Friday, April 29, 2011

Wipeout

2 Corinthians 4:17
17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

No one ever wants to call their troubles light. But in Paul's letter to the Corinthians, the truth remains that our spirit man will long outlast our natural man. If we are believers in Jesus Christ, our eternal home is not here and is far more beautiful. So the troubles that we endure here, though difficult, will seem like a drop in the bucket. It's like the obstacle course on TV called "Wipeout". The contestants are trying to complete an obstacle course risking getting knocked down, falling over, etc for a grand prize at the end. For us, that obstacle course is our earthly life. We are going through every obstacle course to strengthen and stretch our minds and spiritual man. It's for us to be prepared for the wonderful gift the Lord has waiting for us in the second half of our journey. The obstacle course is only temporary. Not only will it pass but there's something greater beyond the wipeout.

Be encouraged!! It's all for your growth be it God's perfect will or imperfect will.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Without God, Who Are You?

Psalm 16:4
4 The sorrows of those will increase
   who run after other gods.
I will not pour out their libations of blood
   or take up their names on my lips.

Are you running after anything other than God? David not only asked for God's protection from death in this psalm but he pointed out that he would not worship anyone but God. He accentuated that those who not only run after but trust other gods more than him would find hardship. the little god in this case were those that required pouring libations and chatting their name. Is there a little god that has made more room in your heart than our heavenly father? Are you finding more sorrow than gladness because your focus is not in the right place? In the Ten Commandments, the first one is that we are to have no other god's before Him. Jesus put the same commandment in another way by saying that we are to love the Lord our God with all heart. Who and what are you consulting for answers to life's questions? Is it our Lord? Or is it in the vices that now exist in the land?  Is the focus on obtaining other things? What about obtaining a closer relationship with God?

Psalm 16:2
2 I said to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
   apart from you I have no good thing.”

Without God who are you and what do you have?

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Learning How to Share

Romans 12:13
13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Have you known anyone that looked down upon those in need? We have never so arrived that we can't reach and help others. The Lord is the provider of all gifts. One thing Jesus displayed was his willingness to talk to everyone even those that were considered "less than" in society. Anyone who recognizes themselves as a follower of Christ or Christian is to show a willingness to share. But it is even more important within the body of Christ. We are one body, regardless of denomination. We are to lift each other up by whatever means God provides.

2 Corinthians 9:7
7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

We are not only to give but not selfishly. If we are complaining about the giving, then we are not truly giving from our heart. If we are not happy about our giving then we are giving out of duty and not out of love. God desires that we give out of love. If we are giving, let us ask God what we ought to give that it may be well thought out.  What we want to give may not be what is needed. Jesus was the perfect example of the most generous because he gave his own life.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

John 8:34
34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.

Did you ever wonder why you couldn't just easily stop doing something you knew wasn't good for you? Jesus had a conversation with the Jews regarding the difference between the blood line descendants of Abraham in comparison to those who are spiritual descendants of Abraham. Within the conversation Jesus candidly said that no one who sins can free themselves from the sin. It is only by the Son of God that anyone can be set free from the bondage.

What does this mean? It means that none of us, has the ability to break free from any sin without the help of Jesus Christ. If we wish to stop doing something we know is not good for us, the ONLY way we are going to be delivered from that thing that keeps us in bondage is by the help of our Lord. Only he can give us the strength to turn away. None of us can do any of it in our strength or devices. The renewing of one's mind starts with our Lord.  It starts with hearing the Word of God, reading the Word of God and sincere and honest prayer mixed with faith. If we believe when we ask to be delivered, it shall be answered. It may not happen right away because whatever is we seek to be delivered from, we didn't just get there over night. We got there with little steps here and there and eventually a snow ball effect arose. But Jesus can lead us away from those things that we really want to give up but we have to TRUST and let him do it. And we have to sincerely want to turn away. It's not to say that we will never sin again because we were born into sin in our natural man so the battle will war within us. But, Jesus paid for our sins and we can go to the Father seeking grace and mercy because Jesus already paid the full price.

What is it that  you sincerely want to turn away from? Have you asked the Lord for assistance? If so, TRUST him and let him lead you away from it with the renewing of your mind. You won't believe how as he works on your mind, your heart will be in a different place. And by the time you figure out what the Lord has done, you will be leaving the chains behind you.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Sustaining in the Desert

Psalm 107:35
35 He turned the desert into pools of water
   and the parched ground into flowing springs;

Did you know that God can turn nothing into something? The children of Israel wandered in the desert for 40 years and raised another generation while there. According to Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary, desert is defined as:

1a : arid land with usually sparse vegetation; especially : such land having a very warm climate and receiving less than 25 centimeters (10 inches) of sporadic rainfall annually b : an area of water apparently devoid of life
2archaic : a wild uninhabited and uncultivated tract
3: a desolate or forbidding area desert of doubt>

So by man's account, the people of Israel shouldn't have survived their desert experience because there wasn't enough vegetation or rainfall. Ah But God! God had the ability to sustain his people before he had Joshua lead them into the land of Canaan that flowed with milk and honey. The desert, though considered not the best experience, was still a place that God had his hand on. God produced manna for them to eat. Not to store up but made it each day so they could be sustained for that day.

What desert experience is God taking you through at this time? Is he only allowing you to be sustained for that day, not storing anything for the future? By man's account of course you should not survive but God's hand is upon you, What lessons have you yet to learn, that like the Israelites, keeps you from whatever he's promised you? The promise land is anything that he's promised you that you have not yet received. What about you needs to shift? The children of Israel had to take off the slave mentality/old ways of thinking and learn to trust God. He gave daily opportunities for the Israelites to learn to trust him but the first generation never caught on. What daily opportunities is the Lord giving you to learn to trust him? What do you need to change?