Lighthouse

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. (Matthew 5:14 NIV)

Just as a light house gives direction to the ships on the sea, pointing them in the correct direction, so should our lives give direction to non-believers, pointing them towards Jesus. Just as a lighthouse needs oil inside it's wick in order to burn it's flame, we need God's word inside us so that we can be a light for Him in this world. We must immerse ourselves in His word so that it oozes from us and drips from our lips like honey.

Cockroaches

And the Lord said, "Do you do well to be angry?" (Jonah 4:4 ESV)

I was reading in Jonah tonight and I got to thinking of all the times in my life that I have found myself angry at a situation because of the inconvenience it caused "me". I say this because all through out the book of Jonah, we see Jonah making decisions based on what he would do, and only if it would benefit him in some way. It's easy to see it in the book of Jonah and then call out Jonah for being so selfish. When you turn that message into the mirror, it's not fun. You feel parts of your insides trying to scurry away from the light of this truth like cockroaches in a kitchen scattering when the lights are turned on. My take away tonight is to make fewer decisions that start with my benefit in mind and instead look for opportunities to benefit others by being in that position to begin with.

Christ + Nothing = Everything

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20 ESV)

This was the verse I read on the day of my baptism many years ago. Each time I come across this verse, it reminds me that Christ plus nothing equals everything. It reminds me that my life is His and that it is to be lived in Faith. It gets me thinking about Peter walking on the water, and what Faith the size of a mustard seed can do. Simply put, it refocuses me, centers me, grounds me, excites me, gives me hope, and above all strengthens my Faith in Him.

In awe

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. (Psalms 19:1 ESV)

Such a fitting passage after a very scenic drive today. Looking forward to some great time with the LORD this week! I'm in awe of Him.

Hallmark Moment

Genesis 1;31

31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. 

I love being outside, I love hiking, Mountain biking, running, swimming, going for scenic drives, etc.  I love spending time in the glory of God's creation.  Tonight as I was running errands and being quite busy, I had a moment where I just stopped and looked around.  It was dusk, and before me in a meadow was a lone fawn grazing.  In that brief second, it was as if all time stood still, and I was reminded that not only did God create the Heavens & the Earth, He created all that is in it and all of it is His.  All of it including us.  It was a special moment, like a greeting card just for me that was signed "Love God".  

Stripes

But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5 ESV)

One of my all time favorite scriptures. I am often saddened by how desperately we as humans need a savior and at the same time I am humbled and great full for His sacrifice.

The Last Time?

Jude 1;17-21

17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.18 They said to you, In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.20 But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit;21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

Perhaps there have been many times in history that people have felt that the book of Jude was written for "times such as this", but it just seems like this book was written for today!  We are called to pray in the Holy Spirt, to keep ourselves in the love of God, and to wait on the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is so much to be sad about in the world today, there is much division, sin, and following of ungodly passions.  We are called to Pray, Love, and wait...these are good things to do, whether it is or isn't "the last time".

Waiting

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord ! (Psalms 27:14 ESV)

Sometimes waiting is the hardest thing to do. I take that back... staying strong, having courage, and remembering that His plans for us are exactly what we need. These are the hardest things to do while waiting. I am waiting, and that is where I'm supposed to be right now.

The curse of the Black Pearl

Psalms 84;2

2 My soul longs, yes, faints
for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
to the living God.

Today on my way home from work, I kept thinking about how we as humans are wired to NEED God.  Many people try to fill the void with drugs, alcohol, sex, success, or many other THINGS.  The fact is that God created us to fellowship with Him.  When we are not in fellowship with Him, it creates a deep void that can never be satisfied with anything else (try though the flesh may).  I was reminded of the "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the black pearl" movie, when Captain Barbossa explains the curse

 " Aye. That's exactly what I thought when first told of the tale. Buried in the island of the dead that which cannot be found except by those who already knows where it is. Find it, we did. And there be the chest... and inside, be the gold. We took them all! Spent 'em, traded 'em and fritted 'em away, for drink and food and pleasurable company. But the more we gave them away, the more we came to realize. The drink would not satisfy, food turned to ash in our mouths, nor the company in the world would harm or slake our lust. We are cursed men, Miss Turner. Compelled by greed, we were. But now, we are consumed by it."  

This description of "The curse" draws a strange parallel to the "Human Condition".  Without Jesus, we are cursed men.  Without Jesus we are compelled & consumed by Greed, by the nature of self, and by the things of this world.  

On the opposite end of the spectrum,when we accept Jesus as our Savior, our heart changes, we change, our desires change.  THINGS become a distant second and great fulfillment and joy are found in simply spending time with Him.  Our very soul desires to spend time with Him and longs for the day when that is all we will do for eternity.  It's better than any THING could ever be, it brings joy that we were created to experience, and it just keeps getting stronger and better.  

If you feel like there is a void in your life tonight, it can only be filled with Jesus.  His joy is a joy that knows no earthly bounds and will last for eternity.  Seek Him today.

Following

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (Colossians 3:1, 2 ESV)

Finding comfort tonight in knowing that I don't have to know the plans for my life, because He does. I need only focus on following after Him and I will always be where I am supposed to be.

A nation in need of a savior

Lamentations 1;1-2

1 How lonely sits the city
that was full of people!
How like a widow has she become,
she who was great among the nations!
She who was a princess among the provinces
has become a slave.2 She weeps bitterly in the night,
with tears on her cheeks;
among all her lovers
she has none to comfort her;
all her friends have dealt treacherously with her;
they have become her enemies.
It amazes me how this passage from more than 2000 years ago could have easily been ripped from today's headlines.  A nation who turns their back on God is a nation in desperate need of a savior.  It was true then and it is true today.  Tonight I'm praying that our Nation would turn back to God and recognize that without Him there is no tomorrow worth having.

In nothing

God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, (1 Corinthians 1:28 ESV)

I keep hearing the same message again and again, "We must decrease so He may increase". We are most useful to Him when we are weakest in the eyes of the world. In our nothingness, His power shines brightest.

Hanging by a thread

I'm stuck inside my own head
 There's a dialogue playing inside again and again
 I can't get escape from what it says
I'd give it all to never have it begin

 I don't want to feel anymore,
I don't want to hurt anymore,
I don't want to be angry anymore,

 I'm hanging by a thread
I'm holding on with just fingertips
I know it's time to let go,
Lord, I'm giving up control


I don't want to feel like I've failed you anymore,
I don't want to be angry anymore,
 I want to let go, I need to let go

I'm hanging by a thread
I'm holding on with just fingertips
I know it's time to let go
Lord, I'm giving up control

I was hanging by His grace
I am tightly within His grasp
Lord it's time to just let go
Lord it's time to just let go

So I'm letting go

Lord I'm letting go


It's been a long last few weeks.  I'm physically, mentally, & emotionally exhausted.  Sometimes, I just have to write what is inside my head and my heart.  The above is quite accurate.  I am sure that many of you can relate.  I have a lot of things that I just need to let go of, and I can't seem to do it on my own.  I need God's help to do so.  My heart aches at knowing that at some point in my day, I will say something that hurts someone else, or my actions will cause someone else to stumble, be hurt, etc.  My flesh wants to climb higher on the corporate ladder, make more money, seek more recognition, and inflate ME.  The fact remains that everyone of these things will make me MISERABLE.  I don't want it, I just want to spend some quiet moments with the Father.

I'll end tonight's post by reflecting on this passage from Matthew 11;27-30

27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 

That is reason enough for hope.  He will give us rest.  Amen!

Give

Matthew 10;8

8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.

Today I'm reflecting on "You received without paying; give without pay." This is a call to give without expectation of receiving anything.  This is a call to use that which we are given without consideration of payment.  This is a call to do that which we were made to do with total disregard of outcome, positive or negative, regardless of risk or reward.  We are to give, regardless of cost...That's inspiring!

He sees it all

Proverbs 15;3

3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place,
keeping watch on the evil and the good.

This should be obvious, but tonight this really struck me.  God sees us at our worst and at our best and even at our best we are pale in comparison to His righteousness.  

Speaking from the heart

Romans 10;10

10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

When our hearts embrace Him, our words follow suit.  If we are not speaking as we should speak, it is an underlying heart issue.

Restoration

1 Peter 5;10

10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

I am reminded tonight that any troubles we experience in this life are temporary.  In the scheme of eternity, these are but mere seconds.  The fact that God himself will restore us, confirm us, strengthen us, & establish us, who could ask for more.  He is simply waiting for us to let go and rely on Him.

Folly

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV)

I remember going to church as a child and being annoyed when I had to stay in the adult service instead of going to the children's area. In "Sunday School" things were put in my language and it made it easier to understand. I. Remember asking very pointed, yet honest questions about scripture and then having my questions dismissed as foolish. Many years later, I was the guest at a youth group, and I asked a question that was clearly not doctrinally acceptable and I was corrected in front of the group and then pulled aside and given a stern talking to. The end result of the stern talking gave way to an understanding that I was simply asking a question as a non-believer, not trying to stir up trouble. This experience has stuck with me my entire life. It serves as a reminder to me that the message of the gospel can be completely missed by many unless we take the time to share, answer questions, and invite people to meet Jesus.

Pride

Proverbs 11;2

2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with the humble is wisdom.

Pride is an ever present foe, one who must be vanquished.  It always begins with "I" and is purely self seeking.  Praying tonight for us all that "I" would decrease and instead "I" would find humility & wisdom.  

Malachi 4;2

2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.  (Malachi 4;2)

Today was full of God's mercy & grace.  Meditating again on the importance of fearing His name.  

Feeling smaller

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. (Proverbs 9:10 ESV)

Meditating on this passage tonight. Strange though it may sound, I want to have a righteous fear of The Lord. I don't want to forget who He is, or how powerful He is, how HUGE He is. That pretty much puts it into perspective for me. Feeling smaller...and that is good.

I am sorry

So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. (Philemon 1:17-19 ESV)

Today this verse really struck me. "Receive him as you would receive me." leapt off of the page. I would love to tell you that it leapt off of the page because I I felt like others would receive me kindly, as I am certain Paul would have been treated. Truth be told, I find myself on the other end of this passage, I am the one in need of having my debt forgiven.

I won't make excuses, I will instead say I am sorry. I am not better than or different than you. I am a sinner who has been saved by faith in Jesus. I am an heir to an inheritance that I do not deserve, but was bought and paid for with the ultimate price.

Truth be told, I will be more sorry in my life than I ever will be right...and the part I am right about isn't me, it is Christ in me. I hear it again, "I must decrease so that He may increase". Humbled.

Faith+Jesus=an outpouring of love towards others

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. (Titus 3:4-9 ESV)

We did nothing to earn His love, salvation is through faith in Jesus NOT through "Good Works". Having said that, Jesus loved us so much, even though we had not yet loved Him in return, that He suffered the cross as a punishment for our sin. God would have us do "Good Works" not to earn salvation, but to point people to Himself. When we as Christ followers demonstrate love to people we don't even know, we are being a living testimony of the love of Christ and the changing power of the Holy Spirit.

The man that God wants you to be

Ephesians 5;15-21

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart,20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. 
This passage really spoke to me tonight.  Like many men, I do my best to work hard to provide for my family.  I try to make wise decisions about our future and make sure that I'm not making rash or full hardy decisions. But even then, there is so much more that God demands of us as men of God.
My prayers request for myself and all men tonight is for these things:
 I pray that we will seek to understand God's will and when that understanding comes, we act with boldness and conviction.  We must be the spiritual leaders in our families, our places of business, our community, etc.
I pray that we will not be distracted by the many ways of the world, but would instead be filled with the Holy Spirit.  We are the Human example that our spouse and children look to.  If we are not demonstrating and living the word every day, then we fail our families.
I pray that we would encourage not only each other, but our spouse, our children, that we would speak to each other and to our families in Psalms, Hymns, Spiritual songs, and making melodies to the Lord with all of our heart.  CORPORATE worship both as brothers in Christ and as a family bind us together in the sweet worship of God Almighty!
I pray that we would always be thankful to God the Father for everything.  We need to be an example of how to be thankful to God and to others.  Everything we have is only because HE has allowed us to have it.  We must make our lives ALL about Him, we are a part of the story, but it is HIS story.
I pray that we would be the men of God that He has called us to be.  I pray that we would submit to one another out of reverence for Christ, for the life that we now live is not ours but the one that Christ lives in us.   

Psalm 5 and 3 little things that can make a HUGE impact on your life

I love the book of Psalms so much.  No matter where you are at or what you are going through, there is a passage in Psalms that speaks to it.  Tonight I'm meditating on Psalm 5; 11-12

Psalm 5;11-12

11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them ever sing for joy,
and spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may exult in you.12 For you bless the righteous, O LORD;
you cover him with favor as with a shield.
A few key things, or "take aways" from this passage:
1. When we take refuge in Him, we can rejoice, rejoice to the point of singing for joy forever!  Even in the midst of great adversity, He wants us to rejoice!2.  He will protect us because we love Him.  God wants us to trust in Him to be our protector and our savior.  3.  He will bless us, shield us, and look upon us with favor.  When we put our complete trust in Him, God is most glorified in us.
These 3 things are promises of God's word for those who love His name.
Encouraged yet?  I know I am.  Hallelujah!

Why do the wicked do what they do?

Micah 2;1

1 Woe to those who devise wickedness
and work evil on their beds!
When the morning dawns, they perform it,
because it is in the power of their hand.

There is much corruption in the world.  I often ask myself how some people can be so exacting and plan out how they can step on people just to make some money.  Micah 2;1 answered that question tonight "because it is in the power of their hand."  I suppose that no other reason is really needed, they come up with the plan, think about it all night long, and in the morning, execute the plan.  

The good news here is that God says "Woe" to them.  That means that while we may have to deal with these kinds of people in the short term, God has got it covered.  Our job continues to be to love them and pray for them, point them toward Jesus...even when it's hard.

Daddy, pick me up!

1 John 2;28

28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.

This verse struck an amazing visual in my mind tonight.  One of my favorite times of the day is when I come home from work and my daughter runs to me, smiling, happy to see me, and throws her arms around me or says "Daddy, pick me up!".  If I could bottle that moment, I could NEVER get enough of it.  The converse of that situation is when your child knows they have done wrong.  Their eyes avoid yours, they hide from you, the look on their face brings heartache to know that they are so upset.

This is exactly the type of thing that John is talking about in 1 John 2;28.  WHEN Christ returns, don't you want to be able to run to Him with great joy and express your love and your happiness?  The last thing I want to do WHEN Christ returns is to hang my head in shame, and slink away.  I don't want to disappoint Him, I want Him to have the same Joy that I have when my daughter welcomes me home.  I want to have the same kind of joy my daughter has when I come home when He returns.  I desperately want to hear the words "Well done my good and faithful servant".  

We must abide in Him, seek after Him daily, spend time in His word, Talk to Him in prayer.  It is much like maintaining any human relationship, it requires interest, communication, contact, and an agape type love.  When this is so, we have confidence because we KNOW and are KNOWN by Him.  I'm longing for the day when I can run to the Father and yell "Daddy, pick me up!".  

Something to look forward to

It is so easy to be caught up in the world and the things it seems to offer.  Every which way we turn, there are things to distract us, mislead us, cause us to stumble, some of them seemingly innocent.  I am reminded tonight of this passage:

1 John 2;15-17

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 
Satan is a master deceiver and since the beginning of time he has been twisting truth and turning things that are inherently good and twisting them into sin.  Just a few examples:
Man's punishment was to toil with the land forever (must work).  Satan has turned work into something that men glorify, they lust after prestige, push harder to climb the corporate ladder, make more money, get more power, etc.
Sex-God intended Sex to bond a man and women together in marriage, it was holy and pure.  Satan has turned Sex into an industry, an expectation & lifestyle that is glorified outside of marriage.  
Love one another- God intends us to love one another.  Satan has twisted the love of others into the love of ourselves, we get upset when good happens to others instead of to ourselves rather than rejoicing with them.  
I think the best part is 1 John;17 is "And the world is passing away along with its desires".  Praise God that one day all the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, & our pride in possessions will be pass away.  Then we will be with Him forever...and that is something to look forward to.  Amen!

Meditating on Psalm 1 today

There are days when we need comfort, we need tenderness, we need love, and we need wisdom.  God provides all of these things in His word.  I have no deep words or thoughts tonight.  I'm trying to calm my mind, meditate on His word, & listen for His voice, .

Psalm 1

1 Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.3 He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;6 for the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.