"Quicken Me"

"I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word." Psalm 119:107

Eleven different times in the Psalms David asked the Lord to "quicken" him. The word quicken means: to live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, live for ever, be quickened, be alive, be restored to life or health. David was a man who faced many trials, heartaches and temptations. They would have destroyed him had he not known that: the Lord was the source of his life- "For in him we live, and move, and have our being." (Acts 17:28a); that the Lord was the one who sustained him- "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." (Psalm 55:22); where his strength came from-"The Lord is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed." (Psalms 28:8); Who was the restorer when he fail- "He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." (Psalm 23:3)

Daily we face trials, temptations, situations and circumstances that are intended to destroy our life. The cares of this life will try to "suck" the life out of us. The problems we face will try to steal abundant life from us. Temptations are pits that are lying in wait for our destruction. The enemy of our soul wants to kill us. When we face these times, we should learn from David and pray as he did--- "Quicken me."

If you feel like the life is being drained out of you, if you are lacking abundant life, if you feel like you are slowly dying, if you need to be restored to life, then call out to the Lord today. Don't wait until tomorrow, don't put it off. Ask the Lord to "quicken" you. We also learned through the life of David that each time David prayed this prayer the Lord answered and quicken him. He'll do the same for you.

Have a great day. Do you need "life"? Ask the Lord to "quicken" you.

"Unlock The Door"

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20

The Lord wants you to know this morning that it's time for you to open some doors in your life (heart) that you have had closed to Him for quite some time. I know this message is for many people. Some of you have closed the door to certain areas in your life because of fear- fear of what He'll ask you to do, fear of the unknown, fear of failure or rejection. Some of you have closed the door because there is sin in your life that you aren't willing to let go of so you are trying to hide it behind a locked door. Some of you have locked God out of certain areas because you are angry at Him- you feel He let you down, didn't meet your need, allowed something and you are confused as to why. Some of you can't forgive yourself for past sins, failures or mistakes, so you keep a locked door in your heart. Some of you have been so badly hurt by someone that you find it easier to just "lock the door".

Whatever it is that you have locked up inside of you needs to come out, but that can only happen as you unlock the door. You need to let the Lord heal the hurts that are locked up inside of you. You need to give Him access and free course into every area of your life. The thing that you are protecting behind a locked door is keeping you "locked up and locked in" instead. Let the Lord give you freedom today. Open the door- every door- to your heart. He stands knocking waiting for you to open.

Have a great day. It's time to remove all locks and open widely all the doors of your heart to the Lord .

"Waiting On The Lord"

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

Waiting is not something that most of us are accustomed to. We want what we want when we want it, and when we want it is always "NOW". In our society we have so many conveniences that provide so that we don't have to wait- fast food, instant banking, microwaves, Carnation instant breakfast, etc. There's even a commercial that promotes having everything instantly because you use your bank card.

When everything comes to us instantly, it produces in us an expectation that this is how everything in our lives is going to be-- full of instant gratification. This expectation even flows over into our relationship with the Lord. We expect Him to do everything, answer every question, solve every problem and give us what we want at the same moment we ask. That is a deluded expectation. God often makes us wait.

Abraham had to wait for the promise. David had to wait to occupy the throne. Mary had to wait for nine months for the arrival of the Son in her womb. Jesus waited until His time had come. Those in the Upper Room had to wait until they were endued with power from on high. There are times when God does answer us instantly, but more times than not we have to wait for the answer. We need to learn how to be still and wait upon the Lord. We need to learn- or relearn- how to not get in such a hurry where He is concerned. We need to learn to take the needed time to wait in His presence. There are some things that we can only receive from the Lord by "waiting". In the scripture above we are promised renewed strength, but the condition to that promise is -- wait on the Lord. There is always a reward or blessing (whatever you want to call it) attached to waiting.

Have you forgotten how to wait in His presence? Have you forgotten how to wait until you receive your answer? Have you forgotten that God has His own time table? Have you forgotten that He isn't always in a hurry? Have you forgotten how to slow down and wait?

Have a great day. It's time we relearn how to wait on the Lord.

Favoritism

"And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob." Genesis 25:28

Today we are continuing in our study to learn lessons from the lives of some of the mothers in the Bible.  This morning I want us to look at the life of Rebekah.  The lesson we learn from her is:  don't show favoritism. 

Rebekah showed favoritism to her son Jacob over Esau.  As a result, it divided her home, her sons were at odds against each other, one wanted to kill the other, Jacob cheated his brother out of his birthright, and she deceived her own husband to get the blessing for her favorite son.  The Bible tells us that a wise woman will build up her house, but a foolish woman will tear it down with her own hands. (Proverbs 14:1)  Rebekah did just that through her favoritism-- tore down her own house.   

The Bible tells us not to show respect of persons.  Sure, there are some people that we are closer to than others, and there are certain traits that we prefer and like in some over others.  And I would go "to bat" for my family before I would for a stranger.  Yet, the Bible tells us that we should be willing to "lay down our lives" even for a friend, and a stranger.  

We need to learn to look at all people through the eyes of the Lord.  We need to see them the way Jesus sees them and treat them accordingly.  Jesus loves us all.  Jesus died to save us all.  Jesus has a plan and purpose for all of us.  Jesus sees each person as valuable.  Let's pray we start seeing others that way.

Have a great day.  Are you viewing people through the eyes of favoritism?     

"Did You Laugh?"

"Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?"  Genesis 18:12

This morning we want to talk about Sarah.  The Lord had given her husband Abraham a promise that he would have an heir.  When Sarah heard this, she laughed because she was now ninety years old and her husband was one hundred.  The lesson we learn from Sarah is:  laugh at the promises of God if you will, but He is still faithful as promised.

If God said it, He will do it.  To Sarah it looked impossible, so she laughed about it.  The things that are impossible with men are possible with God.  It doesn't matter what the situation says.  It doesn't matter how the circumstance looks.  It doesn't affect the Lord nor His ability to keep His Word.

There is a saying that goes like this:  Jesus said it, I believe it, that settles it.  That saying is only partially true.  It should go like this:  Jesus said it, that settles it.  God will not lie.  If He said it, that settles it whether you believe it or not.  If you don't believe it, you may miss out on the blessing that is attached to it.  But even Sarah's doubt did not change the promise of God. 

Are you in a situation that looks impossible?  Has the Lord spoken a clear word to you concerning it?  Do you have His promise in the matter?  Are you believing it or laughing at it? 

Have a great day.  Did the Lord hear you laugh?

"Influencing"

"And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat."  Genesis 3:6

Yesterday we looked at one of the lessons we learn from the life of Eve.  It was: our choices have consequences, and our choices not only affect us but others.  So we need to make right choices, choices based on obedience to God's Word.

Today there is another lesson I want to discuss from Eve's life:  your life has an influence on someone else.  The Bible says that Eve gave the forbidden fruit to her husband who was with her.  She influenced, through her actions and words, her husband to disobey the Lord.  She was not a good influence. 

The influence we have will either be a good influence or a bad influence.  Which kind of influence are you?  You may not think you are influencing someone but you are.  We influence our spouses, our children, our friends, our family members, classmates, those we attend church with, work with, are involved in different groups with, even strangers we have encounters with while going about our daily tasks.

There is always someone watching your life.  There is always someone who is listening to what you say.  There is always someone who is learning from you.  The question is, "What are they learning, seeing and hearing?".  Is it something good?  Something that will encourage them, build them up, increase their faith, help them go the right direction in life, help them get closer to the Lord, make good decisions and choices?  Or is it something bad?  Something that will cause them to get discouraged, give up on life, turn away from the Lord, stop pursuing righteous things, become negative, make poor choices and go in the wrong direction?  Think about it.  Watch what you do because someone is watching you.

Have a great day.  Your life is influencing someone else, whether you realize it or not.  Is it a good or bad influence?      

"Eve's Choice"

"And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:  But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die."  Genesis 3:2,3

Yesterday I talked about the lesson that we can learn from Ruth's life.  I feel impressed to continue over the next several days sharing the lessons we learn from the other mothers in the Bible that I preached on on Mother's Day.  Of course there are many lessons we can learn from the life of each one, but I am only going to talk about specific lessons. 

This morning I want to talk about the first mother, the mother of all living-- Eve.  The first lesson we learn from her life is:  your choices have consequences.  We all have to make choices, daily.  But we need to make right choices.  Eve made a choice to disobey God's word.  He had told them not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  She made the choice to follow her own lustful, fleshly desire instead of following the Word of God and His commands.  Her choice had a consequence.  It brought sin and death into the world.

The second thing we learn from her choice to disobey was:  your choices do not only affect you; they affect others.  Her choice didn't only affect her, but it affected all mankind from that point on.  It affected future generations.  It affected those who would be born thousands of years later.  Our choices can have an affect on our families, friends, acquaintances and others who come into our life.  As the saying goes- "No man is an is an island."  

Our choices are important.  There will either be a curse or a blessing attached to them.  When our choices are based on obedience to the Word of God, it will bring a blessing.  When they are based on our own selfish, self-centered, lustful desires, they will bring a curse.  Take care what choices you are making.  If you are in doubt as to which way to go, seek the Lord.  Look to His Word and follow it.  It will always lead you in the right direction and to the blessing.

Have a great day.  Your choices either bring a blessings or a curse.  Your choices have consequences and they don't always affect you only.  They affect others.   

"Past And Future"

"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

"Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come."  1 Corinthians 10:11

 

I was asked to preach the Mother's Day message this year at the church I attend.  What the Lord laid on my heart was to share the experiences and lessons that we can learn from different mothers in the Bible.  The Bible says that the things that happened to them were written for our example so that we can learn from them.    

 One of the mothers I talked about was Ruth.  I want to share with you this morning the lesson that we learn from her life because I believe that there are some who will read this that need to be encouraged by this particular lesson.

The lesson we learn from Ruth's life and all that she went through is this:  Your past does not determine your future!  Ruth had a "dark" past.  She was from a nation who got its start through incest.  She was an idolater.  She was a heathen.  She served false gods.  She definitely did not have a good past.  But God took her past and turned it around and gave her an amazing future.  She became the great grandmother of King David.  Through her lineage Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior of the world would come.  Wow, what a future.

The Lord says He knows the plans He has for you.  Those plans are not to harm you, but to give you a hope and a future.  (Jeremiah 29:11) Your past may not be so good.  You may be ashamed of your past.  Your past may be full of pain, hurt, misery, mistakes and ugliness.  But that doesn't stop the Lord from loving you, having a plan for you, turning your life around and giving you a better future than your past. Last night my pastor made the statement-- you can't change your past, but God can give you a different future.  How true.  You may have had a sordid past, but God can give you a brand new future. 

Have a great day.  Your past does not determine your future.  God determines your future.  And His plans for you are good.   

"He Knows Everything"

"Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do." Hebrews 4:13

I was driving through town yesterday and the flowers are gorgeous- they are in full bloom everywhere, and lots of them. I started thanking God for creating them and for giving us such beauty to enjoy. As I was, I began to think about the greatness of God and how all knowing He is. I think we tend to forget just how great God really is- He is Omniscient- all knowing. He knows everything- nothing is hid from Him. He knows exactly how many flowers are on every bush on every street in every town. He knows how many blades of grass are in my front yard. He knows how many pears will be produced on my pear trees before they even begin blooming. He knows how many grains of sand are on every beach in the world. There is a song that I heard several years ago that says, "You can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can count the apples in a seed".

On a more personal level, He knows how many hairs are on your head- how many you woke up with and how many are still there when you go to bed. He knows how many wrinkles are on your face, how many freckles on your body, how many eyelashes you'll grow throughout your lifetime. He also knows the thought and intent of your heart. He knows your thoughts before you even think them. He sees every tear you cry and bottles them up. He knows the day of your death before the day of your birth.

He knows what you are going through. He knows what you'll face before the day is over. He knows how many times you'll laugh today, and how many times you'll cry. He knows how many words you will speak before you go to bed. He knows what you'll need today, and he knows what it will take to meet the need. If you find yourself wondering if He even knows where you are or what you are going through, just remember that there is nothing He does not know. Rest assure that He knows and He knows what to do on your behalf.

Have a great day. God knows everything.

"By My Obedience"

"For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." Romans 5:19

This morning as I was praying, the Lord spoke something to my heart that I need to share with you. He let me know that other people are counting on our obedience. When I am obedient to do what the Lord tells me to do, I benefit from it, but so do others. Let me show you what I mean. Noah's obedience in building the ark saved him, but it also saved his family. Moses' obedience to strike the rock brought forth water so that the people could drink and not die of thirst. Jesus' obedience to the Father brought healing, deliverance, hope and freedom to those He came in contact with. And the ultimate example of this principal is Jesus' obedience in going to Calvary. This act of obedience brought the opportunity for every person to receive salvation so that they would not perish but have everlasting life.

If our obedience benefits others as well as ourselves, then the opposite is true also. Achan's disobedience in taking of the spoil at Jericho brought defeat to the armies of Israel and death to his family. David's disobedience in numbering the people caused many thousands to be killed. Adam's disobedience brought sin and death upon all mankind.

It is said that no man liveth unto himself. Our actions have an effect on someone-- whether directly or indirectly, whether for the good or for the bad. Who is being effected by your obedience or disobedience? When we think about it on those terms, then there is a lot more "riding" on our obedience then we think. Obedience keeps us in right relationship with God. It also will bring about something that will minister to someone else when we fulfill our obedience. Through our obedience lives can be changed, bodies can be healed, the captive can be set free, the weak can be strengthened, the hungry fed and the thirsty satisfied. When you are tempted to disobey, stop and think about what the outcome might be for someone else whose life could have been touched through your act of obedience.

Have a great day. They are counting on your obedience.

"Paths"

"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

Throughout our lifetime we find ourselves walking down many different paths. Sometimes it's the path of happiness and joy. At other times it's a path of pain, suffering or sorrow. There are also paths of confusion and paths that lead us to a cross roads in life where we have to make decisions. There is the path of promotion and the path of demotion. There are paths of broken relationships and restored relationships. Sometimes the paths we walk down are unfamiliar- we've never gone that way before. Sometimes the paths are repeated paths-- like the path around the same mountain that the Israelites took for years.

Each one of us is on a path today. The path you are on may not be a pleasant one, it may be full of pain, it may be testing your faith, it may be pushing you to your limits. It may be a path in the wilderness that is full of temptations. This morning I want to remind you that it doesn't matter what path you are on, you are not on it alone. "For thou art with me". If your path leads you through the fire, through the flood, through the desert, through the valley of the shadow of death... you are not alone. You have a promise from your heavenly Father-- "I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:20b) "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5b) So take heart... you are not alone. And there is no one better to have walking along this path with you than the Lord Jesus.

Have a great day. Jesus will walk with you no matter what path you are on.

"Drawing Back, Drawing Near"

"Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him."  Hebrews 10:38

When trials of life come, we have a tendency to do one of two things:  we either draw near to the Lord or we draw back from Him.  The drawing near to Him I understand.  Because He is my hope, He is my comfort, He is my strength and He is my peace in times of trouble.  Without Him I can't make it through the situation I am facing.   

What I don't understand why we draw back from Him in hard times.  I have done it myself.  But when I do, I miss out on the help I need.  I miss out on the grace He wants to give me to help me to either endure what I am going through or make it through it.  Why do we do that?  We are only depriving ourselves.  We are hurting ourselves.  We are making it harder on ourselves.   

If you are in a place that is difficult this morning, don't draw back from the Lord.  Don't turn from Him.  Go to Him.  Draw near to Him.  He is there.  He wants to help you.  He wants to walk with you through it.  He wants to empower you with everything you need to make it.  He wants to hold you and carry you.  He wants to guide you through.  But you have to let Him.  And you are not letting Him as long as you draw back and turn away from Him.

Have a great day.  Are you drawing near the Lord in your difficult times, or are you drawing back away from Him?

"Hold On, Good Will Come"

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."  Romans 8:18

I woke up with this old hymn on my heart this morning-- "It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus.  Life's trials will seem so small, when we see Christ.  One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase.  So bravely run the race, 'till we see Christ." 

Live is full of trials, troubles, heartaches, pain and problems.  No one ever said it would be easy-- Jesus sure didn't.  He sais that in this world we would have tribulations. 

Perhaps you are facing one of those times.  Perhaps you are in a difficult place.  Perhaps everything you hear is "bad news"-- no good news.  Perhaps there is nothing but darkness around you.  Well, don't give up.  Don't "throw in the towel".  Keep on pressing on.  Keep on going forward.  You will eventually come to the end of the tunnel and see light.  Keep your heart and mind fixed and stayed on the Lord.  Keep focused on Him.  Keep your hand in His hand.  Let Him guide you through.  Let Him make the way.  Let Him navigate your course.  Hold on, and hang on.  What you are going through will be worth it when you come to the end if you won't give up.  The glory will be revealed.  It will all then become clearer. 

Joseph didn't understand his brother's hatred for him.  He didn't understand his slavery.  He didn't understand his disconnection from his home.  He didn't understand the lies, the deception and the imprisonment.  There was much he didn't understand, until later.  But at the end he did--  "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." (Genesis 50:20) 

Have a great day.  It may be hard now.  You may not understand it all.  But hold on and don't give up.  Eventually, you will see good.  If not here, in the life to come.   

"As They Went"

"And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. " Luke 17:14

"As they went". Three little words, but very significant. These lepers had heard the word of Jesus. Faith was produced in them and they responded to His words by faith-- they went. Faith doesn't always sit back and do nothing, faith often takes a step. In the Book of James it says, "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." (James 2:17)

So many times we will hear the word of the Lord and do nothing. We wait for Him to "supernaturally" manifest it (or bring it to pass) before we move. There is a time to be still and wait, but there is a time to put action behind the faith. For these lepers, the healing would come as they went. When He said to "go show yourselves to the priests", they had to obey His word and go- that's when the healing came- as they went. Faith responds in obedience to the word of the Lord. Obedience is the "work" of faith that James was talking about. As they not only heard His word, but obeyed His word, they were healed.

Has He already spoken to you and told you to "go" but you are still sitting there waiting for some "sign", for it to happen first then you will go? It doesn't work that way. His word to you is your sign, it's all the sign you need. If you remain there waiting for something to happen instead of doing what He told you to do to cause it to happen, it's not going to happen. Again, their healing and deliverance came as they obeyed and did what He told them to do. Seek the Lord, know that you have heard a word from Him- not another person, not your own desires, but from Him- then go and do what He said to do.

Have a great day. It happened "as they went", not "as they stayed".

"No Pain, No Gain"

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." 2 Corinthians 4:17

Wouldn't it be wonderful if everything in life came to us easily. Wouldn't it be great if it came on "soft beds", "flowery pillows" and on pleasant sun filled days. But that's not reality. More things come, and are gained, through suffering, pain and hardship than they do through ease. Our precious children are born through travail. Muscles are built through strenuous exercise. Endurance is gained through pressing past the aches and pains. Even playing a guitar is accompanied by calluses.

Without the oven the bowl of dough would never become bread to satisfy the hungry. Without being crushed the fragrance that is within the flower would never be enjoyed. Without the firing process the lump of clay would never be changed into a vessel that is substantial and fit for use. Without pressure a piece of coal won't become a diamond. Without night day doesn't look at bright. Without battles victory doesn't smell as sweet. Without weeping laughter doesn't sound as good. Without thirst and heat cool water doesn't feel as refreshing.

Even the wonderful salvation we enjoy didn't come easy. It cost something- it cost God everything and it came through the suffering of Jesus. So don't despise trouble, affliction, suffering. Those things that are of more value, that are much more precious, that are eternal, don't come cheaply or easily, they come with a price, but in the long run the price is worth it. Remember the old saying: no pain, no gain? How true. But in God's "scheme of things" not only is there gain through those things we suffer, but it's great gain.

Have a great day. Without the rain we wouldn't enjoy the sunshine. Easy does not produce that which is priceless and eternal.

"He Is Called"

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

One day Jesus asked His disciples what men were saying about Him. He wanted to know what they were "calling" Him. Was Jesus concerned about His reputation? Was He curious to know what people thought about Him? Was He interested in finding out whether the people liked Him or not? Was He like us, wanting everyone to think well and highly of us? Jesus already knew what they were saying about Him, He knew what they were calling Him. He was often called many things while He was on earth. Some called Him teacher, some called Him a glutton and drunkard, some even called Him the prince of devils. The disciples said that the people were calling Him John the Baptist, Elijah or a great prophet.

The point of Jesus' inquiry was not self motivated. He wasn't worried about what people thought about Him. He wasn't taking a popularity poll. Jesus had something else in mind. He wanted to bring the disciples individually to a place where they would search their own hearts and beliefs about who He was. His next question was,"Who do you say I am?"

Before His birth the prophet said that He would be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. In the garden Mary called Him Master. Peter called Him the Son of God. John the Baptist called Him the Lamb of God that takes away sins. At the cross the soldier called Him the Son of God. The thief on the cross called Him Lord.

Jesus still asks the same question today. His motive is still the same. And He is still asking it individually. Who do you say I am? What do you call Me? This morning, who do you call Him? Do you call Him a prophet who lived in times past? Or just another teacher? Do you call Him Savior, Lord, Master? Do you call Him wonderful, glorious, precious? It's a question that is posed to us individually, therefore, it is one we must each answer and can only answer for ourselves. So what is your answer?

Have a great day. Who do you call Him?

"Shining Louder Or Talking Louder?"

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."  Matthew 5:16
This weekend I took down the curtains in my office to wash them. I didn’t get them hung back up before the day was over, and would not do it on Sunday. So this morning when I sit down to the computer, the sun almost blinded me. My desk is under the window that faces east. (We all know what direction the sun rises from.)

As I was trying to work, in spite of the bright light that was coming in through the window, it made me think about Jesus who is The Light of the world and how as a Christian I am to be letting His light shine through me. This led me to wonder, “Are people able to ‘see’ Christ’s light in me or is it hid by what they ‘hear’ from me?"

Is the light hid or dimmed because of the things I say?—the unkind words, the criticism, the belittling statements, the harsh response, voicing my desires above anyone else’s, the nagging, the blaming, hateful words, fear, defeatism, etc.

Christ’s light should be shining brightly through us but it can be hid if our unpleasant words are speaking louder. People often remember what you “say” more than they remember what you “do”. So our words need to be shining brightly and they will if they reflect the glory of God. They do that when our words are wholesome, seasoned with salt, full of grace, kind, patient, edifying, compassionate, loving, full of blessings, encouragement, praise and so on.

Have a great day.  I don’t want my words to hide His light… I want even my words to shine brightly for Him.

"Boasting"

"My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad."  Psalm 34:2

As humans we tend to do a lot of boasting and bragging.  We boast of our accomplishments.  We boast about our financial status.  We don't mind letting people know about all the things we can do and what we have.  We boast about our talents.  We brag on our children's accomplishments.  And we brag about our grandchildren.  We are boasters and braggers by nature.

That being the case, do we ever boast about the greatest thing in our lives, or rather the greatest person in our lives?   Do we boast and brag about Jesus?  Do we tell others about what He has done for us?  Are we quick to tell or are we embarrassed or intimidated to talk about Him?  Are we negligent and forgetful to testify to His goodness toward us?

In your conversations begin to take note to see if your bragging and boasting is all self-centered or is it God-centered?  Centered on His goodness and grace in your life?

Have a great day. What do you boast about?

"Broken Things"

When something is broken, we usually see it as valueless and discard it. Not so with God, broken things are what He is looking for- those are the things that He can use and get the most glory from.

The alabaster box was broken and it’s fragrance filled the room. Your life is like an alabaster box. It is filled with the fragrance of Christ. Until you are broken, Christ fragrance cannot fill the room.

The stone in the wilderness was broken and water gushed from it to satisfy the thirst of a whole nation. Your life is like a stone that is full of water (the Living Water) and when you are broken those waters gush out to satisfy the thirsty soul.- “He who drinks of this water will never thirst again.” (John 4:14)

Gideon’s clay pots were broken and revealed a light that was in them. You are a clay vessel that holds the Light of the world. When you are broken that light is seen by those who are in darkness.

Bread was broken at the Last Supper. You are like bread that God desires to use to feed those who are hungry for more than this life has to offer. When you are broken and passed around to the hungry, they can “taste and see” that the Lord is good.

Jesus was broken and salvation was available to all men. We too are to follow His example and submit our wills to be broken so that the Father may be glorified. As we are broken, then we can truly say, “It is not I that liveth, but Christ that liveth in me”. And He is seen and glorified by all.

 

It is in our brokenness that the Lord can use us and get the most glory from our lives.  How so?  When we are broken, we have no pride left in us.  We have no strength in ourselves.  We have nothing, it is all poured out.  Therefore, whatever is accomplished through us has to be the Lord doing it, we can take no credit.  So, don't fear to be broken.   

Have a great day.  There is value from God's perspective in broken things. 

"It Isn't Bigger"

"And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."  Luke 18:27

 

Whatever you may be going through, or whatever need you have, may be bigger than you can believe for, but it is not bigger than God.  The walls of Jericho were big.  Goliath was big.  The fiery furnace was big.  The lion's den was big.  Deliverance from Egypt was big.  The Red Sea was big.  They were all bigger than the people who faced them.  They all looked impossible.  But, the things which are impossible with men are possible with God.     

 

God is still a great big God.  He hasn't lost His power.  He hasn't grown weak, tired or weary with time.  He hasn't stopped doing miracles.  He hasn't stopped changing impossibilities into possibilities.  He is the God who brought the walls of Jericho down.  He is the God who brought Goliath down.  He is the God who quenched the fire of the furnace, who shut the lions' mouths, who delivered His people from Egypt, and who parted the Red Sea.  He is also the God who has not changed, what He did then He still does now.   So, let me say it again, "It may be bigger than you can believe for, but it is not bigger than God".  And if you can believe that-- that it isn't bigger than God and that He is able to do it-- then all things are possible to him who believes. 

Have a great day.  What is impossible for man is not impossible for God-- believe it.    

 

"What Not To Wear"

"But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof." Romans 13:14

The other day a couple of people and I were talking about a television show- What Not To Wear. In case you aren't familiar with the show, a person is nominated who needs help with the way they dress. Once the person has been selected they are approached with the opportunity to get rid of all the clothes in their closet and buy a brand new wardrobe with a $5,000.00 gift card. Jokingly, I asked one of the people I was talking with if they wanted me to submit their name to the show. This led to a discussion. These people said they wouldn't want to do it because they didn't want to have to give up their whole wardrobe--- they liked some of their clothes. Personally, I'd jump at the chance. I am thankful for my clothes, but I am not so attached to any of them that I couldn't give them up to gain something better-- a brand new wardrobe... free.

Let me bring this into the spiritual realm. We are a lot like that. God calls us to "give up" something and we don't want to because we like it too much. He is trying to give us something better- something of greater eternal value- and we are too attached to that fleshly thing that we often won't give it up. These nominees have to give up their entire wardrobe because what they are wearing isn't flattering, it hides the "real" them, it distracts from their beauty. God deals with us to give up some things that we are "wearing" because it hides the light of Christ in us and distracts from them seeing Jesus in us.

Whatever God deals with you to give up- fleshly attitudes, wrong thinking, self-centered desires, desires of the flesh- give them up. You can't afford to be attached to them. You have to be willing to give them up. If you hold on to them, you are sacrificing the better for the worse. God wants to bless you and bring out His character in you-- He wants Jesus to be seen in you. He won't be if He's hidden under the wrong "clothes".

Have a great day. Don't be attached to the things of the flesh-- surrender them and receive the better thing God is wanting to give to you.

"Love In Any Language"

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Some of us were talking after church last night about how different the customs and meanings of words are from country to country. A word or gesture here might mean something harmless and innocent, but in another country it might represent something vulgar or disrespectful. While the meaning of a word may not be the same in every country or culture, there is one word that is universal and it's meaning is the same no matter where you go. That word is love.

Love is love no matter where you are. When we talk about the love of God- the love He has for us that He would give His Son to die for our sins- it means the same for all of us. When we talk about the price that Jesus paid for our sins by dying for us because He loves us, there is nothing lost in the translation. Love is love all over the world, and the love God has for us means the same thing to all of us.

God loves you this morning. Jesus loves you. His love prompted Him to action- He died to show you how much He loves you. Have you received His love today by receiving His gift of salvation? None of us may fully understand the gospel. We might not be able to comprehend the depth of God's love. We may not understand how or why He loves us so much. But one thing we can all understand is that He loves us.

Have a great day. Love means love all over the world... and the love that God has for us means the same also.