Heap Of Trouble

Given December 22, 2007
Jesus said in John 16:33, "In this world, you will have trouble", and we can all agree this is true. We all have trouble of different kinds and magnitudes. I heard something the other day that made me think of troubles in a different way.

What if....a decree went out in your community to create a Heap of Troubles. This would be a voluntary thing and anyone who wanted to participate could bring their troubles to a pre-determined location and pile them up. This would go on for one week and, at the end of the week, all the troubles heaped up there would be divided into equal parts according to the number of people who had participated. These equal-sized troubles would then be re-distributed to all those involved. What do you think? Would you participate?

I can see a man with an armful of "troubles" coming up to the heap. As he begins to toss his problems onto the pile, another guy backs his pickup truck loaded with his troubles up to the pile. The first guy thinks, "Well, maybe my troubles aren't so bad after all." Do you get the point?

Many times, we think we have troubles and problems until we see someone else's. Then ours don't seem so bad. But, you know, God DOES have a program like this. He DOES want us to bring our troubles to Him and leave them there. But the good news is that they won't get re-distributed back to us. God will take care of them all! "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7". Now, notice that, "due time" part. Most of the time, we'll still have to deal with the results of our bad decisions but God will be right there with us to take us through. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for Thou art with me. Psalms 23:4".

Do you have any troubles? Toss them onto God's heap then let Him direct your paths, Proverbs 3:5-6.

You Da Man!

Given December 16, 2007
This post is for men but I suppose it applies to women who are the head of their family as well. For you women who are responsible for your family, entitle this, "You Da Gal!"

I'm realizing, more and more, that a lot of people depend on my prayers. Certainly my family; wife, four boys, two daughters-in-law, four grandkids, mother, brother, his family, etc. Then there's my church where I'm a deacon and unofficial prayer coordinator. A lot of people look to me to be faithful in prayer and many don't even realize I'm praying for them every day. If I mess up, it could affect a lot of people.

I'm reminded of some guys in the Bible who messed up. Achan, Joshua 7, who brought back some spoils from battle against God's command. Not only did Achan get stoned, but his whole family too! And what about the guys who accused Daniel and had him thrown in the lion's den? When God delivered Daniel, the accusers were thrown in...and their families, Daniel 6:24.

On the other hand, we can read of some men who did good and their families were blessed. Cornelius, Acts 10, was a devout man and so was his family. He obeyed God and called Peter to come to his house and tell them the Good News. Cornelius called his whole family and friends together and when they heard the Word, the Holy Ghost fell on all of them! Of course, Joshua said, "But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD". Joshua 24:15.

And finally, it's recorded in Exodus 12:21-23 how the elders of the Israelite families called their own into the house, at the direction of Moses, and applied the blood of a lamb to their door posts. They and their families were saved when the destroyer came by. What if they had not listened, were doing something else, or forgot?

Guys and gals, a lot of people are depending on us so let's stay pure, stay in the Word, and be ready to act in faith and authority when needed. Be blessed!

Increase Our Faith

Given November 14, 2007
First, I apologize for not writing for over a week. I was attending a state technology conference for most of the week and was unable to find the time. So, I will catch up beginning today.

After Jesus had told his guys to forgive somebody seven times as day, they said, "Lord, increase our faith", Luke 17:5. That seemed a pretty tall order for those guys and they realized they needed more faith to do that. But Jesus began telling them that all they needed was faith as small as a mustard seed. They didn't need any super faith, they had what they needed and we do too.

But, it made me think about seeds....if we have a seed that we want to produce a plant, we don't take it to Jesus and ask Him to give us the increase. No, we plant it, water it, and do the things that we know will cause it to grow and increase. The law of seed-time-harvest is already in place, we just have to operate in it.

I think it's the same with our faith. We all have a measure of it, (the seed), so we have to develop it with prayer, the Word, and exercising it. When we do those things, our faith will increase and we'll be able to do great and mighty things through God who gives the increase by His plan according to Christ Jesus. Be blessed!