Living for Tomorrow

At one point in my life I was an alcoholic. I was surrounded by individuals who required drinking as part of the organization and if you did not drink you were quickly replaced because there was a lack of trust in you as an individual. It was so bad that one time, we got in trouble for alcohol related issues and fifteen people had to start AA. Yes I was one of the lucky ones who got to experience that. Now I have no fight with individuals who drink; I personally believe that a little wine or moonshine at the right times provides medicinal relief for certain ailments, Paul even instructs Timothy to take some for his stomach problems. The reason I shared that was this morning I was studying and as I was reading Proverb 31:4-7 it is advice from King Lemuel’s mother and it reads,

4  It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, 5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted. 6 Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress; 7 let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. (ESV)

 

You know throughout scripture; starting in the Old Testament with Daniel in Daniel 7 that we will rein and rule over all the earth. Again Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:2 and Jesus in Mathew 19:28 that one day we will rule alongside of Him. We will be judges and rulers over the entire world even judging the angels.

You might wonder what the point of this is. It’s not to bash someone who drinks but it’s to point out a simple fact that I have recently come to understand. If you desire certain things in your life you have to live and act like you really want it. Case in point I desire to serve as a chaplain and I need to lose weight to do that; but to be honest I need to lose weight, whether I ever get to serve as a chaplain or not. The bottom line is I must live the life I desire in preparation for the life that is yet to come. I hope that makes sense. It’s not just about drinking or tobacco or any other point you might want to argue over that someone might call or consider a sin. But every area of our Christian walk. Do we want to see God move in our worship services? Than do we worship Him in our private time? Do we want to see Him answer our prayers and bring healing to the sick? Than do we pray without ceasing? Do we believe He can provide for our every need or do we work ourselves to death trying to provide for our wants? I ask you today are we drinking in the world trying to satisfy your flesh; thinking you have reached your greatest potential or are we willing to slow down and focus on God and follow after His leadership allowing Him to prepare you for the best that He has to offer. Have a blessed day as you walk in the light of His Word.

Supper Time

Supper Time As I was reading this morning I got to thinking about when I was growing up and my dad's favorite late night snack. He would be sure to keep a keg of corn bread and a gallon of sweet milk at the house. (That's whole milk for those who are not from the south.) He even had a particular cup he would eat it out of. It was one of those metal cups that were popular in the 50's or 60's and the cold milk would make the whole cup have a thin cool layer of moister on the outside of the cup. Now my dad could eat this every chance he got but like I said it was his favorite late night snack. His favorite meal was a fresh cut ribeye steak about an inch thick cooked medium well over a charcoal fire, with a baked potatoe and green beans. He would go at least every two weeks and by the steaks on his way home when he wanted this meal and that night he would cook supper. I shared that because it came to my mind this morning as I was reading 1 Coritnhians 3:1-2; "1 Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly —mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready." Paul was making a simple statement of the truth, he desired that those in Corinth be mature Christians that would be able to live and survive off of the blessings and promises of God. The reality though was they were not growing spiritually and without someone to bottle feed them; their Christian walk would not continue. What they had begun to do was cling to those who were teaching them and not to the power of the Holy Spirit. It appears that maybe they were content with the milk and because it costs a little more to enjoy meat they where not willing to pay the price. I wonder if that is not the problem in our church today. We have wonderful preachers and teachers that we can listen to and learn from; but often we are not willing to go the extra distance and pay the price of personal bible study or taking time out for prayer. I won't even start on the need to fast when we really need to grow closer to God. Paul was a straight forward preacher and teacher of God's desire for his people. You see he did not have the Bible to read he only had what had been revealed to him through prayer and fasting and seeking after God. He spent three years alone in the deserts of Northern Africa seeking after Jesus after he was converted on the road from Damascus with no other teacher than Jesus and the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to him. It was almost ten years before he met the first apostles in Jerusalem and then he only spent 15 days with them. He understood the sacrifice it requires to grow closer to God. I have to ask you are you ready for more than a light snack before bed time? That is after all how most people spend time with God. We pick up our Bible at the end of a long day and give God maybe 10 minutes of our day reading just a few words of in the Bible and then we go off to sleep. Personally I think if we are to experience what God really has for us we need to start acting like its supper time and we have been given a six course meal with friends. You know what I mean when the waiters and waitress's are wondering if your ever going to leave. The check has been paid and everyone is full; just enjoying being in the presence of friends. That is what God desires from us. I pray you decide to enjoy a meal with Him today and that it helps you to grow as you walk in the light of His word.

Spiritual Wisdom

Spiritual Wisdom You know it really does seem to me the harder I try the worse I mess up most days. And this morning as I was reading and thinking about this passage of scripture found in 1 Corinthians 2:6-16. I understand why many times I allow my feelings to control my decisions before I allow the Holy Spirit to guide me. Yes we all can find ourselves in the condition. We see others in pain or dealing with problems that we on a human level desire to step in and do whatever we can to help. The problem is we have forgotten who we trust and in whom we have believed. The issue that Paul addresses is this same issue; the Corinthians were young and unsure of what to do and how to live. This problem was caused by their lack of understanding about the power and direction of the Holy Spirit and how they should be applying it to their lives. Paul addresses this issue and we need to apply his teachings to our livesbtoday and in the future as we follow Christ. 6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we declare God's wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written: "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived" — the things God has prepared for those who love him—10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person's thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 1 Corinthians 6-11 Let's look at this part of the scripture we all seek after and desire wisdom in one form or another. We pursue knowledge for many different reasons and there is nothing wrong with that but all the knowledge that is available to us as humans still is nothing compared to the knowledge found in the mind of God. We cannot even imagine what he has planned or desires for us if we are not walking in accord with him. Have you ever seen a married couple that can finish one another's sentences and they seem to know exactly what the other is thinking or do you have a friend that is so close to you that it seems like you are the same person that is the mind we should desire to have as we walk with Christ. Without that close relationship we will never have the mind of Christ. Paul finishes this address by Assuring the believers that they have received the Spirit from God and in that they can walk upright. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. 14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. 15 The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, 16 for, "Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:12-16 Today I want to assure you that when you chose to follow Jesus and you accepted him as your Lord and Savior you received this Spirit. The problem is like all other gifts you might receive if you are not using it and learning when and how to use it it will just sit and collect dust on a shelf like most of the gifts we recieve. The Holy Spirit is present in the life of the believer so that we can gain an understanding of the purposes of God in our lives. The real truth is often we are slow to trust in the Holy Spirit's guidance and we make human mistakes that have eternal consequences. I challenge you today to spend more time in God's Word learning to see and hear the Spirit of Christ as you walk in your Christian life. Have a blessed day as you walk in the light have God's word.

Demonstration Please

You know there seems to be one thing lacking in the church as a whole today. We have great teachers and preachers throughout the world who know how to share the gospel and make it easy for us to understand. We have wonderful music that ranges from heavy metal to the Psalms that cover any individual’s personal preferences about music. Some churches have recording label quality musicians and singers. We have programs to reach every age group and area of the population from prison ministry to newborn babies. The church is a working functioning part of the culture we live in and if you ask most people that go to church they are fine with what happens and are satisfied with current situation. But you know with all we have to offer we are still missing the mark. Why do so many people lack a lifesaving relationship with Jesus Christ let alone even attend church. There is as simple fact that we are missing in our desire to reach the lost we are forget that the church was not built on the power of people but on the dependence of the Holy Spirit. Paul reminds those at Corinth of this and it’s for us today also. We read about it in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5;

1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (ESV)

In our churches today even with all the wonderful things available to us we often lack this one important and critical part of the ministry and relationship with Christ and that is the Demonstration of His power through a moving of the Holy Spirit. When lives are changed and people are healed God is glorified and people begin to seek after Him and the power that is found in a relationship with Him. What the church needs is not another great preacher but anointed spirit filled believers who when they pray and lay hands on the sick people are made well. The world needs to see that when people suffer with depression and other mental illnesses that the Holy Spirit drives out the demons that possess their minds and torment their bodies. That was Paul’s real gift as he preached he relied on the power of the Holy Spirit to demonstrate the truth that He preached.

If we desire be used by God to it requires we get to know Him better and learn to trust Him in all that we do. It requires we spend time in prayer and in reading and applying His word to our lives. As we grow closer to Him and learn to trust Him in the small things we are more willing to trust Him with the bigger issues in life. This promise is found in Matthew 25:21as part of the Parable of the Talents;

“21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25:21 (ESV”) I want to challenge you to begin by trusting God and the promises found in His word more each day and as you trust in Him more you will begin to experience the power that comes from that relationship and in the end you will be used by him to grow and demonstrate the power of God in our world today. Like all great and wonderful things what you put into them is what you will get out of them. Have a blessed day as you walk in the light of God’s Word.

Foolish Living

I once had the idea of naming a middle school group; Fools for God. I was new to ministry and did not really know the Bible as well as I should have and one of the parents was quick to tell me it was a sin to call a person a fool. I was in my ignorance quick to ask what verse of scripture that was found in. I never was told but I was respectful and did not name the group that. That verse by the way is Matthew 5:22;

 “22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. Matt 5:22 (ESV)”

But you know as we look at this verse in comparison to 1 Corinthians 1:18-19:

“18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” 1 Corinthians 1:18-19 (ESV)”

To the world what you and I believe is folly making those who believe it look foolish from the world’s perspective. Let’s look at it we pray for healing when the doctors say there is no hope, we pray for strength in times when others give up and quit; we trust in something unseen to provide for our daily needs. According to the world we are fools. The world requires everything be real that what the educated doctor says is the only choice, that when the world becomes too hard for us to deal with we seek relief in drugs and alcohol or that are needs can only be meet if we are spending 80 hours a week working two jobs. You see it might seem foolish to the world that does not know God for me to live my life believing in the wisdom and strength that are available to me as I trust in Jesus but that is to the world’s folly; for scripture teaches in that salvation comes through the foolishness of God.

21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 1 Corinthians 1:21 (ESV)

Paul goes on to make a point that is applicable to me and I know and admit it. It is found in verses 26-29;

26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (ESV)”

 How about you? Is the applause of man more important than the strength, peace, grace and mercy found in a real relationship with Jesus Christ?  Let the world call me a fool I will hold on to God’s wisdom and strength. Have a blessed day as you walk in the light of God’s Word.

Jesus With...

Have you ever said if it had not been for the teaching of So-an-So I would still be lost and going to Hell. We all have people we love to hear preach one of my favorite preachers is Loran Livingston from The Central Church of God in Charlotte NC. I began listening to him on the radio before I ever knew what it meant to be a member of the Church of God. I have heard him preach some wonderful and mind altering messages. One thing I really like about his style of preaching is he recognizes the fact that without the anointing and leading of the Holy Spirit he can do nothing. We all have those people who have impacted our understanding of who we are in our relationship with Jesus. When Paul was writing to the Corinthians he had to address an issue related to this very idea and concept. We read about it in 1 Corinthians 1:11-17:

11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

1 Corinthians 1:11-17 (ESV)

You see the Christians of Corinth had begun to divide a lot like we are divided today they began to fall in behind and align themselves with certain teachers of the gospel.  It’s not that those who were teaching desired followers but it was a failure to put Jesus in the center of all that they did and a lack of correction about who they truly were to be following. 

There is a point here that I need to touch on. In verse 12 it states, “I follow Christ” now that might seem like the right statement to make but there was a problem in Corinth and we are experiencing it today. When these individuals claimed to be following Christ it was; Christ with, it was not what we see and understand of Jesus from the scriptures today. They would profess Christ but would make Him fit into the mold of what they wanted to do. You have seen this in our culture today; people try to say that Jesus was gay; they say he was a vegetarian and the list of Jesus with is long and ever changing. People have for centuries tried to label Christ to make what they are doing seem right. Because of this Jesus With attitude many people today are living in sin and calling it good. I want to close by assuring you that the Jesus of the scriptures cannot be conformed to our personal wants and desires just because we pick and choose the passages we apply to our relationship with Him. We must conform to His will; not Him conform to ours. I encourage you know matter how anointed the teacher or preacher always search God’s word and be sure of what they teach is accurate and not personal opinion. We need more Jesus and less With in our lives. Have a blessed day as you walk in the light of God’s Word.

Divided In Christ

Divided in Christ

When the outside world looks at the Christian church what do you think they see? I have often wondered about that in my own life being raised Catholic and I once like many others thought there was only one way right way to worship and serve God. But as I grew older and began to seek after God through prayer and reading of His word I came to understand that it was a requirement for each individual to have their own personal relationship with Jesus. Since that day I have continued on that journey and understand that the Bible teaches that the power of God is manifested in individuals through the working of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life. What makes me scratch my head though was an issue for Paul in Corinth and is still and issue within the Christian Movement today. Paul’s letter addresses these issues;

10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

1 Corinthians 1:10 (ESV)

Now Paul is pleading with the Corinthians to be in one mind about who they have come to faith in. You see in the church today we often have favorite preachers and people we associate with our salvation and development of our Christian walks but just as Paul told the Corinthians I want to remind you no man no matter how Godly or anointed they might be brought us salvation. Our only hope is found in Jesus and the church today needs to be reminded of that. The problem for the church today is not only that we are divided by denominations but also but our values as laid out in Scripture. The varying interpretations of man have weakened our ability to understand right from wrong in accordance with God’s Word. Paul states, “Be united in the same mind and the same judgment.”  I hope we can understand that. You see the opposite of this every day as Christian denominations and leaders; in a move to appease the world and become popular, are selling short what God’s word says and instructing people that what God’s word says is not relevant to today. Let me assure you Paul’s instruction to Timothy about the importance of God’s word is still true today.

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

I challenge you today to be in God’s word read it with prayer asking God to show you the way He has called for us to live. So that all those who proclaim Christ will be united in the same mind and the same understanding of judgment; providing us the ability to look at life and judge fairly what is right and wrong in accordance with God’s word. All scripture is applicable to the Christian walk and if it calls something sin than we need to be like Joseph in the house of Potiphar and run away from it. I Pray God bless you with a burning desire for His word and the knowledge and understanding the Holy Spirit brings so that we may live lives worthy of Jesus sacrifice on the cross. I continue to believe there is only one right way to worship and serve God and that way is laid out for each of us in the Bible. Have a truly Blessed day as you walk in the light of God’s Word.

Abiding In Grace

Do you understand that in your salvation you were given gifts? Not just Grace and mercy but spiritual gifts that are to be used to edify the church and grow the kingdom of God. Often we see individuals in the altar and they find salvation but they quickly fall by the way and fail to mature in their personal walk with Jesus. Paul addressed that issue right in the beginning of the letter to the Corinthians by reminding them that He was thankful for the blessings and gifts they had received even if they were not.

4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:4-8 (ESV)

Sometimes we need a reminder that God has blessed us with His gift of Grace and in that gift he has also promised to sustain us through each day and in every trail we might face. You see He has not only given us grace but as we walk with him each day Paul tells us that we have been enriched in speech and knowledge through our testimony that we now have about what Jesus has done for us and what he will continue to do.  Today I just want to remind you that we have been saved through the power of the Holy Spirit in that salvation we have been strengthened and gifted so that we will carry on till Christ’s return. In this we can find comfort because He is always near to us that call upon His name and we have promise after promise that he will not leave us nor forsake us. If you feel today that God does not know or care where you are let me assure you he never moved. We must make the conscious effort to abide with in Him if we want to grow closer to Him. I want to borrow an example of what it means to abide from James Merritt Founder of Impact Men’s Conferences. He explains that to abide is like a teabag in a cup of water the longer the teabag remains in the water the darker and stronger the tea becomes. That is what we need to understand about the grace and peace found in a relationship with Jesus Christ it is only as strong as the amount of time you spend in His presence. He has given us gifts and provides us strength learning to trust in that means we must abide in His presence. Have a blessed day as you walk in the light of God’s Word.

Building Bridges

As we look at 1 Corinthians 1:2-3 we have several important parts for us as believers today. One thing about Paul's writings that is consistent with all most ever letter is his desire to connect and inspire the reader. He does this to draw them into his writings so that they understand that what he is about to say is not out of boastfulness or tyranny but out of the love and Grace he himself has received from God the Father through Paul's acceptance of Jesus as his Lord and Master. Often as Christians we forget that we have been shown mercy and grace and it comes out in how we interact with those who are still in the world. I want to focus on verses 2-3 of 1 Corinthians 1 and the NIV translates them this way:

"2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours: 3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

As we read this we must first think about the recipients in Corinth and understand who they were. They culture they lived in was really minus the technology not much different than what we have today. Immorality of all forms was prevalent and in the middle of this set a young church struggling to live differently than all those around it. Some within the church where being led astray and others were blatantly living in open sin against Christ. But Paul begins by reminding them and assuring them they are called first to be sanctified through their relationship with Christ and to remind them that they should be living a life devoted to the Holiness of God. For us today this statement is also trustworthy. We are to live holy lives through the sanctifying power of the Blood of Jesus. Just to make sure we understand how it applies to us Paul goes on to say, "together with" that means us today in our current time and for those who will follow on after us. You see we are able to stand on God's promises because those others who have walked this way before built bridges and paths for us to follow. I have to ask are you building bridges for those who will be following you; your children and grandchildren and others who do not yet know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Throughout human history Jesus has never changed His sacrifice was to make a way for you and me so that one day we could be restored to a place in which we could enjoy fellowship with God.

The last part of this that I want to share has to do with how we should interact one with another and Paul lays it out in simple form when he says, "Grace and Peace to you" each of us must learn to live with these two traits of Godly character as Christians. To be honest it should be one of the easiest things we do; but like Paul writes in Romans 7:19, "I want to do what is good but I don't, I don't want to do what is wrong but I do it anyway." (NLT)  As a Christian living in right relationship with God doing the right thing in love becomes easier because we more readily understand the statement, "except for the grace of God go I!" we all fail from time to time. If we will remember we serve a loving god who desires to give us grace and Mercy we will be much more likely to share it with others. Walk today in the blessings of God's Word and show Grace and mercy to those you meet.

The Bridge Builder

The Bridge Builder

By Will Allen Dromgoole 1860–1934

An old man going a lone highway,

Came, at the evening cold and gray,

To a chasm vast and deep and wide.

Through which was flowing a sullen tide

The old man crossed in the twilight dim,

The sullen stream had no fear for him;

But he turned when safe on the other side

And built a bridge to span the tide.

“Old man,” said a fellow pilgrim near,

“You are wasting your strength with building here;

Your journey will end with the ending day,

You never again will pass this way;

You’ve crossed the chasm, deep and wide,

Why build this bridge at evening tide?”

The builder lifted his old gray head;

“Good friend, in the path I have come,” he said,

“There followed after me to-day

A youth whose feet must pass this way.

This chasm that has been as naught to me

To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be;

He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;

Good friend, I am building this bridge for him!”

Source: Father: An Anthology of Verse (EP Dutton & Company, 1931)

Called to Be

This is a little different style of devotional but it’s a new day and I am beginning a new study of 1 Corinthians that may take a few weeks to complete but I wanted to share a little bit of it as I worked my way through it. The letter was written by Paul to the church of Corinth that he helped establish in 50 to 51 AD. The letter is written for the edification and correction of the Christians who were there. It like all scripture has application for us today. We read in the opening verse and Paul provides some interesting and very important points for us today;

1 Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes,

1 Corinthians 1:1 (ESV)

First point that is made by Paul is he is called; I have to ask what does it mean to be called? Personally I believe we are all called only a few of us hear and respond to the call on our lives. Yes we might answer the initial call and commit to salvation but there is so much more to being called than sitting back waiting on the Lord to call us home. Paul makes this point clear; He was called by God’s will and for a purpose we see two little words that we need to ask ourselves after we accept the call. To be, is a statement and question all rolled into one. You have been called but what have you been called to be? In Paul’s case it was to apostleship; what about you? Not every person is called to preach God’s word. Dave Thomas the founder of Wendy’s once made a very true statement that I agree with; “The problem with Christianity is not that we need another Billy Graham but we need more Christians who are willing to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty.” Not selling any persons calling short but often the church needs people who are called to get their hands dirty; by serving in any number of positions. You see first and foremost we are called to be servants to those around us. Through the acts of service we are witness to the grace of God in our own lives and examples for those who we interact with. If you are a Christian and you are unsure of what you are called to. I recommend you first begin with prayer asking God to reveal the gifts He has given you. Than take those gifts and ask Him to provide opportunities for you to use them to bring glory to His name. You might be overwhelmed by the position you find yourself in. But be assured Jesus goes before you in everything He calls you to. He has promised to complete the Good work that he has begun and one day we will all better understand what we have been; called to be. Have a truly blessed day as you walk in the light of His word.

The Lord is...

I got up this morning thinking about the faithfulness of God sometimes it is easy to forget that God is one thing above all the rest; He is faithful to His promises to those who love Him. When our world is falling apart and we can’t seem to make sense of what is going on around us we must remember in that we have placed our trust In Jesus and remember in that relationship grace peace and mercy are found. Whether it be the loss of a loved one, financial difficulties, or any number of things that go on in our lives we must remember who we have decided to follow. Knowing who God is and the characteristics of who He is and the promises that come from those traits should give us strength. Some of them are found in Psalm 145:8-21:

8 The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9 The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made. 10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your saints shall bless you! 11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, 12 to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. [The Lord is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.] 14 The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. 15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. 16 You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing. 17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works. 18 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. 19 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. 20 The Lord preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. 21 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.

Psalms 145:8-21 (ESV)

The first verse tells us some of the most important traits about God when our world is shaken He is gracious and merciful. In His grace and mercy we can find comfort during the trials that we face. A promise we find here is that He has not allowed whatever you are facing to come your way because He is angry with you instead His love for you is steadfast and never-ending. We must hold onto that promise.  Life is hard from time to time sickness and death came into the world when Adam sinned but even from that point on God’s mercy began to make a way for the salvation of mankind; that is the mercy He shows to His creation. In verse 13 we read The Lord is faithful in all His words and kind in all His works.  We must understand God knows exactly what we are facing each day; In the Lord’s prayer found in Matthew 6:11 we read these words, “Give us this day our daily bread.” We ask this knowing the faithfulness of God to deliver upon His promises. We can have faith that God is there to pick us up when we are too tired to go on and that He does not just lift us up for a time but He will give you strength for every day and every trail. The last point I need to make cover verses 17-20 and simple tells us that God is righteous in all His ways that He is near to those who call on Him in a true desire for His strength, grace and mercy. And in the end He has preserved all those who love him. Unlike those who do not know Him we have a hope for tomorrow. No man knows another’s heart only God does. We must live with an assurance that what we read in God’s word and the experience we have with His Holy Spirit will see us through every trail of life that comes our way.  I know often we may feel like King David in Psalm 119:82:

82 My eyes are straining to see your promises come true. When will you comfort me?

But I can promise you there is comfort found in His word and presence if you will just turn to Him and trust in the promises that are found there. I leave you with Psalm 119:132 it reads; “Come and show me your mercy, as you do all who love your name. Whatever your situation there can be peace found if you will turn to God and ask Him for it. He is faithful to provide for each day and every need. Hve a blessed day as you walk in the light of God’s word.

Anointed in Unity

Good Morning and God Bless. It’s Sunday and I am looking forward to going to worship my heavenly Father today. As I was studying I was reading in the book of Psalms and found something that made me think about heart preparation for worship and spending time with my Savior and it might be something you have not given much thought to. It has to do with unity. You know I watched my son play soccer for 13 years and learned something from that experience. For a team to succeed they must play with one mind. They must know one another well enough that they are thinking ahead and acting on what they know must happen next. Scripture tells us in Psalm 133 something that we need to apply to our lives not only in church but every day. The scripture reads:

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, That ran down upon the beard, Even Aaron's beard; That came down upon the skirt of his garments; 3 Like the dew of Hermon, That cometh down upon the mountains of Zion: For there Jehovah commanded the blessing, Even life for evermore.

Psalms 133:1-3 (ASV)

You see when Aaron was made High Priest by God; Moses was instructed to anoint him with oil, now they did not use just a little oil they poured oil over his head till it covered him all the way to between his toes. That is where the blessing of unity with in the body of believers comes in. It brings about an anointing that is an overwhelming soaking of the divine power of our Heavenly Father. There remains one issue that prevents us from receiving this blessing found in unity and Jesus expressed the problem and gave us instruction on our responsibility as Christians and it is found in Matthew 5:23-24 and He has instructed us with these words:

23 “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.

Matt 5:23-24 (NLT)

Each day we must choose to live in unity and harmony; the choice like most is ours to make. Are you blessed today or are you walking under a curse because you have a point of unforgiveness in your heart. Just a warning you may be struggling in your own life because of that one decision not to mention the impact it has on the body of Christ. We must choose to live in unity with one another forgiving others with the same forgiveness we ourselves have received. Not that we deserved it; but because God loved us, even when we were living in transgression against Him. I pray you are blessed to day as you walk in the promises found in God’s Word. Be blessed as you walk in the Light.

Listening

I went to bed worrying about something on the news last night and a lack of information. I awoke to hear the worst news about what I had feared when I went to bed. Two people who had influenced the lives of my family are no longer with us today and many questions are yet to be answered. I ask you be in prayer for this situation and to lift it and the family up in prayer.  I have been asked how do people without faith handle certain situations like the loss of a loved one and to be honest I have no answer to that question. But I do know that how we as Christians respond makes a difference in the people we minister to during these times.  The directions we receive from scripture are found in the book of James.

^“19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰ because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19-20 (NIV)

To me it is pretty straight forward God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason so we could listen more and talk less. That is the advice we are given as Christians who are coming along the side non-believers and believers in a time of loss of loved ones or any other struggle they might be facing in life. As Christians our best response is not to quote scripture or tell them it is all right but to sit quietly doing whatever is asked of us. From my own experience you will not remember what people say unless you are offended by it or it is totally stupid. But you will remember those people who were by your side through it all. Not judging you or the situation but providing  to you the love, grace and mercy of God as it has been measured out to them from Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I challenge you today to live your life listening first. You might be surprised what you hear that makes your response different than it would have been originally. Have a Blessed day as you walk in the light of the God’s Word.