"Fresh everyday"

I must admit I do like leftovers, especially Thanksgiving Day leftovers. I tell you there is nothing quite like warming up the dressing, greens, macaroni and cheese and of course we dare not leave out the turkey.

I also must say that even the greatest meal known to man; which is Thanksgiving Day dinner can become a little less inviting as the days increase since that fourth Thursday in November. It is at that point you no longer want to have anything to do with the leftovers.

Unfortunately, there are some who view the Bible as a one time big meal celebration and that you can come back and get some leftovers, but after a short time the leftovers are no longer appealing. This is not the testimony of the individual that has given their all to the One who holds the keys of life and death. The Bible to the believer is a never ending buffet that can satisfy all that the believer desires and the supply is always fresh.

So, let's remember the Word is "Fresh everyday."

"Guaranteed Prize"

I have been athletic all my life and have played, I would guess, almost every sport there is to play. I particularly cared more for basketball and track as opposed to baseball, wrestling and football.



I enjoyed track most because it seemed to challenge me every time I would step out on the track, whether it was to jump a little bit higher or to run a little bit faster than the last time I ran or jumped. Track is about endurance, patience and mastery all was needed to be successful in this sport of wills.



There was nothing like the feeling that one gets when they have practiced for days on end and have logged many miles running building up the endurance needed to compete. When the day arrives to stand on the track and apply all that was coached and instilled, you perform it seems almost effortlessly and the results end with a second place finish.



The same, thankfully, is not the case with the believer of the Lord Jesus. Although, some of the principles of endurance, patience and mastery can be applied the results are far more rewarding than those of a natural race. Because in the natural race there can only be one winner, but in God all that run and run faithfully will all receive the prize.

"Debt Relief"

I would have to say that the introduction to credit cards when I was a younger adult was a bitter sweet one to say the least. I mean to be able to purchase something and not have to pay for it for at least 30 days, wow. Yes, of course there was a certain amount that could be charged, and the way I approached it was simple; I'd charge up to the limit and then pay it off when pay day came.

The system I had was going good until an interruption in my employment dictated that I start making the minimum payment. This was alright for a moment until I realized that the minimum payment wasn't taking down the balance I owed. I soon found myself so overwhelmed that I was going to need help freeing myself; so I looked for that help and found the way out. I had to change my spending habits and a lot of other things had to change, but it works as long as I stay committed.

The same could viewed with the state of man when he is without the God. We go through life charging and racking up spiritual debt that we could never pay off even if we tried, and this is why Jesus came and paid the price for us with His on blood.

Now that the debt is paid we must live our lives according to the stipulations that the Lord has given to us once we have accepted what He did for us. Yes, our habits have to change and the commitment we make to Him is one of a life time.

"Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness." Romans 6:18

"Thank You..."

As I sit and think of all the people, places and things I have experienced even just over the past year; I can find no stronger word nor phrase to express my gratitude to God, except the one phrase we all should say with all sincerity..."Thank You".

"Handy work"

I have always wanted to do things in a big way no matter what it was I wanted to make a very convincing statement to anyone paying attention that I did it big. I very seldom wanted to do small things because I felt as though they were so what insignificant in the over all scheme of things.

So, I would just wait for the opportunity to do only the big and extravagant things, because again there was that statement that had to be made. I must say with shame that I allowed that same type of spirit to be a part of my new life in Christ, just without the pride. Nevertheless the desire that was in my heart to accomplish big things for the Lord was far more pressing than the right small right now things.

I understand that every born-again believer wants to accomplish great and mighty things on behalf of the Lord, however I must say with great conviction; that desire will hinder our ability to be as effective as we could be. The mandate is this..."Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might; for [there is] no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest."Eccl. 9:10

"Better than a string"

I remember when I was a lot younger; the saying was, "if you don't want to forget something that's important then all you have to do is tie a string around your finger". Well, if you know me I tried it and tied a string around my finger. Now, they said if I tied a string around my finger then I wouldn't forget whatever it was that I needed to remember. However, the funny part about that whole thing was they never said I wouldn't forget that the string was around my finger.

So, by the time I remembered the string around my finger it was too late for me to remember the one thing that I put the string around my finger for in the first place. I believe this is what a lot of church-goers do today; they place these proverbial strings around their fingers in an attempt to remember the things that the Lord has spoken, but aren't able to because they forgot the string was there.

This now is the joy of all true believers; to know that since we have accepted the Lord Jesus and have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit we need not to worry nor do we have to tie the proverbial string around our fingers any longer, "But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John14:26

Bye, bye string.

"Not a lot of talk"

I have always heard people say to one another, "just call me if you need me for any thing" and of course for the most part the individual never called. However, I've come to realize that the individuals that say, "just call me..." really don't mean it at all. This was their small frail attempt to seem genuinely compassionate towards another individual; when all the while they weren't all that concerned in the first place.

Sadly, there are those inside the church-body (notice the I said church-body) that are just as guilty of saying the same and not meaning it. We as believers and followers of the Lord Jesus are to at all times be ready to assist those in need."Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food or clothing, and you say, "Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat well"--but then you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?"James2:15,16

How can we say we have the Lord in our lives and we neglect to comfort those that are in need of comforting? My friends let's not just be a lot of talk, but instead let us truly walk the walk.

"Open All The Time"

When I discovered Wal-Mart several years ago I honestly could have been labeled as a kid in a candy store. They seem to have everything you could imagine from electronics, sports equipment and even clothing. I can remember going to Wal-Mart and spending hours just walking around taking in all the different types of merchandise that I was making a mental shopping list from.

I have even gone to this store at mid-night and even later at times and a great percentage of the time I wouldn't ever purchase anything on those visits. I soon became aware of the comparison that one could make with Wal-Mart and The Bible. Now, don't blow a gasket with that analogy I just made, because by no means am I equating the two.

The Word of God is of course the original mega superstore, and unlike Wal-Mart has never nor will ever run out of supplies that you may need. The believer has unlimited access to The Word and when there is a need to receive from that Word it is at no cost to the believer, because the price for whatever is needed has already been paid in full.

The Word is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

"Little Body Talk"

I have, over the past few years, begun to what some would call "filling out" and starting to show some signs of middle age. Meaning, my mid section no longer is the "six pack" it once was when I was younger, and even with working out I don't seem to be able to regain the body I once had.

It is with this that some people have resulted to plastic surgery and other types of physical alterations to keep the look they had in the youth. I don't understand why the desire is so deep to keep their bodies from changing.

We shouldn't as believers be so caught up in the trap of trying to change the way we look externally as oppose to the way we look on the inside. Besides this body that we are in now will not be the same body we'll have when we are with the Lord forever,"Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself."Phl.3:21

"Hooray for Troublehood"

I must say with all honesty; that I, in my youth, have been one to find the easy way out of difficult situations up to and including just quitting. I was always told that quitters never win and winners never quit. However, when I was young, I never fully understood the magnitude of appreciating the many troubles that life brings.

I later learned in my life as I have grown in my relationship with the Lord that the troubles that come to us are for the perfecting of our faith in Him. There is a song that is sung even from the time I was younger, and the words are very poignant to the writing of this post. The key phrases in the song are, "hallelujah anyhow never let your problems get you down; when hard trials come your way hold your head up high and say...hallelujah any how."

So, let's remember"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;..."James 1:2 Yes, it easier said than done, however it becomes easier when we keep in mind that we don't go through these troubles alone.

"Why?"

I would like to get a dialogue started with this particular post, because I'm very interested in hearing what other believers truly think about what I'm about to say. I can remember a time, and it wasn't that long ago that I really only cared and looked out for "numero uno" and my concern for other people was minimal at best.

It wasn't until I started to really begin to learn what real love was about that I began to make a transformation in my own life. Though the process was a slow one in the beginning it helped me to see "me" and not someone else.

This is what I want to start a dialogue about with those of you that name the name of Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. 1. "Why is that we find every excuse in the book and or point out what other people do or have done but we never want to deal with ourselves?" 2. "Why is it when we feel the burden for others to experience the peace we have in God and the many days and nights we sit up praying that they could just "get it" but when some time has passed and they still haven't "gotten it" that we throw up our hands?

Let's begin..."why?"

"Thankfulness, Not a One Day Thing."

I must admit this is probably my most favorite time of the year, because it's around this time of year people seem to be the most caring and generous with more than just the people they associate with, but also with total strangers. This is the time of year we label as the season of giving thanks.

