✟ Evil Is Alive and Well: A Warning Against Complacency

There are moments in our lives when we would like to believe that evil is far removed from us—that it only exists in stories of the past or in faraway places. Yet Scripture reminds us that evil is alive and well in our world. It creeps in through deceit, tempts through subtle compromises, and ensnares those who grow complacent. The Apostle Peter gives us a vivid picture: “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8 NLT).

As followers of Christ Jesus, we cannot afford to ignore this reality. To pretend that evil is not actively at work in our world today is to give the enemy room to operate in our lives.

The greatest danger of evil is not always its force but its subtlety. Evil often dresses itself in attractive clothing, whispering lies that sound like truth. Paul warned the church in Corinth of this very danger: “But I am afraid that, just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3 NLT).

Jesus Himself described Satan as “a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44 NLT). Every deception—whether small or great—finds its root in him.

One of the most dangerous traps for Christians is complacency. When we let our guard down, the enemy finds opportunities to plant seeds of sin. Paul exhorts us: “So be on your guard; not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded” (1 Thessalonians 5:6 NLT).

Evil seldom overtakes a believer all at once. Instead, it begins with small compromises. James describes this progression: “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death” (James 1:14–15 NLT).

Though the enemy schemes against us, we are not defenseless. God has provided His people with the means to resist evil and live victoriously. Paul instructs us: “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11 NLT).

This armor—the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, and constant prayer—is sufficient to guard us against any attack. James offers us this assurance: “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7 NLT).

Evil may be strong, but our God is stronger. Paul gives us a clear charge: “Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good” (Romans 12:21 NLT).

The Christian life is not passive. It is a call to active faith, to shine Christ’s light in the darkness, to resist deceit with truth, and to overcome temptation with obedience. We are called to be vigilant, courageous, and steadfast. As Paul reminds us: “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love” (1 Corinthians 16:13–14 NLT).

Evil is indeed alive and well in our world, but so is the power of God’s Spirit at work in those who believe. We must not grow complacent, for complacency is the breeding ground of temptation and sin. Instead, let us stand vigilant, fully equipped with God’s armor, and conquer evil by living out the goodness of Christ Jesus in every thought, word, and action.

So, I say to you, “May the Lord strengthen your faith and use it for His glory, as you walk humbly in His presence.”

✟ Do Not Grow Weary: The Reward of Faithful Goodness

The Apostle Paul’s words to the Galatian believers remind us of an unchanging truth: God’s justice cannot be mocked. Just as a farmer reaps what he plants, our actions—good or bad—will produce a harvest in due time. This principle is not only about avoiding sin; it is also about faithfully doing good, even when the world offers no applause.

In our fast-paced, results-driven culture, we are often tempted to look for immediate rewards for doing good. Yet, the Kingdom of God operates on a different timetable. The seeds we plant today in kindness, generosity, and compassion may not yield an instant return, but in God’s perfect timing, they will produce a harvest far greater than we can imagine.

Paul draws a sharp contrast: those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will reap decay and death, but those who live to please the Spirit will reap eternal life.

When we sow to the flesh, our efforts are self-serving. They may produce temporary satisfaction, but the end result is emptiness. Conversely, when we sow to the Spirit—living in obedience to God’s Word, motivated by love and humility—the harvest is everlasting.

Think of it this way: if a farmer plants weeds, he cannot expect a field of wheat. Likewise, if we plant selfishness, we cannot expect a harvest of righteousness.

Paul knew the human heart. He understood that doing good can be exhausting, especially when it seems unnoticed or unappreciated. But here’s the key: we are not doing good to impress others; we are doing it to honor the Lord.

Our reward is not determined by public recognition but by God’s promise—“at just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” The timing of the harvest belongs to Him, and His timing is always perfect.

This is where the story of the poor widow speaks so powerfully. In Luke 21:1–4 NLT, we read:

“While Jesus was in the Temple, He watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. ‘I tell you the truth,’ Jesus said, ‘this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.’”

The widow’s act was not grand in the eyes of men, but it was precious in the eyes of the Lord. She gave without expecting anything in return, purely out of devotion. That is the heart of doing good—it’s not about the size of the gift, but the sincerity and sacrifice behind it.

Paul concludes with a call to action: “Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.”

This is not a selective kindness; it is a consistent, Spirit-led lifestyle.

• Doing good to everyone means we show love to friend and stranger alike, even those who have wronged us.
• Doing good especially to the family of faith means we bear one another’s burdens, support one another in times of need, and strengthen the witness of the church.

Opportunities to do good are everywhere if we are willing to look for them. Sometimes it is a word of encouragement, a helping hand, a meal for someone in need, or a quiet prayer for a hurting soul. Other times it may mean sacrificial giving, much like the widow’s offering—hidden from the crowd, but seen by God.

The Christian life is not a sprint; it is a lifelong planting season. Every act of kindness, every prayer lifted for another, every selfless deed is a seed planted in the soil of eternity.

We must not let discouragement stop us from doing what is right. Your labor in the Lord is never in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT). You may not see the harvest today, but God has promised that in due season, it will come.

So, let us go on doing good—not for applause, not for personal gain, but because it is what honors Christ. Like the widow, let us give all we can—not just from our surplus, but from our hearts—trusting that the God who sees in secret will reward in His time.

So, I say to you, “May the Lord strengthen your faith and use it for His glory, as you walk humbly in His presence.”

✟ Renewed Strength: Soaring on the Winds of God’s Power

There comes a time in every life when even the strongest among us must admit: we are tired. Not just physically, but emotionally, spiritually, and mentally weary. The daily responsibilities of life—the demands of work, family, ministry, health, and constant decision-making—can drain even the most vibrant soul. Isaiah 40:29 reminds us of a profound and tender truth: “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.” (NLT)

We often try to hide our weariness behind smiles and polite responses. We push ourselves to keep going, convinced that admitting weakness is a sign of failure. But the Word of God tells us that weakness is not something to be ashamed of—it is a place where God’s strength can be made perfect.

There are days when I, too, feel I cannot go on. The weight of ministry, the trials of life, and the burdens I carry for others settle heavily upon my shoulders. On those days, I do not rely on my own endurance. I cry out to the Lord—not with eloquent words, but with the desperate honesty of a servant in need of his Master’s hand. And time after time, God answers with strength beyond my own.

The prophet continues in verse 30: “Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.” This verse levels the ground. It reminds us that no amount of vitality, discipline, or determination can prevent the human body and spirit from growing tired. The world may champion self-reliance, but God’s Word points to holy dependence.

This is not just a physical truth—it is spiritual. There are seasons when our faith feels heavy, when our prayers feel unanswered, and when service in God’s kingdom feels more like trudging through a desert than walking in green pastures. Yet God has not left us without help. He knows our frame. He remembers that we are dust (Psalm 103:14). In His compassion, He offers divine strength to those who admit their need.

This truth is foundational to the Fourth Pillar of a God-Centered Life: Being Healthy to Serve God. Physical wellness and spiritual vitality are intimately connected. We are called to care for our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19–20), but we are also invited to nurture our souls with the sustaining grace of God. It is not enough to eat well and exercise; we must also feed on the Bread of Life and drink deeply from the Living Water.

