On This Journey--Let Passion Drive!

“Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. “And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ “So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.“So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.  “So I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.’ Acts 22:6-10 NKJV

Most of us know Paul's testimony about his trip to Damascus to persecute followers of Christ--how his encounter with Jesus--changed him and established a clear path for all who followed Jesus.

From persecutor to champion of the cause--from Saul to Paul--God's grace on his journey in life was due to his passion.

Now, the same grace that saved Paul and put him on the path to securing solidarity for the Body of Christ is available to all who are willing to receive. Much has been said about Paul's conversion, but perhaps the most important thing that any of us need to know is this--in order to be effective at doing anything--passion must drive us!

Paul (as Saul) was taught by the masters of Jewish faith in the law--he understand better than most what the law said, but it wasn't until his encounter with Jesus--contact with The Living Word--that he learned to apply what he thought he knew. At the point of his conversion to knowing how God wants us to treat us, he changed--the scales of blindness came off and he clearly saw how The Law kept people in bondage, making a mockery of a faith they claimed to be in God.

Are we religious or are we Believers in the Most High God? Have we allowed religious traditions to hinder passion for true belief and action on our part? Are willing to have an encounter with Jesus--The Living Word--to set us on the right path--a path destined with challenges and victories? Are we ready for the journey of a lifetime--promoting the Gospel of Jesus Christ with our conduct and not just our words?

The journey--may have it's ups and downs, but if we remain faithful to Him, He will be faithful to us and accomplish all He has put our hearts to do. This journey called life--has not really been lived until we are living it for The Lord! What is your passion?

Remain and Maintain!

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. John 15:4-10 NIV

To remain somewhere or in something means to stay there. To maintain something means to keep it up--don't depart from it.

If we remain--stay with God and allow His Word to stay in us, we will bear much fruit with Him and without Him, we accomplish nothing.

If we stay with God and stay with His Word we can ask whatever we want from Him and He will do it--according to His Word.

If we stay in His love as we maintain our walk--keeping His commandment to love,  we will continue in His love.

Notice--this is about love--not lust as some have ignorantly claimed in order to justify their perversion to keeping God's Word.

We must make a decision and then stick with it to do as God directs us, not man and to love others as we obey God.

Now, this might seem a little tricky to some, but it isn't when we know that God's love for us is unconditional--regardless of our race, nationality, ethnicity or religious beliefs--He loves us all and is waiting for us to love Him as much as He loves us. Loving others unconditionally does not mean we condone wrong doing or blatant sin, but we care enough to keep praying and seeking God for direction. We do not have to agree with others in order to love them and we certainly do not have to live in opposition to God's Word to prove our love for others.

True love of God--means we stand firm on what's right and sometimes--we love from afar--maintaining our stance in our determination to live according to God's Word.

Love can change people, but in order for the change to make an impact--we must clarify our position in living for The Lord--not for political correctness. This does not mean we hate or demonize or rant about others with who whom we disagree--it means we simply give no place for wrong to influence our determination to obey God.

Throughout this day and for the rest of week--let's practice how we remain in His Will and determine how we'll maintain our position of faith in Him and our determination to love--no matter what!

Who Do We Turn To?

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:12-16 NIV

When in trouble--who are we going to call? Perhaps, one of the reasons we are facing such difficult times in our society is that we are looking in the wrong direction for help. There is no help from the government coming our way unless The Lord moves upon the hearts of all those in authority to make a real difference in our world. And while many of those in authority do not have a heart for God, it is up to us who do--to seek Him to radically change hearts towards Him.

The Word of God tells us, "We don't have what we need because we don't know how to ask for it." (James 4:2,3)  How do we ask? We boldly approach God, knowing that our Father loves us and only wants the best for us, therefore His ear is inclined to hear us. When we know we live to please Him, we don't need to hesitate to put our requests before Him and have faith that He will respond to our requests.

Unfortunately, too many people approach God timidly--fearful and hesitant--because they think He won't hear them.  They are like that child who wants something from their parents, but mumble under their breath--afraid to speak up--with their heads down--not wanting to face them. Some parents have to prod this child to even understand what it is they are asking and sometimes, frustration gets in the way of the request and no one is happy. Is that how we approach God when we need help? Are our heads hanging down because we know we have not obeyed His Word? Is this why we are hesitant and fearful?

It's not like He doesn't know what we need or want before we even ask. He just wants us to be bold enough to ask Him. That boldness is demonstrated in an assurance that He will grant our request--not arrogance in thinking He has to do anything--but confidence in His love and living right before Him.

Instead of looking for an individual--mere mortals in government to change our situations--let's look to The Lord, boldly putting our requests before Him and then let's listen to what He has to say and obey!  If our motives are right, He will hear and grant our request--of that we can be sure of!

Let Order Reign!

Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs.The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true. Ecclesiastes 12:9,10 NIV

In verse eight, the Teacher is yelling that everything is "meaningless" and then we understand why.

Where there is no wisdom, foolishness prevails.

Where there is no knowledge, ignorance is bliss.

Where there is no order, chaos and confusion reign.

If we look at what is happening around the world we can see the significance and truth of what happens when there is no wisdom, knowledge or order. And when we get closer to home--right where we live--where our kids go to school--where we shop and interact with others--the truth looms even greater.

We are told in The Word that God is not the author of confusion and yet where see confusion, no one wants to recognize the evil that plots the destruction of order.

Last night, I attended the high school graduation where my grandson attends school and plays in the band. Like many schools, during a high school graduation, students are given a specific number of tickets for their guests and this school was no different. Every student was given four tickets and there were approximately 133 students graduating. Usually the ceremony is held outside on the football field, but since rain threatened the event, it was moved inside. The auditorium was reserved for those with tickets and the Commons (a huge area outside the auditorium) was set up for the overflow, complete with a screen so everyone could view and hear the event.

I cannot stand ignorance and confusion. When I saw how foolish people were--trying to get into the auditorium without a ticket and then acting foolish when turned away--I felt anger rising within me. But the anger was not about those acting foolish, it was about those who even allowed them to think they had a right to be there without having a ticket.

As a result--the ceremony-usually observed with sanctity and decorum, was a hot mess outside the auditorium and from the comments of a few people on the inside--it was not better. I truly wish people would understand how important this event is and not take it as opportunity to be a pep rally where no one can hear anything.

I sincerely hope that two years from now, people will learn to act with more decorum and I also hope the administrators of the school will make more of an effort to maintain order by not allowing the ticketless--access to the ceremony. I want to see order reign when my grandson receives his diploma, not hear a madhouse of cheering so no one else can hear.

Aside from the obvious--my being upset over the graduation process--I also look at all the confusion in the Body of Christ. Where "Christians" are confused about their gender, their roles in life, and even confused about the purpose of the church. Perhaps, just perhaps, when the Body of Christ is no longer confused, and functioning decently and in order, we will see a change in society that demonstrates the change from within a Body of true Believers.

Lord, speak to the hearts of Your people and remind them--You expect us to always act decently and in order and to do things Your way, not our own.

God Will Finish What He Starts!

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely. And may your spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:23,24 HCSB
I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 HCSB

In spite of all the obstacles and hurdles one must endure in order to stay the course--the end result has already been written. Whatever God has called you to do--when you keep your focus on Him and not allow the outside world to interfere--He is faithful and He will accomplish all that He has desired to accomplish in you.

The only thing that He desires from us is acceptance of His love and complete dependence upon Him.

If we remember to trust Him and not think we have all the answers, He will use us to glorify Him and when we glorify Him, we please Him and when we please Him, He will give us the desires of our heart. No mystery--just God being God!

We must live to please Him, not the world--and do all we can to obey Him in all things and that includes--upholding His Word, no matter what the government may say. We must love--unconditionally--the way He loves, even the unlovable for God is Love. We must pray--consistently--for the household of faith (in Him, not self) and when those of us who claim to belong to Him, repent of evil, and obey, He will hear and answer our prayers. He is faithful to His Word and He does not change--no political correctness with Him--just Godly righteousness.

When we do all we have been called to do--living by faith for Him and doing all He has called us to do--He will finish what He started in us through us.

Mothers and Fathers!

If you're reading this and are as tired of the nonsense we see promoted in the media on a daily basis, then you understand why we need to address--mothers and fathers.

No matter how often we talk about family--we must understand God's plan for family. He intended for the mothers to be mothers--to be role models for the daughters they might have and to guide their sons--not only in being a good person, but in understanding the role of a man by encouraging a right relationship with fathers.

Fathers are needed in every little girl's life. Little girls are born with an inherent need to be loved by their fathers and when fathers are not around, that need is easily influenced by predators and the girls are drawn into situations that could cause them irreparable harm. That first love of a man should be from a father and every little girl should know--that a father molded and motivated by God is their protector--not their persecutor. A father who loves God will never molest his own daughter or the daughter of anyone else. When a father molests a child--of either sex--they are setting that child down a path that could turn disastrous--and they may never live the life God intended them to live. Fathers--O Fathers--you have failed your daughters.

Every little boy needs their father in their lives to teach them how to be men of courage and valor and honor and integrity. When boys don't have an appropriate role model in their fathers to teach them, they go astray--angry, bitter, and frustrated, seeking vengeance and will take out their frustrations upon anyone they come across. This is why we have gangs attacking senior citizens and robbing them. This is why we have males breaking into homes and beating older residents to death. This is why we have males thinking they have a right to carjack people. This is why males think they have a right to pick up a gun and take someone's life and expect no repercussions. Fathers--O Fathers--you have failed your sons!

Mothers--I'm not letting you off easy either. A daughter needs to understand how men should treat her and if you're allowing every Tom, Dick and Harry into your homes and putting your children in jeopardy--your daughters may never know what a man's love is really all about. Love--is not lust and has nothing to do with physical aspects of sexuality. Teach your daughters to respect themselves--in how they dress and how they talk--to others and to think of themselves the way God sees them--more precious than jewels. Be the role model God intended for you to be and don't allow society to dictate to you--how to be a Godly mother. Don't fail your daughters--the enemy seeks to destroy her and make her feel worthless and unwanted. By being a Godly example of motherhood--as God intended, you can foil the enemy's plans for your daughter's life.

Mothers--stop talking about absent dads--running them into the ground just because you're frustrated about a failed relationship.  When you decide to have children, your children must be your first priority and if by chance you hooked up with the wrong man and made a baby--deal with it. Seek God's wisdom to raise that child and to handle the disappointment of the relationship that probably never should have been. Don't allow your sons to become so bitter about their fathers they refuse to hear them--especially when they're telling them the right thing to do. Don't fail your sons--the enemy already has plans for him and you're the only one who can foil the enemy's plans!

One final cautionary note for both--mothers and fathers.  Don't allow the disappointments or the horrible events in your own life to flow over into the lives of your children. Seek help and get over it so your children can lead, full, productive lives--knowing they are loved, by you and God!
Let's change this culture of inconsideration and disrespect by training our children in the ways they should go so when they are older, what they have been taught, won't leave them.

Looking Only To The Lord!

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.I Thessalonians 3:12,13 NIV

In these trying times, while we're trying to figure out what is going on in the minds of those who deliberately harm children and others, we can only look to The Lord for answers; especially in how we maintain our peace.

No matter how many times we hear about senseless killings, we should never reach a place, where it doesn't bother us. It is the enemy's ploy to desensitize us with all of the horrific events that occur--daily--so we'll not pay attention to what is happening.

The Spirit of The Lord--who knows all things and sees all things and speaks to the hearts of those who are sensitive to hearing Him--will not allow us to ignore the ramifications of all we hear and see. The enemy is roaming the earth, igniting hatred and fueling depravity wherever he can find confused minds.

Where are the confused minds? Within all those who are incapable of rational decision-making. For all those whose minds are influenced by addictive chemicals--whether prescribed or not, whether legal or not--when brain cells are altered by chemical influence, we can expect negative events to occur. Lives are lost and those who are left behind are left wondering what happened.

The answer--in a nutshell--when we forsake The Lord by living in opposition to His Word, we invite the enemy into our lives and give him control over what we do. Then when we see the chaos and destruction caused by him, we appear dazed--shaking our heads in disbelief because we don't understand--anything! We need Jesus! There is no peace in the land without Him reigning in our hearts.

The Word tells us that God is not the author of confusion--and any time people think they have a right to take a life for any reason--their minds are confused--a trademark of the enemy. Where there is confusion--the enemy reigns in the minds of people. Where there is chaos and destruction--the enemy reigns in the minds of people. The enemy's role in the atmosphere is to kill, steal, and destroy; he is a master manipulator and the father of liars. Look around you and see the evidence of the Word being true!

If we want to see peace, we must look to The Lord and allow Him to reign in our hearts. Without Him, there will never be peace, only confusion. It is The Lord who can increase love in our hearts. It is The Lord who can strengthen us in our resolve to live for Him. Without Him, we can do nothing worthwhile and if we can do nothing worthwhile, while living on earth, the enemy wins!

Look to The Lord all you people in the land and know that He is God!