Author's Note: This article is part of a 21-day Series called, "YWAP Fast 2019." Each year, the YWAP Directors and countless other folks begin the New Year on a 21 Day Fast. We set aside extra time to honor God and seek His will for the New Year. This series will eventually be written in book form as a model to teach future YWAP generations. We welcome your comments or questions. Jesus loves you and so do we.

          Strangers come in many shapes and sizes. Truth be told, we've all been strangers in strange situations and new beginnings. In the picture above, a man showed kindness to a group of inner-city young people, most of whom had been affected by gangs and violence. They showed kindness to him in return by respecting him.
          Sammy V. speaks to thousands of young people every year - out of kindness and generosity. He doesn't charge any fees as a professional speaker with many years of experience. He's a great speaker with a life changing message. He speaks out of kindness to strangers because he knows what it's like to be a stranger.
          Mental illness creates strangers and makes people feel out of place. Sammy has been one of those strangers with a mental illness. Diagnosed with OCD - Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder, Sammy had to learn how to cope as a stranger. He now seeks out audiences of people who don't know him. It doesn't take long for Sammy V to become a friend. His kindness is a stimulator of friendship. He helps people understand and cope with mental illness, but equally important, he inspires all people to be the best that God has created them to be. 

“Love ye
therefore the stranger:
for ye
were strangers
in the land of Egypt.” 
Deuteronomy 10:19

          God has a great way of repeating His commands to Love people the way He does. The Bible tells us to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves. As children we're told to be kind to others, but don't talk to strangers. That's good advice for a child, but most adults are free to converse with whomever they choose. Who are these strangers whom God wants us to love?
          A wild animal who's been injured and placed in a rehab facility, will be a stranger when it's reintroduced into the wild. A child attending a new school after a family move or breakup is a stranger. A husband whose wife has Alzheimer's can be a stranger to his own spouse. Friends separated by years are strangers to each other through life changes. A Pastor may appear as a stranger to a gang member. Police are strangers to criminals. An inmate released back into society is a stranger. A baby, unwanted in a mother's womb, may be a stranger.
          A stranger defined may simply be someone who is an outsider or a person who doesn't initially belong where they are. The word stranger in the Bible was used in this manner: "a sojourner, a temporary inhabitant, a newcomer lacking inherited rights." If you are a tourist, local business owners may see you as an opportunity to raise the cost of your products. A Substitute teacher in a classroom may be subject to pranks by students who will see what they can get away with. All of us have felt out of place when we experience new beginnings
          My Mom always used to say; "The first time here, you're a guest. The next time you come, you're one of the family!" Mom was living out Deuteronomy 10:19. To paraphrase Mom's words as they're filtered through my brain; "You come here the first time as a visitor and a stranger, and we welcome you. You are now one of the family with inherited rights - as if you've been here as long as the rest of us. The next time you come here, help yourself to whatever you need." A shorter version of Mom's words would be; "The first time you're here we serve you, second time - serve yourself!"
          Jesus casts a bright light on who strangers are in Matthew 25:43-46 in The Good News Translation;   "I was a stranger but you would not welcome me in your homes,
naked but you would not clothe me;
I was sick and in prison but you would not take care of me.’ T
hen they will answer him,
‘When, Lord, did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or
a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and we would not help you?’
The King will reply, ‘
I tell you, whenever you refused
to help one of these least important ones,
you refused to help me.’
These, then, will be sent off to eternal punishment,
but the righteous will go to eternal life.”
          Showing kindness to strangers is revealing your friendship with God. Kindness to strangers can stimulate generosity. Welcoming strangers into your life can forge life long friendships. Visiting strangers in nursing homes can grow compassion in your heart. Children have to be wary of strangers because they are among the most vulnerable. As we become adults who follow the discernment of the Holy Spirit, we understand kindness to strangers in a more mature way. Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.      

