Restoring Your Love

Me and my wife just celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary. We were able to go away for the weekend together, and when I started to think about it, it was possibly the first time since our honeymoon.

The busyness of life, ministry, work, and family will always threaten the sweetness of marriage. Instead of relishing the loving gazes, touches, and little kindnesses of our spouses, we begin to see them as a partner of productivity. We divide and conquer the endless to-do lists, assigning who will pick up little Jimmy from t-ball and who will take Katie to ballet, who will get dinner started and who will help the kids with homework. Nighttime comes around and you fall into bed exhausted from the day, savoring the thought of a good night’s sleep over romance and intimacy.

Most of us would easily say we love our spouses. I mean didn't we just do the laundry and make dinner? We can often express a sacrificial love in caring for our spouse through accomplishing needed tasks, even when the flames of passion have simmered. Sacrifice might come more naturally than tenderness, especially once your house is filled with the energy-consuming fruit of your love. So why is it important to keep the spark alive in your marriage? Isn’t it a normal and natural slide to put the kids’ needs, and everything else on your to-do list ahead of your spouse?

In Ephesians 5, we see the gospel picture marriage is designed to portray. Our marriage on earth is a shadow of the marriage yet to come. Just as Christ delights in his bride, so we are to delight in the gift of our spouse. As the church submits to Christ, wives are to gladly submit to their husbands. And husbands are exhorted to love their wives sacrificially, just as Christ did for the church. Marriage is meant to be a living parable of Christ’s love for the church, thus glorifying God and portraying gospel truth to a watching world. Here are five ways to grow in cherishing the one God has put by your side.

1. Notice One Another: This may seem obvious, but it can be all too easy to keep staring at your phone when our spouse walks in the door. Take time to acknowledge each other’s presence through a warm greeting, embrace, or question about their day. Be willing to put aside whatever you’re working on to show a genuine interest in your spouse (Philippians 2:20).

2. Serve One Another: Look for ways to serve and bless your spouse each day. Better yet, ask them how you can serve them. Maybe it’s by picking up the dry cleaning, or putting the kids to bed early, or simply making a favorite meal for dinner. Beware of falling into the trap of expecting your spouse to meet your needs. Much disappointment and frustration results from keeping score. Instead, delight yourself in seeking the happiness of your spouse through living out the commands of (Philippians 2:3–4.

3. Say "Thank You": When was the last time you thanked your spouse for working hard? Do they provide for your family? Do they lay aside their own desires to meet the needs of your kids? Often, we can think thankful thoughts and never actually express them. But Paul exhorts us to be thankful three different times in Colossians 3:15–17. We should be thankful to God and let that thanks overflow to our spouses. Be diligent to voice thanks to your spouse either through verbal or written words. Look for reasons to be grateful for the one God has placed by your side.

4. Plan Times Away Together: Whether this is a weekly date night or a walk in the park, being intentional to have time alone together is crucial to reconnect with our spouse. Without planning times away together, our children’s activities and our ministry commitments will reign supreme. Having a couple of date nights out of the house each month frees us from seeing the unfinished work and chores that can often distract us from each other.

5. Rest Together: Nothing refreshes me more each week than an intentional day of rest. Guarding this day from our endless to-do list and instead doing something enjoyable with your spouse will bring a  much needed refreshment to your souls and marriage. The world will go on without us answering our emails or getting that next pile of laundry done.

The busyness of life and our own selfish desires can often blind us from seeing the gift of our spouse. Stop and remember what drew you to marry them in the first place. Resolve to slow down and look for ways to add sweetness to your marriage, praying that your love for one another will spill over for the good of others and the glory of God.

A Path Back To God:Testimony Of A Lost Sailor

I have always been a believer. I went to church when I was a teen and went on summer camp trips with the church. I enjoyed singing, worship, and hanging with my friends and bible study. As I became an adult, you could say, I traveled down a dark path and my relationship with God kind of dwindled away. I was still a believer but was no longer living the life that God wanted me to live.

