Tuesday, June 30, 2009

"Prayer And Praise"

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." Proverbs 17:22

What a contrast- a merry heart and a broken spirit, the complete opposites. To have a merry heart is more beneficial because there is life and healing in it, while a broken spirit brings death, discouragement and even sickness. How do we keep a merry heart? How do we overcome a broken spirit? James 5:13 gives us an answer. "Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms."

When experiencing a broken spirit or afflictions, don't just ignore the problem that causes them. Don't just try to sweep it under the rug. PRAY. Philippians tells us to pray in every situation. Go to God, talk to Him about it, turn your care over to Him, seek Him for direction, pour out your heart to Him, let Him know how you feel.

When we have a merry heart, we shouldn't ignore it either. Don't withhold it, don't keep it bottled up inside, release your joy, this is one time not to keep your mouth shut. James says to sing psalms when we are merry. He didn't just say to sing, he said to sing psalms- the praise chapters of the Bible. Release your praise and sing unto the Lord. Make His word your meditation, make it your song throughout the day, make it the thoughts your dwell on.

We experience times of both in life- joy and affliction. But there is something that we need to do when we are. Broken in spirit? Go to God in prayer. Merry in heart? Sing His praises.

Have a great day. Prayer and praise-- two great principles to live our lives by.

Monday, June 29, 2009

"Door To Door"

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15

About thirty years ago I was an Avon representative. Back then you went door to door selling the product. I can remember each day heading out on my route to knock on doors of people who were perfect strangers, greeting them, telling them who I was and what I had to sell. I haven't thought about that in a long time until yesterday. As I was reminiscing I began to put it in a spiritual context and it made me wonder--- why is it easy for us to talk to people we have never laid eyes on before and try to sell them something in order to make money, yet have a hard time telling strangers, acquaintances, friends and family about Jesus. Why is it so hard to share the gospel- the only truly good news- with them when we will share everything else. We have something to offer this world that is better than a product that will make them look a little younger, make them smell better, help improve their life, make them feel better, etc. What we have to offer will give them eternal life, escape from eternal torment, abundant life now and put them in right relationship with a Holy God.

These ladies that became my customers looked forward to my coming and were always glad to see me. They could hardly wait to see what I had to offer, see what was on sale, order something they were out of or just visit. May I tell you that there are a whole lot of people out there that are waiting for someone to share the good news of the gospel with them. They are looking for someone who will show them what they need and point them in the right direction. They are hurting needing help. They are in pain needing comfort. They are in confusion needing the truth. Sure you have those who don't want to hear and those who will reject, but there are many who do want to know. I can remember being excited about even one order. When sharing the gospel, we should rejoice when even one person will listen and turn to Christ.

Not everyone bought something each time I went. They may go for a few months without making a purchase, but I didn't quit going. I kept going each month and finally those who did not buy before did that month. Those you witness to may not receive Christ the first time you go, or the second time you witness to them, but if we persevere God will give the increase.

Have a great day. Go and share the gospel.. we go and share everything else with them... even if they are strangers.

Friday, June 26, 2009

"Excuses"

"And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused." Luke 14:18

I heard someone say that an excuse is just a lie wrapped in reason. We are full of excuses as to why we can't or won't do certain things. At times there are legitimate reasons why we can't but most of the time we are only making excuses. Our excuses are so "lame", they don't "hold water", like the people in this portion of scripture.

I want to ask you this morning- what is your excuse? What excuse are you using as to why you won't surrender your life to the Lord? What excuse are you giving as to why you won't turn your problems over to Him? What is your excuse for being disobedient to what He has told you to do? Making excuses goes back to the beginning of time. Adam tried to excuse his disobedience by blaming his wife. Aaron tried to excuse his creating the golden calf by pointing back to the peoples' demands and Moses' absence. Saul tried to cover up his disobedience through excuses by saying it was the people who did it.

Have you noticed that each of these examples tried to justify themselves by putting the blame on someone else? They tried to excuse themselves by making it someone else's fault. They tried to "pass the buck"- basically saying, "I would have obeyed if it had not been for someone else."

If you are making excuses as to why you won't receive the gift of salvation and eternal life that God has so freely provided for you through His Dear Son Jesus; if you are making excuses as to why you won't surrender the Lordship of your life over to Him; if you are making excuses as to why you won't repent and turn from your sins and receive Him as Savior and crown Him as Lord-- then on the day when you stand before the Lord and have to give and account, you will stand there alone with no one to blame but yourself. You won't have any excuses, you won't be able to blame any one else, you won't be able to point the finger of excuse toward someone. On that day, you will have to stand and give a reason and it won't be any one else's fault... and you won't have a good reason. So stop making excuses today. Stop turning your back on the gift of eternal life that God has provided for you... you don't have an excuse not to and you certainly don't have a good reason.

Have a great day. Stop making excuses... you have none.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

"Famous One"

"And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about." Luke 4:37

I woke up again with another song on my heart- so what's new, right? The verse that keeps going over and over in my mind says, "You are the Lord, the famous One, famous One. Great is Your name in all the earth." I have a dear young friend that God has called to reach his generation for Christ and we are always talking about this very thing. When God opens a door it's so that we can make Him famous.. not ourselves.

If God has called you to a position of ministry, it's not about making a name for yourself. It's about making Him famous. We must always remember that everything we do is to lift Him up. It's to bring Him glory. It's to make Him known to the world. Even if you have not been called into the five-fold ministry, you have still been commissioned to carry the gospel to those you meet whether it's at your school, on your job, in your family, at the grocery store, etc. And this commission you have is to make Him famous-- to make sure they know about Him.

The emphasis is never to be on self. It is always to be on God. Every open door is an opportunity to make His name known. The gospel is about Jesus- about His love for mankind, His death, burial and resurrection.

So this morning, let me ask you, "Who are you lifting up?" Who are you trying to make famous? Are you trying to make a name for yourself? Or are you trying to make Him famous and His name known wherever you are?

Have a great day. You are the Lord.. the famous one... the one with a name that is above every other name.

"Famous One"

You are the Lord
The famous one, famous one
Great is Your name in all the earth.
The heavens declare
You're glorious, glorious
Great is Your fame beyond the earth.
For all You've done and yet to do
With every breath I'm praising You
Desire of the nations and every heart.
You alone are God
You alone are God
The morning star is shining through
And every eye is watching
YouRevealed by nature and miracles.
You are beautiful
You are beautiful

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

"Fleshly Weapons"

"(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)" 2 Corinthians 10:4

Someone came over to my house the other day. They said they had been here and there and was going somewhere else after they left. They only stayed for a few minutes and didn't have a lot to say. They had acted very odd, so I called them and asked them if there was something wrong because their behavior was just not right.

They told me that they had been battling depression for the past couple of weeks so they were trying to keep themselves busy so they would not give in to it. Can I tell you, this is not the way to handle or defeat it. This person was trying to handle it through "humanistic wisdom". What they were doing (trying to stay busy to keep from giving in to it) was the flesh's way of trying to solve it's problem.

When you have a problem, when you are going through something, when you are facing a battle, you can handle it one of two ways: either through the flesh or through the Spirit. The Bible tells us not to be conformed to this world. That means don't handle problems or fight battles the same way the world does. Their way is to keep themselves busy, take a pill, go hug a tree, let their anger out, write a letter to themselves, find a hobby, etc.

Instead of conforming to and following the world's "solution" for dealing with these things, we need to handle them through spiritual means. For example, instead of busying themselves, this person should be falling on their face in prayer, and crying out to God, pressing into His presence and remaining there until they have touched the hem of His garment and felt His virtue flow into them.

Handling things through fleshly means will never solve the problem and will never bring victory. Handling them through the spirit- through the weapons that God has made available to us- will.

Have a great day. Flesh cannot solve it's own problems-- it's not by our might or power, but by His Spirit-- by spiritual means.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

"Going In Circles"

"We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us: for we have sinned against the LORD our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God." Jeremiah 3:25

A couple of weeks ago I was sitting here at my desk and noticed a lizard on the window. He caught my attention because he was going around and around in circles. He would make a couple of loops in one direction, then he would stop and turn and go in the other direction. Going around, and around, and around, and around in circles.

Do you feel like that- like you are spending your life just going around in circles? You are always finding yourself back at "square one" or at the same starting point? The Israelites found themselves going in circles during their stay in the wilderness. They spent forty years going around and around the same mountain.

What causes this? Often, as was their case, it's our disobedience. Disobedience will prevent you from going forward. Disobedience is sin and sin will bring confusion to your heart and mind. Disobedience will stop you from walking on a straight and clear path. Of course, this is not the only reason. Not acknowledging God in all our ways and just going out on our own to do what we want instead of seeking God about what He wants is another reason. Also the enemy will attack us to try to keep us from going in the direction God would have us to go so that we can't see clearly the straight path.

If your reason is disobedience, then you need to stop right now and fall on your face in repentance before the Lord. And then choose to obey what He has told you. He will give you grace, strength and provision as you do. And He will lay out a straight course before you.

Have a great day. Disobedience will keep you going around in circles.

Monday, June 22, 2009

"Mosquitoes"

"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place."
2 Corinthians 2:14

I finally killed it! There has been a mosquito buzzing around my office for two or three days now. I have taken a swat at him several times- each time I'd see him land- but always missing. Well, this morning I did not miss! He will no longer bother me or attack me.

Are there any "mosquitoes" in your life? Are there "little sins" that are always trying to destroy you, keep taunting you or keep "buzzing" around waiting for a moment when you are off guard to attack? Does victory over them seem to elude you?

What do you do about them? There are those who do nothing. They just let them go, making no attempt to remove them from their lives. They think that if they ignore them then they will go away. Some know they are there but have decided that this problem is such a small thing that they don't feel they should waste their energy on trying to get rid of it. They forget that little things can cause a lot of hurt and suck the life blood out of you. Some will make attempts to "swat" at them but when they "miss" they get discouraged and give up having decided that they will never be free or will never get victory over it. The last group are those who go after it to rid it from their lives. They are relentless in their pursuit to not allow this to stay in their lives. They don't give up until they have the victory over it.

Which group are you? Christians should be among the last group. We should not allow these things to stay in our lives. We should continually fight the good fight of faith against them, not giving up or quitting until it is destroyed. We should always expect victory over them because Christ has already gotten the victory for us. If you're not among this group then you have a bigger problem than a "small mosquito" type sin. And it will not be long before your "mosquito" size sins become something much larger. Molehills easily become mountains when you ignore them and let them go.

Have a great day. Don't allow even the smallest of sins to stay in your life- they don't just go away.

Friday, June 19, 2009

"Praise At All Times"

"I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth." Psalm 34:1

"At all times, continually" will I bless and praise the Lord. Is that your testimony this morning? Do you bless and praise Him at all times? Or do you let the cares of this life, the problems you encounter, the challenges you face, the temptations that come your way steal your praise? He is still worthy of praise no matter what you are going through.

You need to praise Him. You can't afford to stop. Praise is a powerful weapon. Praise brings God's presence into the situation. Praise confuses the enemy. How? The enemy expects you to whine, cry, become fearful, grumble and complain about the trying times, but he doesn't expect to hear your praise. He can't figure out how you can still sing the praises of God when you are losing everything. He can't figure out how you can lift your voice in adoration to God when you are going through a devastating time. He gets confused and doesn't know what to do next. Ordinarily, when he hears you respond to these times with discouragement he knows that all he needs to do is keep piling them on you. When he hears praise, he has to rethink his plan and scheme against you.

Don't give in to the temptation to stop praising the Lord. Praise Him at all times--yes, even in the bad times, and especially when you are in a battle. Praise may not necessarily change the situation itself but it will change your attitude toward it. When it does, you will see the victory.

Have a great day. Determine to praise the Lord and bless His name at all times.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

"God's Goodness"

"And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy." Exodus 33:19

"I will make my goodness pass before thee." God's goodness is still passing before us. It passed before me this morning when it woke me up. I see His goodness in His faithfulness. I see His goodness each time He fulfills His promise to me. I see the Lord's goodness passing by in His provisions- for it is He that meets and supplies all my needs. His goodness passes by our lives in the form of His love, through His healing of our bodies, His strength in our weakness, His grace in times of afflictions and in His mercies that are new every morning.

God's goodness is not just a one time glimpse of Him as He passes by your situation. His goodness is all around us each and every day. It comes in the ways I have already described but it also comes through something as simple as a smile when you are feeling down. It comes through an unexpected word that lifts you up. It comes through the blessings of a new addition to your family, an open door, food on the table, a bargain at the store, protection in a dangerous situation, the air you are breathing this moment and in too many other ways to name.

God's goodness is still passing by, don't miss it because you are looking for it in the "big and miraculous"- it comes in those ways too, but not all the time. You find it more often in the simple and small things of everyday life that we seem to take for granted.

Have a great day. Take time today to notice His goodness, it's all around you, you won't have to look far.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

"Spent"

"Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God." Isaiah 49:4

Our lives are being "spent" on something. How are you spending yours?

1) Is it being "spent with" the Lord? Do you spend time with Him daily? Throughout the day? Once a week? Would you rather spend time in His presence than anywhere else? Is your time spent on selfish lusts, entertainment, wasteful activities, on things that have no eternal value to them, or is it spent getting to know Him better, developing a deeper intimacy with Him, drawing closer to Him?

2) Is it being "spent for" Him? Are you spending your life doing His will? Are you spending it doing the things that please Him, on the things that He has commanded you to do, on fulfilling His plan for your life? Or are you spending it on self- on your own desires, following your own dreams, visions and agenda?

As I said earlier, our lives are being spent on something. They are either being spent on self or God, on His will or our will, on eternal things are temporal things, on spiritual things or fleshly things, in His presence seeking His face or seeking our own pleasures. So again, I ask you, "How are you spending your life and what are you spending it on?"

Have a great day. Are you spending this life that He has given you with Him and for Him?

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

"Deleted"

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

Isn't it amazing how you can delete certain material you don't want or need any more from your computer? Don't you wish you could delete your mistakes, your past, some of the things you've said or your sins as easily? Unfortunately, life does not come with a delete button, but God does.

The blood of Jesus "deletes"- it removes, cancels, blots out- our sins. That's what justification does, washes and cleanses us from our sins just as if they were never there. His blood cleanses us from all unrighteousness. It washes away our sins. It removes the guilt, the condemnation, the shame of them. It allows us to stand before a holy God without fear of judgment because of the sins that He'd see.

Are you trying to "remove" your sins yourself? You can't. Are you living in the guilt of them because you see no hope of ever being free from them? There is hope. As you put your faith and trust in what Jesus did at the cross for you, He'll blot out all your transgressions and cleanse you from them.

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)

"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9:14)

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18)

"I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins." (Isaiah 43:25)

"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:." (1 Peter 1:18,19)

Have a great day. What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. It can and it does!

Monday, June 15, 2009

"Jericho"

"And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour." Joshua 6:2

When it was time for Joshua to take the Israelites into the promised land, the cities of it's inhabitants stood in the way. The first city they encountered was Jericho. Jericho was a large, well fortified city with walls that were impenetrable- defeat of this city looked impossible. What is standing in your way this morning? What stands between you and the promises of God? What hinders you from entering into your destiny? What is that thing that keeps you from receiving and enjoying the abundant life that Christ came to give you? What is that thing that seems impossible to get through and overcome?

When I looked up the meaning of the name Jericho, I discovered two names. Evidently, the meaning is disputed. The two meanings were: City of the Moon and Place of Fragrance. When you think about the moon, you think about something that has always been since the time of creation. The moon is very big. It's always there even when the clouds hide it's presence from view. It's an unshakeable, unmovable object which is impossible for us to destroy. Does that describe the thing that stands in your way? Has it always been there? Does it, like the moon, keep returning day after day or night after night? Does it look unmovable and too big to overcome? If this describes that thing, let me give you good news this morning- God brought the walls of Jericho down and destroyed the city! The "City of the Moon" was no match for God.

When I thought about the second meaning, Place of Fragrance, it reminded me of a phrase that we use around here- "The sweet smell of victory". When the Israelites went to Jericho, they could already "smell the victory", it's fragrance hung in the air. Before they went to encompass the city, God had already told Joshua that He had given Jericho into his hand. They had the victory before they ever made the first step toward it. The fragrance of victory hung in the air because of God's promise. Even the people in Jericho could smell it because they knew that the God of the Israelites would destroy them.

This morning, whatever that "thing" is- it may look impossible to move, it may have been standing between you and the promise for a long time, it may have been there everyday taunting you by it's size and power- but remember, the same God who created the moon can pull it down, the same God who gave Israel victory over the walled city of Jericho, can pull that thing down too, it's not too big nor too powerful for Him. Stand upon God's promise and begin to "smell the victory".

Have a great day. God destroyed the "City of the Moon" and the Israelites enjoyed the "sweet smell of victory"- if He could do it then for them, He can do the same for you.

Friday, June 12, 2009

"All Things"

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13

How many times have you said, "I can't do that"? How many times have you said that when you read the Bible and it gave a specific command? How many times have you said that to the Lord when He asked you to do something? This often seems to be our immediate response to most situations. But the scripture says we can do "all things" through Christ, not some things, not a few things, not only certain things, but all things.

This means that I can love those who hate me. This means that I can go the second mile. This means that I can forgive those who have done me wrong. It means that I can turn the other cheek. It means I can lay aside the weights that so easily beset me. It means that I can run the race that is set before me. It means that I can obey Him in every area of my life. It means that I can go where He tells me to go, do what He tells me to do, respond the way He tells me to respond, live the way He tells me to live.

So, what is the thing that is your "I can't"? According to God's word, whatever it is, it is something that you "can do" through Christ's strength and grace. Go to God, turn that thing over to Him, let Him give you what you need to turn your "I can't" into "I can"-- because "yes, you can".

Have a great day. There are no "I cant's", only "I cans" through Christ.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

"Childlike"

"And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3

Jesus said that we have to become like children to enter into the kingdom of heaven. One child like quality is humility. Children aren't full of pride and act like they know everything. We adults tend to think we are too big for God, we are too smart, we are too wise, we are too strong or we are too important for God. (Well, even if we don't think it, we sure act like it.)

We act like it when we go on with our own plans and do not stop to acknowledge Him. We act like it when we neglect His counsel. We act like it when we when don't pray or read His word. We act like it when we think that we have all our own answers and can solve our own problems.

When we become adults, there are childish things that we must put away. But our dependency on and humility toward God is not among them. It doesn't matter how old we get, how smart we become, how strong we are, we will never reach the place where we don't need God. When I was little and I would get a haughty or rebellious attitude toward my parents (when I thought, and acted like, I knew better than they did), they would say that I was getting "too big for my britches". Are you "too big for your britches"? Do you think you know more than God knows? Do you think you can make it without His help? Do you think that you have it all under control? Then you have ceased to be like a child. Humble yourself in repentance and ask the Lord to give you a childlike faith, a childlike heart, a childlike spirit and a childlike trust in Him.

Have a great day. Are you "too big for your britches"?

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

"Rooted"

"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love." Ephesians 3:17

Almost twenty-five years ago when we moved into our home, I planted a rose bush that had come from my great grandmother's house. It grew, and grew well. I was always having to trim it back. I several years later I decided to get rid of it- or at least move it somewhere else. I cut it down, but it grew back. I cut it down again, it grew back again. I tried to dig it up, but the roots were too big that I couldn't- so it grew back. I even tried to chop it up, but it was still there. After several attempts, I thought I had finally succeeded. I didn't see any more signs of it for three or four years. About three years ago we decided to put a patio in the same area where the rose bush had been. When the men who were going to do the job began to excavate the spot, guess what we found? That rose bush. It was still there, it was not dead, it even had new sprouts buried under ground.

How "rooted" are you? How "well rooted" are you? Are your roots in Christ deep or shallow? Can you be easily uprooted? Can tribulations "chop" on your life and destroy you? Can problems dig you up? When your faith is tested, does it stand the test? When life gives you a hard time, does it "pull you up- roots and all"?

Our roots in Christ need to go very deep. If that rose bush had had a shallow root system I could have pulled it up at my first or second attempt. Our roots need to be wrapped tightly around God's word so that even when trying times test us we don't lose our hold. We know that the Lord Jesus told us we would have tribulation in this world. We know that things aren't going to get better only worse before the return of the Lord. We know that there are difficulties now on every hand. Therefore, we MUST make sure, very sure that our roots are deep and secure in Christ. Like the song says, "Be very sure, your anchor hold and grips the solid rock". A plant's anchor is it's root system. Christ and His Word is our root system, and our anchor.

Have a great day. How well rooted are you?

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

"Walk To Please God"

"That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory." 1 Thessalonians 2:12

How's your walk? In other words, how are you living? What type of lifestyle do you exhibit? Is it a self centered one? Is it loose- having a lack of morals? Are you living a very materialistic lifestyle, always after more, never satisfied with what you have? Are you living as if it's all about you? Are you living to please yourself?

The Christian lifestyle is never about pleasing one's self. It's all about pleasing God. It's about living your life in a manner in which He would be pleased. It's about living according to His will, not your own. It's about denying yourself. It's about decreasing. It's about dying to self.

I wonder why we have to be reminded about this so often. I wonder why living a life that pleases God and denies self is such a foreign concept to so many Christians. What is so hard to understand about Jesus' words,"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself."? How much plainer could He be? He didn't "stutter" when He said them. He didn't whisper them where they could not be heard. He didn't speak in a riddle. He didn't "mince" words. And these aren't just the words of a disciple, an apostle, a preacher, another man, these are the exact words of Jesus telling us what He requires and desires of us. These are the words of our Savior, our Lord, our King- the One we love and serve.

So back to the original question. How's your walk? Is it in line with what Jesus requires? Is it pleasing to God? If not, then today would be a good time to start making a change toward pleasing Him and denying yourself.

Have a great day. It's all about pleasing Him and not ourselves.

Monday, June 8, 2009

"Under The Blood"

"And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt." Exodus 12:13

A few weeks ago I kept hearing a noise. I finally discovered the source. It was a bird that kept flying into the windows in the sunroom. I watched as it repeatedly flew into the windows- I suppose it was trying to get in. The next day it was back- at the sunroom windows, my office and the living room windows. The next day you could hear him flying into the windows again. This went on several times a day for almost two weeks. I wondered what was wrong with that "crazy" bird. You would have thought that it would have finally discovered that it could not get in through those windows, but it would not let up.

Being a person who knows that God sometimes reveals things to us through natural things and often uses illustrated sermons, I even asked the Lord about this, if it meant anything. After all, it was not natural for this bird to act this way and continue to act this way. One day about a week and a half after this started I was praying as I was walking through my house- through the sunroom- and I got an understanding of something concerning that bird. Now, I don't know if this was the reason that kept happening, but it did turn out to be a very good illustrated sermon.

I was praying for the Lord's protection over my home and began to say, "Father, thank You for Your protection. Thank You for the blood of Jesus that protects us and keeps us safe from the enemy, just like these windows are a protection to keep things from coming into my home that don't belong in here. Father, thank You that just as these windows were a barrier to keep that bird from coming in, Jesus' blood keeps the enemy from coming in to harm me." I finally got it. What a great illustration!

The blood of Jesus saves us and covers us. It is a protection for us from the enemy. When we are "hid" under the blood, the enemy cannot find us. When we are under the blood death has no sting, the enemy cannot destroy us, no weapon formed against us shall prosper. That bird tried and tried to get through those windows but they were too strong for him to penetrate. The enemy is persistent in his attacks against us. He will try and try to find a weak spot to get in through. He is relentless and will not give up. But as long as we stay "under the blood" he will not be able to "get in". The blood is stronger, it is more powerful, it is too powerful for him. It is what destroyed him when it was shed at the cross!!!

By the way, the bird finally quit and has not been back. I guess he finally realized he couldn't get past those windows. The enemy may come for a season trying to get in to destroy us, but he too realizes that he can't get past the blood!

Have a great day. Stay under the blood!

Friday, June 5, 2009

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. " Psalm 23:4

This morning as so many mornings I awoke with a song going over and over in my heart and mind. Often I have shared them with you, this morning I am doing the same. The words of this song speak a tremendous message to us all. It doesn't matter where you are this morning- on a mountain top, in the deepest pit of grief, in the darkest place of your life, walking through the valley of the shadow of death, hemmed in at the Red Sea with Pharaoh's army pressing in behind, facing the fiery furnace- you are not alone. Your God is with you and He is for you. You have no reason to fear, even evil. Our great and mighty God conquered the powers of evil at the cross. He gained the victory for you in every area of your life. Don't fear and don't give up. He is with you and He never lets go of you.


Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I'm caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won't turn backI know you are near
And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

(Chorus:)

Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let goIn every high and every low
Oh no, You never let goLord, You never let go of me
And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We'll live to know You here on the earth
Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

Have a great day. Don't let go because He never lets go!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

"Stay Connected"

"...and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper." 2 Chronicles 26:5b

When you are going through the fire, what do you do? When you are going through the valley, what do you do? When you are in the wilderness, what do you do? When you are facing difficulties, what do you do? When you are facing times of affliction and distress, what do you do? When the problems are mounting, what do you do?

In these times we tend to draw back, become reserved, stop praying, stop reading the Bible, we stop praising, we don't seek the Lord, we begin to forsake our church attendance, we just seem to go through the motions of life. Let me give you a word of caution/warning this morning, the last thing you should do is "pull away" from the Lord. You need to draw near Him more than ever. His strength will be made perfect in your weakness but if you don't draw near to Him you will remain weak. In His presence is peace, outside of His presence is confusion, anxiety, worry. In His presence is grace, grace to empower you to walk through these times.

If a light bulb is not connected to the electrical socket it will not shine. If a car is not connected to the battery it will not run. If a baby in the womb is not connected to its mother it will die. If a person is put on life support, they will die if they are disconnected. You must stay connected to the source of your strength, the source of your peace, the source of your help, the source of your power, the source of your provision. The Lord is that source, He is our source of life.

Have a great day. When these times come, don't let them disconnect you from your source!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

"Change Of Plans"

"Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]." Ephesians 5:1 (Amplified Bible)

Have you ever had your plans change? Have you gone to bed with plans of doing certain things and accomplishing certain tasks the next day? When you wake up in the morning, do you already have your plans laid out for the day? Why is it that things don't always go as "planned"? Our plans often get changed or are changed for us.

My plan is to get the newsletter in the mail, but a printer that isn't working properly changes those plans. I plan to go to the nursing home to have a service, but wind up sitting in the hospital emergency room all day with a family member. I plan on spending a quiet day reading the Bible, meditating on God's word and communing with Him and instead the phone rings "off the hook". You know what I mean about plans changing, and they aren't always changed by us.

When they get changed, how do you react? Do you get aggravated, upset, impatient, angry, anxious? Do you take it out on other people? Do you make the one who was the cause of changed plans feel guilty? Does every one know how unhappy you are that you did not get to do what you had intended to do? Let me ask you a question- How would Jesus react? Would He get mad? Would He get upset and impatient? Would His temper show? Would He make others feel bad? Would He have a sour attitude?

We are to be imitators of God- children who copy what they see their Father do. We need to copy His reactions, His attitude, His speech- not only when our plans get changed, but all the time, in every situation, in just the everyday dealings of life. The way we act is a reflection on our Father. It sends to those around us either a good message or bad one of who the Father is and what He is like.

Whatever you encounter today- changed plans, unpleasant situations, unkind people- watch the way you respond to them to see if you are imitating your Heavenly Father.

Have a great day. We are to imitate our Heavenly Father- do what He does, say what He says, handle situations the way He handles them, react the way He would react and have the same attitude He would have.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

"Hand And Face"

"This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah." Psalm 24:6

When it comes to seeking God, you can either seek His face or seek His hand. To seek His hand means to seek His provisions, to seek His blessings, to seek His answers, to seek Him for that which He can give you. To seek His face means to seek to know Him- what He looks like, what He desires, what pleases and displeases Him, to know His heart. So, seeking His hands has to do with that which He can give, and seeking His face has to do with who He is.

Most people seek God's hands more than they seek His face. They think it's all about what God can do for them, what He can give them, about His meeting their need. "When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek." (Psalm 27:8) It's His face that He tells us to seek- not His hand. I am of the very strong belief that if we would spend more time seeking His face, we would not have to spend as much time seeking His hands. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33) To seek the kingdom means to seek Him- the King of the kingdom. Seek Him, not His provisions. As we seek Him, He promises that our need will be met, the provisions will come our way, His hand will move on our behalf.

Does this mean that we should never ask God to provide for a need we have? Of course not, but if that's the only time you are seeking Him, then something is wrong. You have it all backwards. It's His face we want to seek. It's His face that He wants us to seek. He wants us to know Him, not just what He provides. So which are you seeking this morning? His provisions or Him?

Have a great day. Seek His face then you will find His hand.

Monday, June 1, 2009

"Today I Know"

"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

Well, it's another new day. Who but God knows what it holds in store. I certainly don't. I don't know what will happen, will it be a happy day or a sad one, will the needs be overwhelming, what new challenges will I face, will it be filled with sunshine or rain, blue skies or clouds, good news or bad news, will I even live to see the end of it.

I may not know a lot, if anything, about this day, but ask me what I do know about it... I know that today God will be faithful to me. He will not leave me nor forsake me. He will show me mercy and forgiveness when I fail. He will pick me up if I fall. He will uphold me with His strong right arm. He will be my present help in time of trouble. His name will be a strong tower to me. He will supply all my need. He will load me with benefits. He will give me strength in my weakness and peace in confusion. He will not stop loving me. He has given me everything I need to be victorious. His word will be a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. He will answer my prayers. He will keep what I commit to Him. He will make a way even when it looks like there isn't any. He will be a shield of protection for me. He will not withhold any good thing from me. He will lead me and guide me as I acknowledge Him and don't lean to my own understanding. He will make a way of escape when I am tempted. He will hear me when I call to Him.

That's just a little of what I do know about today. I know that no matter what I face, what the day may bring, what may happen, my God will be with me and will give me everything I need to get through it. And this one more thing I know, I can trust Him to take care of me and this new day.

Have a great day. I don't know about this day, but I do know about my God and His promises to me for today.