Almost everyday of my life, I talk with people who are facing some of the hardest  and most difficult times they have ever had to face.  The hard knocks of life have been rough and left them wondering is life really worth living?  The answer to that question is YES!

This is what Jesus said on the issue:  “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

Life is going to be tough and in this world we are going to have tribulation, but He has overcome this world and if we have Him in us, then the same power that allowed Him to overcome this world flows into and through our lives.

The key is this:  As we live in this world, we need to make sure that we are living in Him, because in Him, we have peace.  We live in Him by letting His words live in and through us.  We let His Words live in and through us by reading, thinking and obeying His teachings, which are found in the Bible.

It really is not nearly as complicated as most of us try to make it!  Read/obey His Word and you will live in Him.  Live in Him as you live in this world and you will have His peace and power flowing into and through your life.  His peace and power gives you overcoming power, which allows you to live the victorious and glorious life of grace.

Get it and give it – you will be glad you did!

If you woke up today and if you are reading this, then you have a brand new day.  A brand new day is an opportunity for you to move beyond the mistakes and failures of yesterday and forward into the promises and hope of tomorrow.

You have a choice:  Today can be about survival and just barely getting by or today can be about victory, adventure and getting the most out of life.  My Granny used to sing a song called “One Day At A Time!”  It is kinda like a prayer – asking God to help us to live today – today!

The chorus of the songs says:  “One day at a time, sweet Jesus, That’s all I’m asking from you.  Give me the strength to do everything that I have to do.  Yesterday’s gone sweet Jesus, And tomorrow may never be mine.  Help me today, Show me the way, One day at a time.”

This is my prayer today for me and you:  “Help us Lord to live today while it is today.  Help us to get the most out of this day and allow our lives to bring You glory.  Forgive us of our sins, failures and shortcomings.  Reveal Your will and help us to chase after it with everything that we’ve got!”

Praying your today is a great day!  God Bless & Press On!

For the past 13 years I have had the privilege of living my life with a wonderful and special group of people.  The people of Northwood Baptist Church have been a great blessing to me and my family.  I was reading some cards and letters that I have received through the years and it has been really great to remember what an amazing journey God has allowed us to travel together.

There is only a small handful of the people left that we began the journey with 13 years ago.  Many have passed from this life into everlasting life and a handful have moved to different paths that God had marked out for them.  There are many that joined us at some point along the way and we are thankful for each and everyone.  I can honestly say that my life is better, fuller and stronger because of the people – each one of you!

God has now released us from Northwood and provided us with a calling to pursue the vision and passion that He has provided.  While a part of me is sad to be walking away from such a big part of our lives, another part of me is very excited about the possibilities of reaching out into the upstate with the powerful healing that can only come through the amazing grace of our loving Heavenly Father.

Some of us will continue to worship and grow together each week, some of us will continue to minister and serve together and some of us will run into each other at the Wal-Mart.  The beautiful thing to remember in all of this is:  All of us have the opportunity to listen for and yield to the voice of God.  I will tell you from personal experience, there is nothing like living at this place of yielding.  Yielding to His voice allows you to take steps that you could and would never take on your own.  Yielding to His voice allows you to step out of your comfort zone and into the miraculous.  Yielding to His voice is really the only way to live.

I want to say thank you!  Thank You God for relationship that makes everything possible.  Thank you Northwood for 13 years of amazing ministry – the Kingdom is sweeter and stronger because of our service together.  Thank you to my family for supporting me, even and especially when you often got the short end of the stick.  Thank you to my friends – past, present and future – I would not want to think of trying to do any of this without you.

Today we remember.  And before we lay our head on the pillow tonight – we look forward in faith, believing God for the miraculous and thankful that we get to be a part!  I love each of you and hold you in a special place.  Always remember and never forget – it’s all about G3!  (Giving God Glory!)