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

Friends' Favorites - * The Danger of Criticism

Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong.
Romans 14:1 NLT

Today’s Promise is taken directly from Romans 14:1-13 New Living Translation

For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? They are responsible to the Lord, so let him judge whether they are right or wrong. And with the Lord’s help, they will do what is right and will receive his approval.

In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him.

Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves.

If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.

So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say,

“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will confess and give praise to God.’”

Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.
Prayer:

Father,
            Help us to see and love each other as You love us. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorite - * All of Them

All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them, and

all of them walked through the sea on dry ground. In the cloud and in the sea,

all of them were baptized as followers of Moses.

All of them ate the same spiritual food, and

all of them drank the same spiritual water.

For they drank from the spiritual rock that traveled with them, and that rock was Christ.

Yet God was not pleased with most of them, and their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

1st Corinthians 10:1b-5 NLT

God declared a new beginning for all of them, whether they were born in the land or were strangers who chose to be a part of the assembly and follow the Lord; God made no distinction among them. It no longer mattered to Him. Here's all you have to do... (read Exodus 12).

And then He gave them the same instructions. All of them were given the same opportunity. And again, He made the point of expressing that it made no difference if they were born in the land or were strangers who chose to follow His ways. Follow Me and live. Not one of them could say, "Well, You gave him more than you gave me..."  Not one...

Did all of them follow Him? No, they did not. Will you?

You may say, Yeah, but that was back then and He provided their shelter and their food every day and they didn't have to earn a living and pay gas prices and... 

The great Equalizer is this, they drank from the spiritual rock that traveled with them, and that rock was Christ.  The same Christ who instructed us in Matthew 28:20, Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world...

I ask again... Did all of them follow Him? No, they did not. The question is, Will you?

Prayer:

Father,

         Help us to examine our own lives - face to face with You. Cause the compass of our hearts to be totally fixed on You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

The Question is...

 Let me put this question to you: How did your new life begin? Was it by working your heads off to please God? Or was it by responding to God's Message to you? Are you going to continue this craziness? For only crazy people would think they could complete by their own efforts what was begun by God. If you weren't smart enough or strong enough to begin it, how do you suppose you could perfect it? Did you go through this whole painful learning process for nothing? It is not yet a total loss, but it certainly will be if you keep this up!
Answer this question: Does the God who lavishly provides you with his own presence, his Holy Spirit, working things in your lives you could never do for yourselves, does he do these things because of your strenuous moral striving or because you trust him to do them in you? Galatians 3:2-5a The Message

A friend of mine once made a profound statement of Truth that just about floored me. He said, "Self-sufficiency is such a sign of no faith." Did you catch it? "Self-sufficiency is such a sign of NO faith."

Now, if this were Old Testament writing, I'd have to follow that statement with 'selah'...which is from a music mark indicating a pause. (According to Fausset's Bible Dictionary, the implication in Scripture is that, [Selah] is a call to calm reflection on the preceding words.) Self-sufficiency, no faith. Self-sufficiency, no faith! Man! It wasn't too many years ago, I would have gone ballistic over that one. Now, I humbly recognize the Truth in it.

If we never rely on God for anything - if we count only on ourselves and our own abilities to make or take care of our lives, our children, our jobs, our finances, our future, then it requires no faith. And just as sure as fear itself is the absence of faith, so is NOT trusting God. You see, NOT trusting God IS fear. Fear that He won't take care of you, fear that He won't keep you well, provide for you and what belongs to you. Fear that He really hasn't forgiven you and doubt that He even would consider it. Or worse, PRIDE - perhaps thinking you could do a better job yourself...

So... the question on the table is, Does the God who lavishly provides you with His own presence, His Holy Spirit, working things in your lives you could never do for yourselves, does He do these things because of your strenuous moral striving or because you trust Him to do them in you?

