I’m old enough to remember my parents being sure that cod liver oil was good for whatever ailment I might have or as a preventative to take care of any possible future ailments. Turns out, they were right:  Cod liver oil is used for high cholesterol, high triglycerides, kidney disease in people with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, osteoarthritis, depression, an autoimmune disease called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), glaucoma, and middle ear infections (otitis media).  While I know that it apparently was very appropriate to good health, that didn’t eliminate the fact that it tasted absolutely horrible.

If you’re a male, you’ve all heard the expression, Take it like a man–meaning to respond to pain, hardship, adversity, or emotional distress in a collected, aggressive, and typical or stereotypical masculine manner, especially without question, crying, complaining, or becoming emotional–not very politically correct these days.  This certainly was applied…

It is important to know your enemy and the tactics he uses. The evil one is so cunning that you have to pay close attention to his every move.   Believe me he will use anyone and everyone you know to deceive you. Christian, be on guard don’t let yourself be fooled by the evil one!

Not only do you need to know your enemy but you need to know your friends as well.  Of course, you already know them because they’re your friends, right? Well, more importantly you need to know their character.  Jesus knew Peter’s character and this is why Peter was chosen to be the rock to build his church on.

Matthew 16:13-19

¹³ When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

¹⁴ “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah…

God’s timing of His plan is not always the most convenient.
I think Mary and Joseph were not happy about having to travel
from Nazareth to Bethlehem when it was time for the birth of her baby.
But His plans called for the Messiah to be born in Bethlehem
and He used a Roman Emperor to get Mary and Joseph
where they needed to be at just the right time.

I often complain when I feel inconvenienced.
Reflecting on these verses has made me think about my attitude!

How do you respond when inconvenienced?

Blessings this day of grace,

Image: Google

In the ’60’s,  there was a cartoon series created by Jim Ward that chronicled the villanies of Snidely Whiplash in Dudley Do-Right of the Mounties.  He is a stereotypical villain with a tall black top hat and cape and a long nose and mustache. He tries everything he can to get rid of Dudley Do-Right, the man who can do no wrong, and foil the Mounties, usually smuggling things across the border, kidnapping Nell Fenwick, or trying to take over the Mountie’s post. Snidely knows he is a villain and takes pride in it.  Will Canada ever be safe? How many damsels can you tie onto a train track? In a great parody of silent films, Snidely took enjoyment by tying ladies (mainly Nell) to railways and let them sit. Luckily his plans were always foiled by some way or another by the good-doer, Dudley DoDo-Right.  Evil would triumph…

This psalm has been resonating in my heart for the past week especially this part of verse twenty-six; …God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.

Psalm 73:23-28 (NLT)

²³ Yet I still belong to You;  You hold my right hand. ²⁴ You guide me with Your counsel,  leading me to a glorious destiny. ²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but You?   I desire You more than anything on earth. ²⁶ My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,  but God remains the strength of my heart;     He is mine forever.

²⁷ Those who desert Him will perish,  for You destroy those who abandon You. ²⁸ But as for me, how good it is to be near God!  I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter,  and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things You do.

When walking through difficult trials oh, how we wish…

Recently I have been thinking about what I want to tell the world. Specifically, what I want to tell the teens of the world that I will impact in my ministry. Then, I started wondering what I would say to today’s youth if I could only tell them one thing, one message. And so I came up with this”

You are more.

Your life is more than your grades. Your life is more than your stuggles. Your life is more than winning state championships or your final exam. Your life is more than high school.

You have a purpose. You have a destiny. You are where are you are for a reason. That reason is God. Your destiny is in God. You are meant for great things, even now as young as you are, and those things can be found in God.

You have a deep relationship with God waiting for…