Archive for the ‘Inspirational’ Category

Is God on a Break?

Posted: September 14, 2025 in Inspirational
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There is no doubt that all of us have had a tough week. The list of events that happened in just these past few days are astounding and can literally bring us to our knees. Like you, I have heard so much conversation about how bad things are I am ready to explode. I can’t tell you how much I wish I had the answer. A message I could share with America to somehow take the pain away or make things better .

This country is hurting deeply and yet at the same time, many people are just angry. Like you, my reaction to the assassination of Charlie Kirk was one of profound loss and emptiness. I felt like evil won.

At the very same time, I saw pure viciousness spew from some people that really identified the level of hate many have towards one another by celebrating the death of someone they did not like.

I think when you look at these negative events added together it is easy to think that maybe the almighty God is on a break? In fact, I saw posts from people that basically said God doesn’t care because how could He? Look at what happened?

I read other people rationalizing God’s behavior or making excuses for why He allows these things to happen versus stepping in and squashing evil. In a week where so many horrible things happened one right after another, we are quick to explain what God is thinking and why He does or doesn’t do anything.

For me, I cannot, and will not put words into Gods mouth. I can only explain the “why” for anything He does or doesn’t do by using what the Bible says about Him or specifically about His character. So today’s post is short with my main emphasis on one point and one point only…

OUR GOD IS SOVEREIGN

  • I had the word sovereign explained to me this way that I think helps; Our God is 100% in charge of absolutely everything that happens in Heaven and on Earth. Period.
  • There is absolutely NOTHING on this Earth that can surprise God. EVER. He knows everything and works everything, bad and good, into His perfect will. 

After this week, I know that is hard to believe but keep reading.

  • God DOES NOT need our help to get Him off of the “bad news” hook. No matter what happens, bad or good, God does not need a public relations agency. Since the beginning of the world, God has made himself known to His creation…separating himself from what has been made. We have zero excuse…read this verse below.

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. Romans 1:20

  • As a believer, we look to God for answers during times like this because He has asked that we trust in Him. He is the only one with the answers to any situation even though on the surface it may not look that way. Look at this verse below, even though we don’t understand or…maybe what He is doing is not making sense?

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding Proverbs 3:5

I want to remind you that God sacrificed His only Son for you and for me. My point here is that His ways are not our ways. If it were up to us, we know we would have failed so He took care of that, just like He will now.

So even though you may feel like we are operating in a world of darkness right now, again, I remind you that we are not alone. God is with us. Satan, on the other hand, our enemy, is operating on a very short leash. Soon, God will come and collect.

Our job is to HOLD FIRM and with faith, believe that God is 100% in charge…because He is.

Until next time Guys-

Tribute to John MacArthur – 1935-2025

Posted: July 20, 2025 in Inspirational
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Many of you may have heard the very sad news this past week about the passing of John MacArthur, the Teacher-Pastor at Grace Bible Church near Thousand Oaks, California. He had been there for over 56 years. He became even more renowned during the awful Covid season when he stood firm against the State of California and Governor Gavin Newsom and refused to shut down his church. 

He literally defied what the State of California told him, deferring only to God, and in the end, Grace Bible Church won and held services throughout that difficult time.

It is very possible that you may never have heard of this man until the news broke this week of his passing, but I assure you that if you have read this blog before, then you are familiar with him because his influence is all over my IronManStrength blog and will continue to be. I have read 15 of his books and many of them twice and I found they are even better the second time. 

One of my regrets is I never got to see him preach in person, but thanks to YouTube, his sermons live on. 

I am the guy who likes to listen to him preach via his podcasts while I walk the miles I walk and in my opinion, his ability to speak biblical truth is exactly what this world needed and continues to need. His series of books titled:

The Gospel according to God,

The Gospel according to Jesus

The Gospel according to The Apostles,

The Gospel according to Paul,

…are extremely relevant and written in a way whereby he explains the theology of the good news of the gospel in an easy to understand manner. 

I learned this week through the media that he was a teacher that used the Bible to prove the Bible. He didn’t unnecesarily use lots of stories or personal anecdotes to help justify or emphasize sermons. He just used what the Bible says and that was enough.

Because of his influence on myself and this blog, I wanted to take just a few words and tell you that we lost a very important man in the Kingdom of God this week. In my opinion, he was the kind of man that doesn’t come along very often and from where I sit, I don’t see anyone now who can or will replace him. Why is this important? Because Satan knew John MacArthur as his enemy and one of his biggest adversaries on earth. John MacArthur reached millions of people throughout his lifetime using various media channels that broadcast his sermons. 

Guys, we need someone right now that isn’t afraid to speak Gods truth to a world that doesn’t want anything to do with it. We need another adversary like him to continue battling with our collective enemy.

John MacArthur said reading the Bible is like a lion, just open it up and let it out and it will do what its intended to do because Gods Word never returns void and will accomplish its purposes. 

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11

Guys, more than ever, we need more men to stand up and be committed to the truth of the Word of God. My commitment to you and the readers of this blog is that I will continue to bring you the truths of Gods Word wherever I find them and that will always include the very best of Pastor MacArthur.

We lost a great man of God this week and if you couldn’t tell, I am bummed.

But I will I leave you with some of his quotes from his books and sermons along the way.

Until next time guys-

  • We should not be entertained by the sins for which Christ died 
  • For some reason, we think of doubt and worry as “small” sins. But when a Christian displays unbelief…or an inability to cope with life, he is saying to the world, “My God cannot be trusted,” and that kind of disrespect makes one guilty of a fundamental error, the heinous sin of dishonoring God. That is no small sin.
  • The simplicity of the gospel gives what the complexity of human wisdom promises but never delivers.
  • There are basically only two kinds of religion in the world: those based on human achievement and those based on divine accomplishment. One says you can earn your way to heaven; the other says you must trust in Jesus Christ alone.
  • All sin results from failure to act in faith.
  • The more you focus on yourself, the more distracted you will be from the proper path. The more you know Him and commune with Him, the more the Spirit will make you like Him. The more you are like Him, the better you will understand His utter sufficiency for all of life’s difficulties. And that is the only way to know real satisfaction.

It takes Real guts to say No

Posted: May 26, 2025 in Inspirational
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Have you ever heard the expression “if you give them an inch they will take a mile”? I am sure you have and it happens to be the phrase that illustrates what I wanted to talk about today. 

You see, the very expression “give an inch” implies from the outset that you gave in or you gave up something. But, in actuality, what you did was compromise. 

Now, don’t get me wrong. Compromise in a relationship is critical for it to last but remember, we don’t agree with our spouse or even our friends all the time. I am sure you have even “agreed to disagree” and maintained the relationship from there. I think that good debate is healthy and promotes independent thinking which is one of the keys to long lasting friendships. 

However, its that compromise in important areas of our lives that I am focusing on today.

I remember reading a book a few years ago by Dr. David Jeremiah called, The Handwriting on the Wall which talked about Daniel, who, while being held captive in Babylon for 70 years, never compromised his faith in God no matter what his circumstances ended up to being and this included facing sure death in the lions den.

His consistency was astounding and a model for all of us to follow. However, Dr. Jeremiah made a point that I wanted to illustrate to you which was simply that it takes guts…real guts, to say no to a terrible situation, even with God on your side. 

Daniel was resolute in his faith while in Babylon. For you and I, no matter where we are in life, we do not “have to bend the rules to be blessed of God. Our success is NOT dependent upon our compromise”. Our job is to trust and believe that He will take care of us because he has told us so.

From the very beginning in the Bible, we see compromises with very poor results:

Adam: he fell right in line with Eve’s sin by compromising and eating the forbidden fruit. 

Sarah :(Abrahams wife) her lack of faith in God caused her to compromise and send her husband Abraham to Hagar, her servant, who then gave birth to Ishmael. Life in the Middle East will never be the same.

Do you remember Esau who compromised his birthright because he was hungry?

King David: he was the man after Gods own heart, BUT, he compromised Gods morality by sleeping with Bathsheba and then killing her husband Uriah. 

The list goes on and on with Solomon, Judas and Ahaz who all compromised something significant in their lives and it cost them. 

Guys, think about this…all they would have had to do was to say NO…and then take a stand on faith and on what God promised them. After that, God is in charge of the situation.

I want to finish this post with a story Dr. Jeremiah shared in his book about a verbal exchange in a high school class between some students and a professor who was an athiest.

The professor stood at the lectern and began his lecture by saying, “will all of you who believe the myths of the Bible please stand.” Several stood.

Then he added, “now this semester I am going to free you from this religious Bible nonsense. I have read the Bible, and it is certainly written by a bunch of mixed up men.”

One young Daniel stood up and said, “Sir, the Bible is God’s letter to Christians, and if you are confused it’s because you are reading someone else’s mail.”

Guys, I pray that all of us can stand firm in our faith and NOT compromise in the face any adversity against you. You already know this, but adversity will continue to come. That is the way life goes.

I can also tell you with certainty that you are going to be in circumstances where you will be asked to “give an inch”. And after this blog, now you know why an inch matters. As Christians, it’s the difference between a life spent with God in Eternity or the alternative…

It is that simple and you get to make the choice…

My advice to you, be like Daniel…don’t compromise…

Until next time Guys… 

Jeremiah, David. 2020. The Handwriting on the Wall: Secrets from the Prohecies of Daniel. Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Why Can’t LIFE be Easy?

Posted: April 27, 2025 in Inspirational
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I wrote a blog post a few years ago called Why can’t life be easy? because it kind of fit where I was at that point. What I found interesting today is after reading it again, it seems to apply all over again, not just to me, but to all of us. 

None of us understand the ebb and flow of life and why things change the way they do; both personally and professionally. I found the worst part is how those changes affect us.  These waves roll in and they roll out with some just being a minor annoyance while others will knock us off our feet. 

I wrote this post just to serve as a milemarker along your journey of life to remind you NOT to give up. Stay your course and be strong for the people that need you. I hope you enjoy the new and improved version of Why can’t life be easy…

Have you ever wondered why God allows or even requires our Christian walk to be filled with pain, problems, unhappiness, and sometimes even misery? Because I have… 

Why does God put so much emphasis in scripture on our persevering, or striving for the prize and winning the race as Paul writes in Philippians? 

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:14

I believe that all the lessons and experiences we learn through lifes challenges; like those “Iron Sharpens Iron” moments like we read in Proverbs 27:17 have a purpose. I am referring to the the falling down and getting back up opportunities, but most importantly, trudging through the adversity and our ability to keep our eyes focused on Him in spite of whatever is set against us.

Let me give you one Old Testament reference and I promise to be quick.

Do you remember the Israelites in Egypt? That group of people who, as we recall, spent 400 years in exile and servitude to the Egyptians. You may forget this point, but they went to Egypt voluntarily and were promised by God to be made into a great nation (Gen 46:1-4) and then almost went extinct during that 400 years. During that entire time, no word from heaven was heard and once Moses, the deliverer was announced, no explanation was given.

Why do I give you this story? because if you signed on with Christanity thinking you can just skate until He returns, you are sorely mistaken. I hope this is not the first time anyone has told you that.

The Christian walk is a marathon that God intended specifically to be ALL about the journey. 

In life, God focuses on how WE handle problems we face in this world. Are you the kind of guy who gives up and just walks away? Or do you get back up and keep forging ahead? 

Guys, I believe that the men who pick themselves up from their problems and still keep their eyes on Him… are the ones that I firmly believe God will choose to surround Himself with in eternity. 

Look…we know life is hard…but you can’t just give up and let it overwhelm you! You must fight back…

One of my favorite warriors of the Bible was David who wrestled with these very same questions. Look at what he says to God in Psalms:

Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?  Psalms 10:1

The reality is that David, who is literally in the lineage of Christ, struggled just like you and me. He wrestled with pain and suffering and he cried out to God continuously…and do you know what? 

God did NOT forsake him.

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, Lord, for you have never forsaken those who seek you.  Psalms 9:9-10

Guys, this blog is titled, “Why can life be easy?” because there are times it seems like the only luck we have is bad. But I encourage you today to remember that your main job is this difficult life is just to trust and believe that God will do what He says He will do. Claim these verses above because you are not alone…I know that for a fact-

Guys, enjoy your journey and keep the faith because ultimately you will overcome.

Until next time Guys…

Killing them with Kindness – Part 2

Posted: December 26, 2024 in Inspirational
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OK Guys, so last time I posted a blog about kindness that talked about the “why” we should choose to respond with compassion versus the alternative. In my previous post, I promised you how to execute this kindness response proposition into real action. 

If you are like me, talking about a big topic like this without giving me practical ideas of how to apply is like sitting down at the dinner table with a HUGE meal and no utensils. I may ultimately figure out how to eat, but the process could have been far easier with a fork.

Take a look at these 4 bullet points below and see:

  • Listen More, Judge Less: This is SO hard to do because sometimes, people lash out because they feel unheard or misunderstood. Focus on trying to listen with understanding can help diffuse tension and show that you value what they are saying.
  • Respond, Don’t React: Again, take a deep breath; when you are confronted with negativity, take a moment to pause. Think first, then respond. A calm, kind response can completely change the tone of a conversation.
  • Be Generous in Small Ways: A smile,  a thoughtful comment, or a small gesture of help can brighten someone’s day—even if they don’t deserve it.
  • Lead by Example: Guys, this is where it should hit the mark for you. If you demonstrate that kindness is a strength and not a weakness, your actions will inspire those around you (even your kids) to act with compassion as well. This is our goal.

Why all of this Matters

Finally, I have written 25 posts in 2024, and most centered on being a better Father, or I tried to inspire you to be better dudes. Why? Because the world doesn’t need any more arguments, any more grudges, or any more division. It needs men and women who are willing to rise above all the clattering noise of this crazy world and choose kindness, even when it’s hard. Christ, right before He was crucified gave us this simple, life-changing verse that all of us should apply. He said, Love your neighbor as yourself. Matt 22:39

Again, not easy. I get that…But when have you ever backed down from a challenge? What I am asking will require effort which is my charge to you in this new year.

Focus your responses with a “killing them with kindness” mindset. Remember that you don’t just “win” at the moment— rather you are planting seeds of positivity that can grow far beyond what you see.

Guys…so the next time someone tries to bring you down, remember this: you don’t have to meet them on their level. Instead, rise above and respond with kindness. You might just change their day—or even their life.

Think of it this way, kindness isn’t just an action. It’s a superpower.

Until next time Guys-

Killing them with Kindness

Posted: December 24, 2024 in Inspirational
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“Kindness is a language we can all speak. Even the Deaf can hear it and the Blind can see” Mother Teresa

Guys, in the entire history of this blog, I have never quoted Mother Teresa, but in this instance, with this topic, it is completely appropriate. I have been thinking about this topic for quite some time  and decided for this New Year, I wanted to share this alternative idea of responding to anger and frustration with kindness and compassion.

I have broken this post into 2 parts, so it can be read and consumed a little easier. The second post is my application of this kindness topic called “Practical Ways to Kill with Kindness” and it will be posted very soon.

Our world is marked by competition, conflict, and negativity, and the phrase “killing them with kindness” carries a HUGE meaning. It suggests a simple yet powerful truth: 

Kindness can disarm hostility, dissolve tension, and create connections in ways no other force can. 

Honestly, kindness is the complete opposite response to what we see every evening on the news.

But what does it mean to truly “kill with kindness”? And why does it make sense for us to practice it, especially in situations where kindness seems undeserved? I have compiled a short list for you to consider.

The Unexpected Strength of Kindness

So as men, kindness is often mistaken for weakness. Sometimes, people assume that being kind means letting others walk all over you or ignoring an injustice. In reality, kindness is a conscious choice that requires core strength, resilience, and HUGE patience. It’s about responding with grace, even when faced with negativity or a conflict. 

Choosing kindness is taking the high road when everyone expects you to do the alternative.

When you meet rudeness with kindness or counter aggression with a calm compassion, you do more than just take the moral high ground—you alter the angry energy of the entire interaction. This change can have a ripple effect, influencing not only the person you’re engaging with but also those who witness the exchange. I want you to remember because this is exactly what Christ did. He disarmed His foes with kindness and love.

Guys, here is why I think that using a kindness response will work for you;

1. It Breaks Down Barriers

When you respond to someone with unexpected kindness, it often catches them off guard. It is hard to maintain anger or hostility when faced with genuine goodwill. Over time, this can disarm negativity and also improve a mutual respect between you and them.

2.It Builds Bridges

Kindness can transform your adversary into an ally, literally. I have seen kindness create a foundations of trust even in the most difficult relationships. In your business, in your families, and in your friendships, simple kindness will open doors that would otherwise remain shut.

3.It Strengthens You

This is the biggest reason why choosing kindness is the right plan because it isn’t just about the other person—it’s about who you are. It reinforces your ability to stay grounded, stay true to your core Christian values, and maintain inner peace in challenging situations. 

Guys, this is fundamentally what Iron-Man-Strength.com is about and has been since the beginning. Yes, my goal has been to encourage and support you through all of the difficult times. I also wanted to remind you that you have an enemy, Satan, who is looking for every chance possible to help you fall off the cliff. 

This is why choosing kindness as your reaction to any situation will change you as a man before God. I wont lie to you and say this is easy to do because it isn’t. When we get mad or upset, emotions take over and even the very best men on on this have or will earth fail. BUT…and this is a big one. IF you allow God to help you, you can change.

As I mentioned up top, the second part of this post is the practical application of “Killing with Kindness” and my hope is that these will be simple steps you can use to help you when these kinds of situations arise. I promise you this is not Rocket Science. It is instead, easy and practical. The process just requires execution on your part.

Merry Christmas, Guys-

Until next time-

I know who I am…Because I know who You are

Posted: November 10, 2024 in Inspirational
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How you ever been pummeled with a lie and after a while you actually start to believe it? Whether in person or online you just begin to ask if that is really who you are? Is there a maximum amount of negative comments you can hear before you break the camel’s back? Will there come a time that you don’t recognize yourself anymore in the mirror? 

Finally and worse yet…Is there a tipping point where I might move backwards in how I feel about God or myself? How much is too much?

If any of that feels familiar let me say I was inspired by a song this week that reminded me about these exact questions because this issue is real. The world is a nasty place. I have told you before on this very blog about the activity of the enemy…especially now…

But this Megan Woods’ song hit me with exactly with what I needed it to… PURE TRUTH. In fact, the song is called The Truth and I highly encourage you to take a few minutes to listen to it and be inspired like I was. You can find it on Amazon.

Why do I share this with you today? I want you to listen to the words from her chorus so you know. Do you remember the question I asked you above? When you are faced with being told a lie about yourself over and over again, when do you start to believe it is true? Read these words below-

“The truth is I am my father’s child I make Him proud and I make Him smile

I was made in the image of a perfect king He looks at me and wouldn’t change a thing

The truth is I am truly loved by a God who’s good when I’m not good enough

I don’t belong to the lies I belong to you…and that’s the truth” (emphasis added)

PLEASE let that sink in for a moment…because it is exactly opposite of the message you will hear from this world. Everyday, the enemy tells you you’re not good enough. He whispers you’re a failure until one day, you think it may be true.

So today, I am drawing a line in the sand-

I wanted to give you an alternative opinion. I wanted to remind you instead that YOU are loved by a God that accepts you…just as you are…

He meets you right there…wherever you are with His grace…and not a body slam.

She closes this amazing song with what I titled this blog today and that is this message that I pray will resonate with you when you are finished reading and listening….

I know who I am…Because I know who You are

Remember – You are made in HIS image and therefore changed on the inside so you can be set free in knowing that you are a different person and that you make Him proud. I really want you to remember this fact the next time you look in the mirror…that reflection you see is pretty cool dude in God’s eyes.

Just in case you forgot…Because of HIM, now you know who you are…

Until next time Guys

  • The Truth, Megan Woods, Amazon Music, 2024

Get OUT of the Mushy Middle

Posted: October 5, 2024 in Inspirational
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Many years ago, when I was a young manager, I worked for a gentleman who was a very nice man but from my vantage point he had a significant flaw…he couldn’t make a decision. He was the guy who looked at every situation and tried to analyze each side to understand all possible outcomes. Now, on the surface that sounds exceptional, carefully analyzing each argument and plotting each potential scenario. Ultimately, however, his style of overthinking became the anchor of his department that he could not shake.

In fact, he was passed over for a nice promotion the next year which devastated him…but we all understood why. The company needed decisions executed in a timely fashion and he would take months agonizing over one argument or the other. What I found interesting was many times, after all this effort, he never actually came to a conclusion. He was paralyzed somewhere in the middle. In his mind, He believed he could align with ideas from both sides of the argument and therefore he chose neither one. 

I called him a fence-rider. He wasn’t for, or against. He was neutral. He was Sweden. Which brings me to the reason I write today. I want to talk about the mushy middle. The person who always stays close to the middle line and does not want to upset the balance. The person who cannot stand on one idea with a solid position. Maybe you have heard of them…The gray area guy.

Have you ever heard the expression, If you can’t stand for something then you will fall for anything? That is the person I am speaking directly to in this post. Respectfully, you know who you are.

Let me begin with a verse from the Bible in Matthew where we find Christ speaking in a very plain and direct language to all of us.

“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” Matthew 12:30

I enjoy reading the red letters (Christ’s words) in the New Testament because there is no gray area. Nothing obscure or hidden where I might get hung up or lost on what His message is. I know exactly what He means because He is clear. Plain and Simple summary below:

Guys, if you are not with Him, then by Christ’s own words, you are against Him. Which is why I write today. Get the heck out of the mushy middle, make a decision, and stand strong for what you believe in!

If you believe in Christ as your savior, If you believe He is the one who is behind your salvation, if you believe He is the only one who can save this ugly world, then I encourage you to stand up. Do not hide or be afraid. If you do, Jesus is very clear about that as well:

I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels.  But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels.  Luke 12:8-9

Is there any confusion about what Christ is saying in these 2 verses?

Finally, Guys, I encourage you to rise and stand firm in Christ. Now is the time that a common bond of strength is needed. Men and Women who will stand in the gap and not be afraid to show the public who your savior is and where your Iron-man-strength comes from.

Let me leave you with my favorite verse below…until next time Guys

Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Reminder – 5 Reasons for all of us to have HOPE right now…

Posted: April 6, 2024 in Inspirational
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Almost 10 years ago, I wrote this post based on what I sensed and felt going on in the world at that time; which was only sadness and destruction. Fast forward 10 years later, everything kinda looks pretty much the same. I don’t know about you, but that fact causes me to seek God every day for the very same thing I did back then…a reason for hope.

I know that I cannot provide anyone with the reasons why our world is like this other than the Bible states who is “the god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4, John 12:31, 1 John 5:19)  who prowls around seeking to devour (1 Peter 5:8) those who don’t resist him. Believe me, my friends, NOW IS THE TIME TO RESIST THE ENEMY. Don’t give up on yourself but rather look to Christ for your hope. Here is what I mean;

God’s word is clear…” I will never leave you or forsake (forget) you” (Joshua 1:5)

By its very nature, the word hope concerns the future, our future. Now I know that I have written before on this blog that Hope is NOT a Strategy, however, I am not referring to a simple hope such as, “I hope I can get a nicer car or bigger house”, but rather I am talking about Biblical hope, which is very different. Biblical hope consists of assurance inside your heart or just firm confidence about future things because of God’s promises and His revelation to us. 

Guys, real Biblical hope in Christ Jesus is something that never fails when you place your trust in Him. The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 15:13;

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In other words, Biblical hope is inseparably linked with a firm faith in Him. They go hand-in-hand with one another. As a result, what is yielded is a confident trust in God that is unshakable when the adversity of life hits you like a wave…(Like right now).

So with all of the chaos our world is throwing at you every single day, I wanted to give you some actual reasons why you can still have faith and HOPE that things are going to be alright…

So here are my 5 reasons for all of us to have HOPE right now…

God is still on the throne – He hasn’t gone anywhere. He is still alive and at work in our world. I know it is very easy to look at what happens in this world and say God is dead or maybe He is just sleeping? Believe me, I have heard that before. But the Bible assures us He is alive and well and knows exactly what is happening on this earth.

With man, things are impossible…but with God, ALL things are possible (Mark 10:27) It is so easy to just give up and give in to all of the adversity that is constantly thrown in our direction because we simply forget God’s promises. The bottom line, God has NO limitations. His ways are NOT our ways and therefore he will not react or think as we do…our response needs to be to simply ask, to trust, and to hope in Him.

You Are Not Alone – We are told in Joshua 1:5, “He will never leave us nor forsake us” and I’ve come to realize that my trying to understand the ”whys” of this world is NOT my job. My job is to completely trust in Him…even though I don’t understand. LET GOD DO THE HEAVY LIFTING. Do you remember the story of Peter when he got out of the boat and started walking on the water to meet Jesus? (Matthew 14:29-30) He was actually walking on water until he took his eyes off Christ and then what happened? He started sinking fast…and what was his reaction? He cried, “Lord save me!” which is exactly what we are supposed to do…

All of what you are going through right now is only temporary – Weeping may last for the night…but joy comes in the morning (Psalms 30:5).  It is easy to “get caught up” with what we SEE. But I am here to remind you that Jesus has prepared a place for all of us IN HEAVEN (John 14:2) and this place we see around us, will all pass away. It is only temporary. Heaven is eternal.

I know how this story ends – All of the difficulties and adversity we face every day sometimes can be overwhelming. It may seem like the bad guy in this world may be winning. But let me assure you with an overwhelming confidence. Have you ever read Revelation? Because I know who wins in the end. You and I will be victorious.

    But you MUST STAY THE COURSE. Don’t give up. Have faith and put your trust in Him.

    He will give you the reason to HOPE…

    Until next time guys…

    Another One in the Fire

    Posted: March 30, 2024 in Inspirational
    Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
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    How has your week been? If you’re like me, you are in the middle of the storm and working hard just to keep the ship going straight. Does that sound familiar? I was reminded of something earlier that I think may be of some strength to you if you are in that storm I mentioned. I also feel compelled to write this directly to those of you who need to hear this today. You know who you are.

    Do you remember Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? This is the great story in the Bible in the Book of  Daniel chapter 3 about these young men who were a part of the conquering of Israel by Babylon and King Nebuchadnezzar. They came to Babylon as slaves but with higher positions due to their intelligence and previous standing in Israel. The problem for them was that Nebuchadnezzar issued a command that everyone in his kingdom was required to worship an image made of gold when they blew the trumpets and these 3 young men refused to do so.

    So the king had these young men brought before him and threatened them with death by the fiery furnace if they did not comply. Their response was incredible. With great faith, they told him that “our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand oh King”. As you can imagine, this upset the King so much that he had the furnace heated 7 times hotter than normal to ensure they were destroyed. In fact, the furnace was so hot that the guards who threw them in were killed.

    But here is the key to the story and what I wanted to share with you today which is the title to this post. First, they did not die when they went in but rather just stood there marveling at what was happening. More importantly, however, King Nebuchadnezzar noticed there was another one in the fire with them. Instead of 3 men, there were now 4. Jesus himself came and stood with these boys in the midst of what should have been sure death but instead…they were saved.

    Guys, that is the single point I wanted to convey to you today. They were saved JUST like you can be. No matter what you are in the middle of, there is another one in the fire with you today. And I can say with absolute confidence that you are NOT alone on your journey. I encourage you to hold on today to these words today that He is with you in your fire, standing at your side.

    I understand though…when you don’t see Him physically and sometimes you don’t feel Him it is easy to think you’re alone…and those feelings are real and they can cause your faith to weaken to where you become vulnerable to the enemy’s lies.

    My words to you are hold on. Keep pounding on heaven’s doors because there is another one in the fire with you…right in the middle of the storm and chaos that is around you. Don’t give in to the enemy…resist and hang on to the words of Christ.

    Remember this…no matter what happens in this world, all of the bad things and the struggles of this life…we are told to take heart because He has OVERCOME the world. He has already won the battle for you…you just have to believe that.

    Until next time Guys-

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