Am I better than Job?

Every lunch I try to make sure that I get in some devotion time to recharge my spirit and strengthen myself for the balance of my work day. Today one of the sermons was based on the story of Job, when God allowed Satan to afflict him. The scripture reference was Job 1:6-12 King James Version (KJV) and can be read below.

6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.

7 And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.

The reason I am writing this blog today, is because I have realized something new about this passage that I have overlooked in the past. God first asks what Satan has been up to and his response is that he has been scouring the Earth. He has been searching and looking into every nook and cranny; and as the devotional suggested, for those he can devour. Secondly God asks him if he has considered Job; a perfect and upright man, in other words since you have searched the Earth you must have seen and studied him. Satan’s response is that of course he is faithful and upright; you have blessed him and protect him. This is the important part, this is when God then allows him to go and afflict (aka test him) Job.

These are the two things I wanted to point out about this passage. One God has faith in our ability to choose him over Satan and secondly and more importantly God will allow us to be afflicted with trials for his Glory. Many times I have questioned why things have gone the way they have in life, as I am sure many of us have. There were even times when this caused me a lot of doubt and concern; however, recently I have noticed that I am placing myself more and more in the care of the Lord. Apparently I am gaining the ability to trust in him in all things which I believe is a sign of growth and maturity. However, I have heard and remember times when either myself or someone else have uttered the words, Why me?

After re-reading this text I can confidently say I will not do so again. For unlike Job there has never been a time that I have been perfect and upright, meaning if Job can be afflicted, why shouldn’t I. Are we not all here to bring Glory to God? Is that not why we were made? Is it not he alone who is good, just and worthy to be praised? Just something I think we all should ponder.

Getting connected with a pine cone?

I know what you are thinking, getting connected to what? As you can see by the picture I have a pinecone in the hand. But weather I hold a pinecone, bird or another of God’s creations the result is always the same. This morning during my walk into work I once again found myself scoping up this innocent looking pinecone to be struck with the perspective that I am holding something that God created. What an odd and exhilarating feeling. I am holding something that my creator formed, something that he at one time held in his hand, now how cool is that.

As I look and ponder this wonderful piece of creation, I realize that my revelation is twofold. The second perspective I have encountered is that life is wrapped up in this seemingly cut off, dried up and seemingly dead seeding mechanism. I say mechanism because; unlike some I cannot profess to know how this little baby works. I know if I were to plant one of its tabs that somehow it has the potential to spring into life, but I do not know how. Like most plants, trees and shrubs these living creatures propagate through a seeding process. This process is a great example of how the mystery of God works as well as a living gospel of life after death. For if these plants can produce life after death, every year with the assistance of God, then how can we say that we will not be treated the same.

The question should not be if there is life after death, but what kind and how will we grow. We to are seeds and our growth depends on the choices we make and if we will follow the laws of God or the world. I guess that’s why the bible uses the terms of harvest when referring to the resurrection. It also states that he will separate the wheat from the tares. I don’t know about you but I want to be more than just a weed using up good fertile land with no fruit to bear.

So I urge you to stay connected to God, pick up a pinecone or something else he made and marvel at his work this morning.

More than I can bare

Last night was the first night back at Baymills with community connections, a ministry which I love and benefits me more than them; although how that is possible I don’t know. God has a way of doing that, making things work when the world says it shouldn’t. As usual I was working the kitchen and the stage; I can be a bit of a comedian, enjoying reconnecting with all of the people and having a great time. After the main rush for dinner I had a discussion with a lady regarding the eroding of our senses and how some mediums like books and TV that can cause people to be desensitized to numerous stimuli, such as violence, sexy, drugs and alcohol. In the discussion we had, I mentioned that I need to be careful with what I let in with those senses.  Something’s; I said, I must avoid all together.

It was at this point that the discussion got interesting and she made the remark  that I was weak.  My response was quick and shocking to her; and believe it or not, also myself. I agreed with her, immediately and said, Yes, I am weak thank God for Jesus. I also quoted Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Out of nowhere I had an opportunity to share with her, that I needed Jesus and that he was my only hope.

It wasn’t what I would call a typical testimony, but it was full of truth and honesty. It also hit at the core of the human condition; we are weak, imperfect and lacking in some way shape or form. Each one of us has our own challenge areas. What the actual weakness is doesn’t matter, the reliance on Christ does.

The conversation continued and seemed to blossom into more questions about how and what a walk with Christ should look like and how to protect one’s self against the onslaught of the world. Since I have a blog and have written several corresponding letters I shared with her my website link and encouraged here to read some of my recent posts. What I wanted to stress in this post is to not be afraid of your weaknesses, but rather embrace them in the knowledge that even though it might be too much for us to bare, Jesus will carry our burdens and use what we think is weak to help someone else.

Psalms 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Father of lies

I have been reading the bible for some time now and have experienced its truth. My absorption rate of these truths is my biggest issue, and I believe I am not alone, which is why I wanted to share the following.

More and more I have noticed deception and lies in my life, little whispers and ideas of what I need, want or will make me happy. Now I know that I was not created this way, to question or battle myself, so I am left to wonder where do some of these crazy ideas come from? I took some time for me to figure it out; I had to go back to Genesis the beginning. It was there that I recognized my situation and that what had happened to Adam and Eve was happening to me.

I mean, I couldn’t actually see the snake (aka Devil), but his fingerprint was quite evident. Just like them, I too was never created to doubt, want, covet or envy and yet with his prompting we can. Our focus, our perception and our hearts can be tempted and tested. When God created us he gave us the ability to choose, it is just strange to me that we would choose so badly. We did so because we believed in a lie, we wanted more, and we didn’t think we were enough, or had enough.  In Ephesians 6:16 it says, “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Just in case you don’t recognize this passage, it is found in the writings of Paul to the church of the Ephesians warning them to put on the whole armour of God. It is a good warning to them and us.

He has always tried to have us believe the lie, and if we do so we supplant God as our focus in our daily lives. If we start to believe all of those things he is firing at us, like the promise of just one more BLANK and you will be happy or if you had X amount of money, your life would be smooth and if you had a better job, or another wife, a bigger car, or fancier house etc. You can see that there is a never ending list and how ridiculous each of the statements are, and yet we each fall for one of them seemingly every day. So what are you and I to do? We are called in 1 John 1:7 to “… walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin”

Jesus said, in John 14:6 “…. I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Reading the verse above gives us a revelation that Jesus is the way and answers what way that is, “the truth,” which is also, “the life.” So the key to battling the lies of the enemy, strange and simple enough, is with truth. And how do we get a hold of truth so that we are able to repel these fiery darts, these lies? We are called to put on the whole armour of God, as detailed in Ephesians 6:11-17. We are also called to “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” In John 17:17. It becomes quite evident that the most important part about reading the bible is that it gives us; it arms us with the truth. And if we have and know the truth, then lies will be seen for what they truly are, trivial, insignificant, false and empty.

So when you are down in the dumps, feeling unhappy, lonely, unsatisfied or any other negative emotion, then lift your heads and take a good look around. Listen closely to see what the root of your current state is, find the lie and then hit it with some of God’s truth and see how fast the lie disappears and how quickly your spirits lift. Do not be discouraged for even our Lord and Saviour was tempted in this way, for forty days and nights in the desert. This is a great example of how to live and deal with our enemy. It shows us that truth conquers lies and that Jesus Christ has triumphed over all things.

Too much to do

I don't know about the rest of you but I find from time to time that I have too much to do and become overwhelmed with life in general with my comings and goings. This great concern with the world is one of the greatest pitfalls that we can ever encounter. Sometimes I find that because of this problem I cannot focus, get frustrated easily and become angry with my failings and inabilities. It is at times like this that prayer was made for. Perspective and my place in the world is what needs to be reset and the only way to do that is to be face to face with my creator. Below is an example of what I pray and I hope that in the sharing of this others might find the same peace and contentment as I do. God Bless.

Lord, my life is full of questions and doubts, peppered with supposition and vain imaginings. Only when I am in your presence do I find true peace and comfort. The world is a heavy weight, one that we often pick up and place on our own shoulders. Let my perspective be corrected by you today and the understanding of your all-encompassing rulership settle my heart and quite my soul. For when I acknowledge your vast and awesome presence, then and only then do I know that nothing is beyond your grasp and control. May my being rejoice in the knowledge that you are my creator and you have known me from the beginning of time. And that you will guide and rule events, circumstances, and all of the daily mundane things in my life. And recognize all the love shown to me. May songs of joy always ring out from my lips, and I ask you to mold my heart with your spirit to become the man you wish me to be. May I have a vision of you in all things so that my steps will always be guided. Amen.

Welcome home

Recently I had a family member return from a long trip, the reason I am writing about this seemingly normal occurrence, is because I have noticed something in myself I don’t like. You have probably heard this catch phrase before, “absence makes the heart grow fonder,” or “you don’t know what you have until you lose it.” I am sure many you know have used at one time or another.

When you break down these two phrases, you should realize how sad these statements are. Not only does it show a lack of care or concern but true apathy. I am sorry to say that, I too am guilt of such a foolish and inconsiderate thing. We are social creatures and yet so many times we communicate badly with one another, without thought or care. Why is it that we only really care about something or someone when it is gone, broken or injured? So many times and ways I have heard the words, “I love you spoken” and the actions say something else. Regret is a terrible way to live and that is how most of us choose to operate day after day.

People often say that love is an emotion and comes from the heart and shouldn’t or doesn’t involve the head. To me this is a falsehood, that feeling you get when you are around someone you care about is made up of more than just a warm and fuzzy feeling. It lives and breathes in action and deeds. If faith without works is dead as the bible states, then love without care and intention is dead as well.

So I urge myself, and others, to love with your heart and your mind now, and not later. Stop living in regret, stop reacting to things around you and be proactive, share yourself with someone today. Don’t wait for their return after a long trip; tell them now “Welcome Home,” the one that dwells in your heart for them and them alone.

A Letter of reminder to my soul

Be still my wayward heart, rest in the Lord and know peace. Why do you run toward trouble and where is thy contentment? Do you not tire O my soul, is not your constant searching tiresome? What is it you search for? Do you not know that God alone fills the emptiness, repairs the broken hearted, and heals all wounds? To what end do you race to and fro, what is accomplished that will remain? Is your heart so vain as to believe you can leave a mark upon the world? Your wisdom and knowledge is foolishness before the Lord and shall fade with your bones into the dust.

Only your deeds will remain and only in the heart of those who recall your service. Be not puffed up and know thy place, settle for nothing less, you are a child of God and will transcend this world of tangible things and in that day of the spirit only what is within will remain. Leaving behind the trappings of this world.

Praise God that you are free and not bound to this Earth and life. Remember your place and know joy instead of temporary satisfaction, be contented O my Soul.

Psalm of Ed

My words are not ample to express my heart for the Lord, for what can one offer to his Saviour but thanks, and for their return of one's soul, service? For he did not rescue me from a simple calamity; but from myself and my sinful fleshly ways, and no other path could or would suffice. He alone can accomplish this for nothing exists without him and nothing is beyond his grasp.

I did not simply fall physically, but mine was a spiritual fall, and I alone was unable to return upright. For once a deed is complete, ripples continue and increase as a stone in a pond would, actions have consequence. Trying to correct them would be as if to grasp at air, futile and laughable, so I ask how else can one pick themselves up and continue?

Only forgiveness by the offended will suffice. O Lord you are more than a remedy, more than a balm, you are the great healer who knows no bounds or limitations. It is written that you have removed my blemishes as far as the East is from the West and for that I weep with joy. For with my sin go also pride, hurt, shame, regret and all other forms of guilt and self-chastisement.

Who else deserves my attention or praise, only you O Lord. Your name and yours alone is worthy to be praise, for all the power and Glory is shown over and over to be singularly yours. Righteousness and worthiness are needed to remove a blot like mine, and so you sent your son, to right this plight of mankind.

For even my soul, heart and mind convicted me, not only once but also continuously. And if I; the imperfect creature, blamed and accused himself, what then of you, the one who is wholly Holy? What weight could set right the scale of balance, how large a stone from your perfect creation would tip back the scale? Only your son; the one who breathed life into every part of it, the one whose very essence was present at creations great advent.

Salvation is yours alone God, for I could never right my wrongs, that much loved could not be found in myself. And so in your perfect wisdom, tempered with Mercy and Grace and Love, you sent Jesus to take on my shame, and death on the cross. And to merely balance the scale; for you would never be enough, you did more than I could imagine, and gave me the gift of life ever more. Hallelujah!

Yet as I bare marks from the fall, I take solace in the knowledge that you, God, reign above it. And at your right hand sits one who made right, my wayward fall. Because he is risen I rejoice; knowing soon I too will be in your presence, not of my own merit, but because he did it all.

Until that day may my lips proclaim that you are the lover of my soul, and the giver of an eternal gift, offered to us all. Mere acceptance and recognition is all that is required, and a thank you Jesus in heart, soul and mind to respond to your call.

Why we are called to commune with one another

Many times I have heard fellow Christians mention that they believe in Christ and the bible, but yet they no longer attend a church or regularly associate with fellow believers. Some of these people are family members for which I care for deeply. And so in the hopes of encouraging them to reconnect I am writing this entry into my blog.

From my own experience, I myself went through a phase of being away from the Church and the Body of Christ. At first it was due to a traumatic let down by someone within the church and then simply not wanting to face my actions away from the church. I am assuming that these loved ones have also experienced something similar.  This is something I can certainly understand and empathize with. Whatever the “event” was; please let me assure you, it had nothing to do with GOD. Stop blaming him for the actions of that person, who like you is imperfect and probably not even aware of how it affected you. It took me a long time to realize that the anger I felt toward God, the betrayal I experienced and subsequent loneliness had nothing to do with him.

You see sin of this nature has a kind of double-edged effect, and for those not aware, it can easily become a snare. I am sure, at some point in time everyone reading this has felt the pang of hurt inflected by another, the tricky part is letting it go. You know that you have been wronged; God knows that you have been wronged, and maybe even the injurer knows you have been wronged. But the bottom line is that you are still in control of how it will all play out from then on. I know, I know; your thinking what is he talking about, is he saying it is my fault or that I caused the injury or even deserved it? To those questions I respond with a resounding NO. What you are responsible for however is the length of time you will be bound and imprisoned by your resentment. You see, holding another person in contempt is a sin as well; which in turn heals nothing, but deepens our own injury. Forgiveness, real forgiveness and by extension freedom, can only be present if it is complete and relies solely on the effort of injured party.

This is one of the greatest lessons I have learned in the past few years and I have found that with forgiveness comes great peace. For me, it was the first healing step in the recovery of my relationship with the church and my fellow believers. Like every journey the path has many twists and turns, but I am not looking back. This newfound attitude, coupled with my willingness and ability to see God in all areas of my life along with the acknowledgment that all things are for the good of those who love God, is a life changing experience.

We were never intended to simply accept what life brings to us, but to actively rejoice and remember that God is good in all things. Philippians 4:7-9 King James Version (KJV) states:

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

I don’t know about you but that is one hard example to follow. I know that there have been many times in my life or situation where it has been really hard to see or hear God. This is why we are called to commune with one another. The sharing of our stories is essential not only to help each other and encourage each other but also to fulfill one of the greatest commandments.

John 15:11-13 King James Version (KJV)

11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

For what better example could we have, then our Lord and Saviour Christ who died for us and while on this Earth communed with us. Should we not choose to do likewise and follow his great and perfect example? I think the benefits out weigh the cost and so did Christ.

Hebrews 10:24-25King James Version (KJV)

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

A Girl's Message of Love

A friend shared this video with me and I wanted to share it with you. It is a reminder of the heart of Christ written in Matthew 22:35-41 King James Version (KJV)

³⁵ Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
³⁶ Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
³⁷ Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
³⁸ This is the first and great commandment.
³⁹ And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
⁴¹ While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,

My Thoughts on Psalms 23

Here are my personal thoughts and perspectives when I read one of my favourite memory verses. I wanted to dig deeper than the surface so I asked questions and meditated on the words as I went along. My thoughts are in Blue to separate the original text from the KJV.

The Lord is my shepherd (The lord is a guide, a provider and protector, someone who oversees not only me but a group of followers); I shall not want. (My guide provides for all of my needs.)

² He maketh me to lie down in green pastures (Where he guides me leads to rest, abundance and is the perfect place for me): he leadeth me beside the still waters. (Not only does he provide peace but he also quenches my thirsts.)
³ He restoreth my soul: (From where I have fallen or gone astray, he has restored me.) he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. (Leading connotes that I am following willing, and also in his name sake because my path was not the right path. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.)
⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; (Christ lives in me and is with me at all times even the gravest. With him death is only a shadow, because his victory on the cross took away it’s teeth for me and was made hollow. I too will rise again someday, so fear is dispelled.)  thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (His rode of correction and staff of guidance help me maintain my daily path.)

⁵ Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies (Christ invites me to his table to commune with him and part take of his life, and because of this enemies may abound, 1 Timothy 4:10 King James Version (KJV)10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

 : thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. (You have sealed me, blessed me, chosen me and set me aside for your own and because of this I will never thirst again thanks to the endless living water you provide.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. (The goodness and mercy left behind which follow are the fruits born because of my path and the following of Christ and the ultimate gift of Grace, eternal life and communion with my creator, the One True God is mine and nothing and no one can change that. John 10:28
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.)

Promises you and I count on.

Many Christians and even myself have found at one point or another several things in the Bible not clear and sometimes even cryptic. This occurs I believe because the Bible is living and so full of truth that it changes based on where we are in our lives. This is not to say that the words change or they’re meaning, but rather our understanding of them and their application in our life at that moment. This is why Christ said to his disciples,

John 16:12-14 King James Version (KJV)

 12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

For many people Revelations is a book full of mystery and I have even heard of fellow believers being afraid to read it. I am here to let you know that I find Isaiah more cryptic and that I find more joy and hope in the prophecies and promises of Revelations than anywhere else in the Bible. The only people who should be afraid of the book of Revelations are those without Christ, and therefore without hope.

So be of good courage and strong heart, here are some verses as examples of great promises which we can all count on. I find them very encouraging.

Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
Rev 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Rev 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Rev 2:11He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Rev 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Rev 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Rev 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Rev 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Girls Gone Wild in The Red Light District

One of my good friends posted this video on Human Trafficking to raise awareness, and I wanted to share this with you. The selling of people is the number one crime globally and needs to stop. How can we help this cause? Check out this creative video and maybe you'll get an idea.

The Reality of Our Possessions

We all own things, or at least we act like we do. But when you really think about what we have in our homes, on our driveways in our fridges and our lives, do we not owe someone a great THANK YOU. How many times have I taken for granted that at the end of a long day my home, bed and wife will be there to provide comfort and solace? I mean I don’t celebrate this fact every single day, but perhaps I should. Once in a while I catch a glimpse of a beautiful sunrise and stand in awe of the creation and by extension it’s creator, but aren’t they all magnificent even if I am not present or acknowledge them? Who am I to add significance the rising of the sun? I can only be thankful that it happens on a daily basis.

But back to my point, the things we use on a daily basis, my toothbrush, my stove, my fridge and even that movie I borrowed the other day, should I be just as grateful for them as for the dawn? The answer is a resounding YES, and it should be YES every time we use them. This is a part of societies problem as a whole, we have all lost sight of the significance of an item simply because it has been there longer than 5 minutes. Some how our thankfulness for something wanes with time and inattention and it becomes less worthy of our recognition.

Let’s use the example of the borrowed movie to illustrate my point. Say I borrowed a movie from you, wouldn’t I take care of it and make sure that it came back to you in the same fashion that I received it? Wouldn’t you? Sure you would, you are responsible and know that our relationship would be injured should I damage the item and break that bond of trust. I mean wouldn’t you expect me to replace it if it was damaged? Of course you would.

So now that we are thinking about being responsible for those things we borrow and don’t own, let us go back to the question “What do we really posses?” I mean the Bible states that “…all good gifts come from above from the father of lights.” And that in him “we live and move and breathe...” and lastly “the Earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.” Which means that all of those things you and I used this morning. Our shower, clothes, toothbrush, coffee cup, car and everything in between are not really ours. It is on loan from our Father above and should be treated with the appropriate respect; after all doesn’t he deserve the same respect for his things as we ask for our own.

The bottom line is this, to ensure appreciation and proper respect for what we call, “our things.” We must realize that they are all gifts and loaners from God above and should be treated and used with proper respect and intent to glorify not us but him. In the end the only possession we have is our God given gift of choice, for we do not even have dominion over our own bodies. So rejoice in his gifts, give thanks and try not to forget that you are blessed and loved by a generous and gracious Father.

Snail's Pace

Have you ever felt like you are moving so slow you could barely tell if you are moving at all? I don't mean physically, but mentally, emotionally or in other words spiritually.

Many times in my life and even very recently I have asked the question, “What is my purpose in life, what am I supposed to be doing or more importantly, what is God’s will for me.” I know that I am not alone, I have had many conversations with other fellow Christians and this topic remains at the forefront of many people’s minds. I am glad to see that I am not alone, and that people are interested in what God’s will is for their lives. It means that they are looking beyond their own needs. And so since I know I struggle with a common issue I wanted to share my thoughts with you.

I have realized a few things; God sometimes does not answer this question because, you are right where he wants you. Stop and think for a minute, if God had some larger plan for you, do you think that it would be difficult for him to put you into that plan. He who hung the stars and planets into place can do all things. Also in my daily “Grind” as many people call it, I find myself with moments of sharing Christ with others. Now granted probably not as much as I should. But what if God just wants you to live a righteous life and be an example to those currently around you? Who says you have to go to another country to be a missionary? Aren’t the people in your life now just as precious as the ones half way across the world and don’t they need the hope of Christ as much as the next person?

Sometimes this realization slips my mind and usually because I have failed to connect with God the first thing in the morning. So I urge you to do daily devotions, everyday and encourage you that you are where he wants you. Look for God’s will in all the things in your life, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God.” And if you are looking for a more direct connection with the father, prayer and fasting have helped me in the past to be more sensitive to the Holy Spirit and his will. Keeping a journal is often helpful and even walks by your self, looking at his creation can be inspiring. That is how I came up with today’s topic, the birds morning song reminded me that praise and worship are fitting everyday and that his will for us is new each morning.

Brothers & Sisters

In John 13 Jesus is enjoying the last supper with his disciples. And because he knew what was to come; his death on the cross, he intends to impart some final wisdom. One of the things he does is wash their feet, which has a twofold meaning. One it indicates that he came to serve the world as a sacrifice and two he came as the only acceptable example of how to live. He even asks them if they know why he washed their feet.
John 13:12-17 “So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”
His point was that because they had excepted him as their master, they too should be kind and loving and serve others for the greater cause which is God’s will. And that if even he, the Son of God could do this thing, they likewise should be able. This message was so important that he mentions again what should define them as his disciples.
John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
So what is the bottom line the believer, or better yet myself? I am supposed to be aware of the needs of my brothers and sisters in Christ and serve them and by doing so give a contradictory example to the world in order to make people stop and ask why and give Glory to our father in heaven. Our focus should not and cannot be ourselves as true disciples. Just as Christ went to the extreme by giving his life for others, we as servants and called to do the same. If you don’t believe me then check out how many times Jesus made them “Marvel” by his words and actions.
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
The question I pose to you and myself today, is how are you serving your Brothers and Sisters?

Tired, frustrated, think you can’t win? You are not alone!

To be a Christian, by nature is to struggle and oppose. We not only oppose the physical, spiritual and moral, but also everything in the world. This struggle is continuous and has no rest. Be vigil for even when no person is present to test you; the old nature that from within is the subtlest of enemies. How tiresome is our struggle, how constant the battle. Truly we are our biggest enemy, continually putting obstacles in our own paths. It is for this reason we must search within and ask the question, how are we to prevail? The truth is we cannot. We are lost. Insufficient. And nothing we can gather, nothing we do and nothing we achieve will change this fact. Only one has the victory of life, only one the key to true freedom for the flesh, he who died and rose again for us all.

 

Do not despair, for true joy is possible. Imagine not being affected by negativity, that guy in traffic, you know the one, even your boss. It is possible to find this peace and claim this calm. The joy we seek is the song to which my heart yearns to sing. Only one thing will satisfy, only one choice is right, to claim his peace is easy and his burden is light. Surrender your will, your worry and concerns. Trade them for a new spirit, his righteousness and glory he earns. Call on the name of Jesus, give him control. Say goodbye to the old life; for it is enough, sin has taken its toll.

A Lesson in Humility

I just realized today that I have crushed this months quota and will close up the best month I have ever had as a Sales person at my current company. My first reaction was to let out a resounding yop like in the movie, The Dead Poets Society. That was until I realized that perhaps doing so might bring down those around me who are not doing so well. With that thought sinking into my mind I also realized that some might think it sheer luck and not what it truly is, a blessing from God. And now that I have this renewed and corrected perspective, I know that the glory is his alone. The Bible states to him be all the glory and for good reason, for James 1:17 mentions that all good things comes from the Father of Lights. This understanding should have been at the forefront of my mind and my first reaction. To my shame it was not, but to my joy I said nothing to anyone in the office and therefore did not supplant his praise for my own except in my mind. I now have the honour and privilege of telling the correct reason for my good fortune should someone ask, I have been but blessed by a gracious Lord and that with each blessing I pray a new sense and understanding of humility will accompany it.

Whose First in God's line?

Last night was the first night back for the community connections ministry after the Christmas break and I was eager to see and talk with the people we serve in the Chester le area. The evening started off quite well, the bus was loaded quickly, we had a large amount of food, and the weather was not to cold at the time. We arrive at our distribution location and had many volunteers to service on this evening; every thing looked like it was going to be a banner evening and a nice start back to the ministry. That was until an argument broke out between a few ladies in the line, about who was where and when and in what order in the line. Despite several attempts to calm things down, two of these ladies seemed to be more than happy to be in each other’s space and face. Now to give you a perspective of how things normally go, the clients we deal with, line up perhaps an hour or so before we get there and some of them simply leave their buggies in their “spot.” There is no way for us to make a judgement about who was there first except to see their current positions in the line up.

We finally got things settled down but this is not the first time that this issue of who was there first has occurred. On this particular occurrence; a gentlemen waiting in the line also tried to bring some perspective to the ladies, by reminding them that we were volunteers only trying to bless them with free food, even though we came from a different religion than some of those we were serving. This statement gave me a new train of thought for a subject that has been at forefront of my mind lately, which is, Christianity and the behaviour among the believers.

I mean the perfect example of what is happening within the Church, happened last night in the line up. We Christians, like our clients have been invited to partake of a free gift. We all have been asked to act properly and wait on the returning of our Lord, and each one of us in the line are no better or worse than the other and yet we still fight one against the other. Just as ridiculous as the argument was in the line last night, the same applies for all of us Christians who put down and cry foul at one another. None of us deserve to be in God’s line and yet he called us from his servant heart, by way of Jesus Christ to come and dine and reside with him.

So the question I have to ask myself is, am I applying the same ruling to my life as to those in the line? Am I remaining calm and treating those around me with same respect? Am I hurling insults at others in the line? Good questions to ask oneself and better to always keep in my mind.

Salvation is a gift of freedom and since I remain in the line, as do others, my only two actions should be to wait for and honour the host by loving those who wait with me. The only one qualified to judge, reorganize the line or even send someone away is the one handing out the gift of Salvation, Christ himself.

Adam and Me

Last night I went to the first 2012 Wednesday night Meeting Place, a mid week sermon at my home church APC. Pastor Keith Preston was teaching on the topic, the fall of man from the book of Genesis, and some of his thoughts and insights triggered or rather resonated with in me new wells of truth. His teaching truly ignited a new vigor to my craving for the word and in particular the understanding of the original sin. As I sat seemingly isolated and targeted by this message, my mind was flood with many new truths and understandings of the story of Adam and here are some of my thoughts.

The story of Adam is a picture and description of the fall of all mankind. And it has been said that to truly understand who you are you must also understand your origins. Adam was the first of our kind to ever walk on the face of the Earth and to even know that God existed and because he was made perfectly there was a time when he walked with God in perfect harmony and obedience. God at that time was to Adam, his creator, his source of information, his wealth of truth and knowledge, in all aspects his father and teacher. I can picture it now in my mind’s eye Adam strolling in the newly created garden asking question after question, some of those question I am sure have continued through our bloodline and still resound within us today.

Now to that sad part, God in his infinite wisdom created the tree of the knowledge of good and evil a physical manifestation of the single choice given to man, to obey or not to obey. That my dear reader is the only question that God has ever put to him and to us, nothing else matters. Some may have noticed by now that I have left out Eve and I will continue to do so simply because I see them as one entity for the purpose of my study and observations. So back to the tree, I am sure that most of us know what happens next, man takes the forbidden fruit, his eyes are opened, he experiences shame, he experiences sin and now death is introduced to his life and a separation between man and God begins.

One of the observations that Pastor Preston mentioned was that this decision no matter which choice Adam and Eve would make would result in knowledge, obedience would have brought with it the reward of the knowledge of good and we know that the choice of disobedience brought the knowledge of evil. This same choice can be found each day in our very own lives, obedience to God is a choice that has never gone away. And this truth is what rocked me to the core, the sin of my forefather, the sin of Adam was and is the root of all of my sin today. Now I am not saying it is Adam’s fault with that statement, just that all the sin in the world and in my own life exists because of my own disobedience to the command of God. Adams and my sin are exactly the same.

Just like Adam, I have a choice. I too live in God’s once perfect creation that continues to be corrupted and changed through each new generation advancing further away from the creators once comment, “and he saw that it was good.” Now the second thing that resounded in my mind is that just like Adam & Eve there is a snake whispering doubt and lies to me, telling me that I to can be like unto the most high. Remember what he told Eve in Genesis 3:4-5 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. This same doubt, this same shifting of Gods boundaries and intentional misinterpretation of God’s word and command, was and is still at it most stripped down form, the oldest lie in the book. And when we choose to believe his lies, we are substituting Satan for God in the role of teacher, friend, and father. This concept sent me reeling and gave new meaning to John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

So I guess the biggest question is, what do I do with this knowledge? And so I started to think about Jesus and God’s redemptive plan. I mean if the question is obedience don’t we have to look toward the one who came to the Earth and lived as Adam and we should as the ultimate example. Jesus was obedient unto death, read Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. This is why I think we are called to follow him, time and time again Jesus mentions to those he is preaching and teaching, “follow me.” I checked it out on www.Biblegateway.com and the New Testament is pepper with these words of Jesus, no wonder he said I am the way, the truth and the life. Because aside from obedience to God there is no way, Jesus alone is perfect. But the good news is, he died for the sins of the world and he alone accomplished all this through one act, and that act was obedience.

Now that I have established again that Jesus is my only example, my redeemer, my salvation I must look to him also for living life while I am still here in the corrupted world, with all of my flaws and sin. I want to be reconciled to God and since Jesus is the only one who knows the way, why would I follow anyone else’s advice or direction. And so I once again look for his example and just like the “follow me” command I also find another just as prolific.

Matthew 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Luke 9:23-26 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.

Luke 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

And with this knowledge, I once again realize that the choice is simple, I must keep a perspective that is true and not let my vision be narrowed to the things I am commanded to avoid but rejoice in that which the father has provided, the greatest of which is my example, my Friend, my Salvation and my Jesus, my King and Saviour. I must follow him and his example, which involves taking up my cross daily, dying to self and submitting to Jesus and the Holy Spirit and allowing his will to reign in my life in place of my own. To him be all the Glory and Honour and Praise. Amen