Who Knows You

1 He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. 2 And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. 4 And Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household." 5 And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching.

 Mark 6:1-6 (ESV)


As I was reading this scripture a question came to my mind. How are you known? You know we each are responsible for our own walk with God. Each day we make the decisions that will bring Him honor or disgrace. Yet many times we are guilty of letting individuals judge us because of who our family is. Those sitting in the synagogue could not and would not accept what was being said to them because they new the family of the man who was speaking. I can see them mumbling and whispering, "Is this not that illegitimate child that they ran off to Bethlehem to have. Who does He think He is say anything or teach anything to my family." In our world today we run into a lot of that very same mindset and the sad part is the longer we are Christians the easier it is to forget that people out there new us before we were Christians. Those are the ones who will be sitting back and watching. Waiting on you and I to do something stupid so that they can proclaim, "I told you so! I told you it was not real they are not any different than they were! You see that was what Jesus experienced when He tried to share the good news in His hometown. they refused to believe on Him and in so doing limited His power. Yet it did not deter Him. He continued to speak and teach the gospel to all who would listen. Today I ask you that question how are you known. As my kids grew older I became Chris and Jonah's dad I am April's husband but none of that tells you anything about who I am in Jesus. The same is true of you if Jesus has saved you than your testimony is based on your walk not your families. You might be the only Christian in your home don't give up God has put you there and He will bless you and strengthen you for the work He has called you too. Don't get discouraged if Jesus had ,those few who thought they knew Him keep Him from what God had planned for Him. Where would we all be. I pray God strengthens you as you walk in the light of His word.

God's Family

31 And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. 32 And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” 33 And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” 34 And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”

Mark 3:31-35 (ESV)

We find Jesus in his home town preaching the good news and healing those around him. When His mother and brothers come looking for him to take him home. They have come not because they desire to see Him but because they believe him to be out of His mind:

21 When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. “He’s out of his mind,” they said.

Mark 3:21 (NLT)

So when they do get there they send for Him to come out of the house. And Jesus asked the question, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” I ask you that same question today. Have you had backs turned on you because of the gospel of Christ? Has your family turned away from you and avoids talking to you? Do you no longer get invited to family functions because you are known as the bible thumper in your family? It is alright if your earthly family thinks you’re crazy because you have chosen to trust in God. Jesus tells us that we will be ok. Because when we walk with Him he brings us into a new family. We are not alone and we never will be again. The fellowship of believers is one of the greatest strengths found in and outside of the church. When we choose Jesus we become sons and daughters of God. This brings us into a family that is filled with love, peace and mercy.  You now belong to a much larger family and they are to love one another as Jesus loves them.

At least that is how it should be. Jesus instructs us if you have something against your brother you are to stop what you are doing and seek forgiveness so that your prayers will not go unheard. I challenge you today; as God’s mercy and forgiveness has been given to you through His son Jesus Christ, you should offer and give forgiveness in the same way. As we all walk in the light of God’s Word let our fellowship of believers look more and more like the Family God intended it to be. Have a blessed day as you walk in the light of God’s word.

Spirit and Truth

” 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

John 4:20-24 (ESV)

We are all called to worship in Spirit and truth do we even understand what that means as Christians today? As Jesus shared with the Samaritan woman a truth that we need to understand; true worship is only found in a relationship with God through His spirit and understanding the truth found in His word. The place that we go to worship is never as important as the mind and attitude that we worship in. We can attend church anywhere. The mega church down the road or the small church that only has ten people there this morning; but the true worshipers will worship in spirit and truth. In doing this God will be present and in His presence all things are possible.

Do you know what it looks like to worship God in accordance to His Spirit and truth? An example is found in Nehemiah:

5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood. 6 And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

Nehemiah 8:5-6 (ESV)

When the God’s truth is spoken God’s spirit will be present and the truth of His word will bring change in the lives of those who hear and accept it. We are to worship God with all we have.We are called to give Him our best in everything and that includes our worship. If we will worship Him with abandon it will bring change to our situation.  In that change we should worship Him even more we each have so much to be thankful for. I challenge you to apply God’s word to your life and walk in the light of It.

