Standing Strong in His Grace

  Bur if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; Lest ye be found even to fight against God. Acts 5:38 Here I sit at my desk struggling with Covid all week.  When I was tested positive for it last Saturday it was a very somber and sober moment... I know people die from this malady.   I could be another casualty of this dreaded illness... That night I poured out my heart to GOD and felt his presence in my bedroom.  As the tears flowed from my eyes, I told Jesus I was ready to go when He was ready for me. I felt his peace and grace wash over me that I was indeed ready.but not yet but deep down I know that Jesus is not finished with me on this earth just yet...and as long as I am here I have been called to fight for the faith of God. I don't know when that pivitol moment will be when GOD will call me home to be with Him, but nothing can stop what HE has designed for me. NO demon in hell can abort God's plan for my life. I will still proclaim God's grace and peace to ...

Do you ever feel like there is a void in your life, that something is missing? Though out our lifetime, we attempt to  fill that void with what we think is the missing pieces. I remember as a twenty-year-old attempting to find some something to fill that inner void. Oh, I loved God, but I felt as if there was something more. During those lonely, troubled twenties I thought that having a mate and marriage and children would fill that void. I prayed for a mate and married at 26.  That definitely didn't feel that lonely void in my life no matter what a wife and kids.... No that didn't feel that void and neither did going to church... NO Job and I had plenty of jobs back in the day...work is not supposed to fill that void. You may be wondering what does actually feel that void in a Christians life??  Here is what I believe a living relationship with Jesus Christ is what fills us up!!.   Being religious does not fit that inner void. we can go to church everything tha...

This is my third book published since 2018!!!   The first two books were published by publishers that I know. The third book was written and published by me! I am so excited to bring to you, "Your Abiding Presence" poetry written and self-published by me of course.  I designed the cover and everything without much help. That means I did all the work myself... Thank you, Lana Scoggins, for coaching me at first and then allowing me to go to work with it!! I am so overwhelmed with God's grace and peace; this is a very difficult process being a self-publisher through KDP.   But God did it!!! Please if you feel led, order a copy of my second and third books here is s a link to them both. IF you do order a book, please rate me and leave a review on Amazon. It would be very much appreciated! Here is my author page that you can subscribe to for future books: https://www.amazon.com/author/richardthicks60 https://a.co/d/ew6j3TP To order Your Abiding Presence https://a.co/...

A True shepherd of his flock will go looking for those who have wondered away from the fold....and will bring him back in his arms.    Jesus is the truest shepherd I know... The pastor of the true church of GOD should "shepherd" his congregation who are the sheep.  Why are not more pastors checking on those who walk away from the church? Recently i was talking to a friend who has left his church....He has been going through a tough time but just now getting back on his spiritual feet.  He texted the pastors of that church with no response from any of the church leadership!! Folks, I just do NOT think that is the right approach, no matter how bad or bruised that person is or was at the time they left....Pastors and churches will be held accountable. I have been going to churches up here in Heber Springs Arkansas for almost two years. My brother has no problem going out of his way taking me to church, but you would think the people in the church were going to lose...

I will let you title this blog... My title is "Undecided" because I could not ever decide what the real title should be.  I just know I need to chime in on this particular topic. So, whatever you decide on the title and the topic is fine with me! Ever looked up the definition for undecided? Well, here is "Googles."  It means "not having made a decision. Decision on the other hand means the action or process of deciding something or of resolving a question. A scripture does come to mind and here it is: But let your ‘ Yes ’ be ‘ Yes ,’  and  your ‘ No ,’ ‘ No .’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. Matthew 5:37 So, what is that scripture saying about the word undecided.... I think that words like I am okay and I don't know are oxymoron words.... The Holy Bible is very clear about your indecision when you use these wordings! You are either great or horrible, or good or bad! This is my biggest pet peeve...We cannot hide our feelings behind thes...

  There are three things that really matters to the Lord in the above scripture. What does it mean? Well to me it means what the Lord really wants us to do for him. We cannot work our way into righteousness by doing good works!! We cannot sacrifice others for our own sin! You see Jesus has not called us to one calling, there are various callings upon our lives, and different gifts of the Spirit in different seasons of our life . What matters the most? What has GOD called you to do?   What does He require of You?? 1.  Act Justly is the "quality" to be fair and impartial, or to behave in a way that is morally right. 2. Love mercy is the "quality" of showing empathy to other people in our lives or who we come in contact within a day's time. 3. Walk Humbly is the quality of walking in a contrite spirit, and not in pride. In whatever the day holds for us, if we walk in these three things...they matter the most. Not in having a great worldwide ministry or huge life ca...

