Get to Know God

'Let him...boast...that he understands and knows Me.' Jeremiah 9:24 NIV

It's cold today! So here's pic of better times last year at Cannon Beach. It was such a beautiful day. Do you desire to know God more?

 

God says: ‘Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows Me.’ (Jeremiah 9:23–24 NIV)

 

The truth is, if you don’t know God it doesn’t matter how much money you have in your bank account, or what diplomas hang on your wall, or what position you hold in the company. Until you have a relationship with God, you haven’t really begun to live! And part of getting to know Him is learning the truth about yourself. After witnessing the miracle–working power of Christ, Peter acknowledged, ‘I am a sinful man!’ (Luke 5:8 NIV) When the prophet Isaiah saw the Lord sitting upon His throne, he cried, ‘Woe is me!’ (Isaiah 6:5 NKJV) But God doesn’t tell you the truth about yourself and then leave you that way. No, like a good doctor, He tells you you’re sick so that you can get the proper treatment. And the proper treatment for sin is salvation through the blood of Jesus. You will never know God until you are related to Him through Jesus Christ. So if you’ve never accepted Him as your Saviour, start this New Year by praying: ‘Lord, I repent and turn from my sin. I place my life in Your hands, trusting You as my Lord and Saviour. By faith I receive the gift of eternal life. Starting today, I ask You to lead and guide me and fulfil Your will through me. In Jesus’ name I pray: Amen.’

 

Happy New Year!

You are Loved!

God Has Something Better

'The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.' Psalm 84:11 NLT

Good Morning,

Having my cup of Joe doing my reading and God reminded me today that He always has something better in store for those who do right. When God knows something is good for you He says ‘Yes’, and when it’s not, He says ‘No’. Why would God say ‘no’ to you? Maybe the timing is wrong, or He has something better in mind. Gratitude comes when you realize what could have happened, but didn’t because God intervened. Stop trying to break loose from the loving grip of the One who holds you for your own protection. The Bible says: ‘Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you… Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act.’ (Psalm 37:4–7 NLT)

 

Looking back on her life, Billy Graham’s wife, Ruth, said, ‘If the Lord had said “Yes” to all my prayer requests I’d have married the wrong man—several times.’ What you’re so upset about now, you may be thanking God for later. The more spiritually mature you become, the more you begin to see how wise your heavenly Father is, and the more you learn to trust Him. The Psalmist wrote, ‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.’ (Psalm 23:1 KJV)

 

What a picture: God leading you, God feeding you, God protecting you, God watching over you. Like a lifeguard at a beach, in order to save you, God will sometimes interrupt your life, risk embarrassing you in front of your friends, and maybe even bruise a rib or two. That’s because He loves you too much to let you drown in the thing you thought was so good for you. The main thing is: God has something better for you!

 

You are Loved!

Romans 8

Good morning,

Just sitting here this morning with my cup of coffee reading Romans chapter eight thanking God for his love and protection. It is a great word for me to remind me how God has my best interests at heart. We sometimes forget that in the midst of trials. Look at what Paul says,
³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ³³ Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”^[a]

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

I love the parts 'if God is for us and Nothing can separate us! Never forget that. Your God is on your side working on your behalf. This new year will have many challenges an UPS and downs. But never give up, he loves you. Keep reminding your self if God is for me who can be against me. It will change your heart and your attitude.

 

Keep me in prayer today as I go in for a routine colonoscopy. Not fun but necessary. Thanks for being a part of our amazing team.

You are loved!

Seeking God (1)

'Wise men...came...saying, "Where is He...?"' Matthew 2:1-2 NKJV

Notice two things about the wise men with me this morning:

 

(1) Who they were. Astrologers. Jews considered astrology to be a counterfeit to true prophecy. Be careful; there are people whose lifestyles you may disapprove of, who are honestly seeking God. So be gracious in your dealings with them. The Greek philosophers on Mars Hill had a pantheon of gods. Was Paul shocked or put off? No. He commended them for being willing to search for God, adding, ‘He is not far from each one of us.’ (Acts 17:27 NKJV) Don’t jump to conclusions and write people off. In God’s eyes every weed is a potential rose and every loser is a potential winner. And you should be glad about that!

 

(2) How far they travelled. They left their families and the comforts of home to travel thousands of miles in order to find God. Their round–trip journey took two years, taking them through a Jewish village where they didn’t fit in. Meanwhile, leaders who had access to the prophecies of Christ’s birth wouldn’t expend the time and effort to check them out. We often quote Jeremiah 29:11, ‘“The plans I have for you,” says the Lord… “are plans for good…to give you a future and a hope.”’ But don’t stop there, read on: ‘When you pray, I will listen. If you look for Me wholeheartedly, you will find Me.’ (Jeremiah 29:12–13 NLT) Poet Julie Carro wrote, ‘Now wise men still seek His face as they did in days of old; to give the Lord their hearts, more precious than silver and gold.’ How far are you prepared to go in your search for God?

 

You are Loved!

Stop Fighting!

'We do not wage war as the world does.' 2 Corinthians 10:3 NIV

During World War II, Allied bombers carried machine guns in the nose, under the belly, on top, and in the rear. B–17s, better known as ‘flying fortresses’; and carried thirteen .50 calibre machine guns. At one point scientists suggested the planes might actually be safer without them. Without the extra weight needed to operate the guns, they could fly faster and higher, increasing their odds of survival. The pilots, however, thought differently. They wouldn’t even consider embarking on a mission without guns to shoot back and defend themselves.

 

Think about it for a moment: ‘We make the same choice when it comes to fighting our own battles.’ God says we don’t need the guns… we can soar higher and faster with Him. I have a poster on my office wall that says, ‘For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.’ The weapons He gives ‘have divine power to demolish strongholds’; we don’t need the ‘weapons of the world.’ (2 Corinthians 10:3–4 NIV)

 

But if I've learned anything in 30 years of pastoring, we say ‘No thanks’; we have to shoot back and defend ourselves with arsenals of angry words, demanding attitudes, manipulative manoeuvres, excessive excuses, and bombs of blame.

 

It takes courage to stop using weapons of the flesh, ‘take up the shield of faith’, and arm ourselves with the weapons of God (Ephesians 6:16 NIV). It’s the kind of faith David showed when he [told] Goliath, ‘You come against me with sword and spear…but I come against you in the name of the Lord.’ (1 Samuel 17:45 NIV) Stop fighting in your own strength and let God’s spiritual arsenal defend you; ‘He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.’ (Proverbs 30:5 NIV)

 

You are Loved!

Mind Management (2)

Mind Management (2)

'Fight to capture every thought until it acknowledges the authority of Christ.' 2 Corinthians 10:5 PHPS

Be careful what you allow into your mind, because your thoughts run your life. This is something I've learned to live my life by since I was a young man. Everyday, thoughts come at us from all directions: at home, at work, through the media, in our relationships and in our private world. How can you manage your mind successfully?’ The answer’s surprisingly simple. You can be transformed by making this one decision: you must submit your thoughts to the authority of Jesus!

 

It’s easy to overlook the significance of Christ’s claim: ‘All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to Me.’ (Matthew 28:18 NIV) Jesus controls everything in Heaven and on earth. That means He has the final say on everything—including your thoughts. He has more authority, for example, than your parents. Your parents may have told you you’re worthless, but Jesus says you’re valuable, and He has authority over your parents. He even has more authority over you than you do. You may tell yourself you’re too bad to be forgiven, but Jesus has a different opinion. And when you repent and submit to His authority over your life, those old condemning thoughts are no longer allowed. Jesus also has authority over your ideas.

 

Suppose, for example, you get an idea about lying or cheating. Jesus has already made it clear that those things are wrong, and if you’ve submitted to His authority over your mind then the idea of lying or cheating can’t linger in your mind. To manage your mind successfully, all you have to do is submit your thoughts to the authority of Christ. Will it happen overnight? No, but with practice and commitment you’ll get better at it.

 

You are Loved!

Mind Management

'Above all else, guard your heart.' Proverbs 4:23 NIV

We hear a lot these days about time management, financial management and weight management—but what about mind management? Shouldn’t we be more concerned about managing our minds than managing anything else? Jesus guarded the gateway of His heart by refusing to concede in three areas:

 

(1) The agenda of people who wanted to use Him for their own purposes. ‘Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make Him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by Himself.’ (John 6:15 NIV) Most of us would delight in the idea of becoming ‘king’. Even if we refused the crown, we’d enjoy considering the invitation! Not Jesus.

 

(2) The naïveté of those who wanted to spare Him.When Jesus announced His death on the cross to the disciples, Peter objected. And when he failed to see the necessity of the cross, Jesus issued one of His harshest rebukes: ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.’ (Matthew 16:23 NIV)

 

(3) The scorn of those who didn’t know Him or believe in Him.Before raising a girl from the dead, Jesus said to the people in the house, ‘She is only sleeping.’ (Luke 8:52 GNT) And what was their response? They laughed at Him. Like all of us, Jesus had to face scorn. But unlike most of us, He refused to accept it. Note His response: ‘He put them all outside.’ (Mark 5:40 RSV) Doubt, criticism and scorn weren’t allowed in the girl’s house—or in the mind of Christ. How about your mind?

