Cleaning up the Clutter

A Live Oak, depending on the size, may have thousands or even millions of little leaves and each spring they cover the ground with a dense layer of leaf litter, which can make an ideal breeding spot for mosquitoes. I really hate mosquitoes. They are pests but unlike scorpions, wasps, centipedes, crotches, and fire ants they seem to hunt down trouble. Those little blood-sucking kamikazes instantly irritate me when they fly near my ears and if one sneaks into my bedroom and buzzes near my head…forget. I will hunt it down and squish it.

So needless to say, to cut down on these pests at the church, I use the blower and lawnmower to mulch up the live oak leaves.

I was blowing a good 5 to 6 inch layer of spent oak leaves into a pile from around the youth buildings when God showed me something. Just under the boardwalk, the blower uncovered a massive rock.

The majority of the rock was still underground but some of the top proportion was now exposed. The exposed part runs 8 or 9 feet long and looking at it's smooth surface it had to be part of stream at some time in it’s life.

God then showed me something “else” about the rock. He showed me that the rock represents Him and His Son (Jesus Christ). People are so lost in the leaf litter of life that they either bury the experience of God in their everyday lives or don’t even realize He is there because he has either been forgotten or covered up by the foolish ideas and notions of the world. And it is not just people of the world but also people in the church.

It can be a REAL problem in the church. People can get so focused on time, schedules, this song and that song, this activity and that activity, this program and that program that there is no room left for God. Leaf litter only makes a church dead and impersonal. I call it a “church machine” because it no longer is in touch with God. A church is rendered useless when it is just run by human motives, ideals, thoughts, and understandings. A church filled with leaf litter is religious and religion may look like it is going somewhere but it is going no where because it only deals with customs, rituals and head knowledge and not Holy Spirit dealings and heart knowledge.

Did Jesus not say, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth? He will not be presenting his own ideas; he will be telling you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by revealing to you whatever he receives from me. All that the Father has is mine; this is what I mean when I say that the Spirit will reveal to you whatever he receives from me.” (John 16:12)

God the Father says “And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their hearts of stone and give them tender hearts instead, so they will obey my laws and regulations.” (Ezekiel 11:19)

Blowing the trumpet from the watch tower.
Some churches however have not just created their own leaf litter problems but have brought the leaf litter from the world and dumped into the church.

The church always has to deal with worldly matters but when the church deliberately disobeys God’s standards, laws and regulations and embraces standards of the world over what God has said, it no longer represents God or wants to hear from God.

If the worldly ideals, matters and status matter more then God to a person/or church how can God be seen in that person and/or congregation? God is talking to the legalist too! If you only enforce laws and regulations but God is not involved then you have only become religious and religion leaves God out of the process and equation.

If the church or individual doesn’t believe in absolute truth in the bible how can they be empowered to do God’s will? You have not only short changed yourselves but God as well.

If the Word of God is twisted and changed to resemble more the ideals of world - then what God says and Jesus says in red print, whom does it really represent?

If money and prosperity is emphasized over living right and doing God’s will, there is a problem.

If the giftings of the Holy Spirit are NOT embraced or encouraged because it makes certain individuals uncomfortable, what has the church done?

What would God say to a church that allows a gay and/or lesbian pastor/ teacher to preach to His people?

What would God say to individuals in a church that hate, judge, gossip, are unforgiving and sue one another?

What would God say to individuals who don't give 10 percent of their earnings to God to help pay for all the utility bills, missionary support, Sunday school materials, food pantry, maintenance and repairs on the church building, and your pastor's income? You hold on to your money like it is really yours but is it? Who gave you that job? Who gave you the ability and knowledge to do your job well? You hold onto that money because of some fear or future want or need but you don't realize God fulfills every want and need at just the right time. Be faithful and give that 10 percent and God will honor that.

Some churches have so much leaf litter that they have made quite the pest problem and resemble more the world then servants for God … and then they wonder why they don’t hear or experience God? Would God show himself where He isn’t welcomed?

(Of course, He does show up sometimes and it’s a real reawakening. And sometimes He lets the church fall apart so they will repentant and come back to Him. And yes He does allow the weeds and wheat to grow together but they won't end up in the same place at harvest time.)

An individual or a church cannot serve two masters and these are huge warning signs.

I plead with you the Christian church. Just look at what Jesus says to the churches in Revelation Chapter 2, 3 and 4. "Anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the Churches." Ask God to help you examine yourselves.

For the people lost in this world, the leaf litter is upholding the values and ideals of the world. They can’t see God because the world and all it’s allures blind them. They are slaves to a world that says “I” or “ME” are more important then anyone else. They react and do things merely by human instinct because they don’t know God and/or have never been shown God. God hasn’t touched their heart… YET. These people have no truth to stand on so they go with what the rest of this world wants to believe. God to them is whatever they decide they want Him to be, -certainly not a God that wants His people to uphold His morals, laws and regulations. They can only see that kind of God as a controlling and convicting God but if they only knew God, they would see why He made such morals, laws and regulations in the first place.

(He made such morals, laws, and regulations because He didn’t want His beloved creation to destroy it’s self.)

They believe in a god of love and a god that sends nobody to hell… and that is true. God is a God of love and He sends no one to hell. Of course God’s love isn’t made up of what we consider or try to manipulate or understand love to be. God’s love is Holy, unrestricted, and unselfish. It is righteous, sinless, and quick to save. And God sends nobody to hell.

(The devil and his army have whispered this particle truth to thousands, but they forgot to tell these precious individuals the ENTIRE truth.)

The truth is “God doesn’t send people to hell because they DO that to THEMSELVES because they do not want to believe in Jesus Christ, who took the punishment for our sins and they choose not to believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.”

These poor souls choose to continue and practice sin and won’t come to Jesus to save them. They do not realize they were made for Jesus Christ not for the ways of the world. That is why every time a person tries to find fulfillment in the things (the leaf litter) of the world they are left unsatisfied. The leaf litter of the world has covered their eyes and hears so they cannot see the Rock of Salvation (Jesus Christ). They are too busy wondering why they have all these pest problems to seek the solution, which is Jesus Christ.

To truly be the body of Christ and be free we must blow away the leaf litter from our lives so we can truly see God and what truly matters in life. To seek God’s face, to get right before God, to be filled and empowered by God’s Holy Spirit, to read His Word, love one another, and to reach out to those who don’t know Jesus Christ.

Who Am I? What Is My Purpose? Looking and Searching for Meaning -Graffiti - Bridge To Live

Treasure Hunters Find True Treasure

I have a good friend who is a job hunter. He has had so many jobs that I have don't even try to keep track. He has always sought the perfect job those that will satisfy him and provide a good income for his family. I admire that in him for that. For one it takes courage and risks and sometimes-potential employers don’t always understand when looking at his job resume why they might want to hire someone like my friend. And 2 most people give up finding the perfect job just to meet the needs for themselves or their family. He will probably one day find that perfect job because he is relentless in this quest.

He is a treasure hunter and like all treasure hunters they seek what they cannot yet see to fulfill a want or need in their life.

Last night as was rereading Colossians 2, I thought how much the enemy wants to bury Jesus Christ and all He is and stands for from those who haven’t met or haven’t come to know him yet. The enemy wants to hide the truth of Jesus Christ from the world because in him lay hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge and without Jesus Christ people are just lost, unfulfilled, and have no hope or absolutes to build off of.

But a treasure as GREAT as Jesus Christ can never be buried in the soul of the seeker because until that need is met, he/she will seek him until they find him. He/she instinctively knows what exactly meets the requirements of true treasure in their soul. (Romans 1:19)

He/she will have sought long and hard, finding nothing satisfies them and they won’t give up seeking this true treasure (Jesus Christ) until he is found. They know all other ways are sinking sand.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28)

But those who say they have no need or do not understand what this true treasure is, will be deceived by persuasive arguments, empty philosophy and high sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the evil powers of this world. (Colossians 2)

Jesus says to the Laodicea church that has gone contrary to his will, “You say, 'I am rich. I have everything I want. I don't need a thing!' And you don't realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 I advise you to buy gold from me – gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. And also buy white garments so you will not be shamed by your nakedness. And buy ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19 I amthe one who corrects and disciplines everyone I love. Be diligent and turn from your indifference. 20 "Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends.” (Revelation 3:17-20)

Now that is a true friend. A friend that will tell you the truth before it is too late.

Everyone knows there is a God for the bible says “God put this knowledge in their hearts. From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities- his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God.” (Romans 1:20)

Have we not all seen how similar the veins on the backside of a leaf look to the veins that carry the blood in our very own bodies? Have we not felt the wind on our faces but do not see where it goes or comes from? How clear water is but is essential for life? How the rain is carried in the clouds and how it is poured out? Or even how a seed must die to produce new life?

“Yes they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result was that their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead.” (Romans 1:21-22)

Seekers of true treasure, is Jesus knocking at your door? If so let him in and find the treasure you have always been seeking.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it. There is no judgment awaiting those who trust him. But those who do not trust him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God. Their judgment is based on this fact: They hate the light because they want to sin in the darkness. They stay away from the light for fear their sins will be exposed and they will be punished. But those who do what is right come to the light gladly, so everyone can see that they are doing what God wants.”

False Teachings in so-called “Christian” Churches

There seems to be an increasing amount of false teachings about Jesus Christ. To be quite honest, it pains me the same way a woman were to watch her loving husband be falsely represented/ depicted in a court room.

Watching and hearing Oprah (Video of Oprah) say there is more then one way into heaven other then Jesus Christ is a giant dangerous problem. It not only ignores that fact,

In John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

But questions if the bible is absolute truth. Oprah is not the only one pushing these ideals but so-called “churches of change, progressive or off shoot congregations of different denominations. There are television programs with "so-called experts" and books like "Conversations with God" and "Conversations with God for Teens."

They present crosses on their signs and steeples but deny and question why the cross and/or the saving power in Jesus Christ.

Certain churches within different denominations have made it easy to make this transition simple to these so-called “Christian” churches, by slowly allowing morals and truths to be swept aside. These issues range from allowing homosexuals clergy to lead their congregations, to allowing same sex marriages, to questioning and denying the gifts of the Holy Spirit, to have an emphasis on money and prosperity rather then a heart of giving… to name a few. Some churches are so planned and scheduled down to the minute that they completely alienate God. They have become routine, impersonal, ritual, machines. Clergy, pressured by numbers and figures end up preaching to the wants of people instead of what God wants them to hear. And of course you have the baby boomers children, who were seldom or hardly taken to church, going to these so-called "Christian" churches to seek truth, purpose and encouragement having no idea of the false teachings being taught to them.

Recently I read an article in our community paper about a local church called “The Branches”. They say they are a Presbyterian/Lutheran congregation but the clergy did not sound sold out for Jesus or the bible. When asked how people get into Heaven. They answered, “I’m not sure. I think we begin by how we live on Earth.”

WHAT? JESUS is the only way to eternal life in Heaven.

When asked if the bible represents absolute truth and is without error, they answered with ‘No. I think it is a document produced by people like you and me. They are fallible like you and I. They were inspired, but they were not free of short-comings and it needs to be read as such.” The church is defined as a 'church of change' that is interested in living the genuine questions about life as opposed to handing out the answers.”

WHAT? How can a person live their life if they live by questions and no absolutes? If your thoughts are only based on the standards and ideals down here then you are no different then a person who says they don't believe in God because the people who have made up such false teachings have made up their own false gods who can not save them or empower them to change. The devil has tricked and blinded such people. They think they have tasted enlightenment but in the end they will find out the only god they were serving is Satan himself who wants to take as many of God's chosen creation with him to the eternal pits of hell.

The clergy then quotes a Boston University Professor Harrell Beck that reads, “Asking the questions for which there are no answers is the beginning of wisdom.”

HUH? Questions about how to live life, that do not start in truth, they only lead to "disaster". You must start with Jesus Christ as your foundation to find true wisdom.

The article then sits on a nice large ad that points out that you can pay to take sessions for these, “Living the Questions” classes on Thursday nights from April to June developed by two theology students from Boston University

Note: (Newspaper quotes came from page 9 of "THE ADVISOR!" Issued on (April 9, 2008) written by staff writer Caroline Turney.)

My heart deeply sinks and I want to yell out, “NO!” I want to literally throw up because I worry about those who follow such false teachings. I want tell people going and participating in these death traps, “I know the truth because the TRUTH has set me free. Jesus Christ is not some far away messiah who can’t hear us but He is very near and His Spirit resides in me! There is no other way to Heaven except through Jesus Christ. Through him there is not just eternal life in heaven but a “NEW” lifestyle and outlook on life. THERE is encouragement and hope and absolute truth! There are "absolute" answers to your questions.”

All that being said, I want to conclude with this:

2 Peter 1:12
I plan to keep on reminding you of these things – even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth.
1:13
Yes, I believe I should keep on reminding you of these things as long as I live.
1:14
But the Lord Jesus Christ has shown me that my days here on earth are numbered and I am soon to die.
1:15
So I will work hard to make these things clear to you. I want you to remember them long after I am gone.
1:16
For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the power of our Lord Jesus Christ and his coming again. We have seen his majestic splendor with our own eyes.
1:17
And he received honor and glory from God the Father when God's glorious, majestic voice called down from heaven, "This is my beloved Son; I am fully pleased with him."
1:18
We ourselves heard the voice when we were there with him on the holy mountain.
1:19
Because of that, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. Pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a light shining in a dark place – until the day Christ appears and his brilliant light shines in your hearts.
1:20
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophets themselves
1:21
or because they wanted to prophesy. It was the Holy Spirit who moved the prophets to speak from God.

2 Peter 2
2:1
But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach their destructive heresies about God and even turn against their Master who bought them. Theirs will be a swift and terrible end.
2:2
Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of them, Christ and his true way will be slandered.
2:3
In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction is on the way.
2:4
For God did not spare even the angels when they sinned; he threw them into hell, in gloomy caves and darkness until the judgment day.
2:5
And God did not spare the ancient world – except for Noah and his family of seven. Noah warned the world of God's righteous judgment. Then God destroyed the whole world of ungodly people with a vast flood.
2:6
Later, he turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into heaps of ashes and swept them off the face of the earth. He made them an example of what will happen to ungodly people.
2:7
But at the same time, God rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a good man who was sick of all the immorality and wickedness around him.
2:8
Yes, he was a righteous man who was distressed by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day.
2:9
So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while punishing the wicked right up until the day of judgment.
2:10
He is especially hard on those who follow their own evil, lustful desires and who despise authority. These people are proud and arrogant, daring even to scoff at the glorious ones without so much as trembling.
2:11
But the angels, even though they are far greater in power and strength than these false teachers, never speak out disrespectfully against the glorious ones.
2:12
These false teachers are like unthinking animals, creatures of instinct, who are born to be caught and killed. They laugh at the terrifying powers they know so little about, and they will be destroyed along with them.
2:13
Their destruction is their reward for the harm they have done. They love to indulge in evil pleasures in broad daylight. They are a disgrace and a stain among you. They revel in deceitfulness while they feast with you.
2:14
They commit adultery with their eyes, and their lust is never satisfied. They make a game of luring unstable people into sin. They train themselves to be greedy; they are doomed and cursed.
2:15
They have wandered off the right road and followed the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved to earn money by doing wrong.
2:16
But Balaam was stopped from his mad course when his donkey rebuked him with a human voice.
2:17
These people are as useless as dried-up springs of water or as clouds blown away by the wind – promising much and delivering nothing. They are doomed to blackest darkness.
2:18
They brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting. With lustful desire as their bait, they lure back into sin those who have just escaped from such wicked living.
2:19
They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves to sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.
2:20
And when people escape from the wicked ways of the world by learning about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up with sin and become its slave again, they are worse off than before.
2:21
It would be better if they had never known the right way to live than to know it and then reject the holy commandments that were given to them.
2:22
They make these proverbs come true: "A dog returns to its vomit," and "A washed pig returns to the mud."

Scriptures came from the New Living Translation (NLT) Bible


All other ways are sinking sand. Jesus Christ and his true way is where we must stand. He is our solid rock.

That is Faith in Deed!

Most of us know that good deeds don’t get us into Heaven but it is by faith in Jesus Christ that we can enter into Heaven for eternity. Good deeds and actions however show our faith to others. People can tell what "kind" of people we are by our actions, words and deeds. You and I can say we are Christians all we want but we prove it to the "world" by your actions.

James 2 says this “what’s the use of saying you have faith if you don’t prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can’t save anyone. Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food and clothing and you say, “Well, good-by and God bless you; stay warm and eat well” –but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, it isn’t enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn’t show itself by good deeds is no faith at all- it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” I say, “I can’t see your faith if you don’t have good deeds, but I will show you my faith through my good deeds.” Do you still think it’s just enough to believe that there is one God? Well, even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror! Fool! When will you ever learn that faith that does not result in good deeds is useless?”

Example of useless faith: You see a woman with children at a gas station. Her car is stuffed with all of their remaining possessions. You can tell they are seeing hard times and it is evident that she is down to her last few dollars when her children cry out from an open window, "I'm hungry mom." She quietly tells them, "We'll be able to get something when they get to grandma's" but you can tell by her voice and the way she is looking at the numbers on the gas pump that they may not even be able to get to grandma's house as she reluctantly let's go of the gas pump handle. You have the ability to fill up the rest of her tank with gas and purchase a couple happy meals for the kids but you don't.

Other example of useless faith: You see an elderly woman trying to reach for a high item on top of a shelf but you walk past her instead of helping her. A homeless man sits on a curb. He is obviously thirsty. You have a bottle of water but you don't give it to him. You go to work, the guys are cursing this word and that word and to fit in you curse right along with them.

People believe you are a person of faith by your good deeds.

Some refer to Hebrews 11 as the “Hall of Faith” All those people listed in Hebrews 11 proved their faith by action. God told them to do something and they did it. Hebrews 11:6 says, “It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” How did those people sincerely seek him? By doing what God had asked of them.

There is a fine line however between doing good deeds to make yourself look good and doing good deeds for God’s glory and it is an easy trap to fall into if you aren’t careful.

Jesus says this in Matthew 6, "Take Care! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired, because then you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give a gift to someone in need, don't shout about it as the hypocrites do- blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I assure you, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone, don't tell your left hand what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in secret, and your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you."

Along the lines, Isaiah 58 says, “They love to make a show of coming to me and asking me to take action on their behalf. We have fasted before you!” they say. “Why aren’t you impressed? We have done much penance, and you don’t even notice it.” I will tell you why! It’s because you are living for yourselves even while you are fasting. You keep right on oppressing your workers. What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me. You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like a blade of grass in the wind. You dress in sackcloth and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the LORD? No, the kind of fasting I want calls for you to free those who are wrongly imprisoned and to stop oppressing those who work for you. Treat them fairly and give them what they earn. I want you to share your food with the hungry and to welcome poor wanderers into your homes. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. If you do these things, your salvation will come like the dawn. Yes, your healing will come quickly. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the LORD will answer. “Yes I am here,” he will quickly reply. Stop oppressing the helpless and stop making false accusations and spreading vicious rumors! Feed the hungry and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you be as bright as day. The LORD will guide you continually, watering your life when you are dry and keeping you healthy, too. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.”

Jesus, also talking about fasting, says the same thing, “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you, but if you refuse to forgive others your Father will not forgive your sins. And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, who try to look pale and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I assure you, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will suspect you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in secret. And your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you”. (Matthew 6)

When you are resentful and have unforgiviness toward others, you are not only oppressing others for something God has forgiven you for but you are imprisoning yourself. And when you make a show of your good deeds to others, who gets the glory, you or God? Do you think human opinion and praise are greater then God’s rewards?

Proverbs 19:17 “If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD- and he will repay you!”

Besides, is what you have really yours? Think about it?

Jesus said, “Wisdom is shown to be right by the results from it.” (Matthew 11:19) What kind of results come from selfish ambition and/or not sharing what God has given us?

Consider this in closing, “when the Son of Man (Jesus Christ) comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate them as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand the goats at his left. Then the King will say to those on the right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me. Then the righteous ones will reply, “Lord when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you? And the King will tell them, ‘I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me! Then the King will turn to those on his left and say, “Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his demons! For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me anything to drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me no clothing. I was sick and in prison and you didn’t visit me.” Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ And he will answer ‘I assure you, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’ And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.” Matthew 25:31-46

Sorry we can't be the pirates that don't do anything or the world won't know the difference between us and it.

Micheal Youssef is also being shown the same things God is showing me.
Click on this link if you want to see "Using the Power of Example"
http://www.lightsource.com/ministry/leading_the_way/20080403/

A Privileged Life

Can you imagine that the God of the universe wants to have a relationship with us? Not just any type of relationship but an intimate relationship with us.
Can you imagine? Is it not amazing?

Sometimes our daily circumstances and personal issues take our thoughts away from God. It is this meeting, that appointment, this time, that project, this obstacle, this gathering and before you know it, you are laying on your bed giving God your impersonal check-list for the day before you close your eyes and go to sleep. Where are the genuine unrushed exchanges and moments of silence with God in our day? A relationship based on “a few drowsy words” or “no time for you actions” would last how long for two friends or two lovers? I don’t know about you but I think that kind of relationship would cease to continue would it not?

Thank God, He is a patient, loving and merciful.

We are all guilty of this, are we not? Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our daily lives and routines that we can’t even see what God does for us. And if we can’t see what God is doing in our lives how can we really be aware or notice what God wants us to do?

Who knows how many people in our week we have missed to show God’s love to. We as Christians sometimes seem to walk around with blinders on.

Refreshing gratitude, peace, and love come forth as we take time for the Lord in our day. The weight of time, tasks and even burdening emotions are lifted and we get refocused on what truly matters in this life. We forget how privileged we are to be so loved.

Take time even if it is right now. Get away from the computer. Go some place quiet. Close your eyes what do you hear? Open your eyes what do you see? What do you have that the Lord has given you that you are grateful for. What are some of the things that have been on your mind that you need God’s help figuring out or even letting go of? Who do you know who could use your prayers? Oh I am sure as soon as you start talking, the both of you will have plenty to talk about.

And if it has been quite sometime since you talk with God, then I am certain He would love to hear from you just as He would any of His children.

May God Bless you.