I enjoy watching a television program called “Building off the Grid”. The people who do this usually settle in an area of great beauty, isolation and a place for their favorite activity. It might be mountain climbing, dirt bikes, fishing and hunting, skiers; it is a place to disconnect with civilization as much as possible. It might be a weekend lodge, a vacation retreat or a new home. Off the grid means solar panels, wood stoves, compost toilets, rainwater barrels and outdoor showers. No modern conveniences and some builders do it eco-friendly. When I think about the value of prayer I think “off grid” would be something God would approve! We need a time/place where we shut everything o

No doubt that Psalms 23 is one of the most publicly read, printed and memorized chapters in the Word of God. These six short verses capsulize the provision, protection, triumph, and hope of the child of God in the challenges of life. The word pictures of this beautiful passage are powerfully impacting. Psalms 23 begins with our Lord, the good shepherd, leading us in green pastures, still waters and paths of righteousness. How does it get better than this! Life is good, tranquil, and so peaceful. Then verse four abruptly makes a transition saying, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me”. Some say the “shadow of death” was

“Oh wow, look at the white field.” I marveled at the white beauty in all directions. As Larry and I drove through west Texas one fall, we saw several white cotton fields ready for harvest. Some of the farmers had already picked the cotton and now the large bales were stacked ready to sell. This harvest of cotton did not take place overnight. The farmers had to prepare the ground, plant the seed, water it the entire summer and cultivate it. This process takes several months before they see the result of their work. If they got tired and quit watering the crop before harvest time, they would only reap a partial crop or no crop. Helping other people can also be a long-term investment of ou

When we become a follower of Christ, God fills us with His Holy Spirit. The proof of the Holy Spirit in us is not some emotional experience. The proof that we have God’s Spirit in us is if we are going. Are we telling anybody about the Good News? Jesus said in Luke 9:60, “Let the dead bury their own dead. You go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.” What in the world does he mean by that statement? It sounds pretty harsh. But what he’s saying here is that we need to be indispensable. There are some jobs in life that anybody can do, but there are some jobs that only a believer can do. Only a Christian can tell other people about Christ. Only a Christian can tell other people how to get to Heaven.

Last year I was able to go to Colorado and hike in the Rocky Mountain National Park. The trip was to take time with my brother in law and my cousins. We backpacked up into the mountains taking all of our gear and supplies that we would need. Basically, being unplugged from the world. The first day we were there we hiked up the mountain and found a 500 foot waterfall, of course we had to climb it. The climb was hard and a bit tricky but we all were able to make the climb. Once up all of us were blown away with the view. My brother in law has traveled the world put he even said this is the most beautiful place on earth. While looking at the view I was overcome by the wonder of God. God spoke

Now the God of peace…even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21 Recently, I’ve been impressed through scripture and testimonies as to how God goes before us in all things and equips us too. I found this in a sample devotional and keep it taped to my desk: When the Lord challenges you to do something that you feel is beyond your abilities, you have two options: You can focus on Christ and proceed in triumph, or you can focus on yourself and withdraw in defeat. It’s really a matter of faith (and trust). God would never ask you to do

Growing up in South Florida we lived in the lightning capital of the world. Scientifically these bolts of light are highly charged particles making their way across the sky. In the darkest of storms they can provide so much light its blinding. Of course, after the lightning you hear the thunder and it lets you know that something beautiful and powerful just happened. It wasn't until I moved to Branson that I hear rolling thunder. The echo of the thunder sound reverberating causing it to be heard long after and far from the lightning. As Christians, we're always challenged to be light in the darkness, to be like the city on a hill casting our light far and wide. Some get to live a life w

"In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:18 With the holiday season quickly approaching, Thanksgiving is here. The historical facts of this celebration was begun by the Pilgrims and neighboring Indians in 1621 with sharing a meal from their first crops in the new land. With only half of the pilgrims surviving the journey to American, then landing on the East Coast in the middle of winter with limited supplies and contagious diseases abounding—these survivors had much to be thankful for. It was a 3-day celebration with their friends, including food, fellowship, entertainment and prayer. There was no pumpkin pie, mash potatoes, turkey,

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said that in order to achieve contentment one should cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. The Apostle Paul says in I Thessalonians 5:18, "In everything give thanks": Why? "for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." I believe and I bet Mr. Emerson would agree that being a thankful and grateful person eliminates a ton of stress. Philippians 4:8 "Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praisewo

David knew how to give thanks to God for all that he had done for them. In Psalms, David gives thanks to God many of times; one of the best examples is in Psalm 9:1-2. Which reads “I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders. I will be glad and exalt in You: I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.” Psalm 9 is a whole chapter that gives Thanksgiving for God’s justice. David is thanking God for all that He has done, and in return David is going to exalt and is going to sing praises to God. This is not the only chapter in Psalm that is devoted to giving Thanksgiving to God. Psalm 95:1-7 reads: O come, let us sing for joy to the Lord, let us shout joyf

Thankfulness: Expressing gratitude and appreciation to people and God. I remember one of my teachers in grade school, Mrs. Gibson, pulling me out of class one day. She was a very stately woman and when she spoke you listened. Mrs. Gibson said, "David, you have a rare gift." I had no idea where she was going but I stood stiff as a board hanging on to every word she spoke. She said to me, "You are a very empathetic person." She went on to explain that word in order for me to get a clear word picture. Empathetic - Showing an ability to understand and share the feelings of another. That day was one of the brightest days of my life as a young student. I am so thankful for that moment she

Have you ever been to the ocean and seen a flock of Seagulls sitting on a pier? How many times do you think those Sea Gulls have the intention to fly down and grab a tasty snack off your beach picnic, or a tasty little fish swimming in the shallow? I would say they have that intention a lot, but they never make the decision to do so. That's like life with a lot of people today. More specifically Christians. How many of us have intentions to call someone and encourage them, or to wake up early and read our Bible, or how about the intention to give up a show to spend more time in prayer? You see lots of people in our world have good intentions but that's as far as it goes. ~It's your dec

“Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God” (Romans 12:2a GNT). I have come to understand that we have two choices in life. You’ll either be conformed or transformed. There’s no middle ground! This is not popular but it is the Truth! Just ask Daniel. Daniel faced a choice. Either he could take the king’s food and be conformed to the ways of the Babylonian Empire, or he could refuse to defile his body and stay true to his values! How many times a day, a week, a month, or a year are you asked in some way to compromise, change, or water down your values? Daniel sta

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. Psalm 23:1(KJV) The Lord is my shepherd. I am never in want.(God’s Word) What is a shepherd? Wikipedia says, a shepherd tends, herds, feeds and guards a flock of sheep. Shepherding is one of the oldest occupations; beginning in Asia Minor some 5000 years ago. To maintain a large flock of sheep, the sheep must be able to move from one pasture to another. This required the development of an occupation apart from the farmer, usually the youngest member of the family. He lived with the sheep 24/7. Many Biblical patriarchs were shepherds; Abraham, Jacob, the twelve tribes, Moses, King David, and the Old Testament prophet Amos. Many of David’s Psalms we

This is the victory that has overcome the world; our faith. I John 5:4 When I was ministering to the sick, a man came who was shriveled and weakened; his cheek bones were sticking out, his eyes sunken, and his neck all shriveled. He was just a form of a man. He whispered, for he could only speak with a weak voice, "Can you help me?" I asked "What is it?" He said that he had had surgery to remove stomach cancer. As a result of the operation, he could not swallow. He said, "I have tried to take some juice today, but it would not go down." He whispered, "I have a hole in my stomach. As I pour liquid in through a tub, my stomach receives that. I have been living this way for three months

Did you ever wonder what a child could grow up to accomplish if they’d never been told they had limitations by someone? Maybe a parent, a teacher, or an older sibling told them they weren’t smart enough or good enough in some area. And, because the child believed them, it limited their opinion of what was possible. Some grow up and discover that what they were told was not true. Others grow up believing a lie, and it limits their life. Can you imagine what we could do if only we believed we could? If no one had ever told us something was impossible. If we believed what God says, instead of the other voices. Years ago, we had a little dog named Cocoa. He could easily jump up on a bed

When it looks like God’s blessing somebody in a way that he’s not blessing us, relax and trust God. Believe that he knows what’s best for us, and trust him when life seems unfair. One of the ways we can tell envy is creeping into our life is the language we use. If we find ourselves using the phrase “It’s not fair,” we’ve already fallen into the trap of envy. We say, “It’s not fair! Why them? Why not me? I’ve worked as hard as they do.” In Jesus’ parable of the vineyard workers, the workers felt that they were being treated unfairly, not because they weren’t paid what they were promised but because other people who worked less were paid the same amount. Matthew 20:12 says, “These last worker

To start this devotion, I am encouraging you to take time and read 1 Kings chapters 18-19. There is a lot that takes place and the Lord shows his power in a powerful way. There was a drought in the land and Elijah is coming to tell the people that the Lord is sending rain, but first we see where Elijah had to put things in order. Jezebel had brought in the worship of false prophets and Israel had started worshipping baal and asherah. So Elijah called all the people to Mt Carmel and all of the false prophets and issued the challenge, who had the power to send fire down from heaven. God demonstrated his mighty power and fire came down from heaven. Then Elijah killed all of the false prophets.

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment and the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself’” (Matthew 22:37-39 NIV) If you want your life to count, you have to focus it. I adopted a saying years ago that I do my best to live by and it is "Your focus will determine your finish!" I have learned this applies to every area of your life but none more than in our relationship with Jesus Christ. The world and the modern church tells us we can and should multi task, that more is better and if you are not doing more, you are failing. I am here today to challenge that way of thinkin

Veteran’s Day began at the conclusion on WWI. In November of 1919 President Wilson proclaimed November 11th as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in American, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…” The day was designed for “thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will.” As there are today, in 1918 there were parade