Our Source of Hope

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.
Proverbs 13:12 NLT

Simply put, Hope deferred is defined as something put off or postponed. In other words, a disappointment. Sometimes, if our hopes keep getting put off it can lead to depression making the heart sick. You may know what it's like to lose hope. It tends to make everything else seem useless. Why try? Why expend my energy?

If our hope is in this world - in this life - then on days like today, it does seem absolutely hopeless. But I have to say, we must have the right kind of hope! Our hope must be in the eternal.

Romans 15:13a NLT, Paul tells us, I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him [emphasis mine]. If God is our source of hope, He is a never-ending supply of it. Think about that!

Remember that the Word tells in Philippians 4:8, Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. God is ALL these things and He is our source of hope.

Prayer:

Father,
           Forgive us for looking to anything or anyone else as our source of hope. You alone are our true hope. Help us to remember that there are no disappointments and no dissatisfaction in Heaven and that Heaven with You is our goal. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Setting My Sights

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.
Colossians 3:1-2 NLT

What do you hope for? What are your dreams? On what have you set your sights? Is it the new house - the new car? The raise or a new job? Getting the kids through school? Being healthy? Retirement? 

If it's true that our direction determines our destiny, where are we striving to be? Are any of your hopes, dreams and goals set primarily with the idea of moving you further along on your way to Heaven? There is a reason I ask. I had fallen into the abyss of "If I can just get through this... If I can make it to that... or till then..." I'd lost sight of our true goal, and I'm wondering if maybe you had, too.

Paul warns us in Philippians 3:19-20, that those who think only about this life here on earth are headed for destruction. And then he reminds us that we are citizens of Heaven. I had to ask myself, "Am I as homesick for Heaven as I was for Texas when I was working in another state?" I hate to admit that I'd never thought of it in that way.

For me, I need to refocus. I must stop judging people's actions and pray for their salvation. I need to stop looking at the bad that's happening in the world and set my sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ our Saviour sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. 

Prayer:

Father,
          We do not want to be enemies of the Cross. Change my heart, O God, to think about the things of heaven, and not the things of earth. Forgive me for losing sight of the goal. Help me to remember that my real life is hidden with Christ in You. And when Christ is revealed to the whole world, we as Your children, will share in all His glory. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

What's In Your Luggage?

This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.
Romans 13:11-14 NLT

Can you believe we're already at the end of October? The holiday season is just around the corner and chances are you or someone you love will be traveling. While there are many different types of travelers, there are generally only two types of packers. Those who pack ahead of time and those last-minute packers... of which I am one.

Being a last-minute packer can be beneficial if you have back-to-back trips. You just leave some things in the suitcase and then throw in a few more depending on where you're going, and you're off on the next trip. And if you forgot something, don't worry, you can probably buy it at your next destination.

However, according to our Scripture passage today, in light of our final destination - Heaven - we need to be very intentional with what we have in our luggage. What preparation have we made for eternity? Remember, we won't be able to run out and "buy" whatever we missed. So, depending on where we want to go, we need to remove the dark deeds and immoral living. Get rid of the quarreling and jealousy so we can make room to pack the shining armor of right living. We also must clothe ourselves with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. That's going to need a serious amount of space. So, what's in your luggage? What do you need to get rid of? 

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to guide us into all Truth and to help prepare us for this journey to You. Open our eyes to see what needs to be removed to make plenty of room for Your presence. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Even When

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.

2nd Chronicles 32:7-8 NIV

Hezekiah had made up his mind that because of the Lord God, he and his people were going to win against the Assyrian king. Then he spoke it to his people in such a way that they heard and believed and gained confidence!! They made up THEIR minds that what Hezekiah said was Truth and would not waver from it.

Even when the enemy came and bragged about all their great conquests. Even when the enemy ridiculed everything about them and their leader and their God!  Even when the enemy browbeat them with all the terrible things they planned to do to them. Hezekiah's people - God's people! - chose to believe the Truth of God over the facts before them. 

Daily, we're in a battle of some kind. How are we going to be victorious? Who are we listening to? Are we listening to the "Woe is me" crowd spouting that the odds are stacked against us? That it's bigger than we are? That we can't escape, fight or win? Or do we have our minds made up even then...

Prayer:

Father,
          Help us to guard our hearts and minds to hear and heed only You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

How Are We Doing?

Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away. 

Hebrews 10:36-38 NLT

Do we want to please God? I know that seems like a question whose answer is DUH, complete with a rolling of the eyes to the one who is silly enough to ask it. And yet, I ask it again. Do we really want to please God?

Obviously, yes, we do. So then how DO we please Him? Obedience? Yes - obedience is good... Being kind? Yes, kindness is one of the fruits of the Spirit. Being kind is good. But don't we want God to be WELL pleased?

His Word tells us in Hebrews 11:6 (NLT) - And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.  It's impossible to please Him without faith. Impossible... So let's do a quick and simple faith check. When God speaks to our hearts, do we ask, But what if...?

Listen. Faith produces change. Lives change. Situations change. Our own hearts change... Have we seen the changes?

Are we deluding ourselves with situational faith? Does our faith remain strong even if/when we don't get what we want (healing, family restored, stuff, etc)?

Faith shouldn't just change our lives - it should define our lives.

The purpose of our lives - lives lived by faith - is to please God. How are we doing?

Prayer:

Father,

         Like the father in Mark 9:24, according to Your Word, we cry out, Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!  We want to please You, Lord. Let our faith be pleasing to You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

When You Were Little...

What a wonderful God we have—he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us.
2nd Corinthians 1:4 The Living Bible

I remember the first time my daughter stubbed her toe. I was holding her and her dad was trying to attend to her toe - It was bleeding profusely and she was crying and did not want anyone to touch it! She was just sure her toe was going to fall off. I told her, "Punkin, I did the same thing when I was a little girl. Your toe is not going to fall off. Now, let Daddy clean it up and put a band-aid on it so it can start to get better."  Later that evening, of course her toe was throbbing. However, she thought if there was a band-aid on it, there shouldn't be any pain. So, we had to explain the "getting better" process to her. Then she asked, "When you were little, and you did this, how many days till it got better?"

That incident set the pattern for almost all hurts and questions from that point on. "When you were little, did you have this...?" And having experienced it before she did - and lived through it - I was able to allay her fears and offer comfort. In fact, to this day, we still have the occasional exchange along those lines, "Mom, did you ever...?" and then she'll giggle and say, "When you were little..."

If you ever wonder how you can be expected to give thanks IN all things, especially when there are LOTS of things happening and none seem good, remember that God is trustworthy, and He so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials, so that we might comfort others. Thank Him for the opportunity to grow in compassion so you will be able to comfort those in your future who will need you to testify of God's faithfulness, to allay their fears and offer comfort, and to know how many days till it gets better. 

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You for all Your comfort and strength through the years. Thank You for all You have taught us through the trials and hardships of life. Cause us to be aware of those who might need from us what You have given so freely. Help us always to remain teachable and to remain grateful for the lessons learned. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* New and Improved

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas.
Hebrews 13:8-9a NLT

Every advertisement for every item that can be purchased or consumed touts 'new and improved' or the latest, greatest, most innovative, high tech, best of the best, or guaranteed to make you look/feel younger, etc. Even food products! Better tasting, less fat, now more flavor, fat-free. All of it designed and needing improvement and constant changing of formula to make it "do" what it was supposedly designed to do in the first prototype. And when that doesn't work, they go 'back to the basics' or become 'all natural' and 'organic' and charge us more for it...

Do you ever wonder how we survived using all the lesser, not improved products while consuming less flavorful food? No wonder we were aging and looking old... Is there anything in the consumers market (besides Vaseline petroleum jelly and Lifesavers peppermint candy) that got it right the first time it got to market?

There is much to be loved about a God who knows we need - and like - change in our lives and then provides exactly what we need to make it happen. And the change is always for our good.

However, it is most important to know that His love has never changed. His ways have never changed. The way to Him has never changed. There has never been a need for improvement. Jesus Christ - the same yesterday, today and forever. You can't improve on perfect.

My prayer is from the same chapter as our text, verses 20-21, The Message:

May God, who puts all things together,
      makes all things whole,
   Who made a lasting mark through the sacrifice of Jesus,
      the sacrifice of blood that sealed the eternal covenant,
   Who led Jesus, our Great Shepherd,
      up and alive from the dead,
   Now put you together, provide you
      with everything you need to please him,
   Make us into what gives him most pleasure,
      by means of the sacrifice of Jesus, the Messiah.
   All glory to Jesus forever and always!
In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Don't Throw It Away

Everyone has to die once, then face the consequences. Christ’s death was also a one-time event, but it was a sacrifice that took care of sins forever. And so, when he next appears, the outcome for those eager to greet him is, precisely, salvation.
Hebrews 9:27-28 The Message

So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.

If we give up and turn our backs on all we’ve learned, all we’ve been given, all the truth we now know, we repudiate Christ’s sacrifice and are left on our own to face the Judgment—and a mighty fierce judgment it will be! If the penalty for breaking the law of Moses is physical death, what do you think will happen if you turn on God’s Son, spit on the sacrifice that made you whole, and insult this most gracious Spirit? This is no light matter. God has warned us that he’ll hold us to account and make us pay. He was quite explicit: “Vengeance is mine, and I won’t overlook a thing” and “God will judge his people.” Nobody’s getting by with anything, believe me.

Remember those early days after you first saw the light? Those were the hard times! Kicked around in public, targets of every kind of abuse—some days it was you, other days your friends. If some friends went to prison, you stuck by them. If some enemies broke in and seized your goods, you let them go with a smile, knowing they couldn’t touch your real treasure. Nothing they did bothered you, nothing set you back. So don’t throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It’s still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion.

It won’t be long now, he’s on the way;
    he’ll show up most any minute.
But anyone who is right with me thrives on loyal trust;
    if he cuts and runs, I won’t be very happy.

But we’re not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We’ll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way.  Hebrews 10:22-39 The Message

Prayer:

Father,

Help us to stay focused on the goal - to finish the race - to not give up - to continue to trust You, no matter what! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Taste and See

 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
Psalm 34:8 NIV

I took part in a discussion today about emotional eating. The experts say it's a learned behavior. I think there's a bit of truth in that, but I also contend that it may have a little something to do with my genes. I'm half Italian. Food was the answer for everything when I was growing up. 

• Oh, you're sad? Mangia! Mangia! (Italian for "eat up")
• Oh, you fell down and got hurt? Here, eat a little something - you'll feel better! 
• Honor roll?!? That's marvelous! Let's celebrate - Mangia! 

Quick! How many comfort foods can you name? Truthfully, though, how many people do you know who go to food for comfort? Or to liquor or some other form of self-indulgence? The sad truth is it might feel like comfort in the moment, but it robs us of any real or lasting comfort. 

In John 14:26 (the Living Bible) Jesus said, But when the Father sends the Comforter instead of me—and by the Comforter I mean the Holy Spirit—he will teach you much, as well as remind you of everything I myself have told you. If we would go to God's Word and seek solace, the Holy Spirit would guide us into all Truth (John 16:13).  And where the Spirit of the Lord is freedom (2nd Corinthians 3:17). Freedom from the pain, freedom from the cares of this world, freedom from the desire to seek comfort from anything that is not God's comfort. Taste and see that the Lord is good!  Oh, that we would get to the place where we rightly divide His Word as quickly as we can divide a pie into six!

