The Gospel: Resurrection Reflection

The Fact of Christ’s Resurrection

15 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast [a]the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you [b]as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our
sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7 then He appeared to [c]James, then to all the apostles; 8 and last of all, as [d]to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, [e]and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.                                                                                                                                       1 Cor.15:1-9 NASB

Times have been changing.  We are experiencing change in the way we worship and the way regulations have impacted churches today. I have been reading a few books, listening to ministers, and talking to several people about these changes.  It has made me ponder the question, What will the church look like in the near future in the USA? 

Understand that the American church doesn’t depict what church should or should not look like. The church is not an American product. I have heard pastors and members say that they believe that at some point the church will have to go underground or meet in homes.

I tend to agree, but at what point in the church's future will this happen? I do not know, but in the society we are living in, in order to speak the truth it can and will get costly.

I have listened to pastors say they cannot outright say some things because of fear of losing members, money, and creating a firestorm of controversy.

I have listened to frustrated members say that too many of the “professional clergy” are afraid to speak the truth for fear of the same. They fear losing their livelihood, money, members, and the extreme controversy that follows.

What I do know is the Jesus Christ is still building His church.

Matt 16:18 18 I also say to you that you are [a]Peter, and upon this [b]rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. NASB

And brave men who have stood up and spoke the truth in the face of severe persecution and oftentimes death. Have furthered the continuation of the church of Jesus Christ.

Which leads to a statement I read. Who’s responsible to keep the church going?

If Jesus is building the church then isn’t it His responsibility to keep the church built and going? Yes, it is and He will continue to build and keep the church going. 

But don’t we have a part too play in this? Remember the book of Revelation. Rev 2: 1-7 2 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:

The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand, the One who walks [a]among the seven golden lampstands, says this:

2 ‘I know your deeds and your toil and [b]perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; 3 and you have [c]perseverance and have endured for My name’s sake, and have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the [d]deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent. 6 Yet this you do have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’

It seems the continuance of the church here was based on their repentance and obedience to the message. The church is Jesus Christ’s to build and save, but it seems that we as people have a part to play in the continuation of the church in our area. 

Will the church in the future look like the NT church found in Acts? Will we see more house churches starting up in the future?  Will regulations continue to be imposed to worship together in-person?

Time will tell, but we do know that Jesus Christ is building His church.

Direct My Steps

Proverbs 3:5-6…Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall ^[b]direct your paths.

Psalms 37:23…The steps of a good man are ^[d]ordered by the Lord,And He delights in his way.

I love these verses and I have read them and quoted them numerous times, but at times I really feel challenged. Do I really believe them? Do I believe and trust God to direct my path?

Recently I have applied for two different jobs. I have been unhappy at my current position and really needed a change. I made it to the interview list for both jobs, but during the interview process, it became obvious that I was not the preferred candidate. I was told I had interviewed well. So this was disheartening to me after putting in many hours of work to prepare for the interviews.  It really tests your faith to trust the Lord to direct your path.

The result of being constantly rejected while trusting that the Lord is directing your steps takes time to process. You have so many emotions and you feel like giving up pursuit of anything else. Each person deals with this differently. You come to the place where you realize that you must keep going forward and trusting the Lord. The Word tells us that we should trust the Lord. He really does know what He is doing and He really is directing your steps. So, in my pursuit, I will keep trusting that God will open a door for me.  A door that He is directing my steps through.

Godly Guidance For Our Nation

Jeremiah 2:13 (NIV)

13 “My people have committed two sins:
They have forsaken me,
    the spring of living water,
and have dug their own cisterns,
    broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

In these verses, we hear the prophet Jeremiah telling Israel that they have forsaken the Lord and have tried doing things on their own.

This reminds me, as Christians, that we have to rely and trust in the Lord. He doesn't forsake us and we cannot forsake him and try to do life on our own.  

As we face an election year with all the turmoil and attacks, both in the media and by terrorists, I have to wonder, as we view America and its leaders, have we forsaken God? Are we trying to establish laws and policies on our own, without any input from God? Is this the reason why we, as a nation, are divided or in fragments? What do we, as a nation, look forward to?  Could it be found in Jeremiah 2:19 (NIV)?  Are we going to reap what we have sowed as a nation?  

I am not a doomsday person, but as I read the scriptures, I am reminded of the trouble our nation is in and the trouble that could be avoided.  We, as Christians, need to have an attitude of repentance and pray for God's mercy on our country and pray for Godly guidance for our leaders.  

Jeremiah 2:19 (NIV)

19 Your wickedness will punish you;
    your backsliding will rebuke you.
Consider then and realize
    how evil and bitter it is for you
when you forsake the Lord your God
    and have no awe of me,”
declares the Lord, the Lord Almighty.

Common Sense; the Reprobate Mind

I have heard comments like this far too many times:

• "How could they think like that?"
• "That is not even common sense."

Maybe you have said something like that, or heard something close to it. Possibly when a politician or ruling authority makes a decision or ruling. IAnd even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;". In the margin of my bible it has a definition for "reprobate".  It says, "a mind void of judgment".  Or, we might say, common sense. 

n my bible reading the other day,  I was reminded of a verse.  Romans 1:28 KJV, "

In the first chapter of Romans we see how Paul writes that the people did not like to retain God in their knowledge and God gave them over to a reprobate mind.  Could that be the reason why we see such crazy decisions (or judgments) that lack common sense from leaders?  We have become a nation that does not honor God, or have just given lip service, certainly not worship to.  And now we have leaders and generations that have not honored God, but rather turned their back on Him.  And we have reaped a culture that is described in Romans 1:29-32. 

Romans 1:29-32    King James Version (KJV)

²⁹ Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

³⁰ Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

³¹ Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

³² Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

 

 

This is not a doomsday message.  I still believe in the grace of God.  Judgment will begin at the house of God, but it will also visit our nation as well. 

 

1 Peter 4:17   King James Version (KJV)

¹⁷ For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

21 Seconds to Change Your World by Mark Batterson; A Book Review

The Lord's Prayer

Sometimes prayer is difficult for us to do.  But it really is easy if we would follow the instructions of Jesus found in Matthew 6: 9-13. 

In the book "21 Seconds to Change Your World" by Mark Rutland, you are shown just how easy it is to pray The Lord's Prayer for your life.  And if you consistently practice praying this prayer, you will find that God will answer this prayer and work in your life.  I, for one, do this every morning and can see that God is working in my life for His good.

Mark Rutland uses the King James Version (KJV) and points out this little twist that I enjoyed. 

Matthew 6:10 KJV, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."

Matthew 6:10 NIV, "your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

Most modern versions translate this verse like in the NIV.  But notice the difference in the KJV, "in earth" and the NIV, "on earth". 

Mark Rutland points out that we were made out of the earth.  So when we pray, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth" , we are praying for God's will to be done "in" us.  Maybe a technical point, but I like it. 

The other thing that I have learned through this prayer is the phrase "and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."  I was filling in for a church last summer for 8 weeks and I heard a woman use the phrase, "I do not want my soul captured in sin."  I had never heard that phrase before and now I use it almost daily when I say this prayer.  I also use what I have learned from John Piper when I come to this phrase as well.  I pray that my joy would come from fellowship with Jesus, His Word, and the Holy Spirit.  So, I would encourage you to try this prayer and watch it change your life. 

Moving On - "Who Is This"

Song of Solomon 8:5  (KJV)

5 Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved?

This verse comes to my mind as I watch a pastor friend leave a church he has pastored for 8 years to take another church across the country. I know he will do well, but the church he left now must choose a new pastor. I live in a town where it seems like on every corner there is a church and a chicken restaurant. And most of these churches are large churches, this particular church is approximately  100 to 130 and has carved out a nice niche in the community. All the while, it makes the hire of the new pastor so important. Whether or not the new pastor can build on what has already been done so the community will be able to say, "Who is this?".  Or if the church makes the wrong hire the community will say, "Who was that?".  You say, surely this could not happen but I reminded you of 1 Samuel 16: 6-7.  

1 Samuel 16:6-7New International Version (NIV)

6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.”  7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

 Remember it is the heart that matters, not the outward appearance and credentials.   Somewhere out there, there is a "David" that has been forgotten about.   

1 Samuel 16:11-13New International Version (NIV)

11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” 12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”  13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.

So my prayer for this church is that God's will be done for this church, so the community will be able to rise up and say, "Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning up on her beloved?".

"The Three Heavens" by John Hagee; a book review

I just finished the book "The Three Heavens Angels, Demons and What Lies Ahead" by John Hagee.  I was expecting to hear how Pastor John Hagee would interpret the bible's view of heaven and his personal view of heaven, which he did in this book.  I was not expecting Pastor Hagee to describe some personal experiences of spiritual warfare he has encountered in his ministry.  It was refreshing and eye-opening as Pastor Hagee explained some of his personal encounters of spiritual battles.  It was refreshing in the sense that it reminded me of how serious spiritual warfare really is.  It was eye-opening in the idea that we must be careful of what we allow in our lives that can be an open door for demonic spirits to attack or influence us.  I have heard these things before, but these were great reminders for me, especially in the hour we are living in. 

"The Three Heavens" by John Hagee

This book not only reminded me of the spiritual battle we are all involved in, but it also encouraged me with the fact that our home is in heaven.  Our citizenship is in heaven.  (Phil 3:20) It is a reminder that Jesus is preparing a place for us. (John 14:1-3) And that one day we shall see Jesus face to face. (1 John 3:2-3)

“I shall rise from the dead…I shall see the Son of God, the Sun of Glory, and shine myself as that sun shines. I shall be united to the Ancient of Days, to God Himself, who had no morning, never began…No man ever saw God and lived. And yet, I shall not live till I see God; and when I have seen Him, I shall never die.”

                                                                                    JohnDonne

Worship That is Pleasing to Him

Isa.42:10  Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.

Recently I attended two different churches, in two different cities. Both churches I would say, that 1/2 of their congregations were over 50 and many of those were probably over 60 years of age. (Which is probably true with a lot of churches.)

But the problem that I heard from the leadership at both churches, was the music. It seemed that both congregations were in favor of hymns.  I don't have a problem with hymns and have attended and pastored churches where worship was made up of hymns.  When visiting both churches, hymns were incorporated in their worship services.

Psalm 33:3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.

One leader told me that the music pastor had been at the church for two years and people were still leaving the church over the music.  At the other church, the pastor told me the week prior to us being there, there was a big discussion in the foyer of the church about the music being too loud, and not enough hymns.

Amazing Grace (public domain)

I know this is an age old problem, but when are we as the people of God, (young and old alike) going to start working together?  You can look around and see that a lot of churches are dying.  Maybe we should focus on reaching people for Jesus and building the Kingdom and quit worrying about whether we are singing hymns or praise songs and just worship God in the way that is pleasing to Him.

Psalm 40:3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.

The Bible is full of verses about singing a new song. So sing a new hymn, sing a new praise song, but worship God and quit getting mad and causing problems and leaving church over it, because some one's eternal destiny might just depend on you, young or old alike.

Be Blessed,

Ronnie Spoon

Not My Style

Hebrews 10:25  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another —and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Why so many churches?  Have you ever asked that question?  Are all of them being effective for the Kingdom of God?  I would say the answer to that question is yes if they are declaring the gospel of Jesus Christ. 1Cor.15:1-5

There are churches on every corner in the town where I live.  I have been to several churches in our area when we were looking for a home church.  I have to say looking for a home church was probably one of the more difficult things I have ever done.  I was acclimated to the church we called "home" for several years.  I grew accustomed to the way we did worship, prayer, and preaching.  Every detail of the service, even the offering was done in a certain way.  I was "at home with" our style, our flavor.

So being thrust out and looking for a new home church we encountered many differing of styles of worship, preaching, and prayer.  Even the giving of the offering was incredibly different in each new place we visited.  Everything was different to us; we were not used to the styles.  It didn’t matter if it was contemporary or traditional, we had lost what we were accustomed to and nothing seemed to fit.  

So here is my point in all of this.  We had to change our way of thinking.  We can't judge churches by their styles.  We need to evaluate the heart of those ministering in the service.  The heart is what matters, not the style or method.  What is truly important is that those who are leading the service are promoting the gospel of Jesus Christ.  If they are, then my heart is with them, even thought there style or method may or may not be my style.  

Photo Copyright - Wendy Spoon - All Rights Reserved

God shows up, do we?

Maybe you have heard it said that God would not do anything that contradicts His Word. I agree with that, but also believe that God wills and wants to demonstrate His Word,but we usually try to keep that in some type of form or pattern that we are comfortable with.

Why do we put limits on how God shows up or how He does things? Jesus healed many different ways, so did the apostles. Plus we don’t even know all the things that Jesus did. John 21:25  

1 Cor. 2:1-5 Paul believed in the Word of God being demonstrated, but some believe that the days of miracles, healings, and the gifts of the Spirit are over. If those things are over, then I feel cheated and so should you. I believe miracles,healings,and the gifts of the Spirit are for today. Why do we have to be so worried about programs and how to attract people, or discovering more ways to be successful in ministry? When what we should be doing is demonstrating the Word of God by the Spirit of God.  

I have heard this quoted by different people so I do not know who to give the credit to, but If the Holy Spirit removed Himself from the church, 90 to 95% of church work would still continue.

We can have all the education and knowledge in the world, but that is not demonstrating the power of God. In Acts 4:13 it says they marveled and they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus. So maybe we need to spend some time with Jesus and when God wants to show up and demonstrate His power and presence, we allow it. Do we stop the move of God? Or do we go with it and allow God to be in control? We could be missing out on a miracle of God or we could allow His Spirit to move and see lives changed, people delivered, chains broken, hearts restored...  

I long for the day when we see the demonstration of the gifts of the Holy Spirit on a regular basis. Are we ready to get out of our comfort zones and allow God to be God? Or are we going to miss out on what God wants to do right now?   Jesus said, “as the Father sent me, I also send you” Jesus did the works of the Father and now He has sent us. Are you ready to do the works of the Father?

"Awakening"- going offline

Like many churches in the USA, the church we attend is participating in “Awakening”.  Awakening  is a season of prayer, fasting, and personal devotion that takes place each January.  Our church is participating over a 40 day period.  We are encouraged to focus on prayer, devotions, and fasting of some sort that will culminate in special services at the end of February.

The idea of Awakening reminded me of verses where either Jesus or Jesus and His disciples got away by themselves.

Matt 14:22-23

Mark 6:31

Mark 6:46 

Luke 6:12
John 6:15

This is exactly what we need to do, if we are going to experience an “awakening” or refreshing” or whatever you want to call it.  At my job we are currently upgrading some existing customer equipment.  In order to do this, we have to take the customer offline.  The customer has no way to contact the outside world, while this is being done, but once back online, the equipment is upgraded to be able to provide better service.  We need this kind of experience in our spiritual lives as well.  We need to go offline and spend time with God, so are spiritual lives can be upgraded for better service.

What are you doing to have that “awakening, refreshing, or upgrade” in your life?  Is it time for you to go offline from the world and spend some time with God?

New Year - Resolutions?

A new year always brings about resolutions, new hope and dreams.  It is a new beginning, as we put the old year in the past and look forward to new things that await us.  I am not much on resolutions myself, but I do look forward to the new year with anticipation of what is to come.  In my bible reading I came across the verse below.  It got me to thinking, that maybe the new year is not so much about what I resolve to do, but that it is God's appointed time to do something. 

Genesis 21:2 NASB
So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him.

In this verse, God had an appointed time for Abraham and Sarah.  Could it be that 2012 is an appointed time for you?  Remember that the birth of Isaac was a miracle birth. Not only because of the bareness of Sarah, but the age of both Abraham and Sarah as well.  They had the cards stacked against them.  And even though it was something they both desired, they could not resolve to have a child.  God had appointed the time in which Sarah was to bear a child. 

Could you dare to believe God for the miracle you been looking for?  Is 2012 your appointed time to establish new relationships?  Maybe it is the appointed time for a new career or raise.  Perhaps that new opportunity or open door.  Maybe it is your appointed time for healing to take place, or to experience His favor.  Be sure of this- There are appointed times in your life, throughout your life.  2012 could be that time for you.  I believe it is for me.

Surprise!

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise

Acts 3:5   So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

I have preached a few times on this verse, each time encouraging the congregation to come “expecting” to receive something, but for the last few years I have spent more time sitting in the pews, than behind the pulpit.  You could say that I have a whole new perspective of “expecting” something.

If you are like me, you grew up watching Gomer Pyle and hearing him say “Surprise, Surprise, Surprise.”  I would suggest that church leadership adopt this “Surprise” saying as well.  I have attended several churches the last few years.  The churches have been of several denominations and all vary in size, but the one thing that sticks out is that they all are predictable.  Each church has their own rehearsed service down.  They know how to have “church.”  There are no surprises, nothing to “expect”, in fact nothing rarely happens. And if something did happen would anyone recognize it as a move of God or just a distraction?

Could it be that this predictability and lack of “surprise” could be a reason why people consider church boring and a factor in declining church attendance?

Surprise me!  When was the last time something exciting happened at church that caused you to want to tell someone else?  At least something good, that is. 

A pastor friend of mine made a change in his church that surprised me.  He changed up the order of their services and had the praise and worship very last.  It caused a stir in the peoples heart to come expecting something other than the norm.

So here is my admonition church leadership… “Surprise me” or should I expect the same old service week after week?

For another view on this subject check out: To the Polished, Predictable Church Surprise Me by Thom Schultz.
http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/156279-to-the-polished-predictable-church-surprise-me.html

BLACK FRIDAY 2011

1Tim 6:10
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

 

 

I have been thinking about this “Black Friday” stuff.  You have probably been hearing about it in the news or you may have received the ads in the mail.  If you haven't, you can be sure that Sunday's and Thursday's papers will be chocked full of ads, that we will be taking straight to the recycle bin. Some of the retail stores are in competition to see who can open the earliest in the hopes of getting shoppers out to their store to spend money and possibly charge themselves into debt snatching up all the “bargains.”

 

Some of the stores are opening at early as 9:00 pm on Thanksgiving or at midnight, which means the workers at these stores will have to leave their families at some point on Thanksgiving day to get some sleep so they can leave to go to work at these stores. All so that some “lucky shopper" might get a bargain! Really, is that what life has come to. Is that what we are really thankful for? 

 

Thanksgiving is supposed to be a time where we are to be thankful to God for His entire blessing that He has bestowed upon us. A time to be with family and friends as we celebrate the goodness of God.  Anymore families are burdened with trying to have some quality family time and then the world system has added further stress by creating “Black Friday”.

If the stores are doing the consumers such a great service by having these sales, then why don’t they sell the products at the sale price throughout the year?  BECAUSE, it is not about giving the consumer a bargain. It is about the store pursuing the all mighty dollar.  EVEN if that means that the true cost is losing our time with family and being thankful to God.  The only thing the stores are thankful for is that they will be full of shoppers on “Black Friday.”

I know some people will have to work those crazy hours on “Black Friday”  because it may be the only job they have.  I truly feel badly for you.  Those who get up and go shopping that early and fight the crowds, so you can get a bargain are “nuts.”  In recent years, there have been injuries and even deaths attributed to "Black Friday", all to get a special deal.  I have to ask, was it worth losing time with your family on Thanksgiving? 

• In 2008, a 34 year old Wal-Mart employee was trampled to death by shoppers who would receive $20 off a PS3.  $20???? 
• In that same Wal-Mart in 2008, a pregnant woman miscarried at 8 months, likely due to the stress of the situation.
• Also in 2008 at a California Toys-R-Us, two fathers got into a fight, both got out guns, they both ended up killing each other in the exchange.  The sad part- both men had brought their families and their children watched their fathers die. 
• Again, at Wal-mart, a woman was trampled while waiting to get $100 off of a laptop.  The woman is now paralyzed, for life, as a result.

As for myself, I choose not to participate in the craziness, I will instead be thankful to God that I have time to spend with my family and friends over some delicious food.

 

 

Source- Ranker.com

My heart is Yours

Matt 23:37-39 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. 38 Look, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’


As I was reading my bible the other day, I read these verses. It made me think about how many churches and denominations that have rejected the move of the Holy Spirit. Why? Because it did not come the way we expected? Maybe the board disapproved, or leadership did not like what was happening? Maybe the congregation was against what God was doing?

The other question is, can we do that with our lives as well? Do we reject the work of the Holy Spirit, when we refuse to accept what Jesus wants to do in our lives?

I have heard for many years from certain people that they want an old fashion revival, not some of this “new stuff” that is going on today. (Whatever that means?) But as of yet, I have not seen any move of God in their churches. Others talk about the “latter rain” movement and how we need another outpouring, but my question is would we recognize it? I have heard it said that “If the Holy Spirit left the church, 90% of the churches would just keep on going on as usual.”

There is no question that we need a revival, an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. My prayer is let me not criticize what God is doing, but let me recognize the time of visitation and allow God to do with my life whatever He desires.

Your race can be Amazing!

Last weekend was all about racing for me.  I went to the drag races because it was the last races they were holding at the drag strip before it closes.  And then I spent Sunday evening watching one of my favorite shows "The Amazing Race".

The Amazing Race

I was reminded that we are all in a race.  Sometimes the race can get hard.  Obstacles get in the way.  Sometimes we take on heavy loads.  (On one episode the contestants had to haul a huge bag of hay and an unruly goat.)  Some runners want to give up when the race gets hard, but we must keep running with our eye on the prize.  For us, that means, following after Christ. 

1Cor.9:24  NIV

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

One of my favorite episodes of  "The Amazing Race" involved a giant slingshot and a watermelon.  The contestant was to use the giant slingshot to launch a watermelon and knock over a suit of armor.  They had been airing a teaser for the show for weeks.  When one team got to this "Roadblock" in the race, they struggled, but they weren't giving up.  On one of many attempts to launch the watermelon, it reversed direction and hit the woman right in the face.  It knocked her down and she lost feeling in her face.  I think I may have quit at this point, but she kept her eye on the prize (half a million dollars) and they made it to the pit stop without being eliminated.  (I'm adding the YouTube video below)

Sometimes the race can knock you down, make you numb, or leave you battered and bruised.  We have to put aside everything that would try to hinder us. We have to have endurance. Other people run have run this race, others are still running it, and some are running at the same pace we are.  That should be encouraging for us.
Heb.12:1-2  ESV
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.


And even if we do get tripped up at times (or hit with a big watermelon), we need to keep pressing on toward the goal because there is a finish line before us.
Phil 3:14  ESV
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

So the best we can do is run the race, stay focused on the goal, fight the good fight and make sure we finish our race. You have probably heard the statement, "It is not how you start the race, but how you finish". It is never too late to start, and we can finish strong for Jesus.  Your race can be amazing.  We may not win a half a million dollars for our race, but our prize is much greater. 
2Tim.4:7 ESV
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

What path are you on?

Psalm 90:12
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. (ESV)

I just finished reading The Principle of the Path by Andy Stanley. This is a book that everyone should read. The book talks our path in life and how it is directly affected by the direction we take. Here are some quotes from the book that stood out to me:

“People come to believe the popular notion that as long as their intentions are good, as long as their hearts are in the right place (whatever that means), as long as they do their best and try their hardest, it doesn’t really matter which path they take. They believe somehow they will end up in a good place. But life doesn’t work that way.”


“Direction__Not Intention__Determines__Our Destination.”


All good Christians are taught to believe as long as we are doing "good" and trying hard that good will come out of it. The reality is that everyday we are faced with choices that can change our direction. I pray that each day the choices I make keep my on the right path. That I am gaining wisdom; not just natural wisdom, but spiritual wisdom as well.

So, we are to number our days, because every day we are given, we have opportunities to make decisions that could put us on the path to something great that will bless our lives. Or we could decide to choose a path that leads to something that is disastrous and unpleasant for our lives.

Remember… Direction__Not Intention__Determines__Our Destination. What path are you on? Who is guiding you?

John 16:13
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. (ESV)

I lift my eyes up

One of my favorite songs right now is by Kristian Stanfill called “Always”.   The song talks about going through troubles and how we are to lift up our eyes to the Lord, because that is where our help comes from. Psalm 121

Our help may look like it comes from different places or different ways.  But our help comes from the Lord. So lift up your eyes and look to the Lord., because that is truly where are help comes from.  The chorus of the song has these words, “Oh, my God, He will not delay”.   When we are in troubles and we cry out to God, we want immediate results.  God is faithful and delay is not denial.  And delay doesn’t mean God didn’t hear you. 

Remember Lazarus in John 11?   Lazarus was sick and when they brought word to Jesus,  He stayed two more days where He was at.  John 11:6.  Mary and Martha both said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died".  The situation seems hopeless, but Jesus says to them, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”  You know the rest of the account, how Lazarus died and was brought back to life, so that people would see the glory of God.   John 11:40-43

Remember Acts 12?   Peter was in prison and going to be killed the next day. The church had been praying for him. And the last night before Peter was to be killed, he was miraculously rescued by God.

So when you find your faith being tried, or you find yourself in a fiery trial, lift your eyes up! 
Lift up your eyes. Your help comes from the Lord. And He will not delay, Help is on the way!!

 1 Peter 1:6-7 (NIV)
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

1 Peter 4:12-13 (NIV)
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

The good hand of the Lord

In my bible reading the other day, I was reading the little book of Ezra.  I began to notice in chapters 7 & 8 a phrase that was used, “The hand of the Lord his God was on him”.




Ezra 7:6   this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was on him.


Ezra 7:9   He had begun his journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, for the gracious hand of his God was on him.


Ezra 7:28   and who has extended his good favor to me before the king and his advisers and all the king’s powerful officials. Because the hand of the LORD my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me.


Ezra 8:18   Because the gracious hand of our God was on us, they brought us Sherebiah, a capable man, from the descendants of Mahli son of Levi, the son of Israel, and Sherebiah’s sons and brothers, 18 men;


Ezra 8:22-23,31    I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.” 23 So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer. On the twelfth day of the first month we set out from the Ahava Canal to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God was on us, and he protected us from enemies and bandits along the way.




I was reminded that in order for us to be successful in life we need the hand of the Lord upon us.

It is the good hand of the Lord upon us that He hears and answers our prayers.

It is the good hand of the Lord upon us that guides and directs our lives.

It is the good hand of the Lord upon us that gives us favor with people of influence and brings organization to our lives and projects.

It is the good hand of the Lord that brings divine contacts into our lives.

It is the good hand of the Lord that brings protection from the enemies.



Eph 1:3   Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.




How good it is to have the good hand of the Lord upon us!