Emergency vs. Consistency

Romans 12:12 reads:

Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

What a great word of instruction from Paul. It seems to me that Paul’s intent would be for this to be a daily application no matter what is going on. Yet, wouldn’t you agree that many times we approach passages like this as an emergency verse? Think of this. What if it were possible for us to go two or three weeks without food or water, yet feel virtually healthy? Then suddenly, and without warning, we experience this incredible hunger. We find ourselves eating and drinking vast quantities of food, as if to make up for lost nutrition. Now, we all know that this scenario is highly unlikely and unhealthy. Why then do we tend to consider scripture like this? We can last extended periods of time not feeding on God’s Word and still feel perfectly fine spiritually. It’s when difficulties in life come our way that we instantly feel that loss of spiritual nourishment, and diminished strength to endure.
My prayer for you this week has three parts:
1) May you remain confident in your hope in Jesus.
2) Whether trouble sneaks up on you or hits you like a ton of bricks, may you have patience and persistence to carry you through.
3) With whatever is going on in your personal life, workplace, family, or church…keep on praying!
Today, are you experiencing anger? Keep on praying.
Are you hurting? Keep on praying.
Are you confused? Keep on praying.
Are you comfortable in Gods arms? Keep on praying.

Reach for the Sky!

Genesis 11:4 reads:

“Let’s build a great city with a tower that reaches to the skies-a monument to our greatness! This will bring us together and keep us from scattering all over the world.”

This was a shrine to the people…..NOT to God. The intent was to pat themselves on the back as well as to make a name for themselves; so that they would be known throughout the land. The people would be known for thousands of years for the structural marvel that they had created all on their own. God, however, wasn’t involved in their plans at all and construction was never completed.

Let me ask you a question. How much do you tend to include the creator of the universe in your life monuments? 30%?... 50%?... 75%? And is it the smaller monuments, the biggest ones, or all of them? I guess there’s even a bigger question than this that must be posed. At the end of the day do you long for personal accolades on your accomplishments, or do you sincerely hope that Christ’s name is elevated because of your efforts. Oh, don’t get me wrong. We all need reasonable amounts of acknowledgment now and then to maintain a healthy self-worth and motivation for tomorrow. You see, I guess it boils down to this. There are things that all of us can accomplish on our own and without direct intervention from God…but why would we want that? Why would any of us desire substandard results when our heavenly Father is standing right there saying,

“Let me help you. Please, just ask me.”

This week, may you long to see the possibilities in your life through God’s eyes and not your own. May you also not remain content with substandard results. Build that monument (whatever it may be) into the clouds…then place “Thanks to God” on a plaque at the entrance.

God Says I Am ____________!

2 Timothy 2:13 reads:

If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.

The fact is that our faith level is going to fluctuate through the course of our life. The hope is for that faith to increase more overall than decrease as we mature in our walk with Jesus. This is merely an expectation and a hope within us as believers…not a guarantee. The example or standard, however, which we strive for never changes. This is a guarantee. Jesus promises us that he is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He cannot deny who he is, but we surely can.
Think for a minute and be completely honest with yourself. Have you ever thought you were more that you really are? Or even on the other side, believing you are much less of a person than everyone else sees in you? I would argue that at times we all find ourselves somewhere between these two ends of self-evaluation to some degree. How we view ourselves is very important, but its much more significant to know how God sees us. He cannot deny who he is, therefore he also cannot deny who we are. He created us...he formed us…he formed you!This week, may you come to know more about yourself according to who God says you are. May you also be able to accept where you are in your faith journey today, and the growth that God has planned for you tomorrow.

It's Really Quite Simple

Matthew 19:16-18a reads:

Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to

get eternal life?"
"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."
"Which ones?" the man inquired.

Which ones? Did something in Jesus' tone or facial expression hint that we could have a buffet approach to this? Jesus simply answers, "Obey the commandments." I think this is why so many non-believers in our current society have a hard time accepting forgiveness and life from Christ...its too simple! The gospel message is simply too easy. Corporate America teaches us that the harder we apply ourselves at work the higher up we go in the pay and position. I read the Matthew text above and think, "this guy just wants to know the least he can do to earn a place in Heaven." And then I think about Jesus..."He chose to go above and beyond...He gave everything possible." He gave His very life and gained nothing...except the hope of one day having us come back to Him.

This week, may you feel His spirit's tugging. And may you truly desire to give it all back to Him...expecting nothing in return.