Advocate for Christ

The best life is a God First life

Month: May 2026 (Page 1 of 2)

The Christian's Training Ground

Marines for God -Semper Fidelis

May 21, 2026 / / 0 Comments

The Bible is the Christian’s training ground, our means of staying the course. In it, we find the power of God, hope beyond measure, our daily armor, our weapon of truth, our shield of faith, our protection from Satan, and our only pathway to eternal life with our creator; the Bible is our connection to God’s will for us, our strength for endurance, and our means for sharing the message of Christ with everyone.

The study of God’s Word is our preparation, sharing God’s Word is our exercise, and the ability to defend God’s Word is our duty as soldiers of Christ.

The Marines’ motto is Semper Fidelis, which means “always faithful” or “always loyal.” Let’s be Marines for God; let us always be faithful and always be loyal. In “ALL” circumstances, let us take up the shield of faith. (Ephesians 6:16)

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. “Put on the whole armor of God”

Ephesians 6:10-20

If God is with us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

1 Peter 3:15

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Protect your heart with honesty

Save yourself with honesty.

May 20, 2026 / / 0 Comments

When good hearts and minds succumb to lies and deceit, guilt arises, and it weighs heavily on the heart and mind. Choosing to hide truths rather than addressing them honestly places unnecessary burdens on us. Burdens of sin that allow Satan to set up residence and dwell in our minds. For example, if we lie or deceive someone (like a spouse), we carry that unresolved lie in our hearts daily. Rather than confess, we may tell ourselves more lies, like:

  • • No real harm done
  • • It’s better if they don’t know.
  • • Why hurt them with the truth?

However, in doing so, we seal that burden of guilt within our hearts, we entrap our minds and souls with the lie. God knows the deception we carry, and if we cover up rather than confess to our loved ones, asking their forgiveness as well as God’s, we may carry that burden to our death and, maybe, add to our deceit by telling multiple lies over many years in our attempt to keep it hidden. I hope no one carries such a burden, but know some do. We may fear our loved ones’ response, but do we really think living with the lie or lies is better?  Is our relationship with our loved ones and God all it can be when we carry these lies in our hearts and minds? Do we not know we will be held accountable by God?

Our cover-up gives Satan permanent residence in our minds, and as just stated

It’s not hidden from God!

God knows the truth and has always told us to speak it. God hates lies!

When we fess up, confess, ask forgiveness, and repent, we simultaneously kick Satan to the curb, kicking him out of that permanent dwelling we’ve furnished him in our mind.

Don’t let Satan settle in; save yourself with honesty, pray, tell the truth, face the consequences, and stop Satan from building a mansion in your mind as one lie leads to two, then three, then four, and many more. No matter how difficult it is, tell the truth that God may purify, heal, and forgive. Don’t carry the weight of those lies, sins, and burdens into judgment; they squelch the joy in this life and endanger the soul.

  • John 8:34 – slave to sin
  • James 5:16 – confess.
  • Matthew 12:43-45 unclean spirits
  • Philippians 4:8-9 rethink
  • Romans 1:28-32
  • John 8:32 – truth
  • Matthew 5:23-24 – Reconcile

God First!

Darkness may win a few fights, but in the end, it loses the battle

Overcoming Darkness

May 19, 2026 / / 0 Comments

One thing is certain: when you’re on the right side, you are simply on the Right side. No matter how long it takes, no matter how many lies are told, truth eventually shines through. Let the light in your heart shine, and it will overcome darkness.

“Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” John 14:5-7

  • John 1:5
  • John 8:12
  • Psalm 18:28

God First!

Your soul is a beautiful thing. Guard it with all your heart. God First

Guard your heart from bitterness

May 18, 2026 / / 0 Comments

“Without expectation of reciprocation,” for me, this is the best attitude we can have toward helping others; it’s also my definition of agape love. If we see an opportunity and jump into action and help, we should expect nothing, not even a thank you. Being able to help is reward enough.

Personally, I have found that NOT expecting any reciprocation helps me avoid the pitfalls of disappointment or frustration that Satan may stir in our minds in his efforts to encourage bitterness should I think someone owes me but is ghosting me.

Should my mind start down such a path, when I want help, and it’s not available, I remind myself, “I asked for nothing and am owed nothing,” which helps stop those thoughts from propagating. Instead, I trust God will provide if I truly need help and let those thoughts go, dismissing Satan’s attempts to inflame my mind in his efforts to jeopardize my soul..

Freely giving of myself or my means helps guard my heart against harboring any animosity if someone can’t or won’t reciprocate in kind. One thing is for sure: I have never regretted time spent helping others. It’s always a win for me; A blessing from God.

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:9-10 ESV

  • Proverbs 4:23-27
  • Hebrews 13:6
  • Matthew 6:4
  • Proverbs 28:27
  • Ephesians 4:1-16

God First!

Would $$$ change our motivation to share Christ?

Would $$$ Change our Motivation to share Christ?

May 17, 2026 / / 0 Comments

A question for thought: If someone were to offer you $100 for every individual who came to a worship service based on your invitation (with no limit), how many people would you invite?  1, 10, 100, more?

If your answer is more than you would invite with NO monetary incentive, then the real question to ponder is: Why would we not be this zealous for the Lord without immediate personal gain?

May the seeds of Truth that lead to eternal life in Heaven be planted and watered; God will provide the growth.

  • Matthew 28:19–20
  • Matthew 19:21
  • 1st Corinthians 3:6-7
  • Mark 16:15

To God be the glory!

God First!

Have you noticed? The Bible contradicts a lot of popular opinion. IS TRUTH OFFENSIVE?

Is Truth Offensive?

May 15, 2026 / / 2 Comments

Have you noticed? The Bible contradicts a lot of popular opinion. Many people become offended when someone or something contradicts their understanding or belief, while others find it challenging. There are so many misunderstandings and false teachings about what God’s Word says on various topics; however, in God’s infinite wisdom, He gave us His Word and freedom of choice. We can hear and study God’s Word independently to see if what we are told is true, or we can accept, believe, and practice what others tell us is true, but I ask: How smart is that?

The Bible is God’s Word, and it should be our foundation for discernment.

  • The Bible spans thousands of years and has many different contributors.
  • It does so without contradiction.
  • The prophecies and science we find in Scripture are now known facts.

The Bible was written over about 1,500 years by approximately 40 authors from widely different backgrounds, cultures, and languages, yet it maintains a cohesive story of redemption from Genesis to Revelation. It’s hard to explain all this unity apart from divine inspiration.

Of course, it does take an open mind to replace what we’ve been told with what we will discover through an intuitive investigation. With our freedom of choice comes accountability for our actions or lack thereof.

Rather than choosing to be offended, why not choose to accept the challenge and pursue the truth? We can search and trust God’s Word, or we can accept man’s ideas; the choice is ours, but one we will be held accountable for.

  • “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
  • “knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:20-21

John 17:17
Psalm 119:160
Proverbs 30:5
Deuteronomy 30:19
Joshua 24:15
Galatians 6:7

2 Timothy 2:15
Acts 17:11
Job 26:7
Isaiah 40:22
Hebrews 11:3

God First!

Our Souls’ Eternity depends on our Choices

May 13, 2026 / / 1 Comment

Occasionally, we can become disheartened and discouraged when things happen that are out of our control. Satan jumps on these opportunities to tempt us; he wants us to throw our hands up in the air, give up, stop trying, sulk, become apathetic, go back to old ways, or try unexplored ways of living like the world. Satan wants us to believe his LIE that a life with little or no time for God is a life of fun, satisfaction, and prosperity, and we deserve it.

Nothing could be further from the truth!

Satan wants us to believe God does not mean what He says. That somehow, there is a way around being held accountable, there is some explanation we can give, and Jesus will say, “Oh, in that case, come on into heaven, ” but that is not what we find in Scripture; we find God tells and gives us example after example that there are serious consequences for not doing things God’s way. By choosing to do things our way, we exclude God; yet by choosing God’s way, we can have a joy-filled life that ultimately rewards us with eternal life with God.

God wants us to lean on Him, cast our burdens on Him, and trust in Him, His Word, and His promises of eternal life. He wants us to stay the course laid out for us in His Holy Word. After all, it is written for our benefit—NO REWRITING TO OUR DESIRES.

