As human being, we are bound together as a family. We are made from the same material, the dust of the earth. We come from the same grandparents. We have the same internal organs. The same blood flows through us. Our color may differ, but on the inside, we are the same color. We are individuals that are the same. But greatest of all, is that we are brothers and sisters in the same family. And our blood, or life, binds us closer than anything. We all have the same emotions and desires. So, what is it that separates us so much? Why is it that we don’t trust or believe our neighbor? What is the human cost? Many years ago, actually 1000s, the people of the earth came together as one man. In the most beautiful place on earth, the hanging gardens of Babylon. The king decided and the people went along, that they didn’t need God. They built a tower to shoot an arrow at God, to tell Him they didn’t need Him. God scrambled their languages and they left Babylon. Never since then has the people of earth been of one mind and one accord. Now, Jesus is returning to bring the people of earth into one mind and one accord to worship God. If you listen carefully, you will hear your name being called out of eternity. God is calling home everyone. He wants to bring the whole earth into one mind and one accord. And if you answer that call, you will become part of the kingdom of heaven. And you will become in one mind and accord with God.
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Emotions
It seems that my emotions change with the weather. I show a brave face all the time, but my emotions don’t. I can be a calm as the sea, and someone will aggravate me and then boom. I don’t show very many sides to my emotions. I want to present a united front in this world, but Lord have mercy. It is almost like a war that rages in my heart, good versus evil. I was raised by good people who taught me to be kind and generous to people. And there are people who I would do anything for. And then there are people who need object lessons almost all the time. Because they don’t understand who they are and where they belong in this world. Then there are people who are hostile to me and what I believe no matter what. What do you do about all of this? Before I met the Lord, I was a wreak. My emotions were all over the place. It seemed that anyone could get a rise out of me. All they had to do was poke me with a stick. I had to learn to control my emotions if I ever was going to accomplish something in my life. God began to teach how to be patient with myself and others. It was a hard object lesson. But I had to forgive stupidity and go on with my life. Many people were affected by my actions. They saw something they rarely see. God had touched their lives. I was thankful for those people. But then there were the people it seems that no one can reach. Those I had to pray for and God began to help them. The longest I ever prayed for a person to get an answer from God was 22 years. The shortest time I had to pray for an answer for a blink of an eye. Use your emotions in the right way and if you need help all you have to do is ask God. It is amazing how it works in my life.
My Father
My father and I had a difficult beginning. Because of things that happened in his childhood, he had problems relating. There was a time that we didn’t talk at all. And I regret that. When we did relate I was grown. We had 6 wonderful years of fellowship. He lived long enough to see me married and have my first son. It wasn’t his first grandchild but he treated him like he was. The reason I related to my biological father is because I connected to my spiritual one. When I came into a relationship with God, He began to heal my heart. This allowed me to relate and forgive my earthly father. My earthly dad smoked all his life. At the end he was smoking 2 packs of unfiltered cigarettes a day. The doctors told him quit or die. He quit smoking and lived 10 more years. Those years were for me. God had arranged that my dad would live long enough for our relationship to bloom. My earthly dad and I talked almost every day. If I didn’t call, he would call and ask if any was wrong. I tried to get my other brothers to do the same. Some did but not all. God healed my heart so I could open it and love again. For a long time I was hurt and angry. Most people would not want to be around me then. But as all things do, they change. And I have been changing ever since. God showed me what real love is about. What Jesus suffered and die for was me and you. Jesus did this because He loved me just as much as God did. With that love, I forgave my father and reconciled our lives to be able to know him before he died. My dad has been gone for 33 years and I still miss him.
