Phil's Thoughts

Be Still

“Be still, and know that I am GOD” ( Psalm 46:10a ). The psalmist may’ve recorded this, but the Spirit sends us this message. We need to hear and heed it. When the authorities of this world don’t take a stance for truth and justice, they need to know they will be held accountable by “the Authority”… One much higher than they. When people choose selfish pleasures over godly morals and commands, they need to know there’s a day of reckoning coming. When mamas and daddies set bad examples, let their kids run loose, talk back and get away with murder ( 1 John 3:15 ), they need to be aware that their “seed-sowing” will return to them a thousand fold ( Galatians6:7-8 ). Husbands will be held accountable to God for the way they treated their wives…wives will be held accountable for the way they treated their husbands. If it goes against God’s written commands, precepts or instructions, there will come a day of judgement … and GOD will do the judging, as well as administer the punishment. “Be still, and know that I am GOD”, wasn’t just some “feel-good” statement for a kitchen sampler ( kids, you can Google it or ask your Mimi )…it was a reminder that everything made, including mankind, is under the authority of the Almighty ! He’s our Creator…He gets to make the rules. There’s certainly times in life we need “a break”. The busy-ness of day-t-day responsibilities can be overwhelming and exhausting, for sure ! Getting away or communing with nature is a great way to relax and unwind. We can then, remember to, “be still, and know that He is GOD.” The hustle and bustle of life can cause us to miss out on the good things of God…the goodness of God…the good things He’s created for us to enjoy. His “Sabbath” ain’t the only day He wants us to relax…His “rest” comes from a close walk with Jesus…knowing Him and “abiding” in Him…praising Him in the good times, as well as the bad times … remembering where you used-t-be, and marveling over where you are today … looking around you at the way God’s blessed and favored you; recognizing Him as your Source for those blessings, and thanking Him appropriately. “Be still, and know that I am GOD.”

Nuttin To It

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you WILL NOT gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. ( Galatians 5:16-17 ) Well, there we go ! Nuttin to it; right ? WRONG ! Living “by the Spirit” ( by the way…yall DID catch that upper case “S”; right ? ) is living under the Lordship of God the Father, by faith in the Son, Jesus Christ, and under the leadership and power of the Holy Spirit of GOD. This is THE ONLY WAY to walk in the righteousness of God … to live “up to” the Holy standards of God, and reap the benefits of a life free from the burdens and pain that “willingly sinning” produces. Where the consequences of sin are heartbreak, poor health conditions, incarceration, death and eternal separation from GOD … the consequences of being Spirit led is abundant life, freedom, peace, joy, contentment, peace-of-mind, supernaturally empowered and blessed beyond measure ! Trying to sin while Spirit-filled is like trying to cram a square peg in a round hole, thread a needle while traveling a wash-board gravel road or put lipstick on a pig. It just won’t “feel right”! God never saved us for us to return to our sinful ways…no matter how frequent ( Proverbs 26:11; Romans 6:1 ). Living and walking in the Spirit MUST precede “self-control”… a must-have “fruit of the Spirit”. Without the Spirit and His power, we cannot be self-controlled…and we will not be able to resist the temptation to sin. Aintcha glad you no longer haveta live in that sinful nature that was handicappin you and sendin you to hell ?

Thank Him

Ten men with leprosy encountered Jesus while on his way to Jerusalem. Because the law forbade lepers from being around anybody but another leper, they hollered from a distance…” Jesus, Master, have pity on us !” When he saw them, he said,” Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked,” Were not all ten cleansed ? Where are the other nine ? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner ?” Then he said to him,” Rise and go; your faith has made you well” ( Luke 17:11-19 ). We’re not told, but i picture the “afterwards” … life after the healings … how it “changes” a person, or not. Because Jesus made it a point that we hear and see this one man out of ten come back, after he sees he’s cleansed from this terminal and terrible disease, i believe the other nine may’ve been like many of us … they enjoyed the benefit of the healing ( the cleansing ) of their physical sores and infections…the ostracism that came with this disease…but they left before the “spiritual healing” could be administered. In other words, they enjoyed part of the meal, belched, and left satisfied with what they received. They didn’t say,”Enjoyed it”…”Compliments to the Cook”…or “Thank you” to the host. They also didn’t get in on the fine dessert afterwards. Too often, we skip on our merry way after a blessing from God and we don’t even have the respect and decency to say “Thank you, Lord”. I know what Ida done if i was Jesus…them other nine boys wouldn’t’ve made it to the priests before their leprosy returned ! Just sayin. Yall best be glad i ain’t God. If we haven’t already learned this lesson, why not start now?! Pray faithfully that God will grant you safe travels to and from wherever you go each day. And when you get there, thank him for letting you. You got a bad cough or runny nose, ask God to heal you. And when the dozen Kleenexes wind down to one or two, thank him. When that grandbaby stops screaming every two hours, thank him. When you open the frig and can’t find the jelly for all the leftovers, thank him that you’re well-stocked. Ask for that deer that’s been leaving tracks around your stand…and when he sends it by and helps you make the shot, thank him for providing you some more sausage…and even if you don’t see anything, thank him for lettin you enjoy his creation … so many others would love to be in your place. An ungrateful person is probably the saddest excuse for a human as there is ! Let’s start, if we ain’t already, thanking God for all the luxuries we enjoy each day. Ask him to make you aware of em…and ask him to grant you a grateful heart. God doesn’t “give” or “bless” because he HAS to … he does it because he’s a Good Father…because he loves us and wants us to love him back. He’s got the authority and power to move mountains … but he’s also got the authority and power to change a heart of stone into one that’s geared for His pleasure. When “that person” holds that door for you…when someone pays for your coffee…when that young man offers to take your buggy back to the store…when someone yields to let you come over… be thankful…tell em or just give em that grateful wave and mouth “thank you” … and thank God for that person . We can learn alot from this one ol boy that turned around and went back to fall at Jesus’ feet and glorify God with thanksgiving. Let’s not be like the other nine and miss out on the “coup de gras” ( a stroke of mercy ; an act of grace ) that God has in store for us.

Acknowledge

To “acknowledge” means to admit the truth or existence of something, to express gratitude or recognition , to show notice of something or to confirm receipt of it. “Whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will also acknowledge him/her before My Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before men, I will disown him/her before My Father in heaven.” — Jesus. ( Matthew 10:12-13 ) We say, and hear, things like this: “Yeah I know God !”…but does God know “you” ( Matthew 7:22-23 ) ? “ Naw…i useta go t’ church, but I ain’t found one I like.” … but invite em to a party, the club, the camp, the ballfield, the golfcourse or the lake, and they’ll run over you gettin there. We DO what we WANT to do. I’ve even seen folks, “in church”, concentrating on their phones ( or watches ) while they should be praising or worshipping through listening to the message ! It’s no different than a young person coloring or talking amongst themselves while attending a “worship” service. If we’re not giving the Lord our full, undevided attention and respect, we might as well not be there. It’s a blatant disregard for HIM and a poor example of Jesus Christ. And, it’s an outright un-acknowledgement of Him. When we are given opportunities to serve in Jesus’ name, speak the truth of His Word, testify of His goodness and witness about the blood-bought, life-changing amazingness of His grace, and fail to follow through with these divine appointments, we have failed to acknowledge Him before men ! And what did Jesus say ? If yall won’t acknowledge me before others, I ain’t gon’ acknowledge yall before My Father.” Wow ! That would be detrimental ! Without that relationship with Jesus, we won’t have access to the Father or benefit from His salvation from sin … the penalty of which is “death” ! “If you are ashamed of me and My words here on earth, I will be ashamed of you before the Father” ( Luke 9:26 ). I’m just a simple man ‘ hails from Star, Ms., but it makes more sense to me to acknowledge Him while I’m able … every chance i get ! How bout you ? I guess, if you’ve never really received Him, you wouldn’t have any reason to acknowledge Him. Good gifts are worth acknowledging.

