The Little Sparrow

Have you ever wondered why Jesus chose to use the illustration of birds, in Matthew 10:29, to depict His constant watch-care over us ?   "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's notice."

Of all the birds He could have picked from, why the sparrow? Why not a peacock, or an osprey, or the meadowlark, or even a tiny hummingbird?

Then I got to thinking... The peacock has his audacious plumage to draw attention to himself. The osprey's majestic wing span, and grand abilities to dive as far as 100 feet above the water to snatch a fish, makes him stand apart. The meadowlark's cheerful, loud, clear whistle makes him easily recognizable. And its the hum and speed of the hummingbird's wings that makes him so outstanding.

But the sparrow?  The sparrow is like the quiet middle child that rarely gets noticed, without distinguishing features or amazing abilities.  I realized that the sparrow would be God's perfect choice to relay His promise that He will never overlook us.  

In this simple illustration Jesus invites us to see who is actually important to Him. And that would be everyone. Even the ones who have a tendency to slip through the day unnoticed.  Unnoticed by everyone, except by Him.

7/25/2016
  

Spotless

When we enter heaven we will be changed into perfection. We will posses no deformed limbs, spots or wrinkles. Even our emotional scars will dissolve. 

In Old Testament times, the lamb brought for sacrifice was required to be without spot or blemish. That lamb represented the perfect Christ, without defect in any way.  And many times, we have made reference to Jesus as our spotless lamb because He was without sin. But I realized a staggering truth this week. 

It suddenly hit me that, after the sacrifice had been made on the cross, Jesus returned home with scars. As a result of our sin, we have forever blemished the perfect Son of God.  

Jesus didn't just take on our sins while He hung on the cross. He took them on for eternity, on His hands and feet and in His side.  What great love He has for us, that He would assume our penalty so that we can have the privilege to stand in the presence of the Father as spotless children. 

7/10/2016

Living Water

Is the living water hidden?
Is it out of reach to the thirsty traveler, 
deep within a forbidden well?
or is its exhaustless pool cupped in the hands of  Jesus?


7/8/2016

Flawed

I’ve often wondered why God used someone as flawed as Samson to accomplish His work. I also wondered why his story was even a part of scripture when it was so evident he was not the poster boy for Christian behavior, morally or otherwise.  Not only that, but the Holy Spirit even included Samson in the Faith “Hall of Fame” in Hebrews 11, on account of his incredible faith.

The other day, a friend and I were talking about people who preach Christ yet do not have the same beliefs as we do. They even have what we consider sketchy characters. I can even use myself as an example. 

There was a period of time in my life where I wanted to serve God, but was woefully lacking in moral behavior.  Regardless of my shortcoming, and beyond all understanding, He was still able use me in positive ways. How? Why? I don’t know. 

So how is it that God can use such flawed individuals to share His love with others?  We pondered the question for while and then my friend answered me with this:

“If God waited until people were good enough before He could use them, He’d forever be working alone.”

So, that’s it, I guess.  The privilege of working for God even with our list of inadequacies and sinful tendencies is truly a gift from God and an indication of His never-ending love for His broken children. 

Glory be to God who is willing to work with all of us who are totally unworthy of His notice.  Unworthy and yet used for His purpose as we continue to grow in Him. 

Awesome!

7/2/2016

The Place Where I Am Going

And Jesus said to His disciples,

“Let not your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were no so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there you may be also. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

In other words:

Do not let the troubles of this world worry you. You trust God, don’t you? You can surely trust me as well. I know I must go away from you for now, but I have a surprise for you. It is something I have been planning for a long time, something for you to look forward to as well. It is a place where we will always be together. 

Where my Father lives is very large. Large enough for all of us to live. You know how much I love to build things. I even chose to be a carpenter while I've been here with you. Well, not only will you be able to build yourself a home in the country, but I am going ahead of you to build you a house in the city, myself. That’s right.  And not just a house, but a personally designed mansion, just for you!

I am so excited to be able to promise that I am coming back to get you to take you home.  I want you to be with me, and I want to be with you. You even know the way. Just follow what you have seen in me.  Remember how I have represented the Father and that will lead you to my Father’s house.

6/27/2016

Resting In Truth

When the fog rolls in and blocks you from my view,

the strength of your words make a corridor of light.

When the pain of trouble and sorrow overwhelm me,

your Spirit takes flight with songs of peace to my soul.

When my feelings hold fast to anger and darkness,

a rainbow of promise is hurried to my understanding.

When your silent voice seems only meant for me,

you hold my hand whispering truth through the wind.

There is no place so low or high where you are missing.

Let me rest in the covenant your presence is mine.

6/24/2016

Serious Times?

How serious is the time in which we are living? 

I can remember the military parades of the 1940’s. I can still hear the marching band play the rousing songs of America that filled even a small child's heart with pride, and see the men in uniform as they passed by in perfect step.

I remember when the first television first hit the market.  It was a telephone that spoke back to you with, “Operator.”  The number at our house started with “Jackson 5"…I can’t remember the rest. But the operator would hook us up to the person with whom we wished to speak. Then we could talk as long as a neighbor didn’t interrupt by picking up their own phone and asking to make a call.

Yes, I've seen knowledge increase and technology explode. I’ve seen America at the pinnacle of its greatness, when good moral behavior was admired not ridiculed, and when we didn’t have to lock our doors for fear of intruders. 

I am sorry to say, those days have gone. We've changed.

Now we are wary of neighbors or co-workers. The things we only read about now make up the fabric of our society.

We’ve been warned of these things, but what to do about it?  The devil delights in the destruction of all we used to hold sacred. With so many distractions that totally surround us, how do we keep our connection strong with our only hope?

Now, more than any time before, we must evaluate the things that cry out for our attention.

Whatever we are doing, does it bring me closer to God or does it draw me closer to the world? Whatever we watch, which mindset has the greatest pull? Whatever I listen to, how does it affect my thinking toward spiritual things? 

If we answer these question honestly, we will know exactly which direction we’re headed, regardless of what's happening in the world around us. If our focus is turning toward the world, the good news is that we know Who can correct our course.  

6/21/2016

Justice

Jesus is seeking justice. 

A liar and thief has stolen into the camp of God’s children and stolen many away.

As Isis spreads propaganda and recruits through false promises, so the enemy of our souls plummets the unsuspecting into bondage and a life of fear and regret. With hope of wealth, power, and good times, he lures his prey outside the walls of protection. 

For others, they have believed the lie that Jesus is responsible for all of the bondage, that He is the one at fault, that He is the one that has taken away man’s freedom.

But Jesus is seeking justice!  

The Father knows who the enemy is.  He even sent His Son to come where we are being held captive, to pay the ransom so He can get us back. He has been working tirelessly to redeem His children and bring them home.

The case was settled when Jesus paid with His life. All that is left, is for us to hang on until judgment is set and the devil is taken into custody. 

Don't let the evil one trick you into believing he can still hold you captive. He's going down for what he's done. We can't let him take us with him.

6/16/2016

Measuring Life

Do not measure your life's journey by its length,
but by the extent of its width.

The Formula

I got to thinking the other day how I've often wished for a magic formula for putting my life together. You know, so I won't mess up so much. Well, I've determined that there is a formula we can identify if we look at things from a slightly different point of view.

Let's say I want to make a Tuna Noodle Casserole.  I would need the proper ingredients in order to get the results I want. I can't just throw in whatever I want, willy nilly, and come out with a Tuna Casserole.  I love chocolate, but chocolate would not go well in a tuna casserole.

My point is, my life is not a haphazard guess at getting things right. There are specific ingredients that go into it in order for it to come out with joyful results.

All these ingredients are given to us without measure or price.

Forgiveness

Faith

Endurance

Love

And the will to accept these gifts.

That's it, that's all! If we are willing to accept these gifts, the end result is guaranteed.


6/12/2016

All About Jesus

How often do we hear the words, help me, in our own prayers?

Help me be more patient.  

Help me to know what to do.

Help me succeed in this. 

In our prayers, we often want Jesus to help us accomplish whatever it is we have in mind to achieve, so we can have the results we want or expect.

 

It almost sounds like we’re inviting God into our plans rather than desiring to enter into what God has planned for us. We want God to come and help us to be good, or help us not to do bad things.  But, in reality, we are not actually capable of being good.  Nor are we capable of not being bad.  It is Jesus, alone, who gives us even the desire to be good. 

 

When we give up trying and give Him the authority in our lives, His goodness and strength overcomes our weaknesses. Jesus makes Himself responsible for our success. 

 

When we take the “help me” out of the picture, with total reliance on Him, change can finally take place.  Then the Holy Spirit will have an open invitation to demonstrate:

 

How to be more patient, how to know what to do, and how to succeed in our spiritual walk.

Psalms 23 says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” 

He gives me rest, He leads me, He refreshes my soul, He guides me along right paths.

It's all about Jesus. There is no helping me to do anything. All I have to do is to let Him do it!

6/9/2016

In My Opinion

What do you think?  

How important is it to be right? Don’t we all think what we believe in is right?  We have our own views on many things, so why would we care about how other’s see things?  

Should it make a difference if others agree with my point of view or if I disagree with someone else?  

For many people, it is so difficult to accept that someone just might disagree with what is obviously the correct opinion on a particular matter. And then we go to great lengths to prove that our way is the correct way and others are just stupid to think the way they do. 

I think — and this, of course, is only my humble opinion — that our Creator scratches His head in amazement at what we’ve done to the meaningful diversity that He, Himself, set before us as a beautiful mosaic in color, taste, diversity in sound, culture and yes, points of view. 

Is it not God’s job to direct us in whatever direction we need to go? Isn’t it God that leads us into understanding about what we need to know?

I have come to an epiphany in my spiritual walk. What others choose to believe (outside of Jesus being the Son of God; His dying on the cross to save me and rising up from the grave), I leave to the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would lead us into ALL truth. And I know that within every differing opinion and view point, there runs a thread of truth about Jesus’ love.  It is the Holy Spirit that will weave those threads together, when the time is right, to bring us into a better understanding of Jesus’ great love for us. So I celebrate the differing points of view that others might have about Jesus’ life and ministry.  And I invite, and eagerly
await, the Holy Spirit’s work in my own heart for conviction and clarity.

As we are available, Jesus uses us to share our “Jesus experiences” with those who don’t know Him. Then the Holy Spirit will speak to them about that experience, encouraging them to give Jesus a try.

Who am I, to think I can - or should - change people’s mind’s about how they believe?  Thank you, Holy Spirit, for assuming that role.  Your work is so much more gentle and effective than mine!


6/9/2016

Seeing The unknown

As I walk with God today, I see the unknown of tomorrow and dance above the clouds.

Time Is Running Out

I'm not a scientist, a biologist, or even an anthropologist. I am what you might call "an observer." We are all observers, are we not? Some of you with far greater knowledge than I.  That being said, I have to say I am startled at what I am seeing take place in the world today. It's as if people are being shaken awake by the sound of an unknown intruder.

The message comes in loud, and it echoes clearly through village, town and country. "Time is running out."

The protective ozone layer is disappearing. It has holes in it that are growing rapidly. The ozone layer is running out of time.

The sun flares are increasing in number and intensity. The stability of the sun is running out of time.

Wells and underground water reserves are drying up. Fresh clean water is running out of time.

The once fertile soil has lost its power to produce as it did in year's past. The earth's bounty is running out of time.

Scientists are concerned with the growing aggressive behavior in the large feline cat family. They are afraid these large cats have acquired a disease that are making them bold enough to invade populated cities, in broad daylight, to search for human prey. Many species in the animal kingdom are running out of time.

I could go on and on with all the changes in the sea as well as in the sky above us. Luke 21:26 shows us, "Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth." Hebrews 1:10-12 tells us the earth and the heavens will wear out like a garment.

For us who find our safety in the hands of God, there is nothing to fear. We have been forewarned of these things, which are even now taking place. The warning has been sounded.  But do we believe it?  Are we awake?

6/5/2016

Remembering

"Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy."

We all have keepsakes. There are various kinds, but all are precious to us. 

A young woman gives the love of her life a locket with her picture inside before he is deployed to a far away place. It is special to him whether at peace or war, in good times and bad times, it is a constant reminder of her love for him. It brings her close. He reflects on what she means to him and increases the longing to be together again.

She walks the seashore in search for sand dollars to collect for every week he’s gone, as a way to keep her devotion at the forefront of her mind. It is important to her because she cannot forget, because of love.

Do you suppose… ?

That God has done the same?  That He participates in an activity that gives Him an opportunity to display His dedicated intent to show us that He won’t forget about us while we’re apart from Him? 

Do you suppose…?

That we have gotten it backwards? So many times, we’ve seen the Sabbath as a requirement for us to fulfill.  But can it be that it is He that is expressing His devotion to us.  He comes in an effort to draw close and express His enduring love for us.

Do you suppose…?

It is God, Himself, that looks forward to the next Sabbath just to be with us? 

Do you suppose…?

He is suggesting: “Remember the one who loves you.”

Do you suppose…?

The Sabbath is His keepsake for us? 

6/2/2016

Let's get real

In the overall scheme of things, which is the more important?

 How you enter?  Or how you exit?

Some people plan for a grand entrance; a big splash. “Everyone, look at me! Am I not stunning, handsome or shocking? Check out all that I have done and all the accomplishments I have made.”  Self is on display for the purpose of looking better, showing what we have and making ourselves the envy of others. 

The clothing we wear are quite shallow and transitory. They are simply a covering for the body, not the soul.  The most impressive clothing in which we can be clothed, is the robe of Christ’s righteousness.  This garment is a gift from God, covering a multitude of sins, and has nothing to do with our own effort. 

In the same way, the metaphorical things we keep in our pockets lack eternal value.  They are here today but may very well be gone tomorrow.  But the gold tried in the fire of affliction is of eternal value.  Those who recognize its value are decidedly precious in God’s eyes.

Your body may have external value in this world but the internal body is where the Holy Spirit seeks to abide.  You may, have a killer sculpted body, but do you have a beautiful mind?   Does the Holy Spirit find a welcome residence inside of you? 

Let’s get real and be honest with ourselves and acknowledge true value. Mother Teresa had nothing, yet she had everything. She is known and admired, not for what she acquired, but for what she gave.  Her existence was meaningful, her exit was quiet, but her loss was significantly real.

If we look for recognition from the world, we may never find it.  But if we empty ourselves of ourselves for the better good, we shall surely find it.

5/26/2016

What Lies ahead?

The way is getting more difficult.
More briers and thorns that poke and scrape.
Mountains steep and valleys deeper still.
 
What lies ahead is shrouded in obscurity.
We scan the sky and distant recesses 
in search of the first signs of morning.
 
There is a shaking taking place in hearts,
a separation between the giver and taker,
between those seeking and those who resist.
 
A mighty battle rages for the inner man.
One seeks to satisfy selfish desires,
the other seeks the giving ways of God.
 
One feeds on the ways of this world,
the other feeds on the bread of life
and drinks from the offered cup of wine.
 
It is becoming very clear which side we seek.
Do we recognize it within our developing self?
Or are we still among the ones pretending?


5/20/2016

Jesus' Love Song

Do you hear the music?

The magical strings

of the butterfly wings?

The fluttering flight

of falling leaves?

The symphony 

of the river’s fairy dance?

Have you noticed the tune

that the lark whistles?

Or the rhythm of raindrops

upon window panes?

The whispering song

of the waving barley field? 

When my ear is ready, I hear all the stanzas of Jesus' songs of love. If we are those who seek the glory He sends, then we receive, as we search the silhouettes of the morning light, as songs upon our soul.

3/24/2016 

There Are Snakes Out There

Do you like snakes? I don't like snakes! I really can't say why, it's just that they are so long and slimy, and slither around in a menacing sort of way.

Perhaps because of God's curse upon the serpent, most of us naturally feel uncomfortable in the presence of a snake. Since the devil’s use of this once beautiful creature, the snake has come to depict sin or evil, something to be feared, indeed. 

Jesus declared to the rulers of His day, "Oh generation of vipers...!" (Matthew 3:7) and “You snakes, you brood of vipers...!" (Matthew 23:33), condemning the sinful way they preyed upon the unsuspecting believer.

When Moses and the children of Israel were in the desert, they had a disastrous encounter with this wily reptile. As their impatience for the journey grew, so did their complaining. The story is found in Numbers 21:4-9. "They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way. They spoke against God and against Moses and said, ‘Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread, there is no water! And we detest this miserable food!’" 

The manna which was designed to be a blessing, and was a symbol of Christ Himself, was unpalatable to them. They wanted a blessing, but wanted a say as to what that blessing should be. A blessing to them would consist of leeks, garlic, onions, and the delicacies of Egypt.

Is it a sin to detest God’s blessings?  Or is the sin preferring captivity to the seemingly difficult road to freedom?

Either way, sin lay at the door, and the symbol of sin slithered into Israel's camp in abundance. The viper raised it's ugly head to strike a death blow, and the people began to die everywhere. They didn't have to be told what went wrong.

They knew exactly what they had done.  1 Corinthians 15:56 says, “The sting of death is sin.” 

“We have sinned,” they said to Moses.  “When we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us." (Numbers 21:6,7)

God answered the prayer of Moses, but in a very strange way. "Make a snake and put it on a pole. Anyone who is bitten may gaze upon it and live."

Why would they need to look at the symbol of sin in order to receive life? Why didn’t God just make the snakes disappear?  Regardless, for those who were willing to look, there was life. But those who refused to look, perished.

If the snake represented sin, how is it that it also brought life?

The glorious news is that, “God made Him Who had no sin to BE SIN for us.” (11 Corinthians 5:21)  They were looking at the symbol of the One who took their sin and died in their place.

He was, and continues to be, raised up for ALL who have been bitten by sin. He died so that we might live.

Sometimes the blessings (time of learning) may not be very palatable to us. We may wish for a different way, but no matter how detestable it may feel, God’s way is the way of the free and God’s way brings life.  

If sin lies at your door, keep the door closed. There are snakes out there.

But if you open the door and find your home filled with snakes, you know what to do.  Look to Jesus and you will live. 

 5/9/2016

Selflessness

No act of selflessness is ever lost. Like a ripple in a pond, it travels to the farthest shore on its mission of joy.


5/1/2016

Self Reflections

Reflections on one’s self.  Ugh!

I heard a question today that caused me to turn the radio off and just think for a few minuets on how I would answer. 

Here was the question:  How do I respond when God asks me to do something I don’t like, or want to do? 

So then I expanded the question to include others, like these…

How do I respond when God asks me to say something I don't want to say?

How do I respond when I hear Him say something I don’t want to hear?  Or when He asks me to go somewhere I do not want to go?  Or to see something I don’t want to see?

Are these all different questions, or are they all the same question?  They all seem pretty similar because of one common thread.  In other words, how do I respond to God when He asks me to do something that I DON’T LIKE?

There are many responses I would imagine people might give to such questions. I’m sure there are more responses you could come up with.  But theses are the ones that came to my mind, some of which I personally recognize.

I don't have time.

Why ask me? So-n-so could do it much better than I could.

I’m not ready.

It just makes me mad. I feel like I'm being used.

Don't push me!

I don't want to give it up yet.

I'm not worthy.

I'm just too afraid.

No one will understand.

It won't make a difference anyway.

What do I get out of this?

These are responses, reactions, or excuses that help us justify our desire to ignore what God asks of us.  But Jesus asks us to do things out of our comfort zone for our own good, doesn’t He?  That’s what I’m supposed to believe.  But whether or not we believe it, is where the element of trust comes in. Do we really TRUST Him?

I need to remember that sometimes He asks us to face something we don’t like in order to get us to where we want to be.

So what would you say? How would you answer?

4/22/2016

God's Desire

What would you say God desires most?  What is the one thing He seeks above all else?

In the beginning (Genesis 1:26-28) God created man. Why do you think Jesus decided to create man? Was He bored?  Did He need something to do? Did He do it just for the fun of it? Maybe this was some kind of grand experiment. 

Human perspective often puts God at a distance, making Him a disconnected entity looking down on us as we fumble our way through life. In reality, however, the creation of man was the greatest commitment God has ever made! He committed Himself to us, knowing full well where the road would lead. This is no game with Jesus, but serious business.

At the same time, He did create us for His pleasure (Revelation 4:11 KJV).  Believe it or not, Jesus takes great pleasure in being with us. Since man’s fall in Eden, our Father no longer has the pleasure of being with us face-to-face every day. John tells us (John 14:1-3) that Jesus has gone on ahead of us to design, build, and decorate a mansion for each of His children in an extravagant golden city that we will, and can today, call home. It is the ultimate in prosperity, peace, and pleasure —the kind with no strings attached. That’s right, the one thing Jesus desires most is to be with you, and with me.

The whole plan of salvation is based on that one, overwhelming life-giving desire of His heart, for us to be together walking through the garden again. Jesus even goes to unthinkable limits to show the universe how much being together again means to Him. He actually brings His home to us.

Revelation 21:2,3

"And I John saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adored for her husband.  And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.”

He actually rearranges the galaxies of the universe to make our location the capital of all of His creation! Think about it.  I would call that a pretty incredible commitment, wouldn’t you?

I guess it’s no longer a question of whether Jesus wants to be with us. It's much more a question of whether we want to be with Him.

4/10/2016

Why Doesn't God Heal?

I watched as the television program, “Christ For All Nations,” was healing many of the more than one-million people of Africa gathered to hear the word of God.

Again, the age-old question arose in my heart: Why in Africa and not here? Why doesn't Jesus heal here in America like He does in other countries.

That same question was raised in our women's study group last week. All of the sudden, without forewarning, the answer I’ve been looking for came forward loud and clear.

Jesus could not perform many miracles in His hometown because of their unbelief. “We know him,” they said. "He played in our streets as a child." He wasn't able to do much of anything there, accept to lay hands on a few sick people. (Mark 6:4-6)  

There are still certain places in this world that have very little compared to the western world. They don't have all the technology we have. No television, no social media, no cell phones, no movie theaters, and very little in the way of housing, let alone three square meals. These people have not been sensationalized or hardened with repeated sensory bombardment. 

These humble people are in need! They are looking for a savior! When they hear of Jesus, and that He died to save them, they flock to hear the good news. For them, He not only invites them to the marriage supper of the lamb (something to look forward to in the future), but heals their maladies right here, right now, as well. These people jump and shout and cry over what God has done for them, and they travel miles on foot to tell family and friends that they should come to hear God’s words of life.

Now take an honest look at what happens when Jesus heals one of us - the few He is able to heal. Our senses have been so flooded with supernatural achievements that little response is gleaned. Our stubborn hearts have seen it all. Very little moves us. So He can do very little for us. We have more need for a Savior than most of the people in those ravaged countries. But we think we have it all, we know it all, and we don’t NEED God. We have doctors.

When we get to the place where our reality hits us, and we realize that God is our only hope, then maybe - just maybe - we’ll provide Him with the opportunity to work, miraculously, in our lives too.  

3/30/2016

It's Who You Know

And Jesus said, “Now this is eternal life; that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”  (John 17:3)

Jesus was praying to His Father for Himself when He spoke these words. These words sum up the totality of the meaning of the gospel. 

May I paraphrase? 

Now this IS my eternal life…  

It is present tense, not along with any other prerequisite. It is that I know the Father, not know about Him, but know Him. In the original text, “to know" means to be “intimate with.” This goes far beyond having an acquaintance or a basic knowledge of.

…and Jesus Christ whom you have sent, so I may know both the Father and the Son, for to know one is to know the other.

The question is: do I want eternal life? If the answer is yes, then I have already been invited to look into pursuing an intimate relationship with my heavenly Father. 

It’s all about who I know, not about what I do! 

3/14/2016