New Thoughts for Today . . .

Daily Devotionals by Pastor Mike Barnett

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September 29, 2008

New Thought for Today #380

We are all passionate about something. And we all have some amount of "Child-like faith". Too bad it does not always show up at church though or in our relationship with God. My son, Maxwell is a big Minnesota Twins fan and we went to the game Friday night. The Twins were down 8-0 in the bottom of the eighth inning when they finally scored a run. Maxwell was so excited he jumped on top of me and now the two of us we celebrating in one chair. You would have thought the Twins won the world series! The women behind me leaned forward and asked me, "Is your son always so enthusiastic?" I replied, no hes not...He gets upset me with when I get to emotional at church". More than once Maxwell as told me that I get too excited at church and that my behavior is not appropriate in church for a Christian". Ironically his behavior when the Twins scored a run was two-three times more wild(at least I do not jump on people anymore) than I have ever been at church. I am happy that he had no problem showing such emotion. My hope is to be able to demonstrate to my 9 year old son as he gets older, that it is o.k. to show God emotion too. If baseball players get our praise, how much more should our God? Just a thought. Given my son's "melancholy" personality, I am excited however that he is showing strong interest in something and my prayer is that he will be able to transfer that passion over to God as he matures in Christ. Here is a question for all of us: "What am I passionate about and how do I demonstrate it?" Next Question: Do you do a better job of praising people such as sports stars than you do praising God who created that person you I are praising?" Just another thought.

Luke 19:37-40

37When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
38"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"[a]
"Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

39Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"

40"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."

May God richly bless you as you express your praise to Him so lavishly that all other praise given to men and women are a distant second!

September 25, 2008

New Thought for Today #379

During the summer months I like to go into the forest and spend time with God reading by Bible and contemplating. I have my usual spot that is very scenic, but this particular time there was a turtle already positioned in my spot. I remember tellings this turtle, "Hi buddy, your in my pew, but I will share with you since you were here first". So I nudged the turtle over a few feet and sat down. I expected the turtle to scamper away in the woods but he stayed with me for well over an hour by my side the whole time. I took it as a sign that God went before me and stayed by by side like he always does. The next time you encounter tough times realize, God has gone before you. He knows about your situation and He will be by your side the whole time. It is possible for him to both go before you and stay by your side at the same time because God is omnipresent!
By the way, I wonder how far that turtle had to travel to my quiet time spot? Did the Lord sent out from the nearby bushes or did he travel a long distance? Whatever the case, the Lord ensured that the turtle was in my spot before I arrived to remind me he goes before me and stays beside me. If you look closely in your life today, you can probably see reminders and evidences of God going before you to fight your battles for you and evidences of him faithfully staying by your side.
Psalm 23 says:

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk
       through the valley of the shadow of death, [a]
       I will fear no evil,
       for you are with me;
       your rod and your staff,
       they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
       in the presence of my enemies.
       You anoint my head with oil;
       my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
       all the days of my life,
       and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
       forever.

Psalm 46 says:

1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.

5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.

6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah

8 Come and see the works of the LORD,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear,
he burns the shields [b] with fire.

10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."

11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah

May The Lord richly bless you as you recognize his presence in your life today - that he always goes before you and always stays with you. He can do both because he is onmipresent!

September 24, 2008

New Thought for Today #378

This past summer, I was having a quiet time down in Lake City by Lake Pepin and I saw a very curious sight. As I was reading Matthew 6:35-34, I became distracted by seagulls trying to catch big dragonflies. They were chasing these massive flies and even jumping in the air in hopes of catching one. Sometimes they caught one and sometimes they did not. But one Seagull off the my left side was not chasing the dragon flies at all. She just stayed still in one spot with her mouth open and the Dragon flies flew in. Each time a dragon flies flew into the sea gull's open mouth, the seagull briefly closed it's bill to swallow and the opened it's mouth again to catch another. Each time it took only seconds for another dragon fly to jump in the Sea gull's mouth. This went on for twenty minutes. As I turned my eyes back to the passage in Matthew 6:25-34, I realized that the Lord had given me a visual demonstration of this spiritual truth. Perhaps this bird read her Bible and was more sanctified than the rest of the other birds looking for food that day. Whatever the reason this one Seagull seemed to know that God would feed her without being anxious and extending gigantic amounts of wasted energy. The Bird was proactive and did it's part in positioning itself to be fed for sure. But the Bird was more poised and self controlled than the younger seagulls trying to out do each other. A lesson to be learned by all of us "birds" here on earth.

Matthew 6:25-34 says:

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]?

28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

May God richly bless you as you rest in his promises to bless you and provide for you regardless of how restless all the "birds" around you seem to be.

September 23, 2008

This summer the boys and I went to Friday night destruction night a Race Way Park in Shakoppee. They loved the figure eight races especially when race cars crashed. But hands down their favorite event of the night was the flag pole bus races. These buses raced around the track like a normal race except that they had to go around a flag pole near the end of the straight away. Needless to say, this created a traffic jam. No one knew what to expect, but we so found out that the Bus racers were not so interested in going around the flag pole smoothly as they were in smashing into each other on purpose. Instead of slowing down to go around the flag pole, the racers sped up to ram the bus in front of them.By the time the Bus racers were on the six and last lap of the race every Bus was smoking and every engine smashed, one bus even caught on fire. Who won the race? Nobody. Not one bus was able to cross the finish line because their engines were smashed and not able to function properly. Why do I tell that story? Because when we try to smash others with our thoughts, words, or behavior it usually causes us to crash or at the vary least slows us down in the race of life. Truth be told, emotional baggage can slow us down to the point that we are no longer productive at the level we can or should be. Perhaps that is why Jesus talked so much about forgiving people who have hurt us, and blessing people who curse us. So the next time you are tempted to "ram" someone with your thoughts, words or behavior, keep in mind that it may do more damage to your own "emotional engine" than it is worth.

Galatians 5:13-15 says:

13You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature[a]; rather, serve one another in love. 14The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."[b] 15If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU AS YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR "EMOTIONAL ENGINE" BY CONSCIOUSLY CHOOSING NOT TO RAM OTHERS WITH YOUR THOUGHTS, WORDS AND ACTIONS, REALIZING IN LIFE WE ALWAYS "REAP WHAT WE SOW".

September 18, 2008

New Thought for Today # 375

Exodus 3:1-15 (pg. 41) says:

1 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, "I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up."

4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!"
And Moses said, "Here I am."

5 "Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." 6 Then he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob." At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.

7 The LORD said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt."

11 But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"

12 And God said, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you [a] will worship God on this mountain."

13 Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?"

14 God said to Moses, "I am who I am . [b] This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' "

15 God also said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, 'The LORD, [c] the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.

It is interesting that When Moses asked God for his name, God declared, "I AM WHO I AM". How smart is God? Every time we say "I Am" we are speaking God's name. Perhaps God did this on purpose so that we would keep our focus on God and not our problems. This might seem silly, but just for the fun of it try this experiment: Replace "I Am" with God. So instead of saying "I am confused" you would say God is confused." Then ask yourself the question: "Is God confused?" Instead of saying, "I am sick and tired", insert God's name and say, "God is sick and tired." Then ask yourself; "is God really sick and tired?" And if what you are saying out of your mouth does not represent God well then do not say it. This practice really helps with self-talk especially. For clarification: You are not God, but he does live in you and you live in him through the work of Jesus on Cross and the indwelling Holy Spirit. God's kingdom is in you and you are in God's Kingdom. Every time you say "I Am" you are speaking God's name so represent his name well by cleaning up all the inappropriate words you are tempted to say after, "I am". Just a convicting thought that has helped me in cleaning up my speech and perhaps it can help you too if you need help in that area.

Monday, 03-24-08

"I NEVER LIVED THIS DAY BEFORE"! Tell yourself this the next time you are tempted to buy into the deception that nothing ever changes and you are stuck in a rut. As a Christian, that is not true. Your life is an adventure and this day is brand new. Jesus who rose from the grave is now risen in you. Everyday is an opportunity to let Christ rise you to "New Heights" in every phase of your life. Just because your senses lie to you when they tell you that you have lived this day before is no reason to declare, "GROUND HOG DAY"! In other words do not buy into the lie and do not reinforce it by verbally saying: "nothing ever changes". Truth be told everything changes eventually! If you doubt what I say is true, go outside often this Spring and you will see new life blooming all around you. Likewise, you are blooming to but cannot always see it because you are to close to the project God is working on.

The fact is, you have not experienced today yet. By thinking it is the same old thing, you will get the same old thing as a self fulfilling prophecy. Tell yourself that "THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE - I WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT" and you will soon find yourself experiencing new joys on a daily basis!

May God richly bless you as you discover the newness of today everyday you have life!

Thursday, 03-20-08

The Easter story emphasizes that a crucification must proceed a resurrection. Said in reverse; there is no ressurection without a crucification. As believers in Christ we know that are sins are atoned for and we will rise with him by faith. Our salvation is purchased by faith in Christ with no needed extra work because Jesus finished the work on the cross! After salvation God expects us to "work out our salvation with fear and trembling". So here is a great question to ponder this Easter season. What crucification of your flesh is needed in order for you to rise to victory over a sin or habit that is hindering your walk with God and your relationships with others? In other words; if you are trusting God to rise you to the next level spiritually, what sinful habits do you need to give up to get where God want you to be? If you are trusting God for a better relationship with your spouse, kids, family, friends, what changes do you need to make? As we all know, changing our behavior feels like a crucification. It feels like we are loosing a limb. The fact is, to Go up to the next level spiritually requires that we give something up to get there. If I do what I have always done, I will get what I have always gotten. To get a new result, I must give something up. To receive the resurrection I desire, I must first die a bloody crucification. Keep in mind I am not talking about salvation for the work is FINISHED. I am talking about sanctification where we learn how to "die daily" to the flesh and thereby think, speak and act more like Jesus and less like the world.

Galatians 2:20 says

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

May God richly bless you this Easter season as you give up to go up to the next level spiritually with Christ!

Wednesday, 03-19-08

Some antagonist to Christianity are appalled that Christians celebrate Easter, being the death and resurrection of Jesus. They are argue, "How could a loving God send his son to die on the Cross?...Christianity is just too bloody of a religion for me". Such a person does not understand the fullness of God's love. They also do not understand that Christianity is not a religion, it is a relationship with God that was initiated through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Sins demands somebody pay a sacrifice of atonement. Only a loving God would sent his son to be brutally beaten and nailed on the cross so sinners can be saved from sin and eternal damnation. The fact is when you read the Bible from cover to cover you soon discover God is both a loving God and a just God that demands atonement for sin. In other words somebody has to pay the penalty of sin. Instead of that somebody being me or you, God graciously had Jesus pay the ultimate penalty for our sins. In God's economy before there can be a resurrection, there must first be a crucification. In other words, without a crucification, there is no resurrection. Because Jesus was crucified for our sins, one day those of us who follow Him will rise with him to our eternal new home on the New Earth. But Christ rising from the dead means we do not have to wait one day to rise with him spiritually - that day is already here! In addition to this blessing, we will one day rise with him physically when he comes again for his beloved believers!

John 3:16 says:

16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

May God richly bless you this Easter season has you realize the love of God for you through the crucification and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Tuesday, 03-18-08

Christianity is not so much about obtaining as it is surrendering. Perhaps this is the reason why so many American Christians struggle with knowing and doing God's will. Could it be that we are so use to trying, achieving and grasping for what we want in the work place and in the world that the idea of surrender seems foreign to us? It sounds like an oxymoron when Jesus says, "The last will be first", "The meek shall inherit the earth" and "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble". The fact is, the culture and world we live in is not good at surrendering. We are not going to learn it by finding models in the world most of the time. And even when we find a surrendered person to model our life after we get into trouble when we just mimic their behavior instead of changing our inner beliefs from the heart. Without heart change and heart surrender we will quickly revert back to wanting to run our lives again. Or perhaps we are successful in changing our outward appearance so that we look surrendered but never really changed from the inside out. Surrendering to God is an inside job. We have to go within and trust the Holy Spirit to show us what surrendering to God looks like. It is is not something that is taught as much as it is experienced by trial and error. If you are having a hard time knowing where to start - then start with being still in God's presence. He often uses the quiet to whisper truths to our soul. Whether you are conscious of those truths are not be assured that God is working! God always works deep in our soul when we are quiet and still before him. Sometimes there is nothing to say and there is nothing to audibly hear. In the stillness God ministers to your soul to the point that your heart begins to open up and surrender to Him like a flower that opens it self to be pollinated by the bees. Allow God to pollinate your soul with his love and truth that goes beyond words and actions. Sit in his presence long enough to feel His spirit in you and through you. When you can feel the Holy Spirit inside of you, you have surrendered to God at that very moment. If you are still feeling pain, hurt anger, shame, guilt, fear or anxiety, it is a sure sign you have not surrendered your soul to Him. This means you need to Be still some more in His presence until all past pain and future anxiety leave your presence. When your frantic minds stops thinking of past pain or future worry, you know God is near!

Psalm 46:10 says:

10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."

May God richly bless you as you experiment with surrendering your life to God by learning the art of being still in his presence.

Monday, 03-17-08

More than once I wrote devotionals this Winter urging readers to be grateful for the snow and and to keep it in all in perspective. However the Bible says that there is a time for everything. The book of Psalms is full of laments and many times the author accused God of hurting and forsaking him. So perhaps after six months of a long Winter instead of suppressing the rage that is building up inside you do to another snow storm when the Calender says that Spring is officially just a few days away; perhaps letting loose with a major temper tantrum is more healthy.

I said it in an odd way. But the point of today's devotion is to express your pain and emotion to God. If you leave it pent up inside you it can cause a whole host of medical problems not to mention premature death. Studies and research indicate people who pray and emote their pain in healthy ways, live longer than those who just stuff their pain. While I am not advocating that you get angry with God, I think it is healthy to tell Him what you are angry and hurt about and surrender the pain to Him. So if the thought of one more snow fake falling from the sky gets your juggler wain pulsating in your neck, you may want to spend some time communicating to God. For some reason He desires to hear our pain even though He already knows what ills us. Perhaps He is the smartest physician of all and knows that by verbalizing our pain and releasing it to Him, it frees our body from all the extra stress. So whether it is one more snow fake, one more problem, one more hurt that angers you to no end, surrender it to the Lord so you do not have to suffer the consequences. Perhaps God has sent us "snow" again so we will be driven to find peace and solace in Him. Just a thought - I hope it is a good one.

Psalm 13:1-6 says:

1 How long, O LORD ? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?

2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?

3 Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;

4 my enemy will say, "I have overcome him,"
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.

6 I will sing to the LORD,
for he has been good to me.

May God richly bless you as you surrender your "Snow Fall" rage to God and thereby receive his peace!

Thursday, 03-13-08

Years a person at a conference about depression asked the renown psychologist Dr. Carl Menniger: "What should a person do if they are severely depressed?" The crowd gathered to hear this wise man expected to hear something like: "They should see a psychologist or check themselves in a treatment program that deals with depression." His answer shocked the crowd when he said:" That person should get up off the sofa lock the front door to their house and walk across the railroad tracks, find a person in need and meet their need". At first they were stunned, then in awe, but then the rational of his statement sunk in.

2000 years ago Jesus gave this kind of advice. He said: "Do unto other what you would have them do unto you". In other words if you want to be loved, go love someone else and love will come back to you. If you want to be happy, go make a person happy and happiness will come back to you because in this world, "we reap what we sow". If our focus in on our problems then we will get more problems which will lead to depression. If we focus instead on all our blessings and help others in their time of need, the joy of the Lord comes to us. Sometimes the only difference between the person who is depressed and the person who is full of joy is: The person who is full of joy is focused on Jesus and how they can help others who are depressed and in need!

