Dusty

Have you seen the sign on dump trucks that say, “stay back 200 feet, not responsible for windshield damage”? Dusty , a good friend of mine, drove a dump truck. Not only did he have a great mind, a walking encyclopedia; but he was very considerate of others. He kept and used a broom in his truck. Before and after each load, he would not only sweep around the bed of the truck, but under the rails as well. He went the extra mile in trying to make sure loose materials would not fall off the truck as he drove. He was a worker that you could depend on. If things got tough, Dusty was there for you, standing by your side. As his eyesight began to fail and he was not able to drive, his boss kept him on the payroll because of the commitment Dusty had given to the company over the years. Yes, Dusty thought more about others and made sacrifices for the benefit of others. When our days of labor are over, what will others say of us?


2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV)

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.


No “I” in Team

Have you heard the expression, “There is no I in team”? To me it seems that this world in which we live is driven by what “I” want or don’t want. What seems best for “me” is the direction most people travel. The big topic of conversation today seems to be, to wear a mask or not. What are “our” rights? What is more comfortable for “me”? We could trade this topic with so many others. As a child of the King, we are to serve Him at all cost. What I would challenge you to ask is what better serves Him? How might I deny myself for the Kingdom sake? There is no self in Christian.

Matthew 16:24 (NIV)

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV)

37 Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'

38 This is the first and greatest commandment.

39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'


Timing

Have you heard the expression, “Timing is everything”? Ecclesiastes 3 states that there is a time for everything. The right timing on our cars, the missed opportunities because of bad timing. How many times have you missed out because of bad timing? Here are some other familiar sayings dealing with timing. “A day late and a dollar short”. “The early bird gets the worm”. “A sense of timing is the mark of a genius”. I believe the true mark of a smart person is finding one’s timing in the Lord.


31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Is 40:31


Stop Sign

How many times do we take our prayer life like we do approaching a stop sign? Do we roll up to God as we do a stop sign, then take off before the wheels of the car even stop?

When we come to God we need to come to a complete stop, we need to look to the left, to the right, then back to the left again to see what God has coming at us before we proceed. There are times when God wants to give us instructions to prepare us for oncoming traffic. Many times, we need to stop and pause at the stop sign instead of rushing through it in order to receive the blessing He has for us.

“Be still and know that I am God” - Psalms 46:10

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. “ Jer 29:11


Mask

Hiding salvation is worse than hiding that we are positive to COVID-19! The Devil’s desire is to hide salvation because he is evil, but a believer should proclaim salvation. Wearing masks today is to extend and save physical lives. Salvation that can save their spiritual life, so don’t mask the gospel. Remember, God knows our hearts.

1 Thessalonians 2:3-6 (NIV)

3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.

4 On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.

5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed--God is our witness.

6 We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else. As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you.


Peddling

This morning I spotted a man riding his bike. What I thought was unusual about this sight was, that he was peddling so very slowly. I thought that if I were to ride that slow, I would fall over. While he was out riding, I was standing looking from a distance. He was going somewhere while I was standing still. This got me thinking about my Christian walk. Keep on peddling, regardless of the speed.

Galatians 6:9-10 (NIV)

9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.


What Are You Going To Do Today?

My wife is good at telling me her plans for the week. However, each day I ask her what she is going to be doing that particular day. Many a time, she reminds me that she has already given me her agenda for the week. Two things I have learned over the years. First, I don’t always remember (or, it might be that I don’t listen well). And second, things come up that alter her plans. Like my wife, I too make plans in advance. Many times, I find that my plans are not the plans the Lord has for me. So, each morning it is best for me to check with my Lord and see what plans He has for me. Am I going to be about His task, sharing His glory to a lost and dying world, or will I lose that opportunity to praise Him?

Isaiah 12:5-6 (NIV)

5 Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.

6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you."


It is amazing that sand can hold rocks together.

Mortar is used to hold building materials such as brick or stone together. It is composed of a thick mixture of water, sand, and cement. The water is used to hydrate the cement and hold the mix together.

There is an old song that Burt Bacharach and Hal David wrote, What the World Needs Now is Love, that came to my mind this morning. With all that is going on in our world, we can be used by God to hold people together. Not for peace in the world, but peace in hearts. True Love is a gift from God that is available for all who might receive it. (and there is no shortage from the maker). If we will let the power of God and the direction of the Holy Spirit work in us (the sand), We can make a difference. Will we take time to share this wonderful gift?

Col 3:14

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.


Thank You, Mike

Yesterday afternoon Karen and I had an opportunity to share God’s word and what He has done in our lives. Our prayer was that God would use our experience to draw people to Him. As we were in the parking lot leaving, Mike came up to us. I don’t think that I have ever met or seen Mike before. He went out of his way to thank us for what he heard. We were blessed by his encouragement. We never know who might be listening. We are just to lift the name of God up and proclaim His great truths. Who will over hear us today? Will they be drawn to the great and Holy One?

Isaiah 12:4-6 (NIV)

4 In that day you will say: "Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.

5 Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.

6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you."


A Pebble is a Stone

Whenever you get a pebble or even part of a pebble in your shoe, it can be painful. Little things can become a big deal when you walk on them daily. Many times, it’s the little things that create the biggest obstacles. Just try running a lap or two with a pebble in your shoe. Could your heart have little pebbles of stone that cause obstacles for the Kingdom?

Ezekiel 36:26 CSB

[26] I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.


Change

I would guess that you have heard as I, "the only thing that does not change is change". With so much change around us, it might be easy to believe that statement. However, that is not what my Bible says. While we are to change into the image of Christ, He does not change. Our target does not move or change. How close do others see us to Christ?

Malachi 3:6 (NIV)

6 "I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.

Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

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.


Do Over's

I first hear the term "do over" on the golf course. Don't get the wrong idea, I am not a golfer. However, I need do overs often. I need to start over as if I had never started before. The sin in my life needs to be removed as if it were never there. That is what Jesus provides for us if we will but ask.

Psalm 51:10 (NIV)

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.


Company Logo

I stopped in to my son's house for a visit this past week. As he works from home, I was surprised to see him wearing a company shirt with not only the company's logo on it, but also his name was embroidered on the shirt. He was issued the shirt to show people that he represented the company. As believers, we represent our Lord 24/7. A shirt is not issued, but our attitude should reflect that of our Savior's, whether we are at home or out and about.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:35


Taking Time For The Lost

When our time is short, who do we spend time with? Yes, our family and close friends are people that we first check on when our time is short. But how about that one? The lost need to know that we care!

James in this passage was the half brother of Jesus. At this time, he was lost. Because of the love of Christ, he accepted and became the pastor of the church of Jerusalem. The little things we do for the lost can make a big difference in the Kingdom work. Now is a great time to show your love with a phone call, text or whatever God lays on your heart.

1 Corinthians 15:5-8 (NIV)

5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.

6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.

7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,

8 and last of all he appeared to me


Yes, We Have Troubles

Have you received solicitations for extended warranties? My friend was able to buy a truck with a 100,000 mile or lifetime bumper to bumper warranty. I believe that he received a great deal with that truck purchase. As believers, we have the greatest warranty of all. Where ever we find ourselves; our God will deliver us from our troubles. Remember that His ways are greater and higher than ours, so lean on His understanding.

Psalm 34:17-19 (NIV)

17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.

18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

19 A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all


Persistence

“The best way out is always through.” – Robert Frost

Persistence is the quality of continuing steadily despite problems or difficulties. We are a called people!

Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.

Galatians 6:9-10


Eggs must be Cracked to Gain Value

Fried, scrambled or boiled eggs must be cracked open to have value to us. Like an egg, the heat we face in life can have value for the kingdom. If we give our lives and every situation to God, those things that are meant to break us can produce value.

1 Peter 1:6-7 “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.


A Bigger Man

My dad taught me that it takes a bigger man to walk away from a fight than to engage in a fight. As a grade schooler I learned the difficulty in walking away. My Heavenly Father tells us to fight for faith. Faith is not about our desires and wants, which most earthy fights are all about; but about eternal issues. We are in spiritual warfare and we are to make a stand in order that the Kingdom and our God will be glorified. Strive to be a bigger man for others to see Christ in you.

1 Timothy 6:12-16 (NIV)

12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you

14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,

15 which God will bring about in his own time--God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.


Wall Outlet

When we moved into our house, the garage had only one wall outlet. There was not enough power to run all the needs I had. My refrigerator to keep my Dr. Peppers was a must. The radio, the drill press, the saws, the battery charger, the soldiering iron, just to mention a few needs would have to share the remaining outlet. Then how about the air compressor and welder which needed more power? Needless to say, I had to run more power to make my garage sufficient.

Philippians 4:19 (NIV)

19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.


Focus, Follow, Fulfill