God gave us the freedom to choose; follow Christ or the world.

Sometimes we do trudge through difficult times, but if we are “In Christ,” we don’t have to do so alone; through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God provided a way for each of those in Christ to approach His throne through humble prayer, asking for His help in Jesus name, and He will hear our prayers.

By staying God’s course, we become a light to those around us: Family, friends, children, grandchildren, and even strangers. So, when we feel disheartened or discouraged, and those temptations try to settle in, recognize who they are from, push them aside, and pray. Remember, you are loved, and you set an example to someone who loves you! Our choices will determine our souls’ eternity, and our example may have a deep impact on the choices of those we love, family, friends, and children.

  • 1st Peter 5:7-8
  • Psalm 55:22
  • James 5:14–16
  • John 14:15
  • John 3:16
  • James 4:10

God First!

God gave us boundaries like a fence to protect us; when we push through them, we become victims

Boundaries are for our protection

May 11, 2026 / / 0 Comments

God gave us boundaries like a fence to protect us; when we push through them, we become victims.

  •  “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

Don’t become a victim. learn and adopt God’s ways from His Word, put your faith in Jesus, keep His commandments, and trust in God, press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

  • “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.  Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:10-17
  • Philippians 3:14
  • Psalm 46:1
  •  Psalm 91:1–2
  •  2 Thessalonians 3:3
  • 1 John 5:18
  • Matthew 6:25-26. 25
  • Matthew 6:32-33. 32
  • 2 Corinthians 11:23-25

God First!

It's God's Standard God's Standards are Fixed

Are God’s Standards Our Standards?

May 10, 2026 / / 1 Comment

God’s Standards are fixed. By what standard do we define good and evil, right and wrong? We live in a society where the majority of people adopt whatever standard is proclaimed at the moment. It’s a variable floating standard with no foundation, a foundation of sand that is ever shifting.

God’s standards are God-breathed, absolute, and unchanging. His Word tells us how we obtain eternal life in Heaven with our creator, the creator of everything we know and understand. His Word gives us the pathway to eternity with the Father, the Son, & The Holy Spirit by following Jesus and keeping His commandments.

“And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:7-12

Righteous understanding and discernment are found in God’s Word—the only true and absolute standard. IT’S GOD’S STANDARD

  • 2 Timothy 3:16-17
  • Isaiah 40:8
  • Hebrews 13:8
  • Psalm 119:160
  • Judges 21:25
  • Malachi 3:6

God First!

Mistreating Jesus

Mistreating Jesus?

May 9, 2026 / / 0 Comments

Jesus is not our equal; He is God.

God’s love is NOT an issuance of permission slips to treat “God the Son” or “God the Father” as our equals. God’s Love is extended by grace, not to be abused.

According to Scripture, Jesus is the Word… “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:1-5)

Jesus is our Messiah, the Lord of Lords, King of Kings, and we should treat Him with humble reverence. Jesus is Holy (John 4:26, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Revelation 19:16).

We should be mindful that when we use language without thought to its meaning, like” OMG” or exclaiming terms like “JESUS CHRIST!” and other derivatives, we disrespect our Creator and Savior. We are mistreating the Almighty with our lips. Doing so is not harmless, and according to God’s Word, we will be held accountable for taking God’s name in vain. His name is Holy.

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7)

I cringe when I hear or see such terms being used by anyone, but especially those who claim to love God.

One who loves God should understand what God did for us, how Christ suffered for us, and that this knowledge would make one’s heart extremely conscientious with gratitude and respect. That our heart, soul, and mind would “WANT” to make every effort to treat our Heavenly Creators with the utmost reverence by not using Their name lightly.

Christians should show love, appreciation, and respect with every word and action we take. We are to be an example to the world of Christ-like love, which includes displaying our ultimate respect to the Godhead.

Colossians 2:9

Matthew 12:36-37

Psalm 111:9

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Galatians 2:20

1 Peter 2:9

Ephesians 4:22-24

2 Timothy 1:9-10

Mark 12:29-33

Psalm 119:9

Romans 6:1-23

James 3:9-10                                                          

God First!

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