Straight Talk – Job 40:6-7

6 God addressed Job next from the eye of the storm, and this is what he said:
7 "I have some more questions for you, and I want straight answers.

– Job 40:6-7

Straight Talk

Have you ever wondered where God is when you are going through tough times? You know, when the world is raging around you and everything you think to be true has been turned upside down – when even your very best friends seem to have turned against you?  Those can be some very lonely times and the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel can seem like it will never come into focus.

When we are in the middle of facing the "Junk," the "Big Nasty," or the "Storm of the Century," the best thing to do is take a breath, get quiet, and wait.  Yes wait . . . in the quiet . . . for God. That's where He is, just waiting . . . for you.  That's where He will speak. From the "eye" of your storm; in the quiet and calm that is smack-dab in the middle of ALL your turmoil; where you have a perfect 360º view of your situation; where God can point out what's happening – and why it's happening, and you can calmly turn to see every aspect of the situation and most importantly, where you can answer His hard questions, honestly, openly, and completely.

"But why should I have to answer hard questions? I don't even know why this is "happening" to me!"

The hard questions aren't going to be about your situation. The really hard questions are going to be about Him. Who you see God as. What you really think He can and/or cannot do. When you think He should act, Where you think He has been all this time, and How much do you trust Him.  You see the really hard questions are always going to be about why we don't trust the One we call our God . . . to give us the grace to weather the storm; to be our constant help in times of trouble; to provide a way when there just seems to be no way; to be God over ALL things in our lives . . . even the storms.

The thing is that God is God no matter what is happening to us, in us, through us, or around us.  He knows what we are going through and sometimes it's stuff we just have to go through, and if we will just allow God to be God, and trust that He will NEVER leave us nor forsake us, then we can focus on Him and NOT on the storms we are in.  

Our storms will come and our storms will go . . . but our God (who Loves us by the way), will ALWAYS be right there to see us through . . . according to HIS plans and purpose for our lives.

So what's the easy answer to the hard question?

It's all about Him, and not about us.  

It's "God, You do what is best for me and I will praise You – in the storm and in the quiet . . . because YOU have my life in Your hand. I submit my life to YOUR perfect will."

When we get to that point; when we truly understand what that means, THAT's when we can walk in peace . . . even in the middle of a raging storm.  That's my prayer for all of us today.

Prayer

Father, I pray that we can all take our eyes off of our problems today and that we can look to You no matter what we are facing. You are so very good . . . ALL the time, and we will praise you no matter what comes our way.  We submit ourselves to Your Master plan and we ask for Your help as we learn to stay focussed on You.

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

TAKE HEART! – John 16: 33

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.   In the world you will have tribulation.   But take heart;  I have overcome the world."
– John 16: 33

TAKE HEART!
When we think of the promises of God we usually think about His blessings.  Especially in this country where we have so much and we are all so blessed – we think of prosperity, and peace, joy, and an abundant life, and we hold on to the hope of eternal life with Him.  All of these are very good things and we should always think on them.

On the other hand, Jesus also promises us that as long as we are here on this planet, we will have tribulation.  We will have trials and troubles, and we will be persecuted, and lied about, and talked about, and accused of things we didn't do.  We will be shunned by the world for loving and believing in Jesus.  We will get sick, and we will have to watch horrible things happen to those we love. That's just the way it is – and the it will always be – for as long as we live.

As Americans, sometimes we forget that for much of the world, an Abundant Life could mean having just enough food for not one, but maybe two small meals a day.  Prosperity could mean having hand-me-down shoes.  Peace could be moment-to-moment, and Grace could mean that the mortar shells missed your home last night.

The troubles that we in America have to deal with are very different from the rest of the world, and sometimes we must seem like spoiled children to our Father when our prayers are so self centered and trite.  Sometimes we complain way too much about what we don't have, when we should be thanking Him for giving so freely to us.  We should be able to handle our troubles with more faith – especially in light of the fact that our God has blessed us to be able to live in such a rich country and with so much freedom.  

We should really recognize that we have found God's favor over all the other countries in the world.  No where else on this blue marble in space )in my opinion), do so many people enjoy the abundance of life that we do.  Oh sure, there are those of us who have more, and there are those of us who have less, but we have all been chosen to live in this blessed place at this time in history.  So what are we going to do about it?  How should we be living our lives and where should we be focusing our attention?

