Spiritual Handicaps

"And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?" (Matthew 7:3 NKJV) Most others when they think of handicaps they think of physical and or mental limitations. However, ANYTHING that holds one back is a handicap. This also incudes psychological and spiritual. Doubt, non-belief, lack of discipline and waywardness are all handicaps that keep us from getting closer to God. And, getting closer to God is our ultimate goal. We need to remove all the barriers in our lives that hold us back so that we can soar. So, my question for you to ponder this week is, "What is holding you back and handicapping you; And what are you going to do about it?" Love, Beau

Praise be to God!!

Psalm 48

A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised
In the city of our God,
In His holy mountain.
Beautiful in elevation,
The joy of the whole earth,
Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north,
The city of the great King.
God is in her palaces;
He is known as her refuge.
For behold, the kings assembled,
They passed by together.
They saw it, and so they marveled;
They were troubled, they hastened away.
Fear took hold of them there,
And pain, as of a woman in birth pangs,
As when You break the ships of Tarshish
With an east wind.
As we have heard,
So we have seen
In the city of the LORD of hosts,
In the city of our God:
God will establish it forever. Selah
We have thought, O God, on Your lovingkindness,
In the midst of Your temple.
According to Your name, O God,
So is Your praise to the ends of the earth;
Your right hand is full of righteousness.
Let Mount Zion rejoice,
Let the daughters of Judah be glad,
Because of Your judgments.
Walk about Zion,
And go all around her.
Count her towers;
Mark well her bulwarks;
Consider her palaces;
That you may tell it to the generation following.
For this is God,
Our God forever and ever;
He will be our guide
Even to death.

Light of the World

""You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14,16 NKJV) We are not to hide our good works, but to use them as a way of glorifying God. Our relationship with God is a personal one, but how we present ourselves in public should be glorifying to God. We are to be positive examples of what God has done for us and is doing in us. This in turn will hopefully lead others to Christ. Let our example of the amazing love and grace of God be one that others want to follow. Love, Beau

Everlasting God

"And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me." (Jeremiah 32:40 NKJV) God makes a covenant with all who love Him, that He will never leave nor forsake them. He also promises that He will not depart from doing good for them. God shows us time and time again that we can put our faith and trust in this, and that we have no reason to doubt Him. On Him we can be sure! And, in biblical tex, fear does NOT mean being afraid of God, but having such a high reverance for Him that we respect, obey and submit to Him....not out of being afraid but of great love for Him. This is what God puts in our hearts for Him. After all, God wants us to be able to feel the same kind of love that He feels for us. On that we can be sure! Love, Beau

Praising in the Darkness

"My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning? O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; And in the night season, and am not silent. But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in You; They trusted, and You delivered them. They cried to You, and were delivered; They trusted in You, and were not ashamed." (Psalm 22:1-5 NKJV) These verses start out with the same words Jesus Christ used on the cross. Feeling all alone, and suffering incredible pain, God didn't answer when Jesus called. But, God raised Him from the dead as He did Lazurus. Even in the darkest of times God hears our cries and answers us. It may not be when we think it should be, but He does answer our prayers. And, as the author of this psalm does, even in the darkest of times praise God. Because God is still, and always, good and steadfast, strengthens us, and delivers us. Trusting Him in the darkest times also bring us closer to Him. Praise be to God for both the good and the bad times! Love, Beau

Prayer and Thanksgiving

"...but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;...giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ...." (Phillipians 4:6; Ephesians 5:20 NKJV) Mom and some people she knows were having a deep discussion about prayer the other day. It was so deep mom shared it with me and I wanted to share it with you. We pray for things we want and need, we pray for others needs and wants, and we pray when there are struggles. Also, we are hopefully quick to thank God for the things He gives. But, do we pray and thank for, not only the things we have not yet received, but also the things we have and or did NOT receive??? The former Bible verses states that EVERYTHING by prayer (and thanksgiving), and giving thanks ALWAYS for ALL things. I believe that it's a good idea, when praying, to not only remember needs, wants, and gifts, but also to thank God for those things yet to come and for those things God said no to. After all, it lets God know how much we appreciate his gifts; AND, God is wise. Not getting things only makes us stronger and builds character. It also helps us appreciate what we do have! That's a good thing! So, remember to fully pray and be thankful! Love, Beau

God Given Freedom

"Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives food to the hungry. The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners." (Psalm 146:7 NKJV) No one is perfect. We are all sinners. And, sin is what keeps us from getting close to God. But God is a loving, generous, forgiving, compassionate god. He delivers, or frees, us from our sins. God breaks the chains of those who are prisoners to their sins. In addition, He feeds our souls giving us the bread of life; He gives us understanding and wisdom, and He is a friend to the needy, the poor in spirit, and the homeless. God is with those who need Him the most. God is merciful, compassionate, and forgiving...and He is forever. Let us go quickly to Him, and rejoice in the wonderful freedoms God gives us....Now and forever. Amen! Love, Beau