Getting Back In The Race

Posted on September 27, 2015 by Bryan Tarjick

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Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. – Hebrews 12:1

“In the movie Chariots of Fire, Olympian runner Eric Liddell was quoted as saying, God made me fast and when I run, I feel His pleasure.’ 

When I entered into the eighth grade, I played football and also ran track. While I did enjoy playing football, it hardly compared to the thrill and enjoyment I received when I ran in each race at each track meet. I ran the 440 yard relay, the mile relay and the 330 yard hurdles. I absolutely loved running the relay races where we had four guys who each carried the baton in hand anticipating the smooth hand-off to our next team mate. There was just something about those races that shot my adrenaline levels sky high and the thrill of competing against other teams that I do understand what Eric Liddell was quoted as saying. Although at the time, I failed to realize that it was truly God that had given me the talent to run fast.

My coach was Mr. Ed Smith. On the field and at the track meet, there was no doubt that he was there to win and that you had better put out your absolute very best or you would hear about it the next day on the field in the way of extra sprints or an extra thirty minutes of workout. Coach Ed Smith was one of the finest men that I had ever met though. He was tough but he was fair. I remember at one particular track meet, I just didn’t feel like running one of my 330 yard hurdle races. I wasn’t hurting, not sick, no excuses…I just didn’t feel like running that day. Well, when they began calling for the race and the school teams to make their way to the starting blocks, I was attempting to hide out on our team’s school bus. The second call came, and then the third and final call and just when I thought that I was home free, who do I see enter the bus but none other that Coach Ed Smith! He shouted, “Tarjick”! I said “yes sir?”….”Why aren’t you on the track getting ready to run the hurdles?”….. I said, “Coach, I just don’t feel like running today”….He asked, “Are you sick?…Hurting?”…To which I replied, “No sir”….and he told me in his own way, “Son, you have about one minute to get out on that track and do what you came here to do and that is to represent your team and school”. Needless to say, I did exactly what Coach told me to do and I’m glad he did because even though I didn’t win, I did end up placing in the event and winning a ribbon. I just needed Coach Ed Smith’s “words of influence” if you will!

Much like me, I believe there are many believers in the Body of Christ that have chosen to set out the race that is set out before them. They have many reasons why. “Someone hurt me in the church many years ago”…”Everyone in the church is so hypocritical”…”I work all the time and just don’t have time like I used to”…”I believe God is mad at me”….the list goes on and on of the many reasons people give and have for falling out of the race that they once were so passionate about. Hebrews 12:1 reads, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” 

Do you see that? The writer of Hebrews tells us that we have to “lay aside every weight and sin” which clings to us which ultimately ties us down that we tire and lose our energy, determination and strength to continue the race. Also, we have such a great crowd of witnesses that have gone before us that are waiting at the finish line rooting and cheering us on! Loved ones in the faith, great heroes of the Word and ultimately our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ beckoning us to c’mon…get up….pick up that baton….you can do it! He’s also given us His Holy Spirit to give us all we need to finish the race that is set before us.

So c’mon Child of God! What are you waiting for? This is the only race that has ever been run or will ever be run that we must finish. The time is right now, today…so stay strong…don’t give up…your prize awaits you at the finish line!

Written in memory of Mr. Ed “Coach” Smith

Remain blessed,

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Training Up Trees

Posted on September 20, 2015 by Bryan Tarjick

2015-09-18_1459Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. – Proverbs 22:6

Last year, Karen and I came upon a great deal where we found Lowe’s Home Improvement had marked several of their trees down quite considerably and we just couldn’t pass up an opportunity to plant several more on our little piece of heaven here on earth. I got them home, began scoping out a place which would become their new home, dug the holes and carefully planted all of them along with plenty of good root starter to stimulate their roots system. The trees looked spectacular and I was very pleased with how straight and upright each of them turned out. We’ve had some dry spells since then and I’ve had to stretch out the hose more than once to make sure they were getting plenty of water down to their roots.

About two months ago, Karen and I noticed that one of the trees, a beautiful Bradford Pear, had slowly began to veer off slightly in how it was beginning to grow. Because of this discovery, last week I went to my shop and got a 4 ft. T-Post and a couple of rubber straps and drove the post in the ground next to the tree and wrapped the straps around the tree and put some tension on the tree pulling it back in an upright 90 degree position. By doing this, my hopes are that the tree will continue to take root and grow up straight and tall in the years to come. I am training that tree in a way that I would like for it to grow.

Similarly, from the time both our children were born, we did our best to train and develop them in the way they should go in regards to rearing them in the fear, knowledge and admonition of the Lord and His ways. Also, early on, we began to notice each one’s talents and abilities that we encouraged them in and also to be the best they could be in all they set their hands to do. For instance, our son, Grant loved to play sports..football, track, baseball, and so on. We encouraged him to polish that talent, continue to practice and be the best he could be at it. By doing so, we were training him in the direction that was his natural ability and talents. If we had tried to get him to do something else besides what we recognized as his natural abilities and talents, we basically would have been much like that tree and be bending him in a wrong direction and one not suitable for him. Same thing with our daughter, Scarlett. She loved twirling, band, and being a supporter at her brother’s many sporting events. She wasn’t into sports like he was. We allowed our children to decide what they wanted to do and encouraged them in that way that they wanted to go (with our approval of course).

Many look at Proverbs 22:6 as a promise from God that right parenting will produce children who keep the faith. Does the Creator make this guarantee? I would like to propose that He cannot. There are countless promises of God that include numerous benefits for obeying His way of life. But they do not include a guarantee to parents that children reared faithfully will keep the faith as adults. If this were true, then the first children of God, Adam and Eve, would never have gone astray in the Garden of Eden following God’s instructions to them and become evicted from there.

Doesn’t God want His children to stay with His way of life? Yes, of course He does! But He does not want people to be in His family against their will. That would be the consequence of taking away the freedom to choose. Such people would be like robots instead of individuals with free will. God wants children who choose to become members of His family, who choose to obey His household rules (His laws) out of love for Him.

Even though Proverbs 22:6 doesn’t guarantee a child’s future choices of remaining in the faith, it is still important for parents to give their children spiritual education (Deuteronomy 6:6-7, 20-25). There are biblical guidelines for parents of young children to follow, by which they can raise their children in a godly manner. What is the advantage of doing so? First, it makes a more pleasant home to have children trained in love, respect, obedience, kindness, etc., in contrast to homes in which children do whatever they please at all times!

In closing, I pray each of you continue to train, educate, and equip your children and grandchildren in the ways of the Lord. Praying over them and doing what Deuteronomy says to do regarding God’s Word and His promises. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. – Deuteronomy 11:19.

Remain blessed,

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Winds Of Heaven, Stuff Of Earth

Posted on September 13, 2015 by Bryan Tarjick

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For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. – Isaiah 55:9

I can still remember the day back on the 19th of September, 1997. I had started back to school at our local community college following my accident which ultimately led me to begin a new career change. I was on my way to lunch and had just turned on the radio to listen to one of favorite Christian music stations, KVNE out of Tyler, TX. Continue reading →

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Finding Grace In The Rat Race

Posted on September 6, 2015 by Bryan Tarjick

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Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. – Ephesians 6:7

Chance are, the majority of you are reading this right now, have a job. You go to a place of employment, work from home, work by traveling from place to place or possibly work as an entrepreneur owning your own business. With that being said, I would like to ask each of you to be honest and think about the job you do, think about the people you work with on a day to day basis and lastly, I want to ask each of you if you like your job you are presently in? The reason I ask is that it appears to me with so many people I encounter as I view them on the job is that they view their jobs as just another day “at the grindstone” so to speak. It would appear that they really do hate their jobs and cannot wait until Friday when they feel like the ole “ball and chain” has been cut loose and they can really begin to enjoy their lives once again if only for the weekend. But what if I told you friend that you could go to work each day and enjoy your work and even work with enthusiasm, with joy and a sense that the work you do is making a difference in the lives of others. You can…let me explain.

You see, God’s plan is to take ordinary people, put them in ordinary places, and get extraordinary glory to Himself. Many years ago, I too saw each job that I did as I mentioned earlier as just another mundane job that I was being paid to do. It was just a way for me to have an income and yes, I was one of those that really didn’t think that the job I was doing was really making a difference in the lives of others other than my own or my families’ in regards to being able to support them. But you see, our jobs are given as a blessing from God to bring Him glory and honor as we do it unto Him and not unto man. This is simply the reason many a person has the mindset they do, even believers! They have not truly gotten the revelation that everything they do, should be done to honor God and to bring others into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Many people believe that work was a result of the fall of man through Adam but that is not at all correct. God gave Adam a job to do before he fell in the Garden of Eden. In Genesis 2:15 we read “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” And following in verse 19 He told Adam to name all wild animals and the birds in the sky. It wasn’t until after the fall of man, when Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit that God said in verse 17 of Chapter 3, “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life.” So you see, work is not a punishment for sin; the punishment was the toil and sweat.

As believers, we should see our jobs as a responsibility and be helpful to others on the job. You see, our work comes from God, so we should work as though we are working for Him as Colossians 3:23-24 reads:“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Furthermore, we are called to do a good job at our work, even if is in a worldly place, just as the Israelites were commanded to do while they were in Babylonian captivity as told in Jeremiah 29:4-7.

Lastly, we should see our jobs and the work we do everyday as a ministry and be faithful. Ephesians 6:5-7 reads: “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. Yes, there are many a person who choose only to step up their game when the boss man or manager has his eye on them. But what about those times when no one is around, no spotlight, no applause, no accolades, what do we do then. My friend, please know that God’s eye is always upon us and He alone knows the intent and motives of our heart. So yes, let us be faithful not only in the spotlight but be faithful continually in His light. So you see my friend, you truly can find Grace in the Rat Race. Begin to see your job as you are serving Christ each and every day as opposed to serving man..it truly will revolutionize how you view your work each day and how you see others and respond to them as well.

In closing, I hope each and every one of you takes time out tomorrow as we celebrate Labor Day and thank God for His provision of supplying you with a job. A job He has provided just for you to bring Him greater glory here on earth for it is He that you are serving each and every day on that job.

Remain blessed,

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Taking A Closer Look

Posted on August 30, 2015 by Bryan Tarjick

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O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together. (Ps. 34:3)

I can still remember as a child growing up playing, getting into mischief (as most all young boys do), and basically spending days discovering new and exciting adventures that had my curiosity. One of these adventures was the discovery of the magnifying glass. Man, when I discovered that little device, I spent many a day looking at all sorts of insects, small sticks or rocks, words in a book, and just anything that I thought would look really cool when placed beneath its lens. Of course, there were certainly those times on a hot summer day, sun blaring, when I would hold the glass directly over some dry grass or newspaper and watch that bright little dot slowly begin to create smoke and burn right through it. Now that was cool back then but I certainly am not endorsing the practice now!

Webster’s defines the word magnify as to make something larger; to make something appear larger; also to extol and praise as in our opening scripture in the Psalms. When we magnify something or someone, we are increasing its original dimension or size so to speak into something much larger than it really is. For example, if I went to work tomorrow and was called in by my boss and were told that my services were no longer needed as an employee at my job, I would be faced with a decision of how I chose to respond. I could immediately enter into a state of panic, fear, anger, and a litany of many other emotions or I could choose to respond with, “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord”. (see Job 1:21) You see, if I were looking at my job and paycheck as my ultimate means of resource, then Yes, I would most likely respond in a way that all my primary means of my needs being met were all gone. But when I look to God as being my provider, my Jehovah Jireh (see Genesis 22:14) and magnify Him, then I know that God is about to do something much bigger and better in my life by opening up another doorway just up ahead in my life.

This is just one example of how we can “magnify” the wrong things and how we often do in our lives. We are encouraged to Magnify the Lord, in the scriptures instead and by doing so, our so called problems, worries, discouragements and concerns will diminish and not seem quite so large in comparison. You might say friend, “How could we ever magnify God and make Him any bigger that He actually is?” You know what, you’re absolutely right in your assumption. But the reality is that if you try to see all of God, you won’t be able to comprehend Him. You can’t step back far enough to get a perspective on the whole of God. It’s impossible to focus on all of God. To really see Him, you have to change your perspective. You need to look a little bit closer. That’s what it means to magnify the Lord. It’s about getting up close and personal with one of the many aspects of who He is as God on a daily basis. And how do you do that? You start by acknowledging Him each day as your Lord & King. Many believers want to know Jesus as their Savior but not as Lord over their lives. I must confess that I certainly fell into that category at one time and at times still do when it comes to wanting to do things my own way instead of His way. Even the apostle Paul struggled with this. In Romans 7:15, he writes “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.“

So let us examine ourselves and our hearts on a daily basis to truly see what we are choosing to magnify in our lives. For when we willfully choose to Magnify the Lord in all we do and say, it will drastically change how we see everything and in return change how we respond to everything and everyone when we  step back and take a closer look.

