ARE THERE DOUBTS OR FEARS HOLDING YOU BACK? ACTS 18:9-10 “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you.” Prior to the printing of “Affairs of the Heart,” I heard God say that one day I would be speaking in front of a group of people … and to remember they will not be coming to see me … they will be coming to hear Him speak through me. As my 33 year vocation at that time was in the landscaping profession, the thought of this message seemed...

IS THE GOD YOU WORSHIP THE GOD OF THE BIBLE?   Luke 4:8 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get you behind me, Satan: for it is written you shall worship the Lord your God.” During this 40-day period of Lent, let us consider Jesus being led by the Holy Spirit on His 40 day journey in the wilderness. Think of the struggles He endured and the temptations He rejected. May we strive to emulate his dedication to prayer, fasting and reflection in order to strengthen...

WHAT TYPE OF NOURISHMENT ARE YOU IN NEED OF? John 6:35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” Hunger and thirst are basic human needs that are appeased with food and drink.  At times, no matter what or how much we take in, our hunger is still not satisfied. Our bellies are full, and yet we still feel empty. Perhaps this may be an indication for us to change our focus and...

WHAT IF MARY HAD SAID “NO” ? Luke 1: 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”  Then the angel left her. In Luke 1:38 an angel of God descended upon Mary to inform her of the wondrous gift God was going to bestow upon her. Although she was overwhelmed by the greatness of this experience, she did not doubt nor deny God the opportunity of using her as His vessel. We all know in the depths of our hearts when God is calling us to do great...

IF YOU COULD PROCLAIM YOUR LOVE, WOULD YOU CLIMB A MOUNTAIN TO SHOW IT? Psalm 95:4 “In whose hand are the depths of the earth, the peaks of the mountains are His also.” Recently, I saw this cross boldly painted far up the side of a steep mountain in California. I could not imagine all that it would take for a person to traverse the rough terraine to such heights, no less carrying the paint and tools used to boldly proclaim their love of the Lord. Although we all may not be...

ARE YOU FEELING WEIGHED DOWN WITH BURDENS? MATTHEW 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Yesterday, while at my gym, I accumulated several hand weights. One by one, exercise by exercise, they were easy enough to handle. However, when it was time to put them back I encountered a problem. As I began to walk with them tucked under my arms and in my hands, I realized I needed help as one of the weights began to slip. I knew I would...