Speak Out

For “fun” or “curiosity”, have you ever sat down with one o’ them “fortune tellers” ? You know, the ones that claim they can look at the palm of your hand, throw a few bones or flip a few tarot cards and predict your future or tell you stuff you already know about yourself ? I know me and Pennye Jacobs Lewis did one time while we were in New Orleans … you see em all around the area in front of the church ( St. Louis Cathedral ). Seems like Pennye was pregnant at the time and one of the questions we asked was whether it would be a boy or girl 🙄. ( What was we gonna do once it arrived, drive back over there and tell er she got it right or wrong !? ) People are so willing to throw good money after bad … even if it’s for the fun of it. And by the way…God tells us to stay away from these people and their evil workings ( Deuteronomy 18:10-12; Acts 19:19 ). These are an “abomination unto the Lord”, thus, avoided, left alone and not to be relied on. As Forrest’s mama always said,” Stupid is as stupid does.” God wants His children to trust and rely on Him and Him alone ( Exodus 20:3-5 ). Ol’ girl wound up in the middle of one of God’s “divine appointments” and was used to spread the message of Jesus’ ability to “tell everything she’d ever done” … and they’d never met before that day. Many believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony. And because of His ( Jesus’ ) words, many more became believers ! They said to the woman,” We no longer believe just because of what you said, now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world” ( John 4:39-42 ). Too often, we keep silent about our “encounters” with Jesus and what He’s spoken to us … shame on us. “God” things, “God’s words” and “divine appointments” don’t need to be kept a secret !! We’re given opportunities every single day to shine the spotlight on our Savior and to glorify GOD. Let’s not waste any more of em ! And don’t waste any more money on them “dark” forces or Ouiga boards ( ask yer papaw or Mimi 😄 ). By your testimony, God’ll attract others to His salvation !

The Gift

Thanksgiving is in our rearview mirror and Christmas’ll be here ‘fore you know it. Folks are decorating their homes and puttin up the ol Christmas tree…a few have started on their shopping for that right gift for family and friends … the Hallmark movies are playing and the kids are drivin mom crazy being out o’ school on vacation. Dad’s already grumbling about all the decorations that haveta be taken back up in the attic and tryin to convince mom to just put up a small tree. God bless us every one ! As for “gift giving”… try to recall your most-favorite that you received last year. Uh-huh …that’s what i thought … you can’t remember what you ate for lunch two days ago, so you sho ain’t gon’ remember what you got last Christmas. Unless it was a “big ticket” gift, or yall gave each other something like a cruise, it’s probably hard to remember. A “gift” is just a gift … it’s made or bought, and it’s “given” … but if it’s not “received”, it doesn’t benefit anybody. Some of us have hidden gifts so they wouldn’t be found beforehand … and when the unwrapping was done, that particular gift remained where it was hidden … found accidentally later on in the year. A “received” gift is not only given, it’s accepted by someone that had no part in purchasing it or making it. Certain “gifts” keep on giving long after they’ve been exchanged. My wife, Pennye Jacobs Lewis is one of em. God “gifted” me with her over 45 years ago…and she’s still as precious as the day she first smiled at me. Another “gift” He offers is either received, or rejected … His Son , Jesus Christ. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God…children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God ( John 1:11-13 ). It’s called,” born again” for a reason. When we get to that point in life where we feel like something’s missing…something’s just not right, or that there’s got to be more… God whispers,”You’re right.” And He’s offering us the opportunity of a lifetime … a chance to be all He’s designed and purposed us to be … the privilege of being called, “a child of GOD”! It’s HIS gift to us…held out with unimaginable love … but, until we reach back out and receive it, it’s not ours. It’s not a bomb and it won’t bite…it’s not one of “those gifts” that you’re gonna wanna return…it’s the greatest gift we’ll ever receive … but only if we receive it and open it. The gift that keeps on giving … a relationship with God through faith and acceptance of His Son ! To receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior is not only the greatest gift we’ll ever receive, it’s the greatest story ever told ! It’s not to be received and kept for/to ourselves … it’s to be “confessed” by way of testimonies, deeds done out of the love He pours out of us, actions that used to be impossible…”fruit” that we never knew existed ( Galatians 5:22-23 )! By accepting/ receiving and opening this gift from God, we open ourselves up to “new” things, “new” ways and “new” possibilities ( 2 Corinthians 5:17 ) ! God begins a work “in us” and “through us” that glorifies Himself ( Philippians 1:6 ) … it’s the “gift” that keeps on giving ! Once “in”, you’ll never forget this amazing Gift that GOD gave you “that day” … and even if it ain’t December 25, it’ll still be a “Merry Christmas” !!

