Thirty two years ago today my beautiful wife and I were married. It was a wonderful day, and a great party with friends and family. Every day since, we have faced the many joys and adventures of life, and sorrows and struggles together. Our love for each other holds us together, and as 1 John 4:19 tells us, “We love because Christ first loved us.”

I believe that God brought us together, and that our faith has strengthen our love for each other. I also believe our love for each other strengthens our faith. We have been incredibly blessed with wonderful children, loving extended families, many friends and a wonderful Church family. I pray that everyone could have the same.

Solomon wrote in in Proverbs 4:18, “Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth.” I am incredibly blessed to have a beautiful, confident, caring, faithful Christian wife!

Happy Anniversary Liz!

Dear Lord, Help us remember that we can love because you first loved us, and this love is what truly holds us together. How thankful and grateful Liz and I are that you have given us each other. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

In Romans 12:9 Paul tells us, “Hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good.” Most of the time, we can look at a situation, and differentiate the good from the evil (bad), though we may have trouble overcoming the temptation toward what we know is wrong.

Some of you may have heard this from a Pastor we know, he has a concise practical way to follow Paul’s direction saying, “Touch holy things, and don’t touch evil things.” The “touch” is meant to include what we see, or hear, as well.

James tells us in James 4:7, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

If we want to make an improvement in our lives and our walk in Faith, a big step is deciding to turn toward the good and turn away from the evil.

Dear Lord, Help us make the decision to turn from evil and resist the devil. Then give us the strength to hold fast to what is good. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Throughout generations, there have been thousands of powerful, brilliant, inspiring, and successful people. Many of these people have made incredible contributions to mankind. However their power is limited to the bounds of earth. Their influence may continue through institutions, and information they leave after death, but they have no power after death.

Psalm 146:3-5 says, “Don’t put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there. When they breathe their last, they return to the earth and all their plans die with them. But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God.”

God is the eternal power, when we put our confidence in him, and faith in Jesus Christ, we know we are protected beyond death, and into eternal life.

Dear Lord, What peace and joy it gives us when we truly put our hope in you for our protection and guidance. Help us see this truth and put it in practice in our lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Yesterday was the memorial service for Charlie Kirk, an amazing unashamed follower of Jesus, and grateful lover of the USA.

Over 100,000 people attended his memorial service in person, and estimated 10 million more watched remotely on television and internet streaming. Some of the most powerful people in the world attended and spoke about Charlie, but they also spoke the Gospel message. Among the many powerful messages was the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, succinctly delivering the message of God’s plan of salvation and account of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. Who could imagine?

Most amazing were the words of Charlie Kirk’s widow Erika who spoke the words of Jesus from the cross, “father forgive them for the know not what they do” and forgave the young man who is charged with killing her husband. Who could imagine?

Watching this brings to mind God’s words to Solomon when he completed the temple in Jerusalem. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14

I noticed a few new faces at church today. Could it be that God’s plan for Charlie would begin our nation’s return to Him with this tragedy. Who could imagine?

We can pray and wonder, “What craziness is happening in our world and country today?” But God is there responding, “Don’t you believe I know what I am doing?”

Lord thank you for the life and witness of Charlie Kirk, and the powerful witness of faith in You at his memorial. Energize us to be bold followers of Jesus, humbly pray and seek you so our land may be healed. Help us believe Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 2:9, “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” the things God has prepared for those who love him.”
Amen.

Is there someone and someplace that just makes you happy even thinking about. For example, walking on the beach with your spouse, playing games around the table with your children, playing with your grandchildren, spending time with your friends, or even playing with your dog or cat. Just being around them brings you a feeling of joy.

In a similar way, Psalm 16:11 says about God, “… in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” When we can truly experience God’s presence in our lives, we can feel the peace and joy that He promises. In order to get closer to God’s presence, we do like James writes in 4:8 “Draw closer to God and he will draw closer to you.”

Dear Lord help us do those things that draw us closer to you, reading your word and putting it into practice, that we may experience the fullness of joy you promise. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.