A New Day
Today is a new day and will be different from yesterday. Change is inevitable. My second son likes to rescue animals. He rescued a golden retriever puppy. She was 25lbs when we got her. Just a mere 6 months old. They are very resistant to being trained. She learned some things but not others. It was frustrating so say the least. This is a dog with a double coat that sheds constantly. And she was in the house. I didn’t care for this at all. The dog was sweet and tried to please us. But with the cat and our other little dog, it was mayhem. We build a kennel for her outside. It had 4 foot fence around it, but that was easy for her to jump it. Then she would run everywhere including the street with cars. We put her in a 10 foot square cage with a roof. She stayed there while we were gone, but I didn’t like at all. Finally my older son who has a big dog took her to his house. He began to train her properly and with great success. He worked with her for several months and got her into a good routine. She doesn’t over eat and gets plenty of exercise. Our son asked us to take her this weekend so we did. To my surprise, she is well behaved and gentle even with cat. I never thought that dog would ever change. But she did. I know I am just like most people and hate to change. But change is inevitable. We must change or die. There is no in-between. I have only found one way to change, that is, to change my heart. I have only found one way to change my heart. You see only God can change your heart. He is the only one with the power to do so. And all you have to do is ask God and be willing to change. Life can be very enjoyable if we let God change your heart.
What is Given, Is required:
Everybody likes to receive things. When people give to you, it makes you happy. As a kid, I had my list for my birthday and Christmas. I wanted to receive everything. As I grew, I still got excited about receiving gifts. Everyone likes to receive gifts. When I accepted into my heart the Lord Jesus, I saw the many gifts that God had for us. The gifts were free for the asking. I could receive almost any gifts that I wanted. God’s gifts are so varied, like hospitality or giving. Of course, there is faith and healing. These gifts are exciting because they involve the power of God. As a new Christian, I didn’t have much understanding. At first, I was angry at the devil for trying to destroy my life. I found out that at the name of Jesus, I could command the devils. So, I began seek and destroy missions. I would root out devils wherever I found them. God made short work of that. He stopped me and said I was still following the devil. He said come follow Me. God told me to exercise my gifts. He wanted me to use them to learn how. As I progress in there use, I noticed that they were for other people. Every gift that God gave, was to be used in the building of the kingdom. I became proficient in many gifts, put mostly pray. People would seek me out for prayer. I saw God perform miracles in front of me. People were healed, delivered and received salvation when I prayed. You see, every gift that God gave to me was for everyone else. God uses us to build the kingdom of Heaven. Every Gift that is given, is required in the kingdom of God.
Innocence Lost
We just came out of the Christmas Season. I have seen more Christmas trees in the trash every day. There are a few holdouts, who still have their lights up. All the gifts were given, and food eaten. It’s a new day, so leave yesterday behind and move on. There are people to see and things to do. We don’t have time for anything but living. Sentiment is fine for birthdays and holidays, but the rest of the year is about making money and living well. Remember living well is the best revenge. When did we lose our innocence? Why is our drive being about the worthless things of this world? Even if you gain the whole world and lose your soul, what is it worth? Our lives were so much better when we were innocent, and we cared about the things of value. What is valuable in this world. Those things are even written down. They are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. And as it says, against these things there is no law. Those wonderful attributes and attitudes can’t be bought or stolen. There is only one place to restore your innocence. That place is in the arms of God. And all you must do is to ask Him, and God will respond. In fact, God will run to meet you and welcome you back into the family.
How long is a Good Life?
In the beginning, man lived for hundreds of years. One man lived over 900 years. Then came the flood that destroyed most of mankind and man lived a shorter life. As man progress, life became shorter. During the Dark ages, man’s life was about 30 to 40 years. And most people died from violence or disease. Still life had never expanded more than 50 years. Then came the Industrial Revolution and medicine. The scientific endeavor to medically help man live longer is still raging. More money is pump into medicines than almost anything else. The pursuit of the miracle pill that will keep us alive for a long time is what the race is about. You know what is funny about all of this is the side effects of the new medicines. When they list all the side effects the last one said is death. So most of the new medicines can kill you. Well then how do you live a long life? You have to look at the people who lived a long life. And most of those were from about 6000 years ago. Most people don’t want to hear why those people lived so long, but here goes. The people that lived long were farmers, shepherds or otherwise lived in the country. Their lives were mostly free from stress. They ate healthy food. They got the proper amount of sleep. They lead a normal life with an extended family living around them. And most of them served God all of their lives. They lived their life as God had intended man to live. You want longevity in your life, then follow their example serve God and live.
Driving Force
I have seen people motivated by so many different things. The silliest ones were people driven by blind love. They did things you would just laugh at. I have seen people motivated by greed that did things that were horrible. Everyone is motivated to do or accomplish certain goals in their lives. Each one was motivated by a driving force. For us to get off dead center, there is a good reason behind it. Whether it is for love or some other reason in our lives. Our driving force needs to be a correct choice in our lives. There is no mistake that it is a choice. And we are responsible for those choices. It is popular today to say, it was because of my father or mother or brother that I did this or that. But when it comes down to who did it, it is always you. No one can make you do anything. Yes, I have seen people coerced into doing things. But it was always a choice, your choice. Each person chooses what they know. It is more like monkey see and monkey do. I want this because they have it, or it is pretty and I want it. People learn from what is around them. Sometimes to their own destruction. When I think things out I usually can accomplish all my goals. But the driving force behind me has changed over the years. It can change from day to day or some can be with you forever. No matter what the force is you need to make your driving force a correct choice. Let the forces for good influence your life. For that to happen your will need a good moral compass. There is only one place to get what you need. It will never come from this world. The only place I have ever found in this world is God Himself. He is the only person who has ever genuinely cared for me. He was always concerned what happened to me and provide motivation to accomplish the goals that would help me. And all you have to do is to sincerely ask Him to help you.
The Making of a Friend Indeed
I admit before God and man, that I haven’t been the easiest person to like. My life has been about extremes. Before Jesus, I was the most bitter and angry person I knew. I could, at the drop of a hat, cut someone up with my tongue. My barbs were vicious and mean-spirited. The reason people didn’t like me was very apparent. But all I was looking for was someone to love me for me. I was 28 years old before I found anyone who would even try. And what I came to understand, was that He was there all along. He hurt when I hurt. He cried when I cried. His heart was for me, just as I was. He was calling me all along. But I didn’t hear His voice over my pain. When my pain finally subsided a little, I heard this voice calling my name. I looked around and it seem that no one was talking to me. But He was. The day that I gave Him my life and He gave me His, I made a covenant with Him, a life for a life. My allegiance and life belong to God. I made a commitment to Him. That was 40 years ago. With that commitment, I had no fear of what man or devils could do to me. With no fear, I became courageous. What I became was a friend indeed. I will work in the kingdom until I go home. You too can know this friend, who has loved you before time began. God is calling you home. Listen and obey, and you too can become a friend indeed.
Absolute Power
Absolute power corrupts absolutely. This saying has been proven over and over again. And yet man still tries to obtain absolute power through every conceivable way. About 100 years ago, a young man, destroyed by WWI, tried to conquer the world. What he did was to destroy a nation and kill over 130 million people. About 225 years ago, a young man tried to conquer the world and destroyed most of Europe. Over 2000 years ago, a young man took his soldiers and conquered his own country. Then he tried to conquer the world. His own friends killed him. Over 2500 years ago, a young man killed his own father to take control of the kingdom. He conquered many nations and died before he was 33 years old. There is nothing new under the sun, about the pursuit of power. It was in the beginning when a brother killed a brother because he was jealous. The only absolute power is in the hands of one who is not corrupted by earthly things. That is because He created them. God is all powerful. Even one of God angels tried to take the power away from God, was cast into hell. Jesus said that He said this angel and his followers fell from heaven like lightning. Unfortunately, this angel and his followers fell onto earth. And has been a plague to man ever sense. God knows how power can corrupt man. So that is why we have to ask God to intervene. Because it is His power not ours. As we build our faith and belief in God, we can get closer to God. With our faith, God will answer our prayers and use His power to help man. Do you know why the world is in such a turmoil? The stage is being set for the return of Jesus. As the bible says, seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you.
