LiveFreeLoveHard

     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...

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”...

Don’t watch the news and be afraid or scared.   “You are more than a conqueror through Christ who loves you” (Romans 8:37).   If anything, watch the news for an active prayer list.   Don’t watch and say “poor things,” when God is still God and still on His throne performing miracles.   As if you are without recourse.   Isn’t God available to answer your calls? Is He not still the Healer; Alpha and Omega?   Have you forgotten His marvelous works? Do you consider this age too much for God to handle? Are these troubles more potent than the ones from the olden days? It is not for you to fear or cower or be alarmed.   For the Bible says to “make every opportunity to do good in these evil days” (Ephesians 5:15-18).   Now is not the time to hide your light when the world so desperately needs it.   Now is the time to “shine your light before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:16).   People w...

I need to be reminded of how much God truly loves me.   We all have a generic sense that God loves us.   We’ve heard the song, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so…”   Even with knowing how much God loves me, I still struggle with understanding how that love for me plays out in my life.   God doesn’t love the way we love.   His love is beyond what we even consider.   His love is so specific, so precise and so definite.   Some days, when I’m being nice to my family and I’ve paid my tithes, or given money to someone less fortunate – I feel loved by God.   At least, I may feel more lovable because I’m doing things that God would approve of.   There are many other times when I don’t feel so wonderful.   I may have snapped at a friend or said I couldn’t help out with something when I know I could’ve.   There are times when I am in direct violation of the will of God for my life.   Those times I feel awful. ...

You don’t need long legs and a flawless appearance to be a model.   You just need to care about the people who care about you.   Often times we only think of ourselves, what we feel like or don’t feel like doing; what we want or do not want.   All around us, we are taught to look out for Numero Uno.   We should certainly be conscious of what is best for ourselves, but we should not neglect the impact our lives have on others.   Someone is always watching, even when you don’t think they are.   A younger cousin, a sister, a distant friend, a stranger, all with eyes on you to see who you are and what you are doing.   I’m not trying to make you paranoid, just aware.   Be good to one another.   It’s alright to go out of your way to help someone else.   Live for something or someone other than yourself.   Be a model friend, a model woman, a model man, a model parent, a model child, a model co-worker, a model boss.   It isn’t a...

Proverbs 4:25 “Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe.   Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.”   We all need a plan in life.   Even if it’s just a 1,2, or 3 year plan we need something to keep us focused and to keep us motivated in the morning.   Some have already found their calling and are actively pursuing their dreams.   Most of us are still searching for something that feels just right to us and we haven’t quite stumbled upon or discovered it yet.   That’s ok.   I felt like I was being left behind as I saw family and friends get married, have children, buy homes, start their dream career, and travel to places I’ve only dreamed of.   I wanted to be there or at least on the right path.   Why hadn’t I discovered a passion and drive for myself?   Why couldn’t I discover my dreams and start pursuing them ...

Don’t be drunk with wine because that will ruin your life, but be filled with the Holy Spirit… Ephesians 5:18   My battle with alcoholism has been a long and rough one.   It didn’t matter the hour and it didn’t matter the day, I would be down for a drink.   Everybody drinks, I thought.   How could I have a problem? I wasn’t doing anything out of the norm from what everyone else was doing.   However, alcohol had pernicious effects on my life.   Rarely, if ever, was I able to drink without going overboard.   Once I had the first drink, it was harder to turn down the next one.   I would often not stop drinking until I was forced to by passing out, or running out of time, because most places stopped selling alcohol at 2:00 a.m.   I blacked out often, never really remembering the events of the evening.   In the moment it would seem as though I was having the time of my life, yet the morning after I’d have to do a reconnaissance of th...