"Don't You Waver"

"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)." Hebrews 10:23

If there is any wavering it is clear that it is on our part, not God's. He is faithful- always has been, always will be. He hasn't changed and He never will. He was faithful in the past and He will be faithful in the future. He was faithful yesterday and He will still be today. He remains faithful even when we aren't.

We are the ones who need to hold fast- be firm, not give up, not change, not waver- in our profession of faith, in our trust in Him, in our belief in His word. We are the ones who need to anchor our trust in His word, pattern our lives after it, build our hopes upon it. And we can, because He is faithful as promised.

How do we hold fast our profession of His faithfulness? How do we keep from wavering when the storms and trials come? By being grounded in His word. By hiding it in our hearts. By studying it. By renewing our minds with it. By keeping it before our eyes and in the hearing of our ears. This will build our faith and reinforce the foundation of His faithfulness that we are standing upon.

Have a great day. God will always be faithful, there is no wavering in Him.

For further reading:
Lamentations 3:23
Deuteronomy 7:9
1 Corinthians 1:9
1 Thessalonians 5:24

"Ignorance Equals Anxiety"

"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope." 1 Thessalonians 4:13

It is always our ignorance that gives us cause for concern. When we are concerned about a matter, it is usually because we are ignorant of the details, outcome or results concerning the matter. If I have understanding and knowledge of the matter I am less concerned. As in the verse above. These believers at Thessalonica were concerned about their brothers and sisters in the Lord who had already died as to what would become of them at the resurrection. The apostle set their minds at ease with the truth of God's word concerning this matter.

We don't have to stay in a state of confusion and concern because of ignorance. God's word gives us clarity, enlightenment and understanding- and along with that comes hope. If you are concerned about a matter, if you aren't sure about what is going on, then go to God's word, go to Him in prayer, seek Him. He will enlighten the eyes of your understanding. He will give you revelation and insight. He will guide you, calm your fears, and clarify your concerns. After all, He doesn't want us to be anxious, worried or overly concerned. And He doesn't want us in ignorance. He wants us to know the truth because when we do, the truth will set us free-- free from worry and anxiety.

Have a great day. Ignorance often causes us to worry and be anxious, but the knowledge of the truth gives clarity and peace.

For further reading:
Philippians 4:6
John 8:32
Ephesians 1:18

"Peace Where?"

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:14

"On earth peace". These words brought hope into a world that is without peace. There is no peace to be found in this world. There are wars, rumors of war, murder, hate, toil, strife, hardships, burdens, oppression, calamities, etc. When the angels pronounced their good tidings, they pronounced that peace was on its way.

Peace had to come from somewhere besides the earth. It had to come from heaven. Man cannot devise peace. He had tried for over two-thousand years without success. Mankind has been unable to achieve it through his wars for peace, through his compromises, through his threats, through his plans or through his resources. As a matter of fact, man lost the peace that was on earth back in the Garden of Eden.

We are hopelessly without peace and the ability to make peace, no matter how hard we try. So, peace had to come from the only true source of peace- God Himself. Peace was entering the world again after two-thousand years. It was coming to set itself up in the earth once more- this time within the hearts of men.

There won't be total and lasting peace universally on earth until Jesus Christ the Prince of Peace returns to set up His Kingdom here on earth. But this peace that the angels proclaimed is a peace that can abide in the individual hearts and lives of those who will receive Jesus as Savior and follow His plan for their lives.

The peace He gives doesn't necessarily mean we will live peacefully with everyone we encounter or the rest of mankind. It doesn't mean that enemies won't rise against us. It means that we now have peace with God and are no longer His enemies. Only Jesus' coming and death on the cross could pave the way for us to have peace with God. To have peace with God and know all is well between you and Him is so much better than to have peace with the rest of mankind. And the key to have any peace with others comes from having peace with God. Do you have peace with Him?

Have a great day. Jesus came to bring peace into the hearts of those who would accept Him.

For further reading:
John 14:27
Isaiah 9:6
Romans 5:1
Psalm 29:11
Colossians 3:15

"The Plan"

"...To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world..." John 18:37

We have all heard the saying: He who fails to plan, plans to fail. This is not always true. Even the best laid plans can do awry, they can fail, they can fall through, and they can change. Planning is a good thing, we should plan, but just because we do there is no guarantee that our plan will succeed.

God has plans as well. His plans are unlike ours-- His plans never fail, they always succeed. This Omniscient God looked through time and before He ever laid the foundation of the earth or called anything into existence, He saw that the creation (man) He would eventually create turn in disobedience from His command and open the door to sin upon all mankind and broken relationship with Him.

Before the act of Adam's disobedience ever occurred, God already had a plan to redeem mankind. When we make a plan, it has to make sense to us and those who hear it. God's plans, on the other hand, often seem foolish and make no sense. God's plan to redeem us included a young virgin girl, a manger, swaddling clothes, a baby (not just any baby, but the Son of God clothed in flesh), a cross and an empty tomb.

When God began to put His plan into action, He entrusted the care of His plan into the hands of humans but not the fulfillment of it. God planted His plan (Jesus) into the womb of Mary. She gave birth to it, nurtured it/Him and raised it/Him; but Jesus Himself went to the cross to fulfill it. This is why His plans never fail. He planned it and presented it, but fulfilled it Himself.

Every plan should have a reason behind it. God's plan had a reason- it is so that no person would perish but that all may have eternal life. God succeeded in His plan. The way to eternal life has been provided through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus. But in order for us to receive the benefit and promise provided by His plan, we must plan something. We must plan to receive Jesus as Savior, turn from our sins in repentance and follow Him. When we do this, then God's plan is fulfilled in our lives. When we don't accept His plan, we are planning to spend eternity separated from Him in torment.

God's plan, the gift of eternal life, came wrapped in swaddling clothes that first CHRISTmas. Will you receive His plan for your life?

Have a great day. God's plans never fail; therefore, you and I have the opportunity to receive the wonderful gift of eternal life.

For further reading:
John 3:16,17
1 Corinthians 1:25
Romans 11:33
2 Peter 3:9
Jeremiah 29:11
Revelation 13:8

"To Save People"

"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." Genesis 50:20

"To save much people alive." When the Lord uses us or places us in some position, we must resist the temptation to "think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think". We must not look at what He is doing through us as an avenue solely for the purpose of blessing us or making us great.

When Joseph was promoted in Egypt to the place of leadership, it was not so that Joseph could have a great biography to write about how he went from being betrayed to power. It wasn't so that he could brag about how he got from the pit to the palace. It was so that he could save many people during the famine. When Esther was made queen, it wasn't so that she could have a rags to riches story. It wasn't so that she could boast of being a captive who became a queen. It was so that she could save her people from annihilation. When Mary was chosen to give birth to the Son of God, it wasn't so that she could find a place of honor among the saints. It was so that the Savior could come into this world who would save us from our sins.

When God uses you to do something great in His kingdom, it is not about you either. It is not so that you can become famous or popular. It is not so that everyone will know your name. It is not so that you will be admired. It is always so that He can receive glory because whatever He has called you to do will "save many people". Remember this- God in His sovereignty could have chosen someone else besides Joseph, Esther or Mary. It was nothing that they did to cause Him to chose them. In His sovereignty He could have also chosen someone else to do the task He has called you to do. He could have even called a "donkey" to do it. So never think more highly of yourself than you should. Always remember why He called you. Stay focused on Him and what He has called you to do and not on yourself.

Have a great day. Whatever He has called you to do will be about saving people, not about you.

For further reading:
Romans 12:3
Genesis 45:7
Matthew 18:11

"Right Timing"

"But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law." Galatians 4:4

"The fullness of time" is a phrase that I have been hearing in my spirit a lot lately. The Bible says to everything there is a season and a time. There is a time when a certain thing occurs, when an event happens, when a birth takes place, when a promise is fulfilled. We would call it-- right timing. It's a time when all the conditions have been met and everything that needs to be in place is.

The thing about "the fullness of time" is that it is God's time- not ours. The "fullness of time" is when God says that it is time for this thing to happen. Eve thought the fullness of time- the promise of the seed that would bruise the head of the serpent- was when she conceived Seth. This promised seed did not come until two-thousand years later with the birth of Christ. Abraham thought that the fullness of time to receive the promised son would be in nine months- the length of time a baby is carried in the womb. But for Abraham the fullness of time came twenty-five years later. The fullness of time did not come for David at his anointing by Samuel, but around fourteen years later. The fullness of time for the Israelite's deliverance from Egyptian bondage did not come the day after Moses went to Pharaoh asking for the release of God's people- it came after all the plagues were fulfilled. Mary did not birth the Christ child the morning after the angel gave her the news, He came nine months later.

We don't understand why the manifestation of the promise of God often waits in coming to pass in our lives, but it is because it is not the "fullness of time". All things aren't ready. Some things need to happen first. Some things need to change. Some things need to be put in place. If it happens too early something may be lacking. You may not can handle it then. But just because it delays doesn't mean it will not happen. Just because it doesn't happen when we think it should doesn't mean that He won't fulfill His promise. God is a sovereign God who sees the end from the beginning, therefore, He sees all things in the middle and by seeing the whole picture He is orchestrating things to be in the right place at the right time. God moves on His time clock. He does everything perfectly. He is never late and never early but always at the right time-- which is called the "fullness of time".

Have a great day. God doesn't work according to our time clock but His own, and in the fullness of His time the promise will be fulfilled.

For further reading:
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Genesis 3:15
2 Peter 3:8
Isaiah 57:15

"Praise Among The Presents"

"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name." Psalm 100:4

Perhaps you are wondering why I would use the verse above to open the devotional- after all, we tend to associate this verse with the Thanksgiving holiday and we are getting ready to celebrate Christmas. For the Christian each day should be a day to give God thanksgiving and praise, but especially now as we are in the Christmas season. What better time to thank the Lord for the wonderful gift of His Son who came into the world to save us from our sins.

It is so easy to get caught up in all the trappings that we associate with Christmas that we forget why we are celebrating. It is so easy to get anxious about all the demands and details that go along with the preparation for our celebration. It is so easy to let the pressures of finding the "right" gift, having the finances to pay for it, and time limitations to get it all done before it's too late, make us frustrated. As we are paying attention to the "externals" that we call Christmas we can miss the true reason for our celebration.

We need to stop all our running around and take time to offer up thanksgiving and praise for the true reason behind Christmas. We need to thank the Lord for His gift. We need to thank Him for not leaving us in our sins but providing a way of escape. We need to thank Him for paying the greatest price ever paid to redeem us. We need to praise Him for His wonderful grace, for eternal life, for devising a plan to save us and for fulfilling that plan. In short, we need to praise Him for the true meaning of Christmas and the great gift of love that He gave to the world that first Christmas night.

Have a great day. Don't let the true meaning or your praise get lost among the trappings of what we consider Christmas.

For further reading:
John 3:16,17
Romans 5:8
Matthew 1:21

"We've Come To Worship Him"

"Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him." Matthew 2:2

The goal of the wise men that searched for the new born King of the Jews was that they might worship Him. Their goal was not to receive something from Him, but instead give something to Him. Their plan was not to petition Him for some need, or seek His hand of favor, or gain some position. It was simply to worship Him.

Imagine traveling the great distance they traveled and under such conditions- on camel, facing the elements (rain and heat), with the threat of robbers during the journey. They did not have planes, trains, buses or cars to travel in. They did not have luxury automobiles (no air-conditioning or heaters or comfortable seats). They did not have iPods to keep them entertained on their journey. They could only travel at one speed. Yet they endured and continued on in order to worship this new King.

I can't help but wonder what price we are willing to pay to worship our glorious King of kings, the Lord Jesus. If all the conditions aren't just right will we do it? If we have to get out of our comfort zone will we do it? If it places any inconvenience upon us, do we withhold it?

I can't help but wonder when we do worship Him if our motive is pure. Or is our worship self-centered, because of what we hope to receive from Him instead of give to Him? Do we worship Him with hopes of something in return?

It cost these wise men much to go and worship the new King- time, comfort, material things (those were no cheap gifts that they were bringing- gold, frankincense and myrrh). They did it and they were from heathen lands-- they weren't Jews. If that was the case and they paid this great price, how much easier should it be for us, how much more should we desire to worship Him if we call ourselves Christians because of our love and gratitude to Him for all He has done for us.

Have a great day. Are you a worshipper? If so, what is your motive behind your worship?

For further reading:
Matthew 2:1-12
John 4:23,24
Psalm 29:2; 95:6; 96:9

"What Do You Want To Reap?"

"Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same." Job 4:8

There is a law in the natural called sowing and reaping. If you sow corn seeds, you will reap corn. If you sow butter bean seeds, you will reap butter beans. If you sow apple seeds, you will reap apples. Whatever type of seed you sow is the type of fruit you will reap. You can't sow orange seeds and expect to get peas. It doesn't work that way. Everything reproduces after its own kind.

The law of sowing and reaping is also a spiritual law. The principles in the spiritual law of sowing and reaping are the same-- you reap the same thing you sow. So why do we think that we can sow one thing and get another? Why do we think that we can sow the wrong kinds of food into our bodies and not reap the consequences of it in our health? Why do we think we can sow fearful, negative, worldly thoughts into the ground of our minds and not reap fear, negativity and worldliness? Why do we think we can sow seeds of rudeness and not receive rude treatment in return?

The law of sowing and reaping is one of the most powerful laws naturally and spiritually. It doesn't change- never has, never will. It doesn't alter itself for certain individuals- there are no exceptions. Each and every seed that is sown produces according to its nature. It won't become something else just because it is planted along with other seeds of a different kind. Remember the story of the wheat and tares. Both seeds were planted in the field and both grew after their own nature. The wheat didn't change into a tare, and the tare didn't change into wheat just because they were planted side by side.

What kind of seeds are you sowing? When a farmer gets ready to plant his crops, before he even purchases his seeds, he is looking ahead to the harvest. He knows when the time comes to reap, exactly what kind of crop he wants to have so he plants that type of seed. We should do the same. We should have "harvest time" in mind. If we did, we would be more careful about what we are planting/sowing.

Have a great day. Whatever you are sowing is what you are going to reap.

For further reading:
Galatians 6:7,8
2 Corinthians 9:6
Matthew 13:24-30
Genesis 1:11-25
Luke 6:38

"Gaze Upward"

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

Life may not always go the way we plan. We may not always have everything we want. There may be things we don't have. Most people tend to spend so much time focused on what they don't have instead of what they do have. When we do that, it tends to make us ungrateful and complaining. The best way I know to counteract this type of attitude is by changing your focus.

If you are a Christian, instead of being focused on what you don't have here in this life turn your focus upward. Begin to focus on what you do have- on what awaits you in heaven. There is a place that is being prepared for us. It is a place where there is no need for the sun or moon because Jesus is the Light that shines always there. It is a place where the streets are pure gold, and the gates are pearl. It is a place where there is no sickness, pain, death, sorrow, wars, murder, abuse, adultery, or any other evil. It is a place of indescribable peace and joy. It is a place where those who have put their faith and trust in Jesus have a home- the Bible calls it a mansion.

We may not have it all while we are here on earth. Actually, the Bible never promises that we will. But it does promise us eternal life and a home with the Lord forever if we have faith in and follow Jesus. So don't bemoan what you don't have, instead change the direction you are looking and gaze up and into the future to what awaits you.

Have a great day. We may not have all we want down here, and when we start feeling down and depressed about that we need to turn our gaze to heaven and think about what we do have, and what awaits us.

For further reading:
Revelation 21:18-23; 22:14,15
John 14:2
Matthew 25:21

"You Are God"

"Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable." Psalm 145:3

Before I could even get my eyes open this morning, I began hearing the words of a song playing over and over in my thoughts. Let me "sing" it for you this morning. "You are God on the highest mountain. You are God in the deepest sea. You are awesome in power and glory. Great is Your love for me."

No matter where you may be, or what you may be going through, there are a few of things you should remember:
1) God is still God when you are on the mountaintop- when you are in a place where trouble is "below" you and you are looking "down" on your problems.

2) God is still God when you are in the sea- the sea of despair, the sea of trouble, the sea of fear, the sea of pain, a sea of overwhelming odds, the sea of financial ruin, a deep sea that threatens to drown you.

3) God is awesome in power and glory- He is more powerful than sickness and disease, then the addiction that has you in bondage, more powerful than the guilt and condemnation that plagues you, more powerful than the enemy of your soul and the weapons that he forms against you.

4) God's love for you is GREAT- the magnitude of His love for you is incomprehensible, the depths of His love for you is unsearchable, the abundance of His love for you is inexhaustible. Nothing separates you from His love. He loves you with an everlasting love. And He demonstrated how great His love for you is by giving His one and only Son Jesus as a ransom for your sins. He loves you so much that He paid the greatest price in order to have a relationship with you.

Have a great day. God is the almighty, powerful, glorious God on the mountain and in the sea... and He loves you.

For further reading:
Romans 5:8
1 John 4:4
Romans 8:1, 31-39
John 3:16

"In Bondage"

“And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?” Matthew 7:3

Why is it that when we think about someone being in bondage, we think about addicts who are in bondage to drugs or alcohol.  And true they are.  But that is not the only kind of bondage there is.  There are some that are just as destructive and just as hurtful to self and others.  While we want to look down our noses and condemn those who are in bondage to chemical substances, let's not forget to take a look at our own lives. 

Many of you are in bondage to other things besides drugs and alcohol.  Some of you are in bondage to anger.  You seem to always be "mad at the world".  It controls you and makes you say things you regret later and act in ways you should not have and are hurtful to those around you.  Some of you are in bondage to bitterness.  Life dealt you a bad hand, or you made wrong choices, or things happened to you because that's just life, and now you are bitter and you spue out that bitterness to those who love you the most.  Kindness eludes you.  Bitterness not only hurts you, but it defiles others. Some of you are in bondage to fear.  You won't make a step forward for fear of failure, fear of getting hurt, fear of being judged.  You stay where you are day after day and are too scared to enjoy the abundant life God desires for you to have.  In turn you are robbing others of the pleasure of your company and the gifts and talents that you possess. Then there are those who are in bondage to pornography, pride, jealousy, greed, confusion, frustration, unforgiveness, grief and many other things.  

These all rob you of having the life God intended for you to have.  They hinder your God-given purpose.  They keep you defeated and won't let you walk in victory.  Drugs and alcohol aren't the only things that destroy relationships, these bondages will as well. 

It takes the power of the Holy Spirit to break the bondage of drugs and alcohol.  It also takes the power of the Holy Spirit to break any bondage-- those we have named and those we haven't.  The first step to getting free from bandage, regardless of what it is, is to recognize and acknowledge it. (Confess your sin.) Then repent of it. Call out to God and ask Him to deliver you and set you free.  He will! He came to set the captive free and open the prison doors to those who are bound.

Have a great day.  Bondage comes in many forms.  All of them are destructive.  Jesus wants to set you free by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Let Him!  

For further reading:

1 John 1:9; Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18; Hebrews 12:15  

"Mishandling Jesus"

"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." Revelation 4:11

The other night I attended a Christmas play.  The children did a great job and it was a sweet program.  There were a couple of cute little fellows (very young) in the play.  For some reason one little guy in particular wanted to play with the "Baby Jesus" who was lying in the manger.  (Of course, the baby was a baby doll.) He would grab the doll and hold it just anyway he decided to.  A couple of times I noticed that he had the "baby" holding it upside down by the foot.  His "mishandling" of the "Baby Jesus" spoke something to my heart.  That is:  many people are mishandling Jesus.

The word mishandle means: to treat or deal with something roughly, manage wrongly or ignorantly, to treat carelessly.  I said many people are mishandling Jesus.  How?  When you don't give Him the reverence, respect and honor that He deserves you are mishandling Him.  When you take Him for granted, you are mishandling Him.  When all He is to you is a prayer to help you or get you out of a problem, then you are mishandling Him.  If you take Him for granted, if you take His name in vain, if you neglect Him, then you are mishandling Him.  If you say He is your Saviour, but you aren't following Him, you aren't surrendering to His will, you aren't following His commandments, you aren't spending time with Him in prayer and reading His word, if you are forsaking His house, then you are mishandling Him.  

If you are handling Him in any way other than one that places Him in His rightful place as God and the Lord of your life, then you are mishandling Him.  He is not a "baby doll" laying on a pile of hay.  He is not a Christmas story.  He is not just a helper when you are in trouble.  He is not a curse word.  He is not your servant or a Santa Claus that gives you your every desire and bows to your every whim.  If this is how you look at Jesus, then you are mishandling Him.  And if you are mishandling Him, you need to repent and start handling Him in a manner that is worthy of who He is.

Have a great day.  Stop mishandling Jesus and handle Him in a way that gives Him honor and glory.     

"Eat"

"But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened." 1 Samuel 14:27

The Israelites were fighting against the Philistines and on this particular day King Saul commanded that none of his men eat anything that day. They were tired and faint from hunger. But Saul's son Jonathan did not hear the charge of his father so when he saw the honey he dipped his rod in it and ate what was on the end of it. As a result of eating even that small amount he was strengthened and refreshed. "See, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey." (verse 29)

The Psalmist described God's word as sweeter than honey on his lips. The honey that Jonathan ate refreshed him and gave him strength physically. When we "eat" God's word, it does the same thing for us spiritually. God's word refreshes our weary souls. It strengthens us for the journey. It enlightens our understanding. It gives health. It lifts up our heads. It brings peace to our hearts.

King Saul foolishly commanded the men not to eat that day. The lack of food during the battle hindered their victory. We do foolishly too when we do not "eat" the word of God each and every day- whether we are in a battle or at peace.

When the men came to the woods, the Bible recorded that there was honey all around them- on the ground and dropping from the trees. God's word is in abundant supply. Its pages are filled with wonderful promises, blessings, hope, encouragement and everything else that you need. I wonder how long it sits around in our houses and we never pick it up and taste of its contents.

King Saul had made an oath that placed a curse of death upon any man who ate. Therefore, none of the men would eat the honey although they wanted to, needed it and it was in abundant supply because they feared the king's oath. King Saul was just foolish for making such a command, but the enemy of our soul is strategic. He knows that without the word of God in our lives we will be weak, grow faint and weary- enabling us to be more easily defeated. So he uses fear tactics as well to try to keep us from God's word.

Are you suffering from lack of spiritual food? Are you growing faint and weary? Then take not just a taste, but heartily eat God's word and you will be refreshed.

Have a great day. What honey does to refresh the body, God's word does to refresh the soul.

For further reading:
Psalm 119:103
1 Samuel 14

"Trusting Who?"

"It is better to trust in the Lord: then to put confidence in man." Psalm 118:8

Yesterday I talked about putting our faith in God.  It reminded me of a video clip someone sent me on the subject.  This person said that when we get on a plane, a train, a bus or a taxi we don't know these people who are "driving", but we put our trust in them that they will carry us to our destination.  It made me think of the trip that I just took.  I went on a bus tour.  I didn't know the bus driver.  Had never laid eyes on him before.  I didn't know his name until someone told me.  I didn't know anything about him-- his age, his background, where he lived, if he was married, etc.  

When I watched the video, I could relate to what this person was saying.  On my trip I had put my safety and life in the hands of a complete stranger.  I was putting my life in the hands of just another person.  I was trusting that this bus driver would get me to where I needed to go without incident. (I even closed my eyes a few times to take a nap). 

So, the point is... why do we trust people, even strangers, but won't trust God with our lives?  Why do we sit back and "enjoy the ride" when someone else is doing the driving, but get anxious, worried and fearful when it comes to trusting God with our lives?  Why do we draw back from Him and act like He is untrustworthy and can't take care of us?  I had no clue how to get to where I was going, but the bus driver did-- so I trusted that.  In life we don't know where we are going and how to get there, but the One who sees all and knows all does.  When are we going to trust Him?  When are we going to put more confidence in the Lord Jesus who sees the beginning and the end of our journey through life, then we do in other people?  When are we going to sit back and let Him be in the "driver's seat?  This bus driver knew what he was doing-- I didn't.  God knows what He is doing, therefore, we can trust Him.  

Have a great day. Do we put more trust in other people, including strangers, than we do in the Lord?

"Have Faith Where?"

"And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God." Mark 11:22

This statement made by Jesus may seem odd-- "Have faith in God". Why would He tell us to have faith in God? Where else would our faith be based? Of course our faith is in God-- or is it? It may seem odd that He would tell us such a thing but He said it because our faith isn't always in God.

There are many things, people and places that we can place our faith in. The banks, loan companies, the doctor, modern technology, the word of some person, our education-- all these are where we often tend to place our faith. We have faith that the medicine the doctor prescribes will heal us. We have faith that our education will open doors of opportunity for us. We have faith that if the bank will loan us the money we will make it.

I am not saying that it is wrong to go to the doctor or take medicine. I am not saying that you shouldn't get an education. I am not saying that you shouldn't work. What I am saying is that your faith should not be in any of them as your healer, deliverer or provider. I know people who have years and years of education with so many degrees in front and behind their name that it takes ten minutes to read them- yet they can't find a job. We all know that medicines don't always work and doctors can't always save someone's life.

Putting your faith in people and things is not putting your faith in a firm foundation. God is the only true foundation upon which to place our faith. Men will fail. Things will fail. The products of men's hands will fail. Our monies will fail. Our abilities will fail. But the Lord never will. You can put your faith in Him eternally and know without a doubt that He will not fail.

Have a great day. Have faith in God because He is the only source that will not fail.

For further reading:
Hebrews 10:23
1 Chronicles 28:20
Lamentations 3:23

"Trust The Lord With The Future"

"They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever." Psalm 125:1

One of the biggest problems we have is the desire to know everything. We want to know what is going to happen before it happens and how things are going to turn out before they begin. We want to know the future. The knowledge of what will happen in the future will always elude us because no one can tell the future. We each have to wait until it gets here.

When we read the stories of Bible characters who have gone through tremendous trials, we have the advantage of reading the whole story- from the beginning to the end. Those who we read about had to take it one day at a time. They did not know what each day would bring, they did not know how things were going to turn out while they were in it any more than you and I know what will happen while we are in our trials.

Job could not see into the future when his trial began. He didn't know that he would come forth from it as gold. When Naomi's husband and two sons died and she was left a widow, she didn't know that she would become the great-great grandmother of King David through her daughter in law Ruth- who was in the lineage of Jesus. When Joseph was thrown into the pit, he had no idea that one day he would rule "the world"- second to Pharaoh. When the three Hebrews were thrown into the fiery furnace, they didn't know they would come back out alive.

They didn't know the future, they didn't know what was going to happen to them in the end. They had to trust the Lord each and every day with their lives. Since we don't know what the future holds, since we can't see the end from the beginning, since we don't know what the outcome of our trial will be, we have only one course of action that we can take-- we have to trust the Lord. That's what it means to live by faith.

You may be suffering with an illness in your body and unsure of the outcome, but trust the Lord- He knows the outcome. You may be facing financial loss and don't know if you will have a roof over your head in the future, but trust that the Lord sees the outcome. You may be going through a broken relationship unsure if reconciliation is in the future, but trust the Lord because He sees the end. Whatever you may be facing, you may not know what will happen next, but trust the Lord because He does. He sees the end from the beginning; He is the Author and Finisher; He is the First and the Last. He already knows how it is going to end. And the outcome will always work together somehow for your good.

Have a great day. We don't have the luxury of knowing the future, but God does so we can put our trust in Him.

For further reading:
Job 23:10; 13:15
Revelation 1:11
Hebrews 12:2; 10:38
Genesis 45:5-7

"Right In Whose Eyes?"

"In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes." Judges 21:25

During this time in the history of Israel there was no king to govern the people. They had God's law but they ignored it and did not follow it. The priest and the Levities did not follow it either. They did exactly as the verse says, "What was right in their own eyes." This verse sounds like it is talking about our modern day society- especially in the Western world. People are being led by what they deem as "right". They are following their own lusts, feelings and emotions. They are led by selfishness, greed and their own understanding. Sadly, this mentality isn't just reflected in the "world", it seems to be pretty prevalent in the present day church as well.

In the period of time in which the verse above was written there was no regard for the commandments and law of God. Have you noticed how little regard there is for God's word among professing believers? They attend church, but they don't live their lives after the guidelines of God's word. They are doing what is right in their own eyes. Many in the church are living in adultery and immorality- which is contrary to God's word, but it is right in their own eyes. They see nothing wrong with it. They see nothing wrong with cheating, lying, cursing, getting drunk, watching pornography, etc., and they justify it by saying, "For me it isn't wrong". One question-- why isn't it? If God's word says it is wrong then why isn't it wrong for you? God's word is the determining factor as to what is right and what is wrong; what we should be involved in and what we shouldn't; how we should conduct our lives and how we shouldn't; what we should participate in and what we should avoid.

If a person continues to do what is right in their own eyes, it will lead to the ways of death. In Israel during this time, as I said earlier, even the priests and Levities were guilty of doing what was right in their eyes instead of following after and holding God's word up as the only true standard of living. It is clear that these religious leaders weren't following God. So whoever you are- pastor, evangelist, church leader or lay person- if you are doing what is right in your own eyes and ignoring God's word as your guideline, then you aren't following Him either.

As long as we are doing what is right in our own eyes we are not following the Lord. And if we aren't following Him, then we are going in the opposite direction. When we are going in the opposite direction, we will get further and further away from Him and find ourselves on a way that leads to destruction. We must repent and turn back to following Him and doing what is "right in His eyes".

Have a great day. Are you doing what is right in your own eyes? Or are you living your life doing what is right in God's eyes?

For further reading:
Proverbs 12:15; 21:2; 16:25; 3:5
Judges 17:6

"Lifted Up"

"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." John 12:32

Jesus said that if He was lifted up He would draw all men unto Himself. I see this verse as two-fold. In context the verse means the literal lifting up of Jesus on the cross on Calvary's hill for all to see. Being lifted up on the cross opened up the way for all men to now be able to come to the Father and receive eternal life.

The second way I see this verse when I think about it is lifting up Jesus through our praise. We lift Him up when we tell of His goodness and greatness and testify of His wonderful love. This morning I would like to take this time to do just that. I want to lift Jesus up through praise and adoration and remind you of just who He is.

He is the great and mighty God. The Counselor; Prince of Peace; Everlasting Father. He is the Beginning and the End; the Author and Finisher of our faith. The One who was and is and is to come. The Ancient of Days who has always been. The Eternal One who will always be. His days have no beginning and no end. His Word is powerful- sharper than a two-edged sword. His mercies are new each morning. His faithfulness cannot be measured. His promises never fail. He will never abandon His children. He gives rain on the just and unjust. He is a very present help in time of trouble. Every soul that cries to Him, He gives an attentive ear. He does not cast us away. He loves us with an everlasting love. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He does not change. He is as powerful as He has always been. He can still put money in the mouth of the fish. He can still send manna from heaven. He is still able to part the sea, quench the fire of the furnace, shut the mouths of lions, command ravens to bring bread, call all the stars by name and He rides upon the wings of the wind.

I have a two-fold reason for lifting Him up this morning. One is because He is worthy to be lifted up through praise. The second is to remind you who He is. We do not act like God is God. For the most part His children appear to live discouraged, defeated, depressed lives. Why!? I believe it is because we have forgotten just Who He is. He is no "wimpy, feeble, weak" God that we are serving and placing our faith in and love upon. He is who He says He is in His word. He hasn't, and never will, changed. I think we need to start reminding ourselves daily who God is. And one way we do that is by lifting Him up through our praise.

Have a great day. Lift Him up today through your praise- it will help you remember how great He is.

For further reading:
Psalm 95:3; 86:8; 145:3-5; 105:2; 26:7
Jeremiah 10:6,7