I joined the military when I was eighteen. I was called upon to go to war when a helicopter was shot down over Iraq. I remember being sad that some of the people that I was fighting with could possibly not make it back home to their families. But at the same time I remember being excited and jumping for joy when we would launch aircraft with ordinance, and they would come back with nothing. I even remember writing a note on a bomb that said, “to you from my family", but with more colorful language. I drank a lot, partied, got into fights, was addicted to porn and spoke words I had no business speaking. In fact, I did this so much, it became a daily event for me for the next 7 years. The curse words became my first language. 

I settled down with my wife, who already had two children, and a few years later we had one together. I would pray for things and even worked toward my prayers, but nothing would happen, or so I thought. Matthew 19:25-26 “When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, Who then can be saved?. Jesus looked at them and said, With man this is impossible, but with God All things are possible.” I had forgotten all about my love for God that had dwindled.

My brother would talk to me often about how he wanted to become a pastor. He would send me articles that he had been writing and felt might help me. He would read books and then pass them on to me. He wouldn’t push his beliefs on me, but he would say things to get the hamster wheel spinning. The words in those books would also help. The problem was, I still wasn’t getting the message being sent. Then, God sent another individual into my life.

I was at work when a guy came to us from a neighboring fire department. He seemed like a good person and knew the job well. I began to work with him at his station more and more over time. We gave him a nickname at the fire station, “Baby Jesus”. He started sending me videos about prophecy. It was the prophecy videos that got me thinking about my dark path that I had traveled down, and how I had wandered away from God.

It was September 16, 2017, and as  I laid my head down to sleep, I reached out to God. I apologized for straying away from him and living a life that I realize was not for me or him. I asked for forgiveness for all my sins and that he help me get back on the right path, which was to him. I have lived in “ruins”, much like many others. I have prayed to rebuild my ruins, and with my actions towards my prayers, my belief, my planning, and the expectations of the opposition that I will encounter, I have had some prayers answered. Life is looking a lot better for me and I have three individuals to thank for that; my brother, my co-worker, and most importantly, my Father, Lord, and Savior. I know it was Him working through those close to me, to return me to the right path.

 My story brings me to the lyrics of Hard Love by NEEDTOBREATHE. “there’s a reason that the Road is long, It takes some time to make your courage strong”. Sometimes you will run across paths that aren't just smooth and made of concrete and asphalt. You may run into dirt roads with pot holes and rocky paths. You must stay strong and courageous to overcome them.

Our Vast Horizon

Sitting here watching the waves roll in I begin to ponder life. Looking at the vast horizon in front me I can’t help but think about the past and future.

 Our lives are like that vast horizon. When we crawl out of the sand like a baby turtle, we have no idea of where it will take us, we just know we have to move forward. From our first steps, to our first words. From our first skinned knee to driving our first car. Every step is a leap forward in life.

 Our horizon is vast, our choices are unlimited.

Being middle aged and looking at the horizon, it takes on a different perspective. You begin to realize half your life is past. It can be quite easy to get depressed thinking you see land not far out on the horizon. But that land is not the end.

That land is the solid ground where you can begin to peer into eternity. Like it says in psalms 103:11-12,  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
His love reaches from the east to the west, there is no end.

No matter how far west you go, you will still be traveling west. And no matter how far east you go, you will still be traveling east. His love never ends. His forgiveness never ends. Our time with him will never end. Oh the joy and peace there is in being able to peer out onto that vast horizon and see land. Land that doesn’t mean the end, but the land where we can see eternity.

Safety In The Storm

It’s amazing how even storm clouds rolling in on the open water can be a sign of hope. You might be saying, “You might want to get inside before you get hit by lightning!” But if we ran away, or just gave in to every storm that came our way, we would live a defeated life.

We got to meet Samaria on Friday. She is a rescued dolphin that washed up on shore after hurricane Irma. She was barely a year old and had to have extensive rehabilitation to be saved. And like so much else on our trip it spoke to me. How many of us are like Samaria?

