Friends' Favorites - Thinking of You

Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered.
Psalm 40:5 NKJV

It's been a crazy few weeks and that's a fact. To someone on the outside looking in, just looking at the facts, it might seem as though God is not listening to a word we are praying... but I know that's not Truth. There are too many verses of Scripture that confirm He hears our cry. God may not answer the way I would want Him to answer, but I'm okay with that. He tells us outright in Isaiah 55 that His ways and thoughts are FAR ABOVE our ways and thoughts. The evidence of His love can never be bigger or more visible than Golgotha's hill, but His love flows freely from there. We are never so far from Him that we are out of His sight or off His radar. 

Do we know what the end results are going to actually be for the things we face at this time? No, we don't. We could look at all the facts and make an educated guess, but let's not get lost in facts. Let's seek His Truth. Believe in miracles. We know what the Word of God says. If we don't see the answers we want to see, we can rest assured that God has a better plan because He told us so. 

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you," says the Lord, "thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)

Either way, He's thinking of you...

Prayer:

Father,
          I'm truly thankful Your thoughts are so far above our thoughts and that our ways are not Your ways - for Your way is always good and always motivated by love. Calvary - Your greatest act of love - when viewed merely by the facts seems more cruel than anyone can endure. Help us to always see and CHOOSE Your Truth over the facts of life. According to Your Word, in 1st Samuel 12, we will be sure to fear and reverence You, Lord, and faithfully serve You and think of all the wonderful things You have done for us. In Jesus' Name and by the power of His precious blood. Amen

Friends' Favorites - Good All Over Again

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. Why, 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 out and read them again, knowing 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 of all the letters in the Bible written to the different churches. Think about this - they TRULY went the extra mile because they didn't have a pony express or the post office, either. I know they didn't have cyberspace and airwaves to send their missives, so they had to write it out, but I’m SO glad they did! Aren't you?

Doesn't it make you want to pull out the Word and read the letters yet another time? You know 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

Friends' Favorite - Miracle In the Making

Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.
1st Peter 4:12-13 The Message

There are times when life is hard. It seems like trouble comes at us from every side. Sometimes, life feels like an illustrated sermon for 2nd Corinthians 4:8-9, We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed... but it feels like we're getting mighty close to it.

Ever been there? How many times have we prayed for a miracle?

Let me explain something to you. Miracles don't happen for normal. Miracles are required for extraordinary circumstances - extreme needs - seemingly hopeless cases. Have you ever thought about that? Commonplace, ordinary, every day normal doesn't require miraculous intervention... well... for SOME of you, it might, but not normally. Pun intended.

The point is - count it ALL joy. No troubles in your life - praise God! Big troubles - praise God - you're in the breeding ground for a miracle in the making.

Prayer:

Father,
           Help us to see You are always in our business. You orchestrate our lives and the many steps we can take if we keep our focus on You and follow where You lead. Give us clear direction, Father. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorites - Camping Standards

And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying: "Everyone of the children of Israel shall camp by his own standard, beside the emblems of his father’s house; they shall camp some distance from the tabernacle of meeting. 

Numbers 2:1-2 NKJV

In this passage, the Lord is clear about how He wants His people lined up. Each tribe to camp by its own standard - the banner that represents their lineage - the emblems of the father's house. You could tell by a glance who was supposed to be where and with whom.

It is a code of sorts that has carried down through the ages. Family crests, clan tartans, country flags, state flags, school flags, military regiment flags. You get the picture. Many of them are recognizable without definition. Whether it's honored or hated, everyone in the world knows the American flag. As children growing up in American schools, we pledged allegiance and lined up by the flag and all that it represents. 

I used to go camping as a Girl Scout. The only two things I liked about camping were singing around the campfire and making s'mores. Each group had a flag with a certain color and shape.  Invariably, the group I was in would wind up being the last tent. The one closest to the woods, far from the meeting house and all the campground lights. Ours would be the one the night critters - skunks and raccoons - would sometimes get in. I always wanted to pledge my allegiance to a different flag... one that was closer to the meeting house and the lights and the Leader.

In Isaiah 59:19b, the prophet proclaims, When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.  Do we know the Father's standard? Will we make our camp beside it? When He lifts it up, will we know where to run? What is our standard? Pun intended.

Prayer:

Father,

         We want to make our dwelling place in Your camp and our allegiance only to You. We place ourselves under the protection of Your standard, Father. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorite - Mercy

Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. 

Matthew 5:7

Has there ever been a time in your life when you received mercy instead of what you knew you deserved? Were you humbled by it? Did you have a hard time understanding the motive behind it? Were you grateful? At this age and stage in my life, I'm still surprised by the number of people (of all ages) who cry for justice and want nothing to do with mercy...unless the tables are turned on them. Then it's a different story.

I don't know about you, but I am a person who needs MUCH mercy. Our Scripture reference for today is very plain about how to obtain it. I must BE merciful. There are times when being merciful is as second nature to me as breathing. Thank God. But I also have to admit, there are times when I'd just as soon declare, "Off with their heads!" and then help execute sentence! But just as I raise my arm to make the declaration, I catch half a picture in my mind of Jesus with His arm extended, and in that hesitation, there is enough time for me to see the whole picture - both arms extended - nailed to the Cross. 

Death was the price justice demanded for MY sins, my mistakes, my bad choices. The Cross of Calvary where justice was served - Jesus in my place on that Cross was and is mercy beyond definition. At the Cross, where justice met mercy, and love won.

Prayer:

Father,
            Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face. We look to you for protection. We will hide beneath the shadow of Your wings until the danger passes by. We cry out to You, O God Most High, to fulfill Your purpose for us. In Jesus' Name we pray.  Amen

Friends' Favorites - Strength to Fight

Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses. And I charge you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, that you obey this command without wavering. Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.
1st Timothy 6:12-14 NLT

The following lines are excerpts from Pastor Alan Neel's sermon...

• There will always be a fight. We are not fighting flesh and blood; we are contending for our faith.
• There is no "Golden Acres Retirement Center" here on Earth.
• THERE IS NO CONVENIENT CHRISTIANITY.
• We better learn how to fight.
• Discernment
• Discipline
• 1st Timothy 4:7 "Train yourself..."
• If you don't establish the right habits, by default you'll continually reinforce the bad habits.
• Quote by Dr. Gary Brothers, "Don't cause yourself more trouble than the trouble causes you."
• Determination
• We'd better learn how to win.

We are not moving to a place of rest here on Earth. That doesn't happen here. Here - we need to fight!

Fight for our faith!
Fight for our children's faith!
Fight for our grandchildren's faith!

Like the Apostle Paul commanded, "Fight the good fight for the true faith."

The Finish Line is in sight! We can't slack off - we must win!

Prayer:

Father,
           Today I pray as Scotty Smith prayed - for strength to do the next right thing, according to Your Word in Philippians 4:13. I can do all things through him who strengthens me...this verse has been underlined in my Bible, pasted on my refrigerator...But today I need it to be an active force in my life. Free me from the temptations of an “approval suck”. I don’t want to become aloof and callous, but neither do I want to be oversensitive to what people think...

I need strength to deal with destructive choices of friends. Marriages, health, the hearts of children, and Your glory are on the line. I need strength, Jesus, to get involved where frankly, I’d rather not. It would be much easier just to “pray from afar” than to run after prodigals, confront foolishness, and face anger. Strengthen me so that I will not wimp out. You pursued me, and You pursue me still. Likewise, be a persistent lover through me in these messy situations.

I need strength to seek You with fresh passion and delight; earnestness and anticipation. I never like it when I find it easier to watch TV than to meditate on the Scriptures. It’s not a good sign when exercising my body for vanity comes easier than exercising my heart for godliness. Renew my heart’s affection, adoration, and allegiance to You; for You alone are worthy of everything I am and have.

In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorite - Hey, It's Me

The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.

John 10:3-5 NLT

How many times do you listen to a voicemail that starts out with, "Hey, it's me..." and you know immediately who "me" is. Some voices we know so well that they don't even have to say, "Hey, it's me"; we know who it is the minute they open their mouth. They are the voices of loved ones, cherished friends...  Then there are the voices of a favorite DJ or speaker/preacher, favorite actor, favorite singer(s) - all voices that are easily recognizable. 

The latest ploy of telemarketers is to start the conversation with "Hey, it's me. I just wanted to call and tell you about..." like they know me... And based on, Hey, it's me,  you think you should know the voice and your brain starts searching for some familiar tone or voice inflection to figure out who this is, but then you realize it's not your friend after all. It's someone impersonating a friend. Deceptive.

So, whose voice are you listening to? The one pretending to be your friend, but really trying to deceive you - or the One whose voice is very distinctive - a still, small voice so familiar to our hearts that He should just be able to open His mouth to breathe and we'd know Him. He'd never have to say, Hey, it's Me.

Prayer:

Father,

         We want to know You more, to know You better, to be so intimate with the sound of Your voice that we shush any voice that tries to talk over You. Speak to us, Father - give us ears to hear You and only You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorite - Try It

I will tell of the Lord’s unfailing love. I will praise the Lord for all he has done. I will rejoice in his great goodness to Israel, which he has granted according to his mercy and love.
Isaiah 63:7 NLT

I never hear of anyone who has to "work at" grumbling. We don't have to remind ourselves to do it. We don't have to make ourselves write it down so we don't forget. Do you ever wonder why it is that mumbling and grumbling are easier for human nature than an attitude of gratitude? 

It's an age-old dilemma. Is the glass half-full or half-empty? Or is it as engineers would reason, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be... Instead of grumbling that you needed to buy all new tires, thank God you had the money to buy them. There was a time you wouldn't have been able to afford them...

Gratitude truly IS an attitude. It CAN be developed. It CAN be adjusted or changed. We just need to look at life through the filter of the Life Giver.  

Today, I've been thinking about that old song Bing Crosby sang, "Count Your Blessings." Technically, it's not a Christian praise song, but if you acknowledge that everything good comes from the Father (James 1:17), then counting your blessings IS praise. When I'm worried and I can't sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep, and I fall asleep counting my blessings. When my bankroll is getting small, I think of when I had none at all, and I fall asleep counting my blessings.

Try it...you'll like it...

Prayer:

Father,

          I will tell of Your unfailing love. I will praise You for all You have done. I will rejoice in Your great goodness to me, which You have granted according to Your mercy and love. And when given half a chance, I will tell others. Grant me the opportunity, Father. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen

Friends' Favorite - A Loving Answer

So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.

Hebrews 6:18-19 NLT

I have had many conversations with people who do not understand the nature of Almighty God - who He is and what He's about. They're inclined to believe that God doesn't love them because they don't get what they've asked for or because He's not doing what they think He should do for them. I get it. They think being told 'No' is mean or a sign of less than. 

However, we're not talking about those times when you have to say 'no' because you don't have the money. I always hated that. I'm talking about those times when saying "No" was the most loving, most motherly wonderful thing I could do. And although they weren't crazy about it at the time, down the road one or the other of them would mention that looking back, they realized it was the right thing to do. They didn't always understand why, but they learned to trust my judgment, knowing that I didn't say 'No' just to be mean, but because I felt it was in their best interest.

How much more then, should we trust a living, loving God who is omnipotent and omniscient and can see the end from the beginning? The One who has the Master Plan and KNOWS it's in our best interest? Sometimes the most loving answer is "No." Learn to trust Him in it!

Prayer:

Father,

         Your Word assures us that You don't withhold any good thing from us. We choose to trust Your judgment and Your decisions, for You are faithful and just. Thank You, Father. Change our hearts. Open our eyes to see You and trust You in everything. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorites - Shortcuts

"No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."
John 14:5-6 NLT

I like shortcuts - not only on the road but also in word processing. I think Ctrl C and Ctrl V (copy and paste) and Ctrl Z (undo) are strokes of genius. (Pun intended.) I hated long division math problems in elementary school for the same reason. If I can get the same answer in 2 steps instead of 12, how is that wrong? I like any way that will get me there in less time, with less hassle, and the fewest stops.

