Reminder to Do Something

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

Deuteronomy 15:10-11 The Message

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

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

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

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

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

"Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity" (Luke 6:38 The Message).

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

Prayer:

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

He Started It - You Version Daily Devotional

When the Apostle Paul was locked in a Roman prison for telling people about Jesus, he sent a letter of hope to his friends back in Philippi. A portion of it said:

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1:6‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Though Paul was writing to specific people in the first-century Church, his words are just as true for the global Church today.

Think about it: Who started this thing we call life? Who made this world and everything in it? Who fine-tuned the universe to actually make sense? Who put you here—at this specific time in history? Who handcrafted your body, your mind, your strengths, and your unique-to-you personality? Who began this good work?

Before you were ever born, God already had you in mind. Before you could even walk or talk or have dreams for yourself, God already had a plan. Before you knew to look to Him or to follow Him or to worship Him, God was already at work—in you, around you, and through you.

Sometimes it feels like we’re just wasting time and taking up space, without real purpose. But—it turns out—God is intentional and He makes no mistakes. To top it off…

God always finishes what He starts.

The story isn’t over. When Christ returns once and for all, the work of God through His people will finally be complete.

Until then, let’s commit to God’s good work inside of us.

Let’s magnify Him in everything we do.

Let’s believe that He’ll finish what He has begun.

Reminder - Lest We Forget

Make sure you don’t forget God, your God, by not keeping his commandments, his rules and regulations that I command you today. Make sure that when you eat and are satisfied, build pleasant houses and settle in, see your herds and flocks flourish and more and more money come in, watch your standard of living going up and up—make sure you don’t become so full of yourself and your things that you forget God, your God, 

• the God who delivered you from Egyptian slavery;
• the God who led you through that huge and fearsome wilderness, those desolate, arid badlands crawling with fiery snakes and scorpions;
• the God who gave you water gushing from hard rock;
• the God who gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never heard of, in order to give you a taste of the hard life, to test you so that you would be prepared to live well in the days ahead of you. 

If you start thinking to yourselves, “I did all this. And all by myself. I’m rich. It’s all mine!”—well, think again.
Deuteronomy 8:11-17 The Message

Lyrics to an old hymn resound in my spirit today, "Lest I forget Gethsemane. Lest I forget Thine agony. Lest I forget Thy love for me, Lead me to Calvary..."

How easy it is to forget where we've come from.
How easy it is to forget what God has delivered us from.
How easy it is to see someone else's sin or slip into judgment about it.
How easy it is to forget ALL the sins He has forgiven in our own lives.
How easy it seems to be to forget the ultimate sacrifice of Christ's death so that we might live.

Prayer:

Father,
           Forgive us for the times we become so full of ourselves that we lose sight of the Cross at Calvary. Help us to never lose sight and to never forget anything good that we have or any good that is in us is only because of You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Reminder - The Big Ask

Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him.

Luke 5:27-28 NLT

Levi (also called Matthew - see Matthew 9) was a tax collector; despised by those from whom he collected money. Jesus knew this, yet called him anyway... To me, the wild thing is Matthew just got up, left everything (the Word says) and followed Him.

Think about that for a moment. We hate to see the tax man coming. And I think tax collectors may be as unpopular today as they were in Jesus' time.

What was Matthew's next recorded act? He threw a party (held a banquet) and invited Jesus to meet all his former co-workers and friends. This from a man who had become instantly unemployed the moment he made the choice to follow Jesus.

You know Peter and Andrew, James and John were all fishermen. If they bombed as disciples, they could always go back to the fishing industry. When Matthew made the choice, there was no going back. AND he was immediately unemployed. We tend to panic when we even think our job may be on the chopping block.

What I find most fascinating about this story are the gifts God had given Matthew when He created him in his mother's womb. Record-keeping, organization, the mighty pen. And Matthew had used them in a way that was not pleasing to God. However, when God called Levi, all that changed.

