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The Judicial System - Who Knew?

618x398 blog10

You've probably seen or heard me talk about keeping God relevant in current times. Some people struggle with reading about the God of the bible from thousands of years ago, but feeling Him in the now of our lives. Of course to that I always suggest that a ongoing, real relationship with the Creator requires time with Him. In His word and in prayer. In actions of obedience ...

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Stop whining! Have faith and believe!

618x398 blog1

I love the book of Exodus. I've always been intrigued by the entire story of Moses, Pharaoh, the massive rescue. Even the back story of Joseph before that. I guess that is why one of my favorite animation movies is The Prince of Egypt. This morning I was reading Exodus chapter 13 where God has finally allowed Pharaoh's heart to be broken by the death of his (Pharaoh's) so...

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I hope!

Rejoice

How many times do you hear yourself saying "I hope ......."? You know you do it more than you think. "I hope traffic isn't bad today". "I hope my kid does well on his/her test". "I hope this new President does a good job". "I hope I get this promotion". I know I'm probably busting your chops for something you don't even think about, a statement that is more slang that anyt...

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We went....there is more to be done!

Clean Heart

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8) When asked by his disciples if Jesus was going to restore the kingdom to Israel, Jesus replied by sending them to be His witnesses, both nearby and to the ends of the earth. If you've been a part ...

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It was God who sent me here!

Armor of God

I have so many "favorite" stories in the bible, but this morning during my time and the word, I was thrilled to be reading one of the best. In Genesis, the story of Joseph. Here is a kid who goes from being hated by his brothers to the point they wanted to kill him! Threw him down a well and then sold him as a slave. By God's grace and design, he becomes a powerful and imp...

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Ah...Thanksgiving

The house is quiet tonight. I'm sitting in disbelief among the cans of pumpkin and boxes of stuffing that will soon be whipped into the traditional feast. How did we get here already. After tomorrow, we'll just be a hop, skip, and a jump to Christmas and 2017! I was reading Titus earlier today. Not one of the most mentioned bible books, written by Paul. I'm generally a th...

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Be a Good Watchman

I was in Show Low yesterday for the 2nd funeral in as many weeks. Nothing gets me to examine my own life like watching others go through that experience. I keep hearing Hebrews 9:27, "Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgement..." This time, the examination revealed something a little different. I am secure in my own salvation through God's grace...

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What did you bear?

Ah Friday. The end of the week for those readers who work traditional schedules. All over the valley, hair is let down, pants are loosened, and relaxing begins. Planing for the crazy weekend is in the back of our mind: kids sports, household chores, maybe some social time. Do you ever stop and take stock of your week? Do you spend any time reflecting on how you spent your...

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Neighbor Update - Be ambassadors for Christ

Sorry for the typos last night. I guess my fingers were going faster than my mind. Or is it the other way around... So the neighbor actually called! They want to get together next weekend! See what happens when you step out a little bit on faith? Today I was reading in 2 Corinthians again and I saw Chapter 5, verse 20, "Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though ...

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OK I confess - they're weird...

Confession time: Skip has really challenged me the past few weeks with his message about what family really is. Lately, we've made our family mission official (we always had one unspoken). We talked about our vision and how to accomplish the display of God's love and His mission through our daily lives. We have a new neighbor. When I say new, I really mean several months ...

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We do not lose heart

I love being in God's word in the early morning, before I start my day. Nothing sets my mind and heart better than encouragement from Him and the men and women of the bible that came before me. I can't tell you how many times a passage that I read in the morning actually applies to my life later that very same day! Today is no different as I start another new assignment a...

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Put Your Actions Where Your Faith Is!

"Put your money where your mouth is". How many of you have heard that statement? Maybe it isn't used much any more, but for me it meant a couple things: Do what you say you'll do, act like you believe, follow through with your promises. Our testimony is super important for the mission of reaching the lost and dying world. As God bring the unbelievers into our lives, He us...

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You are Dead....Rejoice!

There are some many great things about being a follower of Jesus, and resting at the foot of the cross. One passage that kept jumping into my head this morning was in Romans Chapter 6, verse 11 which says "In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus." Have you ever stopped to really think about that verse and what it means to be "alive t...