Prayer:

Father,
          I cannot begin to praise You or thank You enough for shining the Light of Your Truth on our lives. Thank You for setting us free to live in You, unbound by our own controlling methods of self-sufficiency. Keep us unfettered  - set free from serving ourselves - and turned on to serving You and Yours. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* What to Wear

This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here.
Romans 13:11-12a NLT

Do you ever go through times when your perfectly good clothes no longer seem perfectly good? Especially when there's a special occasion involved. What was your favorite suit or shirt just last week is now totally unacceptable, but you can't seem to find another one that you like. And along that same line of thinking, isn't it funny how your whole attitude changes when you put on something you know looks good or feels good, depending on the occasion? Or the best case scenario - when it looks AND feels good? Ohhhh, that's the best! Especially if you DO have a special event you're planning to attend.

I love invitations that include instruction regarding the expected attire. Those are lifesavers. You know exactly what you should wear, even if you don't currently have it. And generally, those invitations arrive in plenty enough time to make provision for attending. Have you ever NOT gone to an event because you didn't have the right thing to wear? Oh, you could have gone, but you just didn't have the desire to invest the time or money it would take to get what you needed for it. Or you didn't remember until the last minute and then it was too late. Ever done that?

Well, this is your reminder. The biggest event of your life is looming large. The invitation has already been extended - and it's THE event of your lifetime! If you miss this, you miss it all! The only catch is that we don't know the exact day or hour, so you can't wait till the last minute to plan, because we don't know when the last minute is! You need to invest the time NOW to insure your attendance. You can only get in if you know the right person. And you can't just know OF Him, you really have to KNOW Him and He has to KNOW you. Have you RSVP'd? Do you have the right thing to wear? The instructions regarding attire are very clear. No exceptions. Isaiah 61:10 NLT, I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels.

How do we fit into the clothing He requires? Romans 13:12b-14 NLT, So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

Are you ready? What are you wearing? Do you know what to wear? Have you taken the time to put on Christ? Are you dressed yet? Do you know how to get there?

Prayer;

Father,
           Our self-righteousness, our selfish choices, our ways are as filthy rags before You and won't get us into the wedding feast of Heaven. Cleanse us, Father, from all unrighteousness. Put Your robe of righteousness on us, Lord, so we don't miss it. We want to be ready when You sound the call. In Jesus' Name we 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

* What'd He Say?

[God speaking to Jacob while Jacob slept] What’s more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you.

Genesis 28:15 NLT

God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? Listen, I received a command to bless; God has blessed, and I cannot reverse it! That's from Numbers 23:19-20 - one of my favorite stories. It's where God uses a donkey to talk to a prophet...(that's how I KNOW He can use me to talk to someone.) 

Has God ever spoken something to your heart? Has it come to pass? Are you faithfully following Him while you wait for it to be completed? Do you command your heart to be full of faith concerning what God has said...even though time has gone by and you haven't yet seen  it? Or have you given up on it, no longer believing because you think too much time has passed for it to happen? Shall I remind you of Abraham and Sarah?

If we don't know His Word, we'd better remedy that, because God hastens to perform His Word. THAT's what He does! Do you know what His Word says? What'd He say?

Prayer:

Father,

          The cares and trials of this world are NOT greater than You or Your Word. Forgive us for living faithlessly in the face of them. Please provide us with a new view - one based on faith in Your Word. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

What We Believe +

For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.

1st Corinthians 4:20 NLT

A question has been raised concerning living what we believe vs. living what we've learned. Are they the same? If not, does it matter which one we live? Good questions...

I've pondered on it now for awhile and here's what I think. I think we live our lives based on what we believe - about ourselves, about others, and about God, (no matter what it is)... For instance, if we believe we CAN do something - we're right, we can! By the same token, if we believe we CAN'T do something - we're right again, we can't...

However, we do learn a lot of things. You can teach a child that hot will burn. But generally, they will still reach for the hot. It is imperative that we are careful about what we learn and how we learn it, because we must be on guard about what we come to believe. 

You see, if we truly believe the Word of God, we will act accordingly. If we don't believe the Word of God, we will act accordingly.

Let's not just talk it. Let's walk it, and live what we believe, and believe so we may live - truly live.

Prayer:

Father,

         Quicken Your Word in our hearts and minds. It is living and powerful and rightly divides between soul and spirit. Father, give us wisdom to know what to believe, preferably without getting burned. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mHiTVuGaKM

To See Clearly+

satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

2nd Corinthians 4:4 NLT

All of us - at one time or another - have been blinded by the sun or a camera flash or have gotten something in our eyes that temporarily caused us to not be able to see. Soap or conditioner or suntan oil - something that made it so our eyes were not able to focus or clearly see what was in front of our face. Something that should NOT be there. 

We know it. There are warnings all over the containers - "Do not use near eyes" - and then they print what to do if we DO get it in our eyes. Why? For the reason that they know many of us will not use the necessary precaution, or we will become complacent and forget to use caution because we've done it hundreds of times before. The remedy is nearly always the same: "wash thoroughly with water; see a physician" or "cover eyes and seek proper attention."

I was reminded this week that satan's tricks are just like that. He'll appear as an angel of light (see 2nd Corinthians 11:14) and so try to dazzle us with things that appeal to our worldly desires, or the oil from his snake oil sales routine as he tries to sell us a false bill of goods will splash onto us and get in our eyes and we can be temporarily blinded. Why? Because we have ignored the warnings, or we have become complacent about using the proper precaution. However, the remedy is nearly always the same - wash thoroughly with water  - the water of the Word - (see Psalm 51:2) and see the Great Physician. Or cover our eyes - stop looking at the world and what it has to offer - and seek proper attention. And when we do, God allows us to recognize the wiles of the enemy for exactly what they are...once we see clearly.

Prayer:

Father,

         Thank You for washing our eyes so we can see...even if You have to use tears to do it. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Worse Than Not Knowing

Baffled by what I hear, undone by what I see. Absolutely stunned, horror-stricken, I had hoped for a relaxed evening, but it has turned into a nightmare.

Isaiah 21:3b-4 The Message

Isaiah asked God to let him see what was going to happen. Isaiah thought that in knowing, he could prophesy to the people and give hope. But when God granted Isaiah's request, the prophet was overwhelmed. I have lived as a Christian long enough that when I read this Scripture, I found myself praising God that sometimes the answer is 'No."

Looking back over my life, I can truly give thanks and worship a Holy God who lovingly refused to show me some things ahead of time. I wouldn't have been able to stand it had I known some of it ahead of time. It would have caused me to run in the opposite direction, but when thrust in the midst of it, I turned to the only One I could trust. And having lived through it, bearing the fruit of what satan meant for evil, God turned for my good, I am able to see and praise God for His guiding hand on me during those times. Would I have chosen it? No. Absolutely not, but on this side of it, I am eternally grateful for the lessons learned, the wisdom gained, and for the capacity to love to be enlarged.

Now, when I think back on all the times I begged God to show me what He was doing; what was going to happen, and He would not,  I'm so thankful He's God and I'm not, and He chose not to. What a loving Father, a protective, caring, loving Father. You see, there are things worse than not knowing. I don't have to know it all as long as I know the One does.

Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for revealing those things that need to be revealed. Thank You, Father, for every heads-up You provide.  And we pray, Father, as the psalmist prayed, Hear my cry, O God: Attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You. When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me. A strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Lord, keep us on a need-to-know basis as defined by You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

How Much? +

And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ.

1st Corinthians 7:22 NLT

Susannah is a very poor African woman about my age. I saw a video clip about her. An evangelist held a week-long revival in her village and every evening at the end of the service, the people would bring their offering to the front of the meeting place and lay it on a table. They brought fruit and vegetables, some of it equal to their day's wage. They brought small animals, chickens, etc, but no one had money. They were giving what they had in order to keep the ministry of evangelism going strong. 

Susannah had nothing to give. She was destitute. Her husband and children had died and she was alone...until she heard the Word of God preached  - the Gospel of Jesus. It literally transformed her and did an immediate work in her heart. She came to service every night and desperately wanted to give something, but she had nothing. The last night of the revival, she came in with the biggest smile and clutching something in her hand. When it came time to bring the offering, Susannah walked quietly but confidently to the front of the church and laid a silver coin on the table. The evangelist knew she had received salvation at the beginning of the week, but also knew she had nothing. He was concerned that she had stolen the coin in her desperation to give.

