I sat here most of the morning trying to figure something to write about next. I flipped page after page of my Bible looking for something to catch my eye or jump off the page at me. I waited patiently. Nothing. I even tried to scribble something on paper to see if I could force something to click that even remotely made sense. Again nothing. Remember my previous post about me working on my praying habits. Well, I prayed…I prayed some more…Then it came to me. It’s my youngest son’s birthday. Random as it seems, it led me to John 3:16. For me this is a very powerful verse, to me it sums up everything Christian. Defines our whole relationship with God. When I read this verse, I am filled with happiness, makes me want to look at the person next to me and say, “Can you believe He did that for us?” It is hard to wrap your mind around it to fully appreciate the love God has for us. So let me see if I can put this in some perspective because we sure can relate on a certain level but not on the level God places on it.

So, let’s start with the verse itself. John 3:16, “For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting Life.” Think about that verse, I mean really think about what that verse is saying. God gave His only Son up for our salvation. I love all my children with everything in me and I couldn’t imagine being in God’s position that he loves us so much he would sacrifice his Son for our salvation. That is a gift beyond all gifts. Really think about that, from a parent standpoint. Lot of us don’t even like when our kids go spend the night at someone’s house let alone sacrifice them for a greater good. Just can’t put that one into comprehensible words that would even remotely place that action into the proper perspective.

Whether you’re a parent, have a niece or nephew that is just the jewel of your eye, maybe you have a dog or cat that fits this. Giving them up for the greater good of the world. I couldn’t, maybe I am selfish, but I couldn’t do it. I am thankful that God loved me so much that he did such for my salvation. All he asked of us in return is to believe in His Son Jesus, as our Lord and Savior. Verse 17 takes it a little further, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” He backed His actions up with a reason why He did what He did. To save the world, and His Son is the means to do so. Wow! This fills my heart with happiness that He loves us so much. But He didn’t stop there, He gave us more gifts.

Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” So, God’s actions in John 3:16 was a act only God could provide, no one else can take claims on such a loving act. All he asks of us in return for God’s grace is to have faith and believe. Not a tough ask, seems pretty simple compared to what He gave up. Acts 4:31, “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” God gave us the ability to be filled with the Holy Spirit and if you have ever experienced this, it is a feeling that carries no simple explanation. When you get filled with the Holy Spirit, it is like shaking a bottle of pop and cracking the lid on it. That is the best I can explain it. When the Holy Spirit moves there is no hiding from it, it will come out in some form. I have seen people dance in the isles of the Church; I have heard men that do not speak Hebrew speak in perfect Hebrew. And that was actually confirmed by someone that was present that day that spoke Hebrew. I have seen someone, yelling incoherently, all because they were filled with the Holy Spirit.

When God gave us His Grace he gave us all different gifts, this is laid out for us in Romans 12:6-7, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them; if prophecy, let us prophesies, in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering, he who teaches, in teaching.” We all have our own special talents, carpentry, speaking; the list goes on. We all have our purposes in this world, and we tend to socialize with people of like mindedness. We need to use that to spread the word of God’s love for us.

Even though we have God’s grace through faith and everlasting life next to the Father. There are always obstacles that try to derail that. Satan don’t want us to prosper, and have everlasting life with the Father. He wants nothing more than to disrupt that. We do run into bad times where Satan is knocking at every door, picking into our everyday lives, trying to derail us from God’s grace. 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you for My Strength is made perfect in weakness.” Another words when Satan is knocking at every door, has beat us down to where we think we can take no more. God simply says, “My grace is sufficient for you.” His grace can stand the beating and pounding that Satan uses to weaken us. Trying everything to break the bond between us and God. But His grace is strong enough for us to withstand the troubled times. His Strength is our Strength. Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Amen! Yes, indeed we can! He can make the impossible possible.

How do we respond to others who come at you trying to break or question your faith. Remember Satan will use anything and anyone to derail our faith in Jesus. Satan doesn’t want us to have God’s grace. So, we look to God for the strength and Colossians 4:6, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” Have faith in our Lord, believe that Jesus is our lord and savior. Answer the doubters with such things. This is one myself I have trouble with because I am still quick to anger. Which exactly what Satan wants. I have been working on taking a breathe before I answer to keep from striking back. The answers to the ones who try to question or break your faith need to come from a place of faith. And if you’re like me I don’t have the loads of Bible verses tucked in my head to through it back. But my faith, will prepare me for such things and again I am thankful that God loves so much he made a way for us to be prepared. He gave His only begotten Son as a living breathing example to the world, how He wants us to conduct ourselves.

The Bible is the living record for us to reference to, teach from, and our expectations of our Christian relationship with God. 2 Timothy tells us how to prepare for when Satan tries to disrupt us from receiving God’s gifts of Grace. 2 Timothy 3:12-17, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, Knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which in Christ Jesus. All Scripture us given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  This tells up front that living a godly life in Christ is not going to be an easy life, that we will be met with ups and downs and being prepared for these things we need to study our Scriptures and build our faith starting from a young age. Giving this we should be flooding our Churches, youth groups, and instill in our children the word of God so that they are better prepared for the ups and downs so that their faith is strong as they enter adulthood, and being saved by God’s grace. I know I have taken God’s love for granite far too many times. But I Praise him and thank him for loving me so much to give his Only begotten Son so that I may have his grace through faith in Jesus Christ. I really and truly don’t deserve it but I am thankful that he still sees it favorable for me to receive it.

I Pray that my words have made sense and hit home for those looking for a better relationship with God. I pray that many will find comfort that God does truly love us all no matter color, gender, or nationality. I pray that those who read this give it all over to Jesus and accept Him as their Lord and Savior.  Amen!

Have you ever stood in the middle of Church and wondered why everyone prays so much? I always knew prayer was a part of the Christian faith but until I was reading about it and writing my notes on this topic is when it really hit me that Prayer is a powerful tool for Christians. So powerful and so important to a Christians walk in faith that I won’t entirely cover the whole topic. Prayer is not difficult but something we as Christians need to be intentional about and it needs to come from the heart and most importantly come from a place of faith inside you. I will admit that I don’t pray often enough, something I am working on and being more intentional about. I have prayed from time to time, I often have not received the answer I was wanting at the time I needed it. And often believers, especially new believers, find a bit of frustration with this. Cause not only do we need to pray and pray often not just for ourselves but for others. But we have to be mindful of what we ask for, “Are you prepared to do as God asks of you?” I know that sounds confusing, but I will attempt to clarify this.

I know for me in my alcoholic adventures there were many times I had my head hung against the side of the toilet asking God, “Please get me through this and I won’t tough another drop!” The next day would come, and all would be fine and of course I never kept my end of the request. Of course, the next time I got in that shape I did the same. I never realized that even though I kept asking God was so good to me to deliver me to the next day and I was so disobedient I kept repeating the same old habit. But there were consequences in this, money got tight, bills weren’t getting paid, and I blamed everyone but myself for the reasons. What blessings would I have received then if only I held up my end of the request? All I had to do was not drink another drop as I told God I would.

Not long ago, I prayed for God to give me a way to become a writer like I had always wanted and so that I can pay the bills with while focusing on building my two businesses and not have to work for the company I am currently working for. I couldn’t even tell you what day it was but I know it wasn’t that long ago and on January 23^rd , I had a feeling come over me that I needed to create this website for a blog. I had no idea what I was going to write about, I really have no idea what I am doing with a website but so far I have given it my best effort. I will need to ask for some help to get the website where I really want it. But I got the website somewhat built but I needed to set the groundwork of what to write about. I sat there staring at the screen. Then all of a sudden I started to type and “In the Beginning” was on the screen of the computer. It came to me, why not write about my own Journey. My own development because I am sure my experience is going to hit right at home with someone else that had the hesitations, the anxiety of doing something outside my comfort zone. Right now, the website doesn’t bring in any money, but I am writing. God placed it on my heart to create this, so I did. No…God’s voice didn’t blast in my ear and tell me to do this. But I felt an urgency to do this. That is what I am talking about when I asked the question earlier, “Are you prepared to do as God asks you?” I prayed to be a writer, I waited patiently, and I listened. I had no idea what he would put in my path or if he would even place something in my path to be a writer. But when I had the feeling, it was like a tug on my shirt like someone trying to get my attention. When it happened I went to work, time will tell what happens from here.

The power of prayer was on display in front of the whole sporting world on January 2, 2023, when during Monday Night Football, Damar Hamlin, suffered a cardiac arrest in the middle of the field during the game. The whole stadium stood in silence watching, T.V. viewers where stunned as medical professionals rushed to save his life. The events that happened afterwards brought tears to my eyes and a filling of fullness as thousands gathered in the stands, outside the hospital and attending special Church services praying for the young man’s recovery. Sports analyst praying on live television. All this in times when prayer has been under attack by being removed from schools, removed from buildings, and deemed offensive to people all over. But thousands gather regardless and prayed. God showed up and answered…and I tell you he answered with the world as a witness to it. I just remembered say, “Amen!” as I seen the updates of how he was recovering. If you never prayed before this event should have brought you to your knees and pray. I know I did.

Numbers chapter 11 talks about out the people prayed for food and God provided manna but the people were upset that it wasn’t meat. So, God gave them enough meat that it would come out their nostrils. Or at least my take on it, hopefully I read that correctly. But that was my take on it. So, we need to be mindful of what we pray for and be thankful for the blessing we receive no matter if it is not exactly what we are asking. God knows what we need before we even ask. He has what we need laid out for us and is just waiting for us to come to him.

Prayer doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just like sitting next to your parent or grandparent having a conversation, looking for that advice even. We may not like the answers we get but we have to be thankful for the answer we do get. We also need to be obedient to God and follow his instructions, continuously actively listening for when he answers. This builds that Christian relationship with the Holy Father; it is a line of communication between us. We often miss out on blessings because we pray, then we don’t listen, and we end up doing whatever we think is best. God already knows what is best, we just have to listen and do as he instructs. And if we make a promise to him in our prayer, we better be ready to hold up our end of the promise because he is going to make good on his end. I have prayed to own a business, now I own two. I prayed to be a writer and now I have a website that allows me to do that. Nerve wrecking as it was because I had no idea where to start but so far, I have made it happen because God has given me a way.

So, make time to pray, make time to listen, and just make time for God first. Blessings will pour out and I pray that you are ready to receive what God has in store for us all.