Jesus said, “I have come that you may have life, and have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

Disney has an amazing track record of animated films that break out as incredible world wide hits. When my girls were young I knew every word to every song of “The Little Mermaid”, that’s how much that old VHS tape was played in our house. A few decades later kids and parents everywhere were humming and singing the power ballads from the film “Frozen”. Yet what both these films have in common is a central character that wants to break free into a new life. Ariel, The Little Mermaid, longs to walk on dry land among the people, singing, “get out of sea, wish I could be, part of their world”. In Frozen, Elsa wants to “let it go”, break out, and not worry about past mistakes or what others think of her. The truth is, deep down,

We All Long For A Fresh Start

Jesus came that we would have life and have it more abundantly. The key is not to put artificial man made limits on everything that this statement can mean. Of course it means eternal life with Him, but we also have an amazing purpose to fulfill here and now. If you are breathing you have an opportunity let go of the past, get out of the sea, and be a part of the amazing world we live in. Talk with God. And don’t be surprised when you soon start singing a power ballad about all the amazing things He does for you.

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness” Ephesians 6:12

There is a play in baseball called the “Squeeze play”. Even if you know very little about baseball it’s a pretty easy to understand. It all starts with a runner standing on third base. The pitcher is most worried about the person standing at home plate with a bat in their hand. If that batter gets a hit, the runner on third will score. In a squeeze play, the batter never really swings, they simply hold the bat out at the very last second and just tap the ball (this is called a bunt) which only rolls a few feet from home plate. The runner on third knows this is coming and starts running the instant the ball is bunted. The element of surprise combined with quick execution usually works perfectly and the runner on third scores.

The Squeeze Play Is Very Hard to Defend.

In the Book of Ephesians, the author, Paul, reminds us that there is a very real enemy among us. Call him the Devil, Satan, or Lucifer, he has one objective and that is to make you think he does not exist. It’s his ultimate squeeze play, sneaking home when your defenses are down and you least expect it. In doing so, he will steal, kill and destroy anything and everything in your life that he can get his hands on, be that your health, your attitude, your finances, your relationships, and especially your faith in God. What you need to realize is that you possess the perfect defense for the squeeze play. You can speak the name of Jesus. “Jesus you are my rock, you are my fortress, you are my deliverer. Jesus, I speak your name for you are all I need.” There’s an old gospel hymn that sums it all up by saying, “victory is mine, victory today is mine. I told ol’ satan, get thee behind, because victory today is mine”.

Jesus said, “…Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29

Turmoil and conflict are the hallmark and backdrop of a good film. As my wife says, Hallmark has made a fortune from “boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy get’s girl back” films. Yet what makes great cinema quickly loses its appeal in our own personal lives. We don’t long for conflict and stress,

We Long For Peace

Jesus said, learn from me and you will find rest for your souls. So, what can we learn from Jesus. For one thing he taught us that Faith in God results in soul rest. Jesus said in Matthew 6, “If God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” The point being, we stress and worry about far too much in life when the answer to our needs starts and ends with our prayer time with God.

God said, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9

Sometimes, life slaps you in the face right out of the blue. Something you did not foresee or expect comes along and your world seems to be turned upside down. In these moments a mix of anger, fear, depression, and anxiety instantly flood your mind. The only words you can find to say are “I don’t understand. What now?” I’ve been there, more than once, and each time,

The Only Way Out Is Up!

Of all the things I’ve learned about God in my lifetime, one of the most valuable is His patience and understanding with me. When I’m angry or depressed over a situation, and I just don’t understand why the load has just been dumped upon me, I’m tempted to lash out in anger at God. Yet, in those moments, with the patience of a loving father, He gently helps me find the pause button for my emotions. Because I have put my trust in Him, and pray every day that His will be done in my life, the junk of life never seems to bury me. For in those moments, I remember that His ways are higher than my ways, and His thoughts higher than my thoughts. Then, once again, I trust that He will work things out, even when I have no clue how that’s possible. When life slaps you in the face, remember, Trust = Faith.

“He (God) who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.” Philippians 1:6

A friend who recently passed away spent many years as a test pilot for the United States Air Force, fearlessly (and sometimes fearfully) pushing machines to the limit of what was possible, all while breaking the sound barrier many times over. After all, he was a man who did not believe in barriers, believing they only lived in our minds. Among many things, he taught me the four physical laws one must understand to take flight; Thrust (forward motion), Drag (a backwards acting force), Gravity (that which pulls you down), and Lift (that which pulls you skyward). It’s amazing to me that these same four laws also apply in our spiritual lives;

Thrust – Drag – Gravity – Lift

Think about it. Thrust is forward motion, and scripture tells us to “Run the race with endurance”. Drag is a backward acting force, and scripture tells us, “Forget those things which are behind and press forward”. Gravity pulls us down, and scripture tells us “If we confess our sins to God he is faithful and just to forgive us”. Lift pulls us skyward, with scripture saying, “I will lift my eyes to the hills, for my help comes from the Lord.” Understanding these four laws, you too hold the power in your hands to break barriers today. Look up.

“He calms the storm” Psalm 107:29

A dear friend relayed a wonderful story to me from her childhood. She grew up in the Midwest’s famed “tornado alley”, and remembered being seriously afraid of storms. One night, as the lighting flashed, she huddled under her bed covers when her father suddenly came into the room. He picked her up and carried her out on to their covered front porch. Sitting in his lap she held on for dear life. Then her father said, “open your eyes dear and behold the glory of God for yourself”. In that moment she did, and for the first time saw storms in a different light. All of us go through storms. Some brutal, and some merely rain showers. Thankfully, I have the weather report for you today.

There Has Never Been A Storm

That Did Not End

No matter what you are going through today, the storm will eventually end. Psalm 107 reminds us that God is in charge. Thankfully, you have a direct dial connection to him. Reach out to him and hand your storm to him. Not only will he provide you with the strength to weather your storm, but you will come out stronger than you ever thought possible on the other side. Our God is the Lord of the storm.

“You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.” Psalm 145:16

I love the way King David so freely opens his heart in praise to God. If in your moments of weakness, or hardship, or turmoil, or despair, you’ve ever wondered how to begin a conversation with God, take a stroll through Psalm 145 and begin to praise Him. There is something amazing that happens when you turn your focus on the Lord. His hands open and miracles come forth. Open your heart today and pray just these few words from Psalm 145 and let them pour over you like a soothing oil:

“I will praise You, my God and I will bless Your name forever. I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, I will declare Your greatness and shall sing of Your holiness. You are gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing, including my needs and my desires. Lord I know and trust that You will preserve me because I am Yours”

So many times we read words from scripture, and in this instance, the Psalms, yet fail to personalize them. God gave us His word to instruct us, to encourage us, and to bless us. Your breakthrough is waiting to be released through your praise to God.