Rewired for the Journey

This is it! I reached another goal in my life, I have written a devotional book to leave my children and the world. I am going to leave you with a final thought or two... remember work is a virtue and so work hard and enjoy time to play hard. "Make" time to pray every day and read the Holy Bible every day even if it is one verse for it is God's love letter to us. Be kind, encourage people with words of hope and strength, get a proper seven hours of sleep and eat fruits and vegetables and some grains and meat sparely. Always work your mind and body, if you don't use it you lose it! Live in love of living the life God gave you, with all my love, Dad. John 16:33 New King James Version (NKJV) 33  These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will  have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”   Prayer: O'Lord, look over my children especially after You call me home to Heaven, in the most powerful name i

This is my second to last devotional for my devotional book that I have spent this year writing to leave to you my children for when I am in Heaven you will still have my voice of guidance and wisdom to comfort you when I am gone and you miss me. The wisdom and guidance I give is the wisdom and guidance that I have learned from the Holy Bible and great men of God. I try to share in a way that you can relate too and see the relevance that can be applied to your lives.  Workout in prayer and study of the Holy Bible just as consistently as you would your workout routine in a gym. Grow an intimate relationship with Jesus... don't just know about Him but become family with Jesus. Acts 17:27-29 The Message (MSG) 24-29  “The God who made the world and everything in it, this Master of sky and land, doesn’t live in custom-made shrines or need the human race to run errands for him as if he couldn’t take care of himself. He makes the creatures; the creatures don’t make him. Starting fr

At the end of every year, most people make resolutions of things they would like to do or accomplish even new habits they would like to adopt. Most never fulfill them but a minor few do what they commit themselves too. This reminds me of when Christians want to do better at reading their Holy Bibles or pray more. The desire is well intended but no action supports the intention. This is why there is so few resolutions are followed through, this is why there are so few mature Christians, with the virus of sin within us we are truly a very weak creature.  Romans 8:3-4 The Message (MSG) 3-4  God went for the jugular when he sent his own Son. He didn’t deal with the problem as something remote and unimportant. In his Son, Jesus, he personally took on the human condition, entered the disordered mess of struggling humanity in order to set it right once and for all. The law code, weakened as it always was by fractured human nature, could never have done that. The law always ended up be

I can get so angry at times and then I get mad at myself for not having enough control over myself. Then I tell myself that next time I will not get angry I will control it... then the next time, then the next time, then the next time... oh it can be so exasperating when you try to have control over an area of your life and you have yet to conquer it. But with prayer and help from Jesus, you can overcome whatever vice you are fighting... just give your self some time to be an overcomer. James 1:19-21 The Message (MSG) 19-21  Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear. God’s righteousness doesn’t grow from human anger. So throw all spoiled virtue and cancerous evil in the garbage. In simple humility, let our gardener, God, landscape you with the Word, making a salvation-garden of your life. Prayer: O'Lord, help us to overcome our vices and be better followers of You, in the name

Reading can be relaxing and enlightening. A nice long walk talking to Jesus can be refreshing. Dinner with friends as you talk about life events and things going on in the world uplift spirits. A drive through the countryside can be fun. A cup of warm coffee and watching the birds come to eat at the birdfeeder and birdbath is a simple pleasure.   Philippians 4:8 New King James Version (NKJV) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things  are  noble, whatever things  are  just, whatever things  are  pure, whatever things  are  lovely, whatever things  are  of good report, if  there is  any virtue and if  there is  anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Prayer: O'Lord, thank You for joyful things to do and see and hear as we live on this earth, in Jesus name, Amen.

