Fear No Evil

 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” - Psalm 23:4

 

I’ve always found comfort, picturing the Savior as a shepherd with a small lamb flung over His shoulders walking up a hill.  The simple truth of knowing that He is there as my protector, my guide and my provider puts at ease the pressures of dealing with everyday problems in life.  Think about that for a moment.  A sheep has very limited defenses against the wolves, bears and lions of the wilderness.  They are slow and lack any true abilities to fend off an attack in the open wilderness.  The shepherd was their protector, and King David (author of the 23rd Psalm) had great experience as such.  With a watchful eye, he would fend off the invasion of any enemy on the prowl, ready to strike at any time in a possessive, loving manner.

What is your reaction when the path in life goes through a valley?  Perhaps the death of a loved one, a lost job, a divorce or fighting an addiction has cast a shadow over your horizon.  It is easy to fall prey to the evil one when we are in the valley’s of our own life, and yes there are valley’s even though you are walking in God’s path of righteousness.  We need only to look at the life of Job as an example of a man that was following God’s path of righteousness to every detail.  Yet, he became the center of a battle between God and Satan, good and evil.   Did Job ever fear the evil that encroached upon his life?  He lost his children, his wealth and his health to the very edge of dying, yet never lost hope or faith that God was with him.

Life will have valleys.  You need to be resound in your faith and strong in your walk with the Lord to know that He will never leave you.  “Satan is alive and well on planet earth” was a book from the 1970’s written by Hal Lindsay, which clearly outlines the battle of God and Satan over the lives of mankind.  Satan is not a fable, he is very real and very jealous.  He wants control over the lives of man in order to spite our Lord, and in order to overthrow God’s will of righteousness, love and mercy.  It is a battle as old as time and will continue right up until the end of days.  You will face temptations, trials, disappointments and strife in your life all at the hands of the devil himself. 

The Lord reminds us countless times throughout the Old and New Testament that He will not leave our side.  We are mighty warriors of the one and only God of the Universe and we will overcome the evil one in life and in death.  Lean upon God’s righteousness and the Holy Spirit for strength in times of weakness.  David writes of the “rod and the staff”, we likewise find comfort in our Lord’s rod and staff.  The rod of the shepherd was used to keep the sheep in line and to hook them if they were to wander off.  The staff of the shepherd was used as a club to defend against the enemies of the wild.  The Lord has provided tools for you as well, we have the Holy Spirit within each of us as a rod to keep us in line when the temptations arise.  The Lord has provided His Word as a mighty sword to fend off any enemy.  The more you are in it, the stronger you become to use it in times of need.  Here are just a few scriptures to give you confidence in knowing that the Lord is with you always, even in the valley’s of life.

Psalm 18:2	The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Psalm 18:32	It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.
Psalm 27:1	The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 121:1-2	I lift my eyes unto the hills, where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
Isaiah 40:29	He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increases strength
Isaiah 41:10	Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness
Philippians 4:13	I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
2 Corinth. 12:9	And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me

Let these verses bring you comfort when you are struggling to find your way in the valleys of despair.  The Lord is our fortress and our comforter, in Him you can find peace.

Bible Study – James (day 8)

Read It, Learn It, Live It, Share It

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” – James 1:22 (click here for context v.22-25)

What are you afraid of?  Is there anything that fills you with complete fear and thereby reverses your action?  Lisa and I were once on a bike ride.  As we peddled down the bike path along side of a small retention pond near a golf course, we came upon a large black coiled up water moccasin in the middle of the bike path. It’s body was as round as my forearm, it was hard to determine how long it was based on it’s position. It raised it’s head, hissed and that was that.  We turned our bikes away, went to the other side of the road, peddled down the road and then came back onto the bike path 20 or 30 yards away from the slithery fellow.  There are certain things which strike fear in all of us.

There was a point in time when people feared God.  The scriptures were personal to the children of God in the times leading up to and around Jesus birth and life.  The engagement between the divine presence of God Almighty and mankind was evidenced to those familiar with Moses, Abraham, David and the other heroes from the Bible.  There is a story in 2 Samuel 6 where Uzzah was struck dead by God Almighty for touching the Ark of the Covenant when it became unsteady as they were transporting it.  This seems radical by our standards, but not by God’s.  There were many laws regarding the Ark of the Covenant throughout the Old Testament.  You see the Ark of the Covenant represented God’s Holy presence with the Israelites and was to be kept in the temple, sacred and hidden from view behind the curtain in the Most Holy Place.  Approaching the Ark was to be in God’s presence, His holiness and perfection; intolerable of man’s sinful nature.  Only the High Priest could enter the Most Holy Place and look upon the Ark of the Covenant after considerable cleansing and purification.  God’s actions against Uzzah were clearly defined and known by the scriptures regarding the Ark, yet he chose to defy God’s directions and take action (reaching out to steady the Ark) anyway, rather than grabbing the pole it was being carried on.

The new covenant with God holds just as much authority over mankind.  This new covenant based on the blood of Jesus Christ, has clearly defined how we are to live our lives.  Yet, many of us take it lightly, interpret it to fit into our lifestyle and thereby defy the actual word of the Lord.  God has demonstrated that He has little tolerance for mankind to take His word and adjust it to fit our means.  It was written down, by those He appointed, with the specific purpose of becoming a living document for all of mankind.  We are held accountable to living by the guidelines established by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, just as Paul, John and the others were held accountable.  Time has not minimized the relevance or intentions of the word.  It is still God’s commands to you and I, and we ought not take it lightly. 

The bible tells us clearly there is but one path to righteousness and eternity with God Almighty and that is through His Son – Jesus Christ.  Others may choose to believe that there are many paths and that all God’s are equal, they will one day discover that were deceived.  God tells us in Matthew 7:21-22 that many will come calling “Lord, Lord” but will not enter the kingdom of heaven; and many will claim that they have prophesied or cast out demons in His name, but will hear the Son state “Away from me you evil doers”  Trust in His word and the truth that is contained therein.  He has given you the path to righteousness, act on it and live by it, so that one day in the presence of the Lord you will hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.  Enter into my presence.”

ACTIONS for Growth: Have you no fear of God’s wrath on mankind?  Do you not fear the judgment seat of God Almighty, or do you even think about or care about it?  It is critical that you take this aspect of your life with the utmost sincerity and seriousness.  Studying the word of God and learning of His love, grace and mercy is the most important part of your entire life.  Are you committed as much to Him and His ways as you are to your own plans in life?     

© Sondove Enterprises, 2019
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com
If you would like to be added to the email distribution please click here: Daily Thoughts

37 Days – Grace Rises to the Occasion

Pastor Randy’s devotional:

My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

I would like conclude our season of prayer with an encouragement for you. I was recently talking with a friend of mine, and we got into a serious discussion about our faith. Specifically, we were discussing the Coptic Christians in the Middle East who are being beheaded for their faith. The question was, “So what would you do if you were faced with that situation? Would you deny Christ, knowing you were just deceiving your persecutors to get out of this gruesome death? Would you stand strong and face it?” Now, I know what the right answer is. “I would never deny Christ, and I would gladly die a martyr’s death.” OK. So that’s the right answer. But I believe there is a very real grace of God that actually allows those men to face gruesome death. I believe grace rises to the occasion.

I don’t believe David was ready or able to face Goliath in his own strength. God’s grace in him rose to that occasion. I don’t believe Gideon was especially brave and skilled at leading a rebellion. God’s grace rose up in him to do what he could otherwise have never done. And I believe God will call you and me into situations this year that are so far over our heads—so beyond our skill and capacity—and yet sufficient grace will be available if we don’t blink. God’s calling is always beyond our ability. Many do not step into their calling because they feel so inadequate. They . . . we . . . I feel weak and unfit for the task. In those times, we can count on the grace of God rising to the occasion.

Let’s prepare now for those opportunities. Let fuel our faith now so that we will trust that grace to rise. If you show up, grace will show up. We will take our inheritance in 2018 by the grace of God. And, His grace is sufficient!

February 6^th Prayer:
Great and Mighty God…Your grace is sufficient for me. Your strength is made perfect when my weakness and inadequacy is exposed. I anticipate Your power and enablement, that goes beyond my talent and gifts, to enable me to do far beyond what I could ever ask or think. Help me to not shrink back from any opportunity. By the grace of God, I am what I am. Thank You for Your sufficient grace . . . In Jesus’ name!

My thoughts:
Weakness, we don’t talk about it, we don’t want to acknowledge it, but it is very real none the less.  Each and every one of us will face challenges in our life that break us, cause us to tremble in fear and fell powerless.  These are the times when we must realize that God is our provider, God is our comfort, God is our strength and God is authority over all things.  God’s grace is sufficient for anything that we face.  Not some things, not the easy things, not the life or death things, but everything.  You cannot bring something to the throne of God that is beyond His ability to overcome. 

The key is to realize that in our flesh we are weak, we are frail, we are fearful and shaken; then to realize that we belong to the supreme authority over all things.  Once this realization sets in, dealing with our suffering, our fears, our weakness becomes manageable and conquerable.  The Lord is my strength, whom shall I fear?  No one and nothing.

Be Blessed,

Rich

Join us on Facebook @ 10 Minute Reader Daily Thoughts or on Twitter @Sondove
If you would like to be added to the email distribution, please send an email here.
More information on The Crossing Church can be found here: FB: @thecrossing.cc; www.thecrossing.cc

37 Days – A Promise of Peace

Pastor Randy’s devotional:

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27

January 30^th Prayer:
Lord Jesus, circumstances, worries, and fears are all the giants standing on my promised land of peace. I receive my promise today and I speak peace over my life . . . my family. . . my finances . . . my children. I speak to the thought storms . . . stress storms . . . relationship storms . . . emotional storms: “Peace, and be still!” Thank You for promising me peace today. I know that He who promised peace is faithful! In Jesus’ name!

My thoughts:

In these troubling times, how can we find peace of mind and heart?  I look around and see anger, frustration, hatred, greed and envy.  The rapid pace of the daily life often times gets the best of me and I find myself chasing the problems in this world rather than pursuing the peace that is promised in the scriptures.  Are there people in this world that live in joy, happiness, hope and humility?  Absolutely, and it is those individuals that have found the peace found in God alone.

People are searching for peace.  It’s been going on for centuries and yet we still find ourselves seeking, longing and striving in our quest.  Each day, I hear of the anger people have for one another because of our difference of opinion, because of our skin color, because of our gender or because someone has made different choices in life.  The media frustrates me, it brings out the worst in people and propagates the message of separation in society.  When analyzed this message, this philosophy stems from a philosophy of self-centeredness, self-interests and hierarchical goodness, rather than equality and humility. 

By looking at the world around us, we cannot find peace.  By looking at our own life experience and choices, we cannot find peace.  By looking at celebrities, sports heros, musicians, politicians or successful executives, we see the image they want us to see, but here again, we won’t find peace through them.  Jesus Christ came to this world and gave us a way of salvation, and a path to righteousness so that we may enter into eternity and find peace with God the Father. 

In observing and studying His life and His purpose, we can find peace.  The peace is not around us though, the peace is in knowing that this is nothing more than a micro-dot on an infinitely long timeline.  Peace comes when we stand before the Lord and enter into His Kingdom.  No fear, no anger, no judgement, no jealousy, no self-desire, no envy, guilt or hatred – only love – perfect love for the Father and all others.

Be Blessed,

Rich

Join us on Facebook @ 10 Minute Reader Daily Thoughts or on Twitter @Sondove
If you would like to be added to the email distribution, please send an email here.
More information on The Crossing Church can be found here: FB: @thecrossing.cc; www.thecrossing.cc

The Purpose

October 9, 2014

“You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him.” – Deuteronomy 13:4

Stand up.  Get off your chair and stand up.  Say this out loud, “I am designed for a great purpose, to do great things with the life that has been given to me.  I will not settle for what mankind says I can do, but will pursue that which God alone has created me for.” 

Why do we settle for mediocrity?  What is stopping each of us from standing up and pursuing that which is greater than any man made charter or man inspired dream?  I propose that we have become comfortable and settled for a life that is within our own control rather than pursuing that which requires us to be 100% dependent upon His provision.  I know this is true for me, and I’m guessing if you were completely honest with yourself it is true for you as well.  Here is how you will know.

If Jesus walked amongst us here in the 21^st century and came upon your house as you walked to your car.  His words, “Come and follow me.”  Would you expect that He would lead you to your place of work or school?  Would you hesitate and consider the cost of missing a day at work?  Would you struggle giving up everything around you: the car, the house, the stuff and perhaps even the relationships?  Would you fear how you will pay your bills, how you will provide for your family and yourself?  All of these would suggest that you are the one in control and not the Father.

We all want to have a greater purpose in life.  We all want to know what purpose God has for our life, but I suggest that most of us really do not want to know the answer.   For if we became aware of the answer, that would mean a dramatic change in our lifestyle and choices in life.  We lose control of those decisions and we are forced to depend on Him for everything.  We all know that what He has planned is much bigger than the comfortable life we have chosen to participate in, but yet few of us will actually step into the greatness we were designed for. 

Fear is what stands between you and the purpose for your life.  Fear is from man, not from God.  It is Satan’s way of keeping you from realizing the incredible freedom and truth that comes from truly serving God in this world.  I’m not suggesting that you leave your job, or school, or give up those things you have in life.  I am only suggesting that you carefully consider who you are, what are you afraid of losing and what are you addicted to in this life that keeps you from His purpose.  If you are serious about finding God’s purpose in your life than you must be willing to dig into His Word and seek Him in everything you do.  He’s not hiding it from us.  Most of us are unwilling to peel back the curtain and reveal it.

Sondove Enterprises ©, 2014
For additional Daily Thoughts, follow Rich’s blog at: http://sondove.blogspot.com
Facebook at : https://www.facebook.com/pages/10-Minute-Reader-Daily-Thoughts/108926632475457 
Twitter at: https://twitter.com/Sondove

Finding Me - Day 8

September 17, 2014

There is a battle in every soul, one that will overtake the emotional balance of one’s life if and when you allow it to.  Thoughts and memories flood from the farthest regions of the mind.  Elevating the original feelings and capturing the newness of wisdom and knowledge gained in life, to relive, albeit` only in the sense of imagination, but oh so powerful.  Hollowing the perspective of reality that we live in to become encompassed by the life we have put behind us.  Scars are etched once again upon the heart and the pain becomes oh so real again.  Where, oh where is our mind taking us, and why will this journey not succumb to the joy and happiness that life has laid out before us? 

This morning, my mind is filled with the pains of the past.  Not by choice.  No, for who would want to relive the hurt and suffering.  This is the result of a refusal to forgive.  The tears are no less real today than they were then, and despite the realization that it is long past and dealt with, there is a strong sense of guilt, shame and desperation.  Pressing down upon my feelings once again though I rise and wipe my tears, stiffen my lip and draw upon the strength that has endured.  This will not defeat me, for I am a child of God, born to praise Him, born to serve Him and to rest in His love and peace. 

My mind will not control my destiny and direction, for that belongs to the Creator and the One who has provided the ultimate sacrifice.  He who has forgiven me requires nothing more from me than the love He so richly deserves.  The pains and the struggles I face are nothing more than the futile attempts of the evil in this world to dissuade me from following the One True God, by convincing me that I am not worthy of His love.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.
 

Day 8: Overcoming the Pain
“No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.” – Joshua 1:5

God loves me right where I am.  God has forgiven all of my sins.  I walk upright and am filled with conviction and purpose because He has restored my soul.  I will find rest in His redemption and grace, for this world will not control me.

Prayer:
Father,
Your word tells us that You will not leave nor forsake us.  You are there at all times to guide our footsteps and fill us with Your love.  Thank You for Your grace, Your peace and Your forgiveness.  Bring comfort to those who are weary Lord, bring strength to those who struggle with demons and fear.  Let Your love reign down upon us Lord that we might be renewed in Your spirit to take on the challenges of the day.     – Amen

Sondove Enterprises ©, 2014
For additional Daily Thoughts, follow Rich’s blog at: http://sondove.blogspot.com
Facebook at : https://www.facebook.com/pages/10-Minute-Reader-Daily-Thoughts/108926632475457 
Twitter at: https://twitter.com/Sondove

Let It Go

Make 2014 a year of Sharing

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.” – Psalm 103:11-12

Where are you going?  I mean in this life.  Where are you heading to, what are you trying to accomplish?  Are you satisfied with waking up each morning, going through the same monotonous minutes of each day and then synching up on Facebook, Twitter and catching the news before calling it a night, only to wake up the next morning to do the same thing?  There is so much more to this life that the Lord has given to you, and you are fully capable and ready to go and get it.  The decision rests completely in your hands on whether or not you want too.

I know many of you are disqualifying yourselves immediately because of things you have in the old history bucket.  I can only tell you to get in line.  There is nothing in your history that is unique in this world.  You may think it is because you only see the world in 20 foot increments, but I promise you that the Father in heaven, who calls you His own, sees your life in it’s entirety at all times.  You can’t see the greatness that your interactions in this world have stimulated and there is a reason for that.  It is not for your glory or credit, but uniquely for His.  It is normal for each of us to look back on our past and see those areas where we fell short and beat ourselves up for being unrighteous in our actions or words.  The reality is that it is washed away and removed completely once you have taken it to the Lord.  He casts every sin unmeasurably far away from your presence.  It is the evil one in this world that keeps reminding you of it.

Likewise, you fear your weakness and unpreparedness will prevent you from being a productive participant in God’s plan for the future.  Before you even think about picking up His purpose and living for Him, you have defeated yourself in your own mind based on your own fears of what may or may not ever come to be.  You are a child of God and you need to accept that fact, and realize that when you are pursuing His purpose in your life, it cannot fail.  You may not see the immediate impact, but it will succeed if He has called you to it.  You must stop allowing your past weakness to prevent your future success.  We all need to learn to Let it Go, so start today.  There is no reason to wait even one more day.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2014
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com
If you would like to be added to the email distribution please click here: Daily Thoughts

Conquerors Stand Up Again

Make 2014 a year of Sharing

“Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.” – Romans 8:35,37

You are stronger than you can ever imagine.  The problem is that you have become dependent upon man rather than your heavenly Father.  True faith in God does not waver in times of difficulty or struggle it is strengthened by knowing that there is nothing in this world that can overcome the power and authority of your Father. 

Do you believe this?  Do you trust that your life is completely in the hands of your supreme Creator?  It’s easy for me to sit on this side of the internet and claim that you can see your way through the struggles in this life through simple faith.  But, how does one actually put it into action?  When you look at the gas tank and it’s empty and you do not have a dollar to your name, how is God going to solve that problem?  When you are getting daily calls from creditors and you haven’t had a job in months, and can’t find one – where is your Savior?  Loved one’s have lost their battle for life after months and sometimes years of praying, was God even listening?  How are all of these young girls kidnapped and sold into sex trafficking supposed to believe that nothing can separate them from the love of Christ?

For years I have struggled with this verse.  I look around at this world, and the evil and corruptness that is all around us.  We watch as the moral fabric of our society continues to decrease.  Our children are continually taught to tolerate the sinful world in which we live, rather than stand up for truth.  I am slowly coming to the realization of the truth in Jesus’ words in Matthew 10^th chapter: “"You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.” (v22) and “"Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (v28)  What will happen to my eternal life when everything I have is taken away, or my health fails, or I am persecuted, beaten or thrown into prison?  That is the area we must remained focused on.

This is the strength that God will empower you to live through the pain.  The reality life is that we all will die at some point.  This life is temporary and only a stepping stone to our eternal life with the Father.  As we observe the struggles and hardship in this life, we have the opportunity to remain confident and filled with the peace in knowing that we are destined for eternity with Him.  With this acceptance and understanding we are no longer fearful of what others can do, or the persecutions that we will face, or the death of our loved ones.  With this faith in our eternal destiny we are capable of speaking and acting without abandon in our daily walk to further His kingdom.  The freedom that this realization brings to one’s life is the act of experiencing God’s love thoroughly.  Hardship is going to happen in this life, to not be naïve.   But, you must hold firm to that truth that your Father in heaven is your strength and will empower you to overcome all things in this life, with the promise of eternal life. Take hold of the conquering spirit you have within you as a child of God and rise up, despite your circumstances, for He is still on His throne.


© Sondove Enterprises, 2014
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com
If you would like to be added to the email distribution please click here: Daily Thoughts

He Loved You First

Make 2014 a year of Sharing

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)” – Ephesians 2:4-5

She stepped from the train with her bag in her hand and fear in her eyes.  When she boarded the train her family, friends and neighbors were there to give her hugs and see her off to this new adventure.  The uniform scratched her neck and the cap concealed the little trace of hair left after she cut it off that prior weekend.  She boarded the bus along with a hand full of others and the as the wheels began moving, she began to question her decision.  As the bus rolled down the road all she could see were faint lights on the horizon shining through the vast darkness of the countryside lined with barb wire fences.  The bus came to a stop at a checkpoint and a few soldiers boarded with dogs and flashlights.  They looked through bags, under seats and in coat pockets and then deboarded with a statement, “It’s all clean.”  The bus continued through the raised gate and onto the compound that would become her home for the next 6 months.  Then she would be off to Afghanistan or Turkey for her first round of service to her country.  In her backpack, she carried a letter from her brother, a picture of her family and her Bible, given to her by her Dad before he died. 

She knew no-one on the bus, in this camp or overseas, where she was headed.  She had a chip on shoulder from the boyfriend of her past who told her she would never amount to anything, before he left her for another.  What drove this young woman was a desire to protect her country, give back to those that had gone on before and to help those in need across the sea.  She was not a militant, but a servant.  She joined so she could help the children of war torn countries find peace and love amidst the ugliness of war.  She joined so she could defend the helpless, the poverished and the weak.  She wanted to make a difference. 

In her first week at the camp she crumbled under the ridicule, the torment, the abuse and the sheer exhaustion of becoming a soldier.  Her female status was ripped away and she became just another cadet trying to get through basic training.  There were no friends, no family, no charity and no love in her life.  She woke up before the dawn and went to sleep long after the sunset.  In between was sheer torture as the instructors worked to toughen her up and prepare her for what lies ahead.   She would gain confidence and fortitude over the coming months, as they continually belittled her and verbally abused her at every chance.  Her body became toned as never before and the pain was no longer evident when she worked out each day.  Day after day, week after week, month after month; in the rain, sleet or sun she would drive herself to improve and become the soldier they wanted her to be. 

No longer was she the meek, soft hearted girl from Tennessee.  She had long since forgotten that train ride and feelings of homesickness.  Her Dad’s Bible sat in her foot locker below everything else, literally unopened for many weeks now.  Finally the time came for her graduation.  She spoke to her brother and he told her “Momma’s not doing well.  We’re not going to make it.”  As the ceremony ended all of her cadet friends were surrounded by their families.  She watched with envy: hugs, laughter and happiness that she hadn’t felt in such a long time.

Her orders came in and she was to be stationed in Afghanistan, shipping out in 2 days.  She called her brother and over the phone broke down in tears at the loneliness.  They couldn’t travel to California to see her off and she couldn’t go to see them before she left.  Alone in her bunk, she began to pack her things.  She placed her Dad’s Bible on the top of her duffle bag before closing it up, and off to the airport she went.  Arriving in Kabul, she was taken to her bunkhouse.  She was one of 3 women in their platoon and did not see eye to eye with either of the other two.  For the next week or 10 days she became acclimated with her surroundings and the area; where to go, where to avoid, safe zones and hot zones.  As she woke that next morning on day 11, she received a summons from her Sergeant’s  office.  A call had come from her brother at home – “Momma’s gone.  She died in her sleep. ” She rose from her chair, not a single tear, looked him in the eye; “Is that it?” and she turned to walk back to her bunk.

She opened her duffle bag, took out the picture and saw the faces of the only ones who ever really loved her.  Her Dad died years ago, her Mom was now gone as well.  Her baby brother was still at home with her extended family.  She ran her finger over her Mom’s face in the picture and gave it a small kiss before opening the Bible to place it back within.  As she opened the Bible her brothers letter fell out.

Sissy,

I’m so proud of you.  You are my hero.  There will come a time when you feel all alone in this world.  Do not lose heart for you are a daughter of God Almighty.  He knows right where you are, and just how you feel.  Don’t forget that we love you dearly and even though we are far apart, the love of Christ will always hold us together. 

Love, John

Tears began falling as she folded up the paper and put it back into the Bible.  As she set the Bible down it opened to the Ephesians 2, where her Dad had highlighted the 4^th and 5^th verse.  There was a sticky note on the page where he wrote these words:  “Kids, There will come a day when I am gone and you are feeling alone in this great big world.  Rest assured that you are not.  God is with you always.  His spirit lives inside of you, comforts you and brings you hope.  The world may be against you, but you must remained focus on the end game.  God’s grace and love is more important than anything in this world.  Hold it close and do not turn from it.  His love will see you home.  Daddy.”  As the words sank in, she missed her Dad all the more.  But, in his wisdom, he was able to talk her through this difficult transition in life with sound advice to follow God through the tough times. 

There will come a time in each of your lives when you feel abandoned, alone and unloved.  Those you have held close will die one day and it will feel as if their love for you died with them.  The reality is that your Father in heaven loves you so much more than they ever could, and if you fall into His arms, He promises to carry you through the pain.  Trust in God through the hurt, the suffering and the pain.  He never turns away and His love is always there when you need it most.  Remind yourself that you are saved and destined for eternity in heaven because He loved you first.


© Sondove Enterprises, 2014
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com
If you would like to be added to the email distribution please click here: Daily Thoughts

Prioritizing is Painful

Make 2014 a year of Sharing

“And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” – Matthew 19:26

The second hand on the clock on the wall continues to move in a methodical manner as I weigh the impact of the life spent walking in these shoes.  We aren’t given this life to just make it through, cross the finish line and then kick back in heaven with John, Paul, Peter and the boys.  We are given this life to make a difference to those around us, to influence them with the same love, grace and salvation that we are experiencing.  Accepting Christ was the most important decision I have ever made in my life and it is something I must commit to every day.  As I reflect on the inventory of my life, I realize that it is all temporary from an eternal perspective. 

We measure time on a calendar, a watch or a smartphone; God measures time on an eternal scale.  The 80 years or possibly 100 that we have on this earth is but a mere fraction of an instant in the eternal window of time.  We think in terms of infinity being the largest number of measurement because we realize that once we start counting, there is no end to it.  Infinity is nothing but a blip on the eternal scale.  It’s impossible to grasp the extent of the word forever, because we are a human being with very little patience.  But, eternity is forever and forever; and the choices we make in this life will have an impact on that life.

We are born with an inherent righteousness of the Lord within us.  We are created for His good works and His purpose, planned long before the garden of Eden and the fall of mankind.  We are the embodiment of God’s holy church and called to fulfill that which was placed in us.  In contemplating this life and your impact on those around you, we must ask ourselves if we are furthering the Kingdom, or just making do.  As the last week has passed by, my mind has been on expanding my horizons and thinking bigger than the obvious.  Why should I put limits on what God can do?  He is the Almighty Creator of the universe and everything therein, what is there that He cannot accomplish through those of us willing to submit to His plan?  Nothing. 

With that in mind I began thinking of what I would do if I could get my mind past the obstacles that this world puts in my way.  No limitations, no responsibilities to anyone but God, nothing to stop me from living for Him completely – what would I do?

1.      Be in the Word non-stop, studying, memorizing

2.      Preach the Good News from every possible stage, corner, mountaintop around the globe

3.      Start a Christ based Sports Camp for the underprivileged children with big name coaches donating time and resources to helping put kids back on the right track.

4.      Create a Non-Profit organization to centralize and make available ministries from around the globe to educate others interested in ministry fields, and to provide help where needed.

5.      Use Social Media and Technology for God through virtual conferences, education, Webinars and online Bible Studies. 

These are just five of my thoughts on things I would like to do in His Kingdom.  Even here I am still limiting my vision to something I think can be achieved, which is well short of what God can actually do through me.  With this list in mind, the next step (STEP 2) is to capture your fears and what is stopping you from executing on these things.  Some will say it’s finances, others will say it is time, and for some it may be work, school or family commitments.  Regardless the issue, be honest and write it down.  This is not an easy step because it takes deep evaluation of your priorities in life.  It is very likely that you will not necessarily like what comes out of this STEP, but I promise you when we get to the end of the week you will be glad you have gone through this.  Tomorrow we will cover STEP 3 and creating the model of living a legacy.

© Sondove Enterprises, 2014
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com
If you would like to be added to the email distribution please click here: Daily Thoughts

Afraid of the Light

Read It, Learn It, Live It, Share It

“O fear the Lord, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want.” – Psalm 34:9

I’m deathly afraid of snakes, and mildly afraid of heights.  I get on airplanes frequently without any concern of an accident.  I drive 45 miles roundtrip every day to/from work and never consider the risk of dying in my truck.  We walk through life, each of us, with fear of something.  My son fears a wolf coming through his bedroom window at night.  My wife fears alligators every time we go near a lake here in Texas or when we lived in Florida.  What about you?  What is it that you fear the most?

Do you remember a time in your life when you feared your parents?  I have great parents, who loved me with everything they had while I was growing up.  They ensured I was well taken care of, nurtured in love, educated and taught respect for others.  But there was this one time when I had borrowed my Dad’s van so some friends and I could go to the movies.  His one rule was you had to put gas in it and wash it before coming home.  I had a great night with my buddies and was on the way home.  I swung through the local self car-wash and proceeded to wash it perfectly clean.  As I pulled out of the car wash stall I scrapped the entire right hand side of the van against the concrete opening, completely destroying the painted mural on the passenger side (hey, it was the 80’s and painted murals were popular on vans).  At that very moment I knew fear. 

My Dad worked so hard and he had enormous pride in this van.  As I proceeded home I realized what I deserved and just how painful it was going to be.  He had trusted me with his van and I had damaged it.  I knew I was going to pay for it.  When I got home, I told my Mom first, it’s always easiest to get her on my side for moral support.  When she told Dad, we came out and took a look, and I could see the anger rising up inside of him.  He said a few words which I won’t repeat, but that was it.  Everything I had expected was nothing more than unwarranted fears that my mind had created in anticipation of reality.  Yes, my father was angry and yes he did chastise me, but then he showed the loving side that I so much admire in that man.  After some time had passed, he came to my room and pulled me close with a major papa-bear hug.  He then explained to me how much I meant to him and that the van could always be fixed, but I was more important.  I have unbelievable respect and admiration for my father for his ability to love me despite the problems I have caused.

Similarly, but on a much greater scale, I have an unlimited and deep respect for the Lord.  I suppose I’ve always had a respectful fear for His authority, sovereignty, omnipotence and power, but in my heart I’ve always known that He loves me beyond measure.  I must admit that I have never had a genuine “fear” of God.  I accepted Christ as my Savior and Lord at a very young age.  I knew Jesus was God’s son, and I knew Jesus gave everything He had for me to be with Him in heaven one day.  Sure, I didn’t have a clue about the depth of what He gave or the depth of His grace and mercy over me, but I knew He loved me. 

Certainly, I, like many of you do not want the alternative to heaven, which made the decision to follow Christ easy.  Since then I have trusted in His word, His promises and His salvation with utmost sincerity and confidence.  I have grown in my faith and understanding each day of my life and I am still learning.  It is a lifelong process, not something that is ever complete.  One thing I have learned though is we need to fear the Lord, but fear with respect and understanding. 

Many times we become complacent as Christians, and comfortable in our salvation to the point where we believe we are above sin.  This is a very dangerous place to put yourself, for not one of us is above sin in this life.  Only Jesus Christ, Himself, lived a life free of sin.  You and I are unbelievably short of even scratching the surface of what that looks like.  That is why we need His saving grace and redemption.  We are made perfect in God’s eyes only by the blood of Jesus.  The wrath that God possess’ will be dealt out upon mankind in the final days.  You should be very fearful of His wrath, for He is not tolerant of unrighteousness and sinful living.  Christ is our mediator and has taken God’s wrath upon Himself in our place, but we will still stand before the Lord one day.  Fortunately, for those of us who have fully given our lives to Jesus Christ, He will stand with us and present us to the Father as righteous and fully redeemed.

Are you truly saved?  Are you a believer in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord?  Or like many have you become a comfortable Christian still living apart from His purpose.  If He is your Lord, you ought to be following His guidance for your life and becoming more Christlike in the process.  Do not ever underestimate the significance of fearing God’s wrath.  For one day, it will be very evident and at that moment your choices will have already been made.       
             

© Sondove Enterprises, 2013
For more Daily Thoughts go to: http://sondove.blogspot.com
If you would like to be added to the email distribution please click here: Daily Thoughts