“If we are faithless, He remains faithful.” 2 Timothy 2:13

Are you struggling in your faith? Having difficulty believing that all things really do work together for good for those who love God? You are not alone. The Bible is filled with men and woman who struggled with faith. Moses asked of God, “Who am I?” David asked the same question. Sarah thought she was too old, Jeremiah thought he was too young. Peter denied Christ. The list of those lacking faith is endless. Now for the good news,

God Is With You Through It All

2 Timothy 2:13 says it clearly, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful!” God did not choose Moses for his articulate words, nor Jeremiah for his aged wisdom, nor David for his might and strength, nor Sarah for her youth, nor Peter for his elevated standing in the community. At one time or another they all felt inferior and not up to the job. In a word, they felt faithless. Thankfully, in our weakness, God gives the strength, God gives the words, God gives the wisdom, God gives the power to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. What do we need to do? Simply say yes to Him. Surrender to His will for your life and you will truly have life filled with faith, and have it abundantly!

“For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” Deuteronomy 20:4

On this Memorial Day we take time to remember those who have gave what Abraham Lincoln referred to as “the last full measure of devotion” in the cause of freedom for this nation. Unfortunately, conflict is nothing new, for throughout history wars have been a plague on mankind with far too many sacrificing all they had to give. We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. Their courage should truly feed our courage, for as Winston Churchill said,

Wars Are Not Won By Evacuations

This is especially true in Faith. When faced with the challenges of our day to day life, retreat is never an option, especially knowing that our God has promised to go before us. 1 John 5:4 likely says it best, saying, “For whosoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world.

“Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.” Jeremiah 1:9

Imagine standing before the Lord just as Jeremiah did. In that intimate moment God says to you, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Then, fumbling for words just as Jeremiah did, you respond to God by saying, “Behold I cannot speak for I am a youth” In other words, “Who me? Are you really talking to me? I’m no prophet, I can’t lead, not like that. Don’t you realize my background, my problems, my fears, my insecurity….”

God Is Not Phased By Your Insecurities

God responds, saying, “I am with you to deliver you!” Friends, God has not stopped speaking, even today. Yes that means He’s speaking to you. Are you listening or arguing? Submitting or ignoring? I have discovered a stark reality in my own life. When I let the noise of the world consume my thoughts I’ve soon tuned God out. But in those times when I can filter out the noise of the world and spend time in prayer, God’s voice suddenly comes through in digital surround sound. Give it a try. Filter out the world for an hour a day. Use that time to praise God alone. Such humble devotion stirs the Heart of God and He will use your devotion in mighty and remarkable ways. He will put words in your mouth that will change the world around you.

Jesus said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age”. Matthew 28:20

In the year 1789 Benjamin Franklin wrote a letter to his friend describing the permanence of the recently completed United States Constitution, saying that the document, “has an appearance that promises permanency but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” The phrase “nothing is certain but death and taxes” has since become ubiquitous in our culture through the centuries. And yet, Mr. Franklin made one crucial miscalculation, he side stepped the permanency of God. For Jesus said,

I Am With You Always

I have taken Jesus at His word. Throughout my day, sometimes a dozen times a day I’ll find myself saying, “Thank you Jesus” for I know He is near. I can feel his presence, his touch, and his love. I cannot possibly describe the sensation other than to say I highly recommend it. I’m not unique, I’ve just made a choice to live by faith and not by sight. You already have all the tools you need to live such a life yourself. Simply say, Jesus I need you. It’s a conversation you will enjoy.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

I can’t explain the tragedies of life. One child lost in a school shooting is one too many, just as one soul lost to war, or sickness, or famine in a distant land is one too many. When I see the tragic reports I am incensed at needless suffering, and, perhaps, in that moment receive just a glimpse of what breaks the heart of God. Yet into the unspeakable tragic times in life the Psalms tell us that

God Is Close To The Brokenhearted

God is there to save those who are crushed in spirt. I’ve heard it criticized when someone says, “my thoughts and prayers are with you”, saying instead that tangible action is needed. Action is needed, and prayer is action step number one. Nothing on this earth is more powerful than prayer. For when I have no words, I use what few I have to say “Lord God, please draw near to those who are suffering heartbreak. Only you can comfort”. You’ve now enlisted the help of the creator of Heaven and earth. For when and where we can’t, He can.

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26

There was a young man I once knew who was raised by a Godly mother. Even though she raised her two children as a single parent by working long hours for low pay, she never ceased praising God. Yet as this young man grew the world became just a bit too enticing. Dimly lit bars filled with twenty something’s dancing and drinking and looking for love became a life worth living. Yet with each new hangover and each new broken relationship his heart grew bitter and hard. The heart of flesh he had known as a child was truly becoming a heart of stone.

Then one day while traveling to a distant new land God met that young man at sunset in the towering desert canyons of Monument Valley. Amidst the vistas and colorful canyons there came the gentle voice of God simply saying, “How long are you going to run from me? It’s time to come home”. In a matter of minutes, God removed that heart of stone and replaced it with a heart of flesh. Today I have only faint memories of my former life. When God gives you a new heart, it also comes with a brand new spirit! All you have to do is be willing, then watch as God removes your heart of stone and gives you a precious heart of flesh. 

“We love because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

I sat down with my wife a few nights ago to watch “The Lake House” staring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. This romantic time traveling love story hit home for me the instant I heard Paul McCartney sing “This Never Happened Before”. The Lyrics say, “This is the way it should be for lovers, they shouldn’t go it alone, it’s not so good when you’re on your own.” Paul is right, we should’t go it alone, we’re meant to have one true love in our life. So,

How’s Your Love Affair With Jesus?

I love and adore my wife of 33 years, but I’ve had a life long love affair with Jesus Christ. Why, because as 1 John 4:19 says, He first loved me, so much so that he endured the cross so that I would not have to go it alone. You’re not meant to be on your own. Look up. He’s only a prayer away.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

One of the great mysteries of faith is the power of prayer. Proverbs 18 tells that death and life are in the power of the tongue. Frankly, we have no earthly idea of just how much power we possess when we pray. Perhaps that’s why Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians implores us to rejoice always, pray without ceasing and to

Give Thanks In All Circumstances

I can hear the skeptic in you saying, rejoice in my pain? My suffering? My hardship? Yes, that’s what I’m saying, and I’ll readily admit that sometimes I’ve started my rejoicing in the middle of crying and gritting my teeth. I’ll also say I’m continually amazed at the result. Never grow weary in prayer. If you knew just how effective your prayers were, you’d never stop.

“His (God’s) favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning” Psalm 30:5

Arguably one of the best prison films ever made is “The Shawshank Redemption” staring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, and is based on a novella written by none other than Stephen King. In the film, Tim’s character pens a pivotal letter to Morgan Freeman which in part says,

“Hope is a good thing. Maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies”

In God we have the one great hope in life. For Psalm 30 tells us that His favor is for life, therefore, our momentary weeping over our struggles and trials in life may indeed endure for a night, but joy does come in the morning. Have hope today, the sun will rise tomorrow.