The other night at a basketball program sponsored by Anointed Athletics, I had an interesting conversation with a Native American man named Joseph. We were sitting on the sidelines waiting to get in the game and he shared with me his story of how he came to be saved in Christ. He also shared how getting saved was only part of the story of removing generational curses from his life.
           Accepting Christ into your life is the most important thing you can ever do. There is a great deal to be said about all that Christ has done for us and getting saved is only the beginning. Imagine accepting a Bible as a gift and you put it on a shelf without ever opening it. You'd be missing the power of declaring God's promises over your life. My friend Joseph said he was saved, but not healed from generational curses. At first he was led to believe that once he was saved, all his past was gone. His sin was gone, but the residue of that sin or the generational curses remained until they're removed. He did finally get healed when someone  gave him a deeper teaching on the healing that comes with Believing in Jesus. Now he's saved and healed.   
          It's possible to be saved and remain in bondage to sin. As a saved person who is now a new creature in Christ, we need to allow the Sun of righteousness to arise within us with healing in His wings. All diseases are a result of the fallen condition of man. Generational bondage is repeating the sinful history surrounding you. No matter who hands you sin, you must not pick it up and repeat it. No matter how much you get stabbed in the back, you don't pull the knife out and return the wounds. Letting go is hard, but that's Christ's way of love.
          Last Sunday (3-8-20) at Church for The Nations Flagstaff, Pastor Daniel Williamson gave a powerful teaching about Communion. Now you need to understand that I'm an old-head who's been walking with Jesus for many years. Still, my world sometimes gets rocked by new insight and revelations of God's power. Pastor Daniel or PD as folks call him, blasted a home run over the walls of my flesh into the bleachers of my spirit. He talked about the sacrifice of Christ on the cross - His broken body and poured out blood. He gave a very graphic demonstration of how Jesus was whipped 39 times before He was crucified. If you read yesterday's devotion, you would have read about "39 rivers of blood." 
          I've been intently focused for the last few days on PD's words about the 39 lashes Jesus received and how they  represented 39 diseases. The Bible says we are healed through the woundings of Jesus. Some folks will miss the point and argue about the number of disease classifications in the world. None of that matters to me. Here is what does matter. Jesus died for all of my sins. He died for all of your sins. Jesus died for every sin I committed against you. Jesus died for every sin you committed against me. All of our sins were healed through the woundings of Jesus. There is no room for me or you to be wounded when all of the wounds we've caused have been cast upon Him. There's no room in the torn flesh of a wounded Christ for us to continue wounding each other. Jesus doesn't allow it and neither should I. 
          Through PD, God gave me a revelation that has revolutionized my way of thinking. Anyone who has done me dirty, already has their dirty deeds covered in 39 rivers of blood. I have no right to hold something against them that has already been removed by Christ. While it's true that they owe their debt of repentance to Christ, I must recognize a debt that's already been paid by Christ. Whether they accept it or not is none of my business (unless I can help them in knowing Christ.)
​          All sin has been covered by the actions of a Father who loved us so much that He allowed His Son to die so that by His stripes we are healed. God desires that none of us should perish so nobody has to. All you have to do is accept that you are healed from your sinful condition by the woundedness of Christ. Jesus granted mercy and grace to me when I didn't deserve it. I don't have any right to pierce those who've committed transgressions against me. I must give mercy and grace as it flows from the 39 rivers of the blood of Christ's forgiveness. 
          DAY 14 WORD
“But it was because of our rebellious deeds
     that he was pierced
and because of our sins
     that he was crushed.
He endured the punishment
     that made us completely whole,
          and in his wounding we found our healing.”
Isaiah 53:5 (TPT)
“He personally carried our sins
     in his body on the cross
so that we can be dead to sin
     and live for what is right.
          By his wounds you are healed.”
1 Peter 2:24 (NLT)
          HEART THOUGHTS
     Forgiveness begins with yourself - for what you have done and what you have failed to do.
          HEART REFLECTIONS  
     Spend a few moments for as many days as you need to let this sink in:
          "All of us have sinned. Jesus paid the price for all of our sins.
         I have no right to hold onto a debt that's already been paid by Christ."

Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
Jesus loves you and so do we.
​#ywap40daysofLent #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW

          I can't feel my body.
I stand here naked and unfeeling.
My leaves have left me; they fell away in the fall.
I'm exposed to the bitter cold of winter judgment.
My branches stretch out like arms with frost bitten fingers.
My sap no longer flows; my lifeblood seems frozen inside me.
          I can't feel my body.
I'm in a place of unfeeling, a place of lonely coldness.
My bark is crystallized, imprisoned with ice.
Some branches are broken from the weight of the snow.
My roots no longer stretch in the frozen earth below.
The leaves I once wore are blown away by the arctic air.
          I can't feel my body.
So why can I feel pain?
Where do I feel pain, if I can't feel my body?
Some pain is my own. Others have hurt me and now their pain I own.
I watch people suffer and I soak up their sufferings like rain.
In a prison of pain I am frozen, in a cell all alone.
          I can't feel my body.
I know I can pray. Should I ask for the pain to be taken away?
Or is the pain a gift designed by God to give me a lift.
Is all of His creation a classroom for me?
Out of my bleakness can I develop a "seekness?"
Can I seek spring and the healing warmth it will bring?
          I can't feel my body.
I was a tree in the beginning, at the very first Fall.
The Fall of you, Mankind, because you wanted it all.
I held the fruit you picked that caused you guilt and shame.
You wear it now like a mantle; it's become a part of your name.
Unable to take it off, you react in fear pointing fingers of blame.
          I can't feel my body.
I was a tree cut down and floated through town on 39 rivers of blood.
A Man was made to carry me and all of you upon my sturdy wood.
They froze Him to me with cold steel, pounded through His hands and feet.
I held Him like a leaf until He died and fell from my branches.
His last words I remember: "Please give them second chances."

          Jesus rent the veil of our fleshly resentment with his sacrificial death. Let your resentment die. Sacrifice your resentment on the cross of forgiveness. Rip the curtain that separates love from fear.
          DAY 13 WORD

"Get rid of your bitterness,
hot tempers, anger, loud quarreling, cursing, and hatred.
Be kind to each other,
sympathetic, forgiving each other as God has forgiven you through Christ."
Ephesians 4:31-32 GWT
          HEART THOUGHTS
Deprivation reproduces through unforgiveness. 
Resentment is repetitive through unforgiveness.
Shame is recreated through unforgiveness.
Blame revives shame through unforgiveness.
          HEART REFLECTIONS  
Make it your prayer to ask the Holy Spirit how to minister to shame filled people.

Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
Jesus loves you and so do we.
​#ywap40daysoflent #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW

          The huge giraffe took the leaves from my wife's hand, but wasn't satisfied. Looking for more, he swung his humongous neck around for a second pass at her. This time his long tongue passed over her face causing Linda to scream and laugh simultaneously. My wife now has a fond memory of having her face licked by the tallest animal on earth. Everything about that giraffe spoke of the largeness of God's creation.
          Growing as tall as 18 feet, the giraffe has a very expansive view of its surroundings. Its neck alone is a about six feet and stretches high into the sky. There are several benefits that come to mind when thinking of being 18 feet tall. Number one, a greater view would enable you to see your enemies coming when they're still far away. Number two, if you're that tall, you can see more opportunities at greater distances.  
          Giraffes don't stay in one place, they move around a lot. Sometimes folks who follow Christ get wrapped up in church activities that consume much of their free time. It's like huddling in the safety of the herd. That's not a bad thing for a season, but we can't be God's Light in a dark world if we stay in our comfort zone. The giraffe has enemies and many of the calves born to them die young. Lions will attack and kill to make this huge animal into a big meal for their family. Sometimes lions wait until a giraffe is in the vulnerable position of bending down to get a drink. Ironically, even with a six foot neck, a giraffe has to bend its knees and almost squat to get a drink. In His mercy, God created the huge animal with the ability to obtain water through the vegetation that it eats thereby minimizing the need to bend down at the watering hole. They only have to drink every few days. Staying high and alert for danger helps the giraffe survive.
          To support the massive size of the giraffe, God created this beautiful animal with a gigantic heart. The giraffe's heart is about two feet long and weighs about 25 pounds. So the giraffe has a big heart and stands tall with the ability to see danger and opportunity from far away. There's a connection between eyesight and the heart. Both danger and opportunity require heart action whether running from danger or running to opportunity. ​“My son, give me your heart
And let your eyes delight in my ways,” Proverbs 23:26 (AMP)
          Your protection from danger is determined by how much time you spend in God's Protection Manual - the Bible. He has a plan of protection against dark powers of this world that will steal, kill and destroy. As believers in Christ we are called to stand tall and have a heart for folks in need. Let your heart beat for opportunities to be compassionate as you stay alert to temptations that will drag you don.
          DAY 12 WORD
     “For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels,      nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers,”
     Romans 8:38 (AMP)
     “Your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings, but with the highest principalities and authorities operating      in rebellion under the heavenly realms. For they are a powerful class of demon-gods and evil spirits that hold this      dark world in bondage.”
     Ephesians 6:1 (TPT)
     “Above all, have [a]fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks      unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others].”
     1 Peter 4:8 (AMP) 
          HEART THOUGHTS
     What animals have habits that you can apply to a Bible teaching?
          HEART REFLECTIONS
     Write a short lesson for children about God teaching His Word through animals and teach it to an adult..

​Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
Jesus loves you and so do we.
​#ywap40daysoflent #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW

          The "God-Card", don't leave home without it! Yes my friends, if you're looking to get a heavenly hand to give you the upper hand in what you want, play the God-Card for an unfair advantage! Playing the God-Card is using God as your reason or excuse to make a decision as you cover up truth. People who play the God-Card come from both sides of the religious aisle; believers and non-believers. 
          Playing the God-Card is telling folks you're "holier-than-thou" while behaving in an underhanded manner. A guy will tell a girl he loves Jesus so he can try and have sex with her. Some guys go to church during their courtship of a woman and quit church after their married. People apply for jobs, rental apartments and negotiate better deals by portraying themselves as believers in God because the people they're dealing with are into God. "Hey I'm into God just like you, this was meant to be! God must want us to do this!"
          God does bring people together. God does give us messages on a regular basis, but using God to gain an advantage is wrong. Many people have been fooled into accepting bad business deals or personal relationships by folks professing to have a relationship with God. We feel bad when we get burned, but rest assured God always takes care of business in the end. A simple way to put it is, "you reap what you sow." 
“Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.” Galatians 6:7-8 (MSG)
          It's not wise to make decisions based upon someone's proclamation of believing in God. Decisions should be made after prayer and include some common sense. It's okay to take risks and show compassion, but God does want us to be frugal. Without frugality, generosity dries up. If you let somebody rent an apartment because they played the "God-Card" and they leave you in the lurch for thousands of dollars, you have to ask yourself if you made the right decision. You can't be generous and support people in need if a bad decision has left you in need. Wisdom makes decisions while including the revelation of God's Word. The Holy Spirit does talk to us in a still small voice, but God will never tell you to be dishonest in your relationships. The Word of God is the Truth of God and tells us how to live in the Way of God as our character displays the Life of God.
          Some believers use the words, "God told me" so much it would lead one to believe that God is speaking to them in an unending rap song. Playing the God-Card as a believer, whether you think God has spoken to you or not, can lead to a stumbling block for unbelievers. Just for the sake of definition and clarity, a believer is someone who professes their faith in Jesus Christ and follows the Truth of the Bible. A non-believer is someone who has yet to make a personal connection with God through Christ. Both believers and non-believers play the God-Card. Be honest, be true, put other people before yourself and put God ahead of all things. There are ways to misuse the name of God and playing the God-Card is one of them. Let your character reveal what you believe in by the choices you make and the words you speak.  It's okay to say that you think God is leading you to do something, but back it up with proof from His Word.
          DAY 11 WORD
     “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain
     [that is, irreverently, in false affirmations
     or in ways that impugn the character of God];
     for the Lord will not hold guiltless nor leave unpunished
     the one who [a]takes His name in vain
     disregarding its reverence and its power].”
     Exodus 20:7 (AMP)
Footnote: [a]  “Using the name of God
                       in a casual, frivolous way establishes a mindset
                       that diminishes and dishonors the omnipotent God.
                       Using the name of God to abuse, manipulate, or deceive
                        invites judgment.”
          HEART THOUGHTS
     How much respect do you give God when you speak about Him?
          HEART REFLECTIONS
     Make an effort to create more holiness and reverence in your relationships when you speak of God.

​Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
Jesus loves you and so do we.
​#ywap40daysoflent #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW

          My wife and I left Buffalo, New York on September 23, 2019 and arrived in Flagstaff, Arizona on September 28, 2019. We let Buffalo 165 days ago and we've been in Flagstaff for 160 days. Within a few weeks of living here, we attended a Sunday Service at Church For The Nations Flagstaff. On the first day we were there, someone asked us what brought us to Flagstaff? At the same exact second in time, both my wife and I said, "God!" 
          There are times in life when your personal desires line up with God's plans. We knew someday that we wanted to live in Arizona, but only when the time was right. My wife and I are the Directors of Youth With A Purpose which God founded in Buffalo almost 20 years ago. Linda lived Arizona for over 40 years before God brought us together. You can read our love story here - "A Mountain, The Cross & Our Love Story." When folks asked us if we would someday move to Arizona, our reply was always the same, "When we're done doing what God wants us to do in Buffalo, then we'll be free to move."
          There have been several moves in my life where I've recognized God's hand in the pre-move planning. It helps to record the number of years and days because messages can be strewn out over extended time periods in our lives. On one Sunday evening after a church service, a friend randomly said to me, "Hey if you ever need a place to stay, I've got an apartment for you." I remember thinking that it was an odd statement because I had a place to stay. Within two weeks my life turned upside down and I found myself needing a place to stay. In another instance on a Sunday morning as I was reading my Bible, my body got up and went to the cupboards and started packing the contents. I stood there dumbfounded as my brain didn't make the decision to do this, my body moved without any direction from my mind. Within about 30 days I had moved again. We need to be prepared for a move of God at all times.
          God has sent me many messages over the years in many ways. He gives me alerts when something big is on the horizon. He also connects visions that may be ten or more years apart from each other. About a year before we moved to Flagstaff, God began to drop heart-nuggets on me that simply said, "Be prepared to move." I took that seriously based upon my history of receiving God's moving messages. 
          The Buffalo Ministry of YWAP is safely and vibrantly reaching young people through a great team at The Bread of Life. We no longer need to physically be there. For several years, Linda and I have been spending a month or so in Arizona during Buffalo's coldest months. Last year as I was hiking on a mountain, from my phone I was writing curriculum, sending emails and texting messages to the YWAP Buffalo Leadership. When I put my phone back in my pocket a great big smile creased my face. God dropped another heart-nugget on me that said, "You're running a ministry from the top of a mountain! 
          Linda and I decided to check out some houses for sale in areas we would like to live. A friend who is a real estate broker suggested we talk to a mortgage broker to get pre-qualified. Being a former real estate broker myself, I knew this process would give us any answers. After looking at our income, the mortgage broker asked us to "bump up our Schedule C." That means show more income. I politely told her, "Mam, we're a faith based ministry that operates through the hand of God moving people's hearts to support the ministry. If God wants us to move to Arizona, He will open a door to make that happen." About two days later Linda had lunch with a friend. She asked my wife if we would consider staying in Flagstaff at a small house for low rent in exchange for providing services for the owner's rental home. It was an offer we couldn't refuse! God opened a door for us to move. 
          About six months before we moved, I had a vision that I can only describe as the finger of God with the number "9" balanced on His finger. If you ask me how I knew it was God's finger, the only answer I can give you is, "I knew that I knew that I knew!" It was a hand in the heavenlies with the number "9". I asked God what the vision meant and never really received a definite answer, but I knew in my heart it was related to moving. We did move to Arizona in the ninth month.
          When I believe I've received a message from God, my personal practice is to look for at least three or more confirmations of the message and one of the has to be contained in the Word. Our move to Arizona was confirmed many times over.
          God's messages can be full of mercy and grace. My wife and I were graced with what we received, we got what we desired, a move to Arizona and the opportunity to expand the YWAP Ministry. 
          DAY TEN WORD
     “But the Spirit gives love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." 
     Galatians 5:22-23 (ICB)
     “And when He had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai,
     He gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone,
     written with the finger of God.
     Exodus 31:18 (NKJV)
     ”Suddenly the fingers of a man’s hand appeared and began writing opposite the lampstand
     on [a well-lit area of] the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace,
     and the king saw the part of the hand that did the writing.”
     Daniel 5:5 (AMP)
           HEART THOUGHTS
    Do you journal the messages that you believe are from God? Some messages will connect with years between them, if you don't keep track, you may never connect the messages.
          HEART REFLECTIONS
     Let go of your desires, surrender them into the perfect will of God. Be still and know that He is God and wait for His messages. Where is God moving near you?

​Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
Jesus loves you and so do we.
​#ywap40daysoflent #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW

          There is a process that I do my best to follow when I write a book or a devotional. My plan is to ask God the day before I write, to show me what I'm supposed to write about. Sometimes it's easy and the subject readily appears through people, Bible reading, daily occurrences or a picture will appear in my mind. Today's writing has been a struggle. Last night just before I went to sleep, a picture came to mind that was almost undecipherable. The picture in my mind's eye looked like a purple fungus in a reef with the lips of an oyster. 
          My mind went blank as I went to sleep. Except for the purple picture, I had nothing to meditate on.  This morning I woke up and still had no idea what I would write about. Several things crossed my mind, but nothing took center stage in my thoughts. Maybe by the end of this writing, the Holy Spirit will bring clarity to the whole matter. How did I start writing this devotional when I wasn't sure what to write about? I went for a walk in the mountains to pray and seek some answers. 
          My morning always begins with coffee, a bible and the cat on my lap. Fungus crossed my mind several times, but the only things I could find in the Bible were mold, mildew and leprosy. All of those things are nasty. Mold and mildew are associated with fungus and grow in dark, damp places where there is lots of decay. Leprosy in Biblical times covered a bunch of skin aliments on people and rotting decay on buildings and clothing. Leprosy was known as a curse from God because of sin in people. The curse of sin, death and decay entered the world through Adam and Eve. The Garden of Eden was a perfect place without any end to life. After breakfast I took off for the mountains with the purple picture in my brain. I thought about fungus and oysters. 
          I know that sin is the decay infects our relationship with God and causes separation which can lead to hell. Some folks believe it's enough give your sins to Jesus and confess your belief in his death for your sins and his resurrection from the dead, that life will be good forevermore. The Bible does make a case for that. John 3:16 is a perfect example. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." As for me, I know I've sinned and there's still some sin in my human bag of tricks. I'm saved and I know I'm going to heaven, but I'm also not taking any chances. Why? Because I still sin from time to time - too many times! I think a good "Washed-In-The-Word" cleansing on a daily basis is a good "mold-in-the-mind" remover. Mold and mildew in my mind must be removed by the renewing of my mind. “and be continually renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh, untarnished mental and spiritual attitude],” Ephesians 4:23 (AMP)
           My mind shifted to oysters as I walked in the shadows of the mountains. My step quickened as the subject of oysters and pearls took over my thoughts. Cool beans! Pearls are a better subject to think about instead of fungus, mold, mildew, leprosy and the dark, damp, decay of sin. Jesus told a parable abut the Pearl of Great Price. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:45-46 (NKJV) My personal thought on that parable is that Jesus is the Pearl of Great Price. He took all our irritating sins, covered them with his sacrificed blood on the cross and gave us access into the kingdom of heaven.
          Pearls are made from oysters when an irritant invades their shell. They react defensively by covering the irritant with layers of a substance called nacre. Eventually the nacre covered irritant becomes a valuable pearl. I know my sins are covered. I also know that I still have some irritating ways that need to be pearlized (new word.) So what did I learn from all of this?
     1. Any dark areas in my thoughts that create conditions for fungus (sin) to develop and feed the decay of my life in Christ need to be washed away immediately. I need to be washed clean.  
     2. I need to ask God to examine my heart and point out any irritating habits. I ask him to cover my irritating ways in his mercy, grace and forgiveness and remove them. Then I become worthy to share the Pearl of his Love with others.
     3. Have I given everything I have to accept Jesus into my life?
          DAY 9 WORD
     “Wash yourselves and make yourselves clean.
    Remove your evil actions from my sight 
    and stop sinning![a]
Learn what it means to do what is good
    by seeking righteousness and justice!
    Rescue the oppressed.[b] Uphold the rights of the fatherless
    and defend the widow’s cause.[c]
Come now and let’s deliberate over the next steps to take together.[d]
    Yahweh promises you over and over:[e]
    “Though your sins stain you like scarlet,[f]
    I will whiten them like bright, new-fallen snow!
    Even though they are deep red like crimson,[g]
    they will be made white like wool!”[h]
If you have a willing heart to let me help you,
    and if you will obey me, you will feast on the blessings
    of an abundant harvest.[i]
But if you are stubborn and refuse to obey,
    the sword will eat you instead.”[j]
    The mouth of Yahweh has spoken.”
Isaiah 1:16-20 (TPT)
          HEART THOUGHTS
     Is there any irritating way in you? How do you handle people who irritate you? Do you give them pearls in return for them irritating you?
          HEART REFLECTIONS
     Is your heart willing to sell all that you hold precious to buy the Pearl of great Price?

​Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
Jesus loves you and so do we.
​#ywap40daysoflent #ywap4Christ #JLYAS
     
 

          The wood from a tree crosses many lives. Wood can become a manger where animals feed and a baby is born. Wood can become a boat used by fisherman or used by a preacher to teach folks sitting on a beach. Wood can become a cross where Truth is tortured and gets nailed in a crucifixion. Wood can become an open door to new Life.
          Jesus was the son of a carpenter and he was called a carpenter. "Is not this the carpenter’s son?" Mathew 13:55 AMP. "Then they scoffed, “He’s just a carpenter, the son of Mary," Mark 6:3 NLT. In Greek, the word carpenter is "tekton" and means, a worker in wood, carpenter, joiner, builder, any craftsman, any workman. You could easily call Jesus a "handyman" who had several skills including carpentry. Some of the folks who heard him teach questioned his knowledge because he was only a handyman. I like to use the word "builder," Jesus gave his life to build a plan of mercy and grace for our lives. Jesus the Builder, I like the sound of that!
           The journey of Christ's life is a lot like the a tree is used for wood. Lot's of cutting, stripping it bare, pulverizing into pulp and totally disfigured for further use. I would imagine it took a lot longer to build a manger than it took to build a cross. I'm also pretty sure it took a lot more skill to build a boat than it took to build a cross. Who knows. maybe the Romans used the Acme Cross Company (fictitious name,) but maybe there were folks who were cross makers for a living. I'm sure Jesus as a carpenter wasn't making any crosses. The cross he told folks to pick up and carry was not made of wood. He was talking about crucifying the sinful desires of our flesh that would separate us from the Love of God. Living in a manner that demonstrates the mercy, grace and love of Christ will get you imprisoned or killed in some countries. “And he who does not take his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me] is not worthy of Me.” Matthew 10:38 (AMP)
          I wonder if it's possible for the same wood to be used for a manger, reconstructed as a boat, decommissioned into a cross and then finally used to make a door? Jesus talked a lot about trees and wood. The tree in the middle of the Garden of Eden was wood. The tree of "good and evil" that Adam and Eve ate from and got them kicked out of the Garden. The first sin of mankind was attached to wood. It was mankind's embracing of evil that got Jesus nailed to a tree.
          On his final road of suffering, Jesus was forced to carry the wood for his own sacrifice. Already tortured to within inches of death, he fell under the weight of his burden. The soldiers forced an African man from Libya named Simon to carry the wood behind Jesus. Passing by some women who were weeping, Jesus paused and spoke to them, "Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me. You should be weeping for yourselves and your children. 29 For the day is coming when it will not be the women with children who are blessed but the childless. Then you will say, ‘The barren women are the most fortunate! Those who have never given birth and never nursed a child—they are more fortunate than we are, for they will never see their children put to death!’ 30 And the people will cry out for the mountains and hills to fall on top of them to hide them from all that is to come.[a] 31 For if this is what they do to the living Branch,[b] what will they do with the dead ones?” Luke 23:28-31 (TPT)
          It appears that Jesus thought it was important enough to interrupt his death procession to give a word or warning to these wailing women. Here's Luke 23:31 in the KJV, " “For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?” Jesus is alive in the Truth and Love of God - that's like a live, green tree full of life potential. He's innocent and yet they're treating him like deadwood. Folks who are dead in their sins, apart from Christ are like deadwood, suitable for nothing but burning or rotting. Folks who follow Christ are treated as meaningless deadwood by many people. Will you be a green tree and submit to the pruning of your character? Will you carry your Cross like the Living Branch? 
          DAY EIGHT WORD
     “My old identity has been co-crucified with Messiah and no longer lives; 
for the nails of his cross crucified me with him.
And now the essence of this new life is no longer mine,
for the Anointed One lives his life through me--
we live in union as one!
My new life is empowered by the faith of the Son of God
who loves me so much that he gave himself for me,
and dispenses his life into mine![a]
Galatians 2:20 (TPT)
Jesus the Living Vine
     “I am a true sprouting vine,
and the farmer who tends the vine is my Father. 
He cares for the branches connected to me by
lifting and propping up the fruitless branches[a] 
and pruning[b] every fruitful branch to yield a greater harvest.”
John 15:1-2 (TPT)

          HEART THOUGHTS
     How's the pruning process in your life? Can you see mercy in the manger and grace on the cross?
          HEART REFLECTIONS
     Who can you branch out to and tell them how the tree became a manger, a boat, a cross and a door?

​Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
Jesus loves you and so do we.
​#ywap40daysoflent #ywap4Christ #JLYASD

The combination of our off key singing voices with a gnarly stringed old guitar probably sounded like the creaking of an old rusty gate. We'd never heard these old fashioned worship songs before. Even if we we knew them by heart, we couldn't sing them anyway. Our voices weren't in tune with anything that remotely resembled a pleasant sound. The small group of us were led by our Teacher at the Elim Bible Institute. Paul Edwards opened each class with prayer and worship. We sang loudly, in unity and praise. Singing that sounded like the creaking of a rusty gate became a heart-chorus for our Father in heaven. Through imperfect worship sounding like fingernails on a chalkboard, I learned about the beautiful sounds of God's perfect acceptance.
That experience happened to me over 20 years ago. Last night my wife and I visited a place known for people experiencing the Presence of God in powerful ways. The memory of the Holy Spirit invading my life came flooding back as we focused on God. I told the Pastor at this Worship Center about my experience with the imperfect music. He had a great response about God hearing our hearts instead of our voices. God doesn't hear the way we hear. He hears the heart. Imperfect voices in worship are transformed into perfection by surrendered hearts. Imperfect worship is transcended into the heavenlies as perfect praise from wildly abandoned hearts honoring God.
There was a time when I walked into a church and judged the worship team on their music. The Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, "Look at their hearts." Their hearts were in God's hands as they raised their voices. I saw worship in a whole new way. Imperfect people in the hands of a perfect God are perfect every time.
Mercy and grace are beats in God's never ending love song that He sings to us. Life is full of our imperfections, indiscretions, inadequacies and reckless misjudgments. We judge the way people sing without listening through ears of mercy and grace. Mercy forgoes judgment and extends compassion. Grace becomes a song in your heart when you experience salvation and recognize the sacrifice of Christ. Let your imperfect life-song be a perfect heart-song to God.
DAY SEVEN WORD
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;
teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
Colossians 3:16 (KJV)
“Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace
[that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor]
with confidence and without fear,
so that we may receive mercy [for our failures]
and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need
[an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].”
​Hebrews 4:16 (AMP)
HEART THOUGHTS
Do you feel free to worship without worrying about someone judging your freedom?
HEART REFLECTIONS
Leave your comfort zone. Approach the throne of grace with freedom. Have an audience with God, just you and Him without worrying who's watching or listening. If they're listening to you sing, their heart is deaf to the voice of God.

​Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
Jesus loves you and so do we.
​#ywap40daysoflent #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW

          Hiking on the Arizona Trail brings you through a vast wilderness populated by many animals. They all eat different things. Sometimes bones from a meal-site can be found scattered in the forest. The only evidence left of some poor mule deer or elk is an ignominious pile of bones. No life story, just evidence of death. What about our bones, do they tell a story? 
          About 10 tears ago I went to the funeral of a man who was the father of my landlady. I got there early (a habit I’m trying to work on!) and sat in a church pew as the only one there. I picked up a Bible and randomly flipped it open. I landed on the 50th Chapter of Genesis and a discourse from a guy named Joseph about what to do with his bones when he died. Joe was a guy who had overcome family rejection, abandonment, being sold as a slave, ill-treatment as an employee (slave,) he was lied about, falsely charged and imprisoned as an innocent man. After struggling through hard times and trusting God, Joe lived a pretty good life. He told his family that after he died and they moved, they were to take his bones with them wherever they traveled. .
     “Soon I will die,” Joseph told his brothers, “but God will surely come to help you and lead you out of this land of Egypt. He will bring you back to the land he solemnly promised to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.”  Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath, and he said, “When God comes to help you and lead you back, you must take my bones with you.” Genesis 50:24-25 (NLT)  
        After I read the story, I reflected on what little I knew of the man who was about to be buried. I met him once and talked with him on the phone several times. The first time I called and asked to speak with my landlady (his daughter,) he thought I had the wrong number. He engaged me in a polite and kind conversation even though he thought I had called a wrong number. I was a stranger and he was kind to me. I was a stranger and he was helpful to me. I was a stranger and he still cared for me. In a very microscopic snippet of time through a chance phone call, this man left an indelible imprint on my heart. 
          As is customary at many funerals, folks who know the deceased are given an opportunity to say some last words. I was moved to share the story about Joseph's bones that I read when I first arrived. To me it became apparent that I was to absorb the goodness of the man and help carry his bones through my actions. I shared my story about a short phone call that impacted my heart. You could say it shaped the bones of my life as I carried his "life-bones." I urged my fellow funeral attendees to consider carrying the bones of their Father, Grandfather and friend. He was a good man whose life-bones are worth carrying through the way we treat others. A life-bone imprint from this man would be kindness to strangers. His bones carried kindness, His bones carried helpfulness. His bones carried compassion to care for people he didn't know. His bones will rise again through me.
          DAY SIX WORD
     “Moses took the bones of Joseph with him,
          for Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear to do this.
               He said, “God will certainly come to help you.
                    When he does, you must take my bones with you from this place.”
                    Exodus 13:19 (NLT)
     The Vision of Dry Bones
           “I felt the power of the Lord was on me.
               He brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord.
     And he put me down in the middle of a valley.
          It was full of bones. 
     The Lord led me around among the bones.
          There were many bones on the bottom of the valley.
     I saw the bones were very dry. 
         Then he asked me,
     “Human being, can these bones live?”
          I answered, “Lord God, only you know.”
     The Lord said to me,
          Prophesy to these bones. Say to them,
     ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 
          This is what the Lord God says to the bones:
     I will cause breath to enter you.
     Then you will live.”
               Ezekiel 37:1-5 (ICB)
          HEART THOUGHTS
          Who has gone before you who is worth repeating part of their lives in your life?
          HEART REFLECTIONS
          Today, what positive trait that you learned from somebody can you use to encourage someone?

​Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
Jesus loves you and so do we.
​#ywap40daysoflent #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW
     

          When I took the picture of a bale of straw posted above, I have to admit my ignorance in knowing the difference between hay and straw. I thought I had taken a picture of a bale of hay. I was wrong, but it's okay. In layman's terms, straw is the waste product of hay. Straw, even though it's a waste product is very useful for animal bedding, mulch and other things. Hay is food for the animals and sometimes the animals are food for people.
          There's a farmers proverb that originated in medieval times that said, "Make hay while the sun shines!" There's a couple of wisdom seeds in that bale of a proverb. Number one, you don't want to get hay wet (as in rain) or it will rot quickly. Number two, get your work done when the time is right. Both of those pieces of wisdom are still useful today, but most folks are more familiar with the second one. To put it another way,
"Make the most of every opportunity when the opportunity presents itself.
Don't waste time or you might as well be a wet and wasted bale of straw."
          Speaking of bales, has anybody ever handed you a bale of mercy by bailing you out of a jam? Some folks get bailed out of jail. Everyone I'm sure has had someone bail them out of a jam. Straw made into bedding creates a warm place for an animal to rest. Hay provides food and sustenance for an animal. A relationship with Jesus, the Son of God, will give us an eternal resting place (bedding) in heaven. Jesus is called "The Bread of Life," He gives us spiritual food and sustenance to make hay while we're in this life to prepare us for eternal life. 
          "Making hay while the sun shines" is getting the job done at the right time. "Making hay while the Son shines" is accepting the mercy and grace of God before it's too late. Now is the right time. On the cross, Jesus bailed us out of the hell that we deserve - that's mercy. We're all called to be "Bail-People" or people who extend mercy and bail folks out of hard times. We're made in the image and likeness of God and called to extend mercy the way He does. God loves mercy and so should we.
          DAY 4 WORD
     “The LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” 
Micah 6:8 NLT
     "There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others.
But if you have been merciful,
God will be merciful when he judges you."
James 2:13 NLT
     "He who despises his neighbor
sins [against God and his fellow man],
But happy [blessed and favored by God]
is he who is gracious and merciful to the poor."
Proverbs 14:21 AMP
          HEART THOUGHTS
     What's your bail record look like?
     Take a few moments to thank God for all the times He bailed you out of tough spots.
          HEART REFLECTIONS
     Keep an eye out for struggling folks.
     Ask God to show you who needs to be bailed out by mercy, and then make hay while the Son shines.

​​Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
Jesus loves you and so do we.
​#ywap40daysoflent #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW