* Whose is That? (Tax Time)

Later the leaders sent some Pharisees and supporters of Herod to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. You teach the way of God truthfully. Now tell us—is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them, or shouldn't we?” Jesus saw through their hypocrisy and said, “Why are you trying to trap me? Show me a Roman coin, and I’ll tell you.” When they handed it to him, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” His reply completely amazed them.
Mark 12:13-17 NLT

Every year around this time, the debate begins about whether or not it is "scriptural" to pay taxes. (I sometimes wonder if they've ever read the book of Mark.) They often use Matthew 17:26 as their basis for the no tax platform. Although, if you read it in context, verses 24-27, Jesus notes that taxes are not supposed to be for "free" citizens; however, read what He does.

On their arrival in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax came to Peter and asked him, “ Doesn't your teacher pay the Temple tax?” “Yes, he does,” Peter replied. Then he went into the house. But before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, “What do you think, Peter? Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered?” “They tax the people they have conquered,” Peter replied. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “the citizens are free! However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.”

Jesus always makes His point and makes a way where there is no way. He is our Waymaker. That's what happens when you give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God. So by all means, pay your taxes, AND don't forget to give to God what belongs to God.

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You that I still live in a country where we enjoy more freedoms than restraints. We know it is not perfect, but You are. Keep us ever mindful to give You all that we have and all that we are. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Take A Stand +

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Romans 12:2 NLT

People have discussed and argued politics for years, but I haven't heard the despair and hopelessness like I hear now. I understand the angst and concerns. I really do understand…and it’s easy to get caught up in it. But you can’t jaw it to death unless you’re Samson (Judges 15). And for those looking for answers to these problems in a man or a government or a leader other than God, forget it.

It's happened before. Read the history books. And now more than ever, Edmund Burke's famous quote rings true - All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. There has to be some action.

We should start with the sword - the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6). 2nd Chronicles 7:14, If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. I mentioned that the other day and someone who professed Christianity responded with, "Yeah, fat chance. You'll never get this nation to pray." Hmmm. That's why we're supposed to READ it. It doesn't say get the nation or all the heathen on their knees to pray. It says, If MY people who are called by MY name... If we call ourselves Christians… 

Putting on the whole armor for a battle is not just so you can stand there with some protection. It's so you can fight - it is so you are prepared to engage in the battle. The weapons of our warfare are not of this world, according to 2nd Corinthians 10:4, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds… 

2nd Corinthians 4:16-18 The Message reads, So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, [heaven] the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.

In the meantime, let’s live our lives and fight our battles with the plan God has laid out before us. Ephesians 6:10-13 KJV reads, Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Prayer:

Father,

          Keep us ever mindful of Your Word in John 3, that You loved us so much, You gave Your Son so no one should perish or be destroyed; and that by believing in Him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. You didn't go to all the trouble of sending Your Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was and is. He came to help, to put the world right again. And anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is. Let us be ever aware that darkness is always overcome by the Light. Renew our minds. Change our lives. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

* For Those Days

I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Colossians 2:2-3 NLT

There are those days when there aren't words to fully express the depth and magnitude of what we are feeling inside. And on some of those days, it's probably a good thing that we can't, amen?  But those aren't the days I'm talking about. It's those days when we learn of the grave illness or death of a loved one or our children going off to war or some other great, overwhelming tragedy...

And on those days that don't happen to us, but happen to someone we love, what words can we possibly use? What is it that we - in our finite-ness - could possibly say that would make a difference?

We want to express what we feel. We need to express what we feel, but all we have are tears. The good news is that God in His great love and mercy gave us those tears and they are a language that He alone completely understands, so it's to Him we should give them. With tears, you don't have to worry about which words to use to adequately or properly convey all that's in your heart.

On those days, encourage yourself in God's Word. Take comfort from the One who promises us - and delivers - the peace that passes understanding. Usually, I use the New Living or New King James Bible when writing the Promise; but oftentimes, when we need comfort, we go to what is the most familiar. For me, that's the old King James. Today, that's what I want to give you.

Psalm 121

 ¹I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
 ²My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
 ³He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
 ⁴Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
 ⁵The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
 ⁶The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
 ⁷The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
 ⁸The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

For those days. From this time forth, and even for evermore.

