Words Can Cut Like Knives

Have you ever said something that you regretted later; words that need not have been spoken, but you said them anyway?  The moment they parted the lips, “I shouldn’t have said that” pierced the mind, especially after seeing the affect that unrestrained words had on the other person.  This is the problem with an unbridled tongue.

A person can speak words of life that will encourage souls, or words of death that cause hurt, which may tear down self-esteem and self-worth in others.  It is shameful how some people are quick to express their “brilliant” opinions and ideas, yet, fall short of the mark in learning the art of weighing their words before speaking. 

My mom always said, “If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”  Words can cut like knives; slicing to the very soul of those on the receiving end.  Harsh words can destroy another person’s confidence in themselves; causing them to lose hope regarding life’s challenges.

I believe people can absolutely learn how not to offend others, and I am convinced that some choose to reject such notions altogether, because they like to hear themselves talk.  For the sake of argument, perhaps certain people are the way they are, because of nationality or culture.  And yes, personality has much to do with attitude when a person is rude and lacks concern for anyone but themselves.

Nevertheless, I believe the preceding justifications are mere excuses; cop-outs that people use when trying to cover up the truth of their unconcerned nature.  There are those that are quick to blame everything and everyone under the sun for the way they are, so much so that they live in a world of their own making, not caring that they berate others with words that cut to the very core of inner feelings. 

In my opinion, “I can’t help it” or “I can’t change” are weak excuses for not making the needed changes in the way people talk and how they treat others.  I call these types of individuals, bullies, which torment and browbeat those around them.  They remind me of the bullies in school that picked on everyone as they strutted down the hallways on campus.

They needed a good kick in the pants, figuratively speaking, early on in life, or better yet, a caring, male figure to come alongside them and give direction; showing compassion and love.  I remember a courageous, brave soul that was tired of being verbally abused and pushed around and punched the bully in the nose. 

You may be appalled to even consider causing another human being discomfort by giving them a bloody nose; and I know this is not the way to settle problems, but for this boy it worked.  It helped his state of mind and he was no longer picked on.  In fact, the bully and I became good friends after the incident occurred.

Bullies are seldom challenged or set in their place.  They are allowed to expel words that cut deeply, without facing the consequences for their abuse.  Most of them have foul mouths, with tongues that are hard to tame, but not impossible with God’s help.  The Bible says that the tongue is the most unruly member of the body and that it sits on hell-fire; full of poison.

(James 3:5-10), “Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.  See how great a forest a little fire kindles!”  vs.6 “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity.  The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.”  vs.7 “For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.”  vs.8 “But no man can tame the tongue.  It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”  vs.9 “With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.”  vs.10 “Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing.  My brethren, these things ought not to be so.”

I knew a man that before he met the Lord and experienced the “new birth” through Jesus Christ, he had a foul mouth and spoke his mind with no thought of whose feelings he might hurt.  He was strong willed with an uncaring spirit, not by reason of nationality or culture, but by choice.  He had an, “I don’t care!” type attitude.

What he needed was a poke in the nose or kick in the pants by the Holy Spirit, like bullies in school, but Jesus showed him a better way other than violence.  He came along side and showed him love and compassion, without having to suffer a bloody nose or worse. 

Someone told him that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, paid the price for humanity’s sins by shedding His own blood on a cross for our salvation and that we need not shed our blood or someone else’s to become Christians.  Jesus is the only way to God.  

He changed from the unkind, uncaring person that he was to a caring one.  God taught him how to consider his words before speaking them and to treat others in ways that he wanted to be treated.  The Holy Spirit is teaching him, every day, how to love with the same love that Jesus loves him.

His tongue is becoming more and more tame and less nasty and hostile as he grows in grace.  Words that once cut like knives are becoming words of encouragement and hope to others, because of the change that Jesus made in his life when He forgave him of his sins.

If a person is quick to speak cutting words without considering the harm they may cause, they can experience a new way of thinking and possess the wherewithal to push away the old nature and mature in Christ, while developing and evolving into the new nature of godliness.

(Proverbs 15:1-2) “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”  vs.2 “The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.”

Don’t take my word for it.  As my dad would say, “Try it you’ll like it.  You don’t know what you’re missing.”  He was talking about food, but our Father in heaven wants everyone to try Him and see if He is not the answer that they have been looking for. 

Those that try the Lord will walk in newness of life, because they will have found the missing piece in their needy existence.  A new walk and a new talk are the positive changes that God makes in a life.  The Holy Spirit mellows nasty words that would normally cut like knives; replacing the old nature with a renewed one.

(Proverbs 25:11), “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” 

Written by,

Papa Boyd 

The Walking Dead

I don’t know your taste in movies, but for me, horror films are at the bottom of the list.  A movie I saw, relevant to zombies, I thought was grotesque and bizarre; not worthy of my time to watch it.  The subject matter, in my opinion, was ridicules regarding the topic of the walking dead.  Not all was a total loss.  The following thoughts emerged from my disgust.

Computers are amazing when trying to research something.  I went to my search engine and typed in zombie and I could not believe the overabundance of pictures that popped up.

I studied each face and the varying makeup schemes used to depict horror at its lowest corruption; each one worse than the other.  All the while I was asking God for thoughts that might inspire a reassessment of certain values that need changing in those that read these words—food for thought.

Three men came to mind; deranged psychopaths that the mere mention of their name has become a metaphor for evil in today’s journals and individual memories.  They are synonymous with wicked, vile, and sinfully corrupt people that are linked with depravity and reprobate viciousness—Charles Manson, Jim Jones, and Jeffery Dahmer.

This writing is not to glorify these three in any way, but it is meant to stimulate one’s thinking regarding unseen visage that is hidden from view.  How a person is inside, beneath the facade of well doing, which is coupled with a false pretense of “all is well,” are not always seen on the outside, hence, Manson, Jones, and Dohmer.

These men were conniving deceivers; cleaver manipulators of people, which are attributes of the devil.  On the outside they were intelligent; having charisma, but below the surface lie dead men’s bones, characteristic of zombies—the walking dead—seeking those that they could destroy; devouring them mentally, spiritually, and physically in the vein of Satan.

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

They were among the walking dead that we unknowingly rub shoulders with each day in this godless, self-seeking generation of thrill seekers.  These men remind me of the scribes and Pharisees in the Bible that were hypocrites—the walking dead.

(Matthew 23:27-28) “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees; hypocrites!  For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.”  vs.28 “Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”

Two of these men were cult leaders, Messiahs, as it were; influencing their followers, ‘the family’, in horrific ways.  Those that followed Charles Manson were brainwashed into committing hennas murders in 1969, with no thought or fear of the consequences and having no remorse for those they mutilated. 

The mass suicide of members of People’s Temple in Jonestown, Guyana in 1979, was tragic.  They followed Jim Jones to a land far from our protective shores to their death. 

Jeffery Dohmer was an American serial killer and sex offender.  He committed the rape, murder, and dismemberment of 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991.  Many of his latest murders also involved cannibalism and necrophilia (a fascination with death and erotic attraction to corpses).  He enticed victims with his good looks and pleasing personality.  He was quite handsome and innocent looking. 

Lucifer was the most beautiful of all the angels in heaven before his fall; trying to usurp God’s authority and position.  It is this beauty that lures and then lulls people into a false sense of trust; believing lies and then suffering punishment, because of them.

Not just uneducated people fall for the devil’s lies, but intelligent, scholars of learning and people in-between can walk blindly into the web of corruption that begins with the first sin; all the time walking away from the protective shores of Almighty God who loves them dearly.  Each time they sin it becomes easier the next time and the next time after that.  Before long, their conscious can become dry as dead men’s bones.

The devil is a wolf in sheep’s clothing and we need the Holy Spirit abiding in us to reveal Satan’s schemes and deceptions.  The Spirit of God prevents us from becoming another notch on Satan’s weapon of death, which is anything anti-Christ.  

As long as we abide in truth and not enticed by evil or evil doers, spiritual death will be held at bay. Jesus was victorious over death, hell, and the grave, and because He lives we too can live.

We need not become like zombies on the inside; lacking peace and joy.  Through Jesus Christ and His forgiveness of sin we can have an abundant life as children of God, and not live like the walking dead.

The Ultimate Punishment

I have drafted only a few thoughts regarding the following subject matter.  I prefer to share encouraging messages that uplift the spirit rather than such an alarming topic.  But without the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, how can a person know the fullness of God’s love and the reasons He gave His Son to die on a cross for the sins of mankind?

There is no doubt in my mind that God loves humanity.  To give one’s child to save heathens and sinners like me exceeds comprehension, but God first loved us before we loved him and paid the ultimate price for sin through the brutal death of Jesus.

I believe most everyone has heard the word ‘hell’ spoken sometime in their life; and no doubt they understand that it is a place to avoid.  Old time preachers use to preach sermons of hell-fire and brimstone to their parishioners, because of the obvious; hell is an awful place of torment. 

It seems that with this present generation of preachers, fewer messages center on this dreadful place.  I hear message after message about God’s love, which is certainly needed and received, but messages on hell should not be ignored even though they make the hearer uncomfortable. 

No-one has visited hell to know just how hot it is or if it even exists.  I believe that it is searing hot; a place of endless suffering.  It exists because the Bible tells me that it does.

I do not have to jump off a ten story building to experience the sudden stop at the bottom to prove that death is real.  I need not go into outer space to grasp the meaning of weightlessness when I can read about it in science books.  I do not have to sail across the ocean, like Columbus, to prove that the world is round and not flat. 

The Bible is the inerrant Word of God.  He has protected its integrity through the millenniums for our perusal and the ingesting of truth.  It is the will and testament of God to all mankind, because He desires that no man perish, but that all would come unto repentance. 

God wants to save us from the punishment of hell, which is the sentence for unbelievers that reject God’s Son.  Jesus is the only means of salvation.  Jehovah God instructed honorable men of high moral values and godly principles to pen His words on scrolls as the Holy Spirit breathed upon each of them.  

The Bible is for our spiritual gain and edification, which gives insight about redemption and that it is free to everyone and not earned by anyone's works, lest they boast in themselves.  Salvation is the gift from God through Jesus.  We need only to accept God’s Word as truth and receive Jesus Christ as Lord, and we will be saved.

People are sometimes narrow-minded and quick to say that the Bible is a book of fairy tales and full of errors.  These people have not met the God that I know.  In that He created the heavens and earth and all that dwell on earth, don’t you think He is omnipotent enough to protect His Word from err?  I do!  I believe the Bible is God's Word to you and me.  Its content is for those desiring truth and willing to believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ unto salvation.

People everywhere are pushing their agenda to nullify the Bible as divinely inspired, because it causes them to see themselves as they really are; lost without a Savior.  The Bible reveals the evilness in those that scoff at its truth.  They do not want to perceive for a moment that its content might be correct, so they refuse to accept any of it as being valid for today's needs.  The mere thought of going to hell is more than they are willing to admit could happen.

Believers that abide in the teachings of the Bible and testify of its truth are seen by unbelievers as heretics, (those that hold beliefs opposed to them).  For this reason they removed Bibles and prayer out of public schools and took down the 10 Commandments from walls in courtrooms and city offices.  A Christian in the military can now be court-martialed if they share their faith with any man or woman in uniform.

But the above efforts to stifle truth and any other negative attempts to do likewise cannot cancel out the truth of God’s Word.  Though they burn the Bible, it still does not remove or negate the punishment for such acts of rebellion against Christians or sinning against God.  Hell is still a real place where sinners will spend eternity without God’s presence.

Though hell is the punishment that God created for Satan and his angels, because of their rebellion in heaven; if any person goes there, they enter uninvited; doing so because of their own choices and sinful lifestyle.  They have rejected the only escape from such a place—Jesus.  There is no other name under heaven whereby we can be saved.

I am not referring to hell as being the ultimate punishment in the title of this writing, which in itself is most devastating, but I believe the ultimate punishment is the total absence of God’s Spirit.  Never to feel His loving kindness or the tenderness of ongoing efforts to woo a person to Jesus, even in their sinful state, is beyond my intellectual capacity to grasp.  I cannot imagine what it would be like to not feel the Lord, because the Holy Spirit not only strove with me when I was away from God, but in my every day walk as a Christian He is with me.

Evidenced in Bible scriptures are the last moments before Jesus died on the cross.  He not only endured a manipulated trial with false accusers giving false testimony against Him, but He suffered the scourging of His body, large nails driven through His hands and feet, and the rejection of those around Him.  But when God the Father turned His back on Jesus, this abandonment was more than He could bear.  Jesus cried out with a loud voice!  “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

(Matthew 27:46), “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me’ ”    

The heart of Jesus melted within Him during the crucifixion, but when God turned away from Him, I believe that this was the moment that Jesus became sin; taking upon Himself the sins of the world; every sin from the smallest of white lies to murder in the first degree; especially the sins of those that crucified Him.  While hanging there He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

I believe that Jesus suffered the sting of death that the Bible says is sin.  Could it be that He died the death of a sinner; lost, without hope, and feeling what they feel when they pass?  Perhaps the Father had to turn away from His Son, because God cannot look upon sin.  He is holy and all that is good; the total opposite of unrighteousness.

When a person accepts Jesus as their Savior, God the Father sees them as perfect, because of the blood that Jesus shed on the cross.  His blood makes every forgiven sinner pure as the driven snow.  No longer does God see the blackness of a sinful heart, because He sees each individual through the blood of His perfect Son.  We become a new creation through Christ the Lord.  Old things pass away and all things become new, because the blood cleanses us from sin.

Born again Believers are children of the Father in heaven and need not worry about the ultimate punishment of separation.  God will never leave or forsake them, but will always be in their presence throughout eternity.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Scoff If You Must

I know that many of my thoughts do not parallel everyone’s point of view or way of thinking, but if you will take the next few minutes to peruse this short writing, I promise that it will not be a waste of your time.

I remember the month and year that I started this journey with God.  I was thrilled with the changes that took place when I asked Him to forgive me of my sins.  Peace flooded my soul like nothing I had experienced here-to-fore.  It was like being born again.  I was a new creation, because of Jesus, the Son of God.

A person will never understand the true essence of what I am talking about until they try the Lord for themselves.  They cannot know the pureness of heart that I felt when He lifted the load of sin that I was carrying.  I literally took a deep breath and exclaimed, “I can breathe!”  God had set me free.

I shared this experience with all of my friends and others that God brought my way.  Some listened; some scoffed.  One of my buddies said, “You’ll be back doing the things you did before!  Quit trying to cram your religion down my throat!”  He then added a few more exclamatory expletives.  I only wanted him to experience the same liberating joy as me.

My response was, “Scoff if you must, but I found what I was looking for.  Why would I ever go back to the life I was living?”  I then said calmly, “When you want to hear more you’ll have to come to me.”  We parted company.

In the next day or so I shared my experience with another one of my friends.  He was so moved that he knelt in my living room and repeated a short prayer after me; repenting of his sins.  He immediately experienced what it meant to be born again—becoming a Christian.  Joy flooded his soul and his countenance changed.  It happened that quickly.

He stood and said, “I can look you straight in the eyes now, because I’ve got what you’ve got.”  He knew what I was like before my conversion and saw the change that God had made in my life.  He wanted this joy for himself and received it the moment he invited Jesus into his heart.

Leaving my apartment, it was like he was walking on a cloud; full of love and bliss.  He was definitely a changed man; a new Believer in Christ.

Now that I think about it, he was one of the first guys that saw me the next day after my encounter with God the night before.  I remember him asking, “What’s wrong with you?”  He saw a smile on my face and life in my eyes, whereas, the weeks prior, I never smiled, because I was full of hate and bitterness.

In the days that followed, several more of my friends gave their heart to the Lord.  Everyone was set free from the bondage of sin just like I was.  They found new life.

Remember the guy that said, “Stop trying to cram your religion down my throat!”  He came to me when no-one was around and said these words:  “I’ve been watching your life and I want what you’ve got.”  He too accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. 

His disposition and attitude changed the moment he asked God to forgive him of his sins.  I could see the change.  God is no respecter of person.  What He has done for others He will do for you.

I cannot explain how it happens; it just does, because God made it easy to become His child; a part of the family of God.  It is not hard to pass from death (sinful living) unto life (sins forgiven), because the price for sin was paid in full when Jesus died on the cross for you and me. 

All that a person has to do is believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and they will be saved.  Instantaneously, they become a son or daughter of God when they ask Him to forgive their sins.  The Bible is straightforward and tells us that it is that simple.

(Romans 10:9-10), “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”  vs.10 “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

(1 John 1:9), “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Talk about scoff, ridicule, and downright rude mockery; my carpenter, framing partner that I worked with for about a year would mouth off at me so badly, regarding my faith, that one day he got me so riled that I yelled at him and said, “If I wasn't a Christian I’d knock you in the head with this hammer!” 

The old nature that God set me free of raised its ugly head as I yielded to my rage.  I didn’t hit him, but I wanted to.  After feeling convicted of my behavior, I went to him a short time later and apologized for my anger and asked him to forgive me.  He told me that this act of humility impressed him more than all of my preaching.

After the job ended we went our separate ways.  A couple of years later my phone rang and who do you think it was?—my old framing partner.  He apologized for always scoffing at me and trying to get under my skin.  He thanked me for all of the times that I witnessed to him about the love of Christ and the changes that He could make in his life. 

He said, “I’m in church now and I’ve got my family in church.”  He shared for awhile and when I hung up the phone I cried like a baby.  Scoff if you must, but God will make a difference if you are unsatisfied with the statuesque and willing to give Him a try.  You will not regret it; I promise.  Peace is just a prayer away.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Nasty Is As Nasty Does

I know the title of this writing is somewhat bizarre, but let’s see where the thought takes us.  The word nasty implies filth and uncleanness or it could mean morally offensive and cruel.  It is the opposite of clean and pure or wholesome and unadulterated.

When I wasn't serving God, my desires, goals, and aspirations were tainted with the pollution of Satan’s play yard.  I was very much acquainted with this toxic influence, yet, not really feeling quite at home in its surroundings, because of the battle that was going on inside me—good vs. evil.

The backdrop of my environment was not conducive to decency or favorable influences.  It was a cesspool of indulgence and transgressions against God.  My speech was filthy and my disposition and temperament were just as nasty. 

I disliked most people that I met and repelled anything that resembled wholesomeness and purity, because these things revealed clarity to my mind, which were the things lacking inside of me.  I refused to face the true nature of my circumstances by closing myself away from such things.

On occasion, when I looked into the mirror, I peered deeply into my eyes trying to figure out the person looking back at me.  All I saw was the nasty person that I had become, but something more was revealed; I saw unrest with a splash of hopelessness even though my personality was strong, or perhaps I should say, headstrong.

If I couldn’t do a certain thing it couldn’t be done.  I was very confident in my abilities to achieve something that I set my mind to do.  And I was quite independent.  My strength was my power, but it was camouflaged under a beard and biker clothes, which served as crutches to help convey my rebellious spirit.   

My appearance spoke, “hoodlum” when anyone saw me; not that all bikers are thugs by any stretch of the imagination.  I am talking about me, only; on a personal level.  This was the persona that I desired to portray.  I wanted people to think of me as rough; without feelings, and I did not care whose toes I stepped on to show it.

I was doing things that were nasty and unacceptable in most circles, especially in the eyes of the law, but I couldn't care less.  I had a rebellious heart of stone, but in the hidden corners of my mind were the teachings of a Christian mom and dad that tried to raise me with values and a love for God.

The farther I walked away from the teachings of my youth the nastier I became in thought and appearance.  Even my countenance revealed the bitterness inside.  The statement “nasty is as nasty does” followed me down this dark path that I had chosen; not caring who I hurt in the process.  

The truth of the matter is that the one person I was hurting most was myself, mentally and physically; and let us not forget the spiritual distress that was going on inside me. 

It was a wide road to destruction that I was traveling, but I was too busy having fun and too much into myself to realize what I was really searching for was not self-governing independence, it was God that I needed.  He was ready and willing to satisfy the deep longing in my heart and fill the emptiness inside of me with His abounding love. 

Little by little the feeling of hopelessness crept in like a thief that was stealing the purity of my youth.  It was closing its stranglehold around my soul, which caused me to doubt myself and wonder what tomorrow held as a consolation prize for my hardened heart.

Peace ebbed away and fear took its place, because I knew where my soul would spend eternity if I were to meet my maker in the rebellious state that I was in.

The teachings of Mom and Dad kept reappearing in my minds eye; the teachings about God and His love and about Jesus who died on a cross for my sins.  I kept suppressing these thoughts in that they revealed the true condition of my existence.  I was lost without a Savior, and I refused to see this truth.  The shock of reality was too much to bear so I censored it.

Things were at their lowest and it was impossible to dig myself out of the mire of sin that was pulling me downward like quicksand.  My mental state sunk to a dangerous low even though I had a new car, a wallet full of money, and girlfriends.  Wine, women, and song was my anthem, until thoughts like, “Is this all there is to life?” kept repeating itself again and again in my mind.

I felt that all hope was gone, because I had spurned God’s love one too many times and trampled Him underfoot, having gone beyond the limits of His love.  These were the lies Satan was feeding me.  In essence he was saying, “Nasty is as nasty does.”

The devil kept repeating the following words over and over and over in my befuddled mind; “You are unclean and unworthy of God’s mercy.”  But God loved me so much, even in the sinful state I was in, that He gave His only Son to die for my sins.  He loved me before I first loved Him.

Jesus was waiting patiently for me to realize my need of a Savior.  I felt the gentle coxing and wooing of the Holy Spirit encouraging me to go the way of the Lord where the power of God would set me free from the bondage of sin.

In my mind’s eye I saw an old, antique balance scale.  On one side were the things that Satan offered me (the life I was living), and on the other side were the things of God (peace, joy, happiness, and hope).  There was no question as to which side outweighed the other—God’s unmerited love.  I wanted God!  I was at a crossing point in my life.

Nothing I could have done in myself could ever merit God’s love, because I was nasty and unclean.  My righteousness was as filthy rags in the sight of God, but He loved me unconditionally; just as I was; a sinner.  

Suddenly a Bible scripture that I learned in Sunday school, as a child, came back to mind and replaced Satan’s words of hopelessness.

(Matthew 6:33), “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

I finally realized that everything in my life usurped God’s authority and position.  He wanted to be placed first on the list of my desires, and not last.  I cannot explain the miracle that took place in my heart; I just give thanks for it. Since my conversion I have learned that there is nothing more important to the heart of the Father than humanity.

When I look around and see nasty people, I proclaim, “There but for the grace of God goes I.”  I am nothing more than a sinner saved by grace.  He changed me into the person I am today, because I came to Him just as I was with all of my hang-ups and questions.  He did the rest.  He set me free.  No more, “Nasty is as nasty does.”

(2 Corinthians 5:17), “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Before The Rocks Cry Out

I am sitting in my truck admiring the beautiful landscape that surrounds the hospital parking lot.  I am waiting for my wife that is having a couple of tests done to make sure that all is well in her body.

The sky is overcast with monsoon clouds, which is out of the norm for this coastal state.  It is quite humid and muggy.  The only things saving me from this swelter are my truck’s air-conditioner and a slight breeze from the West. I would otherwise be inside the waiting room, but I am trying to stay healthy; away from people that are sick with the flu that is going around.

“What do You have for me today?” is the question I am asking God as I look around hoping to see something that spurs me to write.  “What thoughts can You give me to encourage my readers?”

Atop the hospital building is a large, cone-shaped sock that is orange in color with a large hole at one end where it attaches to the support pole and a smaller hole at the other end.  After transporting trauma patients to the facilities it aids helicopter pilots in knowing which direction the wind is blowing as it passes through the sock, before they land on the helipad that was constructed on the roof.

To the right of the building I see “Old Glory” unfurled; proudly showing the red, white, and blue colors of our country—the American flag.  The flag and sock are both pointing toward the East, which prompts my mind to remember the scripture that pertains to the return of Jesus.  It says that He will appear in clouds of glory in the eastern sky.  I believe that this event will be a reality one day soon.

The shrubbery that lines the walkway in front of my truck is groomed to perfection except for two, three inch leaves that were missed by the grounds keeper.  They are firmly attached to the stem and parallel to each other; much like the letter V, only horizontal.

They are flapping back and forth hitting each other in the morning breeze, like clapping your hands to honor someone for their accomplishments.  It is as if they are saying thank you to their creator for the life He has given them.  I consider this a reality check regarding my sensitivity to God and the responsibility I have to praise Him for the new life that He has given me through Jesus Christ, His Son.

Too often, people go through life taking things for granted, not stopping to thank the Lord for the blessings He gives and the needs that He provides for.  Humans are prone to say, “Look what I have done.”  They fail to consider the true source of their provisions and sustenance, which is God Almighty.

Haughtiness and pride are the two words that readily come to mind, which best describe the human race.  I cannot fathom how people can look at themselves in the mirror and think they have accomplished things by their own validity.  God controls life and death, and because of His mercy and long-suffering, breath continues, yet, pride is still the number one failing that brings the collapse of a person’s existence.

(Proverbs 16:18), “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

God deserves everyone’s praise for who He is.  He is the creator of all living things and all that is and ever will be, but people fail or refuse to honor Him.  If we neglect to do so, the Bible declares that the rocks will cry out.  God will receive praise one way or the other.

(Luke 19:40), “…I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”

Without God there would be nothing, whatsoever, so who on earth can consider themselves better than He or exalt themselves above Him?  Is this not what Lucifer tried to do in heaven?  How can anyone take a stand against God and think they are greater than He?  The answer is simple…haughtiness and pride; two attributes of Satan.

Those that stand in arrogance take the Lord’s name in vain as they promote the removal of Bibles and prayer from public schools, and court-martial Christians that are in the military when they share their faith with others.  Shame on our government leaders and lawmakers!  And shame on those Americans that stand by and allow it to happen, rather than voting these reprobates out of office!  But what does this say about the populace of America?  It is reprehensible!

Our nation was founded upon the principles and statutes of God.  What happened to “In God We Trust?”  I see the lack of concern in people and their failure to vote quality, godly people into local and federal government positions.  This lack of responsibility tells me that we are quickly falling from grace, because of a pompous, “We don’t need God” attitude, which is propagated by pride and self-sufficiency.

Wow!  There are those in our nation that would rather suffer God’s wrath than bow their knees in submission to a holy and righteous God!  How foolish!  Who do they think has sustained us and protected our shores from heathen nations that would sooner behead us than not? 

I am fearful that if members of our society continue on their rebellious trek that leads to destruction, and fail to honor God as they ought, this nation will reap what it sows, because of individuals turning their backs on righteousness.

(Galatians 6:7-8), “Do not be deceived; God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”  Vs.8 “For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” 

God will be faithful to any nation that falls on their knees before Him and repents of sins committed.  God shall restore that which was lost due to sin.  I believe when the United States of America repents, we will clap our hands in thanksgiving to a kind and forgiving God, like the two leaves I referred to earlier.  We need not witness all of nature rising up to shout His praises or see the rocks cry out to honor the true and living God.

(2 Chronicles 7:14), “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

(Joel 2:25), “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you.” 

We need to remember our heritage from whence comes our salvation.  It is not of our own doing that gives life, it is the price that was paid through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary.  Cloaking one self in useless, self-made principles that are anti-Christ, fall short of the mark.  It was Jesus who bought our salvation, because of the blood He willingly shed for you and me.

(John 3:16), “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.”

In the present scheme of things, it is an anomaly, which is (the deviation from the normal or common order or form or rule) to hear someone talk about the things of God or giving Him recognition for their successes in life.  It will be nice when people cease to assume the credit for success and desiring the accolades of others. 

The two leaves showed their praise through action, which prompted these thoughts for today.  Let us not grow weary in well doing; forgetting where our allegiance lies.  Let us pray that our nation returns to God before the rocks cry out in our place.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Bated Breath

The above title is not referring to someone with bad breath as some might think, nor is it fresh-smelling breath with the help of a mint.  The phrase bated breath was first used by Shakespeare in “The Merchant of Venice” (1596).  It refers to a state in which someone nearly stops breathing, because of fear, suspense, anxiety, or great anticipation.

With all of the negative things that are going on in the world, I believe that the end of time is quickly drawing to a close.  Humanity, with all of its knowledge, should not be taken by surprise, because all that is happening around us was prophesied in the Bible.  It states that we will know the season of the return of Jesus when we see  certain things coming to pass that were written.

(Mark 13:5-8), “And Jesus, answering them, began to say:  ‘Take heed that no one deceives you.’ ” vs.6 “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many.”  vs.7 “But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled, for such things must happen, but the end is not yet.”  vs.8 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles.  These are the beginnings of sorrows.”

(2 Timothy 3:1-5), “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:” vs.2 “For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,” vs.3 “unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,” vs.4 “traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,” vs.5 “having a form of godliness but denying its power.  And from such people turn away!”

If we truly knew or realized the nearness of the Lord’s return, we would be waiting with bated breath, but I am afraid that most people are so involved with other things that little thought is given to the all important moment in life, which is called the rapture of the church.  It is a one-time-only event that we definitely do not want to miss.

(Luke 21:28) “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

There will not be time to say, “God forgive me of my sins!”  The Bible says that He is coming in the twinkling of an eye, which lasts between 300-400 milliseconds.  It would be fair to say it occurs in about a billionth of a second.  The Lord’s return will be so fast that if a non-Christian blinks their eyes they will have missed the return of Jesus.

I am not going to get into the math or physics of the time it takes to blink, nor am I going to attempt to pass it under a modern microscope to scrutinize or determine just how fast the Bible says that the rapture will happen.  I just want to share with you the importance and meaning of what the Bible is telling us—it’s quick and it’s done; ready or not.  We need to be ready to go the moment it takes place, because there will not be a second chance.

(1 Corinthians 15:51-52), “Behold, I tell you a mystery:  We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—” vs.52 “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.  For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

If a non-Christian is talking to a Christian at the very moment Jesus returns, and they blink, the non-Christian will be standing alone as soon as their eyes return to open.  It is just that fast.  I am sure they will be standing there with bated breath for fear of what’s to come now that they have been left behind.  I know I don’t want to be on earth without the Spirit of God present.

I can only imagine what people are thinking in the last days, “How can I stand and proclaim Christ when everything and most everyone around me is anti-Christ?”  The answer is simple, “The Whole Armor of God.”  It will help us to stand against the wiles of Satan; having bated breath regarding the return of Christ.

(Ephesians 6:13-18), “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