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!

Thank You For The Harvest

Given August 8, 2007
As we gather today to celebrate those things for which we are thankful, I'm reminded of where the harvest comes from; the seed. "And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:12". The things we are harvesting today come from the seeds we've planted in the past. If you're not seeing the kind of harvest you want, or in the amount you want, try planting different or more seed.

This summer, after planting some bean seeds, I harvested a bumper crop. I love to count things, so I counted the bean pods I got off of several plants. You know I got 27 bean pods from one plant with about 8 beans in each pod. That's 216 bean seeds that came from the one I planted! Now that's a good return! I had planted a bunch of seeds so I got a bountiful return. "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 2 Corinthians 9:6". And, since I wanted beans, I planted bean seeds. I sowed according to what I wanted to harvest.

But I didn't just let the seeds sit there. No, I watered them, got the weeds out, kept the soil loose around them because I wanted the best harvest I could get. And it took awhile. But I had faith that the process would work. It works the same way in the Spiritual realm. You get what you sow and in the amount you sow it. "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Luke 6:38".

As we give thanks today for what God has done for us and the things He has given to us, realize it comes from this principle of seed-time-harvest; plant the seed, give it some time, reap the harvest. You know, we should be out looking for opportunities to plant into the Kingdom of God in many areas of our lives and expecting, by faith, a bountiful return.

Be blessed!

I'm Blessed!

Given October 24, 2007
I've been reading and hearing a lot lately about who I am, what I have, and what I can do as a born-again Christian. The Bible is full of promises made to me, as a believer, that can impact my life and those around me. I'm saved by faith, Ephesians 2:8, I'm a child of God, John 3:1, I have authority over the devil, Luke 10:19, I'm healed, Isaiah 53:5, I can do all things, Philippians 4:13, just to mention a few.

But there's one promise God has directed me to go a little farther in than just knowing it and declaring it over myself. How many times a day do you meet somebody, say hello, and then they ask, "How are you?" For me, it's all the time! My answer for years has been, "Great!" or "Wonderful!". I just didn't want to say, "Fine."; that didn't tell how I really am as a Christian. I'm better than fine!

On this day I read Ephesians 1:3 which said, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ". That verse says God HAS blessed me, He's already done it, so I'm blessed! All the time, I'm blessed! So, God directed me, when someone asked me how I was, to say, "I'm blessed!" And that's what I've been saying for a few weeks now.

About half the people I say that to do a double-take and make a comment about what I said. It's a witness! Sometimes I say, "I'm blessed and so are you." It's the truth. We are all blessed and I'm enjoying telling people about it and seeing God get the glory! How are you?

Rain For All

Given October 27, 2007
"That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:45". God's sun shines on everyone and His rain falls on all as well. Here's what I was shown on this scripture today: For instance, if I pray for rain for my crops, it will also rain on my neighbor's garden too. They will be blessed because of God's favor toward me.

In addition, if my unjust neighbors know that I am one of "the children of your Father which is in heaven", because I've stepped out of my comfort zone and reached out to them, they are more likely to hear what I have to say. If I show God's love and help them when they're in need, that will open the door a little wider the next time. When this situation develops, God will give me what I need to reach them. Maybe they won't let Him in but thy will me and God will supply me and use me as the "go-between" to get His message to them.

Here's the point: always show the love of God to your neighbors no matter how bad they are and they will see your good deeds and soften up to the Gospel. "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16". Do this and God will supply you with whatever resources you need to get the Word to them. But it starts with living the Christ-like life before them.

Come To Jesus

Given June 7, 2007
Come to Jesus. This is an invitation that has gone out to all. People who are not "churched" or haven't been brought up in church may not know all that it means. We've heard that there is salvation; we get to go to Heaven, that's the main thing. There's forgivness, some blessings and many other "benefits" we may not know about.

Jesus said about entering into life, "But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:14". I guess that's because the other road, the one to destruction, is wide, easily traveled, and has tempting billboards along the way. God gave me a vision about that small gate on this day.

I go to technology conferences in a certain classy hotel occasionally and I remembered a small, unobtrusive door down a side hall of this hotel. It's not very inviting but when you open it and go in...you are in the gigantic ballroom! That plain little door leads to a fancy ballroom with an abundance of opportunities.

The door to life is the same way. If we get on the narrow path and go through the plain little door, what we'll find on the inside is fabulous. And Jesus will be in there waiting to greet us.

You Are God

Given August 23, 2007
During morning prayer, I was asking God what lies ahead for me. I want to know what He's got planned for me in the near future. I've been asking this for awhile and am getting the message that I'm not quite ready yet and must keep learning and doing what I already know. In my spirit, I heard God say to me, "Keep doing the little things. Minister to individuals." I remembered this verse, "His lord said unto him, `Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Thou hast been faithful over a few things; I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Matthew 25:21".

