We all know that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. I remember discussing this in great detail during geometry class, where, with right angles/triangles, the hypotenuse is the shortest distance between points "A" and "B".
We all remember the word problem...Johnny leaves his house and walks west 1000 feet, then, turns right and walks north 3000 feet. How far is Johnny from his home. Of course, we use Pythagorean's theorem (a2 + b2 = c2) and salve for c to find the shortest distance (a straight line).
Today's word isn't about geometry or Pythagorean but the thought of a straight line leads me to our passage today, found in Matthew 7:13 & 14 (KJV), which reads, "13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
It often seems that people will wander to and fro seeking after everything in the world to fill that void they have in their hearts. They will walk miles in one direction, turn and walk miles in another but all they need is to walk the straight line to JESUS.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Friday, September 28, 2012
Thursday, September 27, 2012
True Friends
We were discussing friends in our Youth study last night - true friends versus fake friends. We have all found ourselves surrounded by those whom we thought were our friends but, in the end, we found they were only fair weather friends.
I've heard it said that you can count your true friends on one hand. WOW! I have so many people that I consider true friends; it is certainly a sad commentary that my really true friends are less than I think. I really believe that I do have true friends that would be there no matter what. I pray that you do to.
So, how do we know if our friend is a true friend? Well, I am glad you asked...today's word is from the NIV found in Proverbs 17:17, which reads, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."
Our true friends are going to love us at all times. They may not always agree with us, they may not always approve of us, but they will always love us. Those fake friends, those fair weather friends are the ones that when the going gets tough, they get going. When you need them the most, those fake friends will leave you the fastest.
We truly need to pray and ask for GOD'S discernment when it comes to choosing our friends. The last thing we need is to be depending on someone's friendship and it not be there when it is needed most. I am not talking about extenuating circumstances preventing someone from being there; I am talking about a friend that is only a "friend" when things are good. Ask GOD to lead you to true friends; we all need them.
One final note...I always keep in mind that in order to have friends, we must, first, show ourselves friendly. Not only do I need true friends, I need to be a true friend. Pray that GOD will guide me, aid me, assist me and equip me to be the friend that I need to be. A true friend loves at all times. Be a true friend.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
I've heard it said that you can count your true friends on one hand. WOW! I have so many people that I consider true friends; it is certainly a sad commentary that my really true friends are less than I think. I really believe that I do have true friends that would be there no matter what. I pray that you do to.
So, how do we know if our friend is a true friend? Well, I am glad you asked...today's word is from the NIV found in Proverbs 17:17, which reads, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."
Our true friends are going to love us at all times. They may not always agree with us, they may not always approve of us, but they will always love us. Those fake friends, those fair weather friends are the ones that when the going gets tough, they get going. When you need them the most, those fake friends will leave you the fastest.
We truly need to pray and ask for GOD'S discernment when it comes to choosing our friends. The last thing we need is to be depending on someone's friendship and it not be there when it is needed most. I am not talking about extenuating circumstances preventing someone from being there; I am talking about a friend that is only a "friend" when things are good. Ask GOD to lead you to true friends; we all need them.
One final note...I always keep in mind that in order to have friends, we must, first, show ourselves friendly. Not only do I need true friends, I need to be a true friend. Pray that GOD will guide me, aid me, assist me and equip me to be the friend that I need to be. A true friend loves at all times. Be a true friend.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Grab the tiller
Wouldn't it be nice if everything came easy? I mean, to never have to work for anything, to never have to expend any energy or effort? Wouldn't it be nice if we could just laze around, do absolutely nothing and have everything handed to us?
I don't know about you but that isn't what I want. There have been instances, many, in my life when things seemed really difficult but I knew there was only one way to do it, and that was to push through it. Today's word is, "You cannot plough a field by turning it over in your mind."
Some things, many things, may be extremely difficult but, if we will just push through, put forth the effort, in the end, it will be worth it all.
