Excerpts from Wanderings in the Hills
It was fall, and as I hiked through the beautiful multi-colored maples covering the side of the mountain I was utterly unprepared to behold the grand sight I would soon encounter . We called this area "God's country" for only He could have imagined and created such majestic beauty, As I rambled through an opening there stood before me a dense forest of Beech trees. Even if a picture is worth a thousand words, words alone can not sufficiently express the majesty of the white wooded forest standing before me. Nature truly is one of God's beautiful creations. Through nature, God teaches us, speaks to us, and provides for us.
As I reflect in my mind on that view, it stirs up thoughts of the depth of the purity and righteousness of our God. In Isaiah 1:18, we are told, "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." When Jesus washes us clean from sin, He makes us "white as snow" by giving us His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). We are then set on a path of growing in faith. (We can also read Psalm 51:7 where the Psalmist wrote, "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.")
In Matthew 17:1-2, we find white associated with the righteousness and the glory of our eternal God. "And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun and his raiment was white as the light."
There's one more experience I'll share. The trip was in the dead of winter with snow on the ground and ice-covered small pools of water. On that trip, it was already dark as we arrived at the first campsite and after setting up camp, we crawled in and went to sleep, totally oblivious that we had set the tent on a slope. While sleeping, I began sliding, and I awoke in the morning with just my chest, head, and arms residing inside the tent.
There is an excellent spiritual lesson contained in that experience. 1 Thessalonians 5:7a tells us, "For they that sleep sleep in the night;" In our spiritual walk with the Lord, we must always be aware of our surroundings, fending off the lies and fiery darts of the enemy, for the trappings of Satan are forever there to confound us. He is an enemy who never gives us rest. One little slip and we will find ourselves away from the safety of the Lord, out in the cold, in danger of losing our first love, and struggling to reignite the flame which once burned bright in our hearts.

Embracing the Goodness of God

In the hustle and bustle of life, it's easy to overlook the countless blessings we receive daily. God's goodness surrounds us in every moment - from the gentle breeze that whispers through the trees to the warmth of a loving embrace from a friend.
No matter what challenges we face, God's love is unwavering. It comforts us in our struggles and rejoices with us in our triumphs. Today, let's take a moment to reflect on all the ways we experience His goodness, reminding ourselves that He is with us in every season of life.
"Every good gift and perfect gift is from above" - James 1:17
Let His light shine in our hearts and through our actions, spreading love and kindness to those around us.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, we pray for unity among believers. Help us to love one another, to work together for your kingdom, and to be one as you are one with the father. we ask this in Jesus's name, amen

Scripture
John 17:21
21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Explanation
John 17:21 is part of Jesus' prayer for unity among His followers. In this verse, Jesus expresses His desire for all believers to be one, just as He and the Father are one. This unity reflects the deep, intimate relationship between the Father and the Son, serving as a model for the unity that should exist among believers. The purpose of this unity is twofold: it glorifies God and serves as a powerful testimony to the world. When believers are united in love and purpose, it demonstrates the reality of Christ's mission and the truth of His divine nature. This unity can lead others to believe in Jesus and recognize Him as the one sent by God. Overall, this verse emphasizes the importance of community and harmony within the body of Christ as a witness to the world.

A Thought About Being Grateful
“Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?’” Luke 17:17- 18
“Gratitude recognizes that a gift has been given, a favor has been done by someone. There is a gift and a giver. But there is more. Gratitude also calls for a response to that gift. We thank the giver with an expression of appreciation — a handshake, a hug, a note. A gesture of gratitude completes the exchange, closes the circle, lets the love flow back to the giver.” — Don Postema, Space for God.
Have you ever given a gift and been left with a feeling of emptiness, wondering why you felt that way? The quote from above may be the answer you seek. Perhaps it was because there was no “thank you” from the recipient. Maybe you never heard whether or not the gift was appreciated. The circle was unclosed—there was no return feeling of love or gratitude.
I have to admit that there have also been so many times when I have not taken the time to thank the giver of a gift for me. Those who gave me a gift would have likewise felt empty because I didn’t take the time to let them know the gift was appreciated.
In the story of Jesus’ healing the ten lepers, (Luke 17:11–19) the Bible does not record how far they had walked before being healed. However, only one man returned to thank Jesus for the healing. Luke makes special mention of the fact that the one who returned was a Samaritan, a person despised by the Jews (Luke 17:15). Jesus expressed disappointment that the other nine had not thought to give praise to God for their healing. From this, we learn that God desires for us to express our thankfulness to Him for all He does in our lives.
In the song, “Thank you Lord for Your Blessings On Me,” the opening verse states, While the world looks upon me, As I struggle along, They say I've got nothing, but they are so wrong, In my heart I'm rejoicing, How I wish they could see, Thank you, Lord, For your blessing on me! The song continues to mention some of life's blessings we receive. I wonder how different our lives would be if we only received those blessings for which we show gratitude. Would we be like the Israelites in the wilderness who did nothing but grumble, or would we be like the one leper who returned to give thanks to the Lord for healing him? Even though Jesus did not withhold healing from the nine who did not thank Him, He made a point of noting their lack of gratefulness (Luke 17:18).
Don’t withhold giving thanks and showing gratitude until Thanksgiving, but instead, let it be a daily practice. Let others, and Jesus, know that you are appreciative of any and all gifts bestowed upon you, Let your light shine,

Prayer
Father, help us to influence others positively. let our words inspire, our actions encourage, and our lives testify to your love and grace. We pray this in Jesus name amen

Bible Verse for this prayer
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Explain Matthew 5:16
Matthew 5:16 encourages believers to live out their faith visibly and authentically. The "light" represents the goodness and truth of Christ that shines through our actions. By performing good deeds, we not only reflect God's love and character but also inspire others to recognize and glorify God. This verse emphasizes that our actions should point others to the Father, demonstrating that our faith is not just personal but also meant to impact the world around us. Ultimately, it calls us to be witnesses of God's grace and goodness in our daily lives.

Be At Peace

Overheard from the girl’s bathroom at the high school, “Liz, can you hear me? I think you’re the meanest and nastiest person that I have ever known!” Betty yelled. As Liz left the bathroom she ran into Betty’s boyfriend who also joined in with Betty. As Liz went running down the hall, tears streaming from her eyes, Betty was then joined by the rest of her gang who immediately began assuring her that she was right in what she did and that Liz “got what she had coming.” This scenario happens far too often in high school, but was Betty really right in her harsh cutting words to Liz? What does scripture say about such judgment?
Romans 12:18 charges us, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” Unfortunately, too many people do not do all that is possible to live peaceably. This reminds me of a story about a boy who asked his dad, “How do wars begin?” The father replied, “Well, World War I began because Germany invaded Belgium.” At this point, his wife interrupted, “Tell the boy the truth. It began because somebody was murdered.” The husband quickly retorted, “Are you answering the question or am I?” The wife stormed out of the room and slammed the door as hard as she could. When the room stopped vibrating, an uneasy silence followed. The son then said, “Daddy, you don’t need to tell me how wars begin. Now I know!”
In another scripture, Jesus said, “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?”
We should be more concerned about the wrongs in our own lives and leave the judging of someone else to God, before whom everyone "will give an account" (Romans 14:12). Ultimately Jesus is the only one who can make a righteous judgment because He never sinned once.
An unknown poet said, Don't find fault with a man who limps or stumbles along the road, Unless you have worn the shoes he wears or struggled beneath his load. There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt, though hidden away from view, Or the burden he bears, placed on your back, might cause you to stumble too.
Are you quick to retaliate, or have you cultivated a peaceable spirit? Jesus prayed for His enemies. Do you? Let us close with prayer, Teach us, Lord, that when we take a speck out of someone's eye, we do it gently and with love. Teach us to deal with people as Jesus did. In his name, Amen.

A Well Oiled Machine
For eight years along with pastoring I also promoted gospel singing services, not only for my church, but also for other churches as well. I loved being able to meet those groups a couple of hours prior to their start and get to see the members as they interact with each other and see how they really are as individuals, but once they began singing they were all business under the anointing of the Lord, The groups were usually quartets, but also at times trios, of duets came. Although they are individuals, while singing their voices would blend in harmony making one voice. However, if just one person was flat or sharp, instead of making beautiful music, it would create an unpleasant sound.
God created the church to work together and what a “well-oiled machine” the church can be when everyone functions within the body as they should,
However, when people with their own ambitions and desires demonstrate that they want their own way a stark disparity appears. In Galatians 5, Paul pleaded with believers to do away with “discord, jealousy, fits of rage, [and] selfish ambition,” which would destroy fellowship with God or relationships with others. Paul instructed believers in Galatians 5:16-17 "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would." He went on to encourage us to embrace the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:20, 22–23).
When we live by the Spirit, we’ll find it easier to avoid undesirable conflict on nonessential matters and experience the glorious power of unity with God. We gather to worship God, hear the word of God which provides direction for our lives, and to love one another. Our shared sense of purpose can be greater than our differences. And with God’s help, each of us can grow in grace and harmony as we keep our hearts in tune with Him.

1 Thessalonians 5:18
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you

Prayer for a heart of thankfulness
God, instill us. a heart of thankfulness. Let us always remember your goodness. Your mercy and your love. May our lives be an ongoing expression of gratitude to you. In Jesus name we pray. Amen

Explanation
1 Thessalonians 5:18 instructs believers to "give thanks in all circumstances," highlighting the importance of gratitude regardless of the situation we find ourselves in. This verse teaches that thankfulness is not dependent on our circumstances but is a response to God's goodness and sovereignty. The phrase "for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" indicates that expressing gratitude is part of God's desire for our lives as followers of Christ. It encourages us to recognize that even in difficult times, God is working for our good and has a purpose for us. By cultivating a heart of gratitude, we align ourselves with God's will and experience His peace and joy, even amidst challenges.

Stay on the Right Path
Once, in high school, two friends of mine and I decided to go camping on the Appalachian Trail. Things started off good. At twilight We set up camp on Grandfather Mountain for the first frigid night. Upon waking the next morning we had to break the ice in order to have water.
Somewhere along that day, as we walked along the trail, we took a wrong turn and got off the trail. We ended up wandering and actually ended up, we believed, going around a mountain before finally getting our bearings and, eventually, late on the third day, ended up in the parking lot where we started.
Life can be like that. Even though there may be rough times, life is, for most, good. Then, out of nowhere, and unbeknownst to us, we find that we’ve left the true path.
Satan is constantly scrutinizing us. In truth he knows us better than we know ourselves. He’s just waiting for the right time to cast his bait. Suddenly, seemingly from out of nowhere, he attacks in a most unexpected manner,in a way that you thought would be no problem for you, but you’ve taken the hook.
So what are you to do? Give up your own ways. Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” So, for sure you don’t want to go that way. On the other hand, Jesus made the following statement in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” Here Jesus is telling his disciples that if they will follow His teachings then they will be blessed.
Psalm 1 compares two ways of living—that of the righteous (those who love God) and that of the wicked (the enemies of those who love God). The righteous flourish like a tree, but the wicked blow away like chaff (vv. 3–4). This psalm reveals what flourishing really looks like. The person who lives it out is dependent on God for regeneration and growth.
So how do we become a blessed and righteous person? Among other things, David urges us to disentangle ourselves from toxic associations who bear evil influences upon us, and injurious habits of falling into temptations and sinful relations, by denying wicked attitudes and to delight in God’s guidance (v. 2). Conclusively, the reason for our flourishing is God’s attentiveness to us: “The Lord watches over the way of the righteous” (v. 6).
Commit your way to God, let Him redirect you from old patterns that lead to nowhere, and allow the Scriptures to be the river that nourishes the root system of your heart.

Sleep Mode
Sleep sometimes comes at the most unfavorable time. Recently my granddaughter was at work, realized she was very tired, and asked if she could go home to rest, but was denied. When she did get to leave work she went to sleep at the wheel and had a head-on collision. This individual didn’t even realize she was asleep until it was too late.
Sometimes we may begin to read the Bible, or to pray, and end up battling sleep. This is a common battle which Satan brings on us to keep us from having communications with the Lord.
Then there are some Christians who are spiritually asleep at the wheel and don’t realize that they aren’t walking in the Spirit. They start off as a believer who is on fire for the Lord but then, the fire seems to just go out and they place their relationship with Christ on automatic pilot. They do all the right things, such as going to church, (when it doesn’t interfere with other plans) reading their Bibles, (if there isn’t something else that they want to do, like watching TV) and fellowshipping with one another, (when time allows). They think that all is well spiritually for them, even though their relationship with Christ is only one of rote, doing things automatically and not growing closer to Him. This will ultimately place them in a rut and lead eventually to rot. The solution to coming out of this is Romans 13:11-14.
First of all, if your relationship with Christ is on sleep mode we need to, “awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.” (Romans 13:11) We do this because we “know the time.” We know that as each day passes we are closer and closer to the return of Jesus. We know that we are to be on high alert for the return of Christ and not on sleep mode. WE NEED TO WAKE UP!
Secondly, we need to CAST OFF. We need to take off our “sinful dirty clothes”, our “works of darkness,” which we see in (v. 13) are described as “frolic and drunkenness,” “sexual immorality and depravity,” and “bickering and jealousy.”
Then we need to “PUT ON the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” (v. 14) We do this by diligently seeking the Lord through prayer and daily reading of God’s Word.
Beloved, when we do these three things each day. When we WAKE UP, CAST OFF and then PUT ON the Lord Jesus Christ, our relationship with Christ will grow and it will light a fire in our hearts to love the Lord and His people.

1 Corinthians 15:58 says, "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain".
Explanation
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Prayer for Commitment
God, we asked for strength to remain committed to you. Keep us steadfast in faith. Devoted in service, and loyal in love. May our hearts always be anchored to you. We pray this in Jesus name, amen.

Explanation
This verse encourages Christians to be strong and immovable in their faith, and to give themselves fully to the work of the Lord. It also reminds Christians that their labor is not in vain, and that nothing they do for the Lord is ever useless.
Application
Some ways to stand firm in your faith include: Having a strong trust in Christ, Depending on the Holy Spirit for strength, Regularly reading the Bible, Praying to God, and Building your faith on Christ as a foundation

Which Will You Choose?

I believe this story gets to the heart of the matter.

I walked out of Bi-Lo yesterday and met a black man.I was putting my cart away when he strolled up to put his away. He had a mask on. I didn't. He was older. I was younger. He was black. I was white.

I nodded my head in respect as I usually do, and the Holy Spirit prodded my heart to share more than a head nod. I told him, "I'm about to say something that might sound strange." He turned and looked at me.

I looked him in the eye and simply said, "I want you to know that I love you." Do you know what he said to me?????

"I love you, too."

His smile was covered by a mask, but his eyes softened and gleamed. His head shook slowly side to side as he looked for words to express how he was feeling about what was happening in the world.

I told him that if our culture was going to keep race in front of our face, then we should hit it straight on. We stood there and spoke like long lost friends for a while. We spoke about family, music, church, and Jesus. He, too, is a Christian. He, too, is a music leader. He, too, is a human.

His skin doesn't make him any less or any more. My skin doesn't make me any less or any more. Racism is the most uniquely effective tool in the arsenal of Satan and evil men.

If Satan can keep men believing that other men are inferior, the Gospel won't spread as quickly because it isn't getting to "every creature." If evil men (of all ethnicities) can keep stoking the fires of racism, their worlds remain exclusively the same and they retain power.

Christ died for the whole, the entire world. His blood was shed for the sins of that black man and that white man who I met in the B-Loi parking lot. He died for Mr. Floyd. He died for the officer who killed Mr. Floyd. He died for the news agencies who shamefully molest these tragedies for ratings. He died for the godless politicians who pervert these atrocities for political gain. He died for the people destroying, rioting, and stealing. He died for you, the person reading this post.

You have a choice today: keep staying wrapped up in your American fantasy. Keep the Gospel for you and your kids. Keep turning a blind eye to the pain of this world. Keep not caring about injustice and souls dying without Christ. Reject a truly innocent man (Jesus) Who purposefully laid down His life for you.

OR, step out of your comfort zone. Give the Gospel freely and liberally. Stare the pain of the world in the face and introduce it to the Healer, Jesus. Care about injustice and souls dying without Christ. Accept that innocent man (Jesus) Who paid your sin debt and rose again.

Red. Yellow. Black. White. All are precious in God's sight. The kids know it. It's about time "adults" acted like it.

"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." - Nehemiah 8:8

The beauty of understanding lies not just in the hearing but in the comprehension and living out of God's Word. As we seek clarity, may our hearts be open to His wisdom, so our lives are transformed by His guiding light.

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer." - Psalm 19:14
Words have power, and our thoughts shape us. In the hustle of everyday life, let’s strive to make our words and meditations pleasing to God, reflecting His love and strength. Take a moment today to align your heart with His will and let your actions speak of His goodness.

Daily prayer for Protection

Lord, we ask for Your protection over our lives. Shield us from harm, guide us away from danger, and comfort us in times of fear. We trust in Your strong hand to hold us safe. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.

Daily prayer for Self-Control

Dear God, give us the strength to exercise self-control in all areas of our lives. Help us to resist temptation, to act wisely, and to honor You with our choices. We ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Daily Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Thank You for the gift of wisdom and the promise that I can find understanding in You. Forgive me for the times I’ve sought knowledge elsewhere. Please instill in me a deep desire to pursue Your wisdom with all my heart. Help me to appreciate the fear of the Lord as the beginning of true knowledge, guiding my steps with divine insight. Empower me to live a life that reflects Your wisdom and grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily prayer for Perseverence

God, grant us the strength to persevere through our trials. Help us to endure, to remain faithful, and to trust in Your perfect timing. May we grow in character and hope. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.

Daily prayer for Trust

Father, we pray for a deeper trust in You. When fear and doubt arise, remind us of Your promises. May we rely on You in all circumstances, knowing You are faithful. We ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Daily prayer for Purity

God, we ask for purity of heart and mind. Guard our thoughts, words, and actions. May we seek after what is pure, lovely, and true, as we strive to be more like You. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the incredible gift of Your Holy Word, divinely imparted to guide and equip me for life’s journey. Forgive me for times when I’ve neglected it or turned elsewhere for answers. Help me to anchor my heart in Your truth, using it to illuminate my path and direct my actions. Lord, empower me to live out Your Word boldly and compassionately, sharing its light with those around me. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Daily prayer for Humility

Lord, teach us the beauty of humility. May we think of others above ourselves, serve without seeking recognition, and love without expecting anything in return. Help us to reflect Your humility. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.