Be God Controlled!

The loud and disruptive world takes a toll on ones sanity.  

Tolerance lacks consistency from every side of a belief.  

The truth one believes to be right may be called bigoted by someone who sees truth differently.  

Morals change with the wind and no longer have an identity of absolute.  

"In God We Trust" has as much value as the paper it is printed on.  

Conservative and liberal are two words that declare war on the other.  

"Christian" is no longer the saving grace; rather, it has become a stumbling block due to politics, social values or theological interpretations.  

We cannot blame a morally declining American on a bad President, Congress, teachers, preachers or judges.  The moral decline in America is due to the lack of a God Controlled home.  God has been pushed aside and self has been promoted to Controller-in-Chief.  

God no longer gets the first or last word, much less any words.  Our guiding principles in life are not God's Word; rather, they are our own words.  We've created our own truths to live by so that we will not feel pressure or guilt.  We have kicked God to the curb and rolled out the red carpet for Satan to take his place.  We've removed all signs of spirituality so that we can make room for the carnal life and all the joys it will bring to a guiltless and pressure free lifestyle.  

When God's control is replaced with my own control, we lose the fighting edge against the power of Satan.  God's control provides the armor to defend us against the spiritual attacks that will whittle away at truth, morals and ethical standards.  Satan's control will take away our freedom and shackle us to a life of sinfulness.  He will make it appear that his control gives us freedom, but in reality, it destroys us.

It is my belief that America only gets better when our homes are controlled by God and when the guiding principles are the ones Jesus taught and when prayers are said at the dinner table and at night before going to bed and when we wake up in the morning.  America is better when we teach truth as absolute and character isn't someone in a storybook; but rather, it's our honesty, goodwill, love for each other and the kindness we demonstrate to everyone.    Each home makes a difference and it begins with mine home, first!  Psalm 33:12, "The Lord blesses each nation that worships only him. He blesses his chosen ones."

Remember, Be God Controlled! 

 

The Lord of heavenly forces is with us!

 Day 70:

Today is the 70th day of 2022.  I have written every day for the past 70 days about readings in the Chronological Bible I am reading and current events. I don't really know how impactful my blog really is, but, it has given me an opportunity to seek God more through prayer and Scripture.

For the last 70 days, the world has had to deal with a virus that knows no limits and an invasion of the Ukrainian nation.  Not to mention, all the issues that we've had to deal with on a personal level.

As a reminder, God is never absent from the worlds conflicts, viruses, local and national tragedies or any personal troubles that cause fear and worry.  

The Psalmist said, 

"God is our refuge and strength, a help always near in times of great trouble. 

When its waters roar and rage, when the mountains shake because of its surging waves.  

God is in that city. It will never crumble. God will help it when morning dawns.

Nations roar; kingdoms crumble.  God utters his voice; the earth melts.

The Lord of heavenly forces is with us!  The God of Jacob is our place of safety.

The Lord of heavenly forces is with us!"  Psalm 46

 

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Is War Ever Right?

Day 69

 

Our nation celebrates, morns, and remembers the fallen of our military every Memorial Day. As a Veteran of the U.S. Army, I have a profound respect for every person who has put on the uniform of the United States military. So often, people question whether or not if it is right to go to war. Protesters line the streets of our cities to protest war.  The question is: Is war ever right?

 

What is war?:  According to the Webster’s Dictionary, war is:  “a state or period of fighting between countries or groups.  A situation in which people or groups compete with or fight against each other.  An organized effort by a government or other large organization to stop or defeat something that is viewed as dangerous or bad.”

 

There are many different types of wars:  War on drugs.  War on drunk driving.  War on human trafficking.  Military wars. And on the list goes.  Each war is supposed to bring about a solution for the betterment or the protection of society as a whole. 

 

Ecclesiastes 3:8 Solomon said, "There is a time for war and a time for peace." According to Solomon, war is the right thing at times. The Bible tells of the times when God has commanded a war. When you look at the great heroes of the faith in Hebrews 11 there are a number of great leaders who stood out during a time of war: Joshua, David, Gideon, and Samson. Throughout the Old Testament, there were times in which war was the only option or a God directive.

 

Our nation has fought in many wars: From the Revolutionary War to the Civil War to World War 1 to World War 2 to the Korean War to Vietnam War to Iraq War to Afghanistan War. The call to war isn’t an easy decision to make, nor is it easy for families to let go of their sons and daughters to go fight them.  The United States is not the only nation who goes to war or is in a war.   

 

As I write this article, Russia has declared war on Ukraine.    Where you have people who want to control, manipulate or has a deep-seated hatred for others, you will have wars where blood is shed, people die, and nations go at it against each other. 

 

Is there any biblical precedence for declaring a war?  Is there any justification for declaring war to stop dictators or to defend the innocent from oppression?  Is there any logic to the desire to stop the spread of evil by using force?  What does the bible say about war?:

 

To liberate a nation from dictatorship:  God told Joshua to wipe out the Midianites, because they were very oppressive and evil. One of the evil practices they did was to throw babies into the fire.

 

God got very upset the Gadites and Reubenites tribes in Israel because they would not go to war. Moses says to these two tribes, "What are you going to do? Just sit here while the rest of your brothers go to war? Aren't you going to participate?" God became very anger and swore an oath: “Because they have not followed me wholeheartedly, not one of the men twenty years old or more who came up out of Egypt will see the land I promised Abraham.” Numbers 32:10b-11

 

To defend innocent people:  John Stewart Mills said, “A man who has nothing which he is willing to fight for, nothing which he cares about more than his personal safety, is a miserable creature who has no chance of being free.” Proverbs 21:15 “When justice is done it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.”

 

To stop the spread of evil:  The Bible is very clear that God has authorized the government to enforce the law and punish offenders. Romans 13:4 “...He is God's servant, an agent of justice to bring punishment on the wrongdoers."

 

War should always be the last resort, but sometimes, it is necessary in order to purge evil and to ultimately live in peace. 

 

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Our Help Comes From the Lord!

Day 68:  Our Help Comes From the Lord!

 

Gas prices soaring.  Milk, bread and eggs are higher than ever.  The cost of living is much higher than we are used to paying and it is taking a toll on our bank accounts and our emotional stability. 

War in raging in Ukraine.  Cities are infested with crime.   Politicians are hard to trust.  News media makes it hard to know who is telling the truth.  And, Covid is still around. 

Gun violence.  Illegal drugs.  Thousands of migrants crossing the Southern boarder.  Political upheaval.  Homelessness.  Human sex trafficking.  Rape.  Domestic abuse.  Suicide.  Homicide. 

All around the globe, people are searching for hope.  Peace. Calm.  Sanity.  People from every nook and granny need salvation from the hardships of life and from the tyranny of leadership and from the criminals and from the darkness of our sinful world.  

Just like King David, we ask, "Where does my help come from?"   David knew the answer to the question.  He knew that "help" from life's struggles "comes from God."

We live in a smorgasbord of imperfection.  Our lives our intertwined with godless people who are bent on wreaking havoc on those they deem weak and vulnerable.  The wicked have no boundaries and their intent is to get their way by any means possible.  

King David's proclamation is a welcoming song of salvation to the weary and hope for the fearful and relief for those who need to trust someone to protect and provide.  

Psalm 121 is King David proclamation that...

God will keep you from slipping

God will never fall asleep on the job...He is 24/7 for a life time

God will protect you from evil

God will ride the journey with you...you will ride shotgun and he takes over the wheel

 

We will deal with many issues in life when it seems God isn't paying attention or protecting us, just remember, evil cannot harm our eternal destiny or our faith or trust in the high power who has no limits of strength, no straps to hinder him from being in every place at once and who has knowledge of every word and action all around the globe.

 

God is our help...refuge...protector...hope...salvation!

 

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Pray for Government Leaders All Over the World

 Day 67:  Pray for Government Leaders All Over the World

 

 

Prayer is a powerful resource that enables anyone who prays to connect instantly to the Father.  It is vitally important that we do not take our conversations with God lightly, but rather soberly and deliberately.  Prayer is key to the welfare of our nation.  The bible is clear that we need to pray for those who serve in government. 

 

Instead of complaining about what we do not like about government, pray for them.  Do not pray that they change the way you think they need to be, rather pray that God will shape them to lead with godly values, moral integrity and character, and ethical standards.

 

Complaining gets us nowhere fast.  The Apostle Paul told Timothy in the first letter,  “I urge, then, first of all, that request, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone  -  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live in peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 

 

This section of Scripture illustrates the urgency for all Christians to pray for those in civil authority.  Tertullian said in the Apology, section 39, “We pray for our rulers, for the state of the world, for peace of all things and for the postponement of the end.” 

