His Love And Compassion

Scripture:
Isaiah 42:1-7
Hebrews 4:14-16

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Compassion is often found as weakness in society.  We dare not show emotion or compassion.  If we do we are deemed weak or foolish.  when I was little our family moved from the South to the North.  I had a strong southern accent going to the second grade.  I became the but of everyone's joke.  My emotions got the best of me time and again.  I guess that helped me become more compassionate as I grew.  I had someone once tell me I had the gift of compassion.  I could feel your hurts and pains right along with you.  I somehow new how you felt and felt it with you.

How much more does Jesus feel?  How much more does he understand.  His love for us is so great that He came to this earth to be human.  He felt everything we feel. He suffered great pains and was rejected by all.  Even His closest friends turned away in His our of need.  How much greater is Jesus' compassion for us.  Next time you think how can God know what it is like just remember Jesus has been there and done that...

Most likely this will be my last devotional thought before Christmas.  So I want to take a moment to Wish you all a very Merry Christmas...

Waiting...

Scripture:
Psalm 27:14
Luke 2:1-7

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¹⁴Wait for the LORD;
         Be strong and let your heart take courage;
         Yes, wait for the LORD.

At one of the In-Depth small group meetings I shared some concerns and issues I have been dealing with.  I told them that I was praying over it all.  I shared that I firmly believe I am where God has placed me.  I was asked what was God telling me at this time.  My answer after a brief pause was that God is telling me to wait.  I need to wait upon Him.

It is difficult dealing with these things on a daily basis.  I have reached a point of dread.  However, I do feel God has placed me where He wants me.  I do know He is with me.  He hasn't forsaken me or left me. Some 2,000 years ago Jesus was born to be our savior, our salvation.  God's people had been waiting for years upon years.  When He came many of His chosen people rejected Him.  They waited for a savior and didn't see it when He did come. 

Let us not be like that.  Let us take courage and wait upon the Lord.  Let us see and hear Him when it is time. We need not to act in haste or prematurely.  If we wait and rely on God everything will work out so much better.  If I were not where I am today, where He placed me.  I would not know the people I know.  I wouldn't have the fellowship I have.  I wouldn't have the encouragement and strength offered by fellow Christians.  I wouldn't writing this email today.

God has His reasons and He has His plans.  They are much better than mine.  So will I will wait upon Him...

To Trust or Not To Trust...

Scripture:
Proverbs 3:5-6
Luke 1:26-38

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God is so good and loving and yet we have a hard time trusting in Him.  God sent us the greatest gift of all time.  He gave Himself for our salvation.  Over this past year God has brought me to levels of dependency that I didn't even know I could get to.  Every time I turn around I have found I had no choice to to rely on Him.  Every time He has proven trustworthy.  So why is it so hard to trust.

We live in a world of cold hard facts.  If you cannot see it, touch it, heart, smell it, it doesn't exist.  Facing a mountain of bills or troubles of any kind we think how can God possibly help me.  We think we can do it better ourselves.  We think I have been hurt before, why would God help me now.  We feel rejection from the world and associate it with God rejecting us.

When we believe this we are so far from the truth that we cannot comprehend the truth.  The simple answer but so hard to do is turn to God and trust.  Turn to the Scriptures for answers.  Go to God in prayer.  I often ask God to help me with my  unbelief.  I ask for help to over come my doubts.  When I find it hard to trust God I force myself to stop and take a step back.  I have to say God this is beyond me and I can only trust You.  I can't count the number of times I fail.  God is loving, kind, and merciful...  We can trust Him...

Without Love

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 13

John 14:15-21

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Love, it is so common yet so foreign.  How many of us can say we are kind, that we do not envy, nor boast, not proud.  How many of us can say we do not dishonor others or not self seeking.  What about never failing, who can say that they never fail?  Sure at some point in time everyone can claim these things.  We succeed, we are kind, we honor others.  However, we cannot claim them all and we cannot claim them all the time.

Everyone who believes in Christ receives spiritual gifts.  For some those gifts might be teaching, giving, compassion.  Everyone's spiritual gift is different.  However, we are all called to love as Christ has loved.  Without love our spiritual gifts are nothing.  Without love our offerings and service to God are meaningless.  

So why is it so hard to love at times?  Why do we struggle with love?  My thought is that we are self seeking and self serving.  Because of this when someone wrongs us we find it hard to show love and compassion.  When we are looking within it becomes all about me.  We  lose site of love.  When we focus on Christ we can show Christ-like love.  When it seems impossible to show love I find it helps to remind myself that Jesus Loves them.  If Jesus loves them and accepts them as they are who am I to do any different...

Gifts & Submission

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 5:6-8

James 4:1-10

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Why is it that we have trouble submitting to the will of God?  What is it that makes us think we can do better. James 4:7 "Submit yourselves, then to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."  There are times it seems that the world comes crashing down on me.  In these moments I find I am trying to do it my way on my own.  I do not submit to God's will but struggle with my own will.  Satan seems to grab hold and not let go.  

I find that things in my life work out far better when I submit to God's will and allow Him control.  I look back at all the so called unanswered prayers in my life and see God's hand at work.  Had God given me exactly what I asked for when I asked for it my life would have been filled with even more disasters.  I look back and see God's answer to those prayers.  I think what a blessing God gave me and I didn't even see it.

All we have to do is submit to His will.  It isn't an easy task, I struggle with it daily.  Everything we ask for in His name while seeking His will will be answered.  God wants to bless us and He want's to give us all our desires.  Most parents want to give their kids everything they ask for.  We however can see a bigger picture than they do.  Sometimes we withhold a gift from our children for their own sakes.  Sometimes even if they don't see it we say no because in the end they are better off with the no.  Sometimes we give even before they ask it.  How much more does God do for us?  How much more does He love us? 

Who Needs The Instructions

Scripture:
Joshua 1:1-9
1 John 5:1-13

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OK, why is it that most men do not read the instructions?  I will sit down to assemble a new toy or something we purchased without reading the instructions.  It almost always gets messed up in the process and I get frustrated.

After Nancy and I got married we purchased a gas grill.  We sat down together to assemble it.  She read the instructions pointing out what I needed to do. I did most of the physical labor.  We managed to fairly quickly and accurately assemble the grill.

Our lives and spiritual growth require instructions.  We get those instructions through the Bible.  Joshua is told by God to continuously meditate on God's law.  The reason for this was for him to be able to do everything written in it.  We also need to read the scriptures continuously in order to know God's word and be able to decipher His will.  By diving deep in God's word we will keep him close to our hearts.  I started reading a book by Gary Smalley, Change your Heart Change Your Live,  and in it he talks about what we keep in our hearts.  What is in the heart is what we think, believe, and act on.  By continuously reading God's word it will form in our hearts.  Once in our hearts we will live it out.

We are not supposed to do this all alone though.  Just as Nancy and I worked to assemble the grill we are to help one another spiritually.  She is my helper and I hers.  Another source of help and encouragement is our small group at InDepth in church.  I also have a small circle of friends who give encouragement, advice, and prayers from time to time.  They allow me to dump on them and they offer unconditional love and friendship.  God didn't mean for us to be alone.  Not only is He with us always He also gave us each other...

Me Great, Naw...

Scripture:
2 Chronicles 26:3-19
Colossians 2:13-14

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One thing I never want to get away from is giving God credit.  There have been a few times after giving a devotional or sermon when someone would come up and say you did a good job, or that was a really good sermon.  As they gave me praise I would shift the focus from me to God.  I knew that what I said wasn't me but God through me.  I could never say anything profound or theologically great.  Even these thoughts I share are insights that God has given me.  I always pray before writing a devotional or sermon for God to give me the words to speak.  I even pray for the words to write in these emails & blog posts.

For years I have been a computer technician or systems analyst.  I have had a successful career in the I.T. field.  However, my success and abilities are not my own.  God has given me the knowledge and skills.  He is the one not me that is able to accomplish all that I do.  I try to pray every morning for God to give me wisdom and the knowledge I need for that day.

The days I fail, or feel a total failure, are the days I forget to include God.  Those are the times when I say "I did it..."  If you look at our Biblical greats they all made monumental accomplishments only because, and when, they fully trusted and relied on God.  Just to name a few examples are Moses, King David, and King Uzziah.  Each were great and did great things, but only when they turned to God.  Their greatness came because they were faithful to God.

Let us all remember that it isn't because we can do it.  It is all because God works in and through us...

Comfort...

Scripture:
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Isaiah 26:2-4

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I remember years ago I had my own computer business.  Things had been shaky at best almost all the time.  That year I went to a Promise Keepers event with a few church members and our pastor.  During one of the breaks I was feeling rather depressed and frustrated.  I had walked outside with one particular person in the group.  We had sat down together to eat our lunches.  During this time we started to talk.  I ended up pouring out my heart and soul to him.  He sat and listened and didn't judge.  He offered friendship and comfort.  Since then him and his wife have become dear and close friends of ours.  They are adopted grandparents to our children, who love them dearly.  The influence, support and love they give has been the comfort we have needed from time to time over the years.  God definitely blessed me when He brought Oz into my life.

As the years pass by I look back and see all that we have been through.  Nancy and I have been more sympathetic to those who have struggled financially.  All of us have had financial woes.  Some of those woes are our own fault and some we have had no control over.  Regardless of the reason we still need support, understanding, and love. 

God brought Oz and his wife to us when we needed them.  He recently brought another friend  into my life that has listened to my constant complaints and woes without judgment or criticism.  I am very grateful and thankful to God that He has blessed me with Oz and Rich.  As I go through life I only hope and pray that I too can be that comfort and friendship to someone else in need...

Stress And Comfort

Scripture:
Psalm 46:1-11
Psalm 91

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It seems that today people are stressed more than usual.  I know for us this last week as been a rather rough one.  Nancy not only dealt with home-schooling the kids but added company and two sick puppies to the list.  Facing vet bills and extreme puppy care was more than enough to put all of us over the top with stress.  The capstone of it all was the death of one of the puppies.  Even though we lost one of the puppies we felt some of the stress lift away.  Saddened by the loss and grateful to have had her we move on. 

Psalm 46:11 "The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah."  No matter what we are going through we know God is with us.  He is our strength and refuge.  Psalm 91:1 "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."   God will give us strength, comfort, and all the help we need. 

As we were dealing with the puppies God sent two very special people to us.  They gave of their time, money, and love.  God sent them to us when we needed them most.  All we  have to do is wait upon the Lord and He will our refuge, our stronghold, our protector and provider.

God is merciful, loving, and caring.  He will be with us at all times.  He will send someone to us when we need them.  We just have to be open to Him and allow Him to work in our lives...

The Enemies Weakness...

 Scripture:
Acts 3:17-26
Ephesians 6:10-11

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When war leaders prepare for battle they assess the enemy.  Scouts go out and intelligence is gathered.  The goal is to find any and all weaknesses.  Inevitably in the movies you will hear the mentor or "master" teach their students that everyone and everything has a weakness.  Find the weakness and exploit it to win the battle.  Back in the 80's there was a TV show called Airwolf.  A helicopter that had no weakness or openings for attack.  It was suposedly completely bullet proof and able to withstand any attack.  However, there was one weakness.  That weakness was the opening for the in-flight refueling system.  Greek methology has Achilles.  He was all but indestructible.  Nothing could hurt him.  His only weakness was his heel. 

Every one looks for the weakness of their enemy.  Satan does the same to us.  He will look for and exploit our weaknesses.  We are told to wear the armor of God in order to be prepared.  God's armor covers and protects us completely unlike the helicopter in Airwolf or Achilles' heel there is no weakness in God or His armor.  However, we do not wear the armor completely or necessarily correctly.  We create the weakness that allows Satan to get through. 

God promises to refresh us.  Acts 3:19 "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,"  When we feel tired, weary, and ready to fall to the enemy all we have to do is turn our eyes upon God and allow Him to refresh us.  We will mount up as on eagle's wings and not grow weary.  When we get worn down we have to refocus on God and allow the Holy Spirit to wash us anew.  God will not forsake us, it is our own doing that separates us from God.  Jesus is waiting and willing to step between us and the enemy.  All we have to do is step aside and allow Him to be in control...

Are You Focused?

Scripture:
Exodus 4:1-5
2 Corinthians 9:8-11

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Focus, how well do we focus?  Often I have wondered and asked who am I to do this.  Why would God want me to speak to this group or that group?  I use to belong to a men's group at our old church.  Once a month we met for breakfast on Sunday morning before church.  I was one of three who would give the devotional for the morning breakfast.  At first I would think who am I to do this.  I would also ask what could I say to these men who have more experience and wisdom than I do. 

When I would put my focus on God He would reassure me.  It wasn't me but God that called me to it.  It wasn't me that gave the devotions but God speaking through me.  When I focused on God I learned that God doesn't necessarily call those that are qualified.  God will qualify those that He calls.  God will give us what we need to complete His work.  God will reassure us and strengthen us just as He did Moses.  All we have to do is focus on Jesus and cast our worries and cares upon Him...

Is It Really Bad...

Scripture:
Ephesians 2:1-7
Ephesians 2:11-22

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Oranges, they not only taste good but they are good for you.  I love oranges, specially blood oranges from Sicilia.  I remember the first time I saw one.  I thought it was bad and tossed it in the garbage.  It was a few days later when I learned the truth and discovered how much I loved the taste.  Unfortunately I now have to limit how much I can eat.  I will get canker sores in my mouth if I have too much citrus.  It is also true for anyone, too much oranges is not healthy for you.

Sex is a beautiful gift from God.   In the confines of a marriage sex is a wonderful intimate part of your relationship.  However, people can warp it into a terrible sin that destroys relationships.   If we allow the desire of sex take over it will destroy the relationship between a husband and wife.  If allowed to go unchecked sex will also come between you and God. 

Satan will use any means necessary to pull you away from God.  He will use food, sex, and other earthly desires that in the right context is healthy and good for you.  Satan will pervert and twist what ever he can to pull you away from a healthy relationship and ultimately from God.

It is through Grace that we can have a relationship with God.  It is through the Holy Spirit that we have wisdom and insight to keep from doing what is wrong.  Ephesians 2:1-2 "And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience." 

God gives us the strength and wisdom to withstand the temptations of sin.  Ephesians 6:10-18 God gives us His armor in which to withstand and be triumphant...

 ¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  ¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Let us pray for one another and be on guard.  Let us stand firm in Christ and spread His love to the world...

Who to Listen to...

Scripture:

Genesis 3:1-13

Romans 8:18-30

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Everyone is quick to give advice and input.  We can get varying answers to the same question depending on who you ask.  We must be careful in who we listen to.  Satan will do anything to try and deceive you.  Sometimes he will cover the whole truth by using parts of another truth.  He will twist and manipulate in order to deceive. 

An example of differences is baptism.  Some people believe in the covenant baptism, infant baptism.  Others believe that you have to have the believer's baptism.  

I have read scripture listened to other peoples advice and thoughts.  If you go to a Methodist Church you will have a list of reasons why you baptize infants and it is OK.  If you go to a Baptist Church you will hear why you must have the believer's baptism and baptism by immersion.  Even within a church you can get different views on baptism, tithing and how to celebrate holidays.  

We must be careful who we listen to.  We must also be careful what we allow into our hearts.  Deception can come easily even from within one's own church.  One theme that I have heard over and over is to go to scriptures.  If you are not sure about what someone tells you, read your Bible.  All answers are written in the Bible somewhere.  Another important task is to pray over it.  Between Prayer and Scripture God will reveal His will and give us His guidance.  Between prayer and scripture we will receive all the correct answers.  Sometimes those answers are confirmed by others around us.  Sometimes God will tell us directly...

Are We Foreigners?

Scripture:
1 Peter 2:9-17
John 5:19-20

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I remember when I was little we moved from Kentucky to a suburb of Chicago, Elmhurst.  I remember that first year of school.  Ever since that first day of school I was doomed.  I had a strong southern accent and anyone who talked with me know I wasn't from around there.  I felt alone and out of place.  I remember when we got new neighbors across the street.  I was over joyed to have a friend who was also new to the area.  Now after so many years Elmhurst still has the feel of home.  I can picture the streets and visualize how to get from place to place.  I rarely got lost in the Western suburbs of Chicago. 

Becoming a new Christian can bring similar feelings and emotions.  After accepting Christ as our savior we can feel left out and lost.  We can feel like the stranger in a new land.  Some quickly become discouraged and slip back to their old ways.  Others can jump right in making friends with anyone anywhere.  Regardless of how we feel God Calls us His own.  We are set apart from the world. 1 Peter 2:10 "Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."  If God can show us mercy, love and bring us out of the darkness shouldn't we extend this to others.  Should we not be the hands of God?  Should we not show others mercy and love?  Are we not the Light House of Christ shining His love, mercy, peace, and grace to all those around us.  As a lighthouse shines its life saving light for ships in the darkness we shine the light of Christ for all those in darkness.

We are a people.  We are a nation.  We are God's chosen.  Let us be what the United States stands for.  Let us accept all who come.  Let us welcome the weary.  Let us great the repressed.  Let us tend to the sick.  Let us go forth the extended hands and feet of Christ our Lord and Savior...

Rest, What's That?

Scripture:
Isaiah 40:28-31
Hebrews 13:1-9

Everyone feels tired, frustrated, and at the end of their rope from time to time.  Lately it seems that it is constantly morning and I have to wake up.  Evening comes and I groan because I know morning is just around the corner.  As Nancy and I have discussed lately it seems there is no time to rest.  We have been crammed with so much to do that we are both constantly exhausted.  Yet through it all we are to keep going.  Somehow we are to go one step farther and complete one more task.

I often wonder how people like Susanna Wesley and other people like her managed.  How do you keep going without getting worn out?  The answers are easy to find and should be easy to follow.  So why can’t we follow them?  Why do we have a hard time finding and accepting them?  Our society tells us we must do more.  If you are idle you are lazy.  You cannot say no to anyone anytime.

What does the Bible tell us?  Isaiah 40:29-40 (New American Standard Bible)
²⁹He gives strength to the ^(D)weary,
         And to him who lacks might He ^(E)increases power. 
³⁰Though ^(F)youths grow weary and tired,
         And vigorous ^(G)young men stumble badly, 
³¹Yet those who wait for the LORD
         Will ^(H)gain new strength;
         They will ^(I)mount up with wings like eagles,
         They will run and not get tired,
         They will walk and not become weary.

We are told that God will give us strength and energy to complete His tasks.  Are you doing what God wants or what you want?  When we strive to our own ends we are trying to move giant rocks alone by hand.  We struggle and struggle to no end.  When we are working to God’s end we work tirelessly moving pebble by pebble with many hands.

We are also to keep the Sabbath.  In this we renew our spirits and receive physical rest.  Deuteronomy 5:11-13 (NIV) “¹¹ “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.  ¹² “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. ¹³ Six days you shall labor and do all your work,”

Unfortunately we tend to listen to what the world tells us.  Hebrews 13:9 (NIV) “Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so.” We need to be careful not to listen to false teachings.  In this case we need to stop listening to what the world teaches and start following what Jesus teaches.

God will not forsake us or leave us.  He will always be with us renewing our strength and our spirits.  Let us show one another love, kindness and hospitality.  Let us seek God first in all we do.  Let us find our strength in Him…

Over Coming...

Scripture:
Psalm 34:17-20
1 Peter 5:7-11
2 Timothy 2:3-16

After I read my devotional this morning I started reflecting on the sermon from Sunday.  It seems to me that I tend to battle depression.  Often times I start feeling down and out.  I strive to push these feelings away.  After all I have so much to be thankful for.  God has given me so much that I do not have any reason to be depressed. 

So I ask myself why do I get down in the dumps.  What is it that keeps pulling me down?  I may not like the circumstances of my job, but at least I have a decent job.  I have made mistakes in the past that affect our lives today, but God is seeing us through.  My list can go on and on and I always come back to the same thing.  God is with me, He hasn’t forsaken me.  God provides all our needs. 

As I struggle with being “down in the dumps” I force myself to focus on God.  2 Timothy 2:10 “Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.”  If Paul can suffer and be joyful so shouldn’t I?  Paul looked at his suffering as a means to an end.  How much did Christ suffer for us?  We are on this earth for a short period of time when compared to eternity.  What is an hour or a day or even a year compared to the millions of years we will spend in heaven?  It is like comparing the seconds ticking by today to the years of life we live.

Ephesians 5:15-17

¹⁵Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, ¹⁶making the most of your time, because the days are evil.  ¹⁷So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

As I go through life I want my complete focus on Christ.  I want to be counted as one of the wise.  I do not feel righteous.  I am not righteous, it is Christ who cleanses me and makes me righteous.  I pray that Jesus will create in me a clean heart.  That He will renew a right spirit within me.  That He will not cast me away from His presence but restore unto me the joy of His salvation…

Be Prepared...

Scripture:

John 6:25-36

Ephesians 6:10-14

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When it is time to get ready for a scout trip the troop has the scouts, mainly the younger ones, bring their backs in for inspection.  They do what we call a shake down on the backs.  This is to ensure that the scout has everything needed for the trip.  If something is missing it is suggested that the scout adds it to his pack. If they pack too much it is also suggested that some unneeded items are removed.

