God's Strength

Good counsel, on turning to God’s strength, was given to them during all the sinful behavior found in Jeremiah 6, but they would not follow it. Do we follow God’s counsel? Here are three ways to experience His strength:

1. Learn to heed God’s warnings. Jeremiah 6:8 - Take warning, Jerusalem, or I will turn away from you and make your land desolate so no one can live in it.” Instead they disregard the warnings by pretending everything is okay.  

Jeremiah 6:14 - They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace.

God’s teaching - Hebrews 13:9 - Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by man-made rules and teachings. We need to trust God and His truth!

2. Look for God’s plan. Jeremiah 6:16 This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

Jesus’ plan - Mark 12:33 - To love God with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”  We must obey! "Obedience leads to righteousness” – Romans 6:16

3. Listen to God’s spokesmen. Jeremiah 6:17 - I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But you said, ‘We will not listen.’

Real strength - Psalm 84:5 - Blessed are those who find strength in you. Their hearts are on the road that leads to you. Turn to teaching that leads you to God and is not contrary to it. This is an act of faith!

Are you willing to pray Psalm 26:2? - Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind…

Turn Your Strength (to Love God

Is the world becoming a better place because of your power? - Jesus replied, “Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God. Matthew 22:29 Loving the Lord with your strength is one of the four things Jesus said we need to do to love God completely. How weak or strong are we?

Weakness and strengths are found throughout the Bible… today let’s look at Jeremiah 6:7-22 that examines them both.

The 6 sins (weakness) of Judah and Jerusalem provoked God to bring a desolating judgment upon them. We see these same weakness/sins in today’s world as well… wickedness (v. 7), disobedience of God’s Word (vv. 10-22), worldliness (v. 13), false prophets and teachers (v. 14), unrepentance (v. 15), and contempt for Godly teaching (vv. 18-19)

Their sins made their sacrifices (love) unacceptable to God (v. 20), and He gave them up to their own ruin (v.21).

The cure - Psalm 73:26: ²⁶ My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.

Know where your strength comes from. Amen?

Called Us

We always need to be faithful to what God has called us to do and be about His purposes. Events like this are good reminders as is God's Word. I love this quote by Matthew Henry concerning call and commission in to the Lord's service: Because he had no reason to fear the wrath of men if he were faithful; for the God whom he served would protect him, and bear him out, so that they should neither sink his spirits nor drive him off from his work, should neither stop his mouth nor take away his life, till he had finished his testimony. In today’s fallen world it is hard to be faithful. We all have problems. King David, a man after God's heart had plenty of them. Some were self-imposed, but others were cast upon him. It was during one of these times that he wrote in Psalm 34:1-9:

I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. - David

This is a great model for all of us. Even when we are facing a crisis or even death we should:

1. Tell of His greatness
2. Give Him praise and glory
3. Encourage others
4. Rely and trust in God
5. Know where your true salvation comes from
6. Fear God not man (or the things of this world)
7. Experience God in new ways (even in your pain and sorrow)
8. Accept his protection and provision
9. Be strong and courageous
10. Do not be afraid Christ is always with you

Always serve the Lord with a glad heart and all you got (heart, mind, body, and soul). Amen?

Always With

Stepping out in faith in God's service can be a bit unnerving. Even God's servants can have doubts and fears. The prophet Jeremiah is told that he must be bold: Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD. - Jeremiah 1:8. We must be bold in our service as well.

Remember always that God is with you!

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”  - Joshua 1:7-9

God is in the business of encouraging His people. Let's plug in to His power. Amen?

Increase

Jesus calls all believers to be faithful in their service to Him as we serve others. Faithfulness is defined as the concept of unfailingly remaining loyalty to someone or something and putting that loyalty into consistent practice, regardless of extenuating circumstances. Consider the following "faith" verses:

      “I have brought You glory on earth by completing the work You gave me to do.” John 17:4    

      “The one thing required of servants is that they be faithful...” 
1 Corinthians 4:2 

      “Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.”  1 Corinthians 15:58

      “He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other Christians.” Hebrews 6:10   

      “'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things so; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!”   Matthew 25:21
Lord increase our faith. Amen?

Loving Souls

We should love God with all we have! We see it in Luke 10:27 - “He answered: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind…’”

Love with your “heart and soul” is mentioned 30 times in the Bible. The first time we see it is Deuteronomy 4:29 - But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.

When someone gives their “heart and soul” we know it means that they gave all they had. Do we love God that way?              

The Bible talks a lot about your soul at least 95 times, so we know it’s of the utmost importance. Your soul is from God It’s what causes the difference between us and all other creation. Humans alone are made in the image of God. Our souls are God-breathed in to us. It is eternal.  ²⁴ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ²⁵ For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. ²⁶ What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? - Matthew 16:24-26

Many believe in Life after death but what about Life before death? Christ conquered death, so if death is behind you then all you have in front of you is life in Christ! Start living for eternity today. 

Amen?

Wherever

Everyone is a leader! We all have influence over something or someone. Leadership is so important. When a leader gets better so does everyone around them. Courage is necessary to be the leader God has called you to be. After 40 years with a mentor named Moses it was time for Joshua to become Israel's leader. Moses implored him to be strong and courageous, and so did God.

God wants you to depend on Him on not be afraid. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9.

Remember God is always with you do not be afraid of this world. Use your influence to grow the kingdom today.

 Amen?

Harvest Fields

God knows that we have a hard time following instructions. So, I'm glad He gives such clarity in what a Christ follower should do in this life. We are given a one word command - "GO"! Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” -Jesus

He spoke to His disciples and us about the need to share the Good News to a lost and dying world. In John 4:34-36, Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work. "Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest '? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. "Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.… 

Where is Jesus calling you to GO today? Remember keep your eyes and heart open it's harvest time! Amen?

Good Service

Jesus came to serve man and told His disciples that they were to do likewise. The greatest in the kingdom of God are those who put others ahead of themselves. Through our service we honor God and draw others to Him.

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. -Psalm 143:10

But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. -Luke 22:26-27

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does. -James 1:22-25

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism. -Colossians 3:23-25

But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul." -Joshua 22:5

May the Word of God guide us as we serve Him with all we got. Amen?

Bring It

In our self-serving culture with its me-first mentality, acting like a servant is not a popular concept. Jesus, however, measured greatness in terms of service, not status. God determines your greatness by how many people you serve, not how many people serve you. Yet, it is possible to serve in church for a lifetime without ever being a servant. You must have a servant’s heart. 

 “You can tell what they are by what they do.” Matthew 7:16 (CEV)

Notoriety means nothing to real servants because they know the difference between prominence and significance. In Heaven God is going to openly reward some of his most obscure and unknown servants – people we never heard of on Earth, who taught emotionally disturbed children, cleaned up after incontinent elderly, nursed AIDS patients, and served in thousands of other unnoticed ways.

Knowing this, don’t be discouraged when your service is unnoticed or taken for granted. Keep on serving God! “Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.” I Corinthians 15:58 (MSG)

Even the smallest service is noticed by God and will be rewarded. Remember the words of Jesus: “If, as my representatives, you give even a cup of cold water to a little child, you will surely be rewarded.” Matthew 10:42 (LB)

A Wise Choice

King David had left to his son the plan, finances, and materials to build the temple. Solomon so desired to honor God and his father in succeeding as king and temple builder. It was up to God to help him on his quest. That night the Lord came to Solomon to provide the answer.

⁷ That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” ⁸ Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. ⁹ Now, LORD God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. ¹⁰ Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” ¹¹ God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king,¹² therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”

His request was made a reality. God appeared to Solomon and asked him to ask for whatever he desired. His asked for wisdom and knowledge so that he would be able to lead God’s people, Israel, in a way that honored the Lord. God was so pleased the he granted it and gave him much, much more. He made Solomon the wisest, wealthiest, and most honored man ever!   - 2 Chronicles 1:7-12

Why did Solomon’s request for wisdom please God so much? I think it pleased him because it focused on God and others first. 

How do your requests make God feel? 

Are they focused on Him and others?

Forgive and Grow

Forgiveness is one of the most beautiful words in the human vocabulary. How much pain and unhappy consequences could be avoided if we all learned the meaning of this word! 

King David shared some of the emotion

he personally experienced after he asked God to “wash me thoroughly

from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin” (Psalm 51:2).

Elsewhere he says, “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit” (Psalm 32:1–2).

In one bold stroke, forgiveness obliterates the past and permits us to enter the land of new beginnings. It will get us from Here to There!

Three areas we can grow in with forgiveness:

1. forgiveness from God,

2. forgiving those who have wronged us,

3. forgiving ourselves by putting our past behind us.

Today pray about what areas of forgiveness you need to give or receive, and then accept it. Amen?

Turn Your Soul

Loving the Lord with your soul is one of the four things Jesus said we need to do to love God completely. The soul is the part of us that defines who we are. The essence of the biblical definition of the soul means life, personality, the inner self and our identity. It’s where we make our decisions and choices that ultimately decide our lifestyle and behavior. Think of the soul as the “core you.”

Luke 10:27 “He answered: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind…’”

Here are three ways to love God with all our soul:(Discuss each point)

 1. Make godly choices. Our lives are the sum of the choices we make. 

We do what we value. Matthew 6:33 (NLT) Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

 2. Obey His Word. When we live by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God, we are tangibly expressing our love for the Lord. John 14:15 “If you love me, you will obey what I command” Love must be demonstrated. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and obey it." - Luke 11:28

 3. Show humility in your attitude and speech. Jesus taught us how to love from a place of meekness, serving us unto death. “Meekness is power and privilege under control. It speaks of restraint in the use of power except to promote love. Meekness is not to be confused with weakness which is the absence of strength.”- Mike Bickle

 Matthew 12:34 “For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.”

 Proverbs 18:21 “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

When Jesus is our Great Treasure, our affections are captured. This is how we love God with all of our heart. When our affections are captured, then choices become god-centered, and a lifestyle of humility and godliness is born. This is loving God with all your soul. Amen?

About Heart

We are commanded to love God with all we have and the heart comes in to play foremost. Heart and mind, heart, and soul, heart and strength - It’s all about HEART! Use this acrostic H.E.A.R.T. to help remind you how to serve and love God to His utmost and highest

Hands that are open before God.  If your hands are open saying, Father, these are ordinary hands but I want You to use these hands in this life to be able to touch the life of another. Are your hands open before God? 

Experienced in connecting with others.  Not forever but at least for a while.  But it is not just about being in community and experiencing community it’s the whole world.

Available to be used by the Father.  That’s ultimately the purpose and the path of life.  Would you be available?  Are you?

Reluctant to be used can be a good thing!  As you look at the character of David, Jonah, or look at the character of Moses who had five good reasons why he didn’t think he would be God’s man for the moment.  God said you are valuable and has a plan for your life. Your reluctance can be a slingshot for great and mighty things if you put your faithful and obedient heart in to it. 

Teachable spirit.  Are you willing to listen? We need people who are willing to be teachable and responsive to God.  Like the clay that is on the potter’s wheel being willing to be brought into something magnificent beyond what they can do on their own. 

Ultimately it’s all about the heart. How does God want to use yours?

Pray today and see what that looks like. Amen?

Growing Heart

A Heart to be used by God needs to grow in these 5 C’s

1. You need a Contrite heart (broken before the Lord)

Engage in what is happening around you with feelings & emotion.

2. Your heart needs to be Connected (in but not of the world – look for Christ honoring opportunities)

Recognize and connect with what is going on around you.

3. Nurture a Cheerful heart (even in giving!)

John 15:11, “I have told you this so your joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

4. Have a Compassionate heart (does anything move you?)

Is your heart becoming softer or harder with time?

5. Choose to cultivate your Jesus listening skills (to Hear God’s Promptings)

Never take for granted that the God of creation chooses to talk to me

Proverbs 3:32 “For the Lord….takes the upright into His confidence”

Ezekiel 36:26, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”

Do you need a change of heart?

Turn Your Heart

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. - Matthew 22:36-38  The heart and mind are connected. We need to think about it first, and then be moved by our hearts.

Another way of looking at it is your heart needs to be attacked before it can be broken and used by God. Definition of a heart attack:  the death of, or damage to, part of the heart muscle because the supply of blood to the heart muscle is severely reduced or stopped.

When our spiritual heart is attacked it is due to a lack of Jesus? Just as blood = life so does being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life”. We must protect our hearts so that they are strong and healthy for the Lord’s service.

Proverbs 3:32 “For the Lord….takes the upright into His confidence” God desires to be in a good relationship with you!

Ezekiel 36:26, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” This is Good news. Amen?

Give and Get

A few years ago at the GLS I heard a new slant on a familiar Bible account . It just shows that God's Word is timeless and bottomless! We can keep mining it for those "nuggets" of wisdom all our lives. We've all heard the story about Jesus feeding the 5,000 from John 6:5-13;

When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?”  He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up,  “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there).  Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.”  So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

This little boy shows up out of nowhere - gives up his lunch - and then disappears - and never referred to again. Hmm...

The great truth - the boy gave what he had and then got out of the way! 

Wow, that's a great lesson for all of us. So many times we just get in God's way, or try to control things. Next time let's give God what we have and let Him do what He does best. It will amaze you, and everyone else.  Amen? 

Determines

What you believe determines what you will do. This is a powerful statement on why we do what we do. It's also an indictment on our faith. We say we really believe in the Bible, but then there is not much evidence of it in our actions. Where is the disconnect? One thing I am sure of is that the problem is never God! The problem is our lack of faith that comes in the form of doubt, closed eyes, pride, stiff necks, and hard hearts.  Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hear the Word of God, and obey it." - Luke 11:28 What do believe?  Consider what the world sees you do, and then ask Jesus to help you get better. Amen?

The View

The world is trying to force it's life view and discredit the Biblical worldview. Jesus has a lot to say on the subject. Consider His illustration in Luke 11:24-26,

 “When a corrupting spirit is expelled from someone, it drifts along through the desert looking for an oasis, some unsuspecting soul it can bedevil. When it doesn’t find anyone, it says, ‘I’ll go back to my old haunt.’ On return, it finds the person swept and dusted, but vacant. It then runs out and rounds up seven other spirits dirtier than itself and they all move in, whooping it up. That person ends up far worse than if he’d never gotten cleaned up in the first place.”

The world applauds people who "get their lives together" and those who "clean up their acts". The problem is what do they replace their bad behaviors or problems with? Jesus says without filling those voids with God then you have set yourself up for an attack and find yourself in worse shape than you were in the beginning!

Fill yourself with God's Word. Through faith in Christ be filled with the Holy Spirit. Then be obedient.

Amen?

God of

For years one of my favorite songs has been God of the City. It started out of earnest prayer for the town I was living in, and the big City just north of us. Even when things seemed hopeless God had a way of showing up and leaving skeptics scratching their heads. I love the way He makes a way when we see nothing but frustration and dead-ends. God brings light in to the darkness and wins every time. Meditate on these words today and pray with me for “Greater things that are yet to come”.

“You're the God of this City, You're the King of these people, You're the Lord of this nation, You are You're the Light in this darkness, You're the Hope to the hopeless You're the Peace to the restless, You are There is no one like our God, For greater things are yet to come, and greater things are still to be done here!”

Here (city, suburbs, or country) is where you are. Make it great for God – today and every day. Amen?

Driven on Purpose

It's been over twenty years since Purpose Driven Life was published. It was a new way of looking at living out God's plan for our lives. I remember getting this fact sheet 18 years ago when I was getting ready to lead my church through the program. The information is still great.

What is Purpose Driven?
Purpose Driven is a church health model that provides congregations with a unique, biblically based approach to establishing, transforming, and maintaining a balanced, growing congregation that seeks to fulfill the God-given purposes of worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and missions.

What is Purpose Driven’s vision?
Purpose Driven's vision is to see a worldwide movement of healthy churches producing purpose driven lives. We want to see the Church:

• Healthy and balanced
• Creating life-changing communities around the world
• Fulfilling the biblical purposes
• Encouraging the salvation, growth, and development of one another
• Fully aware and fully mobilized to fulfill God’s intentional design and mandate for a purpose driven church
• Encouraging other churches in their growth

What is the basis of the Purpose Driven model?
The foundation of the Purpose Driven model is the Bible – with an intentional emphasis on the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40) and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). These two passages combine to create the essential elements of a healthy, growing, Biblically based church: worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and missions. 

Biblical Truths never change but how we go about learning and applying them to our lives do. Always be a learner! Amen?

Be Ready

We have all heard that we are to live out our faith so that others will see Christ in us. Sometimes we have to use words and say what we believe in order to get people to understand. 

Even Jesus had to do it at the tomb of his friend in John 11:41-42 - So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said,“Father, I thank you that you have heard me.  I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” 

 We are encouraged to use His model and live a life of grace. Look at 2 Timothy 1:9 -  He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

Be ready to speak when God prompts you - someone's eternity could be depending on it. Amen?

It Matters

I heard someone ask the question, Does the church really matter?" It really got me thinking because in record numbers people leave the church every day. The Bible has something to say on this matter. I found one of those "minor prophet" verses that we probably never read or skipped over. It's God's Word to the church for all time, so we better listen to it. Amos 5:21-24 really talks about what matters to God: 

I hate all your show and pretense-the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies. I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings. I won't even notice all your choice peace offerings. Away with your noisy hymns of praise! I will not listen to the music of your harps. Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living. 

Whenever you see the word "justice" in the Bible it is usually in regards to caring for people's needs. Living a "righteous life" means doing it God's way.   

Imagine that?

God wants us to take care of others and live a Christ-honoring life - a radical concept by most standards of "church". By the way, church, He means do this every single day - not just on Sunday (or when the Pastor is looking).

Let's always be the church that matters to God. Amen?

Hand in Hand

We see God’s protection in 1 John chapter 2 - “If anybody does sin, we have One who speaks to the Father in our defense - Jesus Christ, the righteous One."

It is because of our relationship with Jesus Christ that we can stand before the Father and get to heaven. We would not stand a chance without Him.

There is a story (I’ve shared before) about a poor boy many years ago who had heard that the great evangelist, Dwight L Moody, was going to be preaching for one night at a church way across town. The boy so wanted to hear him that he took off bright and early and it took him the whole day to get to that big church across town. When he got there he saw a big staircase leading to a big door. He made it up the stairs and as he was walking in the door a big hand came down and grabbed him, and said what do you think your doing? He explained that he had taken all day to get there a and he was there for the services. The big man said you cannot come in here looking like that so be gone!

The boy was crushed, but decided he had not come all this way to be turned back out to the street. So he tried the side doors, the windows, and all around the building, but could not find a way inside. He walked back to the bottom of the big staircase sat down and began to cry. He did not notice but another big man was standing in front of him. “What’s  wrong son?” he asked. The boy still sobbing explained what had happened. When he was through with his story the big man put out his hand, and said, “Take my hand and come with me”. He did and climbed the big stairs again, but this time the big door was opened and he was allowed in. He walked hand in hand with the man to the front of the church where the big man and him sat on the front pew. A few minutes later the service started , and the big man walked up to the pulpit as Dwight L Moody was introduced

Jesus Christ will do the same to us. We just have to put our hand in His! He will lead us to life everlasting. Amen?

Decisions

I have a number of friends in the process of making pretty big life changing decisions. No one wants to make the wrong choice, and all want to be in God's perfect will. I shared with them a saying that has served me well for many years. 

"Be where God wants you to be, do what He is calling you to do"! I know it's kind of simple but it has been a big part of all of my big decisions. Location and vocation are big in living out God's purposes. He cares deeply about where we are at and what we are doing. So ask yourself these two questions:

1. Where does God want me to serve, live, or use my talents?

2. What can I do that would please God the most?

Remember: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11.

Don't forget to ask God His plans for your future. It's the best direction you can receive. Amen?

Turn Your Mind (to Jesus)

It’s never too late to begin sharpening your mind for God. Let’s consider Jesus’ answer to the greatest commandment. “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. - Matthew 22:36-38

Here are some ways you can begin loving God with all your minds.

1. Keep asking questions  Learning in community is the best way to learn.

2. Continue your education  Challenge yourself.  

3. Learn outside your comfort zone We will drift into comfort, but schedule discomfort.

4. Learn from life  The frontlines of life are a school all unto themselves.

Learn as you engage in faithful ministry. Be deliberate and passionate about the work you are doing for the Lord. Amen?

Turn to Serve

A Christ follower is called to serve. A church (being a collection of followers) are called to serve. The good news is that Jesus doesn’t require us to be perfectionists but calls to be faithful! “The one thing required of servants is that they be faithful...” 1 Corinthians 4:2 (TEV)

Jesus models this faithfulness in completing the task of the Father. “I have brought You glory on earth by completing the work You gave me to do.” John 17:4 (NIV)

Our obedience “to do” is mandated. “Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.”  1 Corinthians 15:58 (MSG) All of this is to be done with love because of His great love for us. “He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other Christians.” Hebrews 6:10 (NLT)

The reward? 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things so; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!”             Matthew 25:21 (NIV) 

Be faithful and obedient to what God has called you to do – today and everyday!

Right Directions

I love the Wizard of Oz movie! Do you remember the part when Dorothy first met the Scarecrow and asked direction? He pointed both ways and said that's where people go. In life that is a true statement. People go every which way, but not all ways are the best ways.

James 1:5-6 says, “If you want to know what God really wants you to do, ask Him, and he will gladly tell you, for He is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask Him;but … if you don’t ask in faith, don’t expect the Lord to give you any solid answer.” (TLB)

So I think the best way is God's way. We just need to ask Him, listen well, and follow His instructions. Life is all about faith, and obedience to the Word will keep us on the right path.

Who do you listen to for guidance more - your GPS, Google, or God?

Always follow God's lead and voice and you'll never be lost. Amen?