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...