She Made Jesus Cry

Jesus Comforts the Sisters of Lazarus

 ¹⁷ On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. ¹⁸ Now Bethany was less than two miles^[b] from Jerusalem, ¹⁹ and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. ²⁰ When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.
 ²¹ “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. ²² But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
 ²³ Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
 ²⁴ Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
 ²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; ²⁶ and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
 ²⁷ “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
 ²⁸ After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” ²⁹ When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. ³⁰ Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. ³¹ When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.
 ³² When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
 ³³ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. ³⁴ “Where have you laid him?” he asked.
   “Come and see, Lord,” they replied.
 ³⁵ Jesus wept.

Mary and Martha had two different approaches.  It seems that they had two different attitudes.  They received two different reactions.

Martha:

"If you had been here, my brother would not have died."  Martha believed in Jesus.  She knew who he was.  When Jesus said, "your brother will rise", the first thing in her mind was not that it would happen that very day.  She immediately recalls the teaching about the resurrection on the last day.  Jesus replies, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”.  She says, "yes..."

Martha's exchange has a student/teacher feel to it.  She approached him face to face.  I do not know the tone of voice that she used, but the first emotion from Christ was not a burst of compassion.

Mary:

When Mary gets to Jesus she falls at his feet and says, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” She said the exact same thing her sister did but had a different approach.  He saw her weeping and was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.  There wasn't a lesson on him being the resurrection and the life.  He didnt have a drawn out conversation.  He simply said, "Where have you laid him?".......and Jesus wept.


We know the rest of the story.  I wanted to share this with you today.  Two people were in the same situation.  They said the same words.  They had different attitudes.  They had different approaches.  They received two reactions.  How we approach the King does make a difference.  Remember in the time of need that He knows your heart and intentions.  Come before Jesus with the right attitude and approach and he will meet your need.  After all, he does LOVE you.

Divorced, Homeless, Single-Mothers, and Tattoos.....

I wonder who Jesus would spend his time with in the present day?

To hear some people talk, it would just be people that fit a certain mold.  You would have to be a clean cut, own your own home in a nice neighborhood, married with two kids and have a nice income type of person.  You would not miss a service.  You would give huge offerings.  You would never have a down day.  You would be perfect!!! 

I am tired of hearing some people(even some ministers) act like Jesus spent all of his time in the temple hanging out with all the "saved" folks.  NO!!!!  Jesus was out ministering to people that no one else gave the time of day.  People with no hope.  People who were troubled and hurting.  People that were hungry.  People that had diseases.  Outcasts, loners, and sinners.

Here is an elementary example.  When we as "the church" want to minister to people, we do not take food to the nicest restaurant in town and walk in asking if anyone needs to be fed with our can goods!  We go to the rough neighborhoods and give it to those who need it! 

The last time I checked, God's grace and mercy was for everyone!  It is time to reach out to those that are hurting and stop pretending like people with issues are not deserving of the Gospel.

Divorced people, single mothers and fathers, drug addicts, alcoholics, even people that have tattoos and piercings and wear different clothes than you!  Homeless men and women, criminals, diseased, etc...  That is who Jesus Christ would be spending his time with!  So please stop pretending like they are not worthy.  Need I remind you that even you had to get on your face and ask Jesus to forgive you and be the Lord of your life.  

You may be the only Jesus that people see.  Just because someone is different than you does not mean that HE loves them less than you.  We are supposed to strive to be like Christ.....its time we start acting like him. 

Ordinary Men

Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

They had just "lost" their Master, Teacher, and Friend.  Jesus was not walking with them anymore.  He was gone just as he had told them.  Something inside of them was different now that he was gone.

Jesus said to them in Acts 1:8: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Indeed, they received the power.  They gathered in an upper room and a sound from heaven came roaring through and it filled the house where they were.  The world would never be the same.

The church that had 120 members went to 3,000.......and that was the first day!  They were inspired, determined, and full of the Holy Spirit.  They were ready to take on the world and share the gospel of their Savior.  Miracles, signs and wonders were taking place.  The sick were being healed of their diseases.  Evil spirits were being cast out.  But with the growing power from God came growing danger from the persecutors.  Before long the gospel had spread to Judea and Samaria....Saul is converted, Peter's chains fall off in prison, and on and on...

Back to Acts 4:13. There was nothing special about Peter and John.  Yes, they were 2 of the 3 that were closest to Jesus during his ministry on Earth, but nothing about them screamed excellence.  They were "ordinary men". They were not theologians.  They were not professors of religion.  They were men.  Men that had been selected and called by God to do extraordinary things.  When the people saw the miraculous take place right before their eyes, they were shocked.  They made note that the only way this could happen; the only way that a lame man could get up and walk had to be something to do with Jesus!!  They had to have been with him!  They had been with Jesus.  They had also been in an upper room.

You and I as Christians do not do what we do to receive glory from man.  We do it to honor God so that he can receive glory.  However, it should be our hearts desire to live our lives in such a way that people say "surely they have been with Jesus".  Make time today to get alone with Jesus and your life will be impacted in a powerful way.

The Dead Lion

This post is for those that do not believe they are not "good" enough or "talented" enough to do a work for the Kingdom of God.

Ecclesiastes 9:4
⁴ Anyone who is among the living has hope - even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!



I remember at 12 years old receiving the call to preach and 100% knowing that I was called to minister.  I also remember being scared to death and it being 6 years before I stood up before a group of people to preach.  I was scared to death for 6 years.  I ran from it.  I did whatever I could to try to escape that call.  I hid behind playing music, being involved in my church drama team, etc.  I used every excuse in the book.  I am too young.  No one will want to hear what I have to say.  I will not be able to preach the way I want to preach.  There are so many preachers that are better than me!!

Finally accepting the call to minister has been challenging at times but has also been one of the most rewarding things in my life!  God has allowed me to have an impact on people.  There are still ministers much more talented than me.  There are many, many preachers that are better than I am.  But I am working for God and enjoying every minute of it!

Ecclesiastes 9:4 talks about a live dog and a dead lion.  The lion is a proud animal.  It is powerful.  A gifted fighter and hunter.  A roar that can be heard for miles around!  The king of the jungle. Then you have the dog.  I picture a stray dog with its hair matted.  Fleas. A dog that no one wants.  That is not doing any good for anyone.  No benefit.  Scared and skittish.

This verse has been on my mind for weeks!  It is a verse of hope.  It is a verse that contradicts our thinking.  We look at those that are better and more talented than us.  That are better looking.  The people that are gifted and seem to have it all going for them.  Then we take a look at ourselves in the mirror.  We are often times our worst critic!  We do not see what God sees.  What is being said in this verse?  A live dog is better off than a dead lion.  On the food chain, so to speak, the Lion is at the top.  The dog isn't.  The lion is the king of the jungle.  The dog isn't.  But what good can a dead lion do?  None.  A live dog is better than a dead lion because it is alive!!!  God just needs a willing, obedient vessel that he can use!  You do not have to be the most talented!  You do not have to be the best looking! You just have to be willing to step out in faith and allow God to use you!!

My prayer is that this comes across the same way that I feel it inside.  I want to encourage you to not look at the lions in your life as restrictions.  You are alive!!  Step up to the plate and accept the call of God on your life!!

May 21......Rapture?

The buzz is at a fever pitch.  Mr. Harold Camping, 89, has predicted that the rapture will take place tomorrow.  All over the internet there are articles.  People are criticizing, laughing, joking, and simply just amusing themselves with his declaration.  It does not help that he has done this once before in 1994.  We have all rolled our eyes and laughed it off.

Even the unsaved person knows the Bible says, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."  We know that we will not be able to predict when it is coming, however, it is coming!  We have heard "Jesus is coming soon" for generations.  Time is running out.  He truly is coming soon.  Our world is in shambles and everything is setting up just like the Word said it would.

With that thought in mind, do not take lightly the second coming of Christ.  It may not be May 21, but it is coming.  He is coming quickly and when he does there will not be time for last minute changes.  Make a decision today to serve him.  Ask him into your life.  Ask him for forgiveness.  Believe in him and seek his face for the rest of your days.  I promise your latter days will be greater.

What if it happened right now?  Before you got to the end of this sentence, the trumpet sounded.  Are you ready?  

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. The one who has the Son has this eternal life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have this eternal life.  1 John 5:11-12

True Ministry

On April 27, 2011, our area was rocked with an outbreak of tornadoes.  Countless people lost their homes.  Many lost their lives.  Some were left with only the clothes on their back.  The pictures are breathtaking, but to see the devastation with your own eyes is gut wrenching.  In many areas it is as if 100 bulldozers lined up side by side and moved forward.  I am truly amazed at the power that weather possesses.  The destruction is unlike anything I have ever seen.

Having experienced two different tornadoes that day, I can say I have a new found respect for storms.  My wife, my baby, and myself, along with several others were stacked in a bathroom when a F3 tornado smashed through Trenton, GA.  It was the scariest moment of my life.  At the same time, it was the most empowering.  We all began to pray with authority and boldness.  No one received a scratch.  We walked outside and were amazed by the destruction.  It was total chaos.  People were screaming and running everywhere. 

What has happened since has been astonishing. 

The word minister means to serve, or wait tables.  Ministry has been evident in the purest sense of the word.  Nearly every able bodied person and all churches have united to assist the hurting, broken, and those in need of food, water and supplies.  Power companies from many states have come through to assist.  Churches congregations have come to volunteer and serve.  Organizations, charities and even the Federal Government have come in to assist.  The numbers are astounding.

I am proud of my fellow brothers and sisters.  They may not consider themselves a "minister", but for nearly two weeks they have truly set the table for those in need.

The tornado that came over Sand Mountain into Trenton. Courtesy of Bill Clingan.



³⁷Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us. -Romans 8:37(AMP)

Holiday Jesus

Resurrection Sunday is nearly here.  A time where church parking lots and pews are packed.  Easter is a time when you go to the store and buy a new suit or a new dress.  The whole family walks into church decked out!!  Throw the ham in the oven and head to church! 

On the Pastoral side of Easter, there will not be another Sunday throughout the year when there will be more unsaved people in the congregation.  More time is spent on studying and perfecting a sermon that will pull at the heart and convict the one sitting in the pew that does not know Jesus. 

For some people, it is the only day of the year that they will walk into a church.  Maybe for a family member.  Perhaps they just feel it is their obligation.  It could even be a tradition.  Whatever the reason, they come.  Unfortunately, they will not sit on that pew for an entire year after that.

I fear that people that do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ only thank him when they are allowed off of work because of him.  On Good Friday, Christmas Eve, & Christmas, people are very thankful when they don't have to get up and head to their jobs.  That is far as it goes for most.  Some will not consider what Easter truly means.

My prayer is that this weekend, people do not just celebrate Holiday Jesus, but they are radically saved by Resurrected Jesus!  The one that laid down his life so that we may live.  I pray that a revival shakes our churches regardless of what name is on the sign in the front lawn of the church.  Let's agree that this Easter people will not leave the same way they walked through the door.  Sunday is coming.

Acts 2:24
But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

Don't Block the Trend

We all know have read, preached, listened to the scriptures about the life of Elijah.  I even preached about him as recently as a week ago.  Last night at church the minister made a point that I had not thought about.  It is right there in front of us!

Elijah was a great man of God.  He performed miracle after miracle.  One of my favorite stories in the Bible is when Elijah calls fire down from heaven.  What a sight that must have been!  How strong his faith must have been when God proved who was the true God through him.  Then shortly after that he receives a threat against his life from Jezebel.  What does he do?  He flees.

I am going to list some scriptures.  See if you can see a trend develop.

1 Kings 17

² Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah: ³ “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. ⁴ You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.”
 ⁵ So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. ⁶ The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.

....

⁷ Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. ⁸ Then the word of the LORD came to him: ⁹ “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.”

....
1 Kings 18

¹ After a long time, in the third year, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: “Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land.” ² So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab.

....

Do you see it?  Everywhere Elijah went God sent him!  God says, "Go" or "Leave here".  When Elijah listened to him, God always supernaturally provided for him.  A miracle always took place when God sent him.  Now read this scripture and see what you notice....

1 Kings 19

² So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”
 ³ Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, ⁴ while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness.


What is missing from verse 3?  God did not say, "Go" or "Leave here"!!  What could have happened?  What would have happened?  What should have happened?  What was going to happen if Elijah didnt take matters into his own hands?

How often do we take matters into our own hands and miss our miracle?  Why do we become fearful after God has delivered us time and time again?  Stand still, wait on the word of the Lord!  When God says to go or to leave then you do it, but not until then!  When we are faced with a trial or life places a life changing decision in front of us......wait on God.  It will be worth it and you will eliminate a lot of messes in your life.

God was not finished with Elijah and provided for him in the wilderness.  God is not finished with you and he will provide for you.  Even after bad decisions. 

True Love?

Romans 5:8

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Today, I pose a question to you....  What is true love?  Many would describe the moment when they knew their spouse was "THE ONE!!"  Some would describe a first date or how they feel when they are with their husband or wife.  Some may even talk about their children.  Whatever your view, most of us realize and understand the depth and meaning of love.

I love my wife and my daughter unconditionally.  They are the only two people that I can see myself laying my life down for.  After God, they are my world!!  I would do anything to protect them and keep them from harm or danger. 

Then I think about Jesus.  A baby boy born in Bethlehem.  Raised by normal people.  He got hungry.  He got thirsty.  He felt pain.  He laughed.  He cried.  Just like we do!!  He was a man.  He did come here to die, but do you think knowing his own fate made that easy?  No. Have you ever been so stressed that your sweat turned to drops blood?!?

Luke 22:44

And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

This was not an easy decision by any means.  To willingly lay your life down for someone you did not know would not be an easy decision for anyone!  But He did it.  He was arrested, put on trial, beaten, treated like a criminal, scorned, had his facial hair ripped from his face.  It gets much worse.  Tied to a post, whipped until his insides were hanging out of his body, made to carry his own murder weapon on a path to his death site.  Yet, still it continues.  He was made to drape himself on the cross as they took spikes and drove them through his hands and feet.  He felt the excruciating pain that racked his body as the cross was raised and the breath was ripped from his body.  He hung there suspended between blood covered dirt and his Father until he died.

He did it.  This is not some fairytale that someone made up.  He did it without a guarantee that even one of us would invite Him into our hearts.  He died for you.  He died for me.  He endured the most horrendous death imaginable because He wanted you to be free from sin and spend eternity in Heaven.

That, my friend, is True Love.

The Nice and the Nasty

Matthew 5:43-48 (MSG)
^43-47"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
 ⁴⁸"In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you."

*enemy:  one that is antagonistic to another; especially : one seeking to injure, overthrow, or confound an opponent.

I have tried to live my life with "The Golden Rule" in mind.  Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  I can honestly say that I do not know one single person that absolutely "hates my guts" so to speak.  I am an easy-going guy that tries to treat everyone how I would like to be treated.  I stay away from trouble that way.  It still seems unavoidable.

Matthew 22:37-39
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

One of the hardest things to do is love someone who intends to cause you harm.  Someone who intends to cause you strife and disrupt your life is not worth fighting.  Let God handle them!  Show them love and "kill them with kindness".  Jesus said the second commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself.  Think about that!  If everyone were to have that mindset, how different would our lives be?  No bickering over pesky things.  No fighting, and on a larger scale, no murder.  People would not feel empty and feel the need to turn to drugs and alcohol to feel happiness.  Our world would be a completely different place.  God knew what He was doing when he inspired this scripture.  It works if we apply it!

No matter how hard you try you will never be able to please everyone.  It is nearly impossible.  People are different.  They come from different backgrounds and have diffeent personalities.  That can be a very good thing or it can be a very bad thing.  Unfortunately it does cause strife and if it is not diffused it turns for the worse.  Whoever said "sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me", lied through their teeth!!  Words can cut you to the bone.  Words can destroy a person.  We can cause more damage with our mouth than we can with our fists!  I truly believe that!  We are bound to have people in our life that come against us for one reason or another.  But whether they are "nice" or they are "nasty", the Word of God says we are to love them.  It takes discipline.  It takes prayer.  So, just remember the next time you have to deal with someone intending to cause you harm or strife in your life, just love them.  It will mess them up!!!

Preemptive War

A preemptive war is a war that is commenced in an attempt to repel or defeat a perceived inevitable offensive or invasion, or to gain a strategic advantage in an impending (allegedly unavoidable) war before that threat materializes.

In my study time last night God dropped this into my spirit and I had to share it with you today!

1 Chronicles 14:9-11
⁹ Then the Philistines went and made a raid on the Valley of Rephaim. ¹⁰ And David inquired of God, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?”
The LORD said to him, “Go up, for I will deliver them into your hand.”
¹¹ So they went up to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there. Then David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand like a breakthrough of water.” Therefore they called the name of that place Baal Perazim.

When I was reading this passage last night, I started thinking about what David did.  In this particular situation, he did not wait until he was in the heat of battle before he called on God for wisdom, guidance, and deliverance.  He sought God BEFORE the battle!!!

I hear God saying this to His people:

"What would happen if my people would seek me BEFORE the battle?  What would happen if they didn't wait until they were in the middle of a mess before they sought me for breakthrough and deliverance?  How much heartache and pain could be avoided?  How many trials and troubles could be preempted?

Wow!!

I believe that God wants to hear from us everyday regarding the warfare that is taking place over our lives! 

John 10:10
¹⁰ The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.....

It is not a secret what Satan intends to do to you.  He wants to steal, kill and absolutely destroy everything in your life.  That gives us an incredible gift!!!  We hold the battle plans for the plan of attack from our enemy!!  Preemptive war is striking BEFORE you are attacked!!  Why wait until you are being ripped apart at the seams before you seek God for damage control?  Seek him BEFORE the attack and save yourself heartache and pain.  Rise up.  Stand to your feet.  Look the enemy in the eyes and watch as God "breaks through" your enemies like a "breakthrough of water".  We are a part of the most powerful army that has ever been and ever will be.  We are children of God!!!

I hear the sound of an army arising!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dead Man Walking

²³ Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."  Luke 9:23

Scholars say that although no one can be sure, the crossbeam of the cross that Jesus carried could have weighed anywhere from 75-125lbs.  With the whole cross weighing approximately 300 lbs.  Regardless of whether you believe he carried the crossbeam alone or carried the whole cross that day, it was an astonishing feat.  The portrayal in movies is quite gruesome.  In fact, its is very hard to watch anyone take such a beating.  If that was not enough there was the crown of thorns, plucking of his beard, and the humiliation that he endured by the very people he was about to die for.  He took up his cross that day and started the journey.

What did Jesus mean when he said to take up your cross daily?  I believe we can look at it several ways.  Today, I want to deal with our daily walk and the battle we face within ourselves. 

There is a battle that takes place everyday within each one of us.  The flesh man versus the spirit man.  It has been said that if you put two men in a cage to fight, the one that you have fed the most will win.  If we feed our flesh, the flesh will win.  But, if we concentrate on things that are holy and fast, pray, and read the Bible, then it will be a "no contest" match.  The spirit man will prevail every time.

We are bombarded on a daily basis with sin.  Around every turn there seems to be a temptation for believers to test their lifestyle of holiness.  I believe that is where the cross comes in.  When we wake up in the morning we have to make a decision.  We decide right then how the rest of our day is going to go.  There are certainly situations that may arise that we have no control over, but you can control how you respond!  We make a stand in that moment and say, "Lord, I am taking up my cross right now.  I choose you.  I choose life, healing, blessing, power, strength, and faith!!!  It does not matter what the enemy puts in my path.  I will deny myself today and endure just to follow you."

What a concept!!  What if we took the word and actually applied it to our life?  I do not know about you but I want to be a disciple of Christ.  I am at a point in my life that it does not matter what the price is.  I want to follow him.  The things of this world are precisely that....just things!  I am going to make a conscious effort to deny myself every single day.  I want to grow closer to Jesus.  I want the favor of God on my life.  I am going to take up my cross daily.  Will you join me?!?!?  It will be worth it I assure you!

Road Block!

There is always that sick feeling that hits your stomach as you approach the barricade. The one preventing you from passing on the path that you chose to get to the destination you are headed to.  Especially when you are in an unfamiliar place.  The good news is that the vast majority of people have GPS or some sort of navigational tool on their phone to help find a new way.  For the technologically challenged, there is always the trusty ole' Atlas!

I was reflecting this morning about my journey in life thus far.  I thought about my time as a kid, teenage years, and so forth.  I started thinking about how many obstacles and "road blocks" that were set in front of me to prevent me from the call of ministry on my life.  I am 27 years old.  To some that is young!  To others that is old!  To me it is ridiculous that my 10 year class reunion will be held this year! In 27 years there have been positive influences and there have been negative influences.  I thank God for the discernment to distinguish between the two.

The truth is that we all face road blocks along the way.  God has a plan and a purpose for each one of us and the enemy would love nothing more than to watch you stumble and make a wrong decision that could affect you for the rest of your life!  Beware of traps and stumbling blocks.

For me, my late teenage years were the most pivotal.  For others it may be different.  However, Gods plan for me never changed.  We all know the word spoken to Jeremiah:  "Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you.  Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you: A prophet to the nations— that's what I had in mind for you." (Jer. 1:5 MSG).   It is hard to imagine God knowing exactly what we are called to do before we take our first breath.  If we knew what He had in store for us we couldn't even grasp it!  We could not comprehend it!  Why do you think we face the road blocks and trials?  Because the devil doesn't want you to reach your full Christian privilege!!! 

For some it is a relationship that will distract you from focusing on God.  For others it may be a job.  There are so many things that try to steal your focus and time away from God.  It is vital that we never allow ANYTHING to take God's place on our list of priorities.  Work around the road blocks and arrive at your intended destination.

And remember:  "....Before you saw light of day, I had holy plans for you...."

The Little Foxes

Song of Solomon 2:15
¹⁵Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.

I have heard this verse used in several different contexts but this morning I have had it on my heart for a specific topic. It is my experience that most people that profess to be Christians have pesky "little foxes" that they deal with in their life.  Those little secret sins that they struggle with.  The thing or things that only God knows about.  The thing that they would be ashamed to tell their husband, wife or friends.  It is a "guilty pleasure".  Its the thing that you think that you can't live without.  The truth is that you can't live with it.

Isaiah 59:2
² But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.

People can't continue to live a lie.  How can God bless us when we are holding back from fully turning our lives over to him?  The truth is that if we did our world would begin to change.  If all the Christians would unite and "take up your cross daily", then we would see our community, state, country, and our world change dramatically.  The divorce rate would change.  Addiction would be broken.  Suicide would disappear.  Our churches would be full.  Love for our neighbor would be restored.  God's favor would be restored to our land! Our leadership would stop pulling our country away from the very thing it was founded on!!

It all starts with one little fox.  One little fox that we allow into our life and it causes more damage than we want to admit.  God's plan for you does not include the little foxes that spoil the vine.  He wants to see you reach your full potential and not be limited by something you have power over.  I promise you that the pleasure of sin for a season is not worth an eternity suffering.

Jeremiah 29:11
¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

The good news is that you can overcome the things in your life that spoil your fruit.  Your future can start today.  Make the choice.

These words are verbs!!

Verb: word which describes an action.

We live in a "what can you do for me world".  Lets face it.  Technology has brought us to a place where everything in life is about speed and getting it as soon as possible!  Faster transportation.  Quicker meals.  Give me my product and make it fast!  I do not have time to wait!!!!!

Unfortuantely our mind is trained that way and it is hard for us to put forth more effort than what is necessary.  God does NOT always work that way.  Sometimes God will drop a blessing seemingly out of the blue.  It is unexpected and it is wonderful.  We rejoice in those blessings.  However, it has been my experience that the blessings of God are not like hitting the lottery.  Sometimes we have to actually PURSUE!

Matthew 7:7

    ⁷ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Ask.  Seek.  Knock.

These words do not suggest to me that I am supposed sit back and wait.  These words are verbs.  They describe action! 

Ask.  I do not believe this is like a list for Santa Claus.  He loves us and wants to bless us with the desires of our heart.  Ask him!

Seek.  My favorite!!  Making time to seek his face.  Calling on his name.  Spending time in his Word and in prayer. It may not be sitting right in front of you.  You may have to act!

Knock.  So many times we hear the prayer: "God, open a door for me".  It is not a bad prayer at all. It is a good prayer.  When someone loses a job or is at a crossroads in their life, they pray for God to open a door of new opportunity.  But again, he is asking us to act.  We have to knock!  We can be standing right in front of a door, but if we do not knock, then it will never be opened.  We will just be staring at a door.

Remember to act today.  You may be about to recieve, find, or walk through a new door of opportunity. 

May God bless you today!!!

Spring Forward!!

Spring is approaching quickly!  It has been unseasonably warm in our part of the country.  I have seen Buttercup flowers sprouting up all over the place.  Last night we even experienced spring-like storms move across our area. Before we know it, we will be mowing the lawn, planting flowers, and turning our clocks forward.  The season is in the process of changing.

My favorite part of spring is watching as everything comes to life.  New buds begin to form and flowers sprout their beautiful colors! The things that seemed dead were only dormant.

Unfortunately, there are times in our life when we feel like we are dead spiritually.  We allow sickness and stress, among many other things, to distract us from feeding ourselves spiritually.  Our prayer life dwindles.  Our Bible reading dries up.  Before we know it, we find it hard to find the initiative to do much of anything.  We are not bearing fruit.  In fact, we appear on the outside, just as dead as we feel on the inside.

Thankfully, all hope is not lost.  We see it every year as a tree will lose its leaves and become bare.  There is not any fruit.  There are not any beautiful green leaves that catch the breeze.  It appears dead.  Then as soon as the conditions are right, the life that was hidden deep within its trunk begins to push out to the branches. It has been revived!

We see the same thing in Christians today.  Although we may feel dead, there is still something deep within us that will not dry up.  The very moment that we place ourselves in the proper conditions that produce growth, we begin to feel something bubble up within us.  You begin to feel alive!  Your attitude changes.  There is joy inside of you again.  Before you know it, there is visible fruit being produced!! 

Whatever you are going through and whatever season you find yourself in today, just remember there is always that life inside of you.  It is waiting to come out.  Put yourself in conditions favorable for growth.  Your priorities will change and you will not rest until you see fruit being produced for the Kingdom of God!

John 15:5-8 (The Message)

 ^5-8"I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you're joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can't produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.


Stay connected and spring forward!!!

The Secret Place

We are in the middle of an incredible revival at our home church.  Last night's word was timely and has reminded me about the importance of the secret place.

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1

What a powerful verse!  Could there be a better place to abide than under the shadow of God?  Definitely not!  What would happen if we grasped the idea that God wants to have time with us when no one is looking?  What if we had a daily conversation with him in a room with the door closed? 

God gave me a revelation several years ago that I have shared with my youth groups.  We think prayer is one sided but God not only listens.....He speaks!!  Some of my favorite times have been when I have kept my mouth closed and just listened to the voice of God.  I am thankful that our Evangelist reminded us about the importance of time spent alone with God.

When we seek him in secret, we are rewarded openly.  I have a renewed desire to get alone with God.  The comment was made last night that "you have not worshipped Him until you have worshipped in the secret place".  What a concept!!  No one around to impress.  No one around to even think about. No distractions.  Just you and God.

Find a secret place and make it a priority to be alone with Him.  Then watch as your world is flipped upside down.

Why Question God?

Why question the Lord? Does it change your circumstances? Why worry about things you cannot change? What about faith? Faith can change the circumstances, right? Where is God and why is he not helping?

I do not understand why these things are happening to me!!!!

Have you ever asked one or more of these questions? I know that I have. It is hard to wrap our minds around some things that we go through. I do not pretend to have the answers to these questions. God is sovereign. He has a plan: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

I know that God has blessed me beyond measure. There have been many tests and trials and times where I did not know if I could take any more, but I also know that God has a plan for me. What if you throw in the towel? What if you give up? Your circumstances will still be the same!

There are times when we are strong and times where we are weak. When you do not know if you can take one more step or go through one more battle remember where your strength comes from: "My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken." (Psalm 62:1-2)

Over the course of history, there have been mighty men and women of God. I do not know of one of them that did not go through seasons of testing and trials. God did not turn his back on them and He has not turned His back on you. Tests make us stronger and wiser. When you are weak and weary, “lift up thine eyes” toward the Creator of Heaven and Earth!!

He will not fail us!!!

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging." (Psalm 46:1-3)