We come together and sit down at dinner tables all across this country and world and we begin to tell one another how thankful we are to have one another in our lives and that it shouldn't be just during this time of the year that we get together and appreciate each other. Well, the truth of the matter is that is exactly what happens, because no sooner as the last piece of sweet potato pie is eaten and the last of the ballgames is over we go our separate ways for another year before once again we are thankful for the people in our lives.

We as believers are just as guilty as those who don't profess Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, and the truth of the matter is we as believers should be equally as thankful for every day that the Lord allows us to see each and every day. Let's remember to be mindful of the scripture that says, " This [is] the day [which] the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."Psa. 118:24

So, yes of course we are to be thankful for this time of the year but not at the expense of not being thankful everyday and the rest of the year.

"Love hurts?"

I have to be honest, I received my share and my siblings share of spankings as we were growing up. I really couldn't tell you why I was so inclined to not do what I knew would most assuredly get me into trouble and ultimately spanked and or grounded.

Whenever the punishment was administered for what ever rule I had broken at that time, I was later informed by my parent that just administered a most thorough and sound spanking; that they loved me very much and that I left them no choice. And, of course I would have begged the difference with them at that point, but I knew that would have only escalated the situation into something I wasn't prepared nor equipped to handle.

I later, much later, in life understood where my parents were coming from when they made those, I did it because I love you statements. It is because of love a parent must discipline their children in a way that will be most effective and beneficial to the child.

The same principle is applied to the believers of today when it comes to stepping out of line with the commandments of the Lord. He loves us more than we will ever be able to comprehend in our life time, and because he loves us so it is necessary that he corrects us when we need to be corrected. "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth."Heb 12:6

Yes, love does hurt sometimes.

"It's Not An Age Thing"

I'm another year older and of course I thank God for that, but I was thinking back on somethings that I heard as I was coming up. I remember distinctly hearing older people say that "when you get older you'll become wiser". And, of course like any young person that heard those type of statements from an older person you thought they were dead on target and I couldn't wait to get older just to get wiser.

As I began to read and study the scriptures I was to say the least shocked to know that this "when you get older you'll become wiser" statement wasn't exactly true with everybody. Wisdom is more than just knowing something, it's (actually) the knowing how and I can say that even after four plus decades I can concur with Job32:9 "But sometimes the elders are not wise. Sometimes the aged do not understand justice."

So, as believers what should we do in order to gain this wisdom as we begin to grow older. I believe the answer just like everything else lies inside of the scriptures, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."James 1:5

"Remember"

I can't seem to remember a time when ever I have spoken to friends or family members that I haven't seen in a long time; that we didn't play the "do remember" game. There is always something during the conversations that we have that triggers a memory whether pleasant or not so pleasant.

It has been my experience when I would remember a time and a place that I was able to learn something from it, whether it was to how not to find myself in that particular situation again or how to repeat what had transpired because it was a positive and beneficial experience for me.

This is what the Lord wants from us as his children each and everyday of lives here on this earth, and that is to remember the many times He has come to our aide and rescue. Let us not be as the children of Israel in the old testament; where they would constantly forget what and where the Lord brought them from.

But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for [it is] he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as [it is] this day.Deut.8:18

"A Regular Check-Up"

I really never cared that much for going to the doctor when I was coming up, because for the most part going to the doctor meant one thing they were going poke and probe on you and at the same time keep asking you the same question over and over again, "does this hurt or tell me where it hurts".

It wasn't until they found where it hurt that they were able to begin to prescribe a treatment plan for me in order to get me back healthy again. So, as I grew older I began to learn to appreciate going to the doctor, because I found that the old saying is very true..."an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure."

So, it is with us as believers today; we shouldn't wait until there is something seriously wrong with us before we go to our physician for treatment. We should make constant and consistent visits to Him, even when there is nothing wrong with us as we see it. So, let's remember that our health is just as important to the Lord as is our spiritual well being. "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."3John1:2

"A Little Landscaping"

I started cutting grass when I was around 11 or 12 years old. My brother and I had a system when we had to cut the grass, because the yard was rather large for a couple of pre-teens. It was always a competition to see which one of us could cut our section of the yard the quickest, and then the next time we would switch sections to do the whole competition thing again. We weren't too readily concerned with the state of the yard other than it got cut.

I later in life worked as a quality control manager with a landscape company in the south, and the overall description of my job was to check the work of the guys cutting the different properties that the company had contracts with. I had to make sure the yards were edged properly and that any and all weeds were removed from the flower beds. The hedges had to be clipped and shaped correctly and when it was time for pruning the trees it was imperative that the right branches were cut properly.

