* 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

* Making Decisions

Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.
Proverbs 4:7 NKJV

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.
James 1:5-6 NLT

We make many decisions in a day. Some are considered 'no-brainers' - things we don't have to decide daily because at some previous pivotal point, we decided we would do it regularly. Other decisions require conscious effort, deep thought and reasoning, and just when we think we've made the hard decision, we think about it some more.

Some decisions are made for us - such as what the boss wants done and when he or she wants it. Some are seemingly without thought because they 'go with the territory' - if you deliver pizzas, you need a driver's license and the state-required insurance, and a vehicle of some sort.

The bottom line is this: we make our decisions - and our decisions make us. More than that, decisions we make affect the lives of those around us. To choose to live righteously, to choose to have an attitude of gratitude. To choose to reach out to others... or not. It affects everyone within our sphere of influence. If we don't make conscious decisions, it will be our mindless decisions that will affect our lives and those around us.

So, knowing that - how are you at making decisions? Do you have all the wisdom you need in order to make them?

Prayer:

Father,
          We come before You today and ask for Your inspired wisdom to make the right decisions to follow Your purpose for our lives. Lord, Your Word says You will give it to us and not rebuke us for asking. Our faith is in You alone, Father - we do not want to waiver. We need Your wisdom. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Are You Chicken?

If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?
Luke 16:10-12 NLT

Are you chicken? No, this isn't about being afraid or having courage. It's about being faithful. You might ask how in the world being chicken has anything to do with faithful, but my pastor, Alan Neel, gave a GREAT illustration tonight and I'm going to share it with you here.

The lesson was about being the body of Christ and behaving like it. We're like a sports team - everyone plays the position to which they've been assigned. If members get hurt and are on the injured list, are there others who will pick them up and help to minister healing to them? Is there anyone to pick up the slack? Can the members of the body be counted as faithful to do what they say they will do?

Luke 6:44 NLT reads, A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. What fruit is evident in our lives? Pastor Alan provided a marvelous rule of thumb as an illustration to help us determine what sort of fruit can be seen in our lives by those who know us.

Say it's family reunion time and everyone is pitching in by bringing food. The big meal is planned, so they're working from a list of items that need to be brought for dinner. What's your assignment - Chicken or potato chips? Brisket or bread? You see, the main dish is always assigned to someone they know they can count on. Someone who will be on time and prepared. Bread and chips are assigned to those who might make it, but then again, might not. You never can tell - and chips or bread can be picked up at the local convenience store if need be.

So...are you chicken?

Prayer:

Father,
           Open our eyes to see the Truth about ourselves. Break hardened hearts to mold them into Your image. We want to be counted as faithful, Father. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen