Heart, Soul, and Strength

At the same time my reason returned to me and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me.  My counselors and nobles resorted to me.  I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me.     Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice And those who walk in pride He is able to put down. -- [Daniel 4: 36-37] May my lamp not go out at night. --[Proverbs 31:18] May i never eat the bread of idleness--[v. 27]  Wisdom is knowing the truth and how to apply it to any situation; wisdom and understanding both must be embraced.  i could sew the fig leaves together to cover my shame, if only i could sew!  Christ by wearing my shame and nakedness secured eternal life for me who is clothed in Christ forever clothed with His righteousness...through every mistake He knows i'm going to make. God says to His Holy Spirit, "Comfort My people!" ---[Is...

 God, our Father, made us and God our Savior died for us, and God the Holy Spirit, our great Comforter and Keeper, preserves us.  Lord, i've been a sinner and a fallen man from the day of my consciousness.  i have lived a life full of blemish and full of mistakes.  i have no other things then shortcoming.  Evil has attended me and dogged and hounded my steps every part of the pilgrimage of this earthly life.  Guarding my heart is not the same as battling my flesh against flesh.  i don't need to be so contentious back.  In my flesh is no good things, so i'm going to get justice from the Lord.  i must learn to treat others based on my relationship with God, who wants me to increase so that my relationship with Him inspires others. For this reason, we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding that you may walk...

 i need to praise God for what i have.  i remember my parents providing a fantastic and secure roof over my head, clothes, food, a comfortable bed.  i don't remember ever being jealous of someone else for anything they had.  it was never an issue with me.  Looking back, i wish i had been aware of thanking and praising God for the good parents i had.  Good schools, good teachers.  i wasn't always a good boy, and i thank God i didn't wind up in juvenile detention.  i was a strange kid, i guess, doing weird things, used to rock back and forth while watching television or in my bed in the morning while grabbing onto the covers because it "tickled my tummy"--you know, that sensation one gets while riding over a bump or on a roller coaster, although now ferris wheels and roller coasters would make me sick to my stomach.   i may have wanted to be somewhere else or wanted another job once i'd gotten over the honeymoon periods, but i don't rememb...

 Satan must be dancing in the leaves because the old man's still kicking with uncleanness, passion, evil desire and idolatry.  What's going on here?  The old man's supposed to be dead.  He was supposed to die with Christ, remember?  And yet he keeps showing up outside the door, like a demon who still possesses me!  Satan must be smiling in delight! He pisses me off!  And i know he makes my Heavenly Father angry.   i ask you heavenly Father, to forgive me, for i am in agreement with You that his sin is deadly and mocks the eternal life You've promised me.  Please strengthen the Holy Spirit in me to keep my mind and members focused on heaven and not on this earthy plane which will soon pass away.  In Jesus' name i pray.  Amen And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. -- [John 10:28] i know that not even Satan can snatch me out of His hand, so Satan, you can da...

 i picture myself going to my 50th high school reunion and some classmate coming up to me, like one did during the 10year reunion.  But this time, i won't even recognize who it is.  And he'll ask me, "So, what do you have to say for yourself?  What have you accomplished these past 40 years?"  And i'll tell him that i have accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and that is all i ever needed to accomplish.  i'll tell him that Christ died for me, just he died for him with all his titles after his name, with his huge family and all his money he can pass on to his beneficiaries.  And i can hear him saying to his spouse after i went about my business, "He sure didn't add up to much, did he?"   i'm sure Granma said the same thing about me as well, but i still hope that my high school classmates and my relatives and friends all accomplish that acceptance of Christ as their Savior before they pass on.   So let no one judge you in food or in drin...

  For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life --[Galatians 6:8] The Truth sets me free to be greatly used by God.  i am free to be used; i've got to let go of finding all the answers and solving all the problems because this Book has the answers to problems.  In both the Father and Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  --[Colossians 2:2-3] Satan must be scared out of his wits of me!  He must see me as a threat to his work in the world.  i'd love to be a threat to Satan in this world.  Imagine all us true-blue Christians gathered against him.  i wonder how fast he'd ...

 I who once was far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. --[Ephesians 2:13] As a believer i'm free to choose--i don't have to give in to sin without a fight--fighter that i am--could be the death of me 'cuz that ain't good for my heart. When i was born again i was placed into God's family through adoption; therefore, i could never be an orphan.  God adopted me into Christ.  i have all the benefits of the Person who was put to death. My schedule is in His hands and i now take on the shield of faith, knowing His favor surrounds me.  Apart from Jesus, i can do nothing.  i am nothing.  He protects me from myself, my fleshy sensual self.  Jesus can only be the only source of my courage.  He goes with me wherever if go today. The more i talk things over with the Enemy, the more time the temptation has to settle into my emotions and will.  i'm learning from Eve.  May God guide me in using His Word and head temptation off at the p...

 O Lord, buy me back and set me free!  i am too presumptuous and i need to do what You tell me to do.  I know You don't intend for me to live a life full of frustration and anxiety.  Where in Your perfect timing, O Lord, will i get into my perfect dwelling where i can serve You best?  Where You can provide for me Your best?  Always remind me that i need to wait on You to meet my needs Your way. Thank You and all praise goes to You, Lord, as You are involved in my struggle against temptation.  You are right here functioning as my referee.  You are faithful and can be trusted even in my darkest hour of temptation.  You do not turn Your back on me. If i were to think that i was at the mercy of the devil when it comes to temptation, then i've already lost the battle.  i'll never know victory because i'll never make more than a half-hearted attempt at overcoming temptation.  Thank You, God, for putting limits on the intensity of my tempt...

 O that i--such a cracked pot--could keep the Holy Spirit filled in me, like Barnabas. And my only purpose in that would be to help bring folks to Christ, accepting Him as their personal Savior.  At times, i feel i'm not responsible or worthy enough to be saved, but i know that issue i can lay at the foot of the cross. i'm not being very saintly these days, am i Lord?  i should be grateful for so many things You've blessed me with.  Please bless me with an abundance of true-blue saints--ones without egos that are over-inflated---i can be very guilty of that--i suppose it's okay to have an ego, but i need better influences in my life, folks who keep their egos to themselves, so that i may learn to do the same.  Instead of ego and pride, help me to choose joy, love, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Pray for me, Dear Jesus, pray for me.  Who is he who condemns?  It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, wh...

 1 Timothy:  Make sure no other doctrine is taught, no fables which cause dispute, where there is no godly edification. Timothy, prevent the spread of false teaching. Legalists cannot mix law and grace.  They engage in idle talk, having strayed with their meaningless babble.  The law is not made for the righteous person, but for the lawless, ungodly, unholy, and profane, something of which i was guilty for so long and even have the temptation to fall back into the pit from time to time.  i obtained God's mercy because i committed those wrongs in unbelief, or as a back-slider and as someone prone to worldly and fleshly desire and lust. Now i believe in Jesus Christ and only by His grace will i obtain everlasting life.  Grace by faith and trust in Him.  In Him alone.  If i were to be a young man's mentor, i would want to be a quiet encourager, a serene influence, i would want to interest him by saying as little meaningless babble as possible and lea...

 May i learn to humble myself for i've been lost along the way so many times and He found me; i'm so glad He tapped me on my shoulder throughout my lost and fallen years.   True, the restlessness is still there.  The tendency to wander is always nearby.  Like King David, i must continue to meditate on the awesome kindness and faithfulness of the Lord.  i wait patiently the homecoming after the journey. i am willing to come to the wedding for He has prepared the feast and all things are ready.  i am going to the wedding.  My routines and my job shall be put on hold, for i am going to this wedding, which is just around the corner, for His servants have come and invited me personally, and i'm grateful they came to invite me to this wedding.  i pray for those who don't prepare for the wedding readily.  i pray that i can continue to be worthy of this wedding.  May i be able to invite as many as i can to fill the wedding hall.  i wil...

 Sore right thigh, pain medication, heart medication.  Compared to my past the future is growing shorter and shorter, so that's why i intend to walk with God and trust in Him in the present.  The present is the only thing i've got now that's tangible.  Why not abide with Him in the garden?  I'd be a fool otherwise.  i'm feeling Fall coming on, the autumn of my years.  i'm not so quick to get up off the floor when i'm sitting on my butt down on the floor. i want to rebuild but i don't need to advertise it to the world because, like Him, i'm not here to please the world; i'm here in my final days abiding in the Holy Spirit and serving God through Jesus Christ, no matter where that may take me.  May God protect those two in Pakistan who face death because they proclaimed their Chrisian beliefs.  That's courage.  Yes, Christians are being persecuted and beheaded for our faith and trust in a Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  He, Himself, ...

 On Daystar, last Saturday, i saw Before the Wrath  again.  i want to be ready for the coming of the Bridegroom and i want to have plenty of oil in my lamp.  At times i wonder should i go to bed dressed up or in my underwear since He will be coming like a thief in the night. Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow.  For what is your life?  It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.  Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that." --[James 4: 14-15] Lord, You alone know my future.  i admit that at times i am going about my life decisions under my own power and design.  i need to strengthen my faith and trust in You, for You are a good God, a generous God who fulfills Your promises.  i know i can be overly critical and judgmental of others, and please be patient with me with those who seem to me to be counterfeit Christians, just displaying some show.  i ...

 Even after being chosen by God to go on a mission Paul and Barnabas still ended up fighting and going their own separate ways.  Remind me of a Christian i know with whom i'm doing battle these days.  To me she breeds contempt and corruption as she conducts her business irresponsibly, favoring creepy characters who won't comply to the No Smoking rules, endangering themselves and putting us all at the threat of being displaced out of our "homes" by fire, which seems to be happening quite a lot in these days and hours.  Satan must be dancing in the leaves with delight. Yet the story of Barnabas teaches me the adage that actions speak louder than words, walking the walk and not just talking the talk.  i must step aside, like Barnabas did concerning Paul, and let this woman have her way.  i have no intention of being the one to change her.  She's God's now!  Now i've got to walk the walk and find ways to be like Barnabas, being a "son of encouragement...

 There's still something in this life for me to do; so far, i keep trying to find it on my own and this searching based on my own design leads me to disappointment.  There's nothing--other than my coffee and Bible in the morning--that is worth getting up for.  My past has done its part.  Now i'm trying to get my present in gear.  i keep stalling out.  Each day is having enough trouble of its own. --[Matthew 6:34] Sometimes i wish for the Wedding to begin and i'd be home.  i want to receive that crown of glory which does not fade away--[1 Peter 5:4].  A job here, a job there throughout the years; and especially within the past two years has fallen very short of glory.  Therefore humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time --[1 Peter 5: 6] It's not about the commutes and the rude bus drivers who pass you by when you're right there at the bus stop or the no-class-low-class coworkers and the lousy air condition...

 Confucious says that calling things by their proper name is the beginning of wisdom.  So i'm beginning to conclude that too many people with whom i'm surrounded lack wisdom.  The other day a fellow employee stopped and looked right at my name badge that says Timothy  and deliberately proclaimed, Tim!   It was as though he were telling me he wasn't going to call me by the name i preferred, that it was too presumptuous of me to expect anyone to do so.  How high and mighty of me to expect anyone to call me a three-syllable name when they could use a one syllable name.  Such an imposition on anyone!  So i began to google the name Timothy and to see why people are reluctant to call anyone named Timothy Timothy! Couldn't really find anything and i'm not about to speculate on the reason.  I noticed in my search that Timothy means "God's Honor."  Maybe in a secular society that is too much to refer anyone by a name that means that because the o...

  And you shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this thing.  --[Deuteronomy 24:22] In 1974 i graduated from high school and when i turned 18 on the 18th of June i got a job at NAPCO for the summer.  Any thoughts of becoming a minister were put on hold as that was the summer before i went to college.  i remember Mother crying in the dorm room after a friend drove us there.  There i contracted college-itis and all thoughts of becoming a minister were wiped out.  i was not the popular nephew or grandchild of my aunt and grandmother on Dad's side of the family, and they were quick to point out my illness, rather than congratulate me for being the first member of the immediate family to enter college.  Even my brother resented the fact that i made dean's list during a few semesters during my freshman year.  It was a tense time when he came and visited me on campus.  When i said "Really?" every tim...

 What's bringing me joy?  Sitting here quietly convalescing through Covid---and i thought i could never get it --not worrying about rushing out the door anytime soon toady; being quiet and still with a cup of coffee during my time with the Lord; a sense of yet another Sabbath with my Heavenly Father.  The feeling of feeling better than the way i felt on Monday.  Catching up on my rest, catching up on my reading, shutting out the world--they in the world could never hold a candle to the Ones inside me. What makes me sad is knowing that those who purport to be Christians and only lend lip service will be told by Jesus, "I did not know you."  The thought that Mother and Dad won't make it home--my brother might not make it home either.  What makes me sad is not holding up my end of the bargain; that i won't cut the muster.  Oh, i'll get home but may only be worthy of a few rewards. What sin do i need to confess?  i must admit that the prospect of a lo...

 i shall have no other Gods before You--after all, You brought me out of bondage.  i shall not carve any images in the likeness of anyone in heaven or on earth or in the sea.  You are the Lord my God, a jealous God; i shall not take the name of the Lord my God in vain, and if i do i will not be guiltless according to God.  i will have one day a week as my Sabbath Day; i shall devote this day to the Lord and will do no work.  Even You rested on a seventh day--so if You could do it, i certainly could-- i shall honor the memories of Mother and Dad and pray that just before each passed they had the opportunity either on their own volitions or with the aid of a hospice worker to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior in the eleventh hour; nevertheless, their financial inheritance is Your money and i ask that You make me a good and faithful steward of that money.  In Jesus' name.  Amen   i shall not murder nor be afraid for my body should any...

 God is worthy of my honoe and praise--you or i don't even come close to the glorification God deserves; my good works are as valuable as the dirty dishwater in my kitchen sink--Lord, because of who You are and what You have done for me, i submit and surrender only to You.  Oh, i've seen the "act of worship" and the performance of rituals" in church, but just as i myself am guilty others are too busy observing one another to see who's performing best.  My marvelous heavenly Father in heaven, it is You who've put this marvelous food on my table and provided the job to help put it there.  You wanted me to work and You've provided the way.  i offer You my humble thanksgiving and You know what's in my heart. i need not tell the world how i express my thanks--You are the only audience i'll ever need from now until You call me home.  i've already begun to accept the fact that the world hated Him before the world hated me- [John 15:18], so i coul...

 If i love the people God blesses, then i shall love everyone and everybody...technically; and that's all the technology i need!  That's a very hard concept, considering each of God's people one by one.  i can name the God's people i don't like--two by two.  Every true believer in Jesus is a saint; it's difficult to think of myself in those terms, yet i could name those who are still around--one by one.  It all began when i knew the love of Christ and i began to be filled with the fullness of God--[Ephesians 3:19] ...Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  for the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. -- [Galatians 5: 16,17] O, to have this snow on my roof!  Older and ... wiser?  Maybe just as energetic as i was when i was younger i find that as i'm paying more attention to Scripture i'm beginnin...

Heavenly Father, help me align myself to Your will.  Shall i take advantage of the free time and begin at the seminary?  Could i use this motel room as a sanctuary despite the distractions?  Please help me before idolatry decays my soul any further.  Don't let this defeating habit in my life rob me of my confidence in Your power to give me victory over sin making me hesitant to offer Christ as the answer to others controlled by sin.  Don't let this habit destroy my incentive to share my faith because of feeling like a hypocrite.  How could i witness to others when i haven't removed the plank from my own eye? --[Matthew 7: 1-5] Sin always results in death of some kind. It is worth the continual struggle to combat temptation.  The awful, never-ending process of combating temptation is God's means of maturing me and confirming me to the image of Christ.  To throw my hands up in defeat is to abandon the process and to miss out on life's most important...

 The way things are stewing in the pot these day i'm finding it harder dealing with coworkers; i feel like i'm not getting much work done and nobody's coming around to help and thank goodness i can thank God for setting up the path for getting that job.  And when i shopped at this store  i don't recall shopping with a bunch of uncouth morons--people tearing open packets of underwear and throwing shirts and shorts on the floor without picking them up. I would never think of doing that--but now i'm getting rebellious--i don't want to pick up after anybody!  i'm finding it harder to appreciate customers, let alone coworkers.  Yet my Lord and Savior knows that--God, my Heavenly Father knew it wasn't going to be easy for me; so i'm not going to disregard or dismiss myself from this journey.  ii rejoice in my heart for Jesus Christ putting these obstacles and adversities and adversaries in my path because now i'm finally losing weight because i'm n...