Day 32 - Jesus, Family & Fellowship!

Good morning friends and family. Today is day 32 for me! This morning was the first day in a while that when I awoke and was getting ready for work I was overcome with fear. I couldn't put my finger on it but kissed the wife and got in the car on my way to work. Driving I realized that REALITY hit me hard this morning. Kids are going back to school soon, weather is starting to change and summer is basically over. This is when priorities usually get in the way. Excuses start to happen and all of a sudden you miss a Sunday service, you miss a prayer night, or you miss that phone call from a friend that really needs to speak with you. I'm fearful that "life" will get in the way of God! This has happened to us before about 4 years ago. So as I'm driving to work I sent some texts to my 3 of my friends saying that I'm just not motivated today. Within seconds, prayers are being said, bible verses are being sent and a phone call is made to me. I finally got to work feeling better. Feeling motivated. I walked into my office and said the following prayer, "Lord, please fill this office with your presence. I pray that you stand guard in front of this door and keep out all ungodly people who are a threat to me and my staff. Lord, my office is a big office with many rooms, let your grace shine from every room so whomever walks into these rooms will be blinded by your glory. And lastly Lord, I realize everything I do, everything I have, everything I am is all Yours! I pray you give me the patience to deal with any struggles that come my way and handle them in a patient manner and in truth and honesty. I am a man of God and I am working in Your office Lord, so please lead me to work! I ask this in Jesus name....Amen!"
When reality smacks you dead in the face and you have to face your fears, just turn to Jesus. Ask him to help with your problems. I am so used to sitting home in the morning and praying and writing my daily blog or message but reality didn't allow the TIME for that this morning. That's why I did not feel motivated. I forgot to have my morning coffee with Jesus in my backyard like I have been doing for the past week. It took some reminders from friends from church to make me realize that I just needed to pray and praise. And sometimes we forget about God because our LIVES get in the way. But this is why I love my church Alive Again! Friends I have just meet only weeks ago could feel something was not right with me this morning and they called or texted to remind me that: First in my life come Christ, Second is my wife and her holiness, and Third is the welfare of my children. All my wants and needs are last! Here are some reminders that got me motivated today from my friends:
Brian: You're Alive Again. A little resurrection every morning. Just do it brother. Be empowered by the holy spirit.
Lew: 1 Corinthians 15:56-58

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

This scripture encouraged me this morning. I pray you will stand firm as well!

Bill: Matthew 6:33

³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
See ya tonight at prayer brother!
So the fellowship I get at Sunday Service has grown into friendships of inspiration every day of my life. I cherish these new friendships more than I ever imagined I could. And it's all because we walk with God together! We are an army of God's men using Jesus's words to encourage, teach, rebuke and lead by example. 

Psalm 127: 3-5

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

Yesterday I spend the first three hours in my backyard praying and praising until the family woke up! Yes 3 hours, time goes fast when your having conversations with God....Amen?
The first down to great me was my wife. I was sitting in the honesty chair because it's the most comfortable chair outside. Whomever site in this chair can say anything honest and hear anything honest and cannot get up from the chair mad. Everything must be talked out and worked out in this chair.It's the green chair with the coffee in front of it!

The first one to great me was my wife. She looked upset. I said, "let it out, I'm in the right chair!" She just told me that she was worried. Worried that our amazing marriage for the past 31 days was going to fade. We talked about what God has been doing in this house and in our lives and again I promised her this would not happen. As a man of God, I will protect my wife and her fears. If she needs me I will be there. Even though our weekly date nights vanish because of school I assured her we had the weekends. We had the mornings. We have each other. And most importantly, we have GOD! He will not let us down or let us lose faith because we talk with him and ask him everyday. Not only every day, but multiple times during the day. 

After our conversation, all was good. I asked her, "What can I do for you today?" She gave me a project that I was dreading. Clearing out my old IPAD and setting it up for her. I knew it was going to be a frustrating day. So I started immediately. I was flying through this project knowing that even if it took me all day, I will get this done for my wife. I explained to the kids that I was working on something for mom and they needed to be patient while I do this. And they were amazing all day doing their own things. How often does that happen? Praise God? Amen.

Then BAM, hit a roadblock. Sat back to pray and praise God for getting me this far but now I was lost. Just then, Greg from church called my phone. He said, "hey Scott, sorry I didn't cross paths with you yesterday and I'm calling now to just see if your ok and need any prayers?" Really, at this time.....a phone call for someone to pray for me in my time of need......of course I said yes. Greg prayed with me on the phone for about 5 minutes and said now go figure it out! 20 minutes later I was past the problem and an hour later I was done with the whole project. Amazing....finally.....time for the kids.

So I set up a game in the living room, we never tried this and I just tried to see what would happen. I set up the drawing board, big paper and markers and made up some words and teams. I said let's give it a try. This is the video from some of our game last night.

Here is some of our great artwork! Can you figure any out?????

The game lasted for and hour and a half and we all played as a family with no fighting, no crying for the losing team, (Not my team of course) and as a family unit. 

When all was done the boys wanted to watch TV and Kim, myself and Mya watched "The Great Gatsby" in our movie room. Everyone went to bed and I went outside in the backyard and wept because I was overwhelmed with God's Grace and presence in our house and lives. I praised him and thanked him for a wonderful day. 

The moral???? Wow it's so long i forget!!! lol

My day needs to start with Jesus. He is my motivation. He is my light. He is my Salvation.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 
My days needs daily reminders when REALITY or LIFE gets in the way from my friends!
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 
My day must include my family. A phone call, a sit down dinner, a text or a simple kiss and hug at night to say I love you and most importantly GOD LOVE YOU!
1 John 4:8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Sorry so long this morning. I was worried it was going to be short! LOL
My friend once told me, if you do nothing else, just keep moving forward. And that's what I am doing. Just walking in the footprints of Jesus's steps trying to live the life God has planned for me. It's glorious, who gonna join me?
Love you guys, call or text if you need anything! See everyone at prayer tonight!!!
SN