Fighting Fire

Be angry without sinning. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the devil any opportunity to work.

Ephesians 4:26-27 GWT

Do you ever get angry about stuff? Just stuff. Stuff that you can't physically do anything to change?

Back in the 70s, Eddie Chiles, former owner of the Texas Rangers, was an outspoken advocate for a smaller and less intrusive federal government. He was angry about what he perceived to be wrong about US government.  His radio commentaries were legendary and there was even an ad campaign complete with bumper stickers that proclaimed, "I'm mad, too, Eddie!"  Have you ever noticed how easily you can fall into that anger and frustration when goaded by an inflammatory radio host or Facebook? All that energy wasted because very few people do more than gripe and grouse to each other. 

Did you know that Proverbs 22:24-25 warns us? Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul. If you think about it, you know that's the absolute truth and you can get there in less than 6 seconds, depending on the subject at hand. And then there are those who retort, Well, you fight fire with fire!  I remember a good answer I saw for that - The statement read, When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water. And as Christians, so should we use water to put out fires.

Jesus proclaimed Himself the Living Water. He gave Himself for us to put out the fires of hell that would consume us. Don’t give the devil any opportunity to work. 

Prayer:

Father,

         Deliver us from the fiery darts of the wicked. Let the fullness of our joy in You be found in Your presence. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Good All Over Again (Reprint)

My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace.

1^st Peter 5:12b&c NLT

Letter writing is fast becoming a lost art. We live in the frenetic world of e-mail, texting and instant messages. Instantaneous communication in the briefest form. Even verbal communication has been greatly affected. When I get home, the first thing I do is go to the mailbox to see what’s come in. First priority is ALWAYS anything addressed by hand – which doesn't happen often, but it’s always the first thing I look for. Anything else is just stuff. 

A few years back, my sister had been going through old boxes at her house. In one, she found a letter addressed to my eldest brother, Ron, while he was in boot camp (I won’t tell you how long ago) and since I was stopping back by there on my way home from Missouri, I took it to him.  It turns out it was a letter from one of my other brothers who was 15 years old at the time of the writing. Ron had been gone 3 weeks and Joe had written him multiple pages, front and back, and it was a real treat to watch Ron read it and share the news as we marveled at the length of the letter written all those years ago. It was sweet and the love was tangible.

I thought about it a lot while driving back home on that trip. I have letters that I've kept for years and it made me want to pull them all out and read them again. They would be good all over again. They mean that much to me because the writer went ‘the extra mile’ to take the time to sit and write. Every time I think about it, it makes me want to sit down and write a letter to someone.

I was reminded about all the letters in the Bible. Think about this - they TRULY went the extra mile because they didn't have the pony express or the post office, either. I know they didn't have cyberspace or airwaves to send their missives, so they had to write it out, and I’m SO glad they did! Aren't you?

Doesn't it make you want to pull out the Word and read the letters again - like Titus and Timothy and James and Jude? They'll be good all over again.

Prayer:

Father,

         Thank You for Your written Word. Give us a fresh anointing to understand it and to share it with those in need of a good word. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Let's Finish This

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.

1st Corinthians 9:24-25 NLT

People worldwide will watch the Olympics when they're on. Every day, you get a medal count - who's ahead in a particular sport, who's won the event, which country is leading in totals. It's all very exciting! And we feel as if we are involved even though we're not participating. We erupt in cheers when they win - we groan in commiseration when they fall or falter. We win, we lose - we're passionate about it and it's not even our prize! So I hate to bring it up, but a year later, do we even remember the names of the winners and losers? No, not for the most part.

God the Father never forgets who we are. He keeps total track of us at all times. He's watching to see how we will finish the race. Are we disciplined in our training? Do we persevere? Will we get back up - even if we've fallen - and finish the race? Hebrews 12:1 tells us, Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 

The finish line is just ahead. See it? Let's finish this.

Prayer:

Father,

          Your Word lights our way. It is in the discipline of it that we learn to stay focused. Increase our knowledge and wisdom, Lord, so that we are able to accomplish Your plan for our lives. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

I'm Here Why?

For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.
Romans 1:11-12 NLT

So many people ask, "Why am I here?" "What is my purpose?" Obviously, there is not one standard answer to that question. However, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, and you don't know the answer, you are following the One who DOES know. God has a plan for everything. He's had it before the foundation of the world and there's a reason for all of it.

There have been times I've asked God, "What's the reason for this?" especially when it's not obvious to me why I am where I am in certain situations. BUT, Proverbs tells us, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thine own understanding. And while I may not have been able to see why I was in a certain place or situation, once I move down the path, continuing to trust Him, following in His footsteps, I am able to look back and see clearly why I was there.

Generally, it's one of four reasons.

1. Organizational structure

For example, Nehemiah was the king's cup-bearer, that was his job, but God had another plan - for Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The story is a fascinating tale of favor with God and with King Xerxes, about a cup-bearer with tremendous organizational skills.

2. Financial aid

As much as people HATE to talk about the M word in church, some things just take money to accomplish. I'm not talking about grand cathedrals, etc, (although if that's what God called you to build, do it). I'm talking about supplying the needs of the Body and those who spread the Good News and that often takes practical application, such as paying the bills for electricity and running water. 

3. Divine Order 

Sometimes you get somewhere because you've been-there-done-that and you can help by instructing others in how it's done or at least encouraging them in the process.

4. Obedience
Simply living your life in obedience to follow God no matter what the circumstances. What a powerful testimony and encouragement that is to those in your sphere of influence.

