Red Letters

This world is coming to an end... the economy is worse than it's ever been, jobs are being lost, financial trouble is everywhere. It seems everything in this wolrd is being turned upside down right before our eyes.

It's just a sign of the times. Jesus is soon to return. We can't allow ourselves to get distracted with the things of this life. Keep your eyes on the prize. Our goal here is heaven... not material possessions or things that are not profitable spiritually.

We have hope. We have a game plan. We have something that is a solid foundation in this uncertain time in which we live... the red letters.

Red letters in the Bible signify the words of Jesus. When everything around you is falling apart, when you don't know what to do or where to go, turn to the Word of God. There's no one better to listen to than Jesus. His words are forever, His promises are sure, He's the same yesterday, today, and forever!

He came to this earth to seek and save those that are lost. He came to this earth and forever changed the course of history. The pages of the Bible are filled with His holy message. They're not just words on paper. It was sent down straight from heaven for every single one of us.

God's Word is the only thing that will last. We can turn to it for help and direction. There is love, truth, healing, hope for the hopeless, peace, forgiveness, there is life eternally in the red letters.

It's comforting to know that in these changing times, we always have the Word of God. It never changes. Trust in the promises of Jesus... trust in the red letters.

J.H.

Don't Get Comfortable

When you think everything is as it's always going to be, when you think your mountain will never move and you'll always be in the same position you are today, think again! Trials will come to all of us. We will all have problems in this life. But do not make the mistake of believing it will never be better. Our problems and trials come to make us stronger and to teach us something... tribulation works patience.

Troubled times will come your way, but don't think that it's over for you. Don't settle in just yet. God can take whatever situation you are in and turn it around for your good. He works everything for the good to those that love Him. We are His children, therefore, He is responsible for us. He will take care of us.

People are losing jobs, people all around are struggling with sickness and disease... cancer, kidney failure, etc. Jesus said to cast ALL our cares before Him because He cares for us. He wants our cares, our problems, our sickness.

Don't get comfortable with your situation! You don't have to be afraid, you don't have to settle for less, you don't have to stay in the same situation you're in! No matter what you've done in the past, God remains the same yesterday, today, and forever!

Don't settle in just yet... God is about to move the mountain in front of you and move you into His perfect will! Don't be satisfied with sickness, no job, etc. Have faith and trust our God to do what He says. Have faith in God... whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. (Mark 11:22-23)

Believe and trust in God. He is our strength, our deliverer, our redeemer, our hope! With God all things are possible! Don't get comfortable with you problem. God is about to do the miraculous in your life. Just trust and believe in Him and His mighty power! We have Jesus... through Him we will overcome!

Don't get comfortable... God's about to take you on the journey of a lifetime and take you deeper in Him! Everything is going to be alright! We have the victory in Jesus name!

J.H.

Crumble and Fade

We live in a world of material things. We find ourselves struggling to get an extra dollar on the hour just to spend it on something that we don't really need. This 'right now' society we live in is growing rapidly. We want, so we get... helping ourselves to everything that leaves us empty.

But what really matters here? Cars, houses, boats, computers, tv's, etc... What is it that really matters? We should ask ourselves if what we are gaining in this world is helping or hindering us.

We are living in uncertain times. Now is not the time to put your trust in material things. None of us can afford to stand on sinking sand. We must trust the Word of God and stand firmly on it! We can't hold on to the things of this world. Eventually, everything of this world and this life will be gone. So why try to gain what will not matter in the end.

What matters in the end is not that you were a good person, how much money you had, or how well-known you were... we've got to look deeper into this. Jesus is the only thing that matters! Serve God, live for Him, walk with Him daily, do His work... that's what will matter in the end.

Trying to keep up with all the things of this world is near impossible. It's too much to handle. Things of this life will pass away... but it's not bad news... the former things will pass away, but Jesus makes all things new.

To this world and everything in it, I say we just let go of it all. You cannot take anything on this earth to heaven with you. All the money, houses, cars, computers, recognition, and to everything else in this world... let it fade. It will be forever gone when the trupet sounds!

We must be ready for the second coming of Jesus Christ! We can't stand on our own. We need Jesus... if you've been carrying a weight of your past, running from the call that God's given you, you can find rest in the arms of Jesus. You can hold onto Him and trust Him... He will never leave nor forsake you!

There is more to this life than material things... there's a new offer on the table for you; eternal life with Jesus. He is all we need! So let this old life crumble, forget about the things of this world... let it fade, and make Jesus your everything!

J.H.

Revolving Door

This is as new year. I have been constantly reminded that this is a year of new beginnings. The future is wide open. The things of the past are gone forever. What matters is what you will do with this new start. We all have a clean slate, but there are some who will not take advantage of 2009 as their year...

Some will pursue their destiny, ministry, and calling God has placed in their life. But sadly, there are some who will just stay the same and do the same ole things like they always have. Some have come accustom to the way their lives are and will choose to do nothing to try and change it.

It's like a revolving door in a mall or grocery store... you walk in, get what you need, and go right back out. But has anyone ever noticed that the door never moves??? It's always right there for you to go back to.

The trouble with this is that there is always a way out... a way to go back to your problems and old habits... you get in the church, get a touch from God, and instead of letting your past go and diving deep into a relationship with God, you fall back on old habits from the past and go right back out the same door.

You see, a revolving door isn't really a good thing... it stays in the same place and just goes in circles... (you see where I'm going here)

Our lives can be as a revolving door... stays in the same shape we've always been in, go around in a circle with the same problems, the same pain, and the same disappointment. But there is another way... you can choose to walk through the door God placed in front of you and never look back!

It's called the road less traveled. It's not popular, it may not be appealing to the natural eye, but it is a pathway to your destiny. Choose to walk on the road less traveled. God will lead you and guide you. He will be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path... He will never leave you nor forsake you.

You don't have to stay in the same situations you've always been in. You don't have to be the same way and deal with the same problems. Cast you burdens on Jesus because He cares for you... leave your problems with Him and let Him take care of them. Take this new year, lay your problems at the feet of Jesus, walk that road less traveled, and move forward!

J.H.

Sacred Hideaway

For the past month, I've been seeking the face of God in a different way. I want to know Him and be as close to Him as possible. I've been asking God to just tell me where He is... I want to run to Him and escape from this world and all it has in it.

This morning in prayer, I discovered something I hadn't before. I found a place in God like I've never known. A secret place where I can go to hideaway. I'm safe inside that hallowed space, concealed by saving grace. The only way I got there, was to continually seek the face of God; not what He can do for me, but simply seek Him... to know Him.

You see, to the natural mind and humanistic thinking, we can't logically define a love so divine as God's. A love that covers us, takes away our sin, and saves us. There's refuge and safety under His wing.

It's a place where you can run and be safe, where you find your strength, where you can just be with your creator and hear Him speak and discover what He has in store for you. It's sweet communion with Jesus.

Your life may be in a mess, the things of this world might have taken its toll on you. The enemy may be shooting flaming arrows at you, your so called friends may have disappeared... but there is a place where you can be safely out of sight of everything the enemy is throwing your way. When darkness tries to prevail, devils fight you tooth and nail, run away to your secret place. It's a place that lies just beneath what is real and what is seen, a shadow you can't see when you're underneath His wing.

When you wake or when you sleep, when you're strong or when you're weak, Jesus is always watching over you. The battle is His and He will keep you safe under His wing. Psalms 91:1-1,2,4 'He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2: I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. 4: He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.'

The only way you will find that secret place is to seek the face of God. Seek Him, not what He can do for you, but perhaps what you can do for Him... to know Him and to be close to Him. Everything you need is in Him. Listen to the voice of the Lord. Do what He says regardless. He knows what's best and He will take care of us. Don't set yourself up for a fall by going back to old habits and past mistakes; rather live a life committed to Him. Find strength, comfort, and safety in your sacred hideaway.

J.H.

Hold On Tight

Economy economy economy... something we all are hearing a lot about these days. We're all hearing of companies closing, people out of work, etc. There's lots of talk about who was elected in office, what their plans are, etc. But what are we trusting in??? The economy? The president elect? What are we really putting our hope and trust in?

It needs to be God. He's the only One that has control... not a man that's elected into office. It doesn't matter the situation or circumstance, Jesus is in control. He has each of us in the palm of His hand.

I'm not trying to be antagonistic to anyone in the White House, but our faith and trust should not be in 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. We should all put our trust in the only one who can bring us through any problem, any job or financial situation, anything we face! Our economy may be bad, but hold on tight child of God... our Father has everything in control.

Problems will come... some may lose jobs and struggle financially, others may face health situations; but whatever the case, GOD IS IN CONTROL!!! He never promised it would be easy here on this earth, but if we hold on tight to Him and His Word, we will be alright.

We will struggle and face circumstances in our lives, but don't give up. Proverbs says, 'Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not to thine own understanding.' Hang onto God's Word and His promises. Jesus has you in His hand. He knows everything you're going through and He knows just what we need. You are not forgotten... God knows your name.

Put your trust in God. He will come through right on time for you. Earthly things don't matter... if we would just know Him, (In all our ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Pro 3:6) Jesus will work everything for our good. God is good, He never fails. Hold on to Him and never let go.

J.H.

Heart Strings

It's something buried deep within your past, you're hoping it doesn't last. You've dealt with this before. The person you used to be. You've tried to put it behind you and move forward, but it just seems to keep coming back... your past creeping up behind you, old thoughts of what used to be... but it's just a the enemy trying to trick you and make you fall.

Do not be deceived! The devil wants you to fall back on old habits and go back to the way things used to be. If you've already dealt with past mistakes, gave it to God, then MOVE FORWARD! You don't have to chase those mistakes you made and try to fix them. The past is gone and there is no need to go looking for it. What matters is what you do about your future right now.

None of us are perfect, but we serve a perfect God. If you've truly repented then Jesus has forgiven you. You have a brand new start in this brand new year! Don't fade out... know that God loves you and can make something great out of you.

God has a plan and purpose for you. We all have a special calling that God has given us... start seeking it. Don't lose focus or get distracted. Be patient and let God open the doors for your ministry.

All throughout the Bible, it talks about being patient and waiting on God. You may think you're ready for whatever God has for you, but God's timing is better... His ways and thoughts are better than ours. Habakkuk says it this way... 'For the vision is yet for an appointed time... though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come...'

Hold onto God's promises and don't try to rush into your calling. Take the time that God gave you to wait on Him and prepare yourself. The vision God gave you and the ministry you have will always be there (the calling of God is without repentance).

You may be playing the song of your calling on the strings of your heart, but again, wait on the Lord. You still have your calling... the time spent waiting may be for fine tuning and preparing... His ways and timing is perfect. Let Him open the doors. A door that you have to blow open, isn't worth walking through.

So when your heart strings come undone, wait on Him.

J.H.

Red Sky

'Red sky in morning, sailors take warning; red sky at night, sailors delight' A quote I heard as just a young boy in school... It's probably a good thing someone explained it to me because I thought something was wrong with the earth if the sky was red; but after I paid attention and remembered how the saying went, I found out that it was a true statement. As I grew up, the sky tended to capture my eye. I found myself drifting off in thought as I would stare at one of the wonderous things God had made.

What continues to play over and over in my mind is that when I was very young, the sky used to scare me if it was any color other than blue. So perhaps in our spiritual life, we're young kids with a scary red sky.

Whatever you're going through, no matter what problems you may be facing, God has everything under control. It may get rough at times, especially when you don't have the answers and don't know how things will turn out... but look to the Word of God; Jesus said in Malachi, 'I am the Lord, I change not...' So if God never changes, His word never changes. 'Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever' (Heb. 13:8)

Jesus cannot fail or lie. If God has spoken to you, you can firmly believe that whatever He said will happen. He speaks to us through His Word. Hold onto the promises God has made to you! He does not change and He will always stand by His word.

You may be (in a sense) a young child afraid of the big, red sky... but take courage!!! God is bigger than any problem or situation in your life. In the middle of your dark night with a red sky, take courage... a red sky is actually another promise of God. A red sky is just a promise of a better day to come. Weeping may endure for a night, (with a red sky) but joy comes in the morning!

Take courage child of God! Your red sky is a promise that your morning will be beautiful! Enjoy your red sky, for it is nothing more than another promise of the Father.

J.H.