 

Justin Martyr writes in Apology 1:14,17 “We worship God alone, but in all other things we gladly serve you, acknowledging kings and rulers of men, and praying that they may be found to have pure reason with kingly power.”

 

Instead of criticisms, pray.  Instead of hate letters, write with kindness.  I’m not saying to compromise convictions or values, but I am saying that it is God who can do the shaping and changing of godless leaders from the inside out; we have to trust his lead, not ours. 

 

In 1^st Timothy 2, the Apostle Paul gives four ways to pray for our government.  Doing each of these will demonstrate that we trust that God can and God will help shape, change and lead our government.   

 

Request  -  The Greek translation deēsis means to pray with a special need in mind.  The Christians of Paul’s day experienced persecution by the emperor Nero.  It was imperative that believers prayed for Nero’s heart so that he would change his ways and stop the evil he was inflicting on Christians.  The same is true for what is happening in Ukraine and other countries being persecuted.  Our prayers should be saturated with requests on behalf of nations being inflicted by brutality that the hearts of evil leaders will be changed into a compassion and kind heart. 

 

Prayer  -  The Greek translation proseuchē means to exclusively approach God.  The approach to God can be for a variety of reasons:  To ask for help, to ask for forgiveness, or to ask that God will give guidance to those in “authority.”  Government needs our prayers. They need guidance and direction to lead with integrity and with a desire to model biblical truths and the life Christ led. 

 

Intercession  -  The Greek translation enteuxis connotes the idea that one is coming before a king with an appeal for his favor.  A government that desires God’s favor will effectively lead and be able to showcase godly leadership in a secular culture. 

 

Thanksgiving  -  The Greek translation eucharistia is a celebration and appreciation for what God is doing in our lives and in the lives of our government. 

 

It is my aim to encourage all of us to pray for government leaders all over the world to model kindness, grace, and mercy.  May God bless every nation and stop wars and promote love and unity. 

 

Remember, Be God Controlled!

You are God's Masterpiece

Day 66:  You are God's Masterpiece

 

God is in the saving business.  Ever since God created us, he has given us with resources that gives us the best opportunities to succeed in life.

 

Although the first created couple strayed from God’s instructions and lost all the privileges of the perfect life, God was already a step ahead of them.  He provided them life sustaining resources that would give them the ability to live life successfully.

 

Ephesians chapter one is a treasure full of spiritual riches for every believer who desires to live life temporarily (earth) and eternally (heaven).  No doubt, it was painstakingly brutal for God to give his son so that we can experience both the temporary and eternal life.  God proves himself over and over again how much he loves us and wants the best for us. 

 

Our best is never good enough to make us holy.  Our efforts are never good enough to make us righteous.  There is not a smidgen of our own energy that can sustain us in times of trouble or temptation.  It is a total reliance on God that will sustain us in life...eternal life. 

 

God chose us before he spoke light into existence.  God adopted us before the first eye lid opened for the first time.  God redeemed us through his Son, his only son.  There are no measurements that can calculate God's love for us.  God's love is limitless and timeless.  He is the maker of hope and the giver of grace and the creator of mercy.  His home is open to us...all of us.  

God is the eternal treasure of eternal life.  Surrender your life to him and he will heap an abundance of treasures in your life that will sustain you until you reach the eternal life!  Trust him!  Love him.  Honor him.  Worship him.   

Remember, Be God Controlled!

A Prayer for Ukraine

Day 65:  A Prayer for Ukraine

Father, we know you hear the bombs exploding in Ukraine and see the people running for their lives.  You hear the cries of the Ukrainian nation and feel their pain as they are losing their homeland to evil.  We know that you are smack in the middle of the war zone in Ukraine and are witnessing the brutality of a godless dictator destroying life...the life you have given to each Ukrainian. 

Father, you say that we can come to you and share what is on our hearts.  You have said that you will listen and will respond.  You say in Jeremiah 33:3, to call you and you will answer us.  Father, this is my call on behalf of forty-four million people, plus, billions more around the globe. 

Father, we need you to act boldly and swiftly.  We need you to reach inside President Putin's heart and pull out the evil that is controlling his ruthless actions.  We need you to stop the war that has been waged on innocent people.  Ukrainians need protection that no gun, aircraft or tank can provide...They need you! 

In a spoken word, you can stop the war.  You are stronger than any dictator and have more fire power than any military might.  You alone have the ability to create peace in the midst of war and calmness in the midst of fear and hope in the midst of uncertainty.  

Holy God, please act.  We trust you.  We believe that you are on the scene and are working out the details to end the senseless war.  Our faith is in you.  Please reveal your plans for the Ukrainian people.  Please end the bloodshed, now.  Please don't delay to stop a mad man in his tracks so that the war will end. 

Please Father, protect Ukraine.  Stop the war.  Change Putin's heart.  Heal a broken nation!

In Jesus Name!

Grace God’s Way

Day 64:  Grace God's Way 

“Timmy had been misbehaving and was sent to his room. After a while he emerged and informed his mother that he had thought it over and then said
a prayer. “Fine”, said the pleased mother. “If you ask God to help you not misbehave, He will help you.” “Oh, I didn’t ask Him to help me not misbehave,” said Timmy. “I asked Him to help you put up with me.” 

 

God puts up with a lot, but he still loves us in spite of all that we do wrong.  God loves us for who we are, not what we do. Yes, God wants our faithfulness, commitment, spiritual loyalty, and our spiritual constant. He wants our faith to grow and to be prosperous. He desires for each of us to be in the Word. Praying without ceasing. Loving one another deeply from the heart. And, living as children who claim to be Christians. But, in all of our inconsistencies, God still loves us for who we are and gives grace abundantly.

WHAT IS GOD’S GRACE? Grace comes from the Latin and Greek origin that means, favor or kindness shown without merit.

When we use Grace in reference to God, this word defines His heart. Ephesians 2:8 says “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” God’s grace is His kindness towards us in spite of our actions or behavior. Yes, I understand that Romans 6:1 says that we cannot keep on sinning so that grace may increase. However, in our daily pursuit of living under grace, we do fall short of the glory of God. This is the very reason why grace is so important to the believer.

God defines himself in Exodus 34:6 as the merciful and gracious God, who
is slow to anger and rich in unfailing love and faithfulness.” God’s grace is amazing because He forgives us of our sins! Romans 3:24 says that we are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” To be justified means that we are declared free.

The essence of the Gospel is Grace. Forgiveness. Mercy. Hope. Never merited, but always given. I do because I love God, not because I am trying to earn my salvation, eternal home, or for God to love me. My faith propels me to be obedient not because I am earning extra points in the spiritual life, but because I have a deep and profound love for God.

Remember, Be God Controlled!

 

Love Last Forever!

 Day 63:  Love Last Forever

I struggle today as I continue to watch the horrific events unfold in Ukraine.  The behavior of one controlled by evil hasn't changed for thousands of years.  When one is controlled by hate, they do not care how they treat other people.  Their hate drives them to godless, abusive and murderous behavior.  Their hate knows no limits and tyranny is their weapon of choice.

What the world needs is love in order to over come hate.  Love is the only weapon that can combat hate an ultimately win.  Love never fails.  

Love is the centerpiece of life.  Love holds us together unlike anything else.  Love unlocks the heart's door and works its way through every nook and granny of one's mind and soul.  Love takes over without demonstrating manipulation or selfishness.  Love will never hurt you, abuse you or belittle you.  Love has no limitations and will give without ever wanting anything in return.  

If we love the 1st Corinthians 13 way, we will start a global revolution!  We have no time to waste.  May we all allow the love of God to take over our heart, soul and mind.  It will be a life changer!

Love is patient.

Love is kind. 

Love is not jealous.

Love is not boastful.

Love is not proud.

Love is not rude. 

Love does not demand its own way. 

Love is not irritable.

Love does not keeps no record of being wronged. 

Love does not rejoice about injustice.

Love rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 

Love never gives up. 

Love never loses faith.

Love is always hopeful. 

Love always endures through every circumstance.

Love will last forever!

 

Remember, Be God Controlled! 

Be Strong and Courageous

Day 62

Throughout history, the world has experienced horrific events that bloodied that streets and decimated scores of people based on their ethnicity, skin color, religion or political ideologies. 

In the midst of suffering, bloodshed and a humanitarian crisis, there are countless individuals who will go to the ends of the earth to fight and protect the sanctity of life, their political ideologies or the freedom to worship

Presently, Ukrainians are in the fight of their lives.  Ukrainians are the David against the Goliath's of Russia.  The encouraging words God spoke to Joshua, I share with Ukraine, "Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

When young shepherd boy David stood on the outskirts of the battlefield and saw the size of the enemy and heard their treats, young David said to King Saul, "I will fight him."  King Saul said, "There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth."  But David responded to the king, "I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth...The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!" (1st Samuel 17) 

Ukrainians have become our modern day shepherd boy David.  Their resilience has captured the attention of the world.  They fight not for themselves, but for their fellow countrymen, their way of life, their freedom, their dignity and their love for country.  They cower to no one, not even a superpower.  

No matter what the next seconds, minutes, hours and days reveal for the Ukrainian people, it will be their faith, resolve and determination that keeps their spirit burning with passion to protect their nation from tyranny and their flag flying high with pride! 

Only time will tell how the war ends.  However, when future generations read about the invasion of Ukraine, they will read about a nation who stood their ground and instead of running away from the fight, they ran to the fight.  Courageous.  Fearless.  Warriors.  Protectors.  

May God bless and protect the Ukrainian people and soften the heart of President Putin.  

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Oh Ukraine...We hurt and cry for you!

 Day 61

As evil parades around in Ukraine, the Ukrainians are suffering...badly.  The death rate is climbing...rapidly.  The mass exodus into Poland is getting bigger by the minute.  Buildings destroyed.  Lives changed...forever!

We pray, but the bombs keeping exploding.  God is listening.  God sees.  God is heartbroken by the evil of one mad man.  God cares about the Ukrainian people. The question is, do we?  We may be the answer to the prayer.  God uses all kinds of resources to help others or fix problems or heal the sick.  God isn't a stand alone solution; rather, he use a plethora of resources to get the job done.

It's like praying to God for the hungry to be fed, yet we drive by homeless tent cities every day and do absolutely nothing to feed them.  We cannot get mad at God for people being hungry, when he has called us to feed them.  

I do not know the solutions to stop an evil man from attacking a nation.  We need the superpower of God to transform his heart so he will surrender to the will of God.  God is using thousands of men and woman to courageously protect and defend their nation...freedom.  God isn't idle.  God is working.  God will ultimately prevail.  

As I watched and interview of a young woman, she said, "I lost my husband, my home, my cat, my dog...my life."  It was profoundly sad.  I cried.  I hurt for the forty-four million Ukrainians.  

Pray.  Pray some more.  And then, pray again.  Pray God will soften the heart of Putin.  Pray that God will intervene right now to stop the attacks.  Pray right now that God will protect the world from the evil terrorist.  Pray that God will show us how we can be usable for him.

Isaiah 43:1-3

“...Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
    I have called you by name; you are mine.
² When you go through deep waters,
    I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
    you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
    you will not be burned up;
    the flames will not consume you.
³ For I am the Lord, your God...."

I Want to be Liked!

Day 60

I want to be liked.  Well, doesn't everyone?  I find it a bit selfish to want others to accept me for who I am.  I care deeply about what others think about me and I struggle when I am with people I care about, but feel as if I don't exist.  Have you ever felt like, me?

I love being Sherry's husband.  She makes me better, because she loves God mostly.  Her tenderness is shown by the way she interacts with me and her love for me is always on display through the kindness of her heart and the beauty of her actions.  She makes me feel important.  Needed.  Accepted.  Valued.  

Value doesn't come from how many "likes" I get on a Facebook or Instagram post; rather, value comes from God who made me...made you...made the world.  King David said it best, "Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex.  Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it."  Psalm 139:14

Value isn't recognition as being one of the best preacher or teacher or being asked to speak at major conferences; rather, value is God choosing me...you to share his message no matter if the crowd is large or small.  Jeremiah said, "Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it." Jeremiah 29:11

I want to be liked, don't you?  I want my kids and step kids and church family and community and other preachers and family to like me and accept me.  However, my value...your value doesn't come from how many people like us; rather, our eternal value comes from God, who made me...you.

I struggle with anxiety.  It's a debilitating at times.  My anxiousness sometimes is driven by my need to be liked or valued or accepted.  When I am focusing on what others think about me and how they treat me or responds to me, it triggers self-doubt.  My confidence level hits zero.  And, my anxiety kicks into overdrive.  The key for me it to not focus on who likes me or how others value me or will they accept me; rather, to focus on the love of God and those who are already demonstrating their love for me in real time...all the time.  

I want you to know that God loves you deeper and wider and longer than anyone else.  He values you and accepts you and will go to the ends of the earth for you.  You are loved more than you will ever know! 

Remember, Be God Controlled!