Is Mercy For The Weak?

Scripture:

Isaiah 55:7-8

Ephesians 2:1-10

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My oldest two kids recently watched "The Karate Kid" with Ralph Macchio.  In the movie there were some boys that were always trying to get Ralph's Character Daniel.  In one of the scenes you here the other boy's karate instructor telling them that mercy is for the weak.  Not to show any mercy...

Too many times we are given the impression that God is a vengeful God.  That He is an angry God just waiting to smite those who disobey him.   In these moments I can picture Him as  the karate instructor from the movie, spiteful, angry and full of wrath.  That couldn't be any further from the truth than the East is from the West.  True God does get angry and His wrath will come.  What makes the difference?  Why is God not vengeful or wrathful?  He is a just God dealing out justice to all.

So why can we walk through life without the burden of guilt?  There is a simple answer for us, Grace.  God is a merciful God and if we cast our cares upon Jesus He will take our place when justice is served.  He already has.  The price was paid when He hung from the cross.  Romans 8:1 "¹Therefore there is now no ^(A)condemnation for those who are ^(B)in ^(C)Christ Jesus."  

When you feel you are being overwhelmed and your burdens are heavy.  Remember God is not a wrathful God reigning down his vengeance or justice.  In Matthew 11:29-30 Jesus tells us to cast our cares upon him.  "²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Remember God isn't out to punish but to save. John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,^[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. "

Always remember you do not have to walk through life alone.  God is merciful and loving.  He is always with us and will never forsake us.  He also gave us one another in fellowship...

Bread of Life...

Scripture:

John 5:24-26

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Yesterday evening I could feel myself going down hill fast.  I usually tell myself that it is only allergies.  Truth be told I felt as if I head cold was coming on.  My sinuses grew more and more congested.  My head started hurting and I felt overall tired and run down.  I made myself a cup of hot tea, which felt good to drink.  Nancy gave me a bit of garlic to eat along with vitamin D, to help boost the immune system.  I took some nasal decongestant, which also seemed to help some.  I woke up this morning feeling better but still had a stuffy nose.  I took more sudafed and more vitamins.  

There are times in our lives when we are spiritually drained or not well.  Sometimes we cannot even tell we are feeling so bad.  Several years ago Nancy and I left a certain church we were members of.  It wasn't until we started attending another church that I realized I was spiritually dying inside.  How did this happen?  How can we prevent it from happening?  John 6:50 "But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die."  We must eat the bread of life.  

Nancy filled me with different things to boost my immune system to help curb my head cold.  We can do the same spiritually.  We must read our scripture daily, dive into the word of God, the bread of life.  Christian fellowship is another wonderful source for keeping a health spirit.  Most important, in my opinion, is communication with God.  We must keep ourselves in constant communion with Christ our Lord and Saviour.  This doesn't mean we will not face hardships, trials and tribulations of our own.  It does mean we will have strength and companionship to get through it.  

God has blessed me more than I could ever deserve.  I have a wonderful wife that puts up with me.  I have several good friends, and pastors, who encourage me spiritually.  They are there to help me when I have fallen spiritually ill... 

A Muddy Mess

Scripture:

Matthew 15:7-20

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After a good rain fall our yard is usually one big muddy mess.  My oldest daughter,and youngest, loves to go out and muck in the mud.  For her birthday Megan got a new bike.  Our driveway had huge mud puddles going down toward the street.  Megan wanted to ride her bike down the driveway.  We told her no, that would mess up her bike and it would no longer be clean.

After a large amount of rain in a short span our yard was flooded.  Cora just had to go running through the puddles and mud.  At one point Nancy told me that she fell and was covered in mud.  She just loves to splash around in water and mud.  She quickly becomes full of that wonderful Georgia red clay.  At one point I had to hose her off outside before we could take her in and give her a bath.

What is unclean?  what do we consider clean?  Jesus says that what we eat doesn't make you clean or unclean.  He teaches us that what makes you unclean is what comes out of the heart.  Jewish law gives a list of food that is considered clean.  Jesus tells us it is not what we eat that makes us unclean.  

How do we have a clean heart?  How do we ensure that what comes out is considered clean?  We have to feed our souls spiritual food.  What we take into our heart is what it will be filled with.  If you allow yourself to be swayed by worldly things that is what will fill your heart.  If you fill yourself with Godly things you will have a clean heart.  We need to dig into scripture, pray continually, and seek Godly fellowship with Christians.  Then we will fill our heart with Godly things and have a clean heart...

 

The Wise Old Owl

Scripture:2 Corinthians 4:16-18

James 1:4-6

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 We tend to think with age comes wisdom and experience.  we are given references over and over of the young seeking the wisdom from the wise old owl.  This reminds me of Winnie The Pooh.  When our older two were young we use to watch a lot of Winnie the Pooh.  Owl always seemed to have the answer.  He was smart and wise.  and when anyone in the 100 acre wood needed advice or know something they went to Owl.  The funny thing is that he didn't always have the right or best answer, most of the time he didn't.

As I grow older I find that my body doesn't rebound as quickly or well as it use to when I was younger.  In high school or even in my early 20s I could easily run five or more miles, even out of shape.  I could get myself in decent shape fairly quickly.  Today, 20 plus years later, I am lucky if I can jog / walk one and half to two miles.  I then feel it for the next three days.  I find myself longing for that younger stronger body.  The me that could bounce back from injuries and exercise easily and quickly.  

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 tells us that as Christians Christ renews us inwardly on a daily basis.  As we grow older and our bodies break down inside we are growing, maturing, and becoming stronger.  The young look to the older for guidance and instruction.  We often seek the counsel of our elders.  Growing old is not all bad.  If we hold the right attitude aging can be a wonderful thing. (OK someone forgot to tell me that one...)

However, just because we are old we are not necessarily wise.  James 1:4-6 tells us to ask for wisdom if we lack it.  However, we cannot just ask we must believe.  "⁴Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. ⁶But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." Last night at InDepth in our small group meeting I commented on the fact I cannot seem to get it right.  It appears to me that every time I turn around I am failing. Even though I tend to make mistakes in my life I can learn and grow from them.  Through my life's experience God is granting me wisdom.  If we ask and believe God will grant each of us wisdom.  We just have to be open to receive it...

When God Carries You...

Scripture:

Genesis 15-21

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Trials and hardships seem to follow each of us.  As for me there are times when it seems they out weigh the good times.  I ask myself what am I doing wrong?  What is God trying to teach me.  At times I get upset or even mad that God would put me through this.  Why can't he just make it go away and keep the good times rolling.

The truth of it is God is with me through them.  When facing hardships how we manage is in our attitude and perspective.  When my focus is on God and that he is with me I manage through on a positive note.  When I focus on my woes I get angry and upset with God.  Then it seems all the worse than what it really is.  I am not saying that keeping positive and focusing on God will make it less of a hardship.  The fact is When we focus on God He strengthens us.  Through Him we can get through the difficult times a lot easier.  As Joseph says in verse 19 "¹⁹But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in God's place?"   Chris Tomlin's song Our God says it best:  

And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
And if Our God is for us, then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us, then what can stand against?
What can stand against?

 We need to remember who the creator is.  God's awesome power is matched by none.  He is sovereign and He alone is worthy.  Jesus is the way and the life and it is through Him we are saved.  We just need to keep our focus on Christ.  When you look in the sand and see only one set of prints keep in mind that is when God picks you up and carries you.

Be Happy in All Things...

Scripture:

Philippians 4:4-13

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Being content is not always an easy thing.  A month or two ago I had lunch with my pastor.  During our conversation I mentioned a revelation I had about being content with what we currently had.  OK, I know I am a bit slow...  Anyway people tend to look at the so called grass on the other side of the fence.  We seem to think it is greener on that side than on our own side.  Not being happy with what we have we want to jump the fence to be in the grass that appears greener.  The problem is unless we are happy and content with what we have now the grass will always be greener.  Once on the other side we will look again on the other side thinking it is greener.  Until we can find happiness in what we have now will be be content or happy with what we will get.

After that I my prayers shifted for God to help me find the contentment or happiness where I am at now.  Circumstances may not be ideal and times might be tough.  However, if we turn to Christ He will help us to be satisfied with were we are now.  Years ago I use to have my own computer business.  There were times when it was really hard.  Several times we could have lost it all.  God was with us and provided for us.  He watched over us and saw us through.  In several events in my life God was at work even before I realized it.  He knew what was needed even though I didn't.  

Because I know He is there working and watching I can be at peace in all things.  Christ will help me endure.  He will strengthen me to persevere.  There will be times when I will go through the fiery furnace.  These times are to help me grow or correct something wrong in my life.  They might be a test of faith.  It is my goal that even through these times I want to be content if not happy.  Will I succeed every time, being human and full of sin probably not.  Through grace from Christ I am made perfect and through that grace I have the means to be successful in my goal.  

Note: perfection is not here on earth but perfection will come in our new lives with Christ in Heaven. 

In Our Children

Scripture:

Proverbs 2

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I remember when my son was young, maybe three or four, he insisted everyone pray before eating.  When we had company, or even at someone else's home, He would not let anyone eat until we said grace.  Because my wife took time to teach them the importance of prayer it became a necessary part of a meal.  Because of my son I started saying grace even when I wasn't home.  

I look back on growing up and wonder what was different for me than for my brothers or sister.  We all grew up going to church and Sunday school.  All of us were taught about Christ.  For me I have always known about Christ, I assume the same for the rest of the family.  Yet somehow as adults I am the only one that appears to have a relationship with Christ.  None of my brothers are believers and do not go to church.  My sister I think at least believes but doesn't attend church regularly.  We were all given instruction in God but have chosen different paths.

My wife and I do our best to instill in our children habits of studying the bible and praying everyday.  We listen to contemporary Christian music on the radio.  We have a few praise songs for kids CDs.  Nancy and I strive to provide an environment that surrounds all of us in our Lord and Saviour.  It is important for us to teach them about God and to assist them in their walk with Christ as much as we can.  However like my brothers and sister my kids in the end have to choose for themselves their walk in life.

All we can do is prepare them as best as we can.  Our goal is to equip our children to become Godly men and women.  If we do our jobs then when our children start making their own choices they will be well equipped to make the right choice.  In the end they have to walk down their own paths just as we do.  Can others see Christ in you?  Can they see Christ in your children?  Are we truly raising our kids in the ways of the Lord?

 

Joshua 24:15 "...But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

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Prayer:

Our Father in Heaven help us to teach the young to walk in your ways.  Give us strength to live as examples to them.  May our children see Christ in us...

To Grow or Not To Grow

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 3:1-17

John 15:4-6

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To grow or not to grow that is the question at hand.  Just as an infant grows into toddler hood then into a child.  Eventually the child will grow into adulthood.  So must an infant Christian grow spiritually.  We start out as infant Christians and grow into toddler Christians.  Eventually we need to grow into mature adult Christians.  I think our society is full of infant Christians.  Just as a toddler depends on older children and adults so an infant Christian depends on adult Christians.  Too many people leave it to others.  

Most churches have a core group of people who do 80% of the work.  That leaves the majority of the people doing 20% or less of the work. How many times have you heard someone say "Oh someone else can do it" or "Someone else will take care of it"?  In our society today we cannot wait for another to handle the task, specially the task God is asking you to perform.

The next question we ask is how do we grow spiritually.  2 Peter 3:18 "¹⁸But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen."  We need to read scripture and mediate on God's word.  We must devote time to prayer, and listen to what God is telling us.  Fellowship with other Christians is also important.  Someone once told me that As Christians we are constantly in three different rolls.  The first roll is we are mentored by someone who acts as a mentor to us.  Second we have equal fellowship, friends or others who hold us accountable and gives support and aid.  Third we are to mentor others, helping them to grow in knowledge and spirituality.  

As John 154-6 states we must abide in the vine.  We need to live with Christ in us if we want to grow.  Christ is our strength.  He is the living water and the bread of life.

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Prayer:

God I pray that you will help me to continue to grow as a Christian.  Help me not to stay stagnant but to flourish.   As a plant needs fertilizer or nutrients I need spiritual nutrients.  God I pray that you will help me receive the spiritual nutrition that I need to grow.  Surround me with Christians so that I may not fall away or stay stagnant.  Enable me to help another Christian today, use me to help someone else grow...

Speeding Down Life's Highway...

Scripture:

Psalm 104:1-13 (NIV)

Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)
 

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Have you recently stopped to look at God's awesome creation?  When was the last time you took in the beauty of this world?  If we stop long enough we can see beauty where ever we are.  Too often we are too busy to slow down and notice.  When we drive down the interstate how much do you see?  Usually we are so focused on the car in front of us we do not see the beauty in the land as it rolls by.  In our lives we can be too busy or too focused on things of this world to notice God.  

Several times I have commented to a friend or two that I never seem to hear God speak to me.  I believe the reason for this is that I tend to make my life so busy I am never still long enough to hear.  I focus so much on family, work, scouts or whatever else comes my way that I cannot hear God's voice.  I miss out on him.  I am too busy to be still and listen.  My life seems to be a blur as I speed down its interstate.

As I strive to be closer to God I strive to stop and take time to be still and listen.  I want to see the road side as I drive by.  I do not want my life to continue to be a speeding blur here one minute and gone the next.  If we wait upon the Lord He will use us. 

If we seek refuge in Him we will not grow weary. Matthew 11:29-30 "²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  If we seek solace in Christ we will find rest.  As we take time out of our busy lives for Him he will recharge us.  I urge each and everyone of us to slow down and seek Christ.  Let us see His beauty.  Look at the beauty of this world and give God praise...

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Prayer:

Our Father in heaven be in my heart.  Help me to slow down to be still and hear your voice.  Help me to take notice of the beauty in this world that you have given us.  God I give my burdens to you for I cannot bear the weight of my yoke.  I seek refuge, rest, and peace in You...

When You Are Faced With The Lions Den...

Scripture:

Daniel 6:1-10 (New International Version)

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The administrators and satraps under Darius felt threatened by Daniel.  They were probably jealous of him and the position he was to have.  They setup the perfect plan to remove Daniel from the scene, or so they thought.

When faced with seemingly unbeatable adversaries can we stand firm?  When push comes to shove can we stand firm in our faith in Christ?  We need to know that God is with us when we are faced with overwhelming circumstances.  God will not forsake us and leave us to fend for ourselves. Psalm 37:28 "²⁸For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off;" Throughout the Bible God reassures us He is with us.  God also gave us fellow Christians to give aid, strength, and encouragement in times of need.  

In our fellowship we share not only the good times but in each other's burdens.  As the saying goes many hands make light work.  So know that even though you are faced with what appears to be certain hardships and possible persecutions you are not alone.  As you face the fiery furnace or the lions den know that not only is God with you He sent you your friends and brothers and sisters in Christ.  In recent spiritual lows I struggled through I had three wonderful God filled Christians stand by me and help me through my struggles.

God has blessed me more than I deserve.  A song Bing Crosby sings in White Christmas is when you are worried and cannot sleep count your blessings. 

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Prayer:

Our Father in heaven I pray for strength to stand firm in my faith.  I pray that I can feel your presence when I am facing hardships.  Help me to remember I am not alone and that You are with me.  Help me to see all my blessings when I feel I have none...

Our Daily Bread

In Touch Ministries

True Riches

Scripture:

Mark 10:17-23 (New International Version)

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One morning at the coffee shop we were talking with a fire fighter.  He his in the process of starting a couple of business ventures.  We were going over all sorts of business ideas.  He had several good ones for different businesses.  I stated that with all the business ideas you have you should be rich.  a few weeks later, OK maybe a month or two, he wrote an article in a local paper.  In his article he went on about riches.  How even though he hadn't a lot of money he was still rich.

Truth be told true wealth doesn't come from here.  Our true wealth lies in Christ.  What is all the gold worth after you leave this life?  You cannot take it with you.  What good are all the comforts of this world if you reside in hell for eternity?  Jesus tells us to store our riches in heaven. Romans 10:12 (NASB) "¹²For^(A)there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is ^(B)Lord of ^(C)all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him;"

We can be like the rich man who left Jesus sad because of his wealth or we can be come to Jesus full of heavenly riches.  We can store riches here on earth where it will rot, dwindle away, or be stolen and in the end we lose it all.  Either that or we can store our wealth in heaven were we will spend eternity.  My family may not have a lot of monetary wealth but we are extremely rich in the glory of God.  

God is in the hearts of all my children.  My six year old told my wife that she wanted Jesus in her heart one afternoon after church.  As our children's minister would say Jesus is her forever friend.  Is He your forever friend?  He is mine...

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Prayer:

Our father in heave we pray for you to bless us and help us to store heavenly riches.  We pray for strength and perseverance to be true to You.  Help us to look beyond worldly wealth and to keep our focus on heavenly wealth...

Needs For Fellowship

Scripture:

1 John 1:6-8

⁶If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. ⁷But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all^[a] sin.

 ⁸If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

Romans 12:5

⁵so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

Genesis 2:18

 ¹⁸ The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."

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A character On the TV show Babylon 5 often will greet someone with the following line. "My good friend Mr. Garibaldi..." or "My good friend Delenn"  He will greet various people with my good friend...  The character is perhaps lonely seeking true friendship with someone, anyone really.  Through bad choices in his life he finds himself increasingly alone on a crowded space station.  

Two things from this comes to mind.  One our choices makes an impact on who we become, on our lives.  Bad choices separates us from God and those we love.  Londo only wants to restore his people to their once glory and in his mind rightful place in the universe.  His methods though came with a price.  Through the series you see how his choices effected all those around him, even people he never sees or meets.  it goes to show that the means do not justify the ends.  We have to be careful that we do not make poor choices or the wrong choices.  We can do the wrong things thinking we are doing right all because we have good intentions.  Sin is still just that sin.  It can turn people away from God instead of bringing them closer.  We separate ourselves from not only fellow Christians but from God as well.  We must be careful that we not only have the right intension but our methods are right as well.

The main thing with Londo's life, his greeting, is his loneliness.  He desperately wants someone to be his friend.  He wants someone to share life with, to confide in.  As the series progress you can see his loneliness grow.  He is searching something we all need and desire, fellowship and companionship.  God said it wasn't good for man to be alone.  Romans 12:5 (NIV) "⁵so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."  Being in one body we are not alone, we are not meant to be alone.  1 John 1:7 (NIV) "⁵so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."  God never meant for us to bare our burdens alone.

Recently I hit a spiritual low in my life.  I would have continued to stumble and fall if it hadn't been for fellowship with others.  God knew I would stumble and fall.  He also knew I needed others to help me through.  I received comfort, council and encouragement through emails from two dear friends.  Despite my feeble attempts not to have lunch I had lunch with someone who is quickly become dear to my heart as a brother in Christ.  He never looked down upon me even though I knocked myself down.  He never said you weak and pathetic person, even though that was what I was telling myself.  Instead he showed me friendship and understanding.  He helped me find strength in Christ when I couldn't see it.  His fellowship came at a time when I needed it.  

How often are we to be that fellowship for another?  How many times do we fail?  How many times do we answer God's call to be there for someone else.  It is important for us to be mindful and watchful.  You never know when God wants to use you for someone else's support.  We all need friendship and love.  Fellowship is not just for sharing joy and good times.  It is a time to share one another's burdens.  As the saying goes many hands make light work.  If we share in our hardships we can ease each other's burdens.

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Prayer:

Lord I know it is not good to be alone.  Please provide the fellowship I need when I need it.  Please help me to be a friend to another when they are in need.  Give me strength and guidance.  I pray for your wisdom and I pray for your fellowship...

We Must Grow...

Scripture:

Hebrews 5:12-14

When babies are born they are fed milk.  The best milk is the milk from the mother.  As the baby grows eventually watered down juice is added to the menu.  Eventually babies are introduced to baby food.  First they are introduced to cereals.  Not knowing what to buy at first I would eventually end up calling Nancy when shopping for baby food.  Eventually babies move from the cereals to the food in the jars.  Once again I wouldn't always know what to buy.  After all there are fruits, vegetables, meat, or mixed.  There was stage one, two and three...  No the baby doesn't like meat or doesn't like greens.  They all pretty much loved fruit though.  Truth be told there were some that I thought tasted good.  As the baby continues to grow they move from stage one food to stage two and eventually three.  it seemed thought that ours never really liked stage three.  They would move onto regular food instead.  

Being a Christian is much the same way.  We have to start out small.  We are on the milk and the best milk is that from the Holy Spirit.  As we grow our Christian diet changes and matures.  As we feed upon the word of God we move from basics to deep theological concepts and beliefs.  As children we learn songs like This Little Light Of Mine, or Jesus Loves Me.  We are taught simple bible stories.  As adults our studies go deeper and more involved.  We dig into the concept of the Trinity and what the meanings are behind the beatitudes.  We pour over lines of scripture for better understanding.  We have debates over baptism and revelations.  

We must grow and feed upon the more nurturing foods of the spirit.  We can read books besides the Bible to help us grow and understand God's word.  Lately I have found tremendous help in listening to past sermons from my pastor.  Another way to help grow is surrounding ourselves with fellow Christians.  We can encourage one another and hold each other accountable.  We need to help one another to continue to grow.  We must help infant Christians grow into mature ones...

Prayer:

God our Father in heaven help us to grow from infant Christians to mature ones.  Fill us with your Holy Spirit so that we will get the nourishment we need in order to grow.  Help us to feed others around us...

What do you mean I am sick...

Scripture:
Romans 6:14-23 (NIV)

¹⁴For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. ¹⁵What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! ¹⁶Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? ¹⁷But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. ¹⁸You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

 ¹⁹I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. ²⁰When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. ²¹What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! ²²But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. ²³For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in^[a] Christ Jesus our Lord.

I read an article that talked about benefits to kissing.  Kissing isn't just for swapping spit.  According to the article kissing can help boost the immune system.  When you kiss you spread germs from one person to the next.  Your body will then start making antibodies to kill the new bugs.

Sin in our lives are similar to viruses.  It spreads and grows not only within us but those around us.  Left unchecked sin can spread like a pandemic from one person to the next.  We influence each other in multiple ways.  We have all heard "Oh what can it hurt..." "Just one time wont hurt anything..." the reasoning and excuses can go on and on.  

So how do we build up our immunity?  How can we get the cure?  The solution is simple; our cure is Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.  The forgiveness of our sins through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour is the cure.  The immunity we need is the Holy Spirit.  If we allow ourselves to be filled by the Holy Spirit we will have no room in our lives for sin.  We can spread the cure just as easily as we can spread the disease.  Be a light for Christ and shine long and bright filling all corners.  

Prayer:

            Jesus You are the only cure to the disease we have called sin.  We want to praise you and thank you for all you have done.  We pray that you will help us to say no to temptation and to be a beacon of Christianity for others to see Christ in us.  Give us strength, guidance, and fill us with your hope and love.  We pray for the peace that only You can give…

God Already Knows...

Scripture:
Matthew 6:7-8 NIV Version

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. ⁸Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

            When I was a system analyst in a previous job we had monitoring system in place to monitor various pieces of equipment.  We monitored servers, switches, routers and even some desktop computers.  As a part of our monitoring system we kept tabs on all our VPN connections, virtual private networks.  All the fire stations connected back to the main county complex.  When a connection went down we knew it immediately.  Even as we worked on the problem trying to get them up as quickly as possible someone would call.  We would get the report station so in so is down.  Our reply was we know and are working on it, we will call when we are done.

            God already knows when we are having problems.  We call him in our prayers and there are times when his response is, I know and I am working on it for you.  We might not always see God working in advance but he does.  Sometime ago I was going to be audited by the IRS.  A year prior to the audit God was already working.  A friend of mine new someone that needed their computers worked on.  That person represented me during the audit.  God already knew that a need would be there.  So He prepared the way even though I didn’t know it.

            How many times in our lives has God laid the ground work to help us in our times of need?  How often can you look back only to see God’s hands had already been at work in your life?  As Mary Stevenson wrote in her poem Foot Prints In The Sand “The Lord replied, ‘The times when you have seen only one set of foot prints, is when I carried you.’”  Not only does God already know our needs before we do in the worse of times He picks us up and carries us.  God holds us tightly in His arms to keep us safe.  All we have to do is ask and allow him to work in our lives.

Prayer:
            God our Father in heaven, we pray to you for help in our times of need.  We ask that you take our worries.  Help us not to take our worries back.  Help us to grow in faith and trust You.  Thank you God for being there when we need you…

Walk By Faith Not By Sight...

Scripture:
2 Corinthians 5:6-7 (English Standard Version)

⁶So we are always of good courage. We know that^(A) while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, ⁷for^(B) we walk by faith, not^(C) by sight.

Some time ago I did a children’s message using a pair of dark sunglasses and a pair of prescription glasses.  The gist of it is that when we walk by site it is as if we put on the sun glasses and with the lights turned down low walk around inside the church.  Obviously if we did we would not be able to see very well.  Most likely we would stumble and trip often.  However, when we walk by faith we remove the sun glasses put on our prescription glasses and turn up the lights.  Now we can see where we are going and will less likely stumble or trip.

In my life I have found that everything turns out better when I allow God to take control, when I walk by faith.  When I attempt to control my life myself I find I make a huge mess of things, it is then that I walk by site.   It can be hard at times to truly and completely rely on God trusting in him.  As I look back on the events and mistakes of my life I know for certain that God is true to His Word and that He is always with us.  Just one example is the issue I had from a small business I once had few years back.  My wife and I almost lost everything we had.  It was God that saw us through.  It was God that allowed us to keep our house.  He is the one that provided the job I got.  When we allowed him to work in our lives and we made Him Lord of all that we managed to pull through. 

Walking by faith is not necessarily easy.  It can seem like we are wearing blinders and we stumble.  The truth is that Satan is there attacking.  He will do everything in his power to make us stumble.  It is his goal that we remove our blinders of faith, or prescription glasses.  His goal is to keep us from God.

Prayer:
          God I pray for your Blessings not only for today but for everyday.  May You shine down upon me and fill me with You love, Presence and Holy Spirit.  Lord I pray that you will help me remove my sunglasses and put on my prescription glasses of faith.  Help me to walk by faith and not by sight.  I pray that the Holy Spirit will be will me and fill me.  I pray that the Holy Spirit will keep Satan away and block his attacks on my life.