 

You are Loved!

Finishing Strong the Race

'...I have finished my course...' 2 Timothy 4:7 KJV

The course God sets before us is seldom easy. Running it takes commitment. I've lived long enough to know men and women whose lives were sold out to God a few years ago, but who've since walked off the track...gone AWOL...lost their longing for God. It's a huge fear of mine and for others that many may follow in their footsteps...and it should you, too...

The faithfulness of my walk with God depends on my willingness to stay in a relationship with Him. I never want to lose the grip His greatness has on my life and the privilege it is to...serve Him till the day I'm welcomed into His presence. That passion compels me. It keeps me honest and humble... the last thing I want to do is crawl across the finish line a defeated, derailed Christian, or worse-give up the race before my life's over. I want to break that tape with arms high, my face to the sun. Can you see all of me crossing the finish line...lol

Paul said, '...I have finished my course... Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown...' (2 Timothy 4:7-8 KJV) Notice, courage plus endurance plus faithfulness equals reward.

Think about this: When nothing seems to help, go look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps 100 times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the 101st blow it will split in two, and I know it wasn't the last blow that did it, but all the blows that have gone before. God's Word is '...a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces...' (Jeremiah 23:29 NKJV) So, '[hold] fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ [you'll] have reason to glory because [you] did not run in vain...' (Philippians 2:16 NAS)

You Are Loved!

Hooked Together!

'All of you together are the temple.' 1 Corinthians 3:16 NLT

I read a story of a little boy who was playing outside when a neighbor asked him where his brother was. ‘In the house,’ he replied. ‘We were playing a duet on the piano—but I finished first!’

 

That's funny but it isn't what God intended when He called us to work together! It’s not a competition. In Bible days Roman soldier's shields were designed so they could literally be hooked together. Each man fought for his entire line. Paul lists the people he was hooked to; he called them his ‘fellow workers.’ (Romans 16:3 NKJV) Speaking to the church, he wrote, ‘All of you together are the temple of God…Everything belongs to you, and you belong to Christ.’ (1 Corinthians 3:16–23 NLT)

 

Notice a couple things that will make you think:

(1) Only together do we have everything we need.

(2) It’s about whom we belong to, not what belongs to us.

 

Experts say we need to hear something at least seven times before it registers. And this is particularly true when it comes to acknowledging our character defects or flaws in our plans. Dr John Maxwell writes: ‘After a period of frustration, I humbled myself and asked for advice. They told me things I didn’t want to hear. But I needed to learn to listen. And I learned to pay attention to things that struck a sensitive chord within me; it was often a signal that it was something I needed to improve. The things that upset me most, or that I resisted most, were usually what I needed to work on most. And if I gave myself time to reflect on what I was told and seek improvement, I usually improved dramatically.’ Don’t be defensive; learn from the people you’re hooked to!

 

You are Loved!

Trade-Offs

'I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.' Philippians 3:8 NIV

No matter how hard you try, you can’t ‘have it all’. I know there are many voices saying you can...But Life’s too short!

There are trade–offs you must be willing to make.

 

In Matthew chapter 19 we read the story of the man who wanted to follow Christ, but he didn’t want to give up his lifestyle. Paul, on the other hand, said, ‘I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.’

 

Let’s look at some trade–offs in life that are worth making:

(1) Approval for accomplishment. For people–pleasers and approval–junkies this means realizing that accolades are like smoke; they evaporate quickly. Awards turn to rust. Financial gain is quickly spent or lost. You must come to the place where ‘doing good’ means more to you than ‘looking good’.

 

(2) Security for significance. Greatness doesn’t lie in what you earn or own; it lies in what you give your life to accomplish. Instead of merely focusing on making a living, ask God to help you make a difference!

 

(3) Exploration for expertise. Too many of us like to dabble, but the problem with dabbling is that you never really become great at anything. True, when you’re young you should try new things and see where your strengths and interests lie. But as you get older you must become more focused. You will go far in life if you ‘specialize’ in something. If you study the lives of great men and women, you’ll find that they were single–minded and tenacious. So once you have found what God created and called you to do, stick with it and let the rest go.

 

You are Loved!

What Do You Treasure Most?

