Shedding your armor as you go

I’ve made a discovery this week about myself but only because I believe my spirit heard the Lord speaking in that small still voice (1Kings 19:12). Most of you don’t know this about me but I am a perfectionist and though I was much worse in my youth parts of it remain even today. That doesn’t work out well for me being just a man, as I am broken and often I struggle with my lack but God’s Word tells me that is why He sent His son Jesus to die and that’s a good thing, still I struggle. If I could step back far enough I would see my life do something like this – God places a dream in my heart, I am awakened to it and move passionately towards the fulfillment of it, the enemy attacks, and I miss the mark. It is at that moment I come to a fork in the road and often I become distracted from God’s purpose. I am now forty; soon to be forty-one but I still remember a song from my teen years. It was by a group called Harvest and though I don’t remember the title I do remember the chorus. “Are we walking into the enemy’s camp laying our weapons down, shedding our armor as we go and leaven it on the ground? We’ve got to be strong in the power of His might to prove to the enemy that we are the army of the Lord and we’ve won the victory!”

Examining the situation now I’m left asking myself why is the enemy allowed to attack while the dream is still tender within me? God says, “Because child I have called you by name and have prepared you for such a time. This battle is yours and though I am with you, just like I was with David as he faced Goliath, it is your feet that must step onto the field.” My childhood has been catching up with me (read perfectionist), as I walk onto the battlefield I stub my toe then I become so disheartened that I begin to shed my armor but God all along has been calling me to stand and keep moving forward. I have been forgetting something very important. It is not about how prepared I am, though that is important, it’s all about me getting out of the way and letting God have His way through me. David was just a shepherd boy without training for battle yet the God of all splendor had prepared him for a purpose beyond what David understood at the time and though it was David’s hand that delivered the fatal blow to the giant before him it was the God of Israel that was bringing deliverance to His people! Still David didn’t stand a chance had he faced Goliath on his own. How many times do we face giants on our own strength? I don’t know about you but it never works out well for me. In my mind I can see only a few moves ahead, how this victory would bless those around me but God has a purpose beyond my comprehension! The more I allow God to use me the more I become what I could not be on my own.

God, you are glorious, who is like you! I am amazed and humbled that I get to be part of your plan. You know me intimately and see each move I make still you say that I am yours! Could it be that my efforts limit what you want to do through me? Though it seems my plans would work out well I acknowledge that I do not know the way. Holy Father, I ask you now to consume me and lead me unto righteousness, for your glory. For your kingdom illuminates the darkness and has no end! As I am here with you my heart is overwhelmed with joy, the world outside fades away, and your peace surrounds me. Lord, I don’t ever want to leave this place but I know there is a battle raging and my heart is at stake not only that but the hearts of my children and wife and those I don’t even know. Because You have allowed me to hear your voice I ask that You strengthen me now and when I take that step onto the battlefield it would not be mine but Yours. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Strides of purpose

As you get closer to the person God intended you to be the resistance you encounter becomes greater. Whether it is your own flesh warring against the Holy Spirit of God within you or it is circumstances that seem to set themselves in opposition to the path Christ has shown you or it is the enemy himself. Remember what Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:24-25 we, the students of Christ Jesus, should expect the same opposition as he faced the closer we get to him but we have a promise - (Romans 8:35-39 MKJV) “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, "For Your sake we are killed all the day long. We are counted as sheep of slaughter." But in all these things we more than conquer through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Do you see it? No matter what we face in this life something better awaits us! Not all will be called to die for Christ’s sake but some will. Not all will face a deadly illness but there are those who will. What about fear, complacency, or pain we all have our battlefields. We cannot choose our giants but God promises to be with us and when the race is run, if we hold tightly to Him He will call to us by the very purpose He has placed in each of us – for God says we are more than conquerors! One day, though it is hard to imagine, we will look back and say it is worth it all! The saints of God will have stories to tell through out eternity still our purpose will not be over even then. So run this race with all that is within, not looking back set your gaze on Him who gives you the strength to do the impossible. We know not what God has in store for those He calls His own but knowing Him I know He is good and I am hopelessly desperate for more of Him in me. (1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV) “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”

With that in mind we should make every step count, every time we move it should be towards Him. May your strides be filled with His purpose and your heart overflowing with surrender to God’s Holy Spirit within you.

Forgiveness

(Matthew 6:14-15 NLT) "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

In the same chapter Jesus teaches us how to pray – in verse twelve He says something that reveals the Father’s heart about forgiveness. “…and forgive our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.” Think about what that means. Do I want God to forgive me a little or do I want Him to forgive me of all my wrongs? This life is, at times, difficult. Those who say otherwise either are hiding their true feelings or have disconnected themselves from real relationship so long ago that they forgot how to truly love and thus go through life unaware of God’s purpose. If the enemy has his way the attacks come during childhood through a parent, usually the father because he is the instrument God has ordained to lead the family. By attacking through the father the enemy’s attack is two fold. He reinforces the lies the father was told in his childhood and he deals out the same tricks on the next generation behind the mask of the faults of the father. The child then makes a vow to protect their tender heart by building walls around it. As an adult he or she reasons away the pain (as the enemy interjects) by either thinking it was their fault or hating the parent but never coming to terms with the weight of the wrongful pain and thus never seeing it for what it is – a very specific attack on their heart by the enemy of God. Why does the enemy do this? Because he hates God, he knows he cannot win and he wants to turn as many people away from God as possible but there is another reason. The enemy knows that if he can derail God’s plan for your life you will miss out on God’s purpose and it is God’s purpose working through your life that the enemy fears! Jesus promises us much but we can’t hold onto unforgiveness and expect His blessings and His purpose to be fulfilled in our lives. The problem with the “wall around the heart” theory is that it only appears to keep pain out but it ultimately keeps love out and the individual who takes this rout never experiences the depths of God’s love. In the end the choice is ours to make – do we continue to guard our hearts with the wall we’ve built around it or do we trust God to heal our pain by revealing our hearts to Him and trusting that He is big enough to make something beautiful with this broken vessel we lay at His feet?

Shout to God in praise

Have you ever noticed in Leviticus and through out the Old Testament how Israel was instructed to offer praise to God regardless of circumstances – remember they were homeless and had many enemies? Knowing this it almost seems mechanical at first glance but there is a reason for it. You see if we are truly God’s children then like children the ways of the father are higher than the ways of the child. Today even though we are educated and experienced as adults in a technically advanced world we are still only children to God and His ways are beyond our comprehension! There are many reasons to rejoice in Him continuously – because first of all only He is God and only He is holy and worthy of all praise but also because of His goodness towards us, His patience and unending love which has called us out of our world of striving and not being good enough. God is calling out His children to be witnesses to a world that is lost and to people who are unaware of what He has sacrificed to be with them while they (we) were still sinners. Like Israel, God wants us to understand His ways and through obedience, though far from perfect, we get glimpses of whom He is (this is relationship). Because of this relationship His Holy Spirit then compels us to be like Him. Through our steps of faith we understand more about His love for us. As we step out to love others unconditionally we understand better the love He has for us and the price of such a great love. In Him we find freedom, mercy, and grace! Only when we recognize our own deliverance can we point the way to others – through rejoicing in the Lord we are called to a life of victory even though that victory cannot be seen all the time. The Spirit of the Lord brings us to a place of freedom through worship but worship is not just song but serving and loving others – we worship God by the way we live our lives! Only by allowing the Father to use us to minister to others can we experience His fullness! (Deuteronomy 12:7 MKJV) “And there you shall eat before Jehovah your God, and you shall rejoice in all that you put your hand to, you and your households in which Jehovah your God has blessed you.”

Teacher and student

Sometimes I find myself surprised at circumstances, things that seem to be opposing me through no fault of my own. Recently I have been growing though some things like this but God reminds me that He is with me and somehow I know there is purpose to all of it. My mind returns to what I’ve read about Jesus during His time here on earth, how there were those who set themselves against Him for no apparent reason. Then I am reminded again how the enemy had his hand in it, Satan sought to destroy Jesus’ ministry and ultimately His life but all of it happened according to Father God’s plan. As you watch Jesus through these situations you begin to understand what great trust He had in the Father and ultimately the same thing is being asked of us. Regardless of circumstances, are we going to trust God and continue to serve Him? In Matthew chapter ten we see Jesus giving authority to His disciples to minister and instructions about what to expect in return. Then in verse (24) Jesus says, “Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master. (25) “Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of My household will be called by even worse names!” But then Jesus gives them (us) a great promise and warning… (Matthew 10:26-33 NLT) "But don't be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear! Don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. What is the price of two sparrows--one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges Me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before My Father in heaven. But everyone who denies Me here on earth, I will also deny before My Father in heaven.”

To follow righteousness

How easily the flesh falls in line with the wicked, left unchecked disobedience becomes the norm while we wait for the right time to spend with the Savior of our souls. Truth is that time never comes but is only available through righteous decisions. Almost as if we expect God to move our hands to open His Word we wait but like a traveler who becomes weary and in need of a drink of refreshing water our souls long for time with God. (Psalms 1:1-2 NLT) “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night.”

While in His presence the striving stops and the weight of making decisions, things that we carry while away from His presence, become easy. What was little become abundant and that which was much fades away. Those who find the council of the righteous and delight in the law of the Lord (Psalms 1:3 NLT) “They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.”

Being His doesn’t mean we’re perfect but things that have eternal value become highlighted and things which are not become distasteful and displeasing to the righteous. When this happens we know that the Creator of Life is guiding us in His loving ways. (Psalms 1:6 NLT) “For the LORD watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.”

Lord, be blessed by your people today! Help us to be led by your righteousness and not by our selfish desires. Place your fire within our hearts so that we may be compelled to a life of worship. Forgive us when we turn our faces from you and help us to see who we are through your eyes. May your love and mercy guard our steps as we follow after you, for we are as children seeking to please their father. Finally, Lord encourage us by your Holy Spirit to do your work for this life is as a race and we don’t only want to start well but finish in even greater measure, help us to multiply those talents you have given us for we want to be faithful and pleasing to you! Give us dreams and place with in our hearts your vision so that we might be passionate about increasing the borders of the righteous! Help us to wait upon you through serving, in Jesus name amen.

Be still and know that I am God

It occurred to me this morning as I lay in bed thinking about a project at work that I haven’t been asking God to bless and be apart of my work. Now that I think about it praying over work is like praying over my meals in that I am thankful for the things and provisions He has made for my family and me. Too often I think this place called work is “my job” and therefore it is a task I’ve been given to do, it’s part of my duties and contribution to my family, which is true but it’s so much more than that. If I allow my mind to get in a rut it becomes something I have to do, not something I get to do! You see, with every challenge comes the opportunity to trust God and as I trust God more my relationship with Him grows, which is the point. Without God in the equation I become weighted down and I can hear fear waiting just outside the door but with God my character is built in such a way that I become more like Him – as I trust Him He disciples me so that I may become a better father, a better husband, a better follower of Christ, and even a better employee! Not only is He doing something inside of me with each new challenge but the opportunity exists to change those I come in contact with for the purpose of Christ Jesus!

What does laying down your life look like?

To give without fear, to serve without expectation, to see another’s need without regard for self; it is in doing these things we find true purpose. Our lives are opportunities to be part of a story that is much larger than we are but most miss it instead spending the time given to them not with purpose but with selfishness and fear. What if we could see beyond what our physical eyes allow, what if we could see with spiritual eyes – knowing things of value like relationships, serving one another, and encouraging others along this journey would we not grow deeper in understanding with each step? There is only one way to start this journey. Jesus said that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Him. (John 14:6) but too many are satisfied just accepting what Jesus has done for them, then thinking they have their salvation become busy living a life, once again, of selfishness and fear while all along they are being deceived by the very enemy of God. How do you live a life that pleases God? Do we please Him by our talents and abilities? Do we please Him because of our good deeds? No we please Him by knowing Him and obeying His Word. He has given us His Word (the Bible) as a road map or compass to the unseen path He lays before us. (1 John 3:6 MKJV) “Everyone who abides in Him does not sin. Everyone who sins has not seen Him nor known Him.” Does that mean we are perfect? No, but we hunger and thirst for righteousness, we see Him as our source and with each new step we depend upon Him more than before. He has forgiven us at the cross and all we must do is accept Him then abide in Him. However, if we knowingly sin and continue to do so God says we never knew Him!

As we abide in Him we begin to understand just how much He has forgiven us, He reveals this to us. This gift of understanding causes us to do the same as He has done for us, it compels us to lay down our life for others and in doing so our hearts swell up with purpose like never before and God increases our territory. Look at this lesson as Jesus explains it to his disciples.

(Mark 9:33-35 MKJV) And He came to Capernaum. And being in the house, He asked them, What was it that you disputed among yourselves in the way? But they were silent. For in the way they had disputed among themselves who was the greatest. And He sat down and called the Twelve and said to them, If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.

Jesus explains that purpose does not come by might or power, it is not taken by the greedy but given to those whom God see fit and a humble heart is His requirement. It feels backwards from everything we know but only because we are not looking through our spiritual eyes. The moment we have our eyes on anything other than Jesus we derail the progress we have made. If I serve only to obtain position I’ve missed the mark. (1 Corinthians 13:1 MKJV) “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I have become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.”

God knows us inside and out and only He can judge the condition of our hearts. (Matthew 6:33 MKJV) “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.”

Do you want to do something big for God? Then serve with a humble heart knowing that God is your only source and trust that whatever He has in store for you the journey there will prepare you for His purpose and when you reach the Promise Land your life will be God’s trophy of love. For He first loved the world, while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.

God, help us to know you better

(Psalms 99:1 MKJV) “Jehovah reigns; let the peoples tremble. He sits between the cherubs; let the earth quake.”

Have we lost sight of God’s holy righteousness and exchanged it for that which is convenient? We say God is love and His grace is sufficient. He is this and more, more than we have the right to ask but do we stop there? Do we concern ourselves with the full character of God or do we just take the parts we want? If we want God to show up in our lives we have to take all of Him or none of Him otherwise we have a pretend god, a golden calf, there to ease our conscious but this is not the One who created you and me, the One who desires the best for us, the One who offered His Son so that we may know Him.

(Psalms 99:2-9 MKJV) “Jehovah is great in Zion; and He is high above all the peoples. Let them praise Your great and fearful name; it is holy. The king's strength also loved judgment; You established uprightness; You worked judgment and righteousness in Jacob. Praise Jehovah our God, and worship at His footstool; He is holy. Moses and Aaron were among His priests, and Samuel among those who called on His name; they called on Jehovah, and He answered them. He spoke to them in the cloudy pillar; they kept His testimonies and the ordinance that He gave them. You answered them, O Jehovah our God; You were a God who forgave them, though You take vengeance for their deeds. Praise Jehovah our God, and worship at His holy hill; for Jehovah our God is holy.”

Lord, I stand in awe of You! Who is like you in all the earth or heavens above? For you know me from the inside out and yet You have rescued me from myself and you protect me from those who set themselves against You, for You are my source and shield. You have paid a high price so that I can be with you, help me to understand Your love and help me not to forget your righteousness for You are holy and just! Lord, there are so many things that keep me from seeing you clearly. Help me to love your Word so that I may know You better. Cause the world to fade away so that I may come before you in purity and simplicity. Lord, I want all of you and you deserve all of me, help me to hold nothing back. May I find you in the secret place and Lord when I call on your name answer me so that I may know You are there, for I am desperate for You. Therefore I will seek You and find You - because of your goodness You make yourself known! You raise me up in times of trouble and You humble me when my eyes wonder so that I may learn of You. I know not why but You chose me and called me by name so I give myself to You, all that I am and all that I am not. You know my faults and that which is lacking still You move me forward so I join your song! May all of creation worship You, for only You are worthy!

Who do you look to in times of trouble?

(1 Chronicles 21:1-4 MSG) “Now Satan entered the scene and seduced David into taking a census of Israel. David gave orders to Joab and the army officers under him, "Canvass all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and get a count of the population. I want to know the number." Joab resisted: "May GOD multiply his people by hundreds! Don't they all belong to my master the king? But why on earth would you do a thing like this--why risk getting Israel into trouble with God?" But David wouldn't take no for an answer, so Joab went off and did it--canvassed the country and then came back to Jerusalem”

Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely! But God has a purpose and plan for those whom He loves and God loved David even though he took the census in spite of being warned by God through the captain of his army not to do this thing. Pride was at the center of David’s actions, having won previous battles he began to no longer see God as the source but himself. The same is true today when church leaders create guidelines and rules and regulations about how and when people in the church get involved instead of pointing the way and teaching people how to recognize God’s calling then encouraging them to experience God for themselves. Some leaders are so sure their way is the only way that they end up suffocating God’s true calling on one’s life and God says that is wrong! The Pharisees did the same thing, I imagine when things got started their intentions were good - they always are but like king David Satan seduced them into believing God was not the source of their success but the way they conducted themselves somehow brought about the riches they now enjoy and therefore everyone should do as they do and not only that but pay homage to them for leading the way. Eventually they got so far away from God they no longer knew Him. That is the reason Jesus opposed everything they did and vice versa. Jesus came to show the people the Father’s love and righteousness, His holiness and compassion because man and man’s laws had gotten so far out of line. (John 3:16 MSG) "This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.”

No matter what how great the success we experience we must always remember God is the source. When we start adding rules and regulations to how people serve God then we better wakeup and hope we hear God’s conviction. Things did not end well for David in 1 Chronicles 21. (1 Chronicles 21:7-8 MSG) “And God, offended by the whole thing, punished Israel. Then David prayed, "I have sinned badly in what I have just done, substituting statistics for trust; forgive my sin--I've been really stupid."”

David was punished because God loved him and David was quick to let go of the pride that brought him to that point, where as with the Pharisees they continued to hold on to their pride because admitting they were wrong before God and the people was more than they could comprehend but “looking good” by means of self-righteousness and holding onto their pride cost them eternal life and removed the blessings of God in this life.

No matter what it takes, if it is a pastor loosing “his” congregation or a businessman loosing his position God wants His children to know that He is the one in control, not them and though that sounds like a selfish God that thought couldn’t be any further from the truth. God knows pride will kill our spirits and separate us from Him. He loves us too much to let that happen. Think about spiritual leaders in your life who have made bad decisions that were made public. Our first reaction is to think God is punishing them for what they’ve done and their getting what they deserved for deceiving us but God is so beyond all of that! It is God’s purpose to cause that leader to let go of his pride and humble himself before his/her Creator. Some do but many don’t, holding onto “their” ministry instead of clinging to God – their only hope of salvation! When God corrects you be quick, like David, to let go of your pride and cling to the source of all that is good, to the One who died to set you free from the life of sin you were living so that your spirit may be raised from spiritual death just as Jesus arose from the grave thereby, taking victory from death and the grave. Be quick to let go of all the efforts and striving you’ve been doing to make things “work”. Are you worn out? Do you feel as if you are giving more than you can sustain? Your spirit has been telling you something is not right but you’ve been too busy to listen. Because of His great love for us He will not allow us to continue in pride, you may be headed for a crisis. The question is how long will it take you and how much must you lose in order to see God’s plan for your life so that He may once again bless you and bring you close to His side?

Understanding you're not alone

I’ve never been one who needed other people to agree with me or to be part of a large crowd. Because of that I’ve always been a deep thinker, often feeling that elusive spiritual connection with my Savior that others seem to miss but the older I get the more I realize the importance of relationship with others. In the 1998 movie “The Mask of Zorro” with Antonio Banderas and Anthony Hopkins you learned there wasn’t just one person who was the hero but through generations this responsibility was handed down. In one scene you see Zorro teaching his protégé about the training rings. Starting and ending on the outer most ring tragically is where most people stay. It represents the many people he knew but had little influence with. As he advanced the rings got smaller but his influence increased and so it is with us, if you follow God’s calling. We know many people but the relationships where God seems to give us the most influence are few. For the parent God gives influence with the children, for the leader God gives influence with the constituents, with the married God gives influence with their spouse, with the skilled God gives influence with the those who have questions, and the list goes on. Always remember this, though you are given influence with certain relationships you are only a steward but God is the source! Therefore, you are not alone – God is with you! Your children don’t belong to you but to God. One of the most difficult things I’ve had to learn as a husband, father, and leader is that I am not in control and I’ve found when I am doing my best my will is aligned with His. However, when I try to take control that is when I feel the most secluded. If you listen carefully you’ll come to understand the more your will is aligned with His the more influence you’ll be given and thus the more He will supply your needs. He will never forsake you regardless of the amount of faith you walk in but know this He has a purpose for your life and He intends to grow you up spiritually so don’t be surprised when you feel like you are being stretched – that is your opportunity to trust Him more!

Your story

Your life is unique and as such the telling of it can be used to glorify Christ Jesus and what He means to you. Don’t take this the wrong way but if you know Christ no matter what you’ve been through your story has purpose. God places you in contact with others who need to hear how you made it through. You say but you don’t understand I was abused as a child or I was neglected and left alone or maybe drugs and alcohol controlled you. You may say that sickness or poverty controlled my life – how can that glorify God? Allow me to clarify something that doesn’t keep you from having a great testimony rather it shows how great Jesus Christ is! I grew up in an ordinary, every day dysfunctional family who went to church. I knew what it meant to be saved at an early age and at the age of nine gave my heart to Jesus, still there were many inward battles and as Father God led me through each one I built an altar of remembrance like Abraham did as God led Israel out of Egypt. God wants you to remember your journey so that at the right time you may share it with others who are currently going through the same things you have been through. You see contrary to popular belief this life is not all there is. If it was I would be upset that I wasn’t born rich or well educated or had the same opportunities others have. Instead this life is preparation for what God has prepared for us. It takes a lifetime for us to understand God’s love and mercy and when we understand that then we are ready to meet Him but somewhere between this understanding and seeing the Author of our Salvation there are people to help. We have a duty to point the way so that they may also taste salvation and know God’s goodness! This brings to light the meaning of this verse: (Romans 8:28 MKJV) “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Know your battlegrounds

Life is funny; it is all too easy to get caught up in the things going on around you that have no eternal value. Sometimes it feels like wading through a swamp or something. You know where you want to be – God centered, passionate for people to find Christ in every day situations, your family, co-workers, and friends. You see common occurrences in the lives of those closest to you that need God’s Word spoken but rarely do we speak it, even more so occurrences in our own lives where we hear the whisper of God’s Holy Spirit yet we ignore it and then we are reminded why Jesus said, (Matthew 7:13 NIV) "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.”

As God’s children we have an enemy that would like nothing better than to see us fail. When we let down our guard it not only affects us in that moment but the same enemy will remind you again and again, lying to you about who you really are so that he may assure himself a victory over you but God’s Word calls us by name. It is at this point we have a choice to make, we can live defeated lives, saved but of little purpose or we can shake off the lies of the enemy and walk out the life God has called us to. By choosing to place our feelings behind us and press on in Jesus name we are living a life of righteous obedience. Sometimes it doesn’t feel good, especially as the enemy reminds us of past failures but those who choose to trust God knowing that they are forgiven, through the work Christ Jesus did for them know His grace is sufficient and His purpose for their lives are bigger than how they feel.

It is then God allows us to see our battlegrounds. For me I know I am to fight for my wife and children through daily prayer, that they might know God’s goodness in their lives and that their hearts will be tender and ready to receive what God has for them, this is one such battleground. There are times when what you say will not be accepted but prayer is always effective. To know you own weaknesses and to prepare yourself through God’s Word, no longer ignoring them wondering why you are fallen by the same problems time and time again but to pursue the enemy in order to gain back the ground he has stolen, this is another battleground. To live a life that is rich with God’s purpose so that He may impact the lives you come in contact with, this is another battleground. You say how can I, an ordinary person do these things? It is not you but Christ living through you that makes you more than a conqueror! Life is difficult but God is good! We can step out in obedience trusting that God will be with us or we like the servant who buried his talent out of fear and maybe laziness or indifference, being caught up in everyday things and miss what God has planned. Only through obedience will we fully understand God’s love for us. There are no super humans, only ordinary people who choose to walk in God’s purpose and these are the ones that have purposed in their hearts to hear God say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

Do something!

(Ephesians 5:15-16 NIV) “Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

Many times fear of failure holds us in our seats. Have you ever watched an “armchair quarterback” yelling at the TV because he knew a better way to move the ball down the field or an over-zealous dad yelling at his kid to play harder, as if he was living out his dreams through his son? When the person yelling directions doesn’t have an area in their own life where they’re the person getting their hands dirty you can bet to some extent a fear of failure is holding him back. God never intended for us to live our lives through others. It doesn’t matter how much we know if we never try (and keep trying) it profits nothing! Through doing we become – what we plant we shall also reap. If we plant bitterness and strife we can expect it in return but if we invest in others, freely giving God’s grace, and living righteously we shall reap joy beyond understanding and blessings beyond measure. For we cannot out give God but we must be active in our faith. If we mean it when we say that we love Him we will be compelled to do His will. Jesus spent his time here on earth giving tirelessly of him self and pointing the way to the Father of Lights so that others may know the only thing that matters – salvation full and free! We too are to be busy about the Father’s business and when we do that faithfully God is faithful to change us into vessels set apart for His use. To hear Father God say, “Well done good and faithful servant.” when we enter the kingdom of heaven will be worth it all. Yes pain will come and loss will be known but without these things we would never know the depths of our Father’s love. He awaits your steps in obedience what will you do? Play it safe and miss it all or live the life He intended, it is up to you! Know this we have a Father who loves us unconditionally and no amount of failure could keep us from Him – He loves us beyond comprehension!

Wonder and worship

(Psalms 99:5 MKJV) Praise Jehovah our God, and worship at His footstool; He is holy.

“We don’t worship God because He needs it but because we do.” To worship something greater than us is natural because that is the way we were created. Look at any people group and you’ll see it, even here in America despite our “self-made” position with working professionals or our self-reliant attitude with the wealthy we still worship things such as sports, our jobs, money, our ability to influence you name it! When we worship God our eyes are taken from the lesser things and placed upon the one thing that deserves our praise. God has done many wondrous things but it is not these things that we worship but Him and Him alone! When this is our attitude our eyes are opened to just how wonderful He is. This leads to us living the abundant life not because we have money but because we know He is taking care of us, not because people have high opinions of us but because we hear what the Creator says about us, and not because we have built an empire but because we have built our lives upon the solid rock of Jesus Christ and this life on earth is just preparation for what is to come! When our perspective is right then we live as God’s kids – giving out of His abundance, not ours! Worshiping God is key to living the life we all want to live, even though at first it feels awkward. From my experience I know singing in front of a large group can feel awkward to but when you finally let go and give it all you’ve got it can be very rewarding. It is the same way with worshiping God and keeping a holy reverence towards who He is, only so much more! Worship and thankfulness go hand in hand and many times you don’t know what you have been given until you are about to lose it. Could it be this economic down turn that we are all feeling is God trying to get our attention so that our hearts are once again turned towards Him? If we believe life is over when we die then this economy is tragic but if we believe this life is preparation for what He has prepared for us then we begin to see how He can use it to shape us into something greater than we were before and when you understand that worshiping Him is no longer awkward but natural.

Your work matters to God (part I)

(John 5:17 MKJV) But Jesus answered them, My Father works until now, and I work.

Many times I have viewed work the wrong way, as a necessary evil so to speak but God wants me to give my all as if I were doing it for him, even if those I work for are not Christ like. I cannot go into details but I can say this, there is purpose in every area of you life and God wants to work through you to speak to others and to develop your own character. If we are found faithful then we put ourselves in a place that is rich with God’s blessings but if our attitude is wrong we will spend our lives in a dead-end job wondering why God never used us to do something great! I don’t want that for my life so I will work diligently as unto the Father of Lights, trusting that He knows best and His plan for my life is far better than anything I can come up with on my own.

What is your attitude toward your child?

(Luke 15:20 MKJV) And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.

When listening to the story of the prodigal son many times my thoughts have been on the son and how he acted but as I get older my attention is maybe more on the father. The father did everything right, still the son refused to listen. The father had the opportunity to turn his back on his son as so many fathers do, after all there was nothing more that could done. The son was taught right from wrong and he made his choice. However, the father saw beyond the moment, the disrespect, and shame in order to win the heart of the son. I don’t mean he became a doormat to his son but that he was able to separate himself from the heat of the moment to see the bigger picture, knowing that one day the son would come face to face with the result of his choices and if the father stayed on track now he could in advance win back the heart of the son. I pray that I am that type of father and I know the closer I am to God in my daily walk the closer I’ll be to that goal.

Make giving a lifestyle

(2 Corinthians 9:6-7 MKJV) “But I say this, He who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully. Each one, as he purposes in his heart, let him give; not of grief, or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

I like the example of the mother bird teaching it’s young to fly and how flying, like giving, is what we were created to do. Giving of one’s self is unnatural until you start to do it. God reveals Himself as our great provider and no matter how much we give we cannot out give God. Something happened yesterday that made me realize just how much grace He gives to me. My first reaction was to be critical of myself for allowing the situation to happen but I heard God’s small quiet voice say, “No, Carl it is by my grace that you suffered no loss.” Because of this amazing grace and God’s Holy Spirit allowing me to accept it God was able to speak to my heart of an area where I did not give much grace to someone else the day before. God knows just what we need to motivate us, sometimes like the mother bird it’s a small push off the branch and sometimes He goes before us. I am confident in this God is for us and He loves us too much to let us stay the way we are. He is gentle and kind yet holy and righteous and if we will listen to Him He will teach us to be more like His Son Jesus. Giving is God’s way of making us grow. We grow so that we may please Him and tell others of the way to salvation. On my own I get things turned around calculating how to control situations when all along God wants my eyes to be upon Him and my heart to trust Him. I am to be busy about the business of the Father and trust that He will take care of all my needs.

You have the power, use it!

(Acts 1:8 MKJV) But you shall receive power, the Holy Spirit coming upon you. And you shall be witnesses to Me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Jesus gave his disciples a gift and like all of God’s gifts meant for us we can either receive it or deny it. Accepting the gift of the Holy Spirit is not a requirement for salvation but what I can’t understand why a person who receives, by faith, their salvation from God would not accept all God has for them! As you read for yourself in the second chapter of Acts when God’s Holy Spirit came upon them they began to speak in other languages not known by them. This act was the evidence of them receiving this gift God gave them. Yes, there is power in receiving the Holy Spirit and praying in a heavenly language. No matter how practiced we get in praying God’s will there are times we do not know what to ask for or many times our physical wants and needs get in the way of what God is doing but praying in the Holy Spirit is equivalent to pushing our own understanding to the side and allowing God’s divine will to guide us.

This sounds spooky and weird I know but think about it do you really think we can comprehend at all times what God wants to do in our lives? Is that the definition of faith? If we limit God to our own understanding then we limit what He is allowed to do through us. I believe control over one’s self is good and needed. God does not want us to be controlled by anger, obesity, jealousy, hatred… (Galations 5:22-26). However, too much control also keeps us from God. Have you ever witnessed to someone about God’s love for them as they go through a really tough time who know of their need for God but fear letting God have control (Luke 18:18-24)? All who believe and follow Christ Jesus must walk through this doorway. It is the same for accepting the gift of God’s Holy Spirit. It is an additional layer of giving control to God – some can see this and accept it by faith others fear it and deny it. Paul makes it very clear that those who have accepted it are not to use it in such a way that it makes others stumble (1 Corinthians 14) but he also makes it clear that “speaking in tongues” is a gift from God meant for the good of God’s people.

(Matthew 7:7-11 MKJV) “Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you. For each one who asks receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, if his son asks a loaf, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks a fish, will he give him a snake? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father in Heaven give good things to those who ask Him?”

the journey

Several have wondered where I’ve been and what’s going on. First, I want to thank all of you who have been sincerely praying for me and secondly, I want to let you know that I have not fallen away from God or even grown tired of writing in this journal. Sometimes God takes us places that are completely private so that we are able to ask things of Him that we cannot ask before others, such is the case in my absence. Though not all of my questions have been answered many have and my spirit has been refreshed with deeper determination and things that seemed right before are now confirmed. There have also been things revealed in my life that need to change, as growing closer to God has that affect. Most of all this has been a time to align my thoughts with God’s direction for my life. As difficult decisions come we all have opportunities to lay our armor down and walk away, feeling tired and worn out or we can choose to draw closer to God and be renewed by His Holy Spirit. We read about this with king David time and time again in the Psalms, he finds strength in the current situation because he remembers the victories God has led him through in the past and he knows God does not change, what He has done yesterday He will do again and all he has to do is to remain faithful.

(Psalms 42:1-11 MKJV) “To the Chief Musician. A contemplation; for the sons of Korah. As the hart pants after the water brooks, so my soul pants after You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day, Where is your God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul on me; for I had gone with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God with the voice of joy and praise, a multitude keeping the feast. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and moan within me? Hope in God; for I shall praise Him for the salvation of His face. O my God, my soul is cast down within me; therefore I will remember You from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermons, from mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; all Your waves and Your billows have gone over me. Jehovah will command His loving-kindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me, my prayer to the God of my life. I will say to God my rock, Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the cruelty of the enemy? As with a sword in my bones, my enemies shame me; while they say daily to me, Where is your God? Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why do you moan within me? Hope in God; for I still praise Him, the salvation of my face, and my God.”

“Deep calls to deep at the noise of Your waterfalls…” Have you experienced this in your walk with God? Have you ever stopped your normal routine to be submerged in the depths of His love and the knowledge of His grace? Understanding that He knows exactly what weighs on your mind, the decisions you face and the consequences that come because those decisions. Sure you can decide for yourself, be wrong and His grace will still cover you but to stop and ask for directions is better. This was a question before me during my time away and this verse kept coming to mind.

(1 Samuel 15:22 NLT) “But Samuel replied, "What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to His voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.”

God will accept our sacrifice because He loves us but He prefers our obedience and if we are ever to get closer to Him we need to listen to the call of His Holy Spirit today! There is a check in my spirit about going into too much detail but this is at the heart of the matter.

(1 Samuel 8:7 MKJV) “And Jehovah said to Samuel, Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.”

Like Israel, too many times we find it easier to follow man than God. Rather than seeking His direction for our lives we would rather have someone tell us what to do but is that what has been required of us? You say, “But that is the Old Testament.” Jesus tells us the same thing again in Matthew (Matthew 23:8-10 NIV) "But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ.”

When we look to another man to lead us something happens to the heart of man. We take our dependence off God and place it on leaders of our choosing and that human leader struggles. King David was a godly leader that struggled with the authority given to him, even though being warned by God not to depend upon his own might when facing his enemy he took a census of the people. Here is what happened… (1 Chronicles 21:1-8 MKJV) “And Satan stood up against Israel and provoked David to take a census of Israel. And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go number Israel from Beer-sheba to Dan. And bring the number of them to me so that I may know. And Joab answered, May Jehovah add to His people a hundred times, but my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants? Why then does my lord require this thing? Why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel? But the king's word prevailed against Joab. And Joab departed and went up and down all Israel, and came again to Jerusalem. And Joab gave the sum of the census of the people to David. And in all Israel there were one million and a hundred thousand men who drew sword. And in Judah were four hundred and seventy thousand men who drew sword. But Levi and Benjamin he did not count among them; for the king's word was evil to Joab. And it was evil in the eyes of God as to this thing. And He struck Israel. And David said to God, I have sinned greatly because I have done this thing. But now, I beseech You, remove the iniquity of Your servant for I have done very foolishly.”

Over time we have seen religious leaders fall. One very prominent leader before falling had his name on everything he did. He had his own bible, college, TV show, and more. The people looked to him for spiritual guidance, he was very influential, yet he quietly struggled. Though the original intent was meant for good long before he fell in the public’s eye he got off track and his communication with God suffered but unknown to his followers. He still taught the Word of God, his words did not change but the anointing quietly left and the latter part of his ministry was being done under his own strength. New believers who did not develop a relationship with God fell with that man and that is the reason why this numbing of our souls is so very costly – we need a direct connection with the Source. So not only did the leader struggle but the people made a decision to follow the easier path. O, this leader told his followers to grow close to Jesus but somewhere in the translation the message was lost. Anytime we make something more important than our own relationship with Christ Jesus we lose our way. If we listen to evangelical tapes in place of prayer, if we depend upon someone else feeding us instead of us opening the Bible ourselves, if we think the message we get on Sunday mornings is enough then we are missing it. A day may come in your lifetime when these things are taken away. Will you still follow Christ Jesus or fall away? Now is the time to check, when you come upon hard times where do you turn to? Is it a pastor, parent, a church leader or older Christian? These people can certainly help but they cannot take the place of a personal relationship with Christ Jesus. The devil is cunning he will use success to keep one person weak and use failure to break the other but in all situations we are to turn to Christ.

We have all fallen short and in need of a Savior, no one is exempt! It is important to remember what and who we fight against. It is not your brothers or sisters or even those who would set themselves against you but you being bought with the blood of Christ have a spiritual enemy who works to see you fail! When God reveals something to you and you know it is His voice because it aligns with the Word of God and His Spirit has confirmed it within your own heart do not be puffed up with pride lest you fall, keep in mind the many things that you have been forgiven and proceed cautiously. The Bible tells us to not try and remove the splinter from your brother’s eye with a log in your own. (Mat. 7:3) – to that end DO NOT JUDGE but if God convicts you of something don’t go against it because it is unpopular with the people. With that being said I caution being led by tradition or the majority. When those things become the governing factor instead of our dependence upon God’s Holy Spirit to lead something is wrong. Tradition can cause us to feel safe and large numbers seems to point to protection but it is a false hope, instead we are to practice waiting upon God and listening for His voice. In the end whatever gets in the way of that is not of God and the whatever foundation we stand on if it is anything other than Christ Jesus it will fail.

What's good for the goose

(Matthew 6:26 NLT) Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to Him than they are?

Today’s subject looks at the “point goose” in yearly bird migrations. This goose takes on the challenge of making the way for others by taking resistance off of the group and barring the load himself. Just like that a church’s pastor prays for and cares for its members. Eventually the “point goose” grows weary and needs help and in the same way the pastor depends on volunteers. A big problem in today’s church is that there are many more consumers than there are volunteers! Everything that I have seen indicates the old saying is true – 80% of the work is done by 20% of the people but it should not be that way. Jesus made it very clear that being a Christian isn’t a spectator sport, instead the words “take up your cross and follow me” came out of His mouth many times.

It is true we are saved by grace and nothing we can do adds to our salvation but it is also true that we are known by our actions. If the love of Christ is in us then it will compel us to action but if we are nothing more than consumers then we truly do not know Him! This should be an indicator that something is not right and the Jesus we consume on Sunday mornings is a stranger to our way of living! It is easy to become complacent in a world of consumerism but if we have relationship with our Heavenly Father and our ears are ready to receive His direction then He will guide us by our hearts. He calls to each one of His children to get involved so look around and ask Him where you are needed most. Your brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ depend upon the gifts and talent God has given you!

Keep climbing

(Joshua 14:12 NLT) So give me the hill country that the LORD promised me. You will remember that as scouts we found the descendants of Anak living there in great, walled towns. But if the LORD is with me, I will drive them out of the land, just as the LORD said."

What does defeat look like? Some think it is not being successful the first time you try something new, some think that happens the third time but those who we think of as successful will tell you to never give up. Defeat comes the moment you decide it is too difficult and take your eyes off the mark. Sometimes we have to find a different way of accomplishing our goals but that is not defeat, no if we are listening and watching that becomes an area of growth. Why is life full of struggles and difficulties - because through Christ Jesus they become opportunities to grow in relationship with Him and one day the race will be ran and we will see Him face to face. As we grow in this life we in turn will be given opportunities to point the way to others so like Paul said they may share in this joy also.

Paul said, (Philippians 2:13-16 NLT) “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ's return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.”

(Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT) “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne.”

This is the key to being successful - so be strong in the Lord and never give up on Him or even doubt, keep your eyes on the goal and depend upon Jesus to strengthen your steps and increase your faith. We miss out on things when we don’t ask for God’s help, in this way we are pleasing to Him. When we ask for help and He is faithful to help us then our faith is increased and just like a toddler who takes those shaky first steps we eventually are able to walk without doubting and then we are able to do greater things for Him!

an offering of prayer

Lord, where would I be without you? You are my light and my guide, my comfort, my peace. On my own I am broken and weak but You O Lord are my strong tower and in the shadow of your wing I find safety and rest. Who is like you for you are a mighty fortress and your kingdom will never pass away! You have reached out to me so that I may first be yours but in discovering who’s I am you have also revealed your purpose which none of it would be possible without the sacrifice you made for me upon that cross. It was your blood that was shed that paid the price for my sin and when you arose victoriously conquering death and the grave you brought with you new life and now I am free to live the way you have intended for me to live.

Father help me to stay in you, many times my mind wonders but it is your love that keeps bringing me back. I stand in your rain of grace as the dust washes away and as you cover me I begin to weep knowing just how much you have given to be with me. Lord may I bless you with my life, forgive me when I act out of selfishness. Remind me that the things I call my own really belongs to you and I am but your caretaker. You have called me to this place now help me to be faithful, for I cannot do it without you! Remind me of my daily dependence upon you – you are so good to me and I am desperate for you.

You are a mighty King and a good God but I think you most for being my Heavenly Father for it is the relationship with you that means more to me than life itself. Help me to be mindful of the things you care about. Lord, bless my family, be with my wife as she goes about her day and help her to recognize your presence. Be with my children and as they dream of what this life will bring remind them of the things most important – real relationship with you! Be with my pastor, his family, and the group of believers we share this journey with. Help us to reach out to our community, our city, and beyond. Finally, Lord be with those I know that live far away whether in Alabama, Oregon, British Columbia, Mexico, or India for they love you and seek you earnestly. Keep watch over them and protect and provide for them as they do your will and when they feel weak carry them for they belong to you.

I can’t say it enough, I love you and I thirst for more of you like a man that has crossed a desert – one drink is not enough! You are my anticipation and my delight! Thank you for the blessings in this life but the real treasure is in you alone.

Naaman (continued)

(2 Kings 5:1 NIV) Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.

What will it take to be obedient to God’s Word, even more so the leading of His Holy Spirit? When He tells you to do something it rarely makes sense – at that point you have a decision to make. You can either reason your way out of it or you can simply surrender and do what He says in spite of how you feel. If you are at the point in your walk with Christ Jesus where you can hear Him calling you to step out of the boat, like Peter, then you have experienced His opportunity to grow. Every time I’m at that point it requires faith even though He has been faithful to me every step of the way. That’s because He is stretching my spiritual musicals. He does this so that we may be strong in Him, you want to do something great for God then be faithful in the small things first.

(Matthew 14:28-29 NIV) "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.”

(Matthew 25:21 MKJV) “His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful over a few things; I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.”

(Romans 8:28 MKJV) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

We believe ALL things work together of good because often we can’t see how a bad situation can be good but God knows all things and we trust Him – this is faith. We are His and He has purpose for each life but we will not fully understand that until we see Him face to face. Therefore we should give our whole selves to Him as a living sacrifice, for this is good and pleasing unto God.

(1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV) “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”

Naaman

(2 Kings 5:1 NLT) The king of Aram had great admiration for Naaman, the commander of his army, because through him the LORD had given Aram great victories. But though Naaman was a mighty warrior, he suffered from leprosy.

As with Naaman I have tasted victories, I have seen what it is like to lead God’s people in a very small way, I have been given opportunities and advancements and I have seen God’s blessing upon my life but as with Naaman I was hiding something that could have destroyed me. I am not currently in a leadership position and there have been times when I have wondered if God will ever use me again like He once did. However, my heart is encouraged by this – I know God is bringing about an inner healing, He is teaching me the finer points of things unnoticed (or overlooked) before and when all is said and done I am His! My spiritual health is more important than my trophies and accomplishments, my value comes not from what I have done but who He says that I am! This road to healing is also preparation for the future, whether God uses me again in a leadership position is not my concern. The only thing that matters is that I grow in relationship with Him, that I learn for His Word, am led by His Holy Spirit, and am obedient in faith and if I know God when those things become second nature He will use me once again.

Are you feeling inadequate?

(2 Corinthians 3:5 NLT) It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God.

Most see any feeling of inadequacy as a negative but is it really? Could it be that we feel inadequate because we were never meant to go it alone? God has given each of us purpose and to fulfill that purpose we must depend upon and draw your strength from Him who gives it. You see if a child is to grow and learn from his father, then the father will invest time and resources into that child. As the child grows the father gives him more responsibility – to the point of stretching his ability but the father is there each step of the way. In this way the relationship between the two is strengthened and the child learns from the father until one day the child becomes a man and the man becomes a father and the process is passed on to the next generation. There are many similarities between children and parents and believers and Father God. When we are saved we are as babes and as we grow in the Lord we are given responsibilities that point to our purpose. Some call it a dream or a vision but whatever you call it you’ll know it’s from God when it requires more of you than you can give (it will also lines up with scripture – see April 9,10 and May 4th). The Dream will require seeking God and a willingness to depend upon Him greatly and as you do He will give you the ability to do it. In that we learn to be more like Him until one day we are able to help younger Christians seek God in the same way but we never become too old or too experienced that we don’t depend upon God any more. If we are not being stretched then most likely we are not listening to God’s instructions for our lives. This life is a race that is to be ran, a strong start is great but a triumphant finish is what is required!

Paul's thoughts on temptation

(1 Corinthians 5:7 NLT) Get rid of the old "yeast" by removing this wicked person from among you. Then you will be like a fresh batch of dough made without yeast, which is what you really are. Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us.

Yeast causes bread to be puffed up and just like it pride inflates our ego. In first Timothy chapter three, verse five we are warned pride comes before a fall. Further more, a little yeast affects the whole loaf of bread and in the same way one wicked person will impact a whole group of people. Therefore, Paul says do not associate with this type of person but keep yourselves set apart for God’s purpose, which is why you were created! God paid a great price so that nothing can keep you from Him. Don’t throw away what He has done by being puffed up with pride. We need to understand this life was not given to us so that we can satisfy self-indulgences but to bring glory to our Lord and Savior. Know this, God’s grace is sufficient for you and me and though forgiveness is ours for the asking our choices carry the weight of consequences, meaning God will allow us to feel the impact of what we have sown so that we may learn to choose righteousness over evil. You see difficulties here in this life will either destroy us or bring us closer to God. Pride will keep us from God but a heart of purity will bring us closer to our only hope of salvation!

(Romans 12:3 MSG) I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.

Don't strike back

(Matthew 5:38-39 NLT) “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.”

Do you ever stop to wonder why it is so easy to react in anger over the slightest wrong? As Christians we are led by the Holy Spirit of God, if we reject His direction the consequence comes in the form of conviction. Conviction easily turns to condemnation and condemnation to resentment. We start to blame others, the tired husband leaves something for his wife to do when but instead of feeling better he is convicted because he was not obedient to the direction of the Holy Spirit. He then reacts in anger towards her.

Anger can come for unrecognized pain too. People who hurt us cause the initial sting but we are the ones who allow the stinger to remain by not confronting them, in love. When we pretend it didn’t bother us it may stay hidden for a while but it begins to show up in different ways, being easily angered is one of them. Bring your hurts to Jesus and allow Him to heal your wounds so that you may have your life back.

Jesus I know I have been striking out at people for the smallest things lately, I am broken, please forgive me. Please show me why I’ve been acting this way. My heart is heavy and I’ve been hurt. You tell me that you were beaten and whipped so that I might receive healing, sometimes that is a physical healing but today I need your healing touch to heal me emotionally. Please help me not to hide my feelings from you but quickly lay them before you so that I might be healed. When others attack me it is not because I deserve it but help me to realize they are hurting also. Lord, I don’t want to react in anger any more, help me love my brothers and sisters, as you love me so that you might be glorified through my life.

I have prayed in this manner many times and it is because of Jesus that I can live life whole today instead of broken and crippled with strife, envy, and hatred because past wrongs done to me. Still I have my days, all I can say is Jesus is still working on me and I know one day trials and test will be no more and the race will be ran. Many times we fail and often we are judged by our cover but God looks at the heart, keep it clean before Him and He will light your path.

Make yourself at home Lord

(John 15:9 NLT) "I have loved you even as the Father has loved Me. Remain in My love.

As much as you long to have relationship with God, He desires it even more with you. Because of our own knowledge of how we daily fall short of perfection we, not God, hold back from relationship. I don’t understand how but God sees through our failures into the very heart of who we want to be, who he has made us to be. Think about it, what is your idea of a prefect friend – someone who loves you unconditionally, who sees not only who you are now but who you could be and causes you to be a better person when they are around. God is that and so much more! Somehow our view of God gets so twisted that we cannot enjoy being in His presence for very long. I’m guilty of it and I often have to confess before God that I have allowed fear to take control. My heart longs for Him but everything I’ve ever experienced tells me it’s not possible. How could the almighty God love me in spite of the things I’ve done? Though I need Him at times I push away, I think many times for fear that I’ll be rejected. It’s through study, prayer, and worship that His small still voice whispers the truth to my heart and though the storm of my thoughts and emotions surround me His whisper breaks through telling me that He loves me and cares for me regardless of what I have done or haven’t done. Matter of fact there is absolutely nothing that can separate me from the Father’s love. It is then I ask the Lord if I might have a glimpse of what He sees. He then encourages me by telling me who I am in Him. You ask why do I keep coming back to study His Word? Because of His great love and my desperate need for Him, therefore I will remain in His love for me.

Lord, thank you for loving us more than we can comprehend. Let your people see just how much they are loved today and encourage their hearts. Often we allow failure to turn our faces from you but it is when we fall that we need you the most. Teach us not to turn away from you. Whatever stands in the way of us having a clear view of who you are, would you take it from us this hour? You said that nothing can separate us from your love and by faith we accept that and cling to it, for we are desperate for your kindness and Lord help us not forget what you have done for us so that we may freely give your love to others. May you be blessed Lord as we imitate your kindness and give away that which you have given us! In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

The oil flows down

(Psalms 133:1-3 NLT) A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of David. How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron's head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the LORD has pronounced His blessing, even life everlasting.

The oil represents approval and blessings, do we live to please God or people? David recognized God’s blessings because he knew and understood God’s precepts and promises. We can gain approval from our piers and those under our authority but it means nothing until we have the approval of those over us. That is what is meant by “the oil or blessing flows down.” A wise person will subject him or herself to wise godly counsel. Do you want to do something great for God? Then look for a mentor who is currently doing something for God but remember God is the one you please not man. God will use mature Christians to train the young and inexperienced so that they might also be mature in Christ Jesus but as we learn from godly mentors always keep in mind God’s supreme authority and honor Him and the oil that flows on your life will be from God!

Accept your limits

(Deuteronomy 2:2-3 MKJV) “And Jehovah spoke to me, saying, You have gone around this mountain long enough. Turn northward.”

This might be an unpopular subject but I believe today’s message is in line with the Word of God and very relevant for today. We are given limitations for our own good and for the good of others, let me explain. Though we have been given purpose and a dream that will stretch us we are not able to do everything. You may have heard it said before but it is true, “Pick one thing and do it well.” If that one thing is teaching or the ministry of helps or being an evangelist or pastor then give it all you have and stay on track. Don’t let other things distract you from that purpose. Too often the “good” can and does get in the way of God’s “best” for our lives. It has been said that in any volunteer organization eighty percent of the work gets done by only twenty percent of the people and from my experience I have seen no reason to doubt that but often those who are willing to do the work get loaded down by team leaders and in the case of church spiritual leaders i.e. pastors. Please if you are a pastor don’t be offended. A good pastor is instrumental in guiding us in understanding God has purpose for our lives but did you know it is not the pastor’s job to tell us what our dream is? Sometimes the lines get confused and yes there is much to be done but instead of putting more on the twenty percent the leaders are to bring more of the eighty percent on board. Let me say it again God does not intend for you to do everything, even if you could do you think that would be best? I say no! What would you become if you were able to do everything? In a very small way I have experienced this as I volunteered in the training and leading of a team of volunteers I found myself being depended upon beyond what was healthy. My constituents, even though they had been trained and tested were not comfortable making decisions on their own. So what did I do? As God allowed me to recognize what was happening He also opened a door for me to give them full responsibility while I went to another church to train a new team. I gave my team support and my cell phone number but you know what when I returned they didn’t need me as much and I believe God did something in their hearts because they no longer were just helping because it was good or fun but because they had ownership in the ministry! Was it difficult? You bet! When I am weak I find it easier to do things myself than teach someone else to do it but that is not what God’s best. In doing this I had to understand where my value came from – it wasn’t in the service I provided but that I am a beloved child of God, in Christ alone does my life mean anything!

That puts an entirely different perspective on life. If you are of that twenty percent, then God’s message to you is – stop striving, I love you for who you are not for what you do. I have called you to lead others in the area that I have gifted you. The question is not how much can you do but are you discipling others. If you are part of this group then there is a passion inside of you that others need to know. If anyone could have done everything on their own it would have been Jesus but instead we see him investing into his disciples right up until it is time for him to leave. Yes, we have been given limitations not only for our good but the good of others and we should embrace these boundaries for that is God’s plan.

If you would like to know more about what accepting your limits looks like I wrote a handbook for my constituents to use in my absence and I will email it to you just email me at prosound@cinci.rr.com and mention the Production Team Leader Handbook. It does not talk as much about technical skills as it does leadership and empowering others. It took a year to complete and as I look back I realize it was from God’s heart because I still have trouble getting it sometimes. No matter what I do in this life I will never forget that experience but still I look forward with anticipation of what is yet to come because I know I belong to Him and His heart is passionate for me and as I travel from one promise to the next I have learned not to hang on too tightly for all my hope and value is in Him!

The importance of worship - Part II

(Psalms 95:6 KJV) O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

A very important point is made today, “There’s a danger in any doctrine that focuses only on what we want from God and neglects the thing we were created and redeemed to do – worship Him (see Rev. 4:11).”

I have to admit being a father isn’t something I always want to do, sometimes it is difficult but I find great purpose in it and from it I receive some of the best rewards. More to the point being a father helps me understand better the heart of my Heavenly Father. Many times when I wonder if my attitude is pleasing to God I look at my children and imagine them having the same attitude and if it would be pleasing to me. Not that they worship me (and they shouldn’t), as they go through their teenage years I’m happy if the are respectful (occasionally they are reminded) but if their relationship existed solely for getting things from me how would that make me feel? If your heart is open to learning the lessons God has you go through there are many things that will be revealed. Worship tells God I love Him simply because of who He is and who He has made me to be in Him, without any conditions! The worship is for Him alone but when I do it my heart is replenished with His love and kindness. Worship causes my heart to be fertile ground so that His Word may bring forth bountiful crops. Loving God causes me to love others, in worship God reminds me of who He has made me to be and encourages me to be more than I currently am. Worship is not only the icing on the cake but the cake too! Meaning it’s not something we do on the weekend but it is to be intertwined in every moment of our lives! A thankful heart is pleasing to God and a life of thankfulness brings forth much joy and many blessings! Has it been a while since you smiled? Start worshipping God! Many times Israel was told to worship God even though that was the last thing they felt like doing.

(Leviticus 25:10 MKJV) And you shall make the fiftieth year holy, one year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee to you, and you shall return each man to his possession, and you shall return each man to his family.

(Deuteronomy 12:7 MKJV) And there you shall eat before Jehovah your God, and you shall rejoice in all that you put your hand to, you and your households in which Jehovah your God has blessed you.

(Psalms 2:11 MKJV) Serve Jehovah with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Worshipping God also reminds us of who He is – Lord of all! Though He is closer than a brother or sister we must never forget He is the sovereign Holy God and Lord of creation! For no one is like Him, worthy of all praise and one day every knee shall bow to His authority! We have the opportunity today to serve Him because we want to. When I think about it my heart can’t contain the joy rising up from within! He has chosen me to serve Him, I can’t fathom how much He loves me! Lord for you are the Lord God over all the earth and one day every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that you are Lord.

Thank you for calling me out and preparing me for something wonderful! You have given me more than I dare ask and I worship you. You are my King and my Salvation! For nothing can compare to your greatness! Your works are full of wonder and your creation reflects your greatness. Lord, now open our eyes that we may see your fingerprints on all that was created and fill our hearts with worship so that we may know you! No way could we ever find something or someone to take your place, for you are mighty and glorious beyond compare! Thank you Father for loving me, in your Son’s name I pray, amen.

The importance of worship - Part I

(Psalms 150:6 NIV) Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.

Worship like anything else, is what you make it but what it is intended to be the ultimate experience between you and the Creator of all life! Worship says what words never can, through true worship as you focus your attention on God you willingly reveal to Him your true feelings for who He is and what He has done and it prepares you to receive His words as He tells of His heart for you! Yes worship is more than singing on Sunday mornings, it’s more than singing alone yet nothing surpasses worship through music. There are many times worshiping God has brought me through situations I could not have come through otherwise, look at the troubles king David faced in the book of Psalms and yet he praised God. There is something about it that brings a child closer to the Father than anything else possibly could, if this is not what you have experienced then press in harder by desiring to know God more, understand what He has done for you, and realize where you would be without Him. Search your heart and know just what He means to you then tell Him about it. Now put on a good worship CD and escape to a time and place where you will not be interrupted – you have just entered into true worship! Practice it often and you will soon find you too will have a strong desire to come there again and again. Worship gives life and meaning to the smallest things and makes fertile the soil of your heart. There is a reason why we offer our worship before hearing the pastor’s message on Sundays. It’s not just a ritual or a habit, if you put your heart into it the word you hear is God’s Word and the impact it has on your life will take hold. How many times have you left church feeling like you didn’t get much out of it? What was your worship like? Pay attention next time you feel this way, then determine next time you will put your full self into worshiping the King of Kings and see how it impacts the relevance of the message!

I’ve been taking a break from posting on the weekends but I will be here tomorrow to wrap up this two part series. Many blessings, draw close to God today and He will draw close to you!

You're in a spiritual battle

(Ephesians 6:10 MKJV) Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Does it seem as of late you have been paddling up stream? Without being aware you may be in the midst of a spiritual battle. Life is consistently going through seasons and many times after passing a test comes a battle. It makes sense God brings you to a place of testing in order to prepare you for battle and that is good. However, if we are not careful the tendency will be to assume things are just getting worse. Often it seems you go from the frying pan into the fire so to speak and the enemy would have you look at it that way in order to discourage and ultimately defeat you. He does not want you to know that you have passed the test through faithfulness and now God has entrusted you with battle – that would mean you are gaining ground. So be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might as Paul wrote to his brothers in Ephesus and remember this…

(Ephesians 6:11-13 MKJV) “Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the world's rulers, of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Therefore take to yourselves the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

In other words as opposition comes at you through people remember who is behind it. See past the surface and know there is a spiritual battle raging. Stand strong in the Lord, as you did in the test you just came through. Remember the battle belongs to the Lord and if you remain in Him you will see a great victory! God has proven His faithfulness to you, pray for spiritual eyes so that you may know He is with you as Elisha did.

(2 Kings 6:15-17 MKJV) “And the servant of the man of God arose early and went out. And, behold, an army surrounded the city, and horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, Alas, my master! What shall we do? And he answered, Do not fear, for those with us are more than those with them. And Elisha prayed and said, I pray You, Jehovah, open his eyes so that he may see. And Jehovah opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”

(Ephesians 6:14-18 MKJV) “Therefore stand, having your loins girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, take the shield of faith, with which you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching to this very thing with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

What's your core gift

(Romans 12:6 NLT) In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you.

Have you ever met someone who seems larger than life? Others tend to follow them without knowing them personally but because of what they have done for an organization, this person has discovered their core gift and built their life around it. Each of us do certain things well and if you pay attention the things we do best point to our core gift. It is our job to discover what makes us come alive, very few find that on their own and when they do if God is not included part of the puzzle is still missing but God wants to make known the gifts He has given. If you know God the place to start is asking Him to reveal His gift in your life. Be careful to always seek Him above the gift. (Matthew 6:33 NLT) “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.”

As a parent if my child began to desire the gifts I could give them more than relationship with me then in my heart I would know something was not right. God’s not against giving us things that cause us to be happy, this includes talents and abilities as well as things that allow us to better develop those gifts. If I liked photography something that might make me happy is a new camera but the key is to always keep things in perspective. If I let that new camera become more important than a person, even a stranger than I’ve missed the mark. Even more so with spiritual gifts! If I am a teacher and I knew and taught the truth but did not love those I spoke to then I am not operating the capacity that God intended. If I continue God’s blessing will depart from that area of my life. (1 Corinthians 13:1 NLT) “If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn't love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”

Living life around your core gift, you’ll find, will cause you to come alive, meaning as you discover it you’ll be passionate about it and God will bless you in it, as you seek Him first. Amazingly the very thing that causes you to come alive is the very thing He wants you to be because you discovering your core gift is part of God’s big plan for all humanity and at the same time necessary for you to find contentment in purpose.

In church but lonely

(Psalms 142:4 NLT) “I look for someone to come and help me, but no one gives me a passing thought! No one will help me; no one cares a bit what happens to me.”

One of the first things noticed about the follower of Christ by the world is Christ’s great love! This love embraces the broken and the downcast regardless of current personal situations but all too often we get stuck on how people are different. Remember how scary change was prior to coming to Christ? Some have never dealt with how they look at change, once they switched to the other side of the track all that apprehension for change was directed at who they use to be. Before we came to Christ we too were different but now we’ve made a lifestyle out of going to church, reading our bibles, and our friends do the same. Unfortunately, if we are not careful we begin to think that is why we are different but that’s not it! We are different through Christ alone and daily we must stay in Him! For only He can change a broken and contrite heart. Instead of allowing our pre-Christ experiences compel us towards compassion for others somehow we’ve become too comfortable where we are at and thus our impact for Christ has dwindled to a handshake and stiff smile on Sunday mornings.

This message is first and foremost for me, I am quite by nature and if I am not careful can be seen as unfriendly, even though that is not the intent. For some to be warm and inviting takes more work but that does not mean we do not try, people are depending upon you, especially you, loving them closer to Christ Jesus whether they realize it or not. Regardless of the talents you have been given loving others is something we can all do!

Jesus said, (Matthew 7:3-4 NLT) “And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, 'Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye?”

Lord, thank you for first loving me, even before I knew you. Thank you for your tender ways and for loving me into relationship with you. You do call me to change daily but your love is not based on performance, if it were I would surely fall away. What is it in me that makes it so easy to judge others? Help me Lord to be more like you each day. Give my eyes the ability to see how your heart is moved with compassion for people who don’t know you yet. You said that you being the Good Shepherd would leave the ninety-nine to rescue the one and that all heaven rejoices when just one makes the decision to follow you. Break away this hard outer shell around my heart O, Lord and make it new again. It’s difficult to go through life with the doors of your heart wide open but that was the example you gave us when you walked this earth. Thank you for that and help me to be mindful of it each day and give me strength to do the same, in Jesus name I pray, amen.

Character

(Matthew 7:24 NLT) “Anyone who listens to My teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.”

There are no shortcuts to a godly character. What is godly character – following Jesus and forsaking all things that would hold you back. One who has character knows right from wrong (as he follows Christ) and does what is right, regardless of the cost. He does it no matter if people are watching or if he is alone. Jesus said it would cost you everything to follow Him, so consider the cost! (Luke 14:33 MKJV) “So then, everyone of you who does not forsake all his possessions, he cannot be My disciple.”

With reckless abandonment the disciples left all they ever knew to follow Jesus. Still others gave up the opportunity to follow Him because of comforts and riches they had accumulated. (Luke 18:22-25 NLT) “When Jesus heard his answer, He said, "There is still one thing you haven't done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me." But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich. When Jesus saw this, He said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!"

(Luke 16:13 NLT) "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

Still others do not even care to follow Jesus or ever intend to, for they are too busy seeking pleasures or simply living life. (Luke 14:18-20 NLT) “But they all began making excuses. One said, 'I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.' Another said, 'I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.' Another said, 'I now have a wife, so I can't come.'”

Jesus told the crowd that day, (Luke 14:26 NLT) “If you want to be My disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison--your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters--yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be My disciple.”

Yes we have responsibilities but they are not our priorities! Again and again God’s Word tells us make Him our only priority! (Matthew 6:31-34 NLT) “So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.”

If godly character requires that we follow Jesus then to follow Him we must have faith – faith that Jesus is who He says He is, faith that He is good and intends good for us. We must understand that in order to prepare us for all that He has planned sometimes we must go through difficult things in this life because this life is just a journey. How we live this journey will determine how we live eternity! Yes, godly character is costly but living our own lives apart from God is more costly!

Stick with it and you'll win

(2 Samuel 23:9-10 NIV) “Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty men, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim for battle. Then the men of Israel retreated, but he stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead.”

If our lives are given to us by The Creator of all Life then who are we to give up when faced with opposition? All the work of God has purpose and I for one am excited to see what He has planned for my life. Yes there will be difficulties and trials and yes as long as I try to control my life I will fall short of God’s plan but if I will trust Him enough to give Him control then the possibilities are endless! I use to wonder what “giving my life as a living sacrifice” looked like but I know now it is simply knowing God by spending time with Him (because I want to), reading His Word on a daily basis, consistent prayer, and a heart filled with worship and thankfulness. A life that is lived this way is a life that is prepared to hear God speak, it is a life that is kept pliable and open to doing God’s will. This life is pleasing to the Father of Lights and if I do nothing more than please my Heavenly Father then in this life I have done enough.

(Hebrews 12:2-3 NIV) “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Don’t lose heart for the night is darkest just before dawn. Every morning brings with the sunshine new hope and the reminder of God’s love for His children. There is purpose in all that you face and when is all is said and done you will stand before God. Each battle you overcome here below will be a jewel in the crown above and on that day you will lay your crown at Jesus’ feet because the ultimate goal is not what you will receive but in knowing the Savior of all mankind, the real prize is in Him!