What are you hiding?

Mark 9: 24

“Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

 

Do you ever have moments of unbelief?

Have you realized lately, that Jesus loves it when we’re honest with Him—even when our faith is weak?

I wonder why it is in the Christian circle, that we don’t own up, when we have a lack of faith?

 

Our honesty, no matter what area it encompasses, reaches the heart of God.

Some people actually play the game of hide and seek with God.

 

Just remember this—we can’t pretend that things are fine between us and God.

The only way He can fix what’s wrong with us, is when we spill our heart out to Him.

 

Is there something you’re hiding from God?

That sounds sort of silly, doesn’t it—because He knows everything, anyway.

 

Even when we have doubts about God, He can’t smile upon us with His favor, until we’re, straight up honest.

What are you waiting for—give it over to Him right this minute. Talk to Him—He wants very much to hear from you.

 

In His very special way—He’ll give us the reason and the power, to believe all over again…

 

A Speck

Matthew 7: 3

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”

 

Why is it, that we all have an easier time seeing the spec in someone else’s eye, and not see the plank in our own?

Maybe if we paid more attention to our own plank, we’d have more peace than we sometimes do.

 

Maybe we fail to realize that when we point a finger at someone else, there are three more fingers, pointing at us.

Jesus chose to use the word, “hypocrite”, especially for the Christian who uses someone else, to make his/her point.

 

Jesus is telling us all, that before we can realize the sin in someone else’s life, we need to deal with our own sin first.

He essentially said the same thing, to the people who were about to stone a woman for being caught in the act of adultery.

 

Our goal as believers, is to mirror the image of Jesus.

Maybe today, we should all ask Jesus to change us, and help us—before asking Him to change someone else.

 

“Father God, forgive us when we first see someone else’s sin, before we deal with our own.

Give us courage, to deal with our own heart, in an honest, forthright way.

We need Your help today, to become like Your Son. Grant us this plea, this day.

May we become the likeness of Your perfect, spotless Lamb. Amen.”

Foolish or Wise?

Matthew 25: 2

“Five of them were foolish and five were wise.”

 

I drove down to Milwaukee after church on Sunday, to visit a dear friend in the hospital.

The further south I went, the worse the weather was. Things on the road way got a little tricky, and I just asked God to help me negotiate all the way to my destination.

I arrived without incidence. At the time, it seemed like the wise thing to do.

 

Clouded by the tremendous downpours, I had to reduce my speed to around 45 miles per hour.

If you’ve ever driven in the Milwaukee area, at that rate of speed, one could actually get run off the road!

 

As I traveled, I saw many foolish people behind the wheel of their automobiles.

Many traveled at high rates of speed, and I counted over 6 severe accidents.

Other’s drove quickly through 2 foot water puddles, and stalled in the middle of the street, making the thoroughfares congested.

 

When storms come up in life, I think it’s best that we’re prepared to let God handle the outcome.

By our very nature, we want to rush through them, and the results aren’t always in our favor—and boy can we look foolish.

In the midst of the storm, God may be trying to teach us a very valuable lesson.

 

Maybe today, you’re in a storm—then let God have His way. Ask Him to help you negotiate to safe passage.

He knows what’s best for you, and He has so much experience, dealing with storms.

 

Slow down, and ask Him for the help You need, to get through today.

Don’t do something foolish, and get stuck in the deep water, for He may be actually trying to show you a rainbow, on the other side of the storm…

Whole Counsel!

Acts 20: 27           (NKJV)

For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.

 

Paul was departing his friends, the Elders of the church of Ephesus, and he offered them some closing remarks.

Paul always preached the truth wherever he went, and he never once apologized for it.

 

When I preach on a Sunday morning, I am mindful of a few things.

1)      I always try to keep the topic real/relevant…

2)      I am mindful, that it is not my job, to entertain the audience…

 

My responsibility as Pastor of WCF, is to bring the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

I must also be ready to stand against what I preach.

I must be able to give accurate Biblical evidence, to support my message.

 

Very few churches now days, preach the whole counsel of God.

Many do not to offend people, so they often soften the blows of God’s Word.

Softening the blows, don’t do anyone, any good.

 

My job is to truthfully deposit God’s Word into the hearts and minds of God’s people.

It is the Holy Spirit’s job then, to bring encouragement and correction…

True Confessions!

Romans 10: 9

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

I guess you could say, that for many Christians today, this is the key verse, that defines their state—sorrowful or otherwise.

So many people have made a cheap, almost phony, profession of the faith.

People for decades and even centuries, have confessed Christ as Savior, but have never confessed Jesus as Lord.

They are people who claim Him as Savior with their lips—but really don’t show much evidence of His Lordship in their lives.

Some people have loved the same things they have always loved—and that just can’t happen, if you’re a new creation.

I don’t know very many people now days, who truly abhor what is evil.

Christ also doesn’t seem to have much say, over their sinful lives.

There’s a good test we can take to determine the truth.

Is Jesus really the Lord of your life?

So then do you just fear the Lord, but still serve the God’s of this fallen world?

If that’s the case, then He is not Lord.

When believers in the church, become real disciples, then, and only then, will they be true witnesses of Christ, to the nations…

Let's face it!

Exodus 33: 7

Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend.

 

Can you imagine how exciting it must have been, to have God speak to you face to face?

Could Moses experience a normal life, after speaking to God like this?

 

There are times when we feel like our prayers are being spoken, and then hit some big deflecting wall.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

 

The same God who spoke to Moses face to face, still hears from people just like you and me.

What do you have to say to God, today?

 

Let’s face it—bad experiences, help shape bad theology.

Most believers consider their quiet time with God as a chore, as opposed to looking forward to it.

In a sense, that is a form of unbelief.

 

Instead of turning your thoughts on yourself or your situation, try turning your thoughts on God.

He is our friend, and we can trust Him.

 

How will you trust God today

No limitations!

Mark 10: 27

"With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."

 

Most every person I know of, know their limitations.

For me, I know I really function a whole lot better, when I have at least 6 -7 hours of sleep.

 

Do you know that with God, there are no limitations?

Jesus is not contained by disabilities, because we know that He healed the deaf and blind, and made the dead to live again.

 

So why do we treat God, like it seems He doesn’t know what He’s doing?

We cannot Monday morning quarterback, the movements of our great God.

 

He can and does the impossible every single day.

Given to our sinful inhibitions, our lives could be a bigger mess than they are, but God gives us daily, His indescribable mercy.

 

Maybe it’s actually our limited faith, that restricts God to do even more in our lives…

 

“Father God—You are certainly aware of my limitations. Forgive me for my lack of faith.

Remind me that you always look at the possible—and not the insurmountable. Amen.”

The grass is greener on the other side!

Psalm 23: 2

He makes me lie down in green pastures…

 

I was driving back towards Omro from church yesterday afternoon, and I saw this big green winter wheat field.

It immediately reminded me of this verse of scripture.

 

I wonder how many times do we head for greener pastures, when God has already picked one for us to rest in?

It appears we always seem to know better than God does.

 

Sometimes I’m so stubborn, so God does as this verse says, “makes me lie down…”

Things can come into our lives, that we initially think are bad, but maybe God is planning to do something good with it.

 

Take health problems for example, that can arrive in our lives from time to time. God may be making us lie down in that for a while, and maybe for very good reason.

Maybe we’re too stubborn to find rest on our own, so He makes us find the rest we need.

 

What pasture are you purposely trying to stay away from?

Is there something greener on the other side of your fence?

 

God is way smarter than any of us are, and He just wants us to stay put for a while, in the pasture of His choosing.

Sheep don’t usually lie down on their own—and it’s mostly because their afraid to.

 

At times, we just need a break from the chaos.

That’s when God steps in and says… “Rest a here for a while, and don’t get up, until I tell you to…”

Anticipation!

Genesis 32: 11

Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me…

 

As you begin this new day, what is it that your anticipating?

If we’re anticipating something bad that could happen, that can be a torturous experience.

 

In Genesis, chapter 32, Jacob was anticipating a meeting with his brother Esau.

Maybe Jacob, considering how he treated Esau, had something to be concerned about.

 

Jacob missed the fact though, that God was orchestrating this moment.

Instead of anticipating something so terrible, had he fixed his eyes on God, he would’ve known, that he could anticipate God’s hand of favor.

 

Do you anticipate God’s hand of favor, being on your life this day?

Or do you on the other hand, anticipate trouble coming into your life?

 

Do you know how Jacob turned the tide on potential ruin? He pursued God in prayer.

The fear and anxiety that anticipation can bring, can often lead us to make bad choices.

 

When we remain faithful to God and His desires for our lives, we can be reminded of His promise, to never leave us, nor forsake us.

What are you anticipating today—some unknown trouble—or God’s redeemable quality of blessing?

 

“Lord God, there are many things that creep up in our day, that are often way beyond our control.

Helps us all to remember, that You hold all things in the very palm of Your hand.

Give us faith in knowing, that You’ll always be there for us—Amen

No disappointments!

Romans 5: 5

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

 

I meet so many people now days, who are gravely disappointed.

I wonder if it could be, that they have their focus on the wrong things?

You’d be surprised at what some people put their hope in.

 

Nothing about God’s love should ever disappoint us.

When everything else is going wrong in life, the love of God is always just right.

 

Life certainly brings with it, a number of contrasting moments.

Last week for me, I visited a precious new born baby, and also went to the funeral of someone very special.

 

The facts is, none of us go through this life unscathed.

Everyone one of us have numbers of trials and great difficulties.

 

But the word, “hope” makes all the difference in the world.

Hope in Christ Jesus will never fail, no matter how bad things might be going for you today.

 

“Father God, when things seem kind of dark—would you help us see hope?

When there is pain in our lives, help us never miss the hope we have in Christ Jesus.

Thank You, that You promised that the hope we have in You, will never ever, disappoint us—Amen.”