Be filled

Feeling a bit empty? Be filled . . .

“That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith- that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:16-19)

It is indeed a challenging world. Yet for the CHRISTian, we have a power that goes beyond anything this world can offer . . . yes even AI! We have the love of God within us that goes beyond any human understanding!

When we find ourselves weak . . . He strengthens us.

When we lack knowledge . . . He offers wisdom.

When we are lonely . . . He says He has never left us.

When we fail . . . He forgives.

When we are lost . . . He is our Good Shepherd.

When we feel lifeless and without hope . . . He breathes His Spirit into us and we are born again!

May we all come to understand Him more today and every day! Be filled with His love today!

Who are we trying to please anyway?

Are you finding yourself lagging behind? Are you honestly not doing your best? As a Christ follower, it is never acceptable to do anything half way or half heartedly. It is NEVER acceptable to accept failure! After all, Who are we trying to please anyway?

It is easy to find ourselves caught up in a world where half effort is acceptable. Getting by is ok. After all, we can always catch up later . . . right? Really? What if we run out of time?

“The harvest is past,the summer is ended, and we are not saved!” (Jeremiah 8:20)

Oh I know . . . Thant won't happen to me. I always have things under control. So I am a little late for things. I am always a few minutes late . . . a day to two late . . . I'll make it up by the end of the month, by next month . . . before it is too late. Then, it becomes too late!

Assignments past due . . . deadlines missed . . .  bills overdue . . . job not completed . . . failing grade . . . services cut off . . . dismissed from a job . . . illness strikes . . .  too late!!!!

Has God ever come up short, late, or failed us? Absolutely not! So why do we dismiss our actions as acceptable before such a holy God? Who are we trying to please anyway? Is it getting too late?

We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:1-2)

"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!"

only human . . .

We are only human . . . not an excuse anymore, but a reason! Jesus too was fully human while fully God. We hunger . . . we thirst . . .  we get lonely . . . we get cold . . . we experience rejection . . . we even fail at times . . . so did Jesus! (remember Judas?)

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

Our human needs and desires go through cycles, sometimes hour by hour, week by week, and year by year. It is the same for us spiritually. Just like our desire to eat every so often, we need to desire spiritual food on a regular basis. As we experience rejection and loneliness, we need to turn to our Father Whose presence is always available. Our failures should cause us to turn to the Word for encouragement . . . God has a plan for us to succeed! (Jeremiah 29:11)

As Jesus constantly turned to His Father when times were challenging, we too need to be sitting at His table more often in order to be fed! What needs are you experiencing today? God can and will meet them all! After all, we are only human!

Failure or a Re-Start? How is God working in your life?

Don't be afraid of a re-start. I know I do not like failure. As an athlete since I was five years old, it has been engrained in me to win. Just about everything is a competition to me. Just ask my wife. She often asks, "Does everything have to be a competition with you?" My answer is a simple, "Yes"!" I have to fight it daily.

As a believer, I hate failing God, even though I do it daily. However, when He gives me a specific assignment, I want to finish it and finish it well. Yet I am learning that even when God gives me work to do, it is He who is doing the work through me, not me working for Him. I am just a toll in the Craftman's hands.

Lately He has shifted our ministry focus and it is a bit hard to handle. For over twenty years He has used us in a unique way to serve teens and families here in the DMV. But things have changed. It is a bit weird!  Have we failed God or is He simply saying "I want you to adapt"? I am beginning to understand that He is giving us a re-start. He still wants us to serve, but is a different sort of way and even a unique arena. I am open to Hid calling and provision.

Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5: 20-21)

Our goal is till to bring people to Christ, yet as His ambassador, just maybe He is shifting our assignment!

What about you? Failure or a Re-Start? How is God working in your life?