Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Just how much He loves us is really hard to grasp! 1 Peter 2:24

Good morning everyone,
When I really seek His face, I can not help but be humbled by how much He cares for me!  1 Peter 2:24 says, "He Himself bore our sins" in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by His wounds you have been healed."  Isaiah 53:4 says, "Surely He took up our pain and bore our suffering."  Matthew 8:17 says, This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: "He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases."  There is no one that will ever compare to the One who gave up His life so that you might have an opportunity to have eternal life with the Father!  Think about that for a moment and reflect on how much love is rolled into that statement.  He paid the ultimate price so that each of us could have hope.  The next time you don't feel good or you have a bad hair day, remember to recall His promises instead of responding by how you feel.  His promises are what gives you character and fortitude.   The more you spend time with Him, the more His promises will be reflected in who you are!  Life is really not that complicated until we make it that way.  We throw in problems that get us in trouble and that requires us to ask Him to bail us out.  His gift to you is like a franchise because He wants us to duplicate His character!  The model has already been made, yet we continually try and find solutions in other ways.  Today, ask Him to remind you how much He loves you so that you can thank Him with you whole heart.
Your brother in Christ,
p     

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Why does He always give us unmerited favor? 2 Corinthians 5:17

Good afternoon everyone,
I start the day a whole lot better if I have time to seek His face before I do anything else.  Yet, those times when I'm too busy getting other things done are the times that He gets left out.  So as you've all probably heard somewhere along the way, it is better late than never (not at all)!  See, He doesn't really care when you spend time with Him, He just wants you to dedicate time to Him so that He can show you a much better way on how to use your time!  2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us:  'Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come.  The old has gone, the new is here!'  He doesn't want anyone left behind.  If it means giving you ample opportunities to clean your mess up, that is what He is going to do.  He pours down His grace upon you regardless of you deserving it.  Unmerited favor is one way to describe His grace.  It is kindness from God that we really don't deserve.  There is nothing that we have done or that we will ever do to earn this favor.  It is a 'gift!'  Boys and girls, God gives you grace in such large abundance that it will make your head spin if you really take the time to understand how deep His grace goes!  He wants you to depend on Him so that you can see the core of who you are and realize that you can't do this life on your own.  Unmerited may just be a way to see how wretched you are or have been and seeing how much His love can turn you into the person He created you to be. 
Your brother in Christ,
p

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Walk in Love! Ephesians 5

Good morning everyone,
Ephesians 5 starts out by telling us to be imitators of God, as beloved children.  When you watch a parent or someone you respect, you have a tendency to want to be like them.  Your Father is the One that you should strive to be exactly like!  To imitate someone is to try and duplicate what they do.  So many folks today are messed up because they choose sports figures or Hollywood stars to be their role models.  People who are in the lime light who don't imitate Christ by the way they act are going to fall hard at some point.  It is just a matter of time.  I can give you example after example of good people gone bad because their foundation is not on the Rock!  Verse 2 tells us to walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  The bar has been set brothers and sisters.  You don't need to go looking elsewhere for an example because Christ is the example!  When I have an impure or immoral thought, I need to check to make sure that I'm giving God enough face time!  Am I letting others influence me in a way that is unpleasing to Him.  If so, I need to reread these verses.  'Nip it in the bud' is an old phrase that Barney Fife would say on the Andy Griffith show and I like it because when I find myself totally a mess, I find that I've taken my eyes off the One who is the example!  I need to stop and tell myself to 'nip it' right now.  Not after I see how far I can go down the wrong path but now as opposed to later.  People are going to try and deceive you with clever words and deceptive ways because the Scripture warns us of that.  So don't partner up with folks like that or you too will have a mess to clean up.  When someone tells you something and the Holy Spirit warns you, go the other way.  Take what folks say and check it against the Scripture.  We are to Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true).  Don't take my word but take His Words to guide and direct you!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Friday, February 24, 2012

When you don't know what to do, remember God has a plan for you! Jeremiah 29:11-13

Good morning everyone,
I would like to remind each of you that the Bible is always the best place to reflect when you've forgotten what direction you are going.  Don't you feel sometimes that you may be going a lot of places but not getting anywhere?  That you lost touch with what His purpose is for you or maybe you've never known what His purpose is for you!  Jeremiah 29:11-13 says it best:  'For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.  You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.'  See when you seek Him with you whole heart, things become more clear.  No, I can't give Him that concern because He isn't really that interested.  No, I can take care of that problem myself.  No, I'm not ready yet to really trust Him because that preacher down the street did such and such.  See, we can make excuses all day and never decide to do the right thing and that is to trust Him right now!  When we trust Him with our whole heart, we don't point fingers at others and blame them for our demise.  It is easy to blame others as long as we decide to run away from our problems.  We make decisions everyday and a lot of times we wonder why things are so messed up.  Well folks, until we seek Him with our whole heart, we will never have complete freedom!  Freedom really means to trust beyond what we are capable of doing.  When we have complete freedom, we can live with a peace in our heart that only He can give.  Stop trying to do it on your own and if you feel things are out of control, they probably are!  Right now, as for you and your house, chose to serve Him!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Thursday, February 23, 2012

What model should you use to duplicate how you act? John 5:19

Good morning everyone,
You may feel from time to time that the chaos of everyday living has become too much!  As much as I dislike being alone, I've learned that occasionally it is a good thing.  See God wants us to be alone so that there will not be any distractions so that He can commune and dine with us.  I have a bad habit of turning on music, the television, etc. if I enter a room or start driving a car.  Constantly I have to remind myself that conversation with someone or especially with my Savior can be accomplished so much better if there is peace and quiet.  Quiet has scared me in the past and when I'm on the road especially, unless I make more than a concerted effort, I find myself occupying my quiet time with noise!  I've told you guys in the past that I do best with my devotional and my quiet time with the Lord 1st thing in the morning.  That still holds true, because usually nobody else is up and making noise to distract me.  My attention span has gotten better in someways but my interrupting others is still a problem.  My wife pointed out recently that it is something I need to deal with in our relationship.  I get so wound up and excited to say what I want to say that I discount what she is trying to tell me.  I'm sure many of you have been the recepients of my interruptions also.  That problem also holds true with the Lord!  Sometimes, when I am alone with Him, I'm too busy giving Him my grocery list instead of listening to what His orders are for me.  He already knows what I need.  That probably holds true about sharing your problems with those you love.  Once you've told them a problem (or Him the problem), you don't necessarily have to rehash it with them every time you talk to them.  Pray about it, share your heart, and consider it taken care of because complaining about it only makes those you care about want to avoid you!  I love everyone of you and my desire is to encourage you to build your base relationship with your Savior and use that 'franchise model' to duplicate all other relationships.  John 5:19 tells us, Jesus gave them this answer: "Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself; He can only do what He sees His Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does."  Seek His face today and you will be amazed at what He has in store for you!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

What condition do you find yourself in? John 5:5-7

Good morning everyone,
John 5:5-7 depicts a man who has been an invalid for 38 years and doesn't really know the person that is capable of healing him!  There were certain pools of water that had healing powers if those in need could somehow get into the water.  This particular individual was placed close to the water but had no means of getting in the water.  Now folks, this individual in my opinion never gave up hope.  He would come to the water consistantly in hopes that someone would notice him and help him get into the water.  Persistence coupled with hope in the Lord is the key to overcoming any and all ailments.  The invalid got much more than he bargained for because this day he ran into the One who could heal physically but more importantly could heal Spiritually.  I don't know about you, but to instantly be healed after 38 years of being an invalid and now being able to walk would be more than I could handle.  Blessings are available if you know the right Source to call upon!  See really, we are all in need of being healed by the Great Physican.  We all have a 'terminal illness' that needs to be dealt with and He is waiting on you to call upon His name.  There is no magic water that is going to heal you unless it is water that comes from the Holy Spirit.  In reality, our bodies are on a demolition course that ends in physical death, but by believing, we can have eternal life with a new body!  Wow!  Think about all your flaws that you have.  Oh, you are young enough that you haven't noticed kinks in your armour.  Just wait around long enough and you too will have a body that starts to erode.  Life is not about living forever physically!  It is about conditioning to prepare for the Way of the Lord.  He gives us this life so that we can learn to depend on Him so that we realize the Creator is also the great Healer!  He is the only One that can assure you that any and all conditions that you find yourself in can be ratified by Him!  You may find that you have a thorn in your side like Paul did, but God has a plan for you anyway!  Not everybody is going to live this physical life and die after a long and prosperous run.  Whether you are in perfect health or you have multiple health problems, call out to Him so that He will use you in a way that reflects all the Blessings back on Him!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

What causes you to be distracted? Luke 10:40

Good morning everyone,
The more you stay busy being busy, you may just plain miss the reason why you should be busy!  You get a lot accomplished, but for who are you getting it accomplished?  Do you ever feel overwhelmed by all the things that you need to get done throughout the course of the day?  Luke 10:40 says, but Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.  She came to Him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?  Tell her to help me!"  See Martha was too busy preparing for the Lord being in her house rather than sitting at His feet listening to Him about more important stuff like Mary did.  Do you ever do that?  Lord, how come so and so has it so easy and they never serve You and yet I serve You faithfully and it is still a real struggle financially, spiritually, emotionally or you can put in your own reason.  See the real reason to serve is not based on what others do or what they receive.  It should be about you serving in a way so that you serve with an attitude of praise and not one that is soured.  If it has become soured, maybe it is time to sweeten it up!  Psalm 119 starts by telling us that we should walk in a way that is blameless and we should keep His testimonies.  Verse 57 tells us that the Lord is our portion and the good portion is one thing that God will not take away from us as believers!  If you seek Him with your whole heart, you will not go wrong!  You may have even gotten to a point in life where you feel as though He doesn't care? Remember that He cares, but it might be in a different way than you think.  We ask Him for success, but are we willing to manage our success in ways that will be pleasing to Him?  Distractions come in all shapes and sizes and unless we know Him intimately, how can we keep from running down paths that lead no where?  Give Him time and before you know it, you will have time that you never knew existed!  Ask Jesus to remove from your plate those things that don't really matter so that you can replace it with 'facetime' for the Savior!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Friday, February 17, 2012

Crying out for Mercy! Psalm 86:5-7

Good morning everyone,
Do you remember when you were younger and you played a game where you wrestled and then someone would potentially hold you down and you basically had to cry for mercy?  I always seem to get picked with the biggest and strongest kid in class.  He could rarely ever catch me, but if he did, I felt like I was going to die.  Or do you remember playing dodge ball and getting beaned right in the middle of your forehead.  My wife especially disliked that game!  Usually you had superior kids who loved these games and you had scrawny kids like me who hoped for less violent games!  Sometimes you might wonder why God allowed all the childhood chaos or how you made it through?  Life is a mystery and the outcome seems to be a series of ups and downs for all of us.  It teaches you that no matter how big and tough you might think you are, there is going to be a time when you  need to 'cry out for mercy!'  No, not escaping the dodge ball, but more about the bigger things in life.  The dodge ball was all you could handle at the time because it seemed as though you were climbing Mount Everest!  Now the mountain is much bigger!  Now you may be holding on to the delicate threads of enduring your life due to a physical, emotional or spiritual situation that you find yourself in or all three!  God allows situations from childhood all the way through your life to see how you are going to respond to His getting your attention.  He made us completely dependent on Him even though most of the time we try and deal with our situations by ourselves.  Why?  Psalm 86:5-7 is what happens when we cry out to Him!  You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to You.  Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy.  When I am in distress, I call to You, because You answer me.  Folks, depend on Him today and stop thinking that you are able to make better decisions than the One who actually created you!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Exchanging our weaknesses for His strengths! Psalm 29:11

Good morning everyone,
Where do you get your strength from and how do you maintain it?  Do you eat right and get plenty of sleep?  Do you party all night and try and put in a full day of work the following day?  For a time, you may think you can do all the above and maintain a sense of accomplishment.  Let me encourage you to look at the above questions from God's view point.  All of your weaknesses can be replaced with His strengths!  Eating right and getting proper sleep gives you the mind set to concentrate and be effective for Him!  Partying all night becomes listening to His still small voice and not staying out all night so you have to sleep all day.  See the more we become in tune with His character, the more we see what is really important to the Father.  Psalm 29:11 says, 'May the Lord give strength to His people!  May the Lord bless His people with peace!'  Peace is the gift that only can be obtained when you know Him intimately.  He will hold you and give you security when no one else is available.  At some point, you are going to be alone and satan will pull out all the stops to try and make you feel scared and depressed.  Psalm 28:8 tells us that, 'The Lord is the strength of His people; He is the saving refuge of His anointed.'  Folks, lean on Him and realize you are His anointed!  Exchange any and all weaknesses to the One who can give you power to overcome.  Don't think that you are invincible.  See, He made you so that you would rely on Him!  When you need a 'light' because you are living in darkness, turn to Him and He will make your path clear!  Luke 1:79 says, 'to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.'  Peace is not something you can buy; it is His gift that sustains us now for us to know that He has so much more to give!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

If at first you don't succeed, try and try again! Deuteronomy 34:4

Good morning brothers and sisters,
It is apparent to me that the phrase, 'If at first you don't succeed, try and try again is really what God is asking each of us to do.'  You may have heard that phrase a number of times growing up and it was probably said to you to encourage you so that you wouldn't give up.  I remember it as being a frustrating comment because I usually heard it thinking that there was sarcasm rolled into it!  Probably because I wanted to give up, thinking my effort was a lost cause.  Well, if we really think about it, God is saying to each of us that the job at hand is probably more than we can handle on our own.  Think about all the examples that are in the Bible of common people that were able to do uncommon things because of the strength that the Lord gave them.  The next time you try and accomplish anything, approach it differently than you have in the past.  Simply say, 'Lord, I'm going to seek Your face about the situation that I'm presented with and I'm going to let You guide and steer me the whole way and let You control me anyway You see fit.  If I mess up, it will not be because I'm not listening.  It will be because You have a different result needed to accomplish something I don't fully understand right now.  I'm going to trust You completely Lord.'  One of those examples in the Bible talks of how Moses never saw the fruit of his labor.  Yet, he never quit trying!  Moses wandered for over 40 years with his people in the desert seeing the 'Promised Land' from a distance, but never was given the opportunity to enter.  Even if you don't see your prayers answered, God still wants you to remain faithful because those prayers may be answered in generations to come!  In Deuteronomy 34:4, the Lord said to him, "This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob when I said, 'I will give it to your descendants.'  I will let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it."  Seek His face and do as He ask of you and the really important stuff will set an example for others!
Your brother in Christ,
p   

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Love is in the Air! 1 John 4:16

Good morning everyone,
Today is a day that we celebrate love for those that are 'very special' in our lives.  Valentine's day has long been associated with cupid striking a 'love arrow' through the heart of someone that you want to shower with flowers, candy, and gifts.  Retail makes a monster profit on this day that traditionally has commemorated St. Valentine.  Saint Valentine is the name of potentially several different martyred saints of ancient Rome.  The word "Valentine", derived from valens (worthy, strong, powerful), was popular in late Antiquity.  Today the holiday of sorts is associated more about poetry and showering of gifts.  Shouldn't we shower people with 'love' everyday instead of making such a big deal one day a year?  Is this the only time you gear up for what Jesus Christ ask us to do each and everyday?  I use Bible Gateway from time to time to help me with a lot of devotionals that you receive because of the amount of information that I can obtain.  When I put in the word love, almost 700 different usages came back!  Folks, God wants you to do more than striking that person once a year with your 'love arrow!'  He wants you to emulate His Love!  1 John 4:16 says,
'And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is Love.  Whoever lives in Love lives in God, and God in them.'  Instead of making such a big deal about letting retail show how much you care today, ask God to show you how to love each and everyday!
Your brother in Christ,
p   

Monday, February 13, 2012

The Coming of the Lord! 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Good morning everyone,
Yesterday I heard a sermon titled 'The Rapture' and it was moving to say the least.  The text that we studied was 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.  'But we do not want you to be uniformed brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.  For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep.  For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God.  And the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.  Therefore encourage one another with these words.'  Folks, these verses are intended to give others hope when their love ones pass on before they do!  We as Believers have hope because to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.  Philippians 1:21 says, 'For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.'  Whether He takes you or a loved one home today or in the distant future, we should all be ready for a time such as this!  Jesus is coming back and until He comes, don't become tired of working for Him while there is still time.  There is going to be a day when we meet Him face to face and my prayer for each of us is that He will say, 'Well done good and faithful servant!'
Your brother in Christ,
p

Sunday, February 12, 2012

In this place! 2 Chronicles 7:14-15

Good morning everyone,
Do you ever feel as though you are stuck in time?  I mean, do you ever feel there should be so much more to this life?  In 2 Chronicles 7:14-15 it says, 'if My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.  Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.'  See for us to realize that there is so much more, we have to be willing to offer up everything that we are about so that God can work through us.  I think it is ironic that He allows us to make messes so that we can see that there is so much more.  Jesus himself said, 'It is not the healthy that need a doctor, but the sick.'  It is the 'sinful' man that needs redemption and restoration!  It is each of us that needs to realize that He needs to be Lord of our lives day in and day out!  He made us human so that we can know without a doubt that Him being Holy is the only fix.  The Creator Himself made woman and man so that we would rely on His antidote!  Don't try and figure out what He will have to explain to us when we get there.  Decide today that you are a mound of clay and let Him form you into the beautiful piece of art that He has always wanted to make.  He gave you freedom so that you would offer it back to Him because you realize the only real freedom is a life with Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior!  Anything else will lead to misery!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Friday, February 10, 2012

Does your spirit need a lift? John 14:26-27

Good morning everyone,
I don't know about you, but it seems to me that there are many who are in need of restoration!  If you are connected to a church body of believers, you are probably in tune with a number of people who need prayers for various reasons.  My heart aches right now because I know that some of my closest brothers and sisters in the Lord are hurting.  The only answer that I can truly give them for their pain rests on the shoulders of the Great Healer himself.  Many times we seem to want to give up when it goes beyond confusing and there seems to be no end to our physical, emotional, or spiritual pain.  John 14:26-27 reminds us that when we can't go on, the Spirit will give what the world can not give!  "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.  Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."  There is much packed into these two verses and I would like to focus in on a few of the words that really can help sustain you when your spirit needs replugging into the Holy Spirit.  The Father is ready to teach you and remind you that true peace is available when you are troubled and afraid.  The Holy Spirit is ready to shock the world by taking over your body and giving you what the world can't give.  Are you in need of restoration?  Are you need of having your feet put back under you?  Call out to Him and let the Holy Spirit take over and be the Controller and direct your thoughts and ways!  Praise Him for what happens next!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Prayer + Praise = Productive Power from the Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:6

Good morning everyone,
I received an email this morning from Brother Jackie on the importance of combining prayer and praise with each other.  He compared the two as being connected together like two body parts.  One without the other ends up not near as effective.  The more we find ourselves connected to the Father, the more we are going to want to praise His name.  The more we praise His name and the more we communicate with Him, the more we will find ourselves doing His work!  See God is in the business to work in and through us.  If we go about our day and rarely include Him, how are we able to get to know Him?  How many of you want to be more productive?  I know I do and in order to have productivity that really matters, my prayer is that each of us will seek His face and ask Him to use His amazing power through us!  The Holy Spirit 'unleashed' is the gift that keeps on giving.  Isaiah 9:6 is one of the most quoted scriptures and His birth changed everything!  "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."  His power is everlasting and we are vessels that He has allowed that power to flow through back to Him!  When we shine for Jesus and speak about Him with 'attitude of gratitude', we are actively letting Him flow through us!  Let Him use you like a series of electrical cables so that we can get unbelievers 'jumpstarted' so that they will want to seek the Source!
Your brother in Christ,
p  

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Come and follow Me! Luke 18:22

Good morning everyone,
Everybody wants to follow somebody and I'm here to tell you if you follow anybody but Jesus, you are going to find that you are lost!  The hardest thing in life is to give up the temporary things that get their hooks in us and truly follow Jesus.  You can say that you've given up the so and so, but are you truly depending solely on His strength and guidance?  I'm reminded of a newer song being played on the radio right now by Building 429.  The title to the song is 'Where I Belong.'  Some of the lyrics go like this: 
          
           Sometimes it feels like I'm watching
                                         From the outside
           Sometimes it feels like I'm breathing
                                            But am I alive?

              I won't keep searching for answers
                                That aren't here to find

                    All I know is I'm not home yet
                           This is not where I belong
              Take this world and give me Jesus
                           This is not where I belong

The Bible says don't worry about the one who can destroy the body (the world) but be concerned with the One who can destroy the body and Spirit (God).  Take this world and give me Jesus!   Matthew 19:21, Matthew 28:18, Mark 10:21, and Luke 18:22 all address the issue that we as men and women have that keep us from serving Him!  In Luke 18:22, When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing.  Sell everything that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come, follow me.'  You may say He isn't really talking about giving up this or that!  Folks, I want you to consider what it means to really live for Jesus!  It may mean giving up your cable tv or it may mean serving in a way that you've never served before.  Ask the One that can give you the power to be able to let go of the things that really don't matter!  The Holy Spirit is the only gift that keeps on giving and giving whether you deserve it or not and by the way, you don't! Matthew 28:18 gives you power from the same Source that was given to Jesus!  We hold on to things that we feel like give us power.  What?  You can be connected to the Creator who gives power and yet you hold on to _________!   Fill in the blank and pray that God will remove it and replace the void with Jesus!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

You too have been set apart! Ephesians 2

Good morning everyone,
Even though you may not have been born into a Jewish family, you too have the distinct opportunity to be born into the family of God!  Ephesians 2:4-6 tells us, 'But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved--and raised us with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.'  Folks, it wasn't anything special that you did, but because of your existence, you are special enough for God to include you in His family!  Stop and think about the unbelievable opportunity that God has gifted to you!  He loves you so much and cares about you so much, and verses 7-8 tells us, 'so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith.'  Immeasurable really stands out to me in the fact that you can not begin to measure how much He loves you.  Accept it and believe, not in the things that you can see, but because of His promises and you too will share in His great reward.  You are so much more than the things that you are going through right now or the things you will go through.  He knows everything about you.  That should be enough to encourage you and help you to believe.  See, even though He knows everything about you, He still loves you!  All the baggage, all the drama, all the lies, and all your doubts He wants to remove from you so that He can do His workmanship in and through you!  When you act and do for others what Jesus Christ has already done for you, you show others that He loves them also!  We are all a bunch of misfits that have been adopted into the family of God and have been set apart.  If you were born into a Jewish family, praise God, but if you were not, praise God!  It doesn't really matter, because ultimately you were born because of your Creator to carry out His workmanship.  Paul describes in Galatians 1:15 that He too was set apart before he was born and was called by His grace.  Jew and Gentile alike have opportunities to know Jesus Christ personally.  Know today that you share an opportunity to be set apart because of His grace and your faith in Him!
Your brother in Christ,
p   

Friday, February 3, 2012

What is the journey all about? Joshua 24:17

Good morning everyone,
When you think about going on a journey, do you possibly think about an adventurous trip?  Maybe going to the Outback, climbing Mount Everest, rafting the Amazon, and your imagination can go on and on!  All of the examples I gave probably require some type of risk because there are a lot of elements that you won't know about until you actually take the adventure.  If you really want to get right down to it, your life can be looked at as a journey.  We really don't know what lies ahead, but we can be assured that we all have the best Tour Guide available at our finger tips.  Will you take advantage of His invitation?  See history is really His story lived out.  When you make it a priority to include a personal relationship with your Savior to be a part of the journey, you will make your story part of His story!  Keep in mind that the journey may be nothing to do with the above examples of adventure but your journey will be special because it will be part of His story!  When you include Him in your journey, your journey becomes your life.  The people of Israel had journeyed in the desert for 40 years and in Joshua 24:17 we read that, "It was the Lord our God himself who brought us and our parents up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes.  He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled."  See if you let God be the Tour Guide, He will make your part of history more amazing than any adventure you can conjure up!
Your brother in Christ,
p

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Comfort is in Him! Isaiah 40 & 41

Good morning everyone,
When you think of the word comfort, your first thought might be sitting in your recliner at home watching a movie or a sporting event.  The kind of comfort that Isaiah is referring to in both Isaiah 40 & 41 is far from that sort of comfort.  When you get a chance, take a few minutes and read those chapters and see if God doesn't give you a different prospective on what comfort should be.  The only real comfort comes from knowing the Lord and being able to rest in His arms.  When everything around us falls apart and the train comes off the track, His word still stands!  Now folks, that is comfort!  Even when you find it relaxing in your easy chair, just like the scripture says, that will fade.  His word will stand forever!  Now forever is a long time.  When we equate comfort to the things we feel and it isn't grounded in eternity, don't let it make you feel too comfortable.  We have work to do and we have a short time to complete it.  See God has placed everything in its spot around the entire universe when we are talking about creation.  Regardless of the number of stars that there are, billions or more just in our universe, He knows them all by name!  If He knows the stars by name and He still took the time to create you and He gave you intelligence to marvel at His works, don't you think we should give Him back the time we are here to allow Him to work His wonders through us?  We get all caught up in the things that don't really matter.  We should be more about the business of who our Lord and Savior is and what He wants us to do!  Seek His face today and pray that He moves you to new heights glorifying Him in everything you do!
Your brother in Christ,
p