I’ve done some hiking out west, where there are plenty of high mountains. But, if you’re a hiker you know that the best views are ones you have to work for; the more intense laborious hiking that most don’t even attempt. But as I’m hiking up these mountains, start seeing the spectacular views, the more I’m reminded that there’s more to life than the world and all its problems.

I also get a more awareness of God when I’m looking out at the vastness. It may sound silly, but I feel closer to Him.

All this to say that I can also get a spiritual closeness in my quiet time in the mornings in my chair. God is everywhere. He’s not just on the mountaintop views or in a child’s smile, He’s nearer than your next breath.

I’m also reminded that God has taken me to the highest of mountaintops in my walk with Him. These have been amazing ‘Holy Spirit’ moments that I’ll never forget. He eventually leads me down the mountain, so that I can share my experiences with others.

Isaiah 54:10 - “For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”

And whether you’re on a ‘mountaintop’ high right now, or you’re in one of the lowest valleys of your spiritual journey, know that God is near; He’ll never leave you and He will guide you to higher places.

Have you ever took a vacation away from home for a few weeks or longer, and the feeling of finally getting back home? It’s a reunion that tends to stay in your memories forever.

On a recent mission trip, one of my teammates told me of a reunion she witnessed of a daughter who had been away at school for a couple of years, and had finally come home to see her mom and dad. She said that there were tears of joy all around and the presence of God in the midst.

Revelation 21:4 - “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Oh, the reunion we’ll have some day with our loved ones that have gone on before us is always on my mind. Having lost my dad when I was 10 years old, I’ve always imagined in my mind the reunion we’ll have some day. We’ll not only be reunited with our loved ones, but can you imagine talking to Abraham and some of the greatest prophets that ever lived?

But our greatest reunion to look forward to is one with Christ; the man who lived and died for all of us, so that we could live and make our temporary home on earth, while preparing our hearts for our eternal home with Him.

The Bible is clear that after death, two literal destinies await all humanity: eternal life and eternal death (Rom. 6:23). Those who place their faith in Jesus Christ receive everlasting life.

I’m looking forward to coming home some day; the home I call heaven!

Some of us get so busy with Church, Sunday School, even small groups, that we’re forgetting our purpose as Christians.

All the above is great. It’s good to be involved in our local Church. God wants community among His children.

We all need balance though. We should be learning more from scripture, and sharing this knowledge, extending our love and service to others.

Are people watching us and seeing Christians just going to Church Sunday mornings, but being busy with everything else during the week? Are we too busy that we don’t have time to visit the elderly neighbor or babysit for the single mom?

My prayer is that others see me as serving others; giving my time to the lonely and sharing how God has changed my life.

Be prepared daily to ask God how you can serve. Be a part of the Great Commission, right in your own backyard.

Mark 1:35 - “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.”

Angels are mentioned almost 300 times in scripture. It is mentioned that Angels are with us from the moment we give our life to Christ until we go home to be with Jesus. I believe Angels not only minister and lead us, but they also protect us.

The Oxford dictionary definition for Angels is: “a spiritual being believed to act as an attendant, agent, or messenger of God, conventionally represented in human form with wings and a long robe.”

In Daniel 6:22, God sent Angels to shut the mouths of lions: Daniel 6:22 - “My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.”

I’ve had many times in my life that I’ve felt the protection of Angels. Most recently was when I went on my last mission trip. The trail was hard, muddy and intimidating. I was getting a little anxious that maybe this trail was more than what I could do. Then, all of a sudden, as I was walking across a log that had fallen in the river, an Angel, “Gabby,” came along side me, took my hand and led me across the log. Later on, another Angel, “Andy,” came along side me (out of nowhere) and grabbed my hand to lead me across a muddy area, just when I was about to sink my foot into the mucky mud.

You can ask any of my teammates about that day we hiked to Olivos, Peru. It was hard, but we all had one thing in common. We kept praying, singing to ourselves, praising God and asking Him to deliver us to the village.

Angels are all around us. Every day; in every situation. God is good. If He can send angels to shut the mouths of lions, He can also send angels to protect you today.

Matthew 10:29-31 - “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

Many people rely on their own strength, their own skills to try and create a comfortable life. They invest their time and money into things that they think will get them ahead.

It’s good to be ambitious and have a good work ethic, but some tend to take this too far. Some people think they can predict the future and work towards worldly goals to become their own god

There is only one God; the One who created heaven and earth; the One who created you and me.

Why not try and look for your answers to life in God; in His Word (Bible)? Don’t wear yourself out, trying to make everything work out and find yourself depressed and angry when things don’t work out.

If you’ve given your life to Christ and have a personal relationship with Him, then you know that your first priority every day should be to please God.

God tells us “we’re more valuable than many sparrows.” So, why not let God do His job. When you gave your life to Christ, you’re no longer a slave to sin and death. You have a new life, one that will live through eternity and beyond.

Stop fighting it. Give God the first of everything, and based on my own experiences, life is so much sweeter and stress free. That’s right, stress free!

Have you ever felt like you’re running on empty? Do you feel like you’ve spent all your energy and time to where you have nothing left to go on?

People will drain you, rob you of your time and energy. This doesn’t mean that we don’t help people. It means giving to others, expecting nothing in return. If they keep returning for more, check out their motives. If you’re enabling them to do something that will eventually harm them, then stop. God doesn’t expect us to be enablers.

Just as cars in a drag race continue to run around the track, they eventually have to stop and refuel, change tires, etc. We need to refuel our minds and heart at times. Get into God’s word and let Him speak to you. Let Him renew your mind and refresh your soul. Otherwise, you will eventually breakdown, whether it be physically or mentally.

Look for opportunities to bless others. Seek out the lonely and depressed and give them your time.

Most importantly, take time to breathe in God’s word so that when the race is on, you’ll be ahead of the pack.

Refuel from God today.

Jeremiah 31:25 - “For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.”

1 Samuel 16:7 - “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Are you earnestly seeking God’s guidance in every aspect of your life? Are you stepping back and allowing God to work through you? Or is your attitude proud and confident in your own skin?

Attitude is defined as “a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically one that is reflected in a person’s behavior.”

Every time we try to control our circumstances and the people around us, we’re only demonstrating that we want to be god.

We are to be ‘Christ-like’ in our attitude. How does this look? It means transforming or conforming your mind to be focused on God; to grow spiritually.

For me, the more I do this, the more productive and effective I am at home, my job and in my community.

God looks at the heart. I hope He’s seeing the right attitude in your walk with Him.

The tongue could very well be the most deadliest body part.

James 3:8 - “But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”

God made each of us in His image and we should be good stewards of our body. But did you know that your tongue could be considered the most evil part of our human body?

Evil words, hurtful words, vile words, all can cripple a person, making them feel worthless.

It says in Proverbs 15:1 that “a soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

A tongue under control can speak life and truth into others. It can bless others and transfer the wisdom God has given us to them.

Guard your tongue. Think before you speak.

Speak life, not death.