How many of us have been beaten down by a horrible storm in our life? Sometimes we are so beaten down, we feel like a small infant, unable to care for ourselves. We flounder on the beach, hoping we can find help.
Unfortunately many flounder there to long in the sun waiting for someone, instead of calling out to the one already standing right there, in pain, waiting for the opportunity to love you.

Psalms 107:28-31 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!

You see, in Christ we don’t have to live defeated. We can wail back at the storm saying, “do your worst because the one that lives in me is greater than anything you can bring!” Storm clouds are a sign of hope. Storms are temporary.

Just like he promised to never allow a flood again, his promise stops any storm from overtaking you. Once the storm has passed, then the light can shine through. But when Christ is in the storm with you, his light wipes out any cloud. So don’t run from the storms.

Anchor yourself in him; and you can ride out any storm in the hope of the light that is to come. Call out to him in the time of your greatest storm. He will pick you up and rehabilitate you in his love and warm embrace.

On a side note, Samaria was the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Israel. Shomron, the Hebrew translation of Samaria, literally means "watch tower", So just as God watched over even the littlest of his creations in saving Samaria, he is a constant watchtower in our lives. Keeping watch over us in all our storms. All we need to do is call out to him; he will calm the storm.

Why Can't We Stand United?

This weekend two opposing hate groups will converge on our small town of Newnan Georgia. Both are displaying the worst of the two sided coin constantly shoved down our throats in the media. I'd like to propose a third choice. A choice that would stop both sides in their tracks. A choice of love. A choice of forgiveness. A choice of humility and servitude. A choice that doesn't see the color of skin, a political party, or place of birth. A choice that sees each and every person as just that; a person. A human being just like every last one of the 7 Billion people on this rock.

It doesn't matter if you believe in creation, or you have enough faith to believe in nothing. Whether you believe you were created, or you believe you evolved, we all come from the same beginning source. So regardless of the difference in appearance, voice, or cultural preferences, we all are the same. It is possible to disagree on a viewpoint without being filled with hate.

I could ask as many people as possible to show up to that park on Saturday and show these people love. But unfortunately that would probably only add more fuel to the fire that they and the media both are hoping for. What I will ask is everyone that can and will, just pray. It is supposed to begin at 3:00 on Saturday afternoon. If you will, beginning at 2:45, lift up these people, this town, the police, and this entire world in prayer.

The prayers of even one person have been able to turn the tides of nations. I can only imagine what the prayers of thousands could do at that moment. Pray that our Heavenly Father will shut the mouths of hate, just like the lions in the den with Daniel. I pray that there will be a supernatural convergence of the Holy Spirit, and that all those in attendance will be caught up in His light, and His love.

“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” ― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom

“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction.”(Martin Luther King)

“I will permit no man to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him.” ― Booker T. Washington

These were written by men who experienced hatred on levels most of us will never experience. They could have easily responded in hate and violence, but instead chose love.
Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.
Matthew 5:44-45 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.

Join me in lifting up even those we call our enemies in prayer. Let Christ's love and light shine down on them.

Does Everyone Want To Go To Heaven?

One of the most trying things to get over in life is the death of a loved one. Some people mourn for years over a loved one passing. As sad of a moment it is, it's just that, a moment. To the one that has died, if they were a believer, they are automatically in the presence of God. So if we know the deceased was a believer, why are we not filled with more joy? I came across a picture of Yoda with a saying concerning death. I know your saying, "Really, Yoda?" But I felt the quote was very profound.

"The fear of loss is a path to the dark side; death is a natural part of life; rejoice for those around you that transform into the force, mourn them do not, miss them do not. Attachment leads to jealousy, the shadow of greed that is. Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose."

Death is a natural part of life; we all die. Romans 6:23 says, For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. We should rejoice in our loved ones that have found the light of Christ. We should be overcome with joy that they are in the arms of our Heavenly Father.
Now as for the other I can see how attachment can send you down a dark path. You may begin to be jealous of those who still have all their close loved ones. You may become jealous of the happiness in their lives. But as it's stated, jealousy is the path of greed. You crave what others have. You begin to despise your own life because you don't have the same life others do.

It may sound upsetting to say let go of everything you fear losing, but it can be a hindrance. If there is something in your life whether it be wealth, your health, your job, some luxury, or a loved one that you fear losing, it can inevitably be a downfall. If your wealth is such an idol that you can't live without it, you may go to unspeakable depths to keep it. Many people have become so attached to someone that if they leave them they can't stand to be without them. People have killed a loved one just to ensure they don't go to someone else.

There was a story I read about a young man put in prison simply because of his faith. Jon Lugajanu had just returned to the prison after his court hearing. His cell mates anxiously asked him, "What happened?" He answered, "It was just like the day the angel visited Mary, the mother of Jesus. Here she was, a godly young woman sitting alone in meditation, when a radiant angel of God told her the incredible news. She would carry the Son of God in her womb."

Curious about how this story tied in to Jon's courtroom experience, the other prisoners listened closely. Jon went on to share the gospel of peace through the story of Mary. "For all the joy Jesus brought her, Mary would have to one day stand at the foot of the cross and watch him suffer and die for the sins of the world. God resurrected Jesus, where he now reigns in heaven. Mary knew once she was in heaven, she would be with Jesus again and experience eternal joy." The other prisoners were puzzled at this. "But we asked you what happened in court?" they reminded Jon.

Jon looked at them, his face shining with peace, and said, "I was given the death penalty. Isn't that beautiful news?" Jon realized the news the angel delivered to Mary was just as bittersweet, after Jesus had suffered there would be rejoicing in heaven. He anxiously anticipated his eternal joy in Jesus' presence.

In many cultures, death is a taboo subject. People often go to great lengths to insulate themselves from the inevitability of their own death. They like to use phrases like "passed away" instead of "died." We resist making a will or buying life insurance, thinking, "It will never happen to me." Corporations make huge profits selling us products that promise eternal youth. God does not give us the option of ignoring death, but he gives us the key to facing it. Mary's angelic visitor did not shirk from telling her she would suffer great grief at the cross. However, she was also given the hope of resurrection to make her grief bearable. As Christians, God's promise of eternal life helps us accept our own death, both realistically and courageously.

There's a song by Kenny Chesney called, "Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven". I can remember singing this song many times when it came out. Now that I look back at it and really ponder over the lyrics, it truly is a very sad song. I'm not going to write all the lyrics out but take a minute to look them over. It's a truly depressing thought to believe anything here on Earth could begin to compare with the peace, love, and joy we will experience in heaven. To say having more time to party beats out experiencing heaven, is a truly sad outlook. "Everybody wants to go to heaven, Have a mansion high above the clouds, Everybody want to go to heaven, But nobody want to go now." Of course being with family and close friends is something everyone cherishes; but the thought of spending eternity with them in the presence of Christ, sounds much more appealing to me.

When He See's His Image

A story is told of a group of women that met for Bible study. While studying in the book of Malachi, chapter three, they came across verse three which says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."
This verse puzzled the women and they wondered how this statement applied to the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out more about the process of refining silver, and to get back to the group at their next Bible study. The following week, the woman called up a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him while at work. As she watched the silversmith work, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire, where the flames were the hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot, and about the verse, "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the entire time the silver was being refined. The man answered yes, that not only did he have to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on it the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "But how do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy - when I see my image in it.

In biblical times, a refiner began by breaking up rough ore; hardened rock encased with common minerals such as tin, copper, and zinc. But that rock also had the promise of valuable, rare metals hidden within, the precious metals of gold and silver. The breaking of the rock is necessary to begin the refining process to expose highly valuable metals to heat. The Lord communicates His perfect plan to us, we are rough rock in need of refining fire. "Is not my word like fire,’ declares the Lord, ‘and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?(Jeremiah 23:29)

The refiner puts broken, crushed ore into a “crucible", a fireproof melting pot able to withstand extreme heat. Then the refiner places the crucible into the furnace at the precise temperature necessary for removing other metals that would mar the quality of the gold or silver. Just as the furnace is used to purify silver in the crucible, our Refiner uses heat to purify our hearts and cleanse our character. Proverbs 17:3 says, “The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.”

As the ore melts in the crucible under the watchful eye of the refiner, a layer of impurities called “dross” eventually forms on the surface. The Bible says, “Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel” (Proverbs 25:4). For us individually, dross represents any misplaced dependency, any wrong motive, wrong attitude, wrong action, anything that keeps us from being all that God wants us to be.

After the refiner painstakingly skims off these impurities, he then turns up the heat and places the crucible back into the blistering furnace. Again and again (up to seven times, we are told in historical literature) impurities rise to the surface. He knows that only certain impurities are released at certain temperatures. Psalm 12:6 says, “And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.”

Each time, with utmost skill and patience, the refiner removes the dross, leaving behind gleaming gold and shimmering silver even more pure and precious than before. To gauge his progress, the refiner looks for his own reflection on the surface of the silver-filled crucible. The more dross removed, the less distorted his reflection. The Bible says our Refiner sits over the refining process to purify us, “He knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold” (Job 23:10)

Only when the refiner looks into the crucible and sees a clear reflection of himself is the process complete. Finally, the silver attains its highest degree of purity! And that, my friend, describes our Refiner’s loving intentions for allowing us to be in the “furnace of affliction.” As we trust Him to use our trials to cleanse our character and purify our hearts, we will begin to see the “silver lining.” Isaiah 48:10 says, “See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.”

But  how do we hang on to hope in the midst of our trials, especially when the heat is turned up beyond what we think we can bear? We persevere by pressing into the heart of the One who allowed the trial, trusting in His perfect plan and His character, and surrendering our will to His will.
Remember, the pain God allows in your life is purposeful. The heat is never intended to destroy you, only to conform you into the character of Christ. His gaze is continually affixed to your crucible. As the heat of painful circumstances intensifies in your life, know that the Lord will never leave you nor forsake you. “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify . . . and refine them like gold and silver” (Malachi 3:3)

Can One Boy's Prayers Change The World?

Which is more powerful; an empire, or the prayers of a little boy? There was once a little English boy who ended his prayers every night with the words, "Lord, we would not forget Your ancient people, Israel. Hasten the day when Israel shall again be Your people and shall be restored to Your favor and to their land."

At the time of his prayers, the Jewish people had been living in exile from their homeland for nearly eighteen centuries. The land of Israel was in the hands of the Ottoman Turkish Empire, an Islamic power that had occupied it for nearly four centuries and had no intention of giving it back to its original owners.

But the Scriptures contained a clear promise and prophecy that God would one day bring His ancient people back to their homeland. So that's what the little boy prayed for. The First World War began, and the Ottoman Empire began to collapse. The British army under General Edmund Allenby gained the land of Israel and the Holy City of Jerusalem. The British Empire decreed that the land should again become a homeland for the Jewish people.

The little boy's prayer was answered. But what became of that little boy? He grew up and ended up in the British army. He was ultimately elevated to the rank of general; General Edmund Allenby, the man who defeated the Ottoman Empire and won the land of Israel. God fulfilled the little boy's prayer and His ancient promise through the little boy himself.

So what does that reveal? Sometimes God will answer your prayer by using you to answer it. And what about the original question? Which is more powerful; one boy's prayers, or an empire? In God's hand, the prayers of little boys are stronger than an empire. And the power of prayer, is greater than any kingdom. It not only changes lives, but history itself. The story of man is filled with such accounts with nations turning on a single prayer. And the one who prays in the will of God can end up the chosen vessel of long-waiting ancient prophecies, and the changer of world history.

What do you need to lift up to God today? Lift it up, even if it's impossible. Lift up even the course of nations and history.

God Has A Purpose For Us All: A Tribute To A Brother

 For those of you who know me, know that I have lost a dear friend this past week. If it has taught me anything, it has taught me that life is shorter than we think it really is. "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." (James 4:14)

     We were really close in high school and in the military. You could say we were like brothers. As we got older and life got in the way, we drifted apart. He was going through a rough patch in life and I was unaware. I only wish that I was around to help him out through those hard times, as I am sure it was much needed. I guess it really is true what they say, "you never know how much you will miss someone until they are gone".

     A family member once said, "some are bound to die young. By dying young a person stays young in people's memories. If he burns brightly before he dies, his brightness shines for all time". This is true as I only remember times where he had a smile on his face and put smiles on other's. I remember and will always remember him shining as bright as the glory of god shines through our sun everyday.

Though his time was short with us on Earth, I must assume that God was finished with his purpose and use for him, and that He was ready for him to return home. God has a purpose for each and everyone of us as we spend time here on earth. When that purpose has been fulfilled, He will return us to the kingdom. If we understand this, when the time comes for us to lose one close to us, it will be easier to understand that it is not a time to mourn, but a time to rejoice and celebrate their life here on Earth with us, and that they have made it back home to our Heavenly Father.

Rest In Peace my brother and I am sure that I will see you again some day.

Matthew 11:28-30

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Dear Heavenly Father, we pray that you have fulfilled your purpose with our dear friend as you have called him back home.  We ask that you look over us (friends and family) as he is laid to rest. For you know as well as we do that he was a blessing to have and will be greatly missed. We pray that we will be together some day. In your name we pray, Amen.

Is There Fruit in Heaven?

I heard the testimony of a woman whose mother never approved of her daughter’s work in ministry. This woman had chosen to reveal the truth of her secret abortion and then spent the rest of her life helping other women find healing in Jesus from their abortion experiences. Her mother, although a Christian, found this to be shameful to the family and would never offer support or participate in her daughter’s ministry.

Toward the end of the mother’s life, she needed to be taken care of by her daughter. This was a pleasant and memorable time for both, but still her mother never appreciated or approved of the daughters work.

One night, as the mother was close to death, the daughter recalled having a dream. In that dream, she heard her alarm wake her up and she went to her mother’s room to check on her. As she entered the room, her mother looked 35 years old and she was a kid again. She went over and sat on the bed and her mother hugged her, stroked her hair and told her how much she loved her. And then suddenly, the alarm went off.

Realizing she must of have been dreaming, she got out of bed and went to her mother’s bedroom. When she entered the room, she saw that again her mother looked 35 years old. She was standing on the bed and peering out over something like a fence. The mother exclaimed, “I see it! I see it!” The daughter asked, “What? What do you see?” The mother said, “It’s your fruit. I see all of your fruit. And OH! It’s so beautiful! I’m so very proud of you!” And then suddenly, the alarm went off. The daughter rushed out of bed to find that her mother had passed away in her sleep.

As Christians, we can sometimes become discouraged when we commit our efforts to genuinely helping others, but we never really see tangible results.

The bible says in 1 Corinthians 15:58:
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Also Galatians 6:9 says:
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

God is encouraging us to persevere in our efforts, because in planting seeds of the Good News and working towards God’s Kingdom, we will not fail. His work through you will produce a harvest. But we must remember that the work we do has eternal purposes and so we must understand that we are storing up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20). These are not things of this world, so like the daughter in the above testimony, we may not see the fruit of what we do here on earth. But how exciting to think about the mystery of what awaits you and I in heaven. I don’t know about you, but I want to be able to see my fruit, to speak to my fruit and to know that my efforts through Jesus Christ were all worthwhile.

The daughter in this story took something so painful in her life and used it for God’s glory. Through her pain, she produced a harvest in heaven. The bible encourages us that in our pain, through our tears, we can produce a harvest.

Psalm 126:5-6:
Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy carrying sheaves with them.

Charles Spurgeon writes about this verse: He leaves his couch to go forth into the frosty air and tread the heavy soil; and as he goes he weeps because of past failures, or because the ground is so sterile, or the weather so unseasonable, or his corn so scarce, and his enemies so plentiful and so eager to rob him of his reward. He drops a seed and a tear, a seed and a tear, and so goes on his way. In his basket he has seed which is precious to him, for he has little of it, and it is his hope for the next year. Each grain leaves his hand with anxious prayer that it may not be lost: he thinks little of himself, but much of his seed, and he eagerly asks, "Will it prosper? shall I receive a reward for my labour?" Yes, doubtless you will gather sheaves from your sowing. No reason for doubt can remain after the Lord has spoken. You will return to this field -- not to sow, but to reap; not to weep, but to rejoice; and after awhile you will go home again with nimbler step than today, though with a heavier load, for you shall have sheaves to bear with you. Your handful shall be so greatly multiplied that many sheaves shall spring from it; and you shall have the pleasure of reaping them and bringing them home to the place from which you went out weeping.

There is a world that desperately needs seeds of love, hope, joy, and freedom to be planted. Do not be discouraged. What you do, however little, has eternal fruits that are far beyond our imagination. Keep working, keep sowing… God will bring about a great and beautiful harvest and a multitude of fruit in heaven!

What Is The Eucharistia?

What is the Eucharist? It is what some call the bread that Jesus gave His disciples at Passover. But do you know where the word comes from? It comes from the Greek word, eucharistia. It appears in the Scriptures, but it doesn't mean bread. Eucharistia means to give thanks or to say a blessing.

So why do people think it's about bread? It is what Jesus said over the bread. It is what the Jewish people have said over the bread for ages. It was the Hebrew blessing known as the Motzi. He said, "Baruch Atah Adonai, Elohaynu Melekh Ha Olam, ha motzi lechem min ha aretz," which means Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.

Mark 14:22 While they were eating, He took some bread, and after a blessing He broke it, and gave it to them, and said, "Take it; this is My body."

So the eucharistia is not the bread but the blessing of thanks for the bread. So what does that tell us? That life is not about things. It tells us that our life does not consist of objects, but the blessings we say over them. It is the thanks we give for them. You see, it doesn't matter how much or how little you have on earth. What matters is how much thanks we give for what we have.

1 Timothy 6:6-8 But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

The one that is rich in possessions but poor in thankfulness is, in the end, poor. But the one who is poor in possessions but rich in giving thanks is, in the end, rich. And what was the bread over which Messiah gave thanks? It was the symbol of His suffering and death.
Yet He spoke a blessing over it and gave thanks for it. For those who give thanks in all things have the power to turn curses into blessings, and sorrows into joy. The power of the eucharistia is to live a life of blessing.

John 6:51 "I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh."

Seek not to increase what you have, but to increase your thanks for what you have. Give thanks in all things. The greater your thanksgiving, the greater your life will be.
Dear Heavenly Father, I am so grateful today. My heart overflows with gratitude. For eyes that see. For ears that hear. For fingers that grasp. For knees that bend. For lungs that breathe. I am so thankful for my family, my home, my Savior. Today, I ask for nothing and thank You for all things. In Your name Amen.

The Four Gardens Of Life

Did you know that there are four gardens spoken of in the bible. Each one is distinct in of itself, but each describes where you are in Christ. Each one also serves a role in God's plan for mankind. The four gardens include the Garden of Eden, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Garden of Golgotha, and the Garden of God. The question is, in God's eternal plan, which garden do you find yourself in? The Christian faith is a walk, a daily step by step progression through life. As we go, we learn to turn away from sin. We agonize when we stumble, and when we see others suffer, but ultimately we will see Christ face-to-face.

Eden-The Garden of Sin: Before sin entered the world, God's creation was good. We are told Adam walked with God. We don't know how long this relationship lasted before the fall but it must have been amazing. Imagine walking with God in His creation, naming animals and living in paradise.
Once man sinned, however, the relationship with God was broken. What a heartbreak it must have been for the LORD when He could no longer associate with His creation in this special way. From then on man was separated from God, but God already had a plan for redemption. Are you in a garden of sin? Are you struggling against it and can't break free? Ask God to free you from sin. John 8:36 says, “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”

Gethsemane – The Garden of Suffering:  Children experience separation anxiety when their parents drop them off at daycare. Parents go through a very difficult time when their kids go away to college. It’s the end of a season and tough to deal with. Our Heavenly Father and Jesus experienced a type of separation anxiety in the Garden of Gethsemane. Here we find our Lord Jesus agonizing.His suffering is so intense that He is sweating great drops of blood. He chose this place to be with His disciples. But why Gethsemane? You see Gethsemane means, "the olive press." This is where He came to prepare for the moment He would be crushed for our sins. He anguished over the fact that He would be separated from the Father soon, so He could complete the plan of redemption. Are You in a Garden of Suffering? Whether it’s sickness, financial, marital, loneliness, bitterness or some kind of suffering, you need to give it to God. Trust Him with all your heart to heal your pain. Come closer to Him through prayer. Ask Him for healing. Discover His great love for you in His word. He is faithful to come through for you.

Golgotha – The Garden of Victory: John 19:41 says, “Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.” It’s so fitting that our Lord Jesus would be laid to rest in a garden. He is our rest. Our victorious King has just conquered sin and Satan at the cross. He’s victorious over death by His resurrection. Then Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb, finds the stone rolled away with two angels standing by, and she proceeds to mistake the risen Christ for the gardener. Are You in a Garden of Victory? Do you know this victory in your life? To know Jesus and His word is to know victory. So let’s take that victory and serve others. Share the Good News of God’s salvation with the people God puts in your daily life.

Paradise – The Garden of Eternal Life: Now we come full circle from the garden of creation and sin, to the garden of suffering, to the garden of victory, and finally to the eternal garden.
Revelation 2:7 says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’
The word “paradise” also means the garden of delight. Are You Walking as a Citizen of Heaven?
Do you live life knowing your destination is Heaven?
Philippians 3:20 says, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” The best part of heaven is that we will be with Jesus forever. Walking in the four gardens is a picture of our walk through this life. We go from being born into sin, to being redeemed by Christ, to walking in victory, and finally walking in heaven with Jesus.

It is comforting to know we have a garden of delight awaiting us who believe on Him

Victory In Death

Have you ever wondered why people wear golden electric chairs or golden nooses around their neck? Of course not, right. Yet millions of people wear a symbol of death and torture around their neck everyday. You see, the difference between them, is that one now stands for victory. Only God could have taken a symbol meant for death and torture, and change it into a beacon for hope, salvation, and victory.

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. And to those of the world, the cross is just that, death. While those that believe, the cross stands for our salvation. It stands for our debt being paid, without us paying the cost.

1 Peter 2:24-25 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. He nailed our sins to the cross, and bared our shame, so we could be redeemed. But it stands not just for what Christ did for us, but that we may die to sin. The cross stands as a representation of our dedication to our lives of sin dying and being re-born in His image.

Vernon Grounds tells of an incident that happened while he was in seminary. Since the school had no gymnasium, he and his friends played basket ball in a nearby public school.
Nearby, an elderly janitor waited patiently until the seminarians finished playing. Invariably he sat there reading his Bible. One day my friend asked him what he was reading. The man answered, "The book of Revelation." Surprised, my friend asked if he understood it. "Oh, yes," the man assured him. "I understand it." "What does it mean?" Quietly the janitor answered, "It means that Jesus is gonna win.'" Grounds concludes, "That's the best commentary I have ever heard on that book. Jesus is going to win. That's the Biblical mind-set."

Not only is He going to win, but the victory has already been won at the cross. So what has the cross accomplished? Some have called our present age the ''me'' generation. That is, no matter what's going on, either good or bad, it must be all about me. This generation is prone to ask questions such as, ''What's in it for me?'' - or ''What do I get out of this?'' This Narcissistic and selfish attitude can even invade the church.
'What's in it for me?'' This can be a destructive question but it's not a bad question to ask concerning the cross. In fact, this was the very question Paul answered for us in Ephesians 2. In verse 14-18 Paul listed four benefits of Jesus' death on the cross.

Ephesians 2:14-18  For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. 
He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us. 

The cross brought all of humanity together. It brought us back into right standing with the Father. And the cross gave all that would except it, take it up daily, and crucify their old lives to it, complete VICTORY. May we be overwhelming filled with joy and thanks for what Christ did for us. Not just today, but everyday.