WHO HE IS ... WHO HE IS TO YOU

It is a bit late for me to write a post

However, I felt like it was needed

I was listening to a song earlier today –

‘There was Jesus’ by Zach Williams & Dolly Parton;

And that song, it got me thinking about the LORD – about who He is to me

Last weekend, I turned 50 years old

It was the very first birthday I was not able to spend with my Mom.

I miss her so much – but there was Jesus

I have been walking with Him for thirty-five years and He has never left my side

So as I thought about His faithfulness through the years,

I gave some deep consideration to who He is to me

Last week I was listening to another song called ‘Man of Your Word’

                It is a song sung by Maverick City (featuring Chandler Moore & KJ Scriven)

In that song, there is a line that says – ‘I am who you say I am!’

The line is sung from the perspective of one who worships with LORD God Almighty

Yet, as I listened to it, it struck me that it is also a declaration –

Sung by the One who is worshiped, sung by the LORD God Almighty

 

In Matthew 16:15, Jesus asks a poignant question to His disciple:

‘Who do you say that I am?

His question has not changed

And our response still holds power – to effect change in our lives and the world.

He has many names –

But, we only receive to the degree that we acknowledge

If I do not recognize and respect someone’s leadership, they can never lead me

This works in natural relationships and in our divine relationship with GOD

The gospel of Matthew tells of an instance in Jesus' life where this principle played out

‘He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief’ Matthew 13:58

They could not acknowledge Him as the miracle-working God.

As a result, the did not receive many miracles

THE GOD WHO CAN DO ALL THINGS – the One who defeated death, hell & the grave;

                He did not do many miracles because of their unbelief

 

What we believe in our core – and confess with our mouths – it matters

 

To me – He has been the Faithful LORD who has been by my side

                In the thirty-five years I have been walking with Him

                And even in the fifteen years before I acknowledged Him

 

So, I ask you this today – who do you say He is?

Get ready to be astounded – because that is who He will be in your life

 

I have included a link to both of those songs down in the comments.

When you have a moment … take a listen

 

Have a Blessed Evening!

2021: untouched splendor

 

When you wake up to beauty;

A canvas filled in the dark of night

A God-text reminder ... 

He is working all for your good and His glory – Romans 8:28

His mercies are new every morning – Lamentations 3:22-23

He has made our scarlet sins white like snow – Isaiah 1:18

He has made this day ... rejoice and be glad! – Psalm 118:24

 

Have a Blessed Day!

enjoying life

 

Good Morning

It has been a little bit since we last spent time together –

Nothing special taking place – but I only write, well, when I have something to share

Today – the subject is ENJOYING LIFE

I was watching a movie recently that I first saw last year this time –

A Korean drama simply entitled ‘Chocolate’

I like to go back and re-watch some of these programs. 

I sometimes miss things in my first viewing – what with having to read subtitles

Well, as I watched this particular program, there was a line that caught my attention

It was something I had not thought deeply about the first time I watched the show

To be honest, it is possible that I missed it entirely the first time I watched it

It was a simple scene  - a man and a woman

And he was struggling to express his feelings for her

He felt he had wasted too much time – that it was too late

And this was compounded by the fact that he was experiencing health issues

 

His concern was a natural one and completely reasonable

Her response was deep reflection but delivered with such ease and … absolutely priceless

“You’re breathing right now. You can talk … your heart’s beating nice and strong ... Everyone is terminally fated to die … from the moment they’re born. They just tend to forget that when they’re living.”

 

I had a ‘wow’ moment as I sat in my bed watching this dialogue

But, why was it such a wow moment?

It captivated me because there was so much truth packed in her statement.

 

We know from Scripture that sin entered the world with the fall of Adam and Eve

Through the disobedience of one man, many became sinners and found themselves separated from the LORD God Almighty.

 

 ‘… sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people …‘ Romans 5:12

 

Yes, every person who has graced this earth after those first two – has been born with a terrible diagnosis. We all have been born with a death sentence; with a ‘terminal illness’ as it were.

Yet, we tend to forget this as we go about our daily lives.

And still – we know we will all cross that final line one day. It is just a matter of when.

Thankfully, God had a plan to address the situation

For those who do not know and have not accepted Jesus, it is the end

But for those who do know Jesus and have accepted His free gift of salvation – it is just the beginning.

Not desiring that any should perish, God gave His Son a ransom for all.

And while it did not take away the ‘terminal illness’, it did rob it of its effect.

‘O death where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who has given us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ I Corinthians 15:55-57

 

And the beautiful thing is, it is not just fire insurance –

rescuing us from hell and eternal separation from the LORD

It is the avenue by which we may live and enjoy life now –

no matter what circumstances we are facing

 

Jesus, Himself said, ‘I have come that they might have life and that they might have it abundantly’ John 10:10 KJV

 

The Message Version of that verse says, “I came so they may have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.’

 

New Living Translation

‘My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.’

 

New International Version

‘I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full’

 

Amplified Version

‘I came that they might have life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]

 

Today –

I do not know what individual challenges you might be facing –

            Illness, heartbreak, financial devastation, hopelessness or simply boredom

But I do know that you can take heart and have courage today

You can be encouraged this day –

Jesus came not only to give you a life in eternity, but a life full of joy right now

You only get one life…

Live it to the full and enjoy every moment of every day –

Walking with the LORD and with those around you;

No delays, no regrets, no excuses

 

Have a Blessed Day!

 ‘Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.’

Psalm 90:12

A SURE RESPONSE

 

Good Morning & Happy Saturday – it is the weekend!

I started off my weekend with a nice ‘sleep in’

Normally up at 5:30 AM – weekday or weekend – I actually slept until almost 7 AM

I know it doesn’t sound like a major feat,

But any day I am waking up and daylight is just breaking,

it is a small sort of accomplishment for me

Yesterday, I wrote about the simplest of prayers

Today, I would like to focus on a sure response

 

It is one level of faith to reach out to the LORD in prayer –

It is another level of faith to have a confident expectation that He will respond

Yet, this is the exact degree of confidence to which we can cling

Isaiah 65:24 notes a declaration and promise from the LORD,

“Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” Is. 65:24 NIV

That has always been one of my favorite verses

The Good News Translation reads,

“Even before they are finished praying to Me, I will answer their prayers.”

That certainly is good news!

I love it because it shows the pro-active nature of God

It demonstrates His attentiveness to things that concern me –

            in many instances before I have even stopped to petition Him.

To have someone who know what you are going to ask before you ask;

To have someone who makes provision for what you need before you are needy;

How incredible is that?

 

HE IS AN AMAZING GOD!

 

Today –

If you have an issue which you need to bring before the LORD,

              take courage!

He knows what we need before we do and He knows what is best

Yet, He takes it a step further in that He not only identifies the need –

            He has taken steps to address it and provided what is needed

Rest in His promise today – He is on the throne and in control

He has heard your unspoken prayers and has already prepared a means of deliverance.

What a mighty God we serve!

 

Have a Blessed Day!

THE SIMPLEST PRAYER

 

Good Morning!

Here we are, one week into the new year of 2021 –

It has already been an interesting beginning.

Yet, it is not always necessary or fruitful to offer abundant commentary;

There are times when all that is called for is – the simplest of prayers

Whether it is for your home, health or finances,

For yourself, family or friends,

For your business, your city, your nation or the world,

Prayer is the first and best course of action!

O’ God, save us …

  

Have a Blessed Day!

THE LORD OUR HELP

Good Afternoon!

I pray and trust your Sunday is off to a great start

We are three days into the new year –

And, the LORD has already demonstrated His faithfulness to me;

He has shown, without question, HE IS THE LORD OUR HELP

Here in the United States, when desperate help is needed, we dial 911

It is the ability to get assistance and protection – for health emergencies, fires, and against perils

And while it is a great service – it is not the ultimate source

Yesterday – I shared an image from an accident my youngest son was involved in;

I also shared portions of a verse – PSALM 91

Following the accident, my son and his friends had to call 911 for assistance. However, the degree of assistance they required, was minimized because I “dialed” 911 before he even left our street that evening.

 

The first verse of PSALM 91 notes:

‘Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.’

Psalm 91:1

 

That is a powerful promise!

It is a promise that God is faithful to fulfill

Therefore, I thought it would be fitting to share Psalm 91 in its entirety today.

That entire Psalm is tremendous – detailing the love, protection and provision of the LORD;

It demonstrates that our God, HE IS THE LORD IS OUR HELP

Whether you are in need for a moment, for a day, a month, a year or all of eternity;

THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY – HE IS THE LORD OUR HELP

 

Psalm 91

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
    He is my God, and I trust Him.
For He will rescue you from every trap
    and protect you from deadly disease.
He will cover you with his feathers.
    He will shelter you with his wings.
    His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
    nor the arrow that flies in the day.
Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
    nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
Though a thousand fall at your side,
    though ten thousand are dying around you,
    these evils will not touch you.
Just open your eyes,
    and see how the wicked are punished.

If you make the Lord your refuge,
    if you make the Most High your shelter,
no evil will conquer you;
    no plague will come near your home.
For He will order His angels
    to protect you wherever you go.
They will hold you up with their hands
    so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
You will trample upon lions and cobras;
    you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love Me.
    I will protect those who trust in My name.
When they call on me, I will answer;
    I will be with them in trouble.
    I will rescue and honor them.
I will reward them with a long life
    and give them my salvation.”

 

What a powerful section of Scripture!

THE LORD OUR HELP –  

And you can ‘dial’ Him any time of day ... He will not disappoint

 

Have a Blessed Day!

PROTECTED

I pray and trust your new year is off to a great start

My New Year’s Day was fairly uneventful –

However, that quiet day took a turn just before midnight

I was not aware of the turn of events ... because I was sleeping

Yet, the LORD, who never sleeps, was on the job protecting;

My fragile heart and my son’s life – PROTECTED

My youngest son had gone out with a friend earlier in the evening

The last thing I said to him was, ‘Be careful out there … I love you.’

The first thing I said when he closed the door was, ‘LORD … keep him safe.’

This is the picture he showed me when he reached home ... I added the verse.

 

THE HAND OF GOD –

It was raining heavily last night and the car hydroplaned on the interstate

It was then struck by another vehicle

My son was in the passenger seat

He emerged from the vehicle and from that incident COMPLETELY UNSCATHED

Not one single injury, not a scratch, not even a pain

All I could do was to keep thanking the LORD

 

THERE IS NO ONE WHO PROTECTS AND DEFENDS LIKE OUR GOD!

 

After verifying that my son was indeed fine,

I told him ‘Happy New Year’

To which he responded, ‘this is not how my year is going to go.’

To which I responded, ‘I was not referencing the accident … but how the LORD kept you’

You see, I had a discussion with him earlier that day before he left the house;

I was sharing how the LORD had blessed him and kept him through 2020,

            And that He would continue to bless him through 2021

Little did I know what was rapidly approaching ….

But God who knows all things, knew what would happened and intervened to PROTECT

 

PRAYER WORKS

‘The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much’  James 5:16 KJV

The Amplified version of James 5:16 reads, ‘The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) is able to accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].’

I like that version because I understand that I am not righteous in my own right

It is not because I am special or because I do things right all of the time

I am declared righteous because of Jesus’ sacrifice – I am clothed in His righteousness

His power activates my prayers

 

When I closed my post yesterday, I wrote:

‘I pray the LORD would bless you and your loved ones,

            Every day, in every way, throughout this entire new year’

The LORD did exactly that for me last night!

 

This morning, this day, this month, this year –

Know that, as you place your trust in the LORD, He will keep you

As you trust him to protect you and protect your loved ones,

He makes it His business to prove that trust by ensuring you are PROTECTED

‘No weapon formed against you shall prosper …’ Isaiah 54:17

They may form – but they will not prosper because you are PROTECTED,

            PROTECTED BY THE HAND OF GOD!

 

Praying the LORD will surround you and yours with His loving care & keep you safe

 Have a Blessed Day!

2021: Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

It is here – 2021 has finally arrived here in Virginia Beach, VA

Happy New Year!

I pray you had a safe New Year’s Eve

I had a rather simple night at home with my sons,

            where I was quietly thanking the LORD for His goodness and faithfulness

Even in trying times, He is always with me

‘Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.’ Lamentations 3:22-23

He surrounds us with His unending and unfailing love

My prayer is very simple this morning:

I pray the LORD would bless you and your loved ones,

            Every day, in every way, throughout this entire new year

God Bless & Happy New Year!