When Jesus Pops In

Good morning and happy Friday. Imagine sitting in a place looking at or thinking about something you shouldn't. A thought that may go through your head for just a second. And then at that moment Jesus pops in next to you and says " Whatcha thinkin about? ". Most of the time our thoughts are just that and they never become anything. But that's also where some of the dumbest stuff we do comes from. When we have Jesus and the Holy Spirit in us, we take that thought and filter it through them and then act on that, we will be all right. The filter comes in all forms. Mostly we have to listen to what is really being said to us and be willing to follow directions. Be prepared for the consequences when you don't. And then don't take this time in your life and say "see, this is why I'm mad at God". Don't for get the role we play in the things that happen to us. Sit and talk with Jesus and it won't be a surprise when He pops in on ya. In love always <><

Be Like the Rabbi

Good morning and happy Thursday. How in the world do we minister to a hurting and lost neighborhood? Not a world or country or city, just to your neighbor. It's only by example that people really learn. They need to see that it's real and it applies to them in their position of life. The teaching of the Rabbi is by doing. Jesus came to give us the example by which we are to learn. He taught His disciples what they would need to know to spread the Word effectively. The words He taught and the actions He did are still for us in the Bible. I'm not sure that the writers then knew of the impact of the things they wrote down. Just a small act of discipline on their part changed the world. Somebody in the neighborhood has to be the one to stand up and make it happen. The only way Christians, real Christians, help in this world is by doing what Jesus taught us with His life and with His sacrifice of His life. Become a servant. Be the one who will help when it's needed. I know you're tired. I know it's been a long day. But you're needed at the door, someone needs help. Help them. Show them the love of Christ. Do it in that same love and the rest you seek you will be given. In love always. <><

Anger

Good morning and happy Wednesday. Anger, it's never good. Poor decisions and thoughts usually come from it. Yet we seem to able to be consumed by it. Unable to let it go once it's got it's grip on us. People are angry at things for different reasons and they span the spectrum in variety. It's the devils biggest weapon. It's easy to be mad about things and at others. It's also easy to be mad at God. When we come to the realization that He is Lord of all and makes no mistakes, that's when being mad at Him is harder and understanding becomes clearer. That's where comfort against the enemy is found. There really are only two elements in this world among us. Good and evil. In this hurting world, we need to be a better example of His love. Love is what needs to be consuming us and our thoughts and actions. Start now and do it more and it becomes you. Like a really good habit. Lose the anger and put on the love and make a positive difference in the world. In love always. <><

We Are Not to Judge

Good morning and happy Tuesday. In this country today we have a tendency, myself included, to look at people and pass a little judgement on them by how they look or act. Pay attention today and see if you can catch yourself doing it. Until we have been in their shoes we have no idea what really may be going on. Jesus sees us right were we are and knows all the reasons we are what we are and the excuses we've made for not changing and yet He still loves us. We have to find a heart like His so we can help a fallen world. We each have and see people in our lives that are in deep need for the salvation He offers. Reach out your hand to those people and see if your views aren't the ones that change. They're not all homeless or heathens. They may be your mom or dad. Keep your heart eyes open for what God has for you to do and without reservation, do it. He loves us too much for us to not be active in His kingdom. In love always. <><

Who Do You Trust?

Good morning and happy Monday. Who do you trust? We all have that one person we trust. Not to keep a secret kind of trust, but if they say something, you listen. You believe in what they have told you and they've never let you down. Usually it's someone older and they are giving advise based on experience. You know, " been there done that". But what about the unknown of your life ahead. The direction it needs to take. The things you need and should be doing. There is only one place to find that, God. He is telling us every day of the things He wants us to be doing. It's when we trust Him to be there that the miracles begin to happen. Taking a blind step and trusting God to show up and be there with you is huge. And after one time they start to get a little easier getting you ready for the big one. He has a plan for our lives and we just have to trust Him to fulfill it. But we have to obey Him and follow His advise. There's no other place I want my trust to be than in Him. In love always. <><

