It Is Over

Goodbye 2010. Although there were some good times, the year as a whole was not a good one for me. And it was totally my fault. For one thing, I got away from writing devotions. That one bad decision led to a domino-effect of bad consequences. But not this year, Satan. You hear me! Jesus is and always will be Lord of my life. You have been kicked from my life, Satan. Trust me, it won't be a long process. My Jesus promises me it will be instantaneous!

So happy New Year to all. I pray that God wraps you in so much peace that you can hardly stand it. Let 2010 and Satan go....welcome in 2011 and our precious Jesus Christ.

Psalm 40:2 says, "He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock gave me a firm place to stand."

Father, I love you. I dedicate my life to you in 2011.

It's The Thought That Counts

I wanted to share with you what my daughter Bailey did last night at the grocery store. While we were buying a few items, she came up to me and asked for a couple dollars. I reached into my wallet and took out two bucks. As I was handing it to her, I guess I just naturally asked what she needed. She said, "I am going to donate it to the lady outside who is collecting for diabetes research." I thought to myself, "instead of buying some junk?" I was very proud of her at that very moment.

But then the funny part hit me: It is so easy to be generous with somebody else's money. I nearly laughed and wondered why she didn't just ask for 5 or 10 dollars. Bailey has a kind heart, with my money or with her own. The more I thought about it, the more I wondered if I would have given those same two dollars to the lady outside. I guess the bottom line is that the money was given, and hopefully it will do some good. Is it truly the thought that counts? This time, it was my 14-year old's thought that counted the most. I love you, Boo.

Psalm 112:5 says, "Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely."

Father, thank-you for Bailey. She is such an awesome young lady, and I am so lucky you chose me to be her daddy. In Jesus name, Amen.

As Good As...Almost New

First of all, I wanna thank those who commented on my recent devotion concerning being a little upset at God. Your comments were very thought-provoking and really helped me deep down. So again, thank-you very much.

Today I had some medical trouble that landed me in the E.R. When I got there, I was praying like crazy, asking God to take away the pain and discomfort I was feeling. Due to the pain, needless to say my blood pressure was through the roof. It is amazing what the Good Lord and a doctor can do. I am back home now and feeling 100% better. I am having a slight case of insomnia, but I think that is more because I wanted to write this devotion. I got to thinking how we can have moments of extreme pain, and then with some help, can have moments of total relief. That's what I experienced today physically. But we also have those same episodes spiritually. Yesterday, I was questioning God why such mean people can hurt the innocent, and in turn, hurt us. But then today I can pray to God for relief, and He can give it to me in such a short time. Yesterday, I was "upset" at God. But today, I didn't hesitate to ask him to cure my physical pain. So I wanted to give God some praise for helping me today physically and spiritually. I have learned that it is OK to be upset with Him sometimes. He still loves us enough to make all our hurts and fears go away. Thank-you, Lord for helping me learn another level of your incredible Grace. You are my Lord; Please use me however You want.

Pure Hell

I am writing this devotion just to get it off my chest. I invite you to give your thoughts in the "comments" section. When I read the testimony of Elizabeth Smart and learn of the pure hell her captor put her through, first of all, I realize I have no problems that can even compare. Second, how could a person possibly be so cruel to another human being? How could that monster completely rob that little 14-year old baby of her life? And this question hurts to ask: How could a loving, caring God ALLOW that child to go through such horror? I know it is not my place to question God, and I also know He lets people make up their own minds. I understand it was not God's fault, but why would He allow it to happen?

I love the Lord and believe He will "fix" humanity one day. It almost makes me think I am sinning to ask God why He would allow this to happen, for He is perfect and none of us come close to understanding His perfect ways. But He also gave me a brain and a heart. Doesn't He understand that sometimes we can be so over-whelmed by grief that we may ask such questions? Is it alright for us to be "upset with God" during these times?

Forgive Me, Forgive Me Not

I have a friend (we'll call him John) who is constantly deciding to start all over. Do you know what I mean? He decides to do everything for Christ, then after a little while, he back-slides. Soon after, he will ask everyone to forgive him and then start the whole process over. It's like he can't stay on the right path long before something comes along and derails him. Gosh, how many times will I continue to fall for his "I'm sorry, please forgive me" line? How many "just one more chances" do I give him? The fact is, as a human, I may number those "one more chances" that I allow him, and one of these times, it will be just too late; I will give up. I can't keep going through this time and time again. Do you blame me?

Our Jesus goes through this "on again, off again" process with every single one of us to some degree or another. We may not be able to forgive others 100 times, but Jesus sure does. Thank God for that! So if you are like John, and I think we all probably are, then rest assured that Jesus forgives us EVERY SINGLE time we ask Him. Don't worry if other people won't keep forgiving you; that is their problem. God does! And to show our appreciation for that, we should really work on forgiving others...no matter how many times they ask.

Jesus said in Matthew 6:14, "If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly father will also forgive you."

Father, forgive me of all my sins. Thank-you for being a gracious God. Please help me to forgive all others. In Jesus name, Amen.

He Has The Power To Save

I have a serious concern that I am sure everyone reading this devotion can relate to. I have someone in my family who has chosen NOT to accept Christ. This person has so completely shut out the idea, that he has asked me to no longer talk about anything that has to do with religion. I must honor his wishes. All I can really do now is just keep loving him and praying for him. It is truly a decision that he has to make on his own. I can only hope that God will stir his heart when the time is right.

You know, we have always been told to just turn everything over to God and let him shoulder our burdens. But as humans, we can't help but to worry ourselves sick in situations like this. I know I sure have worried about it, and I am sure I will continue to worry about it. Do you have someone you are also worried about? We have to remember all the miracles God has performed over the years and believe that He can also handle this situation. The Bible teaches us that when we accepted Christ, it was only because the Holy Spirit drew us unto Him. We can not take any credit for our decision. That Truth does give me some comfort to think that maybe my loved one has not accepted Christ, not because he has chosen that path, but because God hasn't drawn him in yet. I pray that He will...soon.

John 6:44 says, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him: and I will raise him up at the last day."

Father, thank you for drawing me and allowing me to be a Christian. I pray for those who may still be waiting. In Jesus name, Amen.

Still In Command

In a time when our President has all but turned us into a Socialist nation, in a time when terrorist rule the world, in a time where the gay agenda is Top Story, it's good to know that our Lord and Savior is still in command. Are these the bad days the Bible warns us about? Only time will tell. But I am thankful I still have Jesus to comfort me...no matter what times we may be in.

Psalm 55:22 says, "Cast your cares on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall."

Father, please keep us from evil. In Jesus name, Amen.

Confirmation

I just want to confirm my faith in humanity. Today, one of my students stole my phone from my top desk drawer at school. I do not know who it was, but I forgive him. Oh, it hurt me deeply. But God reminded me that MOST of the blame should be placed on Satan, not just on the person. Satan causes all of us to make some poor decisions. Well, at least he has caused me to make some. So whomever you are, I forgive you, and so does our sweet Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Jesus said in Matthew 6:14, "If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."

Father, forgive them...and forgive me. Keep us all safely away from Satan. In Jesus name, Amen.

Are You Ready?

I am absolutely sick! It just ran right out in front of me. All I can think about now is some little boy or girl crying over their puppy. Gosh, what an awful feeling! But it did get me to thinking:

We don't know when our time will come, but we all must be ready for it. I don't really know how one plans for such a thing physically, but I certainly know how the Bible says we should plan for it spiritually: We must accept Christ and make Him Lord! Do you have life insurance? Do you have everlasting life insurance?

Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth 'Jesus is Lord', and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

Father, forgive me. In Jesus name, Amen.

He's Gone Country

God has led me to a major change in my life. For the past 6 years, I have been hosting an Oldies request show on Saturday nights. I have enjoyed doing that show very much. But I have accepted an offer to change stations and host a different request show. Starting Saturday, Sept 4th, I will be hosting the debut of Big Dog Saturday Night on 96.9 in Dothan. It will be a Country music request show. This is a real big deal. The station is huge!! It is the number 1 station in the market, with tens of thousands of listeners! As far as radio goes in this area, 96.9 is the big time. It is like I have been called up to the Major Leagues. I have been blessed with 23 years in the radio business. I have worked at several stations over that 23-year span, but I find myself more excited about this opportunity than any others I have ever had in radio. God is awesome! Although I have to admit to being nervous about the challenge, I am certain that God will see me through it.

I am so proud to serve Jesus Christ! Even in my bad times, He has always been right there leading me by the hand. To me, I have a wonderful life. God blessed me with the most incredible daughter in the world, He gave me an extremely rewarding career as a high school and college math teacher, and now He has led me to a point in my radio career that, honestly, I never thought I would be. It is nearly 1 in the morning, and I have to be up at 6. I am so excited about what He has done that I can't even sleep. I had to jump on here and share it all with you. As I close tonight's devotion, I encourage you to reflect on the things God has given you. I know it seems so much easier to focus on the things we don't have, but God promised that if we put Him first, all those other things will come at the right time. I have never believed that nearly as much as I do at this very moment. Thank-you Sweet Jesus!

Psalm 95:1 says, "Oh come, let us sing unto the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our Salvation"

Father, you've done it again! I don't deserve half of what you have given me. Thank you for this new opportunity you have placed before me. I could not have gotten here without You, and I know I can only be successful because of You. In Jesus name, Amen.

Back To School

For the teachers in Dothan City Schools, it is back to work today. The summer is over. It is always sad to see that nice, long vacation come to an end. But the arrival of the new school year does bring exciting new opportunities from God. I wanted to share what God has done to me over this past summer. When the school-year ended, the math teacher with the highest amount of seniority in the department retired after 35 incredible years of teaching. That put me at the top in seniority of the math department. I have waited patiently for her good classes, and expected to get those classes once she retired. Well, I didn't. In fact, instead of getting any upper-level classes, I got below-level ones. At first I was angry, but then realized that is was not anger as much as it was hurt feelings. Everyone wants to feel like they are moving up at work. And after 15 years of waiting, my time had come. But I was moved down instead and it crushed my spirit. As I thought back over my performance from the previous year, it was easy to see why I hadn't moved up at all. Most of the year, I carried a bad attitude, fussed at everything I was asked to do, and just generally had a bad year. Would I have given myself the upper-level classes if I had been in the Principal's shoes? Honestly, I don't think I could have.

So after some serious praying and asking all parties to forgive me, I started the summer with the attitude that I got the classes that God allowed me to get, and He doesn't make mistakes. Over the summer, I was asked to tutor some needy students for a 2-week period, and I immediately accepted. Then a week later, I was asked to go to a conference out of town for 5 days. Again, I did not hesitate. Some time after returning from the conference, my principal complimented me and how much of a change he had seen in my attitude in just a short time. I told him that God straightened me out. I want you to know, while I was at school yesterday, "certain unforeseen circumstances" occurred, and as a result, my schedule was changed to include two of the highest-level courses that the school offers. I was so shocked and excited! One may call it a coincidence. However, we who trust in Jesus know there are no coincidences. I totally believe God stepped in and helped me get those classes, but only after I admitted my bad attitude and asked Him to fix it for me. I just love Jesus! What is it that He can't do? I know this "miracle" only pales in comparison to others. But to me, it is a perfectly clear sign that God still helps those who love Him.

Jeremiah 17:10 says, "I, the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve"

Father, thank-you for continuing to be real in my everyday life. Please give me the strength to continue back to writing these daily devotions. In Jesus name, Amen.

Faith Hall of Fame

The Bible is full of people who had an extraordinary amount of faith. If I asked you to list 5 people from the Bible who had tons of faith, whom would you list? Job? Mary? Moses? How about Paul or Daniel? No doubt, these would certainly make the "Faith Hall of Fame" But I want to talk about one whom you may or may not have thought about. What do you think about Noah's amount of faith? Here was a man preaching to the people that a giant flood was coming to destroy everything on earth. More than just preaching it, he also started building a giant boat to prepare for it. In fact, the boat he was building was larger than the biggest body of water in the area. It would have been impossible for the ark to navigate the entire length of the Euphrates River. At the time he started building the ark, Noah was already around 500 years old. The people must have thought he was just an old mental case, especially when one considers that the flood did not happen right away. Noah slaved for 120 years on the ark before the flood actually began. 120 years? Would you have thought he was just an old fool? I know I would have.

God tells us that it is impossible to please Him without faith. How much faith do we really have? I know it is easy to say that we have a lot of faith, but do we actually have as much as Noah or any of those other Bible Hall of Famers? If placed in the terrible position and situations that some of these Bible people were placed, would we still be preaching the Mighty name of Jesus? I guess there is really no way to answer that question. How would we really know how we would react to something unless it happened to us personally? What tough situation are you facing at this hour? Do you have enough faith? If you do, then you know it is only a matter of time before God intervenes and pulls you through it. If you don't have enough faith, then ask God to strengthen it for you. I continue to discover that there is no situation or road that I can go down from which my Lord won't come to get me. Pray for faith! There is an old saying, "I hope my ship comes in before my dock rots". God's time is perfect time. Ask Him for more faith right now.

Revelation 2:10 says, "Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life."

Lord, please help me to stay faithful and to continue believing that You will soon turns things in my favor. In Jesus name, Amen.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday, America! The smell of fireworks and BBQ grills filled the air in my neighborhood last night. The 4th of July is a happy celebration for us all. Over the past couple days, the History Channel has been showing a variety of Independence Day-type shows. I got a chance to watch a few this past weekend. It is a wonder we even have an opportunity to celebrate the 4th of July. How those first few American soldiers fought off the mighty British, we may never truly know. Out-numbered, out-gunned, and in most cases, out-smarted, somehow our soldiers fought through and were victorious. If you get a chance, go back and read some of the stories of the Revolution and see how much luck played on the side of the Americans. Actually, I believe it was more than luck. We don't say "God bless America" for nothing. When you look at just how unlikely it was for us to win, you soon come to the inevitable conclusion that God was on our side!

But how much longer will He be on our side? How much further away will He allow this country to push Him? I don't think Hurricane Katrina, 9-11, or the BP oil spill were random events. I think God is saying the same thing those Verizon phone commercials say--"Can you hear me now?" He has been sending us several warnings, but the powers-that-be in this country are not heeding His warnings. Are we personally listening to God? Are we living our lives in a way that reflect the Goodness of God? I try so hard not to be hypocritical. It does no good for me to fuss and complain about our government's lack of love for the Lord when I don't show it as much as I should either. This is a problem that has to be addressed individually. If each one of us would turn completely to God, maybe our government would too. There is strength in numbers. I know how unlikely it seems that our government will ever publicly turn to God. But remember just how unlikely it was that we defeated the mighty British. God, bless America.

Father, thank you for allowing us to live in a free country. Remind us everyday that it is because of You, and not because of us, that we are truly free. In Jesus name, Amen.

We Need A Tutor

Today, I started tutoring a few students at the high school who have previously failed the math portion of the Alabama Graduation Exam. The principal of the school called me about two weeks ago and asked me if I wanted to do it. The tutoring lasts 4 hours per day for a total of 8 days. When he asked me about doing it on the phone, and told me how much it would pay, I jumped at the chance! This pay is above and beyond my regular salary, and it is very good pay! For the past two weeks, all I have been able to think about is how I could spend the money. My daughter and I will be needing back-to-school clothes, I need (want) a new grill, a new big-screen TV would be nice, and...and..and..You know how it can be when you get some extra money in your pocket. For the past two weeks, I have been thanking God for the extra money and have really shared with people how He has blessed me financially with this tutoring job. But as I arrived at the school this morning, something hit me completely out of the blue.

This whole time, all I could think about was me and how much money I would be making. I never thought for a second about those students who may need me. Please don't let me sound boastful or like I am bragging, but just maybe, those kids do need me to help them. I mean, I know they need some teacher to help, but maybe it is ME personally that they need. I am fortunate to have a very high success rate when teaching students who have failed this major exam in the past. To date, my success rate is over 95% of students passing the Grad Exam. I have always believed that God called me to be a teacher, and I tend to be one of the students' favorite. That simply verifies in my heart that God is behind my teaching. So maybe it was God's plan that I personally take time from my summer vacation to help them. (Again, I pray that you don't think I am being boastful, just fortunate). But sadly, instead of thanking God for the opportunity to help these students, all I could think about was the money. I will earn $800 from this job. I have to admit that I did spend $200 today on a brand-new grill. But I have decided that I am committing the other $600 to God. Maybe you can comment on this devotion and suggest a good, Christian way I can give the $600. I know there is nothing wrong with splurging on ourselves sometimes, but I guess what hit me so hard this morning was my intent for taking on this job in the first place. I am ashamed. So if you have time, please suggest a way I can give the rest to the Lord.

Proverbs 22:9 says, "A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor."

Father, forgive me for thinking more about the money than the students. I know You have blessed me with this abundance. Please direct me in the way You would have me share it. In Jesus name, Amen.

I'm Proud Of You

I think it is fairly apparent from my previous two devotions that I am a firm believer in Salvation by faith alone. Ephesians 2:8-9 makes it very clear that our good works have nothing to do with our Salvation. So are good works even important? Oh yes, definitely. I grew up without my dad due to divorce, but I was very fortunate to get to know him in my adult life. He was a good man! I can remember how anxious he was to see me when I would make plans to visit him. He always made me feel welcomed in his home, which also included his wife and my three half-sisters. It brought me great joy to learn that my visits brought him great joy. My daddy was proud of me and the things that I had accomplished. I guess everyone wants their dad to be proud of them, even in their adult life. I loved doing things that made him proud of me even though I knew he would have loved me the same if I didn't do those things. I realized that even more when I became a daddy. I love my daughter Bailey more than anything in this world. There is nothing she could ever do, good or bad, that would make me love her any more or any less.

I think that is the way it is with God and His children. We could never do anything that would diminish the degree of love that He has for each one of us. But just as I tried to please my earthly father, I find myself striving even harder to please my Heavenly Father. I want to do great works that reflect my true dedication and love for Jesus. I'm not really sure if God looks at it in that same way, but I still find myself trying to please Him. There is no doubt that He can be pleased, for He announced at least twice how pleased He was with Jesus. I know I can never even come close to the Goodness of Jesus, but that doesn't make me want to try any less. When Jesus Saved me, He also empowered me with the Holy Spirit. It is this Holy Spirit who motivates me to do good works, and who convicts me when I don't. I don't want to simply be an "arm-chair" Christian. I always want my external evidence to reflect my internal conviction, even when it doesn't really matter.

James 2:14 says, "What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith, but does not have works?"

Father, teach me to do the things that please You. I know I can do nothing that is good without Your help. In Jesus name, Amen.

No Place For Guilt

If you worry about your Salvation or know somebody who does, please read today's devotion with an open mind and heart. I am not a preacher nor am I a Bible scholar. I have not been to theology school, nor do I attend church as often as I should. I don't read or speak a lick of Hebrew nor Greek, and even though my Bible is written in perfect English, I still find much of it over my head. But I am absolutely, positively convinced about one thing: If you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He died on a cross and was resurrected, and you have asked Him to wash away all your sins, then you are Saved and have Eternal Life...Period! Please don't even give it a second thought. John 3:16 and at least 17 other Bible verses teach this simple but most critical Truth.

The reason I chose to write this devotion today is because I keep running into people who are afraid they have messed up too much for God to accept them or that they are afraid they don't do enough good deeds to keep their Salvation. First of all, the Bible tells us that God will never, ever abandon His children. If you accepted Him, you are "stuck" with Him...praise God! There is absolutely nothing you can do, now or later, that will ever sever the love that Jesus has for you. So shake off any worries that you are too "bad" for Him. There is nothing so bad that His blood and Goodness can't cover. Thank God for that, or I would be heading to hell on a sliding board. And also don't worry that you don't do enough good things to keep your salvation. Whether you do 1 million good deeds or no good deeds, you are still saved and on your way to heaven. Those who think good works are necessary for Salvation, I ask you two questions: 1. Which good works? and 2. How many good works? No, Salvation is based totally on our faith in Jesus Christ, and that is a gift which can never be earned. Please don't get me wrong. Good works are a regular part of our Christian life. But we do Good works BECAUSE we are saved and not IN ORDER to be saved. Have you accepted God's free and powerful gift?

Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."

Father, thank-you for your Son Jesus. I have accepted your gift of Salvation, and I pray for all those who have not. In Jesus name, Amen.

Salvation By Faith Alone

The more I learn about Peter, the more I like him. We all know of how he denied Christ on the night Jesus was arrested. We also know of how Jesus forgave Peter. Peter was the sort of man that I would like to be, that is when he was wrong, he was quick to admit it and to start doing the right thing. In the Book of Galatians, again we see Peter doing the wrong thing. He had shifted from preaching Salvation by grace to Salvation by works, namely, the works of the Jewish faith in the Old Testament. Paul called him on it. In fact, Paul confronted Peter in front of "them all". Again, Peter saw the errors of his ways and repented. Lord, teach me to be more like that when I am wrong.

This debate of salvation by works and salvation by faith is one of the biggest dividers among Christians today. Because of what I have read from God's Word, I am a firm believer that we are saved by our faith in Jesus, and not by any good works we can perform. We do good works because we are saved and not in order to be saved. Paul states in Galatians 2:16, "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law, no flesh shall be justified." In other words, we can not be saved by going to church, being baptized, giving to the poor, keeping the 10 commandments, or any other good work. Sure, we should strive very hard to do these things, but these things don't "earn" us everlasting life. In fact, Eternal life can not be "earned" at all. It is simply a gift from God. And the only way we can accept that gift is by accepting Christ as our Personal Savior. Have you accepted God's free gift? I saw a bumper sticker the other day that read, "Jesus Christ: Our get out of HELL free card."

Father, thank-you for drawing me to accepting Christ. I pray for those who have not accepted Your free gift. Please draw them too, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

Jesus Struck By Lightning

Yesterday in Ohio, lightning struck a 6-foot tall statue of Jesus, destroying it in a matter of seconds. I saw this story on Yahoo News, and there always follows comments from viewers. I was not surprised by the negative and blasphemous responses from people. One person wrote that this lightning strike "proves that even God is tired of Christianity". Another wrote that the strike was yet another "proof that God does not even exist". Although not surprised, the comments still hurt me as a Christian. Somebody wrote that some of the greatest thinking minds in the world have already dismissed Christianity as a hoax, and those who still believe continue to show their ignorance. I would like to give my 2-cents worth on this subject.

First of all, God normally works within the very laws of nature that He created. Sure, He can perform miracles outside the norm, and He does on a regular basis. But for the most part, He allows things to happen naturally. The lightning strike that destroyed the Jesus statue no more proves God doesn't exist than a strike on a statue of Satan would prove that He does. I still remember a tornado touching down in Piedmont, Alabama on a Sunday morning, destroying a church and killing several members who were there worshipping God. Sad, yes, but it happens. Pertaining to the lightning strike that destroyed the statue of Jesus, maybe it was a miracle after all. For all we know, that lightning bolt could have been heading to a person or to a family, but God redirected it to save their lives. Just think, maybe Jesus "died" yet again to save another person. So what does the lightning strike prove? Probably nothing. Strike or no strike, my God still lives, and He still saves anybody who asks Him and believes that Jesus is His Son.

Psalm 27:13 says, "I am still confident of this: I will see the Goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."

Father, forgive those who have not accepted Your Son. Show us Christians how to spread the Good News about You. I know if You can save me, You can save anybody. In Jesus name, Amen.

Don't Let It Grow

I once heard a story about an old tutor and his young student. They were walking in the woods when suddenly the old tutor stopped. He pointed out four plants to his student. The first one was barely visible above the ground, the second one was about 2 inches tall, the third one was a medium-sized bush, and the fourth one was a tall tree. The tutor told his student to pull each one out of the ground. The first two plants were easy for the student to pull out of the ground, but the third one, the bush, was very difficult. After some fighting with it, he finally managed to pull it out of the ground as well. But then he attempted to pull up the full-grown tree. He wrapped his arms around the tree but with all his strength, he was unable to even shake its leaves.

