Merry Christmas!

Luke 2:11- For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

John 3:16- For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Mayan Calendar

Proverbs 18:24

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Healthy Minute- Coral Calcium

Coral Calcium is an all natural supplement that is made from sea minerals. It is full of lots of amazing things! Besides calcium, it contains coral which has over 70 different minerals in it. Don't worry about the sea floor- it's made from fossilized coral. It helps with bone growth and is an antioxidant. It is also highly alkalzing on your body.
I don't think there's any one superior brand out there. This video isn't professional, but it contains a lot of information about the benefits of calcium.

The Terrestria Chronicles (book review)

Every little child wants to be a prince or a princess. As we grow older we forget these dreams for "reality". But, we need to realize that we are children of the King of kings. There is still an enemy to face and battles to fight. Our actions and speech should reflect the royalty of our family's heritage.

The Terrestria Chronicles follows Josiah from a slave to a Prince saved by King Emanuel. It shows the mistakes that most Christians make and some of the consequences for making these mistakes. It will help those of all ages to grow in the grace of the Lord and will give them the knowledge of how to respond to certain situations. It can teach you to honor Christ and help build character while taking you through a wonderful land of knights, castles, dragons, and princes and princesses.

To read more, or to order, click here.

Believer's Heritage- John Corbly

John Corbly was a Scots-Irish boy born in the mid-1700's in Ireland. He came to America at the age of 14.

Many things befell this man. He served in the Revolutionary War. He was imprisoned for refusing to pay taxes to the Anglican Church, and yet preached from his jail cell. He lost most of his family to an Indian attack. Two of his daughters survuved the Indian attack, but had to undergo several surgeries which drained him financially. He was accused of being a part of the Whiskey Rebellion and arrested, although there was no evidence and no trial.

The most amazing thing about this Baptist preacher was not the terrible things that happened to him, but what he did in spite of these terrible acts. He knew that God had spared him from the Indian attack for a reason. He went on to help plant 30 churches and pastored the Goshen Baptist Church from it's beginning unil his death in 1803. The church's name was then changed to the John Corbly Memorial Baptist Church where it can be found today in Green County, PA. He lived to see the Second Great Awakening in America, and is an example that God's grace is sufficient no matter what the circumstances may be.

To learn more, you can read the book Pastor John Corbly by Don Corbly or you can visit the Corbly Family Blog.

It's Through The Blood (song)

There's only one thing that can save a lost sinner, and cover the sins of a saved person- that's the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Funny Happenings- Clean Your Room

My brother-in-law has this rule that whenever one of his kids say they're bored that they have to clean something. You would think that knowing of this rule would keep children from complaining that they're bored, but it doesn't!

So, on one particular day his little girls said, "I'm bored."

As you can well imagine, their Daddy enforced his rule by saying, "Go clean your room." After 5 minutes, they came back to tell him that their room was all clean.

He went in to inspect this statement, and to his utter dismay the room was completely clean. He looked in the closet, checked under the bed, and was about to congratulate them when he noticed the window was open.

Sliding over to close the window, he noticed the reason the room was so completely clean in such a short period of time- Out on the front lawn was everything that used to be in the little girl's room!

White Chocolate Bread Pudding recipe

2 cups heavy cream
2 cups half-n-half
8 oz white chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups sugar
8 egg yolks
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
1 thinly sliced baguette (about 25" long)
sliced almonds

Preheat oven to 325*.
Heat cream and half-n-half to boiling over medium heat, stirring constantly. Stir in chocolate and remove from heat. Stir until chocolate is melted.
Beat sugar, egg yolks, vanilla, and salt. Gradually add to cream beating until smooth.
Line a greased casserole dish with baguette slices. Pour 2 cups cream mixture on top. Let it set until soaked up by the baguette. Repeat with remaining. Sprinkle with almonds.
Place dish inside of a roasting pan and pour 1" of boiling water into the roasting pan around the casserole dish. Bake at 325* for 1 hour and 50 minutes.

Payday Some Day (video sermon)

A look at the lives of Naboth, Ahab, Jezebel, and Elijah the way you've never thought of them before. Our actions all have consequences! It may take years before we face them, but payday will come!
Payday Some Day by R G Lee

The Best Place (poem)

I decided to search
Through the world for a place
That would best suit my need
In the fast life race.

I went to the world
And stepped through the door,
But my tears fell unnoticed
On that cold, careless floor.