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You are the Light of the World!

Ask yourself: Am I the light of the world? Do I live my life each day in such a way that those around me would describe me as "a light"? I'm studying a book with a group of guys from church and we starting discussing the concept of biblical character as it relates to church leadership. One of the suggestions on the topic was the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5:1-12. The aut...

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Simple Heart, Happy Heart

Clean Heart

For you parents out there, you might agree that one of the most difficult concepts to teach our young ones is contentment. Actually, that is difficult for some adults too! Just about every night, I pray with my kids at bed time. I try to change it up and stay away from praying the same robotic prayer all the time. Lately, we've been praying for things that God has blessed...

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Are They Biting?

Word of the Day

Then Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men". They immediately left their nets and followed Him. (Mark 1:17) How's the fishing going? Are you intentionally seeking and praying for opportunities to cast your line or just getting through your day with as little stress as possible. It is so easy for us to get wrapped up in our schedules, ne...

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The Power of Prayer in Parenting

Walk with Jesus

"Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to my instructions and be wise; do not ignore it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For whoever finds me, finds life and receives favor from the Lord. But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death" (Proverbs 8:32-36, t...

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Just How Deep is the Father's Love?

Word of the Day

Yesterday, we sang one of my all time favorite songs during worship: "How Deep the Father's Love for Us". I'm always moved how the author of the lyrics beautifully captures the message of the gospel, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I can't help but shed a few tears of pure joy and shame as I belt out the words. "How deep the Father's love for us, how vast bey...

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The Gift Left Unopened...

Word of the Day

Good Morning. I know I'm blogging out of order, so forgive me! I just felt compelled to share what was on my heart this morning as I enjoyed my coffee and time in His word amongst the wrappings and kids playing with their latest treasures. It is my hope this morning that someone might read this blog and realize there is a gift yet unopened for them. Someone who awoke this...

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Don't You Realize Who I Am? (or how important I am?)

Walk with Jesus

Thank you to the men of my small group who gave me the idea of today's blog: Read 2 Kings 5. You will read the story of Naaman, a "commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded...". (2 Kings 5:1) Naaman had one big problem though; leprosy. In those days, leprosy was a huge issue both medically and socially. S...

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You Aren't Normal

Word of the Day

Psalm 139: 13-16 says "For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed...

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Because He First Loved Us!

LoveGodLoveOthers

Why do believers love? In my morning bible reading today I was in 1 John 4:1-21 reading about the power reasons that John lists why Christians practice love. I was reading out of the MacArthur Daily bible and I appreciate how MacArthur summarized verse 7-21. I'd like to pass along the essence of what John the author and Dr. MacArthur say about the five reasons why believe...

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September 11th

LoveGodLoveOthers

September 11th: Those words cause mix reactions in different people. 14 years ago, those of us on the west coast were waking up to a nightmare in the United States. Even now, so many years later, there is still anger, fear, and questions associated with them. Evil still exists in the world. Now we have police officers being targeted, sex trafficking, domestic violence on t...

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Let's Do This!

Walk with Jesus

The small group I'm in is starting Francis Chan's "You and Me Forever". We are excited about what we've heard from other believers about this book and how it has impacted their lives. There are a couple concepts just in the introduction that spurred great conversation last night and a feeling about what God could be starting to do in our own lives! There is one passage in...

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Happy Labor Day!

Word of the Day

It really is a happy labor day! For we are given the victory over sin by God through His Son, Jesus Christ! I was reading today in my daily bible and I love how the calendar and what I was reading aligned. Paul writting to the church has much to say in 1 Corinthians, but today a couple things caught my eye. He writes in 1 Corinthians 15:33 "Do not be decieved: Evil compan...

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Hi. My name is Thomas. So is yours!

Doubting Thomas

OK Blog readers. Instead of providing you the verses to read here, I'm asking you to open the old fashioned but never out of style BIBLE, turn the pages to John 20 and read verse 1-31. (John 20:1-31) ..... I'll wait........................ I'm always encouraged by people in the bible who demonstrate the weaknesses and failures that we humans still experience today. Even ...

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Does your ax head float?

ax head

I was drawn today to the story in 2 Kings chapter 6 which describes Elisha with men who were cutting down trees at the Jordan River to make beams for dwellings. One of the men was cutting down a tree and the iron ax head fell into the water. The man cried out becaues the ax was borrowed. The next verse (six) describes Elisha this time not by name, but as "the man of God". ...

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Humility - That's a Tough One!

Walk with Jesus

Good Morning Blog Land! Please forgive me as I was assigned to start at the begining of the week and I've failed you. I'll try to catch up... I love the word of God and His ability to use and apply any passage to our day, either directly or through someone else. This morning I read Proverbs 18, verse 12; "Before destruction, the heart of man is haughty, And before honor i...

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By Whose Interpretation?

Word of the Day

I had the pleasure this morning of meeting with a group of men who have a heart for Jesus and a desire to study His word. We discussed how to study the bible and talked briefly about interpretation. A great question was raised. How many interpretations of God's word are there? We discussed 2 Peter 2:20-21, "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture cam...

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Self Check

Word of the Day

If you are reading this on Thursday morning, March 19, 2015, you are enjoying the rain. I love rain in the desert and there is something about waking up to cloudy skies and rain. Thank you Lord! Sometime today, during your quiet time or your time in the Word, read Galatians 5:22-23 for a quick "self check". Are you living by the Spirit? Does it show? Would your kids, spou...

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"I am Your Salvation"

Word of the Day

I was reading in Psalm today, specifically 35, and those words grabbed my attention: "I am your salvation" (vs 3). Just before those words, the Psalmist says: "Say to my soul, I am your salvation". He's writting about fighting, spears, stoping those who pursue, etc, so I'm guessing it is a plea for comfort and reasurrance. A reminder, not to our intellect, but to the v...

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Nice Try, World!

Word of the Day

"The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1) Today caught me a little off guard. I was going along all happy and such because next week is Christmas! (BTW - I'm still happy). At work though, I felt like the enemy was trying to derail me at every turn. Trying to get me to react...

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Guard Yourself!

Armor of God

Are you busy this time of year? LOL It is the night of December 17th as I write this and time is rushing towards one week from now, Christmas Eve. Some of you might be in a crazy mode by now; gifts still to buy, cookies to bake, family gatherings, parties... Oh no! I haven't even started the Christmas Cards. This is the time when you start to cheat things like your praye...

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Mary DID know!

Word of the Day

"And Mary said: My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for the Mighty One has done great things for me - Holy is His name." (Luke 1:46-47, 49) Try to picture Mary's situation in today's terms or your life directly. We are really busy living moment by moment; kids to school, kids to practice, appointments, work duties, social engagements, house...

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Do Not Fear

Word of the Day

I am really learning to appreciate Isaiah as I mature as a follower of Christ. There is so much wisdom found there that is applicable to our lives even today. I remember being a child, a new believer, even a young man but not much of a follower and discounting the Old Testament as, well, Old. I couldn't see that it was full of Christ. I recently had a "close call" at work...

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First Things First

LoveGodLoveOthers

"To love you as I should, I must worship God as Creator. When I have learnt to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now. In so far as I learn to love my earthly dearest at the expense of God and instead of God, I shall be moving towards the state in which I shall not love my earthly dearest at all. When first things are ...

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It's in There!

LoveGodLoveOthers

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.Philippians 2:3-4 So much easier said then done, this verse. Last night I was taking my son to the first soccer practice of the season and we were talking about his team, who might be on it...

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Rejoice - Everyday

Rejoice

Ah the morning shift of getting kids off to school. One kid is happy and jumps out of bed, getting dressed, talking about the day. The other kid, GRUMPY! Everything is awful, difficult; you get the idea. I'm reminded of a song my mom used to sing to me that we sang in church. "Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say Rejoice". Why do I just expect my grumpy kid to be h...

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Repentance - Not Just Saying I'm Sorry....

Walk with Jesus

Paul's first letter to the Corinthians produced a sorrow in the believers that led them to repent of their sins (2 Corinthians 7:9). "Repentance" refers to the desire to turn from sin and restore one's relationship to God. "Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation" (v.10). "Godly sorrow" refers to sorrow that is according to the will of God and produced by the...

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Did Your Rooster Crow?

Word of the Day

I was reading about the crucifixion of Christ and though I know the story well, I'm always amazed at many things. It never ceases to amaze me that the God of all creation would endure such a horrible thing for me, for you. Each time I read about it something else stands out. This time it was Peter. Peter had it good during the time of Christ. He had complete access to Jes...

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So You Think You Are That Important?

Word of the Day

This morning I was reading in 2 Kings, chapter 5 where Naaman, who was suffering from leprosy, sought a cure from Elisha. There are several points learned from this story that go beyond the healing that was provided from God through Elisha. Naaman was a very important man. He was the supreme commander of the army of Syria, a great man of high social standing. He was highl...

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Nothing Can Separate Us!

Pray

Dear God, Forgive me - Today I took my eyes off of you and worried about myself. Forgive me - Today I focused on myself and lost sight just for a moment of your wisdom and love for me. Forgive me - Today I took things into my own hands not believing that all things are for my good and Your glory. Forgive me - I've been missing the opportunity to hear Your voice through...

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Seek Goodness!

Walk with Jesus

Proverbs 11:27 "He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it" OK folks. This one is a short one but a difficult one for sure. In everything you do, are you seeking good? How often do I jump to the conclusion that someone is speaking ill of me, or acting out of malice or bad intentions towards me. Seek the one who's birth we will celebrate i...

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Wouldn't It Be Great to Know the Future.....

Word of the Day

This morning I was reading the last few chapters of Daniel, specifically in Chapter 12 which my bible titles "The End Times". Chapter 12 - At that time, Michael, the great prince who protects your people will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the begining of nations until then. But at that time your people - everyone whose name is found...

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Pray - Make Plans - Pray

Pray

" There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord". (Proverbs 21:30) We sure are busy creatures. Last night my kids and I picked up my wife at the airport around 8:30 PM after she was out of state for work for a couple days. We drove home happy to be together, but everyone very tired after a long day of school, work, and play. "Tomorrow is very b...

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Reconciliation - Thankfully.....

Word of the Day

Boy, this week all my favorite verses are coming up. I don't think it is a coincidence that is happening during my blog week. God has always been so good at giving me thought material! If you are reading along with the church outline this year, you just read 2 Corinthians chapter 5 today. Two parts always jump out to me and I'm so thankful for them time and time again. ...

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You are Fearfully and Wonderfully Made!

stayConnected

Last night I was with a group of people and we were talking about what verses did God use lately to speak to us. Mine was Psalms 139 which I love for a couple different reasons. It starts out with reminding us that we are never alone. This is both encouragement for when you feel alone and afraid and also a warning for when you feel like God won't be watching you in your si...

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Flawless

Walk with Jesus

If you have been a part of West Valley Bible Church or attended any of the services, you have probably heard more than once about the importance of being in God's word daily. You've heard how a personal relationship with Jesus means being in His word and letting it renew you each and every day. If you are a new believer or you find yourself struggling to stay consistent i...

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How Good Is Your Guarantee?

Word of the Day

If you stop and think about it, we are always worried about the future. We plan, we save, we prepare, we insure, we forecast....... When we spend our (God's) money, we want a guarantee that whatever it is will hold up, meet the demand, stand the test. When it doesn't, we shrug our shoulders and say "well, nothing lasts forever", or "they sure don't make things like they u...

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What Does Love Look Like?

Walk with Jesus

Romans 12:10-13, "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." Our family has had the honor to be a part of God's plan in the lives of some...

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Is it Enough?

Walk with Jesus

In today's world, we use the word "enough" maybe more than you realize and it usually has to do with our comfort or satisfaction level. Did you get enough sleep? Did you get enough to eat? Is it cool enough in here for you? I don't make enough money.... How easily I forget that Jesus in my life is ENOUGH for all those situations and more. That God's love for me is more th...

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His Presence

Word of the Day

Over the last few days, things around us at home have been falling apart causing me to invest more of my time. Leaky toilets, broken water heaters, you name it. How quickly a few frustrating trials can sneak in and try to hide God's presence in our lives and each daily moment. Of course it is our own sin which hides His spirit when we try to "handle the situation" without ...

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