After service, the evangelist pulled her aside and asked her point blank where she had gotten the coin. She began to explain. God had made such an incredible change in her heart and her mind - freed her from the awful depression and loneliness - made her alive again. She wanted everyone to hear the message of Christ and knew she HAD to do her part in making sure that more would hear. She asked him, how could she receive such newness of life and not do everything within her power to make sure that others heard (keeping in mind that she is not a young woman). That day, Susannah had gone to see the plantation owner and sold the only thing she had left - the rest of her life - to work the fields of the plantation, so she could bring an offering to further the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 1st John 3:16 NLT, We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. The video ended with her working the plantation field, and as the camera zoomed out, there seemed to be no end to those fields.

How much have we received from Christ? How much will we give so that others may live?

Prayer:

Father,

          Change our hearts, Father. Change our attitudes. Let Your desires become ours. May we see, hear and hasten to do Your will. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

The Perfect Everything Tool +

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV

Every worker needs tools of some sort to perform the tasks for his or her job, and hopefully, he or she also has the knowledge to utilize the tools of the trade. For instance, a gem cutter who crafts and creates needs a lot of different tools to do his work. He also needs a comprehensive guide for knowledge about all facets of his work. 

Some of the knowledge a gem cutter needs to possess is about Cabochon Cutting, Facet Cutting, and Special Lapidary Technique. Doesn't sound like too much, does it? However, topics that a gem cutter needs to know about Cabochon Cutting include such things as Sawing, Diamond Saw Blades, Sawing Coolants, Sawing Large Specimens, Grinding Operation, Grinding Wheel Hints, Side Wheel Grinding, Grinding Wheel Bondings, Sanding Operation, Discs and Drums, Belt Sanders, Dopping the Gems, Polishing the Gem, Slow Speed Polishing, Theory of Polishing, Polishing Methods, Cabochon Bezel Angles, and Micron Sizes. That's just concerning Cabochon Cutting - it does not include Facet Cutting's Diamond Laps or Brilliant Cut Gems and the development of the brilliant cut, or the Rose Cut, or Quartz and Beryl Angles. My head is spinning and I haven't even mentioned any particulars concerning Lapidary Techniques. There is SO much that goes into cutting stones to create precious gems, I couldn't begin to do justice in providing a comprehensive list of tools or the knowledge required.

I am sure there must be times when gem cutters wish they had the perfect everything tool - similar to a Scout knife - you know, knife, screwdriver, can opener, scissors, corkscrew, etc. Especially in this day and age where everything we use in life is bigger and better and should be convenient. As a society, we crave convenience. Whatever it is, it has to be faster, super-powered, and ready at a moment's notice. 

However, no matter how or what you slice and dice, if you don't have instruction to operate the tool, it won't matter how many gadgets you've got. By the same token, if you have a lot of instruction, but no hands-on time with the tool to implement what you've learned, that won't work, either. 

Keep in mind, you don't have to have EVERY piece of equipment in your hand to get started. And you don't have to know everything before you begin to put into practice what you are learning. God knows it all but remember, He started us off with two tablets, then came tools and material... a hammer, two boards, a few spikes...

And as a result, the truly perfect everything tool was forged. An instruction manual that doubles as a weapon against the most evil of enemies  - A sword for all seasons. It is the original comprehensive help guide for FAQs. It has the answer for EVERYTHING. It's user-friendly, never crashes, and it never goes offline...  although it does make provision for user re-starts, when necessary. The Bible. The Word of God. The Word of Truth - for the worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Prayer:

Father,

         Hebrews 4:12 tell us the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Father, wash us with the water of Your Word so that we may be clean before You and be able to share the answers with those who have questions. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

What Do I Know? *

[The Lord speaking] Why, when I came, was there no man? Why, when I called, was there none to answer? Is My hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver?

Isaiah 50:2 NKJV

I thought I had a pretty good grasp of how big God is - you know, the Creator of the Universe, speaking the worlds into existence, the whole nine yards... until I realized that if I really had a grasp on who God is, and what He is, and how He is large and in charge, then I would just say, "Yes, Lord" and be done with it (whatever it may be) on Earth as it is in Heaven. Instant follower. Instant obedience. Instantly compliant. Instant servant's heart...but I don't...and I think I may be safe in saying that I'm not the only one who doesn't. I'm not making excuses for me nor am I casting dispersion on anyone else...this is just a reality check to put ME back in proper perspective.

As I listened once again to the song, "What Do I Know of Holy?" by Addison Road, I was struck by the Truth of the lyrics. And as the words washed over my soul, I humbled my heart before the greatness of our God. It is in humility that wisdom comes. Proverbs 11:2 reads, Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. What do I know unless the Lord teaches me?

Prayer:

Father,

          According to Your Word, in Ephesians 3, Now all glory to You, who is able, through Your mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to You in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS-bRarAZ2g

No Shortcuts +

The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish.

Jonah 1:1-3 NIV

Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”

Jonah 3:1-2 NIV

Have you ever wondered why – when you’re serving the Lord – that you seem to get so far and then hit a wall and no matter what you do, you can’t seem to get past it? I’ve been asking God about that now for a while… I don’t think I was listening well. 

In the first verse of this prophet’s book, God told Jonah to go to Nineveh. We all know that part of the story – Jonah ran. God caused a storm and prepared the fish to swallow Jonah, where he spent three days. In Jonah’s story, I guess I never paid much attention to the details before…somehow, I always thought the fish was just Jonah’s personal conveyance to Nineveh to make sure he got there. Go straight to Nineveh. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200. However, the fish did not spew Jonah on the shore of Nineveh. Following Jonah’s exit from the Fish Express (after he repented for his disobedience), the Lord told him a second time – Go to Nineveh…

I’m sure you’ve probably never done this…if I don’t like something or the thought of doing something, I’m pretty much not gonna do it…or I’m gonna find a way to circumvent or shortcut it. Sometimes, I’m even guilty of just doing it “good enough for government work.” This great Truth has nailed me right between the eyes. I just have to bring it to the Light. Confess it. Own it and then prayerfully ask for God’s strength and fortitude to make it happen. Well, I’m admitting it because Scripture tells me to confess my faults that I might be healed. And I want that. I need that.

Several years ago, God told me to scale down, simplify, get organized. I spent several weeks doing exactly that. I worked hard and I worked long. And I got down to the last closet and corner of one room, and I thought, I’ve done a lot. It’s SO much better than it was. That’s good enough. And I stopped. I did not complete what God instructed me to do. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve repeated that EXACTLY. Go through ALMOST everything – scale down, simplify, get organized… down to that last little bit and then I’m tired and I quit…and it’s like a fungus…it spreads all over again and gets bigger.

Several years ago, this would have been much easier, not to mention I was younger. I realize now there are NO shortcuts with God when it comes to obedience. He didn’t ask me if I’d like to do it, He just said, Do it. And since He is the Alpha AND Omega, He doesn’t go for half-measures. And the Truth is, there were no shortcuts to the Cross that paid for my sin…

Prayer:

Father,

          Forgive my spirit of rebellion and disobedience. Forgive me for the time lost when I could have been accomplishing what You planned for me to do according to Your Word. Help me, Father, to walk in absolute obedience to Your Word and Your perfect will for my life. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen

For Those +

He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end...So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.

¹² After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

John 13:1b,4-5, 12-17 NLT

There are people in this world that I love more than life itself. People I would give my life for without a second thought. I'm sure you have people you love like that, right?

And then there are those. You know the ones... The ones who skip over however many thousands of nerves I have and go directly to my last one... and pluck on it. Some of them work at it... some of them only have to walk in the room. The ones that if I never saw them again, it would be too soon. Aw, you probably don't know what I mean, right? 

Scripture tells us to confess our sins so that we may be healed. Okay. I have to admit that there are days I take great delight in playing Moosh-a-head. Do you know that one? It's when you bring your thumb and forefinger up to your eye like you're going to get an eyelash out of your eye. In reality, you're looking through the thumb and forefinger at the head of the person who is plucking your last nerve and then you moosh your thumb and forefinger together...in essence, pinching off their head... all the while thinking moosh-a-head, moosh-a-head...

