Promise for Today Favorite - We Forget

Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?” When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn’t he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into?

Romans 9:20-21

We forget the part about being mere humans. Do we even truly comprehend Creator of the Universe - the most High God - even though throughout Scripture we are taught and reminded that God is God and we are not? Just as a refresher, have you read lately chapters 38-41 of the book of Job? God is not required to answer the whys and the wherefores.

Ephesians 1:4-5 reads, "God chose us in Christ to be holy and blameless in God’s presence before the creation of the world. God destined us to be His adopted children through Jesus Christ because of His love. This was according to His goodwill and plan..." There's the Truth. God has had the plan since before the world was created. It is one of great love.

We don't always understand it because again, He tells us in His Word, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says 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."

We don't understand it when loved ones die - when life goes completely opposite to what we had planned. When there seems to be no wrongdoing, and yet bad things still happen. Well, think about this. Abel had done no wrong, but Cain still murdered him. John had done no wrong, but he was still beheaded. Jesus never sinned, yet He was still crucified.

Billy Graham once wrote:
"Don’t question God because you think He must be wrong; He isn’t. Instead, ask Him to help you to trust Him, even when you don’t understand. God loves you–if He didn’t, He wouldn’t have sent His Son into the world to die for you. But He did, and that makes all the difference."

Prayer:

Father,
           Help us to trust Your love, Your Sovereignty, Your plan even when we don't understand. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Reminder to Make Sure You Hear

 The Lord said to Moses, “Write this reminder on a scroll, and make sure that Joshua hears it, too: I will completely erase any memory of the Amalekites from the earth.”

Exodus 17:14 God's Word Translation

This particular battle (where Joshua defeated the Amalekites while Moses was on the mountain with Aaron and Hur holding up his hands) took place about 1446 BC; 40 years before the death of Moses and the subsequent transition to Joshua's leadership. There was no mention of Joshua being the next in line to inherit Moses' position with the Israelites; there was no defined rite of passage.

One particular phrase of this verse leapt out at me this morning. I remembered the part about writing it down and erasing any memory of the Amalekites, but I didn't remember the part about making sure that Joshua would hear it, too. I researched in several translations and it was in all of them - to be certain, to tell it in the ear, to rehearse it, to make sure Joshua heard it, too.

Moses may not have known, Joshua may not have had any inkling, but God's plan was already set in motion. He knew the faithfulness of Joshua. His level of obedience to the letter. Joshua's passion to believe and act on whatever He said without question. Forty years beforehand - 40 years being the symbolism of a time of trial and testing, a type of probationary period. However, Joshua did not know it was a probationary period. It was Joshua's daily choices that allowed him to fulfill God's purpose in and for his life. Joshua CHOSE a lifestyle of faithfulness, obedience and faith.

What is God saying to us in our seemingly insignificant (to us) times that have great bearing on our eternal purpose? Know this - God does not waste words. There is absolutely NOTHING insignificant when it comes to God's plan. Are we listening? We better make sure we hear - and obey!

Prayer:

Father,
            We love Your Word. Remove from our lives the people, places and things that distract us and detract from Your plan and purpose for us. We want to be faithful and obedient like Joshua. We want to fulfill our purpose for You. Help us, O God! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Follow the Clues

 I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Colossians 2:2-3 NLT

You’ve heard it since you became a Christian. Fact of the matter is, you probably heard it before you became a Christian, right?  What, you ask? Well of course, that God has a plan for your life. 

I know I am not the only one who ever asked God what He was thinking when I didn't have any idea about what was going on in my life at a particular moment. I know I am not the only one who ever asked to be let in on the Master Plan, because I was not "getting it." I know I am not the only one who asked for a clue – just one clue – to reveal His Plan for my life.

Here’s a clue:

John 1:1-3 NLT, In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.

Combine this with our text for today and a light glimmers. …they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him [Christ] lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Who is Christ? He is the Word… It is IN His Word that we find hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. It is His Word that is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. The Light by which we can see to follow His Plan!

And if we have doubt or have a hard time seeing or hearing Him, He has other ways of getting through to us. Paul had his experience on the road to Damascus. Do you remember that story? Sometimes, He uses a donkey to talk to a prophet. Remember Balaam? Sometimes, He uses a complete stranger to remind you of the Plan He has for you. Ask my daughter about the shop owner in Kimmswick, Missouri, who spoke to her about her life, in a store we had not planned to go in.

There IS a plan. God has one for you. It has much to do with faith. He is the Author of it, and He is the Finisher of it. And how do we obtain the faith of which He is the Author and the Finisher? God has given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3 NKJV). I've also learned that Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. How do I know that? It’s in the Bible – the Living Word of God (Romans 12 and Romans 10). 

I’m gathering clues so I can understand God’s mysterious plan.

Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for a Plan that works. Thank You for a Plan that is fail-proof and written in Blood. Help us to follow the clues You’ve very carefully placed before us. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorites - Whatever Works

A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.
Proverbs 16:9 NKJV

Recently, I was reminded of two things: 1) that we should be sure to tell our testimonies of what God has done for us so that others can be encouraged and praise God with us, and 2) that God will use whatever works to get us where we need to be. So let me do that.

At the turn of the millennium, my career was in transition. I had gotten a couple job offers from out of state and had actually accepted one. It seemed like a good choice. I had discussed it with my youngest child who had for all practical intents and purposes moved out when he graduated and went to Master's Commission. He was excited for me and encouraged me to take the position.

Everything seemed like it was okay, but I felt like there was one missing piece and I couldn't put my finger on it. However, I moved forward with the process because I couldn't find a reason not to. I was one week away from moving when I went to see my son in Waco to spend the weekend with him. We had a good visit and then Sunday afternoon, as we were having what would be our last meal together for a while, I told him I still felt like there was a piece missing. I had the feeling it was going to come from him and asked him if he had anything he wanted to say. At that point, he confessed that he was not ready for me to be 15 hours away, after all, but he didn't want that to stop me. Immediately, I had total peace. It was the missing part. I told him I was a mom first and an employee second, and I wasn't going anywhere, and that God would work it out.

And He did. My employer was only too happy for me to stay. My future employer was very understanding and said we'd talk in a couple years, and life went on.

A few years later, I got another offer from the same company, but for a different position. It was actually for my life-long dream position - to earn my living as a writer. In my mind, it couldn't get any better - I had no higher aspiration. That was it! I thought the only thing better than that would be to actually be in Heaven.

I packed up and headed out. I had a tentative start date and I figured I'd get there early and get fully settled in before I reported to my dream job. The day I arrived, the manager I'd been talking to turned in her resignation and anyone she'd talked to was put on hold because "what might fit for one manager might not fit for the next one." I knew I hadn't missed God on the move, but I couldn't figure out what went wrong. Anyway, long story short, I was absolutely miserable. I worked a temp agency job for months. When I finally did get a job at the original company, it was in HR, and I hated it. I cried every day on my way home. I just did not understand what God was doing nor why He'd moved me from my beloved Texas to do a job I hated. I was not happy.

Finally, I came to the place where I was on my face before God and laid it all at His feet. "Whatever You want, Father. If I'm here for no other reason than to be a part of the church where You've led me, then I will do that. I just don't want to miss Your will." Within a month, I had a job offer from the church where God had led me! It was His plan and purpose all along, but I would never have left Texas to work for a man I'd never met. I left Texas to live my life's dream. It didn't happen the way I wanted or had planned, but it turned out to be exactly where I was supposed to be at the time. And I still got to write for a living while I was there. God took my plans and altered them to fulfill His. Whatever works...

Prayer:

Father,
Thank You for loving us enough to direct our steps, and for using whatever it takes to get us to our ordained destination. We want to follow closely in Your footsteps, Father. Shine the light of Your Word on our path to clearly mark the way. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

His Plan, His Way

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.
Isaiah 55:8-9 KJV

I did not write the following, but I find it to be an eye-opening analogy.
******************** 
Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, 'Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty.'

Then the second tree said, 'Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull.'

Finally the third tree said, 'I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me.'

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, 'This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter, 'and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.

At the second tree the woodsman said, 'This looks like a strong tree. I should be able to sell it to the shipyard.' The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.

When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the woodsmen said, 'I don't need anything special from my tree, I'll take this one,' and he cut it down.

When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for.

The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end.

The third tree was cut into large pieces, and left alone in the dark. The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.

Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest Treasure of all time.

Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and He stood and said 'Peace' and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it carried the King of kings in its hull.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.

The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, God will use you mightily.

Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His Ways are not our ways. However, His ways are always best.

Nothing is a surprise to God; nothing is a setback to His plans; nothing can thwart His purposes; and nothing is beyond His control.

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

Prayer:

Father, 

         Your ways and Your thoughts are so much higher than ours. We don't always understand what Your plan is and sometimes, we dare to ask what You are doing or why You are doing it. But we trust You, Father. We choose to trust You, for You alone are God. It is in You that we live and move and have our very being. Help us to walk uprightly before You, nothing wavering. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

It's a Set Up *

The Lord said to Moses, “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft. And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you: 

Exodus 31:1-6 ESV

When God first told Moses to go to Pharaoh, Moses kept spouting excuses as to why he couldn't do that. Who am I to do that? Who are you? I have a speech impediment, I can't speak to Pharaoh or the elders. God assured Moses He made the mouth, He would make it work. Even though Moses couldn’t get past his own inefficiencies, God equipped Aaron to go with Moses. (You can read that part of the story in Exodus, chapters 3 - 4.)

So, here we are in chapter 31, and God has laid out all the instructions for making the mobile Tabernacle, and He has commanded many minute details of Moses and Aaron – neither of whom were capable to do all that He commanded. Moses didn't have the background or ability to create what God had given him to do. So what did God do?  And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you...

How many times has God asked us to do something and we say no because we don't know how? What is God thinking? Doesn't He know my background? Is He setting me up to fail? No! No! And No!

God in His greatness, in His goodness, in His faithfulness, knows what we can and cannot do. However, He doesn’t leave us in our inabilities. If we are obedient to Him, He gives to us everything we need to carry out His plan and purpose for our lives – be it ability in us or the ability of those He puts in our lives.

People fail, that's true. People’s plans fail; but God’s plan never fails. The Word assures us God can NOT fail. No matter what you see; no matter what you hear; no matter who is in leadership on the earth. Even when you don't understand it. God is in control. He has the plan and He HAS set us up! 

To succeed! 

Prayer:

Father,
          Too often, we believe our shortcomings and what we see more than we believe Your Word. Forgive us, O God. Forgive us for doubting You and for questioning Your every move. Lord, we surrender our will and our way to Yours. Help us to remember our walk is a walk of faith, and that faith is in You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

* Make Sure You Hear

The Lord said to Moses, “Write this reminder on a scroll, and make sure that Joshua hears it, too: I will completely erase any memory of the Amalekites from the earth.”
Exodus 17:14 God's Word Translation

This particular battle (where Joshua defeated the Amalekites while Moses was on the mountain with Aaron and Hur holding up his hands) took place about 1446 BC; 40 years before the death of Moses and the subsequent transition to Joshua's leadership. There was no mention of Joshua being the next in line to inherit Moses' position with the Israelites; there was no defined rite of passage.

One particular phrase of this verse leapt out at me this morning. I remembered the part about writing it down and erasing any memory of the Amalekites, but I didn't remember the part about making sure that Joshua would hear it, too. I researched in several translations and it was in all of them - to be certain, to tell it in the ear, to rehearse it, to make sure Joshua heard it, too.

Moses may not have known, Joshua may not have had any inkling, but God's plan was already set in motion. He knew the faithfulness of Joshua. His level of obedience to the letter. Joshua's passion to believe and act on whatever He said without question. Forty years beforehand - 40 years being the symbolism of a time of trial and testing, a type of probationary period. However, Joshua did not know it was a probationary period. It was Joshua's daily choices that allowed him to fulfill God's purpose in and for his life. Joshua CHOSE a lifestyle of faithfulness, obedience and faith.

What is God saying to us in our seemingly insignificant (to us) times that have great bearing on our eternal purpose? Know this - God does not waste words. There is absolutely NOTHING insignificant when it comes to God's plan. Are we listening? We better make sure we hear - and obey!

Prayer:

Father,
            We love Your Word. Remove from our lives the people, places and things that distract us and detract from Your plan and purpose for us. We want to be faithful and obedient like Joshua. We want to fulfill our purpose for You. Help us, O God! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Nothing I Can Do

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”
Exodus 13:17 NIV

When I travel, I look at all the routes. I want the quickest one with the least amount of hindrances along the way. When I fly, I want non-stop. And I know I'm not the only one. However, even the best-laid travel plans don't always work out the way we expect. Sometimes there's a detour; sometimes a traffic jam. Or in this case for the Israelites, the Red Sea.

If God had given me the choice on which route to take - whether I would want to fight or cross a body of water - I'd go for the fight every time. I can't help but think that some of the Israelites were already wondering why they didn't just go through the country. It's not like God didn't know where the sea was.

If I put myself in their place - I've got my family and my livestock and I'm facing the Red Sea with the Egyptian army in hot pursuit right behind me. In my mind, there's no way out. There is nothing I can do.

How many times in our lives have we been at a similar junction? The bills are overwhelming, the illness that no one could foresee or prevent, the circumstances over which we have no control. And we wonder, "Why?!?" We've tried to follow God. We've tried to hear His voice. And yet here we are at our own version of the Red Sea with no way out. Nothing we can do.

And that's just it. We MUST learn to trust God! To follow Him wherever He leads us, and in the process, we learn (hopefully) that HE is in control. If He's led us to this place, He already has our way out made for us and He will do it. We can't see it, but that's why it's called faith. And just like He did for the Israelites, He will use that same path to wipe out whatever is trying to keep us in bondage or destroy us.

What we CAN do is faithfully follow Him, no matter what it looks like.

Prayer:

Father,
            Thank You for being the Way Maker. Help us to lay down our own reasoning and those ways that seem right to us, and choose instead to follow the leading of Your Holy Spirit. May we ever be open to hear AND obey whatever You speak to our hearts. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Living Proof +

I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Colossians 2:2-3 NLT

You’ve heard it since you became a Christian. Fact of the matter is, you probably heard it before you became a Christian, right?  What, you ask? Well of course, that God has a plan for your life. 

I know I am not the only one who ever asked God what He was thinking when I didn't have any idea about what was going on in my life at a particular moment. I know I am not the only one who ever asked to be let in on the Master Plan, because I was not "getting it." I know I am not the only one who asked for a clue – just one clue – to reveal His Plan for my life.

Here’s the clue:

John 1:1-3 NLT, In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.

Combine this with our text for today and a light glimmers. …they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him [Christ] lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Who is Christ? He is the Word… It is IN His Word that we find hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. It is His Word that is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. The Light by which we can see to follow His Plan!

And if we have doubt or have a hard time seeing or hearing Him, He has other ways of getting through to us. Paul had his experience on the road to Damascus. Do you remember that story? Sometimes, He uses a donkey to talk to a prophet. Remember Balaam? Sometimes, He uses a complete stranger to remind you of the Plan He has for you. Ask my daughter about the shop owner in Kimmswick, Missouri, who spoke to her about her life, in a store we had not planned to go in.

There IS a plan. God has one for you. It has much to do with faith. He is the Author of it, and He is the Finisher of it. And how do we obtain the faith of which He is the Author and the Finisher? God has given everyone a measure of faith. I've also learned that Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. How do I know that? It’s in the Bible – the Living Word of God (Romans 12 and Romans 10). 

I’m gathering clues so I can understand God’s mysterious plan.

Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for a Plan that works. Thank You for a Plan that is fail-proof and written in Blood. Help us to follow the clues You’ve very carefully placed before us. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

* Keeping Score

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.

1st John 3:16a NIV

I've lived long enough to know and understand the rules of good sportsmanship, but I'll just tell you... I don't like to lose. When I play, I play to win. I don't go into a game to lose. (I won't cheat to win, even though I'm tempted... but don't worry, I AM an overcomer. LOL)

Worse than that, as much I dislike losing, I absolutely HATE it if someone lets me win. Where's the challenge in that? In my opinion, a win I didn't earn is a bigger loss than actually losing. [And all the conservative (albeit competitive) crowd just became pentecostals and shouted, Amen!] But the challenge in all of that is Christ. I can't earn my salvation and yet, that's the biggest win of all.

Have you ever found yourself keeping score on your life? I have. If you know me personally, you've heard me say something like, "I should get points for not smacking that person (when I really want to...)" "I should get points for not saying ___________(something smart alecky, I'm sure)." "I want points for not ripping their wagging tongue right outta their mouth and hanging them with it."   

In all reality, it's keeping score on the sin in my life. The more I keep score, the more I realize, it's a heart issue. And then I think, if Jesus laid down His life for us and that's how we know what love is (according to our text for today), then, in return, I should lay down my life for Him, right? After all, He died to save me. I can stop doing this or stop doing that. I can read my Bible, go to church, etc. Yeah, I can lay my life down for Him.  Sounds good...okay...but it's not Scriptural. We're instructed to lay it down for others... 

