Doubt

God is so good to us in so many ways that sometimes it's hard to take it all in. As human beings we tend to look at the negative and we find ways to complain when in reality we are so richly blessed. Just last week a family that goes to the same church as my family and I was in a horrible car wreck that left three small children and their mother with broken bones and multiple bruises. My first reaction was how horrible it was and that I couldn't believe that God allowed that to happen. Then I stopped and asked my self, who am I to question God's divine plan? It was then that I realized that instead of doubting Him, I should be thanking Him for keeping this precious family in His hands. I told my wife as horrible as it seems we could be going to a funeral for one or more of these precious people, versus picking up food to take them to cheer them up! When you look at things that way it shows just how wonderful God is to us and how much gratitude we owe Him for every breath He gives us!!! Sometimes we get caught up in all the things we don't have instead of thanking our loving Creator for all the things we do have! Today when I hop on my motorcycle and head out on a two wheeled adventure I know that He loves me, He has blessed me, and that He cares for me so much he sent His Son to die so that I may truly be free. Think about that next time you doubt His love or divine plan for you!!!

Hebrews 3:14 (NLT) For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.

Work Place Woes...

The work place can be a difficult battle ground for anyone who wants to make a change in their lives. People are used to hearing you curse, swear, or talk about how much beer you drank last weekend. Then suddenly God makes a change in you and you no longer do those things, and inevitably people around you take notice and ask questions. This is where you need to be strong and ask God to help you answer them the right way. It's a difficult choice to try and live a "changed" life around people who are used to seeing you live like everyone else does. This is an opportunity for you to tell them about the changes that God is making in your life. It can be uncomfortable, you will have someone ask you about it and remind you of your past deeds around co-workers. All you can do is tell them that you are doing your best to change and that you are fully relying on God to change your habits and your lifestyle. You will slip up and say something you don't mean to... The important thing is to realize you messed up, call yourself out on it and make sure you ask God to help you not make that mistake again. I recently had to apologize to a co-worker for saying a curse word I didn't mean to say. He laughed and said it was no big deal and that he couldn't believe I apologized for it. I told him that I shouldn't have said it and that I don't want to use words like that any more. He appreciated my honesty and told me he respected my stand. That made me feel great! It's not easy trying to be the man/woman God wants you to be in the work place. But if you ask for His help, God will never fail you and will give you every opportunity to show His love to your co-workers.
2 Thessalonians 2:14 (NLT) He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Left Out But Not Alone!!!

It can be difficult once you decide to change your life and live for God. I'm not saying that He won't be with you every step of the way and bring people in your life to encourage and help you, it just takes inner strength and total reliance on God to make it through. You come to a realization that you can't go to the places you used to go, do the things you used to do and, here's the tough one, you can't hang out with some of the people you used to hang out with. It's never easy to have to distance yourself from a friend or loved one due to the destructive lifestyle they are living. But this is something that you have to learn to do in order to help you stay on the path that God wants you on. That's not to say you don't pray, witness and be an encouragement to these people it just means you don't go to the bar with them, or to their house if they are doing drugs, or somewhere that you know it's possible for you to be tempted to fall back into sin!!!
This is tough stuff, trust me you are not alone I'm going through it right now myself. I find it difficult to find people who have the same interest as I do, mainly riding motorcycles, that don't drink or want to go places that I refuse to go. You feel left out and tempted to go somewhere that you shouldn't. DON'T!!! If you ask God to give you new friends with the same interests as you He will. He will make a way to open a door for you so that you can find others who love the Lord and enjoy being around other Christians who share a common bond. Rather it's motorcycles, skateboards, boats, cars, sports, music or any other number of hobbies/lifestyles, God will help you find friends that will be a help and not a hindrance. God is awesome and He will see you through the toughest times in your walk, all you have to do is ask for help.
Psalm 30:2 NLT "O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health".

Grateful

God has richly blessed me in so many ways. But the most important was is His forgiving me for turning my back on Him so many times. I have learned so much about God's love and forgiveness and no matter how far you walk from God he will always be there for you. God will change your lifestyle, your habits and your desires if you will allow Him to. All you have to do is ask and God will give you the ability to change and to grow through His Word and through the Holy Spirit.
I can honestly say that in the last 3 months my life has changed dramatically. I went from being a biker who was trying to live an "outlaw" biker lifestyle, to a man who desires to serve God and be the best father and husband that he can be. Change is possible, you have to be willing to ask for His help, willing to study His word and willing to accept that you have to want to change. God will guide you through if you let Him. I'm so grateful to have a Loving God and a Loving family who were willing to forgive me and give me the opportunity to change. God Bless you and I pray that some of these words will inspire you.
Acts 15:11(CEV) - But our Lord Jesus was kind to us, and we are saved by faith in Him.