Have you ever noticed that whenever things work out beautifully here comes bad news? It’s almost like an imp is sitting at the door of every opening God has made for you. You pray many years for a particular job opening and it becomes open. The person who interviews...
In the early spring we see many buds on trees and bushes. As time progresses they become more colorful then one day a very beautiful flower emerges. These buds did not just appear at springtime but prepared all year long. Harsh winters, hard grounds, too much rain,...
Trials happen in life. It’s a fact. Whether a person is a believer or not, adversity comes to all of us. While it seems some people are always facing hardships and others never face them, the truth is all of us experience growing pains. There are people who can get...
Many people refer to life as a school of hard knocks where we learn not to do certain things. Others say where there is no pain there is no gain. As cruel as this sounds, each knock or pain makes us a little stronger and gives the go ahead to take the next step....
Growing up most of us have heard these four words put into a phrase. Each word asks an important question that when answered will give us information we need to make decisions. As we further study these answers it opens up more precise actions to take in order to...
Joseph became second only to Pharaoh because he trusted God. Earlier his older brothers were jealous over a dream he explained and had him sold as a slave. After that Potiphar’s wife framed him for something he did not do and he was jailed. Growing up he had the...
The Bible specifically states we are never to judge or to take vengeance. God has His ways of tailor making consequences to deal with people. While God is quick to correct us as we mature in Him, it is out of love for us. He sees to it we are walking in a way that...
In order to effectively fly an airplane there must be a pilot. The most desirous situation is to have a copilot in addition to the pilot. These two operators make sure the airplane reaches its destination at the appointed time. The fuel for the plane makes it...
Placing trust in God means to trust in all things. God uses unpleasant circumstances to test our attitudes during adversity. He uses pleasant circumstances to see if any focus remains on Him. There is no doubt we are living in a fallen world and during these times...
In Christ all His children have a divine purpose. Many ask, “What purpose do I serve?” Others may feel that their natural abilities serve no purpose at all. There is a secret to all this. The purpose we serve goes from heart to heart and grows from the inside...
There are conversations that become so heated each person wants the last word. Unfortunately the last word is only that; the last word. What if these heated conversation are with friends? Is it worth losing a friend over just to get the last word. Even if the...
We rejoice with exceeding great joy. True joy comes straight from God. There are no circumstances, no matter how great, that can bring joy but only happiness. Happiness comes and goes based on the things going on or things that get worked out. Happiness is...
The Bible specifically tells us that we all sin and fall short of the glory of God. The Ten Commandments are a check point where we can compare our habits. While we may not break all of them, theft is often overlooked because of small habits in each of us. Outside...
It happens. When good things come our way and things fall into place pride will creep in. The friends who helped get us to where we are get overlooked while we enjoy these things. Suddenly something doesn’t quite work the way it should. While we are working to try...
We all have schedules to meet. The clock points to a certain time and we must be there. The calendar has a certain day circled meaning me must have a certain assignment complete. We must be on time for appointments or certain places make us pay. We must be on time...
A young person wants to join a basketball team at school and is picked over. He is a star athlete or so the thought. Self pity and feelings of rejection completely take over. The following year a new coach takes over. This coach approaches the young athlete...
There are certain things God has equipped us to handle on our own. There is simplicity in putting on socks or picking out a wardrobe. We choose a college or subjects in school. Careers are chosen based on natural talents, ability and desires. Even with the...
Some people spend many years investing time and prayer into a heart’s desire without seeing much happen. However, along the way God’s favor is there each step of the way. There will be a day when God will allow each heart’s desire to beautifully bud and slowly...
While evil people continue to make waves in our lives we sometimes feel buried beneath all their scum. When we look at God’s truths we can be assured of one thing. The time will come when God redeems what is His. The scum will be raked off and His hand will reach...
We have all seen people who excel in everything they do. Certain school kids never study or open a book but they always ace the exams. Companies promote particular people to the top very quickly when they have not started at the bottom. Others get fame and...
We all have goals set before us by God. We are to spread the gospel. There are things that are supposed to get done but somehow obstacles get in the way. A conversation needs to take place with a particular worker yet no matter how hard we try another person keeps...
At first it is only a small twig sprouting from the ground. Then a few leaves appear. Months go by and the twig with a few leaves gets taller and bigger around making even more leaves. Later limbs appear and even later those limbs become branches. The entire tree...
Jesus is Lord in all things, even in adversity. Many times the most difficult trials are the ones that prepare us for His choicest blessings. However some obstacles are so emotionally painful that there is no humanly way to ever get over crying. The absolute worst...
There are many people these days who are out for themselves. It’s an attitude of what can be received or gotten. As a result they accumulate more and more creating a personal empire which is never enough. Others will share what they have no matter how little. Some...
It’s very peaceful to sit in a flowery area beside a still glassy river. Occasionally there is a small rustling of the waters after a gentle cool breeze or a splash of a water creature moving about. It is a comforting reminder that God is still in control no matter...
Sometimes it’s like we are a flower all alone blowing in the wind. The strong winds of hardships blow away all the petals of beauty we have. The mites of friendships that fail eat away into our stalks leaving us with little to grasp or understand. The season of...
All companies have employees who try hard and others who goof off. The larger the company the larger the variety of personalities and habits. While some companies are fair in their hiring and promoting practices other larger corporations leave too much room for...
There are times when we pray for things or situations and everything works out very quickly. There are other times when situations seem to linger for years. Depending on the particular request and how it fits into God big picture will determine the time, place and...
Wait? What, again? But things seem so ready. The situation is right, the people who are instrumental in making things happen are all in the proper place and confidence is at its greatest. Why wait? The answer is simple. The mind is ready but the spirit still...
The circumstance of a boiling pot will harden an egg or soften a potato. We can know the hearts of people by how they respond. Circumstances stand the test of time. From Adam until us there have been circumstances and they will exist until the end of the age. While...
It’s time to do business with God to defeat the enemies that come against us. No new suit or dress is needed to meet with God, only a clean heart. There is never a need to prepare answers for questions that may be asked because God already knows the heart. The...
Our Lord gives us our daily bread even though many times we do not give thanks. He wipes our tears every single time even though we are the ones who make Him cry by our actions. He lifts us up forgiving us for the times we please the crowd and turn our backs on...
Our mission here on earth is to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our purpose is to please God in all situations. As time draws to a close with things developing into trials all over the world we must ask ourselves, do we believe in God and do we trust God. The...
It’s time to face your audience. Your speech, memory verse or musical number has been rehearsed many times yet your stomach is full of butterflies. Your hands sweat making it hard to hold on to your musical instrument. Your fear is making you forget parts of your...
A soldier can quickly describe the first few weeks of training. There are long days and sleepless nights. Orders come from superiors that must be obeyed whether they make sense or not. Some commands can be very degrading, humiliating or frustrating. Everything is,...
Anger creeps up on people, especially when God convicts the spirit and wrong doings continue. It’s like a boiling pot of warnings to change and the wrong habits keep on anyway. One day an obedient person comes along and gets rewarded which causes the boiling pot of...