The entire verse of 1st John 3:16 reads, This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. Mark 12:28-31 reads, One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."  John 15:13 tells us, Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 

You wanna keep score? yeah...me, neither...

Prayer:

Father,

         Thank You for sending Your Son to die on the Cross for the remission of our sins. Help us to grow in love and when we are faced with those opportunities to love the unloveable, please help us to see them for what they are. An opportunity to show Your love through us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Do What? When?!?

     One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?”

     “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.”

     Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking!

John 5:5b-9a NLT

     When my kids were little, they liked to watch Sesame Street, and one of their favorite things - besides Mr. Snuffleupagus - was the segment with the song where they would pull 4 things together and the kids chose which 3 things belonged together and which one didn't. Do you remember that? (Please, God, don't let that song stay in my head the rest of the day...) Well, let's think along those lines this morning. Let's look for the common thread in our text for today and the following three passages. See what you come up with... 

1. Matthew 4:18-22 NLT

     One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him.

     A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.

2. Luke 5:18-25 NLT

     Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.” But the Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to themselves, “Who does he think he is? That’s blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!”
     Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”
     And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God. 

3. Luke 5:27-28 NLT

     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.

There may be other things you see, but for me, it was first Jesus said and then... Instantly - at once - immediately...

In Matthew 4, when Jesus called James and John - the sons of thunder - they left the only job they'd ever done, their only source of income, their choice of vocation, their comfort zone (because it's what they knew) and they immediately followed Him, leaving the boat and their father behind. Matthew (Levi) himself did the same thing - left everything...

People will say, You can't do that. That's what they told the man who'd been lying by the pool of Bethesda for 38 years!  Continuing in our text for today,  John 5 - verse 9b through verse 11 - But this miracle happened on the Sabbath, so the Jewish leaders objected. They said to the man who was cured, “You can’t work on the Sabbath! The law doesn’t allow you to carry that sleeping mat!”  But he replied, “The man who healed me told me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’”  

Those were the leaders who objected to what he was doing. Those who were the ones who had been in charge of making the rules in his life... You can't do that! What would you do?

If Jesus says it... What do you do? You obey. You don't think about it. You don't question it. You don't over-analyze it. You don't come up with all the reasons why it won't work, why you can't do it, why it won't happen for you. You make like Nike and just do it. 

Jesus came to save souls - our souls are our mind, our will and our emotions. If the head (the mind) says yes, make the body get up and follow (the will). The heart will have to go along, too (the emotions). 

That's called faith. Do what? Whatever He says. When? Instantly - at once - immediately...

Prayer:

Father,

       Let all that I am praise You, Lord; You forgive all my sins and heal all my diseases. May I never forget the good things You do for me. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen

* Common Sense vs Uncommon Faith

So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said.

Acts 27:25 NLT

Paul was on a ship at sea, as a prisoner, in the middle of a storm with typhoon-strength winds. He had already warned the officers and crew once not to put out to sea, but they didn't listen. After all, both the owner and the captain saw it differently than Paul the prisoner. They were learned in the way of ships and seas. They were sailing men, (but not followers of Christ). Everything they knew - common sense dictated their course of action. What would you have done? Who would you have listened to?

Sometimes life, as we know it, is the same scenario. Common sense deciding our course of action, but uncommon faith diametrically opposed to that which is understood. Not only is it not common sense, it makes absolutely no sense! Why didn't Paul just speak to the wind to be still the way Christ did? Why didn't God just stop the storm? I don't know the answer to those questions, any more than I know why sometimes bad things happen to good people. 

What I DO know is God DOES have a plan. And while it may not make any sense at all to us, it does to God. And if we trust Him in it - if we take courage and believe God that it will be just as He said - we will have peace of mind and heart. Can we believe Him in the middle of our storm when the wind is raging and the seas are crashing and we're shipwrecked on the rocks? Common sense would tell us there's no way. We're gonna die. Uncommon faith declares, "...take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said."

Prayer:

Father,

         We may not always understand the whys and the wherefores, but we can know that Your Word is true. Your love is true and real. Your provision uncommon. Help us to always see - and believe - You.  Father, we want uncommon faith. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen