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Here is a short comment from Kirk Cameron from www.livingwaters.com
I hope it inspires you and keeps your heart and mind on Christ. "Some have referred to seeing things with "the eye of faith". In my natural state, I always seem to revert to favoring the trusty eyeballs I've used since birth. But now, even those are starting to dim (glasses are just around the corner), and I am seeing the value of a better pair of eyes. Eyes of faith are able to believe what they cannot see, but know for certain because of the Word they have heard. When you and I believe the voice of God in Scripture, we can stand on His promises of being fully forgiven, totally accepted, deeply loved, and complete in Christ- no matter what happens to us in this life. Anything that happens in this life, including "losses and crosses", are obliged to "work together for good, to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28) When things look gloomy through those windows above your nose, close them and look instead through your eyes of faith to see God's victory over your trial!" God bless you. And this is for His Glory! |
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Kirk Cameron
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
One hundred years from now
One hundred years from now it won't matter what type of fancy new gadgets we bought or what type of cars we drove. All that will matter is what we did with the time we had. By human nature we are are so focused on tomorrow, that we don't even realize we are doing little more than wishing our lives aways.
What are we in a hurry to do? Where are we in a hurry to go? Heaven? I would guess that most people don't even think about Heaven on a daily basis. For many people, Heaven is a place far away. A place that old people or dogs go when they die.
That might be true; however, Heaven is so much more.
Heaven is God's Kingdom. And for those blessed enough to be granted access, I believe it will be like nothing we could ever imagine. It will far surpass our wildest expectations.
Heaven is not some distant destination. It is THE destination. It is THE place to be. I once saw a book titled, "1001 places to see before you die." And I would remind anyone that Heaven is the only place you want to SEE when you die.
Serving the Lord for all eternity is both a privilege and a blessing. It is a honor bestowed based on what you did with the little time you were given.
Don't put off tomorrow - what you can do today. Ask the Lord for guidance in all that you do and think about Him in all your actions.
Verse of the day:
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7
New International Version (NIV)
God bless you. And this is for His Glory!
What are we in a hurry to do? Where are we in a hurry to go? Heaven? I would guess that most people don't even think about Heaven on a daily basis. For many people, Heaven is a place far away. A place that old people or dogs go when they die.
That might be true; however, Heaven is so much more.
Heaven is God's Kingdom. And for those blessed enough to be granted access, I believe it will be like nothing we could ever imagine. It will far surpass our wildest expectations.
Heaven is not some distant destination. It is THE destination. It is THE place to be. I once saw a book titled, "1001 places to see before you die." And I would remind anyone that Heaven is the only place you want to SEE when you die.
Serving the Lord for all eternity is both a privilege and a blessing. It is a honor bestowed based on what you did with the little time you were given.
Don't put off tomorrow - what you can do today. Ask the Lord for guidance in all that you do and think about Him in all your actions.
Verse of the day:
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7
New International Version (NIV)
God bless you. And this is for His Glory!
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Accountability and Resiliency
How many times can a person backslide? How many times can a person continue to make the same mistakes over and over and over again? How many times can a person continue to sin - day in and day out? How many times can a person ask for forgiveness - over and over and over again?
The answers to those questions don't really matter. What matters is that God's love is measureless. How do I know this? I know this because of John 3:16.
I know that all men sin and all fall short of the Glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
However, once we sin there is typically time for retrospection. During this time, we can choose to do one of two things. 1) Ask for forgiveness and pray. 2) Do nothing
It's a given that we are going fail in being pleasing in God's eyes. We all fall short. Thus, our responsibility should be to focus on accountability and resiliency.
Be accountable for our actions and ask for forgiveness by humbling ourselves toward the Lord. And being resilient by allowing the past to stay in the past. What we've done, we cannot undo. However, we can move forward and learn from our mistakes and become stronger. It's not about how many times you fall down. Its' about how many times you get up and what you do next.
If you allow it - sin will invite you to give up your relationship with God. That is the focus of the enemy - to plant seeds of doubt and deceit so that we feel unworthy or even too depressed to speak with God. This is how the enemy builds momentum... you sin and the enemy wants to keep the wheels moving. Put the breaks on this momentum by speaking a simple prayer, be accountable and resilient.
Jesus showed tremendous resiliency during his walk to Calvary. He was whipped, beaten, spit on, nailed, etc. and still He continued to His destination: The cross.
Jesus took accountability for our sins. The next time you sin, take accountability for yours. Then move forward. Don't dwell on it.
Prayer:
Father forgive me for my sinful ways. I know that I am unworthy of your love. I pray you have mercy on me and allow me to be an instrument of your Will. Help me to lead myself, my family, and others into your Kingdom. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
God bless you. And this is for His Glory!
The answers to those questions don't really matter. What matters is that God's love is measureless. How do I know this? I know this because of John 3:16.
I know that all men sin and all fall short of the Glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
However, once we sin there is typically time for retrospection. During this time, we can choose to do one of two things. 1) Ask for forgiveness and pray. 2) Do nothing
It's a given that we are going fail in being pleasing in God's eyes. We all fall short. Thus, our responsibility should be to focus on accountability and resiliency.
Be accountable for our actions and ask for forgiveness by humbling ourselves toward the Lord. And being resilient by allowing the past to stay in the past. What we've done, we cannot undo. However, we can move forward and learn from our mistakes and become stronger. It's not about how many times you fall down. Its' about how many times you get up and what you do next.
If you allow it - sin will invite you to give up your relationship with God. That is the focus of the enemy - to plant seeds of doubt and deceit so that we feel unworthy or even too depressed to speak with God. This is how the enemy builds momentum... you sin and the enemy wants to keep the wheels moving. Put the breaks on this momentum by speaking a simple prayer, be accountable and resilient.
Jesus showed tremendous resiliency during his walk to Calvary. He was whipped, beaten, spit on, nailed, etc. and still He continued to His destination: The cross.
Jesus took accountability for our sins. The next time you sin, take accountability for yours. Then move forward. Don't dwell on it.
Prayer:
Father forgive me for my sinful ways. I know that I am unworthy of your love. I pray you have mercy on me and allow me to be an instrument of your Will. Help me to lead myself, my family, and others into your Kingdom. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
God bless you. And this is for His Glory!
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Choices
The current drought in Africa is another reminder of just how blessed we are. There are starving Somali families that are forced to travel 50 miles just to wait in line at a overcrowded relief center. Of course, there are no guarantees - just hope.
With millions starving and tens of thousands seeking aid, it's a never ceasing ocean of need. Many families are forced to make a choice that most of us could never fathom. That choice to decide which child to take to the relief center and which to leave behind. Thousands of families must determine which child is most likely to survive the 50 mile journey. The rest - they are forced to leave behind. They do this not out of cruelty, but out of necessity. It is a choice of save one or save none.
The United States has a malnourishment rate of 5%, which is one of the lowest in the world. Especially when you take into consideration the Dem. Republic of Congo that has close to 42 million malnourished people and Ethiopia 31.6 million.
It's easy for us to forget the extreme hardships that many in the world face daily. In a domesticated society where we dwell in "excess" it's unavoidable to take things for granted. How many of us get irritated when we run out of milk and then must get into our car for a (probably less than 5 mile ride) to the local grocery store? Sound familiar?
Our most difficult choice for the day might be "Do I get the milk now or wait until later?"
Our most difficult choice for the day might be "Do I get the milk now or wait until later?"
We are blessed.
Please remember to pray for those who are less fortunate in this world and thank God for the wonderful gifts He has allowed us to have. Everything we have comes from the Lord. Nothing is given in mistake, nothing is overlooked, nothing is given without a reason. Also, everything we have is a temporary gift from God - because nothing is forever except God.
Prayer:
Thank you, Lord for all the wonderful gifts and blessings that you have bestowed upon us. I pray that you bless and comfort those who are less fortunate and help us to stay humble and pleasing in Your eyes. In the name of Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
God Bless you. And this is for His Glory!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Bystander turned Believer
For a few moments picture yourself living as a local in the small village of Bethany a little over 2,000 years ago. The village is slightly less than 2 miles from Jerusalem and you have made the trip back and forth many times. As is the case with most days in this part of the world, it's scorching hot. The blinding sun is beating down on you and all you really care about is finding a nice shade tree to sit under and eat your figs.
Just as you find a good spot on a hillside, you notice a dusty disturbance in the road below. More than a dozen people have gathered and are making their way toward another group walking into the village. The last thing you want to do is lose your shady spot, but Bethany is small and rarely has much excitement.
Even though it's probably nothing, seeing the crowd in the distance is enough to peak your curiosity. Thus, with a surrendering sigh you take the last bite of your fig, rise, and head back out into the baking sun to see what all the commotion is about.
As you make your way closer to the crowds you notice many familiar faces. Everyone in Bethany knows each other... there are no strangers in this paltry town and not a day goes by that you question why you haven't moved to Jerusalem yet.
As you are pondering your life circumstances a women abruptly bumps your shoulder and falls to her knees weeping to a man whom you do not recognize.
Instantly, you recognize the women. She happens to live in a small abode directly diagonal from your small home and her name is Mary. She and her sister, Martha, had recently buried their brother, Lazarus. Both sisters were still in deep mourning and you had just stopped by their home two days earlier to give your condolences.
In a quivering voice, you hear Mary say... "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
Clearly, he must be physician of some sort, you reason.
As you look closer at the man (whom you still do not recognize), you see a deep compassion in his eyes and you can tell that he is deeply saddened by this situation.
“Where have you laid him?” The man asked.
There was something in his voice that made you stop in your tracks. It was as if everything around you went into slow motion and for a moment... you gave him your full attention.
“Come and see, Lord,” another replied.
Thus, Mary and her sister, Martha, led the stranger up the road and over some rocky terrain. Not knowing exactly what to expect, you decide to follow the crowd. It's not like you had a lot of other options anyway.
Walking up the hillside you recognize the tree that you sat under just a few moments ago. Curiously, you also realize the intense heat from the sun doesn't seem to bother you like it had earlier. Looking up, you see the stranger briefly look toward the tree, then to you, then back to the tree. For a moment you wonder if he saw you sitting under the tree as he approached Bethany. You quickly dismiss the notion, chalking it up as a coincidence and nothing more.
After a few more minutes of walking the crowd stopped. They had reached the tome of Lazarus... which happened to be carved into the rocky hillside.
There was complete silence and strangely, the wind was calm as you stand at the top of this hill.
Now what? You wonder.
As if he had read the question in your mind you hear the stranger say...
“Take away the stone."
If it could have been physically possible, your jaw would have hit the ground by your sandals.
Then Martha replied... “But, Lord, by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
You begin to interject in agreement, but instead you hesitate... your lips still slightly ajar.
Then the stranger said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
So they took away the stone and the stranger looked up to the sky as if praying. Once finished, he cried out in a loud voice...
“Lazarus, come out!”
The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
You hear yourself gasp as you fall to your knees.
The stranger said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
Jesus raises Lazarus from the Dead
In a matter of a few short moments you went from being bored and hot, to curious, to witnessing Jesus glorify God by raising Lazarus from the Dead.
Can you truly picture the actions of the crowd as Lazarus walked out of that tome? I can't even begin to imagine what that would have felt like if I had seen it with my own eyes.
That day in Bethany started off like every other typical day. Yet, after a few short minutes of Jesus' arrival a miracle occurs. Not only did He raise Lazarus from the dead... He turned many from being lone bystanders to believers!
God bless you. And this is for His Glory!
Just as you find a good spot on a hillside, you notice a dusty disturbance in the road below. More than a dozen people have gathered and are making their way toward another group walking into the village. The last thing you want to do is lose your shady spot, but Bethany is small and rarely has much excitement.
Even though it's probably nothing, seeing the crowd in the distance is enough to peak your curiosity. Thus, with a surrendering sigh you take the last bite of your fig, rise, and head back out into the baking sun to see what all the commotion is about.
As you make your way closer to the crowds you notice many familiar faces. Everyone in Bethany knows each other... there are no strangers in this paltry town and not a day goes by that you question why you haven't moved to Jerusalem yet.
As you are pondering your life circumstances a women abruptly bumps your shoulder and falls to her knees weeping to a man whom you do not recognize.
Instantly, you recognize the women. She happens to live in a small abode directly diagonal from your small home and her name is Mary. She and her sister, Martha, had recently buried their brother, Lazarus. Both sisters were still in deep mourning and you had just stopped by their home two days earlier to give your condolences.
In a quivering voice, you hear Mary say... "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
Clearly, he must be physician of some sort, you reason.
As you look closer at the man (whom you still do not recognize), you see a deep compassion in his eyes and you can tell that he is deeply saddened by this situation.
“Where have you laid him?” The man asked.
There was something in his voice that made you stop in your tracks. It was as if everything around you went into slow motion and for a moment... you gave him your full attention.
“Come and see, Lord,” another replied.
Thus, Mary and her sister, Martha, led the stranger up the road and over some rocky terrain. Not knowing exactly what to expect, you decide to follow the crowd. It's not like you had a lot of other options anyway.
Walking up the hillside you recognize the tree that you sat under just a few moments ago. Curiously, you also realize the intense heat from the sun doesn't seem to bother you like it had earlier. Looking up, you see the stranger briefly look toward the tree, then to you, then back to the tree. For a moment you wonder if he saw you sitting under the tree as he approached Bethany. You quickly dismiss the notion, chalking it up as a coincidence and nothing more.
After a few more minutes of walking the crowd stopped. They had reached the tome of Lazarus... which happened to be carved into the rocky hillside.
There was complete silence and strangely, the wind was calm as you stand at the top of this hill.
Now what? You wonder.
As if he had read the question in your mind you hear the stranger say...
“Take away the stone."
If it could have been physically possible, your jaw would have hit the ground by your sandals.
Then Martha replied... “But, Lord, by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
You begin to interject in agreement, but instead you hesitate... your lips still slightly ajar.
Then the stranger said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
So they took away the stone and the stranger looked up to the sky as if praying. Once finished, he cried out in a loud voice...
“Lazarus, come out!”
The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
You hear yourself gasp as you fall to your knees.
The stranger said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
Jesus raises Lazarus from the Dead
In a matter of a few short moments you went from being bored and hot, to curious, to witnessing Jesus glorify God by raising Lazarus from the Dead.
Can you truly picture the actions of the crowd as Lazarus walked out of that tome? I can't even begin to imagine what that would have felt like if I had seen it with my own eyes.
That day in Bethany started off like every other typical day. Yet, after a few short minutes of Jesus' arrival a miracle occurs. Not only did He raise Lazarus from the dead... He turned many from being lone bystanders to believers!
God bless you. And this is for His Glory!
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