In Ephesians 6:25-36 we are told to put on the full armor of God. This is so that we can be prepared when Satan attacks.  Without the proper equipment or preparation we cannot hope to withstand.  As a scout prepares for his camp out with the proper equipment so must we prepare ourselves.  In John 6:35 Jesus tells us He is the Bread of Life.  It is when we consume ourselves with the Word of God and Believe in Christ that we can withstand.  Ephesians 6:14-18:

¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  ¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

By preparing ourselves with the Holy Spirit, faith, and the Word of God we will be prepared for any attacks that Satan throws at us.  We must also keep in constant prayer keeping ourselves filled with the Holy Spirit.  Through our faith Christ makes us Righteous.

What's On Your Mind?

Scripture:

Romans 6:21-23

Philippians 2:20-30

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In our small group last night the topic of television came up.  The question of how much TV is too much.  Is it bad to watch TV was also a part of the topic.  A comment I made was on what I watched.  One time Nancy asked me if Megan or Aaron walked in the room would I want them to watch what was on.  Of course at the time I didn't answer or made the comment 'sure.'  The truth of it though was most of the programs or movies I was watching I didn't think they should watch.  True some of it was not age appropreite and that was the only reason for them not to watch it.  However, there were also some programs that I felt they shouldn't watch no matter how old they are.  I realized I needed to change my TV habits.

 

How much of our lives are filled with junk?  How much are we doing promotes wordly views and lifestyles?  What are some areas that need to be changed?  Jesus tells us that what is precious to us is where our hearts will be.

Matthew 6:20-22: (New American Standard Bible)

²⁰"But store up for yourselves ^(A)treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;  ²¹for ^(B)where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  ²²"^(C)The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light.  
 

Is what I am doing something I would want fellow Christians to know about?  Are the things I am occupying my time with placing my heart in the world or in Heaven?

Who's Voice Do You Hear

Scripture:

John 10:14-16

John 10:22-30

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When babies are born they instinctively know who mom and dad are.  At some point while in the womb they start to hear the world outside.  A few times when Nancy was pregnant a loud noise would startle the baby.  She would feel them jump inside.  By the time they are born they know the voices of mom and dad.  They do not know the voice of a stranger though.  

How much are we like that of an infant when they are born.  How well do we know the voice of our savior?  If we are constantly reading scripture and continuously pray we will know His voice and He will know us.  We love our children even before they are born.  We hope and plan for the best for our children.  Nothing is too good for them.  When they are born we have to have the best possible care and home that we can give them.  How much more does God love us?  How much more does He want the best for us.  Matthew 7:10-11 (NIV)

¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 

Just as we know our babies as they grow God knows us.  We care for our children and watch them grow into adults.  God watches over us and watches us grow into mature Christians.  We provide the best we can for them.  God is wants to provide the best for us, His children.  What prevents us from getting His best?  What is it that blocks God's blessings and His gifts to His children?  For me it can be when I try to handle things my way instead of God's.  It is when I try to take control vs giving God full control over my life.  It is when I do not seek Him first and I am not in prayer.  Sometimes it may seem that we do not receive what 'we' think is best.  In reality God knows something different or better.

One thing for sure I need to practice listening to the voice of God.  I want to know His voice better...

What's Your Attitude?

Scripture:

Matthew 5:13--20

Matthew 20:25-28

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Everyone has someone who has authority over them.  Some people with authority over you are good leaders.  They are thoughtful and will listen to those under them.  They are concerned about those they lead.  Other leaders just want the power.  They like to lord it over those under their authority. 

Over the past several months I have struggled with my attitude at work.  It has been my prayer for God's help in changing my attitude.  I have some who are suppose to be under me that is trying to assert themselves over me.  I have gotten a bitter attitude and had begun to resent going to work.  

God has placed all authority on earth.  Romans 13:1:(NIV)

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

I need to keep in mind that no one has authority over me that God hasn't put there.  What makes or breaks a job, home, school is not the person in authority.  It is my attitude toward that person.  Our attitude will reflect for others to see.  We are the salt of the earth.  Just as a light on a hill is seen for miles around Other people will see Jesus through us. Matthew 5:13-14 (NIV):

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

   ¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Despite my prayers for God to help me with my attitude I hadn't been changing.  what I say impacts others in the office.  I need to change what I say and how I say it.  I need to reflect Jesus in my heart so others will see Him.  The Christ some people will see is Christ in us.  If we are not living with the proper attitude we are not going to show an accurate picture of who Jesus is.

For a time I may not like where I work or who I work for.  This however doesn't give me the right to be disrespectful or thwart their authority.  Even though some under me will continue to try and be over me I must stick to the teachings of Jesus.  I must change my attitude.  I must start showing the world around me who Jesus really is and not what I might feel or think.