I Want Different

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
2nd Corinthians 4:16-18 NLT

For several weeks, it's been rolling around in my spirit, but I just couldn't seem to put it in words. Tonight, on my way from our Life Group meeting, this song immediately came on the radio. It was then I realized I didn't have to put it in words. God had already given the words to Micah Tyler. It's a prayer from my heart, as well. (The YouTube link is below the lyrics.)

I don't want to hear anymore
Teach me to listen
I don't want to see anymore
Give me a vision
That You could move this heart to be set apart

I don't need to recognize the man in the mirror
I don't want to trade Your plan for something familiar
I can't waste a day
I can't stay the same

Chorus:
I want to be different
I want to be changed
Until all of me is gone
And all that remains
Is a fire so bright
The whole world can see
That there's something different
So come and be different
In me

I don’t want to spend my life stuck in a pattern
I don't want to gain this world but lose what matters
So I'm giving up everything because

Chorus

I know that I am far from perfect
But through You, the cross still says I'm worth it
So take this beating in my heart
Come and finish what You started
When they see me, let them see You
Because I just want to be different


Chorus (and my Prayer):

Father,

I want to be different
I want to be changed
Until all of me is gone
And all that remains
Is a fire so bright
The whole world can see
That there's something different
So come and be different
In me
I just want to be different
So could You be different in me?

In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUT4trsrBCw

Rich Man Poor Man Beggar Man Thief

There is no need to fear when times of trouble come, even though surrounded by enemies! They trust in their wealth and boast about how rich they are, yet not one of them, though rich as kings, can ransom his own brother from the penalty of sin! For God’s forgiveness does not come that way.
Psalm 49:5-7 The Living Bible

...a soul is far too precious to be ransomed by mere earthly wealth. There is not enough of it in all the earth to buy eternal life for just one soul, to keep it out of hell.

Rich man! Proud man! Wise man! You must die like all the rest! You have no greater lease on life than foolish, stupid men. You must leave your wealth to others. You name your estates after yourselves as though your lands could be forever yours and you could live on them eternally. But man with all his pomp must die like any animal. Such is the folly of these men, though after they die they will be quoted as having great wisdom.

Death is the shepherd of all mankind. And “in the morning” those who are evil will be the slaves of those who are good. For the power of their wealth is gone when they die; they cannot take it with them.

But as for me, God will redeem my soul from the power of death, for he will receive me. So do not be dismayed when evil men grow rich and build their lovely homes. For when they die, they carry nothing with them! Their honors will not follow them. Though a man calls himself happy all through his life—and the world loudly applauds success— yet in the end he dies like everyone else and enters eternal darkness. Psalm 49:8-19 TLB

Prayer:

Father,

         Forgive us for those times we have been envious of the riches of this world and not for the glories of heaven. Open our spiritual eyes to see the true value and worth of everything and everyone we see. Help us to have singleness of eye when it comes to following Your will and completing the goals You have set before us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Our Source of Hope

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.
Proverbs 13:12 NLT

Simply put, Hope deferred is defined as something put off or postponed. In other words, a disappointment. Sometimes, if our hopes keep getting put off it can lead to depression making the heart sick. You may know what it's like to lose hope. It tends to make everything else seem useless. Why try? Why expend my energy?

If our hope is in this world - in this life - then on days like today, it does seem absolutely hopeless. But I have to say, we must have the right kind of hope! Our hope must be in the eternal.

Romans 15:13a NLT, Paul tells us, I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him [emphasis mine]. If God is our source of hope, He is a never-ending supply of it. Think about that!

Remember that the Word tells in Philippians 4:8, Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. God is ALL these things and He is our source of hope.

Prayer:

Father,
           Forgive us for looking to anything or anyone else as our source of hope. You alone are our true hope. Help us to remember that there are no disappointments and no dissatisfaction in Heaven and that Heaven with You is our goal. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Setting My Sights

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.
Colossians 3:1-2 NLT

What do you hope for? What are your dreams? On what have you set your sights? Is it the new house - the new car? The raise or a new job? Getting the kids through school? Being healthy? Retirement? 

If it's true that our direction determines our destiny, where are we striving to be? Are any of your hopes, dreams and goals set primarily with the idea of moving you further along on your way to Heaven? There is a reason I ask. I had fallen into the abyss of "If I can just get through this... If I can make it to that... or till then..." I'd lost sight of our true goal, and I'm wondering if maybe you had, too.

Paul warns us in Philippians 3:19-20, that those who think only about this life here on earth are headed for destruction. And then he reminds us that we are citizens of Heaven. I had to ask myself, "Am I as homesick for Heaven as I was for Texas when I was working in another state?" I hate to admit that I'd never thought of it in that way.

For me, I need to refocus. I must stop judging people's actions and pray for their salvation. I need to stop looking at the bad that's happening in the world and set my sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ our Saviour sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. 

Prayer:

Father,
          We do not want to be enemies of the Cross. Change my heart, O God, to think about the things of heaven, and not the things of earth. Forgive me for losing sight of the goal. Help me to remember that my real life is hidden with Christ in You. And when Christ is revealed to the whole world, we as Your children, will share in all His glory. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

What's In Your Luggage?

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. 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.
Romans 13:11-14 NLT

Can you believe we're already at the end of October? The holiday season is just around the corner and chances are you or someone you love will be traveling. While there are many different types of travelers, there are generally only two types of packers. Those who pack ahead of time and those last-minute packers... of which I am one.

Being a last-minute packer can be beneficial if you have back-to-back trips. You just leave some things in the suitcase and then throw in a few more depending on where you're going, and you're off on the next trip. And if you forgot something, don't worry, you can probably buy it at your next destination.

However, according to our Scripture passage today, in light of our final destination - Heaven - we need to be very intentional with what we have in our luggage. What preparation have we made for eternity? Remember, we won't be able to run out and "buy" whatever we missed. So, depending on where we want to go, we need to remove the dark deeds and immoral living. Get rid of the quarreling and jealousy so we can make room to pack the shining armor of right living. We also must clothe ourselves with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. That's going to need a serious amount of space. So, what's in your luggage? What do you need to get rid of? 

Prayer:

Father,
          Thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to guide us into all Truth and to help prepare us for this journey to You. Open our eyes to see what needs to be removed to make plenty of room for Your presence. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Even When

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.

2nd Chronicles 32:7-8 NIV

Hezekiah had made up his mind that because of the Lord God, he and his people were going to win against the Assyrian king. Then he spoke it to his people in such a way that they heard and believed and gained confidence!! They made up THEIR minds that what Hezekiah said was Truth and would not waver from it.

Even when the enemy came and bragged about all their great conquests. Even when the enemy ridiculed everything about them and their leader and their God!  Even when the enemy browbeat them with all the terrible things they planned to do to them. Hezekiah's people - God's people! - chose to believe the Truth of God over the facts before them. 

Daily, we're in a battle of some kind. How are we going to be victorious? Who are we listening to? Are we listening to the "Woe is me" crowd spouting that the odds are stacked against us? That it's bigger than we are? That we can't escape, fight or win? Or do we have our minds made up even then...

Prayer:

Father,
          Help us to guard our hearts and minds to hear and heed only You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

How Are We Doing?

Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away. 

Hebrews 10:36-38 NLT

Do we want to please God? I know that seems like a question whose answer is DUH, complete with a rolling of the eyes to the one who is silly enough to ask it. And yet, I ask it again. Do we really want to please God?

Obviously, yes, we do. So then how DO we please Him? Obedience? Yes - obedience is good... Being kind? Yes, kindness is one of the fruits of the Spirit. Being kind is good. But don't we want God to be WELL pleased?

His Word tells us in Hebrews 11:6 (NLT) - And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.  It's impossible to please Him without faith. Impossible... So let's do a quick and simple faith check. When God speaks to our hearts, do we ask, But what if...?

Listen. Faith produces change. Lives change. Situations change. Our own hearts change... Have we seen the changes?

Are we deluding ourselves with situational faith? Does our faith remain strong even if/when we don't get what we want (healing, family restored, stuff, etc)?

Faith shouldn't just change our lives - it should define our lives.

The purpose of our lives - lives lived by faith - is to please God. How are we doing?

Prayer:

Father,

         Like the father in Mark 9:24, according to Your Word, we cry out, Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!  We want to please You, Lord. Let our faith be pleasing to You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen