We all want to change in certain areas of our life.  When we become a Christian, God changes our life, internally and externally.  This means that we now live for His pleasure and His glory, not our own.


Many of us realize and accept that God changes us, but do we also change our lifestyle?  


I think some of us are scared that if we allow God to come into our lives that He will change things that we don't want Him to.  


Allow God to change the way you think.  A Christian lifestyle should never become a list of rules.  To live as a Christian requires having the character of Christ.  A transformation must occur, as a result of the Holy Spirit's indwelling.


Invite God into every part of your life, and let Him change you.  Allow Him to alter your lifestyle so that the things of this world that used to look appealing, no longer are; and, the things of God are what you desire.


Those who live the Christian lifestyle live a confident life on the inside and outside.


Revelation 3:20 - "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me."

Faith is an integral part of the Christian life.


What does faith look like for those who are Christians?  Faith begins when a person chooses an object in which to trust.  Christian faith is about trust.  It is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.


Faith requires bold action in the face of uncertainty.  My faith was challenged last year in an extremely difficult situation.  And through it all, even though my faith was challenged, I kept adamant about my trust in God.  I knew that without a shadow of a doubt, that no matter what life threw at me, I was standing on the promises of God.  


This trust and action of faith must be accompanied by deliberate loyalty.  Faith in Christ demands the endurance of hard times.


You see, I hold this unshakeable belief that one day I will inherit eternal life with God.  That's how I can endure hard times and have faith in the unseen; my God is always in control.


I hope others can see the faith that my actions show, especially in difficult situations.


Show others your faith today!


Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

The more we understand God's character, the more we will be like Him; thus hating those things that are contrary to His Word and nature.


Evil abounds in this world and it's getting worse.  I used to hear about hate crimes and wars happening in other countries, but when it is now happening more and more in the United States where I live, it hits home.


Hatred is a poison that destroys us from within; it produces bitterness that eats away at our hearts and minds.


Hate is also a seed that will only grow if we don't control it.  Hatred stirs up conflict, but love conquers all.


Reach out to those who you see that are hurting.  Show love to those who are lost and lonely.


Love as Jesus loves.  The more we love, the more we push out hatred.


1 John 3:15 - "Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in Him."

Do we sometimes find ourselves going down the wrong road, leading to nowhere?  Do we need a 'recalculating' in our lives?  I know I do at times.


I often find myself 'off-course,' putting me back to where my old self used to be; but God has always been there, to put me back on course.


Just like a GPS will tell you when you're off course, or going in the wrong direction, by saying "recalculating," God can help guide you in the right direction also.  


I'm still tempted to go back to my old ways at times, but thank God for His mercy and guidance.


God faithfully recalculates my route, patiently and with love, because He knows where He's taking me and exactly how to get me there.  


It may take some time to re-route to get to our final destination, but in love He will redeem the time and use it all to build character and Christlikeness in us all.


Let God guide your steps today.


Romans 8:1 - "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

I heard this in a song the other day and it speaks the truth: "It doesn't matter who you are, this world's going to leave some battle scars."


This has been so true for me, most of my life.  I don't think I ever truly recovered after losing my dad at the age of 10.  But, I had a mom who never gave up on me; but more than that, I had a God that pursued me.


I gave my life to Christ at the age of 16 and I thought things were just going to be so much better and life would turn around for me.  What I failed to understand is that after giving my life to Christ, I had to live like it.


God carried me through some tough battles in my teens, 20's and some of my 30's.  Yes, I do have some battle scars, but praise God that He never gave up on me.


All of us will go through trials in this life here on earth; the question is, how will you respond?  Will you wallow in self pity as I did and forget God?  Or will you thank God that He's there with you and is going to carry you through.


You have the choice to live for God, or the devil.  I don't know about you, but when I'm in any battle, I want God on my side.


It doesn't matter who you are, this world will leave some battle scars.....


Exodus 14:14 - "The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent."

We all go through struggles and troubles in this life; it's a given.  Trials defeat some people but strengthen others.  It depends on how we deal with them.


When we come up against troubles, we need to keep this in mind:  Don't ask God to deliver you from trouble, but through trouble.  If we remain faithful, even though Satan may send trials to harm us, God can make them come out in the end for our good.


God has promised to help us endure these times, but we must make use of the help He provides.


Look for God in every situation; He's there to help us through.


John 16:33 - "I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world."

Some of us tend to put limits on God, thinking I'll let Him take over this area of my life, but not this area.  We think that by allowing God in certain areas of our life and not others, that we ourselves can control the other parts.




This is a dangerous place to be, my friends.  Take the limits off God.  Thank Him for your favor and don't let Satan defeat you or take over your thoughts.  The mind is the primary area Satan seeks to attack.  He knows that once he has a stronghold on your mind, he can begin to manipulate and control you.




Give your whole life, your whole self to God daily.  Depend on God; allow Him to captivate your thoughts and these will become dependable weapons during times when your life gets tampered with by the devil.




Take the limits off God.  He is longing to do great things for and through His people.




2 Corinthians 10:4 - "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds."

Wow!  I just returned from Israel two days ago and am still trying to digest what I've seen and learned from the Holy Land.


Our group was very blessed with an excellent tour guide, Susan Marcus.  Her knowledge of the land and the Bible were astounding. I now consider her my Jewish mother.  


When I reflect on what I have seen and where I have walked, I find it hard to explain or describe to others the way that this place has affected me.  I've already seen the scripture come alive; when reading the Bible, and in knowing that I walked these same paths as the patriarchs of Jesus' time.


I have learned a lot about Israel and the Jewish people.  These people are God's chosen people. I pray for those who are persecuted without validation.


We're in this race together, Jews and Gentiles.  Let's lift up our Jewish brothers and sisters, and the nation of Israel.


Psalm 122:6 - "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!  "May they be secure who love you!"