At The Right Time

At The Right Time

 

People that do "good," or  that strive to do what they understand is God's direction for them typically are not doing that because they expect some reward.  However, it is interesting what Paul writes in Galatians 6:9,10 "So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.  Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith."

 

I think there are two messages for us in this verse.  First, we will receive blessings for doing good.  Second, the blessings will come at the right time for us.  We may hope and pray for certain things, but they may not be good for us now.  If we keep striving to do what the Bible teaches, and not give up as Paul says, God will give us the blessings we need at the "right time" for each of us.

 

Dear Lord, we know you are watching each of us, and know our needs and desires.  Help us keep doing your will, being blessings to others.  Thank you for blessing us in your time.   In Jesus' name we pray. Amen

Our Actions

Our Actions

 

How would you act at the DMV if the person at the counter was your best friend?  How would you act if the slow driver in the parking lot was your mother?  How would you treat the waiter or waitress if it was your niece or nephew?

 

John writes in 1 John 3:18, "Dear children, let us not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions."

 

The way we treat people is one way Christians are to be different from others.  Jesus says in John 13:34-35, "So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.  Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

 

Dear Lord, Our selfishness often gets in the way of our love for others.  Help us find the joy that comes from showing our love for one another.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

 

It's Not Realistic

It's Not Realistic

 

What are people really saying when they say, "It's not realistic?"  I think what they are really saying is, "I don't believe it is possible."

 

It is kind of academic for us to believe that God created the universe and everything in it, parted the red sea for Moses, raised Jesus from the dead, and the many other biblical miracles.  However, when it comes to believing God will do supernatural things in our lives our belief in God's power is put to the test.  Do we put more weight on what we understand in the natural world, and what we think are the probabilities of certain things occurring, or do we put our belief in the power of God to make things work out.

 

In Matthew 17:20, Jesus told his disciples, “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”

 

In Exodus 4 God tells Moses to go talk to Pharaoh and tell him to let the Israelites leave.  Moses comes up with all types of excuses why he cannot, including his poor speaking abilities.  God tells him, in 4:11,12, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord?  Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”

 

In the same way, the message to us is, "Who determines, how much money you have, whether you get promoted, if your medical problem will be resolved,  if your business succeeds, if you will get into that university, or any earthly concern?"  God does.  It is not for us to figure out "how," it is our job to believe.

 

Dear Lord, Sometimes we have trouble remembering that you control everything and have the power to do everything.  Strengthen our faith so that we will have the belief in you to act boldly in our Christian lives.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

Blessing

Blessing

 

In biblical times, the concept of giving someone a blessing was a big deal.  When it was God doing the blessing, it was God showing his special favor.  When it was one person, like Abraham blessing Isaac, or Isaac blessing Jacob, it was that person calling down God's favor on the one he was blessing.

 

In Genesis 4:22-27 God tells Moses how Aaron is to bless his people and why.  The Living Bible translates it like this "Now the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons that they are to give this special blessing to the people of Israel:  ‘May the Lord bless and protect you; may the Lord’s face radiate with joy because of you; may he be gracious to you, show you his favor, and give you his peace.’ This is how Aaron and his sons shall call down my blessings upon the people of Israel; and I myself will personally bless them.”

 

There are many different translations of this passage, and all get the message across, that God wants to protect us and show us his favor.  He wants to be happy with us, and he wants us to have the peace that comes from trusting him. 

 

In modern times the pastor in our Church will say this blessing, just like Aaron, calling down God's blessings on us.  It is always a comforting part of a service.  When we tell someone "God Bless," we are doing the same, asking for God to show them his favor and peace.

 

Dear Lord, We thank you for your blessing and for the guidance you gave us through this story of Moses and Aaron.  Bless those we love, and help us make a point of asking for your blessing on them when we see them.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

 

Surprising Faith

Surprising Faith

 

It is so uplifting to see people  put their faith in God and overcome their afflictions, fears, challenges or use their faith to excel and do great things.

 

I can only imagine that this was how Jesus felt in the story of the Centurion in Matthew 8.  Roman soldiers were not what people expected when thinking of followers of Jesus Christ, but Jesus showed how, no matter who one is, it is the faith that matters.  

 

The soldier's servant was paralyzed and suffering.  When Jesus asked if the Centurion wanted Him to come and heal the servant.  The Centurion said he knew all Jesus had to do was say so and his servant would be healed. Jesus, knowing the heart of the soldier, said in verse 10, "Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith." and in verse 13, "Go, Let it be done just as you believed it would." NIV

 

We don't have to be great "church-people" to believe God can bring us out of miserable situations, overcome debilitating fears, oreven give us success in our endeavors.  We need to have the faith in God's power and ability to do anything.

 

Dear Lord, help us have the faith in you to know without a doubt that you can do anything.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

Pray

Pray

 

The Bible is full of stories of people praying; praying for healing, for rescue, for revenge, for justice, for each other, for strength, for faith, for protection, for forgiveness, and many other things.  Based upon the Bible accounts, we can pray for just about anything.  I believe God wants us to pray to him with everything and anything that is on our mind and on our hearts, as Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17,18, "Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."

 

I found one prayer particularly helpful for putting prayer in the right perspective.  Daniel was praying for the people of Israel who were in captivity in Babylon.  In Daniel 9:18-19 he prays, "We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.  Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act!"

 

We don't "deserve" anything from God.  When we pray for the accomplishment of our dreams and desires, or the overcoming of our obstacles, we should pray like Daniel,  not asking because we have earned or deserve what we want, but because of God's mercy and love for us.

 

That doesn't mean we should be reluctant to ask.  God puts dreams and desires in our hearts, and puts obstacles in our way, for our good and for his glory. He wants us to ask.  Matthew 7:7 Jesus says, "ask and it will be given to you."  and Philippians 4:6  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

 

Dear Lord, You have power over all things, the power to provide us anything we might want.  Help us find your will for our lives,  and come to you continuously asking for your help to do the great things you have put in our hearts; Not because we deserve it, but because of your mercy.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

 

Good News Of Great Joy For All People

Good News Of Great Joy For All People

 

Luke 2:10-11 tells us through the angels who appeared to the Shepherds, "Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today."

Doesn't this cover the entire message of Jesus Christ and Christianity? We don't need to fear, because of the "good news of great joy for all people."

Dear Lord, help us have the joy in our hearts and lives that comes from knowing our Savior has come.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

The Wise Men

The Wise Men

 

I think we all have heard the story of the Wise men that came to see Jesus after he was born.  

Matthew 2:1-2 says, "Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.”

 

There is much speculation about who these wise men were.  Some people say they were Persian Kings or astrologers, some say they came from Arabia or Yemen.  The Bible does not provide many more details, but what it does tell us is they were "wise men" and the came to worship Jesus.

 

This is an important message, Wise me came to worship Jesus, we should also.

 

Dear Lord, What a clear but simple message you provide for us in this story.  Help us remember as well to come and worship you.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

 

Job Satisfaction

Job Satisfaction

 

One thing that will cause frustration in our lives is comparing ourselves to others.  God made us all so unique, in our skills, circumstances, relationships, and so many other ways that there truly is no way to make an accurate comparison.  We can often fall into the trap of comparing individual aspects of our lives to other people's.  The trouble occurs when we believe we are "better," than others, or when we believe we are "inferior," to others.  Both of these situations cause trouble.

 

God made each of us uniquely for his purpose.  In Galatians 6:4,5 Paul writes, "Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct."

He also wrote in Romans 8:28, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."

 

We need to focus on where God is leading us, and be happy for others' that do the same in their lives. 

 

Dear Lord, You made amazing plans for each of us, but we must trust you to see where they lead.  Help us do that, by just taking each step forward in the direction we hear you calling, and not compare ourselves to others who are on their own paths.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

 

The Lord Saves

The Lord Saves

 

One of the fundamentals of Christianity is that God saves us.  There is nothing we can do to be saved, it is a gift given to us by God through Jesus.

 

One way this is described, in the Bible, is in the revelation about Jesus by the angel to Joseph.

 

Matthew 1:20-21 says, “ an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. The angel said to him, “Joseph, descendant of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She is pregnant by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus [He Saves], because he will save his people from their sins.”

 

Jesus' name actually means, "He saves," or some translations say, "the Lord saves"

 

From the announcement that Jesus was coming, it was made known that God was saving those who believe, and Jesus is that salvation.

 

Dear Lord,  what a comfort and joy it is to know that you save us, we never could meet the standard of perfection to earn our salvation, and by your grace we don't have to. You save us.  Joy to the World!  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

 

Fear Of Authority

Fear Of Authority

 

Do you get a little nervous going through security at the airport, when you receive a letter from the IRS, or when you see a highway patrol vehicle parked and monitoring traffic speeds on the road?  I think it is a rather natural reaction to the significant power these people and organizations have to affect our lives.

 

God has the most power to affect our lives and he is always watching us.  When we think about the significance of that, we can start to feel very guilty and at risk of God's anger.  However, Paul tells us in Romans 5:1, "Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us."

 

Like strolling through security with no concern, or waiving at the patrol car knowing we are not speeding, we can have peace that God has no reason to punish us, because we have faith in Jesus Christ, who already took the punishment for us.

 

Dear Lord, What peace and joy we have through our faith in Jesus.  Help us live our lives in with this peace on display, so that others can see the beauty of life that you bring to those who have faith and trust in you.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

 

Love Comes From God

Love Comes From God

 

You may have read this text before, "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." 1 John 4:7,8

 

I find mystery in this text.  We probably all know people who do not profess to believe in God, but who are loving people, and take action to share their love and compassion for others.  So based on John's text, God is working through them.

 

I have also recently been reading and hearing comments from leadership experts and business thinkers who are not coming from a religious perspective, but are expressing the importance of love in leading people and sustaining business.

 

Maybe God is using this to provide fertile ground for us to plant the ultimate story of love, Jesus Christ.  Something to think about.

 

Dear Lord, Help us be part of your love in our world.  Help us look for opportunities to show others, who love but may not be Christian, the message of Jesus' love and salvation.  In his name we pray.  Amen.

 

The Test

The Test

 

You may have heard this quote, "The teacher is always quiet during the test."  It is an interesting way to think about our life challenges.

 

I imagine that quote describes David's situation when he wrote Psalm 22:1,2, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help?  Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief."  He felt left alone and forgotten in his difficult time.  I am sure many of us have felt this way at times, and maybe feel this way right now.

 

However David was not alone, and neither are we.  We get tested., allowed by God to be tested to make us stronger.  David goes on to to write the well known words in Psalm 23 afterward, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me to lie down in green pastures;  He leads me beside the still waters.  He restores my soul;  He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,  I will fear no evil;  For You are with me;  Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." NKJV

 

God is always there when we are being tested even though we may not feel it at the time.  When we are going through difficult times, we can also remember this less serious quote, "when you feel like you are going through hell, by all means don't stop, keep going."

 

Dear Lord, help us remember that you are always there with us, and will give us the support we need to get through our tests.  We will come out the other side stronger and closer to you. In Jesus' name.  Amen.

 

Grace and Faith

Grace and Faith

 

I think illustrations are very helpful in clarifying and understanding biblical concepts.  I have been working to find a good illustration to describe Paul's words in the verse that is a foundation of Christianity in Ephesians 2:8,9 " For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so no one can boast."

 

We talk about grace, and faith, but how do they fit together?  

 

Think of water flowing through a garden hose.  The water is God's grace, and the hose is faith.  So grace (water) comes through faith (the hose).  Before we are saved, we have put a kink in the hose, and are holding it to prevent the water from flowing.  When we release the kink, the water flows.  God's grace is a free gift ready for anyone who will release the kink in their hose, and stop rejecting the grace.  Faith is the way it comes to us.

 

Dear Lord, Thank you for the free gift of eternal life that we have by your gift of grace.  Help us accept it completely, and share the peace it brings with others so they might remove the "kink in their hose" and accept your grace as well.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

 

Anger Control

Anger Control

 

We all occasionally get angry about something.  I have found that we are much more likely to become angry, lose our control, and say or do something we shouldn't when we are either tired or hungry.

 

Psalm 4:4 gives us good advice in this regard,  "Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent."

 

It is unrealistic to think we can avoid ever becoming angry, but we can avoid letting that anger control us.  You have probably heard it said, "things look better in the morning."  We need to take the Psalmist's comments to heart, and hold our comments when we are angry.  In the morning we can re-evaluate the situation, and typically it will look much better.

 

Dear Lord,  We thank you that you give us the will to control ourselves and not just follow each emotional whim.  Help us hold our comments when we are angry until we can address those items productively and intelligently.  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

 

Who Do You Run With?

Who Do You Run With?

 

I have heard it said, "You become who you run with, and they become you." Obviously you don't actually become that other person, but when we spend lots of time with someone, their lingo, attitudes, and perspective influence ours.  It is very important, therefore, to manage who we spend our time with, because, positive or negative, they are influencing and changing us. 

 

The Bible talks about this in Exodus 23:33, where God tells the Israelites, "Do not let them live in your land or they will cause you to sin against me, because the worship of their gods will certainly be a snare to you.”  Proverbs 24:1, says "Don’t envy godless men; don’t even enjoy their company."

 

The interesting thing is that in modern times with television, podcasts, youtube, and other connections, our circle of people influencing us does not just consist of the people we physically spend time with.  We can be just as influenced by people we follow on social media, television, and the like; so we need to be careful who we are "running with" even in our “virtual circle”

 

Dear Lord, help us have the courage to remove those who are negative influences from our circle, and when that is not possible, help us be the positive influence that raises the group to a higher level of faithfulness to you.  In Jesus' name.  Amen

 

Magic?

Magic?

 

One of British Science Fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke's three adages was, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic."  It is an interesting observation. I imagine a jet aircraft, cell phone, or microwave would look like magic to someone 100 years ago.  I am sure in our lifetimes we will be amazed at technologies that are developed that will appear like magic to us.

 

What a fantastic time an opportunity God has created for us, and though it may be uncertain and possibly frightening, we do not have to fear, because we know as God tells us in John 1:1,3 "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.....All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."

 

God created it all, and is master of all, we have nothing to fear when we trust in Him.

 

I get a chuckle from this story that you may also have heard;
Scientists decided that they had developed the technology to make living creatures from just the basic elements in dirt, so they told God they didn't need him anymore and challenged God to a contest; Who could make life from dirt.  God agreed to the challenge.  As the Scientists reached down to pick up some dirt,  God said, "wait a moment, create your own dirt"

 

Dear Lord, When we stop and look at the magnificence of nature around us, and within our bodies and minds, we cannot but be in awe of you.  Help us not fear the amazing things you have given us,, or the abilities to develop new concepts and technologies, but use them for the good of each other. In Jesus' name.  Amen.

 

Everything Needed To Live A Godly Life

Everything Needed To Live A Godly Life

 

One challenge we all face when trying to accomplish anything good is the will-power or discipline to stick with it.  Whether it be, sticking to a diet, exercise, cutting bad language out of our vocabulary, quitting smoking, drugs, or alcohol, changing our habits and building better habits is difficult, but not impossible.

 

2 Peter 1:3,4 says, "By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.  And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires."

 

We can turn away from bad behaviors and live a godly life, if we so choose.  When we say we "can't" do something, what we are really saying is either, we won't try, or we don't really want to.  In all comes down to a decision.  We-make the decision and ask God to help us follow through.

 

I heard it said, "Our job is to do the natural, then God will do the super-natural."  This is how we overcome our wrong desires, and build a better self.

 

Dear Lord, Thank you for giving us everything we need to live the life you desire for us.  Help us decide to strive for that "godly" life, and take our step forward then let you carry us further.  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

 

PS. Happy Birthday Mom!

 

It Is Called Faith For A Reason

It Is Called Faith For A Reason

 

The engineer inside me, is routinely trying to figure out the how and why about everything.  This is the mindset in many people who wonder, "If God exists, why doesn't he just show himself and everyone would believe?"  Interesting, the Bible describes how God started that way.  He was right there with Adam and Eve and they still disobeyed.  He was right there physically with the Israelites when He led them out of Egypt, and they disobeyed and worshiped idols.  And during Jesus' life, He did miracles, fulfilled prophecies, and most people didn't believe.  Is it reasonable to think that it would be any different today if God made an appearance?

 

What God really wants from us is for us to submit our lives to Him in faith.  Matthew 11:25 says, "And Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding the truth from those who think themselves so wise, and for revealing it to little children.  Yes, Father, for it pleased you to do it this way!"  NLT

 

When we submit without understanding, like a child who trusts without knowing, we are where God wants us to be.

 

Dear Lord, strengthen us to have child-like faith in you.  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

 

Joy In Heaven

Joy In Heaven

 

I think we have all seen the basketball game with the half court shot at the buzzer that wins the game, or the "walk-off" home run in the crucial baseball game, or the seemingly impossible kick to win the soccer match, and the thousands of spectators in the stadium jump to their feet and cheer.

 

This is the image I envision when reading Luke 15:7, "..there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!"  

 

I can see the saints and angels jumping to their feet and cheering when someone who has rejected Jesus for years, drops his or her resistance and accepts Salvation.

 

Dear Lord, it is amazing to know that those in heaven cheer for the salvation of those on earth.  Help us remember to do our part in helping those who are lost become saved.  In Jesus name we pray.  Amen.