Psalms 34:18 "18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,"

     Sometimes our hearts get broken by words, actions, and sometimes when a love one passes. Here we see that God is close to those who have broken heart.  Sometimes when we get our heart broke we want to give up and feel as if no one cares, but I'm here to tell you today God is closer than you ever thought.  Cry out to Him and ask for His help, He is close to you, you can make it.   God loves you,  Many Blessings to you.

Col 3:22-24 (NKJV) "23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. "

    What ever we do in life rather it be working or helping someone we should do it as we are doing it for the Lord.  If we do it this way then one day as our time approaches to meet Him face to face we will know that we did our best.  In living life to the fullest we should take advantage of each moment we have to please the Lord because we see in this verse that the Lord is the one who will reward us.  Sometimes our hard work seems unnoticed by our bosses, family, or friends but know whatever you do God is watching and wants to reward you well, so always give it your best.  Many Blessings to you.

Psalms 116:15 (NKJV) "15 Precious in the sight of the Lord Is the death of His saints"

    Sometimes when a loved one has passed away we have to remind our self of this verse.  This is also why it is so important that we belong to God by living for Him, so when one passes we know that it is precious in the sight of the Lord.  Death is part of life and we have to view it as God has designed it and if we are living to please God, then it gives us comfort and hope knowing that when our loved one went home it was pleasing in the sight of the Lord.  Don't allow something that is pleasing to God disrupt your joy and happiness.  It's alright to miss the presence and companionship of someone you love and miss.  Just realize your loved one who trusted in God is happy and it was precious to God. Many Blessings to you.

Rev 3:20 (NKJV) "20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."

    There are times when I speak with people and families and in conversation I hear them say I know I need to go to church, or I know I should read my bible.  What ever the case is all know, and why is it they know?  Because Jesus is standing there knocking on the heart.   That is a blessing that He is knocking because He wants us to open up to be blessed by His love and care.  We need to listen to that call and open our heart and say yes Lord come in.  Maybe your reading this and you know God is knocking I want to encourage you to open up and say yes Lord come in my life forgive me and be my guide.  He knocks because He loves you, I write this because He loves you, and your reading this because He loves you.  Open the door and experience the Many Blessings He has for you.

Matt 11:28 (NKJV) "28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

     To be labored and heavy laden is to be tired or weary with a lot of burdens.  I see a lot of this in care givers as they try to balance work, kids, and caring for their loved ones.  There are so many ways to have a lot of burdens and feel tired and worn out.  Wherever you find yourself in life, if your getting tired and it feels like your burdens are too much we see here that Jesus cares and He says, He wants you to come to Him so He can give you rest.  Vacation or getting away will not give you the  rest your looking for, more money will not give you rest, but Jesus wants to give you rest.  If your tired and worn out, ask Jesus in your life and walk with Him and get closer to Him, He will give you rest.

John 8:36 (NKJV) "36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."

    Happy Memorial day, as this is a day of memory of those who have passed on in service.  As we remembered our loved ones and friends let us also remember the one who gave His life to free us from the curse of sin and death.  I my self was a veteran from the military and know what is involved with service men and women of today.  Knowing the price they pay and grateful to that, we have to be even more conscious of what our Lord and Savior has done on the cross.  As this verse states If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.  I want to encourage you to walk in the freedom that Jesus paid for you by asking Jesus in your life.  Be free and walk in the new life that was purchased for you on the Cross.  Many Blessings to you. 

Heb 10:25 (NKJV) "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."

    We see here that the bible does give us instruction on meeting together, or going to church.  So many times I hear people say they wished they went to church and there are many different reason why people say it.  What ever the reason is we see that we should gather together and exhort or encourage one another. We all need the help or support of some kind every now and then and God has supplied a support system for those who are in need, its called church.  Don't wait until you don't have the chance and say I wish I would have went.  Live life to the fullest now and take advantage of what God has for designed for you.  I want to encourage you to find a bible preaching, bible teaching, and bible believing church and be blessed.  Many Blessings to you.

Isaiah 40:29 (NKJV) "29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength."

 

There are times in life where we are running back and forth trying to do all we can to either care for someone, raise children, or sometimes people are working two jobs to get by and many other things.  In doing all of these daily activities of life we sometimes loose our strength.  In these busy day to day activities we need to assure that we are setting time in our life for the Lord to have His way within us to guide and lead us.  We see here that God knows all that you go through and wants to give you power and strength.  Too often we try to go through life by ourselves and that will only wear you down.  Make time for God allow Him in your life and allow Him to walk with you to help you.  He is waiting, call out "Jesus I need you, help me!"  He is ready to come in and strengthen you and give you power.  Be excited and encouraged He is close to you and waiting.  Many Blessings to you

1 Cor 10:13 (NKJV) "13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

     Sometimes we endure pain and suffering, not only through our end of life process but also in day to day life.  Temptation comes in many ways and sometimes in our struggles with pain we are tempted to think God has left us.  This is a common thought that people have in their suffering and trials.  Thank God we see here that God will not allow more to fall on us than we can bare.  He will not leave you and will not allow you to be overwhelmed to the breaking point.  If we continue in this verse we see that He always make away of escape, either through comfort and sometimes brining you home to be with Him for the ultimate healing.  Trust God and keep your eyes on Him.  Many Blessing to you.

Psalms 34:8 (KJV) "8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him."

       I like this verse as it tells us how to be blessed.  I think so many times we seek to be blessed and think we have to do big and mighty things for the Lord.  In this simple verse we see here Blessed is the man that trust in Him.  My question to you is, "Do you trust the Lord?"  In everything we do we need to pray and ask of God's help and trust that no matter what He can help.  In trusting God with everything we have we are blessed.  I end with asking you a question, do you want to be blessed?  If so, start trusting God for everything.  Walk with Him, do things His way and see that He is good.  Many Blessings to you.

Col 3:13-14 (NKJV) "14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection"

     I often see at funerals is the place where we try to put the family together and try to forget about the past and try to remember someone in love.  If we seek love now with those around us then we will not have to try and put it together later.  We see in this verse love is the bond of perfection, it is what holds friendships and families together.  Embrace your family and friends seek that bonding love for one another and allow that love to keep you together now.  Don't wait until its too late to try and find that love, but love each other while you have the chance.  Anger and bitterness divides families, but love bonds it together.  God loves you, so love one another.  Many Blessings to you.

Psalms 34:12-13 (KJV) "12 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? 13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile ."

     Great verse here that starts off asking us a question, who likes life and wants to see many days not only many days but days that are filled with good?  Then we are followed up with how to accomplish it, watch what you say to people and about people.  In life we sometimes say things to and about people that causes hard feelings that brings broken relationships, and it brings stress in our life.  Not only are we instructed to refrain from speaking evil but we are instructed to stay away from lying to people.  I want you to be encouraged to enjoy the life that God has given you and make the best of it while you can by applying this simple verse to your life. 

Prov 3:24 (KJV) "24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. "

     There are a lot of times where I run into people who struggle to sleep due to fear, stress, and anxiety.  Here we see a verse that helps us understand that God loves us so much that He wrote in His word that if we continually dwell on His goodness and how He has created all by His wisdom and knowledge we see the result of that meditating thought.  We will lie down we will not be afraid, but we also see here that our sleep will be sweet.  God wants to give you rest and even rest unto the depths of your soul.  Take God for His word and walk with Him and live for Him and watch how He blesses you in your sleep.  Trust God for every part of your life from sleeping to being up.  Love Him and Trust Him and be blessed.  Many Blessing to you.

Col 3:13 (NKJV) "13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do."

     So many times we go through life and we get hurt by others and we have a tendency to hold that against them.  In a time of a loved one passing away this holding against others plays a big role in how we grieve.  I have seen many struggle of letting a loved one go because they didn't have a chance to ask for forgiveness or a chance to forgive that person.  We should live life to the fullest and make allowance for each others faults, or bear with one another.  We need to keep in mind that God has forgiven us and we should forgive others.  Don't allow your unforgiving heart  to stand in the way of your happiness with your friends and family, don't wait until it's too late to try to seek that forgiveness.  Forgive as God has forgiven you and live life to the fullest.  Many Blessings to you.

James 1:4 (KJV) " 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. "

       Whenever we encounter struggles, hard times, or things we don't like we need to stop for a second and read this verse again, we are instructed to let patients have it's way or perfect work.  Patients is a quality of God and when we find ourselves in this position, it is God trying to better us.  Something that we don't like is being used to strengthen us.  In being patient and enduring with the attitude that God is wanting to bless you we see God is trying to work in us, to be perfect and waning nothing.  Many times being impatient causes us to stumble in what you do and always wanting, but being patient causes you to succeed and wanting nothing.  God is good allow Him to complete the work in you, follow with joy and patients.  Many Blessing to you.

Heb 13:13-14 (NLT) "14 For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come."

     Sometimes we become consumed with what we see here on this earth and forget this is not our home.  God is preparing a place for us, and if He prepares a place for us then He will take us there when it's our time.  Knowing we don't have a city to call home yet we should be looking forward to our home that is waiting for us.  Often times when we get to the end of life stage we allow our hearts to be filled with fear and anxiety, but we need to embrace the scriptures and know that we all will be going home at a point in our life.  If you or a loved one find yourself in this period of time, we should thank the Lord for what we have had and look forward to going home. You will miss your loved ones and they will miss you, but after all, this is God's will that we all go home at some point.  Don't let going home trouble you, but let it relieve you knowing that God's will and plan is developing within you and your loved ones life.  Many Blessings to you.

2 Tim 2:12 (KJV) "12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him "

       In looking at this verse we see that in reigning with him there might be a time of partaking of His suffering.  If we can grasp this concept it will help us get through our suffering with a heart full of hope and patients, instead a heart of despair.  I see so many who are hurting physically, but in reading scripture and trusting God and looking to Him I see so many that are able to bare it with hope and anticipation that one day it to will be over.  We all want to reign with Him, but sometimes we have to endure the bad as well as the good.  Remember your suffering is not a punishment or an abandonment, but a statement that you too will reign with Him.  Endure, persevere, pray and be encouraged that this too will pass.  Many Blessings to you.

1 John 5:13 (NKJV)13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

God is so faithful to give us the answers we are always looking for.  I see so many people that I visit with and when we talk about going to heaven I hear them say "I hope I go to heaven".  There is no hopeing, you can know because this verse tells us that, "that you may know that you have eternal life".  How do we know that we know?  According to verse 11 of this 5th chapter we see, "...God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son."  Believing in Jesus equals the greatest gift ever and that is eternal life in heaven with God.  As this verse states again, "these things were written for those who believe in Jesus MAY KNOW they have eternal life".  We can thank God for assuring us through His word that we can know for sure.  Be excited and Many Blessings to you.

2 Tim 1:7 (NKJV) "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

      Many times we go through life with fear and anxiety.  We allow fear to set in due to what we can't see, and worry about things that don't happen.  We need to take this verse to another level within our lives and understand that God has not given us a spirit of fear.  Instead He has given us power, love, and a sound mind.  We need to draw closer to God and walk in this God given love, power and sound mind.  The closer you get to God through His Word and building up your faith the more you will walk in what God has designed for you.  As we looked at faith previously we need to be excited to be building up of our faith in the Word and walk with our Lord.  Be encouraged and get in the Word of God and allow your faith to grow so when you need it, you we will be equipped with "power and a sound mind" and overcome any fear.  Many Blessings to you. 

Romans 10:17 (KJV) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

    To often people say they have faith, but become very fearful of life and all it has to offer.  We have to look at the difference between faith and acknowledgement.  In life there are people I know of, but actually don't know them.  How do you get to know someone?  By spending time with them, the same with the Word of God.  Faith comes by hearing, and hearing what?  The Word of God, the more your hearing the Word and learning and living it, the stronger your faith becomes.  The stronger your faith becomes the more you know God instead of knowing of Him.  I want to encourage you to get in the Word and read it to live by it.  As the verse states, faith comes by hearing the Word.  Be encouraged and build your faith, God loves you.  Many Blessing to you

Eph 6:2 (KJV) "2 Honour thy father and MOTHER; (which is the first commandment with promise;)"

     Happy Mothers day to all you mothers.  As happy as this day is, it still brings out a lot of raw emotions within people as there are many different family dynamics.  Sometimes there are mothers who have been the best and caring mothers and there are some who have not been the best mothers and leave their children hurting and scared emotionally.  I have seen mothers as they are in the end of life begin to feel bad for how they have treated their kids, and I have seen adult children become cold to their mothers.  We need to read this verse again with understanding.  "Honor thy ... Mother".  there is no stipulation included that say "honor them if.....", but it says honor them.  Maybe its a sad day due to your mothers passing and you miss her, you can be blessed and honor your mother with sharing thoughtful memories.  Where ever the day finds you, find it in your heart to honor you mother with love.  The greatest gift one can give is the gift of true love.  Happy Mothers day and Many Blessings to you.


 

Jer 29:11 (NKJV) "11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."

      When it comes to living life and going through the end of life we sometimes find ourselves in fear of the "what's to come?"  thought.  If ever in life and you find yourself in that thought process read this verse again with the understanding of it.  God knows the plans and thoughts He has for you, and what kind of thoughts?  They are thoughts of peace and not of evil.  God wants you to have peace and He has plans for you to obtain it.  Instead of looking at and into your circumstances we sometimes need to step back and ask God what do you have for me and what direction do you want me to go?   Not only does God have peace set aside for you in the midst of your trials, but He wants to give you a "Future and a hope".  This is why many give up in life because they feel as if they have no future or hope for anything better.  I'm here to tell you God loves you and He has plans of peace, future, and hope for you.  Pray and ask God to reveal Himself to you and begin to search Him through the Word.  Your life will change and you will find that peace.  You have a future and you have hope, be excited and encouraged.  Many Blessings to you.

Phil 4:11 (NKJV) "11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content ."

     Often times we find ourselves in a place where we don't have what we want, although we have what we need.   We need to look at the subject of being content, or to be satisfied.  We see it in this verse as the writer is saying he learned to be content.  I often see patients and people looking at what they don't have or what they can't do, instead of looking at what they do have and what they can do.  Yes we all would like to have more or do more and sometimes we are limited by physical capabilities and other times we might be bound because of financial reasons.  If we would step back sometimes and see what we do have we will find our contentment and be thankful of God's blessings.  1 Tim 6:8 (NKJV) "And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content."  I encourage you to look at what you do have and look at those people God has allowed in your life to help you be content.  Give God praise and be thankful for your contentment.  Many Blessings to you.

Heb 4:12 (KJV) "12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

     The Word itself is quick, powerful, and sharper than any other book or source of reading.  It is God's inspired Words and instructions.  There are many times when I sit and speak with people I hear them talk about they have heard enough opinions, stories, and people telling them what to do.  I have sat with people and opened up the Word and shared it and have seen life changing things happen.  With the Word and a desire to see God your direction will be set in front of you.  I have found that getting in the Word and presenting it to go forward and pure, un-compromised, and not watered down it will do the cutting.  Just the other day I encountered a couple who said they didn't pray or go to church and wasn't interested in God.  I talked to them for a few minutes about life and they begin to ask me questions and I asked, "do you mind if I read a verse to you, to answer your question?"  They said go ahead and I read one, they liked it then I read two and they smiled, then I read a third, and next thing I was able to see was they prayed and gave their life to the Lord.  God's Word is quick and powerful.  I believe we are in a time of our life where people want truth, and God's Word is truth.  I want to encourage you to know God's Word to live it and use it.  Many Blessings to you

Matt 5:11-12 (NKJV) 11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

       Many times when people talk about us we get upset and we allow that to eat at us and we don’t let it go.  Once we hit our end of life phase all of those hurts and pains sometimes surface.  If we deal with these issues now and learn to live life to the fullest it will allow us to go through our end of life with a little more peace.  The next time someone talks about you or says evil against you read this verse again.  Then remember we are told if you’re walking with God and people falsely speak against you, or lie on you then rejoice and be exceedingly glad.  Don’t be angry and upset but be forgiving and receive your reward that God has set for you.  Many Blessings to you. 

Romans 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? (NKJV)

       "Knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?"

     Many people want their loved ones to know about the Lord.  I have met people that have been turned off by the gospel because of the tactics employed by their family and friends of always scolding them and pushing change on them.  Sometimes I have walked in to patience lives and when I see they are turned off I start bringing them small things to their liking, such as a milkshake, candy bar, or just the presence of being there listening.   When you bless people with the goodness of the Lord and reminding them that God loves them, they start to see that you really care and your willing just to be there despite their short comings.  In seeing this I have also witness patience's start to open up and accepting Christ as their savior and in some cases they had a chance to witness to their family about the love of Christ.  Loving and showing the goodness of God's love and not being demanding and pushy goes a lot further in spreading the gospel.   Many Blessing to you

Prov 22:6 (KJV) 6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

   Not only is this a great verse but this is my wife's favorite verse and one she truly lives by.  This is something that brings regrets to some as they enter into the end of life stage.  There are situations were people don't give their life to the Lord until later in life and as they reflect on that they realize they didn't raise their children in knowing the Lord or going to church. Guilt often sets in, but thank God when we identify this, we have an opportunity to make it right and be used by God.  I encourage people to tell their children regardless of what age and their loved ones that God loves them.  It is good to see that even people in their end of life being an effective witness for the Lord.  We should learn by this and as we live make it a point to serve the Lord with our hearts and make it a point to bring our children into the fellowship of the Lord.  Not only our children but grandchildren and other family and friends.  You are never to late in life to introduce your kids to God and His love.  Be encouraged and be heard by your children in telling them that "God loves you and so do I".  Many Blessings to you.

1 Cor 13:4-7 (NKJV) 4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

 

            Love “does not seek its own”, or demand its own way.  So many times in our life our relationships are broken and rocky because we want things to be done our way, and we are offended when people don’t do it our way.  Love does not demand its own way and in loving someone you will allow them to choose their own way of doing things.  Sometimes relationships are broken and destroyed when people start doing things different and in their own way.  Within marriages sometimes one always has to have their way or they get upset.  Love one another it’s easier than arguing with one another.  Many Blessings to you.   

John 10:10 "10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (NKJV)

        One thing I see as people are passing is their regrets of past and broken relationships.  God is great at forgiving and restoring, but how can we prevent this?  We need to understand the role of satan, he wants to entice you to doing and saying things you know you shouldn't.  Sometimes at the end of the day we are sorry for what we have done or said and as a result we physically suffer from the consequences of our actions, sometimes our relationships are destroyed or your time with family and friends has been stolen from you and you miss out on events and memories.  Jesus wants to give you life, not only give you life but give you abundant life.  In living life to the fullest it's time to walk with Jesus and allow yourself to live in abundance of love, joy, peace, and forgiveness.  God loves you and He is calling you to be closer.  Many Blessings to you

Phillipians 4: 6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

     When we loose a loved one we sometimes become anxious or worried about our friend's and families.  Sometimes when people become sick, or even find themselves in hard times we want to worry and get excited as to what is going to happen.  This verse tells us not to worry or be "anxious for nothing".  Instead we are told to pray about everything, if we do this we will experience God's peace which exceeds or goes beyond our understanding.  Talk about amazing grace, God wants you to experience peace that is far greater than you can understand.  The verse goes on to tell us that God's peace will guard your hearts and mind.  In trying times your mind races with worry and anxious thoughts and then your heart keeps you up all night tossing and turning.  God wants to bring peace to your mind and allow your heart to be filled with comfort and calmness.  Begin to pray about everything and watch your worrying decrease,  you will be glad you did.  Many Blessings to you

Matt 15:8 ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me"

             So many times we say the right things but our actions are the wrong things.  God is interested in your heart and through your heart is where your actions come from.  If we make it a point to  honor God with our heart our actions will follow and when we get to the point of meeting our Lord and Savior we will be looking forward to seeing Him face to face.   Many Blessing to you.