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.

Looking For Angels

Everyone out there in this world today is searching for something. You see people in the store, you pass by them on the street, you may even talk to them face to face... whether they know it or not, they are all searching for something.

People turn to drugs, sex, money, alcohol, suicide, and the list goes on. They are all looking for their own form of angel to swoop down and take them away from their problems, their heartache, and their struggle; Looking for a problem solver, miracle worker, get out of jail free card, clean slate, etc. People out there are just dying to find a light at the end of the tunnel. I wonder what some of them think... "Will it ever end?" "I don't know what to do!" "I wish someone would just help me!"

The 'something' that they need is Jesus. They may not know it, but it's God that they need. Passing by people with so much anger on their face, some with tears in their eyes... THEY NEED GOD! They're crying out inside to someone, anyone to help them!

We should be their angels! What we are called to do is to be a light and a witness to this lost and dying world. They need it! They need us! They need more than what they have now! They're looking, they're wondering what the point is... We should show them.

We are called to reach the lost. We are ALL called to show this world Jesus! We need to reach our city, our state, our country, and our world! God is coming soon. People are out there looking for something... why not do what we are supposed to do and show them Jesus!?

What will you do to make a difference, to make a change, to help someone along the way? A handshake, a smile, picking up the check at a restaraunt.... They're looking! They're looking for something! Be their shining light. SHOW THEM JESUS! In a sense, we can be their angels.

J.H.

Star Light, Star Bright

Ever been lost in the woods or seen a tv show where people are lost and trying to find their way? What's the first thing they usually do? Look for the North Star right? They find the one thing that's always there to find there way out of the woods and to find direction to where they need to be.

I discovered something a few days ago about this North Star. One scientist and researcher said that one scientific meaning for the North Star actually means three stars in one. Think about that...

Jesus, the same yesterday, today, and forever! He's God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost! ALL THESE THREE ARE ONE! I John 5:7-8 puts it this way: For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8: And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

So in a sense, Jesus is our North Star. He is our guiding light and He stands out from among the rest. If you're lost you can look to Him for guidance and direction. Look to Him to tell you where you are, where you're going, and how you're going to get there. Trust in Him with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path (Pro. 3:5-6).

No matter how far you've ran from God, no matter the problem you face, no matter if you think you're too far gone, look to God for your help. He is our strength, our provider, and our hope. God can make a way where there seems to be no way. Through Him is love, peace, and life more abundantly. God will be your direction. He will guide you and keep you on the right path. With God, all things are possible. There are no wrong turns when you trust Him.

Look up, find Him, and follow.

J.H.

Can You Hear Me Now?

I would venture to say that all of you out there know the story behind the man in this picture here. Verizon wireless is known very well for this guy and all of his commercials. Just saying six words... "Can you hear me now? Good."

These kinds of commercials are always a bit amusing to me. People all around are in competition to get the public to have their particular brand of clothing, kind of car, and even phone service. No surprise here, but this makes me think of my spiritual life...

There's a story in I Samuel about a man named Goliath. Not your average Joe here by any means. This guy was a giant. The problem I have with Goliath is the same problem David had with him. Goliath defied the army of Israel and cursed the Lord Almighty. We all know the story... David had God on his side, went out and slew Goliath.

Let's jump to present day: Our enemy (or Goliath) is in fact ole slewfoot himself. The devil wants nothing more than for you to be afraid just as the Israelites were. Satan is trying his very best to get you to remain quiet and just do nothing about the problems and torment he tries to bring on you and your life. He's shouting at you, defying your God, telling you that you can't make it, you'll never be good enough, and you'll always be bound to your problems.

Friends, we have to shout back at the enemy! MAKE SOME NOISE!!! David was only a shepherd boy tending to his father's sheep. Had some problems (a lion and a bear) but he trusted in God and was able to conquer those battles. When it came time for Goliath, David knew where to turn... Just like before, God brought him through because he was not afraid to shout back at the enemy!

Young people (and old, middle aged, etc.) MAKE SOME NOISE! Let the enemy know who you are, what you stand for, and that you're still here and not going anywhere! Make sure the devil knows you exist and that you're not going to sit down and take his junk anymore.

David shouted back at Goliath letting him know that God is on his side and that he would prevail. He ran to the battle line, shot his stone and won the victory. Now YOU: Shout at the enemy! Let him know that nothing formed against you shall prosper. Stand on God's Word and His promises. Make yourself loud and clear. Then run full-force to the battle line, pull out your sword, which is the Word of God, and kill your giant!

No more settling for what trouble the enemy hands you! No more dealing with the torment he tries to bring on you! Sing it, "No more chains holding me, from now on I am free. I'M GONNA SHOUT IT OUT LOUD!!!" Make yourself heard! Run to the battle line and take back what's yours! Take it! Take it by force! It's YOUR lost family, it's YOUR relationships, it's YOUR victory! Take it! Take it! Take it!

The enemy has been waiting for you to just give up. Just curse God and die, like he tried on Job. Well, after you've made yourself heard, after you've done so much for God and dove so deep into a relationship with Him that nothing the enemy tries against you can prosper, turn and ask him... "Can you hear me now"?

J.H.