Trust Him, that much!

I recently had to give my baby girl some meds. She has some terrible allergies. This day in particular I had to give her more than one type of medication so it was important to give it to her correctly in dosage and time wise. All I had to do was call her into the kitchen and tell her, it was time for medicine. She’s a big girl now so there was not fight or fuss. She came right over and opened her mouth, trusting mommy to give her the right amount of medicine to help her feel better. The medicine doesn’t taste good but she still didn’t rebel. Though she knows the power of prayer and knows all about Jesus as her ultimate healer, she also trusts mommy to give her things that are good for her. This got me to thinking …wow, this child trusts that what I’m giving her is ok, it’s good for her and won’t cause any harm. She has no doubt in her mind that I’m trying to do what’s best for her. She has no reservations, no questions, only…trust. Just watching my baby come in the kitchen and simply take her medicine make me check my trust level with Jesus! When it comes to times of need, or trouble, or spiritual “sickness,” am I trusting Him without question, reservations or hesitation? Are you? Do I fuss and fight when He is directing me to do something I may not want to do but that is better for me in the long run? Do you? Do I try to avoid following His instructions when He has my best interest at heart? Do you? Do I pretend I’m fine and don’t need words of wisdom He is sending though my man of God? Do you? Often we may try to figure things out ourselves, leading to anxiety, fear, depression and or bad decisions when all we need to do is simply obey God’s word…and trust Him. Proverbs 3:5- “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Trusting Him lead to great results. Psalms 84:12 “O LORD of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!” Think about it!

A connected Life!

Are you, or do you know someone who is constantly; scrolling, liking, commenting, posting, or sharing on social media? Are you or do you know someone that is often so engrossed in their device that they rarely look up while, walking, siting and even driving? Before I go further let me just say, “Yes” I use social media, I scroll, like, share, comment and post as well. That being said, it made me think…. what if everyone was as connected to their walk with Christ, and sharing, liking, posting His word as they are to just sharing, liking and commenting on videos, other’s thoughts, posts and likes? In our society, our world…nowadays, it seems rare to see positive images whether on social media or TV for that matter, (depending on the friends you have posting to your timeline.) Often you will find folk posting their hate or #staywoke, comments about religion only to try and detour others from it. We may find ourselves connected to things, thoughts and or ideas that we neglect the things we really need to be connected to. Never allow someone’s research to become all the proof you need of God’s existence. Know Him for yourself. Stop letting other’s post of the day become what makes or ruins your #mood. How much more joy would you have being more connected to Jesus than Facebook? How much more peace would surround you if you were more connected to Jesus than you are to TWITTER? John 3:36a “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life…” I’m not telling you to stop posting, commenting, liking, sharing etc. I’m saying make sure you are connected to Jesus in a way that outweighs your connection to social media or anything else that will try to take His place in your heart. John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." Think about it.

Accept this!

In today’s society everyone seems to have either a gimmick or a qualm. Around every corner and on every social media site you will find that each and every individual in man-kind; is one of a kind. You can even find identical twins that are nothing, and look nothing alike! One thing that the world seems to be big on these days is acceptance. We are asked to accept that fact that some people are shorter, fatter, smarter, or less educated than other. We are told to respect each other’s eating habits, rituals and personal beliefs. We are even asked to accept the fact that boys now want to be girls and men now are becoming women. So why is that in a world where acceptance is supposed to be such a detrimental part of our being that so many refuse to accept the Word of God? I mean really, if you say “don’t bully,” but you turn around and try to force other to accepts something they just simply don’t believe in aren’t you being the bully? Everybody wants to run around waving the “don’t just me flag,” while they are constantly judging others who believe that God is real. How is that fair? People write songs and blogs about how we must allow everyone to “be who they are.” OK, let’s go with that. If we must allow everyone to be who they are, without judging or bullying them; then let Christians believe! We are supposed to sit back and listen to or watch the transitions of women into men but no one wants to listen to us sing the praises of a very real God! The word accept is defined as, the consent to receive. Everyone wants everyone to accept what they are dishing out but no one seems to want those same dishes served. I feel like I am rambling but all I’m trying to say is accept this… Philippians 2:10-11New King James Version (NKJV) “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” John 3:16King James Version (KJV) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Case Closed!

We live in a society and a world filled with diversity. There are so many different races no one can count or name them all. We also live in a world where acceptance is a major barrier. Children and adults are committing suicide because they are being bullied and not accepted. It is the premise of acceptance that prompted me to write this article. I recently saw some social media rants based on many debating different issues surrounding acceptance. Is it acceptable for a teacher to wear body hugging clothing? Do we accept it because her body may be fuller set than others? Is it acceptable for male, born a male, now believing he is a female be allowed in the restroom with other females, though he is still male? Do we accept it because we don’t want to offend him? Is it acceptable for a football player to refuse to stand because he feels his country has disrespected his race? Do we accept his right to protest when that is what the land of the free is supposed to be all about? Many have opinions on so many different things and they will say everyone must accept their opinions on those subjects in the same sentence where they refuse to accept someone’s different opinion on that very subject! I saw someone post a list of “what if’s,” things like; what if religion is a waste of time? What if there is not God? So if I pose the question, “what if God is real, why should that be a problem? If I am supposed to accept another’s right not to believe, don’t they have to accept my right to believe? Everyone always says “don’t judge, but at that moment they are judging, because they assume I am judging…it’s all exhausting. So let’s look to scripture. II Corinthians 5:9-10 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. At the end of the day only acceptance of Christ matters. Case Closed. If I’m wrong…you better be right! Think about it!

It's Automatic

Many call us the microwave generation. The children of today are considered, those born in the age of technology. Everything runs fast and, seemingly all the know-how you could ever need is just a “Google” away. If you know someone who still have dial up internet or a land-line communication device (telephone- LOL), these days that’s pretty much prehistoric. There are so many devices and conveniences in our day and age, it interests…me what will be next. I was recently eating lunch with my family and went into the restroom before eating. When I rose from the toilet, it flushed…automatically. When I approached the sink I placed my hand under the soap dispenser and soap landed on my palm…automatically. Once I had soap I only needed to place my hand under the facet and guess what…the water came out…automatically! Of course this is the norm but on this particular day it made me think. Of all the things in life that are automatic, how often do we recognize that, that’s how God’s forgiveness and grace work as well? The water in the sink didn’t question me about how dirty my hands were; a toilet doesn’t refuse to flush based on what was dumped into it. When you step on an automatic door, you don’t stop to survey whether or not the door will allow you to enter based on your past. Let us remember that when it comes to God’s grace. Christ was crucified and raised from the dead for the very reason of offering automatic forgiveness. All we need to do is ask. Now if I approach a sink knowing water will come out but I never stretch out my hand to receive the water what will I get? Nothing. Likewise, you can’t expect forgiveness, or change in your life if you do nothing. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, as simple as that. It’s automatic. Think about it.

A way of escape!

A lot of my articles lately have been about movies, I’m feeling a bit like a movie critic. I would love to tell you this article is not about a movie but that would be a lie. I have several questions for you to ponder throughout this one.  I hope not to bore you. I recently watched the Oscar nominated film “ROOM.” It is the tale of a young woman, named Joy, who was kidnapped at age 17 and locked in a shed by her capture for 7 years. Two years in, she becomes pregnant by the kidnapper. She and her son are never allowed outside, they are locked in a fortified bunker style shed that only has one sky light window. Though her capture brings them food weekly and treats every once and again, what he is offering is not enough to bring fulfillment to their lives. Question: Are there things in your life holding you captive, leaving you feeling unfulfilled? She seemed to have given up on escaping. Though she was miserable, she almost seemed content with her life as it was. Question: Are you miserable but settling? Have you given up the fight for better in your life? Finally after seven years in captivity, Joy begins to get sick. She also begins to notice how smart her son is and decides she must escape. Question: What will it take in your life for you to stop accepting the bad and start your fight for escaping to better? Soon she hatches a plan. (I don’t want to ruin the movie so I’ll stop there, rent it- REDBOX  ) I will tell you this she does escape, after a few failed attempts, Joy and her son are finally free from their capture. (The movie goes into much more, it’s a must see!) At any rate my final question for you is this: if you know you are being held captive by something, whether it is; self-hate, a bad relationship, or an addiction, when will you realize there IS a way of escape! 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. Did you read that scripture? God is faithful, and it doesn’t matter what you are facing or what has you captive. Jesus paid the price of our freedom with His blood! So what’s your plan? Will you remain in the stagnate place of captivity and bondage or choose to allow the love Christ to make you free? Think about it!

Faith that doesn't hesitate, like Abraham!

At age 100 Abraham and his wife Sarah welcomed their first child together. I’m sure though they were old they must have been overjoyed to have a new life in the family. The bible doesn’t specify but Isaac was still a boy with God Himself made a request, or requirement if you will, of Abraham. Gen. 22:2 “Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” The instructions were very specific. There was no need to question what God wanted Abraham to do, kill his son. What stood out to me was Abraham’s responses in this text; first there is his initial response to the instructions. Gen. 22:3 “So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.” There is no text between verses two and three, to me this says Abraham did not question God, he did not debate whether he would do as instructed, he did not consult with anyone as to what he should do next and he did not hesitate to obey! How many times have we been given instruction directly or indirectly from God and hesitated to obey, wondered if we heard correctly or asked someone if we should or should not follow through? So Abraham journeyed as instructed prepared to follow through with God’s order. Once they arrived though, Isaac, who had been raised in the faith and I’m sure had been to many sacrifices noticed something was missing and he questioned his father. Gen. 22: 7 Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” But again Abraham does not hesitate, he answers his son in faith Gen. 22:8 “And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” Here we can see that Abraham has taught his son to be obedient just as he is obedient. We know this because Isaac follows his father’s instruction without further question. Finally they arrive at the place for sacrifice and Abraham continues to impress with his unwavering obedience and faith. Gen. 22:8-9 says, “Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.” And because of his unhesitanting faith, of course God does what HE does best, He provided for Abraham and spared Isaac. An angel calls out to Abraham and stops him from slaying Isaac, then provides a ram in a nearby bush for the sacrifice. After this, God pronounces blessings upon Abraham and his descendants! I hear people say all the time, “Abraham’s blessing are mine.” Now I want to ask, if you expect to receive the blessings of Abraham, are you operating in non-hesitating faith and obedience as he did? Think about it!