“If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.    ” ~Mark 8:38~

Most of us are neither ashamed nor embarrassed to be called Americans. Many of us proudly display flags or other symbols, proclaiming our allegiance to this fine nation. We wear hats that advertise our favorite places and jerseys that tout our favorite teams. Our coffee mugs advertise favorite “haunts” and our car bumpers often tell all who follow about our hobbies, foods, and political views. Oh, we’re proud to “love chocolate”, vote for so and so, and have a kid at such and such school. We’re proud of visiting different places, eating at certain restaurants, and driving such and such SUV, but are we proud to be Christians? Now, I’m not promoting Christian bumper stickers, hats, mugs, flags, shirts, or even pens. But really, how do you identify with the cause of serving Christ?

This reminds me of how we should identify with Christ:

“The Apostle Paul was converted to Christianity when he was confronted by a Heavenly vision/experience on the road to Damascus.

As a result of his becoming a devoted follower of Christ and a passionate proclaimer of the gospel, he suffered innumerable trials including being thrown into prison for his faith.

In spite of all that happened to him, he was so convinced of the reality of Jesus Christ and the gospel message that he boldly said, ‘I am not ashamed of the gospel (God’s good news of salvation) because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…’ Rom. 1:16.

Sadly, today, there are so many folks in places who are being terribly persecuted and even killed for their faith in Jesus Christ. May those of us in the free world continually remember those who are suffering for Jesus today.

And for all who are followers of Christ may the words of the hymn writer, Joseph Grigg, be true for each of us:

“Ashamed of Jesus sooner far
Let evening blush to own a star…
And O, may this my glory be,
That Christ is not ashamed of me.”

I wish to stand tall when confronted by others for my faith. Scripture reminds us that we have a responsibility to identify with Him who we love and serve…not in the clothes we wear or slogans we carry, but in the words we speak and in our actions. Jesus Christ humbly died for us so that we can proudly follow Him.
“And as we live with Christ, our love grows more perfect and complete; so we will not be ashamed and embarrassed at the day of judgment, but can face him with confidence and joy because he loves us and we love him too.” ~1 John 4:17~

I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him,
he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
~John 15:5~

I love learning how things grow, especially fruit trees. Because of wind or snow loads, branches can break or become damaged. In order to properly balance a tree, a new limb needs to be grafted onto the existing trunk.

The fact that a limb from another tree can be grafted into the host tree is an amazing process. Once the branch is carefully placed on the tree, it will begin to receive nourishment from the trunk, causing it to eventually become permanently secured so that it can bear fruit.

Of course, the branch by itself can do nothing. In order for it to produce fruit, or even live, it must be grafted into a source of energy, a source of life.

In a similar manner, I can see how insignificant my role in ministry is compared to the work of the Holy Spirit. John 15 reminds us that our source of true energy and strength comes from Christ Jesus. When we abide in Him, we have life!

It is God’s will that every single believer be filled with the Spirit— that moment by moment we walk in His guidance and power. He is our life source. If we are to be truly effective we must be under the influence and control of His Spirit. If we are tapped in to His power, we can expect that the fruits of the Spirit (joy, peace, love, patience, kindness, gentleness, etc.) will prevail.

I’ve noticed it in my own life. The more I tap into Him(rest in Him), the more I’m able to pass grace, goodness, and love on to others. If I’m to produce works of service that honor and glorify God, I need to be grafted into Him. The Apostle Paul realized that his own might and power were not enough to sustain the work he had been called to do. Paul relied on the Holy Spirit to fill him during many trying times, and he urges us to do the same: “And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to live in obedience to him. Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done.” ~Col.2:6-7~

Godly character and good works is not something I can do in the flesh. My responsibility is to rest in Him and trust in Him to do in me, through me and for me. “Abiding” is really just trusting God to provide the source of power and inspiration that enables us to be successful and purposeful in our daily living. It comes through a living relationship with Jesus.

Who or what are you trusting in today? Only God can provide the strength we need to face tomorrow.

Now go out and have an EPIC day today!!!

“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ~Romans 8:38-39~

One of the greatest hindrances in our relationship with God, in turn creates a strained relationship with our loved ones, friends, co-workers and even strangers at best is unconfessed sin! It becomes like a cancer that grows and grows over the months, years and a lifetime. It grows in to anger, bitterness, jealousy and well the list goes on and on. Galatians 5:19 says: “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; 20idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions,…”

Most of the time we do not even realize this, it is a slow process that takes place in the spirit and the heart over years, it happens so slowly that you don’t see it. Let me explain it this way……

Last year my eye sight was getting so bad that my wife and I started making plans on how to live with me being blind, how would we do it? What will it be like. You see a Dr. had told me I was going blind and nothing can be done. It was getting to the point where I could not even see a street light until I got up close to it. As long as I drove on roads I knew I was ok, but if on a strange road I was in trouble. It scared me and it was making me become something I did not want to be….but I had no option.

After months of praying for healing, one day I decided to visit another Dr, he took a look and did numerous test concluding with a couple different surgeries I would probably be able to see just fine. SO I moved forward and had the surgeries. Today I see 20/20 in one eye and the other is still not good but my eye sight is 80% better and I see just fine!!!

Here is my point…. losing my sight was a very gradual thing, it took time for my eye sight to get where it was. As time went by I would adjust to the loss of sight, not even realizing what was happening. I was so blind I had no business driving!! No business riding my Harley!!! I quit playing golf because of it. Once I had the surgery I REALIZED how blind I was and man it just blew me away. The process from seeing to being blind was so slow and gradual that I didn’t realize how bad it was.

It made me think of our lives, we allow things in and slowing our lives change and we do not realize it, we have un-confessed sin and it grows into all these things, it is so slow we never see it. Our love grows cold over months and years and we do not even know it has happened. Our relationship with the Father grows luke-warm and we think we are on fire. Our marriages, relationships with family and friends grow cold…. get the picture? It happens so gradual that we become something we DO NOT want to be.

NOTHING CAN SEPARATE YOU FROM THE LOVE OF THE FATHER, what that means in the Greek is this: NOTHING CAN SEPARATE YOU FOR THE LOVE OF THE FATHER!!!! Bring everything to Him and allow Him to take it, cleanse you, make you clean. GIVE YOU SIGHT!!! This is such a great verse … chew on it…ingest it….LIVE IT. If you really believe this verse it will change your life and the lives of everyone around you!!!

Now go out and have an EPIC day today!!! KNOWING you are loved by the King of Kings

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or
imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…”
Eph. 3:20

The prophet Isaiah reminds us to seek after a peaceful mind and spirit: “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” Is. 26:3. If our minds are filled with negative thoughts and an outlook of defeat, we are bound to be in a state of mental unrest, even turmoil, and of course there can be no inner peace.

I believe there is much to be thankful for if you know Christ—especially if you live in America. Let’s remind ourselves that our great hopes and dreams can be realized in Christ Jesus. If you are living a paltry life, resolve to stop it today. Expect great things to happen. Confidently receive God’s abundant blessings. Do not think about the lack. Instead, think prosperity, abundance, and the best of everything. God wants to give us, His children, every good thing. Don’t hinder His generosity with self-pity and pessimism. Most of all, He wishes to fill us with His abundant love and peace. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10 (NASB).

Let’s fix our minds and gaze upon the One who died on Calvary’s cross, accepting His great hope and peace. Let’s not de-value the suffering He went through by ignoring the comfort, love, and security He offers. Christ’s resurrection represents the new life we can experience when He is in control of our lives. He can guide and direct us only when we allow His affirming spirit to continually enter our lives. I’m so glad His goodness and faithfulness is not determined by the global economy, the cultural climate, or even our own best efforts, but rather, by His unconditional love, grace, and sacrifice. Now that’s truth!

Now go out and have an EPIC day today!!!

Yesterday in the mail I received a bracelet, you know the rubber type that usually has advertisement on it or a saying. On it, it read “I found Shalom” I’m not even sure why or how I got it. But I started thinking about this word and wanted to understand the deeper meaning of it.

Most know that the Hebrew word shalom is understood around the world to mean “peace.” However, “peace” is only one small part of the meaning. “Shalom” is used to both greet people and to bid them farewell, and it means much more than “peace, hello or goodbye”….

Hebrew words go beyond their spoken pronunciation. Each Hebrew word conveys feeling, intent and emotion. Shalom is more then just simply peace; it is a complete peace. It is a feeling of contentment, completeness, wholeness, well being and harmony.

According to Strong’s Concordance 7965 Shalom means completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord. Shalom comes from the root verb shalom meaning to be complete, perfect and full. In modern Hebrew the obviously related word Shelem means to pay for, and Shulam means to be fully paid.

Of course, there is only one way to find TRUE shalom – and that is in the Word of YHWH. Many search for fulfillment, happiness and contentment in material possessions, money, sex, entertainment, etc. But those things do nothing to fill “that little hole in our soul” that only GOD can fill! Those things only serve to distract and prevent us from finding true peace…the shalom that can only come from Him who created and put all things into place.

Now go out and have an EPIC day today — Shalom!

The core of who I am… “does my spirit man and my flesh match up, does my life reflect my spirit-man or my flesh, if they don’t match the flesh will always win and what comes out is really what is inside of me. If the cup is clean on the inside it would reflect on the outside”

This is a statement I made in a letter to my wife a few years back, it was from a conversation I had with a man that was counseling me and mentoring me. This my friends is what I rely on daily, I speak this out daily along with one other statement I start my day out with….”Lord, I need you today, I cannot make with it without you today, I tried doing my way and I failed miserably”

Our flesh is strong and our flesh will always win if our Spirit Man is weak!!! There is only one way to strengthen your spirit man and that is to FEED HIM!! If we spent as much time feeding and strengthening our spirit man as we do feeding our flesh we would be amazing men of God in every area of our life.

There will always be a battle between flesh and spirit — strengthen the one that will not die and fade away, grow old, weak and frail. I am not trying to sound sharp or mean here but listen closely….. YOU WILL NEVER EVER BE a man of God, a Godly husband, a Godly father, and a light in this world if your spirit man is a weak little man, the truth is you are either growing or you are moving backwards.

I want to encourage you to BE what you are CREATED to be!!! A warrior!!! A man that loves and leads his family, a man that lays down his life for his family, a man that raises children to love the Lord with all their hearts, a man with integrity that does not have to think about the “right” choice, a man that is spirit led, spirit filled, prayed up and fired up to make a difference in this world.

“As for me and my house we will serve the Lord”

Now go out and have an EPIC day today.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or
imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…”
Eph. 3:20

The prophet Isaiah reminds us to seek after a peaceful mind and spirit: “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” Is. 26:3. If our minds are filled with negative thoughts and an outlook of defeat, we are bound to be in a state of mental unrest, even turmoil, and of course there can be no inner peace.

I believe there is much to be thankful for if you know Christ—especially if you live in America. Let’s remind ourselves that our great hopes and dreams can be realized in Christ Jesus. If you are living a small life, resolve to stop it today. Expect great things to happen. Confidently receive God’s abundant blessings. Do not think about the lack. Instead, think prosperity, abundance, and the best of everything. God wants to give us, His children, every good thing. Don’t hinder His generosity with self-pity and pessimism. Most of all, He wishes to fill us with His abundant love and peace. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10 (NASB).

Let’s fix our minds and gaze upon the One who died on Calvary’s cross, accepting His great hope and peace. Let’s not de-value the suffering He went through by ignoring the comfort, love, and security He offers. Christ’s resurrection represents the new life we can experience when He is in control of our lives. He can guide and direct us only when we allow His affirming spirit to continually enter our lives. I’m so glad His goodness and faithfulness is not determined by the global economy, the cultural climate, or even our own best efforts, but rather, by His unconditional love, grace, and sacrifice. Now that’s truth!

Now go out and have an EPIC day today!!!

“Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you…”
~Rom. 16:19a~

When a well-known NFL coach was asked why he always had a pastor on the sideline during a game, he explained, “I’m not even sure if I believe in God, but in case there is one, I want Him on my side.” In a similar way, King Nebuchadnezzar seemed to utilize Daniel, the prophet, as a spiritual rabbit’s foot or lucky penny. But Daniel had a tremendous testimony to his friends, his family, and his king. He demonstrated time and time again how people who have great faith manifest great character. Nebuchadnezzar learned to admire and respect Daniel’s character because of his faithfulness and his obedience to “his God.”

While Nebuchadnezzar believed in many gods, he didn’t believe that the God of the Hebrews was the only true God. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace, Nebuchadnezzar observed the God of Abraham and Issac display His love and compassion for His faithful servants. The reluctant king saw that the God of the Hebrews was indeed the one true God. “Then Nebuchadnezzar said, ‘Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.’ Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.” Daniel 3:28-30.

Eventually, Nebuchadnezzar blessed the God of Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Daniel and decreed that anyone speaking an offense against their God would be destroyed. God was and continues to be honored when we are faithful.

God will often change the hearts of folks in authority to glorify Himself and bless His beloved and faithful servants. Let’s look for opportunities to honor God with our faithfulness and obedience. You just never know who might be watching!

Now go out and have an EPIC day today!!

His wife said to him, ‘Are you still holding on to your integrity?’”
Job 2:9a

What we value shapes our character—and will ultimately define how we live, how we lead, or whether we can lead at all. As Christians, it definitely affects our witness for Christ. The question Job’s wife asked him is one that all believers need to ask themselves.

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (11th Ed.) defines integrity as:
1) the firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : incorruptibility;
2) an unimpaired condition : soundness;
3) the quality or state of being complete or undivided : completeness.

It has been said that we live in a world that knows the cost of everything but the value of nothing. The reality is that we can not be effective disciples for Christ if we allow our values to be shaped by the media, a crazy society, or worldly thinking. The Apostle Paul wrote to the believers at Colossae, saying, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” Col. 3:2. As followers of Christ, our values must come from things that have eternal significance—love, kindness, selflessness, honesty, purity, gentleness, etc.

Scripture is our compass, constantly reminding us that we need to seek wisdom and follow truth. But the world tells us truth is relative. No wonder Proverbs urges us: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.” Prov. 4:23. Let’s reflect on a few scriptures that remind us of how God directs His people:

“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.

Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways, who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.

It will save you also from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words, who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God. For her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead. None who go to her return or attain the paths of life. Thus you will walk in the ways of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it; but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it.” Prov. 2:1-22

and

“I will sing of your love and justice; to you, O Lord, I will sing praise. I will be careful to lead a blameless life- when will you come to me? I will walk in my house with blameless heart. I will set before my eyes no vile thing. The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me. Men of perverse heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with evil. Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, him will I put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, him will I not endure. My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he whose walk is blameless will minister to me. No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence. Every morning I will put to silence all the wicked in the land; I will cut off every evildoer from the city of the Lord.” Psalm 101:1-8

In a world that delights in perverting truth, preaches selfishness, and denies Christ Jesus, we must stand firm in the ways of the Lord and “practice what we preach.” Instead of being hypocrites, we must be examples of moral integrity—found sound and complete in our wisdom and actions. It means we don’t compromise when it comes to the truths God has given us. We live blamelessly, without corruption, but
not without grace. We love the sinner, but hate the sin.

As believers we must seek wisdom and hold tightly to our integrity—for our own sakes, as well as the ones we love. (FAMILY,  FRIENDS, and CO-WORKERS)

Now go out and have an EPIC day today