Working with that landscape company helped me to see the importance of the scriptures and the need for us as believers to really search and study them. It is when we just go and read a scripture here and there that we end up doing what my brother and I did for so many years cutting the grass at home. However, when we stop to examine what the word is saying to us in any given situation we begin to allow the word to landscape our lives, removing the weeds and trimming back the shrubbery that has blocked our view for so long, and allow the world to see the workings of the Lord in our lives.

A little landscaping tends to bring forth a brightness to an area so..."Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."Matthew 5:16

"I can't find it"

I was remembering when I young how my mother would instruct me to go into the kitchen and to retrieve something out of the refrigerator for her. I would go into the refrigerator and immediately shout to her in the other part of the house and say that whatever she wanted from the refrigerator wasn't in there. My mother would only say to me, "it's in there keep looking". I would just stand there with the refrigerator door opened repeating over and over again to my mother, "it's not in here".

It was after a few minutes of this back and forth conversation with my mother; that she would come into the kitchen where I was standing in front of the refrigerator and would say one more time before moving me out of the way, "it's in there". She would then move me out of the way and reach into the refrigerator and move a few things out of the way and pull out the very thing she sent me into the kitchen to get, and on her way out of the kitchen she would say to me in a rather stern voice, "you will never find it if you never move things out of the way and look".

This lesson we all as believers must learn or if we have already learned it we must continue to apply it to our walk with the Lord. I'm reminded of what the Lord Jesus said, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." John5:39

So, let's move somethings out of the way and then look; I guarantee we'll find just we're looking for.

"Encouragement from within"

It has become quite apparent to me as I have grown older; that people look for others to validate them in practically everything they set out to accomplish. They look for encouraging words from their loved ones and even from acquaintances and friends. When they are receiving these words of empowerment it seems as if nothing can keep them from their anticipated goals.

In the same token, all too many times those same individuals that thrive off of the encouraging words of others and the ones that are closest to them often fall victim to the same people. We have to be very careful when we rest of comfort in individuals and their words that we look to propel us onward.

It is only when we truly look to the Lord as our source and guide in all matters of life that we will be able to continue moving in the direction He wants for us. There comes a time in every believers walk that they will encounter among fellow travelers disapproval and disenchantment. However, we can't allow that to sway us to the point of giving up on the mission and vision that the Lord has given. We must consider following the example of King David when his men became disillusioned with him,..."David encouraged himself in the LORD his God."

So, in the words of a song I've heard..."Speak over yourself, encourage yourself in the Lord."

"Reference Check"

When I first started looking for my first real job I soon found out about having good references for a potential employer. You see references are persons that know important details concerning your work ethic, and well you can adapt to certain employment changes and so forth. Although it's nice to know that your Aunt Suzy thinks the world of you; employers are looking to speak with individuals that aren't related to you and people that would be unbias.

Most times we don't realize that we are making ourselves known to the people we work with or go to school with each and everyday. That is why it is so important to maintain an attitude as well as a posture of excellence at all times. No, we are not always at 100% everyday however that should never affect our attitudes. Regardless of the situations that we face each day; our goal is to always look to please the Lord of our Salvation and Source.

When we think people aren't watching is the time when our characters and attitudes should be at there highest levels, because most reference seekers will ask about the type of person you are when you are left alone and working by yourself. What will your references say of you? Will you be offered the position or will someone else? "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold."Prov. 22:1

"True Triumph"

There has always been this unspoken rule as I was coming up, and that was the person that could beat every person they fought with was the "Big Person on Campus". The bully mentality was very much alive when I was rather young, and with a bit of shame I must admit that I prescribed to that type of attitude. I would allow myself to get angry rather quickly when I felt I was wronged in one way or another, and would rather settle the dispute with a physical altercation much more than to try and talk it out.

I found that even with the so-called triumph over the other persons after the physical altercation that there was something that was missing. Yes, I walked away with my chest out but the rush that was there moments ago left just as quickly. I had to keep winning these altercations in order to keep that "feeling" fresh.

