Unfinished Memories (Thanks Mom)

As I look at the ground my head is bowed down

But don’t worry, my spirit looks up

Unfinished memories, yet joy prevails

Because God has been more than enough

~

You left me and it hurt, I didn’t know what to do

I was alone, dark, and cold

But in the middle of my night The True Light shines so bright

I didn’t know the blessings that were about to unfold!

~

Jesus has supplied all my needs

And filled in where I expected you to be

As I miss your face I abound in God’s grace

And He is blessing me beyond my wildest dreams!

~

Even though your aren’t around I still hear your voice

In every major decision and in every choice

Yes you’re gone, but you live through me

~

I wondered how to honor you truly

And prayed on what the best way to remember you would be

Now the Janet Lillian Armstrong Scholarship is in place

Because of you one day students will attend colege for free!

~

Sometimes my head is bowed down

But I know you’re not in the ground

When you left I felt weak, but God planted a seed

He always knew exactly what I would need

And is blessing me abundantly!

~

Thanks Mom for all you taught me.

~HC Armstrong

Resolutions-Wednesday Word

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  
Matthew 6:33

We were created to put God first in everything. Before sin, man had it all. Adam and Eve lived in paradise. All of their needs and wants were fulfilled. They were happy and peaceful with God and God alone. Sin took that focus off of God and broke that perfect relationship with God. Adam and Eve tried to handle their own needs, ignored God, and failed. When we ignore God we fail.

As we know Jesus came to give us another chance at success in life. Accepting Christ is what gives us eternal life, but following Him is what makes us truly successful in this life. We were made to live under God’s complete direction and protection. Christ leads and you follow. He is to be at the center of all we do. Make a resolution in 2015 to fulfill your created purpose. Follow God’s direction.

Resolutions-Tuesday Truth

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33

God will manage your time better than you can. One of the major issues Christians face is making time for Jesus. We know that we should make time for Him, but actually doing that can be so difficult. With jobs, school, meetings, family, and so much more we’re always looking for what can be cut short. And too often we end up giving the Lord the short end of the stick. We pray when we can, read a verse here and there, and whatever else is convenient. Why?

Make time for the One who made time. No matter what else you have going on, spend substantial time with Christ every day. God will give you direction in ALL the issues in your life. He will show you what to say in that meeting. He will help you balance your schedule. He will give you comfort and ease throughout your day.  He will give you EVERYTHING you need. Make time for the One who made time; Jesus.

Resolutions-Monday Motivation

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33

God will handle your entire life, if you just hand it over to Him. We try and try to fix our own lives. This is impossible. I saw a comic strip last week with two characters. One asked, “What are New Year’s resolutions?” The other character replied, “People’s to-do list for the first week of January.” Most people’s resolutions fade out so soon because people are trying to fix their lives in their own strength. Thankfully we don’t have to do that.

Jesus essentially says that if you just follow Him, then He will take care of the rest. If you do what He says, you won’t have anything to worry about. He will handle the bills, the job, the children, the relationships, and everything else. When Christ said, “all these things” that is EXACTLY what He meant! You don’t have to get everything under control in your life. That’s God’s job and He is more than qualified. Rest in Him. The only resolution you need to make is to put God first.

All About Jesus-Thursday Thought

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?  
Romans 8:32

What good thing will God keep from us? Paul asks a question here that we need to ask ourselves DAILY. Our minds get swayed by the issues of life. Bills pile up, stresses increases, opportunities seem to go down. And we ask ourselves, “What is going on?” or, “How am I going to fix all of this?” We search all over for what we think we need when God already has it.

If God gave up His Son just for you, do you really think He won’t give you everything else you need? God has done too much for us to give up on us now. He has invested too much in His children to just leave us. Whenever you feel the pressures of life pressing down on you, stop and ask yourself, “Would Jesus, who came down from heaven and gave His life for me, really stop taking care of me now?” What do you think?

All About Jesus-Wednesday Word

Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Luke 1:34-35

Wow. When God does a thing, He does it! When God gives us a gift He does so in a way that no one else can. Mary wanted to know how in the world she was going to have a baby. God chose to conceive His Son in a  way that no other person has or ever will be conceived. When God shows up, He always shows out!

You may be asking God some questions right now. “Lord how am I going to pay for this?” “Jesus, when are You going to deliver me from this place?” “God why is this happening to me?” Understand that The Lord does not operate like ordinary man. He does things much differently and His way ALWAYS yields great results. God used a virgin to be the mother of His Son. That same God is still doing miraculous things every day! Be blessed.

All About Jesus-Tuesday Truth

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Jesus truly is the reason for the season. This is one of the few catchy phrases people often use that is actually true. I remember as a child seeing cartoons referring to ‘X-mas.’ My mother told me this is how people keep Christ out of Christmas. Whether that is exactly true or not, over the years I see the world attempting to do this by many other means. The world promotes buying more and more gifts, Santa Claus, and the ‘Christmas Spirit.’ None of those, however, will save anybody from hell.

Don’t forget why children of God celebrate Christmas. We remember the greatest gift God gave us; Jesus. Other traditions may be fine, but they are not the purpose of this celebration. Don’t forget how we became Christians. It was only through what Jesus did for us. Other things may be fine, but Christ should be Head of your entire life. Someone needs to hear the truth about Jesus this Christmas season. Tell them. Jesus is the reason for the season!

