Tom Toya's Blog (Send Me - Isaiah 6:8)

A Prayerful Challenge Update

2012-02-15T20:34:00.000-06:00

I have been praying for a family that lives near me. Today, I bought Pillsbury cookie dough – the kind that comes in a tube. Although I'm not the greatest around the kitchen, I think I can handle baking some delicious treats for my neighbors. I may see if my wife, Lou, would like to help. She doesn't always like me fooling around in the kitchen. I tend to make a mess when I cook, but I always clean up when I'm finished.

My goal is simply to be a blessing to them. They are kind people. I may include a tract that I have written with the plate. The tract tells the gospel story in a winsome way. I am not interested in pushing them to come to Christ. I just want to show them Christ love and gently point the way. Have you thought of someone who you could be a blessing to? Remember, you are the light of the world.

Blessings,

Tom

The Body

2012-02-11T20:20:00.000-06:00

We are the light of the world
The light is composed of a myriad of colors
We are the body of Christ
The body has many parts
Many functions

None of us are the same
We each play a part
In the performance of the Divine drama

We are kingdom makers
Instruments in His symphony

Let us lift up each other
For none is insignificant
All are worth the Son

Many races
Many faces
Make up this body
We sing for the glory of the One
Who is Light
We are the colors
Of this Light

Let us display His glory
As one
For He prayed that we'd be one
Jesus cried out for us
To be one body

One force
Made up of a multitude of faces
Reflecting His glory
For as one
We are greater than the sum
Of each member

Blessed to Be a Blessing

2012-02-10T19:31:00.001-06:00

The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you. I will make your name great and you will be a blessing.” Genesis 12:1-2

If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:29

Those that belong to Christ are heirs of the promises of God. Jesus has given us all things (See 1 Corinthians 3:21). We have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ (See Ephesians 1:3). Although our lives may not always seem to reflect these realities, they are nevertheless true. Our position in Christ is that of a child showered with abundance. Our baskets are full to overflowing.

God desires to meet our every need. He wants to encompass us with great blessings. One of the reasons for this is so that we can be a blessing to someone else. We are blessed to be a blessing. We are conduits of His power and grace, channels of His love, peace, and material supply. If our heart is bent on helping others, our Lord will see that His blessing is manifested in our lives. Jesus always gives seed to the sower (See 2 Corinthians 9:10).

Let's learn to see the Father as a good God. Let's remember that it was He who sent His son to die for us. His love is limitless. Although this is true, God's blessing does not come to us automatically. Abram, who God later named Abraham, did not receive the blessing until he took a step of obedient faith. Abram left his country to follow the Lord's leading. We too must obey the Lord's voice. We must follow His leading. The promises of God can never be earned, but they are realized when we get into the proper position. This means we must follow the Lord's direction, and it means we must walk by faith.

This year let's lay hold of God's promises to us not only so we can be blessed, but also so that we might be a blessing to others. Let the Lord lead you to be a blessing to someone today. Whether it's a heartfelt prayer, a kind word, the sharing of your testimony, or a timely gift given in secret, your act of kindness can touch a life. Let's endeavor to be channels of His blessings to others.

Dear Father God,

I believe You are always good to me. You have promised me wonderful things. Help me to receive all that you have for me, and help me to follow You through your written word and through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Lord, I desire to be a blessing to others. Help me to give to others what you have given me. Show me who I could be a blessing to this very day. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Pray and Obey

2012-02-05T16:09:00.001-06:00

Have you prayed about who you could influence for the kingdom? Remember we are not responsible for the results. All we have to do is pray for the unsaved and be a light to them. We are to leave the ultimate outcome in the Lord's hands. Please read below. This is something the Lord spoke to me today. I believe it will encourage you.

My Son,

I have chosen you along with the rest of My body to represent Me. You were made to bring Me glory - to set the captives free. Yes, pray for those in darkness. Pray, Pray, Pray! Then, let your light shine. Many are hanging in the balance. They need your effort to help them to move into My presence. They need to make the shift from dark to light. Be not afraid of them; they are people just like you. They deserve to know My story. My grace reaches out to them. My grace reaches out to the ends of the earth. Pray, pray, and obey. And I will use you to bring them in, says the Lord.

A Prayerful Challenge

2012-01-31T19:21:00.002-06:00

The prayer of a righteous man (or woman) is powerful and effective.
James 5:16

There are many things on the earth that are powerful from the tiny atom, which man has learned to harness, to the enormous blue whale. Earthquakes and hurricanes wreak havoc upon the earth. They are also quite powerful. But I would argue that nothing is as powerful as Spirit-led prayer. Prayer can restore sight to the blind, heal the leper or the lame, and soften the hardest heart. Yes, God does miracles today through the prayers of His people!

I would like to present a challenge to everyone who reads this blog - myself included. I would ask that you invite the Lord to show you one person or one family to pray for. I am asking that you choose individuals, who, as far as you know, have not met the Savior. I would like us to commit to praying for them for 30 days, 2-5 minutes or more each day. Pray that they would be receptive to the good news of the gospel. Take authority over the enemy (in Jesus name) who has blinded their spiritual eyes. Pray for their physical needs as well. When you pray, expect God to move!

As you pray, ask God to show you how to intercede and listen for Him to guide you. Consider fasting for all or part of this time. During this season, be sensitive to ways in which you can show them the love of God. Be kind to them, and get creative. Maybe you can bring them some cookies or help them in some practical way. Be open to sharing your testimony with them, if you have the opportunity.

I understand that a challenge like this can be intimidating. Reaching out to others is risky. We do not know how people will respond to our efforts to pray and show kindness. But it is possible that God will use us in a mighty way. It is possible that the lost will be saved, if only we’ll obey. If you would like to take this challenge with me, please send me a comment on this blog to let me know. Let’s also pray for each other in our efforts to win the lost into the kingdom.

I would like to officially start this on February 7, 2012. So the thirty-day period would be from February 7th to March 7th. I look forward to serving others with you for the sake of the kingdom.

Blessings,

Tom Toya

The Radiant One

2012-01-30T18:37:00.000-06:00

The day will come
When we will live in the Presence of the Son
The Radiant One

Those in Christ will receive
A glorious inheritance
Unearned treasure
The Father’s blessing

We will be clothed in bodies immortal
With heaven our home
His Presence our portion
We will delight in sweet intimacy with the Trinity
Our faces beholding His glory

Our momentary troubles on earth
Will be worth the inconvenience

Sow seeds in the garden of men’s hearts
Look to win them for eternity
Once the Son returns, it will be too late
Then we can no more win the hearts of men

Until that day
Let us pray
And winsomely beckon those in the dark
To come to the Son
The radiant One
Then heaven will forever be their home

Carrying the Weight of the Gospel

2012-01-23T17:42:00.001-06:00

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

When a personal trainer instructs his client to bench press a heavy weight, he spots the individual. If the client is not able to carry the weight, the trainer helps lift the weight so the trainee does not suffer injury. God wants us to carry the weight of the gospel. He wants us to share it with others. Sometimes sharing the gospel can be difficult. Not everyone responds positively to the good news. Persecution can be painful, and no one likes to be rejected. But the Lord will not allow us to take on more than we can handle.

God wants us to have a passion for souls. Some have called this having a “burden for souls”. The plight of the sinner should weigh heavily upon our consciences. Those that have a burden for souls, pray often for the unsaved. They are poised, ready for any opportunity to share the message. Let’s take up our cross and follow the Master. Let’s allow Him to use us in the fight for men’s souls. Though the battle can make us weary, our Father will not give us more than we can handle.

Love

2012-01-15T20:29:00.000-06:00

Love is patient
Love is kind
Forgives a fault
Every time
Reaches far
Beyond the pain
To love a foe
In Jesus name

For God so loved the world He gave
All He was
In the most costly way
He took our place upon the cross
So we would not
Suffer loss

We were His enemies by nature
Yet He loved us
Our beloved Savior

Love believes the best
Even when we are at our worst
Love causes us to rest
Quenches all our thirst

The love of God
Drives away all fear
The love of God
Causes us to cheer

Thank You Lord for Your mercy
Your love beyond measure
Thank for forgiving me
And giving me this treasure
A relationship with You Lord
Is the greatest thing I've known
This love that you have given me
Causes me to grow

You are loving
You are Love
You came down from up above
You are loving
You are Truth
And I am nothing without You

A Prophetic Word for 2012

2012-01-01T19:50:00.002-06:00

This is a prophetic word that I gave this morning at Family Life Christian Center in Wheaton, IL. I hope it stirs you to follow the Lord more closely. Happy New Year!

My chosen ones. My daughters. My sons.
I am coming soon. I will return to take my bride.
To bring you home. But my hand is on you now to go and spread my word.
Use the gifts that I have given you to bring them home.
Let the grace that I have shown you move you to compassion.
For this is a year of evangelism. This is a year to shine my light in the night.
I will use each of you. Let me give you my boldness. Let me clothe you in my anointing. Yes, you can be yourself in the power of My Spirit. Yes, I will use you. All I ask is that You take a step - one step of obedience at a time. Yes, I will use you my chosen ones. Use you to bring in the harvest, says the Lord.

Joy Comes to Stay

2011-12-30T20:35:00.003-06:00

What do we do when the black cloud lingers?
When disappointments hang overhead?
What do we do when joy slips through our fingers?
When great expectations turn sour instead?

Where are God's answers at times like these?
Why is there silence from the Prince of Peace?

But He holds the tapestry of our lives
He weaves the perfect end
We are not losers, with Him we'll eventually win

It may be further down the road when we find the answer
It may be when we see Him face to face
But every tear, every pain, every scar He surely will erase

Pain comes to every life
Father God will hold us in His arms
Pain comes to every life
But Jesus heals us from everything that harms

Victory awaits the upright
Joy comes to stay
When we wait upon the Lord
He will make a way

Sorrow may visit for a night
But in the morning, joy comes to stay

Change

2011-12-27T18:57:00.000-06:00

Change don’t come easy for this old stubborn mule
But You know how to humble me
A sharp rebuke is sometimes the best thing for me
With Your help, Lord, I’ll gallop down the trail
The one that leads me to Your ranch

I’m sorry for messing things up
For being stiff like a stick in the wind
Help me to create new habits
Habits that round up for me your blessings
And that cause me to ride on with excellence and honor
Keep me true, Lord, until the setting of the sun

Heaven

2011-12-22T18:04:00.000-06:00

One day we shall cross the great divide
Those of us who have embraced Christ
Will find eternal, unspeakable joy
In the company of loved ones gone before
In the presence of the One
Who heals all hurts
Who will encompass us with glory

He is seated on the Throne
Justice and Mercy reign
He who is seated on the Throne
Is like no other
He is Love and Truth personified
He is our Champion, our victory

One day we will meet Him face to face
He will not turn His gaze
He will hold us in His loving embrace
Oh Lord, come quickly

What Gift Are You After?

2011-12-19T23:17:00.004-06:00

Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3:2 KJV

Of all the gifts you could obtain this Christmas, what would you like to receive? If you could have anything... anything, what would it be? What gift are you after? Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit in hopes of being God-like. Cain desired the death of his brother. Samson coveted beautiful women. These represent individuals with desires that missed the mark of God's design. But Solomon sought wisdom, David longed for God's presence, and John desired to walk in love.

Temporal things have there place. God does care about our finances. He still heals diseases and causes mountains to move as we speak His word. But some things have a higher priority in God's economy. God desires for us to have a passion for Him above all else.

This Christmas let's set our affections on things above. If you haven't accepted God's gift of salvation to you, please pray the following prayer from your heart. If you're sincere, the Lord will save you from your sin, you will begin a wonderful relationship with the One who created you, and you will enjoy eternal life.

Dear Father God,

I admit to you that I am a sinner and that I have missed the mark of Your holiness. I ask you to forgive me of my sins. I thank you for sending Jesus to die for me in my place, to take upon Himself the penalty of my sin. I believe Jesus rose from the dead. I believe I am forgiven, and I choose to live for You with all of my heart. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

If this is the first time you've prayed a prayer like this, let me say congratulations. You are now a member of God's family. You are born again, and one day you will enter into heaven. Let me encourage you to take the following steps.

Read the Bible – Read a little bit each day. Start with the gospel of John.

Pray daily – Prayer is talking to God. It is two-way communication. The Lord wants to hear your voice and your heart, and He also wants to communicate His loving thoughts to you.

Share your newfound relationship with Christ to others. They too need to hear the good news.

Ask the Lord to baptize you in His Holy Spirit.

Ask the Lord to lead you to a Bible-believing, Spirit-filled church.

Love Incarnate

2011-12-13T16:42:00.000-06:00

Here is a poem I included as a post last year. I hope you like it....

Centuries before the prophets foretold
Of the coming of the King
When the time arrived, on that blessed night
The angels began to sing

The shepherds were thrilled with the news that filled
The cold, crisp air that first Christmas
A Baby born to save the world
This suffering, Servant, witness

Behold the Lamb lying in a manger
Love incarnate
He comforts the lost stranger
Bethlehem's Savior

Ruler of every king
To Jew and Gentile freedom rings
He came to give us all we need
This Baby boy we worship

Emanuel, God with us
We live to honor You
You are the Life and the Way
And yes, You are the Truth

We worship You O God-Child
You soon will come again
In power and in glory
To judge the living and the dead

Help us to spread Your message far and wide
The true tale of Love personified
Teach us each to sincerely love
To view each one as God does

Let us worship the Lamb
Love incarnate
The Great I Am

Choosing Humility

2011-12-10T19:58:00.001-06:00

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:29-30

We find peace when we yield to the Spirit's way and do not push against it. When we take upon ourselves the yoke of our Lord, He helps us along the path of life. The way of the Lord is found by those who choose humility. It is an easy way – one where Jesus helps us carry the weight of our burdens.

But the proud in heart oppose God, and God opposes them. 1 Peter 5:5 puts it this way, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Grace is the Lord's enabling power. The Lord stops the proud but extends his hand to lift up the lowly.

When we surrender our lives to the Lord, we find rest. Peace saturates us, and the Father guides us in the way of peace towards Him and towards others.

When we embrace humility, we also find that Christ is there to teach us His precious truths. His wisdom daily transforms us and makes us holy.

Let's surrender our wills to God. Let's choose humility. Though we will still experience troubles in this life, we will find our burdens to be much lighter. We will find rest for our souls. Let's not push against God's way for our lives, instead let's dive into the plan and purposes that God has for each of us.

No Ordinary Child

2011-12-01T19:54:00.000-06:00

A Baby was born two millennia ago
This was no ordinary Child
Conceived by the Holy Spirit
Son of Joseph and Mary
Yet Son of God

Shepherds heard the angels sing
Glory to the newborn King
Hosanna in the highest

Born in a manger
Surrounded by farm animals
The stuff of earth

This One now leads us
This One now saves us
This One is the Word made flesh

Fully man, fully God
The child became our Master
King of kings and Lord of lords

You were God before
You are God now
In ages past, You created the world
Along with the Father and the Spirit
The Three, One
You created paradise

When man fell
You made a way of redemption
You willingly came to earth
To live
To die
To live again

Your death paid the ransom for our souls
You were born as a baby
To live before us
To preach, teach, heal, and deliver
To suffer and die in our place
On the cruel cross

We gave you our sin
You gave us Your righteousness
Without You we are nothing

Thank you for leaving glory
To come and live among us
Lord, we owe you everything we have
And everything we are

Hope

2011-11-26T18:22:00.000-06:00

Hope steadfastly in the Lord
With confident expectation
A belief in promises fulfilled

Hope paints a vision for our future
Hope deferred makes the heart sick
But a longing fulfilled is a tree of life

Hope is a firm foundation
An anchor for the soul
As we hope unswervingly
We become stable like the mighty oak

Hope yields a bright future
Growing brighter and brighter till the full day

Our hope like a flower
Opens up to the Son
All glory to the Eternal One
Who is faithful
He will bring our every dream
That bows to His sovereign will
To pass

Take Heart

2011-11-19T15:10:00.003-06:00

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Let's face it, this world is not always an inviting place. Things don't always turn out the way we would like them to. People can let us down. The circumstances surrounding our lives can sometimes cause us to suffer hardship. Jesus promised us that in this world we would have trouble, but He said, “...take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.

If your days seem dark and difficult, know that as you put your trust in the Lord, He will bring you out into a spacious place. He will cause you to rise up from the ashes. He will heal you from all disappointment. The Lord will comfort you in the midst of your duress, and He will bring you out. He will cause you to shine even brighter than you did before. And He will use you to comfort others with the comfort that God has shown you.

The Lord is close to us when we experience trouble. Let's put our trust in Him; we will not be ashamed. He is the God of all comfort and the God of hope. If things seem hopeless, know that God is in control. He will heal you, He will comfort You, and He will cause you to overcome every obstacle. He will refine you during this time and will cause you display His glory more clearly to those that need Him. Take heart my friend, God is on your side.

Dear Father God,

I thank You that You hear my every prayer. I ask You to be with me in the hard times. I ask You to perfect me and to bring me out into a spacious place. I thank You that I am an overcomer. Thank You for causing me to shine brighter and brighter until the day of Christ's coming. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Seek Him First

2011-11-11T19:10:00.002-06:00

I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:21

What do you long for? What do you seek after? Is it comfort and security? Is it financial abundance? How about vibrant health or a miracle of healing? There is nothing wrong with pursuing the fulfillment of these desires. In fact, God promises us these things in the Scriptures. But the Lord wants us to seek first the things of God. He wants us to desire above all things to be found in Him, to be clothed in His righteousness.

The Lord is to be our portion. This means that to each of us our relationship with Him must be paramount. We must seek to be in His Presence always. We must desire Him above all other things. Yes, the Lord desires to bless us, but He is also a jealous God and He will fight to secure His place as King of our hearts. Lets seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, then all these things we desire will be added unto us (See Matthew 6:33) in the Lord’s way and in His time.

A Thankful Life

2011-11-09T19:44:00.000-06:00

Give thanks for all He has done
And for all He has yet to do

Let gratitude ring true in our hearts
Like a symphony of praise
Like a beautiful song
Let thankful harmonies
Echo throughout the earth

We are called to be thankful
To praise the One who made us
To praise the One who fills us with His Spirit

Praise is comely for the upright
A thankful heart brings us joy
It causes our countenance to shine

Lifted hands receive God’s glory
Praise opens windows
For the Father’s blessings to pour down upon us

When we thank and praise Him
The enemy runs out of town

Let’s cultivate a thankful heart
Thankful lips
And a thankful life

The Tale of Sam Sunder

2011-10-31T17:59:00.000-05:00

Almost a year ago, Sam Sunder lost his footing only to find himself belly up floating downstream during one of the area's greatest floods. Sam was tiny then, and the tragedy separated him from all family and friends.

As an orphan, he had to pick up information along the way. Growing up can be difficult without someone to teach you. But Sam was smart, though perhaps not very wise. He learned quickly how to gather leaves and save for the future. He became an expert at dodging long-beaked birds and curious children, who laughed and ran in the woods looking for a Science specimen.

But Sam had one problem. It hounded him every morning and every night regardless if the day was happy or sad. He observed his world and found many wonders such as the prancing deer, the howling bear, the princely fox, and the regal eagle – in Sam's estimation, this was God's most amazing animal. He thought, To fly, now that would be heavenly! His mind soon mocked him, and he wondered why God made him a worm. I am the most lowly of creatures, of what use am I?

Past the tree where Sam sat brooding, a serious meeting of robins formed. As they gathered round, their chief counselor pronounced judgment on a young, wounded bird. “He has been injured quite severely and will never fly again. He can no longer be part of our clan. This is his own doing – a careless oversight on his part!” Then after a brief pause, the counselor pointed to the fledgling and said, “You young lad, will no longer be part of our alliance. We will have to let you go.” With that the flock of robins took to flight and left the hapless creature to fend for himself.

Sam watched the brown bird nursing his wing. With hesitation, he maneuvered his way nearer and said, “Hey there Mr. Robin, you look like you could use some help.”

“Yes, I guess I could. I've had an unfortunate fall.”
"Listen,” said Sam, “I can help you, just as long as you promise not to eat me.”
“Not a problem,” replied the Robin, “besides, I prefer eating berries.”
With that agreed, Sam built a comfortable place for the bird to rest using sticks and leaves, and he also made the robin a splint for his wing. Sam learned that the bird's name was Jeremy, and the two of them became best friends.

Jeremy often told Sam stories of his adventures in the air. Like the time he fell asleep on a dead limb that broke free. By the time he woke up, he was only a few feet away from crashing to the ground. But Jeremy soared skillfully to safety.

Eventually, Jeremy's wing healed, he flew again, and both the bird and the worm gave thanks.
Sam was happy for his friend, and he accepted his place in life. He understood that maybe he would never be able to fly. He was, however, able to help his friend soar once again. Older, wiser, and now very sleepy, Sam crawled onto a large tree trunk and instinctively began to weave a cocoon around his long, fat body. He stayed there asleep for many days... Seasons change, even for Sam, and the day arrived when he awoke from his long nap. He struggled to get free from the cocoon's shell. It took some time, but he made his way out. Sam looked at his new body and was amazed at the metamorphosis. He soon discovered he had wings to fly. After a time of adjustment to his new wings, he sailed effortlessly through the air with his friend Jeremy.

Sam looked beyond himself and his own worries to help another in need. He spent time at Jeremy's side, nursing him to health. In the end, after enabling Jeremy to recover, Sam's own desire of being airborne transpired. When we reach out to others in the Spirit of Christ's love, enabling them to succeed, many times we discover that our own God-inspired dreams take flight.

© Copyright 2011 by Tom Toya. All rights reserved.

Thank You for Your Mercy

2011-10-23T15:47:00.001-05:00

Don't sit in darkness
Your back turned to the light
Open up and let the Daystar shine on you

There is forgiveness for you
No matter how far you've strayed
The Father will run to you
And restore you
He will remove all your shame

His mercies are new every morning
There is a time to mourn over sin and failure
But after He washes us
After we have turned from our sin
To the Master
We must stand in His righteousness

We who are Christ followers
Are the redeemed, the forgiven
Gratitude rises up in our hearts

Let us forgive those who have harmed us
Let us proclaim His mercy
Without Him we are nothing
Without His touch we are utterly broken

But He has redeemed us
Because of His blood
We have been made completely righteous
Right-standing with God is our breastplate
Thank you Lord for Your great and abundant mercy
Thank you for forgiving us when we each had lost our way

Enter into His Joy

2011-10-17T22:44:00.001-05:00

His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' Matthew 25:21

Real joy is a fruit of the Spirit. It infuses us with strength, enthusiasm, and motivation. Did you know that real joy is also a product of our faithfulness to God? When we cultivate and use the talents the Lord has given us for His kingdom pursuits, we discover joy in the process. In the parable of the talents, the master commended two out of three of the servants for their faithfulness. He promised to give them greater responsibility and influence. He also promised to cause them to enter into his joy. The third servant fearfully hid his talent in a hole in the ground. His master said he was a wicked and lazy servant. He rewarded the servant by banishing him to a place of torment.

When we pursue God's assignment for our lives, when we cultivate our gifts and talents, the Lord fills us with joy. But when we ignore our Master's plan for our lives, we suffer the torment of knowing we are not fulfilling His will. I would encourage you to assess your life. Ask the Lord to uncover your gifts. Trust him to reveal to you what your contribution to the kingdom is to be. Then go after it. As you are faithful, you will live with a sense of purpose, and you will enter into His joy.

Your Majesty (We Don’t Deserve)

2011-10-13T18:06:00.000-05:00

We don’t deserve the mercies You lavishly bestow
Your forgiveness that freely flows
The kindness that You always show

We deserve a place called hell
Where suffering never ceases
Where the imprisoned can’t find freedom

Where fear and pain reign
Where hopelessness remains

But You, Oh God, rescued us from shame
Filled us with Your praise
Healed our every pain

Thank you for giving us
What we do not deserve
One day in heaven we will serve
Your Majesty

Fear Not

2011-09-30T19:12:00.001-05:00

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

Fear immobilizes us like a poisonous dart that spreads paralysis. Fear is one of Satan’s most potent and most used weapons. All of us have been guilty of yielding to its sway at times. Fear has many faces. There is the fear of failure, the fear of man, the fear of sickness, the fear of responsibility, the fear of heights, the fear of being alone, and the fear of death to name a few.

The good news is that the remedy for this demonic foe is found in Christ. The word of God says that God has not given us a spirit of timidity or fear. Instead, he has clothed us with a spirit of power (God’s ability and authority), love, and self-discipline or a sound mind. When we are tempted to fear, we must speak God’s word against the enemy of our souls. 2 Timothy 1:7 is a good scripture to begin with. We have also been give authority to use the name of Jesus and the blood of Jesus against our adversary. Here is an example of how we can pray and exercise spiritual warfare:

Father God, I thank you that You have not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. In the name of Jesus, I command you spirit of fear to flee from me for I am covered by the blood of Jesus. You have no right to come against me. I command you to flee in Jesus name.

Father God I ask you to fill me with your Holy Spirit afresh and anew, in Jesus name I pray. Amen.

We must recognize that we are in a spiritual battle and that fear is a spirit. It is also important that we learn to face our fears. Many times the enemy works to make us afraid to keep us from flowing in a spiritual gift. When I was a young Christian, I had a strong desire to tell others about the good news of salvation. There was one problem - I struggled with a fear of man and had a difficult time sharing my faith with unbelievers because of it. But I began to face my fears. I would buy gospel tracks and place them in phone booths and on car windows. These actions helped to break the fear of witnessing over me. Now I have much more freedom in this area and because of God’s grace I have had the opportunity of leading a number of people to Jesus.

If you are battling with a specific fear, identify it and ask God to help you overcome it. Stand on His word. Exercise spiritual warfare, and learn to face your fears. Step by step God will bring you out into the wide open space of His liberty.

The last thing I would like to remind you of is that God loves you. 1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” The more we receive God’s love for us the more we will love Him and others and the more we will find release from fear. Meditate on scriptures that focus on God’s love for you. This kind of revelation will banish fear from your presence.

If you are feeling afraid, know that God has not left you alone. He has given you the tools to triumph. Take to heart what I have shared with you and put these things into practice. I believe the Lord would say to you, “Fear not my child for I am with you always.”

God's Love

2011-09-24T18:04:00.001-05:00

It's the greatest thing in heaven and earth
It triumphs over all the world

Its hand can heal the twisted soul
Make broken lives completely whole

It is love, God's love

When Christ hung
On that splintered cross
It was love that moved Him
To save the lost

It was love, God's love

When we face an enemy
And choose to pray for him or her
On bended knee

When we extend our hands
To feed the poor
And to the outcast open the door
We display

Love, God's love

For no attribute can compare
To the greatest gift we have to share
Though many live unaware

Let's give to each other love, God's love

For have you heard? Did you know?
That God is love from head to toe.
If He's the One we're living for

We'll walk in love, God's love

Good News Bears Expression

2011-09-09T11:42:00.001-05:00

“Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” Mark 16:15

A young woman lies silent in a hospital bed. Infected with a dangerous virus; her health plummets. Many pray for her healing. During the first and second day in the hospital, she remains unconscious. It is as if she is courting death. But after three days she awakes and her husband hears the doctor say, “She will live and not die.” The words, like a flash of lightening, ignite the man’s soul.

He phones his friends and relatives to communicate the good news. Good news bears expression. When we are excited about something wonderful that has happened to us, we are compelled to share it with others.

When we receive blessings from God’s hand whether we experience salvation, healing, protection, deliverance, or provision, we are inspired to share what we have received with others. Jesus commanded each of us to go and publish the good news of salvation – the news that was once new to us. We have been commissioned to gossip the gospel – to let others know what the Lord can do for them. We are lights in a world with blinders on. With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can make an eternal difference in their lives. They, like us in the past, are doomed to die. But Jesus is the remedy for their plight. Because of Him, they can live and not die.

Let us be the bearers of good news to those who haven’t heard they can be forgiven. The world is waiting – what a privilege, what an awesome opportunity. Let’s say yes to the call.

Dear Lord of the Harvest,

Help me to realize all that You’ve done for me. Help me to remember especially how you brought me out of darkness and welcomed me into the light. Enable me to go and make disciples of those lost in the dark. Thank you Jesus for entrusting me with this all-important responsibility. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

A Prophetic Word, 9/4/11

2011-09-04T16:29:00.001-05:00

Here is a prophetic word that the Lord had me give this morning at my church (Family Life Christian Center). I hope it is an encouragement to you.

Salvation is coming on the clouds. My healing, My power, My glory is coming on the clouds. Fresh waves of My Spirit will come to you as you expect me to meet you. I am the glory and the lifter of your head. I am your exceedingly great reward. I am your peace and your strength in troubled times. I am your Champion. I will protect you from the evil one. Let me guide you. Let me lead you in bringing my glory to others to those who have not tasted that the Lord is good. Let me use you as a beacon to shine my light in the dark places. Behold I am coming soon. Be ready. I love you My children, My chosen ones. I love you.

When Mercy Came

2011-08-22T21:09:00.000-05:00

Mercy opened my eyes to see
Your glory now revealed
Mercy healed my broken heart
Forged a brand new start

Mercy calmed the tempestuous tides
Within this heart of mine
Created peace inside me
Fashioned perfect harmony

Pain and bitterness melted away
When You arrived on the scene
Fear and gloom took flight

Thank You Jesus Christ
For You are Love
You are Mercy Personified
God bless the day
When Mercy came to stay

While We Wait

2011-08-10T18:51:00.000-05:00

They say that good things come to those who wait
But what happens when we procrastinate?
Do we wait for God to move without moving ourselves?
Is there something we should be doing
While we exercise patience?

Yes, we must believe for the promise to arrive
But faith without works is dead
Is there something in our hand to offer God
While He waits for the opportune time to bless us?

Lord search our hearts and help us
To prepare for all you have for us
Give us wisdom and grace
To win the race
To see Your promise face to face

Overcoming Sexual Temptation

2011-08-06T23:37:00.002-05:00

I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.
Job 31:1

God has called His children to sexual purity. We are to have clean hands and a pure heart. But many believers are falling prey to pornography, and some Christians have participated in premarital sex or have had an affair. Sexual intimacy was created by God. It is a beautiful thing when enjoyed within the context of a marital relationship.

When I was a teenager I had a problem with lust. Although I became a Christian at age 18, my struggles continued. It wasn't until I began to saturate myself with God's word concerning this issue and began to speak it aloud in the face of temptation that I found greater and greater victory. When Jesus was tempted, He spoke the word of God to the devil. This was how Jesus won the battle and it is also how we can triumph over our foe (See Matthew 4:1-11).

Another way to overcome the temptation of lust is to bring it out into the open. Find a believer who is mature and trustworthy and share your struggles with this individual. Ask this person to pray for you and to be an accountability partner for you. James 5:16 says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

A third step in growing in purity is to run from temptation. 2 Timothy 2:22 says, “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” We are to run from sexual temptation. This means that we are to keep ourselves from looking at images on the Internet that would compromise our integrity. It may mean that we purchase software that will protect us from pornographic sites. It means that we are to grow in discernment and discretion when interacting with the opposite sex.

Please understand that there is mercy for us when we fall. God forgives our every sin. There are consequences because of our sin that we may have to deal with, but our Lord always forgives us when we confess and repent of our wrongdoing.

It took me a number of years to find substantial victory in this area. I praise God for His overcoming power. He really does set the captives free.

If you are struggling with sexual temptation please pray the prayer below.

Dear Merciful Lord,

Your word says in Romans 6:11 that I am to count myself dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. I confess to You that I struggle with sexual temptation. I ask you Lord to set me free. I choose to saturate myself in your word concerning this issue. I choose to speak it out loud in the face of temptation. I ask to you to show me who I can talk with about my struggles and I promise to do my best, with Your help, to run from temptation. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

To Obey

2011-07-25T17:56:00.000-05:00

To obey is better than sacrifice
Jesus modeled obedience for us when
He paid the price

We will
Say yes to the Spirit’s call
Be willing to give Him our all
Humble ourselves lest we fall

We will
Hide God’s word inside
Through His grace we’ll thrive
As He teaches us to abide

We will follow Him
As His blood cleanses us from sin
His faith causes us to win

To obey is by far the better way

Be Faithful

2011-07-20T19:46:00.001-05:00

And the things you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
2 Timothy 2:2

God is not impressed with our talents or giftedness. He does not admire individuals because they have charisma or because they have achieved great success. God looks for faithfulness. He is interested in our fidelity to Him. He wants to know that we are loyal to Him no matter what.

He does want us to be faithful with the gifts and talents He has given us. He also desires for us to develop our skills whatever they are. He wants us to use all that we have for the furtherance of His kingdom and for His glory.

God is looking for men, women, and children who will be faithful to Him. As we are faithful with little things, He will give us more to steward. Like an apprentice learning a new craft, let's apply ourselves to the things that the Lord has entrusted us with. After we are faithful for a time, he will promote us so that we are more useful to Him. Let's also remember to be faithful to one another. If we will journey down this path, one day we will hear Jesus say, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” Then all our hard work and sacrifice will be worth it.

Journal Entry, 7/9/11

2011-07-09T14:31:00.001-05:00

Here is something that the Lord spoke to my heart today...

Dear Holy Spirit,

I love you. You are mine; I am yours. Lord, what would you say to me?

I have chosen you Tom, yes I have. Read my word Tom. It is the impetus for change. My word transforms and heals. It destroys and rebuilds. I desire to build within you a foundation of stone. It is my word that will fortify you. Surrender all to me. I am your strength and your song. I am your deliverer. Allow me to define your boundaries. Allow me to cause you to bear more fruit. I want to use you to bring in the harvest. There is much work to be done. Come and seek me. I will fill you with all that I am; I will enable you to bring in the harvest. I will increase your effectiveness as you come unto me. I love you and I will never forsake you. Come.

I hope this blessed you.

Tom

In Your Fire

2011-06-29T19:02:00.000-05:00

Baptize me, Lord, in Your Fire
Enable me to reach higher
Spirit purify
Come and sanctify
Set me apart for Your glory
Help me to be for You holy

Teach me to run from the worldly
Live out Your will now through me
By Your grace let me love you
By Your grace let me serve you

Baptize me, Lord, in Your Fire
You are my ardent desire
Come and convict me
Of things I can see
Of things I don’t perceive

Help me to change
By Your grace
Let my heart be a flame
Let me seek to know Your ways

Baptize me, Lord in Your Fire

Help us to Love

2011-06-24T16:15:00.000-05:00

Help us to love
As You love
Unselfishly
As You love

With all our hearts
As You love
Towards the unlovely
Even towards our enemies

Let love guide our hearts
Let it be the motive behind our actions
Let it spring from an understanding
Of Your love for us

Refine us in the fire
Let us prefer others
As better than ourselves
Let us live by the law of love

Help us to love as You love
Unreservedly as You love
Help us to love with abandon
Toward those You died for
Toward those You laid
Your life down for
So that all of us could have life
Lord, help us to love

Devotional on christiandevotions.us website

2011-06-16T09:53:00.000-05:00

When you have a chance, please read a devotional I have written entitled For Freedom. It is published today online at christiandevotions.us. I hope it is a blessing to you. Have a great day.

Tom

Praise and Adoration

2011-06-10T22:18:00.000-05:00

Praise and adoration
To the King of every nation
To the Holy One upon the throne
We worship You alone

You rule and reign over every adversary
You stand triumphant inside of me
You help me see Your glory in the mundane
Give me grace when it’s hard to obey

You calm the storm within me
When I am sinking at sea
Thank you for your mercy
Your love sets me free

Worship the Sovereign Lord
Worthy of all fame
Praise Him in one accord
Give Him your every day

Praise and adoration
To the King of every nation
To the One upon the throne
We worship You alone

All Things are New

2011-06-05T16:46:00.003-05:00

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17

For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God. Romans 2:28-29

We are new creations in Christ. All things within us are new. The old has passed away. When we accepted Christ as our Savior, we experienced a new beginning. Our spirits were made alive. That inward part of us was made completely holy (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). At the new birth, we became circumcised of heart. The fleshly elements of our inward nature were cut away. We are now vessels that carry the presence of the Lord. We are mobile tabernacles of His glory. We have been made sensitive to His leading – to His voice. We are dead to sin and alive unto God.

You may ask, “But why do we still sin?” The answer is simple... when we became born again, our spirits were made perfect, but our souls and bodies were not. We are a three-part being – spirit, soul, and body
(1 Thessalonians 5:23). Our souls consist of our mind, will, and emotions. That part of us needs to be renewed through the washing of the word of God. As we meditate on God's word, with the intention to obey its truth, we allow what's in our spirit or heart to control our actions. This process is called renewing our minds (Romans 12:2). Romans 12:1 says that we are to offer our bodies to God as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing unto Him. But maturing in the Lord is a process and not the direct result of the one time event of salvation. This is why we can stand before God as righteous, but still fall at times because of a tendency to sin.

We are to rest in the fact that we are accepted by God, but we are also to move toward maturity. Let's set aside some time each day to fellowship with the Lord and to read and meditate on His word. We are on a journey where we are growing to look a little more like Him each day. We can be confident that He that has begun a good work in us will bring it to completion (Philippians 1:6).

Creation Celebrates

2011-05-26T14:59:00.002-05:00

Wind-whipped waves beat against the rocky shore
Seagulls sail through the open sky
The evening sun radiates deep orange across the waters
Creation celebrates the majesty of God

Sing praise, sing praise
Glorify the Lord with me
All creation sings and glorifies His name

Rushing waters cascade from the mountain opening
Crystal clear waters flow
Refreshing pools churn at the foot of the cataract
Creation celebrates the majesty of God

Sing praise, raise the banner high
Glorify the Lord with me
All creation sings and glorifies His name

Handling Anger

2011-05-18T19:51:00.001-05:00

Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city. Proverbs 16:32

The old fashioned tea kettle came to a boil and whistled as steam streamed out of its opening. We are sometimes like that tea kettle. We are all guilty of allowing ourselves to react to negative circumstances or people’s unfavorable actions by allowing our emotions to boil over. Ecclesiastes 7:9 says that anger rests (stays for a prolonged time) in the bosom of fools. It also says in Ephesians that we are to be angry without committing sin. This means that anger in and of itself is not sinful. It is how we handle our anger that counts.

The Lord wants us to give our anger to Him. When we surrender our negative emotions to our Heavenly Father, we open our hearts to receive His wisdom. He will help us to address the issue at hand calmly and with a spirit of kindness. We can speak the truth in love to that person who has wronged us. We can forgive our enemies. We can stay calm when that crazy driver cuts us off.

God is working His character in each of us. He is smoothing out our rough edges like a rock in river bed. The Holy Spirit’s current flows over us and removes our sharp edges. Let’s submit our hearts and lives to Jesus. Let’s allow Him to correct us. Let’s learn to be slow to anger. And when we are angry, let’s draw near to the Lord so we know how to handle every situation.

Dear Father God,

I ask you to help me to handle my anger wisely. Teach me to love others. I choose to forgive anyone who has wronged me, and I ask for you to mold me and make me into the person you desire me to be. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

I Delight in You

2011-05-10T21:44:00.001-05:00

I delight myself in You
You will give me the desires of my heart
Your purposes for me shall prevail

I will trust in You
And stand upon Your promises
Sure as cat's feet is Your word to me
Strong as carbon steel are your precepts

I delight in You
Your name is a mighty tower
The righteous run to it and are safe

Lord I put my hope in You
I will not be ashamed
No, I will not be ashamed

I delight myself in You
And You will give me the desires of my heart
In Your perfect time

Banquet for the Soul

2011-05-01T16:38:00.001-05:00

And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”

When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, He told them to ask the Father for their daily bread. While this definitely refers to physical provision, I believe it is also a request for God to provide for spiritual nourishment. There was a time in Israel's history when the Lord supplied the Israelites with manna that rained down from heaven. They found this special bread sprinkled on the ground each day. They were told gather 1 omer (about 4 pints) per person and were commanded not to store extra for the future except for the Sabbath. Some of them did not heed God's instruction and the manna became infested with worms and stank on the following day. The Israelites found that, when they followed the Lord's command, their needs were fully met by the Lord each day.

God wants to meet our physical needs, and He promises to do so; He also desires to provide spiritual nourishment to His children. It is important for each of us to establish a quiet time each day. During this time we are to feast on God's word and pray to the Lord. The Lord wants to speak to us. He desires to build us up spiritually so we can face each day filled with the encouragement that comes from the Lord. During our quiet time, the Holy Spirit will strengthen us; He will show us things to come. The Lord will rain down His word and His presence so that we will be satisfied spiritually.

Won't you take time each day – perhaps ten to fifteen minutes to start with – to spend with the Lord. He is waiting for you and He will bless you as you give yourself to Him. You will find that your whole day takes on a new light of joy and expectancy. Let us draw near to Jesus the bread of life. He is a banquet for the soul.

Dear Father God,

I thank you for sending Jesus the bread of life. I ask You to give me my daily bread. I choose to find nourishment in You by setting aside some time each day to get to know you. Thank you for satisfying my spiritual needs. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

We Can Be Forgiven

2011-04-22T10:54:00.000-05:00

Satan gleamed with pride
When Jesus received His violent whipping
Blood splattered

They nailed His wrists and feet
And Satan danced

Darkness fell
God the Father turned His head
Jesus cried out, "It is finished!"
Satan sighed a deep sigh of relief

They took Jesus' body to His tomb
They rolled the stone in place
Silence

Tears fell from the disciple's eyes
They lost their beloved Rabbi

Then, the Light burst through the darkness
Jesus rose triumphant
He is the Life
He walked unencumbered
By the chains of death
Satan screamed
And bolted in great terror

Resurrection Life is now offered
To you and me
We can be recipients of the risen-life
We can embrace the Savior
Who won the fight
Who overcame the night
We can be forgiven

Here is a prayer you can pray to receive the transforming victory that Christ won for us. It is a prayer of surrender and belief. It is a starting point for a new life with God.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank you for dying for me on the cross. Thank you for spilling your blood so that I could be forgiven. Lord, I surrender all to You. I ask You to forgive me of my sins. I ask You to breath Your life into me. Jesus, I choose to live for You. Thank You for overcoming death so I can be risen with You.

Coming Again

2011-04-15T12:02:00.000-05:00

You will split the eastern skies
Come to claim Your lovely bride
You will meet us in the air
The dead in Christ will rise

We long for Your return
And our hearts do burn
One day we will dance with You
You, who are full of grace and truth

Help us to always set our gaze
Upon You Lord
Till we see You face to face
You will wipe our every tear away
Healed in Your embrace

You Oh Lord will come again
Let us be ready
Let us be ready

You will split the eastern skies
Come to claim Your lovely bride

An Excellent Spirit

2011-04-10T16:59:00.003-05:00

Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. Daniel 6:3 NKJV

Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were Hebrews, who were first appointed to serve king Nebuchadnezzar after they were exiled from Israel to the Babylonian kingdom. Daniel served under four kings over the span of his lifetime. He, as well as the other three Israelites, distinguished themselves above all the other leaders. It was said of Daniel twice that he had an excellent spirit within him. The Hebrew word for excellent in this setting is ya-teer. It means preeminent and very or exceedingly excellent. The word for spirit in this context is roo-akh, which means mind, spirit, and wind.

I believe the Lord calls us all to excellence in whatever we set our hand to. We are to work hard to do our very best, and we are to ask God for wisdom while we apply ourselves to what He has called us to do. We are to allow the Lord to renew our minds with His word. We are also called to live from our spirit or from our hearts. We do this by allowing the Lord to fill us with His Spirit (wind is a symbol of the Holy Spirit) and to allow the Holy Spirit to inspire us and give us sound direction. This is what I believe it means to have an excellent spirit.

As we live like this, God will promote us in His time and in His way so we can have greater influence in His kingdom. Let us ask God to give us an excellent spirit.

Dear Father God,

I desire to please you in all I do. Help me Lord to follow You with all my heart and from my heart. Help me to grow in excellence as I apply myself to all that you put before me. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and guide my steps. May You look upon me and say, “My child, thank you for letting Me build in you an excellent spirit.” In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Risen Lord

2011-04-04T16:25:00.004-05:00

You surf on stormy clouds
You stand and all creation kneels before You
You rule in righteousness and justice
You are God

The oceans and all that live within them
Were created by You
The majestic mountains, the sun in all its glory
Were fashioned by Your hand

You created man in Your image
But man fell
You provided a path of redemption
Crimson blood paid the way

Jesus, our sinless Savior
Dying You gave mankind life
Willingly You offered Yourself as a sacrifice
Three days passed
Then victoriously You rose from the dead

The devil and all his armies were defeated
Those that call upon the name of Jesus in sincerity
Will be saved
All glory to You, our RISEN LORD!

Understanding Persecution

2011-04-03T18:46:00.009-05:00

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed – always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 2 Corinthians 4:7-11 NKJV

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12 NIV

Christians are lights in a dark world. We carry within us the very life of God; we are to display His glory to a world living beneath the shadows. Jesus commanded us to go and make disciples. He called us to share His story. There is no greater joy to be found than to live out this mission, but along with the adventure comes danger. Ministry invites persecution. Paul's life was riddled with opposition. This was not because he was a poor example of a Christian, but because he was wholeheartedly obedient to the Master. Paul counted the cost and chose to follow Jesus no matter what. He was willing to face martyrdom if necessary. It is believed that Paul was beheaded in Rome for his faith in Christ.

In America, we seldom suffer severe persecution, however, we will face opposition at times when we testify for the Lord. The Bible calls Satan the accuser of the brethren. He is the force behind persecution. Persecution can come in many forms. When people oppose us, we must remember that our real enemy is the devil. In fact we are called to love our human enemies. We should remember that God only allows into our lives what we can handle, and part of the way we handle this kind of trouble is to use our authority in Christ. The name of Jesus is greater than any other name. We are to submit to God and resist the devil when we are being attacked. The Bible says that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. We have the victory in Christ.

The question we must ask ourselves is, “Are we willing to undergo persecution for the sake of the gospel?” It will mean that we will face difficulty and pain at times. But if we really want to walk in the light as He is in the light, if we really want to please Jesus, we will say, "Yes." Will you obey the Master and tell others His story? Will you reach the ones living in darkness? If you will, God will make sure that you will never be alone. He will be with you always, and He will help you through every difficult situation. Be assured that with His help you will see many rescued from the clutches of the evil one, and on that day, when you meet the Lord, you will hear the Savior say, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

Born Again

2011-03-25T14:04:00.003-05:00

When I was Your enemy
You chose me
But I ran far away
My blinded eyes could not see Your glory
My deaf ears could not hear Your call

I loved the false
Your relentless love was foreign to me
I clung to a religious substitute
It had no power to change me

Then I heard Your truth proclaimed
Heaven opened over me
I saw the wonder of Your love
I received Your pardon
Now free
Born again into Your family

Love God

2011-03-20T16:39:00.003-05:00

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:4-5

Like the flower longs for sunlight, we are to long after God. He is our source of strength, fulfillment, peace, joy, and contentment. He fills us with His Spirit; He causes us to thrive. But we can only find these benefits when we place knowing and serving the Lord as our first priority. When loving Him is first in our hearts, our lives will flow with divine order.

Our love for God must be stronger than our love for people, even those closest to us. Yes we are to love people, but our love for God must pale in comparison to our love for others. This means we choose to obey God's word over the word of a friend. It's not that we are to be cold and indifferent, no Jesus will lead us towards compassion, but His love is always married to the truth of God's word. Consequently, we are not walking in love when we try to steer another away from a scriptural truth.

Where our love is that is where our focus will be. Let's set our hearts on God. Let's allow Him to set us ablaze in passionate love for Him and for His word. God the Father will bless the soul whose heart is set on Him. He will fill such a one with His love and will use him or her for His glory. Beloved let's love God. As the deer pants for the water, so may all that is within us thirst for Him.

Dear Father God,

Forgive me for allowing my life to be filled with everything but You. Help me to set my affections on things above. Fill me with a passion for the pursuit of You. I choose to hide your word in my heart so I will not sin against you. I choose to spend time with you every day so that my heart's desire is to know You and to serve You. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

When the Earth Shakes

2011-03-11T18:11:00.002-06:00

The desperate cries
Are heard by God our Father
When the earth quakes
When great waves wreak havoc
And disaster ravages our communities
God is still on the throne

On this earth we do not have all the answers
But I know without a shadow of doubt
That God is good
We now live in the age of His grace
He is not the initiator of destruction

Lord, let your children spring to action
Let us pray and do what we can
To assist those in need

Let us lift our hearts and voices to Him
That He would heal
That He would save
And that He would help those suffering
To rebuild their lives

Anointed to Serve

2011-03-06T22:24:00.003-06:00

So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah. 1 Samuel 16:13

Every member in the body of Christ is anointed to serve the Lord in some capacity. Some are called to minister in song or instrumentally. David's first assignment after he was anointed by Samuel the prophet was to play his harp before king Saul. The Holy Spirit so inspired his playing that when King Saul felt depressed, David would play his harp and the spirit causing the king's depression would leave. Later it became evident that David was anointed for leadership. Although he had many flaws, David became the greatest king that Israel ever had.

