A shadow is only a shadow

When I was just a kid, we would shape our hands in such a way in front of a bright light to cast a shadow on the wall. I could make a shadow with my hands that looked like the head of an angry wolf.

   But, guess what?

   There wasn't a real wolf in the room; only a shadow that looked like one and the shadow of a wolf has never bitten anyone.

   In the 23rd Psalm we read these familiar words:"Yea though I walk through the valley of the SHADOW of death I will fear no evil..".

   Satan is the great deceiver. That's why it is so very critical to be grounded in the truth of God's Word. Not only will it's Truth make you free, but it will also shine the light that will dispel the shadows of Satan's deceptive tricks.

   Satan has no power of his own because  Jesus stripped him of everything. Therefore, he is left with only the avenues of trickery and deception. Consequently, if we don't know who we are in Christ or what God's promises are, we will fall for his game of shadows every time.

   He will throw up the shadow of fear, when God's Word says, we have not been given the spirit of fear. The devil will also throw up the shadow of worry, when God's Word says for us to be anxious for nothing.

   To close this discussion let me say, "The shadow of a wolf never bit anyone".

who's your Caddy

The game of golf is very fascinating. Most of us have either played the game, or enjoy watching it on television. And, if you really think about it, you can make the argument that the game of golf and life are very similar in many respects. It's to that end that I would like to make the following analogy.

   As you step onto the fairway of life, look at it as a tough 543 yard par 5 with fairway bunkers on the left at 276 yards and on the right at 285 yards; The rough is really thick and water is on the left starting at about 305 yards and wraps all the way around to behind the green. The green is elevated and is guarded by deep front side traps.

   By the way, this is the 18th hole and you have to make par to be a winner.

   Yes, before you teed off you knew you must avoid those obstacles and hazards if you were going to make par. And your caddy is key because he knows this course like the back of his hand.

   Life is very similar to this 18th hole. It will have its share of rough places, traps and hazards. However, you can have victory over these snares in life with Jesus Christ as your caddy. Trust him for the right club and yardage advice and how to read the green.

   The pros who are sugccessful in golf stay focused. Likewise, to be successful and victorious in life it is critical that you stay focused and follow God's word.

   Let's go! It's tee time!

call out

I was in a busy area the other day with a lot of people milling around and someone shouted, "hey you". It seemed as though everyone in the area immediately turned to see who had called and if it was for them.

  Did you know our Heavenly Father calls out to us continually to guide us, to warn us and to encourage us.

  I would say that the most obvious way he calls to us is through his Word. And in order to hear God's calling more clearly, the Scriptures tell us to "meditate"and to"study"The Word.

  God wants us to call out to him as much as he wants to call out to us. A great scripture that demonstrates this is Jeremiah 29:12."When you CALL OUT to me and come to me in prayer, I will hear your prayer and hearken unto you".

   One of the most powerful calls unto us from our Lord and Savior, King Jesus, is provided for us in Revelation 19:9. "Blessed are those which are CALLED to the marriage supper of the Lamb".

  Our God never sleeps nor slumbers so, my friend, you may call upon him at any time. He invites you to be confident and bold when you approach him. Likewise, keep your "spiritual ears" tuned to his voice at all times. You never know what exciting things he may call out to you. Have a blessed day!

no fear here

As you enter into the jaws of a new day, remember Daniel was delivered from the jaws of the Lions. Of course, the prerequisite for God to work in your life is to be one of his children. Once you are "born again" you can shout in the face of those "Lions" and say "greater is he who is in me then he who is in the world".

welcome

My desire and prayer is that you will feel the energy provided by the encouragement expressed in this post and those throughout the future. My hope is to provide you with a source of stability in this unstable world system in which we live based on the truth and integrity of God's Word. Please stay in touch as future posts come forth.