God knows best

 

Enough is enough!

 

Have a need? Ask of God!

 

Now what?

 

Been hurt?

Been hurt before . . . by a friend, relative, co-worker, maybe even a family member . . . a parent? Forgiving those who hurt us is the key to happiness and inner peace. 

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. (Colossians 3:12-15)

As my father turns 90 tomorrow, I read a great scripture this morning. Wouldn't you know that God knew too! My parents were old school for sure. Mom always had my back and was always there for me. Dad was more coach than anything else. I never remember hearing "I love you" from them, or even getting a hug. I am sure I had to have experienced that at least once, but I can't recall! I do however, recall the anger, screaming and actual fighting!  

Now that Mom has been gone for seven years, Dad is alone in senior living. It is a challenge to even visit, but I am trying to honor my father as we are instructed in scripture. I am also instructed to forgive . . . for my own peace of mind . . . and pray I do better! 

https://youtu.be/rlxFee1mRtE?si=94q_skWBdSPsJbal

So, Dad, I forgive you for not being what I wanted and needed . . . even to this day. I pray for your salvation more than anything. I desire His peace for us both!

A child of God?

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name . . . (John 1:12)

What if we could pick our families? What kind of family would you pick? Would they be from a certain country . . . rich and famous . . . tall parents . . . athletic . . . political giants . . . royalty? But a child of God?

Well, the fact is we can pick our Father! God gives us a choice in life. We have the ability to choose the God of the universe as our Father and receive the right to be called His child and spend eternity with Him in His Kingdom!

Choose wisely . . . time is of the essence!

Father knows best

Father knows best.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Trusting God as a parent is tough. We want to do all we can to assure our kids' futures, yet we can't really do much on our own. God has the final say. Many times we simply get in God's way. The more we try to provide, protect and prepare our kids, the more we can frustrate what God has in mind. 

Remember how Jacob favored Joseph? (Genesis 37:3-4) How did that work out? God really had to work in that situation!

I am learning to let God be God. The one who I think needs me more, really needs more of God. That is not to say we do not still parent. We just have to give God room to work. Father knows best. 

In His footsteps. . . . to our youth

Walk where Jesus would have you to walk. Live the life He has designed for you. Follow His footprints, not the world's.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

God has designed a plan for each of us. We choose the path we will walk however. After all, Jesus walked this earth. He designed in fact! Why not trust Him rather than the world? 

The world and its ruler wold have us to choose a different path. He wants us to chase riches, people, fame, applause, and quick fixes. God wants us to chase eternity with Him. We get to choose. His path is not always easy, but it is best. The struggles are worth it, as long as we are struggling with God and not against Him!

Young people . . . please choose Christ!

Parental Guidance suggested . . . demanded!

Parental guidance suggested . . . demanded!

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. (3 John 1:4)

For me, my daily prayer is that my children and grandchildren are walking with the Lord. I have tried my best to instill in them the Words of God and done all I possible am able to do to set the right example. I admit, I have failed miserably at times, but the effort and the prayers are there!

God has instructed us as parents to teach our children His ways . . . all ways and always! He especially instructs fathers to be accountable. In a world where fathers have abandoned this role, thank God for moms and grandmoms. However, we guys are still held accountable! 

I am constantly challenged . . . read this carefully parents . . . especially fathers!

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)

"Don't I know you from somewhere? Haven't we met before?"

 You ever felt like you knew someone already when your were introduced? "Don't I know you from somewhere? Haven't we met before?"

Well, that is the way it is when we come to know Jesus as our Lord and Savior. You see, He did know us before . . . before we were even in our mother's womb! Now that is something to make your sit back and ponder! Young people especially, read these verses carefully. . . .

“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.” Then said I: “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” But the Lord said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak. (Jeremiah 1:5-7)

Since God knew us and has a special plan set out just for us, then we need to do what He intends for us to do . . . or we will be forever spinning our wheels in life! Stop trying to be someone else or living out someone else's plans for you.

Who knows us better than God . . . don't you think it is time we get to know Him better so we better know ourselves?

It is God who designed us

All of us are on this earth for a purpose, yet many of us never know why. Why is that? Well, very few people have asked the right person to explain the purpose. You see, while our parents, friends and others along life's way may see some things in us and recognize certain talents, it is God who designed us and He designed us to serve the Body of Christ and the world according to His plans!

Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)

We can search the whole world over and never find our purpose in life. God has gifted us with physical and spiritual gifts that work together to fulfill His purposes in this lifetime. He plants dreams and visions within from childhood. Yet, until we know Him personally, we will never know our true purpose. Through the Holy Spirit and through interaction within the Church Body, we begin to discover the way the giftings work and we begin to fulfill the purposes God has for us in life.

Do you desire to be satisfied . . . fulfilled . . . have dreams come true? My dreams and desires as an athlete led to coaching. Once I allowed Christ to live and reign within me and He revealed to me my spiritual gifts, I embraced those dreams as a "life coach" and teacher, working with teens and young adults. It has been over thirty years of living His dreams and purposes for my life! 

Seek after The Designer and His plans. . . . allow Him to shape your life!

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!

His family!

 We are His children . . . wrap your minds around that for a minute! Family is important. Whose we are matters. However, many today (including me) come from fractured, mangled, broken and unknown families. We have single-parent families, in and out parent families, foster families, adopted families, and non-nuclear families . . . and then we have our church family!

While God chooses where we are placed physically, we can choose whether or not we want to be in His family! Once in, we are in forever! No one can take His love from us nor His presence. 

And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” (John 10:28-30)

This should change one's perspective on life, no matter the challenges we face. We no longer need anyone's approval nor do we need to meet other's expectations. We are children in His family! I like the sound of that . . . who's your Daddy?

How does God see you and me? Lent 2022

 Ever wonder what God sees when He looks down upon us? I usually think He only sees my failures and sin. He must be disappointed in me! But that is NOT the case! We have to realize that God is our Father, so like any parent, He yearns to see us succeed and wants us to do so. He sees the potential in us, not our shortcomings. He sent Jesus to forgive us and restore us, so He sees our potential, not our past failures! His plan, if we believe in it and follow it, is to succeed!

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

 How does God see you and me? He looks upon with unconditional love and mercy . . . full of grace to forgive us, restore us and give us eternal hope! We are His kids after all!

Who am I? Lent 2022

 Searching for who we really are is something we all go through, no matter our stage in life. Often times we ask ourselves, "Who am I?" and "What am I doing?" Jesus too had these questions, but He knew where to turn. . . . to His Father! Remember in the Gospels when Jesus' life mission took on its crucial role? 

And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)

Whenever we are in doubt, whenever the enemy has us believing lies concerning our relationship with our Saviour, turn to the Father. 

Jesus never had to prove Himself to anyone. He never had to win anyone's approval but the Father's. He was focused on accomplishing the Kingdom work God had enlisted Him to complete!

So "Who am I?" "Who are we?"We are no longer slaves to this world . . . we are children of God! Cherish that thought for a moment!

https://youtu.be/f8TkUMJtK5k

Rejoice always?

 Paul tells us to "rejoice always"! (Philippians 4:4) Is that a reality? Who wants to hear those words when things are going badly? I know I don't! Yet like Paul, we need to praise God for Who He is, not what is happening! He is still God and His promises are still true! He will provide as He sees fit. God shows up in the praises!

I am always blown away by Job. No one suffered so much for reasons unknown, yet he fell to His knees and worshipped when he lost it all! He did not curse God, blame God, or forsake his beliefs. 

Can we practice this today when things go wrong? Rejoice!!!

Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb,

And naked shall I return there.
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the Lord.” In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong. (Job 1:20-22)

Like father, like son

Like father, like son....think about it! I remember hearing that saying as a child in a commercial. As a father, we must realize that our kids watch us and mimic us. This is so true, but many homes do not have a father present or if there is one, one worth mimicking. So what do we do?

Let's look to Jesus! He followed His Father's will as He lived in human flesh! How do we follow His example? We love as He loved. ( (Eph. 5:1-2; 1 Jn. 3:15-16) We forgive as He forgave. ((Col. 3:13) We serve as He served. ( (Jn. 13:15)

The apostle Paul gives us the best advice on how to be like our Father and His Son . . .

    Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)

Like father, like son . . . like Paul . . . we have the examples to follow. Now let's get to living it out!

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 . . .

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!