So I looked to my firends
To see what I found there,
Yet their lives were too busy
With many of their own cares.

Then Jesus said, "Come,
Trust, believe, and obey.
I'm sure you will find
There's no other way."

I looked at that man,
And said, "What will you do?"
He replied, "I will love,
Sustain, and protect you."

So I found thru my travels
There's no better place,
Than Him on the throne
And me on my face!

-JCT

Giving In To The Flesh

Sin can be pleasurable. Anyone who tells you different is lying. The Bible even tells us that sin is pleasant for a while, but obeying God is so much more pleasant.

Hebrews 11:25- Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

When our flesh goes after what it wants, there are always consequences. Some aren't seen until much later. Think about Jonathan, if you will. Where did his life end?

II Samuel 1:23- Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

How wonderful a eulogy from David. But, that is not where Jonathan should have been. His life was cut short because he decided to follow his flesh instead of God. Where was Jonathan suppose to be?

I Samuel 23:17- And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.

Jonathan told David that he was suppose to be with him. Think of all the stories that the Bible could have had about the adventures of David and Jonathan! He was suppose to help David during his reign, but his life ended before David's reign even began. Why? Because Jonathan chose to stay with Saul- he chose his flesh.

Perhaps it was fear of what people would say about him. Or maybe, it was worry about how it would make his dad feel. It could have been that he saw how David would have to run and hide and he didn't want that kind of life. We don't know what the reason was, but we do know the consequences of his actions.

But it didn't end with him. His son, Mephibosheth, ended up lame when his family fled after the war. He never got to know his father. What a sad life because his dad decided what he wanted was more important than what God wanted.

Our decisions not only effect us. They effect those around us. We end up hurting the ones we delude ourselves that we are protecting when we put them ahead of what God tells us to do.

This is the price I pay --
Just for one riotous day --
Years of regret and of grief,
And sorrow without relief.
Suffer it I will, my friend,
Suffer it until the end,
Until the grave shall give relief.
Small was the thing I bought,
Small was the thing at best,
Small was the debt, I thought,
But, O God! -- the interest.

-Paul Lawrence Dunbar

In every situation in the Bible where people choose their flesh, God put an escape there for them. Someone to warn them. Something to distract them. And in every situation, they decided to ignore God.

I Corinthians 10:13- There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. It's the same God that asked Abraham to leave his country. It's the same God that chose David as King over Israel. It's the same God that guided Paul on his missionary journeys. And it's the same God that wants to help you accomplish His will for your life. He's given you everything you need! You just have to deny your flesh and obey Him.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Psalm 18:48-49- He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man. Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.

I Thessalonians 5:18-In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Prayer Request for Dean Runyon

Please pray for Dean Runyon. He and his wife are missionaries in Port Kaituma, Guyana, South Africa.

He had emergency surgery late Saturday, November 10th. His colon had ruptured. His condition is very, very critical.

Veteran missionary James Hoffmeister, a dear brother, has traveled from Trinidad and is on scene to help Patty, the wife.

He spoke at length with the doctors in Georgetown, where Dean is in hospital. Brother Dean is on the “low side of stable” according to his attending physician. His heart rate is down to 100. His blood pressure is still problematic, but not fluctuating as much as before. His lungs are inflamed, and he is still on the ventilator.

HOWEVER, the real concern is the damage done by this latest calamity. From the time Dean’s colon ruptured until he reached the hospital was at least three hours but possibly ten. This means that fecal matter was spread through his body and has harmed his major organs. As he has been sedated since his arrival there it is not known if the brain was also affected.

The doctors in Guyana want him moved. They do not believe he can make a med-evac trip to the states. They are hopeful that he can endure the short move to Trinidad. To fly him there will cost $11,000. To admit him to the hospital will cost $5,000. Those funds are needed right away.

You can pray for this family, that God would work a miracle in this man's life. If you can, and want to donate, you can click here or here.

Or you can contact Bible Baptist Church of Deland, FL at (386) 736-9274.