The mighty pen wrote the gospel of Matthew. His organizational skill was able by God's grace to keep it all straight. What a testimony!! Want to take a guess at how many people have been ministered to by Matthew's Gospel?

Even when we start out bad, when we make the decision to follow Christ, our gifts are washed white as snow, too. Levi left everything and followed Him. Would you if He asked? He's asking.

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You for Your Word that gives us the comfort of knowing You have a plan for us, that You have gifted us to fulfill Your purpose and plan for each of us. Give us Your perspective on our lives. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Reminder to 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 don't know 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 our 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. I've been thinking about that old song today that 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

Consultation

"Does he who fashioned the ear not hear? Does he who formed the eye not see? Does he who disciplines nations not punish? Does he who teaches mankind lack knowledge? The Lord knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile."
Psalm 94:9-11 NIV

We make our plans, plan our lives, and think we're on the right path. Have we consulted with God? Have we even inquired what He might think of them? But then we want to fuss and fume and question God when it all goes awry...  Or worse, blame Him. 

Let's do the consultation FIRST. 

Prayer:

Father,

         Blessed are the ones You discipline, Lord, the ones You teach from Your law; You grant us relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked. For You will not reject Your people; You will never forsake Your inheritance. We look forward to the day that Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow what You have so faithfully laid before us. We embrace Your Word, Your will, Your way. In Jesus' Name. Amen

Wide Open

A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.
Proverbs 25:28 NLT

What do you think of when you read about cities with walls? Do you think of Jericho with walls so thick you could drive a chariot on the top of them? Do you picture castle fortresses? Maybe you think of the Army forts in the Wild West or places like the Alamo Mission. One thing for sure, if you saw it in a movie, you knew when the walls were breached, defeat was imminent.

In The Message, this same verse reads, "A person without self-control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out."  Does that make more sense? Does it give you a better visual in your mind's eye? How much protection from the elements is a house with no doors or windows? We can have the best HVAC system in the world but how effective will it be if we have no doors or windows? How good is it for keeping out unwanted critters or trespassers?

We are left wide open - defenseless - and delusional if we think otherwise. If we have not nurtured the fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23, that's how we are if we do not walk in self-control. Wide open to the onslaught of the enemy, defenseless and delusional.

Prayer:

Father,
Help us to walk by Your Spirit so that we don't gratify the desires of our flesh. "Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." Give us clean hands and pure hearts so that we may inherit Your Kingdom. We want to walk fully in "the fruit of the Holy Spirit - love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control for against such things there is no law." In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Reminder - Storms and All

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Mark 13:31 NLT

I was on my way home from a meeting. The sun was 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 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

Out of Town till Sunday!

 Been driving all day. Visiting family for the weekend. Returning Sunday. Enjoy your weekend, I hope you'll join me then. Blessings!!

Reminder to Walk Worthy

"We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory."

1st Thessalonians 2:12 NLT

"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called..."
Ephesians 4:1

What does it mean to walk worthy? Is it something we do or say that can make us worthy? One teacher describes it this way,

A clue is found in Colossians 1:10 which says, "Walk worthy of the Lord, to please him." But Hebrews 11:6 says, "Without faith it is impossible to please him." So the call to walk "worthy of the Lord" is at least a call to walk by faith.

Paul lays it out for us in Colossians 1:9-14, praying for us as we should pray for others... thereby walking worthy. "For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that

• you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
• that you may walk worthy of the Lord,
• fully pleasing Him,
• being fruitful in every good work
• and increasing in the knowledge of God;
• strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power,
• for all patience and longsuffering with joy;
• giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
• He has delivered us from the power of darkness
• and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
• in whom we have redemption through His blood,
• the forgiveness of sins."

Prayer:

Father,
           May all the spiritual wisdom and strengths that Paul prayed for the church in Colosse come to fruition in our lives today. We want to please You, Father. Help us to walk worthy of You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Reminder - Standard Procedure

"Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you."

Colossians 3:13a NLT

In Texas, someone who consistently offends or irritates you is commonly known as someone who 'plucks your last nerve.' Have you ever known someone like that? I'm not talking about the occasional pluck. I'm talking about the ones who repeatedly pluck your last nerve. Perhaps like the one who sits nearby and slurps every sip of coffee. EVERY sip... ALL.DAY.LONG...

Every time you see them, you know they are going to pluck you like a chicken. In fact, so much so that you get to the point you only have to see them and you can feel it rising up in you... It's as though their only purpose in life is to irritate the living fire out of you. It's their standard procedure.

The Truth is, that very well may BE their only purpose in your life. They are a gift from God to help you in your quest to be like Jesus.

How do we learn to be like Jesus? How do we learn to live as He lived? How do we love like He loves - by loving our best friends? That's easy to do. What about the proverbial nerve plucker? Do we love them? We certainly have ample opportunity with them to "make allowances for each other's faults."

Jesus set the standard procedure for dealing with these kinds of people. He dealt with them. Yes, sir, He sure did! A few swift blows - no, not to them, to Him! A few swift blows and He was nailed to the Cross, where He cried out on their behalf, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do!" The second part of verse 13 in our text reads, "Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others."

Yes, that's the right standard procedure.

Prayer:

Father,
           Let us rise to Your standards. Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. We want to love as You love. Help us, O Lord. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Hello or Woe

"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, and 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 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 it's only when we are obedient and listen to His voice. 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? It's either Hello or Woe... 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

The Extra Measure

Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
Ephesians 5:2 NLT

Can we even begin to fathom the reality of a love so deep, so strong, that it remains and sacrificially includes those who hate you? One where they beat you, spit on you, snatch handfuls of your beard from your face, and you still love them? You have greater compassion and ask God to forgive them? You're not even mad at them? And ultimately, lay down your very life to save them?

Matthew 5: 43-37 reads, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?"

The question is, Do those around us recognize our Christianity by the love evidenced in our lives?

Prayer:

Father,

          O that we would love like Christ! Help us, Lord, to walk in love and mercy and grace and forgiveness to overflowing. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen 

Where'd You Go?

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.
Isaiah 41:10 NLT

Have you ever in distressed honesty cried out, "God, where are You?!?" Probably more times than we care to admit. Even though we know - according to God's Word - it's in the testing and the trials that our faith is strengthened.

Sometimes, it's hard to see when we're deep in crisis. When we're seriously sick. When our body is wracked with pain. When we've lost a precious loved one. When children we've raised to follow Christ, walk away... "Where'd You go, God?"

We would make our best choice if we look for the answers in His Word rather than with our own version of Job's comforters. Look here - just in Psalm 139 alone, it is written:

Verse 3 - "You see me when I travel and when I rest at home."
Verse 5 - "You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head."
Verse 8 - "If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to Sheol, you are there."
Verses 9 & 10 - "If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me."

Does that sound like He's gone away from us?

Prayer:

Father, 

           Your Word assures us that anywhere we go, You are there. You promise that You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! What blessed assurance! Help us to keep our eyes trained with trust to be focused on You and not the world's circumstances. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Peace - Guest Author. Jim Mackey

I did not write this. This is a previous newsletter from Pastor Jim Mackey. He is the director of Shepherd Springs Ministries, (http://www.shepherdsprings.com) in Texas, USA.

****************************

Are you a Peace Maker or a Peace Breaker?

Dear Friends,

To even the most casual observer, one would be hard-pressed NOT to admit our present world is in chaos; the more closely you watch and listen, the more obvious it becomes. Whether looking at the international picture politically, socially or culturally, my attention is drawn to a systemic invasion of global violence, corruption and stupidity. It would not be far wrong to call it pandemic; violence and corruption are simply rampant and out of control. Stupidity is increasing rapidly; I mean that literally, it is not said lightly or tongue-in-cheek. In fact, more than once the past year I have said to Lynette that I wonder if a “spirit of dumbness or stupidity” has been released on the earth.

In the face of this, I find myself to have become more sensitive to the presence, or absence, of peace...internationally, within the lives of people, or within the church. I personally want peace more, I need it more. It is far more to me than simply a feel-good emotion…it is an evidence of the Lord’s government in life, even my life; am I allowing Him to rule, to really be Lord of my life? Unfortunately, we tend to reserve Isa. 9 for the Christmas season, “Unto us a child is born…” It is in fact an eschatological treatise on the Lord’s reign over corruption, evil and oppression…at every level.

Isaiah speaks frankly and boldly about Messiah’s government and rule. The weight of all government “will rest upon his shoulders” as the “Prince of Peace” …“of the increase in his government and peace there will be no end.” God’s rule and peace are inseparable. When we submit to God’s rule (His government), His ways and sovereignty: peace comes. When we resist it, establish our own way of doing life, operate out of our human reasoning and logic: peace leaves; whether it is internationally, individually, or collectively in the church.

For several years, I have tried to distance myself from relationships with people who have over time proven to steal my peace. Mine is not a self-serving agenda to just be “happy,” it simply means I have come to realize they are walking outside of God’s government in their life. Consequently, the world around them is filled with strife, tension, trouble, pain, division and confusion…and they bring that out-of-God’s-rule into my life. I can love and extend grace to the self-governed, but I cannot walk closely, for “how can two walk together, unless they are in agreement?”

When it applies to the church, apostolic counsel is, “watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles. For such persons do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naïve.” (Rom. 16:17, 18). Look at the emphasis Paul places on rule and government: they do not serve the Lord, but themselves. Self rules and peace leaves.

It is characteristic of the NT that peace is seen as a present possession of believers, not just futuristic, a blessing yet to come; in general it describes the state of the believer in this life. Peace is the desire and work of the Father, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father.” It is how the Holy Spirit thinks, “The mind of the Spirit is life and peace.” It is the daily desire of the Lord for each of us, “The Lord of peace give you peace at all times and in all ways.” Peace is our built-in-helper to make good decisions, “Let the peace of Christ rule (umpire, make the call) in your hearts.”

It would not be far off to suggest that peace is not an option, it is a must. It is to be our pursuit, even with carnal and difficult people, “Be at peace with all men, as much as is possible.” The only hang-up is that not everyone will allow peace to happen; with some people, they make peace impossible! Do not beat yourself up when the self-governed kill peace on the altar of their personal agenda. Do not press yourself too hard when it becomes obvious people are walking in the flesh and not in the Spirit.

When a person walks into a room…what do you feel? Peace or tension? 

What do people feel when I walk into the room? Ahh, that is the question!

If the Prince of Peace has brought His Sovereign government to my little kingdom, subdued it, and made me a transformed citizen of His kingdom, then I will bring you peace.

Blessings…and peace...always!

Jim

Weapon Check

 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

2nd Timothy 3:16-17 NLT

These two verses give us direction for our lives. With accepting Christ as our given, what more would we need than to know what is true in order to realize what is wrong, and then to provide the answer for correction? Aren't we here to do the work of the Father? 

Where's your Bible? What does it look like? Is it pristine and in good condition? Are all the pages perfect and unmarred? Or perish the thought, is it dust-covered? A coffee table adornment? Or has it been in the battles of life with you? Is it the sword you fight with? Is it tear-stained? Perhaps a few coffee stains, too? Some pictures, maybe, and some notes - both in the margins and on separate note pages. 

Tried. Tested. True.

Just because we'd rather not fight doesn't mean the enemy of our souls will lay down his weapons against us. We're in a battle every day. Remember that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to pull down strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4). Weapon check. Are we properly equipped? 

Prayer:

Father,
          Anoint us afresh with renewed hunger for Your Word. Teach us how to wield it as a master swordsman. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Reminder - After the Valley

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4 NKJV

Christian or cretin - the Twenty-third Psalm is one of the most well-known passages of Scripture in the world today. Children and adults alike can recite it for you. It's similar to a Christmas carol in that respect. We all know the words, but when was the last time we paid close attention to what the words really say?

I've always been partial to God preparing a table before me in the presence of my enemies... (take that, devil!), but next to verse 1 - The Lord is my Shepherd... - I think our text, verse 4, is the second most well-known phrasing. Two important things to note here - it's the shadow of death not Death Valley, and we're walking THROUGH. We're not staying. We're not setting up camp or a souvenir stand. We may have "been there done that" but we don't need to sell tickets for the side show or sell postcards of it. We're walking through. Keep moving...

Yessiree, keep moving because it's AFTER the valley that we find the goodness and mercy following us all the days of our lives. Praise His Holy Name!

Prayer;

Father,
          I never cease to be amazed at Your goodness and mercy toward us. Thank You for comforting us as we walk through the valley. Thank You for bringing us through to the other side. Giving You all praise - In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Picking Fruit

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23, NLT

When I purchase fruit from the grocery store, the produce manager hates to see me coming. I look at the top AND bottom of the strawberry container. I open the blueberry container and touch the blueberries to see if they're mushy. I don't like mushy... I don't just grab the first bag of grapes closest to me, nor am I indiscriminate about the rest of the fruit I choose. I have no problem opening a bag of grapes to check the contents (and then closing them again when I'm finished looking - very important). I check carefully for bruising on apples, for ripened plums, etc. I am a "fruit inspector" when it comes to paying the price for fruit. I want to know it's good before I spend my hard-earned money on it.

Oh, that I would be that diligent with the fruits of the Holy Spirit! Jesus already paid a GREAT price for them to be produced in our lives, why would we refuse to pick them up? They're ALL good.

Prayer:

Father,
          Help us to understand the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. May the seeds for all be planted in the good soil of our hearts. We want love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control to be working and evident in our lives. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Unanswered Questions

Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?" "From childhood," he answered. "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us." " 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
Mark 9:21-24 NIV

Our text comes from an interesting story about a child who was deaf and dumb. The father heard about Jesus and His ministry and was desperate to get help for his own son. His words are telling - "If you can do anything..." He believes what he's heard from the others - or at least partly; otherwise, he wouldn't be there. He wants to believe. His words reflect what's in his heart... "If you can..." But he's honest before Jesus. "Help me overcome my unbelief!" I read that verse the first time as a child and I've never forgotten it. I always wondered how he could say he believed and then ask for help because of his unbelief.

As a child, I just believed. As an adult, I understand his quandary. Perhaps that's why Christ said we must come as children...

Can you believe when you don't see? Can you continue to believe when you don't get what you want? What you think you need? Do you question God and/or His ability when you feel your prayers are unanswered? Can you follow - be a disciple - adhere to His Word when there is calamity? Chaos? Crises?

Job 13:15, reads, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust him." Can you? Do you? Will you?

Prayer:

Father,
          There are many unanswered questions in our lives. In spite of them, You are trustworthy and You are faithful and You are God and we are not. This we know. We do believe; help us overcome our unbelief according to Your Word. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

A Little Effort

Oh, that God would listen to me! When I was in deep trouble, I searched for the Lord. All night long I prayed, with hands lifted toward heaven, but my soul was not comforted. I think of God, and I moan, overwhelmed with longing for his help. 

You don’t let me sleep. I am too distressed even to pray!  I think of the good old days, long since ended, when my nights were filled with joyful songs. I search my soul and ponder the difference now.  Has the Lord rejected me forever? Will he never again be kind to me?  Is his unfailing love gone forever? Have his promises permanently failed? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he slammed the door on his compassion? 

 And I said, “This is my fate; the Most High has turned his hand against me.”  But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.

 O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you? You are the God of great wonders! 

Psalm 77:1b-14a NLT

As we go through life, we can certainly get caught up in what's NOT going well around us just as Asaph did in this psalm. It seems easier to see the bad in things rather than the good. That's our human nature "Oh, woe is me!"  However, with a little effort, we can look beyond our circumstances and see God's hand in all of it. Let's intentionally look for God in our days. 

Prayer:

Father,

          Please forgive us for looking at You through eyes of discontent. Remove the scales from our eyes so we can see Your hand of goodness in all You do. Remove the chains of doubt from our minds. Fill our hearts to overflowing with Your love and peace. Let us look always to You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Filling Your Heart - Guest Author Stephanie Mitchell

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10 NIV

Stephanie writes:
How Are You Filling Your Heart?

Have you ever made a poor decision and thought— “Why did I do that?” In the Old Testament, the heart was considered the center of inner life, and people believed it dictated thoughts, emotions, and actions. It was essentially a combination of someone’s soul and mind. When Proverbs 4:23 tells us to “guard our hearts” what it’s essentially saying is, “Pay careful attention to how you fill your inner life.”

What goes into your soul and mind determines what comes out of your mouth. And what you say influences your actions and decisions. While you might not notice the effect your choices have on you today—over time, they will impact the direction of your life.

So how do we intentionally take care of our inner lives?

Our bodies were made by God, which means the thing they need most is God. He is the One who sustains us. So some of the best things we can do for ourselves are intentionally seeking God through prayer, studying Scripture, reflecting on His blessings, and inviting the Holy Spirit to speak to us throughout our day.

The best way to guard our hearts is by giving our hearts to God. When we make Him the center of our lives and the source of our strength, what we do will flow out from Him.  Instead of fitting God into our daily routines, let’s create our daily routines around our relationship with God. Let’s create space for God to speak to us and restore us. Let’s allow God to heal the parts of our lives that are broken so that what comes out of us is God-honoring, encouraging, and reflective of the good we’ve allowed [God to put] into our hearts.

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Prayer:

Father,

           We pray as King David prayed, "Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; You have broken me—
now let me rejoice. Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from Your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me." In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Appointed, Anointed, Not Elected

Come, everyone! Clap your hands!
Shout to God with joyful praise!
For the Lord Most High is awesome.
He is the great King of all the earth.
He subdues the nations before us, putting our enemies beneath our feet. He chose the Promised Land as our inheritance, the proud possession of Jacob’s descendants, whom he loves. Interlude

God has ascended with a mighty shout.
The Lord has ascended with trumpets blaring.
Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King over all the earth.
Praise him with a psalm.
God reigns above the nations, sitting on his holy throne.
The rulers of the world have gathered together with the people of the God of Abraham. For all the kings of the earth belong to God.
He is highly honored everywhere.

Psalm 47 NLT

Prayer:

Father,

          You ARE the Great King of all the Earth! We praise and glorify You. We pray for You to reign over us from Your Holy Throne. We submit to Your will and Your way. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

A Different Perspective

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NLT

The Apostle Paul had a different perspective on life than most people. Instead of a bird's eye view, he had a God's eye view. 

Paul was a man who understood suffering and the benefit of it. Yes, the benefit of it! He realized that the results of suffering and hardship wrought a much greater reward of Christ-like character in us when we trust God through it all. Not the least of which are compassion, patience, and understanding. These are things for which we should be grateful. 

James 1:2-4 NLT reads,  "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance [patience] is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."

Any opportunity to grow in the Lord is cause for "great joy".  Every time our faith is tested, our "endurance has a chance to grow". So, we can focus on the problems, the issues, the tests, the trials, the suffering... or we can have a different perspective. A God's eye view.

Prayer:

Father,

           Help us to not look at the troubles we can see now; but rather, to fix our gaze on the things that cannot be seen. Help us to see things through the Truth and Light of Your Word. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen