Future Ready?

Proverbs 24: 27                  ESV

²⁷ Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.

In 2012, Debbie and decided to move from a home we’d been in for 22 years.

Since the Gibson nest was getting lighter, we made plans to downsize...well sort of.

This move took months of praying and planning.

We had a 30’ x 40’ pole building filled with treasures, that needed to be emptied.

Before we started working at this goal, we were sure we had a good plan.

Without good preparations, our overall plan could’ve been severely skewed.

The older I get, the more intentional my preparations for the future are.

At 58 years of age, it takes a lot less stuff to satisfy the longings of my heart.

I’m getting ready for the future. Are you getting ready for the future?

How well is your personal plan coming along?

I no longer have a 30’ x 40’ pole building to empty, but I’ve got some other things in my life I could do without.

Those are the areas I’m trying to address right now...because let’s face it...none of us really know when that time is going to come.

When it’s time for me to leave this earth, I will have spent many years planning.

A good plan is always great for the greater good, and for final, positive results....

Teachable moments!

Psalm 55: 22                       ESV

²² Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

Someone asked me yesterday, how do I know what to write each day.

My simple reply was... “I listen to God”.

I wonder why we don’t teach people how to listen to God?

If each one is supposed reach one, then that should be one of the first things we should teach people.

I wonder why we’re so quick to listen to what Donald Trump has to say? Do we really think that President Obama has our very best interests in mind?

Are either of them going to sustain us when we get in the thick of it? Doubtful!!

When the end of my Mother’s life was nearing a close, we found a journal that she wrote in.

One of the last things she penned was something thought provoking to say the least.

Her last words were in this journal entry were; “My life was not futile...My failures were not fatal...My death is not final.”

Talk about taking a step backwards when that final thought was revealed.

My Mother focused on the God who could and would save her when things got turbulent.

Cancer did win this particular battle in her case, but it did not win the war.

Maybe that’s what we need to teach people? Maybe we should teach folks how to trust in God, and love God?

Like anyone on either side of the political isle can help someone on their death bed with that... 

Favorable time!

2 Corinthians 6: 2              ESV

2 For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

I often matter of factly and commonly refer to an important date in my walk with God.

July 29, 1992, was one of those red letter days for me. It’s the first time anyone took a truthful opportunity to introduce me to Jesus.

Since that date, I’ve given my whole heart and soul to tell others about the Person who saved me.

I have to tell people what I know. I have to shout it no matter who it offends.

Actually, this devotional is an opportunity to express my true faith in Christ, and I am not one bit ashamed of that.

A neighbor we lived near back in the old days, (1983) would drive into our driveway to invite us to church on Sunday mornings.

At the time I thought they were either drinking a very strange beverage, or smoking a fine domestically home grown tobacco.

Our church for Easter 2016 sponsored an event entitled... “Each One/Reach One”

It was an opportunity to invite others to church on Easter Sunday. I wonder how many did?

A young man who was suicidal about a year ago, asked me just last week... “Would you teach me how to love Jesus?”

He should be very careful what he prays for, but I’m provoked to do just that. It’s what I signed up for.

My mental stability has been questioned by many in the last 13+ years, but as my love for God, I’m mentally sustainable.

If today is the day of Salvation for somebody, who will you tell? It would appear to be a favorable time as any...

What is Truth?

John 18: 37 - 38                 NIV

"You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
"What is truth?" retorted Pilate.

About 5 years ago, a couple of guys came to me after church, concerned about my weight.

They were kind enough to come to me, and tell me the truth.

My first inclination could’ve been... “My weight is none of your business!!”

But then I considered that they told me the truth to help me, and not hurt me.

Debbie is reading a good book right now, and the author quotes this, as it has to do with truth;

“The truth will set you free...but first it is going to make you mad. Truth makes us uncomfortable in the short term...”

And at times, when first hearing the truth, it does often make us mad at first.

People will commonly leave any setting, when they’re uncomfortable with the truth.

Often times, that has to do with people being disconnected with the truth of the Bible.

Why did these guys tell me the truth 5 years ago?

The did so, so that I would benefit from their expression of love...or in this case, truth.

We should only share the truth with people, to only make them better in the long run.

I never had to wonder when my Dad told me the truth as a child!!

Jesus only shared the truth, so that people wouldn’t suffer long term loss.

Truth is sometimes very different than what we’ve learned in the church for many years. No wonder truth can make people unhappy... 

Each one Reach one

Acts 14: 27                  ESV

²⁷ And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

Our Missions group has encouraged the people of our church to engage in something called... “Each One/Reach One”, during the Easter Season.

Without even hoping or praying for a demonstration, God provided an opportunity for me and a friend to see.

I went to visit someone from our church family at St. Luke’s in Milwaukee on Monday morning.

On the way home, my plan was to grab some lunch at everyone’s favorite restaurant...Schreiner’s!

While I was seated I noticed a man and a lady seated nearby. I knew the man had visited our Winneconne church some time back.

The lady looked familiar too, and then I found out she was someone who worked a retail outlet, but I remembered her for her kindness.

Upon leaving, I stopped by the table and introduced myself and my friend, and the conversation just flowed from there.

This precious 91 year old man was witnessing the love of Jesus to this wonderful lady.

She confessed about going through a rough stretch in her life, but this man took the time to really care.

This man was also a recipient of this woman’s kindness, when he too was walking through a low time, she was there to offer genuine help.

I prayed and this lady listened intently, and allowed God’s sweet Spirit to sweep over her heart.

The man called me later in the evening, and thanked me and my friend for being at the right place, and for arriving at just the right time.

I witnessed “Each One/Reach One”, in full and in living color. What 91 year old man do you know, who witnesses the love of Jesus on a regular basis?

He confessed that he felt inadequate, and was thankful that I came along to help him tag team this precious soul with the great love of God.

Loving people at their lowest is risky business, and yet in this case, I don’t think we can ever use the excuse... “I’m too old to share my faith!!”

I wonder how many people will actually engage in...one of them...reaching another one of them? Time will tell... 

Witness

Matthew 24: 14                  KJV

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

We’re on the precipice of something historic, but it doesn’t have anything to do with the weather.

A friend shared an article with a few of us yesterday, and I wonder if it really got anyone’s attention?

“Since 1980, the number of Americans who believe in God has decreased by half and the number who pray has declined five-fold.

Has America lost its faith?”

And as long as ISIS keeps blowing up people in other parts of the world, why do we need to pray?

And yet Jesus said this would happen, but what does He know.

For almost 14 years I’ve been warning people to get ready for a storm.

Many have thought I’ve lost my mind, and that’s entirely possible.

Everyone I know has this sense that something just isn’t right, but it doesn’t appear too many people want to do anything about it.

I wonder what it will take, for God to get our attention?

Would you be ready if He decides to execute judgment?

It is possible that prayer & worship, are the things in place to ready us?

I guess one day we’ll all find out, when the forecast comes to fruition...

March Madness

1 Corinthians 15: 57

⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

March Madness attracts many basketball aficionado’s during the height of the College basketball season.

A local High School team (Waupun) just tasted victory that hadn’t been at the championship level since 1927.

Actually, I went to bed on Sunday night, right before the last second 3 point shot by Bronson Keonig of Wisconsin.

Honestly, as I watched that game, all I saw was mis-matches. I didn’t think Wisconsin had a chance to see victory.

It looked pretty glum for the human race some 2,000 years ago.

We were way behind, with almost no time left on the clock.

Then God went to the bench, and He chose His best Player by far.

We could’ve been down by 10,000 points, but Jesus would’ve settled the score.

When I think about that, it almost overwhelms me.

This week especially, I am overcome with the thought and taste of victory.

What if we went to church on Easter Sunday, and celebrated like most Wisconsin people did on Sunday night?

What if we hooted and hollered on Sunday, like we did when Aaron Rogers threw that desperate pass to Richard Rogers against the Lions?

As you prepare to go about your day today, maybe this is the kind of spiritual moment we need to savor, considering how sweet the victory really is...

https://youtu.be/iHM_9xggaMQ It’s good!! 

Week Of Remembrance

Ecclesiastes 7: 20              ESV

²⁰ Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.

Once in a while you hear someone say something spiritual, and you just have to write it down.

On February 22^nd of this year, someone said something worth repeating.

A great friend of mine said... “Man has a higher opinion of themselves, than they even have of God.”

Some folks find great displeasure when you refer to them as a sinner.

But that’s what we are, according to the Bible.

The Bible actually says, there isn’t one righteous man who never sins.

That’s why I hold so closely to this Holy week, and the observance of God’s expression of love for His people.

Without the cross, there would never be any hope for righteousness.

I go to church with some pretty Godly people, but none of them are without sin.

As much as we all travel through the periods of sanctification, we all still fall short.

What’s your opinion of yourself? Does it need to be tempered? Then look no further than the cross.

I can’t speak for you, but I sure do need someone to save me, from me.

As you start this week of remembrance, what will provoke you to even consider God’s deep love for you?

If any of us still think we are without sin, then we actually have deceived ourselves...

A Fool!

Luke 12: 18 - 21          ESV

¹⁸ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.

¹⁹ And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’

²⁰ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’

²¹ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

 A number of years ago my wife, Debbie took pictures of Door County barns. Looking at those

pictures now,it appears that people have an infatuation with bigger barns.

The self storage industry has grown exponentially in the U.S.

Currently, there is 3.65 billion square feet of self storage space/facilities in the U.S. This does not include personal home garages.

There are about 3,000 new bulk storage facilities built in our country every year.

I’m reminded of the old bumper sticker which reads... “The One that Dies First, with the Most Toys, WINS”

I have a wonderfully, well respected friend who’s been involved with feeding and caring for the sick of the world for many, many years.

He’s a man who will no doubt hear the personal words of Jesus... “Well done thy good and faithful servant...enter into the joy of your Master”

He has had Missionaries visit our country a time or two during the years. These two statements I have pondered long and hard since hearing them.

“Is it true, that you have houses for your automobiles, in your country?”

And the second statement was equally striking. During a walk through the Woodman’s Department Store, and strolling through the pet food isle, a missionary said, and I quote...

“It appears that your dogs, eat better than most of the people of my country.”

“A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool”....William Shakespeare

Nothing but the best!

James 1: 17                KJV

¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

 

When I was a kid, there was a time that my Dad promised me a brand new bike.

When the day finally arrived, I could hardly contain my excitement.

 

Then came the much anticipated moment, but then he unveiled a bike that was hardly new at all.

This was a bike that was ridden by a neighborhood man named Elmer, who lived near my Oshkosh grade school.

 

Elmer had ridden this bike everywhere. It had great big balloon tires...the ugliest pea green you’ve ever seen...and complete with a basket in the front.

For a kid who was expecting a banana seat and ripped handle bars, this was nothing like I had expected.

 

My Dad sure meant well, but maybe my attitude wasn’t filled with a whole lot of gratitude.

How could I judge my Dad’s heart, when his heart was in the right place?

 

Sometimes the gifts of God are a little bit like that pea green bike.

Maybe His gifts aren’t exactly what we expected, but it’s probably what we need.

 

God’s gift might not be wrapped the way we’d like them, but God’s gifts are always of the utmost perfection.

God knows precisely what we need...when we need it, and He’s never failed at gift giving.

 

How can a God who is always right and just, give us something that’s not perfect?

The answer is...It’s impossible for God to give us anything but His best.

 

Maybe the way we view the gift, is what’s tainted after all?

Maybe we’ve underestimated the Gift Giver, a time or two in our lives...

Be a Witness!

Acts 1: 8

⁸ “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

When I arrived for my oncology appointment last week, I could see that the receptionist wasn’t in a very joyful mood.

As asked her about how she was feeling, she revealed that she had an Aunt who wasn’t going to live very much longer.

It was my early morning opening, to witness the love of Christ.

She seemed to very much appreciate my concern and love offered.

When I sat down following that conversation, an elderly man and a lady entered the waiting area.

The lady looked very familiar, and when they approached the seating area, I asked her, her name.

It was the Mother of an old High School girl friend.

I introduced her to Debbie, and she told me that her husband was ill with cancer...his third bout.

She wanted to know if I was still a Minister of the Gospel, and she recalled some of my naughtier days.

And once again, God put me in a position to offer the hope of His Son.

From my oncology appointment, I went to a short meeting nearby, and the lady I had to meet in the office, was down in the mouth too.

During our conversation, I assured her of God’s perfect plan. She seemed to respond favorably to that short, loving conversation.

I am convinced, that God gave me this shortened health scare, to proclaim His name.

As I drove away that day, I thanked Him for the opportunity He gave me to witness His love.

Do you testify daily to God’s love for you? Each of us are supposed to be a witness.

How often do you use the Holy Spirit power you’ve been granted?

It just might make a difference, in someone else’s day...

Fervent!

James 5: 16    KJV

¹⁶ Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

For about 8 weeks I’ve been struggling with some health issues. Melanoma is as concerning as it needs to get.

Over the course of many weeks I’ve endured Surgery...CT Scans...Blood Work...and quite a few Doctors Appointments.

Why, if I had as many needles sticking out of me, that were stuck in me...I’d look like a pin cushion J

Last week I was emotionally reeling. I heard the words...”Enlarged Lymph Nodes”...”Biopsies”...”Thoracic Surgeon”...”PET Scan”...and the word Cancer came up a time or two.

I didn’t share the specifics with too many people, but only those whom I know who would pray in a righteous way.

I only included those folks on my personal and spiritual board of directors.

Seriously, the only people I want praying for me, are the spiritually profitable people I have in my life.

These are the folks who are humble enough to confess their sins. Maybe then, and only then, can true healing happen.

Don’t take this the wrong way, but I don’t want people praying for me who aren’t righteous.

The outcome of my Oncology visit yesterday, was a report of healing. Three (3) enlarged lymph nodes, now turned into One (1).

Biopsy wasn’t even a part of the conversation. There’s no longer a need for a Thoracic Surgeon.

A bad diagnosis? That’s possible... A coincidence? Perhaps... but I’m sticking with the concept of righteous prayer.

Did I deserve this kinds of news? Not hardly, but I don’t call the shots, but I sure do know Who does!

I even had one crazy woman praying for a cleansing of my temple. She sent me a picture of Jesus with whip in hand, cleaning out THE temple.

I love it when crazy, righteous people pray. They are the ones who can move mountains.

Do your prayers move mountains? On the subject of righteousness...Is there something you need to confess?

Before you bend a knee to talk to God...you might want to get that fixed first.

More on Monday... 

Power!

1 Corinthians 1: 18     KJV

¹⁸ For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

It’s a symbol seen all over the world.

We adorn it as jewelry...you see it in churches and on tomb stones.

It is foolish though, for people who just don’t understand it’s power.

Most who mock it’s meaning, don’t even realize the power there’s in it.

I received a handcrafted wooden cross from a friend the other day.

Actually, believe it or not...I still have a few.

Art is a carpenter and an accomplished wood worker, and this laminated cross is made from...Walnut...White Maple, and Cherry.

Art said that when things get tough, grip it in your hand and pray.

Art knew that the cross he made would encourage me. It fits very neatly in the palm of my hand.

I don’t think this man will ever understand, how deeply this gesture touched my heart.

When life get’s hard, do you hold tightly to the cross?

When people misunderstand your intentions, do you even consider the cross?

Folks who are saved, understand the power of the cross.

It’s precious meaning, and the One who hung there, is the only thing in life that can save us, restore us...and bring us peace...when life isn’t so peaceful.

“Savior I come, quiet my soul...remember......redemptions hill, where Your blood was spilled...”

Love!

Mark 12: 30 - 31

³⁰ “And 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.

³¹ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

 

The positing attached announces a fund raiser for a family in need.

I know what you’re thinking... “I wondered when he would start asking for money for this daily devotional?1?1?”

 

The Green Bay company my brother Chris works for, seems to have their hearts in the right place.

They have literally raised thousands of dollars over the years, loving many neighbors as themselves.

 

This company isn’t a religious organization of any kind, but they know how to care for people in need.

They have it all figured out, where many churches even fall short.

 

Here’s what I’m proposing. If you’d like to take part in loving on this young family, put your money where your heart is!

If you could spare just the amount you spend at lunch on any given day, we could join in on this love fest.

Send your donations to:              WCF

Attn: Sager Family

P.O. Box 249

Winneconne, WI.  54986

 

If you’re looking for a tax right off, you might not be giving for the right reason. Would you at the very least, pray?

I’ll personally go and present this corporate donation to the people of Fosber and the Sager Family, on March 17^th.

This would’ve been my Mom’s 84^th birthday. She was a woman who taught her boys how to love.

 

Of the countless people receiving this daily devotional, we certainly could muster up a few bucks.

I applaud the efforts of a Company, who makes food, serves foods, and loves people, just like Jesus called us to... 

Wise Counsel!

Hosea 4: 12

¹² My people ask counsel from their wooden idols, and their staff informs them.

For the spirit of harlotry has caused them to stray, and they have played the harlot against their God.

It’s amazing where the people of the church get their advice now days.

The people of Judah consulted in phony images, instead of the Word of God.

Is that a repeating pattern in our American culture?

Being focused on the temporal things, will never fully satisfy.

Seriously, as you begin a new work week, where do you get your directive from?

The Word of God says that we should seek Him (God) first. Is that how you’re going to start your week?

Consulting with images and not the Divine Word of God, will not give us the direction we need.

The person you normally confide in, might have some great advice, but it’s not worth squat if it leads to disorder and sin.

One of the great First Ladies of the U.S. passed away yesterday at 94 years of age.

It was suggested that she consulted with an astrologist to protect her husband from harm.

I’m not intentionally trying to tarnish Nancy Reagan’s wonderful reputation, but she could’ve gotten some advice from a much more reliable source.

During this unnerving time in the history of Israel, even the priests and people rejected advice from God.

You would think after time, that we would gradually learn our lesson.

People and nations are rejected by God, as we reject and forget about His law...

Pleasing to Who?

Matthew 16: 18

¹⁸ “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

During “Super Tuesday” voting, Republican people came out of the woodwork to cast their votes.

The state of Virginia’s polling numbers suggest that voters increased their poll attendance by 110%, over the last Presidential primary vote.

People are sick and tired of the establishment.

Folks are angry for what has happened to their country. It’s about time!!

It makes me wonder what’s happened to the establishment church.

How long has the church been pulling the wool over people’s eyes?

Church Leaders Magazine, published an interesting article in November 2015.

The article suggests that only about 17.7 percent of Americans worship each weekend.

I wonder if the regular local church attendee, is just flat out ticked off?

What keeps people from worshipping God on Sunday mornings?

Maybe it’s because we’re no longer letting Jesus build His church.

Have we assumed a task that was reserved for the Christ of God?

While there’s still time, maybe we had better stop our meddling.

While there’s still time, maybe the American church needs to start telling the whole truth again.

And just so we all understand....the church is all about pleasing God, and not at all about pleasing man...

Spiritual statement!

Psalm 118: 25 - 26     ESV

25 Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success!

26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord.]

Many people are claiming that Donald Trump will be the “cure all” for all of the problems that America faces.

One certainly can’t deny “The Donald’s” popularity.

What’s it going to take for this country to find out, that the only One who can solve our problems, is at the doorstep of His return.

When are we going to realize, that the only One who can save us, is the One who has saved us in the first place.

Maybe instead of clamoring and fussing over the name of a money making machine, we should scream for a spirit repentance.

Maybe if we yell “Hosanna” loud enough, God will actually save us through our prayers?

Are you banking on some political figure to make things new again?

Are you betting on a November election to curb all the issues we have in this world?

Seriously, good luck with that.

I’m betting my bottom dollar on the One who can really do something about this mess we live in.

I’m not a pessimist, I just live within the realm of reality.

What world do you live in?

Neither Democrat or Republican can fix what’s wrong in this world. Hillary isn’t the answer either.

If we seriously turned out hearts back towards Jesus, things could change for the better, in no time flat.

And just for the record, this is a spiritual statement, not a political one

Be of Good Cheer!

John 16: 33

³³ “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.

In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

 

I spent the last two Sunday’s, preaching on suffering.

Honestly, I don’t believe the church spends a lot of time on the subject, frankly.

 

Do we in the church, have some entitlement believing that we should never go through hardships as we walk with Jesus?

I realize that this devotional might indeed, strike a nerve with some.

 

Jesus said that we should expect tribulation. TRIBULATION: unhappiness, pain, or suffering

Does that verse somehow get lost in the preceding and the following words Jesus speaks?

 

A.W. Tozier is quoted as saying...“It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.”

That quotation doesn’t seem to be following the American theology I’ve heard through the years.

 

Have we forgotten that they used to light on fire, people who spoke the name of Jesus publically?

Have you ceased to remember, that the main staple diet for the Roman lions, were followers of Jesus?

 

The best news of all, is that Jesus has overcome all this by enduring the cross.

He has already tasted some of the trouble we’ve had to endure...and then some!

 

Throughout history, what made the Gospel spread like wild fire, was the exact hardships that people had to go through.

God never wastes a moment, and He may be trying to do something powerful, through your personal tribulation.

 

Whatever you’re having to go through, let’s be sure to remember, to... “be of good cheer”...