Yes, God has a plan for everything. So, while you may not be able to see what you are supposed to be doing in a certain place or situation at this moment in time, follow His footsteps. HE knows where you are and why you are there and He is trustworthy.

Prayer:

Father,
           Oh, the comfort in knowing that You lead us and we can follow, safe and secure, because You never leave us or forsake us. Father, help us to know this Truth deep in our hearts. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0nDUpXmdig

Fervent Love (Requested)

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
1st Peter 4:7-8 NKJV

We’re quickly coming to the end of yet another year – one that passed much more quickly than the previous year - and we are looking forward to the holidays and a new year. In the last few days, so many people have said, I’m ready for this year to be over.

Typically, when we come to the end of something, we are tired. We just don’t have the same drive we had at the start. Sometimes, when we see the end in sight, we ease up a little, knowing it’s not going to take much more effort to finish.  I’ve been guilty of that. There are even those who give up, thinking their momentum will carry them over the line. BIG mistake… Every Olympian who ever lost the gold by a millisecond will vouch for that. 

Do you ever get tired of praying for people? Especially the same people? You know the ones - It seems as though they go merrily along in their self-destructive ways without a single thought toward their eternity – they never seem to want to change. Do you ever reach the point when you think, Okay, I’m done praying for them. I’m not wasting another breath…? Sometimes, we think we’ve done all we can do.

Peter warns us in our text for today. But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins.”  Do you know the definition of "fervent" in this Scripture? It means stretch forth, assiduously - which means diligently, persevering, industriously, attentively, hard-working, tirelessly… It goes hand-in-hand with the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man in James 5:16.

I just don’t see that any of those words have anything to do with slacking off or making allowances for being tired or easing up or coasting to the finish line. 

Jesus didn’t give up on us. He’s done more for us than we ever did for anyone else. None of us have been crucified on a cross. Now, if you were to ask me - in my finite mind - I would say He has done all He can do for us by dying on the cross for our sins… but that’s not the end of it. Romans 8:34b NKJV tells us,  It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 

Hebrews 7:25 NLT makes it plain,  Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. 

The end may be in sight, but He has not given up on any of us. He’s not slacking up. He has not folded His arms and said, I’ve done all I can do. I’m not doing one more thing… According to Scripture, He lives FOREVER TO INTERCEDE with God on their [our] behalf.

That’s for us! THAT is fervent love… 

Prayer:

Father,          
           Forgive us for our selfishness. Change our hearts, Father, according to Your Word in Deuteronomy 30:6. Change our hearts and the hearts of all our descendants, so that we will love You with all our heart and soul and so we may live! In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Faithful Servant

The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’
Matthew 25:23 NLT

We tend to identify ourselves by what we do for a living - engineer, artist, author, teacher, doctor, professor, or who we are in life - parent, friend, sibling, child, student. If we're not careful, we can get caught up in that to the point that it becomes how we see ourselves and ONLY how we see ourselves. The danger of that is in then using that same filter to see and interpret the rest of the world.

For instance, an engineer might look at a street sweeper only seeing a potentially non-skilled worker and totally miss the person who is working hard to provide for his family and struggling to make ends meet. A professor may gaze upon a sea of students as those who need to listen and learn when he speaks and become indignant or dismiss the one who may be falling asleep in the back... never knowing that they were up all night trying to break the raging fever of an infant son.

The point is, no matter who we are or what we do for a living, we are called to be faithful servants. It doesn't matter how lofty our position in life, if we have asked Christ to be our Saviour, then we are obligated first and foremost to Him. And He has called us to be faithful servants.

We have to ask ourselves - Are we daily looking for those moments to serve others as He would? Will He indeed find us faithful?

Prayer:

Father,
           Forgive us for all the times we look past the need of those around us. We want to be faithful servants, Lord. Open our eyes to see as You see. Change our hearts to be more like You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Except for Grace

So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.
Ephesians 2:7-8 NLT

Do you ever find yourself reading about different ones in the Bible and wondering, Why? Why did you do that? How COULD you do that after all God had done? What were you thinking? Only to read on a little further and recognize yourself in their actions? O Father, forgive me. Who am I to judge? Except for Your grace, I would be so much worse than what I am.

Paul was well aware of God's grace in his own life and the lives of those around him and for all future generations. Did you catch that part of the verse? So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace...

A little further down in this chapter, verse 10 reads, For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. There are many things God has laid on our hearts that we think, I can't do that. Un-unh...no way. I've done this or I've done that, who's gonna listen to someone who has done that? Nobody's going to listen to what I have to say. I'm not a speaker. Except for His grace... Neither was Moses. Neither was Peter. Neither was Paul.

And the litany in your head continues, I can't...I can't... I can't... And you're right, you can't. Except for His grace...

By grace, Paul - former Christian killer - became an apostle.

By grace, Rahab - a harlot - became part of the lineage of Christ.

By grace, David - a shepherd boy who was so NOT impressive that his father didn't even call him to the house when the prophet came - he became king.

By grace - Jacob - a liar and a cheat from a long line of liars and manipulators - inherited God's blessing and God changed his name to Israel.

Don't tell me what you can't do. Tell me what you will allow God to do through you...by His grace.

Scripture is quite clear...For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we CAN do...

Prayer:

Father,
          I pray as Paul prayed, When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to You, Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from Your glorious, unlimited resources You will empower us with inner strength through Your Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in our hearts as we trust in Him. Our roots will grow down into Your love and keep us strong. And may we have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep Your love is. May we experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then we will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from You. Now all glory to You, God, 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.