WSR REPORT: THE TRUTH

Good Afternoon Friends

I pray all is going well for you this Sunday afternoon

This is a blessed day – but if I am honest – it has been a challenging week.

The week began with a re-visit to urgent care,

And I still do not feel 100% - in the midst of a shingles flare-up

However, that being said, I still recognize how tremendously blessed I am

The truth is that the LORD has blessed me beyond my expectations

                And certainly more than I could ever deserve [if there is such a thing]

THE TRUTH –

This is a subject which has been on my heart and mind for a few days

It started Friday with my reading of the following verse:

‘And, you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free’ John 8:32

Today – I will not be focusing on my long-held observation that,

                The truth shall generally make you mad, long before it sets you free

Neither will I focus on the traditional angle from which I have heard that verse preached

                That the truth of the Word of God, the Scriptures, will set you free

No – today I will be focusing on The Truth who is the Word, Jesus

This is truth –

John 1:1-3, 14 tells us, ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.Through Him all things were made; without Him, nothing was made that has been made ...[and] the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.'

That Word, who was there from the beginning of time,

That Word, who was with God,

That Word, who was God – He is Jesus

However –

It is also a statement of truth that Jesus is The Truth

He, Himself said, ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life’ John 14:6

And as I read and studied Friday, this is the thought that occurred to me;

When we know the truth, the truth sets us free

My focus was on Jesus being the Truth in the context of that verse I read,

And it brought me a whole new level of comfort as I wrote in my journal:

 ‘Jesus is The Truth – therefore, no matter how many enemies come against me – no matter how many lies are spoken, no matter the attempts to bend the truth – Truth is my Defender, He is my Refuge, He is my Strength, He sets me free’

THE TRUTH – JESUS 

HE IS SOMEONE ON WHOM WE CAN DEPEND & TRUST WHOLEHEARTEDLY

There are a great many things that we have realized we cannot place our trust in:

Economies, health, traditional supports, employment and relationships,

                They are all subject to change

However there is one thing which never changes TRUTH

The Word which is truth does not change;

The LORD Jesus Who is Truth does not change.

In my book, When Storms Rage, I note that we can trust the LORD:

“Trust and call upon the One who works all things together for the good. He works the good and the bad, the things you get right and the instances where you completely miss the mark. He answers the call – every time. Be assured, He will protect and defend, effectively anchoring you through your situation and ensuring that you are not swept away or overtaken by the challenges that invade your life.”

As we delve into the Word of God –

As we read, study, meditate, memorize and put it into practice,

The truth of the Word truly does set us free.

As we draw near and get to know personally The Word who is The Truth –

As we pray, sing, listen and cry out to Jesus the Living Word, Who is Truth –

He, the Truth, truly does set us free.

He frees us from insecurity, fear, confusion, intimidation, anxiety, loneliness & brokenness

Therefore – I declare

§  No weapon formed against you shall prosper & every tongue which rises against you is already condemned (Isaiah 54:17)

§  The LORD shall cause the ground to rise and meet your feet in every place your enemy has dug a pit (Psalm 26:12, Habakkuk 3:19)

§  The Light of the LORD is exposing every wicked scheme (Luke 8:17)

§  Every mountain that stands is your way is reduced to rubble that you may walk through, unencumbered on smooth ground. (Isaiah 45:2)

§  Every fiery dart is extinguished before it ever comes near you (Psalm 91:5)

§  Every promise the LORD God has made to you & the truth of His Word is fulfilled and is flooding your life – right now. (II Corinthians 1:20)

It is an amazing thing – truth

He is an amazing LORD – Truth  

Take some time to get to know truth and The Truth –

You’ll be surprised the freedom which will impact every area of your life!

Have a Blessed Afternoon!

WSR REPORT: ENJOY THE JOURNEY

Good Morning Friends

It is very early Monday Morning – April 20^th

This is a day which is full of memorable events, many of them not pleasant:

The birth date of Hitler, the leader of Nazi Germany –

an individual responsible for the death of 6 million Jewish people

The anniversary of the United States Columbine High School shooting –

                where 13 students and faculty lost their lives and 24 were injured

April 20^th is also a noted ‘holiday’ and day of significance in cannibis culture.

