Promise for Today - Invested

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death. 

Philippians 3:10 (NLT)

Happiness is found in getting to know God more every day.

Another translation says that Paul became “thoroughly acquainted” (AMP) with God because he had a relationship with him and took the time to get to know him. He understood the difference between knowing ABOUT someone and actually knowing someone—and Paul wanted to really know Christ.

You don’t become thoroughly acquainted with God by accident. You don’t just wake up and accidentally fall into a relationship with Jesus. Paul says it’s a determined purpose. It’s something you have to do something about. You have to invest your time in it. You have to invest your heart in it. You have to invest your resources and your energy. Getting to know God requires the best of everything you have!

One trap that can keep you from getting to know God better is busyness. Just like busyness can destroy your relationships, it can also destroy your relationship with God.

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God” (NIV).

To grow in your relationship with God, you need to make time for him and be still. Just a few minutes of focused time every day can make all the difference in the world. I’m not saying you have to spend an hour in prayer every day. You can start with 10 or 15 minutes each morning, reading the Bible and talking with God.

The most important thing is to make it a habit and commit to getting to know God. Only then will you, like Paul, begin understanding the wonders of God with greater clarity.

Make this your daily prayer: “Lord, if I don’t do anything else today, I want to get to know you a little bit better and I want to love you a little bit more.” As you pray and live this out, you’ll begin to experience greater happiness in your life.

Talk It Over

What are some things you do every day for at least 15 minutes? Do you do them because they’re essential or just because they’ve become habitual?

What distractions can keep you too busy to spend time with God?

How will you adjust your schedule so that you can spend more time with God?
- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

         Thank You for loving us every moment of every day since before we were born. Help us to keep our focus on what is the most important part of our lives - to love You back. To spend time with You. To learn Your ways and to know You more. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Looking for Progress

“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)

When my kids were little, they would bring pictures to me that they had drawn and say, “What do you think of this, Daddy?” I would tell them, “That’s perfect! It looks great.” When I told them it was perfect, I didn’t mean that it was a Picasso. I loved what they had created because it was perfect for that stage in their lives.

In the same way, God doesn’t wait until you’re mature to start loving you. He loved you before you were born. He doesn’t wait for you to clean up or straighten up before he thinks you’re good enough for his love. You shouldn’t do that with others, either. You’ve got to love them, warts and all. You’ve got to be patient with their progress.

The apostle Paul is a great example of this with the church in Philippi. Paul knew God was doing a good, long work in the lives of the people in the Philippian church, and Paul was patient with their progress. Being patient with other people’s progress is an essential part of happiness. Why? If you’re always expecting perfection in people before you can enjoy a relationship with them, then you’re never going to be happy. That’s because nobody’s perfect—especially you.

Here’s a little happiness hint: If you want to have happier and healthier relationships, then celebrate how far people have come rather than judging them for how far they still have to go. You’ve got to be patient with people’s progress.

To be able to celebrate people instead of judging them for their imperfections, you need patience. And the key to patience is love. Paul says in the next verse, “It is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart” (Philippians 1:7 NLT).

“In my heart”: Allowing other people to have a special place in your heart is a key to happiness. When you love and celebrate people and focus on their steps forward, then you’re going to build healthy, happy relationships.

Talk It Over

What effect does it have on you when your friends celebrate your success?

How does remembering God’s love for you help you love others well?

If you don’t consider yourself a patient person, what are some ways you can cultivate this fruit of the Spirit in your life?
- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for loving us before the foundation of the earth. Give us eyes of love to see the steps forward that our family and friends - and even we - are making. Help us to show our joy in their successes and loads of mercy when needed. Remove judgment and a critical spirit from our hearts so we have more room to give our people a special place instead. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Relationships

 I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.  Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

Revelation 2:2-4 NKJV

According to Scripture, God has loved us since before the foundations of the Earth. I have not loved Him that long. I loved Him when I was a child, but when I got old enough to think I could make my own decisions, I chose (at that time) to walk after the ways of the world. For over a decade, I was on a one-way street with no speed limits, heading straight for hell. "Do not pass Go. Do not collect two hundred dollars."

