Category: Relationship

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You Are My Friends

I woke up this morning, once again, knowing that Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth, my Father, the I AM, wants to be my friend.

For the last week we have been looking at people in the Bible who talked with God.

There were many more people who heard God speak to them in the Old Testament times but I just wanted to give you an overview of some of the circumstances.

When we come to the New Testament we are immediately greeted with God sending an angel to speak with both Mary and Joseph.

“Then the angel told Mary, “Don’t be afraid! God is pleased with you, 31 and you will have a son. His name will be Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of God Most High. The Lord God will make him king, as his ancestor David was. 33 He will rule the people of Israel forever, and his kingdom will never end.” Luke 1:30-33 CEV

“While Joseph was thinking about this, an angel from the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, the baby that Mary will have is from the Holy Spirit. Go ahead and marry her. 21 Then after her baby is born, name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21-22 CEV

Later God told John the Baptist that Jesus would soon begin to minister in public. He was the Messiah that the Jews had been waiting for, for so long.

Jesus spent a great deal of time in prayer, talking to and hearing from his heavenly Father.  When the religious rulers of the day would ask Jesus where he got His teachings and His authority He would answer them like this.

“Jesus went on to say, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, you will know who I am. You will also know that I don’t do anything on my own. I say only what my Father taught me. 29 The one who sent me is with me. I always do what pleases him, and he will never leave me.” John 8:28-29 CEV

Jesus came to show the world the love His Father had for them. He wanted them to know that God was desiring a relationship with them.

“ My Father has given me everything, and he is the only one who knows the Son. The only one who truly knows the Father is the Son. But the Son wants to tell others about the Father, so that they can know him too.

28 If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28-29 CEV

Jesus taught  multitudes and He also ministered to hurting people one on one.  He broke the conventional laws of religion. Jewish people were forbidden to do any kind of work on the Sabbath so when Jesus healed the crippled man on that day the Temple rulers were furious.

“ They started making a lot of trouble for Jesus because he did things like this on the Sabbath.

17 But Jesus said, “My Father has never stopped working, and that is why I keep on working.” 18 Now the leaders wanted to kill Jesus for two reasons. First, he had broken the law of the Sabbath. But even worse, he had said that God was his Father, which made him equal with God.

19 Jesus told the people: I tell you for certain that the Son cannot do anything on his own. He can do only what he sees the Father doing, and he does exactly what he sees the Father do. 20 The Father loves the Son and has shown him everything he does. The Father will show him even greater things, and you will be amazed. ” John 5:16-20 CEV

Jesus was walking, living proof that God the Father desired to have relationship with these men. In fact, Jesus commanded his disciples to go out and do the same kind of miracles that they had seen him do.

“Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions:

Stay away from the Gentiles and don’t go to any Samaritan town. 6 Go only to the people of Israel, because they are like a flock of lost sheep. 7 As you go, announce that the kingdom of heaven will soon be here. 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead to life, heal people who have leprosy, and force out demons.” Matthew 10:5-8 CEV

Remember how God called Abraham His friend. Jesus called these men His friends. He was seeing the same desire in them that the Father had seen in Abraham. They weren’t perfect, far from it but they had a desire to know and obey God.

“ Now I tell you to love each other, as I have loved you. 13 The greatest way to show love for friends is to die for them. 14 And you are my friends, if you obey me. 15 Servants don’t know what their master is doing, and so I don’t speak to you as my servants. I speak to you as my friends, and I have told you everything that my Father has told me.

16 You did not choose me. I chose you and sent you out to produce fruit, the kind of fruit that will last. Then my Father will give you whatever you ask for in my name. 17 So I command you to love each other.” John 15:12-17 CEV

I could go on with one example after another on the teaching that Jesus gave his disciples. In fact, that’s really what the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are. They are the eye witness accounts of God’s will being done on earth through Jesus and the disciples.

But God didn’t want it to die there. He wanted to continue to reach out to all mankind. He wanted everyone to know His voice and to follow Him. That’s why one of Jesus’ final instructions was this:

“ Jesus came to them and said: I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth! 19  Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 20 and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.” Matthew 28:18-20 CEV

Because of the authority Jesus received from the Father and gave to His followers, we can become His disciples as well. We can hear His voice and follow.

“Jesus said to him, “You (Thomas) believe because you see me. Great blessings belong to the people who believe without seeing me!”

30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs that his followers saw, which are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you can believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. Then, by believing, you can have life through his name.” John 20:29-31 ERV

We are the ones who believe on Jesus without seeing Him. We are blessed and have life, eternal life, because of Jesus.

Amen and Amen!

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The Friend of God

In order to build a strong friendship men have to talk to one another; share ideas, understand one another and love each other.

Based on these qualifications it’s interesting to see that God called Abraham his friend.

“ Now you see how Abraham’s faith and deeds worked together. He proved that his faith was real by what he did. 23 This is what the Scriptures mean by saying, “Abraham had faith in God, and God was pleased with him.” That’s how Abraham became God’s friend.” James 2:22-23 NLV

Abraham and God developed a bond of trust. It would have been logical to say that Abraham called God his friend. The weaker one making friendship with someone greater but that’s not what Scripture says. It says that Abraham became God’s friend. God picked Abraham and started the relationship.

“Now the Lord said to Abram, “Leave your country, your family and your father’s house, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make you a great nation. I will bring good to you. I will make your name great, so you will be honored. 3 I will bring good to those who are good to you. And I will curse those who curse you. Good will come to all the families of the earth because of you.” Genesis 12:1-3 NLV

Abram was 75 years old when God promised to bless him with land and children. Abram had neither. Just one chapter later we read that God has made Abram very rich.

“So Abram left Egypt and went to the Negev, with his wife and all that belonged to him. And Lot went with him. 2 Now Abram was very rich in cattle, silver and gold. ” Genesis 13:1-2 NLV

God always came to seek out Abram. No where in the relationship do we find Abram begging God to bless him. No, instead he was just obedient when God asked him to do something.

Abram was not a perfect man. No, much to the contrary. On two different occasions he lied to foreign kings about his wife. He said she was his sister. He was afraid that he would be killed because her beauty was so great that these kings wanted her as part of their harems.

God promised to give Abram and Sarai a son, an heir, but as time passed and Sarai didn’t become pregnant they came up with a way to help God out. (We would never do something like that, would we?) Sarai gave her maid to Abram so that they could have sex and get an heir that way.  Big NO NO!

Have you heard the term blood brothers? It was very prominent with the Native Americans and also with the tribes in Africa. A weaker person or nation would make a pact with a stronger one. Then each one would commit all that had to the other.

God came to Abraham and made a blood covenant with him.

“When Abram was 99 years old, the Lord appeared to him. He said, “I am God All-Powerful. Obey me and live the right way. 2 If you do this, I will prepare an agreement between us. I will promise to make your people a great nation.”

3 Then Abram bowed down before God. God said to him, 4 “This is my part of our agreement: I will make you the father of many nations. 5 I will change your name from Abram to Abraham, because I am making you the father of many nations. 6 I will give you many descendants. New nations and kings will come from you. 7 And I will prepare an agreement between me and you. This agreement will also be for all your descendants. It will continue forever. I will be your God and the God of all your descendants. 8 And I will give this land to you and to all your descendants. I will give you the land you are traveling through—the land of Canaan. I will give you this land forever, and I will be your God.”

9 Then God said to Abraham, “Now, this is your part of the agreement: You and all your descendants will obey my agreement. 10 This is my agreement that all of you must obey. This is the agreement between me and you and all your descendants. Every male must be circumcised. 11 You will cut the skin to show that you follow the agreement between me and you. 12 When the baby boy is eight days old, you will circumcise him. Every boy born among your people and every boy who is a slave of your people must be circumcised.” Genesis 17:1-12 ERV

So Abraham and all that were with him entered into covenant that day with the Lord. All that God had He was giving to Abraham. He only asked that Abraham live to obey Him. What a wonderful relationship.

The covenant that the Lord made with Abraham also applies to us also. How you ask? We’re not Jewish.

“The Scriptures say that God accepted Abraham because Abraham had faith. 7 And so, you should understand that everyone who has faith is a child of Abraham. 8 Long ago the Scriptures said that God would accept the Gentiles because of their faith. That’s why God told Abraham the good news that all nations would be blessed because of him. 9 This means that everyone who has faith will share in the blessings that were given to Abraham because of his faith… 14 And because of what Jesus Christ has done, the blessing that was promised to Abraham was taken to the Gentiles. This happened so that by faith we would be given the promised Holy Spirit.” Galatians 3:6-14 CEV

When we place our faith in Jesus we inherit the same blessings that God promised His Friend, Abraham!

God All Powerful has invited us into a relationship with Him.

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Walking with God

We saw yesterday that God came to walk with Adam in the garden.

Even though Adam and Eve sinned and had to leave the garden, God didn’t sever relationship with them.

Today we will meet Adam’s great (5X) grandson. His name is Enoch.

“ When Enoch had lived sixty-five years, he became the father of Methuselah. 22 Enoch walked with God 300 years after the birth of Methuselah. He had other sons and daughters. 23 So Enoch lived 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God, and he was seen no more, for God took him.” Genesis 5:21-24 NLV

How’s that for an afternoon walk? Enoch walked with God and God was pleased with Him. God was so pleased with Him that during their walk one day he just kept walking straight into heaven with God.

“Because Enoch had faith, he was taken up from the earth without dying. He could not be found because God had taken him. The Holy Writings tell how he pleased God before he was taken up. 6 A man cannot please God unless he has faith. Anyone who comes to God must believe that He is. That one must also know that God gives what is promised to the one who keeps on looking for Him.” Hebrews 11:5-6 NLV

I can just imagine the conversation. Enoch and God out for a walk and Enoch seeing an elephant or a giraffe for the first time. Enoch says to God “that is the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen”. God says to Enoch “you think that’s great, come on over to my place and I’ll show you some real spectacular sites”. And Enoch said “I’m outta here”!

Like I said – that’s how I imagine it happened. Scripture doesn’t give us details. It just says that he was taken. Amazing!

Now you may not have been very familiar with Enoch but everyone knows the name of Enoch’s great grandson. It’s Noah!

“When Lamech was one hundred eighty-two, he had a son. 29 Lamech said, “I’ll name him Noah because he will give us comfort, as we struggle hard to make a living on this land that the Lord has put under a curse.” Genesis 5:28-29 CEV

Noah’s father not only gave him a name but he gave him a destiny.

“The Lord saw how bad the people on earth were and that everything they thought and planned was evil. 6 He was very sorry that he had made them, 7 and he said, “I’ll destroy every living creature on earth! I’ll wipe out people, animals, birds, and reptiles. I’m sorry I ever made them.”

8 But the Lord was pleased with Noah, 9 and this is the story about him. Noah was the only person who lived right and obeyed God. 10 He had three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.” Genesis 6:5-10

Such a startling statement – Noah was the only person who lived right and obeyed God! By now the earth was quite populated and Noah was the only one who was obeying God.

The Bible tells us God was going to destroy man but Noah, a just or righteous man, found favor in God’s sight. God spoke to Noah told him the plan of salvation; an ark for Noah, his family and the animals. The Bible doesn’t say that Noah was calling on God, no, God was looking at mankind and Noah found favor with Him.

“Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. 12 God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. 13 So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. 14 So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out. 15 This is how you are to build it:” Genesis 6:10-15 NIV

God then went on to give Noah the dimensions for the ark. God also told him to bring in the animals and how many of each kind.  I don’t know Noah’s occupation before this but he was now a full time contractor.

“ I’m going to send a flood that will destroy everything that breathes! Nothing will be left alive. 18 But I solemnly promise that you, your wife, your sons, and your daughters-in-law will be kept safe in the boat” Vs 17-18

Noah received God’s word and went to work fulfilling what he had been told. He didn’t laugh at God or express the impossibility of the task. As Noah was building he was also preaching to his neighbors. Telling them to repent so they could be saved from the flood. No one listened. Can you imagine how discouraging that might have been? But Noah never faltered at his task.

“Noah was six hundred years old when he went into the boat to escape the flood, and he did everything the Lord had told him to do. His wife, his sons, and his daughters-in-law all went inside with him. 8-9 He obeyed God and took a male and a female of each kind of animal and bird into the boat with him. 10 Seven days later a flood began to cover the earth.” Genesis 7:7-10 CEV

Noah and his family were saved because he had a heart to obey God. They talked together as a man talks with his friend.

“ Because Noah had faith, he was warned about something that had not yet happened. He obeyed and built a boat that saved him and his family. In this way the people of the world were judged, and Noah was given the blessings that come to everyone who pleases God.” Hebrews 11:7 CEV

What a wonderful reputation these two men had. No one filed a missing person report on Enoch, everyone knew he walked with God. Noah and his family were saved from a catastrophic flood because he had an obedient heart.

Thank you Lord for the example of these men! My desire is for an obedient heart each day.

 

 

 

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Shameless

Some years back Billy Joel wrote a great song that Garth Brooks recorded, Shameless.

When I read the lyrics I make it the prayer of my heart, an expression of love to the Father and believe it or not, I can hear the Father singing those lyrics back to me. His love for me is Shameless.

“ Well I’m shameless When it comes to loving you, I’ll do anything you want me to, I’ll do anything at all…You see in all my life I’ve never found What I couldn’t resist, what I couldn’t turn down. I could walk away from anyone I ever knew, But I can’t walk away from you.    And I’m shameless…”

God is always there; when we succeed and when we fail. He doesn’t abandon or desert us in the rough times! He is always there to hold us close, pick us up when we fall and lift our burdens.  His love for us is Shameless.

When we’re embarrassed or have lost our way the Lord is the “lifter of my head”. Someone who is embarrassed finds themselves looking down, not making eye contact but God takes His loving hand, cups it under our chin and lifts our head.

“3 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.” Psalm 3:3

With head lifted  up, the first thing we do is look into the loving eyes of our Father. He, more than likely, has a smile on His face;  accepting, inviting, understanding and forgiving. He is there to be a shield for us.

“I come to you, Lord, for protection. Don’t let me be ashamed. Do as you have promised and rescue me. 2 Listen to my prayer and hurry to save me. Be my mighty rock  and the fortress where I am safe. 3 You, Lord God, are my mighty rock and my fortress. Lead me and guide me, so that your name will be honored.” Psalm 31:1-3

When we put our hope and trust in the Lord, depending upon Him for His direction and His protection we will have no need to be ashamed. We are secure in His love and it really won’t matter what anyone else says about us or thinks about us. We are the apple of His eye.

“I went to the Lord for help, and he listened. He saved me from all that I fear. 5 If you look to him for help, he will put a smile on your face. You will have no need to be ashamed. 6 As a poor, helpless man I prayed to the Lord, and he heard me. He saved me from all my troubles.” Psalm 34:4-6 ERV

Take a look at the times that Jesus showed “shameless” love to folks in the Bible. The first one that comes to mind is the woman who was caught committing adultery. She was dragged by her accusers through the streets to Jesus. She was shamed publicly.

“The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law of Moses brought in a woman who had been caught in bed with a man who wasn’t her husband. They made her stand in the middle of the crowd. 4 Then they said, “Teacher, this woman was caught sleeping with a man who isn’t her husband. 5 The Law of Moses teaches that a woman like this should be stoned to death! What do you say?…

Jesus stood up and asked her, “Where is everyone? Isn’t there anyone left to accuse you?” 11 “No sir,” the woman answered. Then Jesus told her, “I am not going to accuse you either. You may go now, but don’t sin anymore.” John 8:3-5, 10-11 CEV

Then there was the time when an  leper encountered Jesus and asked to be healed. This man’s life was void of human touch because the laws of the day prohibited him from having contact with anyone. He was unclean. It was shameful!

“As Jesus came down the mountain, he was followed by large crowds. 2 Suddenly a man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus. He said, “Lord, you have the power to make me well, if only you wanted to.” 3 Jesus put his hand on the man and said, “I want to! Now you are well.” At once the man’s leprosy disappeared.” Matthew 8:1-3 CEV

Jesus was not ashamed to associate with this man, to touch him, to heal him. Jesus was shameless!

Just one more example – there are so many. But this is the story of a man who was a crooked “IRS” agent, a tax collector. He wanted to see Jesus but he was too short to see over the crowd so he climbed a tree to get a better look. He was hated by society. His action of climbing the tree opened him to even greater ridicule. It was shameful.

“Jesus was going through Jericho, 2 where a man named Zacchaeus lived. He was in charge of collecting taxes and was very rich. 3-4 Jesus was heading his way, and Zacchaeus wanted to see what he was like. But Zacchaeus was a short man and could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree. When Jesus got there, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down! I want to stay with you today.” 6 Zacchaeus hurried down and gladly welcomed Jesus.

7 Everyone who saw this started grumbling, “This man Zacchaeus is a sinner! And Jesus is going home to eat with him.”

8 Later that day Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “I will give half of my property to the poor. And I will now pay back four times as much to everyone I have ever cheated.” 9 Jesus said to Zacchaeus, “Today you and your family have been saved, because you are a true son of Abraham. 10 The Son of Man came to look for and to save people who are lost.” Luke 19:1-10 CEV

The shameful actions of a tax collector were changed that day because of the SHAMELESS love of God’s Son!

Let’s take a close look at our lives. What things have we done that are shameful? What is it that has us looking down? Jesus came to lift our head – to provide forgiveness and restoration.

I’m going to close with one more verse.

“Everything belongs to God, and all things were created by his power. So God did the right thing when he made Jesus perfect by suffering, as Jesus led many of God’s children to be saved and to share in his glory. 11 Jesus and the people he makes holy all belong to the same family. That is why he isn’t ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.” Hebrews 2:10-11 CEV

God’s love for us is absolutely SHAMELESS!

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Good Enough?

What if I’m not good enough? Do you ever have thoughts like this?

Do you have that “one special someone” in your life? The one who knows your deepest secrets, your biggest fears, your worst failures and loves you still? That one who has been behind you for every success, cheering you on, encouraging you, applauding you, being there at the trophy ceremony to celebrate your victories?

That someone who will never leave and who will always support through thick or thin, good times or bad, that One is none other than our loving heavenly Father.

He loved us before we were born. He loved us when no one else knew our name. He loved us when we failed and disappointed Him and He loved us when we reached the pinnacle of success!

He can do no other. He IS love! He had His Son die for us. That’s who He is and what He does. It’s absolutely amazing to be in relationship with Him!!!!

“But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much he loves us.” Romans 5:8 CEV

“So what should we say about this? If God is for us, no one can stand against us. And God is with us.” Romans 8:31 CEV

God isn’t waiting for us to fail so He can humiliate us or punish us for what we do wrong. He’s always with us – loving us, encouraging us to try, helping us to grow.

If you’ve ever battled with being “good enough” like I have and then come to a realization that there’s nothing that I can do to make God love me less and there is nothing I can do to make God love me more than you know what a wonderful joy (doesn’t even describe) it is to wake up each morning and say, “Father I love you. Jesus, I love you. Holy Spirit, I love you. And then to hear them say back, “We love you too!”

“Who can say that God’s people are guilty? No one! Christ Jesus died for us, but that is not all. He was also raised from death. And now he is at God’s right side, speaking to him for us. 35 Can anything separate us from Christ’s love? Can trouble or problems or persecution separate us from his love? If we have no food or clothes or face danger or even death, will that separate us from his love? 36 As the Scriptures say,

“For you we are in danger of death all the time.
People think we are worth no more than sheep to be killed.”

37 But in all these troubles we have complete victory through God, who has shown his love for us. 38-39 Yes, I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not death, life, angels, or ruling spirits. I am sure that nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us or nothing below us—nothing in the whole created world—will ever be able to separate us from the love God has shown us in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:34-39 CEV

Nothing can separate us from His love. Good enough? We are for Him!

Now that’s a good way to start the day!!!

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Hand in Hand

What’s on your schedule today?

It’s important that we keep our priorities focused. One way to do that is to see how someone you admire schedules their day.

Have you ever asked yourself what’s on the God’s to-do list for the day? I have, “what ya doin today Father? Can I tag along?”

The answer is always the same. “Sure Kris, I’d love to have you spend the day with me. I have some wonderful adventures planned and I’m glad that you want to go with Me.”

“God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us new people so that we would spend our lives doing the good things he had already planned for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 ERV

He planned out ahead of time the “good things” He’d like us to do and He sent Jesus to show us how exciting spending time with Him can be.

“In Christ we are made free by his blood sacrifice. We have forgiveness of sins because of God’s rich grace. 8 God gave us that grace fully and freely. With full wisdom and understanding 9 he let us know his secret plan. This was what God wanted, and he planned to do it through Christ. 10 God’s goal was to finish his plan when the right time came. He planned that all things in heaven and on earth be joined together with Christ as the head.

11 In Christ we were chosen to be God’s people. God had already planned for us to be his people, because that is what he wanted. And he is the one who makes everything agree with what he decides and wants.” Ephesians 1:7-11 ERV

From the beginning of time, my Father made a plan for me and He’s stuck with me to see His plan work in my life. I love that about Him! He desires that we walk hand in hand through life.

“I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future.” Jeremiah 29:11 ERV

He’s definitely a good Father with a good plan. I’ll spend time with Him today!

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Can You Hear Me Now?

Everyone in America and maybe around the world know what cell phone company used this slogan.

But before it was used by Verizon, millions of people in eons past have stood out in the open sky looking up toward heaven and they have all asked the same thing.

In the days when Ahab was king, the people of Israel were serving the false god Baal more than they were serving God. In fact Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, had many of the prophets of God killed.  Elijah was the best known of the prophets. He was tired of God being ignored so he challenged the prophets of Baal.

If Elijah had been a cowboy this challenge would have been as big as the gun fight at the OK Corral.

Anyway, Elijah told Ahab to bring 450 prophets of Baal to the top of Mount Carmel.

“ Elijah answered:  You’re the troublemaker—not me! You and your family have disobeyed the Lord’s commands by worshiping Baal.

19 Call together everyone from Israel and have them meet me on Mount Carmel. Be sure to bring along the four hundred fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel’s table.

20 Ahab got everyone together, then they went to meet Elijah on Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you try to have things both ways? If the Lord is God, worship him!  But if Baal is God, worship him!” The people did not say a word.” I Kings 18:18-21 NLV

Elijah’s challenge went like this. You call out to your god. Ask him to send fire from heaven to consume a sacrifice. If he answers we will know that he is the true God. But if he doesn’t I will call on my God and ask Him to send fire. If He does then you will know that He is the true God.

“Elijah said to Baal’s prophets, “There are more of you, so you go first. Pick out a bull and get it ready, but don’t light the fire. Then pray to your god.”

26 They chose their bull, then they got it ready and prayed to Baal all morning, asking him to start the fire. They danced around the altar and shouted, “Answer us, Baal!” But there was no answer.

27 At noon, Elijah began making fun of them. “Pray louder!” he said. “Baal must be a god. Maybe he’s day-dreaming or using the toilet or traveling somewhere. Or maybe he’s asleep, and you have to wake him up.”

28 The prophets kept shouting louder and louder, and they cut themselves with swords and knives until they were bleeding. This was the way they worshiped, 29 and they kept it up all afternoon. But there was no answer of any kind.” I Kings 18:25-29 NLV

I love it.

Elijah was taunting them and poking fun at their god and they fell for it. Then it was Elijah’s turn to call on his God, the Lord Almighty.

“He told the people, “Fill four large jars with water and pour it over the meat and the wood.” After they did this, 34 he told them to do it two more times. They did exactly as he said 35 until finally, the water ran down the altar and filled the ditch.   36 When it was time for the evening sacrifice, Elijah prayed:

Our Lord, you are the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. Now, prove that you are the God of this nation, and that I, your servant, have done this at your command. 37 Please answer me, so these people will know that you are the Lord God, and that you will turn their hearts back to you.

38 The Lord immediately sent fire, and it burned up the sacrifice, the wood, and the stones. It scorched the ground everywhere around the altar and dried up every drop of water in the ditch. 39 When the crowd saw what had happened, they all bowed down and shouted, “The Lord is God! The Lord is God!”                   I Kings 18:33-39 NLV

“Please show these people who You are. Let them know that you are the true God!” Elijah’s prayer “hear me now Lord” received an immediate response from heaven.

We don’t have to wonder if God is going to hear us. We have the promise of His word.

“I have called to You, O God, for You will answer me. Listen to me and hear my words.” Psalm 17:6 NLV

“Hear my cry, O God. Listen to my prayer. 2 I call to You from the end of the earth when my heart is weak. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For You have been a safe place for me, a tower of strength where I am safe from those who fight against me. ” Psalm 61:1-3 NLV

“I love the Lord, because He hears my voice and my prayers. 2 I will call on Him as long as I live, because He has turned His ear to me.” Psalm 116:1-2 NLV

“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. 12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will look for Me and find Me, when you look for Me with all your heart. ” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLV

“Call to Me, and I will answer you. And I will show you great and wonderful things which you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 ERV

What I hope you are seeing from all these verses is that God is there when we call. He is waiting for us to come – come when we need help and instruction but also to come and just visit.

As parents we desire to provide for our kids. When they ask for something they need we don’t ignore them or ridicule them, no we lovingly help. But we don’t just want them coming only to get stuff – we want to have time to talk with them, listen to their dreams and have them spend time with us.

If we listen we can hear the Lord calling out to us.

 “Come to Me, all of you who work and have heavy loads. I will give you rest. 29 Follow My teachings and learn from Me. I am gentle and do not have pride. You will have rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29 NLV

“So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:16 CEV

The Lord is always waiting for our call!  He CAN hear us now.

 

 

 

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Advice From My Professor

I had a professor in college that would say, “If I say it’s significant, if I repeat it once it’s important, if I say it a third time write it down, it will be on the test”.

He was true to his word. We learned quickly.

You will notice that these morning writings follow a theme. Generally they will deal with our relationship with God the Father, his character (love, kindness, protection) and I always try to bring a message of encouragement and hope which dispel worry and fear.

When it’s important I will be repeating it time and time again.

When we lived in Montana we lived about 15 miles from town. Kaci would call to tell us she was off work and headed home. She would ask if we needed anything before she left town. Her dad would always tell her “remember to slow down through the willows, you never know if a deer is going to jump out onto the road”. This wasn’t an occasional reminder, it was daily.

She asked me once if he thought she wasn’t being careful. I told her no, but  as her dad he felt it was his responsibility to keep her safe and so as long as she drove that road he would be reminding her to slow down and be alert. The reminder was the expression of a loving father.

You know God, our heavenly Father, does the same with us. In the Old Testament He gave his message through prophets. In the New Testament the message came through Jesus and the apostles. The messengers were different but the message was the same.

“I love you and I want relationship with you. Listen to and obey my words. Life will go better when you use My wisdom.” Now that’s the Kristi paraphrase but Scripture says it like this:

“Be faithful in obeying the Lord your God. Be careful to keep all His Laws which I tell you today. And the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 2 All these good things will come upon you if you will obey the Lord your God. 3 Good will come to you in the city, and good will come to you in the country. ” Deuteronomy 28:1-3 NLV

or

“Listen to and obey all the Laws I am telling you today. Love the Lord your God. Work for Him with all your heart and soul. If you do, 14 He will give the rain for your land at the right times, the early and late rain. So you may gather in your grain, your new wine and your oil.” Deuteronomy 11:13-14 NLV

Listening to the Lord and obeying always came with blessings.

“Only be strong and have much strength of heart. Be careful to obey all the Law which My servant Moses told you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left. Then all will go well with you everywhere you go. 8 This book of the Law must not leave your mouth. Think about it day and night, so you may be careful to do all that is written in it. Then all will go well with you. You will receive many good things. 9 Have I not told you? Be strong and have strength of heart! Do not be afraid or lose faith. For the Lord your God is with you anywhere you go.” Joshua 1:7-9 NLV

We’re his children and His Word is his loving reminder of what’s important.

Let me ask you, when your kids were little how many times did you tell them to brush their teeth before they went to bed? Or how many times did you instruct them to say please and thank you; yes sir and no sir? How often did you instruct them to wash their hands, eat with their mouth closed, look both ways before crossing the street? Over and over again we repeated parental instruction.

Jesus used words like “verily, verily” which meant I’m telling you a truth, listen up. He also repeated the concepts of God’s kingdom by telling parables. A parable was a practical story with a godly principle as its basis. Remember the one of the prodigal son?

The son wanted to go off on his own. He made mistakes. He squandered his money and when he hit rock bottom he went home. The Father was waiting, waiting with open arms. Waiting to embrace his son and make his life good again.

The Apostle Paul wrote most of the books in the New Testament. The books were letters to churches in different areas where he had preached. In each letter he was reminding the believers of the things he had taught them while he had been with them personally. One of the major themes of Paul’s writings was joy and peace.

“Be full of joy always because you belong to the Lord. Again I say, be full of joy! 5 Let all people see how gentle you are. The Lord is coming again soon. 6 Do not worry. Learn to pray about everything. Give thanks to God as you ask Him for what you need. 7 The peace of God is much greater than the human mind can understand. This peace will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7 NLV

How appropriate it is for us today. Be full of joy, pray, don’t worry, be guarded by peace. Yes, that’s worth repeating!  I can guarantee life will test us daily to see if we come up with an answer to be joyful, pray, don’t worry and have peace.

Let me close with these words of repetition from the book of Psalms. I will encourage you to read chapter 118. The repetition in these 29 verses is overwhelming. This whole chapter has one purpose and that is to remind us that God’s loving kindness lasts forever. When we are mindful of that fact, it makes it easier for us to be full of joy, free from worry and bathed in peace.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His loving-kindness lasts forever. 2 Let Israel say, “His loving-kindness lasts forever.” 3 Let the house of Aaron say, “His loving-kindness lasts forever.” 4 Let those who fear the Lord say, “His loving-kindness lasts forever.” Psalm 118:1-4 NLV

I hope you learn to love the repetition of Scripture. God is making a point!

His loving-kindness will last forever! Amen.

 

 

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Wisdom From the Farm Yard

I overheard this conversation a while back when I was visiting a farm yard.

The farm animals were trying to decide how they could honor Farmer Brown. They had seen how hard he worked each day. Rising early in the morning and still working long after the sun had set. He would make sure that all their needs were met. He brought them grain and fresh hay and provided them with shelter. He would be out to the fields to cut the alfalfa and harvest the grain.

What could they do for him?

The chicken said that they could help the farmer by making him a healthy, hearty breakfast. That’s what they would do to show their appreciation!

“We can bring him eggs, bacon and buttermilk. I know he would like that.”

The cow agreed. Sounded like a good plan to her. Starting Farmer Brown with a good breakfast would give him the strength he needed for the day.

Pig stood quiet for a while. He loved Farmer Brown and he wanted to show his appreciation as much as cow and chicken did but he was having mixed feelings over this breakfast plan. Finally, he spoke.

“I am all for doing something nice for Farmer Brown. He is a kind man. However, this breakfast plan causes me some distress. You see, the things that you are contributing for the breakfast only require your involvement but for me, it requires a complete commitment.”

I see our relationship with the Lord in a similar fashion. There are some who like to be involved. They want God there when they need him so they do things to be involved. Maybe they do good for the neighbors or help with the church’s rummage sale or food drive. They find all sorts of ways to “act” like they are committed but they are only involved.

Then there are those who love the Lord and aren’t afraid of commitment. They make it their life’s ambition to love and serve the Lord. It’s their goal to do the things that honor and please Him. Loving as He loves, giving up things that would bring dishonor, daily committing their actions to him. Yes, it’s a fulltime commitment.

Jesus told the story of a rich young ruler who came to him, wanting to be one of his disciples.

“A man came to Jesus and asked, “Good Teacher, what good work must I do to have life that lasts forever?” 17 Jesus said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One Who is good. If you want to have life that lasts forever, you must obey the Laws.” 18 The man said to Him, “What kind of laws?” Jesus said, “You must not kill another person. You must not be guilty of sex sins. You must not steal. You must not lie. 19 Show respect to your father and your mother. And love your neighbor as you love yourself.” 20 The young man said to Jesus, “I have obeyed all these Laws. What more should I do?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell everything you have and give the money to poor people. Then you will have riches in heaven. Come and follow Me.” 22 When the young man heard these words, he went away sad for he had many riches.” Matthew 19:15-22 NLV

This young man had been involved with the things of God. He knew the commandments and had kept them. So I’m sure he felt confident in talking with Jesus. But Jesus saw his heart. There was only thing that was blocking his commitment. There was something he wasn’t willing to give up to follow Jesus. You see, the one commandment that he was willing to keep was the first. The one that said “have no other gods before me”.

Jesus wasn’t against this man having wealth. In fact, many of the people that Jesus ministered too were wealthy people. What Jesus saw is that this man was held captive by his money. His riches had become his god.

For some their god is their reputation while to others it’s their homes, their possessions. Still others invest more time and effort into their education than they do in knowing the Lord and following after him. And for some worry over personal needs has become their god.

“Why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow. They don’t work hard to make their clothes. 29 But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealthwasn’t as well clothed as one of them. 30 God gives such beauty to everything that grows in the fields, even though it is here today and thrown into a fire tomorrow. He will surely do even more for you! Why do you have such little faith?

31 Don’t worry and ask yourselves, “Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?” 32 Only people who don’t know God are always worrying about such things. Your Father in heaven knows that you need all of these. 33 But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well.” Matthew 6:28-33 CEV

I frequently have to evaluate where I am with the Lord. Am I like the pig, who would give up his life for the farmer, fully committed to honoring the Lord? Or am I like the cow and the chicken, who didn’t mind helping because it required no self-sacrifice?

Lord, today I desire to be a pig in my walk with you. Please show me where I am “chicken” so that I follow you completely and without reservation.

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What Do You Desire Most?

What’s the one thing you desire most? Think about that one.

Some would say a forever home. To others it may be restored health. Still others would like to go on a long leisurely vacation, all expenses paid. Finding the perfect mate. The job at the top of the corporate ladder. I told you a few days back that I would like a Cinderella evening and I’d also like to catch a blue marlin. Wish list items.

But what do you desire the most? What is the one thing you really, really want?

I would have to say that my one thing, is to honor and serve the Lord. I’m not saying this to be pious or religious. It is my true heart’s desire. I have learned through the years that when I am serving the Lord all the other things, the wants and the wishes, pale in comparison.

However, many times my days are so wrapped up in my own pursuits that the Lord is put somewhere further down the line. Just bein honest folks – if we aren’t honest with ourselves we can’t and won’t serve the Lord the way we know we should.

“LORD, teach me your laws, and I will always follow them. 34 Help me understand your teachings, and I will follow them. Obeying them will be my greatest desire. 35 Help me follow your commands, because that makes me happy. 36 Give me the desire to follow your rules, not the desire to get rich. 37 Don’t let me look at worthless things. Help me live your way. 38 Do what you promised me, your servant, so that people will respect you. 39 Take away the shame I fear. Your laws are good. 40 See how much I want to obey your instructions! Be good to me, and let me live.” Psalm 119:33-40 ERV

King David had a “one thing” mentality. The Bible says that David was a man after God’s heart. He wanted to serve God will all his natural ability but that wasn’t enough, he wanted more. He knew he needed God’s help if he was truly going to follow God’s word.

David didn’t just sit by each day and have harps playing in the background, eating grapes and contemplating the greatest and vastness of God. His life was full – he had a kingdom to run, he had wives and children, there were enemies to defeat and battles to be won. Yet his priority was God’s word – he wasn’t seeking wealth or power – but those things came to him. He was “seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things were added to him.”

David was living the very life that Jesus taught about. He was living example hundreds of years before Jesus delivered the message.

I’ve heard people say, “I don’t really study the Old Testament, there isn’t much in there for me.” Well, that’s all that David had! In fact, he had the first five books of the Bible and then the book of Job; the rest of it was being written as he lived it and after his death. He took God’s command to Joshua seriously – meditate in the book of the Law day and night and then you shall be prosperous and have good success.

Jesus said “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” John 6:38

Have you ever sat and looked at a single day in the life of Jesus? Talk about a full schedule? From the time He got up until late at night he was busy. His daily life was filled with walking, sailing, healing, teaching, facing his critics and then raising the dead. When he took time to pray and be alone, people would seek him out and interrupt his prayer time. He had learned the Scriptures from his youth and was living them out each and every day.

I’m not saying that all we do is study God’s word all day long. What’s important is that we live what we read. Reading one verse and living it all day will have more of an impact on our lives and the lives of others than reading chapters and walking away and not having it change us.

“Don’t let me look at worthless things. Help me live your way.” vs 37

There was a time that David looked at worthless things and it got him into a lot of trouble. He was up on his roof top and looking down he saw Bathsheba – he committed adultery and murdered her husband all because he was looking at the wrong things. He knew firsthand how destructive it can be to take your eyes off the Lord. It begs the question “what worthless things am I looking at”?

Lord, my heart’s prayer is this – don’t let me look at worthless things but let me focus on You.

Like David, our goal should be to live in a way that people know we are depending on the Lord, trusting Him and making God’s way known to the people around him. He was God-minded and his “one desire” was to know God more.

Let me make David’s words my own – one thing have I desired. I desire you, Lord.

Don’t just read the Word today – live it!

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