This lesson is simple. Bad habits are easy to uproot from our lives when they are new. But the longer they take root, the harder they are to destroy. I have learned that either you can destroy the bad habit, or it can destroy you. I had to deal with a couple bad habits this past summer, and with God's help, I was able to defeat and destroy them. So I am now a witness to God's enormous strength. Maybe you are fighting some "large trees" in your life. No matter how hard you try, you can simply not defeat them on your own. But God sure can! Further, He wants to help you. Consider doing what I did..I let go, and let God! It made all the difference in the world. With God's help, you can even uproot a giant Redwood!

Psalm 72:12 says, "God will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help."

Father, thank you for destroying my addiction this past summer. I ask you to encourage others who may be facing some bad habits to turn it over to You. You are God Almighty! What is too tough for you? In Jesus name, Amen.

Spin That Ball

Although I have seen them on TV a thousand times, I still enjoy watching the Harlem Globetrotters every time they come on. In fact, I watched them yesterday. These guys are not only the most talented basketball players in the world, they are also just down-right entertaining! I am amazed at their level of athleticism and dedication to perfecting their craft. Yesterday, I watched their leader, Special K, spin the ball on his finger for over 30 seconds. Not only on his finger, but also on his head, his knee, his back, and his foot. Amazing!

As I watched him, I thought about God holding our spinning world on his finger. One can't help but to watch the News on TV today and get the sense that our world is all but spinning out of control. Earthquakes, tornadoes, tsunamis, hurricanes, floods, and more seem to be increasing all around our globe at an alarming rate. It is like "Mother Nature" has gone postal. But we have to remember that our precious and all-powerful God still has the world under His control. He made this world, and He controls this world. And even though God's Word warns that things will only get worse before they get better, we should not fear. God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of strength. That strength comes from God's Son Jesus Christ! But we are only human, so fear and worry is a part of our lives, especially in the face of tragedy. But we can draw on Jesus for His perfect strength anytime we feel the need. Remember, He holds this spinning world on His finger. We can think of Him as being the leader of the "Heaven Globetrotters"! Now that is one show I would love to see!

Isaiah 41:10 says, "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Father, thank-you for creating this world and for giving us the strength to live in it. Help us to remember that no matter how rough things may get in our lives, that You are right there protecting us. In Jesus name, Amen.

Steady As She Goes

I apologize for not writing any devotions recently. I really have no excuses, or at least I should I have no good excuses. I have missed writing them very much. Like reading God's Word and praying, expressing what I feel in my heart through writing devotions helps me to grow as a Christian. Actually, it just makes me feel good. If you have ever considered writing devotions, allow me to encourage you to do so. There is no better feeling in the world than to connect with Christ! Writing these devotions makes me feel connected to Him.

I also wanted to share some other news with you that makes me feel good. I got some great health news from my last doctors visit. For the past couple years, I have been experiencing high blood pressure. This past Friday, my BP was the best it has been in a long time. I also got the results of some lab work that I had done a couple weeks ago. I am thrilled to report that not only is my BP lower, but my cholesterol is also better than it has been in a long time. In fact, the lab work showed that I am much healthier than I have been in a while. This, coupled with the fact that I have been losing some weight and getting a little exercise, has made me feel wonderful! I thank Jesus for helping me to get healthier. The Bible says that all good things come from Him, and I think this is something that is very good. I just wanted to share my fortunate news with you, and to also let you know that I will start back to writing devotions. Thank you for reading my devotions and for encouraging me all the way. You all are very special to me!

Psalm 30:2 says, "O Lord my God, I called to you for help, and You healed me."

Father, thank-you for making me healthier. Please help those who are also in need of healing. In Jesus name, Amen.

From Bunny To Lion

On the night Jesus was arrested by Roman soldiers, His once-devoted, brave disciples split and ran in all directions. Even Peter, whom Jesus called the Rock because of his solid faith, denied he even knew Jesus. For days after the Crucifixion, they hid-out in a secret room, afraid of the angry mobs and Jewish leaders. Would they be killed next? How could they have followed and believed in this man Jesus when He couldn't even save Himself from humiliation and death? How could He have been the long-awaited Messiah, but leave them to fend for themselves? Could their life get any worse?

Over the next 50 days, an absolutely amazing transformation occurred. Not only did Jesus come back to them, but He also sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within them. The disciples grew in spirit, bravery, and stamina. They slowly changed from trembling, weak bunnies to confident, strong lions. They became so brave in fact, that every single one of them boldly preached about Jesus, even when their lives were threatened because of it. Are we that confident today about Jesus? Are we ashamed or embarrassed to tell our co-workers, our friends, or even complete strangers that we gladly serve Jesus Christ? Are we trembling bunnies or are we confident lions?

Jeremiah 1:8 says, "Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord."

Father, teach us how to be brave for You. Help us to boldly tell everyone the Good News about Your Son Jesus. In Jesus name, Amen.

Summer Vacation!

Oh, the excitement, the thrill, the laughter, the anticipation! They are running up and down the halls, hugging everyone in sight! They are about to bubble-over with happiness! And that is just the teachers...imagine how excited the students are! Summer vacation is just 2 days away. Do you remember the excitement you used to feel when you were in school? This is my 16th year as a teacher, and I am just as excited about summer vacation right now as I was when I was a student. Knowing that vacation is close-by gives everyone a boost of adrenaline. We are friendlier to each other. We smile more. It is an awesome feeling!

Why can't we all feel this excited everyday, knowing that Heaven is awaiting each one of us? Why can't we run around hugging everyone and bragging about what all our Jesus has done for us? He has truly blessed every single one of us, and He is preparing a perfect place for us to spend Eternity. The Bible tells us that there are no words available to describe how wonderful heaven will be. There could only be a few more days left here before He calls us to our perfect home. I am so ready to leave this world behind and be with my Jesus! That will be the best "Summer Vacation" ever!

Jesus said in revelation 22:7, "Look, I am coming soon!"

Father, we long to be with You in heaven. Help us to spread the Good News about Your coming. In Jesus name, Amen.

Sweet Jesus

I am proud to say that I serve an all-powerful, all-loving God. Not only did He love me enough to send His Son Jesus to save me, but God even loves me enough to take care of me every single minute, even when I don't deserve it. I am proud that God understands me, even if I don't understand myself. I'm proud that God will never abandon me, even when everybody else has. I love God with all my heart. And through my most difficult trials and circumstances, He loves me too. I will never, ever give up striving to please Him, even when I can please nobody else. We are all born to make mistakes, to do incredibly dumb things, and to make a mess of our lives. But God loves us anyway! I completely dedicate my life to Him, even though I make mistakes and will continue to make them. There is no circumstance too big for My God!!! Before you judge others, consider your own faults. God is also there for you, too.

Psalm 119:169 says, "Let my cry come near before thee, O Lord, give me understanding according to thy word."

Father, thank you for loving me. I pray for everyone who is troubled at this hour. Teach us that the only true peace is the peace we find in You. In Jesus name, Amen.

Here Today, Gone Today

Two fatal car-crashes in our area yesterday have saddened this town. One involved a grandmother who was killed when her car was struck by a train. The other fatality was the mom of an 8-year old child. These families badly need our prayers. I can't even imagine the heartache and loss that they must be feeling at this hour. Oh Lord, why does this have to happen? I know He knows best and that He has a plan for everything that happens to us while here on earth. But it still hurts so much. God, please be with those that are crushed in heart and spirit today. Your perfect Word promises that You will never leave us to deal with tragedy alone. We are counting on you so much right now, Lord.

I don't know about you, but I have had about enough of this sin-filled, tragedy-laced world and all its heartbreaks. I am so ready for heaven! The Bible tells us that we need to treat this world as a temporary place. It is not our home, for Jesus Himself is preparing that place for us. And I feel strongly that it is just about time to go Home. I am not saying that we need to be unhappy and mope around while we are here on earth. On the contrary, we should be filled with Joy knowing that we are heading for a much better place, and that God has given each one of us a job to do while we are here. I think our job at this moment is to stop what we are doing and say a little prayer for the families that were devastated yesterday. It is very sad. And the scary thing is that the exact same thing could happen to us next.

Psalm 34:17 says, "The Lord hears those whom call out to Him, and He delivers them from all their troubles."

Father, please be close to those who experienced tragedy yesterday. Although we may never understand the reason why, please help us to all use this tragedy to grow closer to You. In Jesus name, Amen.

Touched By An Angel

I have always loved the TV show Touched By An Angel, starring Roma Downey. It still comes on the Hallmark channel, and I set my DVR to record it everyday so I can watch it at night. Most episodes touch my heart and actually bring me to tears. But I recently noticed something peculiar about it. I have never, ever seen an episode where they talk about Jesus. They always talk about God and the Father, but they never say anything about the Son, Jesus. Don't get me wrong, the show is awesome, and I will continue to watch it. But the fact that Jesus is not mentioned really bothers me. I guess the writers of the show are trying to be politically correct since not all people who believe in God actually believe in His Son, Jesus. Is that really such a big deal? Oh yes, it most certainly is!

According to the Bible, not accepting God's Son Jesus is just as bad as being an atheist. Wow! I know that is a very strong statement, and it is sure to ruffle a few feathers. But these are not my words. I get this straight from the Bible, I John to be exact. In verse 23 of the second chapter, it says, "Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either, he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also." There are many religions around the world, and our own nation for that matter, that believe in God but not in the Son. Then according to the Bible, the people of those religions don't really have the Father like they think they do. Christ in the main theme throughout the entire Bible. I am not knocking or judging anybody's beliefs. But according to Scripture, Jesus is the only way. He said boldly, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Nobody comes to the Father accept by me." Have you accepted Jesus today?

Father, thank you for Your Son and for loving us enough to send Him to us. I pray for all those who have yet to accept Him. Teach us how to lead them to Christ. In Jesus name, Amen.

I Can See

I had a real scare this weekend. On Friday, I started feeling sick. I had congestion, watery, itchy eyes, and a low-grade fever. By Saturday, my eyes were so swollen that I could barely see. I could not focus on anything. I had to cancel my radio show because I could not see well enough to drive. My eyes were as red as fire. I don't suffer from allergies, but it seemed like I had gotten into something that had caused an allergic reaction. I nearly panicked because I have an ultimate fear of going blind. Well, my eyes were better yesterday, and today, they are fine. The swelling and redness are both gone. Thank God I am all better; That truly scared me!

It made me think about the phrase I once was blind, but now I see. This phrase can be taken literally, but can also be taken as a metaphor for Salvation. When we are lost and without Christ, it is like we are blind. But once we accept Jesus, our eyes and our lives are opened. I want to take a moment to thank my mother, daddy, and grand-parents for teaching me about Jesus. They made sure I attended church regularly when I was younger, and they always talked with me about Salvation. When I was 12, God saved my soul. Looking back over all the things I have endured since then, I can't even imagine how rough it would have been if it hadn't been for Jesus. Thank God I didn't have to go through those times as a "blind" man. When I was having trouble seeing this weekend, God reminded me of what else I was not "seeing". Have we truly thanked God for our blessings?

I Thessalonians 5:18 says, "In everything, give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Father, thank-you for reminding me of just how good you have been to me over the years. Thank-you for Your Son Jesus and for opening my eyes to Him. In Jesus name, Amen.

Nice Hair

I found this on the Internet and wanted to share it. What a great devotion about attitude!

There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and saw that she had only three hairs on her head. “Great,” she said, “I think I’ll braid my hair today.”
So she did, and had a wonderful day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. “Hmm,” she said, “I guess I’ll part my hair down the middle.” So she did, and had a wonderful day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only one hair left on her head. “Wow,” she said, “today I get to wear my hair in a pony tail.” So she did, and had a wonderful, wonderful day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that there wasn’t a single hair on her head. “Thank God!” she exclaimed. “I was running out of things to do with my hair!” ATTITUDE is everything! Let’s be grateful for the things God has given us and have a wonderful day!

Father, thank-you for life. remind us to be thankful for what we have, and not sad for what we don't. In Jesus name, Amen.

The Good Shepherd

I like the analogy that Jesus uses of comparing himself to a good shepherd. In Bible times, sheep were kept in a sheepfold at night. This was an area in a field that was boxed-in on three sides to help protect the flock from robbers and wild animals. The shepherd guarded this opening, known as the gate. Like a dog to its owner, the sheep would learn to recognize the shepherd's voice, and respond only to him. A hired hand was seldom a good protector, because he was only there for the money. When a wild animal came along and threatened the sheep, the hired hand would run away in fear. But not the shepherd. He protected his flock with his very life.

Jesus protects us with His very life. Like a shepherd knows his sheep, Jesus knows each one of us. He is totally aware of our flaws, weaknesses, fears, and needs...and He loves us anyway! He calls out to us and leads us on the path that is best. In Christ, we can find not only Salvation, but friendship, protection, and serenity. When we lie down at night, we can rest peacefully knowing that the Good Shepherd is guarding the gate. To me, that sounds safer than Fort Knox. I am proud to call Jesus my great Shepherd. I am so thankful that He guides and protects me every day. If you don't know Jesus in this way, I invite you to ask Him to become your great Shepherd. Why live another minute without His incredible Peace?

John 10:11 says, "I am the good shepherd; The shepherd sacrifices His life for the sheep."

Father, thank-you for leading me with Your voice. I pray for anyone who is not Your sheep today. Lord, lead them according to You will. In Jesus name, Amen.

From Faith To Fish

It was sometime around dawn on the sea of Galilee. Some of the disciples had been fishing all night but had caught nothing. As they were about to row back to shore, they saw Jesus standing on the bank. He asked them if they had caught anything, but they told him no. So Jesus suggested that they cast their nets on the right-side of the boat and they would catch some. They did what He said, and the nets were barely able to hold the multitude of fish! How do you think they felt? These guys were professional fisherman, and they must have thought this man on the shore was crazy. You see, according to the Book of John, the disciples did not know that the man on the shore was Jesus...not until they had caught all the fish. They could not recognize him from their boat. What does this suggest?

If they had known it was Jesus from the start and followed His advice, then it would show that faith in Jesus is a very powerful thing. But how could it be considered faith in Jesus if they did not even know it was Jesus? This is the way I like to interpret it: Many times, Jesus leads us through someone else. When we ask Jesus for help, we shouldn't expect that help to come to us with ringing bells and flashing lights. Sometimes Jesus helps us in more simple, quiet ways...like a stranger on a shore. I think the key is that we need to remain full of faith and hope and stay open to the various ways Jesus may chose to reach us. God has used some pretty unique ways in the past to help His people. Maybe He is trying to help you today in an equally unusual way. Look around and see if you can spot Him.

2 Corinthians 5:7 says, "For we walk by faith, not by sight."

Father, please help us to remember that You answer all our prayers. Sometimes it is not in a loud way. Help us to remember that sometimes You simply whisper. In Jesus name, Amen.

Peer Pressure

In the Gospels, we learn a little about Pilate, the Roman leader who sentenced Jesus Christ to death. Why did he do it when three times he proclaimed Jesus not guilty of any crime? He told the Jewish mob, which insisted that Christ should be crucified, that he could find no fault in the man. But they persisted. In fact, they persisted so much that Pilate finally gave in to their demands. I don't think Pilate believed that Jesus was the Son of God, but he did believe in Jesus' innocence, yet he ordered His death. Instead of doing the right thing, Pilate chose to appease the people. He even went so far as to blame them for the death of Christ when he told them that he was washing his hands of the matter. What a weak and flawed character! He allowed peer pressure to guide him into a decision he knew was wrong. As a teacher, I try so hard to encourage my students to always do the right thing, even if it is the unpopular thing. I used to see a poster around school that read, "Stand-up for what is right, even if you are standing alone." Pilate is a perfect example that peer pressure doesn't just affect teenagers; We adults are just as prone to it as well. Today, let's all pray for God to give us the strength to do what is right...even if everybody else disagrees.

James 1:12 says, "Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life."

Dear Lord, please forgive me for all the times I allowed peer pressure to steer me in the wrong direction. Please give me the strength the stand-up and do the right thing. In Jesus name, Amen.

Assumption

In mathematics, one way to prove that something is true is to assume that it is not true, and then show how that assumption would create a contradiction. A simple example would be to assume that the world is flat. If that assumption is true, then nobody could have ever sailed "around" the world without "falling off". Since we know Magellan sailed around the world and didn't "fall off", then the world must not be flat, which contradicts our assumption that it is flat. I know there is no way to really "prove" that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, and that we must accept it by faith, but consider this argument: Let's assume that Jesus was not the Son of God.

Then how could He have been born to a virgin? How could He have turned water into wine? How could He have healed a blind man? How could He have healed a cripple? How could He have casted out demons? How could He have walked on water? How could He have calmed a storm? How could He have raised Lazarus from the dead? How could He have endured so much pain and humiliation on the Cross? How could He have been raised from the grave? How could He have appeared to so many people after He was dead? How could His disciples be willing to die for Him (especially if they knew He was a fake)? We can continue this argument, but the point is very clear: Jesus MUST have been the Son of God. I believe it. Do you?

Luke 4:14 says, "And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, 'Thou art Christ, the Son of God'"

Father, I accept Your Son Jesus as my Savior. Thank you for choosing me to be one of His Followers. In Jesus name, Amen.

It's Official

It's official; My class won the pizza party! My students ended up raising over $700 for the Child Advocacy Center. The combined total for our school was $2200. That is simply amazing! These students need to be commended for doing such an outstanding job. I hope they will always remember what they accomplished as a group. We are waiting to hear from the media, as my class will be in the Newspaper and on TV. I think they are more excited about that than they are the pizza party. Yesterday, when they announced the winning class, my kids starting hollering and clapping...we all exchanged a few high-fives! If you know any students from Dothan High, please give them a big pat on the back. Like I said before, we hear a lot of negatives about schools and students today. But not all is bad. In fact, there is still a whole lot more that is good than bad. I am so very proud to be a teacher at Dothan High School. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to know these fine students!

Deuteronomy 16:17 says, "Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which He hath given thee."

Oh Lord, thank-you for allowing me to teach. I ask you to use this money raised to help abused children. In Jesus name, Amen.

Forgiveness

The question on my Devotions this week is, "Personally, do you find it harder to forgive today?" I think we can all agree that crime is at a higher rate than before, especially violent crime. When I read about the evil things that people do, I am horrified. How can people be so hateful? When it strikes close to home, the level of frustration hits at a much higher level. I know forgiveness is a process; It can take some time. I have been thinking about things, especially the mugging of my friend. I refuse to let a few thugs steal my joy! I may not forgive them today, but with God's help, I sure hope I am able to. As long as I refuse to forgive them, the Bible says God will not forgive me. And, as hard as it is to comprehend, my sins against Him is just as bad as their sins against my friend. She told me she will bounce back from this. She said she refuses to hide under her covers and allow them to take away her happiness. Good for her! By all means, if she is strong enough to do that, then I should be strong enough to forgive. After all, I have suffered nothing compared to her. God bless you, Karen!

Romans 12:4 says, "Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not."

Father, please help me to forgive every single person that has wronged me. I pray for Karen. She is a strong woman, but really needs your help right now. I know You are with her, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

Need Your Prayers

My faith continues to be shaken in a big way. Over the weekend, a friend of mine was mugged and beaten-up as she was going into her apartment. She is left with scrapes and bruises, which will heal, but mental scars which may never. God only knows why such as this continues to plague our fallen world. I know we are supposed to forgive and forget, but those little thugs...I guess I should stop there! She needs our prayers, and so do her kids. Understandably, She is having a hard time coping with what has happened. To say she feels violated is an under-statement. Her faith in her fellow-man and in God is on shaky ground right now. She is scared to go anywhere, even to her job in the middle of the day. I am frustrated and very sad for her! Please send up a special prayer today asking God to wrap His loving arms around her and hold her close. She needs God and our prayers right now more than ever.

Romans 12:21 says, "Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good."

Father, why does this happen? I don't mean to question you, for I don't have that right. But how can we continue to cope with such Evil? In Jesus name, Amen,

Awesome Kids

This month is Child Abuse Prevention month, and we at Dothan High School have been collecting money for the cause. As a motivator, the class that collects the most money wins a pizza party. Because of this friendly competition, these kids have more than amazed me! Today is the final day, so I will have to give you the totals that we collected next week. But listen to this: My class has already collected over $600! And the second-place class has almost that much. As of yesterday, Dothan High students had collected almost $1700! As a teacher for 16 years, I can tell you that not all is bad in public education. We have some of the most loving and giving kids I have ever seen. Don't you know God has to be smiling down on them today?

If our kids can give spare change, so can we adults. Ask God to lay on your heart, a charity that may need your help. Has God blessed you? I know He has certainly blessed me. And giving doesn't have to only mean money; Perhaps we can donate some time to a charitable organization. There sure are many out there that need our help. Let's say a special prayer today, asking the Lord what He would have us do. And if you know any students from my school, thank them for being such a great reflection of what God wants us all to become.

Luke 6:38 says, "Give, and it shall be given unto you."

Father, thank-you for allowing me to have the most rewarding career in the entire world! Bless our students, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

Why?

Perhaps it is one of the hardest questions to answer in the universe. Why does God allow death and destruction to come to innocent people? Take this weekend's deadly tornadoes, for example. Children died! What in the world did those kids do to deserve death in such a violent manner, and worse, how are their parents supposed to cope with such incredible loss? It is not fair. We see "bad" people thriving in society, while other very "good" people have to suffer. How could a God, who is supposed to be so loving, allow such unfair sadness to happen? I am not a Bible scholar, so I don't have a satisfactory answer to that question. Perhaps, nobody does. I know it says in Genesis that because of sin, man will be plagued with hardships and heartaches. But that still doesn't seem right.

This is where the most critical aspect of our Christian life must kick in: faith. No, these things don't seem fair, and it can feel like either there is no God, or He is just not interested in helping us. But we are promised in so many places in God's Word that he is with us and that He does love us more than we could ever imagine. I know it does not always feel like that, but we must continue to believe it and have faith that God has a purpose for everything that happens, even things that are unthinkable. The Bible promises us that God will come to us in our darkest moments. Like you, I have suffered a few tragedies in my life. And I will be the first to admit that trying to stay focused on God during those times can be very difficult. But don't allow Satan to steal from your heart what you truly believe and know deep down in your heart. God cares, and He is with us, maybe even carrying us at this very minute. Pray for God to increase your faith. After all, the Bible reminds us that we can not please Him without it.

Ephesians 6:16 says, "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked."

Father, please forgive us when we question you in times of tragedy. You did not make us robots. You gave us feelings. And sometimes those feelings overcome our brains. Help us to keep faith in You. In Jesus name, Amen.

How Much More Can He Take?

The Bible tells us of God's incredible amount of patience and Grace. But it also warns us that there is a day coming when His patience will end, and He will pour out His wrath upon this earth like never before in history. I certainly believe it, because as a storm researcher, I get to see the evidence of just how bad tornadoes and hurricanes have become over the past 20 years. Earthquakes are now striking in every part of the world with greater frequency and intensity just as the Bible predicted) . And worst of all, these earthquakes are generating huge tsunamis all over the world. Death and destruction have become a regular part of our daily newscasts. Unfortunately, this increase in rogue weather is only the beginning of what is still to come!

We have always believed that God has blessed this great nation. But how much longer will He bless it? Our crime rate is through the roof, marriages are ending almost before they even start, tolerance has allowed the gay lifestyle to become a normality (just last week, Action Comics introduced their first gay character), and it has become taboo to even mention the name of Jesus anywhere in public. How much longer will God bless this great country? Around the globe, we are considered a "Christian nation", but our actions imply the opposite. As we look around at how bad things have become in America, do we also see how bad things have become in our own lives? Do we live each day for God? We may not be able to stop the rest of our nation from sliding away from God, but we certainly don't need to use that as an excuse for us to slide away too. Today, let's renew our walk with Christ. Although the outlook for this world is bleak, if we have accepted Christ, I believe he will spare us from His wrath. Do you believe that?

I Thessalonians 5:9 says, "For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ."

Father, Thank you for Jesus. I pray for our country. I know that all can be better if we just put You first. In Jesus name, Amen.