LiveFreeLoveHard

I read the scriptures and in theory they all sound great..."love is patient, love is kind" 2 Corinthians 13. "How joyful are those who fear the Lord - all who follow his ways! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor.  How joyful and prosperous you will be"  Psalm 128: 1-2. "I tell you the truth if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea, and it will be done.  If you believe you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer" Matthew 21:21. Sometimes, the Word of the Lord appears too good to be true.  I can ask in your name Lord and receive it?  Okay, what's the catch? If I have faith and do not doubt.  Well, there's the issue.  Who among us doesn't have doubts?  We all have doubts, I assume.  I can pray for something but how do I know for sure, that I will receive it?  And because I feel that way, does that automatically im

     God is not far off, in some distant land, ruling the world detached and unmoved by his people.  He is a prayer away.  Closer than a phone call.  We don’t even have to pick the phone up or log in to Facebook and send a message.  We simply can open our mouths are He hears us (Isaiah 38:5). He cares about the things that we care about – being healthy, paying bills on time, doing well on our jobs, having loving relationships and being filled with joy, living stress and worry free (Psalms 56:22). I know the promises of God and when I think about Jesus, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude, but that isn’t the state I live in.  I read something the other day that said, ‘Christians are just not committed and that’s why they are not getting anything done.’  I was shocked by the statement, but not surprised.  I had to ask myself, “Am I committed?”  I wake up in the morning and I’m bombarded with all kinds of thoughts – things I want to get done, even things I don’t want to get done.  I

The Good News is still good.  Jesus Christ died on the cross for the sins of the world, so everyone can be saved.  Not just the “good” and righteous, but everyone.  Yes, salvation is for everyone!  And that is good news.   “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news” Romans 10:15B.  Though a nice pedicure can make us feel good for a moment, it is when we rush to tell others how wonderful Jesus Christ is that truly make our feet beautiful. The Word says, “and how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” Friends, if we keep our mouths shut, and do not share the reason for our joy with others, they may never know.  And how selfish will that be on our parts – to hoard the joy of the Lord for ourselves.  The Lord promises that if we share, he will replenish us.  “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness”  Lamentations 3:22-23. One of the first lessons p