Word of the Day: Delivers

Thank you, Lord, for delivering us from the wages of sin! Thank you for all the times you have delivered us from my own foolish choices. Praise you for the times you deliver us that we don't even notice. Thanks be to you, the God who delivers us!

Advantage Us

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

John 16:7

Imagine you are one of disciples and Jesus is telling you he will go away. You've chosen to spend your life following him. You know you are getting ostracized by the leaders of the community. You've gone all in and then he tells you he's leaving. I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sure I would stunned and confused. 

But Jesus tells you it will be to your advantage. In hind sight we can understand to a certain degree what Christ meant, but, for the disciples I could see why they might struggle with it. Let's be honest here, don't we still feel the same way sometimes? We just wish to see Jesus, hear his voice, have him with us to move a mountain or turn a morsel into a meal. Sometimes there are moments we just don't sense his presence and feel alone. 

This is where faith comes in. Acting in faith is often choosing to act how you would act if Jesus was right there with you. You may not feel his presence or feel like he hears your prayers or knows your circumstances, but, you know the truth. God has unfailing love for you, he is Sovereign over all things, and he is always faithful to work our all things for good for those who love him. 

So what is the advantage? The advantage is the Holy Spirit, the Helper, the Advocate. He will come to us. Recently, God began to answer a prayer (a seven year prayer) by moving me out of the classroom into a coordinator position. I really felt good right after I was offered the position. There has been a lot that happened while I was waiting for that answer to prayer. God used me in several different ways, helping me, leading me, advocating for me. My advantage. 

There it is, don't miss it.

The heavens proclaim his righteousness,

   and all peoples see his glory.

Psalms 97:6 NIV

Don't miss it! Pay attention. There it is.

Last night my wife pointed out a huge spider web right outside our front door. The deal is, I had walked right by it at least three times and didn't see it. We miss seeing things because we're just not looking. That's not a guilt trip, it's just a reality. 

Psalm 97 tells us that "The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all peoples see his glory." Proclaim, not proclaimed or will proclaim. See, not saw or will see. Right now the righteousness of God is being proclaimed and his glory is seen. Psalm 97 is a Psalm proclaiming that the LORD reigns and he is on his throne, exalted.

Yesterday, I was at a training for one of the responsibilities involved in my new position at work. We had to request approval for access to one of the district online areas. My boss approved it within a few minutes. May not seem like a big deal, but, I was feeling a bit insecure in my new position and that just gave me a little assurance that everything was OK. The Lord is still on the throne. 

God is working, we just don't always see it. Sometimes we don't see God working because we aren't looking. May the Spirit of God open our eyes to see his glory in our lives.

You Are Not Forgotten

But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded. 

Genesis 8:1 NIV

I think everyone has felt a bit forgotten at some time in their life. When David wrote Psalm 22 it was because he was feeling forsaken. Sure it is a prophetic Psalm, but, when David wrote it, he was feeling forgotten, forsaken. Do you think any of the Israelites felt forgotten during the captivity? Of course they did. But, God remembers.

I have not idea what you are going through you today. You may being going through some very tough times, a valley or desert experience. You might be waiting on God and everything is OK, but God just seems silent. Noah was in the ark over six months. But God remembered. 

Psalm 136:23 says, "He remembered us in our low estate. His love endures forever." I used to try to figure out why God does things the way he does. I can't. Some things are just above me. (A lot of things, actually.) What I can know is that God has unfailing love for me and is totally Sovereign over all things. Some trials seem to go on and on, but God remembers...

Final Five to Be

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, 

“Whoever would love life 

   and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

1 Peter 3:8-12 NIV

Be like minded...

Be sympathetic...

Be loving to one another...

Be compassionate...

Be humble...

Each of these attributes are all about being Christ-like. Christ is like minded with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He sympathizes with us because he became a man. Christ loved us and commanded us to love each other in the same manner. Christ's compassion brought tears to his eyes. Christ humbly submitted to the Fathers will and offered himself as a sacrifice for our sins. 

If you want to know what living these verses looks like, look to the life of Christ.

Father, help us to live our lives in faith, loving all you place in our lives.

Finding God's Favor

But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God. 

Genesis 6:8-9 NIV

Noah did everything just as God commanded him.

Genesis 6:22 NIV

Have you ever heard the saying, "Don't do the crime if you can't pay the time"? The story of Noah is sort of the opposite end of the spectrum and may lead us to say, "There's no glory without the grind." 

Yes, Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. He was blameless among the people of his time and he walked with God. He did everything just as God commanded him. Noah's relationship with the Lord was not passive. Building an ark, by hand, was labor intensive, to say the least, even with the help of his sons. 

The simple but poignant point is that Noah found favor with the Lord because he was obedient and in that demonstrated his faith. Jesus told the disciples, "You are my friends if you do what I command" (John 15:14). We find favor with the Lord when we obey his commands. His command is to love one another as he loved us. If you have walked with the Lord for any length of time you know that involves dying to oneself and putting the needs of others ahead of yours. That can be difficult and painful. And think about this: Noah found favor in God's eyes and then gave him the task of building the ark. 

When we are obedient and God blesses us with his favor that does not mean we sit around and sing worship songs all day long. God will bless you with a task to build the kingdom. Maybe that task involves building up your marriage, your children, your friends. It could be a lot of things, we just have to be willing to do everything he commands us to do.

The Word of the Day: Faithfulness

Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, 
   for he comes,

   he comes to judge the earth.

He will judge the world in righteousness 
   and the peoples in his faithfulness.

Psalms 96:13 NIV

God is not like an earthly judge who can be swayed to interpret laws according to their political leanings. He has no confusion about what is right or what is wrong. He doesn't change his mind and he shows no favoritism. 

There is something that God alone can provide in his faithfulness and that is Jesus. In Christ Jesus not only is all justice met, but, mercy and grace are provided. If we are honest we all realize no one will be able to stand before God and claim righteousness in and of themselves. In his faithfulness he provided justice and mercy for you and me. Thank God for his faithfulness!

Rule or Be Ruled

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

Genesis 4:6-7 NIV

Rule your desires or they will rule you. Like Cain who had a choice with what he would do with his anger, we also have a choice with what we will do with our anger, our desires. 

Paul instructs us in Galatians 5: 16, "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." In Christ, in the Spirit, you rule your desires. You and I trust that God will deal with everyone and every situation and circumstance. He will provide. He will judge. He will avenge. You and I, we are to love. Love covers over a multitude of sins. Love is what disciples do. 

Thank you, Lord, that you have overcome this world and in you, we also overcome this world. Help us to rule our desires and by faith choose to love. Praise be to you in us today!

God Still Calls Out, "Where are you?"

The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. 

Genesis 3:21 NIV

This is the Father, God. He judges, yet foretells redemption. He disciplines, yet provides covering. The world can only conceive of a god who is either an unyielding judge or a benevolent father who acknowledges no evil. God does judge and he does deal with evil.

The absolute wonder though is that, in Christ, he provides for us while dealing with sin. In Genesis 3:21 the Lord God provided a covering for Adam and Eve who had tried to cover themselves because sin had taken their innocence. Earlier in the chapter God had dealt with sin and its' consequences. He didn't just chuck them out of the garden and leave them on their own. He didn't just tell them about salvation for the future. He clothed them. Imagine that. They new they just sinned and they felt shame and guilt and confusion. God, knowing their needs, clothed them. 

We all sin. Sometimes our sin affects us in a more noticeable and immediately destructive way. One of the wonders of the grace of God is that even in the midst of sin and its' awful consequences God provides for us. God loves us. Even when he disciplines us he does not reject us. Even though Adam and Eve sinned and ate the from the tree God commanded them not to eat from, God still called out, "Where are you?" Have you sinned? Are you hiding? God is calling out to you, "Where are you?" 

Garden Where Your Planted

The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 

Genesis 2:15 NIV

I've been working on a project at work and it's really starting to come together. It feels good to work hard and produce something. That's the way God made us. Just as God took Adam and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it God has put us where we are to work it and take care of it.

Where has God placed you? If you're married, that's your marriage, your spouse. If you have children you have them. How can you help your wife and children grow. It's not just providing food, clothing and a home, it's about providing an atmosphere and opportunities so that everyone can flourish. 

When I think of work I think about Joseph. Sold into slavery. Falsely accused and thrown into prison. Raised up to put in charge of the whole land of Egypt. Where ever he ended up he worked hard and God blessed his efforts. He worked whatever garden he ended up in. Sometimes we wonder about the garden God has given us to work and care for, but, God has unfailing love for you and your family and he is Sovereign Lord over everything. A desert garden looks different than garden by a river. But, each one, when worked and cared for will produce what they are supposed to produce. So, I encourage you to garden where you are planted and trust God to make you fruitful.  

That's Enough

                                                                       Revelation 22:18-21

I remember when I was a kid in Sunday School we used to sing, "The B-I-B-L-E
now that's the book for me
I stand alone on the Word of God
the B-I-B-L-E!" 

As I finish reading through the Bible and begin the journey again I am reminded of the how much truth that little chorus has. Because even though there is a pretty stern warning in the end of Revelation, there is a truth we sometimes miss and that is that God's Word is enough. All the truth we need is in the Bible. What we need to understand about ourselves, how we are to interact with God, others and even the world we live in is taught us in His word. God's going to win, Christ is coming back to set everything in order. 

There is a humility we should have when approaching the Bible. I shake me head in wonder when I hear or read about someone who thinks they can judge whether or not God is worthy by their standard they set up. God alone is Most High, the Almighty. He can take care of his word. He can take care of us. Everything we need for life and godliness is there in his word. He even tells us how this part of the story ends. That's enough.

Reality Check List

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: 

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength

   and honor and glory and praise!”

Revelation 5:11-12 NIV

Looking from eternity we see the things as not just how they should be, but, as they truly are. Worship in one way is seeing God, by faith, as he really is and resting in that truth. We just need to make sure we are aligned with him in truth. So, I remind myself when reading these verses:

Give God the power over my life.

Remember that all that I have comes from him and is his.

The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and if I need wisdom, ask.

Strength comes from him. Strength to believe. Strength to act in faith, to act righteously. 

When I do things I do them with his glory in mind and give it to him the glory in the end. 

Praise him for life, salvation and everything else. 

Why Were You Purchased?

And they sang a new song, saying: 
“You are worthy to take the scroll
   and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
   and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language 
   and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom 
   and priests to serve our God,
   and they will reign on the earth.”

Revelation 5:9-10 NIV

I'm going to take a few days and highlight a few of the peaks into eternity provided for us in Revelation. Focusing on eternity is good for us because it helps us see our present circumstances in their true place. 

One of the scenes of worship we are shown Christ, the Lamb who was slain, is receiving praise because with his blood he purchased persons for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. That's us. Our redemption was costly and purposeful. Christ paid for us with his blood and we became his priests, serving him here on earth. Think about that. Christ didn't redeem you without a purpose. He did redeem you to be part of his kingdom and to reign with him here on earth. It does not matter who you were before your redemption, you are now a priest, tasked with reconciling the people you know to God. 

Every day is an opportunity for the Spirit of the Living God to work in and through you. Be ready. Be aware of any opportunity to represent Christ to a dying world. You don't have to give a full on testimony and alter call to every person you come in contact with. You just have to be ready and willing to love as Christ loved you. Whatever you do in Jesus' Name, he will honor and use. Maybe that simple kind word is a crack in the hardened shell around someones heart. It could be helping someone with some small task will lead to opening a door to share the gospel latter. Just serve. Just love. Trust God with the results.

So, my fellow priest, where does Christ have you serving today?  

Simplify Your Worship

Revelation 19:9-10

When you think about it, the Sabbath is not a complicated day. We are told to keep it holy and not work (Exodus 20:8-11). Like John in Revelation 19 I think we can get a bit off sometimes and focus our worship on something other than Christ. 

We hold the testimony of Jesus. We worship Jesus because he is God. We don't worship to be heard. We don't worship because we've been good or bad. We worship because Jesus, lived for us, died for us, rose for us and ever lives to intercede for us. 

Can I get an Amen?

Why We Worship

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 

"You are worthy, our Lord and God,

   to receive glory and honor and power, 
for you created all things, 

   and by your will they were created 

   and have their being.”

Revelation 4:9-11 NIV

It's always nice to get a peak into heaven. One of the special aspects of the Revelation of John is that we are shown a little bit of heaven and here we are shown what happens around the throne. It's easy to forget that God's view is eternal and ours is temporal. It is essential that we periodically stop and remember just how awesome the God we serve is. 

He is holy.

He is Almighty.

He is eternal. (See verse 8)

He is our Lord and our God. May our lives bring him glory, honor and may his power be revealed in and through us.

What's awesome, from our perspective, is that the truth is that not only did he create all things by his will and give them being but also:

He create you,

It was by his will you were created,

And by his will you have your being!

Now that's awesome! That's why we praise and will praise God for all eternity...

How to Know God Loves You

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. 

To the one who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Revelation 3:19-22 NIV

In case you haven't figured it out, my purpose is to highlight a simple truth found in a given section of scripture and try to make it applicable to us today. I am not attempting to give a full on exegetical exploration and teaching. I am not against that at all. It's just that my desire for these posts is that someone can sit down and in a short amount of time focus on their relationship with God and be encouraged and or exhorted to walk by faith. 

I know the verses just preceding 19-22 are very important and often (for good reason) quoted and taught. I just want to focus on the truth that discipline is a proof that God loves us. In the duplicity of our hyper politically correct culture to disagree is often commingled with hate and opposition. Especially here in the United States. Opposing political arguments are embedded with hate. That's just not how God works. When he rebukes us and disciplines us it is not because he is opposed to us, it's because he loves us and desires that we live in righteousness. 

Think of Christ when he rebuked Peter in Matthew 16:23. Right after Peter's great confession that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God, Peter tries to tell the Lord he couldn't suffer and be killed. We know how the Lord responded saying, "Get behind me. Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." Then Jesus taught them about denying themselves, picking up their crosses and truly following him. Later, after the resurrection, Christ re-affirms Peter as a shepherd of His sheep. I know many like to call it reinstating Peter, but I don't really see Christ un-instating Peter. He called Peter out, but, he didn't toss him out. He loved Peter, so he rebuked him and disciplined him. 

I think most Christians, if they are honest, at some time or another, wonder if God loves them. We often struggle because we equate love with thoughtful gifts, romantic longings and warm fuzzies. I know my parents loved me because they disciplined me even when I was seemingly unresponsive. They told me the truth, even when I didn't want to hear it. They said no, even when I begged, threatened or pleaded. I didn't enjoy it, but, I am thankful they did. Now we know that God's love is unfailing and his wisdom is omniscient. He knows the end from the beginning and and he works all things for the good of those who love him. 

So, have you been or are you being rebuked or disciplined  by the Lord? Then he loves you.

Hang On, He's Coming

I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name.  Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Revelation 3:11-13 NIV

Many moons ago. Way back in the day. High school. I was a wrestler. I don't remember many of my matches but, a few seem to hang in there in the old memory cave. Once I competed up a weight class and somehow got ahead on points. All I remember is my coach telling me to hang on for the last round. 

While most of the other churches are given a warning of some sort the church in Philadelphia is reminded that God has placed before them an open door that no one can shut. Their weakness, "little strength" is noticed. They are also recognized for keeping Christ's word and not denying his name. Their encouragement is the hope of Christ's coming, "I am coming soon." They were faithfully following Christ, but, they were getting a little worn down by the enemy. 

Does this sound familiar? I know that there are times when we need to confront a specific sin in our lives. I realize complacency can lull us to sleep. But, sometimes be are on the right path, we are, to the best of our ability, abiding in the vine. Occasionally, we are walking by faith and we just get beat up, worn down, and tired. There will be an end to the trial. There will come a time when Christ will return. 

I recall that at the end of that wrestling match I just fell over, exhausted. I hung on and won. Sometimes our walk with Christ seems to be just hanging on for dear life. That's OK. It may not be fun, but, God knows when you are trying to live by faith. He does not depend upon you, you depend upon him. That is the point. We focus on what we have in Christ and let him deal with the results. This is overcoming. This is abiding. This is what we do. 

Hold on. He's coming.

Above All

God is above all. 

He is the Rock of our salvation.

   the Great God

   the Great King.

Today as you fight the good fight, remember that what ever you are dealing with, whatever the obstacle or the enemy; God is above all gods. 

Wake Up, Finish Up.

“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: 

   These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

Revelation 3:1-3 NIV

Sometimes we don't need to be reminded that Jesus loves us or that God will work out everything for our good. We don't need to sit around until a nice warm-fuzzy hits us and we decide it's time to do something for Jesus. We just need to remember, he's not done and neither are we. The angel tells the church at Sardis, "I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God." Finish. 

Down deep inside you alone know what's going on. You know what you are supposed to do. Now listen. I'm not one of those people who believe everybody should be a missionary to the other side of the world (because then we'd just all be swapping places). But I do believe that you grow where you are planted. Where does God have you? Who does God have in your life? Finish living for Jesus where he has you. 

Somebody tell me what God wants them to finish...

Hold On, Fight On

Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’

Revelation 2:24-25 NIV

Hold on to Jesus. Not Jesus and something else. Just Jesus. He is the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through him (John 14:6). There is no extra hidden mystery except what we find in God's word, the Bible. The Bible is all about Jesus Christ. 

The church in Thyatira was a good church, serving and persevering. But, they kind of let in a prophetess, Jezebel, who was miss leading people. She apparently misled them with so-called deep mysteries which were really just sexual immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols. Anything that is "Jesus and" is not from God. Some may be harmless and some may be straight up malignant, but concerning our salvation, Jesus is the only way. 

Holding on to Christ is not simply hunkering down until Jesus comes again. When Paul talked about standing your ground in Christ in Ephesians chapter six he was describing spiritual warfare. You don't just have a shield of faith, you have the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. To me that implies that I don't just take a shot from the enemy, you strike back with the word of God. That is why John says, "To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations" (Revelation 2:26). Doing the will of God, loving in Jesus' name, battling against the attacks of the enemy, is spiritual warfare. Hold on, fight on in Jesus' name. 

Victory: What Do You Love?

They triumphed over him 

   by the blood of the Lamb 

   And by the word of their testimony;

they did not love their lives so much 

   as to shrink from death.

Revelation 12:11 NIV

The enemy thought he had won when Christ died on the cross, shedding his blood as the perfect, spotless Lamb of God. But no, Christ triumphed over death and sin and his resurrection demonstrated The power, justice, love, grace and mercy, and authority of Christ. 

I remember my first few years walking with Christ. I remember listening to sermons and reading books about reaching victory in your walk as a Christian. Most of them focused on a second experience and then never again struggling with sin, doubt, worry or fear again. After walking with God for a while I learned that they were well meaning but misguided. We all struggle with sin and until we are in the presence of the Lord we walk by faith, day by day. Victory is in his blood, not our level of faith. Our testimony is to his faithfulness, his mercy, his grace, not our awesome spirituality. 

Here's the deal, "they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." It's ok to enjoy the life God gave us. We should love our life in Christ. The issue is eternity. This life is temporal. This life is muddled with sin. This life end in death. Salvation, the goal of our faith, ends with eternity in God's presence. There will be no more sin or dying. We will be made whole and every tear wiped away. Life may be good, but remember, it's not the best. Heaven is yet to come.

In the Battle Be True

“To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.

Revelation 2:12-13 NIV

We don't really know the strength we have in Christ until we need it. Like Peter, who felt like he had the strength, found out he didn't, then discovered in the end he did, we need to look to Christ and remain true to his name. That's where our strength is! 

I'm pretty sure that most of us feel like Satan lives in our city. And our TV's. Christians have become the scapegoats for society. According to the world if you recognize sin you are actually demonstrating prejudice and hate. That's America. In many parts of the world Christians have been and are being martyred.  It's obvious that the enemy is turning up the heat and attacking with increasing animosity. 

We don't know what each day will bring. We do know that even though there will be trials and tribulations that Christ has promised to never leave us or forsake us. I believe that the perfecting of our faith is about being Christlike, not comfortable. Being true to his name means never backing down in our faith. Don't worry about if you'll have strength. Trust Christ for the strength you need today. 

Word of the Day: Steadfast Love

When I thought, “My foot slips,”

your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up.

Psalm 84:18

Be Considerate, Man

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

1 Peter 3:7 NIV

Be gentle. 

Be conscience of her womanhood.

Be appreciative, thankful.

These are the verses we discussed at a men's study I attend. The "Be's" are a few thoughts brought up. 

Most of us (men) struggle a bit with the idea of our wives being the weaker vessels because we see the strength God has given them. Frankly, my wife has to have a strong personality just to deal with me. I also think todays culture has empowered women in a completely different manner than in the past. But, the Bible is timeless and so is the truth that it teaches. So, I am sure weaker does not mean less than or inferior. 

I just know that I am supposed to love my wife like Christ loved the church. Peter says to respect her as the weaker partner. I think respect is a man word and has to do with value. I value that my wife loves our children attentively. I value that my wife washes the clothes. Now, that does not mean that I don't actively love our children and father them and it doesn't mean I don't help fold the clothes and put them away when I can. 

How do you think men should love and respect their wife? 

What is the women's part in receiving that love and respect?

Be Faithful, Not Afraid

“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

I wish I could tell you that as soon as you decide to follow Jesus everything goes perfectly. It would be lovely it that was so. It's just not the reality of life as a Christian. We do have trials. We still don't see the end from the beginning. Painful things happen.

Yesterday, one of my best friends, who was the best man at my wedding, went to be with the Lord. He had been in a terrible accident several years ago that resulted in the loss of a lung and the use of one arm, not to mention nearly the loss of his own life. He was in constant pain. Before I got married we used to go to Rudy's Diner for breakfast on Saturday mornings. I remember many a conversation around why God would allow suffering. Eventually he healed enough where he could get around. He volunteered as a greeter in church. He learned to be faithful, even in the struggle. Now, he is part of that great cloud of witnesses. 

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.

Revelation 2:8-11 NIV

Go Back to Your First Love

I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Revelation 2:2-6 NIV

There was a lot that the Ephesian church was doing right. They were hard working people who persevered and even endured hardship for the sake of Christ's name. But, they had an issue. 

The issue was one I think we must all confront if we have walked with the Lord for any length of time. It's when what you do starts to be more important than the one you do it for. "You have forsaken the love you had at first." When you are first saved, you realize the depth of your own spiritual poverty. You just know you need Jesus. Isn't it true that at times we forget what is important is that we just love Jesus. We have no idea what's going to happen or how it's going to happen, we just believe that Jesus will work things out. So, we try to love. We forgive that person who hurt us so deeply. We stop trying to defend ourselves and just make up our minds to be more Christlike. We look to the Lord realizing that it only matters what he thinks of us and if we know we are trying to love others like he loved us. 

Listen. There is a big difference between when I first gave my life to Christ and now. I was a kid and now I am an adult. I was single and now I am married and have four children. Trusting God for a family is a whole different level of maturity. But, it's still trusting God and being Christlike. I friend of mine says, "I got married and than I began to realize I was selfish. I had kids and then I knew I was selfish." My first love was simply total dependance on Christ. My first love was realizing that everyone around me, like me, needed Jesus. My first love now is still the same. Everyone around me still needs Jesus. Frankly, I used to wake up and I would have to go someplace (like work) before I encountered someone. Now, I wake up to a house full of people who need Jesus' love from me. Then I go to work and there is more people who need his love. My first love was and is just trying to love like Christ loved me...

How did you first love Christ? Do you need to go back?

You Don't Have to Get It, You Just Have to Get Him

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

John 13:6-7 NIV

I love Peter because he was just a guy trying to love Christ with all his heart, soul and mind. And we have so much to learn from his life because he was willing. He was willing to ask, willing to step out, willing to try and willing to learn. Peter didn't get everything, but, he got Jesus. 

Like Peter we may not understand what the Lord is doing in our lives, even when what he's doing is right in front of us. Amazingly, Christ understands. He doesn't get impatient and wonder why we don't see the end from the beginning, only he does. He doesn't cut us off because our faith waivers, he promised to never leave us. He never tells us that we have one more chance, he ever lives to intercede for us. 

The important truth is that Christ knows we may not understand what he's doing but, he does ask us to trust him until we are ready to understand what he is doing. Like Peter we will, in God's time understand. You don't have to get it, you just have to get Him. 

The Word of the Day: Mighty

The truth: The LORD on High is Mighty.

Whatever trial, tribulation or difficult (if not seemingly impossible) situation you are in: The LORD on high is mighty!

What you feel may be worry and confusion, but, remember God is Sovereign, he has unfailing love for you and he, the Lord on high is mighty!