There is Power!

Numbers 13: 31

But the men who had gone up with him said, "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are."

The Hebrew spies saw the land that God had promised, but enemy was seemingly bigger than they were.

Is it just me, or does the enemy always seem bigger than they really are?

Only two of the spies thought they should really trust God.

All the others thought that God had brought them to this place in time, to see their destruction.

God never works that way.

Are you living in a place of unbelief?

Are you overwhelmed by the struggles you’re going through right now?

Maybe you’ve forgotten that God’s plan is to work through you, an impossible plan.

Jesus stands ready to work out the improbable.

What issues seem too big for even God to work out?

Maybe today, you need to leave it all in His hands.

Confess to God right now, that you lack power to deal with the enemy.

Ask Him for a greater measure of trust.

And don’t forget to ask Him, for the power to make the change He desires…

Right Judgement!

John 7: 24

“Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment."

Do you ever think this, as a new person comes into your church or into your life?

“They sure don’t look very spiritual.”

“I wonder what they’re really like?”

“I‘m curious to know what their agenda is.”

Maybe sometimes we forget that God has a perfect plan for every person that comes into our lives.

Maybe there are things this person does quite well at fitting in—and are just looking to be invited into the family.

Believe it or not, God can change your heart, as it has to do with other people.

God can adjust your thought from something negative, into something positive.

Name a person in your church or in your work place that you need to accept.

Ask God to give you creative ways, to help build that person up.

Also ask Him to adjust your skeptical views about a person, into the views He has for that person.

He can make our thoughts more positive, if we just ask Him to do so.

“Father, we live in a very cynical world. Help us to see every person we meet, just the way You see them.

Help our focus to change, and help us to see the true heart in all people we meet along life’s way. Amen.”

True tranquility!

Ecclesiastes 4: 6

Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.

Today is the day after Memorial Day.

In most people’s minds, summer will officially kick off real soon.

Folks are planning vacations and time away from the drudge of everyday life.

We’ll try to get in every moment possible, before the kids have to go back to school, and we have to put the late season Scott’s turf builder on the lawn.

Summer should be a planned time of rest, but it almost never happens that way.

Families actually shift things into overdrive, so they can make everything happen, that’s supposed to happen.

When I was a kid, and school let out, we rarely left the comforts of our north side Oshkosh neighborhood.

Once in a while, we journeyed up to our Northern Wisconsin cabin retreat, for a rare get away.

What I remember most about summer, is that for the most part, we had simple times together as a family.

I would travel to the local middle school with my brothers, for the summer school playground routine.

And because I was a bit slower in school, than most overactive boys my age, summer school was also part of my summer program.

Maybe instead of going crazy with planning our summer schedule, we should all decide on how much of our time God is going to get.

Maybe we should schedule in some actual rest, from the hectic pace of life.

I never remember the grandiose plans my folks made for the summer, but I sure do remember the simple ones.

Every time I have the chance to indulge in a cold frosted mug of A & W root beer, there’s a simple wonderful memory, in every sip I take…

OBEY!

Ecclesiastes 12: 13

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole [duty] of man.

A.W. Tozier once said… “The word of God was not given to us to make us intelligent sinners, but obedient and authentic saints.”

We’ve recently covered the area of fearing God and remembering all that God has done for us.

But now it’s time to put both into practice, and that translates into obedience.

Each of our lives are made up of many choices.

Good choices, and the not so good choice variety.

So when you feel like walking the path of sin today—OBEY!

So when you feel like not being faithful to your spouse—OBEY!

When you feel like giving your employer a little less than your best effort—OBEY!

When you feel like just being lazy in your prayer life—OBEY!

When you don’t feel like reading your daily devotional—OBEY!

When you’d rather just crawl into a hole and do nothing—OBEY!

I think you get the picture.

It isn’t enough just to know what’s right—but it’s very important that we actually do what’s right.

Maybe you need to be honest today, and come clean about the area or areas you’re not fearing or obeying God.

At the end of the day, I don’t want to be called just His child—but I want to identified as one of His obedient children… 

Silent Guest!

