I know several young people that are approaching graduations from high school and college that are twenty times smarter than I ever was or will ever be. They have a lot of potential and a really bright future. For those graduating college, I suspect that they will go into the "real" world and make a huge splash. For those headed to college, I suspect that they will just further increase their knowledge and, then, go out into the "real" world and make a huge splash. Yes, bright futures indeed.
The secret, though, is that we all have bright futures if we are GOD'S children. This world may tell us otherwise; it may try to beat us down and discourage us; tell us that we are used up and washed up and worthless, but it is wrong!
Today's word is a simple quote from William Carey that says, "Your future is as bright as the promises of GOD."
How do I know, if you're a child of GOD, that you have a bright future? Because, GOD has promised it and He NEVER breaks His promises. He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us; we are never alone. He has promised to bring us to a good end; it may suck right now but it will get better. He has sent us a Comforter to be with us and guide us and help us.
There are so many promises to talk about but we will finish with the ultimate promise. JESUS said that He was going to prepare us a mansion, and that if He went (and He did), that He would come again (He will), and will receive us unto Himself so that where He is there we will be also. Eternity in Heaven - that is certainly a bright future!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Monday, August 31, 2015
Thursday, August 27, 2015
ASK
Have you ever lost anything? We have a tendency to lose things around the house quick, fast, and in a hurry. Granted, some of the loses are created by two toddlers that don't always remember what they did with things. But, suffice it to say that we lose things from time to time (and, it's not always the little ones).
Not just losing things, though. Have you ever searched and searched for that something that you just couldn't seem to find? Maybe it was a special gift for someone, a certain book that has been out of print for years, a certain toy that is all the rage but the stores are sold out. Whatever it was, you were diligent and refused to stop looking, to stop searching, until you found it.
Today's word is Luke 11:9, KJV, which reads, "And I say unto you, 'Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.'"
Notice that all the verbs are present tense and active: Ask; Seek; Knock. It doesn't mean to ask once and not ask again. It doesn't mean that if you don't find it the first time to quite looking. It doesn't mean to give one little knock and leave. No, we must actively ask, and actively seek, and actively knock. You're never gonna get it if you don't ask. You'll never find it if you don't seek it. You'll never get the door to open if you only knock once.
GOD has so many wonderful blessing in store for His children, if we will just Ask, Seek, Knock. Do you notice that the first letters of each of these action verbs spell ASK? GOD is listening. He loves you. He wants to do great and wonderful things - ASK.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Not just losing things, though. Have you ever searched and searched for that something that you just couldn't seem to find? Maybe it was a special gift for someone, a certain book that has been out of print for years, a certain toy that is all the rage but the stores are sold out. Whatever it was, you were diligent and refused to stop looking, to stop searching, until you found it.
Today's word is Luke 11:9, KJV, which reads, "And I say unto you, 'Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.'"
Notice that all the verbs are present tense and active: Ask; Seek; Knock. It doesn't mean to ask once and not ask again. It doesn't mean that if you don't find it the first time to quite looking. It doesn't mean to give one little knock and leave. No, we must actively ask, and actively seek, and actively knock. You're never gonna get it if you don't ask. You'll never find it if you don't seek it. You'll never get the door to open if you only knock once.
GOD has so many wonderful blessing in store for His children, if we will just Ask, Seek, Knock. Do you notice that the first letters of each of these action verbs spell ASK? GOD is listening. He loves you. He wants to do great and wonderful things - ASK.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
People
Alright, confession time. When people do strange things and others say, "Well, it takes all kinds," I have a saying that goes, "No. It doesn't take all kinds, we just have all kinds." That's not to belittle or discount anyone, everyone has value and is important. I'm just saying that we don't NEED people doing all kinds of weirdness and evil - it's just that we HAVE people doing all kinds of weirdness and evil.
I have not doubt that we are influenced by those we spend our time with. Now, I am a FIRM believer that we are each, individually responsible for everything we do - don't try to blame it on your acquaintances. However, the more we hang around with people, the more we tend to think and behave like them. We have to watch whom we hang out with.
Today's word is just a thought to remind us that we choose who we spend time with, and we should choose wisely. It says, "You cannot change the people around you, but you can change the people that you choose to be around."
Those people that choose to do weird and evil things, you are probably never going to change. You can hang out with them, you can do things with them, you can try to influence them, but, more than likely, you'll begin to see yourself moving more in their direction than vice versa. Once again, not saying that it isn't worth trying to change folks; just saying that if they don't start changing quickly, don't allow them to bring you to their level.
The flip side of that is that while you may not be able to change those people around you, you can choose to hang out with different people. You see, that choice is yours, and it goes back to the fact that we are each, individually responsible. If you find that the people you are around are bringing you down instead of lifting and building you up, choose to be around different people. You might be surprised at the difference it makes.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
I have not doubt that we are influenced by those we spend our time with. Now, I am a FIRM believer that we are each, individually responsible for everything we do - don't try to blame it on your acquaintances. However, the more we hang around with people, the more we tend to think and behave like them. We have to watch whom we hang out with.
Today's word is just a thought to remind us that we choose who we spend time with, and we should choose wisely. It says, "You cannot change the people around you, but you can change the people that you choose to be around."
Those people that choose to do weird and evil things, you are probably never going to change. You can hang out with them, you can do things with them, you can try to influence them, but, more than likely, you'll begin to see yourself moving more in their direction than vice versa. Once again, not saying that it isn't worth trying to change folks; just saying that if they don't start changing quickly, don't allow them to bring you to their level.
The flip side of that is that while you may not be able to change those people around you, you can choose to hang out with different people. You see, that choice is yours, and it goes back to the fact that we are each, individually responsible. If you find that the people you are around are bringing you down instead of lifting and building you up, choose to be around different people. You might be surprised at the difference it makes.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Hold Tight
Blake, who is soon to turn four, loves ships and things nautical. One of my favorite things to ask him is, "What does an anchor do?" His reply is, "It holds a ship," or "It stops a boat." There is a great lesson in that...
An anchor does just that, keeps a vessel from drifting. When you are out in the open water, wind and currents will move your vessel from one place to another. If you're not careful, you may find yourself in a mess of weeds or briars or maybe even a hornets nest. You need that anchor to keep you steady, to keep you from drifting.
Today's word is Deuteronomy 11:22, NLT, which reads, "Be careful to obey all these commands I am giving you. Show love to the LORD your GOD by walking in His ways and holding tightly to Him."
There will be some rough patches in this life. If you haven't had one, you will. If you have had one, there will be more. Things will happen in this life that will get you off kilter, that will test your fortitude, that will batter and break you. If you aren't solidly anchored, you'll find yourself drifting and headed for even more trouble.
If we will carefully obey GOD'S commands and walk in His ways, we will find that we are on solid ground, even in the midst of the darkest, tumultuous storm.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
An anchor does just that, keeps a vessel from drifting. When you are out in the open water, wind and currents will move your vessel from one place to another. If you're not careful, you may find yourself in a mess of weeds or briars or maybe even a hornets nest. You need that anchor to keep you steady, to keep you from drifting.
Today's word is Deuteronomy 11:22, NLT, which reads, "Be careful to obey all these commands I am giving you. Show love to the LORD your GOD by walking in His ways and holding tightly to Him."
There will be some rough patches in this life. If you haven't had one, you will. If you have had one, there will be more. Things will happen in this life that will get you off kilter, that will test your fortitude, that will batter and break you. If you aren't solidly anchored, you'll find yourself drifting and headed for even more trouble.
If we will carefully obey GOD'S commands and walk in His ways, we will find that we are on solid ground, even in the midst of the darkest, tumultuous storm.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Monday, August 24, 2015
The Time is Right
A friend of ours had asked us to pray that GOD would give her wisdom, discernment, and peace about a decision she needed to make. So, we've been praying with her. Today she told me she had made the decision to become a business owner, which will enable her to pursue this endeavor into retirement and allow her more time to be available. It took a while for her to hear GOD but once she did, she moved.
Some things in life take a little longer to become clear than others. There are times you may find yourself praying for weeks, months, years and it seems that nothing ever happens. Then, there are other times when it seems you hardly get the prayer prayed and it has happened. I know it seems that way to me.
Today's word is a prayer I came across that sort of sums this up for me. It says, "Dear GOD, I may not understand why everything is happening in my life right now, but I just wanted to say, 'I trust You and I Love You."
It is difficult to understand why we must go through some things that we must go through; why it seems that some prayers are answered immediately and some seem that they will never be answered. I was sharing with a friend yesterday that I know GOD has a plan, I just wish He'd let me in on it. It does get uncomfortable at times when we don't understand why.
Just as our friend sought discernment and peace. Just as I know GOD has a plan. We must trust that GOD has it all handled and we'll see that it was all working for our good in due time. I am just going to trust GOD for He knows best. How do I know? Because He loves me. And, He love you too.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Some things in life take a little longer to become clear than others. There are times you may find yourself praying for weeks, months, years and it seems that nothing ever happens. Then, there are other times when it seems you hardly get the prayer prayed and it has happened. I know it seems that way to me.
Today's word is a prayer I came across that sort of sums this up for me. It says, "Dear GOD, I may not understand why everything is happening in my life right now, but I just wanted to say, 'I trust You and I Love You."
It is difficult to understand why we must go through some things that we must go through; why it seems that some prayers are answered immediately and some seem that they will never be answered. I was sharing with a friend yesterday that I know GOD has a plan, I just wish He'd let me in on it. It does get uncomfortable at times when we don't understand why.
Just as our friend sought discernment and peace. Just as I know GOD has a plan. We must trust that GOD has it all handled and we'll see that it was all working for our good in due time. I am just going to trust GOD for He knows best. How do I know? Because He loves me. And, He love you too.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Friday, August 21, 2015
GOD is LOVE
People have heard me say before, and I really and truly mean it, "I am not amazed at what GOD does, He's GOD. I am amazed at what He does for me." I am blessed beyond measure, though I often take it for granted. I am not blessed because of the material things I have, though, they are nice and plentiful. No, I am blessed because of the spiritual - I am a child of the KING!
When things don't seem to be going my way, which happens, and I begin to feel as if I am someone's pin cushion, I try to remember that GOD loves me. On those days when I do things that I know I shouldn't do, when I am not the witness that I should be, when I feel bad because of my actions/inactions, I remember that GOD loves me despite all that.
Today's word is a quote from Roy Lessin that says, "It is wonderful to know that GOD is love, and even more wonderful to know that He loves us."
It is wonderful to know that GOD is love, that He exemplifies love by His sacrifice to redeem us back to Him. GOD proved His love on the cross. GOD proves His love by making a way for man to receive the greatest Gift ever. GOD is love!
It is even more wonderful, though, to know that GOD, the all powerful, the all knowing, the omnipotent, omniscient, would love someone like me. Despite all my faults and failures, despite all my shortcomings, despite myself, GOD LOVES ME! That truly is WONDERFUL!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
When things don't seem to be going my way, which happens, and I begin to feel as if I am someone's pin cushion, I try to remember that GOD loves me. On those days when I do things that I know I shouldn't do, when I am not the witness that I should be, when I feel bad because of my actions/inactions, I remember that GOD loves me despite all that.
Today's word is a quote from Roy Lessin that says, "It is wonderful to know that GOD is love, and even more wonderful to know that He loves us."
It is wonderful to know that GOD is love, that He exemplifies love by His sacrifice to redeem us back to Him. GOD proved His love on the cross. GOD proves His love by making a way for man to receive the greatest Gift ever. GOD is love!
It is even more wonderful, though, to know that GOD, the all powerful, the all knowing, the omnipotent, omniscient, would love someone like me. Despite all my faults and failures, despite all my shortcomings, despite myself, GOD LOVES ME! That truly is WONDERFUL!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Thursday, August 20, 2015
I'm happy if you're happy
I have a really good older friend that I don't know that I have ever heard him say anything negative or derogatory about anyone. I asked him about it one day and he told me that if anyone ever asked him if he liked something they were wearing, and he didn't, he would simply say, "I like it if you like it."
It's funny how we are sometimes. Well, I can speak for me anyway. Someone comes into some good fortune: a job promotion, a new position, a big raise; and, instead of being happy for them, we find ourselves jealous and even envious of them. I know it's human nature, but, shouldn't we be happy if someone is happy (to a certain degree; but, we won't get into moral, ethical, and spiritual matters, just generally speaking)?
Today's word is Romans 12:15, NLT, which reads, "Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep."
As I mentioned, I have my difficulties with this too. But, why can't we be happy when others are happy? I am not greedy or selfish or envious or covetous. I am glad that others are doing well. GOD supplies ALL my NEEDS. He has a better plan for me than I could ever think, dream, or imagine! Yet, sometimes, I quell others' happiness with my unhappiness.
I pray that I will be happy with those who are happy. I don't want to be the downer when someone else experiences a lift. I want to rejoice with them! Be Happy!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
It's funny how we are sometimes. Well, I can speak for me anyway. Someone comes into some good fortune: a job promotion, a new position, a big raise; and, instead of being happy for them, we find ourselves jealous and even envious of them. I know it's human nature, but, shouldn't we be happy if someone is happy (to a certain degree; but, we won't get into moral, ethical, and spiritual matters, just generally speaking)?
Today's word is Romans 12:15, NLT, which reads, "Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep."
As I mentioned, I have my difficulties with this too. But, why can't we be happy when others are happy? I am not greedy or selfish or envious or covetous. I am glad that others are doing well. GOD supplies ALL my NEEDS. He has a better plan for me than I could ever think, dream, or imagine! Yet, sometimes, I quell others' happiness with my unhappiness.
I pray that I will be happy with those who are happy. I don't want to be the downer when someone else experiences a lift. I want to rejoice with them! Be Happy!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
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