Avoiding the Truth

So what … are you wanting to remain ignorant and believe all the liars out there !?! ‘Cause that’s what you’re doin when you avoid the “truth” and just fall for whatever else folks are teachin. If someone is lovin you enough to tell you “truth”, you need not make fun of em, but be thankin God that somebody cared enough about you to tell you. A liar is a deceiver … someone who tries to lead you away from the truth and the path least taken ( Matthew 7:13-14 ). They want you to remain ignorant so they can manipulate you to think what they want you to… to “buy into” the theology and useless reasoning that’s sending people to hell every day. STOP JOINING THEM and START FIGHTING the GOOD FIGHT ( 1 Timothy 6:12 ) ! We’ve let people talk us into so many dead-end corners that have caused us so much damage, that it ain’t even funny ! Just because “everybody else is doing it” is a philosophy invented by Satan himself, and it’s as popular today as it was a thousand years ago. And…it’s still creating addictions, causing divorce and keeping “good” people outta heaven…just as it always has and will ! We need to WAKE UP and smell the coffee ! Sure… if we’re gonna live a godly life, we’re gonna be persecuted…but I’d rather be persecuted for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ than for some nonsense created by man. Maybe you didn’t grow up with a parent or grandparent that constantly introduced you to Christ, but you’re reading this, so now you don’t have an excuse. And by the way, the “imposter” and “deceiver” wants you to believe that as long as you avoid the truth and remain ignorant to the truth, you can still be good enough to go to heaven ( or the proverbial “better place” ) when you die. That’s just another farce ! Jesus Christ is The Way, The Truth and The Life … nobody gets to The Father ( or heaven ) apart from Him ( John 14:6 ). And…we can’t get to Jesus unless The Father draws/calls us ( John 6:44 ) … here’s yer call ! By faith ( which is also supplied by God; Ephesians2:8-9 ), we accept, believe and confess Jesus as Savior and Lord ( Romans 10:9-10 ). That’s the “truth” in a nutshell, right t’ere ! If we will hear the truth of God and apply the truth of God to our lives, we will see the work of God transform us into the image of God. But…it ain’t gon’ happen if we don’t think enough of it to pick it up and study it ! God “breathed” every word of it ( 2 Timothy 3:16 )… this fact alone should cause us to crave it ( 1 Peter 2:2 ) ! God dont want our excuses or our good deeds … He wants us to come to know Him and acknowledge Him in every area of our lives ( Hosea 6:6 ). That way, we can tell someone else the truth of His Word ! Don’t live in ignorance and believe a liar ( John 8:44 ) … receive the truth of the gospel and live in freedom for whatever time you have left here on earth ( John 8:36 ). “Abundant life” doesn’t end here ! ( John 10:10 )

Confidence

“Confidence” refers to the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something, characterized by firm trust. In life, there are few things in which we can place complete confidence. Moreover, every day, more individuals provide reasons for us to distrust others. Therefore, where can we derive this confidence and firm trust? What or who can we rely on? The concept of a “track record” comes to mind, suggesting that if someone or something has a good track record, we should not hesitate to place our confidence in them. I have been hunting with one of my favorite rifles for many years, and it has consistently performed well. My family members have also used it successfully. However, recently, I took a short shot at a healthy doe and failed to hit it, which shocked me and undermined my confidence in my shooting abilities. I later discovered that the issue was with the rifle, which was shooting high. After adjusting it, I successfully killed a buck, restoring my confidence. This experience illustrates how confidence and trust in someone or something can be compromised or misplaced. In contrast, God is always faithful and never disappoints. He is truthful and loving, even when we are not. God blesses us despite our failures, and we can trust Him completely. If we place our confidence in God, we will notice a consistent pattern of faithfulness. Even when our prayers are not answered immediately or as desired, we can still trust Him. Just as I trusted my rifle, we can trust God, knowing that He hears us and will never abandon us. As stated in John 3:16, God loves us so much that He gave us His only Son, and whoever believes in Him will have eternal life. We can approach God with confidence, knowing that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us, and we will receive what we asked for. So, what about it ? Do you trust Him completely ?

Humble Thyself

Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” ( Matthew 23:12 ). “exalt”: definition ; to lift up, praise and honor someone or something. When Jesus made this statement and it was recorded for posterity sake, He was chastising the religious leaders/ teachers of the law, for their neglecting the more important matters and instead, seeking the praises of the people and their peers. They liked for folks to recognize “them”, to honor “them”, to praise and lift “them” up. It was “pride” rearing its ugly head and seeking the applause and approval of “man”, over the approval of GOD…and GOD will not let this go without dealing with it in His way and in His time. Back when we were kids, you didn’t interrupt adults when they were talking. You spoke when you were spoken to…and you responded with “yes ma’am, no sir, please and thank you.” It was known as “good manners”…but it was really, being taught to be “humble “. Too many kids nowadays get away with talkin back to their parents, responding with “yeah”s, “what”’s and blatant interruptions while their parents are right in the middle of a conversation. It’s as if the parent doesn’t see that their “kid” is controlling “them”, instead of the other way around. What they also ain’t recognizing is, that kid will be an adult one day…and their “pride”-filled ways are going to be the cause of much destruction and heartache ( Proverbs 16:18 ). Mom, Dad, if you don’t recognize it now, while you’re still responsible for them, and turn em from their wicked ways, you will be held accountable by God for not training them in the admonition of the Lord and His ways. Just sayin. If your example ain’t teachin and showin them Christ-likeness and respect for the God who created them, Satan will gladly train them to act like his children and honor “him”. Teaching Christlike humility is one of the greatest gifts we could ever pass down … no matter who we’re passing it down to. Don’t wonder if they are learning from their Sunday school teachers or their school teachers…it’s “YO JOB !” Jesus ain’t just talkin to these “teachers of the law” back when … He’s talkin to you and me, today ! And He’s tellin us, “ Woe to yall who won’t clean up your own house but look down on others” ( Matthew 23:25-26 ). It’s a clear reprimand from God and ignoring it will be fatal. Jesus…God with flesh on, didn’t go around sayin,” Look at me !” or “Look what I did !” He humbly accepted the task at hand and while He was here, He loved people enough to tell them the truth. He exalted His Father and gave Him the credit for everything He did. He pointed them to the Only One that could change them and bring them out of the pit they were constantly clawing to get out of ! It starts with our recognizing the futility of our own efforts and the power that’s available through Christ ( John 14:6; John 10:10 ). Having a relationship with GOD through faith in Jesus the SON, has too many benefits to list ! If we wanna exalt somebody, He’s the One who’s earned it ! Anything we do here on earth that deserves recognition, needs to be credited to the ONE who gives us the strength, mental capacity, talents and gifts to do “whatever” it was. Humble surrender leads to humble submission.

Love the Lord

“For I am commanding you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commands, statutes and ordinances, so that you may live and multiply, and be blessed by the LORD. But if your heart turns away and you don’t listen, and you’re led astray to bow in worship to other gods and serve them, you will perish.” ( Deuteronomy 30:15-18 ) I believe with all my heart that most people don’t believe there’s eternal consequences to their sin. They’ve been “led astray”, not only “to” sin, but also in their thinking…their beliefs. The thought is there, the opportunity arises, the choice is made, and the stone is cast. Nothing left then, but for the “ripple -effect” to do its damage. Nothing left but the payment for the sin, which is gonna take us farther than we wanna go, keep us longer than we wanna stay and cost us more than we wanna pay. Then comes the heartache, the broken relationships, the shame and regret, the tears and separation and the darkness. All because of one decision ! And God’s Word backs it up…the warning given so far in advance that we cannot deny that it was there ! I think about the ones that REALLY loved me enough to tell me the truth … the ones that really had “my” best interest in mind … and yet i’d choose what the enemy had to offer … what his minions offered, that, if taken, would lead to my downfall… and i wonder sometimes why it took me so long to see !! Poor choices are like that box of chocolates Forrest Gump kept referencing … you never know what you’re gonna get. If this is you, take it from me…or better yet, take it straight from the Creator’s mouth … “ Love the LORD, walk in His ways and keep His commands”, enjoy the prosperity ( more than monetary ) of His blessings and favor and be the example of a man/woman that your spouse, your kids, your grandkids, your coworkers and employees and your employer can look up to ! If God is Lord , follow Him … if He’s not, suit yourself… just don’t take those that love you and need you the most, with you. The time to humbly submit is RIGHT NOW ! Recognize the error of your ways and repent … agreeing with God that “your” ways are only proving His point ! Satan has HAD his way with you long enough … give yourself to the LORD now … and watch what HE can do ! You need HIM, and “they” need you ! See what it’s like to prosper under the Lordship of Jesus Christ !! Just because you “said a prayer” and “got submerged” doesn’t mean you’re “saved” and going to heaven one day. Hear Jesus’ statement …” My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they obey me”. ( John 10:27 ) Although the people saw the many miracles that Jesus did, they neither believed in Him or followed Him ( John 6:2 ). Some, though, believed and followed, and their faith was evident in the days that followed ( Acts 4:4; Hebrews 11:1 ).

Good and Perfect

“Every good and perfect gift comes from above, from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” ( James 1:17 ). Hold that thought for a minute … Got it ? Good. Now … “ whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, pure, lovely and admirable…things that are excellent and praiseworthy…think about such things ” ( Philippians 4:8 ). Like yall, all my memories aren’t “good”… even though I’d like em to be. I believe, this is another trick / trap of the deceiver ( Satan ). I believe, he loves it when we hold onto bad memories, hard feelings, and hurt. Sure, we can suppress these memories, bottle em up and even store em for awhile … but a bad memory isn’t going to do us any more good six months later than it will six minutes after “it” happens ! That’s why God tells us to think on the “good things” that He’s provided us … things that are “excellent” and “praiseworthy”. And hasn’t He supplied us plenty of em !?! I’ve got fond memories of my many years with my wife, Pennye Jacobs Lewis … I’ve got alotta great memories of my kids and grandkids … of my years in the propane business… of deer hunts, turkey hunts, mission trips with brothers and sisters in Christ, of my mamaws and Pennye’s mamaws, of good Thanksgivings and Christmas gatherings with family and friends … i couldn’t begin to list all the excellent and praiseworthy memories I’ve stored up ! And you know who’s given me all these opportunities to experience these minutes, moments and memories ? God did ! He’s the Giver of all good things…and good memories are my favorites. Next time a negative memory comes creeping in, don’t just suppress it; tell him, “Not today, Satan !” … and replace it with an “excellent” and “praiseworthy”memory ! You won’t haveta think too hard if your relationship with God is secured through, and in, Christ Jesus !

Mercy

“Mercy”…defined simply as ,” not getting what we deserve.” It’s “compassion” mixed with “forgiveness”, sprinkled liberally on someone that doesn’t deserve it. Who among us needs it ? Who amongst “you” needs it ? Now the hard part … who will you administer it to ? As a young teenager, i managed to get into a “pickle” with a store detective because i put something in my pocket without paying for it. I was so scared, i tried giving a fake name and address…which i blundered badly. The detective was having none of my foolishness and undoubtedly had “heard it before”, therefore, he heard my confession through my tears, called my mama and daddy to come get me, and ended my short history of shoplifting…all in one night. The ride home was lonely…the disappointment thick…and i knew what awaited once we got home. My dad wasn’t Hugh Beaumont and my mama wasn’t Barbara Billingsly ( Ward and June Cleaver; “Leave it to Beaver” ), so being sent to my room and receiving a short lecture accompanied by a slice of pie with a glass of milk wasn’t their order of business. I waited on my daddy and that “tool belt”, knowing i deserved the beating i was about to receive. He came in his room with it, where i waited, sitting on the edge of their bed…and as he sat beside me, he quietly said, “ Phil…I’m not going to whip you. I feel like you’ve already been through enough tonight.” I cried anyway…we hugged and exchanged “I love you’s” , and i learned that night what “mercy” felt like. I’ve never forgotten it … it’s one of the few times i didn’t get a whoopin for something I’d done. I wonder…do we “do wrong” because we WANT to be punished ? Does our “don’t care” override our good common sense ? What happened to conscience ? Do we feel like we’re somehow “entitled” to a whole deck of “get-outta-jail-free” cards ? Or maybe it’s the “grace” card we play each time we decide to go outside God’s boundaries. My copy of God’s Word reads the same as yours … so let’s read it together. What shall we say , then ? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase ? By no means ! We died to sin, how can we live in it any longer ? We who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. We were buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” ( Romans 6:1-4 ). People…if God is willing to overlook our sin so mercifully, all because of Jesus’ sacrifice, shouldn’t we cry a little over that fact and tell Him that we love Him ? And shouldn’t that “reprieve” cause us to repent of even the slightest thought of doing something that would shame His name !? Psalm 51: says, “ Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion ,blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of YOUR salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.” ( Psalm 51:1-2, 10, 12 ) To me, this sounds like a man that WANTS to do better….wants to honor God with his life and grow into the man God wants him to be. It doesn’t sound like a man that doesn’t care what God says or thinks. If our resolve mimicked the psalmist’s, i bet God would grant us the mercy we so dearly need; don’t you ? “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” ( Matthew 5:7 ).

Like Mama – Like Daddy

“She got alotta her mama in her” … “ He inherited that habit from his daddy” … “ The apple didn’t fall far from the tree with that one” … these utterances have stigmatized many a boy, man, girl or woman over time. The young child that constantly heard, “ They so bad”, figured it was something to live up to…so they worked hard to prove everybody right. It may start off being “cute”, but marking someone as flawed or stuck with bad traits or genes, ain’t nothin but ignorance. Anybody can change. Anybody can break away from poor upbringing and create a new generation. Chains can be broken and new links can be installed. Just because our grandparents or moms and dads weren’t there for us, doesn’t mean we follow suit and dessert our own families. So what if the ones we depended mostly on gave more attention to everybody else…that doesn’t mean we do the same. I grew up with two parents … one that lived for self, the other lived for family. One was a part-time parent, the other worked overtime at everything she did. One was the spiritual leader of our home, the other, i never heard pray or got to sit with at church. I’d hear some dads singing praises to God, I’d hear mine talkin about his trips to the dog races, the golf course or the casinos. I can’t tell you the times I’d watch the interactions of couples at church…how the husband would hold the door for his wife, as well as others…how they’d share a smile and hold hands, sharing a hymnal … and I’d long for my own daddy to BE THERE, hearing what i was hearing, maybe catch a tear rolling down his cheek while sittin beside my mama. I tried tellin him how much i needed to know that he was “right” with God. I explained God’s word on salvation in Christ and Christ alone … but he’d never talk about it with me. I needed a daddy that loved God as much as my mama … but i never did receive one. His years drawing to a close, his quality of health deteriorating, he FINALLY called me from his hospital room and told me he’d given his heart to Jesus. He even said, “Phil, I know you’ve always worried about me” … and i really hope his salvation was secured in Christ. Waiting so late in life and not really being physically able to “catch up”, i didn’t get to experience anything but his tears that came more regularly and the look in his eyes as he stared at me with what seemed like an apologetic look. He’d started tellin me, “ Phil, no matter what, don’t forget that I love you.” I guess he was trying to make amends for all the times he WASN’T there…all the things he’d said that he wished he hadn’t, and all the things he didn’t teach me about loving God and living to please Him. I vowed early on to break that rusty chain and start with new links. I invited Christ to be Lord and Savior of my life and to mold me into the man HE wanted me to be. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. ( Galatians 2:20 ) If I’m wanting to be the best i can be, i must rely on Christ in me. If I’m to be a Godly daddy, Pep or husband, I’ve got to rely on Christ in me. If my work as an employee is ever to amount to anything, i must rely on Christ in me. Don’t compare me to anybody other than Jesus. I’m not my daddy and this apple comes from the “tree of life”. My circle of life has God in its center. And no, I’m not perfect…I’m still a work in progress…but God is still shaping me and refining me, molding me into the image and character of Jesus Christ ! If the same is your desire, don’t let anyone tell you that you won’t ever change. You can either stay your “mama’s daughter” or your “daddy’s son”, or, you can surrender to Jesus Christ and place your faith completely in HIM to change you. ( 2 Corinthians 5:17 ) “_______, unless you are born again, you will never enter the kingdom of God” ( John 3:3 ).

Everything You Need

“Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise” … it’s one o’ them ol sayins that’s been around awhile. I’m not real sure it works, but the concept has some validity. If you’re goin t’ bed early, you ought not be late for work ( or church ) the next day … and you oughta be full of energy and ready to give a hundred percent. If you’re working, you’re earning an income to support yourself and your family … “wealth” is more than havin a fat wallet or bank account. A person can be broke as can be and still be wealthy. If we have good health and our eyesight, we’re rich. If we’ve got the means to get back and forth to wherever we need to go, we’re blessed. Having a good wife that loves the Lord makes a man wealthy beyond measure. If we have a job that keeps us busy and pays us for it…that’s also a bonus. Groceries in the cabinets and a frig that keeps our tea cool…that’s wealth. A roof over our heads, runnin water and electricity, and propane in the tank…that’s proof of our wealth. But the greatest sign of a man’s wealth is his relationship with GOD through faith in Jesus Christ. Without that, a person will always be hopeless, naked, blind and destitute. In fact, the third part of that sayin won’t be possible, either…the “wise” part. True “wisdom” comes FROM GOD. Any other kind is a “knock-off”, “slum”, “fake”. Who is wise and understanding among you ? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy or selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven, but is earthly, unspiritual and of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. ( James 3:13-18 ) I’m fairly healthy…wealthy by God’s standards and i enjoy the wisdom God provides me. I have everything I’ll ever need…thanks to Jesus ! I hope you can say the same.