“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.” Philippians 2:12-13

It’s a simple matter. When I want to open the garage door, I simply push the button. When done, 2 contacts connect to complete a circuit and electricity is sent to the garage door motor. If the door is up, it goes down. If down, it goes up! It’s just that simple. I had a door button that gave me problems. I changed it. Now the new one isn’t working well either!

I sometimes try to get creative. I push it at the top. Then… at the bottom. Sometimes I wiggle it! But it can take as many as 12 pushes before the command to ‘OBEY my will’ gets through. It gets frustrating. I figure I am going to have to get another new button. When it comes to my Faith and Walk with God, I sometimes wonder how God can put up with ME?

Today’s verse seems to put all the will and power on God. But then it adds a duty on MY part… “Work out your own salvation… with FEAR AND TREMBLING!” HUH? Verse 13 says that God is working in me TO will and act on His good purpose. That seems like the button has been pushed, and it’s time for ME to open up and let my Faith out of the garage!

MAYBE I need to have a little chat with God to determine IF I need to actually go somewhere BEFORE I go. And if so, WHAT He wants me to do that is in HIS will! Are YOU taking the time to find out what God wants from you? Are YOU working out HIS plan for you? If not… maybe it’s time for you to push His button.  Don’t be nervous.  That’s what He wants!

 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Matthew 4:19

It started off with a setback! My grandson Cash had invited me to go fishing, and while I was finishing up some errands, he said he’d go get bait. I’d planned to meet him in about an hour. When I got there, he said His cast net had been ripped and he didn’t have that many bait fish… but we went anyway. Once to his spot, the fishing began. But nothing happened!

I used to fish a lot more when I was younger. I had a great dock that friends would let me use. But they sold the place and I was banned. Now, I go where invited. Unknown places, along with the sporadic nature of fishing, tend to yield low results. It takes a little more salesmanship to get up the ‘go.’ This time, I got to asking myself why I felt that way?

Cash and I moved around to different spots, ran out of bait, then I said, “how about we go to the fishing store and get you a new net? He liked that idea. Soon, we found ourselves back out on the water at a different spot, and we were catching fish… KINDA! The bait’s gods must have been praying real hard because we weren’t catching any keepers… only junk fish!

It was a magical moment out by the water. The temperature was perfect, the sunset beautiful, low bugs, junk fish were biting… and I was with my Grandson making memories! It didn’t take long to drop the idea of catching a big, edible fish to appreciate our time well spent. Having to clean and cook the fish disappeared when we went to Wendy’s!

This experience made me stop to think… “What do I do, because I belong to Jesus. And WHY do I do it?” Today, Katie sent me a devotional that was perfect timing. After just having learned that I often do things because I ‘OTTA,’ there’s a very big benefit ino taking time to figure, and change to do things, because I “WANNA!” I have referenced the story below.

Why do YOU do the things you do? Would changing your purpose to joyfully serve help? Or do result expectations get in the way? Think about it. Cuz I am! Happy day to you!

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:24

Opening the door at Church, all eyes shifted from each other… to me! And man… I was uncomfortable. The Ladies were meeting for their Bible Study. Interrupting them was like walking into the middle of a bunch of camo clad recruits, covered in mud, at a boot camp! It’s not that I COULDN’T interrupt them… I just knew by their looks… that I SHOULDN’T!

Every other Monday the Ladies of our Church meet. I don’t go there, but I am privy as to what goes on. When Katie gets home, I get an update. I’ve never heard of a bad experience yet! It’s why I encourage all of our ladies to go. This verse, and the next one, are a kind of passive aggressive command. “Get together! Spur one another on to love and good deeds!”

The Christian life is FAR from easy! Being selfish, hell-bound sinners from birth, it takes the miraculous to even get us to look His direction. Once ‘IN,’ it takes some of us longer than others to see that this is a love relationship that costs EVERYTHING! Once I learned that it cost Jesus EVERYTHING to save me, I then learned it costs ME everything to live it! OORAH!

I admit it. I’m lazy. I don’t like being ‘spurred on’ to do things… even good things for Jesus! It’s even worse to have a job being the spurrer! But I notice it is a command and not a request. We are ALL expected to GROW UP into Christ. To put Him… and others… FIRST! To do that requires I put myself WAY down on the list and get busy busting chops. Mine first!

So it is my hope that today’s message will have you see the glaring eyes of Jesus, or one of His servant’s, as they look at you with expectation and a question… “What are you going to do with and for Jesus… and others… today? Are you putting Him First? C’mon recruit! join me… and us… and grunt it out!! It’s NOT a suggestion!

“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1:3

“WOW! THIS IS COOL!” I said to my son Clint the Harbor Pilot. We were in the pilot boat and got diverted to pick up another pilot before returning to the station. It is one thing to HEAR about the process of how ships get piloted in and out of Tampa bay. It’s another to actually SEE it. There I was… a visitor, only because of the relationship I had as Father to my son.

For several miles, we had been 2 ships following each other carefully! One big, one small. We pulled up close to the outbound ship, which was traveling about 15 mph, and when it was time, the pilot jumped from the big container ship to the pilot boat. His job was done. It felt a little strange being introduced to a fellow just added to the boat miles from shore!

I’ve had the opportunity to ‘fellow-ship; with some pretty amazing people under different kinds of circumstances. Last week, Dee and Ed were facing her difficult operation with anxiousness. Yesterday at Church, I was extremely blessed to be among Church members who had come to hear God’s Word and to ‘Fellow-ship’ together. It was an A+ experience.

This morning, Randy and Vicki were coupled together, as he was about to undergo some medical tests. With Vicki at His side, Katie and I, for a brief moment, had the chance to call and fellowship with them and pray. I was mesmerized again by the power of Fellowship, with Jesus Christ being the center of our focused attention. What a blessing He has given us.

The Church exists to pass on the Good News of Christ’s entering Fellowship WITH us. The more I read, and the older I get, the more I appreciate spending time and situations with God’s People. Where I may be weak, another will be strong… with Jesus providing the Strength. Tonight… the Ladies will get together! What a blessing Fellowship provides.

Please fellow pray for Randy and Dee and the rest of your Family at home and Church. We really are blessed to never have to face difficulties alone. How may we share with YOU?

 “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1

“THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS.” It was a statement made by Dee when she got home yesterday afternoon, and by Jimmy on Wednesday when he heard that his daughter’s stroke was not as bad as originally thought. Notifications went out to church members and prayers stormed heaven’s gate. I reminded the church Wed. that NO ONE is alone. We are FAMILY!

With the topic of drones and UFO’s still a recent mystery, many have questioned AGAIN if there is other LIFE out there besides ours. Are there aliens, with more knowledge than us, coming to spy and take us captive? All MY life, it has been a ridiculous notion to me because of my Father’s teaching. He said “If there ARE other beings out there, God is an adulterer!”

This morning I was going through some devotions and came across one entitled “Are We Alone in the Universe?” Quickly answering the question I was about to move on, until something made me turn back to the article. In it, a compilation of scientific research on new data, along with mathematical deductive reasoning, my daddy’s theology was vindicated!

We all know that the Jews are considered by God to be His Bride (Isaiah 54:5-6) and that the Church is destined to be the Bride of Christ (2 Cor. 11:2). We were created and bonded by God to Himself for the purpose of defeating satan and his evil plan to take over the Universe. God’s love was the basis upon which satan figured He could defeat God! Love will win in the end!

The article went on to say that after looking at all the necessary criteria for a planet to sustain life, the odds of there being another US is less than 1 in 10¹⁰³²_. I was settled before on the issue, and even more-so now. But being WAY outnumbered by Non-Believers in this world, it shows that we NEED each other to help, pray and support the Bride of Christ!

Don’t walk alone out there where God never intended!  You have God and His Church! Use them!

“Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say.” John 8:43

“May I get our car out of the garage?” It was a simple sentence. But the 3 men I addressed it to couldn’t hear it. They were here to work on our roof and were blocking the driveway so Katie couldn’t get out. I tried asking several different ways, but all I received were smiles and head shakes. They didn’t speak English! Finally, motioning with my hands, they understood.

In my business, I find the language of God often very hard to hear. When ‘self’ is sitting in the cockpit running things, it can be very hard to hear God when He tries to tell me to do something foreign to my own plans or intuition. I don’t WANT to be in pain. But pain is often the most practical language He can use to manage, modify or move me toward Him.

The Law was written to give us insight as to how God operates. It is full of language, ideas and examples to help us see that what God wants, and what sinful man wants, are usually 2 different things. God cannot change! I do! I need to do the adjusting. A willing spirit to lay down my life to get His, usually comes at a very high cost. Death to my selfish ways!

A preacher and pastor’s job is to tell people the Truth of God. Unfortunately, most people are similar to me in that they don’t WANT to hear things that bring pain, trouble or inconvenience to themselves. Telling God’s Bible Truth, “see this verse? God expects you to….,” can get hard looks or glazed eyes, as the ‘preacher fan club’ diminishes in members.

I usually KNOW what God wants from me. So does everyone else. It is to put HIM FIRST and ME SECOND. To follow His instructions, no matter how hard they may appear. Are YOU following… or rebelling? Can you hear Him? Or are you tuned out? Because… I THINK He may be talking to you right now!

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Colossians 3:23

Driving home from on US 41, traffic ‘slowed quickly!’ An oxymoronic statement! Looking ahead, I saw cars moving to the right, as a young man frantically ran down the median chasing and picking up large pieces of paper. Apparently hundreds of those papers had flown out of his car! He was doing the responsible thing by picking them up.

As I got closer to him, I could sense he was grieved with responsibility. Frantically running and trying to pick up the papers, I sensed he needed help. While everyone else drove around him, I pulled over to help. After about 10 minutes, when the job was done, I approached him with my collected pile. With no time to talk, I simply said, “God bless you.”

It was a decision that had to be made in seconds. He needed help, and I could either help him or ignore him. The nudge from God was ever so slight… but I felt it. Taking time to ponder would have resulted in missing an opportunity. His voice inside left me the decision to help, but also presented a lesson in obedience. Do I help because I want to… or have to?

Every new day comes with opportunities for me to serve God… or myself. What does HE want, and what will it cost ME, is a continual issue? Do I respond because I ‘want to’ out of a loving heart, or because I ‘have to’ out of demanded obedience? I’ve learned in my relationship with God, it is critical to do things out of the right spirit. Anything less doesn’t count!

Today’s verse makes this point clear. And while it may sound oxymoronic, to truly love and serve Jesus Christ correctly, I really I ‘have’ta wanna!’ Do you?

“A psalm of David. Oh LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.” Psalm 143:1

It was a tough week. I was experiencing it myself, but was not alone. It seemed the entire Church was under some kind of dark spell. Many more folks than usual were sick. Many others who were not, were going through some pretty difficult circumstances. As I prayed for myself, I found the list of those in similar situations, and in need of prayer, growing!

I have found a great remedy for care or need is to run across someone who is in worse need than me! I knew Dee was going into the hospital for surgery. I knew it was going to be more than a normal procedure. I had no idea HOW much more until I talked with Ed over the phone… he cracked. This was VERY serious. Like life and death serious! That changed things.

I don’t run to hospitals for just any reason. This hospital was WAY up in Bradenton’s east side in total ‘trafficville!’ I prayed David’s prayer and got there in decent time. Ed and I spent hours talking as Dee was in the surgeon’s hands. The situational need didn’t change, but the fellowship and focus on Jesus made it much more endurable. She came through well.

Those roads I took to get up, then back, used to be my way to go to work 50 years ago… back during the days of the OLD Skyway Bridge and NO I-75! As I drove I saw businesses that’d been newly built, thrived, and were now dead, empty hulks. New ones were taking their places. But Ed and I were blessed to hold on to Old Reliable Jesus who’s ALWAYS there!

Today, David’s prayer is available to you… or to someone in need with whom you can share. This world is filled with difficulties and pain, but the Church is a TEAM. When God’s People get together to pray and share, it only makes us stronger. Thank you for your continued prayer and care for Dee, Ed and the rest of God’s family. If YOU are a Special member of Jesus’ Team… THANK YOU!

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11

O.K…. I was in a hurry. But I was so sure I could pull it off that I didn’t even consider what could happen. Thinning down some drywall compound with a drill and a mixing tool, I was inside the house. Something in the back of my head told me to do that outside. But I didn’t listen. With the drill on full power, I forgot that the variable speed button was broken!

Everything was nearing the end and I began to pull it out of the mix SLOWLY. But the drill HAD no slow. It was running fast! Lifting it up out of the top of the bucket, my jeans, and the walls, got a bath of splatter. Now, added to a simple task, was the additional job of cleaning up the mess! Being in a hurry had come with a price… again.

‘I want patience… and I want it right now!’ That is a theme of my life. When things are going wrong or I find myself in a valley, I want to hurry and get out as fast as possible. I keep forgetting that God uses the failures and trials of my life to build my character and dependence on HIM. Time too often feels more of an obstacle than a tool.

God and Jesus are at work. And the one thing I have learned the hard way is that they are rarely in a rush. It is HIS goal and will for my life that I must yield to. Hurrying and stirring things up only makes life a mess. When I yield and slow down, I can see His beauty and purpose in my life. Are YOU going through something too fast too? You can rest in His care!