Romans 12:6-8 and 2 Corinthians 12:7-11 list the different gifts that believers can have and Ephesians 4:11 highlights different types of leadership gifts for those called to full-time ministry. I encourage you to prayerfully read over these scriptures and ask the Lord to show you where He's gifted you to serve. None of us flow in all the gifts, but all of us have at least one. We are called to serve the Lord with the gift(s) He has given us.

Jesus told a parable that outlined the importance of developing and using our gifts for the Master's service (See Matthew 25:14-30). He told of a man who went on a journey and entrusted his property to three servants. To one he gave five talents (worth more than five thousand dollars), to another two talents, and to the last he gave one talent each according to their ability.

Both the servant he gave five talents to and the one he gave two talents to worked diligently and doubled the amount they had. When the master returned he commended these two and said to each, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share in your master's happiness!”

The third servant hid his money in the ground. He said he was afraid that his master was a hard man. He feared that if he would invest the talent, he might lose what he was given. The master was appalled at this servant's efforts. He gave the command to “throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

This parable speaks of how we handle our finances, but it also shows the importance that Jesus placed on being good stewards of the gifts or abilities God has given us. The Lord wants us to develop our gifts and use them for His glory. There are two primary places where I believe the Lord wants us to use our gifts. These are in the church and in the world. As we are faithful with the talents God gives us, the Lord will increase what we have to give. He will add more to us and cause us to have an abundance.

Let's allow the Lord to use us to be a blessing within the context of our own giftedness. We will find that this is the most natural place for us to shine. This also is the place of the greatest joy and blessing. Jesus will help us to do our part to build the church and bring the lost into his kingdom by using our gifts in dependence upon the Holy Spirit. He will cause us to be effective and bear much fruit for His glory. Let me encourage you to discover your giftedness and determine to grow in that gift and serve with it. You will make a greater impact for the kingdom, and you'll be glad you did!

Let us Pray

2011-02-28T17:35:00.002-06:00

Let us pray
For eyes to weep
For souls no longer to stay asleep
For hearts to break before You Lord
For revival to spread from shore to shore

Let us pray
That violence cease
That homes find peace

That salvation spreads like fire
That righteousness be our one desire

Let us pray
That Jesus be enthroned in our nation
That we no longer live for our ends
That the humble find redemption

That the proud will bow low
And leaders will in godliness grow

May perversion be extracted
Justice and Mercy take action

Let us pray
That multitudes know You
Multitudes know You
The Way, the Life, the Truth

In the Middle

2011-02-22T16:51:00.003-06:00

Here in the middle of the mundane
Your Presence can be discovered
In the center of our daily grind
We can honor You

When we work as unto You, Lord
Joy rises
We can find purpose
In a day well spent

We will work quietly with our hands
For You reward honest diligence
With Your abundant blessing

I am a co-laborer with You
In business and ministry
For You ordained both

Thank You Lord
For including me in Your divine plan
Amen

On Overcoming

2011-02-19T20:20:00.004-06:00

“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

God never promised us a trouble-free life. Our walk with the Lord has many twists and turns. Sometimes we face dangerous weather. Sometimes the enemy tries to envelope us in adversity. But when we draw close to the Lord, He hides us in the eye of the storm.

The Lord speaks His word to us in the secret place, and His word brings us peace. His word also generates faith inside our hearts, and as we act on that faith, we see God's overcoming power arrive on the scene. Jesus told us to speak to our mountains of difficulty. We can simply command them to move in the name of Jesus. Sometimes they will obey us in an instant; at other times we must exercise patience to see our Lord change the situation in His time. God is sovereign and His perfect will shall prevail as we pray.

We must remember that Jesus has overcome the world. As born again believers, we have been placed in Christ and He lives in us. We have the Overcomer dwelling within us. No matter what we face in this life God, our Father, will give us the grace to overcome. We will either see our mountain move or we will be given the grace and ability to ride the storm with our heads held high.

If you are treading through difficult waters, be encouraged. Put your trust in the Lord; He will see you through. When you turn to Him, He will supply you with all you need to overcome.

My Angel

2011-02-14T10:42:00.002-06:00

A Valentines Message to My Wife:

You are strong and sweet
Kind and honest
Beautiful through and through

You are my God-send
A gift from the Father above

I am better man because of you
Happy Valentines
To my friend, my love, my angel

Love,

Tom

Your Glory

2011-02-13T07:06:00.003-06:00

You are my glory
The lifter of my head

Your glory outshines
The break of day
Streaming through the mountains

You revealed Your glory to Moses
Later you chose to live within
Vessels of clay

May the weight of Your glory
Rest upon us
May the light of Your glory
Flood us

That we may shine in a world
Where darkness
Attempts to reign

Unconditional Love

2011-02-09T10:46:00.002-06:00

Love so amazing
Mercy unearned
Unobtainable through human effort

Lord, help us comprehend Your
Unconditional Love

Father in heaven
You love us
Not for what we do
Not for the sweat of our brow
Not for what we've attained

Instead, You love us
Because You desire to know us
You long to lavish Your goodness upon us
Even though we are undeserving

Your love motivates us
To love others
To do Your will
To return to You the love You give

Even when we fail You
Your mercy remains
Thank you Father God
For Your Unconditional Love

Hear the Call

2011-02-04T16:38:00.002-06:00

In my heart, I hear the call
You have chosen me
In my heart, I hear the call
To set the captives free

You have sent me
I will go
And spread this good news
You have sent me
I will go
And proclaim Your precious truth

Souls headed for destruction
Who will rescue them?
Blindly running towards a frightful end
Who will rescue them?

In my heart, I hear the call
I must obey
In your heart, do you hear the call?
Won't you obey?
Won't you obey?

Each of us gifted in our own way
To reach the ones who need the light
Let's present to them a burning flame
Let us burn bright
Let us burn bright

In my heart, I hear the call
I will follow You
I will follow through
How about you?
How about you?

In the Strangest of Circumstances

2011-01-30T21:34:00.003-06:00

Last night a group of us celebrated a dear friend's birthday. It was a surprise party, but this event had more than one eye-opener. After much prodding from my persuasive wife, I volunteered to impersonate the one and only - Elvis. I initially said yes believing that I would also be able to sing one of my own Christian songs. But it turned out that there was not room in the program for one of my compositions. Buy this time, I had already committed to the performance.

About a year ago, my wife, Lou, and I purchased an Elvis costume for a senior's costume party, where we sang. The outfit came with a colorful top and bottom, sunglasses, and a puffy wig. Lou dressed as a cat. Those in attendance seemed to truly enjoy the performance. The outfit still fits me, in fact I've lost some weight since I last put it on.

But yesterday's performance was not to seniors, it was to my peers, and I felt a bit nervous. I also knew the audience was composed of people with a mix of spiritual backgrounds, and I wanted the Lord to use me to somehow glorify Him, even as Elvis. I practiced my singing and guitar playing and I prayed. Lou also prepared for a Filipino song that she was to sing.

As I prayed, God began to give me an idea. The performance went as follows....

The MC announced my arrival, I grabbed my guitar and the microphone. I explained to the crowd that my home is now in heaven, or as I like to call it - Graceland. I told them I just got my hair done at the heavenly salon. I told them the Lord allowed me to come down to sing one song. I also said that while I was on the earth people called me the king. Now I worship the true King of Kings – Jesus Christ! Then I led the group in singing happy birthday to the celebrant, and I sang“Blue Swede Shoes”. Praise God, the crowd loved it.

I learned that we can glorify Jesus in the strangest of circumstances. If He can use a donkey to preach His word, He can surely use an amateur Elvis impersonator to shine some light in the dark. Let's look for creative ways to reach our world. Let's be all things to all men. Let's use the opportunities He gives us to bring Him glory. I hope you enjoyed this true story. If you were to tell me you did, I would say, “Thank you, thank you very much!”

Link for CBN Devotional

2011-01-28T17:21:00.004-06:00

Here is the link for my devotional at CBN.com: http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/Devotions/toya_suffering.aspx

CBN stands for The Christian Broadcasting Network. Their TV show, the 700 Club, is well known and has proved to be a blessing to many. Pat Robertson is the founder and chairman of CBN.

I hope you enjoy the devotional.

Many Blessings,

Tom

Devotional to Be Found on CBN.com

2011-01-27T10:16:00.002-06:00

This Saturday, January 29th a devotional of mine entitled "Suffering Transformed" will be displayed on CBN.com. All you have to do is to go to the website and click on Daily Devotional. Enjoy! I welcome your feedback.

Tom

Loving as God Loves

2011-01-21T15:07:00.004-06:00

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:16

We are called to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, but our love for Him is only a response to His immeasurable love for us. God the Father gave His only Son to be treated as a criminal and to die on a cruel instrument of torture - a wooden cross. Jesus willingly yielded Himself to the Father's will. His obedience meant that Christ would suffer physically, emotionally, and spiritually. God's love for us is amazing.

The Scripture says that we love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). Just as the moon reflects the light of the sun, our love for God and others is initiated and sustained by God's great love for us. When we are born into the family of God, we receive a new nature - God's nature - which is love. 1 John 4:16 says, "God is love." At the new birth, we receive within us the ability to love as God loves. We are only able to do this as we depend on the Holy Spirit to flow through us.

The love of God within us is like a fruit that must be cultivated and nurtured. God desires for this fruit to flourish. When we meditate upon and obey the commands of Scripture, we grow in love (See 1 John 5:2). As we obey the truth found in the word of God, we are acting in love. Also, when we choose to look after the needs of others, we love as Jesus loves.

It is also important to recognize that love is not a feeling but a choice. We do not always feel loving or kind; therefore, we cannot be led by our emotions in this matter. When we obey the Lord, our feelings will usually follow, but our feelings are not to be the focus. Instead, our obedience is what matters.

Let's follow our Lord's example. Let's learn to deny ourselves to benefit others. God the Father offered His Son so that we could be saved. And God the Son laid down His life for us. Our Lord's great love teaches us to love others, and His nature within us enables us - with the help of the Holy Spirit - to reach out even to those that are difficult to love.

Dear Precious Lord,

Help us to grow in love. Teach us to be sensitive to the needs of those around us. Enable us to obey your word so that we can love as You love. Lord, show each of us one person who needs Your love and compassion, and help us make a difference in his or her life. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

An Ever-Present Help

2011-01-14T17:26:00.004-06:00

God is an ever-present help
In time of need
A refuge for the weary
A stronghold for those under attack
Our Peace, our Protection

He is our mighty deliverer
We shall not fear
Though the earth give way
And fall into the heart of the sea

His joy will forever be our strength
We will trust in Him
And stand upon His word
He will not fail us
The Lion of Judah is forever with us
We will not be ashamed

When we are weak
He is strong
Our everlasting Powerhouse

Our Lord is an ever-present help
In time of need
Let us rejoice
We will always be
Safe in His arms

Work - A Gift from God

2011-01-10T19:02:00.004-06:00

Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work - this is a gift of God. Ecclesiastes 5:19

I enjoy my days off from work, whether on the weekends or during a vacation. I am grateful for these times for rest and recharging. I also use this time to get projects done at home and to complete items on my wife's current honey-do-list.

A new desire has been building in me over the years, however. It is a fire that has not always burned so brightly. I am referring to a love and a passion for work. Yes, work! Solomon said it is a gift from God that we could find delight in, and Paul said we should work as unto the Lord. We can taste fulfillment in a day done well. We also receive God's blessings as we diligently apply ourselves to the work He has given us.

I am grateful to have a job. I work as a Director of Marketing for a Caregiving agency. If you are unemployed at this time, know that the Lord will enable you to find work. Looking for a place of employment must now become your full-time endeavor. God will reward you for your diligence and faith in His promise to meet your needs.

I am learning to delight in hard work. I am not always as diligent as I would like to be, but the Lord is transforming me. He is teaching me to use my time wisely. He is helping me to achieve daily goals for His glory. I take joy in the work He has given me. How about you? Are you allowing Jesus to fill you with a passion for productivity? Let's invite Him to work alongside us. Let's endeavor to give Him our very best every day. The Lord will satisfy us with contentment as He blesses us with His rewards. "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might (Ecclesiastes 9:10)."

Joseph

2011-01-09T17:32:00.003-06:00

Joseph is a fruitful vine
Near a spring
Whose branches climb over a wall

High are the walls about you
Oh Joseph
Your brothers sold you as a slave

You served Potiphar faithfully
The Lord brought you success

Then Potiphar's wife seduced you
But you ran away
Into the arms of God

Yet into the confines of prison
But the Lord was with you
Even there
You prospered by His hand

Time passed in that dank, dark place
Then Pharoah found you
You interpreted his dream
God brought you to a place of honor
The place He had ordained

God granted you wisdom and skill
You saved a nation from famine

You blessed those that cursed you
Even your brothers

Your years of suffering
Gave way to blessing
To you, your family,
To multitudes

Joseph is a fruitful vine
Near a spring
Whose branches climb over a wall

A Fresh Word for a New Year

2011-01-02T16:15:00.002-06:00

But when he, the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is to come. John 16:13

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12

With the new year comes the promise of new terrain – a roadway for us to trod on. God definitely has new and great things in store for each of us. He has promised to bless us; He longs to equip us and use us for His kingdom pursuits. But we must slow down enough to hear Him. We must listen to the stirrings of the Holy Spirit.

The Lord promises to show us things to come. He will enlighten us. He will set borders about the pathway He has for us. He will lead and guide us in the right direction. One thing the Lord will not do, however, is to outline every detail to us. He will not write out our future like the penning of a novel. No, we see through a glass dimly. We only know in part. God desires to reveal to us just enough to stir us on to obedience, but not so much that we forget to trust Him. God is teaching us to walk by faith, and He knows that we will not need to depend on Him if we know every inch of the terrain He has laid out for us.

So let us seek the mind of God, let us get alone with Him and receive all He has for us. But let us also learn to trust Him when we do not have all the answers so we can forge ahead as we follow the One who knows everything.

Looking in the Mirror

2010-12-19T18:06:00.002-06:00

Looking in the mirror of Your word
I see some things that make my heart disturbed
When traces of the darkness hide your unfeigned light
And choices I have made filter out your holy life

I call upon a God who's been made man
And tempted in all points as I am
You prune me like a tree to bear more fruit for You
In Your discipline I'm made to bear your truth

Thank you for Your word that sometimes points at me
And shows me how much better I can surely be
Thank You for the truth that tries my sullied soul
Letting in the light, making me whole

You love me as I am
But Your compassion runs much farther
You challenge me and spur me on
To be like my Heavenly Father

Love Incarnate

2010-12-19T17:56:00.002-06:00

Centuries before the prophets foretold
Of the coming of the King
When the time arrived, on that blessed night
The angels began to sing

The shepherds were thrilled with the news that filled
The cold, crisp air that first Christmas
A Baby born to save the world
This suffering, Servant, witness

Behold the Lamb lying in a manger
Love incarnate
He comforts the lost stranger
Bethlehem's Savior

Ruler of every king
To Jew and Gentile freedom rings
He came to give us all we need
This Baby boy we worship

Emanuel, God with us
We live to honor You
You are the Life and the Way
And yes, You are the Truth

We worship You O God-Child
You soon will come again
In power and in glory
To judge the living and the dead

Help us to spread Your message far and wide
The true tale of Love personified
Teach us each to sincerely love
To view each one as God does

Let us worship the Lamb
Love incarnate
The Great I Am

God Uses a Humble Servant

2010-12-11T21:11:00.002-06:00

In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Luke 1:26-28

“I am the Lord's servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. Luke 1:38

“This is the one I (the Lord) esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.” Isaiah 66:2 Parenthesis mine

“God opposes the proud but gives grace (favor) to the humble.” James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5 Parenthesis mine

Our wonderful Messiah entered into this world through a humble servant. Mary received the word of the angel with meekness. Mary was not perfect, but her pure and lowly heart pleased God. Because she was humble, God found favor with her. He was able to use Mary in a most unusual and splendid way.

We too find favor with God, when we allow the Holy Spirit to work His humility within us. Humility is a fruit of the Spirit, and when we yield to the Lord in this way, He bestows on us His favor and His blessing. It is those that learn to be meek who bear the most fruit for the kingdom. We will never be perfect this side of heaven, but we can grow as servants of the King. As we do, God will entrust us with wonderful things.

Let's remember the little child who came to save us. He was meek and mild. Jesus, the Master, humbled himself even to the point of death, and then God exalted Him to the highest place. Yet in all his glory, Jesus still stoops down to pick us up when we fall and to wipe the tears from our eyes. The Sovereign Lord of the Universe is still meek and mild just as He was when He came as a baby.

This Christmas let's worship Jesus with a humble and pure heart. Let's remember the child who became King, and let's yield to Him and to His word. As we do, God will surely find favor with each of us.

Let me pray a Christmas prayer for you....

Dear Father God,

Thank you for my friends who read this blog. I know that the Christmas season can often be hectic and full of care. Dear Lord, I ask that you would bless my friends in a special way this season. Help them to pause to find your heart. Let them sense your peace. Enable them to reach out to others and carry the light of the Savior to them. Father, minister your grace to every heart. Bring healing to the sick and restoration to families that have seen difficulty. Thank you Lord for those that read this blog, may you find favor with each of them as they look to you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Let Me Not Forget

2010-12-04T21:24:00.002-06:00

Lord, let me not forget
How much she means to me
The day our eyes met
We glimpsed eternity

By her side I'm walking
At Your door I'm knocking
Strengthen, Lord, our holy bond

Forgive me for a heart sometimes divided
When I hold my dreams higher
Then the one You guided, me to

She has helped me see so many things
Things I could not perceive on my own
She gives me council, the kind that heaven brings
This wisdom I would not find alone

Even when the tempest rages
And we don't see eye to eye
Even there Your mercy changes
This unchanging heart of mine

I am a better man because of her
Lord, let me not forget how much she means to me
You cause my heart to stir
In remembrance of all she is to me

Poor in Spirit

2010-11-28T21:56:00.005-06:00

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. Matthew 5:3

In our walk with Christ, the way we begin is the way we are to continue on. We entered into the kingdom by humbly receiving the Lord's sacrifice for our sins. We began with humility. We saw ourselves as sinners needing the hand of a merciful God. We are to continue in our walk with the Lord through an attitude of humility.

We are to see ourselves as poor spiritually apart from Christ. Without Him we can do nothing of eternal significance. The word humility comes from the root word “humus”. Humus is fertile soil. Adam was created from the earth by the hand of God. We are to remember our origin. All of us are made in the image of God, but we were originally made from the earth. We are vessels of clay who carry within us the glory of God.

We also receive God's word in the soil of our hearts. It is through humility that we receive the Lord's wisdom from the Scriptures. It is through a spirit of meekness that we see God's promises fulfilled in our lives.

Humility also displays itself in our relationships. When we allow the Holy Spirit to give us an attitude of humility, it will cause us to consider others as better than ourselves.

Let's humble ourselves before the Lord and each other. Let's allow the Holy Spirit to fill us and teach us to continue down His road of blessing by being poor in spirit.

Lord of Heaven,

Deliver us from pride, arrogance, and self promotion. Help us to cultivate a heart of humility. Let the fruit of Your Holy Spirit abide within us and fill us with Your meekness. Open our eyes to see who we are in You as well as who we would be without You. Let us live to bring You glory. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Thank You

2010-11-24T12:10:00.002-06:00

Two words that say so much
Thank You
For all He's done
For all He's yet to do
For the essence of His character

We are grateful to the One
Who first loved us
Who saved us from destruction
Who watches over each of us
With vigilance and care
Who forgives our every sin
And heals our diseases

We are grateful for
Loved ones and friends
Family near and far
All of God's blessings
Little and large
Seen and unseen

Lord we thank You
You are forever worthy of
Our praise and Thanksgiving

No Longer From a Distance

2010-11-16T21:45:00.008-06:00

When they came to the threshing floor of Nakon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down, and he died there beside the ark of God. 2 Samuel 6:6-7
In the Old Testament, followers of Yahweh could not enter into the presence of God; they had to worship the Lord from a distance. When David was bringing the ark to Jerusalem, the priests placed it on a cart. The ark was the physical house of the Lord's presence, and the priests were instructed by the Lord to hold the ark of God with special poles. When the ark slipped, Uzzah lunged forward to catch it. The Lord then struck Uzzah down: he died instantly.
Christ's sacrifice on the cross forever changed the landscape of faith. When Jesus hung against the darkened sky and breathed his last, the veil of the temple tore in half. The temple veil provided a barrier between the worshipers and the holy of holies, where the ark was kept. No one was allowed to enter into the holy of holies except the the high priest, and he was only allowed to enter into this sacred place once a year. The priests even tied a rope to the high priest's ankle. If the high priest tried to approach the room where the ark lay without properly following the Old Testament laws pertaining to this annual encounter, he too would be killed in the presence of the Lord. But when the veil split in two, a new way was opened for those who put there faith in Christ.
Now we, who have been born again, can enter freely into God's presence by the blood of Christ. The ark of God no longer holds the presence of God here on earth. Instead, those of us who have entered into a relationship with the Father through Jesus have the Holy Spirit living in us. We are temples of the Holy Ghost. Now we can come boldly into the throne of grace to obtain favor and God's blessing. We no longer need to worship from afar. We can draw near to God. We can worship the Lord with passion and true intimacy.
Let's approach the Lord with reverence, awe, and full surrender. He is holy, but He is also loving. He is just, but He is also merciful. Let's bow before the One who made a way for us to come to Him. Let's kneel before the Father who sent His one and only Son to die in our place so that we could know Him intimately.

Grace

2010-11-12T16:18:00.003-06:00

Grace - a foundation strong and stable
All that's profitable rests upon it

Faith in Christ's finished work
From this cruel cross blossoms grow
Like Aaron's rod
Its petals are life-giving

When we build upon a faulty foundation
When our works attempt to pave the way to God
We are unfulfilled

Our feverish efforts produce only death
It is by grace through faith that we are saved
It is by grace through faith by which we grow

We are like seeds underneath the Sun
Of His grace
The Holy Spirit waters us
His love attends to our every need

We are blessed when we choose the path
Of unmerited favor
All we have and all we are
And all we will become
Is a gift from our benevolent King

The Need Within

2010-11-05T18:21:00.004-05:00

Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:13

One of man's greatest physical needs is to drink water. The human body cannot function without it. Our bodies are composed of 55-78 percent water, depending on our weight. When Jesus met the woman at the well, he asked her for a drink of water. But then Jesus offered her another kind of drink, namely eternal life.

Inside each of us is an empty void that we try to fill. It is a need within. Some of us attempt to satisfy our heart cry with material things. Others pursue pleasure. Some look to drugs, alcohol, and sex to fill their inner thirst. Some seek after relationships. Still others try to find contentment in various forms of religion, but wonder why their hearts do not find satisfaction.

Jesus offers us all living water to satisfy our souls. When we come to Him, we find all that we need. A relationship with Him meets all the deep needs of the heart. To come to Him, we must acknowledge our sinfulness and receive His gift of eternal life. He purchased our salvation by dying for us on the cross. We can come to Him and receive His complete forgiveness for our sins.

When we embrace Jesus, we enter into an eternal relationship with Him and with our Heavenly Father. This relationship is like water for our thirsty souls. When we come to Christ we find satisfaction within, and we inherit an eternal home in heaven. If you haven't come to the One who will bring you everlasting contentment and joy, then come and pray a prayer like the one below....

Dear Jesus,

I have tried to satisfy my need within by filling up on other things. Now, I realize that You are the One I desire. Lord, I admit that I am a sinner. I ask you to forgive me of my sin. I thank you for helping me to begin a relationship with the Father. Thank You for Your gift of eternal life. Lord, I choose to folllow You all the days of my life. Amen.

God Answers Prayer

2010-11-02T17:07:00.002-05:00

God answers prayer
Sometimes in a whisper
Sometimes with a shout

Sometimes in ways imagined
In ways specifically desired

At other times, His answer can try us
We may not always like the way He moves
But the Father has our best in mind
He fosters character within us

Yes, God answers prayer
Sometimes in a whirlwind
Sometimes in a wisp

He still heals the sick
And sets the captives free
He still forgives
And ransoms you and me

God answers our every prayer
Let's believe Him for the best
Let's set our sights high
God is faithful
He will cause us to be blessed
And to be a blessing

Hearing From God

2010-10-26T22:35:00.003-05:00

(Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor was the word of the Lord yet revealed to him.) 1 Samuel 3:7

Samuel was a young boy serving under Eli, the high priest at the time. Samuel heard a voice calling out his name, while he was lying down. He immediately went to Eli and said, “Here I am, you called me.” Eli told Samuel that he did not speak to him and Samuel lied down again. This happened three times. After the third instance, Eli realized that God was speaking to the young boy. He said, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you , say, 'Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.'” Samuel obeyed, and this time, when the Lord spoke his name, Samuel replied as Eli instructed.

The Lord then revealed to him a word of judgment toward Eli, which included specific consequences that were to take place in the future. The Lord was angry with Eli for not restraining his unruly and wicked sons. Although Samuel was hesitant to relay the message to Eli, the high priest insisted that he recount the entire prophetic word to him. The pronouncement later came to pass and Samuel grew to be a great man of God.

In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit came upon a few select people. God primarily anointed kings, prophets, and priests for service. In the New Testament, each born again believer has the Holy Spirit living in him or her, and each of us can hear His voice. As a young believer, I desired greatly to hear the voice of the Lord. It took time and effort to discern His voice in my life. I often made mistakes along the journey. Over time, and with the help of solid Biblical instruction, I discovered a few things about hearing from God....

God usually speaks in ways that are less dramatic
He normally communicates to His children in a still small voice or by a spiritual impression
He also gives us spiritual pictures or visions
His communication comes to us spontaneously, as we worshipfully look to the Lord
One important practice in receiving God's messages to us is to write down what we hear and see
Jesus always speaks to us in a loving way, even when He corrects us
The Holy Spirit will always agree with the written word of God
When we obey the Holy Spirit, it keeps us sensitive to His leading
When we consistently resist the Holy Spirit's promptings, we can grow deaf to his call
It is good to be accountable to a mature believer, while discerning God's voice, especially when making major decisions
After you have heard from God, check what you've heard or seen and make sure it lines up with Scripture

Much of what I've learned about hearing from God can be attributed to a book and course called Communion with God, written by Mark Virkler. I highly recommend this book! I am still on the journey to hear more and more clearly from the Lord, and I still make mistakes. But I have discovered that there is nothing more satisfying than drawing near to the Lord and allowing Him to speak to my heart. This is what intimacy with God is all about. His messages to us bring healing, encouragement, direction, and peace. I hope you will come along with me on this journey to hear and obey God's voice.

Praise

2010-10-17T21:19:00.003-05:00

Though the cherry trees don't blossom and the strawberries don't ripen. Though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted, though the sheep pens are sheepless and the cattle barns empty, I'm singing joyful praise to God. I'm turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God. Counting on God's Rule to prevail. I take heart and gain strength. I run like a deer. I feel like I'm king of the mountain. (For congregational use, with a full orchestra.) Habbakuk 3:17-19 The Message

A man, woman, or child with eyes of faith see beyond what's before them. They look to the promises of God, even in the face of apparent lack. They have learned to praise God, when the days look dark and bleak. Praise is the language of strong belief.

We can praise Him for His promises, believing that He'll bring them to pass. When we worship God in the darkness, we invite the Lord to come and work on our behalf. The Scripture says that the Lord is enthroned on our praises. When we worship God in the midst of our trouble, the Lord sets up His throne in the middle of our chaos. He brings God's Rule on the scene. He restores, He heals, He provides, He comforts, and He minsters His grace to us.

Let's praise Jesus when things are going our way and when life is hard. Let's set our focus on the wonderful attributes of God and on the riches of His word. When we do, we will grow in intimacy with the One who made us and we will invite Him to work miracles in our lives. Let's learn to speak the language of praise. Let's put our trust in the God of Heaven. He will hear us, and He will help us in our time of need.

© Copyright 2010 by Tom Toya. All rights Reserved.

In Our Time of Need

2010-10-13T20:13:00.002-05:00

In the midst of trial
In the middle of the hurricane
There is a hand of Love that reaches down

Trusting hearts receive Him
Hope still reigns
In hearts that choose Him
Our prayers are heard on high

Jesus is the Good Shepherd
He prepares a table in the center of the wilderness
Grace abounds
Holy waters flow

Victory rises from the ashes
With resurrection power
Thank you Lord for Your overcoming Presence
Thank you for visiting us in our time of need

© Copyright 2010 by Tom Toya. All rights reserved.

Discovering Who We Are

2010-10-06T21:59:00.005-05:00

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Ephesians 1:3 Emphasis mine

In this world, we sometimes suffer through difficult days. It's at times like these that we need to discover God's perspective. It's during seasons of trial that we can draw near to the One who has chosen us. One of the ways we can find victory amidst negative circumstances is by focusing on who we are in Christ. God's word (especially in the New Testament epistles) has a great deal to say about how our Lord sees us.

The Scripture says that Jesus has already blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. All our needs are met in Him. When we abide in a loving relationship with God the Father, we do not lack anything. We can draw strength from the resources of heaven. We can come alive with the life of God that is already in us. The Lord will cause us to triumph if we'll put our trust in Him. If God has blessed us, and He has, we cannot fail.

This does not mean that we will float through life without experiencing trouble. No, the Lord will often allow us to go through difficulties, but He will also enable us to come out on the other side with a smile on our face and a spring in our step. When we meditate on who we are in Christ, we experience comfort and encouragement. When we speak out of our mouths the truths that God says about us, we find freedom and joy.

Often what we see in the word of God doesn't measure up to the picture we have of ourselves. But God's word is a mirror
(See James 1:22-25). The Bible shows us who we really are because of the blood of Christ. We truly are blessed even if we were laid off from work and we are struggling to find a job. We really are righteous
(See 2 Corinthians 5:21) even when we fall prey to some besetting sin. We are kings and priests (See 1 Peter 2:9) even when we feel defeated.

Jesus wants us to see ourselves from His perspective, He wants us to meditate on who we are in Christ, and He delights in us when we speak His word back to Him in thanksgiving for how He has remade us. Let's all search the Scriptures to find who we are in Christ. There are many treasures to uncover on the bottom of the ocean floor that is the word of God. We must be diligent to find them, and discoveries of this kind are more precious than a multitude of diamonds.

Gentle Nudges

2010-09-26T17:48:00.001-05:00

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:14

Today, I parked my car at my home on cold, early autumn day. There was nothing special about the day. My neighbor sat in his garage with his son. This too is rather ordinary. Chris and his family often spend time in their renovated garage that is attached to their house. Chris watched his son play, while I pulled in my driveway. Again, all this is rather uneventful, except for one thing....

As I glanced at my neighbors, I felt a certain stirring down in my heart. I could not mistake it; it was the gentle, but persistent nudging of the Holy Spirit. The Lord wanted me to witness to my neighbor about the goodness of God. At first I felt a little awkward. I had witnessed to him on one occasion, but no apparent fruit came of it. I pulled out a tract that I had written. I like to pass them out to waiters and grocery clerks. I simply let them know I'd like to give them something I have written as an encouragement to them. Most of these people thank me and receive the piece of paper, though occasionally a person will refuse to take it from me.

You might think that it would be easy to talk to my neighbor. After all I actively share my faith on a regular basis - at least with a tract in hand. However, I am not an extrovert, and at times I have to fight my fears. But I obediently walked over to my neighbor and asked him if I could give him the tract. I told him that I wrote it and I explained that God had made a difference in my life, my wife's life, and in the lives of many people I know. I shared with him that serving the Lord is not about obeying a set of rules. Instead, God is looking to have a relationship with us. I also explained that the Lord can help him with his marriage, in raising his children, and in every part of his life.

Chris thanked me and said he would read the tract. I said, “If you every have any questions about these kind of things, please let me know.” That ended our brief encounter. Now I will continue to pray for my friend and look for ways to intentionally engage him further in conversation, if he is open.

This all came about as I listened to the Holy Spirit's gentle stirrings. Those of us who know the Savior are called sons of God. We are all able to be led by the Spirit. Let's stay sensitive. God is not looking for spiritual giants; He is searching for ordinary people with hearts and lives that are available to His call. If we will take the time to listen, there's no telling what God will use us to do for His glory.

Dear Lord,

Help me to be sensitive to Your Holy Spirit's voice. Help me not to crowd Him out with busyness and my own desires. Lord, fill me with Your Spirit. Give me ears to hear You and eyes to see You, and Lord please give me a heart to obey Your gentle promptings so You can use me to reach a world that needs You so desperately.

For the Prodigal

2010-09-20T21:43:00.005-05:00

For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:11-12

It doesn't matter how many times you've fallen into that same sin. It doesn't matter what you've done or how far you've run from home. God your gracious Father is waiting for you. He is ready to embrace you – to forgive you of all your sin.

You weren't made to carry that heavy load of guilt and pain. The Lord wants to invade your life with kindness. He wants to shower you in mercy. If you are His prodigal child, won't you come home? Your Father will restore you to your rightful place in Christ. Don't you know that Jesus blood has paid for your complete forgiveness?
1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (italics mine).”

God's love for you is unwavering, relentless, extravagant. He would do anything to bring you back. The Scripture says that God is married to the backslider. He has not given up on you. Why don't you turn your eyes to Jesus and pray with tears of repentance. God will forgive you. He still has awesome plans for your life. If you turn to Him, you'll find your future is as bright as the noonday sun.

Dear Father God,

I am sorry for turning my back on You. I'm sorry for allowing myself to drift so far away from home. Lord, please forgive me. Please take me back. I receive Your forgiveness. I receive Your mercy. I choose to follow You once again with your help and the help of the body of Christ. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Laying Our Desires on the Alter

2010-09-15T21:20:00.003-05:00

“Father if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Luke 22:42

Abraham and Sarah had a strong desire for a son. But there was one problem, both Abraham and Sarah had advanced beyond the normal age for procreation. However, God promised Abraham that he would have a son. The Lord even called him a father of many nations. After many years, the day did come when the beloved promise came to pass. They named their son Isaac, and all was well in the lives of Abraham and Sarah.

Then one day God spoke to Abraham and told him to take his son Isaac to the top of a mountain in the land of Moriah, and offer him as a burnt offering to the Lord. Abraham obeyed believing God could restore the life of his son.

When Abraham reached the top of the mountain he bound up his son and laid him upon an alter. When he raised a knife to kill Isaac, God spoke. “Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son.”
In this true story, God tested Abraham, and Abraham passed the test. His desire to obey God was greater than his love for his child. He is called in the Scriptures the father of faith and a friend of God. When we have dreams and desires that we believe are from the Lord, it is natural and fitting for us to ask God to give us those things. Perhaps you have your heart set on serving in a particular vocation or maybe you are asking the Lord to heal you physically.

God does not always give us what we want right away. Abraham and Sarah waited 25 years before Isaac came along. There are also times when what we desire is not the ultimate best for us according to God's will. Jesus prayed, “Father if it is Your will take this cup away from me...” Christ was talking to the Father about going to the cross. Even though Jesus asked for another way, the Father led Him to His death upon the cross.

We must be willing to place our dreams and desires on the alter. Sometimes God will give us those things and sometimes He does not. It is at these times when we must bow before the Sovereign will of our Maker knowing that He sees everything and He knows what is ultimately the best for our lives. Whatever He decides, we must always strive to place our love for and obedience to God above our desire for other things no matter how noble they may seem. It is important that we not let the thing we long for to become an idol in our hearts. When we surrender these desires to the Lord, He will bless us and give us His peace.

There is a time to lay hold of God's promises with unwavering faith, and there is a time to surrender to God's perfect will. Our trust is to be in the faithful character of our loving Heavenly Father. He will always take good care of us; He always has our best interests at heart.

Dear Father God,

Thank you for Your many promises to me. Lord, I ask that You would move in my life and do great things. Help me to always keep my love for you above any other desire I have. If there are any idols in my heart, Lord, please show me. I surrender all I am to You. Have Your way in me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

You Will Receive Power

2010-09-06T17:59:00.003-05:00

“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

The early disciples were clothed in God's power. That power gave them the ability to effectively communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ. God confirmed their words with signs and wonders. The Holy Spirit accompanied the message so that those that heard it were convicted of their sin and turned their hearts and lives to the Lord.

We need this same power. It is the power that came at Pentecost, when the followers of Jesus waited in the upper room to be filled with the Holy Spirit. This same power is available to us today. It is not the power to control others, but to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. As we turn our hearts toward Christ and ask Him to baptize us in the Holy Spirit, He will. He will anoint us to minister to others.

With the infilling of the Spirit come the gifts of the Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 12 and 14) . These gifts help us to more effectively minister to those within the body of Christ and to those without. When we are baptized in the Holy Spirit, we receive a greater sensitivity to hear the Lord's voice. God can give us the words to say to those in darkness, and those words have divine influence to draw the lost to the Savior.

We do not need greater programs to grow our churches; we need our people to be yielded to the Spirit and willing and obedient to carry out the great commission. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can effectively reach others with the word of God.

Dear Lord,

Help us, the body of Christ, to depend upon your Spirit. Help us to seek You for a fresh infilling of Your power and love. Let us not desire an experience. Instead, equip us to go and tell Your story to those that haven't heard. Forgive us Lord for relying on our own understanding in the way we reach out to others. Help us to seek Your face and effectively minister Your gospel to those that don't know You. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.

Yet

2010-08-30T18:14:00.003-05:00

I've been made righteous
Yet still I sin
I am more than a conqueror
Yet sometimes I have fear within
I am justified through Your blood
Yet I am still a sinner
For Paul called himself the chief of sinners
Even though he was redeemed

You make me bold and strong
Yet in weakness I depend upon You Lord
I praise You Lord for using me
To bring Your word to others
Yet I too desperately need You

You help me stand
Yet many times I fall
Thank You Jesus for being my best friend
Even though, sometimes, through my actions
I treat You as an enemy

Thank You Lord for saving me
For securing for me a home in heaven
Even though, in my walk, I have not yet arrived

Right with God

2010-08-29T16:37:00.003-05:00

For just as through the disobedience of the one man many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. Romans 3:19

Those of us that have received Christ as our Lord and Savior have also received His righteousness. We have been made right with God. We are made in right-standing with the Father. What a glorious truth. Knowing who we are in Christ boosts our confidence. It enables us to do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

We no longer have to live beaten down with the heavy burden of sin weighing on our shoulders. Romans 8:1 says that there is no condemnation for us who are in Christ. When we confess our sin, God is faithful to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). God is for us; He is not against us. He has made a way through the cross to bring us victory.

Now that we have been made righteous, we can come boldly to the throne of grace. We can bring our requests to the Father in confidence knowing that He will hear our prayer. God loves us so very much.

Let's meditate on Scriptures that declare who we are in Jesus. When we do, God's strength will accompany us. And when we do, we will overflow with thanksgiving for what our Lord has done for us. Thank you Jesus for making us righteous through Your death, burial, and resurrection.

Dear Father God,

We ask that You give us a Spirit of wisdom and revelation knowledge of You. We ask that You would enlighten our hearts so that we can truly comprehend all that You have done for us. Thank you Father for sending Jesus to die for us. Thank You Jesus for becoming sin so that we could be made the righteousness of God in Christ (1 Corinthians 5:21). In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.

I Will Praise You

2010-08-24T18:50:00.002-05:00

Because of Your grace
I will praise You
While I seek Your unseen face
I will praise You
Because You took my place
I will praise You

When I'd rather complain
I will praise You
When You cleanse my sin-stains
I will praise You
As I give You the reigns
I will praise You

When I'm feeling blue
I will praise You
When I behold Your truth
I will praise You
When trouble brews
I will praise You
When I haven't a clue
I will praise You

When I finally come home
I will praise You
Kneeling with the saints around Your throne
Worshipping You alone
Forever we will praise You

Mercy and Truth

2010-08-21T21:32:00.001-05:00

Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed. Psalm 85:10 NKJV

Mercy apart from truth breeds compromise. Truth without mercy cuts to pieces. God blends the two in sweet harmonies. We are to love our world with the love birthed by the Holy Spirit tempered by the boundaries of truth. God will help us to offer truth to others with love as our motive and mercy as our serving plate. We can find balance as we obey the word of God with a heart of compassion.

When we come across individuals who rebel against the truth, our first reaction should not be to beat them with the Bible. Instead, we must remember that we once were enemies of God. Humility teaches us to speak the truth in love. Maybe the first thing we should do is to pray for such an individual. Time spent on our knees will help us to minister in mercy.

On the other hand, if we are afraid to speak words of wisdom to our friend, if we choose to sympathize with their predicament without influencing them towards the way, we will soon slide into the mirk and mire.

Let's choose to allow mercy and truth to meet together within us. Then we will walk in righteousness and we will allow God's peace to have its way in our hearts and lives.

In Your Presence

2010-08-14T17:42:00.000-05:00

In Your presence
I'm sheltered beneath Your wings
I've found a fountain of life, a wellspring

In Your presence
There is joy overflowing
And peace passing all understanding

In Your presence
I am made whole
Found a balm for my soul

In Your presence
I have faith overcoming
Victory unyielding

I sit at Your feet
You make me complete
In Your presence

Spirit Like a Dove

2010-08-10T20:42:00.002-05:00

Spirit like a dove
Descend upon us
Undeserving recipients are we
Yet fill us with Your glory

Gentle Spirit teach us to pray
Empower us to serve
Give us words to say

Mighty Spirit embolden Your people
Strengthen us in Your power
Stretch forth Your hand
Perform Your awesome deeds

Spirit like a dove
Make Your home within us
Help us to intimately know You
Lord, we extol You
Have Your way in us

Praise Report

2010-08-07T16:42:00.002-05:00

I want to thank those that prayed for my mom. She is doing well. The surgeon is confident that she has removed all the cancer, and my mom is recovering well. Please pray that she experiences a supernaturally quick recovery. Also please continue to pray for the salvation of my family. Thank you. Those that desire to leave comments on my blog are welcome to include prayer requests of their own.

Blessings,

Tom

Our Helper in Prayer

2010-08-07T16:38:00.001-05:00

Likewise the Spirit also helps us in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27

The Holy Spirit is our Helper. He inspires us; He motivates us to follow after the Lord in a particular direction. One of the ways the Spirit helps us in in our prayer life. The Lord wants us to seek after Him in prayer, and when we pray, the Holy Spirit is there to give us the words to say. He wants to empower us to intercede. Whether we have the gift of tongues or not, the Holy Spirit lives within us, and as we allow Him, He desires to pray through us.

The Lord will give us specific scriptures to pray over specific situations. He will speak to our hearts directing us how to pray for individuals, cities, and nations. The Lord wants to fill us with His compassion. Our prayers can be ignited by God's love and faith, and we can see results. As we pray God's will for others, we will see God at work among us. Let's pray with faithfulness and fervency. Let's allow the Holy Spirit to guide us when we pray. Then as He moves in our midst, He will receive all the glory.

Don't Let the Dream Die

2010-07-30T16:59:00.003-05:00

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity." Jeremiah 29:11-14

God has a specific calling for all of us. He desires to place a dream within each of our hearts - a dream only He can bring to pass. We were born to soar with the eagles, but many of us have been injured in the rough and tumble of life. Some of us no longer fly over life's obstacles. Instead, we have allowed our hearts to be trampled on by temptations, tests, and trials. If we are not careful, we can also allow the negative words of others to destroy the dreams and ambitions God has for us.

God desires to release us from captivity. When we allow people's words to hurt us, and when we let the trials of life run roughshod over us, we do not experience God's victory. The Lord wants to free us from all oppression and cause us to soar over life's difficulties, as we pursue the Lord's dream for our lives.

Our Father God loves us. The plans He has for us are designed for our good and for the benefit of the kingdom. Let's seek the Lord with all our hearts. Let's allow Him to reveal and affirm the plans He has for us. Let's ask Him to heal our hearts from any past hurts. If He shows us that we have harbored unforgiveness in our hearts toward someone, let's forgive that one and receive emotional healing from the hand of our loving Lord.

Don't let God's dream for your life die within you. Nurture it. Run after it. The Lord wants you to know that He has anointed you. He has gifted you to serve Him in a special way. God wants you to discover your calling and then pursue it for His glory. He can use you to touch many lives if you will allow Him to work through you. He will cause you to soar on the winds of the Spirit. He will enable you to make a difference in the lives of others as you pursue your God-given dream(s).

Come Lord Jesus, Come!

2010-07-24T22:00:00.002-05:00

At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. Matthew 24:30

Lord, You're coming again. With speed and stealth You will take us all by surprise. Like a thief in the night You'll arrive on the scene. Lord, may You find us faithful. How I often long for that day. The day when You come to take us home. Those that know You will see you face to face and we shall be like You. Thank You for that promise. Thank you that You have prepared a place for us.

Help us to reach out to those that do not yet know You. Help us to evangelize. They are lost apart from You. Jesus, open the eyes of their hearts, and give us boldness to proclaim Your good news.

Lord, please come soon. But in the waiting help us to be patient and enable us to productively work for the furtherance of Your kingdom. Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus, come!

A Prayer Request

2010-07-24T19:23:00.001-05:00

I'd like to request the prayers of those who read my blog. My mom just underwent surgery for breast cancer. The surgeon was hopeful that she removed all the cancer, but when the pathology report came back it showed there was a small area that still needed attention. Please pray for my mom's complete healing. God can do wonders and he often works through doctors. Please pray that God will give wisdom and skill to the doctors and that the Lord would heal my mom directly through the power of the Holy Spirit. Also, I would like to ask you to pray for my family that they would embrace Christianity. Thank you for your prayers. God says in His word that the prayers of a righteous man (or woman) is powerful and effective.

Blessings,

Tom Toya

Miracles

2010-07-23T12:23:00.002-05:00

You spoke the word
And healing came
With a touch of your hand
The leper was made whole
By the power of the Holy Spirit
Multitudes were cured

Your disciples released their faith
The lame walked
The diseased received perfect health

Today's church can also see miracles
For God still heals
Signs and wonders testify of the One
Who restores the sick
And transforms twisted souls

Let us pray boldly to the Father
He desires to amaze us

The Morning Watch

2010-07-21T18:55:00.002-05:00

Life streams by like fireflies in the wind
I hear the echoes of those that call for my attention
My cell phone rings and rings
And emails pile like Mount Everest
Busyness seeks to snuff out my candle

But I find refuge under the shadow of Your wings
In the quiet, I am refreshed
New strength pulsates within me
The morning watch is where we meet
I bow in peace before Your beautiful feet
And You satisfy my every need

I Was Wrong

2010-07-14T20:01:00.006-05:00

He who heeds discipline, shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray. Proverbs 10:17

The past couple of days I have been running on fumes. I had to wake up early two days ago to bring my brother to the airport, and then that night I went to bed later than usual. This was unwise of me, and because I was sleep deprived my mood was affected. I became cranky and irritable. Instead of resisting these negative emotions, I let them surface and I acted rudely to my wife and her cousin. My wife, Lou, confronted me about it and at first I was defensive, but soon I realized I was wrong. I then apologized to Lou and Lynette.

In this instance, I heeded discipline. This brought me back on track. Our response to rebuke can influence others as well. The Scripture says that when we listen to correction we show others the way to life, and when we ignore discipline, we lead others astray.

All of us fall at times. We all sin. The important thing is that we learn to bounce back. This means we will have to confess our sin to the Lord, and in many cases it will mean that we have to apologize to those who were involved.

When God corrects us - either directly or through a person - let's be quick to repent. God will forgive us. When we learn to humble ourselves in this way, we point others toward our Heavenly Father's way of doing things. When we turn back to the Lord, we can once again enjoy sweet fellowship with Him, and, if needed, God can bring us back into harmony with others.

Abba Father

2010-07-03T15:43:00.004-05:00

My wife and I do not have children. But we do have a precious little dog named Muy-Muy. He is an eight and a half month old Maltese, known to be the smartest breed of small dogs. Muy-Muy loves to play. Sometimes my wife and I will get on our hands and feet and crawl on the carpeting. Our seven pound white fur ball then races around the room sailing between our legs while barking. He also loves to cuddle and most every night he sleeps with us in our bed. Muy-Muy often follows us around the house, while we go about our day.

We can't leave him for long periods of time because he gets lonely. When he sees us after being away for an hour or two, he licks our faces with excitement and jolts back and forth. I have come to see that our little puppy is very much dependent upon us not only for his survival, but for his emotional well being.

Similarly, God wants us to be dependent upon Him. Like children who look to their parents, we are to look to our Heavenly Father. He is the wellspring where we find all that matters. He is our source of joy, freedom, significance, sustenance, and love.

Thankfully, all is not serious business with God; He too wants to play with us. He enjoys our company; He relishes in our fellowship with Him.

When we are away from Him, we should long to be with the Lord. A desire to spend time with our Master should well up within us.

Those who have not had a positive father figure in their life may find it harder to embrace our Father God. But our Lord wants to reveal Himself to all His children as the one who will wipe away every tear and who will mentor us, enabling us to be all that we can be for Him. He is Abba, which means Daddy God. This is what Jesus called Him and we can find the freedom to do the same.