Various Topics to Live the Good News

Pastor Betzer (1st Assembly of God, Fort Myers) recently shared this gem of a poem from Mother Teresa. Life is… Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is beauty, admire it. Life is bliss, taste it. Life is a dream, realize it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a duty, complete it. Life is a game, play it. Life is costly, care for it. Life is wealth, keep it. Life is love, enjoy it. Life is mystery, know it. Life is a promise, fulfill it. Life is sorrow, overcome it. Life is a song, sing it. Life …

Sure. We like to think of ourselves as wonderful, generous givers! But the question is – how good are we at receiving? Giving is only half of the story. Are we able to receive gifts and help from others? Do we receive with enjoyment and thanks? Do we receive graciously? I have a loved one who through the years has given much to me and been a great help. She has babysat our boys, brought meals, and cleaned my kitchen. She would not just feed and love our dog while we were on vacation, she would nap at our house …

We see much throughout Scripture about the tasks and assignments individuals are given. In 1 Chronicles 23 alone here are a few of the jobs that had to be filled and the workers needed. supervisors for temple workers, workers to build the temple, craftsmen and artisans, officials and  judges, gatekeepers, those who praised the Lord with musical instruments, and finally one man Aaron, was set apart to minister before the Lord and to pronounce blessings in His name. As I read about the tasks and jobs it always makes me think about our assignments. First, each of us has our …

My book, “Building Faith with Bible Pathway,” which I brought back to print is an enjoyable devotional/guide that helps us read the Bible daily. (It’s available through Amazon, plus my website www.ToughTimesandPeace.com.) Dr. John Hash, in the April 8th entry, reminds us that:  Though the way may seem more uncertain each day, we must be like David, who as the days got more difficult and as his enemies pursued him, continued to pray for guidance on which way to turn. How applicable this is for us on many levels. It is what I’m trying to do these days. I’m praying …

I love, love, love the movie The King’s Speech. I’ve seen it twice. In the movie, the Duke of York was destined to be King of Britain and to speak for the people and to the people, but he painfully stuttered with every conversation. With the patient, persistent help of Lionel – a speech therapist, friend, and coach, King George VI slowly overcomes the things that impede his ability to speak. His progress sometimes seemed imperceptible and sometimes back to square-one. Yet through hard work, love, and acceptance, as well as learning to share honestly about all that he had …

“Our Lord never ‘patches up’ our natural virtues, that is, our natural traits, qualities or characteristics. He completely remakes a person on the inside.” My Utmost for His Highest, Entry of 12/30 This is certainly what God has done with me. Who I thought I was and all that I thought I was – strong and tough and in charge and right – I’m not. God keeps teaching me to be soft and gentle, to let go and let Him, and usually to say less and not more. This is huge. None of this is who I tried to be …

Don’t make camp in any valley of chaos, uncertainty, low-living, fear, dysfunctional living, compromise, addiction, or trouble. God has destined us for great, and greater, things! Don’t allow yourself to wallow in valleys  of trouble. God has provided for our victory. God has given us mighty weapons. But we have to pick them up, try them out, practice with them, and use them until we become competent with them. We have to become qualified soldiers in God’s army, a force of His to be reckoned with, because we fight for His purposes! We have an arsenal of weapons – at …