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.”

Gratitude

Colossians 4:2,5,6 “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
As Paul is closing out his letter to the Colossian Church he is reminding them and us about our prayer life. We are to be watchful and thankful. We are to be alert, vigilant and attentive to the world around us. We are to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. We are to be thankful for even the smallest blessing sent our way. It seems as if Paul knew we all have a tendency to grow selfish and unmindful of the Lord’s blessings in our lives. We sometimes take things for granted. We get caught up in asking for things we forget to tell the Lord thank you.
As we are praying we are to be not only aware of our adversary but we need to watchful for opportunities to give thanks. When we are praying for a sick loved one or friend shouldn’t we also give thanks that one is still with us and was sent into our lives? When we lose a love one due to illness are we thankful that one is not longer hurting, knows the Lord and grateful their life touched ours? As we are praying for revival in our country, our church our city shouldn’t we also thank God for His promise to never leave us nor forsake us? As we are going through trials and difficulties do we see the value in the lessons we are learning and are we thankful for that lesson? Is there a reason to be grateful, even in the midst of a crisis? There is if we will be open and look.
Paul is also reminding us about our basic obligations as a Christian. Be careful as you pray today, and as you pray, be careful to give thanks to God for His abundant mercies and marvelous promises. We are to be aware of those who do not know Jesus and be watchful for opportunities to share the gospel with them. In every area of our lives we have reason to be grateful. In sorrows, in needs and in trials there is always something we can be grateful for. Do we look for that or are we too caught up in the moment to see and be thankful?

God's Grace

Philippians 4:6-7, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
As we walk down life’s road we are bound to have problems. At those times it is hard to have faith in anything. We may even ask what good is faith when all seems to be lost. I am sure we all have asked that question at one time or another. We may have even asked God why you have let this happen. It is at those times we must know God has a purpose and everything happens for a reason.
It is at those very times when we need to turn to the Lord in prayer and seek His wisdom and His grace. I am reminded about the apostle Paul and all the problems he faced. He felt he had to destroy all that followed Jesus. Then he met Jesus and his life changed. At first glance we might think his life went from good to bad in an instant. He went from being one of the religious elite to a fugitive. After all he was blinded, led by the hand to a stranger’s house and told to wait instructions. From that point few there were who trusted him. Many there were who wanted to have nothing to do with him. Even the twelve were afraid of him. He had people who wanted to kill him. He was wanted by the authorities and was put in jail many times. Most of his ministry was spent in prison. He had entered the city on two good legs to leave the city he had to be lowered over the wall in a basket at night to avoid those who wanted his life. Yes you might say Paul had a bad day on the road to Damascus. But then you might want to take a look at God’s plan for him, God’s purpose for his life and the mission to tell others about Christ.
When you read what Paul wrote to the Philippian Church, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” you get a feeling how God was using all his problems so He could teach Paul how to help others. He prayed for God to heal his body and remove the thorn from his flesh three times. To keep him humble and effective God told him, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
When life’s troubles hit us like a tidal wave, we can remember the Lord’s compassion never fails and He will never leave us nor forsake us. The only way we can avoid problems is to not live, that is not an option. So when troubles come, and they will, we need to turn our eyes upon Jesus and hand Him our problems. Have faith He is right by our side and is very much in control. He sees all, knows all and can deal with anything we come across. Remember satan doesn’t fight his kids he is too busy pestering God’s kids.
“My sheep I know, they are My own, I leave them not in trial alone; I will be with them to the end---their hope, their joy, their dearest Friend.” ---Anonymous

Making A Decision

Ephesians 5:8-10, For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
We each use different tools when we make decisions. We weigh the financial impact; look at how a career change will benefit or what physical opportunity may be afforded. Sometimes we worry and fret over how to do something or how to accomplish something. So how do you make decisions?
Paul is giving us some very good advice. Walk as children of light. In other words our lives ought to be radically, fundamentally, unmistakably different than those who do not claim Christ as their Lord and Savior. When we walk in light we can see where we are going. We see clearly what to avoid.
We should not be asking the same questions those who walk in darkness are asking when faced with a similar situation. We should be making decisions that reflect the light of the Lord Jesus not the self-seeking ways of the lost and dying. We should not have the same goals as those who do not have an eternal perspective.
Paul is telling us we should test everything to see if it is pleasing unto the Lord not whether it is pleasing to our palate or will fit into the worldly scheme of things. Is what we are looking to do in total agreement with the Word? Will this decision draw me closer to Christ or push me away? Will what I am looking to do further the cause of Christ in this world? These are but a few of the test questions we should ask as we make decisions.
Because of His love for us God has not left us in the dark to walk alone or to make decisions by ourselves. Thankfully the Lord walks with us and in His light we can clearly see. As children of light we do not have to guess about what is pleasing to Christ. All we have to do is to look to His Word and we will know what and how we are to live and accomplish things that are pleasing unto Him.
Therefore, take His Word, discover what is acceptable to the Lord, and walk in it as a child of light.

Dependent On Others

Acts 9:8-9 “And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.”

Saul met Jesus and had a life changing experience. However he was not ready to go change the world. When he opened his eyes he could not see. He was blind and now was helpless.
Nothing like losing one of your most valuable senses -- your eyesight -- to make you dependent on others, to get your attention on what is important. Have you ever walked out of a dark theater into bright sun light? If you have then you know for a moment you cannot see and have to wait till your eyes adjust to the brighter light. The light that Saul encountered was Jesus, and it was so bright it temporarily burned out his sight. I think not only did Saul have to wait for his eyes to adjust he had to learn how to be dependent on others. This man who was leading men to Damascus to put an end to the Jesus movement now had to be led by others.
What a humbling experience this must have been for Saul. How must he have felt to now having to be led by the hand? We don’t know how far he had to walk but we do know not only did he have to get to Damascus he then had to find a specific house. He had to be led step by step and told where everything was so he would not stumble and fall. What a painful humbling journey that must have been.
Saul had been motivated by the Lord, and he did the appropriate thing -- he fasted for three days. Why? I think Saul realized he just had a life changing experience and needed to go to God -- setting aside the demands of the flesh -- in order to gain a better understanding of the significance of the message and how it changed his purpose.
When was the last time we sought the Lord by fasting for any length of time much less for three days? When we think of fasting visions of all kinds of things rush through our minds. The demand of the flesh becomes more important than seeking the Lord. Spirituality is not as important as a big mac or whopper. God’s direction has to take a back seat to the empty feeling in our stomach. I believe the Lord speaks to us in events -- all we have to do is seek Him. Jesus said seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you.
As Saul was being led by the hand he had time to think. His eyes were dark and the words of Jesus were ringing in his ears. He had time to reflect and he knew he had to have a one on one with the Lord. Could we do what Saul did fast and pray for three days? What would you have done had you been in Saul’s shoes?

For Your Ears Only

Acts 9:7-8 “And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.”

As we learned in our last visit Saul (Paul) was given an instruction to get up out of the dusty road and go into the city. Have you ever wondered why those who traveled with him did not hear the same thing he heard? They heard something but they were not sure what it was. Was it thunder? Did Paul just get struck by lightning? Whatever it was they stood speechless. When Saul got up they had to lead him by the hand into the city to get help. They knew what to do just not why they had to do it.
In the Book of Job, God allowed Satan to test Job and Satan did his best to mess up Job's life. His children died; his business and finances were ruined; he even had sores and sickness throughout his body. It was so bad his wife encouraged him to curse God and die. Job's friends came to him and asked him to repent of the sin that must be in his life -- clearly from their perspective God was punishing him. Job's wife's advice was wrong and Job's friends were wrong. They were present but they didn't understand the event.

The men traveling with Saul didn't understand what he had experienced either. They heard a sound but didn't see anyone. Whether they recognized it as a supernatural event or wondered if it was thunder, they were speechless because of it. Have you ever felt that way before? You've just had this incredible encounter with God, so you tell your wife or your friends, yet no one seems to appreciate its significance. So much so that you even begin to doubt it yourself. Maybe you just imagined it. Did God really talk to me?
The message that day was not for them. God spoke to Saul. God had a message that was for Saul’s ears only. Surely God speaks to groups of people all the time, however our God is also a personal Savior and Counselor. As a result, much of what He speaks is meant for us personally. Notice I said personally not privately. My point is not that you shouldn't share when God speaks mightily and directly to you (as in Saul's experience), rather you shouldn't doubt that God did speak just because another person who was present didn't hear the same thing. God may have had a totally different message for the person setting next to you. You both heard God speaking but you each heard something different. You might have heard “rise up and go” the person next to you may have heard, “if you die without Christ you will go to hell.” Or maybe someone heard, “to be forgiven you must forgive.” You heard, “I sure could use another Sunday School teacher.” You both were in the same service and you both heard God’s voice, but each heard a different message. Remember God speaks to the heart not the head. Then there are those like the men on the road with Saul who heard something but saw nothing. Who were left speechless and wondering what just happened. Happens every Sunday.
Have you ever heard a sermon and when discussing it with your wife or friend found that they heard something completely different than you? Have you ever read a familiar verse of scripture and developed a completely different understanding of what it meant? If so, God has spoken to you personally -- did you pay attention to what the Creator of the Universe had to say? Did you then go out and do what He said? What can you do today to become more responsive to God's personal message for you?

The First Big Step

Acts 9:6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
The first step is a big one.
Remember Paul on the road to Damascus? Breathing wrath and wanting to kill those who followed Jesus. Remember how the Lord got his attention? Knocked him to his knees and blinded him with His glory, asked him why he was doing what he was doing. Sure we all know the story but did we see what God told him to do? No it was not write a large part of the New Testament. No it was not convert the then known world. No it was not to plant churches in Jesus name. Now we know that was God’s plan but He did not give it to Paul all at once. What did the Lord tell Paul to do? Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

When we get saved do we have a complete road map laid out for us telling what we are to do for the rest of our lives? Not really. We may get a word as Paul did, “Arise “. We may have an inkling of what the Lord wants us to do. First we have to go where He can better speak to us and give us more direction. A big step was taken when we received Christ now what? The danger is that the longer we wait the less motivated we become. We can begin to rationalize, for example: "He didn't really mean now, there's a lot of loose ends I need to tie up first." We might even look for an alternative explanation "Maybe that wasn't the Lord I met. Maybe the light was lightning and the voice was just thunder." Whatever the situation, the decision of when to get started is always -- "now."
The Lord's next words, "get up and go... and you will be told what you must do," should be underlined and highlighted in all of our Bibles for they are the key to understanding the concepts of discipleship, faith, and righteousness. These concepts can appear difficult and complicated. However, they are really very simple when expressed as: "get up and go... and you will be told what you must do." Paul didn’t stay in the dirt on the road? He asked “what will thou have me to do?” He didn’t start to analyze and rationalize his next move by asking, “Where exactly do you want me to go?” "What exactly do you want me to do when I get there?" or "What should I take with me -- do I need to pickup something on the way?" He just obeyed the Lord and got up and was led to Damascus.

In the military, one of the purposes of boot camp is to prepare independent young men and women to take orders without question or explanation. On the battlefield if the sergeant yells "hit the ground" a new recruit might get killed by enemy fire if he or she pauses to ask for more information of what ground to hit, or a more detailed explanation of the danger. The same can be true for us as we face the trials and tribulations of the spiritual boot camp we call life -- do we hesitate or obey? All too often we look back at an event and say "It would have turned out so much better if I had only listened to the Lord!"
When the Lord says, "Get up and go," how do you respond? How do you express in your life the concepts of discipleship, faith, and righteousness? Faith is doing something even though you don't know how it will turn out. When was the last time you stepped out in faith? Are you willing to follow the Lord right now, and then wait for His next instruction?