I Will Follow

For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them.  Ephesians 2:10

Last night, Alicia and I went through our closet and dresser and cleaned out several clothing items that we no longer wear or use any longer.  Not to mention, a lot of the clothes are still in good shape and will be donated to a local ministry. As we quickly approach the end of 2011 and the beginning of a new year,  it’s time to let go of the past, remove the ‘junk’ out of our lives, and walk closer with God in the year to come.

You see, the closer we grow to God, the more we fully become our  “true selves.”  Just like old clothing or fashion, our old selves are in the past and we are deemed a new creation by our loving Father.  We are each created as individuals-one of a kind, and the path that we are needs to remain a straight line towards God.

Let us rejoice in our journey towards God in the days to come and enjoy the intimate communion with our Father that loves us more than we can possibly comprehend.

Pure

Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth!  Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.  Psalm 86:11

We received quite a bit of citrus fruit for Christmas and in my humbled opinion, there is nothing better than a fresh grapefruit or seedless orange for breakfast.  We left an over-ripe banana on the counter near some of the oranges and grapefruit, so a few days later,  some of the fruit had spoiled when we came home from all of our holiday travels.

Sin works in our lives much the same and just like bad fruit, it doesn’t take much to spoil the whole bunch.  The good news is that Jesus’ death on the cross served as an atonement for our sins-past, present, and future.  When we accept His love offering, we are made clean and pure again in God’s eyes.  Keep in mind, that this is something we simply couldn’t accomplish on our own.

When you humbly ask God to forgive you, he removes the contamination of your sin and purifies you once again!

Heaven's Here On Earth

The same Lord gives generously to all who call on him.  Romans 10:12


We are just getting settled back into our home after a whirlwind tour of visiting family out-of-town for Christmas and I couldn't help but think of how busy the retail stores have been since Monday with people returning gifts and making exchanges.  


Thankfully, God has given each of us the 'perfect gift,' his Son, Jesus Christ.  This gift never needs to be exchanged or returned-it is truly a 'one size fits all' kind of gift.  If God were not a passionate and generous God, I suspect he'd make us do something to work for our salvation, but he doesn't.


God loves us and gives freely and he offers the gift of salvation in Jesus Christ to everyone who comes to him!

Slow Down

"I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me-and I in him-bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing."  John 15:5


Having some time off from work and away from the usual hustle and bustle of my normal every day routine has been wonderful and relaxing. It has also made me realize how busy I have been over the past year, and that I haven't necessarily accomplished a whole lot, despite all of my efforts, looking back.


God wants each of us to take the time to be still in his Presence so that he can strengthen us. When we allow God to enter our lives in such a profound way, we will actually do less and accomplish more.


As we prepare for the new year, let's plan to walk closer with God, depending on his strength and trusting him in every situation. 


We can live in peace by walking in the light of his Presence!

The Power of Equality

We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.  ANd this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.  Romans 3:22


There are few things in life other than say, oxygen, that are available to all people.  The great thing about God is that salvation is available to all people.  


It makes no difference to God what sins you have committed.  It does not matter who you are.  God loves all people equally and wants each one of us to be saved and live with him eternally in heaven.  


When we decide that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior and we ask for forgiveness of our sins, we are transformed into a new creation.  In God's eyes we become clean and pure again, just like everyone who believes.


We must share this with all people and love them into a relationship with Christ, to expand God's kingdom on this earth.

Love Me Tender

The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.  Psalm 103:13


I sometimes worry that I may be too harsh on our oldest son, after all he's only four years old.  After his little brother was born, it seems like I expect him to act more mature than he really is capable of doing.  All of this helps give me some insight into how God must feel about me in my walk of faith...


God shows us all compassion by caring for us, providing for us, blessing us, and loving us.  When we trust him and obey him, he forgives us of our sins, which restores our relationship with him.


Thank you dear Father for your tender love and mercy!

Glory To God Forever

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!  Luke 2:14

I can only imagine how many angels there must have been in the sky that starry night that Jesus was born in Bethlehem.  The lights must have shined in brilliance and the shepherds in the field could only gaze at the sky in wide-eyed amazement.   

The King of all kings was not born in a palace, but a stable.  He was not born in the capital city, but a small town called Bethlehem.  The first to proclaim Jesus’ birth were not royalty, but a group of shepherds in a field.  Perhaps this was all part of God’s plan to show each of us that life’s greatest treasure, salvation though Jesus Christ, is available to everyone-no matter what their status is. 

Glory to God in the highest and Merry Christmas!

Silent Night

There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  Luke 2:11

When the shepherds found the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger, they found Jesus Christ, “a Savior who is Christ the Lord.”  God’s people had been longing for the Messiah for centuries, but God sent Jesus to earth in his perfect timing.

Jesus came to this earth as a sin offering for all of mankind.  He came as the Savior, the fulfillment of the Old testament prophecies as the Messiah.  He came to the earth and lived among us-the Lord of heaven and earth in human flesh.

Jesus Christ is the ruling, sovereign, reigning Lord over all and you can rest assured knowing that God sent Him at just the right time when most people, past, present, and future, would be reached with the Good News of salvation!

Follow You, Follow Me

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant.  May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.  Luke 1:38

Mary stepped up and followed God’s direction for her life despite the fact that she was only a young and un-wed teenager, that could have faced a serious punishment for bearing a child outside of marriage.

Just like Mary, we too need to take the risk of doing things God’s way.  When God asks us to follow him, he doesn’t always provide us all of the information up front.  We have to step out in faith and when we do, he will give us enough guidance to see where to take our next steps.

Mary risked her life, her marriage, her reputation, and future by becoming the mother of Jesus. Following God’s will can be risky, but God promises us that the rewards will always outweigh the risk!

Send Me An Angel

He will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.  They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.  Psalm 91:11-12

The Bible doesn’t specifically say whether there is one specific guardian angel assigned to each believer, but I do believe that God uses his almighty supernatural power and angels to protect us.

God’s Word does tell us that he uses angels to guide us, protect us, minister to us, rescue us and fight for us.  Regardless is it is one specific angel or a host of angels, you can rest assured that we are blessed by the role they play in our lives.  In fact, I am convinced that angels play a greater role in our lives than we can possibly grasp or fathom.

Let us thank God today for his provisions, blessings and the supernatural ways in which he takes care of the people he loves.

Give A Little Bit

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?  We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."  Matthew 2:1-2


Not much is known about the Magi that travelled such a great distance to come and worship Jesus.  We do know that they followed a star (not sure exactly how they knew the star represented Jesus), but we are not told how many Magi came and where their journey originated.  


The Bible tells us that when the Magi finally found Jesus after traveling thousands of miles, they responded with joy, worship, and gifts.  The stark difference between their reaction and ours today is that we often expect God to come looking for us, prove he is who he is, and give us gifts.  


We need to be like the Magi and seek Jesus and worship Him, not for what we can get in return, but for who He is!

Get Closer

Come close to God, and God will come close to you.  James 4:8

As difficult as the employee benefits arena has become in lieu of health care reform and a down economy, one of the perks to working as an insurance broker is being offered the occasional ticket to a concert or sporting event.  I must say, that I have always enjoyed live music, so it’s very rare that I would ever hesitate to go to an event. 

As believers in the body of Christ, each one of us has also been given a ‘free pass’ through our faith, to be in God’s presence. It’s when we put our faith and trust in Jesus that we can enter God’s presence with confidence. 

The closer we come to God, the closer he draws to us!  Thanks be to God!!

We Win!

In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  Romans 8:37


Denver QB, Tim Tebow, has dominated much of the media spotlight recently for his faith just as much as his play on the field.  Yesterday, his streak of amazing come-from-behind victories came to an end as the New England Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos.  Regardless, Tebow has only lost 2 of the games in which he has started this season and he will likely lead his team to many more victories this season.  Like any athlete that excels in their sport, if they are not constantly encouraged, their performance will eventually decline.


As Christians, this is a valuable lesson for us to learn as well.  When we listen to the feelings of doubt that God is distant, we fall trap into the lies and deceit of the enemy who wants us to live our lives feeling defeated.  When we do this, we certainly don't live like citizens of the Kingdom of God.


We must learn to live without fear-not being afraid to take risks or be bold in our faith.  Hardships will come our way and battles will be difficult, but the love and power of Jesus will always remain undefeated.  


God wants us to overcome and not be overwhelmed!

Peace On Earth

You will keep in perfect peace with all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!  Isaiah 26:3

People will go to great lengths to find peace, but genuine peace can only be found in a trusting relationship with God. 

Peace is not just the absence of conflict, but more so the presence of God.  Peace of mind comes as the Holy Spirit guides you into God’s purposes for your life and he gives you an eternal perspective.  Peace of heart comes as the Holy Spirit guides you into a productive life and comforts you in times of trouble.

This Christmas season, let the peace of Jesus enter your heart. 

On Our Side

If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31


The more I ponder Paul's question above, the more I believe it is a rhetorical question designed to make us realize the foolishness of our thinking.  Often times, the severity of our present circumstances cloud our view of God, and in the process, we are left questioning whether or not He is indeed on our side.  


Think about it this way-if God freely gave us his beloved Son, Jesus, while we were still sinners, why would he abandon us now?  The answer is pretty clear-he would never abandon us.  


Sometimes, we feel like he has forgotten us, especially when we are overwhelmed by our present circumstances, but God will always remain by our side.


We must treat our doubts about God much like sin.  God's Word repeatedly reminds us that God loves us and his extravagant goodness are always with those who believe.  

Even It Up

"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." Matthew 5:38-39


Trying to raise our children the best we can, Jesus' words on retaliation are certainly relevant on a daily basis in our household. We have two young boys and as they grow bigger, stronger, and sometimes temper-mental, it is important that we instill the value of not seeking revenge on each other at an early age.


When we are wronged, it is human nature to want to get even. Instead of seeking vengeance, Jesus' radical words are to do good to those who have wronged us! I still struggle with this today and luckily have not acted out too many times when I have been wronged in the past.


Our desire should not be to keep score, but to love and forgive-just as our loving Father has done freely for us. This is certainly not natural; it's supernatural.


Only God can give us the strength to love as only he does! The next time you plan to seek revenge, pray for the person who has wronged you instead.

Don't Go Breaking My Heart (Part 2)

..the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins."  Matthew 1:20-21


We have heard the "Christmas story" so much that I truly believe we have become almost  desensitized to just how supernatural and miraculous this story is.  I try to put myself into Joseph's shoes and I honestly would have a hard time sticking around if my wife informed me that she was carrying a baby that was not mine. 


Joseph secretly planned to divorce Mary until an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and reassured him that the baby was a divine being, both God and human; the Savior of the world. 


The Bible doesn't recount much of Joseph's reaction, but it simply states that "when he woke up, Joseph did what the angel of the Lord had commanded and took Mary home as his wife." (Matthew 1:24)  


What is God calling you to do with your life?  Will you answer his call and follow him in faith, no matter what difficulties or challenges you face?

The Greatest Gift Of All

God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16

For the first Christmas season in a long while, I am almost finished with all of my shopping.  The past few years, I have found myself at retail stores late at night, battling throngs of last minute Christmas shoppers for whatever merchandise is left and I must say that it is quite miserable.

Regardless of trying to find the ‘perfect gifts” for our loved ones, the greatest gift has been given to us by God-his Son, Jesus.  Through his gift of Jesus, he also gives each of us the gift of eternal life.  What makes these gifts so wonderful is that we don’t have to work to earn them; they are given to us freely by our loving Father.

All we have to do is simply believe that God has given you his Son and the offer of eternal life with Him.  Once you accept these gifts, no one can ever take them away from you.

Praise be to God!!

Stairway To Heaven

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

In all of Jesus’ great teachings during His short time on this earth, the most radical was the above statement from John 14:6.  There are some things that we often try to rationalize, but Jesus clearly stated that the only way to heaven was through Him.  Much like today, the people who heard Jesus speak those words either whole-heartedly believed Him or thought He was a mad lunatic.

Regardless if we want to buy our way in, work our way in, or think our way in, the Bible is clear-Jesus Christ is the only way into heaven.  Believing and gratefully accepting this truth is the only way to your most important destination.

Have you been counting on something other than Christ to get you into heaven? This Christmas season, there is no more important gift you can offer someone other than the love of Jesus Christ.

Don't Go Breaking My Heart

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.  Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.  Matthew 1:18-19


I cannot begin to imagine Joseph's reaction when he learned that his pledged wife to be, Mary, was pregnant with a child that was not his.  Not to mention, even if it was Joseph's baby, they weren't even married yet and adulterers were often stoned to death in accordance with Jewish civil law during those times.


What is so remarkable about this story and one that I was given a whole new prospective on during our sermon series called "Extravagant" at Cokesbury Church on Sunday, was that Joseph was indeed a righteous man and didn't abandon Mary, even though he thought about quietly divorcing her.  


We have all heard the story of Jesus' birth so many times, that we are insulated from just how much of a struggle Mary and Joseph actually endured to be the earthly parents of God's beloved Son.  This particular story of Joseph is truly a story of hope.  Can you imagine having your heart broken by someone you were madly in love with and planned to marry, only to be told by an angel that your special someone was carrying the Savior of the world?  


Joseph surely didn't map out his life this way, but he was righteous and he answered God's calling on his life.  Would you do the same if you faced such a difficult decision?

Pray

The disciples asked Jesus "Why could we not drive it (the demon) out?" He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer." Mark 9:28-29


We all have been given a direct line to communicate with God though prayer.  The disciples would often face difficult situations that could only be resolved through prayer.  


It's hard to sometimes grasp the values of God's eternal kingdom, especially when we are facing trials and suffering in our own lives.  Jonah said, "When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you Lord" (Jonah 2:7)  We often act the same way.  When life is going well, we tend to take God for granted, but when lose our hope, we cry out to him.  This kind of inconsistent and fair-weathered relationship with God can only result in an inconsistent spiritual life.  


We must constantly stay on our knees, in prayer with God each and every day-during both good times and bad.  Not only will we have stronger spiritual lives, but we can do great things in the name of our loving Father.

I Still Believe (The Great Design)

"I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief!"  Mark 9:24


God has answered some prayers for a couple of our dear friends this week in ways that are truly miraculous.  Without divulging any details, I can say that the journey has been long and the struggles have been plenty, but with many faithful prayers, God delivered in a profound way!!


The above proclamation of the demon-possessed boy from the book of Mark is something I have incorporated into my prayers quite often. The attitude of trust and complete confidence that the Bible calls belief or trust is not something that we can obtain without help.  Faith is a gift given to us from God.  No matter how much faith we have, we can never reach a point of self-dependence apart from God.  


Faith is not something that we can hoard and store away like money in a bank, either.  The process of going our faith is a constant process, one that needs to be renewed daily by renewing our trust in Jesus.


Praise His holy name!

Anything Is Possible

"If you can'?" said Jesus.  "Everything is possible for him who believes." Mark 9:29


I have been reading and re-reading the story of how Jesus healed the demon-possessed boy in the book of Mark this past week.  God has revealed some pretty powerful teachings to me through His Word.  


When you hear that someone is praying for you, it almost sounds cliche.  Too often, we feel it's just the right thing to say and the easy way out for some believers.  The truth is that there is great power in faithful prayer.  


Jesus' words from above do not mean that we can automatically obtain anything that we want if we just think positively.  What I believe Jesus was saying is that anything is possible if we believe, because there is nothing too difficult for God.  As I grow and mature in my faith, I am learning that God doesn't just work like a magic genie either.  We simply cannot have everything we pray for as if by magic; but with faith, we can have everything we need to serve him while we are on this earth.


Allow yourself to step out on faith the next time you pray and believe with all of your might that God hears you and is greater than anything you are facing.  Remember, anything is possible!!

Here and Now

She will have a son, and you are you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.  Matthew 1:21

Our boys look forward every morning during the season of Advent to counting the days down until Christmas on our Advent Calendar.  

Just like a  child’s eager excitement about Christmas, we too have a great hope in knowing that we will live forever in heaven with God because of Jesus. 

Until our hopes are fulfilled, we must live out the plan that God has laid out for each of our lives, here and now.

We must follow God’s lead so that we don’t go astray and fulfill his great plans, just as Jesus fulfilled God’s plan for Him. 

Simple

“Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need.   With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply.”  Matthew 6:8, The Message

I must say that I am very proud of our oldest son, Elliott, who has given us a very short and sweet Christmas wish list this year.  This is in stark contrast to when I was younger, as I would typically began combing the various catalogues that were mailed to our home and devising my master wish list for Christmas by the end of each summer. I would typically condense the multi-paged wish list by the end of November so that it was a little more realistic for anyone who was doing their Christmas shopping for me, but I think I asked for every single toy that I laid my eyes on.  Elliott has only given us a few items that he wants and it’s: a set of Legos, a keyboard piano, and an umbrella.  (Hopefully, Santa can come through for him this year!)

Just like a parent strives to provide their children with the most wanted gifts on their Christmas wish list, God also promises to supply our needs, not necessarily our wants.   The above paraphrased passage from the book of Matthew was Jesus’ advice for us on how to pray to God.  Jesus was telling us that God already knows what we need, so we shouldn’t  have to babble or ramble on when we pray to Him.

When we pray and keep it simple, focusing on what God values, the more we will be able to distinguish our wants from our needs.  Furthermore, we can rest assured that God doesn’t need some elaborate string of words to determine what it is that we need-He already knows!

Thanks be to God!

No Compassion

The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.  Psalm 103:13

As we finished our decorating and hung the final strands of Christmas lights on the front porch, I was eager to see our children’s amazement and fascination with all of the beautiful Christmas lights that decorate our home.  I also couldn’t help but think about the countless number of people who dread the Christmas season and all of the Christmas lights serve as painful reminders of a difficult home situation, a dispute with a family member, or simply not being able to afford to purchase gifts for loved ones. 

God has laid this heavy on my heart and has shown compassion to me by caring for me, providing for me, loving me, and blessing me.  He has forgiven me too many times to recall, and I while I try my best to honor him out of love by fearing him and obeying him, I still continue to come up short.  By his never ending mercy and grace, he continues to love me and forgive me and that will never change.

This Christmas season, there are people all around you who are either hurting or in need.  What better time to show them the same compassion and caring that God has shown us!

We Win

Behold, I will create a new heavens and a new earth.  Isaiah 65:17


In the novel, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, author C.S. Lewis described the curse as "always winter and never Christmas."  We live in a fallen world which is enslaved by sin and corruption and cannot be improved.  This may sound depressing, but for Christians, we must realize that improvement is not what is needed, instead we should long for re-creation.  This re-created world is hard to fathom as it will be the exact opposite-"always spring and never Good Friday."


As a believer, this is exciting to me and something that I wish I could cling to more on the days when life seems to be getting the best of me.  We could all stand to live with the celebration and joy of what's coming with the promises of God's kingdom. 


If this weren't possible, it wouldn't make sense that Jesus told His disciples to be joyful despite facing trials and tribulations.  Jesus knows the end of the story and He wants us to know it too-we win!  Not only does He want us to know it, but He wants us to live every day knowing that it's real.


Praise be to God!


  

Until The Whole World Hears

When Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all His glory. Colossians 3:4


Watching our two boys grow up is such a blessing and when our oldest son bickers about sharing his toys with his curious little brother, it reminds me of how I treated my little sister when we were children. Ever since I can remember, our parents taught us to share.


For most of us as grown adults, sharing is still a hard concept to grasp. I believe it is due to our fallen and sinful nature to get rather than give and our thirst to accumulate rather than relinquish. As followers of Christ, we are called to share our love, time, faith, resources, talents, and money with others. People who do share and give are promised the benefits of being generous, which are far greater then the fleeting moments of receiving.


When you realize how much God has shared and given to you, it's hard not to want to go and give and share with others in return.


This Christmas season, think of what you have that you can generously share with others...

Longer

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. Ephesians 1:4


I was in my hotel getting ready for a meeting this week and was feeling a bit down on myself for eating so much junk over the past few days of travel for work. It's hard to make healthy food choices when you are on the road so much, entertaining clients over lunch or dinner, or having to eat fast food as you are making your way through a crowded airport. You see, if i am being totally honest, my fear is that I will revert back to weighing as much as I did while in college, when I weighed an astounding 226 lbs. Things were much different for me back then-physically and spiritually.


I didn't feel downtrodden for too long as I came across the above scripture from Ephesians, where God reassures us all that he indeed loved us, even before he created the world.


Because He first loved us, he sent Jesus to earth to live a sinless and blameless life to atone for our sinfulness on the cross. If you are like me and sometimes need reassurance, just know that you are indeed loved by God; he payed the ultimate price for our holiness and the eternal promise of heaven!

Distractions

Jesus told him, "Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”  Luke 9:62

I was driving home in the pouring rain the other evening and took my eyes off of the road for only a split second and hit some standing water on the highway that almost caused me to hydroplane.  Luckily, I was able to regain control of my car quickly and the rest of my ride home was a white-knuckle ride to say the very least.

Just like the standing water on the road, distractions can also take our focus off of Jesus.  We might be doing some great things, but if we take our eyes off of our Lord for a moment, we can quickly stumble and fall.  The enemy will stop at nothing to try and distract us.

When our minds are focused on God, we are less likely to be tempted and sin, so the enemy will stop at nothing to make sure our thoughts are not focused on our Loving God.  There are other distractions that can cause us to be distracted as well-busyness, material things, problems, and even things we enjoy, can all cause us to lose our focus on God.

Be aware of these things that distract our minds so that you can minimize them and stay on course with righteousness.     

Help Me Somebody!

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me.  Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.  I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me-watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.  Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. Matthew 11:28-30, The Message

If that verse sounds familiar, it could be because it’s the exact same verse I wrote about in yesterday’s Daily DEVO, this time it’s taken from The Message.  I enjoy this paraphrased version of the same Scripture because it just makes sense.  I also felt it important to add to yesterday’s DEVO that we should all be humbled enough to cry out to God for help when we need it. 

Too often, our pride gets in the way and we refuse to turn our problems over to our Loving Father who wants to give us a rest from all of our worrying and anxieties we face on a daily basis. 

Our beginnings do not have to dictate our endings-we need to let God be involved with every area of our lives and allow Him to lead us into “real rest.”