Self Assessment

On occasion, I take my wife to a nearby facility where she works out to stay healthy.  I don’t mind waiting in the car, because it gives me time to put a few thoughts on paper that I can share with you and others. 

It is always exciting to explore my mind to see what God is saying.  I never know what I am going to write about until the moment I allow my consciousness to discover new, perspective insight.  It is nice to relax and reflect upon God and His goodness in the quietness of thoughts without the intrusion of hustle and bustle living.

I parked in front of a tutoring center and spotted a sign in the window, “Free Diagnostic Assessment.”  I immediately began to assess my relationship with God and concluded that it could be better, comparing my current level of enthusiasm to when I first became a Christian. 

I considered and remembered well the affection I had for God and hurting people after having a born-again experience.  I would often say aloud, “You and Me, right God,” while looking upward, and in my heart I would sense the words, “That’s right son, you and Me.”

I love God and have made up my mind to serve Him, but like other Christians that have been in the way for any length of time, it is easy to get caught up in hobbies and non-essential activities that waste time.  It’s like wasting precious water washing down a driveway or sidewalk.  Once it runs to the street it’s impossible to regain the loss.

Not using time wisely also reminds me of flushing an outdated, 5 gallon toilet; wasting water with each flush rather than switching to an improved, low flow, 1.5 gallon toilet. 

Not wasting natural resources, like water, is important to our physical wellbeing just as spiritual health is derived from godly living and not wasting time. 

Careless use of water is reflected in the bill that a person must pay each month for unrestrained usage.  Likewise, when we waste time with trivial, unimportant activities rather than being involved with the things of God, this casual disregard is revealed in one’s behavior, the manner in which they treat others, and a dilatory attitude relative to God’s work. 

If a person neglects spending time in God’s Word or praying, tiredness of motivation sets in.  It is not long before a lax, non-involved attitude develops.  The passion they once had when they first met the Lord begins to wean.  But meditating on God’s grace and mercy, while helping others, keep our spirit fresh and alive.

Wasting time is like a person that drives erratically on the freeway.   “Peddle to the metal” was a term used by teenagers in my youth.  Flooring the accelerator peddle to get around one more car is silly and childish, not only for safety reasons, but wasting gas is foolish with the high cost of fuel these days.

Humanity is given a limited amount of time to develop good habits and accomplish something for the kingdom of God.  My desire is to hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” when I enter heaven.

The aging process is somewhat humorous if you think about it.  An adolescent can hardly wait until adulthood, which seems afar off on the horizon to them.  I know this, because I thought it would never arrive when I was a lad.  Now that it has, I cannot believe how quickly my life has zipped by when reflecting on past experiences.

I can remember my dad saying, “It seems the older I get the faster the years go.”  How true it is.  When I assess earlier periods of involvement in matters relating to Christ, I am reminded of the importance of being connected with other Christians of like faith, and maintaining a shinning testimony so that those looking for peace and contentment can see the Lord in my words and deeds.

Witnessing to those that need the Lord, involvement in church activities and outreaches, raising children in a godly environment, treating a spouse with love and respect, doing unto others as we expect to be treated, and loving God with all our heart are just a few examples that take place through the born-again experience.  I want others to possess the same joy I have.  Jesus Christ is the answer.

Age is just a number.  No matter how old a person is does not negate the need to assess their relationship with God the Father.  Everything else finds its rightful place when God is placed before all things.  He should be first on the list of desires and relationships.

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

The definition of assessment is: “the evaluation or estimation of the nature, quality, or ability of someone or something”

Looking at my reflection in a mirror and asking, “How do I stack up,” opens my eyes as to what is needed to draw closer to God.  A willingness to change habits and routines opens a channel, a strait that allows God to help me grow in Him. 

When a person truly wants God’s will in their life, things have a way of working out for them.  God opens doors that no one can shut, and closes doors that cannot be opened.  Trusting in the Lord brings calmness and peace to one’s soul.

My father-in-law believed that we are in God’s will when we accept Jesus as Lord, and then finding direction comes through prayer.  Prayer opens the doors of every kind of opportunity, which is revealed as we seek God’s will for our life.  If a door closes, God opens another one more suitable to meet the need.

Are you looking for an open door to step through?  Seek God’s face with this prayer, “Not my will Lord, but Your will be done.”  You will be overjoyed at what God does. 

If you are unhappy with your present status at work, for example, the Lord can give you contentment where you are, or He may choose to open doors that no man or woman can close, if another job is your aspiration.  The solution is this; make sure it is God’s will that you step through the door, because His perfect will is what we should be asking for, not our own.

God is able to change situations and/or people at your present employment to bring harmony and contentment in the workplace if that is what’s needed.  Opening our hands and allowing God the Father to work out the problem, rather than leaning upon our own understanding of things, brings resolutions.

God desires the very best for His children and will act accordingly if we don’t get ahead of Him.  His timing is perfect in all things.  The sooner a person realizes this, less stress is manifested.  There is rest in the Lord when we learn not to get ahead of His plan for our life.

Things may not always be as bad as we assess them to be.  I am thankful that God is still on the throne, because I was having problems with a couple of other employees, while working at this certain firm.  They were unbearable to work with.  I remember complaining to my dad about the situation, and I recall his exact words… “Perhaps it’s you.”

I didn’t want to hear this, but nevertheless, I did a self-assessment and found that he was right.  My personality was flawed.  I was strong willed and headstrong—my way or the highway.

Being a new Christian, I still had some rough edges that the Holy Spirit was helping me overcome.  With His intervention and prayer, I did some soul searching and changed my attitude.  Things leveled out at work and happiness prevailed.  It was a great learning experience how to trust God. 

(Jeremiah 29:11-13), “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”  vs.12 “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.”  vs.13 “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd

God's Blessings Are Many

I know individuals that it seems every time they turn around something good happens to them.  And if they run into conflict or misfortune of any kind, good has a way of manifesting itself in their behalf through the ordeal.  These people are Christians. 

I believe, strongly, that God can and will bring positive blessings to Believers, even in the midst of confusion and strife as they stand true to Him.  No doubt they look for sunbeams of hope in the midst of cloudy, dark situations, because of the trust they have in Father God.

All blessings come from above in different forms and a variety of venues… a deal somewhere; a check in the mail you forgot about in time to pay a bill; spiritual awareness of God’s presence, etc. etc.  The list goes on and on.  Whatever the need is, God supplies the answer.

(James 1:17), “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”

God desires the best things in life for His children, yet it seems that the Bible Scripture (Matthew 5:45) is somewhat of a paradox.  “…for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”  

I believe God is saying that while Christians are on earth, they will face trials and tribulations in like manner as those that are unsaved.  The recognizable difference is that children of God have the Lord to see them through difficult times. 

The way in which a person handles each trial shows the substance within them and who they are in Christ.  Sometimes the intensity of trouble is almost unbearable, and in a moment of panic, the one going through the ordeal may question, “Where is God?” but the Lord in His infinite love quickly shows His passion.  The Holy Spirit comforts the troubled soul, speaking peace, like nothing or no-one else can.

(Philippians 4:6-7) “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” vs.7 “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

I am convinced that the Holy Spirit leads and guides a person into all truth.  I am writing these words of encouragement to influence your thinking to accept as true that the Lord sticks closer than a brother.  Nothing comes our way without His knowledge and approval.  God has the final say in all things. 

We must believe that there is a purpose for the challenge at hand and hold onto the hope that God has everything under control, and trust His reason for allowing it to come our way.  We may not totally understand why things go the way they do, but sometime in the future the reason will probably be revealed.  If not, that’s okay, because we walk by faith and trust that God’s providence is at work.  His sovereignty reigns supreme.  In Him there is all power.

The Bible says that God will never leave nor forsake us.  This promise, alone, is certainly a blessing that we can hold onto in times that we want to question, “Why?” 

I am persuaded, when looking back at past circumstances, that some of the happenings were to educate me on how to depend on the Lord in all things.  State of affairs has a way of teaching a person to not lean upon their own understanding, but to trust in God’s perfect will for their life. 

I believe that God, through trials, is able to caution us to avoid becoming involved in matters not pleasing to Him.  The Holy Spirit’s influence is helpful in making us aware of our surroundings and situations that we need to rebuff.  A person need not partake of these things to be happy.  One on one experiences with the Holy Spirit reveal that the blessings of God are many.  They are given to those that serve Him and Him alone.  The key is to not have any other gods before God Almighty; mammon and power included. 

Growing in God’s grace is a process of learning.  It is putting off the old nature to take on the wholesomeness of Jesus.  When we do this, God’s blessings follow, because He wants us to prosper and experience an abundant life through His Son. 

Jesus Christ is not an ogre that desires to devour us, nor does He take pleasure in times that He needs to chasten us.  When Christians experience God’s correction, this is a good sign, though grievous in the moment.  God chastens those He loves; without it, we are not a son or daughter of His.

When Believers stumble and fall, because of pour judgment and disobeying God’s instructions, He is always there to lift us up and say once again that we can make it.  He is our Heavenly Father and loves us dearly.

When we repent of our foolhardiness, God is faithful to forgive our trespasses and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  The abundant life and God’s many blessings continue to flow upon those that accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.

The frame encapsulating my car’s license plate says this: “Christians Are Not Perfect Just Forgiven.”  Because of God’s forgiveness we need not wallow in past, wrong doings, because God throws our sins into the sea of His forgetfulness when we ask Him to forgive us.  God knows that sooner or later we will learn by our mistakes, thus growing in grace and maturing spiritually.

God is perfecting Christians through the workings of the Holy Spirit.  He gives us strength that is not our own to follow Christ Jesus with affection and loyalty.  As we do this, we put on His attributes, while God’s many blessings continue to flood our soul.  Nothing can separate us from the love of God.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Nothing but the Truth

I am sure you’ve heard the phrase, “Honesty is the best policy.”  There has never been a truer statement made, in my opinion.

My dad always said, “A man’s name goes before him.”  He was referring to the integrity a person shows through their lifestyle and how people perceive them.  Word and deed speak loudly the character of that individual.

If they are honest in their dealings with others, people will speak well of them, whereas, if dishonesty follows that person and raises its ugly head in any way, a negative reputation precedes them.  Non-constructive rhetoric is usually herald concerning that person.

(Matthew 5:37), “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’  For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.”

It might seem to the prevaricator, those that speak or act in an evasive way, that their lies are getting them something in the moment, but sooner or later their transgressions catch up to them, thus, their name going before them.

When people are honest in every area of living and treat others as they themselves expect to be treated, life goes well for them.  Telling the truth and nothing but the truth is the only way to live a happy, contented existence.

If anyone is faced with a tempting moment to seal a deal with little, white lies by ignoring truth, and they yield to this temptation to not be completely honesty, this willful act will prove to be their undoing; unprofitable in the long run.  When cashing the check received from the transaction, there will be a nagging feeling of shame, because truth was ignored.  This is the Holy Spirit speaking. 

Pulling the wool over someone’s eyes, as the saying goes, will only result in feelings of guilt and remorse.  Peace of mind departs, because God expects nothing but the truth even when it seems that a deal will be lost.  An honest person is miles ahead when their integrity is not diminished.  God will prosper and reward them openly, because of their truthfulness.  The Lord is definitely the One we want to please.

When people neglect God’s Commandments, such as, “Thou shall not steal” and they persist with dishonest thinking and/or behavior, it ties the hands of God, which prevents Him from opening up the floodgates of heaven to pour out blessings that cannot be contained. 

How can God bless someone with peace of mind if they are always misrepresenting truth?  He expects nothing but the truth.  Total honesty is our reasonable service when it comes to serving Him.

(Romans 12:1), “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”

When we practice holiness as the above scripture states, we become more like Christ, and His attributes become our character.  We fail within our own ability to come up to the mark of excellence, but the Holy Spirit enables us to overcome temptation.  He gives us strength to rise above wrong dealings of any type.  When we do this, things just have a way of working out.  God rewards honest living.

For example, when a person works hard each week at their place of employment, they never feel the need to back up to their payroll check on payday, because they are not ashamed of their work performance that week.  They can look their boss straight in the eyes when he hands them the check, because they know they did their level best.

A general contractor I once worked for told me that he always hired Christians, because they never stole from him and always put in a good day’s work.  I thought this was very interesting and quite insightful.  It truly said something meaningful to me.  

Dedication to honesty comes under the heading, “Nothing but the Truth.”  Work performance and honesty go hand in hand.

In a court of law, the defendant, plaintiff, and witnesses, if any, are sworn in with this question, “Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you God?”  The response expected is, “I do.”

It is most definitely in a person’s best interest to tell the truth rather than being found in contempt of court for lying on the stand.  Spending time in jail or paying a fine is not a good way to start the day.

Honesty is indeed the best policy both morally and spiritually.  Those that practice it will prosper in countless ways.  But the ultimate penalty for disregarding the 10 Commandments is being separated from God when life on earth is over.  Lying is no exception and not a small thing to God.  Sin is sin.

(Revelation 21:8), “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

There is hope for liars.  They need not fear (Revelation 21:8), because God gave His Son, Jesus, to die on a cross for the sins of mankind.  He paid the full price for our redemption.  Salvation is in Jesus Christ. 

(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.”

(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.’”

When God looks at Christians, He sees them through the blood that Jesus shed for their salvation.  Because of this amazing love for us, those that accept Him as Lord shall be saved.  We need not worry where our soul spends eternity.  Heaven will be our home.

(John 4:24), “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Hell is for those that refuse God’s answer for their sins.  As for me, I choose Jesus—nothing but the Truth.

Written by,

Papa Boyd