Better Country

Instead, they were longing for a better country - a heavenly one.  Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. ~ Hebrews 11:16

Your home on earth is a temporary stop; this is not your real home.  Material and earthly possessions should be looked at as temporary and for a season and believers should remember that God is building them a permanent home in heaven where eternal rewards will have much more value than anything down here.  The things of this world were not of importance to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  Their faith and obedience in God and what His plan, promises and eternal future looked like to them was more important.  They wanted a relationship and friendship with God and they cherished that and hoped for something that was way better than earthly things.  Wanting to please God and honor Him above all else pleased God, and He honored them as they honored Him.  God saw that the patriarchs put Him and their faith above all, even worldly possessions and comfort.  They lived, breathed and communicated with Him continually knowing that He was their sustainer above all else.  A life lived with an eternal perspective over the here and now is pleasing to God.  He will never leave you and will always hear you.  When you put the eternal perspective ahead of earthly pursuits, God takes notice.  Every time we live in faith and by faith, God is pleased.  Trusting in God for His faithfulness and His provision even when you may not see His promises fulfilled while you are here on earth is a faith that God honors here and in heaven.  The faith that presses on during difficulties, heartache and loss will pass on long after you have passed away.  Your living and dying in faith during your lifetime here in your temporary home will be honored and rewarded.  Let us keep our faith and eyes set on our eternal home and keep our eternal perspective at the forefront of our minds and lives so that we can honor and please God. ~ Amen

Have Confidence

Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account.  Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be no benefit to you. ~ Hebrews 13:17

It’s important to note that this verse is specifically a biblical instruction regarding our church leaders and how we are to submit to them; so please do not confuse this instruction with our political leaders.  While there are plenty of verses that encourage us to submit to other forms of authority, this verse is in context to church leaders including, but not limited to our priest, ministers and pastors.  Shepherds of the church.  While you may not always see eye to eye with your church leaders, or pastor, we should always respect them and have confidence that God put them in those roles for a reason.  One day they will have to give an account to God on how well they followed His directions regarding His people, and they will be judged more harshly than the rest of us.  We would benefit greatly by honoring, praying for, and revering our leaders.  You may not always agree with them, but you are called to honor them, and let God take care of the rest.  They will be judged on how they led and we will be judged on how we followed; let’s not make it harder for them.  They could use our encouragement, and need it now more than ever in this broken world.  The responsibility to watch over our spiritual care is a heavy one and as followers we should try to make it a joyous job for our church leaders instead of one filled with grief and strife.  Developing a spirit of submission does not mean blindly following.  Biblical submission is honoring those leaders who are aligned with God’s word and following them in their vision for you and the church while learning from them.  If they are not aligned with God’s word, and unfortunately this does happen, do not blindly follow them as they may be a false prophet.  We also must remember that our ultimate authority is God and we should be submitting to His plans for our life while living for Him.  Let us be quick to be our church leaders and pastors’ biggest cheerleaders.  They have a tremendous job and could use all our honor, help and support. ~ Amen 

Better Patient

Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. ~ Proverbs 16:32

The one who has control of their emotions and reactions is more powerful and self-controlled over one who can take a city down.  Mastering your inner emotions and being able to control them comes with a lot of wisdom and internal strength.  External strength shows great physical power, but when one can control their emotions without letting them get the best of them, that shows strength that has been practiced, and a self-control that has been harnessed by practicing tremendous power, and inner patience.  We have all known, or maybe been a person ourselves, who loses control of their anger in outward and unhealthy ways, but to those who have learned to control their temper much wisdom has been given.  When we lash out in our reactions the outcome is often negative and cannot be taken back, but when we learn to bite our tongues and control our emotions by giving them to God, the wrath of hurtful words and actions are suppressed and peace comes much quicker.  Putting self-control into action is not lost on God; He rewards those who can control their anger and doesn’t add more strife.  He rewards the peacemakers and commends the quiet in spirit.  Anger is a real feeling, but when controlled, you allow time for the Holy Spirit to do His work.  Too many times we let our anger get the best of us and let that emotion control our reactions and words when as followers of Christ we need to learn to control the anger and be slow to letting our flesh react.  Instead of speaking before thinking, we must think before speaking.  Those of us who have the courage, strength and knowledge to control our own spirit are stronger and more powerful in God’s eyes than the military who take over a city.  Let us pray for strength to control ourselves and our emotions instead of letting them control us so we can bring more glory and honor to God. ~ Amen

Things Promised

All these people were still living by faith when they died.  They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. ~ Hebrews 11:13

We all will leave a legacy behind and I pray mine was one of living by faith when I pass away.  Hebrews mentions Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham and Sarah as biblical figures who all passed on to heaven before seeing promises from God fulfilled here on earth.  While living here on earth, they trusted in God’s promises and lived by faith and believed God’s promises would come true even after they were gone.  We have all had people promise us things and we’ve probably made similar  promises ourselves only to have them broken, or unmet in time.  However, that is not God’s nature.  He keeps His promises for all eternity.  God is a good and just God who, by nature, cannot break promises and is not limited by earthly time.  He does what He says He’ll do, but His time is not our time and so we must live by faith knowing that all things work out for the good of those who love Him.  I know I am personally praying for saved souls and changed lifestyles that are so far from God that I don’t know if I’ll ever see them changed, but I have to remember that even if it doesn’t happen in my lifetime, it can still happen.  The hope and faith that God hears me and that His ways and timing are better than mine give me the persistent push I need to keep praying for things I might not see while here.  Not to mention the many answered prayers that I have already seen when impossible turned to possible.  We please God when we live by faith and remember our eternal perspective over our worldly one.  God does not break promises and is not limited by our perspective.  Let us keep our eyes on our fatih, believing and hoping for things and promises we have not yet seen and by doing so pleasing our Lord. ~ Amen

Through Faith

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. ~ Galatians 3:26-27

A child of God.  A term once reserved for the Jewish people only in the Old Testament, we now all have the opportunity to be adopted into Christ’s family.  Most of the Old Testament is the story of the Israelites delivered, then their constant battles of complaining and disobedience, back to God disciplining them, and the people coming back into obedience.  The matter of fact is that there were so many laws under the Mosaic Law, hundreds in fact, that there is no way the people could have kept from sinning on their own.  After all, they were only human.  So God sent down His one and only son to be sacrificed as the final payment for all our sins.  God in human flesh, the only perfect, sinless and blameless human - Jesus Christ, walked and taught a new way to live here on earth and became the sinless and perfect sacrifice to wear all our sins so that we could live in freedom from the law and be reconciled back to our Creator.  There is no way anyone could have lived a blameless life after the fall of man in Genesis and so the only way to be truly reconciled to God, in order for the bridge to be gapped, God made a plan.  Now to everyone who believes that Jesus Christ died and rose again for them and accepts that by faith is called a child of God.  Co-heirs to Jesus Christ.  Free from the threat of being left to our own sinful nature we can have confidence in our forgiveness.  To all who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, we have been clothed in His righteousness and the Holy Spirit has entered our beings to live a life of transformation.  The new believer puts on new “clothes” and must be intentional about changing their attitudes, heart and life.  God will bless them and welcome them back to Him with open arms.  Let us be transformed by the renewing of our minds and wear our new clothes joyfully. ~ Amen

Lord Answered

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.  Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. ~ Psalm 34:4-5

Radiant.  Never covered in shame.  When you stay in constant communion with our Father you want to live and be the righteous person He has called you to be.  You tend to stay on the right path and live the way He has asked of you.  Close communion equals less tendency to go astray and want to hide anything from Him.  When you keep yourself close to God, He stays close to you and instead of being covered with shame, you are covered with his brilliance. His light.  I desperately want to be a brilliantly shining face that glows Jesus’ love, joy and peace at all times.  God has and will continue to deliver His children when they earnestly seek Him.  We may not always get what we want, but if we seek Him wholeheartedly, we will always get what we need.  He never disappoints.  Growing up my dad used to tell my sister and I, “you need to get your wants and your needs separated.  What you are asking for is a want, not a need,” anytime we would beg for something over the top like a pair of designer jeans.  The truth of the matter is that is how a lot of the world lives today.  We want bigger, better, and shinier instead of being grateful for what we already have, or what the Lord has already provided.  But when you live with a grateful heart, seeking the Lord, you will see His goodness always come through.  We have what we need.  In times of great distress, fear, desperation and severe loss we should also seek the Lord and ask Him for deliverance knowing He will give us what we need.  He will give us the strength, and the peace even if the end result breaks our hearts.  For those who seek Him, He will calm our hearts even through tremendous trials and loss.  Sometimes God allows us to go through desperate and debilitating trials so we can learn to give him our fear and become a radiant light to others.  So that when nothing is left we have to call on Him.  It’s a cause to make us put Him first. Sometimes it’s to glorify God and for the benefit of others around us.  To see us walk through trials and wonder what we have that gives us strength.  To make them want it.  To witness to others so that their hearts would be turned to Him.  To grow His glory and kingdom.  To grow our faith and trust.  Do not fear.  Give it to God.  A deep, dark fear may swallow us up, but when you cry out to God for help, He will hear you and answer you; He will comfort and strengthen you.  He hears us when we seek Him.  He cares.  Let us not forget to run to God when we are paralyzed with fear and worry.  Let Him hear your cries and give you what you need.  Let Him comfort you and sustain you.  He will always give you what you need. ~ Amen

One Audience

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.  If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.  As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.  That’s why the world hates you.” ~ John 15:18-19

I have to be reminded that the things of this world may rub me wrong because I don’t live as the world does, but try to live as Christ has called me and that is oftentimes in direct opposition of each other.  Only God’s view of us and our life should matter. We are called to live only for Him and differently than this self-centered world.  All of us have experienced some kind of persecution for something we did, or did not stand up for.  As followers of Jesus, we are told to expect this as we remember that this is not our home.  If Christ, who loved all people, was persecuted while here on earth, how much more will we be persecuted?  We must remember, however; that we are called to meet hate with love and to turn the other cheek.  Followers of Jesus do not, or should not show hate for hate, but instead show love and have a prayerful heart.  A life and faith built on what Jesus Christ has done for you will look differently than a life and faith based on the world’s standards.  Can people tell where your life and faith lie?  Do you live differently than the unbelieving world?  Have you been mocked, or criticized for your beliefs?  The world should see something different in you.  That fact that I live in the United States means I can worship and show my faith openly, but in places all over the world Christians lose families, jobs and sometimes even their life for their faith.  Would you be willing to love and follow Christ through that kind of persecution?  I have often asked myself what it would take for me to denounce my faith in Jesus Christ.  Is my faith strong enough to withstand the loss of my health, job, or heaven forbid, a child?  I sure hope so.  I pray I have built my trust and faith so secure that nothing, even debilitating loss, or the hatred and persecution of this world, would have me turn away.  Let us live differently, expect persecution and trouble, but hold steady and unwavering from our hope and faith in Jesus Christ.  Let us remember that He will make all things right and new in the end.  Let us live for an audience of one. ~ Amen 

Endures Forever

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. ~ Psalm 107:1

In this world everything will fade, grow old, die out, but God’s love is eternal and will never fade, but will last forever.  Even when this world is gone, God’s love will be exceedingly poured out on all who followed him.  There is nothing we can do that would ever make God not love us.  He may be disappointed, but He still loves us.  He has unfailing kindness and unfailing and unconditional love for His children.  God will always uphold His side of His relationship with you and will never leave you, or forsake you.  He is a God of relationship and restoration.  Healing through love.  His love is not conditional.  It’s not a “you do this for me and I’ll do this for you”.  He is love and good all the time.  Amid friendships, marriages, family relationships, people have loved each other and left only to leave wounds that sometimes never heal and betrayal that is hurtful for a lifetime.  God is not going to do that.  God’s love is steadfast, pure and faithful.  He deserves our praise and gratitude.  Our God sacrificed His only son to have a reconciled relationship with us so that we could be with Him forever.  This is not a natural love; it’s a supernatural love that far exceeds anything this world has to offer and it’s yours for the taking if you would commit your life to Christ and accept what He did for you on the cross.  He will never forsake you, or leave you.  If you feel distant from God could it be that you’ve pulled back?  Run back to Him.  He is waiting with outstretched arms.  So many people will let you down.  You’ll let others down.  God never will.  In his love He has provided, sheltered, protected and heard all our cries and by his faithfulness and grace He has been good to us and has never left us.  Let us give Him all the praise and glory He deserves with thankful hearts for His unfailing and steadfast love. ~ Amen

Enjoy Joy

Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared.  This day is holy to our Lord, do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” ~ Nehemiah 8:10

In Nehemiah, the people of Judah had just rebuilt the wall around Jerusalem and the walls were not as impressive as other city walls, or even the old ones of this very city.  This discouraged some of the people.  Not to mention that there was great opposition to the walls being rebuilt in the first place, so even though the work was complete, there was a quiet lull around the people.  They had listened to Ezra, the high priest, read from the Book of the Law, worshipped God and then began to weep.  They acknowledged their disobedience to God and felt defeated.  Nehemiah, the governor, seems like he became a little annoyed and wanted this to be a joyful celebration.  These people had forgotten they were God’s people and the rebuilding of the walls was a great accomplishment.  They had forgotten their joy.  I dare say they were also a little downcast because they had forgotten some of The Law and God was now in a process of restoring them.  The people of Judah had let themselves get distracted and now it was time to repent and repoint.  Anytime anyone repents to God, it’s a great time to celebrate.  The moment anyone addresses their sin and wants to repoint their lives to Christ, He is there waiting to rejoice with them, not demean them.  Nehemiah wanted these people to realize that God is in the business of restoration and forgiveness.  Rejoice!  This is holy ground and we should celebrate with everyone!  Even in the middle of our life’s biggest mistakes and messes, God wants to meet you there.  God doesn’t expect you to clean up before He can show up.  Just invite Him.  He can take the dirty and make it clean!  He can give you a joy that you’ve never experienced before!  Not the joy that comes from this world and your circumstances - that’s circumstantial happiness.  True joy can only come from the Lord when we abide in what He has done for us and the greatness of what’s to come.  True joy stays focused on the eternal perspective of life and produces strength to endure whatever comes our way.  True joy is not circumstantial, but consistent focusing on God’s promises even through the fire.  And true joy is to be shared - shared with others so they may be drawn to Christ.  True joy is shared and finds trust and comfort from God no matter the circumstances.  Repentance is a great starting point to finding joy in the Lord.  Let’s be joyful for everything God has done for us and is yet to do. ~ Amen

Will Weep

Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices.  You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. ~ John 16:20

Young and old non-believers rejoiced when Jesus was crucified thinking they had finally put to death this radical man who was disturbing the religious and political leaders of the time, but Jesus had told his disciples that even though his death would bring them great sorrow, their grief would turn to joy.  In deep sorrow we struggle to understand how anything can be good again.  We wade through the thick mire and murky weight of grief weighing us down in a broken world, but if you are a follower of Jesus, there is always hope.  Under great grief is the potential for tremendous growth.  Cling to Jesus.  Jesus never promised that we wouldn’t experience sorrow, grief, or hardships, but He did promise to walk through those times with us.  Jesus himself experienced grief and horrible pain while on earth, but He also experienced joy that He knew only came from His father.  Battles in this world are just that - battles of unbelievers and worldly desires, but we can turn from the battles of the world and rejoice in what we know is at the end of this life for us.  By basing and anchoring my joy to the foundation of Jesus’ death and resurrection, I can have a joy that will carry me through heart ache and sorrow.  Asking, seeking, and following Jesus through every circumstance can bring me peace.  Never doubt that God doesn’t see your pain and sorrow.  He desperately wants you to press into Him and trust.  Amid great turmoil, we must remember that this world is not our home and our joy will be made full and complete when we are in heaven, at home, with Jesus.  But in the meantime, we have the Holy Spirit to comfort us, guide us and give us peace that passes all understanding.  Lean into Him.  Let us mourn, weep, and wade through difficult times with Jesus knowing that joy can be ours again if we keep our gaze on the eternal reality that this is not our home and we are not alone. ~ Amen

Pisgah Peek

Go up to the top of Pisgah and look west and north and south and east.  Look at the land with your eyes, since you are not going to cross the Jordan.  But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you see.  ~ Deuteronomy 3:27-28

Years and years passed through Moses’ hands as he led the Israelites to the promised land - so much wandering, so much complaining, so much walking!  The land God is leading them to will meet all their needs, wants and expectations, but Moses will not be the one to get them across the finish line.  He rescued them out of Egypt, but he will not be the finisher of this race with them.  His race for the Lord will finish before they get there.  His job will be done.  We know that God is a good God, but when we disobey Him, there are still consequences.  In Numbers 20:10-13 Moses was commanded by the Lord to speak to the rock for flowing water; however, Moses struck the rock with his rod instead and so for his disobedience, God told him he would no longer be the one to cross the Jordan.  Instead, he was charged with encouraging, and strengthening Joshua and to pass the baton of leadership to him.  True godly leaders want to help, serve, encourage, pray for and uplift those coming up behind them growing in leadership.  Good godly leadership starts at the top and trickles down so that each leader is a good role model for the next.  Leadership should not be self-seeking, but God seeking.  Personally, I find this verse to be a bittersweet reminder - that even though we might not get to see the fruition of God’s promises here on earth, they will still happen.  God gives us glimpses of things ahead even if we won’t  see them happen with our own eyes.  I can continue to pray for deliverance of addiction for a loved one and know and trust God has them.  I can pray for my lost loved ones and know and trust God has them.  God’s work will continue somehow and somewhere from generation to generation in my family after I am long gone.   Most importantly, I can trust in God’s plan and remain faithful to the end whenever He decides my time is up.  I can trust that His plan is good even in dark times.  Greater things are always around the corner.  God’s promises are true for everyone even if I don’t get to see the completed picture here on earth.  I can’t imagine how Moses felt standing on top of Mount Pisgah looking over the Promised Land knowing he wasn’t going over.  Sadness.  Relief.  Unbelief that they finally made it.  Happiness.  Bitterness.  Humility.  Gratitude.  Whatever it was, I am also sure He wrestled with the fact that His time had come to an end.  He had finished his God given mission.  I am sure he felt the sovereignty and goodness of God.  May we all lead our families and friends into a relationship with God and hold on to His promises that everything will be okay.  Let us lead like Moses and trust in God’s plan for our lives and our families lives and pass the baton on. ~ Amen

Morning Bring

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.  Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. ~ Psalm 143:8

This is a prayer of devotion to God and to acknowledge that David depends on God for guidance and direction.  A beautiful request we should memorize and tuck into our hearts.  David had been through many dark trials and great times of victory and he knew God to be his refuge and strength.  He knew he could trust God with his life and lead him daily.  The love of the Lord never fails and His mercy and grace is fresh every morning.  It’s an unlimited supply from God.  Life is hard.  We were never promised a trouble free life, but we were promised, as believers of Christ, that He would never leave us.  To trust Him with decisions in our lives even when they may not make sense.  Hearing God may not always be easy, but if you dive into His word in the quiet of your day, pray and wait, you’ll be amazed at the nudge and revelation you will receive.  Sometimes there is no great change in our direction, but sometimes when you trust wholeheartedly, the phenomenal may happen.  Having developed a habit of quiet time every morning since a teen, if I miss my time with God in the morning, my day just doesn’t quite feel right.  I feel like I have missed my daily refill of what God has to say to me and sometimes I even find myself cranky.  Let me be the first to tell you that if you can make it a habit to meet with the Lord first thing every morning, your day starts off with the good news and hope before the rest of the world comes crashing down, crowding and expecting from your day.  Being filled up with His word and putting my burdens at His feet and leaving them there trusting He will take care of them is a powerful privilege for Jesus followers.  I don’t need to trust in my own strength and wisdom for the day.  I can invite God to lead me and give me direction and know that He loves me enough that I can trust He only wants the best for me - even when it looks difficult, or impossible.  Let us give our days and steps to God every morning knowing we can trust Him completely.  How liberating! ~ Amen

Unseen Eternal

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:18

We live in a world of the here and now always trying to gain more in the least amount of time.  Often we are a people of short sightedness and have little time for the waiting game.  We want to acquire wealth, success and money so that we can live a comfortable, oftentimes, materialistic lifestyle.  Short sighted only to what we can see and touch.  The same goes for our periods of trials and difficulties.  We get short sighted and can only see how we are suffering instead of seeking and praying to God while waiting for healing and restoration.  We can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.  We don’t see how God could make anything beautiful out of our pain, or loss.  But He can and He often does.  The things of and in this world are all temporary.  Even if your pain, affliction, or earthly wealth last all the days of your life - it is still temporary compared to our eternal glory.  Your life will ebb and flow, have ups and downs, but this is not all there is and it’s not even the end.  The apostle Paul understood this principle and urged believers that if you keep an eternal perspective, you will understand that everything will come to an end - our earthly possessions, our earthly troubles and trials and even our bodies.  Everything outside of eternal and spiritual realities will come to and end.  Only the spiritual world will live on.  Eternal means forever and these eternal realities cannot be lived here on earth.  Believers will not have eternal difficulties, but they can have eternal hope.  Believers will not have eternal wealth, but they can have eternal joy.  Believers will not always have strife, one day they will have complete peace.  The world and all that is in it will perish, but believers of Jesus will live an eternity with their Maker where the world’s realities will be no more.  Put your faith, trust and hope in the fact that your trials will one day be no more.  Hope.  Hope for a better future, and know that this is not all there is to life.  The here and now will pass away. A new sunset will appear, a new trial will arise, but neither will last forever. Let us keep our eyes and hearts focused on our eternal perspective so that we can live a hope filled life here on earth. ~ Amen

Yourselves Testify

You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah, but am sent ahead of him.’  The bride belongs to the bridegroom.  The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice.  That joy is mine, and it is now complete. ~ John 3:28-29

How often have you wondered about your role in life as a follower of Jesus?  John the Baptist knew he was sent ahead of Jesus to prepare the way for Him.  He was considered a best friend of Jesus’ and was excited to be part of the plan.  Are you excited to be part of His second coming plan, or do you just sit idly by awaiting His return?  How have you planned and prepared yourself and others?  Do you tell them of the good news that is the gospel?  Following John’s example, we should be humble and full of service to others so that they may see Christ in us.  Not for our own glory, but for His glory so that Christ can do work in the people that we meet.  We are called to have great influence in this world not for self gain, but so that people can see Christ in us and repent and turn their lives to Him.  Joy is when we see souls of loved ones and friends make the decision to follow Jesus.  True joy.  When God is lifted high in our lives people take notice and we find fulfillment in being a soul winner for Christ.  John the Baptist knew he must be humble and obedient for Christ to shine through him for others to see.  We must become less worldly and more humble and Christlike to win souls for his glory.  Humbling ourselves for his use and happily taking a back seat to Jesus’ will in our lives.  In this world and culture of self-gratitude and promotion, we need to be mindful that Christ has paved the path for us and share that news with others.  Life is not about us, it’s about Him.  Every role, every position we have has been granted by God for His purposes - not our own. There is no greater service to God than to humbly love others, plant the seed of the good news and step aside to watch the Holy Spirit takeover.  Let us be an example like John and put our best foot forward by humbly preparing the way for Jesus’ return. ~ Amen

 

Seasoned Salt

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. ~ Colossians 4:5-6

People are drawn to others who make them feel heard, respected, important and who make them feel genuine.  Boy, I have a lot to work on here myself.  Each of us knows people who we are happy to be around and people who we dread to interact with.  Most of us are drawn to positive and uplifting people, not negativity and complaining.  Then there are the people who don’t share your same values and morals; how do you treat them?  How do they see you?  What kind of message do we send them?  Man, in a world of  “my way, or the highway”, and in a country where it seems like we’ve forgotten that it’s okay to think differently, I hope I come across as kind and caring no matter who I speak to.  Some people will only come to know Jesus through my actions and words.  That’s scary.  That’s a big pill to swallow.  Lord, help my heart be prepared to be genuine and authentic to everyone in love.  There is no room for judgement.  We must love people for who they are and where they are in life.  Christ died for them just as much as He died for me and I pray I never pass up an opportunity to speak of God when prompted by the Holy Spirit.  We must be ready.  Every word that comes out of my mouth must be full of grace and life for those I might run into.  Many people will come in and out of our lives, yet some of them may still not have seen, or heard Jesus.  Ouch!  How tragic.  I am not saying that every conversation has to be about your salvation, or God, but every conversation should make the other person feel good and make them wonder what is so different about me.  Sometimes it’s about planting little seeds of kindness and compassion that later become watered, take root and grow into a big stalk of faith.  Let us never miss an opportunity to speak of and act like Jesus.  No judgement here. ~ Amen

Have Given

I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. ~ Luke 10:19

When Jesus sent His disciples out to proclaim the good news of God and His coming He also gave them a small taste of His power and authority.  We know that in Genesis Satan came to Eve in the form of a snake to deceive her and now in the verse, again, snakes and scorpions are used as a metaphor for the devil.  We know that the demons and the devil have to submit to the Lord.  They tremble; they cannot stand Jesus.  Power and authority has been given to every follower of Jesus through the Holy Spirit that will make the devil flee.  We can fight our spiritual battles and know that God will answer us.  We need to meditate on God’s work, be prayerful and thankful for what He has done and is going to do and we need to remember that we have victory over our sinful nature.  There are dark forces in this world and Satan would like nothing more but to destroy you, but you have the power to fight back.  Fight!  Just as Jesus gave His disciples power to overcome the enemy, we as believers must embrace that same power.  The enemy has plans to destroy your life, but God can turn what the enemy plans for bad and turn it into a beautiful work of art and good.  Through our salvation and because of what Jesus did on the cross, we are no longer bound by the world, or sin.  We have the power to overcome.  It is not by our own power, but only through Christ can we trample evil and wickedness.  The evil one has no authority over us anymore as followers of Christ.  Let us show him who is boss!  Let us take back our families, homes, and communities and trample the evil and wickedness out.  When you are afraid….stomp it out!  When you feel hopeless….stomp it out!  When you are tempted….stomp it out!  When you feel yourself getting sucked down by the weight of the world….stomp it out!  Let us use the authority and power to defeat the enemy and give God all the glory. ~ Amen

Their Destiny

Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach and their glory is in their shame.  Their mind is set on earthly things.  But our citizenship is in heaven.  And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ….~ Philippians 3:19-20

Our world is full of self-indulgence.  Too many people try to fill their lives with things that they think will make them happy only to find themselves unsatisfied in a matter of time.  They are insatiable.  For people who only rely on themselves and this world will never be completely satisfied.  They have no hope beyond their worldly pursuits.  In the end, their pursuit of selfish desires mixed with their denial of Jesus Christ will lead them to an eternity apart from God and will end in destruction.  These unbelievers have rejected God and sought to find peace in their earthly flesh.  They try to fill the void in their life with the world's pleasures only to be led to despair.  Instead, believers of Christ walk in His ways, trust and hope in the things to come and drink from the well of life that will bring victory and joy.  Forging ahead through life in prayerful and right living, we believe and know that everything will work out in the end.  Understanding that this world is our temporary home, believers don’t get swayed by the pursuit of worldly happiness.  We know our real rewards will be in heaven given to us by our Creator and the Maker of the universe.  There will be some who will have rejected God in order to pursue their selfish desires.  We are called and expected to be different as followers of Jesus.  Selflessness should be part of our being and we should live humbly seeking God’s ways and desires over anything this world has to offer.  Paul urges believers to follow his example in Philippians 3:17, Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.  Be faithful, be on guard, do not let people sway you from the truth.  Keep vigilant and close to God.  Just as Jesus warned the New Testament churches that there would be many false teachers, the same is true today.  Be awake.  Be alert.  Let us keep our minds and hearts on the things of God, which will never pass away. ~ Amen

Great Love

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are!  The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. ~ 1 John 3:1

It astounds me that the Creator of the universe calls me one of His children.  Through my acceptance, belief and faith that Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins and rose again I have gained favor with the same God who tells the wind where to blow.  And I have a hope and a love that no one can take away from me.  Being a child of God means I never have to walk this world alone and I have tremendous hope knowing all things will work out for my best in the end.  Weathering storms of life can be less difficult as I've acquired a whole army of brothers and sisters to help.  The Holy Spirit has made a new home in my heart and gives me peaceful guidance and direction when I ask and listen.  Jesus has shown me the way to live in a broken world.  When we become part of Christ’s family, we put our old ways and attitudes up and put on a new armor.  We become co-heirs of a greater kingdom and God’s love and grace are poured out on us.  What kind of God sacrifices His only son for people who may not even acknowledge Him?  My God did.  My God loves me so much that He wanted to reconcile my relationship to Him by sacrificing His perfect son.  That is unspeakable and unfathomable love.  All that God ever bestowed on Jesus is now for me also.  People, don’t do life alone without hope and a love that covers a multitude of sins.  The world does not know this kind of love, peace, hope and forgiveness because the world hasn’t accepted Jesus like believers have.  If you haven’t checked Jesus out and all that He wants to do for you, I ask you to just say a simple prayer to Him.  Just ask Him to reveal himself to you and see if He doesn’t come through.  Jesus wants you to be part of His family.  What do you have to lose?  Basically nothing.  Jesus, if you could reveal yourself to this reader today, what would you say?  When you become a child of God,  you will desire a purer and holy life and you will be guided by the grace and love of the Holy Spirit.  The world may not know us, but we will know each other for our love.  Let us rejoice in our new family! ~ Amen

More Grace

But he gives us more grace.  That is why scripture says:  “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” ~ James 4:6

In chapter four of his book, James is scolding and warning the believers of the church on how they have been acting towards each other.  They have looked no different from non-believers in the way they fight, covet, back bite each other and go after worldly pleasures.  Without realizing it, they have put God in the back seat and have taken their lives back over without submitting to Him first.  They have sort of lost their way, got off track, became distracted by their own desires and pleasures.  In essence, they became prideful and thought they could do life on their own; their way.  They became cheaters of their faith and therefore, took a step back into their old worldly ways.  James tells them to snap out of it!  You can not be best friends with the world and still live as God has commanded you.  However, there is good news.  God is in the business of grace for His children and it never runs out. When we have turned away from God and put our life in the ditch, God is there waiting for our return.  When we realize we have gone astray, if we repent and humbly come back to God with a sincere heart, He is more than willing and able to show us grace.  The gift of unmerited favor is poured onto us and He draws near again.  He lifts us up and we get a fresh start.  He delights in giving grace to the humble who come back.  No questions asked.  However, be warned, if as a follower of Jesus you stray too far and do not come back humbly on your own accord, one day God may use His own method to get your attention.  God always gives us opportunities to come back on our own, but if we don’t take those opportunities, in His timing, He may use a method of His choosing to bring you home.  He will leave the 99 to find His lost one.  So stay humble and submit to what God has for your life.  Let us be mindful of how we act and where our loyalty lies so that we may always be covered in God’s grace. ~ Amen

Work Impartially

Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. ~ 1 Peter 1:17

When you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are accepting and believing that He has paid for your sins and the Holy Spirit begins to transform your heart, mind and life to want to live in accordance with God’s ways.  This way of thinking and living is counter intuitive to how the world wants you to live and your judge on the matter no longer becomes the world, but God himself.  No one else’s opinion should matter.  The world would have us live for ourselves, but as believers of Jesus, we should live in hope, holiness and out of a deep respect for God.  Being a child of God, we know that He has good things in store for us, but we must remember that He will judge us all fairly for our time here on earth and our actions, or the way we lived.  Not that our salvation can be taken from us, but that our heavenly rewards will be justified.  We don’t fear God out of a terrified state, but we should fear God as an act of reverence, respect and awe.  We should want to live a God pleasing and God fearing life when Christ takes His rightful place in our hearts.  2 Corinthians 5:10 says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” Living lives set apart from non-believers will have its challenges when we live in such a self-centered world, but we must learn to love people and God first.  We should not fit comfortably into the world’s view of things.  We should act humbly and learn to walk the way God desires.  Our hearts should not desire monetary growth for personal gain, but we should long for spiritual growth and a profound reliance on our Creator.  Let us live differently so that our hope and light will attract others for His glory. ~ Amen

Sincere Love

Love must be sincere.  Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ~ Romans 12:9

So many of us use the word “love” casually.  We love hot dogs, we love a certain band, we love our new jeans, and I really love your new hair cut!  What happened to the word “like”?  Because believe me, my love for my children is not the same love I have for a piece of cheesecake.  Do not love as the world loves.  As Christians, we are to love genuinely, sincerely, and authentically.  We should not have a fake attitude of love, but love out of genuine care and act as such towards people in meaningful ways.  We are then called to hate evil; not people, but the sin - let me be very clear about that.  God loves all people, but He hates sin and we are called to do the same.  Living in a world and society where there is so much confusion about right and wrong we need to spend a lot of time in prayer and making sure we know God’s word.  Morals and values have shifted so much that what used to be wrong is now considered acceptable and what used to be right is now considered close mindedness.  Make sure you know what God’s word says and continue to love and pray for people with a genuine heart, but loathe sin.  Having eyes and ears like Jesus and seeing the world and people as He does brings a fresh perspective to how we are to live.  Finally, we are told to cling to what is good, or stick to it and hold to it.  As children of God, we are supposed to be lovers of good.  When we hold onto what is good and righteous according to God, we become transformed and can touch others in our lives with that same goodness.  We must love moral goodness and hate evil because it is the destroyer of good.  Let us love people, hate sin and cling to the goodness of God’s authority so that we may be lights to a dark world. ~ Amen

Built House

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on a rock. ~ Matthew 7:24

During his sermon on the mount, Jesus tells a parable, or story of two men who build houses.  One man built a house on rock and another man built his house on sand.  When the storm came, the house on the rock could withstand the pressure while the house on the sand collapsed.  The man who built his house on the rock was considered wise while the other man was considered foolish.  Well of course!  Who builds houses on shifting material?  The point of the story is that foundations matter.  In order to have a strong, steady and stable home the foundation must be of solid and sturdy material, or else the house won’t last long.  The same is true of our lives.  Our spiritual and worldly lives.  The spiritual meaning of the parable is that we are each building a life that is either stable, or shaky.  The proper foundation for life is God’s word and Jesus’ teaching and not just listening to them, but acting on them and living His word out.  In today’s culture it is easy to get turned around and swayed by the world and our flesh.  Our human nature and reactions are often contradictory to what Christ would have us do.  We have to be intentional about following His ways even when they seem hard and don’t make sense to us.  A wise man will follow God’s ways no matter the pressure of the world because he trusts God.  A life lived with God as the foundation will be much more stable, protected and steadfast when the storms of life come their way.  When the world’s house on sand gets caught in a storm it often crumbles and leads to destruction as there is no sure foundation, faith, or trust in the life they have built.  Do you want a strong, anchoring, trustworthy home?  Anchor yourself and your life in Christ.  Do not build your house on the way of the world that changes at a moment's notice.  Let us build our homes, families, work, church and communities on the firm foundation of God’s word and truth.  The wise man has faith and hope here and a life of everlasting love, peace and hope for the next. ~ Amen

Your Commands

I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me. ~ Psalm 119:19

Until I reach my heavenly home with Jesus, I realize that I am a soul living in a temporary body in this temporary world.  I am making a pit stop, if you will, for the sole purpose of bringing glory to God by living for Him and praising Him.  This earthly home will be destroyed one day and followers of Jesus will be with their Maker in their eternal home forever.  I pray I will not be worldly driven, but divinely driven and live a life pleasing to no one else other than God.  To be his hands and feet in this world and bring others to know Him as their Lord and Savior.  To desire to hear him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant”.  Seeking to live in God’s ways of obedience, trust, patience, love and humility are my ultimate goals instead of living according to the desires of this world and my flesh.  The truth is I should act differently than the world and I should feel a little uncomfortable down here when I am following God’s commands, for His ways are higher than our own and the world’s.  However, I get complacent and sometimes I act just like everyone else.  It’s easy to get sucked into selfishness, gossip, whining and an entitled attitude, just to name a few.  That’s why I try to start each day off with my quiet time; to dive into prayer and God’s word.  The word of God, the bible, should be my instruction manual on how to live life and how to live according to God’s guidance, direction and wisdom.  There will be times of confusion and discord on earth, but as followers of Jesus, we can find the truths and stability for right living in the bible.  We should look, act and respond differently than the world does.  We should find great strength, hope and direction in God’s word when faced with struggles and confusion.  Instead of getting caught up in the desires of our flesh and the arguments of the world, we need to remember that this is our temporary residence and that our true home is with God in HIs kingdom.  We should seek God’s guidance and His alone, not the world’s, to live a righteous life in a broken world.  Let us ask God to reveal His word and truth to us so that we do not fall into the world’s ways.  Turn to God and ask for a deep desire for His guidance and trust in Him. ~ Amen

Were Willing

But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” Then they were willing to take him into the boat and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading. ~ John 6:20-21

We will all go through storms in our lives.  Do you invite Jesus into the mess, or do you become fearful?  God stands ready, willing and able to calm our fears and lead us through every difficulty we face.  He is waiting for the invitation.  As our Creator, our Father, and as God, He has the power to direct His children and even desires to be called upon to deliver us from and through trials.  The disciples were terrified as the storm raged on and they were in the middle of the sea; it didn’t look good, but Jesus walked on the water to calm them and reassure them that they don’t need to be afraid.  In the hours before the storm, the disciples had witnessed Jesus feed thousands with a minimal supply of fish and bread so you think they would have tremendous trust in Jesus instead of being fearful.  After all, Jesus was the one who sent them across the sea, but sometimes there are trials even in our obedience and God longs for you to ask for His help and trust Him.  Sometimes difficulties are tests of faith God has ordained.  In storms that seem insurmountable, God longs to show you HIs faithfulness and goodness.  By the disciples being “willing” to take Jesus into the boat “immediately” the boat reached their destination.  In my own experiences, I have felt comfort, complete peace and strength when I lay my fear, hurt and storm at Jesus’ feet.  Things may not always work out the way I want them too, or in my timing, but they do work out.  Sometimes God allows difficulties and trials in our lives so that we must lean into Him.  We must call on Him and trust Him in those times in order for our faith journey to grow.  Let us not get discouraged, or become fearful in our trials, but let us call on Jesus and trust that He will lead us to our destination. ~ Amen

Sober Mind

The end of all things is near.  Therefore, be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. ~ 1 Peter 4:7

Prayer is the most powerful tool we have in our arsenal to help us navigate the ways of this world.  Prayer can go where we can’t.  Prayer can soften hearts, help us stay alert and give us power to walk through our most difficult days.  In a world of confusion and despair, being alert and prayerful in all things gives us sound judgement where things seem less than fair.  Because we are living in the last days, the days before Christ comes back and makes everything right, we should be alert and prayerful that we are living godly lives for His glory.  Instead of living for the world and ourselves, we should pray that God would help us make the most of our time here for His kingdom.  We should not be wasteful, or stingy with our time, but giving and loving to those around us.  We need to have clear minds and hearts so that we are ready for the judgement when Christ fulfills his promises in the end.  Be courageous in your walk with the Lord and be prayerful that you are living according to his ways.  Have clear thinking and be on alert for the devil who wants nothing more but to destroy your faith and life.  It is to our advantage to give glory to God all our days through our devotion and faithful living for God’s glory, not our own.  The small acts of obedience, love and humility can have significant impacts on the world around us.  We don’t have to move to Africa, give up our possessions, or build mega churches; start prayerfully where you are now and show God’s love and kindness to your fellow neighbor as we await the coming of Christ.  Invite people into your home, your church, your lives and let them see Christ in you.  For His glory.  Love one another, be self-controlled, be loving and generous, humbly serve others and be patient.  These small gestures showered in prayer can turn hearts to be ready for the glorious return of Christ.  Let us be ready and make the most of our time while we await His return. ~ Amen

Numbered Days

“Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.” ~ Psalm 39:4

David’s prayer to God is a prayer all followers of Jesus should ask so that we can keep our eyes fixed on the important eternal values instead of the fleeting and temporary values of life on earth.  Our lives here on earth may be nearly 100 years, if we’re lucky, but God’s heavenly realms will last forever - a limitless amount of time.  More time than our minds can fathom.  Our life is a detour on earth and not our final home.  We have been given a mission while here and we must make the best use of our time and skills to love God and love people.  I also hear David’s plea in this prayer to help him deal with difficulties and life’s challenges by reminding him that his life on earth is short.  When confronted with so much evil, wickedness and worldly stresses of an uncertain life, we need help remembering sometimes that this is all temporary.  We will one day overcome this world and what will they say at the end of your life?  That you made the most of every opportunity to show Jesus?  That you were a successful, or greedy business partner?  That you didn’t have time for your family as you were a workaholic?  That you were helpful, or kind?  Or were you a miserable soul?  Our days are numbered and our time here is short.  We need to be about the business of Jesus.  He deserves the glory and honor and He wants us to help spread the Good News and lay the difficulties at His feet.  What is most important to you?  Is it important to God?  Being mindful of our days and time and how we use them is important; it can even be life changing for someone you come in contact with.  Your smile, your voice, your encouragement and maybe even just your presence can make an impact.  Let’s be mindful of our days for God will lead us home one day soon. ~ Amen 

Sovereign Lord

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.  For my eyes have seen your salvation….” ~ Luke 2:29-30

Jesus is our salvation and Simeon knew it.  Jesus was just a little infant newborn when Mary and Joseph brought him to the Temple in Jerusalem for purification and to register him as their first born son.  Simeon was a righteous and devout man who loved God, obeyed His commands and loved His people.  He knew that the Israelites had been waiting for a Messiah and since he was such a godly man, God promised Simeon that he would not pass away until he saw the Lord.  Wow!  Can you imagine what it must have been like to be physically holding the baby Jesus?  An ultimate privilege of trust.  The Savior of the world.  Israel’s wait was over.  And just like that, Simeon was ready to pass away as he now knew everything would be okay.  Jesus would somehow fix everything.  Simeon didn’t know how, but he knew everything would be made right again for Israel and all to come.  We can have that same assurance today. Jesus will make everything right. Of course we know that in the end we win, but even in our waiting Jesus is everything we need.  He is our Provider.  He is our Comforter.  He is our Faithful Father.  He is our peace during a storm and so much more.  Jesus is our salvation and our redeemer back to our Father God.  As much as this life has to offer, I am satisfied because of and through Jesus.  Because of Him I live, move and have my being.  Jesus made my life complete when He reconciled me back to God.  Nudging Jesus’ little fingers and looking at that sweet baby face, Simeon knew his life was made complete and Jesus was the reason.  We can have that same feeling and hope when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior and when we feel His presence in our lives.  Let us share this good news of Jesus with the rest of the world so they may have the same hope as Simeon did and we do now. ~ Amen

Pride Humbled

The arrogance of man will be brought low and human pride humbled; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day, and the idols will today disappear. ~ Isaiah 2:17-18

Our arrogant, prideful and superior view of ourselves often leads to destruction and loneliness.  No one wants to be around someone who always thinks they are right, belittles others ideas, or opinions, or always has to have the better story and last word.  In the Old Testament, Israel acted very arrogant because they were God’s chosen nation and figured that meant they could do whatever they wanted, but then when God disciplined them they got all upset.  Arrogance annoys us because it annoys God.  After all, who do you think you are?  Time and time again God opposes prideful people in the Bible and exalts the humble.  God doesn’t call us to be arrogant, but quite the opposite, and so why would anyone exalt themself?  When you are arrogant and proud you have forgotten your true place in life and it’s just a matter of time before God will remind you.  He is God.  We are not.  To be arrogant is to slap God in the face and tell Him you don’t need Him, but one day we will be forced to be humble before our Almighty God.  The arrogant and prideful tend to live for themselves and their own haughty ambitions and desires.  Oftentimes they are more judgemental than helpful and more full of themselves than the one who they claim to serve.  In the end, God will be the only rightful and sovereign God standing and deserving all mankind’s praise and glory.  Arrogance and pride will be destroyed and ultimately everyone will bow down before Him.  Philippians 2:10-11 says, “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  Will you be forced to acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, or is He your Lord now?  The nations and all the people of the world will know the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.  Those who once were arrogant and prideful will be silenced and reminded that they are subject to God’s will and will be judged accordingly.  It is a powerful reminder that God alone will be triumphant and no one else will be able to boast.  Those who relied on themselves will see the destruction of their ways by God’s authority and power.  Let us all humble ourselves now and give God the authority and supremacy in our lives that is His and His alone. ~ Amen

Fruit Tree

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it.  She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. ~ Genesis 3:6

Obedience.  Sometimes sin looks so yummy and fun.  Surely I can have one small taste and no one will be the wiser.  Ah!  In a “me first” world, it’s easy to get caught off guard by our physical wants.  It’s tempting to do for me what I want and me alone.  With so much now considered morally right when it used to be considered morally wrong, who really knows what sin is?  So much confusion.  As long as I am happy and no one else gets hurt it’ll be okay….right?  We all have a tendency to look at sin the way Eve did – it will meet a need; it’s pretty and it won’t be harmful (a downright lie from the devil).  I mean how bad can it be if it’s helpful, pretty and makes me smart?  The thing about sin is that it doesn’t matter how it looks; if God told you not to do it, don’t do it!  It’s sin when you disobey God no matter how shiny the package; how big the raise; or how badly you want it.  Having societal rules and law enforcement help keep our communities in some kind of order.  The same is true of God’s rules when it comes to our spiritual lives.  Sin and disobedience wreck havoc on our spiritual lives and sometimes has a ripple effect for our families and those we love.  That’s what happened with Eve and her husband, Adam, when they disobeyed and brought sin into this world.  The consequential ripple effect will last for the rest of mankind. We became separated from God (physically); the ground became cursed and we now have to work and labor for our needs; we became mortal beings and would experience pain, sickness and death all of which were not part of God’s original plan, and now we have sin to be on guard against.  Sin and disobedience always leads to some sort of spiritual death.  The good news is Jesus came and died on the cross for my sins and rose again so that I could ask for forgiveness and be in right standing with Him again.  I want to  make it a priority to listen to God and stay away from the shiny sins of this world.  ~ Amen

Soothing Tongue

The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. ~ Proverbs 15:4

“The tongue is the smallest muscle in your body, but it’s the most deadly.”  My mom used to say this and I never really understood what she meant until middle school when I realized that age group can be so mean to each other.  Most words out of pre-teens are hurtful, mean, sarcastic and just plain rude all in the name of fun.  Words can be hurtful, but they can also be encouraging.  Which ones roll off your tongue?  The years have come and gone, but some of those hurtful words are still with me from middle school.  I couldn’t tell you what I had for dinner last Thursday, but I remember the words and feelings I felt in the 7th grade when I was told “no one loves you” because I stood up for a friend.  Years later, as I have grown older, I can see how my own words have helped grow my children, or deeply cut them.  I wish I could say that I have always been a champion for my spouse and my kids, but I have torn them down and watched their eyes swell with tears more times than I would like due to some remark of mine.  This is something I am personally conscious of and work on intentionally although I have to tell you it is not easy.  I want my words to bring life and encouragement to people.  I desperately want to give hope and healing in times of pain and grief.  How can I show love if my tongue is a deadly weapon?  We need to be careful how we yield that fleshy sword.  I want to breathe life into situations and people who are struggling.  I want to be a positive influencer.  I want to be gentle and peace giving, even in my anger and disappointment.  I don’t want to break spirits; I want to lift them up.  I want to build people up.  Enough tearing each other down; there is already enough of that.  I want to bring truth, encouragement, hope and love.  I want to speak positively over everyone and every situation.  Let us be wise people with gentle and encouraging tongues and let us learn to bite our tongues when we feel them wanting to go rogue as deadly weapons.  Lord, help me control my tongue and let wholesome, encouraging words roll off it! ~ Amen

Former Generation

“Ask the former generation and find out what their ancestors learned, for we were born only yesterday and know nothing and our days on earth are but a shadow.” ~ Job 8:8-9

The story of Job in the Old Testament is a story of a righteous man who experiences tremendous suffering and then has discussions with three friends who come to comfort him, but they really end up giving him their thoughts as to why he is suffering.  In the above verse, Bildad, one of Job’s friends, tells Job that he should ask the elders for their advice and wisdom as maybe he can learn from them.  True, we can learn from the mistakes and pasts of others, but when going through seasons of difficulty, the best thing anyone can do is seek God and trust Him.  Our lives are often filled with tests from God and when we use our human knowledge to try and figure things out we often become frustrated because we don’t understand His ways.  That’s why we are called to trust.  We have to search, seek and trust God in difficult times and remember that our problems here, and our life are temporary.  While things seem bleak and you feel forgotten, trust that the Lord has you and He is faithful.  I have to remember that His ways are higher and I am limited in my wisdom as a human being, but I can trust that there is always a purpose and a reason.  We can seek godly counsel, wisdom and advice from Godly people, but we must take everything prayerfully to God.  There will always be trials and tests that sometimes God even allows for the purpose of refining us.  Job’s friends believed in retribution theology – the theology that if you sin, punishment falls on you and so Job must have sinned.  He must be wicked.  But we know that Job is blameless and he is not being punished for sin, but rather being tested to demonstrate his loyalty and faith in God.  Suffering is not always a punishment.  Sometimes it’s a test.  How will you respond?  1 Peter 4:19 says, “So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” Trust and do good always.  Let us be as strong, loyal and faithful as Job and keep in mind that this life is temporary.  We will be home soon. ~ Amen

Instruct Another

I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another. ~ Romans 15:14

We are called to help each other out, to be relational beings and good to each other.  There is no room to let each other fall and flounder through this life alone.  It is our job to be kind, good and helpful to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.  Paul was convinced that the Roman Christians had a good grasp on their faith and was instructing them to help each other out.  We need to be doing the same thing today.  Paul was encouraging these believers to continue the good work of being reputable and helpful.  In today’s world of self-reliance, gender confusion and living for one’s self (just to name a few lies) we would do well to lovingly keep each other accountable and to be generous and helpful to our brothers and sisters in Christ so that we may encourage each other to keep up the good fight.  What would our world see if all believers treated each other with unconditional love and goodness?  Our light would be so bright that the world would have to take notice and many would be attracted to Christ.  We live in a world of discord and discouragement, but we could and should be the kindness that Paul saw in the Roman Christians.  We need to dive into the word of God, ask Him for His wisdom and show His love to this broken world by first taking care of fellow believers.  The church and God’s family cannot grow without us being kind, in God’s word and able to instruct and help others to live a godly life.  No, we are not perfect; we are a work in progress; we will, and do mess up, but if we try to live a moral life pleasing to God filled with love and encouragement, our churches, families, work places, communities and world would change.  May our hearts be softened to each other and may we help each other grow in faith for the glory of God.  Spiritual growth through knowledge and encouragement for ourselves and others should be the business we are about.  To listen with an open heart of love and to instruct each other with God’s word is one of the greatest blessings we can give each other.  No one needs superficial kindness; they need love and encouragement grounded in God’s word.  Building each other up in godly wisdom is priceless. ~ Amen

Sanctify Through

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.  May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

In his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul encourages believers that God will not leave them, that He is faithful to continue the work He has started in them.  That is good news for us today also – God was, is and always will be faithful.  It’s part of His character.  You do not have to do this walk of life by yourself.  A sanctified believer is a person set apart; a changed heart that wants to live godly, but it’s important to know that this is a lifetime pursuit as God works in our lives to be more Christ-like.  For all of us there will be stumbling blocks; we live in a fallen and broken world, but God is and will be faithful to sanctify ALL of us - our soul, body and spirit.  There is great hope knowing that even when I am not faithful to Him, if I come to Him and repent, He will be faithful to give me peace so that I can continue on.  I am not discarded because of my doubts, or screw ups.  I can come to Him and He will be faithful to finish His work in me. The fact of the matter is that we cannot live a life always obedient to God without His faithfulness.  He will help us and equip us to live godly lives and a truly changed heart pursues that goal, but we are all sinners and without His faithfulness we would never make it to the glorious end He has for us and we would never be the person He has created us to be.  We can not have victory in Jesus without His faithfulness and His work in us; we are His to mold.  Let us hold on to this great truth that we are never alone and we will be made perfect in Him because of His faithfulness.  Not because of what we do, but because of what Jesus has done and what God works in us.  Glory to God!  It doesn’t depend fully on me; He will complete it! ~ Amen

From Everyone

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. ~ Luke 12:48

Just as some have been given much in resources, you can also be given much spiritually in the way of abilities and skills.  These blessings from God are for us to use to further His kingdom, not our own.  Are you a good teacher?  A good encourager?  A good leader?  A prayer warrior?  Do you know what your spiritual gifts are?  If you are a follower of Jesus, He is concerned with how you use these gifts more than He is concerned about what you have, or what you don’t have.  He is telling us that we should not compare ourselves to others, but be responsible with what He has given us in both wealth and spiritual gifts.  At Jesus’ return, we will either be rewarded, or disciplined for how we used what we were given.  He expects us to be faithful and good stewards of the Master’s gifts.  For followers of Jesus, this command is not only in regard to our physical talents, but how are you using your spiritual gifts to further the church of Jesus Christ?  The church is made up of many parts just like our body and when you are not using your spiritual talents to further the church’s mission, you are being irresponsible no matter how big, or small your talent may be.  The church cannot function the way Christ intended when not everyone is participating.  Just like when one part of our physical body is broken, or sick our body cannot function as a whole unit; the same is true of the church.  1 Corinthians 12:12 says, ‘There is one body, but it has many parts.  But all its many parts make up one body.  It is the same with Christ.”  How we lead, teach and use our gifts honoring God over our own ambition matters.  If we do not take this responsibility seriously, God will punish and judge us harshly.  However, when we use what God has given us, we will be given even greater responsibility.  It’s not about you, or your glory and comfort; it’s about representing your Master in a holy and faithful manner.  God doesn’t ask you to worry about what you don’t have, but to be good stewards and leaders of what you do have tangibly, or spiritually for His glory.  Let’s bring Him great glory and be thankful for all He has given us. ~ Amen

Invisible Image

The Son in the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ~ Colossians 1:15

The word firstborn is a little confusing in this verse as it is not referring to birth order, but rather signifies Jesus’ position over God’s creation.  The firstborn in biblical times had many great privileges, rank and rule compared to the rest of the siblings.  Being firstborn comes with supremacy, power and great responsibility; it is more than birth order.  Jesus was, is, and always will be.  Jesus’ existence was established before creation as He became part of the Holy Trinity.  Therefore, if Jesus was the image of the invisible God and part of the Holy Trinity (God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit), He was established long before the creation of Adam and Eve.  While down here on earth, Jesus was able to demonstrate how we are to treat each other, how we are to love each other and how we are to behave as ambassadors for the kingdom of Christ.  Years later, we can still look and follow Jesus’ example of how to live a life that is pleasing, right and good all for the glory of God.  The human race was created in the image of God.  Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”  With this being said, we can assume that God created humanity very different from the animal world for a specific reason and purpose.  We were created to be perfect, but at the fall of Adam and Eve when sin entered the world, we became tainted.  Being the perfect image-bearer of God, Jesus also became the only perfect and blameless human to be the sacrificial lamb to bring God’s people back to Him.  Jesus was “God in a bod” who than became the perfect firstborn to give His followers wisdom, guidance and goodness through the cross.  Let us try our best to be great representatives and image bearers of our great God for this broken world. ~ Amen