* Who Paid for This?

Or didn’t you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don’t you see that you can’t live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body.
1st Corinthians 6:19-20 The Message

If we bought it and we paid for it and we have the scars to show for it, it's ours. We can do what we want with it. But the Truth of the matter is we didn't buy it, and we couldn't pay for it, and although we may have scars from the battles we've chosen to be part of IN our lives, our scars are not part or proof of the purchase price FOR our lives. 

Only Christ did that. He bought it. He paid for it with His own blood, and He has the scars to show for it. 

I love the way 1st Peter 1:18-20 reads in The Message: Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. He paid with Christ’s sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought. Even though it has only lately—at the end of the ages—become public knowledge, God always knew he was going to do this for you. 

God ALWAYS knew He was going to do this for you... and for me. It cost God plenty... and He paid in full.

Prayer:

Father,
         Open our eyes to see the great price that was paid for our redemption. Open our hearts to recognize and to know that apart from You, we have nothing and we are nothing. Help us to walk in the fullness of life that You have provided for us through Christ Your Son. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Is There Trouble Ahead? *

But it’s trouble ahead if you think you have it made. What you have is all you’ll ever get. And it’s trouble ahead if you’re satisfied with yourself. Your self will not satisfy you for long. And it’s trouble ahead if you think life’s all fun and games.

Luke 6:24-25 The Message

    There’s suffering to be met, and you’re going to meet it. “There’s trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular.

“To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.

“Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that’s charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that.

“I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind.

“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.”

Luke 6:24-38 The Message

Prayer:

Father,

        Help us to remember that our task is to be true, not popular. Give us the courage to stand up for what is true and not popular. Remind us that it's not all about us and what we want, when we want it. Cause us to give away our lives as You gave Yours for us. Show us the way, Lord, and help us to walk in it. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* The Right Mindset

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 
Romans 8:5-6 NIV

Have you ever met someone with a certain mindset - that no matter what you said - they weren't changing their mind? Sometimes that can be a good thing; sometimes, not so good... It all depends on what set their mind in the first place. Was it Truth or circumstances of life or lies? 

We've all met people who are convinced that life is just one crisis or tragedy after another. Their mindset is that life is bad or at the very least, depressing, and nothing can change it. No matter what you say, they don't see that they have a choice. And because that's what they believe in their mind, they're right. However, the Word of God tells us, I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; There IS a better choice! 

Colossians 1:2 (NIV) instructs us to Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. We have a choice. We CAN choose life. If we set our minds on what the Spirit desires, we can - and WILL - have life and peace. What's your mindset?

Prayer:

Father,
        Your Word tells us in Isaiah 26:3 that You will keep us in perfect peace when we trust You and keep our thoughts fixed on You. Help us to not entertain thoughts and mindsets that are displeasing to You. We want to walk according to Your Word. We choose to love You - the Lord our God, to obey Your voice and cling to You for You are our life and the length of our days. Cause us to keep our hearts and minds in submission to You and Your Word. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* The Promise Arose

But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”
   She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”
   Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her,“Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”
   She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”
   Jesus said to her, “Mary!”
John 20:11-16 NKJV

Jesus knew Mary, even though she didn't recognize Him. As I pondered these verses about the Risen Savior, I kept wondering - Why didn't Mary know Him? Had grief blinded her? I can certainly understand that - or was it that she knew Him so well as the promised Savior that she wasn't able to see the Risen Savior? 

And then I wondered, "Do we do that?" Do we accept the written plan and promise and then not receive the actual execution - the reality of it? It's one thing to believe it in black and white, but it can be quite another to walk it out in faith...actually believing. Just something to think about at the end of the day that we celebrate the Risen Savior.

Prayer:

Father,

           Your Word tells us And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive. We want to receive You and all that You have promised. Help us, O God, to believe the fulfillment of Your Plan and Promise and embrace it all! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* What Was He Doing?

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead. But he laid his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.
Revelation 1:17-18 NLT

He was dead. They all saw it - watched in horror as it happened. Beaten beyond recognition, whipped within an inch of his life, bloodied and stripped. Then nailed to a cross and crucified... where His life's blood and water flowed out from His pierced side. He said Himself, "It is finished..." 

When we say "It is finished." We mean it's done. It's over. There's nothing else to do with it or for it. It's ended. There's nothing left. The good news is His ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts. When Jesus said, "It is finished." It meant only that the Master Plan for His time on Earth that time was completed. It wasn't over. It was just the beginning.

He descended into hell and fought the enemy and He won. Jesus now holds the keys to death and the grave. That's what He was doing the Saturday of what we call Holy Week.

Prayer:

Father,
         Thank You for sending Your Son as the propitiation for our sins. Thank You that we have been redeemed and set free by His Blood shed at Calvary. Thank You that we are overcomers by the Blood of the Lamb (Jesus) and the word of our testimony! Give us courage and opportunity to testify!  In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen 

* Perfect Love

But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5 NKJV

What if there was such a thing as a perfect love? A perfect mate? A perfect relationship? Someone who was perfect for real, but at the same time would overlook your imperfections? Someone who could see past any physical flaws or your neediness or your inabilities. Someone who would love you no matter what you did, no matter what you said, no matter what you looked like. Someone who spoke the love language of your heart. Someone who knew exactly what it would take to love you and make you feel that love all the way inside. Someone who never leaves, is always there. Someone whose whole goal is relationship with you. Someone who wants what is best for your life - to promote you and the abilities you have and who will do and has done everything necessary to make that happen. Someone who has proven to be steadfast and true through the test of time and for all eternity.

Let me arrange the introduction. His Name is Adonai. God the Lord. Your ultimate perfection is guaranteed through His perfect love gift - His Son, Jesus Christ. God doesn't just love. He IS love and He proved it at Calvary.

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for saving our souls, for redeeming us from our sins so that we can be in right relationship with You. Thank You for Your perfection and for the perfect gift of Christ so that we can be like You. Help us to understand, appreciate and to avail ourselves of this greatest of gifts. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Throwback Thursday

While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying,“Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”
Matthew 26:26-29 NASB

When I lived in St. Louis, I was privileged to sit under the teaching of a Rabbi, as part of the training for the staff where I worked. His lessons of Jewish culture brought a whole new understanding to several passages of Scripture. Because of it, this is now one of my favorite passages.

The significance of verse 29 when Jesus said He would not drink of the wine again until He would drink it new with us is this. Christ had already declared Himself the bridegroom back in Matthew, chapter 9. To be married in the Jewish faith requires two ceremonies; the kiddushin and the nisuin. Today, they do both in the same day. However, in biblical times, these were totally separate ceremonies, performed as much as a year apart. The kiddushin was the engagement - but far more binding than today's version. The kiddushin made the bride a legal wife, but without the mutual obligations being made complete. It was sealed with wine. They did not live together as man and wife until the bridegroom came the second time to gather his bride for the second ceremony, the nisuin.

During the time of the kiddushin, the husband would leave the bride to go build (or prepare) a place for his wife and future family to live. They would not be together until the house was finished and the bridegroom would come to fetch his bride. Then the nisuin would be performed and it, too, would be sealed with wine. 

In John 14:2-3 NASB, Jesus declares,  In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 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.  Read again Matthew 26:29, "But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”

It's Thursday of Holy Week - if we throwback to the original Thursday of Holy Week, we find Jesus proclaiming the kiddushin - providing the promise to His bride, "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again..."  

The question is - Are you ready for the nisuin?  Revelation 22:17a-b, Both the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Anyone who hears should say, “Come!” 

Prayer:

Father,
        Open our eyes to see You. Open our minds to know You. Open our hearts to say, "Come, Lord Jesus, come!" Create in us the heart of the bride awaiting her groom. Let us work to fulfill our duties during this time away from each other and let us watch for Your returning with joyful expectation! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen  

* The Big 3-0

Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. So from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him.
Matthew 26:14-16 NKJV

In terms of where I was on the timeline of my life, "the Big 3-0" was the worst birthday I ever had. Most young people dread it. They see it as the end to what they believe is their carefree time of life. And yet, Jesus' ministry didn't start until He reached the Big 3-0. Interesting...

And three-and-a-half short, yet power-packed years later, Jesus hits a different Big 3-0. It is the Wednesday of Holy Week, and the day that Judas sought to betray Jesus. One translation reads Judas "covenanted with" the priests for thirty pieces of silver. I found that to be very interesting given that the only way out of a covenant was death. Thirty pieces of silver. The price of about a month's wages, according to some. The price of betrayal, according to ALL.

Most of us have been betrayed at one time or another. It's especially hurtful when it's a family member or trusted friend AND it usually comes as a great shock to us. Wouldn't you agree?  However, Jesus - who knew Judas would be His betrayer - knelt before Judas and washed his feet, and sat at the dinner table with him and shared a meal. Loving in anticipation of it. Loving in the execution of it. Love poured out to cover the multitude of sins.

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for Your plan of salvation. Thank You for the redemption from our sin-soaked lives. Cause us to be ever mindful that apart from Your grace and mercy, we don't have a prayer. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Playing It Safe

“The servant given one thousand said, ‘Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent.’

“The master was furious. ‘That’s a terrible way to live! It’s criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest.
Matthew 25:24-27 The Message

If you knew it was your last day to speak wisdom and truth to those you love, what would you say? What words would you leave with them that would and could and should make the difference in how they live out their days? Have you ever thought about that?

Jesus spent the day teaching from morning until night. He reminded them of His impending death AND His return. He instructed them to be watchful of the signs. He taught about being prepared for the day of His return. And in our Promise for Today passage, He teaches us to use well what God has given us. It's not about how much we have; it's about how we use what He has given us because we will all give an accounting come Judgement Day. Scary, hunh?

Jesus gave it ALL for our salvation. What He asks when we return to Him is that we give what HE gave us to begin with - life. That's not asking too much, is it? And even if it was asking too much, He has the right...

Read what Jesus said at the end of chapter 25, regarding the one man who buried the talent that Christ had given Him.  Matthew 25:28-30, ‘Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most. And get rid of this “play-it-safe” who won’t go out on a limb. Throw him out into utter darkness.’ 

Prayer:

Father,

          Your Word tells us if we try to hang on to life, we will lose it, but if we give up our life for Your sake, You will save us. Please save us, O God! Let us learn from Your example and give it ALL to You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Appearances - It Happened on the Monday

But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway. 

  Then the father told the other son, ‘You go,’ and he said,  ‘Yes, sir, I will.’ But he didn’t go.

  “Which of the two obeyed his father?” They replied, “The first.”

Then Jesus explained his meaning: “I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do.   Matthew 21:28-31 NLT

This was Jesus' teaching on the day following His triumphant entry into Jerusalem - what we refer to as Palm Sunday. If we'd heard this exchange between the father and the first son, many of us would have offered our opinion about parenting such disobedience, and how to fix it Texas style - quick, fast and in a hurry.

This is one more illustrated sermon of God looking at the heart of a person rather than what is seen on the outside. I believe He was trying to drive home the point to His disciples before the nails were driven home. 

It's not so much what we do when people are watching. If we'd taken this parable at face value with one son saying no way and the other agreeing to go, we'd have gotten it all wrong. 

Do we do the same thing?  Do our hearts convict us? Do we hear AND obey? Do we reason ourselves into obedience or into rebellion? 

It's Monday following Palm Sunday - how does your Monday appear to have gone?

Prayer:

Father,

          Let our hearts and minds be renewed in You so that they ALWAYS override our poor choices - especially those made for appearances' sake. Help us, O God! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

* Palm Sunday

Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;
it was our sorrows that weighed him down.
And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
a punishment for his own sins!
But he was pierced for our rebellion,
crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.
All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the Lord laid on him
the sins of us all.
Isaiah 53:4-6 (New Living Translation)

It is the beginning of what is commonly known as Holy Week; yet there is nothing common about it. Do you know the story? Do you ken what Christ for God did for us?

Prayer:

Father,

How can we ever thank You enough? The answer is simple... we can not. We want to go where You want us to go, Lord. We want to do what You would have us do. We want to fulfill Your expectation of us; the plan You have for each of our lives. Help us, O God, our Lord and Redeemer. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Practice Makes Perfect

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:8-9 NLT

Have you ever driven down an old dirt road that was full of ruts - some of them so deep you thought they could serve Chinese take-out in them? You might have wanted to go one way, but the ruts took you their way. It's difficult to maneuver out of deep ruts, but it's not impossible.

Did you know that ruts are a good analogy for how life patterns and habits form paths in our brains? Tasting a new food - learning a new language - new exercises - all new things form a type of memory rut in our brain. And each time we repeat the new thing, the deeper the rut is formed in our brain. 

Do you remember the first time you parked in front of a typewriter (dating myself) or keyboard? Did the layout of the alphabet make any sense to you at all? Of course not, but now we type without even thinking about where the letters are. Your fingers know because the paths have been cut deep into your brain through all those timed tests and hours of practice. Keystrokes that were once unfamiliar and not comfortable. They don't happen easily unless we practice. We can accomplish some level of skill with most things that we practice.

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to grouse, gripe and grumble? Carp, complain and criticize? Sometimes it's so stinking easy that you catch yourself in the middle of doing it before you even realize you started. I hate it when that happens. Wouldn't it be just as easy to look for the good in something rather than the bad? Wouldn't it be just as easy to smile as smirk? Wouldn't it be easier to love our neighbors as ourselves if we looked for gifts instead of guilt? If we made a practice of giving instead of goading? Oh, I know, I know... that's HARD! All things that are unfamiliar are not comfortable - they don't happen easily unless we practice... It's difficult to maneuver out of deep ruts, but it's not impossible. We can even form new ones when we wet the soil. 

Practice mercy. Practice kindness. Let's wet the soil of our rutted souls with the water of the Word of God so we may go in a new direction. According to Galatians 5:22-24, Practice producing the gifts of the Holy Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.

Yessiree, practice makes perfect. Are you ready? And a one and a two...

Prayer:

Father,

         Your Word tells us we have the mind of Christ. Help us to fix our thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Cause us to think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Remind us to keep putting into practice all we've learned and received from You—everything we've heard from Your Son and have seen Him do, so that we may dwell in Your peace.  In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Can't Argue with That

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.
Galatians 5:16-17 NLT

I remember a particular time when my life was an illustrated sermon of this Scripture passage. I had an appointment where I had to interact with a technician. For a moment, I couldn't make up my mind whether I was going to write "forced me" or "allowed me to interact" but in all reality, it was both. At the beginning, I felt forced. 

I can't explain it, but the minute the person opened her mouth, it went right to my last nerve and I was irritated. I wanted to be judge, jury and executioner, but felt the nudge in my heart to hold my tongue. To just be quiet. Hold my peace. I wanted so badly to point out and emphasize each of this person's inefficiencies, but the thought came unbidden, "What would Jesus do in this situation?" and I was reminded about every time God had shown me mercy and offered me grace for mistakes I made when I was trying to do the right thing. How could I argue with that?

In Phase 2 of the interaction, I thought I might get a different tech. No, not a chance. Same person and for the second phase, I was the captive audience for over an hour. While the tech ranted and raved about politics and conspiracy that had nothing to do with the work being done, I was trying to convince God that there was no possible reason I should have to listen to her drivel. I could make it stop. He reminded me of all the times He had listened to me rant and rave about everything and anything. And He reminded me that when I would finally run out of steam, He would speak a Word of Truth to my situation, and I would be changed. Then He graciously topped it off with this passage in Colossians 3, Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. (vv. 12-14 NLT). I definitely could not argue with that.

And sure enough, there came a place in the one-sided conversation, where she asked an open-ended question which then gave me the perfect opportunity to say that my trust is in God, and not in the government. That God alone has the plan and purpose for not only us, but also for all the elections and the world. Next thing you know, she's pouring out her heart about circumstances in her family and God allowed the opportunity for me to speak Truth to her situation. And while I just planted the seeds into her life, I know someone else will come along and water those seeds and God will give the increase because His Word says He will.

Now for good measure to test the battle in my flesh, after I left the facility the second time, the tech called me again to say she'd forgotten to send me for the other part while I was there and asked when I could come back. I wanted to be mad. I really wanted to... but I got a mental image of the seed sown being burned up before it had a chance to root. How do I argue with that?

Reflecting on the day where I spent much of it in battle with myself, I am grateful that God in His great mercy and love provides companions for this journey who point out His goodness and who help to keep me focused on that which truly matters. I am thrilled that I can thank God for the victory He gave instead of suffering the guilt of wounding someone and missing His purpose for today. And while my preference would be a day without battles, His ways are not our ways. And I can't argue with that. 

Prayer:

Father,
          As it is written in Romans 5:3-5, We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly You love us, because You have given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with Your love. Please continue to grow us up in You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Say a Little Prayer?+

Epaphras, a member of your own fellowship and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. He always prays earnestly for you, asking God to make you strong and perfect, fully confident that you are following the whole will of God. I can assure you that he prays hard for you and also for the believers in Laodicea and Hierapolis.
Colossians 4:12 NLT

I read dictionaries. I know, I'm a little strange...okay, a LOT strange, but I love words. Of course, if you've been a Promise follower for very long, you already know that. I like doing word studies with period dictionaries because words don't mean the same as they used to. Have they changed that much? Yes! They have!

Just in today's vernacular - Sick used to mean please pray and call a doctor. Bad used to mean NOT good and involved some kind of correction/punishment, etc. Skinny used to mean the opposite of fat, but now that's spelled PHAT and is another "word" for 'all that' (which is always accompanied by a certain tone and look), and skinny is also a euphemism for information that is not common knowledge about a particular person, place or thing (better known as gossip) depending on what book you use. Are you confused yet?

In the King James version of the Bible, our text today reads Epaphras is always labouring fervently for you in prayers. Fervently comes from the Greek word energeo, meaning to be at work, put forth power.  Do we even associate praying with labor, let alone laboring fervently? So laboring to put forth power for you in prayers...Wow! Any questions about the meaning of this?

Prayer:

Father,
         Strip away the fluff and the stuff and the puffs of hot air that we interpret as prayer. Give our hearts an extreme makeover so that we understand the meaning of fervent prayer and enter into it for one another. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Story Teller

So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors. 

Deuteronomy 11:18-21 NLT

Israel was getting ready to enter into the Promised Land. They had spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness until all the calf-building, idol-worshiping, rebellious generation was dead. Now, God was giving them a new future based on their history- their story - with God.

Moses reminds them in the preceding verses that their children weren’t there to see the miracles and signs God performed in Egypt, nor the discipline and greatness of God’s outstretched arm. This generation of children was not at the Red Sea. They knew nothing prior to the wilderness. Could they even understand the total provision by God for all those people - every day for 40 years - because of His great love and mercy?

Have you ever noticed that when families get together - who haven't been together in a while - how the conversation usually turns to reminiscing? Telling the stories about growing up - the good times and the tough times (tempered by the years) all about how somehow you made it through.

I haven't met a child yet who didn't love a good story. When my daughter was little, she loved to hear stories of "the old days." It gave her a connection. She was the newest member of the family at the time, but she already had a story connection because of being in the family.

As the family of God, we have a story. His story. And children - whether they're ours or baby Christians - need to know how He provided the good times and made provision through the tough times. They need to recognize God by the picture we paint of who He is.

Tell them your story. For you see, we are overcomers by the Blood of the Lamb - Jesus - AND the word of OUR testimony. Which story will you tell?

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You for giving us a story to tell. Give us divine appointments to share our stories of You and Your great love for us. May we tell it at every opportunity provided. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Un-surrendered

The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night. And the Lord did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from its place in front of the people.

Exodus 13:21-22 NLT

When the Israelites left Egypt in a triumphal exodus, it was because they followed the Lord - cloud by day, fire by night. God's plan was to protect them from the heat of the sun during the day (cloud) and protect them from the cold of the wilderness at night (fire) and to lead them into the promised land. 

The original plan was to go across the wilderness, not spend 40 years wandering in it before they got to their destination. However, they decided to take matters into their own hands. They wanted to do it on their own because they didn't like waiting... It's just as bad when we pray, but try to insist that God do it our way. Do you know the rest of the story? Nevertheless, it is important to know that God still took care of them. Air to breathe, shade and warmth, food every day, clothes didn't wear out. 

You may know this story - 

• A Christian is on top of a roof during a great flood. A man comes by in a boat and says "Get in, get in!" The Christian  replies, "No, I have faith in God, He will deliver me." Later the water is up to his waist and another boat comes by and the guy tells him to get in. He responds that he has faith in God and God will deliver him. With the water at about chest high, another boat comes to rescue him, but he turns down the offer again because "God will deliver me." 

With the water at chin high, a helicopter throws down a ladder and they tell him to get on. Mumbling with the water in his mouth, he again turns down the request for help for the faith of God. He drowns. He arrives at the gates of heaven with broken faith and says to Peter, "I thought God would deliver me and I have been let down."

St. Peter shakes his head and responds, "I don't know why you think that! We sent you three boats and a helicopter."

How many times do we miss God's plan and purpose because He didn't do it the way we thought it should be done? Remember, the world missed Christ's first appearance because He didn't come the way they thought He should.

I firmly believe God gives us strength and intelligence to accomplish all that we need to do. I don't know about you, but here's what I must remember to NOT do...

1. I must NOT forget that the strength and intelligence I do possess are not, were not, and will never be of my own doing, and are not given for me to do MY will. 

2. I must NOT only listen to God's leading AFTER I can't do it on my own.

3. I must NOT try to tell God how I want Him to do His role within my parameters. 

God is a loving God. He is omniscient. He WILL let me do it on my own if I insist. Uh... no thanks.  

Prayer:

Father,
           Like Job, I understand - Who am I to question Your wisdom in such ignorance?  I will live to declare Your mighty works. Works that only You can accomplish using those who will follow You in SUBMISSION to Your authority. Keep us ever mindful of this Truth. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Myth Busters

And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
Titus 2:12-14 NLT

MythBusters is an American pop-science TV show that tests the validity of rumors and urban legends that are generally believed to be true. Items such as: 

A penny dropped from a skyscraper lands with enough force to either kill a pedestrian on the sidewalk below or embed itself into the sidewalk.

It is possible to pick up radio signals through a tooth filling.

Holding a large sheet of plywood will slow a fall from a building enough to make it survivable.

All of which have been accepted as believable, but none of which are true, by the way.

With the aid of the Internet, myths and urban legends are detrimentally rampant because lots of people will believe almost anything they read in written form. It's astonishing to discover how often a myth or rumor is widely accepted as truth simply because someone has heard it, read it or said it so many times.

The verses from Titus jumped out at me today. How often do we buy the lie that we'll never be able to overcome a sin in our lives because we believe we were 'born that way' or we've 'always been like this' or 'that's just the way I am' ? Verse 14 declares that Christ gave His life to free us from EVERY kind of sin. I don't see an asterisk that lists any exclusions. It doesn't read 'except for.' 

Let's bust a few myths today, shall we? It doesn't matter how many times you've tried and failed. It doesn't matter how many times someone has proclaimed that you will never be this or that. It doesn't matter how many times you've heard it, read it or said it... The Truth is this. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

God's Truth - His Word - is the original myth buster. Put it to the test. 

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for shining the light of Your Truth in our lives. Help us to understand Your Word and to overcome the myths and rumors and lies about our own lives and about You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* What Will We Give?

Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.
Luke 6:38 NKJV

God is big about giving. As with everything, He set the example. He doesn't say, "I'm snatching your money from you." "I'm taking your tithes." He says, "Bring it..." and then promises to pour out more blessings than we can hold in return. (NEWS FLASH! Blessing does not necessarily mean money! It's a blessing when you stay healthy while coworkers around you are coughing and hacking. It's a blessing when you find the perfect gift and it's on sale. It's also a blessing when your old car just keeps going.)

Whether it's your money, your goods, your time, or your talent - it's not how much you give, it's the attitude in which you give it. Have you ever heard someone say, "How much to make you go away?"  That is not a generous or grateful heart.

Grateful hearts tend to be generous. They understand what it is to have a need and have it met. Philippians 4:6b reads, Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. It doesn't say, "Tell God go get it and wait until AFTER you get it to give thanks" although many times that's the attitude we see. People who say, I prayed and I didn't get it, and then they want to stop praying ever again. It's like a spoiled brat who throws a tantrum when he doesn't get what he wants.

God knows the difference between want and need, good and bad, right and wrong, and because He IS love and loves US, He will not trade our needs for our wants, or give us bad for our good, wrong for the right.

Scripture tells us that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of lights. Good and perfect gifts. Given to us from God. Our example. What will we give? What measure will we use? Our best? Or whatever it takes to make Him or others go away?

Prayer:

Father,
         Let us give good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over - with a cheerful disposition - and all for Your glory, not ours. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Two Out of Three

So why do you call me 'Lord' when you won't obey me? But all those who come and listen and obey me are like a man who builds a house on a strong foundation and upon the underlying rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against the house, it stands firm, for it is strongly built. But those who listen and don't obey are like a man who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it crumbles into a heap of ruins.
Luke 6:46-49 The Living Bible

We don't like to lose. How many times have you said, "Okay, best two outta three?" When we do, about 1% of the time, we're showing mercy on the opponent who lost the first time (usually a child), but 99% of the time, it's because WE lost the first time and we don't like to lose.

As a nation, we think two out of three is good enough. Tennis matches are comprised of three sets. Two out of three wins. Any competition where more than one game is played, it's often the best two out of three. Elections, government ordinances, proposals are all won or lost by a two-thirds vote. Two-thirds is considered a majority - enough to win. And as a general rule of thumb, we think doing enough is good.

What's my point?

Two out of three is NOT enough in God's government. I'm not into numerology or anything like it, but understand what I'm about to say. Three represents completion in the Word of God. On the third day... Father, Son and Holy Spirit, these three are one... just a couple of examples. There are many others you will find when you study it out.

In God's kingdom, we don't win with two out of three. Our Scripture today clearly defines three - all those who (1) come and (2) listen and (3) obey... We want to come and listen, but we don't know about that obey thing. It's not convenient. That takes commitment and usually affects our finances or cuts into our leisure time. 

Isn't it enough that I come to church and listen?
No, it's not.

Jesus said, So why do you call me 'Lord' when you won't obey me? We don't have the right to call Him Lord if we don't obey. So... best two outta three? You're going down...

It's all or nothing. Ask Jesus.

Prayer:

Father,
In a day and age when enough is considered good, please redirect our values. Birth and mature in us Your Kingdom principles. We know You gave all for us and we praise You for it and give You honor and glory. We want to give You all. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.