Prayer:

Father,
         We love Your Word. We love the song You gave the songwriter, I will lift my eyes to the Maker of the mountains I can't climb. I will lift my eyes to the Calmer of the oceans raging wild. I will lift my eyes to the Healer of the hurt I hold inside. God, my God, I cry out, Your beloved needs You now. Help us to release everything into Your care, knowing You care for us. Thank You, Father, for Your peace in the midst of the storm. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* The Thing I Greatly Feared

For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me...

Job 3:25a NKJV

God is very clear about Fear Not... it is one thing He kept repeating. Don't fear, don't be afraid, let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid... over and over. Why do we ignore Him?

A friend of mine had planned to retire, but because of the economic downturn, he lost a lot of money in his investments and didn't have the money to retire. It was what he feared the most. Often times, I have heard people say, "I was afraid this would happen" or "that would happen." I've said it myself and you probably have, too.

No doubt about it, people fear a lot of things - and the media makes their living from it. Terrorism, financial ruin, virulent viruses, cancer, heart disease. But in Truth, there is only one thing we are to fear - and that with holy reverence - the Lord our God.

Deuteronomy 6:1-2, reads, Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the LORD your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, that you may fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged.

Jesus said in John 14:1-3, Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

What if the only thing we feared was the Lord our God? Then it would be with joy and great celebration that we would utter the words, For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me...  Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Prayer:

Father,

           Forgive us for fearing anything other than You. Forgive us for not recognizing,  acknowledging and accepting Your promises to be with us and to guide us and to protect us. Keep us from all unrighteousness, Father. We need Your mercy and Your grace and the courage to walk out our convictions. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

What Do I Know? *

[The Lord speaking] Why, when I came, was there no man? Why, when I called, was there none to answer? Is My hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver?

Isaiah 50:2 NKJV

I thought I had a pretty good grasp of how big God is - you know, the Creator of the Universe, speaking the worlds into existence, the whole nine yards... until I realized that if I really had a grasp on who God is, and what He is, and how He is large and in charge, then I would just say, "Yes, Lord" and be done with it (whatever it may be) on Earth as it is in Heaven. Instant follower. Instant obedience. Instantly compliant. Instant servant's heart...but I don't...and I think I may be safe in saying that I'm not the only one who doesn't. I'm not making excuses for me nor am I casting dispersion on anyone else...this is just a reality check to put ME back in proper perspective.

As I listened once again to the song, "What Do I Know of Holy?" by Addison Road, I was struck by the Truth of the lyrics. And as the words washed over my soul, I humbled my heart before the greatness of our God. It is in humility that wisdom comes. Proverbs 11:2 reads, Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. What do I know unless the Lord teaches me?

Prayer:

Father,

          According to Your Word, in Ephesians 3, Now all glory to You, who is able, through Your mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to You in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS-bRarAZ2g

* Lookin' Good!

Humans are satisfied with whatever looks good; God probes for what is good.

Proverbs 16:2 The Message

We've heard 'em all...maybe even said 'em... Man! That looks good!  Or this - Girl - you are lookin' good!  Or how about this one - Yeah, but who cares? It looks good, doesn't it? 

What's the best way to sell an old car? Wash it - wax it - clean the interior - spray it with 'new car odor' fragrance - make it LOOK good. People will believe it was cared for and pay more for it. It's a proven statistic...and sad, so sad. If the money spent on the paint job had been spent on the mechanics of the car instead, it would have run better and longer. However, it's largely a superficial society we live in, so if we had invested in the mechanics instead of the aesthetics, we wouldn't have the same resale value.

Christians can be the same way when our priorities for life get out of balance. There can be so much emphasis put on 'being a blessing' or 'being blessed,' that people will put on a mask rather than seek help for an issue because someone might see the dirt in their life. It's not that we don't want everyone to know - it's that we don't want ANYONE to know because we have to keep up our pretend image. We 'gotta look good.'

The truth of the matter is this: If we would look to the mechanics of our soul and spirit, it would reflect in our faces and the true beauty of the Lord would shine through. Do we want to look good in the eyes of the world? Or would we rather hear God say, 'Lookin' gooooooooooood!'