Truthfully – it may not seem like there is a great deal to be thankful for on this date.

However – for me personally – it is a day of great remembrance

April 20^th is the day I was married back in 1990. And, although that marriage ended in divorce, the day on which it began is a reason for great joy in my life. You see, if that day had never occurred, I would not have three of the most important people in my life today – my three sons. This day, April 20^th, serves as a constant reminder to me that God is always present, always working things together for my good, always bringing beauty from the ashes.

This day, April 20^th 

It also serves as a springboard for today’s WSR REPORT: ENJOY THE JOURNEY

While many states are working on plans to reopen their states amidst the COVID-19 crisis,

My state of Virginia remains under a ‘shelter in place’ order.

Yet, all I could think about this weekend was,

‘If I have to shelter in place, I am so thankful it is with people I love and who love me back.’

It seems a simple and obvious thing – yet it is one that should not be taken for granted

Sadly, it is not everyone’s experience

WE MUST RECOGNIZE THE BLESSINGS IN LIFE & BE THANKFUL FOR THEM

EVEN IN THE MIDST OF TRIALS, WE MUST MAINTAIN A HEART OF GRATITUDE

Yesterday and this morning,

I spent some time re-watching a Korean drama series Netflix entitled, Chocolate

I wrote about it at the beginning of this year in a post entitled, 2020: CHERISH THE DAY

And in that post, I shared an observation and quote from a scene in that show:

“Standing on a beach, with the waves crashing in the background, one of the characters makes this poignant declaration:

“As if today is your last day,
and as if you know that this moment will never return,
cherish  every single moment that comes by ladies and gentlemen.
The day you wasted today – is the tomorrow that someone who died yesterday so badly wished for.”  – Tae-Hyun

This touched me intensely and immensely.

It touched me because it is all about the value of life.

It touched me because it is something that I am realizing is so vitally important;

It is something that I know I need –

this need to value the days which the LORD blesses me with

It is something where I am developing a keen awareness of the need for – intention.

You see, making the most of each day will not happen by accident.

I must make a choice to focus on the people and things that matter most.

I must make a choice to appreciate the people who the LORD has blessed me with.”

When I wrote that post back in January of this year,

I had no idea what 2020 would hold for us as a nation and for the world at large

That post ended with the following verse:

‘Teach us to realize the brevity of life so that we may grow in wisdom’ Psalm 90:2

Those words hold an entirely new significance for me as I reflect on them today

We must learn to appreciate and enjoy the journey.      

In my book, When Storms Rage, I note that  we should “never be so concerned with blessing and destination, that [we] miss opportunities to enjoy the journey and God’s Company today. He has already given us more than we could ever deserve in sending His Son Jesus to suffer and die for us. What can be so troubling and massive that the love of God cannot overshadow?

I promise you, no matter what your storm is today, you can rest assured that the LORD cares for that which concerns you. None of your storms have caught Him by surprise. He is still the same all-powerful God He has been since the beginning of time. Therefore, if the storm is present, He must be allowing it. And if He is allowing it, He has a plan and a purpose in mind – plans to prosper and not to harm.”

‘I delight greatly in the LORD: my soul rejoices in my God.” Isaiah 61:10

Despite all which has occurred, and all which is occurring –

I still choose to hope in the One in whom I have believed;

to remain steadfast and confident in the One in whom I have placed my trust.

And I choose to enjoy the journey – today and every day.

I pray you too will find something in your journey to enjoy today.

Have a Blessed Day!

WSR REPORT: RESURRECTION SUNDAY

Good Morning Friends

It is Resurrection Sunday –

It is a day when Christians remember the amazing sacrifice of Christ,

                And celebrate His victorious resurrection

Truthfully, there is not a need to wait for one specific day in a year;

The loving act of Christ is worthy of remembrance, praise and celebration –

EVERY DAY

And while it may not seem like it, this focus on resurrection Sunday,

It fits appropriately with our WSR/When Storms Rage Report series

You see – 

Even though there are twenty-one principles to keep you anchored through storms;

The principles will not work for you if Jesus is not the Captain of your ship,

If He is not at the helm of your life.

Fortunately, because He endured the most excruciating storm anyone could ever endure,

We are able to have a hope and a confidence – in the midst of our storms,

And, we are able to look forward to an eternity spent with Him.

Good Friday was two days ago –

It is the day where the crucifixion and death is recognized,

That day – thousands of years ago – it was a day of unimaginable loss and ;

It was a day of uncommon sorrow, of pain and extinguished expectations

And – although they did not know it at the time – it was indeed a Good Friday,

For it was the day that the plan of God – portrayed throughout  history and Scripture – came to fruition

HE ENDURED THE MOST EXCRUCIATINGLY PAINFUL DEATH THAT COULD EVER BE INFLICTED UPON A HUMAN BEING. HE DID IT ALL SO THAT WE COULD BE FREE FROM THE BONDAGE OF SIN AND DEATH AND BE RECONCILED TO THE FATHER … SO THAT WE COULD, ONE DAY SPEND ETERNITY WITH HIM

‘He [Jesus] was chosen before the creation of the world.’ I Peter 1:20

          ‘… the government shall be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace’ Isaiah 9:6

‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’ John 1:29

“He endured the most excruciatingly painful death that could ever be inflicted upon a human being. He did it all so that we could be free from the bondage of sin and death and be reconciled to the father … so that we could, one day spend eternity with Him … Yet even with Him taking on the sin of the world and dying, it would have meant nothing if He did not arise from the dead on the third day – victorious over death, hell and the grave. And He did! He arose and is seated at the right hand of God, desiring for all to choose a relationship with the Father – made possible through the shedding of His blood. He stands ready to be your Lord and Savior, [to be] your Captain and Friend.”

Today – Christ is alive!

Jesus Christ is alive and He is seated  at the right hand of God, interceding for His saints

He has bridged the gap, that mighty chasm, so that all who desire, may be reunited with the Father

He has secured our place in eternity!

It is truly a cause for unending gratitude, a day for joyous celebration!

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

WSR REPORT: RELATIONSHIP PREPARATION

Good Evening Friends

Tuesday Evening –

Fittingly, the weather here in Virginia Beach is looking … a little stormy

And, while the rain has not begun, the lightning has

For some reason it feels calming to me tonight though

As promised, we will be focusing on the preparation aspect of managing storms

At the outset of this week, we were advised to prepare –

prepare for a challenging week with respect to COVID

Today, the USA experienced its highest one day COVID-19 death toll

My test came back negative by the way

And, while I am thankful for my result, it filled me with profound sadness.

My thought – as I reached for my inhaler today, unable to breathe?

                COVID-19 is one thousand times worse for so many people

My heart breaks for their suffering and that so many are passing from here to eternity without the benefit of having their loves ones close. They may not even fully understand why their loved ones are not present when they need them most.

Now – please understand what I am saying here

The families and friends of these COVID victims are left without options

This is not the type of relationship testing I am talking about

This is an uncommon storm which is challenging the entire globe

Yet – most of our storms are not to this magnitude

I only have an upper respiratory infection –

Yet my friends, my sons, my dad and even one of my pastors have made a point to check in on me

RELATIONSHIPS ARE ESSENTIAL IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM

THE STRENGTH OF RELATIONSHIPS ARE REVEALED IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM

For normal storms, there are steps of preparation which can be employed –

especially with respect to relationships

In the book When Storms Rage, within the Storm Management Checklist, it is noted:

¨ Determine escape routes. Naturally, the first place we should run to for escape is straight into the arms of Jesus.  Proverbs, chapter 18 tells us, ‘The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.’ However, God also provides us human resources that we can access. Figure out what options are available to you. What are the plans for a financial situation, a breakdown in the family or even the death of a loved one? Your ‘escape routes’ should be tested to ensure that they are reliable and easily accessed in the event a storm strikes.

¨ Make sure you have an out-of-state friend … a point of contact – this is the recommendation from some storm preparation websites. This is advisable from a spiritual standpoint as well. Establish a storm support network. In the event of a critical situation or ‘power failure’ on your part (not God’s), you will want to have at least one confidant who is removed from your circumstance, who can be free of emotion and provide objective perspective. You will soon realize that you cannot and should not talk to everyone about the storm that is raging in your life. Connect with someone who is grounded in the faith and who will speak words of encouragement and faith versus doubt and fear. Find someone who can keep a confidence and candidly relay the truth of God’s Word.

Note however, that it is not wise to wait until a storm arises to establish these important associations. Invest in your relationships with friends and family by committing your personal time today, when the seas are calm.

One Final Word

As with anything of value, relationships take time

They are an essential part of one’s ability to withstand the storms of life

And it is essential to not just know who the people are that you can depend on;

It is essential to be the kind of the person that people can also depend upon in a storm

We work on our vertical relationship with the LORD

We also work on our horizontal relationships with one another

We are all in this together –

Have a Blessed Evening & Stay Safe

WSR REPORT: BE PREPARED

Good Morning Friends

It is early Sunday morning –

However, with the stay-at-home order in the State of Virginia,

                Today will likely look very similar to yesterday

One positive coming out of this current circumstance – time for self

There is ample time for rest, self-reflection and future planning

And, planning and preparedness is the subject of our WSR Report today

When Storms Rage, and truly before storms rage, preparation is a vital principle for success

There is an old saying that, ‘an ounce of preparation is worth a pound of cure’

This is so true – a truth which has become glaring evident in the current crisis facing the world

In my book, When Storms Rage, there are twenty-one principles

Twenty-one principles to keep you anchored through life’s toughest moments

Principle one is ‘Get Prepared’

Yet, even as we start off our journey here, focusing on the need to prepare,

We recognize there are some storms you simply cannot anticipate

“There are some storms you just can’t prepare for … they either strike you completely unaware or they suddenly shift in the level of intensity, leaving you confused and devastated.”

This has happened on so many levels with the current pandemic. Yet, all is not lost

When you find yourself if the midst of a storm – one for which you were unprepared or under-prepared – take some time to regroup, to critically analyze your situation and start planning and preparing from where you are at this moment.

Yes – situations can be overwhelming

However – those situations, they do not have to be devastating

Within the book, When Storms Rage, there is a Storm Management Checklist. It offers spiritual and practical areas which we all must consider in preparing for the storms of life which arise. Over the next couple of days, I will be sharing portions of that checklist as a vital resource tool to help equip you for the storms of life.

One Final Word

Even as health concerns continue and economies are impacted by the current events,

Remember – faith is the currency in the Kingdom of God

With man, it may seem impossible, and may indeed be impossible,

But – with God all things are possible!

Keep trusting Him – He will see you through

Have a Blessed Day & Stay Safe

WSR REPORT: STORMS RAGE

Good Morning Friends

I pray your weekend is off to a good start

I know these are challenging times,

However, it is so important to reign in our focus and fix our eyes on any positives

‘Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything is worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8

Therefore –

In an effort to do a small part in encouraging you my friends, over the next few weeks,

I will be sharing excerpts from my book ‘When Storms Rage’

I will be contextualizing those excerpts to focus directly on the current storm facing our nation and the globe.

This is not a marketing ploy – I receive nothing from sharing free excerpts from my book

Rather – I know that there are beneficial principles found in the Word of God,

                Principles which have helped me throughout my life,

                Principles which continue to help me through this current storm

In an attempt to encourage as many as possible,

these posts will also be shared on my WordPress site, ‘Fuerza’

Today – in our When Storms Rage [WSR] Report, we acknowledge, STORMS RAGE

However – even as the storms rage outwardly, they do not have to destroy us inwardly

Today – my prayer is that you would be encouraged in your soul,

That you would be kept safe from harm,

That you would be strengthened in your spirit.

God has supplied, in His Word, direction and instruction for us all –

He has supplied words of encouragement and hope to keep us through every storm

Despite what we are seeing – nationally and globally – there is hope

It is not a false hope – it is a real hope, a living hope

Jesus Christ is our Savior, our Strength, our Protection & Provision, our Living Hope

Even as I write this post –

I am sick with an upper respiratory infection, awaiting COVID-19 results

And, while I pray that the test comes back negative, I am prepared whatever the result

I am confident – no matter the storm

I know in Whom I have believed – I am confident in the One who I trust             

My trust and my hope is in the LORD God Almighty –

There is no better preparation than that ….

Be encouraged my friends –

Have a Blessed Day & Stay Safe