The Message

When I was a young boy, I had a vivid imagination like most other kids my age. Pretending was my favorite pass time.  I enjoyed the world of make-believe, because early on, my life revolved around doctor visits and stays in the local hospital.

I experienced a lot of illness and spent much of my time indoors, so I needed something to occupy my mind in the lonely hours of being without other kids to play with.  I was diagnosed with severe allergies and asthma.

Mom and Dad guarded me closely.  They prayed much for me.  By the grace of God and His healing power, as I aged, my body became stronger, and wellness settled in. 

Our home was in the bedroom community of Martinez, California, a few miles from the bay, which was close to downtown Martinez.  On occasion I was able to visit the bay.

I remember, as my creative mind was working overtime, on my wish list of things to do, I thought it would be cool to find a bottle with some kind of message or treasure map inside that had washed ashore at the bay.

I also wished that I could put a message inside a bottle and toss it into the bay with our home phone number in it, hoping to get a call from the finder, but I never got the chance to follow through with my wish.  I needed something out of the norm to happen in my sheltered life.

I’m talking about messages.  The oldest sibling in my family was our brother, 14 years my senior, and two sisters older than me.  I was the youngest of four children.  Our parents waited a long time before I happened along.

When I was a little older, my brother took time to show me how to write a secret message using milk.  He started out by drawing a cross on my forearm using milk.  It was about 1 1/2” x 1” in size, nothing too big.  He then drew the same size cross on a small piece of paper using an ink pen.

He shared something I’ve never forgotten.  He said, “You can never take away the significance of what the cross means to mankind, even if you burn it.”  He continued, “Jesus died on the cross for our sins.”

He lit a match and set the piece of paper on fire.  He took the ashes and gently rubbed them across the area on my arm where the milk was, now dry and invisible.  Presto!  The cross reappeared like magic.  It was a hidden message that appeared before my very eyes.  I was amazed.

Talk about messages; the real message that sets individuals free from the bondage of sin is spoken of in the Bible and aloud by born-again Believers who were, themselves, set free from sin.  It’s called witnessing for Jesus. 

Those that hear the message regarding the born-again experience are given a choice to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior or reject His forgiveness of sin and go their separate way.  God does not usurp our will but gives us freedom of choice.  The message God wants everyone to take to heart is in Bible scriptures.

(John 3:16), “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

(Romans 3:23), “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of 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 provides a brighter focus on life each day when we become His children.  Our relationship with Him is enlightened through the freedom He gives, because of His forgiveness.

Where the natural mind meets the spiritual mind is at the cross on our knees.  Experiencing salvation and knowing Jesus, firsthand, is believing.  He gives supernatural peace that goes beyond our understanding.  Forgiveness of sin means life everlasting in heaven.

I pose two questions…Is eternity in heaven, with God, worth the time spent on our knees asking Him to forgive our sins, or is rejecting God’s Son and spending eternity in the other place, with Satan, a better choice?  You be the judge.

To me, the message is loud and clear and will never change.  God’s true message of life stands above false teachings where hopelessness abides.  When non-Believers and cults say that their philosophy and doctrines are the way to God, it’s all a big lie.

God’s message to mankind says that agape love conquers all.  Jesus suffered horrific pain as He was crucified on a cross to pay the full price for sin and our redemption.  He died on the cross for the sins of humanity.  Jesus rose from the dead three days later so that we might have life everlasting through Him.  

The Lord ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God making intercession for you and me.  Yes, He prays for us, because He wants us in heaven with Him.  Jesus is the only way to 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.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd

The Mighty Forces of Wind Power (Part 1 of 2)

The narrative of this writing touches on the common denominator that links wind and power together.  Winds like typhoons in the region of the Indian or western Pacific oceans are often devastating.

Tornadoes in the south and Midwest, and hurricanes in southeastern parts of the United Staters, most always leave a path of destruction.  The aftermath of recent hurricanes in Florida and South Carolina destroyed many houses and commercial buildings.  Several lives were lost.

The impactful winds generated are mind boggling.  Such wind power baffles the brain when trying to wrap my understanding around the intensity that is manifested.  Usually, manmade structures cannot withstand the powerful onslaught of these horrific velocities.

