There's a book written by Jentezen Franklin called "Love Like You've Never Been Hurt: Hope, Healing and the Power of an Open Heart."


I haven't read it yet, but listened to him on a radio talk show this morning.  The things he said about the trials he and his wife have been through hit home.  I've been there.


It's hard when life isn't fair.  It's hard when someone disappoints you or shuts you out of their life.  But God has commanded us to do the exact opposite of what our feelings might tell us to do.  Normally when you're hurt by someone, you want to lash out; you want to get vengeance, but as it says in the Bible, vengeance is not ours, but God's.


This life is so full of hate and vengeance but as Christians, we must let God fight our battles.  We have to let Him take care of the wrath that is due to the wicked.  We must leave the vengeance to God.


Love your enemies; pray for those who persecute you!


1 Peter 3:9 - "Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing." 


Deuteronomy 32:35 - "Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly

We all desire it and want to experience joy, right?  We tend to think of happiness as something passive, something that happens to us, over which we have no control.  


Of course, in a broken world, we all have to deal with sorrow also.  But it should be our goal to become a living expression of joy, no matter the circumstances.  


God desires from each of His children that we find our joy, happiness, peace and purpose in Him.  God is glorified when we do this.


So, stay joyful my friends; we're going to a place (Heaven) some day where there will be no more sorrow, no more pain.


Stay joyful!




John 15:11 - "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full."

Have you ever had a GPS take you in the wrong direction?  I know I have and it's a very frustrating place to be.


But have you ever been led astray by someone who you thought was speaking the truth, but in reality was full of lies?  We all have to be careful in regards to false prophets; people claiming to be a Christian, but are far from it.  Instead of leading people to the truth, they are caught leading people away from God and His Word.


Trust the only One GPS that should be in our tool kit; GOD.  He will never lead you astray.  He will always guide you to goodness and His Word, the Bible is the only measure of what good really is.


Stay on track, my friends.  Get into the Word; study it; live by it; let God's Word guide you today.


John 14:6 - "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Exodus 4:2-4 - "The Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.” 3 And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. 4 But the Lord said to Moses, “Put out your hand and catch it by the tail”—so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand"


God used Moses' staff as an example of His power.  God turned His staff into a snake, and then back to a staff (stick).  


This lesson shows us today that God can take the simplest of things in our lives and turn them into instruments of unstoppable power to achieve His will.


But the real lesson to be learned is after God uses us to do miraculous things for His kingdom, are we staying a stick, or are we using our gifts to help others, show love; becoming more like Christ?


Don't stay stagnant in your faith.  Step out of the box; let God use you right where you are.

God seeks a childlike submissiveness and meekness, an open heart and a childlike faith in each of His children.  Without this type of willing, unrelenting faith, we cannot please God.


These are all qualities that lead to an open road to God's heart.  Kids are innocent, trusting; content with the little things.  These are just a few of the qualities God is looking for in each of us.


Or are you on the other end of the spectrum?  Are you being childish in your faith?  Are you expecting more and giving less?


As we grow up, we tend to let other outside influences seep into our daily lives.  We allow doubt, fear, anxiety and worry to rob us of our joy and faith in God.


We could all learn something from children.  Stand back and take a good look at your faith walk.  Make sure you can see yourself as a little child and God leading the way in His mighty power.


Matthew 19:14 - "But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Most of us like to think that we can accomplish great things, on our own.  Nothing, absolutely nothing is possible without God leading your life.


We think that if we discipline ourselves enough that we can create our own destiny.  God actually wants us to desire Him.  He wants us to admit that we need Him in our life.


God promises are recorded throughout the Bible; from Abraham to today.  These promises are as essential for Christian living, as food and water are for physical life.  


Open yourself up to God's grace; His promises; His power!


These promises of God are within reach.  What a terrible loss people experience when they short change themselves by failing to lay hold on these promises.


1 Peter 5:7 "Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you."

Today is my birthday and I woke up feeling different about birthdays today.  I admit, I'm usually selfish when it comes to birthdays and I think everyone should make birthdays special.  But today, instead of wanting to fulfill my own desires, I want to fulfill someone else's.  


Starting today, I want to give more of myself, my time, my money to those in need.  My life is but a vapor and I want to have spent it giving, every day.


I'm thankful for yet another birthday.  I received another day of life.  My goal today is to please God, in whatever way I can.


Look around for someone today in need.  Reach out to those who are lonely.  Love the brokenhearted.  


We get one life!  Live for God, you'll never regret it!


Proverbs 9:11 - "For by Me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life."

God disciplines those He loves.  This truth is throughout the Bible.  This discipline is the process by which we learn a way of life.  This same discipline requires a relationship with God.  


Just as a parent is with a child.  In order to discipline the child, you must have a relationship with the child.  The child must respect you and your authority.  So it is with God.


The more we choose to live eternally minded, the easier it becomes to live fully surrendered.  This means giving our whole life to Christ; not just the parts we want Him to control.


Just as God formed Adam; from the dust.  He breathed life into Adam and created the first human.  The same analogy applies to a potter.  He takes dust, mixes it with water and forms clay.  He then molds the clay with his hands to create something beautiful.


Stay moldable.  Let God mold you and transform your life into something beautiful.  Sometimes this can be quite painful, but if we trust what God is doing in our lives, we will become all God designed us to be.


James 4:7 - "Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."