(Isaiah 40:26 MSG) Look at the night skies: Who do you think made all this? Who marches this army of stars out each night, counts them off, calls each by name --so magnificent! so powerful!-- and never overlooks a single one?
You don’t have to look very far to realize the earth and all of creation points to the marvelous work of the Creator. Creation itself is witness to the fact of a Creator. From the smallest insect to the largest creature each life is full of wonder. It would be harder to disbelieve than to believe. The book of Job tells of a righteous man who loved God yet God allowed Satan to test him. Though Job did nothing wrong he lost everything but his life. Towards the end Job questioned God’s purpose, this was God’s response…
(Job 38:1-7 NIV) “Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said: "Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone-- while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?”
Job regained his sense of awe and was greatly rewarded far beyond what he had before. We are to never forget God’s authority, even though He is our closest friend and He knows the inner most workings of our hearts, He is still God!
(Proverbs 1:7 NIV) “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”
When the Bible speaks of fearing the Lord it refers to having the highest regard and reverence for Him. Only then will we begin to understand the things He would have us know. By keeping your sense of awe you stay connected to God’s direction, without it you are left to your own devices. Look at the condition of the world today for many have set out on their own in seek of knowledge but their path leads to destruction. Those who know God, their path is illuminated and leads to life abundant and eternal.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Learn to laugh
(Proverbs 17:22 MSG) A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.
Some lean toward the side of melancholy, some are deep thinkers and enjoy time alone but to always be gloomy tells others something is out of alignment. Instead of leading others to Christ this person pushes people away! If we believe God is in control and God is good, if we believe that all things work together for good to those who love God (Romans 8:28) then we need to learn to laugh in the face of trouble. Have you ever done all you can do and it still not be enough, then in the midst of striving the Holy Spirit reminds you that God is in control and you just begin to laugh? Others will see you and wonder what’s going on – they cannot understand it. Jesus said, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27 NLT)
Today practice laughing though trouble surrounds you and do not forget that God’s joy is your strength. (Psalms 28:7 NIV) “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.”
When the law was read to the people of Israel terror was struck in their hearts and because of sin they began to weep but Nehemiah told them not to, in fact he said this, (Nehemiah 8:10 NIV) “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
This is a wise lesson and a key ingredient to living a Godly life. So when people come against you do not do likewise but return to them the love that God has given you and draw your strength from God’s joy that passes understanding. If you are called by God to be set apart from the world then expect God to show you a different way to live. The right thing doesn’t always feel natural and therefore we choose to be obedient regardless of our feelings, only then will God’s blessings flow. The children of Israel did not feel like rejoicing but were told to do it anyway. It was only after being obedient that they were blessed. You want a healthy life – God says be cheerful!
Some lean toward the side of melancholy, some are deep thinkers and enjoy time alone but to always be gloomy tells others something is out of alignment. Instead of leading others to Christ this person pushes people away! If we believe God is in control and God is good, if we believe that all things work together for good to those who love God (Romans 8:28) then we need to learn to laugh in the face of trouble. Have you ever done all you can do and it still not be enough, then in the midst of striving the Holy Spirit reminds you that God is in control and you just begin to laugh? Others will see you and wonder what’s going on – they cannot understand it. Jesus said, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27 NLT)
Today practice laughing though trouble surrounds you and do not forget that God’s joy is your strength. (Psalms 28:7 NIV) “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.”
When the law was read to the people of Israel terror was struck in their hearts and because of sin they began to weep but Nehemiah told them not to, in fact he said this, (Nehemiah 8:10 NIV) “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
This is a wise lesson and a key ingredient to living a Godly life. So when people come against you do not do likewise but return to them the love that God has given you and draw your strength from God’s joy that passes understanding. If you are called by God to be set apart from the world then expect God to show you a different way to live. The right thing doesn’t always feel natural and therefore we choose to be obedient regardless of our feelings, only then will God’s blessings flow. The children of Israel did not feel like rejoicing but were told to do it anyway. It was only after being obedient that they were blessed. You want a healthy life – God says be cheerful!
Friday, April 23, 2010
How's your prayer life?
(Psalms 55:1617 MKJV) I, even I, will call to God, and Jehovah will save me. Evening and morning, and at noon, I will pray and cry aloud; and He shall hear my voice.
What does praying mean to you? The Pharisees used it as an opportunity to show how much knowledge they had of the law but were their prayers effective? (Matthew 6:5 MKJV) “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, They have their reward.”
Some pray only when faced with great opposition, like the student who prays right before a test is handed out but does it change the outcome of the test? Prayer is meant to be so much more! The ability to come before the Creator of all life and offer our thoughts, concerns, and requests is mind-blowing! Jesus said, he is the only way to the Father! (John 14:6 MKJV) “Jesus said to him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me.”
If you know Christ, if you have relationship with the Savior of mankind then you have a friend in God. In this life there will be opposition and heart-ache. We all face these things some will fill the emptiness with stuff, some will be brought to their knees, and some still will find hope beyond all of their hopes and dreams. Prayer isn’t a “have to” it’s a “get to”. It is an honor to walk out your days here on earth with the One who has redeemed your soul, knowing that one day all of God’s children will be called home and on that day you will be able to say I know Jesus and then to see him face to face will be overwhelming and the reward of all that you have endured will be met in that moment!
When Jesus went up in the clouds, after His resurrection, He told how He must return to the Father but He said, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled.”
(John 14:12-19 NIV) “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. "If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever - the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.”
Sometimes prayer is pouring out your heart to God, sometimes it is being silent in His presence but know this He is with you! Draw closer to Him and He will draw close to you. Walking with Christ is not for the weak but I say for the strong for it is in Him true strength is found!
What does praying mean to you? The Pharisees used it as an opportunity to show how much knowledge they had of the law but were their prayers effective? (Matthew 6:5 MKJV) “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, They have their reward.”
Some pray only when faced with great opposition, like the student who prays right before a test is handed out but does it change the outcome of the test? Prayer is meant to be so much more! The ability to come before the Creator of all life and offer our thoughts, concerns, and requests is mind-blowing! Jesus said, he is the only way to the Father! (John 14:6 MKJV) “Jesus said to him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me.”
If you know Christ, if you have relationship with the Savior of mankind then you have a friend in God. In this life there will be opposition and heart-ache. We all face these things some will fill the emptiness with stuff, some will be brought to their knees, and some still will find hope beyond all of their hopes and dreams. Prayer isn’t a “have to” it’s a “get to”. It is an honor to walk out your days here on earth with the One who has redeemed your soul, knowing that one day all of God’s children will be called home and on that day you will be able to say I know Jesus and then to see him face to face will be overwhelming and the reward of all that you have endured will be met in that moment!
When Jesus went up in the clouds, after His resurrection, He told how He must return to the Father but He said, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled.”
(John 14:12-19 NIV) “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. "If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever - the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.”
Sometimes prayer is pouring out your heart to God, sometimes it is being silent in His presence but know this He is with you! Draw closer to Him and He will draw close to you. Walking with Christ is not for the weak but I say for the strong for it is in Him true strength is found!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
You need discernment
(Hebrews 5:12-14 NLT) You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God's word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn't know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.
The maturity of your spiritual life has nothing to do with how long ago you accepted Jesus as Savior but instead with how much you practice His presence! Those who MAKE time to read His Word, pray, worship, and be obedient are the same that are growing and learning to live by faith. I like what Bob Gass said, “You’ll never have real discernment as long as you’re ruled by reasoning.” Your mind cannot understand that of the spirit and therefore will always be opposed to walking by faith but it is by faith that you make progress on this spiritual journey. No wonder God tells us in Hebrews this, (Hebrews 11:5-6 NLT) “It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying--"he disappeared, because God took him." For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.”
As we walk by faith God, through His Holy Spirit gives us discernment, it is how He leads His people but those who are saved and do not have it are as babes who need milk. My friend God wants to take you places that are unknown but whether you get there or not is up to you – will you live by faith or cling to temporary things that bring comfort for but a day? One day all will pass away and only what was done for God will remain, we spend many of our resources investing for tomorrow hear on earth but what happens after that is gone? Have we invested in eternity? I am with you and though I love God with my whole heart I can still give more!
Lord, help me to separate the temporary from the eternal in my daily walk with you. When I hear you call me to step out of the boat and come to you help me not to fear the stormy waters but to step out in faith and when I operate in faith give to me discernment so that I may know which way to go. I know discernment comes through spending time with You, help me not to forsake or trade my time with You for anything! When I’m weak O, Lord carry me for I can walk this path if you are with me. In Jesus name I pray, amen.
The maturity of your spiritual life has nothing to do with how long ago you accepted Jesus as Savior but instead with how much you practice His presence! Those who MAKE time to read His Word, pray, worship, and be obedient are the same that are growing and learning to live by faith. I like what Bob Gass said, “You’ll never have real discernment as long as you’re ruled by reasoning.” Your mind cannot understand that of the spirit and therefore will always be opposed to walking by faith but it is by faith that you make progress on this spiritual journey. No wonder God tells us in Hebrews this, (Hebrews 11:5-6 NLT) “It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying--"he disappeared, because God took him." For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.”
As we walk by faith God, through His Holy Spirit gives us discernment, it is how He leads His people but those who are saved and do not have it are as babes who need milk. My friend God wants to take you places that are unknown but whether you get there or not is up to you – will you live by faith or cling to temporary things that bring comfort for but a day? One day all will pass away and only what was done for God will remain, we spend many of our resources investing for tomorrow hear on earth but what happens after that is gone? Have we invested in eternity? I am with you and though I love God with my whole heart I can still give more!
Lord, help me to separate the temporary from the eternal in my daily walk with you. When I hear you call me to step out of the boat and come to you help me not to fear the stormy waters but to step out in faith and when I operate in faith give to me discernment so that I may know which way to go. I know discernment comes through spending time with You, help me not to forsake or trade my time with You for anything! When I’m weak O, Lord carry me for I can walk this path if you are with me. In Jesus name I pray, amen.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Keep on keeping on
(1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT) So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
Today I feel the weight of responsibility as a husband, father, and even what one would consider a “Christian” ~ meaning I know in God there is joy and His joy is our strength but I guess selfishly I’ve been waiting on God to move in a certain area of my life and I have seen no movement. I try to move on my own and I feel something holding me, as if He is saying, “Wait.” Part of me wants to be free from all this spiritual growing and get on with my life. It’s not that I doubt His purpose in all of this but I feel I need a mountain top experience soon. The only thing I can do is “keep on keeping on” knowing that He is good and my deliverer is coming soon.
God, I pray that you will replenish me from the inside out. Refresh my soul and bring strength to my spirit so that I might endure to the end of this test. Also renew my mind for it is centered on self-preservation but your Holy Spirit reminds me that my salvation lies not in my hands but yours. Now help me do what feels unnatural and trust you with my whole life. Lord, give me your dream for my life. Allow me to glimpse the grandeur of your purpose and tell me how you have a plan for my life. Help me forget, just for a moment, all the other voices so that I will have a clear connection to the only one that matters in the midst of all of this haze. Lord, carry me away in your arms, even if only for a short while for I need to reconnect with you this day. I will wait upon you for you are my all in all and in you I am complete. Thank you Lord for making me your son for I am in need of nothing outside of you. Only in Jesus can I come to you and let my needs be known, thank you for that. Amen.
Today I feel the weight of responsibility as a husband, father, and even what one would consider a “Christian” ~ meaning I know in God there is joy and His joy is our strength but I guess selfishly I’ve been waiting on God to move in a certain area of my life and I have seen no movement. I try to move on my own and I feel something holding me, as if He is saying, “Wait.” Part of me wants to be free from all this spiritual growing and get on with my life. It’s not that I doubt His purpose in all of this but I feel I need a mountain top experience soon. The only thing I can do is “keep on keeping on” knowing that He is good and my deliverer is coming soon.
God, I pray that you will replenish me from the inside out. Refresh my soul and bring strength to my spirit so that I might endure to the end of this test. Also renew my mind for it is centered on self-preservation but your Holy Spirit reminds me that my salvation lies not in my hands but yours. Now help me do what feels unnatural and trust you with my whole life. Lord, give me your dream for my life. Allow me to glimpse the grandeur of your purpose and tell me how you have a plan for my life. Help me forget, just for a moment, all the other voices so that I will have a clear connection to the only one that matters in the midst of all of this haze. Lord, carry me away in your arms, even if only for a short while for I need to reconnect with you this day. I will wait upon you for you are my all in all and in you I am complete. Thank you Lord for making me your son for I am in need of nothing outside of you. Only in Jesus can I come to you and let my needs be known, thank you for that. Amen.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Furnace faith
(Daniel 3:17-18 MKJV) If it is so that our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, then He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods nor worship the golden image which you have set up.
Is there something you believe God for but haven't seen it come to pass yet? Do you find yourself being strong and unshakable one moment then struggling and moody the next? As the pressure becomes greater do you draw closer to God or fall away? If you answered, “Pull closer to Him.” Then you are on the right track. If you find yourself falling away then consider carefully the cost of your choice. God wants to sure up your faith; He is working on building your trust in Him. We can say we believe but until we actually go through a situation that exercises our faith we don’t know how much. We must remember God cannot love us any more than He does right now and He will not love us any less. God’s love for His people is unchanged by their spiritual growth. With this unmerited favor (grace) we stand complete but not finished! We are His work and made whole in Him, yet He changes us. We come to Him as we are but He calls us to more. Through this change we will experience growing pains, no doubt but think about who you were before you knew Christ as your savior – I for one do not want to stay the same as I was. He brings us into new territory and just like a guide who we put our trust in as he leads us through the wilds of Africa we must also trust Jesus Christ as He leads us through this wild adventure of the spirit. So hold tightly to Him regardless how hot the fire gets. Ultimately we will be with Him and one day His work in us will be complete!
(Philippians 1:6 NLT) And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Is there something you believe God for but haven't seen it come to pass yet? Do you find yourself being strong and unshakable one moment then struggling and moody the next? As the pressure becomes greater do you draw closer to God or fall away? If you answered, “Pull closer to Him.” Then you are on the right track. If you find yourself falling away then consider carefully the cost of your choice. God wants to sure up your faith; He is working on building your trust in Him. We can say we believe but until we actually go through a situation that exercises our faith we don’t know how much. We must remember God cannot love us any more than He does right now and He will not love us any less. God’s love for His people is unchanged by their spiritual growth. With this unmerited favor (grace) we stand complete but not finished! We are His work and made whole in Him, yet He changes us. We come to Him as we are but He calls us to more. Through this change we will experience growing pains, no doubt but think about who you were before you knew Christ as your savior – I for one do not want to stay the same as I was. He brings us into new territory and just like a guide who we put our trust in as he leads us through the wilds of Africa we must also trust Jesus Christ as He leads us through this wild adventure of the spirit. So hold tightly to Him regardless how hot the fire gets. Ultimately we will be with Him and one day His work in us will be complete!
(Philippians 1:6 NLT) And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Growing through loss and change Part I
(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 MKJV) To every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heavens: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pull up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Losing something that is dear to us is painful whether it is a loved one, a relationship, or career. Change is never easy and God understands our grief He has felt loss too. When His Son Jesus died on the cross, while it was still morning darkness came over the whole land. (Matthew 27:45-46 MKJV) “And from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is, My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?”
God says there is a time for grieving. Through allowing your heart to feel the weight of loss God ushers in healing, if we will allow Him in. We have to trust God beyond what our eyes tell us, beyond what our mind says – God is good all the time! Will ultimately trust Him with eternity but do we trust Him in the now? I am reminded that this life is temporary and if I am tested now it is because something greater awaits me. Will I pass the test or will I turn from God and lose my way?
(Deuteronomy 34:7-8 MKJV) “And Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eye was not dim, nor had he lost any of his natural strength. And the sons of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. And the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.”
(Psalms 147:3 MKJV) He heals the broken-hearted, and binds up their wounds.
God is everlasting and His days have no end! Place your trust in Him and be made whole. (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.”
Losing something that is dear to us is painful whether it is a loved one, a relationship, or career. Change is never easy and God understands our grief He has felt loss too. When His Son Jesus died on the cross, while it was still morning darkness came over the whole land. (Matthew 27:45-46 MKJV) “And from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is, My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?”
God says there is a time for grieving. Through allowing your heart to feel the weight of loss God ushers in healing, if we will allow Him in. We have to trust God beyond what our eyes tell us, beyond what our mind says – God is good all the time! Will ultimately trust Him with eternity but do we trust Him in the now? I am reminded that this life is temporary and if I am tested now it is because something greater awaits me. Will I pass the test or will I turn from God and lose my way?
(Deuteronomy 34:7-8 MKJV) “And Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eye was not dim, nor had he lost any of his natural strength. And the sons of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. And the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.”
(Psalms 147:3 MKJV) He heals the broken-hearted, and binds up their wounds.
God is everlasting and His days have no end! Place your trust in Him and be made whole. (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.”
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