The Closer, The Better

The other morning as I was preparing my gourmet breakfast. I opened a new jug of milk. In order not to spill any of the milk, I held my bowl of cereal up close to the milk jug as I began to pour. I do the same thing when putting a new quart of oil in the car or filling up the washer reservoir with a full bottle of washer fluid. As believers, the closer we are to the Lord, the greater amount of His love we receive. Also, when we are full of His love, we will share His love with others. The closer the encounter, the great the love is shared.

Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)
22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

John 13:34-35 (NIV)
34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

The Box

Many times, little kids enjoy playing with the boxes that their toys come in more than the toys. The other day I brought little Austin an empty box. He had a blast with it. He never missed getting a new toy. How many times do we overlook the simple joys of life? God blesses us with so many “boxes”. How often do we miss a wonderful blessing because we are focused on the toys we want? Take time today to worship our gracious Lord who has blessed us in many ways.

1 Samuel 12:24 (NIV)
24 But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.

Fear

I am blessed as a grandpa because our grandchildren enjoy spending time with me. At times they choose spending time with me over other family members. However, when something really bothers them or when they face fear, they only want their mother. When we face fears, we should only turn to our Lord.

When I am afraid, I will trust in you. Psalm 56:3

Missed Opportunity

Have you looked back on a situation and were sadden by a missed opportunity? Maybe it was passing up a shot in basketball. Israelmore Ayivor said, “Don’t cry over the shots you’ve missed; weep over the ones you’ve not taken at all. The bitterest regrets are for things planned but left undone!”

How about those missed opportunities to share the gospel? Look around today, don’t miss an opportunity.

Colossians 4:2-3 (NIV)
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.

Galatians 6:10 (NIV)
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Filling Potholes

A pizza company is advertising that they are filling potholes. It doesn’t matter how the potholes came about, they are fixing them for the purpose of selling pizzas. If a pizza company is willing to fix potholes in order to sell pizzas, what should a Christian do to share the gospel? Are we willing to overlook how a “pothole” developed? Are we willing to step up and take the steps to repair it regardless of the cost? God is still working on my “potholes”!

Luke 10:27 (NIV)
27 He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

John 15:13 (NIV)
13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Greener Grass

I noticed a couple of cows were grazing in a small pasture. With all the rain we have had, the grass in the pasture was a plush green. Most of the cows seemed pretty content grazing within the fences; however, there was a single cow standing with her head through the fence. She was eating the grass on the other side. It seemed this cow believed that the grass was indeed greener on the other side, and she was intent on eating it instead of eating the grass in her own pasture. Sadly, it is easy for all of us to fall into this trap. It is easy for us to believe that what someone else has is better than what we have. We should be focusing on all of the blessings God has provided. When we focus on the things He has not provided, we tend to get into trouble. Note: If you water your own grass, it will become greener.

Exodus 20:17 (NIV)
17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

50 Years Of Training

 Almost every morning for the past fifty years I have been combing my hair.  I was told that in combing my hair I was training it.  Not sure the training is working.  Not only do I still need to comb my hair each morning, but a slight breeze, wearing a motorcycle helmet, or a brush with a grandchild during the day, and I find it necessary for the comb to come back out to do its job. My prayer life is much like the need to comb my hair.  Prayer is needed not only each morning, but many times throughout the day.

1 Thessalonians 5:17.  Pray constantly.

Luke 18:1. Now he told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not give up.

Philippians 4:6-7.  Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. …

Labor Day

Do you remember that saying, “Get r done”? The thought implied to get the job done with no excuses or complaining. As believers, everyday is to be a Labor Day for the Kingdom.  I pray that you are enjoying your day while still laboring for the Kingdom. 

James 1:22 (NIV)
22  Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Whataburger

Whataburger

Earlier this year, Whataburger had a contest and the winner would receive free hamburgers for a year.  How nice that would have been to win that offer!  As believers, we have a lifetime worth of hope and peace available for us.  Yet, many times we forget to take advantage of these wonderful gifts.  In whatever circumstance we find ourselves, I pray that we would offer up these words that the psalmist wrote:

Psalm 71:14-16 (NIV)
14  But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.
15  My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure.
16  I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.

What a Savior!

Remember When

Remember when a man’s word was his bond, a hand shake was a contract, home cooking came from your kitchen, or a dollar was worth a dollar? I was showing a couple of our grandkids a silver dollar.  They wanted to know if it were a dollar, why was it so valuable.  Man’s standards change with man’s desires.  Words seem to flow without a lot of thought.  Fist bumps have replaced handshakes.  You can now get home cooking in the frozen section of the local store.  And a silver dollar is worth at least eighteen dollars. What is the value of a believer who holds to the Word of God?

James 1:12 ESV

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Psalm 119:1-176 ESV  

Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! ...

I Stand Amazed

Technology is amazing.  We now have cars that not only can stop when sensing danger but can also help keep you in your lane.  My smartphone can tell me how long it’s going to take to get where I’m going before I pull out of driveway.  But when technology loses connection or power, it is of no value.  My God never loses power. And when we lose a connection it is on me and not him.  With all that men are able to do, I still stand amazed at my savior and what He continues to do for me.

Romans 11:33-36

[33] Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and untraceable his ways! [34] For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? [35] And who has ever given to God, that he should be repaid? [36] For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.

All Inclusive

“Even you” means that God’s grace comes to us even when we do not know everything. “Even you” means that even when we become too busy doing other things, the Lord is never too busy to grace us with his presence. We trust in God’s promise this day because his presence has nothing to do with how much we know, but on whose we are. And we know, in Christ, that we are the Lord’s!

So that your trust may be in the Lord, I teach you today, even you.

Proverbs 22:19

Complaining

Many times our opinions turn into complaining.  As believers, our lives should model that of Jesus Christ. When someone asks our opinion on a matter, we need to remember that Christ’s opinion should trump our thoughts.  We should direct them to seek God’s thoughts for His ways are always better than our ways.

Philippians 2:5 - Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus

Vending Machine

At times I have know people who treat God like a vending machine.  They see something they want and they put what they feel the price should be in. Then they expect their desire to just fall out.  If they want something greater, they do a little more.  If they don’t get what they want, they might put a little more in or maybe bang on the machine.  We need to seek the face of God and pray for His will to be done. 

1 John 5:14-15 (NIV)
14  This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
15  And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him.

Towed

Shortly after I graduated from high school, I found myself on the upside of the Baytown tunnel at a dead stop due to a wreck.  With a school bus just behind me, I found a challenge to take my foot off the brake and onto the gas pedal while letting out the clutch when time came for us to exit the tunnel.  Yes, I made it without backing into or under the school bus.  Later, I found myself in a similar situation.  I was on the upside of a tunnel in my little sports car.  This time I had no worries, for I was being towed by my father.  I did not have to worry about rolling backwards.  All I had to do was steer the car behind my father.  He did all the work.

Our lives should be lived out being towed by the Heavenly Father.  All we need to do is to follow His lead.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
5  Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6  in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Don't Neglect

A few months ago, someone took the time to clear a few acres of land.  Now the vegetation has grown back up taking over the land.  If I miss a week mowing my yard, our little dog won’t venture out in the yard because the grass is too high for her.  Our spiritual life is much the same as my yard.  If we don’t take the time weekly to spend time working on our spiritual life, the things of the world can easily over take our minds.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)
24  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
25  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

How Much Do You Care?

A steadfast faith, a willing spirit, and a caring heart are what the world needs to see in us.  We are not to be just a good worker, neighbor or friend.  We need to be a shining witness to the Lord with our love for others and our service. 

Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
16  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

True to Their Colors

In our back yard you can find gray squirrels, blue birds, red birds, black birds and green anole lizards. All but the lizards stay true to their colors.  The little lizards try to blend into their surroundings so they will not be attacked by others.  As believers, we need to be true to our “colors” even if it means we will be attacked.  The world would want us to adapt to our surroundings, to blend in. However, we should remember that we are not to be of this world.

Romans 12:2 (NIV)
2  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

It Will Come

Joseph had dreams as a teenager of being in a position of leadership, yet the journey to get there took much longer than he might have expected.  David was anointed as king as a teenager, but it wasn’t until he was about thirty that he became King.  But God was faithful to them, and in the same way, you can believe and trust that God will be faithful to you!   

Be patient with the process God has you in. It’s so important to recognize the difference between the time you are anointed for something and the time God appoints for you to walk in it.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NIV)
24  The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

Excel

In what areas do you excel?  As I watched the Olympics, I was amazed what all the athletes who competed could accomplish.  Then as I listened to the talent at the music awards, I found myself enjoying the talents where others excelled.  I will never excel in music or sports, but God is able to allow me to excel in His ministry.  He will enable you to excel for the sake of His Kingdom.  

2 Corinthians 9:8 CSB

[8] And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.