First I think we need to stop right now and thank our Father for giving so freely and richly to us.  We need to thank Him for sparing us from the terrible depths of poverty, and war, and famine, and drought, and genocide that many people in this world face every day.  We need to thank Him for running water (especially hot water).  We need to get down on our knees and praise Him for indoor bathrooms.  We should all open our closets this morning and shower God with gratitude for the ridiculous amount of shoes that we have, and the ability to choose a different clean outfit every day.  We need to stand in front of our refrigerators (and first of all thank Him for the refrigerator), and open the doors and sing praises of thanksgiving for the meals that are already supplied and just waiting to be prepared.  We need to lay our hands on our children and thank Him for the hopes and dreams that He has placed in each one – and the fact that they live in a place where those hopes and dreams can be realized.  

We, each one of us, need to stand in front of a mirror, look ourselves in the eye, and humbly ask our Father in heaven, the Creator of ALL things, the one who breathed life into each one of us, for forgiveness for taking all that He has so freely given us for granted.  We need to ask Him to forgive our petty, self-centered, prideful prayers and we need to repent from our unbelief of His Word because It says that we should be taking heart – having hope – having faith, because He has overcome the trials and tribulations of this world . . . just – for – us.

Prayer
Father, I am so sorry for always focusing on the things that I want and don't have.  My trials and troubles, while very real and big to me, should not be what I come to You with every day.  You know what they are and You have already promised that You will supply me the grace to overcome them.  I repent of this self-centered way that I have been approaching You.  I thank You father, for this wonderful life that You have blessed me with.  I thank You for my awesome wife - she is always a blessing and a help to me.  I thank You for my son – he is my joy and You have blessed him with the ability to move people's hearts.  I thank You for my step daughter - she is pure light to our family and our grandchildren are a constant reminder of the miracles You bless me with each day.  I thank You for my step son – he loves You so much and he works so hard to provide for his family.  I thank you for my entire family and all my friends Lord – You have provided me with the richness of their wisdom.  I thank You for my job and the people that I get to interact with every day – I pray that I can be a good representative of Your kingdom to them.  Most of all Lord, I want to thank You for calling me to this time and this place in history.  I pray that I can effect change in this world and that others will come to know You because of the life that You have given me and the path that You have set my feet on.  Help me to live well and to show Jesus to everyone around me.

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

Put Up Your Dukes! – 1 Timothy 6:12

12 Fight the good fight of faith, take hold of the eternal life to which you were called.
– 1 Timothy 6:12 

Put Up Your Dukes!

When I was young, my good friend Rudy convinced me to train with him to be a Golden Gloves Boxer.  The daily training and regimen was extremely difficult, but I had my buddy by my side to encourage me through it all.  At first, I could barely lift my arms with those giant 16-ounce gloves on, and I couldn't even do 10 push-ups, but before long, I was right there with all of the other boxers - hitting the speed bag, tossing the medicine ball, counting off (what seemed like) never-ending 3-munite rounds of push-ups and sit-ups and of course, perfecting my technique for spitting into the big silver bucket (I'm not sure why that was important, but I remember taking great pride in the spit I could produce . . . hmmm, a thought for another day).

Even though the routine became easier as time went on, the one training exercise I couldn't stand, and avoided as much as possible, was shadow boxing.  There we were, six or seven of us at a time in the ring, punching and jabbing at absolutely nothing.  To me it seemed futile.  I could see that others were quite good at it and for some, it even looked like they were actually fighting.  Even though Shorty (our trainer), explained that it was important to be able to visualize what to do in different situations throughout a fight, I just didn't buy in to it, so I just half-heartedly went through the motions.

At last, after weeks and weeks of training, I got my first chance for an actual spar (boxing practice against an actual opponent), and I was very excited.  I was confident and I wanted to put on a good show for my friend and for my trainer.  I got my butt whipped!

While I was in great physical shape, and my punches were on target and my jabs snapped through the air (and I spit perfectly in the bucket), I just wasn't prepared for the onslaught of punches and combinations from my opponent. 

