Phil's Thoughts

August 22, 2026

Family

I’ve always been a movie buff…especially a good western…and one that I’ve watched quite a few times is “Wyatt Earp”, with Kevin Costner. One particular part was brought back to mind in this morning’s readings, where Wyatt is talking with Bat Masterman around a nighttime campfire…just gettin to know him better… and speaking on “family”, Wyatt remarks incredulously, “ One brother ? That’s all you’ve got…one measly brother ?!” Wyatt’s daddy had always pounded into his rather large family, “Nothing counts so much as family.” I think about these two comments…these “personal opinions”, if you will…and i catch myself wondering about my own view on “family”. I myself have only one brother and no sisters…( none that i know of anyway 😖 )…and I was the type that took God’s directive seriously ( and literally ) and flew the coup without lookin back … “ Haven’t you read, that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female…and for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh?” — Jesus ( Matthew 19:4-5 ) Me and my brother grew up together, but our different interests kept us from ever being real close. Take that, and add a daddy that had his own things going in his free-time that didn’t include us, and i learned to play by myself, make up my own adventures and pretty much, be a loner. This all changed once i met Pennye Jacobs Lewis. I gravitated to er like a moth to a lightbulb…like gravy to rice or mashed potatoes…like cornbread to meat-and-potatoes . ( I’m on a diet and catch myself daydreaming about real food alot lately 🤪😉 ). Forty-six years later and we’re still together and happily married…and she’s still my greatest gift from God…second only to my relationship with Jesus ! I say all that to say this : None of our relationships will hold any real meaning or substance if we don’t have a relationship with God through Christ …. Period. You can try it…many do…but they’ll never be what they COULD be if Jesus is left out of em. Until He’s invited into the home, that home will always remain on a flimsy foundation. “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” ( Psalm 127:1 ) Bank on it ! Whether you’re an only child, or you’ve got more brothers and sisters than the house can comfortably hold…leave a thriving, nurtured relationship with Jesus out of it and see what happens. Just sayin. ( Hebrews 2:5-18 ) is a great reminder of this relationship we get to have with God “in Jesus” ! “ In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.” ( Hebrews 2:10-11 ) “You are all sons of God through faith in Jesus Christ. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” ( Galatians 3:26-28 ) “Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation — but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die, but if by The Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” ( Romans 8:12-15 ) So … if you don’t have a relationship with God through Christ, why not ?!? What are you waiting for ?!? If you do have that relationship, are you feeding it…nurturing it ? God paid a high price so that we can call Jesus, “brother”…and call Him, ”Father” ! Let’s treat it as our greatest gift and blessing from God and worship Him accordingly. Amen ?

August 3, 2026August 22, 2026

Old People

I’m old…i know that…but sometimes, it’s us older people that will be held responsible for tellin the younger generation “the truth”. Lord knows they’ve got so many others lyin to em, they need someone to care and love em enough to tell em something that’s gonna save them from havin to live a crappy life and still go to hell once they die ! Maybe it’s “you” ! So feel free to share this little tidbit of truth with em … you never know…it may keep em from makin one of the worst mistakes of their lives. The Scripture comes from ( Ezra 9:1-2 ): “The people have not kept themselves separate from the neighboring peoples with their detestable practices. They have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, and have mingled the holy race with the peoples around them. And the leaders and officials have led the way in this unfaithfulness.” All my kids have married God-fearin spouses, but my grandkids will haveta choose a husband/wife one day, and i want em to get it right the first time. They need someone who will love them through thick and thin…therefore, their spouse is gonna haveta love God, first ! If they don’t love God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength, they’re not gonna love my grandkids. Unless they have a relationship with Jesus Christ, the relationship they have with my grandchildren won’t last…and they’ll be miserable while trying to survive it. It doesn’t matter if it’s the Israelites, Texans, Mississippians or any other race, color or creed …if a child of God starts “mingling” with boys and girls that have no love for God and no relationship with Jesus Christ, they are setting themselves up for alotta heartache…i don’t care how good lookin that person is, how much money they have or how fun they are to be around. There’s a reason God says we are not to be “unequally yoked” ( 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 ). A follower of Christ has nothing in common with an unbeliever. Yeah, we should be an example they can follow…yeah, we are commissioned to present the gospel to em…and yeah, we are told to “disciple” them after they’ve turned from the path they were on and turned God’s way. God never said it was ok to compromise our allegiance to Him…to “blend” His statutes with worldly opinions or to accept the ways of the “wicked” and their “detestable practices” as our own…that includes dating em and marrying em ! A “holy race” of people belong to a Holy God ! And God doesn’t share His people with Satan or his children ( 1 John 3:10 ) “ This is how you’ll know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child , nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.” We can’t count on our public or private schoolteachers to teach what God expects of His children. We surely can’t expect or count on our government officials to make laws that honor God and adhere to “His” expectations…they lean towards the majority, and the majority won’t choose to let GOD be the Lord or follow His commands ( Matthew 7:13-14 ). It’s up to you and me if they’re ever to get it right ! Training em from early on is the key. If we’re not careful, they might just catch on to what we’re teaching … and what’s more important than learning to love God completely and unashamedly ?!? Don’t “hand them over” to the devil without a fight ! And definitely don’t give up on em ! Wear them hind ends out when necessary…but wear them knees out even more ! God’s created them to serve Him. If they are “worth it” to Him, shouldn’t they be worth it to us ?! And hey ! You might not be their “favorite” here on earth…but i guarantee you you’ll rank right up towards the top when they get to heaven … because you cared enough to tell em what God expects !

