Not My Own

Many times, the question has been asked, “Is your glass half empty or half full? I have concluded that for a believer, that is not even a valid question. The first thing that we need to realize is that we are not our own. We have been bought with a price. Therefore it is not our glass anymore. The Second thing to remember is that God will enable us to do what He has for us to do. It doesn’t matter what is in the glass. He is sufficient.

1 Corinthians 6:20

You were bought with a price [you were actually purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and made His own]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body.

2 Corinthians 3:5

Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God

"It's never too late to do right"

Karen and I were stuck in traffic for over 3 hours when I-10 shut down due to a fatality.  We were on the HOV lane headed into Houston from Katy last Thursday.  It wasn’t long before many cars passed us in a zone marked as no passing.  They were getting ahead at our expense.  I knew the police would be occupied with the accident and would not bother with these lawbreakers. How much time could I save if I joined them?  What would that do to my witness? Would anyone I know see me?  These are some of the questions that came to my mind as I had plenty of time to think about their actions.  Then I was reminded that I was not accountable for their actions, only mine.

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.  James 4:17

Take Flight

That was the title of Houston’s First Baptist Church Christmas Program. Not only was it a great production, but the message was for all to hear. Jesus took flight from Heaven to purchase you a ticket to take the flight to Heaven. The greatest message, the greatest gift is that Jesus offers forgiveness and eternal life with the Father. Share the good news!

John 3:16 (ESV)

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Greater Love

How would you define “greater love”? We are commanded to love as Christ first loved us. To love one another! I personally don’t recall any of my friends who have given their life for another; however, I have not completed my education on learning what greater love is.

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. - John 15:13

Rerouting

Most of the time that I drive into Houston, I use my phone’s navigation app. Yes, I know where I am going and am very familiar with the route. Yet, I have found great value in allowing an app that I don’t understand how it works to guide me. It tells me when an object is on the road and the traffic conditions. When traffic conditions dictate a time change in my journey, the app I don’t understand how it knows the conditions ahead of me, reroutes my path. However, it is my choice to listen and follow the new directions. Is that not just a glimpse of what God wants to do with us?

Psalm 32:8-9 (ESV)

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.

Worry: an opportunity to trust God

When we worry, our minds get an unnecessary workout. As Jesus talked about worry, He redirected our focus onto God. Our worries do not change the character of God. Ultimately, grasping God’s character changes how we handle our worries. God knows what’s going on in your life. He cares about your situation. He loves you. Worry steals your peace and joy, but the Lord gives them abundantly.

“I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy.”

Psalm 34:4–5

Banner

In 1954, our country added the “One Nation under God” phrase to our pledge of allegiance. This past couple of months we have seen banners in yards showing allegiance to political parties. As believers, we a greater kingdom! How are you lifting up your banner?

Psalm 20:5: "We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God".

What Captivates Your Mind?

Last night after reading some scriptures, I began thinking about this coming week. Lots of tough stuff headed my way. As I began sinking into a little depression, the word dwell from my reading came to mind. We are not to just read God's Word. When we dwell on it , blessings will come our way. This is going to be a great week as I walk with the Lord. Where are you dwelling?

Philippians 4:8 CSB

[8] Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable-if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy-dwell on these things.

No Eggs, Okay… No Faith, Not Okay

Once, my mom sent me to the store to get eggs, as she needed them to bake a cake—or that is what she told me. I have since learned that you can bake a cake without eggs, but I'm not sure that it would come close to tasting as good as my mom’s. I do know that there is no replacement for faith in being a child of God.

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)

6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Time

The older I get, the more I realize the most precious time in life is when I spend it with the people I love the most. Even after 47 years of marriage, I love spending time with my wife. I have never gotten over the fact that she married me, and she still loves to spend time with me.

Yet even more amazing to me is that God desires to spend time with me!

How much time do we spend with our Lord?

Ps 37:4

“Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.”

When To Praise God

If you are like me, it is much easier to offer praise to God when good things are happening. I am reminded while studying in Acts that Paul shows us that even in tough times, it is good to praise God. On Paul’s 2nd missionary journey, he was not permitted to go where he first chose to go. Nor was his second choice accepted. So, he set out on a trip where he was beaten and then thrown in jail. What does he do? He sings and prays to God in praise worship.

Psalm 145:18-19 (ESV)

18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

19 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.

Hebrews 13:15 (ESV)

15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

Night Goggles

An Army Chaplain shared a story about going out in the darkest of nights to talk to a soldier. He was following an officer who was wearing night goggles. The only thing the Chaplain could see on that very dark night was the reflectors on the back of the officer’s helmet. When the two men arrived at the soldier's location, the chaplain thought that he was alone with the soldier. It wasn’t until the officer gave the chaplain his night goggles that he could see the situation. When we don’t see the scriptures with the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, we won’t see what God has for us.

God never intended for us to flounder through life with the best of our abilities. The Holy Spirit helps us understand God’s Word and He convicts us when we stray off track. He prays for us, encourages us, and guides us.

Romans 8:11 (ESV)

11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

What Do Others Hear or See?

When one argues, how do they appear? Many times arguments bring out drama in the participants. What subject is worth losing our witness over? Even to our family members.

Mark 9:33-34 (ESV)

33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?”

34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest.

Matthew 5:9 (ESV)

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Practice of Sinning

Judas was able to do the wicked things that he did because he never really knew Jesus. Sure, he learned about Him more than most people did. He spent 3 years walking with the Master. But he never personally knew Jesus.

If you can habitually sin without remorse, does that mean you are like Judas? Does that mean you don’t know God? Many people are running around today saying, “I’m a believer. I’m a follower of Jesus.” Yet, if they can persist in sin, something isn’t right.

The Bible doesn’t say that a Christian won’t sin, only that a Christian won’t habitually sin. As sinners, where do you need God to do surgery in your life?

1 John 3:9 (ESV)

9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.

Roadblocks

When I am set on course for a particular destination, roadblocks often prevent me from completing my route as planned. You can count on roadblocks when God sets us out for His purpose. What would keep you from completing the task He has set before you? Paul was stoned yet went back to complete the task.

Acts 14:19-20 (ESV)

19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.

20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.

EVERY day!

Don’t know about you, but some of my trials felt “fiery,,,” but they really were not. God was just refining me. Resistance (trials/challenges) builds strength and endurance. Rejoice in Jesus and grow.

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Quiet! Victory In Progress!

God assured the Israelites that their victory was inevitable in Joshua 6. Thousands of Israelites were commanded to march around the walls of Jericho. But then comes this extraordinary restriction that Joshua puts on them. Joshua said, “As you march for the next seven days, don’t speak a word. Don’t let a word come out of your mouth. Don’t talk. I command you to keep silent.”

Joshua understood a couple of things. He understood that God had surely promised victory in the lives of His people. But he also understood that there was a natural inclination for His people to talk themselves out of the victory that was certain to unfold in their lives.

We need to listen to God and move on His words.

“…Fools are destroyed by their own words.” Ecclesiastes 10:12

What is in a name?

In Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet, Juliet asks, “What’s in a name? … That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”

She’s certainly right. The person we love is far more valuable than his or her name. Still, names are important. Names today don’t reveal much about us, but names in Bible times often did. Many times, in the Bible times people’s names would be changed or they were called by a different name to reflect their character. Today, most parents spend time selecting the “right” name for their newborn child. As believers, we are born into the image of Christ. Christian means Christ-like. Does our character match His name?

God has given us a new name. It’s his name.

Proverbs 22:1a says a good name is to be chosen rather than great riches.

Ecclesiastes 7:1 a good name is better than precious ointment.

Live an upright life that will not tarnish our savior’s name.

Someburger

Someburger’s old grill made the best hamburgers in town. Now the new owner is adding a new Someburger to his portfolio. It will have a brand new grill that will not have the flavor of the old grill. It takes cooking lots of burgers to season a grill like the one at the original Someburger. Each day we should let God season us with His word. Someburger is known for a great hamburger. What are you known for?

Matthew 13:31-32 (ESV)

31 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field.

32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

The Cloud Formation

This morning I was running a little behind schedule and the dawn was breaking. I was looking at the cloud formations; thinking, is this the day? Is this the day that Christ will appear in the clouds? Or will this be the day He calls me home? What a glorious day that will be when my work here is done. The question I ask is, are you ready? If today is the last day for you here, will you leave things undone?

Revelation 1:7 (ESV)

7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.