Hebrews 10:23-24

“Let us hold resolutely to the hope we confess, for He who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds….” Hebrews 10:23-24

The launch pad of our decisions makes a great impact in our life and those around us.  

What I mean when I say “launch pad” I mean the “fuel” of a thought.  

We have a lot of thoughts… some negative and some positive... some we question "Where did that come from?" and some that seemingly have no purpose whatsoever…

Who do we allow to fuel our thoughts- who influences, sensors and transforms our thoughts? Do we ourselves fuel our thoughts? Of course!  Do we allow the opinions of others? On occasion.  Do we allow the world,  like television and social media? Quite possible.  Do we allow God?  

"Let us hold resolutely to the hope we confess"… What hope are you confessing in when you speak and act? 

What is being manifested?  What is regurgitated junk? What is living and breathing and needed and new?  God doesn't give us words that are dead for our soul but he breaths life into them and makes them new and deeper. 

I don’t know about you but this human condition had influenced my soul for a long time but did it prosper my soul?  Before the revelation of Jesus,  my hope was more often then not in things here today and gone tomorrow?  Were they in God? For the most part...  No.   Those temporary things the world offered never prospered my soul.  They were fleeting- and who can sit on anything that is fleeting.

What happens when we hold fast, turn to, submit, draw close to God?  When we sincerely look to God, WHO is faithful, He manifests His perfect will in our lives- which is something we just can’t produce on our own. 
 

In HIM... We live in who we are supposed to be and created to be.  We live in His love.  We live in the knowing we are children of God.

"For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’" Acts 17:28

(I am going to take a slight jump here in thought.)

1 Corinthians 13:13 says: “There are three things that will endure- faith, hope, and love- and the greatest of these is love.”

God is the foundation of our FAITH.  He is our HOPE.  And His LOVE influences our life.  These things are to override/supersede, and prevail over everything else.  It is what makes us endure all things.

In His love we are set free from ourselves and the things that so easily trip us up like our own insecurities.

But we fail to live in this when look inward instead of outward towards God.  I wonder if we stopped looking inward at ourselves and being filled with the junk of this world  -what we might accomplish inside and outside of ourselves in God- hence being an influencing light in a dark world.

This is quite possible what Paul meant when he wrote:

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter.  Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right.  Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable.  Think about things that excellent and worthy of praise.  Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9

So deliberately look to God in all things... And watch the God of peace prosper your soul in Himself and enable you to supernaturally, to spur others on in love and good things.   All things...

What Has Been Amplified to You This Christmas?

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Besides the circumstances and tests that tried to take away our joy of the Christmas Season, what message was God amplifying to you and I during that last few days?

Here are some that came to mind.

1.     A closer Spirit guided/directed relationship with Him (God) where we are continually surrendering our day to Him and appreciative of what He is doing and what He has done and is going to do. One might call these continual sanctifying moments. (Romans 12:1-2, Ephesians 6, Galatians 5:25)

2.     Pray for others. I find we might not be able to provide for all needs (such as deliverance from hatred and depression, sickness, a coma, a destructive marriage) but we can certainly pray in faith for the needs of others to be met by Jesus Christ. For Jesus can reach what the enemy meant to kill, steal and destroy and awaken, deliver, soften and heal. (1 Timothy 2:1, Ephesians 6:18, Matthew 5:43-45, Philippians 4:6-7)  And like it or not God made us to encourage one another in Him not ourselves. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

3.     We are all needy people even if we foolishly think we are not.  We all need God- doesn’t matter how long we have been a Christian or not. I find people don’t just need to know they are saved from Hell when they give their life to Jesus but Jesus came to give them LIFE and LIFE more abundantly.  Jesus came to help us to transform our thinking from the past and the mundane.  Jesus came that we may not live by our strength but God’s Spirit that overcomes the many circumstances that want to trip us up.  (Romans 3:23, Isaiah 6:5, Philippians 4:19, Psalm 23:1)

4.     Jesus is God. Jesus has no beginning and no end. (Genesis 1:26, James 4:8, John 14:11, John 1:1&2, 1 John 1:1-4, Revelation 22:12-13)

5.     We as Christians are a priesthood that has no beginning and no end for our priesthood comes through Christ Jesus.  (Hebrews 5:4-6, 1 Peter 2:9)

6.     God kept infant Jesus safe from the dangers of King Herod. His plan will succeed. (Luke 2:1-17, Revelation 12:1-17) 

7.     All blessings flow like the narrow part of a flask through Jesus Christ. (James 1:17-18, John 10:9, John 14:6)

8.     God knows all. God has perfect timing. (Psalm 139. Matthew 6:8, 2 Peter 3:8-9, Psalms 37:7)

To the Hearts of Light

We will definitely see and experience and even feel difficult things in our life but those things will not conquer those who trust in the Lord and remember to live in childlike faith.

One of those most difficult things to experience is this “sense” of separation from God. Our connection with God seems slower then the slowest setting on an intravenous drip. You pray, read the word of God but there is no pitocin affect. No birth of direction or insight, you wonder if you have done something wrong so you repent for anything you might have done. The lessons you have taught have been assured by two or three sources but still you feel discouraged and even some desperation. You feel like a hypocrite because suddenly you have gone from the Roman officer to ask Jesus for healing for his servant and mother asking for a cure for her daughter’s demon possession – two examples of great faith- to a doubting disciple such as Thomas. You have seen first hand and experienced the power and miracles of Jesus yet now feel let down, rejected, put in a corner because of a personal feeling or understanding that is sending a choking intoxicant into your blood stream which is aimed at your heart. The purpose of this intoxicant is to keep the Holy Spirit from shining in your life. If the enemy of your soul can persuade you to use your own understanding like a closed flask that chokes out the source of light in your life - he will. He loves to undermine the pillars and scholars of the church.

You know it's not what you do that counts with God but what drives your heart. You know you love Jesus not for what He does but for who He is.

You have seen others fall- you remember the glory of God on them and how far away they are now from the Lord. You remember their understanding causing them stumble, fall and then go silent.

You feel weak but you remember the Lord telling you to persevere (Rev 3:10). You don’t want to fall or stumble yet you know the dangers if you stop walking forward. You don’t know if you could handle one more test in your life for it seems you are always tested and tested to a higher degree on what you teach and speak.

You have taught all these wonderful secrets and insights and powerful truths from the Lord. You know it’s not always about feelings but you are no robot – for the Jesus you know is full of compassion, love, mercy and grace.

Knowing full well you can write a book or a reference of pages for others to openly read in your life you address your focus and in whom you really trust. (Psalm 91)

You ask yourself does the truth live only in your mind, in your heart or both? It should live in both.

Meditating on Jesus and what he has done - the dark plaguing your understanding and troubling our heart is taken away. The present circumstances go away. The light of truth (Holy Spirit) begins to breath mightily in your life again.

Relief…. for the quiet and humble heart.

(NIV) And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30

(NLT) And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:30

"You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.
No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.” Matthew 5:14-15

"Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is bad, your body is filled with darkness.” Luke 11:34

“If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light." Luke 11:36

"Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! Luke 12:35-37

Secure Your Minds

Dropping off some family at the airport the other day and I could not help but notice a lot of police and unmarked cars along the freeway and at the airport. They even had a helicopter flying around the area. “What is going on?” I wondered. Is there an Amber Alert? Is there a terrorist threat? Is there a wanted fugitive loose? Is there a former president in town? I later got a phone call from the family I had just recently dropped off and they said they were closing the airport down because President Obama was flying into town.

I thought, “That would be cool to actually see Air Force One land.” When I got home I looked up the reason for why Obama was flying into town and found it was for a fundraiser. The fundraiser was charging $35,000 dollars a plate and $50,000 dollars for a couple. That is crazy!!! Who has that kind of money?

I hoped that maybe he was flying into town to see the extent of the damage from the recent fires that wiped out entire neighborhoods and he was reconsidering his stance on offering federal assistance but no he was not here to offer money for the fighting fire effort but here to take money instead. So what is the positive side of all this?

The positive side was how impressed I was with all the visible security along the roadways. “What if our thoughts had that same kind of watchful security force?” I thought. I hadn't done anything wrong but I was very conscious of my driving in the area. This led to another thought- We as Christians seem to have a lack of reverence towards God. We seem to forget he is watching us at all times. And if we had the reverence we are to have towards God maybe we would be more mindful of our actions and words in this life.

Then I thought about those airport-scanning machines…. And how they can see into our luggage and detect “what is” and “maybe a danger”.

You know God can see inside this vessel. He can see the motives of our heart. Where do motives start?

1 Thessalonians 2:4 “For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.”

1 Corinthians 4:5 “So don't make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.”

Statements like those should be at the forefront of our mind and act as a gatekeeper for our thoughts but unfortunately we sometimes give other things in life a backstage pass when all they do is breed sin and lack of faith. Scriptures like those should bring us to repentance and help us to have greater respect for God. It should want us to ask God to be the gatekeeper of our mind and heart everyday.

We have these brown and white scorpions that come out at night. They can get into your house. Their sting is pretty painful if you get stung by one. I know some people that actually hunt them down at night with a black light. A black light makes the scorpions light up like a florescent green glow stick and when this family spots them they go out and stomp on the buggers, which is a good thing because scorpions can have several dozens of babies at one time.

A thought can be a very powerful thing. We have thoughts that can empower us to live a good Christian life or thoughts that can be venomous and painful to ourselves and those around us. Our thoughts can multiply and spread. The thoughts we should watch out for are the ones that breed fear, doubt, anger, pride, discouragement, falsehood and so on...

We live in dark world. I have pretty much stopped watching the news and am very selective to what I listen to on the radio for news -for many things on the airways today are negative, twisted and one sided. I cannot trust in what I see or hear anymore. I must trust God. We must invite God to be our daily security service detail. God is like that black light that reveals all the venomous things in our thoughts. With God’s help, he can bring every thought captive that rises and goes against the knowledge of God. We are not our own but we tend to live as we have some say or leeway in this life. If we want to life fulfilled as a Christian we must have God be our leader in all things in life. God's knows our destiny. He has the plans. He created us for a purpose.

2 Corinthians 10:5 says “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ”

We have thoughts come at us that exalt themselves against the knowledge God has given us.

We can’t live our lives as if we are asleep. We can’t just go with the flow. We have to be watchful of our thoughts… and if you are a person like me - who thinks a lot about things -we must never let the kite fly too far from the spool. Our thoughts are like a selfish-little child that puts whatever it wants into our grocery cart and if we aren’t paying attention we’ll end up paying for those things in one way or another.

Think about this. Are we letting “everything” come down our conveyer belt of thought -to be placed in our grocery sack to be eaten?

1 Thessalonians 5:6 says “So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.”

Proverbs 4:23 “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”

1 Peter 5:8 says “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

Our thoughts should be focused on our hope in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 6:17 “Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

The helmet of our salvation is OUR HOPE in Jesus Christ. A person can not endure without these three things, HOPE, LOVE, and FAITH. A person without Jesus Christ is without hope, does not know what real love is and has religion instead of faith. GOD's word is our defense and our surgeon. It not only protects us but also detects what is wrong with our lives and needs to be fixed by God's Spirit -so we can be well equipped and be all that God called us to be.

How is our appetite for God’s word? Are we getting all we need to walk this Christian path and destiny God has for us? Knowledge and wisdom aren’t found in what society thinks as important. They are found in the word of God and God’s Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 3:14-17 “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned [them], 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. 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 for every good work.”

1 Corinthians 2:11-16 “For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment: "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.”

So secure your mind in Christ. Let him who knows you and has gone through all the temptations of life be your mind's gatekeeper and instructor.

Oh… It’s Just Life.

A Christian life… Easy?… No way! Whoever said it was easy to live a Christian life would be lyin. Of course I wouldn’t want to go back to my old life but knowing this life is temporary helps. Though I really get tired of getting caught in the middle of the Spirit verse flesh thing. (Galatians 5:17) I wonder if God is slowly dismantling the flesh impulses in us?

I love it when God gives us a sense of humor about the “things” that go wrong in life… We let go of the reins of life and let the wild horses ride. Jesus is taking care of the trail blazing and we are just along for the ride instead of fighting the vacuum that wants to suck us into a cesspool of infuriation.

Instead of feeling like the world is against us, we seem to be able to just shrug our shoulders and smile and say, “Yep what else is new? I guess I'll put that on a list too and see when the Lord can help me get around to it...." We just seem to surf that irritation like a skilled boarder taking on a monster wave when God gives us the right mindset. Of course we have to take the time to allow God to give us the right mind set before we tackle such a wave.

Then there are those tests that just put us over the flame -like a kernel of popcorn in popcorn popper. It’s as if every situation and moment in the day is building to a single moment where we will be challenged to the very core and fiber of our faith. Tests are good because they help us see if our faith in genuine or stuffed with fluff.

And when the test is over God reiterates his truth to us with either the savory buttery flavor or that funky burnt smell. Either way he always seems to get his point across.

I prefer the buttery flavor myself but I have eaten my share of burned popcorn too. Still need Jesus every day.…

Our faith is so dependent on truth. It’s not just remembering the truths we have been taught but allowing God to assist us in that truth.

We all would love to just run through those trying moments in life but when we do we see our treading wasn’t light but we have poured a path of gasoline behind us and lit the match as well. Ever been there? Wonder why the bible says, “We WALK by faith….”

I guess in a way failures helps us see the road well taken is not always the road that needs to be taken.

Why didn’t God just put us on the right path in the first place? I guess some would say, “Who said he didn’t?”

Unplug

Have you ever wondered if we got rid of all the clutter in our life – how much clearer we would see life?

Life for many people has become a juggling act between clutter and the things that matter. Unfortunately the things that matter either get short handed or over looked.

Just think about how much we are informed about things going on in other countries but aren’t aware of the things going on right in our own neighborhood or even our homes.

I believe God puts us in physical places to make a difference in our own community, which in turn often enriches our life but because we are so plugged into other things in life we miss the opportunities God has provided for us.

Think about the things you are plugged into in this life. Facebook, twitter, texting, bebo- not to mention those magazines and gossips columns on Hollywood next to the grocery check out. Hollywood. Is Hollywood your life? Really? How many hours do you spend on Facebook, bebo, twitter, ipad device, video games and texting? Are you ignoring the people in your own home? What are you wrapping your thoughts in and around?

I understand we all needs some down time to VEG but when the down time becomes hours and instead of 60 minutes that is problem.

Sometimes I imagine the white canvas before Jackson Pollock splattered paint all over it. Our life is a white canvas for us to create but we allow the Jackson Pollocks of the media and tech world to take up our white space until there is no place for us to paint.

When this life is over are you going to say to yourself I wish I spent more time watching TV and on twitter? I wish I heard more negatives before that stranger I don’t even know says, “Have a good day or night”… really?

I think there is enough drama in our lives already that we don’t have to look for more to fill our life- Am I right?

Are your hands being helpful hands? Are your feet being helpful feet? Are your thoughts and words constructive and hopeful or do they tear down -both you and the people that surround you?

How would you live your life today if it was your last day on earth?

Defrag the mind. Unplug. Today is a new canvas God has put in front of you for you to paint on.

Psa 118:24 This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Your Invisible Dog

One of my favorite songs I sung as a child was “Germs my Invisible Dog”. And as I thought of that song I started to imagine what it would be like to have a full grown undisciplined invisible dog on my hands.

This dog was strong dominant minded and a headache to take out in public. He would pull and yank on the leash as if I were just along for the ride. He would wrap his leash around sign poles, tip over trashcans, and jerk me through throne bushes. He would trip and knock people over trying to get to whatever had caught its attention. He would steal food from people’s plates. He would whine and beg to play at night when people would try to sleep. He would cause damage to the house when left home alone. (Think Marley from the movie "Marley and Me" and you might get a better jest of what I am talking about.)

Our thoughts can take us to some funny ideas but our thoughts can also be like that undisciplined invisible dog. Our thoughts can take us on a ride of emotions if we allow them. They can wrap our “leash” around poles of human understanding, knock over trashcans of presumption, and drag us through hurtful memories. They can cause us to focus on things we don’t need to focus on such as another person’s insensitive actions instead of all the other positive things throughout the day. They can keep us preoccupied from seeing what is happening in other people’s lives. They can even keep you awake at night with thoughts of anxiety and depression and “what ifs”. They can even cause you to become angry thinking you are isolated and all alone in a situation instead of reminding you that Jesus understands.

A free to roam thought life can cause a lot of havoc in a person’s life but thoughts kept on a short leash don’t so easily get the best of us. Better yet how about keeping those thoughts hooked to Jesus?

When your thoughts want to cause havoc try these suggestions.

1. Don’t let a destructive and/or fictional thoughts take roost. (Philippians 4:8)

2. Trust and focus on God not your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5)

3. Tell God what you need. (Philippians 4:6) (Matthew 11:28-30)

4. Remind yourself of what God has done in your life. (Philippians 4:6)

5. Plan but be flexible knowing God has charge of your day. (Proverbs 16:9)

6. Know God has wonderful plans for you. (Jeremiah 29:11)

A Nations Spiritual House

Jesus says in Matthew 12:29-30 “Let me illustrate this. You can’t enter a strong man’s house and rob him without first tying him up. Only then can his house be robbed! Anyone who isn’t helping me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.”

So think of this story. There were some men who built a nation. They built this nation on Godly principles but when these builders were replaced by new men they swung open their doors to the nation's villa to enjoy the deceptive night air and fell asleep in a drunken slumber. And when they awoke the next morning all the efforts and successes of the founding builders were burned to ground by those who were ignorant and had no regard for the Godly principles that once made the nation great.

Vision of Jesus In a Tree- Joy

Last night I just spent some time in the presence of the Lord because I have been feeling this mixture of negative feelings lately. I was more or less feeling misunderstood, undesired and even resented and hated and this caused me to rebuke and wrestle sinful and dark thoughts and suggestions.

I thought, " This is how the Lord must feel when we don't desire him." He must feel hurt, hated, misunderstood and taken for granted."

I continued to stand my ground but it was HARD. So what did I do...? I turned to God for I know how great a friend He is to me. (He is also probably the only one who understands me.) I turned on some Hillsong music, put in my ear phones and let the Spirit of the Lord take hold and there I saw Jesus in a tree. He wasn't surrounded by some mystical light but it was just him.

He wasn't in the top of this tree but I kind of felt like he climbed down this tree so I could see him - not so he could see me. He smiled at me and when he did I felt this unexplainable joy as I smiled back and even chuckled.

I wanted to continue to stay in his presence of unexplainable joy but then the Spirit of the Lord had me lay down (though I was sitting the entire time in this reality) and as I did I began to weep. And as the Spirit of the Lord comforted me, I started to be drained of these negative feelings and burdens.

I got to see Jesus again as the Spirit raised my head and once again his smile made me smile and chuckle again and then the Spirit of the Lord lay me down again and I started to weep again until I was drained of all this negative feelings and burdens, Exhausted I then went to bed in peace.

How wonderful to feel the joyful presence of the Lord.... who takes our burdens and smiles upon us.

Numbers 6:22-27 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Instruct Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing: `May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.' This is how Aaron and his sons will designate the Israelites as my people, and I myself will bless them."

Building Character Through Circumstances

Circumstances can be extreme. Losing a loved one to- a divorce, someone taking out their anger on you, test results that say you have cancer to just feeling like nothing is happening, as it should. Circumstances happen- things happen that are out of our control.

Last night we talked about circumstances and how our perspective and focus determines a lot on how we are going to handle a situation. If our perspective or focus is on ourselves, the world and/or a circumstance we are going to be miserable. We are going to get angry, frustrated, have anxiety, be fearful, and fall into doubt.

But if our focus and perspective is on God and comes from God then we are going to be able to show God’s power in our lives even if the situation leaves us broken and cut deep. When we trust God through our trials and struggles our faith has a chance to grow stronger and when we fail (because we don’t keep our eyes on God) -hopefully we learn from our failures, so we can have successful results the in the future.

“Circumstances” will happen in life but - are we going to give up our faith or get angry with God when those circumstances do occur?

That is what the devil wants us to do. In fact that is one of the ways he tries to keep people away from the faith in Jesus Christ. John 10:10 Jesus says: “The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.”

Where is our focus going to stay and be during the trying times in our life? Are we going to run to God or are we going to run away from God? Where are we going to go for shelter to heal and to preserver? OR are we going to sink/ drown our burdens in the ways of the world that only bring ruin to our body, heartache, and spiritual ruin?

Romans 5:1-5 Faith–Hope-and Love.

(Our perspective needs to hold and stand steadfast to Jesus Christ and our Father in Heaven -faith)

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because our faith, Christ has brought us into his place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we are confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

(Our perspective –faith- in action)

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us- they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Personally I don’t know anyone who “rejoices” while they are going through the trials and trying circumstances in life but I have seen those who hold strong to their faith. They humble themselves and ignore the evil natures of the tongue and they put one foot in front of the other in the mist of diversity and struggle. They don’t wrestle with the situation but instead believe in God to bring them out of their time of brokenness, hurt, uncertainly and slander.

Paul points out what at the beginning of this chapter? – Our Faith

Paul points out when we run into trials and problems they help us to learn to “endure” and the endurance develops strength of character and this development strengthens our confident expectation of our salvation in Jesus Christ.

Our relationship with our Brother Jesus and our Father deepens. We learn and experience God in ways that we could have never experienced if we had not gone through those trials and struggles.

Paul then points out this very important fact: “For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”

The Holy Spirit fills our hearts with God’s love. 1 Corinthians 13:7 it says that God’s love “never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance.” God’s love is in us if we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and have followed his ways.

You know even when one faces their greatest trials - where it seems impossible to go on- an awesome thing occurs- sometimes without us really knowing it at the time. We are encouraged by the Holy Spirit to carry on.

Romans 8:26 “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don’t even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. An the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.”

The Lord led me to a testimony by one of the worship Hillsong leaders on youtube. Click link to see.

Watching Jill share her heartbreaking testimony of her losing her baby son Max… the night after he was born and listening to her friend Brook Fraser speak of the battle her friend was going through spoke to me about Jill’s character. Even in Jill’s hurt and brokenness Jill turned to God. God showed his love by reminding her of His truths and His purpose for her life. The Holy Spirit was interceding for her and encouraging her to continue to sing and worship even though she didn’t feel like it.

And I know there are times when we don’t feel like reading God’s word, worshiping God or singing to him because of whatever circumstance but I have found that during those times just as Jill, the Holy Spirit has encouraged me to do so – regardless of my feelings and gradually my perspective and focus goes back to where it needs to be – on God. The Provider, Father, Counselor, Protector and Savior.

I thought about her deep cut emotions as a mother carrying her child inside of her and losing in him within a 24 hour period and how the Devil had tried use her loss to his advantage to challenge and weaken her faith. How the devil hates when we are salt and light to others and how much we are a threat to him. How we are considered a threat to Satan and his demons when we live and stand for God.

Then I thought what it must have been like to be in the midst as Jill was singing, “Desert Song” knowing what she was going through and how much that spoke of her faith in God and her strong character as a Christian woman. What she was sowing with her outward testimony –powerful!

I remember praying for a pastor and his wife’s newborn baby in California. I was trusting in
God to touch this baby’s organs that weren’t functioning properly and when I got news that the baby died I myself mourned their loss. To my surprise the words of the pastor and his wife weren’t of angry and regret but of gratefulness. God gave them enough time to connect with their son and time to realize that God was in control and even if their child couldn’t be with them, he would be in the greatest arms ever known- The Creator of the universe.

I thought about how delicately God works in our lives and sometimes- without us really knowing. I thought how God helps us overcome our circumstance and supernaturally shows himself in our life. I thought of the love of God in us (the Holy Spirit)- that never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance speaks in volumes of our God who loves us, comforts us, and gives us a peace beyond understanding. How this should speak of the character of God’s people and where our focus needs to be always.

Jill chose to not allow her circumstance to drive her away from God- may God help us do the same in all things- in Jesus name.

There are three things that will endure- faith, hope and love- and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

Remembering the Launch Button.

A friend of mine was telling me about a key chain his son had when he was younger. The key chain had a variety of different sound affects. One button would make the sound of bomb being dropped from the sky and exploding. Another was the sound of a firing machine gun and another a rocket being fired and exploding… and so on. The main reason for the key chain was to help drivers reduce or combat their road rage….

I thought what a great idea- not that I think blowing up Grammy in her 1970 Plymouth Duster going 40 mph on the highway is a good idea or thought -but I thought we should all carry one of those key chains around in our pocket.

Heck… every time a negative, or suggestive or fearful or proud or unforgiving/vengeful thought that wants to tip toe into our heart or mind, we can push one of those buttons on our key chain and hear that pleasant sound of victory…. KABOOM!

Ever been in the prominent birdcage? Front and center for everyone to witness at “just the right time”…

Due to multiple factors and stressors- you have a “moment” … and intentionally it’s very public and at the most inopportune time.

My buddy Shawn and I were working on a roof. We were kind of hidden from direct of sight of the street by some trees when this car screeches into the parking lot and slams on its brakes, doors fly open, followed with a very angry woman yelling, at what appears to be her teenage son. In the mist of this heated conversation some trash comes flying out of her car. It’s pretty apparent that she is totally unaware that we are there watching -so my buddy yells, “Mam, will you please pick up that trash.”
Silence…. and then this transformation of tone, “Pardon?”
Shawn says, “Will you please pick up the trash that came out of your car.”
The woman obviously humiliated and embarrassed says, “Oh… Yes, I am sorry.” She then scurries out away from the car, picks up the trash and promptly returns to the car.
Shawn hardly ever a loss for words says, “Thank you.”
The woman then replied with a humbling regret of, “Uh huh” … and then slowly backed her car up and left the parking in a much calmly manner then when she arrived.

I am sure none of us has had a moment like that in our life…. Yeah right, most of us are still trying to forget some of those moments.

As a Christian... Here we are supposed to be a light for Christ but one thing after another seems be adding to the pile of our “terrible, no good, very bad day”. Pressure has been pushing and bubbling its way to the atomic state of our being… to the point there is little or no hesitation of things about to fly out of our mouth and once they are out, it is too late.

We all have allowed thoughts to hitch a ride for far too long and we have forgotten to pull the 007 lever- where we simply smile and eject our well-trained adversary out of the sky light of our mind. See ya!

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, "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." (NLT)

Heavy burden in the original Hebrew translation is a heavy load; an oppressive burden; a burden that deals with the faults of the conscious that oppress the soul.

Our mind is an amazing thing but we got to watch what comes into our little thought factory.

You can be minding your own business when a thought comes strolling along and before you know, you have walked so far into a dark corner with that thought and gave it such liberty that it has started to influence your emotions. Give it a stiff boot in the butt!

(KJV) 2 Corinthians 10:5 “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ…”

You wake up- look at the clock- realize you have REALLY overslept…. (Shoot!) You still have to wake up the kids for school- … (Oh Man!) Your spouse forgot to put gas in the car… (Frustration.) Just as you think you will only be a few minutes late, you remember there is morning meeting scheduled…. (Can’t be late!!!) Traffic is heavy and you seem to hit every red light…. (COME ON!!!) You begin to wonder what your boss will say or won’t say (Not Good.) You begin to wonder what would happen if you lost your job… (Fear)… You think of missed car payments and pass due mortgage notices and the kids no longer taking their beloved karate lessons… (Can you say “ANXIETY”?) You start thinking about what you would sell and what to hang on to (A little more anxiety)… You think about prospect of moving in with “Mom” and “Dad”…. Bet my spouse would love that… all because they didn’t leave me gas in the car this morning! (Blame game) and before you know it, you are even considering parking in a handicap parking spot… Your mind is weighing between truths or fictional excuses. Your stomach isn’t satisfied with Breath Saver mint for breakfast and the elevator seems to be taking an eternity to get to the 9th floor. Finally you reach the office as someone notices you and says “Good Morning!” (You cringe, as it’s just another reminder that you are SO LATE.) And as you are about to open the door to the conference room, you notice a post-it, saying “Postponed to Friday”.

Cast down what? Bring what into captivity? My wife's cous, Laura had a great saying... "How far off the dock are you willing to walk until you realize their is nothing underneath you?" We all, at times, have to separate fact from fiction instead of get caught up in the mess of the tumble weed of the moment.

Have you ever been to a lake where the water has been so stirred up you can’t even see your hand in it -even though it may only be a few inches below the water? Now imagine yourself as that lake… How can a person even think or see clearly if they are being stir- up by all the wrong things?

Where is the “thought –life” going?

What are you filling up with? You wouldn’t put jet fuel in a Volvo and turn on the ignition (well most of you wouldn’t :) … or intentionally plug your vacuum cleaner into a 220-amp circuit? Yet we have all been there at sometime in our life where we have gassed up or plugged into the wrong source and had destructive and terrible consequences.

Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)

Philippians 4:8 “And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (NLT)

Watch out for pointless trips. Listen and pay attention to what the Holy Spirit is saying.

Sometimes God will bring a specific person to mind to pray for and I will be thinking about that person for quite a while until I realize the reason that person has come up was because God was showing me to pray for that person- nothing else, nothing more.

Helpful ideas
1. Yoke yourself with Christ.

2. Give God your burdens. (1 Peter 5:7)
3. Cast down imaginations (including “what if’s”)
4. Fix your thoughts on truths and things you know are right -according to God’s word.
5. Pay attention to what the Holy Spirit is saying.
6. If the thought doesn’t belong there- push the launch button.
7. And Smile, remember life is good and who is on your side.

Joshua 1:9 "I command you--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

Jesus said in John 14:26 “But when the Father sends the Counselor as my representative--and by the Counselor I mean the Holy Spirit--he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I myself have told you.”

Don't Starve Yourself Of the Lasting Good Things in Life

Don't Starve Yourself Of the Lasting Good Things in Life

Early-er this week I had a quote that said, "What you feed grows and what you don't feed -starves."

If all we feed is negativity then we are going to become a pro at being negative but if we continue to seek and strive for the positive things in life then we are going be optimistic about life - even when things look bad.

If all we see is how bad everything is in the world we are going to miss all the goodness and inspiration and new awareness that comes out of life and even in the bad situations.

As I shared with you before about the people who live in the cardboard villages Mexico- if they only focused on the negative situations they live in, day in and day out, the situation would be devastating to their health and well-being. Instead they have gained a greater faith in God through their circumstances in life and God has blessed them. In the last four years those same families have started to build concrete block houses and they are still able to provide food for their family. They put their trust not in money. They put their trust in God.

Jesus says, "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

If all our focus is on money and our problems then how are we going to put our focus and trust in God - who can solve and provide.

Jesus continues with "So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life- whether you have enough food, drink and clothes. Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing? Look at the birds. They don't need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not. And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautiful as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith! So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today." Matthew 6:24:-34

"Your eye is a lamp for your body. A pure eye lets sunshine into your soul. But an evil eye shuts out the light and plunges you into darkness. If the light you think you have is really darkness, how deep that darkness will be!" Matthew 6:22.

Same as "Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be" Matthew 6:21. If we treasure to look at the down side of life instead of the positive side of life we are setting ourselves up for failure, doom, frustration, depression and whatever negative habits we have picked up along the way and accepted and welcomed them with open arms instead of saying "NO Thanks!- I am not going there.".

We "treasure" what? We set our sights on what? What are we going to feed and what are we going to starve? What is most important to you in this life?

For me it is having a relationship with God....family... and friends.... and the rest is just stuff. Stuff that can be replaced.

Defragmenting Life (Thought life)

If you have children you know what it is like to go into their room and everything that was neatly on their shelves, in their toy boxes, hanging and stacked in their closet, and folded in their dresser has somehow become floor camouflage. Even their beds aren’t untouched by the carried away, spontaneous moments of imagination and play.

I guess there is a time for everything - a time to play and a time to clean up. (Clean up. Clean up. Everyone do you part. Clean up. Clean up. Everyone do your share.)

Even us adults have to un-clutter our lives once in a while.

It may not be the usage, consumption, or lack of effort in sorting material possessions but the way we think over, absorb, and hold on to information.

Our minds get so camouflaged with the matters and details of life we can no longer see the foundation of our lives and what truly matters in life. That goes for activities too!

Ever get over loaded with information and activity?

Has someone ever dumped or unloaded a lot of hefty information in your lap and then walked away? Has someone ever done something to yank your shirt collar?

How about when the aspects and events and tasks at hand get to be SO much to handle that you just end up becoming SO task oriented that you fail to see those around you being turned off by your super taskmaster mode. You’re giving orders here and there and forgetting you are being somewhat insensitive to other people’s feelings around you. (Then you realize… did I just grow horns, become red, and become a great pitchfork poker?)

Then there are some us who get so bombarded with so much information, jobs and tasks that we begin to get bogged down and then literally shut down. Sleep is good for the mind but when your mind is tired because it has a three-ring circus running around inside of it and you happen to be the strong man trying to hold up the elephant there is a problem.

I personally tend to think WAY too much on certain aspects of life which bogs me down emotional and physically. I start to put things on my shoulders to the point I am emotionally and physically drained and worn out.

So what do we do when we cannot discern the matters of the world verses the matters that truly matter in life that us give peace of mind and joy?

There is a wonderful illustration in Luke that might help us understand what truly matters in life.

Luke 10:38- 42 says “As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was worrying over the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are so upset over all these details! There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it- and I won’t take it away from her.”

Martha had her eyes on the details of life. She had made a problem for herself. Ever get so blinded by all the things in life that you get carried away by them and make yourself upset and frustrated? Do you sometimes get even more upset because others aren’t helping you out to solve the problem or they don’t even perceive the tasks, that need to be done, as a problem?

Martha made herself a bomb.

I can see Martha thinking this: “Dinner must be served by this time. This many places must be set. This many dishes must be clean. These food items must be prepared in this way and this manner or else it will not be perfect. It will soon be getting dark and I wonder if I have enough oil to keep the lanterns lit. The main course isn’t being cooked as well as I would like. Why is my sister who knows how do these things as well as I not helping me?”

Mary, on the other hand, is in a different state of mind. Her mind and eyes are on Jesus.

Ever have dinner with a large group of friends? There is a lot of talk and activity. Mary, in the middle of all this activity, has quieted herself down in front of the Lord and simply listened. She made herself available to listen to what the Lord had to say to her and everyone else who had inquiring ears. Her eyes are on Jesus not on the activity and matters going on around her. Notice she didn’t try to argue with Martha, she just stayed focused on Jesus.

Yes there are a lot of things to be done in life. There are a lot of things that are said. There are a lot of things happening in the world around us but where is our focus?

I will admit first hand that it is difficult to see past those missiles of tasks, ideas, and opinions coming towards us everyday. During times of struggle, it is sometimes difficult to pray. It is sometimes difficult to open our bible and read. It is difficult to just sit and be still and be quiet both inside and out. It is hard to find clarity.

Yes it takes a MAJOR effort and step on our part BUT if we just take that step… those few minutes of quiet and few words/ thoughts to ask God to help clear our minds, we’ll find that
Jesus is the greatest interceptor of clattered thinking.

Philippians 4:6 “Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

The cluttered pieces of life will be placed in their rightful place and you will see what truly matters in this life.

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.

What Needs to Remain Central

This morning, I ask the Lord to help me with my story for young adults and those who are just a kid at heart and as I was writing part of illustration of why these children in the story couldn't see what was on the pages of 'the book' - that spoke of them, it became clear that they couldn't read the pages because they hadn't received the message (the key) that allowed them to read the pages.

In our world Jesus Christ is the key to open the pages of the bible and to life. Without Jesus the pages of the bible and to life are meaningless and even difficult to understand.

Jesus is the foundation of our faith. He is the one who pursued us when we were far away from him. He is the one who allowed our 'blindness' to fall from our eyes and transformed our hearts and minds so we could forgive and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and the needs of others.

Christ needs to be central in every thought, action and deed in our Christian lives.

Jesus is our hope. Not some hope we imagine but know in our hearts because He has touched and is continuing to touch our lives.

Jesus is who we trust in every aspect of our lives.

Jesus is the REAL love, the REAL understanding, the REAL authority, the REAL servant heart, the REAL consoling spirit, the REAL miracle maker, is the REAL LIFE and EVERLASTING LIFE.

Jesus needs to be central. Without him we are just lost and running around circles.

Microscope Truths

John 1:1-5 "In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God. He was in the beginning with God. He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn't make. Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone. The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it."

Did we also exist at the beginning? If life was in Christ at the beginning then we existed in God's thoughts even before we came into "being".

Our salvation was set up from the very "beginning" with Christ.

I recently went over to a men's bible study. Rick is a retired doctor was talking about the complexity of the human body and how doctors can not see exactly how complex the human body really is because it is much like looking at the universe with a telescope. A doctor can take a human cell under a microscope and it doesn't matter how powerful that microscope is - it’s impossible to see the end of that tissue sample as it is impossible to see the end of the universe with a telescope.

Cal then asked, "So how are all these things that make up our body held together if we are just a universe of particles floating around?"

Rick answered, "We are held together by strings essentially."

This got me to thinking: We as Christians are considered the body of Christ- are we not?

The body of Christ is also complex.

A while back I read Colossians which states in 2:19 "But they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For we are joined together in his body by his strong sinews, and we grow only as we get our nourishment and strength from God."

The human body is held together by strings but so it the body of Christ. This scientific fact points to Christ. I found this extremely interesting.

Revelation 4:11 "You are worthy, O Lord our God, to recieve glory and honor and power. For you created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created."

And just as most of us don’t "visibly" see God's awesome power with the human eye, but instinctively know he is a work and now are being allowed by scientific discoveries to see a small glimpse of the complexity and measure at God works wonders.

I think Colossians 3 says it best. "Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

And just as the most powerful microscope can not see the end of a human cell and the most power telescope can see the ends of the universe so are we hidden in Christ yet by the Holy Spirit we work and are tied together so someone might see into the vastness and stumble upon God's wonders and works in our life.

Routine Crumbs

The alarm clock goes off. You drag yourself out of bed and head to the kitchen after a brief stop to the restroom. Clean dishes in the dish washer. Dishes that didn't fit into the dish washer sitting in the sink. Crumbs from last nights dinner sit on the stove top.
Your mind thinks.... remember that started load of laundry you started before bed.
Remember the car needs an oil change.
Remember we need more toilet paper.

You put your bagel into the toaster.... you watch the coils turn red as it toasts your bagel. You try to keep your eyes open.

The bagel pops up and you remember there is no cream cheese. You aren't into sticky warm peanut butter in the morning so you take what little remains of butter on the butter dish in the frig and spread the cold dabs of butter on halves of bagel.

Add to list... butter, cream cheese you say to yourself.
Car needs gas...you were too tired to get it yesterday.
You flip on the television to see the traffic report. It reports 20 minute delays in the normal spots.

Yep just another day of routine you say.

Then out of no where another a thought comes swimming out of the murky glum in your mind,
"You don't have to except these crumbs."
"I don't have to except these crumbs? This is just life...." you reply back to the thought.
The thought replies, "You don't have to except the routine, the ordinary, the same messes, the same drive, the same story... The gutter thinking you find yourself in every morning."
You take a glance out the window to see the view... something you usually ignore and take for granted. The morning sun in shining through the wispy clouds. The trees have that lovely dark and light green coloring as the light hits them.

You turn off the television. You hear a bird singing its morning praises.

Those were no ordinary thoughts. It was God speaking. "Ok Lord what do you have in store for me today."

Crumbs. I guess there are really two types of crumbs. The crumbs we "limit" ourselves to or the crumbs God gives us, making the ordinary into the extraordinary.

John 6:32 Jesus said, "I assure you, Moses didn't give them bread from Heaven. My Father did and now he offers you the true bread from heaven. The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."

Jesus gives life to the world. We have to faithful in the small things and he will be faithful in all things. The small things for us is sometimes getting our mind away from ordinary crumbs of life. Sure we have do those things we seem routine but what matters most is where the mind is at and waiting to receive from God.

Scriptures:
Psalm 119:105 "Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path."

Luke 8:16 "No one would light a lamp and then cover it up or put it under a bed. No, lamps are mounted in the open, where they can be seen by those entering the house."

Note Matthew 15: 21-28 (If Jesus considers healing a little girl from demon possession as crumbs. Just think what a piece of bread must be. God's crumbs are a lot better then our crumbs.)

Ephesians 5:8-9 "For though your hearts were once full of darkness, now you are full of light from the Lord, and your behavior should show it! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true."


Thessalonians 5:5-6, 8 "For you are all children of light of the day; we don't belong to darkness and night. So be on your guard, not asleep like others. Stay alert and be sober.