One For The Vine

"I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me - and I in him - bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing." John 15:5

Being somewhat knowledgeable about the process of how to make wine, I was always amazed at how rapidly the grape vines grow and blossom each spring to produce a fresh harvest. In one of Jesus' most commonly known parables, He taught His disciples that He is the True Vine.

The disciples were made aware of Jesus' departure, so He wanted to instill in His followers that there was much work to do after His going away. If they were to carry on the work of the Lord, they needed to know how to produce that kind of fruit in their lives. The same holds true for each of us today.

We are well over 2000 years removed from the night Jesus taught the parable of the vine, but yet the Lord's work continues on. You see, we must learn that Jesus is the vine, meaning we must submit and abide to His will. Being separated from Him is like telling Him, " Thanks, but NO thanks. I can do this on my own." Try removing a branch from a grape vine. Eventually it will wither and die. Again, the same is true for us.

Jesus desires to live through each of us so that we will bear fruit unto the Heavenly Father...

Simple

You were wearied with the length of your way in trying to find rest and satisfaction in alliance apart from the true God, yet you did not say, there is no result or profit.  Isaiah 57:10

We have a close friend who always seems to complain about not having enough time to do everything they want to do.  Boy, have I used that excuse many times before?!!  It's not that we don't have enough time, it's that our once simple lives have become too complex in doing trivial things that eat away at our schedules.  How/when does life move away from being simple to something so complex?  It is relative to where we are in our journey.  I remember thinking how stressful college was; having to balance showing up for class in between Phish and Widespread Panic shows, going out four and five nights a week, waiting tables and working as a disc jockey.  Looking back, I had it made!  I didn't have the pressures of performing in my career and a family to support.  Then again, I wasn't exactly walking the straight and narrow path either, but that's another story for another day.

The above verse from Isaiah states "You are wearied out through the multiplicity of your ways."   It is widely accepted in today's society that more is always better, but at what cost?  Are we truly following God's will for our lives when we are so busy filling our days with our self-centered agendas?  I believe the answer is a resounding "NO."

Instead of making everything difficult and centered around ourselves, we should simplify and enjoy the peace and satisfaction that comes from following God's plan for our lives.  

"Fear, mismanaged, leads to sin.  Sin leads to hiding.  Since we've all sinned, we all hide, not in bushes, but in eighty-hour workweeks, temper tantrums, and religious busyness.  We avoid contact with God." -Max Lucado

William, It Was Really Nothing

The Lord is my light and my salvation-so why should I be afraid?  The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from dangers, so why should I tremble?  Psalm 27:1

The other night it rained in Knoxville, so I did my best to coax Elliott into watching, E.T., one of my favorite movies of all-time.  I told him about the story of how E.T. was left behind on earth and a little boy that shared Elliott's name found him and brought the alien home to live with him.  It was "all systems go" until Elliott asked to see the DVD packaging.  When he saw E.T.'s glowing finger, he became scared for some strange reason.  (Heck, I can't say anything, I was petrified kid in the 80s during the Super-Bowl when Michael Jackson debuted his classic Thriller video!)

You see, fear turns our focus away from God and towards the troubles that intimidate us.  We must learn to look at our fears and troubles as opportunities to rely on God for His help, guidance, and all-mighty power.

There is no problem that is too big for our loving Father who promises to save and deliver His people!

Soulshine

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:16

Can you name someone you know-a family member, friend, neighbor, or co-worker, that just lights up a room with their presence?  That person should actually be you or me.  Let me explain....the life characterized by the fruits of the Spirit cannot help but be noticed.  When we have the Spirit dwelling within our souls, it should shine brightly for all to see.

We live in some dark times and what this world needs desperately is to see men and women living their lives as an example to others, breaking the "norm."

How different a place this world would be if people saw more husbands that were committed to their wives and vice versa, parents who were more lovingly involved with their children, businessmen and women who valued integrity over self-interests and money?

Let your soul shine!

…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:2

Today’s Daily DEVO has been a few days in the making.  I have noticed that when God wants to make a point with me, He repeats Himself quite a bit, just like I sometimes do with my own children.  The past few weeks have been crazy busy between work and home (all is well, of course) but I have lost my focus on Jesus in some ways…

Yesterday’s devotional from the exceptional Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, used the analogy of a spinning ballerina keeping her eyes focused on a fixed point to maintain her balance.  We too, must do the same. 

Despite our circumstances or hectic schedules, we must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ.  If we focus our gaze on our circumstances for too long, we will become confused and dizzy.

Focus on Jesus and maintain your footing, steady and sure!

Opportunities

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are.  You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you.  Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours.”  Genesis 41: 39-40

Without a doubt, responsibility is one of the keys to opening the doors of opportunity.  In the above passage from Genesis, Joseph was unjustly thrown into prison and could have easily become bitter and done nothing.  Instead, he utilized every opportunity to earn other people’s trust because of his responsibility and eventually rose to great prominence in Egypt.

We must learn to conduct the mundane and minor aspects of our everyday lives in such a manner so that we too will be given greater opportunities.   Our 4.5 year old has recently started doing chores to earn a weekly allowance.  He is learning that he will be rewarded for doing simple tasks such as cleaning up his toys and making his bed each day in addition to learning the value of money. 

As adults and believers in the body of faith, we must also go about our daily routines with responsibility so that we can expect greater opportunities in the future. 

Under Pressure

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest.  I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.   Matthew 11:28

Many people today are stressed out far beyond anything a human being was ever meant to endure.  Chalk it up to both husbands and wives working more to ‘keep up with the Jones’ in addition to balancing their home lives, but many people, us included, are some stressed-out individuals. 

We are all created different, uniquely created by God’s design.  What is difficult for me may be simple for someone else, and vice versa.    Unfortunately, if you are like me, it’s hard to resist comparing and contrasting ourselves with other people. 

Jesus was not stressed out.  Then again, He was not controlled by His circumstances or the demands of other people, either.  In John 14:6, Jesus simply states, “I am the Way.”  And you know what? He’s right-His way is the way to peace, joy, and righteousness. 

The next time you feel like you are under immense pressure, ask yourself how would Jesus have you handle things?  Allow Him to fill your soul and learn to take His approach to life and it’s never-ending challenges!

Anything Is Possible

With God's help we will do mighty things.  Psalm60:12

When I look back on problems that I have faced or trialsthat were extremely difficult, I have never felt like there was a single momentthat God was not with me every step of the way.  Despite some insurmountableodds, the problems we face may seem too large for us to handle on ourown.  The good news is that there is no problem, circumstance, crisis orsituation larger than our Loving Father.

While impossible situations make you understand how limitedyour resources truly are and exhaust your strength, they set the stage for Godto do the unimaginable-all by using His supernatural power to workmiracles,  show His love, offer forgiveness, meet needs, and change lives.

Some situations seem impossible, but with God, anything ispossible.

Hold On

"Not as I will, but as Youwill." –Jesus Christ,  Matthew 26:39

The above statement was Jesus' final submission to God inthe garden of Gethsemane before He was taken captive by a large crowd of armedmen who ultimately led Him to His death on the cross after He was brutallybeaten, publicly humiliated, and tortured. 

I have a bad habit of selfishly asking God to answer myprayers in the way that I would like them to be answered.  Evenwhen He gives me clear direction, I still do not always remain obedient andfollow His will.  Regardless, I truly believe that the content of ourprayers is less important to Him rather than our willingness to actually obeyHim.

I can't begin to imagine what Jesus must have felt thatnight in Gethsemane.  The fear of knowing that His death was close athand...seeing one of His Twelve disciples betray Him with a kiss and turn Himover to an armed mob.  Despite all of this, He remained faithful and obedient to God'swill...even to the point of death.

We may not ever face a life or death decision, but God wantsus to come to a place where we trust Him fully and obey Him, with every aspectof our lives.

On Our Side

If God is for us, who can be against us?  Who can beour foe, if God is on our side?  Romans 8:31

Looking back on my life on this earth, I have wasted a greatamount of time and effort being a "people pleaser" and notnecessarily following what God has planned for me.  The most strikingdifference in being a "God pleaser" rather than a "peoplepleaser" is that we don't have to depend on our own futile human effortsto earn favor with God.

Come to think of it, why does it really matter what peoplethink of us?  (It is easier said than done!) Our weaknesses and inabilities do not matter to God in theleast bit.  With God, there is no hidden agenda, no list of talents andabilities that you need, only your availability.  Simply stated, God islooking for people who are willing and able to yield to His lead.

Let God shape who you are, what your perception is and whatpath you need to take in your relationships and career.  He always keepsHis promise and takes care of His people and will never fail to deliver youfrom adversity!

Slip Sliding Away

I myself always strive to have a conscience without offensetoward God and men.  Acts 24:14

Have you ever contemplated just how short our time on thisearth really is?  We should make the most of our time here, but all toooften, we let time slip away from us and we don't follow the path that Godintends us to follow.

To live without regrets, we must choose to live in such away that we do our very best in every task and with every relationship. We must choose to love and obey God's commands; they weren't written torestrict us, but are there for our protection and to unlock His manyblessings. 

We must choose to forgive people who have hurt or harmed usfreely.  And lastly, we must choose to follow God's will and not our own.

The Best of What's Around

I will be filled with joy because of you.  I willsing praises to your name, O Most High.  Psalm 9:2

As a Christian, it is easy sometimes to view aspects of lifewith their appropriate seriousness-sin and its consequences, fighting againstevil, etc., but sometimes we overlook some of the great delights of being afollower of Christ.

I have enjoyed running for several years now.  A fewweeks ago, I began experiencing some painful discomfort on the top of  myleft foot which eventually led me to talk to my doctor who informed me that Ihad a stress fracture.  My doctor advised me to take at least six weeksoff from running to avoid any further damage or a possible broken bone. This news was certainly disappointing to me as I had been increasing my mileagein preparation for a marathon in beginning of April. 

I have been able to work out every day, but I have nowincorporated different physical activities such as riding my bike and swimminginto my routine.  At first, I was angry that I could not run, but now havereally gotten into swimming and actually feel like I am in better shape. 

The point I am trying to make is that life sometimes makesan unexpected turn, or things don’t always happen the way we would like forthem to.  God, however, is constant in His love for each of us andregardless of our circumstances, has a plan for us.   He made thiswonderful world for us to live in and enjoy and wants us to serve Himenthusiastically and filled with joy.

Let us not lose our perspective on being able to enjoy thejourney that God has planned for us, even if it is not the way we wouldnecessarily have it.

Eyes Wide Open

May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.  2 Thessalonians 3:5

Recently, in seeking God's wisdom and guidance about a situation, I began to grow tired and frustrated because I just couldn't seem to hear an answer.  In fact, I felt like I was hearing other people's insight, but not God's.  It finally dawned on me that I was neglecting an important aspect of my faith walk by not digging deeper into the Word, hence the reason I was not feeling God's nudge either way. 

God can and will speak His truths into our lives if we allow Him to.  When seeking Him, He will always move us closer to His will and His never ending love.  He always leads us to what is right, never wrong, and His answers to our prayers are clear cut, definitive, and absolute. 

If you think you can truly seek God by only showing up to church on Sundays or just praying your personal wish list, save yourself some time and frustration by incorporating God's Word into your daily routine.

Gimmie A Little Sign

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you.  He will not rebuke you for asking.  James 1:5

Have you ever asked God for a sign?  Looking back, there have been many instances where I have asked God to perform a miracle so that his guidance was crystal clear.  While God sometimes works that way, many times he does not.

The best roadmap or guidance for our lives can be found in His Word by reading the Bible.  If you are looking for guidance in any situation, study the Bible.  If you want God to personally guide your steps, study the Bible.  At the expense of sounding cliché, God intended the Bible to serve as our guidebook for getting through life.

God also wants us to have faith in him and trust him every step of the way.  In summary, we are to read the Bible, ask God what to do next, and then take a step of faith each and every day.  God promises to lead us and guide us in the right direction!

Could You Be Loved?

That the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.  John 17:23

I had a meeting with a potential client this last week and felt that I showed poorly.  It was a difficult task, as I went into the meeting with only a small amount of information and still had many more questions that I needed to answer before I could possibly provide firm insurance rates for this organization's group benefit program.  Leaving the meeting I felt like a failure, despite my manager telling me that I did an outstanding job.  Have you ever felt that way?  How do we know we are valuable? 

The answer is found at the cross.  Our youngest son was playing with the cross that I wear on my neck and it got me thinking about the reality of what Jesus' death by crucifixion really means.  If we weren't valuable to God, He wouldn't have sent His beloved Son to die on the cross to save us from certain death. 

If you are ever feeling down or unloved or that you are not valuable, look no further than the cross and understand that you are worthy and loved!

The Seeker

You will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.  Deuteronomy 4:29

Being a creature of habit, I like to keep to my same and familiar routines in the mornings.  Feeling somewhat convicted about not seeking God more by spending time in His Word, I read Luke 11 yesterday morning and, as always, that verse was exactly the one I needed for the day that awaited me. 

To seek God means to pursue Him as the only source of definitive truth and wisdom.  Instead of letting our problems pile up and seeking God out of desperation, how different would our lives be if we sought Him first and foremost in all matters?

To seek God and His way puts us on the path of a life that is blessed and pleasing to Him.

Fortress Around Your Heart

I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I trust!  Psalm 91:2

Too often, we as believers seem to forget that we are ready to face anything with Christ, who infuses inner strength into each one of us. 

You see, when we trust God, we don’t have to be afraid of the enemy’s sudden attacks and the unexpected turns that we will inevitably face at some point during our lives.  God is our strong fortress. 

No matter what may come against us, we can live with peace of mind knowing that we will never be defeated!

The Seeds of Love

Who with reason despises the day of small things?  Zechariah 4:10

Let's face it, if you have ever had any experience in sales, some days are better than others.  This is true in any occupation or career, but quite often, the sales cycle in the employee benefits arena is long and taxing.  You can work on an account or case for several months only to find out that you didn’t win the business. 

From the motion picture Talladega Nights: The Legend of Ricky Bobby, Ricky Bobby’s dad said it best, "If you ain't first, you're LAST!" Recently, there have been some small signs of growth that look promising...seeds that were planted over the past few years here in Knoxville are finally starting to sprout opportunities for me and I know just Who to thank.

I believe wholeheartedly that God plants these ever so small seeds.  Too often, we want immediate results or whatever it is that we are facing to come to pass too quickly.  When you find evidence of those small seeds that the good Lord has planted, you should rejoice with hope knowing that God has bigger and greater things in store for you. 

God never breaks His promises to us and He always finishes what He starts.  Just think about it, be thankful, and hold on with hope!! He is preparing to do something great in your life!

Got To Give It Up

They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings-and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers.  Revelation 17:14

Ask yourself this very difficult question...is Jesus the Lord of everything in your life or only a few things?  If I am completely honest, my answer would be along the lines of: “He is the Lord over my some of marriage, some of my parenting, some of my finances, some of my career, some of my relationships; etc.”  The problem with my answer is that Jesus wants to be the Lord over ALL things in my life, and He wants the same for you as well.   

The titles "Lord of Lords" and "King of Kings" are not just some empty Holy-roller words used to describe Jesus, but they are appropriate for the One who is the Lord over all things in this universe, time, each and every circumstance and situation.  If you have accepted Him as your personal Lord and Savior, then there is never a single moment the rest of your life that He will not be in complete control making sure that all things come together for your good, in accordance to His perfect will and timing.

We must learn to let go of the control we so desperately try to manage in every area of our lives and turn it over to the One who really is the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings!  

Limb By Limb

But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.  They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.  It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.  It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7

Alicia and I have enjoyed working on improving our yard this spring.  Just the other day, I planted several Leyland’s Cypresses and a Weeping Willow in our backyard.  I planted the trees on Good Friday and we had gotten several inches rain the night before here in Knoxville.  The ground was so saturated, it made digging the holes for the trees easy and I didn’t need to water them because there was so much water in the ground.  It got me thinking, just like picking out the right spot for trees to have optimal growth, we too need to plant our roots firmly around God’s Word and will for our lives.

If you are like me, you have no problem turning over the bigger issues to God.  That’s great, but God wants us to trust Him with every detail of our lives.   When we focus on our circumstances, we take our focus off of Jesus Christ.  We must learn to keep our focus on God’s presence at all times, during every circumstance, every moment of the day.

Jesus made the ultimate love sacrifice to save us from certain death and He can be trusted in every facet of our lives!

Human Touch

The spirit of the sovereign Lord is upon me, because the Lord has chosen me.  He has commissioned me to encourage the poor, to help the brokenhearted, to decree the release of captives, and the freeing of prisoners.  Isaiah 61:1

As usual, the worship service on Easter Sunday at Cokesbury Church was moving, uplifting, and inspiring.  As Monday arrived, it didn't take too long for the celebration to fade as the work week quickly began and life returned back to its normal and hectic pace.  In an effort to continue building upon our Savior’s resurrection and what it means to all believers, I began pondering why God chose to come in the form of His Son in human flesh to this earth… 

I am convinced that in addition to showing us His love for us, it was also God's divine way of proving that He is truly concerned about our human needs.  Jesus walked and lived among us, God in flesh form, and experienced the same temptations, struggles, and triumphs we did.  He never once sinned, but during His time on this earth, came to a much greater understanding of the human condition. 

No other 'god' offers the same love, understanding, and sacrifice that our loving Father freely gives to each one of us through His beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God!

Still The Same

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.  Hebrews 13:8


The empty tomb is more significant than we can possibly fathom.  It is the one thing that separates the Christian faith from any other religion.  Because Jesus defeated the grave and conquered death, He is always with us, today, tomorrow and forever more.  We all celebrate our risen Savior on Easter, but what about every other day of the week?   


I truly believe that the problem rests on us when we feel separated from God's presence, as His love for us is constant and is always with us.  His perfect Love is flowing from the cross into each of our hearts, so we must live in His presence despite the circumstances we face on a daily basis!


Praise His holy name!!!

Can't No Grave Hold My Body Down

"Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here: He has risen!  Remember how He told you, while He was still with you in Galilee: The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again."  Luke 24:5-8

Jesus repeatedly revealed His fate, God's master plan to the disciples, but amidst all of the chaos that surrounded His crucifixion, many of the followers were left doubting if He really was the Messiah.  Imagine the sheer joy and excitement that they must have felt when they rolled away the stone from the tomb and His body was not there.  All they found were burial linens and an empty grave.

Jesus appeared to two believers traveling and still downcast and not grasping that their Savior was in there presence, Jesus subtly reminded them of all of the Messianic prophesies and then disappeared.

Is Jesus who He said He was?  Do you believe that He conquered the grave? Where does He fit into your life?   If you have opened your heart to receive His love sacrifice and have accepted Him as your Lord over your life, there is no greater day than Easter...the day that our Savior conquered death and defeated the grave.

We may not feel like it every day, but we know with Christ in our lives how our story will end, we will be victorious!!  Rejoice, and praise His holy name!!!!

Hope Falls Down

"Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" And after He said this He breathed His last.  Luke 23: 46

Can you recall a time where you were disappointed and felt let down?  You could probably name a few times over the past week or possibly even today.  Put yourselves into the shoes of the disciples and followers that witnessed Jesus' death first hand.  This group had given up everything to follow Christ and now He was dead?  All of the miracles they witnessed, the lives that had been changed; this was how it all ended? 

If He really was the Christ, why didn't He send an army of angels to rescue Him from such a cruel and gruesome death?  How did His mother Mary feel? The baby she had loved and raised was now dead and hanging from a cross? Talk about disappointment....

I am certain in the days between Jesus' crucifixion and His resurrection, the confusion, the hurt, the doubt, and disappointment must have been overwhelming for Jesus' followers.  They must have felt like they had bet the farm and lost it all.  When Jesus took His last breath, His followers must have lost the hope they once had, despite Jesus telling them over and over again that He was 'going away to prepare a place for them'. (John 14:2)

We sometimes overlook the fact that Jesus is always with us when we face disappointment or struggles of our own.  Don't ever let your hope in Him fade away, no matter what it is you are facing.  God will never let you down and He always makes good on His promises.

Paradise

One of the criminals who was hanging there railed at Him saying, "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"  But the other rebuked him, saying, "Don't you fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?  And we rightly so, for we are getting what we deserve for what we did, but this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingdom." And Jesus said to him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."  Luke 23:39-43

On Good Friday, we reflect on and ponder Jesus' death on the cross that served as the ultimate sacrifice to bring salvation.  There is nothing more important, no act of love, service, or anything else that even comes close to comparing to what our perfect Savior endured for us in His final hours and His death that freed us from our bondage to sin.

The above passage of Scripture from the gospel of Luke moves my soul as it reveals the saving power and loving forgiveness of our Savior.  The criminals that were also being crucified at the same time as Jesus had been issued a death sentence for their wrong doings.  Jesus was tried and crucified despite being perfect and innocent.  One of the criminals realized that it was indeed the Messiah, hanging on the cross beside him, and right at the moment of his acceptance, Jesus forgave him and assured him of his eternal destination.

It's hard to understand God's grace sometimes.  Why do bad things happen to good people?  Why do good things happen to bad people?  I don't know, but God loves His creation and that includes every human being on this planet.  He doesn't want only a select few, He wants all of us to join Him in 'paradise' when we leave this earth.  He sent His son to live a blameless and perfect life on this earth and then offered Him as a love sacrifice, a Lamb of God, to take our place and die for our sins.

He took our place on the cross, and only wants us to give Jesus first place in our lives.

Lay Your Weapons Down

God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are My followers.  Matthew 5:11

This Holy week, as we continue to reflect on what Jesus endured His final hours leading up to His death on the cross, can you think of an instance that you suffered for your faith?  I can recall being mocked and ridiculed, having close friends abandon me completely, and have even had threats from loved ones to never bring up matters of faith again if I wanted the relationship to continue.  These were all painful moments that I do not want to rehash, but looking back, it was actually an honor to suffer for Him.

Take encouragement if you are being persecuted for your faith.  There are many other believers that are facing persecution, even death,  just for being followers of Christ.

Persecution helps us to remember and to be grateful for the suffering that Jesus went through to save each one of us.   If you suffer for being a follower of Christ, do you see it as an honor?

It's Not My Cross To Bear

Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.  I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.  But if it dies, it produces many seeds.  The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”  John 12: 20-23

In the above passage of Scripture from the Gospel of John, Jesus paints a beautiful picture of the necessary sacrifice He was about to make on behalf of all of mankind.  The days leading up to the celebration on Easter for a believer are somewhat difficult and painful.  It has to be this way for us to enjoy a deeper experience of  the reality of Jesus’ crucifixion and His resurrection.

After Jesus was brutally flogged and beaten, He was forced by the Roman guards to carry His cross through town and up the hill where He eventually died on the cross.   Many of Jesus’ disciples and followers made the journey with Him on that dark day and we too must make our own personal journey to the foot of the cross as well.  It’s a lonely journey; one that only needs to be made in solitude with Jesus.  As we bring ourselves to the cross, we expose our sinful lives and brokenness, which is the only way we can bear fruit as believers.

We cannot just settle for our salvation.  God has far too many plans for each one of us and things He plans to accomplish through our lives.  This Holy Week, take the painful journey to the cross with Jesus and experience the many blessings that God has in store for you in this life and eternity.

Easy Way Out

Always rejoice, constantly pray, in everything give thanks. For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:17


It's strange how things can sometimes take a turn for the worst. Last week, the owner of a large electrical contracting company that I insure died tragically on Wednesday and two days later, the company shut down permanently and now approximately 50 people are without a job. Two young men are mourning the loss of their father as well as a large group of family and friends that attended the funeral service for Bruce Gibson on Monday morning.


During the eulogy, the family and friends in attendance were reminded that Jesus conquered the grave and that Bruce's journey had only just begun. How comforting it is to know that despite any measure of success or amount of failure we experience in this world, those of us who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ will live in heaven for all of eternity.


Jesus knew all too well how quickly things could change. He was greeted by a large crowd victoriously waiving palm branches and chanting "Hosanna in the highest" only to have His closest friends abandon Him a few short days later as He was led to a brutal flogging and death on the cross.


He never wavered on following God's will for His life. Jesus knew what He had to do to save us all from certain death and by becoming the atonement for our sins on the cross. Despite the gruesomeness of His crucifixion, He remained in prayer and obediently followed God's will for His life.


This Holy Week, as we reflect on Jesus' death and prepare to celebrate His resurrection on Easter Sunday, remain in prayer and give God thanks despite your circumstances.

Precious and Few

Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow within him. John 7:38


Time is such a precious commodity. Our weekends are normally filled with trying to get chores done around the house, birthday parties, visiting with friends and family, church, Life Group, and multiple trips to either the grocery store or a restaurant. With such an action packed schedule, it can sometimes be hard to find some down time, let alone, quiet time spent with our loving Father.


As weird as it may sound, some of the only waking moments I have to myself are either spent jogging or swimming in the early mornings, and it is during those times that I talk to God.


The truth is that those few moments I spend in conversation with God are the most important of every day. When we spend time with God, His blessings flow into our lives like the streams of living water mentioned in today's passage.


By making time every day to spend with God, we glorify Him by delighting in His presence. We must learn to enjoy Him now and forever!!

Wake Up Dead Man

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...  1 Peter 1:3

Many people will at least agree that Jesus actually lived on this earth and died many years ago. The truth that is hard to swallow for some is that not only did He live and die, but He was resurrected and conquered the grave. Believing in His resurrection is paramount to our identity as believers and to who we are in our Christian faith.

Furthermore, Jesus is the Son of God, who died a gruesome death on the cross for our sins and then lived again victorious over death. What do you believe? Does it make you uncomfortable to hear the word resurrection? Do you believe that only our Creator could return Himself to life again?

True hope is found in Jesus' resurrection. Could you imagine the despair His faithful followers felt during the aftermath of His crucifixion? That same despair and hopelessness must be what it's like to not know that our Savior lives.

As a believer, we can face death with no fear, but understanding that the end of our time on this earth is only the beginning chapter in a book that is written in God's love that will never end. The best is yet to come as we too will conquer death with Jesus!