* A Way Out

So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”

1^st Peter 1:13-16 NLT

When we start talking about love in Scripture, we are quick to point out there are 3 distinctly different types of love: eros  (physical), phileo (or Philo – friend) and agape - the love that is revealed through Jesus Christ. Agape is the love that is there no matter what you do for me (eros) or who you are to me (phileo). It’s what we should aspire to – how we should do it – It is Godly.

However, more often than not, I hear many cite Peter’s response to Christ in John 21:15-17, [Christ asks if Peter loves (agape) Him and Peter replies he does love (phileo) Him] and then they use it as an excuse for their lack of love (agape) one for another. I only mention that because it seems apparent that we, as human beings, are always looking for the reserve, the safety net, the “good enough” clause - in other words - a way out.

“You must be holy because I am holy.” I immediately thought of Peter’s response regarding love, and wondered if holy really meant holy – Godly holy – on His level holy. I don’t like to think that I was looking for a way out; however, looking for a way to lower the bar is still looking for a way out…

Hagios is the Greek word used in our text today. But now you must be hagios in everything you do, just as God who chose you is hagios. For the Scriptures say, “You must be hagios because I am hagios.”  This quality of holy, according to Strong’s, “as attributed to God, is often presented in a way which involves Divine demands upon the conduct of believers.”

Being a saint is not an attainment, it is a condition – a state of being  - which God in grace calls us to be. 1st Timothy 1:9 reads, For God saved us and called us to live a holy (hagios) life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.  We, as believers, are called to sanctify ourselves – to set ourselves apart – removing OURSELVES from all corruption, forsaking sin, and living a holy manner of life.

I found it interesting and very convicting to learn that the exact same word that we are to be - hagios – is the exact same Greek word used for the Holy One, the Holy Spirit, the Holy place, the Holy of Holies… No distinction, no clauses. No way out, as we know it… 

So how do we do it? WE don’t! We can't, except by the grace of God, 1^st Corinthians 10:13 NLT assures us, The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

He WILL show you a way out…

Prayer:

Father,

             We want to be holy as You are holy. Help us to realize that the only way out is by following You.  In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

* A Makeover

Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it...

Psalm 127:1 NKJV 

Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.

Ephesians 2:20-21 NLT 

And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple.

1st Peter 2:5a NLT

You've heard it all your Christian life. Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. John 15:4, Jesus said, Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. When we ask Jesus into our hearts, He moves in. 

So... what kind of house do we offer? A palace fit for a king? Or a shack? Deuteronomy 28 is very clear in telling us that the blessings of God come when we follow His plan... and it's also very clear what happens when we don't. 

When the Israelites were instructed to build the Temple, God gave very explicit instructions - minute details - and He expected every detail of His instructions to be followed implicitly. He is explicit in telling us how to build the temple. He shows up after they do what He told them to do. God NEVER lives in a house He did not build. He is not obligated to come to church just because we build a building. Think about that for a minute. 

So... do you need a makeover? An extreme makeover? Whose blueprints will we use to build His dwelling place? His or ...? 

Prayer:

Father, 
            How lovely is your dwelling place, LORD Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for Your courts, Lord. My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near Your altar, LORD Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; they are ever praising You. Build our house, O God. Make us a place where You want to live. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Can You See It From Where You Are?

Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.

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!”

Matthew 14:22-27 NLT

There was a brown lumpy thing next to the paper towel holder on the bathroom counter. True to the slogan that everything's bigger in Texas, so are its bugs... So, my first instinct was, "Kill!" Can you imagine how I laughed when I realized I was trying to kill a ponytail holder? 

How many times have you seen something just far enough away that it's not discernible from where you are? You have to get closer. And even then, sometimes you can't tell what it is till you get right up on it - or if there's not enough light, you may even have to touch it to see what it is.

In our text for today, can you imagine the disciples in the boat when the storm whips up? What was going on in their minds? Oh, why didn't Jesus just come with us? Oh, come, Lord Jesus, we need You! Father, please save us! You can make the wind stop! You control the universe! You can make the storm go away! Make it stop!!"  Nothing happens that they can tell, so they pray harder and probably much louder! 

No, the Scripture doesn't say specifically that they were praying, but it does say they were afraid. And if Christians are afraid, you best believe, they're praying!!  O Lord, save us! We're gonna drown!  And then here He comes...walking across the water. The miraculous answer to their prayers! And they don't believe it...because that's not where they were looking for Him. His response - His ANSWER to their prayer - was not in the form they expected. They couldn't see Him from where they were. 

Where are you? Are you praying about or for something or someone? Have you defined how it needs to be done?

Peter said, Lord, if it's really You, bid me come."  And Jesus replied, Yes, come. Can you see it from where you are? Maybe you need to get a little closer. Maybe you need to touch Him...

Prayer:

Father,

        Forgive us for limiting You by our unbelief. Open our spiritual eyes to see You in Your fullness and glory. Let us stay so close that we never ask, 'Where are you?' Let us see Your hand in all things that pertain to life. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* To Die For

And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.

Matthew 12:36 NLT

I can’t get away from our text for today. It scares me to think about all the idle words I’ve spoken in my lifetime. With that Scripture in mind, I am amazed at how many times a day I hear, “Oh, it’s to die for!” usually referring to some great recipe or a scrumptious dessert. To be completely honest with you - as much as I love to eat - I hate that phrase!

I cringe inside every time I hear someone say that about food or some insipid situation. I think about every person who ever served in the armed forces. What about the police force and the firefighters? These are people who daily put their lives on the line, ready to die for my safety and/or freedom, and then there are others who think a shrimp or pie is something to die for.

Personally, outside of my family, there’s very little I would die for. I’m not trying to be the word police or Sister Super Spiritual, but when someone uses that phrase in that manner, I have to bite my tongue to not make some smart-aleck remark like, “Really? You would die for that? Actually lay your life down just so you could eat that?”

I think about this Scripture in Romans 5:6-8 NLT, When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

He died for us so that we can live forever in eternity with him. He loved us so much He deemed us worthy to die for. Now THAT’S something to get excited about and to share with everyone!

Prayer:

Father,

          Forgive us when we lose sight of what is truly worthy of honor and glory and praise. Only You, Father. Only You. Keep us ever mindful of this truth. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

* Benefits

He forgives your sins—every one.
    He heals your diseases—every one.
    He redeems you from hell—saves your life!
    He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown.
    He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal.
    He renews your youth—you’re always young in his presence. 

God makes everything come out right...

Psalm 103:3-6a The Message

There are SO many promises in this Psalm. We need to take time to soak in it and absorb it into every fiber of our being! Read on. Drink up!

The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. 

The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows, and we are gone— as though we had never been here. But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments!

Psalm 103:8-18 NLT

Prayer:

Father, 

          Let all that I am praise You, Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise Your holy Name. Let all that I am praise You, Lord; may I never forget the good things You do for me. Give me clean hands and a pure heart, O Lord my God. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen

Can't Stop This One *

"We saw it, we heard it, and now we're telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ.” (1John 1:3 MSG)

Tonight, I am sharing a post from Pastor Kevin Kinchen - who was diagnosed with ALS a few years ago. He is unequivocally believing for his total and complete healing. His post today has a soul-piercing message of encouragement.

Kevin writes:
So, you probably already know, I do everything from typing to building websites on my iPad….WITH MY FEET. This morning, my granddaughter Jade, jumped up in my lap to sit with me (aka ‘Pops’). I’m scrolling through a bunch of pictures Margie took of her, pausing when she likes one, all with my feet. After a while, she puts HER FEET out and begins scrolling and pausing perfectly, just like me. She didn’t ask “why” I used my feet or “how” I came up with the idea of using my feet. She didn't even ask me “how” to do it. She just did it.

ALL THE SUDDEN, it hit me, and even brought me to tears. Jade was sitting in her Grandfather’s lap enjoying the comfort, the security, the peace, and even the view. She was sitting in her Grandfather’s lap as HE showed her what she really looks like, who she is, and how wonderful she is. No complaining, no to-do list, and no agenda; just sitting in the presence of her Grandfather. Spiritually speaking, I would call that, THE SECRET PLACE. And what was the result? She became just like me, her Grandfather, doing what I was doing even though she had never done it before. The ONE AND ONLY THING she did was crawl up into her Grandfather’s lap. I am pretty sure you get what I’m saying.

When is the last time you did the ONE AND ONLY THING of crawling up into your Heavenly Father’s lap? You will love the results as He shows you who you are and as you do what only He can do.

In Him,
Pastor Kevin Kinchen

Prayer:

Father,
          It is common knowledge that who or what we hang out with greatly influences how and what we think and do. We want to hang out with You. Give us the courage of our convictions. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Some Things to Remember +

Psalm 46 NIV

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth.[b] A song.

1 God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

8 Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields[d] with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Prayer:

Father,

         Help us to ALWAYS remember that You are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Then we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. You are always with us! You are our impregnable Fortress. We want to know You in Your fullness, Father. Be exalted, O God! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen