Rewired for the Journey

In every age of history, there will always be those individuals and groups that go against common sense, respect, and decency in their beliefs and actions toward Christianity, America, or anything God ordained. How should you respond to them in a Christlike manner? Sometimes you can dialog with them and get them to see the truth but most often they are blinded with their pride and cannot see the light. False beliefs are hard to combat so there are times just ignoring them and giving them no attention or voice to their false or disrespectful words and actions is a peaceful way to say to them, "no, you are wrong." The best way is to confront such individuals and groups is to pray for them to see the light and conduct yourself with grace, dignity, and respect in your words and actions.  2 Peter 2:1-3 New Living Translation (NLT) But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and eve

Taking a break from work is important for it refreshes you and gets you ready to carry on with the rest of the job. Sometimes it is important to take a break from what distracts you from saying your prayers or reading your Holy Bible. Take a time out from social media, the news and anything technology wise just turn all of it off and free yourself if only for an hour to spend time with Jesus in prayer and reading His Holy Word. Take a one-hour spiritual retreat break. Then you will feel ready to take on the rest of your day that God has given you. Mark 6:31 New Living Translation (NLT) 31  Then Jesus said,  “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.”  He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat. Prayer: O'Lord, may we rest in You if only for a little while, in Jesus name, Amen.

Every generation in the history of the world has had crazy times and have said what we have said, "This is the craziest time in history I have ever seen!" Well at that moment in time I am sure it seemed that way but we all have our crazy times to live through. Our day in time we have people dishonoring our countries military, flag, and what America stands for... we have men wanting to be women and women wanting to be men... vulgarity abounds at every corner. But we must not be discouraged but keep our focus on Jesus Christ who will sort out all the worlds problems with fair and impartial justice. Ecclesiastes 12:14 New Living Translation (NLT) 14  God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad. Prayer: O'Lord, may we have the strength to live a holy life before You, in Jesus name we pray, Amen.

We all have times when we feel spiritually empty, dry, and hollow. But just know that Jesus has not abandoned you. Keep pushing on through it with prayer, reading the Holy Bible and attending your church worship services. Have your friends and family pray for you also. Romans 8:26 New Living Translation (NLT) 26  And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. Prayer: O'Lord, help us in times when cannot feel Your Spirit, in Jesus name, Amen.

I have always had a fascination with lighthouses. I have visited quite a few on the east coast of America and seen a couple on the west coast. I climbed to the top of one of them and the view was beautiful. Lighthouses warn boats and ships not to get too close to the rocky shores. The Holy Bible is a spiritual lighthouse that warns us about evil, satan, and this world and how to avoid hitting the rocks (Hell) and other sinful things. Psalm 119:105 King James Version (KJV) 105  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Prayer: O'Lord Father, help us not crash into the rocky life of sin, thank You for the lighthouse of Your Holy Word, in Jesus name we pray, Amen.

  On the TV game show called Family Feud, the host says, "and the answer is!" Then the contest finds out how well they did with their answer. In life, the best answer you can give is "Jesus Christ" and the basic instructions before leaving earth is the Holy Bible. B       I                  B        L          E John 14:6 New King James Version (NKJV) 6  Jesus said to him,  “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Prayer: O'Lord, may we find life answers in Jesus and the Holy Bible, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

What are you willing to give up to be an authentic follower of Jesus Christ? Are you willing to surrender all your pride, sinful ways, addictions, and false beliefs to be walking in the will of Jesus? Would you be willing to pray and study the Holy Bible and then pray some more all night long to gain a testimony, receive a witness from the Holy Ghost, and to find your identity in Jesus Christ? Are you willing to surrender all for eternal salvation in and through Jesus Christ? John 6:67-69 New King James Version (NKJV) 67  Then Jesus said to the twelve,  “Do you also want to go away?” 68  But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.  69  Also, we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Prayer: O'Lord, give me a testimony that will give my life meaning and power in Your Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

If you know your identity in Jesus Christ then you will have a conviction of faith and heart to stand up against a culture that doesn't follow biblical principles. Be aware of Satan wanting to steal your identity as a child of God! Your identity in God is found in your relationship with Him which is developed by prayer and study of the Holy Scriptures. John 1:12 New Living Translation (NLT) 12  But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 1 Peter 2:9 New King James Version (NKJV) 9  But you  are  a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; Prayer: O'Father in Heaven, help us to remember our identity in You, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Our values are cemented into our faith in the Holy Bible and Jesus Christ. Our values do not change but are as important now as when Jesus walked the roads of Galilee. The culture is sitting on shifting sands of changing values to take away any guilt or shame when they sin. They want to be their own little god and make their own rules to be politically correct. But that will not last or bring true happiness. When one swallows their pride and lives within the bounds that Jesus Christ laid out for His followers and the church; only then will a person start to find the true depth of happiness. Deuteronomy 13:4 New King James Version (NKJV) 4  You shall walk after the  Lord  your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him. Prayer: O'Lord, may we lose our pride and follow Your commandments and hold to Your values for us, in Jesus name we pray, Amen.

The gospel of Jesus Christ has a universal appeal. All over the world regardless of nationality, male or female, race, or economic status, everyone feels that tug in their heart from the Holy Ghost when they hear or read about the gift of salvation and all are welcome to come to the foot of the cross and receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Galatians 3:26-28 New Living Translation (NLT) 26  For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.   27  And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.   28  There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. Prayer: O'Lord, thank you that all have an opportunity to repent and come unto you in seeking redemption, in Jesus Christ name, Amen.

In Judaism, Rosh Hashanah is a holy day that starts the Jewish New Year and marks the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve and their inauguration into humanity's role in God's created world. God also celebrates you as His child and He loves you and wants to help you get back into His presence across the veil. You have an anniversary date also with Jesus Christ in the celestial glory. Genesis 2:7 New King James Version (NKJV) 7  And the  Lord  God formed man  of  the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. Prayer: O Jehovah, thank you for our mortal bodies and the great plan of salvation, in Jesus name, Amen.

It is important not to beat people down with words but to build people up with words of encouragement.   1 Thessalonians 5:11 New Living Translation (NLT) 11  So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. Prayer: O'Father in Heaven, help us to encourage one another with healing words filled with hope, in Jesus name we pray, Amen.

When the Lord wants us to do something on His behalf and we ignore doing the task then the Lord may withhold something from us until we do what He needs to be done through us. The Lord is not trying to be mean but trying to get us to realize that He should come first in our lives. He knows what is best for us and what is best for this world, so may we have eyes to see and ears to hear what we need to be doing on the Lord's behalf. Haggai 1:7-9 New Living Translation (NLT) 7  “This is what the  Lord  of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you!   8  Now go up into the hills, bring down timber, and rebuild my house. Then I will take pleasure in it and be honored, says the  Lord .   9  You hoped for rich harvests, but they were poor. And when you brought your harvest home, I blew it away. Why? Because my house lies in ruins, says the  Lord  of Heaven’s Armies, while all of you are busy building your own fine houses. Prayer: O'Lord, may we be ever in servi

I look at so many different churches and their different views on God, Scripture, and ways humankind is to respond to in the world from their beliefs. No wonder so many people are confused and give up on the church. But do not give up on Jesus Christ and let the Holy Ghost guide you to what is true and what is simply man made up dogma. Knowing the difference will help you understand and worship God in truth and spirit. John 4:24 New King James Version (NKJV) 24  God  is  Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” Prayer: O'Lord, guide us to Your ultimate truth, in Jesus Christ name, Amen.

Nowhere in the Holy Bible does it say God loves us unconditionally. Now there are places that imply that concept but that viewpoint is usually used by those people who say that we can do anything we want and God approves it from that interpretative view. This is a very deceitful lie. God has said He will save us from our sins, not in our sins. The Holy Bible says that God's love is great and wonderful, perfect, redeeming, and everlasting. The conditions are faith in the Savior Jesus Christ, repentance, and obedience to God's will. This opportunity of salvation is God's gift to us which was purchased at a very dear price. John 15:9-10 New King James Version (NKJV) 9  “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.   10  If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. Prayer: O'Lord, thank you for Your love and may we love You enough to be obedient to You, in Jesus nam

When I think of what is the three most important things I have learned it would be: 1. Contemplative prayer infuses power in your life from Heaven to follow Jesus Christ. 2. Having someone to love is empowering. 3. Healing power is in forgiveness and grace. Psalm 66:18 New Living Translation (NLT) 18  If I had not confessed the sin in my heart,      the Lord would not have listened. Prayer: O'Lord, thank You for giving us ways to receive power in our lives to live life better, IN Jesus name, Amen.

The Lord has given us free agency to make choices on our own. We can choose to be good or choose to be bad. Now with this free agency, we can choose to be intimate with someone within God's guidelines or ignore God's guidelines in the area of intimacy. Intimacy can be a beautiful experience but the sweetness of it can sour quickly if used only to satisfy lustful desires with no thought of the other person. Do not abuse your free agency or your body or someone else's body for selfish reasons for it will only lead to emptiness and a dysfunctional view of intimacy. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 New Living Translation (NLT) 3  God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin.   4  Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor—   5  not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways. Prayer: O'Lord, help us to use our procreative power within proper bounds of Your guidance, in Jesus name, Amen.

In our highly narcissistic world, it is very hard for people to give up their own ways to follow the way Jesus taught us to live and believe. People are arrogant enough to believe their way is better than God's way and that is just exactly why Satan was cast out of Heaven, pride.  The question is are we willing to trust Jesus Christ and love Him enough to give up certain things in our life and add other things to be in the will of the great Creator?  Hebrews 13:20-21 New King James Version (NKJV) 20  Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,  21  make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom  be  glory forever and ever. Amen. Luke 9:23 New Living Translation (NLT) 23  Then he said to the crowd,  “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up y

Age can be cruel to endure but if you take the time and effort you can keep your mind and body in shape enough that old age will not be so hard. Always remember age is a mindset... think young, do young things, and ask our Father in Heaven to help you keep your mind and body active and young. Psalm 71:18 New Living Translation (NLT) 18  Now that I am old a nd gray,      do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation,      your mighty miracles to all who come after me. Prayer: O'Lord, I pray for a young mind and body in my old age, in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Today America remembers and honors the people who died in the 9/11 attack on the Twin Towers and the plane that hit the Pentagon and the other plane that went down in a Pennsylvania field. This is but one of many trials and tragedies that America and individuals face throughout life and history. Other countries around the world have had their own tragedies as well. But the one most powerful trait that helps people and nations heal and recover is resilience. Now with resilience, it strengthens our faith and we can see the Divine hand of God as we recover from enemy attacks and attacks from nature.  James 1:2-3 New King James Version (NKJV) 2  My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,  3  knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. Prayer: O'Heavenly Father, help us in our days of trouble and give us hope, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Your neighbor is not just who lives next door to you. Your neighbor is everyone and so when Jesus says to love your neighbor as yourself then He is telling us to love all the people in the world. Now granted it is easier to love some more than others but we must try. James 2:8 New King James Version (NKJV) 8  If you really fulfill  the  royal law according to the Scripture,  “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,”  you do well; Prayer: O'Lord, help us to love our neighbors and bring You glory, in Jesus name we pray, Amen. 

There are lots of shows on TV now about restoring old homes, motorcycles, and cars. Taking something that looks like it is ready for the landfill and then making it even better than it once was is a very empowering activity. I see this is how Jesus works in many lives taking what looks like a life going to Hell and redeeming it and restoring it to what God always intended that life to be a glorious child of God to be resurrected on the last day. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 New King James Version (NKJV) 23  Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Prayer: O'Lord, thank you for Your redeeming love and restorative power, In Jesus name, Amen.

I think it is so cool that Jesus Christ loved all humankind so much that after His mortal ministry and appearing with His resurrected body to the Apostles that He appeared to others around the world. These other sheep around the world were just as important to Him as the Israel sheep. John 10:16 New King James Version (NKJV) 16  And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock  and  one shepherd. Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for loving all humankind everywhere, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Beautiful Fall morning and it was so refreshing to go for a run and hit the weights in the gym. It is also good and refreshing to pray and hit the scriptures for some reading. Keeping mind, body, and spirit in shape is wisdom. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 New Living Translation (NLT) 19  Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,   20  for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. Prayer: O'Lord, thank you for our mortal bodies and our spirits, in Jesus name, Amen.

The Lord's ways are far holy and wise beyond our comprehension. It is interesting when we humans think we can do it better than Jesus or out reason Jesus on matters that we want to get away with basically. We want to call sin anything but sin. We want to be guilt free and do things in our own way. But the Lord is not fooled and sin is still sin no matter what you call it. We must humble ourselves and be obedient to the Lord regardless of what we think or feel about what we want, time to grow up. Isaiah 55:9 New King James Version (NKJV) 9  “For  as  the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. Prayer: O'Lord, thank you for loving us enough to guide us by Your holy scriptures and the Holy Ghost, in Jesus name, Amen.

Do you get so physically tired that you cannot even say your prayer before going to bed? I have learned that if you do not get proper rest it can affect your spiritual life. So turn in a little early tonight and get your rest so you can be at peak spiritual performance. Matthew 11:28-30 New Living Translation (NLT) 28  Then Jesus said,  “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.   29  Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.   30  For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Prayer: OLord, give us physical rest so we may be spiritually strong, in Jesus name, Amen.

Many times the Holy Ghost speaks to us and we do not pay attention to the Spirit. The Holy Ghost speaks to us in many ways like dreams, a thought or intuition, a still small voice within, or a powerful feeling of either urgency, peace, or unease. Which ever way the Holy Ghost speaks may we be in tune to listen and obey. John 16:13 New King James Version (NKJV) 13  However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own  authority,  but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. Prayer: O'Heavenly Father, may we listen with open hearts and minds to the direction of the Holy Spirit in our lives, in Jesus name, Amen.

I read a good quote from Pope Francis, "Human labor, at its best, is a deeply holy thing that ought to honor our dignity as we help God maintain the fabric of the world." I read over thirty years ago that work is a virtue out of the Ensign Magazine. In the Garden of Eden God assigned Adam work in tending the garden and naming the animals. Work gives us a sense of purpose and we can bless people with our work. Ephesians 4:28 New Living Translation (NLT) 28  If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Proverbs 14:23 New Living Translation (NLT) 23  Work brings profit,      but mere talk leads to poverty! Prayer: O'Heavenly Father, thank you for work and help us to labor to bless others, in Jesus Christ name, Amen. 

As we walk with Jesus in the Christian life we are supposed to mature and grow in our faith and not remain to stagnate but to progress in all aspects of our Christian life. Do not seek a church to simply entertain you with clean fun but seek one that will push you and encourage you to grow into holiness as the Lord has asked us to do. Will we be perfect, no, but we can try and be a little better with every step of our growth journey. Colossians 2:6-7 New Living Translation (NLT) 6  And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him.   7  Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Prayer: O'Lord Father, help us to grow in our walk with thee, in Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Jesus did so many wonderful things in His earthly ministry that not everything could be written down. Jesus also taught and spoke many wonderful truths and not all of those have been written down. Because of this, I wonder what do we not know? What more can we learn? May the Holy Ghost guide us unto all truth and may we be receptive vessels. John 20:30-31 New Living Translation (NLT) 30  The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book.   31  But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.   3 Nephi 23:6 BoM 6 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had said these words he said unto them again after he had expounded all the scriptures unto them which they had received, he said unto them: Behold, other scriptures I would that ye should write, that ye have not. Prayer: O'Heavenly Father, guide us

Some people do not know what a testimony is but years ago everyone knew it meant your story of how the Lord Jesus came into your life and what your life is like now that Jesus Christ is your Savior. I always enjoy hearing testimonies and how Jesus works in other peoples lives.  Revelation 12:10-11 New Living Translation (NLT) 10  Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last—      salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God,      and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters      has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them      before our God day and night. 11  And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb      and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much      that they were afraid to die. Prayer: O'Lord, help us gain a testimony of You and never lose it, in Jesus name, Amen.