One of my favorite songs (I have a BUNCH of favorite songs) is Big Daddy Weave's "Redeemed". The first line of the song says, "Seems like all I could see was the struggle." I think we have all had that feeling; the feeling that it is just one struggle after another. It is when we find ourselves there that we must remember that it is temporary; it will get better.
When we are struggling, no matter the struggle, it seems that things will continue to get progressively worse and worse until - until what? The thought that I try to keep in mind is that it will continue to be a struggle until GOD makes the way out by either me becoming stronger and stronger or by allowing things to get better. The key is to not focus so much on the struggle but to focus on the changes the struggle is making in you.
Today's word is a quote from Louie Giglio, which says, "GOD'S plans for your life far exceed the circumstances of your day."
What is going on today will not be going on forever, though it may feel as if it will. Eventually, though, things will ease, seasons will change, the weather will break, things will change. If all we focus on is how bad things are at this very moment, we lose sight of the fact that GOD has BIG plans for our lives - plans to prosper us and not hurt us; plans to bring us to a good end.
Look, everyone is going through something this very day; some obviously worse than others. What I want us to remember is that today's struggles will bring tomorrow's growth. What we are going through today will pay dividends in stronger faith and more effective witnessing somewhere down the road. While it may not be GOD'S plan to see us struggle, He can use what we go through to strengthen us and to make us into what we ought to be.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
He calls the stars by name
Throughout our lives, Trish and I have experienced those times when we had a GOD-sized problem. There was no other solution, no other remedy, no other way for things to work except for GOD to step in and intervene. And, He always has.
There will be those times when it seems that we can't get a handle on things, that just about the time we think it's as bad as it can get, it gets worse. Where do you turn when those times come? If you don't know JESUS, I don't know what you do. "But," you may ask, "Does GOD really care about me and my little problems? Doesn't He have better things to do, such as war and famine and terrorism, etc.?" He can handle it all.
Today's word is Psalm 147:4, NLT, which reads, "He counts the stars and calls them all by name."
GOD is so big, so Almighty that He not only "flung" the stars where they are, He knows how many there are and has given them each a name, and He KNOWS every star's name. If our GOD, my GOD, is that big, that powerful, that omniscient, don't you think He's got things figured out? Don't you know that He has the perfect plan and that it is all working for your good?
We will all face our times of doubt and worry and trouble, when it seems that it gets worse by the moment and there is no end in sight. We can rest in the fact that we serve the One, True, Living, All powerful, Omniscient GOD that knows every star by name. He is able to take care of us, to handle our situations. Turn to Him; He knows what is needed and He can help.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
There will be those times when it seems that we can't get a handle on things, that just about the time we think it's as bad as it can get, it gets worse. Where do you turn when those times come? If you don't know JESUS, I don't know what you do. "But," you may ask, "Does GOD really care about me and my little problems? Doesn't He have better things to do, such as war and famine and terrorism, etc.?" He can handle it all.
Today's word is Psalm 147:4, NLT, which reads, "He counts the stars and calls them all by name."
GOD is so big, so Almighty that He not only "flung" the stars where they are, He knows how many there are and has given them each a name, and He KNOWS every star's name. If our GOD, my GOD, is that big, that powerful, that omniscient, don't you think He's got things figured out? Don't you know that He has the perfect plan and that it is all working for your good?
We will all face our times of doubt and worry and trouble, when it seems that it gets worse by the moment and there is no end in sight. We can rest in the fact that we serve the One, True, Living, All powerful, Omniscient GOD that knows every star by name. He is able to take care of us, to handle our situations. Turn to Him; He knows what is needed and He can help.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Monday, March 28, 2016
When you see it
Yesterday was Easter, and after church we hid some Easter eggs for the little ones to find, even in the rain. The rain didn't seem to bother the little ones near as much as it did us older ones; but, that's another story. So, we hid some eggs for the younger ones to find, and find them they did.
What I noticed, though, was that one of the older ones out there yesterday wasn't just finding eggs for himself, he was picking up eggs and putting them in his one-year-old little cousin's basket. I was amazed and humbled at the gesture. It wasn't about who got the most eggs for this young one; it was about everyone having a good time and finding some eggs. It's a pretty powerful lesson for someone so young to teach some of us older ones.
Today's word is a verse I have used before but I just have it on my mind this morning. It is Colossians 3:23, NKJV, which reads, "Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the LORD and not to men."
Whatever we do should not be to try to bring glory to ourselves, but to our LORD. The little guy yesterday wasn't doing it for show, for he didn't know that others were watching his actions. No, he was doing it because he felt it was the right thing to do. He is only four but he apparently already knows, or feels, that helping others and being unselfish in our actions is the proper way to do things.
I want others to see JESUS through me. They will never do that, though, if I am selfish and live only for myself. I pray I can be like the four-year-old yesterday and serve JESUS through helping others. I can tell you that it is absolutely amazing when you see it!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
What I noticed, though, was that one of the older ones out there yesterday wasn't just finding eggs for himself, he was picking up eggs and putting them in his one-year-old little cousin's basket. I was amazed and humbled at the gesture. It wasn't about who got the most eggs for this young one; it was about everyone having a good time and finding some eggs. It's a pretty powerful lesson for someone so young to teach some of us older ones.
Today's word is a verse I have used before but I just have it on my mind this morning. It is Colossians 3:23, NKJV, which reads, "Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the LORD and not to men."
Whatever we do should not be to try to bring glory to ourselves, but to our LORD. The little guy yesterday wasn't doing it for show, for he didn't know that others were watching his actions. No, he was doing it because he felt it was the right thing to do. He is only four but he apparently already knows, or feels, that helping others and being unselfish in our actions is the proper way to do things.
I want others to see JESUS through me. They will never do that, though, if I am selfish and live only for myself. I pray I can be like the four-year-old yesterday and serve JESUS through helping others. I can tell you that it is absolutely amazing when you see it!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Thursday, March 24, 2016
I am Healed
As we approach Easter in just a few days, my thoughts are on the sacrifice JESUS made in order to heal us. I am utterly amazed that GOD would come in human form and suffer the horrific and painful death He endured for my sake. It is humbling and overwhelming that He loved me that much.
The really amazing part is that He did it just for me. If there had been no other sinner in this world besides me, He still would have endured the cross - for me. Why? Am I worth it? Do I deserve it? I would say, "No," but JESUS said, "Yes."
Today's word is Isaiah 53:5b, NIV, which reads, "...the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed."
GOD knew that I was going to do some really bad things and that the only sacrifice ever fitting to forgive me of all those things was His Son, JESUS CHRIST. So, in order to cleanse me from ALL those unrighteous things, in order to fix all my brokenness, in order to heal me, JESUS chose to take my punishment! Don't miss the part that tells us that in order for us to have peace, He had to take the punishment. Because of JESUS'S sacrifice, because He took my punishment, because of my acceptance of the gift of salvation, I can have peace with GOD; that's AMAZING!
As we celebrate the resurrection of our SAVIOR this Sunday, I want to remember that He died for me but that He is no longer dead. His death and resurrection gives me proof that I will one day live forever with my SAVIOR. I also want to remember that because of His sacrifice, because He accepted my punishment, I have peace with GOD and I am healed.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
The really amazing part is that He did it just for me. If there had been no other sinner in this world besides me, He still would have endured the cross - for me. Why? Am I worth it? Do I deserve it? I would say, "No," but JESUS said, "Yes."
Today's word is Isaiah 53:5b, NIV, which reads, "...the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed."
GOD knew that I was going to do some really bad things and that the only sacrifice ever fitting to forgive me of all those things was His Son, JESUS CHRIST. So, in order to cleanse me from ALL those unrighteous things, in order to fix all my brokenness, in order to heal me, JESUS chose to take my punishment! Don't miss the part that tells us that in order for us to have peace, He had to take the punishment. Because of JESUS'S sacrifice, because He took my punishment, because of my acceptance of the gift of salvation, I can have peace with GOD; that's AMAZING!
As we celebrate the resurrection of our SAVIOR this Sunday, I want to remember that He died for me but that He is no longer dead. His death and resurrection gives me proof that I will one day live forever with my SAVIOR. I also want to remember that because of His sacrifice, because He accepted my punishment, I have peace with GOD and I am healed.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Diligent Decision Making
I like to make quick decisions. I am not saying that I am good at it but I like to make them. The decisions that have to be made on the spur of the moment, without hesitation, are decisions I like to make. Why? Because there is not a lot of dwelling on it - you just make it.
However, when it comes to things such as long term debt, retirement, big purchases, etc., I am usually very slow about those decisions. I vet it from one end of the spectrum to the other. I try to be sure that I have evaluated it from every possible angle. I try to be sure that I have prayed over it and clearly hear GOD'S direction. Some may even think that I am slow about these things, which may be true, but I do my due diligence and exhaustive research before making those types of decisions.
Today's word is a reminder about decision making. It is Proverbs 19:2, NIV, which reads, "Desire without knowledge is not good - how much more will hasty feet miss the way!"
It is often good, and necessary, to make split-second decisions. But, when it comes to life-changing, life-altering, life-effecting decisions, it is wise to gather all the information, to do the research, to diligently seek GOD. As our verse reads, "Desire without knowledge is not good." It is when we base our decisions on some physical desire - that new car will really make me happy; that new boat is just what I need - that we end up making poor decisions. We need to find out all we can and evaluate the potential outcomes (KNOWLEDGE).
And, it should go without saying but I will say it any way, making quick decisions isn't always the best decision. Our hasty decisions often lead us off the mark and we miss the appropriate path. How many times have you thought, "If I could relive those five minutes? OR, those five seconds?"
When it is necessary to make a hasty decision don't hesitate. On those decisions that require diligent evaluation, don't let someone else pressure you into making a poor decision.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
However, when it comes to things such as long term debt, retirement, big purchases, etc., I am usually very slow about those decisions. I vet it from one end of the spectrum to the other. I try to be sure that I have evaluated it from every possible angle. I try to be sure that I have prayed over it and clearly hear GOD'S direction. Some may even think that I am slow about these things, which may be true, but I do my due diligence and exhaustive research before making those types of decisions.
Today's word is a reminder about decision making. It is Proverbs 19:2, NIV, which reads, "Desire without knowledge is not good - how much more will hasty feet miss the way!"
It is often good, and necessary, to make split-second decisions. But, when it comes to life-changing, life-altering, life-effecting decisions, it is wise to gather all the information, to do the research, to diligently seek GOD. As our verse reads, "Desire without knowledge is not good." It is when we base our decisions on some physical desire - that new car will really make me happy; that new boat is just what I need - that we end up making poor decisions. We need to find out all we can and evaluate the potential outcomes (KNOWLEDGE).
And, it should go without saying but I will say it any way, making quick decisions isn't always the best decision. Our hasty decisions often lead us off the mark and we miss the appropriate path. How many times have you thought, "If I could relive those five minutes? OR, those five seconds?"
When it is necessary to make a hasty decision don't hesitate. On those decisions that require diligent evaluation, don't let someone else pressure you into making a poor decision.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
GOD is still there
Ever have a moment in your life when you wondered if GOD was still there? I mean, things are going wrong, and going wrong in a hurry, in every way imaginable, and it seems to be getting worse. Yeah, I think we have all been there. I think we have all had those moments when we wondered if GOD had forgotten or forsaken us. BUT, He hasn't and He doesn't.
We may feel as if we are all alone. We may feel as if we have been left to fend for ourselves. We may feel as if we have been hung out to dry. But, what we are actually doing is growing. There will be times that we find ourselves in a pickle of our own making. There will be other times that we find ourselves in a mess because of a broken world. In either case, though, GOD has not forsaken us - He's still there.
Today's word is a quote from Billy Graham that says, "When hard times come we easily get discouraged. But behind the clouds GOD is still present, and can even use them to water our souls with unexpected blessings."
We need not think that GOD has left us to fend for ourselves. Yes, we may have made our own bed, and now we must sleep in it, but GOD is still there waiting for us to turn to Him. It is necessary at times for us to go through things to grow us; you can't get new growth until you prune the dead away. But, even when we are going through the trials of our own making, GOD will not leave us there one second longer than necessary to get rid of the impurities hindering us.
If you look around and feel that you are all alone in this world, stop looking around and start looking up. We will not find GOD in the hog pen but He is still there waiting for us to return to Him. Like the father of the prodigal son, GOD awaits our return, ready to fall on our necks and give us a holy kiss. Don't feel as if He has left you - GOD is still there.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
We may feel as if we are all alone. We may feel as if we have been left to fend for ourselves. We may feel as if we have been hung out to dry. But, what we are actually doing is growing. There will be times that we find ourselves in a pickle of our own making. There will be other times that we find ourselves in a mess because of a broken world. In either case, though, GOD has not forsaken us - He's still there.
Today's word is a quote from Billy Graham that says, "When hard times come we easily get discouraged. But behind the clouds GOD is still present, and can even use them to water our souls with unexpected blessings."
We need not think that GOD has left us to fend for ourselves. Yes, we may have made our own bed, and now we must sleep in it, but GOD is still there waiting for us to turn to Him. It is necessary at times for us to go through things to grow us; you can't get new growth until you prune the dead away. But, even when we are going through the trials of our own making, GOD will not leave us there one second longer than necessary to get rid of the impurities hindering us.
If you look around and feel that you are all alone in this world, stop looking around and start looking up. We will not find GOD in the hog pen but He is still there waiting for us to return to Him. Like the father of the prodigal son, GOD awaits our return, ready to fall on our necks and give us a holy kiss. Don't feel as if He has left you - GOD is still there.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Monday, March 21, 2016
Let no man
The movie Fireproof is one of my favorites. It is a story about a fire Captain Caleb Holt and his journey to find how to save his marriage. Caleb instills in his recruits that you NEVER leave your partner, especially in a fire (when things get really dangerous and trying). Yet, Caleb and and his wife, Catherine, are in the heat of temptation and frustration and are considering leaving their respective partners.
Caleb begins trying to put as much attention and effort into his marriage as his desires to be somewhere else, with someone else, doing something else (you know, the grass is always greener), while Catherine is being wooed by a married doctor at the hospital where she works. Allow me to digress and say that if a married person is trying to woo you, it won't be long before they are trying to woo someone else. The old saying is, "If you'll cheat with me, you'll cheat on me."
Today's word is Mark 10:9, NIV, which reads, "Therefore what GOD has joined together, let no one separate."
Lots of folks seem to forget that they made a vow, a solemn promise, to be faithful to his/her spouse until death do they part in front of witnesses and GOD. However, things start to get a little testy, a little trying at the house and they start looking for a way to abandon their partner in the heat of the fire. What they should do is sit down and really concentrate on what brought them together to begin with, pray for GOD to direct them to rekindle that flame, and then put forth their absolute best effort to fireproof their marriage - let NO ONE separate what GOD has joined together.
In the end, Caleb and Catherine found GOD and each other. While the critics didn't rate Fireproof very highly, the message is a strong and powerful reminder that you never leave your partner, especially when things get hard. It is when things are the most difficult that we must ask GOD to give us the strength to continue to assist one another. It is when temptation arises that we must remember that the fire is hot but we never leave our partner. We must remember that what GOD has joined together, He expects us to fight for and preserve. Caleb was right. In a fire, in the heat of temptation, in the heat of frustration, you never leave your partner.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Caleb begins trying to put as much attention and effort into his marriage as his desires to be somewhere else, with someone else, doing something else (you know, the grass is always greener), while Catherine is being wooed by a married doctor at the hospital where she works. Allow me to digress and say that if a married person is trying to woo you, it won't be long before they are trying to woo someone else. The old saying is, "If you'll cheat with me, you'll cheat on me."
Today's word is Mark 10:9, NIV, which reads, "Therefore what GOD has joined together, let no one separate."
Lots of folks seem to forget that they made a vow, a solemn promise, to be faithful to his/her spouse until death do they part in front of witnesses and GOD. However, things start to get a little testy, a little trying at the house and they start looking for a way to abandon their partner in the heat of the fire. What they should do is sit down and really concentrate on what brought them together to begin with, pray for GOD to direct them to rekindle that flame, and then put forth their absolute best effort to fireproof their marriage - let NO ONE separate what GOD has joined together.
In the end, Caleb and Catherine found GOD and each other. While the critics didn't rate Fireproof very highly, the message is a strong and powerful reminder that you never leave your partner, especially when things get hard. It is when things are the most difficult that we must ask GOD to give us the strength to continue to assist one another. It is when temptation arises that we must remember that the fire is hot but we never leave our partner. We must remember that what GOD has joined together, He expects us to fight for and preserve. Caleb was right. In a fire, in the heat of temptation, in the heat of frustration, you never leave your partner.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
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