I'm always looking for another way to get there or do it. I even make up and define my own shortcuts...which are great until the computer dies or gets upgraded and all the shortcuts are gone, or I find myself at a dead end street with no ability to turn around. Many are the tales of my grand and not-so-grand adventures brought about by being one of the most directionally-challenged people you'll ever meet.

That's why I'm SO glad Jesus proclaimed himself "The Way. " He's not A way - He is THE way. By His Grace, no getting off at the wrong exit. No tolls or trolls. There is a price, but HE paid it. No by-passes, no loop arounds, no shortcuts. The only way to the Father is through Christ - The Way, The Truth and The Life.

Prayer:

Father,
         Your Word tells us in Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. We don't want to walk in a way that seems right. We want to follow only Christ so we can come straight to You. Shine the Light of Your Truth on our paths. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorites - How Can We Not...

O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven above or on the earth below. You keep your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion.
1st Kings 8:23 NLT

I have been called a wordsmith more than once in my life, but when I attempt to lay attribute to Almighty God or to tell you how I love the Lord, I am most inept. I guess if I could sing like Whitney...well, not like Whitney, but with her passion, I would belt it out, ♪♫ I LOVE THE LORD! ♫♪ HE HEARD MY CRY...♪♫

How can you not love a God who will say to you - Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.

How can you not TRUST a God who promises you -When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom; I gave Ethiopia and Seba in your place. Others were given in exchange for you. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you. Do not be afraid, for I am with you... Isaiah 43:1b-5a NLT

How can you not love a God whose Word declares when the enemy comes in like a flood, (Isaiah 59:19) that He - God - will lift up the standard against him?

Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah  Isaiah 61:1-4 NKJV.  No matter what I see. No matter what I hear.

Do I know or understand why children die? No, I do not. Do I know or understand why there are mighty prayer warriors who die having lost the memories of all but Him? No, I do not. Do I know or understand why there are illnesses for which there is no cure, save a miracle from God? A miracle of healing that sometimes does not manifest? No, I do not. But no matter if I understand it or I do not...even if I never do - this one thing I know. He is God and I am not. God of the universe. The Creator of Heaven and Earth - more than we can even begin to wrap our finite minds around! He is God and He is trustworthy and He is faithful and merciful and full of grace toward us. Unmerited favor - we couldn't earn it by our works if we tried. He sent His only Perfect Son to die - to pay the price for my many sins...and for yours.

I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. Psalm 40:1-2 NKJV

How can we not love this God...

Prayer:

Father,
            Your Word, Your Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against You. O God, give us Your Words to speak - to bring Your Light into the darkness, to bring Your Comfort to those who mourn, Your Strength for those who are weak and heavy-laden! May Your Words be fruitful seed, watered by our tears. Give us the increase, Lord. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorites - Get the Picture

And the ones sown among the thorns are others who hear the Word; Then the cares and anxieties of the world and distractions of the age, and the pleasure and delight and false glamour and deceitfulness of riches, and the craving and passionate desire for other things creep in and choke and suffocate the Word, and it becomes fruitless.

Mark 4:18-19, The Amplified Bible

A few years back, while standing at the railing of the sweetest little cottage by Galveston Bay, a Great White Egret flew in close and landed between the bottom of the steps and the water. I ran for my handy, dandy digital camera - the one I was so proud I remembered to bring - the one my daughter bought for me so I could take lots of pictures to share with her. (She inherited her love for the beach from the generations of women before her who have all found peace by the water, and she wanted pictures of my trip.) I was so excited - I had learned all about the camera - I actually read the book! I knew how to use it and I had THE perfectly, idyllic scene posed like an award-winning magazine photo shoot in front of me.

Click...nothing happened. Silly me - I forgot to turn it on. With a self-deprecating shake of the head, I turned it on and brought it to eye-level to capture this perfection and clicked again. Nothing happened. I clicked it twice more. Still nothing happened. I'd forgotten to charge the battery and I neglected to bring the power cord...I remembered right where I left it - meaning to pick it up - but in my hurry to get to where I was going, I ran out the door without it.

