Companionship in the New Year

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
II Corinthians 13:14

Was 2011 a banner year for you that has you hoping for a repeat in 2012 or was it a difficult twelve months that you are glad are over and do not soon want to repeat? Regardless of how you answered that question, I hope that in the lowest valley experiences and on the highest mountaintop joys you were able to learn, and take from each, what God desired you to have.
God has made every one of us unique, (yep, billions of people on the planet and no one quite like you!) but the struggles and the joys you may have been a part of this year are not. Most adults have faced a loss in the lives through the death of a loved one. Many marriages have ended in divorce. On the other end of the spectrum, someone else, like you, has landed that ‘perfect job’ or another mom has given birth to the ‘perfect baby’. As difficult or as wonderful as all the events of the past 365 days may have been, they were not spent alone.
Jesus promised us that He would never leave us and He would never forsake us.
He doesn’t disappear when things go wrong.
He is not a ‘fair weather friend’.
Neither does He suddenly appear, like all the long lost friends and relatives, who come out of the woodwork when you get the huge promotion, win a sweepstakes or are elected to an office.
As we leave 2011 and begin 2012 may you be diligent in acknowledging the presence of God in your life.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you recognize God’s work in the tough times and in the times when everything seems to be going well.
Both seasons are times when it can be easy to walk away from God.
Just remember, He will not walk away from you.

This is Sure Not the Answer I was Expecting!

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6

Today I am sharing with you a brief portion of a testimony given on Christmas Day at ‘His Place’. Before you read it, let me ask you a question. Do you ever pray while convincing yourself as you pray that you know just how God will answer your prayer? Maybe, just maybe, God will indeed answer your prayer but in a way you had not considered. I know we have all heard the expression – “Don’t put God in a box”; but I think sometimes we ask and try to ‘hem God in’ by expecting He can only answer in a way that meets our expectations. Our verse for today begins with the word ‘trust’. Trust means God gets to answer how and when He chooses. Our role is to ask and then trust him. Read the testimony below and notice the unexpected way that God answered (yes, He did answer!) the prayer.

“My perception of God is that He has a fantastic sense of humor. During a white-out snow storm early last winter, as I drove up a steep hill (after which I knew followed a sharp bend in the road) suddenly all the windows on my pickup fogged over making it impossible for me to see where I was going. I prayed a fast apology for not asking His protection before starting my trip, then pleaded that He protect me and those around me from harm. After which He quite gently parked me in a ditch!

Let’s determine to ask God as we need to and then to let
go of trying to let our imagination control how He answers!

God is Good and God is Gracious

“Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders.”
Psalm 107:31-32

I hope that the testimonies shared have been encouraging to you. In some small ways and some very big ways we have seen the faithfulness of our loving, heavenly Father through the lives of people facing ‘common’ problems with an ‘uncommonly’ loving God. Here is another one to rejoice in:

“The first thing that came to mind when we were asked to share how God has blessed our family during the past year was something all born-again parents pray for. As a leader of our youth group, the kids in our group know I love them and that my greatest prayer is that they all would accept Christ as their Savior and that they would begin a personal relationship with Jesus. I didn't expect the first to be my own son. I thanked God for His kindness & grace as I led my eldest son in the sinner's prayer. If that wasn't amazing enough by itself, a few months later I got to baptize my own son. God is awesome!The next event that comes to mind is something that frightened my wife and me. While putting our second eldest son to bed one evening, I noticed a lump on the back of his neck about the size of a peanut M&M. It was located between two vertebrae. My wife had noticed it too and was more than a little distressed. Neither of us wanted to worry our son about it, so while he was sleeping, we each took turns laying our hands on him and praying that God would heal him. The next morning the lump was completely gone and has not returned. Praise God!Also this year, my brother and his wife had experienced difficulty in their marriage. Difficulties like gambling problems and infidelity. The marriage was in severe danger and my sister-in-law had already contacted an attorney and sought out a separate living space. We met with them, spoke with them, helped them to understand the roles of a husband and a wife from a biblical perspective as well as God's attitude toward marriage and divorce. Two days ago they visited our house for Christmas and were getting along very well - laughing with each other, joking, and hugging each other. Their marriage is on the mend.God continues to open doors for us to speak into other's lives and present opportunities to come along side Him. We have realized the more we draw closer to Him, and the more we fall in love with Jesus, the closer we grow to each other. We have never been stronger and tighter. God is good. God is gracious. God is an amazing God and we can't help but thank Him for what He has done for us this year.”

And He Walks With Me and He Talks With Me!

“Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.”
Psalm 40:5

If you are just joining us here at “Choose the River” we are taking a look this week at some of the testimonies shared on Christmas day at ‘His Place’. W rejoiced to have an opportunity to give God the glory as some shared the things God has done in their lives in 2011. Below is another of the testimonies that was shared:

“2011 started with fear. Our youngest son lost his home through addictions and we feared for his life as 2011 began. Adult children remain babies in our heart and we want to protect them from the world. Christ intervened and much like the prodigal son in the book of Luke I had to let him go much like Christ does with me. My grief showed me how much I grieve Christ through my actions because he loves me more deeply than I love my son.
I was sad in the spring when a dear friend passed away but I recalled him telling me how he stood here at the altar in His Place and experienced the arms of Christ embracing him. I was able to see Christ reaching out with his comfort for him and also for me.
An early bible study we had that suggested we “walk across the room” stayed as a burden with me through this year – why can’t I reach out to more of the people of my community? Not to have a bigger fellowship but to open eyes of neighbors to a relationship with Jesus that he longs for and we all dismiss to one degree or another.
In late summer our studies of Prophetic Ministry led me deeper into a relationship with the Spirit of God. While I knew and believed the prophetic was a gift of the Holy Spirit, I believed it was a gift for someone else and not me. Little did I know what was about to happen - only recently. My wife traveled with me during a business trip two weeks ago and we took time to investigate a time share type investment. It looked great and we could pass ownership to our son as a future gift. We agreed to the deal and I fell asleep that night contented.
In the middle of the night I awoke with a prophetic dream imprinted in me. Shirley & I were in the lower section of a building, warm, safe and at peace. A boom over our head made us walk upstairs where we found a tree that had crashed through a roof and was lying on the floor that was above us. Below everything was still warm, safe and peaceful but rain was entering around the tree. The interpretation was given to me – disaster was coming to our safety, peace and warmth unless we acted now. The next day we canceled the investment and last Friday we returned home, meeting my boss after landing. The news was bad. My job was being cut that very day. Medical coverage would be ended on December 31 and my wife’s diabetic supplies would no longer be covered and there would no longer be a pay check.
There is not enough time to explain everything but Christ leads me and comforts me and protects me. It is often said we walk alone in life but with my wife at my side we walk with Christ as our guide, our comforter and our Lord.”

Rise, Shine and Give God the Glory!

“Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.”
Psalm 34:3

As I mentioned in a previous post, this Christmas day at ‘His Place’ we were given an opportunity to give God the glory and to rejoice with others who shared some of the things God has done in their lives in 2011. Below is the testimony shared by one individual. Won’t you rejoice with us in thanking God for what He is doing in their life?

"Baptized in the Holy Spirit, I have a better understanding of Gods direction for my life. I now want more of him in my life. I'm like a sponge now. I just want to know more. Have total faith in God, knowing He is always there no matter what I'm facing. I have faced a lot these past few years.

This will be my second year of tithing and being able to see the blessing from that. Financially God has amazingly been there for me. Bills that I couldn't pay would get paid. I am still in my house with no payments for more than three years (after my husband left me). When my cupboards where empty and I didn't know what was going to happen. God always provided. I don't have to go to the food cupboard anymore. My income hasn't changed and God has shown me so much of the unexplained happenings in my life.

I am badly hurt and I have faced many struggles in my life. Yet, God was there for me through it all. He was there through the anger. When I cried out to Him, he was there for me. God spoke words over my life through people and I saw myself walking through my difficulties. When I need help I call on God and He is always there.

There is a lot that I still await in the coming New Year. I have an excitement for what it is that God has prepared for me. I know God is making me a “new creation”. Every time I look at myself I'm different. I'm new in Him and through Him. What an awesome God we have! He allows us to have this renewal in our life.

I'm thankful that I didn't give up because there were many times I wanted to. I am thankful for the help from the pastors and their families and my church friends who have encouraged and built me up. Sometimes they may have been a little tired of hearing my problems. However none of you ever gave up on me, even when my own family did. You all stood there for me and my family that is a blessing in itself.

God is now first in my life and that will never change. I pray that I continue to stay on that narrow path. That is what I want for my life. I have been through many tests this past year and none of that could hinder the love I have for Christ. I'm proud to be in love with Jesus. He makes me happy when I wake up in the morning. He is three throughout my day and when I lay my head down at night.

I continue to pray and trust God to work out the areas I still have some struggles in. God is still working challenges out in my life and I thank Him for all he has done in 2011. I look forward to all that my God will accomplish with my life in this coming New Year."

Rejoicing in a Word Fulfilled

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
Luke 2:25-32

Simeon is a man who received a revelation from the Holy Spirit. In these few verses where he is mentioned, we learn an awful lot about him. He was righteous and devout and was waiting for the ‘consolation of Israel’. But he wasn’t passively waiting. We are told that the Holy Spirit was on him and had revealed to him that he would not die without first seeing the Messiah. Simeon was a man who waited in hope and responded to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Interestingly, the fulfillment of the word could have caused great fear in him if he chose to focus on his own mortality spoken about in the revelation. Observe, though, how Simeon responded. The word tells us that he took Jesus into his arms and praised God! He was thrilled to see the fulfillment of the word to him and what that meant for the nation of Israel. He probably did not live to see Jesus step into ministry or to go to the cross and three days later rise from the grave. But he did die in peace – “being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised.” Romans 4:21.
Are you fully persuaded that God has the power to do what He has promised to do in your life? Allow the truth of the Christmas story to rekindle in you the hope of His promises yet to be fulfilled.
Just as Simeon did, wait in hope, and be filled with His Holy Spirit.

Heavenly Father:
I thank you for each of those who are reading these words.
May their hope in you grow in the coming year.
May they learn to look more and more to you and to rely less and less on their own strength and their own abilities.
May your grace and your peace be multiplied to them this Christmas season.
I ask this in the matchless name of your Son, Jesus Christ.
Amen

Appreciating God’s Goodness in Your Life

“Then God said to Jacob, “Go up to Bethel and settle there, and build an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau.”
So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes.
Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.”
Genesis 35:1-3


God spoke to Jacob and gave him some very specific instructions.
He was to go to Bethel, settle there and build an altar to God.
Jacob was not quiet about the instructions.
As a matter of fact he spoke to his entire household and those with him, not only where they were going but, what he would do when they got there and why he was doing it. He spoke to the fact that God was with him in the day of his distress and was with him wherever he went. Jacob was boasting about God to his entire house. Sometimes we can take a lot of heat when we give God the Glory – just look at all of the uproar over Tim Tebow expressing his faith and love for God – but the grief we might receive should never cause us to be silent when God is worthy of praise.

This coming Sunday we celebrate Christmas.
At ‘His Place’, here is what is planned:

“I would like to extend an opportunity to anyone that wishes to take about 2-4 minutes and share with the family of His Place the great things or thing that God has done in your life this year.
Our God is so worthy of praise and glory and this coming Sunday I just want to declare to the earth and the heavens what He has done. I want our kids to hear of a God that still moves in the lives of people and in so doing building faith in them.”
Pastor Tim

No matter where you may find yourself this Sunday; take a few moments to give God the Glory for the things He has done in your life this past year. Share with others His goodness and love. Let them know that He not only came in a manger over 2,000 years ago but He is here today and can help them, just as He helped Jacob, in the day of their distress.

Watching Over His Word

“The LORD said to me, “You have seen correctly,
for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.”
Jeremiah 1:12


From Genesis to Malachi the Old Testament is filled with prophetic references to Jesus. Among other things it spoke of his physical appearance, his ministry, where he would be born and how he would die.
There are glimpses, symbols and types of him from the time of creation forward.
Jesus could look to the Law and the Prophets to know the Father’s plans for Him.
He often did.
On occasion He quoted those verses to those who were listening to Him.
Because the prophetic record was so clear to Him, He knew how and when He would surrender His life. Through the three years of ministry there were times when others sought to take Him by force or to kill Him. But because He knew His time had not yet come or the manner in which they sought to kill Him was not what was spoken through the prophets; there was an assurance to Him and protection for Him.
He lived His life to do the will of the Father.

Do you face difficulties and perhaps even threats of death
while holding on to that same assurance?
I am not talking about situations you may have created that cause others to seek your life. Instead, I am talking about that protection we find when we are hidden in the will of God and have yet to fulfill all the words He has spoken to us.
My life has a purpose.
Your life has a purpose.
Find it and fulfill it with the assurance that God is watching over His word in your life to see that it is fulfilled.
Jesus said on the cross: “It is finished”.
Sometimes when we struggle or face a setback we think to ourselves: “I am finished.” Jesus’ focus was not on Himself but on the work that His Father gave Him to do.
It was ‘It’ and not ‘I’ that was finished.
Let God’s words and purposes for your life focus and protect you in the same way.
How can we say that Jesus was protected and yet He died on the cross?
Because we know it was God’s will for Him to die for you and I.
God protected Jesus in order to bring Him to the cross.
He will protect you so that you may finish your work too.

Humble Pie - To Pride You Die!

"For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
Matthew 23:12

Do you agree with this statement:
"You are not ready to step into your destiny until you are in a place of true humility"? I hope that you do because it is true.
Scripture speaks over and over again about humility and it's ugly opposite - pride.
Pride brought Lucifer down from his role in heaven and humility accompanied Jesus all the way to the cross. Now, that might disturb you because you certainly understand the importance of being humble but if its reward is the cross then you ask - why bother? But Jesus's victory was won on the cross and through the resurrection from the grave. Listen to what Hebrews 12:2 has to say:
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Jesus endured the cross and humbly walked in obedience to the will of the Father and the task that was set before Him. Was Jesus tempted to step away from the cross and walk in pride? Absolutely he was. The temptation came in the wilderness from the one well acquainted with pride. Listen to this exchange between Satan and Jesus:
"Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you", he said "if you will bow down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "Away from me Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.""
Satan was dishing up pride. Jesus refused and found strength in the Word of God. Next time you are tempted to step away from God's will to grasp what seems to be a great promotion or anything that exalts you and diminishes God's direction for your life follow the admonition of the writer of Hebrews and
"...fix your eyes on Jesus..."
and
"...walk humbly with your God."

A Day Like Any Other?

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much..."

Luke 16:10a

Interesting thing about David.

Nowhere prior to I Samuel 17 do his fellow countrymen know of him as a giant killer or hero of Israel. Verse 20 of that chapter tells us how his day began: "Early in the morning David left the flock with a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed."

It was a pretty mundane task set before him.

His father Jesse had asked David to bring some food to his older brothers and their commander who were fighting the Philistines with King Saul. He also wanted to know how things were going for his sons. David was serving his father by acting as a messenger; we might say - a gopher - nothing too glamorous or heroic about that job! David, like so many others in scripture we have looked at, was in a process of maturing for the destiny God had for him. Killing Goliath was not his destiny though it certainly propelled him along the way.

Some may have had David's biography stop there.

Songs were sung to honor him on that day but God knew he still had much more for this future king to grow through before he was, as God Himself had declared him to be, "...a man after my own heart..." Maybe today you are serving others in what you consider pretty 'mundane' ways. Take a lesson from King David and serve your brothers and sisters by faithfully carrying out the directions of your Father. Maybe David thought his day was simply nothing more than following his father's directions (and it was) but his heavenly Father had much more to unfold for him that day.

Remain faithful in the little things.

God sees you.

He is watching.

Faithfulness in the little things will help to propel you into the destiny God has for your life.

Jacob Becomes Israel

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone and the new has come!"

II Corinthians 5:17

Have you had a life-altering wrestling match with God?

I am not talking about verbal sparring but the type of an encounter that we find Jacob having with God in Genesis chapter 32?

How can we know it altered his life?

Jacob - which means "he will take by the heel" and is recognized as a deceiver - had his name changed to Israel - which means "he shall be prince of God".

We are told in verse 28: "Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome."" You see Jacob deceived his very own brother Esau out of his birthright and his blessing. He himself was later deceived (what you sow, you reap) by his uncle Laban and had to work 14 years for the love of his life Rebecah instead of the agreed upon 7 years. God took Jacob through a process in his life from a deceiver to one who prevails with God. It was not easy at times and we can thank God that that same grace and patience God had toward Jacob he has with us. There comes a time in each of our lives when we have to decide if we are going to continue as a Jacob or allow God's process in maturing us to change us to Israel. Abram became Abraham and Sarai became Sarah. Jesus did a similar thing with Simon by changing his name to Peter. You, at times, like Jacob will struggle with your old nature and you will struggle with God, to do what you know you should do. Who will prevail? The old man and his nature or the new man that has put on Christ?

Is there a new name in your future?

Savior AND Lord

"But grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen."

How do you grow in the grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ?

You add that four letter word from our scripture verse I omitted in my question to you.

You learn to make Him L-O-R-D!

He is indeed to be our Lord and Savior.

Too frequently we just stop after accepting Him as Savior.

He saves us from our sins by washing us in His precious blood which was shed on the cross for you and I. That is the work of grace we are willing to receive. But then I am asked to let go of my own desires, my own will and to walk in His plans for my life. That is a little bit tougher. Jesus never sugar coated what it meant to make Him Lord. Neither should we. His grace is sufficient for the task but we usually don't realize it because long before that grace is made evident in our lives we say: "So long - I didn't sign up for this!" Actually you did. You stepped out of the kingdom of darkness and into the Kingdom of Light. You left one kingdom behind and surrendered, not to any other human king but, to the "King of Kings and Lord of Lords".

I grow in this Kingdom by surrender.

I mature through sacrifice and service.

I advance through humbly honoring my brothers and sisters in Christ before myself.

I bow my knee to Jesus Christ as both savior and LORD!

Listen AND Act!

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."

James 1:22

How could someone dare to say that receiving a word from the Lord is "no big deal"?

Wouldn't that be disrespect to God of the highest order?

Before you answer that listen to these words from Jesus -

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house upon a rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

Sometimes, I think we hear a word from the Lord and we suppose that just hearing it is a great accomplishment. Maybe if you are not accustomed to hearing God's voice there may be some truth in that but His sheep know His voice and so the expectation is not simply hearing His voice but obeying what it is He has spoken to us. I think by now most everyone knows the marketing slogan made famous by Nike footwear some years back. It was: "Just Do It!". Do not misunderstand me - it is wonderful to know that our Father speaks to us but we must not be so enamored with that knowledge that we fail to walk in obedience to what it is He has spoken. We are to hear His word and we are to be doers of it. Just do it.

Jesus called the doers wise, but the ones who only hear and fail to act He called foolish.

So, to a believer, it is no big deal to hear a word, the real deal is doing it!

Grow Up!

"And Jesus matured, growing up in both body and spirit, blessed by both God and people."

Luke 2:52

For the past several Sundays we have been looking at: "Stepping Into Your Destiny".

A point that was made this week was that if you want to step into your destiny what you need to know is that God has a plan for your life but He matures you through a process.

So often we cry out to God: 'Lord, reveal your plan for my life so that I can fulfill it!'

God answers that prayer by setting us on the path to maturity. We fail to make the connection between maturity and His plans for our life, so we consider our prayer unanswered. In extreme cases we can even lose our faith in God and fall away.

Simply stated; Gods plans for my life include my maturing.

Listen to how the Apostle Paul said it in Ephesians 4:13 "until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." While this verse is most often applied to the church as a whole it is not unreasonable, in light of scriptural principles, to apply it to individual lives as well. As a matter of fact, Paul goes on, in the next verse, to say: "Then we will no longer be infants..."

It is not Gods' intention for you to fulfill His plans for your life and find at the completion of that plan you are still a spiritual infant.

Failure to yield to the maturing process of God cuts short our fulfilling His plans.

We step out of Gods plans when we refuse to grow up.

Abraham, Moses, David and so many other biblical patriarchs, we could note, fulfilled the plans God had for them. They grew and matured in the process as well.

Our example from this past Sunday was Joseph.

He had changed significantly and matured through the process of being betrayed by his brothers, being sold into slavery and spending time in prison. Each of those trials were part of the process God brought and Joseph yielded too. He then stepped into his destiny as Pharaoh's trusted leader and God's provision to maintain the covenant promises to Abraham.

Are you anxious to step into your destiny?

Then you must surrender to the process of God's maturing work!

Speaking For a Purpose

“A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.”
Proverbs 13:1

Did your parents ever utter the phrase: “I’m not talking just to hear myself speak!”?
It was usually said because there was an expectation on their part that their words would be acted on by you.
The same is true with our heavenly Father.
He doesn’t talk to you just to hear Himself speak.
When he speaks a word to you, no matter how those words may be delivered, it is expected that we would seek to understand and obey. When those words were spoken by our parents, usually it was for our good and to our benefit to listen.
How much more so when your Creator talks with you?
He has formed you for His purposes and with a good plan for your life.
He speaks, at times, to direct, encourage and correct us concerning those plans.
The greatest way to honor and esteem the words God speaks is obedience to them. Imagine the welfare of a child who never obeyed the instructions, given out of love, from their father. Instead of staying away from the stove they are burned. Instead of looking both ways before crossing the street they are struck by a car. Rather than return home at the directed hour they break curfew and end up influenced by the wrong crowd. Our earthy parents speak out of past experiences and lessons learned the hard way; but our heavenly Father speaks out of His infinite wisdom.
Make a new, fresh commitment to God this week that however He may speak to you, whether through His Word, through a prophetic utterance, by the Holy Spirit of God bearing witness in your spirit; you will be quick to seek His understanding and obey Him!

The Evidence of Unity

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
John 17:20-23


Not far from my home is a village which has a church on each of four corners of the main intersection passing through that town. It is supposed to be one of the only locations in the United States where you can find this. I remember pointing this out to someone some time ago and was, at first, taken aback by their reaction. Essentially they commented on how sad it was that there existed so many ‘divisions’ within the church that such a small town would need four different churches.
Did I mention that this person was not a believer?
They were actually more perceptive than I was at that moment.
We have been talking about ‘unity’ this week.
Please understand that the bible speaks of a ‘…unity of the Spirit…’ and not a ‘unity of doctrine’. As long as we are in the flesh, when you put two different people together in the same room there will always be differences. However, Jesus clearly prayed in the text above that our being “…brought to complete unity…” would be evidence, to the world, of two things – First, that the Father sent the Son; and second that the Father loves us as He loves His Son.
You see; those four churches spoke to my friend of division; but Jesus prayed that when we were brought to complete unity it also would speak volumes to the world.
Unity provides evidence.
Unity provides the evidence of the relationship between the Father and the Son and each one of us. Ask God to help you grow in unity with your brothers and sisters in Christ. Give the world all the evidence they need!

Unity Through Vision

“Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?”
Amos 3:3

A synonym for the word ‘unity’ is the word ‘agreement’. Today’s scripture poses a question concerning the ability of two to walk together only after agreeing to do so. In this short verse we find much concerning unity and vision married together. The man or woman who walks in unity with the leadership of their local church is the one who has said: “Yes, I understand the vision and agree with it.” If we disagree with the vision, it is often only a question of time before we create ‘division’ or ‘divided vision’. In Mark 3:25 Jesus said: “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” Unity comes when there is agreement with the vision God has given to a church amongst those who are committed to that church. Too often people attend a church, not based on the vision of that house, but because it is a convenient distance from their home, has a dynamic children’s or youth ministry, is the place their parents and grandparents attended or a host of other reasons. While none of these reasons, in and of themselves, may be wrong they can quickly bring division if they are allowed to be a primary motivation for our attendance. Are you committed to the vision of the house? Do you walk in unity and agreement with the leadership God has provided?
Walking together means walking side-by-side, in the same direction and with the same destination in mind.
Walking together requires agreement and that agreement is found through vision. Compare that statement with the definition of unity found in Webster’s dictionary:
the quality of being one in spirit, sentiment, purpose; harmony and agreement. You can see, then, how unity requires me to be a part and to do my part in agreement with the vision of the house.
Are you walking in agreement with the vision of the house? A synonym for the word ‘unity’ is the word ‘agreement’. Today’s scripture poses a question concerning the ability of two to walk together only after agreeing to do so. In this short verse we find much concerning unity and vision married together. The man or woman who walks in unity with the leadership of their local church is the one who has said: “Yes, I understand the vision and agree with it.” If we disagree with the vision, it is often only a question of time before we create ‘division’ or ‘divided vision’. In Mark 3:25 Jesus said: “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” Unity comes when there is agreement with the vision God has given to a church amongst those who are committed to that church. Too often people attend a church, not based on the vision of that house, but because it is a convenient distance from their home, has a dynamic children’s or youth ministry, is the place their parents and grandparents attended or a host of other reasons. While none of these reasons, in and of themselves, may be wrong they can quickly bring division if they are allowed to be a primary motivation for our attendance. Are you committed to the vision of the house? Do you walk in unity and agreement with the leadership God has provided?
Walking together means walking side-by-side, in the same direction and with the same destination in mind.
Walking together requires agreement and that agreement is found through vision. Compare that statement with the definition of unity found in Webster’s dictionary:
the quality of being one in spirit, sentiment, purpose; harmony and agreement. You can see, then, how unity requires me to be a part and to do my part in agreement with the vision of the house.
Are you walking in agreement with the vision of the house?

No Greater Support System Possible

“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death……For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest.”
Hebrews 2:14a, 16-17

Suppose you needed some encouragement and support in an area of your life that you had been struggling in or to accomplish the mission and purposes for which you were created? Now suppose you could find words of encouragement from someone who had faced a similar issue but had pressed through it with success and victory or another person who, though they may be willing to help, had never faced anything remotely close to what you were going through.
Given the opportunity most would choose the one who made it through in victory because there is a perspective and wisdom there we desperately need to hear. How much infinitely more so would our advocate and intercessor in heaven, Jesus Christ, be able to offer assistance and encouragement?
Maybe as you read the posts on this blog, they have challenged you and you so much want to accomplish God’s plans and purposes for your life.
Be assured of this, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are on your side to see you through.
If you can top that trio let me know!
So often we approach life as if God is, at worst, an enemy or, at best, indifferent to us. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Those who, by faith, have become Abraham’s descendant’s and made Jesus Christ savior and Lord can be assured that not only the Son, but the Father and the Holy Spirit are cheering us on to victory in accomplishing our mission.

The Unity of The Spirit

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
Ephesians 4:3

Yesterday we discussed the importance of unity and how Jesus prayed for his believers to be one in unity.
Jesus understood what unity was.
He was one with the Father and the Holy Spirit throughout eternity; with one momentary brake in that union when your sins and my sins were laid upon Him on the cross. You see sin breaks the union we have with God and it is only through the blood of Jesus Christ that sin is dealt with and that allows us to be one as He and His Father are one.
My sin impacts the rest of the body of Christ too.
We don’t care for that statement because we like to think “our” sin is private and personal. We tell ourselves that sooner or later we will deal with it. The truth is it is never really personal and private because God knows about it.
It is important to repent and to confess our sins to God without delay as we talked about some time ago.
If I really and truly want to see the Kingdom of God advanced in the earth and to see the local church I am a part of carry out the vision God has entrusted to her then I will learn to deal with my sin and not let it master me and hinder God’s work.

Unity

“I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
John 17:23

What do you suppose would be a key ingredient for a successful business, sports team or even a family?
How about unity?
Stop for just a moment and consider a football team where every player has their own agenda and only plays to bring glory to themselves; how many games do you suppose they would win? Certainly fewer than if each member of the team had a specific role and, for the sake of that teams success, executed their tasks as a member of that team.
How about a business full of ambitious individuals with no thought for the goals of that corporation? While it may produce a superstar or two it certainly could not expect the type of bottom line profits needed for long term success.
Finally what of the family where there is no combined efforts to complete chores but it all falls on the shoulders of just one person? Imagine the resentment that would create instead of fostering cooperation.
Every endeavor in life that is undertaken by more than one individual will have better success when those individuals learn to work in unity. Jesus emphasized its importance for the church as He prayed in John 17.
He prayed, that as His followers, we would be brought to complete unity. Imagine the impact that will have in the world? When we set aside our own purposes and step into His purposes individually and corporately. If you think it is a work of the Holy Spirit you are right; but that does not imply we are free to selfishly move forward in our own plans and wait for the ‘magic wand’ of the Holy Spirit to suddenly bring us into unity.
Lay down your own interests, surrender your will to His and pray for the body of Christ to come together in the unity of the Holy Spirit!

Yogurt Cap Memories

“…remember well what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt.”
Deuteronomy 7:18

Is it ever o.k. to look back on your past?
If so, when is it o.k. and why?
We probably have all heard that old adage that says:
“Those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it.”
Certainly there must be some value in our past?
There is. Listen to this admonition from God to the Israelites:
“Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. Remember the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, when he said to me, “Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may learn to revere me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children.”
Deuteronomy 4:9-10
I should recall and remember all of those times when God has delivered me. I should recall and remember all of those times when God has provided for me, when He has forgiven me, when He has healed me, when He has comforted, strengthened and guided me. We are so quick to remember the past when it has been difficult or horrific and too quick to forget when God has been there for us. Certainly the methods God may use in the future may be different from His intervention in our past but God Himself does not change. He is constant in character and nature through our past, in our present and for our future. We can recall those times and teach them to our children and grandchildren to boast of God’s work in our lives.
In our house there is a rather unusual object professionally matted, framed and hanging on our wall. It is a cap from a container of yogurt. It is a long story that I won’t detail here except to say that it is a visual reminder to my wife and I as well as our children of God meeting a very specific need at a crisis moment in our lives. Through it He taught us a valuable lesson which we need to be faithful in remembering at those times of difficulty.
Don’t be afraid to recall the past when it gives glory to God.
He is worth it!

“…Don’t Look Back…”

“As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives!
Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain!
Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!”
Genesis 19:17

The command from the angels to Lot as they brought him, his wife and their two daughters out of the city of Sodom was clear: “…Don’t look back…”
We are told that the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were so wicked that God destroyed them for their wickedness. Lot, Abraham’s nephew, lived in Sodom. There is some speculation among theologians that Lot was a leader, or at least, held a position of influence in that city. However, as they were being rescued Lot received the clear command for him and his family – don’t look back! Lot’s “recent past” was about to be destroyed (so to speak). The temptation and perhaps the pull from that past proved too great for Lot’s wife and when she looked back, we are told, “…she became a pillar of salt…”
Our past can sometimes be very appealing to us. The traditions, the familiarity, the routines of life become our stability. It can become easier to place a greater trust in the knowledge of our past than in the faith required, in God, for our future.
In our minds, the sure thing – our past – beats out the unsure thing – our future.
But any mind, dwelling on the past, pre-occupied with it, looking back to it, is not a mind surrendered to God. Listen to the admonition to each of us given in Isaiah 26:3:
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
Concerning your past and your future – I pray you have that perfect peace that comes from a steadfast mind which has learned to trust God.
Trust Him with your past and let go of it.
Trust Him with your future and walk into it with Him!

Don’t Let Others Dig Up Your Past

“as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
Psalm 103:12

First game of the season and you blew it.
You messed up.
You failed miserably.
Now, the coach tells you to go sit on the bench.
“You can plan on warming it for the rest of the season”; he says to you.
Worse still, his words are heard by everyone in the stands – all the fans – including family and friends. Pretty sad scenario, isn’t it? It’s enough to make you appreciate deeply the grace and mercy of God. When we blow it in our walk with God, He doesn’t sideline us. Oh sure, there may be a “time-out” called for. But, as we discussed yesterday, my past, with all its’ successes and all its failures need not disqualify me from a future with God. Despite what others may say or do it need not take me out of the race. You see, I face a tough enough time understanding this myself but when those close to me have a habit of reminding me about my past I must make a conscious decision to agree with God and not with man. You will always have naysayers in your life who feel it is their ‘ministry’ to remind you of where you have failed in the past instead of encouraging you about where God wants to take you. Graciously shut down their influence. You may not be able to eliminate them from your life but you can, and should, eliminate the influence they have. As we learned yesterday, God will not disqualify you based on your past. Don’t let others do what He will not do.

Disqualified?

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”
Psalm 51:1-2

Can my past disqualify my future with God?
The short answer is yes.
The short answer is no.
The short answer is maybe.
How is that for multiple choices?
Before you think I am indecisive let me offer some clarification.
The yes answer applies to the question when we allow the past to disqualify us.
The no answer applies to the question in view of God’s word.
The maybe answers the question when we understand it is ultimately our choice to make.

God will not disqualify me from a future where I am used to bring Him glory in many, many ways. Aside from Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God, name for me a flawless bible character that lived a perfect, sinless life.
Having a tough time? You should be, because you can’t.
Now; name for me a flawed individual that had a sordid past and yet was used by God despite that past.
Is it a little bit easier to come up with some names? It is for me too.
Think about the past of Rahab, Peter and Judas. As we learned this past Sunday each of them had a past – just like you have a past – which if allowed to, can keep you from moving forward with God. Some people in the bible let go of their past while some held on tightly.
David offers a remarkable way of dealing with a past that is less than stellar in Psalm 51. In it you find the ‘P.A.S.T.’ principle we learned about on Sunday.
He Presented his past to God, he Acknowledged it, Surrendered it and then Trusted God with it.
We can argue that David was confronted by the prophet and that is why he dealt with his past. I can’t disagree. But, when confronted he didn’t run. He dealt with it.
As God confronts each of us in this area, deal with your past so it does not paralyze your future.

Eyes Front!

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:18-19

Dwelling on our past – whether as an individual or as a church –
keeps our eyes firmly fixed behind us.
Twice, in the verse above, God admonishes us.
First to say: “Forget the former things…”
but then He adds: “…do not dwell on the past.”
God does not speak idle words. It is important that we take note of all He says, but particularly when He repeats Himself. Too often, we want to do more than just remember the past; we want to memorialize the “good old days” or the “glory days”. Those are just a couple of terms we use to fondly frame our past. Of course, tradition is not always a bad thing, except when it keeps you from moving forward with what God has for you.
If you are carrying your past around with you, whether as a trophy or as a war wound, and it is all that seems relevant in the present, I guarantee you, it will rob the heritage God has for you.
I can change my present and I can impact my future but I must leave behind my past. Jesus told us how fruitless worrying is. Worrying about what has already taken place, or even continued reveling in the triumphs of yesterday, is unfruitful to me and for me.
For the sake of the Kingdom of God advancing in your life and His plans being brought to fruition in you; surrender what has been, to the one who is doing a new thing.
He will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Do you see the new thing?
Do you perceive it?
In which direction are you looking?

Fire, Lions and Submission

“He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”
Daniel 6:27

God’s timing seems to often come at the most inopportune times.
He could have directed Joshua to lead the children of Israel across the Jordan River in any one of the majority of months when it was just a trickle. Instead His timing was such that they found themselves being led across while it was at flood stage.
God’s “fullness of time” moments come so often is when it is impossible for man to take credit or come up with accurate solutions. The natural man doesn’t like being rescued at the last minute. We want an answer NOW, not later. We expect the new job a day after we lose the old one and the healing miracle moments after the doctor’s troubling report. Shadrach., Meshach and Abednego’s story is told in Daniel chapter three. We find their rescue came after they were thrown into the fiery furnace. Listen to the evidence of their submission to God in verses 17 and 18:
“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able
to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand.
But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty,
that we will not serve your gods or worship
the image of gold you have set up.”
The same is true of Daniels’ rescue from the Lion’s
den documented in Daniel chapter six.
God often seems to rescue us at the eleventh hour.
When all other options are exhausted and we have no ‘arm of man’ left to rescue us God shows up and receives the Glory that is due only to Him. The three Hebrew children and Daniel both evidenced a clear submission to God whether or not He delivered them. Their obedience and love for Him was not predicated on His performance on their behalf. True submission does likewise. True submission to the will of God follows through even when it seems God may or may not show up to bring us the answer or solution we need!

Thanksgiving - An Act of Submission

“Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything,
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20

I know, I know – in the United States it is the Thanksgiving Holiday – a day traditionally set aside to remember the Pilgrims act of giving thanks to God for the harvest they enjoyed and to celebrate with our own friends and families with a bountiful feast. That also means this blog must do the obligatory message on giving thanks. My prayer is that you receive today’s message as so much more than
just what is traditionally written about.
We have been looking at submission in the life of a Christ follower. The act of submission and the heart of thankfulness are linked in very important ways. Our love for God and obedience to His will in our lives is not something we are to present with a grudging attitude or “let’s-get-this-over-with” mindset. Rather, we are to embrace even the trials and afflictions as opportunities to grow in our love, service and knowledge of Him. Let me give you just a few examples of how important giving of thanks is as revealed in scriptures through the lives of others (if you really want to see an example of submission and thankfulness linked together make sure to
check out the last example below!):

Infusing your prayers with thanksgiving –
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6-7
Singing songs of thanksgiving –
“For long ago, in the days of David and Asaph, there had been directors for
the musicians and for the songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.” Nehemiah 12:46
Sunrise and sunset thanksgiving –
“They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD. They were to do the same in the evening” II Chronicles 23:30
“Worthy of suffering disgrace” thanksgiving –
“The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.” Acts 5:41

Let your submission to God flow out of a thankful heart not one
day a year but each moment of your life!

Who is in the Details of Your Life?

“And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him.
Colossians 3:17 (Amplified Bible)

We have been looking at what submission to the Lordship of Christ should look like in the life of a believer. Yesterday we learned how important it is to receive correction from the Lord and to repent of sin now, not later. In other words we don’t let sin fester.
How interested is God in my complete surrender and submission?
Our verse for today answers that question.
The phrases “…whatever you do…” and “…do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus…” leave room for nothing to be done or said that is not done or said in His name. We all have heard the expression: “The devil is in the details.” Well, that should not be true in the life of a Christ follower because every detail of our lives should be submitted to Him. I know I am taking a little liberty with what that saying is meant to convey be but I hope you get my point. Our submission to the Lordship of Christ rests on us doing and saying EVERYTHING in His name. Of course, we sometimes don’t and that was discussed in yesterday’s blog.
But really, does God care about where I live, what my occupation is or who I marry?
Yes, yes and yes!
This thought makes some people afraid to actually do anything but if you cultivate that relationship with Him in your life where He is able to commune with you He will deliver your soul from death, your eyes from tears and your feet from stumbling in order that you may walk before Him in the land of the living (Psalm 116:8-9 paraphrase).

Repent Now or Repent Later?

“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.”
Matthew 5:25

On Sunday, Pastor Tim gave us five areas in a person’s life that
would give evidence of the Lordship of Christ.

They were:
Seeks daily direction from God
Seeks daily correction from God
Seeks daily protection from God
Seeks daily guidance from God
Seeks daily companionship from God

Let’s look a little more closely at daily correction.
What do you do when somewhere offers you some corrective counsel?
What if they offered that counsel to you every day?
Would you value it or would you start going out of your way to avoid that person?
God can bring that correction to our walk on a “real-time” basis. In other words, He can bring the conviction of His Spirit into our lives at the moment we need that correction. Why does it not seem to work that way some times?
Maybe it’s because we are so determined in that moment
to do things our way or to bring our opinions to bear on a matter.
If that is the case, then we are usually not truly prepared to receive the correction that we most need to hear. They say that “hindsight is 20/20” and there is certainly biblical instruction for self-examination, but what if we were so hungry to make Him Lord of our lives that we could receive on-the-spot correction and move on with what He has for us. The blessing of receiving immediate correction can be viewed as two-fold.
First, we have repented when the situation has occurred, not allowing the rebellion against God (aka SIN) to incubate. Second, the more immediate our response to God and correct what needs to be corrected, the less “collateral damage” (as the military likes to say) can occur. In other words, the impact of that sin to ourselves
and others can be reduced.
Maybe you think today’s scripture verse is a stretch to apply in this situation since we are washed in the blood of the Lamb as believers.
But why let sin linger before dealing with it?
Why not receive the correction of God when it is offered and move on in His purposes. It beats the alternative of letting it grieve the Spirit of God when He has already provided the solution for it!

Life in the Merging Lane

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
Matthew 7:13-14

A wide gate and a broad road lead to destruction.
The life with a lot of latitude is often an undisciplined life lived on that broad road.
Jesus said it was a narrow gate and a narrow road that leads to life.
There is a lot of activity and a lot of companionship on the broad road but the narrow way is often traveled in a solitary fashion. There are times on that narrow road where it doesn’t even seem wide enough to accommodate walking two abreast. At those points wisdom knows to submit to His lead and follow Him along that narrow way. I often picture progress in our walk with God like being on a single lane highway that is merging down to a bicycle path and then a trail.
The road is narrow but as I progress it becomes even narrower.
What might have been acceptable as a young believer becomes a distraction or encumbrance for my walk as I mature. Please understand that it is not because God’s standards are becoming tighter but instead as I submit more and more to His will there is less and less of this world that appeals to me.
My focus is sharpened, my step quickens and my goal becomes His destination for my life. Viewing it as a merging lane helps me to better understand that as I mature there is less desire to wander aimlessly on a wide thoroughfare and a greater desire to be where He wants me to be at His appointed time.
That is what submission is all about.
Being where He wants me to be – at His appointed time – to do whatever He has for me to do. The merging lane illustration helps me to appreciate that where I am today is not necessarily where I will be tomorrow.
If you have passed through the gate that is Jesus and sincerely desire His Lordship in your life, understand that submission will restrict your travel to His path for you. That does not always ‘play well’ when we are only interested in being “unrestricted free agents”! Then again, that’s not a person who is truly submitted, is it?

Family Ties – Part II

“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”
I Corinthians 11:1

Not all family influence is negative or bad.
We did see a couple of examples yesterday that we would not want to emulate but the scriptures also include stories of individuals that influenced other family members for good. While our ultimate obedience is to God, often there can be sound, biblical advice and guidance offered by family who also love God.
Remember the story of Esther and the godly influence of her cousin Mordecai?
What of the loyalty and love shown through the story of Naomi and Ruth?
In the New Testament, we have this account of a family
linked through their faith as Paul speaks to Timothy:

“I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” II Timothy 1:5

So don’t be too quick to write off others who may have valuable words of wisdom for you. Just remember that ultimately God wants to have an intimate relationship with you (with each of His children as a matter of fact).
While others may bring wise counsel never let it supplant that close walk and intimate relationship He desires with you.
Lois’ love for God could not sustain Timothy’s walk.
His grandmother and his mother, as Paul detailed, had a sincere faith
that was a heritage passed on to Timothy.
Timothy, however, had to walk the walk himself just as you and I must determine to do.

Family Ties

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Galatians 1:10

Yesterday we looked at the impact of submitting your life to past failures.
Today I want to take a look at another of the nine areas we
submit our lives to that Pastor spoke about last Sunday.
Sometimes we submit our lives to family and their influence.
Is that wrong?
Sometimes it can be.
You see scripture speaks of family that can strengthen or that can inhibit our walk with God. Who can forget the ‘encouragement’ of Jobs’ wife in Job 2:9: “His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” Talk about a lack of encouragement! Jobs’ wife discouraged him at a time when he needed strength and encouragement to trust God in the midst of his struggles. Her ‘suggestion’ was not subtle. Sometimes though, we can be drawn, in subtle ways, to submit to the will of our family over the will of God. Maybe its’ just a hint that following God in a certain area is being a bit ‘over the edge’ and not at all appropriate for your station in life. Remember the comment of David’s wife after David worshipped God?
Her tone was mocking: “…How the king of Israel has
distinguished himself today, going around half-naked in full
view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!...”
David had submitted’ his worship to God and not to others and was mocked for it.
Of course, submission to family influence rather than to God
is not an ‘honor’ that belongs only to wives.
We all have power in our lives to influence loved ones.
When your will and Gods’ will are in conflict, how will you influence those you love? Will you influence them to submit to you or to submit to God?

Do Not Dwell On The Past

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:18-19

Have you submitted control of your life to your failures?
Does the past control your present and your future?
Do the mistakes from yesterday define who you
are today and what you will be tomorrow?

When I submit control of my life to anything or anyone other than the Lord Jesus Christ I am bound to fail. This is especially true when I submit control of my life to those past mistakes by wallowing in them and allowing the fear of those past failures to paralyze any usefulness I can be to God. God gives us a future and a hope but too often we live in the past and its’ failures.

Determine today to surrender your past to God and to submit to
His plans for your life both today and in the future.
There is nothing I can change about the past except how I view it.
I choose to see it placed into God’s hands and out of mine.
He is well able to handle my past, my present and my future but He can only do this when I surrender and submit to Him.
This is not a once-for-all-time submission but it is
a moment-by-moment-as-I-live-my-life submission!

Safe Submission

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”
I John 4:16

Yesterday we took a look at, what is for most of us, a very unpopular word.
That word was submission.
Yes, even in the church it is a word and a lifestyle we often shun.
Pastor Tim spoke to us on Sunday concerning this topic and said:
“By God’s design, life is a continual source of submission.”
We need only to take a walk through our own life experiences to realize the truth of that statement. Children submit to their parents; students submit to their teachers; employees submit to their bosses; citizens submit to their government
and the list could go on and on.
Submission, as believers, is not an option.
If we call Jesus Lord and live a life that proves our words then we know what it means to submit to the control of another.
Sadly, some that we submit to can abuse that role of authority they hold in our lives.
That will never be the case with the Lord.
He will not violate who He is and we know that “God is Love”.
His loving nature means that His Lordship is one that has our best interests at heart. He created us to be in fellowship with Him. He did not create us to destroy us or to harm us. Many are destroyed or harmed through their own choices but never through submission to the will of God. Is God gently drawing you to surrender a greater place of submission to His will? I encourage you to surrender understanding His nature and His character will never require you to submit to Him only to find out it was to you harm.
That simply is not possible!

A Word We Just Don’t Like!

“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions
with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death,
and he was heard because of his reverent submission.”
Hebrews 5:7

Sometimes a word will reveal a little bit about its definition when you break it into its component parts. The word “submission” is an example of this.
To better understand its definition think of it as two words: “sub” and “mission”.
What it helps us to see is that submission is to come under (sub) someone else’s mission. To submit to God then is to declare, with your life, your words and your actions: “Your mission is my mission; I submit to your mission and your will!”
I don’t know about you but I sometimes struggle with submission.
I can speak the part.
I can even ‘act’ the part.
It is the ‘doing’ that is too often my ‘un-doing’.
To surrender my will, my desires, my plans and my goals to someone else is never an easy thing. If someone tells you otherwise they are not being honest with you. Jesus never promised an easy life. He said His yoke was easy but never promised life would be. As a matter of fact He challenged us to daily take up our cross, deny ourselves and follow Him.
Let your life come under His mission for you.
Submission may be difficult at times but a life submitted to God guarantees we fulfill His purposes, that is, the purpose for which we were created!

How Does God Measure Success?

“To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.”
Proverbs 21:3

God has different ways of measuring success than we do.
When it comes to our own personal lives we often measure how successful we are as a believer by how many verses we have memorized or perhaps by the unbroken streak of three years, five months and eleven days of morning devotions! Great job, we tell ourselves, give a pat on the back (when no one is looking of course because we do not want to be guilty of boasting) and wait for the next morning so we can increase that record stretch!
Did I mention – God has a different way of measuring success than we do?
Oh sure, we need quiet time with Him and there are plenty of good reasons to memorize the Word; but as valid as these things may be they are no substitute for obedience to the measures He has for you!
How does God measure your success?
I can’t answer for you – you have to ask Him!
How’s that for a cop-out?
But, it is true. God plans for you are good and they are specific to you and for you.
We sometimes look at what others may or may not be doing in and for the Kingdom and make judgments based on the specifics of how God is dealing with us or with our local church. It is unfair to judge another persons life or the vision of another local church based on the measure God is using for you or for your church.
MAKE NO MISTAKE –
There are expectations and basic foundation stones for every believer and every local church. Those are the same. How I walk out the specific plans God has for me and the vision He has for our local church – the methods He employs through us – may vary and so He will measure success in both you and me by obedience to Him.
Cookie cutters may work well in a Widget factory but they do no good in building a relationship of obedience to the Lord!
Grow in success by building that relationship with Him that reveals the measuring stick He uses for your life.

A Constant in the Midst of Change

“After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.”
Joshua 1:1-6

Change is a constant in our lives.
I don’t know of anyone who would argue with that fact.
We all face changes.
Certainly, some of those changes are more significant than others, but inevitably if you are part of the human race you will be impacted by change in your life.
That being said, what then might make that transition time in your life a little less difficult?
Suppose, in the midst of change, you were able to rely on someone who is unchangeable?
Would that help?
Of course it would.
The truth is we have that someone in God!
He was about to bring the Israelites into the Promised Land.
It was, for them, a significant change from the forty years of wandering in the wilderness. God gave Joshua all the security he would need through this process of change when He said: “…As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you…” Even in the midst of the significant changes in your life, God is there.
Whether you ‘feel’ Him or not He is with you.
As you face change, as you face re-positioning, as you face turmoil remind yourself and encourage yourself with those verses.
He remains faithful!

“Purposeful Positioning”

“The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.”
Genesis 12:1

Sometimes God will re-position an individual or a church to better fulfill His purposes. All through his life we see Abraham being tested by God concerning his faith. The first test Abram faced was a re-positioning. We read of it in the verse above. God had a purpose in re-positioning Abraham and stated it, in part,
in verses 2 and 3 of that same chapter where we read:
“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
In those verses God did not reveal all the details concerning the Messiah coming through the lineage of Abraham. We read and understand it now Abram had to agree to be re-positioned by faith, that is, without all the ‘dots connected’. God does not change. He still reveals only a portion to us as we are re-positioned for His purposes. It still requires faith on our part to agree. Elijah was re-positioned to be fed by ravens; Jeremiah was re-positioned to rebuild the walls and even God “re-positioned” His son when the “…word became flesh and dwelt among us…” When God begins to re-position you understand that He does it to better fulfill His purposes for your life. He may not (He probably won’t) fill in all the blanks because it still requires faith to please Him!
Allow Him to re-position you for His purposes.
Tell Him today you are willing…

“Let Go and Let God”

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
I Corinthians 11:1

Yesterday we talked about a phrase that has been popular but that I took issue with. Today there is another ‘popular’ phrase that I think is a better commentary on how we ought to live our lives. That phrase is the title of today’s blog – “Let Go and Let God”.
That begs the question – “Let go of what and let God what”? There is a very simple answer but it is an answer we must often remind ourselves of. You see we need to let go of anything that keep us from letting God take the lead in our lives.
The best leaders know how to follow
AND
The best leaders know who to follow.
Let go of taking the lead in your own life and let God lead you.
I am frightened by those who appear to have the reigns of their life and ministry firmly in their own hands.
I am inspired and motivated by those leaders who have learned to be followers of Christ.
That leader who follows Christ teaches by example that true leaders are true followers.

After all, isn’t that what Jesus taught?

I am sure there were a lot of ‘good’ things Jesus could have done that he did not do.

That was because His life was not just about doing ‘good things’ as valuable as they may be.

His life was about following the lead of the His Father in heaven.
I am not discouraging you from doing good works.
Indeed we should.
Instead I am encouraging you to do the works of God by letting Him lead as you follow!

Is God Your Co-Pilot?

I hope not!
There is statement made popular over the years that also was seen on bumper stickers.
It read: “God is my Co-Pilot.”
It sounds like a wonderful concept except it falls 100% short in effectiveness.
What do I mean?
A life half surrendered to God is a life we are still in control of.
Listen to Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Did you notice whose plans they are?
God’s plans for you and I are good plans.
I confess, when I am left in control of my own plans they are not always good, prosperous and hopeful.
A life fully surrendered to God, where we give Him total control to pilot our destiny, is a life that honors Him and fulfills His plans and purposes.
A fair question might be – “Don’t I have a role to play?”
Yes, you do. It’s called complete and total surrender.
God will not usurp my will.
Instead I must choose to surrender my will to His.
When I have done this, it is not me piloting my life, not even co-piloting it.
God pilots my life.
Do you pilot your life?
Do you and God co-pilot? (I hope you understand the irrelevance of this question)
- or -
Does God pilot your life?

Am I ‘Exhibit A’ for Faithfulness?

“I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws.”
Psalm 119:30

How does faithfulness ‘play out’ in our lives?
In other words…
What are some evidences of faithfulness in the life of a believer?
Let me give you some examples –

1.The faithful man or woman of God supports the vision of their church with their time, talent and treasures.

2.They worship God on the mountain and in the valley – through the highs and lows of life because they understand that worship is not so much an ‘act’ as it is a lifestyle.

3.They are not ‘moody’ but are reliable even in the expressions of their personality.

4.At it’s core – a ‘faithful’ person is a ‘faith-filled’ person who responds with faith toward God and others and does not respond out of fear or unbelief.

5.They can be trusted with a task to see it through to completion – they are dependable.

Alright, I have given you only five evidences of faithfulness on a list that can be very much longer.
What would you add to it?
What is God speaking to you about concerning your faithfulness?

“Faithfulness or Fruitfulness?”

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5

What ought to be the greater goal in the life of a believer, faithfulness or fruitfulness?
No, no, I hear your objections but it is not an irrelevant question.
It is of the utmost importance to you.
You see the apple tree does not fret about producing apples.
It is in its’ DNA to produce apples and not sunflowers.
Fruitfulness as a disciple of Jesus Christ is expected but my fruitfulness has more to do with relationship than with labor. If I remain attached to the vine I will bear fruit. The Father prunes and I bear more fruit. Faithfulness is often defined as “steadfast adherence”. To adhere means: to stick fast; to become attached. My faithfulness can be measured by my “stick-to-itiveness” to Christ.
Do I abide in Him?
Do I remain in Him?
Am I a branch attached to the vine?
If I abide in Him, if I remain in Him, if I am attached to Him then I will be fruitful because His DNA courses through my veins. As a matter of fact His word says apart from Him (we might say – a branch severed from the vine) we can do nothing but through the strength that Jesus Christ gives me I can do all things.
That includes living a fruitful life.
Don’t fret about being fruitful –
Faithfully abide in the vine and you will be fruitful.

“Extreme Seasons”

“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse,
whose rider is called Faithful and True...”
Revelation 19:11a

We happen to live in a part of the world where there are four distinct seasons throughout the year. If I had to describe them (and if you allow me a little liberty) I would say that Winter and Summer are the ‘extreme’ seasons typically marked by the most cold and most hot days of the year respectively. Spring and Fall can certainly have surprises as well but the weather complaints are most often heard relative to the cold and the heat.

That got me to thinking about faithfulness and how the greatest tests of faithfulness often come at the ‘extreme’ times of our lives. Those times when the days are shortest, the wind blows coldest and the voice of God seems silent are times when we may be tempted to be unfaithful because the circumstances seem to be getting the best of us.
Conversely, there are also seasons of sunny days and warm breezes blowing when we are enjoying the blessing of God on our lives. Sadly though, when we fail to recognize Him in the blessings and we are tempted to credit our skill and perseverance, we can also slip away from that faithful commitment to God.
Faithfulness, then, is most obvious in our lives during those ‘extreme’ seasons. It is made most evident, to ourselves and others, not only “…through the Valley of the Shadow of death…” but also on the mountaintop experiences.
Faithfulness is tested – and evidenced – in the time of lack and
the time of abundance in our lives.
If you or your family are in an ‘extreme’ season in your life right now hold fast to God. Remain faithful to Him as He walks with you through this season. Even if you don’t ‘feel’ His presence understand He has not left you.
We may be called to faithfulness but He is Faithful and True
through all the extremes of life!

“Abiding and Walking”

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

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”
John 15:4

An abiding life is a fruit-bearing life.
We learned this past Sunday that the fruit we bear is evidence of what we worship.
After all true worship is not simply a result of an energized song service at church but the result of living a life pleasing to God.
We are told that if we walk in the Spirit we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
Why does this matter?
Because in that same chapter – Galatians 5 – the works of the flesh are also listed and contrasted with the Spirit’s fruit. If I want the fruit of the Spirit in my life I will walk in the Spirit.
What does it mean to ‘walk in the Spirit’?
It means I am being led by the Spirit of God and not by the urgings of my old nature – the lusts of my flesh. That continued obedience to being led by the Spirit is indicative of one who remains or abides in the vine and that is a person who will bear much fruit for the Kingdom of God.
Our challenge for today then is twofold:
Are you abiding in the vine?
Are you walking in the Spirit?

“…After A Long Time…”

“After a long time the master of those servants
returned and settled accounts with them.”
Matthew 25:17


We’ve all seen the ads placed in the ‘Help Wanted’ section of the classifieds that requests a “self-starter” who is motivated and requires little or no supervision.
Essentially the employer is looking for an employee who can be trusted to not need someone constantly watching over them. The faithful employee is entrusted with the resources of his employer and is left alone to produce or provide with those same resources to the benefit of the employer.
I encourage you to take the time to read the parable of the bags of gold from Matthew 25. Our last blog talked about some of those things which are far more valuable than gold and with a much better return on investment.
Faithfulness is one of those traits.
Jesus told the parable to highlight the great importance placed on faithfulness.
You see to some it is easier to be faithful when the boss goes away and says: “I will be back to check on things in a couple of hours.” But what if the boss or the master or the Lord doesn’t return until ‘after a long time’? Is your devotion and faithfulness predicated only on how long your attention span is? Do you remain faithful even when the boss or the master or the Lord is delayed in their return? Sometimes faithfulness is tested over time. Do you remain true as weeks, months and years pass by?
Are you faithful to God through the passage of time?
God rewards faithfulness but faithfulness is tested over the long haul!
Stay true.
Stay faithful - even after a long time!

Better Returns Than Gold!

“Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.”
Proverbs 3:13-14

It is hardly possible to turn on the television or listen to the radio for any length of time without hearing a commercial inviting you to invest in gold. The price of gold is through the roof when compared to the dollar or other commodities or even itself from just a few years ago.
But look at the ‘secret’ investment strategy that Proverbs chapter 3, verses 13 and 14 reveals to us. There is an investment we can make with
much better returns than gold or silver.
What is it that can be more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold?
If I were a businessman wouldn’t I want that kind of an investment?
Well, we know the answer because it is not hidden.
We are told very plainly that it is wisdom and understanding.
While the answer is evident the ‘finding’ and the ‘gaining’ is where it becomes a bit more difficult. It is not worldly wisdom or man’s understanding that brings great returns.
It is the wisdom that comes from God.
That can make us stumble sometimes because we don’t think like God – His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts – so the finding of wisdom and the gaining of understanding first require the humbling of our egos
and a desire to know Him who is wisdom.
Invest in knowing Him.
I encourage you to invest in His wisdom and His understanding and
they will provide far greater benefits – eternal versus temporal – than
silver and gold ever can.

Occupy!

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
Matthew 5:7

There is a rallying cry being heard in cities around the globe that
started in New York with the “Occupy Wall Street” protests.
However, I would challenge believers reading this blog to an occupation of a different sort. When it comes to your neighbors, your family, your co-workers and, yes, even your enemies; instead of sitting down in protest somewhere occupy the mercy seat of God. In other words – as we have been learning – extend the mercy of God to others. Your simple act of obedience to be like Christ may not garner media attention but I guarantee you it will impact the one who is in need of that mercy.
Occupy can be defined as: “…to dwell in…”
What a wonderful picture that affords us. Let the God of All Mercy dwell in you and you ‘dwell’ in the Mercy seat of God so to speak.
In Matthew 10:8 Jesus said:
“Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils:
freely ye have received, freely give.”
As you have received mercy, give it.
You may not make the papers but you will catch the eye of your Father in heaven!

What Does Your Storehouse Reveal?

“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him,
and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.”
Matthew 12:35

One of the evident signs of our culture’s over-indulgence in material things is the proliferation of those storage facilities that allow you to rent space for the excess items you own but do not have room for where you live.
We seem to acquire (and convince ourselves we need) much more than what we are able to store in our homes.
Jesus had something to say about our own personal storehouse in the verse quoted above. Simply stated; a good man will store up good things
and then guess what comes out of him – good.
An evil man will store up evil things
and surprise, surprise – evil comes out of him.
The obvious question might seem to be – What are you storing up?
The reality, though, is that “There is no one righteous, not even one.”(Romans 3:10) and so if there is any goodness in me it is the goodness imputed through Christ in me. Looking at verse 27 of that same chapter in Romans, the Apostle asks this question: “Where, then is boasting? It is excluded.”
Please understand that good works should follow after Christ comes to make his home in you. But it would be a tragic misunderstanding of grace to think that Christ makes His home in you because of your goodness. I become that storehouse of good things after Christ comes in and not before. It is a work and evidence of His Holy Spirit in me.
That makes me to realize that He is the one who makes all the difference and it is not me. What comes out of my ‘storehouse’ then should be evidence to the world of His presence in me.
Does my storehouse include mercy, love, and worship for Him alone?
What does your storehouse reveal about you?

Mercy isn’t Just for Friends

“When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly.
Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite: “Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.”
1 Kings 21:27-29


The Bible is filled with stories of people who loved God but still
had some serious issues in their lives to deal with.
Kind of like you and me some times.
But our passage today is about a man who was not one of those who God called a friend (like Moses) or a man after His own heart (like King David). Ahab was a King of Israel. Unlike David, who heeded the Prophet Nathan’s words from God, Ahab despised the words brought through the Prophet Elijah. Some would say he was the most evil king in Israel’s history. His wife Jezebel pulled the strings in Ahab’s life and she constantly brought him into idol worship. Yet with all that could be written about Ahab’s character we have recorded in our verses today evidence of the mercy of God extended not only to those who walked with Him but particularly to one who went out of his way to challenge God. You and I should be grateful for this picture given in scripture as it reinforces for us verse 10 from Romans chapter 5:
“For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!”
Gods mercy came to rescue me not when I was His friend but His enemy.
It is sometimes tough to show mercy to those we love when they have hurt us.
God demonstrates His love and His mercy to His enemies.
That is the mercy that should be working in us.
Imagine how many will take note of a man or woman who
demonstrates mercy to those who deserve none.
God’s mercy, working through you, will serve to glorify Him.
Won’t you ask Him today to use you in that way?

Show or Tell?

"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
Micah 6:8

We have been learning about mercy at church. The scripture text for today is a verse which is probably familiar to many of us. The Lord, through the prophet Micah, speaks of three things He requires of us. They are:
1. To do justly
2. To love mercy
3. To walk humbly with God
I want us to zero in on point number two today and to recognize the command is not given for us to just tolerate mercy or to put up with mercy or even to show a little mercy every now and then. It says we are to love mercy. I have mentioned in this blog before that God is a God who demonstrates His love for us. He also demonstrates His mercy. If we claim to be His followers and filled with His Spirit then we are to also demonstrate that we love mercy.
How do we do that?
We do that by recognizing that we cannot simply give lip service to the mercy of God but must be a people not only aware of His mercy to us but ones who also extend His mercy to others. Loving mercy means I look for ways to be merciful. I go out of my way to be merciful and I, especially, graciously extend mercy when it would be far, far easier to judge another person as being unworthy of receiving mercy.
My life demanded judgment but God gave me mercy instead.
God loves mercy and shows us (not only through today’s verse but particularly through His actions) that loving mercy is a good thing.
Did you happen to catch the start of Micah 6:8?
Isn’t it interesting that the scripture is written as it is?
It does not say: “He has told you…” but instead it is written: “He has shown you…”
As Jesus would say to us: “Now, go and do likewise…”