Featured

Like A Thief In The Night

One night a thief broke into a house he thought was abandoned. As he walked then the darkened house with a flashlight he heard a voice from the kitchen that said, “Jesus is watching you.’ He stopped and said, “who’s there?” There was no answer so he thought he must have imagined it. But after he took a few more steps, the voice said again, “Jesus is watching you.” He decided to walk toward the voice, just before he entered the kitchen, he heard it again, “Jesus is watching you.” He swung the flashlight up and saw a parrot talking in a cage. The parrot said, Jesus is watching you.” The their turned flipped on the kitchen light and said, “Why you’re just a dumb bird.” The he looked in the corner of the room and seen a huge Rottweiler couching. And the parrot said “Get him Jesus.”

You might think it’s strange that Jesus would compare Himself to a thief. Of course, Jesus isn’t identifying with the sin of stealing. But just a good thief (that’s a oxymoron).that tries to sneak in quickly and quietly and escape with His people. That’s an accurate description of how Jesus will rapture His church.

We should all be living as if Jesus was crucified yesterday; raised from the dead this morning, and is coming back this afternoon.

1 Thessalonians 5: 1-4 tells us, “But concerning the times and the seasons, you have no need that anything be written to you. For you yourselves know that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. For when they are saying, “Peace and safety,” then sudden destruction will come to then, like birth pains on a pregnant woman; and they will in no way escape.

We should know these 4 things

1. Jesus will return, But we don’t know the exact day.

Can you imagine a thief sending you a text or email saying, “Just wanted to know that I’m coming to rob your house tonight.” Of course not. Thief’s don’t announce when they’re coming. They sneak in and out.

When I was growing up my Dad used to do military funerals when a soldier or veteran would pass away. My father would keep all the guns in his closet. One night when no one was home the house was broken into and all the M16 rifles were stolen. He was very upset because they trusted him with these rifles. For a long time there would be someone home, or a neighbor would be watching the house.

Jesus told us to keep watch, because you don’t know on what day the Lord will come. We need to understand, if the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and not let the house be broken into. So we must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you don’t expect him (Matthew 24:42-44),

There have been times throughout history when many people expected Jesus to return. We use the Gregorian calendar now, but when the Julian calendar turned from year 999 to the year 1000, people expected Jesus to come for a new millennium, the same was true in the year 2000. People were on their best behavior, In the year 1000 history says that worldly goods were sold and money was given to the poor. Prisoners were set free, and many traveled to Israel to wait for Jesus’s return,

In the second and third chapter of Revelation, Jesus gives messages to the 7 churches, which represent all churches of all time. When He wrote to the church at Philadelphia, He says, “Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I also will keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth” (Revelation3:10).

In Luke 17 Jesus compares His return to a couple of Old Testament events. “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the dat Noah entered the ark. Then the flood cane and destroyed them all. It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating, drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and suffer rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just like this on the day the Son Of Man is revealed (Luke 17:26-30).

Are You Ready?

My Obsession As A Child

Daily writing prompt
What’s a thing you were completely obsessed with as a kid?
View all responses

My obsession as a child was music, I definitely used it as a coping mechanism to manage trauma, and to fill the emotional void I was lacking. In a way I think it acted as a surrogate parent or a safe haven.

I think it was because it bypassed my emotional defenses and helped soothe my nervous system and provided the stability and an outlet for my overwhelmed emotions.

Research actually suggests that children with neglect or abuse develop a more intense creative process. And that music often acts as a bridge to feel safe, and helps rebuild a child’s quality of life by providing a space for processing and comfort.

Everything Should Glorify God

Denali National Park -Alaska

I read a quote once that said, “Each of our actions holds weight in God’s eyes and we should honor Him with what we do.”

Glorifying God in everything we do actually comes from scripture. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.”

Paul goes on to remind the Corinthian church to consider the consequences of others who may feel differently about eating or drinking anything sacrificed to idols or anything that will cause us to sin.

One of my favorite verses is in 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 where Paul says, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful, all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. Let no one see his own, but each one the other’s well-being.”

I think Paul wants us to understand that glorifying God doesn’t just happen in the church, or on any certain day. Glorifying God can occur in every circumstance. Glorifying God means honoring Him with our actions that are good, and obedient.

When we fall into sin and temptation, we don’t glorify God as we should. Each one of the actions we do holds weight in God’s eyes and we should honor God in what we do.

Glorifying God is more than just doing the right things. But, don’t get overly moralistic, because then we are tempted to seek out our own glory.

Letting Go Of Control

Bullion Falls -Fishlake National Forest

I was praying of Psalm 131 about how King David embraced humility, and I was lead to look up the lessons we can learn from this Psalm. Here’s what I found.

Embracing Humility:

David made a powerful declaration to God in this Psalm he said, “My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty.” This reminds me the truth greatness in the eyes of God is found in humility. I think by acknowledging our limitations and relying on God’s wisdom we can open ourselves up to His guidance and grace. Humility isn’t about thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less, and allowing us to serve others and glorify God.

I was watching an interview of Victor Marx last night, he is now running for governor of Colorado. But, he was speaking on the things he has endured throughout his life. His humility left me in awe. I think this is why I began praying about David’s humility in Psalm 131.

Finding Contentment in Simplicity:

David was a very rich man, the Bible tells us of his material possessions that he passed on to his son Solomon. Psalm 131 reminds us that contentment is found not in abundance of possessions or any achievement, but in a quiet trusting relationship with God. I think by simplifying our lives and focusing on what truly matters, we can experience a peace that surpasses all understanding that is promised in Philippians 4:7.

Practicing Patience:

Psalm 131:2 talks about how a calm quiet soul is a testament to the virtue of patience. The world often demand instant gratification, but this psalm encourages us to wait on the God and trust in His timing. One of the fruits of the Spirit is patience in Galatians, and by practicing it, we can align ourselves with God’s perfect will.

Experience Inner Peace:

David’s calm and quiet soul is a reflection of the inner peace that comes from a deep relationship with God. This piece is not dependent on external circumstances, but a gift from the Holy Spirit. By seeking God’s presence everyday we can experience this peace.

Trusting in God’s Sovereignty:

Psalm 131 reminds us of the importance of trusting in God’s sovereignty. Acknowledging that some things in life are beyond our understanding, we can rest in assurance that God is in control of everything. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

I think above all we have to reflect on God’s faithfulness. By remembering His past supply of promises kept, we can strengthen our faith, and trust in His plans for us. One thing I’ve learned as I have looked into my past is that God never let me down. I may have been mad or sometimes even hated Him. He had a perfect plan for my life, even when I was struggling in horrible circumstances He was always there protecting me from what could have been the outcome.

Interesting Local Customs

Daily writing prompt
What’s the most interesting local custom you’ve encountered?
View all responses

Interesting local customs that are around my area, are the illegal acts of polygamist communities, it still goes on, they still go on as a matter of fact, they have their own town and usually keep to themselves. Even though it’s illegal everyone is so used to it they look the other way because of cultural factors, and it’s a deep-rooted act in some the foundational LDS beliefs.

We Are Called To Examine Ourselves

The Bible teaches us to examine ourselves concerning others with humility, love, and respect.

This involves assessing whether our life reflects the teachings of Jesus. 2 Corinthians 13:5 commands believers to “examine yourselves to see whether you are in faith.” This can be done by considering our actions and reliance on Jesus, and the fruit of the Spirit, which are love, joy, and patience in our lives.

The purpose is to gain assurance, identify areas that need growth, and ensure our faith is authentic. This leads to transformation rather than self-deception.

David in Psalm 139:23-24 asks God to, “Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my anxious thoughts. And see if there by any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.” This shows a dependence on God to reveal our own sin and motives, as we may not see them ourselves.

The Apostle Paul connects self-examination with participating in the Lord’s Supper (Communion) stating in 1 Corinthians 11:28, “But let a man examine himself and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup.”

There are some questions I ask myself that I find important for self examination:

  • Are you trusting in Jesus alone? Examine if your faith and salvation are based on who Jesus is or what he has done, not on our own efforts or perceiving good deeds.
  • Do you see the fruit of the Spirit? Consider if you are growing in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23).
  • Is your prayer life genuine? Are you praying with sincerity, or is there bitterness, envy, or evil in your heart.
  • Are you living out what you believe? Compare your actions to your beliefs. Are you putting your faith into action, or are you simply hearing the Word without doing it?
  • Are you relying on God’s power? Recognize that transformation is not solely your own effort but a work of the Holy Spirit. Are you depending on Him to change you?

There are also some things to avoid when we examine ourselves.

  • Unhealthy introspection. Avoid becoming overly self focused to the point of despair or self-pity. Do not fall into thinking “I’m failing at everything” or my growth is hopeless.
  • Making self-improvement goal. The goal here isn’t self improvement towards its own sake, but the purpose of being more like Jesus and glorifying God. The focus should be on Him, not on ourselves.
  • Focusing only on feelings. Self examination should not be based on feelings alone, as it can be unreliable. Instead, look to the unchanging truth of God’s Word.

The Ideal Life

Daily writing prompt
If you had to describe your ideal life, what would it look like?
View all responses

My ideal life would be living in a cottage on a private beach. And finishing my psychology degree, and having my own office where I can help people struggling with mental distress, not advocating pills,” but teaching people coping mechanisms to live healthy full lives.

The Best Concert

Daily writing prompt
What is the best concert you have been to?
View all responses

Hands down the best concert I ever attended was Eric Church. This man puts on a great show. The energy in the theatre was intense. He plays a blend of American country, rock and outlaw style.

Eric Church

The Narrow Gate

The Petrified Forest National Park -Arizona

“Enter in by the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it” -Matthew 7:14

This is something I don’t think too many churches remind people of often enough. I believe most people are in the dark about one of the most important summaries in the Bible, and it shows us exactly what the future holds for us and the basic choices we have to make.

The world has gotten so comfortable with sin, and thinking they will go to heaven, because Jesus loves them. I watched a lady sin, know she was sinning, and missed the warning signs that God was showing her, yet judged the one who told her she was sinning.

Jesus has probably spent several hours on a hot hillside teaching His disciples what a true follower is, what effect they were supposed to have on the world, and what His role was in coming to earth. Jesus gave many illustrations of a godly attitude and behaviors that define His children.

There are some points I want to make:

Ask:

Before anything can take place we have to ask to be forgiven. Jesus tells us to ask, which is the simplest yet profound, “Ask, and it will be given you” -Matthew 7:7. We are all sinners, and we know we need Jesus as our Savior, and because of this we simply have to ask Jesus to save us.

Many times I have spoken to someone about Jesus and salvation and they just sit silently, or outright refuse. I naturally was upset, but I know that nothing will happen until they ask Jesus to forgive them. I have come to learn that I am just the messenger, I deliver the message but they have the choice whether to accept it or not. The most basic need is to ask. Jesus won’t turn anyone down who asks for forgiveness from a place of humility and honest awareness of a need. And no one can save us until we ask for it.

Ponder this “Does my faith extend beyond the salvation of my soul and into the rest of my life? Because saving faith is essentially no more than belief or agreement with scripture. In this regard, the only difference between saving faith and belief of the hell-bound demons, is that they don’t ask for forgiveness. They believe all the same stuff about Jesus, but chose not to accept what He offered.

Someone once said that, if I seek assurance and security from the world, I have weak faith that has not moved beyond asking for forgiveness and getting a “get out of hell free card.”

I think that the trouble is with many so called believers, is they do believe in Jesus, but we don’t believe Him. In other words, they believe on Him for the salvation of their souls, but they don’t believe Him when He says our Father in heaven will provide for us, or that we have the full power of God available to us through the Holy Spirit.

But all it takes is a little faith to ask God and it will be given. If that’s not enough, the rest of this blog post won’t apply.

Seek:

Seek and you will find God. Just because we have accepted forgiveness this doesn’t mean we know God. After we are saved we have to seek Him. Most people think after being saved or baptized think they can just stop. God will handle everything from there. But after we are saved we are to seek Him with great effort. Matthew 5: 6, 8 says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

We don’t necessarily have that vital of a relationship with God, when we are saved. That is just like meeting Him. Like any other relationship, it develops over time and we are to seek Him once we are saved. Forgiveness and justification is what makes it possible to even begin a relationship with Him. Seeking requires more faith and action than just asking.

If we seek Him we will find Him, but as we will find His will if we truly seek it.

Some don’t consider who God really is, they don’t consider that we are literally His children and He wants what is best for us, and part of our inheritance is that He lives in us.

When we seek to live out faith, obey His will in our lives, rather than just take a deep breath because we are not going to hell, our faith has to increase as we see God do more in the through us. He becomes more and more real to us as we let Him take over,

If we spend even one minute a day meditating on what this means – the kind of care He had for us, and what He has empowered us to do, it would change everything. So seeking to understand in an experiential way what it really means to be a spirit powered child of God. You’ll be amazed at what you’ll find when you app,y this reality to everyday life.

Knock:

Knock and it will be opened to you. The gates of heaven will be opened. But we also have to ask for forgiveness, and seek Him through His Word and prayer, then we can knock. This means persistently pursuing righteousness and fulfill our sanctification through faith in Jesus.

We can’t just stop when we accept God’s forgiveness, we are then to seek and knock continually. We are not done when we accept salvation.

Salvation is supposed to cause us to seek and knock with all our might for the rest of our lives, knowing that we will never find it all, never have all the wisdom of God opened up to us, and never experience the entire fulfillment of heaven until our lives end.

It’s a door to God’s study room, the door to an intimate relationship with God.

After we ask, seek, and knock, Jesus invites us into a transformed life of active, daily relationship with Him. This involves shifting from seeking mercy to living in obedience, abiding in His presence, and extending His love to others.

Jesus wants us to maintain fellowship through prayer and abiding in His Word.

Persistence is rewarded and Jesus assures us that those who persistently pursue God will find Him.

Instead of seeking personal gain, focus on God’s righteousness and kingdom priorities.

Things To Do In My City

Daily writing prompt
Which is the best thing to do in your city?
View all responses

I think the best thing to do in my city is to go hiking or camping. The mountains and deserts are beautiful. Within the city, we have festivals, a raceway, and farmers’ markets every weekend. I’m in a pretty small town, so mostly it’s just a laid-back atmosphere.

The Love Of God, Family, Country

People tend to put family and country ahead of God. That’s where we can get in trouble. Matthew 6:33 tells us,

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be given to you.”

So, by placing God first everything else falls into the proper order. In order to emphasize God first, we seek to model Christ centered relationships and living throughout the entire organization of the three. Our desire being that seeking God first would permeate every aspect of our lives from what we read and watch, to how we treat friends and acquaintances both in person and on social media, how we we decide who we vote for to who we choose to spend our time with. And includes how we spend our money and what we do with our bodies.

There must be given a for our faith rather than simply being told what to believe. I love God because of His merry and grace shows me that He loves me. I love God because He gave me a second chance at life. I have faith in Him because my life is better with Him than without Him.

The Love of Family

Love of family is second, it is critically important that families partner with God if they are going to be essential to society. My marriage would have failed if I wouldn’t have put God in the middle of it. Healthy families are the best means of providing confidence to reach beyond ourselves to provide love and praise to its members. Godly families are necessary to provide a model of Godly living.

The Love Of Country

Love of country is third. Liberty represents freedom that is expressed in a countries political, economical, social and religious freedom.

America’s founding fathers recognized that God is the source of rights, not the government, and that all citizens have the right to pursue life, liberty, and happiness. These freedoms must be vigilantly and intentionally preserved by the citizens of this country.

I believe there is a reason and the government is trying to destroy Godly values, in family and country. Satan knows if he destroys these we will fall not only as a country but as a people.

They are working hard to take God out of everything. Destroy the family dynamics, and cause people to hate America for its morals and values.

We must put emphasis on on responsible citizenship and what is entailed in maintaining the freedoms we enjoy in this country.

God, Family Country. When each is valued and ordered correctly, freedom in Christ is more likely to reign and endure.

Super Powers

Daily writing prompt
What super power do you wish you had and why?
View all responses

I wish I had the super power of healing people. There are so many people suffering today that I hurts my heart. The power of touch could potentially cure any disease or injury, whether physical, terminal, or mental, simply by touching someone.