CHAZAK AMATS! 

BE STRONG AND OF GOOD COURAGE.  Joshua 1:9, Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee whithersoever thou goest.


We are not weak, we are not without hope! We are not dismayed. We will not be defeated, we will not perish. We will gain victory and victory we will sustain. We belong to Jesus Christ and He is the great I AM. He is the I AM. That is present tense, that is right now in this moment. That is the King of Kings, the Most High God saying I am the God of now. I am present tense. I am not a God that is only to be considered in the future. In the future God will take care of me. In the end I will be ok. When the storm passes God will take care of me. NO! NO! God will take care of me now! God will hold me now! God will direct my path now! God is in control of my life now! He is God of the present and He will empower my fight today. He will strenthen my blows, today! He will hold my aim steadfast, today! He will be the reason I will never ever quit. Jesus Christ is my rock, He is my Lord today! Yeah though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death today I will fear no evil. I will fear no evil because I am a warrior of Jesus Christ. I am a warrior in the army of Jesus and He is my commander. He is my guide! He is my help in time of need! He is my Savior! I will for Him forever! This world may bring hardship, this world may bring death, but I will obey and Jesus will win. I am in this fight until the end. I have a battle cry CHAZAK AMATS! CHAZAK AMATS! I will be strong and of good courage. If Jesus is for, who can be against me. My redeemer lives and because He lives, I will live. I will live to fight the good fight. Lock Arms with Me, Warrior Up and Let us go fight the fight laid out for us. 

Reaching for Him,

Brother Big Daddy

Psalm 119:41-48
Let Your mercies come also to me, 
O Lord--
Your salvation according to Your word.
42 So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me,
For I trust in Your word.
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, For I have hoped in Your ordinances.
44 So shall I keep Your law continually, Forever and ever.
45 And I will walk at liberty, For I seek Your precepts.
46 I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings,
And will not be ashamed.
47 And I will delight myself in Your commandments,
Which I love.
48 My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments,
Which I love, And I will meditate on Your statutes.


Where do your answers come from? Answers to those who oppose you? Answers to those who are for you? In verse 42 David says it plainly, our answers should come from the Word of God. I listen to many conversations and have determined that many children of God are just like their pastors, they do a great deal of talking. To often and to boldly, we inject our own opinions into the lives of the children of God who are trying to walk on this earth in a manner that lines up with Jesus Christ and His teachings. To often we come along, seasoned Christians as we may call ourselves, and we begin interjecting our opinions into their lives. Have our opinions been confirmed in the scriptures? Do any of them run contrary to the scriptures? Be careful, when God has had enough of this kind of intervention, it ain't good for those who are so self directed and ill guided. 

I love verse 45 because it says we can walk with freedom because we seek after the precepts of God. We seek after Jesus Christ and His Word. If we do this, we walk in freedom. Verse 46 says I will speak of your testimonies before all men, even kings and rulers. i will proclaim your name and I will walk boldly in the ways of Jesus Christ and will not be ashamed. Verse 47 says I will be joyful, happy, at peace, content, in the commandments of God. It says that the Word of God will be a source of joy in my life. It says that I will love the Word of God. Finally verse 48 says I will love the commandments of God and they will be on my mind. I will meditate on them. I will think about them, I will reason through them. They will drive my life and control my heart. My love will be in them and they will drive me in and through my relationship with the Most High. Do you love the Word of God? It is very difficult to run the play without the play book. Love the Word and Give yourself to its commandments. 

Reaching for Him,

Brother Big Daddy 

Psalm 119:33-40
33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,
And I shall keep it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law;
Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
35 Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,
For I delight in it.
36 Incline my heart to Your testimonies,
And not to covetousness.
37 Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,
And revive me in Your way.
38 Establish Your word to Your servant,
Who is devoted to fearing You.
39 Turn away my reproach which I dread,
For Your judgments are good.
40 Behold, I long for Your precepts;
Revive me in Your righteousness.

We have all heard it said from people we witness to, I just don't understand the Bible. I know we have said it ourselves as well, but hey, I was trying to give us a break. But there are no days off here, there are no vacations, there are no shut downs it is a twenty four seven tell it like it is. So here goes the truth as revealed in the Word of God. The obvious question regarding our Bible confusion is do we know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior? Is the Holy Spirit living inside of you enabling you to understand what you read? If the answer is yes, Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior, then the next question is who is teaching you? Who are you asking to teach you the scriptures and what are your prayers regarding God's Holy Word? Finally, what is your commitment going into your Bible study, Are you there to negotiate or to walk in obedience? David asks God in Psalm 119 verse 33 to teach him His statues. David then declares that he will keep them to the end. So I think this is a major factor in our study of the scripture. First of all what is our intent? Are we studying God's Word so we can keep His commandments? Are we confused by what we don't want to do, yet crystal clear about what we want to do. You see, I think this is where a great deal of our confusion slides into our understanding of the Bible. We tend to get all confused and just can't understand when the words we read clash with our own desires. However, the realty of this situation is we should should be seeing in high definition when this takes place. We should expect God's Word to put us in conflict. However we should long before we begin to study God's Word purpose it in our heart's that we will do what He reveals and thus the conflict is minimized...I surrender. David goes on to ask God to give him understanding v34, he then commits to keep the law with his whole heart. David in verse 35 asks God to make him walk in his commandments this is a pretty bold request when you really sit down and think about it. He then declares that He will delight in such a walk of obedience. David goes on to request that God will incline his heart to God's testimonies, to turn away his eyes from worthless things, David then pleads with God to revive him to His precepts and judgments. The bottom line is David prayed for understanding with a mindset that He would surrender to God's way. David was not negotiating with God regarding obedience. He was praying for understanding committed to doing what was revealed. When you run the play today don't negotiate your way through your assignment. Do it with your whole heart. Run the play exactly how you are instructed and watch the beauty of your relationship with Christ Jesus unfold.

Reaching for Him,

Brother Big Daddy  

Romans 12:1-2I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

As we write our testimonies I think Romans 12:1-2 is so fitting because our testimony describes the transformation mentioned in Romans 12:1-2. We must be transformed by the mighty power of Jesus living inside us and the practice of renewing our mind with spiritual, kingdom minded things. Paul says I beg you to present yourself a living sacrifice. The term living sacrifice needs some attention as generally a sacrifice is dead, placed on the altar and consumed by fire. However, Paul tells us we are to be a living sacrifice. He describes this also in         1 Corinthians 15:31 when He declares, "I die daily." You see Paul is saying that we must present our life as a living sacrifice to Jesus today. We must put aside our own desires and live for Jesus and do what He has called us to do. Tomorrow we are blessed to get up in the and do it all over again. He must have our total surrender. We do this over and over and as part of a transformation that makes us new creatures, new as children of God that grow and mature, producing the fruit we are designed to produce, and working in the kingdom as we are molded and shaped for each and every task. We are transformed when we renew our mind. When our mind is focused on spiritual things, we walk spiritually minded. When our mind is focused on the gutter, we walk in the gutter. The scripture is where we must spend time renewing our mind. It is where God speaks to us, confirms our steps, and solidifies our path. The scripture is where God transforms. Without the Word of God directing our life we are simply playing a game of chance. Paul says when we are transformed we prove what the perfect will of God is. Are you proving God's will today. Are you being transformed, are you different today because of Jesus Christ? Is it a daily process? Go live it out! Run the play today!

Reaching for Him,

Brother Big Daddy

I hope you all are preparing your testimony. I hope you are pouring yourself into this task and are asking Jesus Christ to lead guide and direct every point you put on paper. As I opened my computer the song Indescribable came on and Chris Tomiln is so wonderfully singing "You are amazing God." Amazing He is and He loves His children. If you are wondering what in the world I am talking about regarding your testimony, then go take a look at the blog for  Monday and Tuesday. 


John 1:35-50
35 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. 36 And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them,“What do you seek?”
They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?”39 He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.
Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).43 The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”46 And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”Philip said to him, “Come and see.”47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him,“Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”48 Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?”Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”49 Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”50 Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Are you living a come and see life. When people want to see what a Christian life is like can they "come and see your life." We are to walk as Christ Jesus walked. May the world come and see.

Reaching for Him,

Brother Big Daddy

If you have not read yesterday's blog please please do so and then take a look at today's. Start working on your testimony. This is a breakdown of Paul's Testimony from Acts 22.

1.    Who Paul was?

3 “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, 5 as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.

2.    What Happened?

5 as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished. 6 “Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. 7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ 8 So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’9 “And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me. 10 So I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.’ 11 And since I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus. 12 “Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there, 13 came to me; and he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked up at him. 14 Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. 15 For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’

3.    What have you been doing ever since? 

17 “Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance 18 and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’ 19 So I said, ‘Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. 20 And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ 21 Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’”

I would like for you all to read Acts 22. Paul in his defense delivers his testimony to those who so adamantly opposed him. He delivers this testimony with confidence and boldness. He owned this testimony and was definitely able to handle the delivery with strength and assurance. We must do the same with our testimony. It is the absolute best witnessing tool you can use to tell people about Jesus. What He has done in your life is real and powerful. If it can happen to you, it can happen to those around you. The best way I know to prepare our testimony is simply to break it down into three components: 1) This is who I was. 2) This is what happened. 3) This is what I have been doing ever since. This is a great way for us to evaluate our life with Jesus as well. 1. Who were you? Have old things passed away? 2. What happened? What happened when Jesus Christ saved you? What happened when you came to grips with the fact that you were a sinner and needed Jesus Christ to save you and free you from the bondage of sin. There have been situations where people have sat down to write out there testimony and came to this part of the process and realized they have been in church their entire life, they knew the bible, they loved going to church, they even loved their mindset of Jesus. However, they could not remember ever surrendering their life to Jesus. Immediately, they got on their knees and ask Jesus into their heart and the blood of Christ wiped away every sin and every spot. Don't get confused I am not talking about you remembering the exact date or time. Many times this is difficult for lifers (those that have been in church all their life). However, was their a time in your life that you remember recognizing you are a sinner and  you need this Jesus Christ you hear so much about. 

(If not get on your knees and admit to jesus that your are a sinner. Acknowledge that you believe Jesus Christ died on the cross for your sins. Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins and become Lord of your life. This means that you surrender control of life over to Jesus ask Him to fill you with His Spirit and proclaim with joy that your life is His). 

Finally, 3. What have you been doing ever since? There have been those who get to this part of the testimony and there is really nothing to write down. There is really nothing to say they have been doing for Jesus Christ. Their life has pretty much been the same. My advice, evaluate number 2. When God touches you, it is for a purpose and He expects you to be just as Him,  about His Father's business. Again, I would like for all of you out there in blog land to read Acts 22                       ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2022&version=NKJV ) identify the three areas of Paul's Testimony. They are there and they are powerful. Then I want you to begin working on your testimony. The beauty of this outline is it can be given in 3 minutes, 30 minutes or three hours you just have to control how much detail you include in each part. So write your testimony begin owning it and the delivery of it. You just never know when you may be called upon to give it.

Reaching for Him,

Brother Big Daddy

1 Corinthians 10:12-13

12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.


Let him who thinks he stands take heed? Many times it is when we think we are the strongest that we have the strongest fall. We start thinking even believing that we are somehow purifying ourselves and that our willpower and our loyalty come from us. We are only fooling ourselves and it is a short walk from a great cliff. A cliff that leads to sin and conviction. We must recognize that everything good about us is the work of the Holy Spirit living and dwelling in our hearts. The Holy Spirit drives us to Jesus Christ. It is the work of the Spirit that leads us not into temptation. It is the work of the Holy Spirit that shows the door of escape as we face temptation. The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.  Jesus tells us that in Matthew 26:41. However, this does not give us the right to fall, it simply gives us eyes to see the battlefield. The Spirit of God living inside us will always be ready for the battle our flesh will be reluctant, weak and sometimes in rebellion. However, fight the good fight, feed the Spirit and not the flesh. Is your flesh weak, then pray. Is your flesh weak, then study the Bible. Is your flesh weak then assemble together with children of God and do Godly things. Is your flesh weak, then put on praise and worship music and sing to your King. is your flesh weak, then look for the door of escape and run through it with all you have. Jesus provides victory, reach out and grab it.

Reaching for Him,

Brother Big Daddy

Whose heart do you hold in your hand? Most of us have more than one heart that so delicately rests in our hands and we make or break them on a daily basis. Our words, our tone of voice our attitude so powerfully effect those around us. You see the ones who have placed their hearts in our hands have entrusted their very existence to us. Emotionally, they have trusted us to love them, nurture them and care for them. They believe we will protect their hearts and they certainly trust that it will not be us that breaks their heart. Ephesians 4:29 commands, "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." Do your words impart grace? Are your words full of pure and holy things that Jesus would describe as edifying. Would Jesus look at your words and the delicate hearts that rest in your hands, (you know the ones, your spouse, your children, your best friend, your mother, your father) and look at your words to these individuals and say well done, well done my good and faithful servant. You have lifted these delicate hearts up and full of grace you have ministered with your words and your actions. You have allowed My love to flow through you and to these precious babies that I entrusted to your care. Would these beautiful words be what you would hear or would you get the stare of all stares. Would He say, 'what you have said to the lest of these you have said to me. The things you have done to hurt the least of these you have done unto me.' Dude I know this is pretty heavy stuff, kind of sad on this day of love to have the smack down laid on you. Well, deal with it! Get up up off your whining seat and get out there and tell them that you love them. Tell them they are precious to your heart and that you will hold their hearts with the strongest hands and will allow God to strengthen your abilities to nurture their hearts. Tell them they are a gift from god and you recognize to whom they belong and that you will fight the good fight in protecting them. Tell them they are amazing and beautiful. Tell that God created you to love them and that love them you will do with every ounce of strength that Christ Jesus has breathed into your lungs. Tell them that there is no one on this earth like them. Tell them in the words of Uncle Kracker,


You're better then the best
I'm lucky just to linger in your light
Cooler then the flip side of my pillow, that's right
Completely unaware
Nothing can compare to where you send me,
Lets me know that it's ok, yeah it's ok
And the moments where my good times start to fade

You make me smile like the sun
Fall out of bed, sing like a bird
Dizzy in my head, spin like a record
Crazy on a Sunday night
You make me dance like a fool
Forget how to breathe
Shine like gold, buzz like a bee
Just the thought of you can drive me wild
Ohh, you make me smile


Hey I don't agree with a great deal of his lyrics but you gotta admit this song is a home run. Pretty Sheree, I dedicate this blog to you and your beautiful smile. You absolutely positively make me smile! I love you more today than yesterday but nowhere near as much as tomorrow!


Reaching for Him,


Brother Big Daddy