The day after Christmas and some people have the week off and others go right back to work. I hope you had a blessed Christmas. In the Holy Bible, we go straight from the manger of baby Jesus to eight days later when He gets circumcised according to Jewish law. Jesus now begins to grow up and experience human life. We hear no more about Him until He turns 12 years of age. Luke 2:28-32 New Living Translation (NLT) 28  Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, 29  “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,      as you have promised. 30  I have seen your salvation, 31       which you have prepared for all people. 32  He is a light to reveal God to the nations,      and he is the glory of your people Israel!” Prayer: O'Lord, help prepare our hearts and minds to finish this last week of 2017, in Jesus name, Amen.

It is finally a white Christmas after many years. It does not matter whether this was the exact day of the Messiah's birth but what does matter is that we take time to honor His birth sometime in the calendar year. Without His birth to come rescue us from our sins we would have been in eternal trouble. But praise His holy name we can now live forever in Heaven with Jesus.   Isaiah 9:6 New King James Version (NKJV) 6  For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Prayer: O'Lord, we praise Your holy name and thank you for Your rescue of us, in Jesus name, Amen.

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse! All the hype and excitement of the season is boiling down to this holiest night when Christ is born. This was a game-changing event in the history of the world and now as back then, the question is how will you respond to the Christ-child?  Luke 2:16-20 New King James Version (NKJV) 16  And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.  17  Now when they had seen  Him,  they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.  18  And all those who heard  it  marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  19  But Mary kept all these things and pondered  them  in her heart.  20  Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. Prayer: O'Lord, blessed be Jesus now and throughout eternity, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

We see angels in paintings and pictures as dainty little creatures like Tinkerbell in Disney but the reality about angels taught in the Holy Bible is that they actually are very powerful creatures. I believe more was going on here than just worshipping the baby Jesus, I believe they also were guarding the baby Jesus against demonic forces that wanted to harm the God Child. So that special night in Bethlehem the "Royal Guard" was there worshipping and standing guard so the plan of salvation for the fallen world could move forward. The baby Jesus being born was the beginning of a Heavenly invasion on earth to free us from the concentration camp of sin. Luke 2:13-14 New King James Version (NKJV) 13  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14  “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Prayer: O'Lord, thank You for invading earth to save us, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I like that Christmas song "Do You Hear What I Hear" that was written in 1962. It was written as a plea for peace during the Cuban Missile Crisis. I like the last two verses of the song,  The Child, the Child, sleeping in the night He will bring us goodness and light He will bring us goodness and light And the truth is He did just that and the world has been better for it ever since that fateful night in Bethlehem. Luke 2:4-6 New King James Version (NKJV) 4  Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,  5  to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.  6  So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.   Prayer: O'Lord, now may we bring goodness and light to others through Jesus, in Jesus name we pray, Amen.

In studies around this world-shaking event of Jesus birth the Shepherds who were told by the Angel to go find the baby Jesus was more likely what was called priestly shepherds whose job it was to find an unblemished lamb out of the flock and raise and guard this special lamb. Once the sacrificial lamb was found to be used to take away the sins of Isreal the shepherd priests would wrap the sacrificial lamb in swaddling clothes so the lamb would not hurt itself or dirty itself. Now then the next step was to put this special lamb in a blessed manger set apart for the sacrificial lamb to rest in... what a parallel to the birth of Jesus!  Luke 2:6-7 New King James Version (NKJV) 6  So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.  7  And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them at the inn. Prayer: O'Lord, thank You for the Lamb that takes away t

I have always said that the love of Jesus is beyond our mortal minds to fully comprehend. To leave the glory and peace of Heaven and come to earth to experience humanity and all that a sin-fallen world has to provide is mind-boggling. But it was a divine love that brought Jesus here to be born as a baby boy in poverty to eventually be the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world... amazing! Romans 8:38-39 New Living Translation (NLT) 38  And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.   39  No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Prayer: O'Lord, thank You for loving us beyond our understanding, in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Holidays due add more stress to our lives, so why do we get excited about them? I believe it is our expectations of a magical time and when we work so hard to reach that magical moment and it does not meet our magical expectations we enter a time of the blues. This is where Jesus can help us stay centered and not get carried away but move through the holidays in a much more peaceful and introspective way. Take one day at a time and "make" time to pray quietly and give yourself ten minutes of quiet reading in the Holy Bible. Try doing this with a white candle and very soft instrumental music in the background may help settle the nerves. Psalm 34:17-19 The Message (MSG) 17  Is anyone crying for help?  God  is listening, ready to rescue you. 18  If your heart is broken, you’ll find  God  right there; if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath. 19  Disciples so often get into trouble; still,  God  is there every time. Prayer: O'Lord, guid

By now we have all had time for Christmas decorating, sending and receiving Christmas cards, Christmas shopping, and Christmas music so are you feeling the Christmas spirit? Are you feeling Christmas in the air? Maybe you need to get into your cozy and quiet place in your home and set with the Holy Bible and a cup of coffee and simply read about the birth of Christ in Luke chapter 2 and Matthew chapter 1. Now after that you might consider a prayer of thankfulness that God so loved us that He sent His only begotten Son to be a light unto the world and us. Merry Christmas! Luke 1:76-78 New Living Translation (NLT) 76  “And you, my little son,      will be called the prophet of the Most High,      because you will prepare the way for the Lord. 77  You will tell his people how to find salvation      through forgiveness of their sins. 78  Because of God’s tender mercy,      the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, Prayer: O'Lord, help us feel the Christmas spir

What would have happened if Joseph would not have listened to the angel of the Lord? Would Jesus have been raised by a single parent? What would He have learned to do to make money and be a contributing member of the town? Joseph had to have been a man of faith to accept and listen to the directing of the Lord for his life and that of Mary and the baby Jesus. I hope you fathers can learn this lesson from Joseph to be faithful to the Lord in all areas of your life so you may hear the voice of the Lord Almighty. Matthew 1:20-21 New International Version (NIV) 20  But after he had considered this, an angel  of the Lord appeared to him in a dream  and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.   21  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Prayer: O'Lord, may we be faithful and obedient to Your word my Savi

Praise is so important because for one Jesus deserves it for what He has done to save us and secondly because it helps us have a grateful attitude. Let us praise our Lord and Savior this Advent season.  Luke 1:46-47 New Living Translation (NLT) 46  Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. 47       How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! Prayer: O'Lord, we praise Your Holy name and thank You for Your sacrifice on our behalf, in the name of Jesus, Amen.

The depth of Mary's faith and the holy life that she was living was so powerful that Heavenly Father chose Mary to be the earthly mother of Jesus. Do you have faith like Mary? If God looked down right now would He find favor with you? Luke 1:30-31 New King James Version (NKJV) 30  Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  31  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name  Jesus .  Prayer: O'Lord, help us to live a holy life so You may find favor in us, in Jesus name, Amen.

I find that the churches that run like a business are not doing well and the churches that run within the guidance of biblical standards are thriving. I find the most mature Christians are not the ones with a PH.D. in theology behind their name but the ones who have a strong prayer life and live within a biblical framework. When Christians and churches try to live in their own worldly knowledge then they are doing just what Jesus said in the Holy Bible in  Matthew 15:8 ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth   a nd  honor Me with  their  lips, b ut their heart is far from Me. (NKJV)... and also Paul told Timothy in   2 Timothy 3:5   They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!  1 Corinthians 1:26-29 New Living Translation (NLT) 26  Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you.   27  Instead, God chose things the world

It is a very common part of a believers faith walk to have various levels of doubt about Jesus and their faith at times. Do not let this alarm you but understand it is all part of faith evolving in a believers life. With the passing of time, you should have fewer doubts as you continue in prayer and study of the Holy Bible. Matthew 14:30-31 New Living Translation (NLT) 30  But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. 31  Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him.  “You have so little faith,”  Jesus said.  “Why did you doubt me?” Prayer: O'Lord, help us with our doubts so we can grow our weak faith into a stronger faith, in Jesus name, Amen.

Sometimes when it is cold the wind can make it feel even colder which is called wind chill. There are times that the Holy Spirit is with us but needs to get our attention and we get a conviction from the Holy Spirit which perks us up just like a wind chill. In response, we should pay attention and then act accordingly to the direction of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:25 New Living Translation (NLT) Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Prayer: O'Lord, may we be open to hearing your Holy Spirit speak to us, in Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Using the right tools for the right job is so important to fix a problem or to building something that will be good and useful. If you need to do electric work and all you have is plumbers tools you are not going to get the job done. If you are going to put a nail in a wall you would use a hammer, not a screwdriver, so tools are important and especially the right tools for the right job. When you are seeking salvation it is important to come to Jesus Christ for the that and not a false pagan god (wrong tool) and if you want to grow in Christ you pray and read your Holy Bible and go to church which are the right tools for the job. Time to come to the true and living God which is Jesus Christ. Isaiah 1:18 New King James Version (NKJV)   “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the  Lord , “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. John 6:37 New Living Translation (NLT) However, those

White vinegar is a wonderful natural cleaning agent which is a  type of  vinegar  that is made from  distilled  grain alcohol. D istilled white vinegar  is mainly used for pickling foods and as a cleaning agent to remove grease, calcium deposits, and to clean windows and floors. Now White vinegar reminds me of the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross to remove our sins from our lives (grease and calcium deposits) and then it "pickles" us which preserves our souls for eternity with our Lord and Savior Jesus. Praise the Lord for His shed blood and for white vinegar. 1 John 1:6-8 New King James Version (NKJV) 6  If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.  7  But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Prayer: O&#

Everyone loves a handwritten letter in the mail. How you talk and how you think and how you act and live your life is an open letter to everyone around you from loved one to complete stranger. The question is what are they going to read when they meet you? Hopefully, they read an open letter that brings honor and glory to Jesus Christ. May they feel Christ's presence with you always.   2 3:2 New Living Translation (NLT) 2  The only letter of recommendation we need is you yourselves. Your lives are a letter written in our hearts; everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you. Prayer: O'Lord, may we be open letters of love from You to others, in Jesus name, Amen.

I love to watch Star Trek and in the series of Deep Space Nine there is a species called Ferengi and they always say, "Who can understand Hu-mans?" which is really so very true. I sometimes do not even understand myself let alone other humans at times. But our Lord Jesus does understand us humans and thank goodness He does. Jesus has even helped us understand each other by writing about us in the Holy Bible and how the human heart (soul) works due to our sinful fallen nature and how our nature can change when we put faith in Jesus and respond to Him we can better understand "Hu-mans!" 1 Chronicles 28:9 New King James Version (NKJV) 9  “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the  Lord  searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. Proverbs 21:2 New Living Translat

If you truly want to live a rich and vibrant life then it is time to give your life to Jesus Christ if you have not done so already. Once you do then get into a good Christ-centered and biblically based church to help you mature into the image of Jesus which also is developed through daily prayer and study of the Holy Bible. Find an older Christian who is willing to help mentor you in your walk with Jesus. Now get ready for the most exciting ride of your life! John 11:25 New Living Translation (NLT) 25  Jesus told her,  “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Prayer: O'Lord, we pray for all those who do not know You yet, in Jesus name we pray, Amen.

I find it interesting that Jesus says here in John chapter 17 that reading and studying the Holy Bible will bring you the truth about God and life but it is the vehicle to develop a holy lifestyle which brings you into sanctification. That is why it is so important to make it a habit to read your scriptures on a daily basis. Jesus died a gruesome death on the cross for you so is it too much to ask us to pick up our Holy Bibles and read each day for our own benefit?  John 17:15-19 New Living Translation (NLT) 15  I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.   16  They do not belong to this world any more than I do.   17  Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.   18  Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. 19  And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth. Prayer: O'Lord, thank you for the Holy Bible and Your great sacrifice