Shaking Free from the Shackles of FEAR....

Today, March 25, 2020, our nation enters another day dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic that is changing our lives, disrupting our homes, businesses and social interaction with those we know and love. It is creating many problems that may seem insurmountable and leaving so many of our friends, neighbors, and perhaps many of us, bound and shackled with overwhelming fear...  fear of the unknown and fear of what lies ahead....So what can and should we do about dealing with our fears?

I am sure the great apostle Paul was no novice when it came to fear. Just a quick overview of his life and it is easy to see the times, places and circumstances that could have paralyzed Paul with fear; rendering him ill-equipped and useless for service to our Lord. But Paul had learned a simple truth...WHEN GOD IS FOR YOU, WHO CAN STAND AGAINST YOU! It was the same mindset that he sought to pass on his son-in-the-faith, a young pastor named Timothy.

In 2 Timothy 1:3-7, Paul reminds Timothy that even though trials and tribulations will come his way as he continues to follow and to preach Christ, he encourages him with the following....

^" I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, when I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day.  Remembering your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy, clearly recalling your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois, then in your mother Eunice, and that I am convinced is in you also.

Therefore, I remind you to keep ablaze the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment."(Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Paul is reminding young Timothy not to be shackled with FEAR but rather to fan the flame of God's Holy Spirit that has been placed inside of him. In so doing, he will demonstrate the power of the mighty God he serves; he will be a beacon of love in a dark and desperate world and more than these things, he will be seen by others as one filled with the wisdom, passion and sound judgment that comes from a man filled with faith.  Paul is calling his young protégé  to demonstrate the power of God that is living in him so that he will make calm and rational decisions...let's be clear,  IT IS HARD TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS WHEN YOUR VISION IS CLOUDED BY FEAR!!!!

And maybe that is where many of us have begun our day...unsettled and fearful of what is going to happen because of this pandemic. We have put on our spectacles of fear and cannot see that in all of the noise and rubble of this world-wide epidemic, GOD HAS NOT LEFT HIS THRONE!!!

He is still the Creator and Ruler of this universe and NOTHING can come against us as believers that has not first passed through His hands....and yet, our human nature tells us to be fearful!

One thing I have learned in the trials that have come my way in years past; that often, when fear gripped my soul and left me motionless, I had to step out in faith, act and obey God in order to move forward ...and then allow my feelings to catch up with this simple truth...

GOD WAS IN CONTROL AND ALL WOULD BE WELL!!!

Maybe today, God is waiting on you to shake off the shackles of fear that have bound you to inaction and has you hunkered down waiting for this storm to pass...but don't stay put and inactive because of fear...such action does not come from the spirit that He has placed inside each of us as His followers. Truly, sometimes God calls us to wait on Him before stepping out to meet a need or lend a helping hand; however, often He is waiting on us to make the choice to trust Him and take action and in so doing, see His mighty hand at work.

Could it be that today is such a day? Do you have someone that is so fearful that they will not leave their home and is running out of food or other necessities?  Is there an elderly friend that is alone and feeling hopeless that just needs to hear a kind, soothing voice of comfort and assurance that all will be well? I know we are to shelter in place and that is good advice; but, maybe there is something you can do or someone you can touch from the comforts of your home...maybe you even need to act in faith and step out to make sure the neighbor next door or down the street has all their meds and plenty to eat?

Whatever it is that God may have laid upon your heart to do, follow the advice that Paul gave young Timothy as he encouraged him to shake off the shackles of fear and live in

POWER...LOVE...and a SOUND MIND!!!!

Living in the Spirit ...Trusting in his POWER,

WPQ

Poem for the day.....

In these dark and troubled times,

We can often lose our way.

Wondering what our fate may hold

Should we live another day?

Is the world coming to an end:

Is this a time for shedding tears?

How can we move forward

When we are paralyzed by fear?

Can we trust our government

And the leaders that now rule?

Do we follow blindly and

Are left looking like a fool?

But this one thing we are assured....

Our Father is on HIS throne;

And we need not fear the outcomes

For we are NOT alone....

For the Spirit of God is in us

And this truth we can hold dear;

Through His power, love and sound judgment

We shake off the shackles of our FEARS!

WPQ ©March 2020

In Need of a Correction of your Direction?

In the last two cars I have owned, I've had this incredible onboard GPS that gives me directions to where I want to go...I just but in the destination address, listen and follow the onboard prompts and magically end up at my final destination. However, there have been times when I have not been paying attention or traffic patterns interrupted my ability to follow those directions; it's then I have heard, "In .2 miles, make a legal U-turn!"

I can relate to this command because the same thing happens in my daily walk with my Lord. I have read my Bible and understand what God would have me do; how I should live my life; the places I should go; the people I should associate with and the way I should conduct my affairs in the marketplace.

But likewise, when I am not focused on God's will or just let the ebb and flow of life get the best of me, I find that I have gotten off course and need to make a U-turn...and that U-turn usually requires that I ask for forgiveness, repent and then set a new course.

It is good to know that God is in the business of forgiveness and just like the GPS in my car, He will whisper (or shout when needed), "You are going the wrong way; you need to make a Heavenly U-turn."

We know that God send His son, Jesus, to call the world to repentance and through His shed blood to pay the debt for our sin. Knowing and believing this calls for us to repent of our sins, trust in Him for our salvation and then begin our new life in Christ; walking in a new direction with Him as our guide...and that decision is a one-time, life altering decision...once made, we are eternally His.

However, when it comes to our daily walk in His presence, well, that is a daily decision. It is a decision that prompts us to program our GPS to our final destination of Heaven and to walk in the grace, love and mercy that has been shown to us through the sacrifice of our Savior. We may begin each day with the purposeful intent to go where God leads; however, often we get off course and need to make that Heavenly directed U-turn to get back on course so that our lives reflect who we love and who we serve.

So today make the commitment to spend time in God's Holy Word; share counsel with those in need; receive instructions or corrections from a godly mentor or just listen for the still, small voice of God to whisper His instructions for the day ahead...trust in your GPS and know that God will take you to where He wants you to go...and if you find yourself off course, be ready to make a U-turn...being in the will of God....THERE'S NO BETTER PLACE TO BE!!!!

Trusting God's GPS....Heading toward home,

WPQ

Poem for the day:

You've made your life's decision

To trust in Christ above...

To forgive you for your countless sins

And now to walk in His steadfast  love.

But with every step you take with Him

Down life's rocky, barren road;

You feel the weight of all your guilt

And you buckle beneath the load.

You listen to too many voices

Filling up your thoughts and mind;

Wondering if you can still hear His voice

That's so gentle, sweet and kind;

You want to go where He leads

To be used by the Father above;

To be the one that presses on

As you demonstrate His love ...

So do not despair my child,

Though life's travels may bring duress.

Just search the Scriptures and there you'll find...

God's Word will be your GPS!!!!

WPQ © March 2020

What's Growing in Your Garden?

I don't know about you, but for the longest time now, I have been getting my vegetables from the bins at the supermarket....and that's truly not a problem. However, now with all the scary scenarios circling around with the spread of the corona virus, I am beginning to wonder if that is such a good idea. Perhaps it would be better to grow my own!

You see, as a kid growing up on Logie Avenue in Charlotte, we had a BIG back yard. One year it was our ball field and the next year it was at least a half-acre garden; one that I spent many a long, sweaty afternoon, tilling, planting, watering or weeding. It was a family affair, overseen by my father.  Yes, my dad took great pride in that garden and the many pounds and pounds of beans, tomatoes, corn, cucumbers and other assorted vegetables that my Mom and my aunt made into delicious, summertime meals. What we could not eat, my dad took to work or to near-by neighbors and gave away to share in our agricultural bounty....yes, as I look back on those days and the work of my small hands, I also take great pride in what my Dad taught me as we tilled together in that dirt in our back yard.

One thing that I learned at the age of 8 was quite simple ...you reap what you plant!  If I planted lima bean seeds, we got lima beans...Corn seeds, stalks of corn, twice my size! Plant a tomato plant and I got more tomatoes that I could count. Though this is not profound, it is a great way to teach a young child....and Scripture concurs in Galatians 6:7, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap."

And this holds true in the life of us all...You harvest what you have planted!!!! So if you plant love and kindness in your dealings with others, you reap the blessings of what you have sown. Sow anger...Get anger! Sow patience...reap patience!  Sow cheating...get cheating! I think you get where I'm going with this....if you sow the things of the Spirit, then you will reap the things of the Spirit...love, joy, peace, kindness, grace and more; however, sow seeds of the flesh like greed, malice, selfishness, self- centeredness and anger and your will reap the same...it all comes back to what I was taught as a child...be careful what you plant because you will at some point harvest what you have sown.

When I was a teenager, a good friend of mine that worked with me in Youth for Christ was a disc jockey at Big WAYS radio by the name of Larry Black. Larry would sign off of his on air program each day with a saying that has always stuck with me and played a big part as a mantra in my own life to this day...it goes something like this:

BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU SOW YOUR WILD OATS...YOU CAN'T PRAY FOR CROP FAILURE... ' CAUSE THE GOOD BOOK SAYS IT DON'T WORK THAT WAY!!!!

And for a young man in his teen years this was rock solid advice. I faced a lot of temptations as a young man, but thanks to this mantra and to good solid role models like my dad, Larry Black, Bob Ferster, Roy Tisdale and so many others along the way, I have tried to sow the seeds that led me to look forward to harvest time and not dread what lay ahead due to the seeds I had planted.

Did I always get a bumper crop of good? Absolutely not!!! But what I got made me appreciate everyone that was willing to sow seeds of love, patience, kindness and great expectations into a young man who was trying to live out what I had been taught at a very young age....

"Love the Lord with all your heart, with all your mind and with all your soul...and your neighbor as yourself!"

The question for each of us is really quite simple...What kind of seeds have your sown and are you looking forward to harvest time? If not, it is never too late to start a new season of planting using the right seeds so that harvest time will be one of thanksgiving and rejoicing....

Spring is just around the corner, so here's to a great season of planting the RIGHT seeds so that the Master of the harvest will be well pleased....

Planting His seeds...Eager for the Harvest to come,

WPQ

Poem for the day...

Eager to become the man

That God wants me to be;

Hoping for approval from

All who would now see...

The life that I'm now living

In the things I've come to know;

Are the choices of my plantings

And the seeds that I did sow.

Seeds of joy and love and kindness

That I have planted everyday;

Are the harvest that I am reaping

Through those who've come my way!

And my one great prayer will always be

As I faithfully follow my Father's Son....

Is that the harvest that I am reaping

Is from my plantings that were well done!

WPQ © March 2020

Walking Tall for Jesus

While going through my files the other day, I came across this email that was sent to me. I remembered saving it, but I wasn’t quite sure why until I read it again….it touched my heart and made my blood boil at the same time. I trust that you will see what I mean and will share this with all of your Christian friends. It is up to each of us to stand up and be counted for honor, decency and the moral values that made this country great. If not, our children and grandchildren will be the ones that suffer the most when America is no longer “the home of the brave and the land of the free.” Please read on:

I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT A HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL CAN SEE THE PROBLEM, BUT OUR SOCIETY CANNOT. 

IF I OFFEND ANYONE BY THIS, I REALLY DON'T APOLOGIZE!

Subject:   Tennessee Football !

This is a statement that was read over the PA system at the football game at Roane County High School, Kingston, Tennessee, by school Principal, Jody McLeod.

"It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games to say a prayer and play the National Anthem, to honor God and Country;” however, due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law. As I understand the law at this time….

I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it "an alternate life style," and if someone is offended, that's OK.

I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity and by dispensing condoms and call it, "safe sex...” If someone is offended, that's OK.

I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a "viable” means of birth control…and if someone is offended, no problem...

I can designate a school day as "Earth Day" and involve students in activities to worship religiously and praise the goddess "Mother Earth" and call it "ecology.."

I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depicts people with strong, traditional Christian convictions as "simple minded" and "ignorant" and call it "enlightenment.."

However, if anyone uses this facility to honor GOD and to ask HIM to bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, then Federal Case Law is violated… and I and those that would stand with me could be arrested. This appears to be inconsistent at best, and at worst, DIABOLICAL. Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone….except GOD and HIS Commandments.

Nevertheless, as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical... I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression.

For this reason, I shall "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's," and refrain from praying at this time. "However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank GOD and ask HIM, in the name of JESUS, to bless this event, please feel free to do so.

As far as I know, that's not against the law----yet!”

One by one, the people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with one another and began to pray. They prayed in the stands. They prayed in the team huddles. They prayed at the concession stand and they prayed in the Announcer's Box! The only place they didn't pray was in the Supreme Court of the United States of America- the Seat of "Justice" in this, “One Nation, Under GOD." Somehow, Kingston, Tennessee has remembered what so many have forgotten. We are given the Freedom OF Religion, not the Freedom FROM Religion. Praise GOD that HIS remnant remains!

My prayer today is that each of us will take a visible stand for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Bow your head in the company lunch room and say a prayer of blessing over your noontime meal…Tell others to have a “Blessed day” instead of the old cliché, “Have a nice day.”…Share your faith when others tell you of the problems that seem to be mounting up in their lives….Smile and hum a tune of thanksgiving as you go about your daily chores….but most of all, tell others that you love Jesus and he loves you …so much that he died to set you free.

Remember... Jesus came to pay a debt He did not owe because we owed a debt we could not pay….Stand Tall for Jesus ….He died for YOU!!!!!

Walking Tall in His Mercy,

WPQ

Poem for the day...

You may attempt to persuade another

To change their point of view;

But nothing speaks more plainly

Than what Christ has done in you.

So if another’s lifestyle

You are hoping to rearrange;

Just testify how the Father’s love

Can make an everlasting change.

And don't take for granted

What was done upon that cross...

Where our Savior bled and died

And suffered such  great loss.

He gave His very life for you

And though He did it all for free...

There is one thing that He expects

To come from you and me.

He expects our love and worship

And our obedience to share;

The gospel story of His great love

That had Him hanging there...

So let us all with one accord

Raise our songs of thankful praise...

For the joy that comes from knowing HIM

Will overflow in all our days !!!!

WPQ © March 2020