The Importance of Trust

Without trust, life and relationships can resemble a house of cards, unstable in most every way.  The wonderful thing about friends, family members, and spouses is not only mutual trust and respect, but it’s the personal influence they have on each other.

Varying types of personalities can touch other personalities in constructive and positive ways.  People strengthen one another, but trust is earned, which takes time to culminate.

I’m sure you’ve heard the adage, “opposites attract.”  I believe it to be so.  My wife’s personality is at the other end of the spectrum from mine.  Some of her weak areas are my strong points, and vice versa.

We support and help each other, while we appreciate and level out our differences.  We work well as a team in decision making and working through life’s challenges.  We have learned to trust each other’s judgement when we take time to communicate and talk things over.

(Proverbs 11:14), “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.”

I know we are to be wise in the choices we make and be harmless as a dove, but a person should not bury their head in the sand and refuse to face life head-on.  Hoping that situations will go away on their own is foolish thinking, in my opinion.

Let’s face it, there is good sense, bad sense, and no sense at all.  I endeavor to be in the first category of having good sense.  I told my wife that I would rather have common sense than a high I.Q. like some people that exhibit little or no sense at all.

Don’t take me wrong, there are smart people everywhere that are blessed with good sense, but I have met intellectuals that had their heads in the clouds when it came to common sense.  They seldom trust what others have to say and reject sound advice.

Yes, it is important that we know our limitations and trust our own decision making when facing things that life brings our way, but a person needs to learn how to trust the council of others, that is if the ones offering advice possess good sense.

There is nothing wrong with education and bolstering one’s knowledge, while honing their skills and becoming astute in learning, but when a person focuses on their own knowledge alone, they may find themselves separated from others, because of their intellectual self-centered, my way or the highway type attitude. 

This type of approach to situations can lead to self-indulgent thinking, which tells me that they have a lot to learn with regards to open-mindedness.  They may sincerely think they have all the answers as they refuse to trust sound minds, sound judgement, and good sense of others, but do they? 

I believe self-centered people need to experience a few trips around the ‘block of hard knocks’ that teaches it’s okay to listen to wise council.  As I see it, those that sit idle in their self-made cocoon is “cutting off their nose to spite their face” as the saying goes.

I have met people that are so educated and self-absorbed in themselves that they don’t have a clue regarding the phrase, “where the rubber meets the road” concept.  They lack practical experience and have not learned the value of listening instead of doing all the talking.

When I was younger, a close friend said this to me, “A person learns more when they shut their mouth and listen rather than running it all the time.”  I wonder if he was trying to tell me something.  Anyway, his statement gave me food for thought and I took it to heart.  It was great advice because I trusted his candor and wisdom.

If people that doubt would practice this type of reasoning, they could then learn the art of trusting others.  If they refuse to listen, it becomes hard for them to deal with the simple things in life, because they do not have the practical skills that listening brings.

No-one has all the answers.  If a student or anyone is not careful about that matter, they can lose themselves when seeking knowledge.  Life can become skewed when listening to one sided indoctrination that is spewed by teachers, professors, and people knocking at the front door with their one-sided agenda.

These people want to tell us how to live and think, while criticizing our way of thinking if it fails to line up with theirs.  We must remain true to ourselves and stay in tune with our values and convictions when we open our mind to the teachings and philosophy of others.

We must insist on being the author of our own story.  The following is something good to remember.  Consider the source of any information received and trust the common sense that God gave you that enables us to stay on the right track and not be detoured, deceived, or misled in any way from the truth.

If we stay true to ourselves, we will not lose our values and self-worth to someone else’s point of view who, themselves, may be lacking common sense or truthful facts.  We need to trust, but verify, and not take anything at face value, because of another person’s status or supposed intelligence. 

We need to guard against taking things for granted as to their validity until we verify, coupled with fact checking.  This exercise in self-preservation falls under the heading of ‘being wise’.

(Proverbs 3:5-7), “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;” (vs 6) “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (vs 7) “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil.”

Without faith it is impossible to please God.  I believe faith and trust are synonymous with each other.  I have learned to trust the Bible, through faith, as being absolute truth—factual in every way.

There are intellectuals, and so-called scholars that claim the Bible is full of contradictions and exaggerated events that are presented as truth.  These same people purposely misconstrue the concept of right vs. wrong.

In man’s attempt to usurp God’s authority and renounce the Bible as God’s word, wrong is becoming right and right is becoming wrong, because of the evilness in the heart of man.  Evil does not want us to trust the haven of truth—the Bible. 

They put forward false doctrine that supposed truths contradict sound thinking, and that Jesus was nothing more than just a man rather than God incarnated in human form.  Trust me, the above carnal thinking is false teaching and lacks the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

False declarations need to be exposed as heresy and totally rejected lest we fall into doubt, thus leaving trust by the wayside.   I see this vomiting of filth for what it is, Satan’s attempt to deceive those that may be wavering in trust.  We must stand firm and realize the importance of trusting God’s word.

To trust any other demonic rhetoric or anyone that spouts anti-Christ philosophies is nonsensical.  Like I said, we must be wise and not take things or statements at face value just because someone has a degree after their name, or even if they say they are a prophet sent from God.  If what they say goes contrary to the Bible, it is from the devil.

Trust God’s Word.  It is infallible and was written by holy men of God, that were breathed upon by the Holy Spirit when they penned words of Truth.  It is our road map that leads to heaven.

(Psalm 119:105), “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

www.wordsfrompapa.blogspot.com

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Peace or Conflict

I will always remember the day when I became a born-again Believer.  It was the most life-changing and memorable transformation that has ever affected me in such positive ways.  It was the turning point for the rest of my life, a newfound freedom.

My encounter with God was like trading a rusty, old ‘Conflict for Life’ badge that Satan pinned on my lapel, in exchange for a solid gold ‘Peace Like a River’ placard that Jesus handed me.

Conflict departed from me and peace took its place at the time I said yes to the Holy Spirit’s beckoning.  His gift of grace broke the death grip I had on worldly calamity the moment I opened my heart to receive Christ as my personal Savior.

My spirit grabbed the Lord’s outstretched hands, and with love He pulled me to His bosom out of the mire in which I was stuck.  He freed me from my wayward lifestyle.

When God forgave my sins, I was able to ‘let go’ of the sin-nature that had me bound and ‘let God’ become the giver of life to my soul that was void of peace.

Before I met Jesus, my surrounding environment was like quicksand.  I was sinking deeper in sin and looking for something substantial to grab on to.  I was held fast in a cesspool of scum on a stagnant pond of transgressions that smelled like death.

The Lord shined His beacon of hope in the darkness of my despair and became the solid rock, a firm foundation that I so desperately needed.  I was in a world filled with calamity of my own making, having no one to blame but myself.  My life reeked of sin, with many regrets, while oppression became my bedfellow.

An unanswered question was always looming in my mind: “Where can I find lasting peace?”  Since Jesus took up residence within me, I do not have to search hard to find sweet memories that came after my transformation to Christianity.  There are many.  God has become the fulfilling hope of past, present, and future experiences in Him.

The question I had about peace was answered as soon as God’s love flooded my soul; a river-of-life flowing from the throne of Almighty God.  The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit inhabited my being and breathed life into me.

The smell of death subsided when salvation became reality after I asked God to forgive my sins.  There was now no question as to where the ongoing peace was coming from.

Have you ever searched your memory for something to provide lasting peace in lonely hours of despair that you may have been facing?  The key word above is ‘lasting’.  If you found nothing, I pray that this writing will help to shine God’s persona on your pathway ahead.

Know this, God loves you with a never-ending love.  He also knows your name and where you live, because you are important to Him.  He wants you to experience an abundant, peaceful life that is free from ongoing conflict.  God desires that you have a life filled with His mercy and grace.

There is nothing I can think of that compares to the peace that God gives the moment a person is born-again, when the Lord forgives their sins.  Nothing on earth can provide lasting peace except Jesus Christ, who is the Prince of Peace.

Fame, fortune, possessions, or holding the highest position in a company are insufficient to sustain long-term happiness.  They are nothing more than fleeting mirages that are disguised as peace if a person places their misdirected allegiance in these things.  They are not the source of peace.  We should not value them as such.

I pose this question: “Peace or conflict?”  I sincerely believe if anyone takes a minute to fully digest this question, they will choose peace over conflict.  Everyone has a choice in the matter.

After knowing what I know now, I cannot understand why anyone would willfully choose to live in peril when peace is just a prayer away, but as I said, it’s their choice.  I can somewhat relate, because I was running from God too long. 

I forfeited years of peace when I refused to go God’s way.  I chose the wide road to destruction instead.  I regret holding onto things that were less important, rather than submitting my life to the God of peace.

Possessions can sometimes become pacifiers that people suckle and latch onto in their quest to find joy, but when the short-lived highs fade, peace, if it is present at all, takes flight as well.

A new life through Jesus Christ is like trading materialism for a special friend that will never leave nor forsake us.  This person is Jesus, the Savior of humanity.

When an individual asks God to forgive their sins, they are trading corruption and conflict for incorruptibility and peace.  The old ‘sin nature’ releases its hold on the one seeking peace and a new ‘God nature’ takes its place when they become God’s child.

Nothing we possess or give credence can compare with lasting peace that Jesus brings.  The choice is simple.  Jesus exceeded my expectations when I chose peace over conflict.  I will never regret choosing Him as Lord.

God wants everyone to try Him and see for themselves that He is absolutely worth the trade.  Jesus will open our eyes to the pure beauty of God’s love, which is the full spectrum of agape love.  God will manifest Himself in living-color with rays of ‘Son-shine’, not the drab, gloom, and doom that sin overshadows us with.

Are you searching for purpose and meaning in your life?  Has peace evaded your efforts in finding it because you’re looking in the wrong place?  It’s not by chance that you came across this writing.  God wants you to experience real and lasting peace.

Jesus was crucified and died on a cross for the sins of every man, woman, boy, and girl.  You and I are included.  He paid a debt He did not owe, for the debt we could not pay.  Believe, and you will be saved; it is that easy.

Through Jesus, we inherit eternal life in Heaven.  He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  There is no other way to receive salvation and become part of the family of God except through Jesus. 

Peace or Conflict?  Jesus Christ, God’s Son is truly the peace that you are seeking.  He is at the opposite end of the spectrum from conflict.

(1 John 1:6-10), “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” (vs 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.” (vs 8) “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (vs 9) “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (vs 10) “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”

www.wordsfrompapa.blogspot.com

Written by,

Papa Boyd

 

A Leap of Faith and Firm Foundation

I am a retired General Building Contractor enjoying my easy chair more and more each day than ever before.  It gives me time to write and post my writings to the blog I created and enjoy visiting with my wife.  I was just commenting to her that two people had an impactful influence on my life in positive ways.

One of these individuals was a building contractor that attended the same church as me when I was a teenager.  After Sunday evening service he approached and asked me what I was going to do after graduating high school; I was in my senior year.  I told him that I wasn’t sure, and then he said, “See me when you do.”

After I graduated a few days later, I went directly to his office that week and was hired on the spot.  He specialized in fence building, and the construction of patio covers, sundecks, and room additions.

Shortly after I was hired, he was instrumental in securing a spot for me in the local Carpenter’s Apprenticeship Program.  No doubt this was God’s providence concerning me.

This man was patient and taught me the fundamental principles of teamwork, showing up on time, and most importantly, working hard and staying busy.  He was a stickler for company loyalty and believed strongly in eight hours labor for eight hours pay…no goofing off.

Under his supervision, I became proficient in using the tools of the trade.  He helped me to become a skilled carpenter during the time I worked for him.

Later, as I progressed in knowledge and experience, God sent another man my way that wanted me to build a six-car garage on his property.  He was a car buff and needed a place to store his vintage cars out of the harsh weather. 

He also wanted to build a huge, redwood deck around his pool and patio area.  At the same time, he was contemplating the idea of converting his existing three car garage into a large game room.

He handed me a set of plans to peruse and after looking at them and feeling overwhelmed, I apologized and said that I was too busy to do the job.  He responded with a rebuff, saying, “No, you’re not too busy, you’re just afraid to tackle it!”

He didn’t stop there… “You need to do this for you!  It will give you confidence to do anything you set your mind to do in the future!”  It sounded like something my dad would say to me.

If that wasn’t enough, he continued, “I have confidence that you can do the job, and I will help in dealing with the subcontractors and getting these plans approved through the City Building Department.”  I thought he was finally done, but no. 

He finished his rhetoric with this, “I won’t take no for an answer!”  After all his convincing words, I hesitantly committed myself to do the work.  It was a leap of faith.  I was scared.

All the way through the project to completion everything went smoothly.  The day finally came that the garage, deck, and game room were finished.  I was extremely pleased with myself and elated that God, at the onset, gave me the intestinal fortitude to take on the challenge and step out in faith.

The confidence and self-assurance that I gleaned was unprecedented.  After this project, I was not afraid or timid in any way to tackle new jobs no matter how extensive or complicated they were.

God put these two men in my path to impact the rest of my life and help implement His purpose and perfect will.  Whether dealing with angels, unaware, or handpicked individuals that God uses to bring about His plan in our life, He is working on our behalf, all for our good.  The Lord wants the best for us, but we need to step out in faith…maybe, a leap of faith.

(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.”

To regress a bit, I remember several details on the plans showing the foundation and footing designs.  I thought they were an overkill, but the architect/engineer wanted to make sure that no failures occurred, so he over designed the concrete work.    

This is what the designer wanted, so this is what I gave him.  A substantial foundation is always the best policy when building any kind of structure.  A parallel story regarding building is found in the Bible.

(Matthew 7:24-27), “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:” (vs 25) “and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.” (vs 26) “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:” (vs 27) “and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell.  And great was its fall.”

Life is similar.  We can build it on sand and watch our attempts at success fail before our very eyes, or we can build our life on the solid foundation of faith in God and possess the confidence that it will support all our efforts and not fail.

(Romans 8:28), “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Jesus is the solid rock upon which to construct our life that will never fail when storms press in.  We can rest assured that Jesus will support our journey through the ups and downs that life brings our way.

We will walk in confidence, like the confidence I was blessed with after completing the garage, deck and game room.  With God on our side, we need not fear to take a leap of faith, because of Who He is.

(Romans 8:31), “What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?”

www.wordsfrompapa.blogspot.com

Written by, 

Papa Boyd

Jailhouse Block (666)

I had a mental vision or impression this morning as I was awakening from sleep.  I saw a man that was held captive in a prison of his own making, incarcerated in a cold, dungeon-like cell.  He was lonely and securely imprisoned behind impassable bars caused by sin.  Above the cell door was the number (666).

His incarceration in Jailhouse Block (666) was nothing to sing about; not to be confused with the following two songs that came to mind.  “Jailhouse Rock” (1957) made popular by Elvis Presley in the year 1957, and “Fulsome Prison Blues” (1955) sung by Johnny Cash, and made popular in 1955.

The man was alone even though he was housed with other sinners that were held in other jailhouse blocks, separated from each other in their own filth and degradation.  Though he had never seen the inside of a cellblock, he was certainly headed in that direction, while traveling down the wide road to destruction.

The path he had chosen to travel was one that offered self-gratification, only.  This way of life produced a toxic environment with a non-caring attitude toward the concerns of others.

The people that he associated with were influential in generating defiance, because of their scrupulous character which he wanted to emulate.  These people were hell-bent in all their ways, as was he, because he was walking away from God.

His lifestyle was one of entanglement with wrong choices, while looking for something, anything to calm the unrest that he harbored within.  Peace was far-reaching, as far as the north pole is from the south pole…polar opposite.

Wait!  It was then I realized it was me that was in the vision.  I saw the results of Gods handiwork when He stepped into my dilemma and destructive path on which I was headed.  His Son, Jesus, through His death on the cross for humanity, put up STOP signs, DETOUR signs, WRONG WAY signs, and DO NOT ENTER signs along the way trying to get my attention.

God wanted me to evaluate the direction I was headed to see exactly where my lifestyle was taking me and that there was a better way to travel.  God prepared a parole plan for those behind bars, looking for freedom from Satan’s jailhouse cellblocks.

(John 3:16-18), “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (vs 17) “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” (vs 18) “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

In my vision, the jailer, Satan, hung a mirror in front of the cell door on the wall a few feet away.  Under the mirror he posted the words: I HAVE YOU NOW.  THERE IS NO HOPE FOR FREEDOM.

The mirror was at eye level that I looked into every morning and throughout the day.  But wait!  The closer I peered into the mirror I could see the reflection of something that was secured to the header just above the cell door and above the numbers (666).

It was a manmade wooden emblem of suffering and shame.  It was a cross.  A nail was driven into it and on the nail was hung the key to the cell door that held me fast.  All I needed to do was reach my hand toward the heavens, take the key in hand, unlock the door, and I would be free. 

Out of habit, every day I kept looking at the hopeless reflection of me in the mirror and the lie that was posted below it, rather than focusing upon the key to my freedom that hung on the cross above the cell door.

Out of desperation, because of my discomfort and lack of peace, I finally ignored Satan’s message and reached my hand through the bars toward the cross and grasped the key which provided my escape.  The key to my freedom was Jesus. 

The message below the mirror was indeed a lie from hell.  Jesus Christ and He only is our hope of salvation and true freedom from Jailhouse Block (666).  I thank God for the joy and peace of mind that the Lord provides to those that are free in Him.

www.wordsfrompapa.blogspot.com

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Weigh The Cost First

I know several people that are fast draw enthusiasts.  I’m not talking about cowboy style gun-skills of fast draw exploits.  These people are quick to make decisions without weighing, first, the cost of their impulsive buying habits.

As most of us have undoubtedly experienced, bad choices usually end up with bad results.

Another way of mishandling money is allowing oneself to fall prey to get-rich-quick schemes, listening to a person’s spiel and blindly accepting it as gospel without checking them out first.

These hustlers are notorious for scamming people out of their hard-earned money.  Remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.  An impulsive, natured person is indeed a scammer’s easy target, better referred to as victim.   Here in lies the problem regarding victimization.

To prevent con artists from taking us to the cleaners through deceit and manipulation, we must exercise due diligence, having good judgement in a world of takers to protect our interests and pocketbook.

If you think about it, there are ‘fast talkers’ everywhere trying to get into everyone’s wallet or purse.  A wise man once told me that if a person is bold enough to ask you for something, or ask to do such and such that they have no business asking, you should have the intestinal fortitude (guts) to say no.

I believe in helping people in need, but I also believe in protecting my assets and not allowing anyone to take advantage of me, be-it friend or foe. 

If we find ourselves being backed into a corner as some people know how to do, it is sometimes difficult to say the word ‘no’, but these are the times we must exercise good sense and muster up the courage to “make like a tree and leave.”

Making quick, uninformed decisions without thinking through the pros and cons can cause heartache later.  It is disheartening to say to oneself, after the fact, “If I had only taken time to become more aware.”

Bad choices not only affect us personally, but those around us.  It is possible for them to be influenced, negatively, by decisions made in haste without any forethought of the consequences that may lie ahead.  With any decision, it is good practice to weigh the cost first before acting on desire or unchecked emotions.

(Luke 14:28), “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—”

God gave us a sound mind to make right choices rather than getting caught up in the moment and making wrong choices.  It is wise to take time and consider the source of so-called “good deals” to not be taken advantage of by shysters, or to not fall into the trap of an unfiltered impulse to buy, because of the ‘want’ syndrome.

It is unwise to override good judgment merely because of wanting something.  If anyone overextends their resources to acquire things they could do without, this behavior lacks good sense.  Common sense is a wonderful gift from God if people would only use it.

Times have changed since my dad’s day when he watched the pennies and hoped that the dollars, though few, would take care of themselves.  People of today depend on plastic money more-so than the green stuff.

It is easier to get into debt than ever before, because of credit card indulgence.  Dad would never buy anything unless he had the cash to pay for it.  He was one of the many Americans that struggled through the Great Depression (1929-1941).

Raising and supporting his dependent family was very hard.  Those years were certainly challenging, but it seems that today’s lifestyle is not as troubling.  No doubt this statement depends on which prospective a person views it, and which side of the coin comes up.

I have observed people, that if they want ‘it’ they just buy ‘it’ regardless of affordability.  Indebtedness is quite common in this land of plenty, as people try to keep up with the Jones family next door or the Smiths down the street.   

The temptation to satisfy one’s itch to ‘have’ is as great today as it ever was.  The difference I see are those that indulge and get caught up in the blind desire of wanting ‘stuff’ which can put a strain on most people and marriages, causing unnecessary angst.  This willful activity only adds to everyday challenges.  Adding one more pressure point can drain a person’s peace of mind as they endeavor to make ends meet.

When deciding on which direction to take when spending money, it behooves a person to exercise self-control and sound thinking.  I do not love money, but it takes money to survive; that’s why we need to be frugal to save more and spend less.

My wife and I discuss most financial expenditures that God blessed us with before we purchase.  I believe there is safety in counsel and talking things out helps in decision making.

Experience has taught me that I can do more with 90% of my income than a full 100%.  God’s Word says that if we give, it will begiven to us.

(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.”

People cannot outgive God when they practice the following scriptures.

(Proverbs 3:9-10), “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase;” (vs 10) “So your barns will be filled with plenty…”

I do not give to get, but it goes without saying that the promise of God is just that, a promise that He always keeps.

(Psalm 37:25), “I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread.”

I faithfully tithe on my income (10%) every month and support certain organizations that extend helping hands to those less fortunate.  God has been faithful in giving my wife and me the desires of our heart, while supplying our every need according to His riches in glory.

A person cannot find a better investment program to put their money in than giving 10% of their earnings to God’s work.  The dividends are bountiful and overwhelming.  This act of obedience is a sure thing that produces positive results, not like some half-baked proposals that a person can get sucked into.

God’s faithfulness is not in the same category as fluctuating interest rates, stock market ups and downs, inflation with its uncertainties, employment, health, finances, economy, cost of living, and a myriad of other flexible, uncertain entities.  God’s children can count on Him in the good times and challenging times.

We need to shake ourselves and get back to the basics of saving money vs. spending it; to lay in store for a rainy day.  We need to discipline ourselves to not make foolish choices to scratch the itch of ‘want’.  We will then experience the pure joy and harmony that God desires for us.

If a person finds that they are in a hole of despair, which was caused by indebtedness, they need to stop digging, find a way out, and throw away the shovel-of-bad-choices.  Wise choices prevent a backlash of unsolicited anxiety.

Deciding if something is expedient to buy or just a passing fancy to scratch the itch of desire is hard to make at times.  When people choose wisely and weigh the cost first, positive results will then come their way.

We should not be hasty with our decisions; we need to give real thought before making them.  A good practice is this: pray and sincerely ask God for guidance.  He will hear and answer from heaven.

(Matthew 7:7-8), “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (vs 8) “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

www.wordsfrompapa.blogspot.com

Written by,

Papa Boyd

A Successful Partnership (Part 1 of 2)

I want to share with you a little background of how God’s amazing plan for us can be realized when we put Him first in our life.

Years before I went into an occupational venture with my business partner, God, I surrendered my past, present, and future life to Him.  I accepted Jesus as my personal Savior.  God forgave my sins, and I became His born-again child.  This was just the beginning of incredible blessings from Him.

Prior to my conversion and becoming a Christian, I had been unemployed for a period, because of the shortage of jobs, and my priorities were not synchronized with God.  I did not allow Him to be my source for anything.  I thought I was self-sufficient enough that I didn’t need Him.

The very next day after accepting Jesus as Lord, weird things began to happen.  I had a strange feeling about going into the carpenter’s hall of which I was a member of that union.  I was an apprentice carpenter in good standing.  I could not shake the feeling.

It was Tuesday, whereas the rollcall was always on Monday.  Jobs were usually posted on that day. 

This feeling was relentless, urging me to go to the hall that morning.  The more I resisted the feeling, the stronger it became as I drove in the opposite direction from where it wanted me to go.  Finally, the feeling became so strong that I gave into the nudging and drove to the hall.

I know now that it was the prompting of the Holy Spirit speaking to my heart.  I was a new Christian and not familiar with the ways God sometimes got our attention. 

To my surprise one of the union representatives had posted a request for a carpenter that very hour.  No other carpenters were in the hall except for me.

I was able to secure the job and worked there for a full year until the project ended.  My employment was amazing, and I loved working for the company.

Even though I was an apprentice carpenter, I found favor with the superintendent that ran the job.  He saw my worth and capabilities and put me in a position just under his leadership.  I became his righthand man, dealing with the crew firsthand.  I found favor because God was with me.

From that job, God led me to another construction site where I was employed for ten years.  Shortly after I was hired, the company’s owner promoted me to carpenter foreman and a short time later I became the general superintendent over several projects. 

God’s blessings were upon me as I found favor with the owner.  I sincerely believe the advancements came because I was God’s child. 

Know this, God always goes before His own and opens doors that man cannot close and closes doors that man cannot open.  God’s hand was upon me, directing my path.

My experiences remind me of a young man spoken of in the Bible known as Joseph.  He was the one that wore the coat of many colors that his father gave to him.  Wherever Joseph’s situations and challenges took him, he always found favor with those he met.

It is a wonderful Bible story of God’s providence—an account of God’s perfect will and plan being done—the protective care that God provided for his children.  The story begins in (Genesis 37:1…).   Please read it when you get a chance.

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

It is important to maintain a one-on-one relationship with God, keeping it fresh and alive.  I believe He is always working on our behalf behind the scenes to bring about an abundant life through His Son, Jesus.

During that ten-year period that I worked for the company, I made good money, and was happy, but my father-in-law was always encouraging me to get my own General Contractor’s License just to have in the event the company folded and went belly-up.

Unbelievably, the interest rate for home loans soared to 20%.  The owner of the company had no choice but to shut things down, because he couldn’t sell the homes we were building: a prestigious area of high-end dwellings.

Yes, my time with him was terminated.  My father-in-law’s prediction came to pass, but I had listened to his counsel and obtained my Contractor’s License before things went South. 

At this point I went into business for myself.  I specialized in kitchen remodels and room additions, because people could not afford to buy houses.  The interest rate was too high.  Many decided to stay where they were and upgrade their homes.   My company flourished.  I also built a few houses for people that owned their own building sites.

God had a plan for me and was fulfilling it.  I owe everything to Him.

www.wordsfrompapa.blogspot.com

Written by,

Papa Boyd

A Successful Partnership (Part 2 of 2)

I’ve been told that if you want to keep a friend, never go in business with them and do not go in business with a family member.  This may or may not be true, but I’m sure there are exceptions to this narrative. 

I remember when I went into business for myself a few years after acquiring my General Contractors Building License; it was my ace in the hole, so to speak, if ever I needed it.

I ran my company as if God were my boss.  My motto was this: “You and me, right Lord” …it seemed He would answer: “That’s right son, you and Me”—a great partnership.  The business was very successful, because of the relationship we formed.

(Psalm 37:25), “I have been young, and now am old.  Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread.”

I was never without work, because God opened another door as each project ended.  I would finish one commitment and then one more would immediately open for me.  I trusted God, and He never failed me.  There was always something in the works that He brought my way.

It was a successful partnership.  God did not provide several projects all at the same time, which kept me dependent upon Him for each new adventure.  God’s faithfulness reminds me of the Children of Israel as they trekked through the desert.

They relied on God for everything, having to depend on Him to supply manna from heaven to sustain them each day.  If they gathered more than what could be consumed in a day, the excess would have worms in it the following morning.  It kept them dependent upon God Almighty for their everyday sustenance.

Our business, emphasis on the word ‘our’, referring to God, was very productive and rewarding though the interest rate soared even higher to 21%.  God is good all the time, and all the time God is good even when things seem negative and insurmountable!

It really pays to be in partnership with the Lord.  One person plus God is the majority.  Look at Moses, Joseph, Joshua, Noah, and John who saw future happenings and wrote about them in the Book of Revelation.  All the above were success stories.

These were men of God and led by Him.  And look at Jesus, the Savior of the world—the Godman.  One man and God is certainly the majority.

Unity with God is the key to success—spiritually, physically and monetarily.  If God is for us then who can be against us, because all power rests in Him.  When we stand in God’s strength and partner with Him, the following Bible Scripture applies.

(Romans 8:28), “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

www.wordsfrompapa.blogspot.com

Written by,

Papa Boyd