Unbolt The Door To Your Heart

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  • NEW

    All things will be made NEW!

    “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. Isaiah 65:17 NIV

    “Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea”. Revelation 21:1 NIV

    These verses are such a profound promise.   The Promise in the Revelation verse is so important to understand. The word “sea” is not talking about water or ocean.  It is the word for separation.  God is promising that there will be no separation between heaven and earth. No separation between Him and His true followers. The complete destruction of Sin. Everything in the universe will be recreated and made again. 

    And in what form will it be made again? 

    “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love him”. 1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV

    If you thought the Garden of Eden was beautiful. It will not even be close to the wonders of the Universe that God is going to recreate.  The Second Creation will be of a level that we simply cannot understand or contemplate.  In simple language God is telling us that the whole universe needs to be recreated to be able to comprehend that God is true and faithful and He is bringing His faithful home. Recreated at a level that is above all imagination of everything in the universe. The greatness of God can not be comprehended.

    God promises to completely remake the universe. The “former things” refer to everything that is in existence when Jesus returns in the second coming.  This is not just talking about this world, the pain, sin, and suffering of the current world. It is talking about the whole universe, and God is even going to remake His house into a new house where He will reside with the faithful and true.  

    God is not just inviting you to come and live with him in the exciting heaven for eternity.  He has a plan that is far beyond anything we can imagine. This plan will create a new me and you to live in a new heaven and in a new world with a God.

    Everything must be created again. You must be born again to be able to reside in the new heaven and earth.

    “Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again”. John 3:3 NIV

    Rev. Billy Graham said being “born again” refers to a spiritual transformation. It means undergoing an inward renewal by the Holy Spirit, turning from sin, and receiving new spiritual life and a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ.

    “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”. John 14:6 NIV

    You want to be included in the faithful? Then you must have a relationship with Jesus. A relationship that changes you. Being born again with the Holy Spirit.

    Obeying all the commandments is not going to save you. Your church membership is not going to save you. Only those that have allowed the Holy Spirit to take total control of their lives are the ones that Jesus will find to be in a relationship with Him and He will come and pick them up and take them to meet His Father.

    I cannot wait to meet the Father.  Are you longing to meet the Father?  Jesus says He is the way.  Give everything over to the Holy Spirit and experience a new birth.

    Remember it is not a Religion, it is a Relationship.

    Prayers and Love for all.

    Larry

  • Are You in a Hurry

    Being in a Hurry isn’t a time problem, It is a spiritual problem.

    Has Satan declared War on you and you are not aware of the battle?

    The World and most people are rushed and in a hurry. Being in a hurry comes in many forms and manifestations.  None of them are a blessing from God.  There are no words in the bible where God blesses believers with a lifestyle of hurriedness. There are numerous words in the bible on slowing down, being still, being in silence, patience and most of all waiting on the Lord.

    When God asks you to be in the world but not of the world, this is one of the areas He thinks is most important.  Therefore, it is an area that Satan feels the need to attack the most.

    Hurry steals the very thing love needs most: time. Rushing creates a barrier that disconnects us from God’s presence and keeps us from being truly present with others. When you are consumed by hurry, it can blind you to the needs of the people God loves.

    Hurry changes how I treat the people that God loves.

    Hurry steals the time we need to show genuine care. When we rush, we lose the ability to be truly present, causing us to treat others—whom God loves deeply—as obstacles, interruptions, or tasks rather than as people.

    Ask yourself how many times you became irritated at the cashier for moving too slowly. The clerk behind the counter at the post office, or any employee at DMV. The person in the car ahead of you that did not move the second the light turned green.  A family member that just seems not to understand. Impatient with any situation that was not going your way and at the speed you wanted it to happen.

    God loves each of these people that you are irritated at, and He never runs out of patience.  We do not know what is happening in that person’s life today. Why do they seem distracted?  Yet God has asked us to show love, compassion, empathy, and long suffering.  The very same things he showed you on your walk with Him. 

    God asks you to have His character when dealing with all people.

    What happens when the pace of life becomes frantic, it fundamentally alters our behavior toward others in several destructive ways:

    Loss of Patience: We snap, speak harshly, or grow frustrated when others do not meet our schedule.

    Reduced Empathy: Because love and compassion require time to sit and listen, hurry prevents us from seeing and sharing in the struggles of those around us.

