Author: Dennis

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In His Footsteps

In His Footsteps

Over the last seven days, I’ve had conversations with both my sons about life experiences they’d encountered, themselves. One was about a client that felt blessed by my boy’s work ethic and obvious love for Christ … the other, a personal conversation with his daughter and her experience with a “bully”, and how proud he was of her for not reacting like the world expects. Talk about a proud daddy ! My heart swelled within me on both occasions, causing me to silently thank God for their stance for HIM and willingness to love on strangers, as well as family. Parents can only teach, train and live an example for their kids to follow…how they “turn out”, depends on them. So … what are you teaching em ? What kind of example are you giving them that they’re gonna follow ? I know my example wasn’t always the right one, and i regret alotta my ways… I’m not “there” yet … God’s still whittlin on me. You ( we ) can’t expect our kids to act right or do right ( according to God’s standards ) if we don’t show em ! Can you REALLY say you want your kids to be JUST like you ?! There’s an old song that says, “ Lord, i wanna be just like you, cause he wants to be like me”. That oughta be all our goal…to be more Christ-like in the things we think on, the things we say, in our actions and reactions, in the way we treat our spouse, how we treat our enemies ( just like the bullies ), how we spend the resources God allows us to earn, the attitude and attention we give to God’s written word and our worship and praise of Him. They NEED to hear and see what our relationship with Christ has done for “us”, personally ! If we’re not training em towards righteousness, someone else will be more than happy to train em in unrighteousness. If we’re not teachin em to love God with all their heart, mind, soul and energy, someone else’ll teach em to be selfish, hateful and self-centered. Being a Christian…one who lives and breathes to follow Christ in obedience unto His word, walking in the Spirit instead of the flesh, ain’t an easy task…but it’s worth the effort ! Jesus said, “ I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” ( Matthew 5:17-20 ) Jesus didn’t come to abolish the Law and the Prophets, He came to fulfill em ! SO SHOULD YOU and I . Let God use you today. Speak truth to someone. Encourage someone with the love of Christ that is within you. Show others what it looks like to be forgiven and changed. Love on that person that others have turned their backs on. Be Christ-like so “they” can follow in your footsteps. One day you won’t be here. Are you leaving a legacy that’ll benefit others ? Is Jesus magnified in your house ? Don’t be the reason they go to hell ! Give em a fightin chance ! Tell em what God expects and let em know how proud you are of em when they mimic Him.

 

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Magnify Him

Magnify Him

I can remember a few Christmas presents when i was younger … a Hot Wheels track with the “loop”, a SSP car with that “rip stick”, a Daisy BB gun, Schwinn bike , … these were some of my favorite presents, i guess that’s why i remember em. There was always a stocking with a variety of hard-shelled nuts, tangerines, and if i was really lucky, a pack or two of firecrackers. My brother got a present that, although not my bag, was interesting in a way … it was a chemistry set … complete with tweezers, glass test-tubes and my favorite…a “microscope”. Although it was a cheaper version of those used in a real lab, you could put an ant on that piece of glass ( of course, it wasn’t volunteering; you usually had to “subdue” it ), place it under the lens piece and check him / her out so close you could see hundreds of tiny hairs on its body. It was so cool ! A tick off o’ the dog was always a treat, too😆. After i got my BB gun, i got into shooting stuff … cans, bottles, clothespins, waspnests and any other “target” that i deemed a challenge. My BB gun was my weapon, my companion and my power over anything that dared try me … ( hey, i had a vivid imagination 😄 ). It wasn’t until i graduated up to a scoped rifle that i realized my potential, though. That scope, alot like that microscope, brought my targets so close you felt like they were near enough to touch. Microscopes, rifle scopes and magnifying glasses were some o God’s greatest inventions in my book. They took a piece of glass and curved it in such a way as to magnify the object you were focusing on, bringing it so much closer. A good telephoto camera lens will do the same thing. So…what’s the difference, or the similarities, of GOD…and magnification ? Y’ ever heard or said, “ GOD, be magnified in my life” ? Does “bringing Him closer”, magnify Him, in your eyes ? When you give Him your full attention…focus on His kingdom principles, His commandments, His promises and His love…does it make Him BIGGER in your eyes …does it MAGNIFY Him in your heart ? GOD is already SO BIG ! Our finite minds can’t even comprehend the bigness of GOD ! We don’t need microscopes, binoculars or scopes to see GOD … He’s right there inside those who have placed their faith in Him ! He takes up residence in our hearts, if we’ll allow Him access. “ The Spirit of truth …lives with you and will be in you” ( John 14:7 ). God sends the Spirit of His Son into our hearts ( Galatians 4:6 ). And, if by faith we receive Jesus as our Savior, and allow Him the Lordship of our lives, our bodies are then considered “temples of the Holy Spirit” ( 1 Corinthians 6:19 ) ! To “magnify” GOD, we glorify and exalt Him by our life-choices…the way we receive people…the way we react to hardships and troubles…the way we promote His Son, Jesus Christ…and most of all, how we love on people … starting within our own households. When we really start acknowledging GOD for who He truly is, His power and magnitude will only get bigger in our eyes and our lives … and reflecting His truth and glory in our worship, in our testimony and in our service unto HIM , won’t be a problem or have t’ be faked. Magnify Him today ! See what happens ! ( check out Cody Carnes’ song, “ Christ Be Magnified” )…it may just be what gets your focus offa you and your troubles and back on Him.

 

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Ambivalent

Ambivalent

English class was never my favorite , but if i didn’t learn anything else, i learned what a “noun” was … a “person, place or thing.” Y’ever just thought about the “ambivalence” of a person, place or thing ? Uh-Oh…i just lost some o’ y’all 🤣. Lemme save you time … “Ambivalent” def.: To have both positive and negative feelings or aspects regarding a certain thing.” In other words, the person, place or thing can be both “good” and “bad”for us. Case in point … the “emergency / parking brake” on a vehicle… it can be good to hold that vehicle still or keep it from rolling when you don’t need it to. But, it can be bad when you leave it engaged and drive that same vehicle down the road. It’s called, “operator error”, and it ain’t good for the vehicle at all. What about that anchor on your boat ? It’s great when it holds your boat still while you’re fishin or hangin out with friends who surround your boat with theirs … but, it ain’t good when you decide to head up river and you forget to roll it back up. Certain people can be both good and bad for us, also. That same person that you always hung out with that didn’t care ‘bout nothin or nobody…was intent on destroying their body with foreign substances and illicit living, may’ve seemed good or fun at that time, but now that you’ve matured and have a family and responsibilities, that same person probably ain’t the one you need to be hangin with. “Bad company corrupts good morals”( 1 Corinthians 15:33 ). That pool hall or beer joint used t’ be “the place” … all your “friends” could be found there and life was good … but, shootin pool wasn’t all that was goin on there. There was alotta immoral activity that was taking place and the occasional fight was common, due that same immoral activity. Some places are best, avoided . If living a God-honoring lifestyle is our goal, certain people, places and things will need to be avoided and left in our past ! God gave us a whole list of reasons why being “unequally yoked” will never work ( 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 ). He also gave us the perfect recipe for living a lifestyle that is pleasing to Him … He calls them, “ The Ten Commandments” ( Exodus 20:1-17 ) … “Respect your coworkers and them that have authority over you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. Warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Don’t put out the Spirit’s fire, don’t treat prophesies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 ). “ As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do ; for it is written, “ Be holy, because I am holy” ( 1 Peter 1:14-16 ). The “ambivalent nouns” in this life will either draw us into a closer relationship with Christ, or, they’ll kill our chances of ever becoming more Christlike. It’s up to you / me which one we want more.

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Your Name

Your Name

What’s your name…where’d you get it and what’s it mean ? I was named after two men my daddy worked with 🙄 ( he must’ve been hopin for a raise or somethin 🤣 )…and if you looked up the meaning … my “front name” means, “horse lover”, my middle name, “clay settlement”…and my “back name”, “renowned warrior”. I’ve ridden horses and had my share of scrapes, bruises and sore backsides from em…and although i “like” a horse ride occasionally, i ain’t buyin one, feedin one or takin one on t’ raise … so i don’t consider myself a “lover of horses” or hold any grand “fondness” for em. As for the middle and last names… i do hail from Mississippi, and we got plenty o’ “clay soil”…and as for bein a “renowned warrior”…the only parallel there is my being a warrior for Christ…which i proudly proclaim ! I KNOW my daddy wasn’t thinkin along those lines when he was tryin to come up with a name for me, but hey, it’s the one i tote with me every day so it’s just gon’ haveta do. Give thought to your name for a minute. Not the name on your birth certificate, but the one you’re given later. 🧐 See ? We all have an opportunity to “change” our given name … from “non-Christian” to “Christian”. Personally, i know a few “Christians” ( birth names ) , and i ain’t convinced they’re all “born-again”( John 3:3 )…but that’s neither here nor there…but i also know alotta “Christians” ( in the Biblical sense ) that raise a few eyebrows, also. They “claim” the name of “Christ”, but i ain’t real sure He ever “assigned” it to em. We can answer someone in the affirmative, “ Yeah, ima Christian”…”Yes sir, ima believer”, but still be lost and headed to hell in a handbasket…for the simple reason that we’ve never given Jesus the Lordship of our lives. Sure…there may’ve been a “confession” of our lips, but there was never a confession of our heart…and that’s where any good relationship starts ! Jesus said it Himself…” They honor Me with their lips but their hearts are far from Me” ( Matthew 15:8-9 ). Y’all…He ain’t just talkin bout those folks “back then”…He’s talkin bout most of us today ! It’s a personal choice to hang onto our old handle ,” non-Christian” … or take on a new name with new ways ( 2 Corinthians 5:17 ), the name, “Christian”. If you’ve never tried it, what’s stopping you ?! If you’ve received it already, you oughta notice changes takin place daily ! You’ll notice things that display the glory of God … the way the trees, the ocean and streams proclaim His goodness … the winds whisper praises to Him … creation magnifies His name ! You’ll look at people differently…you’ll see “worth” where you used t’ not … you’ll feel a love for em that you used t not ! You’ll start exhibiting not only love, but joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…because it’ll be coming from the Spirit living in you ( Galatians 5:22-23 ). Jesus Himself says it, “ Those who love Me will not only look like Me, they’ll act like Me” ( paraphrased )…( John 14:15 ),”and will do what I command.” So … whose “namesake” are you wearing ? If it’s Jesus’ , can others see it ? Can they tell there’s something different about you other than your hairstyle, your facelift or your confidence-level ? Psalm 139:23-24 oughta be our daily prayer to GOD … “ Search me, O GOD, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” For YOUR namesake, Amen.

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Becoming

Becoming

Who do you look more like, your mama or your daddy ? Now… which one of em do you “act” more like ? There ain’t nothin you can do about the former but there’s a lot you can do about the latter. We see someone else’s kids and can immediately tell who they favor; right ? Ever now and then we see a slight “blending” of the two … they’ll have one of em’s nose and the others hair color … be tall like one of em and the eyes of the other. As parents, we can’t dictate what our younguns look like, physically, but we CAN dictate the paths they take, mentally and spiritually. We train em in righteousness so they’ll be more Christlike…and when they get older, they’re not be stuck wondering how to act( Proverbs 22:6 ). If we don’t …or if we don’t take the time… they’ll resemble someone else … their “friends”, someone else with opposing beliefs and even the devil, himself. We MUST deliver and teach the truth of GOD, so they’ll have a CHANCE in the life they live on earth and the one they’ll live in eternity ! For them to be equipped for what they WILL face in life, we MUST first, be equipped ourselves ! Only GOD can prepare and equip His people for the daily battles that we face … how we train our kids, how we love our spouses, how we respect our boyfriends and girlfriends, how we respect our coworkers and respond to each other, how we treat a stranger or folks that don’t look like us, and yeah…how we treat our brothers and sisters in Christ ! If we’re acting like “the lost”, it’s a good chance we’re still lost ourselves. God’s Word clearly states, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ ( saved / born again ), they are a new creation, old ways are gone, new ways have come”…( 2 Corinthians 5:17 ). So…who does your family say you look like ? You know they know you better than most … they see the real you. So who do you resemble ? Jesus or Satan ? If you can’t let go of the past or forgive … chances are you’re not equipped for it. If you’re hangin on to old ways … chances are you haven’t been set free from the trap yet. If you can’t love like Jesus loves, you just might not have the Spirit in you that affords you that privilege . God provides spiritual gifts, leadership and training to His followers to enable them to serve Him, build up the church and mature in their faith to become like Christ ( Ephesians 4:11-13 ). Once we’re His, we have no excuse to not look like Him ! Let’s each one take a good, long, hard look at ourselves and ask God to transform us more into His image. We can’t afford to go around with a “mistaken identity”.

 

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Success

Success

What parent doesnt want to see their kids succeed ? What spouse doesnt want to see their soulmate happy, fulfilled in all their endeavors and enjoying life for all its worth ? What manager, supervisor or company owner doesn’t desire to see their employees satisfied and hungry to improve ? See where I’m going ? We all want what’s best for those that we love … those we invest our time in … and those that look to us for some guidance that’ll help them be better. I could care less if my kids were sheep farmers, rocket scientists, school teachers, ditch diggers, professional ball players or stay-at-home workers, as long as they weren’t lazy…enjoyed their positions and gave God the glory. It mattered not if they made 12,000 dollars a year or 12,000,000, i just wanted to see em happy, contributing to the household, a respectful citizen and loving God with all their hearts, souls, minds and strengths. I don’t believe that’s too much to ask; right ? I believe, if God expected less outta His Son, we wouldn’t have the luxuries we enjoy today. If Jesus had “quit early”, been lazy or lost heart for the job the Father sent Him to do, we’d all be hopeless and bound for a lifetime of torment and destruction. But, because He didn’t do any of these things…and our futures are secured through our faith in Him, shouldn’t we be more intentional in our faith-walk ? When someone does something for us, shouldn’t we be more gratefully thankful, instead of ungratefully hateful ? Shouldn’t our actions prove that our words are for real ? When life gets tough on us, shouldn’t we tap the hand of our Partner and allow Him a go at it ? God never intended us to “come to Christ” and walk out our journey alone … that’s why we’re given His Spirit as Helper, Counselor and Constant Companion. “If you have any encouragement from being united in Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness or compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” ( Philippians 2:1-5 )
If we love em like we say we do and want the best life possible for em, we need to start em out with the truth of God’s word !! Period !!

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Your Voice – God’s Voice

Your Voice – God’s Voice

I received this text yesterday from my oldest son, who’d received this note from his 8 year old daughter. I’m sharing both, not because I’m wanting any praise or pats-on-the-back…pass the praise up to our loving, forgiving and merciful GOD…but because i know that sometimes, we get to feeling like we’re not really making a dent for God’s kingdom … like no matter how often we mention His goodness, we feel like folks dont take us seriously … or that they just dont care to hear anything about Jesus. Yall don’t know all the history of my life struggles or those of my son’s … but you know “yours” very well; right ? Whether you have kids or grandkids, or not, take this note…the paper one that Matleigh wrote and the one Hunter texted me…and own em for yourself, “personally”. You DO make a difference ! You CAN be used by GOD for HIS purposes ! There IS a reason you’re here … and it’s to glorify GOD in ALL you do, ALL you say and ALL you think ( Matthew 22:37-40 ). If we’ll strive for THIS , we’ll love each other in God-honoring ways. I hope this touches you as deeply as it did me. Keep going ! Don’t stop ! You ARE making a difference ! In Jesus’ name, i pray this over you today … Amen. ( If you ever feel down or discouraged just remember… Your voice or platform that you speak on may not be “as big as”, or “reach as many people” as Charlie Kirk and some of the other more well know Christians who have been persecuted for their beliefs, beliefs that honor God, standing up for what’s right…etc… but your voice, your beliefs, your quirky habits and examples have not only touched my life, but a little freckled face 8 year old that God has placed in both of our paths wrote this on a note night before last… She came up to me and showed me what she had written. Her exact words were, “I copied your deddy right here. It means have a blessed day! I got that from your deddy because he always writes that!” It made me get that big ole lump in the back of my throat as I smiled and fought back tears at the same time. I told her she was right and that was sweet and gave her a big hug. She watches you just like I did growing up and I want to thank you for helping me not only talk to her about God and teach her right from wrong, but also do my best (it’s always a work in progress) to lead by example. I love you deddy ) Thank you, Hunter Lewis, for sharing this with me … God knew that a lot of us needed to hear it ! I wasn’t able, nor did i try, to hold back my tears. The fight is real, but God’s fighting our battles with us ! And His ways are ALWAYS the right ways ! I love you son. Have a blessed day

 

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Peace?

Peace?

Do you think I came to bring peace on earth ? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other; three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother in law against daughter in law and daughter in law against mother in law” ( Luke 12:51-53 ). Jesus’ words…not mine. Not peace, but division. I see it happnin more and more frequently, the longer i live. It breaks my heart ! Our only hope ? Jesus Christ .., the very one who mouthed these words and holds our future in His hands ! We can hold to the standards of this world and the pattern drawn out by the Enemy … or … we can fight on our knees and build strong relationships with Jesus that Satan and this world can’t touch ! Nobody is “trapped” or “forced” into a life of crime and chaos … they choose it ! God has already beaten the power of sin and spiritual death … it’s available to any and all that’ll choose HIM over everything else ! The ones that choose division are the ones that choose a life separated from the power of God…choosing to leave their armor in a closet than to wear it ( Ephesians 6:10-18 )… choosing to walk in the flesh instead of the Spirit ( Galatians5:16 ). The ones that choose life more abundant ( John 10:10 ), through a grounded faith in Christ, will work on it to achieve it ( Philippians 2:12 ).

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Creator … God

Creator … God

You ever just walk outside on a night or early morning and look up at the sky and check out those stars ? I can remember as a kid, my daddy pointing out the Big and Little Dipper , the North Star and the Milky Way. I guess he didn’t know the names of any of the others…like that kite-shaped one ( Bootes, the Herdsman ) … that mouse-shaped one ( Leo ) … and that one that looks like a drone with one broke leg ( Hercules ). So many “constellations”…stars that form recognizable patterns … and to the trained eye, has navigated ships across pitch-black seas, brought trappers over mountains and guided weary travelers for centuries. Y’ ever wonder why God made em like they are ? It’s like He was playing that old “dot-t-dot” game; right ? Star-gazers have been intrigued, if not just entertained, since the beginning of time … and whether you’re laying on your back in your driveway or in the bed of your truck, out on the salt or an open lake, waiting on first-light while huntin or just walking the dog before bedtime, take a few seconds and look up…and be reminded of the powers that GOD holds. Remind yourself of scripture that says,” On the fourth day , God said, ‘let there be light in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth’.” And it was so. God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. ( Genesis 1:14-16 ) The psalmist said it well … “ When i consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him ?” ( Psalm 8:3-4 ) He’s talkin about “you”. None of us are here by a mistake or by accident ! We were created by “GOD” … Creator of all we see and even the things we don’t see ( Romans 1:20 ) ! Realizing this oughta make you feel special ! Father God, we are yours to do with as you see fit. We were created by you and can’t do this life without you. Have your way. Your will be done. In the name of Jesus the Son, the bright and morning Star, we pray … Amen.

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Jesus Saves

Jesus Saves

I’m from an old Southern Baptist church and have been a “southern Baptist” ever since i gave my heart and the rest o’ my life to Christ, way back when i was about 13. Just so we’re clear, being a “Baptist” dont save nobody from their sins or separation from God … it’s our “relationship” with Jesus Christ that does. Same as if you’re a Methodist, Lutheran, Pentecostal, Catholic or any of the other hundreds of “non-denominational” churches out there. Until and unless we start with THAT FOUNDATIONAL TRUTH, there won’t be any salvation or change ( Romans 10:9-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17 ). When Jesus said, “ I am the way, the truth and the life, and nobody gets to the Father except through me”, He wasn’t just whistlin dixie ( John 14:6 ). Unless and until we recognize this fact of the matter, nothing else will make any sense. So…back to growing up in a Baptist church … there was certain things you just didn’t do. You didn’t express any emotions, unless it was silent crying … you didn’t holler anything out loud and you surely didn’t raise a hand. That was viewed as “drawing attention to yourself”, and away from the message being brought to you by the pastor. A baby crying or an adolescent speaking out loud enough for half the congregation to hear, was subject to frowns and judgement from those who thought silence was next to godliness … it didn’t matter that the child was needin to go to the bathroom or that baby had colic. I can recall the first time i saw an arm raised in church … it was a more seniorly lady that wore a red beret ( maybe it was raspberry 😁 “Prince”🥴)… and i can remember thinking that her boldness was exemplary … my heart swelled a little… and i got a lump in my throat and wished that I’d be so brave and unashamed to express my faith. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve stopped worrying about what “people” think and worry more about what God thinks. I finally figured out why we were “at church” in the first place … it was a place to corporately worship and praise GOD, our Creator, and lift high the name of Jesus … all the while, studying and learning how better to live out the abundant life He died for us to live ! Talk about “eye-opening” ! By focusing on GOD, the folks around you are out of “the crosshairs”. It’s you and Him…and whatever the preacher’s preachin, is coming straight from GOD. When we’re given the opportunity to praise through singing, we’re singin to Him, and He likes it, no matter how flat or off-key it sounds to our neighbor sittin close to us. When the words on that big-screen or page becomes “personal” to us, we realize the privilege of bein able to praise through our voices … and we have an audience of One … our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ ! I picture Him coming to His feet, staring straight at me, like He did Stephen ( Acts 7:55-56 ), when my lifted praises are directly to Him. I can see that vast army of angels joining me in the chorus as my words are directed straight to Him and what all He’s done for me and mine ! As i was reading about Moses and his battle with the Amalekites…and how as long as his arms were raised, the Israelites would win the battle … but when his arms got tired and he lowered em, they would lose… i thought how important it is to have a “Hur” and an “Aaron”… friends that hold our arms up for us when our strength is weak ( Exodus 17:8-16 ). I hope, before i go home, i can witness all those that gather in the name of Jesus, raising hands towards heaven and praising unashamedly…glorifying GOD wholeheartedly ! “If you’re ashamed of Me and My word when you’re around people, I’ll be ashamed of you before the Father. “ — Jesus ( Luke 9:26 ) I hope and pray you’re not missing out on opportunities to lift high those hands to the Only One worthy of our praise.

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It’s Your Move

It’s Your Move

When i was younger, i used t’ get into horror movies … shows that took it to a whole nother level … shock-scenes of murder, mutilation and mayhem. I can remember being mesmerized by these scenes of violence that always quickened my pulse and caused me to flinch more times than i can recall. Two such movies: “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “Ed Gein”. Depicted as “the house next door” or that neighbor you spoke briefly to while checking the mail, they were anything but, “normal”. Leatherface and Ed Gein both, were psychos that murdered or dug up corpses outta graveyards and “skinned” their victims, wearing that skin as a mask of sorts. It’d leave me shaking my head, thinkin, “ Wow ! Talk about twisted !” I’m over those films and understand better the damage they can do to a person’s walk with Christ. They instill a spirit of “fear” … and in Christ, we shouldn’t fear any evil, evoke or invite any dark forces into our lives that would pollute our minds or hearts ( 2 Timothy 1:7; Psalm 23:4 ). As He led me to this morning’s passage, i couldn’t help but think back to these gruesome movies. “Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God, set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You USED TO walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have TAKEN OFF YOUR OLD SELF with its practices and have PUT ON THE NEW SELF, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” ( Colossians 3:1-10 ). Have you ? … “taken off your old self and put on the new self” ? I truly believe, the majority of people in the world today, “Christians” included, like taking their new skin off and putting their former skin back on, as if it’s “normal”… like a favorite sweater or pullover. They want what God offers, but they wanna hang onto old ways .., they blend in so well, you’d be hard-pressed to see any “change” or “difference” in em. They’ve either convinced themselves or been led to believe that it’s ok to live a “double life” … putting their “Jesus suit” on on Sundays and Wednesdays…on Christmas Day and Easter morning … and then shucking it for their “old comfortable” ensemble the majority of the time. God’s Word doesn’t support that theory, though .., and folks, we better wake up and smell the coffee ! “ That person should not expect to receive anything from the LORD. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do” ( James 1:7-8 ). “Don’t merely listen to The Word, and so deceive yourselves. DO WHAT IT SAYS ! Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man, who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like” ( James 1:22-24 ). “Religion” / a “religious person” … apart from a “relationship of change” in and through Jesus Christ … “worthless” ( James 2:14-26 ) ! “Therefore, if anyone is IN CHRIST, they are a NEW person with NEW ways … the old ways are gone “ ( 2 Corinthians 5:17 ). Time to repent and return… or repent and receive ? It’s your move !

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Stolen Inheritance

Stolen Inheritance

Don’t let someone else steal your inheritance. Some o yall just got mad all over again; didn’t you ? Because you immediately thought of that time when a relative took what was rightfully yours, beat you outta that piece o land or that trinket, or manipulated that will so that you and your other siblings were stuck holdin an empty bag. Happens all the time. It’s just more proof that sinful people are stingy, greedy and deceitful … and God’s eyes dont miss a thing…He’ll remind us, “ Don’t repay evil for evil. Vengeance is mine” ( Romans 12:17-21 ). “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitfully use you and persecute you” ( Matthew 5:43-44 ). Two ways this can go … you can let the word of God check your heart and attitude and submit to Him…or… you can resist it, build a wall, pridefully hold onto bitterness and by your attitude and actions / inactions say ,” I hear you God, but I ain’t forgivin nobody or forgettin what they did.” And God dont miss nothin ! He’ll allow us to hold a grudge, seek revenge, stew in our own juices of hatred and tell us, “ Aight, we can do this the easy way or the hard way, but I’m still GOD and I WILL accomplish what I please.” Why do we fight and get so mad over material possessions anyway !? It’s all gonna go up in smoke one day ( 2 Peter 3:10 ). If we spent half the time and effort stockpiling “Kingdom Treasure”, as we do “worldly treasure”, we’d REALLY have something to be proud of ( Matthew 6:19-21 ). If you really wanna hear God’s take on “inheritances”, you need look no further than Exodus chapter 16, Numbers chapter 14 or Psalms 95:8-11 ) … “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts ( as your forefathers did ) when they tested Me and tried Me, though they had seen what I did. For forty years I was angry with that generation; I said, ‘ They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they have not known My ways’, so I declared on oath in My anger, ‘ They shall never enter My rest.’ “ And they didn’t ! The “Promised Land” was RIGHT THERE !! They could’ve had the best-of-the-best if they’d’ve just STOPPED grumbling and complaining and trusted GOD to complete what He’d started … but they chose a rebellious attitude and a complaining spirit, over the HOLY SPIRIT … and they lost out on the abundant life ( John 10:10 ) God was offering them … not to mention, eternal separation from God ! Don’t let anyone rob you of your inheritance ! Don’t let someone else take you down with em ! Stand firm in your faith in Christ Jesus and never be ashamed of Him ( Luke 9:26 ). Nothing compares to His riches !

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Lord Take Over

Lord Take Over

Picture yourself standing over your kid(s) while they sleep … recall the moment you were given the privilege and responsibility of being their parent… how scared you wouldn’t know what to do but excited beyond explanation. Now, picture them alone … without you … without your influence, your assistance … your “I love yous”, your words of encouragement … your hugs and kisses … your support. Whatever you wanted to say to em is now lost forever. The last thing you said will be what they remember the rest of their lives. Sure, they’ll remember the good times yall had together … but they’ll also remember the times that they can’t erase from their minds. You wanted to apologize, but a small voice kept tellin you that you could do it later … that it’d bring up things best left in the past … that as long as you left it unsaid, maybe they’d forget it. And that’s just what the enemy wants you to do … leave it hangin … no closure … no forgiveness … and unfortunately, no last chances to make it right. Satan wants only to steal, kill and destroy ( John 10:10 )…he’s good at it and he’s successful. Our only hope, for ourselves and the welfare of our kids, spouses and family, is a binding and lasting relationship with Jesus Christ. Without it, we’re all in trouble ! If you can look on the ones you SAY you love, and imagine never being able to tell em what you wanted to say … never holding their hands again … never laughing at another get-together and enjoying that good meal together … never tellin em that you love em or how much they mean to you… then you’ll know what Jesus felt when he looked out over his people and the city they were so proud of…and with tears streaming down His face…he said, “ If only you had known on this day of salvation the things which would bring you peace. But now they have been hidden from your eyes” ( Luke 19:41-42 ). Can you relate ? Has there been a friend or loved one that’s slipped into eternity sooner than you expected ? And maybe you’ve often wondered if they were truly saved. Why not take the initiative and make that call … take the time to ask a coworker if they know for sure where they’ll spend eternity … say “I’m sorry…please forgive me” … tell another person you love em … pray for your spouse and thank God for em … hold that hand … have that dance … share a little of your excess with another … be that friend a friend would like to have … do something out of your comfort zone for an enemy … be the example of Jesus that you’ve grown to love and admire. Don’t allow another missed opportunity to really express the love of Christ for those who may ( or may not ) be going to hell. And if it’s “you” that you’re worried about, take a minute to hear God’s heartfelt cry … wanting a relationship with you that surpasses all understanding. Just tell ‘im your tired o’ runnin, and that you want Him to take over and be your Lord and Savior. He’ll still have tears runnin down His face, but it’ll be tears of joy insteada tears of sadness ! And listen…LISTEN !! Can you hear all them angels rejoicing in the background ?!!? ( Luke 15:7 )

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The Point of Dispair

The Point of Dispair

Think hard about what I’m about to ask you … has there been a time of “drought” or suffering in your life, where you got to a point of despair…rock-bottom … and your only hope left was God ? Knowin if He didn’t do a miracle, you were good as gone ? And He DID ?! God proved Himself, once more, and His mercy made your tears run unashamedly before Him. You thanked Him profusely and made heartfelt vows to Him…and maybe even to others that you’d wronged along the wayward way you’d been traveling. A move of God cannot be ignored, although they’re often referred to as “lucky”, a “coincidence” or “fate”. The truth is, nothing happens out of shear luck, fate or coincidence … God either allows it to happen or He makes it happen … good or bad. Too often, we humans think we’re controlling things…this world…and God would remind us real fast that we’re here because He created us…and He created us to serve Him. Period. If we don’t accept this fact and responsibility, that’s on us…and God’ll let us go on with our wicked behavior and unfaithfulness until we flush ourselves down the toilet bowls we’ve set ourselves up in. He uses the unrighteous and righteous alike to accomplish His will … at “His” discretion. Hell even knows Him and trembles ( James 2:19 )… but it’s too late for them. All their chances…GONE ! We tend to fall into a pattern, though. We human beings have no problem praising God and worshipping Him when we’re “up”…when our money’s in the bank and we’ve got plenty in the frig… but what happens when God slows down the blessings…withholds His favor…seems to’ve “left the building”? What then ? How do we feel towards Him and about Him, then ? Like He says…He’s GOD…He makes the rules…He’s in charge and He can make it rain on the just as well as the unjust ( Matthew 5:45 ). He dont answer to nobody. So…what will you do if “the well runs dry” or the “oil stops flowing”( 2 Kings 4 ) ? Will you turn around and go back to the familiar…to those “friends” that threw in with you in your rebellious living ( Proverbs 26:11 )…before you began loving God ? King Hezekiah knew what it was to bask in the blessings and favor of God Almighty. He became wealthy beyond imagination, “ for God had given him very great riches” ( 2 Chronicles 32:31 ) … but it’s also recorded that “God left him to test him and to know everything that was in his heart “ ( verse 31b ). Here’s the question to ponder…to chew on…”How you gonna act / treat God if He chooses to leave you…to withhold His blessings…or to remove His favor”? He’ll test us to see where our true allegiance lies. He’ll test us to see our heart’s condition. He’s God…and He already knows which way we’ll go… He just wants “us” to know it. If He’s tryin to tell us to repent, then we need to repent …and thank Him for giving is another chance ! Loving God and “playin church” ain’t hard when things are good … it’s those tough times that’s gonna prove whether our devotion is “for real” or not. If we’ll love God with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind and all our strength ( Matthew 22:37-40 ), there won’t be any part of us that won’t be devoted to honoring and glorifying God… regardless of our circumstances ! Examine your heart and know it … GOD does.