The Call

16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him.

Mark 1:16-18 (ESV)

In a place and time when two men; brothers, are going about their daily lives working at their jobs a strange thing happens. A man that they did not know walked up to them and said follow me. They drop everything and went with Him. What if that happened to you? Those in the testimony are each unique individuals just as each person who is reading this today. Yet what causes a person to leave their work to follow someone else. Was it the promise that Jesus made? Did it perk their interest? Where they tired of doing the same old thing and wanted something else to do? Did they seek to have a title and honor? The scriptures do not tell us why they did it. We only read that when Jesus called they got up and followed Him. How about you why are you following God?

You might ask why these men? What did they have to offer to God? The Sea of Galilee would have been crawling with individuals doing the exact same activities that these two men were doing. It was one of the busiest areas in all of Israeli because of abundance of fish found in those waters. Yet Jesus calls these two brothers Simon the one who hears and obeys and Andrew a strong man. Yet when Salvation calls to them and they chose to follow Him. The lesson is simple and straight forward; whatever purpose God has for you are you willing to harken to the call? Will you set aside what you are doing and planning to do and follow Him that is calling you? That is how it starts; obedience to the call. Later on in scripture we see God did just as He promised and made them fishers of men Simon who became Peter caught 3000 on the first cast of the net. Who has God called you to catch? We each have been called and everyone’s net is set to catch a different catch. So are you willing to accept the call and serve Him wherever He leads? I pray as God calls; you will answer through action and not just in word He has a work for you. Let us be about that work and live a life worthy of Him as we walk in the Light of His Word.

God's Enemy

"You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” This morning are you a friend or enemy of God?

James 4:4-6 (ESV)

I guess answering that might not be high on your list of things you are worried about. I understand just how hectic life can be and I am sure many times things happen that cause us to forget in whom we should place our trust. But scripture is very simple on this fact. If we should become so involved in the world that we forget to seek God for our needs and only turn to Him when there is nothing the world has to offer we are showing just how little respect we actually have for God. Scripture tells us that God is a jealous God and that When we accept Jesus Christ as our lord and savior the Holy Spirit comes and dwells in us. The Holy Spirit is jealous also and this division from within is part of why individuals can call themselves Christian and still live like Hell. They are choosing to live in the flesh and are seeking after only what the world has to offer. By doing this it sets up a struggle within themselves that in the end only leads to death. Scripture is clear we can attempt to live life on our own and be an enemy to God or we can live in humble obedience to the Holy Spirit and be blessed. Like alwayS the choice is yours. I pray God moves in your life to help you get on the path He has set before you as you walk in the light of God's word.

Blind Deaf and Dumb

24 And he said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. 25 For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

Mark 4:24-25 (ESV)

This passage of scripture might not be one that will make you shout but every word of scripture is important and there is always something we can learn from it. On its face it is a warning to each of us; directly from Jesus, that we must take His word and allow it a place of understanding in our hearts, minds and lives. In doing this more understanding will be given to us and with understanding will come blessings.

We see from the chapter that Jesus has been teaching to the people in parables. The idea of a parable is to tell a story that has value but it is only of value to the individual who can understand it. You see the point is often very clear but if you are not seeking understanding from it it’s just a good story. We have many parables that have been shared throughout history Aesop’s Fables are very much parables; because as you read them you can gain understanding on the workings of the world. Yet Jesus’ parables are focused on spiritual matters and the coming Kingdom of God and having understanding about what we are to do as Christians. Yet the same issue still applies if you do not desire to know more about God’s Kingdom, the Holy Spirit and what we should do as a Christian than they are just good stories to be shared. It should not be that way we should instead have a hunger for God’s word and desire understanding as we hear and read it.

To many individuals who call themselves Christians are just comfortable and that is the warning that He gives to us in His Word. If we do not seek understanding than what little we do know He will remove from us. We will be like the seed that that falls on the path or in a rocky place. We will quickly fall away from the faith either because we have chance to grow or because we are not grounded well enough to survive the trials that come in life. I desire you understand one thing Jesus taught in parable to also fulfill prophecy we read in Isaiah these words;

 And he said, “Yes, go, and say to this people, ‘Listen carefully, but do not understand. Watch closely, but learn nothing.’10 Harden the hearts of these people. Plug their ears and shut their eyes. That way, they will not see with their eyes, nor hear with their ears, nor understand with their hearts and turn to me for healing.”[ 

Isaiah 6:9-10 (NLT)

Today are we blind, deaf and dumb to the ways of God or are we listening, seeing and doing what He has called for us to do in His word. My son got stopped for speeding one time and the officer asked him, “Did you not see the speed limit sign?” and my son said, “yes and I was trying to slow down after I saw it.” The officer replied, “You have to be going at the posted speed when you reach it or its speeding.” My son responded, “I did not know that.” And the officer answered as he handed him the ticket, “Ignorance of the law is no excuse. Have a nice day.” How many people will be told that very same thing one day as they stand before God just because they refused to see, hear and obey His Word? I pray your eyes are opened, your ears are unplugged and your body is willing to do what God has called you too as you walk in the light of His Word.  

If You Are Willing

40 A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said.41 Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!”42 Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed.

Mark 1:40-42 (NLT)

This scripture shows a man who has no hope finding the only real hope in the world and asking Him a question that we often take for granted. We very seldom ask God if He is willing to do what we pray for. Instead we demand that He take action in our situation. I often wonder if we realize that saying no is still an action but the no is His will for our lives. It’s not the answer we want from a God who we have chosen to worship and it is probably why individuals chose to walk away from Him. Many times we take for granted that what we want is what God has in store for us. In the case of the leper; it might not have been in God’s plan and yet He showed compassion and brought healing. That is not something unusual, God has done it before. He allowed King Hezekiah and additional 15 years of life. The problem is we often forget the blessings He has already given us. Instead of looking at what He has already done we expect Him to do more. I know that is a hard pill to swallow but God is sovereign His ways are not our ways and everything He allows is with a purpose to bring Him Glory. Jesus is willing to answer your prayers; but what you may desire is not in His will, for your life. Will you still trust Him? The man came begging and was unsure of the answer he would receive have we reached a point where we are truly begging God or are we still demanding God do something. There is a great difference in the two. I pray God gives you an open heart and mind as you walk in the light of His Word

Blessings Come in Obedience

8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Joshua 1:8 (ESV)

As we look at this scripture we see Joshua who has been chosen by God to lead Israeli into the Promised Land after the death of Moses. We might wonder why Joshua?  We might believe it was because Joshua had been one of the spies who had gone into Canaan when Moses originally brought them out of Egypt. It might be because he and Caleb were the only two spies that were willing to go in and take the land that God had promised them. It might have been because he had served as the leader of Israel’s army and won great victories. Maybe it was because Joshua was the apprentice of Moses and did what he was directed to do. Yet none of this is the reason He was chosen to lead Israeli into the Promised Land. The answer is actually simple Joshua was a true servant of God. His only desire was to serve God and obey God’s commandments. That was why he was chosen.

We read here that Joshua is given instruction on what his conduct should be. He is to mediate on the law and commandments day and night so that he can live in accordance with God’s word. The promise that God gives Joshua is a little different when you look at it. God promises that Joshua will prosper and have success but it is not that God will do it. The scripture reads, “Then you will make your way prosperous,” The success Joshua will find will be of his own doing as he lives in obedience to God’s commandments. Yes that is different than what we expected to read. We are always told that God will bless us but in reality it is our choice if we are to be blessed. God desires nothing but good for us. That is what he provides He will only bring blessings into our lives. Yet we are the ones who chose to live under a curse. It is our failure to uphold God’s word that brings failure and trials into our lives. When we chose to live under our own rules we also chose to live out from under God’s blessings.

You have a choice to make today. You can live in obedience to God’s word and bring prosperity into Your life or you can choose to live your life by your own rules or the worlds rules and in the end pay the consequences that are due when we live in disobedience to His word. That ultimate consequence is death and separation from God. I leave you with Joshua’s words found in Joshua 24:15, “15 But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” May God’s blessing be yours as you walk in the light of His Word.

Real Forgiveness

21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. 23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

Matt 18:21-35 (ESV)

Unforgiveness is something we all struggle with and we often refuse to admit it. Yet it is in many cases the most damaging thing we can have in our lives. It has been believed and even studied by doctors that forgiveness is physically and mentally beneficial to us as human beings. From that perspective alone we should desire to seek forgiveness and we should also offer it freely to those who wrong us. Our very health and well-being may depend on it.

Today though we need to look at the eternal results of our refusal to forgive others; the idea that we only have to forgive some 70 times 7 or 490 times (some translations read 77 times) is not an actual number that you can keep track of. If you are keeping score than you have missed the true idea of forgiveness; real forgiveness is the action of letting go of the feelings and emotions that go with the hurt that you have experienced. That is what unforgiveness really is its holding on to a hurt; it might be physical or emotional but it is something that is able to control our lives so that we can find ourselves living as a prisoner too it. You may always remember what someone did to you but it no longer has the ability to spark an emotional response in you. That is real forgiveness.

You see the forgiveness that God gives us is the same forgiveness we should offer to those who have hurt us. So if we are willing to obey Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness He will provide us with the strength to do it. We must offer the forgiveness that God has already given you. If we fail to do so we will one day stand before God just as the wicked servant and be held accountable for our unforgiveness. I know it is not easy to forgive but a lot is riding on our doing it. I leave you with the words of David from Psalm 103:10-12, “10 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” We should desire to forgive as God does. I pray that you find and give real forgiveness in life today as you walk in the light of God’s Word.

Wisdom Trumps Fear

21 My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion, 22 and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. 23 Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. 24 If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. 25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, 26 for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.

Proverbs 3:21-26 (ESV)

Have you ever just been afraid of something and you are not really sure why? Maybe it was something you have never done before or something you have done and it did not go as well as you thought it should have and you are afraid to do it again. We all have a fear of the unknown whether we will admit to it or not. That is just part of life especially if we are lacking a particular knowledge. That knowledge is a relationship with God. As Christians our relationship with God is based on our acceptance of Jesus Christ as His only Begotten Son; in that relationship we are given a peace and understanding that others do not receive from the world. You see the scripture tells us that if we will keep God’s wisdom and discretion we will be able to walk in security. What does that really mean to you and me? It means that when your son dies in a car wreck you can trust God to be in control and that he has a plan for you to carry on. It means that when the doctor tells you the cancer is back that you can raise your hands to praise Him knowing; He is the great physician and healer and that He is still in control and that His will be done to bring glory and honor to Him. It means when you have prayed for a child and He has not yet blessed you with one there is a reason for He knows and understands what we are capable of and what will bring us harm and what will bring us blessings. You must understand that knowledge of God brings a peace unlike anything else you can ever experience. That knowledge only comes from knowing Him through His word, His world and His witness. We as Christians should understand and be prepared to be a witness to Him in everything we do, we must not allow fear and worry to overtake us and destroy our witness of His strength and power. When we do we may cause others to stumble in their own walk. I pray God brings you the strength and wisdom you need to diligently walk in the light of His Word each new day.

Take a Stand

12 “I will search with lanterns in Jerusalem’s darkest corners to punish those who sit complacent in their sins. They think the Lord will do nothing to them, either good or bad.

Zephaniah 1:12 (NLT)

As I searched scripture this morning this really spoke to my heart. You see we live in a world today that has lost its fear of God. Simple put many of those who are in the world either do not believe there is a God or are not concerned with God because they have been taught that God is good and if they do more good than bad they will get into heaven. I am sorry that is not how it works. You see God is Holy and nothing impure can be in His presence. Nothing that you and I can do on our own can make us pure it requires a sacrifice of blood to cover up those impurities.

22 In fact, according to the Law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.

Hebrews 9:22 (NLT)

Jesus made that sacrifice for you and me. I want to remind you of that today. You see we have lost our fear of God and the coming judgment. We have painted a picture of a good and kind God that loves everyone. What we fail to admit is He is a jealous God.

 “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea.5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me.6 But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.

Exodus 20:4-6 (NLT)

Each day we must begin by placing God in His rightful place. That place is in honor and reverence of who He is and what He has done not just for us but in all that He has done. Yet today many of us even Christians have no fear of God and live our lives as we desire Monday through Saturday going before an altar every Sunday acting like a good Christian should. In this lay the problem; we have placed our trust in our own ability, not in His laws and statues. Instead we have become like Israeli in the Book of Judges; when there was no king and each man did what is right in His own sight.  (Judges 17:6)

I ask you and pray that you come to understand that a fear of God is required of us as we serve Him. When we no longer fear Him who can destroy the soul we will allow everything that goes against His will to occur in the world. I leave you with this scripture found in Malachi.

 13 “You have said terrible things about me,” says the Lord. “But you say, ‘What do you mean? What have we said against you?’14 “You have said, ‘What’s the use of serving God? What have we gained by obeying his commands or by trying to show the Lord of Heaven’s Armies that we are sorry for our sins? 15 From now on we will call the arrogant blessed. For those who do evil get rich, and those who dare God to punish them suffer no harm.’”

Malachi 3:13-15 (NLT)

Is this the world we have allowed to be developing where we know longer call sin what God calls sin? If so we must pray God will be merciful to us. There is coming a day when we will all be held accountable. I pray we are not found like the church of Laodicea.

 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.

Revelation 3:16-17 (NLT)

I ask you to consider what sacrifice has been made for you and that you will grow in your walk with Christ as you continue to walk in the light of His Word.

Off The Mark

2 Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.

Proverbs 19:2 (ESV)

Have you ever made a decision without considering the cost or truly understanding the circumstance of your decision? We all do from time to time, some of us more often. Today with the ability to read news and information from all around the world at any given moment we should be the most knowledgeable people who ever lived?  Yet when we look around we see just the opposite we see individuals running in the opposite direction from where they should be. You see they desire certain things and to receive those things they will hurriedly make decisions about life.

 The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

Proverbs 21:5 (ESV)

How do you approach life? Are you a diligent person who can patiently wait on God to provide for you or are you constantly seeking the path of least resistance? Do you choose to approach each day just trying to get through it as fast as you can? Hoping tomorrow will be better. I heard John Haggee say this, “tomorrow; as wonderful as we portray it, never actually gets here.” That is a very true statement. We desire for better things tomorrow but we do nothing in preparation for it.

23 Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty!

Proverbs 14:23 (NLT)

You ask how I must prepare; first we must adjust our own mindset. We must begin to think about the higher things.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things

Philippians 4:8 (KJV)

 Secondly; we must find out what God is doing and join with Him in His work.

4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

John 9:4-5 (KJV)

As we desire to serve God we must be doing His will not ours. Just as Jesus did His fathers will we must be doing His will. To do that we must know Him better and that requires we spend time in His Word.

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 leave you with this thought and prayer God desires that in the end all should be saved. Yet it is a choice each of as has to make. Where we end up will be decided by the diligence and knowledge we show in our lives.The choices we make in haste and ignorance can and will lead to destruction. God has left us with direction and gives wisdom freely to those who ask. I pray today you start gaining that knowledge and understanding and applying it to your life so that in the end. You will hear, “Well done my good and faithful servant” Matthew 25:21 God bless you as you walk in the light of His word.

Spiritual Poverty

  Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. 7 Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, 8 she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. 9  How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? 10  A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, 11  and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.

Proverbs 6:6-11 (ESV)

What do you and ants have in common. Well a lot more than you might think especially if you call yourself a Christian. You see ants are very productive creatures and they are always busily working to achieve one thing; the gathering of food for the future and survival of their homes and the ants of their kind. What we can learn from the ant is the most important part of our Christian walk. That one idea or concept is that we are to be busily working in order to avoid starvation and poverty. Now we can say it is a physical need but it is actually the spiritual need I feel like we need to address. To many of us are walking through life living in Spiritual Poverty; it occurs when we are not spending enough time in God’s word and even more often we are not doing the work He has gifted us for or called us to.  Instead we are sitting back treating our salvation as fire insurance. God has called us to be about His work; as the sons and daughters of God we should do what is pleasing to our father. The scripture tells us that if we are lazy and are allowing ourselves to sleep poverty and want will come on us like a robber and it will beat us down. In the Vulgate there is a continuation of Verse 11 and it reads, “if thou wilt be diligent, they harvest will be as a fountain and poverty shall flee far away from thee.” I do not know why it is not recorded in the King James or modern translations. But it is a simple direction and understanding of what we should be doing. We need to spend time working with God if we want to know Him better; instead of our asking Him to be with us and doing what we desire all the time. Have a blessed day as you walk in the light of God’s Word.

Shadow of the Cross

21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.

1 Peter 2:21 (NLT)

I was given the assignment for my internship to write about this verse of scripture and my interpretation of it after reading In His Steps by Charles M. Sheldon. If you have never read this book I ask you to find a copy and read it and ask yourself this very same question. In my current position in life what would Jesus do?

When I read this scripture I understand one simple thing. God has given me the perfect example of what kind of life I should lead. It will not always be easy but it will have the greatest rewards of anything I can do. In Genesis God created everything good; so that Adam and Eve would be blessed as they lived in relationship with Him. Sin entered the picture and marred that relationship. In this action suffering came into our world and as sinful creatures we each are born into suffering. Yet as followers of Christ; brothers and sisters of the son of God, we are given the power and strength to walk in accordance to the teachings and lifestyle that Jesus has shown us in His word. Jesus is the only example we should put before us as we attempt to walk a Christ centered life. We are not to emulate our pastors or some famous person on TV but we are to know Jesus well enough through His word and actions in the scriptures that we are able to walk in His shadow. As a child I always loved to walk in my fathers shadow always being sure that there wa sonly one being cast. You have probably seen children doing this before. Dad takes a step the child takes one trying to only cast one shadow that is what walking in the steps of Jesus should look like. When people see our shadow fall on the ground it should be the shadow of the cross they see. If we are walking in the steps of Jesus it will always include a cross. We must decide in our own lives what Jesus would do as we approach life and attempt to live it out bringing glory to Him. I pray that today as you interact with others you ask that question What Would Jesus Do? If you are unsure direction is found in His word. Get to know Him better so others will see Him in you.

Working in your Strengths

38 Then Saul gave David his own armor—a bronze helmet and a coat of mail.39 David put it on, strapped the sword over it, and took a step or two to see what it was like, for he had never worn such things before. “I can’t go in these,” he protested to Saul. “I’m not used to them.” So David took them off again.40 He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine.

1 Samuel 17:38-40 (NLT)

We often in our walks with Christ take on responsibilities that we are not called or equipped to do. In doing these things we are actually bringing trouble and discord to the church and to the body of Christ. As David was preparing to go forth into battle we see Saul had tried to provide him with the best equipment to fight with. The problem was it was not a good fit for what David new and understood about Himself. We often do this very same thing when it comes to our service to God. It is alright to try something if you are unsure if it is something God is calling you too. David did try on Saul’s armor after all; but we must know ourselves well enough to see that it does not fit our personalities.  David could have gone to battle in Saul’s armor but he likely would only have gotten killed. Instead he chose to go in what God had provided to him; his own God given abilities and strengths. Had he gone with the armor of Saul on it would also have diminished the Glory that was God’s for delivering Goliath into David’s hands. You see David knew that God had called him to this very time and place and would bring him the victory. Goliath had been makking this boast and challenge for 40 days before David came to the camp. David knew God would protect him just had He had in the past as he faced the lions and bears.  But David also understood what his gifting was and how best to serve His God and Israeli. Today are you wearing someone else’s armor? Is the job you are trying to fulfill in church not bringing satisfaction to your life? If so maybe it’s time to look at what your strengths are and begin looking for what God is doing that your strengths can be used in. Then go and work in what God has gifted you for. The rewards are greater than you will ever know and God’s kingdom will grow as we work in our giftedness. I pray God shows you what He has for you to do as you walk in the light of God’s word.

All Hearts and Minds Clear

6 “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ 7 By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the Lord’s Table may be despised. 8 When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? “Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor?” says the Lord of hosts.

Malachi 1:6-8 (ESV)

As we prepare to go before God in worship today I really want to ask you to examine your heart. What exactly are you taking with you before God today? You see to many times we walk into the sanctuary carrying a mess with us. We bring a heart filled with anger and fear, a spirit that is living in poverty because we do not care for it by reading God’s word. A mind that is already thinking about what will be for lunch today or anyone of a thousand issues that might be going on in our lives. But when we do these things it’s because we no longer fear the Lord. Those of us who have been walking with God cannot use the excuse well I did not know. We should be coming with the hearts and mind prepared to worship our God. When we do not we are like those who defile the house of God and bring in the week blind animals who are unworthy to be sacrificed in the temple. God expects us to worship Him with a love and abandon not worrying about those around us or even for ourselves.

You see it is true often we will do more to prepare to meet others that we believe to be special or have importance than we do our God who is and should be the most important person in our lives. If we treated people in authority the way we treat God a lot of us would be in trouble. At the least we would find ourselves in a lawsuit for liable just for the use of their name in a profane way. God will one day hold court and every soul will be judged for their lives, words and deeds. Then it will be too late to worship Him properly. I pray God prepares your heart for worship today. God has promised to show you what to do if you will obey His word and worship.  I challenge you today, go expecting and willing to receive what all God has for you as you walk in the light of His Word.

Sacrifice

Sacrifice

1  He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small of stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Luke 19:1-10 (ESV)

As we read this passage of Scripture, we see a man who is hated by the Jews because he works for the Romans as a tax collector. Because of this and the reputation tax collectors had to be thieves. Zacchaeus was in the lowest class of people you could be part of in Israeli and that is the class called sinner. Yes they actually called people sinners and people accepted the fact they were. If we could only admit we are it would be a place to start a new work from, as we go forward in our walk with Jesus.

Can you picture this scene a short older man possible round hanging out on the tree limb? Trying to hang on and get a look at Jesus. Some would say he did it to draw Jesus’ attention. Yet in a crowd of people all who by the world’s standards were better than this man. Jesus calls Him by name and goes to lunch with him bringing a change into His life and household. Time with Jesus will always bring a change in those who are near Him.

There are two points I want to share with you. In this crowd of people all wanting to see Jesus one man sacrificed a little more than the rest so that he might look upon Jesus. The second point is God knows when we are sacrificing. You see even though the world thought Zacchaeus was not worth much. Because of whom he was and what he did; when he took a step to go just a little bit further than the rest of the crowd God called him by name. You know another truth found in this testimony is people have not changed in 2000 plus years. When God calls someone out of the crowd and sets them in honor or calls them to service, there are always going to be those who complain about the sinners’ salvation and calling. Often we have forgotten what the purpose was for Jesus coming after all He came to bring salvation to a lost and dying world.

I love one thing about this testimony that is often overlooked; because of Zachaeus’ sacrifice and stepping out from the crowd God brought change to the man and his household. We are all created in God’s image He has knit us together from the womb and knows every hair on our heads. He loved us so much that He sent His only son that we may live with Him eternally one day. There were lots of people that day who were standing around wanting to see Jesus the one that sacrificed not in honor but in humility and set himself apart from the crowd had a life changing encounter with the Jesus Christ. Is it not time we separate ourselves from those who want to just see and go the extra distance required to show God we are serious about being in His presence. Have a blessed day as you walk in the light of God’s Word.