A challenge to be still

When I have a very busy day packed with challenges, I have a tendency to outrun God. Yes, many times I began to order my day even before the day begins. As I pause during my quiet time, sometimes I have a tendency to be the master of my agenda. Instead of inviting God to order every step of my day that the Lord has made. He has a plan for me, and I must ask Him to bless and guide me from morning until night, committing all my ways to Him. No more hurrying through a one-sided conversation. My challenge is to be still before the Lord and listen to Him.

Psalm 37:5-7 (ESV)

5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.

6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.

7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!

We Paid For Darkness

When we moved into our neighborhood, Karen asked the developer if he was going to put in streetlights. Yes, we were the second house in the neighborhood. His reply was that we paid extra for country living. Let me translate, He was saying that we had paid for darkness and he was not going to put in the lights. That is what happens when we walk in the darkness. Sin comes with a payment that we really don’t want to pay for.

Proverbs 2:13 (ESV)

13 who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness,

Zephaniah 1:17-18 (ESV)

17 I will bring distress on mankind, so that they shall walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the LORD; their blood shall be poured out like dust, and their flesh like dung.

18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them on the day of the wrath of the LORD. In the fire of his jealousy, all the earth shall be consumed; for a full and sudden end he will make of all the inhabitants of the earth.

How would you grade yourself on preparing to worship on Sundays?

Amos 4:12-13 (NIV)

12 "Therefore this is what I will do to you, Israel, and because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel."

13 He who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals his thoughts to man, he who turns dawn to darkness, and treads the high places of the earth-- the LORD God Almighty is his name.

“Prepare to meet” in this passage caught my attention. Look how we prepare for the first day of school, a first date, the first day of work, our wedding day, and the list can go on and on. For all of those special days, we invest in preparation. We select the clothes to wear, may even lay them out the night before. Most of us arrive a little early, making sure we are not late. If we are to bring anything to that event we make sure we are well prepared.

So, I ask, how prepared are you to spend time with our Lord?

1 Chronicles 16:23-31 (NIV)

23 Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day.

24 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

25 For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.

26 For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.

27 Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place.

28 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength,

29 ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name. Bring an offering and come before him; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.

30 Tremble before him, all the earth! The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved.

31 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!"

Jeremiah 20:13 (NIV)

13 Sing to the LORD! Give praise to the LORD! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked.

God is Good!

How many times have you looked at the day, thinking that it is not going to be such a good day?  Maybe a hurricane is about to blow through.  It could be that you find yourself not doing what is right.  Sin separates from a Holy God.  From your perspective, it seems to be a day you would just as soon pass by you.  Yet, we know that this and every day that we have is created by and for God.  He stays constant.  He is a good, good God.  Yes, He tells us that we will face trials and persecution.  We are not perfect, we are sinners.  We need to remember that He has chosen us for His good purpose.  We are made righteous by what Christ has done for us.  So, rejoice in that this is the day the Lord has made.  Keep your eyes focused on Him.

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 

1 Chronicles 16:34

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  Jeremiah 29:13

What Do You Want To Be Remembered For?

I am surrounded by some very talented friends. I am constantly amazed at their abilities and talents. But, the question is, “What do you want to be remembered for?’ I found it interesting that Jesus would give a new commandment to His followers at the conclusion of His earthly ministry. Recall the first and greatest commandment, to love the Lord your God with all your heart.

The Greatest Commandment

…36“Teacher, which commandment is the greatest in the Law?” 37 Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment.…

Then, the new commandment the gave is what I think that He wants us to incorporate with the first. These are what I believe we need to focus on above all else. What do you want to be remembered for?

John 13:34-35 (ESV)

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Okra

A good friend offered for me to stop by his place and pick some okra. When I stopped by, I was surprised at the size of it. Most were almost a foot long. Some were fairly straight while many were curved. It did not take long to fill my bag with the large okra. I left the little okra on the plants. It was only when I had a couple of the ladies from our church kitchen crew help me longer the okra, the tougher and poor tasting the okra. We had to throw out the entire bag of okra that I picked. I learned that you should pick the okra before it reaches about 5 inches if you want tasty okra. Yes, I went back and harvested those shorter ones that I had left behind.

God’s timing is the best. We need to move and act on his timing for the betterment of our lives. What is God telling you it is time to do? Don’t delay, you might be in for tough times if you do.

Psalm 31:15 (ESV)

15 My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!

At the right time, God will provide your need. At the right time, God will deliver you. At the right time, God will rescue you.

At God’s time!

P.S. the okra was great, just as God’s timing.

What do I say?

One of our dear ladies wanted to call a friend in need, but she did not know what to say. Have you ever been in that situation? My advice was to read an uplifting Psalm to the one she wanted to call and then ask how she might pray for her friend. God’s Word never returns void.

Isaiah 55:11 (ESV)

11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Integrity

Elisha told the Israelites that within 24 hours the people would have all the grain they could eat, and the price would drop to the old price. If Elisha were not a man of integrity, who would believe him? A white lie is known as a little lie that will not hurt anyone. Yet, there is no such thing as a lie that does not hurt anyone. One way we earn our reputation and the trust of others is by our words.

Proverbs 10:9 ESV

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.

Proverbs 12:22 ESV

Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight.

It Is a No Brainer

Have you heard someone make the statement, “It is a no brainer.” Maybe you like me have made that statement. What process do you go though when making a decision? If you are like me, many times it depends on the decision that I am looking to make. My knowledge of the subject or maybe my past experiences may be my guidance. Yet, when remember that God’s ways are not our ways, they are greater and higher than ours; we should seek His direction on every decision.

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Ps 32:8

21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Is 30:21

Fishing Guide

I have a friend who is a fishing guide. There are things that cause the fish to move from place to place, they don’t stay in the same place all the time. Knowing where the fish are and what they like to eat makes him a great fishing guide. If you were to allow him to take you fishing, more than likely you will come home with a great catch. We are blessed to have a Lord who is not hard to find. In fact, He tells us that He will never leave us. Even with Him here with us, we are told to seek him. Our problem is that we take our eyes off of Him, we get lost. When we let Him take us through the day, we will be blessed.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33

Odds Stacked Against You

How do you feel when it appears that the odds are stacked against you? Most people want a fair or even playing field. If we find that we have an advantage, we don’t complain. Yet, God loves working when the odds are against Him. There is no room for doubt of His power when He overcomes great odds. When we find the odds stacked against us, look with great anticipation what God will do. Recall when Elijah was instructed to pour all the water on the altar. Let God start a fire in the midst of your flood.

“Fill four water pots with water and pour it on the offering to be burned and on the wood” 1 Kings 18:33

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