    Shallow Interactions: We don’t take the time to listen and care with Love. We just say “I will pray for you” and then we hurry up and leave the conversation.

    Self-Centeredness: When we are in a hurry, we view the demands of others as burdens rather than opportunities to serve.

    God does not treat us this way and He reminds us that He said they will know you are my disciples because of your Love.

    The World may teach and tell you that you can multitask, handle it all, run a business, family and many more things.  There is nothing wrong with any of that and all of it may be good.  But not if you mistreat the very people God loves and He came to save.

    God reminds us that it is not about how much we obtain, in wealth, status, standing in the community, size of house, or the car we drive.  God reminds me that everyone is his son or daughter and we need to treat them as such.

    Today, make sure you are living your life with God’s definition of success and not the world’s idea of wealth and success.

    Remember it is not about religion; it is about a relationship.

    Love and Prayers for All.

    Larry

  • I AM

    Seven “I AM” in the bible.  Seven different descriptions of what Jesus meant when he said  “I AM” .

    The Gospel of John records this repeated phrase “I am” seven times. Each repetition adds another layer of understanding of His character until we see dimly His character and form.

    The Bread of Life

    And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” -John 6:35

    Light of the World

    Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” -John 8:12

    The Door

    “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” -John 10:9

    Good Shepherd

    “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” -John 10:11

    The Resurrection and Life

    Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” -John 11:25, 26

    The Way, the Truth and the Life

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

    The Vine

    “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” -John 15:5

    If you are struggling to find out who Jesus is to you. Read repeatedly these seven “I AM’s” and one, if not all of them will speak to your heart today. Print them out and put them on your refrigerator.  The real beauty is that tomorrow it will be a different “I AM” that guides you that day in your walk with Him.

    Every Morning Donna and I experience a different “I AM” in our individual walks in the garden. 

    We have never felt more blessed and closer to God than we have ever been, and we know beyond a shadow of a doubt there is so much more to learn on our early morning walks with Him.  Every evening we go to sleep in excitement to experience God all anew in the Garden in the morning. 

    We cannot wait to share what the Holy Spirit is doing inside us.  God is and will bring those into your life that need to hear and experience what God has done for you.

    They do not need to hear your doctrine or condemnation.  They just need to hear the good news about the “I AM” in your life today.

    We can not wait to wake up every morning and experience God and His path today.

    Remember it is not a religion, it is a relationship.

    Prayers and Love for all.

    Larry

  • Pruning

    Over the course of the last few years God has taught Donna and I the importance of Pruning in the garden.  I struggled with the concept of pinching off a beautiful bud, or completely removing branches, thinning fruit and basically removing growth from a plant.  The bud was going to be a beautiful flower and now we just pinched it off and put it into the compost pile.

    We have learned that pruning encourages new growth because it allows more light to enter the interior of the plant. You want more fruit, more flowers, more vegetables, then you must prune or thin the first buds or shoots.

    We have come to learn that pruning is how we show Love for the plant and the garden. Pruning is an act of Love. 

    “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful”. John 15:1-2 NIV

    God wants more light to enter your heart and the way to do that is through His pruning.

    There are two actions being performed by God in the above verse.  One is total removal of a branch, “Cuts off” and the other is pruning.  He prunes the good branches even though they are producing good fruit for the Glory of Him. The pruning makes the branch even more fruitful.

    One of the greatest stories of pruning is the story of Joseph.  He was a spoiled, very handsome young boy.  Treasured by his father and he knew he was special in the way he treated his brothers. God had plans for Joseph, but Joseph in his present frame of mind and attitude could never become what God wanted him to be. 

    It was 13 years between when Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers until he became second in charge of all of Egypt.  That is the position God wanted him in to be able to save his family and to help the nation of Israel grow.

    Joseph produced a lot of good fruit during his time as Potiphar’s assistant, and other positions he held.  But he still needed pruning.  He then was falsely accused of attempted rape and thrown into prison.  God knew what was needed to make Joseph into the man that was needed to represent God to the family and nation. It just took thirteen years of pruning.

    We do not read if Joseph understood that he was being pruned.  Yet, we do not read any verses of him complaining to God.  He went through the pruning in full trust of God even if he did not understand or if he felt he was being unjustly treated.

    Pruning is what makes you a better reflection of God.

    God’s pruning is not related to any form of punishment.  It is the one of the greatest acts of Love that God relishes to do for you.

    The Branch cannot prune itself and the branch never realizes it needs pruning and has no say in how it is going to be pruned.  It thinks it is a great branch that is producing great tasting fruit.  The branch believes it is doing God’s work and doing it well. There is nothing wrong with the fruit that it is producing. But God had bigger and greater plans for the branch.

    The need for pruning in our garden never ends. We never reach a point and say it is all done and finished.

    The greatest love of God is that He is never done pruning the ones He loves. God’s pruning is a loving act of edits and adjustments, not punishment. He cuts away what is dead to make space for your next season of growth. It removes obstacles like pride, control and selfish habits to bring forth more fruitfulness and to let new light inside so that there will be further growth.

    “When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives my brothers, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends!” James 1:2 JB Phillips New Testament

    Stop asking God to bless and walk with you.  Start walking in the garden of life with God and let Him completely transform you into a new and living branch for Him. God Loves You!

    Remember it is not a religion, it is a relationship.

    Prayers and Love for all.

    Larry

  • Fulfillment

    The world provides pleasure, Jesus provides fulfillment.

     “Jesus answered and said unto her, whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life”. John 4: 13-14 KJV

    This is the very heart of the problem that started with Eve.  She was deceived into believing that there was more than just a walk with God in the Garden.  She was told that God was hiding something from her and she would be happy, content and fulfilled if she would only take a bite of the fruit that the serpent was suggesting.

    The Marlboro man suggested that if only I would smoke his brand of cigarettes I could ride off into the sunset content and be fulfilled. My life would be smooth sailing.

    And so, it has been going on since Eve.  Everywhere I turn it is suggested that I will find contentment and fulfillment and be full of peace and happiness if only I do it the world’s way. I just need to work harder, or smarter and acquire more possessions. I just need to drink more of the world’s water.

    We are being consumed by influencers on every social media about what brings happiness and joy.

    “Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions”.  Luke 12:15 NIV

    In Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 Solomon is telling you that he had everything money, wisdom, beauty could obtain and yet he said, “Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun”. Ecclesiastes 2:11 NIV

    “Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel”. Proverbs 20: 17 NIV

    The Serpent pointed out that the fruit from the tree was pleasing to the eye. How could something so beautiful not be good for you? And so, the pull of the world’s pleasures took mankind in.

    The prodigal son drank heavily from this lie and woke up to find himself covered in pig dung and eating rotten food. What life he thought was wonderful and pleasing turned very sour.

    Jesus says you will always be empty and unsatisfied with anything the world has to offer.

    Spiritual fulfillment is a state of inner peace, lasting satisfaction that occurs when your life aligns with God’s will.  It transcends material success, offering a sustained feeling of purpose, wholeness, and connection to something larger than yourself.

    You should never desire contentment and fulfillment in this world.  It is not your home!

    I only need to keep my eyes on what is above. What brings true fulfillment.

    St. Teresa of Avila said: “Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices”.

    “Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity. 1 John 2 15-17 The Message

    Today, go stand and look into a mirror, ask yourself where is your treasure?  Am I putting all my effort into what the world considers a healthy, contented, life or am I focused on putting my treasures where they can never be destroyed?

    “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances”. Philippians 4:11 NIV. Rather than depending on material wealth or comfortable living, Paul found deep, unshakeable peace through his faith in Jesus Christ.

    Paul knew where to find true fulfillment and happiness for eternity. Are you drawn to short term water that will never quench your thirst or are you drinking from the everlasting cup of Jesus?

    Remember it is not about religion; it is about a relationship.

    Prayers and love for all.

    Larry

  • Relationship

    A Harvard study on Health and Wellness.

    The project has followed 724 men since they were teenagers in 1938. (Approximately 60 men, now in their 90s, are still left.) The group consisted of men from various economic and social backgrounds, from Boston’s poorest neighborhoods to Harvard undergrads. Over the years, the researchers have collected all kinds of health information, and every two years they ask members questions about their lives and their mental and emotional wellness. They even interview family members.

    Robert Waldinger, director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, says one of the biggest surprises they encountered was that what makes people happy is also what helps keep them healthy — relationships. We started wondering whether we could look back at our participants’ lives in middle age and see what the biggest predictors were of who’s going to be happy and healthy by age 80. We thought that cholesterol level or blood pressure at age 50 would be more important. They were not. It was satisfaction in their relationships, particularly in their marriages, that was the best predictor of a happy and healthy life.