Thank You God for showing us kindness when we were yet still strangers to You.
You loved us first, help us now to show Your Love to others who don't know kindness.
You've placed us in this world as temporary strangers,
Sojourners in a land that is not our own.
May every act of kindness lead a stranger to You.
You are our comfort in times when we feel out of place.
Give us discernment in going the extra mile to serve folks in need.
Thank You God for the hope of heaven,
Our final destination where there are no strangers.
Help us to be as kind on earth as we will be in heaven.
In Jesus Name.
Amen

Author's Note: This article is part of a 21-day Series called, "YWAP Fast 2019." Each year, the YWAP Directors and countless other folks begin the New Year on a 21 Day Fast. We set aside extra time to honor God and seek His will for the New Year. This series will eventually be written in book form as a model to teach future YWAP generations. We welcome your comments or questions. Jesus loves you and so do we.

          Imagine yourself being chosen to play on the greatest team of all time. All of your hard work has suddenly become the fruit of your labors. God is your coach and He has seen His talents in you through the work of your hands. This is your reward, you are now a member of a team forever. You can never be too young or too old - you won't ever have to retire. You won't ever experience injury or defeat. You can't be traded and the Coach will never bench you.
          Imagine yourself being chosen to struggle through life to help others become members on the greatest team of all time. 

“Only the Lord
had a delight in thy fathers
to love them,
and he chose their seed after them,
even you
above all people,
as it is this day.” 
Deuteronomy 10:15

          There are many times in life when we'll face situations where we will be chosen or rejected. Sports teams, school events, romantic relationships, neighborhood friendships, employment, medical services and many more. Old guys usually retire from sports teams before they get rejected because they can't help the team as they once did. Young people struggle to make the cut due to lack of experience. Companies downsize or go in a new direction. You will experience rejection in life, so how do you become a member of the "chosen ones"?
          Pruning, cutting and discarding happen wherever there is growth. You may have experienced a divorce simply because the two of you were too immature to love each other through your weaknesses. You may have physical disabilities or disease that limit your abilities to join any team. You may feel like you were chosen for a team called "struggle." You probably are.
          I would imagine that you are a pretty good person, most folks are. Some conditions happen in life that are not the fault of the one who has to suffer through them. You may not be guilty of doing anything wrong, but you feel that you've been chosen to play on the wrong team. God has chosen to love you in a unique way. He trusts you. Only you can carry and struggle with the condition that hurts you.
          The way you cope with your condition can become a more excellent way of revealing God's Love. He desires that none of us will perish or be left off His team of chosen people. Some folks are harder to reach than others and your struggle just might be the last play in God's game plan to save them.
          A lady broke my heart about a month ago. Every moment I think about her, becomes a moment of salting the wound in my heart. The pain remains fresh and the wound deepens with each passing moment. Tears form even now as I remember the few moments that she passed through my life. I recall a Bible story about the lady whose tears washed the feet of Jesus. I will forever remain broken by my experience with this woman, this wound will never be healed.
           Her body was limply sagging into a motorized wheelchair with a small knob to control its movement. My wife and I were visiting a long term care facility having a CHRISTmas Celebration for the residents. She was the victim of a stroke that left her severely paralyzed. Her hand could move the knob, but her ability to maneuver her wheelchair up to the dining table was limited. After watching her for a few moments in my own paralysis, I offered to help her. What caused my immobility was the smile on the face of a woman with a disabled body. After I moved her wheelchair up to the table, I returned once again to my own immobility, amazed at her grace in affliction.  She broke me again.
         She smiled and repeatedly told me how wonderful I was. She was so happy for the experience of this CHRISTmas celebration. Her appreciation and gratitude were overwhelming. Her words and demeanor were a moving power, parting the sea of her disability and immobility. How could somebody in such a struggle be like a light to the world? She was just one of many with long term struggles taking each sunrise as another day to smile through pain. I have not been the same since, nor will I ever be.
          If you are struggling, I'm sorry for you, but there is hope. God has chosen you especially for a team that is one of a kind. You are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Your light is God's Love that penetrates even to the joints and marrow. Your salt refreshes wounds and causes them to become wells of compassion in other people. You have a power that is inconceivably beyond anything you can possibly imagine. You are overwhelming in your capacity to create a greater love through brokenness. You are loved in greater ways because of your struggle. You are worthy of being chosen to be on God's Forever Team where there is no struggle, only new mercies each day.
               

Thank You God for brokenness.
You are the Way of compassion.
You inflict us with the faithful wounds of a Friend.
All struggles can be used for good in Your chosen people.
You gave Your one and only Son
To go through the greatest struggle of all time.
You had a purpose for His struggle.
You have a purpose for our struggle.
You will take us through.
We have been chosen by You
To go through our own unique struggle.
Help us to focus on you as our remedy to pain.
Help us to trust you in the most debilitating of circumstances.
Help us to help those whose struggles are greater.
You said we would do greater things.
In Jesus Name.
Amen.

Author's Note: This article is part of a 21-day Series called, "YWAP Fast 2019." Each year, the YWAP Directors and countless other folks begin the New Year on a 21 Day Fast. We set aside extra time to honor God and seek His will for the New Year. This series will eventually be written in book form as a model to teach future YWAP generations. We welcome your comments or questions. Jesus loves you and so do we.

          It is possible to be doing everything right and still have fear that something is wrong? If you're driving and a Police car pulls up behind you, most of us immediately tense up and feel a bit queasy. Fear begins at the top of our heads and slowly falls downward over the rest of our bodies. We aren't doing anything wrong, but the presence of Police can cause us fear. 
          A policeman serving in the kitchen at a community event doesn't bring us the same kind of fear. He still wears the uniform, his badge and his gun as an authority figure and he could arrest someone at anytime; but we don't fear a cop washing dishes!
          Fear can be the result of many things; our sense of guilt, a good sense of wisdom in dangerous situations, a memory of previous bad experiences. Some fears become uncontrollable and develop into phobias that can cause emotional instability. Fear is a boundary marker and a mindset. Fear can be the beginning of understanding a more excellent  way of Life. 

“And now, Israel,
what doth the Lord thy God require of thee,
but to fear the Lord thy God,
to walk in all his ways, and to love him,
and to serve the Lord thy God
with all thy heart
​and with all thy soul,” 
Deuteronomy 10:12

         The power of God strikes fear in me when a bolt of lightning strikes near me. I'm in awe when I think about the   power and fury of storms, that by their nature, they destroy nature. I do fear God, but it's not like a fear of falling off a cliff if I get too close. My fear has changed over the years as I get to know more about God and His Love.
          When I think of how much love God has lavished on us, it blows me away. It's like standing on top of a mountain after you've climbed a long trail to get there. The sight is unbelievable! In sunny skies, grey skies, stormy skies and even in a blizzard when you can't see any skies; the sight in your mind is His presence in your heart. 
          The Bible is full of verses about fear being the beginning of understanding. Here are only a few of them:
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline
(Proverbs 1:7).
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding
(Psalm 111:10).
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding
(Proverbs 9:10).
I used to have a fear of going to hell before I understood that perfect Love casts out fear.
God Is Love
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
1 John 4:18
          Fear of God is an awe inspiring mindset. He makes it simple to avoid hell. Just Love God and keep His commandments. Love other people the way God Loves you. It's not like the fear of a Cop who might give you a ticket. The appearance of a Police car behind you causes a volcano of fearful thoughts to erupt in your mind. God isn't a cop. He's the Judge who already forgave you for any crimes you've committed because He sent His one and only Son to pay the price for your crimes. Believe in Christ and your fear becomes the beginning of understanding God's unfathomable Love.
​          Focus on God in the face of fear. Focus on Love in the face of hate. Focus on knowing that God's Love will never leave you. Focus on knowing how much God Loves you and values you. You are worthy of God's love. God is love and God loves you.

          Young people who came to the Annual Police, Youth & Community Relations Seminar were energized and eager to listen to stories about gangsters. Few of the stories have happy endings. The goal of the YWAP Director was to show the young folks how anybody can be tempted to take a turn down the wrong road.
          One of the biggest causes of crime and gang violence is absentee fathers. When a young person is missing a father or father figure in their life, something is missing that causes a hole in their heart. Trying to fill the hole and ease the pain, they turn to drugs, alcohol, sex or the brotherhood of a gang. Nothing they do will fill that hole or ease that ache.
          After a few stories about perils and causes of gang involvement, the YWAP Director shifted to stories about people who overcame hard times and faced struggles with nasty people. They overcame their struggles without revenge on the people who caused their heartaches.
          Fatherhood, forgiveness and embracing struggles as an overcomer are three keys to helping young people avoid at risk behaviors like joining gangs. We're grateful to the folks at the Niagara County Youth Bureau, the Niagara County Sheriffs Department and Niagara County Community College for inviting to share at a life changing event.   

Author's Note: This article is part of a 21-day Series called, "YWAP Fast 2019." Each year, the YWAP Directors and countless other folks begin the New Year on a 21 Day Fast. We set aside extra time to honor God and seek His will for the New Year. This series will eventually be written in book form as a model to teach future YWAP generations. We welcome your comments or questions. Jesus loves you and so do we.

          The youth center was closed and it was time to give the young folks a ride home. In the heart of the city, the youth center had become almost a full service community center due to the needs of the area. The youth in the van ranged in age from about 1 yr. up to a few in their twenties. We had a lot of good conversations on the way home. It was like family time in the YWAP Van. (YWAP - Youth With A Purpose.)
          Almost as soon as we had pulled away from the curb, the baby started crying. Our ride usually took about 30-45 minutes and the baby wailed the whole time. Our conversations that night wee minimal due to the noise. Some kids had headphones on and listened to their preferred noise. 
          Near the end of the ride, one of the last passengers noticed a smile on my face. The young man asked me a question, "Pastor Bob, why are you smiling? Doesn't that screaming baby bother you?" "No!" I replied. "That baby is just doing what babies do and I know that screaming is not going home with me!" We laughed and even the young mother cradling the crying child smiled in her struggles. We encouraged her; 
                                              "This too shall pass. There's better days ahead!"

“And he will love thee,
and bless thee,
and multiply thee:
he will also bless the fruit of thy womb,
and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil,
the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep,
in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee.”
Deuteronomy 7:13

           Multiplication is a means of increase, both spiritually and physically. An increase in one area of your life can easily spill over into other areas of your life. If you share your increase with God (it came from Him anyway) your increase will multiply. Be careful how you define increase, pain is not pleasurable, but it may be needed. Pruning cuts away fruitfulness to allow for a greater increase of fruitfulness.
          There seems to be a pattern in the Bible that I call PSTI - Pleasure, Struggle. Turning and Increase. As means of trying to explain a little deeper (because these are deep thoughts!) allow me to define these words as I see them.
1. Pleasure - the self looks to satisfy the self through any means possible. We pleasure in things before God. Physical satisfaction become our most pleasurable pursuit.
2. Struggle - God will always allow us to struggle when we turn from Him. Disobedience to God's way of Love will lead us into a trail of travail and hard times. Our struggle with sin separates us from God.
3. Turning happens when we are sick and tired of doing things our own way. The struggle becomes overwhelming and we cry out to Him. His Word - the Bible, is full of His promises that are always kept. He will never leave us or forsake us - no matter what.
4. Increase - repentance brings about a new fertility in our lives. Multiplication happens after we have surrendered our lives back to God. Increase is the reciprocity of God's Love.
​          There are times when we don't think we're ready for an increase so we try and control the circumstances. Abortion is a means of controlling God's increase. Having a baby is a great example of spiritual birth and physical birth. In the Genesis story of creation, we read how God created something that was  formless, dark and empty, like an empty womb. God separated the waters from the dry land just as a baby has to "break the water" before the child becomes an increase in the world. Vegetation and fruitfulness appear on the land as the child is nurtured and grows.
          All increase is from God. Sin represents an increase of separation from God. Ultimately, the increase of God's Love in your life will lead to a separation from this world in which you are only a sojourner. Your life will be eternally lived as a heavenly increase separated from the dry land of this world. 
          Trust God with an increase that you may not be ready for. He will make a way where there is no way. He parted the Red Sea and lead His people to the Promised Land. He delivered Daniel from a den of hungry lions. God so loved us. that He let His Son die before His resurrection became the greatest increase of Life in the history of God and man. Let God be your readiness, He will help you take care of the increase that He is giving you.

Today’s prayer is taken from the Amplified Bible in Numbers 6:24-26
“The Lord bless you,
​and keep you
[protect you,
sustain you,
and guard you];
The Lord make His face shine upon you
[with favor],
And be gracious to you
[surrounding you with lovingkindness];
The Lord lift up His countenance (face)
upon you [with divine approval],
And give you peace
[a tranquil heart and life].’”
 In Jesus Name. 
Amen

Author's Note: This article is part of a 21-day Series called, "YWAP Fast 2019." Each year, the YWAP Directors and countless other folks begin the New Year on a 21 Day Fast. We set aside extra time to honor God and seek His will for the New Year. This series will eventually be written in book form as a model to teach future YWAP generations. We welcome your comments or questions. Jesus loves you and so do we.

          My wife asked me tonight what I thought were the attributes of a "Proverbs 31 Woman." In the Bible, Proverbs 31 is known as the picture of what we might call the perfect wife and mother. It's a great read, but can be intimidating for any lady trying to measure up to its lofty standards. It's impossible for any of us to attain a Biblical model of perfection. Doing our best to be Christ-like in our relationships would help create a beautiful model to follow.
          The first word I spoke after my wife asked me that question was "trust." That's a huge word that goes deep in forming a solid foundation from which forever relationships are created. It's not just that my wife is faithful, it's what her faithfulness inspires inside of my heart. There are times when we speak words that are misunderstood or cause us to take offence. Even if I feel bad, I know, that I know, that I know; that my wife would never do or say anything that would purposely hurt me.
          Faithfulness is a huge word that began with God and runs through my wife. In my eyes, she doesn't have to measure up to anybody or anything, she puts me in second place in her love life, God is number one. It's the same in my relationship with her. There are birds who mate forever. People who put God first are more likely to mate forever.  

"Know therefore that the Lord thy God,
he is God, the faithful God,
which keepeth covenant and mercy with them
that love him
​and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;"
 Deuteronomy 7:9

          We never think of God being obligated to love us and take care of us, but He is. He has a covenant with us to never leave us or forsake us. His word, the Bible, is full of promises of His faithfulness that covers all generations. He is a faithful God and we are to reflect His faithfulness in our lives.
          Obligation is a strong word. The Apostle Paul speaks of being obligated (debtor) to the wise and unwise in Romans 1:14. I take that to mean I am obligated to speak the truth of Christ to all people. God created all of us as equals and we are obligated to each other to love each other the way Christ loved the church.
          A man has an obligation to his wife and his children to be a model of faithfulness. The assurance of knowing that someone will always have your back provides security. Even if I'm wrong, my wife will not support my wrongness, but she will hold me accountable in a loving manner. She will not tear me apart or keep a record of my wrongs.
          When the Israelites were leaving Egypt, they were being lead by a pillar of cloud and pillar of fire in front of them. When the Egyptians pursued them, the Angel of God moved the pillar of cloud behind the Israelites. It now gave darkness to the Egyptians and light to the Israelites. Don't look behind you at your mistakes, God has your back. He wants to lead you in His faithfulness in front of you. Dwelling on the past will put a cloud of darkness over your future. Be faithful as he is faithful.  “For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as we did when we first became Christians, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.” Hebrews 3:14 Living Bible

Thank You God for Your faithfulness.
Great is Your faithfulness and Your new mercies each day.
Thank You for Your pillars of clouds that lead us by Your Holy Spirit.
You protect us from our enemies.
You rescue us from ourselves.
Help us to love all people with out judging their worthiness to be loved.
Help us to love those who have different opinions than we do.
Help us to love those who don't know You yet.
Use us God to bring others into your Love and faithfulness.
In Jesus Name.
Amen.

          The hole in the heart of a child with an absentee father is a chasm of sadness. Many young people try and fill that hole with drugs, alcohol, sex, money or power. Mostly what they end up with is a lot of anger and some superficial comfort.
          As a youth director, I've had many young men yell at me "You're not my father!" It normally would happen when discipline was needed for a minor infraction like foul language. But sometimes it was their mistreatment of young women. Both guys and girls have holes in their hearts from missing dads. Girls go looking for a father's love and end up with a guy who wants sex. Guys go looking for power to try and control their fury at a dad who's not there.
          Many of us try and outperform others as a way to prove our value and feel adequate. The truth is, God loves all of us the same. We can't fill a hole in our hearts with anything but Him. Just because we are born into perfect families or have successful careers, that doesn't mean God loves us more than folks on skid row. 
          Absentee fathers are a generational plague that causes children to search for ways to feel worthy of a father's love. God loves them and we need to tell them. We need to teach young people about the Love of the Father so they can pass it on to their children as loving moms and dads.
          

"The Lord did not set his love upon you,
nor choose you,
because ye were more in number than any people;
for ye were the fewest of all people:" 
​Deuteronomy 7:7

          Pride is a great tripping stone when our arrogance overtakes our walk. Success is often described as the most dangerous pinnacle to rest on. From the high point of our lofty accomplishments we get a good look at those who are still struggling. If we're not careful, the slow insidious poison of pride will slither its way into our hearts. From there, our noses become ivory towers as we stick them skyward in a stuck-up silhouette of contempt.
          The Israelites were rescued by God from being slaves in Egypt. They went from bad times to better times with times of struggle being the stepping stones. They ( and us) have a tendency to take our eyes off God when the going gets good. We give ourselves credit for our success and good times. Selfishness creeps in and we fail to esteem others as better than ourselves. That's when pride begins to go before the fall.
          In this beautiful little piece of Scripture, God is reminding us that it's His choice to Love us. We can't do anything to cause Him to Love us. He showed love for the Israelites when they were yet still smaller in number. Their multiplication did not happen until God created and moved into action the plan for their deliverance from bondage.
          We have generations stuck in the bondage of fatherlessness. It's time to ask God to multiply our understanding of His plan to teach His love to children. Start small in faith, God multiplies our understanding and His plan for our action will be released.   

Thank You God for a Father's Love.
Your Word is full of examples of a parents love.
You gave us the plan,
Forgive us for not following it.
If we have not trained our children in the way they should go ,
Please forgive us.
If it's still possible,
Bring us into Your multiplication of second chances.
Restore families to fathers who are willing To repent and change.
Pour forgiveness into the hearts of children with missing parents.
Those parents only did the best that they knew how.
Teach us now O God, how to mothers and fathers who multiply Your Love.
In Jesus Name.
Amen.

Author's Note: This article is part of a 21-day Series called, "YWAP Fast 2019." Each year, the YWAP Directors and countless other folks begin the New Year on a 21 Day Fast. We set aside extra time to honor God and seek His will for the New Year. This series will eventually be written in book form as a model to teach future YWAP generations. We welcome your comments or questions. Jesus loves you and so do we.

          If you go through life without opposition, you're probably spineless and unwilling to take a stand for anything. Like the dog with the bobbing head in the car window, you just nod your head in agreement in every conversation. If however, you have the gumption to believe in something, some folks will come against you.
          The greater your leadership position, the greater the number of people who will attempt to throw you into the lions den. Will you take a stand or crawl under a rock? There once was a Lamb who sacrificed His Life, but, alas, He became a Lion and the Savior of all Life who believe in Him.

“And thou shalt
love the Lord thy God
with all thine heart,
and with all thy soul,
​and with all thy might.”
Deuteronomy 6:5

          Today's Bible verse is the greatest commandment. Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6:5 in Matthew 22:36-40 when the religious scholars were trying to trap Him. They tested Jesus with this question as it is written in the Passion Translation, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” Jesus answered him, “‘Love the Lord your God with every passion of your heart, with all the energy of your being, and with every thought that is within you.’ This is the great and supreme commandment. And the second is like it in importance: ‘You must love your friend in the same way you love yourself.’ Contained within these commandments to love you will find all the meaning of the Law and the Prophets.” Another way to paraphrase the greatest commandment would be to say "I love God with all of my understanding."
          Many folks today claim to be Christians, but there is hardly any evidence of  believing in Christ through their actions. It's like they've put their faith in a suitcase and stored it away until it's time to go to heaven. Some folks grab their faith in a crisis and then stow it away again when the crisis is over. God doesn't work part time. You don't have to live life on your knees, but your faith should be evident by the work of your hands.
          In the Book of Daniel, we read about man who was filled with godly wisdom like no other and ended up in the lions den. Daniel didn't wait for a crisis to use his faith to call on God. It was his faith that caused him to be thrown into a den of starving lions. If you are a leader, chances are there's somebody coveting your position. That's what happened to Daniel, jealous of his power and authority, the scoundrels under him devised an evil plan to remove him.
         They first looked at his life, examining his habits and character. They found  nothing but integrity and humility in Daniel. In other words, they couldn't find any wrongdoing to accuse him of. Evil has a way of finding a way to make accusations in the best of circumstances. They devised a plan to fool the king through flattery by inflating his ego. They knew Daniel would never stop following his faith and worshipping God. The deceivers urged the king to make a law that everyone had to bow down to worship the king only for a period of 30 days.
          The king was sad when they caught Daniel breaking the law, but he knew the law was irrevocable. Daniel was thrown into the lions den only to have God shut the mouths of the lions. In the morning when he was found to be alive, they lifted him out of the den and a short time later, his accusers became the lions breakfast. God always takes care of business!
          Daniel knew that his faith could cause him trouble, he still lived out his faith for all to see. In the face of ridicule, and personal danger, Daniel's faith was alive and is a perfect witness to the kind of faith that we should have. Don't wait until life throws you into the lions den to strengthen your faith. Ask God right now for the kind of faith that moves mountains. He may hand you a pickaxe and say "Start removing this mountain one stone at a time." Persevere and just believe - God will bring joy out of your mourning and beauty from your ashes. He may even feed your crisis to the lions of pride.      

Thank You God for being the Author and Finisher of our faith.
You are alive in us in all we do and say.
You know our thoughts before they happen.
You know our destiny and our purpose.
You know which one of us will deny You.
Help us O God to remain steadfast in our faith.
Strengthen us when we are weak.
Give us courage when fear closes in.
Draw faith from us as honey from a rock.
Make us alive in You with every breath.
And may our breath of words be a witness to You.
In Jesus Name.
Amen

Author's Note: This article is part of a 21-day Series called, "YWAP Fast 2019." Each year, the YWAP Directors and countless other folks begin the New Year on a 21 Day Fast. We set aside extra time to honor God and seek His will for the New Year. This series will eventually be written in book form as a model to teach future YWAP generations. We welcome your comments or questions. Jesus loves you and so do we. ​

           The crowd was eager, friendly, happy and smile a lot during the First 1st Saturday Live At The Bread of Life. We began a little after six pm and we finally closed the building around 10 pm. The music was wonderful, the worship was powerful, the fellowship was full of warmth and the food was devoured!
          They came on foot, with crutches, a walker and a wheelchair. They came hungry for a night of God's Love - given through His people eager to love each other.
          The second 1st Saturday Live At The Bread will take place on February 2, 2019. Everyone is welcome. If you have a gift that God's given you (we all do,) please feel free to share it. Some folks sing, play an instrument, read a chapter in a book, dance, worship with flags, display Holy Spirit inspired artwork and a few other things. For information call 716-830-8240 or 716-570-1175.

          Once upon a minute there were two midwives who lived in a land of oppression. Their life's purpose was to help mothers in the travail and delivery of childbirth as they brought beautiful new children into the world. The women had big hearts full of love, and with that love, they were the first hands to hold new life as it pushed forth from the womb. Their hands were known as Life-Jackets of Love holding babies in the hope of delivering them to a better day.
          But, alas, there was a King in the land who thought there were too many of a certain kind of people. He ordered the two women to remove the Life-Jackets of Love and kill all of the boys who were delivered, but to let the girls live. The two midwives were so filled with Love, they refused to follow the orders from the government leader, and they let the boys live.
​          The King grew furious and ordered his people to throw all of the baby boys into the Nile River. In that day long ago, innocent children suffered from the hatred of folks who didn't know how much God loves them. In this day that we live in now, million's of innocent babies aren't even allowed to see the light of day before they die prematurely. They are killed before they are delivered from the womb.
                                                 All children are gifted on both sides of the womb.

DAY EIGHT WORD

“And shewing mercy
unto thousands of them
that love me and keep my commandments.”
Deuteronomy 5:10

          Today's Bible verse about love is a repeat from Exodus 20:6 and is repeated many times over in different paraphrases throughout the Bible. Why does God keep repeating Himself? Have ever heard a parent say to a child; "How many times have I told you that?" Love is supposed to repeat itself and reduplicate itself. God wants to enlarge His Love and deliver it repeatedly in greater ways.
          Unfortunately evil is also repetitive. In the story at the beginning of this article, you read my paraphrase of a true Bible story from Exodus 1:15-21. Innocent children have been sacrificed since the beginning of time. As time marches on, technology lends an expedient hand to the continued sacrifice of children. Abortion number in the millions every year. Millions of living children, whose hearts start beating in the womb at about six weeks old are killed.
          God's commandments are pretty clear, Love God, Love your neighbor and Love yourself. God talks a lot about Love, but He also mentions what He hates. Here's what the Message Bible says in Proverbs 6:16-19, 
Seven Things God Hates “Here are six things God hates, and one more that he loathes with a passion:
eyes that are arrogant,
a tongue that lies,
hands that murder the  innocent,
a heart that hatches evil plots,
feet that race down a wicked track,
a mouth that lies under oath,
a troublemaker in the family.”  
          The third thing that God hates is "hands that shed innocent blood." Is there anything more innocent than a child safely nestled in its mother's womb? Life isn't always perfect and new life doesn't always appear at the perfect time, but God always makes a way for those who trust in Him. He will make a way for that child to live if you just give the child a chance to live. Life for you will go on. Adoption is an alternative. There are agencies who will help you every step of the way. I personally know successful women whose mother's made the decision to give birth in horrific and abusive circumstances. God has blessed their efforts and travails.
          In today's Word from the Bible, we read about showing mercy to thousands who love God and keep His commandments (to love.) My prayer is that this article will reach thousands of folks who will do something to show God's mercy and save the life of a child in the womb. 
          Here are several links to organizations who can help  and provide information about making decisions about your pregnancy.                Southtowns Pregnancy Center          Northtowns Pregnancy Center

Thank You God for Life.
You are the Way, the Truth and the Life.
You make our hearts beat
Within six weeks of placing us in our mother's womb.
You knew why you made us before You made us.
Repeatedly You tell us about love being a more excellent Way.
Help us as we become voices for the voiceless innocents.
Teach us and guide us I the way we should go
With Your hand upon us.
The battle is Yours Father, we will stand and fight as You lift our hands.
Establish the work of our hands to battle for the lives of the innocent.
May Your Love and mercy cover those
Who don't yet know Your Love.
Bring them under the shadow of Your wings.
In Jesus Name.
Amen.

Author's Note: This article is part of a 21-day Series called, "YWAP Fast 2019." Each year, the YWAP Directors and countless other folks begin the New Year on a 21 Day Fast. We set aside extra time to honor God and seek His will for the New Year. This series will eventually be written in book form as a model to teach future YWAP generations. We welcome your comments or questions. Jesus loves you and so do we.
​