These past few months has been a blur for me. It seems like life is pulling me in four different directions. There have been decisions to be made, changes at work, kids to help in school, and sickness (flu). You name it and it's happened. No matter where I turn there is something new staring me in the face.
I do however now have some closure in one aspect of my life. That leaves me with one question. Now what? I recently made a very difficult decision. I struggled with it for weeks, trying to make what I wanted into what God wanted. That was my first mistake. What we think is right for us isn't always the case. Even now, with the peace I have, I am left wondering what is around the corner. Isn't that just like us? We are so worried about what is happening next, that we totally miss what is happening now. There are people who need Jesus, that we see everyday, and they simply go unnoticed. There are ministries that we should be doing, going undone because we are looking at tomorrow.
As I was contemplating my next move, I called a friend of mine. He said, "When you don't know what to do, do what you know to do." I told him he needed to write a book with all his "words of wisdom".
We have a biblical example of this. In John 21, we find some of the disciples just after Jesus' crucifixion. Guess what they are doing..... that's right, what they were doing before they met Jesus. Fishing. It was there that Jesus came to Peter, confronted him of the things out of place in his life, and ushered him back into His fellowship.
When you don't know what to do, do what you know to do. Ecclesiastes 9:10 says "Whatever thy hand finds to do, do it with all thy might..." When it is time to change God will let you know. In the meantime, we need to get to work.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Persecution
John 17:14 "I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."
Sometimes we take for granted the freedom we have to worship. We can go to church and not have the fear of the government trying to kill us. There are other countries that are not so privileged. They are persecuted every day, some even to the point of death. The thing that pierces my heart is that in spite of the danger, regardless of the consequences, no matter what, they just keep on praising God. They sing praises at the top of their lungs of the mighty power of God. They shout, they clap, they raise their hands, in a nutshell they LOVE God, and simply refuse to stop.
We have no restrictions on our worship. There is no plot to kill us, yet on Sunday mornings we struggle with the decision to get out of bed and go to church. These people risk their lives to worship God and do it anyway. How selfish and lazy have we become??? We are scared to let go and say Amen because of what someone might think or say. What are we going to do when we get to Heaven and that's all that is going on? Are we going to shrink to the back of the crowd and make snide remarks about the others around us? I think not. We are going to be worshiping right beside them, no inhibitions, no distractions, just pure worship of our Lord and Savior. Maybe it is time to get some practice in. Hallelujah, Amen!
Sometimes we take for granted the freedom we have to worship. We can go to church and not have the fear of the government trying to kill us. There are other countries that are not so privileged. They are persecuted every day, some even to the point of death. The thing that pierces my heart is that in spite of the danger, regardless of the consequences, no matter what, they just keep on praising God. They sing praises at the top of their lungs of the mighty power of God. They shout, they clap, they raise their hands, in a nutshell they LOVE God, and simply refuse to stop.
We have no restrictions on our worship. There is no plot to kill us, yet on Sunday mornings we struggle with the decision to get out of bed and go to church. These people risk their lives to worship God and do it anyway. How selfish and lazy have we become??? We are scared to let go and say Amen because of what someone might think or say. What are we going to do when we get to Heaven and that's all that is going on? Are we going to shrink to the back of the crowd and make snide remarks about the others around us? I think not. We are going to be worshiping right beside them, no inhibitions, no distractions, just pure worship of our Lord and Savior. Maybe it is time to get some practice in. Hallelujah, Amen!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Change
It is no secret that our world is need of God. I have just a simple question for you. What are you doing about it.
The world is need of God's love. His love is ready and available for all who will receive it. Let God love through you. To the person who is battling depression, to the ones who are struggling with sexual immorality, for the souls who are hurting, to the people who are feeling alone, let God love them through you. Be His hands, be His feet, be his vessel to love them.
The world is in need of God's compassion. There are souls out there searching for an answer. Do you care. Let God weep for them through you. These people are lost, heading straight for Hell. They are your friends, they are your neighbors, they are your co-workers, they are strangers that you have never met, but let God stir your heart to cry out for them.
The world needs to hear God's word. These souls that are hurting, that are lost, that need compassion, may not even know of God's word. Let God speak through you. We need to have a burden for reaching people. For some, this may require us to travel outside our comfort areas. Don't let this stop you. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power!!! He will be with you. He is omnipresent. He is everywhere at once. What He has commanded us to do, He will guide us through.
The only way for the world to move toward God is for His people to first move back towards Him. Let God change you, so that through Him, we can reach the world.
The world is need of God's love. His love is ready and available for all who will receive it. Let God love through you. To the person who is battling depression, to the ones who are struggling with sexual immorality, for the souls who are hurting, to the people who are feeling alone, let God love them through you. Be His hands, be His feet, be his vessel to love them.
The world is in need of God's compassion. There are souls out there searching for an answer. Do you care. Let God weep for them through you. These people are lost, heading straight for Hell. They are your friends, they are your neighbors, they are your co-workers, they are strangers that you have never met, but let God stir your heart to cry out for them.
The world needs to hear God's word. These souls that are hurting, that are lost, that need compassion, may not even know of God's word. Let God speak through you. We need to have a burden for reaching people. For some, this may require us to travel outside our comfort areas. Don't let this stop you. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power!!! He will be with you. He is omnipresent. He is everywhere at once. What He has commanded us to do, He will guide us through.
The only way for the world to move toward God is for His people to first move back towards Him. Let God change you, so that through Him, we can reach the world.
Monday, June 1, 2009
You Don't Say... Who Are You?
One of my favorite stories in the Bible is found in Acts 19: 13-15 " Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the LORD Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
One of the most common mistakes in our world today is simply professing Christ without possessing Christ. Here is an example, I can say that I am a millionaire, but if I don't have the real money, then I am obviously misleading. In this story, certain people were going around trying to cast out demons and perform miracles in God's name, without God's power. They were professing Christ without possessing Him.
Did you notice how it was almost comical to the demon? I have heard of Jesus, and I have heard of Paul, but who are you???? It is just as funny to Satan and his demons over ones that are fooled today. How sad it will be to miss Heaven by a foot, from the head to the heart. Those who claim to know Christ do well to profess Him. Even Satan and his demons know that Christ is real and they fear His power. We must possess Him. He must live within us. His love must take over us, so His power can consume us.
This is not a message to make you question your salvation. If you have accepted Christ as your savior then I guess I can say you are possessed!! Now live your life professing the power and love of God. If you are unsure of your salvation I challenge you to find the connection between your head and your heart. Make sure you personally know the Christ that you talk and hear about. When it comes to Heaven, don't come up short. When we give the account of our life, without possessing Christ, that final conversation could be "You don't say... who are you?"
One of the most common mistakes in our world today is simply professing Christ without possessing Christ. Here is an example, I can say that I am a millionaire, but if I don't have the real money, then I am obviously misleading. In this story, certain people were going around trying to cast out demons and perform miracles in God's name, without God's power. They were professing Christ without possessing Him.
Did you notice how it was almost comical to the demon? I have heard of Jesus, and I have heard of Paul, but who are you???? It is just as funny to Satan and his demons over ones that are fooled today. How sad it will be to miss Heaven by a foot, from the head to the heart. Those who claim to know Christ do well to profess Him. Even Satan and his demons know that Christ is real and they fear His power. We must possess Him. He must live within us. His love must take over us, so His power can consume us.
This is not a message to make you question your salvation. If you have accepted Christ as your savior then I guess I can say you are possessed!! Now live your life professing the power and love of God. If you are unsure of your salvation I challenge you to find the connection between your head and your heart. Make sure you personally know the Christ that you talk and hear about. When it comes to Heaven, don't come up short. When we give the account of our life, without possessing Christ, that final conversation could be "You don't say... who are you?"
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Decisions, Decisions...
So why are decisions sometimes so hard to make? It seems that every time I have my mind and heart set on what God wants me to do in my life, that another option comes calling. Even after I have closure and peace with one decision, I am faced with another. Not meaning to steal a line from Bro. Paul, but welcome to the Speed of Life.
Life is filled with one decision after another. That is why our communication with God is so very important. We must always try to stay in the center of God's will. I know sometimes that may seem confusing and difficult, but remember that God is not the author of confusion, He is the author of peace.
Satan is the master of confusion, illusion, and delusion. He will try to make you feel confused of your present situation, offer a very illustrious alternative, and create a delusion in your head. That is why we must learn to think and discern with our hearts. As Christians, we have Jesus Christ in our hearts, and the Holy Spirit as our guide.
The answer to the center of God's will is found in your heart. Where are you in your walk with God? Are you close to Him? Do you talk to Him? Does He talk to you? Part of being a Christian means that we have to strive everyday to have our hearts in tune with God's heart. Let me clarify this confusion. When a potter is making a clay pot on a potters wheel, he takes an ordinary clump of clay mud, and smacks on to the spinning potters wheel. It is imperative that this unformed mud be as close to the center of the wheel as possible. This insures stability and symmetry with the potters planned sculpture. If the clay is off center by the slightest bit, it will tend to lean one direction or the other, and throw the balance off, and eventually collapse. However, in the middle of the wheel it can form the base needed to be shaped to the potters intent.
Sound familiar? When we are just a little off center in our lives, we tend to lean in the wrong directions. Our base is unstable and our direction is a bit off. It is only in the center of the Heavenly Potter's will, that we can stand firm and have a strong foundation, and make clear decisions according to His purpose.
Where are you on the wheel?
Life is filled with one decision after another. That is why our communication with God is so very important. We must always try to stay in the center of God's will. I know sometimes that may seem confusing and difficult, but remember that God is not the author of confusion, He is the author of peace.
Satan is the master of confusion, illusion, and delusion. He will try to make you feel confused of your present situation, offer a very illustrious alternative, and create a delusion in your head. That is why we must learn to think and discern with our hearts. As Christians, we have Jesus Christ in our hearts, and the Holy Spirit as our guide.
The answer to the center of God's will is found in your heart. Where are you in your walk with God? Are you close to Him? Do you talk to Him? Does He talk to you? Part of being a Christian means that we have to strive everyday to have our hearts in tune with God's heart. Let me clarify this confusion. When a potter is making a clay pot on a potters wheel, he takes an ordinary clump of clay mud, and smacks on to the spinning potters wheel. It is imperative that this unformed mud be as close to the center of the wheel as possible. This insures stability and symmetry with the potters planned sculpture. If the clay is off center by the slightest bit, it will tend to lean one direction or the other, and throw the balance off, and eventually collapse. However, in the middle of the wheel it can form the base needed to be shaped to the potters intent.
Sound familiar? When we are just a little off center in our lives, we tend to lean in the wrong directions. Our base is unstable and our direction is a bit off. It is only in the center of the Heavenly Potter's will, that we can stand firm and have a strong foundation, and make clear decisions according to His purpose.
Where are you on the wheel?
Thursday, May 14, 2009
HELP!!!!!!!
Well, school is almost out for the summer, and for some that means baseball, swimming, vacations, church camp, vbs, ..... And for others that means uh-oh, getting a job, preparing for college, wondering about the rest of your life... no pressure or anything.
I go back to when God spoke to Moses from the burning bush. When Moses asked "Who are you?" God said, "I AM." Think about those words. I mean what kind of name is that for God, I AM.
A simple thought this week, He is I AM. That is present tense. That is right now, here and now. He is the living God. His name is not I WAS. I WAS can't do anything now, it is only in the past. His name is not I WILL BE. It is only in the future. His name is I AM. He can handle all your worries, all your problems, all your cares, right now, in the present. Not only can He handle those things, He wants to. Let's give Him all of our worries, problems, and cares. They can hamper our lives, and weigh us down, make us counter productive. God can take them, deal with them, and bless us for serving Him.
Remember, I AM the fountain of living water, I AM the mighty God Jehovah, I AM the Creator, I AM the Good Shepherd, I AM the Great Physician, I AM the Healer, I AM the way, I AM the truth, I AM the life, I AM your father, I am..... I AM!
I go back to when God spoke to Moses from the burning bush. When Moses asked "Who are you?" God said, "I AM." Think about those words. I mean what kind of name is that for God, I AM.
A simple thought this week, He is I AM. That is present tense. That is right now, here and now. He is the living God. His name is not I WAS. I WAS can't do anything now, it is only in the past. His name is not I WILL BE. It is only in the future. His name is I AM. He can handle all your worries, all your problems, all your cares, right now, in the present. Not only can He handle those things, He wants to. Let's give Him all of our worries, problems, and cares. They can hamper our lives, and weigh us down, make us counter productive. God can take them, deal with them, and bless us for serving Him.
Remember, I AM the fountain of living water, I AM the mighty God Jehovah, I AM the Creator, I AM the Good Shepherd, I AM the Great Physician, I AM the Healer, I AM the way, I AM the truth, I AM the life, I AM your father, I am..... I AM!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Past Time, Already??
Wow, so I guess some of you are wondering why I haven't posted in a while. The fact is I have been extremely busy. However, that leads me to my topic for this week. In the middle of our busy schedules do we remember to make time for God?
It is often really difficult to cram in all the important events in our lives that are not God related. So many times we give precedent to everything else in our lives that we deem important, and in doing so we simply squeeze God out.
I think it is time that we re-evaluate our priorities. Let's take a closer look at what is really important, and see where we can make some sacrifices. Maybe that hour on the computer, or that hour watching T.V., or those HOURS on the phone, can be shortened to give God His time. Yeah, that's right, I went there... and I bought a t-shirt.
God's time is necessary to build a relationship with Him. We must spend time in prayer and Bible study, to insure that our lines of communication are clear. Think about your best friend. Now imagine not talking to that person for 3 months or longer. How strong do you think that friendship will be after a while?
Not only is God's time necessary, it is commanded. Remember #1 of the 10 commandments? "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:2) Every time we squeeze God out of our schedules, in essence we have placed a "god" before Him! OOPS! My challenge to us this week is to change our routines. Give God what is His, and remember where our priorities should be.
It is often really difficult to cram in all the important events in our lives that are not God related. So many times we give precedent to everything else in our lives that we deem important, and in doing so we simply squeeze God out.
I think it is time that we re-evaluate our priorities. Let's take a closer look at what is really important, and see where we can make some sacrifices. Maybe that hour on the computer, or that hour watching T.V., or those HOURS on the phone, can be shortened to give God His time. Yeah, that's right, I went there... and I bought a t-shirt.
God's time is necessary to build a relationship with Him. We must spend time in prayer and Bible study, to insure that our lines of communication are clear. Think about your best friend. Now imagine not talking to that person for 3 months or longer. How strong do you think that friendship will be after a while?
Not only is God's time necessary, it is commanded. Remember #1 of the 10 commandments? "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:2) Every time we squeeze God out of our schedules, in essence we have placed a "god" before Him! OOPS! My challenge to us this week is to change our routines. Give God what is His, and remember where our priorities should be.
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