Your Miracle is on it's way!

 In 2 Kings 6:24 - 7:18 Israel was under serious siege by Syrians and it caused a major famine in Samaria, the seat of government for the northern kingdom. The king heard of people eating their children to stay alive and it angered him to the point of blaming God, and Elisha, for their condition. It was as if he believed that God made this happen and Elisha was uninterested in doing anything about it.  So he went after Elisha at his home vowing to take off the prophet's head. 

God had other plans. 

The king confronted Elisha and this was his reply:

2 Kings 7:1
¹ Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the LORD. Thus says the LORD: Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.’ ”

 As it turns out there were 4 lepers starving outside the city. Assessing their situation they decided to throw themselves at the mercy of the enemy because they were going to die anyway. They approached the camp and found the following:

2 Kings 7:6-7
⁶ For the Lord had caused the army of the Syrians to hear the noise of chariots and the noise of horses—the noise of a great army; so they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians to attack us!” ⁷ Therefore they arose and fled at twilight, and left the camp intact—their tents, their horses, and their donkeys—and they fled for their lives.

 The lepers went into the tents, ate and drank and stashed what they could carry for themselves until they came to the conclusion that they should be telling everyone else about what happened. So they took it to the king.

 2 Kings 7:15-16
¹⁵ And they went after them to the Jordan; and indeed all the road was full of garments and weapons which the Syrians had thrown away in their haste. So the messengers returned and told the king. ¹⁶ Then the people went out and plundered the tents of the Syrians. So a seah of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD.

In less than 24 hours God turned certain death into victory and celebration. He used 4 lepers, outcasts!

What's your near-death situation? 

Is it a serious disease?  

Psalms 103:3-5
³ Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
⁴ Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
⁵ Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

A relationship?

Psalms 147:3
³ He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds.

Children who are headed straight for destruction?

Isaiah 54:13
¹³ All your children shall be taught by the LORD,
And great shall be the peace of your children.

Perhaps finances, a bill you have no hope to pay or legal trouble that threatens to take everything you have. 

 2 Corinthians 9:8
⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

 Psalms 103:6
⁶ The LORD executes righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed.

Here's the truth. God has a million ways to bless you that you could never even imagine.

Deuteronomy 4:29-31
²⁹ But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. ³⁰ When you are in distress, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, when you turn to the LORD your God and obey His voice ³¹ (for the LORD your God is a merciful God), He will not forsake you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them.

He will heal your heart if you seek Him. He will heal your body if you will seek Him. He will not forsake you for He is a merciful God. 

 Matthew 6:33
³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

It could be in less than 24 hours!

Your Miracle is on it's way!

Be Blessed!

Psalms 1:1-4 (KJV)

1 Blessed is the man

that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,

nor standeth in the way of sinners,

nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord;

and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,

that bringeth forth his fruit in his season;

his leaf also shall not wither;

and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The beginning of the Book of Psalms is a fitting start to God's direction in our lives.  It starts out "Blessed"!  I love that!  The Amplified Version says " "BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable)..." is the man! I want to be that man!  The great thing is that He doesn't leave us hanging, He tells us how to be that man, woman, or child.  Here it is.  

First, don't follow after the worldly way of doing things, living and working as if you are just another cog in the worldly wheel.  Stop! Turn around and endeavor to do things God's way.  That's the true meaning of the word repent.  Turn around. Go God's way instead of the world's way.  Leave the old life behind and live according to Godly counsel.

Second, don't act like a sinner.  Don't go where sinners go, don't do the things sinners do.  Remember, God is talking to His people here and the context is expectant of a spiritual connection with Him.  We are not sinners, we are redeemed, set apart, and have been made the righteousness of God in Christ (His anointing).  He is saying "Don't act like normal people, act like you're a child of the King!

Third, don't allow yourself to get negative.   Remember from whence you came.  We all have our opportunities to become judgmental of others and situations saying, "I would've done this" or "Why would they do that?" There are times when it is appropriate to evaluate situations and performance but we must be careful not to become haughty and literally hateful.  If I allow myself to become critical  and negative in spirit I am going to miss the Blessing and I won't even recognize it.  

That's just the first verse!

Here's how you get Blessed!  Put God's Word first, make it your delight.  We have far more control over our passions than we usually recognize.  Whatever you spend your time on is going to form the essence of your life.  Whatever you meditate on, and focus on, is going to become your passion.  If we spend our time meditating on God's Word and His ways  we will begin to think and act like Him because His Word is powerful enough to transform us into the person God designed us to be!  It really is as simple as making His Word the priority and focus of our lives. Matthew 6:33 in the Amplified version says: "But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also."

Romans 12:1 says that we are to make ourselves a living sacrifice to God, calling it our reasonable service.  We are to commit the whole of our bodies and faculties in service to God in order to prove, or fulfill, His perfect will in us.  As Ps 1:2 says, as we delight ourselves, focus, meditate and study, His Word, giving ourselves to it both day and night, we will be transformed, changed by the entire renewal of our minds.

Here's the blessing!  Verse 3 says we will be as a tree planted by the river.  Never in need of nourishment.  Healthy and flourishing in every area of our lives.  Bearing fruit, growing, and prospering in every way.  We will, as verse 1 says be BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable).  

That's God's promise!

Finishing Strong

This morning at church, our Pastor, Dave Minton, gave a very effective message on finishing the year strong so we can start the New Year well. Our theme for the next year is "A Year of Spiritual Growth: A Year in the Word. 

 

It's easy to think of finishing strong as an element of our lives overall sometimes we take things in too big of chunks and then get bogged down and discouraged.  As I see it, God has given us each day as a seed that can be sown toward the calling He has set before us. As we seek Him, He brings wisdom, direction and fruit in our lives.

 

Every year we hear of significant leaders who have passed away and it seems the world is a little poorer for their passing. Pres. Jimmy Carter just went home to be with the Lord at 100 years of age. There will be many memories and many opinions expressed but now, because he knew the Lord Jesus he is engulfed in the loving arms of God and welcomed by his beloved Rosalynn. 

 

The great leaders of our faith have also left a great void in the Body of Christ. Billy Graham, Oral Roberts, Kenneth E. Hagin, T. L. Osborn, and more each had a significant impact on millions over a lifetime of service to God.  I felt a particular pain of loss with the home-going of Jerry Savelle earlier this year. It's easy to compare our own seemingly insignificant life to those generals of the faith but we need to realize that the calling on each of us is just as significant to God as any of the others. 

 

We all have times when we feel insignificant and even useless, but the truth is that we all have a circle of influence. We all know people who are affected by our lives even if we don't realize it. It's not always building a university, or starting a worldwide ministry.  It's mostly giving an encouraging word, praying with someone in need, lending a hand when it's needed, or giving a blanket to someone who is cold.  In Matt. 25:31-46 Jesus tells us that when we help each other it is the same as helping Him.  When we act in kindness to others, we are honoring God and fulfilling our purpose. 

Eph. 1:4-5 says: 

...just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will...

We were each chosen before the foundation of the world to serve and love God.  Jesus paid the price to redeem us from a destiny that dictated failure and separation from God.  We are all chosen to do a specific work in a specific time.  

Eph 4:16 

 ...from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Each of us has a mission to accomplish in this life, a piece of the puzzle to add. Without us the Body of Christ, and the world, suffers.  God needs us. Regardless of your background or how you came to be in this life, even if you've "messed up" your entire life, God needs you.  

 

I am the fifth of five children in my family.  When my Mother became pregnant with me it had been 7 years since her youngest was born. I was not planned.  However, I was not a mistake.  My parents may not have planned me but I am sure that God did.  My Mom always made sure I knew that she viewed me as a blessing.  I was there as a stabilizing factor in her life during some very difficult times.  She said that she had responsibility and couldn’t just fall apart when things got rough.  God knew what she needed at that time, I also know that I have had some influence on those around me.  I believe God put me on this earth for a purpose.  That purpose is not yet fulfilled so I continue to seek God for His direction and wisdom. I believe my best days are ahead of me. After all, I just published my first book!

We each can live in hope. Rom. 11:29  says that “the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable”  He has instilled in each of us on this earth giftings, abilities, talents, and a specific call to service that He will not take away.  If we will submit ourselves to Him, and His purpose for our life, He will renew those giftings and calling.

It’s important for us to each realize that living from day to day is not guaranteed.  The only thing we can control is right now. If I plant the seed of submission to whatever God asks me to do today, however small it may be, I will see the fruit of that seed in further direction, the blessing of God on my life, and lives changed around me.   

 

I will finish strong. 

Be Encouraged in the Lord

 

1 Samuel 30:6 (AMP)

6 David was greatly distressed, for the men spoke of stoning him because the souls of them all were bitterly grieved, each man for his sons and daughters. But David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord his God.

 David had just encountered Saul in a cave with an opportunity to kill him and end the threat against him, but he refused to harm him because David was an honorable man, and Saul was King (chapt. 26). He decided he would ally with the Philistines in order to protect himself from Saul, which was successful. David fought alongside the Philistines for over a year but when they decided to attack Israel they didn’t trust him, so they sent him home to Ziklag, which was the city they had given him.

While they were gone the city was attacked by the Amalakites and burned to the ground. They arrived to find that everything they had was gone, including their families. (chapter 30:1-5)

His troop of 600 men and were turning against him, considering stoning him, and David was in great distress.

He encouraged himself in the Lord and the Lord sent him after the Amalekites giving him victory and restoration of all their goods and families, with only 400 of his 600 men.

God gave him a great victory in a circumstance that seemed insurmountable. So, how did he encourage himself and how do we do it when we are facing dire situations?

Jesus faced the crucifixion and was well aware of what was ahead. He knew he had to go through with it, and was committed to it, but as a man He was afraid and felt alone in His struggle. He sought His Father in the Garden of Gethsemane and found the strength to finish His assignment.

We also can feel alone and afraid at times that are bigger than we are. Perhaps God has given us an assignment that seems undo-able. Maybe an illness, cancer or an addiction we can’t seem to break. Relationships that are broken and seem irreparable, or the loss of someone dear to us leave us brokenhearted and lonely with no apparent end in sight. Maybe our finances are overwhelming and we are facing extreme pressure, losing everything we’ve worked for or facing homelessness. All these can leave us feeling hopeless.

David turned his eyes to the Lord in his weakness. This is what he said in Psalms 18:2-4 NLT.

The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
and my place of safety.
³ I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
and he saved me from my enemies..

David encouraged himself. He sought the Lord in his circumstance, turning his eyes on God to find strength. He said “I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies…”.

I start with this. The Lord God is worthy to be praised regardless of anything else. He is the Holy one, the Creator of everything and we should always praise this God, who is love. This is what Psalm 100:4-5 says.

⁴ Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
⁵ For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.

Connecting with God through thanksgiving and praise is what encourages our soul and gives us strength to face our circumstances, with faith, in the God who is good, merciful and loving toward us. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33-34 NIV.

³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

God has promised to be there for us in ALL our needs. When we seek Him first He is able to give us a great victory in insurmountable circumstances.

Be encouraged in the Lord!

Voting is our Sacred Duty

In Matthew 25 we find the parable of the talents. Jesus tells us of a man who goes on a long journey and entrusts his property to his servants. To one he gives five talents, to another two and to the third just one. The story recounts how he returns and finds that the one had doubled his money to ten talents, the second returned four but the third reasoned that he should do nothing and returns only the one. The servants with the five and two talents were blessed and increased while the lazy, fearful one lost his blessing, his home and way of life.

This parable is about stewardship. God gives us talents, gifts, to steward while He is gone. It is up to us what we do with them. At this time we have to evaluate within ourselves what God has given us and how much we appreciate it. This nation is a tremendous gift from God to the world. No other nation has done more for the Gospel than the United States of America. This nation, founded on Biblical principles, has touched the lives of arguably every person on this planet. It is the gift of five talents to us. 

Christians over the years have taken a lofty, religious attitude about politics in the mistaken belief that “God is in control and it’s going to come out however He wants it.”  However, that attitude is based in a spirit of laziness and pride. We convince ourselves that we are above politics and don’t need to vote and/or become otherwise involved because we are doing more important things. God requires us to work to provide for our families and likewise to work to bring about His will in this earth. Ultimately this entire world will change when the Master returns but until then we are called to be good stewards of what we’ve been given. 

We have allowed a deterioration of morality, direction and many of our rights and livelihoods because the nation has gone astray. More importantly the effectiveness of the ministry of the Gospel has been impeded through restrictions on public prayer and expression, teaching of the Bible and tightening of regulations on churches and other ministries.

It is time to correct our course and return to the founding principles of our gift and that can only be done if we take it out of the ground and get involved with it to increase its value. If we who call ourselves Christians would only inform ourselves and vote in every election there would be a great turnaround in this nation and a tremendous revival would ensue. 

If we think that we are only required to pray for our country and God will take care the rest, this is what the Master says:

2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV

¹⁴ if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

He is calling us to account for the gifts He has given us as the master did with his servants. God is calling us to pray, seek Him for what is the right course, and turn from our wicked laziness and pride. Then, and only then will He hear our prayer, forgive and heal our land returning it to what He created it to be. A light to the world.

Matthew 5:13-16 NKJV

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

The world will see our good works. Not just our prayers, but our works. 

James 2:17-18 NKLV

¹⁷ Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

In the end our Master will return and require us to account for what we have done with the talents. I believe we are about to lose our home and way of life like that wicked servant if we don’t do something about it.

Don’t miss your opportunity to be the righteous servant. Dig up your gift and invest yourself in it. Be the light of the world by making your convictions known not only through religious activities but through supporting this nation, this gift of God to the world. Put away pride and laziness and show your faith through informing yourself and voting your values. By this God will bring increase and blessing to your house. 

A strait betwixt two....

Navigating through life always brings twists, turns, ups and downs.  Some days are better than others but all in all, we hope to have more ups than downs.  The apostle Paul was no stranger to challenge and change.  He actually had it rougher than most of us, but sometimes when we're in the throws of whatever today's challenge is, it doesn't feel like it.

Paul had a keen sense of purpose.  More so than most of us.  The price he paid for that purpose was also far higher than most of us pay.  He gave up position, family, home, freedom, everything to fulfill what he considered the call of God on his life.  Now, God made that call pretty obvious to him on the road to Damascus, but even before that he was a driven individual.  He gave his all to his purpose.  He went after the Christians with a vengeance, not withholding anything.

Considering all that Paul endured, it is not unimaginable that he would consider this life to be less than ideal, and that he might be happier in heaven.  In Phil. 1:21-25 he states his feelings pretty openly.  "I don't really want to stay here, it's better for me to go home with God, but for you it's better if I stay."  Just as Jesus accepted His place on the cross for the joy of the harvest, Paul accepted his position, suffering for Christ, as the price necessary for the harvest.

How often we face crisis or difficult circumstances and fail to see the coming harvest.  Life's potholes are unavoidable whether you're serving God or not, but if you are in the center of God's will, as Paul was, the joy of the harvest gives you purpose, and peace.  As parents we endure great sacrifice and difficulty without always seeing the fruit, but we try to accept that the effort is worth it, and it will pay off in children who become productive, significant adults.  Whether as parents, children, siblings, friends, or associates of those around us, we are influencers.  Remember that your position in someone else's life is important.  If you share the love and truth of God to those around you it makes more difference than you can ever imagine.  A kind word, or a small prayer can make a giant difference in someone's life.  Encouragement is unbelievably powerful so remember that even if you don't see the harvest, or you're not sure you ever stepped into your true purpose, you are making a difference in those around you that will have lasting impact.

Paul was confident that he was significant to those around him.  Confident enough that the sacrifice of staying with them was more important to him than his own comfort and happiness.  I also find myself in a strait betwixt two.  Making a choice.  To live is Christ, to die is gain, yet having this confidence that I will stay here and continue with you all for your furtherance of joy and faith. (vs. 25) 

Join me in this journey won't you.  Let's navigate life with our eyes on the harvest, making our decision to live in joy and victory to bring others the truth.  I am confident of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.  (Phil. 1:6)