Past Reflections

When I look back at my poignant past; days when I was not serving God; the reflections that stand out the most pertain to my feeble efforts in trying to find happiness in material possessions.  These belongings of which I surrounded myself failed to bring contentment and peace of mind. 

The life-changing blessings that I was searching for only come from God.  They were unattainable and out of reach in the venues that I frequented.  I wanted these missing pieces in my life, but failed to realize I was looking wide of the mark to achieve them, because I was looking in all the wrong places, rather than God.

Seek as I may, nothing could quench the thirst for peace, because next-day-regrets always followed the preceding night when I thought I was having fun.  I guess the word ‘seasonal’ sums it up—short lived; nothing lasting; a total downer.

When I reflect on my past, it is not that I am looking back and having desire for events and places that enticed me to sin, but I stand in awe as to the marvelous grace that God imparted to me in 1969 when peace like a river flooded my being the night that God cleansed my soul from sin and made me complete in Him.

Before Christ entered my soul, my fragmented life was restless, unfruitful, and dismal do to the intense value that I placed in my assets and other inconsequential bits and pieces of trivial-mindedness that I thought were important. 

When the past navigates its way to my memory, it is not the same reflections that Lot’s wife may have had when she looked back at the city she and her family were leaving.  I believe her desire for the lifestyle in Sodom was a reason for looking back, which caused her death. 

The story pertaining to God raining fire and brimstone down from heaven to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, and the reasons He did so, are found in (Genesis 19:1-29).

Nothing in my past is worth dying for or losing the joy that I now possess through Jesus Christ.  He is my Lord and Savior and I don’t regret a moment giving my heart to Him.

After becoming a Christian, one of my close friends expressed his judgmental opinion to me.  He said, “You’ll be back!  You’ll be doing the things you once did!”  My response was, “I found what I was looking for.  Why would I ever go back?”

The things he was eluding to were momentary pleasures that lacked lasting substance to fulfill and satisfy, whereas, the things of God are lasting and fulfilling.

Sometimes when I pillow my head at night I remember earlier periods in life when it was a struggle to face another day of emptiness and regrets; the same old regrets as the day before.  On occasion, I am aware of tears trickling down each side of my face; tears of joy and wonder, because past reflections remind me of the turmoil that God brought me out of. 

I am thankful and amazed at how God protected me time after time when I trekked through Satan’s thorny fields of wrongdoing and sinful exploits.  These thrill seeking days could have ended in mental and physical ruination had I continued in the death spiral that I was in, but God’s grace prevented this from happening. 

Though I was not serving God, He still loved me anyway, even when I was unlovable.  And because He loved me and didn’t give up on me, I now have hope within.  I can love Him back, because He first loved me and died for me.

(1 John 4:19), “We love Him because He first loved us.”

Jesus loved you and me so much that He paid the ultimate price for our sins; He gave His life on the cross for us.  He suffered the consequences for sin rather than you or me having to do so when our soul leaves the body. 

In that Jesus died and arose from the grave on the third day, we need not fear where our soul will spend eternity as long as we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Heaven is the hope of every Christian; not hell.  Only fools spit in the face of God.

(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.”

I am no longer ruled by my past, but the reminders of past reflections aide in prompting me to remember that were it not for the Lord, I would be of all men most miserable.  I often ask myself, “Where would I be today had I persisted in rejecting God’s love through my rebellion against Him?”  The answer is simple—lost.

The hostility that encompassed me was divergent to God and the things of God.  There is no doubt in my mind that had I not made the decision to follow Christ, my state of affairs would be appalling.  

I cannot fathom, for the life of me, why God still loved this badly-behaved soul the times that I spurned His attempts to love me.  But He did!  He was always at the ready to show mercy, which He did!

One day I tried counting the many times that God intervened on my behalf and how things could have gone south, but didn’t.  The number of interventions I remembered boggled my mind.  I believe that had I remained in the devil’s play yard, I would either be dead or in jail, but God’s protection surrounded me, because I had a praying mother and father that cried out to God for their wayward son.

Perhaps you too may be reflecting on past incidents where things could have gone badly, but for some reason didn’t.  I believe that Jesus was praying for you, because His love is never ending; God honored His prayers concerning your situations.  God wants you to experience total freedom; being set free from the bondage of sin.  This happens when you surrender your life to Jesus Christ, God’s Son.

All you need to do is believe that Jesus died for your sins and that God raised Him from the dead.  By yielding to the Holy Spirit that is tugging at your heart, when you accept God’s gift, His Son, you become a child of God.  Today is the day that liberty can be yours when you give your heart to Him.  Don’t wait another minute.

Tell God that you are sorry for your sins and then believe that He forgives you.  You are now Born-again; it is that easy.  You have a new life where old things passed away and all things became new.  It is a new beginning like being born again.  You are now part of the family of God!  Wow!  You did it!  Or I should say, “He did it!”

No longer do bad choices rule your life when you searched here and there for happiness and contentment.  You have found the peace that passes all understanding.  God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit now abide in your soul.  You are a new creation in Christ.

(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.”

Past reflections of days that Satan stole from you will seem trite and insignificant in comparison to the love and peace that you are experiencing in Christ, because you now have purpose and hope within.  God will exceed all of your expectations, because He is your Father in heaven.

(Ephesians 3:20-21), “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,”  vs.21 “to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.  Amen.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Where's God When I Need Him

How often do we ask ourselves the question that is posed in the title of this writing?  Too often I’m sure.  I believe that this question and others like it are concocted by Satan to bombard our minds with untruths, which create feelings of solitude and loneliness in times of trouble.  He would like us to believe that we are walking alone and that God is too busy with the needs of others to hear our plea for help.

Whatever the reason that prevents individuals from putting their faith wholly in God, I cannot say.  As for me, I have learned insight of God’s love through the years that were valuable lessons in humility and meekness. 

God does not limit nor does He withhold any good thing from those that walk uprightly before Him.  His power and divine ability to sustain a person’s state of mind regarding godliness is without end.  There is no lack of commitment on His part to meet the needs of Believers; we need only to trust Him regarding His follow-through.  But feelings of doubt enter in at times, because our timetable is not God’s timetable. 

For the most part, people want things now, and when it does not avail itself, they begin to doubt whether or not God is listening or if He is even present.  It is at these times that trust must be put into action, or Satan, the father of lies, will attack mercilessly.  It is necessary to remember that God’s timing is not bound to our time table.  We have got to give Him a chance to work out the details on our behalf.  He will do so according to His will and purpose.

(1 John 5:14-15), “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears, us.”  vs.15 “And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him”

Mere feelings usually lack substance when a person puts their trust in them rather than what the Bible tells them about the omnipotence of God.  Feelings have no bearing whatsoever when it comes to God’s will and the salvation of souls.  Being delivered from sin by way of God’s grace is not based on feelings; it is when deliverance from sin is accepted by faith.  When we confess Jesus as Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dead, we are saved.

At the moment of the new-birth-experience when a person receives Jesus Christ as Lord of their life, positive feelings often occur, but are not the criteria of being saved.  The feeling of ecstasy, which is joy and delight, is frequently the result when God’s forgiveness takes place, but it is not essential or compulsory that this happens.  Personalities vary, but God’s promise to deliver individuals from sin never varies, because God is no respecter of person. 

Feelings are not the issue when individuals make up their mind to follow the Lord, but sin forgiven is.  It consists of being set free from the bondage of habits and a life of despondency and hopelessness.  The old nature gives way to an abundant life in Jesus, while old things pass away and all things become new—a new beginning; a new way of life.   

Our relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, is not substantiated via feelings, regardless of whether we sense His presence or not.  The Bible says that He will never leave nor forsake His children.  This is God’s promise to all Born-again Believers.  We are not saved by feelings, but rather by faith in Christ who gave His life on the cross for our sins.

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

Others may leave us to weep alone, but the Holy Spirit comes alongside God’s children when doubts and fears arise.  Jesus said that He would send a comforter to us not only in times of questions and anxious moments, but to walk with us every moment of every day.

When it seems that our Heavenly Father has forsaken us when we need Him the most, of which this impression will come at times, stand fast in the knowledge that God desires greater blessings for His children than does our own earthly father.  Take heart, because the Holy Spirit leads us into all truths when we trust Him to do so.

Each of us is amazingly made by God and possesses powerful minds that He created; minds that are strong and creative, yet at times can misinterpret feelings to mean something totally conflicting of what is factual and precise; things that are contradictory to whom God is and what He desires in our life.  For this reason we must guard our mind against opposing thoughts that are contrary to God’s way of thinking. 

Meditating on the following things will prevent strength from waning and hope from fading.

(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 praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”

When we meditate upon these things and keep our mind pure and under subjection, the negative thoughts that Satan generates cannot be heard, because we are resisting his unremitting whispers of doom and gloom.  Feelings do not rule one’s thought process; faith in God does.

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

A person can yield to doubt or choose to stand erect with their head held high, while being clothed in the Whole Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18).  It is a choice that every Christian makes, to either resist the temptation to doubt God’s Word or trust the promises therein.  The option they give credence to will ultimately rule their thinking.

A wise person elects to believe, through faith, and walk in God’s might according to Bible truths; having confidence that the Lord is truly concerned about every stage of their Christian development.  An unwise person surrenders their self to the lies of Satan and asks the question, “Where’s God when I need Him?”

To whom we yield our thought process is the one we give power to.  Living within the protection of God’s armor enables Christians to turn the negative questioning of, “Where’s God?” into a positive declaration of, “I trust God!” 

How many times must God prove Himself to those that doubt His presence before trust is established, and they begin to rely upon what the Bible says?  God only knows, but He is long-suffering and patient; wanting only the best for His children.

God cannot lie.  When God says that He will do something, He will always fulfill that promise of what He said He will do.  We need only to believe that He wants to meet our needs according to His riches in glory and then involve Him in all areas of our life.  When we seek His will and leave the situations and circumstances with Him, we are saying by our surrender, “God knows best.”

(Matthew 7:7-11), “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”  vs.8 “For everyone who asks receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks it will be opened.”  vs.9 “Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?”  vs.10 “Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?”  vs.11 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Step of Faith

Stepping out of one’s comfort zone is quite difficult at times.  We desire certain things, but lack the confidence to venture out and take them, because of fear.  The unknown factors that lie ahead make it hard to take a step of faith.

I understand the concept of linking the reality of God wanting the very best for His children, and them receiving His best, but why is it difficult at times for me to step out in faith to claim what God has for me?  Could it be the lack of faith in my heart, which stifles my ability to go forward and possess the land, as it were; or am I listening to others tell me that my chances are slim-to-none of achieving such things?

I don’t know what excuses you use when failing to pursue your dreams, but for me, I have fought a negative thought process my whole life, which told me that it was safer and less intrusive to remain in my safe zone rather than to venture out into uncharted waters where I may face deeper challenges in areas that I might potentially fail, while attempting to better myself.

Perhaps the thought, “It is unattainable” is that which holds you back or an inner feeling that your wish-list is for others having more qualifications than yourself.  Whatever reason or excuse that restricts the motivating factor to at least try is the same thought process that ties our hands from reaching out to those around us that may be going down for the third time in their world of troubles—a neighbor, a friend, or co-worker.

Too often we see the obvious signs of dilemma in others, but we choose to take a backseat and spurn their silent cry for help, because we feel inadequate or insufficient—lacking.

Everyone at sometime in their life needs someone to come alongside and be that person they can lean upon in time of trouble.  For a person to turn their back on another individual, when it is obvious that there is a legitimate need in their life, would make me wonder where the love of God is in that person’s soul that is turning away.

(James 4:17), “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”   

Sometimes we need to leave the comfort of our safe zone and step beyond the immediate circle of our personal space and do something for others even if we feel a sense of lacking in ourselves.  Too often, excuses raise their ugly heads, which try to manipulate us from doing what we know is right to do.

The following are examples of these excuses.  They will be offended; Perhaps I’m not reading the signs correctly; Maybe they will take advantage of me; I am not qualified enough; What if God doesn’t do what I tell them He will do for them; and, If God fails to fulfill His promises, then what will they think of me?

Sometimes a task that God wants us to do is hard; beyond our comfort zone, but when we yield to His wooing and take a step of faith, God is always there to fill our mouth with words that are not our own, but His words.

When God prompts us to do something, He has already prepared the other party to receive what we share with them, thus, making it easier than we had anticipated.  Taking a step of faith takes courage, but the more we do it the more God shows His compassion and love through our obedience.

How can people know the love of God unless we share this wonderful love with them?  Reaching out to others in times of trouble or merely taking opportunities to tell them about the grace of God prepares them ahead of time, before the hard times come their way, that God answers prayer.  This knowledge acquaints them with the One who can speak peace into their life when situations befall them.

The more we observe, first hand, God working out circumstances in the lives of those that we speak to about Jesus Christ, faith encompasses us.  We garner assurance, which teaches us to trust Him for the things in our own life.  When we take a step of faith to trust God and He brings to pass what He says He will do, this builds confidence within us that He is willing to fulfill all the promises spoken of in the Bible as we trust Him to do so.

(Romans 10:17), “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Reading God’s Word builds faith, which is our ability to trust the honesty of God.  If God said that He will do something, then rest assured that He will do what He said He will do.

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

We just need to learn how to trust God, which avails itself when we step out in faith, while watching the hand of God move mountains on our behalf and in the lives of others.  God is able to close doors that are not in our best interest to walk through and open doors that no man can close.  We need only to have the confidence—faith—in God as we step through these doors when He says, “It is time.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd