Every one of us has an ability to create something, it’s best not to compare yourself with others, as each one of us has different gifts. Some create great people, some great vegetable farms, some healthy livestock, others art, music, roleplaying, acting, preachers, educators, advocates…. the list is endless. Defining creation: the action or process of bringing something into order or existence: the creation of a government, investing in or creating a new rank, a design, a book, an invention, formation of something, a world, a universe, a symphony, or work of art.

Galatians 6:4-5 reads: “Each of you must examine your own actions. Then you can be proud of your own accomplishments without comparing yourself to others. Assume your own responsibility.

” Romans 12:2 reads: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-His good, pleasing, and perfect will. “

When we compare ourselves to the world’s standards and ideals, we can easily become disillusioned and discontent. God has deposited within each human being the great ability to create. I attribute every creative thing that I have ever done in my life to have been allowed, inspired and empowered by God. He plants things within us that may be of a surprise to you, as it may be the farthest thing from your imagination that you ever thought to do. One day, through life’s circumstances you wake up and say, “Hey- I think I know what I am supposed to do!!”

I was at an awards ceremony this week (Congrats Sammy and Maddy!). There are so many creative young ones, about to graduate, their whole lives ahead of them. Lean in to hear what God has planted within you to do, He will give you the power to do whatever that is-the power and the inspiration to create!

If you do not know who Jesus is, He is the Savior of the world! He came as a man to this earth, God made flesh, to take upon Himself the sin of the world, He took it upon himself to die for our sins, He then rose again, gloriously, just as those who believe in Him will do one day! A chance to live again in Him. Ask Him to take away all your burdens today, and make Him Lord of your life! Only Jesus can make all things new for you! Watch and see what He wants to create through you!!

Though we scurry to beat the clock, we never know what time it really is. Time is valuable, of course ,we are also valuable…In Ephesians 5:15-20 we read, “Act like people with good sense and not like fools. These are evil times, so make every minute count. Don’t be stupid. Instead, find out what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t destroy yourself by getting drunk, but let the Spirit fill your life. When you meet together, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, as you praise the Lord with all your heart. Always use the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to thank God the Father for everything.” When we dedicate our time to the destruction of our bodies, it can produce great physical, emotional, and mental pain in our lives. Sometimes the pain can be a wake up call to say to us it’s time to do something different.

C.S. Lewis quoted “God whispers to us in our pleasure, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains. It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

I believe if we do not obey His voice, His word and what He has instilled for us to do in our conscience, then we can be considered deaf to what He is telling us. His word is our instruction manual, a very important guide to what would otherwise be a very confusing existence. Let Him whisper to you in your pleasure, speak to you in your conscience, and hopefully He will not need a megaphone shouting out our pains. Though pain may come even when you live your life right for God, having Jesus in your life makes everything that happens in life a whole lot more beautiful.

Ask Jesus to forgive you, come and live in you, fill and guide you by His Spirit. He died for you, He rose again, to promise you a new life, that you may have a chance to rise to be with Him. A chance for an eternal life with Jesus. No time better than the present.

The Philharmonic Orchestra has many pieces, humans are at the helm of each of these pieces. Their expertise, skills and knowledge put together in one accord makes a beautiful melody for all to hear, to meditate on and to receive into their hearts and minds. Only the best musicians are chosen for such an honor to play in this orchestra. All it takes is one instrument out of tune or out of time with the others to throw the whole performance off.

Our faith can be like that too. God’s word in 2 Peter 1:5-11 reads: “Do your best to improve your faith by adding goodness, understanding, self-control, patience, devotion to God, concern for others, and love. If you keep growing in this way, it will show that what you know about our Lord Jesus Christ has made your lives useful and meaningful. But if you don’t grow, you are like someone who is nearsighted or blind, and you have forgotten that your past sins are forgiven. My friends, you must do all you can to show God has really chosen and selected you. If you keep on doing this, you won’t stumble and fall. Then our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will give you a glorious welcome into His kingdom that will last forever.” When we do what God’s word says to do: show -goodness, understanding, self-control, patience, devotion to God, concern for others, and love, then think if we all did that to each other, we would grow beautifully together, in our world we would make a beautiful sound that would be heard all across the nations. Then by doing our best to continue in this attitude we will receive the kingdom that will last forever…

A great place to start is by asking Jesus to forgive all your sins and come into your heart and change you forever more. Jesus came to earth to take on our pain, sin and suffering upon Himself on the cross, He then rose again so that He may have eternal life and give the very same to all who believe in Him.

Accept Him today, do your best with His help, to make a beautiful sound with your life.

1John 4:14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be Savior of the world.

Luke 1:47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in my God my Savior.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

That name is Jesus!

No other name!

Do you believe what He did was true? Some scholars estimate that there are about 30 surviving independent (from God’s word) sources written by 25 authors who attest to Jesus. Jewish book of Josephus, though separate from the Bible, also attest to the history of Jesus as well. History has made note of his existence even though He only lived between 33 and 39 years when He died, the Bible does not give an exact age. Jesus’ earthly life was relatively short but His influence was long-lasting. We only know that His ministry started when He was 30 years old and only lasted approximately 3 1/2 years. For someone who only lived a brief amount of time, what He accomplished in those few years goes down in history. Jesus is the only true living God and Savior!

John 3:16 “God so loved the people of this world, that He gave His only begotten Son, whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but shall have everlasting life!” Like the song says:

I love to tell the story,

of unseen things above-

of Jesus and His Glory,

of Jesus and His love;

I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true,

it satisfies my longings as nothing else would do.

I love to tell the story,

’twill be my theme in Glory,

to tell the old, old story, of Jesus and His love.

I love to tell the story, more wonderful it seems

Than all the golden fancies of all our golden dreams;

I love to tell the story, it did so much for me,

And that is just the reason I tell it now to thee.

I love to tell the story, ’tis pleasant to repeat,

What seems each time I tell it more wonderfully sweet;

I love to tell the story , for some have never heard

The message of salvation from God’s own Holy Word.

I love to tell the story, for those who know it best,

Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest;

And when in scenes of Glory I sing the new, new song,

‘Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.

I had a personal encounter with the true living, risen, savior! That is a testimony that I love to repeat, and share with others, so that you may know how very much He loves you! He has given everyone a story, a personal encounter. Ask him to come into your life, to forgive you of all sin, guilt and shame, to become Lord of your life so that all things will be new for you! He died on the cross for you and rose again so that all who believe in Him will have everlasting life, along with your own personal story.

Happy Resurrection Day!

Matthew 1:5-15

” When Jesus came to Jerusalem, everyone in the city was excited and asked, “Who can this be?

“The crowd answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee, “Jesus went into the temple and chased out everyone who was selling or buying. He turned over the tables of the money changers and the benches of the ones who were selling doves. He told them, ” The scriptures say. ‘ My house should be called a place of worship.’ But you have turned it into a place where robbers hide. “Blind and lame people came to Jesus in the temple, and He healed them. But the chief priests and the teachers of the Law of Moses were angry when they saw His miracles and heard the children shouting praises to the Son of David.” Sometimes we are flawed in that we expect something from God, we want Him to meet our expectations like these teachers of the law, when God wants to go far beyond our expectations! I do encourage everyone to let go of your own expectations and receive all that God has for you this resurrection day! If you have surrendered all that has weighed you down-all your sins, He is faithful and just to forgive you of all sin, give it all to Him! Ask Jesus to come into your life and be Lord over everything. This season we truly know that we serve a risen King! He sacrificed His own life, died for our sins and rose again so that we who believe are given a second chance for eternal life-and to rise with our Savior again into eternal life! He loves you, and He did it all for you and me!

Happy Resurrection Day!