I clearly remember 9-11.  I was working at the Fleetwood company in Longview Texas in 2001. I was in a terrible place in my life. I was emotionally and mentally whooped.  My marriage was in trouble, and I was at a job I hated. I was so numb and cold in my soul.  I was not in shock that day at what was going on in our country.  There was so much strife in my own home, and I had lost all will for fight for anything or anybody for that matter. I remember all the workers gathered around the flagpole at work and prayed. I was there but I didn't pray, just hung my head in silence. I was hearing audible voices and very paranoid about the people I was working around.  I thought that they were talking to me telepathically using their thoughts out loud. It was very overwhelming to say at the least. There was a love and hate war going on in my mind and with angels and demons fighting for my soul...I prayed so hard to know the truth at that time, but never got an answer I a...

Wait for the  Lord ;  be strong and take heart  and wait for the  Lord . Psalms 27:14 Sometimes God puts us in a waiting season.  He is still there, but it almost seems "our answer" is on hold...We are not sure why but all we can do is hold onto Jesus during this time the best we can. We have to believe that He is working behind the scenes on our behalf.  He really is moving situations and circumstances, even when it seems that our life is on hold on the outside in the natural.  We have to dig a little deeper during these times of waiting upon GOD. Jesus does have the best intentions for us even when it seems we are in a tough season, some things dont come around so easy!  There is always a testimony after any test. Give Jesus the glory when He provides your answer. Jesus holds us in the stillness of that waiting. He wants us to be patient, and not run ahead of Him...We don't need to pull away during this time and forge ahead without Him...

Thank you, Jesus, for your holy presence upon my life. I love you, and I appreciate where you have brought me from... wow you have done an awesome work in my heart and soul...THANK YOU VERY MUCH. For You reached into that barren and dry desert called my heart; you placed me into a spiritual oasis where living waters freely flow from your grace and mercy. I do not deserve your mercy or even your grace, but you shed your precious blood for even this sinner... For I am nothing without you...You saved me for a purpose and destiny. I ask that your holy will be fulfilled in my life...Let Your plans unfold...and disintegrate all plots and plans of the devil for my life to be null and completed voided out. My prayer is that you would use me. I yield and surrender my life into your hands. I am so grateful for that cross where you died to redeem me from the snare of the fowler, and from the perilous pestilence. I am not sure where or what direction my life is going but I place all my trust in yo...

Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it... 1 Timothy 6:6-7 God wants us to be at peace with Him and depend on His Word more than anything else. 'Nothing else' in this life will fill us and bring that true satisfaction deep inside us. Nothing else can fill that void inside of us. Only a true and living relationship with Jesus will we find the truth of deep contentment within our lives... Nothing else should matter but giving Him sole ownership of our souls.  That is the only key to finding that abundant contented life!!  Jesus came to this earth so that we could have a satisfied life and nothing else should compare to His filling our hearts... Contentment is defined as a state of being in which one is satisfied with their current life situation, and the state of affairs in one's life as they presently are. We should not want our independence so much if it means we are shutting Jesus out of our hearts....

Jesus will be with you in the highest and lowest of times. Even on those dark and dreary days when everything around us fails completely. During those trying times does it seem like he could not possibly be there for you?   My friends, He is still working things together for you behind the scenes to bring you into the glorious riches of His awesome grace.  He is seeking to work powerfully within you if you allow Him to!!  You have to walk by faith even when you do not see things working in your favor. For He is the God of all grace...  That is not always so easy; to see things working through His eyes of faith.  You have to "faith it until you make it," and not allow satan to rob you of the joy of God's presence. We have to allow Jesus to take the lead and lean on Him one hundred percent...all other ground is sinking sand.  We won't be able to stand without leaning on someone or something. Give Jesus a try, he will never fail you nor will be abandon yo...

I am not a big communicator at all. I am quite the opposite. If I have nothing to say I "usually" don't say anything. I am very much an introvert and loner, but you could never tell that from my writings. I may have one friend or two I speak on the phone with...I have no one else really, I feel that I can freely to open up to and not sure why I am like that. I could really beat myself up over it, everyone else does a good job of it for me, but I have come to realize what a waste of time that is... God has given me the gift of writing out my words. So, if it really bugs you, take it up with the big man upstairs... I just put my headphones on and cut on my music that centers me on what GOD wants to say through me and I type away! I have four blogs that I write on.  and I just published my second short book of Christian Free verse prose. It seems that I have many layers or built-up walls in my life, and I am not sure why I am like this. I have always been an unusually quiet ...

The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.    But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.   Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.  Galatians 5:17-18, 24-25 We must get to a place in Jesus where we give him all out battles. Until then, we will aimlessly go through a vicious cycle of falling and getting back up. Going through those motions will drain us.  It's really called habitual sin and can be a stronghold in your life... We are truly fighting a spiritual battle.  We "hav...

Though he slays me, Yet I will trust in him.  Job 13:15   God is not out in the distant cosmos with a magic wand waving it around. HE is not distant nor a harsh ruler.  We are not HIS slaves. He gave each of us a free will to choose or reject Jesus.  HE would never abuse us...but he disciplines us as a loving and caring and nurturing parent.  HE would never just punish us for no reason. His ways are perfect, and to make us holy as HE is. We may not understand his sovereignty in tough circumstances and seasons.  I know how you feel...in my own selfish cognitive reasoning I don't understand and maybe you are thinking this way as well.  Why would GOD let certain things happen? I am sure your mind goes to certain scenarios in your life that boggle your mind, like the issues we face daily. Some silent issues as well...Some we never tell. Well GOD sees and knows all about us.  HE has a reason and purpose for you whatever it is you are having to deal wit...

FiveMinuteFriday.com Life is a lot like working a huge million-piece puzzle!  Jesus is the missing piece of this puzzle called life...You can try many things to attempt to fill that missing piece, but He is the only person that was meant to fit perfectly. Sadly, we try to fit many different things into that mold: Alcohol, drugs, and fornication to name a select few sins. It is very saddening in this day and age...addictions are at an all-time high. A staggering 46.8 million Americans battle substance abuse in the past year in 2022. I am just curious to know how many of these Americans call or profess to be Christians? On google it refers to substance use disorder...I just don't think so!  It is very apparent in this day and age that we are a "sin-sick society of people," thus trying to fit anything into that place other than Jesus. We are attempting to worship sin, and that is why we are sin sick. Anything we put before GOD is an idol...and I hate to tell you this, but th...

People look at the outward appearance,  but the  Lord  looks at the heart... I Samuel 16:7 I am pretty introverted and quiet in person all my life. Writing has always been my passion and an outlet for me. I do not know why I'm like this, but it is what it is. I am sixty years old and unless the good Lord changes my personality, I don't see me changing. A lot of people have judged me in the past because of my outward disposition.  But something really transpires when I write, my mind dislodges all these words, and I am filled and can relate better with my writing.  I am a much different person on the outside, I am reserved and shy and frankly I do not have much to say. I don't have a happy go lucky personality by far. I am not a people person and very introverted. I just cannot see this as a bad thing. God made me this way for a reason. My giftings are just different...If I see myself through everyone else's lenses, I will never measure up. I have to see myself a...

  The   Lord   God is my strength. He will make my feet like  deer’s   feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. Habakkuk 3:19 FiveMinuteFriday.com Hello and welcome to my blog. Today's Five Minute Friday word is "make." There are times in this journey called life, when I cannot seem to take one more step. During these times I tend to stop and pull away and isolate instead of moving ahead.  Life can be really difficult at times, and our feet don't seem steady.    The road ahead of us may not be paved or on golden pathways. It may be an uphill walk with lots or rocks and crags in the way. It may be a tough terrain and we will not be able to make it in our own efforts.  That is more than likely the place where you are right now as you are reading this.  You have fell away because it seems that you are not in the right place... A lot of those times we may not think we are in God's will.  We may question where actually God i...

  Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord  is.      And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,  speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, Ephesians 5:17-19 FiveMinuteFriday.com Today's five-minute Friday word is Capacity. The definition for this word is the maximum amount that something can hold or contain. I am wondering how much of God we can actually contain. Can we actually be full of by His Holy Spirit and how are we filled?  I believe that we have to be able to release what GOD has given us...we cannot hold on to His grace or glory...  So, does that mean we can be intoxicated with the Spirit? I am not so sure about that...I don't think Paul is "comparing" debauchery to a life of being led by the Holy Spirit. In my experience its to the contrary we will want to speak to e...

FiveMinuteFriday.com This week's word to write about for five minutes is specific. Does God have specific thoughts of us? I really believe He does according to this scripture.  We are probably on his mind more than we realize... The scriptures also say that His thoughts of us outnumber the grains of sand in Psalms 139.   HE is GOD and I am sure HE spends a great deal of time with us on his mind. I don't think he wastes his time thinking about us. He has high hopes and plans for us.  I do not think he sits around worrying about us though. I am a worrier at times so I know how my thoughts can be. I don't think GOD thinks that way about us.  GOD is also working behind the scenes on our behalf. Alot of times when we worry, we are consumed thinking of worst-case scenarios...He has thoughts of peace and love and hope about us and to give us a hope and a future. He is not a gloom and doom GOD.   He is a good Abba. We don't know what He specifically thinks of ...