May God richly bless you as you focus on God and others and not just your own problems!

Wednesday, 03-12-08

Here is a reportedly true story that will inspire you:

"I hired a plumber to help me restore an old farmhouse. He had just finished a rough first day on the job: a flat tire made him loose an hour of work, his electric drill quit and his ancient 1 ton truck refused to start. While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. Upon arriving, he invited me to meet his family.

As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, and touched the tips of the branches with both hands. When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation...His face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss. Afterward he walked me to the car.

We passed the tree, and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier with the tips of the branches. "Oh, that's my trouble tree," he replied. "I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing is for sure, those troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and children...So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home and ask God to take care of them. Then in the morning I pick then up, there aren't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before."

Philippians 4:6-7 says:

6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

May God richly bless you as you make Him your trouble tree!

Tuesday, 03-11-08

Well I hope your happy, you got your wish - SPRING IS FINALLY HERE!! You (when I say you, I do not literally mean you, but a friend you know) have been complaining about how long Winter has been and it is finally over. At least for now, but as we know it can come back in a flash. but let's assume Spring is finally here. Are you really happy? Or are you thinking - I wonder how long it will last? Or Are you looking forward to the Summer? The question is a good one: ARE YOU HAPPY THAT SPRING IS HERE TODAY? It is useless to dwell on the long hard winter of the past and it is a waste of time to predict when the first Sunny Summer day of 75 degrees is coming. Just enjoy the nice Spring Day the Lord gave you and your friend to day for this glorifies Him.

Psalm 118:24 says:

24 This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

May God richly bless you as you thank him for this Sunny 38 degree Spring day that the Lord has made in Minnesota! I understand in California he was a Sunny 72 degree day. :-*

Thursday, 03-06-08

Bible teacher Donald Barnhouse once told the following true story: A young son of a missionary couple in Saire was playing in the yard. Suddenly the voice of the boy's father rang out from the porch, "Philip, obey me instantly! Drop to your stomach! Immediately the youngster did as his father commanded. "Now crawl toward me as fast as you can!" The boy obeyed. "Stand up and run to me!" Philip responded unquestioningly and ran to his father's arms. As the youngster turned to look at the tree by which he had first been playing, he saw a large deadly snake hanging from one of the branches! At the first command of his father, Philip could have hesitated and asked, "Why do you want me to do that?" Or he could have casually replied, "In a minute." But his instant obedience without questioning saved his life!

Matthew 7:24-27 says:

24"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

May God richly bless you as you listen to Him and obey His voice - it could save your life literally and/or metaphorically.

Wednesday, 03-05-08

The Bible says that God is love. So when you love an unlovable person you are bing God to them. 1 Corinthians 12:1-4 tells us that love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not rude, it is not self seeking. It is not easily angered. It keeps no records of wrong. It always protects, always, trust, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails". When you tell some one you love them. You are really saying: "I will be patient with you and not get easily angered with you. I will certainly not keep a record of wrongs". Love is more than words. Your love for God, people, animals, nature and life will be proved by your actions. Tell people you love them, but then back you words up with lots of action!

May God richly bless you as you Love Him and others with lots of action and just not words alone. The words are important but actions backing up the words are even more important!

Tuesday, 03-04-08

I made a statement that seemed to hit home to a lot of people on Sunday. It went something like this: "The next time you feel misunderstood or slighted by a person, do not buy into that thought. Do not give it ownership. Instead become a third party objective observer of your own thoughts. Pretend you are a fly on the wall overhearing somebody else's conversation". In other words, do not own your hurt feelings to the point that you really become hurt. Just watch them float down the river in your minds eye. More times than not, you will find that instead of getting hurt by owning every thought that comes your way, God's peace will come in and fill the void when you leave room for him. Give it a shot and see what happens. What do you have to loose except your irrational thoughts? I say irrational because most of the time when we feel hurt, rejected or misunderstood, it is just an emotion and emotions are not always true. The fact is, sometimes our emotions and thoughts lie to us. So when in doubt, the next time you feel under appreciated just let the thought go on by without giving it voice and ownership to it. See if God's peace will come rushing in. If the feelings and thoughts of hurt and rejection do not go away overtime, then perhaps there may be some validity to them. But by trying the "river" technique first you could avoid a big unnecessary blow up with a loved one, friend, colleague or perceived enemy.

2 Corinthians 10:5 says: "We take captive every thought and bring it obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ".

May God richly bless you as you let go of emotions and thoughts that may be irrational and unnecessary.

Thursday, 02-28-08

What do you do when it starts snowing once again and you celebrated Christmas two months ago? You remind yourself: "THIS TOO SHALL PASS". I think God purposely created the seasons because He enjoys variety and change even more than we do! On days like these when the beautiful white stuff keeps falling, it is important to realize that the first crocus bulbs will be blooming in four weeks and tulips a few weeks after that. But learn a lesson from the senior saints who will tell you in their old age that they wished they would have enjoyed more of the magnificent Minnesota snow storms while they were young enough to play in it. So either way you look at it snow two months after Christmas is just a great opportunity to be thankful that 1) You get to play in the snow again before Spring comes or 2) Thank God for the eagerly anticipated and brilliant spring bloom of flowers that will be here before you know it. Either way these are positive thoughts that glorify God because it bums Him out when we do not celebrate the things He created and snow in February was his idea - at least for Minnesota.

1 Thessalonian 5:16-17 says:

16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

May God richly bless you as you learn the art of thanking God for everything, even snow 24 days before Easter!

Wednesday, 02-27-08

Here is a new thought for you, but it has been in the Bible for 2000 years!

If Jesus came to abolish sin and If I as a Christian continue to sin then I am really living in an illusionary world. In other words, sin no longer has power over the Christian,however if I continue to activate my past memory banks in my mind I can continue to sin not in reality, but as an illusion because I am living in the flesh by memory instead of living in the Spirit today. Let me try it another way: If sin has been done away with by the blood of Christ and if the Christian is no longer a salve to sin, but now a slave to righteousness like the Bible says, then if I sin today it is because I chose to live in the past apart from Christ. If I stay in Christ, I cannot sin today because sin is abolished in Christ. Let me say it one more time as simple as I can: THE ONLY WAY A CHRISTIAN CAN SIN IS TO GO BACK TO PAST MEMORY WHEN THEY SINNED APART FROM CHRIST AND REPEAT THE SAME SINS TODAY. THE BIBLE IS SO MANY WORDS SAYS: THIS IS AN ILLUSION BECAUSE A BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN IS SET FREE FROM SIN SINCE AND FOREVER IN CHRIST!! These few sentences should give you an every Christian plenty to chew on on for months, if not years.

Galatians 5:16-26 says:

16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

May God richly bless you as you choose to live in the Spirit Today and avoid living in the flesh by activating the memory of the past that tempts us to repeat the same sins today, tommorow and next week.

GET RID OF THE MEMORY, OR AT LEAST STOP BEING RULED BY IT AND YOU STOP SINNING TODAY BECAUSE JESUS DID AWAY WITH THE SIN NATURE THAT ONCE RULED OUR LIVES!!!

Tuesday, 02-26-08

Have you ever watched two birds communicate with each other, or even two dogs? it seems like animals have no problem understanding each other and thats why sometimes they fight for food or for territory. So while the communications may lead to a spat, at least they completely understand each other and why they are fighting. Why is it that human beings do not always understand what the other means? While animals know what they are fighting over, sometimes we more advanced human beings who are created in God's image do not. Could it be that unlike the animal kingdom, Human beings:
1) Remember the past in detail and can hold grudges that get in the way of communication..
2) Make judgments and comparisons with our very developed minds.
3) Over think and read into statements in which information is either added or deleted from the conversation.
4) Are so busy trying to make their point that they cannot listen effectively.

I thank God I am not a bird or a dolphin. But I hope to take a listen from the animal kingdom in that animals always seem to understand each other. Since I am more gifted and more educated that any animal, I should be able to be a better communicator than the animals are. And we all know that good communication starts with great listening. Therefore, I hope to follow the example of more simplistic creatures and do a better job of listening to what others are saying to me and around me.

James 1:19-25 says:
19My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But 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.

May God richly bless you as you take a page from the animal kingdom and pay attention to what the others in the "pack" are saying.

Monday, 02-25-08

This devotion is dedicated to all you would have S.A.D Syndrome which stands for Sun Affect Disorder I know I got the S and the D right. The A was a guess. Truth be told, I am not affected by the lack of Sun. In fact in the Summer I prefer it. But I sympathize for those who get a little down because the Sun is hidden behind the clouds. Today it is also hidden behind the fog. Because I do not suffer from S.A.D. Syndrome I cannot offer no real advice. But if I had S.A.D syndrome here is a list of things I might do to perk my self up:
1) Read the Bible - that always seems to help.
2) Pray - (no comments needed)
3) Praise God that He created today perfectly. Thanking God seems to lift us out our our funk.
4) Work out and get the endorphines from the "runners High".
If those three things did not work then I would:
5) Go to the bookstore and buy a good book or go to the Library and check one out.
6) Take the day off of work and go see a funny movie where I can laugh.
7) Talk to or visit a friend who knows how to lift my spirits.
8) I would eat Mexican food and lots of chocolate!
9) I would listen to some good music that energized my soul.
10) I would just hang out with my family - they would pull me out of a funk real fast.
Eat the fish and spit out the bones.While there is nothing wrong with a short term, mild funk, the point of Today's devotion is: If you are in a funk because of the long Minnesota Winter, there is probably something you can do to not get stuck longer than is needed.

Phillipians 4:3-8 says:

4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
May God richly bless you as you let him lead you out of the "blues"!

Thursday, 02-21-08

Have you ever thought to yourself "That person is weird". If you are honest you would fess up. Sometimes it is for good reason other times it is because of cultural conditioning. I always say: "If you can spot it, you got it". The person who rolls up their toothpaste thinks the person who squeezes the tube is wierd. The person who squeezes the tube thinks that the spouse who rolls it up is even weirder and on and on it goes.The fact is we are all weird in our own little ways. The fact is, It glorifies God when we are weird in ways that please him. For example, the Christian who gives God 10% of their income is considered weird by the world. The Christian that wakes up early to go to church on Sunday and spends half their day there is a weirdo, but the Christian who comes back on Wednesday night is even more weird. The Christian Husband who tries "to love his wife as Christ loved the church" and brings home flowers for no reason is weird. The wife who submits to her husband and is gentle and meek with Him is more weird. The not so funny thing is: fifty years ago none of these statements seemed all that "weird" to most people. In this day and age of cultural relevance where everybody wants to do their own thing, being loving and self sacrificing is considered "weird" when it use to be normal.

The Bible says: Whatever you do, do it for the Glory of the Lord, even if it looks "weird" by outsiders.

May God richly bless you as you do "weird" things for God and people because love drove you to it!

Tuesday, 02-19-08

Have you ever had a bad day? What makes a bad day bad? Is it when things don't go your way? What makes a good day good. Is it when everything goes your way? If those are the qualifications we use to determine a good day or a bad day then I would imagine that about half our days would be good and the other half bad in any given year. Personally if half my days were bad, I think I would be depressed. In fact I do not even want one bad day a week. What if I told you that there was a method in the Bible that will ensure we will have a good day everyday despite what happens to us - would you believe me?

In the book of Philippians, the Apostle Paul tells us to do five things that will greatly improve the quality of our life.

1) Worship God by rejoicing in Him
2) Be Thankful always
3) Do not be anxious
4) Pray to God
5) Think about the right things
6) Be content no matter what happens

Philippians 4:4-13 says:
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

I have noticed that when I worship God, am Thankful to God and others, pray to God, think about the right things and choose not to be anxious, I have a pretty good day. But there is one for thing that will ensure a good day no matter what happens to us. Paul tells us "to be content in each and every circumstance we find ourselves in throughout the day". This is great wisdom because if we stop and think about it, most of our unhappiness is caused by unmet expectations we have of ourself, God and others. If we can discipline our minds and hearts to be content no matter what life gives us, then that will greatly increase the odds of having a good day.
May God richly bless you as you choose to have a good day by "thinking on these things".

Monday, 02-18-08

The Bible refers to the elementary doctrines of Christianity as "milk" and the more advanced doctrines as "meat". While the baby Christian is to drink milk, eventually they will need to eat meat in order to grow to full maturity in Christ.

The milk is what Jesus as done for you.

The meat is what you do for Jesus.

The milk is salvation.

The meat is sanctification.

The milk is Jesus dying on the cross for you to save you from sin.

The meat is denying yourself picking up your cross and following Jesus.

The milk is God loving you.

The meat is you loving and worshiping God.

The milk is God serving you.

The meat is you serving God.

The milk is God's grace.

The meat is allowing God's grace to lead me to repentance.

The milk is you God's responsibility.

The meat is your responsibility.

It is easy to see why so many Christians want to stay stuck on "milk" teaching. Simply stated, they have no responsibility. When a Christian transitions to "meat" is is an indication that they have assumed responsibility for their lives, actions and re-actions.

Hebrews 5:11 - 6:3 says:

11We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

1Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,[a] and of faith in God, 2instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3And God permitting, we will do so.

May God richly bless you as you eat some spiritual "meat" today! And by the way, don't forget to drink a glass of milk once and a while too!

Thursday, 02-14-08

Those of you who are frustrated that you did not receive a "New Thought For Today" Devotional, I have two excuses! First off, I was out of town at a Wesleyan Pastors convention and secondly my computer was down. But of course I am writing to Christians who understand God's definition of love as written in 1 Corinthians 13, notably that love is "patient" so no excuse is needed. The fact is, where real authentic love exist, there is no need for excuses because nobody is condemning, judging or complaining since "love does not keep a record of wrongs". Love does not keep score - it just gives freely without restraint or comparisons. So on this Valentines day when you tell your loved ones, "I love you" realize what you are really saying according to 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 is: "I am patient with you...I am kind to you..I do not get easily angered with you...I do not keep a records of your wrong doing...I do not keep score...I am not rude to you... I am not selfish...I always have your best interest in mind...I always trust you, always hope the best for you...always perseveres with you".

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 says:

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

May God richly bless you as you love according to 1 Corinthians 13 this Valentines Day!

Monday, 02-11-08

The true story of Victor has practical application for every "Christ follower". During his childhood young Victor did not appear very bright. Consequently he was ridiculed daily with insults from his classmates in school. Even his teachers referred to him as a "dunce", telling him he would never amount to much.

After years of this sort of input, a high school teacher advised Victor to drop out of school and try to find a job. "After all," the teacher reasoned, "School isn't going to do you any good. You're not smart enough to comprehend high school material - you might as well quit now before you are humiliated." So he did. For almost 12 years Victor worked doing odd jobs barely making a living, just as the teacher predicted. Then about age 30 something very interesting happened. Victor took an IQ test and discovered that his IQ was 162. He was a genius! How did this affect him? Overnight Victor was a changed man. The years that followed brought him enormous success. Since then he has patented several inventions, written a couple of books, and now possesses a beautiful family as well as a fine stead job.

So what made the difference? Did Victor all of a sudden get "smart"? No, he had it with him all the time. The only thing that changed was the way Victor saw himself. He no longer looked in the mirror every morning and saw a "dunce", but rather a "genius." I think the analogy is quite clear. As a Christian your identity and nature has been changed from "Sinner" to "Saint" and when you see your yourself "clothed with the robe of righteousness" you will act like it!

2 Corinthians 5:17 says:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

May God richly bless you as you see yourself for who you are in Christ today and not the person you use to be - The Bible says that person has been crucified with Jesus!

Thursday, 02-07-08

Through recent scientific experiments researches believe that there are at least 11 billion bits of information coming into our brains at any given time, but the average person will perceive about 40 bits of information. I do not know how accurate the research is, but if these results are even 10% accurate that is still a huge amount of information we are not perceiving. Regardless, I think most people would agree that they have not tapped the fullness of their potential. For years we have been told that the average person uses less than 10% of their brain capabilities. Most people have a sense about that that says: "I can do more...I can be more". What then hinders the Christian from reaching there full potential in Christ? There are probably numerous answers to this question. But near the top of the list I would put memory of the past. While memory is God-given and has it's purpose, it can run out of control and destroy my life if I let it. Praise God that he gave us the ability to remember how to tie our shoe or to remember important lessons from the past so we do not repeat our mistakes perpetually. Mark Twain once said:"A cat will never sit on a hot stove again. Nor will he sit on a cold one either." God gave us memory so we could use it for good. However if we leave our memory unchecked and let it rule our thoughts throughout the day we will be in a continual victim mindset blaming everybody for our problems and stewing with anger and resentment about of the hurts and pains of the past.

Could it be that we are not reaching our full potential at times because we have filled are brain circuits with useless past information that is no longer helping us? On the other side of the coin: Have we filled up our circuits with worry about the future? Dwelling on the past or being anxious about the future can suck the energy out of a person to the point that they are not as productive as they can be if they chose to stay focused on the present. Maybe that is why the Bible talks so much about forgetting the past, not being worried about the future by fixing our eyes on Jesus today. The fact is, it is hard to drive a car forward while looking our the rear view window.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 says:

24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

May God richly bless you choose to discipline your memory to work for and not work against you by remembering the unproductive past!

Wednesday, 02-06-08

The Bible makes a distinction between intellectual knowledge and wisdom. Whereas wisdom comes from God, knowledge comes the world we live in. Whereas wisdom comes from God, intellect comes from the human brain. As we know not all knowledge is bad, in fact much of it is useful. Wisdom that comes from God and his word is always good and useful. You can have both knowledge and wisdom, but if you have to choose, the Bible tells us to choose wisdom! Wisdom will always lead you and guide you in the right direction. By contrast, knowledge cannot be applied to every circumstance and situation and is limited. Wisdom comes form God and transcends limited human knowledge. Wisdom from God applies to all circumstances and situations it is intended for and it always works like a charm!

May God richly bless you as you trust God's wisdom more that the world's knowledge. Read: Proverbs 1

Tuesday, 02-05-08

Last year we were told the bird flue was coming to America. Three months ago the media proclaimed that Senator Hillary Clinton would easily get the Democratic nomination. More recently most people expected the Patriots to win the Super Bowl last Sunday. And that is in the past year. If you go back through history you will discover a lot of so called prophecies or predictions that never came true. The Bible clearly says that man cannot and will not be able to perfectly predict the future although several have tried. Even Bible scholars have endeavored to predict the second coming of Christ and so far, they all have been wrong - hundreds of them throughout history. While you may not know what tomorrow holds you know the one who holds tomorrow and that is enough!

Matthew 6:25-34 says:

May God richly bless you as you ponder "I may not know what tomorrow holds, but I know the one who holds tomorrow and that is enough"!

Monday, 02-04-08

I made it through pine wood derby weekended - my first ever as a father and I learned two valuable lessons: The fact is, I have been working on Maxwell's and Mitchell's cars for over a month. Sanding, re-sanding , painting, repainting, adding on weight, taking off weight and the story goes on and on. I now know there is an easier way to do things. Like paint once by applying a small layer so that it does not drip dry. I learned to not put the weight in the car until you officially weigh it the night before.

With that said there are some advantages to being a spaz. You see by definition "overkill" means that you killed it and for the Christian every crucifixion leads to a resurrection when you expect one. For example, I over painted Mitchell's car to the point where I could not put on any more layers and meet the weight requirements. Even though I used glossy paint and the car looked awesome, I thought a little more clear coat gloss will make it shine even more. NO IT WON'T!!!! But I had to learn that for myself since I am a tactile, hands on kind of learner. When I applied the extra coat of clear gloss, it cracked the paint job. Hundreds of cracks now ran throughout the car. I wanted to sand it down and start over, but we already put the decals on. And since Mitchell thought is looked cool I left it alone. But on the inside I was kicking myself for being such a "spaz" and doing too much in typical Mike Barnett fashion. I thought it would be therapeutic for me to just let go and see what happens. Here are the results...Mitchell' car finished fourth place - just one place out of third! Maxwell finished fifth and I thought it was the faster car - go figure. But to top it all off, Mitchell won the "JUDGES FAVORITE" AWARD. Apparently the judges thought the cracked paint job was by design. Now as a result Maxwell wants me to do the same thing to his car next sure. I told him: "I put clear coat on your car first but it did not crack to paint like it did to Mitchell's car.... I could never repeat that "over kill process" to get the same results if I tried."

The moral of the Story is twofold:

1) We can always learn how to do things better
2) God takes our less than perfect, but best efforts and makes a "JUDGES FAVORITE" out of it.

Phillipians 3:10-16 says:

10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

15All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

May God richly bless you as you surrender the past to God and give him the best effort you can today - He will do the rest!

Thursday, 01-31-08

Have you ever been in a tight spot but you just knew that everything was going to work out alright anyway because God is in control? When we are over our head whether it be financial concerns, people conflicts, family problems or work related issues, it is usually because we are looking at the problem and noticing how much bigger it is than us. Young David gives us a new model to follow. Instead of comparing himself to the giant, Goliath and being overwhelmed by his size that towered over him, He chose to look at God knowing that While the giant was bigger than Him, God was much bigger than the Giant. David did not think He could beat the giant on his own accord, but he knew he could not loose with God on his side. In other words, he thought God could beat the giant through him! The next time you are tempted to be intimidated by the Goliath in your life - focus your attention on God who can crush that giant in a nano second! If it takes longer than that then rest assured victory will come eventually and God is growing your spiritual muscles in the meantime!

1 Samuel 17:32-50 says:

32 David said to Saul, "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him."

33 Saul replied, "You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth."

34 But David said to Saul, "Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine."
Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you."

38 Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. 39 David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them.
"I cannot go in these," he said to Saul, "because I am not used to them." So he took them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.

41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was only a boy, ruddy and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 "Come here," he said, "and I'll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!"

45 David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands."

48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground.

50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.

May God richly bless you as you focus your attention on God and not the giants in your life!

Wednesday, 01-30-08

What you see with your physical eyes is important, but nearly as important as what you see with your spiritual eyes located behind your physical eyes. The Bible calls this faith. According to Hebrews 11:1, "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for the evidence of things yet not seen". This means faith is not seen with your physical eyes - it takes a spiritual eye to see and feel "the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things yet not seen". If you have doubt and unbelief in your heart, it is probably because you are trusting the external circumstances that your physical eyes see more than you are trusting what can be with God's help by faith. Jesus said numerous times, "All things are possible for those who believe". To build your faith take just 5 minutes a day and imagine in your mind what God's best for you would be as you understand it right now. If you think God wants you to have a better marriage, then visualize what that would look like by faith and thank God for it now as if your marriage has already arrived to that state of bliss. If you think God wants you to share the gospel with a co-worker, then visualize yourself confidently leading that person to Christ and thank God now if it is already done. If you believe God wants you to loose a few pounds, then look at an old picture of yourself when you were lean and thank God now as if you already are in that shape. (I will let you know when I start doing this...In fact you will know!) This it what it means to live by faith. It means you see the finished product with your spiritual eyes right now! Faith can apply to every area in your life. Probably the most noble thing you can believe by faith is that God loves you, will not give up on you and will grow your spirituality to the point where you look more like Jesus and less like the world. So take some time today and shut your eyes and see yourself for who you can be in Christ as the Holy Spirit Sanctifies you through and through making you holy just like Jesus! Once you see that picture with the eyes of your heart, thank God that it is already done by faith and one day you will wake up and discover you are more like Jesus then you were a year ago!

Romans 4:15-25 says:

16Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations."[a] He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.

18Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."[b] 19Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah's womb was also dead. 20Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness." 23The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, 24but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

May God richly bless you as your learn to live life with your spiritual eyes located behind your physical eyes!

Tuesday, 01-29-08

Have you ever lived the same day over again? In truth you have not. Each day is a new Day with new experiences - that what the Bible says! So then how is it that we get in a rut to the point that we feel we are trapped in the same day over and over again? I would argue that it is an illusion that you created yourself. Thinking the same thoughts over and over again on automatic pilot created the rut you are in. The good news is that the Christian has the "mind of Christ" in which they can change their thoughts to reflect God's truth and thereby create new experiences. The fact is, God uses your thoughts to create your reality. What is prayer? Prayer is just thought directed to God in the form of a petition. What is worship? Worship is just a thought of gratitude and submission to God that leads to action. The reason most people get stuck living the same day over and over again is simple - they are primarily thinking from past memory instead of inspiration given by God each new day. That's why is is so important to spend time with God everyday learning new truths. Unless you receive new insights from God on a daily basis, you will just rely on past experiences and past memory. Have you ever wondered by you overreacted in a particular situation? Past memory associations is the answer. Have you ever wondered way fear got the best of you? Past memory associations once again. To break through from past memory associations that hold us back, we must think new thoughts that come from God on a daily basis and thereby create a healthy memory that reflects God's Word and not the worlds lies and illusions. This requires a great deal of mental discipline and time to spend with God to receive his fresh love that will bring excitement, joy, and hope to your life each new day!

Lamentations 3:19-20 says:

Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:

22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."

25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;

26 it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.

27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke
while he is young.

28 Let him sit alone in silence,
for the LORD has laid it on him.

Philippians 4:4-8 says:

8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

May God richly bless you as you think on these things and not the old memory that keeps playing in your head. Turn off the old tape and play a new song!

Monday, 01-28-08

A diamond is just a rock and cannot display the properties of full light reflection until it has 26 sides cut into it. It doesn't work with less not need more facets cut into it. When it becomes the gem, it was intended to be it will reflect from any angle and from any position (bottom, sides, or top) a full spectrum of colored light.

As baby, born again Christians, we are rough stones in the beginning of our new life in Christ. As each year passes, new sides are formed in us to catch the light of life's experiences and reflect what God has taught us. It takes a lifetime for all God's work to be complete so that we will be his brilliant diamond and may reflect the many qualities he is - like light and love!

When you get discouraged and doubt God's is perfecting you to the point where you radiate Christ to everybody you meet - just read your Bible and allow the Word of God to cut another side of your heart!

Hebrews 4:11-16 says:

11Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.

12For the word of God is living 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. 13Nothing 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.

14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens,[a] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

May God richly bless you you give him the time He needs on a daily basis to make another cut with the double edge sword - the Word of God!

Thursday, 01-24-08

Do you want a healthy marriage, good report with your kids, good friendships: Here is a shortlist of things that will improve any conflicted relationship overnight.

1) Do not attack the person...attack the real issue.
2) Assume you are apart of the problem. At the very least you are half the problem if not all of it. If you assume that posture of humility you will find that issues will resolve sooner than later.
3) Take responsibility for your part of the problem.
4) If you do not know what you did wrong ask good clarifying questions like: "Have I hurt you or offended you...What did I do that hurt you?"
5) Say "I'm sorry, I'm wrong, please forgive me. I love you" from the heart and just not pay lip service.
6) Bring them a gift.
7) Ask ongoing maintenance questions like, "How can I love you...serve you help you" and Listen to their response.
8) Follow through on their response.
9) Affirm the person every chance you get without resulting to flattery. Do be specific in what you appreciate about them instead of always saying your great. Tell them why they are great! Mean what you say and say what you mean.
10) Put yourself in their shoes and and think of them before you think of yourself.

Who would not want to be married to this kind of person? Who would not want this kind of Dad or Mom for a parent? You would not want to work with this kind of person? Who would not want this kind of friend? Be the person you want to be married to and chances are you will be married to that kind of person. Be the friend you want your friends to be to you and you will attract those kind of friends into your life. Jesus said, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". Galatians 6:7 says: "A Man reaps what he sows". Instead of complaining about the awful harvest you are reaping in your relationships focus on sowing a better seed of love!

May God richly bless you as you focus on the seed you are sowing and not the harvest you are reaping in your relationships with people.

Wednesday, 01-23-08

Why is it that Dogs are referred to as man's best friend? What is it about dogs and animals in general that give mankind so much pleasure? I think God created an animal for everyone. There are dog lovers, cat lovers, horse lovers, bird lovers and even ferret lovers. The list could have gone on forever and please do not be offended if I did not include your animal of choice. The point I am making is God created animals for a reason and I believe that reason is to bless people and thereby bring glory to himself. How many times have you been blessed by your dog jumping on you when you came home from work? Or by your cat that you almost tripped over when he/she tried to walk between your legs when you woke up to get a drink of water at midnight?

God's most amazing creation ever was people, but if you cannot find joy in the people in your life today for whatever reason, then God created animals as part of a contingency plan. While I am joking, the Bible states that God created the universe and everything in it. Therefore there ought to be someone or something God created that we can praise him for today. By the way God also created SNOW. We are blessed and fortunate to live in Minnesota where 6 months of the year we can be reminded on a daily basis that "while our sins were red as crimson, they are now white as snow". Some days I am grateful for that reminder. What are you grateful for? Let God know what it is whether it is a person, a pet, the snow, the sun, or the Son Jesus who died on a cross for you. Certainly there is something you can praise God for today. I have found the more I am grateful the more I have to be grateful for. I do believe their is a correlation between a thankful heart and God's blessings. People who are ungrateful tend to push God's blessings away, while Christians who are grateful for life itself have more to be grateful for every day!

Psalm 67 says:

1 May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine upon us,
Selah

2 that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations.

3 May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you.

4 May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
       for you rule the peoples justly
       and guide the nations of the earth.
       Selah

5 May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you.

6 Then the land will yield its harvest,
and God, our God, will bless us.

7 God will bless us,
and all the ends of the earth will fear him.

May God richly bless you as you show Him gratefulness for salvation in Christ and all His other blessings in your life today. You can even thank Him for your dog who jumps on you when you get home or for your cat that tries to walk between you legs! You can especially thank Him for all the snow in your front yard that reminds you that your sins are forgiven, you are redeemed by the blood of Christ and you are now clean - WHITE AS SNOW!

Tuesday, 01-22-08

Have you ever pondered the thought: "I create my own reality" or "My perception equals my reality"? If you have not, you should. The fact is you are at the very least a co-creator of your world. What you think, feel and do makes up your life. If you think thoughts that are in line with how Go thinks you will see God-like qualities show up in your life more times than not. If you think worldly, depressing thoughts more times than not you will see depressing people and events show up in your life. If you doubt what I say to be true then I encourage you to read the Bible from cover to cover. If you do not have the time for that. then at least read the New Testament. If you do not have time for that then I encourage to read the accounts of when Jesus healed people. He repetitively told them to stop doubting and to start believing. Many times when people asked for a miracle, Jesus told them: "Let it be done unto you according to your faith". So if God uses your faith to move mountains in your life then you are at the very least a co-creator with Him. God does the work, but he chooses to work through your faith. Likewise if you have unwanted people and circumstances in your life at some level you probably attracted them into your life through your belief system. (Keep in my mind I am not talking about the death of loved ones or special circumstances). But I am talking about people and problems in your life that persist over the long haul. Ironically you will attract more unwanted people and events into your life by dwelling on all the things you do not want. Thats why Job cried out, "THE THING I FEARED HAS COME UPON ME". More times than not the thing you perpetually fear will come upon you eventually. Ever hear of a "self fulfilling prophecy"?
Fear and unbelief creates mountains out of mole hills. If you have some unwanted mountains in your life - then I urge you to use your faith in God to move them. But how? Instead of always dwelling on the problem which usually gets bigger by the thought, think about the solution. Pray that the solution will come in God's timing by faith. Think about the good you have in your life right now and thank God for it because you tend to get more of things you think about. And lastly surround yourself with people who are positive and will encourage you. Before Jesus raised a dead girl, he told the unbelieving family members who laughed at him to get out of his way and he kicked them out of the girl's room. If Jesus had to push negative people out of the room before he could move a mountain by faith, then so will we! Read: Mark 5:21-42

May God richly bless you as you use faith and not fear to co-create your reality you are living today.

Monday, 01-21-08

Let me share with you one of my favorite stories about protecting others from shame and embarrassment...Come with me to a second grade classroom. The is an eight year old kid sitting at his desk and all of a sudden, there is a puddle between his feet and the front of his pants are wet. He thinks his heart is going to stop because he cannot possibly imagine how this has happened. It's never happened before, and he knows that when the boys find out he will never hear the end of it. When the girls find out, they'll never speak to him again as long as he lives.

The boy believes his heart is going to stop; he puts his head down and prays this prayer, 'Dear God, this is an emergency! I need help now! Five minutes from now I'm dead meat.'

He looks up from his prayer and here comes the teacher with a look in her eyes that says he has been discovered.

As the teacher is walking toward him, a classmate named Susie is carrying a goldfish bowl that is filled with water. Susie trips in front of the teacher and inexplicably dumps the bowl of water in the boy's lamp.

The boy pretends to be angry, but all the while is saying to himself, 'Thank you, Lord! Thank you Lord!

Now all of a sudden, instead of being the object of ridicule, the boy is the object of sympathy. The teacher rushes him downstairs and gives him gym shorts to put on while his pants dry out. All the other children are on their hands and knees cleaning up around his desk. The sympathy is wonderful! But as life would have it, the ridicule that should have been his has been transfered to someone else - Susie.

She tries to help, but they tell her to get out. You've done enough, you klutz!

Finally, at the end of the day, as they are waiting for the bus, the boy walks over to Susie and whispers, 'You did that on purpose, didn't you?' Susie whispers back, 'I wet my pants to.'

We have a Susie in our lives and then some in the person of Jesus Christ who gave his blood to cover our blemishes, sins and short comings. In Christ, we are now called to be a "Susie" to others and protect them from shame and build them up in their time of need.

May God richly bless you as you seek out opportunities to build others up instead of tearing them down. Read: Phillipians 2:1-11

Thursday, 01-17-08

Have you noticed that Buddhism and the Eastern religions in general have been pretty popular in America the last 40 years and they are not going away either. It seems like more and more disgruntled Christians are buying books on The Eastern Religions trying to find some peace of mind. You have heard a million times from various media that, "All the world's major religions teach the same doctrines when it comes to moral codes and ethics. I would concur that "Do not murder", "Do not lie", "Do not Lust", Do not Covet", "Do not harm others" is taught in most legitimate religions world wide. So is the infamous Golden rule which says: "Do onto others as you would have them do unto you". In others words treat others as you would have them treat you". However generally speaking there are four major components that set Christianity apart from the other world religions and this is good news for the Christ follower!

1) Most religions and cults teach you can become God or at least become a God.
2) Sin is an illusion and does not really exist.
3) You must do good works to achieve Godlike status.
4) You achieve Godlike status by emptying your mind and loosing your identity to become vaporized in the cosmos and become one with the Universe.

On the other hand Christianity teaches:

1) There is one God in the form of The Father, The son, and The Holy Spirit. You are not God and never will be God. God is God and you are uniquely you!
2) Sin is real and it separates us from God.
3) To be accepted by God and to be adopted into his Kingdom forever you must receive the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. You will never be able to earn your way to salvation by good works - it is a free gift based upon Jesus death on the cross and resurrection from the grave!
4) To Bible tells Christians to fill their minds with the GOOD NEWS - God's truth, because His truth will set the captives free!

Keep in mind that while Christians are encouraged to have a daily Quiet time consisting of Bible study, meditation, prayer, and worship, it is not for the purpose of becoming like God. The spiritual disciplines are the means by which we realize God lives in us through Christ. Said in a different way, you do not pray and read your Bible to become more holy. You read your Bible and pray to better realize that you are already Holy in Christ. In others words: IT IS FINISHED! You are made Holy and righteous in Christ! Jesus purchased holiness for you. When you spend time with God through prayer, Bible reading and thanksgiving you are empowered on a daily basis to live that Holiness out in practical ways on a daily basis.

May God richly bless you as you rest in the truth - IT IS FINISHED! There is nothing more you can do to be saved, loved and cherished by God. May God richly bless you as you rest in that truth and be set free by it. May this truth bring great peace to your soul! God does not want you to strive to be something you are not. Instead He desires you to become the person He created you to be - Whole in Him through Christ! Read: Ephesians 2:5-10

Wednesday, 01-16-08

What are you excited about in your life right now? Know what it is. Write down all the ways God has blessed you. Then when you have a bad day or you see everything that is wrong in your life, take out your list of blessings and ponder them. Thank God for them. Often times a good day or a bad day is just a matter of focus. At any given moment there are both good and bad in your life. At least perceived good or bad. That explains why some people never seem to have a bad day. They do not perceive bad in their life. This also explains why some people hardly ever have a good day. They rarely perceive good things in their life. If you focus on the good stuff, you will have a good day. If you focus on the bad stuff, you will have a bad day. Having a good day or a bad day comes down to just one thing really - ATTITUDE. We all know this, yet we find it irresistible to have a pity poor me party once and a while. And that is o.k. - I just would end the party early and send all those negative guest like depression, guilt, condemnation, worry, fear, anxiety and boredom home early. Then I would get a good night sleep and expect tommorow to be great!

Philippians 4:4-8 says:

May God richly bless you as you ponder what is right and good in your life!

Tuesday, 01-15-08

Jackie Robinson was the first black player in major league baseball's color barrier, he faced jeering crowds in every stadium. While playing one day in his home stadium in Brooklyn, he committed an error. The fans began to ridicule him. He stood at second base, humiliated, while the fans jeered. Then shortstop Pwee Wee Reese came over and stood next to him. He put his arm around Jackie Robinson and faced the crowd. The fans grew quiet. Robinson later said that arm around his shoulder saved his career. More importantly that gracious act led him to faith in Christ.

Phillipians 2:3-7 says:

3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature[a] God,
      did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7but made himself nothing,
      taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
      being made in human likeness.

May God richly bless you as you endorse somebody who needs it today.

Monday, 01-14-08

During World War Two, in Belgium, there was a Nazi prison camp called Brendonk. Inside this camp, many Belgian citizens suffered and died during the War. How did some of these people endure atrocities - the anxiety, fear, worry, and injustice of this place?

A guide takes the visitors to an small, isolated cell. In a remote corner of this cell, there is a little slit in the stone wall. The only way to reach this corner and this little slit in the wall is to crawl under some high benches. The guide then places the visitor's hand onto this position of the stone wall. The guide then instructs the visitor, "Run your hand over what you feel."

The visitor responds, "I feel a carving of a face." You are feeling the face of our Savior Jesus Christ." the guide confirms.

In the darkest hour of hopelessness, these men and woman would come to the corner of this cell and put their hands on his Holy and loving face. This practice sustained them and assured them victory over their fears. This was their way of remembering that they were not alone and that Jesus had not forsaken them.

For those of us who have Bibles, there are better means and methods to remember that Jesus is always with you. The key is to practice those habits and disciplines like prayer and Bible study that remind you how near God is - He is only one thought or one prayer away!

Hebrews 3 says:

1Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. 2He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God's house. 3Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. 4For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. 5Moses was faithful as a servant in all God's house, testifying to what would be said in the future. 6But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.

Warning Against Unbelief

7So, as the Holy Spirit says:
   "Today, if you hear his voice,
    8do not harden your hearts
   as you did in the rebellion,
      during the time of testing in the desert,
9where your fathers tested and tried me
      and for forty years saw what I did.
10That is why I was angry with that generation,
      and I said, 'Their hearts are always going astray,
      and they have not known my ways.'
11So I declared on oath in my anger,
      'They shall never enter my rest.' "[a]

12See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. 14We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. 15As has just been said:
   "Today, if you hear his voice,
      do not harden your hearts
   as you did in the rebellion."[b]

16Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? 17And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert? 18And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed[c]? 19So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.

May God richly bless you as you remember to fix your thoughts on Jesus!

Wednesday, 01-09-08

Have you ever had a bad day? O.K., in this world that is a no brainer. But have you had a bad day and you know that it is nobody's fault except your own? When you have a bad day and someone yells out you or hurts your feelings it is allot easier to blame others. But when you have a bad day and nobody really did anything wrong, then you know it was your own poor mental attitude. However I would argue that when we have a bad day and we have somebody to blame for it, that is even worse because we are not taking responsibility for the bad day we are having. The truth is nobody else in this world can make you feel unhappy. Furthermore because I am a Christian and Christ lives me and I live in Christ, I can exude with joy all day long if I wanted to. In Christ it is possible! But to tap into that constant state of joy and peace that is available to me I have to be in the right frame of mind. Perhaps that is why the author of Hebrews tells Christians to "Fix your thoughts on Jesus". The Apostle Paul tells us "to be joyful always". In my life I have learned that I can only be joyful always when I fix my thoughts on Jesus. When I fix my thoughts on myself or others my attitude can be less than joyful at times. So if you have not tapped into the Joy of the Lord lately, try fixing your thoughts on Jesus and ponder all that he has done and is still doing for you. If that does not bring a state of joy nothing will.

May God richly bless you with his Joy as you fix your thoughts on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith.

Tuesday, 01-08-08

We are all adopted children regardless of what your parents told you. Yes, it's true you have been adopted by God into his royal family, blemishes and all. The Bible says that the moment we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we have been adopted into the Kingdom of God where Jesus is our big brother. Most of us though take all the baggage we learned from our biological family of origin into our new spiritual family. It takes many years for God to completely strip away all the erroneous beliefs we learned from Childhood. Their are thoughts, fears, anxieties, habits and who knows what else lurking down deep in our souls. Often times this stuff just pops up when we least expect it and we are shocked and embarrassed all at the same time because we did not realize it was "down there". Rest assured that God knew and the fact that your junk is coming to the surface now after all these years of being a Christian is a sure sign that God is sanctifying you and cleansing you through and through just like he said he would. So the next time your junk surfaces realize that the junk is not you. Just like a person who swallows poison must throw up so their bodies can recover, so too God is purging you from your past issues that you despise. Do not take the "vomit" personally - instead give thank to God that he is taking it out of your life. If you take your junk personally you will repeat behaviors you do not want to repeat. If you learn the art of thanking God for purifying you from the junk by faith, you will find that the junk will eventually dissipate over time.

Hebrews 2:5-13

5It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6But there is a place where someone has testified:
   "What is man that you are mindful of him,
      the son of man that you care for him?
7You made him a little[a] lower than the angels;
      you crowned him with glory and honor
    8 and put everything under his feet." [b]

In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. 9But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

10In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. 12He says,
   "I will declare your name to my brothers;
      in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises."[c] 13And again,
   "I will put my trust in him."[d] And again he says,
   "Here am I, and the children God has given me."[e]

May God richly bless you as you ponder God's adoption of you and his faithfulness to clean you up. By the way: He loves you just the way you are, but he loves you so much he won't leave you that way!

Tuesday, 01-08-08

There is an old story told about a man by the name of Ali Facid. He had a small farm and a family. One day, the story goes, a Buddhist priest came by and said to Ali Facid: You know, there are valuable stones called diamonds, and if you get one of these you could be a wealthy man." Ali Facid went to bed that night, but the words of the old priest haunted him. He was so obsessed that he felt that he must find him one of these diamonds so he could become a ruler. He sold his farm, put his family out to the neighbors and went out to find his acres of diamonds. Months passed. He was broken in body and spirit. His funds were gone. And at the Bay of Barcelona, he threw himself in the water, never to walk this earth again.

Meanwhile, the man who bought the farm bent over one day and picked up a little stone. He laid it on the mantle that night not knowing what it was. A few days later the old Buddhist priest came by and saw it and exclaimed: Ali Facid must be back from his search. No, came the response. Then were did that diamond come from? The farmer replied: "I was out plowing in the garden and found it there. And friends, did you know that from that very garden, for this is not a legend but true story, came the jewels and diamonds that today adorn the crown heads of Europe and Russia. In Ali Facid's own back yard there were acres of diamonds and he knew it not.

The lesson in this story is simple: Before we go out looking for ________________________(fill in the blank) somewhere else, we should stay where where we are, knowing God's good gifts will seek us out in due time. This is certainly true of love.

James 1:17 says:17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

May God richly bless you as you choose to bloom where you are planted.

Friday, 01-04-08

Many of us use the New Year to focus our attention on changes we want to make in our life, but by March we pretty much have given up and wait another calender year before we get our hopes up again about positive changes in our life. While I do not propose to be an expert on behavior change and have fallen short of my own expectations for change many times, I have seen a pattern. Every time I have made positive, long lasting changes in my life, it perfectly correlated with what I was focusing my attention on. In other words my attitude was such that my behavior followed. On the flip side, when I have fallen short of my goals and desires, it is usually because I "wished" for change to happen, without actually changing my belief system. Every person over 40 realizes that "will power" alone is not enough to break an unwanted habit or pattern in their lives, but desire combined with the right mental attitude that focuses on the future possibilities for change is a powerful combination. We all have heard the phrase: "If I do what I have always done, I will get what I have always gotten. To get new results, I must think new thoughts and do new behaviors to get there". The fact is, wishing for change will not bring about change in your life but changing your thoughts will change your behavior eventually. When you fall short, instead of getting discouraged and condemning yourself, start over thinking new thoughts of life change and eventually change will happen in God's perfect timing as you trust him to do the hidden work in your life behind the scenes that nobody else sees. The Bible tells us we have the "mind of Christ" and when we tap into it and "forget what lies behind and strive towards what is ahead in Christ Jesus" positive life change is inevitable!

Philippians 3:10-16 says:10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

15All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

May God richly bless you as you stop wishing for change and start thinking yourself to life change in 2008 as directed by the Holy Spirit and the mind of Christ that resides in you!

Thursday, 12-20-07

Well there is not much more I can say about Christmas except it is here, and it will be gone just as fast. I guess there are pros and cons about Christmas being once a year. However, If Christmas is about worshiping God and praising Him For Jesus, then Christmas should be every day. If Christmas is about loving people and God loved us, then Christmas should be every day. If Christmas is about getting presents, then Christmas should be______________________(well, at least once a week for those people who have a love language of "gifts").

The point is: All the good stuff related to Christmas are things Christians should be doing on a regular basis anyway. So in a way Christmas is not a once a year occurrence for the Christian because the Christian has opportunities to love God and people everyday. Just a thought, hopefully a good one.

With that said, some of us cannot be with our extended families