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Exodus 3:10-14, “So now, go.  I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.”  But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”  And God said, “I will be with you.  And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you:  When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”  Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’  Then what shall I tell them?”  God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.  This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”   I have to be honest with you.  I think I have finally reached that age when technology has surpassed my ability to keep up with the “latest and greatest.”  Years ago, I was working my way through college at a bank, and we were about to undergo a system conversion.  The older women who worked in bookkeeping were losing sleep over the thought of change and the pending impact on their job descriptions.  Being in my early twenties at the time, the only thing I was losing sleep over was my tax accounting class.  Fast forward thirty years, and now that same bank was in the midst of a merger.  During the initial phase, I lost access to all of my accounts overnight.  I immediately found myself relating to the panic experienced by those older women with whom I had worked with many years ago.  As advanced as newer technology can claim to be, there are still bugs to work out and viruses to guard against!      And now there is the ever-increasing presence of AI in our modern world.  This is where my age shows yet again.  Can someone please tell me when in the world my Google searches transformed to AI generated responses?  How can I trust in something called Artificial Intelligence?  I would like REAL intellect please!  But God’s Word already warned us of this technological advancement that would amplify near the end of this age in Daniel 12:4, “But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase.”  AI is limited by its creators, but our Creator is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient!  He is all-powerful, ever-present, and all-knowing.      AI will never be equivalent to the Living Word of God.  2 Timothy 3:16-17 states, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  Did you catch that?  Not just some good works, but EVERY good work.  AI can definitely educate us, but only God’s Word can instruct, reprimand, alter, and exercise us in our walk with Him and prepare us to do His Kingdom work.  In Hebrews 4:12-13 we learn, “For the Word of God is alive and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account.”  AI, in all of its impressive functionality, will never be able to judge the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts. Only our Heavenly Father is able to infiltrate our lives and sustain us because He is the great, I AM!  The same I AM who sent Moses to save the Israelites from bondage in Egypt.  He can be trusted because His character never changes.  From age to age He stands.  He sent His one and only Son to free us from our bondage of sin, and what a timeless response Jesus gives the Jewish leaders questioning His authority in the book of John.  John 8:58 says, “Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM!”  Ageless, Eternal, Everlasting – That is our Great I AM!    As a follow-up, I would like to report that after three days of not being able to access any of my account information during that bank merger, all was eventually restored, and my accounts were finally brought back into existence.  I know that technology will continue to challenge me, but at least I recognize there is One whom I can always call upon for answers and look to for help. According to Jeremiah 33:2-3, “This is what the LORD says, He who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it – the LORD is His name:  ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’”    Dear Heavenly Father, the great I AM, thank you for Your trusted Word that is still alive today.  Thank you that it is all we need to train us in Your ways.  May our Bibles never become dusty, or replaced with keystrokes. As we search for answers, may we open Your living Word daily and find nourishment for our souls, refreshment for our minds, and instruction for our paths You lead us along all for Your glory.  Thank you that Your character never changes when everything around us does.  You are who You say You are and will fulfill all of Your promises.  Tune our hearts to Yours, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Submitting the Mind to God (Part 3)     Knowing the difference between two opposing concepts of Christianity is incredibly important:    False  Authentic    False Christianity we can compare as to the middle class of people who are satisfied and/or passive. These people are perfectly fine if nothing changes. They can sit cozy in the pews every Sunday in church without any fundamental shift in their atmospheres. They are OK with the status quo and religious practices. They may be self-indulgent and struggle with putting others ahead of themselves. They are mass conformists. They are adaptable. They don’t desire radical change in the social order of things. They can be very robotic in their routines and do not like those routines to be messed with. Sound familiar?    Authentic Christianity is the dissatisfied and restless lower class. It is an evangelistic approach. They want all lives transformed by the power of The Holy Spirit as they have received. As Scripture repeatedly outlines, authentics know that they are to “be last,” and they put others first.   They are increasingly weary of this life and long for their one true home (Heaven) and to be with their Master. An authentic is working leaven. Galatians 5:9 states: “A little leaven, leavens the whole lump!” These people make impact for the Kingdom. An authentic wants to be a peculiar person as Scripture calls for. Sound familiar?    We are chosen. A royal priesthood! Purified and zealous unto good works!   When we are dissatisfied and restless (authentic), we may look like some of the other saints in Scripture:    Hebrews 11:16 (ESV)   They desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared for them a city.     Paul said in Philippians 1:23:   “I am hard pressed…my desire is to be with Christ for that is far better.”    David said in Psalm 42:1:   “ As the deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for You, O God.”    Isaiah 26:9:   My soul yearns for You in the night: my spirit within me earnestly seeks You. For when Your judgements are in the Earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.     David said in Psalm 119:40:   “ Behold, I long for Your precepts; in Your righteousness give me life!"    Which type of Christian are you? Are there adjustments today that can be implemented to best further the kingdom of God in your life? If you identify as the False Christian, what changes can you make to move into the authentic?     PRAYER:   Jesus, I want to submit my mind, body, and spirit fully to You. I know that this is where I am most safe and You are most exalted. Please work in me to develop the most authentic child of God that You would have me to be, that others may be impacted for the expansion of Your kingdom!   In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen!

Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.  May your Kingdom come soon.  May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.  Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.  And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.  Matthew 6:9-13 NLT   Chances are, if you are a Christian, you have at some point memorized these scripture verses.  This was the example that Jesus gave his disciples in Matthew as a model for all his followers to use as a pattern for prayer.  As a disciple of Jesus, are you following the prayer model of our Lord and Savior, or have you drifted away from this precious gift of communication with our Heavenly Father?  It’s so easy to fall into passive prayer patterns.  Sometimes you may recite prayers more as a repetitive duty, taking for granted Whose presence you stand in. Or maybe you feel as though your prayers are bouncing back off Heaven’s Gates because requests go unanswered, and you just give up.  Sadly, I know I have been guilty of both at different times in my life, but God’s Word tells us in Colossians 4:2, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”  Those are not passive words but require action on our part.   “Quotation Marks” Being raised Lutheran, the Lord’s Prayer was one of the first memorizations in catechism class.  Every Sunday, as a congregation, those red-letter words would echo throughout the sanctuary between the stained-glass windows and amid worn wooden church pews. But I was merely reciting those words at that time, never comprehending the relational part of this vital communication privilege.  I was speaking to the Holy Creator, Jesus’ Father, MY Father.  I was asking for His will to be done on earth, but did I truly mean that? Did I really  crave His will or my own selfish desires?  I was requesting daily bread - the same manna He provided to meet the needs of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness after delivering them from Egyptian slavery by parting the Red Sea with Moses’ raised staff. But was my hunger satisfied with what he provided, or did I desire  more,  just like the Israelites   who seemed to have forgotten previous, undeniable miracles?  I was requesting forgiveness for my sins from the God who willingly sacrificed His One and Only Son, Who paid my debt in full so that I could have a relationship with him.  But did I truly repent?  Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection opened the door for communication with our Heavenly Father, but was that conversation one-way or two?  Or what happens to those lines of communication with our Heavenly Father when passionate pleas are prayed in desperation, only to be answered with periods, exclamation points, question marks, or commas?    Periods.  – Have you ever prayed and made requests to your Father, and He answered with a definitive yes or no? The answer is clear.  PERIOD.  There have been many incidents in my life when I knew I had clear answers to specific prayers.  1 John 5:14-15 says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God:  that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of Him.”   Don’t be misled by these verses, though.  God is not a genie of whom we can make a request, and He grants us everything we ask for.  Many choose to ignore the four vital words embedded in this promise, “according to His Will.”  God is omniscient; He knows our stories before conception until our final breaths.  He knows His will always trump our requests.  His ways are much higher than ours, and He knows exactly what we need to bring Him glory.  In Isaiah 55:8-9, we read, “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts, says the LORD.  And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.  For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”  Maybe, just maybe, those clear answers are for our good and His glory, even if they are not the answers we were looking for.       Exclamation Points!  – In December of 2007, my husband, Brent, was at his annual cardiologist appointment.  He was born with a heart defect and had already undergone two open-heart surgeries before graduating high school to correct his aortic valve.  Due to this issue, he had to have his blood drawn monthly to make sure it wasn’t too thick or too thin to prevent clotting or excessive bleeding.  Needless to say, because of the lifetime of the doctor visits, he had an aversion to all things medical!   But at this appointment in 2007, he requested a test to check for any build-up of plaque – miracle number one - HE requested a test, not the doctor!  The results that followed were startling.  He had no plaque build-up, but the test showed an unusual “shadow” on his heart.  He was sent for a cardiac MRI, which showed an aneurysm on his heart the size of a knuckle.  Another miracle!  Had he not requested this test, the aneurysm may have never been detected.  Five days later, he was undergoing open heart surgery number three to repair the aneurysm and replace the aortic valve again.  During those five days, our family prayed for God to intervene and restore his heart.  Our life group at church literally encircled us, laid hands on us, and prayed over us for a miracle.  We claimed Psalms 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God.  Renew a loyal spirit within me.”  After what seemed like an eternity in the St. Joseph’s waiting room, the doctor met with us to give us the news of miracle number three!  He had made it through the surgery, but the aneurysm had grown to the size of a fist, A FIST!  They were able to remove the aneurysm, replace the aortic valve again, and repair another area of his heart as well.  We witnessed scripture literally leaping off the pages as God performed Ephesians 3:20-21 right in front of our eyes, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine according to His power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”  AMEN!!   Question Marks?  – For the next ten years, we lived our lives differently.  We had witnessed the Hand of God in action.  We had seen Him move the proverbial mountain.  But then came the question mark moment in my life.  We had just celebrated his 10-year anniversary from his open heart surgery, as well as our 20-year wedding anniversary.  The phone rang.  My heart sank.  “Honey, I’m pulled over on the side of the road.  I can’t see.  My head is killing me.”  I tried to stay positive while I ran through the house, heading out the door to find him. Surely this was one of his debilitating migraines he was experiencing.  He will be ok.  Lord, just let me get to him.  My thoughts raced.  All I knew is that he was on Hwy 16 on his way home from work.  My cell phone never works on that stretch of 16, but “somehow” I was able to remain on the phone with him the entire drive.  The next two days are still a blur in my memory.  An ambulance rushed him to the hospital, only to discover a brain bleed from an apparent stroke.  Lifeflight flew him to another hospital for emergency surgery to try to stop the bleeding and release the pressure.  Surrounded by family and friends once again, prayers were being lifted non-stop for another miracle.  But this time our miracle didn’t come.  Two days later, my husband was in the arms of Jesus. “WHY, GOD?  You answered our prayers before.  Why did you take my husband?  Why did you leave our children without a father?  Why did you abandon us?  WHY, WHY, WHY?”  There are times in our lives when the prayers we lift leave us in puddles of tears with “Whys” deafening our minds, questioning our faith, and devastating our cores.  It is in those times that our faith is tested beyond what we humanly can comprehend.  We want to believe that God is good and that he is our loving Father, but there are times questions will remain unanswered.  As difficult as it is to trust someone when you feel that they have hurt you or abandoned you, you can  trust your Heavenly Father.  My favorite verses have always been Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.”  I had to literally claim those verses day by day, sometimes even hour by hour, so much so that I even had it tattooed on my right wrist so that it would constantly remind me to trust in God’s sovereignty. Has it been easy? NO. Definitely not.  But He continues to show me through what I call his “God Winks” that He will never leave me, and He is still a good, good Father.  At Brent’s Celebration of Life service, Pastor Benny shared the gospe,l and over 40 people came to know Jesus that day!  There was a miracle after all – over 40 of them!  Will you trust Him in your question marks?   Commas  – These are the unanswered prayers.  The pauses.  The wait.  God hears our prayers, but no answers come.  No change on the horizon.  No healing.  No exclamation points or periods. YET .  For over five years, I have been praying something specific for someone in my life.  I know I am praying my Father’s will because the Lord wants all to know Him.  1 Tim. 2:3-4, “This is good and pleases God our Savior, Who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.”  So, I know what I am requesting is His will, but I must keep praying UNTIL.  Romans 12:12 declares, “Rejoice in our confident hope.  Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.” Jesus even shares a parable with His disciples in Luke 18 about a widow (pretty ironic) that kept going to a judge with a plea, and the judge finally grants it.  Luke 18:1 and 7 reads, “Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up…And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night?”  This parable was about persisting in prayer, continuing to keep our requests before our Father.  God’s delays always have good reasons.  So even though I am still laying my request at His feet daily, I know He hears me.  He will answer in His perfect timing, and even when things go from bad to worse, He is faithful, and I must trust in His promises.  I follow a precious woman in ministry online, and to quote her, “I will not believe what I see; I will believe what He says.”  The wait is difficult, but His timing is divine.  And as Pastor Benny recently shared in a sermon, “Keep on Singing,” Ps. 40:1-3, I will let those verses be my anthem, “I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and He turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and mire.  He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.  He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God.  Many will see what He has done and be amazed.  They will put their trust in the LORD.”   Heavenly Father, thank You for punctuating our prayers - thank You for the example of how to pray, for yes and no answers, for doing exceedingly and abundantly more than we could imagine, for allowing us to ask questions when our faith is tested, and for Your perfect timing in all our petitions.  May we praise You in every storm that blows our way and keep on singing no matter how You answer.  May Your will be done, and may Your name always be kept Holy.  We pray this in Your Son’s Name, the Name above all Names, Jesus, Amen.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.  But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it – not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it – they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25 NIV  As a little girl born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, I was raised by my single mother.  By the time I was seven years old, we had moved eight times and covered five different states.  When we finally settled in Georgia in the summer before my 3 rd  grade year, my mom made every effort to make our little house feel like a forever home.  I specifically remember one picture that she hung on my bathroom wall.  It was a Precious Moments poster she had framed that portrayed a little girl looking into a mirror with the words that read, “When in the mirror of His love I look at my reflection, I accept myself for who I am with all my imperfections.” In elementary school, I certainly didn’t know the depth of those simple words, but now looking back, as years wore on, they would forever be written on my heart.     What do you see when you look into a mirror?  What reflection stares back at you?  Do you embody beauty, joy, and hope; or does the reflection expose past regrets, anguish, or fear? Take a moment to think about the numerous times we daily see our own reflections with all our imperfections.  Upon rising in the morning, we begin our day in front of a mirror, getting ready to present our best self to an imperfect world, and before bed, we most likely see our reflections one last time as we brush our teeth and fall back into bed, only to begin this cycle all over again. While as believers, it is important to care for the temporary tents God has entrusted us with this side of Heaven, we also need to reflect His light by our daily living.  We are told in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?  You are not your own; you were bought at a price.  Therefore, honor God with your bodies.”   We can spend countless hours taking care of our body– feeding it, clothing it, grooming it; but how much time are we taking to honor God by feeding it the Bread of Life, clothing it in Truth, or adorning it with the Full Armor of God?  We were created in God’s image.  According to Genesis 1:27 NLT, we read, “So God created human beings in His own image.  In the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.” From the beginning of Creation, God fashioned us in His likeness.  But how do we, as His own handiwork, reflect him?   Do our mirrors focus on our own imperfections that are either visible or internalized? Or do we hunger to know Him intimately and see our reflections through His perfect love since we were created in His image?  In 1 Corinthians 13:12 NLT, we read, “Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we see everything with perfect clarity.  All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.”  My friends, the Lord knows us COMPLETELY!  We are His creation.  He knows all of our imperfections but loves us compassionately.  He desires us to use our imperfections as testimonies of His healing Hands and forgiving nature.  Nothing is hidden from Him, and nothing we do can withhold His relentless pursuit.  And one day, when we are face to face with Him in Heaven, we will fully comprehend His overwhelming love.     The dictionary defines reflection as, “The throwing back by a body or surface of light, heat, or sound without   absorbing it.” I don’t know about you, but I want to redefine that definition and pursue the Lord so intently while on this earth that I continuously absorb His Word and reflect His light before men so that I no longer focus on my own imperfections, but rather on the Perfecter of our faith!   Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV states, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off EVERYTHING  that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.  And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of faith…” (emphasis added).  The challenge we face is dying to our own selfish desires in order to fix our eyes on the One who can bring true freedom!  This world is not our eternal address as believers.  Heaven awaits us with all of its perfection.  Does your reflection lead others to the same destination?  I would love to encourage you to immerse yourself daily into the living and transforming Word of God so that your life can be a beautiful reflection of your Creator.    Recently, I sold that childhood home after my mom had gone to be with Jesus.  And although the Precious Moments picture was no longer on the wall of the bathroom, the mirror still echoed loudly.  As I looked at myself almost fifty years later, time had changed my reflection.  Lines from life’s experiences were prominently realized on my face, and my hair was now sprinkled with “wisdom.”  But I still remember those simple words in that frame.  I now understand that we are all imperfect souls on a journey to our Heavenly Father, and if we meditate on His Word and allow it to penetrate beyond our eyes and ears, we have the privilege of then reflecting the image of the One who can change the reflections of others as well.  Heavenly Father, thank You for Your relentless pursuit.  Thank You for being our Perfecter of Faith and taking our imperfections and using them for Your glory.  May we all be completely transformed in You and reflect Your overwhelming love in a world so desperately in need of healing that only You can provide.  Satisfy our thirst with Your living water, and may we, Your vessels, abundantly overflow.  Selah! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Christianity is not an external show of practices, religion, prayers, emblems, going to church every time the doors are open, devotional practices, or alms. It is solely about your relationship with Christ. We could all agree that a relationship cannot be built without intention. The study of God’s Word and prayer (with listening) to our Heavenly Father is how we achieve that intimate relationship that is needed for complete understanding and obedience to Christ.   We must “take every thought captive” as 2 Corinthians 10:5 instructs. We can’t do this if we are void of what God’s Word has to say.   Why must Christianity be lived out 24 hours a day? Because there are eyes and ears on us at all times that we are awake and around others. We can make an impact every day…positive or negative. Representing and emulating Christ to the best of our ability is a must. The only way to do that is to not only “do study, but LIVE STUDY each and every day. This is how Christ in us can be seen and heard. We will all give an account for what we do and say in this life, so we must make every moment count.   Romans 14:12:  So then each of us will give an account of himself to God   Matthew 12:36:   I tell you, on the day of judgement, people will give account for every careless word they speak.   One of the greatest advantages of studying the Bible is that it offers an understanding of the meaning and significance of life. It helps to give us a reason for our existence. We find purpose and vision by studying God’s Word.   Proverbs 29:18:   Where there is no vision, the people perish: But he that keepeth the law, happy is he.   PRAYER FOR TODAY: Jesus, I want to fully submit to You. Please help my mind submit as well as my heart and spirit to all things that you have for me. I understand that I cannot live this life in the right way without You taking charge. Make me obedient for the ultimate joy to flood my life.   In Jesus’ Name I pray, AMEN.

How do we prepare for Heaven when most of the runway is behind us? That final boarding call to take flight may be closer than we know.  Some of us get to know ahead when we are closer to that final destination, and many of us have no clue that the runway has almost run out and it’s nearing ascension.  So, what practical steps can we take to prepare for that extraordinary journey? Colossians 3 tells us we can “Set our minds on things above, not on Earthly things.” Also, we are to put to death whatever belongs to our earthly nature.  Matthew 6 tells us to “store up for ourselves treasures in Heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy.”  1 Timothy 6 also tells us that we are to store up treasures for ourselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, to do good, be rich in good deeds, and be generous and willing to share.  Some applications of these verses may look like:  Intentionally being mindful that God is always watching and listening, and considering the daily choices that we make & do better with those choices. 1 John 3:20 (ESV) for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Mark 4:22 (ESV) For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. Being in a constant state of prayer about everything  Ephesians 6:18 (ESV) Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints Examine oneself and make adjustments with repentance and a turning away from any willful or unrecognized sin 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (ESV) but test everything; hold fast what is good. 2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV) Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! Giving and serving those in need…especially within the household of faith. 2 Corinthians 9:11 (ESV) You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. Galatians 6:10 (ESV) So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Daily Bible study and the hiding of God’s Word in the heart 2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV) Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. Matthew 22:29 (ESV) But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. Psalm 119:11 (ESV) I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Extend and receive forgiveness Matthew 6:14-15 (ESV) For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Luke 17:4 (ESV) And if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” Mark 11:25 (ESV) And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” Delete line Exercise your faith James 2:14 (ESV) What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? James 2:22 (ESV) You see that faith was active along with his works, and his works completed faith;  Titus 2:14 (ESV) who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Many of these applications are ways to prepare for our eternal journey. Do any of these speak to your spirit? How can you take action today and in the days ahead to better prepare to take flight?  Let’s get ready! Today, put your oxygen mask on  FIRST  so that you may be able to assist others in getting ready for their journey as you better prepare yourself for yours!

Reading in Psalm 55, the Bible doesn’t say it, but I have no doubt that David was writing about Ahithophel (his counselor and friend), who betrayed him and turned David’s own son against him.  It’s easy to want to hate Ahithophel until you dig deeper into the story. It is arguable (and I try to show this in the book) that there was no one who lost more as a result of David’s sin, than Ahithophel.  Nevertheless, God says vengeance belongs to Him. When his plans finally failed, consumed by his desire for revenge, hatred, and likely no small amount of regret,  Ahithophel took his own life.  Takeaway: give it to God. David ends Psalm 55 with “Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. But You, oh God, will bring them down to the pit of destruction; Men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days, But I will trust in you.”

Most Christians know that our hearts must submit to God. But what about our minds? Do we fully submit our minds to God?  In this series of blogs on this topic, we will uncover some crucial truths that can transform your mind, affect your heart, and affect others as well.  The definition of study is applying the mind to learn a science or an art. The mind must be trained to learn the specifics of a task, theory, or art to carry out these applications successfully. We all need this formation through studying to be effective Christian leaders. If you want to master an art or science, studying is a must. Study of God’s Word brings solidity to the Christian life. It brings knowledge, confidence, and obedience. Regular study of the Bible brings joy, peace, hope, and instruction. Bible study can transform every aspect of your life. Study also hones our discipleship abilities and strengthens us to help others in their walk with Christ. I hate to admit it, but I used to hate reading. I didn’t like school when I was growing up. I was dyslexic, so it was a real struggle. I would be scared to death to be called upon to read aloud in a group for fear of saying things backwards or mispronouncing words. I was terrified in a Bible school class with all those hard-to-pronounce names! Yet here I am, writing, speaking, and obeying God amidst my insecurities and imperfections. I am also a singer and an artist. Without an extensive study into these skill sets, I could not be any of these things. I had to care enough to put study into practice and hone those abilities so that I could progress and enjoy them.  We cannot succeed very well in anything worth doing without study. We can’t know and apply the Will of God to our lives without caring about learning and understanding His Instruction Manual (The Bible).  What is the NEED for a study?  To correct misconceptions of Christianity Christianity is not a part of a person's life but the entirety of life.  Christianity must be lived out 24/7 Christianity is the key to the meaning of life How can Christianity be lived out on a regular and consistent basis? By method of study.  We will look further into this topic in part 2 of “Submitting the Mind to God Via Study” very soon… PRAYER FOR TODAY: Father, please help me to grasp the importance of a better mindset that can only come from Your Word infiltrating my daily thoughts. Your Word tells us, “So as a man thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7), and I want to be found faithful in the knowledge of You. Place in me the zeal and desire to study Your Word more faithfully. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.

Maybe it’s my recent need for comforting, familiar things that has led me down the rabbit hole of old hymns and traditional worship. One song in particular has been on repeat: Be Thou My Vision. This hymn traveled across the sea from Ireland and blares a bagpipe, drums, and fiddles that send chills up my spine every time I listen to it. And since it’s been on my mind (and in my ears recently), I took the chance to really hear what it’s saying. Have you ever listened to the words? If you haven’t, here they are: Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art Thou my best Thought, by day or by night Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord Thou my great Father, I Thy true son Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise Thou mine Inheritance, now and always Thou and Thou only, first in my heart High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art High King of Heaven, my victory won May I reach Heaven's joys, O bright Heav'n's Sun Heart of my own heart, whate'er befall Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all The line that sticks out to me is “thou my best thought, by day or by night.” Over the past few weeks and months, I know I haven’t been the only person who’s had ideas or thoughts that we consider to be our “best thinking.” If that’s not clear enough, what I mean is that election season usually brings out our “intellectual” sides, causing us to think very deeply about our beliefs, and thus our preferred candidate. But as I listened to Be Thou My Vision, I was deeply convicted by that line. My best thought is not my political ideology or having a bullet-proof argument to shut down opposing thoughts. My best thought is Jesus. And I’ll be the first to admit that Jesus isn’t always first in my heart or mind. And I often let my vision get clouded by the issue du jour. But what if we strived to make Jesus our first thought, our best thought and our ever-present vision? I think the world would be a better place if our focus was God. I challenge you to make Christ your highest and best thought. Recognize Him as that and everything else falls into place. P.S. Listen to the song here and let me know your thoughts. You can reach me at vtesshammock@gmail.com If you found this article helpful, check out our other blogs and make sure to tune in to Sunday services at 8, 9:30, and 11 am. Thank you for being a supporter of Rock Springs Church!

My most adventurous friend and I decided we needed a little time in the great outdoors so we picked a place, set our Google Maps and off we went. We chose what we believed to be a moderate hike up Yonah Mountain, about an hour north of Atlanta. We were excited to stretch our legs, breathe in the fresh, cold air, and enjoy the beautiful scenery. We started our watches to count elevation gain and heart rate and bounded up the start of the trail. We waved and “hello’d” our fellow hikers and stopped to pet the excitable dogs passing by. We were unstoppable - bounding over fallen trees and jumping over treacherous rocks. Nothing could slow us down! It felt like we had gone 10 miles up until we looked at our watches - .33 miles up. And by this point, our energy was starting to wane. As we continued on, the water breaks became more frequent, the breathing became heavier, and my trusty hiking boots began to betray me by starting to rub large blisters on both my heels. My friend kept up her steady pace but I disguised my sloth-like walk as “taking in the scenery.” By mile 1.5, I was wiped. I didn’t know if I could continue climbing but I saw my friend taking step after step and I reluctantly followed after. I kept saying to myself, “Just put one foot in front of the other,” and “Don’t be a weenie - you’re going to the top of this mountain.” My blistered feet were saying something else entirely… As we reached the final leg of the initial climb, we started skating (read: slipping) on sheets of ice from the previous day's snowfall. We held each other’s hands and carefully moved up the path. “I think the top is around that curve…” Nope. “It’s got to be close…” Nope. It seemed like the mountain kept moving the crest like Lucy and the football. Finally, we saw sunlight peeking out through the bare trees and after a few more steps, made it to the top of the mountain. I would say it was a breathtaking scene but I would be lying. It had taken us so long to get up the mountain because of my frequent stops and the icy path that the view was basically a filmy picture made even hazier by the winter sun. Nevertheless, my friend and I were elated to reach the top at last. We rested for about 10 minutes and then began our descent. Back down the icy path, avoiding muddy puddles, and at times, jogging to beat the sunset. After a quick trip back down the mountain we reached her car. We drove to the nearest town and ate every carb we could put into our tired bodies, sat in our fullness, and breathed a sigh of relief and satisfaction. As we were driving back home, I was thinking how thankful I was to have someone who was faster to keep me moving forward. To have someone who was strong while I was struggling. My friend was the one thing that stood between me and getting caught on an unfamiliar trail in the dark. That’s what God is for us - he’s the reason we don’t get caught in the dark. His strength empowers us when we’re weak. He goes before us to show us what rocks to step on, what logs to jump over, and what’s around the next bend. Isaiah 40:29 says “God is our strength in our weakness…” How many times have the pains in life told you to give up, to turn around? And yet, God takes those things and turns them into power to take one more step and get up the mountain.

As the majority of Americans reassemble in their respective offices after months of lax schedules, working from home, and creating spreadsheets in our pajamas, we’re now reentering our mission fields.   It can be easy to check religion at the door, especially if you work for a strictly secular company or organization.  Many places of work don’t support or even allow overt religious practices (e.g., no prayer in school).   So if you can’t hang a cross on your classroom wall or pray to open every meeting, how can you witness in the workplace?  A clear way to demonstrate your faith is simply by working hard, being excellent, and having a greater passion for your vocation, even if it’s not your dream job.  The bible says in Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters… ”  From taking coffee orders to preparing reports to giving a presentation, commit to be excellent at your work.  “In all toil, there is profit...” Proverbs 14:23  God has always had a purpose for work, even in the garden… “ The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it,” Genesis 2:15 . So if Adam and Eve had to work, we must as well.   Your coworkers who may not know Christ often find the actions and demeanor of believers to be a curious, unique quality that piques their interest.  You can easily inspire others by dedicating yourself to a strong work ethic.    It can be easy to think that the work you do may not further the kingdom unless you’re on the front lines at your church, building wells in Africa, or enhancing children’s lives in a third-world country.  But it’s imperative to understand that right here in America, we have a great deficit of our own: the poverty of lost souls.   And we work next to many of those people five days out of the week.  As Christians, our great commission is to people and extending grace and patience, congeniality, and joy in your workplace can be an open door for others to see the love of God.    So as you rejoin your coworkers in your offices, consider the great influence you can have with the person sitting to your right or left, even your customers.   And remember, sharing the gospel has never been easier .  Even as we reenter the workplace, so much of our lives still remain online, including our professional network. Now, with Rock Springs Church providing an online worship experience, you can invite your friends and colleagues with the click of a button.   Since March, over 500 individuals have given their lives to Christ because of our online streaming services.  You never know who in your circle might catch a live stream, rewatch a past sermon, or even come to church because of your willingness to share the good news.  You can watch and invite your friends, family, and coworkers every Sunday at 8, 9:30, and 11 AM on Facebook, Youtube, Instagram or on the Rock Springs Church website.

Being home-bound can be stressful, not to mention boring.  If you have children and adults who are together more than normal, now is the time to pause and spend time doing fun, entertaining activities that help alleviate worry and bring families closer together.   Here are 10 easy ways to stay entertained while keeping your family safe. 1.) Cook a homemade meal! If you have enough ingredients to create a delicious, homemade meal, now is a great time to involve your kids in a culinary adventure!  Have them mix, stir, and measure to feel a part of the process and learn more about the science of cooking. Who knows, you may have the next Rachel Ray or Bobby Flay in your house! 2.) Have a dance party!  The CDC recommends physical activity even in the midst of a health emergency.  Cranking up the tunes and having your own dance party is an easy way to get your blood pumping and increase endorphins.  The best part is, all you need are some upbeat songs and an open space to get your groove on.   3.) Board game night Playing an intense round of Monopoly can relieve pent-up stress and get our brains back in fighting shape.  Whether your family prefers cards, Scrabble, or Jenga, bringing people to a shared space creates a sense of community in a time of isolation.   4.) Living Room Olympics  You don’t have to wait until summer to enjoy the worlds’ most entertaining sports show, you can put on your own olympics right in your own home.  You can hold the paper airplane race, straw javelin throw, or an olympic ring toss!   Divide your family into teams and compete for fun prizes, like homemade medals or the last bite of dessert.     5.) Arts and Crafts  If you have young kids, painting and coloring can be a great way to keep them entertained.  Throw newspapers or a tarp over your kitchen table and have them go to town while creating their own masterpieces.   When they’re finished, find a frame and have your kids help you locate a spot to display their new artwork.  This can be a fun memory to have once things return to normal.  6.) Movie Night If you regularly go to the movie theater, now is no time to depart from seeing your favorite films!  Pop popcorn, let your family indulge in theater treats, and create a movie theater atmosphere to turn your living room into a grade A cinema!   7.) Get connected!  If you live far away from your extended family or friends, reaching out to loved ones can be a way to feel more connected.  Don’t feel confined to calls or texts either. Writing letters is a great way to make someone smile and gives them a memory they will cherish for a lifetime.   8.) Give a little  Many people are struggling during this time but you can teach your kids a great lesson on generosity and bless others in the process by sending some digital love.  Online gift cards, household items, and other necessities can truly help others while supplies are running low. Have your kids help you pick out a few neighbors and friends and send them a gift card to a favorite grocery store or have products delivered to their home.   9.) Family bible study It’s so important in stressful times to come together as a family and study the Word.  While many churches are strictly online for the time being, you can still have home church right there in your living room.  God is our ever-present friend in time of need and our comfort in uneasy times and it’s imperative that we continue to grow in our faith during all seasons.     You can worship with us at rockspringsonline.com every Sunday at 8, 9:30, and 11 AM.  We look forward to having you join us online! 10.) Make learning come alive  If you’re finding that you’ve taken on the title of “teacher”, there’s a simple way to keep your kids engaged with their current lessons and add fun to learning.  If your kids are reading through a play or novel, volunteer to act out the book by assigning characters to everyone and reading aloud. If they’re focused on math or science, use large colorful paper to solve equations or do a small scale lab project in your kitchen or backyard.   These are just 10 easy ways to keep your family engaged and connected while we wait out the next few weeks.  And why stop at these, have your kids think of fun activities or create a new family tradition to carry on for years to come.   Keep following RS Kids for fun activities and ways to keep your kids encouraged! RS Kids on Facebook RS Kids on Instagram Updates Page