SERIOUSLY???

"I actually jumped over the girl that fell. There was a few people on the ground but I jumped over 'em and kept running," said a shopper.

These are the words of one of the shoppers in hot pursuit of the Air Jordan 11s and Air Jordan Retro Concord shoes released yesterday in stores.

These shoes were going for almost $200 a pair. People were lined up at midnight the night before they were released all waiting for the opportunity to grab a pair. In my hometown, police forces had to be brought out to the stores where in one incident shoppers tore a door off its hinges as a result of the stampede that was triggered when the doors were opened. Obviously, as the quote above indicates, people were being knocked down, stepped over and completely ignored all in the name of getting that precious pair of shoes....SHOES!!! When one store ran out shortly after opening, they were escorting the lucky few who got a pair out a side door for their safety. According to WTHR news, Air jordans are at over $605 on ebay.

This truly breaks my heart. Have we lost our minds?? Talk about some serious priority problems. There are so many things I could say...but I honestly can't find the words. So, I'm going to let the following picture speak for me...

Creation Eagerly Waits...

I absolutely love the bald eagle. Years ago, I heard Joyce Meyer teach a series called, "Mount Up With Wings Like Eagles". I learned a lot about bald eagles in the series. I learned that they preen (groom) every morning, cleaning each feather; I learned that they won't eat old, dead meat, they get it fresh and still alive; they will embrace the winds of a storm and let it lift them to a higher altitude... You get the idea.

A few years ago, I went to the zoo with a friend of mine. While there, I saw a sight that truly broke my heart...a beautiful bald eagle, sitting on a branch, his head just touching the ceiling of his cage. He looked miserable. He had not groomed much and was looking a little weather beaten.

This is not a photo of the eagle I saw but it looked a lot like this one

I know if that magnificent bird is caged, it will lose its desire to preen and its taste for fresh food. It will actually become depressed. The bald eagle was not meant to be caged. They were meant to fly free.

I couldn't help but think, "This is not worth my seeing a bald eagle." I saw this beautiful, amazing creature being exploited for my entertainment.

Today I read...

Romans 8
v. 19: For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God's sons to be revealed.
v. 20: For the creation was subjected to futility - not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it - in the hope
v. 21: that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage of corruption into the glorious freedom of God's children.

HMMMM....

That None Should Perish

Today, I read Matthew 20. In it was the parable of the vineyard workers. In this story, a vineyard owner is hiring people to work in his vineyard for one denarius for the day. (A denarius was a day's wage for a common laborer) He hired workers at various times throughout the day...some as late as 5:00 in the evening. When it came time to be paid, those who had been hired early and those hired last all received the same pay...one denarius. This angered those hired first...

Matthew 20
v.12: 'These last men put in one hour, and you made them equal to us who bore the burden of the day and the burning heat.'
v. 13 He replied to one of them, 'Friend, I'm doing you no wrong. Didn't you agree with me on a denarius?
v. 14: Take what's yours and go. I want to give this last man the same as I gave you...'

When I read this, I couldn't help but think of those people who accept Christ on their death bed. Some of these people may have lived horrendous lives...sinful and unGodly in every way. Then at that final hour, they cry out to God, confess their sins and accept Jesus as their Savior.

Then there are those who find this completely unfair and even question that person's salvation due to the life they lived. There's no way they could live such a life and be saved at this late moment. It wouldn't be fair. We worked so hard living a God honoring life, saying no to sin, going to church, being persecuted; then this person who lived a life doing whatever they wanted to receives the same gift of eternal life because they cried out at the final hour?? No!!

YES!!! God loves us all and doesn't want anyone to perish. There is no time limit on salvation and it is a gift for all who cry out to Him.

THANK GOD!!!!



The Temple of God

Today, my reading in the Bible was in II Chronicles chapter 7. It was after Solomon had built and dedicated the temple of God. This was God's response...

II Chronicles 7
v. 12b: I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself as a temple of sacrifice.
v. 13: If I close the sky so there is no rain; or if I command the grasshopper to consume the land, or if I send pestilence on My people,
v. 14: and My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek my face and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their land.
v. 15: My eyes will now be open and My ears attentive to this place.
v. 16: And I have now chosen and consecrated this temple so that My name may be there forever; My eyes and My heart will be there at all times.

Can you imagine?? What an awesome thing the temple. The temple was where God chose to place His name; the temple had God's eyes and heart on it at all times. The people of the temple if they turned from their evil ways, humbled themselves and sought God's face and prayed would be heard from God. He would forgive them and heal their land!! Wouldn't it be awesome to have such a temple today??? We do...

I Corinthians 6:
v. 19: Do you not know that your body is a sanctuary (temple) of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God?? You are not your own...

We are the temple!!! When we repent and accept Christ as our Savior, God hears our prayers and chooses us for His temple. We have the ears, eyes and heart of God on us AT ALL TIMES.

Humble yourself, seek His face and turn from evil and pray; He is faithful to forgive your sins and heal your land.

Blessings From God

This morning, I read in I Chronicles about David wanting to bring the Ark of the Covenant home to the city of David. But in the process of transporting it, Uzzah was guiding the cart and when the oxen stumbled he reached out to steady the Ark. Because Uzzah touched it, God struck him dead. David was angry at God and feared Him; so he decided not to take the Ark home...

I Chronicles 13:
v. 13b: ...instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.
v. 14: The Ark of God remained with Obed-Edom's family in his house for three months, and the Lord blessed his family and all that he had.

In an earlier passage, I Chronicles 13 describes the Ark this way...

v. 6: ...the Ark of God, which is called by the name of the Lord who dwells between the cherubim.

The cherubim were on the mercy seat which covered the Ark. There were two cherubs facing each other with their wings outstretched. God's Spirit dwelled between them. So when Obed-Edom had this in his home, he had the Spirit of God dwelling in his home.

When we accept Christ as our Savior, God's Spirit dwells in us...

I Corinthians 6:
v. 19: Do you not know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God?

If having the Ark of the Covenant in his home blessed Obed-Edom; imagine what having the Holy Spirit in us can do. God blesses us every day in many ways; not just materially, though I know He does that, but Spiritually.

Considering the fact that to just touch the Ark caused immediate death, it must have had an exalted place in his home. I'm sure it was treasured, respected...there may have been times when Obed-Edom just sat in its presence, after all, God was there. How much more should we honor, treasure and respect God's Spirit in us?

I tend to think we miss blessings in our lives when God and His Spirit are not in an exalted position in our lives. God can't be second to anything in our lives. When He is first; when He is exalted above everything...

Oh, how the blessings flow!!

Beware of Idols

I John 5
v. 21: Little children, guard yourselves from idols.

Exodus 20
v. 2: I am the Lord your God...
v. 3: Do not have other gods before me.

When we read these scriptures, it's easy to imagine an idol or gods as something obvious like those of the Ancient Near East or some cultic religion. But, what about the not so obvious idols and gods?

Our country thrives on entertainment...movies, music, sports...you name it, we love it. We will often pay outrageous prices for just a few hours of watching the performances or games. We see the stars of the show or game, often as something beyond human. Remember the stories of girls who would faint when they saw Elvis or the Beatles?? There are even stories of fans going into cardiac arrest or even being stampeded by a crowd of fans who just wanted to get closer. Is it just an expression or an accurate assessment when we have a show that is seeking the next "American IDOL"?? How about the singers who are on tour and make ridiculous demands on the host city for things in their dressing rooms or hotel rooms including but not limited to changing the color and decor of the room they will be staying in for just one night. I'm not even going to get into to the salaries entertainers and sports figures receive that exceed the lesser important professions like teachers, police, fire fighters or our military.

Then there are the even less obvious idols and gods in our lives...money, our kids, our bodies, our status, our cars, our homes, any addictions we may hold onto...you get the idea.

It's like this...anything we spend more time, energy, resources, thought or heart on than God is our god or idol. It needs to be demoted or it needs to go. If you think I'm pointing a finger, believe me, there are three more fingers pointing right back at me.

A Puff of Smoke

James 4:
v. 13: Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit."
v. 14: You don't even know what tomorrow will bring -- what your life will be! For you are a bit of smoke that appears for a little while, then vanishes.

If we really saw our lives as a bit of smoke that appears then vanishes quickly, how much importance would we place on it? How might it change our focus?

We don't know what tomorrow will bring. I heard a friend say yesterday, "Life can change in a second." Sometimes we think we have it all figured out then something unexpected happens and all our plans dramatically change. The people in Japan didn't know a 9.0 earthquake was going to hit, followed by a horrendous tsunami; I didn't know one beautiful autumn morning that I was going to break my kneecap causing me to put my life on hold and take a leave of absence from seminary; Aron Ralston didn't know a boulder was going to fall on his arm while rock climbing, trapping him for 127 hours only to be freed by him amputating his own arm.

We make our plans and hope they come to pass then God shows us He has other plans. This is not to say God causes bad things to happen to us but I do believe He allows them into our lives because He is going to use them to His glory. But James explains that we shouldn't stop planning but be willing to submit to God's will...

v. 15: Instead you should say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that."

What can man do to me??

Hebrews 13
v. 3: Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you." [Deuteronomy 31:6]
v. 4: Therefore, we may boldly say:

The Lord is my helper;

I will not be afraid.

What can man do to me?

Psalm 118:6

I love these verses. In the process of talking about being free from the love of money and being satisfied with what we have, Paul reminds us that God has said He will never leave us or foresake us. When he says, "...be satisfied with what you have..." he adds to the same sentence,  "...for He Himself..." What we have is God. When we have Him we have all we need, and Paul knew that. We are satisfied. Nothing in this world can compare to God and nothing in this world can fill our emptiness and needs like He can.

Paul goes on to quote Psalm 118:6..."What can man do to me?" Paul knew that if the Lord is with us, we have nothing to fear. In the perspective of this truth, he knw that the only things man can do to us are steal our earthly possessions, slander our name, take a loved one out of our life, inflict bodily harm or even physical death. But man can never destroy our souls or snatch us from the hand of God.

I know this sounds harsh but form the perspective of the Kingdom of Almighty God, everything we set our eyes on here on this earth is temporary...even our bodies...TEMPORARY. But eternity, that's where we want our focus. Paul had his focus there and anything man could do to him here really wasn't a threat. He was so in love with God.

"Don't fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."     -Jesus [Matthew 10:28]



No Longer Infants

Hebrews 4:
v. 12: For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of God's revelation. You need milk not solid food.
v. 13: Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant.
v. 14: But solid food is for the mature - for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil


Chelsi Newborn


When my daughter Chelsi was an infant, she had  such a hard time taking formula. After just one ounce, BLAH!! Up it would come. This went on for quite awhile. We'd have to burp her every ounce and every time up it would come. I'm sure she was keeping some of it because she was satisfied and was growing. After awhile, formula wasn't enough. We slowly introduced solid food, starting with a tablespoon of runny, flavorless rice cereal.

6 months old

After awhile, we introduced veggie baby food. What a thrill to see her face light up with the taste of carrots, peas and sweet potatoes. "Mmmm!!" she'd hum as she ate each spoonful. Then it was time for the sweet tastes of applesauce and banana baby food. Eventually, we went from strained meat to pasta to solid foods.

It was a long process but today she is eating solid foods...some of which I'd never eat. 

What would have happened if I had not taken the time and effort to introduce new foods and just left her at the formula or runny, flavorless rice cereal stages?? Truthfully, she would have never developed and Child Protective Services would have taken her away from me. Why?? Because she would have died.

Our growth and development in our walk with God is no different. If after we accept Christ, we simply warm a pew every Sunday morning, we will never develop...or worse yet, we will die in our walk with God. We need to feed on God's word every day. We need to get to the point where it is not always spoon fed to us, but we hold the utensil and feed ourselves. We need to seek more and more intimacy with God so that we know His voice when He speaks to us. We need to be able to stand our ground when Satan launches an attack, by skillfully wielding the sword of the Spirit (the word of God) and having a listening ear to our Commander.

Don't remain an infant in your walk with God. There is so much flavor in a life devoted to Him.

PS Sorry Chels, I had to make a point.

Think About It...

Hebrews 2
v. 14: Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, He also shared in these, so that through His death He might destroy the one holding the power of death--that is the Devil--
v. 15: and free those who were held in slavery all their lives by the fear of death.

v. 17: Therefore, He had to be like His brothers in every way, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
v. 18: For since He Himself was tested and has suffered, He is able to help those who are tested.

Wow!! Did you ever think about this?? Jesus came down from His throne where He was worshipped, honored, glorified...and took on humanness. For a time, He was even lower than the angels. He became one of us, only He was God. He did it to free us from the Devil and his power of death.

What's interesting about this passage is that He was "...in service to God..." Not in service to us, but God. This emphasizes the fact that God wants us...God wants us in relationship with Him as His children for all eternity. He truly loves us!!! We are the apple of His eye; the object of His affection; His precious treasure...You are the one He longs for!!

If you're going through a trial in your life, Jesus can help...He's been there.

Oh How He Loves Us!!



It's All About Him

Phillipians 1
v. 21: For me, living is Christ and dying is gain.
v. 22: Now, if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don't know which one I should choose.
v. 23: I am pressured by both. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ -- which is far better --
v. 24: But to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you.
v. 25: Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your advancement and joy in the faith,
v. 26: so that, because of me, your confidence may grow in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.

It's all about Christ Jesus. For Paul, to live on this earth was to live for Jesus and to advance others in the faith. That was his sole purpose for living. Dying, on the other hand, would be "far better" because he would actually be with the One he lived for...Jesus.

I am struck by this man. Paul, when his name was Saul, hated the followers of Christ. He persecuted them, tortured them and murdered them. He opposed Christ with the same passion he later followed Christ. He encountered Jesus. He experienced His power, His presence...Him. That one encounter changed him forever.Jesus was Who he lived for and Who he longed to die for.

Often I hear this passage taught as the dying referred to as dying to the flesh or to self. While I believe that to be an option as well, I think Paul is talking about actual physical death. Paul knew that when he died, he would go to be with the One he loved...Jesus. I'd be willing to bet that had Paul lived in this day and age of medical technology and advancement, he would have a DNR (do not  resuscitate) order on his medical chart, regardless of the situation. He saw nothing bad about dying. He wanted to go. This is not to say he was suicidal, hopeless or depressed; he just knew the world was not his home and he was just visiting. But, he knew he needed to be here not so he could gain status, money, things or "find himself"; but so he could minister to the followers of Christ in his care. He knew he needed to be there to support them in their walk with Christ. That was his call and he knew he had work to do.

Followers of Jesus Christ should see death as joy. Those of us who lose someone who is a follower of Christ, while of course grieving, should also celebrate for them. They are home!! While we are here, God has work for us to do that is not all about us...but all about our Savior and Lord, Jesus!! 

All Powers Be Duly Informed

Ephesians 4
v. 30: And don't grieve God's Holy Spirit, Who sealed you for the day of redemption.

We are sealed by God's Holy Spirit. When I think of that, I think of my Bachelor's degree that was sealed  by Florida Christian University; or my marriage certificate that was sealed by the State of Indiana. Those seals make those documents legal, legitimate, and authentic. Without the seal, they are just a piece of paper. Not legally binding, not legitimate and not authentic.

But then, when I think further about "seal", I think of being closed tight, unable to open, sealed shut. Beth Moore referred to this kind of seal when she suggested that a Christian, sealed by the Holy Spirit cannot be possessed by a demon. Oppressed? Yes. Possessed? No.

So, which is it??

I did a little research on seals in Ancient Rome, and I learned about a signet ring worn by men of authority and royalty. This ring had a design on it that was exclusive to that man. It was used to make an impression, or seal on not only documents but possessions as well. It was a seal to show authenticity or ownership.

Bible History Online says:

"The signet makes a deep impression in clay forming an official seal. The imprinted seal carries the full authority of the office it represents and no one dare question it. (emphasis mine) His design is well known, his symbol without any doubt authentic, his mark indelibly declares the full authority of royal ownership. There is the pain of death to those who validate it." (emphasis mine) *

Considering the fact that Paul wrote this in the time of Ancient Rome, it seems obvious this must have been the type of seal he was referring to a seal of royal ownership.

Bible History online continues:

"In scripture we find, somehow we are sealed. A metaphor which would ring powerfully to those under Roman rule. Yet God's sealing is never coercive. Never forced. A free will decision is made. An imprint is then formed within us. Our souls bear His mark, His letters, His image and all powers are duly informed, we belong to God." *

The seal of the Holy Spirit is on all of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior of our life; to those of us who have confessed and repented of our sins and have dropped to our knees in worship to Jesus as the Lord of our life. The Holy Spirit has impressed the seal of God's letter, God's image on our souls.

All powers are duly informed...

We Belong To God!!

* Bible History Online, http://www.bible-history.com/sketches/ancient/seals.html, 2010

Hope With God

Ephesians 2
v.1: And you were dead in your trespasses and sins
v.2: in which you previously walked according to this worldly age, according to the ruler of this atmospheric domain, the spirit now working in the disobedient.
v.12: At that time, you were without the Messiah, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, with no hope and without God in the world.

Can you imagine that?? "No hope and without God in the world". I think sometimes when we talk of being saved and Jesus' sacrifice, we hear it so often, we actually become numb to the magnitude of it. Jesus saved us...rescued us from being without God. Think about that!! What would it be like to live in this world without God?? There would be absolutely no hope here or for eternity. Can you imagine facing trials in your life without God?? Trials such as losing a loved one unexpectedly; suffering an accident that leaves you permanently disabled; being diagnosed with a terminal illness; facing the financial ruin of a company you built from scratch; or finding out your child is a drug addict. To face trials such as these without the hope of God in my life...I can't imagine.

Recently, I was going through a time when I had a lot on my plate. I had a full class schedule in seminary, was serving as an intern pastor at my church, dealing with some health issues, not to mention going through menopause. Emotionally, I was coming uncorked. I found myself unexpectedly weeping and becoming depressed to the point of debilitation. As I talked with my doctor about it, I told her that the worst thing was that I felt far away from God. I couldn't hear Him; I couldn't feel Him; and I felt like I had lost my Best Friend. (I emphasize felt because it only felt like it, but God was always there.) My doctor was surprised to hear me say this considering the fact that I was in seminary and serving at my church. But that's not God. That's not the one-on-one intimate relationship with Him. None the less, she encouraged me to make my God time a priority along with some meds. That night was the beginning of making my God time a bigger priority in my life. As soon as I did that, the hope, the connection and the peace with God came flooding back.

This example is only a feeling of no hope. I always had the hope of God with me. But, to not have that hope is a frightening thought. I wouldn't want to live without it. There's only one way to have that hope...faith in Jesus, the Messiah.

Ephesians 2
v.4: But God, who is abundant in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, 
v.5: made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. By grace you are saved!
v.8: For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift
v.9: Not from works, so that no one can boast.

Love your neighbor

Galatians 5
v. 13: For you are called to freedom brothers; only don't use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.
v. 14: For the entire law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.

If we love our neighbors, we won't steal, we won't kill, we won't commit adultery... We will love. We often hear I Corinthians 13:4-8a read at weddings:

v. 4: Love is patient; love is kind. Love does not envy; is not boastful; is not conceited;
v. 5: Does not act improperly; is not selfish; is not provoked; does not keep a record of wrongs;
v. 6: Finds no joy in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth;
v. 7: Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
v. 8: Love never fails.

This is always so beautiful at a wedding...but have you ever considered this definition of love when it comes to loving your neighbor?? Think about it. That means you would always be kind; you would not be envious when your neighbor gets a brand new car and you're still driving the one that's being held together with duct tape; you would walk away when a friend has a piece of juicy gossip about your neighbor; and you would be patient when your neighbor cuts you off in traffic. I think you get the idea. So, who is your neighbor?? Jesus was asked that question. His answer was the story of the good samaritan. (If you're not familiar with the story, check out Luke 10:30-35) When he finished telling the story, Jesus asked who was a neighbor to the man that was robbed. The answer: the one who showed him mercy. Your neighbor is not just the person who lives next door to you; your neighbor is your fellow man.

Yesterday morning, our city lost one of its finest. An Indianapolis Police Officer who had made a routine traffic stop Sunday morning, was shot and yesterday died from his injuries. Whenever I hear of the death of a police officer, fire fighter or soldier in the line of duty, my heart is touched deeply. These people show the greatest love according to John 15:13...they lay down their lives for their friends...for their neighbors. When you think of it in those terms, the sacrifices we have to make in loving our neighbor don't seem quite so big.

May we ask God to help us to love as He would.

No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends.  John 15:13

Thank you Officer David Moore

The Core of the Faith

Galatians 3:
v. 1a: You foolish Galatians! Who has hypnotized you...?

There's an interesting way to start a chapter. Why was Paul so upset? It was about works vs. faith. Paul went on to say...

v. 1b: ...Who has hypnotized you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was vividly portrayed as crucified?

Paul was aghast that anyone who saw Jesus as crucified could possibly believe that living by the law or works saves them. You see, this is the core of the true Gospel message... believing that Jesus, Who is the Son of God, came to this earth, lived among us and was crucified as a sacrifice for our sins. It's believing that three days later, Jesus rose from the dead, having conquered sin and death once for all and was then seated at the right hand of God, His Father.
Paul continued...

v. 10: For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, because it is written: Cursed is everyone who does not continue doing everything written in the book of the law.
v. 11: Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous will live by faith.

It is humanly impossible, I don't care how good you are, to live to the letter of the law. Our flesh is so limited and so weak. God knows that. God knows that on our own, in this spiritual battle for our souls, we are defenseless. It is a far greater battle than we could ever imagine. Understand...there is one who wants your soul. One who wants to destroy you here and in the life to come. One who doesn't care one iota about you and seeks only to take your hope, your future and your life.

...and God knows that. God does care about you, He loves you...adores you. In His love for you, He sent His Son, Jesus as a sacrifice for you. All you have to do is surrender. Confess to God that you are, indeed, defenseless on your own. Confess that you have sinned and fallen short and you need saved. Believe in your heart and soul and declare outloud that Jesus died on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice for your sins.

Then God will look at you and see you washed clean and white as snow. Glowing with purity. Free from the stains of sin. You will receive the Holy Spirit as your constant companion and you will be a child of Almighty God. You will have the hope and promise of eternal life with God. You will belong to God.

Romans 8
v. 15b: ...but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father!"
v. 16: The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God's children.

Do you know what "Abba" means? It means in our English words, "Daddy". How intimate is that?? That is the kind of relationship God wants to have with you. Intimate. Personal. Real.

A lot of times in a writing such as this, the author will give you a prayer to pray word-for-word to ask Jesus into your heart. I don't want to do that. If you're reading this and have never confessed your sins to God and gave your life to Christ, I believe you should pray from your heart with your words, not mine. I will, however, give you a few suggestions...

CONFESS THAT YOU ARE A SINNER
ADMIT YOU NEED HELP
BELIEVE AND DECLARE THAT JESUS DIED FOR YOUR SINS AND IS YOUR SAVIOR
THANK HIM

If you've done this for the first time, leave me a comment and let me know. Let me welcome you to the family of Almighty God.

John 3
v. 16: For God so loved that world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

Believe!!

No Favorites

Galatians 2
v. 6: But from those recognized as important (what they really were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism) - those recognized as important added nothing to me.

God has no favorites. I hadn't really thought of that before. Some translations say that God is not a respecter of persons. That's how I've always heard it and that translates, God has no favorites. This is confirmed throughout the New Testament:

Matthew 22
v. 16: They sent their disciples to Him, with the Herodians, "Teacher," they said, "We know that you are truthful and teach truthfully the way of God. You defer to no one; for you don't show partiality."

Mark 12
v. 14: When they came, they said to Him, "Teacher, we know you are truthful and defer to no one. For you don't show partiality but teach truthfully the way of God."

Ephesians 6
v. 9: And masters, treat them the same way, without threatening them, because you know that both their and your Master is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him.

Colossians 3
v. 25: For the wrongdoer will be paid back from whatever wrong he has done, and there is no favoritism.

I Peter 1
v. 17a: And if you address as Father the One who judges imparially based on each one's work...

I think it's pretty clear that God has no favorites. God is an equal-opportunity, equal-loving God. That can be a hard concept to grasp. Especially in our society. Everywhere we turn entertainers, athletes, politicians, authors, etc. are being lifted up...exalted as nothing shy of gods. They are idolized and our children (and sometimes in our hearts, even the adults) want to be just like them. They want to look like them, act like them, talk like them, have the same skills they have and, in some cases, even have the same habits they have, good or bad. Why? Because we believe that somehow they are better than we are. But that is so wrong.

In the eyes of God, (the Only One who is to be exalted, worshipped or idolized) we are all on a level playing field. No one catches the eye of God or His attention over another. No one is being compared. We are God's creation, made in His image and He loves us all the same. That's hard for us to wrap our heads around. In the land of competition, being the best, heck, we even rank our friends, "best". But God's not like that. He loves you because you're you. Not because your better than but because you're you.

So, the next time you think maybe God listens to your pastor more because he or she is more focused on Him; or God loves your big brother more because he was born first and that makes him special...think again. You are treasured by God just like everyone else. No favorites!!

People Pleasing

Galatians 1:
v. 6: I am so amazed that you are so quickly turning away from Him who called you by the grace of Christ, and are turning to a different gospel-
v. 7: not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are troubling you and want to change the Gospel of Christ.
v. 8: But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel other than that we have preached to you, a curse be on him!
v. 9: As we have said before, I now say again: If anyone preaches to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him!

Wow!! Powerful words Paul wrote. A curse be on anyone who preaches a different gospel. And he doesn't say it once but twice!! In this day of "political correctness" and "inclusiveness", that would not fly. Some would truly be offended by such a statement...and I'm sure they were back then. But you see, Paul's devotion to Jesus and His Gospel was so strong that he truly didn't care what people thought. He was speaking the truth and speaking to please the only One...the One who called him...the One true God.

v. 10: For am I now trying to win the favor of people or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ.

Here's a trap we often fall into...people pleasing. What are we willing to do to get the approval of people? Are we willing to go in debt to buy that fancy car we really can't afford? Have invasive surgical procedures to make our bodies look "better" or younger? Go to a party and drink as much as we can so we'll fit in only to be sick the next morning? Or are we willing to deny the true Gospel of Jesus Christ so no one will be offended and everyone will be happy and live in peace?

Matthew 10:
v. 33: But whoever denies me before men, I will also deny him before my Father in heaven.

The truth is, we want the right kind of peace. The people pleasing peace is temporary and false. While we may think an open, politically correct, inclusive gospel that denies the one true Gospel of Jesus Christ, will make everyone happy, it won't. There are still going to be those who will be offended. But even more than that, the happiness and peace will be short lived in the eyes of eternity. When we die, we have to answer to the One who will either acknowledge us before the Father or deny us before the Father.

Which one will you be??

His Power in Our Weakness

II Corinthians 12
v. 7b: Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of satan to torment me so I would not exalt myself.
v. 8: Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from me.
v. 9: But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christs power may reside in me.
v. 10: So because of Christ, I am pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in catastrophies, in persecutions and in pressures. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

As I read these words today, I am in my 4th week of home-rest due to a cough that is now under the care of a pumonologist. The coughing has caused two of my ribs to misalign from my sternum...OUCH!! Frustrating? You have no idea. And yet, during this time, God is revealing truth to me; He is giving me a hunger for his word; He is prompting me to write about my studies in His word on my blog. He is not only revealing His power to me but through me to you who are reading my blog. In my weakness, He is strong!!

I can't help but think of two people who have had an enormous thorn in the flesh and God's immense power radiates through them.



Joni Eareckson Tada



The first is Joni Eareckson Tada. As a teenager, Joni was healthy, athletic and strong. But one fateful afternoon while swimming at a lake with friends, Joni dove into a shallow end of the lake. Her life changed dramatically when she broke her neck and became quadriplegic. She went from being healthy and independent to needing help with every day tasks that we do without thinking. I know we can't begin to fathom the frustration, the anger, the hopelessness and the fear she must struggle with. She contemplated suicide. She questioned God. But now, 44 years later, she has a worldwide ministry as an author, speaker, radio host, artist, singer as well as providing thousands of wheelchairs to disabled people worldwide through her ministry, Wheels for the World. Could she have reached the people she has reached had this not happened? Would she have the heart for the disabled if she didn't understand? Could those with disabilities relate to her if she were not in the wheelchair? Would our hearts be as touched when we see her sing praises to God and speak of His love if she weren't in the chair? Does she want healing? I'm sure she would say, "Yes." Can God heal her? Of course.

II Corinthians 4
v. 16: Therefore, we do not give up; even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day-by-day.
v. 17: For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.



Nick Vujicic

 Nick Vujicic is another person whose life displays the amazing power of God. Nick was born with no arms and no legs. He is now 28 years old and loves God passionately. Though he has obvious limitations, he swims, plays golf, surfs, and texts, facebooks, and twitters on his iphone with one of the two tiny feet God has given him. But, like Joni, he also has a worldwide ministry that takes him to schools, churches, prisons and foreign lands. He has starred in a mini-film called "The Butterfly Circus" that has earned several awards and is slated to be made into a full-length feature film. It's not always been easy for him. He struggled with kids at school...that is until he bloodied the nose of the biggest bully with a headbutt. He attempted suicide as a young boy but changed his mind in the midst and stopped it. Does he believe God can heal him? Yes. So much so, that he has a pair of shoes in his closet, just in case. Until then, God's power and love show strong  in this man and he continues to touch the lives of so many around the world.

Joni Eareckson and Nick Vujicic

God wants to show HIS power in this world so that we would know Him. Sometimes He shows that in healing, as Jesus described when He and His disciples saw a man who was blind from birth. His disciples asked Jesus if he or his parents sinned to cause this.

John 9:
v. 3: "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," Jesus answered. "This came about so that God's work might be displayed in him."

But sometimes He shows it in our weakness.

Don't believe you've done something wrong or your faith is not strong enough if you continue to struggle with your own thorn of the flesh. Continue praying for God's healing but be willing to rejoice in the thorn if that is what God chooses to show His power in your life.

One and Only One

II Corinthians 11
v. 3-4: But I fear that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your minds may be corrupted from a complete and pure devotion to Christ. For if a person comes and preached another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or you receive a different spirit which you had not received or a different gospel which you had not accepted, you put up with it splendidly.
v. 13: For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
v. 14: And no wonder! For Satan himself is disguised as an angel of light.
v. 15a: So it is no great thing if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.

When reading this, a Christian might think they are secure enough that they could never be taken in by such false prophets. I've heard them. I've listened as they declare Jesus yet their "gospel" message is not the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I've watched as true followers of Christ have begun to question the truth of God's word and get sucked into the lies. I've watched and listened as the blood of Christ has been dismissed as being too violent and God would have nothing to do with that. I have heard those who suggest that there are other ways of salvation other than Christ and that to think otherwise is unacceptable and offensive. I have wept. I have been angry, frustrated and shocked.

I'll let God's word speak for itself...

Acts 4

v. 11-12: Jesus is the stone despised by you builders, who has become the cornerstone. There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.

John 14:

v. 6: Jesus told him: I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 3:

v. 16: For God so loved the world in this way, He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

v.18: Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God.

Ephesians 1

v. 7: In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

May all come to believe in the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The One true hope of salvation and eternal life with the Father. 

A house not made by human hands...

II Corinthians 5

v: 1-2: For we know that if our earthly house, a tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made by human hands, eternal in heaven. And, in fact, we groan in this one, longing to put on our house from heaven.
v. 4: Indeed, we who are in this tent groan, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality shall be swallowed up by life.
v. 8: Yet we are confident and satisfied to be out of the body and at home with the Lord.

It's reading scriptures such as these that cause me to ask the question, "Why is death a bad thing?" It is no secret that on this earth, in this world, in our earthly bodies; we groan and we suffer. But when we die, God has an eternal body made for us...a body we long for...an existence unparalleled to anything here on earth.

For anyone in Christ, death is hope. When a child of God dies, we cry for us...not for them. If we could fully comprehend what they are experiencing in their eternal body in the kingdom of God, we would rejoice for them. We would congratulate them. We would long to go too.

This hope is what gives me great comfort when I think about my mom. She died on April 19, 2009. She suffered almost her entire adult life with severe scoliosis (curvature of the spine). Her body was very twisted and caused her tremendous pain. She was sick, in pain and disabled most of her life. But, I knew when she died, she had been released from that twisted prison of pain. She was experiencing no pain, no sickness, no suffering. These words from Chris Tomlin's song, "I Will Rise" comfort me greatly when I think of her...

I will rise when He calls my name.

No more sorrow

No more pain

I will rise  on eagle's wings

before my God

fall on my knees...

Be comforted and know...



Join Me In Study

Last week, I felt God prompting me to get more out of my time in His word. As a result, I have begun writing about what I have found in scripture...I guess you might call it a commentary of sorts. Anyway, I have again felt God's prompting to share my writings with my blog friends. I know it's been a while since I've blogged and I hope you'll forgive me. But, this may keep me in blog world on a more consistent basis. Can't promise every day but I will try.

The more I read God's word, the closer I get to God and the more I desire Him, the more I realize the temporary, unimportance of the things of this world. Today as I prayed whole-heartedly to die to myself so that God could take this vessel and use it to His glory, these lyrics from an hold hymn sang through my heart...

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face.

And the things of this earth,

will grow strangely dim

in the light of His glory and grace.

Over the past few years, I have become so aware of eternity. It causes me to look at this world with different eyes. Even with that, I'm always amazed how this world can suck me in and cause me to think it is the end all, be all. But it's not. Not even my body that has stolen so much emotional energy with its imperfections will go to eternity with me. It's a vessel and will not last after I die. It will rot and become unrecognizable.

My reading this morning in II Corinthians 4:16-18 says this:

Therefore, we do not give up; even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For out momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So we do not focus on what is seen, but what is unseen; for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Paul got it. He understood. How easy was it for him to keep his mind set on that truth? I can't help but wonder about him and people like Brother Lawrence who lived in an easier, less distracting time. How would they fare with today's distractions? This world SCREAMS for our attention. It makes the temporary and pointless seem like life and death. It titillates our senses and tries to convince us that it is our reason for living.

It's all about God and His kingdom. Eternity is very real and forever.