Isaiah continues in verse 31 with a glorious promise: “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.” Other translations say, “those who wait upon the Lord.” This “waiting” is not idle or passive. It is active trust. It is the discipline of coming into God’s presence in prayer, worship, study, and quiet stillness, trusting that He will renew what life has drained.

We often rush through our days without waiting on the Lord. We eat on the go, speak without listening, and work without resting. But spiritual strength is not forged in busyness—it is cultivated in communion with the Almighty.

In my own journey, I have learned that strength is not always immediate. Sometimes, it comes in the stillness of a morning prayer or the sacred pause between sobs. At times, I have gone before the Lord utterly spent, and in return, He gave me what I could not muster: the strength to keep going, the faith to keep believing, and the peace that passes all understanding.

Isaiah concludes with a poetic triad of spiritual renewal:

“They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31b NLT)

These are not random metaphors—they are spiritual stages:

• Soaring on wings like eagles: God lifts us above our trials in moments of deep worship, breakthrough, and joy. These are mountaintop experiences.
• Running and not growing weary: In seasons of active service and spiritual labor, God sustains our pace. We continue without collapse.
• Walking and not fainting: When life feels slow and heavy, and when we must endure quietly, God walks with us, strengthening each step.

Sometimes we soar, and other times we simply walk. All are holy. Whether your path today is a mountaintop or a slow valley road, God is beside you. His strength is not just for the miraculous—it is for the mundane. It is for the caregiving, the serving, the enduring, and the believing.

The Fourth Pillar—Being Healthy to Serve God—is not merely about physical vitality. It is about being fit in body and spirit to fulfill the call God has placed upon our lives. When we care for our bodies, we honor our Creator. When we seek spiritual renewal, we become vessels through which His power flows.

Let us no longer pretend we are invincible. Let us, instead, boast in our weakness, that the power of Christ may rest upon us (2 Corinthians 12:9). Let us be a people who rise early to wait upon the Lord, who walk slowly enough to listen to His whisper, and who serve with strength that is not our own.

This week, I encourage you to take inventory of your health—both physical and spiritual. Are you running on empty? Have you been trying to do it all in your own strength? Then I urge you to pause. Open your Bible. Bow your head. Whisper a prayer of surrender. Wait upon the Lord.

Take a walk in the cool of the day and praise His name. Prepare a healthy meal and thank Him for daily bread. Go to bed early and wake up ready to receive His mercies, which are new every morning.

And when you feel that you can’t go on—remember this promise from Isaiah 40. God will lift you. God will sustain you. God will carry you until you soar once more.

So, I say to you, “May the Lord strengthen your faith and use it for His glory, as you walk humbly in His presence.”

The Strength Found in Waiting

In the seasons of life where answers do not come swiftly and prayers seem to echo into silence, we are reminded by Scripture to “wait patiently for the Lord.” This verse from Psalm 27:14 is more than just a gentle whisper of comfort—it is a bold command to be brave, to be courageous, and to embrace patience not as passivity, but as active faith. In the challenges of delay, in the burdens of uncertainty, our hearts are tested, and our faith is refined.

As we examine this verse today, we do so through the lens of the Four Pillars of a God-Centered Life—pillars that uphold us when we grow weary and long for answers: 1) The Importance of Keeping God as Your Focus, 2) The Importance of Family, 3) The Simplification of Life, and 4) Being Healthy to Serve God. These principles are not mere ideals; they are disciplines that ground us during the waiting season, providing strength, clarity, and courage.

The Psalmist begins and ends this verse with a call to patience. But let us be clear—waiting on the Lord is not idle. It is an intentional act of surrender and devotion. In times of waiting, the temptation to shift our focus to the problem rather than the Provider is strong. However, when we fix our eyes on the Lord, we are reminded of His promises, His timing, and His faithfulness.

Isaiah 40:31 (NLT) echoes this truth: “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.” Trust produces strength, and strength emerges not from striving, but from spiritual stillness and faith. When we choose to focus on God amid our uncertainty, we are not neglecting our problems—we are placing them in divine hands.

Let us then not waste our waiting. Let us worship in the waiting. Let us grow in the waiting. And above all, let us keep our eyes on the Lord, who is always working even when we do not yet see the outcome.

Our families are often the first to feel the strain of waiting. The burdens we carry—be it financial, physical, or emotional—often spill over into the lives of our spouses, children, and loved ones. But in that shared experience lies an opportunity for spiritual unity. Waiting together can bind us together, if we lean into the Lord as one.

Patience, courage, and bravery—those virtues mentioned in the Psalm—are cultivated in community. Within the home, families have the ability to uplift one another in prayer, speak encouragement into times of despair, and model steadfastness for one another. When a family prays together, studies the Word together, and waits together, they walk in unity before the Lord.

Let us not overlook the strength that can be drawn from our households during times of uncertainty. God did not intend for us to journey alone. Let us use waiting seasons to fortify our families spiritually and emotionally, that we may be courageous not just as individuals but as a family rooted in Christ.

In today’s world, our lives are often filled with noise—material, emotional, and digital clutter that distracts us from the voice of God. When the Psalmist calls us to wait patiently, he also invites us to slow down, to create space, and to simplify.

I speak from personal experience. Recently, my wife and I undertook the task of decluttering and reorganizing our home and storage spaces. What began as a physical activity became a spiritual awakening. In releasing the possessions that no longer served a purpose, we found more than just clean shelves—we found time. Time to sit together, to reflect, to read devotionals aloud, and to pray as one.

This act of simplification allowed us to reclaim not only space in our home but sacred space in our lives. We canceled our cable, turned off the distractions, and allowed the presence of God to fill our mornings and evenings. In the absence of clutter, we discovered clarity. In the quiet, we heard God’s voice.

I urge each of you to examine your own lives. What is keeping you too busy to wait on the Lord? What noise needs to be silenced so that His whisper can be heard? Sometimes, the answer is not in doing more but in removing what no longer aligns with God’s will for your life.

Waiting takes a toll not only on our spirits but also on our bodies and minds. That is why the final pillar—being healthy to serve God—is so essential. Psalm 27:14 does not only say to wait but to “be brave and courageous.” These are qualities that require strength, vitality, and endurance.

If our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, as Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 6:19, then we must tend to these temples with the reverence they deserve. Just as Jesus cleansed the temple in Jerusalem, we are called to cleanse our lives of the things that defile—whether they be unhealthy habits, toxic mindsets, or anything that hinders our ability to serve and worship.

When we are physically, emotionally, and spiritually healthy, we can better carry the weight of waiting. We are equipped not just to endure but to grow and minister to others who are waiting too.

Let us honor the Lord by caring for the bodies He gave us, so that when He calls us forward, we are ready to rise with courage and strength.

The repetition in this verse—“Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”—is not by accident. It is a holy emphasis. A divine reminder that waiting is not a sign of weakness but of strength refined in trust.

God is never late. He is always on time. While we wait, He is working. While we rest, He is moving. And when we finally see the fruits of our patience, we will understand why the wait was necessary.

I ask you today, dear brothers and sisters, to examine your hearts and your homes. Are you waiting for something? Perhaps a healing, an answered prayer, a new direction? Use this season wisely. Recommit to focusing on God, unify your family in faith, clear away the distractions that drown out His voice, and care for the body and mind He has given you.

Take one step this week to live out each of these Four Pillars. Write it down. Share it with someone. And above all, trust the Lord in your waiting.

May the Lord strengthen your faith and use it for His glory, as you walk humbly in His presence.

He Is Risen Indeed: The Triumph of Grace Over the Grave

Easter Sunday is the most triumphant day in the Christian calendar. It is not merely a commemoration—it is a proclamation. It is the day the Church echoes the angelic announcement spoken at the tomb: “He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead!” Those words, simple yet profound, shattered the silence of the grave and set the course for every generation of believers.

On that early morning, women came to the tomb expecting to mourn. They came with spices, burdened by sorrow and wrapped in grief. But instead of a lifeless body, they found an empty tomb and a message that would change the world forever.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not merely the final chapter in the Gospel story—it is the very core of our faith. Without the resurrection, the cross would be a tragedy; with it, the cross becomes a triumph.

The resurrection is proof that Jesus is who He claimed to be—the Son of God, the Messiah, the Savior of the world. It is God’s stamp of approval on the finished work of redemption. Every promise made by Christ is validated by this event. Every prophecy concerning the Messiah finds its ultimate fulfillment in the empty tomb.

The Apostle Paul declared in 1 Corinthians 15:17 (NLT), “If Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins.” But Christ has been raised—and because of that, our sins are forgiven, our chains are broken, and our future is secure.

Easter is not just about what happened then—it is about what it means now. The resurrection means:

• We are no longer bound by fear, because Christ has overcome the greatest fear—death itself.
• We are no longer enslaved by sin, because the power of sin was defeated when Jesus walked out of that tomb.
• We are no longer hopeless, because the risen Lord offers eternal life to all who believe in Him.

The resurrection is God's declaration that love wins, that grace abounds, and that life—not death—has the final word. For every believer, Easter is the reminder that even the darkest Friday is followed by a glorious Sunday.

To believe in the resurrection is not only to accept a theological truth—it is to walk in resurrection life. Believers are called to live as those who have been raised with Christ, not simply awaiting heaven, but embodying the risen life here and now.

We are to be:

• People of hope in a hopeless world
• People of light in the midst of darkness
• People of grace in a culture that often lacks mercy

The empty tomb is not just a monument to victory—it is a gateway to transformation. The stone was rolled away, not so Jesus could get out, but so that we could see in and believe.

Today, the Church around the world declares in one voice: Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! And with that confession comes the charge: Live in the power of the resurrection. Proclaim it. Embody it. Rejoice in it.

Let us never forget what it cost. Let us never doubt what it accomplished. And let us never cease to praise the One who walked out of the tomb to bring life eternal to all who believe.

May the Lord strengthen your faith and use it for His glory, as you walk humbly in His presence.

Being Healthy to Serve God

As we arrive at the fourth and final pillar in our “Four Pillars of a God-Centered Life” series, we come to a truth that is often overlooked in discussions of spiritual living, yet it is one of great significance: being healthy in order to serve God. Over the past several weeks, we have reflected on the importance of keeping God as our focus, nurturing our families with love and faith, and simplifying our lives to make space for what matters most. Each of these pillars has helped us realign our lives with God’s purpose. Now we turn to the vessel through which all ministry, service, and worship is carried out—our physical bodies.

Scripture teaches us that our bodies are not our own. They are temples of the Holy Spirit, purchased with the precious blood of Christ. As the Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” These verses are not simply about avoiding sin—they are a call to sacred stewardship. Our health—physical, mental, and emotional—plays a vital role in our ability to walk in obedience, to lead our families, to love our neighbors, and to serve God with energy and joy.

This message is not about worldly fitness or appearance. It is about faithful readiness. It is about recognizing that when we neglect our health, we may also limit our ability to carry out the good works God has prepared for us. Let us now explore what it means to live a life that honors the Lord through our bodies, and how we may be strengthened—not for self—but for the glory of God and the service of His Kingdom.

The body, though physical and temporal, plays a sacred role in the believer’s spiritual life. It is the vessel through which we speak words of encouragement, extend hands of compassion, and walk the paths of obedience that God has set before us. Our bodies are not incidental to our faith—they are instruments of worship and service. As such, they must not be neglected or abused, but rather cared for with the reverence due to something entrusted by God for His divine purposes.

In Romans 12:1, Paul makes this appeal: “I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” This offering is not symbolic—it is practical. It involves how we treat our physical selves, how we rest, how we nourish, and how we preserve the strength God has given us so that we might be useful in His Kingdom.

Even the simplest acts—cooking a meal for a neighbor, teaching a child, standing in worship, or going where God sends us—require the cooperation of the body. When we neglect our health, we limit not only our comfort but also our capacity to serve. Our physical vitality, when rightly stewarded, becomes a tool for ministry. And in honoring our bodies, we honor the Lord who designed them and dwells within them through His Spirit.

It is a truth we must confront with both humility and hope: when we neglect our health—whether through inaction, poor habits, or the relentless busyness of life—we often limit the very vessel God has entrusted to us for His service. A weary, burdened, or broken-down body can hinder the joyful execution of ministry. Fatigue steals energy meant for compassion. Poor choices weaken the strength needed for obedience. And unresolved stress clouds the clarity of God's calling.

We do not speak of perfection, nor do we speak with condemnation. Rather, we speak with the understanding that a healthy body is a gift that equips us to love, serve, and glorify God more fully. When we care for our health in the spirit of stewardship, we are not chasing vanity—we are choosing vitality for the sake of God’s Kingdom.

The importance of this truth becomes even clearer when we look to the example of our Lord in John 2:13–17. Upon entering the temple courts, Jesus found them filled not with reverence, but with distraction—money changers, merchants, and exploitation. In righteous indignation, He cleansed the temple, declaring, “My house shall be called a house of prayer.” He was not just restoring order—He was reestablishing sacred purpose.

In much the same way, our bodies—temples of the Holy Spirit—can become cluttered and misused. We may fill them with unhealthy habits, neglect, stress, or indulgence. Yet the Spirit of Christ calls us to cleanse and restore this sacred space—not with violence, but with discipline, repentance, and reverence. We are invited to reclaim our bodies for the purpose for which they were created: to be vessels of worship and instruments of holy service.

Let us be willing to examine our lives, to cast out what distracts and defiles, and to rededicate these earthly temples to the glory of the One who bought us at a price.

When we embrace a simplified life—as we explored in the previous message—we open our hearts and homes to the gentle order of God’s design. That same simplification, when applied to our health, allows us to steward our physical well-being with greater clarity and intention. Simplicity is not merely about having less—it is about living with purpose. And that purpose includes caring for the body God has entrusted to us.

When our lives are overfilled with commitments, stress, and distractions, our health often suffers. Meals are rushed or skipped. Rest becomes secondary. Exercise is postponed. We push our limits until fatigue becomes familiar and illness is quietly accepted. But when we simplify, we reclaim time for things that nourish—not just the soul, but also the body. We are better able to eat mindfully, rest intentionally, and move regularly—all acts that support our ability to serve with strength and joy.

As with every other area of our lives, health is a matter of stewardship. We are called to manage our time, our resources, and our relationships for God's glory. Our bodies are no different. They are not to be neglected, nor idolized, but cared for in a way that reflects gratitude to our Creator. Just as simplifying our possessions helped my wife and me refocus on what truly mattered, attending to our health becomes an act of honoring the Lord—giving Him our best, so that we may be fully present, ready, and able to do His will.

In this way, the third and fourth pillars stand side by side. A simplified life prepares the way for faithful stewardship of the body. And a healthy body, in turn, supports a more focused, fruitful, and God-honoring life.

When we speak of honoring God with our bodies, we are not merely discussing wellness—we are bearing witness to our faith. Every act of care we extend toward our health becomes a quiet testimony that we believe our lives are not our own, but belong fully to the One who redeemed us. Stewarding our physical health with diligence and humility proclaims to the world, “My body is a vessel of worship, a tool for service, and a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.”

This testimony is most powerful when it is lived out in the everyday—when we choose to rest instead of overextend, to eat with wisdom instead of indulgence, to move in strength instead of remain idle, and to approach each day not with self-centered goals, but with a desire to be ready for whatever God may call us to do. In this way, caring for our bodies becomes an extension of discipleship.

It is not about perfection, nor is it about appearance. It is about readiness. A healthy body allows us to minister without hesitation, to serve without fatigue becoming a constant obstacle, and to be present for our families and our fellow believers in meaningful, lasting ways. It means we are able to pray longer, stand stronger, endure more, and love better. Even in times of sickness or physical limitation, our willingness to honor God through how we care for ourselves can be a beacon of hope and a model of faithfulness.

In a world that often seeks health for self-glory, we seek it for God's glory. That is the difference. That is the witness. Our bodies, though temporary, are sacred. When we care for them in reverence and gratitude, we show the world that we serve a living God who is worthy of every part of our lives—even our physical strength.

As we bring this series to its final message, I pray that these four pillars—keeping God as your focus, nurturing the family, simplifying life, and being healthy to serve—have not only spoken to your heart, but have also offered practical direction for your walk with Christ. Though today’s message marks the end of this particular series, it is by no means the end of the journey. In truth, it is the beginning of a renewed way of life, built upon the firm foundation of God’s truth, love, and purpose.

In the weeks ahead, I will be prayerfully seeking how the Lord might lead us to build further upon these truths—perhaps through expanded messages, devotionals, or even a published work that gathers the fullness of these teachings into one unified volume. However the Lord leads, my prayer is that you will continue walking forward, applying these pillars not as distant ideals, but as daily, Spirit-led practices.

The strength of a God-centered life is not measured in grand moments, but in quiet obedience—day by day, choice by choice, step by step. May you be encouraged to live that kind of life, shaped by God’s Word and sustained by His grace.

Beloved, as we close this message and complete our journey through the Four Pillars of a God-Centered Life, I urge you to prayerfully consider the stewardship of your body as an offering to the Lord. Just as we are called to honor Him with our hearts, our time, and our resources, so too are we called to honor Him with our physical selves. This is not a call to vanity or self-reliance, but a call to readiness—to be fully present and able to serve God with joy, strength, and endurance.

Ask yourself today: Am I honoring God with the way I care for the body He has entrusted to me? Are there habits, patterns, or neglect that hinder my ability to serve Him and others? What one step can I take this week to restore this temple and prepare it for His service?

Perhaps it is getting more rest, taking a walk, preparing a healthier meal, setting boundaries that protect your peace, or seeking medical or emotional help where needed. Whatever that step may be, let it be an act of worship. Let it be a declaration that your body belongs to God, and that you desire to be a faithful steward of every part of your life.

Let us not wait until our strength is gone to offer ourselves to the Lord. Let us offer our best today. And in doing so, may our lives be a living sacrifice—holy, pleasing, and wholly devoted to His glory.

As we conclude this message and bring the Four Pillars of a God-Centered Life to a close, let us do so with the sobering and empowering reminder found in 1 Thessalonians 5:6, 8 (NIV):

“So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober... putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”

These words remind us to live alert, intentional, and prepared—not only spiritually, but also physically and emotionally. A God-centered life is not a passive existence. It is a deliberate, daily commitment to walk in the light of His Word, to guard the sacred gifts we’ve been given, and to use every part of our lives—including our health—for the glory of the One who has redeemed us.

You are not your own. You were bought with a price. Therefore, let your whole life—heart, soul, mind, and body—be a testimony of gratitude and reverence.

May the Lord strengthen your faith and use it for His glory, as you walk humbly in His presence.

Mid-Week Message - My Dreams Versus God's Plans

"This is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT)

My childhood was filled with stories of Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and other wonderful tales that all had the same ending, "and they lived happily ever after."  Each of these characters had wishes that seemed unattainable, yet, in the end, they came true.  Either a fairy godmother worked her magic or a kiss from Prince Charming broke an evil spell.  However it came about, the same was true.  That girl's dreams became reality.  Of course, anything is possible in make believe.  Real life isn't always tied up with ribbons and bows though.   

 Somewhere along the way in my younger days, I came to believe that the dreams I had for my life came from God.  I thought,"Surely He wouldn't allow me to have a dream that He didn't intend to fulfill."  Needless to say, I had a lot to learn about my relationship with Him and about His purpose for me on this earth.  Even now, at an age that I certainly should know better, I still find myself realizing that dreams that I have held onto for decades just probably aren't going to come to fruition.  I shed a few tears over some of them then reluctantly relinquish them into the hands of the One who has much greater things in store.

As I examine some of the things I dreamed for, I am able to see how selfish they really were.  I wanted them simply because I wanted them.  It isn't that any of those things were bad, only that the only purpose they would serve would be my own.  I didn't figure eternity into them.  I never thought about how I could serve the Lord better through them.  I never even really asked Him about them.  They were lofty hopes that were mine.  All mine.  I just assumed that once they came about, my life would be complete.  

What happens when we spend so much time dreaming is that we run the risk of not seeing what God is actually doing in our lives.  When I stop to think about it, what gives me unspeakable joy is simply sharing the love of Christ with those around me.  When I keep my focus on Him and my mind in the present, then my eyes are opened to all the opportunities He gives me each day to reach out to friends, family, acquaintances and strangers with the love, encouragement and compassion that can only come through the power of the Holy Spirit.  None of the dreams that came from my own mind can even begin to compare with how content I feel when I simply do the work He sets in front of me to do.  

This world is temporary.  I could spend my limited time fulfilling my own desires, or I can go to Him each day and ask Him what He would like for me to do.  If He chooses to use one of my dreams for His purposes, then I will praise Him and ask Him to help me remember that it is for HIM and not for me.  And if He doesn't choose to, then I can know that it isn't because of any lack of love He has for me, but quite the opposite.  He loves me so much that He only wants the best for me while I walk this planet.  And, one day, I will be in Heaven which will be far beyond anything any human mind could ever dream of.  God bless. 

Mid-Week Message - About Love

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."  1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)

What did you think that love was when you were a child?  What I knew of love was what I saw on television, heard about in music, and witnessed between my parents.  In short, I had no idea what it truly was, I only knew the image that was portrayed to me and it seemed to include holding hands, singing mushy songs to each other, arguing but always making up and living happily ever after.  I had no idea that true love is so much more than those things or how difficult it can be to stand by the same person through the harsh times in life.  

I loved the story of Cinderella.  She was the girl that no one liked.  She was bullied.  She was sad.  But a miracle occurred and her fairy godmother came to her rescue and transformed her into a beautiful woman which led to her meeting the prince and falling in love.  When all that she thought made her beautiful disappeared, the prince sought her out and she was transformed once again.  Then came the happily ever after part.  My husband found out about how much I enjoyed that tale, and on the first Valentine's Day of our marriage, gave me a glass slipper of my very own.  

Of course, now as an adult, I know that love is far more than I had ever thought.  The story of Cinderella is very entertaining and romantic but it falls very short of depicting real life.  The real "happily ever after" includes supporting one another through hard times like the loss of a job or a serious illness.  It endures times of loss, disagreeable temperaments, errant children and the occasional questioning of the future together.  Love means giving up personal choices and desires in order to do the best thing for everyone involved.  

The best example of perfect love that we will ever have is Jesus.  He left his heavenly throne and took up residence in a feeding trough.  He spent His life walking among people who would reject Him even as He was trying to save them.  He allowed Himself to be cruelly tortured and made the ultimate sacrifice by giving His life upon a cross, held there not by nails, but by love.  Love for you.  Love for me.  And when we opened our hearts to accept Him as our Lord and Savior, we were transformed forever.  No longer does he see us in our filthy dirty rags, but in pure white, cleansed by the blood He personally shed.  

The initial butterfly stomach of "falling in love", like all other feelings, comes and goes.  True love is a decision.  This week, when you find it difficult to continue on, remember that there is One that will never find it too hard to stand by you and His love is unwavering.  God bless you.

Mid-Week Message - Mysteries

"If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing."  1 Corinthians 13:2  (MSG)

I enjoy a good mystery.  In fact, I almost titled this message, "Who Killed Hank Pittleman" because that is the question in the book I am now reading.  But the eternal mysteries, those that we don't have the ability to understand completely, are not of this world but of God, and I don't want to cast any earthly shadow over any of them.  

How can the human mind grasp fully that the Lord has no beginning and no end?  Everything in our world has a beginning and an end.  Even though we say the right words when asked about His existence, we can't really understand it.  

And how can three be one?  The Trinity consists of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  God in three persons, as the song says.  If Jesus is God, then how was God still in heaven while Jesus was on earth?  If Jesus is God, then why does Jesus pray to God the Father?  

How is He able to be everywhere at once?  With the billions of people on the earth, how can He hear us all at the same time?  

Mysteries.  And there are Bible scholars who can explain it all, up to a point.  

According to today's verse, all that knowledge is worthless if we don't have love.  And there are many who proclaim to be "Christians" who refuse to reach out to those who are hurting or lonely or hungry.  

There are some behind the pulpit who are terrific orators.  They can deliver a biblical message that will knock your socks off.  And some of those churches grow to unbelievable numbers.  However, one on one with some of these preachers will reveal that they actually take no interest in anything except the messages they preach.  They rely on assistant pastors to do all the "people" work because they take no interest in what their flock is going through.  

And that is the bigger mystery to me.  I don't worry about how God created the universes, or how He does any of what He does.  It is enough for me that He knows and I have placed my faith in Him and trust Him completely.  But I cannot figure out how someone could be filled with the Holy Spirit and not love their fellow human beings.  Which makes me wonder if they are truly Christians or not.  

This world is in pain.  A quick look at the news will reveal that no matter where we go, there are those who are crying out for someone to care.  If we are to be like our Savior, if we are to make any difference at all, then we must be willing to reach out with the love He has demonstrated and placed within us.  That is our purpose.  We bring glory to our Creator when we minister to those who are in need of His touch.  

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.  Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'  The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine you did for me."  Matthew 25:35-40  (NIV)

Mid-Week Message - For His Glory

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."  1 Corinthians 10:31  (NIV) 

There is a lovely song that I have heard children's choirs sing.  It is called "Rise and Shine" and the last verse says, "Rise and shine and give God the glory, glory Children of the Lord."  What a delightful thing to hear coming from the mouths of young ones.  I hope they allow it to dwell in their hearts all the days of their lives.  Its a simple song, but, oh, what an incredible lesson!  

Each week, when I write this message, I hope it is clear, I hope people read it and understand it, I hope there is nothing that can be misconstrued and I hope it touches the heart of anyone who needs for it to.  Mostly, though, my prayer is that the Lord would be glorified.  

I have loved my Savior since the first time I was taken to church by Betty Allen in Amarillo, Texas, sometime in the early 1960's.  Mrs. Allen, a neighbor, had brought a film about the Gospel from her church for our family to view in our home.  It wasn't like today where you can just pop a DVD in a player, or tune to a YouTube channel.  No, she had to bring the reels and a movie projector.  It was cumbersome and took some time, but she believed my family was worth it.  Sometime after that night, she asked if she could take me to church with her and that began my journey with Jesus. 

As I have grown in my relationship with Him over the years, I have become more and more aware of the fact that, indeed, I am a sinner and I need a Savior.  The fact that when He was nailed to that cross it was because of MY sins breaks my heart.  The thought of Him crucified and shedding His precious blood is almost more than I can take.  How could I ever turn away from that kind of love?  

Folks, I am not a preacher.  I have never had the aim of delivering a sermon.  When I write, I write from the heart and I share what I believe I am being led to share, including this time.  I try very hard to make sure that what I write is in line with the Scriptures as I never want to misrepresent God's Word.  I believe that the Bible is God inspired and is true from the beginning to the end.  Basically, as I heard a preacher say once long ago, "If God said it, I believe it, and that settles it."  

The Good News is for everyone.  It doesn't matter what race, nationality, educational level, gender or any other difference between persons.  We are all created in the image of the Almighty and He loved us enough to allow His only Son to die a cruel death upon that cross in punishment for the sins mankind has committed or will commit.  Jesus Christ was laid in a tomb and rose again on the third day, conquering death once and for all for those who repent and believe, and was raised to Heaven where He intercedes for us today.  One day, we do not know when, He will return again and every knee shall bow before Him.  

If I were to die tonight, my hope is that I would be found obedient in sharing His story and that someone, somewhere heard or read what I had to say and turned their face toward Him.   And, I pray, that whenever that moment comes for me, as it will for each of us, that my very last breath would be used to glorify my Father in Heaven.  

May you be overcome by His grace and mercy as you go through this week.  

Mid-Week Message - Dreams

"This is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT)

My childhood was filled with stories of Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and other wonderful tales that all had the same ending, "and they lived happily ever after."  Each of these characters had wishes that seemed unattainable, yet, in the end, they came true.  Either a fairy godmother worked her magic or a kiss from Prince Charming broke an evil spell.  However it came about, the same was true.  That girl's dreams became reality.  Of course, anything is possible in make believe.  Real life isn't always tied up with ribbons and bows though.   

 Somewhere along the way in my younger days, I came to believe that the dreams I had for my life came from God.  I thought,"Surely He wouldn't allow me to have a dream that He didn't intend to fulfill."  Needless to say, I had a lot to learn about my relationship with Him and about His purpose for me on this earth.  Even now, at an age that I certainly should know better, I still find myself realizing that dreams that I have held onto for decades just probably aren't going to come to fruition.  I shed a few tears over some of them then reluctantly relinquish them into the hands of the One who has much greater things in store.

As I examine some of the things I dreamed for, I am able to see how selfish they really were.  I wanted them simply because I wanted them.  It isn't that any of those things were bad, only that the only purpose they would serve would be my own.  I didn't figure eternity into them.  I never thought about how I could serve the Lord better through them.  I never even really asked Him about them.  They were lofty hopes that were mine.  All mine.  I just assumed that once they came about, my life would be complete.  

What happens when we spend so much time dreaming, is that we run the risk of not seeing what God is actually doing in our lives.  When I stop to think about it, what gives me unspeakable joy is simply sharing the love of Christ with those around me.  When I keep my focus on Him and my mind in the present, then my eyes are opened to all the opportunities He gives me each day to reach out to friends, family, acquaintances and strangers with the love, encouragement and compassion that can only come through the power of the Holy Spirit.  None of the dreams that came from my own mind can even begin to compare with how content I feel when I simply do the work He sets in front of me to do.  

This world is temporary.  I could spend my limited time fulfilling my own desires, or I can go to Him each day and ask Him what He would like for me to do.  If He chooses to use one of my dreams for His purposes, then I will praise Him and ask Him to help me remember that it is for HIM and not for me.  And if He doesn't choose to, then I can know that it isn't because of any lack of love He has for me, but quite the opposite.  He loves me so much that He only wants the best for me while I walk this planet.  And, one day, I will be in Heaven which will be far beyond anything any human mind could ever dream of.  God bless. 

Mid-Week Message - The Bigger Mystery

 "If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing."  1 Corinthians 13:2  (MSG)

I enjoy a good mystery.  In fact, I almost titled this message, "Who Killed Hank Pittleman" because that is the question in the book I am now reading.  But the eternal mysteries, those that we don't have the ability to understand completely, are not of this world but of God, and I don't want to cast any earthly shadow over any of them.  

How can the human mind grasp fully that the Lord has no beginning and no end?  Everything in our world has a beginning and an end.  Even though we say the right words when asked about His existence, we can't really understand it.  

And how can three be one?  The Trinity consists of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  God in three persons, as the song says.  If Jesus is God, then how was God still in heaven while Jesus was on earth?  If Jesus is God, then why does Jesus pray to God the Father?  

How is He able to be everywhere at once?  With the billions of people on the earth, how can He hear us all at the same time?  

Mysteries.  And there are Bible scholars who can explain it all, up to a point.  

According to today's verse, all that knowledge is worthless if we don't have love.  And there are many who proclaim to be "Christians" who refuse to reach out to those who are hurting or lonely or hungry.  

There are some behind the pulpit who are terrific orators.  They can deliver a biblical message that will knock your socks off.  And some of those churches grow to unbelievable numbers.  However, one on one with some of these preachers will reveal that they actually take no interest in anything except the messages they preach.  They rely on assistant pastors to do all the "people" work because they take no interest in what their flock is going through.  

And that is the bigger mystery to me.  I don't worry about how God created the universes, or how He does any of what He does.  It is enough for me that He knows and I have placed my faith in Him and trust Him completely.  But I cannot figure out how someone could be filled with the Holy Spirit and not love their fellow human beings.  Which makes me wonder if they are truly Christians or not.  

This world is in pain.  A quick look at the news will reveal that no matter where we go, there are those who are crying out for someone to care.  If we are to be like our Savior, if we are to make any difference at all, then we must be willing to reach out with the love He has demonstrated and placed within us.  That is our purpose.  We bring glory to our Creator when we minister to those who are in need of His touch.  

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.  Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'  The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine you did for me."  Matthew 25:35-40  (NIV)

Easter Sunday Message - Why Are You Crying?

In chapter twenty of the Gospel of John, we see Mary Magdalene standing outside the tomb that was the final resting place of her teacher and Lord, Jesus Christ. She had gone there early in the morning to properly prepare his body as was the custom of the time. What she discovered was the large stone that sealed the tomb rolled away and it was empty. She ran back to tell the disciples. All came to see the tomb empty and the only thing remaining were the linen strips that wrapped the body of Jesus.

As the disciples went back to where they were staying, Mary Magdalene stood outside the tomb and wept. She looked over at the tomb and saw two angels robed in white seated where the body of Jesus had lain.

The two angels asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

She explained that someone had taken the body of her Lord away and she didn’t know where his body was taken.

Then, a man appeared and asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

She, thinking that he was a gardener, answered, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

The man then called her by name. It is at that moment that she realized that the man she thought was the gardener was Jesus.

As I prepared for this Easter Sunday message, I began my study in John. The question asked by the angels and by Jesus caught my attention. I had read the passage repeatedly over the course of decades, but the question never really sank in until I felt the Holy Spirit moving inside me.

Human beings are one of the few animal species that weeps when they are sad. According to an article in the December, 2017 edition of the Smithsonian Magazine, human beings are the only species that weeps when expressing emotion, such as grief or joy. It is the one thing that makes us human and expresses our deep humanity. We weep when we are happy or sad. Our tears are the outward sign of the pain or joy we feel inside. I have often said that tears are the blood of the soul. When we are injured, our spirit bleeds tears.

The question is even more profound today. As we endure each day of the pandemic, we see the increase in the number of the dead. According to the Presidential taskforce, we all, in time, will be touched in some way by this ravenous foe called COVID-19. Friends or family members may die from it and we will weep for them.

But, just as Mary realized that the gardener was Jesus, her tears of pain and sadness soon turned to tears of excitement and happiness. In just about the blink of an eye, things changed from grief to gladness and from sorrow to serenity. 

We, too, weep for those who have succumbed to this fearsome foe, but, in time, our grief will change as we see our loved ones again. That moment came to us in the gift of salvation from the hand of the Father through the sacrifice of His son, Jesus, as an atonement for our sins. 

In chapter twelve of the Book of Hebrews, the author, speaking of Jesus, wrote, “But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand.”

