"The Foolish Way"

"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty." 1 Corinthians 1:27 

God uses some of the most "foolish", by our way of thinking, things to do His work in our lives. He used a raven to feed a prophet. He used a donkey to speak to a wayward prophet. He used a rod in the hands of Moses. He used three hundred men to defeat a vast army. God's ways are not our ways. He uses what He decides to use, not what we think He should use. We are so limited in our way of thinking, but He is All Wise and All Knowing. He knows just what to do, how to do it and when to do it. And when He uses foolish things, He alone can receive the glory for it. 

 

When the Lord delivered the children of Israel out of Egypt, He could have taken them in a different direction. He took them to the Red Sea. When they got to the sea, He could have miraculously provided them all boats, or He could have supernaturally translated them to the other side. Instead, He opened up the sea and they crossed on the seabed to the other side. By doing it this way, the people were delivered to safety, He was glorified, and their enemy was destroyed. 

 

Are you going through some trial this morning? Are you in a situation? God hasn't forgotten you. He knows where you are and what you are going through. He has a plan already laid out for you. Just because what He is doing doesn't come the way you want it to doesn't mean He isn't working on your behalf. Don't try to figure out how God will bring your answer. Leave that part up to Him. He will bring it the best way. 

 

Have a great day. God often uses foolish things to accomplish His plan in our lives. 

 

For further reading:

1 Kings 17:1-4

Exodus 13:17,18; 15:1

Isaiah 55:8,9

"Guard Your Joy"

"...for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10b 

We have an adversary who goes about seeking whom he may devour. He comes to steal, kill and destroy. One of the things he desires to steal from us is our joy. He wants to steal it because that is where our strength lies. 

 

He tries to steal it through many different avenues. He will try to steal it through broken relationships, through the loss of employment, through a bad report, through sickness, through a time of sorrow, etc. Therefore, we must guard against allowing our joy to be stolen. We can't stop bad things from happening in our lives. This life is full of tribulation. But we can stop him from stealing our joy when bad things happen.

 

How do we guard and protect our joy? Through praise. When things come to try to steal our joy, then is when we should offer up a sacrifice of praise. No, we aren't praising the Lord for the bad thing, we are praising Him in spite of it. We are praising Him because He is faithful- faithful to see us through. We praise Him for His love- His love that covers us. We praise Him for His grace-- grace that is sufficient for whatever we face. We praise Him for His mercy-- that endures forever. We praise Him for His abiding presence with us-- He never leaves nor forsakes us. We focus on Him instead of the "storm" or the problems that we are facing.

 

Have a great day. The enemy wants to steal your strength. So, guard your joy, because that is where your strength lies.

 

For further reading:

John 10:10; 16:33

1 Peter 5:8

"Another Memorial Day"

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." John 8:36

A few days ago, we celebrated Memeorial Day in this country. It was a time of remembering, and honoring, the sacrifices that were made by so many who fought and died for our freedom. We should never forget or take lightly what was done by these brave men and women. There was another sacrifice that was made to ensure our freedom as well but was made over three thousand years ago. 

This sacrifice freed us for sin and provided eternal life. This sacrifice wasn't made by an army or a multitude. It was made by one person, yet it had the power to free all mankind- the whole world, everyone ever born. It wasn't made on an earthly battlefield. It was made on one spot- Calvary. There were no guns or cannons involved, just an old rugged cross. It was so victorious that it never has to be fought again. It took place once and for all. It was the sacrifice made by Jesus on the cross. 

 

The word memorial means: something, especially a structure, established to remind people of a person or event. Once a year we remember the brave soldiers who fought and died for our freedom. But daily we should remember what Jesus did for us to set us free from sin and death. Our reminder (our memorial) is the cross. Never take the cross lightly. Never look at it and ignore what was done. Keep the cross in focus. Go to the cross daily and offer up thanksgiving and praise to Jesus for what He has done for you. 

 

Have a great day. When you look at the cross, remember the greatest sacrifice that was made for you by Jesus-- the forgiveness and freedom from your sins. 

 

For further reading:

John 3:16,17

Hebrews 10:12

 

"Simply Watch And Pray"

"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26:41 

As I was praying about what to share with you this morning, I kept hearing the phrase- "Watch and pray". Twice this phrase is used in the scriptures, and both times Jesus was the one who said it. The other place is found in Mark 13:33- "Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is." 

 

I believe this is a word for someone this morning. You are to simply "watch and pray". Sometimes we miss our answer because we want some deep, step by step detailed answer. We want the Lord to tell us who, what, where, when and how. He could but He doesn't always answer like that. Sometimes we miss our answer because the answer is just too simple. It reminds me of the time my friend and I went to the nursing home and told a man about the plan of salvation. He thanked us but would not invite Jesus into his heart and life.  He told us that what we had said was just too simple to believe. He thought salvation should be some hard thing/task/work he had to do. 

 

Don't overlook this word this morning because you think your answer should come a certain way or because you think the is too simple. He "sent" me to tell you to just "watch and pray".

 

Have a great day. Sometimes our answer is so simple that we miss it.

 

"Familiar Place"

"Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing." John 21:3 

The disciples had just witnessed the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. They had placed their hopes, dreams and faith in Him. They had surrendered their lives to His call. But now He was dead. They felt totally lost, helpless and hopeless. Their dreams had been shattered. Then three days later Jesus appeared to them and continued to appear to them for a period of time. They had heard His words while He was on earth. He had given them a commission to fulfill. They heard His words and saw the signs He done after His resurrection. But what were they to do about it? What were they to do with the rest of their lives? What would become of them? How would they do what Jesus had commanded them to do?

 

I can tell you what Peter did-- he went fishing. He went back to a place that was familiar to him--back to what he knew. He went back to the place where he felt comfortable and in control.

 

When we are confused, feeling hopeless, facing a trial, going through a difficulty, what do we do? We do the same thing-- we go to a familiar place. We go to the place where we feel safe and in control. We go to that familiar place which seems to put our minds at ease. For Peter it was fishing. For some today their "familiar place" is drugs and alcohol. For others it is eating-- they find it in food. To others that familiar place is work. It is a place where they don't feel confused but know what they are doing-- it is familiar. There is a whole list of familiar places where us humans resort to-- as many different ones as there are people. 

 

There is one familiar place that we should resort to when we are facing difficulty, despair, confusion and our lives seem to be spinning out of control. Jesus daily resorted to His familiar place-- the place of prayer. The place of prayer should be our most familiar place as well. It should be where we resort to when facing life's trying situations. Did you hear me? I said it should be our "familiar" place-- familiar because we frequent it often, not just visit it once and a while. Is that your familiar place this morning? Is that where you go? Is that where you go to find peace, direction and hope? Or do you go to some other place because the place of prayer is not familiar to you and that other place is? 

 

Have a great day. We all have a familiar place that we go to when life is trying. What is your familiar place? 

 

For further reading:

John 21:1-3

 

"The Only One"

"And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away." 1 Kings 19:14 

Have you ever felt like "you are the only one"? No one else knows what you are going through. No one else knows how it feels. What has happened to you hasn't happened to anyone else. We all go through that at some point. Our pain is so bad, our grief is so overwhelming, our problem so big, our situation so daunting that no one else could possibly know or have ever experienced it. 

 

None of us are exempt from this feeling of "self-pity". (Which is what it actually is.) Even the prophets of old felt this way. Elijah was considered one of the greatest prophets to ever live, yet he experienced this feeling himself. He had had a tremendous victory in the Lord-- even calling fire down from heaven and destroying all the prophets of Baal. But within days he was running from an evil woman for fear of his life and sitting in a cave feeling sorry for himself and wanting to die. 

 

Elijah spoke this same statement twice. First to the people at Mt. Carmel when charging them to return to the Lord and stop serving Baal. "Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men." (1 Kings 18:22) Then to the Lord when He confronted him in the cave. The first time he said it, it was spoken out of pride. The second time he spoke it, it was out of self-pity. Pride always goes before a destruction. 

 

The fact remains that we aren't alone in what we go through. It is all "common" to man. Don't develop a prideful attitude about your troubles-- you are not the only one who has ever gone through it.  if you do, it will lead to other attitudes that will pull you down. You are not the only one to stand strong and overcome. Don't allow self-pity to come in. Again, you are not the only one who has ever gone through it. You are not by yourself. Granted not everyone will understand what you are facing. Not all have yet walked that same path. But remember this when you are walking through anything. While those around you may not know what you are going through, Jesus does. He has been through it all. He knows. He understands. He is touched by the feelings of your infirmities because He was tempted in all points just like you are. So, you are not the only one. Guard your mind against that.

 

Have a great day. You are not the only one who has experienced what you are going through. Jesus has already gone through it. 

 

For further reading:

Proverbs 16:18

Romans 11:4

Hebrews 4:15

 

"Ordered Steps"

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way." Psalm 37:23 

When we think about a "good" man, we think about someone who is morally right. As I was looking a little closer at this verse the meaning of the word "good" here has a greater emphasis. It means: man, strong man, warrior (emphasizing strength or ability to fight). When you look at the verse with this definition of what it means by "a good man", it gives a whole new meaning to what is being said.

 

This verse lets us know that no matter who we are, even a mighty warrior, we don't have the ability to direct our steps. Your strength doesn't make you strong enough to know how to walk, what to do and where to go without the direction of the Lord. It is that way with all of us. This verse, in essence, lets us know that no matter who we are-- the strong, the well-educated, the talented, the old, young, male, or female-- nothing we possess within ourselves empowers or enables us to be able to walk through this life on our own. We have to have the Lord directing our steps. We have to acknowledge Him with each step we take. 

 

Are you trusting in your strength, your education, your ability to navigate you through life? It won't. One of the definitions for ordered means: to be firmly established, be stable, be secure, be enduring. Does that sound like something your strength can do for you? Does it sound like something education can make happen? Does it sound like your courage can firmly establish you? The Lord is the only One who can give us stability and make us secure. He is the only One who can keep our feet upon the right path. He is the only One who can keep us from slipping as we walk because He firmly establishes and directs our steps. 

 

The Lord can make our walk firm and secure. He can give us guidance and direction. But only if we are willing to let Him. So, who is directing your steps-- the Lord or yourself?

 

Have a great day. No matter how strong, popular, talented or well educated you may be, it is not enough to direct your own steps... only the Lord can do that.

 

For further reading:

Psalm 94:18; 18:36

"Does He Care?"

"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 

Do not accuse God of not caring! Just because you are going through a difficulty, problem, trying time or an unpleasant situation is no indication that God does not care about you. He does! He cares so much about you that He sent, or rather gave up, His Only Begotten Son for you when you were in your greatest need.

 

Our greatest need is that of salvation and eternal life. We were hopelessly lost. We had rebelled against God and as a result separated ourselves from Him-- forever! We were unable to do anything about the state we were in. There was nothing we could do. We couldn't work hard enough, be good enough, do enough to change our condition-- we were lost eternally. Sin had come in and made us a prisoner. We could never be free. But God cared about and loved us so much that He stepped in and made a way for us to come out of our hopeless situation. We didn't ask Him to do it. He didn't owe it to us. He wasn't at fault. He hadn't turned His back on us. Yet He came and gave us a way of hope and eternal life. That Way was through giving up His Son Jesus as a ransom for our sins.

 

If God loved you so much and cared for you so deeply when you were living in sin and rebellion against Him, why would you think that He doesn't care about you now. Why, now that you have accepted His Way and are living in fellowship with Him, would you think He has stopped caring? If He loved you at your worst and did something to show you how much He cared-- by paying the ultimate price for you to be saved and become His child-- why would He not care about you in your time of hardship? 

 

The truth is that He does care! He hasn't stopped caring! He hasn't stopped loving you! Don't judge Him by what you are going through. We all "go through" something, but God cares enough that He "goes through" it with you. And He is there with you!

 

Have a great day. Just what else does God have to do to prove to you that He does care? He has already made the greatest sacrifice there is to prove that He cares.

 

For further reading:

John 3:17

1 Peter 5:7

Mark 10:45

Romans 5:8

 

"Due Season"

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Galatians 6:9 

We are all familiar with the four seasons- spring, summer, fall and winter. But there is a fifth season. It is called "due season". Due season isn't marked by a certain date on the calendar. It is a "spiritual" season, and it comes around just as surely as the four physical ones. 

 

Each of the four seasons come at a particular time and are characterized by certain qualities. For example, winter comes at the end of one year and the beginning of another. It is characterized by cold, rain and snow. So, when is "due" season and what are its characteristics?

 

Due season is a time that is appointed by God, and only known by Him. It happens in His perfect timing. God promised Abraham he would have a son. Abraham tried to rush his "due" season and make it happen on his timetable. King Saul also tried to make "due" season come in his timing, instead of waiting for the Prophet Samuel to come which would have ushered in his "due" season. God told Jeremiah that the children of Israel would be in bondage for seventy years. At the end of the seventy years their "due" season would come. Joseph tried to rush his "due" season by asking the butler to remember him to Pharaoh. "Due" season is marked on God's calendar, not ours. 

 

Due season is characterized by a time of receiving and experienced by a time of reaping. Abraham's "due" season came when Isaac was born. King Saul missed his "due" season completely. The children of Israel's "due" season came when they were released from bondage. Joseph's "due" season came when he was released from prison and promoted to the palace.

 

We each have a "due" season. It is a time when God fulfills and brings to pass in our lives what He has promised. It comes when what we have patiently waited on Him, and it is manifested. It comes when what we have sown comes to fruition and we can reap it. You may be in your "due" season, or you may still be waiting for it to come. Don't get weary in waiting. Do what you would do in the natural seasons-- continue on with life, awaiting its arrival. It will come when God says it will come. And when it does, it will be in His perfect timing accomplishing His perfect will.

 

Have a great day. There is a "due season" and it will come to your life. 

 

For further reading:

Psalm 145:15

Leviticus 26:4

"Me, Smarter?"

"As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all." Ecclesiastes 11:5 

Let's face it, we aren't as smart as we would like to think we are. This way of thinking starts in us at a very early age. Even as toddlers when we are offered help, we insist that we can do it by ourselves. When we become teenagers, we know it all-- we are smarter than our parents or anyone else for that matter. As adults, we don't like to be made to feel like we don't know what we are doing. We try to give the impression that we know it-- often, faking it. The definition for this is called "pride and independence". 

 

We want to be independent-- we want to do it ourselves without help. We are too proud to admit that there is something we can't do or don't know. Pride says I can do it, I know it all, I don't need someone else to tell me what and how to do it. The only problem with this though is that we often exhibit this same attitude toward God. We try to tell Him what to do. We act toward Him as if we can take care of whatever it is we are facing. We have the same-- I can do it by myself attitude-- with Him. The fact is that we can't.

 

The Bible says that there are things that are impossible for us. Yes, it does say we can do all things through Christ which strengthens us. But it says-- through Christ, not through ourselves. Jesus told us that without Him we can do nothing. Having an independent spirit in some cases and to some degree is not a bad thing unless you are dealing with the Lord. 

 

Face it, you can't do it all. You don't know it all. You are not that smart. You don't have it all together. Does this sound "negative"? It isn't. On the contrary, it is very positive because it is the truth. Truth always sets us free-- which is a positive plus in our lives. We need to humble ourselves before the Lord and acknowledge that without Him we are nothing and can do nothing. We need to acknowledge to Him that we need Him-- desperately need Him. When was the last time you "climbed into His lap" in prayer, and told Him how much you need Him? When was the last time you expressed to Him, how weak you are without Him? When was the last time you admitted to Him that you just don't know everything? When was the last time that you confessed to Him that you are not that smart, but that you know He is?

 

Have a great day. We aren't as smart as we like to think we are. So, swallow your pride and admit to God that He is and that you need His help. 

 

For further reading:

Philippians 4:13

John 15:5

James 4:10

2 Corinthians 12:9

 

"One Main Reason"

"Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life." John 6:68 

Have you ever heard anyone say, "Why should I follow you? Give me one good reason why I should do this or that?" Maybe you have said it too. When Jesus calls to us, He calls us to "follow Him". Some immediately follow without reservation. Some take their time in making the decision to do so. Then there are others who want to know. "Why should I? Give me one good reason why I should follow Jesus." 

 

So, why should we follow Him? Some make that decision because they think that by following Him it means an end to all their problems. They think that once they do life will become easy for them. But once you start following Jesus you find that the opposite is true. You seem to have more problems after you started following Him than before. Some follow because they are trying to please someone else and make someone else happy. Following for that reason will only make you miserable instead. It takes away the joy that comes when your heart motive is right. Some follow Him because they have heard about how "blessed" those who do are. They don't realize that "blessings" don't always mean "material wealth". 

 

There are as many different reasons as to why people follow Jesus as there are people. But there is only one true reason for doing so. "You have the words of eternal life." Jesus not only has the words of eternal life, but He is also The Word. He is Eternal Life. We follow Him because He is the "Life Giver". Outside of Him there is no life. Without Him we are walking, breathing corpses-- dead men walking. We may be standing on our feet, breathing air, doing activity, but inside we are dead and lifeless. 

 

When God told Adam that he would die when he ate of the forbidden tree, He meant that Adam (and all mankind) would die inside- not physically. Adam did, and so did we. We are "born dead". This is why Jesus told Nicodemus you must be "born again". Only Jesus has the power to resurrect us to life-- inward life. Only He can bring us from death to life. Only He has the power to put life into us, because He is the Life, Truth and Way. 

 

So, what is one good reason why we should follow Him? I could give you countless reasons, but the main one is because without Him we have no life. "In him was life; and the life was the light of men." (John 1:4) "Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you." (John 6:53) Except we "partake" of Jesus (receive Him and follow Him) we have no life. That's our main reason. 

 

Have a great day. One good reason why we should follow Jesus? Because He gives us life.

 

For further reading:

Matthew 4:19,22

John 1:1; 3:3,7; 14:6

Genesis 2:17

Romans 5:12

 

"Keep Holding On"

"And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." Genesis 32:26 

I had a dream last night and the only thing I can remember about it was seeing three words written on paper-- "keep holding on". I remember thinking that this was the word for the devotional this morning. I also thought that some who read it would think that it pertained to a particular situation they were in. But when I woke up it was clear to me that what it meant was-- keep holding on to Jesus. Don't let Him go. Hold on to Him regardless of what is going on in your life. Don't cast Him away. Don't turn from Him. Hold on to Him tightly. Be determined that no matter what else you have to let go of, don't let Him go. He is your life. He is your everything. Without Him you have nothing. 

 

As I entered my office this morning, still pondering those three words, a song that I haven't heard in years came to me. I have written the lyrics below. Today and everyday make this the theme song and battle cry of your life.

 

I'll keep holding on to Jesus,
I'll keep holding on to Jesus
I'll keep holding to those precious nail scarred hands.

Though my way I can't see clearly,
And my step become so weary
I'll keep holding to those precious nail scarred hands.

Have a great day. Keep holding on to Jesus. 

"Jesus Understands"

"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Hebrews 4:15 

Have you ever heard anyone say, "You just don't understand what I am going through"? Maybe you have said it. Maybe you have gone through a situation and felt like that. When we are going through a situation, we have a tendency to think that "we are the only ones" who have ever experienced this. True enough I may not have walked through some places where you are walking. I may not have gone through certain situations or through the same trial that you are facing. But we can never say that nobody understands, because there is one who does.... Jesus.

 

I don't know what you are facing this morning. I don't know what you may be going through. I may not know how you feel. But Jesus does. Jesus knows what you are going through. Jesus understands how you feel. He is acquainted with your grief, with your suffering and your pain. He knows what it is like to be tempted. He knows what it's like to feel rejection. He knows what it's like to be betrayed. He understands what it means to be forsaken and abandoned in time of need. He knows it all. He knows because He has walked through it all.

 

Are you feeling alone in what you are going through? Do you feel as if no one has a clue how you feel and what is happening? Remember that Jesus knows. Remember that He cares. Remember that He has walked down that same path-- and He walked it for you. He knows exactly how you feel and what you are going through. He subjected Himself to all "points" so that He would know. You may accuse me of not understanding or knowing what you are going through, and rightfully so if I haven't been through it. But you can never accuse Jesus of not understanding. He understands... He went through it first, before you did. So, look to Him. Confide in Him. Trust Him. Ask Him to help you get through it. Ask Him to show you how He got through it. Then take hold of the victory that He got when He overcame it and walk in it.

 

Have a great day. No one else may understand what you are going through, but you can't accuse Jesus of that-- He understands when nobody else does.

 

For further reading:

John 1:14

Isaiah 53

"God's Still Good"

"Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart." Psalm 73:1 

We judge circumstances as either good or bad. We judge people as either good or bad. We also tend to judge God as either good or bad. We call Him good when He does good things for us and gives us blessings that we easily recognize. But we judge God as bad when He "allows" bad things to happen to us. We judge Him as bad when tragedy happens, there is a loss, things don't go our way, we lose our jobs, we are diagnosed with an illness and so on.

 

I may be wishy-washy because I am wrestling with my flesh-- there is a war between the flesh and spirit taking place inside of me. Therefore, one day I may act "good", and the next day do "bad" things. But God is not like that. He is not like mankind. He is not wishy-washy, up and down, going from good to bad or tempted to do evil. God is a good God with a Holy nature that does not change. His nature never changes. He is what He is-- always has been and always will be. He was love at the beginning and is still love today. He was good at the beginning and still is good today and tomorrow. 

 

Have you been judging God? Are you judging His holy and righteous nature as bad because you thought He should have moved in a certain way but didn't? Are you among those who say, "If He was a good God why did He let that bad thing happen? Why didn't He stop it?" No one but God Himself can answer that question. No one but God has that kind of wisdom. No one but God sees the end of a thing before it even begins. I just don't know why and may never know why some bad things happen. But this I do know--- regardless, nothing changes who God is. He is a good God. He is infinitely good beyond our ability to even define good. Your misjudgment of Him will not change Him. All the bad in the world that happens will not change the fact that He is still a good God. Like the saying goes, "God is good, all the time, and all the time, God is good!!"

 

Have a great day. Stop judging God just because something bad happened. That doesn't change Him from still being a good God.

 

For further reading:

Romans 7:15-23

"Just Be Still"

"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10 

I have a word for someone this morning, me included. "Be still and know that I am God". Being still and waiting is one of the hardest things for us to do sometimes. It is for me. I am a "fixer". I want to get in there and fix everything. I want to make what should happen happen soon. I am an organizer- in the fact that I want all my "ducks in a row" where they are supposed to be and when they are supposed to be there. I like to get the "ball rolling" and make sure it gets to its destination. This describes a majority of the population as well- perhaps it describes you. 

 

The Bible tells us that there is a time for everything. There is a time for us to be up working and not sitting down. But then there are times when we are to be still, sit down, take our hands off, and do nothing but wait and trust. Abraham and Sarah learned this the hard way when they decided not to "be still" and let God take control of the situation and fulfill His own promise. As a result, they wound up with an Ishmael. What was produced wound up being grief and heartache-- for them and for us. (Today we are still dealing with the effects of their choice not to be still and let God handle it.) 

 

I have a "news flash" for you this morning-- You don't have to help God, He doesn't need your help, but if He does, He will ask for it. Are you trying to make something happen? Are you working on a plan to set some things straight? Are you being anxious and impatient about a situation? Are you confused about what to do? Then be still. Don't try to do it yourself. Don't interfere with what God is trying to do in the situation. This is a time to just be still and trust Him to take care of it. He will do it and in a way that will cause Him to be exalted and get all the glory.

 

Have a great day. Be still and know that He is God. 

 

For further reading:

Psalm 40:1

"His Footprints"

"Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness." Psalm 65:11 

The word paths means: track or rut. A track is an indication of where something or someone has been. A rut is caused by the repeated action of travel along the same path. The word fatness speaks of fertility, and of blessings. So, the picture that is painted for us from this verse is one of the Lord walking ahead of us day after day, moment after moment, and leaving an abundant size blessing behind Him. 

 

My husband loves to hunt. One important element of hunting is looking for tracks. Tracks let him know if there is a deer or turkey, or some other kind of animal in the woods. When he sees a footprint/track, it is evidence that the animal is in the woods or has been there.

 

According to the verse above, wherever the Lord walks He leaves a "footprint" (track) as well. What does His track look like? "Fatness". It looks like abundant blessings. The verse also says He "drops" them. This means that wherever He goes He drops blessings down, they drip from Him. The blessings of the Lord automatically flow from Him, but He also deliberately leaves them behind. He is leaving blessings, "fat" ones, abundant ones, behind Himself for us to "pick up" and enjoy. But there is only one way to receive those blessings-- follow Him. 

 

You don't get these blessings outside of following Him-- He leaves them behind Him everywhere He goes. These blessings are grace, goodness, mercy, peace, hope, comfort, joy, peace, provision, etc. 

 

As you follow Him, not only are you receiving the blessings that He leaves behind, but just like the tracks my husband follows in the woods leads him to the deer, following the "tracks/footprints/path" of Jesus will lead you directly to Him-- the greatest, most abundant blessing there is!

 

Have a great day. The Lord is leaving His footprint everywhere He goes-- abundant blessings. As you follow His footprints you will receive those blessings and eventually, they will also lead you to His presence-- the greatest blessing of all. 

 

"The Big Picture"

"But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." 1 Peter 5:10 

It is human nature to be impatient and not want to have to wait. We want instant gratification, a "quick fix", a microwave existence, and all our problems solved yesterday. When Joseph was thrown into the pit by his brothers, he wanted out. He didn't want to have to wait in the pit for any length of time. Neither did he want to stay in Potiphar's house or the prison. He wanted out quickly. 

 

The point I am trying to make is that we don't want to have to go through certain "places" much less stay in them for any length of time. The children of Israel did not want to go in captivity, and they certainly didn't want to stay there for seventy years. The false prophets were telling them not to even unpack their bags, they would not be there that long. Jeremiah told them to unpack, raise their crops, and "get comfortable" because they were going to be there for a while. 

 

You and I don't want to go through places of suffering, trials, problems or adversity, and we certainly don't want to "unpack" our bags and stay there. We want out before we even go in, or come out quickly if we do go in. While there are times we want instant "deliverance", God is saying "no". He is saying that you have to walk through it. Not because He doesn't care. Not because He is unaware of what is going on. Not because He doesn't know how you feel. But because He sees the "big picture" of your life. Jesus prayed that if it was possible to let the cup pass from Him. The Heavenly Father did not let it pass from Him, because He saw the "big picture". He saw the salvation of all mankind provided for. 

 

We don't want to go through anything, and we certainly don't want to have to stay there. We want instant deliverance. But there are places we have to walk through and will walk through them until they have accomplished their purpose in our lives because God has something in mind for our life. While you don't always understand and want out, God has a plan for your life. He sees the big picture and is working in your life to accomplish it. The big picture for Joseph was the palace. Therefore, he had to stay in the pit for a time. He had to stay in Potiphar's house for a while. He had to stay in the prison until what needed to happen was finished so he could step into the big picture plan for his life. It is the same for us.

 

Have a great day. You may want instant deliverance from where you are, but God sees the big picture of your life and is working to accomplish it through where you are now.

 

For further reading:

Jeremiah 29:11

Romans 8:28

"One Of Those Days"

"And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God." 1 Samuel 30:6 

Have you ever had "one of those days"? David was having one. The Philistine king had sent him away not wanting his help for lack of trust. When he got to his home at Ziklag, he discovered the Amalekites had invaded it, burned it and taken his wives and children captive. He was in deep grief. His faithful men who had been with him all this time were so distressed over the situation that they accused David that it was his fault and talked about stoning him to death. What are you to do?

 

Job also experienced "one of those days". He lost all his cattle, his sheep, his oxen, his servants and his children, all in one day. What are you to do?

 

For us "one of those days" may come in many forms. Your car breaks down, the boss calls you in and tells you you're fired, the doctor gives you a bad report, your son runs away from home, you sit on your glasses and break them, you get distressing news about a loved one, the list is endless. What are you to do?

 

What are you to do? The Bible says that David "encouraged himself in the Lord his God". He strengthened himself. He "girded" up himself with God's word and promises. He "tied" them to his heart and mind. This is one way we "encourage" ourselves. "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:13) You "gird" up your mind with God's word and His promises. You hold fast to them regardless of what is happening around you. You renew your mind with them and trust in God's faithfulness to do what He said He would do. David was distressed, what he saw grieved him, but he took hold of the promises that God had made to him and knew that if God made them, He would bring them to pass. 

 

What are you to do? The Bible says that when Job received his bad news, he "worshipped". Job literally bowed himself to the ground and gave God reverence and prayed to Him. We "worship" by humbling ourselves before the Lord, recognizing who He is, and praying to Him about the situation. "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." (Philippians 4:6)

 

When we are going through the valley of the shadow of death, when we are being tested on every side, when we are in a fiery trial, when our world is fallen apart, when all hope seems lost, when destruction is all around us, when the storm is raging, the lions are roaring, the sun is setting, what are we to do? We follow these examples to encourage ourselves in the Lord by remembering and holding fast to His word and promises and binding them to our minds; and we worship the Lord through our praise and prayers.

 

Have a great day. When you are having "one of those days", encourage yourself in the Lord.

 

For further reading:

Job 1:20 

 

"Supplying It All"

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 

We all have needs. Sometimes those needs are spiritual in nature-- salvation, the empowerment of Holy Spirit, wisdom, grace, mercy, etc. Sometimes they are physical-- healing in our bodies, strength for a task. Sometimes the need is emotional-- peace of mind, comfort in sorrow, healing of a broken heart. Sometimes they are material-- food, clothing, shelter. Sometimes the need is in the area of relationships-- restoration of a broken relationship, grace in dealing with other people, love for someone. Sometimes the need is financial-- a bill that needs paying, a job to make a living. Then sometimes a need is in a category all of its own. Needs vary and they come in all forms. But whatever the need, God gives us a promise that He will supply it.

 

When God said He would supply all your need, He didn't say He would supply only the spiritual ones or the physical ones. He said He would supply all of them regardless of how they are classified by us. When He said He would supply all your need, He said all. He didn't say He would supply part of it, some of it, half of it, a portion of it, He said ALL of it. He is not a "Halfway God". He supplies it all. He has never done anything halfway. He didn't create just a portion of the world at the beginning. He created it all until it was finished and there was nothing left to create. He didn't provide for part of your salvation; He provided it all. Jesus didn't stop short of the plan of redemption. He drank every last dreg of the bitter cup He was given. He hung on the cross until the last enemy of our soul was defeated, and the full price of our redemption was paid. He stayed there suffering until it was finished-- completely finished. There wasn't anything left to do.

 

My God shall supply all your need. Man may only be able to help you to a point. He may help a little. He may begin his help and then either stop or fall short. But God will not stop halfway in supplying your need. He will supply all of it. He will supply it until He has finished it. He will move on your behalf until it is all taken care of. Look to Him to supply it and trust Him to supply it-- all of it.

 

Have a great day. God will supply your need, whatever it is, and He won't stop short of fulfilling it all.

 

For further reading:

John 19:30

Genesis 2:2,3

"Stop Comparing"

"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." Psalm 139:14

As humans we tend to compare ourselves with each other. But sadly, when we do, we use that comparison as an indication of our self-worth. We then try to identify who we are by comparing ourselves with someone else. Also, when we compare ourselves with others it will usually cause us to give up and not press on and be who God designed us to be or receive from Him what He wants to give us. 

 

In school if we compare ourselves with a student who makes better grades than we do, we will label ourselves as stupid or ignorant. As a result, we won't even try to make better grades. If we don't have the enthusiasm about the things of Christ that we see in a fellow Christian, we start thinking that something is wrong with us. We wonder if we are even saved. When we are sick and compare ourselves to someone else who is worse off than we are, we become content to stay in that sickness because, after all, it isn't that bad in comparison. So, we won't even seek God for a healing. When you are going through a time of grief and aren't living with your head in a Kleenex box, but others who are going through the same thing are, you begin to wonder if you're a caring, loving or compassionate person. When you are going through a trial and are not handling it as well as you see someone else handle it, you start to wonder if you even have any faith. 

 

Does any of this sound familiar? Don't we do this? We look at the things others are going through, the way others are handling things, the responses and reactions they have to life's issues and we either give up because we can't ever be like that/them or we think something is wrong with us. 

 

I have a word for you this morning-- stop comparing yourselves to others. When Jesus told Peter what would happen to him later in life, Peter immediately asked what about John, what would happen to him. Jesus told him, "If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!” (John 21:22-NAS) The key point that Jesus was giving Peter-- and us-- was don't compare what I am doing in your life with what I am doing in someone else's life. You just follow me. 

 

God didn't make you like everyone else. He made you you! We each one work out our own salvation. We each one go through things according to who we are, not who someone else is. If there is any comparison to do, then it is with Christ. We are to compare our lives with His life and that is the only one it has to measure up to.

 

Have a great day. Stop comparing yourself to others or you will miss out on who God wants you to be and what God wants to do in your life. 

 

For further reading:

John 21:20-23

Philippians 2:12

"I Have Plans"

"For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 (NASB)

Have you ever made plans only to have them change? I should know better than making my own plans because things will happen to change my them- interruptions, change in schedules, unexpected problems, poor use of time, unplanned events. There is only so much time to get so much done. This is why the Lord tells us to “redeem the time”. (Ephesians 5:16) Other Bible versions say: make the most of the time, make every moment count, make the best use of your time. I had an older gentleman tell me once that “time is the stuff that life is made of”. I have never forgotten those wise words, although I don’t always apply them by using the gift of time that God has given me wisely.

There is so much that vies for our time- family, friends, jobs, housework, ministry duties, someone who needs to talk, emergency situations, social events, church obligations, appointments, errands to run, entertainment, the list is endless. Before you know it, the time is gone and your plans, even the most well-laid, are still unaccomplished.

I have learned that when things don’t always go according to my plans not to get upset, frustrated, angry or impatient. Sometimes God sends a “monkey wrench” into our plans to get us back to His plans. He has plans for me and so often, not only do my plans take me away from His plans, but they are the greatest waster of my time. Our plans need to be “flexible” leaving room for God to incorporate His plans into our day- His plans should always take precedence over our plans.

The best way to make sure that your plans succeed, that you don’t waste time, that you aren’t majoring on minors is to follow this one Biblical principle: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God”. If you will, literally, apply that to your life- to your plans, your decisions, your task, your time- before you do anything, acknowledge Him first, give His plans priority, then… all this shall be added to you.

Have a great day. Remember that plans can easily change. So, let’s seek God’s plans first and acknowledge Him in all our plans. “For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” (James 4:15)

For further reading:

Matthew 6:33

Proverbs 3:5,6

"Have Patience"

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12 

When my daughter was growing up, we listened to lots and lots of Christian children's songs. We kept lots of cassette tapes (this was before the days of CDs) with us and played them every time we got in the car. When I was a children’s pastor, I listened to lots more children’s Christian music. Many of these songs have stuck with me- just like the songs I learned in church when I was a little girl.

There is one of those songs that I learned when my daughter was little that the Lord uses when I catch myself becoming impatient. Each time I am, I can hear it “singing” in my thoughts. “Have patience, have patience, don’t be in such a hurry. When you get impatient, you only start to worry. Remember, remember, that God is patient too… and think of all the times when others had to wait for you.”

He uses this little song to convict me of my impatience and remind me to be patient. He is so patient with me. I am to be patient with others. When I am, I reflect His nature and character… and He is glorified… and my peace that impatience tried to steal is restored. I am so glad that God uses “foolish” things– even a children’s song– to help develop His likeness in me. “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.” (1 Corinthians 1:27) “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” (1 Timothy 6:11)

Have a great day. We shy away sometimes from praying for patience, but we need to be more patient in every area of life.