Strength for the Weary

"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

There must be hope for me because even the youths grow tired and weary. As I have gotten older, my energy is not the same as it used to be. After a long day, I am tired. I don't have the same abilities I used to have. Physically, I am weaker than I was in my earlier years. But the kind of weariness I'm thinking about today is not physical. It is emotional, even spiritual. All of us become weary in our hearts and souls from time to time. But there is hope for us all. God has a special place in his heart for the weary.
    I experience times when I am weary of the fight, tired of the spiritual battle. Sometimes it is difficult to walk the walk of faith. Life happens to all of us. Although we have a great inheritance awaiting us, the road from here to there is sometimes difficult. We climb a rocky, rough, and narrow way. But there is a promise from God that will renew us. There is a way already made for us to have spiritual energy that is likened to the energy and stamina of the young. The way we find rest for our weary souls, strength in our battered spirits, is to hope in the Lord.
    "Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength." What a wonderful promise from God. When it gets too difficult to stand. When all our strength is used up, there is a way for us to rise up. We must always hope in God. Hope is something that is fundamental to humanity. It is hope that drives us. Hope gives us reason to get up each morning and face the day with no fear of what may come our way. Hope allows us to dream big dreams. It gives us a healthy anticipation of the future. If we have hope, we are happier people. If we have hope, we will continue the race though everything within us screams for us to quit. Our strength is truly renewed when we have hope.
    So I say, today let's find new hope in the Lord. If you have been feeling hopeless. If you think that nothing will ever change. If you are blinded by the despair of your situation, look to Jesus with full blossoming hope. Pray, and when you do, hope for answers. Hope for deliverance from your struggle. First, your countenance will change. The frown will turn to a smile, the tears of defeat will be exchanged for tears of joy, the downcast eyes will be lifted toward heaven. Then your spiritual energy will return. You will be ready to take on the next challenge, prepared to finish the race stronger than before. Those who do this will run the race and not be weary. They will walk with confidence, knowing they will not grow faint. The answer for the weary heart is hope, and that is found in only one place; the Giver of strength. Take heart, there is strength for the weary!

Fully Persuaded

"Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised."
Romans 4:20&21

We all know that Abraham is renowned for his great faith. It never ceases to amaze when I read some of the things that were said about him by other Bible authors. It is worth recounting the circumstance that Abraham was in: God had promised him that he would be the "Father of many nations." From Abrham's point of view, this was impossible. You see, he was about a hundred years old and his wife, Sarah was probably about ninety. In addition, Sarah had been barren her entire life. Yet God promised that this couple would have a child and would be the patriarch of many nations. It seemed impossible. There was no hope. In the natural world, there was no way this could happen. But Abraham had a promise from God.
    Abraham had a gift. He was able to place all doubt aside concerning the situation. Whenever an argument against the promise of God arose, he would answer it with the faith that he had within him. He answered natural arguments with supernatural expectation. Paul also said this about him, "He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were." (Romans 4:17). Abraham believed this about God. He knew that God can speak something into existence. Although there was no natural hope of the promise being fulfilled, he knew that God spoke as if it had already happened. And the promise was fulfilled. God did exactly as he had spoken.
    Sometimes it is difficult to keep the faith without wavering. But it is so important that we remain full of faith. God does not make promises that he will not keep. Everything he has said to me is going to happen. I must believe the promise even though it may look hopeless. My confidence is not in people or situations or lucky breaks. My confidence is in God, the giver of promises. Like Abraham, I want to be fully persuaded that God's promise will be fulfilled. I refuse to bow to the arguments of the flesh that say it is impossible. I have seen the impossible become reality. I intend to live with the same faith Abraham had.
    Are you wavering? Is your faith damaged by confusion and negative arguments? There is no other pathway to the promise of God being fulfilled, than faith. You cannot substitute anything else for God's promise. Nothing else will do. No matter how difficult is is or how hopeless it seems, believe God. If he has spoken a promise to you, he will fulfill it. Today, this word speaks to me. It reminds me to stay faithful to the promise. It tells me to not lose confidence in God. It instructs me to believe as Abraham believed. Take heart today. The promises of God to you are still in process. He will fulfill it in his time. Although it may seem that it is too late, God will come at the perfect time. Believe the promise. Be fully persuaded of God's power to do what he has said.

Spread It Out Before the Lord

"Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD: 'O LORD, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, O LORD, and hear; open your eyes, O LORD, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to insult the living God. It is true, O LORD, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste these nations and their lands.  They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by men’s hands. Now, O LORD our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O LORD, are God.'"
2 Kings 19:14-19

King Hezekiah was one of the most beloved kings of Judah. He led with integrity of heart just as David had. But he reigned in a very difficult time in the history of the Jewish nation. The king of Assyria marched against Judah and sent many into captivity. He laid siege to Jerusalem, threatening to sack the city and drive its people into exile with the others. This is the point that we pick up the story. Sennacherib, king of Assyria delivered his threats via letter to Hezekiah. It is what Hezekiah did at this point that speaks of his character and success as a king and man of God.
    Hezekiah went to the temple and spread the letter out before God. I believe this was the very thing that eventually brought the deliverance of Jerusalem. Hezekiah acknowledged that he had no strength to defeat the enemy. His army had been decimated, his people taken prisoner, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem left to starve. It may have been a point of desperation, but he knew there was only one place to receive help. And he went to the One who was his only strength. He prayed and asked God for help. Although he did ask for God to deliver them from the enemy, his cry was for God to bring victory so that He would be exalted in all nations of the earth. Hezekiah knew that this was a fight much bigger than just for a city.
    The end of the story was glorious. Hezekiah's prayer moved the hand of God. Isaiah the prophet spoke the word of the Lord declaring that victory would surely follow king Hezekiah. The next morning 185,000 Assyrian soldiers were killed. The people of Jerusalem never lifted a hand against them. God fought for them and the victory was won.
    You may be facing a time or a situation that has brought bad or threatening news. Perhaps there is danger of financial loss or a broken relationship. Whatever the bad news is, spread it out before God. If there is an actual letter, lay it before the Lord. If it is a situation that threatens, you may write it out and lay it before God. It is not that God needs to be reminded of the situation, it is that you need to realize that your strength is not sufficient. Only God can truly deliver you.Be faithful to pray. Tell God the situation and expect him to show up with the answer. God has a track record of coming to the aid of his people. Just as he did for the people of Jerusalem all those years ago, so he will do for you. Spread out your needs before God and he will come. You will not have to fight the battle. The victory belongs to the Lord!

Too Much Threshing

"Grain must be ground to make bread;
   so one does not go on threshing it forever.
Though he drives the wheels of his threshing cart over it,
   his horses do not grind it"
Isaiah 28:28

I have wondered about the meaning of this scripture for some time. As I read this several days ago, I realized that there is application to our lives and circumstances. The scripture in context, begins with a very strong word from God that basically says, "Listen to my words, pay attention to this." Some lessons about farming follow. It says that a farmer plows, but does not continue to plow. Once the ground is leveled, he plants the crop he wishes to harvest. Then comes the threshing process. Threshing is the separating of the grain from the stalks. It is accomplished in a variety of ways depending on the type of crop. Again, as our scripture states, one does not thresh forever. There is an end to the threshing so that the grain may be made into usable food.
    There is certainly a spiritual element to this scripture. We all need to prepare our spiritual fields sometimes. We need to prepare for the future God has for us by plowing the soil and preparing our lives to enter into God's purpose. Sometimes, we have difficulty moving on. The plowing and threshing process may become so habitual that we don't realize there is a time for it to end. If we plow forever, we will never plant a spiritual crop. If we thresh forever, we will never produce the spiritual food that God has called us to produce. So then, something that began as a good thing becomes a never ending cycle of living in the same place. We prepare, but we never harvest. God wants us to know through this passage of scripture, that it is vitally important to move on into the production phase of our spiritual lives. If we don't, we may feel like hamsters on a wheel, never getting anywhere.
    For me, this speaks volumes. I know there is something ahead for me that God has already planned. I know some things about it, but I don't yet have the full picture. So this becomes an excuse to not act on what I do know, but to dwell on what I don't. It causes me to focus on what I don't have rather than what I do have. The word 'thresh' has several definitions. Most of them pertain to the agricultural application of separating the grain from the stocks. But there is an interesting definition that may help us to understand the spiritual connotation of this scripture. to thresh may mean, "To discuss or examine an issue repeatedly." (American Heritage Dictionary). This points directly to my problem. Rather than just believing God and moving forward in his plan, I continue to examine the roadblocks instead of taking what I know and moving forward with the direction I have. Too much threshing stops or slows the end result.
    I wonder if others face the same predicament I do? I know that many of us have dreams and visions of what God has for our lives. He has called us and equipped us to be great in his kingdom. But when the roadblocks come, we spend so much time thinking about our circumstances that we never move forward in God's plan. God uses people who are moving. Those who are standing still are indecisive. Fear causes them to be stuck. If you are one who is spending too much time threshing, realize that the threshing time is only a means to an end. It is part of the process, not the completion of it. Look beyond the roadblocks. See the exciting future God has for you. Believe that your dreams will be fulfilled. Be a good farmer. The threshing time must end so that the spiritual food may be produced. No one continues to thresh forever. Move into God's plan for your life.

No Secret Agent

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 
John 1:14

The apostle John started his gospel with these words: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." You see, before Jesus ever became man, before he was made flesh, he was the Word of God. Everything that the Father is, his character, his omnipotence, his power, his love; all this is embodied in the person of Jesus Christ. And he became flesh for us.
    Jesus is the One and Only. He is God's Son. He became God's agent on the earth. He very literally brought the kingdom of heaven to earth. He became God in the flesh. So everything that he was before he came; his deity, his authority, his power to create, came with him. An agent has an agenda. The agenda of Jesus was to bring heaven to earth. It was to restore access to God's kingdom to us. It had been lost because of sin, but the Agent of God brought the keys once again. So God's Word literally became flesh.
    Jesus taught us to pray this way: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:9&10). Jesus was encouraging us to do exactly as he had done. We are instructed to pray God's kingdom to the earth. God's will has already been established in heaven. It is rock solid, it cannot be changed. All that remains is to bring it to earth, into our lives, into our circumstances. So we become agents just as Jesus was. We are agents of change. We are agents that bring the kingdom of heaven into all the kingdoms of the earth. It is our duty as agents of God to continue to do what Jesus already did: bring God's Word to flesh.
    God has made his will known. He has declared everything ahead of time. He has told us who he is, he has brought his Word into our lives, and he has called us to carry the call of God to the earth. His Word is set. It existed before creation, even though it had yet to be written. It is no secret. It is to be proclaimed from the housetops. Our call as agents of the living God is to bring his Word to the flesh. What we know to be glorious truth, we need to see operating right here in our physical world. His Word is not only for the future. It is not only for the past. It is for right now, right here, right where we live. God set the precedent when he sent the Word to become flesh and dwell among us in the person of Jesus Christ. He still desires his Word to become flesh. It is not only spiritual, it is physical and his will is going to be accomplished on the earth.
    Will you become an agent of God? It is not a secret job, it is not an undercover mission. You don't have to be specially trained. We can be people who pray God's will and kingdom into our lives and the lives of others. Bring God's Word into the flesh. The kingdom of heaven is faultless, magnificent, and powerful. We need it in our lives and circumstances. We need God's Word to live in the flesh and dwell among us.

Dry and Weary Land

"Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. ⁸ Then the word of the LORD came to him."
1 Kings 17:7&8

Elijah was a prophet of God. Nothing about his life is recorded in the Bible until 1 Kings 17. There the story of his prophetic ministry begins. He prophesied to King Ahab that the land would have no rain for several years. What he said happened and along with everyone else in the land, Elijah lived through a time of drought and famine. Even the man of God was not exempt from the effects.
    When the brook from which Elijah had been drinking, finally dried up, he was forced to move on. But God gave him direction and Elijah followed. It was only after his source of water was removed that God showed up with a word for him. He moved as he had been told, and God began to use him to not only prophesy to the nation, but to do amazing miracles as well. Elijah entered in to the purpose God had given him.
    It seems like we face times like those Elijah faced. We live through times when it seems that the land is dry. Our spiritual lives may seem cold, words from God, absent. We feel like we live in a desert wilderness where there is no spiritual water. The physical circumstances we sometimes find ourselves enduring can seem this way as well. Where we have enjoyed plenty, there may now be want. The good times may have passed away and yielded to a time of physical, emotional and even spiritual struggle. We hunger and thirst for a change in our circumstance, a reprieve from the heat of the desert. It is then, that the word of the Lord comes.
    I have experienced times when it seems that God is not speaking. I still read the Word, pray and seek him, but there is little response. These are dry times. But I believe these are the times when we learn to hunger and thirst for God. These are the places where we realize that our own strength will not suffice. We learn that there is no place to go but to our Strong Tower. God knows that there is a time for us to experience the dry and weary land. But he also knows that these times and places cannot last. it is at the point of transition when God comes, speaks a word of direction and leads us to another place, time, and season. There we find ample spiritual food and drink. We find a repose from the strain of living in the dry place.
    If you are in a dry land, take courage! The word of the Lord is coming. He is always faithful to deliver direction that will lead us into his promises. That place is glorious and filled with the presence and blessing of the Lord. Look for it. But while you are in the dry place, hunger and thirst for God. That longing will trigger a deep, abiding relationship that no trial, tribulation, or crisis can spoil. At exactly the right time, right when the brook has dried up, God will speak. And you and I will never thirst again.

Letter from God

I have spent much time watching you. Although I know the struggle you are going through is difficult and hard to understand, I want to assure you that I have orchestrated everything that has happened in your life. My ways are sometimes difficult for you to understand, but I always have your best interest in mind. I love you and everything I do is motivated by that love. You are more precious to me than anything in the universe or the earth. I have placed part of myself in you. You are a very special child.

          I am writing because I see the tendency you have to panic about your situation. Although I understand that you cannot see things from my point of view, you can begin to see beyond your circumstance. If you will trust in me and look for the things I have in store for you, you will be absolutely victorious. You will be greater in my kingdom than you have ever imagined. Please do not panic. If you will only spend time with Me, I will keep you safe.  You will know my “peace that surpasses all understanding.”

          I want you to know that I have big plans for you. Before you were even knit together in your mother’s womb, my plans were set. I see where you have been, where you are now and where you will go. To me, it is all one picture of your life. People sometimes call this ‘destiny,’ but in reality, it is my complete plan for you. If I can comfort you with some words, it would be this: your crisis will not last. It will pass and you will enter into the continuation of my plan for you. Oh, if you could only see what I see! The best days of your life lie ahead.

     Dear one, start to hope again. The plans I have for you include hope. There is no future without hope. There is nothing to look forward to if you don’t have hope. I want you to look forward, with anticipation, to the future I have for you. It is a place and time filled with my blessings. Don’t be discouraged by the things you see around you right now. Things will change. Keep believing in my plan, hoping for greater things and trusting in Me. And one more thing: don’t forget that I love you. Keep listening and I will tell you more.

All my thoughts are on you,

God

From Sixty Days with God by Barry A. Wood

The Old Rugged Cross

"So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down,
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown."

The Old Rugged Cross
George Bennard 1912

I have not sung this song for many years, but when I heard it on a television program the other day, it brought an emotional response that shocked me. Of course, the cross in the lyrics is the cross of Christ. The one on which he died for our sins. People across the world know this. Even if they aren't Christians, they understand what is taught about Jesus' sacrifice. But the more I think about it, the more I ponder the great work of the cross, the more I realize that I do not comprehend the incredible things that were accomplished.
    The last words Jesus spoke before he died on the cross were, "It is finished!" There has never been a more powerful phrase uttered. What was finished? What had been accomplished? We know that all sins were forgiven that day. Jesus took the whole of the sins of the world as he hung there. All was forgiven for those who would receive him. There is nothing more precious than this. We have literally passed from death to life if we have confessed our sin and received the forgiveness that has been offered. Jesus literally purchased our sin.
    Yet, so much more was accomplished that day. The devil, the enemy of our souls was defeated. he was cast down from his position and hurled to the earth. His heavenly authority was stripped. there was a great battle and Jesus won. What a glorious victory! Death was defeated. He overcame the grave. All of these are things we know. We have been taught about his victory. But one more great thing took place through the work of the cross. God's kingdom was made available to us again. What had been lost through sin and rebellion was restored. Jesus is the King of the kingdom of God. He took that place. The Jews were always asking him when he was going to restore his kingdom. But they were thinking it was an earthly one. His kingdom is far greater than any earthly one, and the victory of the cross gave us new access..
    The kingdom of heaven is a spiritual place. Jesus restored it, but I must seek it in the Spirit. I will not find it in any earthly location. The great hope that was established that day is the knowledge that God is going to establish his kingdom here on the earth. It will be as in the time before sin entered the world. God is literally going to bring heaven down to earth, and we shall live with him forever. This is why I cry when I am reminded of the cross of Christ. This is why I cherish and cling to the cross. The work accomplished there has given me eternal life. But even the cross itself could not defeat Jesus. He did not stay there, he rose again, and all was made complete. Cherish the cross, cling to it, for it is the symbol of our new life. But never forget that there will come a day when the cherished cross will give way to a crown of glory that you and I will wear as we rule and reign with Christ. Jesus ushered in the kingdom of heaven and the cross played a part in delivering it. Never forget the cross of Christ. His victory over it has brought us victory as well!

Lying to God

"Now Cain said to his brother Abel,'“Let’s go out to the field.' And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the LORD said to Cain, 'Where is your brother Abel?'
  'I don’t know,' he replied. 'Am I my brother’s keeper?'"
Genesis 4:8&9

Everyone does something wrong sometimes. Everyone commits sins. This was one of the earliest ones recorded. At this time there were only four people alive on the earth: Adam, Eve, Cain, and Abel. Sin had been introduced into the world as Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit of the tree of life. There were no laws, no kings or soldiers to enforce rules. So the act of murder was a brand new thing. Why would someone think to do such a thing? why did Cain do it and why did he lie to God?
    Cain knew that it was wrong to kill his brother. When sin was introduced, the concept of right and wrong was also introduced. Remember Adam and Eve were naked when they lived in the garden, but after they ate the fruit, they hid themselves from God because they recognized that they were naked. They knew right from wrong. This was instilled in Cain and Abel as well. It certainly was bad enough that Cain would kill his own brother, but he complicated in further by lying to God. One sin gave birth to another and the cancer of evil spread in Cain's life.
    Not many of us have done anything so violent as Cain did. We probably have not murdered anyone. But i am sure that most of us have lied to God. Sin is dark, it dwells in blackness. It lives in secret places that we refuse to talk about. When we are confronted with a direct question, we will lie to keep it covered. Sin when exposed by the light of God cannot reign. So when we do something wrong, when we sin against God, we cover it up. God already knows what we have done, so why do we lie to him? It is freeing and releasing to go ahead and tell God what happened. When sin gets exposed, we open ourselves up to receiving the forgiveness that our loving God wants to extend.
    Some may have deep secretive sins. Others may have participated in things that seem like no big deal. So I'm speaking to all of us. You may not have a deep, dark secret, but if you continue to withhold exposing sin, it will separate you from God. So today, I encourage you to expose sin to the light of God's grace. Don't fear speaking it out to him. He is not going to reject you or stop loving you. He lives to forgive us. Hiding is equal to lying. God already knows. In fact, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. His love never fails, his forgiveness knows no end. So stop lying to God and receive his freedom.

Staying Confident

"I am still confident of this:
   I will see the goodness of the LORD
   in the land of the living." 
Psalm 27:13

I know that I keep talking about difficult circumstances. Maybe that's because I still find myself in one. But the more people I talk to, the more stories of crisis, sickness, and difficulties I hear. As much as we want to be healthy and enjoying good times, the reality is; Life is full of struggles. Christians are not immune to this. There are seasons that sometimes seem to be more than we can endure.
    King David, who wrote the scripture above, understood difficulties. The things he endured are too numerous to name here. Often, he would cry out to God, asking for Him to show up and deliver him from the crisis. David wrote these words when he was in a trying time. Psalm 27 describes David's emotions as he saw people who were coming against him. It must have seemed too much for him to bear. People were slandering him and threatening his life. The desire of his enemies was to kill him. So David cried out to God. He knew this was his only true refuge.
    Many of you reading this, are in times of difficulty or crisis. It may seem impossible to find hope for the future because you cannot see beyond the situation. It may look hopeless. It may seem that nothing is going to change. But like David, we must find the strength to cry out to God and believe that he will rescue us. David was very honest with God. When he felt abandoned or hopeless, he told God exactly how he felt. When he did this, he always found strength to praise God and receive hope. We have the same God David did. He is still there and he has promised to never leave us. So if you find yourself feeling alone, cry out to him.
    Take courage. Be confident in the fact that the seasons will change. As surely as the barren winter gives way to the blossoming spring, so will your season change. The goodness of the Lord never fails. It is a promise from him. He is a good God and his desire is to bless us with good things. The crisis, the difficult time will end. When it does, there will be a life-filled abundance just like the flowers of the spring. It will happen, and it will happen in your lifetime. It is not reserved for the afterlife. You will move beyond the rocky, rough road you may be traveling. I agree with David: "I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." And so will you.

Never Betrayed

"I will not take my love from him, nor will I ever betray my faithfulness. I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered."
Psalm 89:33&34

There are many times when we long for a "word from God." We find ourselves in difficult circumstances or in need of direction and we need to hear from him. We also feel sometimes, that God isn't speaking enough. Sometimes he is silent. The writers of the Psalms felt that way, too. Yet, many of the Psalms are prophecies that God prompted these men to write. God is still speaking. Sometimes, we just don't look in the right places or pay close attention. But this scripture is clearly a word from God for all of us. You don't have to look for it or try to interpret the meaning. It is clear.
    This is a direct promise from God himself. It is more sure than any wedding vow that has ever been uttered, more dependable than any oath of man. God promises us that he will never remove his love from us. Even though it may seem that he doesn't care, his covenant says otherwise. He has promised to love us. He made that promise long before we were even created. When the Bible says, "His love endures forever," it is exactly true. We can depend on his love.
    We can depend on his faithfulness. When everyone else fails us, even when we fail ourselves, we are secure in knowing that God will always be faithful. God has not asked us to do anything that he has not already done himself. When we are asked to be faithful to him, our spouses, our families, and our churches; it has already been modeled by him. He loves us and he is faithful.
    He will never violate his covenant with us. In other words, what he has promised, what he has spoken, what he has created will never be compromised. These are all elements of his covenant with us. This promise runs so deep that he has already sacrificed his only Son for us. This was done so that God's covenant would remain true. He not only told us he loves us, he proved it by becoming flesh, living in the world, dying, and gloriously rising for us. Every name of every person who would believe was marked "redeemed" on that day.
    God never changes. We sometimes have slips of the tongue that require us to apologize for our actions, but God never slips or changes. Every word he utters is so solid that he will never change it. What he has said will never be altered.
    I feel that today is a good time to remind ourselves of the love and faithfulness of God. If you are needing a word from God today, take this one. He said it and it is absolutely true. Though our little worlds may seem like they are falling apart, his is not. We live in his kingdom, guaranteed by his covenant with us. Today, I think we need to be reminded that we will never be betrayed.

So Men Would Seek Him

"From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him."
Acts 17:26&27

Isn't it amazing to realize that God has already set the paths of every nation and tribe. Not only these, but also every man and woman. Everything we are, everyplace we live, even the exact timing of our lives has already been set by God. What a comfort it is to know that God rules and reigns in heaven and earth.
    It is interesting that Paul said God did this: "So that men would seek him." It is the desire of God's heart for us to seek him. Although he loves us beyond what we can imagine, he will not impose his will on us. He waits for us to seek him. Everything he has done, everything he has created, every season, every generation, was created to point us to him. It burdens my heart when I realize that the majority of mankind has not sought or does not seek him. They live their lives believing a lie. Some don't recognize God at all, and some worship gods that are no gods at all. What a tragedy that these have not recognized the loving kindness of our God.
    Every time we see the beautiful nature he has created, or the stars he has set in the sky. Each time we are warmed by the sun, or see the life-giving rain he sends, we should be motivated even more to seek him. The apostle Paul tells us in his letter to the Roman church that God has created all this and men are without excuse. This means that just the observation of nature is enough to draw people to the Creator, God. Everything testifies about God. Jesus said that if men did not praise him, the rocks would cry out. This is true because all creation testifies to the power and character of God.
    Let us seek him. God desires that we go after him. He wants to be in relationship with us, but we must choose to do so. God and his kingdom are meant to be sought. He is beyond anything else we can seek. His kingdom is greater than any other prize. Today, think about seeking him. It takes some effort. We have to decide to do it, and then we must take the time to be in his presence. Some have never done this and they miss out on the greatest joy they could ever have. But you and I know the joy that comes from being with God. Let us seek him, for he had done great things for us. He did it all so that we would seek him.

Long Distance Prayer

"So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him"
Acts 12:5

This scripture is part of a wonderful story. Peter had been thrown in prison after James, the brother of John was executed. He was heavily guarded. In fact, he was sleeping between two Roman guards appointed to watch him...But the church was praying. Miraculously, an angel came, guided Peter out of prison and walked with him the full length of one street before leaving him. Peter believed he was seeing a vision, but when the angel left, he came to himself and realized it had really happened. It was a miraculous event, and the church was praying.
    Everyone knows that prayer is a fundamental part of our lives as Christians. We are usually faithful to pray for our families, our circumstances, our friends. But sometimes we are a little overwhelmed with all the need in the world. Our thoughts are limited to what we know and see. So when we pray, our prayers are usually concentrated on the things around us. But it is important that we, the church, understand that there is great need in the world and we are called to pray. You see, when the church prayed for Peter, something miraculous happened. I believe that the fervent prayers of the Jerusalem church were responsible for Peter's deliverance from prison.
    We need to learn to pray outside of our little world. In other parts of the world, Christians are being persecuted and martyred. Missionaries are often murdered or die of disease. Nations are making decisions right now that affect the future of the world. All of these are things that we should consider when we pray. I have found that the Holy Spirit is always willing to guide me when I am willing to pray long distance prayers. Often, I will be impressed to pray for a group of people, or a particular nation. At times, I will pray for those in a particular part of the world that have yet to receive Jesus. Sometimes I am called to pray for our own nation and the men and women who govern. All of these are things that I pray in faith. I cannot see them and I have no direct knowledge of the circumstances, but I pray with faith, believing God will touch, bless, rescue and heal. There is a whole world in need of our prayers.
    One thing I've learned: When I pray long distance prayers, God blesses me. I find myself praying less for my own circumstances and more for others. God still provides and speaks to me about my own life, family, friends and church. I find that my own needs are covered, even though I didn't bring them before God. Of course, I know I do need to pray regarding my own needs as well, but God knows those needs and he is a loving Father who wants to meet them. Although I don't understand, I know that my prayers accomplish great things in heaven and earth. Would you begin to pray outside your box? Allow God to put the world on your heart and experience the powerful, fervent prayers you will utter. Prayer knows no distance. Though it may seem long distance to us, God responds faster than the blink of an eye. There is a battle raging worldwide. Join the army of prayer warriors God has called.

Generously Refreshing

"A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."
Proverbs 11:25

I think that when we think of a generous person, we immediately think about someone who gives money. There certainly are people who are generous with money, but this is a very limited view of generosity. Everyone has the ability to be generous. It doesn't take a lot of money or possessions. Generosity is a matter of the heart. Solomon, who wrote this proverb, links two great virtues together; generosity and refreshing. Both are the fruits of a heart that loves God and loves people.
    We live in a world where generosity is rare. Generally, people give reluctantly or sparingly. Even the richest people in the world give relatively little compared to their worth. It seems that a generous person finds ways to give that have little or nothing to do with money. Shortly after I lost my job and career, a business associate and friend volunteered part of his garage to store a boat that I owned. I listed it for sale and he gladly met with people and showed it. His wife always gave us baked items or other food she had prepared. These were not large amounts of money, but clearly it came from generous hearts. I will never forget how much that blessed me while I was in a really dark hour. Sometimes, the littlest things can be the biggest blessings.
    Generosity leads to refreshing. When a generous person is moved to help someone, the person on the receiving end is refreshed. It seems like an odd word to describe this, but it really is the most accurate. People who are in need of a touch from someone, are usually struggling with a circumstance, feeling defeated, or generally depressed. When a single act of kindness is brought their way, those negative feelings are pushed back and refreshing comes. Even if it relieves some pain for only a short while, there is a deep blessing for both the giver and the receiver.
    I resolve to be more generous. I know that a generous person is blessed and prospers. I also know that the blessing may not be a material one, but a spiritual one. Something eternal happens when generosity is unleashed. All of us are in need of refreshing from time to time. This exchange of generosity and refreshing is vital to our Christian lives. For when we are generous, we display the character of Christ. When we are blessed and refreshed by one who shows us generosity, we have received just as if we have received it from Jesus himself. I want to be a participant of both. Let's shine the light of Christ through generosity that brings refreshing. Whichever end you find yourself on, a blessing is sure to follow.

Leaving a Legacy

"They sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord." 
Acts 11:22b-24

 Barnabas was one of the early disciples. He was instructed in the faith by the apostles at Jerusalem. Then when the need for a leader arose in the city of Antioch, they sent him to fill the need. Barnabas later would accompany the apostle Paul on his first missionary journey. Later, Paul and Barnabas had a disagreement regarding their helper, John, also called Mark. At this point, the book of Acts follows the journeys of Paul. Barnabas is no longer mentioned. Some people have presumed that Barnabas was in the wrong, but I believe it was simply a disagreement, a difference of opinion.
    Luke, who wrote the book of Acts, extends one of the greatest compliments to Barnabas that anyone could hope to receive. He said that, "He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith." This is not the kind of thing that would be said of a man who wasn't a team player. The reality is: Barnabas simply went a different direction than Paul did. He had his own mission and vision. He took John Mark along with him on his next journey and Paul took Silas. Both teams were successful and many people came to know Jesus. Barnabas lived his life and performed his ministry well. He left a legacy.
    To me, the greatest thing that you and I can do is leave a legacy that is meaningful. Rarely does a rich man leave a great legacy. He may leave a lot of money, but this has no eternal value. The things that count are the things that were said of Barnabas. It brings tears to my eyes to think that maybe, after I am gone, people would be able to say, "He was a good man." In itself, this is still not an eternal legacy. Along with that, I would like to be known as a man who is "full of the Holy Spirit and faith." For when people can say these things about me, I will have left a legacy that counts for something. I want to instill these things in my children and my grandchildren. I want them to remember me in these ways, but more importantly, I desire for them to live this way as well.
    I am not done on this earth yet. So I can be working on a living legacy now. Now is the time to develop these virtues. Now is the time to listen to the Holy Spirit, do what he says, and walk in the kind of faith that will move mountains. So I am determined to live like Barnabas.His life resulted in many coming to know Christ. I want that to be my victory as well. Would you join me in considering these thoughts? All of us can leave a legacy like Barnabas did. But just as important, we can be living it right now. Many people are well thought of, but relatively few leave an eternal legacy. But this is our goal and our desire. Together, let's be a generation that is remembered not by our wealth or power, but by our hearts for God and those who need to know him. This is the legacy we should leave.

Let All my Kingdoms Fall!

"I surrender all my human soul desires
If sacrifice requires that all my kingdoms fall
That all my kingdoms fall, that all my kingdoms fall
I surrender all."
I Surrender All
Songwriters: Regie Glenn Hamm & David E. Moffit
Performed by Clay Crosse

There is only one eternal King and only one eternal kingdom. I am certain of this and I become more certain each day of my life. There may be kings over nations and territories, but in the end, they will return to dust like every other man. No kingdom stands against the kingdom of Heaven. Yet we have allowed other kingdoms to grow in our lives. Kingdoms that preoccupy us and keep us from receiving the real kingdom. What do we do? How do we rid ourselves of these kingdoms in favor of God's?
    I have learned that I must defeat the other kings and kingdoms in my life. Some of these have been easy to defeat, others much more difficult. But all opposed the kingdom of God. Without a doubt, the most difficult kingdom to overcome in my life was the kingdom of fear. Most people would never have guessed that I was gripped by fear, but it ruled my life, opposed my faith to the point that I was spiritually crippled. I was fearful that other people wouldn't approve of me. I was fearful of failing as a husband, father, and provider for my family. I feared not being the man of God that I am called to be. I lived my life in fear. Til one day...
     I dreamed one night, about a kingdom. When I awoke from the dream, I clearly heard the Holy Spirit say, "Kill the king!" I knew that many kings and kingdoms had been defeated, but the kingdom of fear still reigned. So God and I had a meeting. I confessed my fear to him through tears. He met me, spoke to me, and removed it. God killed the king that was at least partially ruling my life. This was one of the greatest spiritual victories I have ever experienced. The freedom and new found faith has grown immeasurably since that day. I realized that my kingdoms had to fall.
    I know that many struggle with other kingdoms that stand in the way of the kingdom of God. I urge you today to kill the other kings. It may be the kingdom of fear. Maybe it's the kingdom of religion. Perhaps the kingdom of self-strength rules you. I don't know what it may be, but I do know that God is jealous. He is the only King and he wants all others to bow before him. Like I did, why don't you have a meeting with God. Allow him to show you the depth of his love. Kingdoms fall because they are defeated by greater kings and kingdoms. Yours will fall as well, because they cannot stand in opposition to God. It is a process of going before the King of kings and openly revealing the kingdoms of your life. Then cry out to him: "Let all my kingdoms fall!" And they will fall under the grace and power of God. Receive freedom living in the one true kingdom.

Don't be in a Hurry

"Woe to those who say, 'Let God hurry,
   let him hasten his work
   so we may see it.
Let it approach,
   let the plan of the Holy One of Israel come,
   so we may know it.'"
Isaiah :5:19

It seems to me that God is never early for anything. He is very patient and always arrives perfectly on time. But from my point of view, this may seem too late. I want the answer to come right now. When I pray, I want the answer to be on the way. But God know exactly the right time. His timing is perfect, mine is imperfect. I don't wish for my comments to come across as an attack on faith, they aren't. But this word from Isaiah is clearly centered on those who want God to show up 'right now.' The context of the above scripture is within a series of 'woes' prophesied by Isaiah. He lists several things that will bring woe into our lives. So it is really about questioning the timing of God.
    The more I get to know God, the more I realize how sovereign he is. I have tried for many years to build a box for God to dwell in. I have found that none can contain him. He is bigger than any box, more unpredictable than my limited ideas, and more powerful than my imagination. So when I try to dictate to God when he should answer my prayer, I am limiting him and vainly attempting to bring him down to my level. If God relented and did things in the timing I desire, I would receive much less in my life than God wants to deliver. If I open the box of my own prayers and give him his rightful authority, I will open myself to untold blessing.
    We have become a people who live in the 'right now.' We have information at our fingertips via the internet. We have instantaneous access to breaking world news via the television. We have 'on-demand' movies and programs, sporting events and more. The phrase 'on demand' illustrates just how selfish we have become. We demand to have it now, anything else is not good enough. The pace of the world environment has quickened so dramatically that the word 'wait' really isn't in our vocabulary. But it is still in God's vocabulary. He calls us to wait for his timing. Because there is an abundant blessing in doing so.
    Let's take courage today. Let's remove the boxes that we have attempted to put God in. Let's move from being woeful people to blessed people. Allow God to answer and bring blessing in the timing he has ordained. It may seem as if it's too late, but in reality it is just perfect. Let us submit to God in his wisdom and sovereignty. I believe that when we do this, kingdom blessings will be released into our lives. Perhaps one of the most difficult things to give up is our own idea of the right timing. God wants us to be patient, wait for him and not be in a hurry. What a relief it will be to relax in the arms of God and wait for his blessing.

Just One Touch

"'Woe to me!' I cried. 'I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.' Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, 'See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.'"
Isaiah 6:5-7

Isaiah the prophet had been taken away in the Spirit to God's throne room. There he saw wonderful things, experiencing the glory of the Lord. He saw angels, he heard the heavenly worship music, he saw the King of kings. All this was overwhelming to him. In fact, he realized his own humanity and sin while he was there. He knew he had absolutely no right to be in the presence of God because of his sinful state. So he cried out in desperation, confessing his own sin and the sin of all mankind before God. This exchange is written in the scripture above. Isaiah had a life-changing experience with God.
    Many times, I have reminded us of the fact that God is a completely forgiving Father. We cannot live under the ideas that God is looking for our sin and wants to punish us for it. In fact, he is far more desirous of intimate relationship with us than we are with him. He doesn't want anything to get in the way of our relationships with him. But at the same time, God cannot look on sin. It is his nature, part of the covenant he has with us. Sin cannot exist in the presence of a holy God. So if we desire a closer relationship with God, we must, like Isaiah, confess our sin and the sins of our fathers and nations. Isaiah did and God heard him.
    The most amazing thing about this exchange with God is his faithfulness to forgive. It is an absolute guarantee. All he asks is that we confess our sin before him and ask him for forgiveness. When we do that, he forgives us completely. In fact, he forgives so completely that even the guilt we bear is forgiven. Many people don't even recognize the sin in their lives. Many others don't even care. They do not acknowledge God or desire relationship with him. But for those who do, the process of confession and forgiveness is critical. God will forgive anyone who comes before him confessing their sin. It doesn't matter how deep or terrible the sin is. To God, there are not different levels of sin, all are the same. I can assure you that when we come to God through the work that Jesus did on the cross, we are completely forgiven. But we need to know that if we continue in sin or stay entangled in it, there is separation from God. Will we still go to heaven? Absolutely! I am not concerned about my eternal security. But I want everything God has for me now. I know sin keeps me from having all God wants to give me. It is a barrier. Therefore, I will confess sin daily to make sure there is nothing between God and me, no elephants in the room.
    I encourage you to take seriously the practice of confessing sin. It is vitally important. I also want you to know something that is vital to your spiritual life: You must know that when God forgives your sin (and he will), be assured that you do not have to live with any kind of guilt! God does not give guilt, he is not the author of it. Guilt is a tool of the enemy. If you resign yourself to it, you will never fully enter into the great things God has for you. It will steal your joy, your confidence, and your faith. I think it's a good idea to confess guilt before God as well. Then, take dominion over it. Just as Isaiah was told, "Your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for," so is our guilt taken away. So live a life of confession before God. Then receive the full forgiveness of your sin and your guilt. It only takes one touch from God!

Man Trouble

"Stop trusting in man,
   who has but a breath in his nostrils.
Of what account is he?" 
Isaiah 2:22

There is such a wealth of truth in the book of Isaiah that I can't seem to stop writing about it. The book is so insightful and prophetic that it speaks into our lives with the precision of a warrior's sword. This verse is one that cuts directly to the heart of the matter. God used Isaiah to let us know that there is no value in trusting in man. Yet we struggle with this very issue every day of our lives.
    It is not wrong to appreciate people. It is not wrong to have people pray for us and speak into our lives. It is not wrong to help other people or be helped by others. God placed us among humankind because we are family of sorts, all created by him to bring forth his kingdom and will upon the earth. So there is no issue with hanging out with people. The issue is when we begin to trust in them more than we trust in God.
    It is easy to trust in men. All through history, people have depended on strong or wealthy or powerful men. This prompted the psalmist to write: "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." Obviously it is not just the horses and chariots they were trusting in, but the power that men had with these things at their disposal. We still trust in men today. We trust in financial institutions to help us with money. We trust in the government to protect us, provide for us, and give us a comfortable living environment. When we are in financial trouble, we often look to other people to bail us out. When we need advice, we ask others. None of these are problems within themselves. They become a problem when we look to people first, instead of seeking God. There is no blessing in getting help from men, but there is great blessing in receiving what we need from God.
    It is necessary for us to keep God first. The first commandment tells us that we are to have no other God before Him. I think we cannot make men gods. Our needs are supplied by God himself whether we recognize that fact or not. So let's give him the glory for what he has done. Let's look to him for our needs instead of running to men. Let's enjoy the favor of God. He may use people to help us, but the answer always comes from him. This change of thinking will draw us closer to God. We do not think as the world does, we do not bow to the basic principles of the world. We live under a different freedom. It is a freedom of blessing and refreshing that comes like a cool breeze from heaven. Look to God and avoid man trouble!

We are Not Forgotten

"For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. But Zion said, 'The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.' Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!"
Isaiah 49:13b-15

We are the people of Zion. God has compassion on us when we are afflicted, but we sometimes don't believe him. There are times when we find ourselves in lonely places. It may seem that everyone, including God, have forsaken us. But the truth of the Word is this: God does not forsake us. In fact, he promises that he will never leave us nor forsake us. If this is true, then why do we sometimes feel so alone?
    Though we know that he will never forsake us, we sometimes feel like he has forgotten us. We are in good company when we feel this way, for King David often asked God if he had forgotten about him. When we go through difficult things, we may cry out saying, "God, where are you? Have you forgotten about me?" The glorious truth is that he has not forgotten because he never forgets. God has made a covenant with us and he will never break his covenant.
    When the people of Zion said that God had forgotten them, he responded with an amazing picture. Through Isaiah, he delivers a word picture of a nursing mother and the child that is at her breast. Mothers will tell you that there is no other experience like the connection that is made with a nursing baby. As men, we will never understand this, but there is a closeness between mother and nursing child that deeply connects them. God shares this beautiful picture with the people to illustrate his love, compassion, and desire to be with them in a true intimate relationship. After sharing the picture, God said in effect: "As impossible as it seems that a mother would forget her nursing child; I tell you that even if she could, I can never forget you!" There is no relationship on earth that can parallel God's amazing love for us. He never forgets.
    If you find yourself in a place where it feels as if God has forgotten you, meditate on the scripture above. When you do, you will begin to feel the incredible desire God has for you. He not only will never forget you, he wants to be with you all the time. In the verse following our scripture, God says: "See, I have engraved you on the palm of my hands." God has tattoos! Our lives are imprinted on his hands and he looks at them every day, every moment, every second. So the next time you think that God has forgotten you, remember this: You are not forgotten, you are tattooed on the hand of God.

If God is For Us

"Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." 
Acts 5:38&39

Some of the most wise words written in the Bible came from a man who was not a follower of Jesus. The early apostles had been called before the Jewish religious leaders because there was an uproar in Jerusalem caused by the church. There were so many good things happening, so many miracles and changed lives, that the religious leaders had to do something to stop it. It threatened their livelihood as lords over the people. But when the case was heard in the court of the Jewish elders, one man, Gamaliel, stood up and delivered the advice above. What he said there in that room, 2000 years ago, is still true today.
    Gamaliel reasoned that if the things that were happening were of earthly origin, it would all come to nothing just as had happened before. But if God was behind this new uprising, there would be nothing that men could do to stop it. This is a truth that we must believe. We sometimes struggle to find the will of God for our lives. We do things that we believe are God's will, only to see them fail. The opposite is also true. Sometimes, we will help someone, or get involved in a project simply because we like the idea. Then God gets behind it and it evolves into something spectacular. All of this is a result of the will of God. When he gets behind something, when it is birthed from his heart, no man can stop it.
    I experienced this in my own life recently. When I wrote my book, Sixty Days with God, I had no means or resources to publish. I wasn't even sure if it should be published because I believed it was really a journal documenting what God had done for me. But, on a whim, I sent it to a Christian publisher. A month later, they called me, telling me that their editor had read my submission and liked it. Although I didn't publish with them, this showed me that God was behind the project. All the way through the process, every step of the way, God provided what was necessary. You see, when God's will is in motion, nothing and no one can stop it.
    In your quest to find the will of God for your life, know that he will show you what to do and where to go. Doors will miraculously open and others will shut as you walk the path. Yes, you can certainly choose to live outside the will of God in favor of your own desires. But sooner or later, as Gamaliel prophesied, the endeavor will fail. When we are in the center of his will, doing what he has called us to do, nothing can get in the way. If our God is for us, who can be against us? Rest in his will and watch him do great things.