No Known Cure

A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse.
Mark 5:25-26 NLT

Maybe you were diagnosed. Maybe someone you love. You see the doctor's mouth moving, you know she's speaking but you haven't heard a single word after "...no known cure..." It may not be terminal, but the condition for which you sought help is not curable. There's no known treatment that will alleviate the pain, the symptoms, remove the cause. What do you do?

Generally, they will offer you options that "might help" to manage the pain, if you can financially afford a Tier 4 or Tier 5 pharmaceutical. Of course, that's if you can manage the side effects. Side effects that include the words, "In rare cases, less than 1%... may cause death." What if your medical history identifies you as one of the less than 1%? The kind of words the enemy of your soul loves. No known cure. Destined to be in pain for the rest of your natural life (or what's left of it).

Then it hit me - no known cure - what a lie!! Maybe not known in the field of medicine. Maybe not known in the scientific realm. But definitely and unequivocally KNOWN in the spirit realm. Isaiah 53:5 NLT prophesied about it before Christ was ever born on this earth. ...He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. Peter tells us again in his New Testament letter, who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 1st Peter 2:24 NLT

If we continue on a little further in today's text, we find verses 27-29, She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition.

There IS a Known Cure! Have you heard about it? His Name is Jesus. Jehovah Rapha - Our God who heals! The side effects are incredible - Life and it more abundantly - and eternally. And it's already been paid for...

Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for all that You are, all that You've done, and all that You're going to do. Thank You for revealing Your Truth and dispelling the darkness of the facts of this world. Thank You for the provision You made for our healing. Open our hearts to embrace Your Truth. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorite - In Spite of the Storm

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Mark 13:31 NLT

I was on my way from a meeting with the sun behind me shining brightly into the mass of storm clouds ahead of me. I knew conditions were right for a rainbow...and I was not disappointed. I thanked God for it as I watched it appear, not only for its beauty but for the covenant - for His Word that stands the test of time. And in that moment, the Holy Spirit pierced my heart with understanding and hope...

As I mentioned, the sun was fully shining behind me, but the storm clouds ahead were daunting. The kind you watch for signs of a tornado. I don't like those, and I had the fleeting thought, 'Why head for the storm when you could turn around and ride into the sunset?' and it was in that moment that the rainbow appeared and I felt peace.

You see, I've been riding the edge of a storm in my life. The winds have been howling, the thunderous clamor of life's circumstances overwhelming at times, and it feels like I'm headed straight into it with no hope to avert. I've been so concerned with trying to find a way to get around or away from the storm that I'd completely lost sight of the ability to go through it with my God who has promised to never leave me, to never forsake me. 

Storms come and go. Battles wax and wane, but the same God who proclaimed, Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away, also promised in Matthew 28:20, Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Storms and all.

Prayer:

Father, 
         Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your promises. Thank You for loving us beyond our comprehension, and thank You for being a God who is with us always. Strengthen our hearts, O God, in Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

  

Friends' Favorites - No Excuse

No Excuse

But God's angry displeasure erupts as acts of human mistrust and wrongdoing and lying accumulate, as people try to put a shroud over truth. But the basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can't see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being. So nobody has a good excuse.

Romans 1:18-20 NLT

 I was born this way - what's your excuse? 

You'd better have a good excuse...

Weellllll, excuuuuuuuuuuuuussse me! 

I don't remember who it was that said there aren't enough crutches for the over-abundance of lame excuses, but he spoke the truth. I wonder how many people will stand before God and try to offer excuses. What we need to know is that when that day comes, God will not be looking at anyone else in our little sphere of reality. He'll be looking at only one person - the one in front of Him - and judging the life work of that person as to whether or not Jesus is their Lord and Savior.

Ignorance of the law will not excuse you from the consequences of breaking the law. Not knowing is no excuse - on Earth or in Heaven. Jesus tells us in John 15:22, They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin.

Do we have an interest in knowing Jesus or are we committed to knowing Him? Art Turock, famed business speaker and corporate leadership motivator, has this to say about it, "There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstances permit. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results."

God is committed to us. So much so that He sent His only Son to die a brutal death on the Cross at Calvary for the remission of our sins. We have NO excuse...

Prayer:

Father,

          Forgive us for trying to excuse or justify any behavior that is opposed to Your Will and Word. Change our hearts and minds, Father. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorites - A Memorial

There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!”  And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?”
So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God."
Acts 10:1-4 NKJV

Memorials are a great tribute to those who have given their lives in service for others, whether in the armed forces during conflict or through humanitarian effort. A time to remember and honor what they have done. However, it's a different kind of memorial I'm thinking about this evening - the one in our Promise for today. Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.   

When I read this, I had to ask myself. Have I prayed enough or given enough that my prayers and alms would come up for a memorial before God?  And if I haven't, why haven't I? 

Do I take my freedom to worship so casually that I forget the price that was paid for it? Because I was born into a Christian nation, do I turn an unfazed eye and ear to the plight of our Christian brothers and sisters who do NOT live in the land of the free and the home of the brave?  Those for whom Christianity today is as much persecuted with beatings and torture and death, as it was in the first century?

For those who have given their lives to offer freedom in Christ to a lost and dying world - a memorial. For those who have given their lives so that I might live in the land of the free - a memorial. For the One who gave His life to redeem every soul - let my life be a living memorial...

Prayer:

Father,
         Change our hearts! Renew a right spirit within us! Let our prayers and alms be such that they come up for a memorial before You...and You alone, Father. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorites - You'll Get Your Quilt

But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts [taken complete possession of them]. However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you].

John 16:6-7 The Amplified Bible

The story goes like this: After Sunday School, a Mom asked her very young daughter what the lesson was about. 

The daughter replied confidently, "Don't be scared; you'll get your quilt."
Needless to say, the Mom was perplexed. Later that day, the Mom stopped the Sunday School teacher and asked the Scripture reference for the day's lesson. He said "John 16:6-7."

Quilt - Comforter - it's all the same to a child. I laughed because I have had some very similar lessons with regard to children and their interpretation of what they heard and what was actually said (and some adults, too!).

But aren't we just like that sometimes? We think we know what God said, but we miss something in the interpretation or substitute what we think means the same thing. We think "Close enough" or "Good enough."  However, God is a very specific communicator. He says exactly what He means. He establishes His Word.

In verses 13-15 of this same chapter in the Amplified Bible, Jesus assures us that the Comforter - the Holy Spirit  -  when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future]. He will honor and glorify Me, because He will take of (receive, draw upon) what is Mine and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you. Everything that the Father has is Mine. That is what I meant when I said that He [the Spirit] will take the things that are Mine and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you.

So, do we want a quilt - just something to cover ourselves - or do we want the Comforter? Pay attention...

Prayer:

Father,

           Open our ears and our hearts to fully hear and understand what You would say to us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorites - What's It Worth

What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them.
Luke 12:6 NLT

It's crazy how society determines the worth and value of people and things. According to The Business of Sports, written by Kenneth Rosner, average salaries in 2008 and 2009, across these leagues were $5.585 million in the NBA, $3.26 million in MLB, $1.9 million in the NHL, and $1.9 million in the NFL. The median salary of a K-12 school teacher just starting out was less than $35k, and a teacher with 20 or more years of experience earned around $60k. Of course that depends on the state and district in which they work. Police officers and sheriffs earned approximately the same median annual salary as teachers, again depending on where they live and work.

We use all kinds of phrases to express values. Solid gold, going platinum, dime a dozen, ain't worth a plugged nickel, about as useless as a screen door in a submarine. We use all sorts of standards - the gold standard. The price of oil per barrel - but they all fluctuate. There's no solid worth. No constant. No measure by which to set everything else's value.

We blow off things that are a dime a dozen. They're common. Cheap, plentiful, no supply demand for them. No real value added, no matter what... or who. We wouldn't give a plugged nickel for a couple of sparrows and yet our Scripture reference for today tells us that God Himself does not forget a single one of them. And if He does not forget one single sparrow, then how do you suppose He feels about you?

What are you worth to Him? The life of His ONLY begotten Son - that's what was paid. Have you got a standard that can measure that?

Prayer:

Father,
           Train our eyes to see Your people and their value as You see them - worth it all. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorites - Acting or Action

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” 

Mark 9:23 NKJV

We say we're believers.

We sing songs about it. I believe in God the Father - Almighty Maker of Heaven and Maker of Earth - And in Jesus Christ His only begotten Son, our Lord...

We quote Scripture, chapter and verse:

Genesis 15:6 NKJVAnd he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.Mark 11:24 NKJVTherefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.John 1:12But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name...

When talking to another believer, we distinguish those at work and/or in our family: She's a believer or he's a non-believer but...

Does any of that ring as true for you as it does for me?

As I was reading the Scripture, With God, all things are possible, I believe God challenged me on it.

Do you really believe that?

Yes, I really do.

When you really believe something, don't you take action based on what you believe?

Yes, of course, I do.

Then why don't you take action on My Word? Not ACT like you believe it - BELIEVE it and take action on what you believe!

It was then, I had to reply like the child's father from our Promise for Today, verse 24 - Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!"  The Amplified Bible reads, "Lord, I believe! [Constantly] help my weakness of faith!"

Faith is the SUBSTANCE of things hoped for - the EVIDENCE of things not seen. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Period. There's no question mark, there's no fill in the blanks at the end for the words of doubt - Can I? Can You?  There's only acting like I believe or taking action to live because I do believe.

Prayer:

Father,
        Forgive me for my weakness of faith. Take the blinders off my eyes and my heart so I can see Your Word for the Light and Truth that it is and then take action on it with complete follow through! In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen

Friends' Favorite - Generically Speaking

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

Psalm 34:8 NKJV

I love church potluck dinners. I think I've mentioned to you how our church does it differently. We bring it in and set it in front of us on the table where we choose to sit. Right at 7, Pastor says grace and we dig in - no waiting in lines and no running out of food. And I will tell you that both the women AND the men at our church have an anointing to cook.....mmm-mmmmmmmm! It's a great night of fellowship, and Pastor brings a short word while we're gathered around the table together, and then we pray with whoever's at our table.  

If you attend LCC for very long, you learn whose table to visit for food - that is if you want something besides what's in front of you. It's share and share alike, but some of them cook from scratch and we know who "them" are. (Did I mention their anointing to cook?)

Isn't that funny? Our lives are so busy and so hectic that very few of us cook from scratch anymore and yet we all still flock to those tables and love the food and inhale it like we've been starved for nutrition. And the truth is, we probably have been starved for real nutrition, but we'll still eat whatever's cheap, fast and easy because we don't make the time - or take the time - to get the "real" thing. You know, like when money is tight, we tend to buy off-brands of everything and convince ourselves we like it and it tastes exactly the same... until we get a bit of the real thing. 

The question is do we do the same thing in our relationship with God? How often do we listen to Christian radio and try to justify that we have focused on God in praise and worship while we're driving down the highway? Or caught snippets of Scripture about life lessons and then try to convince ourselves we have spent time meditating on His Word? Don't get me wrong - listening to Christian radio and anything from Scripture are both good. But when was the last time you got down and served up a healthy portion of praise and worship one-on-one to God Almighty? How long has it been since you've done more One Minute Sermons than one-minute games on the social network? Or read more pages in the Bible than pages on Facebook?

We're settling for processed, ready-made, generic Christianity. Why? It's not because we can't afford it. God said come without money and buy. And He paid for it in full. God wants the best for us. He's GIVEN the Best for us. There is NO generic substitute.

Prayer:

Father,

         Thank You for giving us Your Best - in all things. I pray that we would take the time to dig in and get to the good stuff. Help us to see how to get there. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorites - Ready or Not, Here I Come!

However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.

Matthew 24:36-42 NLT

The late Anthony Burger - one of the greatest pianists of our time - told a precious story about his then five-year-old son, Austin. In the children's play, Austin played the part of Jesus. Austin knelt in the garden and prayed, "Father, I don't want to die. But I will if You want me to, 'cause I'll do anything for You." Then they attached him to a cardboard cross and afterward, they carried him across the stage to the "tomb." Little three-year-old girls were crying outside the recreated tomb, "Jesus is dead. What are we gonna do?" Anthony said you could see Austin in there with his eyes so tightly closed, and then he came out and asked, "Why are you crying? Don't cry. I'm alive! I died but I came back. I only needed it for the weekend."

Anthony choked up and said he was so proud watching his son from the third pew... until Austin walked back into the tomb. Anthony said he was a little embarrassed that his son walked back in there, thinking he messed up. Then just about that time, Austin yelled from inside the tomb, "Ready or not! Here I come!"

I've heard people make the comment, "Yeah, I've been hearing that all my life..." As if it's not true that Jesus is coming back soon. 2nd Peter 3:9-10a reads, The Lord isn’t slow to do what he promised, as some people think. Rather, he is patient for your sake. He doesn’t want to destroy anyone but wants all people to have an opportunity to turn to him and change the way they think and act. The day of the Lord will come like a thief. On that day heaven will pass away with a roaring sound. Everything that makes up the universe will burn and be destroyed.

Ready or not, He IS coming...

Prayer:

Father,
        We pray for all those who have had ample opportunity to turn their lives over to You but have not yet done so. Move on their hearts again, Father. Draw them to You. Let them accept Jesus as Your Son and His Blood shed at Calvary as the atonement for their sin. Breathe new life into them, Father. Make them anew in You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorites - Answer the Call

I made the earth, formed it, and set it in place. My name is the Lord. This is what the Lord says: Call to me, and I will answer you. I will tell you great and mysterious things that you do not know.
Jeremiah 33:2-3 God's Word Translation

One of the great frustrations in parenting is calling your child, knowing they can hear your call, but they don't answer. It's just as frustrating in business, and even socially; you call on the phone and get no answer. Nobody likes it. Sometimes there are reasons for it, especially when you're at work, but other times, we're just busy. Don't you hate that? I know I do - and what I hate even more is that sometimes I'm the one guilty of being busy...

Wanna know something? God hates it, too. And He hates it with a passion. I woke up one morning with Answer on my brain, so I did a word search for call answer on BibleGateway. I was looking for Scripture pertaining to how God answers when we call on Him...and I found those...but I found more Scriptures about what God does - and will do - when He calls and we DON'T answer. Woe be unto us... Literally...

However, there are great promises for those who WILL hear God's call and answer Him. Our text for today and these two are some of my favorite passages:

Isaiah 65:23-24, They will not work in vain, and their children will not be doomed to misfortune. For they are people blessed by the Lord, and their children, too, will be blessed. I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!

Psalm 91:14-16, The Lord says, I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.

We all love to read how God will answer us when we call, but the Word tells us it's only when we are obedient and listen to His voice; when we follow His commands. He's not obligated to hear us if we won't hear Him.

Think about it for a moment. Has God spoken to you - called to get your attention about something? Did you answer? I hope so because it's either Hello, it's me or Woe is me... Answer the call.

Prayer:

Father,
             Forgive us for our disobedience - our rebellion - in not responding when You call us. Let our hearts respond to You as Samuel did, Here am I. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorites - NOT a Random Act

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

Micah 7:18-19 NIV

Part of my day job is to make sure all of my people are compliant with the appropriate drug consortium. To ensure continued compliance, there are random drug and alcohol screenings demanded by the consortium at their discretion. Once notified, the candidate has 30 minutes to get to the collection site. There isn't any rhyme or reason regarding who is chosen for them - which is why they're called random. Random is defined as without an identifiable pattern, plan, system, or connection.  

Probably the most well-known use of 'random' is "Random Act of Kindness". According to the Internet, there are some conflicts as to how it exactly started, but generally, it began as a way to encourage those in the world who normally wouldn't think to do something kind for someone else unless there was some kind of return or hope for return. As Christians, a Random Act of Kindness is oxymoronic, both by definition and by how we are called to live our lives.

As Christians, we are in this world, not of it (John 17). As Christians, we are residents in a city whose Builder and Maker is God (Hebrews 11). We are sojourners - in a place that is not home, staying for a time that is longer than a vacation, but not permanent... As such, we are to be like Christ - who did what His Father did and said what His Father said.  

There is nothing random about God. His way is the master plan, with built-in contingencies of forgiveness and mercy. His mercies are new every morning. Our text for today in The Message reads, ...mercy is your specialty. That's what you love most. The Amplified reads, He delights in mercy and loving-kindness.

Delights in them.

If He does, shouldn't we?

We may not want to do acts of kindnesses for some people, but if we have a so-called reason for not doing an act of kindness, then obviously, we're judging... (and we all know what the Word says about judging others - Judge not, lest ye be judged, right?) If we require further inspiration, let's go to James 2:13 NLT,  There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. There is nothing random about God.

Mercy triumphs over judgment. There is an identifiable pattern, a definite plan, system, and a Cross connection. Our lives as followers of Christ should not be a random act. 

Prayer:

Father,

         We pray according to Your Word, Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands. As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should! I will obey your decrees. Please don’t give up on me! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorites - Strong Man Contest

For I can do everything through Christ,  who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13 NLT

As Christians, we are so fond of this verse! We repeat it like a mantra. The more outside pressure we feel, the more we chant this verse. But do we get it? 

Do we understand that this does NOT say, I can do everything in my own strength just because I know the Name of Jesus. It says, through Him because He's the One that gives me strength.  And it does NOT say, strength to stand on my own with Him.  So many people believe that this thought, "He promises never to put more on us than we can bear" is Scriptural, but that is NOT what Scripture says. It reads, He promises that we won't be TEMPTED more than we can bear because He will provide a way out of it. 

I've got a news flash for you - God never expected you to carry it alone or do it alone! We can't sustain anything in our own strength. Yes, we ARE to be strong - but it's in the power of HIS might, not our own...

Christ Himself invited us to yoke up with Him. In fact, what it DOES say about standing on your own strength is this, This is what the Lord says: Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord. Jeremiah 17:5. 

To that end and to drive home the Truth, please read and meditate on these Scriptures.

• Exodus 15:2 The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. 

• 2 Samuel 22:30 In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall. 

• Psalm 18:29 In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall.

• Psalm 18:32 God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect.

• Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

• Psalm 59:9 You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me, for you, O God, are my fortress.

• Psalm 68:35 God is awesome in his sanctuary.The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!

• Psalm 73:26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.

• Psalm 81:1 Sing praises to God, our strength.

• Isaiah 12:2 See, God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. The Lord God is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.

• Isaiah 41:10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

• 1 Timothy 1:12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work.

• Hebrews 13:9 So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them.

• 1 Peter 4:11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

• 1 Peter 5:10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.

Prayer:

Father,

         We pray according to Your Word. Psalm 73:26, My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but You remain the strength of my heart; You are mine forever. And then we all sing, Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Friends' Favorites - Yes! You Can!

Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.
Matthew 25:14-15 NLT

Have you ever blown something out of proportion or been around someone who has? It's shocking to me how quickly some small, insignificant something can be so distorted. However, I guess it shouldn't be when you stop to consider the snake (satan) behind it spewing slander, self-righteousness, and false pride to fuel the flame in his effort to divide and conquer.

And that same devil sure has a heyday with this passage of Scripture. Can't you just hear him back then - in the ear of the servant who only got one bag of silver (in the KJV - one talent - which refers to a weight measurement of approximately 75lbs - not a talent as we define it today - musician, singer, preacher, etc)? Can't you just imagine the thoughts going through that "one talent" servant's head? What about today?

Oh, he got five!

Oh, he got two!

I only got one! What's up with that? That's not fair. He obviously doesn't think I can handle more than that. Well, I know how he thinks. I'll show him. I'll hide it someplace safe so when he comes back, I'll give every bit of it right back to him."

But the Truth is, we don't know how He thinks... Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us, For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

I cannot possibly tell you how many times I've read this portion of Scripture. And every time I've read it, I missed the part about dividing it in proportion to their abilities. God, in His infinite love and mercy, gives each of us what He knows we can do using what He Himself gives us.

Yes, there are people who know how to make money. They're good at it - because it's a God-given ability, but those same people are generally not the same people who can sit with a hurting soul and pour in loving comfort. Is one more important than the other? I guess it depends on what your need is. That could be why one gets 5 and the other 2 and the other only 1. It could just be a matter of how much time is needed to extend or expend the gift(s). Does that put it back into proportion for you?

Can you take what God has gifted you with and multiply it to those made in His image (every living human being)? Yes, you can! Remember what He said...dividing it in proportion to their abilities. Discover the Truth about the verse.

One more time - God, in His infinite love and mercy, gives each of us what He knows we CAN do using what He Himself gives us.

Go on! Do it! Yes! You can!!

Prayer:

Father,
You are the Author and the Finisher of our faith and our ability and our very lives. Help us to see You in all that we've been given as a blessing or given to BE a blessing. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorites - Living Proof

The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.

Proverbs 20:7 NLT

If ever you've tried to help someone who's just learning to walk with the Lord - or perhaps is struggling to walk - and nothing you do or say seems to be making any difference, I want to share an illustration with you that I believe God showed me. 

You may not have children of your own, but most of us have seen babies who are learning to walk, so regardless, you'll have a point of reference. When my children were babies, I could teach them how to pull themselves up to stand. I could even offer them a hand. I could support them under their arms while they bounced and jumped and strengthened their leg muscles. I would hold both hands so they could stay up and not fall, but they had to make their legs and feet move. I would encourage them - even entice them with a toy or treat - but until they decided they wanted to and made up their mind to do it, they did not take one step on their own.

You can't make a baby walk unless he or she is ready to walk - whether it's an actual baby or someone trying to follow Jesus. By the same token, in order for the child to be able to walk on its own, you have to let go. They will totter, and stumble, and trip, and they will fall. And after a few falls, they may even decide just to sit or crawl for awhile and try that walking thing a little later. They will get bruised, scraped up - they might even bleed and have scars as a result - but eventually, they will learn to walk because they choose to do so.

And the longer they do it, the better they get at it. You're living proof...so make sure you walk with integrity.

Prayer:

Father,

        Help us to be good stewards of who and what You have given us. Continue to give us revelation wisdom so we can teach others about You and how to walk in Your way. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorites - Acknowledging God

John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven.”

John 3:27 NLT

It’s time for a refresher course in an Attitude of Gratitude. In our flesh, it’s too easy to see the downside of life. A friend of mine sent a message a while back that clearly showed her CHOICE to look for something for which to give thanks. 

She had been working mandatory overtime for several weeks. She was tired and wanted to whine about it, but that day she came home, her A/C had gone out… on one of the hottest days of the year. She chose to thank God that she had the extra money on hand to pay for the repair. She had to put her uniforms in the dryer for work the next day (while the A/C was down); she chose to thank God that she has a dryer AND that it works! She also chose to thank God that she was perspiring enough to cleanse her body from toxins (also God’s design). 

How many times do we miss the opportunity to acknowledge God in ALL our ways? The old car/van/truck (with no car payment) that still runs faithfully. The flat tire that happened in the parking lot at work could just as easily have happened on the freeway while traveling at 70mph. You might say that NO flat tire would have been better. Let’s see, No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. Perhaps you needed an opportunity to practice an Attitude of Gratitude or to find a way to acknowledge God…

Prayer:

Father,

         We haven’t the words to properly praise You for all the ways You provide for us – spiritually and physically. Forgive us for the times we don’t acknowledge You. We love You, Lord. Help us to be more aware. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorites - Born to Just Do It

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them...
Genesis 1:27-28a NKJV

God has a reason, a design and a plan for everything He creates. We may not know or understand a large part of it, but that doesn't matter. Mankind was created in His likeness.

The original plan was that our nature would be like His, but it didn't take us long to fall, did it? One thousand, one hundred, eighty-nine chapters in the Bible, and by chapter 3, we'd already fallen. The fallen nature of man just wants to be blessed. And in our fallen nature, we started the "What about me?" saga. It doesn't want to work for it, to have to earn it - it's that whole I-didn't-ask-to-be-born-You-owe-me selfish, self-focused and self-consumed attitude.

The good news is that those who choose to follow God, to walk in Christ's footsteps - to pick up their Cross and be redeemed from the curse of sin - they can once again be the image of God. The redeemed nature wants to give and to bless others. That's following God. He's not asking us to do anything He hasn't already done Himself. You see, He gave us our very breath of life and then He gave us the opportunity for Life abundantly through the death of His Son. He gave - after we had already fallen.

For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. Titus 2:11-14

Prayer:

Father,
          We want to be more like You. Redeem us unto every good work, Father, according to Your Word. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorites - Be an Example, Leave a Mark

Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers. Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.

1st Timothy 4:7-12 NLT

As Christians, we know we are to be an example to those around us. True...but an example of what? If we were to ask a group what that meant, we would get answers such as Walk in love. Don't get angry. Do everything with a good attitude.  And those are true. All scriptural. And the world sees those attributes as somewhat innocuous. They think Christians should be inoffensive and harmless... non-confrontational... 

Somehow, that's not the picture I have of Jesus when He cleared the temple with a cat o' nine tails. It's not the picture I have of Jesus when He stood before Pilate, with a crown of thorns on His head, having been beaten and whipped until He was unrecognizable, and yet He answered, "You have no power over Me..."  

In our text for today, Paul writes to Timothy, Be an example... The transliteration of the word for example is typos (pronounced too' pohs). It means "1) the mark of a stroke or blow, print, or 2) a figure formed by a blow or impression (of an image or figure)."  Does that seem innocuous to you?

I am overwhelmed with the images that come to mind in the Light of this, not the least of which are the nail prints in His hands and feet. His love left marks on His own body. Have we pressed in close enough that they've left an impression on us? Are His marks of love so deep in us that we make an imprint on someone else?

We are to be an example to all believers in what we say, in the way we live, in our love, our faith, and our purity. We must leave a mark. 