Winds are indeed remarkable phenomena that nature produces.  These massive storms cause helpless reactions to those caught in them.  Often, these unstoppable winds will collapse or blow structures into pieces depending on the degree of force imposed.

While reading portions of Bible scriptures in the Book of Acts, they gave me pause with regards to the unlimited power of Almighty God, especially on the Day of Pentecost.  This unprecedented phenomenon impacted 120 people as they gathered in an upper room somewhere in Jerusalem.

This spectacular event was nothing less than a miracle sent from God.  The account of this demonstration of God’s amazing power is found in (Acts 2).

After the crucifixion of Jesus and before He ascended into heaven, He told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they received power from God.  The mighty move of God revealed His power in the presence of the 120 faithful followers, while they patiently waited to be endued with power from on high.  Jesus said that it would happen, and it did.

Suddenly, a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were together.  Cloven tongues as of fire set upon each individual and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.  They began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them.

That day, after being filled with the Holy Spirit, as the 120 Believers were speaking the wonders of God, the crowds of people outside could hear God’s message being spoken in their own native tongue.  There were many different languages and dialects present. 

The people were perplexed, causing great astonishment, because the 120 were Galileans, who were able to speak the different languages.  It was the power of the Holy Spirit filling their mouths.

3,000 souls heard the salvation message and were transformed and became Believers.  Shortly thereafter, 5,000 more people believed the message and were changed by God’s Spirit.

The followers of Christ, full of the Holy Spirit, had power to witness about God’s eternal salvation without fear of retaliation of any kind.  Everyone the disciples spoke to marveled, because they heard them speaking in their own language.  This happening was foretold by the Prophet Joel in (Joel 2:28-29).

The wind of God’s Spirit is unstoppable and powerful as it moves people to repent of their sins, like the power of a hurricane and other forces moving across the land.  Nothing can stand against God, because all power belongs to Him alone.

The spirit of darkness, demonic strongholds, and anything anti-Christ cannot withstand the powerful wind of God’s might and the power that is in the name of Jesus, God’s Son.

I cannot explain the power and might of the Holy Spirit, no one can, but God’s children have the power within them.  God’s ways are far beyond my understanding just as I struggle to comprehend the power of the wind.

When the mighty, rushing wind filled the house on the Day of Pentecost, I would like to believe that the wind was the breath of Almighty God breathing upon the 120 Believers as they welcomed the Holy Spirit into their heart.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

The Mighty Forces of Wind Power (Part 2 of 2)

The winds that God created to blow across the seas of His creation are welcomed by seafaring mariners in schooners that depend on the wind to get them across the waters.

I have never been on a sailing schooner or sailboat.  They are propelled forward when the wind fills the sails and pushes these vessels to their destinations.

If sailboats and sailing ships are not equipped with diesel or gas-powered motors as backups, it is most probable that passengers and crew members can become stranded at sea if the wind ceases to blow.

A vessel that is dead in the water will drift aimlessly at the mercy of ocean currents without deliberate forward motion.  Having no wind and mechanical problems with a backup motor will hamper any effort by the crew and helmsman to head in the direction of their choosing.  It is futile.

I can relate to this illustration, because I was spiritually adrift on the sea of rebellion in my fleshly vessel before I saw the light and became a Christian.  Struggling with self-indulgent living, without a safe harbor in sight, I was lost in uncharted waters of regret and heartache.

Yes, my sails were trimmed but facing the wrong direction.  They were not properly positioned to catch the perfect wind—God’s breath of life.  Foolishly, my sails were trimmed to receive more of the blowing wind of sin and things that caused calamity.

Because of my selfish desire for fun and bad behavior, I failed to prepare my sails to collect the wind of the Holy Spirit that would fill them and propel me in the right direction toward home and the safety of God’s harbor, (heaven).  I was in bad shape.

My navigational rudder was out of commission, because of the worldly sandbars and rocky shorelines upon which I was constantly running a-ground.  I was broken and taking on water due to the holes in my vessel, caused by sinful storms of my own making, while rejecting God through my contrived devices of rebellion.

