Faith and Obedience.

In Deuteronomy 1:19-40, Moses is recounting the Israelites failure to follow God's command and go into the land.  Despite everything they's been through being delivered from Egypt, they still let fear and man's opinion rule and they disobeyed.  As a result they wandered for the rest of their lives and did not enjoy the land God had promised.  Their younger children did.  Those Israelites were pretty dumb.  Right?

Yet here I sit questioning God.  Certain behaviors he told me to put down.  Certain things he's convicted me have to go.  I gave them up after a LONG battle with him and immediately had peace. Yet I came so close to being like the Israelites and not trusting that he knows best and obeying the standards he has set.

I look back at the last 4 months and see His hand in every step.  His provision for my needs at every turn. This passage too was given to me to meet my need tonight.

I challenge you reading this to look back at the past and what God has done for you and trust him as he  leads you in the future.

God bless.

Wisdom

Anyone hear someone pray for patience?  "Dear Lord help me be patient with ..."  Did you know the scripture says patience comes from tribulation? Rom 5:3 KJV  The NIV translates it as perseverance.  Now I realize the scripture also tells us the the Holy Spirit interprets our words and thoughts to God because we truly don't know how to communicate with him. (Romans 8:25-27 NIV)  This is similar to a parent knowing what a child is saying and communicating that to others.  In both cases the need is met, not necessarily the want is met.

Today's passage deals with a promise we can claim and expect to receive it, as God has given us instructions of how to ask for it.

James 1:5-8 NIV
⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 

Don't know what to do or where to go?  Ask God for wisdom.  Simple...or is it?

⁶But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

Most of the time we have our own ideas when we pray and are merely asking God to give us the go ahead.  When God's way contradicts our plans we often go our own way.  When things get bad, then we go back and do it His way.

If we seek God's wisdom, we must BELIEVE that his way is best and be willing to follow his instruction when given.

Think of what you going through right now.  Have you sought God's wisdom?

God Bless.

Diligence

Today I wanted to give up.  Just so tired of doing right.  I kept doing what is right even though it was so hard.

I just finished my Bible study.  The reading was once again from Hebrews, this time chapter 6:9-15.  What really stuck out was Heb 6:10-11

¹⁰ God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. ¹¹ We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized.

So often when we learn something new for God it's real easy to follow him.  The further from the lesson, the easier it is to forget or ignore.  I am happy for a change that the lesson learned today was one of affirmation and not one of conviction.

If you have a lesson that you have learned, persevere through the hard times.  It will become easier to obey the Lord each time you chose to do what is right.

God Bless.

Only God can Truly Satisfy

Stones Throw Church has a sermon on the book of James.  18 Ways to Ruin Everything.  I have been listening to it on my iPod.  Today's passage was James 4:1-6

¹ What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? ²You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. ³ When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

 ⁴ You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. ⁵ Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? ⁶ But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

   “God opposes the proud
   but shows favor to the humble.”

As I'm listening I smile inside because once again my omnipotent and omniscient God has given me what I need, when I needed it.  Pastor Dan Betters put this message together weeks if not months ago.  I've had this series on my iPod for more than a month.  I just discovered today that I'd "accidentally" skipped 3 messages so I went back to this message.  There are no accidents with God.

I am convicted of why I fight and argue.  I still, even as I write this blog, fight to get thing "my way".  I had to fight the urge to spend money yesterday on something I "want" but don't "need".  I never even considered God in the purchase.  I am convicted of my actions to be friends with the world.  To be accepted by my "friends" I often compromise or out right break my convictions and go with the crowd.  I am also very encouraged that God has taught me some humility in relationships.  From that humility has come peace in my heart though it is broken.  I am learning to be content where I am

Then I open my daily devotional.  Dr Stanley used Isaiah 55:1-2 for his passage.

 ¹ “Come, all you who are thirsty, 
   come to the waters; 
and you who have no money, 
   come, buy and eat! 
Come, buy wine and milk 
   without money and without cost. 
² Why spend money on what is not bread, 
   and your labor on what does not satisfy? 
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, 
   and you will delight in the richest of fare.

Again my heart smiles that God put these two messages, written by different men from different back grounds at different times in front of me today.

This world will never make me whole.  Only God can do that.  I encourage anyone reading this to stop striving after what the world offers.  Stop striving after what you want.  Seek for what God has already given then you will be fulfilled.

God Bless

My gains as garbage?

I love stuff. Nice stuff. I was real proud of my knife collection as a kid. It now resides in a box.

As I mentioned in yesterday's study I earnestly sought Cowboy Action Shooting and now all of those firearms and equipment are sold.

At one time I was a WWI/WWII collector. At first everything and then I concentrated on US firearms. I once had all the major battle rifles from the Spanish American war through our modern wars. The vast majority of it is gone. It did not satisfy.

With these facts in mind I have to ask myself the question. Why did I cringe at today's reading?

Philipians 3:7-10

⁷ But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. ¹⁰ I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

I think my answer is that I have not yet surrendered all. I'm still clinging to this world. Yet the closer I get to Christ, the less attractive the "stuff" becomes.

I'm reminded of the song Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus that contains the phrase "And the things of this earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace."

I am also reminded of the admonition found in the book of Hebrews 12:1-3

¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ²fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

I've got a lot to think about. I encourage you to do the same.

God Bless.

Psalm 63

Reading Psalm 63. Very humbled this morning.

Psalm 63

¹ You, God, are my God,
earnestly I seek you;

Am I really earnest in seeking God? I remember searching for the right firearms to compete in the game Cowboy Action Shooting. I read every article. I searched forum after forum. I drank in every detail that I could find about the sport. Which pistols are both quality and inexpensive? Where can I find a rifle in the same caliber as my pistols? Pump shotgun or lever or SxS? How authentic do I want to make my cowboy costume? I poured over these details daily for years until my interest had run it's course and I gave up on the sport because it no longer satisfied me. Yet the things of God, (that do satisfy), I give 3 hours on Sunday and maybe 3 hours through out the week. With that small of a commitment can I really say I am earnestly seeking God?

I thirst for you,
my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
where there is no water.

I've been thirsty before. But never a thirst in the desert like David the author discusses here. But even with my limited thirst I understand that I do not seek God with a needy desire. I am grateful that this blog has begun to INCREASE my thirst for him, but it is not yet to the level it should be.

² I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.

I don't feel David actually "saw" the Lord in a literal sense. I believe he was able to worship in such a way that he ignored everything else. That is my goal in church. I want to forget those around me and focus completely on Christ.

³ Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.

I am reminded of Nate Saint, Jim Elliot, Ed McCully, Pete Fleming, and Roger Youderian that gave their lives because of their love for Christ. And even knowing the out come , I still struggle with giving up my life. I have "beheld your power and glory" and yet still struggle.

⁴ I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.

Praising God has gotten easier since I realized how much he deserves it even though I do not feel like it. I have also taken to heart that God loved me even when I was a sinner. (Romans 5:7-9) I cannot earn his acceptance. (Isaiah 64:4) Therefore when given opportunity to praise Him, I should praise Him. If sin is holding me back then I confess and then praise Him.(1 John 1:9)

⁵ I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;

with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

Any one who knows me knows how much I love food. I'm actually headed back to the gym because tying my shoes has become an ordeal. The riches foods here reminds me of a cake my cousin brought to a family gathering. I cut myself a "normal" piece. After only a few bites I had to cut my piece in half and share. It was so rich that I could not finish it all. I was satisfied.

Music is such a part of my life and God has used music to bring me back to him and to keep me on the right path. I am constantly singing. I will continue. It's nice to be encouraged that I am doing something right.

⁶ On my bed I remember you;

I think of you through the watches of the night.

What a great idea, to end the day with the Lord. Though very few of us will need to do a night watch and stand guard, we all have those times when we are alone and to remember the Lord and that He is always with us.

⁷ Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.

We owned ducks growing up. At one time the two mothers had 18 ducklings. I remember seeing them all under mom and under her wings. There was safety there. We too are safe in the Lords care.

⁸ I cling to you;
your right hand upholds me.

Ever see a kid hide behind mom or dad's leg? If the "threat" comes too close, they will actually hold on for dear life and cry out. My baby girl wants to hold my hand every time we're out someplace. There is safety and affection shown in that.

Also note the use of the "right hand". In time this was written the right had was reserved as a place of honor. David says the Lord upheld him in a place of honor.

We too need to cling to God and know that he holds us in a place of honor too as well.

God Bless.

How big is your God?

My title reminds of the childhood song.

My God is so big, so strong and so mighty.

There's nothing my God cannot do.

Yet when we become adults we tend to forget that fact. I mean God only created the universe and EVERYTHING in it. (Genesis 1) What could he possibly know about my problems? [/sarcasm]

The verses I read this morning are familiar to me. The hard part is taking them to heart and actually applying the principal. Isaiah 55:8-9

⁸ “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

How many things go "wrong" in our lives and we question God? Questioning him is actually good. Asking him for help in your trials is good. Yesterday I spoke of crying out to him. Showing our dependence is a good thing.

What I'm taking about is our perception of God. I've read recently that American's have tried to shove Jesus in the American dream. "Dear God, I'm going to college so I can get a $110,000/ year job. I going to buy a 4000 sq ft home with a three car garage so I have one bay for my boat. It's going to be in the nicest part of whatever state I chose. I'm going to marry and have 2 children. A boy and a girl. In Jesus name Amen."

When these dreams don't come true we question him. Or let's say God allows this to come true and then a tornado, hurricane or flood come and wipe it all out. How big is your God then?

As a man who's made some mistakes that have resulted in my dreams being shattered I have to ask myself, how big is my God? He not only understands why this has happened, but he knows what his plan for me is next week, next month, next year and next decade should he tarry.

God Bless.

Cry out to Jesus.

Today's devotional was focused on two verses from one of my most favorite New Testament stories. It was the story of Peter when he was told by Christ to get out of the boat and come to him. Why is it my favorite? Because it has taught me one of the most valuable lesson in my walk with God. And it involves Peter who, like me, tended to READY, FIRE, AIM till he learned to rely on Christ.

Mathew 14:29-30

²⁹ “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

The lesson I've always gotten from this passage was the everything was fine as long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus. Once he looked around him he began to sink. Today Dr Stanley emphasized crying out. An audible cry to Jesus. I love it when someone breaths new life into a familiar passage

I'm suddenly reminded of the old hymn ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS NAME.

1. All hail the pow’r of Jesus’ Name!
   Let angels prostrate fall;
   Bring forth the royal diadem,
   And crown Him Lord of all;
   Bring forth the royal diadem,
   And crown Him Lord of all.
2. I had to look up a diadem. It's a crown. He is king. He is Lord. When you are troubled cry out audibly to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

God Bless.

God is my refuge.

What a day when God prepares not one, but messages for me. My devotional arrived and the passage was in Psalm 57. I'm only going to discuss verse 1

¹ Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.

These words were written by King David. He was being pursued and his life was in danger. Yet he sought the Lord. And note that he would wait till the "disaster has passed".

I was thinking of giving up. I've been patient "long enough". Well looks like I need to be patient a bit longer. God you are in control. Thank you for the reminder...again.

God Bless.

Journaling and lesson relearned.

My counselor, Henry, suggested I begin to write my thoughts and feelings down in a journal. That way I can always look back and see what I did to get through "stuff" in the past. Well I've been doing that since last year in this blog. Kind of like having your homework done before the teacher even assigns it.

Today was a rough morning. Just thinking about what I'm going through a bit too much and feeling overwhelmed. Meanwhile I'm rockin' my iPod on shuffle and I'm hearing Stryper in my ears. "Are you feelin' lonely? Are you feelin' Blue? Does you life seem empty? You know what to do."

And I do know what to do. I need to get my eyes off my problems and get them on Christ. So I open my email to read my morning devotional. It's not there. ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH! But then I think, "Am I really that dependent on Charles Stanley's daily devotional? I know how to open my own Bible and study God's word. Then I remember Henry's words about my journal and I decide to read my own past lessons. I decide to go to the very beginning. March 12, 2010 and I read the words from 1 Peter 1:3-9

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, ⁵ who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶ In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁷ These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. ⁸ Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹ for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

I find great comfort in the words I have emphasized. These are facts that known, but needed a reminder. I have grown more in the last few months than the last few years. I am calmer, more patient, loving and I try to see the other side. I no longer feel that I have to win every argument. I still have a long way to go. The closer I get to God the more sinful and selfish I realize that I am.

Are you going through trials? Let it strengthen your faith.

God Bless.

Faith revisited.

Back on June 24th I had a post titled Faith hence the "revisited".

Hebrews chapter 11 is known as the Faith Chapter. The writer gives us a history lesson of the founders of our Faith and their faith in God and his provision. Today I want to look at Hebrews 11:23-29.

²³ By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.

It's starts with the parents. Yes, God does call people who did not have Christian parents, but if you are a Christian parent take note that your children will look at your example. Though Moses was to young to remember his mom putting him in the river and why, I have no doubt he was told the story when God worked it out for his own mother to be his nurse maid. He was a witness to faith from birth.

²⁴ By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. ²⁵ He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

Fleeting pleasures of sin. Oh how often I follow my own desires only to be empty inside. God made the earth for us to enjoy, but when we enjoy it outside of God's will we will never be fulfilled.

²⁶ He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.

How eternally minded are we when we make day to day decisions? If I am honest God, heaven and eternity are not even considered when I make my day to day decisions. Yet here we see Moses example. Egypt had more money than Bill Gates. As son of Pharaoh's daughter NOTHING would be denied him. Food, women, "stuff" and money were his for the taking. Yet he chose God over it all. Do we?

²⁷ By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.

We are instructed to obey the .gov because God instituted Government. Romans 13:1 However when Government goes against God we are to obey God without fear. Moses knew what God wanted him to do and he did it.

²⁸ By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.

Read this account in Exodus 12. What God told Moses to do sounds weird. Yet he did as he was told and Israel was saved.

²⁹ By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.

Now because of Moses' faith the people's faith was strengthen and they too followed God's commands. Let's decide today the we too will follow Christ by faith as Moses did.

God Bless

Waiting on and Trusting in the Lord.

2 Samuel 12:16-23 Deals with the death of David's child. David commited adultery with Bathsheeba and she conceived. He tried to cover it up, but he husband was too loyal. So he murdered him to cover it up. When David sin was exposed, God had told him the child would die. However he fasted and wept before the Lord. When he was told the child was dead he "got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped." vs 20

When he was asked why he acted this way he said,“While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ ²³ But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” vs 22-23

I praise God that I have never lost a child. I praise God the Chrissie had no miscarriages and both children were conceived, carried and birthed without any major incidents. So how do I apply this passage?

One of my life's dreams is dying. Many have told me to get up and move on. I will not. I will continue to bring my petition to God. I will continue to ask him for an intervention. Most importantly I hope I will accept his will when he decides.

God bless you all.

The desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:3-4

³ Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Many feel Christianity is merely a list of do's and don'ts. That we're goody goodies that never have any fun. If we go beyond what we want and actually look at the instructions of God we will see that His instructions are there to protect us. What the world calls "fun" has so many consequences that we will be protected from if we only obey.

⁴ Take delight in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

This verse may sound like a health and wealth gospel. We do what God wants and he will give us what we want.

However this verse tells us to delight in the LORD. That means getting to know him and his ways. The how, what, why and when of the LORD. The way we do this is through his word. As we read his word we will be transformed (Romans 12:2) and our desires will be more in line with what God desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4

Then as any parent who see his children obeying and growing in the way they were taught, God will open the stores of heaven and give us our desires because our desires have become his and for his glory.

Praying the scriptures.

This is a lesson I learned a long time ago. In fact I used to have a "Pocket Prayers" book that contained many of the prayer offered up in scripture. All I had to do was change the names to someone I know and love. In doing so I knew that I was praying with the Lord's will because I was praying scripture.

Today's devotional was Ephesians 3:14-21. Each of us has parents, siblings, children or loved ones that could use this prayer. Imagine if each believer were to pray this for the ones we love. Let's breakdown the wealth of information in this short passage.

Prayer that their faith would be strengthened.

¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

Prayer for love and unity.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,

Prayer that they will grown in the knowledge of God.

to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

An offering of worship to God.

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

I have prayed this for my family. Consider praying this scripture for someone in your life.

Faith.

2 Corinthians 5:7 "For we live by faith, not by sight."

This builds upon my previous post today. I can praise the LORD because I have faith that his plan is best for me. I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but by faith I accept that God will be there before me.

I will praise the LORD.

I will more than likely lose my job next Thursday. After 18 1/2 years of a steady pay check, I don't know where the money is going to come from. Yeah, there is unemployment, but that is not a permanent solution. Wednesday these verses were provided in my daily devotional.

Habakkuk 3:17-19

17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. 19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.

In the time these words were written, figs, grapes, olives, sheep and cattle were food and wealth. The writer commits to praising God even if everything he owns fails.

That's where I am right now. Because of poor fiscal planning, I'm about a month away from total financial collapse. Yet I am choosing to praise the Lord.

He is not up in heaven wringing his hands wondering what to do next with me. He knows exactly what I am going through and how he is going to bring me through this trial. Even if poverty is to be my future God has a plan for me. It's not easy giving up my dreams, but my dreams were not His dreams. I did not include Him in my plans. Now he has my attention.

I'm reminded of the words of the apostle Paul in Philippians 4:12 "I know what what it is to be in need, I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."

I believe that secret is knowing that God is control. God has a plan. God will get you through. And knowing with a heart felt trust and not an intellectual head knowledge.

Praise God.

Don't waste the trial you are in.

I had a good talk with my friend Chris, yesterday. Unemployment is looming on the 30th so that will be the 3rd life changing experience since March. I'm not so much worried, but I have said, "I want the world to stop. I want to get off." Chris said something to the effect of "Praise God. It's hard, but you have to remember to praise God."

My Monday email includes a devotional from John Piper. He is a pastor and an incredible speaker. In 2006 he had cancer. As he was preparing for surgery he wrote about not wasting your cancer. As I read it today I could not help but see correlations between what he was saying and what I've been going through. I've adapted his devo to fit any situation by exchanging the word Cancer with Trial. The verses and research are all his. Enjoy!

1. You will waste your trial if you do not believe it is designed for you by God.
God foresees developments becoming hard, he can stop it or not. If he does not, he has a purpose. Since he is infinitely wise, it is right to call this purpose a design. Satan is real and causes many pleasures and pains. But he is not ultimate. So when he strikes Job with boils (Job 2:7), Job attributes it ultimately to God (2:10) and the inspired writer agrees: "They . . . comforted him for all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him" (Job 42:11). If you don't believe your trial is designed for you by God, you will waste it.
2. You will waste your trial if you believe it is a curse and not a gift.
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us" (Galatians 3:13). "There is no enchantment against Jacob, no divination against Israel" (Numbers 23:23). "The LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly" (Psalm 84:11).
3. You will waste your trial if you seek comfort from your odds rather than from God.
The design of God in your trial is not to train you in the rationalistic, human calculation of odds. The world gets comfort from their odds. Not Christians. Some count their chariots (percentages of survival) and some count their horses (side effects of treatment), but we trust in the name of the LORD our God (Psalm 20:7). God's design is clear from 2 Corinthians 1:9, "We felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead." The aim of God in your trial (among a thousand other good things) is to knock props out from under our hearts so that we rely utterly on him.
4. You will waste your trial if you think that "success" means fixing it rather than cherishing Christ.
Satan's and God's designs in your trial are not the same. Satan designs to destroy your love for Christ. God designs to deepen your love for Christ. Trials only win if you fail to cherish Christ. God's design is to wean you off the breast of the world and feast you on the sufficiency of Christ. It is meant to help you say and feel, "I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." And to know that therefore, "To live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 3:8; 1:21).
5. You will waste your trial if you spend too much time reading about it and not enough time reading about God.
It is not wrong to know about your trial. Ignorance is not a virtue. But the lure to know more and more and the lack of zeal to know God more and more is symptomatic of unbelief. Trials are meant to waken us to the reality of God. It is meant to put feeling and force behind the command, "Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD" (Hosea 6:3). It is meant to waken us to the truth of Daniel 11:32, "The people who know their God shall stand firm and take action." It is meant to make unshakable, indestructible oak trees out of us: "His delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers" (Psalm 1:2). What a waste of our trial if we read day and night in self-help books and not about God.
6. You will waste your trial if you let it drive you into solitude instead of deepen your relationships with manifest affection.
When Epaphroditus brought the gifts to Paul sent by the Philippian church he became ill and almost died. Paul tells the Philippians, "He has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill" (Philippians 2:26-27). What an amazing response! It does not say they were distressed that he was ill, but that he was distressed because they heard he was ill. That is the kind of heart God is aiming to create: a deeply affectionate, caring heart for people. Don't waste your trial by retreating into yourself.
7. You will waste your trial if you grieve as those who have no hope.
Paul used this phrase in relation to those whose loved ones had died: "We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope" (1 Thessalonians 4:13). There is a grief at death. Even for the believer who dies, there is temporary loss—loss of body, and loss of loved ones here, and loss of earthly ministry. But the grief is different—it is permeated with hope. "We would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8). Don't waste your trial grieving as those who don't have this hope.
8. You will waste your trial if you treat sin as casually as before.
Are your besetting sins as attractive as they were before you started this trial? If so you are wasting it. Trials are designed to destroy the appetite for sin. Pride, greed, lust, hatred, unforgiveness, impatience, laziness, procrastination—all these are the adversaries that trials are meant to attack. All these things are worse enemies than the trial you currently face. Let the presence of eternity make the sins of time look as futile as they really are. "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?" (Luke 9:25).
9. You will waste your trial if you fail to use it as a means of witness to the truth and glory of Christ.
Christians are never anywhere by divine accident. There are reasons for why we wind up where we do. Consider what Jesus said about painful, unplanned circumstances: "They will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness" (Luke 21:12 -13). So it is with trials. This will be an opportunity to bear witness. Christ is infinitely worthy. Here is a golden opportunity to show that he is worth more than life. Don't waste it.
Remember you are not left alone. You will have the help you need. "My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).

God is still in control.

Just when I think I've come to the end of the difficulties I've been facing I received a WARN notice from my employer today. The soon-to-be new owners will be deciding who stays and who goes. If I do not receive a job offer by the 6/21, I will be laid off on 6/25. I admit to being shocked and a bit scared last night and if I dwell on it I can get worked up.

God is STILL in control.

I Surrender All

I'm Still Yours

Following God on Purpose

Wow that was harsh. So glad my comments are set to moderated. What is sad is the person that left them knows what is going on in my life, yet they did not have the courage to sign their name. To the person that left those words, I forgive you.

Today I was reading in Mathew 26 and 27 about the arrest and crucification of Jesus when a portion of the passage really stuck out because it reminded me of another study I'd read recently.

Matthew 26:47-56

⁴⁷ While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. ⁴⁸ Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” ⁴⁹ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.

⁵⁰ Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. ⁵¹ With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

⁵² “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. ⁵³ Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? ⁵⁴ But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

⁵⁵ In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. ⁵⁶ But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Jesus was living his life ON PURPOSE. Nothing he did was going with the flow. Every situation was dealt with in accordance with scripture and what His Father wanted Him to accomplish. Jesus knew his task and he did it.

Those that know me know I am a shooter. I have firearms and I'm prepared to use them in defense of my life and of those that I love. Yet Jesus, the Son of God, allowed his creation to kill Him as he willing gave up is life to save us. He had more firepower at his disposal than I will ever have yet he willing refused to use it.

So now I examine my life. I challenge you to do the same. Are you going with the flow and allowing circumstances to dictate your actions or are you living you life with a purpose and eternity in view?

Blessings to you all.

Lessons from Mary.

Listening to Pastor Mark Driscoll from Mars Hill last night. He shared some insight from the Christmas story, that I'd like to share. Luke 1:26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[b] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. After being told what would happen, she willingly surrendered to God's plan for her life. Please note that she was between 14 and 16 years of age. She was from a poor town and probably illiterate. For her to be pregnant could cost her her marriage to Joseph. It would cost her her reputation. Yet her answer was "may your word to me be fulfilled". Oh that I would have such faith. Another thing is verse "37 For no word from God will ever fail." I've seen the bumper sticker, "God says it. I believe it. That settles it." It's cute, but incorrect. The truth is "God says it. That settles it." So I am applying this statement from Gabriel to my situation in the meatgrinder. I will cling to:

• God's promise of provision. Mathew 6:19-34


• His Soveriegnty and Omnipotence. Jeremiah 32:17


• His promise to lift me up. 1 Peter 5:6-7


• His promise of a plan. Ephesians 1:11


• His promise of peace. Philipians 4:5-7

Blessings to all.

Jesus wept.

John 11:35 (New International Version, ©2011)

³⁵ Jesus wept.

Shortest verse in the Bible. Popular with teens trying to win competitions at church for the most verses memorized. But why was Jesus weeping?

It was near Lazarus' tomb Mary and those with her were weeping. Jesus knew that Lazarus was dead and he knew what he was about to do. Yet he took the time to grieve with those that were at a loss.

Today I wept. Loud and long. I have not wept like this in a long time. My life is still in that meat grinder I mentioned in a previous blog, but that is not why I wept.

I've spent the morning listening to Pastor Steve Thompkins, Pastor James Harleman and Pastor Scott Thomas speak at Mars Hill Church during one of their mens conferences. There are four messages on our Pursuit, Passions, Performance and Heart. The Holy Spirit has moved in my heart and I have wept before God. The meat grinder I'm in is a machine of my own making.

I don't know what God's plans are for me, but for the first time I think I'm actually listening to him. I have felt the presence of the Holy Spirit this morning. I have a craving more of all that is God.

I praise God for tears. Some this morning have been bitter. Some have been surrender. Some have been repentance. Some have been joy. All have washed away some of the pain and grief I've been carrying.

I feel good.

Blessings.

Blessings from today's listening.

I'm listening to the Psalms this morning on my ipod. Just thought I'd share some verses that touched me today. No commentary.

Psalm 43:5 Why, my soul, are you downcast?

Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.

Psalm 49:16 Do not be overawed when others grow rich,

when the splendor of their houses increases;
¹⁷ for they will take nothing with them when they die,
their splendor will not descend with them.
¹⁸ Though while they live they count themselves blessed—
and people praise you when you prosper—
¹⁹ they will join those who have gone before them,
who will never again see the light of life.

²⁰ People who have wealth but lack understanding
are like the beasts that perish.

God Bless.

Is it a sin to worry?

I'm lying in bed last night and I could not sleep. My life is in a meat grinder right now and I have no idea what God has planned for me. So I lay in bed half praying half worrying and getting nowhere but frustrated. Suddenly I had the thought. Is it a sin to worry? I confess to God that I was worrying and very soon I was asleep.

The question still stands this morning. Is worry a sin. Let's dig in.

Mathew 6::25 Says "Therefore do not worry about your life..." I've been taught that when one sees a "Therefore" back up to see what it there for. So we'll begin with verse 19.

Matthew 6:19-34 (New International Version, ©2011)

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

I am very materialistic. I want "the next best thing". I'm a movie collector and a shooter. So I want all the movies I can get my hands on and just about every pistol, rifle or shotgun used in any of the films I see. These at times become an obsession that makes everything else I think about second place. I've often spent money I don't have (credit) on these things that I don't need. There is joy in the aquisition, but it is very short lived.

Verse 20 talks of storing up in heaven and verse 21 talks about the treasure of the heart. I'm so wrapped up in the things of this world that the things of heaven take last place most of the time.

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

What am I taking in through the lamps in my body? What am I watching? That's what I get here.

24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Serving me, man, money, lust or glutteny all come in conflict with serving God. I cannot serve God and continue to chase after this world. I think of how many hours I spend on movies, guns and facebook vs how many hours I spend in God's word, prayer or worship.

Now we come to the "therefore" in verse 25.

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

I'm so busy with aquiring "stuff" that I don't take the time to look for God. To appreciate Him for who He is. I miss out on God's peace because I'm not grateful for what I have and want MORE. Philipians 4:6-8

I'm reminded of the story of the man that brought his deaf and mute son to Jesus saying "But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

Mark 9:23-25 (New International Version, ©2011)
23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”

Help me overcome my unbelief dear God.

This morning I opened my e-mail to do my morning devotional. Today's passage is Revelation 5 I encourage you to take the time to read it. I was encouraged and reminded that THIS is the God in whom I was doubting last night. A humbling experience.

God Bless.

God is in Control

My life fell apart yesterday. I sat at 6am in Dunkin Donuts at a loss of what to do. I called three friends and my pastor. All of them responded. After a meeting with Pastor God provided in ways that I could not have imagined.

As my head finally hit the pillow I felt blessed at how quickly God and his people responded in my time of need. I could see his hand in the way everything fell into place.

When I arrived at work 10 pm Tuesday my devotional verse was:

Ephesians 1:11 (New International Version, ©2011)
11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,

Wow. The situation I'm in is not an accident. As my friend shared earlier in the day God is not wringing his hands not knowing what to do next in my life. God's will will be accomplished in the situation.

Well here it is a little after 4am and I check my e-mail to see if today's devo has arrived. It had.

Jeremiah 32:17 (New International Version, ©2011)
17 “Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.

Double Wow! I tend to forget how powerful God really is. My situation is not beyond his power.

I'm reminded again that I need to trust him and wait for his timing to work things out.

1 Peter 5:6-7 (New International Version, ©2011)
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Have a blessed day folks.

Ouch!

Making my plans and remembered that I did not do my devo's yet. It was a real struggle and I had to FORCE myself to do it. Real glad I did because it's really what I needed for a refocus.

Ephesians 5:15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Vs 15-16 says to be wise and make the most of every opportunity. It's got me thinking about how much time I waste each day. Time that I will never get back.

It also says the days are evil. I'm reminded that this world is not my home. I'm not to be comformed to this world, but be transformed. (Romans 12:2) If I really accept that fact that the days are evil, it will radically affect my attitude and behavior.

Vs 17 warns about foolishness and understanding what the Lord's will is. I'm convicted that though I know His will, I frequently don't care. It's not always an on purpose, malicious or willfull, but I do tend to ignore his will.

Got some things to work on today.

God Bless.

Selfish ambition.

This morning I saw a task the needed to be done. It was a task normally accomplished by my wife. A task that she did not have time for this morning. Something she would have gotten to eventually. She would not have said a thing if I'd left it for her. That task is dishes. I HATE doing dishes. She actually enjoys the task and finds it relaxing. (Yeah, I know. Wierd.)

So decide I'm going to love my wife by doing up the dishes on the counter and cleaning the kitchen. I "volunteered" Kylie to assist. My goal was to be done before Chrissie got back from dropping Alexa off at the school.

She got home before we finished and I was awaiting my praise. "Oh honey, thanks so much for doing the dishes. You're wonderful." It never came. I started to get annoyed. Here I was doing a chore I hate and there she is being an ingrate.

Enter the Holy Spirit. (Yeah, he's like that.)
Philippians 2:3-4
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Doh! Here I was, thinking I was doing for my wife, when in fact I was really doing for me. I did not tell my wife about this today, so honey if you're reading this, I love you and I'm still learning.

Then on the way to work I hear (I listen to the Bible on CD) from James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
AND
James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
AND
James 4:17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

Got so work to do.

God Bless you all.