I can think back to boot camp and some of the difficulties that I thought were there. However, little by little, expending a little more effort each day, and, eventually, you come out on the other side. When you arrive through that difficulty, you realize that you are stronger, wiser, and more determined.
I leave you with this promise...if you'll do your best, GOD will do the rest. Keep pushing! In the end, it will be worth it all!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
I don't know about you but that isn't what I want. There have been instances, many, in my life when things seemed really difficult but I knew there was only one way to do it, and that was to push through it. Today's word is, "You cannot plough a field by turning it over in your mind."
Some things, many things, may be extremely difficult but, if we will just push through, put forth the effort, in the end, it will be worth it all.
I can think back to boot camp and some of the difficulties that I thought were there. However, little by little, expending a little more effort each day, and, eventually, you come out on the other side. When you arrive through that difficulty, you realize that you are stronger, wiser, and more determined.
I leave you with this promise...if you'll do your best, GOD will do the rest. Keep pushing! In the end, it will be worth it all!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
En Garde!
One little look won't hurt anything. How often I try to convince myself that one "little something" won't really affect anything. The truth of the matter is, though, that all it takes is one "little something".
We know that we can't give satan even a little toe hold. If we allow him just a crack in the door, it won't be long before he will overpower us and blast the door wide open. When he blasts that door open, a bevy of temptations will swoop right in. We can't allow him even that crack. We must constantly be on our guard.
The word for today comes from Matthew 26:41, NIV, which reads, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
The Bible tells us that satan is walking about seeking whom he may devour. He is just wanting us to let down our guard just a smidgen. If we will take just one little look, just one little listen, just one little compromise, he will try to devour us. However, he doesn't stand a chance when we have JESUS standing guard over our hearts. Watch and pray - the spirit is indeed willing but this old body gives in way too often.
Next time satan tries to pry your temptation door open, even just a smidgen, say, "En garde satan!" JESUS will help us defeat those wily temptations.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
We know that we can't give satan even a little toe hold. If we allow him just a crack in the door, it won't be long before he will overpower us and blast the door wide open. When he blasts that door open, a bevy of temptations will swoop right in. We can't allow him even that crack. We must constantly be on our guard.
The word for today comes from Matthew 26:41, NIV, which reads, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
The Bible tells us that satan is walking about seeking whom he may devour. He is just wanting us to let down our guard just a smidgen. If we will take just one little look, just one little listen, just one little compromise, he will try to devour us. However, he doesn't stand a chance when we have JESUS standing guard over our hearts. Watch and pray - the spirit is indeed willing but this old body gives in way too often.
Next time satan tries to pry your temptation door open, even just a smidgen, say, "En garde satan!" JESUS will help us defeat those wily temptations.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Monday, September 24, 2012
GOD really thinks I'm something
There are times that I really mess up. I don't mean that I make a little mistake or a small misstep. I mean, I really mess up. I often wonder how a perfect and righteous and holy GOD could ever find anything of value in someone like me.
In Matthew 13, JESUS is telling about the kingdom of Heaven. In Matthew 13:46, JESUS said, "When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." (NIV) When this merchant that JESUS was teaching about found this pearl that was of great value, he sold everything he had and went and bought that pearl. We are those valuable pearls.
JESUS loves us so much that He was willing to leave Heaven and the glory of the throne to come to earth, suffer, die and pay the price for me! WOW! I may not be worth much in the worldly view but, to JESUS, I am worth the most precious price. And, so are you.
Don't ever let anyone tell you that you aren't worthy, or that you are worthless. GOD, Himself, thought you were worth EVERYTHING! And, you are!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
In Matthew 13, JESUS is telling about the kingdom of Heaven. In Matthew 13:46, JESUS said, "When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." (NIV) When this merchant that JESUS was teaching about found this pearl that was of great value, he sold everything he had and went and bought that pearl. We are those valuable pearls.
JESUS loves us so much that He was willing to leave Heaven and the glory of the throne to come to earth, suffer, die and pay the price for me! WOW! I may not be worth much in the worldly view but, to JESUS, I am worth the most precious price. And, so are you.