God"s Full Wrath

Good morning and happy Friday. What is it that Jesus did for us on the cross? Really did? This major event in our history is one the greatest points and one of the saddest and one with the most love ever demonstrated. God's full wrath is poured out onto a sinful world. The sin of the world is placed on His Son for us. That part is so bad God cannot even look at. And it's done for us so that we can be with Him. The sin never stops, even today. Nothing that happened then is not still happening now, it's just in different times. So if someone has done that much for us doesn't it only seem right to give the life you have left to the one who is offered His to save you. He has asked that we do what He asks and to follow the example as best we can to get to Him in Heaven. That is where we belong. But we have to do our part. Once a week in a building isn't it. It's a lifetime of everyday living to please Him and do for Him and serve our brothers and sisters with a joyful heart. Hate and anger have no place in this life. That is what the devil uses to separate us from the Father. Start loving if you haven't and keep going if you have. This life is too short to be wasted. In love always. <><

The Comfortable Generation

Good morning and happy Thursday. The great Generation. The ones who lived through the Big War and depression. They had ideals and worked hard and strived to pass on a legacy better than what they had. That has progressed to today to a point we just give our kids what they want and make it as easy for them as possible. It's giving in the right spirit. It's helping them with a good intentioned heart. But we all know it's the worst thing for them. This is a picture of ourselves in our faith and walk with God. Our churches are more comfortable than before. We're not there at it every time the doors are open. It's been made too easy and we've formed our faith and our God to our ways of comfort. That's backwards. A true hunger for His word is where Life is found. It's where the Way is seen as it really is. It's where the Truth is told and if you have truth on your side you can't be wrong. We as a nation we have got to get over ourselves and realize we're not all that. We're on a road that will lead to destruction. But we don't see it cause its the American way. Go get uncomfortable and start doing God's work He's asked you to do. Make a real difference for the next generation to see. In love always <><

The God Time Budget Cut

Good morning and happy Wednesday. Running late today so I'm squeezing in God time instead of changing something else. That's how we do it isn't? When our time budget has to be adjusted, isn't God the part we cut first. That's who should never be considered being cut. Other "radical" religions will cut the day short at a meeting to make time for their God. Remember not all of them want to kill us. They are far more faithful to their God though. What would it be like in the world if we were that dedicated to our God? We've just become too comfortable in our faith to do anymore than is necessary to feel good on the inside. I feel bad right now that I've not taken my time with what God wants from me this morning. This is not how it used to be. This is growth. I am in dire need to grow more. To do that I need more time with God. It will happen. If you're not there yet, join me over this summer to grow closer to God than we've ever been. In love always. <><

Heed The Warnings

Good morning and happy Tuesday. So how many warnings does God give us? How many chances are we allowed? I know it's hard, I struggle everyday. It makes you wonder why, if God wants us to be happy, why is it so hard to follow Him and do the things He wants us to? It's because there is another presence here too, Satan. He roams about tripping us up in little subtle ways until we see that we're now further away from the light of God. Our free will to do and make choices of our own is what has caused us to stray. When we decide to really get busy with the following of God part we have on our hearts, we will then choose to do it His way. It's up to us to make the path a little easier for ourselves. He's made a nice smooth straight road we just have to get on it. When a choice is at hand, decide today to make it with God's help and not our own wishes. Just ask Him to intervene on your behalf and things will begin to be clear again. Not easier, just clearer as we get back in the light. In love always. <><

Pharaoh Was Warned

Good morning and happy Monday. Great word this Sunday that I have to pass on. Have you ever heard someone say they lost their job, fired, out of the blue? They don't know how this happened and it was for this one thing. Doesn't it make you wonder what really happened? Most people don't get fired for just one thing done one time. You get a few write ups and things first. It's the same with God. We always paint Him as so loving, which He is, but forget about His justness. Justness comes with discipline. And that usually comes with some warnings. As a parent I do the same things and it's out of love that we do that. Trying to guide them into the right direction. To lead them to a better way of life. But after a few warnings out comes the discipline. As a parent, God is no different. He wants the best for us but if we don't mind Him, we're gonna get a spankin. And it's deserved too if you get it. So don't be tellin people you can't believe God did this to you over one thing, one time. He warned pharaoh many times. In love always. <><

