Robbing Quality from the LORD

Stating the obvious; people desire relationships.  Do not most people want to be liked, acknowledged, recognized and even respected?  We seek relationships at home, at school, work, church, and even more so on social media.  We may even find ourselves justifying our value by the number of so called friends or followers we have.  We count our tweets, re-tweets, favored tweets, likes, re-shares, followers, friends, favored’s, and so on.  We are so focused on quantity and being quantified, that we have neglected quality. 

Society has come to this place where we have robbed relationships of quality.  Without quality, what you have is nothing more than superficial, non-dependable, unreliable, broken connections.   You may think you have gained the world in popularity by counting numbers, but in fact you have robbed your soul of one of its greatest desires.  We want to be connected to others.  Friends will unfriend, followers will quit following, re-tweets will be forgotten, favoreds will be filled away, pretty much all the quantity and quantifying will amount to nothing more than empty shallow meaningless numbers. 

Have you ever been in a crowd and yet still felt totally alone?  I have.  In robbing ourselves and cheating others of quality communication, we have created gatherings of two, three, and even mass multitudes of physical and digital congregations of lonely people.    

Although people will come and go in life, there is one who will never leave you or forsake you, He wants to be your friend forever and He will always favor you.  His name is Jesus.  He desires your friendship, following, favoring, re-tweets, re-shares and so much more.  He gave everything just so He could become a friend of yours.  He desires quality. 

Have you robbed yourself of the greatest relationship this world has ever known?  Have you chosen not to have Jesus Christ as your friend?  Even worse, are you a Christian who is robbing your savior of quality communication? Have you chosen to rob the one who gave it all so that you could follow Him?

This may be a stretch for some, but here it is.  In Matthew chapter 21 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling, He overturned all the tables and ran them all off.   He was angered because the temple was being dishonored for monetary gain.  Right after, Jesus said “My house will be called a house of prayer, and you have turned it into a den of robbers.”  In 1 Corinthians 6:19 we are told that our bodies are a temple for the Holy Spirit.  Now, if our bodies are temples for the Holy Spirit and Jesus himself said in Mathew 21 that His temple is a house of prayer, then are we not robbing Jesus Christ of a quality relationship if we choose not to communicate with Him? 

I cannot help but believe that we are obviously called to a quality relationship with Jesus Christ.  In order to have quality we must communicate and interact intentionally, purposefully, and routinely.   If not, then you are forming nothing more than an empty religious gathering.  Although you may call yourself a Christian, attend church regularly and even share your religion, you will still feel lonely.  Quality, that is what makes it all real.  I challenge you to make your relationship with Christ all about quality each and every day. 

 

 

May my life be the proof and evidence of Christ’s love!

Setting up Stones and Start Leading the Way:

Seated deep along the continental divide in Wyoming in the Medicine Bow National forest there are stone markers.  These stone markers were set by Poppy, my wife’s grandfather.  Poppy owned several acres of untamed wilderness land surrounded by the national forest.  In and around this land you could find ghost towns, old mines, artifacts, rivers, streams, fields of flowers, tall pines, complete solitude, peace, quiet and of course wildlife. 

Up above the land Poppy owed was one of the most beautiful rock and flower laced mountain ridges.  Leading up to that ridge you would find the stone markers that were set up to lead the way.  If you carefully followed these markers, they would lead you to a fresh mountain spring. From this spring bubbles out the sweetest, freshest, most refreshing mountain water I have ever tasted.  Strategically Located by the spring you will find evidence of Thomas Edison’s hunting camp.  Built into the side of a tree is his desk, close by is the horse corral, and between the two you find the stone camp fire. 

Honestly, I do not know for sure if this site really was Thomas Edison’s hunting camp.  I just know that was the story Poppy told us.  It may or may not be true.  I like to think it is, because it was known that Tomas Edison did camp and hunt in that area.  Either way, my point is this; every time we go up to Poppy’s land we always look forward to the hike following his stone markers leading up to one of the most beautiful and breath taking places on earth.  Without Poppy’s stone makers, you would for sure get lost and not find this hidden majestic location.

In the Book of Joshua, Joshua set up 12 stones on the other side of the Jordan River after they had crossed on dry land.  The purpose was to honor the LORD and to leave a lasting memorial for those who would come later.  The memorial was there to tell the story of the journey of how God rescued the Israelites from oppression and led them to the promise land. This is a story of miracles, God’s provisions, and deliverance from bondage.  This story would show the way for those who have not been there before.  A story filled with God markers leading the way to freedom and redemption. 

Is your life filled with rock solid markers?  Are you making a mark in history for your family, friends, neighbors, strangers, or anyone who may follow?  Are the defining moments of your God story set in stone so that others may find the way to the one true King?   If your testimony is hidden in the secret places of your heart, then who will ever be able to follow and find the way?  I challenge you to make some marks, obvious marks that stand out and last.  Set up those so-called stones markers by telling your story, making a lasting impact, and start leading the way.  To God be the glory in my life and the lives that follow.

 

Joshua 4:19-24 On the tenth day of the first month the people went up from the Jordan and camped at Gilgal on the eastern border of Jericho. 20 And Joshua set up at Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken out of the Jordan. 21 He said to the Israelites, "In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, 'What do these stones mean?' 22 tell them, 'Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.' 23 For the LORD your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The LORD your God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. 24 He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God."

May my life be the proof and evidence of Christ’s Love!

Never Been That Way Before

The devotion I am sharing today comes from the book of Joshua.  Specifically from the chapters describing the crossing through the Jordan River.  Keep in mind what the Jordan River represents and how it relates to your life as well.  The Jordan is what separated the Israelites from the Promised Land.  During the time of the crossing, the river was at flood stage.  Simply put, crossing the Jordan River was an impossible task. 

Right now and even in your foreseeable future do you see the impossible?  What is it that you believe is an impossible obstacle in your life that keeps you from moving forward in your faith and even your relationship with God?  For me I see a lot of things.  Financial struggle, medical bills, Huntington’s disease, doubts, fears, and random life circumstances.  For you maybe it is the same things or other things like addictions, anger, broken relationships, etc... Only you know for sure what your Jordan River is.

Just prior to crossing the impossible, Joshua instructed the Israelites to wait.  They were to wait for the Levites to go before them with the Ark of the Covenant and then follow.  Why?  Well because they had never been that way before.  They needed to be led so that that would not stray and go the wrong direction.  They were also instructed to stay back a ways from the ark.  Another way to put it; they needed to keep the ark before them and not pass it up or get ahead of it. 

Have you ever stopped to think and realize that none of us have ever been on the path that God has planned before us?  Sure others have gone before us in the faith and service.  But just like a finger print God has a path, a specific plan, for my life and yours.  It is just as special and unique as your own finger print.  Sure there is a common goal and that is to grow in our faith, make disciples and glorify God through service and worship.  However each one of us has a unique set of gifts and life circumstances. 

If the Israelites did not follow the LORD what would they have done when they reached the Jordan?  I’m sure they would have stopped for sure.  Would they have waited for the floods to recede, turned left, turned right or even turn completely away?  Either way, they would have missed out partially in experiencing God if not completely missing out. 

May I encourage you to face your Jordan River by keeping the LORD before you as you follow Him.  In my walk with Jesus Christ, He has parted many impossible rivers and has faithfully delivered me to the other side. 

I took the picture in 2001 during a flood on the White River in north Arkansas.

 

Joshua 3:3-4 giving orders to the people: "When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. 4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about a thousand yards between you and the ark; do not go near it."

May my life be the proof and evidence of Christ’s love!

Happy Birthday to me

OK, so today is my birthday… HaPpY BiRtHdAy! to me.  Truth is I really don’t like to celebrate me.  I honestly feel there are much better things to celebrate.  However, in spite of my resistance to having a party on my birthday, I do celebrate my birth.  I am so blessed that the Creator of Life made me.  I am so thankful that He brought me into this world physically so that I could experience Him and His purpose spiritually.

I cannot say I always have felt this way, because I did not.  If you know my testimony, you know about the hardships I went through and dealt with.  You understand why I did not want to live in my younger days. 

For the past 23 years I have reason to celebrate.  My reason is Jesus Christ and the plans God had for me before I was ever formed.  It took nearly 21 years to discover this truth, but when I did, my soul literally came alive!

So for my birthday, I want to thank the LORD God, His son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.  I want all the praise, glory and honor to go to the one who brought me life.  I thank the LORD for the gift of hardship, pain and suffering because that is what it took to lead me to Him.  It is my past that He used to make me who I am today.

I celebrate my born again life because He lives!  May my life be the gift of appreciation and thanks that the LORD God deserves.  I do not ask for gifts for myself, however I will ask for your prayers.  Please pray for me as I intentionally and purposefully seek God’s will and plan for my life each and every day.  I don’t ever want to miss out on His great and amazing adventure, making disciples in Jesus name!

 

Philippians 1:21 For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Strong and Courageous

Strong and Courageous

If I can be honest, even though I may appear tough and put together on the outside, I'm not on the inside.  I have fears that make me feel weak and afraid.  Even to the point at times of losing my focus on the path of God's plan for my life.  You could say fear and weakness can be major distractions.

So what do I fear?  Well probably not what you may think.  I fear failure, being inadequate for God's calling in my life, not being used by God, I fear missing out serving the LORD.  I also fear the voices; you know the voices inside your head.  No I am not crazy or insane.  I fear the same voices most people hear.  I am taking about the voice of doubt.    Some of the things I hear are “You are not adequate enough” “You are not committed enough” “You are not talented enough” “You are not wise enough” “You are too busy” “You will never be able” “You are not disciplined enough” “You are not …” And the one that seems to get us all “Did God really say…”

Just recently I returned from a Youth mission trip to Ridgecrest North Carolina.  Prior to and during the mission trip, satan was doing all he could to hinder, distract, and even stop what God had planned.  There were all kinds of issues, distractions, and problems leading up to the mission trip.  Throughout the weeks leading up to the mission trip, I began to feel doubt and fear.  But then I was also constantly reminded that I did not have to be afraid, I could be strong and courageous. 

Every time I felt doubt or fear, I always spoke Gods truth and promises to satan.  I also reminded myself and the all the others that God was about to do something big and satan was doing his best to hinder and stop what God had planned for each of us.  Through it all we all clung to the promises of God that we can be strong and courageous because He was with us.  Have you ever stopped to think and believe that if God has called you to a particular task, then He is going to provide the means and methods to complete what He desires?

 It is not the weakness of God that leads to our failures.  It is when we surrender to our fears that we fail.  This past week, we refused to surrender to the doubts and fears and through it all God moved in ways greater than what we had experienced before.  The testimonies of this mission trip are so great and too much to tell, but I can say this; we climbed out of the valley and rose to a mountain top all by the strength of God.  We may not be fearless, but we certainly learned to fear less. 

In the LORD, you are made strong and courageous.  Your assurance comes with His presence in your life as He walks with you and leads you.  In Christ Jesus, you are never alone. 

The picture is from top of a mountain overlooking the Smokey mountains.  We went to the mountain top to view the sunrise during our mission trip.

 

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

May my life be the proof and evidence of Christ’s Love!

Fishing Follower Faith

If your faith has not changed who you are and the things you do, then maybe what you have faith in is fake! 

The word of God  says in Matthew 4:19 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."

If your faith is following Jesus, then he will make you a fisher of men.  Do you get that?  He will make you.  He did not say I will try to make you, I will teach you, or even I would like for you.  He said "I will make you."  

With that said, Jesus will change who you are an what you do.  You will become one who seeks to catch men for the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He will change everything about you so that your life is all about reaching people for him so that they can be saved by him.  Your life will be changed and suited to what he knows is best so that you can fulfill the great commission of reaching the lost world for Jesus Christ.

Does your faith make you a fishing follower of Jesus Christ or just a fan? 

Even a Good Cheesecake Won't Last

A few years ago while I was in Nicaragua on a mission trip, I met a very wealthy American businessman.  I was ordering coffee in the local coffee shop when a voice behind me said, "hey, you are an American."  I turned around and there stood a very distinguished well-dressed older man.  After we introduced ourselves to one another, he then asked why I was in Nicaragua.  I proceeded to explain that I was on a mission trip and asked if he was a Christian.  He politely replied, "I am not a religious person, but I do respect you and I do believe in God."  I then went on to explain the purpose of the mission trip I was a part of. 

I shared how I was with RHEMA (Ron Herrod Evangelical Missions Association.  RHEMA trains men to become pastors and assists them in establishing churches.  The mission team comes and provides street ministry, social ministry, prison outreach, school outreach, medical missions, crusades, church services and other ministry related services.  I explained how RHEMA comes not only to provide immediate assistance, but ultimately leave something that will last.  RHEMA's goal is to train pastors, plant churches, and reach the lost for Christ.

After sharing the man responded, 'You are giving a lot of yourselves obviously. I like how you are not just coming and going, but you are leaving these people with something that will last."  I said, "yes sir, what good we would have accomplished if all we did was temporary?"  He replied, "I have done a lot of good in my life time, I even use to own a cheesecake factory and I gave away a lot of cheesecakes in my time."  I smiled and said, "Even a good cheese cake won't last long." 

I then asked if I could share the gospel with him and sadly, he said, "No thank you."  I proceeded with my story of the mission trip I was on and then quickly went on to share how I shared the gospel with the people of Nicaragua.  Yes, he heard the gospel anyway.  I just had to be creative about it.  When I was finished he told me; "I have never heard about God that way before, I think I get it now.  I need to really think about this."  I asked if he wanted to accept Christ as LORD and Savior.  He said; "Not right now, I really need to think about it.  But what you shared makes so much sense."

 

Matthew 6:20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

May my life be the proof and evidence of Christ's love!

Jehovah Rapha Will Heal Your Broken Scarred Heart:

Ok, so I was reading out of the book of Deuteronomy today for my quiet time.  In chapter 29 I was reminded of a scar I have.  When I was little I had kidney surgery that left a rather large scar on my abdomen.  Odd place because most scars for kidney surgery are on your side.  Mine however is across my abdomen.   That scar reminds me of the problems I had as a kid, and all that was associated with the kidney problems I had.  I wet my pants day and night, I had surgery, I was bullied because I pee’ed my pants often, and on and on.  I won’t go into details because I have shared all of this in my testimony through status on my blog, Google+, and HOPE for the Hopeless Facebook page.  I will say this, that scar reminds me of a lot of other scars in my life.

Have you ever stopped to think about the scars in your life?  I am not just talking about physical scars.  I am talking about emotional and psychological scars as well.  Scars that maybe you had no control over and maybe scars you brought upon yourself.  Maybe your scars have to do with abuse, mistakes you made, accidents you had, regrets, anger, lies, bitterness, strife, addictions, failures, disasters you may have faced, and the list can go on and on.  Maybe these scars have kept you from trusting God, maybe they have prevented you from experiencing the LORD’s presence, and maybe they have kept you from trusting Jesus Christ.

 I don’t know what your scars have done to you, but I do know some of my scars became calloused and hard.  Many of my scars kept me from trusting the LORD Jesus Christ.  There are scars in my life that left me with pain on a daily basis.  I have physical scars, emotional scars and even psychological scars.  These scars affect my appearance, my mind and my emotional well-being.  Many of them have one thing in common, they hardened my heart.  With a hardened heart, I am kept from experiencing the healing power that the living God the LORD Jehovah Rapha (The Lord is my healer) can offer me.  Through His healing, He has brought me life and set me free from the scars of my heart.

The picture is our DRAMA QUEEN puppy Maddie, she was sick last winter from too much snow exposure. 

 

Deuteronomy 30:6 The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.

May my life be the proof and evidence of Christ’s Love!