Stop Trying and Just Live It

The word "but" is one of the most negative words I can think of when it comes to serving the Lord.  It is sometimes used as an excuse for the lack of follow-through in doing something positive for God--like__________.  I’ll let you fill in the blank.

It is sometimes easier to throw in the towel of defeat or raise the white flag and surrender to the roar of Satan’s manifested schemes and methods of detouring Believers away from God’s purpose for their lives.

It takes stability in our faith to discipline ourselves to not listen to the words of a defeated foe and stand tall in the strength of Almighty God--to conquer fear when facing a mountain of challenges, or enduring trials in the valley of tribulations. 

Satan tries to curse us with defeatism if we listen to him, but Jesus conquered death, hell, and the grave when He was raised from the dead after dying on the cross for our sins--thus defeating Satan at every turn.  Praise be to God in the highest!

If a person hears themselves use the word ‘but’ in conversation or allows their mind to focus on it, it may affect their attempts to achieve certain goals--especially when trying to secure victory over something that seems like it borders on the impossible.  All things are possible with God at work.  In Him, we walk in power.

Doubt in oneself limits successful ministries for Christ and can, at times, make it impossible to realize perfection in Him when the above uncertainty or hesitation arises.  That person may feel defeated already in their mind’s eye because of the battle raging within them.  But God’s Spirit imparts wisdom and power to rise above any doubt.

I’ve heard “Sunday Christians” use the phrase, “I want to live for Jesus, but…”  They insert the word "but" after their statement of dedication to Him and then continue by explaining why they are struggling to live for the Lord.

If they only knew what that three-letter word "but" was taking away from their faith, they would stop using it.  Instead, they should use positive words that their soul can absorb--words that encourage their walk with Jesus rather than depleting the joy of the Lord that is in them.

I believe using the word "but" opens one’s spirit to negativity because it is a defeatist word that can steal a person’s victory and cause them to relinquish holy ground to Satan--giving him too much power over their everyday living.

My advice from personal experience is this: ‘stop trying and just live’ what God has given us the power to accomplish His will, according to the power that works in us in Jesus’ name.  We must allow Him to fight our battles and believe that He will do so, and quit giving in to Satan’s lies who is trying to convince us that what he says is factual.  He is indeed the father of lies and the deceptive spirit of darkness.

(Romans 8:37), “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (vs 38) “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,” (vs 39) “nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

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

When we put on the whole armor of God, as spoken of in the Bible, it prevents us from being defeated in spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10-18).   We need to eliminate the word "but" from our vocabulary and be more than conquerors through Jesus Christ.

Before my dad gave his life to the Lord, two of his vices were smoking and drinking.  I remember asking him how he stopped after I became a Christian.  I remember his exact words.  He exclaimed, “How did I stop!?  I put 'em down and didn’t pick 'em up!”  There was no "but" in his response.  He made up his mind to serve God and that was it—period! … no ifs, ands, or buts.

When talking to my father-in-law one day, he told me that too many Christians want to justify their actions regarding what the flesh wants to do.  What he said next stuck with me. He said that the justification of one’s deeds does not make it right in the eyes of God, even though it seems right to those individuals wanting to do their own thing.

It behooves us to know what godly limitations are and to live within those parameters.  This is where the Bible shines God’s light on the pathway of righteousness.  For this reason, God gave us His word as a roadmap to help us succeed and experience an abundant life in Him.

(Proverbs 14:12), “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”

My dad and father-in-law--both Christians--believed that it takes dedication and a made-up mind to serve the Lord with no excuses attached, especially the word "but."  Their motto was this: “Stop trying and just live it!”  They were referring to living for Jesus.  He is our strength and high tower.  In Him, we live strong each day and remain unmovable against Satan’s attacks.

We can ‘live it’ when we walk in the Spirit and not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  He gives us the ability to refuse Satan’s down-casting doubts concerning the supernatural abilities we have as Christians--to speak words of truth with boldness while ministering to those in need, in the name of Jesus.

www.wordsfrompapa.blogspot.com

Written by,

Papa Boyd

A New Lease on Life

I’ve often said, “If I had it to do over again”—words that echoed long before I became a Christian. I carried many regrets while heading down a one-way street away from heaven, almost as if I were driving the wrong way on New Beginnings Avenue.

During those years, I searched—fiercely and tirelessly—for sanity, stability, and purpose. But no matter how hard I tried, my efforts failed. Too often, I found only confusion, regret, and discord.

At times I experienced intrusive thoughts, a gnawing sense of remorse, because I refused to let Jesus be my companion. I trusted only myself to chart the course of my life. I was young, headstrong, and convinced I could steer my own path with no help from anyone.

I was determined to be my own chauffeur on the byways of life. But then, through divine circumstances, Jesus got my attention and showed me a better way. I am grateful that at the age of twenty-three, I committed my life to Him.

I don’t regret a single mile traveled with Jesus. He is my Savior and my friend. I trust Him to lead me into all truth, because He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Now, He is my spiritual GPS—always guiding me in the right direction.

I am thankful I turned around on New Beginnings Avenue and chose God’s path. Because of His saving grace, I have a new lease on life. My relationship with Him is secure, and it has become the steadfast hope I was so desperately seeking.

Since becoming a believer, every day has become victorious with Jesus by my side. He has influenced every area of my life, forgiven my sins, and made a positive difference.

Looking back, it saddens me to think of the wasted years—nights filled with emptiness and mornings void of hope. I would ask myself, “Is this all there is to life?” Perhaps you can understand that feeling—a shallow, unsatisfying existence.

I couldn’t shake the gnawing sense of unfulfilled longing. I tried to find joy in the wrong places, chasing fleeting pleasures and shallow relationships. Nothing lasted. Meaningful connection eluded me. Happiness felt just out of reach.

I was blinded by worldly glitter and illusions. I craved something real—something lasting—but my efforts always failed. True satisfaction stayed beyond my grasp because I was searching in the wrong place.

Then I saw Christians. Their words, their peace, their lives—there was something different about them. They seemed content, whole, at rest. They had what I was searching for. But I wasn’t ready to surrender my will.

I stayed outside looking in. I missed the peace that seemed so natural to them, because I refused to humble myself and reach for the very thing that could satisfy my soul.

