Problems With Evolution

The theory of Evolution has lots of problems. First: there’s no “new creation” taking place at this time. None! If the Earth evolved, why did it stop? Second: matter is constantly changing, but the trend is always downward – toward deterioration – not upward. Third: lower life forms have, in certain instances, more complex cell formations than higher life forms. For example: frog cells are more complex than human cells. Hmm? And lastly, there’s no fossil evidence indicating that species evolved, and there are NO species that arise gradually. They each appear “all at once – fully formed.” Each in-between stage would have left fossils. And most people are unaware that Darwin’s strongest opponents were NOT Christians, but fossil experts. The Bible says, “…God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27, ESV)

 Something From Nothing

If you can believe, Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,” you should have no problem believing the rest of the Bible. But, the opposite is also true! You’d think any objective person would realize it’s impossible to get “something” out of “nothing.” And saying it took billions and billions of years doesn’t make getting “something” out of “nothing” more feasible. Professor Richard Goldschmidt, a geneticist at the University of California at Berkeley, once wrote, “To suppose that…a random event could reconstruct even a single complex organ like a liver or kidney is about as reasonable as to suppose that an improved watch can be designed by throwing an old one against the wall.” The most un-scientific thought ever conceived by man is that: “something came from nothing.” We came from God, and to God we shall return.

God Is Hovering Over Your Life

Have you ever wondered why God made darkness before light? What’s the principle? God wants us to choose Him. We can choose light or darkness. Without a choice there’s no true love. God wants a Bride who desires Him. It’s not a shotgun wedding! Darkness will always be an option while we’re on this Earth. Though I hate darkness, especially in me, it’s darkness that gives me a greater appreciation for light. Seeing selfishness makes me love selflessness even more. The Bible says, “And the Spirit of God was hovering over the darkness.” Doesn’t that remind you of your life before you received Jesus? When I was suicidal – God was hovering over my life. When I was an atheist – God was hovering over my life. Whatever darkness you are facing right now, remember, God is hovering over your life!

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

No leader had a greater impact in my youth than Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. No words are sufficient to express the courage and wisdom I saw in him. He led the civil rights movement for 13 years. And during that time, more progress was made for African-Americans to achieve racial equality than in the previous 350 years. Somehow, the pure abandon of his life cut through both the national dysfunction and my own personal confusion. A flawed man, like each of us, and nearly every Bible hero, Dr. King remains the champion of abandon and conviction. He wrote, “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” He prayed, “Use me, God. Show me how to take who I am, who I want to be, and what I can do, and use it for a purpose greater than myself.”

Drugs

Is there biblical validation for using drugs? Genesis 1:12 says, “God created all seed-bearing plants, and trees…and God saw that it was good.” Some have used this verse to justify the use of marijuana. But, not every plant is good for every purpose – hemlock is natural, but it’s a poison and will kill you. Try smoking poison ivy! Whatever God creates as good, will always have a counterfeit. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.” (John 14:27, ESV) Everything God created for good has a phony substitute: false peace, false truth, even false comfort. Our ability to determine the truth from the lies will not just affect our life on Earth, but eternity. “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” (Galatians 6:7, NIV) Sow wisely!

God and Resting

“God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when He rested from His work of creation.” (Genesis 2:3) Everything God does is holy, even rest. Resting is a holy act! Rest is NOT being entertained, spacing out, or just having fun. Rest is focused peace! Rest is not renting 3 DVD’s and vegging out! It’s not being lazy! It’s consciously trusting God with our lives! Rest is bowing to God, not the pressures of life, or the “God of performance!” It takes faith to rest in God! We are born “hardwired for rest!” The world is “hardwired for stress! We cannot be conformed to the image and likeness of God and not live at rest. God is not just a “God of Rest!” He’s a “God at REST!” Jesus, give us the rest in You we so desperately need!

Naked

Ever heard this statement? Since Adam and Eve were naked, obviously there’s nothing wrong with nakedness. In Genesis 2:25, although Adam and his wife were both naked, neither of them felt any shame. Shame has been defined as a negative emotion that combines feelings of dishonor, unworthiness, and embarrassment. Adam and Eve’s nakedness was far more than nudity. They were totally open and exposed before God and one another. Before the fall, they were naked, but didn’t see it as sinful. They were exposed, but not exploited! They were naked, but not immoral! They were unclothed, but not unprotected! They were undressed, but not uncovered! They were bare, but didn’t use one another! If you want to get back to the Garden! Live an honest, open and transparent life in the presence of God!

God Determines What Is Light

Do you want to know the most important thing God determines? God determines reality, what is real and what is not, what will last and what fades away, the eternal verses the temporary, right from wrong, truth verses lies. It’s all in His court. 2 Corinthians 4:6 says, the God, who said, ‘Let there be light in the darkness,’ has made this light shine in our hearts…” It is God who determines what is light and what is darkness, not man. God determines what your gender is, what marriage is, what truth is, what reality is. Not man! Not counterfeit light! The world is loaded with counterfeit light…counterfeit truth… even counterfeit peace. Have you identified the counterfeit truth in your life? It’s vital that you do! For only then can you find the eternal truth that will set you free.

Evil

The Devils attacks are always aimed at trying to get us to doubt the goodness of God and the badness of sin! Satan’s main lie is: “Sin’s not that bad and God’s not that good.” Before Adam and Eve sinned, all they had ever known was good. In a few moments, all that would change. Before that time, no human being had ever known “evil.” They had been “spoiled with good!” Evil would shatter all that! How many of us have found that knowing “evil” has been a real bonus to our lives? “Most of the time I feel if I found out one additional piece of information about evil, I would go crazy!” My evil cup is full up! I have seen and experienced way too much evil. “God, deliver us from evil, and fill us with Your goodness!”

Favoritism

Perhaps the most destructive attitude devastating family relationships is favoritism: valuing one child above another. It started in the first family, with Adam and Eve. Their firstborn son Cain’s name meant, “Here he is!” while his brother Abel’s name meant “Unsatisfactory!” One was elevated with, “Here he is!” and the other was deflated, “Here comes unsatisfactory!” How sad! It’s no wonder that Cain was ill prepared for Abel’s offering to God being accepted, while his own was rejected. He’d been fed the lie, “I’m more special than my brother Abel!” and therefore was unable to accept God esteeming Abel’s offering as better. Favoritism led to jealousy and even murder. Down through the ages, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph all had favorites. To see the destructive results, just look at the Middle East. Have no favorites! Love and value your children equally, and your family will be blessed.

Open Minded

Have you ever heard someone say, “I’m open minded!” When Adam and Eve’s eyes were opened in Genesis 3:7, the Bible says, “…they suddenly felt shame, unworthy and embarrassment.” Satan opened their eyes all right! But, there’s nothing more dangerous than a partial truth. Because a complete lie is rarely an effective temptation. At times when our “eyes are opened” we see less-not more. I did drugs – my eyes were opened. I saw less, not more. I had sex outside of marriage – I saw less, not more. I disobeyed my conscience… I saw less, not more. Disobedience always brings shame! So many people are living under a cloud of shame. All that happens is we feel naked…exposed…vulnerable… dishonored…unworthy and …embarrassed!

Cosmic Coincidences?

What takes more faith, believing something came from nothing, or believing that there is an intelligent design in the Universe? Think about this: imagine the size of a full moon in the sky. For every patch of sky the size of the moon, if you look deep into space, there are a million galaxies; and each one of those galaxies contains 200 billion stars, the size of our sun. There are actually as many stars in the Universe as there are grains of sand found on all the beaches in the world. WOW! So did all of that just happen? Is it a cosmic coincidence? Did it evolve from nothing? The Bible says, “God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31, ESV) The most un-scientific thought ever conceived by man is that “something came from nothing.”

The Cure For a Broken Heart

Do you have a broken heart? There’s a cure. The Bible says, “A merry heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22) A joyful heart is the cure for a broken spirit. When our spirit is broken we are discouraged, which literally means to have “shortness of spirit.” The cure for a short or small spirit is JOY! So, where can you find joy? Psalm 16, verse 11 says, “You (God) will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Now the question is, how can someone experience the presence of God? Try these four doorways into God’s presence and His pleasure: anointed worship, agreeing with others in prayer, feasting on God’s Word, and fellowshipping with people who love Jesus.

Let God Kiss You Slowly

Years ago, one of my daughters had a habit of calling me and saying, “Real quick!” As if the conversation had to be rushed. After awhile I connected the dots that I was actually the source of that pattern. Realizing this, I asked her forgiveness, and since then our conversations are not rushed. There are two things your children will remember most about their childhoods: First, how much you loved them, and secondly, how much time you spent with them. A father walked into his little boy’s room late one night. Thinking he was asleep, the Dad quickly kissed his son on the cheek and started to leave the room. As he did, he heard his little boy say, “Why do you kiss me so fast?” Hmm? That’s a great thought! Let God kiss you slowly! He really wants to!

Freedom From Stress

Want to get free from stress? Here are some suggestions. Reestablish control over your life and schedule. Prioritize activities and commitments. Practice saying “No” to good things, in order to say, “Yes” to the best things. Consider doing less, not more. We all need margin in our lives. Margin will give you space to rest, time to heal, room to breathe, freedom to move, and money to spare. Protect open spaces. Periodically prune activities. Limit long-term commitments. Guard the dinner hour. Restore the practice of a Sabbath rest. Remember God is the one who gets things done. Psalm 37, verse seven says, “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him…” At the end of the day, God’s not just the only Person worth waiting for, He’s also the only One who knows what our future should be. 

Of Mice and Snakes

A good friend of mine used to raise snakes, in particular pythons to sell. He had some huge snakes. One named “Goliath” that was 16 feet long. My friend would feed one mouse at a time to the young snakes, but would come back after a few hours to make sure each snake had eaten the mouse. If not, a tiny mouse can kill a snake, ten times its size. What’s the principle? God’s given us all that we need to defeat our enemies. With Jesus as our Lord, the devil is truly no match for us. But, if we fail to destroy the works of the enemy during our window of opportunity, the much “weaker” devil can strike first and defeat us. The Bible tells us the truth, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7, ESV)

Living a Low-Stress Life

People substitute busyness for purpose. We figure if we can’t quench our thirst with an eyedropper, why not use a fire hose? We think we need more, and faster, but if we’re chronically exhausted, chronically late, and chronically rushed, we’re probably “breaking the speed limit of life”. For some people stress is the spice of life, but for others, it’s the kiss of death. I’ve found that my “No” is as important as my “Yes”. So, am I recommending a stress- free life? Actually, I’m not! No matter how tempting it may sound, if we didn’t have changes and challenges, we would die of boredom. Ask someone who’s been to prison, or a hospital, or has a boring job. Prisoners only make 20 decisions a day. Outside of prison people make roughly 120 decisions a day. We don’t need a no-stress life! We just need a low-stress life!

The Elevator

An Amish boy and his father were visiting a mall for the first time. They were amazed when they saw two shiny, silver doors that would move apart and then back together again; neither of them had ever seen an elevator. While they were watching, an old lady, limping slightly with a cane, walked up, pressed a button, and walked into the small room. The walls closed as they waited in amazement to see what would happen next. Suddenly, the walls opened again, and a beautiful, 24 year old woman stepped out. The astonished father turned to his son and said, “Son, go get your mother!” It’s a funny story, but I’ve seen miraculous changes like that played out in hundreds of lives. A person comes to Jesus looking old and tired, and God gives them a youthful, fulfilled, brand new life.

Living a Full Life

We all want to live full lives, but there are different degrees of fullness. Think of your life in terms of four saturation possibilities. There are four primary dimensions in our lives that can make us feel saturated: physically, financially, emotionally and within our time schedules. If your life were a sponge, would your sponge be 80% full? If it is, you have a better chance of being open and available for God to direct and even bless your life. If your schedule is 100% full, you will live hesitant and guarded: buried by what is going on, and afraid to add anything to your already overwhelmed life. Finally, if your schedule is 120% full, as many people’s lives are, you will wake up and go to bed feeling overloaded and stressed. Let Jesus be Lord of your schedule!

Do You Know What You Have?

There was a man who wanted to get rid of his home. So, he went to see a friend who was a realtor. He described his house and grounds to the realtor and asked him to write an advertisement for the newspapers. After his friend wrote the ad, he read it to him. The homeowner was overwhelmed with emotion. He said, “All my life I’ve always wanted a place just like the one you described. But I never knew I had it until I heard what you wrote.” Do we know what we already have? I’ve found that the best cure for discouragement is gratitude. Only one of the lepers Jesus healed was grateful. “…he…turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God.” (Luke 17:15-16, The Message) I am that leper, and my prayer is that you will realize you are as well.

Beneath the Surface

I was once watching two fishermen in a boat off shore. It didn’t seen like they were doing much…just sitting there in a boat. After 45 minutes I was suspicious and didn’t understand what was going on, until a scuba diver came up from beneath their boat. I didn’t know he was beneath the surface working. Hmm? Kind of like the Holy Spirit. Most of the time we don’t see what the Holy Spirit is doing. The reason we can’t find rest is because we don’t trust what God is doing beneath the surface of our circumstances. God is always working! Jesus said, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8, ESV) Where is God’s Spirit blowing in your life? Where is He working?

Knowing God

Do you know the difference between praise and worship? It is important that you do. When we praise God, we focus on what He has done. Anyone can praise God for what He does, even non-Christians! While praise focuses on what God has done, worship is a response to who God is. Only people who have a relationship with God can really worship. When I was a young Christian we tried to praise God for long periods of time, but we didn’t have the depth of relationship to sustain it. After awhile it became mechanical! Until I knew God better, I couldn’t worship Him better. As my understanding of God increased, my response to God increased as well. God tells us in the Book of Jeremiah, “…let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me….” (Jeremiah 9:24, ESV)

Depression

There’s a legend about an angel who was sent by God to tell Satan that every method he used to defeat God’s people would be taken from him. The devil pleaded to be allowed to keep just one; he begged, “Let me keep depression.” So the angel agreed. “Good!” exclaimed the devil, as he laughed to himself, “Through depression, I can secure all the rest.” There’s a lot of truth to that little story. The Bible says, “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.” (Proverbs 12:25) Anxiety produces fear, heaviness, and sorrow, while depression makes us fall down flat. But the Psalmist gives us the cure, “Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again–my Savior and my God! (Psalm 43:5)

Freedom From Debt

Are you struggling with debt? Here are some helpful tips on how to defeat your debt overload. Begin by giving God your first and best when it comes to your time, talents, and treasures. Commit to a budget. Self-control is a fruit of God’s Spirit. Avoid future debt by not giving in to impulse buying. Pay off your debts systematically. Get rid of credit cards. We each get sent many every year. Only spend money on what you need, not on what you want. Simplify your lifestyle. Learn to be content in all and any situations. Eat out less; it’s an expense you don’t need. Enjoy free activities; there are more than you realize. Simplify Christmas and birthdays; special doesn’t have to be expensive. And remember, the best things in life money can’t buy.

Proud To Have a Son Like You

A 17-year old boy in New York City decided to end his life by jumping off a hotel roof. He had been beaten by his father and felt it made no difference to anyone what became of him. A police officer came up on the roof, and after talking for a while said, “I’d be proud to have a son like you.”  The policeman convinced him to come down. The bachelor cop became the young man’s guardian, and the boy went to live with him. A short time later the boy’s mother showed up. She had learned of his whereabouts from the publicity. Fifteen years earlier she had lost custody of him, but she still loved him. Today, he lives with his mother and stepfather in Texas. Those simple words: “I’d be proud to have a son like you,” offered him enough hope to keep on living.

No Accidents or Coincidences

We begin to see God working in our lives when we stop believing in two things: accidents and coincidences. Because neither exist! Nothing just kinda, sorta happens! In Genesis 43, the Patriarch Joseph had not seen ten of his brothers in over 20 years. He was now the #2 leader in Egypt. So, they were completely amazed, when he seated them in the order of their ages, from oldest to youngest. This arrangement of the brothers was so amazing to them because they sensed it couldn’t have happened by chance. Statistically, the odds of placing ten brothers in their precise order of birth would be something like 1 in 40 million. Open your eyes to the improbabilities in your life and you’ll begin to see the miraculous hand of God.

Trust God

Would you like to have a blessed, peaceful, and fulfilling life? No one wants that for you more than God. But you’re going to have to trust Him more than what you see and feel in order to experience this. If you trust God, the sky is never falling! Actually, the opposite is always true! Blessings are about to rain down from Heaven! Stop reacting to your circumstances and trust God. Trust God more than your “perspective”. Trust God to resolve your “past”. Trust God more than your “feelings”. Let’s draw a line in the sand today! Trust God in your famines… trust God with your pain…trust God more than your fears. For He alone knows your future and your destiny. This is a great opportunity to trust God from this day forward.

Abandonment and Rejection

I think abandonment and rejection are two of the most hurtful feelings you can ever experience. The clearest demonstration of abandonment and rejection in my own life was in an oppressive boarding school, from 11years old thru high school. I felt completely alone and discarded. I would tie a towel at the end of my bed at night, indicating I wanted to get up for an early morning religious service. Not because I liked going. I thought it was boring. It was always dark and cold getting up at 5:30. But I would still get up because the person who woke me up would gently shake me; and that simple, two-second gesture was the only loving touch I had all day. Who in your life needs a loving touch, a hug that makes them know they are loved and cared for?

The Value of Tears

Do you see the value of your tears? In Genesis 42:23, the patriarch Joseph, who had been sold into slavery by his brothers, now faced them, but they didn’t recognize him. As they talked openly in a language they thought he didn’t understand, Joseph was so overcome with emotion that he suddenly left the room and found a place to weep. I understand finding a place to weep. I do it in worship. I put my face in my hands when my heart is overwhelmed with emotion. I weep when I hear of a person’s broken heart or a child being abused. I also do it when I’m in desperate need of God either softening my heart or rescuing me as He often does. Jesus wept! (John 11:35) Don’t be afraid to weep. I’ve found it’s a shortcut to God’s heart.

Revenge or Restore

The world’s headline is often: “REVENGE”! But God’s headline is always: “RESTORE”! There are too many angry Christians in the world. First-century Christ-followers didn’t see their enemies converted because they out-talked or out-intellectualized them. They didn’t bully or browbeat them either. They won them over because they out-loved them. They loved those who were persecuting and killing them, and it set in motion a chain reaction of incomprehensible responses that eroded their prejudice and broke open their hard hearts. In this politically charged season, don’t believe the lie that you can lose your peace with a bad attitude and still demonstrate the life of Jesus for others to see. People don’t want the God we talk about, until they see Jesus shining through us. Mercy will always triumph over judgment.

Burned Out Float

A high school class worked on an elaborate float for a parade. It took months of preparation, and three days of continuous work. At last, it was finished and ready to be judged. The night before being presented to the judges, vandals set it on fire, and burned it down to the trailer. Some of the Christian students went to the church, to ask their pastor what they could do. They were angry and wanted to get even. Instead of getting mad he encouraged them to pick greenery and put it on the charred remains of the float. This would say to their classmates, that even in the face of evil and destruction, they weren’t going to be discouraged. They took his advice and when the awards were announced, the burned-out float won 2nd place.

Wait Five Minutes

We rarely, if ever, understand the season we’re in. Consequently, we shouldn’t name what God is doing until it’s over. We’re changing more than we know. Our skin is new every month, our liver every six weeks, even our brains change every year. And we are not the only moving targets. All God’s creation is morphing, from “glory to glory”, from “strength to strength”, from “old to new”. The patterns of God are the same and yet different! Nothing is new under the sun, and yet every day varies from the last. God has given all living things the capacity to renew themselves. Therefore, seeming disorder is the birth pang for God’s new order. Unfamiliar becomes familiar, and random births the new. If you don’t like what’s happening in your life, wait five minutes.

Listening

My wife is one of the best listeners in the history of the world. I’m not very good. Not surprisingly, better to be a good listener than a great speaker. Solomon received the blessing of the Lord when he asked for a “hearing heart”. This so pleased God, he said to Solomon, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies…I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.” (1 Kings 3:11-12, ESV) The Bible says, “Be quick to hear, and slow to speak,” (James 1:19) for it is only by listening can we hear the God who knows the past, present and future. It is only by listening people can sense that we really care.

Forgetfulness and Forgiveness

There’s no question that the Old Testament patriarch Joseph had a hard life. So when he named his first-born son Manasseh, “…he said, ‘God has made me forget all my troubles…’” (Genesis 41:51) Manasseh’s name means “forgetfulness”! And instead of forgetting who he was or where he came from, Joseph chose to forget about his troubles and forgive those who hurt him! In his book The Great Divorce, C.S. Lewis describes “Hell” as a place where no one forgets anything, and remembers every cruel exchange of words, every wrong ever done to them – and everybody is completely unforgiving. If you are willing to revisit your painful past with God’s perspective, you can redefine it for your good. God wants to heal your past if you will just let Him.

Famines

What does the headline in your life read? Hope Lost, or Destiny Fulfilled? The Old Testament Patriarch Jacob saw the famine his family faced as another demonstration that everything was going wrong. But the truth was that God would use the famine to save his family from starvation; reunite Jacob with his lost son, Joseph; and set his other sons free from the guilt and shame of trying to kill their brother. God will use the famines in each of our lives for our good, if we will let Him. One famine in my own life lasted for years, but eventually it established winter as my favorite season. I have seen first-hand “famine” produce in me what “abundance” never could. What season are you in? If it’s famine, and you respond with courage and trust, you will see it as Destiny Fulfilled and not Hope Lost.

Cheating

Have you ever cheated, or taken something that didn’t belong to you? Most of us have. A 21-year old American man was recently sentenced to 15 years hard labor in North Korea for stealing a propaganda banner. Our own government even has a Federal Conscience Fund, which collects money that people send in because they’ve cheated the government in some way. People have sent in money because they took army blankets for souvenirs, cheated on postage, or even on their income tax. Though it may sound trivial, those who know God know He cares about the little things in life as much as the big things. The Bible says, “Catch all the foxes, those little foxes, before they ruin the vineyard of love…” (Song of Solomon 2:15, NLT) I’ve found if I lose sight of the little things, eventually I’ll lose sight of the big things.

Dying For Encouragement

Do you feel like giving up on life? Before I met Jesus, I went through six months contemplating suicide every day. I once read about a businessman who took his life. He left a note that said: “In 30 years I have never had one word of encouragement. I’m fed up!” He was literally, “dying for encouragement.” The Bible promises us, if we will just look to Jesus, “…our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NLT)

God’s Approval

Please don’t compare yourself to other people. Too many of us are living, wishing we were someone else. In Genesis 29, we see that Jacob favored his wife Rachel over Leah. It created an incredible mess, and inspires all of us, that having one wife is better than two. But after having four children, Leah finally began to look to God for approval instead of her husband. It wasn’t Jacob’s love that Leah needed. And so God loved Leah enough to not allow her to be satisfied with anyone less than Him. Leah thought she needed to take Rachel’s place, but she didn’t. The truth is: we don’t need to take anyone’s place! God didn’t make a mistake when He made us. God’s approval is all we really need! As the psalmist wrote, “This I know that God is for me”. (Psalms 56:9)

Good Habits

Do you know what each of us need? We need a really good habit! Good habits are very hard to establish, but very easy to break. Bad habits, on the other hand, are very easy to form, but very hard to break. So, here are some good habits you should consider. Set up a certain time when you can experience the following spirit-building disciplines. Regularly spend time reading or listening to the Bible. Find a translation of the Bible that really speaks to you. Let worship music wash over your soul. There’s a lot of great worship music out there, and it’s so easily accessible. Get connected with healthy Christ-followers, developing friendships and fellowship with other believers. Yes, good habits are very hard to establish, but once they are in place they become the lifelines of hope we all need.

Loving Like Jesus

My heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys may be hidden, but I can’t live without them. I may never have given them a hug, or paid any attention to them, whatsoever, but if one of my life-giving organs conks out, I’ll know about it in a heartbeat. In that 9-1-1 moment, every other member of my stricken body will do whatever it can to get the failed organ up and running again. The same should be true of the Body of Christ. Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35, NKJV) Why should anyone believe we actually have a relationship with the God who is love if we refuse to genuinely love one another? The answer is they won’t! “Jesus, help us to love like you love!”

Prosperity vs. Persecution

PROSPERITY didn’t thrust the early church out to, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19, NET) PERSECUTION did! They were stuck in Jerusalem until Stephen, the first martyr, was stoned to death. (Acts 7:58) Then, God sent them out into “all the world”! Don’t pray for abundance. Pray for obedience. We don’t need abundance to fulfill us. We need God, and the fulfillment that comes from doing His will. Paul said, “…I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” (Philippians 4:11b-12) Like Jesus, who “…learned obedience through what he suffered”, we learn the same way.

Silly Sadness

Have you noticed that much of our sadness is really quite silly? It’s vital you do! I’ve found that on many occasions, I am sad about something I hoped would happen, but didn’t. Then, in time, I realize my preference was absolutely not the best option for my life. In retrospect, my sadness was silly. I should have trusted God knew best, and that He would indeed guide my steps. Instead, I allowed my emotions to go to a darker, more hopeless place, fully embracing the lie that an opportunity had been missed. Actually, the only opportunity I lost sight of was a divinely orchestrated moment of resting and trusting in the God. For, He alone knows all things, and as a loving Father uses His wisdom and power to guide my precious life.

Seeing With New Eyes

Every one of us is created to become someone others will not initially recognize. Jesus experienced this as well. When he stood up in the synagogue in His hometown of Nazareth they said, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” (Luke 4:22, NLT) They saw Him with old eyes, not new ones. He was just the carpenter’s son, not the Son of God. But, before others can see us differently, we have to see ourselves differently. How do you see yourself, from God’s perspective or other’s? Paul the Apostle described this when he wrote “Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11, NLT)

What Do You See?

How we see ourselves will often be how we see other people. If we are not encouraged by who we are, it will be difficult for us to encourage others. How God sees us is how we should view ourselves. Likewise, how God sees others is how we should see them too. We must not focus on what people are not. In Mark 8, Jesus asked a blind man what he saw. He said, “I see men looking like trees.” (Mark 8:24) That was certainly not good enough for Jesus. So, Jesus laid hands on him again until he saw people clearly. God sees each of us as those He loves and cares about. Jesus saw the crowds and had compassion on them because they had no one to shepherd their lives. (Matthew 9:36) “Lord, open my eyes to see myself and others as You see us.”

Festering Regrets

An old man was asked what had robbed him of his joy the most in his lifetime. He said, “things that never happened!” How true! It’s been rightly said, 90% of the things we worry about never happen, and many of the things we wish happened, we’ll never miss. I don’t want to allow my life to become an “almost” or a “could have been”. It is completely within my court to keep an “attitude of gratitude” and focus on God’s “priceless perspective”. Regrets will happen, but festering regrets are unnecessary. They are a plague to our soul. God never intended our lives to end in sadness, but in joy. My life may not seem like, “nothing but net,” but I must never allow it to be “filled with regret.”

Raining Down Blessings

A father of three teenagers, who suddenly lost his 38-year old wife a few weeks earlier, shared a statement that encouraged the both of us. “If blessings were like raindrops, how wet would you be?” What a beautiful perspective! Let me start by saying, “wetter than we think!” We are each more blessed than we know, and if we allow God to take the reigns of our life, our future will be brighter than we can imagine. In the Message Bible, God says, “Open up, heavens, and rain. Clouds, pour out buckets of my goodness! Loosen up, earth, and bloom salvation…” (Isaiah 45:8, The Message) If you can believe Him, God will pour out a blessing on you right now. What do you really need that is consistent with His will for your life? Go ahead! Ask Him for it!

True Success

Just because we can use the Internet, doesn’t mean there are not mine fields within it. The myth in social media is that we are not successful as individuals unless someone’s watching. It is a subtle trap. The greatest moments in life are actually hidden. Hidden with God, with family, and most often hidden from the world. True success must be measured by who authored it: God, others, or ourselves. Too often, we measure the value of what we have done, by the approval of others. It is a bottomless pit, because the long-term reality is that, many of us will live long enough to impact less and less people. It’s the nature of life. Obscurity is ahead for most of us. On the other hand, if we are living for an audience of One, our significance is both eternal and limitless.

 Jealousy

There’s always a reason to be jealous of someone else. But there’s a better reason to appreciate what we have. In the Book of Genesis, when Rachel saw that she wasn’t having any children, she became jealous of her sister Leah. She told her husband Jacob, “Give me children, or I’ll die!” (Genesis 30:1) Though Rachel was more beautiful than Leah, it wasn’t enough. Leah wanted Rachel’s beauty. Yet, Rachel wanted Leah’s ability to have children. Too many people are looking for that thing, that person, that experience that will satisfy them. The key to happiness is being content with who God made you to be. When we stop comparing ourselves with others spiritually, physically, materially, or as it relates to our gifting, we begin to see what we’ve already been given that is perfectly suited for us.

Wait For Approval

Do you spend too much time waiting for the approval of others? Many of us do. In the Book of Genesis, Jacob’s wife, Leah says, “God has given me good gifts for my husband. Now He Will Honor Me, for I have given him six sons.” Leah was still waiting for her husband to truly love her, hoping that the sheer quantity of sons she was birthing would win his heart! Sadly, no human can give us enough love to truly satisfy. We can’t birth enough children to gratify our hearts. We can’t make enough money to placate our souls. We can’t buy enough clothes to make us feel beautiful. We can’t watch enough sports to feel like a conqueror. Without God’s lasting fulfillment we will be left empty and alone.

Discouragement

In 1992, I was so discouraged I had trouble getting out of bed in the morning. Would God forsake me at such a critical hour? No! God was just going deeper to heal me! He was touching one of the biggest areas of need in my life, and it was very painful. There are infinite layers of healing and encouragement needed in each of our lives. But unless we allow God to touch our pain, which will be painful in itself, we’ll never get the healing we need. I have now come to the absolute conclusion: every irritation is an invitation to go to the next level. God wants to heal us more than we could ever imagine, but it will take courage to allow Him and other safe people to touch our pain.

Worship and Acceptance

We don’t worship God to receive His approval. We worship Him to bask in His acceptance. His approval of you and I has always been there. God has never wavered. He’s always been fixed at peak approval. Not based upon what we’ve done, either good or bad, but upon who He’s always envisioned us to be. I was created to be the fulfillment of God’s dreams, not the embodiment of His disappointment. But, only my belief and acceptance of Christ’s death on the cross for my sins and His resurrection from the dead can make this possible. It is my faith in Jesus and willingness to surrender to His Lordship that allows me to bask in His love and acceptance, not just here on Earth, but throughout all eternity.

Courageous Girl: Reta Sharp

Reta Sharp was a poor, somewhat illiterate girl; with uncombed hair. One winter day, when she was 14 years old, she was playing with her 16 year-old friend Tony on a frozen pond. Somehow her friend fell through the ice. Reta tried to pull him out from the edge of the ice, but it gave way. As they both unsuccessfully tried to get out of the water, she did the most amazing thing. He could feel her push her way further down into the water, with her hands going down his body. He then felt the surge of her pushing him up with her arms underneath his feet. She had gone down to the bottom of the pond, and pushed off. With her final surge of strength, she propelled her friend out of the water. He barely made it home alive. His friend Reta had given her life, so that Tony could live.

Record Setting Field Goal

On Nov 8th, 1970, there was a football game between the New Orleans Saints and the Detroit Lions. The game came down to the final seconds to see who would win. In order for the Saints to win they needed a 63-yard field goal. This had never been done before in the history of football. Even today, only one person’s kicked it further than 63 yards. The man who ran on the field to attempt it had no fingers on his right hand, and no toes on his right kicking foot. But Tom Dempsey kicked the ball and set a world record. What limitation do you feel you have? Is it really a limitation, or just another opportunity for God to show off His strength in your weakness? As The Message says, “…the weaker I get, the stronger I become.” (2 Corinthians 12:9, The Message)

When Life Isn’t Fair

Want to know one of the biggest time wasters? Waiting for life to be fair! It’s really a dead end! And what’s even worse is living disgruntled and discouraged because you feel you’ve been treated unjustly. I’ve squandered too many days wishing things were different. All it accomplished was I missed an opportunity to respond well to disappointment. And guess what, more discouragements came. Finally, I accepted that what needed to change was me, not my circumstances. I stopped whining about what wasn’t happening and began to see the value of what was. The Message says, “…when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.” (1 Peter 4:12-13, The Message)

Rules vs. Relationship

God is a God of order, but He values relationship over rules. He will never compromise what is right to retain fellowship, because He doesn’t have to. God navigates the fine line of connection without concession, understanding without undermining His holiness. I have friends I don’t always agree with. But I don’t shrink back from sharing biblical reality with them. Sure there are times when listening to their perceptions wearies me, but it also provides one of the few glimpses into God’s reality they may ever see. The borders of my theology and commitment to truth are sure and sound, but the borders of my love and heart for others are continuing to expand. The Bible says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” (1 Peter 3:15, NIV)

Disappointment

Every time I give in to disappointment it actually means I’m not trusting God. How could we not be at peace if we really believed God was in charge? He already said the peace He provides would go beyond our understanding. So, I will not bow to discouragement, cower to depression, or give in to self-pity. As The Message says it, “We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.” (Hebrews 4:15-16, The Message) My appointment with God will clear up all dis-appointment. His plan is infinitely better than my best intentions. “God, I trust You!”

Trusting God After Being Hurt

The #1 problem that all of us have with God is trusting Him. Since other people have hurt us, each of us are hard-wired not to trust. God knows that! And actually, it’s a set up. Do you think God is unaware that we’re all wired–to not trust Him? He not only knows it, it’s why faith is so pleasing to Him. The Bibles says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6, NKJV) Our faith to trust God after being hurt means we are trusting that He is able to heal our past, stabilize our present, and establish a future beyond our wildest dreams. Don’t let your hurt define you. Let God heal you.

Lieutenant Commander Butch O’Hare

In 1942, during World War 2, Lieutenant Commander Butch O’Hare was a fighter pilot; assigned to protect an aircraft carrier in the Pacific. One day, nine Japanese planes attacked. Simultaneously, his rear gunner’s gun jammed. Alone and unassisted, he fought them off, making sweep after sweep. After shooting down five enemy planes, the remaining four left in a hurry, as Lieutenant O’Hare’s ammunition ran out. For his bravery, he won the Congressional Medal of Honor. He could have said, “Enemy coming from the east, I’m heading west.” But instead, he faced the enemy head on. Today, if you wander the corridors of Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, you will see a statue and plague honoring this courageous man. Lieutenant O’Hare would die in combat two years later. Today, face your fear, and Jesus will help you!

Faulty Expectations

Do you feel like your efforts produce little fruit? All of us do. But, some things just take time. You can have the best seed in the world, but if you dig it up prematurely, because it hasn’t met your expectations, don’t blame the seed, or God. Adoniram Judson tried to go to India as a missionary, but the doors were closed. He then went to Burma for six years, yet saw no converts. When Adoniram Judson died, there were no known Christians in Burma. But a few years later, a government survey revealed that one out of every sixty people in the country had become Christians, totaling 210,000 people. WOW! The Bible says, “Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes…then each one will receive his commendation from God.” (1 Corinthians 4:5, NLT)

Acceptance Without Approval

Being loved unconditionally is our greatest desire. We all want to know that we are loved, no matter what. If a child grows up feeling like he can’t please his parents, don’t be surprised if he or she ultimately feels like they can’t please God. I didn’t know God liked me, because I didn’t know my dad liked me. Too many children live feeling they can never measure up to their parents’ expectations. That if they’re not careful, the love of their mother or father will be withdrawn. Acceptance does not mean that we will always approve of what our children do. We let our kids know that certain behaviors are not acceptable, while we still accept them completely. Unless we know God loves us, we’ll never feel fully approved. Unless a relationship is built on love, it will never last.

The Keel In My Life

I received an encouragement about the significance of my beautiful wife of forty years. It was affirming the reality that Suzie has been the keel in the hull of my life. A structural keel is a beam around which the hull of a ship is built. The keel runs in the middle of the ship, from the bow to the stern, and serves as a basic foundation or spine, providing the major source of structural strength of the hull. Only the ship’s launching is considered more significant in its creation than the laying down of the keel. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keel) Which brings me to acknowledging that, next to receiving Jesus as my Lord and Savior, my marriage to Suzie has been the most significant and stabilizing event in my life. And for this I am eternally grateful. Who, or what in your life, is your keel?

Godly Responses

There are times when the only good move left in life, is a humble response to a shattering disappointment. As true success is measured by obedience, more often than not, the final option left standing is a good attitude to a downed expectation. Since God weighs the thoughts and intents of our hearts, our motives are as important as our actions. Many times the only opening we can see for breakthrough is a godly response. The secret to this strategy of humility is found in the verse, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6, ESV) Humility activates God’s supernatural favor! The question we should ask throughout our day is, “Lord Jesus, what godly response will activate Your marvelous grace?” A good response always beats a challenging circumstance.

Spiritual Claustrophobia

My wife Suzie’s car had a leak in its trunk. So, I had the brilliant idea, that if she locked me in the trunk, as my eyes adjusted to the dark, I could perhaps see where light was coming in and find the leak. As I climbed into the trunk, I was excited about the adventure I was about to experience. But, as soon as Suzie closed me in, I started to freak out. It wasn’t just the darkness. It was the smothering. Call it claustrophobia, which is defined as “an irrational fear of being in a confined or enclosed space.” All I know is, within 15 seconds, I was banging and yelling, “Get me out of here!” Being alone is a horrible feeling! Though we all experience it, God is always there to guide us back into the light.

Success Is the Greatest Test

Many of the greatest tests in life come after great successes. In college, a friend of mine and his sister were competing in a dance contest called the Harvest Moon Ball Dance Championships, held every year in Madison Square Garden in New York City. As I sat there with 25,000 people in the nose-bleed section of the packed arena, I was stunned when my friend won first place. It was amazing! But, what was less than exceptional was watching how, over time, success changed him. You would have thought he’d found the cure for cancer; he became so proud. God wants to humble us and make us only as successful as we can handle, because He’s most committed to our spiritual and emotional well-being.

Convenience and Entitlement

Raised to take the easy path, many in this generation have weak “spiritual immune systems.” Instant gratification has resulted in far less satisfaction, and fostered an inability to persevere under extreme pressure. Being able to “check out” and “press quit” whenever it seems too hard, or if we can’t win, has left too many unable to learn these essential fruits of the Spirit: patience, faithfulness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23, ESV) Convenience and entitlement have always been great temptations. This applies to eternal truth as well. If we don’t stick with what we know to be biblically true, we will eventually be seduced by what is eternally false. The Bible admonishes each of us to “…be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)

Betrayal

If you feel betrayed, it’s probably because you have been. In order to be healed from this common offence, let’s begin by isolating the principle betrayers in each of our lives. The first betrayer is you. None of us are the exact person’s we want to be. We all love “do overs.” The second betrayer in each of our lives is other flawed people. And lastly, there’s the enemy of our souls, the devil, who first betrayed our ancestors, Adam and Eve, in the Garden of Eden. Mistakenly, Adam first blamed God, then his wife, and lastly the devil. So, the next time you are betrayed, don’t blame God first, take responsibility for your own actions, exercise some grace for others, and live mindful there is an enemy of your soul stalking you.

The Do Not’s

We live in world that hates to be told, “Do Not.” Yet, many of us bear in our bodies and souls the scars of laughing at the “Do Not’s.” I’ve buried lots of people who didn’t believe in the “Do Not’s.” You could say that sin is a big “Do Not…” There are actually three primary words for “sin” in the Hebrew language. Each implies going against God’s standard of what’s right. One word for sin means to “fall short,” another means to “twist,” and the last word for sin means to “rebel” against the divine standard. Whether it’s “falling short,” “twisting” or “rebelling” against God’s standards, sin strands us. It fails us, abandons us, blinds us, twists us, and deceives us. It leaves the “good” seemingly beyond our grasp, twisting our will to choose what we know is wrong.

Feasting On the Bible

I’ve heard people say, “I’ve read the Bible, but I don’t get much out of it.” The only way to get something out of the Bible is to really believe it. Believe it like it’s a matter of life and death, because it is. Believe it like it’s the best advice you’ve ever heard, because it is. If you question God’s Word and it’s personal and practical application for your life, then “No!” you won’t get much out of the Bible. But I’ve been reading it with faith in my heart for over 44 years and I can say without a doubt, I always get something out of the Word of God when I believe God is speaking a life and death message that will transform me if I trust and obey Him. Find a translation you like, and then feast on the Word every day.

Cancer or Strep Throat

A 35-year old woman’s mother died of cancer. A few months later she had a severe and persistent sore throat, and was convinced it was cancer also. She felt she couldn’t go through the pain and suffering her mother had gone through, so she reasoned that she and her two children would be better off in Heaven. Notes that she left indicated she was extremely anxious about the cancer in her throat. So, one day she took the lives of her two children, and finally herself. Her actions were totally based on fear. To add to the tragedy, an autopsy revealed her throat condition was not cancer, but simply strep throat. You say, “I’d never do that!”Yet, every time we bow down to fear and refuse to trust God, we destroy part of our future just the same.

Tension Between Hope and Fear

There’s always a tension between the hope of being used by God and the fear that He actually might do it. We ache for Him to use us, but we are somehow acutely aware of the cost of that level of relational connection. Knowing Jesus, produces a desperate longing to want to obey Him. But that passion is always challenged by the trepidation of the impossible journey before us. The Bible says, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:31, ESV) That’s where only by knowing Him, can we trust Him. Knowing His heart and motive for us, assures us that the hope we have in Him is eternal, while the fear we face will pass. “Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.” (Psalm 62:5, NLT)

Eternal Joy Is Ahead

How do you know you are trusting God? When you are convinced every act of obedience will ultimately be followed by great joy, either in the short or long term. The times and the seasons are in God’s hands, but our willingness to trust Him in all seasons is always in our hands and hearts. It depends on who we are looking at. The Bible says, “…looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2, ESV) We can endure anything if we believe there is eternal joy and gladness ahead. But if we believe there is shame and disgrace ahead, then we are believing the father of lies, and not the Father of life.

Cooperation

God does not need our help. But, He does need our cooperation. It is in the emptying of selfish motivations that we provide an environment for God to move in and through us. Obedience to the will of God will always produce infinitely more fruit than the greatest actions we initiate ourselves. The only efforts that finish well are those first started by God and not us. I want to get my heart still enough to hear what God knows is the best of all options…it’s called His will. Cooperate with Jesus, initiate nothing, and success that comes from God’s favor will overtake your life. Submit your will to God and He will direct your steps. Cooperate with God as the Guide of your life, and you will look back with joy.

Fighting Fear

We all face fears. But the key to facing them is not running from them. Paul the Apostle said, “When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside.” (2 Corinthians 7:5, NLT) It’s God’s perfect love for us that exposes fear as a fraud. My confidence is never in me, but in Jesus who keeps me safe and secure. By standing on the promises in God’s Word I have confidence to face the unknowns. God is holding me the hollow of His hand. The Bible says, “…despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” (Romans 8:37, NLT) Despite all of my fears, failures and frustrations, I am created to be victorious.

The Value of Failure

Looking back over my life, I’ve learned far more from my failures than my successes; and infinitely more from my pain than from any pleasure I’ve experienced. We all reflect little after a home run, but striking out repeatedly will scar your soul. God never intended for us to dwell on success. It’s fleeting and seems to just slip through our fingers. But failure, I can camp there for years if I’m not careful. Funny, I can still break down and cry over decade old setbacks. How ironic that some of the experiences I have hated the most in life have ultimately impacted me the most. Wake-up to the value of your failures, and you’ll not only lessen their damage, you’ll mine their eternal significance.

All In For Others

If your child was ill and their future in peril, if it was a sickness that would eventually take their life, wouldn’t you do whatever it takes to save them? Would you pay whatever price necessary to see them healed, even if it meant incredible sacrifice? If it changed how you lived—would you do it? If it costs you everything —would you still be “all in”? In the physical realm, many people would do whatever it takes to save someone they love. A father would fight to protect. A mother would love unconditionally. A brother, sister, or friend would lay down their life. But in the spirit realm, it’s so much more difficult to connect the dots. Yet, that is what Jesus asks us to do. Care as much for others, as if they were the ones we love the most.

Limitless Love of God

Why is the eternal struggle between Heaven and Hell less real than the temporary battles on Earth? Compared to eternity, Earth is a moment. Why do we spend so much time obsessing over our one-night motel, and so little energy cultivating a relationship with the Creator of our eternal home? Why would we give our own blood in order to physically save those we love, and yet not fully believe Christ’s blood alone is able to save those He loves? These are the great paradoxes of Earth. And they are precisely why we must, as the Bible says, “Set our affections on things above, and not on things on the Earth, for we are dead and our lives are hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:1-2) Don’t let the limitations of Earth keep you from walking in the limitless love of God.

Our True Responsibility

Those of us who have been rescued by Jesus should be the most grateful people alive. Yet, how desperate are we for those we love to be saved. If others said it was impossible, would we give up and say, “There’s nothing I can do for them?” If enemies tried to persuade us it was hopeless, would we believe them? If we knew the eternal destiny of those we loved was in some tangible way in our court, that we were a difference maker as to where they would spend eternity, would that sufficiently motivate us to step up—to awaken to our true responsibility? I am my brother’s keeper! I am created to do for others what I would have them do for me. Though it will continually stretch me, I am called to represent Jesus well to everyone I meet.

Marvelously Alive

We all tend to minimize our sin. That merely diminishes the extent of our rescue. When I think, “I’m not that bad,” it undermines the magnitude of God’s goodness in becoming sin for me, and the colossal pain of Jesus being separated from His Heavenly Father. When will I believe the reality

that my unforgiven sin would have separated me from my Creator…forever? Had the God of the Universe not come to my rescue and died for my sins, I would have been eternally lost. Leonard Ravenhill described the criticalness of our condition in this way, “Jesus did not come into the world to make bad men good. He came into the world to make dead men live!” I was hopelessly dead, and now by God’s magnificent grace I am marvelously alive.

Life and Death Prayers

Have you ever considered the possibility that the most strategic person to pray and believe for the salvation of those you love is…you? You and I may be the best shot for our loved ones to be spared Hell and to secure Heaven. If that’s true, perhaps the greatest need for you and I is to wake up and begin praying life and death, desperately passionate, prayers for those God has placed on our hearts. The eternal wellbeing of those we love may very well depend upon it. I know my mother’s prayers were life and death for me. Had she not been that person who stood in the gap for my soul, I have no confidence that I would ever have been saved. What life and death prayers can you pray today?

Humility is Humbling

When it comes to sin, we can wait to get caught, or we can turn ourselves in. The former resists connection to God. The latter opens up an intimate relationship with our Creator that unlocks the essence of our very existence. If, as the Bible states, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble,” then humility is key to experiencing God’s transforming power. (James 4:6, ESV) Rick Warren says it this way. “Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less.” In a full-blown spiritual revival, when the presence of God and conviction of His Spirit are palpable, people rush forward to get right with God. They become eager to humble themselves before Him, even doing things they would have considered humiliating. Face it, true humility is really humbling.

Supernatural Surprises

Since the glorious Day of Pentecost, the Spirit of God has sprung supernatural surprises upon unsuspecting souls. His unexpected, rushing, mighty wind overtakes, revolutionizes, and even thrills us. The joy of the Lord becomes our strength. The peace of God is so infinitely beyond our comprehension it defies our circumstances. And the love of God grips our heart so tightly, we are even willing to die for someone else. Without exception, God releases His supernatural power to redeem and rescue those He loves from natural limitations, inviting us to join Him in His supernatural reality. The God who made the universe wouldn’t plan anything less than supernatural surprises.

Spiritual Has-Beens

Too many rescued men and women of God have gone into early spiritual retirement. They have put themselves out to pasture. The fire that once burned hot to live for Jesus has grown cold. Either we each allow God to rekindle His holy fire in us, or we will become “spiritual has-beens”—a shell of our potential. Starting out hot, we’ve nestled into lukewarm-ness, and lost sight of our true identity: being sold out disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. Have you bowed to apathy and indifference, and missed the sublime identity and destiny God has uniquely prepared for you? “Jesus, awaken us in this sleepy age. We want to live the marvelous one-of-a-kind script you have so beautifully written for each of us.”

Servants

All of us who claim to be Christ’s followers are called to be servants. Only in serving others do we truly represent our humble Creator. Many a nameless, faceless person on Earth, will be legendary in Heaven. Many who make headlines on Earth, are superstars in the minds of men, while humble servants make headlines in Heaven, and are more importantly legends in the heart of God. Out of all possible options available to Him, Jesus chose the lowest position, and “made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:7–8, ESV) “Jesus, we will follow Your example and become servants as well.”

Freedom

There is no family more important to God than His own—the Family of God, the Body of Christ. Though God has created us to serve, we are called to be sons and daughters who serve, not slaves who serve. The basic difference between a son or daughter and a servant is relationship. Do you have a stake in the family of God? Servants serve, and sons and daughters serve, but only sons and daughters will inherit. It has everything to do with our attitude or motive for serving. If serving others ultimately serves our own benefit, then we have made ourselves a slave. If, on the other hand, serving is for the glory of God alone and to bless other members of His family, then we are serving with the heart of Jesus.

Everybody Loves Something

Everyone loves something! We can’t help ourselves. That’s how we’re wired. Hermits love solitude. Misers love money. Addicts love their addictions. Pundits love opinions. And we can see that what we love speaks directly to who we are. Because “God is love” what we love also determines whether or not we love God. (1 John 4:8b, NKJV) Do we love what God loves: people? Do we love how God loves: unconditionally? Why does God emphasize love? Because “three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13, NLT) Love is the greatest because it shows us who God is, not what He does, or how He does it. When you begin to grasp this amazing reality, and bask in the love of your Creator, you will begin to live for the very reason He created you.

What Breaks God’s Heart

Want to know what breaks God’s heart? Relational breaches break the heart of God, while loving relationships unveil the fabric of Heaven. The root of these relational breakdowns is spiritual warfare. Their faces are human, but their roots are supernatural. Why are our relationships so important? Because if only one characteristic of God permeated all that He says and does, it would be love. God not only radiates love, He IS love. (1 John 4:8) It is His essence! And within the Godhead of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, there is harmony based on love. Never lose sight of this most important dimension of God’s heart: that Jesus lives to restore all who are lost, longs to heal all who are hurt, and died and rose to liberate all who are bound.

God’s Nature Is an “Us”

The very nature of the Godhead is an US—not a ME. “Then God said, ‘Let US make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness.’” (Genesis 1:26) God not only incorporates intimate fellowship within the Godhead based on love, but with everyone He created to be relationally connected to Him. The depth of this harmony within the Godhead can perhaps best be seen when it was broken. The cry of Jesus on the cross of Calvary, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” reminds us of the profound love between Jesus and His Heavenly Father. (Matthew 27:45–46, Psalm 22:1) At that heart-wrenching moment His eternal fellowship with His Father was broken. This was perhaps God’s greatest pain of all—a broken relationship. As it is for God, so it should be for us.

Writing People Off

The elephant in any room are its broken relationships. They simmer beneath the surface, breaking both the heart of God and—on some level—each of us. How different the planet would be if, as Christ’s followers, we would try to repair every broken relationship. People have written us off. It hurts! But whom have I written off as well? The day my father died, I was glad he was gone. Though I forgave him a thousand times in my heart, it took over 40 years to completely release the hurt he caused me. But it finally came! Now, he’s the number one person I hope to see again in Heaven. May God make it so! What relationship is broken in your life that God wants to heal? I think you know.

Recognizing Truth

One of the most dangerous results of believing a lie, is that when the truth shows up we don’t recognize it. Jesus is the way the truth and the life, but when He showed up on Earth, most people didn’t recognize the Truth when they saw it. In this age, there has never been a greater proliferation of lies and a wider inability to recognize the truth. Unless our understanding of truth is based upon the unchanging Word of God, we will eventually be deceived and believe a lie. And that distortion of reality will get us so far off track, we may remain lost…forever. “Jesus, only You are the Truth that will set us free. We cling to You more than any one we have ever known.”

No Creator Equals No Future

If there is no Creator, then we have no destiny, no future, just wishful thinking. Everything is mere mythology, based on fiction and not fact. If we evolved as a cosmic coincidence from blobs or slime or frogs, then we have no ultimate purpose and no eternal value. None of us have a future of any consequence outside of God, man’s ego does not give him a future. “God’s will alone” gives us a future. Only because there is a loving God who created us with purpose, do we each have a destiny and something to look forward to. Thank God we each have a magnificent script written before the foundation of the world. Ask God every day to show you His plan for your life, because He will!

I Believe God!

When Paul the Apostle was caught in a life-threatening hurricane, he said, “I believe God!” Not “I believe IN God!” (Acts 27:25, NKJV) Many people believe in God. The Bible says in James 2:19, even the “demons believe in God,” but they refused to surrender their lives to His will. At many points in life, belief or unbelief will be our only choices. At those crucial moments, never forget what God has already told you. He has, I believe, spoken to each one of us, not audibly, but in some tangible way. And if we are going to lead ourselves and others into His will, we need the unshakeable confidence in God’s written Word alone, and not our own will or words. “Jesus, speak again today to each of us. Remind us of who You are, and therefore who we are as well.”

Fighting Battles We Don’t Want to Fight

All of us are called to face enemies and fight battles we don’t want to fight. It was one of the primary mistakes the Children of Israel made when God called them to conquer their promised land. The Bible says in Judges 1:28, “…when Israel grew strong, they…did not drive…out (their enemies) completely.” They didn’t do what God told them to do: drive the enemy out of their inheritance… their future. It even mentions these tribes of Israel by name: Ephraim didn’t drive them out, Zebulan didn’t…Asher didn’t…Naphtali didn’t. Over and over again, they put off absolutely essential, crucial battles. They didn’t realize a fact of life: the enemy you refuse to fight today you’ll have to fight tomorrow. What enemy of your soul are you unwilling to face and fight?

Of Identities, Destinies and Legacies

Do you feel your life has been shortchanged? That the hand you were dealt was unfair. It may surprise you that from God’s perspective we’ve all been given much. Beyond the struggles and setbacks, there’s a revelation of God’s plan and purpose for each of us awaiting to be discovered. The seed of your future fulfillment may seem infinitely small, but when watered by faith and obedience to the promises of God, a mighty harvest of blessing and favor awaits you. The Bible says that His “…divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life…” (2 Peter 1:3, AMP) Our identity is what God has given us. Our destiny is what He’s marvelously planned for us, and our legacy is what we leave behind. Find your true identity and destiny in Christ!

Transitions

Life is all about transitions. Each of us made the transition from eating with our hands as babies, to tackling a spoon as toddlers. That worked on some foods, but in time we needed to expand our utensils and so we picked up a fork. This also proved helpful until it was necessary to cut something, and then came the giant leap…to the knife. Step by step, from one transition to another, we made our move. A pattern that will repeat itself our whole lives, and is essential in order for us to become who God intended us to be. The Bible says, “Don’t despise the day

of small things.” (Zechariah 4:10) So, let me ask you, what transition are you in, and what is God trying to show you? For it is in our transitions that we meet God.

Couples Home Explodes

The same day a couple was returning from visiting their grandchildren, they found that their beautiful home had exploded and was completely destroyed. They had lost everything! It was shocking! How would they respond…with bitterness? … despair? …hopelessness? Much to the surprise of concerned family members they text, “We are so grateful to be alive. The Fire Chief said if we had been home, we surely would have perished in the explosion and fire. God is good! We feel spared. He has other things planned for us. We are so thankful. I’m looking at this as one big opportunity. We will be making the right decisions going forward! We went back and forth on which day we should return. Is there such a thing as sovereignty? I think so!” (Psalm 139:1-10)

Of Lies and Responses

Life is all about our responses. We will each, at times, feel cheated, lied to, and taken advantage of. At these pivotal moments that test us to our core, we can overreact or properly respond, retaliate or evaluate. Much of the evil that has been unleashed upon the world has been fueled by partial truths, over reactions, and bitter responses. More often than not, these half-truths are complete lies that become the ammunition for revenge, which God says is in His court alone. The Bible says, “…if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.…” (Galatians 5:15, ESV) “Jesus, keep us from believing lies and responding poorly to the challenges of life! May we be those who heal and not hurt.”

God’s Leftovers

Do we really believe that God “…is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think…?” That’s His promise to us in the Book of Ephesians, chapter 3. When Jesus fed 5,000 men, plus women and children, He did it with five loaves and two fish. That’s it! To say the least, it was an extraordinary miracle. But what was perhaps even more telling, was the fact that after they had all eaten, they gathered up twelve additional baskets of food. Amazing! God took five loaves and two fish, fed thousands, and had more leftovers than when He started. God will always provide abundantly when needed. What a great principle! The next time you question God providing for your needs, remember, His leftovers are infinitely greater than our entrees.

Big Opportunities…Great Seductions

Many times, when man sees a BIG opportunity, God sees a great seduction. The Bible says, “…when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.” (John 6:15, NKJV) Jesus refused to further His kingdom with personal ambition. Instead, He departed to be alone. When you’re being tempted, go to God, not to the false comforts of this world or the approval of man. Jesus was more interested in obeying His Father in Heaven than being adored by others. I’ve known many people, in my decades of living for Jesus, who followed Jesus as long as He gave them what they wanted. Don’t be seduced by BIG opportunities, let God’s will alone guide your life.

Trusting Jesus in the Storm

Did you ever think that God was not going to come to your rescue? At times, it’s true, He won’t! The Bible says in the Gospel of John, that when His disciples were in a great storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus did not come to them. (John 6:16-18, NKJV) Remember, several of the disciples were fishermen; they were accustomed to fishing in this very lake. It hadn’t bothered them at all that they would be rowing across the lake at night, because in a previous storm (Matthew 8:24), Jesus was present with them in the boat. But in this storm, He asked them to trust his unseen care and concern for them. That’s the question we should ask ourselves today, having seen Jesus watch over us in one situation, will we trust Him even when we don’t see Him in the next. (Mark 6:48)

How to Know If You Believe the Bible

How do you know if you really believe the Word of God? Let’s start by saying what the Bible says we should experience when we read it. 2 Timothy 3 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience] …” (2 Timothy 3:16a, AMP) Hmm? Interesting! When you read the Bible, do you feel convicted of sin, corrected of error and restored to obedience? Let me submit, that if none of those things are taking place when you read the Bible, then you probably don’t believe what you are reading. So, the next time you read the Word of God, remember, God designed it to convict you of sin, correct you from error, and restore you to obedience.

What is God Thinking?

Though most people believe God is watching over them, the real question is, what is God thinking when He does? As we struggle. As we cry out. What is God thinking about me while I’m floundering?” Is He compassionate…concerned… supportive, and cheering me on, or is He indifferent…calloused, and critical? Here are a few Bible verses that show us exactly what God thinks. “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:17-18, ESV) “The LORD is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.” (Psalm 145:8, NLT) and lastly, “God is faithful…he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape…” (1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV)

Easy Street

If we could talk God into it, we’d try and convince Him to make our lives easier. People said to Jesus, “Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do? After all, our ancestors ate manna while they journeyed through the wilderness!” (John 6:30-31, NLT). They were trying to manipulate Jesus into providing daily bread for them, just as God provided manna for Israel. We all want the express train to easy street! Jesus answered, “…Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” (John 6:32-33, NLT) Jesus was trying to lift their minds above earthly things to heavenly realities. Exactly what God’s trying to teach us every day!

Creation vs. the Creator

It has always been easier to know about God than to know Him personally. That’s why the Bible says, “God made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.” (Psalm 103:7, NKJV) But it’s likewise much less fulfilling. People think they experience God in His creation. No doubt, a beautiful sunset or full moon can be breathtaking, but they are merely experiencing His creation, not the Creator Himself. How much greater is the One who made the Universe than anything in it. The Creator of love, beauty, joy and peace is infinitely more magnificent than any of these marvelous dimensions. Only by opening our hearts to the Creator of life can we enjoy His original intention for us: to be sons and daughters of the living God.

Offended with God?

Perhaps the greatest challenge we will face in life is “being offended with God.” The list of the notable offended is long: Lucifer, Adam and Eve, Cain, Judas; on and on it goes. One day, the disciples were whining about the words Jesus was saying they thought were too hard to accept. When Jesus knew they were offended, He said, ‘Does this offend you?’ (John 6:60-61, NKJV) Though Christ’s disciples found His words mysterious and hard to comprehend, it was the parts they did understand that most disturbed them. Jesus calls us to a high standard that is not easily accepted, but it’s ultimately worth the struggle. Don’t be easily offended; take time to work through God’s words with Him. His wisdom is limitless and always available!

Leaving Jesus

One day, Jesus turned to the twelve disciples and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” It was quite a scene! Many would-be disciples were leaving Jesus, and so He asks the twelve if they would go also. He was searching the motive of all who followed Him. Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” (John 6:67-69, NKJV) Until we come to the place where we can say to Jesus, “Where else would I go?” our relationship and future with Him is not secure. Have you come to the place that there’s nowhere else to go but Jesus? If we refuse whom Heaven has sent, then we must accept the fact that no one else is coming.

The Riddle of Spirit and Truth

One of the greatest challenges facing this generation is solving the riddle of spirit and truth. Jesus told us clearly it would be, when He said, “But the time is coming–indeed it’s here now–when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23, NLT) How critical is it for each of us to live this way? Jesus then said, “The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.” It is a riddle that each of us is asked to solve. It would be impossible to say that Jesus was more of a spirit man then a truth man…or vice versa. And that’s what He’s called us to be as well! Equally, “spirit” men and women, and “truth” men and women! Follow the leading of God’s Spirit, as you hold fast to His Word.

Depression

How we see other people is an accurate indicator of our relationship with God. Jesus saw the multitudes as sheep without a shepherd and was moved with compassion. How do we see them? With judgment…prejudice…anger and fear, or with love… understanding and compassion! Before you answer, think about the person you disagree with the most. Not someone you may know personally. How do you relate to that person? 1 Corinthians 13 says, “love is patient and kind.” Jesus ate at “Simon the leper’s” house. He had compassion. Jesus ate at “Matthew the Tax Collector’s” house. He had understanding. Jesus let a prostitute wash his feet. He cared about her. The Prodigal Son’s father saw his son returning a great way off, and moved with compassion, ran to meet him.

Redefining Truth and Love

Jesus said to the crowd who brought the woman caught in adultery, when they wanted to stone her to death, “he who is without sin, let him cast the first stone!” (John 8:7) I don’t want to be a stone thrower. I want to be a stone dropper! We know what we love most by what we defend! Robert J. Ringer says, “People say they love truth, but in reality they want to believe that which they love is true.” Unless we’re speaking the truth in love, we’re not speaking the truth. The world is constantly trying to redefine “truth.” But, only God can define truth, because He is truth. The world is continually re-defining “love”. Only God can define love, because He is love. We must never forget that each of us are caretakers of God’s love, and keepers of His truth!

The Hidden Value of What You Have

There was a woman in the Bible who thought all she had was death, debt and destitution. But what she really had was the seed for a miracle. She came desperate to the prophet Elisha after her husband had died, thinking she had no way to support herself. He then asked her, “Tell me what you have in the house?” She said, “I have nothing but a jar of oil.” But when she collected all of the empty jars she had and poured what she had into them, the oil multiplied, filled them all, and met her need. It will take faith to believe it, but the value of what you have is hidden in the seed God has given you. Within it may be the essence of the miracle you so desperately need. (2 Kings 4) Believe that what God has given is the seed to meet your need.

Prejudice Impedes Our Healing

Is it possible that prejudice is keeping you from receiving the healing you so desperately need? There was a Syrian general in the Bible who had leprosy. But when he asked the prophet Elisha to heal him he told the leper he needed to bathe in the Jordan river in order to be healed. This made the mighty general furious. He complained that the Syrian rivers were better than the dirty Israelite rivers. His prejudice toward another people group had closed his heart and kept him from receiving the healing he needed. When he finally humbled himself and obeyed God, he was completely healed. Is there a person or group of people you have prejudice toward? Perhaps your healing is waiting on the other side of your humble obedience.

Don’t Worry…Trust Jesus!

There are many things worth praying about, but nothing worth worrying about. Worry doesn’t empty tomorrow of its troubles, it only empties today of its peace. Jesus said, “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:31-33, NLT) I want to focus on God’s promises, not my predicament; to live by faith, not feelings. For without faith in God’s Word, I can’t please Him. (Hebrews 11:6) Faith adds wings to your feet, fear adds weights. You were made to fly, not to fall.

God is Pleased with You

Would it surprise you if I said, God was pleased with you? Not everything you do, but everything you are to Him. It is the foundational reality each of us need to know in order to have a healthy relationship with God. Jesus’ ministry was launched with His Heavenly Father speaking from Heaven so others could hear, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” (John 3:17, ESV) Though Jesus knew it, others needed to hear it, and we need to hear it too. He was God’s beloved…but so are we. Ephesians 1:6 says that if Jesus is our Lord, then we are “…accepted in the (same) beloved (as Jesus).” (Ephesians 1:6, NKJV) We are His beloved sons and daughters, not because of what we have done, but because of what Jesus did by dying for our sins, and making us right with God.

Power Comes from Conquering Temptations

Every revelation God gives us will be tested, not to make us stumble, but to firmly embed God-given truth into the deepest part of our being. After Jesus was baptized, and heard His Heavenly Father’s audible approval from Heaven, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” (Matthew 3:17, ESV) He went into the wilderness to be tested.” (Matthew 4:1) Most translations use the word, “tempted” here. Because Jesus overcame extraordinary temptations, He went into this wilderness “full of the Holy Spirit” (Luke 4:1), and yet came out “…in the power of the Spirit.” (Luke 4:14) And so will we! Testing’s are coming to all of us, but they are always meant for our good. As the Bibles says, “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold…” (1 Peter 1:7a)

How Does God See You?

Just because you have experienced great difficulties and even sinned, it doesn’t mean you are defined by those experiences. I have many flaws, but from God’s perspective, I am not flawed. I have suffered great loss, but I am not a loser. I have often failed, but I am not a failure. Even when we give in to sin, God always provides a way of escape. (1 Corinthians 10:13) After listing some of life’s most challenging sins, the Bible offers us extraordinary hope, “Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11, NLT) God doesn’t see us as sinners, He sees us as those rescued by the shed blood of His Son.
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Too Late with Too Little

There are two things we should never believe about our relationship with God: that what He’s given us is too little, and that when He shows up it is already too late. God never shows up late or with too little! The Bible promises, “God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” (2 Corinthians 9:8, NLT) Not all of our wants are what’s best for us, but He knows what we absolutely need, and that God promises to provide. As the psalmist wrote, “Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act.” (Psalm 37:7, NLT) Our trust in the timing and provision of God is the best indicator of whether we really know Him or not; and knowing and trusting God is what life is all about.

It’s Not in the Bible!

Did you know that some of the statements people attribute to God are not in the Bible? Statements like, “God helps those who help themselves,” or “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” The truth is, God rescues those who are willing to die to themselves (Matthew 16:24), and everything in life is more than we can handle on our own (2 Corinthians 1:8, Matthew 11:28). Then there’s “God wants to make me happy,” and “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” The Bible actually teaches that God wants to make us holy, not happy, (1 Peter 1:15), and “…there is great gain in godliness with contentment” (1 Timothy 6:6, ESV). So, the next time you hear someone saying something they claim is in the Bible, do some further investigation. You may find, those cute little expressions only erode the genuine truth of God’s Word that could set you free.

Healing After Total Commitment

At times, we all need to be healed, either emotionally or physically. But sometimes our healings only come after a total commitment. In the Old Testament, the prophet Elisha went to pray for a child who was dead. He had previously sent his staff to be laid upon the child but nothing happened. (2 Kings 4:31) So, Elisha went himself, and actually laid on the dead child, as the Bible recounts, “…putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm.” (2 Kings 4:34) Elisha’s total commitment and obedience to the Holy Spirit had been the difference-maker! It will be the difference-maker in our lives as well. Remember, our total commitment to obey the Lord brings healing.

Who’s Following You?

I grew up in New York City. It was quite a scary place. I remember riding subways late at night, or walking down dark streets and being concerned for my safety. On a few occasions, I was threatened, my money was taken, and I feared for my life. Now, as a follower of Jesus, I know who and what is following me, and that’s made a complete difference in how I process life. The Bible says, “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.” (Psalm 23:6, ESV) Wow! That’s awesome! I’m being stalked by God’s goodness, and overtaken by His mercy. Whenever I focus on this reality, I am filled with His peace. No one can keep us safe like God. Believe His promises and live the fearless life He intended.

You Are a Leader!

Did you know that you are called to be a leader? From their earliest ages, we told our children they were called to be leaders. It made a big difference in their lives. When their identities were threatened by peer pressure and following the wrong people, we reminded them about who they were called to be…leaders! When we were not with them, God’s Spirit reminded them. The truth is, if we don’t lead our children, one of their silly friends will. Ha, Ha! And all children have silly friends. If we don’t rule our spirit, someone else will. Never forget who you are called to be: a leader in pursuit of your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. For it is only in walking in our true identity, as a leader, that we are truly His disciple.

Who is Advising You?

Instead of surrounding yourself with people who will tell you what you want to hear, you would be better off receiving advise from people who will tell you what you need to hear. None of us want to be around negative people. But, at times, we all need to hear what we don’t want to hear. Years ago, when selecting elders in our church leadership, we didn’t want people who were “Yes People” or “No People”, we wanted people who were unattached to yes or no, but were committed to say whatever God asked them to share, with a respectful, God-honoring attitude. Two decades later, we have had many spirited discussions, but with leaders who are more attached to what God thinks, than what they think. It’s brought both peace, health and safety to our church family.

Bronze Serpent

Did you know that even good things can become idols…things that we begin to look to and trust more than God? In the Old Testament, a plague of snakes was stopped when Moses built a bronze serpent. But, over 800 years, the nation of Israel began to worship this bronze serpent. Finally, to stop this idolatry, one of their kings, Hezekiah, broke the idol in pieces. (Numbers 21:1-9) A good thing had become the enemy of the best; worshipping and trusting God alone. Are there good things in your own life that God once did that you are now depending on more than Him: a friendship, some medication, entertainment, even exercise. An idol has been defined as, “trusting in a person or thing to do for me what only God can.” (Bill Gothard)

Created to Worship

Everyone is created to worship. We can’t help it. We’re all worshiping something. Either we worship the useless, temporary idols of this world, things like philosophies, celebrities, entertainment and sports, or we worship the only One worth worshiping: the one true God, the Lord Jesus Christ, Creator of all things. He alone deserves our complete worship and adoration. Jesus said, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.” (Luke 4:8) When the creation worships the creation, our true identity as sons and daughters of the living God gets distorted. Only the Creator of all things deserves our complete love and adoration, our abandoned worship. “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” (Colossians 3:1, ESV)

Of Wins and Losses

Which is potentially more dangerous to your life and future: a great win, or a great loss? I’ve found that often after a great win, I’m attacked by a great seduction. In the Old Testament, King David went after someone else’s wife, Bathsheba, at a time when he should have gone to war. A great king, after great victories, fell prey to a great deception. On the other hand, after experiencing a great loss, I’ve found great opportunities. God’s turned short-term losses into long-term victories, and my personal losses into divine appointments. God spoke to Paul the Apostle, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” Paul then responded, “So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses…for when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9, 10, NLT)

Follow Victors . . . Not Victims

What kind of leader do you want to follow? Frankly, I only want to follow leaders who offer more hope than pain. Not, man-made, wishful thinking hope, but God initiated, fulfilling His will, hope. Leaders who see themselves as victors, and not victims. As genuine hope is eternal, and comes from God alone, only those who know Him can guide us into a blessed future. Only those who have overcome the adversities of life, by trusting in Jesus alone, can lead us to the God who holds the future in His victorious hands. The Bible says when it comes to facing life’s greatest struggles, “…in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37, ESV) If we trust in Jesus, we will live victorious lives, overcoming every battle we face by depending upon Him alone.

“I Don’t Want to Be Led!”

Once, when I was praying in the presence of the Lord, at a very tender moment, I asked God what He would say to me. What He spoke to my spirit changed my life. He gently challenged me, “I don’t want to be led.” I knew immediately He would not be speaking this to me if I wasn’t, in some way, trying to lead Him. I was extremely convicted by this sentence, and filled with emotion, I asked His forgiveness. It has made all the difference. Since that time I have focused on getting out of God’s way, to allow Jesus to lead my life. So, the next time you think grabbing the wheel from God is a good idea, remember this: “If you try and orchestrate it, all you’ll do is contaminate it.” (Mike Breen)

How We Should Live

Would you believe it if I told you that why Jesus came is how we should live? Well, believe it, it’s true. Why Jesus came is how we should live! The Bible says, “…the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28, NLT) Jesus added, “As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” (John 20:28, NLT) Jesus, came to serve and give, and He said He was sending us to live the exact same way: living to serve and give to God and others. Now the ball is in our court. We can fulfill God’s will for our lives as well. Be like Jesus: spend your life serving and giving to God and others. Only then can you live the abundant life Jesus promised.

Doubting Jesus

Have you ever thought, “I’d believe if I could see a miracle?” Maybe so. Maybe not. Even those who saw the resurrected Jesus still doubted. When He had His final conversation with eleven of His closest disciples, some still doubted. They had seen Him perform numerous miracles, die on a Cross, and rise from the dead. And yet, the Bible says, “When they saw Him, they worshipped Him, but some doubted.” (Matthew 28:17, NKJV) WOW! What else could He have done to prove Himself to them? Nothing! This was not a question of Jesus doing more. It was a matter of them exercising their faith more. As James, the brother of Jesus, wrote, “…ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:6, ESV)

Vision Begins with Faithfulness

God is a God of vision, who wants to give each of us vision for our lives. But there’s a reason some people never walk in a God-given vision. It’s because, if we can’t be faithful to follow someone else’s vision, God can’t trust us with our own. Jesus said, “And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own?” (Luke 16:12, ESV) The answer to this rhetorical question is this: no one. We have to follow well, before we can lead well. We must be teachable before we can teach. So, don’t despise the day of small things. Elisha had to faithfully follow Elijah before the mantle fell upon him. The Bible says, “…those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2, NIV)

Training Your Soul

We all need to let God train our soul: our mind, will and emotions. Many of the instant gratification dimensions of this age, work contrary to training our souls. I remember as a young Christian, in my early 20’s, an older brother in the Lord challenged me, “Francis, the things you like to do, you do very well. But, the things you don’t like to do, you hardly do at all.” WOW! Bullseye! I had to begin to do what I didn’t want to do, what God was asking me to do, for my good. Even Jesus needed to train His soul. The Bible says, “Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience (compliance or submission) from the things he suffered.” (Hebrews 5:8, NLT) And so will we! No one starts out with a trained soul.

The Most Controversial Thing Jesus Did

This may surprise you, but the most controversial thing Jesus ever did was love people, and if we follow Him, it may be the most controversial thing we ever do as well. Jesus said, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35) The most contentious thing Jesus ever did was love the seemingly unlovable: sinners, tax collectors, prostitutes, lepers, gentiles, even His enemies. This turned the religious world of His day upside down, and it will turn your life upside down as well. And Jesus commanded us to do the same thing, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you…” (Matthew 5:44)

The Christmas Secret

Two of the greatest parents who ever lived were Mary and Joseph. Both knew they were raising the Son of God, as the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her who Jesus was. “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:32-33, ESV) Likewise, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream revealing Christ’s identity as the Son of God. What an extraordinary stewardship! Yet, it appears Christ’s parents kept this secret from His younger siblings, who did not believe Jesus was the Messiah until after the resurrection. What secret stewardship has God given you?

End of Year Resolutions

We are all familiar with beginning of the year resolutions, but end of the year resolutions may be even more important. Closing chapters of our lives can impact us just as much as opening new ones. Each of us struggle with our past more than our future, and yet how we reconcile the past has perhaps the greatest impact on our future. So, as this year ends, what relationships do we need to reconcile? What forgiveness can we offer? Who can we contact to make their day, even their year? What regret must we bury? What hope must we resurrect? Paul the Apostle, a man who made many mistakes, wrote, “…I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3:13-14, NLT)

Dying to Self

Dying to self is a major part of training our souls. Speaking of Jesus, the Bible says, “And being found in human form, he humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:8, ESV) In “Human Form” or, as one translation says, He was “found in fashion as a man.” This is the same wording used in ancient times when a king exchanged his kingly garments for a brief period of time to become a beggar. That’s what Jesus did. As the King of the Universe, He humbled Himself. He willingly stooped to the measure that was needed: to be humiliated. “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.” (1 Peter 5:6, NLT)

Being Credible Makes You Incredible

Some people are more concerned about being incredible, than being credible. But, if we focus on making our lives credible, God will make them incredible. In our celebrity-enamored culture, gifted people have more clout than those with character. Yet, in eternity, what matters most to God, should matter most to us. And what always matters most to God is our reflecting Him and the fruit of His Spirit. The Bible says, “…the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23, NLT) Make your life credible by yielding to the fruit of God’s Spirit, and your eternity will not just be incredible, your life on Earth will be as well.

Is Your Life Believable?

We’ve all seen movies that have touched us emotionally. If you’re like me, they’ve even brought you to tears. And yet, they are just actors, acting! In the 19th century, there was criticism that the preachers were too theatrical. The Bishop of London once asked Garrick, a well-known actor, “Why is it that actors, in representing a mere fiction, can move an audience to tears, while ministers, in representing the most solemn realities, can scarcely obtain a hearing?” Garrick replied: “It is because we represent fiction as reality, and you represent reality as fiction!” Wow! What a response! Do I represent God in my life as reality or fiction? Is my life believable? Do I live like I know about God, or actually know God? “Jesus, make my life believable, like Yours!”

Forgive and Forget

Joseph, the Old Testament patriarch, had every right to become bitter toward the brothers who sold him into slavery; to hate the employer’s wife who lied and sent him to prison. Even toward God for allowing all this to happen. But Joseph guarded his heart. He did it by letting go of past pain. Joseph named his first son, Manasseh, which meant “forgetfulness.” He chose to forget about his troubles and forgive those who hurt him. (Genesis 41:51) Because of this he was able to name his second child, Ephraim, which means “fruitfulness,” saying, “God has made me fruitful in this land of my suffering.” (Genesis 41:52) We each have the same choice. Are we are willing to forgive and forget in order to live fruitful and abundant lives? The success of our future is always linked to the healing of our past.

Shalom

Have you ever heard someone say “shalom!” It’s a beautiful Hebrew word. I used to think it just meant “peace,” but it means much more than that. Shalom speaks to our wholeness, well-being, safety, happiness, completeness, our peace, security, prosperity, victory, contentment, and rest. The symbols for the word shalom actually read, to “destroy the authority that binds to chaos.” It is derived from a root word, which means “to restore what is needed in order to make someone or something whole and complete. The Bible says, “Keep turning your back on every sin, and make “peace” / “shalom” your life motto. Practice being at peace with everyone.” (Psalm 34:14) Shalom…be whole, completely at peace, restored by the blood of Jesus, and the marvelous grace of God.

When Hope’s Inside You

Each of us believe many things in our heart, but nothing more important than hope. No conviction is more-essential, more life-giving, more encouraging, than hope. The Bible says, “…sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you.” (1 Peter 3:15, NKJV) “…the hope that is in you.” Hope has been defined as “…that which is contrary to all human expectations.” Wow! If what we are hoping for has no natural reason to happen, then our hope must be in the God beyond the natural…the super-natural God of the universe. Only He can give us the eternal, beyond expectation, hope that we need. Today, put your complete hope in God. He alone can exceed your expectations.

Kindness

In the Old Testament, when David became King, he could have been vengeful and, like his predecessor, King Saul, try to destroy Saul’s son Jonathan’s descendants. Instead, David did the opposite. He said, “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” (2 Samuel 9:1, NKJV) The word “kindness” here is a beautiful word meaning “loyal love.” Wow! Showing kindness is demonstrating “loyal love.” David then allows Jonathan’s physically disabled son, Mephibosheth, who called himself a “dead dog,” to eat at his table. He showed Mephibosheth loyal love. Isn’t that what God has shown us? Isn’t that what He wants us to show others…loyal love? Today, who can we be kind to…to whom can we demonstrate loyal love?

Live Ready!

In 2016, I interviewed two of the young men who, the year before, had stopped a terrorist attack on a French train. Spencer Stone and Anthony Sadler Jr., with a third friend, courageously intervened and prevented a heavily armed terrorist from inflicting untold injuries. For their efforts, the President of France gave them medals. I was stunned at how their response was to immediately run toward the danger. It provoked me to assess my own willingness to be courageous. I then had a serious conversation with my wife Suzie about what I would do if, in the future, I was confronted with a life-threatening situation that I could possibly prevent. My conclusion: I want to live and, if necessary, die courageously. If we have to get ready, we’re too late. We must live ready!

Being Whole-hearted

It is obvious when reading Scripture that God is asking us to whole-heartedly follow Him. But what does this mean? Wholehearted in the Bible is the Hebrew word “tamim” which means “without uncertainty, undivided and resolute.” It doesn’t indicate ideal moral perfection, but speaks to our relationship with God. Some of us are wholehearted in our work, career, ambitions, dreams, and desires, but are we wholehearted, without uncertainty, undivided and resolute in our relationship with God? God’s not asking us for perfection, but He is asking for us to give Him our whole heart! Jesus said, “You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37, NLT) “Jesus, I want to whole-heartedly live for you. For in the end, it’s all that matters.”

Hope Without Disappointment

Want to know the cure for hopelessness? It’s Hope! Pretty surprising, huh? The Bible says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12, ESV) Is it possible to have hope, without disappointment? I believe it is! Here are five requirements for experiencing hope without disappointment. First, realize that hope without diligence is mere “wishful thinking.” Second, accept that you can’t become more than you hope to be. Third, acknowledge that hope always works in tandem with faith. Fourth, believe what God has ordered for you, is not just good…but is exceptional. And lastly, hope not just for better days, but also for a better understanding of God’s love for you, and a greater acceptance of His will.

Is your Identity, Fear-based or Faith-filled?

Are you viewing your life through a lens of fear or faith, hope or hopelessness? One way of evaluating your answer is to consider, do you have more fear or faith about your future? If your answer is fear, how can your fear be replaced with life-giving faith? The Bible’s equation is clear, “…faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17, NKJV) It’s God’s Word that builds our faith. It’s His truth that sets us free. Who knows more about your future than God? Wouldn’t His view of your true identity and destiny produce the most faith in your life? We can build faith muscles every day by spending time in the Word of God. Only then will our lives become faith-filled and not fear-based.

Confident on Judgment Day

Would you like to have confidence when you stand before God on the Day of Judgment? I know I would! The Bible provides a sure-fire way to make that happen. It says, and I’m paraphrasing, “God is love, and whoever abides in (His) love abides in God, and God abides in him.” It goes on to say, “By this His love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment…” Why? It continues, “…because as (God) is (full of love) so also are we…” And then it lands the plane, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us.” Bam! (1 John 4:16b, 17, 18, 19, ESV)

How Do You See God

How we see God will determine who we become, for it demonstrates how we see ourselves, and how we will ultimately act toward others. Is God loving, kind, critical or judgmental? Since we are made in the image and likeness of God, the Bible says, “…as he is so also are we in this world.” (1 John 4:17) We must have of an accurate view of who God is in order to represent Him well. If we believe what the world says about God, then we will present mere distortion. But if we believe what the Word says about God, our lives will be an epistle known and read by others, representing Jesus as He truly is: the loving God of the Universe who came to Earth to die for our sins, and then rose victoriously so we can live victorious and triumphant lives as well.

How to Get Prayers Answered

Want a sure-fire way to get answers to your prayers? The Bible provides clear guidelines. It says, “And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.” (1 John 5:14, NLT) God wants us to be confident that He hears us when we pray for, as the Bible says, “…anything that pleases him.” The Bible continues, “And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.” (1 John 5:15, NLT) So, let’s sum it up. If you want 100% of your prayers to be answered, do this: fully submit to God, want His will more than your own, discern what’s on His heart, and join Him in praying for just that. Then you will enjoy a relationship with the One who wants your prayers answered more than you do.

God Grieves

Have you ever been really hurt by someone? All of us have! But no one hurts more than God; especially when His heart is broken over the rebellion of His children. Winkie Pratney writes that the word “grieve” in Genesis 6:6 is almost untranslatable: it means to have difficulty breathing, to gasp, to be so deeply hurt and wounded that you cannot breathe. Our sin takes God’s breath away. We may wink at our sin, but God gasps. The Father knows the value of our soul is priceless. That’s why He sent His only begotten Son to die in our place. When we are hurt we want to fight and kill. When God hurts He wants to bleed so others can live. He gives us each a choice. May we receive His new nature and live.

Bigotry

A modern definition of the word “bigot” states that a bigot is “a person who is intolerant toward those holding different opinions…” That may strike closer to home than we’d like to admit. So, before we start throwing the word “bigot” around, we might consider that our judgment of other people’s seeming bigotry, may qualify us as equally bigoted. We may actually become the biggest bigot we know. Ouch! Jesus said, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:1-3, ESV) “Jesus, let us treat others as you did when you were on this Earth.”

Illusion vs. Incarnation

Never lose sight of who God created you to be…a reflection of the Lord Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world. Either we are tragically being conformed to a world that the Bible guarantees “will pass away” (1 John 2:17), or we are being gloriously transformed by the Word of God that will last forever. (1 Peter 1:25) Jesus made it clear, “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.” (Matthew 12:30, NLT) We can become “momentary culture clones” and forfeit “God’s eternal character.” Don’t trade your birthright for a hot meal, reflecting man’s illusion and not God’s Incarnation. Jesus died to destroy sin and death. Live a godly life, passionately representing Jesus, and you will die having finished well.

Persecution of Christians

I wake up grateful, every day that I can freely worship Jesus in America. I never want to take that for granted, because it may not always be so. In 2016, Christians continued to be the most persecuted group around the world. The upcoming report from the Italian-based “Center for Studies on New Religions,” determined that 90,000 Christians were killed for their beliefs worldwide last year. So sad! Nearly a third, were at the hands of Islamic extremists like ISIS. Others were killed by state and non-state persecution, in places like North Korea. 600 million Christians were prevented from practicing their faith in 2016. Thank God every day that you can freely worship Jesus, and pray for fellow Christ-followers around the world who are being persecuted and cannot.

Being Judged

Have you ever felt inappropriately judged? One of the most hurtful things in life is when you have a good motive, and you’re judged for having a bad one. That’s how Joseph felt when, for no fault of his own, he was his Dad’s favorite, and his brothers judged and hated him for it. But, he never complained and allowed bitterness to smother his life, even after being sold into slavery, unjustly put in jail, and forgotten by people he helped. In a similar way, David felt judged when he was courageously willing to fight Goliath, but his older brother accused him of pride, saying, “I know about your pride and deceit. You just want to see the battle!” (1 Samuel 17:28, NLT) Remember what the Bible says, “But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.” (1 Peter 2:20, NLT)

Lightning Bolt Thoughts

How do I know a thought I’m having may be of God? My answer? I would never have thought of it in the first place. Now, that may sound overstated, but, many times, I’ve found it to be true. The Prince of Preachers, Charles Spurgeon described it this way, “Pull up short every now and then, and the passengers on your coach will wake up.” God wakes me up with a lightning bolt thought. And as I soak on it, I realize He has presented me with a solution to a problem, a revelation of insight, or a brilliant opportunity to step out in faith and obedience. One final test. If the new thought produces confusion, forget it, it’s not God. But, if it makes you afraid. Wonderful! It may be time to get out of the boat and walk on water.

God’s Cause vs. Your Cause

What are you most passionate about, God’s cause or your own? When David’s brother accused him of being proud, David’s feelings were hurt, but he was more concerned with how God felt than how he felt. That’s how you know if you have God’s heart. King Saul and everyone else facing Goliath were concerned about their own cause. David was concerned for God’s. He said, “Is there not a cause?” (1 Samuel 17:29, NKJV) Like Jesus, he was being mocked and ridiculed for doing what is right. But, like Jesus, He cared more about what His Heavenly Father thought, than what man thought; God’s cause, more than his own. We have the same test today. Be passionate for God’s cause and you will not just be fulfilled, but you will fulfill your life’s purpose.

Picking Up Pieces of People

We live in a world of imposters. People trying to be something they’re not. Putting on someone else’s identity. Saul tried to put his armor on David. David refused. The only way we can ever fulfill our destiny is to become the person God intended, not others. God will always test you to see if you are following Him, following yourself, or following someone you want to impress. What inner armor is God developing in you? Every test we’ve ever been given will be essential up ahead. Don’t despise the “day of small tests”. I was picking up a piece of paper on the street and God reminded me it was a “habit of obedience” formed in me 40 years ago. What began with “picking up pieces of paper” matured into: “picking up pieces of people”.

Jesus, Our Prophet, Priest and King

Will you let Jesus be your Prophet, your Priest, and your King? A Prophet, to reveal God, to speak for God, and to communicate the truth God wants you to know. (Acts 3:22-23) A Priest, who offered Himself as a sacrifice for your sins (Ephesians 5:2). And as your King, to rule and reign over your life (Matthew 21:5). As God, come to Earth, Jesus embodies all of these intercessory qualities. If you let Christ’s Word speak to you He will guide you into truth that will set you free. If you allow His blood to cleanse you, you will be washed clean from the stain of past and present sins. And if you empower Jesus to lead and guide your every decision, your life will overflow with the peace and joy of God. “Jesus, today, be my Prophet, Priest and King!”

We’re Never Alone

One of the worst things we can ever believe is that we can be whoever we want to be in private. Many have destroyed their lives believing this. If we can’t defeat the enemy when we’re alone, we’ll never defeat him in front of other people. Actually, if we have a relationship with God, we should realize we’re never alone! Jesus said, “Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!” (Luke 12:3, NLT) We must fight to win the battle for our heart and mind. The Bible says, “…let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God…” (Ephesians 4:23-24, NLT) Having the mind of Christ means washing our thoughts with God’s Word.

Quick to Label, Slow to Love

Far right! Far left! Liberal, conservative, progressive, moderate, straight, gay! We live is a culture that is quick to Label, but slow to Love. Labels that often hurt, and almost always divide. Jesus lived in a similar world: publican, Pharisee, leper, sinner, adulteress, tax collector, Jew, Gentile, Galilean and Samaritan. Will Heaven be as divided? Hardly! Our sins will be placed in the sea of forgetfulness. (Micah 7:18-19) Even on Earth, the Bible says, “…all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:27-28, NLT) So, bring a little Heaven to Earth. Remember what the Bible says, “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them…” (Romans 12:9. NLT)

Winners Not Whiners

At one point in my life, I didn’t thank God for anything, and blamed Him for everything! Yet, none of us have been short-changed by God. We’ve all been “lavishly overpaid.” He hasn’t cheated any of us. The final chapter is not in. Don’t give up on your life! God hasn’t! How’s He doing? Great! So, if God’s doing great and I’m following Him and trusting Him, then I should be doing great also; as far as my perspective and attitude is concerned. When a team wins the Super Bowl, every one of their players wins also. They may not have played for one second, but they’re still winners. If you’re with God, you’re created to be a winner…not a whiner! The Bible affirms this, “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 2:14, NKJV)

Celebrating Our Differences

Can we still celebrate our differences, or has peer pressure become so pronounced in our society that we have to walk lock-step in order to be heard and accepted? When the Bible says, “God made the woman for the man…” (1 Corinthians 11:9) should this offend women? Or regarding the humorous quote, “God made the man before the woman, because you always make the rough draft before the masterpiece.” Should this sentence diminish me as a man? Hardly! It makes me smile. Even more than that, it reminds me of God’s exhortation to me: “…but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3, ESV) Opposites are meant to attract and to accompany; so we should celebrate our diversity. I don’t compete with my wife, I complement her. Celebrate the differences in the people around you, and you’ll begin to see others as God does.

You Sleep with God!

A three-year old ran into her parents’ bedroom in the middle of the night saying, “Mommy, I’m scared,” The mother, who was only half-awake whispered, “Go back to bed, sweetheart. God will be there with you.” The little girl stood still for a moment and after pondering what he Mom had said, blurted out, “Mommy, I’ll sleep here with Daddy and you go in there and sleep with God.” HA! It’s a funny story, but with a profound reality. Sometimes, we need to see and sense God in a human being, not just in the Spirit by ourselves. Be God-in-the-flesh today! Someone needs to see Jesus in you! “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)

Reclaiming Your Childhood

I want to tear down every stronghold in my life. I want God to rip them out by their roots! The Bible says, “…the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds…” (2 Corinthians 10:4, NKJV) All of us are in a battle to pull down strongholds in our mind…from our past. Strongholds of fear, bitterness, selfishness, anger, lust, pride, depression and unbelief. These are high places, where we sacrifice our future. Or, we can regain the ground once conceded to the enemy of our souls, “…casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…” (2 Corinthians 10:5, NKJV) It’s time to recover from the wounds of your past. It’s time to redeem your thought-life.

Externally Attractive vs. Eternally Attractive

We live in a world that’s obsessed with being externally attractive, not eternally attractive. So, don’t be distracted if God’s will on Earth look’s unattractive. It may be unattractive to buy a used car…to downsize…to not be in a relationship…to shop at Good Will…to rent a house. But, low tide is the best time to buy in. And only God knows what low tide looks like. It looks like: a baby in a manger…like having your back to the Red Sea…like facing off with 450 prophets of Baal…like three men in a fiery furnace …like a Man hanging on a cross and a large stone sealing His tomb. You’ll need to hear from God before you buy into your “low tide” circumstances. Faith comes by hearing and obeying, (Romans 10:17), and only faith pleases God. (Hebrews 11:6)

Dissatisfaction in Advertisements

Why are so many people dissatisfied? In part, it’s because the world’s advertisers want to keep you discontented. They can’t make any money if you’re satisfied with your life. You’ll never hear a commercial say, “You’ve got to be content with what you have…our product won’t give you contentment. Save your money and buy only what you really need.” What if you can’t afford to buy the house, the cars, and the clothes? There’s nothing wrong with having nice things if it’s God’s will for your life…if they don’t have you…and if you can afford them. “Being content makes poor men rich, and being discontent makes rich men poor.” (Randy Alcorn) Life, that is truly life, has nothing to do with money. Truly living is giving, sharing, and being generous. Jesus said, “You’ll be happier giving!” (Acts 20:35)

Looking Forward

Because there’s a loving God who created us with purpose, we each have a destiny; a script written before the foundation of the world. When we say destiny, we mean our future in God, not just in Heaven, but here on Earth. How do you see your future? Even at Paul the Apostle’s lowest moments he still looked forward to what God had ahead of him. He wrote, “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14, ESV) That’s what the Christian life is about: looking forward: It will take faith, hope, and love, but He will give you the grace you need. Look forward! God’s perfect will, is waiting for you there.

Divisions in Our Society

Are you struggling with the divisions in our society? Most Americans are! Seventy-seven percent of all voters, think Americans are less tolerant of each other’s political opinions than in the past. Forty percent say the last election has negatively affected their personal relationship with a friend or family member. (Barna Group) And that really hurts! Frankly, we are less tolerant of others. Tolerance is defined as “the ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with…” It doesn’t say we have to like or agree with someone else’s opinions or behavior, but it really is essential in order to coexist in a pluralistic society. The Bible says, “…if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.” (Galatians 5:15, ESV)

Listen to God and Live!

There’s a waterfall in Yosemite National Park in California called Vernal Falls, with some startling signs. After climbing a narrow trail to the top of the falls, a sign reads, “Extremely dangerous area ahead!” Clear enough! But a few feet later, another says, “Smooth slippery rocks…moving water…stay back from the water’s edge.” A little stronger! But, just in case you missed the point, the sign ends with, “If you slip and go over the water fall you will die!” Wow! How do they know that? Because, people went further…and died! Hmm? Are you heeding God’s warnings? Your life depends on it. Paul the Apostle was on a ship that was about to be destroyed. He told everyone, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” (Acts 27:32) They listened and lived. Listen to God’s warnings, and live!

Mule Fell into a Well

A man’s mule fell into a well. But there was no way to get it out. He decided he’d get a shovel and cover her up. It would be cruel, but less cruel than letting the mule starve to death. So, the man took a shovelful of dirt and threw it down the well. We’ve all felt the dirt of failure, pain, and hopelessness pile on us. We’ve been smothered by our sin, our mistakes. But, every time a shovelful of dirt hit the mule, she’d shake it off and stomp it. Before long, the mule had shaken off enough dirt, so that she was high enough to jump out of the well. That’s what Jesus did for us. Our sin was piled on Him. He stomped it under His feet, conquering sin and death that we might live.

Rock in a Faucet Story

My twin brother Joe had a kitchen faucet with no water pressure at all. So, the city sent out a work crew to dig up the street and find the problem. After working all day, they couldn’t figure it out. Joe then said, “It’s really weird, because the faucet in the bathroom works great!” At that point, the foreman’s eyes got real big. He walked over to the kitchen faucet, unscrewed the filter, and pulled out a small rock. He looked at Joe with disbelief and packed up his crew. I’ve seen that look on people’s faces toward me as well. It’s pity, mixed with disbelief. But, it makes a good point. We can spend all our energy digging for the root of a problem, when the Holy Spirit can reveal it to us in a second. Spend more time praying and believing, and less time worrying and doubting.

Who Can I Help Today?

Ever been around a “Cup is completely empty kind of person.” I had a roommate in college during my “I’m a hippie, why don’t you feel good about supporting me?” phase. I was crashing in his room, because no one wanted to be around him. He’d draw dark, moon craters and hung them on the wall, “Just in case anybody was feeling good!” I once asked him if he was enjoying reading a book. Just to break the ice…the thick, two feet of ice. He slammed the book shut and said, “I wouldn’t be on page 158 if I didn’t.” Lightning flashed, thunder rolled, a wolf howled; and mothers held their children tighter. Now, decades later and knowing Jesus, I so wish I could have helped him. There are so many lost souls out there. Who can you help today?

God’s Sun Bathing

One day, the prophet Elijah made an unthinkable request of a destitute mother, “Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and cook your ‘last meal,’ but bake me a little loaf of bread first. Afterward there will still be enough food for you and your son.” (1 Kings 17:13) It must have sounded like, “I hear you! You’re going to eat your last meal and die. That’s great! While you’re at it, I’ll take two eggs over easy with waffles. Do you have real butter?” Elijah seemed oblivious. Do you ever feel that way about God? You’re freaking out and He must be sun bathing. Many of us are more afraid of stepping out in faith than the consequence of not stepping out. But, the real issue is trust. Faith in God only begins when we’re willing to trust God completely and not ourselves. Try trusting! It works!

Of Symptoms and Roots

If we lack hope, in some way, we have believed a lie. It reminds me of a story about a man who late one night, in the middle of nowhere, had a flat tire. He had no jack, and so began to walk to the only house around, way off in the distance. As he did, his mind raced. “Maybe they won’t have a car jack. Maybe they won’t want to give it to me. Maybe they’ll think I’m a robber.” By the time he arrived at the house, he’d worked himself into such a paranoid state of mind, that when the door opened he yelled, “You can keep your stupid jack!” When things go wrong, our reaction will surface what God’s trying to get at. He’s after the things that go “ouch” in the night. Remember, whatever your challenge is, it’s the symptom, not the root.

Victims or Victors

When you get out of bed in the morning, do you see yourself rising as a “victim” or a “victor”? When you look in the mirror, do you see someone overwhelmed or overcoming? How we see ourselves is infinitely more important than how others see us. But, what is most important, is how God sees us. He created us to be victorious; overcomers, “triumphing in every situation.” But, you ask, how am I triumphant if I don’t feel triumphant? That’s the root of the problem. We let our feelings dictate our reality. The truth is, my perspective can triumph over any reality. We are spirit beings learning to fly in the Spirit realm. Learning to soar above our problems, and seated in heavenly places. With that kind of faith and trust in God, we are more than conquerors. (Romans 8:37)

Calling All Aliens

I’m always amazed at how many people chase fantasy more than reality, missing the obvious, in search of what doesn’t even exist. SETI, an acronym for Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence has $30-million radio telescopes stationed near Mt. Shasta and pointed into space…listening. After many years searching millions of stars, over 10 billion radio channels, hoping to hear some extra-terrestrial life, they have heard nothing…absolutely nothing. Running after the mirage of distant life, we miss the miracle of God’s present life. The Bible says, “Professing themselves to be wise, they have become fools.” (Romans 1:22, KJV) Today, connect to the God who is; the One person worth hearing and listening to. He’s only a humble prayer away. “Call to me and I will answer you…” (Jeremiah 33:3, ESV)

Set Up to Be Healed

Would you believe God is setting you up for a healing? It’s true! But you’ll have to get on the operating table to receive it. Jesus has to open us up, in order to fill us up with His life. We can’t accomplish in the flesh, what only God can fulfill in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:17) We say, “I wish I didn’t have this or that problem,” when it is that very problem that has made you willing to allow the Great Physician to operate on your heart. It’s your marriage that is exposing selfishness. Your sickness has revealed your doubt. Your job is teaching you how to forgive. Your mistakes have humbled you. Are you coming to the end of yourself? Wonderful! Let Jesus meet you there. It is where your greatest healing will begin.

Getting Anything You Want

Is it possible to ask anything you want from God and get it? Absolutely! Kind of. Jesus said, “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted.” (John 15:7, NLT) In other words, if we are so dialed in relationally with Jesus, allowing the Word of God to saturate our hearts, we would NEVER ask for something other than God’s will. This is not a verbal shell game! It’s actually a divine equation! A principle found in Psalm 37 as well. “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desire of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4, ESV) Be so ecstatic in God’s presence, that your heart becomes so transformed, you crave God alone. With that kind of heart conversion, God will give you the desires of your heart.

Our Greatest Danger

What we see we are, in some way, responsible for. In Matthew 14, Peter saw Jesus walking across the Sea of Galilee in the middle of a great storm. When Jesus told Peter to come to Him, Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water. He was able to do the miraculous as long as he looked to Jesus. But, when God rescues us, He always tries to teach us to have more faith. Our greatest danger is not strong winds, but weak faith. Once on the water, Peter began to sink. At this point, Jesus in the original language calls Peter, “little faith”. Peter’s doubt caused him to sink. Doubt literally means to “be divided in two”. “…a double-minded man, (is) unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:8) Genuine faith is single-minded trust in Jesus.

Wishing Things Never Happened

All of us wish something, even many things, never happened to us. I believe it’s partially because we don’t yet see the finished value of all we have been through. We all give up too soon! Who wants to be Moses on the back side of the desert? …Daniel in the lion’s den? …Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace? …Jesus on the cross? Paul the Apostle, about to be beheaded? Yet, that same Paul wrote before His death, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2;20, ESV) Trust God “…he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion…” (Philippians 1:6, ESV)

Stay Connected

Genuine wisdom and understanding will always lead us toward God and never away from Him…out of the shadows and into the light. Jesus taught nothing in private that He hadn’t said in public. There were no secret handshakes. No inside scoop. No airs or pretense. What they saw was who He was. What He taught was what He believed. Don’t follow people who have a false sense of independence, tending to separate from God and His people. Each part of Christ’s body is lifeless without being relationally connected and dependent upon the Head. Without connecting to the life flow of the Body of Christ, we will each wither and die. How can we separate from our Heavenly Father and still expect to experience His abundant life?

Whatever It Takes to Be Healed

If we’re not willing to do what we’ve never done before, we won’t see what we’ve never seen before. In John 9, Jesus told a man blind from birth that he needed to walk a good distance to the pool of Siloam to wash his eyes. Jesus made obedience a requirement for his healing. So, let me ask you, “Are you willing to do whatever it takes to be healed?” Your wholeness may very well depend upon it. God wants to teach us to be comfortable with awkward. If we want to see the unexpected, we will have to believe for the unexpected. Perceptual blindness is a concept that says, we tend to miss what we don’t expect. Expect the God of miracles to show up! Love never fails, and God is love.

No One Else is Coming

Jesus said, “Unless you believe I am who I say I am, you will die in your sins.” (John 8:24) Ouch! Who wants to die in their sins? Not me! Obviously, who Jesus says He is, is a matter of life and death. He’s the Bread of Life. (John 6:35) We will starve without Him. He’s the way, the truth and the life. (John 14:6) There is no other way outside of His way, no other truth aside from His truth, and no one’s spirit is truly alive unless they know Jesus. Our fallen world will always minimize who Jesus is, and consequently, most people will die without allowing Him to rescue them. Jesus assured us, “No one comes to the Father, except through Me.” (John 14:6) If we fail to receive the Savior that Heaven sent, we will realize in the end, no One else is coming.

Second Chances

At many points in life, each of us wish we could get a do-over. And no one does do-over’s better than God. God gives each of us 2^nd chances, every day; just in case we were blind yesterday, and missed an opportunity to do what was right and receive His blessing. At times, do-overs require our repentance, a commitment to turn away from sin, embracing God’s forgiveness and a change in behavior. At the end of the day, receiving the do-overs of God is worth whatever obedience He requires. We’ve all had lots of blind yesterdays! But although we see our failures, God sees our faith. We remember falling down and God remembers us getting up. To God, our sins are forgettable! Our faith is memorable! I thank God every day for the many do-overs in my life.

Defeating Disappointment

Do you believe God is directing your life? If Jesus is your Lord, then He is. As the Bible says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord…”? (Psalm 37:23, NKJV) But, our goodness is not primarily connected to our behavior, but to God’s. The Father sent His Son to die for our sins. As the Bible says, “For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness.” (Isaiah 61:10, NLT) If we allow Jesus to lead our lives, then we won’t have to give in to disappointment, because God will always have another appointment for us, even if we miss some. So many people wallow in disappointment, but if we really believe God is ordering our steps, then ultimately we’ll never miss the divine appointments He’s prepared for us. Defeat your disappointments by believing God is setting your appointments.

Boredom is a Decision

Do you ever wonder if God cares about the mundane, seemingly futile, dimensions of your life? Mundane is defined as “lacking interest or excitement; dull; of this earthly world rather than a heavenly or spiritual one.” My conviction is, “If my life is boring, I can’t blame God!” Boredom has nothing to do with my circumstances, and everything to do with my perspective. For nearly 40-years, one of my life maxims has been, “If it’s boring, it’s not of God!” From the tiniest atom, to the largest galaxy, it’s impossible for God to be boring, or do boring. As a young Christian, I decided to never allow my life to be boring. Yes, boredom is a decision! Make your decision today; look for God in every situation of your life. Refuse to be bored, because God isn’t.

Here’s to Great Moms!

Here’s to great moms, who cherish their children more than their sleep, more than their dreams, even more than their own lives. My beautiful wife, Suzie, a pastor’s wife who never had a desire for public ministry. She was called to keep her emotionally-challenged husband healthy, and raise godly children. She didn’t follow what other people were doing, she did what God asked her to do. She didn’t have a boring life. She had a blessed life. She didn’t want to be a great martyr. She just wanted to be a great mother! Here’s to great mothers, who wake up and go to sleep thinking of their children, only to get out of bed to do it all over again. Happy Mother’s Day to all our great Moms! We wouldn’t be here without you.

Part of the Problem or Solution?

After a Mother’s Day dinner, a Mom was washing the dishes when her teen-age daughter wandered into the kitchen. Horrified to see her mother at the sink, she said, “Mom, you shouldn’t be doing dishes on Mother’s Day!” The mom was touched by her daughter’s thoughtfulness. She was about to take off her apron and give it to her daughter, when the daughter added, “You can do them tomorrow!” HA! Anyone can point out problems in this world. But, only when we are willing to be part of the solution do we truly represent God’s forgiving, healing, delivering heart. Jesus sent His disciples out, saying, “…the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!” (Matthew 10:7-8, NLT)

Mommy’s Eating Kids

A little boy had been watching his mother’s stomach get bigger and bigger. It was becoming harder and harder to sit on her lap. “Mommy, why is your stomach getting so big?” She told him that his little sister was inside her stomach. “Mommy, why is my little sister inside your stomach?” He was told that he used to be in her stomach too. When the boy’s father got home, the boy asked his father if he could talk to him in private. “Daddy, I need answers to two questions: First, why does Mommy keep eating little kids? And second, how did I escape?” A funny story, but it reminds us of the unique roles Moms and Dads play. A Mom tells you that, “You belong!” And a Dad tells you, “Why you are here!” Be a Dad or Mom in someone’s life!

God’s Tribe is a Family

There are many communities and tribes on the planet: from clubs to gangs, cliques to caucuses, companies to congregations, fraternities to societies, but we must never forget, God’s primary community and tribe is a family. He is first and foremost a Father. And our relationship with Him is based on love, because that’s who He is, and that’s why He does what He does. It’s His nature! God’s motive is love, His desire and will for us is based on love, and therefore the glue that keeps us connected to Him and one another must be love. Have you found your place in God’s loving family? Our answer should never be, “No, because nobody loves me,” but “Yes, because I have decided to love God and others.”

Work for God, Not Man

One of the biggest dead-ends in life is believing you’re working for man. You’re not! If you’re a follower of Jesus, the Bible says, “…whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV) As a young Christian, I had a job cleaning the gourmet kitchen of a large casino. From day one, I decided, “I’m working for God, not man!” And so, I worked alone, seven and a half hours every day without a break. One day, I looked up at the grease-filled ceiling, and God spoke to my heart to clean it. It was a hard, dirty task that no one had asked me to do, but the head of food services heard about it and offered me a much better job. But he was not the only Person watching. God simultaneously offered me a much bigger promotion, and His benefits are infinitely better.

My Best Day are Behind Me

Recently, I realized I was believing a lie that would diminish, if not destroy, my future. God showed me I was believing the lie that my best days were behind me. WOW! If that’s not exactly what the Devil realized about himself, and is trying to impart to us, I don’t know what is. Why would I believe this? Because of past discouragements? Present struggles? Thinking youthfulness brings greater potential? Every one of these perspectives can be vanquished by believing the truth that, God saves the best wine for last! (John 3) He only does wondrous things! (Psalm 72:18) And His marvelous promise to each of us, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT)

Reaping in Abundance

Do you want to reap in abundance? Then, walk in obedience! God is the ultimate result maker. Only He can give us the abundant life we long for. But, if we refuse to follow His leading, then we are left with the fruit of our disobedience and not the harvest of happiness He intended. That’s not to say we won’t experience pain and heart-ache, and at times fight disappointment and even despair. But the permanent, will eventually replace the temporary. Hope will come riding over the hill to win the day, and the bright future God designed for us will prevail. If everything we are hoping for came easily, we would never embrace the strong, victorious perspective Jesus died to impart to us. Obey God! It’s the only doorway to the abundant life Jesus promised.

Pride-vate

I sought out an old friend for coffee, to see how he was doing. He shared with me about the incredibly difficult season he had gone through over the past year. I asked him why he hadn’t let anyone know what he was going through so we could encourage him. He said, he was a private person, and didn’t feel comfortable inviting others in. Consequently, the way he processed the difficult experience was frankly, not healthy. I then realized his “private” perspective was really a “pride-vate” perspective. Pride had kept him from reaching out to other parts of the Body of Christ that could have helped him. How about you? Have you isolated yourself from reaching out to others for help; and is the root reason, pride? God’s grace is only given to those who are willing to humble themselves.

Of Tests and Temptations

Do you know the difference between a test and a temptation? Simply stated, everything God does is a test for our “good.” Everything the devil does is a temptation for our “bad.” The tests of God are designed to bring out the fruit of His Spirit in us. His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23, ESV) The devil, on the other hand, tempts us to sin. The Bible says, “…the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy and drunkenness…” (Galatians 5:19-21, ESV) “God gives us what we need for the season we’re in.”

Inspired or Intimidated

We’ve all been around extraordinary people: giants in some dimension; exceeding our abilities; dwarfing our capacity; excelling in a way we never have or ever will. When we’re around them, we always have two options. They can inspire us or intimidate us. I would be lying if I said they only inspire me. At times, I have to fight envy: feeling bad because I lack a quality someone else has. On other occasions, jealousy is my undoing. I’m afraid of losing something I already have or something that was never meant to be mine. The Pharisees killed Jesus because of both. They envied what Jesus had (Matthew 27:18), and were jealous because He was taking away what they thought they had: authority. (Matthew 7:29) “God, help me to be inspired and not intimidated by those who excel in a way I do not.”

Touching Your Pain

Any of us who have small children know that there are times when we need to touch their pain in order to alleviate it. If they have a splinter, you can’t get it out without touching the pained area in some way. I can certainly empathize with the emotional pain many of us are going through, but sometimes, the last thing we want to talk about is the first thing we need to talk about. Many times we have attitudes that are adding to our pain, and perspectives that increase our stress and discouragement. All of us need safe people to touch our pain, individuals gifted by God with grace to ask the questions we need to consider and the wisdom to unpack the pain that God wants to free us from.

What Do You Want to Be?

Most people know what they want to have in life, but they don’t know what they want to be. Unless our will and purpose for our lives lines up with God’s will and purpose, it is not worth pursuing. As Jesus expressed so clearly in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” (Luke 22:42, ESV) His heart was set to fulfill what His Heavenly Father knew was best and what would have the greatest long-term benefit. Jesus knew what we should also remember, whenever we are seduced by the temporary, we miss out on the eternal. “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and (God) will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:33, NLT)

All-In Moments

At different times in our lives, God will test us to see if we’re all-in. After predicting His own great suffering, “Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’” (Matthew 16:24, ESV) When I first became a Christ-follower, Jesus tested my willingness to be all-in on many occasions. I was part of a Christian community where we pooled the monies we earned to help the new people who were coming. So, it cost me much to give away a brand new pair of work boots to visiting missionaries from Alaska, which I had saved up for to work picking vegetables on cold winter mornings. Similarly, I tearfully gave away my first brand new Bible to another Bible School student. What have been some of your all-in moments?

Learning How to Give

There’s a syndrome that some two-year olds experience. It’s called, “you exist to bless me.” Perhaps that’s why it’s called the “terrible twos.” As parents, we know that part of the process of successfully raising children is to transition them from being “natural-born takers” into being “supernatural givers.” There’s no learning process in “taking.” We’re all born “master-takers.” Teaching us to give is not God’s way of raising money; it’s God’s way of raising His children. Though God is a blessing to me, He doesn’t exist to bless me (Randy Alcorn). Yet, the only way we can fully experience the greatest fulfillment in life is learning how to give. For it was Jesus Himself who said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35, ESV)

Something Came from Nothing?

Do you feel like, right now, you have nothing? I’ve been there. And yet, it’s the perfect time to ask the God, who makes something out of nothing, to take charge of your life. The most unscientific thought ever conceived by man is that: “without an intelligent designer, something came from nothing.” How could everything we see come from nothing? It’s a simple reality even a child can understand it. Yet, the Bible says, “Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. (Romans 1:22, NLT) That’s why, “…God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise.” (1 Corinthians 1;27, NLT) When you feel like you have nothing, look to God, the only Person who can make something out of nothing. You will find, He won’t fail you!

Humbling Yourself

All of us have attempted to find the fulfillment we long for in ourselves, or in some other person, place or thing. Yet, only God can fill and fulfill what He created. That’s why submitting to God is the most humbling experience in life. That level of surrender is the only doorway to becoming the complete person God created you to be. Jesus promised, “For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14, NLT) I believe seeing reality, how things really are, is by its very nature humbling. And yet, God is bigger than the realities we face. It’s looking in the mirror, and seeing your loving, merciful, and kind Creator looking over your shoulder. What area in your life is God asking you to humble yourself? He will be there with you.

Man Playing God

All of us want to soar; to fly high above our problems and challenges. The only way this can successfully and consistently happen is for us to connect with the Most High. I want to play with God, but I don’t want to play God. The devil fell when he boasted, as the Bible says, “I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.” (Isaiah 14:14, NLT) But, unlike his Creator, Satan was never able to create something from nothing. He could reshape and recast what God had already created, but making something from nothing is a feat accomplished by the Most High alone. Today, if you want to soar high above problems and challenges, cultivate a relationship with the only Person who can take you there, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Creator of all things. (Colossians 1:16)

Rushing Rivers or Stagnant Ponds

I want to be a rushing river that God can flow through, and not become a stagnant pond limiting the abundant life He promised. I want to be attached to what is eternal and producing life, not be seduced by the temporary and lifeless. To become a stagnant pond, all you have to do is cease to change; to cease to grow. But, nothing about God is stagnant. The reality is, stagnant areas in our lives are not growing! Yet, everything about the God of the Universe shouts, “Growth!” As we speak, the Universe is expanding. Scientists acknowledge the galaxies outside of our own are moving away from us, and the ones that are farthest away are moving the fastest. Today, let the life of God flow through you. Only He can expand and multiply what He has given you.

God’s Plan is Best

There no greater plan for our lives than God’s plan. It’s what we’d all long for, if we could see the past, present and future clearly. We’d want the will of God more than our own will. Now, you can be a bird and not fly. You can be a fish and not swim. You can be married and not love your spouse. But why would you want to live beneath your potential? I choose to obey God because it’s the best out of all possible options; because only my Creator could know what is best for me. And, I get to follow His majestic plan for my life, to receive His love, to worship Him with all of my heart, soul and strength, and love others as He has loved me.

The Tug of God’s Spirit

What we see, we are in some way responsible for. Does this sound over-stated? If you saw a crime, would you do something? Would you call the police? If a stranger was dying, would you call an ambulance? These are challenging situations to say the least, but most of us would say, “Absolutely, I’d do something!” When Jesus “…saw the crowds, He had compassion for them.” (Matthew 9:36, ESV) What do we feel when we see broken people around us. Even though we are not always called to get directly involved, we can always do something. We can pray, or offer a kind word, or step up in some other way. But, I believe as Christ-followers our default should never be, “there’s nothing I can do,” when perhaps there is. Stay open to the tug of God’s Spirit. You might be surprised.

Making Your Life a “Glorious Get To”

No one wants to bless your life more than God, and every blessing that lasts is because of His grace. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:17, NKJV) No one gives gifts like God! God’s looking for people who are willing to distribute these gifts: His love, His joy, His peace, His forgiveness, and His kindness. He’ll bless anyone who’s willing to stay unattached to the things He gives them. Many times, He wants us just to be intermediaries, “flowing rivers of blessing” and not “stagnant pools of entitlement.” Someone, willing to allow His life to flow through them. God doesn’t want to make your life a miserable “have to”. He delights in making it a glorious “get to”.

Fistless, Footless and Toothless

Are you ready to fight for yourself and others? You need to be. A great evangelist, and ex-major league baseball player said, “I’m against sin. I’ll kick it as long as I’ve got a foot, and I’ll fight it as long as I’ve got a fist. I’ll butt it as long as I’ve got a head. I’ll bite it as long as I’ve got a tooth. And when I’m old and fistless, and footless, and toothless, I’ll gum it till I go home to Glory and it goes home to perdition!” When it comes to the spirit-realm, none of us should be pacifists. Peace at all costs means we will live under tyrants, bow, when we should stand, roll over and play dead, when we should be rising up and courageously living as God intended. We were made to conquer, not cower.

Just Say the Name, Jesus

A prisoner on Death Row, named Rusty Woomer, sat on the floor of his cell without moving, letting dozens of roach’s crawl all over him. Completely depressed, he wouldn’t even flick them off. Rusty was a 35-year-old murderer of four innocent people. Facing the electric chair, he’d sank into hopelessness. One day, a Christian man from Prison Fellowship pleaded with him: “Rusty, just say the name, Jesus!” Though nearly comatose, slowly, painfully, Rusty whispered “Jesus”. Eventually, after further encouragements, Rusty prayed to receive Jesus. A week later, Rusty’s cell was spotless. Gone were the dirt, the roaches, the porn magazines. The walls were scrubbed, the bed was made, the scent of disinfectant was in the air.’ Rusty was smiling and joyful. Are you hopeless? Ask Jesus to help you.

Work is Not Part of the Curse

Did you know that work is not a part of the curse? We will be working throughout eternity. Not with the sweat of our brow, but with diligence and commitment. We live in an age where there are many jobs, that people are just not willing to do. And yet, until we discipline our soul to do what is inconvenient, and perhaps unattractive, we’ll never become the man or woman God has created us to be. No dad or mom finds fulfillment in changing a poopy diaper. It’s just a dirty job that needs to be done. How serious is God about hard work, the Bible says, “if anyone is unwilling to work, neither should he eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10) Diligence: it’s what we need, in order to have the dinner God wants us to have.

Eight Ways to Be Blessed

In the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, chapter 5, Jesus describes eight ways for us to be blessed. “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”  Sounds like perfect advice, in order to be blessed. (Matthew 5:3-10, NLT)

Should We Care What People Think?

Do we care what people think? We should! Rick Warren shares that, “Over and over again the Bible says that Jesus knew their thoughts. This demonstrates the importance of finding common ground with those we are ministering to. What are their needs, their problems, stresses and challenges? What are their hurts? Everybody’s hurting somewhere, about something. What are they freaking out about? And what are their interests?” Sure, we should never dwell on other people’s judgments and criticalness of us, but if we want to reach them, we will need insights from God about what they are thinking. The Bible says, “…Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. (Ephesians 4:29, NLT)

Only Jesus Satisfies

People, typically, won’t open their heart to Jesus because they’re afraid of dying tomorrow. Openness comes when they see their desperate need to learn how to live today. The Bible says, it’s God’s kindness that leads us to turn away from sin. (Romans 2:4) Running away from something never inspires us to become a different person, we all long to run toward something: something good for us, that fulfills us, that strengthens us. At the end of the day, there’s only one Person who can satisfy our greatest needs: and that’s Jesus. He alone said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29, NLT)

Three Levels of Conviction

I’ve found there are three levels of conviction. The lowest rung is being embarrassed. We’re embarrassed we said or did something. It means our conscience is alive and in action. The next level of conviction I call, “fed up”. It means we are at least listening to the Holy Spirit. But, it does not guarantee that a change in our behavior is forthcoming. In order for that to happen we need to go to a further level of conviction. We have to become “desperate” in order to obey whatever the Spirit of God asks. So, the next time we face conviction from the Holy Spirit, may we not wallow in “embarrassment”, may we not stop at merely being “fed up”, but may we be “desperate” enough to change, whatever the cost.

Dependency is a Necessity!

One of the ways we know we are in right relationship with God is we are increasing in our dependency upon Him. Attitudes of independence are often just subtle forms of rebellion. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” He wasn’t exaggerating. Without complete dependence on Jesus we can accomplish nothing of lasting value. Dependency is a necessity! Partial reliance upon God merely provides an out for us to eventually do what we want, and not what God wants. It is a subtle trap! A leak that will drain away the fullness of the Spirit in our lives. “Jesus, without You I can do nothing!”

Knowing the Future

Recently, while reflecting on my future, I said to someone, “I really don’t need to know what’s ahead.” When I said it, I was a bit stunned by the absoluteness of my comment. Adding to my surprise I experienced an immediate surge in my spirit that by making the assertion, “I really don’t need to know what’s ahead”, I was connecting with God in a faith-filled way. The fact is, I don’t have to know the future if I am fully trusting the One who does. Though I endeavor to remain fully conscious while I patiently wait on God to reveal His will, I want to do this with complete confidence in God’s future for my life. God is trust-worthy, and His will is worth trusting. So, let me say to you, “You really don’t need to know the future, if you’re trusting the only Person who does.

Eating Off Someone Else’s Plate

What would you think, if when you sat down to have a meal with someone, they consistently reached over and ate from your plate? Even if they were a toddler, I’m sure you would find it completely unacceptable behavior. It would demonstrate that something was indeed wrong with the person. But that’s exactly what we do when we are jealous. We ignore what we have been given and begin to covet what has been given to someone else. As absurd as it would be in the natural, physical world, so it is absurd in the supernatural spiritual world as well. What God has given to each of us is all we need to become who He created us to be. Bloom where you are planted, and you’ll live a full and fulfilled life.

Chasing the Illusion

Are you looking to man for your approval? If so, you will never be satisfied. Only Jesus knows why we were created. Only He can satisfy the longing in our souls. People exhaust themselves trying to get the attention, approval, and acceptance of others. What an absolute waste of time! We are each living for an audience of One. The only One who can fulfill us! We were created for His pleasure, and only Jesus can give us the lasting pleasures we seek. In His presence, and His presence alone, is there joy overflowing, and eternal pleasures that bring peace and not regret. (Psalm 16:11) Be done with chasing the world’s illusions. We are complete in Jesus, and Jesus alone. (Colossians 2:10)

God’s Magnificent Intention

The fact that we don’t see our sin clearly is one of the obvious indications we are still walking in darkness. Our first acknowledgement of sin is merely the tip of the iceberg. Infinitely bigger realities are beneath the surface. But the choice is always ours. Will we respond to the first inklings of the Spirit’s conviction, or will we deny what time cannot heal, and only God can make right. The closer we get to light, what is faint becomes clearer. General sins get undeniably specific. The Holy Spirit is never vague. He is always precise! A Father on a mission: to rescue His children, even if they are initially unable to understand His magnificent intention, and resist His best for them.

High Mountain Lakes

While hiking around a high mountain lake, a knowledgeable friend told me that high mountain lake water levels remain the same, whether in drought or during elevated water seasons. Wow! That got my attention, as one of my prayers is to walk in the fullness of Christ. He then explained why this happens. First, these lakes must have sufficient outflow, and secondly, the springs and snow above the lakes supply a steady inflow of water. What a wonderful principle! When we, as followers of Jesus, can climb above the challenges in our lowest valleys, we can experience a continually abundant flow of God’s Spirit. Yet, in order for our lives to remain full, they must overflow to others. Trust God in your winters, receive His springs of living water, and let your life overflow to help others.

Starring in Your Own Movie

Clint Eastwood has asked the three young American heroes who stopped a terrorist attack on a French train in 2016 to play themselves in his upcoming movie, “The 15:17 to Paris.” Their heroic courage, at a crucial moment, saved countless lives. It made me think about each of us. We each get to star in our own movies, viewed by the great cloud of heavenly witnesses mentioned in Hebrews 12. We’re not the lead, but we are supporting actors. It’s also our call if we want to make our movie a horror or love story, a nightmare or an adventure. The script God’s written for us is perfectly type cast for who we are, and makes our lives an adventurous love story for the ages. Follow the lead Actor, Jesus, and your life will have a happy ending.

What Are We Passing On?

In each of our lives, we all pass on something; whether good or bad, healthy or unhealthy. Someone may have to fight the battles I refuse to. Someone must be courageous where I cowered. What will my children, grandchildren, and future descendants inherit? In this sense, healing is always multi-generational. It took a previous generation sacrificing their fathers and brothers, mothers and sisters in order to stop the Nazis. Someone relentlessly persisted to end the epidemic of polio. Jesus defeated the plague of sin that would forever destroy each of our lives, by dying on a Cross in our place. May God embed this truth in our hearts: whatever isn’t healed, we pass on! Healing has a voice. It says, “Do whatever it takes to receive God’s healing.”

Exploring God’s Love and Mercy

We can never know God’s love until we fail, and then see that He is still madly in love with us. The plan of God we cannot see is greater than the circumstances we can. God’s grace is more than sufficient, if we allow His strength to rise up above our weakness. We all appreciate spring flowers and summer fruit. But, it’s the dying in fall, and storms of winter that bring the most bountiful harvest. The greatest value of our worst sins and God’s forgiveness is that they most clearly demonstrate the extent Jesus went through, to cover our most foolish mistakes. Don’t spend your time fixating on what you’ve done wrong, explore the vast reality of God’s love and mercy, seen most vividly in His death on the Cross.

Happiness is What You Bring

Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. It’s what you bring to the day, not what the day brings to you. Your overdependence on temporary satisfaction, will invariably lead you to future disappointment. Happiness is not having what you want, it’s training your soul to want what you have. Love the life you have and joyfully receive every meal placed before you. The value of your most challenging circumstances is always hidden. Masses of humanity, gorge themselves on the crumbs of Earth . . . not realizing their true hunger is for the feasts of Heaven. Accept God’s promise to His followers, “…God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28, NLT)

Bless Your Storms

There are no accidental storms. Bless the storms that come to your life, and stop chasing fleeting, unfulfilling pleasures. We never know which storm will bring the most challenge, or the greatest benefit, to our lives. Therefore, embrace storms as they come, remembering God has no desire to give you peace from the storms of life. His perfect plan is to give you peace in the storms. The storms in our lives challenge our identity; who we are and what we really believe. Peace that comes when the storm stops is temporary. Learning to have peace during the storm is infinitely better, and has eternal benefits. We were created to meet Jesus in the storms of life. And frankly, few of us have time for Him outside of them.

Hope Will Never Disappoint

If hope came to your life, would you recognize it? Hope is often hidden in a mystery. We can’t blame God for our lack of hope, because each of us are given equal amounts of hope. Yet, hope without diligence is mere “wishful thinking.” In what area is God asking you to have hope? It will take faith to receive God’s hope, because it always works in tandem with faith. I can’t become more than I hope to be! Frankly, hoping for better days will get me off track. Hoping for a better understanding of God’s love will dial me in. God promises that hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 5:5) A hopeful attitude has no expiration date.

Ask “What?”, not “Why?”

We know we are walking in the resurrection life Jesus died to give us, when we are more interested in trusting God than asking life’s most asked question, “Why is this happening to me?” “Why, God?” should never be the question. It’s a waste of time! “God, I trust You! What are You trying to show me?” in infinitely better. It shows we believe God’s Word more than what we see or feel. Frankly, the more I know me, the less I trust me. And the more I know God, the more I trust Him. Love never fails, and God is love. So, trust Him no matter what! As the Psalmist wrote, “…Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned…” (Psalm 37:25, NLT) Never!

Perpetual Overcomers

How do you connect with an invisible God? It must be by faith! Unless you walk by faith, one day you will find out you are not following Him at all. That’s why the Bible says, “…it is impossible to please God without faith.” (Hebrews 11;6, NLT) Never let your feelings dictate your faith. Put your faith in the facts, God’s Word, the Holy Bible, because feelings will come and go. As, Jesus was the perpetual Overcomer, if your life is hidden with Christ in God, you are called to be a perpetual overcomer as well. Jesus, “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings…” (Psalm 17:8, NIV) “I trust in You, more than what I feel or see. For it is Your eternal promises that guide my life.”

Changing or Exchanging

Are you struggling to change, and feel you’re not making much headway? Here’s a helpful hint: life is more about exchanging than changing. If we will surrender our lives to the Lordship of Jesus, God promises, as the Message Bible says, to give us “…bouquets of roses instead of ashes, messages of joy instead of news of doom, a praising heart instead of a languid spirit. (To) Rename (us) “Oaks of Righteousness” planted by God to display his glory.” (Isaiah 61:3, The Message) God will replace fear with faith, but it will take resignation and commitment to see this change. A divine discontent–convinced, that there must be something more! Nothing goes from “before” to “after” without something in-between. And that in-between is always, and forever, Jesus.

We’ve All Seen Too Much

Perhaps, like me, you’ve wondered what standing at the judgement seat of Christ, mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5:10, will be like? Is it something to dread, or a privilege to look forward to? Is Jesus going to be our accuser or advocate? The choice is always ours. The Bible says, because of the sacrifice of Jesus, we can “…with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16, ESV) Frankly, there is no excuse for unbelief. We’ve all seen way too much. I can either turn myself in, or wait to be caught. One will lead to a relationship of love, trust and forgiveness. The other to misunderstanding God’s heart so staggeringly, I will have died believing a lie.

Fuels for Forest Fires

One of the most destructive dangers during hot summer months in many states are wild fires. Millions of acres and hundreds of homes are destroyed every year. This natural danger has a direct application for our spiritual lives. There are preventive measures that can keep our lives safe. Dead vegetation that allows a fire to climb up from the landscape or forest floors into the tree canopy should be eliminated. Ground fuel consisting of pine needles, dry leaves, twigs and other dead brush should be trimmed within 50 feet of homes. Each of these natural precautions are consistent with what Jesus can do in our lives if we allow Him, “He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.” (John 15:2, NLT)

Joy is a Conviction

In 2 Corinthians 12:10, Paul the Apostle writes, “I am content with weaknesses, hardships, and calamities.” Had Paul’s perspective been so radically transformed, he actually was content in his difficulties and struggles? It’s a truly “unconventional” thought! Paul actually found the cure for a shattered life! It’s a three-letter word: It’s called “joy”. Based upon my knowledge of Scripture, and living the Christian life for 45-years, I would define “joy” as: “a deep sense of inner elation and satisfaction that comes from seeing your life from God’s perspective, and responding properly to the challenges and suffering of life.” Joy is more of a conviction, than a feeling. That’s why Paul wrote “Always be full of joy in the Lord.” (Philippians 4:4)

Of Right and Wrong Responses

Do you believe that everything that happens to you, even the most difficult experiences are uniquely prepared for you, and have exceptional value if you can learn to see them from God’s perspective? Challenges are actually “opportunities in disguise”. Every irritation is a divine invitation to go to the next level. That’s why, how we see our lives is always a matter of perspective, not circumstance. Two people can go through nearly identical situations, and yet respond totally differently. The truth is, the right perspective will always produce the right response. Likewise, the wrong perspective will always produce the wrong response. Ask Jesus to help you unpack the value of the experiences in your life. For only then can you truly understand and even enjoy the life He’s given you.

Loving Your Life

What if I told you that God’s will is that you would love the life He’s given you. Would you think it was overstated? Is there any parent who wouldn’t want their child to love their lives? Imagine, if you were an all-powerful God, how you could use Your limitless power to make that a reality for all of your children. But, as God’s children, He has not designed us as mere onlookers. Here are three essential, long-term strategies we need in order to love our lives. Loving life is given to those who learn to embrace the setbacks in their lives, and see their hidden value. Loving life is given to those who develop an overcoming strategy to handle failure. And lastly, the ability to love your life is given to those who praise and thank God, even when things don’t appear to be working out.

Winston Churchill and Success

Want to know the best way to handle success? First learn how to handle failure. With that said, none of us will have a shortage of opportunities. In World War I, Winston Churchill, planned and lost the Battle of Gallipoli. Because of his poor decision making, many thousands of Allied soldiers died. He had failed miserably. Yet, 20 years later, during World War II, he led Great Britain to victory. He said, “Success is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm.” For his extraordinary leadership, many consider him the “Man of the Century”. Proving, once again, the best training for handling success, is to first learn how to handle failure. The Bible encourages us with this principle, “Although a righteous person may fall seven times, he gets up again…” (Proverbs 24:16, NET)

Is God Throwing Stones at You?

A little boy was playing with his toy sailboat on the shore of a quiet lake. When the wind pulled the sail boat away from the shoreline, he began to cry as it went farther and farther away. An older boy came upon the scene and began throwing stones at his tiny boat. The young boy cried, “Why are you throwing stones at my boat?” The older boy said, “I’m throwing stones on the far side of your boat to create some waves to bring the sailboat back to you. Trust me; I know what I’m doing.” Whenever you feel like God is throwing stones at your life, realize they are meant to draw you closer to Him, not to drive you away.” He says to all of us, “Trust Me, I know what I’m doing!” That’s why the Bible says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.”

Your Tests Are Your Testimony

Do you wish you didn’t have so many tests and trials? At a certain point, each of us do. But I’ve learned, after following Jesus for over 45 years, that the trials specifically created for me, bring out the best in me. The primary issue is whether we genuinely believe God’s promises and trust Him. If we do, shakings will eventually bring out the best in us, and are actually essential for each of our lives. We must go through shakings in order to become unshakeable! Our tests give us our testimony! Even our mess . . . gives us our message! God’s promises are greater than our problems, and a godly perspective will conquer any predicament. Rather than asking God to stop the struggles in your life, ask Him to reveal His grand purpose for them.

The Rationality of God Liking You

Perhaps you find it easy to believe that God loves you, but harder to believe He likes you. God liking you is the only rational, reasonable, explanation for His actions. He’s omniscient (All Knowing). He sees your past, present and future. Whatever opinion He has about you, He’s always had about you. He’s the same, yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) We are God’s beloved! We are God’s friend! You would never say to a best friend, “I love you! But, I don’t like you!” A best friend is someone who has seen you at your worst, and still loves you & still “likes” being with you. Do any of us have any question that God has seen us at your worst? I fail a lot! But, God’s promise is: “There’s nothing you can do to make Me not like you!”

What American’s Think About God

What American’s think about God is quite revealing. A recent survey determined 28% believe in an “Authoritarian God”, who is angry at humanity’s sins. 24% believe God is “Distant”, and is more of a cosmic force that launched the world, and then left it spinning on its own. 21% say He’s “Critical”, having a judgmental eye on the world, but is not willing to intervene, either to punish or comfort. Surprisingly and sadly, only 22% believe in a “Benevolent God”, who is forgiving and accepting of anyone who repents. So, the challenge for all of us who have a relationship with the “Benevolent God”, whose name is Jesus, is to represent Him in an authentic and genuine way. Because the only way someone can see the Person of God…is in His people.

She Called Him “Daddy”

One of the most amazing examples of a father loving a daughter that I’ve seen was with my wife, Suzie, and her father. When Suzie was twenty years old, she was arrested for carrying marijuana across the Canadian border. She spent a sleepless night in a felony cell. Suzie thought her parents back in California, who she was very close to, wouldn’t hear about it. But they did. Not knowing they had, she called home a few days later, and her dad said, “I heard about the problem you had in Canada.” Totally embarrassed, Suzie froze on the phone. Her dad quickly followed up with, “That’s water under the bridge honey. We just want to know if you’re OK!” She called him “Daddy” her whole life. It always makes me emotional when I tell the story, because “…the glory of children is their fathers.” (Proverbs 17:6)

Complete Surrender

In the Book of Genesis, when young Isaac asked his father Abraham, “Where’s the lamb for the sacrifice?” Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So, when Abraham bound his son and placed him on the altar, it demonstrated an incredible trust relationship between a father and his son. He laid his 12-year old son willingly on the altar, and Isaac completely surrendered to the will of his father . . . just like Jesus! How about us? When we’re in trouble, do we run to God as a trusted Father, or away from Him. God knows if we’ve completely surrendered or not. We can’t fake it! He knows if we really trust Him or not, and there will always come opportunities for us to show Him.

The Cross

Nothing demonstrates how much God loves us more than Christ’s death on the Cross. By crucifying His Son, God chose the most difficult alternative, out of all possible options. Jesus became what He hated the most…sin. It was the greatest torture of all. Jesus had to be God, and not some created fall guy sent down to do His dirty work. God gave us His best. He didn’t have an ace up His sleeve. It cost God the Father the life of His Son. The two great Christian ordinances: The Lord’s Supper and Water Baptism, both remind us of the Cross. There’s a poem I heard as a young Christian that sums it up well. “What giving again I asked in dismay, and must I keep giving and giving always? No, said an angel piercing me through. Just give till the Savior stops giving to you.”

Hypocrisy

There has never been an age in need of authenticity more than this age. Our generation has been hyped to death. Therefore, the critique of many non-Christians about our seeming hypocrisy is a devastating indictment. As a teenager myself, it was hypocrisy that drew me away from Christianity into atheism. But, the problem is not just hypocrisy. The problem is the air of moral superiority many Christians carry around. The word hypocrite is taken from an old Greek word that refers to the wearing of a mask. In Ancient Greece, actors often wore masks according to the character they played. Their character’s appearance on the stage was a façade…it was an “act.” If our faith is not genuine, no one wants it, not even God. While there is breath in us, may we each represent Jesus well.