GO AHEAD! SET THAT GOAL!

Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 

I see so many just walking aimlessly through life.  SEARCHING, but not sure what they are seeking; MOVING, but not sure where they are going; BREATHING but not really living; they have NO GOALS.

I am a goal setter and a list maker.  I DON’T always reach my goal or finish my list but it gives me a mark to reach for and helps to focus my attention.  Today I reached two health goals; one I sat last August and the other I sat January 1…As of today I have lost 50 pounds, can walk an hour on the treadmill at a speed of 3.5 mph with an intermittent incline of 10%, finish 11 minutes on the stair stepper and just started a 20 minute Kettle Bell routine 3 days/week.  I know it sounds as if I am bragging and maybe I AM…I FEEL GREAT.  But it would have never happened if I had refused to set a GOAL.

I have set another goal; the most IMPORTANT GOAL and I have faith that one day I will reach that goal because I have the BEST COACH training and cheering me on…His Name is JESUS.  I set this goal 49 years ago and I am DETERMINED TO KEEP PRESSING FORWARD!  I don’t always reach my daily or weekly goal and sometimes I don’t finish my list in my walk with God, but I keep moving forward with my focus on Jesus because I intend to WIN THE PRIZE.

What do you desire?  SET A GOAL.  It doesn’t have to be huge, just a small change can help move you in the right direction.  Set the goal. Write it down.  Ask for the help you need.  Then start moving forward.

IF YOU NEVER SET A GOAL, YOU WILL NEVER FEEL THE    “THRILL OF VICTORY.”

I HEAR THE SOUND

As I slowly reached consciousness, this morning, this phrase popped in my mind; “I HEAR THE SOUND OF ABUNDANCE OF RAIN.” 

Ok, let me be clear…I live in the frozen north where at 28 degrees; there is NO rain to hear.  In fact this morning, there is not even the “sound of falling snow”…there is only the sound of silence…NOTHING.

It may seem that is the way your life is going lately…You keep waiting on God to POUR IT OUT, but there is NOTHING; just the sound of silence.  That is exactly how the servant of Elijah saw and heard in 1Kings 18.

Elijah had declared a drought for an unspecified time and he had just won a contest with the prophets of Baal.  God had sent fire from Heaven and consumed Elijah’s prepared sacrifice, proving He was God.  The prophets of Baal had been executed and it was time for the DROUGHT TO END.

1Kings 18:41 Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.

Then in verse 43, tells his servant to go up and look.  The servant comes back and says, “THERE IS NOTHING.”  Not only was there NO SOUND, there wasn’t even a cloud. 

But ELIJAH HAD HEARD FROM GOD…he sent the servant back 7 times and finally the servant returned with this report in verse 44; “There is a cloud the size of a man’s hand.”  That was all Elijah needed.  He told Ahab, “Prepare your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.”

So this morning, “I HEAR THE SOUND OF ABUNDANCE OF RAIN.”  You may see only a tiny cloud in a sea of blue, as you look up, but it is time to PREPARE YOUR CHARIOT, God is preparing your blessing and ITS GONNA RAIN!

SIN, WE ARE FIGHTING YOU

“You never discriminate, you want everyone, the young the old the soft, the strong,”

This is the opening line in a commercial regarding the fight against cancer.  Having witnessed so many loved ones fight, suffer and lose the battle with cancer, I understand the fear when this diagnosis is handed to a family.  Cancer is no respecter of age, financial status, position or social standing…cancer does not discriminate. There are many courses of treatment, many are quite debilitating, sometimes they are successful, but there is no absolute cure.

Lately, I have watched, sadly, from the sidelines as sin wages its war against individuals and families, destroying plans, destroying lives and destroying hope. 

1Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

You see, SIN DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE…It is not a respecter of age, financial status, position or social standing. Our adversary is constantly on the prowl, waiting for the most vulnerable, weakest moment to pounce.  Unlike cancer, sin has an ABSOLUTE CURE!!!  There is only ONE available treatment…It requires a BLOOD TRANSFUSION, must be applied daily and has a 100% success rate.

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

The last line of the commercial states, “but cancer, we are fighting you.”  Will you join me in saying, “BUT SIN, WE ARE FIGHTING YOU.”  There is HOPE; we have been given the CURE!

I DIDN'T BUY A TICKET

Unless you have been living off the grid or enjoying a major snooze-fest over the last few days, you have been caught up or at least unavoidably aware of “POWERBALL MANIA.”  The lines have snaked around the block, millions of tickets have been sold, and imaginations have soared at the thought of being the recipient of $1.5 million.  FINALLY, 11:00 p.m. EST, Wednesday, January 14, 2016, 5 white numbers and 1 red Powerball number were drawn.  Millions of people, clutching their paper dreams, watched intently for 5 seconds before their fantasies dissolved into nothingness…they hadn’t chosen the winning numbers.  There were 3 winning tickets purchased and I, of course was not one of them because as everyone knows, “YOU CAN’T WIN IF YOU DON’T BUY A TICKET!” 

WHY?  Why didn’t I join the hopeful line, hand over my $2 or $10 or $50 for a chance to live a dream?  What factors went into making my decision? Was it my conservative upbringing?  Am I just too cheap?  Am I too sensible to enjoy a 5 second dream?  Did I think I would be sinning?  Maybe some or all the above mentioned went into my decision or maybe none of the above.  SO WHY?

DISCLAIMER:  This is not an indictment against anyone who chose to buy a ticket or 2 or 10, this is what I’ve settled in my heart over the years of trusting in God.  Now that you have been warned, read at your own risk of having to admit you may agree with me…just a little.

First, I am NOT A LEGALIST.  I was raised ultra-conservative and taught that any gambling, whether playing the slots at a casino, betting on the horses, buying a lottery ticket or even a raffle ticket is definitely a sin…I leave the choice up to the individual and the consequence between them and God.

I have heard many of the arguments justifying participation in a fun night at the casino, participating in an office sports playoff-pool, betting on fantasy football or purchasing lottery tickets.

“I consider it entertainment, no different than going out to eat, enjoying a movie or attending a ballgame; actually a lot less expensive.

“I would waste that much money on something else, anyway.”

“The Bible says, the wealth of the wicked is laid up for the righteous.” 

“The disciples cast lots to choose the replacement for Judas.”

“Perhaps this is the way God will provide for my need.”

“I will definitely pay my tithes on my winnings.”

Usually, anything you have to justify deserves a second look and thoughtful consideration, so why try to justify your decision?  If you want to buy a ticket, JUST DO IT!

NOW, BACK TO MY REASONING AND MY PERSONAL DECISION TO NOT BUY A TICKET.

Many years ago, I came to the knowledge that as a Child of God and a recipient of His Grace, God was the source of all blessing.  He alone was my provider and I made the decision to be thankful for all things, ways and situations in which God chose to bless me.  Having made this decision one of my “CORE VALUES,” my reasoning to not buy a ticket flows from that commitment.

THE EFFECTS ARE INDETERMINATE

How would I change?  It is undeniable that going from nothing or even a comfortable income to multi-millions would definitely change a person; no one could possibly continue the same thinking, outlook or lifestyle.  Not all change is bad and not all change is good, but since I cannot know which changes would affect me, I choose to not buy a ticket.

UNTHANKFULNESS

Would my thankful heart slowly harden into one of privilege, elitism and unthankfulness?  Our dependence on God is many times fueled by need…If I never have a need, why would I need to depend on God as my provider.  Sure, He is the source of all things and “every good and perfect gift” comes from Him, but would that knowledge slowly fade when everything my heart desired was within my grasp?

CHANGE MY FOCUS

Would my focus change from things above to things of earth?  That much money brings increased responsibility.  Experts advise that the winner’s first decision is to hire a good Tax Lawyer.  Suddenly, your focus is what do I do with that much money; where do I invest; how do I protect myself from predators; what about the myriad of relatives demanding their part; how do I maintain friendships?  As you can see my time would be consumed with decisions regarding my “blessing.”  Would I have time to minister to the lost and hurting, could I just sit a while in the Presence of God, listening to His still small voice or would there be papers to sign, vacations to take and houses to furnish.  Would my focus change if I held the winning ticket?

MY CHILDREN DON’T NEED BIGGER BARNS

Luke 17 tells the story of a man who became very rich and his decision regarding his abundance.

Luke17:12-20 And he thought within himself, saying, what shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? ¹⁸ And he said, this will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. ¹⁹ And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.  20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee, then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?   

In this parable, Jesus speaks of a man who decided to BUILD A BIGGER BARN.  There he could store his riches and draw on them to satisfy any selfish desire of which he could dream.  There is no mention of sharing or blessing anyone else…OH NO!!! He intended to “eat, drink and be merry.”  Only one thing he had forgotten to include in his plan; EVERYONE DIES!!!  God asks him one more question, “Who is going to enjoy all these things you have amassed once you die?” 

Most of us hope to leave something to our children, whether a life insurance policy or other property, but DO OUR CHILDREN REALLY NEED BIGGER BARNS? I worked diligently to instill Godly values into my children as they matured.  Values of honesty, hard work, love God and your neighbor, kindness, integrity and taking responsibility for all that God asks you to do.  That is the legacy I want to leave to my children rather than great riches…money can be spent, wasted and lost but Godly values will sustain you throughout the storms of life.  MY CHILDREN DON’T NEED BIGGER BARNS!

Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the Lord makes one rich
and He adds no sorrow with it.

So I made the decision, I didn’t buy a ticket.  I made the decision to continue to look to God as my provider.  He knows exactly what we have need of before we ask…He also knows what we have NO NEED of and our “lack” could be an unrecognized blessing.

If you bought a ticket, I hope that you won, gave liberally to your church and all your dreams came true.  I look around the modest domain I call home and realize that ALL MY DREAMS HAVE COME TRUE AND I AM RICH.

BEYOND THE LAW

Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh

A thread on Tithing…Whether we should or shouldn’t?  Was it law and still valid under grace?  Makes me think about why we do what we do.  Is it because it is commanded or is it done out of relationship with Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Spirit?

 I have never killed anyone; not because the law says I can’t but because I have no desire to hurt someone…why?

I have never robbed a bank, not because the law says it is a felony, but because I have no desire for something that is not mine… why?

The law could command you to not commit adultery and pronounce a penalty for adulterers, but it could not stop a person from lusting.

The law could command you to not murder and pronounce a penalty for murderers, but it could not stop a person from hating.

The law could command, “Thou shalt not lie,” and pronounce a penalty for liars, but it could not take the deviousness from your heart.

The law could demand a tithe but not cause it to come from a cheerful heart.

The law could codify sins and pronounce penalties for disobedience, but it took Jesus and His sacrifice to change hearts and give us the ability to fulfill the law…

BECAUSE OF LOVE, MERCY AND GRACE.

WAITING FOR YOUR COOPERATION

James 2:17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Sometimes it may seem like just a freezing, cold morning and a dreaded trip to Meijer on icy roads, but as you whisper, “Jesus” when an impatient driver passes you, God is preparing you to encourage one of His dear ones.

I usually go to the self-check lane but today, there was NO ONE in the full-service lane and the clerk was just waiting for ME.  She mentioned she was trying to do something for herself to feel better and I opened my mouth.  I told her how a quote by my friend Wayne Holmes, changed my thinking and started me on my 5 month journey (5 months today) to health and losing 45 pounds.

In his message, Wayne stated, “Faith is us cooperating with God.”  The light went on and I realized that my prayers for healing were in vain if I refused to “cooperate with God.” As I have begun to do what I can do, God is doing what only He does; my health has returned and the weight has come off faster than in all my “dieting experience.”

It works in every area of your life.  Whatever you need today, PRAY about it and then COOPERATE WITH GOD…you will be amazed.  My lovely clerk wrote down the quote, gave me a hug and thanked me for encouraging her today…Continuing my journey, cooperating with God is turning out to be quite an adventure.

GOD WILL PROVIDE

Genesis 22:8 And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering;” so they went both of them together.

Are you facing an uncertain situation? Are you in need of provision and just cannot imagine how this need will be covered? Have you been obedient? Have you been faithful? First let me assure you that a Lottery Ticket or Publisher’s Clearing House is not the answer to your need.

This morning, as I pondered an unexpected expense that Steve and I are facing, I heard these words spoken to my spirit and declared them aloud to Steve, “GOD WILL PROVIDE.”

As Born-again Believers, we love to repeat the story of Abraham, Isaac and their trek up the mountain without a sacrifice. We love the significance of Abraham’s prophetic uttering to Isaac in Genesis 22. And we believe that Jesus was the LAMB OF GOD, the supreme provision for our salvation. If we can believe that God has provided for our salvation, why do we hesitate to believe that He will provide for all other needs, no matter how great or small?

Could it be that we do not doubt God and His faithfulness but knowing all the facts, we doubt our own faithfulness to God? Look at the last line of Genesis 22:8, “SO THEY WENT BOTH OF THEM TOGETHER.” Abraham didn’t turn back when faced with a difficult question; he continued on. He didn’t waver because he didn’t see the provision for his need; he continued on. Abraham not only had supreme confidence in the faithfulness OF God but he had determined in himself that he would be faithful TO God.

FAITHFULNESS to God can begin today with your OBEDIENCE!!! Whatever you are facing, whatever the need, determine in your heart, “I WILL BE FAITHFUL TO GOD”…and continue on.

CONFIDENT CONCERNING YOU

Romans 15:14 Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

One of the hardest battles we face is that of humility vs. arrogance.  It is a battle that must be fought daily and with vigilance, especially as we grow in revelation and relationship with Jesus Christ.  It would seem that the closer we get to God, humbleness would become a natural state of being in the Light of His Absolute Holiness.  But unfortunately humility is not a natural human attribute; humility involves denying and crucifying our flesh…now you understand the battle.

It is easy to have pride in the Awesome Revelations we have received as we pursue further understanding and knowledge of God and His Word.  It can even rise to the level of declaring, “I have the Truth;” as if anyone could contain God.  This prideful declaration, if not immediately taken captive, will lead to a lack of confidence in the relationship that our brother or sister has with God.  It is reflected when we believe WE ARE RIGHT and THEY ARE WRONG, using that belief to manipulate or exclude them based on their different interpretation of scripture.

Sure there are ABSOLUTES contained in the scripture and ABSOLUTES by definition do not allow room for differing interpretations, but before we exclude anyone, let us be sure that WE ARE THE ONES THAT ARE CORRECT.  That can only come through humbling ourselves in prayer, study of the Word and then listening to the Voice of God.  A funny thing happens, when we go through this “exercise of verification,” we no longer want to exclude anyone but rather through a newly found patience, share the wonderful truths we have received.

As we read the Epistles, no one would dispute the great revelation given to the Apostle Paul.  I believe that his writings reveal the daily battle to stay humble.  He was, of course, aided in the fight by a “thorn in the flesh.”

2 Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.

Perhaps it was this intimate knowledge of his battle that gave him the courage to declare in Romans 15:14 (paraphrased) “I am CONFIDENT in your relationship with Jesus Christ.  The Holy Ghost has filled you with goodness and all knowledge so that you can encourage and exhort each other to follow God.”

For a congregation or indeed The Church to be healthy, it is imperative that as Paul stated in Romans 15, we must begin to HAVE CONFIDENCE in the salvation and relationship of our Brothers and Sisters in Christ.  Humbling ourselves before God will allow us to begin to TRUST one another to God. Remember the BATTLE IS NOT with your brother or sister; it is with YOURSELF!!!

“You’re my brother; you’re my sister, so take me by the hand.  Together we will work until He comes.  There’s no foe that can defeat us when were walking side by side.  As long as there is love we will stand.”