I cannot hide

I like to dispense advice probably more than most folks. Now, my advice is about as worthless as it comes but I dispense it freely anyway. When I run into young folks that are just starting out, I like to tell them two things: "You don't have to know everything; you just need to know where to find the answers. And, always have someone to blame."

Of course, I am kidding about the second one. The first one is absolutely true, you don't have to know everything; you just need to know where to find the answers. I am blessed to work with and know some very intelligent and knowledgeable people that I can go to when I need an answer. While the first piece of advice is valuable, the second piece is the one that most people adhere to.

Today's word is Proverbs 28:13, NLT, which reads, "People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they will confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy."

While we often look for someone to blame or a way to hide what we have done, the fact is that we cannot hide. We may hide it from others but we never escape the watchful eye of GOD. We may try to blame others for our mistakes and failures and sins but the truth is that we are to blame. And, we will never have peace until we acknowledge our sins and turn from them.

Look, I have admitted before that I am a complete failure on my best day. I make enough mistakes for most everyone combined. I pray that I always admit my sins instead of trying to blame someone else. I pray that I will confess and turn, for that is the only way to receive forgiveness and mercy. I pray that I always realize that I cannot hide.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

It is very good

Sometimes, I, like everyone else, can allow the daily grind and difficulties of this world to wear me down and give me a less than positive attitude. I mean, the world is tough, and no doubt some days are tougher than others.

Yet, if I will just take the time to look around and see all the great things that GOD has given us, I will be ashamed of my gloomy attitude. The wonders of nature are truly - wonderful. It's hard not to notice the intricacies and delicacies of the simplest flowers. That didn't just happen; GOD made it!

Today's word is from Genesis 1:31, KJV, which reads, "And GOD saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good."

No doubt, GOD making us in His image is the highest. The details in each individual is amazing. We each have individual finger prints and foot prints and tongue prints. Even the most identical of twins are uniquely designed. I am amazed at the uniqueness of us all, and that alone is enough to bring a huge smile to my face.

Then, all you have to do is look around at all the splendor of GOD'S creation. The array of color and shapes and designs in the finest details of GOD'S wondrous work. If we will take the time to look around and just soak it in for a moment, we will see that it truly is very good.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Waiting

You can pretty much ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you that I am not a very patient person. I have said many times that if patience is truly a virtue, I am apparently not a very virtuous person. I have patience with some things but I would not classify myself as patient.

I look back at my life, however, and I see how GOD has used those impatient times in my life to grow me. I am the guy who wants to make things happen - NOW. Yet, many things take time and time to see results. I am not an instant gratification sort, but I am a guy that when you say something needs to be done I figure you mean right now. Waiting, though, is what is asked of us from time to time.

Today's word is Lamentations 3:25, KJV, which reads, "The LORD is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him."

This verse reminds us that GOD has a plan and His plan, His timing is perfect. All we have to do is wait. Now, once again, I am a hypocrite to say that we have to be patient. However, read what the verse tells us, "The LORD is GOOD unto THEM that WAIT for HIM..." Whatever you are waiting on is going to be worth the wait!

I am going to work on resting in the LORD and His timing. I know that He is working it all for my good and that when it all comes together, it will be mind-boggling and better than I could have ever planned it myself. "LORD, help me as I sit waiting to know that you have a plan, and it is worth the wait."

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Not very wise

I have a philosophy that has developed from working with youth for years, as well as the fact that I lived this exact same philosophy. My philosophy is that between the ages of fourteen and twenty-five, you KNOW EVERYTHING. I mean, there is NOTHING that anyone can tell you, NOTHING that anyone can show you, NOTHING that any adult can teach you. You know everything.

Yet, something happens around twenty-five and you wake up one morning and realize that your parents have certainly gotten a lot smarter in the last eight or nine years. No, you begin to realize that you are not as smart as you thought; you are not as wise as you gave yourself credit for.

Today's word is Isaiah 5:21, NIV, which reads, "Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight."

It is those who think they KNOW everything that truly bothers those of us who really do. Just kidding of course. It is those who think they KNOW everything who truly know NOTHING. I know and have known some really intelligent people, people who are twenty times more intelligent than I could ever be. However, they are wise in their own eyes. If you don't know JESUS, you truly do know NOTHING.

May GOD help us all to seek His wisdom and discernment; He knows I need it. For it is when I decide that I am smart enough to determine these things myself that I find out just how little I truly know, and that is not very wise.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Pray

Today is the National Day of Prayer, celebrated the first Thursday in May each year, reminding us to turn our hearts to GOD. While we should pray every day, it is good to have a reminder. And, it would be great if we, as a nation, could unite in prayer to the One, True GOD and ask Him to forgive our sins and to cleanse us, make us whole, and to guide is in this world. Not going to happen but it would be wonderful.

We, as GOD'S children, though, should pray and pray specifically and continually. Not that we should be on our knees praying continually, we have to work and take care of our families, but we should have a mindset of prayer all the time. We should know that we have an open line of communication with the Father, and we should USE it.

Today's word is Colossians 4:2, NLT, which reads, "Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart."

We should devote ourselves to prayer. We should make it a conscious part of our everyday life. We should pray and be aware that we can pray at any time, any where. I like that the verse says that we should pray with an alert mind. So many people want to recite a written prayer. And, I guess that's alright. But, GOD wants to hear from YOU. He wants to know what's on your heart. So, don't just go through the motions; pray with an alert mind.

Then, pray with a thankful heart. The mere fact that I can approach the throne of GOD with my prayers is humbling and staggering and mind-boggling to me. I am thankful that He chose to make a way for that to be possible. I am thankful for all the things He has blessed me with. I am thankful that the best is yet to come!

It is the National Day of Prayer. Pray!

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

What is Love?

Many years ago, I presented a youth lesson titled, "What is Love?" There are as many definitions of love as there are people that describe it. We even have the different types of love - Eros, Storge, Philia, and Agape.

Eros is sensual love, the human passion love. Storge love is family love; that bond between parent and child, brothers and sisters, and vice versa. Philia is brotherly love; love for neighbors and people in general. Then, there is Agape, the highest strongest love. Agape love is selfless, sacrificial unconditional love. But, what is love?

Today's word is a quote I came across that sort of sums up what love for one another should mean. It says, "Love is constant devotion, not passing emotion."

Love is about giving; giving of ourselves to each other. I explained it to the youth that if they were in a relationship where the other party was always wanting something from them, then, it isn't true love. Love is when the other person wants to give something to you, not take something from you. True love is about giving, not getting.

GOD demonstrated His love to us by becoming the propitiation for our sins, by fulfilling the sin debt that we could never pay, by giving all He had for us. Yet, our devotion to him, much like our devotion to those we love, tends to be more of a passing emotion at times. I am glad that it isn't that way on His part - He loves me no matter what. Love is constant devotion, not passing emotion - love is about giving, not getting.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Tell GOD what you need

Do you think GOD needs to know what we need? Of course He doesn't. The Bible tells us that GOD knows what we need before we even ask. It goes even further than that. GOD knows our thoughts, our desires, our silent prayers. We don't have to verbalize or vocalize anything - He already knows.

So, why do we pray? Because GOD wants to hear from His children and He wants us to express our dependence on Him. Not that He is an egotist and needs to know how great He is. He just wants us to be humble children. He wants us to acknowledge the fact that every good thing comes from Him. He just wants to have a conversation with His children. Don't you like talking to your children?

Today's verse is one I have used before but is on my mind today. It is Philippians 4:6, NLT, which reads, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell GOD what you need, and thank Him for all He has done."

It is when we turn things over to GOD, when we pray and let Him know what we need, that we can begin to experience that peace that passes all understanding. Once again, not that He doesn't already know our needs. We need to pray so that WE acknowledge our needs. If we will turn our needs over to GOD and trust in Him to provide all our needs, which He will, we can stop worrying about things. I know, much easier said than done.

Then, after you make your requests to GOD, take the time to thank Him for what He has done. It is when we draw on GOD'S bountiful goodness of the past that we can find peace in the present. He has done it before and He will do it again.

Pray for me that I will leave my needs to GOD and that I will enjoy His peace. I pray you will too.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T