Category: Purpose

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Eye on the Prize

My encouragement to you this morning is to keep your eye on the prize that is set before you; our life in Christ and the victory that brings.

Yesterday we watched the cars practice and then qualify for the race yesterday and the one today. Each driver is striving to do the very best they can personally.

That’s how it is with the Christian walk. We have to keep our eye on the goal and run our race with diligence – looking up to where we want to be. We don’t look back at the failures; the times we have fallen, if we do, they will keep us from succeeding. They will become weights that will hold us back.

Instead, we look at the prize before us; we remember those who have come along side to encourage us, the small victories, improving on our best and setting new goals.

“But Christ has shown me that what I once thought was valuable is worthless. 8 Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ 9 and to know that I belong to him. I could not make myself acceptable to God by obeying the Law of Moses. God accepted me simply because of my faith in Christ. 10 All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him to life. I want to suffer and die as he did, 11 so that somehow I also may be raised to life.

12 I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect. But Christ has taken hold of me. So I keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize. 13 My friends, I don’t feel that I have already arrived. But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead. 14 I run toward the goal, so that I can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize that God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done. 15 All of us who are mature should think in this same way. And if any of you think differently, God will make it clear to you. 16 But we must keep going in the direction that we are now headed.” Philippians 2:7-16 CEV

And then the writer of Hebrews gives us this racing analogy.

“Such a large crowd of witnesses is all around us! So we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially the sin that just won’t let go. And we must be determined to run the race that is ahead of us. 2 We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. He endured the shame of being nailed to a cross, because he knew that later on he would be glad he did. Now he is seated at the right side of God’s throne! 3 So keep your mind on Jesus, who put up with many insults from sinners. Then you won’t get discouraged and give up.” Hebrews 12:1-3 CEV

Keep going…don’t quit…keep your eyes on Jesus, He has empowered us to finish the race in victory!!

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Keep Thirsty

I love watching the hummingbirds. Before we moved our backyard was filled with them, darting here and there. I would take the feeders down to refill them and as I carried them to the back door the hummingbirds would fly behind me, right up to the screen.

While I was in the kitchen I could hear their little wings racing just outside the window. They were thirsty, they were waiting for me to supply the sustenance of life. Hummingbirds have such a veracious appetite for sugar water. It’s all they long for.

This morning, I really felt the Lord wanted me to share Psalm 42 with you and as I read it, I thought of the hummingbirds and I knew the Lord was wanting me to be that thirsty for Him.

Be thirsty for God and follow Him. Wait on Him to fill us with hope and give us purpose.

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.” Psalm 42:5

When we get discouraged and “Cast down”, when things seem to be going wrong, we need to thirst for God and put our hope in Him. As we do, we will praise God and praising God will improve our countenance – both our inward and external appearance. He will quench our thirst, He will sustain us.

Are you thirsty for God?

“1-3 A white-tailed deer drinks
    from the creek;
I want to drink God,
    deep drafts of God.
I’m thirsty for God-alive.
I wonder, “Will I ever make it—
    arrive and drink in God’s presence?”
I’m on a diet of tears—
    tears for breakfast, tears for supper.
All day long
    people knock at my door,
Pestering,
    “Where is this God of yours?”

4 These are the things I go over and over,
    emptying out the pockets of my life.
I was always at the head of the worshiping crowd,
    right out in front,
Leading them all,
    eager to arrive and worship,
Shouting praises, singing thanksgiving—
    celebrating, all of us, God’s feast!

5 Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?
    Why are you crying the blues?
Fix my eyes on God—
    soon I’ll be praising again.
He puts a smile on my face.
    He’s my God.

6-8 When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse
    everything I know of you,…

Then God promises to love me all day,
    sing songs all through the night!
    My life is God’s prayer.

9-10 Sometimes I ask God, my rock-solid God,
    “Why did you let me down?
Why am I walking around in tears,
    harassed by enemies?”
They’re out for the kill, these
    tormentors with their obscenities,
Taunting day after day,
    “Where is this God of yours?”

11 Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?
    Why are you crying the blues?
Fix my eyes on God—
    soon I’ll be praising again.
He puts a smile on my face.
    He’s my God.” Psalm 42 MSG

Stay thirsty for the Lord!

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Crystal Clear Clarity

Allow me one more teaching on focus.

When I was ten or eleven my mom realized I was having trouble seeing clearly. I had to sit close to the tv, my nose was almost always on the page of my piano lesson and my grades were falling in school. She took me to the optometrist and sure enough, I was near-sighted. Glasses became my closest friend.