Matthew 18: 20

“For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

Did you know that the secret to true spiritual intimacy, is prayer?

I wonder what might happen, if a married man and woman came together in prayer?

The answers is, is that God would be with them.

I have to wonder that if God was more a part of our lives—maybe we’d have less marital/church trouble than we do.

Did you know that less than 1 out of 10 married Christian couples, actually pray together each day?

They are forgoing the one thing that could actually draw them closer together.

Maybe we need to become more creative than we are.

How many of you have a picture of your spouse tucked away in your Bible?

It might be just the thing to remind you to pray for that special person.

We just shouldn’t ask God to be the center our universe—maybe we should ask Him to become the center of our lives.

Maybe if our kids actually saw us praying together, they’d become more in tune with the God that loves them.

I’ve always prescribed, that what we love the most, is the thing or things we spend the most time with.

Maybe that boat could sit in the drive way for another week—or planning that hunting trip could take the back seat.

When’s the last time you invited God Himself, to be that silent, powerful guest in your life?

Why not take your family by the hand today, and ask God to join you… 

Take Hold!

Ecclesiastes 7: 18 (NRS)

It is good that you should take hold of the one, without letting go of the other; for the one who fears God shall succeed with both.

I remember a time when my eyes were truly opened to the Gospel, that it seemed like the preacher was preaching just to me.

That was kind of a frightening experience. It was the first time that I had captured a healthy fear of God.

I learned that the God of the universe, held my tiny destiny in the very palm of His mighty hand.

This once thought big shot, didn’t feel so big after all.

We rarely hear sermons any more about the fear of God.

Very few people now days, enter into God’s house with a reverent sense of fear.

We have actually exchanged the fear of God, for the love of God.

Let’s face it—we’d much prefer love, than trembling.

Christian followers of past ages, always kept the thought that God was always watching them.

They never forgot that reverential fear of the Most High.

Living a life pleasing to God, is not taking it easy and strolling through life unmoved.

The Bible tells us that we should actually remove ourselves from all defilement, and pursue holiness.

I think it’s time we see God for who He is.

What would you do differently the past few days, just because you knew God was watching over your every move…

Firmly Embedded!

Ecclesiastes 12: 11

The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one Shepherd.

Wisdom is something that comes, as we each live life day by day.

The writer of Ecclesiastes refers to wisdom as… “firmly embedded nails”.

I spoke the other day to an elderly man in a care facility, and we just talked about life in general in America.

He has seen over time, the changing winds that blow in this country.

I asked him why he thought our culture was in the fix it seems to be in, and he said… “Men have completely forgotten God”.

His words confirmed to me, that when we fail to recognize His presence, all things under the sun, become the order of the day.

So often people forget the times when God was faithful and oh so true.

We begin to forget God, and forget to trust in His provision.

Would you prayerfully consider these three embedded nails, as you go about your day?

·         Remember what it’s like to fully worship God in all you do…

·         Get to know Him again, by opening up your Bible…

·         Make a list of things you remember God doing in your life, over the span of time…

When we begin to meditate on the things God has done, we begin to remember His kindness, and we’ll also begin to trust in Him again.

Don’t forget to start this week by giving God thanks, for the awesome things He has done.

Actually, why not start your week by thanking Him for the free gift of Salvation

Trust!

Psalm 9: 10

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

We’ve been praying for a young Pastor in the area who has terminal cancer, and he’s not expected to live very much longer.

In two weeks, he was supposed to have walked his daughter down the aisle for her wedding.

These are the kind of paradoxes that have entered this families world.

I’m quite sure the lady who is about to lose her husband, and marry off her daughter, has many mixed emotions.

Not quite severe enough though, to ever question her own vows she made at her own wedding—or even question the motives of her God.

In the future she’ll no doubt cry herself to sleep, many a night.

But when times get the darkest, I’ll be willing to bet she won’t need any answers necessarily, but she’ll need God.

That’s a faith statement my friends.

People who walk solely by feelings, can’t have that kind of faith I’m afraid.

These kinds of faith people trust God whole heartedly to handle the challenges that He sometimes allow in our lives.

Faith like this brings comfort and peace, even in the midst of the storms of everyday life.

Just be sure of this…when life doesn’t seem fair—God is still there!

When life is hard, ask God to help you remember that life is short—but that life with Him in His presence, goes on forever and ever…

Increase your Wisdom!

Luke 2: 52

Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

If any of us aspire to be like Jesus, then we need to do what Jesus did.

He was always increasing in wisdom and stature, and found favor with God.

I wonder how many people can say that about their personal walk with God?

God forbid that our children would turn out like us, but that’ll probably be the case with the next generation.

Think of how school activities have taken over the family.

There was a time when schools wouldn’t schedule as much homework on Wednesday nights, because kids had church responsibilities.

High School sports programs have even crept into the abyss, and are now encroaching hallowed Sunday’s.

I wonder where it will all end?

Will kids one day be more Christ centered, or less?

Will they have more wisdom of God’s Word, or less?

I’m not being cynical—just very real.

It’s easy for our current generation to get sucked into this vortex—in part, because we’ve allowed it.

If you’re personally feeling a little squeezed in this area, you can still do something about it.

How about running to Jesus? That’s the best news I’ve heard all day… 

Covenants!

Job 31: 1

I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin.

Most people instantly think this verse is just for men—but maybe not.

Let’s be honest, I think both men and women have an issue with the subject of today’s short devotional.

Honestly, when a drop dead gorgeous lady—or a hunk of a handsome man appears, who doesn’t take a good long, look?

Again—if we’re honest, both sexes of the human species has this issue.

Can we summon up enough self control, to look the other way?

Many of us can—but most of us would have to admit to taking second, third and even multiple looks.

The problem that comes into play, is when we take multiple looks, and linger there in the moment.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with noticing and admiring God’s work of art.

It’s when we stay in the play land of thoughts, that lust can give way to blatant sin.

Maybe it would just be easier, if husbands and wives, admitted their weakness, and prayed together for strength.

Maybe if we better understood the covenant we made together in marriage, we could improve the divorce statistics in the church.

We all deal with the struggle of sin and temptation every day, but this is a war that can be won together.

An old preacher gave me some really good advice one day, when we together, gazed at a raving beauty.

He said and I quote… “She’s awful pretty—but she’s not mine!”

Amen & Amen…

Doing it God's way!

Isaiah 30: 18

The Lord longs to be gracious unto you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you.

Who would you consider as your primary targets for discipleship?

Did you know that the main people we’re called to lead to Jesus, are our own family members?

The most difficult task though, are leading people we love the most, to Jesus.

Many times, we might give up way before we’ve given it a real college try.

So what will you sacrifice in your relationship with God, just to be a friend to a family member?

Many people do, and that’s the absolute backwards approach.

Any time we compromise God’s Word just to make friends with a lost loved one, we dismiss God’s power completely.

It’s the Lord that longs to be gracious, and He’s the One who longs to have compassion.

Anything we try to fabricate regarding God’s love, isn’t authentic, and it never works very well.

Instead of giving into our plan, we have to stay with God’s plan.

What we need is persistence, and not weak minded approaches.

The same God that waited for you, is still waiting for the person you love, to respond.

We have to do things God’s way—and not our way—because we’ve all found out way too often—our plan never works very well…

Meditation!

Psalm 119: 97

Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.

 

Psalm 119 is often called the meditation Psalm.

8 verses in this Psalm, use the word, “meditate”

 

Much of what we should reflect on or in this case, meditate on, is the relationship we have with God.

We should as often as possible, think about His deep love and influence in our lives.

 

I wonder how often the average person considers God’s awesome power and mighty deeds?

Do we really joyfully give thanks for all that He has done?

 

Just like our digestive system processes the food that we eat, so also meditation digests the things concerning God.

God uses the meditation renewal power to strengthen our hearts.

 

Mediation centers on the relationship factor that we have with God, that comes through Jesus Christ.

Our relationship is improved by allowing the Holy Spirit to use God’s Word to program our minds.

 

Meditation involves reflective study and sometimes memorization of the scriptures.

This at some point, will bring God’s Word right to our fingertips, when we really need it the most.

 

Some people actually say they can’t understand the Bible—and that their attention spans are short.

I’m amazed though, at how easy people are able to memorize and understand all the APS on their smart phone

What are your thinking?

Psalm 77: 12

I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.

 

Did you know that each of our characters are being formed every day.

The things that influence our charter the most, are;

What we read—What we look at—What we listen to—The people we associate with—and what we think about.

 

Honestly, when’s the last time you thought about the great works of God?

What about His mighty deeds?

 

Maybe if we fed our brain more of God, we’d think about Him more than we do.

Meditation on the things of God, yields more godly thoughts…

 

“Mighty God, would You help us all today, to think on the things of Your greatness?

We all need help in this area, and we know You are faithful to bring us into commune with your loving character.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”

A Frightening thought!

Psalm 1: 1 – 2

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

 

I use this verse at every wedding I perform.

I wonder how many kids ever take to heart, this word from the Word of God?

 

This verse is not just for the pleasure of reading it, it’s actually what each follower of Jesus should be doing.

Meditation on God’s Word does not come naturally—we must find the resolve to do it in the supernatural.

 

Children of God are actually called to something better.

They are called to greatness.

 

We are told through God’s Word, to live lives of purity and holiness.

This has to be lived out in the inside first, and then on the outside.

 

Living a life of pure thought, can only become through rigid mind training.

If we take full advantage of training the mind, the outward appearance will be holiness.

 

How do we accomplish holy thinking?

We must first become aware of what we spend time meditating on the most.

 

For most people, it isn’t the things of God or His Word.

One day, we will have to give a detailed account of our thought life.

Now that’s a frightening thought…

Pleasing!

Psalm 19: 14

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

A.W. Tozier once said… “Listen to no man, who fails to listen to God.”

There’s a group of us from church—70 of us in total who are attempting to listen to God’s still small voice through the meditation of scripture.

Meditation is said by many Bible scholars, to be the lost art of discipline in the Christian faith.

Even some of the 70 who signed up, might have already disregarded this rare opportunity.

Some didn’t think it was all that important to sign up in the first place.

Could it be that we’re too busy to sit for 30 minutes per day, and listen for God’s voice to speak through His Word?

Do we have life so figured out by now, that we don’t need God in the equation any longer?

Mediation is a function between the mind and the heart.

It is what we think in our hearts, and it is something we each do every day.

Whether we realize it or not, we all spend a large portion of our time in some form of meditation.

The thing is, what we meditate on, may or may not be worthwhile.

The fact is, what we habitually think upon, might actually be unhealthy for our Christian growth.

I think maybe Tozier was on to something. I’m not so sure I want to hear anything from a person—opinion or otherwise, who does not desire to hear it from God first...  

Give Yourself!

Psalm 54: 6

I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, O Lord, for it is good.

I was listening to a worship song this afternoon.

The words went; “I give myself away to You Lord, so You can use me…”

I wonder how many people have no trouble singing the words to that song, but when it comes to actually giving ourselves away, I wonder how easy that really is.

I think it shows in the church—those who are true at giving sacrifice.

Actually, it is blatantly obvious, those who do, and those who don’t.

Romans 12: 1 tells us about being a living sacrifice.

I wonder how often do we truly see living sacrifices in the church?

Remember, our relationship with Jesus is not dependent upon what we get from Him—it’s dependent upon what we give to Him.

People usually evaluate a good church, by what they get from it—not what they give to it.

That is exactly opposite of what we should do to live a godly life.

The primary reason to live for Christ, is to give to Him worship from ourselves.

Would you say you’re giving yourself as a living sacrifice?

What needs to change for that to happen?

A freewill offering is given freely—with no strings attached.

Maybe we’d all be better off, if we removed the condition from our giving to God…