Freedom of Choice and People

There are those in this entrepreneurial, capitalist-based nation that can become a bit spoiled and somewhat self-indulgent as they enjoy the benefits of their hard-earned money.  Serous work ethics and the incessant time spent achieving certain goals and dreams made it possible.  But all Americans are not entrepreneurs.

Most people are blue collar workers trying earnestly to make ends meet.  And there are underprivileged recipients that receive a sum of money from the government or a public body to assist them.  At whatever level of success people find themselves in society, they have freedom of choice in America.

Without a doubt, the United States is the greatest nation on earth with regards to freedom of choice, which we are privileged to make each day without fear of retaliation from a dominant power of some kind.

I am thankful to God that the citizens of this great nation are not under a dictatorship form of government.  We are not dominated by a self-exalted dictator that rules with an iron fist, who is hellbent on achieving total power and uses suppression to rule the people.

We are a nation of free choice and with God’s help, we will maintain this freedom of choice.  Nor is this country a communist-led regime where property is publicly owned, and a person is paid according to their abilities and needs.

Americans refuse, through the process of free choice at the voting booth, to resist falling victim of socialism, that stifles individual capitalism.  We are blessed with freedom of speech; the privilege to vote the way we want; and able to worship as we please.

I am thankful for the Constitution of the United States.  This country declared its independence and freedom from Great Britain on July 4, 1776.  In God We Trust is the standing premise on which our founding fathers signed The Declaration of Independence.

This free country will keep giving and giving as long as self-serving people that want to change or discard the Constitution are kept at bay.  This Republic, under God, is unlike other countries around the globe.  We pride ourselves as being, The Land of the Free.

We need to keep the word ‘freedom’ fresh in our mind the next time we see someone less fortunate than ourselves digging through a garbage can looking for food.

It would be wonderful if every individual, across the land, could experience financial freedom, which would help nullify the stress level that accompanies not knowing where their next meal is coming from, or freedom from worry of how the bills are going to get paid.  These dear souls might need a helping hand from time to time.

We live in an affluent country of prosperity and plenty, yet it is easy for some people to become spoiled in well doing.  Anyone can develop a hoarding attitude if they fail to guard their mind against “possessive-intrusion.”

These people can also develop a selfish heart and find themselves in a self-made slump of a “me, myself, and I syndrome” where it becomes difficult for them to give away from themselves.

I have met people that have money in the bank and plenty of food on the table, but for whatever reason, their arms are always open to receive, charging ahead for just a little more.  What they have amassed is never enough.

These people tend to wear blinders, figuratively speaking, to prevent them from seeing the needs around them.  They persistently repel the guilt complex that accompanies wrong choices when they choose not to give away from themselves when a legitimate need becomes apparent.

I am reminded of a poor, widow woman, spoken of in the Bible.  (Luke 21:1-4)  She gave money into the treasury, which amounted to two mites, two small copper coins worth a few cents.  Compared to the other people that gave much from their abundance, her mere offering amounted to nothing in the eyes of the wealthy.

But there was a notable difference between the widow and the other givers.  Jesus, seeing what she did, said to his disciples that the poor widow put in more money than all those who gave to the treasury.  She, out of her poverty, put in all that she had, her whole livelihood, which could have bought the necessities of life. 

There are some people that maintain a tight grip, like a vise on steroids, grasping their possessions.  Perhaps they consider themselves above those having less income and look down on others in lower social circles than they.  People with means are sometimes prone to justify their lack of giving by saying, “Why should I help?  They need to get out there and work for what they want!” 

Yes, there are scammers on every corner it seems, and panhandlers lurking outside stores and businesses, but if God lays someone on our heart and it’s a strong impression to bless them with money, groceries, or words of encouragement, we need to adhere to what we feel in our heart is right.

Of course, it is our choice to consider God’s nudging or reject the notion and make up excuses for not doing what our conscience is telling us to do.  I believe when we simply give a cup of cold water to someone in the name of the Lord, we have done it unto God. 

Again, the choice is ours to make.  We must be wise as serpents and harmless as doves when dealing with people.  God gives us good judgement and we need to listen to His voice, while remaining in harmony with the Holy Spirit.  He directs our path.

(Psalm 37:23), “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.” 

There is a scripture in the Bible that may step on a few toes when it is read.

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

The following scriptures will encourage your heart when it comes to giving.

(Acts 20:35), “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak.  And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

(Luke 6:38) “Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.  For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

For me, I choose to obey God’s Word.  I do not give to get, I give because it is the right thing to do, especially when I am prompted by the Holy Spirit to do something.

I want to have a pliable temperament, and not become resistant to my feelings, which ultimately affects my obedience as to whether I close my eyes or sear my conscience from having compassion.

It never fails when I give, it is inevitable that I receive blessings that I cannot contain.  I have learned that it is more blessed to give than to receive. 

An appreciative smile or seeing a tear roll down the cheek of a person I helped, or hearing words of gratitude expressed by a charitable organization I’ve supported is blessing enough for me.

I feel good inside when choosing to obey God when He lays something on my heart and then I do it.  Try it sometime.  You will reap the joy of giving as much or more than the person that received a helping hand.  It just works that way because God said it would in the Bible.

A person cannot outgive God.  His storehouse is full of blessings for those with compassionate hearts that put action to God’s prompting.  Yes, we all make choices as we walk this straight and narrow path to heaven.  Happiness and blessings come when we make the right choices.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

A Shoulder to Lean On

I’m sitting here, sadly recalling the horrific day of September 11, 2001, (9/11), when the twin Towers at the World Trade Center in New York City was attacked by al-Qaeda terrorists. 

They hijacked two commercial airliners and crashed them into the towers causing both to collapse to the ground.  Tragically, 2,753 innocent people died that morning, of whom 343 were firefighters.

Stunned passerby’s and first responders were able to assist several survivors and provide a shoulder to lean on when escaping the catastrophic nightmare.  Later these heroes and all of America grieved and mourned the loss of those that died.

The normal reaction of most people that find themselves in frightening situations experience an acute stress response called, fight or flight. 

Those that decided to move, expeditiously, to help people escape the overwhelming shock of a calamitous occurrence, probably experienced a split-second decision to flee or deliberately act with purpose, and someway attempt to safeguard the lives of those in need; a shoulder to lean on, as it were.

The boldness of these heroes that did everything they could to help, speaks loudly the strong determination that people can generate, while adrenaline courses through their body in times of crisis, and let us not forget the desire in one’s heart to make a meaningful difference in someone else’s life.

Their acts of bravery and genuine concern for others, regardless of their own safety, reminds me of a story in the Bible.  It involves a person that Jesus called, a certain Samaritan.  He is known as The Good Samaritan.  (Luke 10:25-37)

Jesus was sharing with a lawyer the importance of loving your neighbor as yourself when he shared this story about a certain man that fell among thieves on his trek down from Jerusalem to Jericho.  They stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

A priest came down the same road and saw the injured man and passed by on the other side without stopping.  A Levite, when he arrived at the place, seeing the man in desperate need of help, didn’t want to get involved, and he too passed by without providing aid.

But a certain Samaritan saw the man, came to him, evaluated the situation, and did what was necessary to save his life.  He did not pass by on the other side of the road but was moved with compassion for the dying man.

The Samaritan, poured on oil and wine, bandaged the wounds and set him on his own animal and took the man to an inn where he cared for him that night.  Before leaving the next day, the Samaritan gave money to the innkeeper to care for the man and promised to repay whatever more he spent when he returned.

I am sure the man owed his life to this selfless individual who stopped, because of the need.  The preceding story has to do with loving our neighbor as ourselves as one of the things to inherit eternal life. 

I would like to think it also relates not only to giving ourselves in minister to the physical needs of others, but becoming involved at whatever level the need dictates and not standing outside looking in, doing nothing. 

The following thoughts center around the spiritual wellbeing of individuals needing life-giving sustenance to help guide them through life’s challenges.

The most important aspect of life is not so much our physical wellness, though important, it is the spiritual, inner soul of a person that may need our attention to share words of encouragement, or to be a sounding board to just listen to their woes, or to be a friend to lend a shoulder to cry on.

Healing comes in different forms, and we should be ready to stand in the gap where we are needed to be God’s hand extended, by proxy.  The life we save is someone’s child, whether that person is young or old.  How sad, if a legitimate need presents itself, yet we walk by because of our busy schedule doing whatever. 

We must be mindful to not close our bowels of compassion when opportunities knock at our door to give a cup of cool, refreshing water to a thirsting soul that is suffering from spiritual dehydration, or share a piece of the living bread of life to a malnourished soul needing the Savior.

Jesus is the water of life that quenches the thirst of a soul needing Godly sustenance.  The bread of life is God’s Word, the Bible.  When we look for opportunities to be God’s arms outstretched and provide a shoulder that someone can lean on when they are spiritually wounded and needing someone to care enough to share the Good News that Jesus loves them, we will not be disappointed.  We will be blessed.

There is always someone in need just around the corner or next door to where we live.  We should never be too busy to take time and meet the spiritual needs of others.  One soul that surrenders their life to the Lord is saved from an eternal separation from God.

This redeemed soul is worth more than all the money in the world.  I thank God for the individual who took time with me when I was spiritually wounded and dying on the inside.  He ministered and was instrumental in bringing healing to my sin-sick soul.  I was that person who needed a shoulder to lean on.

(1 John 3:17), “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?”

Salvation is having one’s sins forgiven by God, which provides hope of eternal life in heaven.  This is worth more than money can buy.  A hand full of hundred-dollar bills cannot buy what Jesus Christ, the Savior, gives freely to whoever accepts Him as Lord.

When I was ministered to, my soul was healed, and it did not cost me a dime.  Salvation, through Jesus, is free for the asking.  He will never pass us by but will bandage our spiritual wounds and give life more abundantly.  He provides the shoulder we can lean on when times are tough. 

Thank you, Jesus, for your love and compassion to me, a sinner saved by grace.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Love, Mercy, and Grace

Like the song says, “Who am I that a King would bleed and die for?”  I may never know the answer to this question, but I do know that God left His kingdom in heaven, came to earth and embodied Himself (incarnated) into human flesh as a baby, born to Mary and Joseph. 

You can read about His birth in (Luke 2:1-14).  My mother-in-law called it The Christmas Story.  This God/Child was named Jesus—King of kings and Lord of lords—God in flesh.

How can I, being a mortal human being, ever commune with Him or stand in the presence of Deity?  I can do so, because of God’s amazing grace, which is His free gift to humanity.  This includes you and me.

We are no longer under the law of Moses, but under the dispensation of grace.  A person who surrenders their life to the Lord becomes a born-again-Believer.  They are recognized by God, as His child, after He saves them by grace, through Jesus, His Son.

(Ephesians 2:8,9), “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,” (v 9) “not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

I’m just a sinner saved by grace, through faith.  Jesus is surely the wind behind my sails.  He is the reason I have a song in my heart, because He is that song!

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

Jesus, alone, is our only hope of an abundant life on earth and eternal life in heaven.

(Acts 4:12), “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

God extended mercy, rather than judgement, when I asked Him to forgive my sins.  God loved me so much that He gave His only Son to die on a cross for my redemption.  He forgave everyone of my transgressions.

The plan of salvation was culminated at the cross of Calvary when Jesus was crucified.  After enduring the heartbreaking acts of hatred against Him, and the excruciating pain that He was subjected to, He said, “It is finished!”  And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.  He suffered and died, because of the love He had for you and me.

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

God did not reject me or hold my sins over my head and exclaim, “There is no hope for you!”  Jesus became our hope when He willingly died for our sins.  He paid the full price for our redemption, debts that He did not owe, which were the debts we could not pay.

I needed a Savior to wash my sins away.  Jesus gave me living water for my thirsting soul.  It was pure and refreshing springs of living water that flowed directly from the throne of Almighty God.

(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.”

God does not want anyone to perish or lose their way and become separated from Him for eternity.  His love is unmeasurable, deeper than the ocean and higher than any star in the heavens.

(John 3:17), “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Faith, Hope and Charity…the greatest of these is charity (love).  These words go together with Love, Mercy, and Grace.  Jesus is all the above.

Who am I that a King would die for?  I was a sinner searching for peace in a world filled with confusion and hopelessness.  I needed something solid to place my feet upon, and someone I could trust to be my friend.  Jesus is that friend.

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

I was like a lamb, lost in the wilderness of sin, but Jesus found me and lovingly took me by the hand in His nail scarred hand and brought me home to the fold.  He came to me when I felt alone and weary from my long, hard journey. 

My sins were many, whereas my righteousness was as filthy rags in the sight of a holy God, but He looked beyond my faults and saw my need of a Savior—Jesus Christ.  All I needed to do was reach out my hand and receive His gift of grace and accept His Son as Savior and Chief Executor of my affairs.

A wandering soul need only ask God to forgive their sins, and they will receive His free gifts of Love, Mercy, and Grace. 

Just open your heart’s door to Jesus, in faith, and God will do the rest.  He completely saves and will set your feet securely on the unmovable, unshakable, solid rock—Jesus.  He becomes the chief cornerstone as you build a relationship with Him.  All of heaven rejoices when a person becomes a child of the King. 

There will be no regrets in heaven when we stand before a righteous God and hear Him say, “Enter into the joy of the Lord, good and faithful servant.”  It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

No Longer a Heart of Stone

I didn’t know that the heart could be stony until I read the Bible.  Talk about stones, if you have never passed a kidney stone, it’s no fun.  Please drink plenty of water—take my word for it. 

I have never experienced such pain when one of my kidneys expelled a stone into the ureter that leads to the bladder.  I felt like giving up the ghost…oh me, oh my!  Ouch!  I’ve heard that it’s worse than having a baby.

The pain was so intense that I pleaded with my wife to run the red signal lights as she drove me to the hospital emergency.  But she was a conscientious, law-abiding Citizen and didn’t do what I was begging her to do.  It makes me smile, now that I look back.

Another stone I want to forget is the 1” diameter gallstone that put me in the hospital a few years back.  I lost my gallbladder over that encounter.

I’m not sharing these woes to drum up sympathy; I just want to someway present a parallel having to do with stones in my life.

Before I became a Christian, I was on a rocky road that was filled with pain of different sorts.  My friends were stone cold and lacked compassion and tolerance for anyone.  My temperament was like a heart of stone.  It was not a caring heart by any stretch of imagination.

I was a man running from God that could hurl stone after stone at those having faith in the solid Rock, Jesus Christ.  I wanted no part of Him.

One night I was feeling low and thinking about the road I was traveling on and the turmoil that was rocking my world.  I finally saw the Light in my early twenties when I realized just how miserable I was without the Lord in my heart.   I lifted my hands toward heaven in the quietness of my apartment and surrendered everything to my Creator.

When Deity took up residence within me, my heart rocked with joy.  I used to be a person who rocked out at parties and clubs, but since my amazing conversion to Truth, the old man took on a new look with new desires to draw closer to Almighty God.

(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.”

I found a new way of living, with wonderful values and a heart for people that need the same Savior that forgave my sins.  God removed the stony heart and replaced it with a heart of compassion and love for others…a real treasure of new beginnings and concern for those needing the Lord.

(Matthew 6:19-21), “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;” (v 20) “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (v 21) “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

After God freed my soul from sin that held me down like a millstone around my neck, peace flooded my soul.  Now, there is no longer a heart of stone where once there was a heart that rejected God’s grace.

(Ezekiel 36:26, 27), “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (v 27) “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.”

I found Who I was looking for.  God gave me new visions and a real purpose for living.  Thank you, God, for your faithfulness and love toward me and to the person reading these words.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Grace and Mercy or Discord and Hatred (Part 1 of 2)

(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.”

I value freedom and believe in it wholeheartedly.  I do not agree with any type of governmental weaponization against the people of any nation.  It is just wrong!

The following viewpoints are snapshots of the ‘Oh Me’ quandary that I’m trying to wrap my head around.  The 2024 presidential election is slowly fading into my memory of the ludicrous conduct by journalists, campaign managers, and how people across our nation became shamefully indignant, as they acted like spoiled brats wanting their way.

My observation of what happened leaves a bad taste in my mouth.  Life is hard enough without outside influencers doing their best to clutter our minds with swamp-slime falsities straight from hell.  Unity is the best policy, not messages that promote division and divisive nonsense.

I am shocked and bewildered at how divided our nation has become.  As I see it, Americans were purposely pitted against one another during the presidential campaign, prior to the election, and during the voting process.

People were split across every state in the Union and not encouraged by either party to extend mercy and grace to others with differing opinions.  Now that the election is over, several TV hosts are encouraging those that voted to spurn and ostracize friends and family members if they didn’t vote the way they did. 

This type of behavior is instigating more division in our nation.  How dare the broadcasting stations to allow this offensive conduct!  Welcome to more turmoil versus unity. 

It is heart sickening to see how the United States of America is becoming the Divided States of America.  Dissimulation is not of God; it is satanic behavior.  I believe the negative energy of pure ugliness and fear mongering was and still is generated by power-hungry narcissists at the top of an extension ladder of their own making.

They created animosity and division among the constituents and candidates, through personality bashing and instigating hatred by their persistent backstabbing and negative rhetoric. 

In my humble opinion, I believe the intended goal of these underhanded schemers was to manipulate and interfere with the electoral process by influencing and controlling the mindset of voters, while endeavoring to seduce and sway commonsense thinking, as they hid behind the veil of deception.

Freedom to have a fair and upright election was the last thing they wanted.  As I see it, winning was everything, and nothing or no-one else mattered.  During their debacle attempts to persuade voters to their way of thinking, while dreaming up other tactical maneuvers, there was a great failure on their part to recognize the desperate needs and pain that American citizens were going through.

Needy people were treading water and going down for the third time, because of high inflation, an unstable economy, and food prices doubling.  Unreasonable prices at the gas pumps were preventable, but nothing was done to curb the relentless gouging.

Life was and is unbearable for low and middle-class families trying to make ends meet.  The safety factor in most communities across the United States was also ignored by the powers that be, regarding crime, aggravated assaults, rapes, and homicides of innocent people.  This serious problem is becoming paramount in epidemic proportion.

It is out of control and getting worse, while nothing is being done to remedy the problem.  The cry for help from the innocent has fallen on deaf ears.  This lack of caring and doing nothing to protect U.S. Citizens is not only irresponsible, but thoughtless in nature.

Puppet masters, as I call them, tried to tie the hands of voters to manipulate the strings, but Americans and candidates began to realize that they were being hoodwinked.  The status quo defenders considered them nothing more than marionettes to handle in ways to obtain their own greedy agendas.

Backing off and trusting the will of the populace to express their own personal convictions and constitutional right to choose at the ballot box was out of the question and beyond the scope of fair play.  The unseen power-players made their demands known by vocalizing their opinions and deceptive strategies, while vibrations of hate-mongering and personal attacks proceeded from their mouths.

They focused on spreading malicious lies that caused division and feelings of animosity toward candidates amongst the voters.  Hearsay and untruths from unscrupulous voices were disgusting and hard for me to digest.

I believe that power-hungry-gatekeepers of the bureaucracy wanted more power, to raise taxes, bigger government, and total control over the lives of every citizen in the United States.

Really?  The government is supposed to work for the people, not the other way around.  What happened?  How did things become so lopsided and resembling a régime of dictators?  I’m sure you have your own thoughts and opinions on the matter.

I have never in my lifetime witnessed so much discourse and undercurrent against presidential candidates, individuals running for the U.S. Senate, and those seeking a seat in the House of Representatives.

Negative rhetoric on both sides of the aisle was unacceptable in my opinion.  They should not have stooped to low levels of slander and name calling.  It was unbecoming and reprehensible behavior for anyone that was involved in doing such things, no matter who they were.

The Bible says that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves and not bear false witness against them.  It is easy to see just how far ‘The Land of the Free’ is falling from grace when listening to the filthy words spoken and lies that were manufactured, not withstanding, unrestrained false accusations and misinformation being spewed from the news media during the campaigns.

Just listening to evil words of hatred and seeing the uncontrolled lawlessness of smash and grab criminals, the burning of American flags, looting and destructive demonstrations in the streets of our cities, all of this and more, speaks loudly the decline of America.  God help us!  We must pray for peace!  We need to pull together and make our country strong.

The vicious wagging of venomous tongues throughout the election was indeed anti-American and set on the flames of hellfire,

(James 3:6), “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.

(James 3:8), “But no man can tame the tongue.  It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Grace and Mercy or Discord and Hatred (Part 2 of 2)

Whether people want to believe it or not, God is in total control of all that happens in this world, though it seems like it’s tearing apart at the seams.  His perfect will shall always prevail in every situation though we may not understand His reasoning.  We must remember that it is God Who sits on the throne in heaven.

God allows certain individuals to be in leadership positions to bring about His will and plan for humanity.  It is amazing to me how arrogant and self-centered people think they are in charge.  They believe they are powerful enough, smart enough, and because of their money, can elevate themselves above God and what He deems necessary.  They are so smart they’re stupid, with little sense at all. 

God may permit people to elevate themselves to high places of nobility and power for a season, and He may even allow them to use their money to influence others in getting their way at any cost, but God has the final say.

God must chuckle at people that think their words should somehow be recognized and held in high esteem as having merit, while using their fortune to accomplish dirty deals.  It goes without saying, self-exalted people expect praise and adoration from others.  When they don’t receive it, they pout like spoiled children and then all hell breaks loose.

They begin dictating, authoritatively, how everyone should behave, obey them, and follow their lead without question.  These morons lack good sense!  Know this, big dollars are limited as to what they can buy, especially when God is in full control.

God sits on His throne and no self-absorbed person or entity of any kind, can dethrone the Creator of all things.  Look what happened to Lucifer and a third of the angels when they tried to usurp God’s authority.  They were cast out of heaven to suffer punishment and eternal damnation at a time of God’s choosing.

You and I need to take heed lest we fall into the same trap and blindly walk away from God’s grace and mercy.

(1 Corinthians 10:12), “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”

Dictators of self-imposed regimes that are around the world may have their day in the limelight, but there is a judgement day coming.  God will always have the final word.  God created the world and all that is within it and will do whatever He wants to do.  He is (omnipotent), all powerful.

No-one can match God’s splendor and authority.  The earth and its inhabitants are His to move upon as it pleases Him.  There are many scriptures in the Bible that point specifically to the attitude of finite thinkers.  The following says it all.

(Zechariah 4:6), “…Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”

When humans become puffed up in themselves regarding power, versus the power that controls the universe, they are playing hardball without a baseball glove.  They are like those in a boat without a paddle or ship having a broken rudder.  No-one is above God’s providence.

We must all get back to the basics and the perfect chain of command—God first.  Let us not forget to treat our neighbors with respect and love.  We must endeavor to not speak words that impact others in negative ways, as happened in the 2024 Presidential election. 

(Leviticus 19:18), “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd

It's Not Too Late

It’s not too late to become what you could have been.  This is an odd statement, isn’t it?  I look back on my life and regretfully see many years that I walked without peace, and at times feeling alone in a crowd.

It’s sad when a person takes inventory of their yesteryears, looking for a hint of something to bring a smile to their face, but fail in their effort because happy memories are few and far between.  Though I regret those years, I’m glad the past is in the past now that I am a born-again Christian.

(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.”

You may be experiencing a similar journey with feelings like mine, while sensing that you are walking alone without God in your corner.  Take my word for it, it’s not too late to become what you could have been.

For me, it is sometimes difficult to make sense of things that are behind me and why they happened as they did, but there is hope for anyone desiring a new beginning and a decisive direction to travel, having less stress.

Though the past may be filled with questions and angst, Jesus is wanting to become the special friend (BFF) that will never leave nor forsake a person that is seeking peace that passes all understanding.  The Lord will walk by their side through thick and thin, good times and bad.

It is advantageous to take a moment and consider what has been missing in one’s personal circle or environment in days gone by.  Examining oneself will open the door to positive changes that can be made for future enjoyment.

If anyone is contemplating what could be, compared to what has been, I believe the Holy Spirit is dealing with that individual and desires to become their Savior and Best Friend Forever.  All they need to do is invite Jesus into their heart.  God does the rest.

I wonder at times why it took so long for me to surrender my life to the Lord, especially when everything was spiraling out of control?  I was running in the opposite direction from Him and had the attitude, “If I can’t do it, it can’t be done.”  I was independent and stubborn.

I believe if a person has breath, it is not too late to make a positive choice to become God’s child.  I’m glad I did exactly this, rather than standing before God’s judgment seat without having my sins forgiven.

A person once asked me, “Do you ever regret giving your heart to Jesus?”  The answer was an emphatic, “No!”  I then explained how I found what I was looking for, or I should say, Who I was looking for.

Prior to changing direction and going God’s way, I rejected the notion that Jesus, the Prince of Peace, was the ‘Who’ that I needed.  When I invited Him into my heart and asked God to forgive my sins, peace like a river flooded my soul in fathomless depths and waves of love.

The heavy burdens that were crushing me were instantly lifted off my shoulders.  My soul was set free!  God forgave my sins!  I remember taking a deep breath and exclaiming in an excited voice, “I can breathe!”

I believe a miracle happened that night.  I became a new person with new desires and expectations for life immediately after I prayed a simple prayer for forgiveness.  It was amazing!  Jesus took every care that was pressing in on me.  I now have a blessed hope of eternal life in heaven, because of the ‘new birth’ in Christ.    

(1 Peter 5:6-7), “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

Before I saw the Light, I struggled as if sinking in quicksand.  I had few memorable experiences to speak of, but Jesus, the Light of the world, made all the difference in positive ways when He rescued me.  I am creating wonderful memories for future recall.

Do you feel disquieted in your spirit at times like you are alone in a crowd or walking in circles?  It might be that you are wandering without a compass to help point you toward ‘True North’, which is a worthwhile direction to go, away from old habits and disappointments.

Perhaps you are wondering if an experience with Christ could ever happen to you.  It can and will when you accept Jesus as Lord.  I give you Jesus.  He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  He is ‘True North’ that will present you to the Father in heaven.

Forgiveness and complete liberty are just a prayer away.  Today is the day of salvation.  It is never too late to become what you could have been yesterday in Christ Jesus.

If you sincerely want to accept Jesus as Lord and its your desire to walk in peace, having your sins forgiven; find a place where you won’t be disturbed and bow your head in prayer.  Ask God to forgive you of your sins and ask Him to come into your heart.  Believe that He has done both, and you will be saved.

(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.”

CONGRATULATIONS!  You have just become a child of Almighty God!  Yes, it was that easy!  All of heaven is rejoicing!  God knows your name and has a wonderful plan for your life.  Trust Him as you walk in faith.

When you get a chance, confirm your decision to follow Jesus by sharing this new-birth experience with another person.  This act of sharing confirms the spiritual transformation that took place in your heart, mind, and soul.

After my conversion, I told my friends about Jesus and the love He had to offer.  To my great and wonderful surprise, some accepted Him as Lord and Savior.  They too received the same blessed peace that filled my soul.

Your next step is to find a church that teaches that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He shed His blood on the cross to save humanity…a full gospel, believing church.

Now, find a Bible with a translation that is easy to read and understand.  I use The New King James Version.  There is a Table of Contents in the front.  Begin reading the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  Then read the Book of Acts. 

Get to know Jesus and what He accomplished on the cross for you.  Jesus died for your sins, because He loved you with a never-ending love.

(John 15:13), “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

(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.” (v 17) “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (v 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.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd 

The Creeper

I am patiently waiting, in the car, for my wife to find a Christmas gift for me at one of our local stores.  This is giving me time to open my mind to what God might be saying with regards to my next writing—this writing.

While jotting down thoughts as they come, it seems as if a single word ’creeper’ keeps floating around in my brain.  I am excited that my creative juices are beginning to flow as this word takes on meaning and is becoming more amplified in character as I think on it.

It’s always interesting to see where the Lord directs my thinking, because I take pleasure in every thought that God gives me.  Safeguards for everyday living are just ahead; keep reading.

Lucifer tries to accost Believers with unwelcome and inappropriate input when two of the body’s senses are left unattended, which can influence the brain.  The eye-gate and hearing-gate can be vulnerable if we don’t keep them in check.

I’ve heard of putting a watchman at our mouth to prevent blurting out something that might offend others, but when a Christian neglects giving attention to the entrances of their intellectual thought process, this can spell, TROUBLE.

This error in judgment or lack of awareness can allow the enemy of our soul to creep in through these unprotected entrances and flood the mind with negativity.  I believe that Satan takes full advantage of any breach that he finds available.

An access point left unattended can cause consequential problems, enabling our adversary to capture our thoughts, while amplifying his own agenda and worrisome rhetoric.

(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.”

We need not worry or lose sleep over policing potential breaches if we read the Bible every day and maintain an ongoing prayer life.  Putting the preceding Scripture into practice keeps us on the straight and narrow path to heaven.  Christians that struggle to do so can become spiritually weak, and their maturity in Christ can decline.

The lack of self-discipline and a decline in resolution to follow-through with things we know to do may allow the gates to the mind to become ajar.  We must take heed to practice ethical stamina and moral fortitude.

(1 Corinthians 10:12-13), “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”  (v 13) “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

Maintaining an ongoing routine of devotions establishes an everyday, godly top-off of our spiritual tank, which keeps it full to overflowing with the power of God.

Another step to a successful relationship with God is to reign in and harness our thoughts by keeping them under subjection with help from the Holy Spirit.  Remaining focused on the things of God is most important when desiring a victorious walk with Jesus.

The creeper, namely Satan, still attempts to buffet Christians, but his efforts are thwarted and ineffective when we walk in the Spirit.  For anyone to stick their head in the sand or pull the covers over their head, figuratively speaking, hoping that the intruder will go away, does little in putting the enemy to flight.

Placing our foot on the adversary’s neck and causing him to submit to God’s authority will not happen in our strength alone.  It takes Deity living within us to conquer his endless endeavors to disrupt our walk with Christ.

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

Victory comes in the morning when we verbally assert passages from the Bible and proclaim the powerful name of Jesus in the face of opposition.  The devil must yield to the all-powerful name that is above all names, Jesus.

When I was a kid, my mom always told me to plead the blood of Jesus to stop the advancement of the creeper, which disarms and makes him inept.  It works!

The creeper knows he is a defeated foe.  We, ourselves, need to confirm this fact in our own mind, and let him know, by our spiritual resilience, that he is not welcome in our sphere of involvement.  If he could, this creepy crawler would slither his way into our space with the same old rhetoric of past shortcomings that God, through Jesus, forgave.

When a person becomes a born-again Believer, they are protected by the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross for all humanity.  The old nature of sin and degradation that the creeper tries to remind us of is kept at bay and halted, because of who we are in Christ.  Christians are set free and no longer held captive by sin.  They were nullified at the cross. 

Old slew foot is creeping around us and looking for any opening that may be ajar, especially when we are doing a work for the Lord.  The creeper wants to stop our progress.  He is devious in every way and always tries to discourage Christians from doing what God desires of them.

I shudder at the thought of giving the devil access through any gateway to my mind.  We must keep them locked to prevent his intrusion.  When we rebuke and resist the devil, Jesus, without fail, raises up a standard against him and brings victory to our soul every time the creeper tries to come in.

This intervention takes place because Christians are the children of Almighty God.  Jesus is their advocate and attorney who prays for them, while pleading their case before the Father in heaven. 

This assurance provides peace of mind and enables Believers to resist the lies and accusations that Satan spouts.  The Spirit of God gives strength to overcome the wiles of the enemy in every situation.

(Isaiah 59:19), “…When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.”

Satan, the creeper, is going here and there as a roaring lion, trying to deceive and devour not only non-Christians, but the sons and daughters of God.  This is when the Holy Spirit steps in and exclaims, “No way!”

Jesus defanged and pulled the teeth of this lying menus at the cross of Calvary.  All that’s left is a loud roar.  Christians need not fear the ranting and raging when they stand in Christ and keep the gates to their mind locked and secure.

Not only does the devil try to slip in and steal our joy, but he is also a liar and the father of lies.  He is the same creep that seduced Eve in the Garden of Eden and wants to invade the sanctity of our soul in the same manner.

(Proverbs 4:23-25), “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” (v 24) “Put away from you a deceitful mouth and put perverse lips far from you.” (v25) “Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you.”   

(1 John 4:4), “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

 If we are in Christ, all of Satan’s antics are nullified.  The Lord protects and guards our mind from all alarms.

(Deuteronomy 31:8), “And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you.  He will be with you.  He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd