Fools Rush In

Romans 15:5 – 6 (CEV) – “God is the one who makes us patient and cheerful. I pray that he will help you live at peace with each other, as you follow Christ. Then all of you together will praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”.

If it seems too good to be true, chances are it is a hoax. If the salesman tries too hard and pushes for a quick sale – beware. If today is the ONLY day you can take advantage of the deal then pass it up. Our God is a God of patience and clear thought. If you ever feel coerced, pressured or intimidated to make a decision or make a move – wait. Today’s scripture tells that God is the one who makes us patient therefore he is patient. Fully capable and fully aware, our God took his time and created the world over a span of days when he was fully able to set everything in motion within the twinkling of an eye. Take your time; evaluate the options; study the potential outcomes but most of all pray and seek the will of God. The Holy Spirit will never lead you in a wrong direction. Be wise and practice patience.

Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a victoriously GREAT day! Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn

Naysayers

Joshua 13: 30-31 – “And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, “We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.”
     Within the last week God has dropped a wonderful thought into my being and given me an assignment that is a definitive walk of faith. God made it clear from the beginning that this was not going to be a plan laid out like Noah’s assignment where he received full instructions, including measurements and materials. No, my walk would involve more of an Abrahamic learn-as-you-go approach. In the preparation for his revealing each piece-meal step, I have expanded my prayer with one simple request – “God align me with the right people who are positive in their interaction with me and faithful in their walk with you.”
     I work hard at sequestering any self-doubt so I do not need or want anyone around me who always sees the glass as half-empty or who would try to throw a wet blanket over the fire that is growing in my spirit. As you follow God’s will and direction listen and watch for signs of those who want to plant negativity. My advice when you catch others constantly questioning your resolve or bringing up what you do not have in place is to remind them that if God created everything from nothing; he is fully capable of making miracles from the head start he has using the great talents he has given to you. Say ‘nay’ to naysayers and do not allow their negative energy to sway or distract you. Be about the call that God has placed on your life and ‘get ‘er done’.


Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a victoriously GREAT day! Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn

Remember!

Proverbs 10:7 –“The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.”
     Happy Memorial Day! Today we celebrate the memories of the members of our armed forces who sacrificed their lives in the service to our country. We are indeed thankful for those who laid down their lives for those of us not trained, equipped, capable or confident enough to take up arms and defend ourselves. We are truly blessed to live in a land where freedom is hallmark and men and women of all ages, creeds and backgrounds can serve a unified nation by land, sea or sky. To the families of members of our Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, Marines, Army, and Special Services units who have lost their lives to protect our shores we thank you and honor their memories. 
     Most importantly we give highest praise and honor to our Lord Jesus Christ who gave up his life for our ultimate freedom. Through his sacrifice we have the assurance of redemption, unfounded joy, salvation and eternal life. We are truly blessed to live in a land where we are free to worship and that freedom is guaranteed through the actions of our service men and women and our belief in Jesus Christ. They made the sacrifice; we honor them because we remember.
Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a victoriously GREAT day! Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn

Show Love

1 John 4:10 (ERV) – “True love is God’s love for us, not our love for God. He sent his Son as the way to take away our sins.”
.  As we end this week, let’s look at our relationship dynamics with others. Love is not merely a word or feeling, but an action. If you love someone they should not only hear it, but feel it and be able to touch and talk about it. How can we better express our concern for other’s well-being? How can we SHOW someone that we love them? Look for simple, yet powerful ways to allow the love of God to flow through you to others. As you do, you will be surprised how quickly and how pervasively the love will find its way back to you.
    Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a GREAT day! Enjoy your weekend. See you on Monday. Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn

Not My Kind

Galatians 3:28 – “ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
     Those who know me know how much I love Sci-Fi and especially space odyssey movies. For today’s blog I share an excerpt from Joe Stowell.*
     In the Star Wars trilogy, there’s a scene that reminds me of some church people I know. At an establishment somewhere in a remote corner of the galaxy, grotesque-looking creatures socialize over food and music. When Luke Skywalker enters with his two robots he is surprisingly turned away with a curt rebuff – “we don’t serve their kind here!”
     That strange scene captures the malady that we all struggle with in our relationships here on planet Earth. We are always more comfortable with people who are just like us. But think of where you would be if Jesus had felt that way. He was divine, perfect in every way, which makes Him far different from us. Yet He came to dwell among us and to die for us.
     Those of us who follow Christ shouldn’t have “they’re not my kind’ in our vocabulary. As Paul reminds us, in Him ‘there is neither Jew nor Greek…slave nor free…male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. So, whether others are different in attitude, perspective, race, class, political opinion, or social standing, it should make no difference to those of us who call ourselves followers of Jesus. Find someone who is not your kind and share Jesus’ love with them today.
     Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a Victoriously GREAT day. Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn

*Excerpt from Daily Bread (2/27/12)- Joe Stowell

Not Long Hidden

Hebrews 11:6 – “ [God] is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him”
     Often at the end of one of my more strenuous lectures I will conclude my presentation with a few fun slides that contain hidden images. Most of my students will see the obvious picture right away. Some, after a few moments, will declare that they see the other images coming into focus. It comes easy for a few while others struggle. Those who do not give up and continue to stare at and search the screen will soon see other images evolve from the 2-dimensional hideaway. Some will leave their seats, approach the screen, turning their heads and bodies in all directions. And even though they could not readily see the hidden image, they believed it was there because others had seen it. Sure enough with time, patience and persistence almost everyone will be able to discern the hidden picture.
     Their persistence is a reminder of the importance of having the same tenacity in matter of faith. The danger for those who doubt is that they stop looking for God because they believe He cannot be found in their situation or that he has left them on their own. God promised that those who seek Him with all their heart and soul will find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29) and our scripture today confirms that God rewards those who diligently seek Him.
     If you struggle to believe, remember the example of the hidden picture; just because you don’t readily see Him does not mean he does not exist or that he is not there. Keep seeking Him and watch Him graciously reveal Himself to you.
      Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a Victoriously GREAT day. Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn

Be a Shoulder

Romans 15:1-2 – “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.”
     In the 70s a popular song by Bill Withers entitled “Lean On Me” had a line which simply said – “Lean on me, when you're not strong, And I'll be your friend; I'll help you carry on. for it won't be long 'til I'm gonna need somebody to lean on”
Today’s scripture reiterates the sentiment that we who are presently strong must support our brothers and sisters who are in need of a strong shoulder. At some point in time we all occupy a place of weakness, despair, depression, anxiety, loss or confusion. For some it might just be a quick temporary dip into the wading pool of fear; while for others it could be a potential drowning in a well of sorry. 
     Whatever the issue, those of us who are standing on a firm foundation must not scoff or mistreat those who are in need of support. It is our duty, more so a privilege, to be able to stand in the gap for another. For if we are given the option or opportunity to be the leaning post for another then we must obviously be stronger and more equipped and that is a true blessing.
    Each one of us can help someone. There will be always be someone better or worse off than we are and if we just take a moment we can reach down and pull someone up and give them a reassuring shoulder to lean on. Who can you bolster up today? Who needs a little of your spare change? Who needs a few hours of your time? Who could use a listening ear? Who could use a home-cooked meal? If you ask the Holy Spirit, he will reveal it before you can even place the question mark (?) at the end of your inquiry.
     Every day is a good day, it is up to us to make it a Victoriously GREAT day! Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn

Attitude Adjustment

Psalm 11:7 – “For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright.”
     When I used to get distracted and fidget in church or anywhere my mom thought I should have better control over myself, she would bend down close to my ear and whisper these very thought provoking and spine chilling words…“sit up, pay attention and act like you have some sense”. I am certain all of us have either heard these statements or have said them on more than one occasion to our own children. In essence, whatever was being done was inappropriate and it was time for an attitude adjustment.
     Our God is righteous and he wants his children to be in his image. Our righteousness comes from our relationship with Jesus Christ and the power of his resurrection; but to fully demonstrate our change from the old person to the new creation in Christ we must change our attitudes. Let’s not be easily distracted by the ‘stuff’ around us, but be conscientious about where we are and how God wants us to act and handle situations. We must change how we feel about our situation and then we can appreciate why God has us there and what we must do. So the next time you feel as if your countenance has fallen and you are not paying as close attention as you should… it’s time for an attitude adjustment.
     Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a victoriously GREAT day! Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn

Sunday Go To Meetin'

 Hebrews 10:25 (CEB) –^“Don’t stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. Instead, encourage each other, especially as you see the day drawing near.”

Many of us ‘old schoolers’ remember the O’Jay’s  hit “Living For The Weekend”.  One of the lyrics states that the weekend was special because ‘that’s when I party down’.  After a long and often grueling week at work or school or both, we look forward to winding down and relaxing on the weekend.  We use the time to do menial chores, get organized, and of course reconnect with family and friends. It is a time to let your hair down and get rejuvenated so that you can hit the ground running once again on Monday morning.  I encourage you to spend some quality time in the fellowship of other believers.  Yes – go to church.  I know there are some of you who are ‘churchees’ like me.  I love going to church and will often visit more than one service at various churches on one day.  I love revivals and special days when I get to visit friends’ houses of worship. Sure, you can hear a good sermon on TV and get really fired up from some good gospels saved in your phone, but it not the ‘stuff’ of the church format that is important; but the interaction and drawing upon the spirits of those assembled that is rewarding. 

There are some who have been hurt because of activities, interactions or relationships within a church establishment and no longer enjoy the camaraderie of going to church.  If this is your case, I especially encourage you to not let the issues of the past stop you from worshipping and praising our wonderful Lord in the company of other believers.  Sometimes when we are hurt in a situation we focus too much on ourselves and our feelings; and what we will or will not gain from being in the company of others.  You might not feel like going through the fuss of getting dressed, finding a parking space and getting a good seat; but it just might not be about you.  You may possibly need to be there for the person who ends up seating next to you.  God might be ordaining your visit for the purpose of seeding into the lives of the people you encounter before the church service even begins.  Let God use you in a special way this weekend.  Spend some time in a House of Prayer and who knows… if it’s been awhile… you might enjoy it.  If you are a regular, do something radical…change seats and meet someone new.

Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a victoriously  GREAT day! Be blessed! Enjoy service….Dr. JoAnn 

Skin Deep Beauty

Proverbs 31:30 (NIV) – “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”   
     Although today’s scripture refers to the female gender the sentiments covers males as well. When we see people, who have beautiful exteriors but whose attitudes and behaviors are less than desirable, we often chant the mantra – “Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly is to the bone. And also there is the familiar jaunt that “God does not like ugly and he ain’t too keen on superficial pretty either.” The sentiments expressed are simple… good looks, anatomic beauty, and physical attractiveness that harbor deceptive behaviors, fake attitudes and egotistical conducts are not pleasing to God.
     It is God who designs us through the deposition of genetic material from our parents; but our bodies are merely earth-suits used to navigate through this physical world. God looks not at the outer man but at the inner heart and spirit. We all want to look good and be attractive. We all have flaws that we wish to change; but if we spend all of our efforts and place more concern on the outer physical wrappings and allow our inner man to waste way or to become ‘ugly’, then we are truly doomed for destruction.
     Make up, beauty treatments, time at the gym, pumping iron, jogging, manicures, pedicures, hair weaves, haircuts, hair dying, facial scrubs, eyebrow arching, hair waxing, yada, yada, yada… we must make sure we spend as much time fixing up our spirit as we do in ‘fixing up’ our appearance. Give more attention to bible study, meditation, prayer, praise, listening to sermons, reading historical teachings and Christian literature. A shiny apple with a rotten core ends up in the trash. 
      Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a victoriously GREAT day. Be blessed!, Dr. JoAnn

In the Midst

Psalm 138:7- "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me."
     A few years ago a popular gospel song "In the Middle" chanted that while we are in the middle of our trouble we need to praise. When we see trouble on the horizon we buffet the issue with prayer and praise as we brace for the onslaught. When we 'see light at the end of the tunnel'; it is easy to lift our voices in joy that our trial is coming to an end; but the real Hallelujah moment is when we are in the midst of the storm. We might be tired from the trial, uncertain of the length of the struggle and possibly not seeing an end anywhere in sight; but our power comes from focusing on the might of our God and not the fight.
     Today I challenge you to take your eyes off of the conflicts in your life and narrow your gaze upon the Almighty God of Creation; he is in it to win it! But the great part of the entire matter is that Jesus has already won the victory. We just need to stay steadfast, not worry, not fret and watch the grace, mercy and salvation of the Lord.
     Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a victoriously GREAT day! Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn

Absent and Accounted For!

2 Corinthians 5:8 (NKJV) – “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”
     Last week a beautiful woman lost her life in a tragic automobile accident. After valiant efforts of emergency medical personnel she transitioned from entrapment in an earth-bound physical body to total spiritual freedom with God. We shall of course miss her laughter, jubilant spirit and the individually special way that she made everyone feel; for she truly was a gregarious soul who loved making sure that all in her presence knew they were special.
     Although I have only known Grace for a few short years her welcoming spirit and buoyant personality endeared her to all she met I was blessed to be able to call her friend. She was known for her praising and giving God thanks and now she is waving and clapping uplifted arms and hearing the Father say…”well done; good and faithful servant.” Thank you Lord for the years she impacted my life; and for the words of support and love she shared so freely. She is now in a better place and I can’t wait to see her in heaven and remind her that I never did get that ‘special sweet tea’ recipe from her.
     Make sure you tell someone today how much you love them; or ask for forgiveness; or reconcile a misunderstanding or tell a lost soul about Jesus and the hope of salvation. Tomorrow isn’t promised and you may never get another opportunity beyond today. To God be the Glory! Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a victoriously GREAT day! Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn

Small Things Matter

James 3:4 (EXB) - “Also a ship is very big, and it is pushed by ·strong [fierce] winds. But a very small rudder controls [guides; steers] that big ship, making it go wherever the pilot wants.”

  Do not think for a moment that your contribution is too small or insignificant to matter.  If you only have a small amount of money to give toward a large goal or if you only have a limited amount of time to spare to assist on a project; it does help.  God looks at the heart of your contribution and not the quantity.  It is the quality of your service and desire to give and participate that endears God’s heart.  When we give our best, even in small increments, God will take what we have and multiply its effect so that our little becomes much.  In today's scripture we read of the influence that a small helm or rudder has in steering a large and formidable ship.  The ship is gigantic in comparison to the small pliable piece that is used to maneuver it through the water under the control of high and often violent winds.  The stronger the push of the gale, the more obvious it is that the rudder is needed and important.

      The ship might represent some grand or great aspect of your life that requires the dynamics of strong influence in order to move from where it is now to the place of its best use; but the very forces that provide this push, could also be the same forces which could tear it apart or send it off course. Here is where your small rudder of ‘faith’ comes into play.  God’s promises concerning your mission are secure and he has provided the means (the ship) and the power (the winds) but direction is needed.  That focus or direction comes from your faith.  We only need as much faith as compared to that of a small mustard seed and we can see its influence making a great impact.  Don’t cower from asserting your faith in tackling large issues, problems or projects.  Know that God has provided all that you need and all you must do is take hold of your faith and steer.

Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a Victoriously GREAT day! Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn 

No Dozing!

Judges 16: 19-20 (NIV): “19After putting him to sleep on her lap, she called for someone to shave off the seven braids of his hair, and so began to subdue him. And his strength left him.20Then she called, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” He awoke from his sleep and thought, “I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him.”
     This of course is the story of Samson and Delilah or what we can call Devilish Delilah and the fall of Samson. After many other attempts to find out the source and secret of Sampson’s strength, Delilah kept nagging and persisting and needling Sampson until she wore him down. All the times before he was on his P’s and Q’s but finally he let down his guard. In similar fashion the devil is unrelenting. He wants you to fail and he will continue needling and nagging and prodding and pursuing you until he wears you to the point of fatigue…then he lulls you to sleep. And he will put you into a deep sleep and steal what is rightfully yours if you try to operate in our own strength.
     Samson became cocky and this arrogance led to him thinking he was in command of his gift instead of realizing that the gift was a point of grace to be used by God. Do not be deceived that the power, poise, intellect, charm, commanding voice, melodious tones, speaking prowess, healing hands, leadership ability, cooking dynamics, hair styling wonderment, academic skills, athletic ability, acting acumen, business savvy, curvy body, smooth skin, tall statue, or ability to whistle and chew gum at the same time has anything to do with you….
     All of what we are, do and can become is for the glorification of God. When we lose sight of that we become easy prey to the devil to use our very gifts against us. In your own time, read the entire passage about the wiles of Delilah, you will see that in every other instance when she asks Sampson for his secret of this strength she did the deeds herself; whether it was binding him with bowstrings or braiding his hair. But when she realized that she had finally gotten the real truth from him….she called for reinforcements. The devil will do the same. As long as you stand strong in the Lord the devil will keep chipping away because he knows that even if he brought an army of thousands against you as long as you are operating in the strength of the Lord - he is defeated. But when you lose that edge - and he knows it - he rushes in with reinforcements to make sure he cuts you from your source. Stay on guard. Do not be caught sleeping. Remember that the battle is the Lord’s and do not try to operate in your own strength, relying on your own abilities and instincts – you will lose every time. Abide in the Lord and he will abide in you.
     Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a victoriously GREAT day! Enjoy your weekend – see you on Monday. Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn

Be Ye Ever Ready!

Matthew 24:36 and 44 –“36But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 44Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”
     On the Mount of Olives Jesus was telling his disciples about the signs of the end times and warning them through the use of parables that they must always be prepared for no one knows the exact time that it will happen. We chide about global events that spurn discussion of the end times. When bizarre things occur or strange events seem to happen in succession we often say: The signs are getting closer - better get your house in order - because Jesus is coming soon.
     As Christians we all know that our Savior has promised to return and that we do not know the day or the hour…but that we must be prepared and we must be ready. In the next chapter (Matthew 25) Jesus tells the parable of the 10 bridesmaids. Only half were considered wise; the other half foolish. When the time came…when the rubber hit the road...when the stuffing hit the fan…when the final buzzer rang…when the gift of grace was put to the test - 5 knew how to use the gift of grace that was given and were prepared…5 because of their inability to be ready fell short. They had in their hands the lamps that they needed, but were still unprepared because they had no extra oil.
       What is in your hand?. Do you take for granted the tools God has provided to light your way and give you direction? The foolish took their lamps yet made no provision for the uncertainty that was sure to lie ahead. The coming of the bridegroom was not something that was a usual occurrence; this was a once-in-a-lifetime event and yet to them it was not important enough to treat with the special forethought that it deserved.
     God places things in our hands for us to use in preparation for the uncertain yet important events that lie ahead for us. Because the tools…. gifts….. talents….. that we are graced with become second nature to us…do we forget their prime purpose? Do we overlook or take for granted their importance. Or do we always make sure that WHAT we have in hand maintains its value and use. God gives us certain skills, we must not let them wear thin, get rusty or dusty, outdated, lose credibility, grow dull, lapse, become invalid, expire, need tuning or go flat…
     Lamps without oil are as useless as incomplete school transcripts, unfinished projects, neglected relationships, untapped potential and untamed egos.
They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them. A gun without bullets cannot stop a charging beast, a pen without ink cannot sign thoughts into law, a dull blade is useless in cooking, the wheels of ingenuity cannot turn with rusted parts. Don’t let your God-given gifts go awry. They have a specific purpose in your destiny. Keep them ready and sharp for God’s glory.
     Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a victoriously GREAT day! Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn

Go On Up Higher

Exodus 19:20 - (ESV) – “ The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.”
     Wednesdays have been marked as “Hump Day” among the Monday through Friday work group who mark the day as the mid-point of the struggle to get to the fun and relaxation of the weekend. “Hump Day” has many images from friendly talking camels to mountaineers scampering up the side of a tortuously steep hill. Whatever image pops into mind one thing we must never overlook is that while the mountain may have its challenges; guess who dwells in the midst of the mountain. God is ubiquitous and is everywhere at the same time; but as the scripture reveals God ‘goes’ and ‘comes’ in his spirit to places where we can interact with him on a personal level. Jesus wrapped himself in human flesh and dwelt among us on Earth; the Holy Spirit encapsulates himself into our being to dwell within us.
     So the next time you struggle with having to do ‘hard’ things or ‘frustrating’ tasks that seem to just be like pushing a boulder uphill; keep in mind who is waiting for you at the summit; cheering for you all along the way; giving you strength to endure; guiding and encouraging your every step and keeping the predators at bay. Keep focused on the uphill climb for you are elevating yourself above the mush and mire below to Go On Up Higher.
     Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a victoriously GREAT day! Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn

Pour Out!

Colossians 3:23-24 – “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.”
     Whatever your calling; wherever God has placed you for your purpose – do whatever is assigned for your service with fervor and zeal. God tells us through Paul’s letter to the Colossi church to do whatever we do heartily. Do not ‘dribble out’ your portions like a baby’s spittle, but pour out your service as a gushing fountain full of life and vigor.
     If your present situation has you in a place or position that you believe is below your potential – it is expected that you would desire more and greater – but while you are there do your best and present quality at all times. Martin Luther King, Jr., said– “If I cannot do great things I can do small things in a great way.” We must press upward and onward and strive to reach higher heights through doing great works in our present circumstance. Keep pushing for greater, but while you are pushing remember the foundation that you stand on is what will hold you when you build upward….make sure it is solid by pouring out your best now.
     Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a victoriously GREAT day! Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn

Clear the Way

Colossians 3:13 (NIV): “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
     Today’s message is short, sweet and to the point. You must forgive. Over the past few months God has placed this subject at the tip of my pen and on lips because it is so important. It is often not easy to forgive, but oh is it necessary. Will you feel better right away once you open the lines of communication and start the forgiveness process? Maybe so and maybe not. Some of us might have to let some time go by between the act of forgiveness and the release of feelings associated with the person we forgave. Others of us will start to experience a newness of life just from the thought of clearing the way for healing past hurts. Whether your forgiveness will require major surgery or just a simple bandage will for the most part be dependent on how open you are to total surrender in Christ. Even as Christ hung on the cross for our sins he first spoke of forgiveness.
     You show true power when you give others the chance to be shown the love of Jesus through the act of forgiveness. Holding grudges only holds you captive. Forgive, forget and move on in victorious freedom. God will be your vindication. You have a destiny to get to – do not let the chains of unforgiveness hold you back. Shake off old burdens that might try to linger. Don’t let the cares of worrying about what others did or did not do consume your energy or time. You are much too precious and God has much work for you to do. Be about your Father’s business. Forgive and push on.
     Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a victoriously GREAT day! Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn

Totally Connected

Romans 8:38-39 (KJV) – “38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
     This has been an emotionally charged week. One year ago today a close friend and I became separated by many miles and two years ago today my favorite uncle passed away tragically by drowning. Although I know my uncle's essence is in the care of the Lord I do miss his jovial laugh, constant teasing and playful demeanor. No matter what life (or death) throws our way we can rest assured that we are in the loving care of our God. Nothing new or old; foreign or domestic; seen or unseen can separate us from the love of God. Nothing we can do or fail to do will disconnect us from the powerful arms of our Creator. God is all love and every motive he portrays is steeped in love.
     As we approach the weekend I charge each of us to look around and see the beauty of God’s love for us in the very simple things in life. God is an awesome provider; a wonderful comfort in the time of sorrow; a protective hand when dangers abound and a Father who lavishes his love through mercy and grace. Life is full of ups and downs but know that God in his loving nature has our best in mind at all times. Enjoy all that life has to offer; no matter how things appear on the surface; know that God is in control and we are never out of his loving grasp.
     Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a victoriously GREAT day. Have a gratitude-filled weekend. See you on Monday. Be blessed!. Dr. JoAnn

Silent Support

Mark 14:61 – “But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”

     Today’s scripture illustrates that ‘silence can often be golden’.  God’s handling of some of our best lessons reflects the role that teachers, instructors and exam proctors play while the test is underway.  When I distribute the examination papers to my students, they are on their own.  As they progress through their test I remain vigilant yet silent.  As we traverse through this life, we will come upon events, people or circumstances that will put us to the test.  During these testing times it is not difficult to see why we might feel a bit isolated or alone. 

       Just like in a typical classroom, the entire atmosphere changes while we are in test mode.  The students enter the room with a sense of urgency and awe.  They keep movement and talking to a minimum; turn off or mute their cell phones and listen carefully to the instructions. When we become astute to the ways of life’s tests; we too will change the atmosphere.  We should talk less about our problems; shut off communication with distractions and listen to the instructions that the Holy Spirit provides.  Like a good teacher, while the students are undergoing testing, God remains ever-present; watchful and silent.

      Don’t be troubled when you are in the midst of a test and you feel a bit isolated or ignored.  God is not daydreaming or forgetful.  He knows all about our issues; motivations and especially our outcomes.  God gives us the opportunity to challenge the ‘status quo” and show him what we have learned.  Make him proud.  Don’t lose your focus; his quietness is just him silently rooting for you.     

     Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a victoriously GREAT day.  Be blessed!  Dr. JoAnn

Be a Witness

Deuteronomy 11:7 (NLT) “But you have seen the Lord perform all these mighty deeds with your own eyes!”

     Sometime you just have to open your mouth and tell it like it is. Whether people want to hear or accept the truth, it still must be told. God is so wonderful to us. He is an ingenious creator; faithful father, abundant provider, great healer and the list goes on and on. Our God is so great that we can only stand in awe at the very mention of his sovereignty. There is no one and nothing like him; no imitations or duplications. He is all in all.
      We are constantly bombarded with rhetoric, propaganda, twitters, tweets, twerks and other forms of madness that display the dark side of society and it seems we can never quite get enough. Just turn on the television or download an app on a mobile device and you can watch non-stop trash posing as reality television. It used to be shameful to expose your family’s dirty laundry. We used to say what happens at home stays at home; but now that only pertains to Las Vegas and even that is distorted. Each show seems to thrive off of trying to outdo another in who can look more vile, talk more ignorantly or create the greatest mockery of decency.
     As Christians it is not only our privilege but our responsible duty to tell the world about the God who makes all life possible. We must counter the negative press that wants people to believe that all hope is gone and that life is dismal at best. The images we see of adulterous living, greed and corruption, unscrupulous, scandalous behavior and rampart infidelity cannot be allowed to remain unchallenged. We must speak up and tell about the great deeds of our God. We must testify of his nature and his desire that none should be lost. We must attest to his divine holiness and his reign as the Ancient of Days. Jesus is our Good Shepherd. The Holy Spirit is our Paraclete.
     We are his people and the sheep of his pasture. We will enter his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise. We surely will be like Jesus’ disciples – we will never have the rocks (stones) cry out on our behalf. We will tell of his excellent greatness until our tongues no longer function. Tell someone today about the great God that you serve. Let someone know that you are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ .Let someone hear you with their own ears and observe you with their own eyes as you give God praise in the middle of your ordeal. Despite what the medical report says; in spite of how many bills are past due; regardless of the pressure you might be feeling – Stop for a moment and just give God a shout out.
     Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a victoriously GREAT! Be blessed! - Dr. JoAnn

Evil - Alive and Kicking

Today's power scripture comes from Job 1:7 – “The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”.”

Back in the 1970’s a popular television show featured the hilarious renditions of comedian Flip Wilson.  One of the characters that he would portray was a funny, saucy talking female named Geraldine.  Whenever caught in a certain predicament, Geraldine would loudly proclaim – “the devil made me do it”.   It was all a part of a comedy script but there is nothing funny about the fact that the devil is real and he is on a rampage. 

There are many ways in which the devil uses people to his advantage; but one of the most prolific is –misunderstanding.  All of us no doubt have witnessed how simple words or phrases can be distorted to the point that the entire meaning or context of what was originally meant to be expressed is totally misconstrued.  We have seen how cultural differences and misunderstandings can topple foreign relations; just as differences in religion can cause immoral treatment even amongst family members.  The book of Job opens by recalling the actions of the angels as they presented themselves before God.  Satan was there and when asked where he had been, he confessed about his prowling nature. 

We know from this scripture that Satan does canvass the earth with his presence; and we also learn in John that Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy.  It is not hard to imagine that the evil-one uses our emotions, fears, and misconceptions against us.  The closer you are to a breakthrough, new blessing or spiritual change, the more ‘stuff’ just seems to keep happening to you.  The devil knows a blessing is on its way and he throws every distraction in the book at you to make you block your own blessing or stand in your own way.  Don’t’ do it.  He wants you to react. As Christians we are called to not react, but to respond. The best response is to put on the whole armor of God and just stand. Be you and do not act outside of your own character.  Through the use of weak vessels (non-believers or shaky believers) Satan acts out his plots. Don’t be fooled – your mother, father, sister, brother, best friend or church member can be used or abused by the devil if they are not on guard.

 Do not allow him to push your buttons. When you feel something is pushing you to be angry, fearful, depressed or overwhelmed about inconsequential, unnecessary things –realize it is the devil.  Satan is real and present sometimes in places we least expect. Stay prayed up and ask God to give you open spiritual eyes and discernment about areas where the devil will try to attack.  Be ready – because he is coming. The more you love the Lord, the more the devil wants to harass you.  If Satan is using people all around you in ways that are unconscionable; that just lets you know that your stupendously, awesome, mind-blowing, life-changing blessing must be just around the corner.   The devil may have made them do it…but our God is seeing us through it. Now run and tell that!

Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a victoriously GREAT day! Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn

Pleasing the Lord

God has blessed us to see another new month in this year. Marvelous May! Today's power scripture comes from 2 Corinthians 5:9-10(ESV) -“9So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” We often hear people say, and we probably have said it also, that we want to live a life that is pleasing to God. What does that really mean? And what do we have to do to achieve that type of living? Recently during a Bible study I came across an interesting teaching that reminded me of the commitment to live a life that will honor God and I will share it with you.

Pleasing the Lord should be the great ambition of every believer’s heart. Pleasing the Lord is not only to be a primary aim of every believer, but something at which we should all seek to excel, not to be accepted, but because we love the Lord and because of future rewards. The wonderful thing about living a pleasing life is that we do not have to strive to do it all on our own; probably because we could not if we tried. The ability to please the Lord is ultimately the result of His work in our lives as the Great Shepherd. It is the Lord who leads us on the right paths; makes us rest; provides sustenance in the weary places and anoints all that we do.

Pleasing the Lord involves discovering and doing what pleases the Lord through living in the light of the Word. Pleasing the Lord means doing His will and we cannot do his will if we do not know his will. Therefore we must study the Word; through active Bible reading, attending Bible studies and hearing informative sermons. Pleasing the Lord begins in the heart. We can talk a good game on the outside about what we want and wish to do and of all the plans that we have formulated, but only what is truly in the heart is what comes to the surface and evolves. Those who are in the flesh and who do not know God (unbelievers) or those who are walking by the flesh (carnal believers) are incapable of pleasing God.

Pleasing the Lord rather than people ought to be the motive for everything we do. Seeking to please people for selfish reasons ruins our capacity to follow the Lord; hinders us from taking a stand for truth or principle; stops us from loving others unselfishly; and thus it diminishes our function as God’s servants. Pleasing God means learning to live for others and not simply to please ourselves. God pleasers are neither people pleasers nor self-pleasers. The only time we should seek to please people is when we seek to benefit them by putting their needs above our own for their edification or salvation. This may mean displeasing them through tough love.

Every day is a good day; it is up to us to make it a victoriously GREAT day! Be blessed! Dr. JoAnn










Teachings excerpts from J. Hampton Keathley III, Th.M. (hamptonk3@bible.org)