Delay Can Determine a Better Decision

Based on the title I instantly think about the times my husband and I were traveling and wanted to get into the hotel early.  On two occasions the hotels couldn't let us in until 3PM which is the standard time, but we wanted to get in right away.  Turned down by our first choice, each time, we found a better deal just across the road.  The most important time that delay determined a better decision was when we missed being part of a major car pile up on the highway.  You see, when we traveled we would often make quick over night stops to get some sleep, and we would be up and out first thing in the morning, but, thank God, not this particular morning.  We decided to take it slow and spend some quality time with each other.  We actually drove up on the wreckage, in Durham, North Carolina, just after it had happened.  God was truly looking out for us that day!

How many times are we impatient - waiting in traffic; waiting at the doctors office; waiting for someone slower than we are [children, someone physically challenged]; waiting on God?  How many times after the fact were we glad that someone or something forced us to wait, especially when it comes to God making us wait.  God knows what is best for us at all times. He will allow one door to close so that another one, a better one can open.

How about the 9/11 terrorist tragedy that took place in New York City.  Who can ever forget the horrors of that terrible time, but remember the many stories of the people who were saved by never getting to work because something delayed their arrival.  Sometimes delay can determine a better decision that can lead to life or death.

Delay teaches us to have patience, and that quick, fast and in a hurry isn't always the answer.

Our blessings may be delayed, but they are not denied.  We make plans, but we have to give God time because, after all, He makes the final decisions.

Psalm 37:7-9

Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret, it leads only to evildoing. For evildoers will be cut off, But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.

Weary, Weak, Wounded & Worn

Weary: tired, exhausted

Weak: lacking strength, feeble, fragile, defenseless, easily influenced, faint

Wounded: injury, hurt from cut, stab, etc.

Worn: valueless or useless, exhausted

Life does all of the above to us.  And, once life finishes wearing us out, the devil comes along to take advantage of the situation.

When we are weary because of being tired and totally exhausted we can hardly think right, and Satan loves to manipulate our minds.  That is where he starts - in the mind.  He plants a thought.  This is so easy for him to do because we're exhausted from our jobs, children, spouses, cares and woes and/or just striving to be a real Christian.  Being a Christian is a blessing, but it ain't always easy.  It's rough taking stuff from the world (all the time) and running out of cheeks, but GOD.  Isaiah 40:31 But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.  [ESV]

We're weak because we have given all we have to give and then some, but everybody just keeps on taking.  Our defenses are down and we become easy prey because we didn't pray to be restored or we prayed, but we didn't have faith.  Our faith has waned because patience has pushed our endurance to the test (no test, no testimony).  Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

There is nothing more deceitful than someone smiling in your face and all the while stabbing you in the back. You know the song: "They smile in your face; all the time they want to take your place the back stabbers." Everybody that's with you ain't for you.  When we are wounded in the heart because (not the world) but another brother or sister-in-Christ, (not a stranger) but a close loved one has, without compassion or consideration, stepped all over it; we can't go to a doctor to get it fixed, but we can turn to the Great Physician.  Isaiah 53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and mad whole. [Amplified]

Wow, so worn down by life until we feel useless and of no value.  The most depressing, self degrading thoughts come from thinking we have no more value in this life.  Nobody cares about me; I don't really count in the scheme of things; they don't take me serious, heck, they don't even see me - I'm invisible; they don't see my tears; they don't feel my pain; they don't hear me screaming; yet, I'm doing all of this right in front of them, but it's like we are in two different worlds - worlds apart.  I'm begging, out loud, for help, but my cries are falling on deaf ears.  I'm baring my soul and all they can do is console me with the same old, typical stuff. LORD, help us in our understanding!   Psalm 139:13-16 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.


1 Peter 5:10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

We're going to be alright because God's in charge and He has it all under control.  "It's Already Alright!"

Marriage, God's Way

My wife and I have been married a long time, and just like other marriages, we have had our ups and downs. But, by the grace of God; and shear will and determination, we have held onto our love for each other.   As friends first, we decided long ago that we wanted to go down life's road together.   It appears that marriages that do survive are built from being friends first.  The statistics are alarming; about 40% of marriages end in divorce, and this statistic is as prevalent among Christians as it is in secular society.   Now there are a lot of reasons for this; financial, infidelity, unpreparedness, expectations, etc.  All of these are long term responsibilities.  When we first see a person it is the physical attraction that captures our attention.   And, when we first get together with another person we are like a kid with a new toy.   Once the newness wears off we lose interest.   Again, we are like a kid with a pet.  We want all of the fun parts and none of the parts that need us to invest time and work to make good things happen and last.  When the going gets tough, we fall out.  We're looking at marriage based on the "hot" beginning and not the reality of a lifetime of work, of nurturing, of feeding it.   Now with all of the distractions, the temptations, the anti-marriage enticements that exist in society, it is difficult to stand strong in the commitment that was made, but a commitment was made to each other, and this covenant was made before God! [By the way, did you know that the only relationships that represent a covenant is our relationship with God, and our relationship in a holy marriage sanctioned by God; also God created marriage to show that two people from different walks of life could live together in harmony!] When a man and woman get married, they have become a union of one.

Matthew 19:4-6
"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh' ? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

Now, let's look at two of the main reasons for marital strife, stress and divorce - money and infidelity (adultery/cheating). [By the way, did you know that, and I'm paraphrasing, the Bible says that when you look with lust at another human being that you have already committed adultery? Money is not the root of all evil. It is the love of money that is evil. It is not a sin to have it, it is what one does with it that counts.]

Hebrews 13:4, 5
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.   Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

The bottom line is this, if we want to have a successful, happy, joyous marriage, let God be in charge and in control of our marriages, and all other areas of our lives.   Read His Word daily in order to know the dos and the don'ts, and to stay on the right track.

Ephesians 5:22, 25
"Wives, be subject (be submissive and adapt yourselves) to your own husbands as [a service] to the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her," (Amplified)


“A man doesn’t own his marriage; he is only the steward of his wife’s love.” ~ Edwin Louis Cole (Ed Cole)

Depression, An Old Trick of the Enemy!

The enemy (devil, Satan) wants our minds, and he doesn't care how he gets it.

Depression, much like the rest of it's family - fear and chaos, can be debilitating and paralyzing.  The enemy is very clever about manipulating our emotions; getting us to focus on the things that will make us depressed and keep us from progressing forward in our lives, especially in the direction of spiritual wisdom and freedom.  My husband has a saying that I believe holds true - "Once you get a man's mind, you don't have to worry about his actions."  Depression will weigh us down.  It will zap our energy and/or strength.  Depression is prevalent right now in the world and Christians are not exempt from this attack.  As a matter of  fact, we are attacked more and worse than any others because we know the truth and are a threat to the enemy because he doesn't want us telling others what we know.  Well get ready Satan because I'm about to unleash a can of Christian whoop out on you!  Let me tell you what I know!  Let me tell you what I know from personal experience, preaching, and teaching.  When you become depressed it will usually be on the same day; at the same time, and about the same thing and, most likely, you are alone.  If you can, don't let the enemy find you at that place any more.  Change your location by going out for a walk at that time, make a phone call, visit someone, etc.  If you can't get out, praise your way out (read the Bible, talk with God, play gospel music, watch a Christian program, or maybe you just need to laugh - watch something funny).  The enemy is not omnipresent like our Lord.  When you change your location he can't find you to mess with you.  Besides, when you become active and/or busy your mind is already too occupied for the enemy to invade.  When you have a praise party it will send the enemy running out of your life and back to hell where he belongs.  Alleluia!  Be the victor and not the victim.  Remember, the enemy plants thoughts but they are fake and don't become real until you accept them, and give life and power to those fake thoughts from the enemy.

James 1:1-5 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  (NKJV)

Forgiven But Not Forgotten

There was a very sweet, dear person in my life at one time.  She was a woman of God, my confidant, and more to me, but one of her greatest flaws was not being able to forget the wrong that others had done to her.  She and I would talk about how we forgive, but a certain name and/or situation would trigger a negative response and reveal the fact that we had not forgotten.  And, we would be off and running - talking about what they did to us five years ago, maybe more.  You see forgiveness is just on the surface while deep seeded roots of bitterness cling to our heart strings!  Just the other day I was having a conversation with someone else close to me and something was said to trigger a negative reaction, from this person, about people from the past.  Now, I believe that we truly do forgive, but unfortunately we do not forget.  It is interesting how as I get older the memory is not what it use to be (not that it was all that in the first place) but no matter what I forget, I can remember in great detail all the wrongs that were ever done to me.  Sometimes when one person remembers a wrong and shares it with you, you can get pulled into that negativity and only help fuel the fire higher.  We (Christians) like to say: "I can forgive, but I can't forget."  I heard Dr. Karry D. Wesley of Antioch Fellowship say: "God is waiting for us to forget what they did to us."  I think we need to practice language that supports the Word of God, and positive thinking rather than practicing language that supports our wrong, negative thinking.  So, how do we get out of this rut of stink'in think'in.  Let us practice, through the Word of God, forgetting the wrong done to us, and remembering what God says not to forget.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.  It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.  God uses it to prepare and equip His people to do every good work.

Psalm 141:3-5 Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.  Don't let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness.  Don't let me share in the delicacies of those who do wrong. Let the godly strike me!  It will be a kindness!  If they correct me, it is soothing medicine.  Don't let me refuse it. 

Psalm 119:15-16 I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.  I will delight in your decrees and not forget your Word.

James 1:26 If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.

MAY THE LORD ADD A BLESSING TO THE READERS, HEARERS, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THE DOERS OF HIS PRECIOUS, MIGHTY, BLESSED WORD.  AMEN

Not Just Hanging In There !

 Probably, many a time that you have asked someone,  "How are you doing?" and they responded back by  saying,   "Oh, I'm hanging in there."  There's a friend of mine that when I ask him, "How are you doing?" his answer is always the same.  He says,  "I'm doing great, but I'm getting better."  Isn't that a terrific attitude?  What a positive thing to say!  But, does a positive response really matter?  When you ask someone: "How are you doing?"  You get any number of different responses like, "Oh,  alright I guess," or, "I'm so, so."  But a very popular response is, "I'm hanging in there."  Hanging in there?!  You're just hanging in there?!  Is that your assessment of how your life is going right now, just hanging in  there?  Now to me, that sounds like one step away from hanging on for dear life, or, maybe at the end of  your rope!  Hanging in there, like that cute little kitten, on the poster, barely hanging onto a tree branch with the slogan "Hang in There Baby."  Do you really want to spend the rest of your life just hanging in there?  So your mind set is that each day is really tough, but I think I  can make it.  I think I just might pull through another day. I'm hanging in there!  Is that what God has in mind  for mankind?  To struggle through each day and just hang in there?

 What about living life to the fullest?  That truly is God's desire for your life!  It's written all over the pages of  scripture.  But, somewhere along the way somebody came along and said that Christians aren't supposed  to be happy; they are suppose to suffer through their whole lives.  Somebody came along and said that Christians weren't supposed to have prosperity, but instead, be poor,  or just get by.  They came along and said that Christians shouldn't live victorious lives, but instead they  should be a doormat for Jesus and have everyone walk all over them.

 People have said a lot of those things, but are those things true?  No. Those things are not true and those  things are very illogical as well.  These people have not read the Word of God.  God is not illogical.

 Think about this for a moment.  If Christians are children of God, with the Creator of the heavens and earth  as their Father, then why should they be the saddest, poorest, and most defeated people on earth?  Wouldn't it make more sense that Christians should be the happiest and most victorious people on the      planet?

 The question is this: Is it God's will for you just to hang in there?  No, it is not, but remember, you have free  will to choose the course for your life.  You can choose "just to hang in there," or, you can choose to believe  what the Bible really teaches.

 That doesn't mean that you ignore the fact that things are not going well, and simply say, "Oh everything is  just great."  I'm not talking about living in a make believe world.  When things happen, it is not make believe,  it is very real.  But, what is your choice of thinking in those situations?  How do you react?  It is not what you go through, but how you go through it that counts.

 The next time things are not going well and someone asks you, "How are you doing?" why not reply, "A little  intense right now, but I am praying, expecting and anticipating a solution.  I am expecting for things to  change dynamically!"  There is a big difference in saying that as opposed to saying, "I'm hanging in there."  You may be facing trials and tribulations, but you can always say: "It is well with my soul."

 A huge key in life is that what comes out of your mouth came from you.  It came from your mind.  It is an  outward expression of what's going on inside your head and your heart.  The Bible says that as you think in your heart, that  is who you will be.  The Scriptures also say that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks!  Not only that, but once you say it, you hear it, and that also reinforces it into your mind and heart.  What  you choose to continually reinforce is what you will manifest into your life.

 So, if you really feel each day that you are just hanging in there, and that is how your life is going to proceed,  you will just keep hanging in there. But, if you want to change and live dynamically and successfully, start by  addressing your own thoughts.  Along with that, start adjusting what comes out of your mouth.   Refuse to  admit negatives and defeat, and instead speak positives and victory.  There are times when we are dealing with challenges. But why would we want to admit that the best that we can do now is just to “hang in there?”  God promised a lot more!  And, if we trust and have faith in God we know that we already have the victory on this side and the other side of Heaven.

Psalm 43:5 Amplified: "Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me?  Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the help of my [sad] countenance, and my God.

" It Is No Secret What God Can Do" by Stuart Hamblen

God awoke me this morning and this song was on my mind... Thank you Jesus!

It is no secret what God can do.
What He’s done for others, He’ll do for you.
With arms wide open, He’ll pardon you.
It is no secret what God can do.
The chimes of time ring out the news,
Another day is through.
Someone slipped and fell
Was that someone you?
You may have longed for added strength,
Your courage to renew.
Do not be disheartened,
For I have news for you.
It is no secret what God can do.
What He’s done for others, He’ll do for you.
With arms wide open, He’ll pardon you.
It is no secret what God can do.
There is no night for in His light
You never walk alone.
Always feel at home,
Wherever you may go.
There is no power can conquer you
While God is on your side.
Take Him at His promise,
Don’t run away and hide.
It is no secret what God can do.
What He’s done for others, He’ll do for you.
With arms wide open, He’ll pardon you.
It is no secret what God can do.