Direction and Purpose

Well good morning hope this finds everyone well. I was not available to write yesterday but I thank God for the Job I have even when I start at 2:00am. You I learned something though sometimes you just have to have quiet time with God and yesterday was that for me. My thoughts and prayers yesterday helped me find some direction that I needed about stuff that I am going through. In 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 we read a request made by Paul a request for prayer;

“ ¹ Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, ² and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.
³ But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. ⁴ And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.
⁵ Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.”

What I love about this verse is the humbleness you see in Paul’s writing His only real desire is to see God’s work done and to share the Gospel with as many as he can. In the last verse though he gives us an instruction that many times I fail to heed, “May the Lord direct your hearts” having direction and purpose are important. One time while I was in service I was responsible during a training exercise for being the lead vehicle for my platoon’s movement to our next location. I had served at Ft. Irwin for several years and was pretty confident about how to travel around the some 30,000 acres that make up the base. Well on this particular evening the Lieutenant tells me over the radio to move out and we start to roll he lets me lead for about 5 minutes and we are bouncing down the road sun directly in our eyes and he comes over the radio and says are we not supposed to be headed east. Well it’s about 1800 hours 6 pm for those who don’t know military time. It only took a minute for that to register and I quickly made a 180 and started in the right direction. I learned a valuable lesson in that and it has stuck with me. Just because you are confident in the direction you are headed does not make it the right one for you. In our walk with God sometimes we have to stop moving forward and look to see if we are going where he is leading or if we are just headed where we want to go. One other thing I was leading several others that day and I had to think about them as I made my way. You always plan your route of travel for the slowest and heaviest vehicle in a convoy be sure you know who you are leading it will make the trip much more enjoyable. Have a blessed day in the Lord may his light shine from you wherever you go.

Do you know the answer?

Proverbs 30:2-4

² Surely I am more stupid than any man,
And do not have the understanding of a man.
³ I neither learned wisdom
Nor have knowledge of the Holy One.
⁴ Who has ascended into heaven, or descended?
Who has gathered the wind in His fists?
Who has bound the waters in a garment?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is His name, and what is His Son’s name,
If you know?

You know I have a lot in common with the writer of this passage. I have never claimed to be all knowing and or even very smart. I have proven on several occasions just how stupid I can be. I have never been able to understand why people do some of the things they do. I will see stuff and just wonder why. I have been in school and learning knowledge for several years but that is not the same as wisdom. Wisdom comes from experience; the more of it you have, the wiser you are both in life and in your relationship with God. In many ways this part of the proverb reflects life for most people who will be honest we live each day making mistakes and poor choices that leave us empty and desiring so much more than we have found.

So when I read verse four I am filled with joy. I actually can answer his questions. I know the one who came down from heaven and has returned and will come again. I know the man who is able to control the winds and part the seas. I know who is responsible for the creation of all the life we see around us and all the earth in its form. His name Is Jehovah, and His son’s name Is Jesus Christ. Now that may seem really simple but you would be amazed those who cannot answer that question. Now there are also those who have the knowledge of God but no relationship so they are missing who God really is. I am so glad that even in my ignorance I know who I can call on when everything else is gone. I hope you know him too. Have a blessed day and allow His light to shine from you to all those you meet.

Are God's Judgments Empty?

Ezekiel 12:21-28, “²¹ The word of the LORD came to me: ²² “Son of man, what is this proverb you have in the land of Israel: ‘The days go by and every vision comes to nothing’? ²³ Say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am going to put an end to this proverb, and they will no longer quote it in Israel.’ Say to them, ‘The days are near when every vision will be fulfilled. ²⁴ For there will be no more false visions or flattering divinations among the people of Israel. ²⁵ But I the LORD will speak what I will, and it shall be fulfilled without delay. For in your days, you rebellious people, I will fulfill whatever I say, declares the Sovereign LORD.’”

²⁶ The word of the LORD came to me: ²⁷ “Son of man, the Israelites are saying, ‘The vision he sees is for many years from now, and he prophesies about the distant future.’

²⁸ “Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: None of my words will be delayed any longer; whatever I say will be fulfilled, declares the Sovereign LORD.’”

            I am not sure why this verse struck me today but I had to share it. You know all my life even before I was a Christian I heard that God was coming back and I was always a little scared by the idea that I would miss it. To be honest with you though there was a time I did not care if He came back or not. I did not believe any of it to be true like many of you.

           We are not the first generation to wonder when or if God’s judgments are coming or if they are just stories to scare children to act right. The Jews felt this same way about the prophecies of people like Micah, Isaiah, and Jeremiah these men told Israeli that if they did not turn from there wicked ways God would remove them from the land and utterly destroy them. In Ezekiel’s time 593B.C. the vision was closer than the others. Babylon invaded and destroyed the temple in 586 B.C. I taught the other day about the Edomites and the judgment of their nation prophesied in Obadiah and that God would destroy them and remove them for what they did to Israeli. They are no more.         Folk’s time is growing short. I can say that because even those who do not believe in God have a clock (the Doomsday Clock) they are watching and its hands are on five minutes till midnight. We teach that God is not a respecter of personhood that if He has done it for someone else He will do it for you. That  principle applies, He will judge the world just as He has judged Israeli, Edom and many others found in the Bible.  We have been told the same and if the Lord does wait about His return I can tell you He calls people saved and unsaved home everyday. They go to be in Him or the wait on the judgment of God. We must be ready. I know this is not an uplifting word to some; but you know, I am looking forward to the day I hear Him say, “Well done My good and faithful servant.” God Bless your walk today. Allow His glory to shine upon your every step so you can walk according to your call.  

True Worship

John 4:21-24, “²¹ “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. ²² You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. ²³ Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. ²⁴ God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

As I was reading this morning I came to this scripture and I began to think of some of the places that I have experienced true worship with God. Yes I am like most of you and have left the church on Sunday morning or night and could say it sure was a good service but when you stop and realize just exactly who we serve we should be able to celebrate the awesome power of God in any place we go. I can picture this morning missionaries around the world possible standing under a tree just sharing the gospel and worshipping God. I met a couple yesterday who a currently serving in Panama and they are sharing the gospel as the help install a water system. I think of the wonderful times I have spent in the woods under the pretense of hunting but those times have turned into quiet times with God. I do not say that you do not have to fellowship with others. You know it is important that we come together as a body of believers and participate in corporate worship. This is a time to uplift one another and bare each other up before God, but if that is all the time you are spending with God. You really don’t have a clue about who you are called to serve. The day you let Jesus into your life you were given power by the Holy Spirit. Now how much control He has is based on how much we are willing to give up. I really want you to understand that you are never alone once you have trusted Christ. He dwells in you and provides an opportunity to you to worship Him wherever you find yourself. Be it in a car driving to work or sitting in a deer stand or siting at a computer at 5:00 am, He is able to be there so it is alright if you desire to worship Him. Worship is your responsibility all that is required is you and your willingness to be obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit. As believers in Christ we have that authority and right. Find time to spend with God today He is already there with you Your just have to slow down enough to hear Him. Have a blessed Day in the Lord and I hope each and everyone of you finds time to worship Him today He is so worthy of all our praises.

Faith and Fruit Ministry

I met these folks today. They are missionary's to Panama working to build a water system in the region If this is something you can help support check them out here is there website:

http://faithandfruit.org/?blogsub=confirming#subscribe-blog

Have a blessed day.

Who Can Walk With God?

This was shared with me yesterday and I wanted to pass it along to those of you who are trying to walk with Him. It is found in Psalm 15.

¹ LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle?
Who may dwell in Your holy hill?

He questions that we must ask God if we desire to serve Him and know Him

² He who walks uprightly,
And works righteousness,
And speaks the truth in his heart;

To walk uprightly we must have integrity without it we are worthless. Integrity is character who are you when no one is watching but God. Do you live two lives do people around you know what you believe? How the song goes, “you’ve got to stand for something or you will fall for anything.”

Scripture teaches out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. What is in your heart A spring cannot bring forth both sweet and sour water. What is in your heart is what people will see and hear. It will be the true you that they see and know.

³ He who does not backbite with his tongue,
Nor does evil to his neighbor,
Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend;

Can you control your tongue or does it control you. Do you refrain from speaking everything that comes to your mind or do you have regrets about what you just heard come out of your mouth. We have enough of our own problems to deal with. We don’t need to be using our mouths to add to others problems if what you are going to say does not help the situation you are wiser to be quiet. Don’t be like Job’s friends and have to beg mercy because of the unjust things they said about him and God.

⁴ In whose eyes a vile person is despised,
But he honors those who fear the LORD;
He who swears to his own hurt and does not change;

Do you look upon those who have turned from the Lord and give them honor or do you hold them in low esteem. We should associate with those who are like minded. The pastor that shared this used this old statement, “if you lie down with dogs you get up with fleas.”  Who you associate with is partial how you will be known do not allow others influence to affect your name and calling.

⁵ He who does not put out his money at usury,
Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.

How does money affect your life? Is it your god or do you control it? I know that is personal but I will follow the teachings of wise men like Martin Luther and tell you, “ where you put your purse are what are important to you.” If the gain of finances is your desire and you will do anything to get them you are walking a path away from God. He is able to provide all your needs and he wants to be the Only God in your life. Be sure you are putting first things first as you serve the Lord.

^5bHe who does these things shall never be moved.

A promise for you and me we shall not be moved if we will follow these teachings. God has promised to provide power for you and me to live a life of abundance full of His grace and Mercy but first we must learn to walk with Him. That means every day and every situation. I had not thought on it before but there is a difference between with Him and in Him. With is constant in is only as needed which one are you doing? Have a blessed day in the Lord may his mercy and grace be real to you and all of those you meet.

Vengence is not Mine

Romans 12: ¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. ¹⁹ Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ Therefore“ If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

This verse of scripture was part of the same chapter I was reading yesterday and I even started to leave it on the devotional. But I thought about how it was different yet the same it address an issue of how we should led our lives but it also addresses a point that each of us struggles with. I want to say it is an issue that we all have dealt with anger and vengeance we are after all just human beings. Sometimes the instruction Jesus gave was as foreign to us as human beings that I know I scratched my head a lot when first read the bible wondering if any of this was real. You know turn the other cheek and give away your cloak too. Many times in my own life that has been hard to do. But as I have learned to trust God more and myself less I have seen every promise come true. Each person that has wronged me in some way has come back to ask forgiveness and if they have not yet I believe God will deal with it in His time. I have had to change my way of dealing with things like that. I would cut you off and not talk to you, avoid you like the plague now I have learned as scripture says when you treat them as if Honey poured from your mouth they can’t stand it.

A side note Gideon understood how to deal with people that really did not like him. He would flatter them and show them how important they were and place their achievements above his own. In the meantime he could continue to serve how he was led. Each of us is called to a ministry. There are and will be individuals and groups that will stand in your way. I challenge you to adhere to scripture and give them to God continue to share love and kindness with them for God is the only one that can change a heart and mind.  The more kindness you extend the more God can use it to tame their heart and tongue. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

How Shall We Live?

Francis Shaffer answered this question in a book but Paul answered it very well in just these few verses apply them to your life and see what changes may come.

Romans 12:12-21, “⁹ Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; ¹¹ not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; ¹² rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; ¹³ distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. ¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

You know I don’t know what you may be facing today. I wanted to share this with you. The book of Romans was written to guide and direct those who would read it. If we applied what these verses alone say could you imagine the world we might live in? If we really had a love for one another that was not biased but was only to desire the best for everyone we met sharing with one another so that no one did without. The line, “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation,” was what brought me to these verses today. I don’t know where your hope is and I can only imagine on what you might lean when you are in tribulation but I personally have to lean on Jesus. So as I serve him diligently, praying steadfastly, with an unquenchable desire to serve all those I meet I can only offer one hope; that He is real and He is here for you today. I can tell you He has carried me and my family through so much during the last year. You hear that God is not a respecter of person; what He has done for me He will do for someone else if they will only trust in Him.  As we walk through life we have choices to make each day we choose to love someone or hate them. We choose to make a stand for what is right or we give into what is popular. We choose to share with others or Horde it all to ourselves. The choice is ours if you call yourself a Christian do you are live your life? If tomorrow it was illegal would you continue to go call yourself one would other people be able to tell you are one? Lord I pray that your light shines through my life so much that no matter how dark the world. You will always shine out from those who trust in You. Have a blessed day be safe, love one another show people Jesus every chance you get.

Spiritual Warriors

Spiritual warriors

2 Corinthians 10:1-6, “ ¹ Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. ² But I beg you that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. ³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, ⁵ casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, ⁶ and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”

I wanted to remind you that we are always in a constant battle for our lives and those we love. If we are walking with God we need to understand the power that is available to us if we are just willing to call upon it. Now it’s not like the power you might see if you were a cartoon superhero. If you remember the Justice League there was a set of twins’ a brother and sister they had super power but often they ended up in more trouble from them than it ever really helped them. That was because they never knew really how to use it. Are power from God is very similar it is always present but because we fail to practice it and apply it in our own lives we are unable to use it for the good of others. I have begun to really understand the phrase, “Ministry Starts at Home” for us a Christians to be effective we must be practicing what we believe.  That means prayer, bible reading, fasting and fellowship as we develop some of those spiritual and physical patterns in our life we will become the warriors that God has called us to be and in His power we will be equipped to pull down our own strongholds and also those around us. This will allow you to lead them into a relationship that is not just a Sunday morning thing but a life changing relationship with Jesus Christ. Praying God bless your every step today.

New Name, New Song, New Vision

New name, new song and new vision

You know I believe music is a way to bring us closer to God in our daily walk and I have a wide variety of it on my IPod. I actually have everything from Aaron Neville to ZOË girl. It ranges from Rap to classical techno and hard rock. I was letting it shuffle yesterday and it landed on a song by Jim Croce the title of it is, I Have a Name. Now I know Jim was not what you might call a Christian artist but something about that song made me think of three passages of scripture I have in my heart and some promises God has given each of us when we believe on Jesus.

Link to the song http://youtu.be/YcqauC49Xmc

The first line of the song that struck me was, “I've got a name, and I carry it with me like my daddy did,

but I'm living the dream that he kept hid.” We are given a name when we are born some people spend a lot of time tryingto select the perfect name for their children some just stick to family traditions but each name is special to that individual it makes us part of a family and tells others who we are.

 In Revelation 2:17, “17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.” One day when this life is over we will be given a new name that only those who are also victorious will be able to know we will no longer be part of our earthly families with the divisions and feuds but members of the family of God.

The next verse that struck me was,” I've got a song, and I carry it with me and I sing it proudIf it gets me nowhere, I'll go there proud.” In Proverbs 40:3, “3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their
trust in him.” God has placed a new song in our hearts that drives us to want to serve Him and be a witness to Him in everything we do. 

The third verse makes this statement, “I've got a dream, they can change their minds but they can't change me. 

We see this prophecy fulfilled in Acts 2:17, “¹⁷ “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” You know the in the chorus he explains that these things help to keep him moving on down the highway. Well on the day I accepted Jesus as my Lord and savior all these; the new name, song and dreams were given to me and if you have trusted Jesus they were given to you also. The question is what you are doing with these three gifts. Are you still chasing what you want or are you following God’s vision for your life. May God bless everywhere your shadow falls today!

Faithfullness is Needed

Proverbs 20:6, “⁶ Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?”

I was staring a little late today and as I was asking the lord what to share. I started in my normal routine and read the above verse and thought of a conversation I had yesterday. It was about the state of our churches and what I see as one of the main problems there in. We say we love the Lord but in many cases we do not love him anywhere near as much as we love college football or a particular restaurant. I am just speaking the truth. I know people who donate tons of money to our colleges and don’t pay a single tithe in church. They funny part of that to me is they have no real ties to the college they do it so they can go watch a football game eight Saturdays a year.  I know I just hit on a sacred cow and most of you are mad but get over it. If we had as much passion about serving Jesus; you know the one who died for each of us so that we would one day not have to suffer an eternal life in Hell. I have been asked how people deal with life when they don’t have Jesus. The real question for me right now is, is He like the Spare tire for your car do you just get Him out when you need him when trouble comes to you rush to him knowing He is the only answer or do you. Spend time with him making sure that when you do need Him you know you can trust Him. That is where we are mistaken Have you ever gotten a flat tire reached for the spare and found it to be flat also. People wonder why it feels like God is not in their lives when they have trouble it’s because as much as they want to talk about Him they really don’t know Him. So one day when each of us stands before God it won’t be a surprise when he tells you Depart from me I know you not. Faithfulness to Jesus is required if you have agreed to perform some ministry to the church and God’s kingdom than you need to stop only doing it when you want to and start being faithful to your calling. What if Jesus had said I have a headache I really am not going to the cross today.

Parable of the Trees

I want to share something that many of you have probably never read or if you have it was just in passing it is the Parable of the Trees found in Judges 9:7-15,;

” ⁷ Now when they told Jotham, he went and stood on top of Mount Gerizim, and lifted his voice and cried out. And he said to them: “Listen to me, you men of Shechem, That God may listen to you!⁸“The trees once went forth to anoint a king over them. And they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us!’⁹ But the olive tree said to them,‘ Should I cease giving my oil, With which they honor God and men, And go to sway over trees?’¹⁰“Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You come and reign over us!’¹¹ But the fig tree said to them,‘ Should I cease my sweetness and my good fruit, And go to sway over trees?’ ¹²“Then the trees said to the vine ‘You come and reign over us!’¹³ But the vine said to them,‘ Should I cease my new wine, Which cheers both God and men, And go to sway over trees?’¹⁴“Then all the trees said to the bramble, ‘You come and reign over us!’¹⁵ And the bramble said to the trees, ‘If in truth you anoint me as king over you, Then come and take shelter in my shade; But if not, let fire come out of the bramble And devour the cedars of Lebanon!’

Now you wonder what I can be trying to share. Well this scripture takes place after Gideon has passed and is buried with his fathers and Abimelech has been set-up as King over Israeli. As we look at the parable and we apply it to our lives we must wonder who we have set up as our King. You know each of us has chosen to serve someone be it God or the devil. And if you say no you have not chosen either, than by default you are working for the devil.

 The olive tree represents service to the rightful king. In the middle east olive trees are believed to live as long as 1500 years so today there are olive trees that are older than most of the civilizations on our planet. The bramble or thornbush is a representation of the worst possible leader you could choose to put in charge it’s a lot like Kudzu it grows everywhere and has no real purpose it does not promote anything good .Another thing that I know about a field full of thorn bushes it sucks all the nutrients out of the ground until it can no longer support anything that produces real fruit. But this is where most of us really live we are so wrapped up in the world that we are slowly allowing it to destroy us. We must be careful about who we give the control of our lives to. One choice wants to see us prosper and live the other desires to see us destroyed as he sucks the life out of us.  

Not a Fan

Recommend this book and study if your church is looking for something to light a fire in those in the pews this is a great study for a small group.

http://notafan.com/

Gifts to Greatness

Proverbs 18:16, “¹⁶ A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.”

What do you think about when you think about gift giving? Birthday, Christmas, and anniversaries all come to mind. Sometimes we give people we love gifts just because of who they are and , genesisbecause we love them. It was and still is very much a custom in most of the world that when you go to visit someone you bring a gift with you for the head of the household. It is presented to that person and then they decide to let you stay or go. So giving a gift is as the scripture says away to into the presence of someone great.

Jacob had done a few really bad things to his brother Esau. He stole the blessings of his father and he stole his birth rite. Esau wanted to kill him so Jacob ran away. But there came a day that he desired to go back towards his home with his new wives and children but he was so afraid of what his brother might do as he got closer he sent out  servants with gifts. In Genesis 32:20 we read, “²⁰ And be sure to say, ‘Your servant Jacob is coming behind us.’” For he thought, “I will pacify him with these gifts I am sending on ahead; later, when I see him, perhaps he will receive me.”  He was trying to prepare the way for his meeting hoping to be received by his brother. I love this part of the story the peace offerings he sent ahead of him actually brought him into the presence of greatness. That very night Jacob wrestled with God. You never know what gift might bring you into the presence of greatness. Jacob’s gift was intended to bring peace to him and his brother. To look at it from a personal perspective the gift and the attempt to make peace got God’s attention.  God blessed Jacob and Jacob found peace with his brother. Genesis 32:25, “²⁸ Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” Sometimes the gifts we give can affect others in ways that we may never see or understand but God sees it and knows the desires of our hearts as we give them. Today consider what gifts you could give that might bring someone closer to God; through the action of giving we each grow closer to God. Have a blessed day and be sure to go somewhere and worship with other believers today.

What are you busy with?

2 Thessalonians 3:11-15,

“¹¹ We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. ¹² Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. ¹³ And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.

¹⁴ Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed. ¹⁵ Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.”

I don’t know why but I felt like sharing this scripture today. It speaks to the activities that might be occurring in and around our churches and households. It also talks about the fact that we should be doing not just waiting. Idleness leads to opportunities for each of us to fall. When we are not busy doing what God has called us to we are very often causing some of the problems within the body of Christ. Idle hands are the devils playground. I know I was told that sometime in the past. We must remain busy about God’s calling on are lives than we won’t have time to worry about why brother and sister so-and-so are not doing what they are supposed to. After all we are not actually responsible for the choices they make. We can only help to guide them as the scripture says by learning when to associate with them and when to stay away.

I know salvation comes only by the grace and mercy of God. But I have to ask, do you do things for the people that you love? When your spouse, child significant other asks something of you; you will try to do it. Why would we not do the same for God? He has shown His love for us through the sacrifice of His son Jesus. All He asks in return is that we love Him and serve Him through the sharing of the gospel. We are not setup to manage the affairs of every other member of His family. It’s all most of us can do to manage our own households.

There is a verse before this that I want to share with you. 2 Thessalonians 3:10, “¹⁰ for even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”   I know you are wondering what that has to do with the other. If Jesus is the Bread of Life and The Living Water to partake of Him requires we be about His work.  If all we are doing is sitting around waiting on the rapture we will find our lives unfulfilled. We wonder why sometimes we find no peace or satisfaction in what we do it is because we work at it for the wrong reasons. Have a blessed day and May God’s goodness shine on you all your days.

The Great Planner

Proverb 16:1-3,

 ^“1 To humans belong the plans of the heart,
but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue.

² All a person’s ways seem pure to them,
but motives are weighed by the LORD.

³ Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.

I know each of us has a desire to do stuff. Trust me I have wanted to and have done lots of different things over my life time. But for most of it I was left feeling unsatisfied and ready to move onto the next thing. It was only because I was looking at it from the wrong perspective. It might be hard to accept but where you are right now could be your own fault and more than likely is. Some of you won’t agree with this but if you have not seen the movie Madea Goes to Jail I have to recommend it. There is a seen in it that I will probably always remember. They are in a chapel service and talking about forgiveness one of the women starts about, “you don’t know what my daddy did to me” and Madea tells her the truth. The truth being that other people may hurt you but the choice to do right or wrong really falls on us as individuals. Life requires that we make choices that ultimately affect ourselves and those around us. Having that one last drink, premarital sex, driving too fast, smoking marijuana or even do I get up and look for a job, do I read my bible, do I go to church, do I pray to God about my life. My life is more satisfying today than it has ever been, yet I still might be doing stuff I don’t find enjoyable but I know I am attempting to follow where God is leading.  Making a plan is the beginning of getting through any project. To many people today have no plan for their lives; even their own plan, let alone one designed by God. I challenge you today to start looking at life from His perspective. God only desires the best for those who love him if you are like me and have been living your own plan out and it never satisfied you maybe it is time to talk to the great planner. I promise you it won’t always be gumdrops and roses but it will bring satisfaction and peace to your life. May God order your steps today and everyday to come.

http://youtu.be/WqOPVtw-Ud8 Order My Steps in Your Word

Peace Be with You

I have been asked many times how I can have peace in my life with all that has happened and all that I am doing.  Does life not just seem to be so fast paced or that it’s just not much fun anymore. Do the memories bring you pain? The question I get the most is; how do people without Jesus get through trials that come in life. I can tell you I don’t have the answer to that question and praise God I don’t have to find out. I know my God is real and able to provide peace in all situations. There is a promise that I like to claim not that I have done anything to deserve it but it is found in Numbers 6:24-26:

²⁴ “The LORD bless you
and keep you;
²⁵ the LORD make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
²⁶ the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’

I have to say that one thing I understand about God is that if He has done it for one He will do it for another; He does not make a difference between you, me and Billy Graham as long as we are all calling on the name of the Lord Jesus, He will bless us and bring us peace. If we are willing to serve Him as we are called God brings peace into our lives no matter what the situation might be. In Romans 8:1-8 we find instruction about how we are to find peace.

¹ Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. ³ For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷ The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. ⁸ Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

Peace is found in freedom. Freedom is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. A relationship with Jesus Christ brings you into relationship with the Holy Spirit who empowers you and me to live a life worthy of the sacrifice that was paid for each of us. I try to keep life simple the one truth I know is when someone else helps me carry a load it makes life simpler Jesus not only helps carry my load but he also carries me when I am too weak to do it. If you desire peace in your life, household, marriage even your job I challenge you to invite Jesus to be part of it. The reason the devil works so hard to keep Him out is because he knows that wherever Jesus is there is peace. Have a blessed day and May God’s peace be with you.

Peace is Required

Proverbs 14:30, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots to the bones.”

In our world today sometimes it seems impossible to find peace. Each day we are presented with new challenges and trials. There is never enough money or time and something is always breaking. I understand that I live here to. If you are like me you long for those moments when the world is not screaming at you and taking up all your time. I once suffered with anxiety attacks because I could not find peace. So I have taken this word seriously in my own life. I would get so upset my heart would jump out of rhythm and take breaks between beats. Peace is an essential part of good health. When we live in a life full of stress and worry our bodies do not react well and we become sick with everything from backaches to cancer all of these can find their triggers in a person who lives constantly under the pressures of stress. The scripture is right about envy being a key issue to our lack of peace. When we see so-and-so driving that new car and we think we just have to have one or any other of a number of things that we may desire that someone else possess we will work to obtain it and that places more stress in our lives. I ask you today what that stuff will really provide you in the end. You can’t take it with you and we all will die in the end, it will be given to the next generation or sold to pay your bills.  But a peace that passes all understanding is found in contentment with the blessings of the Lord. I have no problem with stuff I have a lot of it myself but I understand it’s just stuff. It can provide enjoyment for a time but it to will stop working and it will have to be replaced. The Peace we really should be seeking comes not from this earthly stuff but from our Heavenly Father who desires to bring us into His presence one day. I leave you with this scripture. It is often quoted seldom applied.

Matthew 6:19-21, “¹⁹ “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; ²⁰ but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”

Your health and well-being require you be at peace I pray God blesses you and brings contentment in to your lives so that you can always say you are at peace no matter the situation. May God bless you each new day with his love, peace and mercy.

Who do you call master?

Yes we may not want to admit it but each of us calls someone or something Master. Something controls our actions; we do what we do for a reason, you may say that it is not true but if you stop and examine your life you will find something that is central to all your activities. It can be your family, your job, money, friends, the church or any other of a number of causes for why you would choose to do what you do. It is alright to have a purpose the issue stems from does it control you in ways that are harmful. Before I really knew Christ I was controlled by pornography. What I did and how I treated people; my wife and family, centered on my addiction.  Not the best choice of a master but it happened. But I traded that old master for The One who has only the best plans for me and my life.

  In Romans 6:19-23, “¹⁹ I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. ²⁰ When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. ²¹ What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! ²² But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. ²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

You know Lecra (Christian rapper) has a song that says, “I used to do it to” and in the beginning he states, “We don’t brag on our past we just relate.” Sometimes it’s hard to understand why people make choices about issues in their lives but I can tell you verse 21 is true I am ashamed of some of the ones I have made. But I no longer am allowing them to be master over my life. I am by no means perfect and never will claim to be but I am forgiven and as I walk and serve Jesus he will bring me into righteousness, holiness and eternal life one day. So today I challenge you examine your life take the time to determine who your master is if it is anyone or anything besides Jesus is it not time to give Him control. It won’t be all sugarplums and roses but the rewards are far greater than the path you might be walking on today. Have a blessed day in the love of Jesus.

Children of God

John 1:9-13, “⁹ The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. ¹⁰ He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. ¹¹ He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. ¹² Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— ¹³ children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”

I was studying and this verse showed me something new to me. So I thought I would share it. After the day of remembrance our nation had yesterday I was struck by the first verse, “the true light that gives that light to everyone was coming into the world,” a promise that there is always hope when we look towards the true light.  For many people; yesterday was a day filled with sorrow and fear; it reopened wounds that might not have healed completely. For others it may have brought closer. So the question becomes what is next? Well I tell you the rest of this scripture is a great place to start no matter which person you are. It is not always easy to move on but we must. For all who are willing there is mercy and grace to be found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Is it not time for us to allow this healing to take place. Now this is available not just because it’s the day after 9-11 this grace is available everyday if we are willing to believe on the name of Jesus. I love the promise. We have the, “right to become the Children of God.”  It is not because of who are parents were or were not, you and I cannot decide to be a child of God separate from a relationship with Jesus. It is only by God’s grace that we can be a member of His family. There is no way for us to earn it.

Ephesians 2:8-10, “⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

As a child of God we must be first thankful in all situations. For in our trials which will come we are never alone. But also we are God’s work in process He uses those times of trial to mold us into His image so that we can do the work He has set before us. I desire today more of God’s grace and mercy. How about you? I hope your day is filled with the blessings of God may His peace be with you always.

A Day of Awakening

A Day for Awakening

September 11, 2001 is a day that if you were alive for has changed the way most of us do things. It was an action that changed the understanding of what people thought of America and the people who live here. No matter what your race, creed or nationality if you are an American, people around the world do not like us and would give their lives to see harm come to us. That’s what it proved to me. I mourn for the families who have lost loved ones in that attack and for every fallen soldier since then. I also pray daily for the soldiers and civilians who work to prevent another such incident.  I ask that you be in prayer for those families today, time may heal all wounds but something’s should never be forgotten.

My son tells me I am crazy but I believe God’s Word has the answer to all the questions we need an answer to, this side of heaven. It even speaks to this great time of sorrow and national prayer for our personal loses. The verse I want to share with you comes from 1 Corinthians 1:28-31. It is not the verse you might have expected but;  

“²⁶ Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. ²⁷ But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸ God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹ so that no one may boast before him. ³⁰ It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. ³¹ Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

Each of us has been affected by the actions of those men on 9-11 but God is still in control. We may not understand why things happen and to what end they will bring us. It all has a purpose in the end. Each step along life’s path brings us closer to that final judgment. The actions of those 19 men was not a surprise to God but an action allowed to awaken the understanding of those who believed we could do no wrong and that life was safe. We were wise and strong as a nation but we never saw it coming because we boasted in our own ability. Let us not forget the sacrifices of those who lost their lives on that fateful day but let us use it to correct our own arrogance. We cannot continue to live as if we are the god’s and expect things to get better.  We must turn to the one true God and allow Him to work in us so we can become more like Jesus as we serve one another.  I must consider today with all the pain and sorrow we are experiencing a time of awakening. I pray for peace and comfort for those who mourn, protection and guidance for those who fight and peace for those who desire it. May God take the memories of your life and use them to produce fruit in your new life with Him. Thank you for your time.

The Choice is Yours!

John 20:9-16, “⁹ He went on to tell the people this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, rented it to some farmers and went away for a long time. ¹⁰ At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants so they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. ¹¹ He sent another servant, but that one also they beat and treated shamefully and sent away empty-handed. ¹² He sent still a third, and they wounded him and threw him out.

¹³ “Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my son, whom I love; perhaps they will respect him.’

¹⁴ “But when the tenants saw him, they talked the matter over. ‘This is the heir,’ they said. ‘Let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ ¹⁵ So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.

“What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? ¹⁶ He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.”

When the people heard this, they said, “God forbid!”

As I read this scripture this morning I was moved by the simplicity of how it relates to the overall bible message. You know if you believe like I do, God planted a Garden and placed man and woman in it. They had all they could want, and then they made a bad choice and had to leave there. God still cared for them and blessed them as they worked the land outside the garden. As time went by future generations did not know the creator of that garden and the land so he sent individuals (Moses and the prophets) to them to help guide them along their way. Many of them were treated just as the servants in the parable beaten, ridiculed, mocked and sent away unheard. But God had a plan to bring mankind back into a relationship with himself; just like they had in the garden, so He decided to send His Son Jesus. He met the same fate as the son from the parable. He was seen as someone trying to take away what the religious leaders had and even the common people turned from Him. So they decided to throw Him out and kill Him. Hoping to live their lives however they saw fit. The thing they did not understand was; that was God’s real plan, He knew what their actions would be. So He used it to give each one of us a choice. When Jesus was raised on the third day He was given the keys over death, and eternal life to all. It  only requires that we choose to follow Him. We are the new tenants and our landlord is Jesus the Son. The choice now is how you will live that life that you no longer own. Will you share the fruits that are produced or will you horde them for yourself like the original renters. The choice is all yours. Me personally I agree with the people, “God forbid!”  I have chosen to follow and share what fruit is produced so that others will come to know my Lord. Have a blessed day. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

It's our job too.

Ezekiel 34:1-6, “¹ The word of the LORD came to me: ² “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? ³ You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. ⁴ You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. ⁵ So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals. ⁶ My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them.      

As I was looking at this scripture I desired to share it with you. I know it is a hard word. I know it talks directly to the shepherd but if we want to be honest it also applies to each individual who calls on the name of Jesus. Because in reality we are all responsible for the sharing of the Good News with those we meet and care for. Many times we only use people to advance our own desires. I know that is a hard word but it is the truth. When was the last time you just stopped and took the time to love on someone without expecting something in return? The pastor of your church is only one person. He even with all the strength God can provide him will never be able to meet everyone’s needs. They are after all just human beings. You know if you look at the life of a shepherd they very seldom work alone. It is more often a family affair. They involve all the family brothers, sisters, children and often other shepherds to do the work that they are called to do. It requires everyone working together to truly provide for the needs of the sheep. Each person plays their part. When the sheep are scattered it is everyone’s responsibility to help bring them home their lives depend on it. The same is true for us today we all have a vital role to play in leading people to Jesus. From tithing properly, praying for the lost, being willing to respond when a need is presented. Bottom line is we will all be held accountable for their well-being one day. Did we tend to them properly or did we allow them to be devoured by the world? A word to those that are being tended to, learn to accept God’s love from those who offer it God’s love is always the same no matter who the messenger is. Let us start looking for the lost and sharing Christ’s love with them. Have a blessed day.

Lady Wisdom

Some mornings I get up unsure of where to begin in my Bible. On those days I go to Proverbs and read the Proverb that relates to the day of the month. From there I work my way to other scriptures. Today I was reading Proverbs 8 and if you have never read it. I recommend you read it all. It is about Lady Wisdom, yes gentleman as much as it pains me to admit scripture portrays wisdom as a woman and she is present everywhere and always if we will listen to her.

Proverbs 8:1-3, “¹ Does not wisdom cry out,
And understanding lift up her voice?
² She takes her stand on the top of the high hill,
Beside the way, where the paths meet.
³ She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city,
At the entrance of the doors:

Now this is a personification of whom or what wisdom is. But if wisdom really is a woman than that explains why we do some of the stupid stuff we do as mankind. Men generally fail to listen to the women around them and end up in some sort of trouble. I am not putting one above the other I am just being honest I have failed to heed the warnings of my wife and regretted it numerous times. If you will be honest many of you have to. But that is just a part of what wisdom really is. In verses 12-14 we read of the benefits of having wisdom on our side.

¹²“ I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
And find out knowledge and discretion.
¹³ The fear of the LORD is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverse mouth I hate.
¹⁴ Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom;
I am understanding, I have strength.

As we gain wisdom and allow it into our lives we also gain prudence, knowledge and discretion. We learn in what to trust and who to trust we grow and become wise and have understanding of things around us and things on a higher level like salvation. With wisdom comes strength to do what is right even in times that no one else is doing it. As we gain wisdom we also understand that God even though He loves us should be feared for His majesty. When you look around you and you see the world that He created are you not just awestruck sometimes. I am. There are so many beautiful places and things to see that My God is an amazing God. There is a promise that is found in verses 17-21;

¹⁷ I love those who love me,
And those who seek me diligently will find me.
¹⁸ Riches and honor are with me,
Enduring riches and righteousness.
¹⁹ My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold,
And my revenue than choice silver.
²⁰ I traverse the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice,
²¹ That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth,
That I may fill their treasuries.

As we seek wisdom, God shows that we will be blessed for it. I told someone yesterday that sometimes ignorance is bliss but today I have to apologize for that because with ignorance comes failure, lose and no fulfillment in life. We must seek wisdom to truly know and appreciate what God has planned for our lives. There is a difference between education and wisdom you can seek knowledge and never really gain wisdom. Wisdom comes from time spent in relationship with someone. You learn what your spouse or friends like by spending time with them not by reading a book about them. You will gain wisdom from God only in that same pattern you must spend time with Him to understand who He really is. Take time today to grow wiser spend some time with God today. He can show you things you can’t learn anywhere else. Have a truly blessed day.

Hands and feet in ministry.

Let us Join the Apostles in Acts 1:8-9, “⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” ⁹ After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.” As Jesus departed He gave they Apostles direction as to what they needed to be doing. He called them to be witnesses first right where they were at in Jerusalem. For us today we must first be a witness within our church and community if people who believe like we do cannot see Jesus in us we may need to examine our relationship with him. We need to continue to remember and care for those with in our church but not at the loss of those outside its walls. The Shepard left 99 that where in the pen to look for 1 that had gone astray.  Than go north to Judea this was reaching out to family; hardest witnessing you will have ever done. They know you better than anyone and remember every word you ever spoke. Then He tells them to get uncomfortable and go to Samaria where the people are different they look and live differently and believe differently than they do. This is when we must place the same value on those that are different than us because God has created all of us in His image. Lastly he calls them to go out into the world and be witnesses to every tribe and nation. This is the one that if you never feel called to go you can always pray for and support financially. Remember prayer is our greatest asset more can be done through pray than any one thousand men can do. These instructions are for us today as Christians we are called to be the witnesses to a lost and dying world.

Let us not get lost in our own worship of Christ and sit around like a group of road workers; one person running the shovel five people watching. Even the Apostles need to be motivated, Acts 1:10-11, “¹⁰ They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ¹¹ “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” I wonder how long the Apostles would have stood there. We do that some time we stand around watching everything that is going on around us instead of being involved in what God has put in motion. He is coming back what will he find us doing still staring at the clouds or busily sharing the love and hope that is only found in the Gospel and a saving relationship with Jesus.

Prayer is key to the sharing the Gospel with those who are lost. We must continue to pray for those we love and the unsaved the Holy Spirit is the power in which salvation comes to mankind. We have been given the honor of helping to direct Him through our prayers. As we pray He will begin working on the hearts and minds of those we pray for and one day the opportunity to share the love and sacrifice of Jesus will be made available to you. But in the meantime we have work to do. God has called us all to be about this work. Pray and ask him to show you those you need to be praying for ask Him to begin to work on the hearts of those He brings to remembrance today is a great day to show the love of Jesus to a lost and dying world.

Are you willing?

Are you willing?

Acts 9:10-19, “¹⁰ In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

¹¹ The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. ¹² In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

¹³ “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

¹⁵ But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. ¹⁶ I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

¹⁷ Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ¹⁸ Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, ¹⁹ and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

We talk about our relationships with God but are we ready to hear Him when He speaks. You know I have heard this testimony of Saul’s conversion so many times and we all look at what God has done with His life and how Paul’s life impacted the world. We often overlook Ananias. Here we find a humble servant who God gave a vision and at that moment a gift to heal. Now the lord could have called anyone to work this miracle that released Paul but he chose Ananias. You know sometimes we want to do big things for God but before He can use us for the big stuff we must have a humble enough heart to do the little stuff. If that means going over and cleaning a friend’s house that is not able to as they recover from surgery. Cooking for a shut-in or visiting someone in the nursing home or hospital. All of these things when done with the love of God are showing people how much God loves them. You know the most important work you can do starts with two simple things, being available to do and be willing to hear when God calls you. Have a blessed day and may Jesus shine out from you in everything you do.

Purpose of the Law

Purpose of the Law

As you go through life we are confronted by a choice. How will we live? Francis Schaffer wrote a book asking and answering this question and if you have never read it I highly recommend it. But I will give it a short answer. The law was written to guide us as a people seeking God until the coming of Jesus and the fulfilling of a promise to Abraham. Scripture tells us that very thing.

Galatians 3:23-25, ^“23 Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. ²⁴ So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵ Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

Now I understand what you are thinking so why do so many people want us to hold onto the Ten Commandments and other instruction that was given in the time of Moses. Well if you look Jesus states that he is a fulfillment of the law. When we believe on Him in faith we are called to also maintain what he taught. Guess what Jesus taught His disciples? He taught from the Torah (The Law) but he even carried many of the instructions further. The difference is that He understood the Law was there only to guide us to an understanding that no one could keep it. It was like a mirror to those who tried to live by it. It showed the faults and failures of the human condition. But when Jesus came and fulfilled the law we were set free from it.

Galatians 3:26-29, ^“26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, ²⁷ for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Through our acceptance of Christ we are set free. We are now part of the family of God. We are all one family. I believe lots of times God should be angry with us as we fail to come together as a family instead we act more like a dysfunctional one arguing over issues that in the end just drive non-believers to say they don’t need any part of it. I ask you to take time today to think about what your life would be like under the law. Just stick to the Ten Commandments some are easy for you to avoid others might surprise you how often we break them. They can be found in Deuteronomy 5 there was 618 laws that Israel tried to hold to. See what it means to have freedom by faith in Jesus. With Him there is forgiveness and peace. Have a blessed day in the Lord.