Looking up!

Colossians 3: 2

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Often times the things of earth get right in the way.

There is this relentless bombardment of earthly things.

We have bills to pay, and “to-do” lists that never seem to end.

So much so, our souls and our spirits even become weary.

We should never become totally preoccupied by the things of this earth.

If we’re not careful, we will be drained of energy and resources.

What does it mean to think on things above?

It means to know the agenda of the One who resides there.

It means that we should seek visions of God, and to begin focusing on His plans.

It also means that we should live with the values of Heaven in mind.

What will you set your mind upon, this week?

What needs to change for you in this area?

The culture of the Kingdom needs to be at the forefront of our minds.

Things like integrity, purity, peace and generosity are just a few to consider.

Thinking on earthly things is very easy—but thinking on things above, will take a conscious effort on our part…

Questions!

Jeremiah 8: 22

Is there no balm in Gilead, Is there no physician there? Why then is there no recovery for the health of the daughter of my people?

Do you ever wonder why life sometimes hurts so bad?

I often consider all the heartache and turmoil as I deal in ministry, that I often wonder what on earth can be done about it.

This question in scripture, actually comes from God Himself.

I thought even God had all the answers?

The reason God asked this question in the first place, was that his own people thought they could help themselves.

The Hebrew children thought they did not need God’s intervention.

Are we the same way at times?

Don’t we at times, try to get through sticky situations, without at first consulting God?

Only God can restore a wandering, troubled people.

Even when they knowingly walk away and follow their own evil desires and lusts.

Maybe you’re going through a dark time right now.

Maybe you have experienced a recent, crushing loss.

I pray that even through this troubling time, you’ll be able to see the glory of His goodness.

He has been for you—and He will be for you—for all time… 

The supplier of All!

Philippians 4: 19

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Everyone I know, just wants their needs met.

We live to be satisfied, and yet I have to wonder if we truly rely on God to meet our needs.

People went to the voting polls yesterday in near record numbers.

It might prove a point, that most folks don’t really count on God for much of anything.

We’ll get up this morning, and many will probably hunger for a bite of breakfast to eat.

Have we forgotten that God Himself supplies the sun and the rain, so the fields are ripe with the harvest?

Everyone of us hunger for affection, and then God stirs the heart of someone else to supply that need.

In the end, those two hearts become united as one—or that’s the way it’s supposed to work.

We starve for fellowship with God, and then God raises up people to become Pastors/Teachers/Preachers.

And at the end of the day, people are fed with the bread of life.

What will satisfy your greatest craving this morning?

Is God enough, or do we on the other hand, need something/someone else?

Only God can satisfy the hunger and thirst we have.

It works that way in the material sense, and it works that way too, for those who desire spiritual righteousness.

For the moment we have that choice, and this morning, I choose God…

In God We Trust

Hebrews 11: 8

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.

 

It’s printed on our American currency, and yet I wonder how many of us really believe it?

“In God We Trust”

 

As I consider the state of our current culture, it sure doesn’t appear that we trust God.

I wonder if we trust our politicians, more than we trust God?

 

A young woman who faced a terminal illness in the western United States, ended her life over the weekend.

Sure, the state that she lived in allowed the process by law, but I’m wondering if we should consider God’s law first.

 

My mother died 10 years ago this month, and frankly I learned as much about life through her death, than I did in her living.

I hope one day, my children will learn much about my faith, when it’s my time to die.

 

No, I don’t have a terminal illness, at least not that I know of, but if I’m going to trust God for my today, then I want to trust Him for my tomorrow.

There are times in our church, when we sing… “He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands”.

 

He does you know?

Even when I don’t have any idea where I’m going, He leads me in paths of righteousness.

 

If it’s all the same to you, I’m going to keep on living.

And besides, because He holds the future, life is always worth the living…just because HE lives

Overcome!

1 John 5: 5

Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

I think it would be overstated, that there is a lot to overcome in this life.

If anyone can overcome the onslaught of political commercials these days—one could overcome just about anything.

How are you doing at overcoming the world?

Honestly, there are days when I’m not sure that I’m made of the right stuff.

We have spiritual battles we need to overcome—health concerns—financial worries—and let’s not forget nonstop global crisis.

It’s enough to make the strongest person a little unsteady.

This sounds kind of foolish, but there are Sunday mornings I’d just as soon stay in bed and do my own thing.

The temptation is there, but I have to admit that I feel better when I’m not overcome by selfish desires.

Believing in Jesus is one thing, but putting stock in that belief is another.

The world is filled with things to overcome, and Jesus is still the only answer to get past them.

You will probably face something this week that you’ll need to overcome.

You may even need to overcome you.

When we make this life about God, everything seems to click.

When we make this life about us, we can’t be in sync with God, no matter how hard we try… 

Improbable Issues!

John 11: 17

On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.

Talk about an improbable situation, with an impossible outcome.

Tell me you can’t relate.

“My boss is impossible!” “My husband is impossible!” “My kids are impossible!”

“I’ll never get well!” “I’ll never be able to pay my bills!” “No one will ever understand me!”

Tell me you’ve never spoken those words before.

We’ve all dealt with improbable issues, and impossible situations.

The only issues that have no possibility of resolve, are the ones we try to deal with, without God.

Sure it sounds cliché, but nothing is impossible with God!

Mary & Martha, saw their brother’s lifeless body, and that’s all the could focus on.

Jesus actually spent two more days where He was, before He went to wake Lazarus up.

What impossible issue are you dealing with today?

Have you even begun to ask God to enter it with you?

That often might be our last step, but it really should be our first.

Never count Jesus out, even if the issue seems improbable to you.

He’s still undefeated, and He’s never been deterred…  

Comfort!

Exodus 16: 3

The Israelites said to them…."If only we had died by the Lord's hand in Egypt!

There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death."

 

It’s clear to see, that Americans especially love to be comfortable.

God forbid it might rain today—that would just screw everything up.

 

What brings you comfort?

Chicken soup? A nice warm blanket? How about a padded retirement account?

 

I’m amazed that when I ask most people, usually God isn’t very close to the top of the comfort list.

Is it possible that God can’t bring us comfort, or meet our daily needs?

 

Honestly, most people actually think that way.

I’m pretty sure there’s a place in the Bible, where it says… “Those who wait on the Lord, shall renew their strength…”

How good are you at waiting on the Lord?

 

A friend shared this video with me yesterday.

I dare you to watch it—yes all of it.

 

Maybe it will actually challenge your comfort thinking—just like it challenged mine…

 

http://youtu.be/CWUX-4lcp-M