From my recliner...

This has been on my mind lately. Steven Curtis Chapman had a song called "The Fingerprints of God"

I can see the tears filling your eyes

And I know where they're coming from

They're coming from a heart that's broken in two

By what you don't see

The person in the mirror

Doesn't look like the magazine

Oh but when I look at you it's clear to me that

I can see the fingerprints of god

When I look at you

I can see the fingerprints of god

And I know it's true

You're a masterpiece

That all creation quietly applauds

And you're covered with the fingerprints of god

Never has there been and never again

Will there be another you

Fashioned by god's hand

And perfectly planned

To be just who you are

And what he's been creating

Since the first beat of your heart

Is a living breathing priceless work of art and

Just look at you

You're a wonder in the making

Oh and god's not through no

In fact he's just getting started and

There's a whole world of life we can't see.  It's only found in a relationship with our Creator.  

Without Christ you live in either apathy or worry.  You either truly don't care or you are so worried you can't sleep.  

In my life, I look back and do see the fingerprints of God.  I see the fingerprints of God in the lives of people He is reaching out to, who just haven't acknowledged it yet.  There's many on my friends list that He has been trying to reach for years.  

I recall a book and even a video titled "I don't have enough faith to be an atheist".  I really don't.  God's done more in my life than I could ever share with you.  I can only point you in His direction.  You gotta see it for yourself.  Andrew, Peter's brother, was known for doing that.  Pointing people to Jesus.  For them to make up their own minds.  If you have rejected Christ all this time, I truly feel for you.  You may have turned your back on Him because of a circumstance of life.  But realize the truth of life isn't us always getting what we want, even from God.  Parents who always give their children everything they want raise spoiled children. Whom become adults thinking they are entitled to everything they want.  God loves us too much to give us everything we want. 

Just wanted to share this today.  Look at your own life.  I promise you, you too can see the fingerprints of God.

Living or Existing?

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV 

Oh, sad Christian, why do you weep? Are you mourning over your own corruption? Look to our perfect Lord and remember that you are complete in Him! You are as perfect in God’s sight as if you had never sinned. The Lord our Righteousness has put a divine robe on you, so that you have more than human righteousness—you have the righteousness of God. You who are mourning because of your inborn sin and depravity, remember that none of your sins can condemn you. You have learned to hate sin, but you have also learned that the sin is no longer yours—it was laid on Christ’s head. Your standing with God is not from your own good—it is in Christ. Your acceptance is not in yourself, but in your Lord. You are as fully accepted by God today, with all your sinfulness, as you will be when you stand before His throne, free from all corruption. I beg you, lay hold of this precious thought—perfection in Christ! You are “complete in him” (Colossians 2:10 NKJV). With your Savior’s garment on, you are as holy as the holy One. “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (Romans 8:34). Christian, let your heart rejoice, for you are “accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6 NKJV). What do you have to fear? Let your face always show a smile. Live near your Master, in the suburbs of the Celestial City. Soon, when your time comes, you will rise up to where Jesus sits and reign with Him at His right hand. It is all because the divine Lord was made to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. C.H. Spurgeon Morning and Evening 

I myself have groaned and cried over my fallen state as a sinner.  For a great many years it was chains that wrapped around me so tight that I couldn't see beyond them.  It was all I really knew until a time came when Jesus had enough and shattered them.  I was indeed saved but wasn't able to live it because of the burden.  I cried out to Him and He heard. 

My friend, it matters not where you are in this life of yours. Jesus will meet you there.  It matters not what you have done.  He's ready to forgive.  Ready to heal your broken soul.  

The thief on the cross was there for crimes he committed. Yet because of faith stood with saints. 

Know where you are going.  Nobody gets in a car without an inevitable destination. 

Some may say oh they just get in and go. Well you still inevitably end up at a destination.  Your life has a destination. 

Either to the left or to the right of the Throne of God.  

In the here and now you can choose your destination based on where you are before God.  Think about your life and where you are going.  Is it really going the way you thought?

I used to think like those I grew up with.  That you have to set goals and achieve them.   Until I did.  Then I was lost again.  It wasn't until many trips to the altar that Jesus got my attention to forget goals and set my mind to what He wants of me. 

He is faithful to be with me all the time.  When I am doing what He wants there's no chance of failure.  It's like Robert Redford in the movie The Natural.  Every at bat is a home run.  

Every mountain doesn't stand a chance. 

Think about your life.  Are you really living or are you existing?

Come to Christ and ask Him to show you what living really is.

I had a goal of writing a book.  Jesus said that I wasn't thinking big enough.  This blog was born 11 months ago.  Today it has been seen over 10,000 times.  God's taking His message places that I never imagined. 

Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. Start there my friend. Start there. 

What is YOUR Battle Plan?

My friends, at this very hour of our lives, lives are more on the line than has happened in 100 years.

Are you dreading each day or are you confidently walking with Christ?  This is something very important to consider.  Because it says a lot concerning the state of your heart this day.

We're going into our second month of this virus thing and it's interesting to me how various people react to it.  Some with fear and trepidation others as if it's nothing they are concerned about for whatever their reasons. 

My view is just confidence in Christ.  He didn't desert Daniel in the lions den. Didn't desert Daniel's friends in the fiery furnace. Never deserted Joseph in his many job changes in life.

Jesus keeps His word to never leave us nor forsake us.  We may end up leaving this world due to various circumstances but at no point will we ever point to a moment of our life and say He forsook us.

Honest, my dear reader, I face various attacks from God's enemy, each day, of various kinds and strengths.  Prayer goes with me.  I may fall, but I get back up again and am back in prayer to grab a hold of my strength.

Where are you tonight?  This isn't a very long post this evening (it's evening on my side of the world).  It's just something to provoke thought.  What's your daily battle plan?  Do you stop and go to prayer when you find sin reared it's ugly head in your heart?  Or do you try to shrug it off and wait until it gets worse before you confess your sin.  Do yourself a favor and confess as quickly as you can, seek to be restored to God as fast as you can. Don't give Satan a foothold in your life.

Pray without ceasing.  Keep psalms hymns and spiritual songs on your mind.

Pray for one another.  Keep focused on the prize that's at the other end of life.  A crown we gladly get to give back to Jesus Christ.

Everyone does what is right in their own eyes

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6 NKJV 

Here is a confession of sin common to all God’s elect. They have all fallen, so in a common chorus, from the first who entered heaven to the last who will enter, they all say, All we like sheep have gone astray. The confession is unanimous, but it is also particular: We have turned, every one, to his own way. There is an individual sinfulness about every single person; all are sinful, but each has some special weakness or failure not found in the others. It is a mark of genuine repentance that, while we naturally associate ourselves with others who confess their sins, we also occupy a place of loneliness. We have turned, every one, to his own way is a confession that each individual has sinned in some way particular to himself or herself, or sinned with an aggravation they could not perceive in others. This confession is frank and powerful; there is not a single word to detract from its force, nor a syllable by way of excuse. This confession gives up of all arguments of self-righteousness. It is the declaration of men and women who are consciously guilty—guilty with intensifying factors, guilty without excuse. They stand with their weapons of rebellion broken in pieces and cry, All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way. But we don’t hear a sad wailing along with this confession of sin—the next sentence makes it almost a song: The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. It is the saddest sentence of the three, but it overflows with comfort. Isn’t it strange that where misery was concentrated, mercy reigned; where sorrow reached its peak, weary souls found rest? The bruised Savior is the healer of bruised hearts. See how the humblest confession gives place to powerful confidence—simply by gazing at Christ on the cross! - C.H. Spurgeon Morning and Evening 

Oh this is proven oh so true in this modern world.  My friend, really consider what drives you, what motivates you. 

Think about the dreams, goals and thoughts you have of the future. 

Right now it's very cloudy isn't it?  This quarantine, the Coronavirus, has put the brakes on life everywhere. Billions coming to a halt.  Businesses are on the verge of bankruptcy, of crumbling.  Colleges and Universities shut down.  People told to distance themselves from others. 

6 months ago nobody thought anything like this would happen.  

6 months ago you would be the laughingstock of all who know you. 

Guess what.  The Bible says that every man will do what's right in their own eyes.  And so it is.  Throughout history man has turned away from God.  Thinking they know more, know better than Him.  That this is just some bug to be squashed.  Science can find an answer to it.  

My dear reader, if this is indeed of God, science will struggle with it until He says so. Not a moment before. 

People are in a peculiar situation.  What to do with all this time they claimed they didn't have for God.  

Sports figures, Universities and Colleges who raked in millions are now deemed worthless.  Their millions can't save them. 

There is only one who saves.  That is still Jesus.  The author and perfecter of our faith is also whom every life owes its existence.  Satan cannot claim a soul without the permission of Jesus Christ. 

Satan and Jesus are not equal.  Satan still has to obey Jesus. 

Yet mankind still believes they can do what's right in their own eyes.  

What has that gotten you?

Really, what has living your way really gotten you?  

You may think of all those you have met. All the places you may have gone. 

But the reality is if you do not have Jesus Christ as your Savior, you wasted everything.  Everything. E v e r y t h i n g!

What good is it to have it all, to live how you feel, and still wind up in torment in Hell?  Christians live for Jesus, those who do will spend eternity in Heaven with Him.  Those who have not will not see Heaven.

Throughout parts of the old Testament it's written of how often every man did what was right in their own eyes.  They suffered greatly for it.  Prior to the Great Flood, it's written that the thoughts of men were evil continually.  Proof of this Word of God, called the Bible is that man is the same today as he was since way back when. 

Where are you today?  Obviously you have a lot more time to think.  The high volume of viewers to this blog tells me that God has afforded many the time to seek answers.  My prayer is that people reading it realize enough is enough with living for yourself.  It's time to find the hope you are desperately trying to find.  It's found in a right relationship with Jesus.  

It's time to come to Christ.  Stop looking to world leaders for peace and hope.   You cannot find it in them.  It's only found in Christ. 

Read up on Romans Road. Many websites exist that tell you how you can know you are saved.  Soon the rest of Scripture will be fulfilled.  Jesus is coming back.  Do you want to leave with Him or stay behind to really experience Hell on Earth?  Right now you have the opportunity to leave with Him when He comes.  Read what is coming in the book of Revelation.  What this world is close to being like right now is what the world will be like when the judgments come from God. Which means that the Rapture of the Church is closer than its ever been. 

Is you being right in your own eyes really worth an eternal separation from God?

It's no party in Hell.  Jesus described it clearly.  There isn't a single person there who doesn't wish that nobody else comes there.  Whereas they rejected Christ while alive, they certainly agree now that He is real. But they learned too late. 

Choice is why everyone does what is right in their own eyes.  But choice had to be given to man by God.  Salvation isn't forced.  It's offered.  The choice, my dear reader, is yours. 

The letting go

Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. John 12:24 

Some things must die in order to be productive. Certain seeds will not germinate into a plant unless they freeze during the winter. Jesus knew that His death would bring salvation to the world. The moment you became a Christian, your sinful nature died (Rom. 6:6), but there remained sinful aspects of your character that had not gone to their graves willingly. Before you became a Christian, were you self-centered? You may discover selfishness lingering in your life when you ought to be freely sharing what you have in the name of Christ (Matt. 10:8). Did you have a volatile temper? Now as a believer, you experience moments when anger wells up within you. Were you driven by ambition? You may still find yourself with the same motivation as you strive for recognition and position in the kingdom of God. If these sinful attitudes are allowed to remain alive, they will stifle the fruits of the Spirit. Your temper may prevent some from coming to Jesus. Your selfishness will hinder you from being a blessing to those around you. Your ambition could cause you to use others to meet your goals. Your family may be suffering because of some areas of your life that you have never allowed Jesus to put to death. It is futile to say, “But that's just the way I am!” That is the way you were. But that person died with Christ; you are a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). Allow God to complete His work in you and see what fruit your life produces.  - Blackaby Experiencing God Day by Day 

This, to me, was and is a complex aspect of Salvation.  There have been times when, after the fact, I realized that my sin nature got the best of me.  

Letting go is sometimes an easy thing, sometimes not so much. 

Letting go is on us. Jesus is indeed doing a wonderful work in us to make us like Him, but obedience is still on us.

Even in this thinned down time in our lives of doing a whole lot less because of various quarantines.  It's on us to obey.  

I am not proud of my outbursts in life.  Especially when it came back to bite me.  

I know many call it pride.  I suppose it could be related to that. Sometimes it's arrogance. Sometimes it's stubbornness.  

The ugly part about having less you can do is it gives you a great deal of time to think. 

There's many asking questions about suicide rates before this is over.  Suicide is something that I am familiar with.  Even with where I was with God over 20 years ago, despair had gripped me that bad.  God obviously saved me in that moment or I wouldn't be talking to you wonderful people today.  If we but look for it, even in the most grim of circumstances, God leaves us a ray of hope. 

Letting go of what we want in life in favor of what Jesus wants of us should be our desire.  I mean, really, look at where we are in human history. Look at what the Bible says is happening.  Jesus is far closer to returning now than He has ever been.  My thoughts of this world are just fewer and fewer of things in it.  My own prayers are about those who are not saved yet. Praying for the health and safety of family and friends.  Prosperity isn't it. My desire is in front of me.  I really look forward to the day I finally get to be held by Jesus again.  To be told "Welcome Home".

Letting go of foolishness isn't always easy because we have to replace our idea of what that is with what God says it is.

There's real stories of rich people who had anything their hearts desired. Yet died in barren loneliness because it did nothing for their heart.  Some of those people almost went insane. Paranoia gripped them.  But they could have anything they wanted!  It's funny, everybody who has ever won the lottery has regretted it.  Everyone thought they could handle it. That it wouldn't handle them. 

Everyone, whether or not they acknowledge it, believes they can handle their sin nature.  That it wouldn't handle them. Scripture says repeatedly of people doing what was right in their own eyes.  All people are like sheep that have gone astray.  Everyone.

The Bible calls Jesus the Good Shepherd. He knows what's best for people like you and I.  If we would but listen.  Letting go is His directive.  Taking up our cross and following Christ requires not holding on to anything else.  You need both hands to do it. Letting go of distractions.  To carry a cross requires focus and undivided attention.  Oh we will slip and drop it. Pick it back up and keep moving. Jesus is faithful and just to forgive you and cleanse you from all unrighteous. If you are saved.

If you are not...that will never apply to you. Your sin remains.  You stand in the muck and filth of sin. Only in Christ has He cleansed a person to be white as snow. 

You have to let go of what you want in favor of what He wants. 

As posted several days ago for those who reject Jesus and His plan and purpose reject everything that it takes to be saved.  Peace, protection, and the power over sin. 

Today my dear reader, since you have so much time on your hands.  Sit down for a while and have that talk with Jesus that you have been avoiding.  He's ready to have that talk.  You see the death, burial and Resurrection of Jesus put choice in your hands.  He loves you unconditionally, but you have to want it.  You have to choose it. You.

Only you can let go of your life to receive eternal life in Christ. Nobody can pray you out of Hell.  Scripture says each person is responsible for themselves before Christ. 

To be saved requires you asking in this life.  You. Read Romans Road to Salvation.  In this pivotal hour in history, God is providing you the opportunity to not miss the boat.  

The birth pangs Scripture speaks of in Thessalonians will grow in frequency.  They will start coming at a greater pace.  Then one day the Rapture of the Church will happen and the Tribulation period in the book of Revelation will be here. 

Don't mark my words....read it for yourself.  Jesus is coming. The King is coming. 

While He may be Found

“Now is the time to seek the LORD.” Hosea 10:12 NLT 

This month of April is said to derive its name from the Latin verb aperio, which means “to open.” With all the buds and blossoms now opening, we have arrived at the gates of the flowery time of year. Reader, if you are not yet saved, may your heart—like the universal awakening of nature—be opened to receive the Lord. Every blossoming flower warns you that “now is the time to seek the LORD.” Do not be out of tune with nature, but let your heart bud and bloom with holy desires. Do you tell me that the warm blood of youth surges through your veins? Then, I beg you, give your strength to the Lord. It was an unspeakable happiness to be called in my early youth, and I gladly praise the Lord every day for it. Salvation is priceless whenever it comes, but an early salvation has double value. Young men and women, since you could die before you reach your prime, “Now is the time to seek the LORD.” You who are feeling the first signs of decline, pay special attention: that cough and fever are warnings you should not ignore. With you indeed, “Now is the time to seek the LORD.” Did I observe a little grey in your once luxurious hair? Years are moving quickly, and death is marching nearer; let the return of spring rouse you to set your house in order. Dear reader, if you are now of an advanced age, let me urge you to delay no longer. This is a season of grace for you—be thankful for that, but realize it is a limited time that grows shorter with every tick of the clock. As you read quietly on this first night of another month, I speak to you as best I can by paper and ink. From the depths of my soul, as God’s servant, I lay before you this warning: “Now is the time to seek the LORD.” Don’t disregard that work! This may be your last call to avoid destruction, the final syllable from the lips of grace. - C.H. Spurgeon Morning and Evening 

We are certainly moving rapidly towards what the Apostles have referred to as "the last hour". 

