Psalm 18

I love you, O LORD, my strength.
Psalm 18:1 NIV

Prayer (inspired by all of Psalm 18)

God my protector and foundation,
You are so worth honor and praise.

I lay my concerns out before You,
I am saved.

It doesn't matter what has tried to corner me or what has tried to destroy my life,
You save me.

Nothing stands before you, even heaven is split in two.
You ride on angels, use darkness like a canopy, throwing lightning bolts and hailstones.
The earths foundations are exposed, the mountains and valleys in the seas are revealed.
Just by the Word of Your mouth.

I'm kept safe in Your hand.
You support me while those that oppose me foolishly carry on.

You dealt with me justly as I've committed myself to you.
You declare me blameless and reward me according to Your salvation.

The humble, You love.
The proud, You bring down.

You turn my darkness into light, and strengthen me.
I am being trained to do Your will.

Praise You God for your kindness, love and salvation that you lavish on me.
Amen.

Psalm 17

Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry.  Give ear to my prayer - it does not rise from deceitful lips.  May my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right.  You still the hunger of those you cherish;...their sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children.  And  I - in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.
Psalm 17 NIV

PRAYER (inspired by Psalm 17)

Lord, in all honesty I pray to you.
You have my back and you know the truth.
My heart and life lay bare before You, so I will be wise and follow You.
Because You teach me your ways, I won't be like those that don't know you.

Like David prayed, I'm on solid ground.
Hear me when I pray.
Show the world You are my defender, You love me like a son.
I'm kept safe as someone protects the pupil of their eye.

My enemies are only human, just listen to them talk.
Like predators looking for a meal.
I'll remind myself that You are my helper.
You refresh me, You care for my children, You will walk with me forever.
Amen.

Psalm 16

Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.  I said to the LORD, "You are my LORD; apart from you I have no good thing."  As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.  The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods.  I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips.  LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.  The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have  a delightful inheritance.  I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.  I have set the LORD always before me.  Because he is at my right hand I will not be shaken.  Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.  You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16 NIV

PRAYER

Thank You God for being there for me at all times,

I feel safe knowing You are for me.

People go wrong when they worship the wrong god.

LORD, My life is unfolding just as you have planned for me.

Because I have chosen correctly to worship the living God, I will not be shaken.

I can have a celebration because my future is in eternity with You, in heaven.

I'm walking in the path of life you have given me and today I'm happy.

Amen

Getting Married

Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.  The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man.  For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
Genesis 2:22-24

Today I have a friend getting married.  The special thing about this marriage, of all marriages today, is that she is South African (as my wife Shelley is) and he is Canadian (as I am), living in their respective countries at this time.

Add to that, that he is coming from Canada for the marriage and has no friends or family with him as I also did (although I was fortunate enough to have my oldest son with me).

Our age group is approximately the same, faith is the same, the story of how they met is curiously similar to my wife's and mine, to name a few reasons that this marriage is unique to me.

 The most unique marriage of all, is the one of Adam and Eve.

Here God creates Adams wife from the very flesh of Adam, then He brings the woman to the man for the first time and they are husband and wife.

Can you imagine marrying a person the very first time that you meet them?

This is similar to this couple getting married this afternoon (I don't want to make their entire personal story public).  But suffice it to say that God is bringing them together and blessing their union today.

God is still at work in peoples personal lives.  Whether it is in the 'small' things of life or the 'large' things of God.  He cares about each one of us and desires to celebrate life with us.

I'm praying that my friend and new spouse will celebrate their marriage for the rest of their earthly lives together.

Psalm 14

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."  They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.  The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand any who seek God.  All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.  Will evildoers never learn - those who devour my people as men eat bread and who do not call on the LORD?  There they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous.  You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge.  Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!  When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!
Psalm 14 NIV

PRAYER

They are idiots who say "there is no God".
If that is their perspective then can anything they do be good?

You know who are the ones that are seeking You and following Your ways.
Even I have messed up.
I confess, God, I have had wrong motives.
Please be patient with me as I grow and learn about You.

Thank you that You are with me and that I don't have to fear unbelievers because You have a path for me to follow, to walk on.
I look confidently to the future because You tell me that what my enemy has taken from me You will return to me.
Amen

Believing Verses Doubting

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.  But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt  because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
James 1:5-8

Several years ago I made an investment that sounded to good to be true, but I trusted the person who was going to take care of the transaction for me.  I had perfect peace about the investment because of the contact person and that I had committed it to God.

It didn't exactly work out the way it was supposed to, but I'm happy to say not a nickel was lost.  I believed in the integrity of that contact person and I had prayed and committed it to the Lord.

This is exactly what James is talking about when we ask God for wisdom.  If you know you are lacking wisdom but ask God for it, He will give to you the portion that you require.

Solomon was asked by God what he would like to have and Solomon answered he needed wisdom to govern the Lord's people wisely.  So, not only did God increase Solomon's wisdom but added to him all the things that he had not asked for.

That is the character of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalm 13

How long, O LORD?  Will you forget me forever?  How long will you hide your face from me?  How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow  in my heart?  How long will my enemy triumph over me?  Look on me and answer O LORD my God.  Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death; my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," and my foes will rejoice when I fall.  But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.  I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.
Psalm 13 NIV

PRAYER

God, I feel like you've forgotten about me,
I feel like you're playing a game of hide and seek.

My chest feels heavy and it hurts,
I can't seem to think clearly.

LISTEN  TO  ME,
MY LORD,
MY GOD!

My enemy (and You know who I'm talking about) thinks they have gotten the better of me.
There are times I feel like I'm going to die.

Still I can choose to trust in Your love, in Your salvation.
I will sing to You, even still...

Amen

Consider It Pure Joy

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4

I once heard a pastor give these verses to a young couple as marriage counselling, then he laughed.   Sadly, he wasn't kidding even though he was laughing, nobody else was.  Maybe he was having major marriage and life problems.  I don't know, could married life be like this?  But the bottom line is life isn't easy for the majority of people.  And not only for married people.

The positive side of trials and testing if we allow ourselves to go through it is:

• joy
• perseverance
• maturity
• complete
• not lacking anything

You wouldn't believe what deep waters and fire I've had to walk through in my life and I'm sure if we talked I would be amazed at what you've been through.

Let's not stop now, we're so much closer to the finish line now than we were when we began this Christian walk.

Psalm 12

Help, LORD, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men.  Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception.  May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue that says, "We will triumph with our tongues; we own our lips - who is our master?"  "Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise," says the LORD.  "I will protect them from those who malign them."  And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.  O LORD, you will keep us safe and protect us from such people forever.  The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.
Psalm 12 NIV

PRAYER

God there are people that are such liars, they have made an art out of deceiving others.
Then they are proud of it and even boast about it.
They haven't a clue about You.

It doesn't matter what they think because you protect me from them.
And You are flawless, what more needs to be said.
You are my safe refuge.
I will not concern myself about such people anymore.

Knock, knock...

"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:  There are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation.  I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot.  I wish you were either one or the other!  So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth.  You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.'  But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.  I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.  Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.  So be earnest, and repent.  Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.  To him who overcomes I will give the right to sit with me on my throne,  just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
Revelation 3:14-22 NIV

A difference that I've found between South Africans and Canadians is how they express themselves.  Canadians are very laid back and reserved.  So when describing a meal I just ate, I would typically say something like "that was nice" or "it was good".  Whereas I've found that many South Africans will more likely say "that was divine , or "stellar", or something like that, because they are very passionate and descriptive.

Typically, there is no doubting when a South African person has really enjoyed themselves.  That is a good thing.  Unlike Canadians who can leave you doubting if they really did enjoy something or not.

Jesus is passionate when talking to the Laodiceans.  He leaves no doubt in their minds where they stand with Him.  He wishes they were either hot or cold but they are lukewarm in their relationship with Him.

By the way, this is a characteristic of a real man, and a good communicator.  There is no doubt or room for misinterpretation in what is being said.  The consequences are far to serious to mince words.  Without hurting feelings, Jesus surgically gets to the point leaving the Laodiceans to choose which way they are going to go, hot or cold in their relationship.

In fact, Jesus is loving in that He tells them so, and counsels them in what they should do.  If He didn't care about them He would leave them guessing, or worse not even tell them at all where they stand.



Are you lukewarm but think you are rich and need nothing?
Are hot or cold for Christ?
What can you do to ensure you're 'right' with Christ?
The answer is in Christ's letter to the Laodiceans.

Knock, knock, Jesus is at your door.

Psalm 11

In the LORD I take refuge.  How then can you say to me: "Flee like a bird to your mountain.  For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart.  When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?"  The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne.  He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them.  The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates.  On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot.  For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face.
Psalm 11 NIV

PRAYER

LORD you are my defender, I will not flee.
You are God Almighty, nothing slips past without You seeing.
Justice will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Because I'm choosing to follow you I have a secure eternal future.
Amen.

Be A Pillar

To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:  These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David.  What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.  I know your deeds.  See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.  I  know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name,  I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars - I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.  Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.  I am coming soon.  Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.  Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God.  Never again will he leave it.  I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Revelation 3:7-13NIV

Some of the ancient ruins that we have today only have the pillars remaining, with little else.

Once a priest had finished serving in these temples, there would be a monument erected to honor that person.  On the monument would be written the name of the individual, the fathers name, and the city that he served in.

So the people of Philadelphia, in that time, knew exactly what Jesus was talking about.

You don't have to be a conquering general to be loved by God.  Today you may be feeling 'small' in a lot of ways.  But the bottom line for Jesus is, if you are faithful to keep His Word and are loyal to Him, He will honor you.

• You will have a permanent place in the temple of God.
• He will write His Fathers name on you
• He will write the name of God's city on you
• He will write His new Name on you
• You will have a crown for eternity

There will be those who will oppose your faith in Jesus Christ.  The sad thing is, it will likely be very religious people, maybe people you know well.  These 'trials' will come to develop patience and endurance.  The goal for all believers is to overcome these trials, thereby receive the eternal crown of life.

So keep reading the bible, keep praying with thanksgiving, be joyful and hopeful as we wait expectantly for His return.

Psalm 10

Why, O LORD, do you stand far off?  Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?  In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises.  He boasts of the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.  In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.  His ways are always prospers; he is haughty and your laws are far from him; he sneers at all his enemies.  He says to himself, "Nothing will shake me; I'll always be happy and never have trouble."  His mouth is full of curses and lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue.  He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent, watching in secret for his victims.  He lies in wait like a lion in cover; he lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.  His victims are crushed, they collapse; they fall under his strength.  He says to himself, "God has forgotten; he covers his face and never sees."  Arise, LORD!  Lift up your hand O God.  Do not forget the helpless.  Why does the wicked man revile God?  Why does he say to himself, "He won't call me to account"?  But you , O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand.  The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.  Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out.  The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land.  You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.
Psalm 10 NIV

PRAYER

O LORD, you see my enemy's schemes and hear what my enemy speaks over me,
they walk in ungodly counsel, stand by sinners and join in with mockers.
They are full of pride, they think they are doing right by trying to ruin my life,
all they say to me are threats and curses.

I'm calling on you God to see my trouble and grief, please be my counsel, join in with me.
I'm committing myself and my family to you.
I'm reminding you that I to am fatherless, so I'm counting on you to be my helper.
I'm encouraged that you have heard my desires, my call for help.
Now I know you will defend me and I don't have to be afraid anymore.
Amen!

A Reputation May Be In Name Only

To the angel of the church in Sardis write:  These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.  I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.  Wake up!  Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.  Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent.  But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief and you will not know at what time I will come to you.  Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes.  They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.  He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white.  I will never blot out their name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Revelation 3:1-6 NIV

In the last house I owned, I had a wood burning stove in the basement and there were times in the winter that I would be able to get it so hot in that particular living room, you could walk around in a t-shirt and shorts on when it was -30c and snow storming outside.  If I loaded it properly for the night, it would burn evenly and steadily until the morning when I would be able to stoke the embers and with proper reloading, it would be burning hot again shortly, for the rest of the day.

There are churches that have a reputation of having a great pastoral preacher but they don't do anything in the community as far as evangelism ,or care for the widows and orphans (for instance).  These churches have a reputation of being alive, but God knows that they are "dead".

Just like my fireplace in the morning, I would give it the time and care it needed to be able to get hot and do the work that I wanted and needed it to do for me and my family, God in His grace gives the dead churches an opportunity to "wake up" and do again what they did in the beginning.

However, the consequences of the fireplace and the churches are far different.  If I didn't rekindle the fire I would just turn up my oil burning furnace and we would be warm, but if the church that God identifies as "dead" don't "wake up", He will blot out their names from the book of life.  The situation is urgent and we should not take lightly what God has written.

Repentance is not just a matter of being sorry that we got caught doing something wrong, it's an acknowledgement that we have acted, thought, or said something wrong.  Changes then need to be made so that it would not happen again.  Not only that, but we are then also expected to repay as quickly as possible, whenever or wherever we fail.

The eternal benefits outweigh the earthly temporal ones that we might be enjoying now.

Lets remember (communion) what we have "received and heard", obey it and repent.

Psalm 9

I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.  I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.  My enemies turn back; they stumble and perish before you.  For you have upheld my right and my cause; you have sat on your throne, judging righteously.  You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.  Endless ruin has overtaken the enemy, you have uprooted their cities; even the memory of them has perished.  The LORD reigns forever, he has established his throne for judgement.  He will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice.  The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.  Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.  Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done.  For he who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.  O LORD, see how my enemies persecute me!  Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death, that I may declare your praises in the gates of the Daughter of Zion and there rejoice in your salvation.  The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.  The LORD is known by his justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.  The wicked return to the grave, all the nations that forget God.  But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish.  Arise, O LORD, let not man triumph; let the nations be judged in your presence.  Strike them with terror O LORD; let the nations know they are but men.
NIV

PRAYER

My God you are my Savior, Redeemer and King.
You give me reason to be happy and to be filled with joy.
With you I have no fear of my enemies, You are on my side.

Justice and righteousness comes from you.
You govern with a rod of iron and fairness.
You are a stronghold for me and I trust in you.

Those that have hidden agendas will be caught by there own schemes.
I don't need to fear the plans of those who don't care about me because you will turn it right back on them.
O LORD, you will prevail, the wicked will return to dust and the righteous reign with you eternally.

Words Of The Son Of God

To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:  These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze.  I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.  Nevertheless I have this against you:  You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess.  By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.  I have given her time to repent of her immortality  but she is unwilling.  So I will cast her on a bed of suffering  and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely  unless they repent of her ways.  I will strike her children dead.  Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.  Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you):  Only hold on to what you have until I come.  To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations - "He will rule them with and iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery - just as I have received authority from my Father.  I will also give him the morning star.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Revelation 2:18-28 NIV

The people in the days of Noah and Lot were all feeling good about themselves.  They thought that they were relatively good people.  At least the average citizen, tax paying, law abiding run of the mill man, woman or child.

Yet God flooded the earth because He grieved in His heart that He had even created them.  God also destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because Lot couldn't find 12 righteous, believing, people that would listen to him.

I am thankful for an ark that was provided for anyone who wanted to be saved, and a message through a man of God that would have provided protection.

Today Jesus Christ is offering us His protection and says He will "not impose any other burden on you".

We must do those things that we did when we were first saved by His grace.

We must hold  on to Him.

By His strength we must overcome and DO His will until the end.

Psalm 8

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!  You have set your glory above the heavens.  From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.  When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?  You make him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.  You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.  O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all he earth!
NIV

PRAYER

LORD God of heaven and earth, you are glorious beyond understanding.
The most innocent and youngest among us look to you and are in awe of you.
This mutes the voice of the enemy.

God in your creativity of the universe, the galaxies that move in harmony with the heavenly planets,
all placed there by your fingertips, who am I but a speck that you should even think about me.

Still humanity has a responsibility to care and manage all living things whether they live in the sky, land or seas.

I praise the name of the All powerful, knowing, present One; Elohim.
Amen

Don't Allow Yourself To Be Led Astray

"To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:  These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.  I know where you live - where Satan has his throne.  Yet you remain true to my name.  You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city - where Satan lives.  Nevertheless, I have a few things against you:  You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.  Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.  Repent therefore!  Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna.  I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it known only to him who receives it.
Revelation 2:12-17 NIV

When I was young I had to move to a number of different schools because we moved around a lot.  I was in a new school, again, and was trying to make new friends, but when you do that you don't have time to really get to know peoples character.

There was a stream not to far from where the school was and it was close to home also.  One day after school a new 'friend' and I went to the stream, found some cray fish and put them in a bucket to take back to show our teacher.  She  seemed impressed by what we found and how we were handling them.  This new friend didn't want to take them back to the stream and let them go, he dumped the bucket and started stepping on them.  I joined in and the teacher came outside as we were finishing off the last of the crayfish.  Needless to say she was not impressed anymore with us and we ended up doing detention for the rest of the week.

People are easily led astray.  Whether a child in a school yard or like in the adults in Pergamum who were led astray by the teachings of the Nicolaitans.

The Nicolaitans were liberal thinkers that brought in such things as pagan holidays to observe instead of the Jewish holidays as well as sexual immorality in religious worship etc.

Today I'm calling us to be like the Bereans (Acts 17:11), to be astute with Scripture, searching out truth, and knowing when we are not being told it.  Then to be courageous enough to not follow false doctrine, to not tolerate it.  Also, if we have been led astray by it, to ask forgiveness and turn from it.  Not to do as I did in the school yard, to gain friends by stepping on the crayfish.  Instead I should have had the courage to say no and release them into the stream again.  Let's be humble and wise and bring glory to His name.

Value Of Today's Money

"To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:  Theses are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.  I know your afflictions and your poverty - yet you are rich!  I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.  Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.  I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days.  Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  He who overcomes will not be hurt at all be the second death.
Revelation 2:8-11 NIV

Living so close to the United States makes me very aware of the similarities and differences between Americans and Canadians.  One of the differences is our currency, the U.S. money is all green no matter what amount it is in, whereas the Canadian currency varies from 1 and 2 dollar coins to blue 5, purple 10, and green 20 dollar bills, etc.  Our American neighbors like to poke fun at us, telling us that our money looks like Monopoly money.  I don't think so, but I do know that the Canadian currency is very real, stable and sought after in the world.

God's economy is completely upside down to every economy on earth.  Many would poke fun at it and tell us it's a joke, not real, of no value.

To people who have a relationship with Jesus Christ, we know the value of His economy, it's eternal lasting value.

If you are a follower of Christ and you are being tried and tested today, Jesus would have you know that you must be faithful and not be afraid.  What is at stake is the eternal value of your "crown of life".

There are not only people but situations and circumstances that are being used against you by the enemy to test you, to rob you of your eternal currency.

I wrote a blog earlier today.  It was a prayer based on Psalm 7 and would encourage you to go there now, read the entire Psalm 7 and the prayer that I wrote to encourage you.

You are not alone, we are in this together and there are others who have gone before us that have successfully completed the race and therefore you can to.

Be faithful, have courage, learn and grow through what you are suffering and be an over comer.

Psalm 7

O LORD, my God, I take refuge in you;  save and deliver me from all who pursue me,...  Arise, O LORD, in your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies.  Awake, my God; decree justice.... My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart...  He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment.  He who digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit he has made.  The trouble he causes recoils on himself; his violence comes down on his own head.  I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name to the LORD Most High.
Psalm 7:1,6,10,14-17NIV

PRAYER

God I have gone everywhere for help, but there isn't any.
I have followed you since I knew you, with purity and integrity I love you and others.
You are the only one that can help and protect me now.
As the psalmist writes "...my God; decree justice..."

Those that are seeking to harm me are disillusioned.
You have said that they will fall into the hole they have dug,
they will feel their own trouble,
When righteousness prevails I will give thanks and sing to The LORD.
Amen

First Love

To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:  These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands:  I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance, I know that you can not tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.  You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.  Yet I hold this against you:  You have forsaken your first love.  Remember the height form which you have fallen!  Repent and do the things you did at first.  If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lanpstand from its place.  But you have this in your favor:  You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.  To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Revelation 2:1b-6,7b

There was a time that I was on a very long road trip to a destination that I had never been to before.  I remember stopping at a gas station for fuel, food and to try to figure out on the map where I was.

The gas station attendant and I got talking and he told me of a short cut that I should take to save time on the trip.  I tried to follow his directions and it lead me directly into a pasture.  I lost so much time on trying to take a short cut and got to my destination late into the night.

Jesus is telling the church in Ephesus that He knows the good things that they are doing but also that He knows about what they are not doing.

Essentially He is telling them that there are no short cuts and that the only way to get to eat from the tree of life is to keep doing all the things they started out doing.  

If some one tells you it's best to look after yourself first and no need to love your neighbor as yourself they are telling you of a short cut that will lead you of the main road and right into a farmers field.

What we must always remember to do is love God first and everyone else like we love ourselves.  And it can't be done in a spirit of religiosity but out of a pure heart after God. 

Psalm 6

O LORD,  do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.  Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am faint;  O LORD, heal me, for my bones are in agony.  My soul is in anguish.  How long, O LORD, how long?  Turn, O LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love.  No one remembers you when he is dead.  Who praises you from the grave?  I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.  My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes.  Away from me, all you who do evil, for the LORD has heard my weeping.  The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer.  All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed; they will turn back in sudden disgrace.
NIV

Dear Lord, day after day life goes on and it is hard.
What I need is your staff that leads, not your rod that disciplines.
You know how many sleepless nights I've had, how I've cried myself to sleep other nights,
What good is that?  How does that benefit You or me?

The bills are piling up Lord, I don't enjoy my work,
and it feels like those I work with don't care about me.
I'm trying so hard but I'm not getting paid any more for what I do.
Still I'm glad Lord, that You've heard my prayer, my calling out to you.
Because of You everything will be alright.
Thank You for the strength to carry on.
Amen

Larger Than Life Heroes

I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me.  And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lanpstands was someone "like a son of man," dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.  His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.  His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.  In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword.  His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.  When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.  Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid..."
Revelation 1:12-17a

When I was about 9 or 10 years old I was allowed to go to the Pembroke Memorial Center and watch professional wrestling.  At the time it was larger than life.  The wrestlers were muscular and loud, boastful and intimidating.  Some of them were 'heros' and others were 'villans'.  Some were cheered and others were booed.

One in particular that scarred me was called 'Andre the giant'.  He looked to me to be 8 or 9 feet tall (3 meters tall) and easily 400 pounds (180kg).  He had long black curly hair, spoke French, and only wore tight shorts and tall black wrestling boots.  Everyone moved out of his way when he would come into the arena.  Even his opponents would look small and afraid of him. He normally won these well choreographed matches.  If you lived, you would cheer him, or if not normally you would boo him.

John on the island of Patmos gets to see face to face with a true Hero.  One who is not only larger than life but the very creator and sustainer of life, the resurrected Jesus Christ.  The One who won salvation and eternal life for us all.  He overcame every opponent against us, even death itself for His glory.

As much as He deserves to be feared and respected, He deserves our devotion and love.

There are so many things that I love about God, starting with my relationship with Him as my heavenly Father and Savior, His attributes of grace and mercy towards me, His protection and provision over me.  But I love the way John describes Him, dressed with a royal golden sash around His chest, His physical appearance beyond what I can even imagine.

Then God does and says something none of the 'larger than life wrestlers' ever did,  He stretches out His right hand and touches John (who is laying face down on the ground overcome at the sight of Him) and says "Do not be afraid."

You see God is not against us, but He is for us and loves us.  He is wanting to talk with us and have communion with us.  He overcame the enemy that separated us from Him which was sin and now we have free access to Him.

Who is your "hero"?
How does he/she measure up to Christ?
Do you give Him the proper respect and love that God deserves?

Psalm 5

Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing.  Listen to my cry for help; my King and my God, for to you I pray.  In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.  You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell.   The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong.  You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors.  But I, by your great mercy, will come into your house; in reverence will I bow down toward your holy temple.  Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies - make straight your way before me.  Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with destruction.  Their throat is an open grave; with their tongue they speak deceit.  Declare them guilty, O God!  Let their intrigues be their downfall.  Banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against you.  But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.  Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.  For surely  O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them  with your favor as with a shield.
NIV

PRAYER

To the Lord God, King of heaven and earth will I pray.
Before my day begins you are already there waiting and listening to my requests.
Keep me from straying from your ways, I want to live by your rules, your grace and mercy.
Lead me in the ways that are right.  I choose freely to follow you.

Because of you Jesus I can be glad and sing happy songs.
In fact I can sing songs of joy! I can live in victory!
You tell me you are protecting me and blessing me, I trust you Lord.
Thank you for surrounding me and giving me your approval.
Amen

Lets Do It Together!

He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." 
Mark 16:15



I have a personal relationship with my Creator Jesus Christ and because of this personal relationship, I have a passion for the Word of God.  I want to share the incredibly good news of salvation with everyone.

I believe God has given me a unique opportunity to share His message with the world through the internet, specifically through this blog.  So I have been writting since September 2012 and it has gone out faithfully everyday (except when we had a technical hicup for about ten days).

Each blog begins with His Words from Scripture and I follow it with something from my life, past, present or what I hope for in the future.  I want people to be encouraged, motivated and above all brought to salvation in Jesus Christ.

I have been as transparent and honest as I know how to be.

I'm looking forward to how God is going to use it in the last month of this year.

The Alpha

Look, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of Him.  So shall it be!  Amen.  "I am the Alpha and the Omega,"says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."  
Revelation 1:7-8



Do you ever wonder about your future?  Where you will be or what you will be seeing?

Well God is telling you that one day you will see Him with your very eyes.  Just as clearly as you see the clouds in the sky you will see Him.  Coming down from the sky there is no way He can hide Himself, nor can anyone else try to hide Him.  He does not want to be hidden, He wants to show Himself on the day He chooses to everyone.

This revealing will not only be for a certain select group of people, but everyone "...even those who pierced Him."  That includes you and me, everyone ever born on earth will see Him.  You may say 'but I wasn't the Roman soldier that nailed Him to the cross or pierced His side with the spear.'  Yes, that is true but you have sinned and that Has pierced His heart as a child disobeying the parent causes the parent to grieve. 

It is for that reason that "all the peoples of the earth will mourn..."  We will be graciously given the opportunity to see our Creator.  And we will know what it will be like to be face to face with perfection, love, justice and mercy (to name only a few of His attributes). 

It will not be a time of mourning only.  I believe it will be a time of rejoicing as well because of who He is: Timeless.  He says He "was, is, and is to come."  Meaning He was before time began and will be forever more.

Prepare yourself now for that meeting. 

Accept Him as your personal Savior and confess your sins to Him.

Mourn over your sins, yes, but also rejoice in knowing that eternity begins when we see Him in the clouds and for His followers, residence in the heavenly places.

Romans 10:9-10 "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."

Giving Strength, Blessing With Peace

The LORD gives strength to His people; the LORD blesses His people with peace. 
Psalm 29:11


Today I'm at a beach house with my wife Shelley.  We had a late night last night, driving up and talking when we got here.  So it's been a lazy morning sleeping late and napping off and on all day.

Earlier I went for a walk along the beach by myself and had time to think alone.  After some of the heavy talking we did last night I really needed to talk with God.  And He showed Himself to me in the power of the ocean and the vastness of the horizon.

Before I left for my walk I read this psalm to meditate on, and the words have encouraged me to be strong and to live in peace.

Take time today and read the whole psalm yourself and meditate on what Holy Spirit would encourage, direct, or teach you in it.  Then live in strength and peace because of His blessing to you.

Peace To You

To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come...To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father - to Him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. 
Revelation 1:4a-5b,6

You are loved!

You need to hear that.

The love that I'm talking about is not from some fickle human being, a co-worker, friend, or family member.  This love is from your White Knight that every man dreams of being and every woman longs for, but He is more than what our desires our.

He is our:

Peace
Grace
Lover
Freedom
Savior
God
Heavenly Father
All Glorious
Omnipotent
Omniscient
Everlasting life

That is how Jesus is described in only two verses of Scripture.  Imagine what His complete identity is in all of Scripture.

Knowing that you are in His family what trials or obstacles are too big for you to deal with?

Making Life A Priority

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show His servants what must soon take place.  He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John, who testifies to everything he saw - that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.  Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
Revelation 1:1-3

The day I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior was the first day of my eternal life.  Everything I had done before amounted to nothing.  It's sad to have let twenty two years of life, of precious time slip away like that.

But I'm encouraged because God tells us that we are blessed if:

1. we read His Scriptures and 
2. we hear it and take it to heart

I need to make Jesus and His Word a number one priority in my life.

If I fail to put things in their proper place, I may end up wasting precious time AGAIN, on things that amount to nothing in eternity.

Not only that, but we are much closer to the end of time as we know it.  John tells us that the time is "near."  And that was almost two thousand years ago.

Let's resolve to read His Word more and commit it to memory, so that when walking in a public place or driving in my car we can be thinking about it and preparing to talk to others when the time presents itself.  

Focus Your Eyes

My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only He will release my feet from the snare.  Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.  The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish.   Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins.  See how my enemies have increased and how fiercely they hate me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.  May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in You.
Psalm 25:15-21

Financial pressure, unemployment, relationship breakdowns, divorce, separation from loved ones, illness, loneliness, depression and the list can go on seemingly without end.

Maybe you know what I'm talking about, and even say "Jeff, add this one...to the list"  This morning was one of those mornings that I needed to do like David and turn my eyes to the LORD.

David was a man of God.  He was God's chosen and anointed King of Israel.  David was a leader, warrior, giant slayer, hero, song writer, worship leader, husband and father.  He didn't always get it right.  In fact he can add to his list: murderer, adulterer, absentee father without reason, faithless etc.

But before we run another man too far down lets give him credit for always turning to his heavenly Father (or at least turning back to Him).

Look again at the Psalm.  David says he's caught in a snare, lonely, afflicted, in trouble, in anguish, he has affliction and distress, multiplied enemies and sins.

Now look at what he responds with: his eyes are ever on the LORD, he asks for God's grace, freedom, forgiveness, protection and finishes by putting his hope in God.

Without minimizing your pain or circumstances, isn't this the best place to start when dealing with such overwhelming circumstances?

Today ask God to forgive you and tell Him you are putting your trust in Him.  Then know that He will give you the strength to get through today and for the days ahead as well.

Prayer

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."... Going a little farther, he fell with his face to  the ground and prayed, "My Father if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.  Yet not as I will, but as you will."... He went away a second time and prayed...So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing...and he said to them...Rise, let us go!
Matthew 26:36,39,42,44

Today I'd like to point out a few things about prayer.

1. In extreme times of stress, Jesus didn't go to His friends for advice, He went to His Father.
2. In His prayer, it was repetition, a pressing in and wrestling with God.
3. Through His prayer His circumstances didn't change but He changed and was willing to accept  and met them head on.

Will you take courage to pray and follow the role model that Jesus left for us?

A True Superhero

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.  But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.  He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
1John 2:1-2

When I was a kid I always bought Peter Parker A.K.A. Spider-man comic books.  I would watch him on television at lunch time through the week (we lived only a few blocks away from my school).  And also on Saturday mornings.

My brother was an avid Bruce Wayne A.K.A. Batman fan and so I got a large amount of exposure to that superhero as well.

Both of them had hidden identities and wore masks.  They tirelessly fought against the evils of humanity.  Whether it was in Gotham city or wherever in the world there was a vilan terrorizing and exploiting helpless people.

Today these "super-heros" have resurfaced and been recreated.  People are spending ridiculous amounts of money to see movies, buy their T-shirts and any other memorabilia supporting the "super-hero" of their choice.

People have many issues in their lives that they feel they need a make-believe super-hero to help them resolve their many real issues.

Yet we have a real life Super-hero that has set the example of tireless and selflessly all around the world, working for humanities own good.  Even His death and resurrection is copied in many ways.  His name is Jesus Christ - The Righteous One.

We don't need to shine a light into the shy hoping He will see it and decide to come or read the sad headline of the local newspaper to find out the injustice that is happening.  We only have to call out to Him in prayer and He will hear us and answer.

Remember the Super-hero before all and over all super-hero's, His name is Jesus Christ, The Righteous One!

The Cure For Anxiety

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6,7

I did not write my first college exam until I was 25 years old.  To start college I either needed to have graduated from high school or waited until I was 25 and pass an entrance exam to be granted admission as a mature student.  

This was the price I paid for being lost in the world for the first 22 years of my life with no goals, ambition or self-worth.  Thankfully, Jesus got my attention and turned my life around then, rather than letting more of my life go by, aimlessly going through the motions before He saved me.

I remember the day of the exam clearly.  It was in a normal classroom, at a brown wooden desk and chair, the exam was church history.  The college was Central Pentecostal located in the wheat belt of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

I couldn't believe that I had made it that far!  I was so nervous, I was shaking, my heart was pounding, I was sweating and couldn't remember anything that I had tried so hard to study the entire week before.  I was having an anxiety attack.  And even though it was bible college, I didn't know enough to apply Philippians 4:6,7.

If I did, I'm sure that the exam would have gone much better, because I failed it.

What are you facing today that is causing you anxiety?

Have you tried and prepared to the best of your ability?

Did you give it your all?

If you have a relationship with the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ, you can claim His peace that transcends all understanding.

If you don't, ask Him to forgive you now, to cleanse you from the sins of your past, and He will.  

Then commit your life to Him, to follow and love Him, and to love others like yourself.  Then you also can claim His promises for your life, and Philippians 4:6,7 are a promise to cure anxiety. 

Psalm 3

O LORD, how many are my foes!  How many rise up against me!
Many are saying of me, "God will not deliver him."

But you are a shield around me, O LORD;  you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
To the LORD I cry aloud, and He answers me from His holy hill.

I lie down and sleep;  I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.
I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side.

Arise, O LORD!  Deliver me, O my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.

From the LORD comes deliverance.  May your blessing be on your people.
NIV Bible

Prayer:

Dear God I feel so out numbered.
It's like I don't have any friends and nowhere to go to.
I'm thankful that You are there for me all the time.
Even in the night when my fears overtake me, You are there to keep me grounded and to clam me down so that I can sleep.
Please help my plans come good.
Bless the things that I have been working on and what I've put my effort into.
Amen

John's Joy Is Complete

He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice.  Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.  John 2:29

I’ve been in a few wedding parties enjoying the time leading up to the marriage.  It’s full of preparation including getting sized for suits, shoes, and shirts.  Cars need to be organized to drive the wedding party around on the day of the wedding.  The hall has to be decorated where the wedding meal will be eaten.  Speeches and toasts need to be prepared to add to the enjoyment of celebration of the nuptials’ vows.

The time leading up to the wedding day is filled with joy for the bridegroom and for me a time wondering where and how I can add to his special day.  Usually a party is organized for the bridegroom where he is the center of attention.  Often now these parties include both the bride and the groom.  Usually a meal is eaten and advice and congratulations are given. 

When the wedding day arrives and all the preparations have been made, it’s time for the friends of the bridegroom to step aside and let the groom take up his role as husband, make his vows, sign the marriage certificates and take his bride for himself.  The friends can watch with joy as the groom joins himself to his bride.

In this verse above John is making reference to Jesus beginning his ministry and the people of the time starting to go to him instead of John.  John is using the analogy of a wedding, the bride being the people John was preaching to (today anyone who believes in and follows Christ), Jesus being the bridegroom, the Saviour of the world.

John is happy to have fulfilled his role as the best man for the bridegroom.  When the bridegroom arrives John no longer has anything left to do but step aside and let this man take his place.  In spiritual matters John steps aside from people thinking he might be the Christ and lets Jesus take his rightful place as the Saviour of the world.  John has made all the preparations for the coming of the ‘bridegroom’, by telling everyone of the soon coming lamb of God.  John’s joy is complete.

Just as John had joy knowing that Jesus had come we also can find joy in knowing that we are:

Part of the ‘bride’ of Christ (we are included in His family) .

Sharing with those who are not yet following Jesus as to who He is and introducing them to the intimacy found with Him, which will be complete at the marriage feast of the lamb.

God's Grace

This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.  If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.  But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word has no place in our lives.

1 John 1:5-10

Yesterday I talked a little bit about my experiences as a dental hygienist and what it was like dealing with clients that told me how well they take care of their teeth, only to find out the truth when I had to do a proper inspection.  Then the consequences of not properly taking care of their teeth, often leading to drilling out the cavities and fillings put in place. 

Then I compared that to what it's like for anyone of us to tell ourselves what we think is true spiritually about ourselves, but when God's light is shone on our lives, we see the truth for what it really is.

Today I want to highlight something we should all be eternally grateful for, and that is God's grace.

To be clear:

• God is light
• In Him there is no darkness at all
• The blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin
• If we confess our sins
• He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Now imagine if you are in the dental office and it turns out that you need a cavity drilled out and a filling placed in, then the dental hygienist says to you and the dentist, "I'll sit in the chair and take the drill and filling in your place.  You don't have to feel the pain and discomfort."  In fact you can leave the office, you don't have to feel the needles in your gums; feel the medicine being injected and the resulting numbness, or hear the sound of the drill, smell the rotten cavity being removed, or feel the pressure of the filling being put in its place.  Yet, YOU somehow miraculously get the benefit of having the cavity removed and filled without having to go through the experience.

Would you accept the offer?  Wouldn't you be thankful for the sacrifice for your benefit?

That is similar to what Jesus has done for you.  He took your place and took your cavity (sin) upon Himself, and you get to walk away free.  That is grace.

In Romans 8 it tells us that "...there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because...Jesus...set me free..."

Today walk in the light as He is in the light and feel the freedom He has given to you.  

Oh, and by the way, unlike the dentist, there is no charge for His services. :) 

You Will Be With Me In Paradise

We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve.  But this man has done nothing wrong.  Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."  Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." 
Luke 23:41-43

I was reading Dave Walkers blog: God in the ICU http://godintheicu.wordpress.com and in one of his stories he tells is about praying with a patient.  He shares how he didn't teach the four spiritual laws and try to lead him in a sinners prayer.  What was important was the man's heart attitude toward God while he lay recovering in the ICU.

I felt some conviction as I read Dave's blog because I have a way of complicating things sometimes.  It's not that I mean to do wrong, just that I get to caught up in the things that just don't really matter. I don't want to leave anything undone, any stone unturned.

As I recall, my own conversion experience, it was simple and uncomplicated.  A little child could have understood what The Holy Spirit was telling me.

Today if you haven't made your relationship right with God, through His only Son Jesus Christ it's really very simple.  Like the one hanging on a cross beside Jesus, realize that you have done wrong.  Yes, it's humbling but at the same time freeing to know that you don't have to hide anything before God anymore (He knows it all anyway).  Then to ask "Jesus, remember me..."

If your heart was right before Him (and only you and He really knows) you can have confidence that Jesus will make you the same promise he did to the thief on the cross "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

You Are Needed

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though its parts are many, they form one body.  So it is with Christ.  For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body - whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free - and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.  If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.  
1 Corinthians 12:12-15

The church I attend has many different prayer groups that meet in the middle of the week for fellowship and time to encourage and pray for each other, they are called "life groups".  Each Sunday morning a different life group is given the duty to set up the chairs in the sanctuary, bring out the tables for coffee, prepare the coffee and tea and so on.  It works nicely since most adults enjoy a hot beverage after the service while we all mingle around and talk before going home.

It was my life groups turn to do it last Sunday.  A few people showed up early and had most of the chairs almost set up.  The ladies were busy in the kitchen filling urns with water to boil for the drinks, measuring out milk, sugar and so on.  I was given the job of getting some tables out to put the cups on.  I feel a little closer to these people because we are working together to bless others that will come later.    The whole church has come to expect this to be done every week.  But what if this past Sunday my group just said we're not going do the set up?  We don't do as good of a job as last weeks group, or we just wanted to not bother to attend at all and just sleep in that Sunday morning?  We would have let the rest of the congregation down.  The after service social time would be shortened and there would be concern from them for us.   Some would be wondering what happened to us and maybe others even begin to think maybe they would take their next turn off as well.  Soon we wouldn't be having that time afterwards to talk and visit and that could begin to affect other areas of the church.  Areas like children's church, music ministries, or preaching.

The point Paul is making is that we need each other.  YOU are needed, wanted and depended on.  This whole illustration can be used in the whole of your life.  Apply it's principles to your family, friends, job.  The place you find yourself in is where God has placed you to be and therefore represent Him in those areas.  Later in the chapter Paul goes on to say that no one is greater or lesser, weaker or stronger than the others in the body.  But we are interdependent on each other.  Just because you are not the drummer in the band, or the preacher, does not mean you are not just as important as they.

Today make a decision to get fully involved with a group of believers.  Then find out where they need your expertise and get involved.  I promise you the effort is worth the long term benefits.

I'd love to hear from you how this post may have impacted on your life.

When The Storm Finally Comes...

When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had obtained what they wanted; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete.  Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the "northeaster," swept down from the island.  The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along.  As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure.  When the men had hoisted it aboard, they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together.  Fearing that they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along.  We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard.  On the third day, they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands.  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.

After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: "Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss.  But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed.  Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul.  You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.'  So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.  Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island."  
Acts 27:13-26

Divorce has been the storm in my life.  The interesting thing is that I've had to go through it as a child watching helplessly as my parents divorced.  As a sibling while my only brother went through it and I was unable to convince them otherwise. Finally, I went through it myself and had to stand by as my ex-wife executed her freewill.

I've deliberately highlighted some words above that could easily be used in the storms of my life as well...

...they thought they obtained what they wanted...(divorce)
...before very long...(usually doesn't take long - whether they admit it or not)
...the ship was caught by the storm...(everyone was affected by the divorce, especially the children)
...hardly able to make a lifeboat secure...(trying to make deals to keep the marriage together)
...let the ship be driven along...(it takes on a life of it's own like a hurricane and wrecks havoc)
...a violent battering...(the divorce is relentless)
...throw the cargo overboard...(everything you worked for is lost)
...we finally gave up all hope of being saved...(the legal system is not a 'just' system)
...you should have taken my advice not to...(I even begged her not to go down this road)
...spared yourselves this damage and loss...(those who thought they got what they wanted are                         damaged and/or destroyed)
...ship will be destroyed...(marriage finally ended)
...an Angel of God...(finally a word of hope)
...do not be afraid...(the first thing Jesus says to those in a storm Mk5:36, Jn14:27, Rev1:17)
...keep up your courage...(there is a tomorrow)
...I have faith in God...(God can make something out of nothing)

Your life story is different than mine, maybe worse, maybe not as dramatic, but real and painful nonetheless.

It may be from a choice you made when you were younger, or maybe (like me) someone else made it and you couldn't persuade them to change their mind, so everyone suffers.

God is always there.  He is timeless and all powerful.  Yet even His will at times is not considered, and He has to let freewill have it's way in humanity or humans are reduced to something less than what we were created to be.

Paul urged the centurion and the sailors not to sail, yet they choose to regardless.  Paul was a prisoner and could not get off the ship, so he had to endure what the others choices were.  Paul never gave up, he obviously kept praying and seeking God otherwise he may have not seen the angel of the Lord and not gotten the words of encouragement.

We also may not be able to "get off this ride" but we can also choose not give up.  We can keep praying and seeking God.  You never know when God is going to break through into the storm of your life and tell you when it's over.

I recall some words of a song "the ship is battered, the sails are torn, yet the anchor holds..."

Let Jesus Christ be your anchor, let Him be your safe harbor or anchor and hold you during those times of trouble, through the storms of life.