Me Great, Naw...

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

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

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

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

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

Comfort...

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

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

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

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

Stress And Comfort

Scripture:
Psalm 46:1-11
Psalm 91

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

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

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

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

The Enemies Weakness...

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

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

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

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