There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.  Proverbs 23:8

Pop star, Michael Jackson’s recent unexpected death left many questions unanswered.

Who would have guardianship over his three children? Who would be the beneficiary of the vast inheritance that he left behind?

As a Christian, you can feel secure in knowing that God holds the answers to all questions pertaining to your future.

In Romans 8, we are told that those who are led by the Spirit of God are the Sons of God. You have received a Spirit of sonship or adoption giving you the ultimate right to call upon God as your Father.

The benefits package that comes along with being a child of God is enormous. They include not only an eternal future, but also an inheritance of great rewards.

It’s a wonderful feeling knowing that God is your Father and that you are His child. You can rest assured that your future with your Heavenly Father is a done deal and your hope in God is guaranteed.

Dear Lord, Thank you for holding my future in your hands. Amen.

Recommended Reading: Romans 8:10-17

Happy Trails and May The Good Lord Take a Liken to You!

…And they took old sacks on their donkeys, old wineskins torn and mended, old and patched sandals on their feet, and old garments on themselves; and all the bread of their provision was dry and moldy.
JOSHUA 9:4-5 NKJV

Some scriptures pertain to bread, including unleavened, daily and the bread of life. But there’s one story about bread found in the Bible that’s rarely told. Israel’s enemy, the Gibeonites, used dry and moldy bread to deceive Joshua into making a covenant with them.

God warned Israel against becoming allies with its enemies, so their guard should’ve been up at all times against such imposters.             

The Gibeonites literally cooked up a scheme to trick Joshua into making a covenant between them and Israel.

In order to make it seem as if they had traveled from a far country, the people of Gibeon carried old sacks and wineskins. Their garments and sandals were also old and worn. Their provisions included dry and moldy bread to make the well-crafted scheme even more believable.

Joshua questioned the Gibeonites asking who they were and where were they from. Their answer seemed sincere enough. They had traveled from a far country and wanted to be their servants.

Scripture tells us that the men of Israel looked at their provisions, but failed to ask God for counsel in discerning the situation.

Joshua, convinced that all was well, made a treaty with these people. Three days later, he learned they had been deceived into making a covenant with their enemies.

Joshua learned a great lesson that is invaluable to Christians today.

First, only trust the living bread, Jesus Christ and seek His counsel in every situation. Next, always be on guard for the enemy.

Be sober, be vigilant; because the adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour. I Peter 5:8 KJV

In conclusion, stay alert, for the enemy will constantly try to feed you deceptive bologna served with dry and moldy bread in any shape, form or fashion. Your Heavenly Father, however, gives the bread of life freely and continuously to all those who ask through Jesus Christ His Son.

Dear Lord, help me to keep the shield of faith held high and the sword of the Spirit ready at all times to defeat the enemy. Amen.

Hamburger Meat

Diced Potatoes

Diced Onions

Carrot Slices

Diced Bell Peppers or Jalephenos ( if you’re brave)

Cream of Chicken Soup

Cream of Mushroom Soup

Heavy Duty Foil

One Hot Campfire

Take a piece of heavy duty foil. Throw in some hamburger meat, potatoes, onions, carrots and peppers. Add a heaping spoonful of both soups. Fold foil towards middle, so the juices won’t spill out. Continue this process until you run out of ingredients.  Place foil packets on hot coals. 

Check every now and then to see if  hamburger meat and potatoes are done.

This is an easy recipe.  You can add as much or as little as you like and you can add only the ingredients you like.

Remember to thank the Lord above, for this great campfire grub!

Lord, please help me, lend me Thine ear,
The prayer of a troubled cowman to hear.
No doubt my prayer to you may seem strange,
But I want you to bless my cattle range.

Bless the roundups year by year;
Please then don’t forget the growing steer.
Water the land with brooks and rills
For my cattle that roam on a thousand hills.

Now O Lord, if you’ll be so good,
See that my stock has plenty of food.
Our mountains are peaceful, the prairies serene,
Oh Lord, for the cattle, please keep them green.

Prairie fires, won’t you please stop?
Make thunder roll and water to drop,
It frightens me to see the dread smoke,
Unless it is stopped, I’m bound to go dead broke

As you, O Lord, my fine herds behold
They represent a sack of pure gold,
I think that at least five cents on the pound
Would be a good price for beef the year round.

One thing more, and then I’ll be through,
Instead of one calf let my cows have two,
I may pray different from all other men
But I’ve had my say, and now, amen.

AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1885 (Socorro [N.M.] Bullion)

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7 KJV 

There are many different words that could be used in place of casting. For example: fling, heave, hurl, launch, pitch, sling, throw or toss.  
 

It was at church youth camp, when I was a kid, that I learned the lesson of casting my cares upon the Lord. I’ll always remember that night. 

The stars were glistening overhead in the vast West Texas sky, while a large group of young people gathered around a huge bonfire. The preacher told us all to pick up a stick.

He explained how we as Christians try to carry baggage around that gets in the way of us leading a victorious life. Anything that stood between God and us was considered baggage, like sin or a problem of any kind.

He went on to say how much Jesus loved each of us and that He would gladly take our excess baggage.  All we had to do was give it or cast it to Him.

One young person at a time walked up to the bonfire and told what their stick represented. Some spoke of sin, while others expressed a desire to know Jesus more. 

Total commitments to living a life for Christ were made as the sticks were thrown or cast into the fire. We watched each stick burn up and disappear. 

Although, I was only about 12 years old, I understood.  If I had faith to cast my cares or baggage on the Lord, He would take them from me and make them disappear forever. 

Friend, are you carrying a load of excess baggage? It might be sin, guilt, a problem or maybe something that you just need to let go of that stands between you and God. 

All you have to do is cast your cares upon Him.  Throw it, fling it, pitch it or toss it. Just give it to Jesus!

Once you do, He’ll make them disappear from your life, just like those sticks in the bonfire.

The enemy will try his best to get you to try and retrieve it.  Don’t fall for his lies and tricks. Listen to the devil and you’ll get burnt. Leave them with Jesus and you’ll be free from them forever.

Jesus truly cares for you, my friend! So, get ready, and start casting your cares on Him today. 

Dear Lord, Thank you for allowing me to cast my every care upon you. Amen