Israel of God

“Come,” they say, “let us wipe out Israel as a nation. We will destroy the very memory of its existence.” (Psalm 83:4 NLT)

Does this sound like the nations surrounding Israel today? Those that despise and hate her? Not much has changed since the time of King David. Israel has always had enemies. Enemies that desire nothing more than to completely wipe her off the face of the earth. You might wonder without any political jabber, why Israel is so hated? A small little nation surrounded by these giant nations. What does Israel matter for and why such vengeance against her?

May I suggest that God exists, because Israel exists. It's not to say that God depends on Israel or even needs Israel for that matter. No, God has chosen this nation and the Jewish people to be His inheritance long ago. It is something that we don't understand. One word...covenant. He made a covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in days of old. He chose Israel to display His power and glory, and that's exactly what He will do again. God has always been a sort of a fan of the 'underdog' mentality. Take Gideon's army for one. Not 10,000 men but 300! That's all He wanted to fight off the massive army. He is in the business of making more out of less. His glory is displayed in weak people who depend on Him completely. Israel is hated because God is hated. Evil kings and rulers despise the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It has always been that way.

God cannot be killed though they think they can kill Israel. God is forever and the Israel of God is forever as well.

A few deep thoughts I guess for a Friday morning.

Beautiful Life

Beautiful life
One chance to live
Make the most
Freely give
Love from within
Don't hold back
Straight ahead
This narrow path
A song being sung
Of the glorious unseen
One day will know
Eternity
Love suffers long
Till the end
Where we belong
Home at last
Love never fails
Always prevails
Wait patiently
Your time will come
When all is said and done
Mountains and valleys
Both will have footprints
Of testings and trials
No reason for denial
Life is hard
A ground for growth
Rooted in truth
Rooted in love
My home isn't here
Only for a minute
Then heaven above.

Facing The Giants

There are many obstacles in overcoming the mundane. Daily doubt is knocking at your door. Daily the flesh wages war against the spirit enticing it with all it's evil passion and desire. It will be satisfied at no end. Take your relationships and the conflicts that arise and the difficulty of working through those. What about the fear that often paralyzes you? Or the depression that you often feel when you are all alone. Maybe it's people that you have to be around to find meaning and significance for your life. When you lay alone at night in your bed are you plagued with questions of Gods existence? Yet you are afraid to even think that? Have you felt a deafening silence that causes you to retreat?

You see if we are all honest then we probably can relate to some of these, if not all at different times in our lives.

To overcome against the odds is a feat set for the heroic right? Only for the few privileged ones correct? Wrong! Nothing is further from the truth.

The one who overcomes has learned that in the greatest moment of testing and trail, they refused to give up. Overcoming is more about not giving up than it is about being incredibly strong or confident. To the one who stands firm in Faith no matter what the odds, with God on his side, he or she will overcome victoriously.

Whatever obstacle you find yourself facing today start by acknowledging your dependency on the Creator and voice out loud that greater is Christ that is in you, than he that is in the world. I am speaking to the one who has been born of the spirit. To the one reading who has not yet been reborn spiritually then your only hope for overcoming lies in self help, which is a dead end road in the long run. Call out to God and ask 'what must I do to be saved'?

When Least Expected

You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” (Luke 12:40 NLT)

Whether you believe it or not the Son of God is returning one day. This is a fact as certain as night will come and the sun will rise. Most people are unaware that Jesus Christ will return without warning and without asking anybody opinion. There will be no polls taken before he returns, CNN won't be able to cover it because it will happen in the twinkling of an eye. This is chilling. For some it will be awesome and what they have waited for, for others it will be dreadful and terrible knowing they have lived their life in complete opposition to the things of God.

I don't know which camp you are in. I can only urge you to get in the camp called 'preparation'. In this camp you live your life everyday as if Christ will return that day eagerly watching, waiting, and proclaiming the good news. Like in the parable of the ten virgins, I want to be like the five wise that prepared and had gathered their oil before the bridegroom came. Once He comes it will be too late.

As it says above that Christ will come when least expected, so then let us be prepared to make our lives count everyday. Maybe He will come in our lifetime or maybe not. It doesn't really matter, but He is coming. One day we will all stand before God that is for sure.

Prayer: God give us the desire to live for you everyday to please you in every way. Let us be found watching and waiting when you return.

Above All Else

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. (Luke 12:31 NLT)

Have you noticed throughout scripture that God gives promises to His people? Have you noticed that when God gives a promise He does not mess around? God is not a liar like man, and He does not change His mind based on how he feels. The promise in the passage above is to seek the kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need.

Before God can give you everything you need, there is a part that you have to play.

Our part is to seek God with all of our hearts, soul, mind and strength. Our part is to have faith in God to love him and give Him Lordship in every way. Our part is to get to know God and earnestly desire to make Him known everywhere. The kingdom of God consists of laying our lives down for the sake of the gospel. The kingdom is love and power through the Holy Spirit. Grace and forgiveness through the blood of Jesus. Mercy and truth through the Father.

He will give us everything we need. He didn't say everything we want. A big difference. You have everything you need if you have sought the kingdom above all else. That is certain. Focus on what He has given you, not on what you lack. If you lack, then simply ask yourself...is there any area in my life where I am not seeking the kingdom of God above all else? He is kind and compassionate, gracious and longing to give to you. Don't delay, give your whole heart to Him. You will not be disappointed.

A Radiant Life

If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.” (Luke 11:36 NLT)

I have to say that I long for my life to be radiant. The more light that is in a room the more radiant that room becomes. The same is true for a person. Light can be equal to love in this case. For in reality this verse is not talking about natural light as in a light bulb, but a spiritual light as in love and truth.

Dark corners exist in all of us if we are honest. For the believer the goal is becoming more like Christ which in turn displaces darkness. For light and darkness cannot reside in the same source. The more I humble myself and repent and turn from my wicked ways the more light enters in. The more I love my family as Christ loved the church the more victorious I become. The more I love others and display kindness, generosity, patience, peace, and servant hood, the greater that light becomes. I want my whole life to be radiant.

Life is short. We have one chance to live to the fullest. I am choosing the narrow path that leads to life. The world is full of darkness and majority of people walk in darkness. The darkness is not an actual dark as in night, but it refers to sin and evil. We are all born in darkness or sin, and therefore need to be reborn spiritually in light (Christ love) to experience true freedom. I encourage you to be light and walk in light. Not a light that comes from yourself but a light that comes from God Himself. May you be that floodlight completely filled.

Good Gift Giver

So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” (Luke 11:13 NLT)

Do you know just how good the heavenly Father is? He is not like a flawed earthly father. He is perfect in His love and knowledge of who we are and what we need as His children. The first step is recognizing that we are His children. It is not just that we are His children, but He is our Good and perfect Father. All of heaven and the angels know just how good He is.

I am now a father and about to welcome my third into the world in a couple of months. I love my children severely. I love them wholeheartedly as best as I can. My love is limited though, and even my best intentions and efforts fail at times. Now that I am a father I see more clearly how important it is to give my kids good gifts. I am not just talking about presents on birthdays or Christmas. I am speaking about the gift of love. The gift of truth. The gift of character and honesty. The gifts of discipline and respect. The gifts that will equip and teach them to grow into Godly sons and daughters.

How much more then does the Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him? The greatest gift that He can give is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the presence of the Father residing in us, empowering us, filling us, comforting us, convicting us of sin, and reminding us that the Father is good! The Holy Spirit is truly amazing. Jesus Himself said that it was best that He leave this world so that the Comforter (Holy Spirit) could come and be with us and in us. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the trinity and He loves us so well. I love the passion He has to give me every good and perfect gift to help me navigate through the rough waters of life with all it's trials and tribulations. He does not leave us hanging but pursues us with His extravagant love and mercy. He gives gifts that release the very power that was in Christ Himself. Wow! He is the Good Gift Giver. Get to know him well. He loves to be sought after. If you ask, you will receive. If you seek, you will find, and if you knock the door will be opened to you. This is good, really good news.

Sons and daughter

My sons, my daughter
I love you more than life
You bring me great joy
How fearfully and wonderfully made
How precious and priceless
I lay my life down for you
To see you grow and come alive
A little love goes a long way
Your innocence is heavenly
Your humor simply breaks me
I love you now and forever
You are perfect gifts I do not deserve
This father is grateful and full
I am a wealthy man, truly wealthy
My heart overflows with you each day
You are loved.

Whom have I but you?

Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. (Psalm 73:25 NLT)

There is much to be desired under the sun. If you live in America or any other wealthy nation then you know what I am talking about. People are continually lusting after the newest gadget, the hottest car, the finest of apparel. People will steal and even kill to take what another man has. Many have lived all their lives chasing after riches and wealth, fame and beauty. Yet what has it amounted to when all is said and done? Has their heart been truly fulfilled? Don't get me wrong I am not saying it is wrong to have nice things. Even Solomon said all is vanity, and he had anything and everything his heart desired.

The question simply is this: what do we desire more than anything on earth? Most live for today, and only today. There is a life that most cannot fathom, far greater than any earthly utopia. King David said it well in the passage above: "I desire You more than anything on earth". God is greater than the grandest of all, more worthy than any material thing, more beautiful than what any man could imagine. There is a kingdom more powerful than America or China or any other earthly kingdom. The Kingdom of Heaven is one that will never perish or fade in any way.

My prayer is that many will awaken to the fact that no earthly thing really satisfies, and will see that only God satisfies every hunger and thirst. Dare to venture into the realm of the unseen, for that which we don't see holds greater value than what we do see. The bible says that one day every eye will be opened and will see the Son of man in all of His glory, namely Jesus Christ.

Love out Loud

Love yourself
Love others more
Love God greater
Greater than all else
Love is not an easy feeling
Feelings are fleeting
Love bleeds for others
Others bleed for love
One bled once and for all
True love is eternal
Eternal love is Forever
Love your neighbor well
For this is what counts in the end
Only love lasts
Fame, glamour, war, gold, riches
Are like flowers trampled on in the field
God is love
God does not lie
Love lives large

The Perfect Storm

Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?”
The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!” (Luke 8:25 NLT)

Interesting question to ask someone right after they had just been through a major storm on a small boat. 'Where is your faith'? I imagine any one of us would have been just as terrified as the disciples were that day they experienced the deadly storm. They feared they were going to drown as water filled the boat and their very lives flashed before their eyes. Did Jesus not care? Why is He asleep in a time like this? How could he be asleep anyways during a raging hurricane of sorts? Legitimate questions wouldn't you agree?

I would suggest that Jesus knew all along that they were going to experience that storm on the sea of Galilee that day. Maybe it was perfect training ground for these young disciples who would need to learn that they had authority and power to rebuke the storms they would face in the future.

What storms are you facing now? Do you feel like Jesus is asleep in the boat and He could care less what emotions you are feeling, namely fear? Let me suggest that just maybe He is waiting for you to rebuke the wind and waves that overcome you. If you carry the very fiber of God Himself in you, through the Holy Spirit then by all means HE HAS NOT LEFT YOU. It is the exact opposite. HE IS IN YOU but you must have faith and speak yourself to the raging winds. Was this not what he wanted them to understand? Jesus is in the boat and no matter what, we can have faith that through our voice and command the storms will subside and dissipate. Be strong and courageous then today for greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Your sins are forgiven

Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 7:48 NLT)

I tell you unless a person gets the revelation of how messed up they really are, they won't fully appreciate the power in the following four words. Your sins are forgiven.

We live in a desperate and broken world. It is hard to see hope for the state that many nations and people's are in. You see man is not inherently good, he really isn't. Sorry to break the news to you but it is true. How would you define good anyways? Man can one day do something 'good' to his fellow man and then the next day unspeakable evil flows forth from the same person. How can this be? Can evil and good reside in the same being? Yes and yes.

If you recall in the book of Genesis Chapter 1:27 it says that God created man in his image, both male and female. We were fully intended in the beginning to be without sin, to look like God. To represent His very image and being. To live full and free without evil and destruction knocking at our door.

Something changed, something terrible happened. Forever changed the course of human history. It was called 'The Fall'.

Adam and Eve chose to disobey God and as a result sin or evil entered into the heart of every man and woman through Adam and Eve. Since the days of the Garden the earth has been increasingly turned over to destruction. Yes we see good, the earth is still beautiful. There are beautiful things, places, and people. Yet unspeakable evil and horror exist. The cancer has spread. The disease has only grown worse as time goes on. God in His mercy and love did not forget about us or leave us to destruction. Something beautiful happened in the midst of darkness.

Jesus said to the woman, 'your sins are forgiven'.

Since that day until this one those four words demand attention and response from the heart of every man and woman. In these simple but costly four words lies the hope for all humanity. There is only one who has the authority to say these words. Only one who has the power to truly forgive a mans sins.

If you have found any other out there who offers a better solution eternally to the destruction that exists in the heart of man and this world, please let me know. As for now and forever I am convinced that Jesus is the only hope for a dying race called humanity. He offers forgiveness of sin, new life, hope beyond this earth. Consider Him who is more than qualified to care for you in every way.

You are loved just like the woman who poured out the costly perfume all over His feet. As Jesus said to her the one who loves much has been forgiven much. Jesus came for the sick at heart, the poor in spirit, the broken in body. He came that all might have life eternal. I can promise you one thing...

Every knee will bow before Him and every tongue will confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord. Think about that and how your response to Him matters. Be blessed.

A log in the eye

“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? (Luke 6:41 NLT)

Sadly in the heart of every man and woman lies a critical and judgmental spirit towards others. The way we look at our brother or sister sometimes will reveal what is really in our hearts.

Do we tend to see as a Shepherd sees his sheep? A true shepherd loves the sheep no matter what and is not concerned about wasting time on pointing the finger, malicious talk, or living in a critical attitude. Most assuredly the person who judges is the one who carries the 'log' in their eye. They are blinded by their pride, their ego, their self-centeredness and somehow thinking that they are better than. I am challenged with this on a daily basis. I want to love others as Christ loves me. Giving them the benefit of the doubt, realizing they are of great worth in the eyes of God. Until you walk in someone else's shoes we have no right to judge or tear them apart with our critical eye.

Be careful what you think of another, because you don't know what battles they are facing.

Whose fighting for you?

Do not be afraid of the nations there, for the LORD your God will fight for you.’ (Deuteronomy 3:22 NLT)

Are you staring at mountains that seem too large to overcome in your life? Have you lost hope that you will ever conquer the 'giants in the land'? There is good news today. Fear not! Yes that is right, do not be afraid or discouraged.

Why?

"But my future is uncertain. I lost my job and I can't pay bills or have enough to get by". Another says, "I have just been diagnosed with cancer and I have only been given two years to live". Still another says, "if God is so good why did He allow my family to be taken from me?"

If you are a child of God today then you have no reason to fear. Though we will walk through the valley of the shadow of death, fear not. For God will be with you. God himself will FIGHT for you. You need only to stand in a place of faith and trust. Is it not His word that says you will overcome by the blood of the lamb? Does it not say that we are more than conquerors? Does it not also say that He promises to work all things to the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes? Ah.

There is a catch...it's called surrendering your life to God. The bible says that all who are children of God will confess with their mouths and believe in their hearts that Jesus Christ is Lord. If you belong to Him then He will FIGHT for you. That is a promise. If you do not yet belong to Him I urge you to seriously consider giving your life and heart to the Only God who can forgive your sin and give you a clean heart and conscience. Time is short, life is serious. Eternity is even more serious. It is around the next corner. Don't wait.

We are promised trials and tribulations in this life, so don't blame God for your hardships. Thank Him for giving you the strength to walk through them. He promises that you will forever be with Him in total freedom and joy when this momentary life is over.

Press on then, face the giants head on. God Himself will
Fight for you!

I am not Alone

I walk this dusty path not knowing what lies ahead
I stretch out my hands and lower my knees to the earth
Am I the very dust that covers my feet?
Am I a vagabond in this lonely place?

Night falls on me at the blink of an eye
Silence has left me holding onto hope
Does anyone really care? Does anyone really notice my existence on this path?
Am I more than the emptiness I feel?
Am I greater than the flower of the field?

Alas a voice speaks that thunders the skies
I hear loud and clear as it hits my being like lightning
You are my son...Though you feel alone. You are my daughter though you have no home
You are more than the pain you feel.
You are more than the world has to offer
You are the reason My heart bleeds, you are the reason my heart beats.
I am your true Father, you will see soon one day
I am not alone. You are not alone.

Dedicated to all who feel alone and forgotten.

Got Prayer in your wilderness?

But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. (Luke 5:16 NLT)

Do you ever find yourself wandering in a wilderness of doubt or discouragement? Do you tell yourself that you shouldn't be having such thoughts as a person of faith, but yet they still remain? Do you feel like God is often silent and not interested in really getting you out of your wilderness? Let me suggest...maybe our perspective is off.

Have you tried turning your wilderness into a wilderness of prayer like Jesus himself did?

Much of life will feel like a wilderness or a place of testing. Turning the mundane into a mountain can only happen through prayer and willingly choosing to withdraw on a daily basis in our wilderness to PRAYER. Jesus was always being tested and tried during His life. If prayer is what we turn to then I believe we will overcome no matter how great the obstacle. If we turn to any other number of things then we will be left wandering in our own illusions. Prayer is the answer. I desire to chose to withdraw to connect with God. If I am honest I still have so much to learn about this. There is so much grace though in the process. Do not be overcome with discouragement but let faith rise up in you today.

Touch of His hand...

As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed every one. (Luke 4:40 NLT)

Imagine a gathering tonight in whatever village, town, or city you live in. Imagine bringing your loved ones who are sick with cancer, diabetes, mental disabilities, chronic illness, trauma injuries, etc. "there will be a free healing gathering tonight in Gladstone, and Jesus himself will be healing everybody that shows up", reads a local headline in the paper. Imagine the sun going down for the last time on someone's cancer. Imagine the impact this would have on a community, a city, a nation. No matter what the disease was...that means that the worst of the worst diseases and sick would be there. Who wouldn't want to be healed? Who wouldn't long for a touch from this man's hand? This is no ordinary man. Power was in His hands, the kind of power that is beyond anything this world has ever known. With all the best medical knowledge we have today it does not even come close to the kind of guaranteed results that Jesus gave. No insurance involved, no pill to take, no chemo treatments offered, just complete on the spot healing. One touch from His hand and Aids was gone. One touch from His hand and lung cancer disappeared. One touch from His hand and the crippled, mangled, severely disabled...were cured. This is why I love Jesus. He is like no other, He stands alone in power and greatness. Would you be convinced in that village that the Son of God stood before your very eyes?

Good News...

“The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, (Luke 4:18 NLT)

There is good news for you today. If you are downcast there is hope. If you are feeling lonely or rejected there is hope. If a sense of loss has overcome you, there is hope. If tears have been much of your food lately, there is hope. If you have been hurt by someone, and the pain seems too great, there is still hope. If you are blind or lame, there is hope. If you are sitting in a prison cell of affliction there is hope. If the waves of despair and darkness have come over you, fear not for there is hope. His name is Jesus, and He is the Anointed One, the only One who can forgive sins and set any and every prisoner free. Yes it is true. This is good news! The timeless message still remains true and pertains to your life today. If there is breath in your lungs, though you are considering ending it...there is HOPE! Do not give up. Death has no victory, and no sting. He paid the price that you might be set free. I must tell you the good news that you are loved! Yes, you who dwell in darkness, you who feel despair, you who are blind. You who have been defeated, you who have been taken advantage of. You are loved, and there is hope. Hope as certain as the sun rising in the morning. Hope of a future that is brighter than any light you have ever seen. Hope that one day you will again dance like a little child with absolute freedom. Hope that is beyond anything this world has ever known. This is good news.

Love life, love People.

Once again in a short 2 months we will welcome the third child into our home. As Spring approaches i am reminded that it is a season for new birth. The old is leaving and the new is coming.
Life is beautiful and all around me I feel like I have this responsibility to stand for life, promote life, enjoy life and live life. Maybe it's like everyday I feel I am being reborn. Like something new and fresh is happening. There is a sense that I am evolving into what I was created for, and yet some days I feel so far from it.
Love life, love people, it sounds so simple right? To love life to the fullest might mean loving people fully well. Feed the sheep...feed My sheep is what I hear echoing in my ear. Love God, love life and love people...and sheep will get fed.
Broken people are hard to love one says. I say hold up the pieces of broken people and help put them back together. Be bold in love, be tender hearted towards the broken.

These very stones...

Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. (Luke 3:8 NLT)

This verse right here is one of the keys I believe to overcoming the mundane. Everyday we have an opportunity to prove 'by the way we live' that we belong to God. And how do we know that we are children of God? Through repentance and turning to God. That simple but often misunderstood word, repentance. To daily repent of my sins is an absolute in overcoming and living the abundant life. Daily turning back to God when I have strayed however normal it may seem. For it is ordinary to stray from the Father, but it takes the extraordinary to repent and return to the Father. As we see in this verse it is not enough of a qualification to 'be a child of Abraham'. They assumed that their birthright was an automatic ticket to sonship. Somehow we forget that we desperately need to be regenerated and reconciled. The very reason for the cross after all. We are sinners that need our heart of stone replaced with a heart of flesh. We must not forget that because of the blood of Christ alone we are now true children of Abraham. There is no other thing that qualifies, justifies, sanctifies, or reconciles us but the blood of Jesus.

Mountains in the Mundane...

mundane [ˈmʌndeɪn mʌnˈdeɪn]

adj

1. everyday, ordinary, or banal

2. relating to the world or worldly matters

A title that seems fit for my journey lately.  I am slowly learning to overcome in the everyday, the monday syndrome, the day to day, and the ordinary.  Call it whatever you want but for me the secret to overcoming lies not in the momentary highs in life, but in the seemingly lesser pleasures of the daily 'grind'.  We are called to be in the world, but not of the world.  So, to be true to the definition then; relating to the world or worldly matters is important.  The reality is that much of life feels like the 'same old' because we wake up, get ready for work, go to work, come home, get ready for bed and then repeat the process.  Yet what happens from wake to sleep in these simple steps is often taken for granted.  Daily opportunity arise for good to be told, for love to be sown, for beauty to be birthed.  Sure its great to enjoy the occasional highs that come with a 'missions trip', or a great feeling one gets from any number of things.  Yet, I am not content to live for those moments, I want to somehow learn to scale and overcome the Mountains in the mundane.  Learning to live from our hearts fully in the every day is one of the greatest blessings that God could have ever given us.  Jesus himself said that He has come to give life, and life to the abundance!  Wow, what a beautiful reality.  Listening when I awake, drawing near to my Creator through the day, watching for opportunity, speaking truth and love to the downcast, smiling at the cashier in the store, random acts of kindness when no one is looking...these are the things that create mountain top experiences in the day to day.  This blog is really dedicated to this.  A lot will come out of this journey in my own life that will somehow hopefully encourage others in there day to day lives.  I am more convinced now at 35, married with kids, working a 9-5, and trying to love people wherever I go...that I can have true joy and abundant life in the mundane.  Turn your ordinary into an extraordinary opportunity!  Miracles will be seen, lives will be touched, dishes will get done, laundry will be folded.  Somehow they blend together.