GOD hasn't changed

It seems to me that our society has gotten farther and farther from actual biblical teachings. Yes, I know we are in the twenty-first century. Yes, I know that things have changed. Yes, I know it is an instant gratification, self-centered, media-driven society. And, again, I am not talking about the method; I am talking about the message.

GOD'S message has not changed. We are still sinners in need of a SAVIOR. If you have accepted CHRIST as your LORD and SAVIOR, you understand the fact that, though we are saved, we still sin and still need the SAVIOR. So, the Message is the same; we just use different methods to share that message with others. However, some folks are trying to change the Message.

Today's word is Malachi 3:6, NIV, which reads, "I the LORD do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed."

The children of Israel had strayed so far from GOD'S teachings, had changed the Message so much, that GOD told them that the only reason He didn't destroy them was because He had made a promise to Abraham that his seed would be a great generation and He wasn't going to break His promise because HE DOES NOT CHANGE.

Regardless of what today's media is trying to convey or the hippest televangelist is trying to tell you, GOD does not change; He is the same yesterday, today, and FOREVER. So, it doesn't matter what year the calendar indicates that it is, GOD is the same and His Word, His Message, has not changed. If it was sin one million years ago, if GOD'S word calls it sin, it is still sin; GOD DOES NOT CHANGE.

The flip side is true too. Just as sin is still sin, GOD is still in the forgiving business. If you will earnestly trust in JESUS, ask GOD to forgive your sins, turn from that sin, GOD still forgives. Why? Because, GOD hasn't changed.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Administer True Justice

There are lots of evil things going on in the world today, LOTS. I cannot imagine how people justify what they do. Yeah, we all get fed up with things. Yeah, we all know that things in this world aren't fair. Yeah, we all know that it seems that some folks are going to do all they can to take all they can from all they can. But, that doesn't give us the right to go out and mass-murder folks in the name of "justice".

If you look up the definition of justice, you will see that one of the meanings is, "a concern for justice, peace, and genuine respect for people." How are you exacting justice without peace? Now, I understand that there is a time and place for everything. However, causing terror and taking the lives of innocent people isn't justice.

Today's word is Zechariah 7:9, NIV, which reads, "This is what the LORD Almighty said: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.'"

You aren't hearing this from me, the LORD Almighty said to administer true justice. I believe that means to do what is right peacefully and with respect for others. I have no doubt whatsoever that the punishment should fit the crime. I also have no doubt that you have to pay for what you've done. I also have no doubt that there is a right way to do those things, and taking matters into your own hands and harming innocent people isn't the way.

The reason true justice is so lacking in this world isn't because people don't care, it's lacking because people don't care about how their actions affect others. Yet, you can't administer true justice without considering the others involved.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

It's Gonna Get Better

The Old Testament Jews were looking for a Savior. Many of the Old Testament prophets told of His coming. Now, the Jews were looking for a Savior that would set up an earthly kingdom and establish His reign here but that is not GOD'S plan - His plan is ever BETTER!

One day our LORD and SAVIOR will return and, instead of making this place His realm, He will take us to an even better place than we could ever imagine. Now, again, there are things in this world that are spectacular to look at, that can literally take our breaths away with their beauty and splendor. But, the pale in comparison with what awaits GOD'S children.

Today's word is Haggai 2:9, KJV, which reads, "The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of Hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of Hosts."

Haggai was prophesying that as beautiful as Solomon's temple was, it is nothing compared to what is to come. As glorious as that earthly temple may have been, it didn't even remotely compare to the temple that CHRIST established. JESUS came and fulfilled the prophecy; they destroyed the Temple (JESUS) and GOD raised Him from the dead, establishing the greatest Temple and the greatest Kingdom man could ever hope for. In order to be a part of it, all you have to do is accept the gift of salvation by grace through faith in JESUS CHRIST.

It's an old saying but today's word reminds me of it: "For those who are not saved, this world is as good as it gets. For those who are saved, this world is as bad as it gets." For all the beauty and splendor that GOD designed in this world in which we live (and there is A LOT), it is nothing compared with what is to come. Keep the faith. Keep pressing on. It's gonna get better!

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

A proud Father

There is something special about watching one of your children excel in some area or another. When one of our two answers questions correctly in Sunday school or VBS, there is no doubt that I beam with pride, and take credit for it, though Trish is the preschool teacher...

Our daily prayer is that our children will grow to know and serve JESUS. If they do that, they will be hugely successful, eternally. Yet, the daily things, the daily triumphs, the little victories that they experience in their lives, I am thrilled about and cherish each one. I pray there are countless things to rejoice about in years to come.

Our Father rejoices over us too. Today's word is Zephaniah 3:17, NIV, which reads, "The LORD your GOD is with you, the Mighty Warrior Who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing."

GOD takes great delight in His children obeying His will and in us doing what is pleasing and correct, just as we do when our children do those things that are pleasing and correct. When we strive to do His will, He rejoices over our triumphs, and even sings songs in His rejoicing.

Just as we are proud parents and strive to lead our children and rejoice over every triumph, so, too, does GOD over us, His children. We all mess up from time to time; some of us more than others. But. just as our children make us happy when they correct their failures and begin to do right, we make GOD happy when we turn from our sins and do what is right. I fail miserably every day but I so want to make my LORD a proud Father!

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

We've lost our awe

Lots of things happening in this world lately that just makes me want to think, "What in the world?!" It seems that every conceivable evil is being perpetrated almost every single day. It seems as if there is no moral compass anymore, that folks are just living any way they want - and they are.

So, why is all this happening. First, of course, is because this world is satan's domain, and he is running rampant as he knows his reign has got to be coming to an end. The other thing is that satan can't win if we keep our attention on GOD. But, it seems that we have lost our awe of GOD.

Today's word is Habakkuk 3:2, NLT, which reads, "I have heard all about You, LORD. I am filled with awe by Your amazing works. In this time or our deep need, help us again as You did in years gone by..."

Instead of trying to "take matters into our own hands", why not rely on GOD to take care of some things? Vengeance is Mine, says the LORD. Why not allow Him to handle things His way. Why not? Because we have lost our awe of GOD. In this day and age, it seems that we no longer reverence GOD and we no longer remember the awesome things He has done for us before, and the awesome things HE will do for us again, if we will just let Him.

I am filled with awe by all that I have seen GOD do and doing. Let's take the time today to look around and see all the great things GOD has done in our lives and in the lives of so many. In this evil, hate-filled world we find ourselves in, let's pray for GOD to help us in our time of deep need as He has before. If we will do that, we will see how AWESOME our GOD truly is.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

You gotta Trust

Have you ever crossed a creek by walking across a fallen tree? You may be a little tentative to begin with. I mean, how do you know the tree will support you as you traverse the creek? It fell for a reason, didn't it? How long has it been laying there? Have the termites eaten it up? Is it just a shell of a tree, or will it actually support me to get over the creek? You gotta trust it.

Our two little ones, who are four and three, don't like thunderstorms, nor do I for that matter. There is something inherently unsettling about something so powerful, with all the loud noises and electrical flashes it can produce. However, we remind them that GOD holds us in His hand and that He will protect us and that there is nothing to fear.

Today's word is from Nahum 1:7, NIV, which reads, "The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him."

The first part of today's word is something that we know - The LORD is good! GOD is good all the time, and, all the time, GOD is good. GOD has nothing but good in store for us. While this world is full of bad and only seems to get worse, the fact is that GOD is good and He will provide what we need when we need it, including refuge in times of trouble. There is no need to fear, GOD is already there!

But, look at the second part of today's word - He cares for those who TRUST in Him. Now, GOD cares about and for everyone - everyone - but this goes even further. GOD has extra care - to protect and provide refuge -  for those who TRUST in Him. Just as you will never make it across the creek if you don't trust that fallen tree, you will never experience the freedom of GOD'S peace and comfort until you TRUST that He is going to take care of things. You can trust GOD to take care of and provide what you need when you need it.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

I don't care what everybody else does

Remember growing up and asking to do something that your parents wouldn't allow you to do? If you were like me, you would probably try to reason with your parents by saying, "But, everyone else is doing it," or, "But, everyone else is going." To this very valid reasoning, your parents, if they were like mine, would say, "I don't care what everybody else is doing."

Oh, how my parents' words ring so true now that I have my children trying the same reasoning on me. And, how I have come to realize as I have gotten older that not EVERYONE else is doing it. When kids in the youth group would try to justify their actions by saying, "Well, everyone else is doing it." I would always reply, "I'm not. So, not EVERYONE else is doing it."

Today's word is Micah 4:5, NLT, which reads, "Though the nations around us follow their idols, we will follow the LORD our GOD forever and ever."

There are so many people in the world today following every idol and every false religion you can imagine. And, if you're not careful, if you're not vigilant, if you're not plugged in and studied up, you can easily be led astray because, you start thinking, "Well, if everybody else is doing it, it must be good.". Look, it may seem like EVERYONE else is doing it but don't be deceived, not EVERYONE.

I desire to stand strong, to speak the truth in love, and to tell others about the ONE, TRUE GOD. Others may chase idols and every wind of doctrine, but we will follow the LORD our GOD forever and ever.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

GOD'S Reach

Ever tried to get something from the top shelf, especially at the super market or one of the big box stores? It seems that you just do not have enough reach: you stand on your tip toes, you do the one-legged, tip toe to allow even more reach, yet, it is just out of reach. So, you revert to climbing the shelves in order to get what you need; or, maybe that's just me.

