May 2018

Happy Memorial Day! I don’t know who you are, but I believe the Lord is going to touch your life as you search this website. I’ve been where you are without hope, but there is a word for those whose heart is open to God.

“…blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.” 1

A Loss of Faith…

You may have a problem with a loss of faith like Bruce in West Virginia, who wrote,

“I stumbled upon your website and decided to write you. I’m not really a religious person. I used to believe in God, but not sure if I do now or not. Should I be worried? Is it wrong for me to question everything?

“It all started probably when I lost my father back in 2005. I was 15 years old. He was in the ICU for 3 weeks, and I prayed every night before I went to bet for him to get better. He never did. I just felt like God failed me back then. Should I feel wrong to question him in that dark time of my life?

“The older I got, I just paid attention more to the science aspect of things. I know it’s never too late to have faith again. How were you able to find your faith after everything? I read you became a Christian in ’75.

“A lot of people seem to keep an open mind on things, but I guess it just depends. I’m into paranormal stuff and know some religions are against it and some believe in it. What are your thoughts on the paranormal? Do you feel our soul could be trapped here on this world? Take care and hope to hear from you. Bruce, W.V.”

Should I Be Worried?

Bruce also asked, “Is it wrong for me to question everything?” I certainly questioned everything after committing my crime, and I was worried for obvious reasons. Knowing I was so wrong in my decisions and the consequences of them caused me to lose all hope as I spun into depression.

When we have no hope, we should be worried! And the only way to have hope is by faith, preferably in God. The Bible says, “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.” 2

Simply put, faith in God earns a good reputation, because it births confidence, hope and assurance to succeed in life. Though my past was so dark, faith in God has raised my hope to accomplish things I couldn’t see without God.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” 3

The Dark Time of Life…

It’s understandable that Bruce questioned God after his prayers were not answered for his dad, but to turn your back on God is wrong. We live in a sin-cursed world where only faith in God gives us the ability to rise above the pains in life.

As we meditate Hebrews 11 in the New Testament of the Bible, we see how men of old placed their faith in God to overcome every trial they faced. All their prayers didn’t seem to be answered, but their faith in God took them through the trial “by faith” and “through faith” as recorded in the chapter. The Lord does the same for us as we continue to pray and faint not. 4

Many of us give up like Bruce, question God’s ability to help, give up on a productive life and spiral down into doldrums. I was there in ’69, but several years later I turned to God for help! I needed some folks to show me the way as the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart. By faith, He raised me up to be the man of God I am today after 40+ years. I don’t deserve it,

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, … made us alive together with Christ … and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” 5

How Were you Able?

My need for God’s love and forgiveness became greater than my pride that cause so much pain to so many. It was my pride all those years that kept me from receiving God’s love, His death on the cross as punishment for my sin and resurrected life. Through faith, I simply responded to what God had already provided by grace.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” 6

For years, my faith was in false beliefs, searching for answers to questions like Bruce’s paranormal stuff. Once I thought I saw spirits of the dead while on drugs, but that was only an illusion. When the Holy Spirit lit up my life after receiving Jesus, I understand the Truth at last – Jesus is the Answer!

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” 7

Inly the blood of Jesus saves the soul, imputes the righteousness of Christ, establishes peace with God and produces joy in the Holy Spirit. Then, and only then, will we experience true happiness (blessedness) that will take us through the pangs of death into eternity. All else is sinking sand. Jesus said, “… everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.” 8

A Prayer for You…

Lord Jesus, I don’t want to live this way anymore. Today I release all my failings, sins, and mistakes into Your loving hands. And I receive Your forgiveness right now into my heart. Thank You for Your precious blood that washes whiter than snow. Right now, I stand in Your righteousness, favor, joy, and peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Scripture References (NKJV):

1) Jere. 17:7, NLT
2) Heb. 11:1,2, NLT
3) Heb. 11:6, KJV
4) Lk. 18:1
5) Eph. 2:4-6
6) Eph. 2:8
7) Acts 4:12, KJV
8) Matt. 7:26