Our Christian walk can be just like that trip to the beach. We go through all the motions of getting everything ready and getting to the right place and bringing all the stuff we think we need. Power cords and chargers get put to the side - after all they are smaller and take up less space, we can throw them in last. Then we get busy with adding all the other stuff of life and the cares of this world, and we push God to the side. Lord, I'll pray tonight, okay? Just let me get this done today. Night comes and we're exhausted from the day. Lord, I'm so tired, we'll talk in the morning, alright? Morning breaks and we're still exhausted because we tossed and turned all night thinking about the day and all that needs to be done. We think if we can just get away for the weekend, then we will spend time with the Lord without all the distractions.

But what will happen when we come to the end of the road - to our eternity - and we find we forgot the One that makes it all come together? We forgot to spend the necessary time it takes to power up. Get the picture?

Prayer:

Father,

        Forgive us for thinking we can do even one thing without You. Forgive us our misappropriation of time and our skewed priorities. By Your grace and with Your guidance, help us to set our priorities in the proper order. Help us to see the big picture. You first and everything else after. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

We Learn What We Live +

Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.

Galatians 6:7-8 NLT

Pastor Alan Neel said, In order to have a new day, you have to be sick enough of your yesterday to plant something new. Selah... stop and think about that for a minute.

We may want things to change. We may even pray for deliverance of whatever it is we want changed. However, if we keep planting the same seeds of anger, bitterness, hatred, or strife, we will continue to reap the fruit of it. And you can't allow someone else to sow those things in your fertile ground, either.

Many years ago, I found this poem for the first time. And although it speaks specifically about children, it applies to all of us.

CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVE

Dorothy Law Nolte

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.

If a child lives with fear, he learns to be apprehensive.

If a child lives with pity, he learns to feel sorry for himself.

If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.

If a child lives with jealousy, he learns what envy is.

If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with encouragement, he learns to be confident.

If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.

If a child lives with praise, he learns to be appreciative.

If a child lives with acceptance, he learns to love.

If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.

If a child lives with recognition, he learns that it is good to have a goal.

If a child lives with sharing, he learns about generosity.

If a child lives with honesty and fairness, he learns what truth and justice are.

If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith in himself and in those about him.

If a child lives with friendliness, he learns that the world is a nice place in which to live.

If you live with serenity, your child will live with peace of mind.

With what is your child living?

With what are YOU living?

Prayer:

Father,

       Teach us Your ways, O Lord. Help us to be ever mindful of the thoughts and intents of our own hearts. May they always be pleasing to You. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen

Friends' Favorites - Price Motivation

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

1st Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT

In most product lines - whether manufactured goods or edible or whatever - there are usually multiple choices, and some cost considerably more than their counterparts. However, some are worth the price. For instance, I like half-n-half in my coffer. There's only one brand that flavors my coffee the way I want it, and I am willing to pay the price for it, because my cup of coffee is important to me, and I want it to be good. 

I also wanted to buy a new pick up truck. There are several I like... in fact, I like 'em a lot! However, I don't like the sticker price and I don't like the cost it will take to maintain one, either. What I need is transportation and there's nothing wrong with what I drive now, so I'm not willing to pay the price.

We make choices about life based on the same principle. There are things I love to do with my grandkids, but some of the activities are harder on my body than others... However, there's no question - they are worth it. I'll take a few aches and pains. In fact, the love for my kids and my grandchildren motivates me to take better care of myself because they are SO worth it!! They're worth my going to the gym, so I can stay mobile. They're worth my making the choice to eat healthy over eating that chicken-fried steak with cream gravy and bread pudding for dessert from T-Bone Tom's in Kemah...well, most of the time... heheh...

Some choices you make for the long-term goal. Are you going back to work after the baby's born, or will you cut out all the extras? Is it worth not going out as often so you can stay home with your baby that first year? Only you can make that decision. And how about going back to school to get a degree when you're already working full-time and have a busy life? It's gonna be THAT much harder, with that much more to do, and study and tests, etc. But in the long run, it pays off. Do the benefits outweigh the struggle? Is it worth the price? Sometimes, it doesn't FEEL like it when you're in the middle of it all, but deep inside, you know it is.

