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Since life will challenge us with bitter situations, keep stirring up the Spirit of God within you.

Something is wrong. There is so much confusion about love, sex and dating. Everybody WANT what they don’t have! Married folks WANT to be dating. Single folks WANT to be have love and marriage. And when it comes to sex – the ones that should have it don’t and the ones that shouldn’t have it do! Confusion. Since what we WANT may not be His WILL, be content and commit to His WILL!

I Can’t Do It! I Can’t Do It! I Can’t Forgive! All that “turn the other cheek” sounds good but I don’t have another cheek to turn! The hurt is so heavy; the wound is so deep; the act was so egregious; the pain is so fresh. I still have anxiety and panic attack when they come around. Pastor, I can’t even stand to see them. Since forgiving others keeps you out of the prison of bitterness and brokenness, RETURN the favor so that you can RETAIN His favor!

Mental sicknesses can affect any of us and leave us paralyzed and hopeless, even afraid and ashamed, isolated and intimidated. From Depression to Disorders, from Bipolar to Schizophrenia – mental diseases are a reality that affects all of us. Many find it difficult to even acknowledge its reality. Others struggle to accept all available resources. Prayer (the Spiritual) – People (the Social/Emotional) – Pause (the Physical) – Pill (the Medical) – Place (the Intensive Intervention (It may take one, a combination or all!). Since Mental Wellness is not automatic, FIGHT with His Might!

We all want to be wise right? Step one in that wisdom is what Solomon says in Proverbs 1:7 “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of understanding!” None can be wise apart from following the all-wise God. So a word to the wise: Trust in the Lord, Acknowledge the Lord, and Turn Away from Evil.

Tables . . . they come in all shapes, sizes and colors and we use them for numerous reasons! Tables for food – Dining Table; Tables for fun – Pool Table; Tables for forgiveness – Altar Table; Tables for Fellowship – Picnic Table. We all have sat around a table at some point – game table, work-bench table, desk table, poker table, coffee table, even the wine table. Some have even been laid on a few tables – operating table, changing table, examination table. It’s a privilege to sit at the table because we’re usually invited. It’s a price to pay at the table if you’re eating or even if you’re playing cards. As we celebrate graduates during this season and as we gather around tables for fun, food and fellowship, I need to remind all of us of the RESPONSIBILITY of the table.

In this pressure-cooker, pot-boiling, power-struggling world, we need WISE Mamas! In these turbulent times where tempers are flaring and temptations seem irresistible, we need WISE Mamas! In these times where common sense is uncommon and nonsense is common, we need WISE Mamas. Wise Mamas who can manage their homes, mold their children, model holiness and MIND everybody’s business. Everybody?

Two words are the hardest words for people to say, “I’m Sorry!” No one likes to admit, “I was wrong!” “I messed up!” There’s no excuse, no justification. I take full responsibility. Please forgive me. Please give me another chance even though I don’t deserve it. Thank You, Hosea, for teaching us how to properly respond to God’s Love.

“I Still Do . . .” In Creation, God, our Maker and Giver of Life, our Father and Sovereign, scooped out dust, formed man in His image and likeness, breathed into man the breath of life and man became a living soul. In essence, God was saying, “I Do!” But Adam and mankind didn’t remain faithful. SIN entered the picture. Eventually there were other gods and idols. But on Calvary, I heard God say, “I Still Do” and REDEMPTION was made possible. Since Redemption forgives and frees us from being slaves to sin, it’s time to come home!

We played it as children – MERCY! In hindsight, it was really a game of arrogance to see who’s the strongest rather than a game of compassion and mercy. Yet, so many treat God’s Mercy as a Game. Pastor Jeffrey Daniel used to always say, “It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.” Too many times folks sin with a flippant attitude that I’ll just ask for MERCY and God will give it. Since the Mercy of God is not a game to be played but a gift that’s precious, choose the best and stop settling for less!