Friday, June 24, 2011

Heart Condition

Luke 6:28
bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Did you know not everyone wishes you well? It's unfortunate that in our time people are not all happy for you. If people are spiteful, it's a heart problem. If people have negative speech, it's a heart problem. But that's nothing new. Jesus said that what comes out of the mouth is in the heart. Heart conditions don't have to be controlled by external circumstances. That's what Jesus wanted to get across to those listening. The perspective needs to change. But not everyone likes change. And if you have a pleasant spirit not everyone likes it. It's not always because it's you, it's what's inside of you that makes others uncomfortable. Some have gotten so used to the behavior that they don't know who they would be without it. It's a the crutch that keeps them going. Love them and pray for them anyway. Only God can bring them to a place where they let go. Some just don't know how to be happy for others because no one's ever been happy for them. So be happy for them. Some will see and some won't. LOVE THEM ANYWAY BECAUSE JESUS DOES!!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Is It Really Worth It?

Isaiah 59:10
10 Like the blind we grope along the wall,
   feeling our way like men without eyes.
At midday we stumble as if it were twilight;
   among the strong, we are like the dead.

Have you ever felt like you were walking blind? The prophet Isaiah describes the consequences or results of our sin like the blind that have to grope the wall. When we commit sin and are dealing with our consequences we are not only overwhelmed but seem almost like a "dead man walking". What's worse is that God has often warned us about what the consequences of our sin would bring but like dog chasing after a bone, we do it anyway. Is it that the sin seems much better at the moment then what we will have to deal with later? Do the consequences not look that bad? But if it's a consequence that sticks with us a lifetime, is that sin really worth it? If the consequences of that sin brought sudden death, would that change our minds? THANK GOD WE HAVE A REDEEMER!! If we confess like the prophet Isaiah talks about within this chapter and what we know about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we know we can be forgiven!! The consequences of our actions may not diminish but if we have learned the lesson, the Lord grants mercy. Next time a situation arises and God shows you the consequences, pause and ask yourself is it really worth it?

BLESS THE LORD!!!!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Believing in the Cause

Matthew 26:31
Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:

" 'I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'

What happens to followers when the leader is gone? Jesus echoed the words of the Old Testament prophet Zechariah in regards to what was to happen to the disciples when the one called to lead them would be taken and literally struck down. In the case of the disciples, it was to both the end and the beginning. The end of their time with Jesus' physical presence with them and the catalyst which would give them new life and appreciation for the ministry that would soon be placed in their hands. It was indeed a turning point. The disciples had to decide if they believed in what Jesus spent his last three years teaching. Thankfully for us, they did and they believed the miracles.

But this occasion is not exclusive to Jesus and the disciples. We hear in the news all the time about situations that happen to leaders. Some pass away others befall other circumstances. But what happens to the followers? Like the situation with the disciples, seeing whatever happens to the leader becomes a turning point. It will divide those that were dedicated to the leader or dedicated to the cause. When one is dedicated to the cause, they are affected by the fall or departing of the leader as it is natural to do especially if their was love and respect but because they believe in the cause, the mission they are on will move forward. But if one is dedicated to the leader only and not the cause, then the fall or departing of the leader paralyzes them and renders them helpless and no longer engaged. But in the case of Jesus, he was already preparing the new leader, which was Peter. And Peter set forth the foundation of the first church. Peter loved the leader but believed in the cause just as much. How many of us believe in the cause we're on or just following the leader?

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Wanting Everything We See

Proverbs 27:20
Death and Destruction are never
satisfied,
and neither are the eyes of man.

Ever heard the saying, "your eyes are bigger than your stomach?" King Solomon compared the appetite of death and destruction  to that of man's wanting everything he sees. What a comparison! Death is no respecter of person. Each day someone dies somewhere in the world. And yes many things are destroyed each day but the eyes of man are never satisfied. Each day we want more and more of anything we see that looks pleasing. But everything that looks good isn't good for us. This could be said for anything. But sometimes we want more than we are actually ready to handle. And if God gave us everything we asked for all the time we would indeed destroy ourselves. This is why God may say no or even wait. At times, if we want something bad enough, God will hand it over to us, for a learning experience that we need for our own growth. Whatever it is that we desire more than what he wants for us can be utilized as a tool for our very own development. Yes the Lord can even use our larger than life appetites to teach us. And believe it or not, death and destruction are involved. Sometimes we have to consume too much of that thing to be sick of it and want it removed (destroyed) from our life. And within us is a sort of death that takes place. A weakening of our spirit that requires us to call or come back to the Lord. And simultaneously, the desire for that thing will die.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Be a Sponge

Matthew 11:25
At that time Jesus said, "I praise you Father," Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

Does it ever seem like children or youth in general are sometimes farther beyond their years? Jesus expressed his gratefulness to our heavenly father for the disciples as they were not exposed to as much knowledge prior to Jesus like the Pharisees. The disciples just wanted to learn. Each time Jesus attempted to instill knowledge to the Pharisees or Sadducees and even those in his own home town, all they looked at was Jesus' age and where he came from. Their mindset was that it was impossible for Jesus to have more knowledge of God than them. Nor could those following him.

Age is not a guarantee of wisdom. God determines the wisdom he will bestow. It is sometimes easier for the Lord to instill the wisdom to the young because they haven't been as shaped with their own experience. They haven't been as shaped by disappointments and their minds are open rather than closed. They are like a sponge and desire to learn like the disciples. Honestly, the more years we've acquired, the less we are willing to learn anything that seems new to us. But God wants to wipe the slate clean. He wants our minds and hearts to be a clean slate so he can teach us not what society and years of disappointment have taught us but to give us a new perspective. The only way we will learn is to let go of the concept of age and just be a sponge.

P.S. Oh what a wonderful time we had on the Leap of Faith Show on yesterday morning!!! A special thank you to Stubbs and Leslie and those who called in!! The Holy Spirit was definitely in control!! I can't wait to do it again with you in July!! Footage from inside the studio will be available on YouTube soon. Happy Belated Father's Day to all the fathers, uncles, cousins and mentors that pour into the lives of those they guide. Also, a special note for those that live in the DC/MD area: Get Your JOY In The Morning is available once again at John 3:16 Christian Bookstore in Lanham by Le Fontainebleau as well as amazon.com, borders.com, cokesbury.com, barnesandnoble.com, familychristian.com, booksamillioninc.com and tatepublishing.com or via special order inside major stores.