HE DWELLED AMONG US

I watched a sweet story this morning with tears in my eyes.  30 years ago a sales rep passed an 11 year old boy on the street.  His plea for some change because he was hungry, made her turn back.  She took him to lunch, but didn’t stop there…lunch became a weekly date, but it didn’t stop there… she invited him to her family Christmas celebration.  Maurice, who had never experienced Christmas, said the best thing was feeling all the love as he sat around the table with the family.

Now you can see why I am in tears...Not just because it is a sweet story, but because I don’t have a similar story.  Every year, Steve and I pray and ask God to show us needs that we can give to, out of our finances. Then we go about our Christmas celebrations, smugly feeling pretty good about ourselves, guilt over our pile of presents assuaged.  We jealously guard our time and hearts, reserving both for those special people called family by birth.

Oh, it is easy to donate money and then get to your Christmas traditions, but what would happen if I expanded my heart and spent some of the hoarded time on someone who never had the chance to form a tradition?   Someone who could use a friend or a laugh or a plate of Christmas cookies after a hot meal…Maybe there is a person just wishing someone would teach them to play Yatzee, give them a hug and a brightly wrapped gift…Someone to show them the true meaning of this holiday we call Christmas.

John 1:14

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

In this season we celebrate the birth of a Baby, which is always a time for joy and celebration.  But of course, this was a special Baby that was born with eternal purpose.  This Baby wasn’t just a gift to a loving mom and dad but to the whole world.  He didn’t grow up to be a carpenter, selling his wares and donating a few coins to those less fortunate.  No, Jesus came to give Himself and become a part of our lives…to dwell with us.

Can we who have enjoyed this great Gift from God, do any less?  “To Be Like Jesus,” must become more than just the words to a song.  Open your heart, let go of a few minutes of your hoarded time and “dwell among them.”  I have a feeling you and I will be completely transformed and will receive a blessing of a new friend.

THE BIG LIE WE TELL OUR CHILDREN

Parenting is NOT FOR WIMPS!!!  It is a difficult 24/7 job that requires sleeping with one eye open, constantly thinking one step ahead of anything they can imagine and hours on your knees in prayer for wisdom and guidance.  As Christian parents we want to instill Godly values into their world view and it must start at a very young age.  

We teach them to LOVE; God, their siblings, parents, friends, the neighbors and those who may look and act differently then seems normal.  

We teach them RESPECT; respect for themselves, their siblings, friends, parents, neighbors, teachers, and others in authority.  

We teach them BOUNDARIES; boundaries of personal property, boundaries of displays of affection, boundaries of displays of anger and other emotions; boundaries of language and boundaries of appropriate behaviors. 

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

Don’t forget the TEN COMMANDMENTS…There is only ONE GOD; we shall not make IDOLS or WORSHIP any object other than the ONE GOD; we don’t SWEAR and use the Name of God disrespectfully; we should SET TIME ASIDE TO REST and meditate on the goodness of God; RESPECT AND HONOR OUR PARENTS; we SHOULD NOT KILL, CHEAT ON OUR SPOUSE, STEAL, OR LIE; finally, we SHOULD NOT ALLOW JEALOUSY of others to rule our life.  An excellent basis to establish the character of our children and if we can successfully plant these lessons into their lives, we are off to a very good start.

BIGGEST CHALLENGE

Of course our BIGGEST CHALLENGE is to not only TEACH these lessons but to LIVE the lessons, each and every day in front of our children’s eyes and ears.  Children who are raised in a God-centered home, hear Dad and Mom pray, give God glory and read His Word are much more likely to embrace the Precious Promises contained in the Word and enter into a personal relationship of their own with God.  Children are “expert mimics.”  If you are ever unsure what lessons your young children are learning, secretly observe them at play.  You will be surprised to hear your words and see clear evidence of your actions as they interact with their siblings, stuffed animals and dolls.  YOU are your child’s most important ROLE MODEL and regardless if it is the role you desired you are partly responsible for their behavior throughout their lives.

BE A ROLE MODEL

Speaking of ROLE MODELS and the TEN COMMANDMENTS, exampling them is the ONLY way to solidify those values into your child’s heart.  You can communicate these most important commands by allowing your child to see you living them and NEVER allowing them to be violated in your life or that of your child’s.   If the clerk gives you too much change or doesn’t charge you for the extra gallon of milk; return the money and pay for the milk…It is NOT a blessing from the Lord and pretending as if no one will notice is STEALING AND LYING!!! By the way someone IS noticing…That precious little boy or girl standing by your side not only NOTICED but just LEARNED A VALUABLE LESSON.  Did they learn HONESTY or “you can get by with stealing, lying and cheating, as long as no one knows!”

LYING; there is probably not one Parent and certainly not a Born-Again Parent that would ever admit that they LIE REGULARLY to their Children. But there is ONE LIE that I have observed Christian Parents tell their children over and over…

THE BIG LIE IS THAT GOD LOVES THEM SO MUCH THAT THEIR SINFUL BEHAVIORS AND LIFESTYLE DOES NOT MATTER!!!

I have heard Christian Parents tell their “wayward” child, that since they were baptized and Spirit-filled as a child that “it’s” still in there somewhere and God loves them and they are still His child regardless of the things they are involved in because NOTHING can separate us from the LOVE OF GOD!!! There is just enough TRUTH contained in this statement to be DANGEROUS and didn’t we learn that a “HALF-TRUTH” is really a LIE IN DISGUISE?

TRUTH:  God loves them…. REST OF THE TRUTH:  God’s love is unconditional but SALVATION is conditioned on our FAITH and OBEDIENCE.

TRUTH:  Once we have accepted the SALVATION offered by Jesus’ sacrifice, God will NEVER take it back…REST OF THE TRUTH:  We can WALK AWAY from SALVATION; trample on the sacrifice, “crucify Christ afresh” and neglect this GREAT SALVATION. 

TRUTH:  UNREPENTED SIN will send you to HELL…REST OF THE TRUTH: 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

PLEASE, do not be guilty of telling the BIG LIE to your children by TELLING THEM A HALF-TRUTH!!!  Their eternity may depend on YOUR HONESTY!!!  The MESS your child is dealing with right now may be a result of their sinful choices and behaviors, DON’T COMPOUND the problem by telling them the BIG LIE!!!  What a tragedy to find that you are ENABLING your child’s journey to Hell because of your own DISHONESTY REGARDING THEIR SIN!

TELL THEM THE TRUTH!

God does NOT IGNORE sin and a lifestyle of sin will result in an eternity separated from God.

God loves them and there is no sin that He will not forgive, if they will ask His forgiveness in TRUE REPENTANCE!

The act of TRUE REPENTANCE involves TURNING AWAY from sin, FOLLOWING AFTER God and allowing His Grace and the Power of the Holy Ghost to help you live an OVERCOMING LIFE.

PRAY for them and with them.  Don’t be afraid or hesitant to WALK THE RETURN JOURNEY with them.  Most importantly, SEARCH YOUR OWN HEART and REPENT.

OUR CHILDREN ARE EXPERTS MIMICS!

THE ENDING OF THE STORY MATTERS

Every book has a beginning, middle and ending and no story is complete if any part is eliminated. The beginning gives you the cast of characters and the setting.  It will only confuse you to start in the middle or skip to the ending.  How will you understand the thinking, decisions, culture and relationships integral to the story if you don’t start at the beginning?  THE IMPORTANT MIDDLE...In the middle of the book the plot is developed. How boring the plot would be without a few conflicts and storms.

But you cannot eliminate the ending!

If you have ever picked up a used book and read it from cover to cover, only to find out that the last chapter or pages are missing, you know the incredible frustration that is experienced when you are left with no ending.  It is the END OF THE STORY where the answers to all of the questions are revealed. It is at the END OF THE STORY where the character of the players comes to light.  It is only at the END OF THE STORY that the hero or heroine emerges triumphant.

What about your story?

 Perhaps the setting and cast of characters was determined many years ago and the plot has developed into more chaos than you ever expected.  Your storm is being woven into the plot by circumstances beyond your control BUT you haven’t reached the ENDING, yet.  The ENDING is still being written, still to be determined by your decisions, choices, actions and reactions.

It is at the END OF YOUR STORY that the ANSWERS to all you questions will be revealed.  Your responsibility at the present time is wrapped up in the questions and to whom you trust for the answers…THE ENDING OF YOUR STORY MATTERS. 

It is at the END OF YOUR STORY that your true CHARACTER will be revealed.  You might as well accept the inevitable…Storms happen, you may be in the middle of a “hurricane” right now but all that matters to the end of your story is your response to the storm.  Are you wailing in fear or resting in faith?  Are your eyes on your circumstances or are you looking to the One who can lift you above the situation?  Are you complaining or praising…THE ENDING OF YOUR STORY MATTERS.

There will be a Hero or Heroine at the END OF YOUR STORY…Will it be YOU?  Will you emerge victorious or defeated?  Purpose in your heart today to keep walking; strengthen your resolve to keep trusting; keep your eyes on Jesus…THE ENDING OF YOUR STORY MATTERS.

♪♪ “By and by when the morning comes

When all the saints of God are gathered home

WE WILL TELL THE STORY HOW WE’VE OVERCOME,

And we’ll understand it better by and by.” ♪♪

THANKSGIVING SHOULD NEVER END

1 Thessalonians 5:18  In everything give thanks: 

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Yesterday was Thanksgiving and many gathered around the table with friends and family and spoke of being thankful.  On Face book, November is designated as “Thankfulness Month,” with many uplifting posts about being thankful and listing something each day, for which to be thankful.  But now Thanksgiving Day is over, the turkey will be consumed today as a “leftover,” family and friends have returned home, and “Black Friday” bargains are the order of the day; what happened to THANKFULNESS?

THANKFULNESS…It is not about things.  There are people who have lots of things, yet are unthankful.  There are many that have no material wealth, yet live everyday with a thankful heart.

THANKFULNESS…It is not about opportunity and achievement.  The hotel CEO may feel the pride in the pinnacle he has reached, yet hate every moment he lives, while the hotel maid may sing songs of praise as she cleans bathrooms she does not own.

THANKFULNESS…it isn’t even about the people who share your life.  You may be miserable, surrounded by love or you may be a single person with no one to share the holiday and still feel blessed.

THANKFULNESS is a DECISION that causes you to see people, things and situations in the proper perspective…

It is about HOPE; “God so loved the world.” 

It is CONFIDENCE that your “Steps are ordered by the Lord.” 

It is the PEACE in knowing that God can take any situations and create a positive outcome. 

It is about accepting that you are loved with an EVERLASTING LOVE. 

It Is TRUSTING that “this world is not my home” and there will be a better tomorrow because I have been redeemed.

Although a set aside holiday may come to an end, having a THANKFUL HEART should never cease.  Yes, THANKSGIVING really is not about a DAY it is about a CHANGE OF HEART and a STATE OF MIND and the WILL OF GOD!

CONTENTMENT IS A CONSCIOUS DECISION!

1 Timothy 6:6-7 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world

 and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

I find the verses preceding the above passage to be quite interesting.  In them, Paul is talking to Timothy about the people professing Christ, with whom he will come in contact.  Not all are pure of heart...Many will be ENVIOUS, always have EVIL  SUSPICIONS, obsessed with disputes and arguments over words...Is it possible that Paul saw a vision of the 21st Century?  Social Media, Christians, upset over people saying Happy "Turkey" Day instead of Happy Thanksgiving or Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas or removing snowflakes from a disposable cup?

Paul goes even further, saying, these people will have CORRUPT MINDS, DESTITUTE OF TRUTH and will even suppose that GODLINESS is a MEANS OF GAIN!!!  Can you IMAGINE?  People choosing to follow Christ because of what they can get?  Then he admonishes Timothy to WITHDRAW himself from such people.  Next, Paul speaks the truth found in verses 6 and 7.

CONTENTMENT IS A CONSCIOUS DECISION!!! It is waking up every morning with a heart of THANKSGIVING and making the intentional decision to accept whatever blessings God provides for that day, even if they don't resemble the vision of blessing you had in mind.

I have had so many look at my life, which they know nothing about, and say, "Well it is easy to be CONTENT when you have been so BLESSED."  And I would answer, "Yes, it is and I have been abundantly blessed."

OR maybe it is easy to be CONTENT because you know you are "Loved with a great love."  AND, because you know "That all things work together for good to those who love God; to those who are called according to His purpose."  Perhaps CONTENTMENT comes because your heart of THANKFULNESS opens your eyes to see the BLESSINGS others do not recognize.

Today you can CHOOSE CONTENTMENT...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

IT WILL MATTER TO YOUR KIDS

The sun peeked over the horizon and after a restless night, Eve rose to face the day.  Not since the dawn of creation had she been so happy to see another morning.  Had it really only been 24 hours since yesterday's sunrise?  It seemed a lifetime ago that she had risen as usual, splashed her face in the trickling brook, smelled the beautiful flowers, and set off to gather her and Adam’s meal for the day.  Why had she taken that stroll by the forbidden tree?  Why had she stopped to linger in its shade and admire its luscious ripe fruit?  Why had she listened to the Serpent?  And why oh why had she taken that first bite?

It had been so delicious and even Adam couldn’t resist but now God was angry, he had removed the covering of His glory from around them and clothed them with skins from an innocent lamb.  Now they would be forced to leave their beautiful home, the only place they had ever known but at least they were still alive.  God had said sin would bring death but Eve’s heart was still beating and Adam’s even breathing assured her that she was not all alone.  Perhaps God wouldn’t kill them after all and life would go on as wonderful as ever.

The years passed and Eve embraced the “new normal,” her former life in the Garden fading into a distant memory.  Time continued on…until it was time to deliver her first born…OH THE PAIN, and she remembered.

Genesis 3:16 To the woman He said:

“I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception;
In pain you shall bring forth children;
Your desire shall be for your husband and he shall rule over you.”

The pain of childbirth slowly faded as she nurtured her children.  Sure Adam came in from the field every day, tired and dirty from fighting the weeds and brambles, the boys were constantly involved in minor skirmishes over the silliest disagreements and it seemed their demands for food and attention was never ending.  She had to worry about clothing for her family now but every year there were new lamb skins from the sin offering to make the new garments.  Eve had settled into life until that ONE FATEFUL DAY.  Suddenly, it all came flooding back, her sin slapped her in the face and she bowed beneath the weight of guilt and regret.

Adam returned from the yearly Sin Offering and reported that God was displeased with their oldest son, Cain.  Cain had offered the “fruit of the ground,” the ground God had cursed, instead of a blood offering and it had been rejected by God.  Cain stomped into the house, bloody and alone, collected some food and water and took off without explanation.  What had happened now?  Adam went to investigate and came back with the devastating news…Abel was dead, apparently killed by his brother and Cain had fled out of fear…Yes, it all became clear, SIN HAD RESULTED IN DEATH!!!!  The sin she and Adam had committed in the Garden had been passed down to their precious children.  God had spoken truth…

Genesis 2:17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Thousands of years have passed since that day in the garden that would change the world and the plight of mankind forever.  God provided Himself a Lamb for the atonement and restoration of man’s relationship with Him and we have the privilege of receiving His Holy Spirit to live within us.  God’s pronouncement to Adam and Eve in Genesis 2, however, has still not changed, UNREPENTED SIN BRINGS DEATH.

As you make choices that take you away from the Presence of God and taste the sweetness of sin’s fruit, it may seem that God has changed his mind…Surely you won’t die.  Life continues; life is good…you still have a job, a beautiful home, and precious children that have brought you unbelievable joy.  WHAT ABOUT YOUR PRECIOUS CHILDREN?

DO NOT FOOL YOURSELF FOR ONE MINUTE…those precious children are watching every choice you make and not only learning from you but modeling their choices after your example.  You may not think your choices have consequence; after all you are NOT HURTING ANYONE.  But decisions do have consequence and IT WILL MATTER TO YOUR KIDS.

I know wonderful people who were kind, responsible, good citizens and loving parents, yet did not make the decision to repent and follow God until their children were grown.  Sadly, not one of their children have followed the “late-in-life” example to change their ways.  In fact, most of the sins they have indulged in have far surpassed anything their parents would have dared…IT WILL MATTER TO YOUR KIDS.

Your kids will grow up and make their own choices and the foundation under those choices will be determined by the examples you have set in their younger years.  The chance that they will make Godly choices is greatly increased if you have taught them the ways of God and led the way by example.  If your choices have been selfish and determined by your own fleshly lusts, your children will not only follow your example but quite possibly exceed your life of sin…IT WILL MATTER TO YOUR KIDS.

Romans 5:19 
For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners,

So also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.

IT ISN’T TOO LATE!!  God made a promise to Adam and Eve the PROMISE OF REDEMPTION and he kept His Word.  

There is still time to “turn things around.”  Through the power of the Holy Spirit you can begin to make the right choices; choices that lead you toward God.  Though your children may be grown, your choices can still affect them and perhaps influence them to make Godly choices for their own life.  BEGIN RIGHT NOW, make your choice for God…IT WILL MATTER TO YOUR KIDS.

IS IT SIN IF NOBODY SEES IT?

Psalms 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart;

Try me, and know my anxieties;

24 And see if there is any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.

IF WE SIN AND NO ONE SEES, IS IT STILL A SIN?

Silly question isn’t it? Of course, God sees everything!!! But before you totally dismiss this post, one of the biggest caches of “Secret Sin” resides in our pocket. We keep it close to our heart, mind and eyes, check it several times an hour and panic when we forget to charge it or think it is lost. You guessed it…our dearly beloved SMART PHONE! Your first thought of course is I am talking about pornography. It is true not only do we have every ungodly viewing opportunity at our fingertips but we have placed a potential lifetime of struggles right in the hands of our precious children.

You may say but I don’t have an issue with pornography…that is wonderful but what about GOSSIP? After all that smart phone can be used to make phone calls or send texts, too. 

What about PRIDE? Check your pictures, how many are selfies, taken in the bathroom mirror. 

CYBER AFFAIRS? Intimate discourse between 2 people, when one or both are married to another IS STILL an affair. 

INAPROPRIATE USE OF TIME? That sounds more like a penalty in a football game but be honest, are you really checking your Bible App in church? Face book time stamps every post, so does twitter and even your texts tell whether you were focused on God or your dear electronic device.

PASTORS, would you be embarrassed if one of your congregants picked up your smart phone, checked your Google, read your texts and viewed your pictures?

CHURCH MEMBERS, how red would your face turn if you knew your pastor had your smart phone in his office and its content was an open book?

What about your HUSBAND, WIFE, PARENTS, or CHILDREN?

Just because it is on your PRIVATE smart phone, doesn’t change what God has called SIN!

NEVERTHELESS MOMENTS

It all started in The Garden.   God had commanded Adam who instructed Eve that the tree in the middle of the garden was off limits.  Eve approached the tree, looked longingly at the forbidden fruit and wondered “what if?”  Satan, who never misses an opportunity, begin to persuade Eve that God hadn’t really meant what He had said.  And surely a God who loved them so much to create such a beautiful garden would never be so cruel to sentence them to death for doing something that would make them so happy.  This was Eve’s “Nevertheless moment.”  What a different world we would enjoy if only Eve and replied, “It does look wonderful and I would love to be wise as God, but NEVERTHELESS we have been commanded to leave it alone.” 

Every one of us will experience a “Nevertheless Moment,”

Your answer at that moment will determine the rest of your life.

Abraham’s actions during his “nevertheless moment” earned him a place in Heaven’s Hall of Fame.  God had promised Abraham that he would make him a father; that his seed would be as the stars in the heavens and the sand of the sea, yet Abraham was approaching 100 and still didn’t have a son.  What joy he and Sarah experienced as they held Isaac, the son of promise, in their arms.  A few short years later, God would ask Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac; Abraham’s “Nevertheless Moment!”  The bible doesn’t go into all the detail of Abraham’s conversation with God but we know he got to the “nevertheless” because Hebrews 11:17 says

“By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.”

  I can imagine that Abraham saying “God I love this boy more than I ever imagined, please don’t ask me to sacrifice him, it is almost more than I can bear but NEVERTHELESS, you gave him to me the first time and I know that you are able give him to me the second time.”  Because of Abraham’s faithfulness to God in a “Nevertheless Moment” a blessing was passed down through the generations and even we can be partakers of Abraham’s Blessing.

Most of us have been encouraged by Job’s trials and restoration during times of loss and desperation in our own lives.  We hold to the promise that we will be restored twice as much as we have lost but have we answered God as Job did during his “Nevertheless Moment?” 

The Bible tells us that Job was blameless and upright, feared God and shunned evil.  He was living his life and doing what was right when God decided to brag on him.  Satan challenged God with, “I hear what you are saying God, but let me present him with a “Nevertheless Moment,” that will tone down the confidence you’ve placed in Job.”  God allowed Satan to take Job’s cattle, children, wealth and ultimately his health.  Job experienced a “Nevertheless Moment” that would have broken the strongest of us.  Job cursed the day he was born and questioned why God would allow such things to happen in his life, but NEVERTHELESS,

“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him,” Job 13:15.

The ultimate “Nevertheless Moment” again occurs in a garden.  The hour had come when Jesus would face betrayal and death.  Although He was God and this was the plan from the beginning, His flesh cried out against His destiny.  The will of His fleshly body rebelled against the pain, disgrace and death that lay ahead.  Jesus went into the garden to pray a prayer that would bring His flesh into submission.  Jesus, the Son of God, experienced his “Nevertheless Moment.”  Matthew, Mark and Luke all record the same event. 

Matthew 26:39 tells us, “And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: NEVERTHELESS not as I will, but as you will.” 

Mark 14:36 records it as, “And he said, Abba, Father, all thing   are possible for you; take away this cup from me: NEVERTHELESS not what I will, but what you will.”

The final account is Luke 22:4, “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: NEVERTHELESS not my will, but thine, be done.”

 By giving over the will of His flesh, Jesus could now take on the sins of the whole world and change the destiny of all mankind.

Hebrews 12:11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; NEVERTHELESS, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

The most difficult thing you will ever let go of is YOUR WILL but God will put a “Nevertheless Moment” in your life to give you the opportunity.  Embracing rather than resisting the moment will usher you into God’s plan for you from the beginning.  If you are facing your personal “Nevertheless Moment,” turn from Satan’s lies and be an Abraham with the faith that God has a greater promise for you or a Job that says, “The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the Name of the Lord.  As Hebrews 12 tells us,

Your NEVERTHELESS may seem painful for the moment

But it will yield a fruit of righteousness that will sustain you for eternity.

STINKY SHEEP LIVES MATTER

SUNDAY MORNING!!!!  I climbed out of bed, hopped in the shower, rolled on the deodorant, and spritzed on the perfume…now what to wear? Cool morning = cozy sweater, nice skirt, blow dry my hair, take the shine off my nose, don a decorative scarf, and black heels, grab favorite purse and “VOILA,” ready for church…well the outside is at least!

We walk into church, smile perfunctory, shake a few hands and take a seat…not the front row but near enough to the front to avoid distractions and concentrate on the songs and sermons. People are still filing in and finding their seats, so I sit piously, eyes closed in quiet meditation…Oh how good God is to me.

Suddenly my eyes began to water and my nose began to run as an acrid scent wafted right back my way.  Jarred from my comfortable, spiritual posture, my eyes flew open…SERIOUSLY???  Who comes to church smelling and looking like that?  The still, small voice whispered… “They are sheep; sheep that I love and sometimes sheep stink.”  To the Good Shepherd, STINKY SHEEP LIVES MATTER!!!

To the Shepherd, all the sheep are precious…the obedient, the properly sheared, and the well-fed; from the smallest lamb to the oldest ram.  When we are safe in the sheepfold, we like to end the narrative right here, but for the Shepherd there are sheep that are injured and lame, sheep that are not satisfied with the offered pasture and stream, and sheep that have wandered away and his heart yearns to gather them in his arms and bring them safely home, because STINKY SHEEP LIVES MATTER!!!

Luke 15:4-6 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!"

Luke 15 gives us the “Parable of the Lost Sheep.”  In this parable, the Shepherd leaves the 99 sheep safe in the sheepfold to search for the one that has wandered away.  Though his body begins to tire, he continues to search; though the night settles in and he may be cold and hungry, he continues to search; though hope wears thin, the Shepherd continues, as we read in verse 4, “Until he finds it.” 

Suddenly, the Shepherd hears a faint bleating, a rustle of leaves and there caught in the brambles is the precious lost sheep.  Its fleece may be matted with blood and tangled with thorns, the  smells of unsavory substances offend his nostrils but doesn’t stop the Shepherd.  Gently he cuts through the imprisoning brambles, pours oil in the wounds, binding them to stop the bleeding and tenderly “lays it on his shoulder.”  With no thought to soiling his robe or the transfer of aromas from the sheep to his person, the Shepherd makes his way home, rejoicing because, STINKY SHEEP LIVES MATTER!!

SUNDAY MORNING….the Holy Spirit moves in our midst.  Not because of my spotless garments or sweet smelling perfume but because the Good Shepherd is seeking for some lost sheep.  His Spirit began to sense their feeble bleating and moved into their situation.  Chains were broken and lives set free, wounds were soothed with tenderness and the aroma of God’s love overshadowed the stench of sin as hands were raised in surrender and praise.

My eyes are still watering and my nose is still running but this time in sorrow for my thoughts and thanksgiving for God’s Grace.  I am so thankful that to God, STINKY SHEEP LIVES MATTER, because sometimes the STINK goes far beyond SKIN DEEP…God has a remedy for us self-righteous sheep, too!

PSALMS 73

If you haven’t had your devotions this morning, grab a cup of coffee and take a little time to consider these verses.  I’m sure I’m not the only one that has felt this or feels this way today.  If you allow God to speak to you through these verses, you will go through this day with a lighter heart and a joyful soul.

My thoughts this morning as I read Psalms 73….

Verse 1 “Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are pure in heart.”

So much truth contained in this small verse.  Our HEAD tells us “God is Good” but sometimes our HEART says “I’ve done everything I know to do; I have tried to do everything “right” but it isn’t “good” for me right now.

The next set of verses tells it like I really see it:

² But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
My steps had nearly slipped.
³ For I was envious of the boastful,
When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

⁴ For there are no pangs in their death,
But their strength is firm.
⁵ They are not in trouble as other men,
Nor are they plagued like other men.
⁶ Therefore pride serves as their necklace;
Violence covers them like a garment.
⁷ Their eyes bulge with abundance;
They have more than heart could wish.

⁸ They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression;
They speak loftily.
⁹ They set their mouth against the heavens,
And their tongue walks through the earth.

I lift my eyes from my struggles and I see wickedness all around me, but they never struggle.  They strut around doing whatever pleases them, their followers hang onto every ungodly word they utter and they never have to answer for their evil actions. They have all the stuff I’ve ever dreamed of and even in DEATH they seem to not feel pain.

¹⁰ Therefore his people return here,
And waters of a full cup are drained by them.
¹¹ And they say, “How does God know?
And is there knowledge in the Most High?”
¹² Behold, these are the ungodly,
Who are always at ease;
They increase in riches.
¹³ Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain,
And washed my hands in innocence.
¹⁴ For all day long I have been plagued,
And chastened every morning.

¹⁵ If I had said, “I will speak thus,”
Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children.
¹⁶ When I thought how to understand this,
It was too painful for me—

Not only do they partake of every ungodly act possible, but they come against the ones trying to live righteously.  They take our businesses and our freedoms, then ridicule our faith and no one seems to care.  Sometimes I wonder, “IS IT REALLY WORTH IT?”  God, I just can’t wrap my mind around all of this….LIFE ISN’T FAIR!!!

¹⁷ Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
Then I understood their end.

Then I enter the “sanctuary;” my little secret place in the presence of God.  His peace floods my soul and His light illuminates my world.  He wraps His arms around me and whispers His everlasting love to my heart.  Skipping to verse 23, my prayer changes and joy fills my heart.

²³ Nevertheless I am continually with You;
You hold me by my right hand.
²⁴ You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to glory.

²⁵ WHOM HAVE I IN HEAVEN BUT YOU?
AND THERE IS NONE UPON EARTH THAT I DESIRE BESIDES YOU.
²⁶ My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

²⁷ For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish;
You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.
²⁸ But it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,
That I may declare all Your works.

MADE UP MIND

Colossians 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

The BRAIN is the wonderful, complex organ in the human body. It is the “Central Command Center” of all decisions, actions and even determines our personality.  When the alarm clock sounded this morning, an electrical impulse was stimulated in your brain that was sent to your eyelids and they opened.  Isn’t that awesome…think about it!

Our MIND is the part of the BRAIN over which we have control.  We cannot always control what the eye or ear transfers to the brain but our MIND can control what we do with the information and the actions that follow.  The devil DIDN’T make you do it, you decided that action in your MIND and followed through.

As I start on week 10 of my journey toward good health, I am amazed; it has become perfectly clear what a MADE-UP MIND can accomplish.  Once your mind conquers all the obstacles of desire that have built up over the years, that which seems impossible becomes a reality.  It really is, ALL IN YOUR MIND!

James 1:8 He is a double minded man, unstable in all his ways.

God, who created your BRAIN, gave you the free-will, which is your MIND, totally understands the power for good or evil that you possess. If you decide to “straddle the fence of life” you will end up with unfulfilled dreams, wasted gifts and a frustrated existence…an UNSTABLE human being.

MAKE UP YOUR MIND; begin with the first commandment,

Mark 12:30  And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.

This is the first commandment. And when life comes to its final stage, you can say,

Isaiah 50:7 “For the Lord God will help Me; therefore I will not be disgraced; therefore I have set MY FACE LIKE A FLINT and I know that I will not be ashamed.”

MUCH WILL BE REQUIRED

Luke 12:48 …For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

This verse is quoted often, usually as a response to someone’s wealth, with the motive of shaming them into sharing their wealth with those less fortunate.  Of course the person doing the shaming rarely offers any of their own wealth and ignores the fact that those with plenty have usually earned it with hard work, but that is a subject for a different blog.  When we read the entire Luke 12 parable containing this partial verse, we see it is not about money at all.

This parable is regarding faithfulness and handling the responsibilities you have been called to, with great care, wisdom and reverence.  The Servant or Steward that fulfilled the responsibility given to him by the Master was rewarded by being entrusted with all that belonged to the Master.  But then there was the Steward that became a little to enamored with his lofty position.  He looked with disdain on the very ones that had been entrusted to him to watch over and began to beat and abuse them.  He then began to fulfill his own selfish desires in consuming and drunkenness, partaking of the Master’s storehouse, all the while neglecting to care for the things and people dear to the Master’s heart.  The Master returned before the expected time and to put it mildly was very displeased.  Punishment was meted out to the Unfaithful Steward and we come to the latter part of the oft quoted verse, Luke 12:48.  With that understanding, I ask, “What has been entrusted to me?”  “What gifts and talents have I been given stewardship over and am I being a Faithful Steward?” 

It is easy to look around at our humble surroundings, balance our meager checking account and get our eyes on those that have been successful by the world’s standards and make excuses.  Excuses are not new to God.  Hebrews 3 calls Moses “faithful in all his house,” yet we find in Exodus 4, Moses making excuses.  Before God could get Moses to Hebrews 3, He had to get him past Exodus 4.  God had given Moses the stewardship over all the Israelites and the assignment of leading them out of Egypt.  One of the first tasks, Moses would undertake was to appear before Pharaoh. Moses began to roll out the excuses. “What if they don’t believe me or listen to me?”  “What if they say, “The Lord has not appeared to you.”  God didn’t argue with Moses but answered in Exodus 4:2 “What is that in your hand?”  When God calls you to Stewardship, He calls you to be a Steward over those things “He has placed in YOUR hand.”

WHAT HAS GOD PLACED IN YOUR HAND?

The gifts and talents that God has placed in your hand and the Stewardship God requires from you will be totally different than the Stewardship over gifts and talents God requires from your brother or sister.  “What has God placed in your hand?”  Perhaps God has placed you in a situation that provides you with a lot of SPARE TIME.  Is all of the extra time spent on selfish pursuits or are you a Faithful Steward, using it to bless others?  Maybe God has blessed you with a DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF HIS WORD.  Has your insight and revelation become a source of pride or are you a Good Steward of “what God has placed in your hand?”  Could it be that God has placed a SPIRIT OF COMPASSION AND MERCY deep inside your heart?  Don’t waste such a wonderful gift; find the hurting, those that have been cast aside, they are begging you to be a Good Steward.  Whether it is WISDOM, LOVE, ENCOURAGEMENT, UNIQUE EXPERIENCES and yes, even MONEY that has been placed in your hands, God is calling you to be a FAITHFUL STEWARD.

Faithfulness to the Call of God is never without reward…Luke 12:43-44 Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 44 Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. It isn’t about the riches we have amassed or the empires we have built, the Master requires you to be a Faithful Steward over all that HE has provided. 

Luke 12:48 …For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

SOMETIMES GOD SAYS "NO" SO HE CAN SAY "YES!" (AND SOMETIMES "YES" IS JUST FOR A SEASON)

THIS BLOG WAS WRITTEN 5 YEARS AGO.  Reading it again today, I realized that sometimes God says “YES” for just a short season and it seems we are right back where we started.  In the five years since I first wrote this, following the will of God has taken a few twists and turns and hasn’t turned out exactly like I imagined.  But I am convinced more today than I was back then that GOD IS FAITHFUL and He does still have a “YES” in his plan for me.

There is nothing more fulfilling than being involved in the work of God.  It is so awesome to realize that you are a small piece of God’s master plan.  Each morning I pray that God will open my eyes and help me to accomplish what He has planned for that day.  This prayer has led to some strange and interesting situations at the grocery store, a nursing home, my office, the subdivision where I live and other places I frequent.  It is so amazing while meditating on God’s goodness in the evening to suddenly realize that the events of the day were not strange or coincidental at all. They were orchestrated by God and I was a part of them!!!

About 7 years ago, Steve and I felt led to start a small group in our town.  Although we are surrounded by many churches, there is no church that teaches the Acts 2:38 message in our immediate area.  It began as a small group in our home where we met once a week to study the Word of God, share testimonies of God’s goodness and pray for each other’s needs.  As the group expanded we began to look for a building and held our first services there about 5 years ago.  For the next 4 years we continued to minister to people and reach out to the community.  Although many people visited, our core group remained small.  About eighteen months ago, the core shrunk to 3 individuals and we felt God telling us, “NO.”  Our last service was Easter Sunday, 2009.    It took several months for me to go back into the building because I was not ready to let go. I was sure it was the will of God but still I grieved.

As the months continued, Steve and I prayed, wept and sought God for direction.  During that time we learn to see opportunities one day at a time and allow God to use us for that specific situation.  We felt a burden for small churches and traveled on weekends to minister in them.  I was privileged to complete 3 different Bible Study series and to teach them in small group settings.  God allowed me to speak at some ladies meetings and seminars.  I volunteered at the Rescue Mission and worked with hospice.  I was blessed every time I saw God work in a situation or we enjoyed a powerful service in one of the small churches, but still something was missing.  I had a longing to be a pastor’s wife again!!! I wanted to walk beside precious people as they worked out the issues in their lives, cry with them as they let go of the pain and rejoice when the joy of the Lord filled their heart.  I was not very good at “lovin’ and leavin’.

Some opportunities began to present themselves.  Every time we were optimistic; could this be the place God wanted us to minister?  As we prayed for direction, it seemed as if God had forgotten that YES was also a word.  The door would always shut with a resounding NO.  There was one opportunity we were so sure would be perfect.  Everything seemed to be falling into place except for one important detail.  This had to be God’s plan for our lives, but to be sure we put a “fleece” before the Lord.  We soon realized that although the fleece was wet the ground was very dry.  We continued to pray about this one, because it was so “perfect” for our lives.  One more “fleece” went before the Lord.  This time, you guessed it, the ground was wet but the fleece was dry.  God had not only answered our “fleece” but had taken the desire for this opportunity out of our hearts.  So we continued to seek God’s will.

When we come to the end of our own imagination, God shows us His.  God slapped us upside the head with an open door that we never saw coming, could not have imagined or even dreamed up.  On August 22, 2010 we had our first service as pastor of Cornerstone Apostolic Church, Morristown, TN.  Even as I write this, I am overwhelmed by the goodness of my God, tears fill my eyes and I may have to take a little praise break right here.  God reached way up north in Saginaw, MI, touched a seeking pastor and his wife, filled our hearts with love for a beautiful congregation way down south in Morristown, TN.  He has not only given us the desire of our heart but is allowing it to be fulfilled in one of the most beautiful areas in America.

  ADDENDUM…Little did we know that this YES would be for a short season.  We said YES to God, delivered all that he asked and one year later found ourselves on Interstate 75, headed north to Michigan, convinced that God would provide another “YES” in our lives.

All of the months of uncertainty allowed us to deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ as we let go of our plans and sought His purpose.  The miles of traveling to small congregations on weekends gave us a new perspective on God’s love for His people.  Struggling in “Home Missions” for five years with little “success” in man’s eyes, taught us that, “there are no throwaway’s,” every soul is precious and you may be in that individual’s life for just a moment in time along their spiritual journey.  All of the closed doors and God’s answers of “NO,” fine tuned our hearing so that when God said “YES,” the answer was unmistakable.    

God has confirmed His “Yes” to us over the last month in unbelievable ways.  I am so thankful for all the times God said NO so He could say YES!!!  This experience has taught me that accepting, with grace, the times that God says NO makes the time He says YES so much sweeter.

GET YOUR FINGER OFF THE SNOOZE BUTTON

You know, those times after a long day of toil, you find the sweet spot on the mattress, get your pillow just right and settle in for a well deserved rest. It seems you have just closed your eyes, when the alarm sounds.  You hit the “snooze button” and drift off for a few more minutes, not really sleeping, just slumbering.  Eventually the alarm will sound again and no matter how many times you hit “snooze,” the clock’s relentless buzz at precise intervals will cause you to vacate the comfort of a mattress, pillows, and blankets, to face the day that lies ahead.

The American Christian Church has been hitting the “snooze button,” living in peace and restful ease for too long. It seems we have found the “sweet spot” and are just content to co-exist with the many philosophies of the world.  We don’t want to be controversial by taking a vocal or public stand; after all, “God knows our heart.” 

Like the parable of the “Ten Virgins,” in the final hours before the bridegroom appears, we have settled down into slumber; resting from our days of pursuing vital interests, goals and dreams.  Remember, all ten of the Virgins believed in the Bridegroom but when the call came, five awoke to find that they had allowed their lamps to burn out and the oil was gone.  Although the other five slumbered also, they had made sure that their lamps were full of precious oil. 

There are so many believers that have grown weary waiting for the Bridegroom, content with the traditions and rituals of religion. “Having a form of Godliness” has lulled them into slumber, successfully masking the slowly dying flame of their lamps, burning up their last drop of oil.  Although there is still time to fill up their lamps before the Bridegroom appears, their eyes grow heavy and like the “foolish virgins,” they continue to hit the “snooze button,” oblivious to the lateness of the hour.

Don’t forget, the parable also told us about the Five Wise Virgins. I believe there are many of us that are at ease and maybe even a little sleepy but we are still actively engaged enough to make sure the oil remains in our lamp.  We long to be in the presence of the Bridegroom.  We have never forgotten or lost our grip on His promise, John 14:3-4 I go to prepare a place for you.  3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

Every tick of the clock brings the Midnight Hour just a little closer.  The “wake-up” call is sounding; STOP hitting the “snooze button.”  It is time to “Rise and Shine,” and trim our lamps; “BEHOLD, THE BRIDEGROOM COMES!!”

WENT FISHING!!! NOW WHAT???

We live in a "World of Celebrity," where the stars of sports, film, music and even politics are revered and put up on pedestals as paragons of virtue with the ideals and goals for which we reach.  Most of us understand that there are heights to which we will never ascend, goals we will never reach and riches we will never attain but it doesn't mean we stop dreaming.  Then we wake from our dreams, reality hits and we realize that we are not "Celebrity" material.  NOW WHAT???

Unfortunately the “World of Celebrity” has invaded the church.  We revere the mega-church pastor, idolize the worship leader and race to hear the latest speaking star.  We have dreams…one day the church I pastor will have to move to the sports arena, I will be the one that pens the #1 praise and worship song, God will inspire me to write the “Prayer of….”  and my calendar will be filled with conference speaking engagements. Then one day we wake from our dreams and reality hits.  Our congregation of 25 faithful members is growing older, our melodious voice cracks when the pitch raises above middle C, the phone is silent, the calendar empty and the inspiration to write out a sermon, let alone a book, has dried up and blown away.  NOW WHAT???

I wonder what dreams ran through the heads of Peter and Andrew as they labored through the night trying to catch enough fish to sell and buy the necessary items for another day.  Did they dream of being named "Top fisherman of the Year" in Galilee?  Perhaps they dreamed of inventing a pulley system with which to pull in the heavy nets more easily.  They would be Star-Fishermen.  Everyone would know the names, Peter and Andrew.  Just maybe, they could buy a new boat and run "Pete and Andy's Charter Fishing," teach tourists to fish and enjoy life a little more.  As the hours passed, they repeated the process of letting down their nets and pulling them back into the boat.  But for some reason, this night, the nets remained empty.  Finally, reality hit and they pulled the nets in for the last time and began to wash them and make them ready for the next night.  NOW WHAT??? 

Luke 5:4-6  When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."  But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master we have toiled all night and caught nothing, NEVERTHELESS AT YOUR WORD I will let down the net."  And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their net was breaking.

When reality shattered the dreams and goals became unreachable, along came Jesus.  Jesus didn’t promise them “Celebrity” status, He didn’t promise them that they could mark anything off of their “bucket list” or that they would gain great possessions, Jesus simply said, “let down your nets one more time.”  Jesus used where Peter and Andrew were and what they were doing and said, “Just give it one more try.”  Their obedience, even in the face of doubt, paid off BIG TIME!!!  Oh and by the way…Peter and Andrew did become famous….You knew exactly who I was speaking off just by me writing their first names.

Perhaps you are going through a season of your spiritual journey in which you can TOTALLY RELATE to Peter and Andrew.  It may seem that in an attempt to fulfill your ministry calling, that your net continues to come back just as empty as when you cast it into the deep.  Reality has finally penetrated your brain and after pulling in the net for the last time, you have begun to wash them and ready them to be stored away.  At times you doubt if you were really even called to be a “Fisher of Men.”  You realize that you will NEVER see your name on the marquee and you wonder NOW WHAT???

STOP!!!  LOOK AND LISTEN!!!  Jesus is saying, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”  God isn’t concerned with your past history, He is concerned with this moment; where you are and what you are doing RIGHT NOW!  You have a choice to make…you can dwell in the perceived reality of the situation, fold up your nets and go home OR like Peter, say “I’m not sure it will work but NEVERTHELESS, at Your word, I will let down the net.”

GO AHEAD; I DARE YOU!!!  Give God’s Word a chance!!!  Do not allow Satan to cheat you out of a “RECORD CATCH” because you didn’t trust God enough to obey.  You may not ever pastor a mega-church, be asked to speak at a conference or write the next bestseller devotional but YOUR LABOR IS NOT IN VAIN!!!  Let down your net ONE MORE TIME, God has prepared a catch just for you. 

Who needs a rickety ole pedestal anyway?