Take a Walk

One of my favorite songs by the group Acappella is called ‘Walking that line’.  The chorus goes like this….I’m walking that line never look back; I’m walking that line I’m on the right track; I’m never alone He’s holding my hand;  everything’s fine ‘cause I’m walking that line to the Promise Land.  The scriptures are filled with promises from our God-promises that He faithfully fulfills.  I must ask myself that even during trials do I trust and believe in these promises?  Do I continue to walk in line with Christ?  One of the song’s versus says….. ‘though my feet may often stumble, I will not be down for long……….so when Satan's poison darts are thrown, I will look back on these challenges just to see how much I’ve grown’.  What a powerful reminder of the benefit of walking with Christ daily.   If we walk the line, we  are better prepared for the trials of life-God will provide a way out.  He is there for us......to comfort, provide strength and deliver us.  We can grow closer to Him…….on our way to the Promise Land.  Which direction are you walking today?  Blessings in your pursuit…….TO

Wake Up!

I used to travel for work some and the times I had to stay overnight I would usually get the courtesy wake up call.  Our time is precious to us and very demanding from a multitude of sources.  After a night of rest and when the call comes-it’s off we go. What about spiritually? If we do not continually steep ourselves in God’s Word, we probably will often be asleep spiritually.  A Casting Crown’s song,’While You Were Sleeping’, reminds me the need to be vigilant about my faith walk.  Looking and searching to share Jesus and not simply going through the motions……….being spiritually asleep.  May we consider life's challenges and demands a a spiritual ‘wake up call’- to allow our pride to subside to a humble and thankful heart.  Let’s put to practice what we know God placed us here for………to serve God, others (the poor, widowed, disadvantaged, the hurting)....not ourselves.  May we never be caught spiritually asleep any longer.  How will you respond to those 'wake up calls' in your life?  Blessings in your pursuit…….TO

A Faith without limits!

Here on earth and inside the human mind there lies a multitude of boundaries.  A few of these include:  Countries, States, Cities, Laws, Sports Fields/Courts, Property Lines, Speed Limits, personal boundaries/limitations, etc.  My mind has been trained to stay within boundaries(each has the intent to provide a society with proper structure/fairness/protection and so forth).  These boundaries/rules are commanded to be obeyed(see Heb 13:7).  We are so overwhelmed with boundaries and limitations that it is easy to place constraints to every facet of life.  The good news- our Almighty God has no limits.  The challenge- to not have a faith with limitations.   Mark 9:23 says, everything is possible to those who believe.    Matt 19:26/Luke 1:37 says,  Nothing is impossible with God.  We have a powerful Savior without limits/boundaries, yet I often fall short in truly believing He can do anything.  Thank God for His Word-the Scriptures-as a reference and resource to help erase the boundaries I naturally (or through learned response) want to place around God.  They say we only use about 10% of our brain/cognitive capacity.  I wonder how much power of God I am missing due to unbelief--placing reigns/constraints/limits on a boundless God.  Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Blessings in your pursuit…….TO

Not Us

We are daily inundated with the ‘I/Me’ focus in our present day societal culture.  If not circumspect in our attitude, we can easily be duped into the fallacy that we can do anything ourselves……..our efforts/merit.   We also tend to view life events in terms of ‘what’s in it for me’!  Many passages in God’s Word show us to think less of self and more of others.  Deuteronomy. 8:17-18 warns of an egocentric heart- You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me."  But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. The true source is not us……..but our Awesome God.  He gives freely, He loves abundantly.  As we journey through this life, perhaps our mindset should be, ‘what’s in it(my life) for the Lord’!  Am I recognizing the source of blessings(children, faithful spouse, jobs, life needs, church, etc)?  Do I honor God in my actions with all He entrusts to me?  Recognize, Trust, Honor, Praise, and Give Thanks daily to our faithful God.  Blessings in your pursuit…….TO

The Focus Of Our Labor

John 6:27…….Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.  One of life’s most daunting tasks for me has been balancing meaningful life activities.  We must have a job to support ourselves and a family.; we must spend time with our kid’s to instruct them in godly ways and to show love towards them-not because we have to, but that we get to do so;  we should thirst to serve others (not ourselves/deny self); we must steep our minds in God’s Holy Word;  we………….and so on- I’m certain you get the point.  WOW! Life can be demanding, but it is the most precious gift.  If we are not careful, life will quickly pass us by and we may seem void/empty and let worldliness strip us of the joy God wants for us.  Perhaps it is passages such as John 6:27 that are inspirationally spoken to us to remind that our ultimate focus should be in things eternal and not of earthly spoils.  It is a tough balance as we cannot neglect our jobs or our family and others.  We will go through life phases were our demands are altered (as kids grow up/go on their own, etc).  All these stages will have opportunities to serve others and our Creator.  I think we get duped into believing we must/can do it all………..all the time.  I have learned (by mistakes) that we must focus on the demands of each stage of life, embracing these precious blessings as we journey through our lives.  However, always keeping our plans/focus on the eternal  as we take care of the temporal.  Blessings in your pursuit…….TO

Trash

This post is inspired by a scene in a movie (Coming to America) and a couple friends that share similar comedic  “goofyness”  (Craig and Cindy )…….In the scene, the characters are at a special church service and the time comes to take an offering for a special cause/need.  As the offering containers are being passed through the rows, one gentleman who is so consumed in the singing/entertainment(term loosely used)- he places his trash in the offering plate.  Another character quickly confronts him on what he has done and get’s the response….”I thought is was the trash”………..This prompts me to consider this--how does my heart/attitude reflect my giving?, whether it be time, alms/money, service.  When I am giving am I doing it cheerfully or is my attitude “trash”- giving something because I feel compelled to/or have to in order to satisfy a commandment.  A genuine giving heart does so because we can (through what God has given us).  We give through denying ourselves-our best, first fruits…..not the leftovers (or the trash).  Giving/serving is an attitude of joy, thanksgiving, praise, honor and glory.  When we reach a mature giving attitude, we do so joyfully to help others and to spread the Good News.  Whatever we give, is not our own......It's God's gift/blessing He has entrusted us with to serve Him/others.  Blessings in your pursuit.......TO

Content

What is our measuring stick on what we are contentment?  In Philippians 4:11-13, Paul encourages us to be content in all circumstances-God is our strength.  It is extremely difficult in today's instant information society via the Internet/social media to keep our focus from wandering.  It is very easy to compare our lives with others as we can stay up to date and often with too much detail.  One issue we must consider is where our heart and attitude is when it comes to many facets of daily life.  Are we attempting to please God and focus on His Word.....or perhaps we are more in tune with our Facebook friend's status and what they had for breakfast!  I firmly believe good can be used from technology, but there is much room for improper use as well.......much like it is with about anything in this world. 
Comparing our lives and circumstances we find ourselves with humanity will usually lead us to being unsatisfied, distraught, envy, pride,jealousy, etc. (see Proverbs 14:30).  Comparing our lives and attitudes with our Creator God should humble us and bring us to our knees, asking for His abundant love and mercy.  Only in Christ can we find the peace that passes all understanding and the strength to endure this race........fighting the good fight.  I challenge each one to embrace the Word, pray, meditate and keep looking/searching upward.  God loves us all and extends His love and mercy to keep the faith and experience the assurance of His promises.  Blessings in your pursuit.......TO