It seemed I was always finding myself in turbulent surroundings.  I was exhausted from trying to bail out the water of sin in my own strength and self-righteousness.  I refused to face the fact that I needed supernatural help.

I was sinking in the darkness of a non-forgiving storm of sin with no help in sight.  I was looking in the wrong direction for assistance.  So-called friends and colleagues had abandoned ship and left me to weep alone as I screamed into the void of night for someone to throw me a lifeline.

Blinded by sin and darkness, I felt the unescapable water rising around me as my vessel was being swamped and ready to capsize.  Self-indulgent sailing was my downfall with many regrets.  I was staring death in the face as I sank deeper in sin.

Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimmer of hope.  I saw a light through my tears.  It was a lighthouse off the starboard side, the right side of my vessel.  My sin-seeking visual was always on the port side, away from that which was right.

I finally realized that hope and any kind of help was fruitless when peering in the wrong direction.  As I turned my face toward the light, it seemed as if it was beckoning me and calling my name, “Dennis, come unto me if you are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.”

God’s safe harbor is crucial for our spiritual survival.  I realized that the lighthouse was Jesus.  He was reaching out to me all the while, but I was too busy looking elsewhere.  I would not look His way.  I only needed to look at Him because He was my help and hope.  In Jesus I found forgiveness of sins, and life everlasting.  I was saved by grace.

I do not fear the winds of confusion and doubt, because God is the captain and pilot of my vessel.  The wind of God's Spirit is pushing me forward, closer and closer to home each day.  In Him I live!

Written by, 

Papa Boyd

The Best Disinfectant and Healing Balm

We all know what disinfectant does and what it is used for; to kill germs, bacteria, and fungus.  During the Covid-19 pandemic, our nation’s populous bought and used gallons of disinfectant to slow down the spread of this dreadful disease.  It was used around the world.

The title of this writing reflects two thoughts that I want to share with you.  The first thought pertains to the sun in our galaxy that God spoke into existence for mankind.  This massive star is bright, and its sunshine provides the needed vitamin D for all of earth’s inhabitants to maintain vitality and mental vigor in human bodies.

Vitamin D is vital to help stave off autoimmune diseases with its healing properties.  Sunlight is a great disinfectant and provides the healing balm that the body needs so desperately to stay healthy.  The more we bask in its rays, the healthier we are, but not in excess.

Too little sun can lead to symptoms like fatigue, bone fractures, frequent illness, and hair loss.  The sun keeps us physically fit, much like the use of disinfectants on our hands, doorknobs, countertops, and light switches that help keep us well.

I read on the Web that vitamin D can help impede cardiovascular disease, many types of cancer, dementia, types 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus, and respiratory tract infections.

My second thought to consider is the Son of God, who is our great healer.  He heals sick, unhealthy souls that have been infected and blackened by sin.  Jesus shines the light of His love into every corner and dark crevice of our soul when we invite Him in. 

When Jesus indwells the human soul, His presence becomes a healing balm, while removing the dankness and stench that sin causes.  Good health becomes reality, because we pass from death unto life through Him.  The Lord brings physical healing and promotes excellent spiritual wellbeing, because of who He is.  The Son is the light of the world and healer.

(John 8:12), “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world.  He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.’ “

I mean no disrespect to Jesus by calling Him names, but He is the all-purpose disinfectant and healing balm that mankind so desperately needs.  He heals broken hearts, provides light to wayward souls, and gives hope to the hopeless, while cleaning them from infectious sin.  Jesus scrubs away weariness of those looking for peace, while He enlightens the awareness of His nurturing presence.

Personally, I was spiritually blind before I met Jesus and allowed Him to heal my sin-infected soul, but now I see.  I experienced God’s mercy and grace, which is free to any person that desires their soul to be healed.

Total restoration comes the moment they bow their heart before God and asks Him to forgive their sins.  There is no disinfectant and healing balm that can cleanse a sick soul other than the Son of God.  Only He can bring healing.  As we walk with Him, the more we absorb His light and the stronger we become physically and spiritually.

Without the Son, humanity is sick unto death.  Life loses luster and meaning.  Real and lasting joy is unreachable without Jesus.  The temporary and meaningless heights that sin brings fade quickly like the sun’s rays behind a storm cloud.

Not even the sun, with all its healing properties and brilliance can shine bright enough to compare with the Son that brings life to a dying soul.  The Son gives lasting light, 24/7, whereas the sun, in all its magnificence, is limited to a few hours a day.

Jesus has unlimited healing not only for the soul, but the physical body, as I have said.  Jesus is the exclusive source of Devine light.  There is no other source of spiritual enlightenment available to mankind.

(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.”

It is a scientific fact that humanity cannot survive without the sun.  Souls are lifeless without the Son’s sacrifice on the cross for our sins, but we need to accept Him as Lord and Savior to receive His healing.

God’s Son is the proven disinfectant that wipes away the bacteria of sin.  There is enough of Him to bring total healing to the whole world of sin-sick souls that are dying without the Lord.  Without Jesus in our heart, of whom is God’s healing balm, we are as dead man’s bones with no life in us.  We will die and go into eternity without the Son in our soul, like a flower that withers and dies without the sun on its petals.

I’m glad I chose Jesus to be my cleaning agent to disinfect my soul from impending death.  He cleansed me from all unrighteousness through the blood He shed on the cross.  The disease of sin was eliminated.  Jesus washed and cleansed me from the inside out.  I am a new creation in Him.

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

Written by,
Papa Boyd

Mask of Deception

The whole idea of a mask is to conceal one’s identity.  When Covid-19 was upon us and taking its toll on so many lives, we were required to wear masks.  We were told they would prevent the spread of the disease.

Certain types of masks can certainly protect our lungs from toxic chemical gases, contaminants, and harsh elements that can prove harmful to our health if inhaled. 

Another slant regarding masks is when a person is putting on a mask of deception, a front or ruse to deceive people as to who they really are inside…a wolf in sheep’s clothing, as it were.  It is someone pretending to be something they are not.

Deception is the key to taking advantage of others and trying to fool them into accepting a hidden or devious agenda that could prove detrimental to the person being deceived. 

The devil is a prime example of a master deceiver.  He appears as light but is darkness in disguise.  He wears the mask of deception.  Satan is deceptive in all his ways and wants to devour our soul.

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

If we listen to his lies and allow them to infiltrate our thinking, his hateful antics can become a part of our demeanor.  His subtle influence, in time, takes a person away from what is best for them, and impacts on their everyday living in ways that they put on his outlandish characteristics.

We must guard our mind against the invasion of lies and filth that pollute and undermine goodness and upright living.  Disregarding the effects can sway us away from God and His blessings.

If we are not careful, we can deceive ourselves into thinking that something is okay to partake of or get involved with but know in their heart it’s wrong.  My father-in-law called this personal tactic of misleading oneself, “justification.” 

A person wants something so bad that they conjure up a plan to make it seem right in their own mind by justifying their actions to obtain it.  What would Jesus do if He were in the same situation?  This question will always give the right answer.

My desire is to be more like the Lord than the devil, because Jesus gives abundant peace that accompanies doing the right thing.  God wants us to have life and life more abundantly.  We will have this when we abide in truth rather than wearing a mask of deception, while deceiving ourselves. 

God knows the intent of our heart and He cannot be deceived.  We may think we are getting by with something, but we are not.  God sees and knows all things.  He is omniscient (having complete or unlimited knowledge), omnipotent (all infinite and powerful), and omnipresent (present everywhere at the same time).

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

Where a person can get into real trouble is when they get caught up in half-truths.  Cults and teachers of false doctrines will not present their deceptive ideas and theories up front in one sitting but will combine them with truth that a person feels comfortable with.

They begin conversations with things that are believable and then infiltrate the truth with deceptive rhetoric.  Listen closely.  Don’t be swayed with untruths.  If something doesn’t seem quite right, it probably isn’t.  Remember, if it looks like a duck, it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it’s a duck no matter how much truth is mixed in the falsehood.

More than likely, most unsuspecting people would be able to discern that the presentation is a façade or mask, unless truth were not integrated at different points  in their attempt to deceive.  Be aware and stay prudent of half-truths.  Do not take things at face value until you have weighed the supposed facts with sound teachings that you have had or what the Bible says about the situation.

 When someone presents fragments of truth, while manipulating and working in their untruthful spiel, the mask of deception is less likely to be lifted, and the person exposed if we bury our heads in the sand of naïve thinking.  We must be wise in our reasoning as we use God-given listening skills.  If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

The moment any conversation goes off course and something does not add up, sounds off script, doesn’t feel right, these are caution flags that are prompting you to run the other way.  The mask of deception is at work and has just been lifted to reveal who and what is coming at you.

(Ephesians 6:10-12), “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” (vs 11) “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (vs 12) “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd

The Clock is Ticking

When I was ‘quickly’ approaching the age of Forty, I gave up my business as a general contractor to spend more quality time with my wife and three, young children.  Amazingly, talk about God’s timing, a Building Inspector position became available in the same city that I resided.  The vacated position was due to a retiring inspector.  I believe it was a God thing.

I hurried and turned in my resume to the City Building Department, and after they reviewed it and felt that I was qualified, I received a phone call a few days later to set up a date to take an exam.  It was the second pre-employment phase that was required.

If I placed in the top ten, the next phase was a question-and-answer session with an interview board, and then a one-on-one sitting with the Building Official who would have the final say as to the one being hired.

I thought the day of the exam would never come, but at last it was here.  I was feeling good that day and ready for this phase to be over.  I was nervous and anxious as I listened to the pertinent instructions given by the overseeing Proctor.  After finishing her talk, she said, “Begin.”  I had three hours to complete the exam.

I made a big mistake sitting under the clock that was in the room.  I couldn’t relocate to another desk because the room was filled with Sixty-five other hopeful applicants.  It was one of those clocks like the ones in school classrooms—very loud with every tick.

The exam was stressful enough but listening to the big hand on the clock tick to the next minute and quickly tick again and then again was quite annoying and distracting.  I was racing against the clock to finish before time ran out.

It seemed like fifteen seconds between each tick, not a full minute.  Three hours blew by at supersonic speed.  Just as I answered the last question, the Proctor exclaimed, “Time’s up!”  It was over!  I took a deep breath, laid my pencil down and walked out.  I left with huge sweat rings under both armpits, yet feeling good about the answers I gave.

With the exam behind me and all the interviews I went through, I was fortunate to be chosen for the job.  It was certainly a God thing.  I gave Him all the praise.

I’m sure you can relate to the fact that when a person stays busy at work, time flies, but if things are slow, the day seems to drag on forever.  In a similar vein of thinking, it is shocking to me how a seven-day week seems to turn into a four-day week the older I get. 

Time is flying by but not like when I was younger and waiting for that all important 18^th and 21^st birthday to roll around.  Time slowed down to a crawl during the wait. 

The opposite is true with regards to Bible prophecies addressing the second coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  Time is slipping by at breakneck speed.  I believe this long-awaited event is quickly approaching, “faster than quick can get ready” as the saying goes.

I also believe it is coming faster than some people want.  They are procrastinating in giving their heart to the Lord, because they want to live life without any ties or interference from God. 

Wanting to delay His coming does not change the fact that the clock is ticking, and time is running out to make things right with the Lord.  The clock is ticking faster and faster like the day I took the exam.

When I was a child being raised in a Christian home; I remember Mom and Dad saying that Jesus was coming soon.  It didn’t happen in their lifetime, but I sincerely believe that I am in the generation that will behold the Son of God coming back in all His glory.

From what I understand, every Bible prophecy relating to Jesus’ second coming has been fulfilled, except one prophecy—His actual return.  It will happen in the twinkling of an eye.  If a person has not confessed their sins and received God’s forgiveness, it will be too late to say, “God forgive me of my sins.”

(Matthew 24:34-39), “Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.” (vs 35) “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” (vs 36) “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” (vs 37) “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” (vs 38) “For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,” (vs 39) “and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.”

We must always be ready to meet Jesus when that moment takes place.  Our sins must be forgiven, or we will be left behind and not inherit eternal life in heaven.  There are no second chances.  Time is of the essence!  The clock is ticking!  Today is the day of salvation, not tomorrow.  Tomorrow may be too late.

(2 Corinthians 6:2), “For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.’  “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd