Monday, July 27, 2009

Heading out on Vacation

Today my family and I will be leaving on vacation and will be gone for the next week. We are looking forward to getting away for some rest and relaxation. I am not sure when I will put another entry in this week but I will try to post sometime soon. Have a great week and God bless you. Talk to you soon.

Don't Get Weighted Down

Hebrews 12:1-"Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible and as I read it today I realized that like the great heroes of the Bible, both big and small, we can do God's work with confidence. But to boldly go where he wants us to go, we must first be willing to let go of the sin that entangles our lives, distorts our vision, and robs us of spiritual vitality and stamina.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Obedience to the Lord

Psalm 119:60-"I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands."

Obedience is faith put into practice. Without action, our faith is not real, James 2 reminds us. So without arguing, let's quickly obey, even when we don't fully understand why, because we've seen God's love demonstrated to us in Jesus and we've seen the protection that his will has for us when we obey him.
Prayer:

Friday, July 24, 2009

Cards Make Big Trade

Well I am excited today because my two favorite teams made a trade that I think will help both clubs. The St. Louis Cardinals aquired slugger Matt Holliday from the Oakland A's for three top prospects from the Cardinals minor league system, one which is highly touted Brett Wallace. I think this trade will help both clubs as the Cardinals will have a much needed boost offensively and the A's will continue to rebuild this year for 2010, where I am sure they will be back in contention. I look forward to seeing Matt Holliday in a Cardinal uniform for the rest of this year and hopefully many more years. GO REDBIRDS and GO A'S!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Jesus Loves Kids


Matthew 19:14-"Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Jesus' love for children in an age when they weren't those whom highly regarded is a powerful reminder of God's love for the world often abuses or abandons. We are called to love the unloved, the forgotten, the abused and neglected. Why? Because that is what Israel was in Egypt and that is what Jesus was at Calvary and that is what we were without grace (Romans 5:6-11). How can we claim to know salvation and not share it with others who need that grace!?

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Knowing The Lord

Matthew 16:15-16-"What about you?" Jesus asked. "Who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

There is no other name under heaven that can save us (Acts 4:12). We are to confess Jesus before others, and when we do we are assured that he confesses us before the Father in heaven. We may not know all the theological import behind those words -- after all, Peter didn't at the time -- but we can make a commitment to know him and follow him until we do.

Scripture Verse for Today


Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Choose God's Way of Truth

Psalm 119:30-"I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws."

As I read this verse today, I am reminided of the great command the Lord gave us. Jesus reminded us to "pick up your cross daily and follow" him. The way of truth is a daily choice. To not choose God's way, to not intentionally seek to put him at the center of our life and as the top priority in all of our decisions, is to slip a little bit further away from the life he calls us to lead. Lack of a decision is a decision to not follow.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Trusting In God's Grace

1 John 1:7-"If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."

As we seek to please God and trust his grace, more grace is supplied. While Jesus' death was "once for all," its cleansing power goes on and on as long as our hearts are tuned to his grace.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Purity and Praise

Psalm 119:7-"I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws."

As I read this verse of scripture, one amazing truth jumps out to me and really speaks to my heart and my spirit. That is that praise is integrally connected with our character. So for us to worship God, the intent of our heart and the effort of our life must show forth a determined desire to know and live his will. While we cannot and will never do this perfectly, God's glorious grace covers us. But grace must never be used as a pretense to excuse spiritual laziness or intentional weakness.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Closed Doors

Genesis 7:15-16-"And they went into the ark to Noah, two by two, of all flesh in which is the breath of life. 16 So those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the LORD shut him in."

God clearly shuts doors in our lives today. Many Christians are trying to reenter doors that God has shut. That is a frustrated and defeated way to live; No peace, joy or fruit. God also says that He opens doors. In Rev. 3:8, the Lord said, “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” When God opens a door of opportunity for you, the gates of hell will not prevail against it…He promises. The key is having the discernment to know the difference in a spiritual realm while living in the physical realm. Distractions impede discernment. Today, ask the Lord to clearly show you the open door that He wants you to walk through. All you need is a little strength and faith as the size of a mustard seed. He has so much more for you. Pray against fear, doubt and discouragement and ask for the wisdom to go for it. And trust that if it isn’t His will, He knows how to shut doors.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

The Good Shepherd Jesus

“How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
John 10:22-24

Do you think that the Jewish religious leaders really wanted clarity and confirmation that He is the Christ? No. Their mission is consistent in wanting Him to publicly declare that He was Messiah in order to justify attacking Him. Their motive doesn’t surprise me but Jesus’ consistent patience, sincerity and honesty definitely surprises me. He continually answers their questions and addresses their hearts. These religious men think that they are so perfect—perfect in their knowledge of the scriptures, perfect in judging and criticizing and now they think that they are perfectly justified in killing the only Perfect person who ever lived. Jesus once again repeats over and over that they won’t understand because they are not His sheep. Jesus’ sheep hear His voice, know Him and follow Him. Jesus also tells us that His Father fully supports Him and loves Him so no one will snatch them out of the Father’s hand either. They are united in plans and purpose for the sheep preservation. They are committed to the security and safety of the sheep. As for His sheep, we have a responsibility to obey when we hear and to follow where He leads. But if you know Jesus, regardless of how far you stray, He will lead you back for nothing can separate you from the love of God.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Favor of God

"Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs." Daniel 1:9

Daniel was most likely a teenager when he was taken to Babylon. Jerusalem had been seized by the Babylonians and many of the children were taken to the king’s palace for training and service. Daniel and three of his friends found themselves under the directives of the captain of the eunuchs. But despite the training regiments and orders from the king, God gave Daniel favor with the master eunuch. This “favor” allowed Daniel the opportunity to remain pure in his heart (and body) by not partaking in the king’s delicacies. From a human perspective, being taken captive or prisoner is a tragic event, but God always has a plan. Regardless of the world around us and what is happening to us, God is always working out His plans for us. Even though it is hard to see God’s perspective when we are in the midst of a tragedy, we must focus on the Lord. I am encouraged to read that God gave Daniel favor with his superior. God also gave Joseph favor with Potiphar when he was taken to Egypt as a slave. And God used both of these men in mighty ways to accomplish His purposes. Today, ask God to accomplish His purposes through you despite your circumstances. If you are in a difficult position or situation with someone, ask God to give you favor with them. Sometimes we need favor with our boss, favor with our spouse, or favor with a traffic cop. Jesus came and died so that we could live under His covenant of grace, and grace means unmerited, unworthy, unearned favor. Go forth in the grace of God and ask Him to bless you today.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Ephesians 3:20-21-"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

Of all the names for God in the Bible, this is my favorite: Him who is able to do immeasurably more. Our God is the same God who parted the Red Sea and fed 5,000 on a green hillside with only a couple of sardine sandwiches. He longs to do more than we ask and imagine, but most of us haven't really given him much of a challenge. Dream big dreams for God. Then hang on!

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

The Family of God

“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,” Ephesians 3:14-15

I am currently planning for my vacation at the end of this month and while on vacation, I am going home for a few days to see my family. As I say the words “home” and “family,” I catch myself wondering what my definition of these two words really are to me today. Technically, I have three families: one in my own home, the second in the family I grew up, and third is the family of God. The same context goes with the word “home.” For some of us, home is somewhere away from the family and vice versa. Confusing? Now let’s add what Paul says about our “family.” We are all one big family in heaven and earth named by our heavenly Father. Our real home awaits us in heaven. Until then, we all seek and search for that loving embrace and acceptance from our earthly homes and families. So, what is the point? For me, every time I “go home,” I end up dealing with certain emotions, feelings and thoughts. Some are pleasant and some are not. Death, divorce and disease are just a few of those unpleasant ones that have touched my family. However, there is also that family-connection that God has put within all of us with a desire to spend time together and have fellowship. For me, I am most thankful though for the family of Christ. As I look around my life today, I realize that the friendships I have represent the family that God has given me. I am so very thankful for the love and fellowship in the body of Christ. Even if our earthly families are not the most stable and strong, we can be encouraged to know that our heavenly family is one in the Lord. It will not matter when we get to heaven who did what to whom or how much pain was involved. Our heavenly Father will take care of us all and home will be with Him. The old saying says that “home is where the heart is.”I believe that to be true. If my heart is with Jesus, then there my home is also, not just with Jesus in heaven but here on earth with His family. I love and appreciate my family very much but I take much comfort in knowing that I have the greatest family of all in the body of Christ.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Something That Will Last


Matthew 24:35-"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away."

This is one of my favorite verses in the scriptures and I love these words that were spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ. When I think about this verse I ask myself this question. What do you have that will last? The answer is not much when we consider this in an earthly sense. However we do have something that will last and that is the love you have for God and his children, the praise you offer him, and the Word he has spoken to use through his Spirit, the prophets, and his Son, Jesus. Continue to invest in these things and you will never be without lasting profit!

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Our Greatest Motivation


Proverbs 1:7-" The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."

To worship God is to acknowledge His divine attributes. He doesn't need us to tell Him who He is. We need to keep our minds renewed to the reality of His presence. Notice how this is brought out in 2 Corinthians 5:9-11: "Therefore also we have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Therefore knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men." Realizing that God knows the thoughts and intentions of our hearts, we should be motivated to live our lives to please Him. Someday we're going to stand before Him and give an account. The judgment that Paul is talking about in this passage is not for punishment, but for rewards. We don't fear God because of the possibility of punishment: "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love" (l John 4:18). We have already been judged as to where we will spend eternity. But how we spend eternity depends on how we respond to God in this lifetime. I personally don't want to limp into heaven and have Him say, "Well, okay, come on in." I want to stand before God someday and hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord." That's the greatest motivation in my life. As a child I didn't fear the spanking of my father nearly as much as I feared being accountable to him and facing his disappointment. I'm not disappointed with God and I sure don't want Him disappointed with me.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Happy 4th of July


God bless you as you celebrate the birth of our nation and our independence day. Make sure that you take time to thank God for our freedom and the blessing of living in a great country like the USA. God bless you and God bless America.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Pride

Romans 12:3-"By the grace given me I say to everyone of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you."

Pride does go before a fall! It is not easy to balance the two truths: "I must not be prideful, but I must understand just how much God values me." Satan can use our self- denigration, the worthless worm syndrome, to discourage us and keep us from using our gifts for Kingdom work. On the other hand, pride takes God out of the picture and attributes our contribution to God's Kingdom to us and not to God.