Times of Refreshing

But he also turns deserts into pools of water, the dry land into springs of water. (Psalm 107:35 NLT)

This is good news for anyone who feels
Like they are in a desert. If you are in a sun scorched dry season where water seems sparse, then there is hope. I love this verse because it is totally the character and nature of God. He turns our deserts into pools of fresh, clean, abundant water! He turns our dry and difficult times into springs of water!

One thing is for sure...His springs and pools are never stagnant. They are always fresh, moving, and refreshing! If you are dry then come to the waters. If you are in a desert then come swim in the pools of hope and abundance. We were not created to be sustained for long periods of time without water, without hope. We were created to be refreshed over and over again.

Jesus come and refresh ones today that need hope. Would you bring them
Refreshing. Bring them the truth that you will turn their darkness into light. Sorrow into joy. Mourning into laughing. Sickness into health. Ashes into beauty. In Jesus name.

Hope Is Here

I've burned the bridge
No going back, to the black attack
Moving up, moving in
Let it begin, going for the win
The race is on, all else is gone
Dead to sin, alive in Christ
The new is here, the old is gone
Singing a new song
Speaking truth, no lies, in for a surprise
Surprised by love, by grace, your beautiful face.
Sun shining bright, a light in the night
Hope is here, hope will stay,
it's a new day.
So don't give in, don't give up
When I'm dry You fill my cup.
Take me higher, let me feel the fire
Burn away
At the break of day,
Everything that keeps me away
From Your mercy and Your grace.
No trace of yesterday, only today
You are here to stay.
I remain in You, You remain in me
This Glorious Mystery.

B.O.B.

Okay so anyone ever get bored?
Anyone ever struggle with the "what to do now" syndrome?
What do you do in your boredom?
How do you overcome it?
Why do we get bored?
Questions, questions...seems like I have more questions than answers.

Boredom, I believe is a result of being passive.
Passivity is a temptation for every man.
To take the path of least resistance is very familiar.
If we were to fight passivity with action then we would find that
there never really is an excuse to be bored.
We are creatures of habit, and once the habit of boredom is learned, it takes
action to defeat it.
We joke around about being bored, but it really just reveals that we are...
disconnected, passive, lethargic, and lazy.

Not that I like being busy, but there is always an opportunity to learn and grow.
Moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day.
To put my mind and heart to learn and bear fruit is what I desire.
Moments that are wasted with boredom often turn into memories that you regret later.
Often times boredom leads to temptation, which can lead to sin, and that leads to
developing patterns that are often destructive.

So...food for thought.  What are your thoughts?

B.O.B.
Boldly Overcome Boredom

Capturing Creativity

A picture can be worth a thousand words right? Well today I decided to post some of my photography shots. So I hope you enjoy and somehow can glorify God in all His creation.

I am constantly in awe by nature and the gift of creativity that our Maker so incredibly portrays. He is an amazing craftsman and so detailed in every way. Hope these photos capture just a glimpse of that.

Refuse or Receive

Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life. (John 5:40 NLT)

I find this verse to be troubling. How could anyone refuse the Son of God who gives life eternal? How could anyone deny Him who raised the dead and healed every form of disease and sickness? Was it not enough that they saw the great works and miracles that he did? Let me say that mostly the ones who thought they had arrived with their religiosity and laws were the ones who refused The Christ. The ones who thought they had attained salvation through their 'good deeds' and alms to the poor. The ones who played it safe and covered their hidden secrets from people rather than admitting their sinful and foolish ways. May I suggest that these ones were the most sick and in need of this Life that Jesus offered? Jesus once said that he did not come for the healthy ones but for those who were sick. I believe he was referring to anyone who recognized their desperate need for a Savior. Anyone who knew that they could not attain righteousness on their own. Often times the poor, the drunkard, and the prostitute we're the ones who knew they were messed up and welcomed Jesus because of the way He loved and received them. May it not be that we refuse Him who gives life.

Sadly I know that many even in churches refuse Jesus day to day. You see we refuse him when we slander one another. We refuse him when we choose to hurt another with our backbiting and pointing of the finger. We refuse Him when we ignore the poor and broken in our midst. We
Refuse Him when we allow our pride to control us.

Only when we confess our own desperate need to be cleansed and forgiven from our sins will we be considered righteous in His eyes. Righteousness comes through brokenness and humility. Righteousness comes through Christ alone.

