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.

Who Needs Directions?

Scripture:
Psalm 119:9-16

Ecclesiastes 5:8-17

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Why is it that most people, mostly men, do not like to read the directions.  Guys generally do not like to stop and ask for directions to get somewhere.  I remember one of the first trips I made to my parents house in Fayetteville Ga.  I drove in circles trying to find the house.  Finally after being completely lost I stopped to ask how to get there.  Well, I actually had to ask two more times before I could find their street.  

People will often turn to God when help is needed.  After the fact we cry to God to help fix the problem.  Instead we need to read the scripture on a regular basis.  Reading God's word will give us daily instructions on how to live our lives.  I know when I seek God first in my life things tend to go smoother and turn out much better.  When I try to figure things out on my own I tend to get it wrong.  it is like building something out of legos.  When you look at the picture and think you can build it.  Only after messing up several times do you open the directions.  Then and only then can you assemble the image on the box.  The Bible is our instruction book for life.  We get only one life.  It is up to each one of us to determine how we live it.  

Once this life is finished we get eternal life.  Where do you want to spend eternity?  How do you want your next life to be?  You cannot take what you have in this life with you.  Ecclesiastes 5:15 "Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands." It is imperative that we get it right here so that we can have an abundant life in heaven.  The Bible will keep us on the right path. Psalm 119:9 "How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word."