New Years Resolutions

 

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:5-8

The reason why we make New Year’s resolutions is so that we take a little time to look at ourselves and see what it is that God would have us to do better. I know, we all think that we are good, and for the most part we probably are, but there is always room for improvement and with God, it is possible.

So, let us not deflect the nudging of the Holy Spirit when it comes to making our resolutions for the New Year, and know that our willingness to change opens the door for God to work through us and for us to work better for God.

Have a changed and happy New Year.

Stir Up One Another

 

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works…

Hebrews 10:24

How do we get out of a slump? You know what I mean. It’s cold outside. We want to stay home and read or watch television or surf the net.

The best way to get stirred up is to go somewhere where there are people. We don’t have to spend money; we can go to the park for a walk or the library or maybe, if we are bold, try a new group or a new hobby.

You could join a Bible study and see what others are thinking and saying about the Word of God, and in the process enjoy some Christian fellowship.

The point is that God made us to be social creatures and when we socialize with others we are inspired and gravitate to projects we can do together.

So, put on your coat and your boots and go somewhere and stir and be stirred.

Something New

 

Do not call to mind former things,

Or ponder things of the past.

Behold I will do something new,

Now it will spring forth;

Will you not be aware of it?

I will make a roadway in the wilderness,

Rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:18-19

It is the end of the year and some people like to ponder the past year and reflect on what happened.

A rear view mirror is just that a rear view. Instead of pondering the past, let us greet the New Year with anticipation and open minds and hearts and willing hands to serve God.

Behold God wills do something new.

Testing Your Faith

 

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:2-4

After we experience many trials we learn to recognize what trials we need to work on fixing, and what trials are just trials which we must go through and come out on the other side. Let’s face it, there are somethings which we cannot do anything about and worrying and concocting possible solutions will do nothing to change the outcome.

In all trials we can turn to God and ask for direction and the strength to do that which He would have us to do. If the answer is “nothing” then we need to have faith that God has it under control and stop worrying about it.

So, give those pesky trials over to God and have faith that God’s plans are far superior to anything we can concoct on our own.

I am praying for you, and if you will, pray for me.

Amen.

Fear Not

 

The Lord is my light and my salvation;

Whom shall I fear?

Psalm 28:1

God is with us no matter what happens. In good times and in bad times, He is always there with us.

Be brave.  Face the unknown without fear.  God is on your side. 

And, be grateful.

High Voltage

 

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven or on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, and that you, being rooted and grounded in love may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all fullness of God.

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to His be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generation forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:14-21

If you aren’t charged up for God, after reading this prayer, you should be.

God welcomes our prayers, in whatever words we chose to use. However, He also provides us prayers we can pray. This prayer is powerful in that it opens us up to receive from God the knowledge of His great love for us.

God’s love is high voltage and it is in us.

Merry Christmas

 

Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the City of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.

While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn Son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the City of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you, you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest. And on earth peace among men, with whom He is pleased.”

When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”

So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about the Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

Luke 2:1-20

Christmas Eve

 

I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait,

And in His word do I hope.

Psalm 130:5

We wait with anticipation the birth of the Savior of the world, Jesus.

Immanuel

 

Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14

It seems silly that God would choose to reveal Himself to the world as a baby. He sent men, like Isaiah to tell the world about Himself, but people did not listen. Then, at the right time He sent a tiny baby called Immanuel, which means “God with us,” to prove that He intended to claim us as His own.

When we ask Jesus to be our Lord, Master and Savior, our sins are forgiven and God claims us as His own.

Joseph, What A Man

 

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. But when he had considered this, behold an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus for He will save His people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:18-21.

What is so remarkably human about Jesus’ birth is that his earthly foster father, Joseph, was a good but practical man. He did not want to embarrass Mary, but he also did not want to embarrass himself. He made a sensible plan, but it was not God’s plan. Joseph upon hearing God’s plan, yielded his will to God’s will.

So, it was that Jesus was not put away quietly, but came to earth with great fanfare as it should have been for the Savior of the world.

And, this we still celebrate. 

Upside Down

 

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;

And the government will rest on His shoulders;

And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Christmas is all about the coming of Jesus our Lord, Master and Savior.

So, take time to talk about Jesus being the most unexpected Savior of the world. Who would have thought a baby born in a stable 2000 years ago would turn the world upside down? 

We can celebrate the joy of knowing Jesus and His transforming power for us and the world.

Celebrate God's Love

 

The voice of one crying in the wilderness,

Make ready the way of the Lord,

Make His paths straight.

Mark 1:3

As we prepare for Christmas, we are making way for the coming of the baby Jesus.  It is a time of celebration and of family and friends gathering to share in the love that God has for us in that He sent His Son to redeem us and claim us as His own.  

Make merry and celebrate God's love for you. 

Seekers

 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

He was in the beginning with God.

All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.

In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.

The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John 1:1-5

Christmas is one big, free spending celebration in the United States. Almost everybody celebrates it; even people do not know what they are celebrating. For many people Christmas has no religious significance. It is all gifts and parties.  We could say, "The lights are on, but nobody is home."  

But what if all this celebrating is a good thing?  

In the midst of all this revelry, there are seekers, who like the Wise Men, are looking for God. 

The celebration of Christmas brings the Gospel to everyone's front door.  A glimpse of the baby in the manger reminds us that the reason we are celebrating is that God loves us so much that He sent His only Son to us to teach us and to ultimately redeem us from our sins.   

We are the hands of Jesus on earth, and it is our job to help the seekers understand who He is: Our Lord Master and Savior.  

Visitors

I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

John 10:11

At Christmas and Easter churches are filled with people who only come to church for those two occasions and sometimes the regular attenders get a little bent out of shape because they may crowd them out of their regular seats.

And, rather than warmly greet the visitors, Pastors sometimes make snide remarks about being glad to see all the visitors and that he will see them again at Easter.

All these Christmas and Easter people are a good thing. It is a great opportunity for them to hear the Gospel and for us to extend the hand of Christian fellowship to them.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd and He gave up His life for us. The least we can do is willingly give up our seats for His sheep.

So, get ready to celebrate Christmas with everyone who comes to worship the new born King.

 

Put The Merry In Christmas

 

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it until it gets the early and late rains.

James 5:7

I know this verse has to do with the second coming of Christ, but it can also be applied to us as Christmas approaches because we are sometimes so anxious in our preparation that we forget what we are preparing for and the merry is missing.

Perhaps, we could do a little less preparing a little more celebrating. We could visit a live Nativity scene or go for cookies and caroling or go to a Children’s Christmas pageant. Doing something different can help us focus on what Christmas is about: the arrival of the baby Jesus – our Lord, Master and Savior.

And, help put the merry in Christmas.

Count To Ten

A man’s discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression.

Proverbs 19:11

God loves us and treats us with love. If we are to do this to others, then we need to get the beast of anger under control. Grandma’s idea that we should count to ten before we say anything in anger is a good one. For some of us, counting to twenty or thirty is better yet.

And, as this scripture says, sometimes the best course of action is no action. When we ignore small things that irritate us, we open up the door to minister to those who bug us. Not everyone may be receptive to the Gospel, but everyone is receptive to a break. Just the fact that we do not snap at a person who offends us is a testimony of God’s love.

 

All Those Parties

 

He who receives you receives Me, and He who receives Me receives Him who sent me.

Matthew 10:40

Jesus makes it clear that God goes with us when we set out to preach the Gospel and it encompasses all manner of sharing the love of Jesus and the message of salvation with everyone.

It is Christmas season and we may be invited to parties.  We should not shy away from accepting invitations from those who are not Christians and even those who openly proclaim their unbelief, because we can’t bring them to Jesus if we don’t talk to them. And, if the invitation appears to be for an event which we find objectionable, we can counter with, “Well, I can’t make it, but how about if we have coffee on Tuesday? I’ll buy.”

When we are welcomed by unbelievers, we have an opportunity to share the love of God.

Possible With God

 

But He said, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.”

Luke 18:27

For centuries people have tried to explain away the miracle of Jesus’s birth and His ministry. The problem is how do you explain the unexplainable? No matter how deeply they delve into history or how much money is spent, in the end they are left with a choice of one of two things: Either Jesus was a great con man or He was who He said He was, The Son of God.

While we may get frustrated with all the questioning, we need to understand that the questioning has nothing to do with us. Our faith is based upon the truth that God cannot lie and that if God says Jesus is His Son, then Jesus is His Son.

The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.

Yielding the Celebration

 

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:1-3

Sometimes, along with all the holiday parties and celebrating comes bickering among families regarding who will celebrate where and when. And, sadly, this often involves children.

Let us step back and take a look at what we can do to make all this better for our families. Rather than quibble about the celebration, let us declare our decision to forgo fighting for Christmas on Christmas Day and yield to the other side and have our party on another day so that the children get two or three or four celebrations filled with the love and joy that Christmas is all about.

Just so you know, we have done this for years - celebrated with the our children and grandchild on a day other than Christmas.  There is no better feeling than knowing the blessings of family gathering together. 

And, by doing this, we all will have a Merry Christmas.

Get The Job Done

 

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:58

Yes, it is true that we sometimes get tired doing the work of the Lord.  We get discouraged when we don't see the results we want to see, or if we are criticized by people as being foolish.  But that does not detract from the fact we are working for the Lord and following what He has directed us to do.  

Remember we are not working for the approval of people, but to accomplish that which God has called us to do.

So, when only two people show up for your Bible study group, keep teaching and when the church bus won't start, call some people to go pick up people.  

Don't give up.  Give in to God.  Get the job done.

Ask For Prayer

 

Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me….

Romans 15:30

What do you do when something awful happens in your life? What do you do if it is embarrassing? What if it makes you feel ashamed of yourself and your family?

I will tell you what I did when this happened – I hid out. I did not show my face anywhere including at church. I was so worried about what people would say or think that I shortchanged my friends at church by assuming that they would accuse me or gossip about me or snub me, that I walked away from the very people who wanted to comfort me.

I denied myself the blessing of feeling loved and cared for and I denied my friends the opportunity to bless me and my family with their prayers. 

I was wrong. I left myself wallowing in self pity and shame.

We cannot control everything that happens in life, but we can trust God to send people to help us through the hard times. We just need to be open to receive the prayers and love that God will send our way.

God is there for us and God’s servants are there to minister to us. Be bold ask and receive prayers and comfort.

Truth Is Your Friend

 

… And you will know the truth and the truth will make you free….

John 8:31

The bad part about lies is that they are ever changing and evolving because we cannot remember the exact story we tell. When we live a lie, we spend way too much time trying to keep our story consistent. The hype and the spin and the conjecturing are exhausting for us and for those who hear us and try to make sense of our senseless explanation.

The truth, once said is the truth and nothing can change it. The truth brings light and understanding and freedom. When we speak the truth we take control. As much as gossiping lips may try, they cannot alter the truth.

So, what can we do when we are confronted by people who perhaps know things about us which we would rather not have known? We can do one of two things: We can tell the true story, own it and move on, or we can say nothing and let the past be the past. It is up to us. Either way, we choose not to lie.

Truth is your friend. Embrace it.

Wandering Donkey

 

If you meet your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering away, you shall surely return it to him.

Exodus 23:4

God gave the Israelites rules dealing with good human relations. With God it is always about doing what is right, not what is convenient.

I think the proof of our commitment to God is not how we treat those who we love, but how we treat those who we don’t like. It is easy to be kind to those who are kind to us, but it is hard to do so to our enemies.

So, when the grouch down the street, who called the police because your kids were making too much noise, asks you for a ride, go pick him up. 

No Brinks Truck

 

Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich,

When the glory of his house is increased;

For when he dies he will carry nothing away;

His glory will not descend after him.

Psalm 49:16-17

I did not know the Bible said that. It is so true. When we leave this life for the other side, there will be no Brink’s truck following us to the cemetery.

Our best hedge is to be sure we have liberally distributed our wealth, no matter how great or how meager, where we want it to go.

Christmas is a giving time. What better time, to give a little away? Buy a toy for a needy child or give a few dollars to the Salvation Army or bake a pie for a free dinner.

Your gift will be gratefully received and your heart will sing.

So What!

 

Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or peril, or sword? But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:35, 37-39.

If there is a Bible verse which gives us the courage to say “so what” when things go wrong, this is it. Great or small, there is nothing in life that can remove us from the love of God. The Bible is full of stories of people who made mistakes, who God loved and redeemed. From Moses who argued with God that he could not lead the people of Israel to the promised land (Exodus 3-4) to the Apostle Paul who held the coats of the men who stoned Stephen (Acts 8:54-60), God has revealed His unchanging and compromising love. His desire is for us to declare Jesus to be Lord, Master and Savior of our lives, and to bask in His unconditional love.

Hallelujah!

Chosen and Appointed

 

Jesus said, “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. This I command you, that you love one another.”

John 15:16-17

We are chosen, not because we are perfect but because God loves us. We are to go and do the will of God. What is the will of God? It is that we love one another. Once we embrace this truth, serving others becomes second nature and we freely offer prayer for the sick and the needy and for those who rejoice. We become willing to step out in faith and extend help to those around us.

We are chosen and we will bear the fruit of God’s love spread to those around us.

Everyone Is Welcome

 

Opening his mouth Peter said, “I most certainly understand that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.”

Acts 10:34-35.

The disciples of Jesus were all Jews, and had been taught that they alone were the people of God. They believed that by obeying the laws of the Old Testament they were working their way to heaven. Jesus taught the disciples that the old rules no long applied, because everyone was under a new covenant; the covenant of grace.

Today, there is civil and religious unrest around the world. We need not to label those embroiled in conflicts as enemies of the faith, but rather to pray that they will come to a place where they recognize Jesus as their Savior. Peace comes when the hearts of men are changed, both ours and theirs. 

God does not ration His grace.

Get Holy, Get A Better Life

 

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix all your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be Holy, for I am Holy.”

1 Peter 1:14-1

People sometimes say they don’t want to be Christians because they will have to give up too much – meaning give up their sinful lifestyles which they know are sinful, even if those lifestyles cause pain to them.  What they don’t realize is that there is so much to gain from becoming a Christian, that the old lifestyle is not missed. Once we make up our minds to change, the rest comes easy.

It is easier to be holy than to be sinful.

Jesus Came For Everyone

 

For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.”

Romans 1:16-17

The early Christians had a magnificent revelation from God that salvation through Jesus was for everyone. Jesus, the Messiah, did not come as a political leader as the Jews expected, but as a spiritual leader who broke the barrier of sin which separated man from God.

The power of the Gospel is that through Jesus, God extends His forgiveness and love to everyone. No one is too good or too bad. We are all candidates for forgiveness.

All we have to do is ask Jesus to come into our lives, forgive us and to declare Jesus to be our Lord, Master and Savior and we are forgiven.

When we have faith, God does the rest.

Not Exactly What We Plan

 

When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him. After three days Paul called together those who were the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, “Brethren, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.”

Acts 28:16-17

The Apostle Paul traveled all over the Mediterranean area preaching the gospel, but what he really wanted was to go to Rome. He did get to go to Rome, but not as he had planned – he went as a prisoner, arrested for preaching the gospel. It was not smooth sailing; the journey included a shipwreck. Paul got his wish. He preached as a prisoner. He was released when his jailers could find no grounds to hold him, and he preached to large crowds in Rome.

Sometimes God’s plan for our success is not exactly what we plan. We need not lose heart, but to be confident that the best plan is God’s plan.

Happy, Happy

 

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 17:22

For some unknown reason, happy people are out of style. I first observed this several years ago when I worked at a small business populated by sad people. I do not know why they were sad. They had good paying jobs in nice offices, nice families, boats, houses and leisure time to enjoy all their stuff. Yet, everyday they arrived at work looking like their world had collapsed.

I tend to lean the other way. I am generally happy and when things are really awful, I get funny. I say things which make people laugh. So, even if things are crappy, all this joy tumbles out. I do not know why. All I can think is that my faith in God, keeps the blues away. He has said, “… I will not leave you or forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

How can we be anything but confident and happy, knowing that?

The Calling Of God

 

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

Romans 11:29

We all know someone who has fell away from God. There are famous people and there are ordinary people who for some earthly reason, walk away from God. And, we may be the one of them.

But God does not let us just walk away, He stands, ready and waiting for us because He has called us and He has plans for us, and although we may think our ministry is over, with God nothing is ever over. Those who God calls are His and He will not relinquish them.

If you are standing at a distance from God, come back to Him. He is waiting. His gifts and call for you are irrevocable. God has work for you to do.

God Holds Things Together

 

For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions, or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Colossians 1: 16-17

Man in his finite wisdom tosses around all sorts of theories about the creation of earth, mankind and the universe. Some scientist would have us believe that theories are truth. The truth is theories are theories and although man has searched and searched, there is not concrete proof of any one theory of creation.

What I see is that things seem to work pretty good together. I don’t think gravity just happened, neither do I think that we just happened. I think that God planned it all. I don’t know whether or not it was literally a seven day project. What I do know is what the Bible says: “all things have been created through Him.”

No matter how hard man tries to mess things up, in the end, God will hold things together.

Walk Away

 

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape.

1 Corinthians 10:13

Temptation comes all dressed up and looking good.  It may come from our own family and friends.  It may be something as innocent looking as spending money to go out with friends, when we know we have a car payment due and rationalizing it can be late and will be OK.

Or, it may mean we do things which hurt those who love and care about us.  

In the end yielding to temptation can put a world of hurt on us and others.   

God promises us that there is no temptation so great that we cannot resist it.  The power to walk away is a super power God has endowed us with, and we can use it.   

God is faithful and will provide a way of escape. 

Happy Thanksgiving

Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.

Serve the Lord with gladness;

Come before Him with joyful singing.

Know that the Lord Himself is God;

It is He who has made us and not we ourselves;

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving

And His courts with praise.

Give thanks to Him, bless His name.

For the Lord is good;

His lovingkindness is everlasting

And His faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 100

 

Neighbors: We All Have Them And We Are Them

 

Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

Romans 13:8

Some of the simplest commandments from Jesus prove to be the toughest. All of us are neighbors and all of us have neighbors and all of us can be downright unlovable at times. You know what I mean. This scripture urges us to look beyond petty and not so petty annoyances and to look to God’s unconditional love for us so that we can love our neighbors.

Now go say something nice to your neighbor who just blew leaves all over your yard.

God Holds Us Blameless

 

And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach— if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.

Colossians 1:21-23

This puts the kibosh on thinking we are not good enough to serve God.  No one is perfect and everyone has done wrong things.  Yet, in spite of this, God loves us and sent His Son, Jesus to reconcile us to Him.  God holds us blameless.  

We are freed from our pasts, and are party to the promises of God and are to continue steadfast in the hope of the gospel. 

A Honeycomb For The Soul

Pleasant words are a honeycomb,

Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Proverbs 16:24

There is nothing better we can do for people when they are going through hard times than to offer kind words to them.  Kind words cost us nothing and comfort those who are suffering.

So, go a head and say something kind.   

 

Give And Get Blessed

 

In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord, Jesus, that He Himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Acts 20:35

We are all born selfish. We come into this world wanting what we want and wanting it now. It is a giant spiritual step to give to others. And, it is a step which changes our hearts.

Some people make it to adulthood without ever taking the step of generosity. The good news is that it is never too late to be generous. The act of giving to others helps others and it gives us joy.

When we give, we get blessed.

Inconvenient, But Worth It

 

When He had come back to Capernaum several days afterward, it was heard that He was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them.

And they came bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four men. Being unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him, and when they had dug an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying.

And, Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

… “I say to you, get up pick up your pallet and go home.”

And he got up and immediately picked up the pallet and went out in the sight of everyone, so that they were all amazed and were glorifying God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this.

Mark 2:1-5, 12-13

We all some times have things which hinder us from going to church.

Then we read this account of the lengths that people would go to in order to be in the presence of Jesus. For most of us the only inconvenience we experience when we get to church is having to park far from the building. Yet, these people had to find a way into the building and they went so far as to take the roof off and lower their friend down so that he could be touched by Jesus and healed. Jesus did not disappoint the paralytic, He healed him.

When we find it difficult to get to church, we can look forward to getting there because we know Jesus will make it worth our while.

Abound In Hope

 

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

Hope, joy and peace: seek God, find these.

A New Spirit

And I will give them one heart and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them. They will be My people, and I shall be their God.

Ezekiel 11:19-20

This promise was given to the people of Israel, and it is still for us today.

When we come to Jesus, God creates in us a new spirit. He softens the hardness of our hearts, and leads us in His ways. We become God’s people and He becomes our God.

 

The Greatest

 

… A lawyer asked Jesus a question, testing Him, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”

And, He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and foremost commandment. And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Matthew 22:35-39

Jesus did not recite a hundred laws or even ten laws. Jesus gave two commandments. The first, was regarding man’s relationship with God. God loves us, therefore we love God.

The second was regarding man’s relationship with man. We are to love one another like we love ourselves. That is, we are to treat others in a manner that reflects love and respect.

When we love God, the love is bound to spill over onto those who surround us. Let us let this love show in our lives.

Be Patient With Everyone

 

We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.

1 Thessalonians 5:14-15

The Apostle Paul instructs us that we are not just to go along to get along when we see Christians behaving badly, but that we should in kindness correct those who need correcting and help those who are struggling in the faith. And, that we should expect the same from other Christians.

We are not being a friend to other Christians, if we do not help them when they need help, be it correction or encouragement.

Say something and help a brother or sister in the Lord.

Walk In Love

 

Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, in an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

Ephesians 5:1-2.

What does it mean to walk in love? Does it mean we have to let other people walk all over us? No. It means that whatever we do, we do it in a spirit of love. It does not mean we will be popular or that we have to be nice to those who really don’t need being nice to.

As Christians, we must speak out against wrong, but we are to do it in a manner that addresses the problem as a problem, and offers the perpetrator an opportunity to correct the error of his ways. This is what God did for us. He called us from our lives of sin, to a new life forgiven by Jesus. 

We love because God first loved us.

You Are Precious To God

 

Jesus said, "What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders rejoicing.”

Luke 15:4-5

All of us are precious to God. He seeks us, He woos us, and when he finds us He rejoices. It does not matter to God if we are rich or poor. The ground at the foot of the cross is level, and Jesus finds joy in knowing every one of us.

You are loved by God.

Run Away

 

Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good morals.

1 Corinthians 15:33

This Bible verse seems almost too simple to be taken as serious advice from the Apostle Paul. Yet, when we consider how often we are tempted and enticed to do things which we know are wrong, it is clear that this is true.

It is not the big things which drag Christians away from the faith, but a mass of small sins which lead the way and make it easier and easier to stray from the Word of God. Once we stray, there is an army of people who will remind us that we are “not very Christian” or that we “had fun” engaging in sinful behavior.

Then we have to fight our way back to a place where we believe we are saved. God is ready, willing and able to forgive us, it is the scars of sin that make it difficult for us to turn our lives around, and back to Christ.

Take the easy way out. Run away from those who would corrupt you.

Your Ten Stringed Instruments

It is good to give thanks to the Lord

And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;

To declare Your loving-kindness in the morning

And Your faithfulness by night,

With the ten-stringed lute and with the harp,

With resounding music upon the lyre.

For You, O Lord, have made me glad by what You have done,

I will sing for joy for the works of Your hands.

Psalms 92:1-4

Many years ago, I attended a church where the worship leader encouraged us to get out our ten-stringed instruments – our hands – and give the Lord a round of applause for all He does for us.

It sounded corny, but the act of applauding God brought a spirit of joy into the worship service.

Give God a round of applause and raise your hands to heaven and thank Him for all He has done in your life.  When we thank God, we release His power into our lives, and He blesses us with joy. 

 

 

Always A Critic

 

Some of the people therefore, when they heard these words, were saying, “This certainly is the Prophet.”

Others were saying, “This is the Christ.” Still others were saying, “Surely the Christ is not going to come from Galilee, is He?”

John 7:40-42

There will always be critics who will line up to question our Christian faith and commitment. Sometimes they will point out character flaws or mistakes or dredge up our past, to try to dilute our Christianity.

Jesus faced this same kind of criticism but none of it mattered because He was who He was – the Son of God.

So, hold your head up high and ignore the critics. You are redeemed by Christ and you are a child of God.

We Are Blessed

 

How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,

Who walks in His ways.

Psalm 128:1

When I have a terrible day and everything goes wrong, I raise my hand to heaven and say, “I am blessed.”

When someone asks me how I am, I say, “I am blessed.”

Just saying I am blessed, lifts my spirits so that I can see beyond what is happening at the moment, and that God has blessed me in many ways. The greatest blessing is that Jesus is my Lord, Master and Savior.

The Wise Seek Knowledge

 

The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

Proverbs 18:15

Every now and then we find ourselves in a situation which we no nothing about and have not idea what we should do.  When this happens I say, "I am in a foreign country. I don't know the language or the customs. And, I have no clue what to do."  

But, you know what?  God sends people into my life that can help guide me through and who don't judge, but just care for me in my time of need.   

God puts people in our path who will help us. We just need to be humble enough to accept help and be grateful. 

Do What Needs To Be Done

 

Jesus said, “And who of you by being worried can add a single day to his life?”

“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:27, 34

Anxiety is paralyzing. It destroys our ability to do the things we need to do. It creates a barrier between us and those we care about, and us and God, who cares for us.

Worry does not solve anything, and can make things much worse because when we are worrying we are not working on anything positive.

The cure for worry is activity – prayer, thanksgiving and doing what needs to be done.

God Has Big Plans For Us

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and those whom He predestined, He also called and those whom He called, He also justified, and those whom He justified, He also glorified.

Romans 8:28-30

Wow! Knowing this is God’s plan and promise for us, how can we doubt that God is on our side? He not only promises to take care of us, He explains His plan for us.

We are not mere blips on God’s creation radar. We, being each and every one of us, are major players in God’s plan. God knew us from the beginning and He wants all of us to come to know Him as He knows us.

God has big plans for us.

Not To Please Ourselves

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

Romans 15:1-2

Every now and then we see someone who has taken on a job that is too big for them to do.  It may be putting a new roof on their house, with a pile of shingles sitting in the front yard for weeks on end.  Sometimes it is poor financial decisions that leave people broke.  Still others need help because of an addiction.

We as Christians have an obligation to offer help.  The roof might not be too hard - if we can find people willing to do the job out of the goodness of their hearts.  Other things like financial or addiction problems or other problems that require more help than we are capable of giving, mean we can direct people to those agencies equipped to help solve those problems, and at the same time, we can extend our support through prayer and kindness.

God does not expect us to sit on the sidelines, He expects us to take action.  So, do something. 

 

 

God Is On Our Side

 

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Everyday life can grind us down if we only look at things that are happening at the moment.  Everybody has problems and sometimes suffer because of things beyond their control.  

But we are encouraged to look beyond the moment and to God for renewal of our spirit.  When we look to God we see that what is happening right now, is not reflective of our relationship with God and our salvation.

God's plans for us are eternal and He renews us every day.  God is on our side. 

Love Mankind

 

This commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.

1 John 4:21

Being a Christian is all about loving mankind. We are to love those who are the least lovable and extend a hand of fellowship to them.

How else will they come to know Jesus if we do not show them the way by first loving them and second, by sharing the Gospel?

Serving Others

For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in…

Mathew 25:35

My Mother's family was very poor.  She often talked about having nothing to eat but corn meal mush - porridge for breakfast and fried for supper.  But, she said they never went hungry.

One year at Thanksgiving time, the local doctor came to visit and gave them a bushel of apples and a turkey.  It was such a great treat for the family.  My Uncle Bill said they he thought he had died and gone to heaven to have such food.  

For many of us, food is not a problem, but we need to remember for many people around the world and maybe even the people next door, that food is scarce.  Jesus reminds us one way to serve him is to care for others and providing food to others is a way to do this.  

So, when we go to the store, we can buy a few extra things and donate them to the local food pantry or even just leave them on the door step of someone who we think is in need.   

By serving others, we serve God. 

 

In All Things

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:11-13

The Apostles faced many difficulties.  They knew what it was like to be rejected, to be hungry and to be ill.  In all these things they trusted God and found strength to keep going.

We too sometimes face difficult times and we can take comfort knowing that in all things God is with us and will see us through.

Our strength is not in ourselves, but in God's love and care for us.

Be brave, keep going.   

 

Try A Little Kindness

 

To the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:20-21

This is a tall order and completely contrary to our human nature.  But it goes to heart of the Gospel.

We are servants of God and it is our assignment to do our best to represent the love of God in the world.  This means that sometimes we have to go out of our way to be kind to people who we think do not deserve kindness.  

It is, after all, more important to do the right thing than to be right.

Be kind. 

A Touchy Subject

My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

 

James 5:19-20

Talking to someone about their sin is a touchy subject.  They may get mad or they may say that we are not so hot ourselves.  The problem is the Bible does not say we are to be perfect, the Bible says we are to love one another.  We do not demonstrate the love of God by watching someone destroy their life. 

We are not to jump on people with accusations.  We are to help turn them around.  We act in love by offering the salvation message of Jesus.  Then we let God do the rest.

 

Be A Cheerleader

 

Do not judge so that you will not be judged. “For the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye?”

“You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

Matthew 7:1-5

Jesus was serious when it came to teaching good human relations. He wanted us to know that we cannot win people to the Gospel, if we beat them up by pointing out all their character flaws. And, that the truth is that we all have plenty of flaws which need fixing because people are not perfect.

Jesus wants us to love others unconditionally. And, generously share the Gospel message with everyone.

It is when people receive Jesus as their Lord, Master and Savior that the life transforming work of God begins. And, our part in it is to be there as their cheerleaders.

When Everythiing is Wacky

 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Proverbs 3:5

When things do not make sense and seem to be all out of wack, we can be confident that God is about to do something.  

Come what may God is in charge and He has everything under control. 

We sometimes need to spend less time trying to figure out what is going on, and trust the Lord that everything will be alright.

Relax, trust God. 

Liberty

 

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

2 Corinthians 3:17

Many years ago, I was a very conservative Christian, with many ideas of what was right and what was wrong and very vocal regarding these.

However, as time went on, I was frequently persuaded that some of my views were wrong and I modified my words and actions to reflect these views.  I became much more merciful in my view of mankind's shortcomings.   

This change came as a surprise to some of my friends, one of whom said to me, "I am surprised that you being so conservative, have some views that are so liberal."  

My answer was, "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."

May we all be sensitive to the direction of the Spirit of the Lord and know when to change direction.