Don't ever let anyone tell you that you aren't worthy, or that you are worthless. GOD, Himself, thought you were worth EVERYTHING! And, you are!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Friday, September 21, 2012
Troubles Come
For today's "Daily Word", I have to admit that I am speaking from my antibiotic laced mind. I have bronchitis and a sinus infection, which, this time of year, lots of others have. I am not bemoaning my malady; I am not the typical "sick man". I am atypical when it comes to not feeling well. I don't like being petted and pampered. I don't lie on the couch and whine for someone to bring me things and do things for me. I truly just try to trudge along and let GOD, often times through the medical professionals, do His thing in His time.
However, with the thought of not feeling quite up to par, I came across this verse for today: "A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all." (Psalm 34:19, NIV) I conclude that by adding, "Lots going on - pray for one another."
While we all feel bad from time to time, and while it is inevitable that we will all have our good days and bad, I never want my attitude to reflect anything but JESUS. I remorsefully regret that this is not the case even on good days. I truly want to be a positive witness even on my bad days. With that being said, allow me to make one request...if you see me out and I am having a bad day, please overlook me...I will do the same for you.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
However, with the thought of not feeling quite up to par, I came across this verse for today: "A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all." (Psalm 34:19, NIV) I conclude that by adding, "Lots going on - pray for one another."
While we all feel bad from time to time, and while it is inevitable that we will all have our good days and bad, I never want my attitude to reflect anything but JESUS. I remorsefully regret that this is not the case even on good days. I truly want to be a positive witness even on my bad days. With that being said, allow me to make one request...if you see me out and I am having a bad day, please overlook me...I will do the same for you.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Don't Quit
Last night in our Youth time, we discussed not quitting. There are so many things vying for our attention, and so many thing that pull at us and tell us to give up - that there is no hope. But, trust me, JESUS CHRIST is our hope. That doesn't mean that we aren't going to have trials and tribulations. It doesn't mean that we aren't going to have our burdens and sorrows. What it does mean is that we won't face it alone. More important, we know that GOD will not leave us there - He will see us through.
With that thought in mind this morning, today's word is James 1:12, which reads from the NIV - "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."
Don't quit! GOD is here! He will see us through!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
With that thought in mind this morning, today's word is James 1:12, which reads from the NIV - "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."
Don't quit! GOD is here! He will see us through!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Youth Daily Word
I try to send a "Daily Word" to the youth in our group, and others, each school day. There are times that I miss a day or something comes up but I try to send out a "Word for the Day" each school day. These texts consist of positive quotes, scripture, thoughts, etc. to try and give a positive or challenge for the day. I will begin to post the daily word here, too. I hope you enjoy.
The Youth Daily Word for today: "The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish does not." (Proverbs 15:7) Spread some Joy!
As time goes on, I will share a little more about us. For now, I will concentrate on trying to use what I do to honor and glorify my SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
The Youth Daily Word for today: "The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish does not." (Proverbs 15:7) Spread some Joy!
As time goes on, I will share a little more about us. For now, I will concentrate on trying to use what I do to honor and glorify my SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
My first rambling
Just a little introduction, then, a quick post...I have started this blog to tell a little about my life, which includes my love for JESUS. While I am far from perfect, I am saved! I will share in this blog reality - I will be real. With that being said, a quick post...
I was talking to a friend of mine today and shared with him that I often take way too much for granted. GOD is so good to me, and yet, I take so much for granted. However, I am content (not complacent) with the Blessings of GOD. I am content in my SAVIOR, in my wife, in my family, in my life.
Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11, "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."
GOD is perfect. His timing is perfect. I just want what He wants. I am content to let Him lead.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
I was talking to a friend of mine today and shared with him that I often take way too much for granted. GOD is so good to me, and yet, I take so much for granted. However, I am content (not complacent) with the Blessings of GOD. I am content in my SAVIOR, in my wife, in my family, in my life.
Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11, "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."
GOD is perfect. His timing is perfect. I just want what He wants. I am content to let Him lead.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
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