Memorial Day is much more than a day off from work to have cookouts and parties.

The ultimate price:

Memorial Day is the day we pause to remember the brave men and women who gave their lives protecting our country and our freedoms. The Civil War claimed the lives of 620,000 American soldiers. (Some believe it was many more than that.) This is more than from any conflict in our nation’s history. When the war ended in 1865, there was a need to establish the nation’s first national cemeteries for those who paid, with their lives, the ultimate price to serve and protect their nation.

Decoration Day:

Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day was a day to decorate the graves of our fallen men and women who paid the ultimate price with their lives. General John A. Logan, on May 5, 1868, called for a nationwide day of remembering and decorating with flowers the graves of those who died in defense of their country.

Memorial Day:

After World War I, Decoration Day became known as Memorial Day, and the holiday expanded to honor all American military personnel who died in any way. As we prepare to enjoy our 3-day weekend, let’s all pause and take a moment to pray for those whose husband, wife, brother, sister, child didn’t make it back from war. Let’s pause and thank God for this country and ask that He would have mercy on us.

Let’s take a moment to pray and be thankful for all those men and women who fought for this nation.

Just a thought,

PSS

Deception is defined as: the act of causing someone to believe something that is not true, typically to gain some personal advantage. 

The father of lies:

The enemy of our soul, the devil, is a liar, a deceiver. He tries to get people to believe things about themselves and others that are not true, for the purpose of hurting them, destroying their lives, and limiting their opportunities for success or just moving forward in their lives. Jesus said, “He is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” Everything he says and does is deceiving — the thoughts he tries to put into our brains only to steal, kill, and destroy.

Study to show yourself approved unto God:

It’s the truth that sets us free. We need to be bombarded with the truth — constantly meditating on it. The Bible says, day and night. Joshua 1:8 (NLT) — Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. To be successful in life, we need to study God’s word constantly.

Be a doer of the word:

When we know the truth, when we are a doer of the truth, when we walk in the truth, it will expose the lies and deception in our lives — the thoughts we believe, even about ourselves, that are not true. Why? So we can walk in true freedom, that God will open the eyes of our understanding, so we can be strong and courageous.

Know the truth so you can be truly free.

Just a thought,

PSS

People are always seeking fulfillment and satisfaction from the things of this earth. The reason humanity can’t ever find true peace and satisfaction is that nothing on this earth was designed for that. Fulfillment comes in knowing your purpose: “Why am I here?”

The idols:

We have made idols out of convenience, career, our dreams vs God’s will, happiness. The reason they are idols is that we seek these things first, instead of God first. That’s why so many lives are so shallow and in constant transition, going from one problem to another.

The creation:

As long as we seek the things of this world to satisfy our souls, we will always come up wanting. The things on this earth: money, influence, houses, cars, etc., were never meant to make our lives or be the goal. They were meant to add to our lives — make them a little more enjoyable.

The Creator:

We have allowed the things of this world to become our main focus. And, really, God is supposed to be our main focus. He is the only One who can give us true purpose, true meaning, true fulfillment in life.

I believe God is attempting to get our attention so we will seek the Giver of all things, and not the things themselves. What or Whom are you seeking?

Just a thought,

PSS

As believers in the Father of our Lord Jesus and His word, we cannot allow ourselves to be indoctrinated by the world’s culture message.

Worship the Creator:

We are being bombarded continuously by a secular, anti-God message. This message is also teaching our children to believe less in God and more in themselves. The world is recruiting our kids to worship the creation instead of the creator. The world is lying to them about identity — who they are, how God made them — while the Church sits by idly and says nothing.

Rise up:

It is time for the people of God to rise up and be the salt and light we were called to be. It’s time we quit being ashamed of the gospel. It’s time we take our stand on the word of God and never back off. People need the truth. They need someone to care enough about them to deliver the truth — in a way that is kind but truthful.

Preach the word:

If people don’t repent and ask Jesus to be Lord of their lives, they will perish; they won’t make heaven. Through the foolishness of preaching men will be saved. Preaching what? The word of God! It’s God’s word that gives us freedom from sin.

So, let’s purpose to let people know who God is and what He requires us to do to follow Him. We must combat the lies from the world with the truth that comes from only the word of God (the Bible).

Just a thought,

PSS

In order to achieve anything in this life, we must be determined. Being determined is: having made a firm decision and being resolved not to change it; having made up your mind that you are going to do something and that you will not allow anyone or anything to stop you; not being weak or uncertain.

Purposefulness:

The only way to see your dreams and desires come to pass is to be determined. It’s making up your mind about something and sticking to it. When you are determined, it increases your chances of being successful. If you stay focused and keep a good attitude, you will eventually see your hopes and dreams come to pass.

Persistence:

Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not: unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent (Calvin Coolidge).

Passion:

Whatever you do, do with determination. You have one life to live; do your work with passion, and give your best. Whether you want to be a chef, doctor, actor, or a mother, be passionate to get the best results. It’s the determined people who succeed and get ahead in this life.

Let’s all be more decisive with our lives, and watch what God can do.

Just a thought,

PSS