How do you refuse Him? Let us ask for forgiveness for the ways that we refuse Him who gives life.

Fresh Bubbling Springs

But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” (John 4:14 NLT)

When is the last time you have walked into a QT and marveled at how many choices of beverages are there? How long did it take you to pick your favorite drink? I don't know about you but every time I go into a place like that I usually take a glance through every fridge and drink aisle pacing back and forth to find what prize of a drink I might walk out with. It's just pure fun, still to this day. I mean really with all the options who really wants plain old water? At least get the water with the berry flavors in it. Haha.

We are a culture that loves many options, choices, and flavors. We are not satisfied with plain old water, even though it is the healthiest option and what the body needs most right? Why is it in the heart of man to have everything but that which truly quenches thirst and nourishes the body?

Jesus offers water that becomes a fresh bubbling spring into eternal life within us! Wow, imagine that being on the label of a bottle of water, 'Fresh Bubbling Eternal Life Spring Water Never Thirst Again'. Do you think QT would have a hard time keeping that aisle stocked since so many would be buying and drinking it? Alright so you got to use a little imagination, but isn't that what Jesus was doing as well to the woman at the well. They didn't have 100's of choices of what to drink, simply well water.

Let me encourage you that in all of the choices out there of what to drink there is only One that will truly satisfy your thirst unto eternal life. Jesus offers bountiful, abundant, never fading, eternal life springs that are fresh and not polluted or diluted with no GMO's or High Fructose Corn syrup to tempt
you. If we would only chose this living water we truly would never thirst again! Drink deep today friends of His love. Be blessed.

A Warrior God

What is your image of God? Do you see Him as an old grey haired sage who walks with a cane and has a negative view on everything? Do you see Him as a lion that has been put in a cage where He no longer has a roar or fight in him? Do you see him as mostly safe and predictable?

For most of us we have formed views of God over the course of life that are inconsistent with who He really is based on scripture. God is far from predictable and safe. He is dangerous in every way, awesome and unfathomable. He is a fighter. Yes, you read it right, God is a warrior!

The Lord is a warrior, the Lord is His name. Exodus 15:3

The Lord will march out like a mighty man, like a warrior he will stir up his zeal; with a shout he will raise the battle cry and will triumph over His enemies. Isaiah 42:13

But the Lord is like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. Jeremiah 20:11

Our God is a warrior, mighty and terrible in battle, and he leads armies. It is this God that man is made in the image of. There are certain things in life worth fighting for, must be fought for. He intends for man to join Him in the battle, that is why we are made in His image. Sometimes the battle has to strike close to home in order to rouse the warrior in a man. Perhaps that is why God allows it to strike close to
Home. We are called to fight and fight with love and power. We are not called to be nice. That is not our primary calling in life. The church has printed that on the foreheads of men and caused them to think that being nice is equal to overcoming in life. This is far from the truth. Niceness did not drive Jesus to overturn the tables in the temple did it? We are called to fight for everything worth fighting for in this life. Our family, marriage, right and wrong, the hearts of those in captivity. May we be awakened to this reality that God is a warrior and He has called us to fight the battle with Him. Be strong and courageous.

But you, OLORD, will sit on your throne forever. Your fame will endure to every generation. (Psalm 102:12 NLT)

Reality of realities. The Lord God will forever rule and reign in righteousness and truth! His fame will be known by all generations. There is not one who will be uninformed. Many do not live for this reality now, but one way or another every eye will see and tongue confess that Jesus is Lord and enthroned forever as the king.

God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit, three in one. A beautiful mystery indeed in which one day we will fully know and see.

Love and Power = Holy Spirit

“And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.” (Luke 24:49 NLT)

I love the Holy Spirit! I am unashamed about that. I can't live without His presence and power in my life. He is the very Spirit of the eternal God, the beloved Savior. He convicts me of sin, guides me in truth, comforts in distress. There is none as close as the Holy Spirit. Yet many in the church do not know Him and even less operate in the fullness of the gifts and power that He gives.

We desperately need to be filled with power from heaven as in the days of those waiting in Jerusalem. We live in a day where I am convinced it is not enough to preach the gospel with words. We as believers need to be empowered from on high to lay hands on the sick and they be healed, to drive out the demons to set the captive free. We are called as His disciples to walk in power and love. We are His ambassadors and representatives of His very nature and glory. The Holy Spirit in many ways is largely misunderstood in the church of Jesus Christ today.

Jesus himself said that it was better that He go, so that the Spirit would come. It amazes me in my own life the lack of conviction I have at times for surrendering complete ownership to the Holy Spirit. I have experienced the times when through simple obedience He has moved with great power through me, yet it is not often enough. This bothers me because I know I cannot survive without daily knowing Him and allowing Him to control me completely. I will be the first to admit I have not arrived. I will also be the first to admit that my eyes have been opened and I can no longer go back to the ignorance I lived in the past. I have been touched, marked, deeply impacted by the ministry of the Holy Spirit. I am becoming more and more addicted to His love and power. There is no adrenaline rush like the rush of power that flows through weak vessels like ourselves. It is never about me, but it is about the Holy Spirit being free to move in and through me.

I encourage those reading this to stop and ask yourself how well you know the Holy Spirit. Are you daily communing with Him? Are you allowing Him to flow through your hands, your mouth, your heart, and your mind? Are you allowing Him
To convict you of sin and guide you in all righteousness? Allow him to comfort you? You can trust His leadership. He loves you violently and passionately. He will only overpower you as you give Him permission.

Father I pray that You would help us today to trust and obey that there is no other way but to follow You and allow the Holy Spirit full access in our lives. I confess and repent that I have not done this at times and help me to love you more and listen to Your voice. In Jesus name. Amen.

Humility

Considering others better than yourself.
Humility.
Laying down your life for another.
Humility.
Honoring the least of these.
Humility.
Calling out another's gifting.
Humility.
Embracing the path of lowliness.
Humility.
Walking the way of the Servant.
Humility.
Listening to the broken hearted.
Humility.
Considering another before yourself.
Humility.
Looking for ways to be second.
Humility.
Breaking pride with every word spoken.
Humility.
Helping the helpless.
Humility.
Loving the orphan and widow.
Humility.
Forsaking myself for the good of one.
Humility.
Looking for the forgotten ones.
Humility.
Pouring out your life for your family.
Humility.
Teaching those who can't repay you.
Humility.
Loving with a pure heart.
Humility.
Living the way of the Christ.
Humility.

A Criminals Faith

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” (Luke 23:42 NLT)

The criminal that was hanging on a cross next to Jesus recognized something that would change the course of his eternal destiny forever. Who was this criminal? Didn't he deserve death and punishment? Isn't that why he was hanging on the tree? Most likely he was guilty of murder and many more crimes. Maybe he lived his whole life as a criminal and was finally caught and justice about to be served.

In the agony and pain of being crucified on a cross this criminal silenced the foolishness of the other criminal on the other side of the Messiah. 'Don't you fear God even on your death bed?' he said. 'We deserve to die and be punished for our crimes, but this man has done nothing wrong'. At that moment we find in my opinion one of the greatest examples of mercy and forgiveness in all of scripture.

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” (Luke 23:42 NLT)

And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43 NLT)

This criminal in his final moments recognized through faith that the son of God was being killed for his very crimes and sins. Though He did not deserve it, would you remember me Jesus in Your kingdom? Wow. Stunning. Awesome. Powerful. Eternal.

Jesus did not even require him to confess all the wrongs he had done. He did not condemn him in any way. He did not even judge him in that moment. He simply said that TODAY you will be with me in paradise! Does anybody get the significance of this? Does it motivate or compel you to change your thinking toward Christ and His mercy? What about the way you judge others or condemn them with your thoughts or words? We are not like Him.

He is tender. He is loving. He is merciful beyond description. He is slow to anger. He does not condemn. He is just and powerful. He silences death and fear. He speaks life and truth. He loves violently like no other. This demands attention. He demands a response from every living soul.

He who has loved much has been forgiven much Christ said. Do you know who he was speaking of when he said that? You can only imagine.

Kiss the Son.

brokenness

Once again I am amazed with the fact that Jesus blood never fails me. Sometimes it seems like when I am my weakest, or darkest that the truth of His blood being enough amazes me yet again. Under the old law surely I would have been dead by now. My sin is ever before me and my nakedness leaves me no place to run but into His arms of mercy. Mercy is falling is falling is falling. Mercy it falls like the sweet spring rain.

I can boast in nothing of myself but fall completely upon Jesus. After all these years of knowing Him there are still moments were I feel this awkward silence and a place of withdrawal in my heart. I realize in all honesty that it is He that has pursued me more than I have pursued Him. There are times I don't want to pray or worship or love anybody. There are times I would rather just sit in the dust and be left alone. Praise be to God he does not leave me there. I am such a beginner and claim to be no expert in faith. I am humbled over and over that I am a child of God.

Believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is enough for you no matter what comes your way. Be honest with your darkness that light may break through. Joy comes in the morning!

Don't be afraid to be different!

Passover

Why should Christians be interested in a Jewish Holiday? 

First of all, only hours before going to the cross Jesus said in Luke 22:15, "With desire I have desired to eat the Passover with you before I suffer." In the Greek that statement is very emphatic. It literally says, "With GREAT desire I have desired to eat the Passover with you before I suffer."

The Passover Lamb had to be perfect, without a spot or a blemish, and Jesus was actually saying that, "With great desire, I desire to eat the Passover before I become the Passover." 

When Jesus observed the Passover in the upper room, it would be a reminder that that lamb which had suffered, had by its suffering and dying provided redemption, or freedom for the Jews in Egypt. That suffering lamb had secured redemption by its death, and as proof of the death of the lamb, its blood was collected and placed on the door posts of the homes of all those who were positive and believed the plan of God. All those who believed and did as they were told were saved. And as Jesus anticipated going to Calvary and dying for the sins of the entire world, the observance of the Passover and the realization that that suffering lamb had secured redemption and freedom, reminded Jesus of the redemption and freedom that He would purchase for all mankind as He was offered on the Roman cross. 

There is strong historical evidence that because of the large number of people returning to Jerusalem to observe the Passover, the Passover was actually observed on two separate days to accommodate all the people. One day for the out-of towners, and one day for the locals. The consensus is that our Lord observed the Passover the first day, and HE WAS THE PASSOVER on the second day. And even today, the first two days of the Passover week are the most significant to Jews.

The second reason why Christians should be interested in knowing and understanding the Passover is that the apostle Paul (a great Jew of the first century) wrote to the church at Corinth and said in I Corinthians 5:7, "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us." In other words, "The Messiah our Passover is sacrificed for us."

To truly understand the purpose of the death of Christ, we must understand the purpose of the death of the Passover Lamb in the Old Testament. 

Thirdly, it was out of the Jewish Passover that our Lord introduced the Lord's Table, also called the Eucharist or Communion. It is impossible to fully comprehend what God intends for us to comprehend relative to the Lord's Table unless we see it from out of the Jewish Passover from which it was instituted. 

Oh Glorious day it is when Christ shall return and all who love Him will be united with Him forever!  Celebrate the Lamb of God who was slain for the sins of the world! 

 

I Once Was Lost

For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” (Luke 19:10 NLT)

I was once was lost but now am found.
I was once blind but now I see.
I was once dead but now am alive.
I was once a child of the world but now I am a son of God.
I was once homeless in spirit but now I have an eternal home and a place of belonging.
I was once beaten down by insecurity and fear but now I am confident in the blood of Jesus and no longer afraid.
I was once a lost sinner, but now I am a sinner saved by grace.
I am not perfect but what i am is not who I was, for who I am now is a new creation in Christ. The old is gone and the new has come.

Trust In The Lord

I don't know about you but I often think about the times that we are living in and what lies ahead. Many in this nation are facing difficult times with the economy, with struggles to find jobs, with dependency on government systems and the very fiber of morality being questioned and challenged at every level. Truly wickedness and evil are increasing. We live in a time in America where murder and lawlessness are increasing at an alarming rate. Kids are killing parents, parents are killing their children. This is not Mayberry or the Andy Griffith Show anymore is it? It is serious. Somehow it is not enough just to be a good person who gets by being nice and courteous. Jesus himself said that the love of most will grow cold. Wow that is chilling. Lawlessness will increase exponentially and many will faint with fear.

OLORD of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you. (Psalm 84:12 NLT)

The only answer is to trust fully in the Lord of heavens armies who is over all and Lord of all. Anyone whose trust is not in the Lord will be put to shame. Our only source of joy will come from this reality of knowing God, knowing that He is good and no evil resides in Him. The enemy Satan is the small god of this world. He has been given rule and authority for a time. His time will come to an end and the Lord of heavens armies will conquer and defeat Satan and all his demons.

Our hope and trust must be in Him like never before do that we might overcome no matter what lies ahead in our future. Keep your hope fully
In the Lord today and trust Him to give you grace to stand strong no matter what you are facing.