Let me be honest: life sucked without God. Every night I laid my head down with emptiness, and every morning I woke with the same void. I was drowning in despair.

But then I saw the light—the love of God through His Son, Jesus. When I opened my heart, the Holy Spirit moved in. My sins were forgiven. I was set free. My soul shifted from darkness to light.

You might ask why people wait so long to call out to God when the world offers nothing but disappointment, discouragement, and doubt.

The answer is simply this: everyone has a choice—to choose right or wrong, to live for the world or to live for God.

If a person rejects God’s forgiveness and ignores His ways, the words “I LIVED A FOOLISH LIFE” could very well become their epitaph. Many ask, “If there is a God, who needs Him?” But consider this:

(Psalm 14:1), “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They have done abominable works; there is none who does good.”  

(Mark 8:36), “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” 

For anyone weary of a meaningless, shallow existence—there is hope. A new lease on life is waiting.

Search no more in the world’s empty promises for satisfaction. Release your old nature, call out for God, and say: “I need Jesus.”

He will give you a new nature, a Christ-filled heart, and a Christlike attitude.

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

(Isaiah 40:31),“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles.” 

The Holy Bible shows us how to step from the darkness of regret into the light of God’s grace. Through Jesus—who died on a cross for our sins—we receive forgiveness and the freedom to soar.

God has made it simple to become His child. Simply ask for forgiveness, invite Jesus into your heart, and turn away from sin. The Holy Spirit will empower you to overcome temptation.

We can say with confidence, “I saw the light and received a new lease on life.”

www.wordsfrompapa.blogspot.com

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Fiction or Reality

There’s a nationwide revival going on where young adults are standing up for righteousness.  God Almighty is the focus of unashamed Christians that are sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ—Biblical truths to doubters and scoffers of the Bible.  There is a supernatural pouring out of answers to unsettled questions to those having doubts whether the Bible is fiction or reality.

One example is regarding the miracles that took place and the power that was given to Jesus’ disciples to perform them—true or false?  The natural mind does not receive the things of God because they are spiritually discerned, thus they are foolishness to those having finite minds that lack spiritual insight.

There is also a mired of unexplainable happenings that confound intellectual mindsets that are in question.  The shroud of unbelief, through the power of witnessing, is being lifted as blinded eyes are opening to the truth of God’s word. 

These ambassadors of vision who are telling others about the grace of God are truly God’s voice and hands extended.  Their efforts are blessed and anointed by the Holy Spirit.  They are unveiling God’s amazing plan to those looking for answers and reasons to believe what the Bible says.

“Is the Bible fiction or reality?”  This unsettled question is being answered with boldness and compassion, while giving deeper insight that encourages positive decisions to be made.

Talk about fiction or reality; I’ve had a soft spot for science fiction movies since early childhood.  I watched weekly ‘cliffhanger’ serials on television that would stoke my imagination and challenge my quest for deeper insight of things that may happen one day.

Although I knew these series were fiction, they allowed my mind to soar to higher heights into the possibilities of the plausible.  These fictional adventures have now become reality, because of mankind’s unstoppable probing into vast arenas of the unknown and unwavering determination to succeed where others may have failed.

Today’s astronauts remind me of my superhero, Flash Gordon, and the crewed flights he took in fictional rocket ships that traveled into the vacuum of outer space to the moon and beyond.  Sci-fi would have been my ‘cup of tea’ had I sipped tea at that young age.

These fictional episodes originated in the minds of hyper-visual writers with imaginations that exceeded normal thinking.  It was like they were seeing into the future beyond the realm of their own limitations.

Going to the moon was fiction, a dream and nothing more than a dream, yet fiction became reality on July 20, 1969, when Neil Armstrong stepped on the surface of the moon, though some people doubted that it happened. 

Plans are now in the making for a trip to the planet Mars where I believe humans will conquer the barriers of the unknown and set foot on the red planet for the first time since creation.  This is amazing to me! 

No longer are there questions pertaining to ‘fiction or reality’ in space exploration.  Dreams have become reality.  The word ‘fiction’ is becoming a meaningless word as the minds of men and women around the world have conquered and continue to conquer the vast, once limited bounds that early dreamers and explorers were reaching for.

These dreamers had to reach deeply into their science fiction imagination to grasp ongoing visions as they put on paper what their minds were seeing.  No longer are unbelieving doubters exclaiming, “It cannot be done!”

Ongoing advances in science and the ingenuity of scientists working together with curious researchers are uncovering and bringing forth amazing discoveries.  These futuristic visionaries are people with ideas.  And let us not forget the new horizons of Artificial Intelligence.  Who knows what the future holds for mankind with AI coming to the forefront?

I have heard my whole life that the return of Jesus was nigh at hand, but what I understand from Bible scholars, all prophecies had not yet been fulfilled in my younger years.  Through Devine revelation, God revealed to John the Revelator, on the island of Patmos, future happenings leading up to the end times that were going to happen.  These visions were chronicled by John in the Book of Revelation.

As time has advanced, these prophecies, supposed fiction by those who doubted, are now here.  They have become reality and not fiction.  All prophecies have been fulfilled because of the advancements in science and oversight of Gods providence, except one prophecy, the second coming of Jesus, which is positively nigh at hand.

The following is another question posed to those young adults that are on fire in the Lord by people seeking truth.  “Is heaven and hell fiction or reality?”  Some scoffers would say the story of heaven and hell was fabricated to keep people from doing wrong for fear of going to hell, and that heaven was the reward for doing good.

It is important to follow the laws of the land and live in societies of peace and harmony, if only this were reality.  Look at Cane, the son of Adam and Eve.  Because of jealousy he killed his brother Abel… (Genesis 4:1-13).

Humanity has been corrupted because of sin and unbelief that began in the Garden of Eden.  The ‘me me’ syndrome that possessed Cane to do what he did is an ongoing curse because of Adam and Eve’s sin of disobeying God.  Most importantly are the 10 Commandments and keeping the statutes of God, but there again, ‘self’ gets in the way of doing what’s right before the Lord.

There are those that believe Jesus was a good man, but not God in human flesh.  They ask, “Fiction or reality?  Is God the Creator of all things and was Jesus really God in flesh with blood running through his veins like you and me?” 

