He never changes

I will readily admit that I am what some would call "old fashioned". I often feel that I was born out of my time period. Now, of course, we know that isn't true; GOD has us where He wants us when He wants us. But, what I am saying is that sometimes I am more of a traditionalist than others.

Now, I am not so old fashioned that I don't see the good in progress, especially medical and technological. I like air conditioning, microwaves, and remote controls. I am amazed at what GOD has allowed mankind to accomplish with the eradication of some diseases and learning to treat others. And, like so many others, I really enjoy the flexibility and the usefulness of the smartphone.

Today's word is Malachi 3:6, NLT, which reads, "I am the LORD, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed."

While some might question my traditionalism, one thing that is not questionable is GOD. GOD is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He does not change. Sins of 6,000 years ago are still sins today. Things that were wrong to do centuries ago are still against GOD'S plan, will, and law. While things are certainly progressing and changing, GOD does not change.

Now, the other part of GOD not changing is the fact that His love for us has not changed. He loves each and everyone one of us and wants a personal relationship with each of us. He has never loved anyone as much as He loves you. He always has; He always will. There is nothing you can do to make GOD love you more. There is also nothing you can do to make Him love you less. He never changes!

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Toss it overboard

Alright, I am about to confess something that I really shouldn't, because it isn't about me personally but about some folks I know. There are some people in my family that are borderline hoarders. I mean, they get something and they KEEP IT. Let me give you an example conversation...

Me: "So, what is this?"
Family Member: "Oh, that's the felt gasket that goes behind the left tail light on a 1958 Edsel Corsair."
Me: "So, why are you keeping it?"
Family Member: "Well, you never know when you might need it."

And, that is just a small example of some of the hoarding tendencies I have seen. We all have the ability to hold on to things that we really don't need.

Today's word is Johan 1:15, NIV, which reads, "Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm."

Now, these sailors weren't hoarders, they weren't keeping Jonah just to be keeping him. No, Jonah, in his attempt to run from GOD'S calling, had put these sailors and their ship in a very dangerous predicament. The sailors had to make a choice: keep Jonah on the ship and all perish, or toss Jonah off the ship and save themselves. We know how the story ends: Jonah is swallowed by the great fish, GOD gets his attention, and Jonah does what GOD told him to do. But, the point...

We all have a tendency to hold onto things that are doing us no good. We will cling to them and cling to them knowing that they are bringing us down. Those things may be things, they may be habits, they may be attitudes, they may be relationships. Whatever it is that is keeping you from moving forward in GOD'S will may need to be reevaluated. Pray about it. It may be time to toss it overboard.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

What you listening to

Our son will often say, "I need to tell you something," then, commences to telling you something. Sometimes, what he needs to share is about his day in kindergarten. Sometimes, it is about something that he saw on television. Other times, it may be something that is on his mind and he needs an explanation. Whatever the case may be, he has a message that needs to be heard.

I have to admit that there have been more times than I care to count when someone had something big to tell me and I wasn't completely listening. When you don't get all the details because you weren't completely focused, you can find yourself making bad decisions, or no decision at all. It is imperative that we listen.

Today's word is part Obadiah 1:1, NIV, which reads, "...This is what the Sovereign LORD says about Edom - We have heard a message from the LORD..."

The LORD had sent a message to His people. I wonder how often He still does this but we just don't listen, or just half listen. I am talking about myself more than anyone. I have shared before that I am a "Gideon"; I need a sign. And, GOD understands that. He made me. He knows my quirks. He provides what I need. Yet, I will get the sign and still miss the message because I wasn't listening.

Our son and daughter have a lot to tell us. And, it is always important and it is always important to listen. We have people telling us things all the time. Some of it, rightfully so, goes in one ear and out the other. There is often so much noise all around us that it is hard to hear it all. It's easy to get distracted and only half listen. Other times, we hear things that we shouldn't hear and allow those things to control us and really influence our happiness and our witness. There are things that we need to disregard. There are things that we don't need to listen to. However, we need to listen for the voice of GOD, and really listen. So, what you listening to?

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Just what I want

If you look up the meaning of "justice", you will find that it means "just behavior or treatment, fairness, equity, honesty, righteousness, etc." A lot of people claim that they want justice. I mean, we all want to be treated honestly and fairly. We all want people to treat us equally and righteously. Right?

But, I've had a thought that I cannot get rid of lately. I wonder if we really treat people the way we want to be treated? I wonder if we truly treat people the way we want GOD to treat us. Isn't that really the standard for justice? Wouldn't that be the truest form and practice of justice, treating folks the way we want GOD to treat us?

Today's word is Amos 5:24, NLT, which reads, "Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living."

I wonder what I would receive in my stocking on Christmas morning if it was just (what I deserved). I am not sure I could stand what I deserve. Instead, I want what I want. Don't you? I have noticed that I often base my judgement on my opinion but I want GOD to base His opinion of me on His great mercy. I wonder what it would be like if GOD rained down a flood of justice?

Well, I am going to work harder on the second part of this verse and try to live a life of righteous living. Again, getting to Heaven has nothing to do with anything I do, except my decision to accept JESUS as my LORD and SAVIOR. However, earnestly trying to live a humble, sincere, and godly life is my true desire; that's just what I want.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

The LORD has done great things

We are one week, seven days, from Christmas. Our kids are excited and filled with anticipation. They have had their lists for a while. They have talked with Santa more than once. They have made preparations by writing letters, planning what to leave on Christmas Eve night, and by making sure they have all the bases covered. They are excited!

They also know why we truly celebrate Christmas. We celebrate the birth of our SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. I am not going to get into the debate on whether it is the actual day CHRIST was born, etc. I will say that we celebrate the fact that GOD came in human form - Immanuel - GOD with us - to make a way for us to have a personal relationship with Him. That is the GREATEST GIFT!

Today's word is Joel 2:21, NLT, which reads, "Don't be afraid, my people. Be glad now and rejoice, for the LORD has done great things."

Much as we should be thankful every day of the year, we should have a lot to celebrate every day of the year. Yes, Christmas for the young ones is about presents and such but, we should be able to celebrate the GIFT we received long ago every day. JESUS'S birth is truly the GIFT that keeps on giving - eternal life.

GOD has done great and wonderful things. All we have to do is look around and see His mighty work. All I have to do is look at my kids and see the miracle that they are. All I have to do is look at where I was headed and where I will now spend eternity. All I have to do is think about the many blessings in my life. Be glad and rejoice, for the LORD has done great things!

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Let them go hungry

In no way am I recommending this but, if you did a google search for most anything, you would find links to most anything. There seems to be absolutely no filter, no self-worth, nothing off limits. I wonder what people are thinking that post things that will live forever in this electronic world.

It almost seems to me that some folks have no moral compass, nothing to direct them to what is right and wrong. We live in a society, in a world, in an age, where it seems that anything is supposed to be accepted. So, people will do most anything.

Today's word is Hosea 4:8, NIV, which reads, "They feed on the sins of my people and relish their wickedness."

The reason people post most anything is because there is an audience out there that will pursue and chase after most anything. There are people in our world that live for, that wait for, that relish the failures of others. Some of those people are making their livelihood off the sins of others; they can't wait for someone to fail so that they can make more.

However, much like businesses being opened on Sunday and people complaining about them being opened, so too is the evil that others relish. IF no one would go to any business on Sunday, they would quit being open on Sunday. Yet, they are open on Sunday because we live in a society that expects them to be open on Sunday and we, then, frequent that establishment on Sunday. The only reason people publicize their sins is because someone else will watch it and exploit and profit from it. Some folks love to feed on the sins of others. I say, "Let them go hungry."

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Do you measure up?

We have taken our kids to several entertainment venues where there was a minimum height requirement for riding certain rides. We have seen the disappointment on their faces when they weren't quite tall enough. We have, over time, learned where and where not to go to avoid these types of scenarios. Plus, they are both growing so fast that this will not be a problem much longer.

We have all had times when we just didn't measure up, me probably more than most. There have been those times with job interviews, or with loan applications, etc., when we just didn't match the requirement. When this happens, all we can do is keep pressing forward and prepare for the next one. However, there will come an instance when we all need to make sure that we measure up...

Today's word is Daniel 5:27, NLT, which reads, "[Tekel] means 'weighed'--you have been weighed on the balances and have not measured up."

Belshazzar was having a great feast for about a 1,000 of his nobles and their families. During the feast, he ordered that the gold and silver cups that had been taken from the Tabernacle in Jerusalem be brought in so that he and all his dignitaries could drink from them. As they continued their feast, drinking from these sacred vessels, they were also praising their idols of gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone, and wood. Then, a hand began writing on the wall...

The writing was, "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN", which meant that Belshazzar's days were numbered, that he had been weighed and found wanting, and his kingdom would be divided between the Medes and the Persians. All of this came to pass. Belshazzar had decided to not worship the One, True GOD. He had rejected Him and defiled His sacraments. He had been weighed and not measured up.

I will never measure up to GOD'S standards with my meager works or efforts. I will never measure up to GOD'S standards with wealth or fame. I will never measure up to GOD'S standards by trying to do good. The only thing that will balance the scale is the blood of JESUS. If you have JESUS you have it all! Do you measure up?