Month: July 2023

Arise!

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“Jesus said to him, Arise, take up your bed and walk” John 5:8

From the preceding verses in John 5 we know there was a man, among many disabled people sitting by a pool called Bethesda in Jerusalem, who had an infirmity for 38 years. All would gather at the pool because an Angel of the Lord would regularly stir the waters and these who went in would be healed. As Jesus himself comes to the pool he sees this man and says to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The man simply responds, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming another steps in before me.” Jesus responds by saying, 

Take Up Your Bed And Walk!

Every time I read this story I’m reminded that it’s all about Christ, and not about us and our doubts. When asked a question if he wanted to be healed the man made an excuse. He didn’t say yes, he didn’t jump at the chance offered to him. Thirty eight years of disappointment had turned all thoughts negative. In his mind he wasn’t strong enough, or quick enough to make anything happen. None of this mattered to Christ. Jesus simply said “arise” and everything changed. Today you may be shouldering a mountain of self doubt. In your mind you are believing the lie that you are not good enough or strong enough for whatever you are facing. Today its time for you to take your eyes off your circumstances and place them where they belong, on Jesus. He’s softly saying to you today, Arise! For in Him all things are possible! 

Dress Rehearsal

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“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be,” 1 John 3:2

Everywhere I turn the world shouts, improve yourself! Exercise your body! Strengthen your heart! Cosmetic surgery is your answer to a better you! Education will make you more valuable! You can’t help walking into a bookstore or searching the web without encountering the world called “self improvement”. But have you ever thought of

Who You Really Are? 

For whenever I feel a little down about myself it’s time to read 1 John 3:2.  “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He (Jesus) is revealed, we shall be like Him (Jesus), for we shall see Him as He is.” Let’s unwind this verse. There is an amazing version of you that you have never seen before. An amazing you that will be revealed when you see Jesus face to face. The version of you with all your flaws, and aches, and pains, and fears erased with His loving eraser. That’s worth waiting for! So, you may ask, what about this frail and often broken down body and mind I’m stuck in today? Think of your body as a dress rehearsal suit. This life of a mere 100 years, give or take, is simply a dress rehearsal for eternity with Jesus. And while we’re here, our job here is very simple; Worship the Lord with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself. So, how’s your dress rehearsal time coming along? Try focusing on the job at hand and watch the joy in your life multiply.

Be Still

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“Be Still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

As Jesus hung on the cross His mother, His disciples, and His followers believed all was lost. This was it. The end was at hand. All the patience in the world was not going to stop this crucifixion. Jesus was going to die. Their hope was gone. Yet they forgot one very important scripture. God alone said in Psalm 46:10,

“Be Still, And Know That I Am God!”

Because what seems hopeless on Friday is resurrected on Sunday when we have the patience to let God’s perfect plan unfold! The same is true in your life. What seems hopeless for you one day will be resurrected the next by the loving, guiding, masterful hand of your Savior Jesus Christ. Today, every time you look at a cross, or wear a cross, or see a cross, remember these calming words from God and take the advice to heart, “Be still, and know that I am God”.

                   

Open Arms

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“For thus says the Lord…“And you will seek me and find me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

Many consider God a mystery. I hear things like, how do I know God’s will for my life? How do I know He is listening when I pray to Him? I’ve been there, but at one point during a dark period of my life so far away from God I remembered a single bible verse where God makes a promise. He said, “If with all your heart you seek Me,

You Will Find Me”

So I looked, and I found Him literally right in front of me. I simply said with all my heart, “God, I believe in you,” and suddenly He took it from there. Instantly I knew He was real. And contrary to popular belief, God is not passive. He neither slumbers nor sleeps. In fact, the greatest lie that you can ever tell yourself is that God is apathetic, disinterested or disengaged from you and your life. Nothing could be further from the truth. So don’t be shy or feel awkward. Just remember God’s promise, “if with all your heart you seek Me, you will find Me!”

 

Rejoice!

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“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.” Philippians 3:1

Whenever I need a little encouragement I read Philippians 3:1, a verse that begins with the word, Finally! “Finally” means that no matter what I’m going through, no matter what the day hits me with, no matter what my mood, or physical state, or bank balance, or discouragement from others,

There Is Still A Reason To Praise The Lord! 

But, you say, isn’t that being a bit polyanna? Actually, it’s looking at the world through the eyes of FAITH! The man who wrote this scripture, the apostle Paul, was sitting in a prison cell when he wrote them. Imagine that ancient Roman prison, stinky, filthy, rats scurrying about. Yet here sits Paul with two things in his hand, his faith, and his pen. Armed with faith he writes and encourages us to this day. Paul looked at the world through faith glasses. We would be wise to follow his lead.  

Turn The Page

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“Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” Luke 5:5

In Major League Baseball a hitter who can average a hit 30% of the time is considered elite. That means a 70% failure rate at hitting. In the midst of that failure, there’s a saying players use;

“Turn The Page”

It means, just put the failure in the rear view mirror and focus on today. In Luke chapter 5, Jesus commands His disciples to launch out into the deep water and let down their nets for a catch. Simon’s response was much like ours seems to be much of the time. “I tried that and failed.” And yet, Simon was also wise enough to “turn the page” on yesterday’s failure and tried again anyway. What followed was a catch large enough to swamp their boat! Are you willing to turn the page on yesterday’s failures? Failure is only final if you give in to the negative thoughts flooding your mind that it will always be for you as it has been in the past. Jesus is saying to you today, “let down your nets for a catch!” 

Purpose Driven

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“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1

Albert Einstein once said, “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.” Realize that you do have a purpose because God has a purpose for you. Don’t believe me? Pick up a bible and start reading the book of Philippians. You’ll discover that you are more than a conqueror through Christ who loves you. That you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Even Jesus said in the book of Matthew that YOU ARE the light of the world and that YOU ARE the salt of the earth! Anyone seeing a pattern here? God is saying to you today,

It’s Time To Dream Again! 

Clarity of Mind

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“Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established.” Proverbs 16:3

Seeking wisdom is common theme in the Bible. Colossians 4 says, “Be wise in the way you act.” James 1 says, “If any of you lack wisdom you should ask God”. In Matthew 7 Jesus said, “The wise man built his house upon a rock.” When God said to Solomon,“Ask! What shall I give to you?” Solomon’s answer in 1 Kings 3:9 was, “Give to your servant an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil.” The world was laid at his doorstep and yet Solomon chooses to ask for Wisdom. God’s response? “because you have asked for such a thing, and have not asked for long life for yourself, nor have asked for riches for yourself, nor have asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold I have done according to your words: see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. And I have given to you what you have not asked; both riches and honor.” Of the many things we can pray for in life,

Pray For Wisdom.

And in his wisdom Solomon said, “Commit your works to the Lord and your thoughts will be established.” An amazing thing happens when we strive to live a life pleasing to God. Clarity of mind. I can’t explain it other than through my own life experience. Try it for yourself. Commit whatever it is that you do to the Lord, and then witness the results. Wisdom will come to you.   

Abundance

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“Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. Then the earth shall yield her increase.” Psalm 67:5

Are you tired of fear and anxiety and circumstances pulling you in all different directions? Of course there will always be trials for us to endure. Thankfully Jesus himself said, “in this world you will have tribulations, but be not dismayed for I have overcome the world!” That’s praiseworthy! For as we have just read in Psalm 67:5,

Praise Breaks Barriers!

I vividly remember my father going through the painful time of closing his business, yet I saw him in the choir loft every Sunday singing with a smile. I remember my grandmother slowly losing her husband to Alzheimer’s yet she would sing from a heart of love. Today when life throws me curve balls, I swat them away by praising Jesus, saying, “Jesus, I trust you!” Be thankful in all situations. “Let all the peoples praise You,” the Psalmist says. “Then the earth shall yield her increase.” 

The Answer

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“If you Abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask what you desire and it shall be done for you.” John 15:7

What is God’s will for my Life? We’ve all asked this question at one time or another. Thankfully the answer to this burning question is actually found in John 15:7. Jesus said, “If you Abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask what you desire and it shall be done for you.” In other words, draw near to Him and

Jesus Will Show You The Answer

Abide in Jesus. He made you! He formed you in your mother’s womb for a purpose. Don’t believe for one minute that He did all that planning to create someone as special and unique as you but failed to plan your future. Abide simply means worship Him, talk with Him, pray to Him, surrender your life to Him. Soon enough your desires will be those that Christ wanted for you all along. You will be amazed at how God blesses you for His glory.