Make a Commitment

Have you ever experienced someone "backing out" of a commitment? You know that feeling you get when you know you are hearing an excuse - it's unmistakable. You're disappointed, let down and sometimes even hurt. Imagine how our Lord must feel when we don't follow through with our prayer time or devotional time with Him? Oh we want to - but something else always seems to come up.

There’s a big difference between just being interested in doing something and actually making a commitment to doing it! Just being interested allows us the freedom do a thing only when our circumstances permit. But making a commitment to do that thing means accepting no excuses and no reservations — it means putting aside our distractions or fears and then moving forward till we see the end result!

As we come into a new year, let's make a commitment to spend more quality time in prayer, devotion and study time with our Lord and His word to us. As you Seek His will and direction for the coming year I know you will like the end result!

The Truth
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.(Php 3:13-14)

Gods' Gift - Merry Christmas

Jesus came to this earth, by Gods' plan and design.
The place of His birth, marked by a heavenly sign.
A new star above, showed the place where He lay.
The Fathers' gift, sound asleep on the hay.

So innocent and pure, this gift to man.
Would soon receive, Roman nails in His hand.
He was born to die, His life He gave.
So all might live, and their souls be saved.

One day all will answer, for what they have done.
With Gods' gift to the world, His only son.
So accept His gift, and your soul you will save.
From the wages of sin, and the death of the grave.


What you do with Gods' gift will determine your eternal future. By accepting it, you will find eternal life. If you reject it, you will find eternal darkness.

The Truth
"For by grace you have been saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is a "gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8)

Do The First Works

"Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works" (Revelation 2:5)

Tragically today many churches have fallen away from their first love. Preaching a modern Jesus that does not offend, condemn, or require a congregation to repent. Like the church of Ephesus, they have become so focused on agendas (fundraising, membership drives, etc.)they feel they can function without the presence of the Lord. However, God is not interested in the works done out of a sense of obligation but from the heart.

We as individuals can become creatures of habit - and go through the motions in our service to God out of tradition or to be seen by men. Check your motivation - keep it in the love of Jesus - do it all for the glory of God. If necessary, repent and do the first works and return to your first love.

The Truth
"Nevertheless I have this against you, you have left your first love." (Rev. 2:4)

Hold Strong

Recently I became a great Uncle to baby Jak, my nephew's son. Little Jak was born about 8 months ago with a very rare heart condition, one that required two open heart surgeries by the age of 6 months. Five procedures later, Jak is still fighting for his life (in a coma now for about two weeks) and effecting anyone that comes into contact with him; parents, family members, doctors, nurses, lab techs. Everyone is drawing close to God, asking God to touch and heal him.

Knowing that God has a plan for our lives, I know He has a plan for Jak's as well. It may not be my plan or the family's plan but "there is a purpose to every season under heaven." During this difficult trying time, please pray for healing and that the family will hold strong to God's will in all this.

The Truth
"Your kingdom come. Your will be done. On earth, even as it is in heaven." (John 6:10)

Redeem The Time

I recently read a devotional entitled, “Life Is Like A Jar of Rocks” by Darnell Fugate. In the devotional, “The Jar” represented our lives and what went into the jar, represented the priorities in our lives - specifically how we choose to spend our time.

In the devotion, the Bible teacher gave each of his students a plastic jar and asked them to fill their jars with rocks he had laid out for them. The “rocks” were symbolic of the really important stuff in their lives, things they could not live without. After discussing what some of those might be, the teacher asked his students, “is the jar full?” Too which they all replied, “yes.”

Next the students were asked to pour tiny pebbles into their jars to take up all the space around the rocks. The “pebbles” represented important stuff they could live without, but, was taking up time in their lives. Again (after some discussion about what they could live without) he asked, “is the jar full?” And once again they replied, “Yes.”

Then, to take up the space between the rocks and pebbles, the students poured sand into their jars. The “sand” represented the little things in life that can get in the way of doing something more important. After another lively discussion the teacher asked his students, “is the jar now full?” And, with a loud choral response the class replied, “YES.”

Finally, just when everyone thought all the space in their jars was completely filled, the teacher poured a cup of coffee into his - to remind the class that no matter how full their lives may be, they should always have room to minister to someone in need, even if it is just a cup of coffee with a friend.

Redeem your time by reorganizing your jar to feed your spirit - that you may be used for a greater calling. Remember, Jesus always found time to minister to others. Even during His crucifixion He found the time to minister or intercede for; His mother (John 19:26), His brother (John 19:27), His murders (Luke 23:34) and one of the thieves crucified with Him. (Luke 23:43)

The Truth
“For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Matt. 16:26)