Need Because You Love

Good morning and happy Friday. In our feel good society and feel good churches here's what we have learned. The modern day gospel says God loves you and has a wonderful plan for you life. Follow these steps, and you can be saved. The biblical gospel says, you are an enemy of God, dead in your sin, and in your present state of rebellion, you are not able to see that you need life, much less to cause yourself to come to life. We are dependent on God in our lives to do something we can't. The first part sells the books and draws the crowds and makes us feel ok about ourselves, the second saves souls. We are too comfortable in our place to realize what it is we really need. I've always wondered why God's people were in the desert of all places. It's so they see and understand how much they need Him. We don't see that here. It's too easy and we're too lazy. God loves us and wants good for us, but He wants our acknowledgment of our need for Him. The true need for Him comes first when we truly begin to love Him. Then we need because we love. In love always. <><

Caught In a Trap

Good morning and happy Thursday. We've all seen a documentary or two about animals in the wild that get caught in a trap and gnaw off their leg to survive. It's a great metaphor of ourselves. What trap, small or big, do you find yourself in that you need to gnaw away from? Human, earthly survival comes so easy to us and we do make changes to stay alive. But what about spiritually? What about the life that matters most? What are you willing to do to save and survive in that life? We almost never consider it because we take it for granted. We're in an age that says once you're saved you're always saved. So we don't need to do anything. We're in the club. We're good now. That is why we so desperately need Jesus in our lives today, our schools and businesses. We are so lost in this. We've made enough excuses to get ourselves to Heaven on our own. A prayer at a camp, in a pew, or with a friend gets you salvation but it's not the end. You must follow Him and be at doing the Fathers work. The club you want to join isn't here yet. That's the one you can't leave. Gnaw off the leg that is keeping you from doing the Fathers work. If it's a belief, vice, or just not understanding, find someone to help you. It's that important. In love always. <><

Get In The Mix

Good morning and happy Wednesday. Flour, eggs, milk, and sugar; maybe some margarine. All ok stuff on their own, but when they're mixed just right, look out. All kinds of things get made. We've heard these old things before though about separate parts and becoming something else when put or used together. Problem is that's all we've done is heard it. We never got together with some butter and sugar and made a difference. We are far too comfortable and happy to just get by with the status quo. There are a few things that are certain; death, taxes, Jesus coming back, and judgement. What is He gonna find you doing for Him when He shows up? Relaxing in the a/c praying for your friends who just got sick, hurt or lost a job. Is that gonna cut it? Will that be enough? Maybe so, I don't know. But I do know there is a lot to be done and the workers are few. Get in the mix and make a difference. Yours and other lives will be blessed for it. It's a win win. And if you said to yourself in this that you're a good person and this isn't for you, it probably was. In love always. <><

What"s The Cost?

Good morning and happy Tuesday. Did you know that in parts of the world it is illegal for people to gather and talk about the Bible? To say the name of Jesus. And yet at the risk of losing everything, including their lives, people are doing that. They have made a choice that few of us here with all the freedom to do what we want, chose not to do, follow Jesus with all we have. To become a disciple. A true disciple. But that kind of devotion is needed there to reach the lost, we say. It's not the way it is here, we say. True, but tongues are cut out in His name and they still follow. How much more do we need to see to know that this is for real? We have got to get ourselves out of this world and into His. We have to decide if we're all in or not. These people are living a life today to make a difference in lives tomorrow and to have a place in heaven with the Father. That's what we the people of this blessed beyond measure of a country has got to do. It's time to stand up and be heard and not sit down and be run over while we think it's gonna be just fine. I gave at the church Sunday, I'm good. We have to do better than this. He loves us way too much for us not to. We are in this country with blessings for a reason. It's time to be used. In love always <><

Service

Goof morning and happy Monday. Service, serve. Those words we say and want to do but don't always. It is the easier part of life to do though. We love to help people when we can. We feel good about ourselves and that's ok, as long as that's not the reason for it to begin with. But the flip of that is the hardest, receiving the service. I blow, and really blew, this one this weekend. It's hard to allow people to help us even when we're neck deep in the quicksand. I had a chance to make a call to a friend, a very dear friend, to help out in a spot, and I didn't. I don't know why, it's certainly not because I didn't want him there. We tend to be great givers more than receivers. And while the serving is the better, we have to be able to receive as well. The same way we have to receive what Jesus came and did for us. I denied my friend the chance to serve. I don't really have the right to do that. Thank you Roger for those words of wisdom. It wont happen again. I love you all and I care for you too and if I need help I will be asking. In love always. <><