God Will Show You His Ways and Paths

"Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths;
 guide me in your truth and teach me,
     for you are God my Savior,
     and my hope is in you all day long.
 Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love,
     for they are from of old.
 Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
     for you are good, O LORD." Psalms 25:4-7

Thank you, Lord, for showing me your ways and teaching me your paths. Praise be to you in us today!

You Will Not Be Put to Shame

I love the Psalms because they are so raw sometimes. David says it just like he feels it. Sometimes we forget that the most important thing is we just seek God period. God will sort the rest out from there.

"To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;      in you I trust, O my God. Do not let me be put to shame,     nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one whose hope is in you     will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame     who are treacherous without excuse." Psalm 25:1-3

One time I was watching a tennis match that involved John McEnroe. As was his custom he was yelling and ranting and raving. The funny thing is for much of it he was talking to himself. Trying to get himself together and focused on what he wanted to do. You'll see a lot of professional athletes sort of talking to themselves in between pitches and free throws.  Spiritually that is what David did. 

After David tells God he is lifting up his soul to him he pleads to not be put to shame and then he proclaims that no one, not just himself will be put to shame when they put their hope in God!

THE TRUTH: YOU WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME IF YOU HOPE IN GOD.

The to do for the day: Remind yourself of who you trust. Remind your self that God is your hope. Rejoice that God will not let you be put to shame.

Father, we call out to you to not be put to shame. Do not let our enemies triumph over you in us. Our hope is in you. Thanks you that your word proclaims that "No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame"! Praise be to you in us today!

The Cause and the Cure

In the early 2000's the Lakers were on a pretty good run as kings of the NBA and then egos, pettiness and infighting took its' toll. The ability of the team to successfully play as a cohesive group was completely destroyed. As Christians, we are called to act as one, in Christ and yet disunity often takes its' toll on us. That is why Paul said,

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4: 31-32 

The Apostle doesn't talk about the cause and effect, he tells us the cause and the cure! Isn't it interesting that he tells us that we first need to get rid of bitterness? Bitterness is that root within you that just grows like a choking weed. If you let bitterness grow within you it will produce rage and anger and then you'll find yourself brawling and slandering people. Think about it. Do you have a seed or root of bitterness in you? The enemy loves to sow seeds of bitterness within us, looking for a harvest of spiritual mayhem.

What's the cure? The cure is the humble kindness and compassion found in the fruit of the forgiveness we have received from God in Christ. This is the bottom line: God forgave me, I forgive others. 

The to do: Remember and thank God for his forgiveness. Forgive others and be kind and compassionate, as a fellow sinner saved by grace, to everyone. 

Father, thank you for your forgiveness in Christ. Help us to forgive other and be kind and compassionate. Praise be to you in us today!

Don't Give Others Rotten Meat

I have been blessed to be able to help coach a few of my son's sports teams. Our local youth baseball league has all the coaches and managers join The Positive Coaching Alliance. We all had to take the course that focuses on using positive reinforcement to help young players enjoy the game and improve their skills as players. My second son, after being berated by his coach in High School refused to ever play for him again. As a father, I wanted to punch the idiot in the head, but, I figured he wouldn't feel it and it would probably just break my hand. You see, nothing he said was to actually help my son be a better player, it was only said to make the coach sound like a better more committed coach (then he actually was). As Christians we are told in regards to the way we communicate:

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29

First of all, "Do not let" implies the obvious, that we have a choice and control over what we say. The choice is to build up or tear down anyone and everyone who comes into contact with you. 

Have you ever grabbed something, say milk, from your refrigerator and when you took a whiff it was definitely rotten? That is the picture Paul is painting here, that unwholesome talk is like offering someone some rotten putrefied meat. No thanks.

In contrast, the Apostle tells us that what we say should be helpful and aimed at building others up. One thing a good coach will do will be to try to find at least one good thing each player did or one simple skill to remember and build from there. The focus is on the other persons' needs not our own. 

Here's the to do's: 1) Think about what you are going to say. I once went on an answer fast and waiting about 30 seconds before speaking. Enlightening to say the least. 2) Say what benefits others. If it doesn't help, don't say it. 3) Remember the golden rule: Do (say) unto others what and how you'd like it done (said) unto you. 

Father, thank you that the truth, in Christ, you have spoken to us has brought us salvation. Use us to build others up today. Praise be to you in us today.

Break the Habit

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to slip back into old habits? Usually bad habits. I need to set my alarm just out of reach so that when it goes off I get out of bed to turn it off. If I don't do that, I tend to just sort of roll over and turn it off without being fully conscience and getting out of bed. If I get lazy and move the clock closer. I wake up late and rushing to get to work. Spiritually, it is easy to forget what we first learned when we came to Christ.  

"Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:21-24

Often when we first come to Christ our lives are in a crisis and we realize the need to completely repent and change our way of doing things. We realize that nearly every desire we have is rooted in deception and we are  hyper-sensitive to checking our motives. Which is a good thing. The reformers called the fact that sin affects every area of our beings (mind, body and spirit) total depravity. When you first come to Christ you know you need to cast off the old self and put on the new and you strive to be righteous and holy. 

I think it was John Melencamp who had a song that went something like, "Oh, oh, life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone." I have this old friend who you to say, "Oh, oh, Christianity goes on, long after the thrill of salvation is gone." He would say that to people who were experiencing the reality of life. You can't live life always on a high. Sometimes there are lows. We start going threw the motions and forget that God's love is new every morning. 

Here's the can do: You can remember to daily make new the attitude of your mind. You can seek to act righteously and in holiness. 

Father, help us to renew our attitudes by seeking to love other as you have loved us. Help us to act in righteousness and holiness. Praise be to you in us today!

The Truth and Growing Up

Have you ever watched a little child playing and they cover their face with their hands and say, "You can't see me"? They're cute but  obviously naive. Infants don't see life with the maturity of an adult. Hopefully, they will grow up, mature, and realize yes, people can still see them even when they cover their face.  Infants will pretty much believe anything you tell them. But, when they grow up they begin to question if there really is a Santa Claus and an Easter Bunny. If someone is an adult and they believe anything people tell them we call them gullible. Con artists call them a mark. The awful truth is some people try to take advantage of sincere Christians. The question to ask: Is what they are saying the truth and are they saying it in love?

"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is , Christ." Ephesians 4:15

Let's deal with the "instead". Instead of being suckers for any teaching that is more of a fad than of the faith, more what I want to hear than what I need to hear, more Christianity lite than dying to myself, instead of "every wind of teaching" (verse 14) the truth in love. 

In Romans 8:28 Paul said that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." In every circumstance, hardship, trial, or victory we are to grow up into Christ. Who is the Head? Christ. What "all things" are you living right now? What "all things" are you experiencing that you need to grow up into him in? God is using those "all things" to mature you in Christ. 

Now, what "all things" is your spouse growing up into at this time? You may not know. They may not know. But, they do need the truth of your love. Your husband needs your respect or your wife needs the assurance of your love. They don't need your fixing, that is the Holy Spirit's job. They need your love. 

Father, help us to speak the truth in love. Help us to grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. Praise be to you in us today!

What does God have for you?

When Lew Alcindor, later to become Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, was being recruited in High School by nearly every college in the country he would ask each coach what he would learn from them. Almost every coach told him he could do whatever he wanted. All but Coach Wooden from UCLA. John Wooden told him how he would teach him different aspects of the center position. Now, of course the rest is history. As Christians, when we attend church, what are we looking for? I am not going to give a list of things that I think pastors should be teaching their flocks. I want you to think about the maturity and growth you should be seeking as a viable member. What does God have for you, to do?

"to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 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." Ephesians 4:12-13

Remember in Ephesians 2:10 Paul teaches the truth that God has prepared good works for us to do in advance . Too often we go to church only to seek a warm-fuzzy and leave. Membership without service is like going to your job and sitting in the parking lot all day. You're technically at the work site, but effectively not on the job. If you don't check in and work, you don't get paid. If you "attend" church and that is all you do, you miss out on the service and maturity and growth God has for you. 

The end goal is that you become a mature functioning member of the faith, attaining the fullness of Christ. Where do you start? 

Here's the to do's: You start by asking God to show you what you can do to serve your church. The best place to start is with the need you see. Ask God to give you one person to minister to each time you attend church. Do  you see someone who no-one is talking to? Go say hello. 

If you catch yourself thinking, "You know, someone ought to take care of..." maybe that is God prodding you. 

Father, help us to step out in faith that we can do all things in Christ who strengthens us. Use us to build up our church's and reach out to this desperate world. Praise be to you in us today!

Yes, You May Approach.

A few weeks ago a reporter asked Derek Jeter if he was on steroids or something. I guess because he's having a pretty good year and he is not so young any more. He just laughed. Why? He's confident. There's something about someone who is confident but not really cocky. They can approach things without fear of failure. As Christians are confidence is not in ourselves but in Christ and his redemptive work on the cross and his continued ministry of intercession at God's right hand on our behalf. 

"In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." Ephesians 3:12

So often we do not pray, approach God, with confidence. I think, in some part, that is because we are focused on our selves rather than on God. I don't want to be nonchalant about sin, rather, I do seek to be real. I am a sinner saved by grace. I still sin, we all sin (1 John 1:8). Sometimes I can not believe that I still sin. The enemy seeks to seize that moment and condemn me in my conscience. I loose my confidence to approach God. 

Here's the truth. Christ died for all our sins. As I grow older, as a human and a Christian, the grace of God is even more amazing. Think about it. Christ died knowing not just the sins you would commit before you gave your life to him, but, he also died knowing the sins you would commit AFTER you gave yourself to him. That is like marrying someone knowing they will commit adultery on the honeymoon and will be unfaithful throughout their lives.  Christ died for you and me for ALL our sins. I do believe would do grow holier and sin less. I also notice that the closer I get to God the more I realize my sinfulness. 

Here's the to do: 1) Approach God. 2) Know that God knows you will fail. 3) Approach God knowing in Christ and through faith in him you may confidently seek him. JUST SEEK HIM.

Father, thank you for Christ Jesus my Lord. Thank you that you died and rose again for my sins. All of them. Help me to approach you with confidence, in Christ, and freedom. Thank you, Lord. Praise be to you in us today! 

The few, the humble, the worthy.

I'm sure you have seen the commercials for the Marines. "The few, the proud, the Marines." Then they show a picture of a Marine proudly wearing the uniform. The deal is, not everyone makes it through basic training. So, only those worthy of wearing the uniform earn the right to wear it. The same goes for us as Christians. We have received a certain calling and we should live a life that demonstrates that calling. 

"As a prisoner of the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:1-3  

The Apostle Paul lays it out and urges us to live in such a way that reflects that fact that we belong to Jesus. First of all, for Paul there was no imagined Sunday Christian lifestyle and a Monday through Saturday in the "real world" lifestyle. Who you are in Christ is who you are 24/7, 365 days a year. Being humble and gentle does not mean being passive and weak. Moses wrote that he was a "very  humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth" (Numbers 12:2-4). Moses knew who he was in God's eyes. Do you know who you are in God's eyes? That's the point here. You ARE a child of God. Act like it.

Here are the can do's: 1)You can be humble and gentle. Being humble centers on you and I realizing we our sinners saved by grace. Paul called himself the chief of sinners. 2) You can be patient. W-A-I-T. Wait on the Lord. Allow God time to do things in his timing, his way. If you have an issue with that, take it up with God. 3)You can bear with one another in love. Again, God is bearing with me, how dare I not bear with you. 4) You can do whatever you need to do to keep the peace. Folks, in marriage this can be the toughest task. Sometimes love confronts. Just don't put someone in a corner, because they will fight their way out. Always gracefully allow a way out. Always look to restore closeness and build peace. 

Father, thank you that you have called us to don the Spiritual uniform of Christ. Help us to love with humility because you first loved us. Praise be to you in us today!

Do You Need Some Spiritual Grit?

If you have children you know how Paul feels when he prays. For a couple of my sons when they first started participating in sports I wanted them to develop a bit of grit. You know what I mean? That little inner strength that pushes you to give it your all.  That is one of the spiritual traits Paul is praying that we get. Spiritual, inner being grit. 

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."    Ephesians 3:16-19

Paul is asking the Father to give us power in our inner beings, inner being spiritual grit. Through the Spirits power in our inner being Christ dwells in our hearts through faith. God gives us the spiritual grit to live by faith, and to participate with other Christians in the experience of grasping the surpassing knowledge of his love. Being a Christian, a for real Christian takes grit. Living by faith is not a blind foolish leap. Living by faith is actively seeking God and choosing to live by the truth found in Christ Jesus. Choosing to love others as Christ first loved you.

Here's the to do: Ask God to give you, your spouse and your children  spiritual grit. When you encounter an opportunity to show some spiritual grit (acting Christlike), act by faith in love. Trust God  with the rest. 

Father, give us that spiritual grit, strengthen us with power through your Spirit in our inner beings. Give us the strength to choose to act by faith in love.

You're In!

Unfortunately many people feel like they are on the outside looking in. I remember when I first got married. I finally could meaningfully participate in some conversations with my married friends. I waited 36 years to meet and marry the women God had chosen for me. I really wanted to be married and be a husband and a father. Once I was married I could understand why God tells us to love our wives and for our wives to respect us as husbands. What I learned was there was a reason God didn't say when they're lovable or we're respectable. I was no longer single, I was married. To me, being a Christian is like that. Once you were not a child of God, then you were. 

"Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit." Ephesians 2:19-22

There are many great things about being a Christian, and one is that you now belong. You belong as a citizen of heaven, as one of God's people and you are a member of God's household. You know there is a difference between being a guest and a family member. When I was in college my parents had this property with a 13 bedroom Inn and some smaller rentals. When I came home after the first year I remember how some people who worked for them looked at me and treated me. It was different being the bosses son. 

After you give your life to Christ and become a Christian you now become part of the living building called the church. This fellowship with other Christians is where God builds us together to become a place where he dwells. Think about that. The relationships you have with other Christians is the very place where God seeks to be by his Spirit. Your participation in the church is being used by God to dwell among us.

Here's the to do: Ask God to use you to minister to one person today. Then, look for any opportunity to help or encourage whoever God puts in your path.

Father,  use us to minister to at least one person today. Open our eyes to see the opportunities you place before us. Praise be to you in us today!

The Entrance Fee Has Been Paid!

Last year at Christmas we got season passes to Disneyland. It is pretty nice to be able to take off on a Sunday afternoon and zip into the park and go on a few rides and come home. Sometimes we are even given special early entrance days when we can enter Disneyland an hour early. Pretty cool. We didn't always have passes. A commercial for Disneyland would come on TV and my wife would say, "I love Disneyland, I want to go." Then of course the kids would chime in, "I want to go too!" And of course we wouldn't go because we didn't have passes.  But, now we can go almost anytime. In a way that reminds me of our salvation. 

"- remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenant of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ." Ephesians 2:12-13

Sometimes we forget the exclusivity of being a child of God, of being a Christian. You are not a Christian if you have not given your life to Christ. If you haven't given your life to Christ, you don't have a pass to enter into his Presence. I talked to someone once and they were very distraught so they called this hotline from the church I was attending and serving on. I felt really bad for her because I understood how anxiety can trap you within yourself. I asked her if she knew Jesus as Lord and Savior. She became angry and said she just wanted some comfort and hope. She just wanted me to tell her that God would work everything out, no matter what her relationship was with God. The truth is that unless your are a Christian you don't have a right to claim the promises of his children. But, if you have confessed with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believed in your heart that God raised him from the dead (Romans 10:9), then you are saved and you can enjoy all the benefits of sonship! She just wanted to feel good but live the same. 

You were far away from God, no hope because you were without God. Now, through the blood of Jesus, you are brought near, you do have hope and God is with you in this world. Before when you were confronted with hardship your hope was in blind chance that things might work out. But now, in Christ you  have a promise backed by the very words of God, that God works in all things for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28). 

Here's the to do: Come near to God because the blood of Jesus paid the price for you to enter.

Father, you that  have brought us near to you through the blood of Jesus Christ, use us to bring someone else near to you. Show us yourself. Praise be to you in us today!

It's not about us, it's about Him.

"Who may ascend the hill of the LORD?
     Who may stand in his holy place?
 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
     who does not lift up his soul to an idol
     or swear by what is false.
 He will receive blessing from the LORD
     and vindication from God his Savior.
 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
    who seek your face, O God of Jacob."
 Psalm 26:3-6   

Sometimes I wonder if I am good enough to enter the presence of God, to pray and call upon his Name. I don't know know if you, like me ever feel no so holy. The verse that always reassures me is I Corinthians 1:30, "It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is our righteousness, holiness and redemption." 

It's not about us, it's about his grace, his mercy and his forgiveness. 

A Feast During the Battle

I was watching a little MMA action last night and a couple of  fighters said, "I just love the competition." They both had pretty close fights, yet came away with the victories. When the battle got tough they just settled in and fought. The other guys seemed to be hoping for a lucky punch or something. The point is that God doesn't take us out of the battle, he just blesses us in the midst of the battle.

"You prepare a table for me
     in the presence of my enemies.
 You anoint my head with oil;
     my cup overflows.
 Surely goodness and love will follow me 
     all the day of my life,
 and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."
 Psalm 23:5-6

Too often I just look for a way out rather than strength within. We all want to have overflowing cups, goodness and love and the Presence of God in our lives, but, we often miss it all because we seek to remove ourselves from the trials we are experiencing. God prepares a table in the presence of your enemies. The feast is during the battle. 

I could tell you that God loves you and wants to send his Spirit upon you until he just overflows, but, until you realize God works in your life in the midst of the battle, not outside of it, you'll keep trying to get out of your circumstances before you learn to look to the Lord in them.  The table is set right in the middle of the battle you are fighting.

Now, if you are in obvious sin, repent, get out and get it together in Christ. The battle for you may be dealing with the fruit of your sin. Make things right the best you can. His forgiveness is great and his love is unfailing. 

What trail are you going through right now? What is the struggle, spiritually, financially, relationally or physically? God wants to  show himself to you right where you are at? Sit down and enjoy the feast he has prepared.

Father, thank you that your love never fails us. Thank you that you work out all things for good for those who love you and are called according to your purposes (Romans 8:28). Open our eyes to see the table you have prepared for us.

What is your mission?

There is no adequate illustration to help us see how great the grace of God is. God's grace, experienced through our faith, is something he chooses to give us. It is more than a parent helping their child walk, holding their hands as they wobble along. It is more than a judge declaring a guilty person innocent. The grace that God freely gives to us cost him his Son. 

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:8-10 

The grace of God is more because God, our creator has something for us to do, a mission. In one way or another we are all part of the great commission (Matthew 28:18-20). We were "created in Christ Jesus to do good works." Do you get that? Do you know that God has a specific use for you in his kingdom? 

I remember my dad when he first gave his life to Christ did not think he could witness, but God would send people to him who would almost say, "What must I do to be saved?" These were men who would not go to church and I am sure would of thought of our pastor as not really being a mans man, but, God had prepared my dad to be someone they could relate to. Dad also helped the church deal with some permits and issues with building that the pastors were not equipped to deal with. So, my point is that God has works for us to do that we were created to do. 

I work in a middle school and I often deal with some hard to deal with kids. You see, I struggled in school and I was a bit of a, shall we say, punk. So, I kind of get these kids. I don't excuse them, I am actually pretty hard on them, but, they come see me after school, try to get in my class the next year, and always say hello politely. They know I am a Christian and I hope that someday the Spirit of God will use that to draw these kids to himself. 

What good works does God have for you? Have you seen how God has prepared you? 

Father, open our eyes to see the good works we can do at home, at work and in the friendships you have already placed in our lives. Praise be to you in us today!

Are You Dead or Alive?

At first, becoming a Christian is a bit like going to the doctor for a regular check up and finding out you have a terminal illness. Most people do not think they need God until there is a crisis in their life. Then the Holy Spirit begins to open a persons eyes to see that they are actually held captive to sin, "dead in transgressions". 

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved." Ephesians 2:4 - 5 

It is not until we see our need for forgiveness and our need to live life differently that we will consider turning to God in Christ. There is a moment when you realize that there is a God shaped whole in your inner being that only God himself can fill. When you finally call out to God you discover that he has done something truly amazing! Because of his great love for you, God, in his rich mercy, made you  alive  with Christ. You were dead in your sins, now you are alive in Christ! That is grace! 

You see, it is better than a doctor telling you that they have some medication or an operation that will heal you, until you die. The mercy and grace of God is that when you believe in Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you have eternal life! Spiritually we are dead until we believe in Christ as risen Lord. Before Christ we lived in the lifestyle of the dead, now, in Christ, we live in the lifestyle of the living, by faith, and we experience eternal life, abundant life, life to its fullest.

Father, thank you for the richness of your mercy and the life we have in Christ. Thank you that though we were dead in our transgressions you made us alive with Christ! Praise be to you in us today!

Take Just a Peek Back

Although it is not good to live in the past it is necessary, occasionally, to look back and see where you came from in order to refocus on where you are headed. Swimmers who are swimming the backstroke just peek a look at where they've been to make sure they are swimming straight within their lane. In that same way, Paul takes a few verses to remind us where we came from to help us better recognize the path ahead. 

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at on time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath." Ephesians 2:1-3 

I like to call this the "Lifestyles of the dead". Lifestyles of the dead because it is not just the end of a life without God, but the active now of a life in sin is death, the wrath of God. Notice that Paul says "is now at work in those who are disobedient." Remember that in Galatians Paul said that God would not be mocked, we will reap what we sow. Remember that before we gave ourselves to Christ we lived to satisfy our sinful natures. You see, even our attempts to find peace and rest resulted in reaping death and wrath. 

Here is the deal; seeking fulfillment via the gratification of our sinful nature leads to death. It may be a slow death or a quick death but death either way. If you put water in your gas tank it will kill your engine. Sometimes we as Christians put water in our gas tanks when we make our choices only to gratify the desires and thoughts of out sinful nature. One of my professors once said that  Christians often make decisions according to the lifestyle of the dead and of course they then reap from the sinful nature death. the

Remember, seeking to find fulfillment by gratifying your sinful nature is how you used to live. Now, you live by faith in love. More on that tomorrow...

Father, thank you for rescuing me from a life of sin. Help me to live by faith in your love. Praise be to you in us today!

Do you know what to pray?

I love the prayers of the Apostle Paul because they teach me what I should pray for my wife, children and whom ever else God places in my path or on my mind. Remembering to pray for wisdom, for revelation and to know him better seem almost like gimme prayers, things I should just know to pray for. But, how easy it is to get caught up in the pressing needs of the moment. Paul started his prayer for the Ephesians...

"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better." Ephesians 1:17 

The Apostle James said, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given him." (James 1:5) So don't be afraid to ask. We are told in Proverbs 29:18 that, "Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law." Seek a fresh revelation of God in your life. The fruit of true wisdom and revelation is knowing God better. 

I encourage you to use the prayers of Paul as models for how to pray. Knowing that they are God's will, you can be confident that God will answer them. 

Father, give us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that we might know you better. Thank you that you hear our prayers. Praise be to you in us today!

But wait, there's more!

Have you ever seen the info-mercial where the guy says, "But wait there's more! We'll even throw in..." My youngest son likes watching those and is always telling me about some gadget. A similar sales guy was at my local Costco selling some "amazing, never needs sharpening, can even cut through metal and not loose its' sharpness" knives. I picked up the free sample knife for enduring his "presentation". When we got home I used the knife and it didn't quite live up to its' billing. I showed my son how not everything you hear is true.

Now, the Bible, God's Word, is different. The first verses of Ephesians boldly proclaim the spiritual blessings we have been given in Christ. They are true. We are chosen, but wait there is more, we are predestined. But wait there is more, we are adopted as sons. We have redemption. But wait there is more, the forgiveness of sins, the making known of the mystery of his will, and being chosen. Which brings us to today. But wait there is more...

"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession  - to the praise of his glory." Ephesians 1:13-14

I am blessed to help with my youngest sons' Cub Scout Pack. It is great to see them all in uniform. Each Pack has their own number. When you join our Pack we give you the patches with our number. When you have those patches you show that you are part of our Pack. Paul caps off the spiritual blessings we have been given in Christ by reminding us that when we believed the gospel we we were marked with a seal the promised Holy Spirit. That seal is for us, that within our inner beings we can know that we are children of God and call upon his Name. Remember, that no one can say that Jesus is Lord unless the Spirit moves them. Think of the good thoughts as God calling out to you to walk with him. 

Thank you Father for sending us your Spirit to cleanse our consciences and lead us into all Truth. Open our hearts and minds to see you in our lives. Praise be to you in us today.

How do you recognize God moving in your life?

You can lead a horse to water...

You have heard the old saying, "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink." Sometimes the Spirit of God is leading me to green pastures, quiet waters and paths of righteousness and I'm not sure I am paying attention. The cares of this life can sometimes keep me so preoccupied that I miss the moments when God wants me to just take a moment or two and remember that he is my God, he has unfailing love for me and is Sovereign over my life.

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.     He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,     he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,     for you are with me; your rod and your staff,     they comfort me." Psalm 23:1-4

Do you ever feel that way? First of all remember this: any inclination of taking a moment to pray, to read the Bible or to act in a Godly way toward your wife, children, friends, colleagues or people in general is the Spirit of God working in you! Stop, and take that moment...let God do what he wants to do in you. 

I once heard a pastor tell a group of men that in regards to devotional time, "You sit until God speaks to you, it is as simple as that." To be honest, I wanted to smack him in the forehead! I mean, really, it is easy for him to say that you should just sit there until you get a warm fuzzy because his job is to wait on God on behalf of the flock God has him serving. But, if you have a job that requires you to be there at a set time, that simple little peace of legalism just makes people feel guilty because they have a set time to get ready for work.  Not to mention that he totally missed the real truth that if you read the Bible, God speaks to you. Did you hear that? Did you read the verses above? God spoke to you because that is his Word and it will not return to him empty but it will accomplish what God desires (Isaiah 55:11). Getting a warm fuzzy or not is beside the point. God's word is true. All we are asked to do is listen to God (read the Bible and to teachers of the Word and however else he may want to speak to you) and try to live by faith in love. 

When you come to a moment that might be a green pasture, some quiet waters or a path of righteousness, first of all thank God for it. At this point I am hesitant to say anything else because I don't want to add some foolish element of legalism to anyone's life. 

Father, thank you for speaking to us truth in the Bible and in your Son, Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life. Help us to open wide our mouths of faith and receive all that you have for us. Praise be to you in us today!

How powerful is God?

How powerful is God? Well, he is able to allow us the ability to make our own choices and still accomplish his will in our lives. Think about that...you have heard the saying that God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. 

"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory." Ephesians 1:11-12

The depth of God's sovereignty is more than a warm fuzzy feeeling you might get after reading a little "inspirational thought" and liking it on Facebook.  The Apostle Paul endured some of the most painful trials ever known. Five times he received 40 lashes minus one, three times beaten with rods, stoned (as in rocks brutally thrown at him in an attempt to kill him), and shipwrecked three times (II Corinthians 11:23-29). In light of all the trials Paul experienced he rejoices that God works ALL things out "in conformity with the purpose of his will." Think about that. Paul believed and knew that God was working out even being beaten for his purposes. 

I don't know about you, but, for me there are a few circumstances currently in my life that are just not going according to the plan as I see it. But, the truth is that according to God, he has me right where he wants me and if I need to be somewhere else he can move me. This truth applies to you too. Are some things not going according to plan in your life? The truth is that God is working everything in conformity with the purpose of his will. 

The only stipulation is that you must be his child. If you have  confessed with your mouth that "Jesus is Lord" and believed in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9-11). That said, if you are in sin, get out. Confess you r sin, accept his forgiveness and move on. The rest is up to God. 

Father, you are Sovereign, and I am not. The truth is that you not only see the end from the beginning but you work it out for your purposes and glory. Open our eyes to see you working in our lives. Be glorified in us today!

Every Component is Useful and Valuable

In education every so many years they roll out a "new" program. You go to the training and they give you a teachers guide and a box with all the program components. Each component is designed to help you teach a particular area or domain. If you teach English there are, among others, Grammar, Comprehension and Writing. A few times some have turned out to be pretty useful. Now, as Christians, in Christ, we have been given some very useful and extremely valuable "components." 

"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment -- to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under on head, even Christ." Ephesians 1:7-10

What you have been freely given is redemption, the forgiveness of sins. You are redeemed. There is a hardware store I often go to and they always have a coupon where if you buy anything you can redeem something for free. I grab that free item and redeem it at the counter and take it home with me. When God redeems you, he takes you out of sin and brings you into a life of forgiveness and grace. Your redemption is God's good pleasure. God is pleased to make you his own. This is the wisdom and understanding of God. Unlike, new programs with some useful components, every aspect of God's redemption, his forgiveness, the realization and knowledge that all things will be under Christ, is of great value to you. 

God so loved you that he sent his one and only Son to die to redeem you from the captivity of sin. This is good news. Whatever is trying to hold you down, whatever sin is seeking to enslave you, remember this: you are redeemed in Christ. Your sins have been forgiven. 

Father, thank you for redeeming us through the the blood of Christ. Praise be to you in us today!

Predestination: God finds a way to bring you home.

I'm a huge Laker fan I was very pleased to see them pick up Steve Nash and then, finally, Dwight Howard. I remember that a commentator had said (months ago) that he felt Howard would end up with the Lakers. When it finally happened he was hugging all the championship trophies and looking very happy to be a Laker. All though it didn't look like it would happen, it finally did. As a guy, that is one way I understand predestination. After we give our lives to Christ we look back and see the many times the Holy Spirit was at work drawing us ever closer to Christ. God chose us and then found a way to adopt us as his sons and daughters. 

"In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will - to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. Ephesians 1:4b - 6 

God, through his glorious grace in Jesus Christ adopted us! God chose us and it pleases him to make us his children. This is his glorious grace which he freely gives to us. We may not understand how or why God chose us, but, he did. When my mother remarried the man she married adopted my siblings and me. He chose to adopt us and call us his own. I didn't really understand how important that was until years later when I gave my life to Christ. Adoption means that God selected me, sought me out and found a way to make me his son. Now, I get to call him, "Abba, Father." In much deeper and profound way than the Lakers finding a way to get great players God finds a way to make us his son and daughters in Christ. 

Remember this: God chose you. He predestined a way to adopt you, to specially chose you, to call him "Abba, Father." This is his pleasure and will. 

Father, thank you for predestining us to be your children. Praise be to you that you take pleasure in adopting us. Thank you, Father. Praise be to you in us today!

God Chose You!

One day, while I was serving as a greeter at church a beautiful women walked by. I smiled at her as she entered the sanctuary. I "coincidentally" bumped into her  a few times, we went out for lunch, and the rest as they say is history. What is funny is to find out how we each sort of conspired to be in places where the other one would be so that me might just bump into each other. Before the creation of the world God saw Christ in you and chose you!

"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." Ephesians 1:4

God chose you because of his infinite mercy and grace. He chose you with a purpose. He has a purpose for each of us. Whatever that purpose looks like it is grounded in the call to be holy and blameless in his sight. God does not call you to perfection, but to holiness. We all sin but how we deal with the sin will make us an object of blame or in the end make us blameless. The truth of the day is that God chose you. He chose you, knowing your life from beginning to end. God chose you, knowing what no one else knows, he still chose you! He chose you to make you holy and blameless in Christ. 

Father, how can I repay you for your unfailing love for me? Like David, I will lift up the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the LORD (Psalm 116:12-13). Praise be to you in us today.

Take the High Ground and Do Battle!

One of the truths found later in the book of Ephesians is that we are not engaged in a battle that is fought on a purely physical field (Ephesians 6:12). Fighting from the higher ground is the best way to do battle. In our lives as Christians the Apostle Paul understood this. In the beginning of the Epistle to the Ephesians he begins by rallying us to the spiritual higher ground centered upon the work of Christ in us.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." Ephesians 1:3

The higher ground from which we are to do battle is first of all the knowledge that spiritually we have been given everything we need in Christ! In II Kings chapter 6 Elisha the prophet tells the servant to not fear the army that surrounded them and prayed that the servant would see what he saw. The servants eyes' were opened to see horses and chariots full of fire. Elisha prayed that the attacking forces would be struck with blindness and they were and led them to a merciful victory! 

The truth that we are to remember today and meditate on as we fight the good fight is that we have been blessed with EVERY spiritual blessing in Christ. 

Lord, there are many enemies and battles that we are facing: finances, strife in our marriages and families, cliques at work and school. Whatever we are facing, open our eyes to see that those who are with us are more than those who are against us. Praise be to you in us today!

God Hears

"I will declare your name to my brothers;     in the congregation I will praise you. You who fear the LORD, praise him!     All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!     Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! For he has not despised or disdained     the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him     but has listened to his cry for help."     Psalm 22:22-24

Welcome to Sunday. May God give you rest for your soul and nourishment for your spirit. God, has not despised or disdained your suffering and he does not hide his face from your cry for help.

Today is a day of remembering what God has done for you. 

Thank you Father for my salvation. 

Thank you for my wife and children, for their health and that they know your Name.

What are you thankful for? 

The Battle is On!

Times are tough, money is short, you are feeling attacked and maybe like you are in over your head. It's time to call on God.

"But you, O LORD, be not far off;     O my Strength, come quickly to help me.  Deliver my life from the sword,     my precious life the power of the dogs. Rescue me from the mouth of the lions;     save me from the horns for the wild oxen."     Psalm 22:19-21

Here are a few truths to remember and meditate on as you fight the good fight. 

• God is not far off.
• God is your Strength. 
• God will deliver you.
• God will rescue you.
• God will, and has saved you.

Father, we may not see your hand in our lives but we call upon you and ask you to be near us, be our Strength, deliver us and rescue us. Thank you for your salvation in Christ. Save us in the battle we fight this day! Praise be to you in us today!