Treasure

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Matthew 6:21

Everyone enjoys a story about treasure. It is always exciting to see someone find the treasure they have been looking for. Indiana Jones always managed to find the treasure against impossible odds. These stories drew millions to the movie screens. All of us have treasures in our lives. We all have a desire to find the ultimate treasure that will change our lives and finally bring the fulfillment of our dreams. It is true that everyone has a treasure. So the question becomes: What is your treasure?
    Suppose you have a treasure chest in your living room. It is big, it is old. Originally, it came with keys to unlock the many locks. There are compartments within it that hold untold wealth. There is an instruction manual that came with the treasure chest, but when you read it, it just didn't make sense. You gave up on trying to open it, and somewhere along the line, the keys were lost. Now the chest sits in the middle of your living room and has become another piece of your furniture. You walk around it, dust it occasionally, but otherwise ignore it. It doesn't hold the appeal it once did. It was just too difficult to open. Now it is another familiar thing in your life, but its riches are still locked within.
    Unfortunately, the story above describes the lives of many Christians. We have been given the treasure of the kingdom of God. This kingdom comes with keys and an instruction manual called the Bible. Some of us read the manual and attempted to use the keys, but when it seemed too difficult, we gave up. Others of us never even understood that there was a great treasure, so we never tried to attain it. The treasure of the kingdom has never left our lives, but it has little impact, because it is unopened, it's glorious blessings not realized. So we have turned to other treasures. These are ones offered by the world and capture our attention easily. the allure is great and rather than spend the time required to open the kingdom of God and its treasures, we instead devote ourselves and our attention to the others.
    So I ask: Where is your treasure? Are you still pursuing the kingdom of God? Are you still reading the instruction manual? Are you still carrying the keys and trying them in the locks? I assure you that the kingdom of God is still with you and within you. As you persevere and continue to pursue it, you will open the vast treasure within it that far outweighs anything the world has to offer. Make sure your heart is with God. Make sure that he is the object of your affections. It is easy to find out where your treasure is, just follow your heart.

True or False?

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world."
1 John 4:1-3

The world is a very mixed up place. Everyone is influenced in one way or another, by the many voices in the world. These voices come in various packages. We are influenced by the news media, the entertainment industry, politicians, big business, sports, and more. All of these vie for our attention. They will always attempt to change the way we think and act. Why, when there is a hurricane, does the news media use reporters who are standing on a beach, dressed in full rain gear, leaning with all their might against the forceful winds, while attempting to speak into the microphone to deliver to us his limited perspective of the storm? Because they know that this is dramatic. It will tug at our hearts. It will raise ratings because people want to see the full impact of the storm. There are many voices in the world. Not many of them honor God.
    The entertainment industry will often talk about God. It is not uncommon at all to watch a movie in which people openly talk about God and their belief in him. The filmmakers are simply displaying the reality that the vast majority of humans alive today, believe in God in one form or another. They may talk abut God, but it is quite a different story for them to speak about Jesus. John the apostle, wants us to know that it is important to discern between spirits. We are to judge the things that we are allowing to enter our minds. We do this, not by judging the people who are speaking, but by judging the spirits that are behind the voices. Anything or anyone who speaks the name of Jesus and proclaims that he, being God, came to earth and became flesh, is speaking from the Spirit of God. This brings honor and praise to God and that is the mission of the Holy Spirit. But when Christ is conveniently left out of the story, other spirits may be at work.
    The Apostle John uses strong words when he speaks of these other spirits. He boldly says that if a spirit will not acknowledge that Christ is from God, it is the spirit of the antichrist. This is serious. As Christians today, we must be able to discern the spiritual influences that are being brought into our homes. We are living in the last days and we are closer to the advent of the antichrist than we have ever been. Even now, the spirit of that antichrist is in the world. We must discern it and weed it out of our lives.
    The influences of this antichrist spirit are subtle. If we are not paying attention, if we are not alert, we will settle into a compromise. Phrases like: "It's not that bad," or "It's just part of the story," creep into our vocabularies. Then the seed of compromise has then been planted in our lives. I am simply saying this: Be alert. Pay attention to the Holy Spirit as he warns you. Engage the Godly discernment that all of us have. Flee from what is evil and run to that which is good. This can mean only one thing; We must run to God. He is truth, and he will show us what is false.

A Greater Purpose

"For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have."
Philippians 1:29&30

In the first chapter of Paul's letter to the Philippians, he spoke to them about the fact that he was imprisoned. He was in chains, bound to a Roman guard. It doesn't seem like a fitting end to the life of a man who had spread the gospel so powerfully. It would have been better, it seems, for him to have been free so that he could have gone on proclaiming the gospel, raising up new churches, and discipling great men of God. But there is one key truth to all of this: God's plan was different. Paul would not be free, he would be bound.
    It seems harsh to say that God would cause such a seemingly great injustice. But it appears that Paul understood that he was to go to Rome to be tried before Caesar. Paul made no excuses, neither did he complain about his circumstance. He simply continued to change the world. This time, he did it, not through traveling and preaching, but by writing. Think of it this way: If Paul had not been imprisoned and bound, we may never have received the precious letters that he wrote. These epistles have become some of the most profound teachings in the life of the church. God had a greater purpose for Paul. Yes, he was able to change his world for Christ. But as a result of his chains, his words have gone on to impact countless numbers of people. He could have never imagined the magnificent plan that God had for him. It was accomplished through his sufferings.
    I say these things today, because we sometimes fail to see the greater picture. I don't want to see anyone suffer. I don't want to see Christian people suffer. But the cause of Christ is of paramount importance. Everything else does not compare to this great mission. I believe God uses suffering to further his kingdom. Jesus had to suffer for us, and we are called to share in his suffering. This is not a defeated attitude, it is a victorious one. When we see the kingdom of God as the single most important thing in our lives, the negative circumstances that cause suffering are not nearly as devastating. I believe in living in victory in Christ. I believe in walking in freedom and joy with an overcoming attitude. But even in this, there is a reality that sometimes must be faced. We may suffer.
    If you are going through circumstances that seem overwhelming, if you find yourself asking God why he would put you through such things, understand that he has a much higher purpose for your life than you have ever thought possible. The great thing is this; the suffering will pass. The seasons of life change. God will use whatever you are going through to bring glory to himself. Again, we must realize that we are called to reflect the glory of the Lord to the world in spite of the circumstances of our lives. Victory is ahead. The greater purpose of God's calling is being worked out in all of our lives. Don't believe the lies of the enemy that tell you you are failing. You are not failing, you are on the path of victory. God will use your life to change many others. This is the greater purpose.

The Same Power

"The same power that conquered the grave, lives in me, lives in me. Your love that rescued the earth, lives in me, lives in me."
You are Here (The Same Power)
By Hillsong

These lyrics are taken from the first chapter of Ephesians. The apostle Paul told us that we have the same power that God exerted when he raised Christ from the dead. This is an incredible truth. Is God really willing to share with us this incredible power? If he is, how will it change our lives?
    I believe God's Word. When it says that God has given us this power, I believe it. Imagine the possibilities if we would take this power and actually use it. It has been far too long that Christians have considered themselves weak and poor. Too often, we equate our physical lives with our spiritual ones. Even though we go through difficulties on this earth, we still have been seated in heavenly realms with Christ, and have been given a power that is far beyond what we can even understand. Therefore, we must stop judging our spiritual positions by what we see happening with our physical eyes. Listen. If we do not grasp the spiritual authority we have, we will never gain victory in the physical. We must understand that God has blessed us in the heavenly realms. He has gifted us in the spirit. It is not yet physical. But when we understand who we are and what we have, it will begin to spill over into our physical lives. It will change our health, our finances, our relationships, and our daily experiences.
    I know, there is the old saying, "You are too heavenly minded to be any earthly good." But I do not believe this is possible. Everything God does begins in the heavens. It takes place in the spirit. If we are not living there, we will miss the truth. Of course, we must bring what we find there back to those around us. Everything God births in the spirit is intended to touch and effect people. I believe the reason many Christians live in defeat is because they do not live their lives first in the spirit. Jesus told us to: "Seek first, his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33). "These things" are the physical things we need and desire. They are not first on the priority list with God. The first thing in our lives is to be in the kingdom of God. When we seek him and his kingdom first, the physical will follow.  I have said it before; God is not a vending machine that we can put in our dime sized prayer and get what we want. He wants us to seek him and his kingdom.
    Think about this truth. When you understand it, you will begin to live differently. The things of the kingdom will become much more important and the things of the physical world will become much less important. This is God's plan for us. There is incredible power in living this way. It is not a power that comes from the wisdom of men or anything we may accomplish on the earth. It is only found in the heavens. This is where we sit, this where God has presented us with his strength. In order to tap into it, we have to live there. Take the challenge. God's power awaits!

White as Snow

"'Come now, let us reason together,' says the Lord. 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.'"
Isaiah 1:18

Every once in a while, we need to have a reminder of the truth. So many Christians still labor under the guilt and shame associated with sin. You know already that I believe in striving for holiness. I believe we can live without sin, but it is a lifetime challenge. We should not continue to sin. But, we have an assurance from God himself that we have been forgiven. The scripture above is an Old Testament reference to the work that Jesus did at the cross.
    You see, before Jesus came, mankind had blood on their hands. In fact, all those who have not yet believed in Jesus and given their lives to him, still have blood on their hands. They remain with the scarlet, crimson stains of sin embedded in their lives. But once the decision to follow Jesus has been made, these sins are literally blotted out. The blood guilt is no longer ours to bear. Jesus took our sins and bore them at the cross. Because of that, the blood that was once on our hands is no longer there. Jesus took that as well. He is the one with the nail scarred hands and pierced side, not us. He bore those scars to prove to all of us that he took the weight of sin and the blood stains that came with it. And now, you and I are white as snow. Our sins are no more and in the sight of God, we are white as snow. We are clean.
    Today, understand that you have been made completely clean and free from sin. Instead of blood stains, you are viewed as pure white by God. I realize that we know this principle, but sometimes we forget. We find ourselves thinking that God cannot or will not bless us because of sin. He loves us in spite of our sin. He does not excuse it, but he has paid the ultimate price so that we may be free. Meditate on this truth. God does not condemn us, only the enemy does. Make sure that you are not agreeing with the enemy. Instead agree with God and the truth of his Word. You are white as snow!

Bearing Fruit

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
Galatians 5:22&23

The New Testament talks a lot about fruit. Jesus said that you know a good tree because of the fruit it produces. In the same way, you know Christians by the fruit that is produced in their lives. A surefire way to recognize a Spirit-empowered follower of Christ is to look at the fruit produced in their lives. this fruit however, comes in greater abundance as the Christian learns obedience, faith, and commitment. All of us are called to have the fruit of the Spirit resident in our lives. It is the mark of a growing disciple.
    The emphasis of this scripture is love. In fact, the verse can be interpreted this way: "The fruit of the Spirit is love, and love is manifested through joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." In other words, if we are people who are full of love, it will be visible through these other character traits. I do not write this to condemn us. I know many will look at these things and say, as I do, that they fall short of really displaying these virtues. but what is important is this: Fruit is produced from a growing, life-filled plant. If we are growing and full of the life of Christ, we will bear fruit. Jesus told us that people would know we are his disciples by our love for one another. So we need to be people who are full of God's love.
    The word 'love' is often thrown around with carelessness. It has almost become a mindless catch phrase to say, "Love you," or "Nothing but love for you." I often tell my wife, kids and grand kids that I love them. But I realize that there must be something behind the words. They must see that I love them through what I do. This is true for all of us. If we are going to speak the words, we should be living them.
    Today, think about the fruit of the Spirit. Are you really full of God's love? Are others seeing this love through your actions? Live a life of love. Allow that love to compel you to good works. Speak kindly to someone who irritates you. Go out of your way to act kindly to the demanding customer. Show patience with the family member who continues to act selfishly. These are a few of the ways that we display the perfect Christ to the world. Let love become the first filter through which you look at others. Do this, and your eyes will be opened to the beauty in people. And the fruit of the Spirit will flourish.

Free from Suffering

"He said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.'"
Mark 5:34

I watched a story recently, about the 33 men who were trapped in a mine in chile. They were literally imprisoned in a small area, nearly one mile underground, for nine weeks. The story was less about the actual event, but more about what the mens' lives are like now, one year later. These men are still suffering. None were able to return to their jobs because of the lingering mental illness caused by the trauma. Few have been able to work at all, because they cannot concentrate on tasks. In short, these men are suffering. I wept as I watched. I long to see people who are suffering have a genuine experience with God. I want to see them healed and made whole in their spirits, souls and bodies. This is my heart.
    I am not good at blowing my own horn. But I want to tell you what is in my heart. I have written a book called, Sixty Days with God. It is subtitled, Drawing Near to God through Times of Crisis. If you have visited this site, you see it shown on the page. The book is about a crisis that took place in my own life, the loss of my job and career. But this pales in comparison to the crises that are faced by many. The miners are a perfect example of the pain and damage that is often left because of crisis.
    As I watched the story of the miners, I was filled with a desire to somehow get my book to these men. If it would only touch 33 lives, it would be worth everything it took to publish.. It would be worth everything in the sight of God if just one of these men was brought into his kingdom, healed and set free. So, if you are suffering, get the book and read it. If you know someone who is suffering, get the book and give it to them. I want to see Christian people healed from suffering. I want those who do not know Christ, to turn to him when faced with crisis. It is not from selfishness that I ask this of you. It is from a heart of compassion. God met me in my time of crisis and changed my life. Although I have not yet seen the other side of it, God has equipped me to be victorious. I cry for those who are suffering. I weep for those who need Jesus.
    I, like the woman in the scripture, have been freed from suffering through the unparalleled love of God. Please, receive healing and draw close to him. Please help others draw close to him. There are thousands upon thousands who need to hear a message of hope. Please help!

In Due Time

"And the Lord said to Joshua, 'Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses.'"
Joshua 3:7

"That day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel, and they revered him all the days of his life, just as they had revered Moses."
Joshua 4:14

I know that many of you reading this, know and believe that God has a specific calling in your life. You may have believed it for a long time but not seen the promise come to pass. Over the course of time, you may have lost confidence in the call and even felt that you were wrong to imagine such a thing. Let me comfort you with these words: What God has said, he will do! The problem is this; our idea of when God should release us is sometimes different than his timing.
   While praying the other day, I told God that I have known that I was called to ministry since I was seventeen years old. I had just come to know Jesus when I first felt it. At that moment, I knew that this was what my life was about. Although the road has had many twists and turns, I have never lost sight of the truth that I knew all those years ago. But this truth is even more important than that: I now know that even if I had refused to listen to the call in my life, God would still love me. I know that his love for me is not dependent on what I do. It is dependent on who I am. Nevertheless, I have a call in my life and I must fulfill it in order to be fulfilled myself.
    It has been 36 years since then. I have been a pastor, a businessman, a musician, an employee, an unemployed person, a salesman, a husband, and a father. Through all these things, the call that God placed on my life is still in place. Yet sometimes, I still struggle with whether I have ever really fulfilled it. Like Joshua, I must simply wait for God to do what he said he would do. I feel that I am just now hitting my stride. I believe the fullness of what God has planned for me is right in front of me now. The best days of my life with God are still ahead of me. What he spoke long ago, is just now really coming to fruition.
    So if God has given you a promise. If he has shown you what you will become, or what you will do for him. Rest in the truth of his words. He will not and cannot lie. If you are frustrated because you have yet to see the fulfillment of the promise, be secure in the truth that he will complete what he has begun in you. There will be a day when you are exalted in the eyes of the people. But never forget this: You are already exalted in the eyes of God. This is what really matters. His timing is perfect and you are his chosen one. Let his peace fill you as you wait for his promise to unfold.

He Knows You

"'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as prophet to the nations.' 'Ah, Sovereign Lord,' I said, 'I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.' But the Lord said to me, 'Do not say, I am only a child. You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.'"
Jeremiah 1:5-7

I have often told you that God has known you since before the creation of the world. Here is a case when God himself, tells the prophet Jeremiah exactly that. There are three key things that we need to hear from this exchange between God and his prophet.
    God knew us long before we were even knit together in our mothers' wombs. This is key: God did not create us to necessarily do anything for him. Long before we were given life, God knew us. I think there is an implication of intimacy in those words. It speaks of a love that preexisted. Think of it: Before the world was created, before the stars were set on fire, before the garden of Eden was formed, before Adam and Eve lived, before sin entered the world, God already loved us. This is marvelous. It is a revelation that should fill us with wonder for our God. It is really true...He loved us first.
    Before you and I were born, God had already set us apart. Remember, he already loved us, then he expressed his confidence in us by setting us apart for a purpose that only he knew. Long before we started thinking about what God wanted to do in our lives, he was at work sanctifying us. He loved us and then he gave all of us a destiny that is unique to each one.
    Finally, God appointed us. It is important to understand that we will never fulfill our appointment without first being set apart. God made sure that it happened in order and that our destinies were secure. Then he appointed us to do things for him. It is critical to understand that God's love for us came before we were appointed. His love is not dependent on the appointment or whether we fulfill it. His love is poured over us first. This is true of every person, for He has loved everyone who has ever walked the earth.
    Therefore, we should not question the way God has loved us, created us, or appointed us. It was all done for our good. It was all done that we may reflect his glory. These truths should settle over us like the morning dew. It is peaceful and powerful, humbling and empowering. So don't tell God that you are only a child. He knows better. He has loved, sanctified, and appointed you. Don't settle for less.

Immeasurable Power

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20&21

It seems to me that we limit God. We believe in him and we know that he is all powerful. But when it comes to believing that he is going to do miraculous, spectacular, amazing things in our lives, we settle for ordinary, mediocre, average answers to our prayers. It is not that God is handing out ordinary things, it is that we don't believe him for great things. I am learning that God is absolutely sovereign. He cannot be contained. He cannot be wrapped in a neat little package. He is able to do more than we could ever ask or even imagine.
    This scripture challenges my faith. Do I believe in a God who can do things so far beyond me that I cannot even imagine them, or have I settled for a God who fits nicely into the package I have created? I need to have the kind of faith that allows God the freedom to do whatever he pleases in my life. I cannot limit him. God will never force his will or his gifts on me. I must accept them and even take them. Has anyone of us ever turned down a Christmas gift? When the time came and mom and dad held out a brand new toy wrapped up in the beautiful paper, did we ever say no? Did we ever push it away saying that it was too extravagant for us? Did we ever think our parents spent too much money on us and we couldn't possibly accept the gift? I sincerely doubt it. We took the gifts because we knew that our parents loved us and wanted to give us things that bring joy. God is exactly the same. He wants to give us good things. He wants to give us extravagant gifts. But we must reach out and accept them.
    Now here is where it really gets good: This incredible power that God has, resides in us! It is at work in our lives all the time. This means that the amazing things God is offering, are being offered every moment of every day. Let's receive them. Let's believe him for even greater things. We can never over-imagine God. We don't have the ability to do it. So let our faith rise and give God the freedom to work in our lives to the full extent of his power that is already at work within us. It is immeasurable, it is unimaginable...It is ours!

Renewed Strength

"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. 
Isaiah 40:30&31

Do you need to be encouraged today? If so, this is a word for you. There are times when we just get tired. Life seems too difficult, the struggle too intense. sometimes, we just run out of strength. It is in this place that God finds us, helps us and strengthens us to go on.
    God knows that we are weak. he understands that if we depend on our own strength, we will not be able to stand in the day of trouble. Our strength is too incomplete to cope with the rigors of life. So we must depend on the strength of God. Why is it sometimes our last resort to depend on God? We try everything else and when that fails, we go to God. But we need to change the way we think. We need to receive the strength of God first and let him direct us to do what is necessary. Then we are going into the struggle with his strength, not our own.
    God knows that we may slip and fall from time to time. While this is not permission to continue in sin, it is the great truth of God's grace that is applied to our lives. If we stumble and fall into some kind of sin, the opportunity for forgiveness is only a prayer away. then we must pick ourselves up, applying his strength, and move forward.
    We have a God who fully understands humanity. He has lived here. He has experienced everything that you and I have faced and more. He created us and put eternity in our hearts. He is no stranger to our difficulties. His desire for us is not to leave us in a stumbling and falling condition. He doesn't desire for us to live weary lives. Still, he knows we will experience these times. But the great promise he has for us is this: We will soar like eagles. We will walk and run using his strength. We will never be defeated.
   So if you are feeling a little weak today, a little too tired to face reality, take this word as your strength for today. If you have slipped and fallen into the trap of sin, don't stay there. Get forgiveness, get out of the pit, and run with the strength of God himself. When you soar like eagles, you will have a whole new perspective on the circumstances you are facing. They will no longer be swallowing you up. You will be looking at them with a heavenly perspective. The promise is true. The promise is comforting.  Hope in the Lord and he will renew your strength.

The Days of the Holy Spirit

"Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, 'Remember, O Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.' And Hezekiah wept bitterly."
Isaiah 38:2&3

We live in glorious days. These are the days of the Holy Spirit. We have him, not only with us, but within us. He is a deposit guaranteeing the things that are to come. The kingdom of God is on its way. It will exist right here in our physical world. We look forward to that day. Right now, we have the kingdom in our lives because of the Holy Spirit.
    I read the scripture above, not long ago. As I read it, I was struck with the hopelessness that Hezekiah must have felt. You see, he was sick and the prophet of God had told him to get his house in order. God had said that his life would end. So he found himself on his bed, preparing to die, but not at all ready for his life to end. He cried out to God, he wept bitterly before him. He recounted his life and told God that he had always served him wholeheartedly. He wept bitterly because God did not answer. There was no voice inside him, reassuring him that things would be alright.
    In the days of the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit had not yet come. He did not live within the hearts of men. So the men of old, even the Godly ones, like Hezekiah, depended on the the prophets to come and relay God's words to them.. Hezekiah's story ended well. Isaiah came to him and told him that God had answered him and granted him fifteen more years. But the assurance had to come through a prophet, God did not speak to Hezekiah.
    My point is this: We are incredibly blessed to live in the days of the Holy Spirit. We no longer have to depend on an external voice to speak God's words to us. God literally lives in us. His voice comes from deep within our spirits, not from someone else. Everything we hear from external sources must be filtered through our spirits where the Holy Spirit dwells. He tells us what is right and wrong. He confirms the words of others or cautions us to be wary. He brings the Bible to life and touches our hearts through sermons, music, nature and more. He is the voice of God to us.
    We have so many things to be thankful for. Jesus has done so much for us. He came to seek and save the lost. He came to destroy the works of the evil one. He came to restore the kingdom. And he came to introduce the Holy Spirit to all believers. We are blessed. We are dwellings for God himself. Praise God for this indescribable gift!

Still Small Voice

"And behold the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after that wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire, a still small voice."
1 Kings 19:11b&12 NKJV

Christians always want to hear God. It is a vital part of our lives. We expect to see and hear things that will assure us that God is with us. We want to know that he is directing us in all we do. So we look for his power, his might, his strength. After all, the God who created the universe with just a word, ought to have a pretty powerful voice. It must shake us, it must really rock our world. But the voice of God is not always a blaring trumpet, sometimes it is so gentle and quiet that we must strain to hear it.
    Elijah was prepared to see God.He had been told that God was about to pass by his cave. Keep in mind that Elijah had just fled from Jezebel who was about to take his life. He had told God to go ahead and kill him, for his life was ruined anyway. Eventually, he hid himself in a cave, believing that there were no people of God left on the earth. It was in this desperate moment that God showed up...But not in the way Elijah expected. Elijah must have thought: Surely the Lord is in the powerful wind. Surely he is in the earthquake. He must be in the fire. But in the end, God was not in any of those things, he presented himself to Elijah with a still small voice, barely a whisper.
    I think God talks to us, often times, in whispers. We hear God speaking to us all the time, but many times we fail to listen. We miss what he has said, simply because we haven't paid attention. We have so many thoughts, so many feelings, that we cannot discern between the still small voice of the Holy Spirit and our own rambling thoughts. But we can hear God. We just have to pay attention. The more we pay attention, the more we will clearly hear him.
    I have learned to pay attention. If I find my mind focusing on one particular thing, I ask God what that means. You see, I have stopped worrying. I don't ask myself if the voice was me or God. I assume it is God. I live in him. So I must assume that the things that capture my attention are birthed in him, not in me. What a refreshing change of mind this is. Instead of always questioning whether God is speaking, I simply trust that he is. If I am wrong, the same Holy Spirit who lives in me can correct my path.
    I encourage you to change your mind and be renewed in your thinking. Instead of struggling to decipher the voice of God, simply trust that what you hear in your mind is from him. If you are seeking him, expect a response. He tells us in his Word that if we seek him, we will find him. His Word is true, therefore we can expect him to answer us when we seek. So stop doubting and start believing. Stop questioning and start trusting. You will be amazed by the things you will hear. You will be amazed at the voice of God. But listen carefully, it may be a still small voice.

Such a Time as This

"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"
Esther 4:14

The story of Esther is one of the most beloved works of literature of all time. This Old Testament book does not mention God even one time, yet it is full of incredible lessons for us to learn. Esther had come to the Citadel of Suza because she had been carried into exile by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. There she found herself, along with all the Jews, being governed by king Xerxes. An evil man named Haman, an aid to Xerxes, devised a plan to exterminate all the Jews living in the country. But God had another plan. He raised Esther up to be the queen. Her time had come. There was a reason for her position, and she knew the time to act was upon her. She must go before king Xerxes and plead for the lives of her people. It may have cost her life, but it had to be done.
    Like Esther, we have been called for such a time as this. Like Esther, we have been elevated to royal positions. The cause is even greater than Esther's. She stood up for a nation and in the end, they were saved. We stand up for a world that is already dying. And God has called us to take his love and compassion to people living in the waning days of the earth. I don't think there is enough time to think about this while we go on living selfish lives. I believe we are to act on the call, living selfless lives. Esther went before the king, knowing that if he did not receive her, she would be put to death. But the desperation of the moment compelled her to act. The days are short, the need is great, and action is required.
    You and I have been placed in royal positions. We have already been accepted by the King of kings. We no longer have to fear for our lives. We are his. He now asks us to carry his grace to the world. This means that we must express his love, his grace, and his truth to those who do not know him. This is more than just sharing the salvation message with others, it is sharing our very lives with them, giving up ourselves for the cause of Christ. Are you ready for the challenge? The end of Esther's story was great. She helped to save a nation. The end of our story is yet to be written. But if we do not answer the call, others will. I say, "Let's take the ride!" The outcome, the end of the story will be amazing!

Living by Faith

"We live by faith, not by sight."
2 Corinthians 5:7

This is a scripture that I am sure most of us have heard for our entire lives. It is quoted often, possibly because it is short and easy to remember. But the truth of this little verse is so immense that few of us have really understood it, let alone lived it out. What exactly, does it mean to live by faith and not by sight?
    I have learned, over the course of my Christian life, that there is a vast difference between the way I am called to live in Christ, and the way I have been taught to live by the world. It comes down to the same thing we have talked about before: Do we live by the Spirit, or by the flesh. Everything that is spiritual is received by faith. When we gave our lives to Jesus, we believed it happened, even though we may not have seen any exterior evidence. The night I received Jesus, there was absolutely no doubt in my mind what had happened. I felt it in my spirit. I had passed from death into life. I accepted it by faith. Jesus did not appear to me in person. I simply believed and confessed that belief. Faith works the same way in our everyday lives. We believe God is working in our lives and we act on that. When we do, we exercise our faith. The Christian life is continually full of these faith acts.
    We do not live by sight. I believe the reason God is so clear about this is because of this: If we live our lives based on the things we see, we will be discouraged. We will lose heart because of the sin in the world, our own failings, the difficulties we face and the uncertainty of the future. Right now, if we put our trust in the financial strength of the world, our country, or our own bank accounts, we would be depressed about the future. But our strength is not found in money or any other thing in this world. Our strength comes from God and we must accept that strength by faith in him.
    When we have this kind of faith, the future is bright. Hope wells up in our souls. Where God is involved, the future is absolutely secure. This is true because God never changes. We don't have to try to find him, he is always right there, waiting for his children. So let's exercise our faith. let's live by faith instead of being depressed about the things we see with our physical eyes and hear with our physical ears. Live by faith and experience the joy, peace, and hope that is found in Jesus Christ.

A Sobering Thought

"For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."
2 Corinthians 5:10

I do not often write about judgement. My desire is to encourage Christians with the words written here. At the same time, I want to challenge us to move forward in our relationships with God. The lives we live are not our own. We belong to Christ and what we do matters to him. I do not want to condemn anyone, but rather spur you on in a growing, responsible Christian life. We should not fear the judgement seat of Christ, for it is there that we will give account of our Christian lives, not our pre-Christian lives. Our salvation is secure because of the sacrifice of Christ. He bought our salvation through his blood. If you have received his forgiveness, you have nothing to fear. This verse refers to a judgement involving us as true followers of Christ.
    However, the judgement that is referenced certainly requires us to give account of both the good we have done, and the bad. It is a sobering thought to realize that we must give account for all the careless words we have spoken, the poor attitudes we have displayed, and the times we misrepresented Christ to others. the Bible teaches us to stop doing these things and start doing things that glorify God. It sounds easy enough, but we all know that we must still fight the sinful nature.
    Still, it is difficult for me to believe that God will scold us for the negative things. I don't think anyone is going to enter heaven with their heads hung in shame. The judgement seat of Christ is focused on the good things we have done. It is a time when we are rewarded for representing Jesus well, for truly being his ambassadors on the earth. So we should be encouraged to know that God sees all that we do, and these things will not be forgotten. Some of the simplest acts of kindness may well turn out to be the greatest rewards, the weakest of prayers may become the greatest victory.
    Sometimes we labor under the misconception that God is keeping records of the failures of our lives. We think he is storing them up, only to bring them out on the day of the judgement seat. We need to change our perspective. God loves us. He is madly in love with us. It is not a stretch to apply his words here, "Love covers over a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8). That verse refers to our love for one another. If our love, as incomplete as it is, cover over sin, how much more can the pure love of God cover our sin?
    So the conclusion is this: Take responsibility for your life. Be challenged to change the things that are bad, and be encouraged to feed the things that are good. There is a judgement coming, and to the victors go the crowns!

God's Workmanship

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Ephesians 2:10

When I realize that we are God's workmanship, it makes me think of a skilled craftsman who creates an incredibly beautiful piece of art with his own hands. I can picture God knitting a person together to become exactly what he had pictured all along. Dear ones, that is who we are! We were not haphazardly thrown together. No, we were carefully planned and perfectly created. Once we realize this, we have to understand that God did not create us just so he could look at us. He created us to do things. You and I are called to do good things for God.
    One basic principle is ingrained in all people. Everyone who has gone before us, all who are alive today, and all who will live after us, have the reality built into their spirits that there is good and evil. Thus, whether they choose to acknowledge it or not, all people have an understanding that there is a God and a devil. Since we are Christians, we are called to do good works. We do the things that mirror his nature. He is good and we manifest that goodness to the world in which we live. I fear that there are those who will say that I am promoting a legalistic lifestyle. I am not. But we were hand selected by God himself, to go and DO good works. Because he is good, we are good. Because he does good things, we do good things. This makes perfect sense when we realize that the word 'Christian' literally means 'little Christs.' We do the same things he did.
    There is no fear in doing these good things. God prepared them for you long before you even existed. He knows your strengths because he gave you those strengths. he knows your gifts and talents because he gave them to you. He also knows the good things that you will do. God not only works in and through you, he is working to prepare situations, relationships, and appointments that are designed to give you the opportunity to do his good works.
    Friends, this is who we are, who we are called to be, and what we are called to do. You are not an accident, nor is what you are called to do. It has all been planned in advance. You are in Christ Jesus, so do the things that he did. God is good all the time, and we are presenting him to the world.

Taking Up the Cross

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up the cross daily and follow me."
Luke 9:23

There are many people who claim to be Christians, following the teachings of Christ. In America, we call ourselves a "Christian nation." But there is an element involved in being a Christian that goes far beyond just the proclamation. If one is truly a Christian, he or she must act like one. The act of following Christ does not happen by word alone. It happens when a person truly follows the words of Jesus referenced above.
    Jesus said that we must deny ourselves, if we are to truly follow him. There is a continual battle between our desires and God's desires. Our flesh desires sin, God desires righteousness. Our flesh is disobedient, God requires obedience. Once we have made the decision to follow Christ, we must tap into his strength that can and will give us victory over our flesh. But this doesn't usually happen with one supernatural intervention. We must partner with the Holy Spirit to defeat sin in our lives. We have to make conscious decisions to deny our flesh in favor of following God's ways. In other words, there is a cost to follow Jesus. We cannot continue to live the way we used to, satisfying our own fleshly desires. We must choose Jesus.
    It is essential that we take up the cross. In fact, we must do this daily. What does it mean to take up the cross? Simply put, we must give up our lives for the cause of Christ, in the same way that he gave up his life for us. He made the ultimate sacrifice, leaving no doubt about his commitment to us. Now, we must do the same. This goes far beyond making a one-time confession and then proclaiming that we are Christians. It is a daily commitment. an active, growing relationship with God requires us to take up the cross every day of our lives.
    Get in the habit of denying yourself. Say no to sinful desires. Then say yest to the righteousness that is offered by Jesus. Be willing to participate in the cross of Christ. As he gave himself for you, give your life for him. His commitment cost him his life, literally. Your commitment will also carry a great cost. It will require obedience to the voice of God and dying daily to sin. Sometimes, the experience of taking up the cross is painful, humiliating, and difficult. But you are not required to do anything that has not already been done for you. Deny yourself and take up the cross of Christ!

Obedience or Sacrifice

"Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams."
1 Samuel 15:22

The Bible was written entirely by Jews. It was written from a unique perspective that few of us have today. After Adam and Eve fell into sin, it became necessary for man to seek atonement for their sins. So God instituted an elaborate system of sacrifices. The priests would offer these animal sacrifices to the Lord. There were specific rules which governed every step of the sacrificial ceremony.
    Even in the days of the Old Testament, God desired obedience above sacrifice. He spoke to the Israelites through the prophet Samuel, who told them that obedience to the voice of God was much better than sacrifices. This is a concept that I have struggled to understand over the course of my Christian life. After all, it was God who instituted the sacrifices. It was necessary to, in effect, postpone the sins of the people until Christ could make the ultimate sacrifice and atone for the sins of all people, those who lived before and after his death. I think I understand the oracle a little better now, as I attempt to apply the truth to my own life.
    Sacrifice is generally my attempt to satisfy God. I think; Maybe if I sacrifice something like eating my favorite food, or watching my favorite sport, or participating in my favorite activity, God will approve and I will draw closer to him. Sometimes I act on these thughts and sometimes I do not. But sacrifice is birthed out of my own insecurities. It is a default. If I am not actively in relationship and communication with him, I resort to these kinds of things to attempt to grow. But there is a much better way.
    Obedience is simply responding to what God asks me to do. When I go before the Lord and honestly tell him exactly where I am in my life, he responds by speaking back to me. I say, "God, this is what I have to offer now. I can do this much, I have this much faith, I love you this much." And he responds, "Barry, if this is true, this is what I require of you." At that point, I become responsible to obey the voice of the Lord and do what he tells me to do. When I accomplish that, I go to him again, tell him exactly where my spiritual life is, and he responds by telling me what he requires of me. It is in this way that I grow in relationship with God.
    So take an honest look at your own life. Go before God and tell him what your level of commitment is. I promise you that he will speak to you and tell you things that you can do for him within your spiritual capabilities. When you reach a greater place of faith and obedience, talk to him again, listen to hear what he says and obey that. It is in this way that you will grow in your lifelong Christian experience. You can choose to sacrifice, but you will live a life of continual striving to please God. It is much easier and satisfying to be honest with God and then obey what he says. So I say that I agree with Samuel; to obey is definitely better than sacrifice.

No More Manna

"the manna stopped the day after they ate this fruit from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate of the produce of Canaan."
Joshua 5:12

There come times in each life when things change. The life you have been used to living enters a new phase, a new season. Sometimes these seasons are difficult, and sometimes they are wonderful new experiences. The Israelites experienced one of these changes of season. After wandering in the desert for forty years, they finally crossed the Jordan river and entered into the promised land of Canaan. Of course, the struggles were far from over, for the land was filled with foreign, warring nations. All of them wanted their piece of the land, and the last thing they wanted was another nation coming to take it from them. But God had promised the nation of Israel that they would possess this land for their own. So the day they crossed the Jordan river was an amazing fulfillment of a promise.
    For forty years, they depended on God for daily manna. This was the bread that fell from the sky each morning. They could gather enough for their families for that day, but no more. If they tried to harvest extra manna, it would spoil. They lived one day after another, wandering in the desert, following the cloud by day and the fire of God by night. They depended on him to deliver manna for their survival.
    But suddenly, everything changed. The promise was fulfilled, they entered the land, and the manna stopped. Now there was fruit and grain in abundance. There were grapes so large that they had to be carried on poles between two men. This was new, this was abundance, this was the promise of God.
    Our lives are like this. We go through seasons when we are completely dependent on God's provision everyday. It seems like there is never an abundance, but somehow, there is enough. This may be financial, or emotional, or spiritual, or relational provision. But there is going to be a time when we cross a threshold and enter into the promises that God has planned for us. Like the Israelites, we will pass from the days of manna to the days of abundance. You see, God wants to bless us. He wants us to be fulfilled. He wants to pour so much blessing into our lives that it has to overflow to others. This is God's plan.
    When the day of passing occurs, your life may never be the same. So if you are living in the desert right now, depending on manna from heaven just to get you through another day, be encouraged. The day of passing into the promised land is coming. If you have crossed over into a new promise, be thankful; for the days of the desert life are just behind you, and God deserves praise for delivering you. Eat of the produce of the land. Take hold of what God has given you. But remember, there is still work to be done. There are new things that God is leading you into. You may have to face a few more giants, a few more barriers. But celebrate the season. For now, the days of manna have passed.

Friendship

"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."
John 15:15

I believe friendship is highly valued in God's eyes. We are called to be friends to others in the same way that God has befriended us. Friendship is a special relationship. It involves trust, faithfulness, openness, and selflessness. This kind of relationship goes far beyond the servant and master relationship that Jesus spoke of. It moves us into a closer relationship with God, and that relationship can overflow to strong relationships with other people as well.
    Jesus was called, "A friend of tax collectors and sinners." The religious community of the day labeled him this way because of his relationships with these kinds of people. I believe Jesus was a friend to many people while he walked the earth. he was transparent, truthful, and always willing to receive people. It is this willingness that marks the nature of a friendship. Jesus has elevated our relationship with him from that of servants, to that of friends. This is because he has willingly revealed himself, the Father, and the secrets of heaven itself. There are no secrets among friends, and Jesus has withheld nothing from us.
    If we can understand true friendship with Jesus, we will know that our position is not a lowly one. It is a powerful one. I know there are many types of relationships that define our position with Christ. We are called, "The Bride of Christ." The book of Hebrews tells us that we are his brothers and sisters. But in each of these relationships, there must be the strong element of friendship so the relationship will be strong. I am married, and my wife is truly my best friend. I cannot imagine having a marriage relationship where friendship is not the centerpiece. It would lack depth and strength. In a marriage, friendship raises the level of our commitment. We are faithful to our spouses, not because we have to be, but because we want to be. We spend time with them, not because we have to, but because we want to be with them.
    It is this kind of friendship that we have with Jesus. He has freely opened his life up to us. He has willingly given up his life for us. Friendship always involves two or more people. So we must enter into that same committed friendship with Jesus. Are we willing to be open and transparent with Jesus? Are we willing to give up our lives for him? If we are, we have the greatest and loftiest of positions. We are his bride, his brothers and sisters, and his friends. What greater place could we possibly hold?

The Creative Power of God

"And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light."
Genesis 1:3

Nearly everyone knows the story of creation. Even if they do not believe it, most still know the story. The Genesis story of creation has been repeated in various forms thousands of times. Other world religions recognize the story and even document it in their writings. It is not the creation story that I bring to our attention today, it is the story of how God created.
    The Bible tells us that God spoke everything into existence. He said, "Let there be light," and there was. He said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds," and they were formed. It is too incredible for us to understand. When God speaks, he always creates something. He did it at the beginning of the universe, and he is still creating, through the power of his words, today. Listen to these words from Jeremiah 33:3: "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." God is still speaking today, and he is still creating.
    It seems we have overlooked this. Some think that God ceased to create things after he created our known universe and world. The first thing we need to understand is this: God is still speaking. He did not stop speaking after he created everything. In fact, that was just the beginning of his words. Second, we must know that every time God speaks, something is created. The power of God is so incredible that the sound of his voice causes things to happen..
    God may speak something to you today and create a new dream for you. He may answer your prayer and the need is completely filled. He may bring a word of direction to you and change the course of your life. he may speak a blessing over you and you will be completely fulfilled. God still does these things. He does them because he is actively involved in our lives. He is always speaking, and therefore creating new things. It is his nature. It is unexplainable, unfathomable, and beyond all comprehension. Yet, it is the joy of our Father to speak to his children. In doing so, he creates incredible things in us and for us. Believe him when he speaks to you, and watch the creative work of God firsthand.

Heart of the Magi

"'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.'"
Matthew 2:2

I love everything about Christmas. I love the gifts, the lights, the festivities. But what I love the most is the story of the birth of Jesus. Okay, I know it's the middle of summer, but it seems like an appropriate time to talk about it. Magi, or wise men, came from the far east to see the newborn Jesus. We know that it was a long journey and Jesus was about two years old by the time they arrived. The question I'm thinking about today is: what is so special about the heart of the Magi?
    It is obvious that these men were committed to their purpose. They came a long way just to see Jesus. They followed the sign that God had placed in the sky for them. It seems that there was no sidetracking their mission. They left home with a purpose and they continued seeking until they found the Christ child.
    They came to worship Jesus. For me, this is the great thing about the heart of the Magi. You see, Jesus had not done anything special yet. He had not healed anyone, he had not spoken a word, he had not performed miracles or drawn large crowds. He was just a baby, born in humble circumstances in a small town. Yet, the wise men came to worship him.
    So I find myself wanting to have a heart like the Magi. I desire to seek Jesus. I don't want anything to get in my way. I don't want to let time, distance or obstacles interfere with my mission to find the fullness of Christ in my life. The Bible clearly calls us to seek him, and the promise that follows is this: All who seek him will find him. Like the Magi, let us seek Jesus. I also want to worship him like the Magi did. So many times, my worship of God is dependent on what I see him do. The Magi worshiped him for who he was, not what he had done. I want that same kind of heart.
    God is spectacular. When I ponder his character, his personality, and his ways, I am amazed. I want to worship him for who he is, because he is altogether wonderful. Take some time to meditate on who God is. Think about how amazing his character is. For the time being, don't think about what he has done, just concentrate on who he is. When you and I do that, we will see that he is absolutely worthy to be worshiped, and we will be compelled to do so. Over two thousand years later, we are learning what the Magi already knew; Jesus is worthy of our worship! So let us worship him!