Prayer:

Father,

We humble ourselves before You, Lord, asking You to shine Your light of Truth on all that is not holy and in right standing with You. Help us to see through Your eyes of love that which IS good, not just looking good. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

No Shortcuts +

The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish.

Jonah 1:1-3 NIV

Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”

Jonah 3:1-2 NIV

Have you ever wondered why – when you’re serving the Lord – that you seem to get so far and then hit a wall and no matter what you do, you can’t seem to get past it? I’ve been asking God about that now for a while… I don’t think I was listening well. 

In the first verse of this prophet’s book, God told Jonah to go to Nineveh. We all know that part of the story – Jonah ran. God caused a storm and prepared the fish to swallow Jonah, where he spent three days. In Jonah’s story, I guess I never paid much attention to the details before…somehow, I always thought the fish was just Jonah’s personal conveyance to Nineveh to make sure he got there. Go straight to Nineveh. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200. However, the fish did not spew Jonah on the shore of Nineveh. Following Jonah’s exit from the Fish Express (after he repented for his disobedience), the Lord told him a second time – Go to Nineveh…

I’m sure you’ve probably never done this…if I don’t like something or the thought of doing something, I’m pretty much not gonna do it…or I’m gonna find a way to circumvent or shortcut it. Sometimes, I’m even guilty of just doing it “good enough for government work.” This great Truth has nailed me right between the eyes. I just have to bring it to the Light. Confess it. Own it and then prayerfully ask for God’s strength and fortitude to make it happen. Well, I’m admitting it because Scripture tells me to confess my faults that I might be healed. And I want that. I need that.

Several years ago, God told me to scale down, simplify, get organized. I spent several weeks doing exactly that. I worked hard and I worked long. And I got down to the last closet and corner of one room, and I thought, I’ve done a lot. It’s SO much better than it was. That’s good enough. And I stopped. I did not complete what God instructed me to do. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve repeated that EXACTLY. Go through ALMOST everything – scale down, simplify, get organized… down to that last little bit and then I’m tired and I quit…and it’s like a fungus…it spreads all over again and gets bigger.

Several years ago, this would have been much easier, not to mention I was younger. I realize now there are NO shortcuts with God when it comes to obedience. He didn’t ask me if I’d like to do it, He just said, Do it. And since He is the Alpha AND Omega, He doesn’t go for half-measures. And the Truth is, there were no shortcuts to the Cross that paid for my sin…

Prayer:

Father,

          Forgive my spirit of rebellion and disobedience. Forgive me for the time lost when I could have been accomplishing what You planned for me to do according to Your Word. Help me, Father, to walk in absolute obedience to Your Word and Your perfect will for my life. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen

* Promise Forever

He keeps every promise forever.
Psalm 146:6b NLT

I don’t know that I’ve ever read that sentence before in the New Living Translation. I thought I had, but if I did, I must have had blinders on. Talk about piercing my soul… 

Have you ever fully contemplated ‘forever’? Just forever by itself, nothing attached to it. I have a hard time envisioning it. When I was a little girl I fully believed in ‘Happily Ever After.’ That was my version of forever. I just knew someday my prince would come and rescue me and that’s how we would live…forever. I dreamed about it. Hoped for it. Prayed for it…

He keeps every promise forever.
Forever is not about NOT making any promises in order to be able to say we never break promises. That’s a falsehood.

He keeps every promise forever.
The Truth is that forever is much more than just never-ending time. Forever is commitment. Forever is trust, safety, provision.

Forever is making promises AND keeping them.
Why? Because God doesn’t just love us - He IS love.

And when the King of all kings comes for us, we will ride away with Him, and we’re going to live Happily Ever After.  Happily Ever After what? This. In John 16:33 (NLT), Jesus says, Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. He promised…

And He keeps every promise forever. Yes, He does…

Prayer:

Father,

We will give thanks to You, Lord, for You are good!

According to Your Word, Your faithful love endures forever.

You remember us in our weakness. Your faithful love endures forever.

You saved us from our enemies. Your faithful love endures forever.

You give food to every living thing. Your faithful love endures forever.

We will give thanks to the God of heaven. Your faithful love endures forever. Help us to understand Your forever love. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

For Those +

He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end...So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.

¹² After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

John 13:1b,4-5, 12-17 NLT

There are people in this world that I love more than life itself. People I would give my life for without a second thought. I'm sure you have people you love like that, right?

And then there are those. You know the ones... The ones who skip over however many thousands of nerves I have and go directly to my last one... and pluck on it. Some of them work at it... some of them only have to walk in the room. The ones that if I never saw them again, it would be too soon. Aw, you probably don't know what I mean, right? 

Scripture tells us to confess our sins so that we may be healed. Okay. I have to admit that there are days I take great delight in playing Moosh-a-head. Do you know that one? It's when you bring your thumb and forefinger up to your eye like you're going to get an eyelash out of your eye. In reality, you're looking through the thumb and forefinger at the head of the person who is plucking your last nerve and then you moosh your thumb and forefinger together...in essence, pinching off their head... all the while thinking moosh-a-head, moosh-a-head...

And so every time I read our text for today, I am convicted down to my toes... the very toes Jesus would kneel in front of me to wash. You see, He washed the feet of ALL His disciples that day. All of them - including Judas Iscariot - who within a half-hour of eating this last supper with Jesus would go and betray Him for 30 pieces of silver...AND including Peter, who within 12 hours, would lie and deny ever knowing Him. Not once. Not twice, but three times.

How great is the love of Jesus! Understand this, Jesus knew about the betrayal of Judas and Peter's impending denial when He knelt in front of them and washed their feet. He said, I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.

For those...

Prayer:

Father,

         Forgive me for every time I react in my flesh, instead of responding in Your love. I want to be like Jesus. I want to be a vessel You can use. More of You, Lord, and less of me, I pray, in Jesus' Name. Amen

Pay Attention or Pay the Price +

Jesus asked, “Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?”
John 4:48

Near the end of the 4th chapter of John, Jesus is traveling through Galilee to Cana (where He had performed the first public miracle - turned the water into wine). A government official in Capernaum finds out Jesus is there and travels to Cana (about 15 miles between Cana and Capernaum) to beg Him to come heal his son who is about to die. That's when Jesus asked the question in our text, "Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?" And it's almost as if the official wasn't paying attention because his response to the Lord's question was to plead for Jesus to please come right then before the boy died.

Jesus did not bow His head in obeisance because it was a government official. Jesus did not stop what He was doing and turn around and clutch the distressed father to His chest and assure him that they would make haste to go heal his son before he died. Jesus' reply was more like a retort in nature, "Go home. Your son will live." Then the VERY next words of the verse are, And the man believed what Jesus said and started home.

The government official did not take a poll of his friends to see if they thought he'd heard the Lord's voice. He did not demand that Jesus go with him to be sure his son was healed. He did not even ask Jesus if He was sure. In an amazing display of faith in action, the government official BELIEVED and started home. (Remember, Jesus had asked, "Will you never believe unless you see...") The official had paid attention to every word that came out of the Lord's mouth.

There is a huge price to pay for unbelief. Not just that we lose out on our miracle or God's perfect will - we are in danger of not entering into His rest. Read Hebrews 3, beginning with verse 12, Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. Remember what it says: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.”
And who was it who rebelled against God, even though they heard his voice? Wasn’t it the people Moses led out of Egypt? And who made God angry for forty years? Wasn’t it the people who sinned, whose corpses lay in the wilderness? And to whom was God speaking when he took an oath that they would never enter his rest? Wasn’t it the people who disobeyed him? So we see that because of their unbelief they were not able to enter his rest.

Pay attention or pay the price.

Prayer:

Father,
           Forgive us for not being first-time hearers and doers of the words You speak. Give us hearing ears and seeing eyes and a heart tuned in to only You and Your desires. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* When the Wind Stops

Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” 

But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”

Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”

“Yes, come,” Jesus said.

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.  But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.

Matthew 14:24-32 NLT

This is one of my favorites. Every time I read it, I am encouraged. Strengthened. I have heard it preached from different viewpoints and they're all good. Can we recognize Jesus? Do we know Him when we are in trouble? Can we recognize God in the midst of the storms in our lives? Do we let the circumstances of our lives overwhelm us? Do we make snap decisions based on fear of our circumstances? Are we keeping our eyes on Jesus?

Some will give us that Peter DID walk on water, but they are quick to make the point that because he took His eyes off Jesus, he began to sink. And that's a great point. It is valid. It is true. However, it's not the whole story.

Let's review a little here. These were disciples in the boat, not your run-of-the-mill followers. It was the twelve. Hand-picked by Jesus. They weren't the ones who ran out to every event just to see what was going on. They weren't the fringe. They were all disciples. Disciples that had just witnessed the feeding of the 5,000 with a few loaves and fish, and gathered up left-overs... It was THOSE disciples who, at 3 in the morning, fighting heavy waves and a strong wind, who were - what was the word? Terrified. Am I judging them? Absolutely not, I'm just reviewing the facts.

You see, it was ONE of those twelve disciples - Simon/Peter. Did you know that the definition of the name Simon is hearing? Simon who Jesus called Peter. Peter which means rock. (I have to ask you - have you ever seen a rock float?) It was THIS Peter - Peter the fisherman who knew firsthand the danger of heavy waves and strong winds on the water. Peter the one we know for his blunders - that's who went over the side of the boat into the heavy waves and the strong wind.  We know he didn't sink the minute he went over the side because Scripture tells us he walked on the water toward Jesus. The point is Peter listened and he did the impossible because all things are possible through Christ. All things are possible to those who believe (Mark 9:23), but that's another topic for another day.

Truth - Peter walked on the water toward Jesus. Truth - When he took his eyes off Christ and looked at the circumstances, he began to sink. Truth - Peter cried out to Jesus and Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him and asked why Peter doubted Him. We don't know how far Peter walked. I think that's irrelevant or else God would have included it in His Word, but we know he got close enough that when he did begin to sink, Jesus reached out and grabbed him. It doesn't say Jesus ran to him to snatch him out of the water. It just says He reached out - and that's another topic for another day. Now, here's the part of the miracle that we miss. It doesn't say immediately they were back in the boat. It doesn't say Jesus tossed Peter into the boat or that Jesus carried him back to the boat. Here it is - don't miss it! Whatever distance Peter covered, they walked back because they CLIMBED back into the boat. AND according to Scripture, it was When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.

After the walking. After the climbing. Was that easy? No, I don't believe so. Was it sure? Yes, absolutely! Jesus was there. And because He was, there was no question about whether or not they could walk back, or whether or not, they would climb back into the boat even though they were still in the heavy waves and strong wind.

We pray and we plead and we cry out and nothing seems to change and we wonder where God is. Too often, we believe the lie of satan that Jesus isn't there for us because our circumstances haven't changed. Can we see Him in the midst of our storm? Do we have the faith to step out in response to His bidding? Do we believe He will walk with us? Are we waiting for the wind to stop before we believe?

Prayer:

Father,

          Increase our faith, O God. Forgive us for not looking past our circumstances to see the Truth of Your Word - that You are ever with us, that You never leave us nor forsake us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

The Purpose of Faith *

So do not lose the courage you had in the past, which has a great reward. You must hold on, so you can do what God wants and receive what he has promised. For in a very short time, "The One who is coming will come and will not be delayed. Those who are right with me will live by faith. But if they turn back with fear, I will not be pleased with them." (references Habakkuk 2:3–4) 

But we are not those who turn back and are lost. We are people who have faith and are saved.

Hebrews 32:35-39 New Century Version

The purpose of our faith is to please God.

Hebrews 11:5-6 tells us, By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

I want God to be pleased with me. I mean, I do not want the Creator of the Universe ticked off at me. Do you? How unintelligent is that? Life can be difficult and very complex, but faith in God is simple. It is. Really. The Word tells us that God gives to everyone a measure of faith. So He gives us what we need - we just need to hold on to it, and use it. If God gave you money, you'd use it, wouldn't you? I'd say that's pretty simple.

Jim Mackey preached a great message a while back. For those of you who didn't hear it, let me give you the gist of it in this little paragraph. Faith can change a situation. Faith can change lives. Will we let faith change us? It definitely should change us, but it should also do much more than that. Faith should define our lives.

Yes, our lives should be lived to please God - that is the defining purpose of faith. Going back to our text, So do not lose the courage you had in the past, which has a great reward. You must hold on, so you can do what God wants and receive what he has promised. For in a very short time, "The One who is coming will come and will not be delayed. Those who are right with me will live by faith. But if they turn back with fear, I will not be pleased with them." (references Habakkuk 2:3–4)  But we are not those who turn back and are lost. We are people who have faith and are saved. Amen?

Prayer:

Father,

         Thank You for the measure of faith that You have given to each of us. Help us to use it wisely, Lord. We want to please You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Alt Ctrl Del

It's your heart, not the dictionary, that gives meaning to your words. A good person produces good deeds and words season after season. An evil person is a blight on the orchard. Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. 

Matthew 12:34c-36 The Message

While there are many things about modern technology that I find to be detrimental, there are features of the technology world that I find to be absolutely wonderful. When I’m writing, I can copy and paste, cut, align however I want, change fonts, reword, reword, and reword until I’m happy… and if I decide I don’t like any of it, I have several options at my fingertips to wipe it all out and start over. Alt Ctrl Del is probably my favorite feature…

If the computer doesn’t want to start the day off acting right - Alt Ctrl Del. In the afternoon, if the computer doesn’t want to operate like it should - Alt Ctrl Del. If it gets hung up on something - Alt Ctrl Del. If it starts making noises I don’t like - Alt Ctrl Del. If I want or need a do-over - Alt Ctrl Del.  With the newer technology, I also get the option of starting in Safe Mode or picking up where I left off. Also good options.

Our text for today is my worst nightmare… Sometimes I wonder if I could - or should - just communicate in the written word. I shudder to think of every idle word I’ve ever spoken. KJV tells us it’s out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks… I tremble at the number of times – and how quickly! – I’ve uttered the word idiot in just one day. Oh, how I would like to Alt Ctrl Del the spoken word! If I wake up “on the wrong side of the bed” - Alt Ctrl Del. If I’m not operating the way I know I should - Alt Ctrl Del.  If I get hung up on something - Alt Ctrl Del.  If I start making noise about something I don’t like - Alt Ctrl Del.  When I want and NEED a do-over - Alt Ctrl Del.  I don’t want Safe Mode to be an option, I want it to be a way of life, so that people know Jesus is a safe place…

Prayer:

Father,

          Create in me a clean heart, O God. Give me clean hands and a pure heart so that the words of my mouth AND the meditation of my heart are pleasing to you, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.  Set a guard over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of my mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen

* Measure

…with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

Matthew 7:2b NKJV

I know people who cook by throwing a little of this and a pinch of that and a shake or two of the other and voila! Perfection… I’m not one of those people. In my whole life, I can count on one hand (with fingers left over) the number of times I’ve actually produced something edible using that method. However, give me a recipe with measurements and I’m good to go. Sometimes I even increase the measure of a certain ingredient or two to enrich the flavor. I feel confident doing that because I know the base measurement.  

I understand how important measurements are and not just in cooking. I used to be a carpenter. You’d better know how to read a tape measure AND have one suited for the job. A 36-inch door will not fit in a 35½-inch frame. Oh, it may hang, but it won’t close. Nor will a six-foot, flimsy tape measure be the best help when building an eight- or ten-foot anything.

I've been thinking about the immeasurable amounts of God’s astoundingly generous grace and munificent mercy in my life. It overwhelms me. I am humbled beyond measure when I take the time to consider what God has done for me. And then I considered the times I’ve had less-than-loving thoughts for or about others – the grudgingly-offered grace or the miserly measure of mercy I bestowed. Throwing a little of this and a pinch of that…

God set the base measurement for mercy and grace. He gave His all for all. Should we do less? We need to be able to read His measure so that we have what we need to do the tasks that have been assigned to us. Measure for measure.

Prayer:

Father,

          You are measureless. Your footsteps too large, Your love too much, except by Your grace. Help us to live and give our lives by Your measure. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.