When you choose to follow Jesus and the way He would have you to live, it'll cost you. The price is high. Sometimes, it costs us more than we figured in friends, job, lifestyle, and even family. In Luke 14, Jesus says,  And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn't afford to finish it!’ Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? And if he can’t, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.

Everything. It's going to cost us everything to follow Christ. Are you willing to pay that price? Jesus was willing... and He paid it in full. His love for you was His motivation. And when He counted the cost, He figured you were worth it.

Prayer:

Father,

          May everything we say or do and every choice we make be made because You loved us first and paid the price for our sin. Let our love for You and for each other be a direct result of Your love for us. May our motivations be as pure as the Life that paid for ours. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends Favorites - How Heavy Is It?

[Jesus speaking] Look at the fig tree and all the trees; When they put forth their buds and come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and perceive and know that summer is already near. Even so, when you see these things taking place, understand and know that the kingdom of God is at hand.
Luke 21:29-31 The Amplified Bible

Here we are the Wednesday before Easter. Did you know that in the Passion Week when Christ walked the earth, there is no record of His activity on Wednesday? Of course, He'd already had a very busy week.

Sunday was the triumphal entry into Jerusalem - what we know as Palm Sunday.

Monday, He cursed the fig tree and cleared the Temple!

Tuesday, they passed back by the now withered fig tree; the priests and rulers challenged Christ's authority in the Temple. He wrapped them up with their own words, then taught the Parables of Warning, publicly humiliated the Pharisees, and as His last act in the Temple, He taught His disciples and anyone listening the value of the widow's mites... Later that same evening (still Tuesday), He gave what is known as the Olivet Discourse, beginning with the prediction of the Temple's destruction. And that's where we pick up the Scripture in the Amplified Bible, leading to today's text.

And they asked Him, Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when this is about to occur? And He said, Be on your guard and be careful that you are not led astray; for many will come in My name [appropriating to themselves the name Messiah which belongs to Me], saying, I am He! and, The time is at hand! Do not go out after them. And when you hear of wars and insurrections (disturbances, disorder, and confusion), do not become alarmed and panic-stricken and terrified; for all this must take place first, but the end will not [come] immediately. Then He told them, Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. [II Chron. 15:6; Isa. 19:2.] There will be mighty and violent earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences (plagues: malignant and contagious or infectious epidemic diseases which are deadly and devastating); and there will be sights of terror and great signs from heaven. But previous to all this, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, turning you over to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be led away before kings and governors for My name's sake. This will be a time (an opportunity) for you to bear testimony.

Resolve and settle it in your minds not to meditate and prepare beforehand how you are to make your defense and how you will answer. For I [Myself] will give you a mouth and such utterance and wisdom that all of your foes combined will be unable to stand against or refute. You will be delivered up and betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and [some] of you they will put to death. And you will be hated (despised) by everyone because [you bear] My name and for its sake. But not a hair of your head shall perish. [I Sam. 14:45.] 

Skip on down a few verses.

...And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; and upon the earth [there will be] distress (trouble and anguish) of nations in bewilderment and perplexity [without resources, left wanting, embarrassed, in doubt, not knowing which way to turn] at the roaring (the echo) of the tossing of the sea, Men swooning away or expiring with fear and dread and apprehension and expectation of the things that are coming on the world; for the [very] powers of the heavens will be shaken and caused to totter. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with great (transcendent and overwhelming) power and [all His kingly] glory (majesty and splendor).  Now when these things begin to occur, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption (deliverance) is drawing near. And He told them a parable: Look at the fig tree and all the trees; When they put forth their buds and come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and perceive and know that summer is already near. Even so, when you see these things taking place, understand and know that the kingdom of God is at hand. Truly I tell you, this generation (those living at that definite period of time) will not perish and pass away until all has taken place. The sky and the earth (the universe, the world) will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
*****

We'll stop there. Some will say that's a heavy word - a great load to carry. True, true. It is. But we haven't made it to Friday yet...   I'm not trying to throw guilt on anyone, just trying to get us to think realistically and get past cute bunnies and colored eggs. How heavy do you think it was to carry the weight of all our sins on the Cross?