    The Harvard Study has found a strong association between happiness and close relationships like spouses, family, friends, and social circles. “Personal connection creates mental and emotional stimulation, which are automatic mood boosters, while isolation is a mood buster,” says Dr. Waldinger.

    The Study goes on to talk about increase in all aspects of health and happiness, living longer and better mentally and physically. Why? Because of healthy relationships.

    This study is just confirming what God’s word has been trying to teach since it was written. It is about your relationship with Jesus that saves you and increases your lifespan to eternity. 

    It is very important to live a healthy life, eat right, exercise, etc. Yet those that did it in social isolation did not have the same benefits as those that did it in a loving relationship. It was good to follow all the rules of healthy living, but it did not bring about the same results as living with a relationship that is filled with Love.

    Keeping all of Jesus’s teaching, the laws and commandments are very beneficial to your life.  Yet they have no association with the greatest benefit, which is eternal life.  Only a relationship with Jesus can get you that benefit.

    “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.” Ephesians 1: 3-8 NIV

    Oh, what peace these verses bring to my life today.  I was chosen to be holy, blameless, and forgiven for my sins before the world was ever created. How you ask?  “blessing in Christ” and “in Him”.   Because of Jesus, God the Father has chosen me to be forgiven of my sins, blameless before the throne and holy.  I am wearing a white robe that has been washed in the Blood of Jesus.

    My name is written in the book of Life.  It did not get there by any action, behavior, habit, law keeping, or being perfect.  The only thing I can do is accept this free gift and to start living a life that shows I value this free gift.  Start living in a relationship that shows I appreciate that He loved me before I was born.

    I worship on the sabbath because I value what Jesus did for me.  I do not worship or go to church because it earns me any salvation. Not everyone in your church understands this free gift.  You can tell it by how they are praising Jesus for the gift of salvation. Are they singing and praising God uncontrollably or barely whispering the words.

    King David sang, danced and praised God, like no one was watching.  “Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might”. 2 Samuel 6:14 NIV

    God is watching how you praise and worship Him for saving you through Jesus.  Are you singing, dancing and praising Him like no one is watching? Does God know by your enthusiasm of worship every day that you appreciate what He has done?

    A simple thank-you is not going to work.  A life that is living in a relationship with Jesus is the only way to show your appreciation for what God did.

    There are people that are living by the law, living it perfectly, and they will list off all the times they went to church and did what they felt would get God’s attention, and yet on that Judgement Day Jesus will look at them with tears in His eyes and say “I do not know You”.  Matthew 7:22-33.

    Remember it is not a religion, It is a relationship.

    Prayers and Love for all.

    Larry 

  • Weakness

    “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength”. Philippians 4:13 NIV

    This Verse is quoted by many people but is probably one of the most misunderstood and misquoted verses in the bible.

    The first word is what messes up most people. It starts with the letter “I” and that leads most to think of themselves. Then they just quote the first part of this verse. “I can do all things through Him”.  Again, they are emphasizing the “I”.

    The Trap is that you are putting the emphasis on you and your wisdom, your skill, your intelligence, your ability.  If you just use your skills in what you believe you received from God, then you can accomplish anything.  You are giving yourself all the credit.

    The Second trap is people think this verse is about worldly accomplishments. I can gain everything in this world if I just work hard at it and do it through God.

    This all-sounds good but the verse has nothing to do with your accomplishments.

    The Second part of that verse tells you who gave you the strength.  It is only accomplished through the Strength of God. 

    The Verse is about your weaknesses. We do not like to talk about our weaknesses. Yet it is only through our weaknesses that the Glory of God can shine forth.

    “Therefore, I have cheerfully made up my mind to be proud of my weaknesses, because they mean a deeper experience of the power of Christ. I can even enjoy weaknesses, suffering, privations, persecutions and difficulties for Christ’s sake. For my very weakness makes me strong in him”. 2 Corinthians 12:10 JB Phillips New Testament

    “For where there is weakness, my power is shown the more completely”. 2 Corinthians 12:9 JB Phillips New Testament

    I personally like this translation of the verse better. 

    “I am ready for anything through the strength of the one who lives within me”. Phillippians 4:13 JB Phillips New Testament

    Ultimately, Philippians 4:13 is an assurance that no matter what life throws at you—whether it be loss, frustration, disappointment, or prosperity—you can face it with peace, resilience and contentment by relying on the continual strength that Christ provides.

    God is reminding you that through His strength and power anything is possible.  Nothing is impossible.

    On your own you cannot accomplish anything but death. The ultimate accomplishment is eternal life!  That can only be accomplished through total trust in God.

    It is your weakness that is bringing Glory to God.  Not your strength

    Stop asking that the thorn in your side be removed and start living in the strength of God.

    Remember it’s not a religion it is a relationship.

    Prayers and Love for All.

    Larry

  • Awe

    Living in AWE of God.

    Webster’s definition of Awe is a complex emotion characterized by a deep blend of wonder, admiration, and respect, often combined with a touch of reverence. It is typically triggered when encountering something overwhelmingly vast, powerful, beautiful, or mysterious that challenges your understanding of the world.

    Living in awe of God means holding deep, reverent respect for His greatness. It is a posture of humility and wonder that transforms how we live, worship, and interact with the world around us. It makes you feel small in the presence of greatness, leading to a sense of connection to something larger than yourself.  It is a deep, humbling acknowledgment of God’s supreme holiness, majesty, and power, which inspires worship, obedience.

    “Frankly, I stand amazed at the unfathomable complexity of God’s wisdom and God’s knowledge. How could man ever understand his reasons for action, or explain his methods of working? For: ‘Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become his counsellor?’ ‘Or who has first given to him and it shall be repaid to him?”. Romans 11:33 JB Phillips New Testament

    “Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It’s way over our heads. We’ll never figure it out. Is there anyone around who can explain God? Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do? Anyone who has done him such a huge favor that God has to ask his advice? Everything comes from him; Everything happens through him; Everything ends up in him. Always glory! Always praise! Yes. Yes. Yes”. Romans 11:33 The Message

    I remember as a young boy my family was traveling, and we stopped at the Grand Canyon.  I still remember the feeling of “Awe” when we walked up to the edge of the Grand Canyon on the south rim lookout.  There were no words to describe what my eyes saw and the vastness my senses felt.  Yes, you can feel the Grand Canyon.

    The only other time I approached this sense of Awe was the first time I saw my wife, Donna. There were no words to describe the radiant beauty that was walking toward me. I was even in greater Awe when she said Hi to me. I did not have any words to respond. 

    Yet, all this awesomeness is pale when compared to what I experience daily from God. When I walk through the Garden and take in the vastness of colors, shapes, textures and scents.  When I look up at night and see the milky way, the stars and planets all moving in the path that God has put them in.

    When I see the face of complete Joy or happiness on one of my grandsons faces when they experience something new to them.  When I stop to contemplate that through Donna and I, God brought into this world three awesome Children and so far, eight grandsons. 

    David Platt serves as a lead pastor of the Mclean Bible Church.  He has written some mighty books that have affected how I live my daily life.  The one that affected me the most is “Radical, Taking back your faith from the American Dream”.

    This is a prayer that he suggests we pray every day.

    God, we bow our heads, our hearts, before you. Even on our knees right now, just saying, you are greater that we can fathom. Forgive me for oftentimes being so quick to speak, and not stopping and pausing and realizing who I’m talking to when I’m praying, not realizing, or just forgetting, the wonder of the One whose Word I’m reading. God, we praise You. We stand in awe of who You are. You are unsearchable, Your ways inscrutable, the depths of Your riches, wisdom, and knowledge unimaginable. We can’t even begin to comprehend Your greatness, Your glory, Your might, Your majesty, Your justice, Your wrath, Your mercy, Your love. All of these attributes in You are beyond our broadest, widest imagination. God, we worship You. We bow before You in awe of who You are, and we pray to help us to live in fear of You, in reverence before You. Help us to live every facet of our lives just in awe of You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

    Today, ask the Holy Spirit to grow inside you the reverence of the Awesomeness of God.

    Remember it is not a religion, it is a relationship.

    Prayers and Love for All.

    Larry

  • Words not needed in Prayer

    Two words that are not needed in a prayer.

    “Be With”

    We all have made the request for God to be with, a grandson, a child, a friend, an acquaintance, a doctor or nurse. Yet you are asking God to do something He has already promised to do.  He does not need reminding of His promises.  

    “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 NIV

    “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you”. Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV

    Flip the request and ask that the person, by name, will be with God!  That their heart and mind will be attuned to the presence of the Holy Spirit. That they will walk with God and be in His presence and will.  Not that God will walk with them.

    It says that Enoch walked with God.  It does not say that God walked with Enoch. Enoch chose to follow God’s will and path.

    I pray that each of my kids and grandkids will walk in the path God has chosen for them today.  Not a path of their own understanding and then pray that God will be with them.

    You should pray and desire them to be in the pathway and presence of God’s will for their life.  I am not interested in praying that God will be with them in the pathway of life they choose.

    “People can make all kinds of plans, but only the Lord’s plan will happen”. Proverbs 19:21 NCV

    We will be traveling this weekend. We are not going to pray that God will be with us in this traveling time.  We have no doubt He will be.

    We do want to pray that we will be traveling in a manner that brings glory to God.  We want to leave home at the time He wants us to leave.  We want to be at the gas station when He wants us to be there.  We want to be driving at the speed He wants us to travel at, so that we are where he wants us at the time he wants us there. We want to be in His presence when we travel. We want the atmosphere in the car to bring glory to Him. We want to be on the route and in the time frame He has chosen. Yes, we have our favorite stopping spots. Yet we still pray before stopping that we will be guided to the fueling place He wants us at.

    We don’t want any car problems or any accidents.  Yet we read that God allowed Paul and Silas to be arrested for a greater cause of saving the Jailer and the others in that jail.  We have no doubt that God will be with us no matter what happens.

    We just need to pray that myself, my spouse, my family and others will all set aside the desire for control and selfishness and walk in the path that God wants all of us individually in. 

    God is already at the door of your grandchild, friend, neighbor, child, spouse.  He has promised to be there, and God is always faithful and true in His promises.

    Your prayer and focus should be that they and you set aside your and their personal ways, your desires, your wisdom and open the door to God’s ways and let Him in!

    It is not about me and my best interests.  It is about bringing Glory to God.

    Remember it is not about Religion it is a Relationship.

    Prayers and Love for all.

    Larry

  • Delight

    “But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night”. Psalm 1:2 NIV

    What a wonderful verse and so misunderstood by many. 

    Let’s unpack what daily instructions God is giving us.

    The Hebrew word for “law” in Psalm 1:2 is Torah (תוֹרָה).In this verse, it generally appears with a prefix as Torat (תּוֹרַ֥ת), meaning “the law of”. It does not mean a strict set of rules but teachings, instructions, direction and refers to God’s guiding wisdom for daily living.

    The Hebrew word for delight in Psalm 1:2 is חֵפֶץ (pronounced khay’-fets). Its meaning is inner joy, finding great pleasure and having a strong desire. It comes deep from within, it is not superficial smiling or outward enjoyment.  It is a longing from deep inside the heart.  

    A longing that can only be filled by following the next part of the verse.  “meditates on His law day and night”.  A deep desire to be in the presence of God’s word and His Spirit both day and night.

    In God’s world meditating is not emptying the mind.  It is filling the mind with God’s instructions and teachings.  Therefore, throughout the day in every circumstance or situation you will be guided on how to act and respond. You will have buried deep within your mind and heart the proper way to bring Glory to God.

    This teaching is not about keeping a strict set of religious rules or behavior.  You find no joy when you feel that you are forced to keep a strict set of laws or you are only doing it because someone told you that is the way to heaven.

    You find great joy when you follow the instructions of someone when you find that it brings joy to the person giving the instructions. God loves and delights when a believer finds great internal joy from following His instructions.

    “Count on it—that’s the kind of party God’s angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God.” Luke 15:10 The Message.

    In short, it is about shifting your focus from the world’s negative influences to God’s wisdom, and making His Word the baseline for your thoughts and life. 

    You want to make the angels have a party in Heaven? You want to bring Joy and a big smile to God’s face?

    Turn off the noise of this world and spend time in His word!  Turn off that news program, turn off the instructions from man on how to live. Turn off the voice that is telling you how bad things are. Stop following the political world and its two parties.  They do not have your best interest in mind. 

    Who has your best interest in Mind? GOD!

    How much better would you feel, and God would delight, in the fact that you shut off the world noise and spent time in His word?

    Remember it is not a religion but a relationship.

    Prayers and love for all.

    Larry