Category: Philippians

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Attitude of Gratitude

Are you familiar with the characters of Winnie the Pooh?

Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, Eeyore, Roo, Rabbit, Owl, Kanga and Christopher Robin.

These characters have taught me a lot about life in my adult years. I have learned to work with people and the vast characteristics of their personalities by seeing how A. A. Milne’s characters interact.

The thing that amazes me the most is how Pooh Bear is always looking on the bright side of life. When he talks with Piglet and Roo he teaches them to look for the good. When Eeyore is gloomy, which is always, Pooh tries to help him find things to enjoy and when Tigger gets in to trouble from being too boisterous Pooh is there to encourage him.

I would like  think that A.A. Milne was influenced by Scripture when he wrote these stories. He definitely has a way of conveying the verses I want us to look at this morning.

“Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. So let the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful. 16 Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 Whatever you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks to God the Father because of him.” Colossians 3:15-17 CEV

Be grateful, whatever you do or say let it be done with an attitude of gratitude.

Evaluate your day. Do you spend more time complaining about things or being grateful?  When you find yourself complaining about the kids and the messes they leave be grateful that your house is filled with their lives and laughter. Have a husband that doesn’t pick up his socks – be grateful your husband has legs and feet. Annoyed by the drivers on the highway; stop and appreciate that you have a car that runs and can get you from place to place.

Let everything be done with thanksgiving.

Dave has been reading a book written by an Army wife in the late 1800’s. She describes daily life, traveling from post to post in the West. She and her husband were stationed in Tucson, in the summer. At the end of each chapter he looks at me and says “we have it so easy”.

There is always something to be thankful for; sometimes we just need to experience an attitude adjustment.

“So be very careful how you live. Live wisely, not like fools. 16 I mean that you should use every opportunity you have for doing good, because these are evil times. 17 So don’t be foolish with your lives, but learn what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, which will ruin your life, but be filled with the Spirit. 19 Encourage each other with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord. 20 Always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:15-20 ERV

These words were written by the Apostle Paul. His daily life was subject to constant harassment. He was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, imprisoned and still he wrote these words of instruction. Encourage one another – always give thanks!

An attitude of gratitude! It’s a godly trait.

“ I am so happy, and I thank the Lord that you have again shown your care for me. You continued to care about me, but there was no way for you to show it. 11 I am telling you this, but not because I need something. I have learned to be satisfied with what I have and with whatever happens. 12 I know how to live when I am poor and when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of how to live through any kind of situation—when I have enough to eat or when I am hungry, when I have everything I need or when I have nothing. 13 Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do.” Philippians 4:10-13 ERV

Be content – that simply means to be grateful. You might not have the largest house or the best clothes; your bank account may be meager compared to some but to others you are rich. Too young, too old, too short, too tall, too single, too married – none of these can or will affect your outlook if you chose to be grateful.

One final encouragement.

“Always be filled with joy in the Lord. I will say it again. Be filled with joy. 5 Let everyone see that you are gentle and kind. The Lord is coming soon. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. 7 And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds.” Philippians 4:4-7 ERV

Someone needs your smile today and I’m sure someone needs your hug. Thank God that you can be used to bring joy to someone.

Let your life overflow with gratitude!

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A World Changer

This morning I would like to share with you one more person who heard God speak to him in a dramatic way.

Most of the time we refer to this man as Paul, the Apostle. However, that wasn’t always his name. As a younger man he went by the name of Saul. He was a very religious man and was highly educated. He was one of those who thought that the ministry of Jesus was heresy.

He made it his life’s ambition to stop the message of the Christians. He wanted to wipe out anyone who dared to proclaim that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah that the Jews had been looking for.

He stood, holding the coats of the Pharisees, as they stoned Stephen, a young Christian, to death. He went to the courts and asked for documents so that he could round up Christians to have them killed.

Yes, this man’s name was Saul.

Why would God speak to a man like this? A man who hated so deeply. I don’t have the answer. All I know is HE did and the world was changed.

“ Saul approved the stoning of Stephen. Some faithful followers of the Lord buried Stephen and mourned very much for him.

At that time the church in Jerusalem suffered terribly. All of the Lord’s followers, except the apostles, were scattered everywhere in Judea and Samaria. 3 Saul started making a lot of trouble for the church. He went from house to house, arresting men and women and putting them in jail.” Acts 8:1-3 CEV

One day Saul was on his way from Jerusalem to Damascus when he encountered the Lord.

“Saul kept on threatening to kill the Lord’s followers. He even went to the high priest 2 and asked for letters to the Jewish leaders in Damascus. He did this because he wanted to arrest and take to Jerusalem any man or woman who had accepted the Lord’s Way.[a] 3 When Saul had almost reached Damascus, a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice that said, “Saul! Saul! Why are you so cruel to me?”

5 “Who are you?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus,” the Lord answered. “I am the one you are so cruel to. 6 Now get up and go into the city, where you will be told what to do.”

7 The men with Saul stood there speechless. They had heard the voice, but they had not seen anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, and when he opened his eyes, he could not see a thing. Someone then led him by the hand to Damascus, 9 and for three days he was blind and did not eat or drink.” Acts 9:1-9 CEV

There’s another man who is important to this story. His name is Ananias. He was living in Damascus and he loved the Lord. The Lord spoke to him in a vision and told him to go help Saul.

Help Saul? He has all the necessary papers to have me arrested. Really?  Yes, really. Ananias was obedient to what God told him.

“The Lord said to Ananias, “Go! I have chosen him to tell foreigners, kings, and the people of Israel about me. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for worshiping in my name.”

17 Ananias left and went into the house where Saul was staying. Ananias placed his hands on him and said, “Saul, the Lord Jesus has sent me. He is the same one who appeared to you along the road. He wants you to be able to see and to be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 9:15-17 CEV

When Saul received his sight back he immediately began to worship with the Christians in Damascus. They were skeptical of him at first because they knew this was the man who had come to have them arrested. Yet they could not deny the fact that things he spoke about Jesus were true. He spoke with great conviction and power.

From there Saul went back to Jerusalem to join himself to the very people he had been persecuting.

“ Saul moved about freely with the followers in Jerusalem and told everyone about the Lord. 29 He was always arguing with the Jews who spoke Greek, and so they tried to kill him. 30 But the followers found out about this and took Saul to Caesarea. From there they sent him to the city of Tarsus.

31 The church in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria now had a time of peace and kept on worshiping the Lord. The church became stronger, as the Holy Spirit encouraged it and helped it grow.” Acts 9:28-31 CEV

Saul continued to live and preach. Since he was brought up to be a religious leader he knew the Scriptures and once he realized that Jesus was who He said He was Saul became a powerful minister.

He began travelling the world over preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Saul, became better known as Paul. He is the one the Lord used to write two thirds of the New Testament. His teachings are fundamental to us and they way we live our lives committed to Christ.

Paul considered everything he had accomplished in his life garbage when it compared to his new life in Christ.

“But Christ has shown me that what I once thought was valuable is worthless. 8 Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ 9 and to know that I belong to him. I could not make myself acceptable to God by obeying the Law of Moses. God accepted me simply because of my faith in Christ.” Philippians 3:7-9

He never forgot who he had been but he didn’t let that hold him back. He definitely experienced the truth he wrote about when he said:

“ Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. 18 God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others.” II Corinthians 5:17-18 CEV

We need to be like Paul. Forget the past filled with its failures and mistakes and go forward knowing that we have been given a new life. A life filled with peace and a relationship with God.

If you listen today you’ll hear God speaking to your heart! He has a purpose and a plan designed specifically for you!

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How Big Is Our God?

As we start the day I need to ask, “how big is our God?”.

Do problems and stress keep us awake at night? Do we find ourselves in turmoil over the day’s situations? As we raise our kids and provide for our families are we undone by the pressures that surround us?

So, how big is our God?

“I pray that the God of peace will give you every good thing you need so that you can do what he wants. God is the one who raised from death our Lord Jesus, the Great Shepherd of his sheep. He raised him because Jesus sacrificed his blood to begin the new agreement that never ends. I pray that God will work through Jesus Christ to do the things in us that please him. To him be glory forever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:19-21 ERV

Do we see God the Father as a God of peace or do we see Him as someone we need to be wary of because “we just never know what God’s going to do”?

I hope it’s the first, because through Jesus’ sacrifice, he made the way for us to be reconciled to God. To be made sons of God so that we could call him “Abba Father”.

Abba was a term of endearment like daddy or papa.

“Since you are now God’s children, he has sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts. The Spirit cries out, “ Abba, Father.” 7 Now you are not slaves like before. You are God’s children, and you will receive everything he promised his children.” Galatians 4:6-7 ERV

Did you notice that this verse says since we are God’s children we will receive everything He promised us? God has not lied in the whole of eternity and I can guarantee that He will not start lying now.  If God has promised it, He will come through every time!

Sometimes, we don’t even know what we need! We become so exhausted and overwhelmed that we lose perspective. That’s when we pray like the Apostle Paul did and God steps in with the answers.

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

We are also told in Hebrews that we can come boldly to His throne to find help in time of need. I can see it now – like little kids we are invited to come running in, climb up on the throne and sit in the Father’s lap and tell Him we have a need and He by grace provides the help we are looking for.

“With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:16

So let’s take time to thank Him today for his grace and mercy and if you have had a misconception of God and His love for you ask Him to show you just how much He loves you today. He will!

My God is big!

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Advice From My Professor

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

He was true to his word. We learned quickly.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

or

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

Listening to the Lord and obeying always came with blessings.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

His loving-kindness will last forever! Amen.

 

 

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God Knows Your Name & Your Need

I have a list with the names of family, friends and acquaintances in my prayer journal.

I began talking to the Lord about the different names on that list this morning. Some of you I know have personal needs and so I was praying about those. But then I came to some of your names and I didn’t know what particular need there is in your life.

As I was hesitating in what to pray I felt the Lord say “It’s ok. You know their names, I know their needs.”  I love that about God. He knows all about us.

“When you pray, do not say the same thing over and over again making long prayers like the people who do not know God. They think they are heard because their prayers are long. 8 Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. ” Matthew 6:7-8 NLV

Look at the Apostle Paul. In the letters that he wrote to the different churches he always let them know that he was praying for them.

“ I thank God every time I remember you.” Philippians 1:3

“ In our prayers we always thank God for you. He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Colossians 1:3

As I said, sometimes we know how to pray for a specific need and other times we just need to let the Holy Spirit direct our prayers because we lack the understanding for what is needed.

“Also, the Spirit helps us. We are very weak, but the Spirit helps us with our weakness. We don’t know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit himself speaks to God for us. He begs God for us, speaking to him with feelings too deep for words. 27 God already knows our deepest thoughts. And he understands what the Spirit is saying, because the Spirit speaks for his people in the way that agrees with what God wants.” Romans 8:26-28 ERV

A couple weeks back I had sent a friend a text early in the morning to tell her that I was praying for her. She responded back and gave me some specific needs that were immediate.

We were in the truck and on our way to an area where there was no cell service. Her text was the last that came in for several hours. I was disappointed that I didn’t get a chance to tell her that I was now praying specifically for those needs.

The Lord reminded me that although I couldn’t communicate with her that I could certainly pray on her behalf and that He wasn’t limited by a weak cell signal. He was moving to meet her needs.

God is so good!

What a privilege it is to pray for others. What a joy it is to know that our God isn’t deaf but He hears and answers our prayers.

” I write this letter to you who believe in the Son of God. I write so that you will know that you have eternal life now. 14 We can come to God with no doubts. This means that when we ask God for things (and those things agree with what God wants for us), God cares about what we say. 15 He listens to us every time we ask him. So we know that he gives us whatever we ask from him.” I John 5:13-15 ERV

We have God’s word so we know what He wants for us and we can pray for those things to come about in our lives and the lives of our friends and family. We can even join in prayer for those we don’t know personally.  Again, all we may know is a name but God knows their need.

Jesus is our example for life. He took every spare moment to pray. The night he was arrested and taken to be crucified He was in the garden praying. He was praying for himself and his followers and he was praying for us too.

“I pray not only for these followers but also for those who will believe in me because of their teaching.” John 17:20 ERV

We are those who have believed because of the teaching of His disciples. Jesus prayed for us  and now that He is in heaven He continues to intercede on our behalf.

Prayer is conversation with the Father. When someone we know or love comes to mind let’s talk to the Father about them.

Remember, we know their name and He knows their need.

 

 

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Are You Confused?

I had a situation recently where I needed to log-in to a particular app. Entered the password I thought was right but…

I know you’ve been there. Or you log-in and then are asked the security questions. After several attempts of trying to remember if you capitalized the answer or are spelling it right you are locked out temporarily. Are you kidding me, what did I do wrong? I’m so confused.

There are many things that bring thoughts of confusion our way. Jobs – Relationships – Politics – Finances – Education – Technology! What to do? Throw up your hands and walk away? Guess?

I’m so glad that our access to the heavenly Father isn’t blocked by some unknown password or security questions that we can’t remember. The password is simple, Jesus! The security question answer is less complicated than most imagine, Help!

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds.” Philippians 4:6-7 ERV

Confusion is not from the Lord. Absolutely not! He promises us peace. His peace to guard our thoughts and are feelings.

He has always done everything in an orderly and well planned fashion. He created light and the dry land before He created the animals and plants. He put the grasses on earth before He created the cows, deer and elk.

He foretold the birth of Jesus hundreds and thousands of years before the event and when it came time for Jesus’ earthly entry everything was in place. The wise men followed what Daniel had written hundreds of years before.

The crucifixion was orchestrated down to the words that were spoken on the cross. Every detail had been foretold and every detail came to pass without deviation. God does things orderly. Even now, heaven is being prepared for us. Every desire and detail that will make heaven, heaven, is being fashioned as we live and breathe.

So when we look at a situation or circumstance and try to plan or gain understanding and are minds are spinning, it’s time to call on the Lord for order and wisdom.

“If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking. 6 But when you ask for something, you must have faith and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm. 7-8 If you are that kind of person, you can’t make up your mind, and you surely can’t be trusted. So don’t expect the Lord to give you anything at all.” James 1:5-8 CEV

Once we’ve asked for wisdom we need to wait for it. Expect God to show up with a game plan. Don’t become impatient or we will be tossed back and forth in our storm of indecision and misinformation. We can trust God to provide when we ask.

The Apostle Paul says that we battle in our minds but the way we emerge victorious is to bring every thought “captive”. Rein it in, bring it under control but not a control of our own making, bring it under the control that comes from knowledge in Christ.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” II Corinthians 10:3-5

So when confusion comes and it does, it’s our duty to cast it down, take it captive and renew our minds to God’s way of thinking.

Ask for wisdom and then be still and listen for God’s voice on the matter. You have unlimited access to the throne room.

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Let’s Have Coffee

First We Have Coffee, a book by Margaret Jensen, describes her life in Canada in a Norwegian pastor’s home. I read this book many years ago and it intrigued me for two reasons; 1) because she was Norwegian and 2) because she was a pastor’s daughter. Being Norwegian, I found many of the things they did in their home very humorous and oh so familiar.

But the thing I liked most was that her parents built relationships with the people before they felt they had a right to minister to them. The full title of this book is First We Have Coffee Then We Talk. What an example of Jesus this is. He found himself constantly developing relationships – helping fisherman who hadn’t caught any fish; rescuing a prostitute; having dinner with a tax collector; bringing wine to a wedding, on and on it goes.

Without relationship we really don’t have a right to bring a message. Folks need to know our heart, to know that they aren’t being “preached” too or being judged. Jesus didn’t judge – He loved unconditionally. Yes, He definitely had a message of salvation for all He met but He didn’t judge. He encouraged, corrected, cured and showed compassion but He didn’t judge.

When Jesus was asked a trick question by an attorney – which is the greatest law, He wasn’t flustered or ashamed. His answer was clear.

“He said, “Teacher, which command in the law is the most important?” 37 Jesus answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’38 This is the first and most important command. 39 And the second command is like the first: ‘Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.’ 40 All of the law and the writings of the prophets take their meaning from these two commands.” Matthew 22:36-40

When we love God the Father with our whole heart it changes us and we develop a sense of self-worth we can’t get any other way. God’s love elevates the way we think about ourselves because we begin to see ourselves the way He does – we have value, we were worth dying for. And when we begin to accept the love God has for us, we can then see that He has that same love for others and we begin to see they have value too. So we can love them the way the Father has loved us, the way we love ourselves.

So this morning, I had my first cup of coffee with the Father and now I get to share one with you. Thank you for allowing me to build relationship with you. I value the time we share.

“Every time I think of you, I thank my God.” Philippians 1:3 CEV

God bless you all this day!

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Standing Guard

Have you ever seen the guards at Buckingham Palace? What about the sentry at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier? 

I’ve only seen pictures or videos but they are amazing!

The concentration and determination on the faces of the guards in England is almost mind boggling. How many times a day do they have people trying to make them laugh or a least smile? A wink, a nod, even a twitch would prove that they recognize the existence of the passers-by but nothing. How long do they train for that?

Train they must – what kind of schooling do they go through to keep from reacting? If they felt their gates were truly being threatened I’m sure that they would fight to defend it.

Those soldiers who are assigned to the Tomb of the Unknown don’t take time off because of bad weather. They are on guard in snow and heat; storm or calm.

Would you make a good guard? Or would you be easily distracted by all of life’s little annoyances? Would you scream “Enough is enough”? Would you refuse to show up for duty the next day?

“To end my letter I tell you, be strong in the Lord and in his great power. 11 Wear the full armor of God. Wear God’s armor so that you can fight against the devil’s clever tricks. 12 Our fight is not against people on earth. We are fighting against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness. We are fighting against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly places. 13 That is why you need to get God’s full armor.Then on the day of evil, you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing.

14 So stand strong with the belt of truth tied around your waist, and on your chest wear the protection of right living. 15 On your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong. 16 And also use the shield of faith with which you can stop all the burning arrows that come from the Evil One. 17 Accept God’s salvation as your helmet. And take the sword of the Spirit—that sword is the teaching of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times. Pray with all kinds of prayers, and ask for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready. Never give up.” Ephesians 6:10-18 ERV

Don’t become distracted by the devil’s clever tricks. Know your enemy; know the subtle ways  he will use to break your concentration, the ways he will try to get inside your head and get you off track. James says he will use the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. That’s how he brought temptation against Jesus; turn the stones to bread, throw yourself from the pinnacle of the Temple, if you worship me I will give you the nations of the world. (Matthew 4)

Each time Jesus defeated Satan and temptation with the word – it is written!

Each piece of your armor is God’s word; shoes are the Gospel, shield of faith (faith cometh by hearing the word of God), helmet is salvation (call on the name of the Lord and thou shall be saved, Jesus was and is the Word), sword of the Spirit is the word of God.

The distractions, the attacks, the temptations will come but you can be like those guards at Buckingham Palace and while being ready for battle you can ignore the distractions and the temptations. Or like the sentries at the Tomb of the Unknown you can be consistent in your duties regardless of the storms, the heat, the cold. Stay on task.

“ Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. 7 And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds.” Philippians 4:6-7 ERV

When you’ve done all to stand – keep on standing! Never give up!!

 

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The Choice is Yours

Have you ever sat alone with your thoughts? Wondering how things are going to be in the future or what you could have done differently to change the past and shape your present?

Maybe you’ve been going over and over the dynamics of a relationship; your education or lack thereof; your financial situation or your health. Too often, you begin to follow rabbit trails in your mind and come to a place of discontentment or disaster.Before you know it you are angry or depressed.

You know how it goes, you have a bad dream where you fight with your spouse or a friend or a co-worker and when you wake up, you’re madder than blazes and it spoils your morning and maybe your day.

I know none of you have had experiences like that but some people have. Some people let their imaginings become real and they are hurt by them.

But what has any of this got to do with anything. Glad you asked because it takes me to this morning’s devotional thought.

“We live in this world, but we don’t fight our battles in the same way the world does. 4 The weapons we use are not human ones. Our weapons have power from God and can destroy the enemy’s strong places. We destroy people’s arguments, 5 and we tear down every proud idea that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We also capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ.” II Corinthians 10:3-5 ERV

One version of this verse tells us to cast down vain imaginations. That’s what I was talking about above. When those thoughts of failure, death, desertion, and humiliation come you need to take them captive or cast them down. But how?

“Dear friends, God is good. So I beg you to offer your bodies to him as a living sacrifice, pure and pleasing. That’s the most sensible way to serve God. 2 Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.” Romans 12:1-2 CEV

and how do you change the way you think…

“Brothers and sisters, continue to think about what is good and worthy of praise. Think about what is true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected.” Philippians 4:8 ERV

The news you hear everyday is mostly bad; most of you have a tendency to run “the worst case scenario” when you think of doing something new. But that needs to change.

Yes, it’s that simple. If you don’t like the way the red shirt looks, you change to the blue. If you don’t like the brown boots you change to the red ones. If you don’t like the fishing lure you’re using you change to live bait.

Your thoughts are the data that you input to your mind’s hard drive. They dictate your prejudice, your approval,  joy, and your sorrow. You can make wrong assumptions and be destroyed or you can choose to consider God’s word, his thoughts and live in victory.

“ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV

Change – renew your mind to God’s way of thinking instead of your own. Think about what’s good, honorable, pure and true. When those bad thoughts and imaginings come, change them! Change them immediately! Replace them with what God has said about you and your situation.

When you do, the word of God will rule in your heart and God’s word brings peace and light!

Time for a change!!

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Safe on Stormy Seas

Dave and I like to watch historically factual movies. Over the last few months we have seen stories on the life of Mary, Queen of Scots; a prison ship that sailed from England to New South Wales; a series on the founding of the western frontier; one based on the fur trappers and traders that opened northern trades routes and another on the Revolutionary War.

At some point during each one of these we have made the comment that we certainly have an easy life compared to those who came before us. We had to consider how we would have reacted if we had been alive during those times.

This morning while I was praying and thanking God for the life I have I began to consider these people and their hardships and then I thought of Paul, the apostle. His life was impacted by persecution and peril. I focused in on his strength and resolve. I want you to see his comments. I think you will find hope and encouragement by seeing how the Lord met him in his greatest struggles.

Paul accepted the life of a missionary. He traveled Europe and Asia proclaiming the message of Christ. Each city he went too had converts but also critics. Some of the critics sought to discredit Paul by bragging about their credentials. This is where we find Paul speaking up in II Corinthians 11. The passage I am including is lengthy but please read it. Listen to the words of a man who has faced severe danger and persecution.

“Are they Jews? So am I. Are they from the family of Israel? So am I. Are they from the family of Abraham? So am I. 23 Do they work for Christ? I have worked for Him much more than they have. (I speak as if I am crazy.) I have done much more work. I have been in prison more times. I cannot remember how many times I have been whipped. Many times I have been in danger of death. 24 Five different times the Jews whipped me across my back thirty-nine times. 25 Three times they beat me with sticks. One time they threw stones at me. Three times I was on ships that were wrecked. I spent a day and a night in the water. 26 I have made many hard trips. I have been in danger from high water on rivers. I have been in danger from robbers. I have been in danger from the Jews. I have been in danger from people who do not know God. I have been in danger in cities and in the desert. I have been in danger on the sea. I have been in danger among people who say they belong to Christ but do not. 27 I have worked hard and have been tired and have had pain. I have gone many times without sleep. I have been hungry and thirsty. I have gone without food and clothes. I have been out in the cold. 28 More than all these things that have happened to my body, the care of all the churches is heavy on me. 29 When someone is weak, I feel weak also. When someone is led into sin, I have a strong desire to help him. 30 If I must talk about myself, I will do it about the things that show how weak I am. 31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is to be honored and thanked forever. He knows I am telling the truth. 32 In the city of Damascus the leader of the people under King Aretas put soldiers at the gates to take me. 33 But I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and I got away.” II Corinthians 11:22-33 NLV

People either hated Paul or loved him. His message was one of life and peace but it was greatly opposed yet he kept going. Where did he find the strength? He tells us.

“8 I asked the Lord three times to take it away from me. 9 He answered me, “I am all you need. I give you My loving-favor. My power works best in weak people.” I am happy to be weak and have troubles so I can have Christ’s power in me. 10 I receive joy when I am weak. I receive joy when people talk against me and make it hard for me and try to hurt me and make trouble for me. I receive joy when all these things come to me because of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” II Corinthians 12:8-10 NLV

Do you see the answer to Paul’s prayer? “When I am weak, then I am strong”. That’s the same answer that Christ gives to us. When we feel weak, helpless, hopeless, discouraged, misunderstood, pick on or abandoned we can find strength in our weakness because Christ will come to make us strong. Paul wasn’t always saved from the storm but he was always safe in the storm.

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

Jesus said, “A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” John 10:10 CEV

We have Jesus’ word that He came to provide us with a good life, a life of victory and peace. He promised to give us strength for whatever comes our way. So many times we want a life that is “storm free” and start to cave when troubles come. Remember, Daniel wasn’t saved from the lion’s den but in it. Noah wasn’t kept from the flood but he was safe above it. Jesus wasn’t kept from the cross but rose victoriously from the tomb. Here’s one final thought from the Apostle Paul. One that will give encouragement and hope.

“We are like clay jars in which this treasure (God’s strength) is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us. 8 We often suffer, but we are never crushed. Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up. 9 In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again. 10-11 We face death every day because of Jesus. Our bodies show what his death was like, so that his life can also be seen in us…

17 These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing. 18 Things that are seen don’t last forever, but things that are not seen are eternal. That’s why we keep our minds on the things that cannot be seen.” II Corinthians 4:7-18 CEV

We need to be like Paul, always aware that God is with us. We draw our strength from Him when we face “little troubles”. We get up and go on knowing that God is there to keep us safe on stormy seas.

When we are weak, we are strong in God!

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