August 2, 2026

You Da Man

“You da man” … it’s been spoken thousands…probably millions of times over the last several years as a term of praise or a compliment. It’s sometimes just mouthed, with someone pointing at the person in which they’re praising…after some great feat has been accomplished or milestone met. Maybe someone has looked you in the eye, smiled warmly , and with an appreciative look, gave you that respectful, ” You da man” that you felt you so rightly deserved. It’s a good feeling; right ? So how would you feel if someone came up to you and proclaimed, “You da man”, and they weren’t smiling…weren’t offering it as a term of endearment but as a statement of guilt ?!? It happened to David…after he’d risen from a shepherd boy to king…after Goliath…after Saul’s death…after victory after victory with God’s favor. His power and privilege caused him to become self-important and to become complacent in his walk with the God who’d placed him in this seat of royalty. And, as is usually the case, David let his self-importance cause a lax in judgment and chose to give in to temptation and sin against God. He not only committed adultery with a married woman, he had her husband, a loyal subject, to be killed in battle and took Bathsheba as his wife ! God couldn’t let this stand, so He sent a messenger…the Prophet Nathan, to David’s house to proclaim to David, “ You are the man.” ( 2 Samuel 12:7 ) This is where we ( should ) hear that great “slap” in the face sound ! A “calling out” from God ! David was chosen by God, called by God, favored by God, blessed by God, and now, convicted by God for what he’d done ! Although David felt remorse and guilt…was repentant as he should’ve been…God couldn’t let him go without being punished … so He struck the child he and Bathsheba conceived with an illness that caused the death of this innocent child, vowed calamity on David’s household and gave David’s wives to someone close to him so as to bring shame on David and contempt from God’s enemies ( 2 Samuel 12:1-25 ). Yeah David was sorry for what he’d done. Yeah he sought forgiveness by repenting. Yeah he hoped God would change His mind and not go through with His promise. But just like today, “sin” brings consequences ! Just because a murderer or rapist acted in the heat-of-the-moment, doesn’t mean there won’t be punishment for their actions. Neither will the actions of a born-again child of God be overlooked when they choose to go outside God’s boundaries and choose to sin against Him ! Letting down our guard…leaving the devil a foothold, only opens the door to pain and suffering for a believer ( as well as the believer’s family members ) ! Satan is here to lie, steal, kill and destroy ( John 8:44, 10:10 )…and he’s good at it ! Let’s not “make” God do something He doesn’t want to do. Feed the Spirit within…Walk in the Spirit so as not to give in to the flesh / sinful nature…put God first in every situation and love Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength ( Galatians 5:16, Matthew 6:33, Mark 12:30 ) !! It’s better to “know the Man”, than to have someone proclaim to us ,” You da man.”