Have you ever felt like that item on the top shelf, just out of GOD'S reach? It seems that you have gone too far, that you have done too much, that you are so far gone that GOD just cannot reach you. Maybe it has been a time when you have sunken down deep into the abyss of sadness or rejection or dejection; you feel you are so deep in the canyon that GOD cannot reach you. Jonah felt that way too...

Today's word is Jonah 2:6, NIV, reads, "To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But You, LORD my GOD, brought my life up from the pit."

Jonah had been directed by GOD to go and preach to Nineveh but he was afraid, maybe a little apathetic, and decided to go somewhere else. BUT, GOD got his attention. And, while Jonah was about as low as he could get, when it seemed that he could get no lower and that he was beyond the limits of GOD'S reach, Jonah realized that no matter how low he got, no matter how far away he moved, no matter how deeply he sank, GOD could still reach him and save him from himself.

No matter what you have done. No matter how bad you have been. No matter how low you have sunk. No matter how far you have run. No matter what - GOD can reach you. All you have to do is call out to Him and He will pull you up from the lowest pit. You are NEVER beyond GOD'S reach.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Acrophobia

Acrophobia is the fear of heights, and some folks are really scared of heights. I am not particularly scared of heights, it doesn't bother me to climb ladders or stand on roofs or things of that nature. With that being said, though, while I am not afraid of heights, I don't like the idea of landing should I fall.

Just as some are afraid of physical heights, others relish the thought of being supremely higher than others. Some people live for the chance to "lord" over someone, to look down their noses at others. I really think some people strive to get to a position of superiority just so they can belittle and look down on others. It is this type of people that today's verse is talking to...

Today's word is from Obadiah 1:3, ESV, which reads, "The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in your lofty dwelling, who say in your heart, 'Who will bring me down to the ground?'"

It is when we allow the pride of our heart, the superiority complex to invade our lives that we are going to find ourselves falling. The Bible is very clear that pride comes before a fall. It's inevitable that if you walk around with your nose up in the air, looking down at everyone else, that you are going to trip over something and come crashing down; no one is immune to it.

While I am not fearful of physical heights, I am fearful of allowing myself to fall into the evil of pride. There is nothing wrong with being proud of who you are or what you have accomplished but it becomes wrong when you begin to believe that because of those things you are better than, more superior, than someone else. It is when we lift ourselves above others that we will find ourselves falling from our self-made pedestals. Maybe when it comes to self-pride, we all need a healthy dose of acrophobia.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Walking Together

I love to walk with Trish. We don't have to have anywhere in particular to go or anything in particular to see; I just love to walk with her. There is something truly special about walking with her, holding her hand, and just enjoying her company.

In our early years of marriage, when we had even less than we do now, we would get out in the evenings and walk. We didn't have much money but, about once a week, we would walk to a convenience store about half a mile from the house and buy a 99 cent ICEE each. It was a pretty big deal to buy the ICEE, but it was a greater joy just walking together.

Today's word is Amos 3:3, KJV, which reads, "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"

If, on our walks, Trish and I couldn't decide on which way to go, it would have been difficult for either of us to be happy about the trip. If we hadn't agreed on the path, we never would have experienced our once a week ICEE purchase. If we hadn't have agreed on the direction, we have been in constant turmoil and a constant struggle and getting nowhere. So many people live their spiritual lives this way.

Why do we so often fight GOD'S direction? And, notice, I ask, "Why do WE..." because I am as guilty as anyone. If we would only agree with GOD to follow His path and to follow His direction, we will find that the journey is every bit as fun and enjoyable as the destination. Yeah, getting the ICEE was sweet but just walking with Trish was even better.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

You are strong!

Blake will soon be five and is as strong as an ox. He is on pace to be the largest and strongest guy in our family, which isn't saying much but still. He can do some amazingly strong things for such a young boy. He can push some rather heavy objects, lift things that I probably couldn't lift until I was fifteen, and, no, we don't let him overdo or run the risk of hurting himself. I am just saying he is physically strong.

That's a good point though. Being physically strong can often cause us to try to lift more than we should, or to try to do something that we shouldn't. But, because we are physically strong, we often feel as if we can do anything. We should also feel that way spiritually...

Today's word is Joel 3:10, KJV, which reads, "Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears; let the weak say, 'I am strong'."

When we rely on GOD to provide us the strength we need to overcome obstacles and to accomplish His will, we will find that we are always stronger than we ever thought we were, or could be. It is when we are trying to accomplish things in our own strength, or trying to overcome obstacles on our own that we find our strength insufficient and quickly waning. With GOD providing us strength, though, we should feel as if we can do anything.

When satan puts an obstacle before us, let's remember that GOD is providing us the strength to overcome. When life is hitting us from all sides and there seems to be no relief in sight, let's remember that GOD will provide us the strength to endure. Because, you see, with GOD, you are strong!

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Are you wise?

I don't know about you but I want to be wise; I'm not very but I want to be. The old saying is that wisdom comes with age, yet, I seem to be the exception to that rule. However, I do know that I am far wiser today than I was in my teen years, and I continue to get a little wiser each day.

People seek wisdom, they want to be wise. People will read all kinds of books and listen to all kinds of podcasts for a little piece of advice that will make them wiser, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. We should try to seek wisdom and find the better way wherever we can.

Today's word is Hosea 14:9, NLT, which reads, "Let those who are wise understand these things...The paths of the LORD are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them..."

I have probably used this statement before but it certainly bears repeating, "You want to be wise? Follow GOD!" It really is that simple. Now, does that mean you are immediately going to know how to solve quadratic equations or speak fluent Latin? No. We aren't talking about being intelligent; we are talking about being wise. Intelligence can help with accumulating knowledge; wisdom is having the knowledge and good judgement and using it.

We can continue to seek our own will and do our own thing and make mistake after mistake, which isn't very wise or very smart. Or, we can walk in the will of GOD; His paths are true and light. If you walk into a dark room, in order to not trip over something or to not stub your toe, you turn on the light. GOD'S path is light; why continue to walk in darkness? Understand that walking with GOD is the best life you will ever live. Understand that righteous people live by GOD'S will and walk in His ways. If you will do that, you will be truly wise.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

The Protector

The story found in Daniel 6 is one of my favorites, and probably one that most people have heard at some time or another. It is the story of Daniel being thrown into the lions' den. King Darius was influenced to make an official decree that no one was to pray to anyone or anything other than King Darius for thirty days; egos can make us do some really stupid things.

Well, ol' Darius passed the decree and, of course, Daniel did not stop praying to and worshiping the One, True GOD. The administrators who convinced Darius to pass the decree immediately went and told on Daniel, and reminded the King that the punishment for not following the decree was to be thrown into the lions' den. As much as Darius hated to do it, he had to follow his own decree; he had Daniel thrown into the lions' den.

Today's word is Daniel 6:22, NIV, which is the morning after Daniel spent the night in the lions' den, and reads, "My GOD sent His angel, and he shut the mouth of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in His sight..."

Darius hadn't slept well the night before, if he slept at all. The story tells us that he spent the evening fasting. Early the next morning, Darius went to the lions' den to see if Daniel had made it. Don't you know he expected to find nothing left of Daniel. In verse 20 of Daniel 6, Darius asks if Daniel, servant of the living GOD, had been rescued. And, he had.

Daniel's faithfulness was rewarded by GOD'S protection. Yet, that isn't the end of the story. GOD protecting Daniel had such a profound effect on ol' King Darius that he issued a new decree that all his kingdom was to worship the GOD of Daniel, the GOD that Daniel worshiped. GOD'S protection of Daniel in the lions' den ended up protecting countless others from an eternity in hell. GOD is truly the Great Protector.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

It will be on me

You've probably heard me mention before that if you compare yourself to me, you will probably come out looking pretty good. However, I am not the example, the measuring stick, the barometer you should be comparing yourself to. We will all be judged according to our own selves, our own actions or inactions, our own sins.

It's easy and often that we find ourselves looking at the sins of others and thinking, "Well, at least I'm not as bad as they are." Yet, sin is sin. While some sins are more heinous and more revolting, the fact is that all sin is sin - all sin is disobedience to the will of GOD. So, I truly try not to judge others; one day I will stand before the One Holy and Just GOD and give an account for everything I've done.

Today's word is Ezekiel 18:20b, NLT, which reads, "...Righteous people will be rewarded for their own righteous behavior, and wicked people will be punished for their own wickedness."

I won't give an account for anyone but myself, and neither will you. However, we will give an account for ourselves, individually. Whatever I have done in this life, good or bad, I will give an account for. And, those things I have done, good or bad, aren't compared to the majority, they are compared to JESUS and the will of GOD. If what I have done is in GOD'S will, it will be counted unto me as righteousness. If what I have done is outside of GOD'S will, it'll be counted unto me as wickedness (sin). Same goes for you.

We have all sinned and come short of the glory of GOD - ALL. However, if you have confessed your sins and turned from your sinful ways, GOD will forgive you and cleanse you. You see, it's not about how you stack up against me or how I stack up against you. You won't give an account for me, and vice versa. I pray for GOD'S forgiveness because what I have done will be on me.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T