Under the old law, we would have to offer up sacrifice after sacrifice after sacrifice to satisfy the law and atone for our sins. When you consider our sinful nature, there aren’t enough animals in the entire world to offer up to cover the sins for just one individual.

Jesus came into the world to save it and gave his life as our one and only sacrifice for all time. We weep for the moment when he commended his spirit into the hand of His Father. But, as we witness the miracle of the resurrection, our tears turn from grief to gladness. Because of his sacrifice, death no longer has a sting or the grave...a victory over our lives.

It is only through the blood of Jesus that we are able to face tomorrow and it is only through his sacrifice that we have the promise of eternal life with our Heavenly Father. Our lives were never meant for this world. We live to serve and to preach the message of the Good News. We are here to share with those who walk in darkness the joy of a peace that surpasses all understanding.

When Jesus asked Mary Magdalene why she was crying, Mary paused for a moment and realized that she did not need to weep in sadness. Her tears became tears of joy. It was that question that got her to think and remember the words that he had shared with all. 

Paul, in chapter fifteen of his first epistle to those in Corinth, writes, “So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back.”

Don’t concentrate on the moment of death and let it consume your life. Look to the moment when we will all, like Jesus, be raised from the dead. We will be transformed from perishable to imperishable in that moment.

We will then behold the face of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, and he, as written in the Book of Revelation, “will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Let us each day express our joy in the Good News and weep in joy for those who have gone on to be with Jesus. In Jesus’ last moments on the cross, one of the criminals asks him to remember him in paradise. Jesus looks over to him and assures him that he would be with him in paradise. Although there was probably no one there to weep for him, we, as his Christian brothers and sisters, weep tears of joy for him knowing that he was saved in that moment by realizing Jesus as his Savior.

When we share the precious gift embodied in this Easter Sunday, we give each person we minister to a gift that will allow them to stand firm in His grace.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Mid-Week Message - Caring Through Fear

"The Lord has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything."  Psalm 103:19 (NLT) 

As I write this I pray that all who are reading are well and unaffected by the virus that has gripped this nation as well as the rest of the world.  I urge you to follow the guidelines set forth for your protection.  In doing so, you not only lessen the chances of you and your family contracting the illness, but also those of others in your community.  

The news reports are frightening and I understand how some would panic.  The unknown is always unsettling.  We have witnessed empty supermarket shelves for maybe the first time in our lives and that is because people are either scared of not having what they need or they are buying as much as they can in hopes of profiting from others who have no recourse other than paying high prices for supplies that should be readily available.  

This is a time when we need to be able to depend on each other.  1 Corinthians 10:24 admonishes, "No one should seek their own good, but the good of others."  We are to look out for each other.  I know that has become somewhat strange today when the motto seems to be "Me first".  The reality is that there are many individuals who have no one to turn to for help if they need it.  Countless senior citizens, classified as the highest risk group, live alone and need help bringing in groceries during this time.  They, and others who are alone, need to have someone to call if they get ill or maybe just to talk to when they are lonely.  Quarantine will make those who are already isolated feel more alone than ever.  Who will lay aside their own fear of infection to be a contact for someone in this situation?  

Fear can be paralyzing.  Because we are constantly hearing about the spread of this virus, our reaction will naturally be to look to our own well-being.  However, we still have to be aware of the needs of our neighbors.  The way to deal with the fear is to remember Who is in charge and Who is ultimately taking care of us.  The Lord has not been shaken from His throne!  Nor will He ever be.  He remains in control.  

Our trust in our Lord must be stronger than our fear of anything temporary here on earth.  As everything eventually does, this will pass.  We can use this time to strengthen our relationship with Him and with others.  It is a time for Christian love to shine bright as we make wise decisions about how to best take care of ourselves and our families and reach out to the needy in our communities.  Spend much time in prayer and ask for His guidance.  He will be faithful.  He always has been and He always will be.  That is the one thing that will never fail.  God bless!  

Mid-Week Message - Looking Ahead

"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.  When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.  For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."  1 Corinthians 13:11-12 (NIV)  

One of my favorite Christmas presents ever received was given to me by my grandfather.  It was a Chatty Cathy doll.  Oh, how I loved her!  Of course, as toys that are played with do, eventually she no longer talked and was discarded into the memories of my youth.  When my daughter was around six, they began remaking the doll.  I saw it in a catalog and showed it to my husband.  My mother also saw it and that following Christmas I was given an identical box from each of them.  Two lovely Chatty Cathy dolls!  

During this time I was collecting rag dolls.  My little one knew that the dolls were not to be played with.  However, when the Chatty Cathy dolls arrived, it was almost too much for her.  One day she asked me if she could play with one of them.  My response was, "No.  But one day all of my dolls will be yours."  When she asked for clarification I explained that someday I would die and she would become the owner of many things that I had, including the dolls.  She then perked up and asked me quite eagerly, "When are you going to die?"  That is still something we laugh over.  

As I grow older and think of my own mortality, I realize how precious the time I have on this earth is and how vital it is that the time I have left is used wisely.  I make a sincere attempt to show appreciation for the blessings I have been given and to share love and encouragement with the people God brings into my pathway.   But I have begun to understand that more is needed.  

My prayer has become that the Lord would open my eyes and enable me to see as He sees.  I have walked with Him now for many years and He has taught me that His perspective is much more complete than mine.  But, He is more than willing to grant wisdom when it is sought and that wisdom is able to remove the blinders from my earthly eyes to allow me to more clearly see into the hearts of those created in His image.  When that occurs, love can more freely flow because there is a deeper understanding of the pain and need that others experience which creates a fervent desire to accompany them to the foot of the cross where they might find forgiveness and healing.  

As we all enter this new year, may we do so agreeing in prayer that our Father would open our hearts, minds and eyes to see as He sees?  Rather than a fuzzy image, we need to clearly understand that His desire is that none should perish.  We do not have control over whether someone accepts the salvation that is offered to them, but we certainly have control over whether we treat those around us with compassion and love and share the Good News with them.  They may turn away from the gospel, but, oh, beloved, what if they embrace the Savior?  We will never hear the rejoicing if we never share Him.  

I wish you all a blessed 2020.  May we enter this decade understanding the urgency that the passing of the years creates and may we all look forward to His return.  God bless.  

Sunday Praise & Worship Message - Closing of the Year

As we take our final steps toward the end of the year, we all have an opportunity to reflect upon the events of 2019. I, like most of you, experienced great moments and a few I would like to forget about. No matter what happened to each of us in the past year, we all are looking forward to a new year and decade and hoping and praying it will be a sight better than the last.

Although we do not know what 2020 will hold for us, we are optimistic and look towards this new year with a sense of hope. The new year may hold a new job or opportunity. It may have a new relationship in store for those looking for that special someone. For others, they hope that their medical conditions will improve and that they can move on in their lives. We all hope and pray that 2020 will be our year for victory and success.

Before you move on to the new year, stop for a moment and really look hard at the not-so-great moments of 2019. Were they really that bad? Did you learn something from those moments and experience something new? Were you surprised that you were able to get through those events?

If there is one thing I have learned in my life, it is that we sometimes have to go through a wall of fire in order to truly test our mettle. Our lives are like a rich tapestry or, if you prefer, a quilt. Each panel or segment tells a story and an experience. Some of them detail great victories in our lives while others contain the story of a setback. As we look back on all the moments, we see the richness of learning something. It is easy to say that we learned something when we are victorious. It is harder to find the lesson in a setback.

Someone once told me that there is a big difference between failure and setbacks. Setbacks happen. They are just a part of life. But, what keeps a setback from becoming a failure is the lessons learned from them. If we do not learn anything from our setbacks and accept them as final, then we have truly failed. Setbacks test us to see if we are truly ready for something bigger in our lives.

In his first letter to the believers in Corinth, Paul, in chapter thirteen, writes, “Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.”

As we live our daily lives, we continue to build upon the foundation of Jesus Christ. However, we have the choice of materials. We can choose to build with strong and durable materials like gold and silver or we can choose to use wood, hay or straw. When it comes time to put our work to the test, which do you believe will withstand a fire? Will a strong foundation of gold and silver truly show others that you have the mettle to withstand the worst conflagration imaginable? Or, will your foundation just burn up and disappear and leave nothing in the path of the fire?

Those moments in 2019 that almost took you to the brink of falling tested you and, most importantly, your faith. Each time you experience something devastating, you learned something more about yourself and your faith. You learned that you alone cannot face the world. It is only through God’s will and His undeserved grace that you are able to face tomorrow.

I cannot tell you what tomorrow will hold for me or for you. But, I can remind you of this one thing.

A rich man asked Jesus what he must do to have eternal life. Jesus replied that he must obey all of the commandments. The man said that he was already doing that and asked what else must he do. Jesus told him to sell his possessions and give the money to the poor and then follow him. The man left sad.

Jesus told his disciples in chapter nineteen of the Gospel of Matthew, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I’ll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”

The disciples were astounded and asked Jesus, “Then who in the world can be saved?”

Jesus tells them, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”

If we rely only on our own strength, intelligence and abilities, we are unable to achieve the impossible. If, however, we build upon the foundation of Jesus using strong material, as Paul stated, and realize that we are nothing without the Father, we can achieve the impossible, weather any storm and withstand the hottest fires.

I want you to think about those setbacks of 2019 using this new lens to view them. Did you make it through each one with God’s grace? Did you learn something about your faith? Did those events strengthen your faith and give you the courage to be bold? Are you ready for the challenges of 2020 knowing that God will be there with you leading the way?

Do not let setbacks become failures. Build a strong foundation with strong and enduring materials based on the one true foundation of Christ Jesus. Know that you must give yourself over to God completely and totally. Don’t chase after the things of this world. Know that all things are possible with God. 

Paul, in his letter to the Romans, writes in chapter eight while talking about the future glory that will be given to the chosen of the Father, “What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.”

As long as we remain faithful, obey the commandments, follow the example of His son, Christ Jesus, and build upon him, we can withstand all the storms knowing that there is nothing that can be against us. When we do all those things and remember that failure is not an option, we can stand firm in His grace.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Sunday Praise & Worship Message - Love One Another

The ancient and highly regarded author of Greek tragedies, Euripides, wrote a long time ago, “Love is all we have, the only way that each can help the other.” 

In just a few words, Euripides managed to capture the essence of life. We may go through a great deal of difficulties in our lives, but it is love for one another that gets us through those moments. Without love, we would soon find ourselves alone and forgotten. No one would even care if we lived or died. It would be an empty world full of despair that no one would desire to be a part of.

When you think back to the Pilgrims who came to this new world in search of “the land of the free and the home of the brave”, they had to depend on one another to get through the worst of times. They faced disease, crop failure and harsh weather. Success or failure depended on one thing. They had to be united and do everything together. The cement that bonded them as one was caring for and loving one another. They shared provisions and whatever they had with one another not out of duty but, rather, out of love.

Jesus, in chapter fifteen of the Gospel of John, tells his disciples, “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

When we follow the teachings of Christ Jesus and apply them to our lives daily, we can easily obey the commandments given to us by the Father. By following those commandments and doing His will, we remain in the love of the Lord. Jesus gives his disciples one of the greatest commandments anyone could ever receive. He told them to love one another in the same way that he loved them.

It is the greatest form of love we should have for one another. The Greeks used a specific word for this type of love. It is “agape”. This word refers to "the highest form of love, charity" and "the love of God for man and of man for God". When we look at this love coming from God, it is unconditional and is given freely. It is up to us to accept that love by acknowledging Jesus as our Savior and Lord of our lives. Our love for the Father is that of it being complete and total. It means that we do not hold anything back from the Father. We give ourselves over to Him totally and completely.

As God has shown us love, we must also show those around us love. We must be willing to do whatever whenever even if it means sacrificing for the other. The early Pilgrims knew exactly what that meant. They rationed food and took care of each other during periods of illness. They loved one another and could count on the other during the worst of times. A love like that is so very pure and special. When given, it is freely given without any expectation of return or debt.

Paul, in his letter to his Christian brothers and sisters in Rome, writes in chapter thirteen, “Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments say, ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.’ These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.”

Think about Paul’s words and apply them to our own legal system. If we just loved one another, there would be no need for any laws. All of the requirements of God’s law would be fulfilled in that one simple commandment to “love one another”. 

Charlie Chaplin, in the movie, “The Great Dictator”, gave a heart-rending speech to his people. He said, “You have the love of humanity in your hearts! You don't hate! Only the unloved hate—the unloved and the unnatural!”

It truly is unnatural for us to hate and loathe one another. We want to love one another and, as Mr. Chaplin put it so eloquently, “We all want to help one another, human beings are like that. We want to live by each other's happiness. Not by each other's misery. We don't want to hate and despise one another.”

We were created out of God’s love and we must remember that. Since we have fallen prey to this fallen, sinful world, we have learned to despise and hate one another. We no longer help our friends and those in need. In some cases, some even profit from the miseries of others. This is the way of a fallen world. This is the way of a sinful world. We were created for far better.

In his first epistle to the Corinthians, Paul, in chapter thirteen, writes, “If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.”

If we do not love one another, nothing matters and we have gained nothing. Our lives would be empty and incomplete. When we show godly love to the world by loving not only our neighbors but also our enemies, we are proclaiming to the world that God is truly love.

Jesus, in his Sermon on the Mount as recorded in chapter five of the Gospel of Matthew, said, “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

It is so easy for us to love our neighbors. Anyone can do that. What Jesus calls upon us to do is so very difficult. We are to not only love our neighbors but also love and pray for our enemies. That sort of love helps us to become perfect in the eyes of the Lord. We love, not out of duty, but because the Father loves us so we should love those around us.

As you look at the fourth kernel of corn, thank God for loving you so much that He gave His only son as your sacrifice. Thank God for those who love you and for giving you the opportunity to love others. 

When you love others, you show the world that you not only understand the teachings of Jesus but live in accordance to his words. As you continue to live in His word and by faith, you can stand firm in His grace.  

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.