Monthly Archives: November 2014

Happy Birthday Tanner

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Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:16
Today is a special day because it the birthday of our oldest son Tanner, he is a gift from God and we are truly blessed.
As we learn throughout the Bible, we are not mistakes, we are not coincidences, we didn’t just appear out of luck
We were handpicked by God and chosen to be giving life to; because we have a greater purpose to fulfill a divine destiny. It’s sad today in this world that there are many people who believe they exist just by coincidence or mistake.
Anyone knows our son Tanner, can tell he was special automatically. I believe he was hand picked by God for us. His unconditional love and brilliant mind continue to fascinate me. I learned a lot about life just by being the Father of our kids. They show us and teach us things others can’t, and I don’t believe that is a mistake.
Consider what the prophet Isaiah said in 49:5 And now the LORD says– he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD and my God has been my strength—
Isaiah basically saying the same thing David said in Psalms, God knew them before they were even born. How about the prophet Jeremiah
Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
We see a pattern of what these “messengers of God” are telling us, WE ARE NOT A MISTAKE!
So we rejoice at the birth of our son Tanner as you should rejoice about your birth also, for you were made and called by God for a greater purpose. Don’t let anyone tell you different.
Happy Birthday Tanner! Amen

The Name of God

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One of the most interesting and controversial topics is what is the real name of God. I thought it would be informal to do a brief overview on the” Name of God” The original translation of God’s name was YHWH
Since the original Hebrew language doesn’t have vowels, nobody knew how to pronounce YHWH. Because of this the Jews refused to try to pronounce it in fear they would break the 2nd Commandment using God’s name in vain by not pronouncing it correctly.
Therefor in the King James translations of the Bible you see the word “The Lord” or “Adonai” in place of YHWH.
However other translators added vowels to the name and came up with Yahweh. Although this name is accepted by most Christians nobody is 100% sure it’s the accurate name since the original Hebrew language doesn’t have vowels.
Then came the hybrid form of the name “Jehovah”, even though this name has become popularly acceptable in English languages however experts claim that this translation is “grammatically impossible”
The reason is there is no J in the Hebrew language therefor the correct pronunciation would probably be incorrect. Even the Jehovah Witnesses admit this on their website JW.org that Jehovah is not the most accurate name for God but they kept it because it’s widely accepted in the English language.
In the book of Exodus Moses asks God directly what his name is and he responded And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
I found it interesting God didn’t identify himself as YHWH, Yahweh, or Jehovah. If God wanted this to be known wouldn’t he have revealed it to Moses?
Here’s my take on it. As humans we need to identify things for we don’t understand the supernatural. As Jesus said in John 3:12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?
Our humans minds can’t comprehend what God is or who is it; were not capable. God is above all things, the source of life to all things. The Earth is his footstool and the Heavens his dominion, we can’t possibly begin to fathom what level God is at. Therefor God doesn’t need a name, he’s above all names. We essentially try to humanize him for our human brains to comprehend him but we can’t.
Just know this he is the Alpha and Omega, our Heavenly Father, and the Creator of all Amen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yahweh
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah
http://www.jewfaq.org/alephbet.htm
http://www.jw.org/en/publications/bible/nwt/appendix-a/tetragrammaton-divine-name/#?insight%5Bsearch_id%5D=08424389-afe1-44aa-85c1-0a0b075dacb1&insight%5Bsearch_result_index%5D=3

What Inheritance are you leaving?

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A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children Proverbs 13:22
When we talk about leaving your children an “inheritance” what are we referring to? Are we just talking about money or are we talking about much more?
The definition of inheritance is “ the acquisition of a possession, condition, or trait from past generations” So let’s break down the three areas of inheritance.
Possession is the state of having, owning, or controlling something. Wouldn’t it be great if your children possessed self-confidence, integrity, and most importantly love. It’s important as parents we build our children up and love them so they have the emotional security to face the world.
Condition is the circumstances which affect the way a person lives. Wouldn’t it be a great inheritance to give our children a home, free from chaos and full of love? How many adults lives are effected by the conditions of there homes growing up?
Trait is a distinguishing quality or characteristic belonging to a person. We often hear the expression the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Kids mimic their parents, If you’re a bad example for your children they will learn these bad habits and carry them on. It’s important to be a just influence in your home and to you Children.
This is why, especially for parents, that we must follow the word of God and walk with integrity. As a parent you are the head of the household and can declare “As for me and my house we will server The Lord”
So as you can see leaving an inheritance is more involved than dropping some money in a bank account. You are ultimately responsible for the foundation and structure of your children. If you fail to provide a Godly example for your Children then most likely they will fail.
As it says in Proverbs 1:8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
Let’s give our Children a great inheritance so they can thrive and prosper thru there lives in Jesus name Amen

Fear No Evil

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For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
Fear can control us, it can manipulate us, it can cause great stress or anxiety. Until we learn to break the chains of fear, it’s difficult to live a peaceful life
As Jesus said in Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Often we focus too much on the present world and not on our eternal world. This life we live right now is not our final destination. When you start looking at the big picture and putting things in perspective, our daily struggles start to minimize.
Now I’m not trying to downplay life. I know there are some major struggles in life and we should be thankful for the life were giving and make the most of it. But don’t sweat the small stuff.
You didn’t get that promotion, in the end it really doesn’t matter. God has a more important job for your in Heaven. Your struggling to pay your bills, God has mansions and streets of gold that have your name on them
As it says in 1 Corinthians 7:31 “Those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.”
Once we keep our minds focused on Gods promises, we suddenly see the world thru different eyes. Big problems start to look small.
Once we learn to live fearless like Kind David in Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
With God Fear can no longer control you; once the enemy knows they can’t control you they flee. Your chains are then broken and victory will be yours in Jesus name Amen

Happy Veterans Day

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Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13
Veterans need to be honored for their wiliness to pay the ultimate sacrifice for all of us
For where would we all be without Veterans paying the price? Most likely we would be unable to exercise our freedoms of today such as worshipping God
Talking about sacrifice I can’t help but talk about our Messiah Jesus sacrificing himself to pay the price for our sins.
Are we worthy of either sacrifice? Probably not, that’s why I’m thankful and feel blessed for all the sacrifices made for me and my family.
I’m proud of my father, a Vietnam Veteran; spend 3 years over there right out of high school. He was just a young boy when they sent him over, he didn’t know what to expect and probably seen evil we couldn’t even imagine.
But he was courageous and brave and was willing to sacrifice because he loves this country, he loves his family, and he loves God
The true heroes of this country are Veterans just like my Dad, not some pop star, not some overpaid athlete. Brave men and women who are willing to risk it all to protect us all.
Nobody likes war and we all pray for Peace but as it says in Ecclesiastes 3:8 “There is a time for war and a time for Peace” but when the enemy attacks our people, these are the soldiers who risk it all.
So today are you thankful for your Church? Thanks a Veteran. Are you thankful for your house? Thank a Veteran. Are you thankful for your education? Thank a Veteran.
Without Veteran none of these freedoms would be possible. Therefor I Thank you all the Veterans especially my Dad! Happy Veterans Day!
God Bless you all and I pray one day we will all live free in God’s Kingdom Amen

Beginning of Wisdom

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The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10
What does this scripture mean to you? How can wisdom come from fear? How can understanding come from knowledge?
When people don’t acknowledge the greatness of God or his abilities, they become fools. As it says in Romans 1:22 “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,”
People who believe they are greater than their creator; or who believe they can live reckless life with no consequences or authority are simply fools.
As God said in Jeremiah 4:22 My people are fools; they do not know me. They are senseless children; they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good.”
When we understand God breathed life into us and made us in his image; he gave us this life as a gift; we then start to obtain the wisdom of his Word in the scriptures. But until you can accept God as your master, you can never accept wisdom or understanding.
You do have a choice though. You have the freedom of free will and you can follow Satan’s path of sin. However when you decide to walk that path you will end up in the same destination as Satan, the Lake of Fire. As it says in Matthew 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
So if you want to know if you or somebody else is really living a Christian lifestyle, check there fruit. Are you producing good fruit? Is your family broken or blessed? Is your personal life a mess? Are you drowning in debt? These are a few areas you can check your fruit.
When they say “Fear the Lord” it’s out of respect, honor, and most importantly love. Just as you would “fear” a parent or guardian. It’s not a dictatorship because you have the choice. You can follow Jesus to Eternal life or follow Satan to destruction.
I pray that everyone receives and understand the greatness of God; therefore thru Jesus and the Holy Spirit you can begin to obtain wisdom and knowledge that will lead you to your divine destiny Amen

God cares for you

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Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

Isn’t this a message the world needs right now? With all the stress, anxiety, and chaos in the world today, God is the remedy.

Now I know this is easier said than done, but that’s what your journey thru faith is about. Next time your stressed try praying to God and see what happens, what do you have to lose?

Consider Matthew 6:27 “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

Isn’t that a great question? All the hours and energy spent worrying have not brought you any closer to a resolution.

Believe me I’m not trying to downplay your problems or be insensitive. For I have problems and worries of my own. What I’m suggesting is we take a leap of faith. We dig down deep and cast all our problems and worries unto God

He says to do this in 1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” God wants you to call out to him especially in your darkest hours.

Psalms 55:22 Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

Take that leap of faith, give it all up to God. Let him deal with your problems. You don’t need to shoulder the load because you’re not strong enough to do it alone. But with God there is peace and victory. Amen

Rules of Engagement

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“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, Ephesians 4:26
This scripture is great advice to live by; do we resolve our issues before we go to bed or do we go to bed angry?
What are the consequences of letting unresolved issues to linger? Do your problems begin to manifest and become greater than they are?
As it says in 1 Corinthians 13:4, 5 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,…
We are all going to have disagreements sometimes and even sometimes it’s healthy for a relationship, but we have to remember to be respectful, listen, and importantly resolve the issue before we go to bed.
A good rule to live by is from Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Letting unresolved issues to linger they can begin to grow into something bigger as said in Proverbs 17:14” Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.:”
Your initial disagreement can start just a little drip of water, but keep pressing the issue and it could be like a dam broke. Once the flood occurs it can be difficult to repair and restore things the way they were.
So be careful with your words and be kind and respectful to one another. Don’t allow your anger or disputes to carry over into tomorrow. For everyday is a new beginning and we should begin with a fresh start Amen

Who is your Master?

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“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24
What master are you serving? What are you devoting all your time to?
America, just like the world, is obsessed with money. People work incredibly long hours, neglecting there families, so they can move up the ladder hoping for that big promotion.
What is there true motivation behind this? Of course money! Now everyone uses the excuse “I gotta feed my family, ect” but what your really feeding is your ego.
You want the fancy car, the big house, the eloquent job title. But guess what? Not only are all those material items going to eventually fade away your career will too. You might be valuable to a company now but later on in your life you become a liability to them and replaceable by the next young hotshot.
What you do have that is permanent is your family and God. No matter how old you get, or how little money you make you will always be loved by both.
Now I agree it’s good to have a strong work ethic and it is Biblical to work hard, but if you’re a slave to money it will own you.
Guess what you want to work stay involved in your family or community. There is no harder job than raising kids or helping people in need. And the rewards are priceless. If you invest the time with your family you will be close forever but if you invest no time in your family don’t expect them to even know you
Don’t wait until it’s too late to realize you should have spent more time with your family make a commitment today and say “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord and not money”
I pray that parents don’t fall for the greed of this world and appreciate the gift of family that God gave them Amen

Judgement is not Ours

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How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? Matthew 7:4

 Many times we might find ourselves judging other people; however Jesus has taught us that judgment is not our responsibility but his.

We need to learn to continually reflect on our own actions and not others; this will enable us to grow and improve as Christians

As it says in Luke  6:37 “”Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”

Very powerful scripture basically saying our judgment will be based on how we judge others. Pretty much like do unto others as they would do unto you.

Does this mean we should disregard people’s sin? I say no, hate the sin but don’t hate the sinner.

We want to be merciful and empathetic towards people, however this doesn’t mean we should allow anything to go. For example some Christian denominations are allowing homosexual marriages.

Anyone who is a Christian should know Homosexuality is forbidden by God and an abomination. Also God would never recognize the covenant between a homosexual couples anyway.

Does that mean I judge homosexuals? Of course not,  as I said ultimate judgment is not ours. However we should live to please God and not endorse homosexuality. As it says in 1 Corinthians 24:7 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

So what can we do as Christians to lead people to Christ? Well first we all know that we are all sinners and fall short of the Glory to God.  Nobody has any hope of redemption except thru Jesus Christ What we can do is live by example, let Jesus live thru us.

As a Christian there’s a very fine line we need to walk, which can be very difficult. On one hand we need to be non judgmental but on the other hand we need to stay firm with the commandments of God

What I do know is the ultimate judgment is not ours; therefore we put our faith in Christ and follow his path. Keep spreading the Gospel and be a servant to others. The rest is in Gods hands Amen