Although I was an embarrassed six grader, I could see clearly. Things were in focus. I hope you are beginning to understand that God’s word brings focus and clarity to our lives.

“And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.” Hebrews 12:1-3 NLT

These verses make me think of the eye exams where the optician says “tell me when this object is in focus”. Then they flip the lens one way or the other until the image before my eyes is clear.

When we keep our eyes on Jesus, like the verse says, we gain a clarity of spiritual vision that we previously lacked.

“So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.” Colossians 3:1-3 MSG

Are you looking up today? Are you looking beyond yourself and finding God’s directive on how you should function today? It’s easy to get discouraged and even depressed with all the world’s happenings and Jesus knew that these days and times we are living in would be taxing to our mental peace at the very least, so He gave us this command.

“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:25-28

Looking “around” at all that’s occurring on the earth causes heart failure and fear. Looking up makes things crystal clear – our redemption is near!

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Raising Davids

Can you imagine how hard it must have been to raise godly children in the days of Jesse?

Jesse was David’s father and he had six other sons as well. The Israelites were living in constant conflict. Nations came against them on every side. They were only a few generations removed from the exodus of Egypt and already they were forgetting some of the miracles that God had done to bring them to this place.

In all of this the Lord saw David, a young shepherd, and selected him to be the next king of Israel. What He saw wasn’t someone of great stature or strength, it wasn’t wealth and prestige. No, it was a humble and believing heart.

David was a young man who spent time tending his father’s sheep while his brothers went off to fight the battles under the leadership of King Saul, but it was David whom the Lord chose.

“ But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’…And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on.” I Samuel 16:7, 13 NLT

The Bible tells us that David was a man whose heart was for God. David had to learn his faith filled beginnings at home. He learned to listen to the voice of God and obey.

As parents and grandparents, we have a responsibility to raise our children to hear and know the voice of God. Each person has a divine plan for their life. God has a purpose for each of us to fulfill. Some will be inventors, teachers, leaders of industry, preachers, mothers, doctors, pilots, farmers, fishermen, giant slayers but all have a calling.

“ For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for well-being and not for trouble, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

We have the responsibility to pray for our children and ask the Lord to show us how to help them grow into young people who will honor and serve Him. We need to encourage them in the areas where they show natural talent and passion. Each day reminding them that the Lord has a unique plan for them, and He will strengthen them to fulfill it.

When everyone else stood back, shaking in their sandals, David moved forward toward the enemy.

“…Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, came out from the Philistine ranks. Then David heard him shout his usual taunt to the army of Israel. 24 As soon as the Israelite army saw him, they began to run away in fright.” I Samuel 17:23-24 NLT

“I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! 37 The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” I Samuel 17:34-37 NLT

That giant was no match for young David who moved forward in obedience to God. David knew the Lord had made a promise to Israel to protect them, so he trusted God to keep His word.

Who are the Davids’ in your life? Help raise them to honor and obey the Lord.

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Seeds of Promise

Since the beginning of the year, I have been sharing on the importance of planting the seed of God’s word in our lives. Jesus, Himself, said our hearts are like soil – some hard, some stony, some has thorns, and some is good and rich.

Yesterday I told you about the way my love for God’s word began. I encouraged you to read just a few verses a day but make those verses relevant, life changing. The Apostle Peter made a bold statement to Jesus. He said, “You have the words of life”. Absolutely true!

Since God’s word is seed and our hearts are soil, I want to help you plant your spiritual garden. We’ll start with seeds of joy, peace, protection, healing, forgiveness, strength and wisdom. Seeds that will grow and bring a harvest for the rest of your days.

Just pretend we are opening those packets of seeds you see in the store each Spring and planting them in your garden.

Peace: “God, you give true peace to people who depend on you, to those who trust in you. 4 So trust the Lord always, because in the Lord Yah you have a place of safety forever.” Isaiah 26:3-4 ERV

Joy: “You have shown me the path to life, and you make me glad by being near to me. Sitting at your right side, I will always be joyful.” Psalm 16:11 CEV

Protection: “Live under the protection of God Most High and stay in the shadow of God All-Powerful. 2 Then you will say to the Lord, ‘You are my fortress, my place of safety; you are my God, and I trust you.’ 3 The Lord will keep you safe from secret traps and deadly diseases. 4 He will spread his wings over you and keep you secure. His faithfulness is like a shield or a city wall.” Psalm 91:1-4 CEV

Healing and Forgiveness: “My soul, praise the Lord! Every part of me, praise his holy name! 2 My soul, praise the Lord and never forget how kind he is! 3 He forgives all our sins and heals all our sicknesses. 4 He saves us from the grave, and he gives us love and compassion. 5 He gives us plenty of good things. He makes us young again, like an eagle that grows new feathers.” Psalm 103:1-5 ERV

Strength: “Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do.” Philippians 4:13 ERV

Wisdom: “If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking. 6 But when you ask for something, you must have faith and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm. ” James 1:5-6 CEV

Help: “Praise the Lord! Every day he helps us with the loads we must carry. He is the God who saves us. Selah 20 He is our God, the God who saves us. My Lord God saves us from death.” Psalm 68:19-20 ERV

These few verses are the seeds of life. Tend them well, they will produce an amazing harvest.

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Make A Difference

Yesterday afternoon Dave and I went to the movies. The second time in a month and it’s not something we do very often but I’m so glad we did.

Earlier in the month we saw a movie with Kim and Austin which was fun, spending time with our kids always is. It was then we saw the preview for “Jesus Revolution”. That’s what we saw yesterday.

It really hit home with me. In the fall of 1971, I attended Biola College. Coming from Yuma I had never heard of Calvary Chapel or Pastor Chuck Smith and I had only heard of the “Jesus People” on the news. Friends invited me to go with them to some of Pastor Chuck’s Sunday evening services and a couple of times to the baptisms at the beach.

What an experience!

Hippies and regular church people praising and worshipping the Lord together. No judgement or criticism, just heartfelt worship. It was a small glimpse of heaven.

“Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37-39 NLT

Why am I sharing this with you? One, I think you would really enjoy the movie – it will stir your heart and two, it challenged me.

“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.” Romans 1:16 NLT

At the start of the movie there were older people attending Pastor Chuck’s church who were offended by the hippies who began coming. Sad to say, we have that with every generation. In Jesus’ day, the Pharisees and religious leaders were offended by Jesus and His group of rough fishermen, tax collectors and women of dubious reputation.

“When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. ‘Zacchaeus!’ he said. ‘Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.’ 6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. 7 But the people were displeased. ‘He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,’ they grumbled.” Luke 19:5-7 NLT

I think we can all agree that our world needs more of the love of Jesus. The only way this will happen is for His love to flow through you and I. We are called to a purpose.

“Jesus called out to them, ‘Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!’ 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him.” Matthew 4:19-20 NLT

I pray that we will all start a Jesus Revolution, first in our hearts and then reach out to those around us.

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Living on Purpose

Did you wake up this morning and establish a purpose for your day or will you just “wing it”? Taking each day and giving it purpose is a rewarding way to live, even on those days when you seem to have no agenda at all.

This morning I would like to give you a few verses that came to mind as I was praying and hope that one of two of them will strike a chord with you. God’s word has a way of bringing direction even to the most common of days.

“This is what I command you: Love each other as I have loved you. ” John 15:12 ERV

“Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do.” Philippians 4:13 ERV

“It is good for people to be kind and generous and to be fair in business.” Psalm 112:5 ERV

“ I pray that God will take care of all your needs with the wonderful blessings that come from Christ Jesus!” Philippians 4:19 CEV

“Obeying your instructions brings as much happiness as being rich.” Psalm 119:14 CEV

“If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking.” James 1:5 CEV

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 CEV

Now, I ask you to please take the time to read those verses over again. Let one or two stick with you throughout the day.

I hope you find yourself drawing from God’s word today – I promise, it will give your day purpose!

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New Thinking

Do you remember a couple of weeks ago when I shared the story of Mary and Martha with you? Jesus told Martha that Mary had chosen the “one thing” that was most important, listening to His teaching.

Each word that Jesus spoke, each word that was recorded, each word that is written in the Bible is for our instruction and benefit.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” II Timothy 3:16 NLT

Jesus was teaching a large group of disciples and He told them that He was the bread of life. They thought Jesus was teaching cannibalism and instead of asking Him to explain further they got offended and walked away. Jesus asked His apostles if they were going to leave as well.

“ The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life…66 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. 67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” 68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:63-69 NLT

It would be easy to criticize those that walked away if it weren’t for one thing. I too have been offended at times by things I read in God’s word. Things like “judge not” or “how many times do I forgive, 70 x 7”. In my selfishness and hurt I have gone to the Scriptures to find justification for my actions and instead find correction – don’t gossip, forgive…again, be patient, love your enemies, be generous, don’t harbor grudges.

Sometimes we have to let God’s word simmer for a while. You know what I mean?

When I read a verse or a group of verses I don’t quite understand or that are pointing out an area of correction that I’m not quite willing to deal with, I let them sit in my heart and mind. I ask the Lord to give me understanding and insight and a desire to change. I want to be willing to let His word work the change in my heart that He desires.

“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had…13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Philippians 2:3-5,13 NLT

Focus on one thing today – thinking like Jesus! I can guarantee life will be fuller and more rewarding than ever before; it won’t be easy but it will be worth it!

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Spring Is Almost Here!

Last fall I purchased three mums at the home store. They bloomed nicely until we got our first cold snap and their growth was thwarted. Yesterday I noticed that the tops were spindly and dry. They need to be pruned, that will be one of today’s little chores.

That old dry growth needs to be trimmed away so the new leaves will thrive and the buds and blooms will return.

Much of the country is still experiencing cold and formidable weather. Crops are dormant, no evidence of growth. But don’t be fooled, the plants aren’t dead – they are resting. Some stock like grape vines and berry bushes are just waiting for the earth to warm and the sap begin to flow and new growth to appear. The tulip, crocus, daffodils and hyacinth are doing the same – waiting for the cold, frozen ground to give way to sunshine and they will blossom and color the landscape.

The vineyard stock has been cut back, pruned well so that the new fruit will be plentiful and rich.

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:1-5 NLT

Does it seem you have been through winter? Things have gone dormant and life hasn’t been as productive and full of growth as you had hoped? Take heart – spring is on the way.

We go through these seasons of pruning so that those things that are detrimental can be pruned and we can grow stronger. There are emotions that are unhealthy and ambitions that can sap our strength. The time of pruning isn’t meant for our destruction, quite the opposite. It is meant for our growth.

“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7 NLT

When we are rooted in Christ we have the strength to weather the storms of winter and produce a new crop of peace, joy, kindness, gentleness, mercy, love and grace. The world needs the fruit that God has placed within us. They need to experience the harvest of His character that we embody.

“Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. ” John 15:5b NLT

Get ready – it’s almost Spring and time for your fruit to grow!

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Bumper Crop

I hope you will bear with me as we continue with the teaching on good soil. You see that’s something that Dave and I know a lot about.

In the early 1980’s we farmed 900+ acres of alfalfa on the Gila River west of Phoenix. The ranch had perfect conditions for growing a bumper crop. Rich river loam soil, plenty of water and the warm AZ sunshine. That plus hard work, long hours all covered with prayer produced a crop that was hard to believe.

That’s when I learned first-hand the practicality of the principle Jesus was teaching His disciples on planting God’s word in good soil.

God’s word is called an incorruptible seed, our hearts are the soil and Jesus provides the “Son-shine” and rivers of living water to make the seed grow.

“And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.” Luke 8:15 NLT

“You have been given a new birth. It was from a seed that cannot die. This new life is from the Word of God which lives forever.” I Peter 1:23 NLV

“The Holy Writings say that rivers of living water will flow from the heart of the one who puts his trust in Me.” John 7:38 NLV

Jesus worked continually to bring seed to the hearts of the people who followed Him. He would teach for hours and days to see that the seed of the Good News of the Gospel was planted in soil (hearts) that had been prepared to receive.

He encountered hard, stony and even thorny ground among his closest disciples but the longer he tended the soil of their hearts the more productive it became. The harvest in the life of the disciples was so productive that the seed sown is being used to produce a crop of faith in our lives.

Let’s look at what happened after Jesus preached this message. Luke 8:22-25 the thorny hearts of the disciples thought they were going to drown at sea. Luke 8:26-38 the good soil of the demoniac received his deliverance, but the hard heart of the pig farmers told Jesus to leave their area.

Luke 8:40-56 the seed of hope and healing was sown into the hearts of a woman who had a bleeding condition for 12 years and also in a father whose daughter was so sick she died. Both hearts reaped a harvest of healing and restoration.

Luke 9:1-6 the disciples’ hearts received the seed of God’s power and they went to the neighboring towns and cities preaching and healing.

Luke 9:10-17 Jesus was sowing seed in the lives of 5000 men and their families. Their hearts were prepared however, the hearts of the disciples were thorny and they let the size of the crowd steal the word, the seed, that Jesus gave them. But there was one boy whose heart was open and he shared his lunch with Jesus. Jesus prayed, the disciples served and a miraculous harvest took place.

Jesus was, and still is, the sower who sows the seeds of faith into the fields of our hearts. As we prepared our hearts, His seed will produce a bumper crop!

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