The House in Boise

We only had a couple of days to find the house I lived in when I was seven. I shared some of the landmarks that I remembered with the family. I was the only one that had been to the house some 60 years earlier, so I was the only one that could recognize the house. Yes, we found it. Now my son and his family know the way to the house in Boise. How will others know the way to our eternal house if we don’t share with them?

Romans 10:13-14 (ESV)

13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

What do you look like?

Have you seen a little child throwing a big time fit in the grocery store? Talk about embarrassing. Have you also seen adults not doing a good job handling the situation they don’t like?

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise person holds it in check. Proverbs 29:11

Living Waters

I noticed that at our office water cooler, we have four empty bottles and two full bottles of water. This reminded me that as we share the living water of Jesus, we will never run out. We need to be about giving out the water that saved us. Have a great day!

John 4:14

but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”

John 7:38

He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”

ACCEPTING THE “THINGS” YOU CAN NOT CHANGE

I don’t want this. I didn’t ask for this. I don’t need this. I don’t like this. I am not happy about it. To be honest, I am extremely upset about it. So, how am I responding? Am I allowing it or someone to rob my joy?

I need to remember that God has allowed this situation or induvial to come into my life. Once I quit fighting it and accept it as something I cannot change, I will be free to choose how to respond to it. How would God want me to handle this in my life for His glory?

Philippians 4:8

“Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” (NLT).

John 16:33

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (NLT).

The Elevator

Have you boarded an elevator only to forget where you were going? For many, the Christian life is just like that. Some because they are unsure where to go, and others for the safety of the elevator ride. The latter enjoys the company of others in the elevator and while they have their ups and downs, they feel safe from what might be outside the doors. And how about the person who jumps in the elevator and gets off as soon as a door opens? Maybe they just pick a floor randomly because they like a certain number. No purpose or direction. Yes, when we get saved, we are “in the elevator.” Yet, God gives us commands to go and do. He has plans for us outside of the elevator. He wants to direct our steps; he wants to select the floor for our purpose. He has promised that He will not only go with us, but that he will provide and protect us. Yes, some floors are messier and have more challenges than others; however, it is not about our will, but His.

Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

11 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.

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV)

7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Love

How do you define love? Recall when it was defined as “puppy love”? We were experiencing a new feeling, a wonderful emotion. As we grew, so did our definition of love. I am still growing in my understanding of love. Think about how you might explain God’s love for us? It was first given when we did not deserve it. His love is constant for us even when we are unlovely. His love is greater than we can understand. What is our response?

John 3:16 (NIV)

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

She Brings Good!

I was talking to a good friend this past week, who was on the search committee that hired me at the last church where I served. As we were talking, my wife’s name came up in the conversation. He remarked that the only reason they hired me and kept me for as long as they did, was due to my wife. If one of us were called a “keeper”, it defiantly would be her. I am very blessed. Do you bring good to your spouse, to others, and to God?

Proverbs 31:10-12 (NIV)

10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

The Unexpected

As much as we can predict and plan for life, we never know how things are going to play out.

That is why it’s so important to trust the only One who does know what lies ahead and who has planned for it accordingly. Our great and mighty God has ordained each of our days—past, present, and future—and has equipped us to handle every challenge that comes our way. Before the beginning of time, He saw your and my journeys. And when we understand that, we become free to walk in confidence and security knowing that nothing will come our way that, with our Father, we cannot handle.

"All my days were written in Your book and planned before a single one of them began." –Psalm 139:16b

The Proof is in the Pudding

We have some great cooks in our church. When a particular cook brings their dish to a dinner, I strive to make sure I get a good portion on my plate. There is a difference between home-made and instance or microwave. One can taste the effort that is put into their dish. God challenges us to test Him and his actions. He will not disappoint us when His dish for us is finished.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the person who takes refuge in Him!” Psalm 34:8

Marco Polo

Marco Polo was a swimming pool game that I enjoyed playing as a kid. My friends and I played the game at the community pool that always was crowded with many loud and excited people. In order to determine where my friends were when I was it, I had to be very still to hear their voices over the noise in the pool. I find that life is a lot like that game. There is so much noise in our world today that it is hard at times to hear from the Lord.

Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

What Time Are You On?

We don’t always know the reasons for God’s timing, but we can always be at peace that when God does something is often just as import as what He does.

If you’re waiting for God to do something, don’t despair – trust God and His timing.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)

1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)

11 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.

12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Trust the Trim

When I was in high school, I took flying lessons. My instructor taught me the value of trusting the trim. To maintain a constant altitude was a lot easier once you adjusted the trim on the plane. It is similar to an automatic pilot. Once set, the plane will fly at a set altitude unless the wind changes of the pilot over rides the trim.

Carrie Underwood sings a song titled, “Jesus Take the Wheel”. When we accept Jesus as our savior, we need to make Him the Lord of our lives. We need to trust Him as the Trim and take our hands off the wheel.

Matthew 10:37-39 (NIV)

37 "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;

38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Hide and Seek

My guess is that you have played a game of “hide and seek”. My 4-year-old grandson loves to play that game with me. Now his hiding is like that Geico Insurance commercial, where people have no place to hide in a desert. Unless he is hiding in one of his older brother’s spots, the only thing keeping me from finding him right away is my lack of looking. My passion for the hunt does not rival his passion for the game. It is very easy for me to get distracted in looking for him.

Satan is the great deceiver. His desire is to distract us from seeking God and His will. What might be keeping you from looking for God today?

Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Spring House Cleaning

Spring is here. Outside the sun is shinning and the freezing weather is, if not gone, soon to be gone. This is the time that most of us plan to clean up around the house. How about taking time to see what needs to be cleaned up in our lives? It is important to evaluate our spiritual walk. Where is improvement needed? Check your live against the fruits of the spirit.

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

Satisfaction is in the Mind

So often in our lives, we allow our performances to control our attitudes and let a poor performance steal our joy. We think if only we get the accolades, we will be happy. When we finally reach our goals, we are happy for a day or two, then set higher goals, always wanting more, never satisfied.

" Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8

Work up a Sweat

I am amazed how many people will spend the time and energy to work up a sweat in the gym. Yet, when more important issues arise, people seem not to invest the same work ethic. We are to work unto the Lord. I believe that this means to put forth the effort it takes to do a job worthy of our Lord. So, don’t let sweat stop you from giving honor to our Savior.

See, we count as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job's endurance and have seen the outcome that the Lord brought about-the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

James 5:11

Living up to your name

Joy is a wonderful friend who works at the convenient store where we meet for prayer. Her grandfather gave her the name she to live up to. From my perspective she is very successful in exhibiting joy. At 6:00 in the morning, she will welcome you with a warm and cheerful smile. During the early church days, believers were given the name Christian because of their lifestyle. How will you live up to that name at 6:00 am or pm with everyone who walks into your path?

1 John 2:5-6 CSB

[5] But whoever keeps his word, truly in him the love of God is made complete. This is how we know we are in him: [6] The one who says he remains in him should walk just as he walked. …

Perfect House

From the time I was a teenager I have been dreaming up the perfect house. Over the years I have redesigned the floor plans. I have seen many houses, that others have built, that have impacted my dream house. I have concluded that there is no perfect house on this side of Heaven. God’s plans are greater and higher than any plan we collectively come up with. Jesus is preparing the best for us, the perfect house.

John 14:1-3 CSB

[1] … “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe a in God; believe also in me. [2] In my Father's house are many rooms; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. [3] If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also. …

Faith, Hope and Love

Most of us can find where these three words, faith, hope and love, are found in the scriptures. We probably talk more about faith and love than we do about hope. I am thankful for each of these gifts from God, but I want to focus this morning on hope. When I seem to be at the end of the rope, hope is what gets me through. When I can’t seem to overcome it is again hope that gets me through. I love that old hymn, “What a friend we have in Jesus.” To me the best line in that song is “take it to the Lord in prayer.” God doesn’t give up on us. He wants us to overcome the things of this world. He gives us the power to have the victory in our weakness.

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Take It To The Lord In Prayer

When is that last time you reacted to someone else’s actions? There have been times that my reaction to a situation was not the best action. Not only did I embarrass myself, but also let down the Lord whom I am to honor and serve. Yes, at times people do stupid things. Their actions should not move us to also do things that we will cause embarrassment to our Lord. That wonderful old hymn, Take it to the Lord in Prayer, is a great way to handle any situation.

Proverbs 3:5-7 (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. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.