Proverbs 17:17

                              A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Healthy Minute- Kefir

There are a whole list of health problems that can be attributed to an imbalance in the intestinal flora. There are some places that recognize this as Gut Dysbiosis. So, how can we balance the intestines?
Probiotics. There's been a lot about probiotics out there. The best way to get them is through your food, and kefir is amazing for that.
Kefir is kinda like a yogurt drink, but it contains 10 times the probiotics that yogurt does plus it contains beneficial yeast. In addition, Kefir bacteria can colonize the gastrointestinal tract while

Yogurt bacteria cannot because it's not native to our guts, therefore it is only present for a short time before dying off. Kefir, on the other hand, take up residence nicely in the gut and begin helping out the microbiome neighborhood almost immediately!

I could go on, but here's a video with some great information.

To add in Kefir to your diet, you will want to begin slowly. It's very potent stuff!

You want to work up to at least 6oz daily. 

Goat milk kefir is better than cow milk kefir because there's less allergies associated with it, and it contains a greater amount of essential fatty acids such as linoleic acid and arachidonic acid, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin B6 and vitamin B3. Due to its high potassium content, it allows goat milk to react in an alkaline way within the body. Plus, goat milk contains plenty of calcium, more Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, potassium and magnesium, although it has lesser Vitamin B2, B12, folate and selenium than cow's milk.

You should note that a die-off effect can be seen when using kefir, and it generally shows up around day 3 to 5 (in severe dysbiosis cases it can show up again around day 30 to 40). These symptoms could include nausea, headaches, sleeplessness, itching, or emotional mood swings like anxiety, depression, or even fatigue.

To help with this, begin with just a Tablespoon of kefir for at least a week. If you find that you aren't reacting to it, then raise it to 2 Tablespoons. Keep this process going until you are up to around 6 to 8-ounces daily. If, however, you do react, then decrease the dose to 1 teaspoon for a week and work up from there as you find yourself able to handle it.

It generally takes 9 weeks of daily use to see initial results; severely damaged microbiome needs at least 6 months of daily use before they see initial results.

A Tale Of Three Kings (book review)

Going through trials and troubles are bad enough. But when you haven't done anything to deserve the way you've been treated is even worse! You try to understand why God would allow these things to happen, but you don't see any good that could come from it. Maybe you've gotten bitter at the person who caused your pain; or perhaps you're mad at God for allowing this to happen. A Tale Of Three Kings by Gene Edwards can really help you if this is your case.

You will follow the life of David through his running from Saul. You will learn to view each situation from a different perspective. There are times when you will realize that you, too, are dealing with an injustice like David. And there are moments when you will realize that it is possible for you to become Saul if you aren't careful. Not only do you get to see David's reaction to Saul's tyranny, but you get to see David's reaction to Absolom. Do you run? Do you fight? Do you become something you're not to keep what you think is your right?

David is known as the "Man after God's own heart". I'm sure that this book will be a blessing to you no matter what you are going through!

What Kind Of Heart Do You Have For God? (video sermon)

Believer's Heritage- John Geddie

Hideous shrieks and unearthly wails shattered the stillness of the night.

"Do you hear those horrible cries?" asked the missionary's wife.

"Yes," her husband replied. "Someone has died and, after the custom of this dark island, a relative is being strangled."

Shortly after dawn, on a beach nearby, they saw a group of natives casting into the sea the body of the man who had died a few hours earlier and also the body of his wife who had been strangled. Hastening to the shore, the missionary spoke pointedly to the natives about the wickedness of their conduct. Some of them, having for sometime been under Christian instruction, joined in the condemnation, and then set about to locate the actual murderer. In a few minutes the party returned, dragging the culprit. Seeing the white man he cried out: "Have mercy! Let me go and I will never again strangle a woman."

After an earnest talk with the guilty man, the missionary told the natives to release him. This they were at first unwilling to do, saying that he should be tied to a post for several days while he was flogged and lectured.

"No," said the white man. "Force will not do. Only the compulsion of love will avail. Was it not the love of Christ that softened your hard hearts? Use no weapon but that which our Redeemer uses, the weapons of love. Let us constantly keep our hearts open 'unto Him that loved us and washed us from our sins.'"

There we have the man and the text. The man was John Geddie, the year 1851, the place the New Hebrides [Vanuatu] and the text which wrote such a magnificent history, Revelation 1:5: "Unto Him that loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood." Like the Apostle John's his all-absorbing theme was the love of Christ. The stirring annals of John Geddie's life may be summed up in three episodes: the love of Christ captivated his young heart; the love of Christanimated his missionary labors; the love of Christ irradiated all his day.

When, after twenty-four years of toil, he answered his Lord's final summons and left the earthly scene, December 14, l872, a tablet, prepared in Sydney, was placed behind the pulpit of the church in Anelcauhat where the beloved missionary so long had preached. On it was the following inscription:

"In memory of John Geddie, D.D., born in Scotland, 1815, minister in Prince Edward Island seven years, Missionary sent from Nova Scotia to Aneiteum for twenty-four years. When he landed in 1848, there were no Christians here, and when he left in 1872 there were no heathen."
 

To read more, visit here.

Remember, Remember the 5th of November

The fifth of November is celebrated in Great Britain as Guy Fawkes day, or the gun powder plot. Back when King James ascended the throne there was a plot to overthrow the Protestant King. A mercenary named Guy Fawkes was going to explode barrels of gun powder, which he hid in a cellar under Parliment. God's mercy allowed the knowledge of this plan to reach the King. His guards found the barrels and Guy Fawkes on November 5th. It is because of this divine intervention that we now have the King James Bible- finished 6 years after this incident.

The British observse this night by lighting bon fires and shooting fireworks all over England to celebrate the safety of the King. The children also make little dolls of Guy Fawkes and then throw them into the bon fire; it is a little reminder to those who would entertain the idea of treason that the penalty is rather severe.

“Remember, remember
The fifth of November
The gunpowder treason and plot.
I know of no reason
Why the gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.”

If you want to learn more about this story, you can watch the movie "The Book That Changed The World".

The Majesty (poem)

Hearken to my voice, my friend;
I'll tell you where I've been.
To visit one, a Majesty,
Who, up in Heaven lives.
Looking down through ages past,
And over many plains, a vast
Yet barren hill there lies-
All history of His kingdom gives.
A blood-stained cross, three iron nails,
An empty tomb which never fails
To bring to light the mystery
Of He who lives as Majesty.
He died for sins; He lives for saints.
What a beautiful picture this story paints!
Hearken to my voice, my friend;
My story shall never come to an end.

-JCT

Complete In Thee (song)

This is a song that tells how much Christ has done for us. We don't need to add to his sacrifice; we only need to accept it!

Brown Bag Turkey recipe

My husband likes to listen to Kidd Kraddick. One year Kidd talked about cooking a turkey in a brown shopping bag. We decided to try it with a few tweeks of our own, and here's the recipe that we like to use.

1 turkey
1 (12 oz) bag frozen seasoning blend
1 (16 oz) jar Cajun Injector Marinade
1 cup Sprite
Olive Oil

First off, you need to make sure that your turkey is fully defrosted. It makes it so much easier. Preheat your oven to 375*. Check the weight of your turkey and remove the wrapping.
Take everything out of the turkey. You can use them for broths, stocks, or even cook them along side the turkey, but they need to be removed from the plastic bag at least.
Take your seasoning blend and Cajun Injector Marinade (we like the Creole Butter Flavor, but any flavor will do) and mix them together in a blender. You want to get it as liquidy as possible because you're going to be using the syringe and injecting it into your turkey.
Once your marinade is done, add the Sprite. The carbonation in the Sprite helps to get the flavor into the meat of the turkey.
Using your injector needle and syringe, inject the marinade all over into the turkey meat. The more you get in there, the better the taste! Don't forget the legs and wings.
Rub the breast of the turkey with olive oil, and place it face down in a roasting pan. Now, rub the backside of the turkey with olive oil. Cover the roasting pan with a large paper bag- It usually takes us 2 and we have to put one over each end and then try to shove them together so they overlap.
Sprinkle the bag with water. You don't want to drench it, but get it good and spotted. Then place the whole thing in the center of your oven.
Bake at 375* for 15 minutes per pound of turkey. Now, you're glad you looked at how much it weighed!
You can check the temperature of the turkey by sliding a meat thermometer through the bag and into the turkey. It should read between 163* and 170*.
Remove the bag when finished. You can drain the drippings and make a lovely gravy with them. If you're looking to avoid gluten, rice flour works great for making a gravy!
Hope you enjoy!

Seeking God's Blessing

Many people say they want God's blessing on their life. And I'm sure they mean it, but actions speak louder than words. God has placed certain qualifiers for people to achieve so he knows who is serious and who is all talk.
Saul said he wanted God's blessing. He even told Samuel that he had obeyed the Lord, but he was all talk. Samuel answered in I Samuel 15:22- And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
So, God would rather obedience than lip service. Do you want God's blessing? Are you giving lip service or actual service?
Ananias and Saphira were another example. They wanted God's blessing and the admiration of other Christians, but not for their real works. They wanted to pretend- lip service, rather than actual service. 

II Chronicles 16:9- For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
You can't pretend with God! He sees your heart. He knows your desires. And the scary part is that he will grant you those desires and then laugh when you face the consequences. Ezekiel 14:4- Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel
that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumbling block of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols;
Proverbs 1:25-26- But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
Do you really want God's blessing? Are you all talk? Because God's blessing does cost. You have to give up some things. David understood this and said in II Samuel 24:24- And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings untothe LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
What is the cost? Well, it is the same for every man and yet different for every man. Every man must surrender their will to God and accept his will as their own. But each man's will differs.
Some men want possessions- like Achan in Joshua 7.
Some men want a profession- like Balaam in Deuteronomy 22.
And some men choose a person- like Adam in Genesis 3.
Each of these stories ends in tragedy; not only for these men, but for those around them. Why? Because each man decided that his own desires were more important than following God's will.
Do you still want the blessing? Have you considered the cost? I will tell you that it will hurt now, but the blessings are worth it!
If you still want them you must surrender to God's will. Read your Bible daily. Pray for more than just your dinner. Take time to witness. Go to church regularly. Include the ones you love. Shouldn't they get God's blessing, too?
And lastly, you need to weed out hinderances. They may not be sins, or even bad, but they keep you from running the race. How can you get God's blessing if you aren't striving for it?
Paul said in I Corinthians 9:24- Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So, run that ye may obtain.
Are you running? Are you serving? Do you want the blessing? Or are you all talk?

Halloween and Christianity

The word "holiday" means holy day. So, what is Halloween? Where did it come from? What was it's purpose? Should a Christian celebrate it? What about substituting a "Harvest Festival" for it?
There are many questions a Christian has about Halloween. Some may even ask other Christians what they think about it. But, the real question is "What does God think about it?"
Below is a short video that gives you some answers to these questions. If you really want to know what God says, watch it. If you don't care and want to do what you want to do, that's your choice, too.

Healthy Minute- Agrisept-L

Agrisept is a citrus seed oil extract that helps to maintain the balance in the body's intestinal tract. We all have good and bad bacteria in our gut, but we also have fungi and yeasts in there. When these get out of balance it can cause a lot of health issues including candida, bad breath, poor absorption of vitamins and minerals, and much more. Agrisept can be used internally (I like to mix it with grapefruit juice or cranberry juice) or used externally.
For more information, click here or watch the 1 minute video below.

Believer's Heritage- Edward Payson

Edward Payson isn't really known today. He was a preacher in Maine during the late 1700's and early 1800's. His daughter is Elisabeth Prentiss, well known literary writer and author of the hymn 'More Love To Thee'.
Edward Payson's sermons can take you straight to the throne of heaven. They give the believer an insight into God's world and how He views our world. A lot of his sermons deal with the mercy of God toward man and the relationship of saved man toward God.
To read some of his sermons, click here.

Funny Happenings- For Better Or For Worse

One day, my son came up to me and asked me, "Why for better or for worse?"
I didn't know where the question came from, but I figured it had to do with marriage vows so I explained, "Well, when you get married the preacher says that you're to stay together for better or for worse. That means in every body's life there are good times and bad times, and you're suppose to love each other and help each other thru both."
Satisfied with my answer, my son went to share this "nugget of truth" with his sisters. After many attempts at getting them to listen, he returned to me exasperated that they didn't want to hear his "nugget".
"What's wrong, man?" I questioned.
"I'm the better. And they're the worst!" he exclaimed.

Stepping Heavenward (Book Review)

This book was written by Elisabeth Prentiss back in the mid-1800's. The author is well known for her hymn "More Love To Thee". She has authored several books for adults and children alike, including Little Suzy Stories.
Her book Stepping Heavenward is one that most people can relate to. It's written like a diary starting from the girls teen years and going into her meeting her husband, problems during their marriage, and pretty much hits on everything that one may encounter during their lifetime.
It's not a drab religious book with doctrine and hard language, but a lovely story about a growing and maturing lady. Often when reading it, I found myself thinking that she was writing about me! It helps to see that you aren't alone in your troubles and it always gives a Godley guidance.
The book can be purchased online for around $4 plus shipping. Most of the ladies and teenage girls in our church have read it and loved it!