Remain blessed,

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I’ll Have What They’re Having

Posted on August 26, 2015 by Bryan Tarjick

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Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. (Colossians 1:10)

Have you ever walked into a restaurant and sat down and looked at the menu but nothing really seemed to jump out at you. Of course there a few items or dishes that sort of sound good and appealing but still, you’re just now sure of what to order. Then all of a sudden, the waiter or waitress walks by with the most incredible looking plate that immediately your eyes continue to follow all the way to its destined table. And you say to yourself or possibly even your spouse or guest that might be with you, “Now that looks good! I wonder what item that is on the menu?…I do believe I’ll have whatever it is they’re having”. It wasn’t until we actually seen with our eyes in its fullest form that the words on the menu took on a totally different meaning or distinction that set it completely apart than just words in printed form.

This experience brings to mind the many people that I have encountered thus far in my walk with God that have truly set themselves apart and caused me to “take a second look” at how they live their lives. These mighty men and women of God who have selflessly committed themselves to the work of living for the Kingdom and letting the love of Jesus shine through each day.

I can still remember many years ago when I worked for a Steam Electric Station as an electrician. It wasn’t long after Karen and I were married and I had not too long ago rededicated my life to the Lord. I just knew God was calling me to a deeper and more committed walk with Him. A certain man had transferred from a different department named Jerry and immediately, I recognized something different about him that I wanted and knew I needed. We immediately became friends and he began to disciple me each time we were around each other about what it truly meant to live for God with passion and an obedient heart. God truly used him to reveal to me that there was so much more than what I had been experiencing and knew that I needed in my life.

I think about Bro. Billy Shoffner, Bro. Jack Wills, Bro. Leroy Carrico, Bro. J.C. Mangum and so many countless others. These mighty men of valor whom I have so much respect for and have been so very instrumental in my life and walk with the Lord. I thank God for their dedication and commitment of living their lives transparent and revealing the true love of Jesus in full view for all the world to see.

Sometimes I truly believe that instead of building more churches which in my opinion sometimes causes more division among the brethren, we just simply need to be sold out to living for the Lord as He so desperately wants to. As St. Frances of Assisi quoted, “Always preach the Gospel; use words when necessary”. When we as believers, God’s own children, His Church, His people begin to do that, I believe that is when the world will stop and say among themselves, “I’ll have what they’re having”.

Remain blessed,

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The Trademark of God

Posted on August 22, 2015 by Bryan Tarjick

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And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. (I John 4:16)

If I were to ask you to think about certain products and their associated symbols better known as trademarks, most of you would have no difficulty in associating these in your mind. For instance, if I mentioned Apple, you would picture an apple with a stem and a bite taken out of it. If I mentioned McDonald’s, you would quickly see those golden arches. How about Nike, that famous check mark. And we certainly cannot leave out Blue Bell with the sweet little girl leading the jersey cow.

A trademark identifies the brand owner of a particular product or service and is a recognizable sign, design, or expression which identifies products or services of a particular source distinct from those of others. Companies spend millions of dollars annually to make sure that their product is sure to be seen and noticed by the public. The law considers a trademark to be a form of property and many companies will at times take another party or company to court due to their symbol resembling in similarity to theirs.

God also has His own trademark. Something that sets Him apart from anyone or anything that has been or ever will be. His trademark identifies who He is in His totality and His nature as God. God’s trademark is LOVE. To fully understand and know who God is, one must begin and end with His Love. This Love was fully expressed when Jesus died on the cross and fulfilled what God the Father sent Him to do. I John 4:8 reads Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. Many times people will say they love someone only because of what may be in the deal for them. Much like the girl who had written a “love” note to her ex-boyfriend which read: “Oh, I’m so sorry for breaking up with you. I’m not sure what I was thinking. Now I know you are the only one for me. Let’s please give it one more try. Signed, Your Sweetheart”. P.S. Congratulations for winning the lottery! Of course this is in complete contradictory of what we read about Love in I Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

And just like companies that have people in advertising to make their product known, God also desires to have His own people be His advertising agency to make His product, His trademark, His very nature known to the world. He has called us, His Church, His Children, His Beloved, to lift up His only Son Jesus which points them to the Father. Jesus said in John 12:32 “…when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” Dear friends, God has entrusted you and I with the mission of each and everyday sharing His Love through His Holy Spirit within us to those He places in our path. Let’s begin to live with passion and purpose to seeing the world around us come into the knowledge of God’s Love through Christ. It truly is up to you and I. 

Remain blessed,

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Success Redefined

Posted on August 16, 2015 by Bryan Tarjick

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Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. – Proverbs 16:3

When I graduated from high school in 1981, I had already been working since the age of fourteen. Mowing lawns, picking up coke bottles, even milking cows getting up in the early mornings even before the roosters crowed. While in high school, I was in the work program where I shared recently that I worked for an air conditioning contractor. I definitely made my mind up back then that I certainly didn’t want to make that a career. Following graduation, I began to think about what I wanted to do regarding a career choice. And what do you think was my top and of utmost importance to me in basing that decision? If you guessed money, then you guessed 100% correct! I really didn’t focus on what I wanted to do, or search within and certainly didn’t pray and ask God’s divine guidance and will to be done. As long as I could bring home a ton of cash and be able to buy some really cool toys, it really didn’t matter much to me. I went on to becoming hired at the power plant as an electrician and made some fairly decent money for a young man of my age. While I am thankful to have learned the electrical trade and make some great friends, I really do not miss being an employee there. If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, then you’ll know what eventually closed that door there. If you’re new to my site, you can read it here.

Like me, there are so many people which have been mislead into thinking that in order to be a success that you must make a lot of money or climb as high as you can on the corporate ladder. But how sad and unfortunate it is when you finally reach the top of that ladder only to find it was leaning against the wrong wall. I like what Tony Evans defines as success. He says, “Success is not defined by comparing what you have done with what others have done. Success is comparing what you have done with what you were born, destined and purposed to do by God”. Each and every one of us has a God ordained purpose for living and a work He has called us to do. He’s given us all talents and abilities and equipped us for every good work we’ve been called to do. (Hebrews 13:21) And when we yield our wills to His and allow Him to guide us each day, He will guide us and lead us into that purpose. It will not happen overnight. Fulfilling and walking in the will of God is much more like a marathon than a sprint.

As an educator now for fifteen years, I’ve had the opportunity to visit one on one with so many young people in high school and help counsel with them in regards to their future career choice. When I ask them what they want to do when they finish high school and they tell me, the first question I ask is “Why”?  And most of the time I hear the same thing, “because I can make a lot of money”. Then I ask them, are you passionate about that job? Is there something within you that get’s excited when you think about it? I’m sure you’ve heard the quote by Confucius which says, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life”. That sounds to be good to be true doesn’t it? But in all reality when you wish to serve Christ with all that is within you and desire that everything you do brings Him greater glory, you can actually love the job the you do every day knowing that when you commit your work to Him, that He will cause your plans and work to succeed. I have found this to be true in my own life and job and God is certainly no respecter of persons, what He has done for me, He will certainly do for you my friend.

“Heavenly Father, I pray for each and every person reading this right now. I pray for their success as they yield all they do unto You. We thank You that You cause our work to succeed as we dedicate it to You. May you prosper them in their health, their jobs, their families, their homes and pray that You would reveal more of Yourself in their lives in the coming days. In Jesus’ Name, Amen”.

Remain Blessed,

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The Increasing Value of Appreciation

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Bryan Tarjick

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Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (I Thessalonians 5:18)

Are you an appreciative person? When I say appreciative, I don’t mean in a general sense such as when the cashier at the grocery store hands you your change for the groceries you just purchased and you generally reply “Thank You”. Or when you receive a birthday card or present on your special day and you reply the same. I’m specifically speaking of living a life of thankfulness and gratitude each day for what God has done in your life and for the blessings He has supplied you with. It’s so easy to live from day to day and lose this mindset and attitude if we’re not careful. If we get so caught up in our daily hustle and bustle, in our jobs, in our activities, even in our family life. There’s nothing more than the enemy wants to do than to take your eyes and focus off of who Jesus is in your life on a day to day basis. Remember, he comes only to steal, kill and destroy all that God has made blessed and made good. The key is to continually offer up with a heart full of gratitude and to be content in every circumstance of your life. That is why the apostle Paul tells us in the opening scripture that it is God’s will for us to be thankful “in” all circumstances not “for” all circumstances.

I’m sure you know what the word depreciate means. That is, to lose or diminish in value over a period of time. But with the word appreciate, hence being “appreciative”, the value just continues to grow and blossom when you take on this mindset and make it part of your daily routine and purpose. Personally, I really do strive to set this as part of each day from the time I rise til’ the setting of the sun each evening no matter what I’m doing. When my feet hit the floor each morning, I usually verbalize, “This is the day that You have made God, and I willfully choose to rejoice and be glad in it”. Then when I’m in my truck on my commute to work each morning, I’m thanking God for the job He’s blessed me with, the skills, abilities and knowledge He’s given to me to do my job, for my family, our home, my health,…the list goes on. Then throughout my day, I’m continually just offering up praises of thanksgiving, whether it’s at work, mowing my grass, helping my wife clean house (take note men). You see friend, it goes so much deeper than just an occasional thanking the “man upstairs”. Scriptures also tell us in Psalm 107:1, Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

And what about being showing appreciation at work, around your co-workers, at home with your families, in your day to day appointments with others. Living a life of thankfulness and appreciation so enriches your life all the way around. There might be some that will say, “well, ole so and so is never nice to me” or “what have they ever done for me?”. I can surely relate to that but you know what, there was once a time in my life when God loved me and demonstrated that love through Jesus first to me, long before I ever knew it. While I was His enemy as a sinner living for His adversary, satan in the world. But thank God, He never gave up on me and kept pursuing me with His great love until I was back Home in His arms again.

So my friend..why not today purpose within yourself to begin living a life of thankfulness and appreciation to God and the world around you. I can promise you, it will radically change your life for the better.

For His Kingdom,

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Do Talk To Strangers

Posted on August 9, 2015 by Bryan Tarjick

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Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2)

Back around 1979 when I was around seventeen years of age, I worked for an air conditioning contractor while going to high school. I was in the work program where I attended high school half of the day and then went to work after that. One of my job responsibilities each week was to drive to Shreveport, LA and pick up parts, appliances, etc., for my employer. On one of these particular trips, I was heading back on Interstate 20 when all of a sudden, out of my peripheral vision, a hitchhiker caught my attention. Now, you have to realize that back then, it wasn’t near as unsafe as it is now to pick up someone that just needed a lift for a few miles. Immediately, something within me ignited that I needed to pick this young man up and give him a lift. I pulled over, rolled down the window and simply asked, “need a ride?” (a rather humorous question when I think back now…”No, I’m just out here counting eighteen wheelers go by! ) He hopped in and and I asked him where he was bound. He replied that he was on his way to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll at Oral Roberts University. I had heard the name Oral Roberts and knew he was a minister but was not at all clued in to his ministry nor school. He immediately asked me about myself, where I was from and basically we just had a great conversation and I felt so at peace just talking to him. Like we had known each other for years. We continued on until it was time for me to exit the interstate and there was a Dairy Queen in close proximity and he informed me I could just drop him off there. I asked him could I give him a few dollars to eat a bite and he graciously received. The most remarkable thing though about this “close encounter” with my new friend is that before he exited the truck, he did something that just blew me away. He asked if he could pray for me. What? Why would he ask such a thing? Did I appear to him that I needed prayer? After all, I thought that I was a pretty decent person…in my own eyes at least. I of course replied, “yes, you can by all means pray for me brother”. He spoke the most eloquent, humble, selfless prayer over me, my family, my future and over my life. I told him “thank you” and we said our good-byes and he was on his way.

It was many, many years that after I had heard about the ministry of angels that I immediately reflected back on this special appointment and how I believe with all that is within me that God had sent this hitchhiker, this young man, this stranger to me, this angel into my life to simply let me know that He loved me and that He had a plan for my life. A plan that He so desperately wanted to show me and lead me into if only I would trust Him enough with my life by faith to.

I remember several years ago how the subject and topic of angels got to be so popular. It seemed everywhere you turned, someone was writing a book, painting pictures, creating sculptures about angels. Now while there is absolutely nothing wrong in my opinion to do any of these, I believe the world actually began to unknowingly began to idolize and worship these heavenly hosts. But what does Scripture say? The Word of God clearly and emphatically forbids the worship of angels. For instance; Satan, who himself is an angel, often comes to the church transforming himself into an angel of light which Paul tells us – tried to cause Jesus to sin during the temptation in the wilderness by tempting Him to engage in angel worship.

Again, the Devil took Him [Jesus] up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me” [if you will worship an angel – in this case, a fallen one]. Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” (Matthew 4:8-10)

So yes, please do by all means as the writer of Hebrews instructs us to in the opening scripture to always be kind to strangers due to the possibility of perhaps entertaining these heavenly hosts called angels. But never take your eyes off of Jesus, the author and finisher and our faith. For He and He alone is worthy of all our praise, honor and worship.

“Heavenly Father, we thank You for the ministry of angels. You tell us in Your Word that they are all ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation. Thank you that we all have angels that you have appointed to us to work on our behalf as we allow them to and we trust by faith that they will always fight for us who stand boldly and proclaim You as Lord & King over all. In Jesus’ name, Amen”.

For His Kingdom,

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