Lord, preserve my life...

Thank You, Lord, for Your Compassion

Enlighten Your Eyes

So You May Know

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these signs of mine among them that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my signs among them, and that you may know that I am the Lord.”

Exodus 10:1-2 NIV

Here's the bottom line: we may not understand the depths of free will, choice and all that doctrinal stuff, but, the desired end of it all is that we may know that He is the Lord. God's ways are not always discernible to us. We are  finite created beings. The Lord, is infinite and eternal, the everlasting one. 

The Lord was showing Pharaoh, the Egyptians, and the Israelites that He was the Lord. At first it didn't seem that great to the Israelites because they just had to make more bricks with less straw. Then, as the plagues progressed they saw how God protected them. I am sure it was quite a site to look over from Goshen and see the rest of Egypt infested with gnats and locus, darkness. 

The point is that God shows himself Sovereign and faithful in many different ways. It's not our choice, except to live by faith. Sometimes we need to just watch and see what God is doing. Crazy things may be happening around us, but God is still the Lord and working his will as he so chooses. 

Choose to Flourish

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
   they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the Lord,
   they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age,
   they will stay fresh and green,
proclaiming, “The Lord is upright;
   he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”

Psalms 92:12-15 NIV

My wife has a green thumb. She gives them just the right amount of care so they will flourish. Once she planted aloe vera plant and it has grown from a little sapling to full sized plant. More than once I have gone out to it and cut off a leaf and rubbed its juices on a cut or burn. 

We, planted in the house of the LORD, will flourish in his care. That means we will grow up in Christ and be useful for the body of Christ. The Lord is upright. That means he isn't going to abuse us or allow things to hurt us for no reason. God will prune us and that may not be enjoyable at the moment, but, it will lead to greater fruitfulness. Through those pruning moments we need to remember to look to the LORD our Rock and remember there is no wickedness in him. 

The difference between you and I and a seed is that we can choose where we are planted. We can be planted in "the house of the LORD" or we can plant ourselves on rocky places and among thorns (see Matthew 13:1-9). If you are reading this I feel confident you are trying to flourish in the house of the LORD. Let him doing his pruning and be willing to be the aloe vera that will bring healing to someone else in the house of the LORD.

Be Patient...How Long?

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.

James 5:7-8 NIV

How long should we be patient? One day? One week? One year? One decade? Until the coming of the Lord.

What Do You Have In Common With Barabbas?

But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

Luke 23:23-25 NIV

What did Barabbas do to deserve to be set free? Nothing. He didn't deserve to be freed. He deserved to be crucified. 

What did you or I do to deserve salvation? That's right, nothing. 

I wonder what happened to Barabbas? What did he do with the freedom he was giving by Christ's death on the cross? How did he respond? Aren't those the same questions we must ask ourselves?

What are we doing with the freedom we are given by Christ's death on the cross? How are we responding to the grace we have been given in Christ? 

Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for taking my place upon the cross and dying for my sins. Help me to live in your grace and may the love live through me. Praise be to you in us today!

You Are Always With Me

   The older son became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him...

  "My son," the father said, "you are always with me, and everything I have is yours." 
Luke 15:28, 31

God, always makes the first move. His Spirit is the One who works within us to desire to even think about God. If you are seeking God in any way (even reading this blog), that was not your innate spirituality causing you to do that, no, it's the Spirit of the Living God drawing you to Himself. Every thought of God is proof of the Spirit of God within you. God goes out to you. 

It's easy to forget that God is with us. It shouldn't be, but it can be. Yet, the truth is that God will never leave us or forsake us and even if we are unfaithful, he remains faithful. Notice that in the parable it says, "you are always with me." It does not say, "I am always with you." Jesus is placing the focus on the son knowing where he was. Where are you with God? If you are a Christian the answer is that you are always with God. 

Lose It To Save It

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self ?

Luke 9:23-25 NIV

By His Might

David wanted to be saved and he wanted to be vindicated. He knew if either of those were going to happen it had to be by God's hand, by God's MIGHT in his life. David might fight the battle but he knew it was God working through him that would bring the victory. 

I've coached several of my kid's sports teams. Every now and then there are a few kids who are just sort of there. Maybe their parents made them participate, but, clearly it wasn't their idea. Once I was coaching a soccer team and a couple of girls were out on the pitch and the ball went by them and they didn't even notice because they were so engrossed in their eleven year old girl conversation, intently listening to each and giving each other their full attention. Both girl's parents were screaming, "Get the ball! Stop talking and get the ball!!" (Yes, one was mine.) They both jerked to attention and ran futilely after the ball.  

Here's the deal: we must realize that we are in a spiritual battle and that our victory is in Christ in order to attain the victory. We must look to God, because the victory is by his name and by his might, not ours. It is easy to get sidetracked and distracted and miss what God has for you. Sometimes God will use something to sort of jolt you to get your attention refocused on the spiritual battle you are in. Refocus and get after what ever God has before you!

How Can I Help?

When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:41-45 NIV

You know the difference between a "Here I am" person and a "There You Are" person? The first is all about themselves and the other is all about others. Christ, who is God, always has been God, and always will be God, came to serve, not be served. We should be like him. 

As you approach each person, as yourself, are you maneuvering to get something for yourself or are you looking for an opportunity to serve? 

Let me ask you, how can I help you?

Proclaim the Righteousness of God in Christ!

Is Jesus Welcome Here?

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

Matthew 18:1-5 NIV

Do you welcome Jesus? 

You can seek success, do your best and try to be the best at what you do. But, do you welcome Jesus? 

I ask myself, is Jesus welcome in my life? Today as I go to work and deal with middle school students, fellow teachers and staff members and probably a parent or two, I have to ask myself, is Jesus welcome? 

As a child I didn't know how my parents provided breakfast, lunch and dinner. I just knew they did. I didn't know they had to pay the mortgage. I just went home, and lived in our house.  

I think humility is knowing who you are in Christ. A child is just a child and they generally don't even think about it, they just are. Every now and then parents do remind their children they are still children, they're not adults yet. If you have a teenager you know what I mean. The funny thing is even when a teenager tries to tell you they are an adult they still expect you to pay.

My point: Know Jesus. Welcome him. Remember that he is your Lord. He is your Redeemer and Savior. Trust him. He is faithful and will complete the work he is doing in your life. 

Is Jesus welcome in you life?

What is your intent?

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

James 1:25 (NIV)

Once while backing up my car I hit a little, but unforgiving two foot post sticking up out of the ground. I went forward, saw the stupid thing in my mirror, backed up again while avoiding the post. My intent was not to dent my car, but I did. Since my intent was to get out of the parking space without hitting  anything, in the end I got out without causing further damage.

Follow me on this. If my intent is to sin I will sin without concern for the damage it will do to my life and the lives of those around me. If my intent is to act in faith, even if I find myself in sin, I will back out - repent - and act by faith in love. 

Make it your intent to act in faith. Make it your intent to do the the word of God says and even when you get a bit off track the Spirit of God will help you to act in faith, to do live according to the word.

Wise up!

Get wisdom, get understanding;
   do not forget my words or turn away from them.
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
   love her, and she will watch over you.
The beginning of wisdom is this: 
   Get wisdom.Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
   embrace her, and she will honor you.
She will give you a garland to grace your head 
   and present you with a glorious crown.”
Proverbs 4:5-9  (NIV)

Wow! I can't tell you how many times, growing up, someone told me to "Wise up". I definitely am one of those "foolish things" God chose to confound the wise. If there is anything in my life that is good or makes any sense it is because I have, in my own feeble way tried to follow Christ. 

As an adult, that truth, "Wise up" continues to be applicable. Every day we need the wisdom of God to deals with people, problems and shall we say "unpleasantries". I lost the chance for a promotion a few years ago simply because I didn't control my tongue. I did not act with wisdom. I've received promotions because I did control my tongue and responded with wisdom. 

Wise up. 

God Clears a Path For You

Trust in the LORD with all your heart

   and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him,

   and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Every time I read these verses I am reminded of their wisdom. No matter what you are going through they always hold true. Trust in God. Remember he sees the end from the beginning. Remember he is Sovereign God and works all things out for good for those who love him. Like a parent moving toys out of the ways of a toddler learning walk, our Father makes the path before us clear. 

Thank you Father for clearing a path before us. We acknowledge you as Lord and Savior. Praise be to you in us today!

Do You Feel Like You Look Like You're Losing?

My wife hates it, but I like watching MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fights. At the end of the match they interview the combatants and by the looks on their faces (the cuts and bruises) it's not always apparent who the winner was. Sometimes the battle with the flesh and the world leaves us a little beat up. You may stop for a moment and look at yourself and feel pretty beat up and think you must be losing this fight. Remember, our salvation protects us. The battle is ultimately God's and he is faithful to bring us through. 

But as for me, afflicted and in pain—
   may your salvation, God, protect me. 
I will praise God’s name in song
   and glorify him with thanksgiving.
This will please the Lord more than an ox,
   more than a bull with its horns and hooves.
The poor will see and be glad—
   you who seek God, may your hearts live!
The Lord hears the needy
   and does not despise his captive people.
Psalms 69:29-33 (NIV)

Thank you, Father, that you hear our prayers and you don't despise us. Praise be to you and the victory you give in us!

Repelling and Remaining in Christ

   And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. 

   If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.

1 John 2:28-29 (NIV)

My youngest son and I went on a zip-line adventure a few weekends ago. It was a blast! The tour also featured a few rappelling sections. I have to tell you that feeling of leaning out backwards just freaks me out. I could tell it made my son feel a bit unsure too. You just have to trust the guides are not going to ask you to do something you can't do.  

Now we know that the Father is not going to ask us to do something we can't do by faith. Remaining or abiding in Christ is not dependant on my righteousness. But, remaining or abiding in Christ produces the fruit of righteousness. Living by faith in Christ's as my righteousness, is remaining in him. I sometimes get the paralysis of analysis. For example in this case I realize my own sinfulness to the point that even if I do the right thing I probably do it with self serving motives. The truth is that God is not asking me (you) to be perfect, he is asking me (you) to act in faith that he will work all things for the good. 

Yes I was a bit unsure when I leaned back to repel down that tree, hanging in mid air, but the rope held and I repelled down to the next landing. In the same way acting in faith sometimes puts us out in midair trusting that the Lord will keep us from falling. Love as best you can and trust Christ to do what he died and rose again to do, make us children of God righteous in him. 

Father, though our sins be a scarlet and our righteousness like filthy rags, you make us righteous in Christ. Thank you and praise be to you in us today!