"I Don't Understand"

"Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?" Psalm 119:82

How often have we wondered and said the same thing the Psalmist did-- "When will You help me, Lord?". Sometimes it seems as if His help is far away or as if it will never come. I am sure Joseph felt this way when he was in the pit, Potiphar's house and the prison. Surely these question went through his mind on more than one occasion- Have You forgot about me, Lord? Will Your promise ever be fulfilled in my life? Is this all there is? Where are You? Why is this happening?

These question are common to all of us especially when we are in situations that we don't understand. We are at a disadvantage, humanly speaking, because we can't see past the moment or into the future; we can't see the whole picture behind what is happening; we can't see past the natural into the eternal. Therefore, the questions are always present. But having said that, I should also say that on the other hand when we face these times, we also have an advantage. The advantage is that though we don't understand, we can still have peace. "My peace I give to you". (John 14:27)

We have access to the peace of God that passes understanding when we are going through trials and difficulties. We aren't totally at the "mercy" of our inability to understand what is happening to us. Not understanding is often worse than actually going through the situation. The questions plague us and we reason within ourselves that if we could just get an answer it would seem to make it easier to bear.

Some things we will not understand until we get to heaven. But whether we understand or not we can still say, "It is well", because the peace that God gives to His children can and will overshadow the questions and lack of understanding if we will draw from it.

There will always be things that we go through that we may not understand at the moment, or ever understand, but the peace of God will be there for us. It will be like a blanket on a cold winter's night. It may still be cold, but under the blanket you'll be warm and comfortable. The questions may still be there, but your heart and mind will be established in peace.

Have a great day. We will always have questions because we will always go through things that we don't understand, but God's peace is available to bring comfort even when we don't have the answers we want. His peace will be our answer.

For further reading:
John 14:27
Philippians 1:2; 4:6-8
Psalm 29:11
Colossians 3:15
2 Thessalonians 3:16

"Think About What's Above"

"Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." Colossians 3:2

This verse is pretty plain, to the point and easy to understand. Set our affections, which in the original text means to set our minds or thoughts on things above- or in other words, "think about what is above and not on what is here below."

Most of our thought life is consumed with the cares of this life. We spend our time thinking about tomorrow, the future, our jobs, our problems, our financial situation, what we will eat and drink, what other people think about us and what we are going to do next.

Let's look at what this verse is saying to us:
"Set your affection/thoughts"... To set yourself to do something means there is a deliberate action involved. You don't just "happen" to think about the things above, you must make yourself and discipline yourself to do so.

"Set your affections/thoughts"... To set your mind means to become firm, solid, or permanent, as mortar, glue or cement. It doesn't mean we occasionally think about the things above, or just when we are in church, or only when we need help. Our thoughts about the things above should not be passing, momentary thoughts only but permanently set on the things above.

"... on things above..." What is above? The eternal; the abiding place of God; the Kingdom of God; heaven; the place of God's rule; our future home if we have accepted Jesus as Savior and are following Him as Lord.

"...above, not on things on the earth." Our thoughts should be focused above- on a higher place- not on a lower one. Am I saying we should never think about what we are doing or have to do here on earth? Of course not. But I am sure we spend too much time consumed with the daily affairs and tasks of this life without regard or thought to what is above. What is above is eternal and what is here below is temporal. We need to be setting our thoughts on what is eternal, because this being temporal means it is temporary- and it could be gone tomorrow.

Have a great day. Where are you setting your affections/thoughts? On things above or on what is here below?

For further reading:
Matthew 6:25
Luke 21:34
Romans 12:2
Philippians 4:5-8

"Snaky Area"

"Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" Genesis 3:1

When my granddaughter was a little girl, she was at my house and we were playing with her bouncing ball outside. A couple of times the ball rolled into an area that was around some taller grass. When this happened, she would tell me, "You, get it, that's snaky". We have lots of snakes in our part of the country and evidently her mother had taught her to be careful of certain areas around the yard that are grown up with weeds and grass because they are "snaky" areas. (This means that they are good places for snakes to be and hide.)

The Bible refers to satan as a serpent/snake. He likes to "hide" in certain places waiting for us to get within a close enough distance for him to "strike" at us. That being the case, we should have the same kind of spiritual awareness that my granddaughter has physically. When we see a "snaky" area, we should stay away from it or turn and go in another direction.

Let me clarify what I mean. Those "snaky" areas are areas of temptation where the devil would like to deceive us or entice us into partaking in order to destroy us. Eve was in a "snaky" area- in the presence of the tempter. She should have turned and gone from that spot instead of staying there and engaging in conversation with the "serpent". The end result-- she was "bitten" by his lies and disobeyed God.

We don't have to fear the devil. We have power over his powers through Jesus. The greater One lives in us. But that doesn't mean that we should stay where it is obvious that he is. Joseph was in a "snaky" area when being seduced by Potiphar's wife and he ran from that area. When Jesus was in a "snaky" area while in the wilderness, He took out the sword of God's word and "chopped" the serpent up.

We need to watch out for "snaky" areas- those areas of temptation, the snares and traps the enemy has laid for us- and when we see them either pull out our "sword" ready to destroy his lies or look for the way of escape that has been provided for us out of the temptation and take it.

Have a great day. Watch out for those "snaky" areas and stay away from them.

For further reading:
Genesis 3:1-6
1 Corinthians 10:13
Matthew 4:1-10
Luke 10:19
1 John 4:4

"Keep It Up"

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

There comes a reaping time once we have sown. It is a natural law and a spiritual law. Depending on what you sow will depend on what you reap. There are things that we sow that we reap from immediately, others take a little time before they are reaped, but then some reaping doesn't come until eternity. That is where I want to focus this morning.

I want to encourage you to not grow weary in your walk with the Lord. Don't quit, don't give up. Keep persevering, keep pressing toward the mark, keep following Jesus. I truly believe we are so close to the end of time as we know it- the last of the last days. Since we have come so far and are so close, it is not a time to be getting weary, distracted or side-tracked.

For those who will continue on there is a "crown of righteousness" that is laid up for them in eternity. It is for those who have remained faithful and have not given up. That crown will come, not while we are on this earth, but we will receive it in eternity- once we leave this life.

Even though there are things that we do reap while we are on earth-- blessings, the answer to prayers, etc.-- the greatest reaping will come when we leave this earth-- eternal life, a new name, a crown of righteousness, a pure white robe, and the greatest of all will be when we see our Savior face to face and hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord."

Have a great day. Don't grow weary or faint because there is an eternal reaping that will make it all worth it. ("He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.- Revelation 21:7)

For further reading:
2 Timothy 4:7,8
Matthew 25:21
Revelation 2:7,11,17,26; 3:5,12,21

"The Empty Tomb"

"And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus." Luke 24:3

What a dark time for the disciples. The one they thought would save them had been crucified and now His body was missing from the tomb. How confused and hopeless they felt. Scriptures even talk about the emotions that were high and the disbelief that was shrouding them. But what appeared to be defeat and a hopeless situation was actually just the opposite.

The fact that the tomb was empty was "a good thing"- though they didn't realize it at first. It meant that victory was achieved. It meant that our salvation was accomplished. It meant that there was now hope and the opportunity for eternal life. What they perceived as hopelessness was instead the greatest victory.

The tomb had to be empty in order for the whole plan of God to redeem mankind to be fulfilled. Often, what we perceive in life as defeat may very well be victory. What looks hopeless may actually be the answer to the situation.

If you are feeling as if there is no hope; if the situation seems overwhelming; if it looks like defeat, remember the empty tomb. Had it not been empty then there truly would have been no hope.

Have a great day. What appears to be hopeless may actually be the avenue of hope.

For further reading:
Luke 24

"Clouds Obey"

"And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth." Job 37:12

This verse is talking about the clouds and how they are led by the Lord and obey His commands. That is pretty amazing when you consider the fact that clouds are nothing more than gases and vapors. They have no shape or form. They have no brain, sense of reasoning or intelligence, yet they know the voice of their Creator and they obey Him when He speaks.

It makes you wonder how a "mindless" vapor that floats through the atmosphere for only a few moments than dissipates is more obedient to the Lord than most of us. We have been given an intelligence, a will and emotions, yet we can be so stubborn and disobedient when it comes to following the Lord's commands. The point I am trying to make is that if anything in God's creation should be quick to obey and follow Him, it should be us. We are the ones who have the privilege of knowing Him, loving Him and having intimacy with Him. We are the ones whose lives have been redeemed from destruction. We are the ones who experience fellowship and communion with the Heavenly Father. We have been received as His children. His Son died for our sins.

Am I making sense this morning? I just thought it was interesting that all of nature obeys the voice of their Creator- even those parts who are nothing more than a vapor with no substance to them, and we who have been created for fellowship with Him fall so short in this area.

There is a song that says- "There ain't no rock gonna sing in my place, as long as I'm alive to glorify His holy name". Well, I am not going to let a cloud obey my Lord above me either. Are you?

Have a great day. Are you living in greater obedience to the Lord than the rest of creation?

For further reading:
Psalm 148:7-14; 19:1; 104:1-3
Luke 19:40

"Line of Demarcation"

"And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you." 2 Corinthians 6:16,17

What is a line of demarcation? There are specific lines of demarcation throughout the world that divide one area, country or region from another. But the more general definition is: The setting or marking of boundaries or limits; a separation; a distinction. A line of demarcation is used as a boundary line to separate one thing from another.

Let's look at this "line of demarcation" in a spiritual sense. There should be a "line of demarcation" between the Christian and those who are "of the world". There should be a distinction and something that separates us from them so that others will know the difference. But nowadays it is often hard to tell who is and who isn't a Christian. Many profess to be but their lifestyles don't back up their profession.

When the Lord gave the Law to the Israelites, He intended for them to obey it as a sign that they were different from the rest of the inhabitants of the land. It was a sign that they were God's people, distinguishing them from those who were not. In the early church the people that the apostles preached to took note that they had been with Jesus- there was something different about them from everyone else.

In the story of Lazarus and the rich man, after they both die the rich man went to hell and Lazarus went into the "bosom of Abraham". In the conversation between the rich man and Abraham we hear these words- "between us and you there is a great gulf fixed." I believe that is a word for us on this side of death as well. There is a "gulf"- a line of demarcation that is between the Christian and the world. On this side is light, on their side is darkness. On this side there is life, on their side is death. On this side there is hope, on their side there is turmoil. On this side we are the children of God, on their side only enemies of His. On this side we have obtained forgiveness, on their side they are still in trespasses and sin. On this side, we have the Fruit of the Spirit, on their side only the fruits of the flesh.

The Bible tells us that we are the light of the world. There is a distinction between light and dark- a dividing line that separates the two. What I am saying is that there should be something different about us who profess to be Christians that distinguishes us from everyone else. That difference is Christ in us living His life through us.

Have a great day. Is there a "line of demarcation" in your life that backs up what you profess?

For further reading:
Acts 4:13
Matthew 5:14
Galatians 2:20
2 Corinthians 5:17
Luke 16:25-27

"Finish The Race"

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7

In the Bible our Christian walk is compared to many things. Paul compared it to a race. We get in this race through acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. Sadly, many who come to Christ think that once they have prayed "the sinner's prayer" that is all it is to it. That is so wrong. If it is a "race", then it has to be ran. Runners don't sit on the sidelines. They don't preoccupy themselves with other things. They run, and they run well with the finish line and prize in mind.

Getting in the race is important, but finishing it is just as important. Only those who finish will win the prize, and you can't finish it if you sit down and do nothing. Just because you start the race doesn't mean that you will automatically finish it. There is something that you have to do if you are going to reach the finish line.

1) You are going to have to stay in the race- you can't give up just because it gets tough and you become tired and weary.
2) You are going to have to keep your eyes on the finish line. If you are looking at the things around you it will distract you. Distractions will cause you to go in another direction.
3) Remember the prize. You aren't running in vain, there is a prize that awaits you. And this prize is not just given to the one who crosses the finish line first. It is given to all those who finish this race.
4) Don't get discouraged. You may feel like you aren't making any progress and should be further along in the race, you may feel like you will never reach the end, you may begin to wonder if it is worth it. You will get there if you persevere and it will be worth it.
5) Take notice of how you are running the race. You can't run it all over the course and think that you will wind up on the finish line. You must run it well. You must stay focused. You must keep up the pace. You can't keep stopping and starting. You can't decide to run for a while and quit, run for a while and quit. Stay consistent.

Do you need to check your "pace"? Do you need to take a look at the way you are running? Are you still running the race or have you let distractions come in and take you off course? Have you quit altogether? You have to start the race to get in it, but finishing it is the goal.

Have a great day. Start the race, run well, finish the race then receive the prize.

For further reading:
2 Timothy 4:6-8
Hebrews 12:1-3
Galatians 6:9

"Seek The Lord"

"And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper." 2 Chronicles 26:5

"...he sought the Lord..." In regard to the Lord, what are you seeking? So many are more involved in seeking what the Lord can do for them instead of seeking Him. They are seeking His blessings, His provisions and His benefits. But very few are just seeking Him- seeking to know Him, seeking to please Him, seeking to have a closer relationship with Him.

I understand that there are times when we have to seek the Lord because of a situation that we find ourselves in and need an answer from Him or His guidance. But for the most part, we have it "backwards". We tend to seek more after what He can give us and do for us; we seek His hand and what's in it; we seek after the tangible things that come from Him; but if we would seek HIM- then all these things (the things that we truly need) will be added to us.... without having to "seek" after them. They would come as a result from seeking Him first.

Ask yourself this morning, "What am I seeking?" Are you seeking the blessings or the Giver of the blessings? Are you more interested in seeking what He can do for you instead of He Himself? Are you seeking after the things that He gives or to know who He is? Are you seeking Him for His gifts or just because of who He is?

Have a great day. Are you seeking the things that God gives, or are you seeking the God who gives good things?

For further reading:
Psalm 34:4
Deuteronomy 4:29
1 Chronicles 16:10,11
2 Chronicles 15:12
Acts 17:27

"Available"

"Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me." Isaiah 6:8

There are so many people in need. They are all around us- you don't have to look very far to find them. Even with so many needs there isn't one need of one person that the Lord doesn't want to reach. He loves people and He cares about them. He desires to reach into the needs of hurting humanity. And He has chosen to do so through His people. We are His hands extended. We are His mouthpiece. We are His legs to carry His message into the world. He could reach people without us, but He has chosen to do it through us. That being the case, when was the last time you made yourself available to be the vessel that He can reach someone else through?

You may say, "I can't travel to the other side of the world and be a missionary". True, you may not can, but are you available to be a "missionary" to the lady who checks you out at the grocery store, or another mother whose child is on the same soccer team as your child, or to the mechanic who services your car?

You may say, "I am not qualified." Do you know Jesus as Savior and Lord? Has He changed your life and forgiven your sins? Then you are qualified. You don't have to have a religious title to tell someone about Jesus. You don't have to have a doctorate in order to reach out to them. He uses "weak and foolish things" - so that pretty much qualifies all of us.

You may say, "I don't know how to talk to them". You can tell them what the Lord has done for you. Moses didn't know how to talk but God used him anyway. Just make your voice available to Him and He will give you what to say.

You may say, "I have nothing to give." Can you give a cup of cold water to someone who is thirsty? Can you offer up a prayer for someone? Can you give a hug to someone who is hurting and tell them that Jesus loves them and that He cares?

We make so many excuses why we can't make ourselves available to the Lord to reach this lost and dying world. Where would we be if He had not made Himself available for the Father to use to save us from our sins and give us eternal life?

Have a great day. When was the last time you made yourself available for the Lord to use?

For further reading:
1 Corinthians 1:26-28
Matthew 10:42; 5:16
Exodus 4:10
Romans 10:14
Ephesians 2:10
Acts 1:8

"Fear or Peace?"

"Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." Luke 21:26

When you read this verse in context, the state of the world looks pretty ominous. It must truly be bad for men's hearts to be "failing" them out of fear, and that fear is the result of the conditions that are taking place in the world. I have been afraid before but never to the point where my heart fails.

So what are those conditions? Wars, famine, persecution, disease, seas and waves roaring, earthquakes and other natural disasters, economic collapse- pretty much what we are beginning to see happen in the world around us, only it will be on a much larger scale. Many people are beginning to experience the fear that brings "heart failure" even now.

This morning I want to bring you a word of encouragement- this is written to those who have put their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ making Him their Savior and Lord. That word is- "Do Not Fear". We have nothing to fear. I didn't say we won't face or go through fearful times, I said that we don't have to be afraid when they come. We have a shelter, a place of refuge, it is called the "secret place of the Most High". The Lord is our refuge. He is our strong tower that we can run into and find safety. He is our shelter in the time of storm. He is our "Goshen". He is our "Ark". We have nothing to fear even in the midst of fear because He is with us, His rod and His staff comforts us. He knows how to deliver us from every evil work and preserve us unto His heavenly kingdom.

For the rest of the people- those who don't know Jesus as Savior and Lord- they shall continue to fear because they have no peace abiding in them. This is because they don't have the Prince of Peace living and dwelling in their lives. How hopeless! Yes, but not necessarily. That can change, they can invite this wonderful Jesus into their lives to be their Savior, to make Him their Lord and when He comes into their lives, He will give them His peace. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27) Then His peace will establish their minds and their "hearts". And when His peace establishes their hearts, their hearts will not fail because of fear.

Have a great day. The conditions around us may be fearful, but there is no need to fear if you have placed your life in the hands of the Prince of Peace.

For further reading:
Proverbs 18:10
2 Timothy 4:18
Psalm 91; 23:4

"Are You Bowing?"

"Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up."  Daniel 3:4,5,12

Nebuchadnezzar had made a golden statue of himself and commanded that when the people of the land heard the music play they were to bow down before the statue and worship. I have a question for you.  What are you bowing down to?  I am not talking about bowing down to some idol, image or statue.  There are many things that want us to "bow down" to them.  Are you bowing down to fear, bitterness, unforgiveness, depression, anxiety, guilt, condemnation, intimidation, etc.?  

There is more to bowing down than just in worship out of reverence, or as a sign of respect.  Bowing is also a sign of submission. It is also a show of weakness by agreeing to the demands, or following the orders, of someone or something.  This was the case with those who bowed before the golden statue.  They were submitting to the demands of someone else.  As a result, they were held captive as a prisoner to someone else.  

The things I listed above and many other things want to take you captive and make you their prisoner.  They want you to serve and worship them.  They want to control your life-- what you do, think, say, how you act, react and respond.  But this does not have to happen.  You don't have to "bow" to them and be held captive by them.  You can be like the three who did not bow to the statue.  You can stand against the pressure that is being put on you, they did.  How? Because they believed and trust in God.  They knew He was the greater One.  They refused to serve and surrender to anyone else other than Him.  

Jesus has made you free!  You do not have to be in bondage to any thing!  Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.  You have been given power, strength and grace to overcome them.  You have been made an overcomer and more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ.  So... Don't Bow!  Rebuke the things that are trying to control you in Jesus Name!  

Have a great day.  Stop bowing to things that the Lord has set you free from!  

"This Isn't Right - part 3"

"And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats."  Matthew 25:32

For the last two days I have spoken on the same subject-- things that are right and things that are wrong concerning the Christian life. If we say we are Christians then there will be a distinction between the two in our lifestyle, conduct, attitude and conversation. 

The Bible is very clear that there is a dividing line between true Christians and those who only profess to be.  You are either hot or cold, you can't be lukewarm. You are either a wise virgin or a foolish one, you can't be both.  You either love God or love mammon, you can't love both.  In other words, there is no "straddling" the fence.  You can't live both ways.  You are either on the straight and narrow road that leads to life or the broad wide way that leads to destruction, you can't walk on both roads at the same time.  You can't have one foot in the world and one in heaven.  You can't have a divided heart-- you can't love God and the things of the flesh. You either follow Jesus or you follow your own fleshly desires, you can't follow both. 

One day there will be a dividing line drawn-- sheep from the goats, wheat from the tares, the righteous from the unrighteous, those who are for the Lord and those who aren't, those who are religious and those who have a relationship with Jesus, those who are true and those who are false, those who have surrendered their hearts to Him and those who only give their lips/profession.  Which side will you be on?

On the day when we stand before Him-- and we all will. Which side will you be one?  There will only be two side-- no middle-- there will only be two groups of people-- no third group.  You will either be on His right side or His left side.  You will hear Him say either enter in into the joy of your Lord (eternal life), or depart from Me I never knew you into eternal damnation/punishment.  The choice as to which side you will be on is up to you.  Accept Jesus as Savior from your heart and have eternal life, or just profess to know Him and keep going your own way and receive eternal punishment.

Have a great day.  There is a dividing line between those who are truly following Jesus and those who aren't.  Which side of the line are you on?   

"This Isn't Right - part 2"

"I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee." Luke 15:18

Yesterday I gave you my translation of what the prodigal son was saying when he finally came to his senses while in the pigpen and decided to go home. He realized that "this wasn't right" for him to be sitting in the pigpen starving when he was his father's son and should be living in his father's house.

We discussed that as Christians having some things in our lives just "isn't right". As a matter of fact, it is just "wrong" for us to be (or call ourselves) Christians and be living in adultery, involved in homosexuality, rude and unkind, drunks, thieves, hateful, proud, unforgiving, liars, cheating, cursing people out, and so on. If these things are in our lives, then we are living in the "pigpen of sin".

After having discussed that "this isn't right" for a Christian to be practicing sin, let's now look at what "is right". As His children we are to be "imitators" of God. Our lives should reflect and represent who our Father is. What would that be like? What type of character, attitude and lifestyle would be right for a Christian to possess? It's called the Fruit of the Spirit. The right character for a Christian is love- not hate; joy- not depression; peace- not confusion; gentleness- not rudeness; goodness- not mean tempered; meekness- not pride or arrogance; faith- not fear and condemnation; longsuffering- not impatience and anxiety; temperance- not self indulgence.

If you are a Christian, is what's in your life "right" or "wrong"? If it is wrong (and that would be because you are living in sin or doing sinful things) then there is only one way out of it. The prodigal son showed us the way out of the "pigpen"- it comes through repentance, then drawing near to the Father, and staying near the Father.

Have a great day. There are some things that are just "wrong" for Christians to be doing, but there are some things that are "right" because they are evidence that we are our Heavenly Father's children.

For further reading:
Galatians 5:19-26

"This Isn't Right"

"And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!" Luke 15:17

Our verse is taken from the story of the prodigal son. At this point he is in the pigpen and starving to death. Finally, he comes to his senses and decides to make a change. Let me give you my "translation" of what he was saying in the verse above. He was saying, "This isn't right, even the servants in my father's house have more it eat than I do. This isn't right, I have all I need at home and I am sitting here in need. This isn't right, I am an heir but I am living worse than a beggar."

I am wondering this morning if you can relate to the young man? Are there things going on in your life to which you can say, "This isn't right!"? As Christians there are things that just "aren't right" for us. They have no place in our lives- yet they may be in our lives. Here are some examples of what I am talking about- some "this isn't right" things.

This isn't right-- for you to be living with unforgiveness.
This isn't right-- for you to be blessing God and cursing men.
This isn't right-- to be living after your own fleshy desires, selfish wants and a self-centered agenda; focused on self.
This isn't right-- that you put what you want before what God wants for you.
This isn't right-- that Christ isn't the center of your life.
This isn't right-- that you are living in adultery and fornication.
This isn't right-- that you are stealing and coveting.
This isn't right-- that you aren't making time for the Lord (in prayer, Bible reading and worship).
This isn't right-- that you are spending everything on yourself and not helping meet the need of those who are hurting.
This isn't right-- that you are not walking in love.
This isn't right-- that you aren't loving God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind.
This isn't right-- that you are ignoring God, not listening to His voice, not keeping His commands.

The son in the pigpen came to his senses because he remembered who he was and knew that this was not where he was suppose to be. He remembered that he was his father's son and should be living in his father's house- loving and serving his father. As children of the Lord, we need to stop and look at our lives and do some remembering also. We need to remember who we are and what that means. It means that we are to live close to the Father, love Him, follow Him, serve Him, do those things that please, honor and glorify Him, and don't have any part of those things that don't. When we live our lives in a manner that is contrary to who we are in Him, then nothing is going to be right.

Have a great day. For those who are the children of God, there are some things that just aren't right and should have no place in your life.

For further reading:
Ephesians 5:1-5
Luke 15
James 3:9-11

"Trying To Hear"

"And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." Acts 9:5

How many times have you said, or heard someone else say, "The Lord is trying to tell us something."? I have been guilty of saying it. It almost conjures up the idea that God is having a hard time saying something- that is never true. It is not, "God is trying" to say something, instead we should be saying, "We are trying to hear what He is saying".

I understand what we mean when we say that, but the truth is that God never has to "try" to say anything, He just comes right out and says it. He doesn't have a hard time communicating or articulating His words or their meaning. When He wants to speak to us or get a message across to us, He knows just how to say it and He speaks plainly. Look in the Bible, every time God spoke to the people He spoke plainly and didn't "try" to give the message to them. He spoke plainly to Moses out of the burning bush. When Balaam was going to curse God's people, God spoke very clearly to him not to do it. When Saul encountered Him on the road to Damascus, He didn't try to tell Saul something, He spoke so clearly that immediately Saul repented of what he was doing and turned to wholeheartedly follow Jesus. The Lord spoke to David at Ziklag to pursue the enemy and take back what was stolen from him. He spoke clearly to the prophets-- He didn't "try" to tell them what He wanted to tell them.

Like I said earlier, we are the ones who are "trying to hear" what He is saying. For some reason we make it so difficult when really it isn't hard to hear. Jesus told us that His sheep would hear His voice. When we read His word, we are hearing Him speak, and speak plainly. For example, how much plainer can He get we He says, "Love you enemies, or do not commit adultery"?

He biggest hindrance to us hearing is called-- distraction. I can remember when I was growing up, if I was watching television and my mother came in and told me something, most of the time I would not hear what she said. It wasn't because she wasn't saying something I didn't understand (I knew what she meant when she said, "Go clean up your room."). But the television had my attention so I was not fully listening to what she was saying. I believe this (distraction in various forms) is what hinders us and keeps us "trying" to figure out what God is saying.

God has always spoken plainly. He has never had a hard time or struggled with what to say, how to say it or how to get the message across. It is us who are having the hard time hearing, but that is because we are either not listening or not listening attentively.

Have a great day. God is not having to try to tell us something, we are having a hard time trying to listen to what He is saying.

For further reading:
John 1:37;10:16;27
Revelation 3:20
Mark 12:37

"By Faith"

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." Proverbs 3:5

What a simple, straight forward verse, very plain and to the point. What is so hard about understanding what this verse says? It isn't hard to understand its meaning, but applying it and living your life by it isn't always easy.

We, being human, like to try to "figure" things out. We want to know exactly how the problem is going to be solved. This is often a "hurdle" that we have to get over when it comes to putting our trust in God in a situation. Our trust is attached to what we can see, understand, comprehend and figure out. As long as we can figure it out, we trust Him. In reality, that is not trust. True trust and faith in God has nothing to do with whether we understand it or not. It has nothing to do with whether we can see the solution or not. True faith and trust in God is linked it His character. Our trust is, or should be, based on who He is and the fact that He is faithful to do what He says He will do.

The just live by faith, not by our ability to understand everything because the truth is- we won't always understand everything. Faith has nothing to do with seeing or understanding, it is the evidence of what we don't see. Mary didn't understand how she could conceive a child when she had not been with a man, and even though it happened to her, she still couldn't tell you how it was possible except through God. But she put her trust in God's word about the situation and conceived.

We can't figure out how God is going to do a thing or answer a prayer. We just have to trust that He will do it and that He will do it in the best way.

Have a great day. If we could figure it out, we wouldn't need to have faith in God and we could solve our own problems.

For further reading:
Luke 1:34-38
Isaiah 55:8,9
Hebrews 10:38; 11:1,6

I Am Back

Good morning, everyone, it seems like it has been forever since I sent out the Coffee Break devotional.  I want to thank you all for your patience.   A couple of weeks ago I sat down to write it and send it out and my computer decided to "rebel".  It would not do anything!  It completely died.  I can't complain, it was getting old.  It just wasn't a good time for it to happen... but when is it ever a good time for things to go wrong or mess up.  But that's how life is... everything is going well or the next moment it is falling apart.  Thankfully, when things in life hit us out of no where and they don't go as we plan, there is the Lord.  He is right there with us.  We don't face it alone as His children.  Whether it's a computer quitting or a tragedy. 

I finally have a new computer... just got it today.  It is quite different from my last one, so I am trying to figure it all out.  But I plan on tomorrow starting back to sending out the devotional.  I may not have been sending them, but the Lord has been speaking to me and I will be sharing what He has laid on my heart with you.  

Have a great day.