, US, Star magazines? Have you ever watch any so called Reality shows?

*my hand goes up slowly

It's amazing so many things that are positive that surrounds us and many times we are drawn to the negative. There is the Travel Channel, Discovery Channel, TLC, National Geographic Channel, heck for me The Weather Channel is productive (they play some of the best smooth jazz when showcasing "The Local on the 8's"). Do you own a mp3 player? So many positive podcast are out here from pastor Greg Laurie, Paul Sheppard, Dr. Charles Stanley, David Jeremiah, Tony Evans, the late Adrian Rogers & Dr. J. Vernon McGee, Michael Yousef, James McDonald...and these are national pastors and I'm sure that there are local pastors in your area that great teachers of God's word. You have some great music podcast (mine included...hint, hint), great tech shows and yet we sometimes get sucked into the gossip abyss.

I love the book of Proverbs. If you ever want sound, no nonsense every day advice this is the book to read a chapter a day. So much is written about gossip because God knows that is where the majority of all problems begin...word of mouth. If we want our children, our grandchildren gossiping or talking ill of people we as adults must lead by example when it comes to what we read, what we watch, what we say. Let's begin to make our home, our speech a "Gossip-Free Zone".

Be Blessed, Be Safe,
& Have a Wonderful Monday

Christian Podcast to check out:
Thru the Bible Questions & Answers - Dr. J. Vernon McGee
Broadcast for Saturday, November 08, 2008

Tech Podcast to check out:
Windows Weekly 82: Pocket Paul
Hosts: Paul Thurrott with Leo Laporte

Nov 7, 2008

Reflections from Friday's Devotional For 07 November 08


Our Daily Bread: Waiting
Biblical Passage : Psalm 70 (New Living Translation)

There are so many ways to approach this subject on patience. I thought I was a patient person but then a situation comes up from time to time and I see I have a long way to go. There are some things I can just sit back and wait and other things I wish it would come and be over with (like the election...thank goodness it is over). It's amazing when waiting on God to respond to certain things in my life I want him to act "right now, CHOP, CHOP!

But I realize I am on His time table and not the other way around and deep down I know in the end it is always in my best interest. I think back on past relationships that I knew "man she is right for me" and now I look back and say, "Thank you Jesus for not answering that prayer." I have to get this through my head day in and day out which is so true each day I am on this earth, God ways are not my own ways plain and simple. He knows what I need in my life, what I need to pursue, what I need to avoid but it's up to me that when I go His way that I learn how to realize that while I'm waiting, God is working.

Now waiting on God does not mean I just sit back at do nothing. This means I keep doing what is right for my family, for myself and just know that God is working it out in my favor and I'm not going to lie that is not easy to do many times but if I don't want to start from zero it's best to do it His way. The next time you read about Abraham or about Jonah read how when they did not do it God's way and not have patience how many times that they were placed at the very starting point where they began. I have had those kind of situations and let me tell you, the older you get the less fun that is beginning all over again. You begin to learn that doing it God's way, the right way saves you so much unnecessary grieve.

Not being patient, doing it your own way will work for you for a little while but when it falls apart, it falls apart hard and your ways breaks in sometimes a million pieces and sometimes you cannot put it back together again and in the end you are left with the three famous words many hate to say and go through, "shoulda, woulda, coulda". Learning not rush God is a lesson that will save you heartache in the very end...but being a Follower of Christ we already know this right?

RIGHT!?!

Be Blessed, Be Safe,
& Have a Wonderful Friday

Christian Podcast to check out...
Love Worth Finding - Dr. Adrian Rogers
Are You Fit to Be Tied?

Tech Podcast to check out...
TWiT - net@night with Amber and Leo
WeadWiteWeb

Nov 6, 2008

Reflections from Thursday's Devotional


Our Daily Bread Devotional: Serve Or Die
Biblical Passage: Mark 10:35-45 (New Living Translation)

You hear this all the time, "If God is a loving God, why does he allow suffering in the world?" Straightforward question and here is the straightforward answer: God has given HUMANS, yes, You and I, domain over the world. It's amazing how we forget things like this. We want to do want we want, live anyway we want to live but when trouble hits the world or our little part of world we want God to wipe the slate clean.

God has blessed us all with a very solid blueprint on how to handle things in the world...the Holy Bible. I have to be honest, whenever I have wholeheartedly obeyed God I can not say He has ever forsaken me. But I have to keep telling myself when I live God's way I am on his time table, not my own. I may get upset with him wondering why doesn't He move in my life when I want Him to but I am old enough now to know that many times I get myself in certain situations that has caused me grief. I was the one that went right when God told me and has taught me to go right. When you get real and honest with yourself it humbles you and you begin not to play the "blame game" so much which many Christians and non-Christians do now.

I'm I saying that all Christians have this "oh whoa is me" attitude? Of course not. But we have to get to a put that we as Followers of Christ can not disobey God and assume that we can treat Him as our own Genie in the bottle and wipe our mistakes away. He can do that but what would he have learned from our mistakes? There is the other scenario...there are things that popped up in our lives that we have no control over and it will bring us heartache and at the time it hurts like heck and we have every right to asked God why. Job asked God why, Many prophets in the Bible as God why. In the book of Psalms King David asked God why time and time again but what I have learned to ask God now is not "why" but "what can I learn from this situation." Now that I have learned that very important key it stops me from being a victim to becoming a conqueror.

We must come to the realization that God has put us in charge of the world. It is not God that fail people, we fail people but every day we have the power to correct this mistake when we wake up each morning.

Be Blessed, Be Safe,
& Have a Wonderful Thursday

Christian podcast to check out for today...
Conclusion of: Dealing With Detractors- Paul E. Sheppard
net@night 73: WeadWiteWeb- Amber MacArthur and Leo Laporte

Sep 28, 2008

Reflections for 28Sept08 Sunday


reflections from ODB "Showing Up" & the passage for today

The really great thing about the devotions from Our Daily Bread is that it breaks it's meaning down in reference to understanding God, Jesus Christ, how to communicate with him that a child can understand. This morning devotion [Showing Up] hit a cord with me this morning. When you pray you have to do it every day, even when you do not feel like it. You have to keep that line of communication open with God because if you don't you find yourself making excuse after excuse not to pray. If you don't do this then you begin to treat our Lord and Savior like a "genie in a bottle going to him only in emergencies.

That is what I have been doing and I'm being honest with myself. I have allowed myself to think of God's word as a chore and not a pleasure and that is so wrong. What he has done for me I can't begin to measure and at times when reading the devotions and God's word I find myself struggling to read it and sometimes feel myself rushing through Bible and that is not right. It's amazing how I have become so lazy in reference to reading His word because when I am really honest with myself I find so much peace when reading God's word, applying His word but yet many times I do not feel like doing it. There is no excuse for me NOT to do this and from this day forth I have to hold myself accountable for my action. I can't use the excuse of not reading because I'm too busy. As a person told me years ago. You and Bill Gates have the same amount of time in the day (24 hours)...it's what you do with them is what counts".

As the writer in the devotion from today says,

"The writer Nancy Mairs says she attends church in the same spirit she goes to her desk every morning to write, so that if an idea comes she’ll be there to receive it. I approach prayer the same way. I keep on whether it feels like I am profiting or not. I show up in hopes of getting to know God better, perhaps hearing from Him in ways accessible only through solitude."

Today is that day for me. I will go to bed at the proper time, spend time with God, write when I feel like it or not. I have to put things in order because if I want to be my best, if I want to know the will of God for my life, I have to use the tools that have been blessed with because it is so true...if you don't use them, you will lose them.

Be Blessed, Be Safe, &
Have a Wonderful Sunday.

Great podcast to check out today: Thru The Bible Q&A w/J. Vernon McGee

Apr 18, 2008

reflections for Friday 18 April 2oo8

Forgiven!>>>more
devotion from rbc ministries

This one word is so hard to do at time and so hard to believe at times and I guess it's according which side of the word you are on. Sometimes we hold people hostage with this word, sometimes we have so much guilt that we can't believe we are set free when someone says, "I forgive you." I have been on both sides of that word and to be honest neither side feels good. I have hurt, I have been hurt, I have carried the guilt of the hurt I have afflicted on someone and sometimes it's hard to let go of it.

But then I always remember what Dr. David Jeremiah says whenever I know I have went to God and asked for forgiveness but I still carry the "weight" of it. Whenever I get into one of those, "I know God is forgiven me but I just can't forgive myself" David Jeremiah's comment, "If your Heavenly Father has forgiven you and forgot it what gives you the right not to let it go...are you God?" and that shuts me down and makes me let it go. One thing my queen always says, "It's okay to be convicted but not condemned" because Christ Jesus has already paid that huge price for me. Knowing this in my heart I have no right and no reason to carry that burden with me because His blood has insured me that I can never be taken out of the loving arms of God.

Now, as I have always made it clear...does this mean I do not pay a consequence for my decision? Yes I have to because God is not a genie in a bottle, whenever I get myself in a mess I can just "wish" myself out of that situation. Adam and Eve paid for their decision, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, King David, King Solomon, Peter, Paul...I can go on and on because in the end God forgave them for their sins but God could not violate his own laws and principles. For me, the more I realize this the more I try and not make decisions that I know will hurt not only myself but my family in the end.

The wonderful love of God lets me know that when I come to him with a open heart, pride set aside, and ask for true forgiveness, He gives it to me and will forget it. I may have to still deal with the consequences but I would rather receive his chastisement than His wrath. In the end I try and be a wise man instead of a clever man because the older I become, I don't have time to keep coming up with ways to get out of situations and you realize day in and day out, time is too precious to waste.

Be Blessed, Be Safe,
& Have a Wonderful Friday/Weekend

"For every thing that lives is holy, life delights in life."
~William Blake(1757-1827), America: A Prophecy

great audio message for Friday...
The Struggle With Unforgiveness
Dr. Charles Stanley-In Touch Ministries

Apr 14, 2008

reflections for Monday o4.14.o8


When In Doubt--->more
devotion from rbc ministries

One of the most cool things about being a follower of Christ is that my Heavenly Father covers all questions of life for me...even when I doubt. Yes, I said the "D" word.

This devotion is a great one and I will keep a couple of this in my wallet along side the bible passage as well. We as Christians have doubts from time to time and again God knows because he created us. No, not to doubt Him and to be honest we would not have doubt but we live in a fallen world so we at one time was separated from God but through the blood of his Son we have that connection again, but again we still have human emotions, love, hate, sorrow, sadness, anger, doubt.

What this devotion is saying to me is that when we are by ourselves sometimes, when we are going through something that is so heavy on our heart we tend to ask God, "Where are you? Is this pain worth me going through? What's the deal?" and it's okay to have questions like that for our Heavenly Father because one of the most import things is that He wants that closeness with His children. He wants us to know that He is there for us every step of the way and that He ALWAYS sees the end results of what we are encountering certain situations.

Now this is not to say that God puts us in harms way for His amusement because He is not like that at all. There are things we go through to make us stronger and if we were truly honest with ourselves most times we go through certain "valleys" in our lives because of the choices we have made and not being obedient to God's word. I said "most" not all. What about those who have been raped, molested? I would never say God planned something like that because again God does not plan evil for our lives and He does not tempt us "just because." I can say this for myself...

Being a child of molestation and ridicule growing up because of my stuttering it has made me the man that I am. I try to be a man that is more compassionate when it comes to children that are talked to harshly. There is a difference between "disciplined" and just plain meanness toward a child. When our grandchildren are over I make sure they are a gift from God, they are blessed with certain talents, gifts to make this world a better place. I make sure that they check out their surroundings, be very observant, and try to instill in them that "words" do matter and that life is precious because if you teach them to love and respect themselves they will see others in the same light.

My pain has also taught me that when I come across someone that has difficult with their speech to have patience, compassion for them because I know how hard it is when you want to say something and the words cannot come out fast enough or you stumble and stuttered. It's makes life unbearable at times and you dread to have someone call on you to speak or to read out loud. I am so thankful that God has taught me how to deal with stuttering and how to put myself in their shoes when it comes to speech because some people will stutter and stammer over their words for the rest of their lives. Coming up with those two blows against me you know I cried out to God "why me?" How could he allow someone to violate me that way and how could he allow me not be able to speak like other children? You talk about doubt, it was there in Spades.

But I am older, and I am wiser and I realize God did not allow me to get molested because that was his plan...that evil act was done by that person because of their own free will and I know in the end God will deal with that person in His own way , His own time. God did not want me to be laughed at when it came to my speech because like I said earlier, when Adam and Eve allowed Satan to become the ruler of this world imperfect crept into this world: disease, evil thoughts, evil acts, jealousy, murder, greed and so forth. My stuttering allowed me to fight for me find a way to overcome it and to be able share with the world that it can be teach you that words are truly important and that in a weird way to let you know, "yes, words do matter.

When doubting God it does not make you less of a follower of Christ, but a better Christian because it will draw you closer to Him and you will want a closer relationship with your Heavenly Father and in return you will become a brighter light for Him in the end. So ask away..He's always willing to listen and help you through your rough patches in life.

Be Blessed, Be Safe,
& Have a Wonderful Monday

great messages for today:
Never Try to Catch a Falling Knife{Part I}{Part II}
A New Beginning-Greg Laurie

Thru the Bible Questions & Answers-o4.12.o8
Thru the Bible-Dr. J.Vernon McGee

"the fountain of content must spring up in the mind, and he who hath so little knowledge of human nature as to seek happiness by changing anything but his own disposition, will waste his life in the fruitless efforts and multiply the grief he proposes to remove."

~Samuel Johnson(1709-1784)
The Rambler

image:allposters.com

Apr 9, 2008

reflections for Wednesday o4.o9.o8


The Oyster Man>>>more
devotion from rbc ministries

Today's devotion and Bible passage speaks volume to my heart and spirit. It allows me to know that I do not need to be perfect in order to have Christ in my life or to share his Good News. Sometimes we a Followers of Christ get to a point where we begin to nit-pick others who has just giving their lives to Christ and forget sometimes where we were when we realized that we truly need God to help us in this fallen world.

It's so cool to know that of myself I may not be a scholar when it comes to words but God has given me other gifts when it comes to sharing His goodness, His love, His commandments for one's life. This does not mean I do not study His word, pray and have a close relationship with Him but this also means I do not look down upon others who's speak is not adequate or smooth flowing. Knowing God and sharing His word for me is to spread it the best I know how while continuing studying, meditating on His wonderful instructions for my life. Isn't it funny how Jesus Christ chose his disciples who not well known, well educated when it came to studying the scroll but had common sense work wise, street wise and did not go around saying that they were Christ but won people over by telling others how Christ Jesus changed their lives. I am learning every day that I am not perfect, never will be perfect. I can not speak for others when it comes to Jesus Christ but I can speak for myself when it comes to letting people where I was and where I am now because of knowing the Christ loved me when I was at my lowest.

This does not mean that all came to Christ when they were down and out. To many, I looked liked I had it "going on" so to speak, I did not smoke or drink, I gave up the night life long ago but in the inside I was and empty shell. Had mood swings because I truly did not love myself. I was lonely, I felt that I needed someone in my life to make me feel whole. I may not have ran the streets but I was still living outside the will of God by having sex outside of marriage, living with a woman. I thought I had the best of both worlds but every day more and more I was realizing it was a lie. Once I broke off that relationship, alone in my apartment, I cried out to Christ saying, "If I never find someone I am okay with that as well, I'm just tired of living this way." Those days were not easy but allowing God into my life each day made me realize that no person can make me feel whole the way his Son can.

Being a follower of Christ is not smooth living all the time because as passage says, "Satan is the God of this world[this is the cause by Adam & Eve...God gave us dominion over this earth and my forefather and mother gave it over to Satan in the garden and God can not violate His law once He has put it into place.] Being a Christians does not mean you have to be perfect in order to serve him. It takes work on our part every day and we will make mistakes and that's okay because when you are sincere about God, He knows at times we will "zig" when we are supposed to "zag". God's love us where we are but will not leave us where we are.

Be Blessed, Be Safe,
and have a Wonderful Wednesday.

Beginning today I will be linking this site and podcast whenever I post here...

MoneyLife article...
Impulsive and compulsive spending
MoneyLife podcast from today and yesterday

great message for today from In Touch Ministries
Things That Cannot Be Shaken

Apr 7, 2008

reflections for o4.o7.o8 Monday


Why? Why? Oh, Why?>>>more
devotion from rbc ministries

This question has been ask by Christians and non-Christians, "Why does God allow suffering in our lives?" I'm not going to sit hear and say I have all the answers but I can tell you how I take disappointments in my life now. Even though times I may not like it, I may not agree with God's way of maturing me but I can say in the end it has made me a better person.

First and foremost I now step back and ask MYSELF, "Could I have had a different outcome if I would have chose a different path?" I say this because many times I could have had a better outcome if I would have listened and obeyed the Holy Spirit. I'm getting to the point now that I have to be honest with myself because most of the times I have brought this on myself and I have to take responsibility for my actions. Noticed I said most times because lets be honest, many times we do not want to do it God's way because (1) we do not like to admit we are not always in control (2) pride...plain and simple.

Sometimes God allows things to happen in my life because as the devotion says, sometimes we have to be matured in certain situations, certain trials because in the end it will make us a stronger Christian for His kingdom and we can also be there for someone who later down the road might be going through something similar. I am learning that when God is allowing something to happen in my life that may bring me pain I am learning when God allows this heartache it's only chastisement and not His wrath because if it was the latter I would have no where to turn because in the end I do not want him to turn me over to my own ways of living.

I remember being in the world and when this situation or that situation did not go my way I would cry out to Him and back then I thought I was being punished by God. But in essence God was trying to get me to come back into his loving arms because now that I look back they was nothing for me out in the clubs, trying to sleep with every woman I encounter; as the ol' folks would say to me, "there's nothin' out there those streets for you boy!" Having to go through trials and pain even as a Christian is not a fun thing to feel but saying to myself, "I don't understand why this is happening in my life at this moment God, but I know in the end it is for my own good." I have also learned that God will sometimes but rarely give me the answer to my "Why's" but he gives me the answer to my "What" questions. Many times God will flip the script and begin to ask me "Why" questions which I do not have the answers. I have stop asking why when my eyes were open in reference to reading the book of Job. If you noticed God never really answered Job questions but in the end Job understood what God was trying to bring out of him character wise and he[Job] also realized that God was with him throughout his ordeal. Painful for Job yes...did it make him a better person in the end...yes.

As a follower of Christ, next time instead of asking "why?" ask God, "What are you trying to have me do or learn from this situation?" The answer may just surprise you.

Be Blessed, Be Safe,
& Have a Wonderful Monday.


audio message for today...
Separating from Unbelievers -- Part 2
John MacArthur{Grace To You}



Apr 5, 2008

Reflections for Saturday o4.o5.2oo8


Words Of Life>>>more
devotion from rbc ministries

"Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."
~John 6:68

For me that passage sums it all up for me every time I get discourage. After truly getting to know Christ Jesus on a daily basis, "where should I go?"I know life is not perfect, I know life is not fair, I know things will not always go my way but at the end of the day and at the end of my life, who else will be there for me?

