Purpose or Vanity…

Jesus tells us in Luke 14:26 “If any man come to Me and hate not his father and mother, and his wife and children, and brethren and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.” He was by no means saying to actually hate anyone. He taught the exact opposite in Mark when he teaches to “love your neighbor as yourself.” (12:31). The point of the beginning scripture is to emphasize the cost of a relationship with Christ. Luke 14:27 goes on to say that “whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” In other words, nothing or no one is more important than our relationship with Jesus. He was willing to bear our burden through His cross for our sins to save us from Hell. As believers, our burden, or cross to bear, is making sure we reach out to as many lost people as possible and share with them the love of Christ! We should morn and grieve with the thought of lost souls that do not know our wonderful Savior and Deliverer.

Recently, I have been reading through Ecclesiastes. In reading Solomon’s reflection on his life, I have became so convicted. Solomon was given insurmountable wisdom from God and riches beyond anything I can even imagine. I’m sure the people in his kingdom thought he “had it all.” He built a beautiful temple for God, lived in the palace, had unimaginable amounts of land and servants to work the ground, and several wives. After all this he admits his entire life was “vanity.”

Solomon started his rule as king close to God, much like his father, David. Like so many of us, the more he gained in wisdom and riches the more he fell away. Solomon admits that all the riches and wisdom in the world mean absolutely nothing if you fail to use it for God’s glory. He was chasing satisfaction through worldly desires, but he was completely empty. He says, “ Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labor in which I had toiled: And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun.” (2:11) The richest and wisest man in the world, had wasted his life on things that didn’t really matter in the purpose of life.

What lessons can we learn from Solomon?

1. God gave us a beautiful world to enjoy. We should not get so bogged down with the day to day grind that we forget to take a moment to slow down and enjoy what God has blessed us with. I do not necessarily mean material things but, it’s ok to take time to enjoy the fruits of our labor. Enjoy your family and the creation. Eccl 2:24 “Nothing is better for a man than he should eat and drink, and that his should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God.”

2. Seeking riches and worldly wisdom will not satisfy our soul. Solomon learned this as an old man looking back on his life. He was grieved with the fact that he wasted so much time and fell away from God Almighty. Chapter 1:12-14 he writes, “I, the preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be exercised. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping at the wind.”

3. Live life with purpose, not losing site of what we are meant to do. How can Solomon’s story tie to the teachings of Jesus? Of course, the Messiah had not come yet when Solomon was living, but we can still use both teachings for today. God gave Solomon the gift of wisdom and blessed him with with riches in order for him to impact God’s kingdom. Solomon instead used what God gave him for his own vain desires. He died with a lot of sorrow and regret. We, as followers of Jesus Christ, have a burden or cross to bear. Our focus should be how can I use what God gave me to impact His Kingdom? We all have God given abilities. It is so important that we do not lose focus on the fact that we are all called to make disciples of Jesus. We have to be willing to sacrifice everything in order to fulfill that commandment. No one or no thing can come between us and our relationship with Christ, and part of that relationship is showing Jesus to the world.

In conclusion, no Jesus was not actually telling us to “hate” our families. He was telling us that we have to love him enough to make fulfilling His will number 1 in our lives. Figure out what passions God has given you and use them for His Kingdom. Don’t wake up one day and realize you wasted everything God gave you. Our life is but a vapor that is here for a little while then vanishes away (James 4:14). What are you going to do with your vapor? How are you going to take up the burden for lost souls and make a difference in your community? If my husband and I can use competitive cooking to impact Christ’s kingdom, you can use anything.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we ask that you keep us focused and help us not to lose site of our purpose in life to win souls for you. Show us what you would have us to do to impact people for You. Amen

One or Ninety-nine?

Luke 15 begins by telling us that “all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, ‘this Man receives sinners and eats with them’” (Luke 15:1-2). As Christians, we read these words and often criticize the “religious” leaders for their terrible attitudes. After all, the Pharisees are the bad guys in the story. Truth be told though, how many times have we done the same thing? How many times have we put our noses in the air and turned our backs to people who are “not as holy” or who “don’t go to church” like we do? Sadly, we are all at times Pharisees!

Jesus, knowing their thoughts, told the story of the good shepherd and the one lost sheep. The story is of a man who has 100 sheep. He asks what would he do if one is lost. Would he not leave the 99 to find the one? And, when he finds the one, does he not rejoice? I have heard this story many times. Recently, I have asked myself about the 99. Did the shepherd leave the 99 in danger to find the one? Are the 99 just as important as the one?

These questions can be answered simply as yes and yes. Yes, the 99 are potentially in danger and yes the 99 are just as important as the one. If these answers are true, why did he leave them for just one? To answer this, we have to look into why Jesus told the parable in the first place. He told this story because the Pharisees and scribes were critical of Him socializing with “sinners.” After all, He was claiming to be the Son of God. Why would He spend His time with those types of people instead of the religious people?

This example wasn’t the first time Jesus was confronted about who He spent His time with. In Luke 5 Jesus was seen eating in Matthew’s house with other tax collectors. He answered saying, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but the sinners, to repentance.” (Luke 5:31-32). Well, that cuts deep! Is it possible the 99 could represent the so called “righteous”? If so, the one would be the sinner who knows he needs a savior. The good shepherd left the 99 to find the one who needed him. Although the 99 were in need of a shepherd also, they didn’t realize it. They were simply going through the everyday motions of being a sheep in the herd. It was the one sheep who was lost and alone that knew he needed help.

We are called to live like Jesus. If we are going to complete our mission, we must not forget we can never think of ourselves as too righteous to go out and look for the lost one. The one person who needs a Savior. We must keep ourselves humble and remember that we all have been that lost sheep until someone took the time to lead us to Jesus. We can’t get so caught up in living a “religious” life that we think we are too good to show Jesus to everyone! Especially those people that everyone else forgets about or doesn’t want to be seen with. Jesus loves us all and wants us all to be with Him in heaven. Jesus did not participate in or condone the sin of the people. He, instead, loved them and taught them the importance of repentance and a real relationship with Him. He preached the gospel, just as we are commanded to do in the great commission of Matthew 28:18-20.

Let us not forget our purpose as Christians. The purpose to seek out the one and not become the 99. After all, “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over the ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15-7

FAITH over FEAR

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind.”

“In these uncertain times…” How many times have we heard those words lately? Seems like every other commertial on T.V. or on the radio starts with that phrase. We can almost call it before the words come out. First we hear the solom music then here it comes. “in these uncertain times.” Why now? Aren’t we always in uncertain times? Is it just now because of this virus? These are just a few questions I have been wrestling with in my mind over the last couple months. We live in a fallen creation, we are always in uncertain times!

I completely understand the world being afraid. Lost people have no hope in God to protect them. There is no peace in a Godless life. Fear and anxiety thrive where there is no Jesus. But, what I don’t understand is the fear and anxiety in the church. Are we not supposed to be the example for the world? How are we the light to the lost when we are hiding in our safe place? God did not save us in order to remain the same. We are called to be in this world but not part of this world. That means having faith that God is bigger than anything we are facing in this life.

The Lord has been reminding me recently about the story of Jesus and Peter walking in water. (Matthew 14:22-33) There are three points to this story that I have been dealing with in my heart. (I know I reference this story a lot, but it’s one of my favorites)

1. As long as we keep our eyes on Jesus, we will be ok. Peter walked on the water just as Jesus did. When he took his eyes of Jesus, he sank. We have to remember who our strength comes from. We can never let fear over take our faith in Christ.

2. When we mess up, Jesus is still there to save us. When Peter began to sink, he just had to utter a few words and he was saved. “Lord, save me.” Although he temporarialy took his focus off Jesus, he still knew where his salvation was. Jesus was still there to save him.

3. Jesus sent his disciples out into the storm for is glory. When Jesus told his followers to get in the boat and to go before Him, he knew a storm was coming. He sent them any way. He allowed the storm to come. He could of just as easily called on the Father to stop the storm before it came. Instead, he allowed it to happen. Verses 32-33 tell us that when they got into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the people worshiped Him saying truly He is the Son Of God.

People often wrongly think that becoming a Christian will automatically take away all our problems. Nothing could be further from the truth. Like I said before, we live in a fallen creation. Bad things will happen. We will get sick , lose loved ones, suffer from illness. We will go through storms. What matters is how we act in the storm. Storms grow our failth and make us more reliant on God. Unsaved people will question us. Often ask, how do we still smile when life has been so hard? We are the example of how God and take our struggles and use them for His glory.

God knows everything that we are and will go through. Nothing is a surprise to Him. He also knows who will cross our paths and will be looking and watching how we handle the situation. I believe that is exactly why we cannot hide in a bunker everytime we face a problem. Why are Christians so afraid of the news on T.V. Has God not told us in His word not to fear the things that are going to happen? I am by no means trying to say we should be careless and not take precautions to stay safe. God does not call us to be wreckless. All I am trying to say, is to show the world that our faith and hope is in a living God. We have no need to fear!

A Single Grain

Have you ever really wrapped your mind around how much power can be help in just one verse from the Bible? Jesus gave us so much in this single sentence. In context He was trying to explain to the disciples why he had to die. His life was that single grain that had to die to produce much fruit. Through His physical death, He was fulfilling the promise of eternal life to the world.

How does this apply to us today? Jesus had to die because of our sin. His resurrection produced life for everyone who will accept it. As followers of Christ, we too are called to die to sin so we can produce fruit and multiply the kingdom. In order for us to do this, we have to die to whatever is holding us down and live in the things of Christ. We all sin and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23) but we cannot hold onto these things.

As believers, we must pray daily and ask God to reveal in us any sin or stronghold we need to get rid of. We must die to our sin so God can use us to grow His kingdom. We all should morn for lost souls. We should not want anything in our lives to hold us back from God’s purpose in us. Our lives cannot be a stumbling block to others.

We all have our struggles. We are all sinners saved by grace. The difference between us and the world is that we know how God’s grace can give us peace. We know our sins are as far away as the East is from the west. All we have to do is accept the free gift of salvation. My heart yearns so bad for everyone I come in contact with so know the love of our Heavenly Father. I pray I am willing to die to my flesh so God’s love can shine through me and I can bear much fruit.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father thank you for Your Son Jesus. Who was willing to die so we could have true peace with salvation. Please reveal in our lives the sin we have. We repent today. Help us show Your love and mercy through our daily lives so we can fulfill our mission and grow Your kingdom. In Jesus name, Amen.

Why God?

June 18th, 2020 turned out to be one of the worst days of my life. I was at home, folding clothes preparing to go out of town when I received a call from my dad. All I could get out of my dad was something bad happened to Lucas. I immediately called my sister to find out they were in the ER at a local hospital. After I arrived I learned my six year old nephew had been found by his older brother in a swimming pool. His lifeless body was pulled off the bottom of the pool by his daddy. He and the medics were able to bring him back, but if he made it, the next several days would be critical.

I have never felt so broken in my life as I did that day. Our family was devastated. All we could do is beg God to please bring our boy back, to heal his body, and to eliminate any damage to his little body. Prayer chains started all around our small community, our state, the country and eventually the world. God’s love surrounded us and we knew to keep faith and God would hear our cries.

In my prayer and desperation, God kept reminding me of the story of Jesus walking on the water. Not so much the way we normally think of the story though. I just couldn’t get the beginning and the ending out of my thoughts.

Matthew 14:22-33

VS 22-24: Jesus sent his disciples ahead of Him. Jesus knew there was going to be a storm, but He sent them anyway. He knew they would be afraid and desperate for help, but He sent them anyway. He, the all knowing Savior, sent them anyway! Jesus sent his disciples out into the sea knowing a storm was coming.

VS 32-33: Most of us are familiar with Jesus and Peter walking on water. The part that kept sticking out in my mind was that when Jesus got in the boat, the wind stopped. After the storm was over, those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

How many time do we question God? Often we fail to see the big picture in His perfect plan. My nephew was miraculously healed by the hand of God because of prayer, thanksgiving and supplication from the body of Christ. I have already heard from many people of how they have turned their lives back to God, families being restored, and people believing in the power of God that had doubts before. My nephews drowning was not in vain. God sent us into this storm so He would be glorified. I thank Him for restoring life into Lucas’ body and for restoring faith into a community searching for answers.

Prayer works! Miracles still happen! Jesus is still the ultimate physician! Lucas amazed the doctors and nurses who did not give much hope in the beginning He has no brain damage despite being without oxygen. His lungs are healthy and fully functioning. Without God work, that would not of been possible. When God sends you into a storm, instead of asking “Why God?”, ask Him “How can this glorify You?” Allow God to move through your situation for His glory and honor. God saved our sweet boy so He would be worshipped. I give Him all the praise for allowing us to have our Lucas back. Thank you Jesus!!

This was taken a couple days after being taken of the ventilator




The Church Of Itching Ears

2 Timothy 4:1-5 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Is the modern day church a compromising church? Are we as believers 100 percent on board with God’s purpose for completing our mission? What is our mission? We are called to be ambassadors for Christ and win souls. How are we measuring up to this command?

As I look around at churches and fellow Christians, I really wonder if we have lost our way. It seems like the church is so afraid of hurting someone else’s feelings that they forget to share the truth. If we share God’s word we are labeled as “intolerant” or “hateful.” Have we conformed God’s word to appease those with itching ears? God’s word has not changed. God Himself has not changed. Why has the church changed? Changing to the world’s idea of Christianity has never been God’s plan for spreading the truth of the gospel.

In the 33 years Jesus spent on this earth, He never conformed His teaching to fit the world’s needs. He actually commands us to conform to His way. We are called to be in this world but not part of this world. When we are saved we are set apart. 1 John 2:15 says “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” What is loving the world? The simple answer is loving sin. God is a loving God, but he is also a holy God. He cannot go back on His word. God will not tolerate sin, so why do we? We are to give people the good news of the uncompromising gospel so God can deliver them of their sin so they too can have everlasting life.

Its impossible to preach the gospel if we are afraid to tell the truth. Giving the truth is not intolerant or hateful. Letting everyone who will listen know that they too can experience the love of our Savior is the ultimate expression of true love. Hate is compromising and allowing people to die without the real Jesus. We should yearn for all to come to know Jesus and inherit the kingdom of God.

The Bible is very up front about sin. Romans 3:23 tells us ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God. We all need redemption. Jesus died for all of us. No one is beyond Gods grace. Be bold and share God’s true word with everyone. Let our hearts break for the lost. Make a commitment to be strong in the Word and love people enough to tell them the truth. Do not compromise God’s word. Take seriously the commandment to “fulfill your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5

Prayer: Father thank you for Your word and grace. Let us not compromise Your word for itching ears but let us speak boldly for Your gospel and truth. Lord, break our hearts for the lost souls in this world. Let us never miss an opportunity to share Jesus with everyone we have contact with. Thank you for sending your Son to die for our sins. We love You and praise You always. Amen

Faith in the Storm

Psalm 40:1-3 1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.

How many times have we felt like we were living in a slimy pit? I know for me I could say many, many times. Our “pits” are different for every person. Some of you may be suffering from the loss of a loved one, illness, financial problems, or maybe depression and anxiety. We all have needs and burdens that weigh us down to the point where we feel hopeless and at the end of our rope. It’s at these times where are faith is tested to our natural limits. Waiting patiently can be so hard, but it is also how God is glorified through hardship. God knows our needs and knows our pain. He allows us to go through storms so we can lean on Him.

Verse 1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.

Waiting patiently shows trust in the Lord. Trust to let God work through us and our situation. So many times we get tired of waiting and decide to attempt to take things into our own hands. We miss out on letting God hear our cry and turn to help us. We miss out on the blessing of knowing that the God of the universe cares about our burdens and wants us to cry out to Him for help.

Verse 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.

Biblical commentary suggests that the pit David is referring to is probably a deep well. It would mean certain death if no rescuer came to pull a person out. They would actually keep sinking the more they tried to climb out on their own. For God to lift us out of our pit, we have to rely on Him to do it. He is our rescuer! We are incapable of standing on a firm foundation alone. Jesus is our rock! How can we stand strong without Him? Why would we want to? I know every time in my life when I try to fix myself I quickly learn I cannot do it.

Verse 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.

I love how after the storm we can look back and see God’s hands at work. It’s often difficult to understand why we are going through certain things at the time, but so many times we can reflect on the past and see how great God really is. We have all had the feeling that we couldn’t possibly make it through. Its then that we need our Heavenly Father the most. He is so good to us. Even when it doesn’t seem like He’s listening, He is! How many lives do we touch by our example of trusting God in the good times and the bad?

Our most difficult times shows the world how glorious our Savior is. Has anyone ever asked you, “I don’t see how you made it through?” That is our opportunity to glorify the strength of God in our weakness. A testimony of relying on God Almighty to pull us through can be such an inspiration and encouragement to others. God uses us and our situations to show His love, mercy and power to a world that without Him is hopeless and lost.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we praise you in the storm. We thank you for being strength in our weakness. We love you and thank you for everything that you have lead us through. Help us Lord to lean on you and rely on you. Let others see you in us and come to know you as their personal Lord and Savior. Lead, Guide and direct us in all we do. In Jesus name, Amen.

Jesus, heal my daddy’s arm…

Image result for Scriptures About the Faith of a Child

I was probably about eight when my dad came home from work one day and mentioned to my mom he hurt something in his arm. I remember him saying it how sore it was and how he hoped it would be better by morning. My younger brother just simply asked him if he wanted him to pray for it. Of course dad said yes. My brother placed his tiny hand on our dad’s arm and said the sweetest little pray. “Jesus please heal my daddy’s arm.” That’s it. That was all it took. That very second his arm stopped hurting. He has never had anymore trouble from it again. I can still see my dad’s expression when he opened his eyes and told us the pain was gone. That moment, Jesus healed my daddy’s arm.

Dad’s healing did not take place because of some big elaborate pomp and circumstance ceremonial prayer. He was healed because of the faith of a little child who knew beyond all doubt that Jesus could help. Children have an ability to believe with everything they have in them. Their belief is so pure and innocent. We see this everyday in the way our children rely on us as parents to provide their needs. Why do we lose this as we grow older?

God wants us to rely on him 100 percent, just as our children rely on us. He wants us to know without any doubt that He is our healer and provider. In Matthew 6:26 Jesus tells us “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you more value than they?” JESUS SAID THAT! Why do we even question who is our comforter? Why do we hesitate to ask Jesus to help us, heal us and provide for us?

I have never forgotten that day from my childhood. I pray I never do. I hope to always know that no matter what is going on in my life, nothing is too big or small for my Jesus. If we just have the faith as a little child. The faith to know beyond all doubt that Jesus cares enough about us all to care about our every need. He even cares enough to answer the prayer of a little boy that simply said, “Jesus heal my daddy’s arm.”

Prayer:

Father thank you for loving me and caring for my needs. Forgive me for my doubt and lack of faith. Lord, help me to have the faith of a little child. I am your child! I am more valuable than than the birds of the air, you provide for them, how much more will you provide for me. Thank you for you protection and healing. I love you Father. In Jesus name, Amen.

Going to Nineveh

I think most all of us have heard the story of Jonah and the big fish. Well, if you have spent any time as a child in Sunday school or VBS you have. The point of the story isn’t that Jonah was swallowed by the fish, but that he refused to live out God’s plan for his life. God’s plan was simply to go where you are told to go. Jonah, like most of us fought God’s plan. He was afraid. Afraid of the people. Afraid he wasn’t good enough. Afraid for his life even!

It is easy for us to read this story and say, “if he would of just done what he was asked to do, he wouldn’t of ended up in the fish’s belly.” We know now that God’s hand was on him and therefore meant he was protected. But, is that really what we do as believers. Do we jump at every chance God gives us to share His word? If we look at our lives honestly, we would have to most often say no. I do not want to admit it, but if I am truly going to be open and honest, “no” has to be my answer.

God may not be calling us all to travel to a foreign land, but He is calling us all to share God’s love with others right where we are. We often let Satan creep into our thoughts and self doubt starts showing its ugly head. We tell ourselves we are not good enough, people are going to think we are crazy, or we are afraid. Our circle becomes our Nineveh. The truth is, we are not good enough, people will think you are crazy and the world can be a scary place. That is exactly what the Holy Spirit is for. Jesus made us good enough when He gave that ultimate sacrifice to purify our hearts. He left us with the gift of eternal life if we just believe in Him. That’s not the end of the story. All believers have the power of the Holy Spirit in us to give us the strength, wisdom and knowledge to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives.

Matthew 28:18-20 gives us what we call the great commission. Jesus’ last commandment before His ascension to heaven.

“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen”

He is with us forever! Until the end of the age! He sent us the gift of the Holy Spirit to hold our hands and guide us through this life. I cannot think of a better gift that that. All we have to do is listen and obey. We have to be willing to take up our cross and follow Him. We must let the Holy Spirit guide our thoughts instead of Satan. Be still and listen to the voice of God. We can no longer let opportunities pass us by to lead someone to Christ. No one knows the day or the hour of the return of Jesus. (Matthew 24:36) I have wrestled with this website for years! I have allowed the evil one talk myself out of this for far too long. I have finally chosen to obey what God has been telling me. I just pray that God forgive me for missing opportunities in the past. I pray God bless this site, my scary place, or my Nineveh and spread the GOOD NEWS of Jesus to all the ends of the earth.

I want to encourage and challenge anyone reading this to take the time to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you someone that needs Jesus. Ask Him help you to recognize those divine appointments and to not let one opportunity pass you be. Life is too short to take chances with eternity. Our lives are like a vapor, we are here for a short time then gone. (James 4:14)

Prayer:

Father thank you for Your Son and your Holy Spirit. Forgive us for our disobedience. Help us all to listen to your voice and to not let a single opportunity go that could save someone from an eternity in Hell. We know Lord that you have given us a plan for leading others to salvation. We ask that you open our eyes to see what you have before us. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit for boldness to take a stand, wisdom to know the best approach and for the knowledge to know what to say. In Jesus name. Amen