God's Big Picture

9 What do people really get for all their hard work? 10 I have seen the burden God has placed on us all.11 Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.12 So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can.13 And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.

Eccl 3:9-13 (NLT)

Well it’s finally here the last day of the year. As we look back upon the year we must look at all the high points and low points and understand one thing God has been present in them all. Each day we are given and all that goes with it are actually gifts from God. I know that there are something’s that happen we may not see as gifts when we are experiencing them:  yet we must understand we are not capable of seeing the whole work that is being done. We are only experiencing the here and now and God has so much more than that going on in the Big Picture. I always liked the illustration of dropping a pebble into the water to explain how life seems to work. When you drop that pebble it creates a ripple that moves out from the center and spreads until it runs out of energy. That is a lot like life we have been dropped  into this life at this time and place so that we can affect it. If we are being diligent in what God has placed before us those ripples that started with us will spread and affect those around us for many generations to come long after our energy has been spent. I know it is hard to enjoy the trials of our lives but those trials create another set of ripples that intern produce an effect on others.  We must learn as Paul did to be satisfied in what God has provided and to leave worry at the door.

In Matthew 6:34 Jesus tells us, “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”    I want to leave you with one though over the last year no matter what might have come your way you were never alone. The same holds true as we enter the New Year. As Solomon recommends we should eat, drink and enjoy because all we have both good and bad are gifts from God in the big picture. God bless you in the New Year as you walk in the Light of His Word.

Freedom in Slavery

20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:20-23 (ESV)

I know that seems like a very weird title but when we walk with Jesus that is our standing. When you did not know Christ as your savior you could do anything you wanted without any care for the consequences; because for many of us, we did not believe or even worry about the future and if there was anything after death. Been there done that have the T-shirts to prove it, than we were saved by God’s grace from an eternal life in Hell. Like the verse states all the fruit in our lives before that day only led to death. This scripture reminds me of the end of The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis. Aslan sends Diggery and Polly to a special Garden to retrieve a piece of fruit that will protect Narnia from the White Witch. When they reach the Garden she is already there and has been eating the fruit. They escape her and get back to Aslan and Diggery tells Him she has already eaten the fruit. Aslan explains; "that because she has stolen the fruit it will drive her away from the tree and in the end protect them for 100’s of years." In our own lives we try to take advantage of the good things without recognizing the giver of them. That is why we find no satisfaction; we are continuously trying new and different things looking for something that satisfies. In the end when we allow God to direct our paths and we trust in Him; even in the bad times, we will learn to be satisfied and enjoy the fruits of our labors.  The Magician’s Nephew ends with Diggery being allowed to take a piece of the fruit from the tree back to his mother who is dying of cancer. When she at it she was healed. Is it not interesting to see that the same piece of fruit given with permission can bring life when stolen it only leads to death.  I once knew a man who used to say stolen fruit was sweeter till someone shot him out of an apple tree one day. He’s dead now. God has so many wonderful things in store for you when you trust Him. I pray that as you start 2012 you are trusting in Him to provide for your ever need. It may not be the want you have but it will be sweeter in the end. Have a blessed day as you walk in the light of His Word.

Something New and Better

14 This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“For your sakes I will send an army against Babylon, forcing the Babylonians to flee in those ships they are so proud of.15 I am the Lord, your Holy One, Israel’s Creator and King.16 I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea.17 I called forth the mighty army of Egypt with all its chariots and horses. I drew them beneath the waves, and they drowned, their lives snuffed out like a smoldering candlewick.
18 “But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.19 For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

Isaiah 43:14-19 (NLT)

I really love this scripture it is a scripture of hope and of promise. You see God had Isaiah remind them of where they were and what all He has done for them but then He tells Him Forget it because He has something so much better ahead of them. You may not have had the best year last year I know mine was not really how I ever planned it to be but He saw me through it. If you are reading this He saw you through it too. So we have something to celebrate as we close out 2011. We have said goodbye to loved ones who are currently in His presence, He has allowed us to hold on to those who doctors said would be gone by now and honestly they are fairly healthy given what’s going on. We have seen new babies born and some conceived that we were told could not be.  Yet as we enter 2012 I pray for peace for those who mourn, HEALING FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK, Healthy, strong children to be born, Love for those who are lonely, strength for those who are weak, protection for those who serve and that God’s love will be shown by those who call on Jesus as Lord. You know He has promised so much more to us than we actually accept. We so often settle for what we can do instead of what He can provide. I never make resolutions because I always seem to fall short of completing them but this year I am resolved to live a life worthy of my Lord’s sacrifice on the cross. How about You? Will you resolve to live a life worthy of Him and His sacrifice? May God Bless you and Keep you as you walk in the light of His Word every day.

Prisoner of Christ

1 When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles  . . .2 assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles.

Ephesians 3:1-2 (NLT)

Yesterday we looked at Paul writing to the Roman church offering encouragement and instruction as to how they should live and it dawned on me; Paul finally went to Rome, but he went as a prisoner. Now Rome thought he was their prisoner; but in reality he was a prisoner to God and was serving out his sentence in service to Jesus Christ. In my own life I have been a prisoner I have never actually served time in Jail or anything but I have been a prisoner to debt, pornography and alcohol these things all had control of my life in one sense or another. Today I am still a prisoner but not to any of those I now am a prisoner of Jesus Christ. The funny thing in this prison I am given freedom some might call it a work release program. I am under His authority just like every other Christian that calls His name. The prison is this world I am sentenced to live here until He calls me Home and truly sets me free, but in the meantime I am to work and be about His business. We are called to tell others about Christ from the day of our salvation till He calls us home to be with Him in heaven. People we have work to do. The problem is our churches are a lot like our actual jails now. We come in and sit down waiting on others to take care of us and not putting forth any effort to improve ourselves or those around us. As long as I am taken care of why should I do anything, I know that is hard yet it’s the truth. Too many Christians are not dedicated enough to the call of Jesus in their lives to really make any changes let alone sacrifice for Jesus. We are comfortable and are just trying to serve out our time till He calls us home. Will it not be a shame if on judgment day He looks at you and says depart from me you never knew me. I want you to understand you as a born again Christian are a servant, prisoner or slave to Jesus once you accepted Him as your Lord and savior. However you call it you are no longer yours you belong to Him and we should be about His business.  Once again I challenge you as we start a New Year to resolve to live a life worthy of the sacrifice Jesus gave for you. Have a Blessed day as you walk in the Light of His Word.

Resolve to be an Encourager

10 One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you.11 For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord.12 When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.

Romans 1:10-12 (NLT)

When Paul was in Corinth it was believed he wrote this letter to the church at Rome. To a group of people he had never met. I can imagine how he felt trying to get the message of encouragement and direction for Christian living to them so they could grow to be more like Jesus in their walks with God. It would have been a burden to ensure the message was true to the gospel he had received from Christ. Do you share that burden with him? As we prepare to start a new year do you have the resolve that it takes to be a blessing to others with a word of encouragement? Not that you have to take up writing letters to people or writing a devotional, but just living a life worthy of the sacrifice Jesus made for you. You see when we live to encourage others we ourselves become encouraged when we see them grow and become more than what they were.

I remember teaching my sons how to hit a baseball and ride a bike; I remember how proud I was when they could do it without my help. The same is true of their Christian walks I feel pride when my children turn to God for the answers to life’s struggles. I am encouraged to know they are growing in the Lord and it pushes me to do the same. To everyone who has told me they read these devotionals I want to thank you for the encouragement it brings me. You do not know how many times I have stopped but every time I think I have done all I can someone tells me how much it helps them. Encouragement is the one thing each of us as Christians can do. You see we all have our stories and each of us can relate to someone in particular I cannot share Jesus with every one and neither can you but together we can change the world and introduce Jesus to everyone we meet. A word of encouragement may not seem like much; yet if we think about our own lives and how much it has meant to you when you have received encouragement. I place a challenge before you in the New Year try to live a life with encouragement as part of it. Sharing with others the good news and blessings you have seen and shared might be all it takes for them to except Jesus. Have a truly blessed day as you walk with Jesus in the light of His word.

Encouragement for the New Year

1 I want you to know how much I have agonized for you and for the church at Laodicea, and for many other believers who have never met me personally.2 I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself.3 In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.4 I am telling you this so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments.5 For though I am far away from you, my heart is with you. And I rejoice that you are living as you should and that your faith in Christ is strong.

Colossians 2:1-5 (NLT)

As we prepare to finish out 2011 and bring 2012 in I want you to look at what God has done for you over the last year. In doing so remember what He is capable of and what you once were without Him. We must begin to look at what He has for us to do. He has presented us with standards for our lives in His Word and we must begin to apply them to our lives as Christians if we desire to see the changes in those around us. When Jesus ascended into heaven he promised us a helper and that Helper came in the form of the Holy Spirit. He is here to encourage you in your walk with Christ so you may have a full and worthy life in Christ Jesus. My prayer for you today is that as you look back over your last year no matter what might have occurred I challenge you to look for the Blessings in it. Take time to write them down They will be more numerous than you might believe and allow them to encourage you as you prepare to start a new year living in humility and service to Jesus Christ the only Son of God. I pray you find encouragement for your journey in His word and I will be here with you as long as God allows. May His peace rest upon your heart and May understanding and knowledge be yours for the work ahead of you so that others might come to know Him? Have a Blessed day in the Lord.

The Joyful Announcement

Today we celebrate the Coming of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!!!

8 And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. 9 And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: 11 for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this is the sign unto you: Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased. 15 And it came to pass, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this child. 18 And all that heard it wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them.

Luke 2:8-20 (ASV)

Praise God for His sacrifice and love that He has shown to us today and every day since He made a way for us to be saved. Let us be as the shepherds and share the Love of Jesus and the good news of His coming with everyone we meet. It will be the best present you will ever give someone you love. After all without Him what hope would you have? He is the light in our dark world and we should each turn to Him in humility and offer up ourselves in service to the King. May your day be full of the blessings of God. Merry Christmas to you all.

Our Salvation Has Come

1 At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire.2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census.4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.5 He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.7 She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

Luke 2:1-7 (NLT)

I love the Peanuts and Charlie Brown the TV show A Charlie Brown Christmas. It has always been my favorite Christmas Special. Last night I was recording a hallmark book for my niece and it was a condensed version of the TV show, yet it included Linus’ monologue on the real meaning of Christmas. Thank the Lord for Charles Schultz and may he rest in His Savior Jesus Christ. Every year millions of people watch that 25 minute show and get to hear the real meaning of Christmas.

Today on Christmas Eve I ask you what are you celebrating are you thankful for all the presents you are receiving or are you thankful for those you will share the day with. Today is a time to remember that what is truly important is the gift that God gave to us some 2000 years ago. And that he sent Jesus; The Lord of Salvation, so that one day we could live with him. He came in poverty, humility, and innocence and without grandeur so you and I could relate to him and him to us. If he had come as a prince in a palace we would not ever have known Him. Only when He came in humility could we look upon Him. His life was all about humility from the cradle to the grave He humbly served others. This is the life we are all called to humbly serving one another showing the love of Jesus to a lost and dying world.  The next time He comes will you be ready. Will you here well done Good and Faithful servant or will He say depart from me you knew me not.  The choice is all yours no one else can chose for you. I pray this Christmas you allow the real meaning of Christmas and the opportunity it brings to take effect in your life. Have a wonderful day walking in the light of Jesus Christ and may He bring forth the good fruit in you today.

Jesus Name Above all Names

18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.19 Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.21 and she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Matt 1:18-21 (NLT)

I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year as we go into the weekend that this year we will celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior on. I was listening to Dr. David Jeremiah and his message was on why the name Jesus and I learned something I wanted to share with you. Jesus means the Lord of our Salvation. Now it was a very popular name in the times in which Jesus lived. It was the New Testament name for Joshua who had led Israeli in so many wars and helped to build a great nation out of them in the Torah. That’s what I learned from Dr. Jeremiah, what I understand is this. You see they were looking for a savior just like you and I. The problem was they were looking for someone who would lead them into victory over Rome not someone who had come to save them from Hell. Just like you and I we want someone who can fix whatever might be our immediate problem; but in the long run we want to do it all on our own. Jesus did not come to be a genie or a Mr. Fixit. He came for the sole purpose to save us from our sins and deliver us out of eternal damnation. I know that may seem harsh but it’s the reality of the choice you are making when you deny Christ in your life. When we call on the name Jesus we are speaking about salvation that is why at just the mention of His name the devil runs. You see He knows were real power comes from He cannot stand in the face of Jesus and those who call on His name.  I ask you today do you know the power found in the name of Jesus. He is there when you call on Him trust Him today to change things in your situation and in your life it’s a choice I can tell you it might not always be easy but in the end it is the greatest choice you will ever make. Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Evil in the World, Why?

24 Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field.25 But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away.26 When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew.27 “The farmer’s workers went to him and said, ‘Sir, the field where you planted that good seed is full of weeds! Where did they come from?’28 “‘An enemy has done this!’ the farmer exclaimed. “‘Should we pull out the weeds?’ they asked.29 “‘No,’ he replied, ‘you’ll uproot the wheat if you do.30 Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds, tie them into bundles, and burn them, and to put the wheat in the barn.’”

Matt 13:24-30 (NLT)                                                           

It is often hard to watch the news or even look at the headlines as they flash by on our computer or phone screens and we wonder why a just God could allow such things. I know I myself have often wondered it in the past and even occasionally still now. Yet Jesus left us this parable that helps us to understand why. First and foremost this parable is about the coming judgment and the separation of that which is pleasing to God and that which offends Him. Scripture gives us assurance that while evil has its time here in this world it will not survive to the next. He allows it to continue only because if he removed it before it would upset the balance and bring harm to those who are the good seed. I know that might seem like a stretch but how many times have you seen the death of a loved one drive people away from God. The same would be if God removed every person who belongs to the devil right now mainly because some of them are people we care about and love and they have  not accepted Jesus yet you see they are in that crowd of tares that will be burned up. How any times have you seen someone come to Christ because of something bad happening in their lives? We know that God uses all things good and bad to direct our paths sometimes we are just to hardheaded to follow the easy path and He allows trials to come our way. Like the bit in a horse’s mouth He can use them to direct us back where we belong.

By the way Jesus explained it himself:

 36 Then, leaving the crowds outside, Jesus went into the house. His disciples said, “Please explain to us the story of the weeds in the field.”37 Jesus replied, “The Son of Man is the farmer who plants the good seed.38 The field is the world, and the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one.39 The enemy who planted the weeds among the wheat is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the harvesters are the angels.40 “Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world.41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.42 And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!

Matt 13:36-43 (NLT)

Like I said He has a plan. Have a blessed day and may the Lord spare you from evil and keep your mind and body safe from the devil.

Humility in His Presence

13 When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and demanded, “Are you friend or foe?”14 “Neither one,” he replied. “I am the commander of the Lord’s army.” At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. “I am at your command,” Joshua said. “What do you want your servant to do?”15 The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did as he was told.

Joshua 5:13-15 (NLT)

                I was thinking about the walls we have in our lives. You see we all have them and everyone’s walls are constructed out of different material and from a different source or cause. The next chapter of Joshua is the fall of Jericho and the collapse of the walls. Yet here we see Joshua confronted by God’s commander of the Lord’s Army. You know sometimes we never know who is really standing before us. We may want to stop and ask the same question Friend or Foe. Understanding that will allow you a place to begin working through the walls that are keeping you from the victory. See the commander did not say he was a friend to Joshua, but that he was in service to the Lord. I often wonder if that is why people are afraid to open up and share with one another. We do not really know if we can trust that other person. In Joshua’s situation he had seen the great works of the Lord and he understood what God had called Him. Yet he also understood his place and without humility and the Lord could turn against him just as he had others during the last 40 years in the desert. This is where we as Christians today often fail. We go before God seeking answers and when they come we refuse to humble ourselves and do what we know is best for us and the situation we are in. I have often wondered if today if God was to show up would we recognize Him. Would we give him the honor and worship He is do.

                Joshua was instructed to remove his sandals because he was in a holy place. How often do we go before God carrying all the mess we pick up on our shoes. I know lots of people who require you to take your shoes off before you walk in their homes. It’s to prevent you from tracking in all sorts of things. It can be humiliating if you have a whole in your sock or if the dogs drag your shoes off while you’re inside (happened to me once). Yet if you want to enter their home you have to take off your shoes that have so much of the world on them. Maybe it’s time we do the same as we seek God’s face. Take off all that the world has laid on you and humbly seek God’s face. I truly believe that had Joshua not obeyed the Commander the walls around Jericho would be standing today. If you want to see the walls come down on your own life and those of the ones you love. It only can happen as you humble yourself and allow God His rightful place in your life. Have a blessed day and may you allow God to tear down the walls your facing.

Yeast and the Christian Life

33 Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.”

Matt 13:33 (NLT)

There are three parables Jesus shares with the people about what the Kingdom of Heaven is like. This one is only recorded in Matthew and Luke. It is a simple parable and if you understand what yeast does than you can understand it. If not I will explain; yeast is a living organism it is actually a fungi, that when added to a flour water mixture creates a gas that causes bread dough to rise and is why your loaf bread is light and fluffy on the inside instead of a flat piece of bread like a piece of pita bread. Now the interesting thing about yeast is; if left setting to long it will grow old and die or if it is exposed to the right environment will go crazy and multiply rapidly. You see the woman’s intention was to hide the yeast; some translations call it leaven, But yeast is one of those things as a living organism that will grow and spread it is after all a alive. That should be our relationship with Christ. No matter how hard we might try to hide it. Jesus should slowly but steadily take over our lives replacing what was once just plain and lifeless with a new life full of growth in Him. Often though as Christians we are like yeast still in its pack sitting on a shelf by itself; there it is useless, but once you add it to the mix things change. As Christians when we become involved with others be it our families, friends or strangers each time we meet we should be spreading the love of Christ and allowing it to affect those around us. Once again though yeast will only grow in an environment that promotes it. So will you as a Christian if you are not praying and studying God’s word you are starving and what was once alive in you will surely die leaving you lifeless again. Have a blessed day in the Lord pick up you bible and read it today feed that that God has placed in you.  

Death of the Seed

26 And he said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. 27 He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. 28 The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come." Mark 4:26-29 ESV I know I shared this verse yesterday but I wanted to share a little more insight that I see in it. Today thanks to science we understand the growth cycle of plants a lot better and when the seed hits the ground as new life comes out of it the seed itself dies. Like I said yesterday the seed is alive but dormant. When growth begins out of the seed the seed itself is no more. To put this in the right perspective let's relate it to our own walk with Christ. On the day you gave you life to Christ it was no longer yours just like the seed you should have experienced a change that brings forth new life and the death of the old one. If we are not seeing that change in our lives than maybe we need to think about what we are really doing. I am afraid to many of us are just dormant seeds sitting in a dry place not willing to change. Now if we know we are changing than there will be one issue that Jesus talks about in verse 27 as the seed that is dying we know why but to the outside world like the farmer, they will not understand the changes that are occurring in you. During your growth and change you should share with others as they ask questions. You never know what affect it will have on their lives and it might even start them in a pattern of growth with God. Finally let me assure you that it is a process once you begin the rate of growth will be different for each individual depending on what you are putting into your life. I know you have seen cornfields with spots of really tall corn in the middle of the patch and straggly poor looking corn out on the edges. That happens because the farmer is putting more fertilizer were the most plants will be and the farther away from the center the less they use. Same with us if your time spent with God is just this little devotional than you are living on the edge of the field were the bad weather and the sun can beat you down but the closer to the center you find yourself the stronger your roots will be and the better you will wether the storms of life. I ask you today is your life new every morning as you walk with Christ or are you sitting and waiting for growth to start without you having to give up anything. If that is the case than your life will always be unfulfilled and lacking because what you have is all you will ever have until you chose to give it to God. Have a blessed day.

Heirloom Life

26 Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground.27 Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens.28 The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens.29 And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.”

Mark 4:26-29 (NLT)

It talks about how the kingdom of God is formed. As I read it I had to pray for understanding because as straight forward as it seems it can be a little vague and confusing it might make someone believe they have no part in what happens as far as the spreading of the gospel and the growth of the Kingdom. Yet when we look at the first verse we are the farmers our job is to go out and sow the seed everywhere we go. It is the responsibility of the Holy Spirit to grow that seed until Jesus Comes for the harvest.

 The world has changed a lot from the time of this parable and we have so much more knowledge of the workings of things like plant growth and often we try to apply that knowledge to our spreading of the Gospel. We know that every seed that will produce is actually alive but in a dormant state. We understand that the right combinations of fertilizer, rain and weather will determine the best growth and yield from a crop. We see farmers today with degrees in bioengineering working to improve the certain characteristics of the plant so it can produce more and create a better yield. The problem is food today is often bland and has very little if any flavor. There are fewer and fewer varieties available unless you look for what are called heirloom seeds. So now we have a cookie cutter agriculture which still produces food but lacks flavor.

This also happens in our churches people have made millions off of trying to figure out a better way to do church. Instead of focusing on what God’s word says. We have created an entertainment giant were people come to be entertained not grown. We spend big money to go to a sporting event and hope it goes into overtime and put $10 dollars in the offering plate and pray the preacher watches the time and let’s out early. Maybe I am an heirloom I am so tired of going to church to be entertained I desire to be cultivated and grown again. As much as I love music and worship nothing can or will grow you like the Word of God. I hope and pray that wherever you attend church today you approach it with the mindset of it is more than entertainment. I pray God moves in your services today and that you begin to experience the flavor that is available as you experience that heirloom type relationship with Christ. May God Bless you on your journey.

Without Understanding

There is No Understanding

8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” 9 And he said, “Go, and say to this people: “‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’ 10 Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”

Isaiah 6:8-10 (ESV)

                I truly love this chapter of the Bible and the calling of Isaiah to the role of prophet. But the message has always made me wonder; why you would send someone to confuse the people you are trying to save till I realized Jesus quotes this same scripture in Mark 4 and explains that only those who desire to know God will hear and understand the message and be changed by it. One of the first things I had to learn about sharing my faith was the Word of God is offensive to those who do not believe. The second thing I learned was that it was not me personally that offended them and that if they did not receive it from me that I was not to take it personally. Jesus told us;

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

Matt 5:11 (ESV)

See we may find ourselves being attacked for the Gospel but it is only because those who would attack you do not know or want to know Jesus. Today’s Culture is full of individuals who have just enough understanding of religion to say well Yes I go to church. Especially this time of year we will see an influx of what one man called CEO Christians this month; Christmas, Easter and Other Special occasions, they will come to see children’s plays, choirs singing special music and all the free food they can eat. My question is will they experience the love of God from those who are the regulars in our churches or will we show them the fleshly nature that we all can have.  I am a strong believer that you must live out your faith. Do we make those who visit the church welcome or do we treat them like outsiders. Do we walk in only thinking about what I can get out of today’s service or do we take a minute to greet a stranger. I once had a friend tell me He would not come back to the church I was attending.  I ask him why? His exact words were, “They are too friendly there.” Let me tell you I was very proud of my church that day. By the way he was not ready to receive what God had for Him. But he is in a church not the one I attend but he loves were God has called him to. Please remember this one fact in today’s culture the average convert to Christianity has heard the gospel eight times. That is why it is important that we always live out our faith and share as much of the good news as we can. You never know when it might be the 8^th time for that person you are talking too. Without understanding of the message and a drawing of the Holy Spirit there can be no salvation. Have a blessed day.

Arguing with Fools

Psalms 14:1,

 “¹ The fool says in his heart,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile;
there is no one who does good.

I put that there so you would understand who I am calling a fool. Even though I am not always sure that those who believe in Jesus and fail to live a life worthy of His sacrifice are not bigger fools than those who do not believe and live their lives however they want. When you know to do right and refuse to you are being foolish.

Mark 4:10-12,

 “10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. 11 He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables 12 so that, “‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’

We find these verses placed between two of the most read parables in scripture. They highlight the fact that Jesus' message was brought to everyone but in the end not everyone will accept it and follow Him. Only those who understood it and applied it to their lives would hear the message of hope He was bringing. That applies to our world today. You know often today we as Christians mistakenly argue with individuals with scripture thinking it will sway their attitudes and minds. It may even happen occasionally but the truth really is that most people who are truly against Christ know the Bible better than the ones who profess Him as Lord. To many times we are arguing points without being willing to live those very arguments out. You see people who do not know God have no respect for His word or anyone who is trying to hit them over the head with it. Yet a life lived in humility suffering for the testimony of Christ brings people into a understanding of Him that argument can never achieve.  If you know what the Word says and you live it out in your own life God will use it to bless others and bring them into relationship with Him. That is how you show Jesus to be real to a doubting world. When trial comes your way where do you turn? When people ask how you deal with trials do you trust God? When your friends want you to do something and you say no do they understand why you have taken that stand?

Recently my son was reading a discussion between some of his friends it centered on premarital sex. It started because one of the individuals who is a Christian put a bible verse up and someone else made some insulting remarks. You see God's word to those who do not believe in it, is offensive. The individual who was insulting the belief of the other believes they have the right to have sex before marriage if they want to and that Jesus never taught against it. He is actually correct, like I said they know scripture too. Jesus never directly addresses this issue but he does address adulteries and fornicators both of these are sins in God's sight. The better way to have argued this to me would have been. I chose not to have premarital sex because God instructs us not to be sexually immoral. Then you have to be willing to live a life in accordance with his word. If looking on someone of the opposite sex leads to lust than an individual who calls on Jesus should be modest in their dress and appearance. I know touchy subject. They should ensure they are never alone with individuals of the opposite sex, date in groups. You must live a life that glorifies the God you believe in when we look and act like the world no one knows what you believe in. The best argument you will present to those who do not believe in God is a life lived that glorifies only Him. There is no arguing with results when people see Jesus in everything you do they cannot doubt he is real and then maybe scripture can take hold and make the change in them that they have seen in you. Have a Blessed day.

Using Your Light

21 Then Jesus asked them, “Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine.22 For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light.23 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”24 Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given —and you will receive even more.25 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”

Mark 4:21-25 (NLT)

The day you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior you came into possession of a little piece of His light. That light is one of the things that make you even more unique in a world where ever one is trying to stand out among the crowd. The problem is we often spend too much of our own energy trying to bring that attention to ourselves when we could easily serve God if we become  humble and allow Him to promote us. When I was in the first Gulf War I can remember sitting on guard duty and you could see for miles and miles at night in the desert. You could be sitting there and when it is pitch black and a starless night any light that shines will quickly draw your attention. I remember watching an individual light a cigarette from over a half a mile away. I understand the concept of light breaking open the darkness. That is what the scripture talks of that new light you have in you is to be used to break up the darkness in your home and family it should drive away the shadows of doubt and sadness. I can promise you that light you now carry is bright enough to shine out through whatever darkness you have experienced or may be in right now.

The warning though we must head you see the hotter the flame the more brilliant the light. To create a hotter flame you must feed it the right fuel. If you are not feeding that flame it will eventually go out. To feed the flame you have received from Jesus you personally must take time to read your Bible, pray and fellowship with others who carry the light as you feed the light within you it will be able to shine even brighter and might even be able to fuel a fire in someone else one day. I ask you are you fueling your light? If not you need to start reading this is a beginning but making a routine time to spend time in God’s word will be so much better than anything I will ever tell you. Have a Blessed day.

Our Rock for All Times

Our Rock for All Times

“⁴ Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.”

Isaiah 26:4 NIV

A dear friend sent me a book yesterday; the year has been to say the least rough. It was called Tear Drop Soup. The book touched my heart yet what really spoke to me was to know that God has allowed me to build strong supportive relationships throughout my walk with him. It is wonderful to know years after I have left a church that people their still care about me and my family. We often take for granted those relationships. We all strive to build relationships that will last because we desire to always have someone we can turn too. I want to ask you are you in a relationship with God like that? Do you have a relationship with Jesus that allows you to turn to Him in any situation and know that He is there? We often want God to deliver us out of those situations and question Him as to why He does not. I have come to understand He is still present at least in the times I have struggled and worried the most but he truly desires for me to learn one main lesson each time and that is that I can trust in Him. So can you! When we look at the teachings of Jesus He shared a parable about where we should place our trust it is found in Matthew 7:24-27

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

Matt 7:24-27 (ESV)

My only question for you today is what are you building your life on? The theme from Days of Our Lives just went through my head. Like sands through the hour glass these are the days of our lives or will you chose to build your life on the rock eternal. The choice is yours! Have a blessed day and make good choices today.