Too much is simply too much!

What can we not live without? 

For the CHRISTian, anything besides God is an idol! In reality, we own nothing, so nothing should own us! Yard sales and garage sales are great in helping get rid of things we do not need but just keep around. Sell it. Give it away. Get rid of the junk! Garages, basements, and even storage containers for which we pay rent, are full of things we do not need. Why is that? 

Too much is simply too much!

Getting rid of the things that tie us down is important in life and especially in our relationship with our Lord. Idols tie us down  . . . hold us back . . . and cost us dearly in the long run. They take up space. They collect dust. They cost us time, money and even relationships at times. Idols pull us away from God!

Then I said to them, ‘Each of you, throw away the abominations which are before his eyes, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.’ 8 But they rebelled against Me and would not obey Me. They did not all cast away the abominations which were before their eyes, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt. (Ezekiel 20:7-8)

Idols cost the Jewish people much in their relationship with God. What are they costing us today? Let's clean out our houses of things we are holding on to today . . . both physically and spiritually.  (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2012%3A1-2&version=NKJV) 

Too much is simply too much! Let's run this race unhindered!

Who(se) are we anyway?

 After serving just a few days in New Orleans with Urban Impact Ministries, I was once again reminded of these crucial verses form the prophet: 

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly,
to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

We hear it often, but have trouble living this out . . . Love God/Love people. Jesus repeated the message when asked about the greatest commandments: 

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

Love God/Love people. Can we focus on these words today and ask the Lord to help us live them out, so the world will know who sent us and that we can be one? (John 17)

Who(se) are we anyway?

 

 

Where is God?

 Many say, "God is first in my life." A good way to tell is through a person's bank account and also his/her calendar. Take a look at how we spend our money and time. Where is God? How we spend our time and money shows a lot about our priorities.

If we want God to really bless us, we must bless Him as well. He must be the priority in our relationships and in our spending! The sooner we learn that in life the better. Godly choices turn in to Godly blessings . . . even if it just the peace of knowing we are pleasing God and putting Him first!

The car we drive, the size of our home, the amount of money we make is secondary in life. If we would simply love God and love people . . . less me and more Him  . . .things would be so much simpler!

You have all probably read this before, but let it sink in this morning: 

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)

In the middle of it

 What do you do when you are in the middle of it . . . when trouble hits you smack in the face and there is no avoiding it? You feel like you are fighting things all by yourself and no one could ever understand. 

Yet God does and He is right here!

Yes we may be fearful. God gives us courage to face it. This is when we get out of the boat and walk by faith . . . right on top of the water! The key is to stay focused upon Jesus and His plans and not the depth of the water (the trouble). Faith in God is all we need . . . not faith in our own abilities or resources. Oh, do not forget to praise God throughout. Thank Him for the little things . . . simply that He is present and He cares!

So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:29-30)

As with the disciples in the boat, Jesus wants us to know He is all we need . . . in the middle of it!

I Am said to "go"!

 When God says "go" , you GO! I think back to when He called us to the mission field some twenty four years ago as we were married: I will bless you if you serve Me. We agreed and He has been caring for us since. 

A few weeks back, after returning from serving in Puerto Rico, New Orleans was hit with Hurricane Ida. We felt a stab in our hearts and our response was: We have to go help somehow. Again, He made a way with donations, flights, and support from work. 

The only real plan we ever needed was God to say "Go"! Whenever He calls, He always provides! The Creator of the entire world always creates a way to serve Him when one is committed to do so. 

What about you? Have you tried Him for yourself? After all, I AM always is!

Just as He provided all the apostles need in the middle of their storm He provides all we ever need . . . whether sunshine or rain . . . hungry or full . . . tired or energetic . . . stressed or relaxed. The I Am is all I need!

He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. (Mark 6:48-51)

Jesus talks to Himself?

 Have you ever found yourself talking to yourself  . . . . and answering? Weird huh? Well, God does it too. Yes, Jesus talks to Himself . . . prays to Himself . . . about you and me! That is awesome!!!!

Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. (Romans 8:34)

Jesus prayed for Peter even before Peter denied Him,  so that he would be restored back to Him and even to help the fellow believers be stronger! He even prayed for you and me before going to the cross:

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:  I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. (John 17:20-23)

The next time you feel alone, and find yourself talking to yourself, know that Jesus is talking to Himself too . . . about you! 

Suddenly . . . .

 We go through life day after day, routine after routine, one plan after another. We pretty much have life down to Monday through Friday, then the weekend. We get up, go to work, come home and "do family stuff", then plan for the weekends. If we are really blessed, we have that special event now and then to break the routine and celebrate something! 

Then suddenly . . . . SUDDENLY happens!

A storm occurs. It may be the weather. It may be health. It may be a pandemic. It may even be a shockingly good thing . . . but SUDDENLY happens and we panic! Our routine has been broken. We are thrown off course. 

At this point of desperation, Jesus steps up and steps in . . .

He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. (John 14:16-18)

Let this sink in today . . . Jesus will come to you! 

When suddenly comes into your life . . . there is Jesus!!!!!

God knows . . . and He really cares!

“I have made a covenant with my eyes;
Why then should I look upon a young woman? For what is the allotment of God from above, and the inheritance of the Almighty from on high? Is it not destruction for the wicked, and disaster for the workers of iniquity? Does He not see my ways, and count all my steps? (Job 31:1-4)

From the earliest book in the bible, we see the struggles of man . . . our eyes! As we are honest with ourselves, we men (and even women today) have a struggle with our eyes! We allow them to stray far too often and far too long, looking at things we have no business observing!

I don't think I have to go into detail here . . .we all know! Yet God also knows and He really cares about us and wants us to change. We must depend upon Him, His Spirit within us, and partner with Him to change. 

    For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses     . . . (Hebrews 4:15).

Job knew the love of God and His care for him. He chose to honor God and the women in his life. Job made a covenant with God! He realized the destruction that can come from lust. We too must realize this and take steps to restrain our eyes! 👀

What about you and me?

My way or His way?

Most of my failures come when "I did it my way" . . .  sounds like the old Frank Sinatra song! Why do I even struggle with my way or His way? You think I would know better by now!

Read the account of some professional fisherman who took the advice of a local preacher:

  

When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”(Luke 5:4-5)

Peter was able to humble himself and listen to Jesus' advice. We all could do that more often. He knows better . . . . 

Jesus at my job?

 For Jesus to be alive in every aspect of our life, we must invite Him in to it! He is not here for us when we want, but He wants to involved in every part of our life . . .yes, even at our jobs! 

Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. (Luke 5:3)

Jesus got into the boat of the fishermen! He showed up at their work. They also had a much better day at the job, catching more fish! 

What if we allowed Jesus to go with us daily . . . to school, to work, to the store, to the games. You think our life would be a bit more tolerable? Maybe, just maybe we would experience a bit less stress and accomplish more . . . for Him!

Make this take Jesus to work day!

Deal with issues right away.

But He answered and said to them, “You give them something to eat.” (Mark 6:37)

God wants us to deal with issues right away. He does not want us putting things off until they get to a point where they are major problems. We do that a lot. Things we might easily handle today grow into major issues when we ignore them. . . . medical issues, family struggles, even car repairs! God will not simply step i and fix things . . . He wants us to recognize our need for Him early on and wants us to ask!

Delaying a problem leads to more worry and anxiety. Dealing with the issue and allowing God to partner with us shows Him we are being responsible and that we also need Him to intervene. When we deal with things His way . . . sooner rather than later . . . we receive results . . . the results God desires for us!

In the scriptures above, there are thousands of hungry people present. The disciples desire to send the away for food. It wasn't their problem. Yet Jesus tells them to feed them! The disciples wanted to delay the problem and pass it on to someone else, but Jesus put it on them! They were forced to ask Jesus for help. The result was a miracle . . . thousands fed from a small bit of food!

What issues do we face today? Are we putting them off or can we deal with the issues right away? Seek His help . . .

Looking at others through His eyes . . .

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Do I see people in passing and automatically make a judgment? 

Do I see God in others or do I see flaws, weaknesses, and less than me? Do I see people as bank accounts, the size of houses and the style or year of the vehicle they drive? 

Do I see my children/grandchildren and other kids by their G.P.A.'s or by their souls? 

Do I see all my wife's flaws and weaknesses or do I recognize her value, her talents, her sacrifices and her inner beauty as well as outer beauty? 

Do I recognize the stranger . . . the refugee . . . the immigrants as a child of God deserving my love and respect or do I see them as other?

Do I hear of people in need and expect someone else to care and meet their need?

And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. (Mark 6:34)

There are lots of people we pass by on a normal day . . . people who are hurting, lonely, hungry, in need . . . lost. People have lost a night's sleep, lost a scholarship, lost an important game, lost a loved one, lost a job, lost a home,  . . . even lost a country! 

Do we even care? Where is our compassion today? Jesus took the time to care . . .He had compassion upon the thousands who were hungry . . . for food but more importantly for Him! How many will go hungry today because we simply did not care?

Looking at others through His eyes . . .

 

Thinking forward . . .

 While the "today" is important, we must always be thinking forward as a Christ follower. God has long-term goals for each of us. It is not about our present comfort or our happiness today, but more so about the eternal purposes God intends for us.

 

  “Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened? Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?” They said to Him, “Twelve.” “Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?” And they said, “Seven.” So He said to them, “How is it you do not understand?” (Mark 8: 17-21)

While today's challenges are tough and we may have to gut them out, what God for our tomorrow is much better and worth today's efforts. Trust Him with tomorrow and continue to plow forward! Just as He provided yesterday, He provides for today, and He will provide for tomorrow. 

He has us . . . keep thinking forward!

God is . . . Part II

Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”

Do not hide Your face from me;
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;

You have been my help;
Do not leave me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation.

When my father and my mother forsake me,
Then the Lord will take care of me. (Psalm 27:7-10)

God is still the best daddy in the world! He is the example all parents should strive to emulate. As a 61-year old husband, father, and grandfather, I still long for the attention . . . the love of my father. I have never heard "I love you", I do not remember a genuine embrace, nor a "well done". But at least I saw my dad daily.

With nearly 40% of families in the County in which I live having single parents, this is an even worse realty within the homes today! I hurt for the kids today who feel a similar absence and void . . . from either parent.

Like me, many escape reality with sports, video games or other distractions. Yet it is a reality we must address. It took a long while . . . until the Lord grabbed hold of me . . . to realize that only God, Our Father, can fill that void.

God is love (1 John 4:8). He knows our hurts, our pains and even how to heal. He can turn us around and change us, so we can be sure not to make the same mistakes as parents. When parents fail, God is!

Allow Him to change us!

God is . . . (Part I)

This week I am focusing upon who God is, coinciding with our school's Spiritual Emphasis Week. I hope you will read along with me as we discover/rediscover just WHO God is . . . .

 

God is . . . .

A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation. (Psalm 68:5)

 

In a world where fathers have received a bad rap . . . and in many cases it is justified, we can still cherish the name FATHER, especially when it comes to God our Father! Even though men have failed us all in one way or another, God remains faithful. Whether a father is absent, unknown, in and out, abusive or maybe, just maybe, a wonderful dad, none compare to God . . . our Father!

If you are like me, while my dad was always present in the home physically, many times it was like a war zone. There was uncontrolled anger, bitter words, abusive actions. I learned that sports was my escape! Though he coached all the sports and was at all the games throughout college, he was never satisfied. To this day, as a sixty-one year old man . . . husband, father and grandfather . . . there is a longing to hear, "I love you son; well done".

Yet once Jesus found me and changed my heart's desires for life, I found the dad I always wanted! God the Holy Spirit filled the hole in my heart. He affirms me. He comforts me. He disciplines me. He guides me. He loves me . . . despite all my failures, successes, and all that in between!

You see, God is LOVE.  (1 John 4:8) Until I discovered that, I could never have known the love of a father! My dad comes from a generation of fathers who did not know how to express love. It was assumed, not shown. However, I have learned to accept that because I know my Father's love surpasses anything this world can give!

May you experience that love today . . . God is my Father!

 

Cut it out . . .Yeast . . . Cancer . . . Sin!

Cut it out . . . it is the only way to get rid of most cancers. It is is the same with bad company . .. it must be removed. Sin, or yeast in the bible, must be removed from our lives or it will grow and grow and cause spiritual illness . . . sometimes even death! Pride, selfishness, ignorance, all can lead to our spiritual downfall. We must keep regular spiritual exams (just as we must physical exams) to identify and rid ourselves of the yeast in our lives!

And He left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other side. Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat. Then He charged them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” (Mark 8 13-15)

Jesus had just multiplied just a few fish and some loaves of bread to feed thousands, yet the disciples dod not know how they could eat of of simply one small loaf of bread! What little faith they had . . .what little faith we have today! 

How many times do we doubt the Lord, even after He has come through for us time and time again. We all are guilty of it. Like the Pharisees, we constantly want miracles in our lives to prove the presence of God, yet He is doing it daily! Take the time to recall how He has taken us through tough times . . . illnesses, deaths in the family, physical challenges, various trials . . . how about this pandemic!

We have to stop doubting. We must stop thinking it is all on us. We have to begin to trust God more and ourselves and the world less. Stop trusting political parties, bank accounts, scientists, investors, and the like. 

Cut it out! Trust God!!!

He has a future for you, despite today!

At any time in life, we can find ourselves in many places; in somewhat of a rut, stuck in a routine . . . in a blender just grinding away . . . or simply caught up in the journey without much of a plan. Some us may even be asking "Why me?, "If not now then when?, or even "How long"? You are not alone!

Remember, God is not only here in the present, but He cares about you and He has a future for you, despite today! Jobs, bank accounts, friends, family, not even a government stimulus can be relied upon like God! 

Read Philippians 4 once again and now focus upon Paul's closing words:

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Philippians 4:19-20)

These may be familiar words from the bible, but I ask you to own them . . . believe them . . . make them words that you trust! Trust God . . . despite today! 

Revival . . .His LIGHT!

Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” ’ ” 10 So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army. 11 Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’ 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. 13 Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. 14 I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,” says the Lord.’ ” (Ezekiel 37:9-14)

Most of us have been shut in/shut out for over a year now with Covid-19 restrictions. While we are still in the middle of this pandemic, there is LIGHT at the end of the tunnel  . . . His LIGHT! God has given us new life and a chance for REVIVAL, but it must come from His Spirit within His people. It cannot be manufactured by man!

Think about it . . . as society is reopening , we have the opportunity for a fresh start in all aspects of our lives . . .family, jobs, neighborhoods, churches, but most especially within our selves and our children! 

Now is the time to pray for the reviving power of the Holy Spirit within us as believers to be the witnesses the world needs . . . our children need . . . at this crucial time in HIS-story. We cannot miss it! 

Please pray for His power to burn afresh inside you and me to a point where the souls of our children see and experience hope in what seems like a hopeless world. . . . a sick world, a diseased world, a terrorized world, a devastated world, a disaster-riddled world, a downcast world. 

I pray we all experience REVIVAL . . . through His LIGHT, so all can see! Do we not need that today!

He can and He will!

Miracles happen when we are uncomfortable and have no where to turn . . . but to God. Ever been there? I have! All we can do is trust God despite the challenges we face. Consider Elijah . . .

Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 9 “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.” 11 And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.”

12 So she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” 13 And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son. 14 For thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.’ ”

15 So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by Elijah. (1 Kings 17:8-16)

 Elijah had to trust an old widow and a dying son, in a dangerous territory, to save his life . . . not very good odds huh? Yet he trusted God and he and the widow and her son were cared for by God.

What do you need to trust God for today? For me it to supply funds for another mission trip, just weeks after completing one. He can and He will . . . just as He has done before!

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Live YOUR story!

 We all have a particular story. The psalmist reveals that we are each fearfully and wonderfully made! (Psalm 139:14) We each have His handprint upon our lives. We do nor have to live in anyone's shadow nor do we have to mimic their lives. You and I must live our our own unique story as God leads us. Listen to how God spoke to the people of Israel:

I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20)

Choose life . . . your life . . . and live it for Christ! Live your story and you live our HIStory! 

We are not alone!

“Do you now believe? Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16: 31-33)

Jesus is explaining to His disciples that He is about to leave. Just before He would go to the cross, He gives a great example of the loneliness a follower of our Lord would face. He was about to be abandoned, even by His closest followers, yet He would not be alone . . . He had the Spirit of God with Him the entire way until He gave up that Spirit!

We are not alone either! That very Spirit that enabled Christ to go through the torture of the Cross is the same Spirit that raised Him from the grave. That very same Spirit now lives in side every born-again follower of Christ! He enables us to face adversity . . . yes even abandonment of friends, family and the world in general!

Remember, as we go through various trials and temptations that we are not alone . . . He is with us!

If nothing else, be consistent!

 Let's face it, as CHRISTians, we face a challenging world. Whether we realize it or not, the unsaved world is watching . . . not really watching the work we do, but the things we do not do! They want to see us not helping, not serving, not praying, not attending church!  I can hear them saying, "See, I told you they would not. I told you they were fake. I knew they would be like the rest of the world!"

If nothing else, we must be consistent . . . consistently different. We, the ecclesia, are the called out ones of God. We are a peculiar people set apart by God to represent Him!

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light . . . (1 Peter 2:9)

As we witness a world in need, we the CHRISTians, the little Christs, must be consistent in our belief and our actions. They must line up. The unsaved world is watching to see if it is worth the effort to choose Christ! 

We must be Jesus with skin on!