​Have you ever gotten caught in a trap? You did not realize what was happening, but you knew this was not right.

​What is a trap? A trap is something that stops you, catches you, steals your mobility and purpose and peace of mind; delivers you into someone else's control; and in the worst-case scenarios, the victim experiences pain and injury, ongoing captivity, and even death.

​I would like to ask you a question, Are you giving your best to God? I love the logo “Be All You Can Be”.  It has been a prominent recruitment tagline by the United States Army for years and for good reason. It worked! It inspired a nation of young people to become their best by entering military service; what really could be more truthful?

​I learned a long time ago one thing, “the greatest tragedy in life is not death, but A WASTED LIFE!” God does not want you to waste your life. God deserves your best. He shaped you for one purpose: to share the Good News with others. Why?

God tells us many times that this world is not going to last. The universe is winding down, history is moving toward a climax—Jesus Christ is coming again. The Bible has more to say about his second coming  than it does about his first. How would your life change if you used more of your time, money, and energy on what’s going to last forever?

We all have the same amount of time every week: 168 hours.  It is what you do with it that counts! You only have a certain number of days allotted in this world, and if you blow them, you have blown it! If you waste time, you are wasting your life. If you kill time, you are committing suicide. Your time is your life. You must stop and ask, “Is this the best use of my time? Is this the best use of my life?”

Read 2 Timothy 2:3-7 NIV/LB:

​Think about these three illustrations, and the Lord will help you to understand how they apply to you.

Make Every Day Count!

​Let us face it, we all have occasions that require dealing with negative people. What does the Bible say about this? Dealing with negative people in the church requires a blend of grace, truth, and boundaries. It is important to filter their negativity, engage respectfully, and set appropriate limits, while also seeking guidance from God and building relationships with positive influences. 

​Life is hard! Life does not always cooperate with our plans, and God does not always answer our prayers as we intended. 

​At some point, we must admit that serving God is a bit difficult. The challenge of having to live a life pleasing to God is not particularly easy. Full devotion to God involves struggles, and even the most faithful Christians would attest to that.

​I do not know how many times I have heard someone tell me they hate change, but I do not think this is entirely true. While people enjoy routines and familiarity, they also welcome new things. Among other things, we like new seasons, new restaurants, innovative technology, new friends, and new adventures.