Whose Authority

But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”
Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”
But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.”
Exodus 4:10-13 NLT

We know Moses as a friend of God. The great leader who led the Israelites out of Egypt. The man who spoke face to face with God and lived... but he was a coward to start with. He didn't say, "Send someone else." Moses said, "Send ANYONE else." When we pick up his story in our text for today, he's already spent the last 20 verses trying to get out of God's assignment for his life.

Moses had authority issues - coming and going. Can you relate to any of that? I know I can.

It's a complex issue, stemming from two things, that really boil down to one: how well do you know your authority? God tells you what He wants you to do, then all of a sudden, YOU are the complete authority on every bad thing you've ever done in your life, or even thought about doing. You are flamingly aware of every weakness in your character, every flaw of any kind, and suddenly your chronic lack of focus becomes zeroed in and these failings are all that you can see. That's what Moses was doing. "No, God, I can't do what You just said. Oh, I can herd sheep, but not people. Sheep don't care if I stutter or mess up my words and besides, I'm out here on the back side of the mountain, nobody can hear me or see me. But go to Pharaoh? The wealthiest man in the country - the most powerful man? The one that wants to kill me? You want me to go talk to him?"

How many excuses do you think were on Moses' list of why he couldn't do what God told him to do? (I wonder how it compares to mine... or perhaps, yours?)

The other side of that is this - At the beginning, Moses did not know his authority (God) well enough. If he had understood God for who God really is - would Moses have argued or would he have immediately told Jethro, "I have to go. I have to lead God's people out of Egypt"? If he knew God well enough to know that God is indeed trustworthy and able to do whatever He says He will do, would Moses have recognized that he had the whole authority of Heaven and marched right out of that valley?

We must recognize and understand that OUR own limitations in NO WAY limit or prevent God's ability. He is well able to fulfill His purpose for our lives, if we'll take time to know Him and by faith, believe His Word. If we don't know God as our Authority, and know Him well enough to know that His words are trustworthy and true, then we will never know or recognize the authority given to us by His Word. 

Ephesians 2:10 NLT tells us, We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. [emphasis mine] That's the authority we have to walk in to accomplish what He has assigned to us.

Prayer:

Father:
           Help us to recognize the absolute power of You and to walk in the power of Your might, so that we will fulfill Your purpose for our lives. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Drawing a Crowd

Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. 

Matthew 15:30 NIV

Everywhere Jesus went, He drew a crowd. It didn't matter where He went. By the sea, they crowded Him into a boat. In the Temple, on the mountain, and even when He tried to get away into the countryside by Himself, they flocked to Him and He took pity on them. Jesus healed all their diseases and wound up feeding thousands.

What do you think drew them to Jesus? His love? His compassion? His miracles? Wanting to see the supernatural? Were they looking for answers? Relief from their personal suffering? Probably all of those things. And more than likely, there were those who were just following the crowd. 

Not all of them loved Him. Not all of them believed He was the Messiah, the only begotten Son of God. And yet, He ministered to all of them. He loved all of them. He healed them.

What drew us to Christ? Truly TO Him and not just hanging around Him.  Do we still have the fervor of our first love with Him? If not, why not? If not, let's ask the Holy Spirit to expose whatever it is that has caused the separation. Let God's Word - His living Word - be established in our lives. Jeremiah 24:7 NIV, I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart. 

If we have Jesus living large in us, do they see His love and His compassion in us? Are we pointing them to the Cross and His saving grace and mercy? We might not draw a crowd, but are we drawing those within our sphere of influence? 

Prayer:

Father,

          According to Your Word, Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Most Important

You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
Psalm 139:13 NLT

Well, I'm home from the hospital, praise God!! Thank you to those who prayed for me and to those who girded me with your strength. I thank God for you!

One of my co-workers has a sign on her desk that reads, We’re put on this earth to accomplish a certain number of tasks. Right now, I’m so far behind, I will never die. I have to admit, I had that same sign on my desk at a previous job. We joke about which drawers to empty and burn if something happened to either of us.

Even though we joke about it, people don’t like to think of it and definitely don’t like to speak of it. None of us knows the day or the hour our life will end. One important truth about that is we ARE put on this earth to accomplish the plan God created for our lives, but there IS a time limit. I was reminded of that as I was verifying my insurance benefits choices, including beneficiaries. I realized I needed to inform my beneficiaries of their benefits.

You know, we have the ability to make choices that determine how and what the benefits will be when we die…for those we leave behind AND for ourselves. Thankfully, I have decent life insurance. But most importantly, I have perfect life ASSURANCE - John 3:16, For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

James 4:14 NLT tells us, How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.

Without Jesus, there is no Life and that’s the most important thing for my beneficiaries - and for YOU - to know!

Prayer:

Father,
           Help us focus to redeem the time You have given us. Help us to make eternal differences for those You have put in our lives. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

An Explanation

Dear Friends in Christ,

I haven't written, because I was admitted to the hospital yesterday. I hope to be released in the next day or so. I am doing this on my "semi" smart phone, but it is quite the challenge, with the IV in the back of my phone-typing hand, so I hope you will check back with me. Until then, I will borrow from a clip I saw from Beth Moore.

Jesus loves me.
God is good.
He's still on the throne.
This will turn out well.
I choose to trust Him in it.

In Jesus' Name

Can You See It from There?

Jesus responded, Didn't I tell you that you would see God's glory if you believe?
John 11:40 NLT

One of the best things about renting a place to stay at the beach is the view. Case in point, how many times do we hear or read the words "Ocean Front Property" or "Ocean View" when looking to rent or buy a place near the water? When considering a place to stay, I want pictures. I want to know what kind of view I'm going to enjoy...but sometimes, things are not always as they appear.

Several years back, when a dear friend came to visit, I found a cottage in Galveston that was advertised for rent and the price was comparable to a hotel, but the real selling point was the view in the picture. It sold both of us. It was beautiful and I just knew it was going to be wonderful.

When we arrived, it was later than we'd thought it would be and it was already dark, so we groped for a light switch to the back entrance (the only entrance), climbed 14 steps to the door and had to make several trips up and down those 14 steps to carry luggage, etc. Not very convenient...and at night, no perfect view to motivate us. I had worked all week and my friend had been at a great, but grueling, conference for 3 days.

I thought to myself, "Hmmm, a hotel would have had an elevator...and coffee already made...and a place to eat with food someone else would prepare...what was I thinking?" But I gave myself a mental shake once we were up there to stay. We talked for just a little bit while making up the beds (which in a hotel would have already been done), and when we were finished, fell into bed exhausted.

In the palest light of morning, created more by the lack of night than the light of day, I finally got up. I was still tired - sleeping on a futon is definitely for college students and kids. I started the coffee, enjoying the aroma of Mountain Grown Coffee and walked out to the deck. It was then I forgot about groping for a light switch to illuminate the way to a door I knew was there somewhere in the dark. I forgot about the multiple trips up and down those 14 steps to carry the luggage and stuff I thought I needed for the trip. I forgot about elevators and already-made beds... 

Spread out before me was a view by the original Artist who created beautiful. I wanted to somehow capture the serenity, the essence of its peace, the beauty of The View from the deck of that cottage. I wanted to be able to paint it, and I can't even draw...

For the three mornings we were there, I soaked up every moment of that view.  However, I discovered that when I was on ground level, the view was obstructed. There were a couple palm trees and a partially-covered pier and sometimes a shrimp boat that obscured the clear outlook, but when I went up higher to the deck, I could see for miles.

What does that have to do with our Promise for Today? In our text, Martha's brother was dead. He'd been dead for four days. Jesus had said it would be okay, but Martha was looking at ground level.
"Helloooooo, he's dead - four days now! Do You have any idea how BAD he's gonna smell? I mean, come on, how can You do anything with something that dead?"

Jesus responded, "Didn't I tell you that you would see God's glory if you believe?" 

Often times, our view of life is just like Martha's. We only see the dark, the hard climb ahead of us, the struggle when we're tired, the obstacles we have to go around, the death of someone or something we love... Scripture repeatedly encourages us to come up higher, to look up. It is only by looking to Jesus, by coming away from the world and spending time with Him on higher ground that we are able to rise above the circumstances of life and see the view where He is... Can you see it from where you're standing?

Prayer:

Father,
          Forgive us for being shortsighted, for the times we only see what is directly in front of us. Thank You for being the Lifter of our heads, according to Your Word. Thank You for re-directing our view. We want to see You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Let's Be Reasonable

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
Romans 12:1 NKJV

I had a conversation with a friend who mentioned the struggles he is experiencing with a particular project and how it seemed to be ongoing. He presented it laughingly, but it was obvious he wanted some relief. He said his wife told him God was developing patience in his life like He did with Peter. His response was, "I told her, Peter didn't have to deal with this..."

I quipped, "You're right, he didn't. But he was inverted and crucified, so I guess we could get an upside-down crucifixion arranged for you, if you think that would be easier to deal with." Let's just say I'm not the author of the book, How to Win Friends and Influence People.

According to our Scripture for today, we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice... Wait a minute. Doesn't sacrifice include fire and burning meat? Let's face it. We all like grilling, but not if WE are the sacrifice. When God puts me to the test and I make a comment like my friend made, my sister asks, "Hmmm... do I smell barbecue? Something's burning..." Clearly, SHE is not the author, either, of How to Win Friends and Influence People.

The Bible tells us we are to be holy and acceptable to God. How? How do we do that - holy AND acceptable? Scripture tells us in Romans 14:17-18, ... for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. Righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Notice this is not a multiple choice statement. It does not read righteousness OR peace OR joy in the Holy Spirit. It's a package deal. Holy AND acceptable! Righteousness AND peace AND joy in the Holy Spirit! How in the world do we do that?!?

By the mercies of God. Now, THAT's reasonable...

Prayer:

Father,
           By Your mercies, which are new every morning, we present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto You, which is our reasonable service. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Not Enough Hours (re-posted by request)

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 5:15-16 NKJV

How many times have you heard the phrase - There aren't enough hours in the day...? I've said it myself, more often than I care to admit. In fact, I used to try to convince God I needed at least 2 more hours in a day, that if He would make it so I only needed 4 hours sleep to be good that would work better for me. He didn't buy it.

Have you ever stopped to think about how many hours there are in a week?  Seven days of 24 hours equals 168... 168 hours. I don't know too many people who actually sleep a full 8 hours, but we'll use that as the norm. If I sleep 8 hours a night, that's 56 hours a week. Subtract that from 168 and I have 112 hours left. That's okay. If I work 50 hours a week, that leaves me with 62 discretionary hours...

62 hours a week - not accounted for. That's two whole days, plus 14 more hours. When was the last time you remember having two whole days' worth of hours, plus 14 more to be used at your discretion? Okay, even if you work 60 hours a week, you still have 52 hours, which is still more than two days. Whether or not we remember them, that's what we have. The numbers don't lie.

What do we do with those hours? Why don't we think we have enough? If we divide 62 by 7, it equals 8.86 hours a day... If hours are the currency of our lives, how are we spending our lives?

Prayer:

Father,

           Strike this truth deep into our spirits. Help us to be better stewards of the time You've given us. May that time be spent wisely, in a worthwhile manner, and not wasted. Cause us to be AWARE of this. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

We'll See

And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.
Exodus 14:13 NKJV

How many times a day do you suppose a child will ask for something? And if you take them to a store of any kind, you know that number will at least triple, right? When my kids were little, they learned early on that when I said, "No" it was exactly what I meant. So, you can imagine my surprise when my then three-year-old son said to me one day after I'd said no, "Don't say 'no', Mama. Say 'we'll see'." He had realized that "we'll see" meant there was a possibility that it might eventually be a 'yes'.

I was reminded of that episode this morning when listening again to the passage of Moses and the children of Israel being caught between the armies of Pharaoh and the Red Sea. How often do we find ourselves in situations where there seems to be no way out? Have we enough faith to stand still and see what God will do? Do we know for sure? We say we have faith, but do we relegate God to the same level of "we'll see" - that maybe He will, maybe He won't?

We know how the chapter ends, But the people of Israel had walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, as the water stood up like a wall on both sides. That is how the Lord rescued Israel from the hand of the Egyptians that day. And the Israelites saw the bodies of the Egyptians washed up on the seashore. Ex. 14:29,30 NLT. Their enemies thoroughly defeated.

They were able to see past the probability of death to SEE the salvation of the Lord, as Moses had declared. Lends a whole new meaning to "We'll see", doesn't it?

Prayer:

Father,
Sometimes it feels as though we're facing the Red Sea and are surrounded by the enemy. Today, we stand and declare Your Word from Psalm 27, We are confident we will see the Lord’s goodness while we are here in the land of the living. We will wait patiently for You, Lord. We will be brave and courageous. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Acceptable

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.
Romans 12:1 NLT

Who said it would be easy? Did someone say that being a Christian would make life a breeze? What part of "sacrifice" do we not understand?

Oh, we know Christ gave His life as the once-and-for-all sacrifice for our sins. We know that. Right? Do we think it was easy because He is the Christ? Do we think it was easy because He is God's Son and He knew He would be resurrected and come back to life?  Do we think He was being glib when He said, No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily...? (John 10:18) Do we remember how Scripture tells us, He fell on His face and prayed, "If it be possible, let this cup pass from Me..." (Matthew 26:39 NKJV)

Sacrifice is not convenient. It's not fun. It means we're going to be denied something we really want or forfeit something we already have or give up something we value highly. And it may very well involve some sort of pain and/or suffering.

Were the stripes on His back convenient for Him? And yet He took them willingly to pay for our healing and our peace. Isaiah 53:5 reads, But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Did anyone hear Him whine about it? Is there anywhere that it's recorded, I gotta do this for them and that for them 'cause God is telling me I have to...I have no choice... 
Listen, it's not an acceptable sacrifice if we're whining about it.

We always have a choice, as did Jesus. He chose to live a life of sacrifice. He could have chosen convenience. He could have called 10,000 angels, but He chose to do the Father's will. Can we do any less and still be acceptable?

Prayer:

Father,
        Let our lives be a sweet-smelling sacrifice of praise and worship. By Your Grace, in Your Strength, not ours, help us to be all You've called us to be. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Thirsty

O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You;  My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water.
So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. 

Psalm 63:1-2

I believe I heard my roses gasping for water this morning... In a Houston summer - from May to almost October - ANYONE who's ever lived here could give the weather report, no matter what age they are, as long as they can talk. Hot and humid today, with a chance of scattered thunderstorms. Heat index around 104 by midafternoon. Drink plenty of water and stay cool, as much as possible. Good instruction, to be sure. We must keep our bodies hydrated.

What about our spirit man? Is our spirit hydrated with the water of the Word or are we trying to get by with whatever splashes on us from elsewhere? Are we dying of thirst? Can you point someone to the Eternal Fountain?

Prayer:

Father,
         Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

*The Way I Am

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. You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them.

Titus 2:12-15a NLT

“I was born this way.”

“I’ve always been like this.”

“That’s just the way I am!”

We’ve all heard these statements at one time or another…probably from our own mouths. Usually as an excuse for our behavior. Although one or more may be factual, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, these statements no longer have anything to do with you. "Used to be" don't live here any more...

You may have been “born that way” – but as a follower of Christ, you have been born again. For starters, let's look at 2^nd Corinthians 5:17 NLT, This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

And if you’ve “always been like this” – then it’s high time for a transformation. Romans 12: 1-2 NKJV, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

There’s no time left to excuse our acceptance and tolerance of any of our ways that are not God’s ways. The Great I AM did not make excuses for us – He made provision for us through the Cross and the Blood of His Son. According to Scripture, we are called to do no less. 

Matthew 10:38, If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine.

Mark 8:34, Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.

So much for “that's just the way I am”… How about we do it The Way of the Great I AM?

Prayer:

Father,
          Shine Your Light of Truth in our lives. Expose the dangerous deceptions in the guise of acceptance and tolerance. Forgive us for the complacency we have allowed in our lives. Help us learn to righteously wield the Sword of Truth in our lives. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Who's Building Your Weapons?

Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.

We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.

But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.

People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! 

James 3:2-10 NLT

Think about your words of today. Were they blessing or cursing? Edifying or executing? Grateful or grousing? Did you only see what was wrong or did you actively search for what was meant for your good? 

Lisa Bevere says, "What you don't understand is that the enemy is trying to form a weapon against you. And the equipment and the tools he needs to actually put that weapon together, you give him with every single, negative word that comes out of your mouth. Before those words come out of your mouth, the enemy doesn't have the tools he needs to build that weapon against you. We hand them [to him] every single time we speak cursing instead of blessing out of our mouth. On the flip side, Scripture tells us the Lord watches over His word to perform it. So, you've got to make a decision. Do you want to give the enemy something to work with, or do you want to give the Lord something to work with?" What's coming out of your mouth? 

Who do you want building YOUR weapons?

Prayer:

Father,

          According to Psalm 141, Post a guard at my mouth, God, set a watch at the door of my lips.
Don’t let me so much as dream of evil or thoughtlessly fall into bad company. And these people who only do wrong— don’t let them lure me with their sweet talk! May the Just One set me straight, may the Kind One correct me, Don’t let sin anoint my head. I’m praying hard against their evil ways! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Help Me! The Cry of My Heart

Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me. For I cried out to him for help, praising him as I spoke. If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer. Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer  or withdraw his unfailing love from me.
Psalm 66:16-20 NLT

Help me!! I'm supposed to be going through the accumulation of STUFF and purging. I thought I would start with my office here at the house... I'll just tell you straight up - I'm not good at purging. However, I am very good at accumulating STUFF! I'm also very good at stuffing it into drawers or boxes. 

I've spent the last 3 hours going through cards, letters, old bills, old newspaper articles... a sales ad! Really?!? Most of it, I can recycle or shred, but right in the middle of it, some old family pictures. I don't know how they got mixed in with all that.  Stuffing the stuff...

In the course of it, I happened upon some great and some not-so-great memories, but in my heart, I "visited" some of the milestones and landmarks of my life. God is so good! I am grateful to be able to remember, and I am grateful that I have the advantage of age to look back with an attitude of gratitude for all God has brought me through!  At times like this, I always go back to what turned my life around and brought me to God, and I just felt like tonight, I wanted to share it again.

For me, it was this song.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBOIG8QoA9s.  Larry Gatlin wrote it and recorded it with Kris Kristofferson in 1972. I bought the record then, but didn't listen to Help Me until somewhere around 1980. A brief history of me at that time - paycheck on Friday, go to the bank, go to the liquor store, be drunk all weekend, sober up enough on Sunday to go to work on Monday. Be sick till Wednesday. Be good on Thursday, and start all over again on Friday. Broken. I was so broken... 

This is my testimony - the shortened version. I'd been raised in church by a mother who tried, but I decided at 16 that I could never be good enough (I didn't know about God's amazing grace), so I walked away. By the time I listened to the entire song of Help Me, (ten years later), I was desperate. I needed to get back to God, but couldn't find my way. I'd forgotten how to pray. I couldn't bring myself to even try to talk to God after all I'd done in a decade of debauchery. That's when I found the 45rpm record in my collection for the final time and actually listened to it all the way through for the FIRST time. God used my favorite singer to throw me a lifeline. 

I am convinced that God gave that song to Larry Gatlin for me. It was the prayer of my life - for my life, of exactly where I was, and exactly what I needed. 

If this resonates with you, let me tell you this. You're never too far gone. You've never done more than God will forgive. Jesus has already willingly paid the price for your soul. His grace truly IS amazing. God loves you and He will use everything at His command to get to you. Just let Him know you realize you need help.

Prayer:

Father,
           I pray for the one reading this right now who needs Your saving grace. Please reveal Yourself in a very personal way so they know it's You. Save souls, heal their mind, body and spirit, and set them free from those things that tie them in knots, Father. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Wisdom's Benefits

For only the godly will live in the land, and those with integrity will remain in it.

Proverbs 2:21 NLT

Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom!  From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair,  and you will find the right way to go. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy.

Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted. 

Proverbs 2: 1-11 NLT

Prayer:

Father,

       Your Word instructs us to ask You for wisdom if we don't have it. So we come before You and ask for it, because You promised that You would give it to us and not chastise us for doing so. We know when we ask that our faith must be in You alone - according to Your Word. And so it is, Lord. We're not wavering. Our loyalty and trust is in You alone. We will not be unsettled as the waves of the sea, tossed and blown by the wind. Give us Your wisdom, O God! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Fix Your Mind

For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].
Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you.
Philippians 4:8-9 The Amplified Bible

We're a nation of worriers by our human nature. Talk radio and reality TV - all designed to get us lathered up and worried, and then to get us talking about what's worrying us, and what YOU should be worried about if you really understood what's going on in the world. 

I know what's going on in the world. Let me break it down for you...

2nd Timothy 3: beginning with verse 1,  You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.  They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! 

Sound familiar? We get sucked into the world's philosophy and its way of dealing with life and its challenges, and we forget that the Word clearly tells us we live in this world, but we are not of it. We are citizens of a kingdom whose Builder and Maker is God! We are not to be governed in our spirit by what is not of God. So fix your mind on the things of God ...whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things - and it will fix your mind.

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You for renewing our minds in You. Keep us ever focused on those things which are important to our life with You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

The Good, the Bad and the Truth

And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. For it is my Father's will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.
John 6:39-40 NLT

How do you know you can trust someone? For me, it's when I can trust that person to tell me the Truth even when they think I won't like it. Otherwise, I can't trust the good things they tell me. You can't have one without the other. By that same token, how can you believe someone when they say they love you, unless they love you enough to tell you the truth? Of course, keep in mind the Scripture tells us to speak the Truth in love - it doesn't say beat someone with it.

Scripture is written so we know good and bad. We know how to overcome the bad and live the good because God told us. The same God who instructed the writer of Hebrews to say, it is appointed once unto man to die, also said if we accept Him as our Savior, we will have life everlasting. How can we know life everlasting unless we've known death? He also promised, I will raise them up at the last day. How can we be raised up unless we have gone down? How can we appreciate hope unless we understand despair?

The truth of the matter is, nobody likes what we define as the bad things in life. But life isn't life without the good and the bad. Do you believe the Bible? Do you believe all of it, or just the feel good Scriptures? Realistically, the Truth of the Word is the whole Truth, whether or not we believe it, and whether or not we like it... because God truly loves us.

Prayer:

Father,
         Thank You for the law that shows us our sin and our need for a Savior. Thank you for Your Son who laid down His life to deliver us from that sin to eternal life. Thank You for Your promises that tell us even though we are dead, yet we shall live again forever in glory with You. Open the eyes of those who are seeking Your Truth. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Getting Together for a Little One-on-One

I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one.
John 17:20-22 NLT

We all look forward to one-on-one time with someone we love - be it spouse, child or best friend. Time with no one else around. Not having to share their time or attention with anyone else - or for that matter - YOUR time and attention with anyone else. Just you and whoever. And there are those that we will go out of our way to make time for when they want it. As a general rule of thumb, it's not something that happens by chance. We have to plan it. Make time for it. Put it on the calendar. And if your schedule is busy, you have to guard it to make sure it happens because it is SOOOOOO worth it. Don't you agree?

Have you ever wished you could have a one-on-one with someone you respect, but don't know personally? I've thought about that a few times - how I'd like to sit down with a certain person over a meal or good coffee and just visit with them one-on-one. Pick their brain. Find out what they were thinking when they did this or that.

This morning, I was thinking about all the things that are going on around me and wondering how I could possibly make the time to see the people I need to see, let alone the ones I just WANT to see. Then I was reminded that I'm not omniscient, and I wasn't created to be omniscient. I was, however, created to be eternal. I was created to serve the Lord God. And yet, every moment of every day, God Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth, is willing to have One-on-one time with me... and YOU.  He wants it. We were created for His purpose, not our own.

Don't lie to yourself. You are NOT saving God any time or doing Him any favors or leaving Him free to do other "more important things" by NOT having YOUR One-on-one with Him. If we will go OUT of our way to make time for someone here on Earth, shouldn't we stay IN His chosen way to have time with Him? There isn't anything or anyone more important.

Prayer:

Father,
           Forgive us for all the times we put You off. Open our eyes of understanding to see the Truth of what we're doing when we do that. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Can You See?

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 1:8 NKJV

It was a rushed morning after a restless night. Not quite together, I went out the door without my glasses…which I didn’t discover until I arrived at the office. Normally, I have an extra pair of readers every place I park for more than 15 minutes, but for some reason, I didn't have an extra pair there. I couldn't quite see clearly. So…I was straining to see what was in front of me – trying to make it bigger, bolder – lending a whole new meaning to “Let’s MAGNIFY the word...”  

Getting through the day, I was reminded of the email that goes around with all the mixed up letters in the text. The first and last letters are the only ones in their correct place, and all the middle letters are mixed up. At first, it appears to be unreadable, we can’t see what’s in the middle, but when we really look at it - taking in the beginning and the end – it puts the whole thing into perspective and we are able to understand.

Our walk with God is much the same way. Sometimes, we don’t see clearly. But Christ is our Alpha and Omega – our beginning and our end, even if the middle sometimes doesn’t seem to make much sense. However, when we know our beginning and our end, He puts everything into perspective and we are able to understand.

Prayer:

Father,

         Help us to see through Your eyes. Help us to see that we don’t have to get hung up in the middle because You already were. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

The Seed of a Miracle

So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.
Psalm 78:7 NLT

I love reading about the miracles recorded in God's Word, don't you? It's exciting and a little terrifying to think of one million Israelites crossing on dry land through the parted waters of the sea. Think about facing a giant with a sling and a few stones. Aaron's rod - a dead stick that blossomed and produced almonds overnight (normally a 6-8 month process). An iron axe head that floated. Feeding thousands with just a few loaves and a some fish - and have leftovers! Not to mention, blind eyes and deaf ears opened. The dead raised to life. Too many to list here! 

We are quick to ask God for a miracle; we know without doubt when we're in need of one, but have we ever really thought about miracles? Miracles are more than blessings. I'm not talking about winning a lottery kind of thing. I'm referring to a supernatural intervention from God when we are in crisis. 

Did you ever stop to realize that ALL miracles begin with a problem? And that many come with a great test of our faith? Do we know what His Word says specifically about the situation? Will we remain faithful to God and to His Word when a miracle doesn't take place in our desired time frame? Do we dare to believe God - no matter what? 

Is His Word ALIVE in us - in hearts that are prepared as good soil before Him? Not hardened, not dry. Let us also remember that it doesn't matter how much we water if there's no seed in the soil. 

Prayer:

Father, 
          Keep us ever mindful that we must build each other up in our most holy faith, praying in the power of the Holy Spirit, awaiting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring us eternal life. Father, we want to be safe in Your love. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Do Something

Give freely and spontaneously. Don’t have a stingy heart. The way you handle matters like this triggers God, your God’s, blessing in everything you do, all your work and ventures. There are always going to be poor and needy people among you. So I command you: Always be generous, open purse and hands, give to your neighbors in trouble, your poor and hurting neighbors.
Deuteronomy 15:10-11 The Message

Galveston. If you do a Google search, it's all about the hotels and vacation rentals and attractions and events. And yet, I didn't find anything about the event I attended today - one that takes place every week. Same time, same location. 21st Avenue and Winnie Street, 8am-9am, on Saturday morning. 

It's an outside event - on a back parking lot, actually. Several canopies set up, a few benches. There are those who pull in and unload their tables and boxes, then park on the street. Promptly at 8am, Rick starts addressing the motley group that assembles every week. He talks for about 20 minutes or so, appeals for a response, then they serve breakfast, and invite the attendees to the tables laden with various wares. At first glance, it looks like it could be an outdoor flea market. There might even have been a few fleas... 

If you give it more than the perfunctory glance, you will recognize those who are up against hard times, some are in dire straits. All are in need - including the ones behind the tables. I wanted to fix all of it. The truth is, I cannot, but I can do something, which of course, reminded me of Matthew West's great song, "Do Something" (see link below). Actually, we can ALL do something.

No, we can't fix it all. I don't believe that we can in our lifetime because Jesus said, There are always going to be poor and needy people among you.  But don't let that stop you, because then He said, So I command you: ALWAYS be generous, open purse and hands, give to your neighbors in trouble, your poor and hurting neighbors. [emphasis mine]

Your budget may be really tight, I know mine is at times, but let me give you an idea. Where I live, just $10 will buy enough peanut butter, grape jelly and bread to make 40 sandwiches. Or it could buy 64 bottles of water and 12 packs of peanut butter or cheese crackers. $5 will buy water and multiple snacks at a dollar store. $1 - just one - will buy 6 individual packs of peanut butter or cheese crackers. If you could have seen the gratitude for a pack of snack crackers...

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 6:38 The Message).  

Do Something
(Click on it for the link to the song.)

Prayer:

Father,
         Give us divine appointments to be generous with all that You have provided.  Let good will, good seed and the Good News of Your Gospel be sown in the lives of those we touch. In Jesus' Name we pray.  Amen

Years

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

You've been praying for how long? Believing since when? Have you forgotten about it? Given up? DON'T! 

You think it's too late, too long? It's NEVER too late with God. Do you need proof? 

Okay. Abraham and Sarah. Abraham was 100 years old when Sarah conceived and she was 90! Think about just the reality of those numbers.  Abraham still believed God's promise even though they'd been waiting for years! Genesis 18:14, Is anything too difficult for the Lord?

God's covenant promises do not wear out or become less over the course of time. You need more proof? Rainbows are a sign of His covenant and when were they created? In the days of Noah! How many years ago was that - and yet I know we've all seen rainbows in our lifetime.

Breathe new life into those prayers of salvation for your loved ones. Keep believing and thanking God with the faith He has given you. He hasn't forgotten. And after all, He is a God of miracles and He keeps His promises.

Prayer:

Father,
         Your Word is alive and powerful! It does not diminish. Just as Isaiah prophesied, it does not return to You empty, but will accomplish what You desire and achieve the purpose for which You sent it. We choose to believe every Word You have spoken, and give You praise and honor for them. Send a fresh anointing to stand steadfast in our faith. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Getting Along

May the Master of Peace himself give you the gift of getting along with each other at all times, in all ways. May the Master be truly among you!

2nd Thessalonians 3:16 The Message

There’s a prayer that has made numerous trips around the Internet that goes something like this - Dear Lord, So far today, I’ve done all right. I haven’t gossiped about anyone, haven’t lost my temper with anyone, haven’t been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or over-indulgent. And I’m very thankful for that. But, in a few minutes, God, I’m going to get out of this bed, and from then on, I’m going to need a lot more help.

The life of a Christian is all about right relationships. The right relationship with God, relationships with other followers of Christ, and relationships with non-believers. I have to say at some points in life, it would be so much easier to be a selective hermit. There would be fewer opportunities to be angry or spiteful. Less time consumed with solving other people’s issues for their lack of planning, resulting in fewer opportunities to judge. So much less chance of offense if you’re not around other people. 

Right off the top of my head, I see two major things wrong with that. One – The Word tells us that they’ll know we are Christians by our love toward each other, and if we choose NOT to be around others because we can’t stand to be around them… well, I just don’t think we need to go any further there.  The writer of Hebrews instructs us in 12:14 to work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you'll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God's generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent.  A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God's lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God's blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears.

And two, if we’re never tested, how will we know? James 3:17a tells us that Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. 

It can be very hard work. That too is acknowledged and issued for instruction as the second part of that same Scripture assures us we can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.

So, I’d have to say, No, we can’t all just get along. Without God, it’s impossible. However, with God, all things are possible. Difficult, at times, but definitely possible.

Prayer:

Father,

            Hear our cry for right relationship with You. How You could love us in our unlovable state and continue to do so during our petty differences is beyond me. Help us to learn by following Your example toward US. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen