Have you dared to hope in Jesus Christ for your lifetime here?
I'm not talking about the hope of your salvation- it seems not to be too much to ask that we expect His great work at our death concerning our eternal state. What I'm talking about is do you dare to place your hope in Him for His miracles and blessings now.
I am certain that I will see the Lord's goodness
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
be courageous and let your heart be strong.
Wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27: 13-14
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Up or Down
Sometimes the only thing you can do is praise God.
That is today for me.
Then I will come to the altar of God,
to God, my greatest joy. I will praise You
with the lyre,
God, my God.
Why am I so depressed?
Why this turmoil within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will still praise Him.
my Savior and my God.
Psalm 43:4-5
That is today for me.
Then I will come to the altar of God,
to God, my greatest joy. I will praise You
with the lyre,
God, my God.
Why am I so depressed?
Why this turmoil within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will still praise Him.
my Savior and my God.
Psalm 43:4-5
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Alaska, India, Adventure, and the Persecuted Church
Passions.
These are my passions. Aren't they random? I've always wondered why I have such a desire and pull for certain things, have you? As I have grown spiritually as a slave to Christ Jesus, these passions of mine have not diminished as I thought some would, but have increased. How uniquely made we all are!
Alaska is my home. No, I was not born there but it's where my heart resides. The funny thing is that growing up in Florida I always wanted to go to Alaska. Everyone told me that I just thought I'd like it, but when I experienced the cold it would change my mind. They were wrong. I lived there for 3 years in my 20's and loved every bit of it. My first year was a record for cold and lack of snow, they almost had to canceled the Fur Rondy Fesitval, and still I love it. Just as much and even more than the beauty, I love the people of Alaska and pray for them. They are a hearty breed all to themselves!
I have never been to India, but for some God has laid the people of that country on my heart. Particularly the women/girls. We have prayed for several years that perhaps one day we might be able to adopt a daughter from there, and I believe from the bottom of my heart that my daughter is over there. Whether I ever get to meet her in this life or not, I pray for her all the time. It may be that's all the connection I will have with her, but I hope not. We also have sponsored children over there through Compassion International, and a pastor and his family through a Pastor Sponsorship Program.
Adventure! I love wild, daring things, but am very cautious and safe. I love hiking, traveling, skiing, kayaking, bungee jumping, white water rafting, scuba diving and anything of the like. My next goal is sky diving and eventually base jumping with what I call a squirrel suit (wingsuit). I remember as a child one of the first things I ever wanted to be was a truck driver, because I thought they saw the world! I love adventure. It calls to me...
The persecuted church: This is more than a command to remember my brothers and sisters who endure trails for our faith around the world (Hebrews 13:3). I think and pray for them often. We keep a constant reminder of their love and sacrifice on our kitchen wall through a number of pictures we cut out from a free monthly publication from The Voice of the Martyrs. If you have never heard of them take a few moments to click on the link and check them out. It is good for us to be aware not only of what goes on in other countries, but of how blessed we are here and how we take the freedom of religion for granted.
So why such a hodgepodge of things? I have no idea. That's just they way God made me. I realize my work here on this earth is not done and perhaps someday I will see how all these things will work together. Until then, I'll just have to trust Him that He knows what He's doing!
What are some of your passions? How can you see them being used to glorify God?
Remember, if He made you that way, there is a way in which to bring Him glory through it!
These are my passions. Aren't they random? I've always wondered why I have such a desire and pull for certain things, have you? As I have grown spiritually as a slave to Christ Jesus, these passions of mine have not diminished as I thought some would, but have increased. How uniquely made we all are!
Alaska is my home. No, I was not born there but it's where my heart resides. The funny thing is that growing up in Florida I always wanted to go to Alaska. Everyone told me that I just thought I'd like it, but when I experienced the cold it would change my mind. They were wrong. I lived there for 3 years in my 20's and loved every bit of it. My first year was a record for cold and lack of snow, they almost had to canceled the Fur Rondy Fesitval, and still I love it. Just as much and even more than the beauty, I love the people of Alaska and pray for them. They are a hearty breed all to themselves!
I have never been to India, but for some God has laid the people of that country on my heart. Particularly the women/girls. We have prayed for several years that perhaps one day we might be able to adopt a daughter from there, and I believe from the bottom of my heart that my daughter is over there. Whether I ever get to meet her in this life or not, I pray for her all the time. It may be that's all the connection I will have with her, but I hope not. We also have sponsored children over there through Compassion International, and a pastor and his family through a Pastor Sponsorship Program.
Adventure! I love wild, daring things, but am very cautious and safe. I love hiking, traveling, skiing, kayaking, bungee jumping, white water rafting, scuba diving and anything of the like. My next goal is sky diving and eventually base jumping with what I call a squirrel suit (wingsuit). I remember as a child one of the first things I ever wanted to be was a truck driver, because I thought they saw the world! I love adventure. It calls to me...
The persecuted church: This is more than a command to remember my brothers and sisters who endure trails for our faith around the world (Hebrews 13:3). I think and pray for them often. We keep a constant reminder of their love and sacrifice on our kitchen wall through a number of pictures we cut out from a free monthly publication from The Voice of the Martyrs. If you have never heard of them take a few moments to click on the link and check them out. It is good for us to be aware not only of what goes on in other countries, but of how blessed we are here and how we take the freedom of religion for granted.
So why such a hodgepodge of things? I have no idea. That's just they way God made me. I realize my work here on this earth is not done and perhaps someday I will see how all these things will work together. Until then, I'll just have to trust Him that He knows what He's doing!
What are some of your passions? How can you see them being used to glorify God?
Remember, if He made you that way, there is a way in which to bring Him glory through it!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
How Do We Love?
How do you show the love of Christ to the lost?
Think about what Jesus did. He ate with, walked with, and had extreme patience in dealing with the sinners of His time. Christ knew how to love them where they were while never sacrificing the message of the Gospel: We are all sinners deserving of death and condemnation, but placing our lives and faith in Jesus Christ who endured God's wrath as a substitute for us, will cleanse us for eternity.
How do we communicate that?
We have all heard the Lord's Prayer: "Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name..." But do you know what the very next thing Jesus said to the disciples who had asked him to teach them how to pray? "For if you forgive people their wrongdoing, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. But if you don't forgive people, Your Father will not forgive your wrongdoing." Matthew 6:14-15 (Mark 11:25-26)
We must remember sin is sin; wrong is wrong; and truth is truth. It doesn't matter what we have done or what has been done to us- God can forgive all, and we are called to do the same. Please hear me that forgiving someone does not mean placing yourself in harms way. Even Jesus told his disciples, "Look, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be shrewd as serpents and harmless as doves." Matthew 10:16
So the question I ask of you today is how do you be shrewd, harmless, bearers of the love of Jesus Christ?
Think about what Jesus did. He ate with, walked with, and had extreme patience in dealing with the sinners of His time. Christ knew how to love them where they were while never sacrificing the message of the Gospel: We are all sinners deserving of death and condemnation, but placing our lives and faith in Jesus Christ who endured God's wrath as a substitute for us, will cleanse us for eternity.
How do we communicate that?
We have all heard the Lord's Prayer: "Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name..." But do you know what the very next thing Jesus said to the disciples who had asked him to teach them how to pray? "For if you forgive people their wrongdoing, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. But if you don't forgive people, Your Father will not forgive your wrongdoing." Matthew 6:14-15 (Mark 11:25-26)
We must remember sin is sin; wrong is wrong; and truth is truth. It doesn't matter what we have done or what has been done to us- God can forgive all, and we are called to do the same. Please hear me that forgiving someone does not mean placing yourself in harms way. Even Jesus told his disciples, "Look, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be shrewd as serpents and harmless as doves." Matthew 10:16
So the question I ask of you today is how do you be shrewd, harmless, bearers of the love of Jesus Christ?
Monday, August 16, 2010
The Devil, Demons, and Deception
When the Lord brings a particular topic up several times from different sources in a single day, it is wise to take heed. Especially one like this: Satan, demons, and temptation. My Pastor preached an amazing and informative sermon entitled We Believe... God Wars; I received a text from someone in another state about Satan, demons, and temptation; my devotional just happened to be on that subject that afternoon; and the X-Files I watched dealt with it too.
OK, God. I'm listening.
What's the point? First, we need to neither give them too much, nor too little, thought. Here is a great passage from C.S. Lewis' book The Joyful Christian:
"The commonest question [I am asked about The Screwtape Letters] is whether I really "believe in the Devil".
The proper question is whether I believe in devils. I do. That is to say, I believe in angels, and I believe that some of these, by the abuse of their free will, have become enemies to God and, as a corollary, to us. These we may call devils. They do not differ in nature from good angels, but their nature is depraved. Devil is the opposite of angel only as Bad Man is the opposite of Good Man. Satan, the leader or dictator or devils, is the opposite, not of God, but of Michael." (Emphasis mine)
I love the reminder that Satan is not the opposite of God, but of Michael, the arch angel. God created both and has full power and authority over both. Satan is just really ticked off about his final end and is taking as many as he can with him- both angel and human.
What is our role in this already won war? To win some battles through the power of Jesus Christ. There is a war going on. Ephesians 6:10-20 gives us a great synopsis of this. However, there is one other seldom used passage I love on this topic.
When the servant of the man of God got up early and went out, he discovered an army with horses and chariots surrounding the city. So he asked Elisha, "Oh, my master, what are we to do?"
Elisha said, "Don't be afraid, for those who are with us outnumber those who are with them."
Then Elisha prayed, "LORD, please open his eyes and let him see." So the LORD opened the servant's eyes. He looked and saw that the mountain was covered with horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
2 Kings 6:15-17
There is a constant battle around us, and the way in which Elisha handled is a great example. He knew it was there, he gave it thought and credit, but he did not dwell on it. You didn't hear him always talking about the unseen realm. He focused on doing God's will.
As for Christians being tempted by demons/ the Devil we must remember that Satan- the accuser - is not omnipresent. He can not be everywhere at once like God. Thus most people have to deal with his demons. Honestly though, what difference does it make? Temptation is temptation, and the blood of Christ covers them all no matter who incited it.
As for the "strength" of the temptation, we need only to remember His Word to us in 1 Corinthians 10:13. "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it."
He will always prove a way of escape- if we are willing to look to Him for it.
There really is nothing else to this. Yes, it is here. Yes, we need to know about it. And NO, we shouldn't let it consume our thoughts. We should let only Christ and Him crucified have that honor.
OK, God. I'm listening.
What's the point? First, we need to neither give them too much, nor too little, thought. Here is a great passage from C.S. Lewis' book The Joyful Christian:
"The commonest question [I am asked about The Screwtape Letters] is whether I really "believe in the Devil".
Now, if by "the Devil" you mean a power opposite to God and, like God, self-existent from all eternity, the answer is No. There is no uncreated being except God. God has no opposite. No being could attain a "perfect badness" opposite to the perfect goodness of God; for when you have every kind of good thing (intelligence, will, memory, energy, and existence itself), there would be none left of him.
The proper question is whether I believe in devils. I do. That is to say, I believe in angels, and I believe that some of these, by the abuse of their free will, have become enemies to God and, as a corollary, to us. These we may call devils. They do not differ in nature from good angels, but their nature is depraved. Devil is the opposite of angel only as Bad Man is the opposite of Good Man. Satan, the leader or dictator or devils, is the opposite, not of God, but of Michael." (Emphasis mine)
I love the reminder that Satan is not the opposite of God, but of Michael, the arch angel. God created both and has full power and authority over both. Satan is just really ticked off about his final end and is taking as many as he can with him- both angel and human.
What is our role in this already won war? To win some battles through the power of Jesus Christ. There is a war going on. Ephesians 6:10-20 gives us a great synopsis of this. However, there is one other seldom used passage I love on this topic.
When the servant of the man of God got up early and went out, he discovered an army with horses and chariots surrounding the city. So he asked Elisha, "Oh, my master, what are we to do?"
Elisha said, "Don't be afraid, for those who are with us outnumber those who are with them."
Then Elisha prayed, "LORD, please open his eyes and let him see." So the LORD opened the servant's eyes. He looked and saw that the mountain was covered with horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
2 Kings 6:15-17
There is a constant battle around us, and the way in which Elisha handled is a great example. He knew it was there, he gave it thought and credit, but he did not dwell on it. You didn't hear him always talking about the unseen realm. He focused on doing God's will.
As for Christians being tempted by demons/ the Devil we must remember that Satan- the accuser - is not omnipresent. He can not be everywhere at once like God. Thus most people have to deal with his demons. Honestly though, what difference does it make? Temptation is temptation, and the blood of Christ covers them all no matter who incited it.
As for the "strength" of the temptation, we need only to remember His Word to us in 1 Corinthians 10:13. "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it."
He will always prove a way of escape- if we are willing to look to Him for it.
There really is nothing else to this. Yes, it is here. Yes, we need to know about it. And NO, we shouldn't let it consume our thoughts. We should let only Christ and Him crucified have that honor.
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