It was when I was at my personal worst that God stepped into my path and offered me a way out...my Prince had come to save me and I couldn't get enough of Him! I was at church every time the doors were open and sometimes, even when they weren't. I just wanted to be there. I took notes every service and studied them and studied them and studied them some more because I wanted to know all I could about this God of the universe, Creator of Heaven and Earth, who loved ME enough to die for me - to pay the price for MY sins - to spare me the punishment for the evil choices I made.

That was a long time ago. Lately, it's almost been like some of the old married couples you've seen. They're comfortable in their relationship, but they're not "crazy in love" like they were when they were kids. She no longer hangs on his every word. He's not her "first love" anymore. Nowadays, he gets put on the back burner if one of the grandchildren or one of the ladies in her group needs something. She takes for granted that he's always going to be there.

There is a huge difference between comfortable and complacent. I've grown comfortable in my relationship with the Lord. I actually believe beyond the shadow of a doubt that He loves me - and that's good - but the truth is in the last few months, I had grown complacent in my relationship with Him. Oh, I wasn't out running around or getting drunk or doing stuff like that - but neither was I running to be with Him or drinking from the water of Life or listening for His voice. And I could feel the nudges... "You don't spend time with Me. Come talk to Me. Don't push Me away. Don't ignore Me."

I tried to make myself believe it was all okay because I wasn't running around or doing all those other things, and I was at church and paid my tithes, and gave offerings, etc... but I forgot one VERY important thing. 

This relationship has NEVER been about what I'VE done for Him.

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You for loving me more than enough to confront me and make me uncomfortable in my complacency. Forgive me, Lover of my soul, for putting anything alive or electronic ahead of You in my life. It is ONLY in You that I live and move and have my being. Let my only comfort be in You. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Right Relationships

May the Master of Peace himself give you the gift of getting along with each other at all times, in all ways. May the Master be truly among you!
2nd Thessalonians 3:16 The Message

The life of a Christian is all about right relationships. The right relationship with God, relationships with other followers of Christ, and relationships with non-believers. I have to say at some points in life, it would be so much easier to be a selective hermit. There would be fewer opportunities to be angry or spiteful. Less time consumed with solving other people’s issues for their lack of planning, resulting in fewer opportunities to judge. So much less chance of offense if you’re not around other people.

Right off the top of my head, I see two major things wrong with that. One – The Word tells us that they’ll know we are Christians by our love toward each other, and if we choose NOT to be around others because we can’t stand to be around them… well, I just don’t think we need to go any further there.

The writer of Hebrews instructs us in 12:14 to "work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you'll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God's generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God's lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God's blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears."

And two, if we’re never tested, how will we know? James 3:17a tells us that "Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced."

It can be very hard work. That too is acknowledged and issued for instruction as the second part of that same Scripture assures us we "can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor."

So, I’d have to say, No, we can’t all just get along. Without God, it’s impossible. However, with God, all things are possible. Difficult, at times, but definitely possible.

Prayer:

Father,
        Hear our cry for right relationship with You. How You could love us in our unlovable state and continue to do so during our petty differences is beyond me. Help us to learn by following Your example toward US. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Farming Faithfulness

Just as a linen undergarment clings to the body, so I created the people of Israel and Judah to cling to me, declares the Lord, to be my people for my honor, praise, and grandeur.
Jeremiah 13:11 CEB

I think I mentioned that our church is doing a Bible reading plan called "Bible Recap". It has the Scripture readings listed in chronological order. Currently, we are in the book of Jeremiah.

It is challenging yet also eye-opening, and doesn't take much discernment to see that since the beginning of mankind, God has poured out His love and desire for a faithful relationship only to be rejected time and time again. God struck a covenant with His chosen people with the first commandment being Exodus 20:3, "You shall have no other gods before Me."

In the context of His Word, God is not referring only to statues and idols covered in silver and gold, but to ANYTHING that we would go to instead of to God for comfort and peace that only He can give. Think about that for a moment...

In the book of Jeremiah, God's people have repeatedly turned their backs on God, and He has had enough. He is ready to pour out His righteous judgment, and yet consistently throughout the first 13 chapters of this book, there are glimpses of His overwhelming love - if only they would repent and turn back to Him...

In verses 1-11 of the 13th chapter, I see the same false accusation against God since the beginning of time for anything bad that happens to mankind. "Why did God do this to me?" when in reality, we bring it on ourselves by our own disobedience. The Truth is we will always have to struggle with our own flesh to be in faithful submission to the Lord, but we can only do that by His grace and mercy.

Psalm 37:3 reads, "Trust the Lord and do good; live in the land, and farm faithfulness." We know that farming requires patience, as the farmer waits for the harvest following the hard work of tilling the ground, planting and watering the seed. Similarly, cultivating faithfulness requires perseverance and trust in God's timing, even when the results are not immediately visible. God is ALWAYS faithful.

Prayer:

Father,
           Forgive us for every false idol we have ever placed before You. According to Your Word, "They are a delusion, a charade; at the appointed time they will vanish!" And so is anything and everything we choose over You and Your Word. Thank You, Father, that Your mercies are new every morning - that Your Words are eternal and everlasting! Give us the strength and wisdom to trust You and do good; to live in the land You have provided, and to farm faithfulness. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Wait and See

We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.

Psalm 33:20-22 NLT

Relationships take time. Would you agree that while there are those with whom we adopt a 'wait and see' attitude, there are also those we know almost immediately will be a good relationship even though we may not yet have the proof - the value, quality, or truth of it that can only be judged based on direct experience with interaction - learned and earned when given the time. We hope that both will be good. Only time will tell.

However, our faith-based relationship with Father, Son and Holy Spirit should be different. Anything we know about our Triune God to begin with is based on His Word. God has given us all a measure of faith - are we using it to believe God is who He says He is? Have we chosen Him as our firm foundation? Are we using that faith to build the strength of our hope in Christ? Are we faithful to God?

As our understanding and knowledge of God deepen, we are strengthened to know He is a safe place. A sure place. We are confident that our hope is placed in the Right Place. We don't have to wait and see. We know.

Prayer:

 

Father,

          Thank You for Your faithfulness and for being trustworthy beyond the shadow of a doubt. Thank You for giving us the foundation of faith to know we are safe and secure in You. Let Your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in You alone. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Through the Bible in a Year

Reading for February 12th
Exodus 34:1-35:9
Matthew 27:15-31
Psalm 33:12-22
Proverbs 9:1-6

No Substitutions

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 2:20 NKJV

Salvation is made available to us solely by the gift of God through the person of His Son, Jesus Christ, who died to pay the penalty for our sins so we could be reconciled to the Father. It is by His Grace through faith that we are able to receive it. Faith, which is also a gift from God (Romans 12:3). 

And while faith in Christ produces a heart to serve and help others, works such as serving, giving, good deeds, etc., do not serve as a substitute for faith. We must be careful to not allow ourselves to reduce our journey with Jesus to the tasks we accomplish.

There is no substitution for faith in a living, loving relationship with the Lord.

Prayer:

Father,

           Forgive us when we allow our relationship with You to become mindless acts of perceived duty. Open our eyes of understanding to fully embrace what it means to love You with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind, and with all our strength. In Jesus' Name we pray.

Give and Take

"Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.”  In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.

Job 1:21-22 NKJV

We have heard it said that life is all about the give and take. I'm inclined to agree with that. While we may think that being given something all the time may sound like living a blessed life, it's wrong. Have you ever been in a relationship where it was all one-sided? If it's you doing all the giving - time, energy, etc - it gets old pretty quick. By the same token, if you're on the receiving end all the time without the opportunity to give back, that doesn't work either. It is give AND take. That's what makes a relationship.

We've all heard numerous sermons about being a blessing to others. However, there is the danger of becoming the Bless ME generation - believing the teaching that propagates the untruth that God is there just to bless us. How many people do you know who have fallen away from following the Lord because something bad happened or they didn't get what they wanted and they believed God should have, would have, could have done something? Therein lies the danger. We accuse God of wronging us when we don't get what we want.

We were / are created for worship. We are to worship God. We are to bless Him. And while it IS true that God will bless us, Hebrews 11:6 assures us He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. It also says that without faith it is impossible to please God and that those who come to God must believe that He IS. Does God withhold from us? Yes, He does. Does He withhold from us just to be mean or just because He can? No, absolutely not! He is our Father - a true Father. One who is all about caring for His children, loving us, raising us up to be the best that we can be...and that means training AND discipline. That's REAL love. That's TRUE love.

Scripture tells us He delights in us. It is His good pleasure to give us the kingdom (Luke 12:32). According to His good pleasure, He laid out the plan for our salvation so we could be adopted by Him (Ephesians 1:5), revealing to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself (Ephesians 1:9).

God gives us freedom (Psalm 146:7). He gives us wisdom (Proverbs 2:6). The Lord gives rest from our sorrow and from our fear and from our hard bondages... and even though that Scripture (Isaiah 14:3) is in reference to the fall of the Babylonian king, the Word also tells us in Acts 10:34-35, that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.

God so loved the world that He GAVE His Son to die on the Cross for OUR sins (John 3:16). Behold the Lamb of God who TAKES away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Let us learn the lesson from Job. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.

Prayer:

Father,

          You are holy and You are righteous and You are God and we are not. We acknowledge Your lordship and submit ourselves to You. We give our lives to You and ask that You take away everything in our heart that does not please You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

It's Our Duty

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. 

A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
Ecclesiastes 3:1,7b NLT

There was a big discussion on the radio about communication; who speaks and who listens, and who does it well and who doesn’t, verbal and non-verbal. Of course, the basis of the discussion was male versus female forms of communication. So, we can all recall jokes or stories we’ve heard about miscommunication, some good, some just plain awful – and it really isn’t predicated on male/female indicators…mostly it’s just our human nature.

I confess there are times when I have a hard time knowing if I should speak or if I should just be silent. Of course, that’s no great surprise if you know me personally and know that I tend to have flare-ups of a chronic condition known as WSS, better known as Wet Sock Syndrome, derived from sticking my foot in my mouth. There’s an old quote that touts the virtue of twice as much listening as talking based on the two ears/one mouth equation. The older I get, the more I value the wisdom in that.

Thoreau once said, "It takes two to speak the truth - one to speak and another to hear", which brings me to the point of this topic for today’s Promise. Someone once asked the question, 'What is the opposite of talking?' Contrary to what most thought, the answer is waiting, not listening.

We can only hear if we’re waiting to hear, instead of being so busy formulating our own response that we aren’t listening. We all know people who do that, or they don’t wait for an answer. They spew and then go. That does not qualify as relationship, and yet we are called to be in relationship with our Lord.

Paul Tillich, one of the most well-known theologians of the 20th Century said, "The first duty of love is to listen." So, how many times are we guilty of talking to God and not waiting for a reply? Talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk…amen. And off we go, wondering why we don’t “hear from God.” 

How much do we love Him? Are we waiting to hear what He has to say? It's true - "The first duty of love is to listen."

Prayer:

Father,
           Forgive us for the times we have treated You as though You were there to take our dictation. Please speak, Father. We choose now to follow in Christ’s footsteps to speak and do only what we hear You say. Help us to fulfill our first duty of love. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Great Relationships

 Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?

Jeremiah 32:27 NKJV

What has God been talking to you about YOU doing? I know it's more than you think you can possibly accomplish...  In fact, it's overwhelming! News flash! God is not going to ask you to do something that you can do without Him.  And the Truth is, nothing is impossible with God.  As my pastor is so fond of saying - God is all about relationship.

Good relationships take time. Great relationships take time and a lot of hard work. Only we can decide if a great relationship is worth the effort... But I'll tell you, I don't know of anyone in a great relationship who will say, Oh, I'm tired of having a great relationship with so-and-so. I'll just cut our time down to once or twice a week. I'll just settle for less. We don't need to talk every day, do we?  That would be crazy, and we know it. A great relationship takes everything we've got to bring to it and then some... and it's worth it.

God's been talking to you about doing something that will take you working with Him to accomplish - the keyword there is working.  As David passionately proclaimed - we'll pay full price and not offer Him any sacrifice which cost us nothing. God has already given the best of everything He has for a relationship with us thus far - what have we given back? Are we engaged in this relationship or just sitting back saying, Gimme gimme... because we think what He asks is too hard?

Is there anything too hard for God?

Prayer:

Father,

         Forgive us for being focused on our finite fences in life, when in Truth, we are to be focused on You - and You are infinite. Open our eyes to see. Open our hearts to embrace Your will and purpose for us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorites - Absolutely Thrilling

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening, accompanied by the ten-stringed harp and the melody of the lyre. You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done.
Psalm 92:1-4 New Living Translation

When was the last time you can say you were thrilled with what the Lord has done for you; as in - you FELT the thrill? Has it been awhile? If so, why? Have you forgotten?

In the big scheme of things, if we compare ourselves to the God of the whole universe, how important are we? And then to think, our lives and everything about us is of GREAT importance to the Creator. There's no guesswork in that - no supposition.

God is the Great I AM. He breathed life into a dustball and created mankind. It's that God who sent His Son - Alpha and Omega, Beginning and the End, Lord of all and over all, our Deliverer, our Healer, and our Righteousness - to die for us; to create a way for us to be in relationship with Him. He makes a way when most can't even hope for it. How? Through His Son, Jesus Christ. Christ IS the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Scripture defines Him as Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Holy One of the Highest, Emmanuel. He is our Advocate, our Righteous Judge. He is all-powerful, omnipotent, omniscient. He's King above all other kings. Royalty to the extreme and He desires a relationship with you. Aren't you absolutely thrilled about that?

Honey, if that don't light your fire, your wood's wet.

Prayer:

Father,
There is no thrill like the thrill when we come to the understanding of Your love for us. Open our understanding to all You would have us see and know. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorites - In the Midst

For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.
Matthew 18:20 NLT

John 20:19-20 NLT - Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

When He wasn't praying or seeking God's will, Jesus liked being in the midst of things. And according to our Promise for Today, Where two or three are gathered together in His Name - Whoop! There He is!

God has always been about our business because we ARE His business. We were created for the express purpose of relationship with Him. So much so that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to answer the call about relationship, He is the Mediator - on the Cross (in the middle) between life and death.

In life AND in death, Jesus shows up when we need Him. In the midst - right in the middle - no matter where we are or who we're with.

Prayer:

Father,
            Thank You for always being there. Thank You that Your Word is true and unchanging. A solid rock on which we can stand. We want to continue to stand strong in Your Truth, surrounded by Your presence. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Friends' Favorite - Uncomfortably Complacent

I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.  Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
Revelation 2:2-4 NKJV

According to Scripture, God has loved us since before the foundations of the Earth. I have not loved Him that long. I loved Him when I was a child, but when I got old enough to think I could make my own decisions, I chose (at that time) to walk after the ways of the world. For over a decade, I was on a one-way street with no speed limits, heading straight for hell. "Do not pass Go. Do not collect two-hundred dollars."

It was when I was at my personal worst that God stepped into my path and offered me a way out...my Prince had come to save me and I couldn't get enough of Him! I was at church every time the doors were open and sometimes, even when they weren't. I just wanted to be there. I took notes every service and studied them and studied them and studied them some more because I wanted to know all I could about this God of the universe, Creator of Heaven and Earth, who loved ME enough to die for me - to pay the price for MY sins - to spare me the punishment for the evil choices I made.

That was a long time ago. Lately, it's almost been like some of the old married couples you've seen. They're comfortable in their relationship, but they're not "crazy in love" like they were when they were kids. She no longer hangs on his every word. He's not her "first love" anymore. Nowadays, he gets put on the back burner if one of the grandchildren or one of the ladies in her group needs something. She takes for granted that he's always going to be there.

There is a huge difference between comfortable and complacent. I've grown comfortable in my relationship with the Lord. I actually believe beyond the shadow of a doubt that He loves me - and that's good - but the truth is in the last few months, I had grown complacent in my relationship with Him. Oh, I wasn't out running around or getting drunk or doing stuff like that - but neither was I running to be with Him or drinking from the water of Life or listening for His voice. And I could feel the nudges... You don't spend time with Me. Come talk to Me. Don't push Me away. Don't ignore Me. 

I tried to make myself believe it was all okay because I wasn't running around or doing all those other things, and I was at church and paid my tithes, and gave offerings, etc... but I forgot one VERY important thing. 

This relationship has NEVER been about what I'VE done for Him.

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You for loving me more than enough to confront me and make me uncomfortable in my complacency. Forgive me, Lover of my soul, for putting anything alive or electronic ahead of You in my life. It is ONLY in You that I live and move and have my being. Let my only comfort be in You. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen

Unfaithful

Listen to the noise on the hilltops! It’s the people of Israel, weeping and begging me to answer their prayers. They forgot about me and chose the wrong path. I will tell them, “Come back, and I will cure you of your unfaithfulness.”
Jeremiah 3:21-22a CEV

What are you looking for in a relationship? Love, obviously. Laughter? Someone who makes you feel good about yourself? Someone whose life decisions and actions are motivated by how those will affect you and your lives together? 

E - all of the above, right? Definitely the upside of relationship.

What about the downside? Stick with me, there is a point to this. Have you ever been ignored in a relationship? It didn't matter what you said or what you did, they were gonna do whatever they wanted to do because they figured you weren't going anywhere. Ever had someone to whom you were totally committed - 100% in - be unfaithful to you? THAT is serious pain - emotionally and physically. It's brutal - especially if it's more than once. Then you're dealing with trust issues and all kinds of garbage. The odds of restoration for that relationship are slim to none. It would truly take an act of God...

And that's exactly what God offers us even though we are unfaithful. We ignore Him. We make time for everything else and figure He'll wait for us because He's God. We put Him on the back burner - sometimes even in our quest to do "His work". We waste countless hours on nothingness. We 'worship' at the throne of pleasure - for whatever makes us feel good. Instead of going to Him for consolation, we go to the phone. Instead of going to Him for comfort, we go to food or drugs or drink. We're cheating on God and our relationship with Him. Old Testament and New Testament warn us about this very thing. (Read Hebrews 10:31)

God IS faithful. He is faithful to perform His Word. The cry of God's heart is "Come back!", but just like in any relationship, it's our choice. He won't make us come back. And even though restoration of the relationship is His greatest desire and gift to us, if you read His Word, you realize the day is coming when that will no longer be an option. It will be too late. And today, we're one day closer to that day.

Prayer:

Father,

Cure us of our unfaithfulness. We want to be found in You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Stand Firm

He [God] made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.
This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.
But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it.
Colossians 1:19b-23a NLT

God wants a relationship with us. With you. With me. The Creator of the universe. That God. And He made it so we could have one with Him. Before Jesus, it was nigh on impossible; but since Christ's death and resurrection, we are able to go into the very presence of God and stand before him without a single fault... holy and blameless...

There is one condition - you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it.

Even in the Old Testament, King Jehoshaphat said, Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm.

There are many trials, tests and tribulations that come at us. The enemy of our soul wants to destroy our face-to-face relationship with God. Paul warns us in 1st Corinthians, Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And instructs us again in Ephesians to Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. All strategies. All.

In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul writes, It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us. AND guarantees that we have everything we need to accomplish what He has set before us to do for His will and His purpose.

The only way to stand firm in a relationship with an Almighty God - to become His child - is through Emmanuel (God with us). Jesus makes it so we can stand in His presence. Will you?

Prayer:

Father,

           We want to see You. We want to stand in Your presence - holy and blameless - through Christ our Lord. Remind us always to stand firm. Holy Spirit, teach us how to walk in right relationship. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Visitation Rights

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:15-16 NKJV

Sadly, today many children live in a world where their social calendar is often defined by whose weekend it is and who has what visitation rights. The custodial parent has the child for the day-to-day activities for the greater portion of the year; while the non-custodial gets birthdays, Spring Break, summer, and all the holidays. Neither are happy. Those with a true parent's heart suffer a continuous loss. They may get over the pain of the divorce, but there's always a part that knows they're missing unrecoverable time with their child.

God knows the pain of separation. Our holy Father. The One SO holy that unholy would die in His presence. He knows how it feels to be separated from the ones He loves. Under the old covenant, only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies and come into the presence of God. But even he was only allowed in one day a year - Yom Kippur - the Day of Atonement. And before entering into the holiest place to be with the Father, he had to perform meticulous cleansing of his body, wear certain clothing and bring smoking incense and the blood for atonement. His ephod had bells at the hem so the sound could be heard upon entering and leaving so that he didn't die. (Exodus 28:32-25).

And yet, God's whole purpose for mankind is to be in relationship with Him. He gave us ways to be holy; we could not do it. So He sent His Son, the sinless One, the spotless Lamb, to be The Atonement for us. His death forever split the veil that separated us from the Holy of Holies! Hebrews 6:18-19 NLT tells us, So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.

No more restricted visits! The Father welcomes us into His presence - the Holiest Place - with open arms. Restored to right relationship with Him for all time, if we will accept what He has offered - His Son.

Prayer:

Father,
            Thank You for giving us the way back to You. Thank You for sending Your Son to restore our relationship - to give us access to the very Throne Room of heaven. We continue to pray for the power to understand how wide, how long, how high, and how deep Your love is. Help us to walk in it. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Alone *

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:19-20 NLT

I chose the Scripture and added a prayer at the end, but a pastor named Jack Mooring wrote the following. It is a great reminder - especially during the Advent season.

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To be alone is a painful thing.

Many of us with strong, happy families often forget this. And it’s not until we’re in a season of isolation that we really feel it. But many around the world; due to family breakdowns, sickness, poverty, or other life circumstances find themselves alone.

We were made for relationships, and when we’re cut off from them we experience a very intense pain. This is why solitary confinement has been outlawed in many countries. It’s torture.

God is a God of community. He is a triune God. Three in one. God has never been alone because He is self-sufficient. We are made in His image, therefore we have a deep longing for relationship!

When sin entered the world, isolation began.

Adam and Eve found out there was a boundary to paradise... and their sin had put them on the outside of it. I can see them trying to look past the angel’s fiery sword just to get one more glimpse of that place where they had walked with God.

And from that time forward men and women have struggled along on their own, trying their best to relate to one another only to fumble in their attempts. In a sin-marred world, often we find friends only to lose them. Or we give love only to be hurt in return.

But God saw our pain.

I can see Him weeping from the inside of the Garden as Adam & Eve wept on the outside.

Who can solve a problem that sin created? Only the Holy One.

He set a plan into motion.

“They will NOT be alone." I can hear the Father say to the Heavenly host.

“I will be their Friend.” I can hear the Son say, with fire in His eyes.

“I will come alongside them.” Said the living Holy Spirit.

And in Bethlehem, a baby cried.

Our forever Friend had come. A Savior who would heal us of our sin and make us alive. The Spirit who would fill us and transform us.

A God who would invite us back to the Garden to walk with Him once again.

God with us. Christ in us!

When we say yes to this Jesus, we are never alone. And in the pain of abandonment we can run to the One who will never abandon us.

We begin to see the world as He sees it.

We see people as He sees them, and it changes everything! Every relationship is now experienced through who He is in us.

Every hurt, an opportunity to be healed and to release healing. Every attacking enemy, a target for love. Every empty room, a place to be filled with God’s presence!

We are never alone. God is with us!

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Prayer:

Father, 

          Thank You for sending Your Son to us to reconcile our relationship with You. What would we be without You? So alone and undone. Thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to be our Comforter and Guide. Give us ears to hear and change our hearts to please only You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Getting Along

May the Master of Peace himself give you the gift of getting along with each other at all times, in all ways. May the Master be truly among you!

2nd Thessalonians 3:16 The Message

There’s a prayer that has made numerous trips around the Internet that goes something like this - Dear Lord, So far today, I’ve done all right. I haven’t gossiped about anyone, haven’t lost my temper with anyone, haven’t been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or over-indulgent. And I’m very thankful for that. But, in a few minutes, God, I’m going to get out of this bed, and from then on, I’m going to need a lot more help.

The life of a Christian is all about right relationships. The right relationship with God, relationships with other followers of Christ, and relationships with non-believers. I have to say at some points in life, it would be so much easier to be a selective hermit. There would be fewer opportunities to be angry or spiteful. Less time consumed with solving other people’s issues for their lack of planning, resulting in fewer opportunities to judge. So much less chance of offense if you’re not around other people. 

Right off the top of my head, I see two major things wrong with that. One – The Word tells us that they’ll know we are Christians by our love toward each other, and if we choose NOT to be around others because we can’t stand to be around them… well, I just don’t think we need to go any further there.  The writer of Hebrews instructs us in 12:14 to work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you'll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God's generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent.  A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God's lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God's blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears.

And two, if we’re never tested, how will we know? James 3:17a tells us that Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. 

It can be very hard work. That too is acknowledged and issued for instruction as the second part of that same Scripture assures us we can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.

So, I’d have to say, No, we can’t all just get along. Without God, it’s impossible. However, with God, all things are possible. Difficult, at times, but definitely possible.

Prayer:

Father,

            Hear our cry for right relationship with You. How You could love us in our unlovable state and continue to do so during our petty differences is beyond me. Help us to learn by following Your example toward US. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

* Working for More

And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?
Mark 8:36-37 NLT

We are a society consumed by consumer conquests - the biggest TV, the fastest Internet, whatever most G network money can buy, the newest phone, tablet and/or computer and all the applications to go with it - not to mention the car that is compatible with all of it! Get that overtime, so we can get the ____________.

I am not knocking work. The Bible says if you want to eat, you should work. However, what is your motive? Is it just to get more something? There's nothing wrong with wanting a comfortable life, but is it at the expense of your relationship with Christ? Do you have less time for your quiet time with God? What about your family relationships? Are they suffering because of the hours you work or the hours they work? How comfortable is that?

Let's get real. He who dies with the most toys, still dies. And when he does, where he spends eternity is determined by his relationship with Jesus Christ. We are working for more; we just need to be sure we know for more of what.

Prayer:

Father,
            Your Word declares itself to be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Illuminate our way to see clearly what You would have us do to restore and renew right relationships with You and with those You've entrusted to us. Show us what to let go of and what we need more of. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Modern Day Faith

   For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

   For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

   Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator...

Romans 1:20-25b NIV

Recently, a friend sent me a funny picture quote he saw. It read, "In the future, I will tell my grandsons I am older than the Internet, and blow their minds forever." On that note of 'old school,' I'll just say I don't know anyone who likes to be told they're behind the times and/or out of touch with the real world. I thought I was doing well to be able to text and keep up with whatever the latest version of Microsoft Word throws my way. However, my 'tweener' granddaughter is still shocked that I didn't have a cell phone when I was her age.

I like technology because it allows me to stay in touch with family and friends who are hundreds and even thousands of miles away. These are people with whom I have interfaced on a personal level. We had 'face time' before it was an app. But now, I don't have to wait for a letter - I can get the updates quick, fast and in a hurry. However, what I've noticed (and may have said before) is that this social media has too quickly become the defining factor of modern day, so-called relationships. It certainly promotes an I-frenzy and has nothing to do with "Come, let US break bread together."

When speaking to someone who is or has been a real friend, I thoroughly detest hearing this reply, "Well, I posted it on Facebook. It's just easier that way." We post what we like, what and who we don't like, what we want, when we want it, and how we want it, and think that is cultivating relationships. There's no working through differences of any kind, no response required or the other extreme, a lot of vitriolic spewing. And as disconcerting as that is to me, what troubles me more is seeing this definition of so-called relationship translate into our walk with God. 

Pastor Alan Neel nailed it when he defined today's standard as "Modern Porn Faith" meaning we desire to have what God can give us - we want Him to please us, but we don't want to really know Him. We don't want to take the time to know Him for who He IS. There is no prayer closet. No one-on-one. No interfacing on a personal level. No on-our-face time. There is no relationship.

God the Father did not send Jesus Christ, His Son, to die a horrible death to pay for our sin to propagate religion. Christ's blood was shed as an atonement for our sin so that we could be restored into right relationship with God - to know Him in His fullness.

Prayer:

Father,
         You are the same, yesterday, today and forever. The same God who desires that we seek Your face. That we wait for You and obey Your voice. Forgive us, Father. Cleanse our hearts of worldly desires and renew a loyal spirit within us, O God. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen