The Son Became a Child

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Bryan Tarjick

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For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6

In this passage out of Isaiah, he writes that to us a “child” will be born but that a “son” will be given. Did you catch that? When Jesus was born to the virgin Mary, he “Jesus” was not only born unto us but most importantly, is that He was given to us by God the Father as a “Son”…His only Son. This is because the Son existed long before the Christ child was born. This makes my heart leap for Joy even that much more when I consider that God gave you and I what was most precious and dear to Him out of a longing for a personal relationship with His creation once again.

When Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden, that fellowship was broken and lost between the Father and man.  Until Jesus, the Son was given and born as the Christ child and His blood shed at Calvary, man could not enter into God’s holy presence because of his sin. To God be the glory for now and ever more for the ultimate gift you or I could ever receive; the priceless gift of God’s eternal love and life.

As you continue through this season in the days ahead, I hope you will take the time in the busyness that it brings, and reflect how God chose you and I and the world to share His most precious gift, the gift of his Son, Jesus.

Remain Blessed,

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Seasons Of The Believer

Posted on November 27, 2015 by Bryan Tarjick


For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. – Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Here in Northeast Texas I’ve recently been noticing once again all the beautiful colors changing all around us as autumn continues to pass the baton into the hands of winter. I dearly love this time of the year and season for not only the gorgeous changing scenery but most importantly for all we celebrate from Thanksgiving on into Christmas.

I always find it interesting every year as we approach this season how it can bring out the best in people. There is something almost miraculous that occurs within most people during this time as people tend to be more courteous, selfless, and friendly  to their “neighbor” whomever that neighbor may be?

Yes, I can almost hear some of your thoughts and I will also certainly agree as well that this season can also bring out the worst in people. Just this past weekend, I read a few stories and watched a few video clips following the black Friday sales. I’m always amazed at the extreme measures some folks will go to in order to save a few dollars and how they will treat others just to get that “bargain”. I have two words to share in light of this: “Online Shopping”! But that is whole other revival series and not my intent for today’s writing.

Just as there are different seasons in the year, there are also different seasons to a believer’s life. Those that have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior. It is so important to understand these seasons. If you don’t understand the season of life you might be in, you might not respond correctly in it and you will not get the best out that God intended of it all. Most often, I believe we as Christians are in the walking season. The season where God has called us to “walk out our faith” day in and day out. Furthermore, we are called to be ready “in and out of season” as written in 2 Timothy 4:2: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction.

There is also a season of standing. Those times when we are to stand firm in our faith with boldness, courage, and not back down according to our convictions as believers. Paul wrote in I Corinthians 16:13 to Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. More than ever my friend, I believe God is calling us to rise up in our society, in our jobs, our homes and even our churches. The enemy knows his time is short and he is firing every wicked dart and arrow our way. But be encouraged and rejoice for the battle belongs to the Lord and He will help us defeat and triumph over our every enemy that attempts to destroy all that God has called us to be and do.

There are also seasons of great joy that God blesses us with. The times when God I think looks down and says, “I love you my son or daughter”. Here’s a little something special “just because”. I think about the birth and arrival of our grandson a little two years ago and also the announcement from our son recently of their little blessing that will be here next April. Thank you Jesus!

Lastly, there are those seasons in our lives that appear unexpectedly. Those cold, dark seasons that seem to rush in without prior warning or expectation. I’m sure most of you if not all can surely testify as I and recall many of those seasons right now. When God allows these seasons in our lives, often times it can be be very difficult if ever to understand why God has even allowed them to come. I think about a family right I’ve been praying for in which the mother is battling cancer. Another gentleman I had the honor of praying for just this past week that told me he had just gotten out of prison three months ago and what lies ahead for him.

My friend, life is about seasons. Seasons of joy, sadness, trials, victories, tears and triumph. But you know what. Jesus himself experienced each one of these long before you or I were ever born. Hebrews 4:15 says: For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Jesus has surely walked in each of our shoes so to speak and knows full well what you and I will ever experience this side of heaven. Finally, He says “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

May each us continue to keep our eyes and hearts fixed on Jesus each and every day as the seasons around us continue to change both visible and invisible in our lives.

Remain Blessed,

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Enter In with Thanksgiving

Posted on November 22, 2015 by Bryan Tarjick

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Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name! – Psalm 100:4

Imagine you’ve recently invited me over for an evening of fellowship as well as sharing a delightful meal together. I arrive just at the split second of our agreed upon time and you graciously greet me at the door. Immediately upon entering, I begin to take over the entire conversation not allowing you to get a word in edgewise. I begin telling you about all my troubles and woes and how difficult my day has been and without hesitation begin inquiring of you for any help while continuing to pour out my pleas. While continuing with my pity party mentality and words, I quickly leave your presence and make my way to the banquet table you have taken so much time to prepare as you anxiously awaited my arrival. Once again, I completely take over the conversation while sharing this extravagant meal together with you asking once again for any help, words of comfort, someone else you may know that I could talk to while all along, you alone know and possess what I need that will see me through this current valley in my life. If only…yes if only I would be quiet while in your presence and allow you to speak words of healing and comfort to me.

If only…

My friend, I must confess that I’ve been in this exact situation and from time to time even yet find myself there once again. Perhaps you have too? Whether we call it our prayer time, devotional time, quiet time, those times we come before the Lord, entering His presence while only dominating our entire time together. We enter His presence, and without offering up any words of thanksgiving and praise, giving Him glory and honor which is so due His name, we rush so often into the “Lord, here is what’s wrong in my world today and this is what I’m needing You to do for me” and “oh yeah, thanks Lord, I’m so glad we had this time of fellowship together…see ya tomorrow…Amen”.

Dear friends, we’ve been invited by the King of Kings, Lord of Lords and Creator of the entire universe to come, dine, and have sweet fellowship in His presence. There is something awesome that happens when we enter His presence and offer up thanksgiving and praise. The apostle Paul wrote in I Thessalonians 5:18 to Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Also in Philippians 4:6 he wrote Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed but I truly believe my friend that the key to living a life of peace and contentment each and every day is to be truly be thankful and grateful for all God has done, what He’s doing and what He’s about to do in our lives. Once again, the key is living in the environment of contentment.

As we enter this week of Thanksgiving, I hope each of you takes time out and just enter into God’s presence just to offer Him a time of “Thanksgiving and Praise”. Not to petition Him for anything, but just to get in His presence and abide there for awhile. I promise, you’ll never be the same my friend.

I wish you and your families a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

Remain Blessed,

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Closed Doors & Open Windows

Posted on November 15, 2015 by Bryan Tarjick

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The LORD is my light and my salvation– whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life– of whom shall I be afraid? – Psalm 27:1

Hot on the trail of God’s will
And getting warmer still
Got it together this time around
There’s nothing to stop you now
Stopped by the slam of a door
God, what’d You do that for
Sometimes we just don’t understand
How He wants to let us in

When God closes a door, look for a window
Oh look for a window
Don’t stand at the door, there might be a window
Oh look for a window
When your pathway comes to an end, its time to begin to
Find a new road and Look for a Window

Responsibilities change
And so do our pathways
One way God shows which way to go
Is to let the old road close

There’s no point in getting down on yourself
God is only pointing you somewhere else

“Look for a Window” by Dallas Holm

The Lord has used this song sung by one of my favorite artists, Dallas Holm, so many times of uncertainty in my life. Those times when for the most part, things seem to running pretty well for you all the way around. Then all of a sudden, without warning, without sirens or bells and whistles going off, catastrophe strikes and you’re left wondering what has just happened and for what reason? The thoughts eventually settle in that you dwell on and begin asking, “What did I do to deserve this?” or “This is just not fair!”

I was speaking with a business associate just this past week and he informed me that he had been laid off along with several others within the company where they had worked. These employees had also been with the company several years and without warning, they were all notified that they were being let go. I immediately shared with my friend my sincere heartfelt concern and that I would praying for him and trusting that God would provide him with another job. And not just a job but a job where he could utilize his abilities and gifts.

Why does God allow closed doors in our lives to occur? I have often asked myself that very question so very often in my life. While I cannot answer for each and every individual, I can only see where God’s hand of provision, grace and mercy have always been there when He allowed a door to be closed in my life. Yes, I can look back now from where He has brought me from to where I am today and without reservations know that each time, I have experienced a new, fresh walk with Him each and every time. And for every door He allowed to be closed, He always provided a nearby window in which to enter in through which eventually lead to another open door. Much like if you accidentally locked yourself out of your house with no key, you were still able to enter the house due to a window which was unlocked and allowed you to enter in once again.

The worst thing we can do when God allows doors to be closed in our lives is to just stand there, frightened, scared, mad, blame others (even God), for our present circumstance. Yes, before I came to the resolute that God cared deeply for everything I go through in life, there were certainly times when I would shake my fist towards the heavens and blame Him for everything I was going through due to these closed doors. My friend, God cares more about you and everything you go through in life more than you’ll ever know. His Word says that you are the apple of His eye. (Zechariah 2:8) Furthermore, he has engraved you on the palms of His hands. (Isaiah 49:16) His plans to prosper you and not to harm you & plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

So my friend, if there has recently been a door closed in your life and you don’t know which way to turn or are afraid of taking that next step of faith, please know that our Heavenly Father is standing close by ready to let you in, all you have to do is call out to Him, trust Him and walk by faith as you “Look for a Window”.

Remain Blessed,

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Dallas Holm – Look for a Window

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When God Goes Hunting

Posted on November 8, 2015 by Bryan Tarjick

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“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9)

This past weekend, many a hunter took to the woods hoping to bring home that trophy Buck. They not only hunt to put meet in the freezer but also for the possible opportunity to have a head mount mastered by a local taxidermist to remember the hunt by. I actually have two deer head mounts in our home that my father had taken down on a hunt back around 78′ and 79′. This was an era in his life that he so enjoyed and to look at them each time reminds me of how much joy it brought him to spend those times in the woods.

You see, when I was around thirteen or so years of age, our family was part of a hunting club which consisted of mostly family members & close friends. We would gather just about every weekend to enjoy not only the hunting but the fellowship, food and fun we would all have. It was a time when we could all just leave our cares of the world behind and join nature for a bit of outside adventure & to enjoy God’s marvelous creation. I never did really hunt much as it didn’t interest me much although, I did and still do enjoy eating deer steak and some good ole’ deer summer sausage!

It was actually during these times spent at the deer camp that my dad actually accepted Christ as his savior. He had shared with me on several occasions that it was while hunting one day that he felt convicted of his sins and knew that he needed Christ in his life. He proceeded to put down his .30-06 rifle, knelt down beside a tree stump and asked Jesus into his life. It was then and there that God also called him into the ministry. He immediately enrolled in Bible college and was eventually ordained into the ministry where he held the position of a pastor of two churches during his tenure in the ministry.

Dad entered the woods that day with the hopes of bringing down a trophy buck yet walked out of those same woods carrying a much greater trophy and promise. The promise of eternal life with his Creator and Lord. To God be the Glory!

God also goes hunting. In our opening scripture, we are told that the “…eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9) My friend, God is on a hunt each and every day searching, looking, going to and fro for someone whose hearts are passionate towards Him. We are sometimes fooled into thinking that there are billions of people on the earth whose heart is completely sold out to the Lord, but it is plain to see by the actions of so many, that not all hearts are sold out toward Him, or intent on doing His Will.

May each and every one of us who are called by His name, the Holy name of Jesus, be found blameless as we live out our faith for all the world to see. You see God is much more interested in the motivations and intentions of our hearts of why we do what we do in His name than merely the act alone. This is evident as Jesus described in Mathew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name. And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Furthermore, the enemy of our souls, satan, could care less how many times we attend church and attend every function which is offered as long as our “worship” unto God isn’t connected to it. You see, religion on the whole has been Satan’s great counterfeit to true spirituality since the very beginning.

My friend, let us examine our walk with God with sincerity each day and may we all be found blameless with hearts innocent and pure as each day passes when God Goes Hunting.

Remain blessed,

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I Know You’re There

Posted on November 1, 2015 by Bryan Tarjick

tumblr_inline_nuxz36Lz8x1qdhf83_400My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. – John 10:27

This past week while getting ready for work one morning, Karen began to call out my name because she wanted to ask me a question. I heard her and before I could respond, she began again with “Bryan, I know you’re there”….and again, “Bryan, did you hear me…I know you’re there”…”answer me Bryan”. Now, to fully get the gist of this moment, you would have to know the story behind it for this has been an inside joke with us going on thirty-three years.

You see, before Karen and I got married, I had successfully became the owner of one too many credit cards due to the fact that I completely missed the part that one day I would certainly need to pay the balance owed on them. Yes, there for a short season, I had no problem saying like Kevin in the movie Home Alone, “Credit Card? You Got It!”. Everything was going great in my world until one day the creditors began calling me inquiring about when they could expect payment. There was one particular lady which would, shall I say, was more persistent in her demands that it got to the point where I just wouldn’t answer the phone. When the phone would ring and the answering machine would come on, she would follow up with the whole, “Bryan, I know you’re there” bit. Over and over she would repeat herself for somehow she knew I was on the other end ignoring her requests each time.

God also persistently calls each and every one of us to come to Him due to fact that He loves us too much to leave us where we are without Him in our lives. We often read about how “someone found God”; usually after a life event that caused them to evaluate things. But did you know that God pursues us? Because of His very nature – which is love – He seeks to have a relationship with us. He seeks to have this personal relationship with us so much, that He left heaven and came to earth to be born, live, die and rise again through His only Son Jesus, so that none would perish from this life.

Perhaps you yourself my friend  have heard His voice before calling you home. Maybe even here recently, you’ve heard His call to surrender your life and give Him the chance to show you how much He loves you and wants to reveal great and mighty things to you in your life. Like me with the episodes with the creditors, you choose to ignore those calls and promptings when you hear His voice. Jesus said in Revelation 3:20, Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

My dear friend, please don’t let another day go by when you hear God’s call to come home; for Tomorrow may very well be too late.

Remain blessed,

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Becoming Christlike

Posted on October 25, 2015 by Bryan Tarjick

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Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.- I Corinthians 11:1

Oswald Golter was a missionary in northern China during the 1940’s. After ten years service he was returning home. His ship stopped in India, and while waiting for a boat home he found a group of refugees living in a warehouse on the pier. Unwanted by anyone else the refugees were stranded there. Golter went to visit them. As it was Christmas-time wished them a merry Christmas and asked them what they would like for Christmas.

“We’re not Christians,” they said. “We don’t believe in Christmas.”

“I know,” said the missionary, “but what do you want for Christmas?” They described some German pastries they were particularly fond of, and so Oswald Golter cashed in his ticket, used the money to buy baskets and baskets of the pastries, took them to the refugees, and wished them a merry Christmas.

When he later repeated the incident to a class, a student said, “But sir, why did you do that for them? They weren’t Christians. They don’t even believe in Jesus.”

“I know,” he replied, “but I do!”

Becoming more like Christ should be the desire of every believer, and it is encouraging to know that God has the same desire for us. In fact, the Bible says that God “predestined believers to be conformed to the likeness of his Son” (Romans 8:29). Making us Christlike is God’s work, and He will see it through to the end (Philippians 1:6).

As I get older, I can look back now on the man I used to be and where God has done such a work in my life as I have allowed Him to. This is not an automatic process my friend. We must consciously and selflessly give ourselves to the working of the Master Potter in our lives each and every day. As the apostle Paul wrote “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” (Romans 7:15). Every day we are presented with choices, challenges, temptations and decisions that will either bring us closer or further away from conformity in becoming Christlike. The decision is ultimately always up to us of how we choose.

I wish to leave you with one question that I must ask of myself first. When the world looks, listens and watches you and I each day, what do they see? What do they hear? Do they see and hear imitators of Christ which reflect His image in how we live, speak and conduct ourselves? Or do they occasionally see just a dim reflection of Him which comes and goes according to which environment  or surrounding which we happen to be in at the time?

St. Francis  of Assisi reportedly said, “Preach Jesus, and if necessary use words.” Furthermore, Brennan Manning is quoted with “The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians: who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”

My friend, if we truly desire the see change in the world around us and people coming into the revelation knowledge of Jesus, how so desperately we need to  deny ourselves, take up our cross (whatever your cross may be), and be true disciples and followers of Jesus.

You could very well be the answer to someone’s prayer today, tomorrow and the days to come.

Remain blessed,

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The Heartbeat of the Christian Life

Posted on October 18, 2015 by Bryan Tarjick

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This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! – 2 Corinthians 5:17

About a month or so ago, our son called from beautiful Fairvew, North Carolina and delivered news to Karen and I that once again, we were going to be grandparents. This is their first child and we were overjoyed of course to say the least! He once again called last week and informed us that he and our daughter-in-law April, got to hear the baby’s heartbeat for the very first time. I told Grant, “there’s no words son to describe like hearing your very own child’s heartbeat for the very first time”. To know that you and your beloved along with God’s miraculous design as the Creator of all life, designed this precious new life which is growing day by day.

After we talked, shed tears of joy and said our goodbyes that day, I began to think about the “Heartbeat of the Christian Life” and what I thought that to be. As I continued to dwell on this, honestly I was torn between so many words, descriptions, experiences, that it was not as obvious as I thought it might be.

I even asked the Lord, “Lord, what is the heartbeat of the Christian’s Life?”. What is it on a day to day basis so to speak that continues to beat and give us new life, makes us stronger, refreshes us and helps us to keep Him at the center of all that we are and do as believers?

As I went through this week and continued to pray & meditate on this, I do believe for me, it would have to be my faith. My faith in knowing that my heavenly Father loves me no matter what I am, what I’ve done, what I look like, how much money I have, what church I attend, etc. He loves me with a perfect love that will never change! Romans 8:38 reads, And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow–not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.

Furthermore, my faith in knowing Jesus as my savior and having his Holy Spirit within me each and every day also continues to give me fresh new life as I rise each morning. Lamentations 3:22 and 23 read The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. To know that God’s presence is with me every day and knowing that I can walk in total victory over every circumstance along side Him, also makes my heart leap for excitement and joy.

I’m sure my friend that you could also could add your own take on what you believe to be the heartbeat of your walk with God and I invite you to do that this week. Begin to reflect on what God has done in your life. What He’s doing right now and what He wants to do in you, for you and through you in Jesus’ name!

Remain blessed,

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Never Forsaken Nor Forgotten

Posted on October 11, 2015 by Bryan Tarjick

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Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
 – Deuteronomy 31:6

About a week or so ago, Karen was telling me about an article about a dog who had been abandon and left to die in Russia. To make the story even more emotional, she was pregnant and expecting a litter of puppies. She had entombed for two days when a good samaritan named Vadim was passing by and heard her frantic barking.

The pooch named Bilka, was a stray that had wandered into a sinkhole that had been open for three weeks. While Belka was inside the hole, the housing authorities patched up the pit on Sept. 18th, not realizing there was a dog inside.

On Sept. 21st, Vadim said he kept hearing a dog’s whining and barking, but didn’t know where it was coming from. When he realized it was coming from underground, he asked city officials to help rescue the pregnant dog and its unborn pups. After officials refused to dig another hole to save the soon-to-be mother pooch, Vadim decided to do it himself. Belka had been trapped in the hole for two days without any food and water. He quickly began to chisel the brick away one brick at a time and then began burrowing away sand. Finally he moved away a large stone and saw one of her paws and muzzle peeking through until eventually the frantic, scared, hungry and dehydrated Belka was freed.

After reading this story and watching the incredible rescue below, I immediately had the thought about how God has done this very thing for all mankind. He reached down by sending Jesus to rescue us when we were entombed by our own sin and rebellion and provided total freedom from sin and death.

It still puzzles me why so many people continue to live their lives apart from this truth and believe they can make it better on their own than looking to Jesus as their source of life, strength, blessing, peace of mind, comfort, joy, the list is endless. I must admit although friend that I believe part of the reason we aren’t seeing more people come into this saving knowledge of Jesus is that we that confess to know Him, aren’t making Him known as we should in our day to day lives to the masses.

God gives you and I opportunities each and every day to share His love with those around us. I’m not talking about having to bring up the name of Jesus in every conversation you have with others or mentioning that the Bible says this or that. I’m simply speaking of allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and use you in your world that you live in each day. This might be at your job, home, church, Wal-Mart, pumping gas, phone conversations, etc. When you fully step out of the way and ask the Holy Spirit to use you each day and ask Him to open doors for you to share your faith with others, let me tell you by experience, He will my friend.

This world is still heavily populated with others that need to know that Jesus is truly there for them and is ready to help rescue them if they will only trust Him to. Like Vadim in the opening story heard the cries of little Belka desperate to be rescued, if you truly listen each day, you too my friend will also hear others crying out in desperation wanting to be rescued. You can be the hands and voice of Jesus He uses to set them free!

Remain blessed,

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Playin’ With Fire

Posted on October 4, 2015 by Bryan Tarjick

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For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all. – Luke 8:17

I was speaking with my mom the other day on remembrance of a certain action when I was younger. When I was about eight or nine years old, we were staying in an apartment in Biloxi, Mississippi. Mom and my other siblings had stepped out of the apartment for just a short while and I was left alone in the apartment. To be completely clear, no…my parents were not the kind of parents that did this on a regular basis. They had just stepped out for a few minutes, but in those few minutes, I found a way to get into what could have resulted in a very bad ending. My dad, which smoked at the time had left some matches on one of the nightstands and me and inner curiosity, took the matches and proceeded to have myself a small mini bonfire right there in the apartment. I grabbed a trashcan, made sure there was something ignitable inside and struck up the first match, threw it in and immediately the smoke turned to a small flame. About that time, my mom and siblings came back in and well, let’s just say…I learned not to ever play with matches again!

When I look back on some of the stupid situations and things I’ve done in my life in regards to sin, I liken each one and wrongful action to that of striking that first match many years ago.

Why is it that we are so drawn to temptation and sin that causes us to briefly take our eyes off of Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith and continue to strike those matches in our lives. James tells in 1:14 that “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.“ and that “These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.“

Friends, we need to stay built up and stay strong in our faith. Every day, we are faced with decisions to turn away or turn to sin in our life. The stronger our faith and relationship with Jesus, the better equipped we are in order to be able to turn away from sin and defeat the enemy of our souls, satan.

Let me also interject a final thought. Every decision we make begins in what I believe to be one of our greatest battlegrounds we do battle in. Our own mind. Our actions are a direct result of our thoughts. If we have a negative mind and dwell on negative thoughts, we will have a negative life. If, on the other hand, we renew our mind according to God’s Word each day, we will prove out “the good and acceptable and perfect will of God” for our lives.’Worry, doubt, confusion, depression, anger and feelings of condemnation – all these are attacks on the mind. To live out a victoriously Christian life each day, we have got to come to the place where we recognize when to cast down these negative thoughts and replace them with thoughts on what the Word of God says instead.

So the next time you’re tempted to pick up that match and give it a strike, in other words, tempted to sin, carefully consider the danger of what it could cost you in the end. Instead, immediately ask God to give you the strength to turn away from sin and by all means my friend, put that match down and quit playin’ with fire. It’s never worth it.

May you remain blessed,

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