Thought for Friday, March 1st

March 1, 2013

Not Impossible

   And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Matthew  17:18-20

“Few men during their lifetime come anywhere near exhausting the resources dwelling within them.”

-       Richard E. Byrd

Every challenge that we face is simply an opportunity for God’s grace to shine and for His love to illuminate our lives.

There is nothing impossible for Him: and if we will only give Him the chance to work in us in the way that He wants too: nothing is impossible for us either.

Ah Lord God,

Thou has made the heavens

And the earth by thy great power

Ah, Lord God,

Thou has made the heavens

And the earth by thy outstretched arms.

Nothing is to difficult for Thee

Nothing is to difficult for Thee.

Great and mighty God,

Great in counsel

And mighty in deed,

Nothing, nothing

Absolutely nothing,

Nothing is to difficult for thee.

-       Kay Chance (lyrics from ‘Ah Lord God’)

Today’s Prayer

Father, give me the wisdom, strength and will that I need to allow you to do what seems impossible to me, but is never impossible to you.

Thought for Wednesday, February 27th

February 27, 2013

There is No Time to Be Idle

With so much to do – how can we not be busy?

Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.  Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth.  I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.

John  4:34-38

“For Satan finds some mischief still

For idle hands to do.”

-       Isaac Watts

In God’s kingdom there is no shortage of things that need to be done.  Unfortunately there does seem to be a shortage of those who are willing to do them.

Churches seem to have an abundance of pew potatoes whom have indeed become the pawns of the enemies endeavors to weaken and diminish the work of God’s kingdom. 

Often the few, who have endeavored to put their hand to the plow, are chastised by those on the sidelines for working to hard or trying to do too much.

If we would all get in there, get our hands dirty, so to speak, and do our share of the work load in God’s field, the burden of labor would not be overwhelming to any of us.

But keep this in mind; if you are not doing your share, don’t be critical of the ones who are:  because if you do, you are allowing the devil to use you to work against God’s plans.

There is a place and a purpose for each of us to serve; but if we do not do our part then we leave it for someone else to do.

There is no time to be idle when it comes to serving God – so are you doing your part?

Today’s Prayer

Father, often it is so easy to be critical and judgmental of what others are doing: but help me to first make sure I am doing all I can and then I think I will be to busy to be concerned with what others are or aren’t doing.

Thought for Thursday, February 28th

February 28, 2013

Ignorance Is Not Always Bliss

Does not knowing something is wrong – make it any less wrong?

  Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.  Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.  And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?

Matthew  15:12-16

“Ignorance is not innocence but sin.”

-       Robert Browning

The Bible says that if we know to do good and we do not do it; then it is sin.  Many Christians have adopted this don’t tell – won’t know policy when it comes to the teachings of God’s word.   Somehow we think if we don’t know about it we can’t be held accountable for it.

But we know we are to hunger and thirst for more of God and we are to study and seek more knowledge and wisdom from Him: so no excuse is a good excuse, as the saying goes.

And if we are truly saved and really Christians should we even want to be left in the dark or ignorant of what God really wants for and from us?   If we love Him the way we are suppose to then we should desire to do what He wants us to.  Even scripture tells us that; if we love Him – we will keep His commandments.

Not knowing the speed limit will not keep you from getting a ticket if you are stopped: and likewise not knowing God’s laws, expectations and rules does not mean He doesn’t expect you to learn about them and abide by them.

I don’t think: when we stand before God, telling Him: ‘I didn’t know’ is going to cut it.

Today’s Prayer

Father, teach me your ways: and help me to walk within them.

Thought for Tuesday, February 26th

February 26, 2013

Unstoppable

Is it Superman: Spiderman, The Green Lantern or Underdog: or is it a Spirit filled Christian, on fire and living for the Lord that is unstoppable?

   Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans  8:37-39

“Talents are better nurtured in solitude: character is best formed in the stormy billows of the world.”

-       Johann Goethe

Every journey needs a first step to start

Every fire grows from a single spark

A great symphony begins with just one note

One voice can give the whole world hope

There’s no impossible, nothing we can’t face

The tallest mountains are moved by a seed of faith.

Come together, don’t you know that you are not alone.

We will rise up

For the Kingdom come

Lay down our lives

For the sake of love

If God’s with us

We know that,

Nothings gonna stop up.

-       David Fry, Ben McDonald and Ben Glover (lyrics from ‘Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us’)

For the true unstoppable nature of the Christian to be realized, evidenced and attested too – that individual must step out beyond the confines of their comfort zones and into the battle of life – which belongs to the Lord.

It is not our power or our intellect that makes us unstoppable: instead it is the power of God within us.  It is The Holy Spirit, that when unleashed and given absolute liberty, can accomplish greater things in us and through us than we can even hope to imagine.

Sadly, many Christians seem to be caught ‘dead in their tracks’ so to speak because they have failed to give liberty to the Holy Spirit of God within them to completely live throughout them in everything they do.

What about you?   Are you unstoppable?

Today’s Prayer

Father, I want to be unstoppable for your kingdom and your glory, so let your spirit loose in me and then give me the good sense not to get in His way.

Thought for Monday February 25th

February 25, 2013

A Love Like That

If love could be called by another name; what would it be?

  Set me as a seal upon thy heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death.

Song of Solomon  8:6

“For, you see, each day I love you more.  Today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow.”

-       Rosemonde Gerard

Love is a theme on which many words have been written: much has been spoken and many hearts have pondered: yet real love is probably one of the least understood and most under practiced of all human attributes.

Scripture tells us that now we see through a glass darkly and when we see Him face to face all will be revealed: and I believe this is especially true when it comes to really understanding love from God’s perspective.

If we, as humanity, were capable of fully understanding God’s intentions for love in the way we love Him and the way we love each other: I don’t think we could continue to treat each other in the ways that we do.

So is it a hopeless cause and should we give up?   Absolutely not!  Our challenge is to pray more, seek harder and strive with more fervor to gain a greater understanding, experience a deeper connection and exercise a greater degree of love each and every day.  We need to love more today than we did yesterday:  while that is still less than it will be tomorrow. 

This is how we will grow in God’s love and reach closer to the fullness of that love that we will experience upon our face to face encounter with Him at the beginning of our eternity with Him.

Love is easy to write about or talk about but it is much more challenging to live.

May we all be challenged to live lives of God’s love as we seek to get better at it, each day that He gives us.

Today’s Prayer

Father, teach me to grow in love; so that I get closer to what love really is each day.

Thought for Saturday, February 23rd

February 23, 2013

Playing Games With God

Are you a game player: risk taker: adventure seeker in your relationship with God?

  For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

1 Corinthians  4:4-5

“Everybody has his own theater, in which he is manager, actor, prompter, playwright, sceneshifter, box keeper, doorkeeper, all in one and audience into the bargain.”

-       Julius C. Hare

Life can be like a game to some people, it seems.  There are those, we have all known them, who are always seeking to gain the advantage, score more points or out wit or out maneuver those they interact with; as if these people are somehow, in the game of life, their opponents.  Many, who play games, play with a tenacious bent on winning and they seem to have a predisposition towards not loosing gracefully: while there are others who just enjoy the pleasure of the game.

We all know life is not a game, however many seem to treat it as if it is; and sadly many treat their spiritual lives and their relationship and interactions with God in a similar manner.  To paraphrase a Kenny Rogers song: many seem to think when it comes to interacting with God, we have to ‘know when to hold ‘em or know when to fold ‘em. ‘

We seem to forget God is not fooled or hoodwinked by our ‘poker faces’ or nor is He impressed with our clever antics or maneuvers employed to gain an advantage or score more points.  God is the discerner of the heart and He sees beyond the superficiality of the surface and He sees the real, true base and raw feelings, emotions and thoughts that make us who we really are.

There is no way in life to gain an advantage over God and He is not a competitor with whom we need to dominate, annihilate or defeat: rather He is a source from which to garner help, strength and assistance in overcoming the real challenges of life.

Christianity is not a game we can play or an activity we can engage in when it suits our purpose: rather it is a conscience commitment to a lifestyle of humility, servitude and passion in which we realize we are not to seek to be in first place or even desire to experience dominance: instead we are to submit to God, serve one another and love, forgive and seek to honor God in all we do.

When we put these things into their proper perspective and we see God as being first place, then by virtue of these things we can’t help but be winners in the game of life.

Today’s Prayer

Father, I know to win in life I have to follow your will; do things your way and allow you to be first place in everything I do: help me to be diligent and faithful in doing this.

Thought for Friday, February 22nd

February 22, 2013

Spiritual Self Esteem

Do you ever stop to ponder, if you see what God sees, when He looks at you?

O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.  For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.  If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.  If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.  For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.  How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!  If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

Psalms 139:1-18

“O wad some Pow’r the giftie gie us

To see ourselves as others [and God] see us!”

-       Robert Burns

Often, what we see in ourselves is very far removed from what God sees: whether it be good or bad.   But when it comes to our worth and our value to God we must remember that we are precious enough to Him that He was willing to send His most beloved and only son to die in our place that we might have a relationship and life with Him.

You bore us on wings as eagles

And brought us to Yourself

You have made us a holy temple

A place where Your glory dwells

By Your word you have called us

And made us Your very own.

We are Your treasure

The apple of Your eye

We will always be Your treasure

Precious in Your sight

Created for Your pleasure

We are Your treasure.

-       Joey Holder (lyrics from ‘We Are Your Treasure’)

Even though, we are not much more then wretched sinners: we are priceless treasures to our Creator.

Today’s Prayer

Father, help me to always remember the value of my life is not what I see, or what others see: but rather what you see.

Thought for Thursday, February 21st

February 21, 2013

All You Need

If you don’t have everything you need – what are you missing?

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:14-16

“Fix your eyes on Jesus.  He is the antidote for our discouragement.”

-       Alistair Begg

The feeling that something is missing in our lives, is not uncommon, even among Christians.

The tendency to feel like there is more to be experienced; more to be acquired; more to be aware of: is not necessarily untrue: but does it need to be essential to our peace, our hope or our ability to live joyously?

If we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior: we by; virtue of our acknowledgment of ourselves as sinners and our invitation to God to take over our hearts and our lives; have allowed the person of God, in the form of the Holy Spirit, to inhabit our hearts and to dwell within us.

This being the case: we have at our disposal the very presence of God within us to empower, enable and facilitate our daily living.  So the question I would present is this:  if we have God with us to live through us: is there anything else we really need to have a complete and satisfying life?  Doesn’t anything and everything else become superficial?

So why then are there so many unhappy, incomplete, dissatisfied Christians?

Could it be that we have not allowed that presence of God in us to have total authority and dominion over us?

We need to make this our daily creed:

You are my every thing;

You are my all in all.

The song that I sing, the answer when I call….

…It is in you that my life is blessed.

You are my righteousness,…

…The strength of my life, you lift me when I fall….

You’re my Father, who cares for me,

You have created me,

You are my all in all.

-       Gerrit Gustafson (lyrics from ‘You Are My Everything’)

Today’s Prayer

Father, when I start to feel like something is missing in my life: please remind me that I already have all I need in you.

Thought for Wednesday, February 20th

February 20, 2013

Nobody Likes It – But Everybody Needs It

Have you ever met a perfect person?

   For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.  Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Hebrews 12:6-11

“[Discipline] Whipping is like laudanum:  You have to double the dose as the sensibilities decline.”

-       Harriet Beecher Stowe

The Biblical principles of ‘sparing the rod – spoiling the child:’ has fallen out of favor with our modern culture.   The ideal approach to discipline now seems to require finding an approach that brings reflection without condemnation and correction without chastisement so that the individual in need of being disciplined finds the experience to be uplifting and the interchange leaves them feeling better about themselves. This approach to behavior modification goes a long way towards explaining many of the social, moral, ethical and maybe even some of the economic problems we face in our world.   The problem with this approach is that it is not God’s way, thus it is not the right way.

The truth of the matter is this: nobody likes the proverbial ‘woodshed experience.’  But there is not one person alive who has not needed and would not have benefited from one or more such experiences in their developmental years.  This same principal holds true for our spiritual upbringing as well.  The only difference between physical discipline and spiritual discipline is that God is not governed by man made laws and social regulations that restrict and codify His ability to discipline His children.  He can take the Holy paddle of His righteousness and He can apply the ‘rod of His correction’ to the spiritual backsides of His children and there is no law against it.  The fact is: this is probably the most effective means by which most of us get His point; more often than not. 

Please don’t misunderstand my point: I am in no way endorsing or advocating excessive physical abuse that would cause harm or injury: but I do believe punishments administered with the same degree of compassion love and concern for well being that God has for His children, would not damage our children either.

None of us like God’s punishments: but if we want Him to truly love us – then we need to anticipate that we are going to be the recipients of such corrections: because there is not a person among us who at some time does not need it.

Today’s Prayer

Father, I would like to believe I am never disobedient enough to require extreme discipline from you: but I know better and so do you.  But I also realize that when you do have to discipline your children the adage that indicates it is either just as, or maybe even more painful for you is true: so help me be quick to respond to your warnings so that I won’t have to put either one of us through the need for more severe measures.

Thought for Tuesday, February 19th

February 19, 2013

The Ability to Overcome

Do you ever feel so far down: you feel there is no way up?

   What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Romans 8:31-37

“Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of overcoming it.”

-       Helen Keller

God never promised a world without trials, turmoil, pain and even some degree of suffering: but He did promise to always be with us through it all and He also promised to give us the grace and the strength we need to face whatever might come our way.

Often we want to know why this occurred or why that was allowed to happen: when more often than not we just need to praise God from whom all blessings flow and trust that if He lead us to an experience: there must be a purpose and there is always a benefit.

Sometimes the events, of our life, are the effect of choices we have made and decision we chose to make: hence they are sometimes the consequences of our own making: yet even then God’s grace is sufficient and His mercy will carry us through.

The reality of our reality is often more strongly affected by our attitude about that reality than it is by the circumstances that comprise it.

If we grasp the realization that even at our worst moment; we are still victorious, blessed beyond measure and have more hope and a brighter future than we could ever hope to accurately imagine – we might be less gloom and doom and more praise and thanksgiving.

No one really enjoys the hard times of life: but if we understand who we are in Christ and the role He should be playing in our life: we might begin to realize nothing is really ever as bad as it seems and no matter where we may be in our life; we always have the assurance that it is only going to get better as we draw closer to seeing Him face to face.

The truth of the matter is simply this: we all have the ability to overcome – the question then is this:  are we willing to avail ourselves of His promises and trust in His truths and allow His overcoming power to be activated within us?

Today’s Prayer

Father, don’t ever let me forget that I am more than a conqueror and I can always overcome any situation or circumstance with You in control of my life.

Thought for Monday, February 18th

February 18, 2013

The Ultimate Purpose for A Life

What is the primary purpose of your life?

  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 8:12

“I am a fragment of a mirror whose whole design and shape I do not know.  Nevertheless, with what I have I can reflect light into the dark places of this world - into the black places in the hearts of men- and change some things in some people.  Perhaps others may see and do likewise.  This is what I am about.  This is the meaning of my life.”

-       Robert Fulghum

The meaning of life: that ultimate purpose for which we all were created: would seem to simply be to serve as a reflection of the light of God’s love and glory to this world.  Of course we know there are many who deny and reject God outright; hence, they do not even pretend to feel this is the purpose for their lives.  Yet as Christians, who are to follow the example of our Savior, Jesus, we need to know that it is indeed our purpose to reflect and illuminate the world with the light of God’s reflection as He works in our hearts and lives.

Our desire, prayers and ultimate purpose should be to become a beacon of light: illuminating all the area around us with the truth, hope, love and glory of God’s presence within us.

Lord the light of Your love is shining,

In the midst of the darkness shining.

Jesus, Light of the World shine upon us.

Set us free by the truth

You now bring us.

Shine on me, shine on me.

Shine Jesus shine

Fill this land with the Father’s glory.

-       Graham Kendrick (lyrics from ‘Shine Jesus Shine’)

The words of this praise song should be our hearts cry each and every day if we really want to fulfill and live up to our ultimate purpose and have true meaning for our lives.

Today’s Prayer

Father, enable me to fulfill my purpose, live up to my potential, and have a meaningful purpose by illuminating my world with the light of your glory.

Thought for Saturday, February 16th

February 16, 2013

The Samaritan Principle

How many times a day do you miss the chance to lend a helping hand?

  And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.  And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?  And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.  But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.  Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?  And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

Luke 10:25-37

“Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day.”

-       Sally Koch

The opportunity to reach out and touch someone with God’s love, could be as close as the next person you encounter, but I wonder how many of us will miss it?

So often, we look for the big things: we pray for the great opportunities to do something major for the Lord: yet we bypass hundreds of opportunities on a daily basis to do things both meaningful and lasting to make a difference in the lives of those around us.

Scripture tells us to those who much will be given; much will be required.  I often wonder if we really want to do great things for God: if we might not need to start by doing the little everyday things we often fail to notice.

Sometimes it is the smallest gesture, the softest word or the gentlest touch that can make or have the most lasting and profound impact.

How many opportunities are you willing to miss today?

Today’s Prayer

Father, help me realize sometimes the least of those things I seem to do may be greater than those things I perceive to be the more important.  Help me not to miss opportunities to touch others with your love.