And so every time I read our text for today, I am convicted down to my toes... the very toes Jesus would kneel in front of me to wash. You see, He washed the feet of ALL His disciples that day. All of them - including Judas Iscariot - who within a half-hour of eating this last supper with Jesus would go and betray Him for 30 pieces of silver...AND including Peter, who within 12 hours, would lie and deny ever knowing Him. Not once. Not twice, but three times.

How great is the love of Jesus! Understand this, Jesus knew about the betrayal of Judas and Peter's impending denial when He knelt in front of them and washed their feet. He said, I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.

For those...

Prayer:

Father,

         Forgive me for every time I react in my flesh, instead of responding in Your love. I want to be like Jesus. I want to be a vessel You can use. More of You, Lord, and less of me, I pray, in Jesus' Name. Amen

* When the Wind Stops

Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” 

But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”

Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”

“Yes, come,” Jesus said.

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.  But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.

Matthew 14:24-32 NLT

This is one of my favorites. Every time I read it, I am encouraged. Strengthened. I have heard it preached from different viewpoints and they're all good. Can we recognize Jesus? Do we know Him when we are in trouble? Can we recognize God in the midst of the storms in our lives? Do we let the circumstances of our lives overwhelm us? Do we make snap decisions based on fear of our circumstances? Are we keeping our eyes on Jesus?

Some will give us that Peter DID walk on water, but they are quick to make the point that because he took His eyes off Jesus, he began to sink. And that's a great point. It is valid. It is true. However, it's not the whole story.

Let's review a little here. These were disciples in the boat, not your run-of-the-mill followers. It was the twelve. Hand-picked by Jesus. They weren't the ones who ran out to every event just to see what was going on. They weren't the fringe. They were all disciples. Disciples that had just witnessed the feeding of the 5,000 with a few loaves and fish, and gathered up left-overs... It was THOSE disciples who, at 3 in the morning, fighting heavy waves and a strong wind, who were - what was the word? Terrified. Am I judging them? Absolutely not, I'm just reviewing the facts.

You see, it was ONE of those twelve disciples - Simon/Peter. Did you know that the definition of the name Simon is hearing? Simon who Jesus called Peter. Peter which means rock. (I have to ask you - have you ever seen a rock float?) It was THIS Peter - Peter the fisherman who knew firsthand the danger of heavy waves and strong winds on the water. Peter the one we know for his blunders - that's who went over the side of the boat into the heavy waves and the strong wind.  We know he didn't sink the minute he went over the side because Scripture tells us he walked on the water toward Jesus. The point is Peter listened and he did the impossible because all things are possible through Christ. All things are possible to those who believe (Mark 9:23), but that's another topic for another day.

Truth - Peter walked on the water toward Jesus. Truth - When he took his eyes off Christ and looked at the circumstances, he began to sink. Truth - Peter cried out to Jesus and Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him and asked why Peter doubted Him. We don't know how far Peter walked. I think that's irrelevant or else God would have included it in His Word, but we know he got close enough that when he did begin to sink, Jesus reached out and grabbed him. It doesn't say Jesus ran to him to snatch him out of the water. It just says He reached out - and that's another topic for another day. Now, here's the part of the miracle that we miss. It doesn't say immediately they were back in the boat. It doesn't say Jesus tossed Peter into the boat or that Jesus carried him back to the boat. Here it is - don't miss it! Whatever distance Peter covered, they walked back because they CLIMBED back into the boat. AND according to Scripture, it was When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.

After the walking. After the climbing. Was that easy? No, I don't believe so. Was it sure? Yes, absolutely! Jesus was there. And because He was, there was no question about whether or not they could walk back, or whether or not, they would climb back into the boat even though they were still in the heavy waves and strong wind.

We pray and we plead and we cry out and nothing seems to change and we wonder where God is. Too often, we believe the lie of satan that Jesus isn't there for us because our circumstances haven't changed. Can we see Him in the midst of our storm? Do we have the faith to step out in response to His bidding? Do we believe He will walk with us? Are we waiting for the wind to stop before we believe?

Prayer:

Father,

          Increase our faith, O God. Forgive us for not looking past our circumstances to see the Truth of Your Word - that You are ever with us, that You never leave us nor forsake us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* A New Wardrobe

You're done with that old life. It's like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you've stripped off and put in the fire. Now you're dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete.
Colossians 3:9b-10 The Message

So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.

Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you'll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.

And that means killing off everything connected with that way of death: sexual promiscuity, impurity, lust, doing whatever you feel like whenever you feel like it, and grabbing whatever attracts your fancy. That's a life shaped by things and feelings instead of by God. It's because of this kind of thing that God is about to explode in anger. It wasn't long ago that you were doing all that stuff and not knowing any better. But you know better now, so make sure it's all gone for good: bad temper, irritability, meanness, profanity, dirty talk.

Don't lie to one another. You're done with that old life. It's like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you've stripped off and put in the fire. Now you're dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete. Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. Colossians 3:1-14 The Message

Prayer:

Father,
           According to Your Word in Colossians 3, Let the peace of Christ keep us in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing our own thing. Remind us to cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Help us to give it plenty of room in our lives. Cause us to instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And to sing, sing our hearts out to You! Let every detail in our lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Deliberately

How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:12-14 NLT

There I was, minding my own business, or so I thought... I have to tell you that I discovered I was definitely NOT being deliberate about 'minding my business.' I was headed home, singing along with the CD, and thought I was engaged in the music until a guy cut me off. I went right from perfect four-part harmony to a very discordant "JERK!!" And immediately, conviction flooded the car... James 3:9-10 - about the tongue - seemed to bounce off every interior surface - Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!

There were so many Scriptures that came flooding in right behind it, I didn't know whether to beg for mercy or to praise God for His faithfulness in correcting me! But here's what I know according to His Word. Proverbs 3 (and Hebrews repeats it), My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.

God has ALWAYS been very deliberate about His love for us. John 3:16 tells us He sent His Son to die for us so that we might live forever with Him. You can't get more deliberate than that!

So should I live haphazardly? Or should I live so deliberately for Him that I wouldn't even think about calling someone who is made in the image of God a JERK?!?

Prayer:

Father,
          How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen

* I Plan to Do That Right After...

How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil. Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
James 4:14-17 NLT

I'm gonna start with "Ouch!" because sometimes the Truth really does hurt...

Here we are in the thick of the Christmas season. I had planned to decorate my home and office this PAST weekend. Let me just say that nothing was accomplished that I had planned to do Friday through Sunday evening. In the eternal measure of it, does that matter? No, of course not. I bless the day our Saviour was born as a man - whatever day it was - so I'm not worried about decorating. It's true that I'd like to. It's true I was planning to... but will I do it to the extent I had originally planned? Probably not. 

As I was contemplating that thought, I'm sure I heard an echo in my spirit. Something I'd heard before... something about being too busy. Do you remember me writing about how God went the extra mile with me to make the point and provide the lesson on how to slow down and how to say 'no'? Remember? (Ouch)  I wanted to slow down. I planned to... but combine the insane pace of today's world with the electronic sensory surfeit and...probably not.

Here's the big "Ouch!" When I ignore God's leading; when I dare to try to justify having to get "this" done first? I may want to hear from God, I may even plan to do what He speaks to me at some point, but combine the insane pace of today's world with the electronic sensory surfeit and... probably not.

Lord, I plan to do that right after I... 

My plans or God's? What we ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise, we are boasting about our own plans, and all such boasting is evil.

Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. 

Prayer:

Father,
          Forgive us our sins. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Real Change

Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them.Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.

Isaiah 55:6-7 NLT

Everywhere we turn, someone is talking about change. However, change for the sake of change? I can't say that is always for the better. Sometimes, it's much worse.

The Truth is, in order to have change, you have to want to be changed, and then you have to choose to act on it. I wish I had a clean house without getting up to do anything about it, is not going to get your house clean. I wish I spoke another language is not going to make you bilingual. I wish I was a better Christian...  What? Like poof! Here, Child, I'll make you a better person, you just sit back and eat bon-bons and watch TV? Yeah, right.

What can you do to bring about change in your life and in the lives of those around you? Timothy tells us in his second letter, Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.
2nd Timothy 2:25 NLT

That will be REAL change!

Prayer:

Father,

           Bring Your Word to our remembrance. Help us to be instant in season to speak Your Truth, so it can set the captive free, and so we can effect change for Your glory. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen