"Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters." Psalm 114:8
According to the laws of nature and the laws of physics it is impossible to turn a rock into water or flint into water. A rock has a solid form and water is a liquid. A rock is unbending, unyielding, firm, substantial. Water is free flowing, it's shapeless taking on the form of whatever it comes in contact with, very yielding, fluid. They are two completely opposites. It is also impossible for water to "stand up". It doesn't take an educated person to know this- even children know this is impossible. The only way it could ever happen was if the God who can do the impossible steps into the picture. And when He does- nothing becomes impossible.
The Lord wants to encourage you this morning by reminding you that it doesn't matter how impossible the situation you are going through looks, He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He turned a rock into water once, He can do it again. He did it in the past to meet the need of His people, He can do it again to meet your need. He can do it--- there is nothing impossible for Him!
Have a great day. He can turn your rock into water.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
"It's Amazing"
"What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" Psalm 8:4
We know that God, because He is God, is more awesome and amazing than we can truly fathom. But this morning I want to tell you what's "THE" most amazing thing about God.
It's not His mighty power or His ability to do the impossible. It's not His great strength. It's not the fact that He can speak into nothing and create everything. It's not the fact that He rides upon the wings of the wind, or uses the earth as a footstool, or causes the small hills to leap and jump at His presence. Neither is it the fact that He calls all the stars in all the galaxies by name. The most amazing thing about God is not that He knows the number of hair on my head and keeps a running total because each day the number changes. It's not because God can see so far ahead into the future that He knows the day of your death before you were even born. The most amazing thing about Him is not His miracle working power. It's not even the fact that He is present everywhere all at the same time.
The most amazing thing about God is the fact that He loves me!!! That is more amazing than anything that He is or does. The fact that God would even notice me, that He would love me, and care for me- I who am made lower than the angels- is more than I can comprehend. I am totally amazed when I think of how sinful, how rebellious, the enemy I was to God, how I fought against Him, how I am the least of the least, wretched man that I am, so undeserving of this wonderful God to even look in my direction, much less love me- yet He does. That is the most amazing thing you will ever realize about God.
The fact that He loves this unlovable person is amazing in and of itself, but that He would go further than that by giving His life for me- it's not only amazing, it's mind boggling! We may never be able to figure it out, we know we certainly don't deserve it, we may never understand it, but God who is Omni, who is the Creator, the King of glory, the True and Living God, the one who is worshipped and adored by all the host of heaven...takes note of me and pushed everything out of the way to reach me with His love.
Have a great day. I have used the word "me" this morning, but it includes "you"- it's amazing that He even wants to have anything to do with us but He does! That's the most amazing thing about God.
We know that God, because He is God, is more awesome and amazing than we can truly fathom. But this morning I want to tell you what's "THE" most amazing thing about God.
It's not His mighty power or His ability to do the impossible. It's not His great strength. It's not the fact that He can speak into nothing and create everything. It's not the fact that He rides upon the wings of the wind, or uses the earth as a footstool, or causes the small hills to leap and jump at His presence. Neither is it the fact that He calls all the stars in all the galaxies by name. The most amazing thing about God is not that He knows the number of hair on my head and keeps a running total because each day the number changes. It's not because God can see so far ahead into the future that He knows the day of your death before you were even born. The most amazing thing about Him is not His miracle working power. It's not even the fact that He is present everywhere all at the same time.
The most amazing thing about God is the fact that He loves me!!! That is more amazing than anything that He is or does. The fact that God would even notice me, that He would love me, and care for me- I who am made lower than the angels- is more than I can comprehend. I am totally amazed when I think of how sinful, how rebellious, the enemy I was to God, how I fought against Him, how I am the least of the least, wretched man that I am, so undeserving of this wonderful God to even look in my direction, much less love me- yet He does. That is the most amazing thing you will ever realize about God.
The fact that He loves this unlovable person is amazing in and of itself, but that He would go further than that by giving His life for me- it's not only amazing, it's mind boggling! We may never be able to figure it out, we know we certainly don't deserve it, we may never understand it, but God who is Omni, who is the Creator, the King of glory, the True and Living God, the one who is worshipped and adored by all the host of heaven...takes note of me and pushed everything out of the way to reach me with His love.
Have a great day. I have used the word "me" this morning, but it includes "you"- it's amazing that He even wants to have anything to do with us but He does! That's the most amazing thing about God.
Friday, September 26, 2008
"Personal Application"
"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." Romans 15:4
When you read the Bible, don't just read it from a historical point of view. Don't read it as a story or an account that just happened to someone else. Read it with you in mind. All the accounts that were written, all the events that took place, all the things that happened to it's characters were written for personal application as well.
Take the story of Peter walking on water. We all "walk on water"- living in victory above the circumstances of life. Then there is a point in our lives where we may take our eyes off of Jesus, when we do we start sinking no longer walking on top of them. How does this account in the life of Peter further apply to me? It shows me, through example, that if Jesus will lift Peter up when he called on Him, He'll do the same for me. That's one of the messages from the Lord that He was wanting to get to us. "When you fall, if you call, I'll be right there and save you."
When you read the story of the prodigal son, through this example the Lord is saying to you and me today that if we wander away, if we will repent and return He will receive us. He won't reject us, He won't turn His back on us, He won't condemn us, He won't scold us for doing it to ourselves and getting ourselves in that mess.
The story of David at Ziklag. When David and his men returned home, they discovered that the enemy had been there and stolen everything and had taken their families prisoner. The loss was so heart wrenching that David's men talked about killing him. David encouraged himself in the Lord- even in his time of deep grief and pain- and went to God for counsel. God told him what to do. God had not abandoned David- even in his greatest time of need. This was written for our benefit so that we would have a something to give us hope in our times of grief and sorrow. God shows us through this account that He is faithful and will be there for us.
The Bible is full of these examples from Genesis to Revelation. And they each one could easily have mine and your name of them. So when you read them, apply them personally to your life. If God showed mercy, if He showed grace, if He gave strength, if He gave victory, if He saved, those whose names are written on it's pages, then you can trust and know through them that this is the same thing He will do for you and this is your answer in those times.
Have a great day. The things that happened to them happen to me today, so the way God responded to them is the way He will respond to me- He shows me that through their example.
When you read the Bible, don't just read it from a historical point of view. Don't read it as a story or an account that just happened to someone else. Read it with you in mind. All the accounts that were written, all the events that took place, all the things that happened to it's characters were written for personal application as well.
Take the story of Peter walking on water. We all "walk on water"- living in victory above the circumstances of life. Then there is a point in our lives where we may take our eyes off of Jesus, when we do we start sinking no longer walking on top of them. How does this account in the life of Peter further apply to me? It shows me, through example, that if Jesus will lift Peter up when he called on Him, He'll do the same for me. That's one of the messages from the Lord that He was wanting to get to us. "When you fall, if you call, I'll be right there and save you."
When you read the story of the prodigal son, through this example the Lord is saying to you and me today that if we wander away, if we will repent and return He will receive us. He won't reject us, He won't turn His back on us, He won't condemn us, He won't scold us for doing it to ourselves and getting ourselves in that mess.
The story of David at Ziklag. When David and his men returned home, they discovered that the enemy had been there and stolen everything and had taken their families prisoner. The loss was so heart wrenching that David's men talked about killing him. David encouraged himself in the Lord- even in his time of deep grief and pain- and went to God for counsel. God told him what to do. God had not abandoned David- even in his greatest time of need. This was written for our benefit so that we would have a something to give us hope in our times of grief and sorrow. God shows us through this account that He is faithful and will be there for us.
The Bible is full of these examples from Genesis to Revelation. And they each one could easily have mine and your name of them. So when you read them, apply them personally to your life. If God showed mercy, if He showed grace, if He gave strength, if He gave victory, if He saved, those whose names are written on it's pages, then you can trust and know through them that this is the same thing He will do for you and this is your answer in those times.
Have a great day. The things that happened to them happen to me today, so the way God responded to them is the way He will respond to me- He shows me that through their example.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
"For This"
"Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised..." Psalm 48:1a
There is a song that most of you are familiar with, it's entitled, "For Every Mountain". There is a line in the song that says, "For this I give you praise". I want to talk about the "this" this morning. What is "this" that you give God praise for?
I have a long list of "this". For waking me up this morning- for "this" I give Him praise. For waking me up with a sound mind, with a roof over my head, with food in my cupboard- for "this" I give Him praise. For writing my name in the Lamb's book of life, for forgiving all my iniquities, for healing all my diseases, for choosing me, for loving me, for dying for me, for rescuing me, for redeeming me from the curse of the law, for paying the ransom for my sins-- for "this" I give Him praise! For His loving-kindness, His tender mercies, His grace, His faithfulness to me, His peace that settles my heart and mind, His joy that is my strength, His strength that is made perfect in my weakness- for "this" I give Him praise. For hearing my prayers and answering them, for never leaving me nor forsaking me, for wisdom, for revelation knowledge, for the indwelling Holy Spirit, for an ear to hear what the Spirit says, for making me an heir and joint-heir, for allowing me the privilege of serving Him- for "this" I give Him praise. For my family, for my friends, for those that encourage me in the faith, for those who hold my hands up, for those who put an arm around me, who pray for me when I am cast down- for "this" I give Him praise. For being the glory and lifter of my head, for daily loading me with benefits, for being my shield and buckler, for not letting any weapon formed against me prosper, for the victory that overcomes the world, for making me more than a conqueror, for His word, for His armor, for every good an perfect gift- for "this" I give Him praise.
I have to stop, there is not enough space on this note or time to tell of all that I give Him praise for. My "this" turns into "these" with no problem. Think about the "this" in your life and take the time to give Him praise for it. My "this" praise list far outweighs my "this" problem list. As a matter of fact, when I start making my "this" praise list, the "this" problem list automatically begins to shrink because it will never be bigger than my God's ability to take care of that list.
Have a great day. For "this" I give Him praise!!
There is a song that most of you are familiar with, it's entitled, "For Every Mountain". There is a line in the song that says, "For this I give you praise". I want to talk about the "this" this morning. What is "this" that you give God praise for?
I have a long list of "this". For waking me up this morning- for "this" I give Him praise. For waking me up with a sound mind, with a roof over my head, with food in my cupboard- for "this" I give Him praise. For writing my name in the Lamb's book of life, for forgiving all my iniquities, for healing all my diseases, for choosing me, for loving me, for dying for me, for rescuing me, for redeeming me from the curse of the law, for paying the ransom for my sins-- for "this" I give Him praise! For His loving-kindness, His tender mercies, His grace, His faithfulness to me, His peace that settles my heart and mind, His joy that is my strength, His strength that is made perfect in my weakness- for "this" I give Him praise. For hearing my prayers and answering them, for never leaving me nor forsaking me, for wisdom, for revelation knowledge, for the indwelling Holy Spirit, for an ear to hear what the Spirit says, for making me an heir and joint-heir, for allowing me the privilege of serving Him- for "this" I give Him praise. For my family, for my friends, for those that encourage me in the faith, for those who hold my hands up, for those who put an arm around me, who pray for me when I am cast down- for "this" I give Him praise. For being the glory and lifter of my head, for daily loading me with benefits, for being my shield and buckler, for not letting any weapon formed against me prosper, for the victory that overcomes the world, for making me more than a conqueror, for His word, for His armor, for every good an perfect gift- for "this" I give Him praise.
I have to stop, there is not enough space on this note or time to tell of all that I give Him praise for. My "this" turns into "these" with no problem. Think about the "this" in your life and take the time to give Him praise for it. My "this" praise list far outweighs my "this" problem list. As a matter of fact, when I start making my "this" praise list, the "this" problem list automatically begins to shrink because it will never be bigger than my God's ability to take care of that list.
Have a great day. For "this" I give Him praise!!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
"Positioning You - Part 3"
"... from glory to glory..." 2 Corinthians 3:18
For the last couple of days we have been talking about some lessons that we can learn from the life of Abraham. This morning I would like to continue. As I was thinking about God telling him to leave his home and travel to an unspecified place and how he had obeyed God, I thought about a greater test of obedience that laid before him in the future--- the sacrifice of his son. If Abraham had not passed this first test he would not be ready for this test involving his son.
God's plan for us is a plan that involves process. We want everything now, we don't want to wait, we want to jump right to the top, we want the big first. That is not the way God operates in our lives. He starts us off at the bottom and we start the process of moving to the top. He starts us with small then He gives us bigger. He gives us milk to drink before He gives us meat to eat. He starts us low and goes high. He starts us off slow and then goes faster. He starts us with baby steps before we start running. He starts us off with little before He moves us to more. He starts us with few before He gives us many. "...thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things..." (Matthew 25:21)
Moses' first encounter with God was on the desert floor, then he went up the mountain and met Him. Joseph started off as a slave in Potaphar's house, then he was promoted to the palace to rule Egypt. David faced a lion and a bear, then he was ready to face the giant. The three Hebrews faced the trial of leaving their homeland before they faced the furnace trial. Daniel set as a student in the king's palace as a prisoner before he sat as a ruler in that nation. Esther was a captive before she became a queen. Are you getting the picture?
We are all in a process. If you will remember that it will help you when you get frustrated that you aren't seeing bigger, more, better, much. Remember that God's process goes from down to up, small to large, little to much, less to more.
Have a great day. Don't get discouraged in the process. We all have to start somewhere and God's somewhere to start starts us low.
For the last couple of days we have been talking about some lessons that we can learn from the life of Abraham. This morning I would like to continue. As I was thinking about God telling him to leave his home and travel to an unspecified place and how he had obeyed God, I thought about a greater test of obedience that laid before him in the future--- the sacrifice of his son. If Abraham had not passed this first test he would not be ready for this test involving his son.
God's plan for us is a plan that involves process. We want everything now, we don't want to wait, we want to jump right to the top, we want the big first. That is not the way God operates in our lives. He starts us off at the bottom and we start the process of moving to the top. He starts us with small then He gives us bigger. He gives us milk to drink before He gives us meat to eat. He starts us low and goes high. He starts us off slow and then goes faster. He starts us with baby steps before we start running. He starts us off with little before He moves us to more. He starts us with few before He gives us many. "...thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things..." (Matthew 25:21)
Moses' first encounter with God was on the desert floor, then he went up the mountain and met Him. Joseph started off as a slave in Potaphar's house, then he was promoted to the palace to rule Egypt. David faced a lion and a bear, then he was ready to face the giant. The three Hebrews faced the trial of leaving their homeland before they faced the furnace trial. Daniel set as a student in the king's palace as a prisoner before he sat as a ruler in that nation. Esther was a captive before she became a queen. Are you getting the picture?
We are all in a process. If you will remember that it will help you when you get frustrated that you aren't seeing bigger, more, better, much. Remember that God's process goes from down to up, small to large, little to much, less to more.
Have a great day. Don't get discouraged in the process. We all have to start somewhere and God's somewhere to start starts us low.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
"Positioning You - Part 2"
"In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will." Ephesians 1:11
Let's talk about Abraham again this morning and God's call to leave his home land. Yesterday we discussed the fact that had Abraham not gone because he did not understand why God was sending him out, where God wanted him to go or what was God's reason behind it he would have missed a tremendous blessing that God had for him. He would have missed his destiny and God's plan for a whole nation.
This morning I just want to remind you that God is always up to something! God was up to something when He told Abraham to leave. Abraham did not know what it was, but God was in the process of doing something on Abraham's behalf that would effect his whole life and generations to come. When Jesus hung on the cross, God was up to something. The princes of this world never would have crucified the Lord of glory had they known what it was. (1 Cor. 2:8) God was providing a way for mankind to have eternal life. When Daniel was taken prisoner by the enemy, it looked like the end of the world for him, but God was up to something. God was putting him in a place to give him favor with the king so that God could glorify Himself before heathen nations.
I don't know what you are going through today, the devil may be "tormenting" and tempting you, but don't fret or worry... God is up to something. God is working behind the scenes to accomplish His purpose in your life. He is up to something on your behalf even though it doesn't look like it. He is up to something even though the situation looks hopeless, fearful or impossible.
It's not always important for you to understand or know what He is up to. Your part is to trust. And trust God you can! He is "up to something" and it will work together for your good if you love Him and put your faith and confidence in Him.
Have a great day. It may not appear so... but God is up to something on your behalf.
Let's talk about Abraham again this morning and God's call to leave his home land. Yesterday we discussed the fact that had Abraham not gone because he did not understand why God was sending him out, where God wanted him to go or what was God's reason behind it he would have missed a tremendous blessing that God had for him. He would have missed his destiny and God's plan for a whole nation.
This morning I just want to remind you that God is always up to something! God was up to something when He told Abraham to leave. Abraham did not know what it was, but God was in the process of doing something on Abraham's behalf that would effect his whole life and generations to come. When Jesus hung on the cross, God was up to something. The princes of this world never would have crucified the Lord of glory had they known what it was. (1 Cor. 2:8) God was providing a way for mankind to have eternal life. When Daniel was taken prisoner by the enemy, it looked like the end of the world for him, but God was up to something. God was putting him in a place to give him favor with the king so that God could glorify Himself before heathen nations.
I don't know what you are going through today, the devil may be "tormenting" and tempting you, but don't fret or worry... God is up to something. God is working behind the scenes to accomplish His purpose in your life. He is up to something on your behalf even though it doesn't look like it. He is up to something even though the situation looks hopeless, fearful or impossible.
It's not always important for you to understand or know what He is up to. Your part is to trust. And trust God you can! He is "up to something" and it will work together for your good if you love Him and put your faith and confidence in Him.
Have a great day. It may not appear so... but God is up to something on your behalf.
Monday, September 22, 2008
"Positioning You"
"By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went." Hebrew 11:8
We always marvel at the faith that Abraham had in God. Can you imagine what it was like to pack up everything he had and leave his home, his family, his job, his familiar surroundings, all his friends just because God told him to do so. And if that wasn't a great enough act of faith, God didn't even tell him where he was going. God said to leave but He didn't say where to go! While I marvel at his trust in God to just "go", I have missed another great truth in this verse.
Read the verse again, did you hear what it says? The place that God was sending him to was the place that he was going to receive for an inheritance. Abraham did not know that at the time. He didn't have a clue that where God was leading him was going to become his. God was positioning him for a blessing, he was positioning him to step into his destiny by telling him to leave the place he was.
What would have happened if Abraham had been like some of us? What if he had argued with God? What if he had decided that God was being unreasonable not to tell him up front where to go? What if he hadn't gone because God wouldn't tell him "why"? What if he had decided not to go until God gave him all the details? What if he had disobeyed God? What if he had reasoned it out as to why he couldn't go? If Abraham had not gone look at what he would have missed. Look at the plan of God that he would have forfeited.
Trusting and obeying God is a whole different story when he spells everything out for you and gives you every little detail- the what and the why. I wonder if that's really faith? If we had been in Abraham's position we would have had no reservations in going if God had told us that the place He was sending us was going to belong to us. But when He doesn't tell us about the blessing or the reward that's attached to what He tells us to do, would we be as willing to go, would we be reluctant or would we be disobedient?
Have a great day. When God tells you to do something, you may not understand it, but it just might be that He is positioning you for something greater.
We always marvel at the faith that Abraham had in God. Can you imagine what it was like to pack up everything he had and leave his home, his family, his job, his familiar surroundings, all his friends just because God told him to do so. And if that wasn't a great enough act of faith, God didn't even tell him where he was going. God said to leave but He didn't say where to go! While I marvel at his trust in God to just "go", I have missed another great truth in this verse.
Read the verse again, did you hear what it says? The place that God was sending him to was the place that he was going to receive for an inheritance. Abraham did not know that at the time. He didn't have a clue that where God was leading him was going to become his. God was positioning him for a blessing, he was positioning him to step into his destiny by telling him to leave the place he was.
What would have happened if Abraham had been like some of us? What if he had argued with God? What if he had decided that God was being unreasonable not to tell him up front where to go? What if he hadn't gone because God wouldn't tell him "why"? What if he had decided not to go until God gave him all the details? What if he had disobeyed God? What if he had reasoned it out as to why he couldn't go? If Abraham had not gone look at what he would have missed. Look at the plan of God that he would have forfeited.
Trusting and obeying God is a whole different story when he spells everything out for you and gives you every little detail- the what and the why. I wonder if that's really faith? If we had been in Abraham's position we would have had no reservations in going if God had told us that the place He was sending us was going to belong to us. But when He doesn't tell us about the blessing or the reward that's attached to what He tells us to do, would we be as willing to go, would we be reluctant or would we be disobedient?
Have a great day. When God tells you to do something, you may not understand it, but it just might be that He is positioning you for something greater.
Friday, September 19, 2008
"He'll Answer Your Call"
"He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him." Psalm 91:15
I happen to be one of those people who love technology. The advancements are amazing. But they can also be a "pain". For example, when I try to call a place of business with a question, like the bank to check my account balance, or the phone company, even technical support for my software programs, I get an automated "voice" that proceeds to tell me to listen to a menu and press the number that best suits my need. Once I press that button, another "voice" then proceeds to give me another menu. This is an almost endless process. (Honestly, I don't think most places even hire "real, live" people any more). This happens to me when I try to get support online too, each contact screen takes me to another one which eventually leads me back to the first screen and I still haven't been connected with a real person to talk to. And we all know that there are just some questions that a "machine" cannot answer.
Having said all that, I am SO glad that when we go to God with our questions, needs or problems, He does not proceed to give us a menu with specific buttons to press for our special need. Each time we "call" upon Him, we have no doubt that we are going to get to talk to HIM personally and directly-- not a machine, not a representative, not an automated system. He said, "Call unto me and I will answer thee." (Jer. 33:3)
Isn't it comforting to know that God Himself will "get on the line" and talk to us. How wonderful that we can go directly to Him with our need. We can have confidence that we will get Him the first time we call and not be rerouted through a hundred different menus. It's not a "pain" or a long trying process to get to talk to God. Everything that would hinder us from being able to talk to Him was removed out of the way through Jesus Christ at Calvary. So whatever you need this morning, He stands ready and waiting to answer your call.
Have a great day. We may not be able to talk to a real person to answer our questions, but we will always be able to reach God when we call upon Him.
I happen to be one of those people who love technology. The advancements are amazing. But they can also be a "pain". For example, when I try to call a place of business with a question, like the bank to check my account balance, or the phone company, even technical support for my software programs, I get an automated "voice" that proceeds to tell me to listen to a menu and press the number that best suits my need. Once I press that button, another "voice" then proceeds to give me another menu. This is an almost endless process. (Honestly, I don't think most places even hire "real, live" people any more). This happens to me when I try to get support online too, each contact screen takes me to another one which eventually leads me back to the first screen and I still haven't been connected with a real person to talk to. And we all know that there are just some questions that a "machine" cannot answer.
Having said all that, I am SO glad that when we go to God with our questions, needs or problems, He does not proceed to give us a menu with specific buttons to press for our special need. Each time we "call" upon Him, we have no doubt that we are going to get to talk to HIM personally and directly-- not a machine, not a representative, not an automated system. He said, "Call unto me and I will answer thee." (Jer. 33:3)
Isn't it comforting to know that God Himself will "get on the line" and talk to us. How wonderful that we can go directly to Him with our need. We can have confidence that we will get Him the first time we call and not be rerouted through a hundred different menus. It's not a "pain" or a long trying process to get to talk to God. Everything that would hinder us from being able to talk to Him was removed out of the way through Jesus Christ at Calvary. So whatever you need this morning, He stands ready and waiting to answer your call.
Have a great day. We may not be able to talk to a real person to answer our questions, but we will always be able to reach God when we call upon Him.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
"It"
"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Philippines 4:6
Earlier this year one of the churches in our area made yard signs that said, "Let's Pray About It". You can see them in front of many houses, but the question arose, "What is 'It'"? What is the thing that we are going to pray about? The church may have had one specific thing in mind when they made them up.. I don't know.
This morning I want to talk about the "it" in our lives. Sometimes "it" is a wayward child that desperately needs to come back to the Lord. Sometimes "it" may be a failing marriage, a broken relationship, rejection by a friend. Perhaps "it" is a decline in your health, a bad report, the loss of a job, a material need, grief over the passing of a loved one. "It" might be a misunderstanding that needs to be corrected. "It" could be a trial, a mountain in your path, a roaring lion, a fiery furnace, a storm that's raging. "It" could be a besetting sin that you can't seem to get victory over. "It" can be many things. "It" can occur at anytime- especially when you least expect "it". "It" comes in all sizes- big and small. To be such a little word, "it" sure carries a big load.
There is one thing about "it" though-- "it' is not bigger than God or too big for Him to handle. "It" is not in control. "It" is not stronger or wiser than God. "It" cannot withstand the power of God. "It" has to yield to the name of Jesus. "It" has to submit to and obey God. If "it" is a storm when He speaks, "Peace be still", "it" has to be still. If "it" is a mountain "it" has to move.
I don't know what your "it" is, but I do know that when you pray about "it", when you take "it" to God, when you cast "it" upon the Lord, "it" will be taken care of. So don't continue to carry "it", don't keep struggling with "it", don't keep allowing "it" to defeat you, give "it" to God... He can handle "it".
Have a great day. Whatever "it" is, take "it" to God in prayer.
Earlier this year one of the churches in our area made yard signs that said, "Let's Pray About It". You can see them in front of many houses, but the question arose, "What is 'It'"? What is the thing that we are going to pray about? The church may have had one specific thing in mind when they made them up.. I don't know.
This morning I want to talk about the "it" in our lives. Sometimes "it" is a wayward child that desperately needs to come back to the Lord. Sometimes "it" may be a failing marriage, a broken relationship, rejection by a friend. Perhaps "it" is a decline in your health, a bad report, the loss of a job, a material need, grief over the passing of a loved one. "It" might be a misunderstanding that needs to be corrected. "It" could be a trial, a mountain in your path, a roaring lion, a fiery furnace, a storm that's raging. "It" could be a besetting sin that you can't seem to get victory over. "It" can be many things. "It" can occur at anytime- especially when you least expect "it". "It" comes in all sizes- big and small. To be such a little word, "it" sure carries a big load.
There is one thing about "it" though-- "it' is not bigger than God or too big for Him to handle. "It" is not in control. "It" is not stronger or wiser than God. "It" cannot withstand the power of God. "It" has to yield to the name of Jesus. "It" has to submit to and obey God. If "it" is a storm when He speaks, "Peace be still", "it" has to be still. If "it" is a mountain "it" has to move.
I don't know what your "it" is, but I do know that when you pray about "it", when you take "it" to God, when you cast "it" upon the Lord, "it" will be taken care of. So don't continue to carry "it", don't keep struggling with "it", don't keep allowing "it" to defeat you, give "it" to God... He can handle "it".
Have a great day. Whatever "it" is, take "it" to God in prayer.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
"Debt"
"And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."
Luke 12:15
This morning I am going to address something that a lot of ministers steer away from because it's become a "sacred cow" in Christendom. But it really bothers me to hear ministers make such claims as their ability to "release you from the spirit of debt", and if you send to their ministry all your debt will be cancelled, if you follow their three steps to wealth and riches you'll have more money than you'll know what to do with, or if you'll sow into their program you will never have to worry about debt again, there will never be any lack in your pocket book.
Before I proceed any further let me say that I know there are circumstances beyond our control- loss of job, death of a spouse, illness, etc.- that can put us in dire straights where our finances are concerned and can cause our bills to pile up. This is not what I am addressing. I believe that it's time we know the truth about this subject because it's the truth that sets us free and doesn't give us a false hope.
Let me start by saying that there is no "spirit of debt". You will not find it in the scriptures, but what you will find is greed, covetousness, discontent and disobedience. These are the roots of debt. No one can supernaturally cancel debt for you- unless they intend to pay it off. There is no "magic wand" or "special anointing" to get rid of your debt. As long as you keep getting the credit cards and making loans, if you stop giving tithes and offerings, as long as you are undisciplined in your spending, as long as you keep wanting to purchase beyond your means, as long as you are discontent with what you have, as long as you continue to covet what everyone else has and do whatever you have to do to get it... you are still going to be in debt. I don't care how many prayer lines you stand in, how many request you send in, how many hands you have laid on you, how many bottles of oil poured on you, how many "faith packets" are sent to you nothing is going to get you out of debt until you follow true Biblical guidelines and deny yourself.
Sure God can supernaturally send you the resources to pay it off, but if you don't discipline yourself you'll be right back in it. The best way to get out of debt is to never get in it in the first place.
Have a great day. We need to take responsibility for our own over spending and stop looking for "quick fixes" to get us out.
Luke 12:15
This morning I am going to address something that a lot of ministers steer away from because it's become a "sacred cow" in Christendom. But it really bothers me to hear ministers make such claims as their ability to "release you from the spirit of debt", and if you send to their ministry all your debt will be cancelled, if you follow their three steps to wealth and riches you'll have more money than you'll know what to do with, or if you'll sow into their program you will never have to worry about debt again, there will never be any lack in your pocket book.
Before I proceed any further let me say that I know there are circumstances beyond our control- loss of job, death of a spouse, illness, etc.- that can put us in dire straights where our finances are concerned and can cause our bills to pile up. This is not what I am addressing. I believe that it's time we know the truth about this subject because it's the truth that sets us free and doesn't give us a false hope.
Let me start by saying that there is no "spirit of debt". You will not find it in the scriptures, but what you will find is greed, covetousness, discontent and disobedience. These are the roots of debt. No one can supernaturally cancel debt for you- unless they intend to pay it off. There is no "magic wand" or "special anointing" to get rid of your debt. As long as you keep getting the credit cards and making loans, if you stop giving tithes and offerings, as long as you are undisciplined in your spending, as long as you keep wanting to purchase beyond your means, as long as you are discontent with what you have, as long as you continue to covet what everyone else has and do whatever you have to do to get it... you are still going to be in debt. I don't care how many prayer lines you stand in, how many request you send in, how many hands you have laid on you, how many bottles of oil poured on you, how many "faith packets" are sent to you nothing is going to get you out of debt until you follow true Biblical guidelines and deny yourself.
Sure God can supernaturally send you the resources to pay it off, but if you don't discipline yourself you'll be right back in it. The best way to get out of debt is to never get in it in the first place.
Have a great day. We need to take responsibility for our own over spending and stop looking for "quick fixes" to get us out.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
"Focus First"
"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name." Matthew 6:9
Our tendency when we come into God's presence is to come with our list of needs. Jesus even taught us to come to Him first acknowledging who He is and giving Him praise. I have discovered in my own life that if I will resist the temptation to immediately start making my request, giving Him my list of needs, asking Him to "do something", and instead take a moment to "enter His gates with thanksgiving and come come into His courts with praise" my prayer time goes from urgency, worry, anxiety over the needs to faith and confidence because I get refocused on who I am coming to with my needs.
I believe that this is why Jesus taught us to pray after "this manner". He wasn't giving us another "religious formula" to bring us into bondage because we "have to pray this way" and if we don't it becomes our excuse as to why our prayer "didn't get answered". If you will first enter with praise, if you will first acknowledge who you are coming to, if you will first remind yourself of His power and greatness, if you will first get your eyes on who He is, like I said already it refocuses you and takes your attention from the problem and places it on the God who is greater than the problem, on the God who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all you can ask or think. It encourages and builds your faith. It restores and renews your hope. As you do this you soon remember that He turns mountains into mole hills, is more powerful than your trial, the peace speaker, the glory and lifter of your head, the fire quencher, the lion tamer, the deliverer, the healer, the provider, the wise One who works all things together for your good. It won't take long before you'll remember that He is bigger, greater and stronger than your need.
Have a great day. Before you start presenting your need to God, take time to get refocuses on God (through praise and acknowledging who He is) and the need won't seem so big, so difficult, so impossible.
Our tendency when we come into God's presence is to come with our list of needs. Jesus even taught us to come to Him first acknowledging who He is and giving Him praise. I have discovered in my own life that if I will resist the temptation to immediately start making my request, giving Him my list of needs, asking Him to "do something", and instead take a moment to "enter His gates with thanksgiving and come come into His courts with praise" my prayer time goes from urgency, worry, anxiety over the needs to faith and confidence because I get refocused on who I am coming to with my needs.
I believe that this is why Jesus taught us to pray after "this manner". He wasn't giving us another "religious formula" to bring us into bondage because we "have to pray this way" and if we don't it becomes our excuse as to why our prayer "didn't get answered". If you will first enter with praise, if you will first acknowledge who you are coming to, if you will first remind yourself of His power and greatness, if you will first get your eyes on who He is, like I said already it refocuses you and takes your attention from the problem and places it on the God who is greater than the problem, on the God who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all you can ask or think. It encourages and builds your faith. It restores and renews your hope. As you do this you soon remember that He turns mountains into mole hills, is more powerful than your trial, the peace speaker, the glory and lifter of your head, the fire quencher, the lion tamer, the deliverer, the healer, the provider, the wise One who works all things together for your good. It won't take long before you'll remember that He is bigger, greater and stronger than your need.
Have a great day. Before you start presenting your need to God, take time to get refocuses on God (through praise and acknowledging who He is) and the need won't seem so big, so difficult, so impossible.
Monday, September 15, 2008
"His Lovingkindness - Part 2"
"How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings." Psalm 36:7
As I went to the scripture that the Lord laid on my heart this morning, I discovered that it talked about God's lovingkindness- that's what Friday's devotional was about. Hummm... I wonder if the Lord is trying to "tell" us something?!
The dictionary defines lovingkindness as: tender kindness motivated by or expressing affection. Listen to some of the definitions for kindness: the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic; manifestation of kind feeling or disposition beneficence; forgiving. No wonder He keeps leading me to these verses about His lovingkindness. This is part of His character- who He is.
God's great desire is that we know Him as Savior and Lord, but that we also know His character (His heart). He is loving and kind, forbearing and forgiving, generous and gracious, faithful and trustworthy, our Heavenly Father who loves us so dearly, so deeply and He laid down His life for us to prove His great love.
The more familiar we become with His character the more we know we can trust Him. If I know that He loves me, that He desires to manifest His kindness to me, that He wants to forgive me, that He has strong affections toward me, then it is no problem for me to put myself under His protective "wing". I can trust that He will be a safe place for me and that there is no safer place. Because of who He is, I know I can trust Him.
Have a great day. Because of His lovingkindness toward me, I can put my trust under the shadow of His wings.
As I went to the scripture that the Lord laid on my heart this morning, I discovered that it talked about God's lovingkindness- that's what Friday's devotional was about. Hummm... I wonder if the Lord is trying to "tell" us something?!
The dictionary defines lovingkindness as: tender kindness motivated by or expressing affection. Listen to some of the definitions for kindness: the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic; manifestation of kind feeling or disposition beneficence; forgiving. No wonder He keeps leading me to these verses about His lovingkindness. This is part of His character- who He is.
God's great desire is that we know Him as Savior and Lord, but that we also know His character (His heart). He is loving and kind, forbearing and forgiving, generous and gracious, faithful and trustworthy, our Heavenly Father who loves us so dearly, so deeply and He laid down His life for us to prove His great love.
The more familiar we become with His character the more we know we can trust Him. If I know that He loves me, that He desires to manifest His kindness to me, that He wants to forgive me, that He has strong affections toward me, then it is no problem for me to put myself under His protective "wing". I can trust that He will be a safe place for me and that there is no safer place. Because of who He is, I know I can trust Him.
Have a great day. Because of His lovingkindness toward me, I can put my trust under the shadow of His wings.
Friday, September 12, 2008
"His Lovingkindness"
"Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee." Psalm 63:3
Do you ever think about the lovingkindness of the Lord? It's because of His lovingkindness that we aren't cast away when we make a mistake and can find forgiveness when we sin. It's because of His lovingkindness that He takes pity on us and helps us in our times of need. His lovingkindness causes Him to take note of us. It's because of His lovingkindness that He shows us mercy, goodness, kindness and grace. It's because of His lovingkindness that He is faithful to us even when we aren't faithful. His lovingkindness brought Jesus to earth to pay the randsom for our sins.
I could go on and on talking about His lovingkindness but this devotional would be a little longer than you would want to take time to read. I don't know how much thought you give to the lovingkindness of the Lord but take time this weekend to think about tit, to meditate upon it, to read scriptures about His lovingkindness, to thank Him for it. We tend to focus more on certain other aspects of God's character but most of them are rooted in His lovingkindess.
Have a great day. Thank you, Lord, for your lovingkindness.
Do you ever think about the lovingkindness of the Lord? It's because of His lovingkindness that we aren't cast away when we make a mistake and can find forgiveness when we sin. It's because of His lovingkindness that He takes pity on us and helps us in our times of need. His lovingkindness causes Him to take note of us. It's because of His lovingkindness that He shows us mercy, goodness, kindness and grace. It's because of His lovingkindness that He is faithful to us even when we aren't faithful. His lovingkindness brought Jesus to earth to pay the randsom for our sins.
I could go on and on talking about His lovingkindness but this devotional would be a little longer than you would want to take time to read. I don't know how much thought you give to the lovingkindness of the Lord but take time this weekend to think about tit, to meditate upon it, to read scriptures about His lovingkindness, to thank Him for it. We tend to focus more on certain other aspects of God's character but most of them are rooted in His lovingkindess.
Have a great day. Thank you, Lord, for your lovingkindness.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
"Hanging Heads"
"But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head." Psalm 3:3
"...the lifter up of mine head." What causes our heads to be "bowed down"? Some people hang their heads in shame. They are ashamed of their actions, ashamed of past sins, ashamed of the things that they have done. The woman who was caught in adultery couldn't even look up at her accusers because of the shame of what she was caught doing. She also bowed her head in fear. She couldn't hold her head up- she was afraid to look at the consequences of her actions. Some hang their head in confusion. You will see them with their heads down and shaking wondering "why?". Why did they do what they did. Why did they let sin take them too far. Why didn't they heed the warning and stop before it was too late.
Perhaps your head is "hanging down" this morning. Has the shame over something that you have done caused you to hang your head down? You can't look up because of it? Are you bowed in fear- fear to look up because you don't want to see the consequences of what you have done? Has confusion caused you to hang your head down? Are you having a hard time trying to figure out why you did what you did? Why didn't you stop before it went too far? How could you have ever done what you did?
If your head is "hanging down"- for whatever reason- I have good news for you this morning. Jesus is the LIFTER of your head. He can lift you out of the shame, out of the guilt, out of the fear and confusion. Not only can He, but He will if you will but call out to Him. He lifted the head of the woman caught in adultery. She left His presence with restored hope instead of fear, with forgiveness instead of shame, and peace instead of confusion. He will do the same for you.
Have a great day. Don't keep going around with your head hanging down, let Jesus lift it up.
"...the lifter up of mine head." What causes our heads to be "bowed down"? Some people hang their heads in shame. They are ashamed of their actions, ashamed of past sins, ashamed of the things that they have done. The woman who was caught in adultery couldn't even look up at her accusers because of the shame of what she was caught doing. She also bowed her head in fear. She couldn't hold her head up- she was afraid to look at the consequences of her actions. Some hang their head in confusion. You will see them with their heads down and shaking wondering "why?". Why did they do what they did. Why did they let sin take them too far. Why didn't they heed the warning and stop before it was too late.
Perhaps your head is "hanging down" this morning. Has the shame over something that you have done caused you to hang your head down? You can't look up because of it? Are you bowed in fear- fear to look up because you don't want to see the consequences of what you have done? Has confusion caused you to hang your head down? Are you having a hard time trying to figure out why you did what you did? Why didn't you stop before it went too far? How could you have ever done what you did?
If your head is "hanging down"- for whatever reason- I have good news for you this morning. Jesus is the LIFTER of your head. He can lift you out of the shame, out of the guilt, out of the fear and confusion. Not only can He, but He will if you will but call out to Him. He lifted the head of the woman caught in adultery. She left His presence with restored hope instead of fear, with forgiveness instead of shame, and peace instead of confusion. He will do the same for you.
Have a great day. Don't keep going around with your head hanging down, let Jesus lift it up.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
"God's Size"
"Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?" Isaiah 66:1
"Stop telling God how big your problem is, and start telling your problem how big your God is." I am sure that you have heard that said before, but do you practice it? Are you living by it? When problems come, is their size all you can see?
No matter how big the problem, it is not bigger than God. No matter how big the mountain, it is not bigger than God. No matter how fierce the lions, how hot the furnace, how deep the pit, how wide the valley, how dry the wilderness, how raging the storm--- it is not bigger than God. When you are going through such times and difficulties, don't focus on them, focus on God. Focus on His "size", His power, His ability. Remind yourself that He is the one who created the universe, who parted the Red Sea, who made man from a handful of dust, who uses the earth as a footstool; then look at your problem and compare it to Him. There is no comparison- He will always be bigger and more powerful.
Is there really anything that is too big for God? Is your problem more than He can handle? Is it stronger than He is? The answer to all is: NO! Then start living like it. Stop letting the problems rob you, defeat you, destroy you, hold you captive, steal your joy, make you fearful, because they are no match for God. He will always be bigger and more powerful.
Have a great day. Your problem may be big, but your God is bigger.
"Stop telling God how big your problem is, and start telling your problem how big your God is." I am sure that you have heard that said before, but do you practice it? Are you living by it? When problems come, is their size all you can see?
No matter how big the problem, it is not bigger than God. No matter how big the mountain, it is not bigger than God. No matter how fierce the lions, how hot the furnace, how deep the pit, how wide the valley, how dry the wilderness, how raging the storm--- it is not bigger than God. When you are going through such times and difficulties, don't focus on them, focus on God. Focus on His "size", His power, His ability. Remind yourself that He is the one who created the universe, who parted the Red Sea, who made man from a handful of dust, who uses the earth as a footstool; then look at your problem and compare it to Him. There is no comparison- He will always be bigger and more powerful.
Is there really anything that is too big for God? Is your problem more than He can handle? Is it stronger than He is? The answer to all is: NO! Then start living like it. Stop letting the problems rob you, defeat you, destroy you, hold you captive, steal your joy, make you fearful, because they are no match for God. He will always be bigger and more powerful.
Have a great day. Your problem may be big, but your God is bigger.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
"Flourish"
"The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish." Proverbs 14:11
As I read this verse I thought about the parable of the wise man and the foolish man who built their houses upon two different foundations- sand and rock. The "house" that this parable talked about was the person's life. The foolish man (the wicked) build their lives upon sand and it was destroyed. The wise man (the upright in heart) built his on rock and it was not destroyed.
If you want to keep your house from being overthrown like the man whose house was built on sand, you have to build it on the right foundation. You have to put your trust, faith, confidence, and hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. If you don't, your lives will always be overthrown. The enemy will overthrow you and put you in bondage. The storms of life will overthrow you and destroy you. The trials of life will overthrown you. Whatever comes against you will put you in a state of ruin.
But for those who have put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, the storms will not destroy us- we will continue to live and grow (flourish). The enemy can not overthrow us- his attacks only strengthen us as we come through them victorious. The trials of live will not overcome us- God's strength will be made perfect in our weakness so we will rise up strong in them. We are not overthrown by what comes our way... on the contrary, it actually causes up to grow.
Have a great day. There is only one place to build your life if you don't want it destroyed-- on the Rock, on the Lord Jesus Christ.
As I read this verse I thought about the parable of the wise man and the foolish man who built their houses upon two different foundations- sand and rock. The "house" that this parable talked about was the person's life. The foolish man (the wicked) build their lives upon sand and it was destroyed. The wise man (the upright in heart) built his on rock and it was not destroyed.
If you want to keep your house from being overthrown like the man whose house was built on sand, you have to build it on the right foundation. You have to put your trust, faith, confidence, and hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. If you don't, your lives will always be overthrown. The enemy will overthrow you and put you in bondage. The storms of life will overthrow you and destroy you. The trials of life will overthrown you. Whatever comes against you will put you in a state of ruin.
But for those who have put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, the storms will not destroy us- we will continue to live and grow (flourish). The enemy can not overthrow us- his attacks only strengthen us as we come through them victorious. The trials of live will not overcome us- God's strength will be made perfect in our weakness so we will rise up strong in them. We are not overthrown by what comes our way... on the contrary, it actually causes up to grow.
Have a great day. There is only one place to build your life if you don't want it destroyed-- on the Rock, on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Monday, September 8, 2008
"The Choice Is Simple"
"So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life." Job 7:15
I was keeping my little granddaughter the other day and after our lunch I left her in the highchair to "play" while I washed the dishes. Of course, you know when you give a baby a toy it will always wind up on the floor. I gave her a couple of toys to content her-- you guessed it, they all wound up on the floor. After about the third time of picking them up, I decided to "load her down" with them hoping that it would take a longer time to drop all of them. I placed the "dozen" toys on the table in front of her and she got the strangest look on her face. I think she went into "overload". She looked like she was so overwhelmed at having so many choices- she didn't know where to begin or what to play with first. I said to her, "Did Nanna give you too many choices?" As soon as that came out of my mouth, the Lord reminded me that He only gives us two choices at any given time.... and we still don't know what to do!
He gives us the choices: to be hot or cold (Revelation 3:15); to serve Him or mammon (Matthew 6:24); to serve Him or false gods (Joshua 24:15); to choose life or death, blessings and cursing. (Deut. 30:19) In the Garden of Eden He gave man the choice to eat or not to eat of the forbidden tree. Of course, Adam blew it although it was a simple choice to make. We do the same thing when it comes to making choices. We make the choice so hard, even when God gives us the answer to which choice to make. "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." (Deut. 30:19)
Are you in a place of decision? Are you struggling between one choice or another? Are you having a hard time making a decision even though you know which is the right one? Are you making a simple choice difficult? Jesus had a choice to make too in a garden- choose His will or the will of the Father. Of course, He made the right choice leaving us an example that no matter how difficult, or simple, the choice might be we can still choice the right one.
Have a great day. We aren't overwhelmed with too many decisions at a time. So making the right one ought not be that difficult.
I was keeping my little granddaughter the other day and after our lunch I left her in the highchair to "play" while I washed the dishes. Of course, you know when you give a baby a toy it will always wind up on the floor. I gave her a couple of toys to content her-- you guessed it, they all wound up on the floor. After about the third time of picking them up, I decided to "load her down" with them hoping that it would take a longer time to drop all of them. I placed the "dozen" toys on the table in front of her and she got the strangest look on her face. I think she went into "overload". She looked like she was so overwhelmed at having so many choices- she didn't know where to begin or what to play with first. I said to her, "Did Nanna give you too many choices?" As soon as that came out of my mouth, the Lord reminded me that He only gives us two choices at any given time.... and we still don't know what to do!
He gives us the choices: to be hot or cold (Revelation 3:15); to serve Him or mammon (Matthew 6:24); to serve Him or false gods (Joshua 24:15); to choose life or death, blessings and cursing. (Deut. 30:19) In the Garden of Eden He gave man the choice to eat or not to eat of the forbidden tree. Of course, Adam blew it although it was a simple choice to make. We do the same thing when it comes to making choices. We make the choice so hard, even when God gives us the answer to which choice to make. "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." (Deut. 30:19)
Are you in a place of decision? Are you struggling between one choice or another? Are you having a hard time making a decision even though you know which is the right one? Are you making a simple choice difficult? Jesus had a choice to make too in a garden- choose His will or the will of the Father. Of course, He made the right choice leaving us an example that no matter how difficult, or simple, the choice might be we can still choice the right one.
Have a great day. We aren't overwhelmed with too many decisions at a time. So making the right one ought not be that difficult.
Friday, September 5, 2008
"Light Out Of Darkness"
"The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple." Psalm 119:130
Have you ever gone through a "dark" time? You are in the middle of a problem but you don't understand why or what's going on? When you don't understand, there is only one thing to do-- seek the Lord for an answer. As you do, He will answer you. He will show you if there is something you have done to cause it- like unconfessed sin, your reaping where you sowed, if you've opened the door to the enemy. He may tell you that it is just a test that will make you stronger in the end. When He speaks to you, His answer is His word that brings light into the situation so that you can "see clearly" and have a better understanding of what's happening to you. "The entrance of thy words giveth light."
Once God speaks to you about the situation, it is up to you to do whatever He tells you. If He tells you there is sin- you need to repent. If He tells you that it is just a test- rejoice and commit to trust Him deeper. If He tells you to bind or loosen something- bind it or loosen it. If He tells you to take your hands off- take them off. If He tells you to make restitution- go make it. If He tells you to go to an offended brother- go to them. If He tells you to fast- fast. If He tells you to forgive- forgive. Once His word comes into the situation, it enlightens you so that you can see clearly- you are no longer "groping around in darkness" trying to figure it out. But you will stay in that darkness unless you obey what He says. That's when that word He spoke to you becomes "a lamp unto thy feet and a light unto thy path" showing you the path out of the darkness.
Have a great day. His word gives you understanding and it leads you in the right direction.
Have you ever gone through a "dark" time? You are in the middle of a problem but you don't understand why or what's going on? When you don't understand, there is only one thing to do-- seek the Lord for an answer. As you do, He will answer you. He will show you if there is something you have done to cause it- like unconfessed sin, your reaping where you sowed, if you've opened the door to the enemy. He may tell you that it is just a test that will make you stronger in the end. When He speaks to you, His answer is His word that brings light into the situation so that you can "see clearly" and have a better understanding of what's happening to you. "The entrance of thy words giveth light."
Once God speaks to you about the situation, it is up to you to do whatever He tells you. If He tells you there is sin- you need to repent. If He tells you that it is just a test- rejoice and commit to trust Him deeper. If He tells you to bind or loosen something- bind it or loosen it. If He tells you to take your hands off- take them off. If He tells you to make restitution- go make it. If He tells you to go to an offended brother- go to them. If He tells you to fast- fast. If He tells you to forgive- forgive. Once His word comes into the situation, it enlightens you so that you can see clearly- you are no longer "groping around in darkness" trying to figure it out. But you will stay in that darkness unless you obey what He says. That's when that word He spoke to you becomes "a lamp unto thy feet and a light unto thy path" showing you the path out of the darkness.
Have a great day. His word gives you understanding and it leads you in the right direction.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
"He Is Worth It"
"Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing." Revelation 5:12
Since the storm came through I have had a terrible time sending out the Coffee Break. What normally takes me five minutes to send took me an hour the first night and almost two hours last night. I was up until 3:00 am trying to send it out. It would keep rejecting certain emails and I would have to go through the whole list to find the rejected one. I would resend it, it would time out, then it would reject a different email. It kept doing this repeatedly on all the mailing lists- all fifteen of them. But, praise be to God, I finally got them sent.
I told you all that to say, that it doesn't matter if it keeps me up half the night, or all night, to send these messages because I know they glorify God. Therefore, it's worth it because He is worth it. If someway, somehow, my being inconvenienced, losing sleep, being persecuted, being rejected, being uncomfortable, facing difficulties... whatever, can bring Him even an ounce of glory, it is worth it because He is worth it!
Paul said that he gloried in his tribulations because Christ was worth it. He gloried in his imprisonments, in his beatings, in his persecutions, in the marks that he bore in his body, if Christ could get any glory at all because of it. His rejoicing, even through the worst of situations, was because he counted Jesus worth it.
This is a main foundation of the gospel and the church has forgotten it. We certainly don't have the same attitude Paul had. Instead we whine, complain, murmur, get a bad attitude, get depressed, get frustrated, angry and full of self-pity if we are deprived of anything, if we have to go through any sort of persecution, if we have to face anything unpleasant, if we are rejected, if we don't have all we want or things don't go our way. Why? Because it's more about us than it is about Him.
The flip side of this is that Jesus thought you were worth it. Each time the whip went across His back, each time they spit in His face, each time they mocked Him, the rejection, the shame, the ridicule He suffered, the driving of the nails in His hands and feet, each piercing wound from the crown of thorns, every time that slapped Him, He said,"You are worth it". "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)
Have a great day. May this once again be the cry of the church.. it's not about me, it's all about Him and He is worth whatever it may cost me.
Since the storm came through I have had a terrible time sending out the Coffee Break. What normally takes me five minutes to send took me an hour the first night and almost two hours last night. I was up until 3:00 am trying to send it out. It would keep rejecting certain emails and I would have to go through the whole list to find the rejected one. I would resend it, it would time out, then it would reject a different email. It kept doing this repeatedly on all the mailing lists- all fifteen of them. But, praise be to God, I finally got them sent.
I told you all that to say, that it doesn't matter if it keeps me up half the night, or all night, to send these messages because I know they glorify God. Therefore, it's worth it because He is worth it. If someway, somehow, my being inconvenienced, losing sleep, being persecuted, being rejected, being uncomfortable, facing difficulties... whatever, can bring Him even an ounce of glory, it is worth it because He is worth it!
Paul said that he gloried in his tribulations because Christ was worth it. He gloried in his imprisonments, in his beatings, in his persecutions, in the marks that he bore in his body, if Christ could get any glory at all because of it. His rejoicing, even through the worst of situations, was because he counted Jesus worth it.
This is a main foundation of the gospel and the church has forgotten it. We certainly don't have the same attitude Paul had. Instead we whine, complain, murmur, get a bad attitude, get depressed, get frustrated, angry and full of self-pity if we are deprived of anything, if we have to go through any sort of persecution, if we have to face anything unpleasant, if we are rejected, if we don't have all we want or things don't go our way. Why? Because it's more about us than it is about Him.
The flip side of this is that Jesus thought you were worth it. Each time the whip went across His back, each time they spit in His face, each time they mocked Him, the rejection, the shame, the ridicule He suffered, the driving of the nails in His hands and feet, each piercing wound from the crown of thorns, every time that slapped Him, He said,"You are worth it". "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)
Have a great day. May this once again be the cry of the church.. it's not about me, it's all about Him and He is worth whatever it may cost me.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
"Profit"
"Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go." Isaiah 48:17
Did you see the word "profit"? That is one of our favorite words. Everybody wants to profit- that's why we make investments, that's why we make certain sacrifices, why we exercise our bodies... we are looking for a profit (to gain something) in return. God is not opposed to our profiting. As a matter of fact, He has given us the key so we can profit.
What's the key? "I am the LORD thy God". The first one is that the Lord has to be your God. If He is your God, then He has first place in your life, and as you seek Him first He will add "all" these things to you--- that's profiting.
Next, "which teacheth thee to profit". If you are going to profit, have any gain or benefit, you are going to have to let Him teach you. You are going to have to become a student in the school of the Spirit. When He teaches you, you are going to have to heed what He says and then be a "doer of the Word" not a "hearer" only.
A profit is not always measured in "dollars and cents". There are so many more ways and areas that we can gain a profit in-- the greatest being a gain in our understanding of and intimacy with the Lord. A gain of spiritual things is more valuable than a gain of material things. Spiritual gain is eternal, not temporary. They don't devalue with the economy. They don't decay with the passing of time. They aren't easily stolen.
I know that God blesses us in the physical rim, but I believe He desires to bless us more with spiritual things. Godliness is of great gain. Righteousness is of great gain. Holiness is of great gain. We are warned that there is no profit in having the whole world if we don't have spiritual gain. We can still have spiritual gain even if we don't have physical gain. On the flip side of that we can have physical gain but yet still not have spiritual gain. Consider the rich man and Lazarus-- which one was actually the profitable one?
Have a great day. There is a profit for those who know the Lord their God-- and it makes us eternally profitable.
Did you see the word "profit"? That is one of our favorite words. Everybody wants to profit- that's why we make investments, that's why we make certain sacrifices, why we exercise our bodies... we are looking for a profit (to gain something) in return. God is not opposed to our profiting. As a matter of fact, He has given us the key so we can profit.
What's the key? "I am the LORD thy God". The first one is that the Lord has to be your God. If He is your God, then He has first place in your life, and as you seek Him first He will add "all" these things to you--- that's profiting.
Next, "which teacheth thee to profit". If you are going to profit, have any gain or benefit, you are going to have to let Him teach you. You are going to have to become a student in the school of the Spirit. When He teaches you, you are going to have to heed what He says and then be a "doer of the Word" not a "hearer" only.
A profit is not always measured in "dollars and cents". There are so many more ways and areas that we can gain a profit in-- the greatest being a gain in our understanding of and intimacy with the Lord. A gain of spiritual things is more valuable than a gain of material things. Spiritual gain is eternal, not temporary. They don't devalue with the economy. They don't decay with the passing of time. They aren't easily stolen.
I know that God blesses us in the physical rim, but I believe He desires to bless us more with spiritual things. Godliness is of great gain. Righteousness is of great gain. Holiness is of great gain. We are warned that there is no profit in having the whole world if we don't have spiritual gain. We can still have spiritual gain even if we don't have physical gain. On the flip side of that we can have physical gain but yet still not have spiritual gain. Consider the rich man and Lazarus-- which one was actually the profitable one?
Have a great day. There is a profit for those who know the Lord their God-- and it makes us eternally profitable.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
"Change The Subject"
"Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul." Job 7:11
As you watch the news you realize that if something wasn't happening- a storm, an election, a murder trial, a custody battle, a war, etc- they wouldn't have anything to talk about. When something does make "news", the reporters "run it in the ground", that is ALL they talk about. It seems as if the world stopped and nothing else is taking place. I noticed this as I watched the weather channel today. Every moment was consumed with Gustav (don't misunderstand, I am thankful for the updates and information they provide, but I am trying to make a point.) I wondered what they would have to talk about if there was no storm?
Sadly, there are a lot of people- even in the church- who are like this. If there isn't something "bad" happening, they don't have anything to talk about. They spend all their time talking about the trouble they are going through, or have been through. It's the only subject that comes out of their mouth. Each time you see them, they repeat it to you.. over and over again. You ask them how they are and they go right back to this same subject. You always know what they are going to say before they say it.
I am not trying to be critical. I know that very real things happen to us. I know that there are times we need to relate what we are going through. I know that sometimes we need a compassionate hear to listen. This is not what I am talking about. What I am talking about is deeper than that. It has become a "security blanket" to them. And even deeper-- it's become a bondage. They reach a point where they can't talk about anything else. If that is you--- it's time to break free. It's time to leave it in the past. It's time to develop a new habit of talking. It's time to change your speaking. It's time to get a new subject. There is so much more to talk about. God desires that our mouths be full of words that edify, minister, comfort and exhort others. It's time to put the law of kindness in your mouth. It's time to fill it with good things. It's time to fill it with words of faith that tend to life. It's time to fill it with words of peace, wisdom and joy. It's time to fill it with praise, adoration and thanksgiving to the Lord. It's time to talk more about the grace, forgiveness, mercy, goodness and faithfulness of God. There are a thousand other things you can fill your mouth with, and it's time to do it.
Have a great day. Is it time to change the subject?
As you watch the news you realize that if something wasn't happening- a storm, an election, a murder trial, a custody battle, a war, etc- they wouldn't have anything to talk about. When something does make "news", the reporters "run it in the ground", that is ALL they talk about. It seems as if the world stopped and nothing else is taking place. I noticed this as I watched the weather channel today. Every moment was consumed with Gustav (don't misunderstand, I am thankful for the updates and information they provide, but I am trying to make a point.) I wondered what they would have to talk about if there was no storm?
Sadly, there are a lot of people- even in the church- who are like this. If there isn't something "bad" happening, they don't have anything to talk about. They spend all their time talking about the trouble they are going through, or have been through. It's the only subject that comes out of their mouth. Each time you see them, they repeat it to you.. over and over again. You ask them how they are and they go right back to this same subject. You always know what they are going to say before they say it.
I am not trying to be critical. I know that very real things happen to us. I know that there are times we need to relate what we are going through. I know that sometimes we need a compassionate hear to listen. This is not what I am talking about. What I am talking about is deeper than that. It has become a "security blanket" to them. And even deeper-- it's become a bondage. They reach a point where they can't talk about anything else. If that is you--- it's time to break free. It's time to leave it in the past. It's time to develop a new habit of talking. It's time to change your speaking. It's time to get a new subject. There is so much more to talk about. God desires that our mouths be full of words that edify, minister, comfort and exhort others. It's time to put the law of kindness in your mouth. It's time to fill it with good things. It's time to fill it with words of faith that tend to life. It's time to fill it with words of peace, wisdom and joy. It's time to fill it with praise, adoration and thanksgiving to the Lord. It's time to talk more about the grace, forgiveness, mercy, goodness and faithfulness of God. There are a thousand other things you can fill your mouth with, and it's time to do it.
Have a great day. Is it time to change the subject?
Monday, September 1, 2008
"Storms"
"And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." Mark 4:39
For days we have been watching a storm developing- Gustav. As we would watch the weather channel and hear the reports of it's size, status, position and possible threat, it seemed hard to believe that there was a storm anywhere- much less approaching us. Each day for the past several days the weather has been beautiful, filled with sunshine. Yet while it was sunny here, the storm was still brewing.
That's how the storms of life are. You wake up in the morning to "sunny" days- no problem in your relationships, enough money to pay the bills, your health is good, you're walking in peace. There seems to be no evidence that a storm is anywhere nearby. Job was having a "sunny" day, but a storm was brewing and coming to his life. Even though a storm may be brewing in your life, it usually comes upon you suddenly. You don't always have the luxury of advance warning like we have with this hurricane.
Some of you who are reading this are facing storms that have seem to come out of nowhere. Yesterday was a sunny day, you didn't have a care in the world, now all of a sudden you find yourself in the storm of your life. I want to encourage you this morning that the same God who speaks,"Peace be still", to natural storms, who isn't taken by surprise by them but sees them coming, who is greater than the storms, the one who even the winds and the waves obey and they bow at His name, is the same one who speaks,"Peace be still" to the storms of life. There's an old song that just came to mind- "He will calm the troubled waters of your soul, Take your broken heart and make it whole, When the storms of this life are dark and cold,He will calm the troubled waters of your soul." This brings to mind another song- "Peace Speaker". (I have included the words below.) He sees the storm you are going through. It hasn't taken Him by surprise. He is greater than the storm and able to do something about it- He still speaks, "Peace be still", and won't let it destroy you.
Have a great day. We don't always know if there is a storm brewing in our lives, but we do know the one who can speak peace to it.
PEACE SPEAKER
by Geron Davis
It was such a lovely day
The sun was shining bright
The gentle wind was blowin' my way
Not a storm cloud was in sight
Then, suddenly without warning,
A storm surrounded my life.
But even in the storm I could feel the calm,
And here's the reason why.
Chorus
I know the Peace Speaker,
I know Him by Name
I know the Peace Speaker,
He controls the wind
And the waves.
When He says, "Peace, be still,"
They have to obey.
I know the Peace Speaker,
Yes, I Know Him by Name.
There's never been another man
With the power of this friend,
By simply saying, "Peace be still"
He can calm the strongest wind.
And that's why I never worry
When the storm clouds come my way,
I know that He is near to drive
Away my fears
And I can smile and say:
Repeat chorus
Peace, peace, wonderful peace
Coming down from the FatherAbove.
When He says, " Peace be Still, "
Theyhave to obey.
I'm glad I know the Peace Speaker,
Yes I know Him by Name.I know Him by Name.
I know the Peace Speaker,
Yes, I Know Him by Name.
For days we have been watching a storm developing- Gustav. As we would watch the weather channel and hear the reports of it's size, status, position and possible threat, it seemed hard to believe that there was a storm anywhere- much less approaching us. Each day for the past several days the weather has been beautiful, filled with sunshine. Yet while it was sunny here, the storm was still brewing.
That's how the storms of life are. You wake up in the morning to "sunny" days- no problem in your relationships, enough money to pay the bills, your health is good, you're walking in peace. There seems to be no evidence that a storm is anywhere nearby. Job was having a "sunny" day, but a storm was brewing and coming to his life. Even though a storm may be brewing in your life, it usually comes upon you suddenly. You don't always have the luxury of advance warning like we have with this hurricane.
Some of you who are reading this are facing storms that have seem to come out of nowhere. Yesterday was a sunny day, you didn't have a care in the world, now all of a sudden you find yourself in the storm of your life. I want to encourage you this morning that the same God who speaks,"Peace be still", to natural storms, who isn't taken by surprise by them but sees them coming, who is greater than the storms, the one who even the winds and the waves obey and they bow at His name, is the same one who speaks,"Peace be still" to the storms of life. There's an old song that just came to mind- "He will calm the troubled waters of your soul, Take your broken heart and make it whole, When the storms of this life are dark and cold,He will calm the troubled waters of your soul." This brings to mind another song- "Peace Speaker". (I have included the words below.) He sees the storm you are going through. It hasn't taken Him by surprise. He is greater than the storm and able to do something about it- He still speaks, "Peace be still", and won't let it destroy you.
Have a great day. We don't always know if there is a storm brewing in our lives, but we do know the one who can speak peace to it.
PEACE SPEAKER
by Geron Davis
It was such a lovely day
The sun was shining bright
The gentle wind was blowin' my way
Not a storm cloud was in sight
Then, suddenly without warning,
A storm surrounded my life.
But even in the storm I could feel the calm,
And here's the reason why.
Chorus
I know the Peace Speaker,
I know Him by Name
I know the Peace Speaker,
He controls the wind
And the waves.
When He says, "Peace, be still,"
They have to obey.
I know the Peace Speaker,
Yes, I Know Him by Name.
There's never been another man
With the power of this friend,
By simply saying, "Peace be still"
He can calm the strongest wind.
And that's why I never worry
When the storm clouds come my way,
I know that He is near to drive
Away my fears
And I can smile and say:
Repeat chorus
Peace, peace, wonderful peace
Coming down from the FatherAbove.
When He says, " Peace be Still, "
Theyhave to obey.
I'm glad I know the Peace Speaker,
Yes I know Him by Name.I know Him by Name.
I know the Peace Speaker,
Yes, I Know Him by Name.
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