Not your own!

Ephesians 2: 8

⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God...

I spoke to my youngest brother, Chris yesterday, and we had another great chuckle at the expense of our dear old Dad.

We agreed that our Dad was the greatest legal swindler we’ve ever met in our lifetime.

He offered many words of advice when each of us five (5) boy’s were in the process of negotiating a deal on anything.

“If you can’t steal it, you don’t need it!”...and...“Make an offer you’re red face embarrassed to make!”

Dad literally made thousands of dollars, buying and selling airplanes.

He made money the old fashioned way, he earned it! Granted, at times at other people’s expense J

I’m not a great negotiator by trade, but I know a great deal when I see one.

The gift of Salvation was the greatest deal I’ve ever received.

My Dad would be glad, that I didn’t have to overspend for this gift.

It cost God the Father everything He had, so that we could all have the deal of a lifetime.

If Salvation is such a great bargain, so why don’t we tell more people about it than we do?

If there was a screaming sale at Fleet Farm, I’d tell everyone I know!!

My Dad also told us boys... “If it looks to be good to be true...it might just be!”

Just be sure you know, Salvation is free, and it’s as true, as it is good... 

Let it Go!

Matthew 6: 25

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on.”

I have a friend who just put their home on the market to sell.

When someone asked them... “What do you plan to do?” My friends response was... “I’ll live by the seat of my pants...”

I wonder if I have that much faith? Seriously, I wonder if I have that much trust in God?

Maybe if I put more emphasis on the spiritual things in my life, the physical would take care of itself.

Giving over control to God should look somewhat bizarre to most people.

Living by the seat of our pants, would be downright irresponsible for some folks to consider.

I’m not sure I like giving up control, but then I have to wonder how much do I know God, if really I feel like that.

Have you truly given up control over to God? How much do you really trust Him?

I like having control over how my day is going to go.

Maybe the problem isn’t God’s, but mine.

I like risk takers when it comes to trusting in God.

Especially when it’s them trying to sell their house, and living life only by what God provides. But please don’t ask me to sell mine!!

One day all that I thought was important, will be no more.

Near the end of my life, the One Whom I should’ve trusted all along, is going to be calling all the shots, whether I like that or not...

Mince Not!

Luke 20: 45 - 47

⁴⁵ And in the hearing of all the people he said to his disciples, ⁴⁶ “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes,

and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts,

⁴⁷ who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

The more I read the Bible, the more I understand that Jesus never once minced words.

He always stated the obvious, and was more interested in helping people, than leaving them in a bad place.

If they decided to stay in a bad place, that was on them.

I wonder if we the church, if we were more honest with one another, would we be in a better place?

I find it amazing that most people in the church will stay quiet, even if something staggering bothers them.

We tuck it away, and then it all bottles up, and the sin of a critical spirit takes over.

If Jesus never minced words, then maybe we shouldn’t either.

Isn’t that sort of hypocrisy, when we do one thing, and say another?

Maybe we should look out for people who say long prayers, but aren’t willing to speak their minds or be honest.

How disappointing to meet people today in the church who profess faith, but who won’t be honest.

It is possible that Jesus had it right, and we have it completely wrong?

Jesus was the same everywhere, in private and in public.

When you are alone, or with your family, or even in the public eye, are you the same?

I wonder what might happen to the church, if we were willing to be vulnerable and honest with one another?

Maybe the results would surprise us...

Forgive

Luke 6: 37

...”forgive, and you will be forgiven”...

I have many friends in multiple churches, and it seems that people leaving churches is at epidemic proportions.

Someone recently visited our church just a few weeks ago, that I knew left their home church recently.

I asked them one simple question following our service: “Did you leave your church the right way?” They didn’t return the following week.

What was I trying to accomplish? I was trying to encourage forgiveness, and send these people back to where they could get things right.

Our Winneconne church’s Adult Sunday School group has been studying a book entitled... “From Forgiven to Forgiving”, by Jay E. Adams.

Adams writes... “...because forgiveness is so thorough and deals definitively with transgressions, reconciliation is possible.

A solid foundation for reconciliation is laid, embarrassing matters are never raised again, and the forgiven and the forgiving are free

to go on together as if the sin never occurred.”      Wouldn’t it be great if it worked that way in your home church?

Do we have forgiveness all messed up? Is it possible that if we don’t forgive, Jesus won’t either?

That seems to be the implication in today’s verse, but not many people see it that way...or want to see it that way.

Do people really have good reasons for leaving churches?

Actually, the one’s I have heard lately are frankly, pretty bogus.

Most people communicate their decision to leave, with everyone except the leadership of the church.

I wonder how many people tell the real truth about why they’re leaving?

Let’s be sure we understand the implications. All this is going to be sorted out one day, and those refusing to forgive will have to explain they’re actions.

Whatever happened to... “speaking the truth in love?” (Eph. 4:15)?

Get away!

Mark 6: 46                ESV

⁴⁶ And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.

I can’t speak for you, but often times my life is filled with stressful situations.

Church life can take its toll, and so can life in the real world.

I seem to juggle stressful situations back and forth, and don’t often deal with them one at a time like I should.

It’s a never ending battle, but sometimes I forget that Jesus had a plan to deal with stress.

Jesus had so many people following Him with expressed neediness, that they had to be everywhere He turned.

He actually got in a boat one time and went away, so the neediness didn’t crush Him.

Do you have a plan for problem solving? Do you have a plan to deal with the stresses of life?

Everyone wanted a piece of Jesus, so much so, I wonder if Jesus even took time to eat on certain days?

People were smothering Jesus, and the local church leaders didn’t like Him either.

That sounds like a perfect incubator to grow stress.

What was Jesus’ solution? He found a quiet place and just got away, with His Father.

How often do you get away with your God? The One who has the world in perfect balance, is also a great stress reliever.

Jesus had a “to do” list too, but He always took time for the important things in life.

The pressures in life are always magnified, but Jesus was no stranger to working things out the right way.

Maybe take that stressful issue or issues to Him this morning, and join Him on the mountain...

Glory Filled!

Psalm 79: 18 - 19

¹⁸ Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.
¹⁹ Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen!

39% of all millennial people say their stress has increased in the last year.

What’s a millennial? A person born in the 1980’s/1990’s.

More young people in this millennial group are diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorders than in any other people group.

52% of these kids say that stress has negatively affected their sleep habits.

I went on a spring walk yesterday, for a specific purpose. Part of what my intention, was to shed a few of my winter pounds.

The real purpose? To spend some quality worship time with God.

While on my one hour journey, I noticed these small spring flowers trying to break through the dead leaves.

I had to stop and notice the creation, and then I gave thanks to the Creator for supplying them.

Maybe that’s why young people are all stressed out? Maybe that’s why folks are robbed of true joy?

Is it possible that we might even have to stop and smell the roses once in a while, so as to clear away the cobwebs of depression?

When are you going to notice, that the whole earth is filled with His glory?

There’s nothing like a simple spring flower, to chase away the blues.

He does inhabit the praises of His people...for I felt it in a very real way, yesterday...

Your last Flight!

1 Thessalonians 4: 17       KJV

¹⁷ Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air...

Late yesterday afternoon I came back from a walk with Debbie, and turned on the TV.

One of the channels I turned to had an air race going on.

Airplanes were flying fast and low around pylons, and every time I see an airplane in the sky, I think of my Dad.

My Dad was a great aviator, but I never took any interest in airplanes of any kind, but one day perhaps I’m going to fly.

I’ve attached an article probably written in the early 1950’s about an ice rescue my Dad was a part of with his airplane.

He actually landed his airplane on the ice to rescue some crazy ice fisherman.

I’m sure these fisherman breathed a sigh of relief when they got rescued.

Seriously though, my Dad never talked very much about this day. It was just routine for him.

The event revealed in this text of scripture is going to be the rescue of all rescues.

Our Heavenly Father is going to rescue all sorts of people, and that event could happen as soon as today.

Are you ready to meet the Lord in the air? Those who are, will most certainly breathe a sigh of relief.

You’d be surprised at how many people who haven’t a clue of what I’m even taking about. It’s called the rapture.

Frankly, this is a flight that you don’t want to miss for anything in the world...

Unforgiveness

Ephesians 1: 7         ESV

⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace...

When I was a younger mischievous little boy, I broke something that was very meaningful to my Mom.

She had this glass Lazy Susan, that spun just like a top when using the tip of my index finger.

I can picture that Lazy Susan sitting on my Mom’s dining room table, in our dining room, just like it was yesterday.

My Mom used that thing to display fancy foods, because she really did like to entertain.

One day I spun that thing so fast...well...you know the rest of the story.

That Lazy Susan broke in multiple pieces, and no glue in the world was going to undo what I did.

My Mother was a great Private-I, and her investigative work could’ve put water-boarding to shame.

Once Mom got to me, well I lied like a rug. I looked her plain in the eye, and told her that I didn’t do it.

Unfortunately, the punishment was that everyone had to pay...until somebody came clean.

It wasn’t until I confessed to the crime committed, did I feel complete freedom.

I remember the time when I first got right with God, and when He saved me completely from my sin.

That was a free day for me, but I’m amazed at the number of people who can’t or won’t forgive.

In my scope of work, I meet so many folks who deal with the spirit of un-forgiveness.

Churches are filled with people, who needlessly carry such heavy burdens.

Maybe they just don’t have a clue of what true freedom feels like...

Confusion!

1 Corinthians 14: 33         KJV

³³ For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace...

 

Deb and I went out on a mini date last night, and we couldn’t help but notice a car in the parking lot.

Literally, there was barely enough room for a person to sit in the driver’s seat. It was “stuff” from front to back!

 

Deb even noticed a partially used mayonnaise jar in the clutter.

Safe to say, you wouldn’t want to drop your car keys, or you could be looking for quite a while.

 

Seriously, I am not picking on the owner of the car, because they’re obviously suffering from some sort of handicap.

Every day as I prepare to share what I believe God wants me to write, I look for obvious, object lessons.

 

Am I the only one willing to admit this, but can our minds sometimes get this cluttered?

It’s tax day on Friday, and most of us have a lot on our minds beside that.

 

Experts suggest that we can think between 60,000 and 80,000 thoughts per day.

Is it any wonder why some of us are walking around confused.

 

Be encouraged this morning, God is not the author of confusion, but of perfect peace.

Many of us have learned in the last year, that we need to consider and focus on only one thought at a time.

 

That would sure make life a lot easier, wouldn’t it? What if we spent our time thinking more about God, and less about needless confusion?

Maybe we’d have more peace than we currently do...

Walketh Wisely!

Proverbs 13: 20        KJV

²⁰ He that walketh with wise men shall be wise...

I don’t have too many friends who are friends of the world.

I try to hang with men who will build me up...challenge my thinking...and hold me to a higher standard of holiness.

I have a number of guys that I hang with, that when our meeting is over, I’m a stronger man for having had the experience.

I spent almost three (3) hours with a  very wise man yesterday. I spend as much time with wise men as I can...in part because I need all the help I can get.

The wisdom he has shared with me over the years, has certainly rubbed off.

He wouldn’t want me to share his name publically, but this guy has imparted wisdom to me every time we’ve met.

He’s one of a few guys that still love me, in spite of some of the dumb things I’ve done over the years.

He’s certainly not afraid to hold my feet to the fire when I need it.

He even wants me to share something at his funeral when he dies, and we’re currently debating on who’s going to go first.

He’s at the top of my list for speaking at my departure service too.

Men like this come along only once in a person’s lifetime.

Timothy had Paul, and Dan has Jim. Do you have a wise person in your life? If not, why not?

I’m more profitable spiritually, for having had this great man in my life. I’m a better guy for all the wise men I have in my life.

Especially because of Jim though, I’ve grown deeply in my love for Jesus, and I’ve grown in wisdom too...

Abundant life!

John 10: 10

¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

I meet so many people these days, who don’t truly know what abundant life is. Actually, I meet many folks who are getting robbed.

Some people think abundant life is only going to come after we’re dead.

I don’t believe for a second that’s what Jesus meant.

Since I attempt to hear every word that God speaks to me, I believe He would have me say this to you.

Have you taken an abundant life inventory as of late?

As I took a spring walk yesterday afternoon, God spoke to me and reminded me of the abundant life He’s given me.

·         Every time I see the sweet smile on my granddaughter’s face, I experience abundant life...

·         When I witness my grandson looking to his Mom for reassurance, I see abundant life...

·         As I consider how my two boys have grown up and have taken ownership for life, I see abundant life...

·         When I read the precious words of my daughter-in-law’s blog, I consider abundant life...

·         As I sat watching a movie with my gal last night until late, I embraced some moments of abundant life...

·         Abundance came yesterday as I embraced friends, following our time of worship...

Maybe you need to take an abundant life inventory before you start your day.

Sometimes I believe we miss abundant life all together.

Actually, I’m going to go out today, and live all those abundant moments all over again.

Maybe that’s the single thing that will bring us lasting, abundant hope...

What's your Sacrifice?

Romans 12: 2

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice...

I’ve never been shy from speaking the truth.

Actually, that very thing has gotten me into a bit of hot water from time to time.

There’s a candidate running for President that has all the young people flocking to this persons support.

This person is trying to sell a free lunch for everyone, that is until you look very closely at the price tag.

Have we forgotten that to live in America...the greatest country in the world...that it cost a lot of people, a lot?

Have we forgotten that over 419,000 American people (soldiers/civilians) died in WWII? Many more came home wounded by war.

Was it free for them? What cost did these families pay, for the freedom we enjoy today?

I’m getting a little tired of people trying to sell free lunches these days.

I knew a man who wrapped his legs with gauze every day before work, because of the jungle rot received from WWII. He had literal skin in the game.

I attend church with some of the most sacrificial people on the planet.

They don’t expect free, and they would be very skeptical of having freedom, without having someone to pay for it.

What did it cost God the Father, so that we could have eternal freedom?

I realize preachers should never enter into the political spectrum, but I wonder sometimes if we’ve completely lost our blooming minds.

This scene from the movie, “Saving Private Ryan” always reminds me about the costs of everyday life... https://youtu.be/tj6yK9RXzPA

So what sacrifice are you making these days? Please tell the countless crazy kids out there today, that nothing in this world, is ever free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sincere Faith?

2 Timothy 1: 5

⁵ I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now,

I am sure, dwells in you as well.

I heard something sort of startling last night as I watched the evening news.

It’s suggested that most grandparents spend 70 times more on their Grandchildren, than Grandparents did just 25 years earlier.

Timothy’s Mother and Grandmother had a great spiritual influence on their boy.

Timothy turned out to be a strong man of faith, because of his Mom and Grandmother.

There was a time when I felt that if I parented my child, that once they left the coop, my responsibility for raising kids was over.

And yet I know so many Grandparents who have active roles in raising they’re Grandbabies.

My Grandmother lived until she as 105 years old, and I learned so many life lessons from her.

Old people are smarter than we think.

If you’re a Grandparent, what kind of lessons are your Grandkids learning from you?

Grandparents must firmly take a leadership role in our society. I love the chance I get to teach my Grandchildren.

I have learned so much from older Grandfatherly/Grandmotherly people, as they were willing to share their intimate life experiences.

I believe the Grandparents in churches, should be allowed to have an active voice in teaching the younger folks.

It is suggested that old people are gaining popularity again.

It is believed that many older Grandparents, are still the glue that holds this crazy society together.

So I wonder if our Grandkids will be known for our sincere faith?

Heritage!

Psalm 127: 3                       ESV

³ Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.

I don’t ever want this devotional to sound a bit egotistical, but my children are a direct reward to me from my God.

I often wonder how I deserved to receive three (3), really great kids?

My daughter-in-law, Ashley, became my third child when her dad passed away tragically. I’m honored to be her de facto dad.

This Trifecta of blessings completely boggles my mind.

All three of my kids love to serve in the church. Every time the doors are open, they are serving the interests of God’s Kingdom.

They serve faithfully and quietly, and rarely look for the applause that they so richly deserve.

My children love serving God, not because of their old man, but in spite of him I guess you could say.

In Lou Gehrig’s farewell speech at Yankee Stadium on July 4, 1939, he uttered the words... “I consider myself, the luckiest man on the face of the earth.”

Sorry Lou, but honestly, I think I’m the luckiest guy on the face of the earth.

I have no doubt that I will leave my children a Godly heritage one day.

I also have no doubt that they too, will leave their own children a powerful spiritual heritage of their own.

I know so many parents who can hardly wait for their kids to fly out of the nest.

Actually, I would love for mine to fly back in.

Will your children make you proud? I know mine have and will, and apart from God’s great influence, I have no idea how in the world that happened...

Famine!

Amos 8: 11

¹¹ “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord God, “when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread,

nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.”

The leaders of North Korea have announced to their people, that they should ready for a famine.

Because North Korea has distanced itself from the rest of the world, they will undoubtedly pay the price for doing so.

Deb and I were talking last evening about what we know of the Bible today, compared to what we didn’t know years ago.

Even in this past year, I’ve learned the true Biblical definition of “GRACE” and “LOVE”. It just proves a point that you can teach old dogs, new tricks.

Actually, I didn’t know what I didn’t know, but I wonder if we Americans have distanced ourselves from God?

It isn’t for a lack of Biblical resources, but it seems as though Americans are currently starving themselves to death.

It shows statistically in the number of people who no longer attend Bible studies, or who even attend church on a regular basis.

Christians of years past, they were known as the people of one book.

They read the Bible and studied their Bibles, but they cared more about the “GOOD BOOK”, than any other book.

Christians used to meditate on the words of God, and memorize those words, too.

But we don’t do that anymore it seems, and in a very real sense Americans appear to be fast approaching an epic famine.

People who used to tell the truth have become politically correct, for fear they might get into big trouble.

Fewer and fewer people are willing to take a stand.

I wonder what people will do when the famine hits? One day we may experience that in a very real way...