Are you limiting God?

I came across a Bible verse this morning that I didn't understand at first.

Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. (Hebrews 4:1 KJV)

My first thought was "huh?" and I started to skip over the verse but was drawn back to it. After further study I found that Paul is simply saying that if I should fear anything as a follower of Christ, it should simply be that I place limits in my mind of what God can do!

I find that I tend to place God in a small box. This box has sides and a top that are all within my scope of reality and understanding. Do you do the same? Why is it that we do that and say at the same time that God is Omnipresent, Omnipotent, and without bounds?

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us... (Eph 3:20 NIV)

My prayer this morning was that I come to know the Father for who He really is. One without bounds and limits.

Cholera in Haiti

My family celebrated an early Thanksgiving yesterday because we have a nephew in the U.S. Navy that will be heading out to sea before the end of the month.

As we eat and enjoy our time together, a mere 600 miles or so away, a nightmare is taking place in the country of Haiti. Cholera has taken hold of the population in most of the regions. It is now affecting those in the capital of Port-au-Prince where tent cities have been the norm since the devastating earthquake in the spring of this year.

My heart is joyous and thankful for where we are and were we're not. Yet, many have put their regular lives on the line and have answered the call to go and help. Samaritan's Purse (www.samaritanspurse) has been in the country providing crucial life-saving aid since the earthquake. Today as I write, they continue to answer God's call to reach out to others. Not only are they building homes, removing rubble, providing sanitary water supplies and crucial aid; their medical treatment facilities are providing aid for the masses that are approaching their doors and tent flaps needing critical aid for cholera. Hours make a difference between life and death.

Please consider a donation to Samaritan's Purse (www.samaritanspurse) as they continue to be the hands, feet, and heart of Jesus Christ in Haiti providing life-saving relief.

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)

Operation Christmas Child

Tomorrow my Wife and I will take part in a Family Fun Day to spread the news about Operation Christmas Child. This ministry of Samaritans Purse (www.samaritanspurse.org) takes shoeboxes and sends them full of gifts around the world! What is so incredible about this ministry is that the Gospel message goes with each shoebox to millions of children who have never heard about Jesus.

Take some time to go on-line to Samaritans Purse website and find a collection location near you. You only need to enter your zip code. You may also 'pack a shoebox' on-line if you don't have the time. Its a great family tradition to start today!

A New Mission Vision Emerging?

Lately I've been digging deep into the Word of God and exploring what God is speaking to me through His text. I am also in the midst of taking a class on Missions and filtering what I'm learning there through what I see in today's society and the movement of our country.

My wife and I have a vision from God that we are to turn our small farm (actually His farm) into a place where missionaries can stop over during their furloughs to rest, relax and recharge. In addition, we see the farm as an opportunity to extend basic training in crop production and animal care to those that are in need of additional training.

Watching how our country is spiraling from a democratic republic towards socialism and beyond though has given me a new vision. Our focus thus far has been toward helping those that have been sent from the United States to other countries and are back in the U.S. on furlough. Could it be though that God actually wants us to stay put here while our country sinks deeper to be a stopover and source of support to foreign missionaries coming to the United States? Could the United States be the next big mission field?

No matter what the answer, we want to be obedient to the call. All we have is His and we want to use the resources entrusted to us for His glory and for His Kingdom. Time is short and the second coming of Christ is neigh. There are billions of souls out there that are destined to an eternity in hell if they do not hear and accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I am ready to be used by God today, are you?

Spreading the Gospel is Not an Option

I went to my first 'Missions 101' class at my church last night. My church is big-time into missions and sends people constantly around the world on short and long-term missions. Although these trips many times are designed around a building project or whatever, the primary purpose of all missions trips is evangelism... spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 28:19 says "go..." and it does not make it optional. Whether my mission field is local with someone I meet today or global via an Operation Christmas Child shoebox or a trip around the world, I am to spread the Gospel.

Until now I have always thought that I'll spread the Gospel when I am trained and yes, I should work towards that goal but I can still use the knowledge that God has given me to spread the Gospel today also. A person that I meet today may die tonight! If I do not allow God to reach them through me, their eternal life may be spent in hell! Oh my...

Today is the day of salvation. Christ Followers, today is the day to spread the Gospel. God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and strength (1 Timothy 1:7 - 12).

Today is the day.

EACH Day is Precious

I found out last night that my father-in-law has cancer. The Big "C". That kind of news is common to many of you and you may even be the one with cancer. At work, my executive director will be having surgery (yet again) for cancer. Each day is precious...

Today, more that 850,000,000 people are either hungry or starving... a little under 1/6 of the world's population. Each day is precious... and critical for their survival.

Today, many people died without hearing about the ONLY way to heaven... by accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Each day is precious...

S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G or Existing

I was reminded today of the need to be constantly stretching my relationship with God. If I am to live on the edge... to live dangerously for God and put my full trust in His ability, I must remove myself from my comfort zone.

How often do you go to church not really expecting to learn anything new that can be applied to your life. And of those times, how often are your expectations confirmed. I wish to challenge you (and me) to think outside of the box. Go with great expectation and KNOW that God will deliver direction and purpose!

Satan is alive and well and is lulling us into a sense of contentment and satisfaction going through the same old routine. Both my wife and I have an intense heart for missions, both local and worldwide. Even when we are working in our mission field, I have noticed that we must not become complacent. We must be ready for change. God will lead us in one direction for a season and then lead us in a different direction. I am working on being able to comprehend when God changes my direction. I must not become too burdened with 'stuff' that it is hard for me to change.

My wife is already in full-time missions. Will there come a time when He too will call me to that field? I feel that the answer is 'yes' and I must be ready.

What are you doing in your mission field? Is God stretching you to reach out in new areas or are you merely existing?

Prayer Warrior - My Purpose for Today

Like many Christ followers, I am asking God for direction and purpose. Are the things that are in my mind and on my schedule for today... are those the things that God wants me to be accomplishing?

Many works in the mission field are on my mind today. Kay (my bride of 27 years) is at a Samaritan's Purse - Operation Christmas Child missions conference in Georgia. Our daughter and son-in-law are in Albania serving several villages in the missions field this week. I also spoke with a dear friend yesterday in Mexico (YWAM/Mazatlan - see websites I view often). They have been under some spiritual attack and are boldly hanging on to the promises of God.

Where is all of this telling me that God wants on my schedule today? I believe to be a prayer warrior. That term is bounced around a lot in Christian circles and it is basically someone who devotes themselves to prayer. To spend solid time in study and prayer each day an then to be mindful to God throughout the day. In other words, to be in continual prayer... a continual conversation with God.

In some of my study this morning, I was reading from Proverbs 2:1-5.
'My son if you accept my words,
and store up my commands within you,
turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding,
and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.' (emphasis my own)

Then on down in verse 11 it says,
'Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you.'

What do I see from these verses? Accepting 'my' (God's) word and storing up His commands is study. Turning and applying are an actual turning away from unwise thoughts and actions. Then calling out for insight and crying aloud for understanding are prayer. Doing these things will provide for me what is in verse 11 where I will have discretion and I will know the right decision every time.

I don't know what tomorrow will bring. I do know who will guide me towards tomorrow and when tomorrow comes, He will be there. Jesus Christ, my Savior, my King, my Lord is guiding me through His Word to be a prayer warrior today. To pray for mission work in Mexico, Albania, Georgia and even here in Indian River County, Florida.

My purpose today is to pray. It is not the first thing that I will do and it will not be the last thing that I do today. All of my day today will be a day of prayer.

We Are Only Promised Today

I had an eye opening experience yesterday in my little protected world here in the United States. I was eating at an Arby's during the lunch hour in West Palm Beach when only three blocks away, a shooter came out of the restroom at a Wendy's and randomly shot at the people eating lunch. As I went by the Wendy's minutes prior, I decided to not eat there because the last time I was there I had poor service.

Ok, ok I know that we all have our lives at risk daily. Multitudes die on the highways daily. Our law enforcement officers (I know several) put themselves on the line daily. My best friend from college is serving our Country in the war zone of the Middle East as I write. Certainly they experience these 'eye opening' brushes with the end of life almost on a daily basis... but I don't. I didn't... until yesterday.

It reminds me though that God has only promised us today. We in this Country plan for tomorrow in so many ways. We save money, we climb the corporate ladder, we set goals, we make reservations for vacations. As I look at other countries, other societies though, this is such a luxury. They only can look to today... finding enough food for their family today. Keeping themselves safe from the elements today. Fighting the battle of disease and ill health today.

This safe zone that I live in is a GIFT. How should I use this wonderful gift today? God has made it known that He doesn't want one... even one to perish by spending eternity in hell. Yet we all will spend eternity in either heaven or hell. God has also made it known that we cannot be good enough to earn a place in heaven. The Bible states that we all fall short of the glory of God.

In His love for us though, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ who put His life at risk and died on the cross for you and for me. He took our sins upon Himself because of His love for us.

You have today... you are not promised tomorrow. How will you spend today. Will you come to the point that you alone cannot be good enough for heaven and repent (turn away) from your worldly lifestyle and start to live for God by accepting His Son as your Savior? Or will you decide to wait until tomorrow or the next day.

We are only promised today...

Condemnation Is NOT From God

Yesterday I spoke of directing my five senses towards obedience. I ended the post by saying "I choose this day - OBEDIENCE".

I awoke this morning feeling the same feeling that I felt most of yesterday afternoon and evening... condemned. Let me explain...

Yesterday morning I my wife was showing me wedding pictures on the internet from a photographer that we may use for our daughter's wedding. As I was standing behind her viewing the pictures, she came upon a very provocative picture of a bride-to-be. I not only did not 'bounce my eyes away' (see an earlier post for the explanation), I stared. I'm not sure if I did that because I was so shocked but that should not make any difference.

I asked for forgiveness and know that when I do ask that God forgives me and separates the sin from me as far as the 'east is from the west' and that 'He knows it no more'. Yet, I felt condemned last night and this morning. I was not only remembering what God has already forgotten, I was replaying the scene in my mind (thus making me more angry at myself and feeling the need to ask for forgiveness yet again). Have you ever been there? I think that we all have been.

The very first verse that I read this morning though was Romans 8:1 "Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death" (emphasis my own). I remember from that verse that as a Christ Follower if I feel condemnation, it is not from God but from satan. He was making me feel unworthy and feeling like God did not accept my remorse for letting down my guard. Satan condemns... Christ convicts my spirit of what is right and wrong.

After reading that verse, I basically commanded satan to scram and I now feel free! I will build my moral fences higher and once again thank God for TODAY. It is a new day to serve Him fully.

The End of a Christian Nation - Apathy

I feel that the end of the United States as we know it is close at hand. To read and hear quotes from the founding fathers of this nation is to understand how much our fathers were devoted Christ Followers. Oh yes, you can find the one here or there but they are very rare.

Today, we have a nation that is blurring the lines of morality for its own pleasure. It is interesting though that I do not feel that the end of this great nation is at hand due to satans work outside of the church in the hearts and minds of unbelievers. No, the end of this nation falls on the responsibility of those that are warming the church pews on Sunday but living like this world the rest of the 6 days and 23 hours. Apathy among Christians will be the ultimate downfall of this nation.

As I spend more time in the Bible (THE WORD OF GOD), I am more convinced that there are very few 'grey' areas that are open to interpretation. There are a few... but areas such as homosexuality vs. sex only between male and female, sex outside marriage, evolution vs. creationism, only ONE way to heaven vs. only believing in a god... these are very, VERY clear.

Christian people are you listening?!? This nation is heading towards hell as we sit back on our rears and do nothing! Stand and be a Christ Follower! From 2 Timothy 1:7-8 in the Holy Bible, Paul is saying to Timothy "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God (speaking of the Holy Spirit), which is in you though the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. DOES THIS SOUND LIKE "SIT BACK AND DO NOTHING???"

I am sick and tired of people telling me that my faith is a personal thing and I should keep it to myself. Yes, it is personal but that personal relationship to my God gives me an intense desire to see the lost with the love of God. I can't just sit back and watch them tumble towards hell. I must do SOMETHING. Please join me...

Sign Posts - Are We Listening?

I read about Christ's crucifixion in two of the gospels this morning. It was hard to read and yet I am awestruck with the love that God has for us. Over and over and over again, He is saying 'here I am'. He is pleading with us to follow Him for eternity but with the love that only He can have, He allows us to make the decision.

The Bible is chock full of prophesy ... sign posts of things to come. Many, many, many of the prophesies of the old testament come true in the new testament. Many more have yet to pass but I am assured that they will indeed happen. The Bible is the Word of God... all of it and God cannot lie. Therefore it will happen.

Finding the Gifts in Everyone

I am struck this morning as to how we as individuals in our society in America look and thus treat others around us. We see some people as 'important', we see others as 'busy', we see yet others as 'worthy'. But how does God see us?

The Bible in so many verses tells us how much God loves us and cares for us as His children. I am a father of two so I can understand that feeling. I love my daughters more than words could possibly ever express. It is a gut thing... nothing that can be placed into words. If God loves each of us in that manner, shouldn't we at least attempt to view others in like manner?

How often do we see someone in a job that we consider menial and say to ourselves 'they probably deserve it'. Other times we get upset with someone and think to ourselves 'wow, how dumb are you... you can't even do that'.

How dare we as followers of the one true God and savior, Jesus... How dare we treat HIS children in that manner. My heart breaks for those whom society sweeps to the gutter. The thing is through... I am guilty of doing the same. God, please forgive me.

I can think of a family where there is a lot of talent except for one. "Why can't you be like your brother or sister?" is the common phrase for that one. He doesn't know why he can't be like them... he only knows that he isn't them... God made him unique with special gifts of his own.

I can think of how upset I got with a checkout clerk at a local store because she needed the bar scan to enter a sale in the cash register. "I told her the price... that should be enough", I thought in my mind. Yet, she is trying to the best of her ability to do her job as she was trained. God also made her unique with special gifts of her own.

Shouldn't we be all about showing the love of Christ to others so that they will want what we have found? Shouldn't that love be shown in acceptance at least of the person (but maybe not their actions if they are contrary to God's Word). God loves them as a child of His. As Christ followers shouldn't we do the same?

God, help me to be more sensitive to those around me. Help me to approach others seeing them through your eyes. Help me to show them your love. God, help me to be the man that you have called me to be.

Today is New Day!

What a crummy week I've had. I've been low on self-esteem all week and my heart has just not been in sync with God and what He has been calling me to do each day. I'm not sure why but I do KNOW that I should no be striving to get my 'self-esteem' from this world. Even my loved ones will let me down on occasion. We are all human... it happens.

My self-esteem should be coming from God and God alone. Luke 13:22 - 28 speaks about the narrow door. There are so many that think that 'being good' will get them into heaven. Others think that church membership or warming a pew seat on Sunday morning will get them into heaven. It is ONLY a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that will lead you through the narrow door.

It is time that I get off my duff and stop having a pity party for myself. People are dying everyday without a relationship in Jesus. They are thus condemned to an eternity in hell... eternal separation from God. I cannot let this day pass without being obedient and sold out to God and being responsive to His leading.

Today is a new day...

Doing things 'Well'

"He has done everything well." This was said by the people of Decapolis when they were speaking about Jesus after seeing a miracle. Decapolis was considered a gentile and pagan city of cultures from ten regions. Yet, many of these people look at the heart of Jesus and see Him for who He truly is.

If I am to use Jesus as my model and since I take on the term 'Christian' (meaning Christ-like), am I doing everything 'well'? Do my actions model my heart or do they model what I want those around me to think?

This is a real struggle for me as I want to please those around me. I want to be steadfast for God and dedicated to Him but my flesh wants to please. If I'm around other Christ Followers there is no problem with this as those around me are the same as my heart.

The problem comes when I'm in the workplace where those, maybe even those I respect, do not have the same heart for Christ as I do. I want to please them with my knowledge of the subject at hand or working through a situation. The problem comes in that I must stand on my foundation in Jesus to work through things and they are using worldly wisdom.

I guess the end-result comes down to this... WHO do I want to please? My answer must always be Jesus... in EVERY situation. Easier said than done. I can only do this by dedicating today to follow Jesus in every instance and every situation. Tomorrow, I will do the same. Continually drawing closer to my agape love of Christ will draw me closer to my wife, my family, my friends and the lost around the world that are hurting and looking for answers.

I want to do things 'well' for God.

Integrity in the Word of God

I have been studying chapters 10 and 11 in Matthew this morning. In these verses Jesus raises a twelve-year-old girl from the dead and gives sight to a blind man. He also sends out His twelve disciples as apostles or literally 'sent out ones'.

He speaks to them about integrity in being true to their word. He tells them to be humble and open to all but at the same time to be wise and to be alert for danger.

That speaks so much to me as a Christ follower because I too am to be an apostle for God. I am to to out into the community that God has placed me and I am to be a light in the sea of darkness that is around me. I am to be bold in my witness to tell everyone that they too can be saved from their sins and that the only way to heaven is by accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

In doing this though, I am to be wise to my surroundings, to be prepared for attacks from satan. If I am making an impact, I will be attacked! Do I have the armour of God on me today? I am praying that I am fully prepared for today.

In turn also as the spiritual leader of my family, pray continually for each of them. I pray that my wife, my daughters, my son (in law) and my son (not 'in law' yet) will be bold but will also be prepared for battle.

Spiritual warfare is not a game, folks; and it is all around us. I believe it. I believe it. I believe it. Look to the Word of God for your marching orders and walk in integrity for God today.

Remember K.I.S.S?

I remember that acronym from years back when working with computers. K.I.S.S. stands for 'Keep it simple, Stupid'. I don't particularly like the stupid part but the keep it simple has some merit.



Back in the days when Jesus walked the earth the religious leaders of the day had turned the 10 commandments from Moses day to 613 rules and commands that one must obey to be 'upright' in God's eyes. Basically impossible to all including the Pharisees who came up with the additional commands.



When they tried to corner Jesus by asking Him the most important commandment, His reply was simple... Love the Lord your God with all heart, with all your soul and with all your mind (Matthew 22:38). That to me is 'keeping it simple'.



I find as I strive toward integrity that this simple response is vital to my striving towards integrity. It is a constant battle between my selfish thoughts and desires and those that I would honor God with. If I love God with all my heart, soul and mind, there are things that I just will not entertain in my heart. Selfishness, jealousy, lust, among others.



Jesus' simple commandment is all I need. You see to love God in such a way, I will keep all of the Ten Commandments and my walk will be upright and steadfast. Will I ever achieve this here on earth. No, only one could have done that and His name is Jesus. Is that reason to give up and throw in the towel? By no means!



I want to constantly strive towards that goal... to love God with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind. I want to throw off and immediately turn away from any thought or action that may lead me otherwise. It is a constant battle but isn't that why its called spiritual warfare? Life is not easy, its hard and the battlefield is no place for wimps.



God, help me be a spiritual warrior for you today. I put on your armor and I confidently go into battle knowing that you will provide the victory.



Use me today...