THE FEAR PRISON

THE FEAR PRISON

Now hear this!  “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (II Timothy 1:7)

When you truly ‘see’ the world around you with open eyes of discernment, you observe that so many of the people whom you encounter daily are loaded down with the weighty and agonizing burden of FEAR.  The scriptures inform us that “fear involves torment.” (I John 4:18, NKJV)  To wit, the majority of people around us are literally tormented by satanic attack of fear.  Their self-talk includes negative statements such as:  ‘I’m not good enough.’  ‘I will fail.’  ‘Nobody likes me.’  ‘They won’t accept or appreciate me.’

Truthfully, we limit and judge ourselves on a higher and harsher level than how other people actually feel about who we are, what we do and what we can become.  It’s a vicious cycle that perpetuates self-doubt and ends in defeat.

So stop imprisoning your life and your potential in a self-constructed chamber of fear!  STOP!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

THE WARRIOR WITHIN

THE WARRIOR WITHIN

In the face of opposition or difficult circumstances, we may be tempted by the enemy of our soul to doubt the goodness, greatness and sovereignty of God.  During moments like these, we would do well to reflect upon one of the most powerful directives in the Holy Writ: “Fight the good fight of faith, and lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (I Timothy 6:12, NKJV)

Kiplimo Chemirmir, a Kenyan warrior, is convinced that there is an awesome and untapped power that resides within.  Prayerfully consider his courageous words:

Tough people dare when others doubt.  Believe in yourself for the walls around you do not define the will within you.  See everything that you face in life as a test; face it because your heart wants what’s beyond it.  Embrace your results and never give less than what you expect, and always remember in your own ways - you are powerful, you can do it, and you are a champion.

In my tribe we believe that beneath our skin stands a warrior.  Our ultimate belief is that there’s a shield and spear that is grasped by the warrior within us, which must always hang in the walls our hearts.  We can only use them to protect ourselves and never hurt anyone in any way at all; to fight bravely but only for peace and victory that builds our lives from poverty and all that weakens us.

We must hunt for our goals and never cry when we are wounded by failure or disappointments.  To be brave and never forget to be wise with our strength because your greatest enemy is yourself, so make sure that the choices you make in life will make you dig your own grave.

Never use that spear to beat or hurt yourself, nor use the shield to hide from your battles.  Use it for its purpose and for what is right.  Always fight a good fight when life brings you challenges, for sometimes life is a beast that must be tamed.  And, if this beast bring troubles that are mightier than your strength, remember a wise warrior listens keenly to those who advise him, but he never lets anyone decide for him.

You are the maker of your own destiny.  Fighting is in your spirit, valor is in your heart, endurance is in your blood – and this is why you must always believe in yourself, for deep within you stands a warrior who cannot be defeated.

You were born to be a warrior and this you will always will be; this is your birthright, you must not deny it.  So do not fail yourself because of fear nor what’s standing before you; the victorious fighter within will define you.

So fight back.  Strive for a better life, strive for peace, strive to become all you can be and never settle, for in life we are growing and always moving forward.  All is possible if you do not run away but in believe tenaciously in yourself.

In our tribe, I have become a warrior who is destined to be an elder.  A boy must go through a gruesome rite of passage; for me, it will take a book to write them all down, but the last day was the highlight of it.

I was fourteen years old when my time came.  The last week of the gruesome month of December was when I had to face a lion to complete the passage.  I remember that day like it was one second ago, standing breathless with my spear, a dagger on my hip, a quiver with twenty tranquilizing arrows hanging tightly on my back.

My bow fell somewhere while stalking the lion.  The lion turned back roaring and staring at me with fiery eyes that pierce the soul of its prey.  Even lightning and thunder could never made my heart stop like in that moment.  But being there was not about courage; it was about destiny.

What made me stand strong and ready to charge is who I was, told by my elders and a powerful voice inside me.  I grew up being taught to believe in the warrior within.  It is hope, courage, strength and all that shapes a man to bring out his best, to rely on who he truly is, to triumph no matter the circumstances.

On that glorious day, the way the lion stared at me, I saw him as he saw me.  I could see a slice of fear on his face, which made me even braver.  I was only a young boy at that moment but I did not feel like I was a boy, or young, or weak or anything less.  I felt the spirit of the warrior breathing within, declaring “Today I will conquer the lion and I will roar through all the rest of my days.”

To this day defeat or failure never hurts because if I let them control me, I will be betraying the warrior’s path that I grew up following.  My friend when you are alive, just like the lion, you must never stop hunting.  But just like the warrior, you must never stop conquering and believing in the God who resides within.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

THE THREE "F's" OF LIFE

THE THREE “F’s” OF LIFE

I recently read an interesting article by Michael A. Adeniyi.  I thought it would be nice to share it with you, so it is reprinted in its entirety below.  Enjoy!

Faith and fear are significant measures that determine the future.  

Faith and fear are actually infectious because they both spread like epidemics, so you must be very careful about the things you listen to and the people with whom you choose to associate.  Many people have allowed the faithless words of others to drive them into despair by which they end up being a future failure.

What is FAITH?  

F - future
A - actions
I -   intended and expected
T - to
H - happen

What is FEAR?

F - fake
E - experience
A - appearing
R - real

Thus, a person with fear is actually a coward because “a coward dies ten times before their death.”

Here is a true story that confirms this fact.  A man started running down the street of his town screaming, “The dam has broken.”  Women shopping in the supermarket heard the scream and they dropped their grocery baskets and joined him.  Men in the barbershop and offices heard the mob and joined them, as did the police and the firemen.  Soon the street was filled with people screaming, “The dam has broken!”  One old man ran as fast and far has he could and then sat down on the curb for a moment and thought, “I've lived here all my life.  What dam?”

The truth and fact was quite simple.  There was no dam.  There was no danger.

A short while later the citizens came shuffling back into town, collectively embarrassed by their irrational response to fear.  Some suffered physically from the stampede; some even died.  Thankfully, most survived.  Lesson learned: reject fear and choose faith to create a better present and future.

What is the FUTURE?

F - focused
U - utility/utilized
T - timing
U - used in
R - realizing
E – expectations

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (II Timothy 1:7)

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

GOD'S WORD ON LOVE

GOD’S WORD ON LOVE

Today, let’s allow THE WORD to speak – clearly and concisely – to us:

Matthew 22:34-40 (NKJV)

³⁴ But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 

³⁵ Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying,

³⁶ “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”

³⁷ Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’  

³⁸ This is the first and great commandment. 

³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  

⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

John 13:34-35 (NKJV)

³⁴ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 

³⁵ By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

I Corinthians 13 (NKJV)

¹ Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 

² And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 

³ And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,^[a] but have not love, it profits me nothing.

⁴ Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 

⁵ does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 

⁶ does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 

⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

⁸ Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 

⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 

¹⁰ But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 

¹² For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

¹³ And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Amen?  AMEN!!!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

THE WONDROUS MYSTERY OF JOHN 3:16

THE WONDROUS MYSTERY OF JOHN 3:16

In the windy city of Chicago on a cold wintry night, a huge blizzard was on the way.  A little boy was trying his best to sell newspapers on a street corner where people quickly raced by due to the severe cold.  The little boy was freezing and wasn’t selling many papers at all.  He walked up to a policeman and said, “Sir, you wouldn’t happen to know where a poor boy could find a warm place to sleep, would you?  I sleep in a box in the alley and it will be awfully cold tonight.  It sure would be nice to sleep in a warm place during the storm.”

The policeman looked down at the little boy and said, “You go down the street to that big white house and knock on the door.  When they open the door, you just say John 3:16 and they will let you in.”

The little boy mustered up courage and did it.  He walked up the steps, knocked on the door, and an aging lady answered.  The child looked up and the woman, and just as he was told, he said “John 3:16.”  The old lady simply smiled and welcomed him.  “Come on in, son.”

She took him in and sat him down in a rocker in front of a great big old fireplace, then walked away.  He sat there for a while and thought to himself, “John 3:16...I don’t understand it, but it sure makes a cold boy warm.”

Later the lady came back and asked invitingly, “Child, are you hungry?”  He said, “Well, just a little.  I haven’t eaten in a couple of days and I could stand a bit of food.”  The lady took him into her kitchen and sat him down to a table filled with delicious food.  He ate and ate until he couldn’t eat any more.  Then he thought to himself, “John 3:16...I don’t understand it, but it sure makes a hungry boy full.”

She took him upstairs to a bathroom and a huge bathtub filled with warm water.  And as he sat there soaking, he thought to himself, “John 3:16...I don't understand it, but it sure makes a dirty boy clean.  I haven’t had a real bath my whole life.  The only bath I ever had is when I stand in front of that big fire hydrant as they flush out.”

The lady came in to get him.  She escorted him to the guest bedroom, where she tucked him into a soft feather bed, kissed him goodnight and turned out the lights.  As he laid there in the darkness, looking out the window at the snow pouring down outside, he thought to himself, “John 3:16...I don’t understand it, but it sure makes a tired boy feel rested.”

The next morning, the woman came back and took him down to that same kitchen table, filled with food.  After the little boy ate, she led him to that same rocker in front of the fireplace, took out a Bible, sat near him and asked, “Do you understand John 3:16?”

The little boy answered honestly, “No, Ma’am, I don’t.  The first time I ever heard it was last night when the policeman told me to use it when I knocked on your door.”

The woman opened her Bible to John 3:16, and she began to tell the little boy about Jesus Christ.  And right there, in front of that old fireplace, he gave his heart and his life to Jesus.  Afterwards, he sat there alone and he thought, “John 3:16…I don't fully understand it, but it sure makes a lost boy feel safe.”

You know, after a lifetime of reading and studying the scriptures, I must be totally transparent and admit that I don’t completely understand it either.  How could one ever fathom how GOD would be willing to send HIS SON to die in our place, or how THE SON would ever agree to offer such a sacrificial gift?  “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16…I don’t fully understand it either, but it sure makes life worth living.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

PURSUE YOUR UNIQUE DREAM

PURSUE YOUR UNIQUE DREAM

FAITH is a profoundly personal and powerful commodity.  As such, it should always be grounded in God’s Word, i.e. it must be based upon what THE CREATOR has purposefully spoken and seeded within, not on the outside limiting opinions of others.  After all, only THE MANUFACTURER is in position to reveal the ultimate purpose of what He has created.  So throughout our lives, despite adverse circumstances or setbacks, we must have inner knowledge and supreme confidence that whatever GOD has spoken over us will ultimately come to pass.  To assure that a heavenly vision would be reflected on and remembered, God instructed the prophet Habakkuk to “write the vision, and make it plain…that he may run that reads it.” (Habakkuk 2:2)  To wit, it is of strategic importance to record your dream and to share it (only) with faith-filled dreamers.

Kingdom Principle Number One: YOUR LIFE-VISION IS FOR AN APPOINTED TIME. The fulfillment of your dream will manifest at the intersection of CHRONOS (man’s time) and KAIROS (God’s time).  According to David, a blessed wo/man “brings forth fruit in HIS/HER SEASON.” (Psalm 1:3)  Please do not allow impatience or frustration to abort either the vision or the actualization of Heaven’s earthly prospects for you.

Kingdom Principle Number Two: YOUR LIFE-VISION MUST BE AN ACCURATE REFLECTION OF GOD’S WORD.  Whatever the Holy Spirit has communicated during your private time of prayer and devotions must be carefully confirmed and authenticated in the Word.  If there are any contradictions at all, you must revisit and reconfigure your dream.  If it is of GOD, it will surely stand the tests of time and trouble.  If not…well you already know.

Kingdom Principle Number Three: YOUR LIFE-VISION WILL SURELY COME TO PASS.  Although it is somewhat cliché, it is unquestionable truth: ‘DELAYED DOES NOT MEAN DENIED.’  Jesus Christ advised, “In your patience, possess ye your souls.” (Luke 21:19)  God’s admonition to Habakkuk is confirmation of the same: “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” (Habakkuk 2:3)

So never be afraid or hesitant to become DREAMERS…DOERS…PIONEERS…and TRAILBLAZERS.  Why?  Since God is the epitome of creativity, He forges and fosters distinctive plans and pathways for all His children.  Therefore, nothing in the Kingdom of God should ever become a ‘cookie-cutter approach.’  In fact, winner-believers are as unique as snowflakes; no two of us carry exactly the same marks or mission.  Although we all must submit to ONE LORD, subscribe to ONE FAITH, and drink of ONE BAPTISM (Ephesians 4:5), GOD has sown an endless array of variety into His world – and into us.  Bottom-line: THE LORD OF LIFE wants to use you and me in imaginative and particular ways.  So we are obliged to keep on dreaming – to keep on reaching – even when others cannot perceive or receive the magnitude of our life-visions.

The infinite diversity of our dreams reminds me of THE MOTH WHO FELL IN LOVE WITH A STAR.  All his friends and relatives mocked him.  Every day, they told him he was being totally unrealistic, and urged him to focus his efforts on some local, possible, attainable goal: a street lamp, a porch light, a candle, a lantern, or even a chandelier.  But this moth was truly in love with his star, and he steadfastly refused to give up.  Unfortunately, his pals, parents and siblings soon burned themselves out swarming around local and readily accessible lights, ending their days as charred bits of ash on sidewalks, porches, tables and floors.  But our moth enjoyed a lengthy, happy and healthy life in endless pursuit of his distant star.  Perhaps he never achieved his objective, but in some sense, the journey is just as important as the destination.  Truth is, those small goals can be more detrimental and risky than more expansive ones.  SO GO FOR IT!  Never listen to the negative voices (either without or within) that affirm any doubt, delay or denial of whatever GOD HAS EVER SPOKEN.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF CHRIST

CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF CHRIST

Have you ever become frustrated at the seemingly slow pace of progress or change in your life?  In this era of ‘microwave mentality,’ it is sometimes challenging to wrap our minds around the fact that GOD WORKS THROUGH PROCESS.  In other words, the changes HE institutes in our lives are often implemented over extended periods of time, through a multitude of life experiences.  Bottom-line: We cannot always trace God’s hand, but we must consistently trust His heart and His plan.

The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson.  Each morning, Grandpa rose early and sat at the kitchen table reading his old worn-out Bible.  His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him any way he could.  One day the grandson said, “Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you but I don’t understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book.  So what good does reading the Bible do for me?”

The grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, “Take this coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water.”  The boy did just as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back home.

The grandfather laughed and said, “You will have to move a little faster next time,” and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.

This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home.  Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was “impossible to carry water in a basket,” and he went to get a bucket instead.  The old man insisted, “I don’t want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water.  You can do this.  You’re just not trying hard enough,” and he watched from the window as his grandson attempted to please him again.

But at that point, the boy knew it was impossible, and he just wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got very far at all.  The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty.  Out of breath, he wheezed, “See Papa, I told you that it’s useless!”

“So you think it is useless?” the old man said.  “Look down at the basket.”  The young lad examined the basket and for the first time realized that it looked quite different.  Instead of the dirty old coal basket he had first received, the one he held in his hands was now completely clean.

“Son, that’s what happens when you read the Bible.  You might not understand or remember everything right away, but if you keep on reading, IT WILL SURELY CHANGE YOU…FROM THE INSIDE OUT.”

That is the work of The Father in our lives.  He changes us from the inside out, slowly transforming us into the image of His Son. (Romans 8:29)  Therefore, we must resist the temptation to become exasperated or frustrated by the cadence and content of our change.  Ultimately, we are in the hands of The Master Potter and we will be fashioned into the finished product that pleases Him and edifies His Kingdom. (Jeremiah 18:1-6)

The Apostle Paul sums it up succinctly for us: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2)

Let the change begin…and let the Changer have His way in the process!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

THE TEARS THAT BRING JOY

THE TEARS THAT BRING JOY

Ironically the shortest verse of scripture (and arguably the saddest) is “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35)  It is a striking and emotional portrait of Jesus Christ, standing before the burial site of his dear friend, Lazarus.  While the number of words recorded here by John, the apostle of love, is modest; their significance is monumental.  It is the clearest and most concise declaration of one key aspect of the person and work of Jesus.  That is, in Christ, we have A HIGH PRIEST who is “touched by the feeling of our infirmities.” (Hebrews 4:15)

Dictionary.com defines “INFIRMITY” as “a physical weakness or ailment” (or) “a lack of strength” (or) “a moral weakness or failing.”  Relative to us, Jesus Christ directly connects with each part of that definition.  As ‘VERY MAN,’ Jesus is intrinsically clothed in our humanity.  In other words, HE GETS US.  As ‘VERY GOD,’ Jesus has limitless power to totally transform our various conditions and circumstances.  In other words, HE CHANGES US.  Through Christ, our minds are transformed; our ailments become healings; our weaknesses become strengths; our failures (moral or otherwise) become undeniable victories.

I hope that you do not think me insensitive or unkind when I admit to you that I am hilariously happy that JESUS WEPT.  For his tears were not only the precursor to Lazarus’ resurrection, they become the catalyst for our regeneration, restoration, renewal and rejoicing.  Because JESUS WEPT, we can “glory in tribulations.” (Romans 5:3)  Because JESUS WEPT, we can “count it all joy.” (James 1:2)  Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Regardless of what you are experiencing at this hour, be aware that YOU are the constant concern of The Compassionate Christ.  As a matter of fact, you must feel free to cast “all your cares upon him” with full assurance that (no matter what) “he cares for you.” (I Peter 5:7)  Bottom-line: “Weeping may endure for a night, but JOY COMES IN THE MORNING.” (Psalm 30:5)

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

INTAKE DETERMINES OUTPUT

INTAKE DETERMINES OUTPUT

One cold winter evening, a Cherokee Chief was sitting at the fireplace sharing a lifetime of sound judgment and wisdom.  “Every person experiences a life-or-death struggle,” he admonished, “a terrible fight between two powerful wolves.  One wolf is evil: it brings fear, anger, envy, greed, self-pity, resentment, selfishness, dishonesty and arrogance.  The other wolf is good: it brings truth, serenity, sincerity, confidence, generosity, gentleness, joy, compassion and humility.”

His young grandchild queried nervously, “Grandpa, which wolf wins?”

The elder sage looked the little boy straight in the eye and said firmly: “THE ONE YOU FEED.”

In life, we all have definite options.  We can choose either evil or good.  Moreover, the overall results we achieve are actually products of a LIFE DECISION TREE, which is comprised of a host of smaller and seemingly ordinary choices we make along the way.  How we spend our time is a choice.  The company we keep is a choice.  The spouses we choose, the books we read, the music we embrace, the television programs we follow, the events we attend, the church families we join – all are monumental choices that impact our thinking, and thus our short- and long-term decision making.

So make up your mind about the direction, meaning and quality of your life.  Just like Joshua challenged wilderness-weary Israel, “CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY WHOM YE WILL SERVE…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

Choose well.  Guard your heart. (Proverbs 4:23)  The leaves, branches and fruit on your life-tree are the product of what you purposefully ingest along the well.  Intake determines output.  Since you are what you eat, dine healthily, sumptuously and faithfully…on THE WORD.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE

THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE

There are times in life when we feel that we have given our all.  More often than not, this is only a feeling, not a reality.  Consider the following inspirational story about two youthful-but-sick siblings from California, which, quite literally, has motivated me to reassess my own giving.

Many years ago, when I worked as a transfusion volunteer at Stanford Hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liza who was suffering from a dreaded disease and needed blood from her five-year-old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness.  The doctor explained this situation to her little brother, and asked the young lad if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister.  I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, “Yes, I’ll do it, if it will save Liza.”

As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks.  Then his face grew pale and his smile faded.  He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, “Will I start to die right away?”

Being very young, the boy had misunderstood the doctor and thought his sister needed ALL his blood.

What a love!  This true story causes us to reflect on our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  On Calvary (and even before the foundation of this world), Jesus became willing and ready to GIVE HIS ALL to redeem us from the twin scourges of sin and death.  In His own words, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

The question is begged, “How much of ourselves are WE willing to give?”  The world in which we live places such heavy demands on our time and energy that sometimes we find it difficult to attend to the most mundane of matters that might bring a smile to the faces of our loved ones.  Think about it.  Husbands, are you too busy, too tired, or just too important to rise up from your chair and carry a glass of water to your thirsty wife?  Or is that just “women’s work?”  Wives, are you too preoccupied with the demands of your day to speak a word or encouragement or correction to your children?

The truth, plain and simple, is that LIFE GOES BY VERY QUICKLY.  A friend and colleague from Ohio, Elder Willie Templeton, is often heard saying “MAKE IT COUNT!”  Such a timely and emotionally present attitude is imperative since, according to James, the brother of Jesus, our lives may be likened to a vapor that appears for one fleeting moment, then swiftly fades away. (James 4:14)  Therefore, we must resolve TODAY to perform purposeful and random acts of kindness for our families, our friends, and yes, even to the strangers that we meet.  The Word admonishes us that “thereby some have entertained angels unaware.” (Hebrew 13:2)  Agape love manifests itself through ultimate sacrifice.  Why not give it a try?  It will surely cast light into your dark places.

Sisters and brothers, as you sow compassionate and bountiful seeds, be continually blessed!  And please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

WISE FRIENDS

WISE FRIENDS

King Solomon penned sage advice for all of us to live by.  In his memorable words, “He who walks with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” (Proverbs 13:20)  Today’s key question to ponder is simple: DO YOUR CLOSEST ASSOCIATES BRING HELP OR HARM INTO YOUR LIFE?  Consider the story of the powerful king who unwisely chose a monkey as his dearest companion and friend.

In a distant land, there was a king who had a monkey that was not only his pet; he was indeed his best friend.  The king loved that monkey very much, so he fed him with scrumptious fruits from the royal orchards and even dressed him in the finest garments in the land.

In fact, this king trusted his monkey friend so much that he decided to make him his personal guard.  That way, he would have his good friend alongside him at all times.  Once this decision was made, the king took his monkey friend everywhere, from the battleground to the court, and on every royal journey throughout the kingdom.

The monkey apparently loved the king with the same intensity and was most delighted and proud to have been appointed as his personal guard.  He resolved to carry out his duties with utmost devotion.  While the king slept, it was his monkey friend’s job to guard the royal bed chambers.  He would faithfully see to it that no one or nothing would disturb the king from getting much needed rest.  He even fanned the king to maximize his comfort, as he slept.

Daily, the royal bed chambers were bedecked with a variety of gorgeous and fragrant flowers.  Attracted by the alluring aroma of these flowers, a rather determined bee buzzed in through an open window while the king took his royal nap.  As was his custom, the monkey sat by the king’s bed, protecting and fanning him.  Once the diligent monkey spotted the intrusive bee, he tried to chase it away by using his fan.  But the bee lingered tenaciously, buzzing dangerously close to the king’s face.

After continuous efforts to discharge the bee, the monkey became rather angry.  At that moment, the bee settled itself on the king’s forehead.  By now, the monkey was totally outraged.  Caught up in his devoted zeal to protect the king, the monkey drew the king’s sword that lay on a nearby table.  He hoisted the sword high in the air to strike down the bee that now rested on the king’s forehead.  Alas, the unwise friend and appointed protector split the royal head in two, bringing about the king’s untimely demise.

Think about it.  We are not only known by the company that we keep, our eternal destiny is directly impacted (for better or worse) by those with whom we closely associate.  What does your selection of friends reveal about your wisdom and character, or lack of the same?  And how will those choices ultimately affect your God-ordained purpose, dreams and destiny?  Could there be a dangerous ‘monkey’ in your chamber?

Sisters and brothers, let us walk in God’s wisdom and be continually blessed!  And please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!