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to comfort us and to guide us into all Truth. Help us to retrain our hearts and minds to seek Your comfort over anything and everything the world has to offer us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Keep It Moving

Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.
Philippians 3:13-14 The Message

Where are you going? I'm not asking about vacations or work trips. I want to know your destination in LIFE. Where are you headed? What's your goal? Are you in charge of your destiny? Think about it! Check your life.

Are we aiming for Heaven? Is that our goal? Are we actively taking steps and measures to get there? Is there activity that shows forward motion with Heaven as your destination? We can't move forward just for the sake of moving. Or are we just marking time - going to work, paying bills, mowing the lawn, trying to save for retirement? Are you working as diligently to get to Heaven as you are to succeed at work? Are we seeking God's "well done, good and faithful servant" above getting a raise at our job? 

The Truth is, if we have our eye on the goal, and keep pressing forward where God is beckoning us onward - to Jesus - all the rest of that stuff will be taken care of. Matthew 6:33 in the New Living reads, Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

I heard these pearls of wisdom from Alan Neel, "When we live without direction, we're living without a destiny." If we're not moving forward - toward Christ - seeking Him, serving Him, then we're living aimlessly, seeking our own satisfaction. That won't get us to Heaven. We gotta keep it moving... onward to Jesus.

Prayer:

Father,
          Forgive us for mindless living. Clear our vision to see our way to You. Renew the passion within us to keep moving toward You and to make intentional choices to keep us on our course. We want to finish well and hear You say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Mumbling, Grumbling and Stumbling

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
Jude 24,25

Ever had one of those days where nothing goes the way you had planned? That's been today. I'd like to tell you that I took it in stride, kept my peace, and kept moving forward. I'd like to, but I can't. That would be a lie.

I have mumbled, grumbled and stumbled my way through most of this day. It started when my eyes were wide open and my brain on fast-forward a few minutes before 5am. MY plan was to sleep in until at least 7. Instead of giving God thanks that for the first morning this week I was awake and ready to go, I mumbled about it. 

Instead of thanking God for the strength and health to accomplish some Harvey-related restoration tasks, I grumbled because I could not complete all of them to my satisfaction. 

I may not have physically stumbled, but I sure stumbled when it came to maintaining walking in peace. Did I stop and correct? No, I just kept pushing, trying to accomplish what I wanted to get done... what I want...what I want...

And I was reminded of what my mother would say to me as a child if I complained about not getting what I wanted. "People in hell want ice water, but they're not getting it. Life is not about what YOU want. It's about helping others."

God forgive me! I cannot help anyone if I have nothing to give in the way of God's peace and His mercy and His grace. Thankfully, I have received all in abundance - once I humbled myself under His mighty hand...

Prayer:

Father,
          Forgive me for mumbling and grumbling - I have found what Your Word has to say about those. That's not who I want to be. Thank You for the promise You have given me tonight - that to You - the One who is able to keep me from stumbling and to present me before Your glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen

To Be or Not to Be

So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”

1^st Peter 1:14-16 NLT

Other than Christ, I don’t know one person alive today who has never sinned. And I think that’s one of satan’s most effective weapons in discouraging and attempting to defeat us. See? You can’t even go one day without sinning… You call yourself a Christian and you did that?  

Has anyone other than me ever heard anything like that in your head?

So how can we be holy? What does it mean to be holy? For Christians, it’s about being consecrated in our service to God and being conformed to His will in all aspects of life. How can we be holy like Jesus when He never once sinned? Oh, yeah, He was tempted in all the same ways – Hebrews 4:15 tells us, This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.   Romans 6:19b&c tells us how we become holy; Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy.

But how do we know it is working? Well, personal holiness is a work in progress - verse 21, And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom.  I don’t know any followers of Christ who are thrilled with what they did when they were sinners. Verse 22 reads, But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.

It’s a matter of walking it out and our Christian walk is continually under attack. Sometimes, we grab on to the latest-greatest motivational speaker or system in an effort to make us feel good about ourselves. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with motivation, but I would offer a word of caution about espousing man-made ideas and ideals as our standard for living and building our self-esteem. They always seem to want to offer the easy way to it or out of it, which is directly opposed to Scripture.

