Restored 2 Drive

2 Samuel 23:20 is a simple description of a warriors accomplishments we've all read many times but did it really make you think..."Benaiah...struck down Moab's two mightiest warriors...went down into pit on a snowy day and killed a lion". Pastor and author Mark Batterson heard a sermon on this verse as a boy and it changed his life forever. He's written several books on it, planted a very successful church in DC on it, and continues to be encouraged by it! Why? Because, these weren't just two single occasions of bravery but this behavior was who Benaiah was because of his belief in God. He knew God was with him, had plans for his life, and was obedient to God and King David. He sought every day to train himself and others in their duties. He saw the potential in others, motivated and encouraged, and helped build the amazing strong Israel armies. He went from commanding small groups to commanding the entire army under King David's son Solomon. However, it all started with a few brave moments when he trusted the Lord to provide for his safety. We serve the same mighty God and we have the ability to serve in the same obedience. Sunday evening, our church men's group gathered for fellowship and to pickup the book, In a pit on a snowy day with a lion by Mark. It's going to be our next adventure into seeing what God has done, can do, and wants to do with men of God. Looking forward to it but really looking forward to the fellowship and growth God has planned for us. Have a blessed week and share how God's used you in a mighty way...

Debbie Anderson has a serious training program for her squirrels... Should be ready to take on the road soon...lol

How do we see ourselves...1 Peter 2:9 tells us just who we are in Him..."But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light". The world wants everyone to be labeled, so enjoy and tell others about God's labels he gave us. He chose us, a chose people, to know, love, and follow Him through our relationship with Christ. We become part of his family, a child of God. This family is created to love and serve others not to sit around complaining, doing nothing, and looking for freebies. Through Christ we have direct access to our Heavenly Father and we are to teach, preach, and share the Good News with others. We have a desire and a responsibility to become active in a local church, His Holy Nation, and through the church God's people are showing the world his light. Our communities grow, morality improves, and God is praised and glorified in all things. We can't save anyone, that's God's job, but we are called to set the example, be different, encourage others to read God's word, challenge them to learn about Jesus, and to take a chance He wants the best for us. Most people don't trust or believe because they have never read or given God a chance. If people can see Christ in you by your love, peace, joy, and your confidence in His truth they will see something they will want. Set the example, share the truth, and pray with and for them and each other. These actions prove His people do truly care. Have a blessed weekend.

Humility is one of our greatest challenges but Psalms 70 addresses it, especially verses 4 and 5..."The Lord is great! But as for me, I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God". We have many times where we must acknowledge how much we lack the knowledge, strength, and control needed for a successful outcome. Yesterday, our third Grandson Iver Stone came into this world. I'm always amazed at the development and delivery of children. It's one of the most helpless feelings of my life because I have zero control. I gave it all to God and thanked Him for the peace, comfort, and joy He provides. But it's really just one example of many times a day I give it to the Lord. The secret to success and life is allowing the Lord to guide and be in control of our lives. It takes humility, faith, and confidence in knowing Jesus as our Lord and Savior and trusting the Holy Spirit to guide and direct our steps. Iver came into the world screaming and we all knew he arrived safely. Our circumstances change all the time but our Lord is always right there with us. We serve a mighty God and He is great! Allow Him to show up and show off all the time and give Him all the glory. Have a blessed week and give it all to the Lord...

Sharing the Gospel isn't about arguing with others but about loving others and truly caring about their destiny. Acts 17:19 shows us what happens when people are curious about God..."May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?" We sometimes think or believe everyone has already heard about or knows Jesus so we don't need to share but that's a lie from satan. We're commanded to go, share, and teach others. This isn't an option but our Great Commission as believers and followers. It doesn't require us to be great preachers, teachers, or motivaters but just obedient followers sharing how God changed our life and how He's protecting, strengthening, and blessing us each and every day. Maybe you don't see these things every day because you're not looking for them! Paul was breaking the law by sharing about his God but it didn't silence him. He couldn't help but share how Jesus changed his life. He read and studied God's word and shared how he trusted in God's promises and protection. He shared why Jesus died for all sinners and he made sure people knew all hope for the future was a result of Jesus Resurrection. He shared how he was a sinner and repented of his sins. He didn't pretend he had life all figured out and he didn't have any problems. We all struggle, we all sin, and we all need God's love, grace, mercy, and guidance each and every day. Sharing the Gospel isn't hard and not meant to start battles, but it is a choice and a chance to love on others. Share your story, love others, forgive them, and have a blessed weekend.

Who is teaching you, leading you, and changing you daily? Matthew 11:29 tells us who we should be attached to throughout our day, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me...and you will find rest for your souls". As Christians this isn't an option but a requirement to attach yourself to Christ, walk beside Him, and learn how to live! The "yoke" is used to control, direct, and drive animals where you want them to go and do the work you have planned. Christ came to earth in a gentle and humble way, to show us how to live, to provide directions, and to save us from our sins. He experienced pain, suffering, and difficulties but kept God as his focus and strength. He provides us with His word and the Holy Spirit as our guide, so that we can commit to Him and be under His authority to do the work He has planned for us. This becomes the sticky point for us, we want to also do our own things. He gives us the ability to choose but notice the last part of this verse, "you will find rest for your souls". We follow Jesus and do what we are created for we have rest and peace but if we follow the world and our selfish desires we have chaos and no rest. Living for Christ will make you stand out in a crowd, look different in your community, and you will see things completely different from the majority of people around you. The Holy Spirit will convict you to speak up against sin you see and encounter, to stand up and educate others on how God sees and does things, and set the Christian lifestyle and example for others. It's impossible to live for Christ and blend in with the world we live in. The two are completely opposite. But, He gives us all we need to be like Him! Share your story and enjoy the blessings and rest He gives!

God recorded the sins of His people for us to read because He loves us...1 Corinthians 10:11 says, "These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us". God's love and His desire for us to live a rich life focusing on Him is why He gives us so many examples to learn from in His word. He uses sinners to set positive examples but He also shows us the consequences of disobedience. We're taught from an early age, if we don't learn from our mistakes and history we will repeat them. We read about the Israelites, His chosen people, and they're wandering, their grumbling, their disobedience, and the consequences. The sad part of their story is we're still guilty of the same stuff; wanting more, never satisfied, blaming God, and creating things we worship to much. The blessing for our times is God sent His Son as the ultimate example and sacrifice! We can accept God's gift and become His children but we must follow, obey, and glorify God. When, not if, we sin there are consequences. We must repent and will be forgiven but there will be consequences. People accomplish great things but the success is always from God not our own strength and ability. He gives us everything so we can glorify Him and not take the credit for ourselves. Do you see and learn from the examples He provides and acknowledge the people he puts in your life to fulfill His plans and make us more Christ-like? Each day is an opportunity to shine for Christ and share His light with others. Don't allow your past to hold you back. God is for you, He loves you, and He provides all you need. Have a blessed weekend.

Psalm 67:1 is such a great reminder of what God does for us but then we must ask ourselves why..."May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine on us". God's love for us, His creation, is the reason for His grace, His mercy, and His blessings to us. These are His promises to us as believers and followers of Christ. It's very humbling to acknowledge and understand, only through Him do we accomplish and have all the things in our life. I thank God daily for His grace, mercy, and blessings to myself, my family, and fellow believers. To think about His delight and approval of His children and His face shining on us reminded me of how we delighted in the Grandsons this weekend. His grace, mercy, blessings, and His approval is only possible through Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. He sees our righteousness because of the debt Jesus Christ paid for each of us on the cross. Why does God do so much for us, for a couple very simple reasons, so we can glorify Him and share all He has and is doing. The gracious acts and the blessings are not done so we can hord them, covet them, or keep them hidden but to share and allow others to be blessed. His face shines on us so we can shine on others. Share your light this week and you will be blessed, it's guaranteed in God's word!

A clear and sober reminder in Revelation 20:15 reminds us of the most important decision we will ever make, "And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire". Last night, we heard a lady share her testimony and she said I found Jesus! It reminded me of when I found Him, believed Him, accepted Him, and began following and obeying Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior in the spring of 1988. The most important decision I ever made. Each person must make this same decision to have your name included in the Book of Life. God keeps a detailed record of everything we do but when we accept Christ we become a child of God and His shed blood brings forgiveness. I love to hear people share they accepted Christ and their life was changed forever! God's word tells us it's impossible to accept, obey, and follow Jesus Christ without changing who we are. We are spiritually alive and we see the world through a very different lens. We have the Holy Spirit guiding and directing us each day. We're able to shout for joy to God, sing His praises, and have peace each and every day knowing our Lord loves us, provides for us, and has our eternal Home waiting for us! Praise God! Does your Heavenly Father know your name and is it written in His book? There must be no doubt and your lifestyle will reflect your answer! We're never going to be perfect but we must know and obey Him! Share your time when you found Him, it might help others find Him and change their life forever! Have a blessed weekend...