Pumkpin Pie Cake recipe

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Step one:
1 yellow cake mix
1 stick butter, softened
1 beaten egg
Reserve 1 cup of the cake mix at the side. COmbine remaining mix with butter and egg. Batter will be thick, but creamy. Grease and flour a 9x13 pan. Spread batter into pan evenly. Preheat oven to 350*.
Step two:
1 (15 oz) can pumpkin
3 eggs
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Combine all these ingredients and then pour over batter in the pan.
Step three:
1/2 stick butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup unsalted nuts
reserved 1 cup cake mix
Combine ingredients well. Sprinkle over top of pumpkin mixture. Bake uncovered 1 hour. Do not cover tightly when done or it will get soggy and nasty.

Keep It Stupid Simple (preaching video)

A wonderful message on simplicity. If you'd like to hear more by this pastor please visit the link below.
http://www.kingjamesbiblebaptistchurch.org

Little Eyes Upon You (poem)

There are little eyes upon you
and they're watching night and day.
There are little ears that quickly
take in every word you say.
There are little hands all eager
to do anything you do;
And a little boy who's dreaming
of the day he'll be like you.
You're the little fellow's idol,
youre the wisest of the wise.
In his little mind about you
no suspicions ever rise.
He believes in you devoutly,
holds all you say and do;
He will say and do, in your way
when he's grown up just like you.
There's a wide-eyed little fellow
who believes you're always right;
and his eyes are always opened,
and he watches day and night.
You are setting an example
every day in all you do;
For the little boy who's waiting
to grow up to be like you.
Author Unknown

His Robes For Mine (song)

This song was such a blessing to me! If not for Christ taking my place on Calvary, I'd have no hope for salvation. It's wonderful to know that when God looks at me he doesn't see all the sin, pride, and all the other junk that goes on in my life. Christ paid for all of that and when God looks at me, he sees a spotless child of God!

Dedicated To God

We should know that there is an obvious plan for everything that God created. But, as humans, we have a free will to choose to live the way God wants us to or to live the way that we want to.
Judges 21:25- In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
What is the goal in your life? Do you desire to fulfilled your own hopes and dreams or are you looking to follow the plan that God created you to fulfill?
How about this- Who are you living for? Is everything you hope to accomplish in life revolving around self and earthly endeavors?
Colossians 1:10- That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Christ wants us to bear fruit. The Lord has given us everything we have and all he asks is for us to give back to Him.
Hebrews 12:1- Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 
As we grow in the Lord, He will show us that there are things that he wants us to give up for Him. Are they sins? No. They are weights.
Let's say that God calls you to be a missionary in India. The people of India are mostly vegetarian. A possible weight would be meat. If you offend these people, they won't listen to you about the gospel. Is meat wrong to eat? Of course not! But Paul says in I Corinthians 8:13- Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
How about education? Education is very good if it is used for God. However, there are some people who only gain knowledge so they can argue a point. We aren't called to argue points; we are called to win souls!
I Timothy 6:4-5- He is proud, knowing nothing,butdotingabout questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
1Ti 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from
such withdraw thyself.
Our lives should be dedicated to seeking God's will and doing it. What does God want from you? What is He pressing on your heart?
You see, God has a plan and He wants to start getting you ready now to fulfill it.
II Timothy 2:4- No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
Many people say "When I'm older I'll serve Christ". The problem with that is they gather too many weights. They bog themselves down with the affairs of this life and it handicaps them.
A vehicle can easily travel 70 mph on the interstate and make it to a certain destination in a fair amount of time. However, that same vehicle can't go more than 55 mph if it's towing a heavy load. You add hours to the trip and delay reaching the goal.
Now think of that in years. A child who dedicates himself to Christ, seeks His will, and prepares to follow Christ's plan for his life will make it years before the one who lives for himself and has to clean up a mess before going on to serve. How many souls died without hearing him tell them the gospel?
I Corinthians 6:19-29- What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Christ paid a great price for you. Are you willing to trust Him? Will you allow Him to guide you?
Acts 20:24- But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Will you equip yourself now to finish with joy like Paul? Or is your life too important to risk losing what you want? I can promise you this- A life lived doing God's work in God's way will receive God's blessing. And I've yet to find one person who gave up their desires to fulfill Christ's will for their life that has ever regretted that choice!