Let Him Go

John 11:38-44, “Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.”
Jesus preformed many miracles during His earthly ministry. Maybe the greatest was when He raised Lazarus from the dead. Mary and Martha were broken hearted not only for the loss of their brother but they felt Jesus had let them down. Four days after the funeral Jesus came to visit the family and to help the Jews see who He was. The sisters met Jesus crying, “If you had been here our brother would not have died.” Even when He told them He had come to raise Lazarus they did not believe Him. Asking where the grave was Jesus went and saw the tomb with the stone that sealed it. He also saw all those who mourned for the lost loved one. Seeing the pain on their faces and in their hearts He too wept but not just because Lazarus had died. He also wept for their lack of faith and trust in God. When He asked for the stone to be removed He again was met with resistance. He had the power to remove the stone with a word but He wanted all to see that there are things that people must do to be able to receive a miracle. Once the stone was removed Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus come forth.” Everyone fell silent waiting to see if this Nazarene could really do the impossible. Slowly Lazarus emerged from the grave wrapped tightly in his grave clothes, standing in the opening very much alive. What Jesus said next is very interesting. Now that Lazarus was given a new life before he could begin to enjoy it something had to be done. Everyone was standing amazed and in awe missed one very important thing---Lazarus could not move or free himself. He needed his friends to release him. Jesus spoke again, “Loose him let him go.”
Jesus is still saying that today. When we are wrapped in sin and asking for forgiveness—loose him and let him go. When tradition and prejudice are binding us to the glory of God ---loose him and let him go. When we get tangled up in the cares and problems of this world that are keeping us from the fellowship with our Heavenly Father---loose him and let him go. Anything that is keeping us from walking in the light and love of God, Jesus is saying, “Loose him and let him go.”
All gathered at the tomb trusted God to give Lazarus a new life. Lazarus had to trust his friends to untie him to allow him to experience his new life. What do we have in our lives that are hindering us from the blessings and riches of God’s grace? Jesus is once again saying, “Loose him and let him go.”

Give Account

Romans 14:11-13, “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us not therefore judge one another anymore: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.”
Saved or lost all will have their day in court. Jesus will be the judge who hears all cases. The lost will be asked one question, “What did you do with Jesus?” The saved will have to give account for their lives and service to God. We each are accountable for many things. Jesus will hear and fairly try each case.
We shall all give account for what we do with our lives. If we are like the tree that bears no fruit we will have to give an account for that. We will have to give account for our faith. Why didn’t we trust God with our time, our talent, and our treasure? You know what the bible says? “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” What is faith anyway? Faith—the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen. Where might your faith be found? Is it in the bank? Is it in some man or men? Did you put your faith in a building with a religious name over the door? Is it in theology or ritual? Or is your faith in God the author and finisher of our faith?
We will have to give account for our faithfulness. Have we been faithful to His word, faithful to His house, and faithful to His commands? Do we abide in Him or in the world?
God commanded His church to go ye into all the world and teach all nations. If it took money to win the lost how many do you think would be won today? What price would you put on a soul?
The Lord doesn’t expect us to waste what He has given us but He does expect us to use it. Use it for His honor and glory. Use it to win the lost to Jesus. Use it to be able to hear, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.”
Yes we will all have to give account for where we have been what we have done. To coin a phrase we will all have to watch our own movie. We will have to watch it in front of Christ the Holy Righteous Judge. We will hear every word see every deed from beginning to end and so will Jesus. If there is no scene where we accept Jesus and ask for His forgiveness we won’t like the ending.
We all must give account!

Running From God Part 2

Jonah 1:1-2, “Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,
Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.”
In part one we looked at what makes people run from God. That very brief description gave us but a glimpse of what causes people to run from God. Today let us examine why people run from God.
Why do people run from God? First thought that comes to mind is they don’t truly trust God. That may be just the tip of the ice berg there may be deeper issues far too lengthy to explore here. If God has a plan and He wants to use us to complete that plan whose fault will it be if we refuse? Who will miss the blessing if we turn and run? Does that mean that God’s plan will fail? The answer is clear.
Most people run from God because they resist God’s way. “Who me, preach?” “I can’t teach a bunch of kids.” “What will people think if I follow Jesus?” Flimsy excuses at best but are the ones most heard. I would wager we all could add to that list without hesitation. The best one with the least understanding is--- “God you just don’t understand or know my situation?” Oh really! If God looks on the heart He knows!
Another reason that causes us to run from God is fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of failure or simply not sure we heard things right. All of these are tools Satan uses to place doubt in our minds. Doubt that will draw all attention away from what God is calling us for. Jonah not only had doubts he had his mind made up. He bought a ticket got on a boat ant took off. He just started running. His flesh was weak and his spirit was certainly not willing.
God knows what he is doing and what is needed to complete the task. When He calls He already knows what is in our hearts and lives. He knows what needs to be changed or adjusted and what it will take to do that. Once we accept His call He begins to prepare us for what lays ahead. As He begins we may not see or understand what must be done or how it will be accomplished, but God does. All He asks is for us to trust Him.
He is also at work preparing the road that He is asking us to travel down. The problem comes when we want to take control and start listening to someone other than God.
The Devil says run and if we do it will become clear who we are listen to. Once the devil has our attention he then sues that to not only defeat us but to defeat those to whom we are to be sent. If the one who led Spurgeon or Moody or Graham to the Lord had turned and run what would have been the result. Some will say God would have sent someone else. Yes He could have done that but He didn’t he called someone and they answered His call and the world has never been the same. Many souls are now with the Lord and many more have been inspired to follow that same path as these men of God.
If we don’t answer God’s call and take off running does that mean God’s plan are doomed? No His plan will still work He just may have to use someone else. And another vessel lies broken and up on the shelf.
Next we will look at the How of running from God.

Running From God Part 1

Jonah 1:1-4, “Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.”
We have all heard the story of Jonah and the whale. How he got swallowed up and taken to a place God wanted him to go. He was a prophet of God. God commanded him to go and preach to the people of Ninevah. He was to proclaim God’s righteousness and retribution. Jonah showed us all what not to do and what can happen if we follow his example.
What makes people run from God? First to be clear only those who know God run from Him. Those who have never met Him and are not His are not called. To understand what makes people run we must first look at what they are running from. Could it be responsibility? God made each with specific talents and for a specific purpose. He has a plan for all of His children. We, the children of God, are responsible to God to use the talents He gave us for His honor and His glory. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 If we are not using the talents he gave us what excuse can we give Him?
Many times people run from God because they don’t like what He is asking them to do. That is what Jonah did. “Me go to Ninevah and preach to that godless crowd? You got to be kidding.” We may never know what God has in mind if we refuse to take His call. “You just don’t understand I don’t want to preach or be a missionary.” “Ok is that what God asked you to do? If you don’t take the call how would you know what he wants you to do?”
People also run from God because of sin in their life. Psalm 139:7-9, “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.” You can never escape the presence of God. Like the man said, “He’s everywhere! He’s everywhere!” So then if God looks on the heart no matter where we go He knows what is in our heart.
If God is asking you to do something it is right or he would not be asking you to do it. If God is in it it will work if he is not it won’t? My question to end part 1 is this--- who can see the future us or God?
Part 2 will look at Why people run from God.

How Grateful Are We

Colossians 3:17, “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by him.”
It is most often we remember what Jesus did for us at Easter. Paul is instructing us that we should consider all that Jesus Christ has done for us always. It is our reasonable service. How long has it been since we considered just exactly what Jesus did for us?
We all recognize the need to thank someone who had given their life to save ours. We all are thankful for those who gave their lives in battle so we can be free. Yet a simple “Thank you” does not seem enough when we look at all Jesus did for us. Let us look at just some of what Jesus did for us. He gave up the infinite wealth of heaven and became poor for us, so that we who are poor might find infinite wealth in heaven. He gave his life to pay a debt we could not pay so we could be free. In light of just these two there should be nothing He would ask of us that we would not want to do.
Whatever we say or do Paul is telling us it should be under the authority of Jesus Christ. Simple words cannot express how we are to give thanks for what Jesus has done for us. We should let our lives show how grateful we are. Show the heart-deep appreciation and measureless love that you have for your Savior in the decisions you make, the topics you talk about, and the schedule you keep. Those are tall orders that are hard for many to follow. As the old saying goes, “Many can talk the talk but can’t walk the walk.”
Have we ever really just stopped and considered what happened on the cross? Thought about the price Jesus paid for us? Do we really live the gospel, do we really believe the gospel, and do we really trust Jesus? Paul is saying by the way we live our lives shows how we feel about the savior.
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” Colossians 3:15-17
How grateful are we for Christ and does it show?

Choose Your Words

John 14:1-3, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 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 unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
Many times as we read scripture we focus on the wrong words. I read a quote from J.H. Jowett, noted British preacher that he believed inter peace comes not from tranquil circumstances but from an untroubled heart. He said, “If we were to hear one hundred people repeating the sentence, ‘Let not your hearts be troubled,’ we should find that ninety-nine of them put emphasis upon the word troubled…I feel led to believe that the purposed emphasis in on the word heart… the heart is clothed in serene regality even when hell is knocking and rioting at its very door.”
After I read that I began to think that I was expending more energy trying to avoid problems and difficulties than on letting them happen and help me get to know Christ better. With that knowledge I discovered that if I continued in that mind set of avoidance rather than acceptance I would stay frustrated and doomed to failure.
Look at what Jesus told His disciples, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” What was he telling them? He was preparing them for the darkest day in their life the day of His crucifixion. He knew they would be ok and weather the storm only by trusting in Him in spite of the apparent evil that lay before them. What dark days do we face on our own? How much better would that be if we looked to God to give us peace of mind?
Many today focus only on the trouble and forget about the heart. We must not focus on the trouble in our world. We must focus more on the victory we have in Christ Jesus because His death was followed by His resurrection. We must focus our attention on the heart not on the trouble. Once we do this His words take on new meaning. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.
If we keep our minds on Christ we will have peace of mind and rest for our soul.

God's Power and Our Prayer

James 5:13-16, “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
Prayer is a powerful thing especially when we are praying for someone else. As we join in partnership with God by praying for others we can direct God’s power to come to the aid of another. We are all asked to pray for someone who has fallen sick, is facing a crisis or is in need. God already knows about those problems and He can accomplish the help needed without us but He has given us a great privilege of being involved with Him through our prayers.
Through our intercession for a sick child, a mother or father who is facing surgery, a neighbor or loved one who needs Christ, or a pastor who needs strength we are asking God to provide for that person what we cannot. We are asking for God to intervene for that person and are asking Him to direct His great power in a specific direction. Can we pray incorrectly not if we pray with a heart of love and unselfish desire for God to provide for another?
Remember Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. James 5:17-18.
Directing God’s power, “This power is so rich and so mobile that all we have to do when we pray is point to the person or thing to which we desire to have God’ power applied, and He, the Lord of this power, will direct the necessary power to the desired place.” Ole Hallesby from his book Prayer.
This assumes, of course we are praying “according to His will” 1 John5:14. Prayer is not a magic wand we can use to satisfy our wishes or desires. It is an opportunity to work with the Lord in accomplishing His purposes. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16.
A nation that is on their knees seeking God’s leadership will prevail one that turns its back on God will suffer loss. To access the power of God we only need to humble ourselves and pray, confess our sins and He will heal our land. We can access the power of God and He will answer our prayers.

Walking On Water

Matthew 14:28-29, “And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.”
We have all hear the story about Peter walking on the water to go to Jesus. We all know about the bad press he got as he began to sink in the rough seas as he took his eyes of Jesus. Yet this is a story as much about faith as about unbelief. Let’s look at what happened. Look close at this story, first Peter did not get out of the boat until Jesus bid him come. Some may think this is a small detail but it is critical to what was about to happen. Only God knows the number of His children who are trying to do the impossible without Him bidding them to come. If Peter had jumped out of the boat and tried to walk to meet Jesus when he first saw the Lord coming to them he would have not been successful. Peter made his living on the water and he knew walking on the sea was not something he could do. We all look to Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” With Christ at our center and through His power we can do all things. It is true God can do the impossible and can use us to do that impossible task. While it is true all things are possible with God—even what is impossible for us—we can’t expect to walk on water unless God has invited us to do so. We cannot expect to do the impossible unless the impossible is what God is calling us to do.
Notice something else about this story. Peter was the only one who got out of the boat. All the others had also been with Jesus and knew who He was why did they not also get out of the boat? Probably because none other than Peter even dreamed they could walk on the water. Peter, at that time felt he could do anything with Jesus’ help. Could the others in the boat have done what Peter did? Yes if Jesus had said to them come to me. Was it because their faith was lacking and Peter’s was great? No. Was Peter a glory hound? No again. None were called to do what Peter was asked to do. None needed the lesson Peter needed. God knew what Peter was to do and He also knew we could all learn from Peter’s lesson.
There is more to this story that many times gets overlooked. Yes Peter learned a crucial lesson by walking on the water to go to Jesus, but only he was bid to come to Jesus. Jesus did not say everyone come on out here. Why did Peter get out of the boat? To go to Jesus, not to gain note rarity, special power or special favor with Jesus. The reason he got out of the boat was to go to Jesus. There is no lesser goal. The lesson missed most often is not his failing belief it is that if we seek to overcome insurmountable problems out of any motivation other than drawing closer to Jesus will always meet with failure. Remember Jesus said, “Come unto me all ye that labor and I will give you rest.” When Christ bids us to draw near we need to get out of the boat and go to Him. Keeping our eyes on Jesus we can walk on water. Nothing can sink us, no wave can drown us but we still have to have the goal to go to Jesus.

Be All You Can Be

Colossians 3:23-25, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.”
Sometimes wisdom comes from the most unlikely places. Sometimes it may even come to us from our children. Jesus said,“ Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?” Matthew 21:16 The army has coined a phrase, “Be the best you can be.” That means to give all you have to being a soldier. That is good advice and something we should all take to heart.
In a conversation with one of my sons I began to see something that I had ignored for years. After all I was the parent and I had all the answers. Well that is what we all think, right? Reflection on the wisdom that was imparted to me I quickly saw I had missed some very important things. Then as I was seeking the Lord to give me strength and guidance I saw the verse in Colossians 3:23, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” Had I only been striving to please men and not the Lord. That was the wisdom that came from a conversation with my son.
I also found in Jeremiah 29:7, “And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.” We don’t always understand or know why we are carried into captivity either by choice of circumstance but for whatever reason there is a lesson we must learn. In Jeremiah god is telling the Nation of Israel who were captive in Babylon to “And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives”. He is telling them not to set around wishing they were somewhere else doing something else instead they were to be faithful to Him and He would take care of them. We must remember the Lord knows what we are in need of and He knows the lessons we must learn to be the Best we can be in His service.
We can’t always choose out circumstances in life. We may not be able to change many things in our lives. Our situation may be difficult and the future not as bright as we would like it to be. But we can be all we can be in the condition and situation we are in.
Israel was not at all happy about being in captivity. God had a plan that if they would be faithful He would carry them to a safe place and reward their faithfulness.
So then no matter where we are what we are involved with, “Wherever you are be all you can be.”

God Has The Answers

Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
As parents we always get questions from our children. Their questions matter to them and as far as they are concerned have a great impact on their lives. You know questions like, “Dad can I have ten dollars to go to the show?” “Dad can you help me with this new math?” “Dad when can I get my driver’s license?” “Dad you will never guess who is going to have a baby?” All personal questions that many times parents do not have answers for. As parents our children have question, request and needs that seem endless. It makes no difference if they are in grade school or college they are always looking to their parents for help.
As parents we most often can come up with solutions to our children’s problems and can and do provide resources in time of need. Yet there are times when we are at a loss as what to do or how to answer the request. One thing is sure though we may not have all the answers but God does. In the test verse for today we find assurance God can and will supply all our needs according to His riches. Notice it says our needs not our wants. Just as we as parents do not always supply the wants of our children neither does God. But we will always supply the needs so does God. God also knows when our requests are genuine, or when He must redirect our thinking instead. He also knows what is in our best interest and if we will but trust Him He will guide us down the right path.
Here is something to think about: When we think no one cares, Jesus says He loves us (John 15:12-13). When we think we just can’t go one step farther, Jesus says, “I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). When we run into something we just can’t figure out, God says He will guide us (Psalm 48:14). If we need to be forgiven for some wrong deed or thought, God says He will forgive us if we will confess our sin to Him, (1 John 1:9).
God is our Heavenly Father, if we have accepted His grace and believe in His son. Knowing that we have assurance God wants to provide our every need and guide us to be successful in what we do. He wants us to follow His lead, hear His voice as he speaks through His word, and trust in Him to provide not only our needs but to guide and protect us.
We may not have all the answers to the questions our children ask. If we have a close relationship with our Heavenly Father He does have all the answers. God never tires of our asking Him, talking to Him and following His guidance. So when problems arise that we can’t find a solution to we need to ask out Father—out Heavenly Father. Your are one of His kids aren’t you?

Where To Walk

Proverbs 4:14-18, “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”
It always seems to happen when we are traveling to keep an appointment. Traffic slows down and sometimes even comes to a stop. We have all been there and as we slowly progress to the cause of the slow down we see it is an accident on the other side of the road. Our slow down is due to others wanting to see what happened. Rubber-necking it is called. It is at times like this that we all wish we had been able to get a traffic report so we could avoid this area.
Solomon writing to his son is giving us instructions as he is encouraging his son to avoid situations that could have potential to entangle him in sin. His advice is to avoid the scene of wickedness altogether.
As we go through life it will be impossible to not avoid sinful environments. Be it at home at work or on vacation. Solomon’s wise counsel is to not be guilty of rubber-necking the sin around you. Avoid it, don’t go near it, and get away from it as quickly as you can.
When we walk through the supermarket past the magazine rack there we are faced with provocative poses on every cover it is hard not to look. In the office there are attractive people whose dress is more revealing than it should be. Solomon’s counsel is to pass by or avoid them altogether, turn from the temptation as quickly as possible and go your way. The same would apply to entertainment or unhealthy atmospheres that draw us into a sinful state of mind.
Will others think us strange for so conscientiously avoiding sinful distractions and potential shipwrecks to our faith? Yes, especially if they are rushing headlong toward it themselves. It is interesting that Solomon is not interested in what others think---he is concerned about you and me. Satan will use many tools to entrap us and cause us to lose our faith, to cause our testimony to be tarnished. What may seem to be innocent and of non effect could be devastating to someone who is watching. There is a term Christians hear a lot about and that is---hypocrite. Pretending to be something that you are not. Satan would love nothing better than to have you seen doing something that is unsavory and sinful. Looking at something you shouldn’t, talking improperly going where your testimony has no place.
Solomon encourages, if you are caught up in any sin or temptation, turn from it immediately and change your path. There is no shame in repentance, but there is nothing but shame in the way of sin. Romans 6:23,” For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Change

1 Corinthians 15:51-52, “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
Change is such a harsh word. It is something we all resist. Yet it is something that is vital to our very existence. Without change we would all be without hope or growth.
In nature things change and we call them seasons. In the spring what looks to be dead comes to life and turns from gray to green. Then in the fall as the weather cools and days are shortened the green changes to a palette of color. In our lives we also experience change. We watch as our children change before our eyes as they grow from infant to toddler to teen to adult. We too change as years pass and hair turns from brown to gray, eyes dim from the strain of trials past.
Yes there is nothing more constant than change. When we accept Christ as savior a greater change takes place. We go from being dead in sin to life with the Heavenly Father. We are born into the family of God and old things are done away with and all things are made new. We are a new creature and a child of God. We see with new eyes and sing a new song. There is a newness of life, things have a brighter glow. We go where we have not gone before and we do things that were once alien to us. This change has given us a new friend. One who will never leave us nor forsake us and one we can trust with our most precious possession---our heart and life.
Yes change is coming and changed we will all be. As in nature change must take place. Dead branches must be cut off so new fruit can grow. The best grapes grow from new branches not from old wood. If old dead woos is not removed, if aging and sick limbs are not cast off the whole tree is in danger of dying. While change may be painful at first if done so new life can grow then the pain is of none effect. If change is not allowed and old wood remain the whole vine will wither and new fruit will not grow.
Maybe there are branches that need to be cast off. Maybe there are changes that need to be made. Just maybe God needs to prune the tree so new fruit can grow. After all He is the master husbandman and He knows where the problem branches are and just how to make the needed changes.
Change is needed for growth. Without change there is no growth. Without growth we may as well be dead.

God's Word

Matthew 24: 35, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”

The Word comes from Jesus the appointed messenger of God. It is true, it is
weighty, and has salvation power. Therefore it must have a place among those who hear it. Deep within each of us is a place where we put things of great value. Our most cherished memories, our most compelling thoughts, our conscience, a place we call our heart. The Bible says, “Thy Word have I hid in my heart.” (Psalms 119:11) This is the first and only place Jesus will look for His Word.
In this special place of ours shall be a place of honor. Does God’s Word have a place of honor or is it collecting dust in some dark corner? A place we are ashamed for any one to see. It should receive our utmost attention, our greatest reverence, polished with our faith and secured by our obedience. John 8:47, “He that is of God hearth God’s Word, ye therefore hear them not because ye are not of God.”
God’s word should have a place where our most trusted possessions rest. We trust the tires on our cars to carry us safely at 70 mph through all weather conditions. Yet God’s Word we cannot trust. Why?
Yes men rejected the words Jesus spoke 2000 years ago, they still reject His words today.
Let us look for a moment why God’s Word has no place in our hearts, in our lives, in our world.
To those who have never accepted the words of Jesus those lost in sin here are some reasons you may be ashamed to admit. You are too busy to get involved with God or anything religious. There is just no opening in your schedule. Besides you have an appearance to uphold a reputation to keep.
You know when Jesus was born no one had time for him. He had to come into this world through the barn. The world was more concerned with paying taxes than God.
You are so preoccupied you simply don’t have time to get saved. There will come a day when you will wish you had made time.
Jesus does not come wrapped as a novelty, a new style or high-tech gadget. Therefore you reject Him and His love. You have heard about Jesus all your life and you are tired of hearing about him. May I ask you are you tired of eating, breathing, and living? No of course not those are silly questions.
In each heart we have places we put things. Does the place designed for God have something else resting there?
I’d be willing to bet you prefer superstition to God. How about a religious rite? Maybe you prefer skepticism of this world to the fact of the Gospel.
Let me ask are these choices intelligent people make?
Maybe you think Jesus and His Word are too holy, too spiritual for someone of your status? Does that mean you are too good for God? Do these statements startle you? They should for they condemn you. Many think only a selected few need to be holy and spiritual. I want to let you in on a secret. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Every preacher on this planet from the Pope in Rome to the preacher in the smallest country church in Appalachia is a sinner, some bigger than others. Every one religion call a saint has sinned and come short in God’s eyes. Now I’ll bet you are mad and offended. You may even turn off your mind. Yet this is the attitude of many today.
You say you find no comfort in the Word so you give it no place in your life. It’s not God’s Word that is cold it is the place you store it.
You may think you are too wise, too cultured to yield to the government of Jesus. If you do my friend you are in trouble. Culture won’t save you! Wisdom (though precious) is vain in eternity. How about your position in the church that should count for something? Church membership will not save you. Some of the most loyal, hardcore, religious church members killed Jesus.
Where have you put His Word?

The First Step Is The Hardest

Deuteronomy 2:31, “And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have begun to give Sihon and his land before thee: begin to possess, that thou mayest inherit his land.”
In every life there will come difficult circumstances and task that we all have to deal with. At first glance many may appear overwhelming and daunting. Our first impression is to put off dealing with what lies before us, hoping God will miraculously take of it. After forty years in the wilderness Israel was now faced with a crisis. The Promised Land lay before them. They saw a might king and his army who did not appear too happy or wanting to give their home over to Israel. Moses had to remind the people that God would provide a way all they had to do was to “begin to posses the land”. After Moses died and the Nation of Israel stood on the banks of the Jordan River God told Joshua to have the priest to step into a flooded river and He would provide a safe passage. Again nothing was going to happen until the first foot of the priest stepped off dry ground and into the raging river.
The hardest step any believer ever has had to make was to step into an aisle at alter call and to accept the gift of salvation. That first step in very difficult, with white knuckles we all gripped the pew and it would appear as if the only way to get to the front was to be dragged; taking a deep breath as the first food stepped into the aisle the rest was easy. Why? The first step was ours the rest were God’s.
In Deuteronomy 2:24 we see that all Israel had to do to get rid of king Sihon was to begin to possess the land and engage him in battle. Could God have taken care of getting rid of all that stood in Israel’s way from taking possession of the land He was giving to them? Sure He could, but He commanded His people to take the first step.
The same is often true with us. We are faced with difficult situations and relationships that appear to be a road block to blessing God has for us. These difficult situations and relationships seem to defy solution. Maybe we feel there is just no way to get around or over what is blocking us. But the Lord says, “Take the first step begin to possess the land.” In damaged relationships we might have to make the first move--- speak a kind word, ask for forgiveness, pay a debt we owe. The first step could be ours to make. To receive the gift of eternal security we have to take that first step toward the cross. When we do step out asking for God to forgive us He begins to work miracles in our lives. Joy not only lies in attaining a goal but also in walking with our loving savior who says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Take the first step and leave the rest up to the Lord. Nothing can be accomplished until we take that first step.

Forgiven

Matthew 6:12, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
What does it mean to be forgiven? Does it mean we just forget a wrong or hurt? If that be true why then do we hold so tightly to something that causes us pain?
Some 2000 years ago Jesus hung on a cruel cross. Pain racked his earthly body. Blood dripped from his brow pierced by a thorny crown. His hands screamed from nails driven to inflect more pain. Yet He spoke these words, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” Could we do as He? We should! As the weight of the sins of the whole world then and now was piled upon Him and as God turned his back on His only son there was forgiveness in His heart. As Jesus was paying a debt no one but He could pay to set mankind free there was forgiveness in His eyes.
Satan would have us to believe that is not true. He questions, “How could a loving righteous God do that to his son and forgive the vilest of sinners?” Not only could He but that is exactly what He did. Your sin and mine was nailed to that cross. Jesus paid a debt we could not pay. He made it possible for us to regain fellowship with our Heavenly Father.
So then if God could and did forgive us our sin should we not be willing to forgive those who hurt, wrong or damage us? I would think a YES would be in order. Does that depend on some religious rite or ritual? NO! Only on Jesus should we trust and believe. If God forgave us completely and cast our sin as far as the east is from the west should we not follow His guide? Should we not forgive as we have been forgiven?
Forgiveness is a subject of volumes of books, many a sermon, and topics of religious discussions, yet it appears to only be just a subject. Many christians today do not know how to forgive or if they do chose not to. Forgiveness is a state of mind and spirit. It is a peace that passeth all understanding in the soul and allows fellowship with God.
The Apostle Paul spoke many times about how, why, and the need for Christians to have a forgiving spirit. Christians are to be Christ like and let the light of Christ shine through their lives. The fruits of unforgiveness are bitterness, anxiety, depression and bad health, followed close by confusion and loss of fellowship with our Heavenly Father.
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:7-10
We are to forgive as unconditionally as God forgave us. Because he forgave us we are to forgive others.

In Too Big A Hurry

Isaiah 30:15, “For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.”
In our world today everything is fast paced. We all expect instant results, instant response and instant gratification. If it is slow we reject its value. We all live by the clock. We have to get to somewhere, do something and all must be done right now. There never seems to be enough time to just stop and take a deep breath.
I read a story about a pastor who for twenty five years served the Lord in the same church. As he was retiring friends and colleagues gathered to congratulate and to extol his many virtues. Of the many eloquent speeches made there was but one the aged pastor treasured most. It did not come from a fellow pastor it came from a layman. He said, “I have observed my pastor for the past twenty five years and I have never seen him in a hurry.”
The old pastor acknowledged that for years he had asked God to teach him how to renew his strength through “quietness and confidence”, as he read in Isaiah 30:15. In this verse Isaiah was calling rebellious Israel to return to God and rely on Him to find new strength. The pastor, however, saw in that verse a principle applicable to his own life.
People are all made different. Some are quite, some are high-strung, but no matter their temperament each can renew their strength when they spend some quite time with the Lord.
We all set alarms so we can get up and get ready to meet the day. We all have schedules to keep and things that must be done. What would happen if we set the alarm to schedule an appointment with God before we rush off to meet that day? We rush from task to task and often feel frustrated because we first did not spend some quite time with the Lord. Though we may be too busy for God , God is never too busy for us. Let us learn the principle set forth is Isaiah 30:15. In quietness and confidence before God we find the real source of strength to stay calm.
I will close with this bit of wisdom. Never take on more work than you have time to pray about.

Faceing Your Enemies

Psalm 27:1-3, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.”
Sometimes it is hard to stand when all around you is in chaos. When those who oppose you all appear to have the upper hand, it is hard to hold onto positive thought. In combat everyone on both sides are scared. Bullets have no political preference and do not discriminate. Even in the worst fire fight you must stand and face your enemy. In life we all have to face an enemy of some kind. 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” Satan is our worst enemy but with the Word of God we can stand against him and prevail.
During the civil war near the town of Moorefield, West Virginia a fierce battle raged. The town was between the two opposing armies and control of the town changed hands almost every day. In testimony from a Presbyterian minister a elderly woman lived in the middle of the town and in the middle of the battle. One morning enemy soldiers knocked on her door and demanded breakfast. She invited them in and asks that all to be seated while she prepared breakfast. When all was prepared and ready to be served she made a statement, “I am accustomed to reading my bible and saying a prayer before every meal, would you object if I do so now?” None objected and she took down her bible and randomly opened it. Her eyes fell on Psalm 27 and she began to read. “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” She read aloud though the last verse, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”
When she finished reading she closed her bible and said, “Let us pray.” While she was praying she begins to hear movement all around the room. When she finished praying and said “amen” she opened her eyes and found she was alone in the room. All the soldiers were gone.
When faced with the enemy, turn to the word of God and trust in His strength.
When you know the Lord is near, face the enemy without fear; though an army surrounds you, you are safe; god’s arms are around you. ----Hess

Prayer or Work

2 Kings 20:1-2, “In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying, I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.”
James 2:17 “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” When we pray many times we expect God to do all the work.
Hezekiah prayed to God about his illness and pending death. God told him to do something. Had he not done what he was told he was going to die. By following God’s direction and doing something he lived for another fifteen years.
Two children were walking to school one day and as many children do they paid little attention to the time. As they walked one realized they were going to be late if they did not hurry. “We have got to run or we are going to be late,” he told his friend. “Let us stop and pray that we will not be late “, was the reply. “No let us pray while we run as fast as we can so we won’t be late,” as he started to run to school.
I heard a story about an athlete running in a track meet. As he crossed the finish line just ahead of his closest rival he was observed to have been talking as he ran. His coach congratulating him on his victory asks him who he was talking to during the race. “I was praying while I was running,” came the reply. “I told the Lord if you will pick my feet up I will put them down.” He asked for God’s help but he also did what he could to answer his own prayer.
When we ask God for help we must be willing to do whatever we can, using whatever means He may provide. Hezekiah heard he was going to die he asks God for a miracle, and God promised to give him fifteen more years. Place a lump of figs on the troubled boil he was told. God did the healing using human effort and natural means.
How often do we pray seeking God’s help then set back and wait for Him to do all the work. James 2:17 “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” When we ask the Lord to do something, we must also be ready to do our part. God will answer our prayer. He will send instructions for us to do something. Then we must act on those instructions with faith God will do what He said He would do.
Pray as if everything depends on God: work as if everything depends on us.

Count Your Blessings

Psalm 103:1-5, “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.”
How often do we take God’s blessings for granted? What would we do if in the morning the sun did not rise and night remained all day long? Would this get our attention? I am sure it would. We don’t give it a second thought that at a certain time the sun will rise and daylight will wash away the night darkness.
Do we not simply take it for granted that it will get light and we can go about our daily rounds? What about the blessing of just being able to get out of bed and check to see if the sun is rising? What other blessings do we take for granted? We complain we have to mow the grass twice a week to keep our yards neat and trim. What if there was no grass to mow? We go the fridge and dig out goodies when we are hungry, but what if the electricity went off and all in the fridge ruined and we had nothing to eat and no way to cook ? What if the water we had to drink was filled with bugs and dirt, what then? Or living in a free land even with these petty problems we all complain about, what about that? We complain about too much rain or not enough rain, it’s too hot or too cold, what if there was no rain at all?
The psalmist knew he couldn’t possibly remember all of God’s benefits to him. He was distressed that he might forget them all, so he took his sluggish soul in hand, shook it, and urged it to consider at least some of the good gifts God gave to him.
Because God’s goodness is as constant as the sun, we are in danger of forgetting what He showers on us each day. Have you ever thought that God creates a perfect day brand new and different that is not like any other past or to come? He creates each new day perfect. If we will stop and just look at the new day with eyes of thanksgiving we can see how truly great God is. If we count our blessings one by one, we’ll never get finished. But if we jot down a list of ten or twenty gifts God gives us each day, something will happen to our hearts. We are real busy each day and simply don’t have time to think about how good God is to us and what He gives us each day. Can you take ten minutes and write down ten things God has given you this day? That would be one a minute; can we be still with God thanking Him for that long?
“Every morning as we rise, God’s new mercies greet out eyes; and when twilight shadows fall, evenings blessings brighten all.” ---anonymous

The Wish List

Matthew 6:6-8, “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.”
C.S Lewis talks about a book he loved to read as a child. The book was called “ Five Children and It.” The book tells about a family of children who during a summer vacation find an ancient sand fairy who grants wishes. The fairy would grant each child a wish every day. With each wish more trouble and problems would follow the children. The problem was the children could not see the results of getting everything they ask for.
In Philippians 4:6 we are told to make our request known to God. But prayer is much more than telling God what we want Him to do for us. Jesus taught His disciples how to pray. He began by telling them, “Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. (Mathew 6:8)
The Lord’s instruction about how to pray is more about living in a growing, trusting relationship with our Heavenly Father than about getting what we want from Him. Have you ever noticed most of our prayers are nothing more than a wish list of the things we want? As we grow in faith, our prayers will become less about making a wish list and more about having a conversation with the Lord. Would we be happy is we got everything we asked for? Toward the end of his life, C. S Lewis wrote, “If God had granted all the silly prayers I’ve made in my life, where should I be now?”
Just as our children ask us for things we know they only want and do not really need so then does our Heavenly Father know our hearts. Jesus made it real clear when He said, “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.”
God really likes to just have a talk with us, an intimate and personal conversation. He already knows what we really need so maybe we need to shorten our wish list and only include the things that really matter. Share with the Lord the desires of our heart and not our heads. Do you start and end you day with a prayer or do you only talk to God only when you are in trouble. Do you thank Him for His goodness and for the wonders all around? Do you do all the talking or do you listen to hear the answer? Many years ago I heard a Sunday school teacher tell her class “when your mouth is open your ears are closed. If you are talking Jesus can’t talk to you.” Sound advice don’t you think?
Our highest privilege is to talk to God; out highest duty is to listen to Him.

Prayer And The Answer

Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Ask. Seek. Knock. Each word has a specific action attached to it. Prayer is not just something that happens during a church service. It is a vigorous experience in participation in God’s plan. Each also speaks of something else—neediness. One does not ask, if there is no need. If we have already found we will not seek. No one knocks on an open door. Prayer then is our recognition we need God.
In Jesus Sermon on the Mount He shows us exactly how we are to talk to God, our heavenly Father. I wonder how many times we have not received, have not found or are still standing at the door with bloody knuckles with doubt growing in our minds. Why hasn’t God answered? Why won’t He just unlock the door and let us in? Why won’t He just pour out blessings on us?
The reason may be because we have not prayed as we should due to being spiritually lazy and not wanting to labor in prayer. Or maybe we are too content and feel we don’t need God. Or maybe there is a greater lesson we must learn to be better prepared for the great blessing He is planning. Regardless, there is good news from Heaven. When we awaken from a desperate condition and turn to God we have a promise from our Heavenly Father. Everyone who asks receives. Do not give up! God always give to everyone who asks---He gave us His word and He never goes back on His word. God will either give us what we are begging for or He will give us something better. Either way when we come away from the throne room we will not be disappointed.
God knows what is in our best interest and He can see better than we what we need.

Hearing God's Voice

Revelations 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
I was watching a documentary about Antarctic that was talking about an island where king penguins lived. Thousands of them live on a beach to lay eggs and raise their young. The male and female take turns caring for the egg and the young chicks. Each one will go out into the bay to search for food and bring it back to the other parent and the young. Since all the penguins look alike and there are thousands of them on the beach how do the ones gathering food know where to go to find their mate and family? By the voice of the other parent, each has a very distinct voice the other recognizes.
What does God’s voice sound like? Would you know it if you heard it? We have all heard sermons about the still small voice, about how God speaks to those He is directing, but how can we know it is God’s voice we hear? John 10:4, “And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.” Just like a child knows the voice of a mother or father if we are God’s children we know His voice when we hear it. That is not to say we do not hear or recognize the voice of others. We do know a voice belongs to one we know. If we do not hear God’s voice do we know Him and do we recognize Him? A stranger the sheep will not follow the bible says.
If it is not texted, printed or shouted we just don’t think to listen. If we do not recognize the number that comes up in the caller ID we simply don’t answer the call. Is God in your address book? Many times God has to overcome all the noise in our life to just get a word in edgewise. What does He have to do to get us to listen? He will do it the hard way or the easy way and that depends on us. What will it take for God to get your attention?
Jesus is a stranger to many today. As a stranger He is standing outside knocking but His voice is not recognized and as a result the door is not opened. The world is filled with those who are unaware of God’s calling to repentance. One day all will hear His voice and many will not like what they hear. When Jesus comes in the clouds to call His children home will you hear His call? You won’t if He is a stranger to you. If you miss that call there will be no message left to call back, no caller ID with a callback number you phone will be disconnected and out of service. If you miss that call don’t blame God he has been trying to reach you, He has been calling but you were too busy to answer. When you stand face to face with God at the final judgment what reason will you give for missing His call?
One way not to miss the call is to have your name written in God’s contact list. How do you do that? Trust Jesus as savior. Ask Jesus to come into your heart. Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 10:9-10, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

What the Future Holds

Revelations 21:7-8, “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
In 2007 Gallup conducted a poll asking what Americans believed most about God and Heaven or the devil and Hell. The results were amazing. Most Americans, 77 percent, believed in God and Heaven and rated their chances of going to heaven as real good to excellent. Few saw themselves as hell bound.
It is most important not what Americans think will happen it is what Jesus said will happen at the judgment. Most people are afraid of the Book of Revelations because they do not want to think about or face the fact there is a judgment and Jesus will be the judge. It is impossible to think biblically about heaven and Jesus without coming face to face with the fact that those who only think about him and only know about him will not go to heaven. You must know Jesus, be washed in the blood and have your name written in the Lambs Book of Life. You must be someone He knows!
In the book of Revelations Jesus is once again warning, as he did during His earthly ministry about the coming judgment and that hell is a real option for those who reject Him. From His throne in heaven Jesus declares for the wicked, and for the unbelieving, and for those who fear men rather than God---the end is an everlasting death, the lake of fire. Hell was created for the devil and his angels not for man but man will be sent there if he rejects the love and forgiveness God is offering. If God created something so awful that the devil and his band of angels will suffer there you would think man would not try to get there. The truth is many will go there and just look who are numbered in verse 8. No you don’t have to believe it and no you will not be forced to accept Jesus but what will happen if you don’t? Better still what will happen when you do accept Jesus? Heaven will be your new home with streets of gold and a mansion in which to dwell. You will be in the family of God.
While there is complete forgiveness and unconditional love in Jesus Christ, there is also everlasting judgment for those he describes in Revelations 21:8. Being good won’t get you into heaven, church membership won’t, being important in the community has no value for heaven entrance, education is meaningless at heaven’s gate, what then does it take to go there; asking Jesus to forgive you to come into your heart, accepting that He is the Son of God and paid your sin debt on the cross. That is all it takes to get to go to heaven. Without that you will hear these words, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels”. Trust and obey and you will hear, “well done thou good and faithful servant.” Which words do you want to hear?

Counting Blessings

Psalm 103:1-5, “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.”
I read an amusing story about a Baptist preacher who was asked to speak to a group of business men from his church. During his talk he held up a sheet of paper and put a dot in the center of the paper. He then asked, “What do you see?” After a short silence one man spoke up, “I see a black dot.” “Great”, the preacher said “what else do you see?” Silence filled the room. As the preacher gazed around the room looking at each man he said, “I am really surprised none of you have seen the most important thing of all, the sheet of paper.”
We are most often focused on the small dot-like disappointments rather on the large blessings we receive from the Lord. My son while in the doctor’s office overheard a conversation between two senior citizens. Both man appeared to be suffering from age and other ailments. One asks the other how he was doing, the reply I am thankful the Lord gave me another day to see the sun rise. Neither man looked to be in great physical condition but one was looking at the blessings not at the disappointments. How often do we forget the innumerable blessings we receive from the Lord? How often do we see only the dot and not the sheet of paper? Yes we all do it and we all forget how great God really is to us. Just how much He cares for us and how we are blessed by His mighty hand. Do you look forward to seeing another sun rise or complain about having to get out of bed? Are you thankful you can even get out of bed and stand upright on the floor? How many blessings can you count today? Try it you might be surprised how many you have.
I am reminded about a simple bit of advice, “As you travel down life’s pathway, may this ever be your goal: Keep your eye upon the doughnut, and not on the hole.”
Instead of concentrating on the trials and tribulations of life, we should fix our gaze and concentration upon the blessings. Like the elder gentleman are we thankful to just get to see another sun rise? Or are we airing our complaints instead of counting our blessings?
“So amid the conflict, whether great or small, do not be discouraged---God is over all; count your many blessings---angels will attend, help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.” ---Oatman

Counting Stars

Psalm 147:4-6, “He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.”
When you were a child did you ever lay on your back on a cool summer evening and look up at the star filled sky and try to count the stars? An Australian astronomer and his team did just that. Not only did they do that they came up with a number of stars in the known universe---seventy sextillion. That would be seven followed by twenty two zeros. That number is so large it is said to outnumber the grains of sand on every beach in the world.
Just like the God of all creation knows the numbers of the hairs on your head He also knows the number of stars and can call them all by name. How awesome is that? That just goes to show us how truly great our God is. A God who created the universe and can call every star by name also cares for a sinner such as I. A God who can change the course of rivers and cause mountains to change places can be compassionate to a prayer of a broken heart and can forgive even the vilest of sins and change a life.
The Psalm today not only shows us the majesty of Almighty God it also shows and affirms His personal concern for each of us. (Read Psalm 147) 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
Our world today is in constant turmoil and crisis. Our lives we sometimes feel are out of control and on a collision course with disaster. But God is still watching over His children and smiles every time we seek His face and ask Him for advice. Many there are who say God is dead and does not care or exist. If that were true we would truly be in bad shape for who then is holding things together?
God is real and is alive and well. He “heals the brokenhearted” (Psalm 147:3) “lifts up the humble.” (Psalm 147:6), and “takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His majesty.” (Psalm 147:11) If God knows the number and names of the stars that outnumber the grains of sand on every beach just think how He cares for the ones He created in His own image and breathed into each the breath of life. Like the song children sing “Jesus loves me this I know cause the bible tells me so.”
You may not know God but He knows you, knows everything about you, hears every word you speak and knows every thought you think. He made you and He loves you so much He sent His son to die in your place. Jesus, God’s son said, “come unto me all ye that labor are heavy laden and I will give your rest.”
Let us praise the great God of stars and sand who knows and cares for each one of us. Who will forgive us if we will but ask!
The God who made the firmament, who made the deepest sea, the God who put the stars in place is the God who cares for me. ---Unknown

Where Are You Looking

Hebrews 12:1-2 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Let’s see what crisis should we consider today? Should it be terrorism with its random threat? Maybe we should consider our economy and the fear we will run out of money before we run out of time? Global warming and climate change might a good way to start our day. How about some personal crisis that has no foreseeable short term solution? Should we consider something we have absolutely no control over like the weather? We all get up every morning and do what---turn on the morning news to see what crisis we need to start our day off with and worry about.
Before we fall under the weight of our accumulated fears, we should do well to look at a woman who endured the hell of Nazi concentration camps, watched just how inhumane man can be to man. Lived in a place where hope for most people was lost. I’m talking about Corrie ten Boom. Her life was hell on earth for a time yet she survived to tell her story and to be a blessing to others. Hers was an unfaltering faith and tight-fisted hope in God. She saw the devil close up and personal. When she came out of it all she wrote, “If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. But if you look at Christ you, you’ll be at rest.”
Where are we looking? Are we focusing on the world and its dangers? Maybe we are gazing at ourselves and hoping to find our own answers to solve all our problems. We should be looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
Psalm 121:1-3, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.”
So then we need not worry about things we cannot change, like world hunger, global warming, and the mess in DC. That is not to say these are important issues, but all those things are of this world and will be dealt with in due time. God looks at the heart of man and knows its condition and position. When God looks at your heart what does he see?
When your world is falling apart look to Jesus He will hold it together. We may not be long for this world but we can be assured we will spend eternity in the next. With Jesus we will be with Him in heaven, without him the bible says hell will be our world. To go to heaven you have to know Christ as savior to go the hell just forget about him all together. Where are you looking?

Tried In The Fire

James1:2-4, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
There is a type of pottery that comes with a very explicit statement about its creation. It is called Raku and it is said to be hand crafted and the spirit of the artist to speak through the finished work with particular directness and intimacy. The potter shapes the pot then it is fired in the kiln. As it comes out of the fire glowing red hot it is placed in a smoldering saw dust pile where it will remain until it is finished. The results are a “one of a kind” masterpiece.
So it is with us as we bear the imprint of the Potters hand. He has spoken through His work with particular directness and intimacy. Each of us has been formed in a unique way and for a specific purpose. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
Just like the pottery we too must be tried by fire until we are ready for us by the master. Our trying sometimes comes through tribulations sometimes by the simple fact of living life. Though we are created for good works we are not finished. We must endure the kiln of experience to perfect the finished product. Aching hearts, weary spirits, aging bodies are the process God uses to finish the work He has begun.
Just like a pot that has just come off the potter’s wheel we are of little use until we have been placed in the kiln and tried by fire. We may think we are being destroyed but in fact we are being perfected. God has a plan and he knows how we are to be used for His glory and He is perfecting His creation. Unlike the pottery that must stay in the kiln until finished we can choose to get away from the fire. We can walk away from the finishing process. If God truly wants to use us he will place us back in the fire until we are finished and ready for use. In the example of the Raku pottery once the piece has been removed from the fire it is not finished until it has spent time in a perfecting hot bed.
Don’t fear the furnace that may surround you. Be “patient in tribulation” and wait the finished product. “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:4
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6
“We are here to be perfected, only God our needs can see; rarest gems bear hardest grinding, God’s own workmanship are we.” ---- Anonymous

How Current Is Your Testimony

Acts 8:6, “And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.”
As I write these daily devotionals I sometimes have to stop and take stock about what God is speaking to me about. This one is no exception. When I asked the question, “how current is your testimony” I had to look at mine. I hear people all the time say, “I don’t really have a testimony.” You don’t did Jesus die for you save you from a devils hell write your name in the Lambs book of life? Sounds like a pretty good testimony to me. Did He change your heart and life? If so then you DO have a testimony.
This is the typical sequence of an effective (or conversely ineffective) witness: people hear what you say; they look for the signs of God which are evidenced in your life based on what you have done and what you are doing; they then decide whether or not to pay attention to what you say. In Phillips case -- after they saw what he did, they all paid close attention to what he said.
If I and a six time Pro Bowl running back or quarterback were to come to speak at a football clinic about the techniques of professional football who would you pay close attention to the professionals or a Baptist preacher? That’s a no brainer. You would listen to those with the experience. I on the other hand may know a lot about the game but I have never performed at the professional level. So whose opinion would you trust if we three disagreed on football techniques? Whose opinion would you trust the most? The answer is clear. You would trust the pros because they have both the credentials and experience. Their words would have so much more impact and importance than mine because of what they have done and are doing (they live the game, while I on the other hand have not played football since high school).

The same is true for us as we witness to others. Some big questions we need to ask ourselves are these: Are people going to "pay attention" to what we say if the substance of what God has done or is doing in our lives is not evident? How effective will our words be if the last evidence or miracle we witnessed in our life was back in "high school" (in other words, a really long time ago)? When was the last time you gave someone the gospel and saw them receive Christ into their heart? You have done that right?
If God has done something in your life and you were excited about it did you tell someone about it? The Bible tells us to sing God’s praises. To tell the world the glorious story of how Christ died for us and how we were saved and born into the family of God for all eternity. We all have a story to tell about how we came to know the Lord. It does not matter if it was in the midst of combat or on a quite Sunday morning it still was something great. It happened to us and we should want to tell others about how God touched us. I feel sometimes we get caught up in the need to have an emotion grabbing earth shaking experience before we can tell anyone about it. Guess what when you got saved and Jesus came into your heart your experience was much better than any earth shaking event. Yours was a life changing event and worth telling everyone about. You became a child of God and joint heir with Jesus Christ how much bigger can it get?

How current is your testimony? How big is your testimony? How big is the God who saved you? Was your life change if so then that is a big deal and worth shouting from the roof tops.
Are you a witness to a miracle that happened years ago, or one that happened yesterday? Are you allowing God to express himself through your witness and experience right now? Why or why not? What needs to change? How will you change?

God's Plan Or Yours

Acts 9:22-25
"But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket."

Something strange was happening in Damascus. Something the Jews could not understand.
They were completely baffled -- here was Saul, their number one persecutor of the new Christian movement, who was now preaching, teaching and proving that "Jesus is the Christ" (verse 9:22). They were having difficulty arguing his message so they did the next best thing -- they tried to kill the messenger. Fortunately, Paul's followers saved his life by taking him at night and lowering him in a basket, through a hole in the city wall in order to escape to Jerusalem. You would almost think that came out of the morning news today.

It is interesting that the Book of Acts does not speak about mass conversions to Christianity as a result of Saul's preaching in Damascus (unlike Phillip in Samaria). I think the reason for this lies in verse 9:15 -- the Lord's instruction was for Saul to first carry the Lord's Name before the Gentiles, then their kings, and lastly the Jews. Saul began with the Jews, and as so often happens when we try to work for the Lord rather than doing the Lord's work -- it was a disaster. No one was converted -- they just wanted to kill him. God didn't want Saul in Damascus preaching to the Jews -- He wanted him somewhere else -- back on God's plan not Saul's plan.
Many times we think we know better than God where we need to go and what we need to do. Saul did and had more problems and troubles than he could handle as long as he was doing his plan. I am reminded of men I know who were preacher called into the ministry and failed miserably. Why they were working for the Lord not doing the Lord’s work. God did not call them man did. When God created each of us He had a plan and purpose in mind. If we work His plan we usually have greater success. When we work our plan well …..
Our own power or God's power -- how do we know the difference?
When we use our talents and gifts according to God's will, the result will always seem effortless and exceed the expectations of those around us. What have your results been recently? If you are having difficulty in Christian service you might want to consider where you are doing your will instead of God's will. Are you doing the Lord’s work or just working for the Lord?

What Does Reputation Show

Acts 9:21-22 , “But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

If you have ever watched an old western movie you knew who the bad guys were because they wore black hats. Saul was like that; word had spread he was out looking for Christians and wanted to put them all in jail. Everyone knew who he was and what he wanted to do. His reputation was preceding him as he traveled to Damascus. So it was little wonder there was great confusion when he started doing just the opposite and started to preach Jesus was God’s Son and was alive. It is no surprise everyone was afraid of him. Was this just a new trick to win confidence so he could capture those who believed? Saul was not the same man he was when he started out what has happened? Jesus is what happened. Saul was now “proving that Jesus is the Christ” (rather than persecuting Christians), and he was getting stronger the longer he spoke. Everyone was really confused---Saul was just not the same person, and no one knew why.

Have you ever wondered about those who were close to Saul? What did his traveling buddies think about him? Do you think they set him down and tried to talk some sense into him? Did they try to get him to understand the consequences of his change; how his position at work or church was going to be affected he was a Pharisee after all. What will people think about him? How would his family feel. I don't think Saul talked to his employer or his family before he embarked on his new ministry, and I don't think they gave him their permission before he started. All Saul knew was that he had met Jesus and that was all that mattered.
Acts 9:22, “And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:” Saul went from being the hunter to being the hunted.

What kind of courage and conviction would it take for you to completely reverse your previous positions, words, and life work as Saul did? How would your friends and family react?
Do you need someone else's permission to change? Would Saul have been as effective in his ministry if he sought other people's approval before he began? Did Saul allow his past to determine or dictate his future? Do you? What relationship, attitude or previous behavior do you need to change? Where can you begin today?

When To Start

Acts 9:20 "At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God."
Someone once told me that life was like watching a parade. The floats come by (like people and events in your life) one at a time. You only get to see the parade from where you happen to be on the street, from your point of view. You can't see all that is coming, or where it's going, and after it is gone the only thing you are left with is a memory. God has a different view of life’s parade. God's view of life is like watching the parade from the Goodyear Blimp -- He can see not only the beginning of the parade, but the end as well as it winds throughout the streets, knowing in advance every twist and turn it will make before it happens. He sees everything and knows everything. He watches everyone’s parade all at the same time. He knows where it started and where and when it will end.

Saul had learned there was a Messiah due and he wanted to be there to see that event. He was so intent on finding the right spot he missed Jesus when He passed by. Saul had been standing on the street of life while Jesus, the much anticipated Messiah had come and gone. He was standing in the right spot, but he had the wrong perspective so he completely missed Him. But we see God’s hand on Saul and he is selected to take a ride on God’s blimp. Wow did that change his view of things? He now has a completely different view of things. Religious rites didn’t matter; church position didn’t matter for now Saul sees Jesus for the first time. He now has a completely different view, one that he can't wait to share with everyone else.
Have you ever felt that way before? Have you ever seen something or been somewhere that was so exciting you could not wait to tell someone about it. Every detail was vivid in your mind’s eye. You were filled with the excitement of the adventure and you just had to talk about it. God has just revealed a great truth to Saul -- What did he do with it? Did he keep it to himself or did he share it? He could not wait to get back on the ground so he could tell everyone what he had seen. He went to the synagogue where he knew people would be and preached Jesus.
If God was to give you a ride on His blimp what would you do? Would you act immediately or would you wait? Would you keep this great secret to yourself or rush out to tell someone about it? God reveals Himself to us to change our perspective so that we might act according to this new insight. When should we begin? Like Saul -- Right Now!

Trusting The Lord

Proverbs 3:5-7, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.”
The more you know someone the more you will trust them. God is no different. Who wouldn’t trust a loving, wise and all powerful God? That may seem to be a strange question, but many today do not trust God for they do not know Him. Many feel they have to see it to believe it.
Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith is a word we all use yet do we fully understand what it truly means to walk by faith. To take that step into total darkness and know our foot will find solid ground. Logic says don’t do it faith says trust me it will work.
It is one thing to express a belief in God it is yet another to fully trust Him with all your heart. Trust means walking by faith no matter what consequences or opposition you may face. Small children totally trust their parents. When you pick up an infant toss them up and catch them they laugh and squeal. They totally trust you will not let them fall. Trusting God wholeheartedly also means resolutely refusing to lean on your own understanding. No that does not mean we are to give up the sound mind and spirit God gave us. But it does mean we are not to rely on our own limited knowledge, experience, and emotions to guide us safely through life. The child tossed up in the air does not know about the law of gravity. Nor does he reason that he must provide his own protection. All he knows is the one tossing him will catch him and that is all he cares about.
The question then to ask is this: do you trust God not to let you fall when your natural inclination is to not follow his leadership, direction or commands? We many times have preconceived ideas that go against the wise counsel God laid out in His word. Our personal preferences take control and we fall more times than not. The bible clearly states -- Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. It is then in those places where we are least inclined to follow the Lord that we are most able to show our devotion to Him and our trust in Him.
So then if the Father tosses you up do you trust Him to catch you? Or do you logically lean on you vast experience and knowledge to analyze the outcome. You may not know how an elevator works or understand all the engineering that went into its design. Yet you willing climb into an elevator and push the button to take you to the 16th floor. You totally trust the car to stop where you want to get off. You totally trust the cables not to let you plummet to the ground. The door opens and you never give it a thought as you step out on your floor. Do you trust God as much as you trust an elevator?

Dark Times and God's Light

Habakkuk 2:20, “the Lord is in His holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.”
As I was watching the news about all the storm damage so far this year I began to wonder what God was doing. When the storms are raging we may not see God at work, or are puzzled by the unfolding of his providences. We many times draw the wrong conclusions. We think is God not watching and does He not see what is happening? We are not alone in this thinking. Many men in the bible felt the same way. As evil was ravaging the nation of Israel Habakkuk assumed God was doing nothing that he had left. He ask, “O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear!”
Habakkuk finally came to the realization that God was in His Holy temple and was still in control. He learned God is sovereign and all should bow before Him. We should remember: “The Lord is in his holy temple.” That may seem hard when chaos is all around, when the walls are falling down and there appears to be no hope. No matter how out of control things may appear we are assured God is still in control. Every affliction that comes our way we must understand God has a plan. Like Habakkuk we must remember, “Let all the earth keep silence before him.” In other words stop complaining God knows what He is doing and He does have a purpose and a plan. Maybe He is trying to show us we need to change some things in our lives. If God can’t get our attention one way he always has a way. It is our choice which one He uses. I feel God’s goal is to make us more Christ like and to do so what must we change that is hindering this? If we turn to Him He will reveal more of Himself to us.
What a calming effect the truth can have on us. If there were forces outside God’s control, or events over which he has had no jurisdiction, our condition would indeed be desperate. But God is still in his holy temple. He is still in control and if we put our faith and trust in Him we will come through the storm. His grace will keep us safe and give us peace in the darkest of times.

Caterpillar or Butterfly

Acts 9:17-19
“And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.”

If you have ever seen a butterfly you know it was not always a butterfly. It started as a caterpillar. As God created the caterpillar He also had a plan in mind to change it into a butterfly. If you watch that green crawly worm inching its way from leaf to leaf you know it is not a thing of beauty. It is limits in what it can see and what it can do. In time it enters a cocoon and metamorphosis happens. As I read about how Saul was changed I cannot help but think how like the caterpillar he was. As I read about the scales falling off Saul’s eyes I think of the butterfly as it emerges from its chrysalis—the same creature yet through God’s miracle of transformation different in every way.

Saul could see again but he now had different eyes. Did he see the world as he had seen it or did he see things with the eyes of Christ? Did he still have the narrow world view of the caterpillar from crawling around on the ground for so long where rocks looked like mountains and puddles looked like oceans? Or did he have the vantage of a butterfly soaring above and looking at the world from a completely different view point? Yes he was still in the world but he had a completely different perspective.

When he emerged from blindness his life was forever changed as he became a "new creation in Christ". He no longer had the same perspective or eyesight -- and we -- two thousand years later have been greatly blessed as a result.

When one accepts Christ as savior you become a new creature. You were changed by the mercy of God’s Grace and the blood that was shed on the cross. You have a new birth. Old things are passed away and everything is new. Just like the butterfly that now sees the beauty all around you too now have a new set of eyes.
Vision is totally dependent on your point of view, on your perspective. As you rise out of the baptismal waters where you buried the old man you now have Christ as your guide. In baptism you were buried in the likeness of his death and raised in the likeness of his resurrection. You now have new point of view. Saul got his sight back then he got baptized and then was fed to regain his strength and then he began his ministry.

How do you see the world? Do you see it the same as your non-Christian friends or do you see it through Christ's eyes? Are you still stumbling around with your eyes closed or have you let Jesus change your perspective? How can you begin to change right now?

Would You Go If You Knew

Acts 9:13-16, “Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.”

Ananias was perfectly content to go about his daily life of doing going and serving the Lord. That is until the Lord spoke to him and told him to go to see a man who was arresting all those who followed Jesus. The Lord speaking to him did not surprise him it was what God wanted him to do that caused him to set up right in bed. “Are you sure you really want me to go see this man? You do know he is doing much evil to your followers in Jerusalem? You do understand he has authority from the high priest to arrest me as soon as he knows who I am?” God said, “Yes I am very aware of who he is. He is a chosen vessel. I have selected him to carry my name before the Gentiles, kings and the children of Israel. So get up and go Saul is waiting I told him you were coming.”
Notice something here Ananias was just to go give Saul back his sight. He was not to be afraid of him. He was to go help him prepare for what the Lord had planned for him to do. Saul, soon to be Paul, was called to preach unto the Gentiles. Then he was to preach to those in authority then he was to speak to the Jews. That was God’s plan. Paul was always getting that backward. He wanted to go the Jews first then he would get around to the rest. As a result he was always suffering at the hand of the Jews.
Remember before his conversion Paul was doing all the wrong things by persecuting the Christians. Then after he got saved he kept trying to do his ministry in his own way. He felt he should be talking to the Jews first. Keep in mind he had once been one of the religious elite. Knew the law backward and forward and knew the Jews were God’s chosen people. So why shouldn’t he talk to the Jews first? That was not God’s plan. Paul knew he would face adversity after adversity as he faced the Gentiles, who hated the Jews, as he faced the kings who every one hated, and as he faced the Jews who now hated him. What a way to start a ministry. In Romans 7:18-25 we get a glimpse of what was going on in Paul head. He is struggling with the same thing we all struggle with, the same feelings of frustration that we have with our own sinful nature. Paul had trouble getting it right, so we can really relate to him. Verse 25 says it all, “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” of the same feelings of frustration that I have with my own sinful nature. Paul had trouble getting it right, so I can really relate to him.
Getting back to Ananias; what would we do if God spoke to us like He spoke to Ananias and told us to go to places we knew we would not be welcomed. Or at least places we thought we would not be welcomed. If God were to give us a glimpse of His plan would we still question His direction? Ananias did and I bet we would as well. Paul knew what he was fixing to face and he began his ministry and served the Lord with full knowledge of the consequences of that service. Could we say the same thing as Paul and would we go as Ananias did?

Meekness Is Not Weakness

Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”
Isaiah 29:19, “The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.”
Sheep are mild mannered animals and are seldom considered dangerous. Jesus called those who followed him sheep. Many times if someone is meek they are thought to be weak. In fact the opposite is the case. Meekness is actually great strength under control, God’s control. To be one who trust in God and lets Him have His way requires some great things. Great faith, great commitment, and great determination on a daily basis are what are required to live a meek life before God. To be meek defies logic and goes against the grain as defined by the world. To live for God has some special requirements. When He requires sacrifice, meekness trust completely and gives willingly. When He demands obedience, meekness constrains selfish desires, crucifies personal ambition, and performs joyfully the good will of God.
What did Jesus mean when He said; the meek shall inherit the earth? I am sure there are as many definitions as there are people. I am also sure theologians the world over have a thought about this. If we live for Him our joy is filled and increases. Our pleasure is not found in personal circumstances, it is not derived from fleeting popularity, and it is not fulfilled in public success. The meek find their joy in the Lord. Therefore, the more we have of Him, the more we experience His love, and the more we know Him, the more our joy increases. It then stands to reason if we are in Him and He is in us and the world is His footstool we then also have to world at our feet. As His children He will supply our needs from His riches in heaven. Jesus was meek and yet powerful. Another way to look at meekness would be to be considered humble, gentle, mild mannered, and quite. The world thinks that shows weakness. Meekness is not a momentary decision, but a way of life. It has been said that meekness is like putting the bit in your mouth and handing the reigns to God.
I am reminded of the description of a comic book hero who was described as mild mannered and who was thought to be weak. In reality he was superman the man of steel and had power beyond belief. Jesus was meek but was not weak. We too can be meek and be filled with the power of almighty God. Philippians 4:13, “I can do all thing through Christ who strength me.”