I heard from God . . .

 How do we hear from God? Often I hear someone say, "I heard from God." I must admit, my initial response is what did He sound like? I am not trying to be cynical, but real! I mean, so many will tell someone that they heard from God or God has a word for you. 

So if God does speak today, and He does, then how?

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped fo every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Yes, that's right . . . the Bible! It contains God's message to man through people just like us! Just try a little bit a day and begin to "hear from God" today!

Love like God?

 Love like God? How can we do that? Well, first we have to get to know God more deeply to know just how deeply He loves each one of us! The more we recognize the grace and mercy He has shown us, we can in turn give it away to others. 

God does not allow anything to separate us from Him once we commit to Him. His love does not waiver. He may correct us . . . because He loves us. However, He will never leave us nor forsake us. He will not leave us orphaned. Because of Hs sacrifice, we are eternally His!

Let's commit to get to know God better and His love for us. Then . . . maybe then, we can begin to love others the way God loves us!

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

The WHY is so important!

So why do we serve? Why do we labor WHY, WHY, WHY! The why is so important in life! 

Write down your why . . . right now!

When we find the answer to the why, we have less doubt, less depression, less anxiety, more peace and more satisfaction. For the CHRISTian, life becomes fulfilling!

Listen to how Jeremiah was called and understood his WHY for the Lord:

For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord. Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. (Jeremiah 1:7-9)

As born-again believers, we are all called to serve. I look around me daily and see many who serve despite the challenges . . . WHY? We do not simply serve people. We serve God and the souls He puts before us! 

We do not serve for a paycheck but to bring Him glory and to bring others closer to the cross. No matter the job description, our why is to please God and bring Him glory!

Despite the challenges, we must keep serving well. People need to see a unified Body of Christ. We all need to finish the task daily. 

Serve out of love, not obligation. We must live and breathe to serve God and the ones He gives us. As a teacher and life coach, my why is to reach the youth for Christ. It is why I live and breathe. They must see a living and active Jesus in me. 

Yes, it is a challenge, more some days than others, but it is my why! 

Why God made you . . .

Know why God made you! The why is so important. Many ask the question: "What does God want me to do?" The better question is "Why does God want me to do it?" The answer to why is the reason for living!

I was saved at thirty-three years old. I was a struggling single dad, raising a five year old little girl, and literally running in circles asking God "Why?" I was raised in a denominational church, went to church, but did not have a relationship with God. Heck, I even read the bible! But no answer to "why?"

Once Jesus found me, the leaders of the church guided me into SONday school every SONday, encouraged me to join a men's bible study on Friday evenings, and challenged me to attend conferences and seminars to disciple me.

I learned my spiritual gifts and began to exercise them within the church Body. I not only was told what to do and how to grow in Christ, I was taught how to discover the "why"! 

For you shall go to all to whom I send you,

And whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces,

For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord. Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. (Jeremiah 1:7-9)

Since those early days of committing to Christ, He has led me to a beautiful bride, a growing family of now four children and seven grandchildren. He has given us the opportunity to serve thousands within our home and around the world in missions. I have been teaching, coaching, and discipling for nearly thirty years now. I love my "why"and embrace it!

Have you discovered your "why"? If not, ask me . . . I can help you!

Have you taken the time to see God today?

Have you "seen"God today? No, not the physical God in the flesh, but have you seen Him at work? 

Have you seen Him in a smile, in a kind gesture, in a sunset, in the morning sun rise, in the power of a storm, in the gentle breeze or even in the song of a sparrow?

Have you taken the time to see God today?                               

Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; (Psalm 46:8-11)

Pain is somewhat of a gift

 As I grow older, more and more I feel the pain of a lifetime of playing sports. Since I was five years old, all I remember is being in a gym, on a field or on a court playing some game or training for a team. It is a habit that I continue to this day . . . a good habit mind you . . . but nevertheless it comes with daily pain in one way or another. Arthritis, bursitis, sprains, strains, and bruises have become my daily reminders that I am still alive!

I often say that if I ever woke up or went to bed without some sort of ache, then I would know my time is up! However, the pain is somewhat of a gift. It reminds me that I need to communicate daily with God. I realize just how weak I am. It also reminds me that my pain in no way compares to the pain He suffered for me, as well as the pain I caused Jesus upon the cross! I therefore embrace the pain, but not without some extra strength Tylenol though! 😉

For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation. (2 Corinthians 1:5-7)

Foundations

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men . . . (Colossians 2:2-8)

Foundational facts . . . what we build upon determines our structure. Ask any architect, the foundation of a building is crucial to the structure. Tires on a car are crucial to its  performance. Even cheerleaders and gymnasts, when making a pyramid, need strong athletes on the bottom to hold up the rest of the team. The foundation is the key to the survival of the structure! The same is true for us as individuals and as a people.

As believers, we are rooted and grounded in Christ, but also in those who have gone before us. We have parents and grandparents who have taught us our faith from childhood up. Some of us were brought along by folks outside of our family; perhaps a friend, a teacher, or a pastor as I was. Yet regardless of how Christ found us, we all have a starting point . . . a foundation!

Stand upon that foundation as life goes on and build upon it. Encourage others and watch the spiritual building take place brick by brick. Do not let the lies of the enemy and those in this world sway you. Years later you will look back and see the strong structure of faith that God has built in and through you and those around you! Take your faith seriously!

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”         (Matthew 7:24-27)

"I can't"

Here is a four letter word that should never be uttered by a Christ follower: "can't". Ok, so it is really "cannot", but you get the message! Whenever we think or say, "I can't", we should hear the resounding words of the apostle Paul;

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

There are many things that we cannot do . . . in our own strength. However, the Spirit of God working through us and with the help of people He places in our lives, we can accomplish all He has planned for us! 

Oh we may fail at times, especially when we are out of His will and acting selfishly. Failures are the best teachers. God wants us to keep at it and never quit, even in the midst of what seems like failure . . . remember the cross, the grave . . . and then SONday morning!

As we still ponder Resurrection Day, let's be reminded of the phrase a former president coined a few years ago: "Yes we can!"

Before you were born.....

What is your purpose? Even before we are born into the world, God has a plan for each of us. Read what God told Jeremiah and what He tells each of us today:

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;

Before you were born I sanctified you;

I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5)

Are these words not encouraging? Everyone . . . EVERYONE has a purpose in life! God has set apart each one us for His glory. We each have specific talents and gifts to use in this life to honor God and assist others. 

The trouble is that most people think we are here to satisfy ourselves. This is the disconnect! We will never satisfy ourselves because we were not made for ourselves, but for God! (Romans 11:36)

Much of our frustration in life comes from trying to please ourselves. That is not why we are here. Here again is the key to pleasures in this life and the next . . .

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

The ONE Black Friday that is GOOD!

People look forward to Black Friday. Well, now it's Black Friday Week . . . Black Friday Month . . . Black Friday in July . . . but there is only ONE Black Friday that is GOOD. Yes, it involved a real deal . . . Jesus gave His life for our sins! Match that offer Best Buy! Beat that deal Wal-Mart! 

Today, we can now celebrate Jesus' sacrifice upon the cross, however, then it was a day of agony and despair. From an illegal trial to brutal and embarrassing scourgings and beatings, Jesus withstood it and then let everyone know: It is finished!

After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. (John 19:28-30)

“It is finished” is a translation of the Greek word tetelestai, the perfect indicative passive tense of the word telos, which means to end; to bring to completion; to bring to a conclusion; to complete; to accomplish; to fulfill; or to finish. The work was completed. The debt has been paid. Jesus, our High Priest and Sacrifice has completed His task! 

So today, we remember . . . we celebrate . . . and we honor our Lord and Savior. Today we are reminded to pick up our cross and follow Jesus, because our work is yet not finished here on earth!  

But is it still burning?

 What do you use to start a fire . . . wood, paper, starter bricks? How do you keep it going? 

Whether using a grill, fire pit, or the fireplace, the fire has to be started somehow and then remain lit to stay functional. Our CHRISTian walk is no different. Something . . . actually someONE ignited the fire. We may have had a special person challenge us to accept Christ as Lord and Savior, but the Holy Spirit drew us to Himself and opened our hearts up and set it ablaze.

But is it still burning?

The Spirit within us has to be strengthened over the years. We must allow it to touch others' lives. We must have the desire to allow Him to use us to make this place better . . . to bring heaven down to earth for others to experience. We must keep the fire burning! That takes deliberate effort. We must continue to stoke the fire!

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And He said to them, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. (Mark 14:22-24)

Jesus ignited the flames of CHRISTianity back on the Holy Thursday Passover meal. He made a NEW COVENANT with His disciples and for us as well. Today, let's think back to when it all started with you and me? How did the fire begin? Has anything changed? Is our flame growing weaker or is it burning brightly? Has it spilled out beyond the fire pit and ignited others? 

Let the fire spread!

Are we able to turn away from the things of the world?

 To what am identified? To what or whom are we committed? Is it this life and all the amenities of it or eternal lfe and our relationship with Christ? Are we able to turn away from the things of the world to really follow Christ?

In the bible, there was a rich young ruler who thought he was doing all the right things, yet he could not commit to follow Jesus. We read that he went away sad! How many of us would be in the same situation? Would we go away sad? Will we go away sad when facing our Judge?

Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:21-23)

As we close out Lent this Holy Week, looking toward clebrating Passover and the institution of the New Coveneant in Christ, let's examine our relationship with Him. Are we committed? Are we "all in"? What might be holding us back?

daily decisions!

 "Yes" to this and "no" to that . . . life is full of decisions . . . daily decisions! During this period of Lent, Holy Week, we should be focusing on our relationship with our Savior . . . how far we have progressed or how far we have regressed over the past year. 

What decisions have we made in relation to our CHRISTian walk? Decisions tell a lot about our beliefs and commitments. Where we pick up anchors and drop them make us who we are . . . and Whose we are! 

But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:14-15)

Today, let's focus upon the decisions we have been making and make this one today: I will decide to follow Jesus daily!

God has been really GOOD ...... Holy Week 2022

 What fills us with happiness . . . joy . . . contentment . . . peace? God has provided such things throughout our lives. We tend to forget most of them though and dwell upon the challenging days and trying times. God has been really GOOD to each of us. The very breath we breathe today is evidence! 

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

As we reflect this Holy Week of 2022, as Jesus prepared to go to the cross for every one of us, let's think of how good He has been! He has provided so much, yet His grace is sufficient enough! 

Have a blessed Holy Week in preparation for the coming SONday!

Why am I here?

 Why am I here? It is the age-old question. Well, to put it simply, just as Jesus had a task to complete when He came to earth, so do we! The difference is that Jesus was in constant contact with His Father throughout His life, so He knew the task and was determined to do it. 

And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. (Luke 22:41-43)

"Not My will, but Yours, be done." This is a very simple statement but one that will sustain our relationship with the Lord throughout out lives. Seek God's face and His will for you and life will make so much more sense and be much easier to navigate. 

This Lent, as we approach Resurrection Day, let's refocus our agendas to His agenda! We are here for His purposes!

learn to say "No"

 Learning to say "No" is difficult for most believers. We are trained to serve others, to be available to assist, and to give ourselves away. However, we must learn to say "No" to things that keep us from being in the will of God! Many times we are pulled into serving others and the world and we forget about serving God and His purposes. Let's face it, we cannot help everyone!

Following God's will for our lives brings great rewards. However, getting caught up in pleasing people can bring despair and even disobedience to the will of God. Often, we find ourselves in God's way.

I encourage you to read all of Hebrews 11 to see how so many said "Yes" to God and "No" to the world. Abraham said "yes" to God. Moses said "yes" to God. Isaiah said "yes" to God. Peter eventually gave in and said "yes". In a world of political correctness and twisted scriptures, we must focus upon His Word and His will and learn to say "No" to the traps of the world and "Yes" to God's callings.

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Hebrews 11:8-10)

daily needs

God will meet our daily needs! We are assured of this in scripture. In fact, in the well known model prayer, Jesus tells us to ask God for this very thing, "our daily bread"!(Matthew 6:11) We all have daily needs, physical, psychological, spiritual, and social needs. 

Our needs can change from time to time, even from day to day or perhaps moment by moment. However, God promises to meet those needs! Paul reminds us of this in his letter to the Philippians:

And my God shall supply all your need 

according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

We must be careful though to be sure our desires are what God desires for us. Outside of His will, we will never really be satisfied. As we close in on our Resurrection celebration, let's be careful to align ourselves with God.

Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done . . .(Matthew 6:10)

a hole in our heart

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”  But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7:37-39)

We all have a hole in our heart . . . a longing . . . for that ideal partner, a perfect car, a scholarship, a championship, perhaps a career appointment. But what happens when we obtain those things? The hole is still there! So what is missing? What will

ultimately fill that hole, that void?

There is a space . . . a hole . . . in everyone's heart for God. He alone is my security, my happiness, my life. God alone can meet all of my needs because He is the source of all things. He supplies the people, the jobs, the promotions, the scholarships, whatever.

What are you longing for today? What are your desires, goals and dreams? Will you seek God and allow Him to fill you with His desires for you? Will you allow Him to fill the hole in your heart?

What would HIStory tell if Abraham had said, "No!"?

“Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house . . .Then Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother’s son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom they had acquired in Haran, and they departed to go to the land of Canaan. (Genesis 12:1-5)

 

Trust God with His Word....go where He says to go! Do what He says to do! I often wonder what would HIStory tell if Abraham had said, "No!" How would things be different?

What about you and me? Have we disregarded God's calling upon our lives? What would be different if we obeyed His voice? How would things change? 

This week, as we begin to fully anticipate celebrating Christ's resurrection, let's focus upon how we live our daily lives in light of His sacrifice. 

How will our life change?

more . . . better . . . bigger? Enough!!!

Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart. (Jeremiah 24:7)

Do you find yourself always wanting more . . . better . . . bigger? Has life been one achievement after another only to be left dissatisfied and wanting more? It seems we are always in search of the rich, deep, fulfilling life seeking a deeper love, a more exciting career, better friendships, admiration, fame and perfection. 

What do people think of us? What legacy will we leave behind? What does all that matter . . . really?

When will enough be enough? When we realize we have all we need in Christ, everything else pales in comparison. All that matters is that we are pleasing our Father and representing Him well. It is His applause we should be seeking . . . His approval . . . His rewards. He is enough!

https://youtu.be/MVU3wX7Sbog