Assumptions!

2 Timothy 1: 6 - 7     ESV

⁶ For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,

⁷ for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Have you ever faced battling the assumption war in your own mind?

I know that I have, and that’s a very dangerous place to hide.

Most times, instead of being hurt or looking somewhat silly, people can hide from relationships without having a valid reason.

Searching for the facts is just sometimes too hard to do, and people can often make rash decisions.

A person that isn’t willing to consider all of the options or possibilities, is in a very bad place.

This person tries to rationalize their often irrational mind set.

It certainly happens in the church. Case in point.

Your friend who normally sits in the sanctuary near you every week, suddenly picks a different spot to sit...

“It must have been something I said?” “They must have found a different friend?” “He or She must be upset with me over something!”

Maybe that person just couldn’t hear very well where they were sitting. That’s certainly plausible?

There is a grave danger in making assumptions. They often needlessly destroy healthy relationships.

Sometimes our foolish assumptions, become our misguided truth...

“Gracious Father, thank You for giving me the power to overcome assumptions. Help me to believe the best, instead of believing the worst.

Help me to never allow my emotions, to jump to conclusions. Thank You that You haven’t given me a spirit of fear, but one of power, love and of self control. Amen!”

50 year celebration!

John 13: 16 - 17

¹⁶ “Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

¹⁷ If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”

Today marks a special occasion for a special couple.

50 years ago today they embarked on a ministry journey that has marked years and years of joy and counting.

No doubt, the Lord has allowed them to minister the great hope of the Gospel to countless people literally all over the world.

I can speak personally, that I have been influenced greatly by these precious saints/servants of God.

How are you doing these days, influencing people spiritually?

Who would name you personally, as making a difference in their spiritual lives?

Join me today in praying a prayer of thanks for Dr. Larry & Sue Correll, and for 50 years of selfless, steadfast, Christian service...

Going away!

Luke 5: 16       ESV

¹⁶ But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.

HB London wrote a book in 2003, entitled “Pastors at Greater Risk”

Here are some of the findings:

94% of all Pastors feel under pressure to have the perfect family...

90% of all Pastors work over 55 hours per week...

90% of all Pastors feel unqualified to serve in the church...

And the list goes on and on. I would assume that people in the secular setting face similar challenges.

Let’s face it...It’s not rocket science to suggest that we all live in a very busy culture.

Maybe we’re all too busy doing things that aren’t that necessary for survival?

Even Jesus had to get away from it all to recharge.

For the sake of my family, my sanity, and my church family, I need to withdraw for a short stint.

I’m going away and clear my plate, so I can better hear from God.

Last night I went fishing with my wife. Talk about a great way clear away the cob webs, and see the beauty of God at work.

Let’s not forget to mention that she also out-fished me?!?!

What’s your plan for happiness today? How will you clear out your schedule to make more time with God, or for the people you love?

I’m going away to hear from God, and to pray. I’ll be excited to share what I hear with all of you, when I return...

Light Reflections will return on Monday June 6^th.

Protection!

Psalm 91: 9 - 10     ESV

⁹ Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—the Most High, who is my refuge—¹⁰ no evil shall be allowed to befall you...

Every time I consider what happened last Friday morning, I’m a little overwhelmed of how serious that day could’ve been.

When a car traveling at 63 miles per hour hits concrete, the passengers might have a tough go of it.

I’m seriously not trying to make this event more dramatic than it was, but one has to wonder.

My oldest Son asked me to consider if I thought God was trying to get my attention.

That’s a distinct possibility, but I also asked him, if it’s possible that I could be on the devil’s hit list.

Since coming to faith in Christ, I have tried making Him my complete dwelling place.

The Word seems to suggest, that if we make Him everything, He will protect us from evil.

Would there be a reason why God should protect you from evil?

Is He your dwelling place? Is He your everything?

The Bible says that God promises to protect those who love Him.

Are you currently giving God a reason to protect you?

We should never seek strength in our assets, or in the kind of car we drive.

Funny, I don’t have my own car to drive right now, but I’ve got something worth far more.

I have turned my life over to Him, and His love and protection comes as a result...or so the Bible says so...

Take Courage!

2 Chronicles 15: 7              ESV

⁷ “But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.”

I think every one of us can admit, that some days are harder than others.

I don’t know about you, but I prefer days when things are running smoothly.

When I start feeling sorry for myself, it isn’t long when a perspective check comes my way.

That happened to me yesterday at the hospital.

I saw sick and hurting people everywhere, to a point where my minor ailment didn’t seem so large after all.

I love the... “take courage” Bible verses.

Do you need to take courage today?

Are things in life going so wayward and south, that you’re feeling like giving up?

Most people have seen, or at the very least heard of this guy...Nick Vujicic.

He’s the Australian native man, born without hands and feet.

I read his story, and I also read about his loving wife. They’re now expecting their second child.

Maybe when life out and out sucks, we need to remember what God can do in any situation...

He Knows me Well!

Jeremiah 1: 5                      ESV

⁵ “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you”...

God knows everything about us, because He made us.

When my body hurts, God designed my body to self heal itself.

Maybe God knew what He was doing all along?

Maybe we wouldn’t have to take all these supplements, if we took better care of ourselves?

My body has been hurting as of late, and for very good reason.

Did you know that our brains can read over 1,000 words per minute? Talk about speed reading!!

I can’t speak for you, but it’s been a while since I worshipped God for making me.

There’s not another person in the world quite like me, and I agree, that might be a good thing.

Our bodies are made up of over 7 octillion atoms.

Don’t even ask me how many zero’s that is, I just know it’s a lot.

My Mom always told me how special I was, but she didn’t know the half of it.

Have you stopped to thank God lately for making you?

Diseases of the body are all self curable, if we just stopped doing the things that cause diseases.

Again, I can’t speak for you...but I’m sure glad God made me...and keeps on healing me... 

No Joke

Daniel 2: 22

²² ...he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.

Do you ever take life for granted?

I know I do, and then events happen that help us wake up.

I thought it was crazy, that when I looked at clock radio in our bedroom early on Thursday morning, and it showed 2: 22, as the time.

I didn’t know it then, but God was about to reveal something deep and hidden in my life just a few hours later.

I held my one year old granddaughter Maycn last night for just a moment, and wondered if I had taken her for granted.

I felt the soft smooch of my grandson Carter before he left our family time last night, and wondered how often had I taken him for granted.

What do you take for granted?

Do you just think tomorrow’s going to come, because you think you deserve it?

What’s it going to take for you to stop and smell the roses today?

How bad does life have to get, before you stop to tell all those around you, just how much you care?

In the final analysis, God controls the hour glass of our individual lives.

I get frustrated, because I think my life is in my control.

That’s a great big joke, and if that’s the way you think...then the joke is all on you, too...