Prayer:

Father,

         Pray, let the borrowed words of the great hymn writer, Horatius Bonar, be ours today. Great Master, teach us with Your skillful hand; Let not the music that is in us die! Great Sculptor, hew and polish us; nor let hidden and lost, Your form within us lie! 
        According to Your Word in Ephesians 2:10, we are Your workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which You prepared in advance for us to do. Shape us and mold us into Your image, to do Your will, O God. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorites - Answered Prayers

My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts, says the Lord. And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT

An old friend of mine sent an article to me, with a note that he thought I’d be interested in the writings of the particular author. The article began by mentioning that one of the author’s readers told him she would pray for him. It then proceeded to be an heretical diatribe about prayer and my heavenly Father. The author’s viewpoint was that both are a waste of time. God forgive him…

There was a time in my life I would have gone into full battle mode and charged in with Scriptures flailing and been caught up in vain arguments for days, but nowadays, I don’t have the time or energy for useless battles. I don’t know if my old friend is nearing the end of his life and now questions his own agnostic view of life or what. I have presented the Gospel to him two or three times, but he has always rejected it - albeit respectfully - but rejected it nonetheless. He and the author in question have bought a common lie and both use it as a reason to not believe in God. They call it unanswered prayers. Why pray to a God who won’t answer your prayers?

Have you ever noticed that satan loves to swoop in with questions like that to cause doubt in people’s lives? We've all attended funerals of friends and loved ones who died before they had a chance to be old. I know for certain there were many fervent prayers prayed asking for total healing, and yet God chose to take them Home. Some view that as unanswered prayer. That may seem like fact, but it’s certainly not the Truth.

I don't believe there is any such thing as unanswered prayer. The Truth of the matter is that our prayers ARE answered - ALL of them. They just aren't always answered with the answer we want… 

Sometimes the answer is no.

Prayer:

Father,

          Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so Your ways are higher than our ways and Your thoughts higher than our thoughts. Give us revelation, Father. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorites - Looking for Blessings

My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts, says the Lord.  And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT

I am always driven to these 2 verses when things happen or are happening that I can't understand. Used to be, I would rant and rail at God, explaining to Him all the reasons those things shouldn't be happening and touting what I believed would be a better plan (usually mine...) Thank God, I've finally come to the place that I believe whatever God does is ultimately for our good. Whatever He allows to touch our lives is there to help us grow in faith and love and trust.

I've been sitting here, trying to find the right words to convey the depth of His love in these two verses, but all I keep hearing is Laura Story's song titled Blessings. So that's what I'm sending along. I've included the link, or you can copy and paste it. I've also included the lyrics.  Open your heart to the Lord and let this song wash over your spirit.

This is NOT a message of apologetics. It's about a God who doesn't have to explain Himself but does anyway, because of His great love for us. The question is, can we understand Him?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CSVqHcdhXQ&feature=related

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things

‘Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough

All the while, You hear each desperate plea
As long as we have faith to believe

‘Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not - this is not our home

Not our home

‘Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

Prayer:

Father,

          We love You and we trust You. Use whatever it takes to get our attention and keep it on You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorite - The Enabler

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 1:12-14 NKJV

These days, being an enabler has a negative connotation. It implies allowing or helping an individual to do something that is detrimental to the individual's well-being. Well, let's see what you think about this...

Have you ever read the book of Genesis? God is the original Enabler. In the 2nd chapter of Genesis, verses 7 & 8, God formed a man from dirt and breathed life into him. That dirt could not have become a man - a living, breathing person - unless God enabled him.

Could David have been king without being enabled? Would Saul - persecutor of Christ - have become the Apostle Paul if God had not enabled him? Paul writes in 1st Corinthians 15:10, But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace. Does any of that sound detrimental to you?... No, not to me, either.

Throughout Scripture, every story of victory, and overcoming, and living life to the fullest, and growing in the nurture and admonition of the Lord - all are because the LORD enabled. He enables us to do the things He planned long ago for us to do. He gifts us with the talent and skills and knowledge... He puts people on our paths every day to help teach us, to work Godly character into the very fiber of our being. The Word says every good and perfect gift comes from the Father! (James 1:17)

How can this be? Mark 10:15, NLT reads, Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” Everything...EVERYthing is possible with God. He is such an Enabler!  Praise His Holy Name!

Prayer:

Father,

          Without You, we can do nothing. Without You, we are without hope. Thank You for enabling us to walk in Your footsteps. Help us to faithfully follow You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen