Lesson's Learned or Chances Lost...

Scripture:

Hosea 14

Matthew 14:22-34

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If anyone had a right to complain it was Joseph.  Spurned by his brothers sold into slavery his life turned for a spell upside down.  He went from joyous times with his father and younger brother to the hardships of slavery.  He could have blamed God and walked away.  However, Joseph kept his faith through everything and eventually become second only to pharaoh in Egypt. Genesis 41:41-43 

⁴¹

So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt." ⁴²Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph's finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. ⁴³ He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, ^[c] and men shouted before him, "Make way ^[d] !" Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.

  God used the years in between to test and shape Joseph.  In those years trying years Joseph was prepared for what was to come.

How often do we look at hardships as punishment or abandonment?  James 1:2 tells us this " ²Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,"  instead of looking at hardships negatively we need to look at the positive.  Too often we turn our backs to God when thing do not go as we plan.  

We look around and see our nation falling apart at the seems.  We can either blame God or we can turn our eyes back to him.  Hosea 14:1 "¹ Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God. 

       Your sins have been your downfall!"  You can replace Israel with United States.  As a nation we have sinned against God, we have left Him.  If we turn to God He will be faithful to us. Verse 4 tells us " ⁴ 'I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them.'" Finally in Verse 9 states "⁹ Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them."  As a people and a nation we can learn from our mistakes and grow through these hard times. Or we can blame God and continue to stumble.

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

Sins From the Past...

Scripture:
Genesis 37:20-29

Psalm 79:7-9

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Nancy and I were watching a movie with our oldest two children on Joseph.  Everyone knows God used Joseph in Egypt to save His people.  Something that occurred to me after watching the first half of the movie.  God used Joseph in Egypt in order to provide for his people during the famine.  Joseph's brothers were not obedient or respectful of their father and God. I wondered why God would still use and bless the 10 brothers after all their sins.  However, God still honored His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  Out of Jacob came the 12 tribes of Israel.  Because of their sins the entire Israel nation suffered.  Had the brothers not sold Joseph into slavery in Egypt he would have been with his family.  Had he been there they would have known, through Joseph, to store their grain and prepare for the 7 years of famine.  But because Joseph was in Egypt they were unprepared.  Because of their sin they had to flee into Egypt and were at the mercy of their brother.  Eventually the entire nation was enslaved.  It wouldn't be until Moses came that they would be freed.

So many times we ourselves miss God's blessings and have to pay the consequence of our sins.  Sometimes we feel the consequences for generations, and sometimes only a few days.  Josephs' story is an example of how the sins of the father effects generations after them.  How many times have we felt the repercussions of the sins of our parents?  How much will our children be effected by our sins.  My children today are effected by my mistakes not only of the past decade but of my sins today.  

Our lives effect so many people on so many levels.  We cannot know who we will touch and how.  If you take two pebbles and throw them in a still pond.  The ripples from each pebble will eventually collide into each other. One effects the flow of the other.  So our lives will effect another life somewhere at sometime...

And Suddenly Everything Changes...

Scripture:

Luke 12:19-21

Romans 12:3-13

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Life can be funny, or sad.  We have good times and bad.  We are told to be thankful in all circumstances.  There are times when that can be difficult at best.  We never know what tomorrow holds.  One day life is great.  We are happy and seem to be on top of the world.  The next we can be down in the pits.

A friend of mine's wife had an accident over the weekend.  They were riding in a golf cart when she fell out.  The prognosis wasn't good.  Through love, prayers and most importantly God's healing hand she will be fine.  The doctors didn't think she would pull through at first.  God had another plan. My friend and his wife have a new day ahead of them.  This experience has given them a new look on life.  

Jesus tells us to always be prepared because we do not know what will come.   We need to be kind to others.  We need to tend to them and their needs.  Through our caring we can share the gospel.  We never know when we might need someone to be there for us.  Too many times Nancy and I have had needs only to be forgotten by our church and friends.  Too many times I think the church fails to be there for people.  It is easy to miss a person when they are not regular members or not very involved in the church.  I have seen churches who only tend to those who are heavily involved or has something the church wants or needs.  

God calls us to be there for all his children.  We are to go to the prisons, ghettos, hospitals, and all neighborhoods.  We need to feed the hungry, clothe those with nothing, give shelter to the homeless.  We need to show love to everyone.  

We do not know when we will be in need.  We do not know when God will call us home.  We must be prepared.  We must be available.  We must love...

To Give or Not To Give?

Scripture:

Isaiah 45:6-9

Mark 1:16-20

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What are the qualities of a great leader?  Why is it that people are willing to follow certain leaders anywhere they go.  In the movie "White Christmas" the opening scene is in WWII in Europe somewhere.  Later on after the war Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye had become big producers for Broadway shows. They ended up at a sky resort finding their old general.  The general had sunk everything into the resort and it was looking as if it were going out of business due to weather.  Bing and Danny's characters loved their old leader so much they brought their entire show to the resort to "practice" new ideas for a show.  They went all out to try and save their former leader.

How much more should we be willing to do for Jesus our Saviour and Lord?  Jesus calls us to him.  He has a job for each of us.  If we are willing to follow earthly leaders and go above and beyond for them.  Should we not do the same for Christ?  How much more we should be willing to do for Him.  Jesus gave us everything, can we do any less in return.

God who is in control of all things is with us regardless of what we go through.  All we have to do is trust in Him.  He not only gave His Son's life for us He continues to give to us today.  Each of us needs to head His call.  How can we not give back to God who gave us everything?

Pass on the Truth...

Scripture:
Acts 17:11
Galatians 1:1-9

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Sometime ago I started emailing my thoughts about my morning devotional to just a few people.  I had three reasons for doing so.

• By sending my written thoughts to someone else I had to actually read a daily devotional and my Bible.
• By sending my written thoughts I  was ensuring I would be kept on the right track.  I figured if I got it wrong I had someone to tell me.  I wanted to make sure I got it right in my mind and could pass that on to others.
• Finally I had, have, hopes of possibly making a difference in someone else's day.

It is so important to know the truth.  It is more important to pass on that truth.  Paul writes in Galatians 1:9 "I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!"  God will deal harshly with those who purposely give false teachings.  Also by being wrong or teaching falsely we can cause a soul to be lost. That is too high of a price to pay for getting it wrong.  Let us all hold one another accountable to ensure we teach the truth and preach the Good News of the Gospel spreading salvation through Christ to all nations.  Let us do as Christ instructed go and make disciples of all nations...

Who Is Your Compass

Scripture:

Isaiah 30:15-22

Proverbs 3:5-6

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I remember a story a friend once told me about a group of scouts on a hiking trip.  They had their little personal GPS system to guide the way.  He used his map & compass along with land marks.  He noticed that they were passing their turn off.  He quietly followed along for a while.  Eventually he spoke up.  He said he thought they missed their turn back a little way.  The reply was  no we didn't see according to the GPS it is still up ahead.  So they continued to hike along.  He mentioned a couple more times the missed turn with the same results.  Finally the path ended with no turn in sight.  In the end they agreed he was right they missed the turn.  The GPS didn't give good directions.  My friend relied upon tried and true map and compass to find the way.

How often do we listen to this world for guidance and direction.  We ignore the tried and true word of God.  Isaiah in verses 19-21 tells the Israelites that one day God will be their compass again.  If we allow God to guide and direct us we will walk the correct path in life.  If we trust in Him we will not get lost.  Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all your hear And ^(B)do not lean on your own understanding. ⁶In all your ways ^(C)acknowledge Him, And He will ^(D)make your paths straight." I know when I try to guide my way by ways of the world I screw it up and end up lost.  When I trust in the tried and true ways of God I find my way.  Everything ends up much better.  I am no longer lost but found...

Counting Blessings...

Scripture:
John 15:9-17

Philippians 4:10-13

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Something I learned early on in the computer industry is how quickly equipment becomes outdated.  Product put on shelves today are already outdated.  Newer, bigger, and better always seem to be just over the horizon.  As quickly as the I.T. world changes you can never truly stay current.  We can have the illusion of being current, but it is just an illusion.  I have often wondered when it will peak.  There always seems to be something bigger or faster coming out.  I find myself continuously wanting to upgrade or purchase the newest gadget.  I learned long time ago I am an I.T. junkie.  I just don't have the budget for all the stuff I want.

In Philippians we are told to be content in whatever circumstances we are in.  In a fast past continuously changing world it can be hard to be content. My struggles this summer has been to be content with where I am and what I am doing.  I have come to find myself wanting to move on.  Through our recent difficulties I have been striving to turn it over to God and be content in "All Things..."  When I look around through eyes that God would have me see through I can see all the riches in the world.  Even though we struggle in life and have hardships God has truly blessed me and given me a good life.  I have a wonderful wife and five great kids.  I have several people I can email, call or talk to when I need to.  There are people who care for me and my family.  My list could go on and on.  In the movie White Christmas with Bing Crosby there is a scene where he talks about blessings.  When you can't sleep count your blessings instead of sheep.  

When times get tough and we start to lose site of what's important all we need to do is count all our blessings.  Soon you just might be able to find contentment in where you are.  It is through Christ that we can do all things...

Team Night Meeting

Friday night Nancy went to a home-school group meeting.  This post is a recap of the meeting and a list of several recommended books...
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HI. The meeting was so wonderful last night that I wanted to share some of the things that were discussed. Also, some awesome books were recommended, and I am listing them.


Meeting Notes

Key Idea - The greatest thing we can do for our children is pray for them!!!

We need to remember to bring all of our concerns before God in prayer. It is through the power of prayer our concerns and difficulties can be addressed. We need to remember, however, that God is not a gumball machine that you put in the money and out pops the gumball. It is God's will that is done, and it doesn't always look like ours.

We need to remember that God is with us all the time even when we do not realize it. He is there. He is even with you in moments of complete chaos when your day is falling apart around you. We don't have to talk to Him - especially in these moments - we just need to remember that we are not alone.

(I also want to ask ladies at the meeting to forgive me for any suggestion that I know how to handle moments of complete chaos. I do NOT know. I still try to do it on my own power. I pray that God sees fit to let me know. All I know is that God is with me, and I am not alone.)

We need to guard our tongue. What comes out of our mouths wells up from what we have in our hearts. We need to fill our hearts with love and goodness so that in times of stress the words which come out of our mouths are the words which God would have us speak. Let us strive to fill our hearts with God's word and his love so our words are God's and build each other up - not the words of the flesh which destroy (and destroy our precious children.)

We also need to guard our thoughts and not listen to those which destroy us and others but to keeps our thoughts focused on God and the beautiful things He says and says about us.

If there is something else you feel I need to say - PLEASE let me know or post it yourself, and please forgive me if I have forgotten to mention something. The conversation was so amazing. I didn't take notes so I am just doing this from memory.

Book List:

The Power of a Praying Parent - Stormie Omartian

Praying for the Next Generation - Sally Michael

Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free - DeMoss

The Tongue: A Creative Force - Capps

Five Love Languages for Apology - Chapman (I did not see this book on Amazon so I am not sure about the title. The Five Love Languages is an awesome book also mentioned last night.)

Age of Opportunity -Paul Tripp - (Highly recommeded for moms of teens. It is the sequel to Sheparding A Child's Heart. It is a GREAT guide for pre-teen and teens and amazingly effective)

Falling for God - Gary W. Moon - (Having a relationship led walk with God. Not trying to do the fruit of the spirit but walking with God easily. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!)

The following books are excellent and will really challenge you in your walk with the Lord but are heavier reading:

Pursuit of God - A.W. Tozer (Anything by him is amazing! Teaches you how God can increase in you while you decrease.)

Of the Imitation of Christ - Thomas a Kempis

The Sacrament of the Present Moment - DeCaussade

Teresa of Avila: Selections from the Interior Castle - Trans. by Kieran Kavanaugh (Absolutely wonderful! Teaches you how to pray constantly.)

Hope this will bless you all!

Love in Christ,
Nancy

Is It A Mountain Or A Mole Hill...

Scripture:

Philippians 4:6-7

1 Corinthians 1:18-31

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In today's fast paced world it is hard not to be anxious.  As I struggle with particular personal hardships I find at times it can be difficult not to get anxious.  When the bills start to come in I see more money going out than what came in.  I look at the mountain in front of me and see Mount Everest.  I try to find ways to fix it or make it go away.  Every time I try I make it worse. I cannot seem to find the solution.  Wisdom and intelligence in the world would view my situation as a failure.  

God looks down and tells me you just need to step over the mole hill in front of you.  Trust me, take my hand and I will help you over.  I still struggle with letting go of the anxiety.  Every time I take it back I ask God to remove it from me.  Wisdom from God tells me to to just trust in Him.  He has always provided in the past.  I often tell Nancy, just as much for my sake as hers, that God has not failed us yet.  He has not let us down or forgotten us in the past.  So why would he start now.  We both answer He wouldn't.  

So I just remind myself He is in Control.  God will be with me in all things.  Then I can begin to let go of the anxiety.  Then I begin to be thankful for all circumstances.  I try to never boast or be prideful.  All I have and all I can do is not of me BUT Christ in me.  It is through Jesus that I can do all things set before me.  It is through Christ that I can be successful not only in this world but spiritually as well...

Spiritual Body Builders...

Scripture:

Job 36:26

Luke 6:46-49

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There are two things we have been studying at church that come to mind.  The first one is that we are not to be just hearers of the Word but doers of the Word.  The second is being joyful in most trials that we go through.  In the book of James we are told to consider it pure joy when we face trails.  James 1:2-4:

 ²Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. ⁴Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

 If we allow God to work in our lives as we face hardships we can mature and grow.  We can face our hardships with bitterness and contempt.  When we do we benefit nothing and are completely miserable.  Instead we can look for the good in it and strive to be joyful, or as I like to put it content or at peace, with what we are going through.  When we do this we can look back and see two things.  The first thing is God's blessings and work in our lives.  How much we gained and grew.  The second thing is we can look back and think well that wasn't so bad.  The old question of the cup being half full or half empty comes to mind.  What do you see when you see the cup?  Is it half full or half empty?  I strive to see the fullness in the cup.  Is it not better to go through life joyful than bitter?

Something to assist us in our troubles is hearing God's Word.  We need to study and know what His Word is.  However it is not enough to just hear the word.  We must be doers.  In our InDepth study last night it was discussed that faith without deeds is dead, or of no value.  If we have faith but do not act upon that faith then others cannot see Christ.  If we do nothing then we are not spreading God's Word, our faith becomes empty and meaningless.  We have to put in practice what we learn and hear.  By doing so we become a beacon or lighthouse for others to see the light of Christ in a dismal and dark world.  

Faith is like a muscle.  If you do not use a muscle in your body it becomes weak and lethargic.  It will become useless, a dead weight.  By using the muscle we can build it up and make it stronger.  Faith unused becomes weak and lethargic, we become spiritually dead inside.  By building upon our faith we can grow stronger in faith.  The muscle of faith can become large and strong.  We need to all become spiritual body builders...

Again I would like to thank John Orr and also Curtis Humphrey for their teachings and dedication to the Lord.  Without them I would not have been able to write these thoughts...

Truth in the Mirror...

Scripture:

James 1:22-25

1 Peter 1:3-12

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God's word, is it true?  How do we know it is truth or just stories.  To start with John 1:1 " ¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."  In this verse we are point blank told that what we read is the truth.  Also John 8:31-32 states "³¹To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.³²Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  As we live our lives as Christians submitting ourselves to the Holy Spirit we will know the truth.  God will reveal to us and assure us what the truth is.  

Back in the spring our church did a series entitled "Questions."  In one of the sessions a pastor talked about the authenticity of the Bible. He shared with us over whelming evidence to the truth of the bible from external sources outside religion.  One source All About The Truth gives some of the statistics on the Bible.  According to their website "There are more than  14,000 existing Old Testament manuscripts and fragments copied..." Also quoting them 

The manuscript evidence for the New Testament is also dramatic, with over 5,300 known copies and fragments in the original Greek, nearly 800 of which were copied before 1000 AD. Some manuscript texts date to the early second and third centuries, with the time between the original autographs and our earliest existing copies being a remarkably short 60 years

I could go on and on with evidence concerning the bible.  The simple truth is that if we truly follow Christ and seek to do His bidding we will know the truth.  We cannot as James 1:22-25 just read or listen to the Word of God.  We must be doers.  We cannot look in a mirror and walk away forgetting what we look like...

For this devotional thought I want to give thanks to John Orr and Ken Kilgore for their dedication to the Lord and teachings.  I am a better Christian because of their efforts and dedication...

The House is Burning...

Scripture:

John 15:1-5

Matthew 10:27-33

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Yesterday I mentioned that through Christ we have life after we pass from this life.  John 15:1-5 talks about Christ being the vine and we are the branches.  Our lives here and now needs to be filled with Christ.  He is our life here and now as well.  For we cannot bear fruit without Him.  

All of us has life after death.  The question to ask is were do you want to live eternal life, in heaven or hell?  As Christians we need to follow Jesus's command Matthew 28:19 "¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in^[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," tells us we cannot just idly sit by.  We must bear fruit or as in John 15:1-5 says we will be pruned from the vine.

I once heard a story, parable, about a house on fire.  Think of yourself walking on the sidewalk in front of a friend or family member's house.  The house is on fire and you knew everyone was home inside.  No one was coming out of the burning house.  Would you just keep walking by?  Or would you go inside & bring them out?  Everyone who is not saved through grace given by Christ is in that burning house.  We are walking on the sidewalk just watching the house burn down around them.  Are you going to go in and and get them or just let them burn?

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Mark 12:41-43

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Yesterday's message at church was on giving.  As our pastor was coming to the end of his sermon he commented on Jesus gave his life.  He gave us everything He had.  A thought came into my mind about how hard was it for God to give His son?  After all Jesus knew He was going to rise from the dead.  So death really didn't have much meaning.  Then it hit me.  As Christ returned from death and has life so do we through Him.  We have life after death because of grace given at the Cross.  Jesus said "It is finished" just before he died.  He paid the wages of sin so that we might have life.  After life here on earth we have eternal life in heaven.  Death no longer has a hold on us.  As Christ is risen so shall we be.  

Jesus gave us everything.  What do we give him back?  Are we cheerful givers or do we horde?  As Nancy and I struggle with our finances we have decided to tithe.  Several months ago I felt God confirm or convict me of what I needed to tithe.  At one point Nancy and I were struggling so much I didn't think we could tithe anymore.  I had enough and was ready to quit.  It appeared to me God wasn't holding up his end of the bargain.  Malachi 3:10 

¹⁰ Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."

 

God tells us to give and he will give us abundantly.  Nancy and I were giving more than we could afford.  We reached a point where we just didn't have enough to give.  I was ready to call it quits.  Thanks to a few friends I managed to pull myself back together.  As I sought forgiveness and God's support he changed my heart.  He also provided a means for us.  We are not swimming in financial richness but we are blessed and rich beyond what this world can see.

God does keep his promises.  Malachi 3:10 is not a get rich scheme.  It is a promise from God.  If we are faithful and give with the right heart, He will pour out His blessings on us.

Are You Lost?

Scripture:

Luke 14:4-6

Philippians 4:19

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I remember a story another scout leader once told me.  The scouts were on a hiking trip and were using a personal GPS to navigate.  As they were walking my friend told me he was using his map and land marks.  H noticed they had come to where they were suppose to turn.  Instead they walked past the turn.  He waited for a bit before making a comment.  He suggested that they might have passed the turn off.  Everyone else was positive that the turn off was up ahead.  A couple of more times he commented that they should turn back.  They refused to listen stating that according to the GPS they didn't reach their destination yet.  Finally the path ended with no turn in site.  Another leader finally said maybe that was the turn.

The boys scouts and leaders put all their trust into a device to tell them where to go.  My friend used the tried and true method of reading a map.  Unfortunately too many people today get lost in their own ways and caught up in themselves.  We are busy buying new gadgets that we think will fill a void in our lives.  We look to new and supposedly better ways to fulfill our lives.  Jesus is back there waiting for us to turn around and to say "Jesus I am lost show me the way."  

Jesus is the way, John 14:5-7

⁵Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"

 ⁶Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷If you really knew me, you would know^[a] my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

How much rejoicing there is when we finally get it right and we are finally found.  At one time in our lives each of us are all lost.  Jesus is walking with us quietly saying let us look at the map and I will show you the way...

The Greatest of These Is Love...

Scripture:

1 John 3:16-24

Titus 3:4-7

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Love, how do we define it?  What do we consider love?  We have all heard that the greatest two commandments are love.  We are to love God with all our hearts and strength.  We are to love our neighbors as ourselves.  

1 Corinthians 13:3-5

³If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,^[a] but have not love, I gain nothing.

 ⁴Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

1 Corinthians 13:13 "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love."  God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.  Throughout the entire Bible we are taught about love.  

So why do we find it so hard to show love to each other.  We are quick to anger and quick to condemn.  Why is it so hard to find love in our hearts.  We tend to get caught up in this world.  Due to man's sinful nature we are self absorbed and tend to be selfish.  it is only through the Holy Spirit can we overcome this nature and embody God's perfect love.  We have to open our hearts to Christ and allow him to fill our hearts.  We have to remove the self to make room for Christ in our hearts.

What Can I Do?

Scripture:

Matthew 7:24-29
2 Corinthians 3:4-6

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Over the last decade or so I had become fairly good with my I.T. skills.  I have always been quick to learn new things.  In summer of 2009 I took on a new job with little to no knowledge in the field.  Over the course of the first year I learned a ton of new things and quickly got up to speed.  Recently I took on the task of writing a database in MS Access for someone.  Most of which went well with little trouble.  However as I near the final stages of the database I run into problems.  I have reached a road block.  Given resources and time I am confident that I can learn what is needed to finish the task.

Why am I so confident in my task at hand.  Simple answer is that it is not me but Christ in me that will succeed.  I attribute all I have done and can do to Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour.  My goals have been to follow the teachings of Jesus.  Not only to hear His words but to put them into practice.  2 Corinthians 3:5 says it all " ⁵Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but ^(B)our adequacy is from God,"  My success is not of my doing but Christ in me.  My ability to learn new things is not of me BUT what Christ has given me.

First we must seek out Christ.  We must not only hear his words but to put into practice what He teaches us.  Then we must allow Christ to work in us and through us.  It cannot be my doing or about me.  It must be about Christ and what He does...

To God be the glory given...


Prayer:
Our Father in Heaven it is my prayer that you will speak to my heart.  It is my prayer that I not only hear your words but put into practice what I learn.  May you be given the credit for all I do.  May I never forget it is you that is working through me and not me at all.  Help me to keep my heart focused on you not only today but everyday...

Traditions & Loop Holes...

Scripture:

Mark 7:1-13

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Our Daily Bread's devotional today talked about look holes.  How when we find one we try to jump through it.  In by doing so we become disobedient to God. If you look at taxes and tax laws you can find dozens of loop holes in order to get out of paying taxes.  On one hand we all want to find the loop hole in order to save ourselves a little money.  On the flip side our government gets less of a budget to work with, not that that stops them...

However, one of the things that really stood out to me in Mark 7 is traditions.  Traditions can be good for us.  They teach us who we are and where we come from.  We learn about our past.  But, when do they become a burden instead of a benefit?  I remember when I was growing up when traditions became an issue.  One of the things I heard most from certain people is "That is the how we have always done it."  Another saying is "We never did it that way before."  

Heaven forbid should the church try something new or different. 

One time The sanctuary needed to be repainted.  There were paint chips in the walls and ceiling bigger than your fist.  The carpet also needed to be replaced.  The board of trustees decided to paint the sanctuary and even agreed on a color.  An offer for a good deal on carpet was given.  They had to commit to it fairly quickly.  Again the trustees decided to get the carpet.  You would have thought the devil came through the doors.  Things got so bad that several of us thought the church might actually split over the color of the walls and carpet.

I for one love traditional services.  I love the meaning behind what is done.  I often have trouble in new churches that are more contemporary in style.  I realized I was becoming one of those people that get stuck in tradition.  I am still learning to embrace a different style of worship.  I feel sad at the loss of some of our traditions.  However, in our current church all my children love to go.  They can't wait to go to what the little ones call "Dark Out Church" Wednesday night programs.  Sunday morning is "Light Out Church" and once again the little ones cannot wait to pick out outfits to wear.  My older two also love to go.  They have puppetry ministries, Extreme groups, and friends to see.  They learn and grow more where we are than they have ever done so in the past.  They have grown more spiritually at Crossroads than at all the traditional churches we have gone to combined.

Sometimes we can stifle or kill spiritual growth if we bog it down in tradition.  People get turned off if you try to shove traditions down their throat.  I think the worst thing we can ever say to someone is "That is not how we use to do it" or "That is not how we do things here."  As long as we are scripturally sound, biblically correct what does it really matter...

Who Is Your Fortress...

Scripture:

Psalm 46

Joshua 2:1-24

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"God is our refuge and strength..."

How many times in our lives have we felt overwhelmed?  We feel surrounded by enemies and feel over powered by them.  Surely the two spies Joshua sent ahead to Jericho must have felt out numbered.  Surely they were a bit nervous being surrounded by an enemy that wanted them dead.  Or did they know that God was with them and no harm would come to them?  Psalm 46 tells us that God is our fortress and that he is with us "...an ever present help in trouble."

There have been times in my life I have felt overwhelmed by the enemy.  I feel as if I were drowning with no hope.  When faced with moments like that we must remember that God is our refuge, He is our strength.  Psalm 46:11 "The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."  If God is for us who can stand against us?  If he is our refuge who can over come us?  The enemy is all around us.  As David was surrounded and chased by Saul so we are surrounded and chased by the enemy.  Saul wanted to kill David, Satan wants to remove us from God's presence.  

We must be ready for when Satan comes after us.  We must put on the full armor of God in order to withstand.  Ephesians 6:10-14 

¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. ¹²For 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. ¹³Therefore 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. ¹⁴Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

If we stand in God's presence nothing can stand against us.  Psalm 46:1 & 11 "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble... The LORD Almighty is with us; the god of Jacob is our fortress. Selah" 

If God is for us who can stand against...

God Qualifies The Called...

Scripture:

Joshua 1:1-9

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I am sure Joshua did not feel that he was up to the challenge of leading the Israelites into the promised land.  He faced a challenge that was bigger than he was.  I remember one time I was preparing for a devotional at a men's breakfast at church.  I remember thinking to myself who am I to get up and speak about God to all these men, most of which are older than I am. I  didn't feel worthy of the task.  I thought for sure God could better use someone more qualified than I.

A realization hit me at that time.  God was telling me that He didn't call someone qualified for the task.  He will qualify those he calls.  If we are already qualified and worthy of the task then where is God's glory?  If we step up to the task God gives us God will qualify us and enable us to fulfill His work.  All we have to do is answer the call and willingly serve Him.  As God was with Moses and Joshua He will be with us. Joshua 1:5 "⁵"^(E)No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; ^(F)I will not fail you or forsake you."  God will not let us fail or forsake us.  He has a purpose and wants certain things done.  He will see them to completion.  The question is will you step up to the task He has set before you?  Or will you walk away and miss His blessings?  God will give you what you need to succeed. He will not allow you to fail.  When we fail it is our own doing.  

Some of the tasks will be difficult.  The challenges may overwhelm us at times.  All we have to do is remember that God is with us.  He will give us what we need to succeed.  We just need to rely on Him and use the resources He gives us.  We need to tap into the support we can give one another.  For God also gave us each other... 
 

God Bless,
"In God We Trust"