The words of Jesus Christ is truly like a sword. He tells me about myself, what I need to improve myself, what I do and do not need in my life, what I need to hear, what I need to say because in the end, God may not leave me but he has given me the choice to life or death(spiritually wise). It's amazing how sometimes devotions just flow from one day to the next for me and then other times devotions and Bible passages and verses seem to have no mean for me at the time and then out of the blue when I think it doesn't apply to me it's there when I need it. As I read this devotion it reminded me what I have been going through all this week: allowing "too much of nothing" information wise filter my thoughts and how I have decided now to truly watch what I allow into my thought process.

Getting back to the point in my life where first thing in the morning I want to gravitate to God's word instead of hopping on the computer and see who has read my post or downloaded my podcast is a good thing for me. I know that without Him, I will worry of non-sense and in the end it will rob me of precious time with him, with my queen. Praying, getting on my knees when the Holy Spirit tells me to in the end only helps my walk with Christ Jesus because in the end having a peace of mind is ultimate gift. One thing I can say time and time again, Jesus holds no punches when it comes to telling you the cost when it came to giving my life over to him but that is a true friend...he tells me what I need to hear instead of what I want to hear. I can walk away from him if I wish in the end...

"Lord, to whom shall I go? You have the words of eternal life."

Be Blessed, Be Safe,
& Have a Wonderful Saturday/Sunday

Wisdom for this morning...
Thru the Bible Questions & Answers - Dr. J. Vernon McGee

Apr 4, 2008

Reflections for Friday o4.o4.2oo8


What Should I Do?>>>more
devotion from rbc ministries

Experiencing Inner Peace>>>more
devotion from In Touch Ministries

Both titles of the each devotion I experience every day and I believe many other do as well. I have to admit, I have let my walk with God slip and now I am getting it back because I have found that when walking with God I am able to experience inner peace and I go from "What Should I Do?" to "I Know What I Must Do". When following God's plan it is sometimes necessary to not allow so much of the world to influence your decisions. Just this morning while watching MSNBC I noticed how the reporter when speaking the Rev. Al Sharpton how she kept gravitating to the negative and how he[Sharpton] and to keep pushing it back the positive. Isn't it amazing how the world is drawn to the negative like a moth to the flame but then turn around and ask, "How come it's so much bad in the world?"

This I know why it's evil in the world because of my fore-father and mother: Adam & Eve. Once they tasted the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil sin came into our world and the trick Satan tries to do day in and day out is for everyone to concentrate on the negative in the world. I am not saying to look at the world through rose colored glasses but to realize that many times the decisions we make for our lives plays a huge part of what we will experience much in life. We need to be caution but not fearful, we need to know when to speak and when to listen, we need to learn how to say no, and most important, we need to know that we cannot please everyone or live by people's standards. It's hard to do sometimes because of what we have been through in life but the more we look to our Heavenly Father the more we realized how to handle certain situations, what we can change in our lives and what we cannot change.

I am learning this day by day because I struggle with this but as I write this I am realizing that when I struggle with what God's want with my life it is me that is wasting valuable, precious time because deep down I know he wants the best for me and I have to constantly seek Him and obey Him because I know in the end He knows what I need and how I will handle success and failure. The more I force myself to seek His goodness the more breakthrough I will have when it comes to decisions and having that peace within. I say force because when you let your walk slip from God, Satan will fight you tooth and nail to stop you from seeking God's goodness for your life and that is what I am struggling with now but I see good news ahead because God has allowed me to see what he[Satan] is doing and as long as I wake up each day that is another day I have the chance to draw closer to my heavenly Father.

Be Blessed, Be Safe,
& Have a Wonderful Friday/Weekend

I do not follow Dr. James Dobson that much but sometimes he has pretty good segments from time to time that need to be shared with the world and these are to programs that everyone should take heed to in reference to finances

from Focus on the Family