August 1, 2026August 2, 2026

Change

Let’s consider the word “CHANGE” for a minute and think of its history. There’s been so many common sentences and antidotes associated with the word over the years, you’d have to just been born not to have heard em …” The more things change, the more they stay the same.” “Change the way you see things, and the things you see will change.” “Change comes from within.” “You can’t change people, only yourself.” “Change the conversation.” “One small change can make the difference.” OK…you get the gist of what I’m talkin about…so why is it so hard for people to change ? I’ve heard,”This is just how I am; take it or leave it.” “I’m not changing my mind, so you might as well shut up about it.” And what I’m thinking inside, i best not say out loud, cause it ain’t gon’ be pretty. To “change”, is to alter, transform, to make or become different. A stone mason can take a huge rock and transform it into vessel for everyday use, such as a sink, a tub, tiles, a retaining wall, etc.. A sculptor can transform a hunk of granite or marble into an image of a man or woman, an animal or some other work of art. Unless the maker alters or transforms, the stone remains a stone. The Lord drove home this fact into my spirit a long time ago by guiding me to a particular Scripture : ( 2 Corinthians 5:17 )…I know it’s one of my greatest “life-verses”. It says, “ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation, old things have gone and new things have come.” You can try to “alter” this breathed-out Word of God, and suffer the consequences ( Revelation 22:18-19 ) … or, you ( we ) can take it for what it is, apply it to our lives, and be “transformed” by it for our good and God’s glory. It’s up to us. I used to be destructive. I’d chew on everything, bust stuff up, burn things, carve my name in every surface, chop stuff down to see it fall, shoot birds with my BB gun, throw trash out the window and refuse to stop some other, more serious habits … but i grew up…i started listening to what God had to say about my actions, and i changed. Parents can tell you to stop pickin your nose or bitin your fingernails…but when they’re not lookin, you’re gonna do it anyway. Teachers’ll tell you to stop talkin, focus on your test, stop passin notes…but when they’re not lookin, your still gonna do it. Disobedience, defiance, rejection, and unwillingness is things we’re born with. Nobody has to teach a baby that screaming gets you picked up and fed, “changed” or coddled. “Selfishness” sees nothing wrong with “taking care of number one”, taking the last piece of pie or chicken, even when somebody else hasn’t eaten, cutting to the front of the line instead of getting behind, talking over others or interrupting, running the red or blocking on-coming traffic instead of obeying the lights, demanding their way, even if the majority is leaning another, or refusing the commands of authority figures. Selfish people don’t care about what anybody else thinks or wants. Selfish people have an issue with most everything…and defiance and refusal to change will be their downfall. They won’t let go of the “pride” and surrender to God’s will and purpose. In a sense, they have made themselves, “god” , and everybody else can kiss their you-know-whats. A person that refuses to change, is actually tellin God, “ I don’t need you.” “I’m gonna do me, you do you.” And when their last breath is taken and they stand before Jesus, hoping to be let in to Paradise…they’ll hear instead, “See ya…wouldn’t wanna be ya !” ( Matthew 7:21-23 ) Before change can come, there must be “humility”. Unless we humble ourselves and surrender to God’s authority, we’ll always be stuck in our past…returning to old vomit and old ways ( Proverbs 26:11 )…committing the same ol crimes and bad habits. It doesn’t haveta be like that though ! God, the Master Craftsman…the Master Potter…the Creator, is ready and willing to change the most useless piece of garbage into a work of art…the hardest piece of stone into a beautiful piece of sculpture…ashes into beauty ( Isaiah 61:3 ) ! Even though “our” righteousness is like a filthy rag…God places “His” righteousness on us like a royal robe ( Isaiah 64:6, 61:10 ) ! For some, the transformation is instantaneous … for most, it’s gradual. I guess some of us are a little harder…not quite willing…or maybe even a little stubborn. But God is patient ( 2 Peter 3:9 ). He sees our potential over our pridefulness. He sees beauty where we see ugliness. He created us to serve, not to be served ( Matthew 20:28 ). To be able to change is actually a blessing…a privilege bestowed on us by God ( Ephesians 2:8-9 ) ! He makes this a possibility through Christ’s sacrifice. He did what we couldn’t do…not because he had to but because he wanted to ! He saw our hopelessness and provided the Way, Truth and Life…and no one gets to GOD except through a relationship with Jesus Christ ( John 14:6 ) ! This relationship is the start of godly change. He’s not gonna force you to accept it or even believe it… but it’s what’s gonna get you a place in His kingdom…your name in His Book…and the abundant life you’ve always imagined ! ( Matthew 5:19; Revelation 21:27; John 10:10 ) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. Old things are replaced with new things…old ways with new ways…sometimes, old friends must be replaced with new friends…but you WILL BE CHANGED.” ( 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Corinthians 15:33; 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 ) Which are you “feeding” the most … the spirit of the flesh, which brings chaos and death … or the Spirit that God places within you when you begin a relationship with Him through Christ ? It’s not hard to see. The evidence will speak for itself. Wave that white flag and let the transformation begin !!

July 30, 2026

God-honoring

“Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church…Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…” ( Ephesians 5:22-33 ) As is with any other Scripture, i believe it’s not only good to revisit the breathed-out words of GOD ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ), it’s pertinent that we take it as what God put it in there for … “to teach, rebuke, CORRECT and train in righteousness.” I don’t know about you, but i NEED it ! I also know God tells us to be “doers of the Word and not just hearers, deceiving ourselves.” ( James 1:22 ) If we choose to ignore His Word, does that make it null and void ? If we “hear it”, but refuse to “obey it”, does it become less than “the Word of GOD” ? Satan doesn’t care how much we know about the Word of God…he just doesn’t like us “using it”, putting it into practice, obedient unto God with it. Taking God’s Word lightly will be the demise of millions ! We like to hear about God’s grace and mercy, His forgiveness and love…but we can’t just take the “fun parts” and leave off the “hard-t-hear parts”…the parts that are hard to follow. When God made man and woman, He wasn’t just bored and looking to clone Himself. He made us men to be the leaders of our homes…to rule over our wives and children and to give them an example to follow. What a responsibility; right ?! But He also made woman…not to “lead”, but to follow…to “submit to the husband”. This puts the burden of responsibility on the man…and the wife is to respect his authority as unto Christ. So what if the man isn’t a believer in Christ ? Is she still obligated to “follow his example”? Her first obligation, as a believer, is to honor God and bring glory to Him. She’s still commanded by God to honor and respect her husband, but she’s not to follow his example if it dishonors God. Jesus didn’t go against the Father, but did only what the Father told him to do. That’s our first priority…to do as God says to do…to not be hearers only. If we are ever gonna get this right, we’re gonna haveta follow the commands of God. That goes for men, and women…boys, and girls. By the way…for you young men and young women who may be reading this…look up ( Ephesians 6:1-3 ) and hear God say,” Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right”. “Honor your daddy and mama”—which is the first commandment with a promise — “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” We all get it wrong every now and then…but there oughta be some noticeable “change” happnin ! ( 2 Corinthians 5:17 ) says if anyone is “in Christ” ( meaning, saved, born-again, believer and follower of Christ ), then they are made new…a “new creation”…leaving the old self in the grave and walking around a “new” person…led by “The Spirit”… not, “a spirit” that looks more like the devil than the Lord ! We’re gonna be held accountable for everything we’re doing and saying here on earth ! ( Matthew 12:36 ) If it’s not God-honoring or bringing God glory, then it’s not coming from the Spirit of God. Lord, put a guard over our lips and create in us pure hearts. For Your glory and our good. In Jesus’ name… Amen.

July 25, 2026

Inheritance

What will your kid’s and grandkid’s inheritance be ? What you leave them will be what you’re cherishing and treasuring right now. So what is it ? Material possessions won’t matter in eternity ( Matthew 6:19-21 ), therefore, we best be giving some serious thought to what we’re REALLY leaving them ! Are you teaching them according to what someone taught “you”? Or did you invent new ideas and moral principles and just go with that ? Some of us have empty nests, but that doesn’t mean our jobs are over…we never really stop teaching and training. Someone’s watching to take our example and adapt it as their own. “Monkey see, monkey do” … “The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree” … “She’s definitely her mama’s daughter” or “He’s a chip off the ol’ block” … We’ve heard em all our lives, and the fact of the matter is, these sayings prove true far more often than you’d expect. I had the benefit of two “at home” parents … one was a follower of Christ; the other, wasn’t. One taught me to “do what you wanna do and don’t let any woman tell you what you’re gonna do.” The other one taught me to be respectful of girls and to put their needs before my own. One taught me that if i wanted something, i could take it. The other taught me that i couldn’t have everything i wanted. One taught me that it was ok to stare, lust, lie, cheat, steal, smoke, gamble and holler to get my point across. The other fought for my soul and cried out to God on my behalf, so I’d maybe have a chance in this life and the next. One REALLY loved me … the other didn’t really care enough to give me what i really needed. I chose to follow the example of both at one time.., but as i matured, i realized God was working on me to steer me away from harmful habits and life-destroying choices. I learned that i didn’t have to “adapt” harmful and dishonorable life-choices…i could create new ones that pleased my Creator. He let me know that if i really wanted an example to follow, i needed to know His Son and follow His example. See ? We can waste alotta time lookin for the best example…or…we can go straight to the only perfect One … Jesus, Himself ! You’ll never hear me say that I’m perfect…He’s still perfecting me…sanctifying me ! We’ve been created in His image and given “free will” to choose. What we choose is up to us…for a little while. Who we choose to run with, hang out with and to eventually, give “ourselves” to, is up to us. We can partner up with people that pull us further from the truth of God and our salvation … or … we can congregate with folks that follow Christ and push us closer to Him and His will for us. It’s our choice. We’re commanded by God to train our children in the “righteousness and admonition of the LORD” ( Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 22:6 ). I believe alotta parents and grandparents have forgotten this … judging by how their kids and grandchildren act, talk and dress. If we’d all quit letting kids try to be adults before they even have the knowledge and capacity to accept adult responsibilities, i think we’d see things change for the good. Instead of allowing kids to follow ungodly role models, to wear what their friends are wearing, use filthy language and watch unfiltered and uncensored who-knows-what on them phones…somebody needs to love em enough to tell em right from wrong…and God’s already wrote the directions down for anybody that cares to read em ! Call me outdated or old-fashioned. Talk about me behind my back. Ignore my posts and make fun of my ways. I won’t answer to any o’ y’all in the end. Neither will you answer to me. We will all stand before God one day and give an account of what we taught, what we allowed, what we said and what we DIDN’T ! ( Matthew 12:36 ) Know therefore that the LORD is GOD; He is the faithful GOD, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands. ( Deuteronomy 7:9 ) “The one who loves Me is the one who keeps My commands and follows Me.” — Jesus ( John 14:21 ) I don’t wanna stand before my Maker and be the reason my kids and grandkids chose this world and it’s offerings over a relationship with Jesus !! That generational promise of GOD can continue with “you” and “me” … or … it can be severed BECAUSE of “you” and “me”. We can stand up for what’s right, in the eyes of GOD … or …we can bow in submission to Satan and the ways that man has invented to go directly against GOD’S Will and Word. It’s up to us. So once more…what will you be leaving those who look to you for an example ? What will their inheritance be ?

July 24, 2026July 25, 2026

Soar Like An Eagle

B“It’s hard to soar like an eagle when you’re surrounded by a bunch of turkeys”. If you’ve never seen or heard this old sayin, you’ve undoubtedly secluded yourself in a box without access to the real world. I couldn’t help but be reminded of it when i read ( Isaiah 40:31 )…” But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” God wants you to hear this promise today ! Now, you might be thinkin,” God must not be talkin to me, cause ain’t no way i can run or walk in this Mississippi humidity and not grow weary or faint !” I hear you !👍 What he’s sayin is…for those who wake up each day and COMPLETELY place their faith and hope in Him, their strength, their freedom, their renewed vigor and determination, their joy, their resolve, their courage and fortitude WILL BE FOUND in Jesus Christ ! When Isaiah wrote this Scripture, Jesus hadn’t made the trip from heaven to earth as a baby yet…so “the LORD” was used as the vehicle to make all the believer’s dreams a reality ! Remember this: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit has always been and always will be…no beginning and no end ! ( John 1:1; Genesis 1:26-28; Revelation 22:13 ) We can accept this fact by faith, and “soar as eagles”…or, we can deny it and keep tryin to make sense of it and look like DODO birds, grounded forever. The art of soaring on eagles wings, running without getting weary and walking without getting faint, is a picture of the believer that “follows” Jesus out of an obedient heart. The one He loves and loves Him back WILL follow out of obedience ( John 14:23-24 ). “Partial obedience”, or “halfhearted obedience”, is and always will be, “disobedience”. To soar is to be free ! And the one that trusts fully in Jesus and lives “in Him” is “FREE INDEED” !! ( 2 Corinthians 5:17; John 8:36 ) A Christian is nothing more-nothing less, than a “little Christ” ! They are Christ’s little examples living on earth, carrying out His commands … to go round preaching and teaching His gospel and His commands and baptizing new believers (Matthew 28:18-20). We tell what we know, what we’ve experienced and seen…that’s what makes our testimonies believable ! ( John 3:11 ) We can’t tell about someone we don’t know. We can’t describe a feeling we’ve never felt, or convince someone of something we’ve never experienced ourselves. It’s God who gets their attention ( John 6:44 ). It’s God who gives us the mind of Christ and the words to say ( 1 Corinthians 2:16, Philippians 2:5-11; Matthew 10:20, Mark 13:11, Luke 12:12 ). It’s God who saves and grows a new believer … we’re to “plant the seed” and help direct em . Our actions will always speak louder than our words ( James 2:14-26 ). There’s no such thing as a “silent witness” ! Even creation knows God and exalts Him the best way they can ! God’s reminders surround us each and every day. How we respond to em is up to us .., and how we express God’s worth is evidence enough of our love for Him. Even though we try, God cannot be contained or controlled. He’ll never compromise or water down His rules, commands or statutes. His “code of conduct” is so much higher than this world’s standards…and how we live out our days here on earth will determine if we “soar”, or if we’ll choose to just dream about it while remaining within easy reach of the enemy ! Don’t let the enemy “clip your wings” ! Soar…as the LORD designed you to !! 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌

June 15, 2026June 16, 2026

Let Them Know

Do you ever brag on your spouse or kids ? I know some o’ yall will on their birthdays or anniversaries … sometimes on “Mama’s / Daddy’s Day”… and then there’s the graduations, home runs, birthdays, etc;… but do you ever just brag on em to whoever’ll listen… just because ? And when you do brag on em, do you let them hear you ? If not, shame on you. Everything we say is recorded by the Father…and one day, we’ll have to give an account for it. ( Matthew 12:36-37 ) Why not overshadow the negative with positive words…words that build up insteada tearing down…words that praise insteada criticize ? We’ve given Satan the satisfaction he was after, long enough ! Now…for whatever time we have left…let’s glorify God by doing it “His way” ! ( Psalm 63:3-4a ) says,” Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live.” See ? When you love someone, you praise them and bring glory to them. You don’t constantly complain and criticize. You see their accomplishments and encourage them by supporting them. If apologies are in order, don’t withhold em … that just gives the enemy time to reload. Put out the fires of ridicule and pessimism with love, respect, encouragement and support. Revisit 1 Corinthians 13 … the “love” chapter…and be reminded that God’s kind of love doesn’t resemble “worldly” love. Nor does it require reciprocation. We love God because He loved us first ( 1 John 4:19 ). Therefore, we love our spouses and our kids above and before everyone else … and we praise em every chance we get ! Loving someone like God ain’t hard. He’s done things for us that no human could ever do. Like blessing us with some amazing spouses, kids, families and friends ! Why not let em know ?!?

June 14, 2026June 16, 2026

No One Knows

God reminded us Sunday, in our small group gathering, that no one knows the hour of Jesus’ return…not even Jesus. “Only the Father knows” ( Matthew 24:36 )…therefore, we should follow His directives when he says to “ humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time…casting ALL your anxieties on Him because He cares for you.” He also reminds us ( warns us ) to “be self controlled and alert, because the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour…to RESIST him, standing firm in the faith…” ( 1 Peter 5:6-9 ). And of course, similar Scripture points to “being ready”, “being alert” for Jesus’ return ,in ( Revelation 16:15; Matthew 24:43; and 1 Thessalonians 5:2 ). My question to you today is, what will you be doing or concerned with when He does come back ? I can hear a resounding response…” Just going on with life.” Ok … i get that … but think about it in this perspective … Someone in your homeowner’s association posts a sign at your entry gate: “Be aware ! Be advised ! Prowler has been spotted on security cameras trying to break in houses in our area.” So what are your plans ? You gonna leave your doors unlocked, the key easily accessible and a garage door, up ? You gonna say anything to your young child that stays by themself…warn em not to go outside for any reason or answer the door, no matter who’s ringin the bell ? Are you gonna make sure the gun is loaded and not buried under a buncha shoes and comforters ? How are you at patrolling the perimeter ? Or are you depending on your crazy neighbor to watch their place AND yours ? When things get sketchy, the weather turns ugly, the news warns of a jail escapee, we haveta make a delivery in a crime-infested neighborhood, the solid red flags are flying at the beach, the threat of divorce or being laid off looms in our near futures, seeing signs warning of road closures due to construction, that yellow light’s about to change to red, hearing a first-responder siren, etc; etc; etc; we’ll take the necessary precautions or be on high alert. But when it comes to our eternal future, what precautionary measures do we take to guard or secure our welfare and that of our loved ones ? If Jesus sent you a warning on social media, what would your response be ? Would you go purchase some big-ticket item because you knew you wouldn’t haveta pay it off ? Would you wanna get one more round of golf in, play one more ballgame, take that time off that you always put off, place one more bet, go on one more hunt, drink one more drink, post one more post, cast that line once more, tow the camper to that spot you always dreamed of goin…? See ? We tend to focus on everything else and ignore the most important things that will secure our “eternal inheritance”! Have we placed our faith in Christ and Christ alone ? Is our actions and words, as well as the things we watch and listen to reflecting our respect for God and His directives ? Are we actively producing the fruit of righteousness … or the fruit of “self-righteousness” ( Galatians 5:19-23 )? When you walk off from a conversation with someone, can they make an accurate determination about your allegiance to Jesus Christ … or not ? Do you really “know” God, because you’re making His Word a vital part of your day … or is that small screen seeing your face way more ? What’s your “giving” look like ? Do you consider that paycheck “yours”, to do with as you want, and never tithe as God instructed … or, have you heard His directive and promise in Malachi 3:10 and trusted Him not only to supply you with an income, but also with the portion you obediently place back into His storehouse ? Are you robbing yourself by robbing God ? Are you living an example of Jesus…emulating His love to those He places in your circle of influence ? Are you making sure your spouse and kids know Jesus personally…that their own salvation is secured and that they aren’t compromising their beliefs…or, are you leaving it up to “them” which way they go and who they’re gonna let teach em “the ways of this world” ? Wouldn’t you fight off the kidnapper ? Wouldn’t you protect em if a tornado or hurricane was imminent ? Would you leave their window wide open under the threat of someone lurking at night ? Do you trust just anybody to keep your kids, drive your car, escort your spouse or deposit your check ?!? It’s time to WAKE UP people !! Being “proactive” in our relationship with God ain’t gon’ take care of itself or be automatic ! Yeah…every knee’s gonna bow and every tongue’s gonna confess Jesus is Lord ( Philippians 2:10-11 )…but that ain’t sayin they’re all gonna be saved ! Lip-service ain’t never kept folks outta Hell and it never will ( Matthew 15:8-9 ) ! Folks better start taking an active role in seeing their households are not only saved by Christ, but that they’re walking “in Christ” and pursuing Christ’s righteousness with every fiber of their being. “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling” ( Philippians 2:12 ) wasn’t breathed out by God as a suggestion !

June 10, 2026June 16, 2026

Hyssop

“Hyssop”…an aromatic perennial herb in the mint family, native to Southern Europe and the Middle East. (Just wanted to give a little background on the plant ). David was king at this time, and insteada goin with his troops into battle, he decided to stay home. We’re not told his reasons, but since idleness is the devil’s workshop, he found himself eavesdropping on the neighbor lady while she took her bath up on the roof. Maybe it was poor timing. Maybe it was bein at the wrong place at the wrong time … whatever the circumstance, David didn’t divert his eyes and ask God to erase that image from his memory … he had one of his servants go to this married woman’s house and arrange a meeting. That wanderlust in David’s heart led to adultery, premeditated murder, the death of the child conceived that day and sin against God. One look…one temptation, allowed access to the heart, and sin conceived into full-grown death ! ( James 1:15 ) See ? Sin ain’t nothin t’ play with ! Just as a little arsenic or a little nitro glycerin can kill you, a little sin can, too. One little tick can give you Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever … One little Brown Lecluse spider can steal the majority of meat, tissue and muscle off your leg or arm … One little bite from one little poisonous snake can take your life … so yeah…a little sin can do far more damage than you can imagine ! Sin will take you farther than you wanna go, keep you longer than you wanna stay and cost you more than you wanna pay. Ask king David. He writes this Psalm after his sin with Bathsheba … “ Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” ( Psalm 51:7 ) “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” ( v. 10 ) David realizes his actions weren’t somebody else’s fault. He didn’t try to play it off as nothing serious. He knew he was guilty and he sought the only logical solution…God’s forgiveness and cleansing. Every sin is against God…and only God can forgive sin ( Luke 5:21 ). God doesn’t want our excuses. God doesn’t wanna hear our justification reasoning. God is waiting to hear our confession and see our repentance. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. ( Psalm 51:17 ) Sin separates. And there’s no temptation known to man that God can’t supply the escape route ( 1 Corinthians 10:13 ). Don’t put yourself in a position that could cause you harm or the destruction of your health, your family or your integrity. Play with fire, you’ll eventually get burned … play with sin, you’ll eventually find that it ain’t as exciting as some folks make it out to be. Only the blood of Jesus can cleanse us completely. And as He says,“Unless you repent, you too will perish.” ( Luke 13:1-9 )

June 9, 2026June 11, 2026

LAWBREAKER

LAWBREAKER !! Yeah…”YOU” ! Don’t be lookin back over your shoulder to see if somebody else is the recipient of the title ! According to GOD, “Whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” ( James 2:10 ) So…you’re handcuffed, thrown in jail and brought before the judge the following day to be tried … you’re still in shock and confused as to the charges. You try to think of something you’ve done that would warrant this unreasonable incarceration … you don’t have any unpaid parking tickets…you haven’t hit anyone or anything with the car and left the scene…you didn’t rob a bank, commit murder, shoplift or receive stolen property … so what could it be ?!? Next you hear,” All rise. This court , with the Honorable Judge presiding , is now in session. Please be seated and come to order.” Your name is called…you stand before the Judge and are asked how you plead. You blurt out,” Not guilty, Judge.” All’s silent…you think you heard someone in the back emit a “yeah; right.”…and the Judge removes his readers, furrows his brow, and with the most serious look and tone, pronounces your charge… “ Mr. / Miss _____… at approximately nine forty-five pm on the night of May the twentieth, did you not, with malice and forethought, fail to pray for _____ ,and instead, laid your head down and fell asleep ?!?” At first, you look shocked ! How did he know that ?!? And as the realization hits you, you realize something … your “sins of omission” haven’t escaped the eyes of the one true Judge !! ( 1 Samuel 12:23 ) You try t’ come up with some lame excuse, but it falls on deaf ears. “Guilty”, you hear him say. Your only hope is to throw yourself on the mercy of the court. And somewhere in the back you hear, “ Father, he’s/she’s with me. I’ve got him / her covered.” See ? No matter how “good” we think we are, we’re not “good enough”! If this “Jesus” doesn’t take our punishment and stand for our sentence, we’re destined for a lifetime of captivity … doomed for eternity. Next time you think about breaking the law, ( God’s laws ), you may wanna think long and hard about it. Someone who’s been pardoned…bought and paid for…ought not view their freedom as a permit to sin ! ( Romans 6:1-2 ) You no longer belong to yourself…you were bought at a price and therefore, belong to God. Your body is the temple where He resides. Honor Him with it ! ( 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ) The grace administered freely by God , costs too high a price to be taken lightly ! Christians that do, will still fall under the punishment of Almighty GOD … Judge, Prosecutor and Executioner ! ( Hebrews 10:29 ) It’s a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living GOD ( v.31 )… the One who can destroy both body and soul ! ( Matthew 10:28 ) The one who is freed by Christ is free indeed ! ( John 8:36 ) Enjoy that freedom by honoring the one that made it possible !

May 20, 2026May 24, 2026

Take That Leap

You ever jumped off of anything…like a diving board, the roof of a house, a creek bank, bridge, etc; etc.? What about bungee jumping or skydiving ? Remember that feeling that you had … partly fear…maybe a little prideful because you didn’t want your friends makin fun of you if you chickened out ? Those last few inches to the edge had already made the pit of your stomach feel empty…the height was intimidating…you pictured every scenario that could possibly go wrong…folks were either encouraging you, or demanding you “go”…and your gut was sayin,” Go back !” But remember when you stepped off that “ledge”? Remember that exhilarating feeling as the adrenaline was rushing through every fiber of your being … the fear replaced by undeniable joy and excitement !?! THAT’S how it is when you put ( James 4:8 ) into play ! God says,”Draw / come near to me and I’ll draw / come near to you.” I can recall my first time seeing Pennye Jacobs Lewis. I was over at her house seeing her brother, Dwayne. Actually, we were supposed t’ be studying for a big test that we were havin the next day…( makin cheat sheets t’ be honest about it )… and i spotted her on a barstool ( at the kitchen counter ) on one o’ them wall phones. I couldn’t quit cuttin my eyes over at ‘er…them tan legs and cute shorts…and them brown eyes…ooohhh weeeee ! And you know what ? She was lookin at me too ! Talk about an adrenaline rush ! But you know something else ? If I was ever to talk to her, get to know her, maybe even hold her hand and get me some sugar…i was gonna haveta initiate the conversation…draw near to her. I spoke to ‘er once she was off the phone and was lookin forward to the next chance at talkin to ‘er…which came along at a ballfield within the next few days ! Wasn’t long before we began a relationship that’s lasted forty-six ( 46 ) years this coming June 26 ! But it wouldn’t’ve never happened if i hadn’t drawn near to ‘er. God ain’t gon’ bite. He’s wanting you to get to know him…wanting to start a relationship with you that’s gonna blow your mind. And the way t’ get that relationship started is through humbly surrendering to Jesus’ Lordship. No one gets to God the Father except through Jesus the Son ( John 14:6 ). Drawing near to God looks like “humility”, “submission”, “surrender”…and the characteristics ( fruit ) that results from this relationship is, “ love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control ( Galatians 5:22-23 ). Take that “leap” of faith that brings immeasurable blessings from God ! You’ll live to never regret it !

May 14, 2026

Whatcha Gonna Do ?

May 12, 2026

Not Alone

Two are better than one…If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up ! A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Every time i read this Scripture, i think of all the projects I’ve done “alone”. I have my reasons for not wanting help, but an extra pair of hands would’ve made the job alot easier. I think God wired me a little differently … i haveta think harder about some things than someone with more experience, maybe. I haveta consider the gameplan over and over with no one talkin to me…distracting me. And then, i feel I’m taking “them” away from something they need to be doing, or something they’d rather be doing. So…i just do “it” by myself. I like Pennye Jacobs Lewis to be out there with me…just because i enjoy her presence…but i really don’t ask for her help or want her to be talkin to me 😄. If I’d’ve known God was gonna take my mama home so soon, i think i would’ve let her help me with a couple o’ projects i had goin as me and Pennye were gettin settled back in to my old home place. Because she always wanted to help, mama would be tryin to put hands on my material or straighten up something i would get to later. I kept “runnin her off” ( nicely ), tellin her i didn’t want her to get hurt…or, wasn’t ready for that yet…encouraging her to go visit with Pennye or something. As i look back, she was just trying to lend a hand…to help…to “make herself useful” … and i robbed her of that blessing. It’s one of my greatest regrets … and i robbed myself of those precious moments that God was trying to give me. I believe we do it more than we imagine. I didn’t read the Bible with my kids while they were growing up … I didn’t take them to serve our community, as a ministry … i didn’t tell a couple of uncles how thankful i was for their showing me what the love of Jesus really looked like … I’ve lost opportunities to show young kids God’s creation and pass on some of my knowledge and experiences … so yeah…i know what the writer means when he wrote,” But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up !” If you’re a “loner”, you’re trading some of God’s greatest blessings for quality time with His “gifts”. You’re also robbing others of the blessing they’d get from being with you ! Our Lord didn’t come to earth and serve, minister and teach by himself ! That’s why he chose disciples ! Fellowship and community is one of God’s greatest blessings ! We oughta embrace it more, insteada doin life alone.