Category: Uncategorized

God sized steps

I had a humbling phone call yesterday. A lady wanted to know how I made room for a full time IT job, leading and teaching my family, and the things that I do for ministry. She was praising me and asking for tips. I was humbled because I truly cannot take credit,  I’m just along for the ride. I explained that we took things small and one thing at a time,  but with a dedication and a focus to not just learn it,  but to see opportunities to put it into action, and to look for the Lord to be alive and active and empowering in our lives.

We started out with a simple time of praise and devotional as a family first thing in the morning. And we do it not just to learn in our heads, but to get on the same page as a family, and to encourage each other, and to hold each other accountable each day, and to see the lessons play out in our lives,  as Christ empowers our lives and works through us as the body of Christ. We are trusting Him to bear fruit in our lives and to pour out onto others.

Continue reading “God sized steps” →

Live!

http://bible.com/116/mat.16.25.nlt
If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.

He tells us again and again –

Let go of your life

Lay down your life for others

Follow me

Don’t turn back

Don’t take your hands from the plow

– and He does this to teach us that even though this Grace is a free gift, it isn’t cheap.

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Is my name written, erased, known, called, chosen?

Erased:
http://bible.com/116/psa.69.28.nlt
Erase their names from the Book of Life; don’t let them be counted among the righteous.

Removed:
http://bible.com/116/rev.22.19.nlt
And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book.

No covering:
http://bible.com/116/heb.10.26-31.nlt Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies. For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us. For we know the one who said, “I will take revenge. I will pay them back.” He also said, “The Lord will judge his own people.” It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Faithful:
http://bible.com/116/heb.10.37-39.nlt
“For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.” But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.

Obedient Child of God or lying child of the devil:
http://bible.com/116/jhn.8.44-51.nlt
For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.  Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.” I tell you the truth, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!”

Obedience demonstrates Love/Life, while disobedience proves the absence of life
http://bible.com/116/1jn.2.4-6.nlt
If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.

Love others,  Honoring their value to God
http://bible.com/116/1jn.4.20-21.nlt
If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.

Are you uncommon, precious?
http://bible.com/116/mat.7.13-14.nlt “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.  But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

Agape Love is the unveiled fulfillment of what is taught in the Law
http://bible.com/116/mat.7.12.nlt
“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.

It isn’t about Religion
http://bible.com/116/mat.7.21-23.nlt “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.  On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’  But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’

It’s about Faith
http://bible.com/116/rom.4.3.nlt
For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”

It’s about His forgiveness
http://bible.com/116/rom.4.5-8.nlt
But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. David also spoke of this when he described the happiness of those who are declared righteous without working for it: “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight. Yes, what joy for those whose record the lord has cleared of sin.”

It is a free gift
http://bible.com/116/rom.4.13-16.nlt
Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith. If God’s promise is only for those who obey the law, then faith is not necessary and the promise is pointless. For the law always brings punishment on those who try to obey it. (The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break!) So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe.

Belief,  Faith
http://bible.com/116/rom.4.20-22.nlt Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous.

Faith tested builds character and endurance
http://bible.com/116/rom.5.1-5.nlt 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. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

He chooses you
http://bible.com/116/jhn.15.16.nlt You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.

He draws you to Christ to be raised up
http://bible.com/116/jhn.6.44-45.nlt
For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up.  As it is written in the Scriptures, ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.

He will not leave you
http://bible.com/116/isa.41.9-10.nlt
I have called you back from the ends of the earth, saying, ‘You are my servant.’ For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Know who you are, Child of God, by who you love –

http://bible.com/116/mat.22.14.nlt
“For many are called, but few are chosen.”

http://bible.com/116/rom.8.28-30.nlt 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. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.

I talk too much to say so little

I talk too much to say so little.

http://bible.com/59/pro.10.19-20.ESV
When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.  The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth.

Volume does not equal quality or wisdom.

http://bible.com/59/pro.17.28.ESV
Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Continue reading “I talk too much to say so little” →

So what does a Christian look like?

http://bible.com/116/mat.13.18-23.nlt
“Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds:  The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts.  The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy.  But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.  The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.  The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”
So
Continue reading “So what does a Christian look like?” →

What do workers do?

http://bible.com/116/mat.9.37-38.nlt
He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.  So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

What do workers do?  They work and they get paid. But those who don’t work get fired because they are useless. Are we working, not working but hoping to not get fired, or satisfied with a free check that we aren’t willing to work for?

Observation
There are so few workers for Christ in this world. There are a lot of people who want to claim Christ for what they think He can give them, wanting to be master over a genie they can pay to for blessings – trying to make God the worker and themselves the master. There are a lot of people working hard to plan a career path and to build up their financial wealth and status so they might try to find comfort and security in their wealth, but how many would say they put similar effort into planning how they might work for the Lord and spread the gospel to the ends of the earth?

Continue reading “What do workers do?” →

Forgiveness comes with healing, which leads to walking, which carries us home

http://bible.com/116/mat.9.5-6.nlt
Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’?  So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”

Life Application
It’s easy to tell someone his sins are forgiven; it’s a lot more difficult to reverse a case of paralysis! Jesus backed up his words by healing the man’s legs. Jesus’ action showed that his words were true; he had the power to forgive as well as to heal. Talk is cheap, but our words lack meaning if our actions do not back them up. We can say we love God or others, but if we are not taking practical steps to demonstrate that love, our words are empty and meaningless. How well do your actions back up what you say?

Observation
We each have many needs. And the Lord is aware of them all. Above all,  we need to be born again – not just forgiven,  but healed so that we can stand upright and walk a righteous life serving God.

If we are just accepting forgiveness and not changed and healed and living out a repentant life,  where is the miracle,  where is the example set forth so that others might see the fruitful change in our lives and draw near to Christ?

You see,  beloved,  we are each not just forgiven, but we are a miracle. We each have a testimony of being snatched from the darkness and delivered into the light. If we don’t yet have that c testimony, if we haven’t yet received that miracle,  He promises that if we seek Him,  if we continue to knock,  He will answer.

Hope
We find Hope in the promise that He will answer,  that He will hear our call, as we surrender our lives to Him – that He is faithful and true to honor His promise of accepting those who believe as His adopted children.

Faith
And yes, we will be tested. If we are seeking to follow in the footsteps of Christ,  if we are hungry to learn more each day from our teacher and to walk in the Spirit,  we will encounter trials and tribulations and suffering – and it is in these that the miracle of what we claim with our words is proven in our changed actions. A verbal claim of forgiveness is backed up,  is proven, by the visible proof of healing and repentance. And this is our life lived as a testimony to others that He is Faithful and True.

Love
And as we grow in our faithful walk,  as He is proven alive in our lives as we trust Him and cling to Him through the challenges,  we find that even those challenges were for our good,  as He uses them to bless us with the fruit of the Spirit that comes from standing firm during the trials. Love springs forth. Not judgement,  not hatred towards others,  not condemnation,  not fits of anger towards others – but love. If we are trees growing by the stream of living waters, we bear fruit to nourish others, even the leaves from our branches are used to provide healing for others.

We are to be peacemakers, humble in spirit, like Christ, knowing that we are a total priesthood because of His promises, but as He demonstrated in His example – we should be satisfied midst in laying down our crown at His feet, and serving others with this gospel message,  and praying,  “Father forgive them,  they know not what they do.”

Call to Action
It is easy to claim forgiveness and to not live out the example, but if that is the case,  can we be sure that we have laid our hands on the only treasure that really matters? Are we sure that we have not forfeited our soul to gain the world, beloved?

Take heart. Rest in Him. Prove yourself today in accepting His forgiveness, in claiming your miracle, in living out a repentant life remembering the grace that has been extended to you, and may your grattitude and ginger for the Lord spill out onto the lives of all around you in love,  in service unto others.

Forgive others. And receive forgiveness.

Be healed and walk upright so that others might find healing for themselves.

Know that your home is in heaven and that you are just a traveler in this land, so that His Love,  His Kingdom is come in your life today,  as a shining light on a hill,  as a servant’s hands washing the feet of others, as Christ alive in you today,  beloved.

Don’t just claim Christ, be the body of Christ today – child of God, vessel of the Holy Spirit. 

Help us

http://bible.com/116/mat.7.21.nlt
Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.

Lord, help us to be doers of your will,  not just hearers,  not just talkers,  not just feelers, not just sinners with no repentance in our hearts.

Repentance

http://bible.com/116/pro.12.1-3.nlt
To learn, you must love discipline;
it is stupid to hate correction.
The Lord approves of those who are good,
but he condemns those who plan wickedness.
Wickedness never brings stability,
but the godly have deep roots.

Observation
A pastor yesterday posed the question to Facebook,  “What is repentance?”

I saw all kinds of answers that focused on either thinking a certain way in your head or feeling a certain way in your emotions, but I didn’t see a single response that said,  “Go and sin no more.” In fact, I saw a lot of discussion about things that take no cost,  no sacrifice,  no real commitment to living a Christian life of obedience.

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