Are You Ready?

This past week with all that is going on with Israel, I have had a few people make reference to the coming back of Jesus. My response has been, “Are you ready?”. I have been thinking about if Christ were to come back today or this week. My heart breaks for those I know who are not ready to spend eternity with our Heavenly Father because they thought they had more time or that they were not good enough to deserve Heaven. My prayer is that they will get ready, not by their works, but by receiving God’s grace.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Body odor

Many years ago when I traveled overseas, I learned that there are cultures where daily baths or showers were not the custom. People there had become accustomed to living with body odor. Personally, I take at least one shower a day and many days, I take multiple showers as needed. This morning after my time with the Lord, as I was showering He likened my physical cleaning to His Spiritual Cleansing of me. Just as I don’t like body odor, I don’t like the fact that I still sin daily. He is there to “wash” my sins away. Yes, when I recognize my stench of sin, He will forgive me regardless of how many times I need forgiveness.

 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

From Mind to Heart

We are to study God’s Word. We are to memorize it in order for it to transform us from being conformed to this word. Yet, if we just have a head knowledge we will not be changed. Last week I shared about the compassion of our Lord. We too will have compassion when we move the knowledge of God’s Word from our head to our heart. We will be changed because God’s Word in our heart will drive us to be more like Him. Listen to the Holy Spirit working through God’s Word in your heart. Then act as He set the example.

Psalms 119:11

11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

“'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. ' The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself. ' There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31).

The Story Would Have Been Different

Before Jesus fed the 5,000 in Mark’s gospel, He told the apostles to do it. They had just healed and cast demons out of people. They had been empowered by their Lord who had just asked them to do another task. Can you imagine how the story would have read if they fed the 5,000 instead of offering up excuses? How might our stories be different when our Lord asks us to do a task and we just do it? We are given everything we need to do what He asks us to do. Think about that next time you hear the Lord calling on you.

Mark 6:37 (ESV)

37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?”

Compassion

Have you wondered what motivated Jesus into actions at times? Why Jesus wept at the death of Lazarus when He knew that He was going to raise him from death? What motivated Jesus to heal the man with the withered hand?

If we are to be Christ like, should the same things that drove our Lord into action also drive us into action?

Colossians 3:12 CSB

[12] Therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Treasures

We buy safes, secure safety boxes, and create secret places to keep the treasures we have. Okay, I am speaking of things we have. When someone breaks in and takes what we have, we feel violated. What can not be taken from us are the valuables we store in our hearts. Relationships are so very important to us for all eternity. One of the greatest valuables we can store up for all eternity is the gift we share of eternal life. Each of us is called, not asked, to share the gift with others. This life-lasting gift can never be stolen away. I believe one of the greatest ways we can bring delight to our Savior is to share the Good News with others.

Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Psalm 37:4

Recharge

I have a great drill that has handled any project that I have used it to do. There have been times that when I picked up the drill, the battery was not fully charged, and I was not able to finish the project. When fully charged the battery in the drill has outlasted every project set before it. I liken my rechargeable battery to my spiritual walk. When I charge up my life in the morning with time with God, it seems to help me face what lies ahead of me for the day. When I get too busy or forget to spend time with God, my day shows signs of weakness. I want to encourage you to begin your day with a charge from our Lord. If you need to get up a little earlier, it is worth spending the time. If you can’t get up any earlier, I might suggest being late to that first appointment in order to seek God’s plans for you and your day.

So do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:31-33

Options

Remember when you were looking at new cars back then? When Karen and I purchased our first new car back in 1978, there were just a handful of options that we could add to the base model of the car we ordered. Today, new cars have page after page of options available to be added to the base model. When I think of all the blessings that God has for us, I am not sure if we have enough paper to list them on. We need to thank the Lord and praise Him for all that He has done and has in store for us.

Ephesians 1:3 (ESV)

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places

White Out

Many years ago, before the computer, the typewriter was the means to produce papers that needed to be handed to teachers or professors. Most of the papers that were needed from me while in college and seminary consisted of many pages. While my typing skills were adequate, it was a rare day that I could produce a paper without typing errors. Yes, I drove up the stock value of the company which produced the product, “White Out”. Just blot a little white paint on the mistake and blow it dry then you were ready to retype over the mistake. Yes, some of my papers had a few white paint blots while others were riddled with blots.

My walk with the Lord is a lot like my papers. Sins enter my day, some more than others. But I have a Lord who is better than White Out. Not only will He blot out my sins when I repent, but He will make my life new again every morning.

Psalm 51:1-2 (ESV)

1

 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!

Can You See?

When it’s dark, my headlights show me what is just ahead of me. They get me further down the road to see the next lighted strip of road and then the next and the next. When a light burns out, my vision is restricted. If both lights go out, I would be driving blinded. Not only am I at risk, but others are at risk as well.

Proverbs 3:5-6

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

    do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do,

    and he will show you which path to take.”

Love

If you are like me, there are many things and people that I love. When asked, “What or whom do you love”, where do you start? Yes, I love Doctor Pepper, my dogs, and my wife, just to name a few. Now, the love I have for my wife is so much more than the love I have for Doctor Pepper. (Yes, that is a great truth) Where does our love of our Lord come in on our “love” list? How do you show not only your Lord but others the depth of love that you have for Him?

Jesus said unto him, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. Matthew 22:37–38

What are you Thinking About?

We eventually become what we think. Over time, our thoughts affect what goes on in our hearts, and subsequently the direction of our lives. We are to “hide His word in our hearts that we might not sin against Him”. Many times, I find my mind wandering, producing nothing of value. I find that a good time to quote scripture.

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…” (Proverbs 23:7).

Things That Irritate

What are some things that irritate you? If you are like me, there are a few things that just rub me the wrong way. Some examples are, People who park in handicapped parking places that don’t appear to need to utilize that parking spot. When people don’t use their blinkers when driving. Or when people don’t pick up after themselves. I am sure that you are thinking about other things that irritate you. But the better question is, what do I do that irritates God? I need to allow those triggers to move me to focus on how I can better please my Lord.

Psalm 19:14

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

1 John 3:22

And whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.

I Stand Amazed

Early yesterday morning I woke up with this song, “I Stand Amazed”, on my mind. It was because I was recalling seeing some of the actions of many of you. We are called to be Christ-like in our actions and many of your actions came to my mind. Last week, I walked into a hospital room to find Fred, a Bible Study teacher, tending to one of his members. When I visited the rehab center, I learned that Sharron, Karen, and Lanna had been there earlier that week reaching out and encouraging a couple of sisters in the Lord. It was Michael who gave me a call to inform me of a couple of situations of two men in our church. Then David stood in the gap and filled in for a pastor at a funeral. Yes, I felt as if I was standing in the presence of Jesus as these people were acting like Christ and tending to the sheep. Where will you stand today? How will you be a reflection of our savior?

John 21:15-16 (ESV)

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”

I stand amazed in the presence

Of Jesus the Nazarene

And wonder how He could love me

A sinner condemned, unclean

How marvelous, how wonderful

And my song will ever be

How marvelous, how wonderful

Is my Saviour's love for me

He took my sins and my sorrows

He made them his very own

He bore the burden to Calvary

He suffered and died for me

Oh, how marvelous, how wonderful

And my song shall ever be

How marvelous, how wonderful

Is my Saviour's love

Forever I will sing Your praise

Jesus, Risen King

Oh my God I stand amazed that You loved me

When with ransomed in glory

His face I at last shall see

It will be my joy through the ages

To sing of His love for me

How marvelous, how wonderful

And my song shall ever be

How marvelous, how wonderful

Is my Saviour's love

How marvelous, how wonderful

And my song shall ever be

How marvelous, how wonderful

Is my Saviour's love for me

It is Not!

At the basketball game this weekend after a young lady was called for a foul. Her mother shouts to her daughter from the stands, “That is not a foul!” The dad in the stands at his son’s baseball game yells out for all to hear, that was a ball is not a strike don’t wing at those balls. The problem with both parents was that they were not in charge of the game. Just like those parents, we at times want to be in charge of what is right and what is wrong. There is only one who is in charge of what is right and wrong!

Psalm 50:6 (ESV)

6 The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge! Selah

Nothing is too small

Nothing is too small to present to Him. Nothing escapes His attention, His care, and His love. God’s Word affirms over and over that He is a God who cares about the details. In Matthew 10:30 God is so intimately acquainted with us that “the very hairs on your head are all numbered” (NLT). Psalm 147:4 tells us that God “counts the stars and calls them all by name” (NLT). Many times I have heard people say that “it is no big deal”, when faced with a little issue in their life. I want to remind you that God is concerned about every aspect of our lives. We should seek Him in everything.

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Things I Don’t Understand

There are many things that I use when I don’t understand how they work. The internet being one. This morning I came into the office early to write a devotional and my laptop could not find an internet connection. So, I put off this task waiting on someone to help me establish a connection to the internet. After doing a few other tasks, I pulled out my tablet to begin working on this weeks Bible Study. Without thinking about it, my tablet established an internet connection. After a while, it occurred to me that if my tablet was receiving an internet signal, why not try my lap top again. Still not receiving a signal, I now turned to my old desk top computer that is connected to the internet. After writing this devotional I tried to cut and paste it into my email. That is when my old computer froze up. So back to my lap top, which now has found an internet connection. There are a lot of things I don’t understand about technology. There are more things I don’t understand about my God and how He works, but I am still learning to walk by faith.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways,” This is the Lord’s declaration. Isaiah 55:8

Next week I might write what I started out to write for this weeks devotional… Again, God might have other plans for my devotional. Have a blessed day and walk by faith and not sight.

What Are You Going To Do?

Every day, there is potential for things not to go our way. We can choose to let these obstacles upset us, or we can rest in the knowledge that God can use them to help us look to and rely on Him. For example, we can grumble about the frustrating traffic jam that is keeping us from getting somewhere on time, or we can remember that God knows about our deadlines and view the time sitting in traffic as an opportunity to worship Him or to pray. We can complain, or we can rejoice. The choice is ours to make.

Psalm 32:10-11 (ESV)

10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.

11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

Where Do You Go?

When I am looking for a repair shop, I search out the reviews. Customer satisfaction brings not only repeat customers back, but can draw new clients as well. Share what the Lord has done for you and He will use that to reach out to others. 

Psalm 61:1-4 CSB

[1] God, hear my cry; pay attention to my prayer. [2] I call to you from the ends of the earth when my heart is without strength. Lead me to a rock that is high above me, [3] for you have been a refuge for me, a strong tower in the face of the enemy. [4] I will dwell in your tent forever and take refuge under the shelter of your wings. Selah

6-Year-Old Party

This weekend the family had a birthday party for my 6-year-old grandson. The location of the party was at the recreation center with lots of balls for the kids to play with. I noticed that almost all the kids were interested in securing a ball for themselves and actively. However, there was one young man that just stood around, not fitting into all the activities. He seemed to be overlooked by the rest of the partygoers. No one invited him to join them in their activities. How many times have we seen this play out in different environments? The one who eats alone in the cafeteria, the one who sits by themselves in a busy park, or the one who is all alone at church. As believers, we have a responsibility to see the needs of others.

John 21:15-17 (ESV)

15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”

17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.