When Are You the Most Still?

Do you really believe God will see you through every difficulty? King David did! On his deathbed, he said, “As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my life from every distress.” (1Kings 1:29) WOW! Every distress! We know David certainly had plenty of them. So, how should you and I respond to our greatest difficulties? Psalm 46:10, gives us a hint. The Lord says, “Be still and know that I am God.” When are you the most still? When you’re dead! Try and irritate a dead man. He could care less! Slap him! He won’t even look at you. Why? He’s dead! Paul encouraged us, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Galatians 2:20) Die to your attachment to how your life should turn out, and be still and know God has your life in His hands.

Dying Daily

Would you like to live forever? How many of you want the resurrection life Jesus promised? Those of us, who know Him, certainly do! But, you can’t have resurrection life, until you’re dead! Paul the apostle said, “I die monthly—when the bills come in?” “I die yearly—during tax season?” No, he said, “I die daily!” How often do you die? As little as possible? How can you tell if you’re dead to your own will? Consider these answers: When you’re asleep in a boat in the middle of a storm. When someone slaps you on one cheek, and you turn the other one. When all hell is breaking lose outside, and you’re in total peace because you’re letting Heaven have its way inside. Resurrection Life! It’s what we all want. Die to self and receive it!

Your Biggest Breakthrough

All of us are hoping for a breakthrough. But, what’s the biggest breakthrough each of us really need? Paul the Apostle knew exactly what it was, “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy…” (Acts 20:24a) If something moves you, distracts you, unsettles you, then you can’t finish your race with joy. If you count your life dear to yourself, if you’re more concerned about yourself than God or other people, then you can’t finish your race with joy. The biggest breakthrough you and I really need is called, “none of these things move me!” The Bible says we should “…be steadfast, immoveable!” (1Corinthians 15:58) God’s not trying to change your circumstances. He’s trying to change how you respond to them.

Learning to Walk

Walking is the art of balance. It’s learning to correct a continuous state of imbalance. “Walking,” like life, is a constant “mid-course correction.” It’s a continuous acknowledgement of “I was wrong, but I want to make it right.” Isn’t it funny, that after all of the times we’ve blown it in our lives, we still have trouble admitting when we’re wrong? If we would just realize admitting we’re wrong shouldn’t be deflating. It should be the most positive thing we can do. Walking is a continuous state of admitting, “I was heading in the wrong direction, but now I’m getting back on track.” No one begins by mastering the “art of walking.” Our first steps in life are always wobbly and unstable. But, as time goes by, our walk becomes steady. Eventually . . . we can even carry others.

Lost in the Woods

When my daughter Deborah was about six years old, we went for a walk in the Oregon woods. It wasn’t until it was getting dark that I realized I was lost. Sadly, it doesn’t take much for me to get lost. So I said, “Deborah, I think we’re lost!” She said, “I know how to get us back.” I looked at her for a very long time. She was 6 years old, 3 foot nothing! She could barely tie her shoes. So I said, “Are you absolutely sure, Deborah?” She said, “Yep!” And so, as it was getting really dark, she took me by the hand and led me out of those “dark, scary woods.” It was the beginning of a significant revelation: the next generation will be leading us before we know it, and it will be a good thing.

Healthy Habits

How does someone have a healthy walk with God? The Bible says, walk in the light! “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” (Ephesians 5:8, NKJV) It sounds simple, but how do you walk in the light? Our walk with God is founded on either good or bad habits. And these habits can only be formed by disciplines. Our desires will come and go, but our habits will stick. Why? Because our habits will affect our future! The balanced Christian life is the disciplined Christian life! God can’t change your life until He can change the habits of your life. “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16) God has provided everything we need for each of us to walk in the Spirit.

Humility

Former prisoner of war under the Nazi’s, Corrie ten Boom, was once asked if it was difficult for her to remain humble. Her reply was simple, “When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, on the back of a donkey, and everyone was waving palm branches and throwing garments on the road, and singing praises. Do you think that for one moment the donkey thought any of that was for him?” Everything we have has been given to us. Therefore, we have no reason to glory in ourselves. When we are truly humble, we understand how undeserving we are of the many blessings we’ve been given. The Bible says, “By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches and honor and life.” (Proverbs 22:4) “The branch that bears the most fruit is bent the lowest to the ground.”

Values to Live By

Before I began to pastor fifteen years ago, my wife Suzie and I traveled for 18 years, speaking in hundreds of churches. What we saw changed our lives and shaped our future. The healthiest qualities, seen in the healthiest people and churches, became the best representations of Jesus Christ we’d ever seen. They became our church values, but I believe they are also great values for each of us to live by. Here they are: Be grateful for who God is, and what He’s done for you. That will fill your life with joy. Allow God’s Spirit and Word to make you whole, so that you can fulfill His destiny for you. Following Jesus is more about action than words. Be committed to love, give, serve, and honor those God brings your way.  And lastly, be accountable to others, so that you can finish well.

The Giving Line

What line are you living in: the receiving line, or the giving line? All of us have received many blessings from God. The Bible says, “…He gives to all life, and breath, and all things…” (Acts 17:25, KJV) If we see our lives from God’s perspective, at the end of the day, we’ll realize that none of us have been short-changed. All of us have been overpaid. Each of us has a blessed life! But, it takes faith to trust God—to take Him at His Word. When we stand before Him and see how pure His heart is, we’ll realize He wanted to bless us all along. Don’t spend your life in the receiving line, Jesus promised you’d be happier in the giving line.Having your hands up with gratitude is far more enjoyable than living with your hands out.

Honoring

Everyone’s important to God. We’re all created in His image and likeness—given precious deposits of His character, personality and gifting. Therefore, everyone should be important to us—and treated with respect. Since God believes in honoring, it should be one of our values as well. The Bible says, “Honor all people.” (1Peter 2:17, NKJV) This word “honor” literally means, “to prize, to revere, to value.” Often prejudice comes from lack of honor and respect. We devalue someone else for our own benefit. Honoring and respecting others would completely eliminate prejudice from the planet. But though we honor others, we should never take honor away from God. Likewise, we should never focus on receiving honor for ourselves. In that way, honor is like chewing gum. Enjoy it briefly, but don’t swallow it.

Character

At one point, not too long ago, the Biography Channel examined the lives of people who had genuine accomplishments, now they focus primarily on celebrities. Many people confuse fame with honor. Madonna is famous. Mother Theresa is honored. Newspaper editor Horace Greeley once wrote, “Fame is a vapor. Popularity is an accident and money takes wings. The only thing that endures is character. And the only thing worth honoring is character.” At one point in history, Nero was the Roman Emperor: the most famous man of his day. At the same time, Paul the Apostle was an obscure Jewish Christian leader who wrote a few letters. Virtually no one had heard of Paul, while everybody had heard of Nero. How ironic that, two thousand years later, we name our sons Paul, and our dogs Nero.

Habits That Will Change Your Life

Here are three habits that will change your life: First, come into God’s presence every day. The key to an effective prayer life is to “just show up.” And when you show up, stay there long enough to create a memory. Satan can’t steal a memory of God’s presence. Second, read the Word of God, the Bible, consistently. Ask God to open the eyes of your understanding so that what your head reads, impacts your heart. And number three. Plan your day. List seven things that you’re committed to do today. Why? Because structure creates growth! The Bible says, “…continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of…you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (2Timothy 3:14-15, NKJV)

Made For War

We are made for war! I’m talking about spiritual warfare. Yet, the Bible assures: God’s Spirit will give us the strength we need to tear down strongholds, uproot lies, and have hearts and minds filled with eternal truth. God promises to set us free. So, don’t resist or fear the struggle. Embrace it! If you respond well it will bring out your best.

In eternity, when the backside of our life quilt is revealed, we’ll see the true value of the most entangled moments in our lives. They were obscured for a season from our understanding, yet designed to showcase the wisdom of a loving Creator who, before we breathed even one breath or fought a single battle, determined “…in all these things we are (called to be) more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37, NKJV)

Your Future Is Bright

One night, when I was struggling with pressures the enemy tried to tell me were insurmountable, the Lord flashed my memory with glimpses of the many times He’d saved me from near-death experiences: the out of control “360” on an icy highway; the galloping horse that barely skidded to a stop on a muddy field; when, on hallucinogenics, a friend grabbed my arm to keep me from jumping off a Rocky Mountain cliff into class 5 rapids I thought looked like marshmallows; the desperate time as a suicidal atheist I wandered into a desert to end my life. Over and over again He reminded me of His saving grace… His unfailing love… “His merciful kindness, which is so great toward us.” (Psalm 117:2) “Through the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.” (Lamentations 3:22, NKJV) I’m blessed…with a bright future! So are you!

Making Your Life Meaningful

Writer Tennessee Williams was once asked, “What’s the secret to happiness?” His misguided response was one word, “insensitivity.” In other words, don’t let anyone or anything affect you enough to rob you of your happiness. Hmm? Is becoming completely insensitive to the world around you really the key to happiness? I don’t think so!

I like what Jesus said about happiness far better. If happiness does exist, as the God who created genuine happiness, He’d certainly know how to find it.

In Acts 20:35, the Amplified Bible quotes Jesus saying “It is more blessed – makes one happier and more to be envied – to give than to receive.” Happiness is not getting all you can, it’s learning to give all God asks. God’s not trying to make your life livable, He wants to make it meaningful.

The Terrible Two’s

There’s a syndrome that some two year olds experience. It’s called, “You exist to bless me.” Perhaps that’s why it’s called the “terrible two’s.” As parents, we know that part of the process of successfully raising children is to transition them from being “natural-born takers” into being “supernatural givers.” There’s no learning process in “taking.” We’re all born “master-takers.” Yet, the only way we can fully experience the greatest fulfillment in life is to learn how to give.

Sadly, there are some adults who have attitudes that resemble the terrible two’s. Their life becomes a self-absorbed time warp—thinking God exists to bless them. Though God is a blessing to me, He doesn’t exist to bless me. Teaching us to give is not God’s way of raising money. It’s God’s way of raising children.

Values and Destiny

Your values will control your destiny. Your values are not just “what you believe,” they’re “how you live!” To determine what your values should be, you need to see them in light of eternity.

So where do we get our values? There are only two places: the world or the Word. The world or culture often focuses on what we can get. The Word become flesh, Jesus, came to serve and not be served. He came to give, and not primarily to receive.

This is why the Bible says so clearly, don’t imitate the culture’s morality, don’t “…be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2, NKJV)

Heaven and Earth will eventually pass away, but God’s Word will last forever. (Matthew 24:35)

What Are You Living For?

What drives your life? What moves you? What are you living for? The apostle Paul knew exactly why he was alive, He said, “For to me, to live is Christ…” (Philippians 1:21, NKJV) What would you say? “For me to live is shopping, or Monday night football?” “For me to live is my children, or my career?”

We can see what we are living for, our treasure, in what we give our heart to.

Jesus said, “…seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33, NKJV) There’s no need to worry about whether you’ll be provided for, God promises to meet our needs if our focus is on Jesus and advancing His Kingdom, and not our own.

Know this for sure: only your Creator can perfectly guide and bless your life.

Jesus and Money

Is money important to you? Of course it is! Jesus knew, “…where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21, NKJV) That’s why 15% of His recorded words, in some way, referred to money.

When wealthy Zacheus, the tax collector, said he would give half of his money to the poor, and pay back four times those he had cheated, Jesus didn’t say, “Hey, great Idea!” He said, “Today salvation has come to this house…” (Luke 19:9, NKJV)

Former Chaplain of the U.S. Senate, Richard Halverson wrote, “Jesus Christ said more about money than about any other single thing because, when it comes to a man’s real nature, money is of first importance. Money is an exact index of a man’s true character.”

The truth is, unless Jesus is Lord over our money and possessions, He’s not really our Lord.

Making Your Life a “Get To”

God’s a total giver! Does He have to give? Absolutely not! He owns everything!

The Bible says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him.” (Psalm 24:1, NLT) God doesn’t want to make your life a “have to,” He delights in making it a glorious “get to.”

Every blessing we have is because of His grace. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:17, NKJV)

God’s looking for people who are willing to distribute his products: His love, His joy, His peace, His forgiveness, His kindness. He’ll bless anyone who’s willing to stay unattached to the things He gives them. Many times, He wants us just to be intermediaries, to be “flowing rivers of blessing,” and not  “stagnant ponds of entitlement.”

God’s a Giver

What kind of person is God? He’s a giver! Not a grandstanding giver, but someone who’s willing to give in obscurity. It’s easy to take that for granted. God doesn’t have rays of light advertising: “This morning’s sunrise is brought to you by God,” or flowers stamped, “Made in Heaven.”

Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you…” (Luke 6:38, NKJV) God could have just said, “Give, and don’t ask Me why! Give, or else!” God motivates us to change with love and rewards. That’s why He said, “Give, and it will be given to you…” It’s the goodness of God that inspires us to change. (Romans 2:4)

Today, don’t make what God has asked you to do a reluctant “have to.” See your life from His perspective, and make it a glorious “get to.”

Eternal Faith

We have all been seduced by the worthless: we tend to seek what lasts for a moment; and ignore the priceless: that which God created to remain forever. John Wesley said it so well: “We should only value things by the price they shall gain in eternity.”

Everything we see with our natural eyes is temporary, lasting but a few moments compared to eternity; while all that is eternal is invisible, and accessed only by faith. Invisible faith gives us the victory to overcome the seductions in this world (1John 5:4). Genuine “…faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1, NET)

For only by faith in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection are we able to receive not just everlasting life, but access to the abundant life Jesus promised, right here on Earth.

Hope vs. Concern

Each of us is in a battle, every day. One of our chief struggles is between hope and concern. Is your heart filled with more hope, or concern? Would any of us want a doctor who was more concerned about our health than filled with hope? How about God? When He thinks of you, is He more concerned…or filled with hope? It’s an important question. It will shape your day and even your joy.

The Bible doesn’t say God is a God of concern, it says emphatically He’s a God of hope. I take comfort in that every day. Why? Because, it’s the truth!

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13, NKJV)

Hide and Seek

Ever play “hide and seek” when you were a child. It was fun! But it’s not just for children. God wants to play “hide and seek” with you every day. The Bible says, “It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.” (Proverbs 25:2, ESV) and, “You will seek me and find me. When you seek me with all your heart…” (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Jesus added, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7, NKJV) and even shared the same principle in a parable, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (Matthew 13:44, NKJV) God’s hiding today; go find Him!

Made For War

We are made for war! I’m talking about spiritual warfare. Yet, the Bible assures: God’s Spirit will give us the strength we need to tear down strongholds, uproot lies, and have hearts and minds filled with eternal truth. God promises to set us free. So, don’t resist or fear the struggle. Embrace it! If you respond well it will bring out your best.

In eternity, when the backside of our life quilt is revealed, we’ll see the true value of the most entangled moments in our lives. They were obscured for a season from our understanding, yet designed to showcase the wisdom of a loving Creator who, before we breathed even one breath or fought a single battle, determined “…in all these things we are (called to be) more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37, NKJV)

Your Future Is Bright

One night, when I was struggling with pressures the enemy tried to tell me were insurmountable, the Lord flashed my memory with glimpses of the many times He’d saved me from near-death experiences: the out of control “360” on an icy highway; the galloping horse that barely skidded to a stop on a muddy field; when, on hallucinogenics, a friend grabbed my arm to keep me from jumping off a Rocky Mountain cliff into class 5 rapids I thought looked like marshmallows; the desperate time as a suicidal atheist I wandered into a desert to end my life. Over and over again He reminded me of His saving grace… His unfailing love… “His merciful kindness, which is so great toward us.” (Psalm 117:2) “Through the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.” (Lamentations 3:22, NKJV) I’m blessed…with a bright future! So are you!

Making Your Life Meaningful

Writer Tennessee Williams was once asked, “What’s the secret to happiness?” His misguided response was one word, “insensitivity.” In other words, don’t let anyone or anything affect you enough to rob you of your happiness. Hmm? Is becoming completely insensitive to the world around you really the key to happiness? I don’t think so!

I like what Jesus said about happiness far better. If happiness does exist, as the God who created genuine happiness, He’d certainly know how to find it.

In Acts 20:35, the Amplified Bible quotes Jesus saying “It is more blessed – makes one happier and more to be envied – to give than to receive.” Happiness is not getting all you can, it’s learning to give all God asks. God’s not trying to make your life livable, He wants to make it meaningful.

The Terrible Two’s

There’s a syndrome that some two year olds experience. It’s called, “You exist to bless me.” Perhaps that’s why it’s called the “terrible two’s.” As parents, we know that part of the process of successfully raising children is to transition them from being “natural-born takers” into being “supernatural givers.” There’s no learning process in “taking.” We’re all born “master-takers.” Yet, the only way we can fully experience the greatest fulfillment in life is to learn how to give.

Sadly, there are some adults who have attitudes that resemble the terrible two’s. Their life becomes a self-absorbed time warp—thinking God exists to bless them. Though God is a blessing to me, He doesn’t exist to bless me. Teaching us to give is not God’s way of raising money. It’s God’s way of raising children.

Values and Destiny

Your values will control your destiny. Your values are not just “what you believe,” they’re “how you live!” To determine what your values should be, you need to see them in light of eternity.

So where do we get our values? There are only two places: the world or the Word. The world or culture often focuses on what we can get. The Word become flesh, Jesus, came to serve and not be served. He came to give, and not primarily to receive.

This is why the Bible says so clearly, don’t imitate the culture’s morality, don’t “…be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2, NKJV)

Heaven and Earth will eventually pass away, but God’s Word will last forever. (Matthew 24:35)

What Are You Living For?

What drives your life? What moves you? What are you living for? The apostle Paul knew exactly why he was alive, He said, “For to me, to live is Christ…” (Philippians 1:21, NKJV) What would you say? “For me to live is shopping, or Monday night football?” “For me to live is my children, or my career?”

We can see what we are living for, our treasure, in what we give our heart to.

Jesus said, “…seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33, NKJV) There’s no need to worry about whether you’ll be provided for, God promises to meet our needs if our focus is on Jesus and advancing His Kingdom, and not our own.

Know this for sure: only your Creator can perfectly guide and bless your life.

Jesus and Money

Is money important to you? Of course it is! Jesus knew, “…where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21, NKJV) That’s why 15% of His recorded words, in some way, referred to money.

When wealthy Zacheus, the tax collector, said he would give half of his money to the poor, and pay back four times those he had cheated, Jesus didn’t say, “Hey, great Idea!” He said, “Today salvation has come to this house…” (Luke 19:9, NKJV)

Former Chaplain of the U.S. Senate, Richard Halverson wrote, “Jesus Christ said more about money than about any other single thing because, when it comes to a man’s real nature, money is of first importance. Money is an exact index of a man’s true character.”

The truth is, unless Jesus is Lord over our money and possessions, He’s not really our Lord.

Making Your Life a “Get To”

God’s a total giver! Does He have to give? Absolutely not! He owns everything!

The Bible says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him.” (Psalm 24:1, NLT) God doesn’t want to make your life a “have to,” He delights in making it a glorious “get to.”

Every blessing we have is because of His grace. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:17, NKJV)

God’s looking for people who are willing to distribute his products: His love, His joy, His peace, His forgiveness, His kindness. He’ll bless anyone who’s willing to stay unattached to the things He gives them. Many times, He wants us just to be intermediaries, to be “flowing rivers of blessing,” and not  “stagnant ponds of entitlement.”

God’s a Giver

What kind of person is God? He’s a giver! Not a grandstanding giver, but someone who’s willing to give in obscurity. It’s easy to take that for granted. God doesn’t have rays of light advertising: “This morning’s sunrise is brought to you by God,” or flowers stamped, “Made in Heaven.”

Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you…” (Luke 6:38, NKJV) God could have just said, “Give, and don’t ask Me why! Give, or else!” God motivates us to change with love and rewards. That’s why He said, “Give, and it will be given to you…” It’s the goodness of God that inspires us to change. (Romans 2:4)

Today, don’t make what God has asked you to do a reluctant “have to.” See your life from His perspective, and make it a glorious “get to.”

Eternal Faith

We have all been seduced by the worthless: we tend to seek what lasts for a moment; and ignore the priceless: that which God created to remain forever. John Wesley said it so well: “We should only value things by the price they shall gain in eternity.”

Everything we see with our natural eyes is temporary, lasting but a few moments compared to eternity; while all that is eternal is invisible, and accessed only by faith. Invisible faith gives us the victory to overcome the seductions in this world (1John 5:4). Genuine “…faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1, NET)

For only by faith in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection are we able to receive not just everlasting life, but access to the abundant life Jesus promised, right here on Earth.

Hope vs. Concern

Each of us is in a battle, every day. One of our chief struggles is between hope and concern. Is your heart filled with more hope, or concern? Would any of us want a doctor who was more concerned about our health than filled with hope? How about God? When He thinks of you, is He more concerned…or filled with hope? It’s an important question. It will shape your day and even your joy.

The Bible doesn’t say God is a God of concern, it says emphatically He’s a God of hope. I take comfort in that every day. Why? Because, it’s the truth!

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13, NKJV)

Hide and Seek

Ever play “hide and seek” when you were a child. It was fun! But it’s not just for children. God wants to play “hide and seek” with you every day. The Bible says, “It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.” (Proverbs 25:2, ESV) and, “You will seek me and find me. When you seek me with all your heart…” (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Jesus added, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7, NKJV) and even shared the same principle in a parable, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (Matthew 13:44, NKJV) God’s hiding today; go find Him!

30-Day Oatmeal Diet

A missionary got very ill on the mission field. Adding to her difficulties, her monthly check didn’t come. Here she was: very sick, without any money to buy food. All she could afford to eat was oatmeal.

It made her sad, that in the middle of her great need, God wasn’t helping her. But within a month she fully recovered, and money arrived. Later, back in her home country, she was speaking to a group of people somewhat disparagingly about her life. She told of the hardships she had gone through with her illness and how her funds were delayed.

After the meeting, a doctor came up and asked her questions about her illness, concluding: “Thank God your check didn’t come in! The only cure for what you had is: a 30 day oatmeal diet!”

What’s the principle? God’s never failed us, though it may take awhile to see it.

We Are God’s Masterpiece

A man was attracted to a rock he found in a stream. He brought it home and, for a long time, he made it a doorstop in his house. One day, a geologist visited him and saw the rock. He identified it as pure gold. It was the largest piece of gold ever found east of the Mississippi River.

It was a doorstop in someone’s home. Considered insignificant! Worthless!

He didn’t know what he had! Do you know what you have? Do you really believe you are insignificant to God? Worthless? Nothing could be further from the truth. The truth is, what the Bible teaches, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)

Body-Slams of Life

How would you describe yourself: a wounded victim, or a scarred warrior?

How we respond to life’s body-slams makes all of the difference on how fruitful we are in life.

The Message Bible paraphrases the following verses in Corinthians that Paul wrote after challenging the church in a previous letter. “Now I’m glad—not that you were upset, but that you were jarred into turning things around. You let the distress bring you to God, not drive you from him. The result was all gain, no loss. Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. It gets us back in the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain.” (2Corinthains 7:9-10, The Message)

Don’t be a victim; rejoice in each struggle that brings you closer to God.

God’s Love Never Changes

If you’re a follower of Jesus, think back to one minute before you gave your life to Him. Did God love you then? Was He smiling or frowning? Did He suddenly have a cosmic epiphany and realize He was head over heals in love with you? NO! God loved you as much one minute before you received Jesus, as He did one minute after.

God’s so excited about the life He’s given you, even your greatest challenges, He’ll settle for nothing less than you loving it too.

So, how do you learn to love your life? You’ll love your life when you know God’s always pleased with you and never disappointed; not everything you do, but everything you are. “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, NKJV)

God’s Thoughts About You

When God thinks of you, is He sad or glad?

God may be saddened over what you do, but He’s never disappointed in who you are. God’s not disillusioned with you, because He had no illusions about who you were to begin with.

How can you surprise a God who sees past, present and future simultaneously?

He lives in a perfect place of complete understanding of your past, total acceptance of your present, and absolute hope for your future.

How can you disappoint someone who is all knowing and ever in your favor? The psalmist describes God’s thoughts toward us so clearly, “How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand…” (Psalm 139:17, NKJV)

This verse makes it clear: God’s infinite thoughts about you are precious.

Finding the Will of God

At one point in my life, as a young Christian, I was really struggling with finding the will of God for my life. Because of a number of strong voices telling me what I should, and shouldn’t do, I was emotionally distraught about missing His will. In tears, I asked my pastor for advice. What he shared with me has guided my life through countless decisions over three decades. He said, “Francis, it is impossible for you and I to miss God’s will if we desperately want His will more than anything else.” Wow! What a word!

God, as a loving Father, exercises His great power on our behalf, as Paul wrote, “…I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” (2Timothy 1:12, NKJV)

Being On God’s Side

I once asked a great leader how he was able to accomplish so much in his busy life. His answer was one word: FOCUS.

Light can either be dissipated or focused…a floodlight or a laser beam. In a similar way, passion is pain, which has been harnessed. It’s pain that’s been focused. Only then can we see its true value and God’s purpose in the hardest parts of life.

We can’t change our quality of life until we change our focus. Oh, that we would see Jesus! When we focus on seeing Him in our circumstances, it changes everything! It transforms our lives from tolerable to abundant!

Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10, NKJV)

Focus on being on God’s side, rather than asking Him to be on yours.

As Loved As Jesus

As a young Christian, I battled with the thought that I was insignificant to God. Why? Because, growing up, I was one of my natural father’s afterthoughts.

He was so busy in politics trying to find his identity; my twin brother and I were discarded. I thought, “If my natural father loved me, it was probably out of obligation.” I assumed God’s love must be the same.

I remember as a young boy writing letters during two-month long summer camps, begging someone to come visit me. Drawing a sad little face with tears coming down. God seemed as distant as my father was in those days.

But now I know, nothing could be further from the truth.

Jesus said, “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.” (John 15:9, NKJV) We are as loved by the Father as Jesus. Believe it!

Receiving God’s Love

Do you believe your mistakes have disqualified you? If anyone could have thought that, it would have been the apostle Peter. He’s a perfect example of someone who blew it, just like each of us, but God restored him.

Peter thought he was disqualified, after denying the Lord three times. How would you feel if in their greatest hour of need, you deserted your best friend? Well, that’s exactly how Peter must have felt. And that’s why the angel, after the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, said, “…go, tell His disciples––and Peter––that Jesus is going before you…” (Mark 16:7, NKJV) …and Peter…

Whatever you’ve done? Whatever you think disqualifies you from receiving God’s love and forgiveness? Remember, if God could forgive Peter for his sins, He can forgive you too.

We Are Beautiful To God

Do you believe you are beautiful to God…greatly loved and treasured? It’s the doorway to experiencing the greatest joy in life.

If we believe as God states, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26, NKJV) then we are each beautiful, at least to God. Certainly, the God who made all that is beautiful on Earth must be beautiful Himself.

If we say, we’re not beautiful, then we are assuming God isn’t beautiful as well. The truth is, our identity rests in the fact that a beautiful God created us and loves us. As beautiful as Jesus is, so is His spotless bride.

In the Song of Solomon God says, “You are all fair, my love, and there is no spot in you.” (Song of Solomon 4:7, NKJV) Jesus, the perfect Groom, has set His gaze, His affections, and His adoration upon His perfect Bride to be.

Eternal Pleasures

We live in a world that worship’s pleasure. But worshipping pleasure will destroy you. Actually, worshipping anything other than God will leave you empty. The Bible says, “He who loves pleasure will be a poor man…” (Proverbs 21:17, NKJV)

All addictions to pleasure are misguided attempts to fill the void left by not being intimately connected with our Creator. Every person who is addicted to a destructive habit really needs God. Every woman who pursues romance with the wrong person is really looking for the love of God. Every teenager who is more attached to pleasing his friends over doing what’s right is looking for God.

Have you found what you’re looking for? His name is Jesus, Your Creator. As the psalmist wrote, “In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11, NKJV)

30-Day Oatmeal Diet

A missionary got very ill on the mission field. Adding to her difficulties, her monthly check didn’t come. Here she was: very sick, without any money to buy food. All she could afford to eat was oatmeal.

It made her sad, that in the middle of her great need, God wasn’t helping her. But within a month she fully recovered, and money arrived. Later, back in her home country, she was speaking to a group of people somewhat disparagingly about her life. She told of the hardships she had gone through with her illness and how her funds were delayed.

After the meeting, a doctor came up and asked her questions about her illness, concluding: “Thank God your check didn’t come in! The only cure for what you had is: a 30 day oatmeal diet!”

What’s the principle? God’s never failed us, though it may take awhile to see it.

We Are God’s Masterpiece

A man was attracted to a rock he found in a stream. He brought it home and, for a long time, he made it a doorstop in his house. One day, a geologist visited him and saw the rock. He identified it as pure gold. It was the largest piece of gold ever found east of the Mississippi River.

It was a doorstop in someone’s home. Considered insignificant! Worthless!

He didn’t know what he had! Do you know what you have? Do you really believe you are insignificant to God? Worthless? Nothing could be further from the truth. The truth is, what the Bible teaches, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)

Body-Slams of Life

How would you describe yourself: a wounded victim, or a scarred warrior?

How we respond to life’s body-slams makes all of the difference on how fruitful we are in life.

The Message Bible paraphrases the following verses in Corinthians that Paul wrote after challenging the church in a previous letter. “Now I’m glad—not that you were upset, but that you were jarred into turning things around. You let the distress bring you to God, not drive you from him. The result was all gain, no loss. Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. It gets us back in the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain.” (2Corinthains 7:9-10, The Message)

Don’t be a victim; rejoice in each struggle that brings you closer to God.

God’s Love Never Changes

If you’re a follower of Jesus, think back to one minute before you gave your life to Him. Did God love you then? Was He smiling or frowning? Did He suddenly have a cosmic epiphany and realize He was head over heals in love with you? NO! God loved you as much one minute before you received Jesus, as He did one minute after.

God’s so excited about the life He’s given you, even your greatest challenges, He’ll settle for nothing less than you loving it too.

So, how do you learn to love your life? You’ll love your life when you know God’s always pleased with you and never disappointed; not everything you do, but everything you are. “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, NKJV)

God’s Thoughts About You

When God thinks of you, is He sad or glad?

God may be saddened over what you do, but He’s never disappointed in who you are. God’s not disillusioned with you, because He had no illusions about who you were to begin with.

How can you surprise a God who sees past, present and future simultaneously?

He lives in a perfect place of complete understanding of your past, total acceptance of your present, and absolute hope for your future.

How can you disappoint someone who is all knowing and ever in your favor? The psalmist describes God’s thoughts toward us so clearly, “How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand…” (Psalm 139:17, NKJV)

This verse makes it clear: God’s infinite thoughts about you are precious.

Finding the Will of God

At one point in my life, as a young Christian, I was really struggling with finding the will of God for my life. Because of a number of strong voices telling me what I should, and shouldn’t do, I was emotionally distraught about missing His will. In tears, I asked my pastor for advice. What he shared with me has guided my life through countless decisions over three decades. He said, “Francis, it is impossible for you and I to miss God’s will if we desperately want His will more than anything else.” Wow! What a word!

God, as a loving Father, exercises His great power on our behalf, as Paul wrote, “…I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” (2Timothy 1:12, NKJV)

Being On God’s Side

I once asked a great leader how he was able to accomplish so much in his busy life. His answer was one word: FOCUS.

Light can either be dissipated or focused…a floodlight or a laser beam. In a similar way, passion is pain, which has been harnessed. It’s pain that’s been focused. Only then can we see its true value and God’s purpose in the hardest parts of life.

We can’t change our quality of life until we change our focus. Oh, that we would see Jesus! When we focus on seeing Him in our circumstances, it changes everything! It transforms our lives from tolerable to abundant!

Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10, NKJV)

Focus on being on God’s side, rather than asking Him to be on yours.

As Loved As Jesus

As a young Christian, I battled with the thought that I was insignificant to God. Why? Because, growing up, I was one of my natural father’s afterthoughts.

He was so busy in politics trying to find his identity; my twin brother and I were discarded. I thought, “If my natural father loved me, it was probably out of obligation.” I assumed God’s love must be the same.

I remember as a young boy writing letters during two-month long summer camps, begging someone to come visit me. Drawing a sad little face with tears coming down. God seemed as distant as my father was in those days.

But now I know, nothing could be further from the truth.

Jesus said, “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.” (John 15:9, NKJV) We are as loved by the Father as Jesus. Believe it!

Receiving God’s Love

Do you believe your mistakes have disqualified you? If anyone could have thought that, it would have been the apostle Peter. He’s a perfect example of someone who blew it, just like each of us, but God restored him.

Peter thought he was disqualified, after denying the Lord three times. How would you feel if in their greatest hour of need, you deserted your best friend? Well, that’s exactly how Peter must have felt. And that’s why the angel, after the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, said, “…go, tell His disciples––and Peter––that Jesus is going before you…” (Mark 16:7, NKJV) …and Peter…

Whatever you’ve done? Whatever you think disqualifies you from receiving God’s love and forgiveness? Remember, if God could forgive Peter for his sins, He can forgive you too.

We Are Beautiful To God

Do you believe you are beautiful to God…greatly loved and treasured? It’s the doorway to experiencing the greatest joy in life.

If we believe as God states, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26, NKJV) then we are each beautiful, at least to God. Certainly, the God who made all that is beautiful on Earth must be beautiful Himself.

If we say, we’re not beautiful, then we are assuming God isn’t beautiful as well. The truth is, our identity rests in the fact that a beautiful God created us and loves us. As beautiful as Jesus is, so is His spotless bride.

In the Song of Solomon God says, “You are all fair, my love, and there is no spot in you.” (Song of Solomon 4:7, NKJV) Jesus, the perfect Groom, has set His gaze, His affections, and His adoration upon His perfect Bride to be.

Eternal Pleasures

We live in a world that worship’s pleasure. But worshipping pleasure will destroy you. Actually, worshipping anything other than God will leave you empty. The Bible says, “He who loves pleasure will be a poor man…” (Proverbs 21:17, NKJV)

All addictions to pleasure are misguided attempts to fill the void left by not being intimately connected with our Creator. Every person who is addicted to a destructive habit really needs God. Every woman who pursues romance with the wrong person is really looking for the love of God. Every teenager who is more attached to pleasing his friends over doing what’s right is looking for God.

Have you found what you’re looking for? His name is Jesus, Your Creator. As the psalmist wrote, “In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11, NKJV)

Learning To Love

Imagine if learning to love were as simple as buying a software program when your heart was empty, or upgrading your “heart drive” when you needed more love. What if we could instantly wipe away past hurts, insecurities and resentments. Wouldn’t that be nice? But learning to love just isn’t that easy.

Actually, it takes a miracle to really love—a miracle only God can perform. Thankfully, it’s one He not only wants to do in us, it’s a miracle He began on the cross and perfectly completed in His resurrection. His sinless life, sacrificial death, and transforming resurrection give us the power to love as He loved—unconditionally, to forgive as He forgave, even to love the “un-loveable”. This pure kind of love may take a lifetime to learn, but it begins the moment we let Jesus become the Lord of our lives.

Loving Your Enemies

Of all the categories of people we might consider un-loveable, our enemies would seem the most difficult to love. That’s why Jesus shocked the world when He said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, for if you love those who love you, what reward have you?” (Matthew 5:43-45)

The longer you live, the more you realize that everyone gets hurt. Why? Because hurt people, hurt people. But the good news is: healed people heal people. The real question is, “How do I get healed?” And the real answer is, allow Jesus, the great Healer, to become Lord of your life.

Unconditional Love

We’ve all heard of unconditional love. But what does it really mean? In order to understand it, we have to go to the source of unconditional love; a source that emanates from only one place: the heart of God. In the book of Jeremiah God says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” (Jeremiah 31:3, NKJV)

What does that mean?—something beyond your wildest dreams! God’s saying, “There’s nothing you could ever do that would cause Me to stop loving you. There’s nothing you could ever do to make Me love you more, and there’s nothing you could ever do to make Me love you love you less. My love for you is everlasting, imperishable, unwavering.”

What could compare to receiving unconditional love? One thing: unconditionally loving others! And only Jesus can make that possible.

Mother Teresa, Speaks of “Trust”

A man visited the House of the Dying in Calcutta, India to find out how to best spend the rest of his life. When he met Mother Teresa he asked her to pray for him.

“What do you want me to pray for?” she responded. He then shared the most pressing burden on his heart, “Pray that I may have clarity.”

Mother Teresa responded firmly, “No, I will not do that.” Surprised, he asked her why. She told him, “Clarity is the last thing you are clinging to and must let go of.”

“But, you always seem to have the clarity I long for.” She laughed and said, “I have never had clarity; what I have always had is trust. So I will pray that you trust God.”

Trust believes God has all of the clarity we’ll ever need.

Perspective! Perspective! Perspective!

In real estate it’s all about, “Location! Location! Location!”

In knowing God it’s all about, “Perspective! Perspective! Perspective!”

When we trust God, we’re able to see Him working in our circumstances, because we finally see our lives from His perspective; and when we see life from God’s perspective, at last, we see God working in our lives.

But all of this will take one word: trust, and precious few people trust God enough to believe that what He allows will work for their good. Most people spend their lives wishing something different were happening to them.

Trust Jesus! Let Him guide every aspect of your life, and you’ll learn to love the life He’s given you. Why? Because He does! “…it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13, NKJV)

God’s Wonderful Gift!

At times I’ve wondered, “God, are you moving in some people’s lives more than others?” The answer is, “Yes, but it’s not God’s desire!”

God wants to move in each of our lives equally, but He can only work in me, if I allow Him to. So, “Yes, God moves in some people’s lives more than others.” Why? Because God responds to faith! The Bible says in the book of Hebrews, “…without faith it is impossible to please God…” (Hebrews 11:6, NKJV) and then in the book of James, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8, NKJV)

We are each given an equal opportunity to get to know God. It is His greatest desire for us, and our greatest joy!

May we take advantage of this: God’s most wonderful gift!

Faith vs. Fear

Faith draws us closer to what we believe, while fear pushes us further away. Faith is what God uses to build His kingdom. Fear is what Satan uses to establish his. Both faith and fear are unknowns, but our actions will reflect what we really believe. Fear would have us draw back and merely worry about our future. Faith calls us forward to trust that the God who is calling us onward will provide all of the resources we will ever need.

The choice between faith and fear is always up to us. God has never made a decision based on fear, nor should we. Don’t react to a fear-based economy, rather respond in faith to His Word that says, “…my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19, NIV)

First It Is Impossible

Don’t be surprised if God asks you do something you’ve never done before.

Noah stepped out in faith, even though he hadn’t seen many of the things set before him.

God said, “Noah, build Me an ark.” Noah responded, “God, what’s an ark?”

God answered, “It’s the big boat you’re going to need when the flood comes.”

Noah again replied, “God, what’s a flood?”

“It’s going to rain so much that the whole earth is going to be covered with water.”

One more time Noah exclaimed, “God, by the way, what’s rain?”

God has surprises ahead for all of us. Some of them will seem impossible.

As the great missionary Hudson Taylor would often say, “First it is impossible. Then it is difficult. Then it is done.” “Jesus…said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” (Matthew 19:26, NKJV)

Do You Need a Miracle?

Do you need a miracle? If you don’t need one right now, I’m sure you will one day. Each of us will need a miracle from God, and often.

When Moses and three million Israelites journeyed through the wilderness, miracles were a constant. Every day they needed 1,500 tons of food, four thousand tons of wood for cooking, and 11,000,000 gallons of water for drinking and washing. They needed all of this, each and every day for 40 years.

No one knows your needs more than God. And know one wants to help you more than He does.

So, don’t be afraid to ask Him for what He does best: miracles.

Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7, NIV)

Disillusionment

Are you disillusioned about your life? Frustrated because something’s not happening.

Disillusionment comes when reality doesn’t match our hopes and expectations.

At times it’s because we wish we had a different life; we think our best days are behind us; we believe our past mistakes have disqualified us from having a great future, or that we’ll never be happy.

Something’s terribly wrong when we don’t look forward to getting up in the morning; when we don’t love the life God’s given us; when we believe all of the lies I just said.

The truth is, no past mistake can disqualify us from the wonderful plan God has for our lives; God has our future in His all-caring, all-powerful hands and He is rooting for us to succeed.. As the Psalmist wrote, “This I know, that God is for me.” (Psalm 56:9, NKJV)

Troubles

We were born for trouble! Frankly, our souls are being molded into the image of God when we’re in trouble! I know I don’t know what’s best because of the way I treat my friends when they’re in trouble. I’d bail them out of every crisis they’d ever encounter. If it were up to me, I’d spoil the whole planet.

But there are some problems you can’t fix, because God doesn’t want them fixed. God’s far more interested in fixing us than fixing our problems.

Sometimes, He’s even the author of our problems. We’re saying, “God, stop the problem!” He’s saying, “Begin to understand what I’m doing.”

At one point, Jesus said, “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came!” (John 12:27, NLT)

Thank God for your troubles!

Do You Know What You Have?

Do you ever feel like you’re missing out—that life has shortchanged you?

William Randolph Hearst, of Hearst Castle fame, invested a fortune collecting art treasures from around the world. One day he read about a valuable art piece.

Hearst then sent an agent to Europe to find it. After months of searching, the agent reported that he had finally located the treasure. It was found in Hearst’s own warehouse.

He had been searching all over the world for a treasure he already owned.

Do you know what you have? Do you know what Jesus purchased for you?

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1John 3:1, NKJV)

None of us have been shortchanged. We’ve all been lavishly overpaid.

Learning To Love

Imagine if learning to love were as simple as buying a software program when your heart was empty, or upgrading your “heart drive” when you needed more love. What if we could instantly wipe away past hurts, insecurities and resentments. Wouldn’t that be nice? But learning to love just isn’t that easy.

Actually, it takes a miracle to really love—a miracle only God can perform. Thankfully, it’s one He not only wants to do in us, it’s a miracle He began on the cross and perfectly completed in His resurrection. His sinless life, sacrificial death, and transforming resurrection give us the power to love as He loved—unconditionally, to forgive as He forgave, even to love the “un-loveable”. This pure kind of love may take a lifetime to learn, but it begins the moment we let Jesus become the Lord of our lives.

Loving Your Enemies

Of all the categories of people we might consider un-loveable, our enemies would seem the most difficult to love. That’s why Jesus shocked the world when He said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, for if you love those who love you, what reward have you?” (Matthew 5:43-45)

The longer you live, the more you realize that everyone gets hurt. Why? Because hurt people, hurt people. But the good news is: healed people heal people. The real question is, “How do I get healed?” And the real answer is, allow Jesus, the great Healer, to become Lord of your life.

Unconditional Love

We’ve all heard of unconditional love. But what does it really mean? In order to understand it, we have to go to the source of unconditional love; a source that emanates from only one place: the heart of God. In the book of Jeremiah God says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” (Jeremiah 31:3, NKJV)

What does that mean?—something beyond your wildest dreams! God’s saying, “There’s nothing you could ever do that would cause Me to stop loving you. There’s nothing you could ever do to make Me love you more, and there’s nothing you could ever do to make Me love you love you less. My love for you is everlasting, imperishable, unwavering.”

What could compare to receiving unconditional love? One thing: unconditionally loving others! And only Jesus can make that possible.

Mother Teresa, Speaks of “Trust”

A man visited the House of the Dying in Calcutta, India to find out how to best spend the rest of his life. When he met Mother Teresa he asked her to pray for him.

“What do you want me to pray for?” she responded. He then shared the most pressing burden on his heart, “Pray that I may have clarity.”

Mother Teresa responded firmly, “No, I will not do that.” Surprised, he asked her why. She told him, “Clarity is the last thing you are clinging to and must let go of.”

“But, you always seem to have the clarity I long for.” She laughed and said, “I have never had clarity; what I have always had is trust. So I will pray that you trust God.”

Trust believes God has all of the clarity we’ll ever need.

Perspective! Perspective! Perspective!

In real estate it’s all about, “Location! Location! Location!”

In knowing God it’s all about, “Perspective! Perspective! Perspective!”

When we trust God, we’re able to see Him working in our circumstances, because we finally see our lives from His perspective; and when we see life from God’s perspective, at last, we see God working in our lives.

But all of this will take one word: trust, and precious few people trust God enough to believe that what He allows will work for their good. Most people spend their lives wishing something different were happening to them.

Trust Jesus! Let Him guide every aspect of your life, and you’ll learn to love the life He’s given you. Why? Because He does! “…it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13, NKJV)

God’s Wonderful Gift!

At times I’ve wondered, “God, are you moving in some people’s lives more than others?” The answer is, “Yes, but it’s not God’s desire!”

God wants to move in each of our lives equally, but He can only work in me, if I allow Him to. So, “Yes, God moves in some people’s lives more than others.” Why? Because God responds to faith! The Bible says in the book of Hebrews, “…without faith it is impossible to please God…” (Hebrews 11:6, NKJV) and then in the book of James, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8, NKJV)

We are each given an equal opportunity to get to know God. It is His greatest desire for us, and our greatest joy!

May we take advantage of this: God’s most wonderful gift!

Faith vs. Fear

Faith draws us closer to what we believe, while fear pushes us further away. Faith is what God uses to build His kingdom. Fear is what Satan uses to establish his. Both faith and fear are unknowns, but our actions will reflect what we really believe. Fear would have us draw back and merely worry about our future. Faith calls us forward to trust that the God who is calling us onward will provide all of the resources we will ever need.

The choice between faith and fear is always up to us. God has never made a decision based on fear, nor should we. Don’t react to a fear-based economy, rather respond in faith to His Word that says, “…my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19, NIV)

First It Is Impossible

Don’t be surprised if God asks you do something you’ve never done before.

Noah stepped out in faith, even though he hadn’t seen many of the things set before him.

God said, “Noah, build Me an ark.” Noah responded, “God, what’s an ark?”

God answered, “It’s the big boat you’re going to need when the flood comes.”

Noah again replied, “God, what’s a flood?”

“It’s going to rain so much that the whole earth is going to be covered with water.”

One more time Noah exclaimed, “God, by the way, what’s rain?”

God has surprises ahead for all of us. Some of them will seem impossible.

As the great missionary Hudson Taylor would often say, “First it is impossible. Then it is difficult. Then it is done.” “Jesus…said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” (Matthew 19:26, NKJV)

Do You Need a Miracle?

Do you need a miracle? If you don’t need one right now, I’m sure you will one day. Each of us will need a miracle from God, and often.

When Moses and three million Israelites journeyed through the wilderness, miracles were a constant. Every day they needed 1,500 tons of food, four thousand tons of wood for cooking, and 11,000,000 gallons of water for drinking and washing. They needed all of this, each and every day for 40 years.

No one knows your needs more than God. And know one wants to help you more than He does.

So, don’t be afraid to ask Him for what He does best: miracles.

Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7, NIV)

Disillusionment

Are you disillusioned about your life? Frustrated because something’s not happening.

Disillusionment comes when reality doesn’t match our hopes and expectations.

At times it’s because we wish we had a different life; we think our best days are behind us; we believe our past mistakes have disqualified us from having a great future, or that we’ll never be happy.

Something’s terribly wrong when we don’t look forward to getting up in the morning; when we don’t love the life God’s given us; when we believe all of the lies I just said.

The truth is, no past mistake can disqualify us from the wonderful plan God has for our lives; God has our future in His all-caring, all-powerful hands and He is rooting for us to succeed.. As the Psalmist wrote, “This I know, that God is for me.” (Psalm 56:9, NKJV)

Troubles

We were born for trouble! Frankly, our souls are being molded into the image of God when we’re in trouble! I know I don’t know what’s best because of the way I treat my friends when they’re in trouble. I’d bail them out of every crisis they’d ever encounter. If it were up to me, I’d spoil the whole planet.

But there are some problems you can’t fix, because God doesn’t want them fixed. God’s far more interested in fixing us than fixing our problems.

Sometimes, He’s even the author of our problems. We’re saying, “God, stop the problem!” He’s saying, “Begin to understand what I’m doing.”

At one point, Jesus said, “Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came!” (John 12:27, NLT)

Thank God for your troubles!

Do You Know What You Have?

Do you ever feel like you’re missing out—that life has shortchanged you?

William Randolph Hearst, of Hearst Castle fame, invested a fortune collecting art treasures from around the world. One day he read about a valuable art piece.

Hearst then sent an agent to Europe to find it. After months of searching, the agent reported that he had finally located the treasure. It was found in Hearst’s own warehouse.

He had been searching all over the world for a treasure he already owned.

Do you know what you have? Do you know what Jesus purchased for you?

“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1John 3:1, NKJV)

None of us have been shortchanged. We’ve all been lavishly overpaid.

Honor Your Father and Mother

A woman was listening to a Mother’s Day sermon when she thought of how much she loved and admired her own father. She wondered, “Why isn’t there a similar day to honor fathers?”

That’s how the whole concept of celebrating Father’s Day got started. Proverbs states, “…the glory of children is their fathers.” The hero of children is their dads. Unfortunately, many times, Dads are less than heroic. Telephone Companies say they process the same number of phone calls on Father’s Day as on any other Sunday in June. On the other hand, Mother’s Day is the busiest phone day of the year.

The Bible says, “Honor your father and mother…that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:3, NIV) Wouldn’t today be a great day to honor your dad or mom and give them a call.

Going After Your Future

Sometimes you need to leave where you are in order to get to where you need to be. The Bible says, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise…” (Hebrews 11:8-9a)

Abraham went after his inheritance. We have to go after our future. It’s not going to come to us. We’ll have to leave the security of the known for the unknown. Sure, it will take obedience, faith, and courage, but in the end we’ll see that what God had in mind is better than what we can imagine.

Take a leap of faith into God’s will. It’s the safest place to be.

Knowing God

The next time you think you’re really smart or powerful remember this scripture,

“This is what the Lord says: ‘don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things.’” (Jeremiah 9:23-24, NLT)

Life is all about knowing God…knowing the One who loved us so much He was willing to take the punishment for our sins and die in our place. Everything that distracts you from knowing Him keeps you from your future. Get to know Jesus. He’s what life’s all about.

God Will Provide

God will meet you in your darkest hour. Abraham had an amazing trust relationship with God and his 12-year old son Isaac. When God asked him too, Abraham laid his son willingly on a wooden altar, and Isaac fully submitted.

“Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son.” (Genesis 22:13, NKJV)

When we look to God in the middle of our darkest hour we’ll see His plan is greater than our concern. “And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide…” (Genesis 22:14a, NKJV)

God will provide for you but it takes surrendering everything. And everything, at times, means the 1 thing we don’t want to surrender.

Persecution

In 1970, an 18-year old, Russian soldier knew he would be persecuted if he continued to profess Christ. For his punishment he was ordered to stand for five hours at night in below zero weather. He did this every night for 13 nights. A few days later his body was returned to his family, severely beaten. Those who were there said he died continuing to profess Jesus.

In his final letter he wrote, “Do not grieve for me, my dear parents. It is because I love Jesus more than myself. I do this because I do not value my life as much as I value Him.” The Bible says, “…everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2Timothy 3:12, NLT)

Don’t be more attached to this present world than eternity. For only Jesus can give you everlasting life.

Reject the Rejection

A high school senior received a letter of rejection from the college he wanted to attend. He wrote them back, “Dear Admissions Officer, I received your rejection of my application. As much as I would like to accommodate you, I find I cannot accept it. I have already received four rejections from other colleges, and this number is, in fact, over my limit. Therefore, I must reject your rejection, and will appear for classes on September 18th.”

A funny story! But there’s a good point. Every day we face thoughts of rejection. The accuser, the devil, tells us we’re worthless, but our advocate, Jesus tells us we’re priceless to Him. Who will you believe? Reject the rejection, and accept the love and acceptance of Jesus, the One who died so you could spend eternity with Him.

Trust and Obey

A Vietnamese Christian once said, “Suffering is not the worst thing that can happen to us. Disobedience to God is the worst thing.”

Queen Esther knew this when she stood up to protect her people. She knew her obedience to God might even cost her life. But after much soul searching, she came to the conclusion, “…I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” (Esther 4:16, NKJV)

Faith is being boxed in a corner, but you are willing to trust God no matter what happens. For… “…without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him..” (Hebrews 11:6, NIV)

When we trust and obey Him, we make God smile.

Losing Your Spiritual Interest

Have you lost your interest in spiritual things? The point you lost your spiritual interest was the point you didn’t do something you know you should do. That opportunity is still before you.

There are seasons when God will talk to you, and there are seasons when He won’t. There are times when you’ll know what God is doing, and there are times when you won’t. But, there’s never a time or season when we don’t need faith to obey God.

Go back to that point of disobedience, ask God’s forgiveness, and commit to step out and obey Him. God will meet you there. “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:6, NKJV) We all, at times, miss God. But the God of the 2nd chance always invites us to return and be healed.

We Are Accepted

Are you enjoying your life? One of the greatest hindrances to enjoying the life God has given us is our misconception of His heart for us.

It’s absurd to believe that God could accept or approve of you more then He already does. His death on the cross enables you to have complete peace with Him, and even with yourself. God’s at peak-approval! He’s always approved of you. Not everything you do, but everything you are in Jesus. God’s at peak-love! He’s always loved you, and always will.

Fixating on your own imperfection distracts you from focusing on His perfection. The key to enjoying life is not working harder; it’s resting more in God’s love and acceptance. “You are accepted…” (Ephesians 1:6, NKJV)

God wants us to be in Heaven with Him far more then we do.

Christopher Robin

Winnie-the-Pooh’s creator was a man named A. A. Milne. His son Christopher Robin had the privilege of having the lead character in the Winnie-the-Pooh series named after him. But it didn’t impress him.

Christopher Robin didn’t want his name in lights. He wanted his father’s love and affection. But he never got it. When Christopher Robin died in his 70’s, his obituary said that his father spent little time with him. He was too busy making other children laugh and smile.

Every day we have an opportunity to show our love and affection to those closest to us. They are waiting for us to reach out and express our love and care for them. It’s really what God did for us. “God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:8, NLT)

Learning to Be Content

Why are so many people dissatisfied? Because the world wants you to be discontent. You’ll never hear a commercial say, “You’ve got to be content with what you have. Our product won’t give you contentment. Save your money and buy only what you really need.”

Trying to find contentment by buying things is like eating pretzels to quench your thirst. The more you buy the more you want: even if you can’t afford that kind of house; even if you can’t afford that kind of car: even if you can’t afford those kinds of clothes. Make it look like you can.

There’s nothing wrong with having nice things: If it’s God’s will for your life; if they don’t have you; and if you can afford them. Paul wrote, “I have learned to be content with whatever I have.” (Philippians 4:11, NRSV)

Honor Your Father and Mother

A woman was listening to a Mother’s Day sermon when she thought of how much she loved and admired her own father. She wondered, “Why isn’t there a similar day to honor fathers?”

That’s how the whole concept of celebrating Father’s Day got started. Proverbs states, “…the glory of children is their fathers.” The hero of children is their dads. Unfortunately, many times, Dads are less than heroic. Telephone Companies say they process the same number of phone calls on Father’s Day as on any other Sunday in June. On the other hand, Mother’s Day is the busiest phone day of the year.

The Bible says, “Honor your father and mother…that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:3, NIV) Wouldn’t today be a great day to honor your dad or mom and give them a call.

Going After Your Future

Sometimes you need to leave where you are in order to get to where you need to be. The Bible says, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise…” (Hebrews 11:8-9a)

Abraham went after his inheritance. We have to go after our future. It’s not going to come to us. We’ll have to leave the security of the known for the unknown. Sure, it will take obedience, faith, and courage, but in the end we’ll see that what God had in mind is better than what we can imagine.

Take a leap of faith into God’s will. It’s the safest place to be.

Knowing God

The next time you think you’re really smart or powerful remember this scripture,

“This is what the Lord says: ‘don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things.’” (Jeremiah 9:23-24, NLT)

Life is all about knowing God…knowing the One who loved us so much He was willing to take the punishment for our sins and die in our place. Everything that distracts you from knowing Him keeps you from your future. Get to know Jesus. He’s what life’s all about.

God Will Provide

God will meet you in your darkest hour. Abraham had an amazing trust relationship with God and his 12-year old son Isaac. When God asked him too, Abraham laid his son willingly on a wooden altar, and Isaac fully submitted.

“Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son.” (Genesis 22:13, NKJV)

When we look to God in the middle of our darkest hour we’ll see His plan is greater than our concern. “And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide…” (Genesis 22:14a, NKJV)

God will provide for you but it takes surrendering everything. And everything, at times, means the 1 thing we don’t want to surrender.

Persecution

In 1970, an 18-year old, Russian soldier knew he would be persecuted if he continued to profess Christ. For his punishment he was ordered to stand for five hours at night in below zero weather. He did this every night for 13 nights. A few days later his body was returned to his family, severely beaten. Those who were there said he died continuing to profess Jesus.

In his final letter he wrote, “Do not grieve for me, my dear parents. It is because I love Jesus more than myself. I do this because I do not value my life as much as I value Him.” The Bible says, “…everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2Timothy 3:12, NLT)

Don’t be more attached to this present world than eternity. For only Jesus can give you everlasting life.

Reject the Rejection

A high school senior received a letter of rejection from the college he wanted to attend. He wrote them back, “Dear Admissions Officer, I received your rejection of my application. As much as I would like to accommodate you, I find I cannot accept it. I have already received four rejections from other colleges, and this number is, in fact, over my limit. Therefore, I must reject your rejection, and will appear for classes on September 18^th.”

A funny story! But there’s a good point. Every day we face thoughts of rejection. The accuser, the devil, tells us we’re worthless, but our advocate, Jesus tells us we’re priceless to Him. Who will you believe? Reject the rejection, and accept the love and acceptance of Jesus, the One who died so you could spend eternity with Him.

Trust and Obey

A Vietnamese Christian once said, “Suffering is not the worst thing that can happen to us. Disobedience to God is the worst thing.”

Queen Esther knew this when she stood up to protect her people. She knew her obedience to God might even cost her life. But after much soul searching, she came to the conclusion, “…I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” (Esther 4:16, NKJV)

Faith is being boxed in a corner, but you are willing to trust God no matter what happens. For… “…without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him..” (Hebrews 11:6, NIV)

When we trust and obey Him, we make God smile.

Losing Your Spiritual Interest

Have you lost your interest in spiritual things? The point you lost your spiritual interest was the point you didn’t do something you know you should do. That opportunity is still before you.

There are seasons when God will talk to you, and there are seasons when He won’t. There are times when you’ll know what God is doing, and there are times when you won’t. But, there’s never a time or season when we don’t need faith to obey God.

Go back to that point of disobedience, ask God’s forgiveness, and commit to step out and obey Him. God will meet you there. “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:6, NKJV) We all, at times, miss God. But the God of the 2^nd chance always invites us to return and be healed.

We Are Accepted

Are you enjoying your life? One of the greatest hindrances to enjoying the life God has given us is our misconception of His heart for us.

It’s absurd to believe that God could accept or approve of you more then He already does. His death on the cross enables you to have complete peace with Him, and even with yourself. God’s at peak-approval! He’s always approved of you. Not everything you do, but everything you are in Jesus. God’s at peak-love! He’s always loved you, and always will.

Fixating on your own imperfection distracts you from focusing on His perfection. The key to enjoying life is not working harder; it’s resting more in God’s love and acceptance. “You are accepted…” (Ephesians 1:6, NKJV)

God wants us to be in Heaven with Him far more then we do.

Christopher Robin

Winnie-the-Pooh’s creator was a man named A. A. Milne. His son Christopher Robin had the privilege of having the lead character in the Winnie-the-Pooh series named after him. But it didn’t impress him.

Christopher Robin didn’t want his name in lights. He wanted his father’s love and affection. But he never got it. When Christopher Robin died in his 70’s, his obituary said that his father spent little time with him. He was too busy making other children laugh and smile.

Every day we have an opportunity to show our love and affection to those closest to us. They are waiting for us to reach out and express our love and care for them. It’s really what God did for us. “God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:8, NLT)

Learning to Be Content

Why are so many people dissatisfied? Because the world wants you to be discontent. You’ll never hear a commercial say, “You’ve got to be content with what you have. Our product won’t give you contentment. Save your money and buy only what you really need.”

Trying to find contentment by buying things is like eating pretzels to quench your thirst. The more you buy the more you want: even if you can’t afford that kind of house; even if you can’t afford that kind of car: even if you can’t afford those kinds of clothes. Make it look like you can.

There’s nothing wrong with having nice things: If it’s God’s will for your life; if they don’t have you; and if you can afford them. Paul wrote, “I have learned to be content with whatever I have.” (Philippians 4:11, NRSV)