All About Jesus-Monday Motivation

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. -Matthew 6:33

When God is the Head of your life, your situation must end victoriously! Everyday so many other people and things fight for our attention. And often times, probably more than we would like to admit, we give in. It may be deliberate or unintentional, but either way we end up chasing what we think we want instead of what God knows that we need. This is a sure recipe for confusion, however a life focused on God’s plans and goals will yield just the opposite.

 Jesus basically tells us that if we put Him first, He will handle everything else. And even though we know what He said is true sometimes our feelings make us want to act otherwise. God has great plans for your life; greater than you or I could imagine. If you want to fulfill those plans you have to lay yours down and seek His totally. It may not always feel right, but trusting God is always the right thing to do.

True Humility-Friday Freedom

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name

Philippians 2:9

Be exalted with Jesus. Learn to live a life of service and humility. Trying to reach greatness yourself will only get you what you can offer yourself; not much. But God can lead you to real greatness in life. Learn to live like Jesus lived and love like Jesus loves. Humble yourself (before God humbles you) and be great!

No friend like Him is so high and holy,
No, not one! No, not one!
And yet no friend is so meek and lowly,
No, not one! No, not one!

True Humility-ThursdayThought

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men
Philippians 2:7-8

Are you better than Jesus? Many of would say there’s an obvious answer to that question, but their actions may say otherwise. Jesus knew what it meant to be humbled. He obviously knows what it meant to put the needs of others before His own. Many of us today don’t understand and don’t want to experience that kind of humility. Everything is about us. Where we work, where we live, social status, and the like. But humility is a part of godliness.

Jesus showed us what the true path to greatness looks like. He gave us a model to follow. Life shouldn’t be about building yourself up or seeing how much stuff you can get. Your life should be about following Jesus and learning to live the way He lived. Sometime that will involve giving up what you want for the good of others. Do you want to be like Jesus?

True Humility-Tuesday Truth

Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 

Philippians 2:4

Humility is the path to true greatness. We search all over for what we think we need. “How can I reach the next level?” “What can I do to get ahead?”  “What will benefit me?!”  We’re always looking for ways to build ourselves up. But we are called to put others needs before our own. When you elevate others, then God will elevate you.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” The mindset of humility. The mindset of service. The attitude of surrendering to God’s plans.  You don’t have to search far and wide to find real success in life. The path to rising high starts by going low. God may call you to exactly where you don’t want to go, but that’s just how God works sometimes. Humble yourself like Jesus. Be great.

True Humility-Monday Motivation

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus 
Philippians 2:5

Christ lowered Himself just to build you up! In His coming to Earth as a little baby God displayed the ultimate form of humility. When we get too focused on the world everything becomes about us. We should have the best and be in the highest positions. But sometimes God calls us to humble ourselves. This is how we identify with Christ.

Most of the times what God calls us to us uncomfortable. But do you think that Jesus was comfortable as He lowered Himself all the way down to the level of a mere man? No. However, He knew what the Father’s plan was and how it had to be accomplished. And now the name of Jesus is above all names. When you accept God’s plan and humble yourself you will be exalted. Humility is the path to true greatness!

Trusting God-Friday Freedom

Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

Matthew 6:26-27 ESV

God knows all the things we never can know. Don’t let that frustrate you. Let that comfort you. Not only does Jesus know all that we don't know; He knows the purposes behind everything. They are His purposes. God knows why you’re going through this pain. The Lord understands how losing a loved one will make you better. Jesus can see how your tragedies will eventually be your triumphs, if you just trust Him. God knows and God cares. Just trust Him!

Even though I can't see 
And I can't feel your touch 
I will trust you lord 
How I love you so much 
Though my nights my seem long 
And I feel so alone 
Lord my trust is in you 
I surrender to You 

So many painful thoughts 
Travel through my mind 
And I wonder how 
I will make it through this time 

But I trust You 
Lord it's not easy 
Sometimes the pain in my life 
Makes You seem far away 
But I'll trust you 
I need to know you're here 
Through the tears and the pain 
Through the heartache and rain

I'll trust You!

~James Fortune

Trusting God-Thursday Thought

A man's steps are from the Lord;

    how then can man understand his way? 

Proverbs 20:24 ESV

Who knows more; us or God? Every time a situation comes up we try to do it our way. When that doesn’t work, then we go to the Lord. Usually we don’t like what He says and we continue to do it our way. Then the inevitable happens. We fall flat on our faces. Broken and humbled we finally submit to the Lord’s plan. In hindsight we realize He was right all along.

Do you believe that Jesus knows more than you? Then live like it. God knows your life’s plan. God made your life’s plan. Seek Him first in your decisions. Understand that His mind is greater than yours. Even when He tells you to do something that seems ridiculous; just listen to Him. God knows and He cares.

Do you really know Him? 

Do you really trust Him? 

Do you live like it?

Trusting God-Wednesday Word

There is a way that seems right to a man,
    but its end is the way to death. 
Proverbs 14:12 ESV

Sometimes we think we know, but we just don’t. Think back to childhood. There were so many times where plans just made sense to our undeveloped minds. As a child Bugs Bunny had me to believe I could dig a hole straight to the other side of the world. Really all I was doing was messing up the front yard! So parents have to step in and be the voice of reason. The same pattern goes through the rest of life; high school counselors, academic advisers in college, supervisors, mentors, and the like. We rely on those with more knowledge and experience to lead us into success and tell us the right thing to do.

Think back to all those times where you thought you knew, but you didn’t. Where your knowledge is limited; God’s is infinite. He’s the ultimate Father, counselor, adviser, supervisor, and mentor. Even though your plan just seems so right, God sees what you can not. His blocking you may just be a blessing. No matter what you think you know, God knows even more!