Living Water!

John 4: 14

¹⁴ “but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

The picture attached, is the new view from my now, new home office.

There’s something soothing about water, so much so, that people will spend a lot of money to live on it or near it.

And yet Jesus said He was the source of living water.

He said that once we drink of it, we would never truly be thirsty again.

As I look upon the water I now live on, it doesn’t look like it would sustain any life.

After Friday night’s rain, it looks anything but drinkable water.

I so thank God for this new view, and for the freshness of new opportunity.

Even as I gaze upon that water’s edge view even now, I’m reminded of God’s great beauty.

What would you pay to live near the source of living water?

What lengths are you going to at this very moment, to be near Him?

Start this new week focusing on the source of eternal life.

Bask in the beauty that can only come from Jesus…the source of the living water welling up.

He’s certainly worth living for, and He’s definitely worth dying for…so be sure to drink of His goodness today…

Book of Life!

Revelation 21: 27

²⁷ But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.

When I was a sophomore in High School, a group of underclassmen were given the chance to play for the varsity squad.

We worked our butts off, but when the names of kids who made the grade, were posted in the gym hall way, my name wasn’t on it.

I remember that feeling like it was yesterday.

I didn’t make the grade, and my name wasn’t written on the paper for the varsity roster of 1974.

I felt like the Holy Spirit gave me this verse, right after I heard about the shootings in Virginia of the two young journalists.

As tragic as that was, I wonder if their names were in the book?

An LA police officer died yesterday in the line of duty.

I wonder if his name was in the book?

I’m so blessed that my name appears in the Heavenly roster.

I’m so grateful that my wife, and children’s names are written there too.

One day, I’m praying my grandbabies names will be written in the book.

I pray that too for all of my siblings.

Is your name written in the book?

That’s one thing you want to make very certain of… 

Choices!

Luke 18: 13

¹³ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’

Mac Davis used to sing an old Country & Western song with these lyrics:

“O Lord it’s hard to be humble, when you’re perfect in every way. I can’t wait to look in the mirror, cause I get better lookin each day…”

No one I know of, will ever just sneak into Heaven.

A person will never get there by being involved in a good church.

Our Father in Heaven will eye up every person, and He will see either life or death.

He will see darkness or light.

More and more, people are finding it hard to be humble.

That doesn’t bode too well for that kind of person.

A.W. Tozier once said… “If there is an iniquitous, unequal, un-atoned, un-cleansed, unprotected sinner in his/her own sin, there’s only one answer;

“God only sees death and hell, and there’s no way Heaven will ever be able to pull that person up.”

On the other hand friends, the person who beats his/her breast, God only sees life…eternal life.

Make no mistake about it, Hell will never be able to pull that person out of Heaven.

So what will your choice be today? Humility and beating your breast, or self centeredness, like all of the rest?

Punishment

Isaiah 13: 11 ESV

I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will put an end to the pomp of the arrogant…

I find it amazing the panic that was set off by the initial 1,089 point plunge in the Dow yesterday.

The market was shaken by the large Asian market selloff, and other related factors.

The selloff didn’t begin in China though, it began a long time ago when God was politely asked to remove Himself from public schools and from our culture.

When we lose what’s seemingly more important than anything (our money), it sends shivers down the spines of most Americans.

I can’t say for sure if this is end times prophecy being fulfilled, but God did say punishment was coming.

I’ve had people call me a lunatic when quoting this kind of stuff in my daily devotionals, but you do have to admit, it does make one think at the very least.

Make no mistake about it, this recent fall in the stock market is not at all about America or China.

It’s always been about God, and it’ll always be about God.

Granted, we have been the recipients of His lavish blessings over time, but why should He bless us now?

Can you give me one good reason? Two good reasons?

Is the unsettled stock market, the reason for all this calamity?

Maybe God’s just trying to get our attention.

Could it be that He’s trying to put an end to the pomp of the arrogant?

Time will tell…

Who do you listen to?

Ezekiel 14: 9       (ESV)

⁹ And if the prophet is deceived and speaks a word, I, the Lord, have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand against him and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.

When I first read this verse, it was a little frightening to consider.

The God who is truth and Who cannot tell a lie, will actually set up prophets to fail miserably?

Is it possible that God could lead people in a way that fits their wandering hearts?

Maybe that’s why it’s important to really know God.

I happen to believe that we should know a lot about the person that preaches to us week after week.

Better yet, we should know the Bible and the God of the Bible so as not to be deceived.

God was telling His people in this text, to turn from their idols.

That seems to be wise advice.

Do you have any idols in your life?

Maybe those idols actually turn our hearts away from God.

Jesus talked about people who would be deceived by false prophets in Matthew 24.

Could we be that faithless generation?

Are the preachers preaching to you each week, telling you the truth? How can you know?

More importantly, maybe we should know the God of the Bible, a whole lot more than we do…

True Truth!

Ephesians 4: 15 NKJV

¹⁵ but, speaking the truth in love…

Speaking the truth in love isn’t an easy thing for a follower of Christ.

For starters, most people think that’s a judgmental thing, but it’s not.

I used to think that this verse meant that if we had something hard to say, it should be done in a tender sort of way.

That’s really not always the case.

Should we use a sober way of rebuking someone? I think that’s fairly obvious.

Followers of Jesus though, should be agents of truth.

Would you say you’re an agent of truth?

The church should speak the truth of the Gospel to one another.

That’s what brings the church strength.

It’s amazing to consider how many churches that steer away from the true, truth.

John Newton, the great hymn writer once wrote… “Love without truth, is cowardly…”

Being truthful might mean you have fewer friends.

Unfortunately, that thought alone, keeps people from being truthful.

And the truth will set us free…

Forget it!

Philippians 3: 13 ESV

¹³ Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead…

I can’t speak for you necessarily, but forgetting the past is often very refreshing.

I need daily fresh starts, like my granddaughter needs a change of fresh diapers.

I had a High School teacher that could always help me forget the past, and remind me of what lie ahead.

I remember a time when I was supposed to sing in a school assembly, and I had this giant pimple right at the end of my nose.

Sorry for the gory details, but this is a true story.

She often used these words, when a dilemma came my way… “Daniel, this too shall pass…”

She was right, although I didn’t feel that way at the time.

I’m glad with Jesus, there always seems to be a virtual light at the end of the tunnel.

What are you carrying this morning, that you’d just as soon forget?

Have you thought at all, about giving it over to Jesus?

“Lord God…there have been times when I have felt way overwhelmed. At times I think I have to do it all.

I’m so grateful this morning, that Your in control, and I don’t have to be.

Help me to see my problems as You see them, or as opportunities to draw closer to You.

Help me today to find my net worth and identity in You. Thank You that with You, I can count on a fresh start.

Thank You too, that the really rough patch I went through a while ago…well…this too shall pass, and well, it did. Amen

Seek and Save!

Luke 19: 10

¹⁰ … “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Jesus had a specific purpose in His life, and nothing would get in the way of it being accomplished.

I have a purpose too, but I wonder how well I’ll do at the end of my life, towards accomplishing it?

Yes, I’m a Pastor of a little church in NE Wisconsin, and my purpose is specific.

I should be directing people to the One who can save them.

Quite candidly, I’m planning to go on vacation, and then move to a different dwelling once we arrive home.

One we get settled in that new place, it won’t be long before I start planning for an Elk hunting trip in SW Colorado.

But none of those events are a part of my real purpose.

While I live life on this earth, all that I will ever do for the sake of Christ, is all that will stand the test of time.

Sometimes, I think we get our true purposes mixed up.

Gathering the most memories, or things, is not the measure of a successful life.

I believe Jesus was truly satisfied at what He accomplished in 33 short years.

A family friend recently passed away, and there isn’t any funeral or service to remember what she did while she lived here.

I wonder if she accomplished what Jesus had her here for?

I wonder at the end of my life, if I’ll be satisfied?

The real question though is, will He be satisfied? Time will tell… 

Pure Heart!

Psalm 86: 11

¹¹ Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth!
Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.

If you’re anything at all like me, my old creaky body begs me to stay in bed early in the morning.

On the other hand, my heart and soul desire to sit at the feet of Jesus.

It’s amazing the people who confess to be followers of Christ, that don’t spend much quality time with Him at all.

What things do you allow to separate you from your God?

As this new week begins, there will be a handful of people, who will earnestly seek to spend time with the Master.

Would you say you’re part of the handful?

Maybe spending time with Jesus this morning, will be more of a benefit, than an inconvenience.

You’ll never find out though, unless you try.

Would you say you’re living according to God’s truth?

Are you willing for God to teach you His ways?

If that’s what going to take place this morning, then you’re going to need a pure heart.

Only a pure heart, is one that honors the most high God.

Here’s a challenge for you…why not try getting up a few minutes earlier today.

This will be an opportunity, so you can spend some quality time, with the One who truly controls your life…

Foolish!

Matthew 25: 1 - 2

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.

² Five of them were foolish, and five were wise…”

Nights like last night, remind me of when I was a kid.

We used to play hide and seek in the dark summer of the night in our north side Oshkosh neighborhood.

You couldn’t seen your hand in front of your face, and I was often scared half to death.

The seeker would yell to all of the hiders… “Ready or not…here I come!!”

Did you know that the time of Jesus’ return could happen at any minute?

I’m not sure He’s going to yell… “Ready or not…here I come”, but people will be completely taken off guard when He does come back.

At this very moment in your life, would you say that you’re foolish, or wise?

People put off the most important things now days…don’t they?

Getting ready for this event, is something you just don’t want to put off planning for.

Sadly, most will have excuses that day, that will in no way fly.

The great preacher John Wesley was asked this question one day… “What would you do if you knew the Lord would return at this same time tomorrow?”

And his response was… “I would go to bed and go to sleep; wake up in the morning, and go on with my work, for I would want Him to find me doing, exactly what he had appointed me to do.”

So what would your answer be, to that very same question?

Real Rest!

Matthew 11: 28

²⁸ “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Have you ever had one of those nights, where you just couldn’t fall asleep?

The night before last I wrestled and wrestled, and then I looked at the clock and it was near midnight.

Then I realized I had to get up @ 4:15am, and join a few friends of mine at church for prayer.

Once the pressure mounted, I couldn’t fall asleep for nothing.

That’s when I decided to pray.

I said, “Lord, you must have me awake for a reason, so I guess we should have a late night conversation…”

Funny, it seemed as though God wanted me awake for a specific reason, and when I found rest in Him, I was finally able to fall asleep.

Amazing what happens when we give it all over, especially when our best laid plans fail miserably.

What are you wrestling with this morning, that you just need to give over to God?

What is that one “heavy laden” thing, that keeps you up at night?

Real rest comes when we stop and sit in the lap of Jesus.

Maybe it’s not until we find our rest in Him, that we’ll be able to sleep soundly at night.

I guess the pressures of life, do take their toll.

Debbie and I are planning to go on vacation, and move into a new home location, all at the same time. Take about pressure!

It isn’t until I come to Him in full surrender, do I find rest. Try it sometime for yourself, and see if it doesn’t help your sleep habits… J

Go!

Mathew 28: 19

¹⁹ “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…”

Did you know that statistics indicate, that over 68% of Christians have not told anyone how to be a Christian, in the last year?

Startling, especially when this was direct command given by Jesus Himself.

And yet, 80% of all church goers, who attend church at least once a month, think it’s their responsibility to make disciples.

So I wonder why most followers of Jesus, don’t?

As crazy as this sounds, I felt the Holy Spirit, remind me this morning about the story of the little red hen.

YES…I believe the Holy Spirit gave me that story.

The little red hen planted the seeds…cut the wheat…took the wheat to the mill…and baked the bread.

Everyone showed up when it was time to eat the bread, but when it came to doing the hard work, no one had time.

The sounds a little like church, doesn’t it?

We’ll go to a Bible study…or attend church once in a while..but please don’t ask me to share the Gospel.

We all want to go to Heaven, but as it has to do with getting the lost to Heaven, that’s really someone else’s job.

Are you like the little red hen, or would you say you’re more like the “lazy dog”, “sleepy cat”, or “noisy yellow duck”?

Are you the kind of person who just as soon delve into the bread of life, but aren’t willing to share it?

Are you willing to “go”, out of your way to tell the lost about Jesus?

We can do that, as we “go” about our everyday lives…

Retool!

Hebrews 13: 5

⁵ Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

I found the most amazing information, shared by one of the most renowned Christian Clinical Psychologists in the country.

Monday mornings are the most highly stress filled days of the work week. Imagine that??

175 men and women took part in a study, and the highest blood pressures recorded, were on, you guessed it, Monday mornings.

Actually, the study concluded that there are 20% more fatal heart attacks on Monday’s, compared to any other day of the week.

So why would that be? Didn’t we get to take time to rest on the weekend? Or were we too busy spending our money?

Unfortunately, most people according to this study, don’t take a long enough break in the hectic weekend schedule.

It appears today, that many followers of Christ, are near or at burn out status.

Some of the most well assuming church goers, don’t have what it takes to get through the weekend, without being damaged.

So why do we intentionally allow this vicious cycle to repeat itself?

Maybe this study, reveals a lot about who we really are?

The study suggests that most people are not at all content.

They might think they are, but the facts speak pretty loudly for them self.

Starting the work week can be a jarring experience for some.

So then I wonder if we really believe the words… “I will never leave you nor forsake you”?

Maybe we need to retool after all…