Written by: Georgetta Head

The story below is not written by me.  It was sent to me by a friend and I thought it would make a good blog post.  Please share with others.
 
His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans, and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of
college. He is brilliant. Kind of esoteric and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college. Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church.
 
They want to develop a ministry to the students but are not sure how to go about it. One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started and so Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat. The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now, people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything. Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit, and when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet.
 
By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick. About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill. Now the deacon is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly.
 
He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking toward this boy, everyone is saying to themselves that you can't blame him for what he's going to do.
 
How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor?
 
It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy. The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane. All eyes are focused on him. You can't even hear anyone breathing. The minister can't even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do. And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty, he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won't be alone. ·
 
Everyone chokes up with emotion. When the minister gains control, he says, "What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget.
 
"Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read."  Author unknown.

S.N.A.C.K. on the Word
 
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Photo by: Edward Cisneros
​Written by: Georgetta Head

Superhero characters are very popular.  Growing up I remember watching Superman and Batman thinking “how cool! They have masks to hide their real identity, no one will ever know who they really are.”
 
In today’s culture, Superhero characters are more popular than my growing years of the 50’s. Comic books old and new are being sold for large amounts of money. Movies are released yearly portraying the power of Superhero characters; and to keep one’s love for these characters, you can catch TV rerun series of your favorite Superhero.
 
Currently, the world offers yearly Superhero conventions. So, why the attraction to Superheroes? Why is this industry very popular bringing in millions of dollars yearly? Why the popularity? Let’s examine these Superheroes!  What is interesting to me is that there are two types of Superhero characters: the good ones and the bad ones.  Good Superheroes, during the day are average, mild-mannered individuals; but when trouble arises, their alter-ego personality appears in the form of an indestructible Superhero ready to save an individual, city, or a group of people from the bad Superhero. The bad superheroes are usually angry individuals due to a mishap in their lives or they are seeking revenge for someone they loved and loss. In both cases, however, they trust the alter-ego inside them to become the Superhero they have identified with as they put on their masks.
 
 Why are we so drawn to the false image of Superheroes?
In my opinion, many identify with Superhero characters because of hurts they have suffered through a dysfunctional family life, so they secretly long for an alter-ego within to destroy the enemy of hurt and pain.  Friends, rejection in any form causes many to seek release from their emotional pain by wearing masks to keep them from showing their true identity.  Individuals that know Jesus Christ as their Savior can take off the mask! 
 
Upon salvation, God gives every Believer a wonderful gift! The gift of Holy Spirit, who will dwell within every Believer.  Holy Spirit is every Believer's Superhero!   Faith, not anger or bitterness, but FAITH is what Holy Spirit recognizes within Believers.  When FAITH rises up in a Believer, Holy Spirit works with that Believer’s faith to move mountains or obstacles.  Believers also know of an evil one who thinks he is a superhero, trying to prevent us from operating by faith! That evil one is satan!  But, when we take our rightful position of faith and resist satan, he will flee from us.
 
Why is faith so important?  Mark 16:17-18 states "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."
 
Believers have authority within them that they either forgot or don’t realize they have in order to perform Mark 16:17-18.  Father God didn’t leave us unarmed, Holy Spirit, faith and speaking the Word of God is our activation!
 
Believers, are you ready to take off your false mask of rejection, unforgiveness, bitterness, revenge, etc., and learn what a
real Superhero can do in you for the Kingdom of God?  Are you ready to identify yourself with Jesus who has all authority and has given it to us?  Are you ready?
  
Love and faith are the two keys that Holy Spirit recognizes, and you don’t have to hide your identity!  Father God has given each of His children a Superhero to, first, heal us from all hurts, and secondly, to use us in His Kingdom to do signs and wonders in a loss and dying world. Holy Spirit our Superhero is waiting for our permission to allow Him to cleanse us of all bad character flaws that are holding us hostage. Father God loves us too much and wants us set free from the past of old hurtful baggage.
 
Invented Superheroes are not real, they have been created in someone's mind to ease their pain.  So, let's all come out of the make-believe world and enter into the real world in which Father God is the ONLY SUPERPOWER!  The Superpower that sent His only Begotten Son to die on a Cross to pay the penalty of sin; and to send to all that believe in His Son Jesus, the gift of Holy Spirit. 
 
Eternal life with Father God is the ultimate gift for every Believer from an awesome loving Father, who has All SUPERPOWER, which He has given to us by FAITH.
 
".....For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." Matthew 6:13 KJV
 
Superman is no longer my favorite Superhero.  Jesus is my ALL-TIME SUPERHERO! Who is your Superhero?
 
 
In Your Journal:

• Write how you see yourself? Who do your identify self with?
• List areas of character flaws you need to surrender to God.

 
Declare:

• I am a chosen child of God.
• I identify myself with Jesus, my Savior.
• I no longer need to hide behind a mask.

 
S.N.A.C.K. on the Word
 
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Photo by: Aung Soe-Min
Written by: Georgetta Head

Many have heard the phrase “God is Love” so often that they have become too familiar with the phrase and “God is Love” has no meaning to them.  But, to those who know and understand the meaning of the phrase “God is Love” it brings peace and comfort to their hearts and minds.  God is love means God’s love is unconditional and He loves all of His creation.  God knowing beforehand that mankind will fail and reject Him, created us anyway, now that is LOVE!  Furthermore, God states in the Bible that we are His crowning glory, meaning we were created for His good pleasure.
 
What’s even more amazing is that God loves even those who reject Him!  God’s love is patient and longsuffering!  He takes no delight in anyone perishing (2 Peter 3:9), but desires that all will come to repentance and come into His Kingdom of Light (eternal life).  Like the thief on the cross who asked Jesus to, “remember me, when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus replied to him, “Amen, I say to you today you will be with me in Paradise.”  He will do the same for anyone no matter what their life situation looks like, no matter the sin, because there is no sin God will not forgive.  God’s gift of love is free and available to all.  We don’t have to errand God’s love through works or try to clean ourselves up, we already have it. God wants us to accept His Son Jesus Christ into our hearts as personal Savior of our lives.  When we accept Jesus, He is the one who will cleanse us of bad habits, old mindsets, addictions, etc.  Jesus is the one who will transport us from the kingdom of darkness (satan) to the Kingdom of Light (Jesus).  We may fail others in the area of love, but God’s love and mercy never fails. God is faithful with His promises.
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So how do we grow experientially in our love for God and for others? We mature through studying God’s Word (Bible).  Friends, the Bible is alive and active and can transform anyone that trusts and believes in Jesus and His Word.  Below I have listed some scriptures to help you in knowing the love of God:
 
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD our God will be with you wherever you go.”
 
Psalm 36:7 “How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
 
Psalm 109:26 “Help me, LORD my God; save me according to your unfailing love.”
 
Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
 
1 John 4:9-10 “This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loves us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
 
In Your Journal Write:

• What the above scriptures mean to you.
• What principle or promise is found in these scriptures?

 
Declare Today:

• God’s love is unconditional.
• I don’t have to work or strive to receive God’s love I already have it.
• I believe and receive God’s love.

 
 
S.N.A.C.K. on the Word
 
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Written by: Georgetta Head

My last two posts were titled “What’s Love Got To Do With It” and in those posts I referenced the fact that knowing God’s character helps us to know and understand love. There are many people in the world who are angry with God for the struggles, abuse or tragedies in their lives.  Little do they know that God is not responsible for evil acts done to them or their loved ones.  Satan does a good job of hiding behind the scenes encouraging people (in their minds) to blame God for all bad that has happened in their lives or speaking lies to them that God doesn’t exist.
 
To know God’s character and love, we need to read the Bible.  From the Book of Genesis to Revelation, God’s character and love is revealed to the reader in many ways through His testimonies of His tender love, mercy, grace; and judgment against evil.
 
Today we will explore a few of God’s awesome character of love and I pray that the reader will continue to investigate the Bible to discovery even more characteristics of God and His love for mankind.
 

• We learn of the power of God in Genesis 1:1 in which we read the earth was without form, void and very dark.  It was the powerful Spirit of God that hovered over earth and brought forth beauty from chaos.

 

• God is the founding Father of earth. He is the creator of everything, angels, the solar system, waters, plant life, animal life, the air we breathe, and human beings.  Human beings are the only living creature created in the image of the Living God.

 

• God is omniscience, which means all-knowing.  Before the foundation of the world and before the creation of mankind, Father God knew Adam and Eve would be disobedient; but He still created mankind.

 

• God is patient and full of compassion and forgiving.  Because of sin entering into the world (due to Adam’s sin), God already had a plan for redemption.  He sent His only begotten Son to die on a cross to pay the penalty of sin on our behalf.

 

• God is a Covenant God and never forgets His promises.  He keeps His Word from generation-to-generation.

 

• God fights for His children, avenging wrongs done to them, when we allow Him into our lives.

 

• God is a relational God.  All throughout the Bible, we read of God calling and seeking mankind.  He tells us to draw near to Him and He will draw near to us.

 

• God is our teacher.  He recorded in the Bible the way of living life while on planet earth.  When we are obedient to His teachings, we will live a victorious life on earth.

 

• God is our comforter and refuge in times of trouble.  As long as satan is running loose, we will have troubles, but we can call upon God 24/7.  He hears the cries of His children and delivers them from them all. God never leaves His children alone He dwells with His them.

 

• God is LOVE and because of His loves He knows every individual personally.

 
The people that are angry with God don’t understand that God has given mankind the wonderful gift of “free-will!”  With this gift, we can choose to serve God or to choose not to serve God.  There are many people and religious organizations in this world today that choose to live their lives separate from God.  God will not force anyone to serve Him!  A good example of this is found in the Bible with the account of the Tower of Babel. The men of that generation didn’t want God as their Leader.  They chose another God!
 
In the area of struggles, abuse, or tragedies.  Once again, mankind is given “free-will” to manage their lives with or without God’s wisdom or help.  We make choices with our finances that will one day cause us financial ruin!  We are hurt or disappointed over an occurrence in our lives and take out our frustrations on our loved ones, causing them to be abused.  God didn’t create us to be puppets, He created us with a sound mind to make godly choices, but because of our own lust, greed or temptations, we choose the wrong path.  Should we blame God for our wrong choices in life?  No!  The person to blame is self and satan and his demons.
 
In Your Journal Write:

• How you know and understand God’s character.
• What choices you made that caused your struggles or disappointments.
• How have you resolved those choices that separated you from God?
• What scriptures are your go-to scriptures comforting you with the love of God?

 
S.N.A.C.K. on the Word
 
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Photo by: Clem Onojeghuo (unsplash)
Written by: Georgetta Head

Photo by: Artem BEliakim (unsplash)
​Written by Georgetta Head

There was a season in my life that I didn’t believe in love, and I am quite sure there are others that believe the same way!  I thought it was fake and that people pretended they loved you just to get something from you! So, for many years I quoted the phrase “what’s love got to do with It” from a popular singer.  The artist sang this song out her own pain from broken relationships, so I easily identified with her pain, along with another phrase from her song that “love is a secondhand emotion!”

When Father God revealed Himself to me through His character of “love” that’s when I began to understand that “love is not a secondhand emotion!”

To understand love, we need to truly know God’s character. Knowing God’s character of love and allowing Him to love on us, is when we come into the truth of genuine love and compassion.  When we don’t know experientially God’s character, we love out of false emotions, wounding others.

God is LOVE and He gave each of us the wonderful gift of LOVE.  We all need to learn how to LOVE God with our entire being and to learn how to LOVE others as ourselves with genuine LOVE and not with the hurt and pain we experience now!
 
In your journal:

• Write your definition of love.
• Write hurts you’ve experienced from others because they don’t understand genuine love and purpose in your heart to forgive them.
• Write how you hurt others because of your lack of understanding of genuine love and ask God to forgive you.
• Compose a prayer asking Father God to reveal His character of love to you, and to heal any woundedness in your soul that prevents you from loving others without anything in return.

 
S.N.A.C.K. on the Word
  
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Photo by: Henry Hustava
Written by Georgetta Head
​
“Have not I commanded thee?  Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” (Joshua 1:9)
 
There is nothing more reassuring for a Christian Believer than knowing God has their back and Joshua 1:9 is our written assurance.  

Here we read God giving Joshua a leadership assignment to take the children of Israel into the promised land.  God gives him three  commands:  1) be strong, 2) be of good courage and 3) be not afraid.  After the commands, God then assures Joshua with a promise: “for the Lord thy God is with thee where every you go!”  In other words, “Joshua you have nothing for fear!  You are my child and you will prosper in all I lead you to do!”  What a promise! 

The same commands and promises God gave to Joshua are for the Believers of today.  We have nothing to fear nor nothing to be afraid of because we serve a “Living God” who has promised His protection for each of us.  Psalm 105:15 says it best: “touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.”  So, I ask, what do we have to fear or to be afraid of?  We have the presence of Father God with us everywhere we go!  Remember, He promises to never leave us nor forsake us!  He is also our Jehovah Tsaba, the Strong Warrior, who fights our battles as we place our faith in Him.  So, fear not nor be afraid, for the God we serve is powerful and mightier than any trial we may encounter.

ehoto by Ben Wicks (unsplash)
​
Written By Charles S. Head

As we travel through life, we come across things that we don’t always understand about human nature.  They sometimes become an amazement that provokes our thoughts to the fullest extent.
 
When we think we have got many things all figured out, they overrule all that we thought they were.  Jesus, as He was teaching His disciples in Matthew 18:1-6, took a child and put the child in the midst of them in order to demonstrate His point. In verses 1-6 the disciples asked Jesus a question about who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.  Jesus’ response was in the two key verses of 3 and 4 and reads “Verily I say unto you, except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.  Whosoever, therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.”  Our children depend on us as adults to take care of them and to be able to handle any problem that may come their way.  On the other hand, they can sometimes put us through a test as a parent or grandparent.  In reality, when certain things may bother them or they don’t understand, they will come to us in a humble way and expect us to know all the answers.
 
I have a nine (9) year old grandson who is very strong-willed and outspoken.  He will always give his opinion on the matter without hesitation and as a result I am put to a test quite often.  I have to continually be reminded that “he is still a child at times,” though he acts as if he were an adult with an attitude.
 
When it comes to certain questions about life, the child nature will manifest itself with a humble question on how life works, and many times refers to the Bible or about God; I then have to humble myself as a grandfather, ask my Heavenly Father for wisdom to give him an answer.  I have shared many scriptures with him since the age of three (3) and always prayed with him and for him.  To my amazement, this week our discussion about the Bible became quite different and unique.   I usually pray with him in the morning and he loves having a devotion at the dining room table before school.  This week he decided he wanted to start a study on the Book of Revelation.  What’s unusual about this is that I’ve talked to many adults through the years who don’t want to read the Book of Revelation, yet my grandson wants to hear what it’s about.
 
So, I had to humble myself, beginning each morning between 6:30 and 7:00 a.m. to pull my study Bible out and teach my grandson the Book of Revelation before he gets on the school bus.  I have to admit that the Lord has been with us each morning, as He gives wisdom and understanding to His word.  This is an example of what Jesus meant to His disciples. As adults we have to humble ourselves and look to God, our Heavenly Father, just as a child looks to us to lead them in the right direction.
 
I truly believe there will be great benefits in both me and my grandson’s life as a result of these experiences.

Written by Georgetta Hed

“…. Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:14)  
 
At the age of 12 I knew very little about God, I believed He existed and that was it! I read many stories about God but couldn’t understand how He interacted in the lives of people if He was invisible. 

One rainy thunderstorm night, I learned experientially the power of God’s presence.  I was terrified of thunderstorms and this particular summer night we had a major thunderstorm. I can still remember each thunder making a loud noise and the crackling of the lightning that lite up my room leaving me crying with fear of dying.  I didn’t know what prayer to pray that night, so I cried out to God in fear “God help me, I don’t want to die!”  That night was monumental for me!  The Lord helped me immediately.  I heard him say “I will never leave you!”  I felt His presence for a moment or two and then drifted off to sleep immediately for the first time ever during a thunderstorm.

As a child I cried out to God, He heard me and drew near to me with His peace and comfort.  God still hears the cries of His children of any age when they call unto Him.  Whatever your fears seek Father God for help to carry you through the storms of your life. 

James 4:8 instructs us to “draw near to God and He will draw to you.”  We draw near to God in our prayers and from within our hearts, and when we do, Father God will manifest His presence to us personally.  Moses couldn’t imagine life without God’s presence so he prayed to God to know His way and for favor for himself and the nation (Exodus 33:14-15).  God answered Moses in v.15 “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.”  Like Moses we too can know God’s way and experience His presence.  Are you in need of rest from the storms of life, then draw near to God and He will draw near to you, His presence will carry through those storms. 

Written by Georgetta Head

As the 1st century approached the world, we discovered the Jewish nation’s life was very dim and bleak.  It’s been almost 400 years since they heard a “word” from God.  Most of the people knew of the prophecies spoken many years ago by the prophets of a coming Messiah, so where is He?  Where is this Messiah spoken of by the prophets?  Were they wrong, did they speak falsely?
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The Jewish nation then was invaded by the Romans and their cultural influence was also now mixed with Greek, there seemed to be no “hope” for the survival of their nation.  One can only imagine the thoughts of the people who were under the control of a then cruel nation.

Not too far away, in the town of Nazareth, a young virgin maiden by the name of Mary was busy going about her household chores.  As she worked her thoughts were on her upcoming marriage!  She would soon be married to a carpenter by the name of Joseph.  They have been betrothed for almost a year now and their wedding day was fast approaching, much still need to done, she thought.

While Mary was busy in thought, suddenly an angel by the name of Gabriel, sent by God, appeared before her.  Gabriel greeted Mary with the most beautiful and welcoming words that every woman desires to hear “Hail, you that are highly favored, the Lord is with you: blessed are you among women” (Luke 1:28).  Mary became puzzled by this greeting, so Gabriel comforts her with the most amazing words of “fear not Mary: for you have found favor with God!”  He doesn’t stop there, he continues his message from God with “and behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS.  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David:  and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end.”  Imagine 400 years of silence from God and when He does speak, He sends an angel to deliver the message to Mary with the news of a Son to be born.

Mary’s response to the angel, “how shall this be seeing I know not a man? The angel explains how it will be and tells Mary “for with God nothing shall be impossible.”  The hope for the world is “for with God nothing shall be impossible.”  God, through Gabriel, told Mary she has been called to carry the Son of the Most High God in her womb.  What an honor!  She will carry God’s Son, who will be born a King with an everlasting Kingdom!  Mary’s response to Gabriel is most astounding for a girl of her age; “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to your word” (Luke 1:38)

Friends, the birth of King Jesus is “hope” for your family!  The birth of King Jesus is “hope” for world peace!  The birth of King Jesus is “hope” for eternal life!   Jesus is the “hope” the world is seeking!
 
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​Written by Georgetta Head

“I waited patiently for the Lord and He inclined and heard my cry.  He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.  And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.” (Psalm 40:1-3)
 
Everywhere we look people are in a hurry!  They are constantly rushing here and there, but never seeming to accomplish much.  In today’s culture, we live in a rushed and frustrated society - better known as “stress-filled.”  This fast-pace society is so well accepted that it has been nonchalantly entitled the “microwave generation.” We have been programmed to want what we want now!  No waiting, no planning—just buy it now!  Just do it now!  Leaving us with a buy now, pay later mentality! Rush, rush, hurry, hurry!  My fingers got tired typing these words!
Unfortunately, many of us have allowed this “have it now” attitude to interfere with our relationship with God.  We pray to God with our petitions and needs, and then expect Him to respond or answer immediately. When an immediate response doesn’t happen we then become doubtful believing God doesn’t care about us or our loved ones; or we become angry and impatient.  Why are always in a hurry?  Why are we so impatient? Why do we have difficulties waiting?  Why are we acting as if there is no “hope!”
Psalm 40:1-3 gives a different story about waiting, this Psalm pens hope for the one who patiently waits for God to answer.  As we read these verses penned in these scriptures, we soon discover that it is a treasury of hope, which is salvation, deliverance and joy unspeakable.  Hope the devil doesn’t want us to know about, so he keeps us busy in a fast-paced life anxious about nothing. 
God hears us!  Friends, He can easily bless us with materialistic things, solve our problems, and fight our battles, but His primary goal is for us to learn how to have a priceless and valuable relationship with Him, which includes learning patience.  Instant gratification hurts us more than helps us.  Learning to wait develops a spirit of patience and appreciation that will develop us into a spiritually mature child of God for His kingdom. 
As we wait on God, we learn that a fast-paced life offered by the devil is fruitless, leaving us empty and unhappy.  But, as we wait patiently on the Lord, we will begin to understand the true value and rewards of contentment, forgiveness, victory and witnessing.
 
1. Contentment:   Being happy with what God has already blessed us with and where He has placed us in our calling in the Body of Christ. 

2.  Forgiveness:  Learning genuine forgiveness by not carrying offenses thereby forgiving one another and living a life of peace with one another.

3.    Victory:  Learning to trust and believe in God no matter what happens in life.  We are not moved by what we see, rather we believe that all things are possible with God as we wait patiently on Him for our every need.
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4.    Witnessing:  We will learn the joy of letting our light shine before men as we witness and plant seeds for God’s kingdom, as we now know experientially contentment, forgiveness and victory.
 
No matter what our current or past situation, we don’t have to accept the attitudes of “this world.”  As we patiently wait, we will soon discover that God is already at work behind the scenes setting up the right conditions and positioning people that will be needed to accomplish what He has planned for us.  He’s just waiting for us to “wait patiently!”  Then at the right moment, in God’s timing, He is going to deliver us from that horrible trial, supply our need and establish our goings. 
 
As we experience victories in our lives, we will become excited and blessed with a “new song in our mouth.” This new song is our testimony which we will excitedly share with others.  When they see and hear your victory, they will want what we have.  They will want to know the “Rock of Salvation” that has transformed our lives through Christ Jesus.  Let’s each ask God to teach us to wait patiently on Him.  There is great reward when we do!

Photo by Clem Ononjeghuo
Written by Charles Head
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It’s an awesome thing to know how much we are loved by God, who is our Heavenly Father.  His love is unconditional, yet, all we have to do is accept His love and walk in obedience to His word, which is the Bible.

There are many examples in the Bible where the Lord demonstrated His love to His chosen people “Israel.”  Also, His love was continued in His New Covenant through Jesus Christ, for the Body of Christ today.

God’s love is demonstrated all around us in four parts:  1) going before us; 2) behind us (rearguard); 3) all sides of us; and 4) inside us.

Joshua was demonstrating God’s love through admonishing Israel to go forward without fear in the wilderness.  This is a declaration of “God before his people!”

In Deuteronomy 31:8 we read “and the LORD, He is that doth go before you, He will be with you, He will not fail you, neither forsake you:  fear not, neither be dismayed.”  In reference to being Israel’s “rearguard”, Isaiah 52:12 reads, “For you shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward” (rearguard).
Psalm 34:7 encourages us of God’s protection from all sides by saying:  “The angel of the LORD encampeth around about them that fear Him, and He delivereth them.”

The Lord loves us so much that He is part of our “inside spiritual man.” In the New Testament 1 John 4:4 reads, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.”  We must be continuously reminded that we are “surrounded with God’s love,” and not fear all the cares of this world.  God has it all under control and will not abandon us.

As a young man in my early years I didn’t understand God’s love because I hadn’t given Him a chance to manifest Himself to me, but through God’s mercy and love He kept reaching out to me.  My Mother had told me about “the love of Jesus” as a young boy but it was my choice to accept or reject God’s love.  Finally, when I realized that only “Jesus” could fulfill the void and emptiness I was experiencing in life, I became desperate enough to cry out to Him.  He met me and surrounded me in His love and my life was transformed for His glory.  I became born again on the “inside.”  Until this present day I have no regrets for that decision.  God’s love is real inside me.

Photo by Christopher Rusev (unsplash)
Written by Charles Head

The Lord has chosen a name for those who are saved – “peculiar!”  We are considered a set apart people who He has set aside as lights to the world.  Because of our transformation, how we function and the way we live our daily lives may cause some to come to the light of Jesus in us or stand in the way because our life causes the brightness to dim.

In 1 Peter 2:9-10 we read “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light:  which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” 
 
We must keep in mind that God has given people of the world the right to watch us and expect us to be a representative of His kingdom to show His glory and give them hope for a victorious life in Christ.

It’s a troubled time today in the church as many are compromising their “should be” Godly convictions in the name of things such as status, partiality, hate in our races, and followers of those that are evil rather than the Godly standard He has set.  When we are caught up in this agenda we are no different than those who don’t profess Christ as Savior.

It is time to put away all our carnal thoughts and actions and be obedient to the command Jesus gave before He left this earth.  He commanded us in the Book of Matthew with a title known as “The Great Commission,” which is “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. “ (Matthew 28:19-20)

We should never take lightly what Jesus has commanded us in God’s Word, it’s neither a fairy tale nor symbolic, it is to be read, meditated upon and applied with action to our life.  Never should we as peculiar people get so caught up this world and forget our purpose to be ambassadors to both win souls for God’s kingdom by pointing them to the Light of Christ, and live as a light to others.

Yes, we all have faults, and we are not to bury our head in the sand and ignore the world around us, but at the same time we are to be more sensitive and mindful that we have an advantage with the Lord on our side.  The hope that the world needs in the midst of all the crisis around us resides in us.  Exercise it in order to bring fruit that can make a difference for others.