Dear readers really take to heart what Spurgeon is imploring.  

Right now a fantastic gift in the midst of this global crisis to each of us is this: time. 

Time.  God has cleared the calendar of practically everyone.  Granting that there would be more time to seek Him while He may be found. 

So stop your being frustrated or frightened by this virus.  Ask God whatever you will. He's there. 

Also too, my dear reader as this is the soon to be last hour....make sure that Jesus is your Savior.  It's not enough to believe that He exists.  Demons believe that He exists.  Make sure of your Salvation.  Don't guess.  Know. 

It's very clear that this virus was permitted by God to happen to the world.  He permitted it for a reason.  That Scripture must be fulfilled.  

Be sure before you take another step.  Millions believed they had a today and yet did not.  None of us is guaranteed a tomorrow. 

Seek God's Wisdom, not Man's Reasoning

“Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding.” Deuteronomy 4:6a 

Wisdom is not what you know about the world but how well you know God. Human reasoning will not make you wise. It may even lead you to reject the ways of God (1 Cor. 1:18–25). God's purpose in creating a nation for Himself was to demonstrate His wisdom to the world through the obedience of His people (Zech. 8:23). As the Israelites followed God, He would bless them, and the wisdom of obeying God would be evident to all. God gives you the same opportunity to base your life on His wisdom. When unbelievers make important decisions, they must rely on their own knowledge and understanding. You, as a Christian, have access to God's wisdom. God's Spirit is within you to guide you (John 16:13). The Holy Spirit will open your eyes to the truth of the Scriptures so that you can see things from God's perspective. Only God sees the future, so only He can accurately lead you to make correct decisions today. As you allow God to direct your life, those around you will see true wisdom, wisdom not of the world but of God. Others will be confused about what to do in our complicated world, but God will guide you safely to the correct choices for you. Your family will be blessed because you make wise decisions. Your friends will have a wise counselor to come to for help. Your obedient life will demonstrate the wisdom of allowing the Holy Spirit to be your Guide. - Blackaby Experiencing God Day by Day 

Oh the difference perspective brings!

Really take in what Blackaby writes in this devotional.  Really look at the difference between what man may say and God DOES say. 

Mankind is replete with people believing they know the way to prosperity and fulfillment throughout history.  Yet only one proved that He was.  That was AND is Jesus Christ the Son of God. 

Oh my dear reader, be oh so careful of the so-called help books, help videos or help live streaming you take in.  If those or other means of media transfer take you anywhere but to the feet of Jesus, you took a wrong turn. 

Scripture itself says that if anyone who teaches a Gospel other than what was originally taught, let them be accursed. 

In everything that God has given me to write here, I point all to one person. Jesus. 

The world is bent on one path, but the author of it refuses to show himself in the current age.  He will, eventually, after the Rapture of the Church.  Satan's plan is to move mankind towards worship of him and not of God.  He begins by trying to destroy or twist or pervert anything from the Bible.  He is the destroyer of life. The anti-life...who will be shown to be the Antichrist in the book of Revelation. 

There are no coincidences in this life.  With the Spirit of God directing people in a counter offensive to what Satan is doing, He makes situations present themselves to point people to Christ. 

Satan cannot shake one who is solid in their walk with God.  He will persist in trying though. 

Trying to use everything to mess with lives to feed Hell and starve Heaven.  

The wisdom of man is paltry compared to the wisdom of God.  It doesn't even register on a scale.  Look at the early years of the nation of Israel. When they obeyed, life was beyond extraordinary. Things would happen naturally that were only attributable to the work of God.  The laws of physics were thrown out the window.  Minor miracles were happening every day. 

When they disobeyed those things began to go the way of the rest of the world.  

When they rested in a life of obedience, listening to the wisdom of God, things went well, as promised.  When they got complacent, they let disobedience in, they began listening to the wisdom of man, they got what he promised in that too.

Scripture says to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things would be added unto you.  

It's my habit to begin my day in the Bible. Reading devotionals after that.  Writing what God tells me to here.  Then, when it's just me and Jesus in my car, we talk there. Sharing my heart with Him. He is where I look to for wisdom.  I ask Him to join me as I go into work.  I can't lead without His leadership. I can't know wise things without His wisdom. 

So today, my friend, seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness.  Look to the author and perfector of our faith.  Look for the wisdom of God in your choices and decisions.  It may still come from the mouth of a man or woman, but you will know if those words come from God.