God’s Word is full of instruction to watch and pray, persevere, endure. 2nd Timothy 4:3-5 NKJV reads, For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

God made The Way out of sin and into His holiness – Ephesians 1:4, Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eye. He’s done all the hard parts. Our hardest part is to choose His way over ours. So which is it to be?  

Prayer:

Father,

           We can do this easy or we can do this hard. Help us to follow Your design for holiness. Give us courage and endurance and guide us into Your wisdom and Truth of being holy as You are holy. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Fighting Fire

Be angry without sinning. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the devil any opportunity to work.

Ephesians 4:26-27 GWT

Do you ever get angry about stuff? Just stuff. Stuff that you can't physically do anything to change?

Back in the 70s, Eddie Chiles, former owner of the Texas Rangers, was an outspoken advocate for a smaller and less intrusive federal government. He was angry about what he perceived to be wrong about US government.  His radio commentaries were legendary and there was even an ad campaign complete with bumper stickers that proclaimed, "I'm mad, too, Eddie!"  Have you ever noticed how easily you can fall into that anger and frustration when goaded by an inflammatory radio host or Facebook? All that energy wasted because very few people do more than gripe and grouse to each other. 

Did you know that Proverbs 22:24-25 warns us? Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul. If you think about it, you know that's the absolute truth and you can get there in less than 6 seconds, depending on the subject at hand. And then there are those who retort, Well, you fight fire with fire!  I remember a good answer I saw for that - The statement read, When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water. And as Christians, so should we use water to put out fires.

Jesus proclaimed Himself the Living Water. He gave Himself for us to put out the fires of hell that would consume us. Don’t give the devil any opportunity to work. 

Prayer:

Father,

         Deliver us from the fiery darts of the wicked. Let the fullness of our joy in You be found in Your presence. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Good All Over Again (Reprint)

My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace.

1^st Peter 5:12b&c NLT

Letter writing is fast becoming a lost art. We live in the frenetic world of e-mail, texting and instant messages. Instantaneous communication in the briefest form. Even verbal communication has been greatly affected. When I get home, the first thing I do is go to the mailbox to see what’s come in. First priority is ALWAYS anything addressed by hand – which doesn't happen often, but it’s always the first thing I look for. Anything else is just stuff. 

A few years back, my sister had been going through old boxes at her house. In one, she found a letter addressed to my eldest brother, Ron, while he was in boot camp (I won’t tell you how long ago) and since I was stopping back by there on my way home from Missouri, I took it to him.  It turns out it was a letter from one of my other brothers who was 15 years old at the time of the writing. Ron had been gone 3 weeks and Joe had written him multiple pages, front and back, and it was a real treat to watch Ron read it and share the news as we marveled at the length of the letter written all those years ago. It was sweet and the love was tangible.

I thought about it a lot while driving back home on that trip. I have letters that I've kept for years and it made me want to pull them all out and read them again. They would be good all over again. They mean that much to me because the writer went ‘the extra mile’ to take the time to sit and write. Every time I think about it, it makes me want to sit down and write a letter to someone.

I was reminded about all the letters in the Bible. Think about this - they TRULY went the extra mile because they didn't have the pony express or the post office, either. I know they didn't have cyberspace or airwaves to send their missives, so they had to write it out, and I’m SO glad they did! Aren't you?

Doesn't it make you want to pull out the Word and read the letters again - like Titus and Timothy and James and Jude? They'll be good all over again.

Prayer:

Father,

         Thank You for Your written Word. Give us a fresh anointing to understand it and to share it with those in need of a good word. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Let's Finish This

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.

1st Corinthians 9:24-25 NLT

People worldwide will watch the Olympics when they're on. Every day, you get a medal count - who's ahead in a particular sport, who's won the event, which country is leading in totals. It's all very exciting! And we feel as if we are involved even though we're not participating. We erupt in cheers when they win - we groan in commiseration when they fall or falter. We win, we lose - we're passionate about it and it's not even our prize! So I hate to bring it up, but a year later, do we even remember the names of the winners and losers? No, not for the most part.

God the Father never forgets who we are. He keeps total track of us at all times. He's watching to see how we will finish the race. Are we disciplined in our training? Do we persevere? Will we get back up - even if we've fallen - and finish the race? Hebrews 12:1 tells us, Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 

The finish line is just ahead. See it? Let's finish this.

Prayer:

Father,

          Your Word lights our way. It is in the discipline of it that we learn to stay focused. Increase our knowledge and wisdom, Lord, so that we are able to accomplish Your plan for our lives. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

I'm Here Why?

For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.
Romans 1:11-12 NLT

So many people ask, "Why am I here?" "What is my purpose?" Obviously, there is not one standard answer to that question. However, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, and you don't know the answer, you are following the One who DOES know. God has a plan for everything. He's had it before the foundation of the world and there's a reason for all of it.

There have been times I've asked God, "What's the reason for this?" especially when it's not obvious to me why I am where I am in certain situations. BUT, Proverbs tells us, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thine own understanding. And while I may not have been able to see why I was in a certain place or situation, once I move down the path, continuing to trust Him, following in His footsteps, I am able to look back and see clearly why I was there.

Generally, it's one of four reasons.

1. Organizational structure

For example, Nehemiah was the king's cup-bearer, that was his job, but God had another plan - for Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The story is a fascinating tale of favor with God and with King Xerxes, about a cup-bearer with tremendous organizational skills.

2. Financial aid

As much as people HATE to talk about the M word in church, some things just take money to accomplish. I'm not talking about grand cathedrals, etc, (although if that's what God called you to build, do it). I'm talking about supplying the needs of the Body and those who spread the Good News and that often takes practical application, such as paying the bills for electricity and running water. 

3. Divine Order 

Sometimes you get somewhere because you've been-there-done-that and you can help by instructing others in how it's done or at least encouraging them in the process.

4. Obedience
Simply living your life in obedience to follow God no matter what the circumstances. What a powerful testimony and encouragement that is to those in your sphere of influence.

Yes, God has a plan for everything. So, while you may not be able to see what you are supposed to be doing in a certain place or situation at this moment in time, follow His footsteps. HE knows where you are and why you are there and He is trustworthy.

Prayer:

Father,
           Oh, the comfort in knowing that You lead us and we can follow, safe and secure, because You never leave us or forsake us. Father, help us to know this Truth deep in our hearts. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0nDUpXmdig

Fervent Love (Requested)

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
1st Peter 4:7-8 NKJV

We’re quickly coming to the end of yet another year – one that passed much more quickly than the previous year - and we are looking forward to the holidays and a new year. In the last few days, so many people have said, I’m ready for this year to be over.

Typically, when we come to the end of something, we are tired. We just don’t have the same drive we had at the start. Sometimes, when we see the end in sight, we ease up a little, knowing it’s not going to take much more effort to finish.  I’ve been guilty of that. There are even those who give up, thinking their momentum will carry them over the line. BIG mistake… Every Olympian who ever lost the gold by a millisecond will vouch for that. 

Do you ever get tired of praying for people? Especially the same people? You know the ones - It seems as though they go merrily along in their self-destructive ways without a single thought toward their eternity – they never seem to want to change. Do you ever reach the point when you think, Okay, I’m done praying for them. I’m not wasting another breath…? Sometimes, we think we’ve done all we can do.

Peter warns us in our text for today. But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins.”  Do you know the definition of "fervent" in this Scripture? It means stretch forth, assiduously - which means diligently, persevering, industriously, attentively, hard-working, tirelessly… It goes hand-in-hand with the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man in James 5:16.

I just don’t see that any of those words have anything to do with slacking off or making allowances for being tired or easing up or coasting to the finish line. 

Jesus didn’t give up on us. He’s done more for us than we ever did for anyone else. None of us have been crucified on a cross. Now, if you were to ask me - in my finite mind - I would say He has done all He can do for us by dying on the cross for our sins… but that’s not the end of it. Romans 8:34b NKJV tells us,  It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 

Hebrews 7:25 NLT makes it plain,  Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. 

The end may be in sight, but He has not given up on any of us. He’s not slacking up. He has not folded His arms and said, I’ve done all I can do. I’m not doing one more thing… According to Scripture, He lives FOREVER TO INTERCEDE with God on their [our] behalf.

That’s for us! THAT is fervent love… 

Prayer:

Father,          
           Forgive us for our selfishness. Change our hearts, Father, according to Your Word in Deuteronomy 30:6. Change our hearts and the hearts of all our descendants, so that we will love You with all our heart and soul and so we may live! In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Faithful Servant

The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’
Matthew 25:23 NLT

We tend to identify ourselves by what we do for a living - engineer, artist, author, teacher, doctor, professor, or who we are in life - parent, friend, sibling, child, student. If we're not careful, we can get caught up in that to the point that it becomes how we see ourselves and ONLY how we see ourselves. The danger of that is in then using that same filter to see and interpret the rest of the world.

For instance, an engineer might look at a street sweeper only seeing a potentially non-skilled worker and totally miss the person who is working hard to provide for his family and struggling to make ends meet. A professor may gaze upon a sea of students as those who need to listen and learn when he speaks and become indignant or dismiss the one who may be falling asleep in the back... never knowing that they were up all night trying to break the raging fever of an infant son.

The point is, no matter who we are or what we do for a living, we are called to be faithful servants. It doesn't matter how lofty our position in life, if we have asked Christ to be our Saviour, then we are obligated first and foremost to Him. And He has called us to be faithful servants.

We have to ask ourselves - Are we daily looking for those moments to serve others as He would? Will He indeed find us faithful?

Prayer:

Father,
           Forgive us for all the times we look past the need of those around us. We want to be faithful servants, Lord. Open our eyes to see as You see. Change our hearts to be more like You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Except for Grace

So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.
Ephesians 2:7-8 NLT

Do you ever find yourself reading about different ones in the Bible and wondering, Why? Why did you do that? How COULD you do that after all God had done? What were you thinking? Only to read on a little further and recognize yourself in their actions? O Father, forgive me. Who am I to judge? Except for Your grace, I would be so much worse than what I am.

Paul was well aware of God's grace in his own life and the lives of those around him and for all future generations. Did you catch that part of the verse? So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace...

A little further down in this chapter, verse 10 reads, For 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. There are many things God has laid on our hearts that we think, I can't do that. Un-unh...no way. I've done this or I've done that, who's gonna listen to someone who has done that? Nobody's going to listen to what I have to say. I'm not a speaker. Except for His grace... Neither was Moses. Neither was Peter. Neither was Paul.

And the litany in your head continues, I can't...I can't... I can't... And you're right, you can't. Except for His grace...

By grace, Paul - former Christian killer - became an apostle.

By grace, Rahab - a harlot - became part of the lineage of Christ.

By grace, David - a shepherd boy who was so NOT impressive that his father didn't even call him to the house when the prophet came - he became king.

By grace - Jacob - a liar and a cheat from a long line of liars and manipulators - inherited God's blessing and God changed his name to Israel.

Don't tell me what you can't do. Tell me what you will allow God to do through you...by His grace.

Scripture is quite clear...For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we CAN do...

Prayer:

Father,
          I pray as Paul prayed, When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to You, Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from Your glorious, unlimited resources You will empower us with inner strength through Your Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in our hearts as we trust in Him. Our roots will grow down into Your love and keep us strong. And may we have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep Your love is. May we experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then we will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from You. Now all glory to You, God, who is able, through Your mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to You in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.