Mind's Eye

One of the hardest thing to do for some people is to trust another person. To truly trust another human takes a lot. To our humanistic way of thinking, we always have that thought in the back of our mind that the other person is going to end up being a liar and betraying us. We hope that we're not going to be made to look like a fool or regret it that we trusted in another, but there's no doubt that it crosses your mind when you give in and truly trust someone.

There are individuals, some I know personally, that think this way: If you can't see it, feel it, have it proved then it's not real or not gonna happen...

It's hard to believe in what you can't see, but that's exactly what faith is. Can you catch the wind? Can you see the breeze? Of course not, but you know it's there. You can't see it, but you know it's there.

You can't trust only what you can see with your natural eyes. Trust and faith in God is what it's all about. Your mind's eye can show you more than what you see with your natural eyes. A mind's eye is defined as being able to see things with only your mind and not your eyes. Example: Have you ever actually seen a million dollars? No? That doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

Same way with God and things of the supernatural. In my mind I can see the face of Jesus smiling down on me. Despite my problems or fears, in my mind's eye I can see that I'm where I belong because I'm wrapped in His arms. I can ride the storm, endure the pain because He is my comfort even in the worst hurricane of my life's troubles.

Like the million dollars; have you ever seen God? No man has seen God, but it does not mean that He doesn't exist. Faith is believing what you cannot see. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (He 11:1).

We can't just trust and hope in what we can physically see with our human eyes. Rather, see and believe what is in your mind's eye. A spiritual vision of sorts.

Despite your situation or problems you may have, trust in the Almighty God. Look in your mind's eye and see yourself healed, see yourself saved, delivered, free, etc. In your mind's eye you can walk through anything and climb any mountain that you face. Your mind's eye is simply your faith.

You're not alone. Jesus is with you. You may not be able to physically see Him, all you may see is what's going on around you, but check your mind's eye and see and believe what He has for you.

J.H.

Bye Bye Bye

Today marks an important time in my life. I've had some real battles the past year. It's only by God that I've made it through and that I'm still going forward. I look back over my life in just the past 365 days and I am amazed. There was time when I didn't think I was going to make it. My life fell apart and I've got some scars to prove it. More and more my demeanor looked like quicksand. The pain kept going deeper into my soul. The problems I had were pulling me under, they had a tight grip around my throat trying to choke the very life out of me. My life was overwhelming.

But God was there! I look back and even though I didn't understand then, God had me in the palm of His hand the entire time. Even when times came that I made some progress and I felt like giving up everything I'd worked for, Jesus would pick me up and set me straight.

My past is gone! Your past is gone! There's no need to go looking for your past or the mistakes you made in it. The future is wide open for you. God is with you... don't turn your back on the greatest thing that you've ever had. Jesus is the only hope we have!

Embrace a new start today. Whatever you have in your past, forget it! Leave it behind you and move on... Move on in Jesus. Shake it off, pick yourself up, remember what you just learned, and move forward. It's time to gain some good ground.

Whatever is in your past, God forgave you and forgot about it. You have a new start, a second chance! Take this chance and see what God has in store. You don't have to live with the regret and pain of your past. you've got your own life to lead. You've got a new start. You've got Jesus!

Wave goodbye to the past and keep moving forward!

J.H.

Missing Pages

Ever been reading a magazine, book, etc. and discover that somethings missing? A page or two torn out... it drives me absolutely crazy. I just can't stand not knowing what was supposed to be there. I think about what the pages might have said, what information would be given to me if I had what was written on the torn out pages. The book or magazine obviously appeared worth reading or I wouldn't have picked it up, but now I'm at a loss because there is something missing.

We could relate our lives somewhat to this. On the outside people see the facade, see the clay that hides the true light of who you really are. No one knows the pain you feel, what you're up against, and how bad it really hurts. It's like you're fading away from your family, friends, church, and even your true self. There's nothing anyone can do to bring you back. The addictions you have and the black hole you've dug yourself into is just a symptom of a lost and dying soul.

You may feel that no one even knows you anymore, that you're lost inside the walls you've built with your own hands, feel like prisioner deep within your soul... There is hope. But there is only hope with Jesus.

There is so much more for you. This is NOT the end. There's hope in Jesus, but it's up to you. It's all in your hands and you have to choose not to throw it away... a chance, a hope, a light at the end of the tunnel. Despite what people may say or what you may think, you and your life are beautiful. You are God's child and His image, His beauty is underneath your skin.

Whatever situation you are faced with right now, there is one who sees it all. Jesus knows what you're going through. He sees the pain you have, He knows your thoughts and how you feel... He wants you to be free. He will give you a life that you've never even dreamed of. God has so much in store for you... all you have to do is let Him have control. Give your life and all your problems to Him and He will take care of it because He cares for you and loves you.

This is not the end of the rope for you. There's a beautiful life with so much to give inside you. God can still use you. All you have to do is let Him. Don't give up. The pages of your life's book may be torn out by your past, but God can fill your life with so much... Love, peace, forgiveness, and so much more.

Despite your current situation, let go and let God have control. He can and will fill the missing pages.

J.H.

Break Free

Those days of feeling down and out come to us all. There are times when I don't even feel like getting up in the morning. It's then I have to remind myself of something I already know and understand. God is on my side and I don't have to feel the way I do.

Every time I start to feel like a failure or like my life is going nowhere, I just have to shake it loose. I remind myself that I'm a child of the King and He still has a plan for me and my life. No one can take that away from me because only God gave it to me.

I think of how Pharaoh kept telling the children of Israel to go but then change his mind. It had to be hard for the people. Moses kept saying to let the people go so that they may serve the Lord their God. They were bound and trapped by the enemy and could not go and serve God. Anyone besides me feel like that sometimes?

The enemy may have you bound, you may think you're nothing and that there is no point in trying anymore... just shake it loose! Shake those chains off and be free. Break free from the disease of sin and what the devil tries to tell you. He is a liar and the father of all. Don't give in to what the enemy tries to whisper in your ear.

You have power over the enemy, God's Word says so... "God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, love, and a sound mind" (II Ti 1:7). You have power so use it against the adversary. You have love and perfect love casts out fear. You have a sound mind... that's your peace.

Shake loose everything that tries to bind you up. God said you can make it so why listen to anything that tries to tell you otherwise?! You've got the power and the enemy knows that. Use the power that God gave you and break free!

J.H.

Makes Me Wonder

Ever had those days where nothing you did was right? The days that seem like you shouldn't have even got out of bed and that nothing you do matters? You ask yourself things like, "What's the point?" or "Why try?" You find yourself questioning things like God and if He's even there, questioning your calling, your purpose, and even your very existence.

We've all been there I'm sure. We all wonder when the hurt will go away, when the situation will resolve, etc. It just makes you wonder where God is in all your dilemma and why He's not running to save you.

Don't get me wrong here, I've not had a bad day today. I'm just thinking of when we do feel this way, what we do about it and how we look at it. We can sit in our sorrow and blame everyone else, feel sorry for ourselves, or we can have a different outlook.

Romans 5:3 puts it this way: ...but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience. One version of this replaces 'tribulations' with 'suffering'. You may see what you're going through as suffering, but maybe God is trying to teach you something. Trials and things of this life come to make us stronger and to see what we're made of.

Things happen and situatinos come our way, but it's what we do with what we're faced with that will determine the outcome. You can take your problems, give them to Jesus and watch them turn around for the good.

When you get through your situation (and you will), you'll be better, smarter, stronger. Instead of thinking how bad everything is for you, take it like this... trials come to make us stronger and perfect us. It should make you wonder about what a great blessing that God has in store for you when you come through your problems. Yes, I said when because you will get through whatever comes your way with Jesus. Let Him take care of you. Then you can sit back and just ponder the great things He has for you after your storm.

Kinda makes you wonder now huh...

J.H.

Hoot!

Well an interesting title to say the least. I recently got back home from being in Arizona for almost two months. One day I was there, me and some of my family were watching my nieces and nephews as they enjoyed one of their movies. A particular part of this flick had a tree, yes a tree, that said "hoot". It was pretty funny... Then, my three-year-old nephew, Andrew, started repeating it. Not the rest of the movie, just the hoot part. I even have a recording on my phone of him repeating that over and over.

The next few days went by and my family and I still had one word going over and over in our heads. Andrew kept saying "hoot" so much that we just couldn't forget it. What a three-year-old boy said affected us; our conversation, our thoughts, etc. We just could not get away from "hoot".

Don't get me wrong here, this was funny in all sorts of ways, but it got me thinking... One little guy said something so much and in such a way that it affected the people around him. Honestly, I still have "hoot" in my head.

Think about this... what if we were to do something similar to Andrew? Instead of saying "hoot" repeatedly, what if we were to say things and do things that had to do with God?!

I wonder if all we said had something to do with giving God glory and praise, how would it affect the people around us? How close would we be to Jesus if everything we said and did had to do with Him in some way?!

If we would all just have Jesus in our speech, our actions, our thoughts, etc. I believe that we can affect people around us... at school, work, restaurants, in everyday life, etc. Andrew kept saying one word that I don't think my family will ever forget... what if we spoke Jesus and His Word with everyone around us?! Just think how that would affect the people around us for the good. We have the ability to change things around us for the good. If we just speak Jesus. We do that by the things we say and do. People must see Him in us.

Think about it... just reflecting Jesus in all we say and do. The affects will be a hoot!

J.H.

Mirror, Mirror

The use of the mirror has evolved for me recently... I turned 23 a week and a day ago. Some tell me that I'm young, others tell me I'm old. When I look in the mirror, I see a guy who's getting older yes, but not one who is that old... even though I did find a grey hair.

We all use a mirror to see how we look. It's like the mirror is something we go to and say, "Am I good enough?" or "What do I need to change?" The mirror has always told us in sense who we are. But if we rely on a mirror, we will soon find it's not easy to try and be perfect.

Let's take a deeper look into our life's mirror... Take a look at your reflection. We need to remember the one who made us and look into His eyes. Because despite what we may see or think of ourselves, to Him, we have beauty beyond compare.

We look in the mirror and see all those little imperfections and start thinking of how to fix them. I believe in self-help and all, but when we become so obsessed with what we look like on the outside, we may be lacking in how we look to God on the inside. It may be a little disturbing seeing the flaws that you may have (inside and out), but the beautiful thing about this is knowing that God can fix us... whatever the need, whatever the situation.

What is a mirror to tell us that we're less than what we should be, or to tell us a long list of what to do for our self-improvement? A mirror does not define who we are. Jesus made each and every one of us. He is the one that tells us who we are, where we're going, and what to do.

Our life's mirror should be reflecting not how good we look or what a great person we are, but the mirror of our everyday life should reflect Him and His goodness. As Christians we are called to reach our world and show them Jesus, but how can anyone see God in us if we are too concerned with ourselves?

Jesus is the one who can take care of our problems, our flaws, failures, and whatever life brings us. He is the one who created us in His own image. Don't give in to the impression the mirror gives you. Despite what you me see with your physical eyes, you are beautiful and you are fearfully and wonderfully made by a God who loves you and sees you through the eyes of a Saviour.

Sorry mirror, you don't define me.

J.H.

Falling For You

I am so in love!!! It's a great feeling! To think that I have someone that I can run to, depend on, and share my deepest feelings with is so amazing. We could run through anything together and if I fell behind, they would be right there to pick me up and help me along the way. I have a child-like love and it keeps on growing.

As great as this sounds, there was a time that I went my own way, away from the one I loved. I walked away and bought the lie that I didn't need them anymore. Even with that being said, they waited for me like a lover that wouldn't go of their bride. Even though I'd turned my back on them, they didn't seem to shed a tear about it. I think it's because they knew me so well that they knew I would be back.

When the storms of this life get to tough, when my feet were bruised from walking through rough terrains... when my life's winter season left me cold, lonely, and broken, they were right beside me.

In the midst of my troubles, I remembered my love. I came to my senses, came running back to the place where we had started. It was for real this time. I was falling head over heels again and it felt so right.

As some or all out there may think, I'm not talking about a girl I'm crazy about or even a person. No, I am talking about the one and only Jesus Christ. He is my life, my world, and my everything. I went astray in my past; but once I realized that He had never left me, once I figured out that He was right there waiting where we parted, I came running back to Him.

Jesus is all I need. I am a blessed man and it's all because of Him. I'm falling for Him over and over. My Jesus is the best thing that has ever happened to me. It feels so good to be wrapped in His arms. He never left me, it was me that chose to stay behind. His love gives me freedom to run back to Him when I fall.

Jesus. The greatest love that I've ever known!

J.H.

SAFE!!!

Some of you out there that know me well know that I'm a baseball guy. I enjoy all sports, but I really like my baseball. I was watching a game last night. I wasn't all that into it because I was about to fall asleep. A player hit a grounder toward third, defense picked it up and threw to first. Usually this would've resulted in an out, but this batter had ran so hard he made it to first and was safe. This was right after he fouled the ball off his foot. This got me thinkin...

This player was hurt, but he played through his pain. You could say he was down, but not out. He made contact with the ball and took off hard and straight towards his goal. He had nothing on his mind except getting to that base to be safe.

How alike is our lives today, in a sense like this particular situation? We might get hurt and stumble along lifes journey, but we persevere. We finally see our problems start to resolve and get a little better. What the difference is between people who make it to first safe or get thrown out is our desire. Desire makes a way, lack of desire makes an excuse.

We are human. Problems come and life just happens, but it's what we do with the situations we are faced with that will make the difference. Will we give up, say it's too hard and get thrown out? Or will we run hard, straight, and with our eyes on the prize?

Unlike the player last night, our race is not for the swift or the really fast people, but it's for the ones that will endure. Our race toward heaven is a straight and narrow path, but if we keep our eyes on the prize as we press toward the mark of God's high calling (Phi 3:14), run steady and stay focused, we will be safe.

Jesus is our strong and mighty tower. The Bible says that His name is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe (Pro 18:10). He is our strong tower, a shelter, a fortress, a place where no fear, no doubt, and no evil thing can enter. The name of Jesus is our refuge.

Friends, run steady and straight. You may run into bumps in the road, you'll face things of this life that aren't so great, but just keep your eyes fixed on Him, keep your heart focused, and your mind made up. Run to our Jesus who is our strong tower, and you will be safe.

J.H.

3, 2, 1...

It's a countdown people! God is soon to return! Any minute, any second now... Pretty soon we'll see the eastern sky split wide open. I can't help but feel like shoutin right about now!

Sometimes I wish I could've been alive and seen Jesus walk this earth when He came here before. It would've been great to see Him perform miracles and just be around Him. But I think all of us today will get the better end of the deal. We get to see Him come again in all His glory to take His people away.

When Jesus was on this earth before, He had a plan. His sole purpose was to die for you and me. He was born just to die. But because of His death, we can live. Our sins are forgiven, we are healed because of what He came and did for all of mankind. The three nails and a piercing in His side made a way for us to live. We all know how this story goes, He died and rose three days later. But it was definitely not an easy road to travel for a man...

Three nails in His body, two outstretched arms (for you and me), and one crown. I really don't believe that it was the nails that kept Him there on the cross. He could've saved Himself yes, but His everlasting, uncomprehensible love for us is what made Him stay.

Jesus rose from the grave... but He had to go through a whole lot before that happened. Friends, it might be hard at times, but there is hope and there will be a better day for you. Jesus died for our salvation, He was beaten for our healing. Stand on His Word and claim your promise!

Things may get rough at times, but if we just take His hand and trust Him, He will lead us through it. We might have to endure the pain of this life... hey, we're human and things happen. But just like Jesus went to the cross before He rose from the dead, we can endure the hardships of this life. There's a blessing at the end of your hard road, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but there's not a crown without a cross.

Stand strong, push through your problems and situations. Soon, everything in this world will blow and be no more. We will be in heaven with our Saviour! Stand strong child of God. Jesus is soon to return for us! He's gonna split the sky wide open! Watch for it, He will come down undefeated, undisputed, in 3, 2, 1...

J.H.

Man Down

Ever felt like there is no point in getting up in the morning, going to work, or even living? Ever felt like, "What's the point?" or "Why am I here?" I'm sure at some time or another all of us have felt a little like this. Well take courage my friends... God has a plan for you and your life. You are here for a reason. No matter what happened in your past, no matter what mistakes you think have driven you too far away, God can still use you and make something great out of you.

You have a reason to live. God can and will make a way for you. But there's some things you have to do to prepare yourself for God's move in your life... The carnal man has to die. A man cannot serve two masters, so says the Word. You can't live the way you want and serve God at the same time. Surrender your life to the hands of Him. Your flesh will try to tell you otherwise and attempt to convince you that you're nothing and it's just not worth it... But keep that carnal man down. The old man has no reason to exist in your life. God gave you a brand new start. Die to your flesh, and live forever. (I Cor. 15:31 - ... I die daily.)

Your past is gone. It has no place in your life and the only one who will tell you otherwise is Satan himself. You are free from your sin! The carnal man has no reason to exist anymore. Crucify your flesh with a daily walk with God. Leave your burdens at the feet of Jesus like He says to do in His Word. (Ps 55:22) Keep that carnal man down, rise up and live forever! It's worth it all when we get to see Him.

J.H.