'Where your treasure is...there your heart will be also.' Matthew 6:21 NIV

 Let me ask you a question? If your house was burning down and you could only save one thing, what would it be? It’s a decision people make every day, and it’s never easy. There’ll always be things we grieve about giving up because of their intrinsic value in our lives. If you want to know what yours are, look at how you spend your time and money. It’s a dead giveaway. Jesus said, ‘Where your treasure is…there your heart will be also.’ Your ‘treasure’ can be relationships you’d do anything to keep, a career that’s central to your identity, or your investments for the future. These things are ok. Indeed, the Bible says that wise people look ahead and plan (Proverbs 21:20). But it’s where you’re investing for eternity that really matters. ‘The rich young ruler asked Jesus: “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?”…Jesus said…“Sell all…you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.’ (Luke 18:18–23 NKJV) In essence, Jesus was asking this man who was rich and successful, ‘Would you give it all up to follow Me? Would you forfeit it for a few years in order to have much more for eternity? Instead of building a career, would you spend your life building My kingdom?’ Jesus wants to be ‘front and center’ in your life. And when you put Him there, He promises, ‘All your other needs will be met as well.’ (Matthew 6:33 NCV) Are you willing to put Him to the test?

You are Loved!

Go in His Strength

'Go in the strength you have...Am I not sending you?' Judges 6:14 NIV

It's one of those days...give me coffee, I need coffee...lol I really don't need the coffee as much as I need Jesus. It's really His strength you and I need. It’s said, ‘There’s nothing stranger than people, but there’s nothing more important!’ Jesus understood that principle. He spent His life as ‘one who serves.’ (Luke 22:27 NIV)

 

He ministered to society’s outcasts. He sought out the one sheep that was lost while the other ninety–nine waited (Luke 15:4–6). Even on the cross Jesus wasn’t just thinking about the impact of His earthly ministry, or tying up loose ends. He was busy forgiving the thief on an adjacent cross, asking His Father to forgive the men who crucified Him, and making sure His mother was taken care of after He went back to Heaven.

 

So, was Jesus’ schedule less pressing than ours? Or did He know something we don’t? For example, instead of filling our diaries, we should be more concerned with building relationships and pouring ourselves into the lives of those around us? Think what could happen if, like Jesus, we made a conscious decision to invest our time and talent into the lives of twelve people. The possibilities are mind–boggling! Perhaps you feel intimidated by the concept of making a difference in the world. Don’t let your vision of what’s possible be limited by what you perceive as your own strengths and weaknesses. ‘With God’s power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine.’ (Ephesians 3:20 NCV) Only one opinion matters—God’s. And He told Gideon, ‘Go in the strength you have and save Israel…Am I not sending you?’ The strength of the Sender, not the weaknesses of the one being sent, is what changes the odds and wins the day.

 

You are Loved!

Second-Guessing God

'Nor are your ways My ways.' Isaiah 55:8 NKJV

Are you doing what you believe to be God’s will, yet things aren’t working out like you expected? God has a different perspective—a better one. It’s ok to question Him, but not to doubt and second–guess Him. In His Word He says, ‘My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways.’ When God told Moses he was going to deliver the Israelites from Egypt, Moses was all for it. But things didn’t go the way he anticipated because Pharaoh made their lives harder for a while. So instead of becoming a hero, Moses lived through a season of being criticised and misunderstood. Later, when some other things didn’t turn out as Moses expected, he got discouraged and complained along these lines: ‘Lord, I did what You told me to do. How come I’m not getting the results I prayed for?’ (Exodus 5:22) Moses didn’t understand the results of his obedience, because God didn’t tell him exactly how things would turn out.

 

Usually our frustrations have little to do with what God does or doesn’t do, and everything to do with our mistaken ideas about what we think He should do. When you assume, or try to analyse God, you always end up frustrated. Jesus told His disciples, ‘You don’t really know what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ (John 13:7 CEV) It’s only in looking back that you see how the Lord has led you. He is the best at what He does and His track record proves it. So trust God and stop trying to second–guess Him.

 

You are Loved!

Choose the Right Friends (2)

'Two people are better off than one.' Ecclesiastes 4:9 NLT

One of the things we are doing as a church is encouraging each other to go beyond our comfort zones in taking the initiative. The phrase 'How can I make your day better' gives you the opportunity to speak to someone you may never have had the opportunity to speak to. Don’t wait to be introduced. Say ‘hello’ and get the other person’s name. If you’re naturally shy, it can be hard taking the first step. But the chances are that the other person feels the same, and when you start talking you’ll find things in common.

Take a risk. If you like somebody, go a little deeper and mention a small struggle, fear or disappointment you’ve experienced. It’s called ‘manageable risk’ and it lets you gauge how the other person responds. If they’re caring and identify with what you’re saying, that’s a good sign. If they shut down, try to fix you or respond critically, it may be time to move on. But if everything else works out, exchange phone numbers and invite the other person for coffee or lunch or to church.

Then go for a second meeting and give it a little time; that way you’ll know if it’s a friendship worth developing. Find out where people go to spend time. There are lots of places to get to know new people—like church, the gym, school, a play group or volunteer service. Be willing to leave your comfort zone and try new situations. Remember that God uses all kinds of friendships to fulfil His purpose. Jesus chose Judas as a friend and that relationship accomplished the purposes of God. Even the least affirming of your friends, the people who hurt and betray you, play their part in bringing God’s ultimate blessing into your life. Ask God for a friend, then go out and make one!

You are Loved!

Choose the Right Friends (1)

'Friends sharpen the minds of each other.' Proverbs 27:17 CEV

Think about this...‘You’re the same today as you’ll be in five years…except for the people with whom you associate and the books you read.’ When it comes to choosing friends, find those who will lift instead of deflate you.

 

Look for:

(1) People who influence you to be the person God intended. ‘As iron sharpens iron, friends sharpen the minds of each other.’ (Proverbs 27:17 CEV) Relationships are the tools God uses to do this. When you’re with somebody, ask yourself, ‘Do I like who I am when I’m around this person? Am I more open, loving and honest? Or do I not like what I see in myself?’ Choose people who make you a better person.

 

(2) People who provide grace for the energy drain.When you’re empty you need to be refuelled physically, spiritually and relationally. So surround yourself with friends who will listen, encourage and be there for you.

 

(3) People who let you be real. ‘A friend loves at all times.’ (Proverbs 17:17 NKJV) The best relationships are those where you know you’re loved, you’re free to be yourself, you don’t have to put on an act and you can be honest about the difficult aspects of life. There’s comfort and normality in friendships where you can be authentic.

 

(4) People who help you grow in faith.You need friends who encourage you to pray, read the Bible and help you to see the ‘big picture’ concerning what’s important in your life. Ephesians 4:16 NCV talks about operating as a body: ‘All the parts of the body are joined and held together. Each part does its own work to help the whole body grow and be strong with love.’ Don’t try to do it alone. Reach out to friends who’ll reach back.

 

You are Loved!

Biblical Inner Beauty

'He will give you the mighty inner strengthening of His Holy Spirit.' Ephesians 3:16 TLB

"A lady flew across the country to tell a talk show host how her husband had left her for another woman. The lady, who was young, vibrant and beautiful, pulled out a photograph and said, ‘Just look at her. He left me for that!’

Sadly, we’ve been conditioned to think that “looks” are all–important, when, in fact, they’re not. Nevertheless we keep measuring, comparing, and beating ourselves up because we fall short. If you can’t enjoy who you are because of what you’re not, you’ll never be happy.

Advertisers spend billions getting us to decorate a shell that’s in a losing battle with Mother Nature and Father Time—all in an effort to create what we think will attract others. And when it doesn’t work, we get depressed and wonder what went wrong. Of course, it’s important to look your best but, when you’re obsessed with your appearance, you become superficial.

If you want to know what ultimately wins hearts and attracts the right people, read these words: ‘I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love…And may you have the power to understand…how long, how high, and how deep His love [for you] is…Then you will be made complete.’ (Ephesians 3:16–19 NLT) That’s the secret to inner beauty!

You are Loved!

When God Feels Distant

'The Lord has hidden Himself...but I trust Him.' Isaiah 8:17 GNT

Does God feel distant? ‘You wake up one morning and all your “spiritual feelings” are gone. You pray, but nothing happens. You resist the devil, but it doesn’t change anything. You go through spiritual exercises, have your friends pray for you, confess every sin you can imagine, then go around asking forgiveness of everyone you know. You fast; still nothing. You begin to wonder how long this spiritual gloom will last. It feels like your prayers bounce off the ceiling. In utter frustration you cry out:  “What’s the matter with me?”

 

This is a normal part of the testing and maturing of your friendship with God. We all go through it. It’s painful, but it’s absolutely vital to developing your faith. You see, God is always present, even when you are unaware of Him. His presence is too profound to be measured by intellect or emotion. He’s more concerned that you trust Him than that you feel Him.  Faith, not feelings, is what pleases God (Hebrews 11:6). You ask, “So what can I do?” Isaiah answers, “The Lord has hidden Himself…but I trust Him.” Focus on God’s unchanging love and faithfulness. Cling to His promises. During times of spiritual dryness, rest on His Word, not your feelings. Realise that He’s taking you to a deeper level of maturity. Any friendship based strictly on emotion is shallow indeed. So don’t be troubled by trouble—God’s grace is still in full force! He’s with you even when you don’t feel Him.’ His word to you today is, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ (Hebrews 13:5 NIV)

 

You are Loved!