Prayer:

Father,
           Open our eyes and our hearts to Your Truth and only Your Truth. Let us not be deceived by false witnesses and fakers. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorite - Going to Seed

Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.

Galatians 6:7 NLT

As I stood in my backyard, I realized it's time to get the seed planted. Whatever made it through last year's winter, did not make it through this year's. I have lots of seed and a good variety of them. I have the potential for buckets of flowers and vegetables. I have lots of starter containers. What I need is good soil and lots of light to get them started. Without good soil and light, it won't matter how much seed I have - there will not be a harvest to share.

2nd Corinthians 9:10-11a in the NIV, reads, Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion... 

God supplies our seed AND gives the increase to enlarge the harvest of our righteousness so that we can be generous... Have we prepared the soil of our hearts? Have we availed ourselves of the light of His Word? Have we watered from the River of Life? Are we generous with what God has given us?

It's time to seed. Are we ready?

Prayer:

Father,

        Help us to dig up the fallowed ground of our lives to prepare for the righteousness You want to cultivate and harvest in us so that we can be generous to others. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorites - Our Reputation

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important…
Galatians 6:1-3 NLT

What’s our reputation say about us? Are we good at what we do? Are we accessible? Are we a team player or are we shooting for celebrity status? I just love how Paul cuts to the nuts and bolts of a matter, don’t you? It doesn’t matter how high up we go on the proverbial ladder, we are never to be farther above than what it takes to be able to extend our hand to help another believer.

That’s not to say that we are not supposed to continually “come up higher” – you certainly can’t get any higher than Christ Himself- and yet He was never so far that He couldn’t reach us. In fact, quite the opposite. He laid it all down so that He could reach us.

Philippians 2:1-8 tells us, Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

So… which reputation are we working on?

Prayer:

Father,
           Strengthen us to take the encouragement from belonging to Christ, the comfort from His love, the fellowship together in the Spirit and keep our hearts tender and compassionate. Lord, we want to follow You by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, and of one mind. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Friends Favorites - Slave Phrases

Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ.

1st Corinthians 9:19  NLT

We've talked about first-time obedience and how we expect it from those around us. However, we don't give God first-time obedience. We call Him Master, Savior, Redeemer, Father, and yet sometimes, we don't do even His most basic instructions.

I truly believe the Bible is the Divinely-inspired Word of God. I believe that every word was intentionally included. Every story, every parable - I DON'T believe that God put fillers in there - it's all there for a reason and a purpose... just like us. I may love parts of it more than other parts, I may even have parts I don't like at all, but that doesn't make them any less true.

I never realized how many times the slave phrases reference us - you and me - Believers and followers of Christ. Sons and daughters of the Most High God. Joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Slaves of God. Servants of Christ Jesus.

Okay, don't look at me in that tone of voice... the same man who instructed us to follow him as he followed Christ, also wrote this in Philippians 1:1, This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. And in Titus 1:1, This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives.

James wrote the same in James 1:1, This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. As did Peter in 2nd Peter 1:1, This letter is from Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ... And so did Jude in Jude 1:1, This letter is from Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and a brother of James.

Slaves generally don't punch a time clock or get off at a certain time. However, I find myself trying to hoard my time at work - hating to be interrupted - and yet the nature of my job is to BE interrupted so I can help others. I only had an hour or so I could call my own...literal translation - an hour or so when it was all about ME and what I wanted to do without having to take anyone else into consideration. True definition - selfish. I really hate that. I don't want to be selfish - I don't like to even think of myself as being selfish, but the truth is I surely am... and that is definitely NOT being like Jesus who was totally selfLESS and humbled Himself unto death for me and for you.

Think of your loved ones who have not yet received Christ as their Savior or who are making bad decisions - ones that will pull them away from Christ. If you knew today was their last day on earth, or that Jesus was coming back tonight to take His bride, would you wanna watch that movie again - the one you've seen 6 times already - or would you pray for all you are worth?  When we get tired, as we do and we will, we only need to go to our Master... In Matthew 11, Jesus said, Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

Slaves don't generally get a day off. Work for the night is coming...

Prayer:

Father,
            Remove everything that keeps us from fulfilling Your purpose and plan in our lives. Help us to better see our place and part in Your scheme of things. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorite - Uncomfortably Complacent

I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.  Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
Revelation 2:2-4 NKJV

According to Scripture, God has loved us since before the foundations of the Earth. I have not loved Him that long. I loved Him when I was a child, but when I got old enough to think I could make my own decisions, I chose (at that time) to walk after the ways of the world. For over a decade, I was on a one-way street with no speed limits, heading straight for hell. "Do not pass Go. Do not collect two-hundred dollars."

It was when I was at my personal worst that God stepped into my path and offered me a way out...my Prince had come to save me and I couldn't get enough of Him! I was at church every time the doors were open and sometimes, even when they weren't. I just wanted to be there. I took notes every service and studied them and studied them and studied them some more because I wanted to know all I could about this God of the universe, Creator of Heaven and Earth, who loved ME enough to die for me - to pay the price for MY sins - to spare me the punishment for the evil choices I made.

That was a long time ago. Lately, it's almost been like some of the old married couples you've seen. They're comfortable in their relationship, but they're not "crazy in love" like they were when they were kids. She no longer hangs on his every word. He's not her "first love" anymore. Nowadays, he gets put on the back burner if one of the grandchildren or one of the ladies in her group needs something. She takes for granted that he's always going to be there.

There is a huge difference between comfortable and complacent. I've grown comfortable in my relationship with the Lord. I actually believe beyond the shadow of a doubt that He loves me - and that's good - but the truth is in the last few months, I had grown complacent in my relationship with Him. Oh, I wasn't out running around or getting drunk or doing stuff like that - but neither was I running to be with Him or drinking from the water of Life or listening for His voice. And I could feel the nudges... You don't spend time with Me. Come talk to Me. Don't push Me away. Don't ignore Me. 

I tried to make myself believe it was all okay because I wasn't running around or doing all those other things, and I was at church and paid my tithes, and gave offerings, etc... but I forgot one VERY important thing. 

This relationship has NEVER been about what I'VE done for Him.

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You for loving me more than enough to confront me and make me uncomfortable in my complacency. Forgive me, Lover of my soul, for putting anything alive or electronic ahead of You in my life. It is ONLY in You that I live and move and have my being. Let my only comfort be in You. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen

* It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. 

2nd Corinthians 5:17-18a NLT

One of the guys at work - when you ask him how he's doing - always replies, "Man, it doesn't get any better than this..." Usually what he means is, "This is it, so you might as well learn to live with it." On days that have been particularly trying, that is not what I want to hear. Although this evening, I was reminded that I used to believe exactly that because I had no hope. I was a hopeless case.

I've walked down Memory Lane a few times in the last week or so. You see, I have no problem remembering what I was and where I was when God finally got my attention. I remember thinking back then that I deserved everything that happened in my life because of the choices I'd made along the way. I distinctly remember thinking that it would never get better because I didn't deserve better... and truly, I didn't... 

But thank God, it wasn't about me and what I did. It was - and is - all about Christ and what He did to pay for my life - and yours - on the Cross at Calvary. And that has removed the pain from those memories and left only the glow of God's goodness, His love, His mercy, and redemption to cover the multitude of my sins. Praise God, by His grace, I am able to look down that road through the filter of His forgiveness and love. 

Tonight, I was blessed to sit down to supper with 30 women - strong women of God - women that Titus speaks of in chapter 2. Laughing, talking, sharing, eating Tex-Mex...sitting with them, loving them, one with them. And I marvel at what God has done in each of the lives represented there. New creations, The old life is gone; a new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. 

It doesn't get any better than this. Only Heaven will be better...

Prayer:

Father,

          I pray the words of Leeland's song - It feels like there's not enough praise inside of me. With all these words, all my heart can sing is 'Holy! You are holy!' I want to walk worthy of the life You have given me. I want to reflect You, Father, and only You, because it doesn't get any better that that. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen