Your Influence

 Many of us, don't even realize the influence we have on those around us.

 Not everyone sees themselves as a leader. 

Many choose to step back rather than step up.

And even more do all possible to stay out of the lights.

Parents often have fear of failing their roles as leaders, to their children.

We don't always see the influence we're having on someone, whether we are trying to lead them in a better direction, or if they just happen to be observing our role in a situation.

We influence people with our actions without even being aware of it.

 We can help someone or hurt them without even knowing they were affected by our words, actions and behavior.

in·flu·ence

noun

1. the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself.

   "the influence of television violence"

   Similar:

   effect

   impact

   control

   sway

   hold

   power

   authority

   ascendancy

   mastery

   domination

   supremacy

   leadership

   guidance

   direction

   pressure

verb

1. have an influence on.

   "sometimes simple changes in a business environment can influence behavior"

Blessed by God 

Life's good @ the Bright Side of the Barn 

Thanks for Stopping by 

Until Next Time Stay Safe and Happy Trails 

Honesty

Keep it simple, 

keep it real, 

keep it honest.

Telling the truth.

Words

Eyes

Body language 

Actions 

Say it all.

Lies destroy trust.

Keep it Real with Respect 

 Blessed by God 

Life is bright 😎 the Bright Side of the Barn 

Thanks for Stopping by 

Until Next Time Stay Safe and Happy Trails 

Reality

 What people think and what really is, 

is often 2 different stories.

 We judge quickly without knowing the facts. .  .  

 Someone quits coming to church and everyone thinks they have gone to the dark side.

 A woman goes out with a male friend and everyone thinks they are sleeping together.

 You see a homeless person and "of course" they are a drug addict.

 Do we take the time to get to know someone and what their story is, or do we let the gossip be our facts.

 I've spent a lifetime being misjudged and sometimes I can't help but laugh, while other times, WOW is about all I can say.

 You can't let it be what drives you. 

 Be your reality, be true to you, 

Your circle of people might surprise you.

Blessed by God 

Life is a challenge @ the Bright Side of the Barn 

Thanks for Stopping by 

Until Next Time Stay Safe and Happy Trails 

Psalm 25

 Devotional a couple days ago led to passages in Psalm 25. The devotion inspirational, but the whole Psalm spoke to me, so much I made it be the prayer for the day. And I've said it again, yesterday and today.

 This Very much speaks to me in my situation. 

Psalm 25 🙏 

1 Unto thee O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not my enemies triumph over me.

3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.

4 Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.

5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

6 Remember,  O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy loving kindness; for they have been ever of old.

7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember me for thy goodness sake, O Lord 🙏 

8 Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.

9 The meek will be guide in judgement and the meek will he teach his way.

10 All the paths of the Lord are merci and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.

11 For thy name sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity; for it is great.

12 What man is he that feareth the Lord? Him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.

13 His soul shall dwell at ease, and his seed shall inherit the earth 🌎 

14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

15 Mine eyes 👀 are ever toward the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet 🐾 out of the net.

16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.

17 The troubles of my heart ❤️ enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distress.

18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.

19 Consider mine enemies; for there are many; and they hate 🔥 me with cruel hatred.

20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.

21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.

22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of his troubles.

AMEN

Blessed by God 🙏 

Life's good @ the Bright Side of the Barn 

Thanks for Stopping by 

Until Next Time Stay Safe and Happy Trails 

0h God

 We call our to God when we are in trouble, it's a crisis or something horrific happens. God help us.

 We blame God when things happen and go wrong, or if someone dies. Some getting mad and even hating God because of things happening in their lives.

 I never rarely hear someone say - that devil is going to pay for that.

Or the devil is hard at work here ...

 To believe in one you must believe in the other. 

They co exist. 

 People need to stop blaming God for the devil's work.

 Why didn't God help me?

 Are you living in a life of sin expecting God to take care of you?

 God promised to take care of those that believe in Him, Serve Him and live as sin free as they possibly can.

 God didn't promise to protect sinners. He promised to forgive them.

 Jesus died on the cross so we could be forgiven, and He shown us how to walk sin free, pleasing God.

 He didn't die - so you could sin Monday thru Saturday and get saved on Sunday - just so you could wake up Monday and do it again.

 Go and sin no more.

 So before someone says what did God do for me, I would ask 

What have you done for God lately?

Blessed by God 

Life's good @ the Bright Side of the Barn 

Thanks for Stopping by 

Until Next Time Stay Safe and Happy Trails 

Can it be done?

 

Years ago, like 30 plus years ago.... I had a conversation with one of my cousins about the ability to live like Christ in today's world (30 years ago). She felt it was impossible to live without sin and live like Christ to perfection.

 While I agree we are far from perfect. 

I have found scriptures that tell us how to be more like Christ and even more scriptures that say we can have the same powers to heal that Jesus exercised while here.

 What we lack is the faith in believing it possible. The will to put down the wants of the flesh and to step away from the things we know are ungodly.

 We look to science to prove God; Rather than search our hearts to feel God.

 I've been deep in Ephesians the past couple days. One God, one Spirit, one church and one body of Christ.

 Telling of the tools and teaching left for us to follow. We are supposed to be able to look to the evangelist, the pastor, the teachers - to show us the way.

 And they the leaders are warned to speak the truth. Not to lead people a stray from the ways of God.

 Put down the ways of the flesh and put on the armour of the Spirit....

 Here we are 30 some years later and the Bible says the same thing. 

 So can we? Live like Christ?

Blessed by God 

Life is good @ the Bright Side of the Barn 

Thanks for Stopping by 

Until Next Time Stay Safe and Happy Trails 

Daily Devotional

 Started the day yesterday exploring a Christian book store and picked up a couple books. After all investing in the relationship with God is always a good investment!!

I've never left my beliefs in God, kept up my prayers, reading scriptures, I left the church and I left my ministries. 

My spiritual relationship was weak to say the least. I considered myself to have become a sinner that believes in God.

2025 ~ A New Year...

 I would rather be a Christian that's saved sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost, moving forward. I'd like to end my life in the ministry rather than on the road I recently traveled.

The best place to start is with devotion. Starting the day with a minute or two of God.

What better title right now with the situation at hand?

Ironically day 1 speaks on sleeping peacefully under God's protective hands.

For 8 months I have had God keeping me safe and warm at night. There's been a few super cold ❄️ nights, no snow but for the most part, this has been the warmest winter weather here in years.

I know He's been with me on this journey, waiting for me to figure out where I want to be. 

I've figured out a lot of things over the last few months, come to understand a few things and a few people.

60 was a hard year to get to, now to get through it. 

Better days coming!! I can feel it. We are on a new path.

Blessed by God 

Life's good @ the Bright Side of the Barn 

Thanks for Stopping by 

Until Next Time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails 

Faith ~ How strong is your faith?

 Hebrew 11:1

Now FAITH is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Word on housing.... Still waiting. 

Apt manager out sick so it's another weekend of not knowing...

Trusting in the Lord and His plan.

Ironically, my next study led me to the topic of faith...

GALATIANS 

Specifically Chapter 3.

3:7

Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

3:8

And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, in thee shall all nations be blessed.

3:9

So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

3:11

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident:

For the just shall live by faith.

3:22

But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

3:26

For you are all the children of God by faith in Jesus Christ.

3:28

There is neither jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male or female,

For you are all one in Christ Jesus.

So, here we are learning patience, trusting God, His plan and His perfect timing. 

I put the housing situation in God's hands.

There is absolutely nothing I can do. 

Now we just get up every day and focus on improving the relationship with God, taking care of daily responsibilities and study. 

While we Wait until what ever happens happens.

With Faith that God has my best at hand. 

Now knowing that my faith is a key 🗝️ to unlocking 🔐 a better relationship with God.

Blessed by God 

Life is healing @ the Bright Side of the Barn 

Thanks for Stopping by 

Until Next Time Stay Safe and Happy Trails 

Dedication

 I remember when I first found the spirit of God. When I got saved the first time, it was amazing! The overwhelming feelings of being forgiven, washed clean and given a new start on life.

 I remember having the utmost respect and reverence for God, at home and especially when at church. After all it was God's house. The place we came to worship Him, feel the Spirit and be filled.

 I was on fire for the Lord.

 Unfortunately so many Christians lose their fire over time and become bench warmers, taking up space in the house of the Lord.

 Sermons become convenient between morning coffee and afternoon football. It used to be Dress Your Best for God, now it's come as you are, pick the time that's most convenient.

 Even worse ~ pick the church that confirms to your comforts. They follow a few good scriptures and don't push for the hard stuff.

 BEWARE

Malachi 3:6. for I am the Lord, I change not.

 In looking for a church to find fellowship, I find myself concerned with their teachings and the dedication to the Lord, and following the Word of the Lord. 

 I've met a lot of Christians over the years and many of them are Christians on Sunday and Holidays, no different than anyone else the rest of the week.

 I'm looking for people dedicated to God, to following the Word and Living it in every day life. People that are on fire 🔥 for God and excited to be saved. 

People that won't let the fire go out. 

 My biggest downfall with the church and what put my spirits out, were the people going through the motions like they were bored and had better things to do, than be with God.

 I'm not letting that happen again. I've bought a new Bible study book and daily devotional. 2025 is going to be a glorious year, regardless of my homeless situation.

 Daily dedication waking up with God. The days are bound to be better than waking up alone. Starting the day with prayer and Bible study. Let's get some spiritual strength to face the day. Grateful for staying warm at night, and Opportunities to eat will be thanked with gratitude. 

 At the end of each day, I want to feel like I've fueled the fire - rather than do anything to extinguish it.

 Christians be dedicated to God, 

let your light shine!!

Blessed by God 

Life's promising @ the Bright Side of the Barn 

Thanks for Stopping by 

Until Next Time Stay Safe and Happy Trails 

January 1 - 2025

 Happy New Year!

Praise the Lord and Thank God!

Last year was a very difficult year, which ended on a positive note. The call regarding housing. Still waiting to find out if we get it. I think God enjoys teaching us patience most of all. 

This year is going to be better no matter what happens physically. I'm focusing on my spiritual life and making sure that I'm in the right place with God when my time comes. Honestly nothing else matters. 

The devil has been and will probably work twice as hard to make it difficult. As I said last year was the worst! 

* Lots of prayers, prayers, prayers 

* Scriptures, scriptures, scriptures 

* Praise, Praise, Praise 

* Studying the Word refreshing the mind.

It's a New Year and a New Mindset.

Today's Study 

After my prayers this morning I asked the Lord for scriptures. Where should I study? Where do you begin a journey back to God. His answer was... Perfect.

Malachi, 

the last book of the Old Testament.

Study Verse:

3:7

 Even from the days of your father, you are gone away from my ordinance, and have not kept them.

Return unto me, and I will return unto you, sayeth the Lord of Hosts.

But you said, wherein shall we return?

Read on.. There are only 4 chapters in Malachi, it's a short book to read and a beautiful answer to the question ~ where do I begin.

Blessed by God 

Life is healing @ the Bright Side of the Barn 

Thanks for Stopping by 

Until Next Time, Stay Safe and Happy Trails