Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 4:23

The condition of our hearts affects every relationship in our lives. The way we speak, listen, forgive, trust, encourage, and respond to others often reflects what is happening deep within us. Healthy relationships begin with a healthy heart. When our hearts are filled with God's love, we are more likely to extend grace to others. When our hearts are consumed by bitterness, pride, fear, or unresolved hurt, those things can create distance and conflict in our relationships. Often, the struggles we experience with others are invitations from God to examine our own hearts.

Jesus demonstrated that true transformation begins on the inside. He didn't simply focus on outward behavior; He addressed the heart. As we allow God to heal our wounds, soften our hearts, and shape our character, our relationships begin to reflect His love more clearly. Today, take a moment to ask God to search your heart. Is there someone you need to forgive? Is there a relationship that needs healing? Is there an area where God is calling you to love more deeply? When we surrender our hearts to Him, He empowers us to build relationships marked by compassion, humility, patience, and grace.

Remember, the healthiest relationships are not built on perfect people; they are built on hearts that are continually being transformed by God.

Good Morning Lord,

Thank You for caring about the condition of my heart. Search me and reveal anything that is keeping me from loving others the way You love me. Heal any hurt, remove bitterness, and help me walk in forgiveness, grace, and compassion. Fill my heart with Your peace and wisdom so that my relationships reflect Your goodness. Teach me to love others with the same love You have shown me. In Jesus name, Amen.

"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7

Our attitudes do not appear out of nowhere. They flow from something deeper; the condition of our hearts.

When our hearts are filled with gratitude, our attitudes reflect thankfulness. When our hearts are anchored in trust, our attitudes reflect peace. But when our hearts become wounded, fearful, bitter, or exhausted, those things often find their way into our words, actions, and responses.

Jesus taught that what comes out of a person reveals what is already within. The heart is the wellspring of our thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors. Many times we try to fix our attitudes without addressing our hearts. We work harder to be patient, kind, or joyful while ignoring the deeper issues that may be affecting us. Yet God is always interested in the root, not just the fruit.

A negative attitude may reveal a heart burdened by worry. A critical attitude may reveal a heart struggling with disappointment. An impatient attitude may reveal a heart that has forgotten how to rest in God.

The good news is that God specializes in heart work. He doesn't merely tell us to behave differently; He invites us to be transformed from the inside out. When we spend time in His presence, He softens what has become hard, heals what has been wounded, and renews what has become weary. As our hearts are changed, our attitudes begin to change as well.

Good Morning Lord,

Search my heart and reveal anything that is not pleasing to You. Help me not to focus only on my attitudes but on the condition of my heart. Fill me with Your peace, love, gratitude, and joy so that my words and actions reflect Your presence. Create in me a clean heart, and let my life be a testimony of Your transforming grace. In Jesus name, Amen.

"For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."
Matthew 12:34

Our words are not created in the moment; they are revealed in the moment. What comes out of our mouths often exposes what has been residing in our hearts. When our hearts are filled with peace, gratitude, and faith, our words tend to reflect those things. When our hearts are carrying bitterness, fear, anger, or hurt, those things often find their way into our conversations as well.

Jesus taught that our speech is connected to our inner condition. This means that when our words surprise us, offend others, or consistently carry negativity, the issue may not simply be our tongue; it may be our heart. God is not interested in merely changing our vocabulary; He desires to transform us from the inside out.

The good news is that God specializes in heart work. He heals wounds, removes bitterness, restores joy, and fills us with His Spirit. As He renews our hearts, our words begin to change. Encouragement replaces criticism. Grace replaces harshness. Hope replaces despair. Today, instead of focusing only on controlling your words, ask the Lord to search your heart. The fruit of a healthy heart is life-giving speech. When Christ reigns in our hearts, our words become a reflection of His love and truth.

Good Morning Lord,

Thank You for caring about what is happening deep within me. Search my heart and reveal anything that does not reflect Your character. Heal any hurt, bitterness, fear, or frustration that may be influencing my words. Fill my heart with Your peace, love, and wisdom so that my speech brings life, encouragement, and grace to those around me. May my words honor You and reflect the work You are doing in my heart. In Jesus name, Amen.

I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten.
Joel 2:25

Sabbatical is more than a season of rest. It is often a season of restoration. When life becomes busy, responsibilities increase, and ministry demands grow, it is possible to keep moving forward while quietly becoming depleted. We learn to function while tired. We learn to serve while empty. We learn to carry burdens that God never intended us to carry alone. Then God, in His wisdom, calls us to pause. Not because He is finished with us. But because He is not finished.

The prophet Joel records a powerful promise from God: "I will restore."

Restoration is one of God's specialties.
He restores what has been neglected.
He restores what has been wounded.
He restores what has been exhausted.
He restores what has been lost.

During this sabbatical, the question is not merely, "What do I need?" but rather, "What is God trying to restore?"

Perhaps He is restoring your joy.
Perhaps He is restoring your passion for His Word.
Perhaps He is restoring your prayer life.
Perhaps He is restoring your family relationships.
Perhaps He is restoring your physical, emotional, or spiritual strength.
Or perhaps He is restoring your ability to simply enjoy His presence again.

God's restoration is rarely limited to one area. As we surrender ourselves to Him, He often begins rebuilding places we didn't even realize needed healing. What feels like an interruption may actually be an invitation.

An invitation to slow down.
An invitation to listen.
An invitation to receive.
An invitation to trust that God is doing a deeper work than we can see.

The Lord does not restore us so we can return to the same patterns that left us weary. He restores us so we can move forward with renewed strength, renewed vision, and renewed dependence upon Him.
Don't rush through this season.

He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Psalm 23:3

We should take this opportunity to honestly assess the condition of our hearts. Life moves quickly. Ministry, work, family responsibilities, and daily demands can keep us going long after our strength has begun to fade. We become skilled at functioning while depleted.

What areas of your life feel depleted today?

Is it your spiritual life?
Have prayer and worship become more routine than relationship?

"Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing."
Psalm 100:2

Ministry carries responsibility.
People depend on us. Needs arise. Problems must be solved. Decisions must be made. There are sermons to prepare, prayers to pray, visits to make, and countless tasks that require our attention.
Over time, however, something subtle can happen.

The weight of responsibility can become so heavy that it crowds out the joy that once inspired us to serve.

What began as a calling becomes an obligation.
What began as worship becomes work.
What began as delight becomes duty.

This is why a sabbatical is such a gift.

Jesus never intended ministry to be sustained by obligation alone. While there are certainly seasons that require sacrifice, His desire is that our service flows from a relationship with Him.
The disciples returned from ministry excited about what God had done through them. Their joy was not found in their performance but in their connection to Christ.

Nehemiah reminded God's people:
"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10

Notice that joy is not the reward for strength; it is the source of it. When joy disappears, ministry often becomes exhausting. We begin counting tasks instead of blessings. We focus on burdens instead of opportunities. We become more aware of what is required than of the privilege of being used by God.

Joy is not pretending ministry is easy.
Joy is remembering Who called you.
Joy is remembering why you started.
Joy is recognizing that every act of service is an opportunity to participate in God's work.

The Lord never asked us to carry ministry alone. He invited us to abide in Him so that His life, His strength, and His joy could flow through us.

Perhaps this sabbatical is not simply a season to rest from ministry but a season to rediscover the joy that first drew you to it.

Restoring the Joy!! Happy Sabbatical!!

"Times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord."
Acts 3:19

There is a difference between being busy for God and being refreshed by God.

Many believers faithfully attend church, serve in ministry, study Scripture, and care for others, yet quietly find themselves spiritually exhausted. They continue pouring out, but they have stopped allowing God to pour back into them.

Sabbatical invites us to ask an important question:

When was the last time I felt refreshed in His presence?

Not informed.
Not challenged.
Not convicted.
Not inspired.
Refreshed.

There are moments in our walk with God when His presence lifts burdens we have carried too long. His peace settles anxious thoughts. His joy strengthens weary hearts. His love reminds us that we are more than what we accomplish.
David understood this kind of renewal when he wrote:

"He restores my soul." Psalm 23:3

Notice that God does not merely assign work to our souls; He restores them.
Sometimes we become so focused on serving that we forget how to rest. We become so accustomed to carrying responsibilities that we fail to notice how tired we have become. Yet the Lord never intended His children to live disconnected from the refreshing power of His presence.
Refreshment is not found in doing more.

It is found in drawing near.
It is found in worship without hurry.
Prayer without agenda.
Scripture without pressure.
Silence without distraction.

The presence of God is not another task to complete. It is the place where weary hearts find strength again. Perhaps this sabbatical is not simply about taking a break from work. Perhaps it is an invitation to return to the well and drink deeply of God's presence.

Happy Sabbatical

One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple."
Psalm 27:4

One of the hidden dangers of ministry, leadership, teaching, and serving others is that we can begin approaching God primarily for what we can get from Him rather than simply enjoying Him.

We sit down to read Scripture and immediately think, "This would make a great sermon." We spend time in prayer and begin organizing lessons, social media posts, Bible studies, devotionals or conversations in our minds. Before long, our relationship with God can become productive, but not necessarily intimate.
The truth is that God never intended for us to know Him merely as a source of content. He desires to be known as Father, Friend, Shepherd, Savior, and King.

During sabbatical, many of the demands to produce should be temporarily removed. The pressure to prepare, teach, organize, lead, and answer questions should grow quieter. In that silence, an important question emerges:

If no one ever heard what God spoke to me today, would I still want to spend time with Him?

David did not seek God's presence because he needed material for others. He sought God's presence because he loved God Himself. The Lord is not merely a subject to study. He is a person to know.

The deepest spiritual growth often happens when there is no audience, no assignment, no deadline, and no expectation to share what we receive. In those moments, our affection is purified. We learn to sit at His feet not because we need something from Him, but because we desire Him.

Ironically, when we stop seeking God primarily for others, we often hear Him more clearly for them. Ministry flows best from intimacy, not obligation. Service is healthiest when it overflows from relationship rather than replacing it.

Sabbatical is an invitation to return to your first love and simply enjoy the Messenger.

Happy Sabbatical

"For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son..." Romans 8:29

One of the most important questions a believer can ask is not, "Am I successful?" Not, "Am I busy in ministry?" Not even, "Am I accomplishing my goals?"

The question is:
Am I becoming more like Christ?

Sabbatical creates space to ask that question honestly. When the noise quiets and the schedule slows, we are able to look beneath our activities and examine our hearts.

Jesus is our example. He walked in humility when He had every right to exalt Himself. He forgave when others wounded Him. He loved people who misunderstood Him. He served when He could have demanded to be served. He remained faithful to the Father even when obedience was costly. Spiritual maturity is not measured by how much we know about Christ, but by how much our lives reflect Him.

The Holy Spirit's work is not simply to make us active Christians; it is to make us Christlike Christians.

Growth often happens slowly. Like a seed becoming a tree, transformation is not always visible day by day. Yet God is faithfully shaping His people. Every act of obedience, every surrendered attitude, every moment spent in His presence contributes to that transformation. During this sabbatical, resist the temptation to evaluate yourself only by what you do. Instead, consider who you are becoming.

The goal of the Christian life is not merely attendance, activity, or achievement. The goal is Christlikeness. As you spend time with Him, may you discover that His character is being formed within you more and more each day.

Happy Sabbatical

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." — Proverbs 4:23

When we think about health, we often think about our bodies. We pay attention to our blood pressure, our diet, our exercise, and our sleep. But during sabbatical, God invites us to examine something even more important—our hearts.

The condition of our heart affects everything.

Our words flow from our heart.
Our attitudes flow from our heart.
Our relationships flow from our heart.
Our worship, service, and ministry all flow from our heart.

A heart can continue functioning while quietly becoming unhealthy. The same is true spiritually. We can attend church, serve faithfully, and maintain our responsibilities while carrying hidden burdens such as disappointment, bitterness, resentment, pride, fear, or exhaustion.

Sabbatical creates space for an honest evaluation.

- Is my heart still tender toward God?
- Am I carrying offenses I have not released?
- Have disappointments hardened places that were once full of faith?
- Have I become weary in well-doing?

God is not looking for a perfect heart. He is looking for a surrendered one. The beautiful thing about God is that He specializes in heart restoration. He can soften what has become hard, heal what has been wounded, and strengthen what has become weak. David understood this when he prayed:

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."
Psalm 51:10

Perhaps the greatest gift of sabbatical is not simply physical rest, but allowing the Great Physician to examine and heal the condition of our hearts.

Heart Check Questions
* Am I quick to forgive?
* Do I still find joy in God's presence?
* Am I carrying unresolved disappointment?
* Is there anyone I need to forgive?
* Have I been ministering from love or obligation?
* Am I grateful or have I become entitled?
* Do I trust God with the things I cannot control?

Happy Sabbatical 

"Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." John 7:38

One of the greatest dangers in ministry is learning how to pour when we are no longer being filled. People can applaud our service while God sees our exhaustion. We can teach lessons, lead meetings, sing songs, counsel others, and carry responsibilities while our own souls are running on empty. We become skilled at giving away what we no longer possess. Eventually, ministry becomes duty instead of delight, obligation instead of overflow.

Jesus never intended for His followers to minister from depletion. He promised that living water would flow from within those who remain connected to Him. Rivers flow because they are connected to a source. The moment the source is neglected, the river begins to dry up.

Sabbatical gives us an opportunity to ask an honest question:

Am I serving out of the abundance of what God is doing in me, or am I surviving on yesterday's strength?

Perhaps you've been faithful, but tired.
Present, but drained.
Serving, but not flourishing.

This season is not about stepping away from God; it is about drawing closer to Him. It is about allowing Him to refill what has been poured out. The goal of sabbatical is not simply rest from work. The goal is renewed intimacy with Christ. An empty cup can still tip over, but only a full cup can overflow.

God never called us to be reservoirs that store up strength until we're empty. He called us to be rivers continually supplied by His presence. The healthiest ministry is not what flows from effort; it is what flows from overflow.

Happy Sabbatical

Am I listening to His voice?

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
John 10:27

In a world filled with noise, listening has become a spiritual discipline.
There are voices everywhere competing for our attention. The news, social media, work responsibilities, family obligations, personal ambitions, and even our own thoughts. Sometimes life becomes so loud that we can no longer distinguish God's gentle whisper from everything else demanding our focus.

Yet throughout Scripture, God consistently calls His people to listen. Before God gives direction, He seeks attention. Before He gives assignments, He desires relationship. Before He speaks through us, He often wants to speak to us. The challenge is that God's voice is rarely heard in the rush. It is often heard in the quiet.

When Elijah was discouraged and exhausted, God did not speak through the wind, the earthquake, or the fire. Instead, He spoke through a gentle whisper.
God often meets us the same way.

Not in our hurry.
Not in our striving.
But in our stillness.

This is one of the greatest gifts of sabbatical. It creates space to hear what busyness often drowns out. Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is stop long enough for God to restore us.

To put down the agenda.
To silence the distractions.
To step away from the demands.
To sit in His presence and listen.

Not because we need another task, but because we need His voice. When we slow down, we begin to hear Him again. We hear His encouragement where we have grown weary. His correction where we have drifted. His comfort where we have been wounded. His wisdom where we have been confused. His love where we have forgotten our identity.

Happy Sabbatical

How is my relationship with God?

It's a simple question, but it has the power to reveal the true condition of our hearts. Life moves quickly. Ministry, work, family responsibilities, and daily demands can fill every available space. Before long, we can become so busy serving God that we neglect spending time with Him.

We continue doing good things while our souls quietly become weary. We attend church but stop listening. We pray, but only when we need something. We read Scripture, but only to prepare for someone else. We serve, but no longer from a place of overflow.

That is why seasons of sabbatical are so important.

Sabbatical invites us to stop measuring productivity and start examining proximity. It shifts our attention from what we are doing for God to how we are doing with God. God never intended us to live on spiritual fumes. He desires relationship before performance.Presence before productivity. Communion before commission. When Jesus called His disciples, He first invited them to be with Him before He sent them out to minister.
The same principle remains true today.

Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is stop long enough
for God to restore us.

"Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers."
— 1 Timothy 4:16

In ministry, leadership, work, and even family life, it is easy to become consumed with taking care of everyone else. Over time, our focus can subtly shift from tending our own souls to simply producing results. Paul's instruction to Timothy is sure. Before Timothy was told to watch over others, he was told to watch over himself.

"Keep a close watch on yourself."

The order matters. A dull axe cannot effectively cut wood. A dry well cannot provide water. A depleted soul cannot continually pour into others.

This is one of the gifts of a sabbatical.
A sabbatical is not merely a break from work; it is an intentional season of spiritual examination. It is an opportunity to stop long enough to ask:

* How is my relationship with God?
* Am I listening to His voice?
* Have I been ministering from overflow or from emptiness?
* Is my heart healthy?
* Am I becoming more like Christ?

Paul understood that what happens inside us eventually affects everyone around us. Our spouses, children, churches, coworkers, and communities are impacted by the condition of our hearts.
The best gift we can give those we serve is not endless activity. It is a life that remains deeply connected to Christ.

Sometimes the most spiritual thing we can do is stop long enough for God to restore us.

Happy Sabbatical

I read a devotional that told me story about two wood choppers in a competition. The competition would decide who could chop down the most trees. Chopper “A” never stopped chopping but chopper “B” stopped every hour to sharpen his ax.  

“How could you chop more wood than me?” the first woodcutter asked, “I heard you stop every hour, and I didn’t stop all day!” The second replied, “The answer is fairly simple. While you were relentlessly slogging away, I was stopping to sharpen my axe.”

This is the purpose of church sabbatical. It’s an opportunity to sharpen our ax.

A sabbatical is not about stepping away from ministry; it is about strengthening ourselves for ministry. It is a God-given opportunity to rest, reflect, renew, and reconnect with Him. Just as a sharpened axe is more effective than a dull one, refreshed hearts and renewed spirits are better equipped to serve, lead, love, and fulfill God's purpose.

During this sabbatical season, we are taking time to sharpen our axe. Seek the Lord, find fresh strength, and prepare for the work He has ahead. We look forward to returning renewed, refreshed, and ready for the next season God has prepared for us.

"But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." — Isaiah 40:31

Happy Sabbatical

We love to celebrate finding lost things. We were made in God’s image, and God parties big when lost things are found. He loves restoration.

Jesus suggests angels celebrate in heaven when someone discovers freedom in Christ. All of heaven rejoices!

“And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus told a story about the Prodigal Son. When the son came home, the Father killed his best cow and threw a party.

“And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭21‬-‭24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

And what happens when we all meet Jesus? A glorious supper.

“Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, shouting to the vultures flying high in the sky: “Come! Gather together for the great banquet God has prepared.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭19‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We celebrate the 4th of July with apple pie, fireworks in the sky, baseball games, and BBQ flames. All to celebrate liberty once lost but now found.
Enjoy it.

The Declaration of Independence was written by thirteen different colonies, but within the document, they are called “we.” “Wehold these truths to be self-evident …” Jesus set you and me free as individuals, but we live out this freedom as His Church. One body with many parts.

“The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

You may be at war right now. Any good solider is always ready to fight. You may be fighting for your marriage, fighting financially, fighting to train godly kids, or just fighting to maintain a godly bloodline. Your fight is never alone. We share the same spirit. There are many fighting with you; giving everything they have, just like you. One of the worst things you could ever think is you’re the only one. When Elijah believed he was the last faithful person left, God told him He had reserved a remnant of 7,000 who had not bowed to the false god Baal (1 Kings 19). You are not fighting alone.

“We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

You may know it this way:

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The word "carnal" means of the flesh, human, or worldly. It means you cannot fight spiritual battles using human strength. The battle is fought and won using spiritual tools.

Prayer and Supplication: Directly communicating with God.

The Word of God: Often called the "sword of the Spirit," which we use to combat doubt or deception. It is our training manual.

The Armor of God: which includes the belt of truth, the shield of faith, and the helmet of salvation.

July 4, 1776 came only about a year after the revolutionary war began and about six years before it would finally end. Yet, it’s the single most revered day of American history.  In the mist of the war, the fight, it may be time to make a mid-war declaration of your freedom in Christ.

A "mid-war declaration" is not denying that you're in a battle because you are in a battle and you know it. It's choosing to agree with what God says while the battle is still happening. We don’t wait until we see victory to declare freedom. Faith declares God's truth before the circumstances change.

- God is with me in this battle.
- This struggle does not define me.
- Christ has already won the victory.
- My current circumstances are not my final destination.
- Nothing God has allowed in my life will be wasted.
- God still has purpose for my life.
- God is working all things together for good.
- My future is still in His hands.

The Declaration of Independence was made in the middle of the struggle, not after victory had already been secured. The colonies declared their freedom before the war was won.

“Wehold these truths to be self-evident …” Declare these truths to be evident!!

The battle is the Lord's.

Happy 4th of July!!!

““I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd. “The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.””
‭‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭14‬-‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Freedom is a gift. We didn’t earn it. We received it from the people who lived, led, and died to fight for it. Everyone who gets a gift has two questions. First, “Who is it from?” Second, “What does it do?”

Our freedom in Christ is from Jesus. We didn’t earn it. He died for it. That’s who it’s from, but what does it do? Galatians 5:1
reminds me, it’s for freedom we’ve been set free. So what does freedom do? It produces more freedom. Freedom for me, my marriage, my kids, my friends, my co-workers, and my neighbors. We were given the gift of freedom to share.

Salvation like freedom is a free gift. Given to us by Jesus Christ. He fought for it and gave his life for it. We should never take His gifts for granted.

“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Go and do the good things! Live free and share it.

God Bless America and God Bless the people of God!

Happy 4th of July!!

For many Americans, the Fourth of July serves as a day to watch fireworks, barbeque and have a good time with friends and family. While there is nothing wrong with having these traditions, it is important to remember the reason behind why we celebrate this holiday.

It is important to remember what our duties are as Christians. We are called to serve Christ and Christ alone, and it is such a blessing that we can live in a country where we have the freedom to do so.

American liberty is a blessing from God. Because of our freedom, we can express our faith and boldly share it with others. It is important to recognize that in many other parts of the world, this is not the case. The cost of following Christ is much greater for our brothers and sisters across the globe.
With this in mind, I encourage you to not lose sight of why we celebrate Independence Day.

God Bless America and God Bless the people of God!

Happy 4th of July!!

“Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” Matthew 16:25

The life of Christian discipleship aims to follow the pattern of dying to self every day. To surrender to Jesus is to “die to live,” giving over to him our sin, our wounds, and all our baggage so that he may refill us with new life through the Holy Spirit. The results are literally life-changing. The call to find our lives by losing them is a bit hard to grasp, though. This doesn’t come ­naturally to us. But as we reflect on our lives and remember the faithfulness of God, we are reminded that dying to live is a journey of joy, gratitude, and grace. The world needs to experience this death. Spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. Let people know of His goodness. Teach them about dying to self.

Spread the Goid News!

The Ordinary Days!!!

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20

Even though each one of us is a beautiful creation of the Lord, there are also offensive ways inside us that need to be dealt with. After the fall into sin, described in Genesis 3, we human beings continue to live as precious works of the Creator while also needing to be redeemed from sin and brokenness. So in his great and amazing love for us, God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the price for our sin and to give us new life forever with him. And now the Spirit of God lives in us, guiding us to become like Jesus. He leads us “in the way everlasting. Thank God for the Holy Spirit. In order to live this salvation life we must die to self. The clearest statements in the Bible about dying to live came from Paul.

The apostle Paul describes it this way:

I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.
Galatians 2:20

Encourage people as you walk this journey to die to self.

Share the Good News!!!

The Ordinary Days!!!

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:24

Billy Graham said these awesome words:

“Salvation is free! God puts no price tag on the Gift of gifts; it’s free! Preachers are not salesmen, for they have nothing to sell. They are bearers of Good News; the good tidings that, Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. Money can’t buy it. Man’s righteousness can’t earn it. Social prestige can’t help you acquire it. Morality can’t purchase it. It is, as Isaiah said, “without money and without price.”
God is not a bargaining God. You cannot barter with Him. You must do business with Him on His own terms. He holds in His omnipotent hand the priceless, precious, eternal gift of salvation, and He bids you to take it without money and without price. The best things in life are free, are they not? The air we breathe is not sold by the cubic foot. The water which flows crystal clear from the mountain stream is free for the taking. Love is free, faith is free, hope is free.”

Salvation was obtained only through the costliest sacrifice ever made. You freely gave it to us. Lord, I praise You for this gift so lovingly given. Souls are the commodity of heaven. Go!!! Share the Good News!!!

Spread the Good News!

The Ordinary Days!!!

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20

I want to be like Jesus. I want you to be like Jesus. We must stop judging the world and being so critical. Let’s just get busy sharing the Good News. We can not expect people who do not know Him to act according to His wishes. They do not know Him so they do not know His standards. Remember the day you were blind to the truth of Gods Word. Remember the day that your opinion was worth more than gold to you. Remember the day you did not value the Good News of Jesus Christ. As you enjoy the Ordinary Days of the church, remember. Sharing the Good News is not judging or criticism. Sharing the Good News is sharing.

John 3:17 says, “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

Spread the Good News

The Ordinary Days!!!

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20

The whole world needs Jesus, and that means we must share the Good News. To keep it a secret would be criminal. If you knew the cure for Alzheimer’s or AIDS or Cancer and you didn’t share it, that would be criminal. But we have something even better than a cure for disease. We know the cure for the human heart and the deepest needs of mankind. They need a Savior. They need forgiveness. They need their past forgiven, a purpose for living, and a home in Heaven. The world needs hope and that hope is Jesus Christ. We cannot hold back. We have to share it. God expects us to share His good news. So go and make disciples.

Spread the Good News!

The Ordinary Days!!!

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20

Go and make disciples. A disciple is someone who knows and loves God. They grow in spiritual maturity by the power of the Holy Spirit. They serve God with their whole heart and share the Good News. We have been given the authority of Jesus Christ to make disciples in His name.

What’s our authority? It’s not some government or the CIA. It’s Jesus.