I hadn't taken advantage of all of the training techniques that Shorty designed for me.  By discounting the shadow boxing exercises, I robbed myself of the ability to visualize my opponent, and to plan how to escape and avoid his  attack.  Needless to say that I never took shadow boxing for granted again and I entered the rest of my fights fully prpared. The outcome wasn't always what I wanted, but my losses were never because I had taken my training for granted.

Our Christian walk is a lot like that training.  There are many techniques and exercises available to us in order to strengthen our faith, our knowledge, and our ministry.  Some are obvious but some may seem a little awkward at times.  Of course we need to take full advantage of God's Word, and our prayer and devotion time is important so that we can get to know and commune with God . . . but how many of us exercise visualizing what we will do when the enemy attacks.  I'm not talking about the big attacks – illness, finances, death of a loved one, etc.  I'm talking about the daily temptations of life that are snares to every one of us.

We need to take a truthful look at ourselves, understand who we are in Christ, understand and be honest about who we would be without Him (this one is very important), and plan our strategies for combating those temptations.  We need to do this daily! Every morning of every day!  

Prepare for the attacks so that you can fight a good fight.  Stop being victimized by circumstances and you will soon find more and more victories in and over your life!

We are more than conquerors!  We are Victorious Warriors! We are children of the Most High God!

Prayer

Father, thank You for reminding me that I need to be prepared and that I need to train my mind and my spirit to combat the enemy. I always want to fight the good fight so that I can live this life in hopes of reaching my eternal life - the one You called me to. Help me to recognize and to ward off the blows that the enemy will try to use against me. Help me to see his plan so that with Your help I can live this life Victoriously!

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

True Happiness – Psalm 32:1-2

1 Happy are those whose sins are forgiven, TruHappiness. 
2 Happy is the one whom the Lord does not accuse of doing wrong and who is free from all deceit.
–  Psalm 32:1-2 (Good News Translation)

True Happiness
Have you ever noticed that people who are constantly in turmoil and/or trouble attribute their constant state of woe to not being "happy?"  They are constantly looking for happiness, but they just can't seem to find it!  They go from thing to thing, thinking that the new "thing" is THE thing that will finally bring them the happiness they seek.  The problem is, that soon that "thing" loses its flavor and the temporary excitement of finally finding "it" is replaced by more sadness and depression.  It's a vicious cycle and it is very sad to know that there are so many that seek to be happy by accumulating "things" instead of looking up, and letting go.

You see it's only when we "let go" of our own wants and desires, and we look up and forward to what God wants for us and needs us to do, that we put ourselves in position to realize true happiness.  It is only by coming to the saving Grace of Jesus Christ that we can realize true happiness – anything else is just temporary and meaningless.  The freedom that we can realize when we finally get what living "in" Christ means is the only way to truly live happy and contented lives.  That is not to say that we will never be sad, or experience tragedy or depression . . . it IS to say that when our time of weeping or sadness or depression is over, the joy of the Lord will strengthen us back to a time of peace, and excitement, and yes, happiness.

The Bible tells us that there is a time for everything, and our lives will always experience cycles of opposites.  Highs and lows, light and dark, big and little, alive and dead, sick and well, sad and happy – the time for these is appointed to each one of us, but the one constant, the one truth, the one promise we can hold on to, is our place with Jesus for all eternity. THAT is our source of happiness and nothing the world can throw our way can take it away from us.  

Now, then . . . those of us who have found and accepted that truth, are required to share that hope with those who don't have it yet.  I heard (on the radio I think), someone posing it this way:  If you suddenly found the cure for all cancer, would you not be obligated to share it with the world?  Would you not be excited to share it? We have the cure for death itself!  We have the answer to finding true happiness!  Now WE have to have the boldness to share it. 

Are we sharing the secret to happiness?  Are we making a difference in this world?  Maybe if we spent a little less time feeding our own walk, we could find a little more time to help someone else find the happiness they are so desperately seeking.  I know I am as guilty of this as anyone. It is so much easier to focus on my own need to get as close as I can to Christ, but I need to balance that with feeling the need to share that closeness and His love with those around me.  So that's what I'm working on . . . will you join me? Maybe, just maybe, we can help the world find the true happiness that keeps eluding them.

Prayer
Lord, I thank You for the true happiness that You have given me.  I thank You for  being my source of joy and for making my life wonderful.  I thank You for bringing balance to all my days and for being my life Source.  I pray Lord, that I can be a difference in someones life today and that I can be the light that puts them on the path to finding their own salvation and ultimate happiness.  Forgive my busy-ness in Your name Lord.  In my attempt to serve, I have wound up serving myself, and while I so enjoy growing to know You and learning how to live as a Christian, I realize that I may need to lighten the load I have placed on myself, and focus more on finding the fire that compels me to share Your love and happiness with the rest of the world.  

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

What is Your Reason? – 2 Samuel 7: 22

22 "For this reason You are great, O Lord GOD; for there is none like You, and there is no God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 
– 2 Samuel 7: 22

What is Your Reason?
From where I started to where I am today is miles and miles apart.  I have the saving grace of Jesus to thank for that, and yet I know that sometimes I don't show Him enough gratitude for delivering me from my old life – with all the rusty chains that held me down, and the one-way ticket to hell.  I was a mess, and I know that a lot of you have the same kind of story.  Kind of a "rags to riches" tale that speaks of God's Grace and unending Forgiveness.

After I was saved, I used to envy those people who grew up in Christian homes, and I would wish that I could go back and live my tumultuous childhood all over again, but this time with a "Godly" family.  I thought it would have been an easier life.  But as I grew in the knowledge of God's Grace, I soon realized that all of that baggage; all of the hurt; the innocence that was taken from me, and all of the years that were lost due to drugs and partying, only proved the greatness of His Love for me.  He, in all of His glory and wisdom, spoke my name one day, and I found myself giving my life to Him – the greatest day of my life.

I still think it is a very special thing to be able to grow up in a good Christian home, and I'm glad for my son that I was able to offer that to him, but I no longer wish I had grown up differently.  I am who I am because of what I was when He reached down and saved me – and for that, I am eternally grateful!

What is your reason for proclaiming God's greatness?  Has it been a while since you told Him how much you appreciate all He's done for you?  Take some extra time today to reflect on the grace He's shown you, and proclaim Him and His awesome plan for your life.  Really talk to our Lord, and share from your heart how much you appreciate ALL that He has given you through your salvation.

Prayer
Lord, You are a mighty and a great God.  I have seen Your power and I have felt Your compassion as I have grown up in You these past 20 years.  I want to thank You for protecting me as I was growing up.  You held my hand and even carried me through all of the evil that the enemy tried to destroy me with.  You restored me and You have given me gifts beyond what I could even ask or think.  You are MY God and I will love You with my whole heart – all the days of my life!

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

And Be At Peace! – 2 Peter 3:13-14

13    But according to His promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
14    Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by Him without spot or blemish, and at peace. 
– 2 Peter 3:13-14

And Be At Peace!
As we work through our "issues" and try to become more like Christ, are we at peace? With God? With our families and friends?  

Good! Now here's a tough one . . . are we at peace with ourselves?  

For some reason, we are our own worst enemies and so we can find it difficult to let things go.  Especially when we make the same mistakes over and over again.  We hold on to our disappointment and embarrassment like a child holds on to an ice cream cone, or a greedy miser holds on to a shiny coin.  We can be at peace with the whole world, but when we take a look in the mirror of our soul, we only see our flaws and we question God as to why we can't change or are having difficulty changing.

God wants to let you know today that it's OK to let go.  It's really that easy.  Just raise your arm, open your hands up, and start visualizing your self-beratement drifting off to space like some colorful group of helium filled balloons. 

"But I can't!" you say? 
"You just don't understand?" you think?
"How can I just let go of all the damage I've done and the people I've hurt?"
"How can I be at peace when I just can't seem to stop doing the same dumb things time-after-time?"
"How can I . . . (enter your own question here)?"

Well I do understand.  I go over and over my own mistakes all the time and I think of all the should've, would've, could've scenarios over - and over - and over again.  I don't know why I do it, but I do.  But you know what?  I'm getting better at just letting go.  I'm getting better at asking the Holy Spirit for help in doing it.  I'm getting better at laying at Jesus' feet . . . and leaving it there.  I'm getting better and I have to tell you that there is so much freedom in not having to revisit my mistakes every day.  Not living in and dwelling on your past mistakes will help bring you closer to being at peace with yourself. 

Won't you try it today?  Won't you lift up, reach out, and let go?  Try to be at peace with your life!  Start with doing it just for today.  Forgive yourself and let the blood of Jesus wash everything out of your mind.  He went through so much . . . just for you, and He wants you to know the freedom, and the joy, and the peace that He is holding out in front of you!  Reach out and take it!  NowTHAT is something to hold on to!

Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You so much for all that You went through just so that we could know the freedom of Your love.  I am so sorry for discounting Your sacrifice by refusing to let go of my past sins and failures and for dwelling on things that I have no power to change.  I need Your grace and the power of the Holy Spirit to help me each day so I can overcome this tendency to go back to my self-hating ways.  Thank You Lord, I know I will learn to live in peace - with myself  - with Your help.

Have a blessed day everyone!

–Richard

He Nailed It! – Colossians 2:13-14

13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 

14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.
– Colossians 2:13-14

He Nailed It!
I don't know about you but I was as dead as dead can be . . . and I was proud of it.  I was so wretched, and my sin was so repulsive, and disgusting and I was so blind, that I even welcomed the thought of going to hell!  I was THAT lost!  But God had other plans for me, and like the scripture says, He made me alive with Christ – Halleluiah!

I can really appreciate the concept of Christ nailing my sins (and those of everyone else) to the cross and the significance of His sacrifice for us.  What I have always had trouble wrapping my head around, is just how difficult it must have been for Him to become my sin.  That must have been more painful and revolting than any of the beatings He took, or even the crucifixion itself.  Have you ever tried to put on clothing that was soaking wet and muddy?  Not only would it be very difficult, but every inch of exposed skin would be able to feel the disgusting "ickiness" of the heavy material as it passes over.  Christ must have felt each sin of every person that ever existed as He transformed Himself into the very sin that He was about to destroy.  The weight of the cross must have been nothing compared to the weight of the sins of the entire world bearing down on Him.  I don't know that I will ever fully understand what He must have gone through, and it saddens me just to think about it.

What a joy however, to know that because of His sacrifice, I am alive, and ALL my sins have been forgiven!  Now here's the best part.  I get to put on Christ! Every day!  Think about the most favorite piece of clothing you have ever owned and how good it felt as you put it on for the very first time . . . that was like putting on rags compared to putting on Christ.  He fits in ALL the right places.  He accentuates who you are and He makes you look so very good.  He covers up all the flaws and He fits so well that wearing Him even puts a pep in your step so that you can breeze through your day!

Try putting on Christ today.  Try to imagine His brilliant and marvelous light covering you as you fasten each button of His Righteousness.  Visualize lacing His Peace to your feet . . . go ahead – wiggle your toes!  Run your finger across the brim of His awesome Salvation . . . feel how it fits your head just right!  Fasten His belt of Truth around your waist, and experience how He helps everything else stay perfectly in place . . . there's nothing like it.  How does He feel? Pretty awesome huh?  Now you are ready to face the world!  Now you can show everyone what a Christian should look like.  Now you can have victory – every – single – day!

Prayer
Father, I am so humbled knowing all that Christ had to do to save us from ourselves.  I am thankful however, that He did . . . and also for Your Love, and the wisdom of Your plan for bringing us all home.  I pray that as I put on Christ each day, I will be ever mindful that I am Your representative here on earth so that I never cause anyone to turn away from You because of my actions.  I want to draw others to You Lord and with the help of the Holy Spirit, I will now be able to do so because You saved me from my sin and from certain death.  I love You!

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

Ask for Something - His thing! – John 16:24

24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
– John 16:24

Ask for Something - His thing!
Over the years, I have learned to listen to my Father during prayer time, and I have heard Him speak to me (no, not in a James Earl Jones, R-I-C-H-A-R-D . . . THIS IS GOD SPEAKING . . . way, but in a silent confidence kind of way), and I am slowly becoming more in tune with what and how He wants me to pray. After all, He already knows what I need in my life, so anything I can come up with is no surprise to Him.  My goal for prayer nowadays is to find His will in the everyday walking through of my life.  How does He want me to see His children?  How does He want me to act – in good and bad circumstances?  Where does He want me to position myself in my home, my church, and in my community? Who does He want me to be available to and to pray blessings over, etc.?

I believe that God wants to use our quiet time with HIm (if we let Him), to speak truth into our hearts – the truth of what He wants Us to do to create change in our world.  After all, we are His hands extended here on earth.  We are how He gets things done.  We have to be willing to step outside of our neat and controlled lives and be willing by faith, to be a miracle.  It needs to start somewhere right?  It might as well be here with you and with me.

Today's scripture says that until now, I/we have asked "nothing" in His name.  Oh, we all know that we have asked for plenty, and in my case, most of it has been selfish desires.  It's time for me to start asking for "something" – something that will bring glory and honor to our Father.  We need to stop thinking of what we want and focus on what He wants.

We can still ask for the kinds of things that we all want and need, but just do it from a different perspective:  

Do you need a new job? 

Ask for the position that our Father (who loves you) has all ready set aside for you – and then be prepared to rejoice when maybe it isn't the job you were looking for but it will be the job that will bring you the greatest joy and fulfillment in your life, if you accept it with gratitude and praise.  

Do you need a relationship restored? 

Pray that God would bless the other person and bring joy and abundance to their life that they might see Him in everything they do – their coming back to you will be a result of them realizing God's goodness and grace on their life, and restoration might not come about the way you thought it would – but it will come in a way that God is glorified.  

Do you a need financial miracle? 

Pray that God would bless those around you who are in greater need than you. Pray that your finances would be met according to His plan and then rejoice during your time of lack. Your miracle will come, but it will probably come in a way that you never could have dreamed.

Let us ask for things and pray according to what God wants!  THAT will bring us answered prayer.  THAT will bring us the fullness of joy that He wants so much to give us.  THAT will bring about  a glorious change to this crazy world.  THAT will honor our Father in heaven!

Prayer
Father You are so great and I offer praise to You right now.  For far too many years I have offered half-hearted and selfish prayers to You and I know and am so thankful that You have forgiven me for that.  This year and on this day, I seek Your will in my prayers.  I will no longer bring an offering of fools to You but I will wait on You and I will listen for the Holy Spirit to guide me in fervent and effectual prayer. Thank You for reminding me that in Your name I will find my joy and my life will be fulfilled.

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

Jesus is praying for you! – Luke 22:31-32

31 "Simon, Simon! Listen! Satan has received permission to test all of you, to separate the good from the bad, as a farmer separates the wheat from the chaff. 

32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you turn back to me, you must strengthen your brothers."
– Luke 22:31-32

Jesus is praying for you!
What comfort to know that our Lord prays for us.  He knows that we are going through many trials, both from the world, and also the trails that we put on ourselves – out of pride, or fear, or doubt, or anger, etc.  He cares that we overcome and that we get through it all so that we can stand strong in our faith.

The scripture also implies that we will surely be tested and that the enemy will even be given permission to try our faith.  And that's OK – because we have an intercessor (Jesus), who has a direct line with the Father.  Jesus' prayers for us are powerful, and if we are faithful to not turn away when things get tough, He will hold us up to the Father, and He will present us worthy.  As long as we hold on to Him, every day, He will pray for us, every day.  And every day – for that day – we will have victory over the enemy. Praise Jesus!

Now here's the important part . . . the scripture tells us (and this is so important), He (Jesus), expects us to encourage (strengthen), one another with our victories.  In fact it says we Must strengthen each other.  The victory that we receive shouldn't be hidden or hoarded like the "precious" in the Lord of the Rings movie.  It needs to be out there – shining brightly for all to see.  Your victory, or healing, or sobriety, or restored relationship, or new job, or paid bills, or whatever the situation might be, need to be told to everyone, so that they can receive encouragement, and so that they can know that we serve a God who cares – who loves us so very much that He takes the time to see to our every need!  No matter how small or insignificant we may think it is – Jesus covers it in prayer. People need to hear that so that they can have confidence when they face the same thing . . . or their own thing. They need to know that Jesus is there for them too!

I don't know about you, but I need His prayers every day, because when I open my eyes in the morning, I am waking up to a world that is out to destroy my faith.  I need Jesus to be speaking life to the Father . . . about me.  I need Him directing His angels before me (and after me), because I can leave a messy trail wherever I go.  I know that I need Him . . . believing in me . . . each and every day.  How about you?

PrayerLord Jesus, Thank You for being my Prayer Warrior.  Thank You for speaking to the Father on my behalf.  Thank You Lord for taking the time to see me through this day and for believing in me – so that I will persevere; so that I will overcome; so that I will stand victorious – this day – over anything and everything the enemy can devise to throw my way.

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

The Key to Victorious Living – Galatians 2:20-21

20 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.   

21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"
– Galatians 2:20-21

The Key to Victorious Living
Can you remember back when you first became a Christian?  If you were like me, you were so enthusiastic about your new life that you would have laid claim to being willing to be right there with Jesus, taking every lash of the whip, enduring every thorn as it was being pressed down upon your head, and ultimately hanging on the cross . . . in fact, willing to hang with Christ on the opposite side of the same cross!  Yeah . . . Peter claimed the same thing – until the time came where it was actually a possibility.  How quickly we can change the tune we are singing when adversity smacks us right between the eyes.

It's easy to be a Christian when things are going great – especially in this country, where we have an abundance of luxuries and we can choose where and how we want to worship.  I've often fantasized that I was on the front lines of "life-and-death/in-the-jungles of evil" evangelism, standing firm in my faith and shielding the unfortunate peasants from the on-rushing rebels (oh the stories that would be written).  Then I remember that I am still anxiously afraid to go downtown and share my faith with a stranger!  Earth to Richard . . . time to come back to reality!

The good news is that God knows our weaknesses, and He knew that we would need a Savior, so . . . He sent Jesus, who willingly, and with much love, and forgiveness, accepted His role in the reconciliation of all God's children.  He knew what He was walking into, and He even had 32 years to try to get out of it, but His love for us was (and still is), so strong, that He took every taunt, and jeer, and slap, and spit, and lash, and thorn, and nail, until He died – but that's where the real story begins!

Because Jesus died, we, who are called by His name, are alive!  We have Christ IN us.  We have the secret of the power of the universe coursing through our veins!  We ARE victorious Conquerors because of the new life we have been given!  But here's the rub . . . we must CHOOSE to take advantage of everything that Christ is.  In order to be victorious we have to choose to live victoriously.  In order to conquer our demons, we must choose to put on the armor of Christ and to live as conquerors.  In order to realize the power of Christ that each of us has at the mere whisper of His name, we must choose to live by faith in Him.  We must have faith in the fact that by His choosing to go to the cross for us, we, who are called by His name, have the ability to love the unlovable, forgive the unforgivable, move the unmovable, and speak life into those who would oppose us.

We have Christ IN us!  Let's think on that today!  Think about what that really means!  Ask God to show you how to tap into that power – that love – that life . . . in, through, and with, Christ.

Prayer
Father I thank You that You gave us Your Son in order that we might live.  I pray that as I draw closer to Him and to You, that I will be able to increase my faith and start living beyond my own understanding.  I need Your Spirit Lord, to grow beyond the limitations of my simple mind so that I can live in the fullness of the power of Your Son.  I thank You for the work that You are doing in my brothers and sisters and I pray blessing over each one of them as they also draw closer to You. I thank You in advance for the victory that is on the way for each one of them.

Have a blessed day everyone!

–Richard

I Hope So – Psalm 33:20-22

20 We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. 

21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 

22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.
– Psalm 33:20-22

I Hope So

Help for any situation is available through our Lord, Jesus.  The Bible is a book of HOPE and in it we can always find scripture that reminds us that God is our help and our shield; that we can rejoice, and our hearts can leap in our chest at the mere thought of His grace, and His goodness, and His love for us.

I don't know about you but I need to remember these things.  I need to read the words and think on how truly amazing God has been in my life – especially when I was weak and I needed Him the most.

I had a nervous breakdown once and it wasn't pretty.  One day after work (when I was living in Texas), I got in my car and I just started driving. I didn't know where I was going but I just wanted to get away.  Looking back, were things really that bad? No, not really, but in my mind they were, and all I knew to do was to just get away.  I wasn't in my right mind and if I'm to be truthful, it crossed my mind during those 3 days of driving to plow my car into an embankment or off a bridge – but God. . .

God knew the confusion in my mind and the pain in my heart, and He knew that I needed protection to get me to a place where I could be safe and let Him help me regain my thoughts and see clearly again . . . He lead me safely to my parent's house in Oregon.  When I arrived, I slept for days.  I don't even remember how I got there or which route I took – that's how out of it I was.  God got me through that "glimpse" of time in my life, and He protected me until I was able to see and think clearly again.  I know that I, in my debilitated state of mind, cursed Him a few times during that breakdown, but He still loved me and He still saw to it that I was OK.

He loves us so very much!  He knows that we aren't perfect, and that from time-to-time, we are going to make a mess of things.  He never questions and He never accuses – He just says:

"Come into the strength and protection of my loving arms and let Me care for you. I will hold on to you and I will see you through. I will make you strong once again because I made you. I know the success you are to become, and I have a plan for you to bring others to Me.  You are mine and I will never leave you."

So you see, no matter what you are facing today, no matter what is up against you, there is Hope!  God is our Help and He is our Shield, and He will get you through whatever it is that you are facing. Just call out to him . . . He will never fail you!

Prayer
Father thank you for Your loving arms of protection. You are my hope and I thank You for all those time when I needed You and You were faithful.  You hear me cry and You reached Your hand across the heavens – just for me.  I trust in Your love and in Your peace.

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

Sometimes You Just Have To Do It Yourself! – James 5:13

13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.
– James 5:13

Sometimes You Just Have To Do It Yourself!

We all believe in the power of prayer right?  So why is it that we believe in other people's prayers over our own?  I mean no one knows exactly what we need better than we do, and God knows exactly what's going on with us (now and in the future), so why is it that when we are hurting, or sick, or in need of a miracle, we go to others to pray for us before we pray for ourselves?  We should be crying out to God as soon as the need arises, with the faith that God (who loves us by the way), is listening and ALWAYS has our back.

Now, before you get your tail-feathers ruffled, please know that I know that it is scriptural to go to the elders of the church and to be prayed over and anointed with oil . . . BUT, I believe (and it is just my belief mind you), that before going to the elders, we should be seeking God ourselves and believing with all the faith and conviction we can muster, that we have just as much, if not more, healing power in our petitions to our Father than anyone else does . . . but the key is faith - not in the prayer, but in our Father who is hearing that prayer.  It is always good to get the elders and the saints praying and interceding, but I believe that it should start with us.  WE need to be praying for our needs, our healings, our desires, and our mountain-moving miracles.  Our Father (who loves us by the way), wants each one of us to trust in Him so much that He is the first one we go to when we need something . . . anything . . . everything!

Look at it this way – when you have something very good happen to you, you don't go to someone else and ask them to rejoice for you do you?  You don't go to the elders and sheepishly ask them to sing praises to God for the good things that are happening to you do you?  No!  You rejoice!  You sing praises!  You shout to the Lord with a mighty voice and You give Him thanks!  You have the same ability to praise Him as you do to pray to Him.

Today's scripture tells us . . . are you suffering?  Then YOU pray!  Are you happy?  Then YOU sing praise!  I think a lot of times we stay in our suffering for far too long, simply because we don't have the faith that God (who loves us by the way), will hear our simple petitions.  I'm here to tell you that He does and He will!  He wants you to come to Him with every aspect of your life; when you are happy, when you're sad, when you're sick, when you're grieved, when you're worried, when you're stressed, when you're freaked-out, when you're mad, and sad, and scared all at the same time.  He wants to be a part of your life – EVERY part of your life (not just on Sunday mornings).  He wants you to trust Him and to know Him and to have faith in Him.  He is your Father, and He loves YOU unconditionally, and completely, and without exception.  Won't you show Him that you understand how this relationship thing works and call out to Him today – no matter what's going on with you?  Oh and by the way, in case you didn't get the "subtle" message, our Heavenly Father Loves us . . . He loves me . . . and He loves you too!

Prayer
Father, Thank You for ALWAYS being there for me.  I know there have been times when I looked to others to do the asking for me instead of asking myself because I lacked the faith that You would hear my prayers, and I'm so sorry for hurting You like that.  How disappointed You must be when I do that.  I just want You to know how much I love You!  I just want You to know that I am learning to trust and to have faith, not only in my ability to get Your attention, but in Your desire to show me how much You love me!

Have a blessed day everyone!

–Richard