It was after I became a believer in the faith that I found the triumph over an individual was not the feeling of satisfaction that I was looking for at such a young age , but instead was the conquering of myself. I will not say that I have arrived at perfection but I'm closer now than I ever was then, and when things begin to get a little difficult for me I just stop and remember the scripture that reads..."He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city."Prov 16:32 NKJV

"The Right Temperature"

I have said this in a previous post, and that is my wife is a great cook. I'm not being bias either; she could very well give lessons on cooking to alot of people who think they can cook but really can't. The reason I brought this in to the discussion for today is because of the way my wife is able to determine the correct temperature to cook a particular dish at.

You see if a cook were to place a dish in the oven at a temperature that was lower than what was required the dish would be undercooked when it was taken from the oven at the set time. This would require the cook to replace the dish back in the oven until it reached the desired results. The temperature that is set too high would do just the opposite and over cook the dish; it is clear then how important the right temperature and time plays in the preparation of a meal.

The same is the case with the believer when it comes to the trials and tribulations we find ourselves in from time to time. The scriptures refers to them as "fiery trials" and that we should be alarmed when they come. I believe that when these trials come to us it's as if the Lord is allowing us to be placed in the oven of perfection, and it's only when the proper time has elapsed as well as the correct temperature that we as believers shall come forth.

The wrong temperature has ruined alot of dishes and have caused them to be thrown out and unusable, but we are encouraged by the scripture..."I will bring that group through the fire and make them pure, just as gold and silver are refined and purified by fire. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, `These are my people,' and they will say, `The LORD is our God.' " Zec 13:9

"The Joy of Togetherness"

I have always enjoyed when my family gets together and we sit around going back in the past and remember the things that we have done together. The time spent together is a wonderful experience that is enjoyed by all in attendance, and it is always said that the time spent together is either too short or it's too long in between.

Togetherness is a continuous theme throughout the scriptures and is what the believers of today need to refocus on in this tumultuous time in which we live today. As the world gets worse with all the wars and natural disasters that seem to be the lead stories of every news broadcast lately, we must remember as believers to come together.

It is when we come together that we regain our focus as well as strength, because we are indeed better together. I'm reminded of the scripture..."How wonderful it is, how pleasant, when brothers live together in harmony! For harmony is as precious as the fragrant anointing oil that was poured over Aaron's head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And the LORD has pronounced his blessing, even life forevermore."Psa 133:1-3 NLT

"Shhhh...the Lord saw you."

I am privileged to have met a lot of different people in the short time that I've been on this earth. I've seen the very generous of persons and I have also seen the very selfish of persons as well, but what I have noticed even with some of those individuals that were and are generous is they tend to make a big deal of letting people know just how generous they have been to someone. Even before I understood the scriptures I was always instructed by family; that when something is done for someone then we weren't to broadcast it all around the neighborhood. We saw money given and groceries purchased and no one knew about it except those persons that lived in those particular families.

It was the way I was raised and then I realized as I began to see and understand scripture; that it was the way the Lord instructed it to be done..."When you give a gift to someone in need, don't shout about it as the hypocrites do--blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity!..."Matt.6:2

So, let us perform acts of charity towards those that are need and most importantly let's keep what we do for others to ourselves. I guarantee that when we give in this manner then the Lord shall reward us openly.

"Shhhh, trust me the Lord saw you."

"The Blame Game"

All my life I have heard people go on and on about this or that blaming the everything and everyone for the situation they were in at that moment. There seems to have been no sense of personal responsibility taken by these individuals for any area of their lives. They blame the weather man when they get wet from the rain; rather than blame themselves for walking outside without an umbrella. They blame the car manufacturer for the engine seizing up in their car; rather than blame themselves for maintaining proper service of that car.

As, believers we can not get caught up in the "Blame Game" with those that aren't believers and most importantly those who say they are believers and exhibit these types of behaviours. It is a certainty that every individual shall have to stand and give an account for themselves.

So, instead of us trying to find a way to point the finger at someone or some group to blame for the state we find ourselves let's instead embrace what the Apostle Paul says, "...for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."Phil4:11

"You look just like..."

When I was coming up it wasn't uncommon for people I've met for the first time to say to me and my brother, "you look just like your father" or "you act just like your father". I had always taken pride in the fact that not only was my dad known to a lot of different people, but that his reputation and character was one of a positive experience rather than a negative one. I, of course being every bit the problematic individual that I was at the time tried to my best to deny, in a sense, the identity that was unmistakeably mine.

It reminds me of the place in the scriptures where when they took our Lord to the judgement halls how the people were asking the Apostle Peter, wasn't he one of the disciples of Jesus and how they were able to determine that he was because of the way he spoke and acted. However, Peter did like most of us has done in times past when the situation we found ourselves in getting a little bit much, "we tried to deny the unmistakable identity that is ours".

So, let's not repeat the examples of myself growing up trying to deny who I was and most importantly am, nor the follow the example of Peter. However let us all embrace that which has totally embraced us; which the love of our Father and the identity that He has given to us even from before the foundation of the earth.

"You look just like your Father".

"Is it proven?"

There is a saying that expresses the idea that a person mustn't allow suggestions from external sources to dictate how you are to handle a difficult situation. You must when facing what may seem to be an insurmountable obstacle rely on what it was and most importantly who it was that saw you through it. Attempting to change tactics that have not been proven in the midst of a battle can and has been proven unfruitful for many.

This brings me to the story of David, and how when the enemy went war against the chosen people of God and how that one man (Goliath) was threatening all those that would oppose him. It was this David that suggested to the King (Saul) that he would go out and fight the enemy; so Saul gave David his armour to wear in the battle, and after David had it on he realized it wasn't going to work for him to wear Saul's armour.

David had to explain to Saul why he wasn't able to wear his armour, and this is where we as believers must be focused. We must understand and remember all the many battles the Lord has brought us through; using the methods that work for us.

What may seem ridiculous to most is just the thing that the Lord will use to get the glory that is due to Him and Him alone. Proven methods work.

Losing the weight.

I have been engaged in the battle to lose weight for a short period of time and I must say that it has proven to be somewhat of an uphill battle. The cause of the battle being an uphill struggle to lose what I would deem as nuisance weight is because of the fact that I enjoy a good meal and of course it doesn't help my case much with the fact that my wife is a great cook.

I do however know exactly what needs to be accomplished in order for me to continue to remove the necessary weight, and that is simply I must put aside the second and sometimes the third helpings of dinner. Once I recognized what the hindrance was I was able to move forward in a positive effort to lose the weight.

The same is to be said of our walk with the Lord. I know we all desire a closer more intimate relationship with Him, and the more we attempt to make this happen there seems to be this underlining resistance that seems to keep from us that which we truly desire. And, it's once we are honest with ourselves and recognize where our difficulties are that we will be able to"...lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us..."Heb 12:1b,c

"Warning...Do not eat."

I sat in service one Sunday morning and I listened to the pastor talk about how God explained to Adam over in the book of Genesis; that he was permitted to eat from any tree in the garden, "but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it:" Genesis 2:17 the prohibition went on to also explain the consequences of eating from this tree.

The words that were spoken reminded me of the same type of prohibitions that were placed on us as we were growing up in a neighborhood that had an abundance of fruit trees. We, of course were instructed that there were trees that we were able to eat from at anytime, and there were trees we were to never eat from. The consequences of eating from the "forbidden" trees were also given. Although, the punishment wasn't necessarily that we would surely die, but that if we did we would get very sick and probably wish we would die.

We as believers must always keep in our minds and understand that the Lord doesn't tell us not to do something just for no apparent reason, but that there is always a better alternative. The tree of the knowledge of good and evil wasn't the only tree in the garden at that time; it was just the only tree they weren't to eat from because the results were very detrimental.

Let's remember to to read the warnings and precautions on the label before we take of that which is forbidden, because there is a tree of life that is just waiting for those with enough faith to reach up and partake of...that tree is the Lord himself.

"Take a Time-out"

My parents would tell me from the time I was young; that I should take my time and think things through before I ever made a decision especially when it came to some thing that was what I would consider important to me. The reason they would have to keep reiterating this one instruction to me more than my other siblings was because I had what one would call a very passionate disposition.

Well, needless to say I followed their instructions a very low percentage of the time, and just like most things; I found out the hard way how right they were with their predictions of what the results would be if I didn't take heed to their words. Now, don't get me wrong I didn't purpose to go against the instructions of my parents, I thought they were at times trying to keep me from being me.

I have since come to realize that they weren't trying to keep me from being who I was, but instead they were trying to get me to become the best me I could be. I understand that an individual no matter how passionate they are can be better served with knowing what the scriptures read and what my parents attempted to get me to see..."Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:" James1:19

So, let us take a moment every time a situation arises that comes to challenge who we are in Him, and "take a time-out."