I Do

The two words in the title say it all.  Though simple in appearance and lacking syllables, they represent a total commitment of oneself to another.  It is a pledge of honor to accomplish a certain thing.  These words embody the fullness of a promise to fulfill a service or favor.  This short phrase exemplifies a vow; giving one’s word.

I declared these words to my wife, as did she to me, when we committed ourselves to each other in marriage.  Our two-way agreement was made with unconditional love for one another.  Three letters make up the words I do; two words that are powerful when spoken to someone. 

When Jesus was crucified and endured the cross unto death, in essence, He was saying, “I do” when He declared with a loud voice, “It is finished!”  The plan of salvation was completed when He bowed His head and breathed a final breath on behalf of mankind.

To bring it closer to home, Jesus’ “I do” was to you and me.  It was His pledge of honor and a promise to be our Savior and Lord; totality committed to us.  But we must promise to dedicate ourselves to Him in order to realize the full benefit of God’s love.  It becomes a two-way vow to each other if we say the words “I do” to Him.

Notice another small, inconspicuous word in the above paragraph—if.  Two letters, but all of life hinges on this tiny word.  If a person accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior, then and only then will the words “I do” have lasting meaning.  By keeping God’s commands we remain faithful to Him and abide in His love forever.

When I accepted Jesus as my Savior in 1969, I made a commitment to honor, love and obey Him all the days of my life.  But His commitment to me extends through eternity beyond this present life and the grave.  His promise is forever settled in the heavens; a lasting bond, because of the blood He shed.  It is a love bond between the two of us. 

When I was a young boy I thought it was important to become blood brothers with my best friend.  This act of friendship meant that we needed to strap our index fingers together for a short time after displaying a drop of blood by means of a puncture or lesion.

This demonstration of commitment assured us that we were truly bonded to each other and that nothing would ever come between our friendships.  It was a ‘forever’ commitment.  We were now blood brothers, because of the blood. 

I thank Jesus for the friendship we share and the blood that He shed on Calvary so that I might have joy in Him.  What greater love is there than a person laying down their life for a friend?

(John 15:9-14), “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.”  vs.10 “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.”  vs.11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”  vs.12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”  vs.13 “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”  vs.14 “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.”

Jesus willingly shed His blood and died, because He considered us a friend worth dying for.  Through this act of love, God counted us worthy to become His sons and daughters, not because of our own righteousness, but because of His dear Son and the price He paid for the “I do” relationship.

Just as I said these words to my bride many years ago, the Lord is saying “I do” to us today—His bride.  Committed love equals a steadfast relationship.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Backdoor Breach

I don’t want to sound melodramatic regarding the title of this writing, but the following thoughts are as important to our spiritual enlightenment as any of my other writings that pertain to Satan’s sly tactics.

The element of surprise is most effective when confronting the unlawful behavior of hoodlums that lurk in the shadows, and the ongoing task of preventing attacks on American soil by those that want to kill and maim innocent people.

When dealing with unending problems in other countries, the objective of each need varies depending upon circumstances and the extent of help that is required—stopping the genocide of blameless people, or eliminating terrorist cells and demonic leaders that are hell-bent on dominating other, less fortified countries, to name a few. 

The United States military services are often implemented and quite effective when dropping paratroopers or special forces behind enemy lines.  They are provided with the resources deemed necessary to achieve the upper hand and a successful mission.

This element of surprise and similar tactics are used by Satan to infiltrate the line of defense that surrounds and protects our soul.  He is a tactical genius of deception and sneak attacks.  Satan is always looking for areas of weakness; seeking to penetrate our defenses.

Through the ages, Satan’s methodology of deception has deceived vulnerable people everywhere, beginning in the Garden of Eden when he beguiled Eve into sinning against God.  She and Adam failed to keep the backdoor of their soul tightly shut and locked.  They did not exercise caution or maintain the necessary vigilance to recognize the devil’s plan of attack.

In the day that we live it is extremely important to keep windows and doors locked where we reside.  These openings can be used by the criminally minded to enter our place of refuge; undetected in most cases.  Stealth coupled with an existing backdoor breach allows the invasion of privacy to take place.  Safety is compromised, because of neglect and the ignoring of simple rules concerning one’s ability to combat crime.

A host of things can occur if a menace to society is allowed to invade one’s safe zone through unsecured openings.  A person’s lackadaisical attitude and the lack of follow-through regarding these openings help promote security breaches.

A burglar, molester, or murderer will take any opportunity that affords them access to property and the personal effects of others.  They take the path of least resistance after having cased the premises to see where they can enter.

Satan, likewise, is looking for the backdoor to our soul that has been left ajar.  He wants to assault us and steal the joy of our salvation and the very essence of hope.  He will stop at nothing to take advantage where he can and enter non-policed entrances where we least expect him to enter.

As long as we remain prudent in keeping with the “homeland security” of our soul, we need not fear Satan’s tactics to break through and steal our peace of mind.  A joy filled life remains undaunted for God’s children.  But do diligence is a must to maintain good moral values and a dedication to Jesus Christ our Lord.  These qualities will spoil Satan’s strategies.

Maintaining door and window locks in good working order and being conscious of the need for intense security will keep us safe in our homes.  This same intensity of awareness is most important when dealing with the temptations that Satan tries to distract us with.  His ploy to seduce us and cause a backdoor breach to our soul is his utmost objective.

A 24/7 mindset must be implemented and maintained to keep oneself from all alarm.  Naïve people are those that have a false sense of perception when it comes to evil-doers.  They are of the opinion that evil loves darkness rather than light, which is not always the case.  Evil lurks twenty-four hours a day; seven days a week.

Home invasions are becoming more and more prevalent during daylight hours than ever before.  A thief’s brazen attitude toward the rights of others is like the devil’s lack of compassion for our eternal soul.

There is an array of sly techniques that Satan attempts to use when trying to break down the barrier that protects us.  The following is just the tip of the iceberg.  Opening our mind to teachings that give the impression of being correct, yet lacking total truth, affects our line of defense.  Listening to false doctrines that fail to line up with God’s Word is a backdoor breach in the making. 

Portions of truth always precede non-truths.  Satan manipulates situations and conversations to appear wholesome and pure, but beneath the tainted shroud lay deception.  When dishonesty and deceit beguile a person’s God-given ability to say no, sin enters the door of their soul. 

Half truth does not equal truth.  Just as the serpent deceived Eve with half truths, he will do likewise if we let down our guard.  Complete dedication to God is the only fail-safe in maintaining excellence, both spiritually and physically.  Living in harmony through the obedience of God’s statues promotes a foolproof way to remain inherently safe.

When a person allows Satan to enter into “self-talk” and they listen to his rationalization concerning things that they want to partake of, like Eve, they begin to justify their actions to obtain that which the flesh desires. 

They tell themselves, “It’s only a little white lie.”  They ponder the situation and justify their actions with, “It’s just a tiny sin.”  Thoughts like, “No one will ever find out,” become their Achilles’ heel. 

Left unchecked, this thinking evolves into bigger half truths with even greater justifications following.  The ongoing lack of commitment to God leaves the door ajar—a backdoor breach to the soul.

The enemy of our soul takes advantage where he can and invades when we least expect it, especially when our guard is down.  When this occurs, the Bible says that the last state of that man is worse than the first.  I never want an unclean spirit to return through a backdoor breach, because of my disobedience to God.  The results could prove to be my undoing; the downfall and ruination of my soul.

(Matthew 12:43-45), “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none.”  vs.44 “Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’  And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order.”  vs.45 “Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.  So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”

In the fable, “The Three Little Pigs,” one pig was wise, whereas, the other two were not.  Those that were unwise and made bad choices became lunch for the big, bad wolf.  The wise, little pig lived happily ever after; after having the wolf for dinner, if you catch my drift.

Settlers heading West on wagon trains knew the advantages of encircling the wagons when the threat of attack was looming; and they knew the protection this practice offered at night when wild animals were in search of food.

The importance of motes around castles and high walls around forts goes without saying.  These security measures were helpful in detouring sneak attacks.

Countries that guard their boarders understand the necessity of this action.  Security certainly helps to prevent the potential infiltration of unwanted visitors.

Backdoor invasion can be forthcoming at anytime, both spiritually and in the examples that I have addressed.  An intruder that kills and maims innocent people is like the devil that takes no prisoners.  He is the wolf in sheep’s clothing; a treacherous hunter that is unpredictable.

(1 Peter 5:8), “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

We must take note that it is the small things that cause a backdoor breach in our security against a crafty foe.  The devil presents him self as light, but underneath the surface is pitch-black darkness.  It is wise to recognize his tactics and avoid him at any cost.

If anything deviates from the teachings of the Bible, it is anti-Christ, even though the majority of its content and presentation appear as truth.  A backdoor breach can prove to be devastating if we let down our guard to accept things at face value or believe things that run contrary to godliness.

Being married, yet flirting with someone at work can become a backdoor breach.  Sharing and listening to inappropriate jokes and filthy music can create a breach in security.  A friendly drink with friends at the pub can open the door to woes.  A simple glance now and then at pornography or a hit on a joint of marijuana may allow Satan to creep in the backdoor and take up residence in one’s soul.

Remember, wholesome living equals a secure perimeter, whereas, tiptoeing through sin breaches security.  It is the little, inconspicuous sins that slither in like a serpent to destroy our “vine of faith” that has tender grapes of love and compassion growing for others; planted by the still water of God’s habitat.

(Song of Solomon 2:15), “Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd

On Behalf Of

On behalf of the Lord Jesus Christ I present to you my following thoughts.  Were it not for Jesus dying on the cross for my sins and changing my soul’s destination, and experiencing the miracle of a renewed belief system, there is no way that the old me would care to be God’s hand extended to a lost and hurting generation of people.

God gave me empathy for those that are traveling down the same road that I was stuck on before I made the all-important change in direction.  The Lord made quite a difference in the way I saw myself and how I viewed people around me.  My prospective outlook, coupled with expectancy in life, has been altered through a love relationship like none other; a life changing experience.

When I was living by the dictates of my own making, individuals came to me from time to time on behalf of God; sharing words-of-life when I was a young man going in the wrong direction.  I was burning the candle at both ends, as it were.  Though, not quite ready to give my heart to Jesus, the sincerity of the words they presented found lodging in my soul.

Through the years, other people came to me on behalf of the Lord to share the good news that peace of mind could be mine even in the challenges of life, and that I could possess the hope that my soul was secure in Jesus.  But I was not yet ready to accept Him as Lord of all, because there were too many things I wanted to experience first.

Perhaps you are where I was when I finally stopped running from God.  One night, alone in my apartment, I felt that all things were an uphill battle and nothing substantial was going my way.  My state of mind was on shaky ground, with questions like, “Is this all there is to life?” repeating itself over and over in my brain. 

The devil convinced me that all hope was gone and that there was no one to whom I could turn to for help.  My brokenness was almost more than I could bear.  Peace had escaped my endeavors to find, but something captured my thought process; it was like someone nudging me; competing for my attention.  The Holy Spirit was beckoning me; speaking to my inner being on behalf of God.

The words of the individuals that came to me in the past echoed in my mind.  I realized they cared about my travels and where I would end up.  Memories of their visits loomed in my psyche.  All of the love they had poured out penetrated my soul once again; only this time I was ready to see what God could do for me that I was unable to do for myself.  The whirlwind of perplexity and the enduring, spiritual struggles that encumbered me for years were taking their toll both physically and spiritually.

I was certainly set in my ways; headstrong and self-sufficient, yet I was lonely in a crowded room, because peace was no where to be found in the things that I was involved with.  But God knew me better than I knew myself and had compassion in spite of my crass personality.  He had my attention at last!  I realized my need of a Savior.

(Matthew 11:28-30), “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  vs.29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  vs.30 “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

I closed my eyes and visualized myself standing at an intersection—a crossroad.  Circumstances had brought me to a turning point in life—God’s perfect plan to achieve His will in me. 

Straight ahead was the same old lifestyle with the same old friends, whereas, the road to the right headed away from misery and the chaos that I struggled with; a narrow road that lead to everlasting peace.  It was my choice to take the detour or continue in the direction most familiar to me. 

The road ahead was wide and had many people traveling its route; bustling, with little thought of the consequences that would befall them for choosing this road.  My eyes were opened to see that it led to eternal damnation; a catastrophic ending for lives that were lost without a Savior.

(Matthew 7:13-14), “Enter by the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.”  vs.14 “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Yes, the choice was mine to make as to which road to take.  No one else could choose for me.  I am thankful I chose the narrow path that led to righteousness.  The moment I went God’s way rather than the broad way to ruination, the floodgate of peace opened and flooded my soul with elation. 

I remember the excitement of the moment as if it were yesterday.  Peace prevailed like I had never experienced; an amazing tranquility within my spirit, because God saved my soul!

(Philippians 4:7), “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

How could God love me this much that He willingly gave His Son to die on a cross for my sins, and not only my sins, but the sins of all humanity.  I stand in awe when I consider my relationship with God, the creator of the universe, yet He knows my name.  Jesus, God’s Son, became the ransom for the human race, because of love.

I felt the indwelling of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Joy unspeakable welled up from within as they made their abode in my heart.  The Bible calls Jesus, “Prince of Peace” in (Isaiah 9:6).  The peace of God was mine for the first time, because Jesus became Lord of my life.

On behalf of the Trinity, I invite you to consider my thoughts and the Bible verses I shared.  Won’t you please give Jesus a try?  When a person is seeking answers to unanswered questions and then opens the door of their soul, Jesus comes in.  He is the all in all answer they seek.  The Lord’s essence fills, to capacity, the void they have inside. 

Jesus is the One you have been searching for.  I promise that you will not regret your decision to serve Him.  There is nothing in this world that compares with being a part of the family of God.  Take the detour that leads toward heaven, while there is yet time.  We have no assurance of tomorrow.  Do not procrastinate another day.

(2 Corinthians 6:2), “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

(Revelation 3:20), “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

Written by,
Papa Boyd

Wall of Resistance

There are many different types of resistance according to Webster’s New World Dictionary.  I want to address one kind of resistance that is vital to Christian living; the resistance to temptation.  This resistance encapsulates a plethora of areas that, if yielded to, can permit the surrounding wall of protection to collapse around us; allowing the infiltration of unwanted principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this age, and spiritual hosts of wickedness. 

Resistance is the protective wall that keeps us separated from evil; Satan’s playground of sin.  When God is allowed to build a strong resistance through the reading of His Word and through prayer, this wall stands unmovable against the wiles of Satan.

The enemy of our soul is trying to negate all resistance to him so that he has free access to our soul.  One of his main objectives is to destroy our relationship with God the Father.

(1 Peter 5:8), “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

Resistance reminds me of working out with weights.  The more a person works their muscles, relative to the amount of weight they lift, the results of this constructive effort causes their muscles to become stronger and stronger as they maintain this practice.  A healthy and fit body is the reward for continued dedication in this area.

When muscles are not used they soon become weakened even to the point of atrophy if the deficiency of movement is prolonged for any length of time.  When muscles deteriorate and wither, the whole body suffers as a result; likewise, our spiritual well-being suffers when we allow the wall of resistance to slowly erode.  For those that choose not to practice a healthy workout schedule each day through reading the Bible and prayer, it produces weakness in them.

It takes work when building a strong resistance to Satan’s temptations, but the outcome is well worth the effort put forth, in the end.  The more we resist the devil the stronger the wall of resistance becomes.  When “spiritual body building” is part of our daily routine and lifestyle, positive results follow, but it takes a made up mind to succeed in this endeavor.  It is like implementing and maintaining a physical fitness program; only spiritual.

Things, in general, can interfere with a person’s workout plan, which cause them to become lax in their drive for success.  A New Years Resolution is a good example of laid-back, disingenuous expectation of oneself.  People have good intentions, but can fail to sustain a made up mind and accountability to oneself, which are of the essence. 

Though many people desire to lose weight or achieve physical fitness, some give up before they even get started.  Their hope for success becomes a fading objective even though they already purchased a treadmill, stationary bicycle, or set of weights.  It takes doing to accomplish goals.  A person that sits on the sideline of “do nothing” accomplishes little. 

Though people have good ideas with full intention of finally doing something positive, procrastination and laziness get in the way of accomplished dreams.  They end up selling or giving away the treadmill, bicycle, and weights, because they take up too much room in the den or garage.  Dust accumulates when usage diminishes.

The health of a person’s soul is of greater importance than even the physical body, though God expects us to keep ourselves in good health.  The soul’s final destination is at stake if we fail to keep the wall of resistance strong in our walk of faith.

As stated, it takes dedication and hard work to maintain a strong and healthy wall of resistance to temptation.  If we are not careful we can give into temptation and let down in our workout schedule of reading the Bible and prayer regiment, while dust settles on God’s Word.  Should this happen, a person will soon feel the affects of lackadaisical living. 

Peace of mind and just feeling good about life becomes weakened, while godly ambitions become less and less important; much like the treadmill, bicycle, and weights.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, the wall of resistance can always be made strong even though we may have failed in the past to keep it this way.  He comes alongside to facilitate and help maintain our made up mind to serve God.  He keeps us motivated and spiritually healthy. 

A strong resistance does not maintain itself of itself; it takes working at it each day.  We need not fear Satan’s attempts to devour us spiritually when our wall of resistance is maintained.

(Philippians 4:13), “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

(Psalm 27:1), “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Freedom of Choice

When was the last time you paused to thank God for the people He placed in your life to help line up the breaks you needed to find your way?  It goes without saying that key people can certainly assist in bringing about God’s will concerning everyday experiences and future happenings in one’s life.  God is sovereign; knowing our needs even before we ask Him for help. 

Thinking back, I have fond memories of an elderly gentleman that visited our church on occasion that was a no-nonsense kind of evangelist that preached hell-fire and brimstone.  He delivered his messages with conviction and God’s anointing; powerful and challenging, which made me reflect on my status in life.

The words he used were centered upon the truth of God’s Word.  Sermons that pertained to dying, hell, and the hereafter made me very uncomfortable, because of the lukewarm nature of my spirit and the lackadaisical attitude that I had. 

Normally, the content of such messages caused me to withdraw my attention and close my mind, because they made me face areas that I did not want to visit.  But the power of this man’s delivery captured my interest.   

His commanding words helped me to realize the lack of commitment that I demonstrated toward Christ.  I could see that other people around me were squirming in their seat like me as we listened to his stinging message regarding hell. 

He preached with fervor as if there was little time left to share God’s message.  He proclaimed passages from the Bible in such a way that I could almost feel the heat from the unquenchable flames of hell.  I was held spellbound; hanging onto every word he spoke.

The unmitigated truth of the sermon enabled me to see myself as God saw me.  I saw the error of my way, while the Holy Spirit convicted my soul.  A man of God, this powerhouse for the cause of Christ was relentless, like the turbine of a power generator.  Love, like electrical energy, was released in waves of genuine concern for the congregation’s welfare.  He convinced me that hell was a place to shun at any cost.

This evangelist was gifted with the ability to paint vivid pictures with words, having a graphic delivery that caused me to put myself in the place of those that were in hell as they gnashed their teeth together, because of the excruciating pain; lifting their head in torment; and wishing that someone could just dip their finger in water and touch it to the tip of their parching tongue!  His anointed words made me realize that I wanted no part of hell!

One lasting thought he shared was that every individual had the freedom of choice to accept or reject the Son of God.  He emphasized that Jesus, alone, was our avenue to escape hell’s fire.  This spokesman for God helped me see beyond my present condition to what it could be in Christ Jesus if I would only sell out to Him.  The influence I garnered was life changing.

I learned that God knows our personality and what makes up each of our character, and that He does not force Himself on anyone or usurp their self-will, though His love for mankind is limitless; beyond measure.  Freedom of choice is left up to the individual.  Each person is free to make up their own mind whether to accept Jesus as Lord or reject Him and go their own separate, willful way.

In that this evangelist impacted me in such a positive way, it is my intent and profound desire to pass his message onto you and point you toward the one person that will revolutionize your life and provide you with the peace of mind that heaven can be your future home. 

My aspiration is to someway express, through words, the magnificence of a loving, compassionate God, whom, without respect of person made a way for all of humanity to live with Him in heaven rather than spending eternity in hell; separated from God forever.

Oft times, words lack the where-with-all to impact the innermost part of a reader’s intellect and spiritual insight unless the words used are blessed by God, much like the evangelist’s sermons.  My prayer is that my humble words and thoughts will touch your heart and draw you closer to Him who loved you so much that He gave His Son to die on the cross for your sins.

The price for sin has already been paid.  We do not have to do penance or shed our own blood to quality us to receive God’s love.  Jesus did this at Calvary; completing God’s plan on the third day when He arose from the dead.  The Bible says that whoever believes in Jesus and accepts Him as their Savior, shall be saved.  Salvation is free through the gift of God’s Son to mankind.

(John 3:16-18), “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  vs.17 “God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”  vs.18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Though a person refuses to believe that Jesus is the only means to span the sin-gap between God and man, this fruitless thought process can block their sensitivity to the voice of God.  It does not change the fact that there is no other name under heaven, whereby, we can be saved except the name of Jesus.

(John 14:6), “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Me.’ ”

Those that desire heaven rather than hell do something about it.  They accept Jesus as Lord.  If any person doubts what God can do in their life, all they need to do is just try Jesus as the Bible says.  The experience speaks for itself, because of the peace of mind that He gives in the present. 

Freedom of choice is the first step in making wise decisions, which provides a prosperous and flourishing journey having the assurance that their final destination is heaven.  This is the hope of Christians.

Remaining in the neutral zone of indecision and indecisiveness, coupled with sinful living rather than choosing God’s avenue of escape that thwarts the penalty for sinning, will bring an automatic, self-imposed punishment to those that choose rebellious living over a victorious one through Christ. 

This action or lack thereof, because of procrastination or stubbornness, sadly nullifies all that God put into place to prevent their soul from spending eternity in hell.  Freedom of choice and choosing wrongly separates the soul from God if a person elects to serve Satan rather than Jesus.

The period of time on earth, called life, is but a moment in comparison to eternity, but this time is given to each person to allow right decisions to be made regarding God’s Son.  Life is a dressing room for the hereafter.  How a person implements freedom of choice dictates how they live their life and to whom they give credence, which ultimately determines final judgment. 

Too often, people live disconnected from reality, because of self-will.  This is the deciding factor of where they will spend eternity.  Again, it is the freedom of choice that determines our end destination.  Heaven is the reward for righteous living, whereas, hell is the punishment to those that ignore God’s provision—Jesus, God’s escape plan. 

Facts are facts whether a person believes them to be true or not.  Closing one’s eyes to truth does not nullify or change what is, nor does it exempt those that disbelieve from what shall be, if they go into eternity without Christ.  When a person buries their head in the sand, figuratively speaking, and refuses to take responsibility for their sinful nature by rejecting truth, this refusal seals their destiny.

The Bible says that our righteousness is as filthy rags in the sight of God, because we have all sinned and need forgiveness.

(Romans 3:23), “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Jesus is our Savior now, because we are under the dispensation of grace and not the law of Moses, but one day Jesus will be judge of all those that reject Him, which means their name is not written in the Lambs Book of Life.  Jesus will have no other alternative but to sadly pronounce judgment.

(Matthew 7:23), “And then I will declare to them ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ ”

It will be a total banishment from God; never to sense His presence or love again.  But it does not have to end this way!  When we ask God to forgive us of our sins we then begin a new and wonderful journey; living an abundant life through Jesus Christ the Lord.  The hope of all Christians is eternal life in heaven rather than eternity in hell.  What greater hope is there than this?  Freedom of choice is a privilege.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Where is God

The three words in the above title only represent part of the total question that people sometimes ask themselves when going through a hard time in their life:   Where is God when I need Him the most?

I believe that when a problem seems insurmountable to the natural eye, the normal, knee-jerk reflex is to immediately doubt one’s ability to face it head-on, because they are looking at the problem rather than the problem solver—God.  Instantly, faith wavers in the presence of a rolling tide of negative feelings that creep in and capture the mind’s ability to cope, which can bring on panic attacks and other debasing feeling of inadequacy.

Satan quickly comes to the forefront to fuel this doubt with mortifying, non constructive lies that cause an awareness of being alone with a false sense of lucid reality.  This particular kind of supposed clear reality is certainly not realism, nor is the person alone when they go through hard times even though Satan makes it seem this way.  He is a liar and the father of all lies.

The enemy of our soul, as the devil is known, would have us think that we are walking by ourselves and that God is too busy with the needs of others to hear our plea for help.  We cannot base authenticity or the certainty of truth on the way we feel.  Feelings can be deceptive and are usually wrong.  They lack the substance of true veracity. 

The one truth I have learned in my Christian experience is that things are not always as they seem.  God does not limit His power or His ability to sustain our commitment to Him within the realm of mere feelings that we may conjure up.

Salvation is not based upon feelings, neither is it substantiated or unsubstantiated by the natural mindset of any individual regardless of whether they sense Gods presence or not.  The fact of the matter is that God will never leave or forsake those that have accepted His Son, Jesus, as Lord and Savior of their soul.

(Deuteronomy 31:6), “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you.  He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

(Proverbs 18:24), “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

We cannot walk by feelings and expect to experience the abundant life that Jesus came to give.  We must walk by faith.  Faith is the only true measurement of a person’s level of ability to move the hand of God.  This substantial reality brings into play the will of God in our life as we invoke His strength of character, by faith.  But what is faith?

(Hebrews 11:1), “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

(Hebrews 11:6), “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him.”

Though the heavens may seem like brass, coupled with the feeling that God is afar off, it is at these times that God the Father is closest to us.  We can stand on faith and possess the unfailing knowledge that God loves us with a never ending love, while rejecting the following question when it emerges:  Where is God when I need Him the most?

God did not say that we are saved by feelings, but rather we are saved by faith.  In like manner, as we reach out in faith, the Holy Spirit comes alongside when doubts and fears arise.  He gives comfort when we need Him the most in those times when questions and anxious moments make it seem that God has abandoned us.

(John 14:15-18), “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”  vs.16 “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever” vs.17 “the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”  vs.18 “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.”

The power of the mind is strong.  We must learn to harness its power by allowing the Holy Spirit to have free reign and total authority over it.  The Holy Spirit will teach us how to govern our thought patterns and live in victory; having a God-mind rather than being subject to Satin’s lies.

(Proverbs 23:7), “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”

Whether a person yields to doubt or chooses to trust the promises of God, how they think governs the way they live.  We can elect to believe God’s Word and walk in His might and strength; having the confidence that He is truly concerned about every facet of our development, or we can surrender ourselves to the lies of Satan and continue asking the question:  Where is God when I need Him the most?

To whom we yield our thought process is the one we give power over our life.  Living within the protective boundaries of the Whole Armor of God is a sure way to experience the abundant life through Christ Jesus.

(Ephesians 6:10-18), “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”  vs.11 “Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”  vs.12 “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”  vs.13 “Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”  vs.14 “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,” vs.15 “and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;” vs.16 “above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.”  vs.17 “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;” vs.18 “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--”

Written by,

Papa Boyd