Be About Your Fathers Business

What Is Your Most Valued Possession?

2011-08-22T15:42:00.003-05:00

Lately I have been thinking about what we put our importance on. If I asked you to close your eyes and picture your most treasured material possession, what would you see in your minds eye? Would it be your wedding ring? Maybe it would be that new car now parked in your driveway? Maybe it's the photographs of family you spend hours placing into albums? Or could it be those skinny jeans that hug you in all the right places?

If the picture in your mind was anything other than the Bible, you might want to rethink your priorities. The Bible is the only material object you own that has any eternal value. It is the material possession you should value above all other possessions. All other material things you place value on here on this earth will pass away. When you leave this earth you can't take any of them with you. When you die the only material possession you can take with you is the Word of God.

No, you won't take the actual physical book to the grave and have in in your hand when you arrive in eternity. But if you place it as your highest value here on earth and wrap it around your heart, you will have it with you when you reach eternity. It will remake you into the image it carries. It will remake you into the image of Jesus Christ who is the Word. You see, the Bible is not just some ordinary book. It's the Word of God. It's living. It's breathing.

When read, it transforms you. When heard with an open heart, it penatrates and changes you. When spoken, the words don't fall flat or disapate once the vibration is gone. They linger in the air waiting to penatrate the soul. When they fall on the ears of man they can be used by the Holy Spirit to convict and change the heart.

The Trinity of God had a plan from the beginning. He had it written down by man in a book called the Bible. He placed His Word on paper so we could consume it not just place it on a shelf. The Word of God is to be absorbed and written on our heart. When we do that, we become what God intended from the beginning. We become transformed into the image of Jesus.

The only way to have the process of transformation take place is to give the Word of God is rightful place in our lives. It must become our most valued material possession.

The Silence is Broken

2011-08-12T00:44:00.002-05:00

Have you ever been through a time in your life where you felt like God put the phone receiver down or pressed the mute button? You feel like God has forgotten you or left you in this big world all on your own. That's been the way I've felt for so long. I felt like I was dialing up God, the phone would pickup but there was only silence on the other end of the line.

At first I would beg and plead for God to talk to me. Then I would get mad and ignore Him. "If Your not going to talk to me, then I'm not talking to You either." Finally I resigned myself to the silence. I decided even if He was silent, I would continue to speak. So my prayers were one sided for a long time or at least they felt that way. The strong connection and inspired wisdom I once enjoyed was lacking and I didn't know why.

I am still not sure why God chose to keep His distance from me. I'm just glad that He has broken the silence and I can feel Him again. Maybe He wasn't ever gone and I was just required to believe in Him inspite of my feelings. I don't know, but I am glad to hear Him and feel Him again.

Once again, I have nights where I can't sleep and I must write down the words He puts in my head. What a blessing to hear the Word of God and have it pentrate clear down to my soul. I love His Words. They are a treasure to me. They breathe through me and I can exhale. It's as if I have been holding my breath waiting for Him so I can finally let the air out of my lungs. And as the air escapes the truth blows through me and changes me.

He is the air I breathe, the food I eat and the water I drink. He makes my world worth the living and puts the excitement into my day. Without Him, my joy is gone and I am anxious for His return. Waking up to a new day is different when He's the one brushing the sleep from your eyes. It's a day that has hope. A day with a purpose. It's a day where you feel loved. That... is worth everything even a little time of silence.

No More Words

2011-06-29T00:49:00.007-05:00

I feel like my words have left me. There have been so many times in the last year I have sat with my laptop on my lap, my hands poised to type. I would type some heartfelt inspiration or a new revelation that God would graciously give me. But I have no inspiration. I have no great revelation from God. There is no closeness to God. I am void and it scares me.

Words have always been my way. They have helped me express emotion. At times they have praised loudly and shouted with joy. Other times my words have screamed out the pain when it couldn't be bottled up any longer. They have caressed my soul and soothed me when I've been weary. They have been cathartic and healing. They have always been my way to be touched by God and touch others.

But now, there seem to be no words for me. I am a woman with little to say. My voice is silent and it makes my heart sad. I would scream but I feel nothing would come out. My throat is dry and my heart feels the same. I miss my words, Lord.

I need a one woman revival, a renewing of my soul, as Bob Carlyle says in one of his songs. I need You, God. I need you to replace my heart of stone with softness and use me again. I need a filling that comes and bubbles over with more than I can contain on my own. Give me You. Cause I am empty and tired of the tank being filled with the wrong fuel. Time keeps ticking and I keep sitting. I can't just sit here empty anymore. I know they say You're not the one that leaves but it sure feels that way right now.

I am rejected, awkward, insecure and alone. When I'm with You all those things fade to the background. So I need a shot of You pulsing through my veins. I need a shot of God courage so I can stand with strength. I don't want to stand alone anymore. Fill me up with Your power and Your words. I'll leave my words behind if You give me Yours.

Give me Your heart. Give me Your ways. I don't want my ways anymore. I don't want my will. I want what You want for me and I'm willing to obey. Break me if necessary because I can't live without Your strong presence anymore. I need a river of living water flowing from my heart. The kind that comes from You and is dispensed by the Holy Spirit. Come Lord, come and breathe through me.

2011-06-20T09:56:00.000-05:00

I'm Not Enough, But Jesus Is

2011-05-10T12:55:00.002-05:00

I have come to believe their is a fundamental root issue to most mankind that causes each of us to act and become who we are. Most of us at the core just want to be loved, but believe we are not enough or cannot become good enough to have that happen for us. We strive to find our identity, who we are, so we can become someone worthy of the love we so desire.

I have spoken to and heard the stories of so many that fall prey to abuse at the hand of another because they feel unworthy and unloved. I too was fed on by those who seek their own way and was used to fulfill their need to have worth. All the time Satan smiles.... While we struggle to know who we are and hurt one another. His hope is we damage each other so badly there is no hope of healing.

As I have studied the Bible in the last few years, what I have come to understand is that we are supposed to be overcomers. Circumstances are not supposed to keep us from the beauty He has placed within each of us. As a believer in Jesus Christ, each of us has been given the Holy Spirit, a piece of the trinity. We have the living God within us and it is supposed to give us a new identity. It is supposed to give us the indentity we were born to have. We are overcomers. We are made in the image of God. We are heirs to the Kingdom of God. Made out of beauty and placed here to show something more than humanity can understand.

But Satan mauls the understanding and twists the mind so we don't see who we are and what we are capable of. I see people in horrible situations with no way out and no where to turn. Their place to turn is Jesus. They may not be able to change their circumstances but they can change the way their heart feels. Jesus is enough. Jesus can fulfill the longings inside even in the midst of the ugliest situations. Jesus can do what mankind cannot. He can give hope. He can give peace when the walls are shaking.

This I know so fully! Jesus has calmed my storms from the inside out. Sometimes the walls still vibrate around me and feel as if they will fall but I know who I am and it's enough. My sufficiency is in the one who made me and my identity is secure. I am who He says I am and that gives me the ability to feel secure in all circumstances.

The truth of who I am is no longer about the things and people around me. Those things will pass away but who I am in Jesus Christ stands for eternity. I see myself through the eyes of God and it gives me the peace and strength to do all things.

I am loved by the one who "is love" that makes me worthy of greatness. His greatness. Thats enough.

Twenty Three Minutes In Hell

2011-04-27T12:19:00.002-05:00

Last week I picked up the book "Twenty Three Minutes in Hell" and read it in two days. Since reading it, I cannot stop thinking about those around me without hope of eternity. I posted the video below of the man who wrote the book speaking about his experience. He was taken to hell and describes the events. Watch the video, it will impact you to reach out to those around you.

23 Minutes in Hell

2011-04-23T14:38:00.000-05:00

23 Minutes In Hell Reference Edition - The funniest home videos are here

He Will Meet You Where You Are

2011-04-14T15:06:00.003-05:00

A certain girl lay at the pool with a multitude of others. Sick for many years, she waited at the pool. She waited for the angel to stir the water so someone might have mercy on her and place her in the water. Years went by as she begged for someone to help. Yet each of the others at the pool were in need and sick themselves. Each one waiting.... for the stirring.... for a miracle. Who might reach the water first? Only one will reap the healing that so many need. "I can't fix it myself" she told those near her as she writhed with pain but held tight to her old ways.

That girl was me... waiting by the pool just like the man in Bethesda in John 5:1-15. It tells the story of a man who was sick for 38 years. Day after day he waited at the Pool of Bethesda for a miracle. Everyday he waited for someone to have a little bit of pity on him and place him in the pool. He just needed one dip after the angel stirred the water. He needed one person to put him in the water before anyone else had stepped in. Year after year he yearned for a healing so he could live a life worth something. But no one cared for him enough.

Why Jesus came for him I cannot explain. Many others were there. Many others needed to be healed. The blind, lame, paralyzed and sick were there by the multitude. But Jesus had come to save this one man at the pool. Just like He always comes for me. I don't deserve it. I can't understand why he continues to be faithful to me. So many around me have needs so much greater than mine. But yet he continually comes where ever I am. He comes to find me amongst all the multitudes of people. He comes in spite of my rebellious heart and my tendency to want to control things.

"Do you want to be made well?" was the question Jesus asked the man. It's the same question he has asked me so many times. Just like the man at the pool, I said "I have nobody to put me in the water while it's stirred, everyone gets there before me." Excuses... I gave excuses for a very long time. "I don't have enough will power to overcome my behaviors." "It's too big to overcome."

Basically, do I really want to be made well? Or do I want to hang on to my sin? Do I still love my sinful ways so much that I am willing to stay sick in them? Do I still want to do things my way? Or will I allow God to begin a miracle in me?

This week I answered "Yes Lord, I want to be made well." I picked up my mat and I am walking away from the pool I once felt so prone to lounge at. It's time to quit waiting for the angel to stir the water. It's time to let Jesus make a change in me. It's time for a miracle.

The last instruction Jesus gave to the man was in the temple. Jesus goes to the temple to find the man and He tells him this "See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you." It's a warning. A warning I feel was meant for all of us. If you want to stay well... don't go back to the sin! Stay in the miracle He has made in you and trust Jesus to keep you pointed the right direction.

I don't know about you but I have decided to heed the warning. I have decided to sin no more, least a worse thing come upon me. I asked to be made well and Jesus started the process of healing in me. I am pointing myself towards that change. In His strength I will persevere tell I get to the goal.

A Desperate Man

2011-04-11T12:41:00.004-05:00

I have heard many say what a great and kind man Jesus was. I heard Lisa Ling state this recently in a documentary. She said that she was not a religious person but her experience reporting on a story about Christians had drawn her to this man. He was such a kind and loving man. The statement that Jesus was kind and loving is a true one. But exploring the nature of Jesus is crucial if you really want to know who you are talking about.

You see, if this great man was not God then he wasn't really so great. If Jesus was not fully God then the kindness was a complete farse and His ministry meant nothing. He spoke to many while here on earth and made the claim to be God. If it's not true then He is nothing but a liar and His greatness is not so. But would a liar do what I am about to tell you about? Or would it have to be God?

THE HEALING OF A SON

In John 4:46-54 we are told a story that takes place in Galilee. A nobleman, called so by either the largeness of his estate, the extent of his power or the royalties that belonged to his manor. Some scholars say he may have held an office to the King. In spite of his stature and largeness of estate, he could do nothing to help his sick son. So we see him seeking the real King for help.

He implores Jesus to come down and heal his son that is back in Capernaum, for he is at the point of death. A desperate father pleads with Jesus, "Sir, Come down before my child dies!"

Imagine this fathers anguish and pain, at the point of dispair, ready to do and believe anything if it will save his son's life. He goes to the man he had seen in Jerusalem doing miracles. "Maybe this is the Messiah, that can do such miracles."

Jesus doesn't need to travel to Capernaum to heal this man's child. He only needs to speak and the healing is done. I think we forget that. We forget that it only takes a word for Jesus to heal what ails us. For the nobleman it was easy. He was at that place of complete surrender and trust. He had no other place to go but to the Savior. So he went, pleading, with a surrendered heart, in complete belief that Jesus could heal his son.

Jesus's answer was this... "Go your way; your son lives" In belief, the man started back home. No more pleading or waiting for Jesus to go with him. With a trust that Jesus could do all things, he began his journey back to Capernaum.

As he made his way back toward home, he was met by his servants. "Your son lives!" they shout to him from a distance. "What hour was it when he got better?" Their answer proved that his trust had been correct. It was at that very hour when Jesus had said to him "Your son lives." His trust in Jesus had not been in vain and he believed on that very moment. His whole household also became believers from this miracle.

Jesus knew this mans heart. He knew that in his desperation this man would come to him. What He also knew was that the nobleman and his family would be saved by this situation. He knew that His kindness and mercy would cause their to be belief in His deity. Jesus wasn't walking the earth to do great deeds of kindness for no reason. His mercy was to cause those who saw Him to believe He was God in flesh. It was to teach them to believe He was the living God here on earth to pay for our sins.

A man who was "just kind" could not do the things that Jesus did. Only God could.

Some Sow and Some Reap

2011-04-06T11:25:00.002-05:00

In my last post I talked about the Samaritan woman at the well and how she needed the living water Jesus had to offer. Today I am picking up in Verse 27 of John and reading through Verse 42. The Samaritan woman is still in the picture but there is more than one thought I want to explore with this part of the story.

We remember from the previous post that Jesus revealed to this woman the details of her life. Also, He had just told her He was the Messiah that her people had been looking for.

So we start in Verse 27, the disciples have returned to the well. They marvel that Jesus is even talking to this woman, but say nothing to Jesus about it.

Immediately the woman leaves behind her waterpot and goes back to the city. Did she leave because the disciples returned and she was afraid they would now admonish her for speaking to a Jew? Or was she so enraptured by what she had just found out that she was in a hurry to go back to her city and tell everyone? Personally, I think it was the latter because in her haste she left her waterpot behind. Also, after arriving in the city she goes to the men and tells them to "Come see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?"

Her declaration caused these men, whoever they were, to go out of the city and go to Jesus (Verse 30). She only testified to what she had encountered with Jesus. He had known the truth about her. By her admission that someone knew all she was guilty of, those she knew were intrigued enough to go see for themselves.

She put herself out there. No false persona's, no mask. Everyone knew her past but to go face everyone with honest humility? That took guts. Her honesty and transparency caused others to go see Jesus for themselves.

The story picks back up in Verse 39, where we see the result of her truthful disclosure to the others. "And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, 'He told me all that I ever did."

Because of her willingness to tell others, many were saved. They even urged Jesus to stay with them, which He did for two days. During that time more were brought to belief. Not because of her words but because of her willingness to use her weaknesses to bring them to Jesus.

We have all heard the old saying "don't air your dirty laundry in public." Our reputation can stay untarnished if we just keep the baggage in the closet where it belongs. Our reputation, or what people think of us, is something many of us value very highly. We evaluate our worth by it. The problem is when we put such a high value on what others think of us, our authenticity goes out the window. Without authenticity, we will affect no-one for the Kingdom of God. Our life will be about ourself and not others.

What we must finally figure out is how to evaluate our worth by what Jesus says not others. When we do that, we will begin to allow Jesus Christ to use our failures and baggage to change the lives of others.

MEANWHILE BACK AT THE WELL.....

While the woman ran back to the city, forgetting her waterpot, the disciples got a lesson from Jesus. Verses 31 through 38 give us the discussion between Jesus and His beloved disciples.

"Rabbi, eat" The disciples urge. But He says to them "I have food to eat of which you do not know." This confuses them and they begin to ask each other if anyone has already brought Him food.

Jesus then takes the conversation from being about the physical need of food to the spiritual need. "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work." He tells the disciples. He then begins to talk to them about the harvest.

"Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors."

By this statement, Jesus has proclaimed the superior position of spiritual things. We cannot be so consumed with the physical nature of our lives and forget what we were left here on earth to accomplish. Just like Jesus, we to finish the work the Father God began.

The field of souls are ripe for harvest. By our transparency and humility we are to share our lives with those that do not yet know the greatness of Jesus Christ. There are many that do not know the glory of God and will die without really knowing what is in store for them after death. We are to be tillers of the soul of man. Sometimes we will sow the truth of Jesus into someone. Other times we may get the benefit of reaping what someone else has sown previously. The disciples were sent out to reap a harvest for the Kingdom of God. They were told to reap the harvest and bring others into eternity with Jesus covering them.

This story speaks to us as Christians today. Some will sow and others will reap. Only by humility and transparency like the woman at the well will we be effective enough to change the lives of others. Lay down your mask and find your sufficiency and worth in Christ. That way the truth of your life can shine for others to see Jesus in what He did for you.

Was it Just a Chance Meeting?

2011-03-29T16:11:00.011-05:00

Recently, I started reading through the book of John. It's a book in the Bible packed full of truth. Each chapter reveals a mutitude of insights. There is so much spiritual meat to sit and chew on. Today, as I read the story about the Samaritan woman, I thought why not share with you the trinkets of truth I gain from this great book John.

So here goes.... a journey with me through the book of John. I hope each writing will inspire you and God will use it to make a difference in your life. On to what I read today.....

Today's truth comes to you from the fourth chapter of John, verses 1-26. The heading at the top of the chapter made me catch my breath a little. You know that feeling you get when you suck in a little gasp of air because what you just read spoke to you. It said this "A Samaritan Woman Meets Her Messiah". I thought .... "That's me!, I am that Samaritan woman, lucky enough to meet my Messiah."

I connected with this woman in so many ways. First, the fact of where she came from and what it meant to come from Samaria drives really close to home for me. A "Samaritan" was considered by Jews to be an outcast. A Jew would not speak to a Samaritan.

A little side history lesson for you.... the jews were invaded by Babylon and taken into captivity. The wealthiest Jews and those considered to be of intelligence were taken to Babylon. They were all kept together in captivity and allowed to continue in there faith. Those left back in the area of Isreal and Judea were very poor. During the others captivity, those left behind began to incorporate worship of pagan gods along with their worship of Yahweh. They made sacrifices outside Jerusalem and the temple walls. Those taken away had kept their beliefs in Yahweh. They believed that all sacrifices must be made in the temple in Jerusalem. Therefore, they had not made sacrifices during captivity and longed to return and rebuild the temple.

After seventy years they were allowed to return to their homeland and rebuild their temple. Worship and sacrifices could again be made to God once the temple was rebuilt. Those who had been left behind, were now living in the area of Samaria. Because of their differences they were hated and no longer considered Hebrew. They became the despised "Samaritans" to the Jewish people.

I get where that woman came from..... I get how her environment molded her. She was despised by those considered to be God's chosen. She was a woman living in a place corrupted by deception and pagan religion. I get that place. I wasn't raised in the church. When I was young, the church looked like it was full of Godly people. I thought they were God's chosen people. I was outside those walls. My surroundings weren't full of the pursuit to be holy or pleasing to God. The God I was familar with was the God of self. In my world you were your own God. Self gratification and the pursuit of happiness was revered above all else.

I get the feeling of being an outsider. I also get this womans life and what she was living like. In Verse 16-18 Jesus tells this woman, "go call your husband." She answers and says "I have no husband." He then proceeds to tell her the truth about herself. "You have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband."

I get how she was living her life. I get it because I lived it. NO, I haven't been married five times. And the one I am with IS my husband. It's not the specific circumstances but the way she was pursuing her life, man after man. I lived that. I let the pursuit of a man override my pursuit of holiness for many years. I married young and it only lasted a year. Then I spent eighteen years trying to find myself a man. I thought it would be what made me happy.

Here she is.... A woman steeped in sin, giving herself away over and over to man after man. Her worth to herself is non-existant. She comes from nothing, lives where she is considered nothing and believes she is nothing. Then something happens to change everything she believes..... She meets Jesus at a well.

Going to the well to draw water, she finds Jesus sitting there. "Draw Me a drink" he tells her. She is shocked that a Jew would be asking her, a Samaritan, to draw Him some water. Most Jews would have no dealings with her. But He did and He had much more to tell her. He had come to the well at just that time of day so He would meet her there. His path had deliberately taken Him the route less traveled so this woman could hear a truth that would change her life.

"If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." Jesus tells her. Living water? Where do you get living water she asks him? This is confusing.... water that is living? He has nothing to draw the water with. The well is deep. How would he draw this water that is living? "Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestocks?" She asks.

Jesus gives her an answer that now rings in my ears. "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give will never thirst. But the water that I shall give will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."

I too met Jesus at the well. I came from nothing, was considered nothing by others and believed what they told me about myself. My worth in myself was non-existant and my heart was thirsty. I went to the well and Jesus was there. I wanted the living water He had to offer. I drank from His water and have never been the same. It started in my heart with just a trickle. The trickle over time has turned into a stream. That stream nows runs like a rapid and flows over its banks. It flows onto others so they too can hear about the man at the well.

A Samaritan woman two thousand years ago had the same response as I did..... "Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw." She needed a filling that only Jesus could supply and so did I.

The Child May Not Make it to Puberty

2011-02-11T08:21:00.003-06:00

I need to vent. Some of you may be going through the same thing I am right now and if so please speak up. I need to know I am not the only one suffering with a strong willed child.

Let me explain my morning to you. I wake my ten year old son up this morning to get ready for school and he wasn't to happy to be getting out of bed. In to the kitchen I go to lovingly prepare a nutritous meal for breakfast. OK, I put cereal in a bowl and poured milk on top of it....

Anyway, in he comes, plops down in the chair in front of his breakfast and begins to complain. "I HATE SCHOOL" he tells me. I reply "Well, you have quite a few years to go so you better find something to like about it" I'm not sure what the next thing was that came out of his mouth but it wasn't pretty because I instantly got irked and told him he'd be wise to close his mouth before it got him in big trouble. Here's where the willfull child comes in....

Next thing I know, I look into the kitchen to find my son sitting at the table, hands down by his side, mouth closed, his cereal not touched. He just sits there silent and still. I get what he is doing..... he is closing his mouth. Does he like to annoy me????

So I make him go get the rest of the way ready and then send him back to the table. Again, he sits at the table but does not eat. Finally, I say "what are you doing?" "Well, you told me to close my mouth" he says sarcastically.

Now I am mad! Two can play this game and make a point. I take away the cereal, dump it down the drain and send him out to the bus stop. No breakfast. A little hunger won't kill him but it might just make his brain remember next time that Mom doesn't like that type of behavior.

The bus came and I now need to go spend a little time in prayer before he comes home.

The Perfection of God

2011-02-08T14:33:00.002-06:00

God is perfect in every way. By definition, perfect would mean to be complete in all respects and without defect or omission. To be perfect is to be sound and flawless. Such a description encapsulates God. He is flawless.

Psalm 50:2 gives a wonderful picture. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God will shine forth.

AW Tozer in his book The Attributes of God (Volume 1) says “In this verse we have three words in special relation to each other – “perfection,” “beauty” and “God.” And while it is Zion that is called the perfection of beauty, it is the perfection of beauty because God shined out of her.”

She was the perfection of beauty because God shined out of her. So what do you think? Are we a perfection of beauty when we allow God to be shining out of us? I think so!

Perfection….. The highest degree of excellence. No flaws. A characteristic that only God can ascribe to. But don’t we try to reach perfection ourselves?

I find it ironic that so many people, including me, have fallen into the trap of perfectionism. Thinking you can do things perfectly or be a perfect person is impossible. We are not capable of living a perfect life. Only God can live up to a standard that expects no flaws. Humanity is flawed. To expect perfection from yourself is saying you should not be human.

To be human is to be flawed, God knows this. To expect more from ourselves than even God expects is just wrong thinking. The attribute of perfection is God’s to carry, so if you suffer with perfectionism, give yourself a break. God doesn’t expect you to be perfect, why are you?

The best way we can come close to perfection is to do just what the Scripture above tells us to do. Let His light shine through us. The Perfect One won't make us become perfect, only beautiful because of His light.

Can God Look On Sin?

2011-01-29T10:36:00.002-06:00

Recently during my prayer and study time I discovered that a statement I have spoken many times was leading me to an incorrect understanding. So many times I have been told and repeated to others the statement "God cannot look on sin." What this statement portrays is that somehow God has a weakness. He is flawed. You see I would get this mental picture of sin being kinda like God's krytonite. Just like superman having one flaw, God's was sin.

Here is what that lead me to believe. I was still sinful by my nature so God still couldn't look at me. So Jesus by my salvation stood in front of me, sort of like a screen or a filter. That way God only saw Jesus not me.

It's a great analogy but it left me with no understanding of my current state before God. Because my thought pattern left me as nothing had really changed about me, I was still really unacceptable. Not unacceptable to God but unacceptable to man.

It left me with a warped perception of who I now was and what my worth to Him was. Furthermore, with my old self worth still intact, I was still not good enough. God might be able to accept me now because Jesus had stepped in front of me as a buffer but the true nature of my self worth hadn't changed. God just didn't see me the same as everyone else because He was looking at Jesus not me.

Here is the truth..... and it changed everything for me. God CAN look on sin. Satan goes before God and he is full of sin. (a subject for another day) Satan is a different being. He is Spirit not human. We are not told the penalty of death is for him, no, it's for humanity.

Here's the thing, it's not that God can't look on sin, it's that if man goes in the presence of God with sin on him he will die. God could show himself to us but the penalty for our sins would come into play and we would drop down dead. The penalty of sin is death. So the penalty for man going before God with sin on him is death. Hence the seperation from God. Since we now have a sin nature and cannot keep from sinning, we must be seperated from God.

With sin comes death. In order to cleanse our sin off of us the penalty must be paid, blood must be shed, death must come. In the old testament, the Hebrew people would make blood sacrifices to attone for their sin. Once a year the high priest would go into the holy of holys in the presence of God. Before he would do this, he would make sacrifices for the week prior. There would be extra sacrifices made to make sure all the sin was attoned for so he wouldn't die once he was in the presence of God.

When Jesus came and died as a sinless man, the ultimate price was paid. The final and lasting penalty was paid. At the cross he proclaimed "It is finished" and it was. The penalty was paid for all mankind forever. The penalty of death was removed. Yes, we are still left with a sinful nature that wants to sin. But with our acceptance of Jesus Christ, we are covered by His blood sacrifice, therefore, we are blameless before God.

With the acceptance of Jesus as my Savior and Lord comes a new life. I am "born again" "a new creation". The old nature no longer has to hold me and I am made righteous and good enough not just before God but before man. The old person is gone and the new is now living. I am not that old person with the same self worth. I am different, new, worth much.

What freedom this brought me. I hope if you are stuck in a wrong perception of who you are in Jesus Christ, this will help you to know you too are enough.

The Veil Was Lifted

2011-01-26T14:07:00.003-06:00

Have you ever felt distant? Like everyone was around you but they were still out of reach to you?

You can be in a room full of family or friends and feel like you are not really there. The room is full of activity and conversation but you are not engaged. Its like you are scrouge in the movie A Christmas Carol and one of the ghosts has deposited you in the middle of your life. You are in the room but no one really sees you.

That is the way I have felt my whole life. Like I have been in the room but no one really sees me. Maybe it is because I tried to hard to be what everyone else wanted me to be. Maybe I was too afraid to let anyone see who I was. What ever the reason, here I am, 40 something and just now trying to understand who the real me is. I am finally trying to be visable and seen for who I am.

What a journey it has been to take the mask off and quit trying to please others. It has taken a lot time to peel off the layers and find out why I wanted to be someone else. In the end it came down to not thinking I was enough on my own. If people saw me, the real me, they would reject me because that person wasn't worth much.

Learning that I was loved by God was the beginning for me. I learned that the one who created me loved me so much that He sent His only son to die for me. It rocked my world to know I was loved by the one who created everything. But it still wasn't enough to change my thinking. I still believed that somehow I was flawed from birth and not like everyone else. I wasn't worth as much as other people were. Yes, God loved me but He didn't see the real me. He saw me through the filter of Jesus so it wasn't really me that He saw, it was Christ.

Yes, I was clean and worthy IN HIS EYES because he was looking at me through different eyes than the rest of the world. I carried this belief without really knowing it and what it really meant was I believed God loved me because He saw me differently. He couldn't see my flaws and how unacceptable I really was anymore. But others could. Therefore, I was acceptable to God but not to others. The nature of how unworthy and unacceptable I was hadn't really changed, God just couldn't see it anymore.

Last week the light was turned on for me. Jesus died to make me acceptable. Upon belief in His death for my sins and accepting His salvation it didn't place a veil over God's eyes so he couldn't see my sin anymore. No, it took the veil off. In that moment, I was made worthy for Him to look at me. Eyes wide open, the Father looks on His child. It took the veil off because I was made acceptable. I was justified and made worthy. Because of Jesus I am enough. Enough to be me, whole, clean, acceptable and worth much.

He created the first man and called it very good. That's what He now calls me.

So This is Christmas

2010-12-20T08:55:00.003-06:00

So this is Christmas.....and what have you done.....another year over...... and a new one just begun... lalala...... I have the John Lennon song Happy Christmas stuck in my head.

Another year over......and what have you done? What good question to be asking ourselves as the year closes out. Has your year brought you closer to God's purpose for your life? Has this year been a memorable one or just another year like many before it?

My year has been a difficult one. It has been a year of great change in my life. Although it has been difficult, it has not been without benefit. By allowing God to guide my life, great change has not gone unused by God. I have grown and my heart stirs even greater than before for a world that needs the truth I hold inside me.

As we move into the Christmas holiday, what better time to unleash our hearts and pour out God's goodness on those around us. There are so many people celebrating a holiday that is focused on Jesus, King of Kings, but have no personal understanding of why He came in the first place.

This Christmas, teach those around you why He came. Share the greatest gift you can give to someone. Walk through the initial fear to share and let the love you have received be known by those less fortunate. There is no greater gift you could give this season than the gift of God's salvation. Share the truth of Jesus this season. After all, He's the reason for the season.

Merry Christmas!

Blinging to Eternity

2010-12-04T01:14:00.002-06:00

Today while doing research for the bible study I am writing I stumbled across a fabulous truth. It's now one in the morning and I am tempted to wake up my husband just so I can share. I just wanna shake him awake and say "Guess what! Bling is good!!

You see I like shinny and glitzy things that bling. I just can't help myself. I love all things glittery. Jewels are great, shinny shoes are fun and a glittery bag is a must with certain outfits.

So when Christmas rolls around look out! Two things I love come together in a great way. I love Jesus and I love bling. On Christmas those two things collide and make an extravaganza of fun for me.

My husband on the other hand can be quite the kill joy when it comes to my decoration obsession. Just because he has to drag a few (thirty) plastic totes up from the basement and then return them after I'm done picking through them, doesn't constitute such ugliness. Okay, he's not necessarily ugly about it, he just complains. ALLOT. He says I have to many decorations and then throws a fit when I continue to purchase more each year. Whats the big deal if it keeps a girl happy? And this girl it does.

I don't get the problem. After all, Jesus deserves it. It's his birthday, I gotta do it up right. His birthday only comes once a year and there are so many pretty bobbles out there to celebrate with. Hobby Lobby calls my name this time a year. I hear it in my sleep.

So imagine my pleasure in finding treasure in scripture that supports my love for bling. I was studying I Peter 1:7. It says this:

That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Here's the good part! Matthew Henry says this about it in his commentary. Jesus will appear in glory, the saints will appear with Him. Their graces will appear illustrious and the more they have been tried the more bright they will appear. Their glory, honor and praise will last to eternity.

WOOT! WOOT! According to Matthew Henry, each trial we go through adds grace that will appear brighter on us. When we appear in the sky with Jesus we will be glowing bright from all our added glory. That to me shouts of glowing brightness. I like it! I like it allot!

Sparkle I will!! So far, with all the trials I have been through, my bling quotient should be pretty high about now. I can hardly wait!

Gotta..... go..... wake..... up..... husband. I can't hardly stand it.....No.....No.....I should probably wait.

We All Become Orphans At Some Point

2010-11-16T13:49:00.004-06:00

Today I got some sad news. My brother in-law, whom I love so dearly lost his father two days ago. If it wasn't hard enough, he also lost his mother just a mere four weeks before this. Dealing with the death of a parent, all though inevitable for us all, is a very hard thing go through. How much harder to lose both parents one after the other.

I can not say I know what this feels like. I only know the grief and loss from a bystanders view point. I myself, several years ago,watched as my husband experienced the loss of his mother and soon after, his father. Although, I haven't been through the loss of my parents, I know that I will eventually have to face that grief.

Thinking today about my brother in-law (and in Christ), my mind wandered to how he must feel right now. How losing both parents must bring a person to the feeling of being orphaned. The feeling of being left on your own without the familiar safety net we have always counted on. You see, as long as we are still someone's child, we have someone to run to when we are scared or need counsel. As long as our parents are alive, the small child that lives within each of us has a Momma or a Daddy to run to when times are tough. We can still run and tuck our head in Momma lap or bury our head in Daddy's shoulder. We may not do this literally, but the availability to do so is always there. We get to live in the illusion that we are protected from a big, hard, ugly, cruel world. There is always that feeling of protection that hovers over us as long as they are with us here on earth.

What I realized as I watched my husband go through similar circumstances is that a shift must take place. First, we must allow ourselves to grieve. There is no shame in shedding tears for the loss of a loved one. They cared for us and loved us, they deserve our tears of grief.

Through the grieving process there must come a honesty before God. A place where you share how much you hurt with God so He can begin to mend the brokenness. When we take the time to bring our grief to Him, He will give us more than we could ever expect. He will be our comforter, our friend, our place of protection and our great healer of the heart. More than that, He knows our state of loss and our loneliness. He knows that we are now orphans in a big cruel world that just got bigger.

Here's the thing.... If we let Him, God will fill that hole our parents left behind. He will become the Father that is there hovering to protect us. He will become the Father always there to bury our head in when were scared. He will be to us all the things we believe we lost, if we ask.

So for my brother..... I say to you....I love you. It's okay to feel grief. Call on those of us around you when you need an ear,a hug or a friend. We are here. But more than that, your great Father in Heaven is only a thought away and He loves you.

Pressing Forward As My Knees are Knocking

2010-11-09T15:38:00.002-06:00

Have you ever wondered why being a child of God requires so much change and growth? I have! As a matter of fact I am asking God that question right now! I keep thinking I will get to coast for a while, maybe sit back just long enough to put my feet up for a short spell. But......NOT!

Change just keeps on coming. Seems like it's becoming a more frequent visitor and stays longer each time. Lately I have begun to wonder if maybe it's decided to become my way of life. So be it. If that's the way it's gotta be, I guess I need to get used to it and stop fighting so hard against it. Guess I should just strap on the safety belt and hang on for the ride. Knowing of course that I'll be safe since Jesus is driving.

Here's the thing. When I prayed to be greatly used by God, I had no idea how much change it would require. I expected my external circumstances to change. I knew that I would face some adversity and have to overcome some obstacles. I knew that He would change me internally. What I did not anticipate was having to come face to face with myself. What I mean is my core fears and insecurities.

Six years ago when Jesus sat me down in the chair in my living room and began a very personal discipleship program with me, I began to be consumed with His word. I knew I needed to love Him with all my heart and so I asked for Him to give me wisdom and a heart like His. I then began to pray for Him to make me look like Himself when I looked in the mirror. A slow ember began to burn which grew into a spark. That spark of fire grew until all I wanted to do was be His and glorify Him in what ever way He deemed fit.

As my desire to understand the Word of God intensified, He reminded me of a vision He had shown me at the age of twenty. Wide awake, I had seen clearly a vision of myself. In that vision I was standing at a podium in a large auditorium filled with people. I was speaking for Him.

For the next three years as I spent my days engulfed in the Word of God, the message God continually spoke into my heart was "Speak for Me" "Speak for Me". Three more years and here I am, still changing and learning. Yes, I am more prepared to be that person. Yes, I do speak and teach His word to others. But as it is becoming more clear what is expected of me I am now coming face to face with my deepest beliefs about myself.

You see, I am comfortable teaching in a small group to those I know well. I am comfortable typing my words from the safety of my laptop as I sit here in my living room. I can even get through an occasional speaking engagement with the loving women in my church. But as I begin to embark on bigger things, my full blown insecurities are hitting me square between the eyes.

You see, I have been writing a bible study that I have embarked on trying to get published. This weekend, I am attending a conference where I will have the opportunity to present what I have written before some editors and publishers. I am terrified. You may think me silly to have such fears, but there are many things it is causing my poor heart to feel.

I struggle severely with insecurity. What were you thinking Lord!?! Me a speaker, a writer, a teacher? I know what He is calling me to do and if I take this step it will lead to more. More of what I am terrified of. More standing up in front of people as my legs are shaking. More of possible rejection and criticism. More, more, more..... of everything I feel inadequate to do.

So as I come face to face with one of my biggest core beliefs, that I am not enough, all my insecurities are at high alert. I'm shaking in my boots and my knees are knocking but I will not let it defeat me. I will do what I need do to get past it, I will DO IT anyway. I will press on forward; scared, legs shaking, knees knocking. I will continue walking forward into where He is calling me, scared or not. My hand may be squeezing His so tight that I cuts off all His circulation, but forward I will go. I doubt He will mind my squeezing.

This weekend, and I am sure many more times in the future, I will face my fear and hear these words "Do It Scared". "Do it with fear in your heart if you have to, but don't stop, just do it"

So I will.... go..... do it..... trembling......holding on tight. But I will go.

Gaining Myself As I Lose Myself

2010-10-28T13:22:00.003-05:00

Luke 10:19 - "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

Words spoken by Jesus over 2000 years ago to seventy followers. They were appointed and sent out two by two into every city where He Himself would be going.

They were to be laborers for His harvest. He knew they would see hardship. He knew they would come in direct contact with evil. But He sent them out anyway.

He warned them of what they would encounter. "Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves." Then He instructed them to let peace rest on the house that had peace as they entered and to take their peace with them if not. "Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such thing that are put before you. And heal the sick there, and say to them, The kingdom of God has come near you."

As these seventy returned.... they returned with joy. Why?

They had seen hardship. Evil had tried to stop their progress. Life as a disciple had not been easy. So why would they return with great joy in their hearts? Why weren't they beat down and discouraged? Why were they instead full of enthusiasm?

I believe they had seen for themselves the truth in Luke 10:19. NOTHING could hurt them. When they were approaching all circumstances and individuals, they were doing it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. There strength and power was in the name they had been branded with.

Beloved, there is power and authority in the name of Jesus Christ. Abiding in Jesus we can not be hurt. If we do not allow the actions or decisions of others to say who we are, we can not be hurt by them.

I have learned recently that when you place your identity in the one who created you and you see yourself through His eyes, there is no act, insult or action by another person that can hurt you.

But you must know who He is, to know who you are. Do you get what I am saying? You can not define Yourself by the things of this world. Instead, you must define yourself by what God says about you. If you are to be the direct reflection of Jesus, you need to see yourself by looking at Him.

When you have a clear identity of who you are in Christ and your approval comes from Him, you need no one to say that you are OK. If you need no ones approval but His then no one can hurt you. The schemes of the devil are defeated. Anything that is done to you is in vain because you hold no regard for there approval or condemnation.

As you shed the need for the world to fulfill you and give you worth, you leave behind your self. You leave behind your old self, the one that felt unworthy and unacceptable.

As you do this shedding of self, a new self is emerges. It's a blossoming Spirit that is moved and directed by the Holy Spirit. I believe its what you were intended to be before life got in the way. His child, allowing Him to lead while you simply follow.

That's where the joy those seventy were talking about comes from. It comes from the name of Jesus. Abiding in the Holy Spirit, following His ways and being who He directs you to be.

When we do this nothing can ever really hurt us and we gain who we were intended to be from the beginning.

Change Is Part Of Life

2010-09-20T10:25:00.004-05:00

Some people say things like "I don't like change" or "If its not broke don't fix it." I understand their thinking, change can be difficult and at times very painful. Despite it being difficult, I am learning to say "Bring on the change Lord." And as I do, I begin to wonder what the Lord has planned next for me.

You see life is ever moving and ever changing. I would even go as far as to say that, to live as Christ is to be in the state of constant change.

Being a believer of Jesus Christ is all about change. We are to be renewed daily. Transforming into the image of Christ takes the daily renewed effort to change. Everyday we should ask the question "What will you change in me today Lord?"

We have to be prepared for things to change, because without change, there would be no forward movement. As the old saying goes, when your not moving forward, you are falling back. If we are not changing, moving forward to the next place God has for us, we instead are falling back. Usually, that falling back takes the form of old ways or new sin.

Although change is unavoidable, it is not always pain free. Sometimes we are faced with decisions that we know we must make to move forward in our walk with Christ. At the same time we know the change will cause us to grieve the loss of what has been. Sometimes we must sacrifice of our comfort and our personal feelings in order to be obedient to the will of God.

This has been the case recently for Dave and I. My heart has been heavy with the thought of leaving behind many that we love so dearly. You see, we recently made the decision to leave our home church. It has not come without many gut wrenching discussions and prayerful nights. At the conclusion, the answer has always been the same, "It's time to go."

We have not made this decision in haste. It has been a long process with many discussions spanning a two year period. Through our times talking over the last two years, we have come to the understanding that I have a calling on my life for ministry. It is a calling to write bible studies and teach the word of God. Eventually, God willing, I hope to be a speaker and help reach and teach many with God's word.

Our leaving is not a bad reflection on the church. Actually, it is instead a testimony to it. We have been feed and grown at this church to the point that now it is time to go forth and proclaim the word of God to others. We are grateful to have had the time with so many people that truly love God.

As I read a book by Beth Moore recently, what she said spoke to me. I'm paraphrasing, but here is what her words said to me. Anytime we move away from those we love there is a loss that occurs. In that loss there is a sort of death that takes place. When we experience a death, we grieve the loss. There is no way around it.

The disciples experienced the same loss when Jesus was taken from the cross and laid in the tomb. Then again when they arrived at the tomb and saw that His body was gone. They could have stayed in the tomb believing that all was lost or instead they could go and see the risen Lord.

Here is the hope for each of us. Jesus didn't stay in the tomb. Instead, he was resurrected. The disciples didn't stay forever in the empty tomb. No, they went to the meeting place and gather together where they experienced the resurrected Christ.

So when we experience a death of any type we have a choice. We can stay in the tomb looking for the body or we can go down the road to find the resurrected Christ. There is a resurrection waiting for each of us. It is the next place that God is waiting to take us too.

Dave and I are going down the road again. Although I grieve for what we leave behind, at the same time I am looking forward to the resurrection that awaits us.

Transforming Into The Character of Jesus

2010-09-13T13:34:00.005-05:00

This morning as I was preparing for my bible study on how to have transformed speech, I stumbled on, or maybe I should say, I was showed by God some truth I'd like to share.

So often we say we want to be like Jesus. We want to be formed into his likeness as the bible tells us we are to strive for. Well. I know that I say this often. Maybe I am not alone on this quest and you want this also. But how do we get there?

I have high and lofty ideas of doing great things in the Kingdom of God. I'll save a hundred souls for Jesus. Maybe I'll feed thousands of starving children or create a huge mission that shelters a whole community. OR I'll write a best seller that comforts millions and a bible study that teaches the multitude about the ways of Christ. I will...... I will.....

In reality, I will DO nothing. It is he that is in me that will do the good works. The good works he planned for me to do even before I was born.

I believe the mistake I make, along with many others, is believing that "doing" is the answer to becoming closer to the image of Jesus. I so often think that I can show everyone who Jesus is by the big things I could do if He would only let me.

Doing is not the answer. Instead, the answer is in "being" like him. Everyday. In every encounter with another person. In all circumstances. Transforming our reactions, behaviors, thoughts, and beliefs to respond the way Christ would in all circumstances. Our character is to be in the process of being molded to reflect Jesus' character.

John 1:14 says - The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Jesus, like the Father has two very important attributes that we would go a long way if we paid high attention to acquiring them. Those two attributes are grace and truth.

John tells us that Jesus, the One and Only, was (and still is) full of grace and truth. It is foundational to who Jesus is. As well, it should be foundational to who we are. If we are to be a true image bearer of Jesus Christ it is critical that our foundation reflect the characteristics of the original.

Being full of grace and truth........ How do we put these attributes at the foundation of who we are?

You can't be "filled" with the truth if you aren't "in" the truth. In other words, we have to fill ourselves with the "truth" of God which is in His word. It needs to be filling us up, changing our behaviors, making us into different creatures. Renewing us daily, changing our thoughts from evil to good. Making our thoughts and behaviors reflect Him. That is what comes from saturating ourselves in the word of God.

We can not reflect what we do not know. If we are not reading, studying and learning the word of God it can not be in us and fill us with truth. Therefore, truth will not be our foundation and we will not live it out in our daily lives. Instead, our human nature will seep out of us and inspire us to sin.

Truth. It's foundational. It teaches us to care with honest and transparent hearts. It shows others who we are. It shows our flawed true self that can not redeem or save itself. The truth that without Jesus, we are sinful at the core.

Sinful and self serving. That is "our" truth, self serving and flawed. But.... given a new life and truth by Jesus who lives within us. And if we want that to shine through, we must make His truth become a foundational part of who we are.

And then..... we live in His grace. Also as a foundation to who we are.

Grace, unmerited love and favor on the part of God. We didn't deserve it. We can't earn it. It is given freely because of His goodness. It is all about how good He is even when we don't deserve it.

Living in grace is a different calling then being saved by grace. We are saved by grace ONCE. Jesus died one time for all. You and I, we accepted his grace once and were given the free gift of salvation.

Living in grace is much different. It's daily, hourly, sometimes even minute by minute. "God of all grace" is one of God's names (1 Peter 5:10). He is the source and giver of all grace. His grace paid our debt and gave us salvation. It lavishes blessing on us and promises unimaginable favor. Favor that we have the privilege of living in and extending to others.

We can not extend our own grace, we instead must extend the grace we have been given by God. The favor God has shown towards us enables us to show the same to others. Instead of keeping track when others fail and hurt us. Or paying them back with the same, we can extend unmerited favor just as God does.

Each time we encounter a trial of an interpersonal nature we have the opportunity to either react as Jesus would or as Satan would. We can either repay evil with good or evil with evil. It is our choice in that moment. Will we walk the path of grace or the path of retribution?

Jesus was "full of grace", allowing a sinner like me to come into His completely holy kingdom. If I want to be transformed into the character of Jesus I have to look on others with the eyes that look back at myself. I have to see my own sin and failure when others fail and hurt me. I have to see their sin, knowing that I too do such things. I too speak things I should not and hurt others. I too say and do things that inflict pain or cause others to be injured. I am no better, I am only a sinner. A sinner under the grace given by God. A grace given to me so I can turn and pass it on to another.

Truth and grace.... a foundation made up of love and humility. It is the foundation I want. The foundation I believe we all need to live our lives out of.

All Things Are In His Hands - Part 4

2010-08-20T09:03:00.002-05:00

So here I am..... Back in the house I was in four years ago...... And I thought I should finish the story I started months ago.

Of course, life is always a process and the story never really ends for each of us.... But this chapter on financial crisis has finally come to a close. PRAISE GOD

Last time I wrote, we had sold the big beautiful dream house and moved back to the smaller place but there was still no permanent job yet. Dave, my husband, was still scrounging out a living and we were living on a wing and a prayer. Faith was the name of the game..... And the way we were surviving.

In the beginning of July an email came from a member of the church we belong to. Our Pastor had left a year before for the mission field and moved to Greece. In the email he was requesting a group to come to Greece and help them build a church.

As I read the email, my heart sunk. This mission trip was something that Dave should be involved in but there was just no way it could happen. Here we were, barely hanging on financially, just moved back to our old house, behind on credit cards, still no permanent work, no insurance but surviving. How could he go to Greece? It just wasn't possible.

Or was it possible?

Turns out, nothing is impossible with God.

I read that email on Sunday morning right before we walked out the door to go to church. I mentioned it to Dave in the car and we both knew it was wasn't an idea we could entertain. At 9PM that evening, there was a knock at our front door. In enters a couple from church that are friends of ours with something they wanted to discuss.

"If we raise the money for you to go to Greece, would you go?" was the question they asked Dave. They continued.... "We were at our Life Group tonight and everyone there (ten people) thinks you are suppose to go on this trip. We want to make sure you have what you need to go."

How do you respond to something like this? First you pick your mouth up off the floor. Then you take a week to digest the whole thing and pray about it. Which is what we did.

I knew he should go, but was it Gods will? Was God really wanting him to do this? No job.... No money.... No security..... Pick up and go to Greece. Hey, why not?

To say Dave was hesitant is an under statement. He was reluctant to even entertain the idea. But God had a plan and it was in motion.

The next week after church service was over, up walks a man who is in our Sunday School class. He knew nothing about the previous conversation with other members of our church. He needs to talk to Dave. "Are you going on the Greece trip?" He asks. "If you are, I feel like God wants me to sponsor you" He proceeds to tell Dave that he felt like God was telling him and his wife felt the very same thing at the exact same time. They had gone looking for each other at the same time to tell one another.

The following week, this man walks up to Dave again after church and tells him that he had gone to the church that week to pay the money and found out that someone else, completely separate had already paid the plane fare. Evidently, a third party was now on the scene and had paid the fare in secret. They had been called by God and left the glory in His name. We still don't have a a clue who it was. The following week an envelope of money was left at the church with our name on it to cover expenses at home while he was gone.

To Greece he would go.... "But Dave, before you go, let me settle a few more things for you" said God.

Three weeks before the trip a phone call. It's an interview. To say Dave didn't have his hopes up would be putting it mildly. There wasn't even a hope on his radar screen. He had so little hope that he hadn't even mentioned he had an interview to me. Surprisingly, the interview went so well that a glimmer of light started to shine. Call me next week, the man said.

Tuesday the following week, Dave calls the man. "Nothing yet" he say. "I don't know if we are getting the contract yet."

Unfortunately, the job Dave had applied for was contingent on the company securing a contract to build a large project. Down Dave's hopes went again. The glimmer of light was gone. He had tried, struggled, looked, applied, striven and now pretty much given up hope that a job would come.

You know that saying "it's not gonna just fall into your lap?" Well, sometimes it does. Sometimes when we finally quit trying to do it ourselves and begin to put it in God's hands, he places what you desire in your lap.

Wednesday.... The very next day after this man said "Nothing yet", the phone rang. "Dave, I need some help, can you come to work?" It was a friend of his from church, that he served beside on the building committee. This man works for a construction company doing the same job Dave has done. He has been wanting to get Dave on at his company for some time but the availability hasn't been there. But now, he is overwhelmed with work and needs help. "Can you come in tomorrow?" he asks. "I can't be there tomorrow but I can on Friday" Dave tells him.

Thinking its just a temporary thing, contract work to pull the guy out of a crack, Dave shows up bright and early on Friday. As the day wore on and he was filling out W4 forms and insurance paperwork, he wondering.... "Is this a permanent position?"

Turns out, it was! No interview.... No talking to anyone..... Just a job, doing what he has always done, paying a good pay. With insurance starting the following week. Knowing full well that he would be gone for 10 days in just a few weeks to go to Greece.

Sometimes, it is just given to you. Sometimes, it does just fall into your lap. Because God does hear. And He takes care of His people. Only, it's in His timing, not ours. And we are required to just keep on going, trusting in His provision until He brings about the right thing at the right time.

So Dave's back from Greece now... School has started.... Routine has set back in....

Dave goes to work each morning. Brett goes to school. As for me? It's back to writing and waiting.... for the next part of His story in our lives.

Changed By Transfiguration

2010-07-05T15:36:00.002-05:00

Matthew 17:1-2 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He transfigured before them, His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as light.

Take just a moment and reread the above scripture one more time. Read through it slowly and think about what this encounter must have been like for these three men.

Jesus takes James, along with his good friend Peter and his brother John, up the mountain. Were the three men questioning where they were going and why they needed to go up so high on a mountain? Did they have any idea what was about to happen?

Imagine! Six days after you’ve spent time with Jesus where he's telling you all about his upcoming death and resurrection. Then, you were instructed to take up your cross and follow Him. Now, only days later, you are climbing to the high place on a mountain. Why?

All that Jesus had been telling his disciples was confusing at best. I wonder what thoughts were playing in their minds as they climbed higher and higher “Jesus is going to be killed and raised from the dead? Take up my cross? What cross?” What did all this mean?

Privately, Jesus takes three of His disciples up the mountain to seek God. He does not stay below and reveal His glory to everyone. Instead He takes only these three on his special quest.

Why would these three be the only ones to see all His glory?

Now standing high on the mountain, Jesus does the miraculous, He transfigures right in front of them. Scripture says His face shone like the sun and His clothes became as white as light. The substance of His body remained the same. He didn’t turn into a Spirit. His light came from within Him rather upon Him like a spotlight.

Transfigured in Greek is metamorphoo meaning to transform, to metamorphose, change into another form.

The change in Jesus that the disciples witnessed was a complete transformation of His body from human to Devine. Jesus chose three of His closest disciples, a competent number to testify for Him, to see Him in His glory. He gave them a hope to pass on that we can grab hold of today. A hope for all humanity to have a small glimpse of the kingdom that is to come.

I John 1:5 - This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

I Timothy 6:16 - who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power.

Psalm 104:2 - Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, who stretch out the heavens like a curtain.

Jesus appeared in lighted because He IS the light. He IS the light that shines in this dark world. We can take heart and have hope because of this. This world will not be shrouded in darkness forever. Satan will not run loose forever. Eventually, the light of Christ will put the darkness where it belongs and it will be no more. That hope is something we can count on.

The light seen by the disciples was a metamorphosis, a change in Jesus from human to Devine.

Biologically, metamorphosis is a process of complete change after birth. The whole form changes and morphs into a different being. Shape, structure and substance changes in the creature that has a metamorphosis.

There are few creatures that we can even look at to grasp an understanding of what it means to metamorphose. I am sure the process is very different for a deity like Jesus but all we have to gain our understanding is animals or insects here on earth. Let’s look at a few examples to gain at least a small understanding of what James, John and Peter must have witnessed.

The most commonly talked about transformation is of the caterpillar that turns into a butterfly. The caterpillar, which starts as a long fuzzy little creature, builds a cocoon and emerges eventually as a butterfly. It starts as a wormlike insect that squiggles around on sixteen legs and morphs into a colorful winged insect that flies gracefully through the air.

Then there is also the metamorphosis that takes place in a tadpole when it becomes a frog. When a tadpole first comes into being it swims in freshwater. It has a trunk shaped mouth, long slim body, tail, gills and a gill sac, just like any ordinary fish. It lives on a vegetarian diet.

Within the process of a day, the trunk shaped mouth with horny tooth ridges is reabsorbed together with the spiral gut. Then the animal develops a big jaw, the gills and the gill sac disappear. The eyes grow at a very rapid pace, as well as the legs. A tongue is formed. A few days later the tail reabsorbs into the body and is gone. The entire transformation takes only a few days.

Unlike the frog, the transfiguration of Jesus happened in an instant right before the eyes of the disciples. Imagine it! To see the glory of God!

Very few human beings can say they have seen the glory of God with their own eyes. Moses was another that had that privilege.

Exodus 33: 18-23 - And he said, "Please show me Your glory." Then He said, "I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." But He said, "You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live." and the Lord said, "Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen."

Moses had been on the mountain a long time enjoying intimate communion with God. Yet he still desired more. He desired to know and see more of God. He wanted more closeness and understanding of God. The more Moses had from God and the more He knew God, the more he wanted and asked for from God.

Just as Moses did, we are the same. The more we know God, the more and more we desire of His presence and His fellowship. The more time we spend in His presence, the more it fills our hearts. I wonder, does it fill His heart the same way? Does His heart about burst from the fullness of it?

Probably not, but I do believe it pleases Him greatly to be intimately sought in fellowship by us. I do believe, the more we spend in His presence the more love He lavishes on us in a way that we could only get from Him.

I believe as we become more intimately acquainted with Him, he reveals more of Himself to us. It’s a rare gift to actually see with our eyes the glory of God. A gift that many of us will only see on the other side of this life. Like those that have left this earth before us, we will also one day get the pleasure of seeing God’s face.

There are only a select few that have gotten the pleasure of seeing the glory of God displayed here on earth. James, John and Peter were three of those few that received that privilege.

What does the experience they had do to a person? How would it affect your life? I would imagine it would for forever change you.

I can not even begin to describe the impact I think it would make on me. I hope I would be forever changed. Changed to point that nothing could shake my faith in Jesus Christ.

For those of us that can only dream about an encounter like James had, we live in hope. Hope that one day soon, we too will see Him in His full glory. And as scripture tells us, we will not only see Him, but we will also be like Him.

I John 3:2 - Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

Looking forward to eternity and holding onto the hope of it is great, but its not everything we have. We have today.... We have the intimate relationship of today that we are urged to pursue now. Everyday we can draw closer to the God of the universe, the light of the world. When we draw closer to Him, He in turn draws closer to us. He pulls us in and reveals to us His wisdom and His glory.

It is a mighty thing to see His glory at work in you and around you. Do you see it? Are you looking for it? If not, there is always today. And its a great day to start.

All Things Are In His Hands - Part 3

2010-06-02T10:47:00.004-05:00

As I was saying in the last post, God showed up. When there was nothing left for us to do but pray and ask for help, that is what we did.

We were broken but accepting of our fate. We would soon be looking for a place to live and what that would look like was elusive.

God had a different plan.... within a weeks time the three house payment were caught up on our old house to keep it from foreclosure and the child support we were behind on was paid in full. Unbeknownst to us, our brothers and sisters in Christ had caught wind of our situation.

We hadn't really shared openly with anyone about what we were facing. I had shared some of the story with my Tuesday morning women's group and had been asking for prayer. Many at our church knew Dave had struggled with finding a job but no one really knew the severity of our financial situation. Until that Sunday morning.....

As we left church that morning, a friend from my Tuesday morning group stopped me. "Next week right?" she asked me. It must have been my perplexed look that gave away I didn't get what she was asking about. "The closing on the house, it's next week, right?" I shook my head as tears welled up in my eyes. No words would come out, they were stuck in my throat. I knew if I tried to speak, my only sound would be guttural sobs. So I quickly left the building and headed to the car.

Discouraged and feeling like no one really cared, Dave and I left church. Looking at each other we decided if we were going to lose everything, who cared if we were frugal or not. So we decided to go out and eat. That would at least console us. Who cared at this point....

Sitting in the restaurant, in walks two couples from church. One couple included my friend that had questioned me that morning. "Next week right?"...... There she was, walking in the restaurant, Gods tool for the day.

Next thing you know, both couples are at our table asking to talk and pray with us. We shared honestly where we were at and what we were facing. It was a gut wrenching admission of honesty. They prayed with us and God showed us through them that He cared.

Good news travels fast but bad news.... travels even faster. Before you know it people.... God's people began to rally around us. The following week we went from ruin to caught up. Not just a small little amount came our way through a number of ways but a big amount. We needed a God sized miracle, a ten thousand dollar miracle. By the weeks end that miracle was complete.

What I had thought was TO BIG to overcome, God changed in a week. Proving to me that NOTHING is to big for God.

The following month, the people renting our old house agreed to move out by the first of April. We would move back and if needed we would give the house in Pleasant Hill back to the bank. It had been on the market for over a year with no buyers in sight. We had negotiated a lower payment on that house for the months of January, February and March. Coming up, April 15 we would owe all the rest.

It looked like we had saved the old house, we could move into it in April but the house in Pleasant Hill would go back to the bank. But God wasn't through....

Miraculously, after months had turned into years, right when we needed it, an offer on the house came.

Today, I as I write I sit in my little house in Lees Summit. The dream house is gone, sold to a young couple starting their family. Come to find out, the dream house wasn't really all I dreamed it would be. It was beautiful, don't get me wrong. But the peace I feel now and the love God has shown through all this was well worth it all. I lost nothing of real value. Instead I gained a transformation of the heart and a renewed faith. I'd do it all again to see God show up like He has. On second thought..... I'll just stay here until God moves me somewhere else. I've found that where ever He wants me is always the best place to be.

As of now, there is still no permanent work for Dave. We are living on faith and a prayer. But I'm beginning to wonder if that's just what God intended for us all along. Maybe we are to learn how to live each day in faith by prayer. Maybe it's just that simple..... maybe we just make it harder than it has to be.

All Things Are In His Hands - Part 2

2010-05-26T15:33:00.006-05:00

So back to the story....

As I told you in the previous post, since September 2009 my husband, Dave has been without full time employment. He has skills that make him able to get work at odd jobs working with other contractors and doing remodeling work. This has been the only method of income we have been able to get since last year. September and October were slim but Dave was able to work with a brother in Christ who owns his own remodeling company. When November rolled around there was not enough work to keep Dave and himself afloat so Dave was looking for other avenues to bring in money.

During November, December and January the well completely dried up. Every job prospect fell through, every job turned out to be a no go and we were without any income coming in. We were barely surviving. It seemed like every opportunity that came along God would slam shut. The stress Dave was under was tremendous and all areas of our life were in turmoil.

As a side note, I must tell you that we owned two houses during this time. Three and a half years ago we purchased our dream house in Pleasant Hill, MO. but we still owned our old house in Lees Summit, MO. Originally, when we moved, we obtained a buyer for our old house. The couple had some credit issues which friends of ours were equipped to help them repair. We signed a contract to sell within 90 days and for rent to be paid until then.

Fast forward about three years.... the house still not closed, the buyers still just paying us rent. But good news, looks like they are going to be able to close the end of February. Or so we thought.

Back to the story. By the time January hit we were in serious financial trouble. We had depleted everything we had saved long before. Three months of no income had put us at the brink of ruin. The rent paid to us for the old house was about the only money we had coming in so instead of using it to make the house payment, it was used just to keep the lights on and food on the table.

Now our only hope was the closing of the old house in Lees Summit that would happen at the end of February. We were banking on it. It would catch us up on the three months we were now behind on our house in Pleasant Hill, and pay off all the debtors that were hounding us for blood at this point.

We were not the only ones banking on the closing of this house, all our creditors were aware and waiting for the payoff. JUST A FEW MORE WEEKS AND AHHHHH.......

Third week in February and one week to go. The phone rings..... The buyers mortgage company has decided not to finance them. They found something on their credit report and have decided to pull their financing. The closing is not going to happen.

All hope is gone. Both houses we own will be gone. Without the house closing, foreclosure is imminent. There in no hope, its over. Everything we have worked for all our lives is about to be gone.

But is it all really over when God is your Father? Or do we, in that moment just think it is? Sometimes, when you have nothing left, when you finally get to the end of yourself and what you can do on your own......you give up and let God. Which is exactly what happened to my husband.

As the provider and leader of our home, he finally had nothing left that he could do but beg God for intervention. It was at that place where there was no hope unless God showed up. Why we must get to the end of ourselves before we completely step out in faith I do not know. But often that is the case.

Where my husbands reaction was to step out in faith, mine was to get angry with God. I had stood through all the currents in faith. I had walked day after day in faith. Continually, I spoke the words "Have faith, no matter what, we will be okay, we are His children".

But the day I found out that the buyers could not close on the old house, Satan threw me a curve ball that hit me square between the eyes. He knew what my fears were. He knew my past and the things I had been through. So he threw out the thought of "where will you go, you are going to be homeless. With no employment you can't even rent."

All I could think of was how close to being homeless I had been so many years ago. And I began to rant at God, "How could you let it go this far? Homeless Lord? I have to be homeless? Where will we go? We can't even rent when they take our house away from us. " I was angry and doubting. How could God really love me and let such a thing happen?

The following Sunday morning Dave and I both battled our internal dialog that said "whats the use, stay home today'. Neither of us felt like going to church, we were broken and putting on a "I'm OK" face was not going to be easy. Something pushed us forward. Maybe it was the Spirit inside us or maybe it was just routine that caused us to go that morning. Dressed in our Sunday best, we picked up our bibles and our discouraged hearts, arriving in time for service.

As we sang worship songs, my hardened and angry heart said "I will not sing to you! I will not worship you!" I was hurt. I didn't understand why. After all these months of faith, I couldn't muster anything even close to a mustard seed worth of belief. I was all out of faith and refused to sing to a God that would render me homeless.

As the Pastor opened in prayer, I placed my bible on my lap opening it to the book he would be preaching on. I Peter, first chapter. Now, I have a Charles Stanley Life Principles Study Bible. Sporadically throughout it sprinkles extra information that Mr. Stanley has provided. This day as I looked on the left page there was a column called "Answers to Life's Questions". And what was the question?

"How do I handle a difficult trial not of my own doing?" As I began to read, the tears began to flow down my face. God knows when we face horrendous situations. He hears our cries. Even those who maintain the closest fellowship with Him are not immune to feelings of hopelessness.

It went on to say... Many times God allows us to face hopeless circumstances in order to test and try our faith; it is the hopelessness that forces us to seek God, and it is there that we find strength and refreshment. Does God care that your trials make you weary? Yes, and He knows every emotion, need, and desire you have. He also knows exactly what it will take to bring you into a more intimate relationship with Him.

God had spoken. He knew where I was at. He knew I was weary, I was broken and I was scared. He knew the hopelessness I felt.

It didn't end there. As the Pastor began his sermon about "Praising God in all Circumstances" God spoke through him directly to me. These words came from his mouth and convicted my heart.... "Even if God did nothing else for you in your entire life, salvation was enough to continually praise him for"

Salvation was so big, it trumped anything I could ever expect God to do for me. How dare I. How dare I respond the way I was. I had told God in the beginning of this journey if I lost everything I would continue to praise Him. That had been my answer to His question "What if it all goes away, what will you do?" I had answered that I would praise Him because it wasn't what He did for me that deserved my praise. He deserved my praise because He is God and I love Him.

Instead here I was raging at Him in anger, refusing to sing praises to Him. As my heart broke, repentance began. Restoration was immediate and faith came with it.

That next week God showed His mercy and love for us. As He began to glorify Himself, I watched with tears of love.

All Things are in His Hands - Part 1

2010-05-10T17:02:00.008-05:00

On February 28th I wrote a post called "Honest Before God". In that post I spoke very honestly about how I was feeling about the circumstances that my husband and I have experienced in the last year.

I did not completely reveal the story behind what I was feeling. I was raw inside at the time I was writing. Full of some very real pain from a year of hard circumstances. I spilled out some emotional words from the depths of the humility God had taken me too.

From that post an interview was sparked that aired on the radio station, 91.3 FM in the Dallas Fort Worth area. The post "Honest Before God" caught the interest of Jim Norman at "Wise People", who interviewed me for his program. (You can download an MP3 of the interview on the left side of my blog)

At the time I did the interview, the story wasn't complete. Today, we are further into the story but yet the story goes on.

I would like to share it with you here. I can't share it all, as I just said, the journey hasn't ended yet. But I will share what we have come to learn so far.

It all started early last year when my husband walked through the door coming home from work one day. It was an ordinary day, nothing strange had happened to spark my feelings of unease.

I caught just a glimpse of him as he passed through the hallway heading towards the bedroom to change his clothes. Sitting in the living room, typing on my computer as I am right now, the thought crossed my mind, "he lost his job".

What was I thinking! I had no reason to think such a thing. The Spirit within had warned me. He had lost his job.

He had not just lost a job; he had lost the best job he had ever worked. A thousand acres of manicured lawn behind our house (a golf course) and a swimming pool in the back yard. We were comfortable, finally living the good life. Or were we?????

It was that day that God began a work in me that is still continuing today. My initial reaction to the news was like most would probably have. I knew in my head that God is in control of everything. I knew I should just have faith and trust the God was good and that He works all things together for the good of those who love Him. I loved Him; therefore He would take care of me. I knew all these things.

The problem came in putting those things to work and truly believing them. Although, I knew how I should respond, my heart was not at peace. My heart responded with fear while my head said I should just trust in the Lord.

The following day I spent a lot of time in prayer. While on the treadmill in my basement, I was asking God to help me. "Help my heart be a peace" I asked of the Lord. What I feared was what everyone fears in that situation. "We are going to lose everything, the nice house, the comfortable life we had built". All the worst possible outcomes ran through my head. Then I heard the Lord say to me "What if it all goes away? What if you do lose everything? Then what will you do?"

My response took sometime to ponder on those questions. How would I respond if everything was taken from me? Would I respond in anger and become bitter or would I trust that my God was good even when I did not understand?

My response was this "Then Lord, I will praise you. Because I do not praise and love you for what you can give me but for who you are." In that moment a peace washed over me like I had never felt. I would be ok; I was my Father's daughter and what ever happened that would not change. I might lose everything materially but I would never lose my hope and my God.

A month turned into two and the Lord provided all the way. Next thing you know, a job came. Not the job my husband wanted and with much less income but a job none the less. From the moment he arrived at this company, it was a complete mess. My husband, Dave, began to ask the Lord to get him out of there. "What in the world are you doing Lord? This place is getting ready to go out of business" Two month later Dave is back pounding the pavement looking for a job. While Dave was at that company, several very needy people heard the truth of the gospel. Lesson learned.... sometimes the assignment from God is short.

Back to the job search. One month later.... another job. Again not the money he was making but enough to survive and opportunity to grow. His excitement built as this company looked to have huge potential. They were a small company that was growing. Problem was they were growing faster than they could handle. Two months later....... the company can't meet its financial obligations because the bank decides not to continue to back them. All funding is pulled out and they are left with no alternative but to close the doors. Once again Dave is without a job.

This job ended in September of 2009. Since that time no permanent employment has surfaced. Dave, being in the business of construction, has the ability to make money on his own but there is no security. Each small job pays what it pays and then you look for more work. This has been our existence since September.

Continued tomorrow.........

Love One Another As Brother's

2010-03-25T14:40:00.002-05:00

Mark 1:19-20 - When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.

James and John, brothers through and through, that’s what they were. They were called to follow together and are rarely mentioned apart in scripture.

So what does it mean to be brothers? Apart from being siblings or born of the same family, what does it mean to be a brother to someone? I know that some brothers in a family can be close and others are not but what would God require a brother to be like?

I Peter 3:8 – Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous.

We are to be of one mind, what else are we to be according to Peter? What does it look like to love someone as a brother?

Do you have a brother or sister? Are you tied you to them emotionally? There is something about a sibling that goes beyond a friendship. You are tied to one another by blood and the bonds run deep.

I had a little brother, his name was Kristopher. I was eight years older than him, so was always very protective of him. Oh, how he irritated me through the years of growing up. I got onto him, picked on him and at times made his life completely miserable. But I always loved him, if for no other reason than he was my brother.

As I grew into my teens and eventually moved away from home, he was still very young. We became more distant as the years went by and he grew older. Suffering from a debilitating disease called Trigeminal Neuralgia from the age of 14, he was in constant pain. After years of pain medication he became addicted. The decision became, be in constant pain or over medicated. In July of 2006 he made the irrevocable decision to take his own life and leave this world.

I miss him. I miss his smile and his dry wit. I miss everything about him. How I wish I had just one more day to talk with him and try to give him the encouragement he so needed. I would tell him that I care, that he is my brother and I would do anything to help him.

I guess what I am trying to make you understand by telling you this story is we need to love our brothers and sisters now while we have the chance. Because you never know, there may not be a tomorrow. There are no more chances for me to show my brother what my heart fells for him. There is day to spend time with him and show kindness to him now. My chances are over even though I long for one more. There is no tomorrow, now is the time to love one another.

Jesus talked a lot about loving as brothers. Not just as siblings born of the same family, but as the body of Christ being brothers and sisters. Just as our family of origin, when born into the family of Christ we become brothers and sister with one another. We have a family born of Spiritual connection, which should be stronger even than our physical family. This family will last not just while here on this earth but into eternity.

The message Jesus wanted us to get is, that we are all now brother’s and sister’s in Christ, so love each other like you are!

I John 2:10 - He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.

If we love our brother, we abide in the light and don’t cause him to stumble. We are to take great care not to hinder the walk of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Wait, you mean instead of judging each other, being jealous of one another or pointing out someone’s flaws we should love each other enough to lift one another up?!? What a concept!

If you honestly evaluated your own love for others, how are you doing? Is there anyone you need to go talk with and mend your relationship?

There is nothing Satan wants more than to divide the body of Christ. He knows that if he can divide believers they will be less effective for the great commission. If we are busy fighting amongst ourselves he knows we won’t be out doing damage to his kingdom. He knows that believers that band together are a powerful force to be reckoned with.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 – Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Matthew 18:20 – "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."

The third cord represents Jesus. When we bond together with one another and Jesus is included, there is extraordinary strength to draw on. When two or more believers gather in Jesus’ name, He says He is with us. He even takes His promise further.

Matthew 18:19 – “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.”

Jesus tells us that when we get together and start working towards Gods will, we can call on the Father and He will hear us. Not only will He hear but He will act. That’s pretty powerful! Satan doesn’t want us to be unified for the cause of Christ. This is exactly why! When we are unified and calling on God, people come to the saving grace of the gospel and leave Satan’s world behind.

When we love one another as brothers, we will be of one mind, pursuing the things of Christ. To follow as we are called is not on a road all alone. It is with brothers and sisters in Christ. We need one another. We are called to travel the road together, united by a common cause. All as one body but each with our own part to play. Bonded together in love, kindness and compassion for one another.

That is our journey as followers of Jesus, travel behind Jesus, go where He goes, but take a few brothers or sisters along with us.

A Transformed Life

2010-03-17T15:08:00.005-05:00

Today’s topic is exploding within my heart. I can hardly contain myself! Today we get to talk about the glorious power of God! We get to see the transforming power that happens when we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and are given the gift of the Holy Spirit. I can’t wait any longer, so lets get started.

In previous posts we have seen Simon Peter as grateful and eager but still very impetuous. His behavior was unpredictable at best. Although he had the best of intentions, his follow through left much to be desired. His heart was in the right place but it didn’t stop his flesh from causing him to fail.

Several posts ago we saw Simon Peter fail greatly while denying Christ. Then we saw the grace that restored his faith and set him back on the right path. Today we look at the man God promised he would become. Today we see exactly what Jesus meant when he called Simon Peter the “rock”.

When the day of Pentecost came, all the disciples were together in one place. Suddenly, a sound like rushing wind came down from heaven and filled the whole house. Divided tongues of fire sat upon each of them and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. They began to speak in different tongues. Those standing near them, people of all kinds of dialects, heard their own language being spoken.

The crowd was filled with confusion. They were all amazed and perplexed. They began asking one another what this could be. Some believed it must be the wonderful work of God. Others began to mock, claiming them to be drunk with wine. Here is where we see our friend Simon Peter’s new nature. We see the beginning of his new life as a Spirit filled, transformed believer. No longer the wishy washy, all over the place person he once was. A new power had been given to him and a new life was set in motion.

Get your bible out and read Acts 2: 14-39. (I know, I know, it’s a long passage of scripture. Humor me and do it anyway!)

First Simon Peter rebukes the crowd and denies the accusation. "These are not drunk, as you suppose!" This was Simon Peter’s response. Can you imagine his anger boiling right below the surface? How dare they mock the power of God!

He then proceeds to quote the prophet Joel who had prophesied about the last days. "And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God. That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men see visions, your old men shall dream dreams." In the end the prophet Joel says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Simon Peter, our unpredictable man, begins a bold testimony of faith about the one who truly saves, Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Finishing his speech with a strong declaration, Simon Peter says this, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."

When the crowd heard his testimony, the people were cut to the heart. They asked the disciples "what shall we do?"

Have you ever been cut to the heart by the knowledge of your own sin? Have you had that kind of feeling of regret and remorse set in? It takes hold of you. The gravity of what shape you are in causes the beating of your heart to become deafening.

I can picture their response as they spoke the words, what shall we do? The horror, we have just killed the one true Messiah, what shall we do?

Simon Peter's response to the crowd was the same response we need now in our own acknowledgement of sin. "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

What a bold statement made by someone who had earlier feared being connected to Jesus. Simon Peter with the filling of the Holy Spirit was transformed and forever changed. He was given the power to stand up for what he knew to be the truth.

That day, from that speech, about three thousands souls were saved and became believers in Jesus Christ. Simon Peter wasn’t finished though, John going with him, he proceeds to the temple at the hour of prayer.

Seeing a man lame from birth at the gate, Simon Peter gives this man something more precious than the money he was begging for. Instead, he takes his hands and says “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Rising up to walk, the man entered the temple with them, walking, leaping and praising God.

All the people ran together to hear this man speak who had healed the lame man they had seen in front of the temple everyday. Simon Peter let no grass grow under his feet as he once again testified to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Two thousand more souls were saved and became believers.

The temple abuzz and believers coming to Jesus Christ did not go unnoticed. Soon the priests, captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, putting them in custody until the next day. Simon Peter does not cower, but instead addresses the rulers, elders, scribes, the high priest Annas and Caiaphas. With bold testimony he speaks with the power of Holy Spirit.

Acts 4: 8-12. Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel; "If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

What does Simon Peter call Jesus? He calls Him the stone which was rejected by the builders. But instead of that stone being tossed aside, God used it as the chief cornerstone of salvation. Rebuking them, Simon Peter points out that they had crucified the one God had chosen to be the stone; they indeed were the builders who rejected the stone. Then he goes on to proclaim the only way to be saved is through that very man, Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Are you beginning to see the power of the transformation that occurred in Simon Peter’s life?

Here was a man who wanted to do the right things, who wanted to be strong and bold but could not. Not until he had the Holy Spirit within him, could he stand so strong for the Jesus he loved so dearly.

Beloved, it is the Holy Spirit within that carries the power to do the unthinkable. So often we try and try and try, only to fail and fail and fail. We proceed, doing things in our own power, not drawing on the one that can really change things.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

The fruit belongs to the Spirit not us. His fruit is all of these wonderful things listed in this scripture. If we want this type of fruit in our lives, we must live empowered by the Spirit. The transformation that occurs is dramatic, and overwhelming if we let it change us.

Living within us, making His home in us is the Holy Spirit, the third part of the trinity of God. This is not something to be looked upon lightly. We can be over comers. We can be strong and powerful for our Lord Jesus Christ. But it won’t be us that does it; it will be by the yielding to the Spirit that it happens.

Transformation is ours if we want it. The power lives within us and wants to be the life force that guides us if we let Him. The question is will we let Him?

Honest Before God

2010-02-28T15:19:00.005-06:00

I would like to stray from my usual path and speak to you from my heart. No lesson in the word today, no bible passage to explore and unfold for you. Just me getting really honest before God. An honest admission of where I am at this moment in time and the gripping truth of the reality that is unfolding around me.

In the last year I have come to the place of being laid bare and completely naked before God. I have to say that it is not a comfortable feeling and at the same time there is relief in it. I am bare. I am raw. I am full with emotion. No pretense, no unrealistic visions of who I am. Just standing here stripped of all things that made me think more (or at times less) of myself.

So.... what does that tell me? What have I learned? Who does that make me?

I see clearly now who I fall into being so easily. I see who I am in my flesh. I see who I am without the Spirit. I see God's vision of me and how far I have been from it. I see the wretchedness of my own humanity.

I can see clearly the "me" I do not want to be. I can see that person He is trying to mold out of me. The one He took out from the world and has gracefully, tenderly been remaking.

That woman called "me"; self adsorbed, prideful, selfish and unkind. A breaker of commandments. Not one commandment of the ten did I keep. Having other Gods, Lying, coveting, stealing, adultery and yes, even murder. I have broken them all, so much I have done wrong. I have no pretense or false view of what lies inside me.

I deserved nothing from God. Nothing but his disdain did I deserve. But I got none of that. Instead, mercy was placed at my feet. Mercy so full of love and blessing that I can't even grasp the magnitude of it. I was so lost and full of my own wanting. Yet, God chose to save me. Why? Why save me, Lord?

He must have seen something in this wretched heart of mine. Even in my sin He saw something He wanted to save. I can not grasp the love that does that.

In contrast, I can now see the glory of God! I see who He can make me. I see where He can take me. I see where I can go under His wing. I can reach for stars. I can find goodness and become clear, so His image can be seen in me.

Empty of myself now. Naked. I am ready to be remade. So I sit at His feet in wait. Patiently, I wait while praise rises up from my lips. Holy, Holy, Holy, my lips continue to utter. Mold Lord, as I praise You. I will stay at Your feet until You finish Your work. Submitting to Your will I stay till Your done.

Keep changing me Lord. The nakedness now has become a relief. I need nothing when You give it all. I only need the filling of Your Spirit to raise my heart to joy. It takes away the sting of this world and brings peace in return.

Keep remaking me Lord. I want what You want in me. I am Yours by the price You ransomed. Bought by a price that I could never pay. So I will not try. Instead, I will humbly yield so Your will can be done in me, in my life.

I am Yours and You are mine. That is enough for me. It is all I need while here on this earth, no matter what the road holds ahead of me.

So naked I will walk with my soul transparent before mankind. No mask to hide behind or false identity to feel safe or protected with. Only You shining Your glory through me for the world to see. Knowing that my sin and failures will scare some but bring hope to others. I will live to show that hope You bring.

It has taken much work for You to strip me bare. I held so tightly to the security of self doing that it made the task more difficult. The pruning was painful but I am looking forward to the buds in the spring. Like a flower that opens to the rays of the sun, I will watch Your glory revealed through me with awe.

In the end, after all has been said and done, my journey is worth just one moment with You. But that’s not all I get, just one moment. I get a lifetime, an eternity, that is my gain instead. For all of this, I am thankful.

The Beauty of Grace

2010-02-22T21:40:00.002-06:00

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me....

I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught...

my heart to fear.

And Grace, my fears relieved.

How precious did that Grace appear...

the hour I first believed.

Amazing Grace, remember the old hymn? I can’t sing this song without it sticking in my throat from the emotion it creates in me. Grace, unmerited favor from God, it is truly amazing. I can’t imagine what would cause a Holy God to show favor on a wretch like me. But I’m grateful He has.

I love the second verse. T’was grace that taught my heart to fear and grace, my fears relieved.

Grace, it teaches us the fear of the Lord and then not to fear anything. The fear of the Lord means to stand in awe of the greatness of a Holy God. To be humbled in His presence because you understand His magnificence. But then grace allows us to fear nothing because we are loved by the very same God that we awe. We need not be afraid because He has covered it all, just for each of us.

Yesterday, we looked at the pain of great failure and how it affected the disciple Simon Peter. Today we get to see the kindness of a God that cares for us even when we fail. His grace is more than we can ever fathom. Let’s see how the grace of God restored Peter after such a serious transgression. Peter, who had denied Jesus three times and deserted Him, is restored the same amount of times.

John 21:15-17 - So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs."
He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep."
He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" An he said to Him, "Lord, YOu know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus sai to him, "Feed My sheep."

After the horrible denial in the courtyard of the palace of the high priest, while Simon Peter warmed himself on the coals of a fire, he left his commission behind. He had done the unthinkable; he had denied he was a follower of Jesus Christ. Now we see him by the Sea of Galilee, once again warming himself by the coals of a fire. This time he is sitting with the resurrected Christ when the conversation between them takes place.

Not once does Jesus ask Simon, Son of Jonah but three times. “Do you love Me?” Three times denied, three times restored. His commission was restored not once but three times, just as many times as it was denied.

Jesus knew Simon Peter; He could look in his heart and see that the denial wasn’t because of a lack of love. Jesus knew that Peter’s denial had come out of fear. He could have just let it go, but He didn’t. Why? Why would Jesus bring it up and make Peter reconfirm his commitment to Him?

I’m stretching a bit, but allow me a little leeway here. I think Jesus did it for Peter’s sake not His own. Peter would carry around that denial and mistake with Him where ever He went. Without Jesus clearing it up, Peter would probably ponder on it and it would torture him internally.

How often have you done that yourself? Have you carried your past failures around with you like a stone around your neck? Weighing you down and keeping you stuck?

God wants us to live in his grace not our failures. His grace is previous. It’s there even way before our failures. It was there way before Peter ever failed and it’s the same way for us.

Looking back at the first time Jesus met Simon Peter we see grace (the unmerited favor of God) bestowed.

John 1:41-42 – He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).

Jesus announced it to Simon Peter the moment he met him. ”You are mine; you will be the rock that builds my church.” Jesus knew Peter would fail him, even then. He knew way back then that Simon Peter would deny Him not once but three times. He knew all that and still pronounced His favor over him. The grace of God was there from the moment Jesus first laid eyes on Simon Peter.

We see the same previous grace with King David. We saw his failure with Bathsheba in our lesson yesterday. Now let’s look at the grace that was provided even before David saw Bathsheba.

2 Samuel 7:1-2 - Now it came to pass when the king was dwelling in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies all around, that the king said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains." Then Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you."

If we continue and read the rest of the story we see that night God give Nathan a different decision. The word of the Lord comes to him to tell him to deliver the message to David not to build a house for Him. Instead God tells David that he will instead build him a house, an eternal house that would extend all the way to Jesus. He would have a son and that son would be the one to build His house. That son was Solomon.

Before David sinned with Bathsheba. Before he killed her husband. Before he took her as his own wife. Before Solomon was born to them. Before David even knew he would sin, God knew and extended grace. Solomon would be the son chosen to build the house of God. Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba would be the one given to David to bless him with.

Grace was there before the sin. Grace was there even though God knew David would fail. Grace was always there.

So it is for us also. Grace is there before we fail. When we place our life in His hands, the very moment we do that, we have the unearned, unmerited favor of God. We are saved by grace but we also have it to live in daily. Grace doesn’t save us then go away. It is there with us to live in and carry us each day.

Lord, give us this day our allotment of grace. We need it. Every day. Every hour. Every minute.

The Pain of Great Failure

2010-02-10T09:19:00.003-06:00

Have you ever had a time in your life you wish you could turn back time or take back what just happened? Maybe something you said to someone. Maybe something you did caused you or someone else pain. Simon Peter felt that way once. Let’s look at his failure with Jesus.

Mark 14:27-30 - Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night," for it is written: 'I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.' "But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee. " Peter said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be." Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that today even this night, before before the rooster crows twice you will deny Me three times."

Mark 14:66-72 - Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came. And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, "You also were with Jesus of Nazareth." But he denied it saying, "I neither know nor understand what you are saying." And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed. And the servant girl saw him again and began to say to those who stood by, "This is one of them." But he denied it again. And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, "Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it." Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know this Man of whom you speak!" A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him. "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times." And when he thought about it, he wept.

Peter failed Jesus just as predicted. Once he realized his failure, he was filled with deep regret. So much so that he wept. Have you ever felt like you failed Jesus?

If we were truthful, we would all probably have countless times when we failed to be all that He requires of us. We all fail to live up to the standard that is set by Jesus. We fail our family, our friends, ourselves and our God probably more than we care to admit.

Some people would look at the times of their own great failures and decide to throw in the towel. Sometimes it’s an accumulation of small failures that make us believe we’ve just messed it up way to much. Some people do throw in the towel. They pack up their heart, and slink away believing they have done too much to be forgiven for.

Maybe this is you right now. Maybe you are the one still sitting in the pew but you have removed your heart from the game. Maybe you have completely removed yourself from the pew and left the church behind. Are you thinking that you have messed up so badly that Jesus could never take you back or He could never forgive you? Are you saying these words to yourself? “This could never be made right in God’s eyes.” “I could never be forgiven for this terrible thing I did.”

Many people say these things to themselves after they have failed. Not only do they say these things to themselves, they believe them. Then they live in their pain and failure for years.

Maybe your the one that has let so many small failures happen that your heart just feels cold and distant. You are going through the motions but your heart is removed.

Today, I want you to know something. You are not alone. You are not the only one that has failed God. You are not alone in your failures and your pain. The truth is, everyone alive has failed. Every person that has taken a breath on this earth has experienced some kind of failure in life. Some may have only experienced small failures. But too many people to count have failed God greatly.

I am one of the many, one of those that have failed God greatly. And yet he has still chosen to use me. Like Peter, I denied Jesus. I said I never knew Him. For eighteen years I walked away from the faith and forgiveness I was given. I lived life my way, and denied the saving power that He had bestowed on me. I failed to understand the gift He had given me. In the process I made many mistakes and lived a life steeped in sin.

For many of those years I believed my sin had become too great to be forgiven. I believed that if I were to come back and be with Jesus I would first need to clean up all the mess I had made of my life. But Jesus didn’t need me to clean up my life. He said to me “Just come home, I’ll do the rest.” You see, you and I are not alone in our failures. We have a Savior that understands our weaknesses.

The bible shows many examples of those that have failed in their service to God. There was David, the one considered to be after Gods own heart; he failed in a huge way. We have always heard so much about his heart being one that sought after God. What we forget about him is his flesh nature and how it led to his failure with Bathsheba.

II Samuel 11:1-4 - I happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Isreal; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king's house. And from the roof he saw woman bathing, and the womans was very beautiful to behold. So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, "Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam,the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her for she was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house. And the woman conceived; so she send and told David and said, "I am with child."

David goes on to try and cover up his sin. He calls for her husband to be brought back from battle. Plotting, he tries to get Uriah to go home and sleep with his wife so the child will be thought of as his. But Uriah will have none of it, loyal to the King, he will not take pleasure while others are still in battle. In the end, David has Uriah strategically place in battle so he will meet his demise.

Through out this story David has one failure after another. He fails greatly just like all of us do. His first failure was being content in his success. Instead of going out to battle with his men like he always had, he decided stayed behind. Next thing you know we see him up on the roof lusting after Bathsheba. His sin could have stopped there but instead, he follows his fleshly desires. He sends for her and sleeps with her.

What consequences resulted? Bathsheba gets pregnant. At this point, David could have come clean with his sin but he doesn’t. He tries to cover the whole thing up and sends for her husband. Maybe if her husband sleeps with her, he will think the child is his. Then when he won’t go to his wife, David plots to kill him in battle. He sends him out to be slaughtered.

Whew! The deed is done, all has been covered up. Right?

Wrong. You hide from the world but you can't escape the eyes of God. His failure was not to man but to God. As much as he tried to cover up his sin, it could never be done. It was all there in the plain sight of God.

You would think after a horrible failure like this, God would have nothing more to do with David. In our mind, a failure like this could never be redeemed. God sees it different though, He forgives those that love Him.

Asa, the King of Judah was another of those we see in scripture that loved God but failed Him.

2 Chronicles 14:2 - Asa did was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God.

Asa too had a heart that loved God. But it still didn't keep him from failure.

2 Chronicles 14:11 - And Asa cried out to the Lord his God and said, "Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!"

2 Chronicles 16:1-3 - In the thiry-sixth year of the reign of Asa, Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah and built Ramah, that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. Then Asa brought silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the Lord and of the king's house, and sent to Ben-Hadad king of Syria, who dwelt in Damascus, saying, "Let there be a treaty between you and me, as there was between my father and your father. See, I have sent you silver and gold; come, break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me."

Asa was a man after God. He had sought God for direction. When he was up against an army many times larger than his, He sought the Lord for deliverance. Only to do the opposite later in his reign as King. The King of Israel comes up against him and instead of turning to God, Asa turns to neighboring countries. He sends word to the allies of his father to stand with him in battle. God could have provided what Asa needed, but he failed to even consult Him.

So often we do the same. We fail in small ways everyday. We fail to allow God to be there for us. We fail to trust Him. We fail to have just the smallest amount of faith.

Thankfully, it doesn’t end like that. We don’t have to sit in our failures with no way out. God always provides a way for us to be restored. In my next post, we will look at how God does that. But for today, know that you are not alone when you fail. The bible has seen many that failed in small and great ways. God understands and shows mercy on the repentant heart.

Don't let your failures keep you stuck in discouragement. Take heart because there is a God that will come to restore you.

Given a New Name and a New Identity

2010-02-03T22:57:00.002-06:00

John 1:41-42 – He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).

Can you imagine? You walk up to Jesus and his first words to you are “You are Simon the Son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas.”

My reaction would have been simply “huh?” with a confused look on my face. You know the kind of look you get where one side of your lip turns up slightly and you cock your head to one side. It’s that look you get when you’re completely dumb founded.

I guess we can’t say for sure how Simon reacted to Jesus’ statement, but surely he was perplexed to say the least. Maybe he had that same look on his face I would have, wondering what exactly this new name meant for him. What ever his reaction, we know that this was an unusual statement to hear from someone he had never met before.

So what do Simon and his brother Andrew do after this encounter with Jesus? We can’t be sure of the timing or what they did immediately after, but they did eventually end up back home. The next time we see Jesus approach these two young men they are back home fishing.

Matthew 4:18-19- And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Simon Peter’s response was to drop his net and follow Jesus. Later on as he is walking with Jesus he is asked a question “Who do you say that I am?” Jesus responds to Simon Peter’s answer with another declaration of who Simon Peter will be.

Matthew 16:15-18 – He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

In the period of time that Simon Peter walked on this earth, a name meant more than it does today. Back then you were given a name to describe who you were. Jesus called Simon the “rock”, meaning the foundation of the early church. He would be the solid one that built the church.

When Jesus called Simon Peter by a new name He wasn’t just wishing or predicting what would come. He was instead giving him a new life, a new purpose and a new destiny. Jesus was not a prophet telling a future prophecy. He was and still is the son of God, fully God himself. He needed nothing or no one else to help make this change happen in Peter. It was spoken. It was done. Destiny changed.

Our destiny also changes when we become a disciple of Christ. We are no longer the old person we were before.

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Ephesians 4: 22-24 - That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Colossians 3:3 - For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:9-10 - Do not lie to one another, since you have put of the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.

When we are in Christ we are born again, changed into a new creation. Old things have passed away, meaning they are to be gone from our everyday life. All things are made new. We are given a new name; He calls us His child, His beloved. All that we were, is forgiven and washed away, a new day has begun and the slate has been wiped clean. Because of this change we are not to hang onto the old self that we were before. That old person is corrupt and is driven by the lusts of this world. Instead we are to be renewed in the Spirit and put on the new destiny that has been placed before us. We are a new man/woman.

The Greek term for “new man” used in Colossians 3:9-10 depicts an individual, male or female, who possesses a “new nature” or a “new humanity”. It characterizes a metamorphosis in our conduct. That means a complete transformation takes place from a life of sin to one of righteousness. That metamorphosis is the same as being reborn or born again. I liken it to the complete metamorphosis of a caterpillar as it changes into a butterfly.

Jesus places His Spirit within us so we can walk the new life of the righteous man. Not that we will always do everything right or we won’t still struggle with sin. We will always struggle as long as we are here on this earth. It’s our character that God is concerned with. Our life should no longer be shaped or look like it used to look. We should be seeking to be more like Jesus everyday.

The process of changing is just that, a process. We will not wake up tomorrow and think every thought perfectly righteous. It takes a daily renewing. We are to hide the word of God in our heart, to fill ourselves with it so it can do the renewing process of changing who we are.

What we can be sure of that comes instantaneously is an assurance that our final destiny is secured. If we are truly one with Jesus Christ our final destiny is with Him in heaven.

We can also look forward to a different life. Since our life is no longer lived for ourselves, it is pretty safe to say that we won't end up where we thought we would before we met Jesus Christ. If you are seeking God on where to go in our life and what to do with your time and talent, chances are He will guide you where you never thought you would go. This seems to scare some people. I’ve heard some say; I’m not giving everything over to Jesus because if I do He might send me over to the rain forest where there is no running water.

Maybe that’s true. He may send you out to be a missionary. But I promise you, if He does call you to the mission field, you will want to go. Before He calls you to go He will place such a burden in your heart that you will go gladly. He will make you fall in love with the place He is sending you. In the end it will be you saying, send me Lord. Send me, I’ll go. Just like Simon Peter, we will be given a destiny for our life. Some of us will stay here. Others will go. What ever your calling is, you can be sure that Jesus will equip you with what you need to succeed.

A Grateful Heart

2010-01-16T23:31:00.002-06:00

The disciple Andrew was used by God to change his brother, Simon Peter’s life. What a tremendous thing that was done for Simon Peter. To have someone give you the gift that brings eternal life is a value beyond measure. This is the gift that was given to Simon Peter.

I am sure being given a gift like this left Simon Peter full of gratitude towards his brother. I don’t know about you but my heart would be forever grateful. Grateful to my brother but more than that grateful to my Savior Jesus Christ for using Andrew to find me.

Like Simon Peter I find myself more grateful with each passing year. Take this past year. It has been a year of learning for me. It’s been one of trials and struggles but mostly learning to be grateful. It took some breaking of my pride to bring me humbly to the place I am right now. But for what it’s worth, I wouldn’t change a day of it. I won’t go into all the details because this study would then become a book. I’ll just share that in the last year it has felt like everything around me was being shaken. Like it must feel when the earth is shifting and moving during an earthquake.

It felt like the earth was moving all around me this year. It has left me with the feeling that nothing is permanent and everything can be gone in an instant. Truth be told, that is reality, everything can disappear in an instant.

We seem to rely on the things here on earth as things we can count on. The truth is, when we look at life through clear glasses not rose colored ones, there is only one thing we can truly count on. That one thing is God.

So as my world turned and quaked this past year, I was reminded who I chose to serve. I was reminded of who He is and what that means for my life. Not just here on this earth but for eternity. In the end, it has left me grateful.

It has left me grateful for the one who chose me before I ever considered choosing Him. Grateful that I am loved by the one who spoke the universe into being. Grateful that I can count on Him for all things big and small. Grateful to know that when my heart is weary and I’m tired of the circumstance life throws at me He is only a whisper away. Grateful that I can speak and before the words are out He hears.

More than anything lately I think I have learned that nothing is really under my control. In a way that’s a frightening thought. But when I lay what I fear in His hands I can trust in what I know. What I know is that He is good, just, loving, merciful and full of grace. He is all powerful and all things are in His hands. It has taken my stubborn pride to break to show me that I too am in His hands and what I have is much.

How is your heart? Is it grateful or is it full of other things?

When our heart is consumed with other things besides the ways of the Lord we tend to become ungrateful. Ungrateful is the state of the heart when we are lusting after the ways of the flesh and not the ways of God.

Galatians 5:16-17 - I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

You and I, we are called to walk in the Spirit and not by the flesh. The flesh and the Spirit war against each other. They are not compatible. If we want to have a grateful heart it will only come by walking in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:19-21 tells us further the types of works evident when we live by the flesh and not by the Spirit. It's quit the list given: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries and the like.

How can anyone with a heart filled with lust, greed, profanity, anger, selfishness and envy have a grateful heart for God? It’s impossible. If we are going to have a grateful, humble heart we must yield to the Spirit. We must learn to walk by the Spirit. We must abide in the Spirit.

John 15:4 - "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

Nothing good comes from us without abiding in the Him. Good fruit requires a good source to come from. The only good that comes from us is provided through the Spirit and not the flesh.

Having a grateful heart takes knowing what it is that has been given to you. If you and I do not really understand the value of the gift we have been given how can we be really be thankful?

To grasp the gravity of the gift of Jesus Christ, it takes a full understanding of our state of sinfulness. We deserved nothing and instead were given the capacity to live eternally with God. If we choose to accept the gift Jesus died and rose again to provide for us, to begin to follow and to be a disciple like Simon Peter did, we are given life eternal.

If we truly believe this to be true, we should drop to our knees, humble ourselves before His throne and spend the day praising Him. That would be just a fraction of what He deserves from us.

Speaking of dropping to our knees, how about we do that right now? Seems to me like a fitting place to end for the day and do just that.

Heavenly Father,

I come to with a heart that knows the gravity of what you did for all mankind. I know my own worth and that in my sinful state I deserved nothing. But you came as a man to die upon a cross so you could take the sin of the world. That wasn't enough, by raising again on the third day you defeated death. By your wounds I can be healed and spend eternity in your presence. I don't deserve a gift like that but I am grateful. I am so very grateful. Thank you Lord.

Amen

Diary of a Gentile Woman Living in Bethlehem-Dec 22nd

2009-12-22T23:58:00.002-06:00

Dear Diary,

Today was a perplexing day. It was filled with both happiness and confusion for me. As I spoke of yesterday, we traveled to Jerusalem. Of course, we woke really early to make the trip. It is a 6 mile journey on foot. So we set out before the sun rose to get there in plenty of time for temple worship and the other items planned for the day.

Once we arrived, the first thing I noticed was the busy market area. There were men and women selling all types of items along the market area. I love walking through that area. You can find just about anything you are looking for at the Jerusalem market. Myself, I always look for new beads to use in my stringing. Today I found some beautiful colors, which I just couldn't resist. I used some of the money I had been saving to buy some beautiful sky blue beads.

The market place is the hub of activity. It is not only the area to be if you are looking to buy or sell, but it is the place to gather. Many people come to the market area and spend all day immersed in conversation. I don't think I've ever heard so many conversations going on in one place in my life. There were people talking about just about everything you can imagine. Except one thing. It stuck me odd that in my little town of Bethlehem, the buzz is all about the Messiah prophecies lately but here I didn't hear anything spoke about them.

Seems so strange that in the main city of Jerusalem they are either unaware of the prophecies or simply just don't care. Hearing them spoke about so frequently lately in Bethlehem, I was sure that it would be all anyone was talking about here. I wonder, have they forgotten the scriptures about the Messiah?

After the trip through the market, I took a little time away from the family. They were going to visit relatives so I excused myself and headed over to the temple.

What a beauty to behold. Each time I approach the temple, I loose my breath. It is truly a work of art. Can you imagine what the real temple in heaven looks like? If God could create such a place here on earth, just imagine where he lives.

I spent the majority of the day at the temple. I just feel closer to Him there. His glory seems to be there. I am awed by it.

After the long trip back, I am exhausted. Tonight, I will dream good dreams. Probably ones about the heaven that awaits. At least I hope it awaits me. I know I am not one of the chosen ones, but I love God with all my heart. Doesn't that count for something? Sure wish someone could tell me...

To tired to think about it all right now. Sleep, I need sleep.

Good night. See you tomorrow.

Diary of a Gentile Woman Living in Bethlehem - Dec 21st

2009-12-21T23:09:00.002-06:00

Dear Diary,

As I went to town today, I encountered the strangest thing. There on the lawn in the main court of the square sitting under the big oak tree was a Rabbi. We usually don't see much of the priesthood here. But there he was with his pupils sitting with him. He seemed to be teaching them scripture.

This census has brought all kinds of people here lately. Well, you know me, always curious. I had to hear what they were talking about. Of course, being a woman is bad enough, but being a gentile makes it impossible for me to just walk right up to them. So I circled around behind them and sat behind a tree not far from where they were. I pretended to be engrossed in some beading but I had my ears perked up to full alert.

What do you think they were talking about? The Messiah! Sure seems the topic of conversation around here lately. The Rabbi was discussing who the Messiah would descend from.

The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people.

The Rabbi was telling his students that the Messiah would be a descendant of Judah. How amazing, he will not only be born in Bethlehem as Micah prophesied but the scriptures also tell us he will be from Judah. Of course, Bethlehem is part of Judah so that would make sense.

"Behold, the days are coming" says the Lord. That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

The Rabbi quoted this text and explained that the Messiah was promised to come from the line of David. A King will reign from the descendant of David. The prophet Jeremiah spoke about this.

I am fascinated by the scriptures. If they would allow a woman like myself to study under the Rabbi, I would be so happy. I know you have to leave your home and spend your time following in the Rabbi's footsteps but it would be worth it to hear the scriptures all day long. I would never be allowed to do that though. A girl can dream though.

The best I can get is the women’s court at the temple. It’s all I can have so I cherish every second I am allowed to spend there. As a matter of fact, tomorrow we are taking the trip to Jerusalem. I will spend time at the temple while I am there. I can't wait. It's a long trip so I better go for now so I can get my rest. Like I will get much sleep! Oh well, I am going to try.

Good night, I’ll see you tomorrow.

Diary of a Gentile Woman Living in Bethlehem- Dec 20th

2009-12-20T22:30:00.003-06:00

Dear Diary,

Sorry I didn't get to write yesterday. I know I said I would but yesterday was the Sabbath. If you know anything about the Sabbath, you know that there is no work allowed. It's a day of rest, so even writing was out of the question. I wasn't thinking about it being the Sabbath when I promised to write.

Anyway, as I said, yesterday was the Sabbath, so I spent a very restful day with the family. Today however, was anything but restful. With the amount of people pouring into the city for the census, it makes getting anything done much more difficult.

As usual, I woke early this morning before the sun rose. Just as my mother before me, I work in the house of a prominent Jewish family here in Bethlehem. There is much to do for this large family, so I like to get an early start.

I have loved working for the family. Even though others think of me as an outsider, they have always treated me with love and respect. The woman of the house is the one I see most often because her husband is off in Jerusalem for long stints. He is a man of great prominence among all the other Pharisees. He seems to take great pride in his work, which can keep him away from home for many days at a time. I am sure his work is of great importance.

Today, while shaking out the rugs in the front of the house I saw a man approach the stables. He seemed to be looking for the master of the house. He looked rather official to me. The thought crossed my mind that he might have been sent by King Herod himself.

Now that is a man that sends shivers down my spine. King Herod, I mean. He is the most horrifically wicked man. Cruel beyond measure. I sure hope that wasn't who sent the man who visited today. We don't need any trouble around here.

I know I am not a descendant of Abraham but what affects this family, effects me. Thinking about the cruelty of King Herod makes me think about the words of the prophet Isaiah. I think it was called 59:16.

He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor; therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; and His own righteousness, it sustained Him.

I think about this prophecy and wonder when it will be that God sends His Messiah, the King of the Jews to intercede for them. From all that I have heard living here with the Jews, they believe God is going to send them a King that will overcome the Roman rule. He will be the one that comes and intercedes for them and saves them.

As far as I am concerned, now would be as good a time as any. With Herod on the throne and all, I join them in saying Come Messiah, Come!

More tomorrow....

Diary of a Gentile Woman living in Bethlehem

2009-12-18T09:20:00.006-06:00

Dear Diary,

It's year one, day seven BC. Me, I'm a gentile woman living in the small town of Bethlehem. Bethlehem is nestled on a ridge, between two mountain peaks, just 5 or 6 miles due south of Jerusalem. I have lived here on this ridge for forty seven years, which if you’re counting is all my life. Usually, our small city is a quiet, peaceful place. Except lately, not so quiet around here.

The city is buzzing right now with all the Jews returning to their ancestral cities to register for the census. Seems like every room around here is filling up with travelers. Shopping has become a long chore lately too, with all the people pouring in town. If I didn't already feel like an outsider before, I certainly do now. You see, I am a gentile woman living in a mostly Jewish community.

Although, I have lived here all my life, followed their God and Jewish law, they still don't consider me one of them. I am an outcast, a foreigner, a stranger in my own home. I wish it were different, that I could be accepted but I am not. I am not one of them, no matter what I believe.

Lately, the Jewish Pharisees have been standing out on the corner preaching the law. It's only to show their power and superiority but they do it so convincingly. Problem is they just keep adding more and more to the rules. Who can live up to and follow all of them.

I try, believe me I do. Even though I am a gentile living a Jewish community, I believe their God is the one and only. So I try and live to the letter of the law. But it is overwhelming at times.

Not sure what good it will do for them to count all the Jews in this census. Caesar has already imposed his Roman rule over us, why the census? Anyway, it sure has made the city a busy place to be.

Just today, in the center square I saw two shepherds sitting on the grass under a tree. Usually, they are out on the mountain with their herds. As I got a little closer, I realized they were not from around here. Hence them being in the center square like they were.

I heard just a snippet of their conversation and it caught my interest. So I moved in closer so I could hear them without being obvious. They were talking about the Messiah. One man was quoting scripture about the coming Messiah to the other.

It's not like I haven't heard the prophecies before. I've heard them since birth. Although I've heard them over and over, the funny thing is, they never stop fascinating me. I could hear them a million times but still want to hear them again. So I stayed a while, ease dropping, as these two men went through all the prophecies of the coming Messiah.

As I left, there was one that stuck in my mind and it kept rolling around in my head. It was from the prophet Micah. One of the men said something about the numbers 5 and 2. I'm not sure what the numbers meant. Anyway, I quoted it all the way home.

"But you, Bethlehem, Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet you shall come forth the Me, the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose going forth are from of old, from everlasting."

This prophecy always stands out to me because it talks about my little city, Bethlehem. I wonder, will my city really have something to do with the Messiah? Seems unlikely, but who knows... Never say never.

Gotta go for now, I've got chores to do. Have a great day. I'll see you tomorrow.

The Value of a Personal Relationship

2009-12-14T14:22:00.003-06:00

My last post we looked at the purpose for life that Jesus gives us when we decide to follow him. Today let’s look a little further and see just how personal God can be. If there was anything that stood out about our disciple Andrew, it was that he knew the value of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

John 6:8-9 - One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to Him. "There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?"

John 12:21-22 - Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him saying, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.

In both of these encounters, Andrew does what? He brings the matter and the person to Jesus. He knew what they needed was Jesus himself. Andrew knew better than anyone the solution to life’s dilemmas, it was in approaching Jesus.

It was not in Andrews hands to change circumstances, but he knew that if he brought them to Jesus, they would hear the truth and their problems would be solved through their belief in Him. Andrew brought people to the savior so they could meet Him for themselves. He knew the answers all lay in developing a relationship with God. The same applies today for us.

Personal relationship? How is it possible for us to have a personal relationship with Jesus when He is no longer on this earth? The disciples had a personal relationship with Jesus while they were with Him here on earth, but what about now? How does that work now when we can’t see Him with our eyes?

Some people are a bit skeptical when you start talking about Christ living inside you and having a daily relationship with Him. From the point of view of some, Jesus is dead and gone. So how can he live in us and guide us?

Jesus did die on the cross and was buried, but He is far from dead. We see clearly in John 20 that He rose from the grave on the third day. He is now in heaven but he promised to leave us something when He left.

Acts 1:4-5 - And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

Acts 1:8 - "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

They, like us were promised the Holy Spirit. It would come upon them and fill them, giving them power to be witnesses. When we choose to follow Jesus we are given the Holy Spirit to live within us. This is the Spirit Jesus is speaking of. It is through the Spirit that we are guided and are able to maintain a personal relationship with God even though we can not see Him with our eyes.

Acts 2:1-4 - When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

It was Pentecost, a holy day of rememberance and a day these believers would never forget. The sound came from heaven. Imagine that... your sitting there and a power so forceful that it sounded like rushing wind comes down from heaven and fills the whole house. Picture that in your mind.

Then divided tongues that look like fire sit on you and you begin to speak in a language you have never spoken before. Not a heavenly language but a foreign language. If you read on in Acts 2:5-12, you see the reaction of everyone around that heard them. The multitude came together and each one heard in his own language. They were all amazed and perplexed. Well, I imagine so! I would be amazed and perplexed if that happened right before my eyes.

What do you think, do you believe the Holy Spirit has power?

When we choose to follow Jesus Christ, accepting Him as our Savior, we are filled with that same Spirit described here. Although, you may not speak in foreign tongues, the power contained in the Holy Spirit lives within you. It empowers us to live a life for Jesus Christ, but only if we are yielded to it. Here in lies the value of personal relationship.

We are required to be in daily relationship through prayer and reading of the word of God. The Word of God is living and breathing. The Holy Spirit uses it to communicate the will of the Father God to us. Prayer is communication, a two way conversation between you and God. These things are the way we keep our personal relationship with God alive and growing.

Let me give you a little wisdom from my own personal experience. After re-committing my life to Christ, I struggled with my thinking. It seemed like everything I thought, was wrong. I began to feel like, if I just did the opposite of what I thought, it would probably be what God wanted.

Soon after, I began to be convicted about my time I spent with Christ. I would read my bible here and there but not consistently. When I did read my bible, it was as if I was checking it off a list when I was done. I found no enjoyment in it. It was a duty not an enjoyment to me.

Prayer also was difficult. I would cursory thank Him for saving me and then move on to my list of wants. When I was finished telling Him what I wanted Him to do, the prayer was over. Task complete, on with the day.

As conviction set in, I knew that I should do more than this. I knew that God required more from me but my heart wasn’t in it. I had no love in my heart for His Word and frankly, I wasn’t sure that I really loved Him. At least not like I was suppose to.

Mark 12:30 - And you shall love the Lord your God with all you heart, with all your soul, with all you mind and with all your strength.

I began to ponder on this verse. Did I love God with all my heart and soul? What about my mind and strength? Did I really love God like that?

The answer was no, not with ALL my heart and soul. If I did, I would love to spend time with Him in his word and prayer. My mind was not filled with loving Him and I certainly didn’t use all my strength to love Him. I instead was filled with ME. My ways filled my heart, soul, mind and strength.

I needed this to change but how do you draw closer in relationship with God? How do you change your heart?

The answer is, you don’t. He does.

I began to ask for Him to build that love in me. Then I did what He asked even when I didn’t feel like it. I set a time to read His word and pray.

Soon after, words, His words would leap off the page as I read. He was showing me who He was and in the process I fell hard. Deeper, deeper still I fell as I read and prayed to Him. A love was building in me for Him. A love that I did not create but that I would die for now. Oh, how I love Him now. With a love that would move mountains to be with Him.

When you take the time to get to know Him, He will show you personally how much you mean to Him. It will rock your world and you will never be the same again.

What better time to end in prayer….

I don't know where your heart is, but if it's like mine was, now is as good as time as any to ask for a change.

Given A New Purpose For Life

2009-12-11T23:37:00.003-06:00

Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “What’s the purpose of my life?” I remember thinking this type of thing. Throughout my life, I routinely thought, “There has to be a reason I am here on this earth.” I always believed there had to be some purpose for my life or what was the use in being here. Then I met Jesus. I had found my reason, my purpose.

Somehow, when you meet Jesus, I mean really meet him and spend time with Him, you find out why you were created. You find out who you were meant to be by finding out who He is. I know that may sound a bit odd to you but its true. The more I know Him personally, the more I realize I was designed for something bigger then my own petty whims. I was planned out before time began and placed here at this very moment in time for a reason. Maybe that reason has something to do with this blog or maybe not. Maybe it was just a heart felt desire of the living God to have me to love. I don’t know, but what I do know is that my reason for living has changed. Jesus gave me the purpose I had always needed. He filled the hole, the void in my soul.

I wonder if the disciples Andrew and Simon Peter felt the same way when they began to follow Christ. Did they feel full as they gazed at the Savior? Did it fill them with wonder and joy to be in the presence of the living God?

I don’t know the answer to those questions but I do know that their purpose for living changed the day they dropped their nets and followed Jesus. No longer did they spend their days fishing with their father. Instead they became fisher's of men.

Matthew 4:18-20 - And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

That fateful day Andrew and Simon Peter's destiny changed. They would no longer grow old, following in the footsteps of their father. It was not to be that they would continue the family business. Instead, they would take a different path, a path created for them by God above. They would take the path that most would think to be less desirable and less profitable. But was it? Think about it. Was it really the less profitable path?

Considering eternity, it was indeed the most profitable path a man could take. For them the road here on earth would be filled with trials, tribulation, suffering and yes, even death. But that road would pave a path to an eternity with much greater reward and benefit then any of us could ever imagine.

Destiny called for a new purpose for these two men. They answer with a resounding YES LORD, YES!

Andrew and Simon Peter were given individual gifts which they used to contribute to the body of Christ. Just like them we are all given individual gifts to help the body of Christ function properly. But there is only one ultimate purpose for life that we all share the same. Right now, let's explore the main reason we are here on this earth. In order to do that, we must begin at the beginning.

Genesis 1: 27 – So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Whose image did God created man in?

Genesis 2:15 – Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and keep it.

Where did God put Adam and Eve?

Genesis 3:8 – And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

Where was God walking that day?

I am blown away when I think about God’s intention here. First He creates man in His own image. He breathes life into him with His own breath. Then He places him in a lush beautiful garden, giving him only one rule. “Don’t eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.” That’s it, only one rule. As long as man didn’t eat of that tree he would walk in the garden in the presence of God. He would enjoy time with God, being with Him, walking in the garden with Him.

It was no surprise to God what man would do. He knew that man would eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Before God created man He knew the end. He knew that He would have to overcome sin and send His son to the cross. He created man anyway. Why? Why, knowing that man would screw it all up would He decide to create man anyway?

He did it to love and be loved. To walk together with a creation that would choose to love Him and spend time with Him.

That’s it! The purpose we were created for! We were created to be with God, to love Him and be loved by Him. It’s the reason we were put here on earth. So eventually we could spend an eternity in His presence.

For now though, while we wait for eternity, we are given a commission by Jesus. Before He left this earth He told us this:

Matthew 28:19 - Go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus told his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations. He did not tell them to make Christians, He told them to make disciples. There are many today that believe becoming a Christian is a one time event. You walk the isle, pray the sinners prayer, get dunked in water, then back to your old life. They believe they are safe, in the book, heading toward heaven. But has anything really changed in their life.

Jesus didn't say "go make disciples unless it's to much for you to handle or you don't really want to give your old life up, then it's ok, you don't have to do it." Just as the disciples were told to go out and make more disciples, we told to do the same. This was not a suggestion but a command.

We can not merely accept the gospel of Jesus Christ and keep it to ourselves. Jesus said in Mark 8:38 “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

If we are ashamed of Jesus, we need to ask ourselves, do we really love him at all. Is the gift of His life not the most valuable thing that could ever be offered for our wretched sinful souls? If we are ashamed we must fall to our knees asking that He change our heart so we can love Him the way we were intended to do so.

So the commission continues today. We are told to go. While we are here on this earth, our job is to share the good news with those that have not heard. Go tell all nations. That includes here and abroad. Some will go to other lands while some will stay where they are.

Where ever God sends you, the message is the same. Shout it from the roof tops, Jesus of Nazareth is alive! He rose from the grave on the third day! He paid for our sins with His own blood! Go tell someone.

Ending today in prayer seems like the way it should be. Pray. Pray for your purpose to be solidified in your heart. Pray for courage to share the gift you have been given with someone else.

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

2009-12-04T15:22:00.002-06:00

As I have sat here in the passenger seat of the car most of the day today, I have had many hours to think. So think I have done, and what better thing to do with all those thoughts then impart some wisdom with them. Or at least release the thoughts even if they aren't really wisdom.

We left the house this morning at 7:00am heading from Missouri to Austin Texas. It is now 3:00pm and we are still hours away from landing at the hotel. So I have a little time to just put words on paper.... or blog, if you will.

As my husband drives along and gets almost run over by a passing car in a hurry, I am reminded of how easy it would be for life to end. Here we are in a speeding car, only inches away from other cars speeding along in the other direction, towards me. All it would take is a careless or reckless driver to make a mistake near us for life as we know it to change drastically.

Every day, every hour, no, every second could be our last but do we really get the reality of that? Do we really live as if this could be our last day or our last hour on this earth?

I would have to answer, NO. I do not live as if this was my last moment on earth. If I did, I would do things much differently. I would take advantage of each moment to do those things that mean something. I would put my importance on people not things or circumstance. I would do those things that impact another life first, not secondary.

Maybe thats what Jesus meant when he told the disciples that the most important commandment was love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Then the second was love others as yourself. He got the importance of relationship. He got that the most important thing you can do is love like God does. He knew when we focused on loving like Him, the other commandments would be obeyed. He knew we would obey because we loved Him and our hearts were right.

We don't seem to get that all things lead back to relationship. It is in the relationship with Jesus that we are saved. It is in the relationship with Jesus we are made right and can stand before a righteous God. It's in our relationship with Jesus that we can now have a relationship with the Father. It is in our relationship with Jesus that we can love others, care for those hurting and make a real difference in the world.

As I sit here and ponder that any moment could be the end, I think, I'm not ready. I'm not done. I need to love some more. I need to touch more hearts. I need to get my hands dirty and let the fallout come. I need to love with no reservation.

Lord,

When you take me home, let it be when I have done all that I can do to love this broken world. Help me love those around me. Don't let me forget that each moment counts. Let my contribution to this world point clearly to you.

Amen

Warm and Fuzzies

2009-11-19T17:25:00.002-06:00

I have a challenge for you. For the next twenty four hours, think of all the things that you love. All the things that make you warm and fuzzy inside. Then come back tomorrow and tell me how the experience was for you.

I have found when I do this, I have way less time to dwell on things that are negative or unproductive.

Here are some of mine:

* I love the smell of clorine in a swimming pool. It smells fresh and clean. Makes me want to jump in.

* I love the trees look when way icicles form all over them. Something in it takes my breath away.

* I love sound of my children sleeping when they were small babies. I used to just sit in the rocking chair in my sons room and listen to him sometimes.

* I love it when I roll over in bed after my husband leaves for work and I can still smell his scent on the pillow.

* I love the feel of soft sheets on my skin and warm cozy comforters in the winter.

* I love sky when it full of color. It makes me stand in awe of the one who painted it.

* I love the feel of warm carpet on my feet when I step outside on the cold pavement with barefeet in the middle of winter.

* I love the way it feels to drink an ice cold glass of water after you built up a good thirst.

* I love the way my heart still skips a beat when my husband looks at me in that certain way.

* I love hearing the words "I love you" coming out of the mouths of my children and grandchildren.

* I love the smell of fresh brewed coffee even though I don't drink it.

* I love to watch a momma bird care for, feed and protect her babies in the nest.

* I love to watch the animals in nature. I wonder as I watch how anyone could ever believe there is no creator.

* I love to watch clouds roll by as I lay on the trampoline with my youngest son and we guess what shapes they are.

* I love to sing out loud and praise God with all my heart when no one is home to hear and complain.

* I love to sit at the feet of the Father in prayer. Sometimes I can say nothing because I am in such awe of who He is.

* I love it when a passage of scripture is given to me personally by God. When your reading and the words leap off the page and into your heart.

* I love a genuine smile and a warm hug from a friend just when you need it. Amazing how they know that you do.

* I love that I had a grandmother that showed me how to be present with those I love.

* I love that even when I encounter painful circumstances, I can still have the joy of the Lord to comfort me.

* More than anything else, I love that I am given the priviledge to love others as God loves me.

What do you love....

Are You Prepared for the Storm

2009-11-07T08:02:00.001-06:00

How many of you feel you are usually prepared for a storm?

What about the weather report? How many are weather watchers? You always check the weather report to see what the weather will be like tomorrow?

So when the weather report is predicting a storm what do you do? Do you grab your umbrella?

Do you feel pretty secure and prepared when you walk out the door with umbrella in hand?

The rain comes you pop up your umbrella and run into the building where ever you are going.

But what if during the storm, the building you need to enter is locked? Then you go back to your car and you have locked yourself out of your car?

You are now standing in the rain for who knows how long with no dry place in sight.

Once you spend a little time standing in the rain with the wind blowing, you find that the umbrella does not block the rain completely. The blowing rain hits your body and begins to soak your clothing. Also, the rising water soon soaks through your shoes making your feet freeze.

You’re not so prepared for the storm after all, are you?

But what if you had really thought it through? What if you had put on the rain suit and rubber boots you keep in the closet? You know, the ones you keep in the closet for just this kind of occasion? The ones you rarely think about or use?

Would you be able to stay out in the storm with these items on?

Yes, I believe you could. You could stay out in the storm as long as was required, couldn’t you?

This is the case with spiritual storms in your life. When you are hit with tragedy or a trial, what ever the cause may be, you must be prepared to weather the storm.

How do you do that?

First, you must take a firm stance in Jesus Christ. You must stand firm in your relationship with Jesus knowing He is your solid foundation. Just like a building doesn’t withstand the storm without a solid foundation you will not stand firm in the storm without being squarely planted in Jesus Christ. So you must be rooted in the saving grace of Jesus if you want to withstand the storm.

Once you are planted, you must prepare yourself daily for bad weather.

Matthew 17:14-22 says this:

And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.”
Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.
Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”
So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief, for assuredly I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

There are three things this says about overcoming great obstacles:

1. You must cloth yourself in your rain suit. Your rain suit is the Word of God. In this scripture the disciple’s unbelief was the first problem. Romans 10:17 says, so then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. If you want to overcome you must have faith. And faith comes by hearing Gods Word. In order to have faith you must be in the Word of God to the point it becomes your clothing. You can not have the faith required to stand in the storm without being in the Word of God daily. Cloth yourself in it!

2. You need to have your umbrella of prayer open. Some troubles can not be solved by any other way then by seeking God in prayer. The lines of communication need to be clear. You crying out to God in prayer and then listening for answers. He has an answer. You just need to be listening. So pray, and then pray some more.

3. You need to have your boots on. Jesus said, this kind does not go out expect by prayer AND FASTING. Your fasting boots must be on when the water is getting deep or your feet will freeze.

Some obstacles, some trials, some sins can not be overcome without fasting before God. If you really want to draw close to God, if you really need to seek God, take the food from your mouth and put it on His alter as a sacrifice. It was done all throughout scripture. In the Old Testament and the New Testament it was common practice to deny yourself to draw nearer to God. It was done to seek favor, to seek repentance, to find answers, to show humility and to be closer to God.

Jesus himself found it necessary to fast to overcome the testing of Satan. Why then do we believe that it was necessary for Jesus but not so necessary for us?

I will leave you with these thoughts. If you were prepared, if you really used all the tools you have been given, who do you think you would become? And this last question I ask you. Do you really love God enough to do what is required to become who He has called you to be?

Because it’s the storms that will take you there.

A Matter of the Heart

2009-11-05T16:35:00.002-06:00

Have you examined your heart today? If you did, what did you find?

Proverbs 27:19 says: As in water face reflects face, so a man's heart reveals the man.

The heart reveals what is going on in us. It's what we act out of. God sees straight into it. That's what He sees when He looks at us, He sees our heart.

Unlike the world around us, we can't fool God. Try as we might, we can't hide our heart from Him. If our heart is not right He knows it.

So, take a few minutes to test your heart. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where your heart is today. Read through the list below, and then look up the scripture associated with any heart that matches yours.

* Proud heart - overweening opinion of oneself or ones position (Psalm 101:5)
* Stony heart - hardened, unmovable, cold, rigid (Ezekiel 11:19)
* Selfish heart - concerned only for your own interest (Proverbs 23:7)
* Self seeking heart - promoting to further ones own concerns (Proverbs 28:26)
* Perverse heart - deviating from what is considered right or good (Psalm 101:4)
* Lying heart - filled with untruths, giving false impressions (Acts 5:3)
* Haughty heart - disdain, contempt or scorn for others (Psalm 131:1)
* Wicked heart - morally bad or evil intent (Proverbs 26:23)
* Fainting heart - failing, falling back, weak, without strength (Isaiah 1:5)
* Shut up heart - closed off, unfeeling for the needs of others (I John 3:17)

If you have seen yourself in any of these descriptions now is the time to go to God and ask for a change of heart. Ask Him for a heart like the ones below.

* Merry heart - pleasant, lively, cheerful (Proverbs 15:13)
* Praising heart - showing acclaim for God with your whole heart (Psalm 111:1)
* Willing heart - giving readily and cheerfully (Exodus 35:22)
* Believing heart - to take as true the gospel of Jesus Christ (John 7:36)
* Circumcised heart - from worldly life to Kingdom life (Deut 10:16, 30:6)
* Pure heart - free from anything that taints it (Matthew 5:8)
* Humble heart - consciousness of one's own place before God (James 4:6)
* Steadfast heart - firm, fixed, settled (Psalm 57:7)
* Contrite heart - remorseful for having done wrong (Isaiah 57:15)
* Purified heart - free from sin (Acts 15:9)
* Repentant heart - feel remorse for sin and turn from it (Ezekiel 18:31)
* Wise heart - having and showing good judgment (Psalm 90:12)

When we seek the change in our heart God is faithful to give it to us.

Jeremiah 24:7 says: Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.

God will give us the heart we need to change and we then will return to Him with our whole heart.

THATS MY KING!!!!!

2009-11-05T14:42:00.000-06:00

Living The Crucified Life

2009-11-02T11:25:00.003-06:00

The life of a follower is a sacrificial one. We don’t get to lead. We don’t get to make up the rules. We don’t even get to decide where we go or what we do.

This might sound extremely scary if you’re a control freak like me. I like to make sure everything goes as planned. I’m a planner by nature. It came with the birthing process. My Mother has always been a woman with a plan. “Make a list!” was her favorite phrase. So I learned it in utero, planning equals success.

To let go and let Jesus lead has been the hardest thing for me. I like making the rules. I like being in charge. I like to see how a plan is going to turn out before I strike out on an adventure. Not know the outcome? Are you kidding?

Not kidding! With Jesus, he may not always think we need to know all the details of His plan. He may not give us the final outcome. We are to trust, have faith. Not in the outcome but in Him.

We are to live a life that is crucified. We must die to self in order to really live. We have to lay aside our own need to control, our selfish desires and our fleshly lusts. In return we get peace. We get joy, even in the midst of trial.

John 12:24-25: "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life."

What happens to a grain of wheat if it does not go in the ground and die? If the wheat dies in the ground what does it produce?

Jesus tells the Greeks what has to happen to a grain of wheat for it to produce much grain. We are to learn an important lesson from this explanation. If a grain of wheat does not die, it remains alone, dead. But if it goes into the ground and dies, it will produce more grain.

We are the grain of wheat. We must die to our old self, to our own fleshly desires and live a life abiding in Christ. If we choose to follow and abide in Christ, we will produce more grain for eternal glory. If we remain in our old selves instead, we will die alone, with no fruit for eternity. The gain we receive is eternity in heaven with God.

“He who loves his live will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” What does this mean? If we love our life we will lose it? But if we hate our life in this world we will keep it for eternal life? Confusing?

What Jesus trying to get across here is that when we decide to go our own way and live life not following him, we will get only this life here on earth. This is our reward. The eternal reward is not given to us. Instead we reap the eternal justice we deserve. We are condemned to life without God in hell. But when we choose to die to self and follow Jesus, we gain the eternal reward of life with God in heaven. Is life here, doing our own thing more important or is eternity?

Galatians 2:20 -"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

Galatians 5:24 - And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

I have been crucified with Christ, I don’t live any longer. It is Christ who lives in me. First of all, can you honestly say that Jesus Christ lives in you? If not, that comes first. Asking him to come live in you is the first order of business for you. Once that is done, your life here on this earth is as a follower. It is now a life of faith, one that is to be dead to our own passions and desires. We are to be about our Fathers business like Jesus was.

We are to crucify, or in other words, to kill our own worldly desires and instead be filled with the desires that Jesus was filled with. We are to be about the things that Jesus would have us be about. It is no longer about our own thoughts and desires. It is about His desires for our life.

To be crucified we are no longer:
Arguing with God about His plan for our life
Making excuses for our sin
Trying to get our own way
Telling God what He should do
Rationalizing our behavior
Taking our own path or direction
Running ahead of God

We die to our own will, dreams, goals, wants, plans, rights and desires. When we follow Jesus we walk in His Spirit. Verse twenty five in Galatians five says “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” When we decided to ask Jesus Christ to enter our life he gave us a gift. That gift was the Holy Spirit.

We as disciples of Jesus have the Holy Spirit living within us. The holy presence of God lives inside of us. So if we live in the Spirit and it lives in us we should walk in that Spirit. But we will leave that topic for another day.

Today, let’s finish as we should always do. Let us pray.

Father,

Let our life be a crucified one. Let us be pleasing in your sight. Let our desires be your desires. We want a life that glorifies you. A life that is set apart and shines a light in darkness. Change us to the image of Christ and help us to walk in the Spirit you have given us.

In Jesus name I pray,
Amen

Living Water

2009-10-29T17:12:00.003-05:00

Watching, waiting
Clouds overhead
Darkness all around
I wait for the heavens
To pour out it's tears

Mouth open, tongue waiting
Parched and dry I wait
I wait for just one drop
A single drop to wet my throat
And quench my thirst

Just one drop
A living drop of water
To begin the down pour
And wash over me
Bringing soul relief

Alone, afraid
Aware of my need
Dryness all around me
I wait for the rain
Living rain from heaven

Lord, send the rain
I cry out loud
Let it cover my soul
Before I shrivel
And blow away

Walk, No, Run
The distance gleams
A pool glistening
Tears from heaven
Gathered in one place

I climb the stairs
I reach the top
Bounce, jump, up, then down
I arch my back and point my toes
Splash I'm in

Covered by it
Refreshed by its goodness
I stay awhile
Enjoying its cooling touch
Alive by its truth

The Word
The Word of my God
It is the rain
It is the water
It is all I really need

God Saves Bad People

2009-10-26T22:41:00.001-05:00

2009-10-24T18:28:00.002-05:00

Last week I posted about marriage being difficult. Thank you everyone for your comments and advice.

I do want to clarify. My marriage is not in jeopardy. Although we have our struggles, my marriage is solidly in the hands of Jesus. We made a covenant five years ago that we both intend to keep.

We do experience times that are tough in a married couple’s life. Finding the way to put ourselves aside and give instead of get is not always easy. This is especially difficult in a second marriage. The failings that happened the first time around have a way of creeping in the second one.

Seems that the second time around you have even more strikes against you from the start. You each bring extra things to overcome. Failures from the past, children, etc. In our case there were four children on his side and two on mine. When the children came before the marriage, it can be very easy to feel more loyalty to them. What you really have to work at is putting each other before the children.

My husband and I are strongly rooted in Jesus Christ. In each of our lives Jesus is first. Then we come together with Jesus at the head of our relationship. The problem comes in when we forget to put one another’s needs before our own. When we become selfish we both lose. I don't get my needs met and neither does he.

I believe this is a common failing in all of us. Not just in our marriage relationships but in all our relationships. It's called self. "I want my way." It's a prideful heart that says this. It's at the center of all of us. We are concerned with ourselves before anyone or anything.

So this week, I’m asking God to help me put my selfish "self" aside and meet my husband’s needs before my own. Change me Lord. Take the pride from my heart and help me to love others with Your love.

Amen

Why does marriage have to be so hard?

2009-10-18T00:39:00.003-05:00

It's late and as I sit here tonight my mind is full of whirling thoughts. Mostly about marriage and what the world sets you up for. As a small girl, we each spend odles of time playing wedding, house and dress up. We put on the veil and pretend to walk the isle. Dreaming of that day when our prince will sweep us off our feet and we will live happily ever after.

I don't know about anyone else, but I carried that dream around with me into adulthood until the wedding day finally materialized. What everyone forgot to tell me was how hard it would be at times.

Don't get me wrong, I love my husband. But marriage is much harder than I ever anticipated. We are at year five and all pretence is gone and the blinders are off. We see each others faults very clearly. Probably way more clearly than we should.

Sometimes, I am just exhausted by trying so hard. Anyone been where I'm at?

Through the Passenger Window

2009-10-14T15:13:00.001-05:00

Clear and brilliant. Blue as the sky. Full of kindness. They seemed to pull me in, say hello and smile at me all at the same time. They twinkled like two stars that had dropped from the sky. Those blue eyes that met me on the passenger side door were something I’d never seen before. I rolled down my window to get a better look.

Never had I seen such love or kindness in a pair of eyes. I wondered “what might he know that I don’t know?” It was such a thing that they affected me deeply. They embraced me. They surrounded me. They filled me and touched me at the same. It was as if the soul of this man was on display for all to see, right there on his face. But his soul didn’t just sit there, it reached for me. It pulled me in and caressed me with gentleness. It was if his soul could reach deep inside and hug me. His eyes seemed to say everything I needed to hear without uttering a word.

My heart seemed full as he looked at me. It was as if he knew me. I was filled with wonder by the thought. How could looking into someone’s eyes tell you so much? Yet, I knew he loved me. But how could he? He had only just met me.

I had never met a man like James until that day. I had never met a man that loved God so much that it showed in his eyes. A man that did what God called him to do, love God and love others. But he did just that and it showed in his blue eyes. Without a word I knew this about him. I was changed by his presence from the moment I looked into those big blue pools. He was a man true and loving that stood tall in the face of trail. Although his face was weathered from time and adversity, his eyes told me everything. He was a man full of love. He was a man full of God’s love. So full of God’s love that it spilled out all over me.

James was my father-in-law. He taught me a lot from that very first meeting. Not with words but with his heart. He has gone to smile for Jesus now, his time here on earth is done. But I will never be the same because of knowing him. If I had only been blessed with that one encounter, I would still be forever changed. He said everything I needed to hear that very first day as I looked in his eyes. He said, I love you and he meant it.

So What About Us?

2009-10-13T14:55:00.004-05:00

For several weeks now we have looked at many aspects of being called to follow Jesus. We have looked at the way Jesus spoke the words "Follow Me" and immediately the disciples followed. We have explored the lives of each of the twelve disciples and what they experienced on their journey with Jesus. We have looked at the transformations that took place in the lives of the disciples. We have even looked at counting the cost to follow and what we gain in return.

Today we must conclude with a question. What about us? Where does that lead us?

I believe it leads each of us to answer our own question. Jesus stands before us today and he is saying "Follow Me." We must answer Him. Will we do as the disciples did and get up immediately to follow Him? Or will our delay answer for us?

Take a moment and imagine Jesus Christ standing before you where ever you are. He is requesting the same thing of you that every true disciple must hear. "Follow Me" He says. How will you respond? Will you lay down all you have and follow?

You can not lead. This is a request to follow. That means you must put EVERYTHING in His hands and do with it what He requests.

What if that means all your material wealth must be forfeited and given to the poor like the rich man? You lack one thing Jesus told the rich man. Sell everything you own and give all the money to the poor. The rich man went away sad. Will you?

What if it means you must give up your career or your hope of a family? What if you must forfeit your dreams of children? What if you have to walk away from everything you know, everyone you know and not know where you are going?

This basically, is what’s expected of us. We are to be willing to give up everything we know and everyone we know if necessary. We do not own anything in this world. It is not ours to hang on to. We have been given the privilege to spend a short while on this earth enjoying the things that belong to God. But we are expected to follow after Jesus not lead.

If we only had a realistic view of what it meant for the disciples to follow Jesus. Close your eyes and try to get a mental picture of what it was like for them. They would walk all day. No money of their own. Family and all comforts of home long left behind. They had no home which they would return to each night. They would travel by day and hope to have someone keep them in their home at night. What if no one asked them to stay, then what? Sleep outside with a rock as your pillow? Was it cold? So cold that their feet and hands got numb with frost bite? Were they dirty for long periods of time? Itching and sore from lack of hygiene? What about hunger? Did they always have enough to eat? Did their stomachs rumble at times or their throats get dry from thirst? Waiting long periods before a place was present to drink?

They had nothing to call their own. On top of that, they didn't even have a clue where they were going each day. Get up every morning look for Jesus and follow after Him. Go to the next place and watch the Savior preach and teach. That was the life the twelve disciples chose.

So often, we enter into salvation with the intention of it improving our lives. We want happiness, good weather, nice people and lots of material wealth. What we fail to understand is that we were not created for our own benefit; we were created for God’s benefit. We were created for His pleasure not the other way around.

It's not about us. It's about Him. It's about following where He leads not taking Him along where we decide to go. It's about His agenda for our lives. It's about doing His will not our own. It's about His glorious message, not ours. We have no message. We have nothing that wasn’t given to us by Him.

So our job? What is our job? Get up in the morning. Look for Jesus. Follow after Him. That's it. That’s our job. Follow where he goes.

The next question is how. How do we do that today? First, we must know Him personally. We must have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. You can not follow someone you do not know.

John 10:27 - "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me."

Jesus is the shepherd and we are His sheep. We are to know Him personally. When we do, we will begin to hear His voice. Then we will follow where His voice directs us.

I know that some may read this and say "how do I hear the voice of God?"

It is not an audible voice but an inner voice that speaks to us. It is the voice of the Holy Spirit that lives within. It could be the small still voice within that sends a thought to your mind. A thought that is so odd that you would have never thought that way. It takes time to discern these thoughts as the voice of the Spirit. So there is no harm in asking for more confirmation through other things like the bible and Godly council.

Besides, prayer, preaching and Godly individuals, Jesus speaks to us through the word in the bible. If we are to discern what the will of God is, we must be grounded in the bible. We must have daily time in Gods word and prayer. We must soak ourselves in the word so that we are filled to the brim with the goodness of it. The word of God is living and if we feed ourselves with it at every opportunity, our Spirit will grow. We will soon have little trouble knowing the way Jesus went.

Now, we want to follow, and we are trying to discern his will, but what if we fail? What if we go the wrong way? What if, next thing you know Jesus is nowhere in sight?

The good shepherd that He is, He will come find us. His sheep do not stray without His notice. When we turn around and begin to seek Him again, He will come to redirect us. There is no condemnation, just merciful correction and redirection. Once we are refocused, He can assume the lead again.

So what do you say to the request Jesus poses today? Will you follow? The cost is high but the return is eternal. Will you lay everything at His feet? Are there things you need to address today? Or will you go away sad?

The choice is yours.

Called to Follow - The Final Three

2009-10-09T09:13:00.002-05:00

Today we look at the final three disciples, James (son of Alpheus), Judas (not Iscariot), and Simon Zelotes. I put them together as one days work because unlike the others, these three had almost nothing written about them in scripture. They each show their name on the list as one of the twelve but otherwise we see very little about their journey with Christ.

James, son of Alpheus is believed by many scholars to be the brother of Matthew. They believe this to be true because of Mark 2:14 which tells us that Matthew's father was also named Alpheus.

Others believe that this James is the one called "James the Less" in Mark 15:40. Although, there really is no real proof to this claim. If it were to be true, he could have been a cousin of Jesus.

If James wrote anything, it has been lost to history. He never really rose to any kind of fame or received any real notoriety.

Judas (not Iscariot) was also referred to as Lebbeus "whose surname was Thaddeus" and Judas the son of James.
We see one account in scripture where he is in conversation with Jesus on the night before Jesus’ arrest. The disciples, having eaten their meal, were being taught by Jesus. Judas (not Iscariot) questions Jesus, trying to understand his teaching.

Jesus teaches “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."

John 14:22 - Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, "Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?"

He didn't get it. He didn't understand what Jesus was trying to say to them. But he had enough of a closeness to know he could let Jesus know his uncertainty. However little written about him in scripture, we see that he was certain of Jesus' love. He also knew he could approach Jesus with his lack of understanding. He was teachable yes, but he was also humble enough to ask Jesus to explain when he did not understand what was being taught.

Then there is Simon Zelotes who was also known as Simon the Canaanite. Simon the “zealous one.” Zelotes in Greek meant "zealous one." Canaanite is an English transliteration of the Aramaic word Kanna'ah which also means "zealous one."

We are not told when he was called to follow Jesus but it stands to reason it could have been at the same time as Andrew, Peter, James and John.

Simon Zelotes had a fiery temperament and belonged to the Jewish sect Zelotes. Zelotes were considered political outlaws, extremist. They stubbornly resisted Roman rule and stirred up rebellion among the Jews. Simon's spirit was a stubborn and rebellious one. At least it was until Jesus got a hold of him.

All three of these men were not stand outs in our text of scripture. They did nothing of great notoriety that was written about. But it does not mean they did nothing important for the cause of Christ.

They were all founding members of the early church. They preached the gospel and were consider enough of a threat that they were killed for their faith. They may have been in the background with little fame shown to them, but that by no means says they were less important.

For most of us who serve Jesus Christ, this will be the type of disciple we will be. In the background, little notoriety, doing the small stuff that must be done. Does that make us less important to the kingdom? I would say absolutely not!

The woman that makes a meal to help another. The man that mows a neighbor’s lawn. The child that is taught by the Sunday school teacher. The mother who molds her child. Are these jobs less in the kingdom? No, they are vital. They are humbling yes. But Jesus was also a humble servant who washed the feet of others.

Matthew 11:29 - Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Jesus tells us to "learn" from him. We are to learn who to be from who He is. What does he say about who He is? He says, "I am gentle and lowly in heart."

He is gentle and humble in heart. He says "I need no approval from man! I need not to be thought of as the Pharisee think of themselves. I am here to be a servant. To do My Fathers work."

Jesus says to be like Him, gentle and humble, a servant to others. Not needing the accolades and notoriety. Doing the work of the Father no matter how lowly it may be feel.

What does he say we will get when we do? Rest for our souls! We get rest for our souls! Don't you want rest for your soul? I know I so need that. I need to stop striving and learn from Jesus. I need that rest for my soul.

His yoke is easy and his burden is light because it is no longer our burden. If we just follow and take his yoke He will carry us through what ever our circumstances are.

Let's learn from him and find the rest that we need. Let’s go to Him now.

Called to Follow - Judas Iscariot

2009-10-08T12:09:00.002-05:00

Traitor! Betrayer! How could he? How could he betray the living God, the coming Messiah, our Savior Jesus Christ?

When you hear his name does it cause a strong reaction in you? Do you have a physical response to it? Are your thoughts and questions like the ones above?
How could he have betrayed Jesus?

Let's put aside our anger and what ever physical reaction we might be experiencing from hearing his name and give a little grace. At least long enough to begin to understand this man and gain some insight from his life. I believe we will find that we can learn quite a lot from him.

Believe it or not, Judas Iscariot was called to follow by Jesus just like the other disciples. He was part of the inner circle and one of the twelve. But did he ever really accept the call? Did he ever really love Jesus and commit his life to his service?

We don't know for sure but I would wager to say the answer is no. He was not fully committed to Christ. Maybe his background will shed some light on why.

Judas last name Iscariot was an Aramaic name. Iscariot meant "Man of Kerioth." Kerioth was a town near Hebron in Judea. This would make Judas Iscariot the only Judean out of all the disciples. A little history lesson on the people of Judea tells us that they despised the people of Galilee. They thought of them as crude frontier settlers. With this type of attitude, Judas may have been alienated from the others and left out in the cold.

As we all know, not being accepted hurts. Seeking inclusion by a group that wants nothing to do with you can bring great pain. It hurts when you’re left out and looked at as the odd ball. It can stir up all kinds of emotions, the main ones being anger and bitterness. Bitterness breeds and grows if left to continue and fester. Maybe our dear Judas had a bit of bitterness brewing inside him.

Bitterness can spoil a person. It eats away at you and causes you to do things that you never thought yourself capable of. Have you ever sat in your own vile bitterness until you did something you just weren't proud of?

Job 21:25 says - Another man dies in the bitterness of his soul, never having eaten with pleasure.

It is very easy to fall into bitterness when we have been wronged. We have every right to be angry at times. But if we stay in our anger to long and don't forgive, we fall into a bitterness that consumes our soul. That kind of bitterness can take us over and rob us of experiencing pleasure in life. Some people act out of it and do unspeakable things because of it. Others take their hatred and bitterness to the grave with them. What a tortured life they leave this world with. Lets not be that person. Let's instead give our anger over to God and forgive.

On top of what might have been bitterness in Judas, we also see that he had a selfish and greedy attitude. Acting as treasurer for the twelve, Judas was in charge of all the funds accumulated and used. When Mary broke her jar of precious ointment to pour on Jesus' feet, Judas was fit to be tied. Let look at it the story and see.

Mary, who loved Jesus even before his miracles, was overcome with love after. She had seen her brother Lazarus raised from the dead by Jesus. Her love for the Savior was worth anything to her. So she takes her jar of very expensive oil and uses it to anoint Jesus' feet. Then she lets down her hair and wipes his feet with it.

Unheard of in those days. Women did not let down their hair in the company of men. They certainly did not use what might have been their dowry to make someone’s feet smell better. Nor would they expose themselves to shame and ridicule with such behavior in public.

But Mary did. Because of her great love, she would have done anything for Jesus. Judas responded immediately to Mary's action with criticism.

John 12:4-5 -But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray Him, said, "Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?"

We are told in verse 6 the reason for his comment. It wasn't because he cared greatly for the poor. No, it was because he was a thief. He had control of the disciple’s money box and was used to dipping his hand into it for himself. His motivation was shear greed.

Judas Iscariot’s heart had been established, it was unaffected by his time with the Savior. His heart was hardened, unpliable. His hard heart would be the one turned over to be used by Satan.

Sitting in the upper room, we see Jesus lounging with the twelve after their last meal together. Satan has already put into Judas' heart to betray Him. Knowing this, what does Jesus do? In his kindness and mercy he still gives Judas one last chance. Laying aside his own garments, in humility Jesus takes a towel and kneels at Judas' feet to wash them.

How can a heart remain hard while Jesus is kneeling at your feet? With the Son of God gently cleansing the filth and removing the grim you've accumulated? You’re sitting there, dirty and unworthy while the Savior washes the sin from you. I don't know how it’s possible to have your heart remain hard but Judas' heart did. Jesus was troubled by it also. Troubled enough to testify to it.

John 13:21,26 - When Jesus said these things, He was troubled in Spirit, and testified and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me." "It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it." and having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.

The moment Jesus handed the bread to Judas; Satan entered him to fulfill his work. To fulfill the work of betraying Jesus and sending Him to the cross. A work that would end up backfiring on Satan. Jesus would die on the cross alright, but the grave wouldn’t hold him. He would rise from the grave on the third day and defeat death for eternity.

In the end, Judas was remorseful for what he had allowed himself to be used for. He tried to return the money he had taken for his betrayal. Yes, he was remorseful enough. We see him throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple and leaving. He was devastated. He even took his own life by hanging.
But I ask this..... Was he repentant? We can be remorseful for the consequences of our actions but not be repentant. Without repentance, nothing changes. It takes repentance to truly turn from our wickedness and sin. If all we feel is remorse, it’s not enough. Our heart must face God with humble repentance if we want God to pour out His gracious mercy on us.

How’s your heart today? Are you harboring bitterness? Do you need a little repentance? If you do, don't let it wait. God is waiting.

Called to Follow - Thomas

2009-10-05T15:15:00.004-05:00

Today we explore the walk of Thomas; nicknamed "Doubting Thomas" Who was this man hand picked by Christ to walk with him? Why exactly would Jesus pick a man always questioning to walk along the road he was traveling?

Thomas, also called Didymus was one of a set of two. The word Didymus is Greek for "twin". Thomas had a twin somewhere that we are never told anything about. We don't know if his twin was a boy or girl. Whether they were identical or not. But from what we know about twins, they either want to be totally different or you can't separate the two. So what does that tell us about Thomas? Maybe it could have been that he wanted his own identity, to be different than his sibling. That would explain some of his willingness to do the different thing. To leave it all behind and follow Jesus like he did.

Often when we speak of Thomas, we speak only about his doubt and weakness. Thomas had other character traits that we rarely acknowledge. Like his courage and his quest for truth and understanding.

When Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was for two more days before deciding to return to him. When his disciples were told they would return to Judea, they were fearful for their master’s life.

John 11:8 - The disciples said to Him, "Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?"

The Jews in Judea were threatened by Jesus and wanted to rid themselves of Him. They sought to stone Him to death. But as always, Jesus is not afraid. He is in control of the situation. His power is much larger than they could ever imagine. Jesus had His father’s agenda to fulfill and he would not be deterred from it. He instead, teaches a lesson on walking in light and not darkness. Then informs them that Lazarus dead. He is glad that he was not there to save Lazarus from death. Now maybe these twelve men would finally understand his glory and believe. Our courageous Thomas speaks up.

John 11:16 - Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him."

Thomas was ready to go to his death with Jesus. He understood that the Jews wanted to kill Him. He understood that if they stoned Jesus, he too would likely be put to death. Still, he was ready to endure that for the one he had chosen to follow. We may think of Thomas as weak but he was courageous enough to follow Jesus even if it meant death.

That would not happen though. Thomas would not go to his death in Judea. Instead he would see the miracle of Lazarus being raised from the dead. We often read the account of Lazarus and brush right over it. But this event was unheard of then and still is now. Right before their eyes, a man dead for four days comes out of the grave. What if it happened before your eyes?

Imagine with me. Close your eyes and think of someone you lost to death. Remember back to when you attended the funeral. Picture yourself sitting in the chair as the service is performed. Jesus walks in, walks to the casket, and says " _______ Come forth" Your loved one sits up in the casket and has to be helped out of it because they are alive!

Would seeing something like that change you? It would me. It had to of change Thomas. It had to secure his belief that Jesus was who He said He was.

The last night before Jesus was arrested and went to the cross, the group shares a meal together for Passover. This famous meal is observed by many today as taking communion. That night Jesus spent much time with His loved disciples. They broke bread together. Jesus shared the truth about being a servant and washed their feet. Then He shared many lessons with them before they would be left on their own. As Jesus tried to explain His departure from this world, He told them this.

John 14:2-4 - "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know."

Thomas, wanting to understand questions the Lord.

John 14:5 - Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?"

"I don't understand Lord, I want to understand. I want to know so I make sure I go the right way. ”This basically what Thomas was saying.

Have you ever spoken these words yourself? "I don't get it Lord. I want to but I don't" I have spoken these words many times myself. I want to do Gods will, but what is that? Thankfully, instead of a condemning voice we hear a merciful God answer us and tell us the way. The same was done for Thomas. Jesus told Thomas, "I am the way." He would get to where Jesus was going through no effort of his own but by the effort of Jesus.

We can not leave this exploration of Thomas without looking at the whole reason he was nicknamed "Doubting Thomas" in the first place. It comes from the encounter we see in John chapter 20. Jesus has risen from the dead. The tomb is empty. He appears to the disciples where they are assembled. Thomas is missing from this encounter. He missed the meeting and in turn was not there to encounter the risen Christ like the rest did.

John 20:24-26 - Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." So he said to them "Unless I see in His hands the prints of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe."

Thomas had seen his Lord crucified and buried. He knew what his eyes had seen. He would not believe just anything people said. Even if it was his friends and fellow disciples. But Jesus would not leave him in his unbelief. He would not be left to continue his doubt.

Instead, eight days later, Thomas now at the meeting. Jesus comes into the room again and says "Peace to you!" Immediately, he addresses Thomas.

John 20:27-28 - Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"

Jesus came that day just for Thomas. To show His unbelieving child that He was real. To show him that the resurrection was true and He was alive again.

Just like Thomas, we are not left to stew in our unbelief. God gives us plenty of proof all around us that He exists. He left us four accounts of Jesus' life, death and resurrection so we can believe in who He is. We also get to see it in the lives of others. The resurrected life of believers around us shows us the reality that Jesus is alive today.

Jesus was not finished speaking to Thomas that night. He had one last thing to say to him about his doubt.

John 20:29 - Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Friends, this is us Jesus was referring to. We are those that must believe without seeing. We can not see Jesus in the flesh face to face. We must rely on the truth we see in scripture to believe. But we are still called to follow the same way as the disciples were. And we are asked to believe the same way.

We must take our doubt to Jesus and let Him take it from us.

What fills your heart with doubt today? Use this time now to take it to Jesus and believe.

So What is Normal Anyway?

2009-10-04T23:28:00.002-05:00

Have you ever felt like you were different than other people? Like maybe you weren't normal? That you just don't fit in?

I struggled with this feeling for most of my life. I always felt different. I felt like I wasn't as good as everyone else. I wasn't normal like everyone else around me.

As I've grown stronger in my faith and gotten to know God a little better, I have come to realize a few things about this whole thought about being "normal." Let me share what I have found out. First and foremost, this thought is wrong. We all need to hear the truth on this subject loud and clear.

I have realized recently that I have not been alone in my dilemma. Most people feel the same way. We all have the same need to be accepted. We think the other guy is normal and we need to be like that person to be considered acceptable. Satan would love for us to continue in this thinking and chase our own tail until we drop. Why? Because it is futile and leads us to nowhere but misery. If we are consumed with trying to fit in we will never stand out like Christ would rather we focused on.

What is normal anyway?
Normal - conforming with or constituting an accepted standard, model, or pattern. Corresponding to the median or average of a large group in type, appearance, achievement, function, development.

Conforming to an acceptable standard. Being the average of a group. So what exactly is the acceptable standard when it comes to a normal person? What do we gauge average with? Unbeknownst to us, the standard is something we create in our own mind. So guess what? Everybody’s standard of what a normal person looks like is different. With that kind of standard, I will never find normal, nor will you.

I have to share some truth with you here. I did not grow up in the church. When I became part of a local church body, I looked around and thought everyone was perfect. These people had it all together. I needed to be just like them if I wanted to be normal. So I pasted a smile on my face when I walked through the church doors and tried to be just like them. But inside, I knew I wasn't. I was a mixed up mess that needed work and in my eyes they were not.

So often we use the term normal and think it refers to those who are doing things right. The normal people serve God right. Normal people don't have all the struggles in there life. Normal people are happy. Normal people don't struggle with sinful behavior. Normal people don't have problems like me.

Here's the truth. There are no normal people. We are all flawed. We are all dysfunctional. We are all full of sin. Whether our sin is visible to the naked eye, closed up in our thought closet or hidden in our hearts, we are all just fallen creatures that don't deserve the mercy God offers. Thankfully, He gives it to us anyway. Those that think they deserve the mercy of God should check their heart. They will probably find pride hiding there.

When Adam and Eve bit into the apple, all humanity became fallen creatures. Since then we have struggled to be normal again. We have struggled to be considered the good person, to be the one called acceptable.

Nothing we do makes us acceptable or good enough. It is only by the covering of the blood of Jesus that we are finally considered acceptable.

I have decided that since it is impossible to be normal, I will instead be what Christ intended me to be. I will be extraordinary. I will be the one that stands out in the crowd. The different one that people stop and try to understand. Why is she so different? That is what I want people to say. What does she have that I don't have? I want that! They will say after they meet me.

Mother Theresa, was she normal? No, she was not. She had an extraordinary heart that loved. Billy Graham, was he normal? No, he was not. He had an extraordinary love for God and for the lost. Beth Moore, is she normal? No, she is not. She has an extraordinary heart that loves Jesus.

I don't know about you, but instead of worrying about being normal, fitting in or being accepted, I want to stand out. I want an heart that loves Jesus and loves others so much that people think I am not just average but extraordinary.

My standard is Jesus Christ and He was nowhere close to normal.

Called to Follow - Matthew

2009-09-28T13:27:00.003-05:00

Have you ever known anyone who was thought of as a traitor? What about a person who goes against what most believe? You know the person. They are considered an outcast. They do things there own way. They push against the norm of what is expected.

That was the man Jesus met as He passed on from Capernaum. Levi the son of Alphaeus was considered a traitor by the Jewish community, he was a tax collector. This is the man we know more accurately by his name given to him after following Jesus. We know him as Matthew, meaning "gift of God."

During the time Jesus walked on this earth, Rome ruled over Palestine. Rome collected several taxes from the people. Tolls for transporting goods where collected by private tax collectors, who in turn paid a fee to the Roman government for the right to assess the levies. The tax collectors charged extra for their own profits. They would hire what were called, publicans who did the actual work of collecting. The publican charged extra for their own wages. Those in this position were often corrupt and tacked on larger amounts than were acceptable.

Matthew was a publican who collected tolls on the road between Damascus and Accho, just outside the city of Capernaum. He was a tax collector, considered corrupt and a traitor by his own people. The Jews would have considered his money to be unclean and would not even ask for change back from him. He was not allowed to testify in court or bring a tithe to the temple. His position rendered him an outcast in his community. He was a Jewish man with no Jewish rights.

But Jesus evidently saw something that others didn't see.

Matthew 9:9 - As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, "Follow Me." So he arose and followed Him.

Jesus, the Son of God, the one doing miracles with many, walks to the tax table and speaks. "Follow Me" He says to Matthew. I am sure all that had taken place on the other side of the river had reached the ears of Matthew. His response amazes me. It says, he got up and followed Jesus.

This would have been no small feat. He was in a prosperous position. He was a home owner which was not common for those without wealth. But he got up and left his position as a tax collector behind. He didn't try to work out a deal with Jesus so he could keep his lucrative position and still be a follower. Instead, he turned from his corruption and went with Jesus.

Next thing you know, Matthew is throwing a party to welcome and celebrate Jesus. He wants those he knows to see the real Messiah and meet Him face to face.

Matthew 9:10 - Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house , that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples.

This was the real face of Jesus. God coming to save the sinner and heal the sick. Jesus was not upset to see the tax collectors and sinners at His table. I'm sure, instead, He was thrilled. These were the ones He had come to save. But the Pharisees saw it, and said to the disciples "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" They did not get the chance to answer the Pharisee's though. Jesus answers them Himself. He didn’t owe them an explanation but decides to make a strong point to everyone listening.

Matthew 9:12-13 - When Jesus heard that, He said to them "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But you go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Jesus was speaking to the Pharisee's, to those who thought they had everything right. They were righteous, the ones doing all the right the things, obeying the law. They were even teaching the law. But they were also the ones whose hearts were full of evil intent and desire. They believed they were righteous but they had no mercy within them. Instead, there was pride in their hearts.

He tells them, if you think you have it all figured out and need nothing then I didn't come for you. I came for those who are sick. Sadly, they were among the ones which were the most sick of all. Sick full of pride and a hardened heart.

We can learn so much from this piece of scripture as he says to the prideful, "go learn what this means, I desire mercy not sacrifice."

Jesus doesn't need our sacrifices of time or energy. He instead asks our heart to be right. When we are willing to show mercy to those that we see as full of sin, we have a tender, humble heart. That is the heart God can reach. That is the heart that God can use.

So what do we learn from our new friend Matthew. Well, we can see why God would name him a gift. He penned the gospel of Matthew for us which gave us quite a gift. His writing, the gospel according to Matthew has probably been the most influential of all the gospels.

Mostly, I personally have learned from Matthew that there is no one to far gone to be redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. If Jesus could consider this man as worthy to be one of the twelve, He can make us into anything He desires.

Matthew paid a big price to follow Jesus. He gave up everything, including a position that paid big financially. I am grateful to Him for his decision. It makes mine easier to make. I, a great big sinner, need to see redemption like his.

Called to Follow - Bartholomew also called Nathanael

2009-09-25T15:39:00.004-05:00

Today we meet Bartholomew or in Hebrew, "Son of Tolmai" meaning "God has given."

Don't you just love that meaning of a name? I do! As a mother, I relate. If I wasn't already done having children I would name my next one Bartholomew. God has given. Maybe I can convince a grandchild to be named this. It's at least worth a try. Most likely though, I’ll just hear "Mom!" as they roll their eyes at me and ignore my suggestion.

Back to our disciple....

Bartholomew was also known by another name, Nathanael. More often in scripture, we see him as Nathanael than Bartholomew. To make it easier on all of us, I will hereby refer to him as Nathanael.

Our disciple Nathanael was a student of scripture. He was always in search of true knowledge of God. We discern this by the way Philip tells him about Jesus.

John 1:45 - Philip found Nathanael and said to him "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote - Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."

Nathanael was well aware of the promises in scripture pointing to the Messiah's coming. So Philip knew that if he was to have his friends’ attention he had better reference the promises made by Moses and the prophets. Philip also knew Nathanael would see the fulfillment when he met Jesus himself. So he said to his friend "Come and see." In spite of the prejudice Nathanael had for Nazareth as an unrefined and undereducated area, he goes with Philip to meet Jesus.

John 1:47 - Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said to him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!"

Jesus sees Nathanael coming toward Him and greets him from afar. He calls him an Israelite with no deceit. What a comment for someone to make as you approach them. This person could see who Nathanael was and not only that, he saw his character.

He knew that Nathanael had no deceit in him. Nathanael was not the type to be sly or use trickery to get his way. Instead he was straight forward and honest. Maybe even honest to a fault, some might think. But he when you dealt with him you knew what you were getting into. There was no reading between the lines or trying to figure out what he really meant. I believe Nathanael was transparent and open.

Fit me right in there with this guy! I know the downfall and the up side of this trait. I have been told by some that they love it and others, well, they just stay away. I am transparent about my life and my faults. So much so that it has made people uncomfortable at times.

Believe me; I am not trying to make anyone uncomfortable. I just realize that God already knows and sees where I've been and what I've done. He sees my downfalls and short comings. I no longer need to feel ashamed for these things. It’s called grace and I plan to live in it daily and to the fullest.

I still must repent when I sin and try to live in righteousness. But I refuse to feel shame for what I have lived through in my past. I lived through abuse as a child, and talking about these things can make some people uncomfortable. I know and understand there discomfort. I just don't allow myself to take on anyone else’s shame or go back to mine that’s gone and forgiven.

Jesus knows our transgressions and everything about us. He took one look at Nathanael and knew who he was and what he was all about. He sees this about us also. Jesus sees inside us. He knows who we are, what we are thinking. He knows our next move before we even do.

How often do we believe we can hide things from God? We seem to think if we don't talk to Him about it that He doesn't know. What are we thinking? He can see it all. How much better off would we be if we were just honest and approached God instead of running away?

John 1:48-49 - Nathanael said to Him, "How do You know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered and said to Him, Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are King of Israel!"

Jesus knew Nathanael before he had ever met Jesus. He had seen Nathanael under the fig tree and knew everything there was to know about him. Philip was right; Nathanael did recognize the Messiah when he met him. He called Jesus, Rabbi and exclaimed You are the Son of God! You are King of Israel!

This pure hearted man with all sincerity knew who he was committing his life of service too. He would not waver later when he would be called to stand up for the truth. He would instead finish well, just as we are called to do.

He knew what was at stake. He knew that he might well have to die for his Savior. But his sincere heart called him to the one he had heard about probably from his early years.

Nathan shows us that having a pure heart after the true Messiah is worth the cost we might have to pay. He also shows one of the qualities we will need to finish the job we are called to. We will need to be without deceit. A heart with no guile, that’s pure and sincerely in love with Jesus.

Counting the Cost to Follow

2009-09-23T13:55:00.003-05:00

Have you ever been swept up in the moment? Excitement surrounds you at every angle. You seem to be on a high that will never end.

I have experienced times where the spirit of God is so strong in the room that I have felt if He pours anymore of Himself on me I would burst. Those emotionally, spirit filled times are amazing but we all have to come down eventually.

It must have been exciting to be called by Jesus Christ personally and become his follower. What an emotionally charged feeling it must have been to know that the Messiah was calling you to be his disciple. Just like us though, they had to come down to reality eventually. They too were given the truth of what it would cost them to follow.

Let's explore that today. What did it cost them to follow and what will it cost us also?

Matthew 8:19-22 - Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, "Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go." And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." Then another of His disciples said to Him "Lord let me first go and bury my father." But Jesus said to him, "Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead."

Here we see Jesus with a multitude coming after Him; he had taught them and is ready to climb into the boat to go across to the other side. A young man, a scribe amongst the throngs of people has heard the call to follow. He has wrestled with his decision and in the last instance before Jesus is gone; he says "Teacher, I will follow you where ever you go."

What does Jesus tell this young man to do? Does he tell him come along, the more the merrier? No. He tells him to count the cost. He tells him that even the foxes have holes to sleep in and the birds have nest but the Son of Man lives in poverty and has nowhere to lay his head. Jesus is showing this young man the cost he will pay to follow. Jesus is asking him if he is willing to pay that price. Is he willing to give up everything and live in poverty just like Jesus does?

Then another following says to Jesus "Let me first go and bury my father" and He says "Follow Me, and let the dead bury the dead."

Seems a little harsh doesn't it? You would think this person had just lost his father to death and needed to go do his duty and bury him. Not the case.

Back in those days, it would have been part of the son’s responsibility to care for the father until his death. What this young man meant was he could not leave and follow Jesus until his father had died. Jesus tells him to let someone else care for his father. In other words, Jesus was posing a decision to this man, "Who will you put first, Me or your father?"

Just like these two men, we are asked the same things. Will we pay the price to follow? Will we put Jesus first before all things?

In Luke 14:25-33, Jesus spells out the cost for us:

Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them. "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower does not sit down first and count the cost , whether he has enough to finish it - lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him. Saying, "This man began to build and was not able to finish." Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple."

We too must count the cost. Spelled out in black and white, Jesus calls for all. Everything must be given. Forsaking all things. There is no compromising. There is no holding on to old things or people. There is only Jesus and the path he has planned out for you.

He also asks, will we finish? Will we get down the road when the going gets tough and fall short, leaving ourselves open to be mocked? Or will we stay strong and cross the finish line?

For Jesus, there is no dragging along baggage with us. We are called to make the sacrifices needed to remain on the road with Him. We must shed the things of the past, maybe even the things that we love. Are we willing?

Now, I know that the cost looks high and a huge price to pay. But we are not asked to pay such a high price for no reason. We are also not called to pay the price alone. There are benefits that make it well worth the sacrifice here on earth.

In Mark 10:28-31 we see Peter remind Jesus "We have left all and followed You." Which in reply Jesus acknowledges there sacrifices and tells them they will reap a hundredfold in eternity those things they sacrificed. He tells them that many who are first will be last and the last will be first.

We may not reap all we would love to have here on this earth, but we are assured of great rewards lasting eternally. Our reward awaits with lasting benefits. We are assured of an eternity with Jesus in heaven. What better reward could there be?

There are however also some rewards that we are given now. When we choose to follow Jesus, we are filled with the Holy Spirit. That in itself is a great reward. The more we rely on the Spirit and leave behind our human nature we are given the blessing of fruit in our life. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) We are filled with these things in the midst of strife, struggle and trials.

Imagine having a peacefulness and joy filling you even in the midst of horrible circumstances. It is those qualities that gave Paul the ability to sing and praise God while chained in prison. It was also how the disciples were converted and sustained during much persecution.

I myself consider such abilities to be a great benefit and reward right now. We will never escape the bad in this world, whether we follow Jesus or not. Tragedy, murder and evil are here to stay. But we can have the Holy Spirit to give us what we need to navigate through difficult times.

John 8:12 - Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

We are not left alone to navigate through this world. If we choose to follow, we are given the light of the world to shine the way. We are not left in darkness but instead we are given a light to guide us through this life and into the next.

Redeemed & Transformed by a Personal God

2009-09-18T21:09:00.002-05:00

Just as the twelve disciples were called over two thousand years ago to follow, we are also called to do the same. We are not called to follow at a distance but to an up close and personal walk with Christ. Just as the twelve walked with Jesus in a very intimate and personal way, we too are called to the same.

When the twelve disciples were called, Jesus was here on earth in the flesh. Today, Jesus calls us with the Spirit He left behind. The Spirit I am speaking of is the person of the Holy Spirit. The third part of the trinity, fully God. The Holy Spirit is continually wooing us, or rather, calling us to “follow.” Calling us to leave everything the world has to offer behind and walk in the foot steps of Jesus. Will we join him?

When making any big decision, we should probably take a look at a few things first. We should evaluate the risks, requirements, consequences and the benefits of following Jesus. What better way to do that then to look at those that served Jesus as His first followers?

Matthew 4:18-20- And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brother, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

Follow me, Jesus said to Andrew and Simon Peter. They left their nets and followed Him.

Matthew 4:21-22 – Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.

James and John were called by Jesus. They left their boat and father and followed Him.

Matthew 9:9 – As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him.

Follow Me, Jesus said to Matthew. So he arose and followed Him.

John 1:43 - The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me”

Follow Me, Jesus said to Philip. So he followed.

Repeatedly we are shown in scripture that when Jesus calls someone, the request is simple. Follow Me, He says. He speaks two very simple words that carry a huge impact. What exactly did He did mean?

Looking back at the Greek meaning of follow, there were two different words for it. The first being, akoloutheo meaning “as a particle of union.” The second word being, keleuthos, meaning “to be in the same way with or to accompany.

So the word follow itself is used literally and metaphorically. Literally, as if walking together with Jesus day by day and metaphorically as in being united, part of a union spiritually.

How fabulous is that? We are called to be in union with Jesus. Called to a personal relationship with the Almighty God. Not to a list of rules and regulations but a personal friendship, companionship with Jesus Christ. Now who wouldn’t want that?

Jesus wants us to know Him, to be with Him, to spend our days walking with Him as the first twelve did. Imagine a day with Jesus where He is walking with you, talking to you and teaching you as you go about your daily business. You are asking questions and He is telling you more than you had anticipated. What a journey that would be.

I think the one on one face time the twelve disciples got was priceless. What I wouldn’t give to see Jesus in the flesh. To be able to ask Him all the silly little things that I think about all day long. Sometimes I like to day dream and imagine about the day I will meet Him face to face. I dream about what it will be like and what I will say to Him. But wait, I don’t have to wait to have personal time with him. I can do that right now. And that is exactly what He wants from me, to be with Him.

Behind my house is about three hundred acres of manicured lawn. I live on a golf course, so I don’t have to manicure all that grass. Praise God for the small things! Thank you Jesus for not making me mow! If it were my responsibility we would be in big trouble. That first sentence above would read more like this, behind my house is about three hundred acres of wild grass and thistles….

Anyway, the view behind my house is a beautiful sight. It’s full of rolling hills, a pond and walking paths. Oh yeah, and golfers but I try to ignore them. In the morning when the sun comes up, the sunrise is breathtaking. Sometimes I like to take advantage of the sunrise and walk along the paths as God is in the process of waking up everything around me. In those times as I walk and talk with Jesus I almost feel as if He is there with me in flesh and bone. It is so personal that I am grateful the golfers have not started to appear yet. It is a time for just me and Jesus to walk alone. I cherish our time as I am sure He does also. But I am sure if I were to ask Him, He would want to walk with me even when were not alone. He would want to be with me in all that I do.

Just as the disciples walked with Jesus all the time, we too need to walk with Him all the time. What will happen as we do is a transformation will begin to occur.

Just as the transformation occurred in each of the disciples, we too will have the changing power of Jesus take the old nature from us and fill us with a new one.

Simon Peter began his walk with Jesus as the unpredictable one. The one that swore allegiance to Jesus, never to deny Him in Mark 14:29. Only to deny Him three times and curse His name later the same day.

Jesus named Simon Peter the “rock” and built His church through him. Through no strength or ability of his own, Simon Peter became the leader of the twelve disciples and also the early church. His first sermon recorded in Acts 2:14-40 shows a new, transformed man full of the Spirit. He went on to preach with power and conviction until he was eventually put to death for his faith.

The brothers James and John were named “sons of thunder” by Jesus. These two young men, full of thunder were a force of nature. They were bold, ambitious and sometimes overconfident. Mark 10:35-41 records their attempt to be seated on both sides of Jesus in His glory. Here they are, vying for position with God Almighty. I would say they were some what self-serving and self-motivated. They were looking for what they could get from Jesus.

That soon changed though. James, the first to suffer a martyr’s death, converts his accuser to Jesus Christ as he stands to die. His accuser goes to his own death along with him. In the end, we see a man no longer self consumed, but a man full of God. We see a new James, transformed by the Spirit into a strong and powerful witness for Jesus Christ.

John became known to all as the apostle of love. No longer was He the ambitious young man he once was. Penning one of the gospel records of Jesus’ life, the three letters of John and the book of Revelation, John left us much knowledge with his contributions. Living longer than all the other disciples, John was able to leave behind, in his writings, a treasure of wisdom to guide us.

So how does transformation of this magnitude come about for us? How do we get from the old self to the new?

It is only by belief, surrender and repentance that we begin a transformation like this. First, we must believe in Jesus Christ, accepting the good news that He died on the cross and rose again to pay for our sins. Surrender comes in the form of giving over our lives to Jesus and letting Him be the one that guides our life. The final piece comes when we repent. Turning from our old ways and living in the new life we have received.

We are drawn by the Father and no one will come to Jesus without the Father granting it. It is in the privilege of receiving the love God has to offer that we are truly filled with what we are looking for.

John 6:44 – No one can come to the Me unless the Father who sent Me draws Him.

Drawn to Jesus by the Father. Jesus then says “Follow Me” to each of us. The decision of if we will or won’t “follow” is left up to us. What ever the case, the question must be answered. Will we leave our old life behind and follow or will we refuse?

Some would say that by avoiding the question we are not answering. The truth is, not answering is really just another way of saying no. When we ignore, avoid and side step, we are telling Jesus “No, I will not follow you.”

On the other hand, when we make the decision to say yes, we are filled with the Spirit and the transformation begins. The power of God then surges through us, giving us the ability to do things that would otherwise be impossible. We are given the power to stand boldly at the cross while our savior is crucified. We are given the power to preach the gospel in the midst of those that hate Jesus. We are given the power to live a life full of grace, love and mercy for others. We are even given the power to die for our belief.

Everyone is looking for a reason for why we are here on this earth. We each need to know that our life is not in vain. All of us are searching for a supernatural connection. We are looking for something that is bigger than ourselves. Something with power behind it that can overcome what we feel inadequate to control ourselves.

That supernatural power resides in heaven with the Father, by His side in His Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit left behind to fill His believers. God in three parts is the only thing that can give us that power. He’s the only thing that can fill the empty holes inside our heart. He’s the only thing that can bring meaning to what we see in the world around us.

That supernatural connection, that transformation is available to all, but we must first begin to “follow.” What will we decide?

Called to Follow - Philip

2009-09-18T15:05:00.002-05:00

I have the feeling that many of you will relate to today’s lesson about Philip. His story is much like most everyone’s story. An ordinary person, full of fault and failures comes to Jesus in spite of those things. He is used by Jesus even though he has flaws and little faith at first.

Philip, called to "follow", just like the other disciples we have looked at this week. We see his story begin at Bethabara beyond the Jordan River. As Jesus is on his way to Galilee, he finds the young Philip.

John 1:43 - The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, "Follow Me."

Jesus, once again sees an ordinary young man and decides "this one, I'll ask this one." Although, this scripture doesn't say "he followed", we know that he did. We know this because he was included in the list as one of the twelve in other scripture.

What we do know about Philip though, is he had the heart of an evangelist. The first thing Philip does after his encounter with Jesus is go find Nathanael. He brings Nathanael to meet Jesus and he becomes a follower himself.

Like Andrew, Philip knew right away that Jesus was the Messiah. He knew the importance of finding Jesus and wanted others to come to the same knowledge. He ran immediately to find his friend Nathanael and bring him to the Messiah.

Philip and Nathanael must have studied scripture together. The way Philip tells Nathanael indicates knowledge of the prophecies about Jesus. He says to him "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote - Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." (John 1:45) Philip had no doubt that he had encountered the Messiah written about by Moses and the prophets. He was fully confident of his decision to follow Jesus and willing to bring others to the same.

Confidence in his decision didn't change some of his character flaws though. He was still full of flaws as all of us are. Being pessimistic and the facts and figures type, Philip sometimes had wavering faith. We see this unfold in the story of feeding five thousand in John 6:5-7.

Jesus seeing a great multitude coming toward him said to Philip "Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" Jesus knew what He would do to feed all these people; he didn't need the help of Philip. Instead, this was an opportunity for Philip to show his faith. How did he respond?

Instead of responding with faith, his bean counter mentality kicked in and he began to tally the cost and concluded it could not be done. He saw the impossibility of the situation not the possibility Jesus brought to it.

"Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little" was Philips response to Jesus.

How often do we do this ourselves? Assess the situation and decide that it’s impossible? Never once looking at it the way Jesus would. We approach the impossible situations in our life with a narrow focus, pragmatic and cynical instead of with vision and faith. Just like Philip, we can see only the here and now and forget the power Jesus brings to the table.

Philip missed the opportunity to step out in faith again in John 14:7-11.
We see him not fully getting the bigger picture when immediately after Jesus tells him something he makes the following request.

"Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us."

Jesus had just said "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him."

Hello! Philip, get a clue! Jesus has just told you that if you see Him, you have seen the Father. Evidently he was thinking of practical down to earth matters and missed what Jesus meant.

Once again, guilty myself! I have been in Philip's shoes, how about you? Missing the boat completely and not understanding what Jesus is telling me is familiar to me. Sometimes my rudimentary mind will wait until He slaps me in the face with it before I finally get what I am supposed to. Those of us with practical, simple, stubborn minds take a little longer sometimes.

Good news! It's those of us that are simple and full of weakness that God intends to use. It is the weak God can make strong.

I Corinthians 1:27 - But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty.

Jesus did just that with Philip. God chose him not because he had great ability but because he had a moldable, pliable heart. He created Philip into a mighty warrior for the good news. Multitudes came to Jesus from the preaching of Philip. In spite of all his human frailty and faults, he was greatly used by God.

Like the rest of the disciples, Philip stood strong in faith in life and death. He too was eventually martyred for the cause of Christ. In AD 54 after laboring diligently, he was scourged, thrown in prison, and afterwards crucified.

That my friends, is a transformed man. Transformed from a pragmatic man lacking understanding and faith, into a bold, spirit filled man, faithful to Christ to the end.

Lord, I want to be like that!

Called to Follow - John the brother of James

2009-09-14T22:30:00.003-05:00

John the brother of James. Sounds so familiar to me.... As I said in the last posting about James, I was often spoken of in the same way. For many years I was Sherri, the little sister of Tammy. I hated to be called that.

Looking back now, I believe I was upset that my identity was so closely tied to someone else. I was nothing like my sister, although we had similar facial features. Because she had gone through the school two years before me, people thought I would be the same as my sister. It was as if I had no identity of my own.

What they did not realize is that I was a very different person with my own talents and abilities. I was not just Tammy's little sister, I was Sherri. A person created by God with her own purposes. I believe the same could be said about John. Although we see him referred to as the brother of James, he was his own person. John had his own individual reasons that Jesus called him to be a disciple and we will see that unfold for us.

John was called to follow Jesus at the same time as his brother was and shortly after named along with James "sons of thunder." Both of the brothers were zealous, ambitious and overconfident but John had some individual characteristics we need to look at.

John was bold and impulsive but he was also very emotional. His emotions would often erupt in his conversations with Jesus. We see in Mark 9:38 a very emotional reaction as John tells Jesus they forbade a man from casting out demons because he was not a follower of theirs. Jesus tells John not to forbid him because anyone that works miracles in His name would not speak evil of Him after doing that.

In Mark 10:35-41 John, along with James ask for a favor from Jesus. They ask to sit on the left and right sides of Jesus in His glory. How ambitious! Jesus asks if they can drink the cup he drinks and their answer is yes. Talk about overconfidence.

Our young John at the time called by Jesus was indeed bold and confident. Maybe even a little too confident. But his boldness and confidence would serve him well a little later in his journey.

At the time of Jesus death, John was the only disciple who dared to stand at the foot of the cross. (John 19:26-27) He gave not concern to the consequences that he might face and instead stayed as the ugly scene of Jesus' crucifixion played itself out.

Then Jesus speaks his last instruction to John. As Jesus is hanging there, with little life left and not much breathe, He commits his mother into John's care. From that hour, John took Mary the mother of Jesus as his own mother to care for.

What sadness and doom he must have felt as he watched his master die. Then to have insulted added to injury just a few days after when Mary Magdalene comes to say the tomb is empty. The horror! The tomb empty, now His body taken?

In John 20:1-10, we see as John outruns Simon Peter to look for himself. Stooping down to peer into the grave, he finds Mary’s words to be true. All that remained in the tomb was the linen cloth used to dress him. Since the disciples did not know the scripture that the Messiah would rise again, they left and went back to their homes. The walk back would not be like the run there. Instead it would be a slow pace with feet made of lead. A final blow. The Messiah gone.

Thankfully this was not the last encounter we see John have with Jesus. In John 20:19-21, we see this. That very evening, the same one where John finds the tomb empty, John is assembled with the other disciples behind closed doors. As the meeting goes on, Jesus comes and stands in the midst and says "Peace be with you." He shows them His hands and His side and sends them out to do as He had done, share the good news.

What rejoicing must have taken place behind those closed doors! Did they sleep after that? I sure wouldn't. I can imagine that John was riding three feet off the ground, not to touch down for some time to come. Who would even try to put their head on a pillow after seeing the risen Lord right before your eyes? Who needs sleep, Jesus is alive!!

I often think about what it will be like when I see Jesus in person. What will I feel? Will I laugh, cry, weep uncontrollably or just be speechless? Maybe I will be able to do nothing but fall to my face and worship. But until this very moment, I have not thought about meeting the risen Lord like the disciples did. What an amazing moment that must have been. I would have loved to of been there.

John, the bold, ambitious and overconfident young man was also one who was transformed by Jesus Christ. Given the power of the Holy Spirit, he became a force used by God to preach the good news.

He was to become known as the Apostle of love. Besides teaching of Jesus death and resurrection, John taught of the character of God. Penning the three letters of John, he taught that God is love, showed us to walk in the light and that there is no life with out God.

In his final years, John left us with two jewels. Recording the life of the one he loved so dearly, John wrote for us the Gospel according to John. Then while exiled on the island of Patmos before his death, John penned the book of Revelation. Known to be the only book telling us the end of the story. This book brings a great hope to all believers. It gives us an eternal hope, just as it must have given John.

Called to Follow - James Son of Zebedee

2009-09-14T10:43:00.002-05:00

Were you the eldest sibling amongst your brothers and sisters? The one looked to first by family or maybe friends and teachers at school? I was not. Instead I was the younger of two girls born just two years apart. I remember so vividly everyone looking to my older sister first and feeling a bit under appreciated. Especially at school. I heard the words, "Your Tammy's sister aren't you?" so often that I began to reply, "NO! MY NAME IS SHERRI."

James, unlike me, did have the privilege of being the eldest sibling. We are told in scripture he was the older brother of John. When we see James mentioned in scripture, we always see his brother John also mentioned. Unlike my sister and me though, sibling rivalry didn't seem to divide the brothers. Instead, we see two brothers working very closely together. Maybe that says something for the character of both James and John in the way they handled their position in the family. James instead of using his position as a form of control over his brother became an inspiration and encouragement for John. John instead of being petty or jealous looked up to the one who could teach him much.

It is no surprise that they were called to be followers of Jesus at the same time. Mark 19-20 shows us this.

When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.

Just as Andrew and Peter had, they left everything and followed after Jesus. James and John even had there father present, leaving him behind still in the boat. Once again we see, when we are called, we must leave behind our personal choices and begin to just follow Jesus.

Both of these brothers were seen at some critical places while following Jesus during His earthly ministry. First we see them on the mountain when Jesus' transfiguration occurred in Matthew 17:1-3. We see them question Jesus on the Mount of Olives in Matthew 17:10. Once again we see them witness the grief and passion of Christ as he prayed in the garden of Gethsemane before he was to go to his death. (Mark 14:33)

The picture painted for us in scriptures is one of two brothers that stuck together like glue. Although there is much value and many lessons about brotherly love we can take from there togetherness, I would like to pull them apart for a just a little bit and look at James by himself.

Each of us being of a very different make up from our creation, we have our own uniqueness and contribution to offer Jesus. Let's see what James individual contribution was.

In Mark 3:17 Jesus gives both brothers the name Boanerges, meaning "Sons of Thunder". What a curious name to be given. What did it mean?

James being a passionate, fervent man, was zealous for the things of God. Sometimes zeal can go to the extreme, which was the nature of our disciple James. He was thunderous, a force of nature.

Maybe this became his nature because of the experiences he went through with Jesus. To see the one you are following transfigure in front of you must have been an incredible experience. In Matthew 17:2 it says Jesus' face shone like the sun and His clothes became as white as the light. Verse 3 says that Moses and Elijah (who had long been dead) appeared and were standing there talking to Jesus. How incredible would that be to see the glory of God exposed right before your very eyes? Then not only is Jesus a glowing light, as bright as the sun, but Moses and Elijah appear! WOW! That's got to make you just a little bit zealous for Jesus.

But that wasn't all our friend James saw. In Mark 14:33 we see his journey to the garden of Gethsemane with Jesus. As the hour of betrayal approached, Jesus takes James along with Peter and John with him into the garden. Jesus is troubled and deeply distressed. Here in his humanness, just like us at times, he is deeply troubled inside. He then says to them "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death." His soul, being fully God but yet fully man, was overwhelmed with sorrow. So much sorrow that it felt like death. Jesus then goes a little further, falls to the ground, weeping tears of blood he asks of the Father, “if possible let this cup be taken from him.”

What it must have been to see someone you loved go through such pain and betrayal. To be present in those last moments, then witness Him arrested and dragged away.

James, full of zeal was the first of the disciples to be martyred. Hated by Herod Agrippa for his fervent belief, the King hoped to squash the Christian movement with James' death. Instead the word of God grew and multiplied. According to Foxe's book of Martyr's, James' accuser was brought to repentance at the death of James. This man saw his extraordinary courage and undauntedness, and fell down at James feet to request his pardon, professing himself a Christian, and resolving that James should not receive the crown of martyrdom alone.

What courage and extraordinary character this elder brother had. If only we too could be so steadfast in faith. Steadfast in life and even unto death just as James was.

What must we learn from James? I believe we must first see his amazing transformation from a man willing to go off the deep end for no reason to a man full of zeal for Jesus Christ. We also must learn to have an undying belief in Jesus that will sustain through all things. It is in that kind of faith that we will not only live life well but also live death well, leaving a lasting legacy behind.

Called to Follow - Simon Peter

2009-09-09T15:29:00.003-05:00

Called to faith in Christ by his brother Andrew we see Simon also called Peter. Andrew who ran to his brother to share the good news, "I have found the Messiah." He tells Simon Peter.

How quickly Simon Peter grasps a hold of the news and believes. This fisherman from Galilee did not know that his destiny was to become the strongest disciple and leader of the early church of Jesus Christ. He only knew what he was being told by his brother.

Andrew brings his brother to Jesus for his first encounter with the one he will soon follow. Jesus looks at him and says "You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas."

What a curious encounter. To meet up with the one his brother emphatically claims to be the Messiah and be given a new name by Him. Not just any name but one meaning the "rock". What would this mean to him and his future? This impetuous, volatile, unpredictable young man with a temperament of varying from one extreme to another would be called "rock." Not plausible or even possible, he must of thought.

After returning home with Andrew and resuming there fishing career, along comes Jesus. We are not told how long in between these two encounters but we know they were convinced of Jesus' position. Because they dropped their nets and went with Him at His command to follow. After Jesus spoke the words Follow Me, we see in Matthew 4:20 that they immediately left their nets and followed Him.

I find it interesting that it speaks to the immediate response by the two brothers. There were no questions raised or remarks made, only obedience.

So how does an unpredictable young man respond to the life of a follower of Christ?

In Matthew 16:15-16 we see Peter answer who Jesus is "You are the Christ, Son of the Living God." And Jesus commends him in verse 18 "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it."

Seven verses later we see Peter take Jesus aside and rebuke him. Jesus, tells the disciples of his impending death and is told by Peter "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!"

Jesus turns to Peter and says “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."

This was often the dialog with Simon Peter, from one extreme of emotion to the other. Even up to the end, when Jesus is about to go to the cross. Peter emphatically proclaims his devotion to Christ and that he will never deny him in Mark 14:29. Only to turn around in verse 71 and not only deny him but to do it three times, then curse the very one he swore allegiance to.

Let’s not stop the story here though. If we did we would only see the tragedy in his denial. If we move forward past Jesus' resurrection we see a transformation that shows the incredible power of the Holy Spirit.

At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples, which included our friend Peter. This once impetuous, volatile young man became the incredible leader of the early church. He was known by the other disciples as the strongest of them and the leader. He was molded by the Spirit of God into a stable, dynamic man that led many to the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

In Acts 2:14-40 we see the new man emerge as he preaches the gospel to all who will listen. Here we see the Holy Spirit led Peter deliver the first bold sermon that would lead others to Christ.

So what can we learn from Peter?

We can learn many things from him, but the one that stands out the most to me is this. What ever our character, our identity, our behavior is before we meet Jesus Christ, it will certainly not be the same once the Holy Spirit does its transforming work in us. Nothing, and I mean nothing, is beyond the transforming power of Christ.

We may be in a bad place, but we need not stay there. There is a God. There is a powerful life changing God that wants to transform our lives. Not only does He want to transform our lives but also our character. He is in the business of renewing, restoring and transforming. He will not stop until the end comes and we descend to heaven.

In the end when the job is complete we will stand before the Father in heaven. I believe He will then say, "You look just like my son, you look like Jesus"

The transforming work will be complete.

A New Study Underway

2009-09-03T11:26:00.003-05:00

Good Morning everyone!!! Or maybe I should say good afternoon.... I guess it just depends on what time I post this or what time you may be reading it. So what ever time it is for you I hope it finds you good.

As you can probably tell, my postings have been random and sporadic at best. I have been writing as time allowed and inspiration struck.

Well..... Things are about to change. I have a brand new study I’ve been working on that will be posted here first. You will get the first glimpse of the work that God has set a burning fire in my heart about. God has set my heart to a high temperature for sharing a new view of what it means to follow after Jesus. The name of the study is "CALLED TO FOLLOW" and it will cost you nothing but your time to join in. I pray you will be overwhelm by the spirit and changed by it!

Please feel free to leave stories, comments and input as we go along. I would love, love, love to hear from you!

Here a taste of what’s to come:

I am the one crying in the wilderness: "Make straight the way of the Lord" John the Baptist spoke when asked who he was. "It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose."

John was speaking of Jesus, the one worthy of our worship, praise and dedication. He was crying out to all who would listen "THERE IS “GOOD NEWS”, THE MESSIAH, HE IS COMING."

The very next day, John is awed with the sight of Jesus coming toward him. He says "Behold! The lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" This was Him! The very man he had spoken of the day before. This was the one who was preferred before him because He was before him. This was the one John felt he was not worthy to even loose His sandal straps. Coming towards him was God made flesh and set on earth to change everything. There He was, He was coming, heading straight towards John. What excitement and joy must have filled his heart as he waited.

There with John the Baptist, was a young man, probably of teenage years. Andrew was his name, a strapping, physically strong, devout and faithful young man. It didn’t hurt that his name in Greek meant manly.

As Andrew heard Johns proclamation "Behold the Lamb of God!" and then heard Jesus speak, he followed after Him. Jesus seeing him follow turned and asked him what it was that he sought from him. "Rabbi, where are you staying?" Andrew replied. So Jesus took him to see where he was staying. Andrew remained with Him the rest of that day and soon after went to find his brother Simon also known as Peter. “We have found the Messiah” he told Simon, winning over his brother to the Lord with his testimony.

What must Andrew of thought about this man, Jesus. He called Him Rabbi, so he knew Him as a Teacher. But what else must have been in his mind? All his life, growing up in the area of Capernaum, an area despised by the polite Jewish society. Knowing only the trade of fishing and then to hear from John, the one discipling him, this IS the one we have waited for. This is the Chosen One, the Lamb of God. His heart believed. He knew what John spoke was true. We see this with his testimony to his brother. Not only did he believe, but he believed enough to tell his brother and bring him to belief also.

"I must know for myself...." I am sure he thought, as he followed Jesus to where He was staying.

But Jesus didn't call Andrew to follow Him at that time. For whatever reason, He waited. We see it in Matthew 4:18-19, Jesus walking long the Sea of Galilee, sees the two young men Simon Peter and Andrew casting a net into the Sea. Being fishermen by trade, they were doing there job as usual.

Jesus spoke only these few words to them "Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men."

How did they respond? Did they ask what the plan was or where they would be going? Did they need to put there affairs in order first? Did they need a job description, a daily agenda, a finance plan or a benefit package with 401K match?

The answer is NO. They needed nothing but the clothes on their backs and a belief that Jesus was the God He said He was. They needed only to trust the heart within them to know that Jesus would be all they would need. He was the Messiah, the coming King, the one they had waited for.

As we end today.... What is in your life that you need besides Jesus? We are called to "follow" like Andrew and Simon did. Will we lay down our nets and just go?

Check back on Monday of next week for the continuation of "CALLED TO FOLLOW" a study on discipleship... Jesus style

A Season of Uncertainty

2009-08-29T09:00:00.003-05:00

This summer has been a season of uncertainty for my husband and me. At the beginning of the summer my husband was laid off from his job.

The night he came home after being let go, he walked in about thirty minutes early. I caught a glimpse of him as he walked to the kitchen. I knew. Not by his demeanor or anything, I just knew. The thought went through my mind "he lost his job". It was as if the Holy Spirit was forewarning me, preparing me.

That following day, a Saturday, I knew the response I should have. I knew all the things we are taught about God. He will take care of us; He is our sustainer, deliverer and provider. I knew I needed to trust that what ever happened we would be ok. I knew all these things in my mind, but my heart was not at rest. I had no peace about it.

That Saturday was a day of prayer. I honestly shared my unbelief with God and asked for help to believe. I prayed as I cleaned, as I folded laundry, as I sat and as I stood. Later in the day as I walked on the treadmill God posed this question to me. "What if everything goes away, what if all the material wealth is gone, then what will you do?"

As I pondered that question there was only one response that I could give. So I said to my redeemer, my savior, my love "I will praise you, because it is not what you do for me that is the reason I walk with you. I do it because I love you" With that answer, my heart made a decision that set a peace across my soul.

The rest of the summer was unstable at best when it came to finances but each month our bills were paid. Last month we thought the season had past. My husband accepted a job that paid what we needed to take care of our expenses. All was on the way to stability in this area and God had provided what we needed, when we needed it.

Yesterday, that great company that my husband went to work for went under. For financial reasons, the company dissolved. Once again, we are solely dependent on God to carry us through, to provide.

Once again, I had to take my fearful, unbelieving heart to my loving, merciful savior and ask for help with my unbelief. I know that no matter what, he has His best in mind for us. We are His children and He loves us. He knows our needs and will supply them all.

So I will do all that I know how to do in this kind of situation....

I praise you Lord. You are God alone and I lift up your name in praise. Holy is the Lord God Almighty. I praise you Jesus. No matter what comes our way, no matter what happens, I praise you. You are all I need.

Overcoming Discouragement

2009-08-20T22:06:00.002-05:00

Have you ever been going along smoothly and then whoops....? A small thought seems to run a dialog through your head that just won't quit. Before you know it you’ve turned that thought around every which way in your mind. Now it’s snowballing. Its running 90 miles a minute down a slope picking up speed and snow as it goes. Before you know it, that small, single thought has instilled a great big feeling of discouragement that can linger and linger.

That seemed to be my mode of operation for the biggest part of my life. My thought life controlled my feelings which were up and down according to how far the barreling snowball went down the hill.

Discouragement is something that I have battled and still do. Yes, it's better than it has been in the past, but I still struggle with it.

Lately, God has shown me some things about my discouragement that I would like to pass on to you. I hope you get as much from it as I have.

Romans 12:2 - tells us "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

We are to be transformed, changed by renewing our mind. That means we take the old, bad stuff out and put the new Godly thoughts in. Often, we have built up thought patterns that are built on lies not God's truth. We do life out of the lie that we have accepted instead of the truth that God wants us to live out of.

Recently, I realized that no matter how hard I tried or how good I did, it was never good enough. I was working out of an ingrained thought pattern of "nothing is ever enough, so keep doing more, if you do more maybe it will eventually be enough" But it was never enough, never good enough. For other people and for God I did plenty. To me it was never enough. Because of this lie that I was living life out of, I would experience feelings of failure and discouragement.

The first thing that God showed me was that discouragement was not from Him. He would not be the one over my shoulder saying "see what you've done, you've failed". Instead His tender mercy is always there with kindness to pick me back up and urge me on.

Second, He gave me this verse to show his kindness and what His intent is when I fail my own standards and feelings of discouragement come over me.

Psalm 23:6 - Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

In Hebrew the word "follow" is radaph (raw-daf') and the meaning is quite different than what it seems. The Hebrew meaning is to run after or pursue. This gives this scripture a whole different meaning.

Goodness and mercy run after, they pursue me all the days of my life. When I fail, it is goodness and mercy that pursue me relentlessly not condemnation. I can rest in the assurance that it is mercy that God reaches out to me with. In Jesus there is no more condemnation.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

Here's the truth, God does not condemn us, Satan condemns us and we condemn ourselves. God lifts us up with His goodness and mercy. He sends His goodness and mercy to pursue us until we accept it. This, you can count on.

The Lost Get Found

2009-08-14T16:50:00.000-05:00

At Your Feet

2009-08-10T15:15:00.002-05:00

Today as I spent time exercising I was listening to praise music. A phrase from a song jumped out and attached itself right to my heart. It was this phrase "There is no better place in life then at your feet."

As I finished my workout I found myself right where this song stated at the fathers feet. And I have to say that its true there is no better place to be. Seems that the lower I bow the more I see His glory. And it is truly amazing.

There is nothing to change your day, your thoughts and your attitude like complete surrender to God and then to begin to praise. As I bow down and begin to lift Him up a release of the spirit comes over me and all else around me falls away. There is nothing like lifting up praise that can change the light of day, make darkness turn to light and fill the emptiness inside.

When the day seems dark and you can't find your way, bow down and praise.

When a gloom lingers over you that you just can't shake, lift up and praise.

When the trials of life don't seem to let up, praise, praise, praise.

It may not change your circumstance but it will change your heart in the midst of it.

In all things praise Him. At all times praise Him.

That’s why I say, "There is no better place in life than at my Fathers feet." I praise Him!

Climbing The Mountain

2009-08-06T16:22:00.004-05:00

This summer has been somewhat of a hiatus from writing for me. As it turns out, it has been a good thing for me. I have spent time reevaluating my daily routine and where it is that God has me going. Sometimes we just need to spend some time alone in our walk with God figuring things out.

As the bible says, there is a time for everything. For me, this has been the case; there is a time to write and a time not to write. This summer was a time for me to begin to find the things of God to live out and not just write about them. Don't worry, I will keep writing. It’s just living out of service to others that gives me something to write about. This summer has been a time for God to show me all about how to approach the challenges in life.

In all our lives, we each are set before us challenges or as I like to call them, mountains to climb. What I have found is that it is not the mountain that we trip over in our climb but the pebbles on the way up the path. When a mountain is set before us and we are told to climb to the top we often do several things.

First, we stand and look at the mountain. We see how big it is and how high we will need to climb. Thoughts of discouragement come into our head and we let them enter into our heart. Next thing you know, we've turned around and walked away from the mountain, never to even set one foot on the trail to go up.

That mountain looms over our shoulder now. Instead of a challenge to be overcome, it is a remembrance of disappointment and sadness always sitting in the back of our mind. A constant reminder of our inability to overcome.

Other times we look at the mountain, start up the trail only to stumble a short way up. Maybe we get up once or twice after we stumble, but eventually, we come to the conclusion that the mountain just can not be climbed. It is too high, too hard. Maybe others have the strength to climb this mountain but not us. "Those that make it up the mountain are special. They have something we don't have. ”we tell ourselves. In the end we stand defeated by the mountain, refusing to get up and try again.

Sometimes, we start up the mountain with ease, trip a few times, picking ourselves back up when we fall. Then when we are almost to the top, we begin to doubt. "What does this mean for my life? Can I really overcome?" We tell ourselves. Then instead of pressing on we sit on the side of the mountain for a while looking for the courage to really reach for the top.

Here is what I have found in my journey this summer. If you don't keep climbing the top will always be out of your reach. In other words, stop looking only at the top of the mountain. Look instead to God to walk with you along the path.

As I take my mountains to Him, He tells me this. "This too Sherri, this too. I can give you what you need to climb this one too."

What mountain are you climbing today? God can give you what you need to make it to the top. You only have to ask.

Finding the Father

2009-07-24T10:50:00.002-05:00

For many years my relationship with God focused mostly on Jesus and what He did for me on the cross. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that it’s a bad thing to focus on or love Jesus for what He did. I love Him dearly myself. What I am saying is I never really gave allot of thought or attention to knowing the Father.

I prayed to Him like most do, starting my prayers addressed to Him and ending them in Jesus name. What I did not do was get to know who He was or understand what He did for me.

You see, like many, I associated my own earthly father’s characteristics to my heavenly Father. In a society where a large majority of children either don't have a father present or have a father that is angry, to busy or disconnected, it really doesn't paint a good picture of who our heavenly Father is. Myself, I had a real father that walked away and left me feeling abandoned and a step father that abused me. Needless to say my view of my heavenly father was of one who was critical, cruel and unavailable. Makes sense that I would ignore that part and focus only on Jesus.

Here's the burn though, we can't truly know God fully without knowing the Father also. It is in the Father that Jesus put all His trust while on this earth. It was the Father's will that Jesus fully submitted to and went to the cross for us. It was the Father that willed it to happen and Jesus who followed through with the act. That act is what brought each of us freedom from condemnation. It was the Fathers will that we be provided a way to be with Him. How could that be a cruel or critical God?

The last several years for me have been an adventure of finding the Father. The Father, MY Father, wanted me to know Him personally, for who He really is. Jesus made a way for me to do that. Now I could approach Him, call Him Dad and see Him for who He really is.

What I have found is He is not critical or cruel but kind and full of mercy. He is not unavailable but ever watchful, waiting to pick me up each time I fall. He then kisses away the hurt and sets me back on my feet again.

Here is the best part, as I found my Father, I also found me. I found the me I was suppose to be. After all the hurt was washed away, there was me. The person I was intended to be from the beginning. I only had to trust my Father to make me that person. As I did, I realized, it was what He had intended all along. To make me into what He had intended me to be even before I was born.

I am my Father's child. Loved. Adored. He even calls me beautiful.

Is God Really Enough

2009-07-20T14:46:00.002-05:00

This thought has been rolling around in my head. Is God really enough?

Is He enough when you find the love of your life and loose them. Is He enough when your body is wracked with pain from the past? Is He enough when you’re told there will be no children in your future?

What about when your children leave the nest or when everything you have worked so hard to build slips away? Is God really enough when everything and I mean everything is gone?

In the bible, Job lost everything. He lost his material wealth, all his belongings, his children, his legacy and even his health. Here was a man that did no wrong. He loved God and believed with all that He had. But still, he lost everything. People came to him in his time of deep sorrow and saw no hope. His own wife even told him to "curse God and die." Some how even when all he held dear was gone he knew that God was all he really needed.

So often we seem to get so caught up in what is around us that we lose track of the real thing in our life. I know I myself have done this more often than I care to admit. We lose track of the truth that our relationship with Christ is really the only thing we need. All the rest is just blessing.

Today, I urge you to ask yourself this same question that I have been pondering. Is God really enough? If the answer is no, take it to God and ask him to change you. Ask Him to make your heart right and take you to the place that you know that He is enough.

Don't we all need the assurance to know that He is?

Vlogemotion 3

2009-07-16T19:44:00.003-05:00

Here I go again with this emotion thing......

Waiting

2009-07-13T11:14:00.002-05:00

Waiting. I am waiting. Waiting to meet the one I love so dearly, to be in His presence.

Longing. I am longing. Longing to look into His eyes of warmth and love. Longing to be in His arms and all the waiting to be over.

Don't get me wrong, I am not miserable here on this earth. I have plenty of joy to fill my days. I have love around me and those that bring a smile to my face. But my heart longs for the day that I can see the Lord and look into His eyes.

Often, I wonder just what it will be like when I meet Him. The more I think on it, the more my heart longs for that day. You see, I love Him so. I love Him so much and the deeper my love grows, the more I long to be united with Him.

He is so much more than my savior. He is my Lord, my love, my partner, my father, my beloved and my everything. I know that it is not my time to go and be with Him, for I have work to do here. So I continue to look up, and wait, until my work here is done.

But I can't help but day dream on what it will sound like to hear Him say my name. Or what it will feel like when His hand touches my face. And what my eyes will see when I finally look upon Him.

What will I say? What will I do? Probably nothing. As always, He has already done everything. It will be Him that does everything and gives me what I need the moment I get there.

I Am Enough Just the Way I Am

2009-07-10T18:05:00.002-05:00

Hello all my bloggy friends.

Sorry it has been so long since I have posted. My computer has been acting up lately, making it hard to connect to the internet. Hopefully all will be back to continous connection next week.

Recently, I have been spending time just trying to figure out where God wants me to go next. What to do? what to do? Then as I spent some time just listening in prayer instead of talking, low and behold, I began to get some answers. Amazing how we get answers when we are prepared to hear them.

Anyway, I realized that to "do" is not what God wants from me, but to "be" is what He requires. I am to be like Him, follow Him. I am so prone to do, do, do.

I began to ask God why. Why am I so driven to do more? Why do I believe that I must do more to become acceptable in His eyes? Why is who I am not enough?

I know, I know, I can not work my way to heaven. It is not by works but by grace that we are acceptable in Gods sight but why can't I live that? Why must I continue to try and be good enough? Why is it, that no matter what I do, I never feel it is enough?

The message plays continually through my mind. "Your not enough" "What you have done is not enough, do more"

After finally listening, instead of talking, the spirit showed me this.

The messages that play for me in my mind are old messages. They are messages long overdue for a makeover. They came from my childhood where nothing you did was ever enough. I believed that if I just did one more thing requested of me by my Mother, maybe she would finally give me what I needed so desperately. Maybe she would finally love me. So day after day, year after year, I did more, tried harder, strived to be better. Only in the end, it was never enough.

The belief in my mind was that nothing was ever enough and you would always have to work to be loved. But that is not true and the message playing in my head is nothing but a lie.

There in no more condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus. I am enough, I do not have to do more. His grace is suffiecient. It was enough to save me. It is enough to continue to keep His love. There is nothing that can seperate me from His love and I do not have to work for it.

It is mine when I am good and even when I am bad. It is mine when I achieve and even when I fail. It is mine not because I could ever be good enough or ever do enough. His love is mine because I am His child. Thats it, thats all. I am His and He is mine. I am enough because He makes me enough.

Computer Problems

2009-06-30T14:10:00.002-05:00

Just wanted to let everyone know that I have been out of a computer for the last week. My computer is in the process of repair right now.

I will be back writing and commenting again soon.

Bless you all!!!!!

Speak Lord Your Servant Hears

2009-06-23T12:19:00.003-05:00

Recently we were informed that our Pastor of the last ten years is leaving. Three years ago, the Lord began working on his heart to go to do as the scriptures call, "go and make disciples of all the nations." He has been called to missionary work overseas.

We, as the body of believers he leaves behind, must be gracious senders. We must graciously send him to those God is preparing to change through him. Although he will be greatly missed, we must not let our hearts falter because God is still at work in our midst. After all, it is not about us, but about the father. In all things, we must be just as Jesus was, about our fathers business.

Often "the church", the body of Christ, gets off track and thinks of what they want and not what God wants. Today as our Tuesday morning women’s group discussed session 10 of "Experiencing God", we came to a few conclusions I would like to share with you.

We as the body must always keep in mind who the head is.

The head is the one in charge, the one who directs the entire body. Jesus being the head of the church is the one that directs us as the body. He directs the body as a whole and also each church individually.

It is Jesus we should be seeking our direction from as a body of believers. It is His will that we should seek through prayer, the word, circumstance and other believers. Once we as a body know His will, we then should begin to join Him in His work.

As we embark on the transition of finding a new Pastor to lead our congregation, we must remember that Jesus is still in charge. How ever long it takes and how ever difficult it may become, we must stay focused on His will, not our own. If we look for His direction and then follow where He directs, it will keep us from falling prey to the enemies tactics.

At a time like this, where transition in leadership is taking place, is when Satan loves to do damage to the body of Christ. We as the people of Christ must be aware of his ploys and stay focused and directed by Jesus to ward off the attacks likely to come our way.

We as the body of believers must strive to stay unified.

We must stay focused on being directed by the head - Jesus Christ. Often churches can settle for majority rule in times of transitions because they don't want to wait for the head to unify the entire body. God is the one that builds His church. Each person is in the body and brought to the congregation by God. Jesus prayed for unity in the church (John 17) so the world would believe in him. We should have a similar burden for unity.

We as believers can build up or tear down. During this time of transition, we must be mindful of our responsibility to one another. It is our responsibility to urge each other to unity and not division.

We have a responsibility to help the church accomplish Gods purpose through it.
Each one of us has a responsibility to further the purpose of God. Our church body was established by God for the purpose of furthering the kingdom and bringing Him glory. This purpose can not be fulfilled unless we each take our responsibility to do our part to accomplish it.

You may wonder what that responsibility looks like. I believe it looks like this:

*Each of us must take responsibility for our own attitudes and actions.
We must come together with the attitude of Samuel in 1 Samuel 3:10. Eli told Samuel the go lie down and when the Lord called him to say "Speak Lord, your servant hears." So when the Lord called Samuel he said "Speak Lord, your servant hears."

Samuel didn't argue or resist the Lord. Instead, he came with a humble, compliant, open heart. He came with an open heart to hear what ever it was the Lord had to say.

We too must come to this transition that the Lord has set before us with a humble, compliant, open heart. Our heart and attitude must be one like Samuels, "speak Lord, your servant hears." It doesn't matter who the speaker is on Sunday morning, God speaks when His word is being proclaimed. If we come each Sunday with an open heart we will continue to hear from the Lord no matter who is at the pulpit.

*Each of us also has a responsibility to be our brother’s keeper.

During this time, if we see a brother going in the wrong direction or bringing disharmony to the body, we have the responsibility to reach out in love. We must be advocates for the body and its unity.

If we see others that are unhappy or tearing down instead of building up, we must gently remind them the purpose of the church. It is for Gods glory, we come together. It is His church, in which He graciously allows us to serve.

Stuck In my Sin

2009-06-19T08:28:00.003-05:00

I must confess to you, I am struggling and my writing has suffered. Each step we take to the next place with God takes courage and faith. There are times when God wants to take us to the next thing, he wants a part of us to die off so He can become stronger in us. I am at one of those times.

I know that I must go to the next level, or my walk will suffer. I know that He wants to change this part of me but I am struggling with it.

I have always struggled with having the will power to stay away from things I really wanted. Even if it was bad for me and I knew it, I still was powerless to overcome my thoughts.

I have come a long way in this struggle to gain self control in my life, God has taken many bad behaviors and addictions out of my life. The last one is my issue with weight. Four years ago when I stopped smoking, I instantly began to gain weight. I now need to loss over 50 pounds and live a more healthy life. I know I must learn to live better but I like bad foods.

The truth is, I haven't really wanted to give up my way of living and eating. I know God is requiring it but I still love my sin.

Lord,

Please give me the heart that wants to change. Give me a heart that hates my sin.

Amen

Quilt of Holes

2009-06-18T11:53:00.003-05:00

I received this story in an email today. It touched my heart and I thought it might touch yours.

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.

Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life..

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been.

My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise. My gaze dropped to the ground in shame.

I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was. I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air.

I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes. Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ.

Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes.. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.'

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!

2009-06-11T16:34:00.003-05:00

Another Thursday Vlogemotion! Welcome everyone! Today, meet my youngest son, Brett. He is eight years old and full of fun.

Revival for America

2009-06-10T11:58:00.003-05:00

God is calling. It seems to be falling on deaf ears here in America. We have gotten so comfortable, that even some that serve Christ are ignoring His call.

I have heard much in the last year about America needing revival. Some say it is the only thing that will save our nation from falling into punishment.

We have less of a heart for Israel than ever before in history. Some predict with the current administration in the white house, we will no longer go to the defense of Israel like in past years. This is a scary commentary. Historically those nations that defended Israel were blessed by God and those that harmed her were cursed by God. So far we have been blessed as a nation because of our allegiance to Israel.

Because of our continuation of refusal to follow God's commands, we have begun to see the hand of blessing disappear. Will it disappear completely?

So we that know God want revival for our nation, right? Well, repentance must come before revival. What will it take for us to come to real repentance?

Joel 2:12-17 "Now therefore," says the Lord, turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning." So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness: and He relents from doing harm. Who knows if He will turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind Him-- A grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord your God?
Blow the trumpet in Zion, consecrate a fast, call a sacred assembly; gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children and nursing babies; Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, and the bride from her dressing room. Let the priests, who minister to the Lord, weep between the porch and the alter; let them say, "Spare Your people, O Lord, and do not give Your heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, Where is their God?"

If we really want revival, it starts with a repentant heart and a repentant people. The Lord says "Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping and with mourning." Can we truly say we have turned to Him with this kind of heart?

We must turn to Him with broken and repentant hearts, willing to put our own lives and agendas aside if we truly want revival for America. We must fast and call out for His spirit to fall on a nation that has turned away. Otherwise, we will see the other nations say "Where is their God?" as they mock us.

Life can Change in an Instant

2009-06-05T08:26:00.002-05:00

Life can change in an instant. One moment your smiling and laughing, bad news comes and suddenly everything has changed.

I remember a moment for me that happened several years ago. My husband and I were driving through the carwash, getting ready to leave town for a weekend of fun at the lake, when my cell phone rang. It was a police sergeant asking that I come to my mother’s house.

This was the day I found out my brother had committed suicide. My life as I knew it changed that day. Relating to my family changed and holidays would never be the same again. A day wouldn’t go by from that day on that I wouldn’t think of him.

You never know what is around the corner or what tomorrow will bring. Sometimes it’s a trial that leads to heartache, other times it’s a joy that makes your heart sore.

In the same week, last week, we were told that we had another grandchild on the way and that our Pastor of ten years is leaving. Joy filled my heart for the change and addition to the family while sadness overcame me to lose someone so important.

God is at work and sending our Pastor to the mission field to do mighty things. Here on the home front it will change, but is that all bad? I would say, not necessarily. Although change can be difficult to go through and sometimes even heartbreaking, if it’s creating in us the character of Christ we are better off in the long run.

I have seen sadness that brought me to my knees and I've also seen joy that made me sore to heights unknown. What I have learned is to hold all that I have loosely and find my happiness in what is to come.

In a world where everything can change and nothing is for certain, there is still one thing that never changes. Our God never changes and his promise of a future is assured. It is the one thing we can rest our hat on and know that will stand the test of time.

So, I say we put our trust where it belongs, in the one true God and look with hearts of hope to the day that is promised. I say we look forward to each day saying "Come Lord Jesus, Come!"

Vlogemotion Thursday

2009-06-04T13:29:00.005-05:00

Another installment of Thursday emotions.... Post your own video. I would love to see it!

What'll it be, Face Lift or Faith Lift?

2009-06-01T10:28:00.005-05:00

Lift it up and pull it back..... A tuck here, nip there.....

There’s a craze that has invaded our society these days, it’s stay younger and defy gravity. In the pursuit of looking younger and more alluring we are making a new breed of doctors extremely wealth. The doctor I am referring to is the plastic surgeon.

Seems these days every woman has at least thought about the possibility of changing something about themselves with plastic surgery. I admit, I’ve thought about it. With a culture so focused on body image and looks, it’s hard not to buy into the quick and easy mentality.

We are hit with the concept, "have it our way fast and without any work", at every turn. The old saying "anything worth having doesn't come easy" has long been forgotten. We want happiness, but without any effort of our own. We want our cake and eat it too. If you put it on a stick so we can have it to go, its even better.

Maybe what we need instead of a quick fix or "lift" on our face is a change inside. What we really need is a faith lift.

Allot of churches in American have lost their faith. Not that some don't still believe and preach the gospel correctly. But where is the big God of the bible these days? You know, the God that does God-sized things?

Budgets are made, giving is recorded, but where is the step out into the unknown? Historically, when God wanted to do something to show himself, it required big faith of His people.

Moses stepped out in big faith and faced the Pharaoh of Egypt. Abraham followed God without knowing where he was going. Noah built an ark while everyone laughed and mocked. The disciples performed miracles that made many believe.

When people see God at work, they then believe. Where is God at work in our midst? Where are the God-sized events that show His greatness? Have we lost so much of our faith that we have reduced Him to a small insignificant God? Do we even care anymore? Having it our way is much more pleasing to our flesh, so why should we care?

If America is to survive and thrive as a "Christian nation" faith is essential. A faith lift is necessary if we are going to do things God's way and it starts with us.

Our nation was built on the belief in a God that is big enough to create a universe.
Faith and obedience in God’s ways is not always easy. If we are be what God asks us to be we must step out in faith when God urges us to do so. We must step out to do the impossible, believing God will accomplish His purposes.

Faith requires action. Our actions show our faith. When God calls do we obey? Do we step out and take the risk of looking like a fool? Do we sacrifice our comfort? Do we love Him enough to do that?

Vlogemotion

2009-05-28T14:55:00.003-05:00

My wonderful husband bought me a new camera for my birthday, so I thought I would join in the video fun. Tim over at Fort Thompson started this VLOG carnival where you post a video every Thursday of your emotion that week. So here is my emotion for the week.... Pop on over and check out Tim's blog. But first check out my video!

Unending Mercy

2009-05-26T15:43:00.002-05:00

As I studied the book of Hosea recently, I was strongly impressed by how great the mercy of God is. The story gives us a picture of a forgiving husband. One that loved his unfaithful bride enough to not just stay with her but go after her when she left her home behind for another lover.

Hosea 2:5, 8 their mother has been unfaithful and has conceived them in disgrace. She said, "I will go after my lovers, who give me my food and my water, my wool and my linen, my oil and my drink"... She has not acknowledged that I was the one who gave her the grain, the new wine and oil, who lavished on her the silver and gold - which they used for Baal.

Gomer was unfaithful, not only to her husband, but to her children. She thought not of those who loved her and the harm she would cause them, but of herself instead. She went after her lovers, thinking they could provide her with the luxury and pleasure she desired. She was selfish, looking for only her desires to be fulfilled.

But what happened to Gomer, is what often happens to us when we chase after pleasure. The more she chased after pleasure and material wealth, the more illusive it becomes. A man who desires a temptress like Gomer will soon tire of her and throw her aside. Each time she chases after another lover, the level of riches decreases until instead of driving a Mercedes and wearing mink, she’s on foot and pulling things out of the trash heap.

God, just like Hosea is a faithful husband and we just like Gomer are an unfaithful, adulteress bride. How often we chase things we shouldn't and end up like Gomer looking to other things to make us happy. How often we look to the things around us for pleasure only to be left unfulfilled and empty inside.

What amazes me is that God never seems to run out of mercy. Unlike Gomer who only needed to be brought home once, I have strayed many times. In my times when I wonder off in the wrong direction, God finds me and brings me back. He watches and waits for me to tire of my wandering. He waits for me to turn back and look his way. Then he picks me up and carries me back home again.

His mercy is unending and I am grateful.

Charice - A Note to God

2009-05-23T09:40:00.001-05:00

This young girl is incredible. You can buy her new single on itunes.

Losing The Next Generation

2009-05-21T13:00:00.000-05:00

As a Christians, I believe its time we opened our eyes. While in some parts of the world the gospel is spreading, here in the USA the gospel is shrinking. The moral fabric of our nation has torn and is becoming a thing of the past.

The statement, one nation under God, now mocks God instead of standing true. Those of us that truly stand for and believe in this statement are becoming the minority not the majority.

What really brings a tear to my eye though is the hope of our children. At a larger rate then ever, our children raised in the church are leaving the church and not returning. We have failed to pass our faith to our children.

Not that we didn’t try. We raised them in church. They went to vacation bible school as children. They went on to youth group as young adults. But when they went on to college and into the world their belief didn’t seem to stick.

Statistics show that between 70 to 88 percent of Christian teens leave the church by the second year of college. 80 percent of youth that claim to be born again do not believe in absolute truth.

What has gone wrong for the youth that hold the future of our nation? Why have they not made God their own?

There is so much to combat for a child in the world today. If they are to make the faith of their parents their own, they must know God themselves in a very real way. They must be taught why they believe what they believe. Every person must find the foundation in the truth by questioning the faith and having God confirm it for them.

There are so many things that must happen for our children to find God for themselves. First we can’t protect them from everything, they must learn that suffering is ok and will build the character of God in them. They must learn that in hard times God will be their protectors, the one who is their safe hiding place.

Secondly, we have to take the legalism out of the church and teach our children to believe in God in His way. There are no set of rules, no task list to check off to get it all right. Too often we put the rules in place and as long as our children follow them, we assume they are ok spiritually.

We have taken the power out of God. If you are honest with yourself you will admit that often we want to execute our own plan more than we want to follow God’s plan. God’s way is often risky and unpopular.

When Noah was told to build the ark, no one believed there would be rain. I am sure everyone thought he was nuts, even ridiculed him, until the rain began. But the miraculous happened and rain came from the sky.

In my lifetime, when I have been used the most by God, it was when I put myself out there. When I have obeyed even when I thought the idea God had given me was nuts, those are the times that God has done powerful and amazing things.

If we are to change the destiny of our children, we must show them there is power behind what we believe. We must begin first with our own lives and act like we believe it ourselves.

Snippets of Time

2009-05-18T12:04:00.008-05:00

Snippets of time. That’s all we really have here on this earth.

This weekend, I watched a video taken by my Uncle back in 1986. The content was an interviewed with my Grandparents about there family and how they had grown up. Seeing them again took me right back to that time. It seems such a short time ago. Now that they are gone, how I wish I could go back and spend more time with them.

It made me think on what a short time we have here on this earth. We are here and then one day, we are gone. No one can know when that time will be when we will leave this earth.

As I thought about this, I wondered, with time so short, why do we waste so much time? Life is about the moments with other people. It’s about the love we build and give to God and others. Life is about relationships, our relationship with God and our relationships with others.

So why do we spend so little time valuing those around us and so much time on what we think must be done.

I am so guilty of this. "Mom, will you play a game with me?" My son asks. "Not right now, I have to do the dishes" I say to him. Not right now, seems to be a phrase I use often, when it comes to answering my son.

As I began to think of the time I spend, I see that I have forgotten how to enjoy things. I am so focused on the responsibilities of life that enjoying the little things are hard for me. Simply enjoying the relationships in my life is what I need to do. Why is that so hard?

Lord,

Help me let go and enjoy those that you have put in my life. Let me give to them and put the tasks aside for a while. Help me live in the moments of happiness and love that you give me with those around me. Help me seek to be in relationships in spite of how messy they can become. I want to enjoy the snippets of time you have given me here on the earth.

Amen