The bottom line is whether a person believes it or not.  If not, that person will not worry their mind about heaven and hell because they have been deceived by Satan to believe a lie and not truth.  But what if; what if it is all reality?  Then what?  I wonder what they are going to do with this truth.

Many people throughout the world do not allow their minds to think about heaven or hell.  They refuse to entertain thoughts of dying and the hereafter.  They close their minds to the ‘what if’s’ factor.  It’s like they are sticking their heads in the sand of denial.

Think about it, if there is no heaven to gain and hell to shun, then Jesus was just a man that died on a cross for no purpose at all.  He meant well, but gave his life in vain.  How far from the truth is this!?  Satan would love for us to believe it.

Here’s my thought.  If people in the world truly believe and have faith that Jesus is the only way to approach God’s throne, then would they not live accordingly?  I think many are living in fantasy, fiction and not reality.  They are hoping that their own self-righteousness, good works, and doing right unto others will someway get them there, if in fact there is a there to get to… again, doubt.

(Isaiah 64:6), “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away, and there is no one who calls on Your name, who stirs himself up to take hold of You; for You have hidden Your face from us, and have consumed us because of our iniquities.”

I believe, through faith, there is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun.  I also believe that God came to earth and took on the form of man, took upon Himself human flesh, and walked among humanity.  He told those that would listen about the love of God and that He, Himself was the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

I do not live in the ‘what if’s’ saga of unbelief.  Unbelief will send a person to hell.  This is the fact regarding fiction and reality.  It is unwise to live in the narrative of fiction, which can be on the same level as death. 

Christians, everywhere, are sharing the reality of Truth, while God is blessing their efforts.  The Holy Spirit is drawing doubters and scoffers to Jesus through the reality of God’s word being taught. 

The lost are exclaiming, “I want Jesus in my life!”  They are surrendering all to the Lord and asking God to forgive their sins.  Jesus is now their Savior as they give their hearts to Him.  Thank God for the reality of the Bible and those who share it.

(Matthew 5:9), “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

www.wordsfrompapa.blogspot.com

Written by,

Papa Boyd

The Sincere Truth (Part 1 of 2)

I’m sure you love it when someone points out your flaws…perhaps not!  Those that are bold enough to point a finger in someone’s direction and step over the line of sensitivity are usually clueless of the three fingers pointing back at them in their own hand.  People like this are unwittingly blind and perhaps insensitive to the fact that they have faults and shortcomings of their own.

It gets even worse if a family member, coworker, or even a BFF colleague disappoints you by gossiping behind your back.  When truth is ignored and the smut they spew is exaggerated as being the sincere truth about you, when nothing could be farther from the truth, it hurts deeply.

It is shameful for what they did, and the height of shameless behavior!  This harmful, cold-hearted disregard for honesty can be very hurtful when the untruthful remarks find their back to the innocent party.  It’s a deception that it is hard to understand why people do such things, and just as hard to get over their disheartening antics.

Demeaning another individual and speaking ill about them is sin.  I think every person should consider what they say and reign in their tongues, lest the consequences of their cruelty bring some kind of reproach upon them.  Disappointing God and disobeying His word is not wise.  The tongue is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

(James 3:5-6), “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.”

I am the youngest of four children that Mom and Dad brought into the world.  Our oldest brother was fourteen years older than me.  On more than one occasion he told me that a person should never correct their elders or find fault in them.  Do you think he was trying to tell his snotty nose brother something?

I cannot remember ever pointing out his flaws, but when I became a Christian in my mid-twenties, the change in my allegiance to whom I gave homage, made him aware, more-so, of his wayward lifestyle.  I was living a peace-filled and happy life in Jesus.

The changes that the Holy Spirit made in my life, disposition and desires, stood out to my brother.  As the months went by, I noticed signs that he was becoming indelibly affected in positive ways when I was around him.  His personality was slowly changing.

When God saved my soul, I became a different person.  The old sin-nature that had me bound faded away and all things became new in Christ Jesus.  This transformation was revealed in my actions and vocabulary.  The joyous outlook I had on life and the peace I was experiencing made my brother even more conscious of his shortcomings.  He was realizing that he wasn’t in the place with God that he should be.

Whenever an opportunity presented itself, I shared food for thought concerning spiritual things, especially when he perused my writings, looking for bad grammar and punctuation errors prior to me posting them on my blog.  He was my proofreader.

I believe the Holy Spirit used my writings to help open the door to his heart.  My brother was not timid to talk about God, which allowed the Spirit of God to deal with his spiritual man.

Though he was not a Christian, he knew the way because of an eye-opening experience he had with God in his teenage years.  It was an encounter he never forgot.  I believe later in life, before he passed away, he must have had another experience with Jesus because his grammar changed and he talked more about the things of God when we discussed my writings.

I could tell there was something different about his demeanor; the way he thought; and the way he expressed himself.  I saw a change in attitude taking place, and he was becoming more receptive of what I had to say about spiritual things.  I believe his soul was right with God before he died.

www.wordsfrompapa.blogspot.com

Written by,

Papa Boyd

The Sincere Truth (Part 2 of 2)

Here’s a thought to remember: the Bible is like a mirror that when we read it, it reflects the sincere truth of areas in our life of where we need to improve.  My brother changed when he saw Jesus in me and wanted what I had.  His sins were revealed to him in the reflection of a holy God when he observed the positive changes that took place in my life after I became a Christian. 

The Bible shows us how we can do better in our relationship with the Lord.  It helps us see the error of our way and how we can be set free from the bondage of sin when we give our heart to Jesus. 

The unmitigated truth in God’s word was drafted by holy men of God for our benefit.  The Holy Spirit breathed upon each of them as they penned words of hope to make us aware of our need for the Savior, Jesus Christ.  The Bible tells us that we can have a close relationship with Him, while growing in grace after becoming a member of God’s family.

As I have said, when I read the Bible, it points out the sincere truth of where I need to improve in my behavior and other questionable areas lacking discipline as I walk with Jesus.  The Bible does not condemn me and make me feel hopeless, on the contrary, it encourages me to be godlier and live according to God’s statutes, of which I strive to do.

I am not offended at what I read, it is like a roadmap that enables me to stay on the straight and narrow path that leads toward heaven.  If we were not made aware of the sincere truth of our trespasses and where we are lacking strictness of oneself, how can we improve ourselves? 

It sometimes feels like my toes are being stepped on when I hear sermons preached from the pulpit by our pastor and visiting evangelists when they point out life-changing thoughts from the Bible that find lodging in my soul.  These messages assist me as I mature in the things of God.

Sometimes it’s the sincere truth that I need to hear, which helps to enlighten my understanding of God and what He expects of me.  Truth enables us to succeed in our quest for a higher calling in Christ Jesus.  Anointed messages inspire people to become stronger in the spiritual realm, while improving one’s relationship with Almighty God.

The Bible brings into focus new horizons in ideas of how to bond with Jesus in more affective ways.  The sincere truth is not a bad thing when we keep an open mind to the positives that we glean, which produce solidarity in the Lord.

You and I are given ‘freewill’ to choose the statuesque of life with its uncertainties and heartache, or we can dive into the deeper depths of the spiritual realm in Christ.  Knowing sincere truth is a good thing. 

Those that stick their heads in the sand, figuratively speaking, refusing to look at the bigger picture regarding the sincere truth of their unmistakable sins, will not benefit through life in the way God wants to improve it. 

Doing something about what is revealed, rather than sitting idly by and procrastinating, brings success.  When people face changes head on and choose to take the bull by the horns and deal with these areas that are lacking discipline, understanding of God’s grace enhances.

I would prefer knowing the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God, of where I can improve spiritually, rather than continuing down the road of hard knocks, unaware of where I’m failing God.

If someone reaches out in love and points out areas that we can refine, we should not become offended if the person giving advice is Spirit led, sensitive, and not overbearing.  Remember, God uses people to speak sincere truth on behalf of Him, but this doesn’t give anyone a license to go about with a holier than thou attitude, trying to correct everyone else’s problems.

I believe when we share truth in love, it will be received with a heart of thanksgiving.  It depends on our attitude and whether God is in what we say.

My mom would say: “If you don’t have something good to say about someone, don’t say anything at all.”  Let’s examine this adage.  If A person is asleep in a burning house and there is a way to save them, then get their attention someway and put forth a gallant effort to save their life.  When we share sincere truth in love, a soul is given life through Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.  He provides everlasting life in heaven.

Being born-again is immediate when we confess our sins to God.  An abundant life, through Jesus, comes as we learn how to keep in step with Him.  When a person purposely lets go of the old nature and allows the new nature of Christ to show forth, maturity is in the making.

Paul McCartney and John Lennon wrote the song, “With a Little Help From My Friends.”  They were members of The Beatles rock band.  Christians help one another, like friends, to become more like Jesus as the song title says.  The sincere truth can elevate and help a friend rather than watching them stagnate and die spiritually. 

The important thing is that we weigh our words before speaking and sharing truth, having the blessings of God on what we say.  If we take that bold step of pointing out another person’s failures, we had better be prayed up and full of the Holy Spirit.

Allowing God to speak through us rather than taking on a holier than thou position and losing a friend is most important as Believers.  We must be careful not to become puffed up in ourselves, thinking we have all the answers.  The sincere truth of God’s word says it well.

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

(Romans 6:23), “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The Bible is the most eye-opening truth we will ever know in life.  Everything on earth and the hereafter depends on every person taking it to heart and doing something about its truth.  Asking God to forgive our sins, or not doing so, will determine where our future residence will be—heaven or hell.

A person that is not regenerated through the new birth by accepting Jesus as Lord and having their sins forgiven will not enter heaven.  It behooves all individuals to take heed to the sincere truth of God’s word.

www.wordsfrompapa.blogspot.com

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Keep it Simple

One of the worst things a teenager is required to endure is sitting in a classroom environment and listening to a boring teacher as they lecture the whole period in a feeble attempt to teach.  I know this from personal experience.  Let’s face it, some lecturers are just plain boring to put it bluntly.  You can probably relate to what I’m saying.

Student participation influences better understanding of lessons, in my opinion.  Presenting basic commentary plus clear explanations, while being careful not to bore, encourages learning. 

The above strategy simplifies learning in lieu of kids tuning out a monotone voice that echoes back-and-forth between the ears without finding lodging in distracted or preoccupied brains.

“Keep it simple” is my motto, though I may have to eat these words by the end of this writing.  I hope you do not become bored reading it, because my mind is racing with several thoughts.

It takes a special ability to present lessons in a way that people are not turned ‘off’ from the presentation, whereas, if instructors are too windy, the time spent listening quickly becomes stale, and it becomes an effort in futility to grasp what is being said.

Talk about boredom, seminars are notorious for having quest speakers with droning, dull voices that challenge even the best of listeners to keep their eyes open and not fall asleep.  And let us not forget certain college professors who are intellectually astute and full of knowledge, and perhaps full of themselves at times, yet they lack the ability to keep it simple when teaching.

It's sad when their lessons soar over the heads of simplistic thinkers with average intelligence and understanding.  Having to use ‘Google Word Search’ to understand intellectual, mindboggling words that instructors use should not have to be implemented when listening, but I’m jesting, yet so true.

Orators using non-comprehensive phraseology make it difficult to grasp the concept and bottom-line content being presented.  I’m headed somewhere, so be patient and stick with me.

Someone thought up the following group of letters that go along with today’s thoughts.  “K.I.S.S.” will sometimes raise its uppercase letters in the minds of those on the receiving end of word-salads.  The phrase is “Keep It Simple Stupid.” 

Personally, I leave out the last word, as in the title of this writing.  Don’t misconstrue what I’ve just written as being anti-education, disrespectful or unappreciative of educated scholars that truly care about educating tomorrow’s leaders.  I feel they are not appreciated enough.

It takes dedication, higher education, and a certain type of personality to accomplish the task of influencing others to enhance their knowledge through teaching.  It’s not just a job for most educators; they want to impact individuals in positive ways. 

These are special people desiring to accomplish the charge before them of sharing in a cohesive manner, while keeping it simple.  Most scholars are gifted with the ability to relate in such a way that topics are interesting, thus bringing the listeners to a level of improved understanding regarding the facts presented.  This information finds lodging in hungry, inquisitive minds.

Being able to relate with others is where simplification enters the art of disciplining oneself to maintain harmony with regards to basic, non-boring presentations.  This practice, coupled with pertinent information, can sway a person’s thinking and stimulate their mind to accept new ideas.

These are the impacting pluses that pertain to high-quality orators, teachers, professors, preachers, evangelists, and those witnessing about the magnificence of becoming a born-again Believer, which brings me to my long-awaited point.

The idiom or gist of today’s writing is relative to the ability of sharing the “good news” about Jesus in a cohesive manner, without boring another person or persons.  Sharing takes patience and faith in God to help the words spoken to find lodging in another person’s heart.

Sometimes it feels like I’m having to move mountains with the faith I have that is no larger in size than a mustard seed, one of the smallest of all seeds.  Sharing the truth of God’s word, with faith, go hand in hand as I witness about God’s love for humanity.

Faith pertains to spiritual things and provides confidence in oneself when feelings of inadequacy arise, while facing mountains of challenging situations.  Examples are work related situations, the ups and downs of marriage, or the mere thought of extending our abilities beyond the comfort zone of simplicity to witness for Christ or step out in faith to minister to someone in need.

It is important to recognize that it’s by faith in God’s strength that we do anything for Christ and not within our own power when putting forth an effort to succeed at whatever our heart is coaxing us to do.  Telling others about Jesus requires faith.

Giving away from ourselves also takes faith.  Yes, faith can move mountains that stand in our way when trying to obtain success.  Christians are at the top of their game when they step out in faith to accomplish something in the name of Jesus; it will no doubt happen because of the driving force of the Holy Spirit within them.

(Ephesians 3:20), “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.”

(James 2:17), “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”  

Remember, we are strong in the Lord.  We need not try to be like someone else that we perceive to be smarter than us or more spiritual.  We should always be ourselves, because God uses certain types of personalities in different scenarios and areas of ministry.

My personality may clash with another person’s persona, whereas someone else’s personality may not.  God chooses certain individuals for the tasks at hand who He knows will get the job done.  I am reminded of Moses, the friend of God.

Moses felt inadequate because of a speech impediment that buffeted him, but God chose him despite his feelings and shortcomings to lead the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt—out of oppression and bondage.  Moses felt powerless to do the impossible.  He lacked self-confidence, but God knew he would achieve the goal.

We cannot be someone else no matter how hard we try.  God uses people like you and me to bring about His will, with our personality, while helping us determine that by faith we can move any mountain with God at our side, one shovel at a time if need be.

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

When sharing with others about the love of God and what He can do for them, I use simplicity of words, nothing over a person’s head.  I don’t want to come across as holier-than-thou and having all the answers.  I keep it simple.  I share my testimony of God’s saving grace and the mercy He showed to me and then allow the Lord to do the rest.

When Jesus shared God’s message to the multitudes of people that sometimes thronged Him, they understood His teachings and wanted to know more of what He had to offer.  Jesus used words at their level of understanding.  He related His messages using parables that the people could relate to. 

The Lord was not boring but was interesting to listen to as He shared the basics regarding God’s plan for their lives—not too deep, but intellectually understandable for all who heard Him speak.

Simplification in the delivery, when sharing the Truth of God’s word, accomplishes positive results.  The amazing, yet simple message that Jesus died for our sins, wins souls to Christ.  Salvation is easy to achieve when a person confesses their sins to God.

(Isaiah 35:8), “And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.”

Simplifying one’s efforts when witnessing, like a non-boring teacher or college professor, will feed a person’s curiosity to the point of helping them make life-changing decisions.  Keep it simple when witnessing for Christ. 

Allow the Holy Spirit to prick the hearts of those needing Jesus with the words they just heard, which stimulated their minds and hearts to know Him.

(Ephesians 2:8-10), “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,” (vs 9) “not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (vs 10) “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

www.wordsfrompapa.blogspot.com

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Escaping the Abyss of loneliness

Do you ever feel alone, like you are in a vacuum…a self-imposed exile that is void of lasting peace with nothing surrounding you except loneliness?  This realization may also be accompanied by profound feelings of isolation and despair.  This was precisely what my existence consisted of before coming to the Lord.

Every day I had the above feelings amid the environment of my own making where I was enslaved by sin before Jesus rocked my world with joy and overwhelming peace.  I simply asked God to forgive my sins, and immediately, He forgave me and took up residence in my soul.  It was that easy.

Total freedom and the reality of being born-again became an awakening event with waves of happiness that flooded my being.  So magnificent was the experience, the mere thought of someone caring about me brought such a feeling of belonging that it was hard to grasp.

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

(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.” (vs 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.”

This fulfilling appreciation happened as soon as I made the decision to follow God’s statutes and accepted Jesus as my personal Savior.  This was the moment God adopted me into His family and called me son.  Everything in my life changed for the better.

(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.”

Life took on new meaning because hope filled the emptiness that surrounded me.  There was no comparison between the beauty of Christ’s solace and the abyss in which I was trapped.  I finally had something to live for, or I should say, the ‘One’ to live for.

Jesus made all the differenced in my attitude, confidence, and mental acuity regarding small things like getting out of bed in the morning to face another day. 

I can honestly say that I now look forward to each tomorrow, knowing that they are 180 degrees north of the void-filled existence that I endured for so long.  Jesus set me free from the four walls that held me fast.  I was hemmed in by sin, but now I am liberated.

The peace I experienced was exciting and wonderful at the same time.  It was an awareness that passed all understanding.  Through the years, God’s peace has never left me, because Jesus is the Prince of Peace.  Since my conversion, the Lord has never left me to weep alone, nor forsaken me in times of trouble.  He is my BFF, Best Friend Forever, and always present.

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

Salvation, through Christ, is the abundant life that was missing in my world of angst.  If you are looking for a noticeable change in attitude and the recognizable force of the Holy Spirit awakening you each morning, I recommend that you become a child of God.

Jesus brings joy with a new outlook on life, Who will give you hope and liberty to walk in freedom to worship Him in spirit and truth.  The Lord will set you free from the bond of sin that may be keeping you in the abyss of self-inflicted loneliness.

If you are looking for lasting peace, you have nothing to lose except the things that bind your attempts in finding contentment in life.  Jesus is the answer for your longing soul. 

Happiness may be evading you because of the lifestyle you have chosen, but God will give new desires and help you achieve horizons that seem impossible to attain.  He encourages productivity, while helping to fulfill unreachable goals and dreams.

God will enrich every step you take, because your steps will be ordered by Him as you enjoy pure happiness in all areas of life.  All this and more are the result of coming to the Lord.  It is like trading nothing for everything in your quest to make heaven your home as you walk with Jesus.

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

If freedom is what you are seeking, away from the abyss that holds you captive, look no further, it’s just a prayer away.  I encourage you to try Jesus and confess your faults to God.  You won’t regret a mile you travel with the Lord…I promise!

www.wordsfrompapa.blogspot.com

Written by,

Papa Boyd

A Question Lingers

Have you ever swallowed a pill that became lodged halfway down your throat until you coughed it back up?  Scary, isn’t it?  For me, after this happens, it’s almost impossible when trying to re-swallow the same pill with water…Psychological hang up, I guess.

Sometimes there is a lingering aftertaste that won’t go away until I rinse out the bitterness.  This unwelcome experience reminds me of a question that, at times, lingers on the tip of my tongue until an answer, like water, eliminates the bitter taste.

The question leaves a bad taste in my spirit like a pill stuck in my throat.  I don’t know if it’s just me, or if other Christians experience the same distasteful question pertaining to forgiveness that assaults the mind.  This narrative sometimes bombards my subconscious, while troubling my soul.

The lingering question is this: “What happens if I unwittingly sin or stumble and sin now that I’m a Christian?”  I certainly know and trust the Bible of what it says about confessing our sins, and that God is faithful to forgive those sins, but on occasion, there is a ‘what if’ that lingers and wants to taunt my thinking.  It troubles me that the question is there at all.

I know in my heart when God promises something, there are no ifs, ands, or buts that He will fulfill what He said He would do, because God cannot lie.  God is holy in every sense of the word and at the opposite end of the ‘truth spectrum’ from those that do not keep their word, but God keeps His.   He is perfect in all ways; a promise is a promise of which He will not renege.

I know the assumed reality regarding ordinances of the land says that ignorance of the law is no excuse, but does this apply to those walking with Christ that may trip and fall along the way and sin?  Satan would have us believe that grace takes flight and forgiveness won’t happen, but these are lies.

When I stop to consider the source of these negative thoughts, I quickly conclude that they are originating from the pit of hell, because God is not the author of confusion.  In Him there is hope and forgiveness, so it stands to reason the devil is filling my mind with doubt to create confusion regarding forgiveness—he is the great deceiver.

The joy that I have as a Believer, while living for Jesus cannot be equaled by anything in the world nor compromised unless I permit it to happen by listening to Satan’s lies. 

As for me and my household, we are serving the Lord.  We stand secure in the knowledge that salvation, through Jesus, has secured our inheritance of heaven.  Nothing can separate us from the love of God.

(Romans 8:38-39), “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,” (vs 39) “nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Whenever Satan hits me with a lingering question that causes me to doubt my position in Christ, and whether God forgive all sins, I quickly take control of my thought process and rebuke the questions that are raising their ugly heads.  I then refocus my thinking on good things.

(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.”

Positive thinking or better yet, positive faith, dispels all questions and brings victory that allows peace to flow from God’s throne, uninhibited, to wash away the bitterness of lies.  This is the hope of Christians that all sins, past, present, and the times we stumble, will be forgiven when we accept Jesus as our Savior.  He frees us from sin as we confess our faults to Him.

God is loving and long suffering.  We need only to ask for forgiveness in Jesus’ name and God tosses our sins into the depth of the sea, never to remember them again.

(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.”

God loved us so much that He gave His only Son to die on a cross that we might be saved from our sins and experience an abundant life through Him.  He sets us free from the bondage of sin.  It’s like being born-again out of the corruption that sin brings, into an incorruptible birthright as children of God.

God is not quick to cast us aside because we fail.  He encourages us to pick ourselves up when we stumble and fall.  God does not want us to splash around in the mire or role around in the filth of self-pity, but to clean ourselves off, wash our face, and continue walking with Jesus.

The Holy Spirit gives us the strength to rise and live an overcoming life in Christ.  Remember, a winner never quits, and a quitter never wins.

(2 Timothy 4:7-8), “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (vs 8) “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

Living for the Lord is like the song lyrics say, “It is joy unspeakable and full of glory; and the half has never yet been told.”  When we trust God with each step we take, we walk in victory, because our steps are ordered by the Lord.

(Psalm 37:23-24), “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.” (vs 24) “Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand.”

The bitter taste of sin is neutralized when we drink from the springs of living water that flows from heaven.  Tormenting questions that create confusion and try to linger in our minds are quickly washed away.  We are set free from the bitterness of satanic lies and sinister questions when we reside in Jesus, Who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Jesus dispels all questions that try to linger.  We are set free from worrying whether God forgives sin when we stumble…He does!  And because of this, we live in Truth, not lies.

www.wordsfrompapa.blogspot.com

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Mercy Triumphs Over Judgement

I would like to begin by asking the following question.  Are you looking for something tangible with lasting peace, but your search has turned up nothing in your attempts to secure anything at all to bring contentment?

Perhaps your mind is bombarded with thoughts that you are way beyond finding peace or happiness, and that forgiveness of things in your past will never happen.  You are probably feeling that they have everything to do with you never finding true satisfaction.

I have wonderful news for you.  The mercy of God is still available.  No matter what Satan tells you or what you are feeling deep inside that keeps you in a stupor or vacuum, know this, he is a liar and the father of lies.  He is trying to keep you in a state of turmoil and confusion, keeping you away from the peace that you desire in your soul.

Satan is the great deceiver, so don’t listen to his rhetoric when he whispers, “You’ve strayed too far from God to ever receive His mercy and grace.”  It’s all a lie!  Don’t listen to him!  He’s leading you down the path of uncertainty and disorder.

God was certainly merciful to me, a sinner, when I was at the end of my rope thinking there was little to look forward to.  I was void of hope, and peace eluded me.  I was listening to the enemy of my soul telling me that heaven was far beyond my reach and out of the picture, because of my riotous living and sinful history.

Amazingly, the Holy Spirit was tugging at my burdened soul desiring that I make an about-face to allow God’s blessings to fill the emptiness within me.  He wanted to give me an abundant life that would replace the hell hole I was living in.

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

I yielded to His gentle touch and asked God to forgive my sins.  I was not disappointed!  Peace rushed in like a river as I felt the heavy burden of sin lifting off my shoulders.  God proved Himself faithful and forgave my sins.  He cleansed me from all my iniquity. 

Past sins are now under the blood of Jesus that He shed on a cross for the forgiveness of sins.  My righteousness was like filthy rags, but God looked beyond my faults and saw my need.  I was lost without a Savior, but He gave me Jesus, His Son.  My sins will never be remembered against me again.  God threw them into the sea.  I am a new creation because of Jesus.

(Micah 7:18-19), “Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage?  He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy.” (vs 19) “He will again have compassion on us and will subdue our iniquities.  You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.”

(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.”

Jesus is no respecter of persons; what He did for me He will do the same for anyone needing mercy rather than judgement.  If you are looking for a new life without all the drama, Jesus is the answer. 

The Lord loves us dearly and wants the very best for us no matter what the devil says.  I don’t know why it is, but for some reason humans are prone to listen to lies rather than trust what the Bible tells them about forgiveness.

(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.”

The Bible is God’s word, which is infallible—without error.  It provides truth in every way and gives direction in all situations of life.  It was pinned by holy men of old, inspired and breathed upon by the Spirit of God for the benefit of mankind.

The Bible is our roadmap to salvation through Jesus Christ, and Him only.  There is no other way to commune with the true and living God except through Jesus.  We can believe what the Bible says. 

(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.”

When a person sins, their willful disobedience requires judgement, but God provided a way to receive His mercy rather than judgement when we bow our heads before the Lord and ask Him to forgive our sins.  Mercy will triumph over judgement.

When Satan comes in like a flood and slams you with untruths, you can, as a Christian, stand on God’s word and in the strength of His might and rebuke Satan in the name of Jesus and receive, by faith, victory in your soul.

(1 John 1:7), “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

(Isaiah 40:31), “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

www.wordsfrompapa.blogspot.com

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Up Up and Away

When I was younger, I watched a television series called, “Tarzan.”  He was quite the character; a “noble savage” who was abandoned as an infant in the jungle and raised by apes and later discovered his human roots.

I was fascinated to watch how trick photography made it appear as if he was swinging higher in the trees on vines and branches—up up and away, as it were.  It was one of those shows that was fun to watch and perhaps challenged kids to get out of the house and swing on a tree branch like Tarzan.

As a boy, I enjoyed playing outside instead of sitting in the house all day on my ‘do nothing’ like kids today.  They should be encouraged to get up up and away from the couch to inhale fresh air outdoors, while swinging on a tree branch or two.  Any kind of exercise is better than none.

Talk about swinging; in my teens I loved, “The 5^th Dimension” a swinging American vocal group.  Only one person from the original group is with them presently.  Their music encompasses sunshine pop, pop soul, and psychedelic soul. 

One of their songs I enjoy was made popular in 1967, “Up Up and Away.”  Some of the lyrics are: “Would you like to ride in my beautiful balloon—up up and away, my beautiful, my beautiful balloon” of which inspired me to jot down a few thoughts regarding a beautiful trip I am looking forward to someday.

Trust me, if you haven’t made the necessary arrangements to go on this trip, you don’t want to miss this ride for anything.  Everyone is invited, but there are those that choose to procrastinate and not make the required reservations.  They prefer to do other things and say, “I’ll take care of it tomorrow.” but tomorrow never comes to make that all-important plan.  It will affect where they live in the future.

These people refuse to consider the consequences of waiting and failing to get their ducks in line for that up up and away trip that would have taken them through yonder clouds to an unbelievable destination.

The price of admission for this trip has already been paid in full.  We need only to believe it’s paid for and receive this gift that is free for the asking.  When the time has arrived for departure, all that’s left for us to do is get on board the soul plane and we’re off.  It will take us up up and away to a beautiful place that our minds cannot comprehend its magnificence.

An incredible man who owns the cattle on a thousand hills is the one that knew we had nothing tangible to offer in exchange for the fare.  He had compassion on us and paid the price so we could enjoy the journey without the worry of indebtedness…I owed a debt I could not pay; he paid a debt he did not owe.

The peaceful environment of the destination is a place like nothing we have ever visited or can conceive of in our finite minds.  The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World cannot begin to compare to the beauty and majesty of this amazing place.  Are you ready to go up up and away to a monumental establishment that’s awaiting our arrival?

On the appointed day when we go up there, all heartache, worry, pain, and questions about tomorrow shall cease.  This remarkable environment is somewhere beyond the horizon in the eastern sky.  The trip is soon to come, so we must be ready or be left behind with many regrets.

This one-time event was predicted many years ago that would take place.  I do not know the day nor the time of departure; it is an unknown mystery known only to the one in charge who established this wonderful place. 

He gave us clues that were written down in a very popular book.  The information he shared pertains to the season of this monumental happening.  Not even the owner’s son, the one who paid our way there, knows the time.

The horizon I alluded to will be displaying the most beautiful clouds in that area of the sky.  When those arriving see the majesty of the clouds, they will call them ‘clouds of glory’, because of the person that is in the midst of them.

On this day that we were made aware of in the Bible, the event will involve the owner’s Son who was and is a VIP that changed the destination of people that desired to go up up and away. 

This place of eternal life, not made with hands, has many mansions.  The gates to the city are made of pearls and the streets paved with pure gold.  There is a registration book at the entrance called, The Lambs Book of Life.

The people that received the entrance fee, paid for with blood, death, and the resurrection of that special person, Jesus Christ, will certainly recognize Him, because of the nail scars in His hands and feet.

People that are committed to God and accepted the gift of life, His Son, will have their names written in that book of life and enter through the gates into heaven.  We will know the season, but not the exact time that the trip to heaven will take place, which is the second coming of Jesus.  The Bible is clear on this.

There is another place for those individuals that missed the soul plane whose names are not written in The Lamb’s Book of Life.  The up up and away trip is known as the rapture. 

Departure date is near at hand!  DO NOT procrastinate to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life.  You don’t want to be left behind!  It's the trip of a lifetime that born-again Believers are going on.  It will not be in a beautiful balloon, it will be instantaneous, in the blink of an eye.  It’s the journey of all journeys.  The person that bought our ticket made it possible for us to live with Him in heaven—Jesus, the Son of God.

(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.”

Jesus died on the cross for our sins and paid the price for our sin-debt that was impossible for us to pay, because our righteous is as filthy rags is the sight of God.  It is Jesus that we are going to see in all His glory and power in the clouds that we will pass through as we enter the gates of pearl into the place prepared for the children of God.

Our destination is God’s creation, called heaven where Christians will live forever in the presence of the Creator of all things, God Almighty.  What a day that will be when the family of God experiences a great welcoming home celebration!

www.wordsfrompapa.blogspot.com

Written by,

Papa Boyd

The Profit Margin for Success Part 1 of 2

My dad and his father before him were hard working men when they were fortunate enough to find jobs, especially during America’s stock market crash.  Work was scarce.

The Great Depression, as it is known, not only broke people’s will to face another day because of financial ruin, the job market dried up, and individual finances crumbled overnight.  This devastating collapse impacted lifestyles and affected livelihoods across the nation.

The effects lasted from 1929 to 1939, but God was faithful in providing sustainable income and sustenance for Dad, my grandfather, and their families.  Everyone was blessed as the Lord supplied all their needs in a time when hardship and despair were everywhere.

Tenacity and commitment to hard work kept them employed when God opened the doors of employment.  I am thankful that Dad raised me with the same work ethics as he and his father were taught growing up.  I strived to do it likewise with my three kids.

The profit margins for all our successes are measured “hundred-fold” compared to some of the people today that refuse to take a job when they are physically fit and able to do so, but don’t.  For reasons unknown to me, there are those that feel they are owed a living and entitled to special privileges, for whatever reason, and don’t have to work for it, or they have a job and habitually slack off each day, because of supposed entitlement.

I’m proud to say that all my adult children and their spouses are hardworking individuals and do not take their pay for granted.  They always exceed their bosses’ expectations each week.  None of them have ever backed up to their checks on payday, metaphorically speaking.

They are not inept or incompetent, but responsible employees that are dedicated to the companies they work for, not like the slackers that shirk their responsibilities during the week and embarrassed to look their employers in the eyes because they failed to give eight hours of honest labor for eight hours pay each day.

All my children and their companions take pride in the knowledge that they are excellent employees and receive their checks facing their employers, because they are proud of their exceptional work ethics.  I believe God expects this of us. 

It is wonderful they are also teaching their children the value of taking responsibility and being good stewards of their money, while impressing on them the importance of working hard to be the best at what they do.  “Anything worth doing is worth doing well” is the motto we live by.

The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles goes together with the integrity that comes from worthwhile training.  Teaching by example is most important when it comes to valuable lessons that are passed down from generation to generation.

(Proverbs 22:6), “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

This scripture is pertaining to walking with God and living within His statutes, but I believe it applies to work ethics as well.  Conscientious training is priceless.

When a person utilizes and adheres to this training, it produces favorability with others that opens doors of opportunity, which are blessings from God to one’s livelihood.  Advancements present themselves to those who have uncompromising convictions to do what is right in life.

People take notice, because trustworthiness radiates from principle-minded individuals.  It’s who they are, and people see their worth and are drawn to them.  They are certainly worth hiring, notwithstanding, they feel good about themselves in a world of takers and freeloaders.

Obtaining a vault full of money is not an issue here nor the intent of this writing.  Money cannot buy happiness, though many people try, but their efforts are in vain. 

Contentment is contingent on making good choices, investing one’s money wisely, and enjoying life without all the hullabaloo of trying to keep up with the Jones’s next door or get ‘one-up’ on the Smith’s down the street.  Living for Jesus is the key and number one avenue to success.  He is the One Who prospers us.

Most importantly, God should be ‘top billing’ and held in high esteem above all things, while being first on everyone’s list of desires.  A person having honor, integrity, and a good character that is coupled with nobility is living an all-around good life through Jesus and blessed beyond measure.

Situations manifest themselves in positive ways and fall into place when godly people are walking with Jesus.  Things have a way of working out for them, because their steps are ordered by the Lord.  People that demonstrate sensible thinking and practice aboveboard behavior are the ones, like Noah, that find grace in the eyes of the Lord.

They stay in God’s good graces as they obey His word, which brings us to my next thought.  I believe a big part of enjoying a wonderful life in Christ begins with giving the first fruits of our labor to God, which is His just due of 10% out of each paycheck.  This subject is addressed in (Malachi 3:8).  It’s called tithing. 

You may or may not be tracking with me at this point regarding this issue, so I will leave it between you and God to work out for yourself.

(Malachi 3:8), “Will a man rob God?  Yet you have robbed me!  But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’  In tithes and offerings.”

As for me, I have learned through the years that I can do more with 90% of my money than the full 100% of earnings, while feeling good about my obedience to God’s word. 

Tithing is God’s plan that works when His children step out in faith to implement His expectations and follow His directives.  Success works out exceedingly well when we obey God.

(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.”

While jotting down my thoughts, I contemplated changing the title to “How Much is Enough” dealing with money accumulation, with ‘self’ being the central focus of my meddling.

I think, for some people, the response to this title would be, “Just a Little More” or “There’s never enough.”  Sadly, many of these people have placed money on a throne all to itself, above everything and everyone else.  For most of these tunnel-visioned people, the love of money has become foremost in their thinking and their god.

How much of their money and possessions do you think they will be permitted to take with them when they breathe their last breath on earth?  At the closing moment of life, all their riches are for not, because they came into the world with nothing and will leave the same way.  Everything is left behind.

www.wordsfrompapa.blogspot.com

Written by,

Papa Boyd

**Please continue reading: “The Profit Margin for Success” Part 2 or 2