Some things...you just can't Google!

In this microwave society, age of the cyber babies and reality stars it seems everyone need proof of everything before they will believe anything. How many times have you been on facebook and seen a picture that was so unbelievable you had to research to see if it was a hoax, like the seven headed snake or the 1000lb woman. I for one, am quick to google something if I feel it's fake or if I just need to find some answers. If I have a project coming up or a new task to conqueror I don't think twice about going to Google for help, solutions and or suggestions, I'm sure I'm not the only one. Recently I had pain in my feet, and as has become the norm for me, I "googled" my symptoms looking for relief. It was at that moment that I thought...am I looking to Google something I should be asking God about? That got me thinking, how many people look for answers in other places, that only Christ can give? How many of us overlook God as our ultimate source? I'm reminded of the Pharisee Nicodemus in John chapter 4. When looking for the answer to his question he stole away at the night in search of Jesus, knowing he'd find what he was looking for. In verse 2 he says to Jesus, "Rabbi we know you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." This let's us know that Nicodemus had done his research on Jesus well enough to know that if he needed to learn something he was seeking the right teacher. Then there was Hezekiah in Isaiah chapter 38 who had a dilemma. After learning he was about to die Hezekiah went straight to "The Source." Verse 2 says, "Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the Lord." These two men got it right! I'm not saying Google is evil, because I find it to be very helpful. I said all that to say; there are just some things you can't google, like salvation, healing and the list goes on. It behooves those of us, myself included; who turn to google at the drop of a dime, to remember our one true source! The One who as ALL the answers, The One who worked and works miracles that cannot be explained, Jesus Christ, Our Lord. He gave up His life and shed His precious blood so that we can have access to eternal life. He came to the Earth wrapped in flesh to afford us pardon from sin and shame. His story is the greatest ever told, and in Him we should live, move and have our being. Don't believe me...Google it! Think about it!

The quicker picker-uper

I have a preschooler do you know what that means? That means I have to keep a watchful eye or she'll get into something she shouldn't. Recently I was cleaning out the kitchen cabinets she of course joined me and took it upon herself to start playing with the pots and pans on the floor. One pot had a little water in it and I warned her not to bother it, who was I kidding right? Any way of course the moment my back was turned she messed with the pot and some of the water spilled on the floor. I didn't see that part but what I saw inspired this article. When I turned around my four year old daughter had gotten a towel and was wiping up the spill and get this, praying! She said, "Lord clean up this water in the name of Jesus." I couldn't help but smile and inform her that Jesus had not spilled the water, she had so she needed to clean it up herself. She wiped it up and continued to pray but it got me to thinking. Don't we all do that? I mean, don't we all get into some things we shouldn't at times, end up making a mess then expect God to get us out or clean it up! If you say you've never done this I'll have to say, I don't believe you. How many times have you rushed to purchased something without proper research and later regretted it, then found yourself praying to God because your rushed decision got you in debt. Have you ever got into a relationship that you shouldn't have and then had to pray your way out? I'm sure if we spent enough time on the subject that we could come up with more. Regardless, if it weren't for the power of God we would never be able to overcome any of our life's "messes." That is the awesome thing about knowing and trusting in a God that not only can but has cleansed any and all messes imaginable. Hebrews 9:22 says, "Without shedding of blood there is no remission." I John 1:7 tells us that "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." When God decided what He would use as the cleansing agent for our sins, He chose the very best that He had, the blood of His own Son! It is by that precious blood, that we are cleansed from all of our sins. Revelation 1:5 says, "To Him who loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood." You see, it is only by the blood of our Lord, that we get our sins washed away. So the next time you are feeling "dirty," and need a quick cleaning, look to the "quicker picker upper," the powerful cleansing blood of Jesus Christ. Nothing cleanses like it! Think about it!

"Watch your mouth!"

Proverbs 18:6 "A fool's lips enter into contention and his mouth calls for blows." Proverbs 18:13 "He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him." Proverbs 18:21 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." I recently heard a song called "Words," by Hawk Nelson here are the lyrics to the first verse and chorus; "They make me feel like a prisoner, they make me feel set free, they make me feel like a criminal they, make me feel like a king. Words can bring you up, words can break you down, start a fire in your heart or put it out. But let my words be life, let my words be truth, I don't want to say a word unless it points the world back to you!" I could stop there because in my opinion just that one verse and chorus are plenty powerful enough to make you "think about it." But let's think about these lyrics in respect to the scriptures above. I'm sure that I'm not the only one who has ever been guilty of "running off at the mouth," or speaking out of turn. Word solidify relationships, seal deals and have the power to change decisions. We must make conscious effort not to condemn ourselves or others with our words. Consider the power of the words, "I love you, "I forgive you," and "I am sorry," how about, "I hate you," or "your ugly." A few words spoken or written can turn a good day bad and vice versa. Since the dawn of time words have, for lack of a better word, "made the world go around." I mean it was the simple words, "let there be light," that started it all! But just as words are powerful, silence is as well. When was the last time you had the opportunity to share God's word with someone but opted to say nothing? So before that next phone call, text or facebook post remember all the letters you type, text or say will turn into words that carry weight. Let your words be life and truth! Watch your mouth! Think about it!

Above the Crowd!

Luke 19:1-10 "Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see Him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed Him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” In my opinion this story is very profound! Here you have Jesus, the most sought after man in Jericho deciding to mingle with a known sinner. But you see, Jesus saw the big picture. Though Zacchaeus was short he showed a great amount of integrity. Not only did he go out of his way to find out who Jesus was for himself, once he was given the opportunity he began to repent and confess before Jesus, even in front of the crowd. Zacchaeus also saw the big picture. It does not matter what sins you have committed, and it does not matter how long you have been in sin. What matters is your willingness to change. Though people in the crowd had negative things to say about Zacchaeus to Jesus, Zacchaeus did not allow that to detour him. He knew he wanted what Jesus had...salvation and he went out of his way (well up in a tree) to get it. Jesus recognized Zacchaeus' willing heart and declared salvation upon his life! What about you? Will you make the decision to go above the crowd and give your life to Christ like Zacchaeus? Will you ignore the nay-sayers and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Don't be afraid. Don't let anyone tell you that your too big of a sinner to receive the salvation of the Lord! Go above the crowd "climb that tree," and get your salvation. Think about it!

Relax...be who God created you to be!

So many times in our society, I feel, we try to be something or someone we are not. The media often pushes us to change our appearance in order to "fit the status quo." Everyday millions of people seek medical help to change or enhance their bodies or faces. And everyday somewhere in the world someone takes their own life because they are unsatisfied with themselves either inwardly or outwardly. Wouldn't it be nice if we could grow and mature but maintain the self-accepting mind set of a child? Genesis 1:27 says, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." It seems to me that knowing we are created, patterned after the one perfect God would be enough for us to be satisfied with who we are. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it's bad to want self enhancement or to strive to better yourself. What I'm saying is that it's wrong to want to change who God created you to be because you don't appreciate you for...you. Understand, when God created each and every one of us He knew what he was doing, after all... He knows ALL. James 1:7 says, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." Our lives, bodies, minds, and appearances are all good and perfect gifts for God and we must cherish them. While encouraging someone to be themselves, I heard gospel artist Kirk Franklin say, "Stop straining, relax and be you. God created you just like He created the orange and apple trees. Have you ever seen an orange or apple tree straining to produce it fruits? Of course not, they are just being and doing what God created them to be and do. So be yourself it's easier than you think." That's so true, no matter how hard you strain your brain wishing you could be someone else, it won't happen. It's much easier just to relax and be who God created you to be. No one is better at being you than you and remember an original is always worth more than a copy. Think about it!

True Love Conquers all!

Have you ever heard the saying, "true love conquers all?" Well I don't know about you but I for one believe in true love. I recently watched a movie that brought the saying, "true love conquers all" to mind. The movie is titled, "Warm Bodies." It is the story of a boy zombie named "R" who narrates the film. He can not speak but we can hear his thoughts. As the movie begins he let's us know that even though he is a zombie, he feels he is missing something in his "undead" life. (Give me a minute, I'm going somewhere with this.) He lives in a community of zombies and "bonies." The zombies are all people who have contracted a disease that became a world wide epidemic and caused their hearts to stop but they did not die, the "bonies" are zombies who have given up on their very existence and turned into undead skeletons. Anyway, as the story unfolds, "R" and his zombie friends venture out to "town." Town is where unaffected regular humans live. The reason for their visit...zombies eat living humans to survive. On this particular trip, "R" happens upon "Julie." Just as she is about to be eaten, R steps in and saves her. Not only does he save her but he takes her back to the zombie community because he wants to "keep her," for R it's love at first sight. What R doesn't know is that Julie is the daughter of Commander Grigio. Grigio's mission in life is to kill all zombies and bonies. He spends his days planning zombie ambushes and training humans to help, with a goal of wiping out all zombies and bonies because he feels they can not change therefore they must be killed in order for the humans to survive. Though he can not talk to her, R and Julie soon develop a loving relationship. As they get to know each other, something inside R begins to change. Soon he and Julie are totally in love as a result R's heart begins to beat again, and his cold undead body begins to warm up. Soon the other zombies not only see, but they feel the love that has bloomed between R and Julie and they too are affected by it. Things take an unexpected turn when the bonies decide to leave the zombie community and head for town planning to eat all the humans, but because of R and Julie's love the zombies, who now have warm beating hearts, are determined to help the humans defeat the bonies. To make a long story short, it is Julie's acceptance and willingness to look beyond R's "zombiness," and love him back that changes everything. With that being said, let me say this...if you are going through life without Christ in your heart, in my opinion you are just an "undead" zombie. I Peter 4:8 says, "And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins." I John 4:8 says in the latter part, "God is love." So not only can we love each other through difficult times but if we have real love in our hearts, which in essence is God Himself, we can change. Our lives can be better and we can change the lives of others just like Julie and R. True love, God, changes everything! Think about it!

Independence Day!

The Statue of Liberty, the American Flag, the Liberty Bell, Mt. Rushmore, even the image of honest Abe on the copper penny are all very significant symbols of our freedom. Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, and political speeches and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the National Day of the United States.

Now I wonder as we celebrate our “freedom,” and the freedom of our nation, are we truly free? I mean spiritually free. It’s wonderful to live in a country where we are, for the most part, treated as equals regardless of the color of our skin or our gender and given equal opportunities. But this week ask yourself am I truly free?

II Corinthians 3:17 says, “Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.” Is the Spirit of the Lord present in your home, more importantly in your life? In order to experience true freedom in life it is of utmost importance that every man, woman, boy and girl accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. So you see, your independence day comes when you become free from sin and life you life for the Lord. John 8:36 says, “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”

Think about it!
Happy 4^th of JULY!

Call on Him in Faith!

Changes in life can throw you some major curve balls. When life’s "seas" toss you to and fro, it is then that we must call on our Savior.

Consider the story in Luke 8:22-25.

On a certain day unannounced Jesus got into a boat with His disciples and instructed them to launch out and cross over to the other side of the lake. Unquestioning they obeyed. And why not, from all accounts it appeared to be a beautiful quiet day. As fishermen I assume they welcomed the opportunity to sail away from shore for a moment of peace and relaxation. It must have been a calming ride because in verse 23 we find out that Jesus soon fell asleep.

As life often does, things took a sudden unexpected turn. A wind came and the boat was filled with water. True to human form the disciples immediately feared the worse. But I have to say, though they were fearful at least they knew who to call. Verse 24 says, "And they came to Him and awoke Him saying, Master, Master, we are perishing!"

Jesus in His infinite power simply rose and spoke a word and immediately the danger ceased. The winds and waves obeyed His miraculous power. Now you would think Jesus would have commended the disciples for knowing the magnitude of His power and looking to Him for their rescue.

Instead what we see next is somewhat of a reprimand. In verse 25 Jesus asks, "Where is your faith?"

See, though they knew to call on Him, they called out of fear and not faith. Can you relate? How many times have things taken a turn for the worse and instead of you calling out to God in faith, trusting Him to deliver, you call out in fear hoping He hears, but not truly trusting?

So let’s remember the story of the calming sea. Stay prayed up, so the next time life’s "sea" throws unexpected winds your way, call out to God in faith, believing He can calm the storm with just a word.

Think about it!

A Real Father's Love

Webster and Wikipedia define a father as the male parent. The verb “father” simply means to procreate. I am sure you have your own definition of what the word “father” means to you whether you physically have a father in your life or not. Some may say that father means protector, the family leader, or the sense of security in the home. Some may have negative experiences and feel that a father is a “dead-beat,” “abandoner,” or an “abuser.” Let’s look at some examples and see what the Bible says about fathers.

A Father’s love is forgiving

Luke 15:11-32, tells a well known father and son story, one often referred to as, “the prodigal son.” When his youngest son prematurely leaves home and squanders his inheritance, this father shows true forgiveness. He not only welcomes his wayward son home, he rejoices at the sons return. No doubt he must have remembered himself as a young man making hasty decisions and silly mistakes. So instead of holding his mistakes over his head this father welcome’s his son back with open arms.

A father’s love is faithful and goes the extra mile!

John 4:46-53, shares a story of a nobleman with an ailing son. Knowing his son is near death, this father travels miles to Galilee seeking Jesus’ help. Once the devoted father arrives he asks Jesus to return home with him and heal his son. In verse 53 Jesus simply says, “Your son lives.” Taking Jesus at His word the faithful father does not question he just obeys. As he journeys home the nobleman is met by one of his servant who informs him that his son was indeed healed the day before at the very hour he had believed.

These are just two; however the Bible and the world are filled with examples of loving, faithful, and protective fathers. So as we celebrate them this month thank your Heavenly Father for His undying love and do something special for your earthly one.

Think about it!

Expect the Unexpected!

Wait- To stay in a place, in expectation

Often times we wait for things to happen in our lives and we may even wait in expectation. However there are times that the unexpected takes place and brings blessings with it. John 1:1-15 tells the story of a man in Jerusalem waiting by the Sheep Gate called Bethesda. In the story we discover that a multitude of sick people rest near a pool by the gate expecting an angel to come down and trouble the water. Once the water was troubled the first one in the pool would be healed of their ailment. The main character in the story had been lying but the gate “waiting” for thirty-eight years.

One day Jesus was in the area and stopped by the pool. He saw the man and knew he had been there a long time. In verse six Jesus asks him a simple question, “Do you want to be made well?” The man must not have been expecting this because in his response he fails to answer the question. In verse seven he explains to Jesus that every time the angel shows someone would beat him to the pool and receive their healing leaving him to once again…“wait.” The conclusion of the story is that Jesus commands the man to take up his bed and walk. The man obeys and is not only healed but made whole from that day forth.

Let’s think about this; though the man was lying at the pool in expectation, it was the unexpected visit from Jesus that brought his healing. In his thirty-eight years of waiting he didn’t give up hope that he would one day be healed. Many before him may have given up and left or had someone come and carry them away. But this man continued to wait for the angel to come trouble the water, and he did not wait in vain because the visit he got was much better than a visit from an angel! So let us be mindful that as we wait in expectation, remember the man by Bethesda, because the Lord tells in Isaiah 55:8, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts and my ways are not your ways…” Always trust God and expect the unexpected!

Think about it!

It goes deep!

What or whom do you love? Have you ever been in love so deeply that you would offer to do anything for that person including give you last or even your life? If you have loved someone this deeply, can you ever truly “not” love them?

Gospel singer Kierra Sherad has a song entitled “Indescribable.” The title alone lets you know that she is singing about the undeniable power of healing, salvation, freedom and forgiveness that lies within the power of God’s love.

You see, it does not matter how much we love someone or how much they love us, there is no way to compare that love to the love that Christ has for us all. There is a line in the song that says, “Indescribable, uncontainable you see the depths of our hearts and you love us the same, you are amazing God.”

That is exactly what God is, amazing. Do you know anyone on this earth who has or is willing to be beaten, spat on and condemned FOR their accusers? This is precisely what Christ did for us. He took on the sins of the entire world to afford us freedom through His blood.

His love for us runs so deeply that He sees us when we fall; AND yet when we purposely falter,  He still loves us the same. In my opinion that is amazing. I’m reminded of another worship song entitled, “Lord I lift your name on high.” The chorus says, “You came from heaven to earth, to show the way, from the earth to the cross my debt you paid, from the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky, Lord I lift your name on high.”  

Not only did He descend from His thrown, but also came and gave His life for our lives. In return He only asks that we lift Him up in all the earth, share the wonder of His story, and live for Him every day. That is not much to be asked from someone whose love is so deep for us that in spite of the evil that often lies in our hearts, He loves us the same. He is AMAZING and His love…it goes deep.

Think about it!

Disconnected

Did you know that over 200,000,000,000 text messages are received in America? That’s 200 billion every single day, which is more than one year’s worth of regular mail! Twenty-nine percent of Americans admit that their cell phone is the first thing they look at in the morning and the last thing they look at before going to sleep at night. Sixty-six percent of working Americans admit that they will remember to take their cell phone to work before they remember their lunch! Sixty-one percent of Americans admit to using their cell phone while watching TV and 39% say they use their phones WHILE playing with their children.

Don’t be shocked! I guarantee that anyone reading this article has a cell phone in their possession right now; if it is not in your hand, I’m sure it’s only an arm’s-length away. And I’m not knocking it. I myself have a cell phone, as does everyone in my household including my four year old, only her phone doesn’t work.  But you can’t tell because she uses it quite frequently having very lengthy and detailed conversations. J

Recently I dropped my cell phone in the toilet! If this has ever happened to you, I don’t have to tell you the immediate feeling of dread that came over me as my phone floated towards the bottom of the toilet. Luckily the water was clean and I reached in and grabbed the phone seconds after it entered the water. I took the phone apart and hurriedly began drying it out and praying that it could be salvaged because it was pretty much brand new.

You guys know how I am; I started goggling solutions to save my phone. And YES, I tried the rice trick. For one entire day, I had to willingly leave my phone at home in a bowl of rice hoping it would be ready to go when I returned. This entire incident made me think; I felt so disconnected from the world without my phone that day. It’s like a life-line; I keep it with me at all times so I can be reached and communicate when I need to.

Think back. Do you remember when there were no cell phones? What did we do? Hard to fathom now isn’t it? Now let’s think about the real life-line we have in Jesus Christ. He’s always there. But is He the first thing on our minds in the morning and the last thing we think about before going to bed at night?  When we don’t talk to Him daily, do we feel disconnected? Well we should. Have you ever left home without your cell phone and returned to get it because you felt you had to have it with you? In the same respect have you ever left home without “taking Christ with you” in prayer or in your heart to share or sustain you throughout the day? Communication is very important and even more so when it comes to Christ. He wants us to stay connected to Him. He’s not like a cell phone, He can’t be misplaced or dropped in the toilet, but we do have to remember to take Him with us wherever we go! Think about it! #stayconnected

Sources: http://www.statisticbrain.com/mobile-device-cell-phone-statistics/

http://www.accuconference.com/blog/Cell-Phone-Statistics.aspx

http://www.griffintechnology.com/blog/fun/mind-blowing-cellphone-statistics/

It could be tonight!

In life we may experience a host of special nights such as prom night, your wedding night, and the night before you start your first job.  I’m sure I’m not the only one who has spent hours or even days anticipating and preparing for a special night of some kind.

Many may anxiously await a special night so much so that they neglect their “here and now.” I’m reminded of the parable of the foolish rich ruler in Luke 12:13-21. In the story a very wealthy man runs out of room for his riches and decides to build bigger barns to store his crop.

He then decides that he no longer needs to toil but could now take his ease and rest, eat drink and be merry for many years. Further in the story we find that the rich young man had neglected to make some other important decisions.  In Luke 12:20 it reads, “But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then for whom will those things be which you have provided?”

And just like that his night took a turn for the worse. Is there anyone out there preparing for a special night, neglecting the night your soul will be required? Saving and putting back is a good thing. It is also favorable to be a good steward over your possessions. However, we are foolish like the man in the parable if we busy ourselves preparing and storing up goods with no regard for the state of our spirituality.

Mark 8:36 says, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his soul?” Mark 8:37 says, “Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” These two verses let us know there should be nothing taking precedence over the state of our soul. So as we go on day-to-day, working, gathering, and storing, we must remember to work on our soul salvation, gather knowledge of God’s word and call on our lives, and store the love of God in our hearts.

Give God your life today. It does not matter what you have saved up; at the end of the day when you leave this earthly realm, your possessions will be left for another and there will be nothing you can do about it.  Don’t delay because you never know when your soul will be required; it could be tonight.

Think about it!

Words Don't Hurt?

Have you ever heard the saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones?” Or “I’m rubber; you are glue.  Whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you?” These are classic sayings, but I don’t really think they are 100% true. Words are very important and powerful. Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”

I recently studied the story of Jonah and the whale. Initially I thought the main lesson I would learn from the story would be a refresher course on the fact that Jonah was given this assignment from God.  Instead of obeying, he chose to run from his calling.

In Jonah 1:2 The Lord told Jonah, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before me.” Instead of obeying God, Jonah hightailed it to Joppa away from the presence of the Lord. He got on a boat and paid for a ride to Tarshish. On the way the Lord sent a great wind causing a sea storm. The mariners became afraid and immediately felt their new passenger was the cause of their sudden troubles.

All the while Jonah is silent. He is later found sleeping in the lower parts of the ship. This great man of God held his peace and would not have spoken of the circumstances if he had not been questioned by the captain of the ship. His silence could have cost the mariners their lives.

In verse 12 Jonah says to the men, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become calm for you for I know that his great tempest is because of me.” After hesitating momentarily the men realized they needed to heed these words and comply if they wanted to live.

Everyone should be pretty familiar with the story of Jonah’s plight after being thrown from the ship. He was ingested by a whale and remained in the belly of that whale for three days. It is what Jonah did next that I really want to focus on. Once he was regurgitated by the whale, he ran to Nineveh as the Lord had instructed and spoke these words, “Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”

Upon hearing these words the people of Nineveh believed! Because Jonah obeyed God, his words had saved the lives of the people on the ship and in an entire city!

Can we now see how important it is to witness to people and share the gospel of Jesus Christ on a daily basis? Sometimes what you say and share with others could change their lives forever or even save their lives. In this sense his words were powerful. They helped, not hurt!

Think about it!