Shame on my Tongue

Where shall I begin?  Allow me to lay it on the line as I view one sided communication.  There are those around us that believe what they say should be the final word.  Don’t do as I do, do as I say is their motto, not only through spoken words, but in some cases, actions as well.

People like this do not think about the lasting impact that their hurtful words can have on another person.  Like India ink, unkind words can be indelibly printed on the psyche of those on the receiving end of cruelty.  Words either draw or repel others to oneself, depending on the context and how words are delivered. 

Shame on anyone that is overbearing with strong words that cut deeply into the heart of individuals that would rather exchange peaceful communication than not.  In some instances, a person gives into the aggressor and ceases to stand up for what is right in their own eyes.  Shame on one-sided communicators.

No doubt, such big mouths have bullied others their whole life and have been allowed to get away with hastily spoken words without being put in their place.  Verbal abuse equals physical and mental cruelty in my opinion.

An uncontrolled tongue can produce an emotional rollercoaster ride for those trying to keep the peace.  Speaking with a cruel or forked tongue is frowned upon by God.  An unruly tongue is set on hellfire and is hard to bridle, but the Holy Spirit is the Watchman at the mouth of Spirit-filled people that want to do better.

If inconsiderate behavior becomes a way of life, it keeps others at bay.  People would rather be somewhere else than in the presence of someone that fails to weigh their words before speaking.  Everyone needs to think before they speak.  Remember, a kind answer turns away wrath.

I am reminded of a fellow I knew in high school.  As the story goes, he took time to drive to another city to visit his grandmother that he hadn’t seen in a while.  Instead of welcoming him with open arms, she proceeded to berate him with negative words, saying, “When are you going to visit me?  You never come to see me anymore!”

The poor boy was taken-a-back and said, “But Grandma, I’m here now.”  She continued, “You will probably come see me when I’m dead and in my coffin!”  These words cut him to the core.  That was the last time he went to see her. 

Harsh words can cut like a straight razor that is finely honed on a razor strap.  Some people hone their skills of negative communication to achieve the final word when dealing with others.  What good is this if people cease to come around?  Words can drive a person away or draw them to one’s bosom.

Had love and affection been demonstrated that day, I am convinced that my friend would have made special efforts to visit his grandmother more frequently; we will never know, because it didn’t happen.  

It is wise to consider words that uplift another person’s spirit rather than tearing them down with a tongue full of wielding, faultfinding retort, like a weapon in the hands of a killer.  I said that I was going to lay it on the line.

Unsuitable words that are spoken can kill a relationship, business dealings, and at any other venue where conversation takes place.  Appropriate words and the right attitude are a must if successful attainment is truly desired.

I do not believe that anyone wants loneliness as a bedfellow, so-to-speak.  Anyone that refuses to control their tongue will soon be talking to themselves after friends, family members, and colleges choose to not engage in conversation any longer.  They will distance themselves.

Shame on my tongue if it causes conflict of any kind.  Shame on me if I know to do good and do it not.  The Bible says that it is sin.  Thank God for the Holy Spirit that helps me control angry words that sit on hellfire.  Kindness to others is Godly.  Bad words are not.  

I believe in treating everyone as I want to be treated.  After all, is this not the Golden Rule?  Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

(Matthew 7:12), “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”  

Please don’t feel that I am pointing a finger of accusation your way, to charge you with fault, because three would be pointing back at me if I did this.  I just believe that it is more blessed to share words of encouragement and uplifting splendor that inspire another party to feel good about themself.  I think we can all do better in this area.

We are to speak with love, which conquers all things.  The Bible says that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves.  This doesn’t mean sending certain words their way if they play their music too loud, park in front of our house, or allow their dog to poop on our lawn without picking it up.  A kind word changes things.

Shame on my tongue if I yield to the old nature of a “get even syndrome.”  I am no longer that person.  I am in Christ Jesus.  I need to speak in ways that people see the Lord in me.  Shame on me if I fail to do so.  Shame on me if I heed not God’s Word.  The Bible says that from the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

(Matthew 12:35, 36), “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.”  (36) “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.”             

I think we should evaluate to see if our heart measures up to God’s Word.  Is it a heart of flesh or a heart of stone?  Jesus gives beauty for ashes when we listen to the Holy Spirit and strive to do better with our communication.  He casts away the nastiness of speech from us because He changes us from the inside out.

God’s love makes all the difference when He takes up residence in our heart.  The Lord brings forth kindness and long suffering because this is who He is.

Words fitly spoken are like a bouquet of flowers with a card saying, “I respect your feelings and love you to the moon and back.”  Such is a tongue controlled by the Spirit of God.  As we try harder to bring harmony rather than confusion with our words, God’s blessings surround us, which draws people our way.

 

Written by,

Papa Boyd 

It Won't be Long

I remember, as a kid, sitting patiently on pins and needles for my father to finish installing our first television set.  He had promised this day would come and it was finally here.  My anticipation was almost more than I could bear.  I was excited to say the least.

I wanted to help Dad make the installation go faster, but listened to him when he said, “It won’t be long.”

I waited with bated breath to behold the black and white program that would come on when Dad turned the rabbit-ears just right to receive the broadcasting station’s signal.  I must have been five or six years old at the time.

The program that finally came in, after the tubes warmed up, was spectacular, mind blowing, as it were, even though the quality of picture was somewhat distorted, because it lacked a good signal impedance.  But I was on cloud nine anyway!

I had never been so excited except at Christmas when I saw all the beautifully wrapped presents under our decorated tree.  Santa Clause had indeed visited our home the night before because my name was written down on his “good list” and not the naughty one.

More exciting than a new T.V. or Christmas presents under a tree, something sensational and exhilarating is about to take place for Christians of all ages.  It is the promise of God the Father to His children, which is on the horizon of my anticipation.  It will be the finishing episode of a long-awaited event—the return of Jesus!

The signals (signs) are everywhere if people would take time to turn their spiritual antenna toward heaven and see how many prophecies, concerning the second coming of Christ, have already happened around them. 

Prophets, and even Jesus, said that signs would be given concerning His return.  Before Christians leave this earth and go to heaven, these things will come to pass.  (Matthew 24:2-7) It won’t be long.

This spectacular event will be the breath-taking occurrence of all happenings since the beginning of time.  Nothing can compare to the glory and splendor that is coming.  It will be a one-time event that determines the destination of one’s soul—heaven or hell. 

Either a person has accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, or they haven’t.  It is a simple statement, but everything hinges on the answer.

We will see the King of Kings and Lord of Lords coming in clouds of glory.  When we behold Him, we shall be like Him.  Pain and suffering will be no more as we rejoice in His presence.  Heaven is going to be reality to the children of God because we will behold the picture-perfect authenticity of heaven, firsthand.

The questions I want to ask are these:  Are you ready to meet the Lord?  Is your name written down in the Lamb’s Book of Life—the “good list” in heaven?  The Bible says that today is the day of salvation.  No person has the assurance of seeing tomorrow’s sunrise or watching their favorite television program tonight.

What are you waiting for?  Jesus is stretching forth His hand of mercy, by His Spirit.  He is inviting you to come as you are.  He will make you perfect in the sight of God.  We can try in ourselves to be good, kind to others, and give money to the poor, but everyone has sinned, and everyone needs the Savior, Jesus Christ, to become children of God.

(Matthew 11:28, 29) “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  (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.”

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

God wants you to experience sins forgiven and newness of life through Christ, His Son...the Lamb of God.  Just ask Jesus to forgive you and believe that God raised Him from the dead, and you will be saved.

(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.”

Your hope of eternal life, in heaven, will be made clear as you look with anticipation into God’s Word, the Bible.  The second coming of Jesus is nigh at hand.  He is coming soon.  It won’t be long. 

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Is Healing for Today or Not

The gift of healing is one of the nine gifts of the Spirit, spoken of in the Bible, (1 Corinthians 12:7-11).  I can only speak from personal experience and what I have seen regarding the validity of a controversial question, “Is supernatural healing for today or the early church only?”

I believe that the gift of healing is for today’s Believers as is each one of the other gifts.  The nine gifts are:   the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healings, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, different kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues.

God does not change.  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Just because a skeptic or scoffer says that the Bible is false and just a collection of fables, does not make it so.  Who are they anyway? 

God’s Spirit breathed upon holy men of old as they penned His infallible words.  The Bible is God’s will and testament to whoever will.  Disdainers attempt to ridicule truth, but God is still on the throne and His power to sustain the accuracy in the Bible goes without saying.  

I not only have been healed by the laying on of hands, but I have also been used of God to pray for others and see the Lord miraculously meet their needs.  God has the final say in any situation.  His fondness and warmth toward us are without end because He loves us dearly.

God’s ways are perfect, and for this reason He gave us His Word as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path that we might not stumble when scorners come against the Bible.  God’s truth conquers all ridicule.  Where sin abounds the love of God and His grace does more abound.

As Christians, we must not become discouraged if healing does not come instantaneously.  God’s timing is perfect.  He hears our prayers and knows the situation.  We must continue to trust and believe God’s promises.  Miracles still happen.

If healing is a thing of the past, then Jesus, who was heartlessly beaten, without mercy, was pointless, and He suffered in vain for our healing.  But God’s plan for people in need of a Savior was accomplished when Jesus was crucified for the sins of humanity.  By His stripes we are healed.

When we pray, we ask in faith believing according to God’s will and then leave our request at the altar, while maintaining faith in God to do what He said He would do in the Bible.

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

(John 14:12-14) “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”  (13) “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”  (14) “If you ask anything in My name I will do it.”

No one in their right mind can say that God is no longer healing today.  I do not believe in their deception, and neither should you.  Our Father is still the miracle working God.

The Bible tells us that the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

(James 5:16) “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.  The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

If the preceding scriptures are not accurate, then the Bible is fallible and the teachings that I have been taught from childhood are false.  God’s Word does not return void and is accurate in every way.  It is sharper than any two-edged sword.

(Hebrews 4:12) “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Christians have the authority and privilege of praying for the needs of others, while expecting God to do that which we request in Jesus’ name.  We ask according to His will, but there are those that choose not to pray for fear that God will not hear and answer their prayer. 

Embarrassment can be very humiliating, and no one desires to be humbled in such a way as not having their prayers answered.  Not seeing immediate results, the person praying can become mortified if onlookers or the person being prayed for shrug their shoulders and say by their actions, “Is that all there is?”

We must remember that we are not the ones doing the healing, we are instruments of God that heed His call to pray when a need presents itself.  We should not worry about our reputation or our standing in church circles if God chooses to wait.

It doesn’t matter how brilliant or misinformed another person is when they exude doubt by raising their eyebrow of reservation when results to prayer is not seen.  It matters not what they think or feel if it appears to them that God is on vacation or not concerned. 

Circumstances do not diminish the fact that God is omnipotent and will do exactly what He wants to do in His time.  We do not see the beginning, nor do we see the ending of God’s purposes.  He only asks that we be willing to see the need; act upon what we see; and pray that God’s will be done.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Imperfections Resolved

I’m sitting here in my family room looking at the crown molding I had installed by a licensed contractor a few years ago.  There is a separation in the joint where two pieces of molding come together.  This decorative trim is located where the wall intersects the ceiling.

Overtime, the gap occurred due to shrinkage, even though the wood was kiln-dried to prevent contraction.  I attempted to fix the imperfection but used the wrong kind of calking to fill the void. 

When dried, the calking shrunk into the seam, leaving it low and not flushed with the two pieces of wood, which meant I would have to get on my ten-foot ladder with calking gun in hand and fill the imperfection once again.  I did this several times until I found non-shrink calking that brought back the beauty of the crown molding like there was never a separation in the first place.  It was healed, figuratively speaking.

You might ask why it matters so much to fill a space in the crown molding.  It matters to me, because the beauty of the molding is not seen, because one’s eyes go to the separated joint that is ugly, rather than seeing the beautiful handywork that the contractor did.

I realized something profound when looking at the gap.  I thought of God and mankind and the gap, called sin, that occurred in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and consumed the fruit that He said not to eat.  At that point in time there was a separation between mankind that is willful and disobedient and a holy God, who is perfect in all ways.

Before I had a “Born Again” experience where God forgave me of my adamic nature of sinning, I tried to rectify the gap of impure thoughts in my brain, housed within the crown of my head, with the wrong kind of repair elements which kept me separated from God.

The behaviors of my body and verbal crudeness that proceeded from my mouth revealed to people the imperfections that sin produced.  They did not see the beautiful masterpiece that our Creator formed in my mother’s womb. 

Sin, in time, caused the beauty to disappear and all that could be seen was the ugliness that separation from God created, just like the crown molding in my family room.

Temporary fixes like self-help books and “religion” gave momentary promise in restoring God’s purpose for my life, but things soon began to shrink back into old nature thinking and the gap appeared again.  Time after time when I thought I was showing attainment with the fixes, the separation from God became visible.

It wasn’t until the perfect fix was given to me from God that the gap between me and the Lord was restored.  His gift was to whoever will, which included me.  He gave His only Son, Jesus, who brought newness to our relationship.

 (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.”  

The old look of sin was gone.  The gap was healed forever, because Jesus paid the ultimate price for my sins by giving His life, freely, on a cross so that the beauty of God could be seen and appreciated by those that see Him through me.

I liken my situation to the woman at the well, spoken of in the Bible, (John 4:5-30).  This is interesting reading and will bless you when you grasp the meaning of the story.  I immediately related to the message that Jesus presented to the woman.  It was like He was speaking to me. 

She was looking for healing of her disquieted soul but was looking in all the wrong places to find the proper repair to restore beauty to her wayward lifestyle.  She was trying to quench her thirsting spirit with crack-fillers that failed to get the job done.

Jesus told her that He was the bonding agent that could meet her need…water that she would never thirst again.  He was referring to her search for purpose and life’s meaning and that He had the answer. 

Jesus was the One who could heal the gap between her and God if she wanted it.  Her desire for a fulfilled life and a true bond with her Maker was great and was apparent when she listened to the Lord and said yes to Him.

(Matthew 11:28), “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

I am glad that the building industry has excellent products available to help beautify projects like the crown molding in my family room.  The proper calking certainly enhanced the look of the molding when the ugly gap, now repaired, was finally painted.

Jesus is God’s perfect fix for all needed repairs in our life if only we stop trying to use other means to bring about answers that only He can fulfill.

(Philippians 4:19), “And my God shall supply all you need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd

May 13, 2024

Building Blocks to Live By

 As of late, a minister friend of mine texted me to ask when I was going to send him another one of my writings.  His encouragement is certainly appreciated, which gets me off the dime to get alone with God and allow my mind to retreat from the everyday comings and goings to see what nuggets He has for me.

I asked God, “What’s up there today?”  I am referring to my brain and thought process when He speaks to me.  Suddenly, a phrase came to mind, which is the title of this writing.

Honestly, I am amazed at the content that God enlightens me with.  These words are always connected to building blocks to live by.  The words and thoughts that fill my head are not my own, because I know my personal viewpoints can be skewed and a bit unreasonable at times.  He levels me out and blesses me with words that encourage my heart and lifts me above the troubled events around me.

I would be remiss to not tell you what I think the building blocks to live by are.  They are found in (Galatians 5:22,23).  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,” (23) “gentleness, self-control.  Against such there is no law.”

God softens my harshness and opinions to help me grasp that which He is speaking.  My negative prospectives are set aside as I write what I am impressed to write. 

The noise of worldly influences bombards me daily, but God somehow encourages me to listen to my heart of flesh rather than a heart of stone.  I can do this because of God’s grace.  He is teaching me to step into the realm of creative thinking with Him, not only to encourage self, but others as they read thoughts for today.

Poignant moments sometimes flood my mind, which are memories of past happenings when God intervened on my behalf—lessons not to be repeated before I met the Lord.  They give me pause to thank Him for His longsuffering and mercy.

Some of my past behaviors were beyond reprehensible because I was running in the opposite direction from God.  I wanted to live life without interference from Him or any other authority figure for that matter.  I was a headstrong young man that believed I had all the answers.  How foolish I was.

I do not live my life looking in the rearview mirror at past mistakes, but as I remember the pain and heartache that buffeted me, these memories help me to stay on course toward heaven, with the Holy Spirit as my co-pilot.

There is no fear like fear itself.  Worrying what tomorrow may bring was like a whirlpool draining the very life out of me.  When I met Jesus, the Prince of Peace, fear, and self-condemnation of past sins took flight as the Lord gave me building blocks to live by—His attributes.  All things became new in Christ Jesus and the old nature of my past lifestyle was replaced by building blocks that help me stay true to my faith and Him.

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

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

God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit found permanent residence in my heart when I asked God to forgive me of my sins.  The Holy Spirit is teaching me, every day, how to enjoy life without all the drama that living in sin brought.

Learning how to cast my cares upon Jesus, while allowing Him to heal hurtful memories, enables me to walk circumspectly before God.  I can look at my mirror image and know that God is walking with me.  If I stumble or fall, He is there to pick me up, dust me off, and say, “I forgive you,” when I repent.

God wants us to walk in victory, not under clouds of despair and regret.  His desire is that we live an abundant life through His Son, Jesus.

Having many years of construction background, I am well acquainted with industrial, building blocks that are used to erect structural retaining walls, buildings, and a host of other uses in the building industry.

Building blocks are usually laid on a firm foundation of concrete that is reinforced with steel rebar.  It provides stability for the imposed load rather than erecting the blocks on mere sand, gravel, or unstable ground. 

A foundation of Godly principles and divine building blocks, with Jesus as the cornerstone, are a must to have a healthy, spiritual growth that enables joy to be ours in life and hope regarding the hereafter.  This concept of erecting a spiritual edifice that houses the Godhead is crucial for a successful life.  It is as important, and more so, as building a physical structure on an engineered designed footing or foundation. 

Jesus is our rock; the firm foundation that we need so desperately.  He is speaking in the following scriptures.

(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,” (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.”  (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,” (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.”

We can build our life on a solid foundation of faith in God or refuse His guidance and pridefully depend on self to bring about certain goals and desires.  The latter lacks lasting satisfaction when achieved, whereas trusting God provides happiness and peace of mind not only in the now, but a wonderful hope of eternal life in heaven with Christ when we pass from this life.

“My way or the highway,” was the slogan I used to live by before I met the Lord.  I thought self-sufficiency was all I needed to succeed in life.  “If I can’t do it, it can’t be done,” was my attitude. 

Yes, I was successful in the eyes of those around me, but the fact of the matter, I lacked true, lasting happiness.  The glamor of this world could not satisfy the deep longing and emptiness inside me.  Though I had money to buy the toys that are supposed to make a guy feel good…self-indulgent living could not begin to give me peace of mind that I was searching for.

I learned after giving my soul to the Lord that my body is a temple of God.  Step by step, the Holy Spirit is teaching me how to place block upon block on the foundation of Christ.  The “new birth” event that I experienced when I surrendered myself to God is a happening that changed the whole focus and purpose of living on earth.

Building blocks to live by help us build a healthy, strong spirit.  They are the fruit of the spirit working in us.  (Galatians 5:22,23).  

Written by,

Papa Boyd

How Often

The intent of this writing is to point out how often we may forget to thank the good Lord for bringing us through a crisis or horrible event that we thought would never end.

I know I am guilty, at times, of not giving God thanks, because of my busy schedule or the fact that I do not want to relive the awful stigma that followed hard times.  That which was inflicted on the mental state of my psyche was probably too significant to experience again… out of sight, out of mind, as it were.

How often do I forget to thank God for the food I eat by saying grace?  I can say a few times because I am so hungry that I fail to remember as I chow down, but this is no excuse.

How often have you prayed for God to help you find something you misplaced, and the moment you ask for help you go right to it?  I know I have.  Do we thank God or go about our business as if we found it on our own?

The reminder here is to not forget to thank the Lord for His attention in such matters, whether big or small.  Whatever concerns us, concerns the Lord.  He wants to be involved in all areas of our life.  We need only to ask Him.

Negative impacts of past sins can bring self-condemnation even though Jesus died on a cross for our wrong doings.  How often do we still carry the guilt of skeletons in the closet and try to extinguish these fiery memories with self-help books, psychotherapy, and positive thinking, but the shame remains?  Certain types of therapy can certainly assist the Holy Spirit in helping us cope with hurtful things. 

Sweeping bad recollections under the carpet, figuratively speaking, cannot erase and wipe away the humiliation and dishonor of former things in our life.  Only God can forgive and extend mercy and grace for such things. 

We can give our remorse to Jesus and accept His total forgiveness, thus being able to walk in peace where calmness of spirit resides.  This is the abundant life that God wants us to live.  Jesus is the Prince of Peace.  He is the way, the truth, and the life.

How often do we pray miles of prayers, petitioning God to take away problems?  And when the air clears and we can see clearly where to take our next step, we may pray two or three inches of thanks, if any.  This is sad and unacceptable, in my opinion.  How quickly we forget the victory He has brought in the face of opposition as we, again, allow ourselves to become caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday living. 

Giving God thanks should be top priority on our list of important things to do, because He deserves all our praise and adoration.  I believe He expects it.

How often do I fail to recognize the One who sustains me and brings success to my searching soul?  I am remorseful to say, too many times, but the Holy Spirit is helping me do much better.  A person is never too old to learn new lessons to draw them closer to God Almighty.

Remember the ten lepers spoken of in (Luke 17:11-19) in the Bible?  When Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, ten men who had leprosy met him.  Afar off, they cried out to the Lord, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” 

Jesus told them to go show themselves to the priests, and as they went, they were cleansed.  Only one of them came back, praising God in a loud voice and threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him.

Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed?  Where are the other nine?”  Jesus expected them to at least show their appreciation, but they had other things on their mind more important than showing gratitude for their healing.

When you do something nice for someone, how does it make you feel when they snub you or do not say thank you?  I rest my case.

I know we are supposed to give away from ourselves and not expect praise in return, because we do it unto the Lord, but a simple thank you now and then goes a long way in helping our feelings to become bolstered and strengthened.

You’ve heard, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” but there is nothing wrong with saying thank you just the same.  It is common courtesy to do so.  How often is God waiting for our admiration to thank Him for His many blessings?

Sometimes we are like spoiled brats that expect special treatment, because of who we are.  Yes, we are children of God when we accept Jesus as our Savior, while God’s promises are ours, but this is no excuse for a person to not give thanks and devotion to our deliverer from trials that beset us.

I do not want to be like the nine unappreciative lepers that failed to thank Jesus for their healing.  Instead, I want to give praise where praise is due.  Jesus deserves more than a nod of the head for His miracles.

Thank God we have a heavenly father that loves us dearly and is long suffering regarding our unresponsive nature.  Shame on us for forgetting our responsibility to lift the name of Jesus for all He does.

Two or three inches of thanks or a nod are not sufficient to honor Jesus for dying on a cross for our sins, and suffering the scourging that shredded His flesh for our healing.  We need to take heed to not take things for granted when miracles and blessings flow from God’s thrown of mercy to us.

How often did the Israelites, God’s chosen people, complain to Moses after being set free from Egypt’s bondage?  It was ongoing.  I do not want to be like the ungrateful complainers that they were.  I want to give God all the glory and not forget to say thank you when He answers my cry for help.

Thank you Lord for Who You are, what You have done, what You are doing, and what You will do for me, because You love me.

How often has Jesus disappointed me?  Never!  He always exceeds my expectations—every time!  Thank you, Lord, for Your faithfulness!

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Why Live a 3-D Existence

How many times have you faced perplexing situations that you thought would never end?  Perhaps things are happening right now beyond your control, and you cannot grasp why it is happening to you.

Depending on the circumstance and the depth of anguish it brings, some people feel like pointing their finger at God and asking, “Why me?” or “What have I done to deserve this?” 

Disappointment brings ensuing anxiety and can cause bitterness to raise its ugly head.  The subconscious mind begins to manifest negative connotations regarding unanswered questions.

When answers evade questions, individuals that grapple with need-to-know pressures, disappointment turns to discouragement if the mind is allowed to continue its focus on unanswered questions.  A feeling of helplessness can find a foothold if things continue southbound.

It does not take long before discouragement descends to doubt, and helplessness turns to feelings of uselessness, while doubting that God even cares about the hardship that is pursuing them.  The whys may turn to, “Leave me alone; I don’t want to talk to You anymore!” referring to God.

These horrific declines are called 3-Ds.  They assault our faith, which are designed attacks to disrupt and isolate us from God.  I believe it is a scheme of the devil to interrupt a growing relationship we have with the Lord.  Disappointment, Discouragement, and Doubt are not of God.

I am thankful that I can factor in the love that God has for me when facing difficult situations.  When a negative thought, regarding God’s promises, try to breach my God-centered mind, I ask myself, “Do I really think God takes pleasure in seeing me struggle with the mounting levels of 3-D attacks?”  The answer is always a robust, No! 

I try to halt the onslaught that is attacking my confidence in God at the disappointment stage.  Patience certainly enters the equation of trust, but impatience is certainly a factor, which creates mounting frustration with self, others, and God.  Thus, discouragement is just around the corner if disappointment lingers.

We are in a computer age where quick answers are a part of living.  When personal attacks take longer to resolve than our mind is willing to allow, natural thinking uses the term Human Nature to justify asking the question, why.  

Christians live in a different mindset.  We are in the world, but we are not of this world.  God is our source of strength.  We can rise above human instincts to question God with the help of the Holy Spirit to halt the 3-Ds from overwhelming us.  We can trust the person of Jesus Christ with all our emotions because He cares for us.

The Lord said that we can cast all our cares upon Him.  He will carry our burdens and make our journey a fulfilling one, even in times of 3-D offensive. 

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

When a sparrow falls to the ground, is the Lord not concerned?  Yes.  Then, how much greater are we than the sparrow to God?  Jesus said that we are of more value than many sparrows.  He loves us dearly.

There is no greater love than God giving His Son to die on a cross for our sins.  Jesus paid the ultimate price for a world of sinners.  We have all sinned.  Not one person in this world is without sin.  Jesus was the only perfect man who walked the face of the earth and died to bring us salvation from sin.

The Lord was viciously beaten 40 slashes save 1 before being crucified to bring healing to our body, mind, and spirit.  We can claim victory over anything because of Jesus’ suffering, even before disappointment, discouragement and doubt tries to destroy our relationship with God Almighty. 

The Lord said that we can ask anything in His name, according to His will, and then receive.  We have not, because we ask not.  We need to ask for healing and then believe that our healing has already been paid for.  It was accomplished at Calvary.  His death was not in vain when we plead the blood of Jesus over our circumstance and maintain faith. 

Jesus is our hope.  We need not allow 3-Ds to take root and reduce us to tears.  Jesus suffered in our stead.  We can walk in His strength when troubles come our way.  His strength becomes our strength when we cast our cares upon Him.

As we totally surrender our will to the will of God, we are made strong, because of who He is.  He knows how to work things out for our betterment.  God will never leave or forsake us.  His attention is ever on us.

God knows us by name and His desire is that we live an abundant life through His Son Jesus.  We need only to trust Him in every area of our life and call out to Him when issues are beginning to press in.

When we call upon the Lord, circumstances cannot overtake us and push us to the ground of disappointment, discouragement, and doubt.  God is greater than the 3-Ds.

To help discomfort and hurt to not take place in our life, we can do what the Bible says in (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—mediate on these things.”

By meditating on positive thoughts, we program our mind to resist negative occurrences of 3-D thinking, which is bad for not only the psyche, but maintaining faith in God.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

The Gift

I am sure you’ve heard the adage, “Jesus is the reason for the season.”  Christmas is without a doubt my favorite time of the year.  It is a perfect reminder of how blessed we are to have the freedom to celebrate the birth of Christ on December 25^th.

When I was a kid, Christmas was all about decorations and receiving gifts, oh yes, and getting time off from school.  They are great memories for sure. 

As a married man having three children and a house full of grandkids when everyone gathers at Nana and Papa’s house, Christmas has taken on a different feeling and meaning in my senior years. 

Family gatherings at our home are very important to my wife and me, especially at Christmas.  We look forward to sharing a meal with our kids and their families and carrying on a wonderful tradition that my Father-in-Law started of reading the nativity story of the birth of Jesus, which is the true Christmas story… (Luke 2:1-14).

I have concluded that giving gifts is more fulfilling than receiving them.  The grandkids and no doubt our three children can hardly wait for dinner to be over, and dishes washed and put away, to begin the fun time of opening gifts.

I love passing the brightly wrapped packages out to everyone and watching the expressions of excitement and gratitude on each face as the gifts are opened.

My mind is reminded of the wonderful gift that God gave to mankind, Jesus, who was born in a manger, because there was no room in the Inn for Mary, who was with child, and her husband Joseph.

How sad it is when people, for whatever reason, reject or refuse to reach out and take God’s precious gift that is offered freely—His gift of love to humanity.

(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.”

I speak from personal experience of the joy that filled my heart when I reached out to God and received His perfect gift.  My old nature of self-centeredness took flight and the desire to share this gift with others became paramount, because I received what I had been wanting my whole life but didn’t know exactly what or who it was that could fill the emptiness inside me.

I guess you could call this voidness, “The God Vacuum.”  It is shaped like Him and only He can fill this empty space completely.  People try to fill this vacant cavity with material things, fame, fortune, and becoming power mongers, but the fullness of God’s glory is not in things, but in Him.

Manmade counterfeits can only bring temporary pleasure and supposed fixes to the vacancy of joy and peace in the God vacuum.  These imitations are nothing lasting, but time-based solutions to the ongoing desire for true peace.

As time passes, the reality of needing something more tangible becomes apparent, yet the search continues, which creates more frustration when happiness evades the one seeking peace.  They are looking in the wrong places for it.    

Substituting forgeries and imitations that present themselves as answers for peace are deceptive and ineffective.  The result is a despairing venture in futility.  Jesus is the Prince of Peace.  He alone fills the bottomless pit of loneliness in a person’s heart.  This hollow, gnawing feeling in one’s gut disappears, quickly, when the Lord takes up residence inside us.  We need only to invite Him in. 

God forgives sin when we seek His forgiveness, rather than trying to satisfy the yearning inside by our own resourcefulness.  We have all sinned and need a Savior to set us free from the bondage that sin brings.

I can only imagine the smile on Jesus’ face when I asked God to forgive me of my sins.  The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit stepped across the threshold of my hungering heart and filled me to overflowing with peace that passes all understanding.  Even the angels in heaven rejoiced when I said yes to the Holy Spirit’s beckoning.

When my family and grandchildren gather around the dinner table at Christmas and I see the anticipation in their eyes as they gaze at the gifts under the Christmas tree, I become awestruck when I think of the awesome gift that my Heavenly Father gave to me.  Jesus Christ is the amazing gift that I was blessed with years ago.  He is certainly the reason for the season and every other day of the year.

I am thankful that I did not reject God’s only begotten Son.  Jesus not only filled the voidness in my heart, but He also gave me the desire to share my experience with you, the reader, so that you too can be filled with God’s glory.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Who Cares

Got questions like these?  Why do I feel like the heavens are brass and no one is listening to my cry for help?  Why aren’t things going the way I think they should go?  Why do I feel alone in the trials surrounding me?  Why does my faith seem to waver when facing circumstances beyond my control?

I guess the real questions are these... Is God really concerned about the affairs of mankind, or is He too busy keeping the planets in their orbit, preventing them from crashing into each other?  How can the creator of the universe take time to hear my prayers with eight billion other people needing His help at the same time?

In my mind it seems like an impossible task for God to concern Himself with everyone’s needs especially this generation of ungrateful, self-centered people that reject Him.  Does He truly care?  If the Bible is infallible and without error as Bible scholars everywhere claim it to be, the answer is a resounding Yes!

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

Who cares?  I emphatically proclaim that God Almighty cares!  He stated in His Word that humanity could cast all their cares upon Him, because He loves without measure, which is an everlasting, agape love—free to whoever will.  It is up to everyone what they do with this gift.

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

I do not know how today’s society can doubt that an awesome God cares for them.  It must be that His love goes beyond the intellect of the finite mind, which makes it difficult to grasp that there is a Supreme Being who is full of compassion, who is a God of miracles.  We must take it by faith and not lean upon our natural thinking.  Yes, we are undeserving of His love, but He loved us anyway.

The Bible says that our righteousness is as filthy rags in the sight of God, but the bottom line is this, though we are sinners, God still loved us that He gave His Son to die on a cross for our sins.  Jesus paid the full price for our transgressions.

I am living proof that God’s love and grace was extended to me when I was sinking in sin, going down for the last time when He heard my cry for help.  Who cares?  God cares!

I am sure if it were not for the Lord’s intervention, I would not be here today.  He had mercy upon my soul and gave me a new life in Him.  Old things passed away and all things became new in Christ Jesus.  He is Lord of my life and I thank Him everyday for the peace of mind He gave and the hope of eternal life in heaven when I pass from this life.  How much more can a person want than this?

If God did not care about you and me, He would not have given His only begotten Son.  Jesus paid a debt He did not owe, and I owed a debt I could not pay.  Judgement was my lot, but He gave me mercy instead.

Think about it, could you sacrifice yourself for someone that hated you or sacrifice your child for a world of sinners?  God did exactly this.  Does God really care about our needs?  In that God’s Word is true, I can say with confidence that He really cares about us and will supply our needs according to His riches in glory, because He loves us unconditionally.

God has never failed me.  Though I feel, at times, that I want things now, it may take a while for the answer to come, because He might be teaching me patience.  Remember, our timeclock is not God’s timeclock, but He has promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Jesus wants to be involved in every area of our life, whether big or small.  He is never too busy to hear our heart’s cry.  He said that we can ask and then receive.  Our petition is before Him because we left it at the altar.  We can now walk in peace, knowing that He cares and wants the very best for us.

(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.”  (8) “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd 

Rest in the Lord

I know a person that struggles, as of late, regarding the vastness of the universe in relation to planet earth.  Seven Billion, Eight Hundred and Forty-Six Million people live on this speck of dust, figuratively speaking.  In contrast to the myriad of planets, stars, and countless galaxies around us, the earth pales in comparison.  It gives a feeling of insignificance or irrelevance if we allow our mind to dwell upon such things.

With all the knowledge humanity has gleaned from studying the cosmos surrounding us, amid the discoveries made, it still boggles the mind when considering the vastness of space.  As further breakthroughs are made, these new findings amaze some explorers to the point of becoming even more enamored in their work and in themselves with regards to self-achieved greatness, usually in their own mind.  Thus, naming stars and planets after themselves.  Perhaps this is the norm.

Let’s face it, if anyone has the right to feel delighted about creation, it’s the Creator Himself.  God said, “It is good!”

How is it that our brain still flip-flops when thinking about time and space, and yes, the wonders of God’s creation?  With all the magnificent findings that star-gazers have made through the years, the brain can only compute to a certain level, but then hits a brick wall of understanding.   

It is beyond our natural ability to grasp the how and why of the exquisite beauty around us, yet in all of God’s creation He knows each one of us by name and loves us dearly.

Perhaps you too have tried to figure out the origin of God with the following questions, “Where did God come from?  How was He created and what brought Him into existence?”

When gazing into the firmament at night, I ask myself, “When did it all begin?”  My mind does funny things as I try to seize, for a moment, the majesty of it all.  It is far beyond my understanding the handy work of a supreme being.

The Bible says that in the beginning was God.  So, was the beginning a trillion years ago?  No, because there is always another number that follows one trillion.  It is called infinity—no beginning or ending.  But there must be a beginning!  No!  God has always been, but……...  He has always been.  The true and living God is the Creator of all things.

See what I mean about the mind’s inability to understand God and creation?  At times I catch myself saying, “When was the beginning?”  The natural, finite mind cannot begin to fathom the depth, height, and breadth of an infinite God.  We cannot realize, with all our intellect or college degrees, the supernatural realm of God.  Our mind goes bonkers for lack of understanding.

Trying to comprehend God and the workings of God is like straining our eyes to see through glass that is obscured, thus making it impossible to see what is on the other side.  Such is the reaction when attempting to gain knowledge of spiritual things with natural thinking.  We must approach God in spirit and in truth to receive anything from Him.   

God is so awesome and beyond our mental capacity that we must walk by faith to someway believe that “He is” and is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him.  To be immersed in the splendor of His glory requires a person to submit themselves to His will and receive Him by faith.

Faith?  What is faith?  How can I walk in faith?  Faith comes through reading God’s Word, the Bible.  The Word opens understanding of the mind that lines us up with the mind of Christ. 

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

What amazes me most is the reality that an omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent God loved me and wanted to commune with me before I recognized the need for Him in my life.  He gave His only Son, Jesus, to die on a cross for our sins, to give us real purpose in life, and to receive an abundant existence on this planet.

By accepting Jesus as Lord, and asking God to forgive us of our sins, this act of faith gives hope that we will enjoy heaven for eternity.  This is the promise of God to all Christians, everywhere.

Yes, God is all powerful (omnipotent), all knowing (omniscient), and present everywhere (omnipresent), but one thing is certain, He loves you and me.  He will never leave or forsake us.  He becomes our Heavenly Father when we surrender our lives to Him.

With all the mystery surrounding God and creation, He made it easy for you and me to understand the plan of salvation and allow Him to remove our sins from within us.  We need only to believe that Jesus Christ is truly the Son of the living God.

Our connectivity with the Lord begins with the “new birth” as God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit enter our heart.  It is the beginning of a new life through this born-again experience.

If we have questions and wonder about God’s origin, creation, life after death, heaven and hell, these unknowns can become less important when we invite Jesus into our heart, because of the peace He gives.  We are saved from our sins and become children of God. 

The natural-thinking person, now a Christian because of the new birth, becomes spiritually in tune with the spiritual realm through prayer and reading God’s Word.  Our relationship with God becomes a new way of living.  Old desires pass away, and all things become new, because of His forgiveness.

We learn how to rest in the Lord when questions arise that we don’t have answers to.  We can refuse, with the Holy Spirit’s help, to not succumb to trivial things that bug our mind.  We no longer find ourselves on a treadmill or stationary bicycle going nowhere.  Like a hamster running endlessly on a hamster-wheel in a cage of our own making, no longer do we feel the need to spin our wheels trying to grasp the overwhelming mysteries of God Almighty.  We can rest in the Lord.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Enhanced Senses

 

We’ve all heard of having good sense or no sense at all.  With your indulgence, I would like to explore “God-sense” as my mind presents the thoughts that came to me this morning at 5:30 AM.

When I lived a precarious lifestyle, before giving my comings and goings to God Almighty, I saw myself as a self-sufficient man with a new car and money in the coffer.

I perceived that when others viewed my success and earthly gain, I had everything going for me.   I was pleased with my achievements and liked by my peers, though something was missing in my life.

Self-sufficiency ruled my career, while selfishness caressed my senses in order that the longing deep with me could be satisfied.  It was like my functions were continually being depleted from normal sensations, thus requiring more and more stimulation to achieve some kind of fulfillment.

Though my five senses were seemingly dulling with time, I could not grasp what my true existence was longing for.  Finally, after some inward evaluation, I realized it was peace of mind that was eluding my awareness.  Nothing I possessed or tried could satisfy this missing piece of the puzzle.

Though I had a pocket full of money to try and satisfy my mood swings, this short-lived elusion of happiness was only a smoke screen of my feeble attempt at finding real peace.  Material things became a crutch to get me from one day to the next… counterfeits that appeared as peace.  I was entertaining mirages of worthless nothingness.

A true evaluation reveals itself when pillowing one’s head at night as senses slow down their firing and reality of the day sets in.  This experience is an eye opener to a person that is seeking something tangible to stand upon rather than quicksand they are sinking in.  If they would only adhere to the insight that is revealed and yield freewill, a change takes place in moments.

Too often we can be blinded by the glamour and glitter of desires that prevent us from realizing the answer to our dilemma… the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ.  He is the only answer to the sinking feeling of indifference and emptiness of the soul.

So many times, the sense of hearing is muffled by loud noises of clamor and confusion around us that become the focal point of self-centered behavior, which leads to deeper involvement of self-gratification that can turn into self-condemnation.

Regrets often clutter the thought process of a person suffering from despair and worry.  This overwhelming sense of disconnection can become overwhelming at times.  God desires that every man, woman, and child be filled with His peace and live an abundant life without gloom and angst.  He wants us to cast all our cares upon Him, because He loves us with a never-ending love.

One night I felt that I was at a crossroads regarding my lack of inner harmony.  Jesus was to the right and damnation straight ahead, the direction I was headed.

After evaluating the life that I was living, with all its ups and downs, mostly downs, I was finally willing to allow the good Lord to harness my wayward emotions and take control of my strong-willed lifestyle.   

I called out for help—not to my neighbor, girlfriend, or a local priest, but to Jesus.  My emotional ruin was looking for a harbor of peace from the raging storm that buffeted me every day.  The Lord was patiently awaiting my decision to surrender everything to Him. 

God speaks in a calm, gentle voice when He beckons us to come to Him.  The clamor and blindness that engulfed my life made it difficult to hear Him, but He never stopped calling my name.

As I lay prostrate on my bed, I could feel tears coursing down my cheeks as I prayed.  All my senses became intensified like they suddenly became bionic.  I was aware of something, or someone present in the room—God!  All my senses beheld His glory. 

It was like cotton being removed from my ears and my eyes focused like never before.  I could clearly see the majesty of God.  It seemed I could literally taste and smell the wonderful fragrance of God’s.  I cannot explain the feeling I was having, but I knew a new beginning was taking place within me.

The burdensome pressures and cares of life were being lifted off my shoulders.  The more I prayed for salvation, the more fervent my prayer became.  Immediately, sin was removed from my soul, and I felt the indwelling of the Holy Spirit—I COULD BREATHE!  I FELT FREE!  I had chill bumps all over my body!  I now had the peace I was looking for—Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.

Salvation is when God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit enter your heart after forgiving you of the sins that you confessed to God.  It was a “born-again” experience that took place.  My old nature became subject to new desires as my sins were tossed into God’s Sea-of-Forgetfulness. 

The new nature of Christ replaced the old, sinful nature that had bound me for so long.  I became a child of God that night.  I was saved by grace, which is the free and unmerited favor of God. The peace of mind that I lacked was now present inside me.  

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

I had things upside down.  Self-gratification was at the top of my list of desires, whereas God was far below at the bottom.  When I said yes to His call, He took His rightful place at the head of the list, and to this day has supplied my every need according to His riches in glory.  He gave me peace that passes all understanding.

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

My senses are alive and enhanced in Jesus.  I thank Him for dying on a cross to pay the price for my sins.  Because of His amazing love for you and me, we can have an abundant life on earth, and possess a hope of eternal life in heaven with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ when we pass from this life.

My world is a better place since God opened my eyes to truth.  My way is made clear because He has given me life.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. 

I thank God for imparting unto me “God-sense” that helps me to cope in an environment of sin where individuals are falling farther and farther from the Lord each day.  He gives me the power to stand for righteousness in a land of temptation and greed.

Written by, 

Papa Boyd