I thought, "It's not about me, it's about God; it's what's important to God and everything is on His schedule." I prayed, "Thank you God, you are supreme, you are almighty." Then I said, "You are, and I'm not. What He replied brought me to tears. He said, "You ARE too. Get up here Son."

The Bible says, "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6". I was reminded that God is my Father and I'm His boy. I have an inheritance and am a co-heir with Jesus. I will continue to do the little things and be patient for what my father's got waiting for me. What a family!

Willing And Obedient

Given February 22, 2007
I remember the story of an active little boy in church who wouldn't sit still. After several "requests" from his mother, which went unheeded, he got a pinch and was made to sit down. The boy glared at his mom and whispered, "I may be sitting on the outside but, on the inside, I'm standing up!"

Aren't we like that with Father God sometime? We'll do something we know we should, we're obedient, but are we willing on the inside? The Bible says, "If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: Isaiah 1:19". Willing AND obedient. In that case, we do what God desires and we WANT to do it. Do you think that would please Him? I do.

As a father, I remember times when one of my boys would do a chore I'd asked, like pick beans or something, but they wouldn't be too happy about. They did it begrudgingly and without their best effort. On the other hand, there were times when they would say, "Sure Paw, I'd be glad to!" Now, which one do you think made me the happiest and more inclined to reward them?

I want to be like the latter with God my Father.

Something To Look Forward To

Given June 4, 2007
Think about a time in your life when you had something big coming up. I remember vacations as a kid. Man, the closer it'd get to the day we'd leave, the exciteder (is that a word?) I'd get. I looked forward to getting up early, getting in the car, and starting on our adventure. Even now, I find that if I have something to look forward to each week or each day, I can put up with the daily grind much better. When pressure, stress, or negative thoughts try to come on me, I just think about the good that's coming up. " By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:2".

There are those who might say, "Well, it's so bad for me right now there's nothing good in my life and no hope for the future." Not so! God has a plan for each of us. "For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. Jeremiah 29:11 Amplified Bible". Wow, is that something to look forward to? Spend time with God and let Him show you how to get in to this plan. He'll show you how to overcome the bad and see some good out there.

We must not walk backwards into the future; longing for what's behind, but looking forward to what's ahead, even though we can't see it yet. Remember the Hebrew nation? "If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11: 15-16". Now let's see...what do I have coming up?

Dream Big

Given June 2, 2007

While traveling to an out-of-town wedding recently, I noticed a sign on a mobile home sales lot. The sign said, "Come in and find your dream home." That set me to thinking. Now, there's nothing wrong with living in a mobile home; I purchased and lived in one myself for several years. They are good, basic, living quarters for those on a limited budget, as we were.

But a "dream home"? I think that says something about our dreams. "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20". One of the greatest limitations to our lives is who we think we are and what we think we can accomplish. The enemy puts thought of mediocrity in our minds and if we don't push beyond that, we will never rise to what God has planned for us. We need to dream big, imagine unthinkable accomplishments, and not limit God by our small thinking.

Jesus said, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10". While you're living in that mobile home, working in a low-paying job, or quietly serving God, dream of a big house on a hill, a job where you can have enough for yourself and others, or have a major spiritual impact on others. And by faith, thank God for it! He loves a big dreamer; just ask Joseph, Genesis 41:41-43.

God Uses People

Given November 9, 2004
Do you remember the story of Paul on the road to Damascus? He was knocked off his donkey by a great light and heard the voice of Jesus telling him to go to Damascus and wait to be told what to do next. At the same time, Jesus called to a disciple in Damascus, Ananias, and gave him a very frightening task: "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight. Acts 9:11-12".

Ananias protested at first because of Saul's reputation for doing harm to the saints. But when Jesus said, "Go." in verse 15, Ananias went and did what he was told. Think how awesome this was. Jesus chose a believer, sent him on a dangerous, (he thought), mission, he called Saul "brother", laid hands on him and Saul was healed and filled with the Holy Spirit! What an important assignment for Ananias.

The rest, as they say, is history. But don't you think Ananias was blessed for being obedient? And if he had not been, Jesus would probably have chosen someone else. But he was obedient in the face of uncertainty and I can imagine, as he heard reports of the work Paul was doing, he realized how blessed he was for Jesus to have chosen him.

You know, Jesus might just send you or me on some important mission. First, are we, "... a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. Acts 22:12" as Ananias was. Second, will we be willing to go. Who knows what future great preacher Jesus may send us to minister to; or maybe it will be a down-and-out bum on the street who needs a kind word and something to eat. God uses people to serve His people.