Have you ever tried to do the right thing and it seems every way that you turn there is something blocking you from getting it done? Maybe you are doing chores around the house and the phone rings. Of course with caller ID we know not to pick up the sales call or the bill collectors calls, but we will stop and talk with a friend because our curiosity won’t let us miss that call. Just when you start back to the chore that is demanding your attention one of the children comes crying and needs your love and attention. Finally you return to the demanding chore when the doorbell rings. Thank God for garages to hide the car in and peep-holes in the door so you can check and see who is there. No it isn’t Avon calling, but a neighbor with a three layer chocolate cake in her hand. Gotta be neighborly even if the chore is calling.
Paul made a statement in Romans that came to my mind today. He said, “I find then a law, that, when I would do good , evil is present with me.” Romans 7:21 I know that his reference here is to the war of the flesh against spiritual things. When we try to live for God and serve Him with all of our hearts, our flesh is going to fight against that happening. There is an ongoing struggle between the flesh or carnal man and the spiritual man.
However, let me take this just a bit further and maybe look at it from a different point of view. Have you noticed when you try to do something more for God, evil is present. I am not talking, now, about your flesh warring against the spirit. I am talking about outside forces that try to hinder, stop or discourage you from doing more for God.
Let me give you an example that comes to mind. I know of a case several years ago where some young people were desiring to have a deeper relationship with God. They wanted God to do something out of the ordinary in their lives. They began to pray, fast and read their Bibles. They began to become more focused in their worship. They would spend hours at the church praying and seeking God. They spent extra time in Bible Study. They were hungry for a move of God in their lives. Yet while this was going on there were others who were criticizing them. Trying to distract them from continuing. There was evil present when they were trying to do good.
Paul encountered this more than once in his ministry. I recall he is on his way to Jerusalem. He stops to visit a church and while there the people beg him not to go. Prophecies are made of beatings and imprisonment. I am not accusing these people of being evil, but I am saying there was evil present to stop him from obeying the call of God in his life. Paul asked them to stop breaking his heart! He had to obey that call.
Ordinary things happen to people who are content with the ordinary. Just give us the “common place events“. We are happy with the “run of the mill” accomplishments in our lives. We are content with the mundane, humdrum that has been going on in their lives. Don’t rock the boat is our motto and it is a motto we are too often happy to live by.
However, when we become disillusioned with the ordinary and long for the extraordinary, things will change! Once we get a taste for the astonishing power of God doing the unexpected and surprising us, there is no going back. Step into the realm of a supernatural experience with God and you can never be content with the ordinary again. Once you see God touch a life that you have influenced for Him, you will never be the same. Once you see a healing take place you will not be willing to have it any other way.
Just recently I was asked to come teach in a church on a Sunday morning and Sunday night. The subject was one where people will not be running the aisles or swinging from the rafters. In fact, you will be fortunate to get a few amen’s. I had been asked to teach on giving! All week I prayed and told God how I felt. I love teaching on Apostolic giving! I love teaching that God loves cheerful givers! I love teaching people that God has a financial plan for His church and when we test God, look out! However, I wanted God to show His pleasure in His Word and that is what I asked Him to do. As I was teaching I could feel resistance from some of those that were there, they didn‘t like the subject matter nor did they agree with my teaching. However, at the end of the one hour and thirty minutes of teaching on that Sunday night the majority of the people rose and with cheerful excitement came and gave to God, for a second time that night, a love offering. The power of God fell in a mighty way as people began to worship God. I looked over and witnessed a lady being healed right there in that offering time!
When I would do good… I can’t let anything or anybody stop me from doing the good God has impressed upon my heart. I can’t let anything stop me from the relationship with God that He is drawing me to. Years ago someone said, “They never built a statue to a critic.” There will be those who will stand around and criticize me for what I am doing and desiring from God, however, they will not be standing in my place before God and answering Him to why I didn’t heed His direction. I am the one who will have to answer that question.
Let me assure you there will be evil present to stop you from experiencing that extraordinary. Jesus experienced it from His closest friends and His reply was, “Get behind me Satan…” No He wasn’t saying Peter was Satan! He was, however, saying the spirit that was being shown there was evil. When I want to do good, evil is present…
Just a thought! God Bless…
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Why Percentages of Fruit?
A few weeks ago I was reading the story in Mark 4 as Jesus told of the four types of soils. There was the wayside, the stony, the thorny and the good ground. We have all read this parable many times, I am sure. What caught my attention, in fact I poised it as a question on Face Book and no one responded, "Why did the good soil produce different percentages of harvest.?"
Jesus said "And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred." Mark 4:20
Why didn't all of the seeds sown in the good ground bring forth a hundred fold? Today I was again studying this passage and Jesus goes on to talk about the farmer sowing a kernel of corn and not knowing how it grows but is ready to harvest it when it produces fruit. As I began to study about corn I found that there are many different things that can effect the amount of fruit a stalk of corn produces.
Ears that are near the top of the stalk will produce more kernels. Ears near the bottom of the stalk will generally produce little or no kernels. If there is hail during the pollination time it will likely keep the ears from being pollinated and there will be no fruit. Too much water, weather that is too cold or too hot can all effect the yield of the fruit.
I came to realize there is more to the amount that is harvested than just what is planted, it also has to do with the response of the plant to the environment it is in, the stresses that come upon it and how it is able to weather the storms. The same is true in our lives. We hear the Word of God, we receive it and we will bring forth fruit from the Word...but the amount of fruit we bring forth will be dependent upon our ability to deal with our environment...the stresses of life...the problems that come our way...our faith and trust in God. Some will bring forth thirty percent, and others will bring sixty percent, I want to bring a hundred percent to present to God.
Just a thought! God Bless
Jesus said "And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred." Mark 4:20
Why didn't all of the seeds sown in the good ground bring forth a hundred fold? Today I was again studying this passage and Jesus goes on to talk about the farmer sowing a kernel of corn and not knowing how it grows but is ready to harvest it when it produces fruit. As I began to study about corn I found that there are many different things that can effect the amount of fruit a stalk of corn produces.
Ears that are near the top of the stalk will produce more kernels. Ears near the bottom of the stalk will generally produce little or no kernels. If there is hail during the pollination time it will likely keep the ears from being pollinated and there will be no fruit. Too much water, weather that is too cold or too hot can all effect the yield of the fruit.
I came to realize there is more to the amount that is harvested than just what is planted, it also has to do with the response of the plant to the environment it is in, the stresses that come upon it and how it is able to weather the storms. The same is true in our lives. We hear the Word of God, we receive it and we will bring forth fruit from the Word...but the amount of fruit we bring forth will be dependent upon our ability to deal with our environment...the stresses of life...the problems that come our way...our faith and trust in God. Some will bring forth thirty percent, and others will bring sixty percent, I want to bring a hundred percent to present to God.
Just a thought! God Bless
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Lot, Why Did You Chose Sodom?
Have you ever wondered why a person made a certain decision? Maybe you are looking back in time, like in a history book, and wondering why they made a decision that had a devastating effect on their lives and from your vantage point you can see they should have done something different. I have often asked, “I wonder why they did what they did?” “What were they thinking? “ Those are questions that came to my mind recently concerning Lot.
Now, let me assure you, I do not have an inside track into the mind of Lot. I really have no way of knowing exactly what he was thinking or any way to find out exactly what he was thinking. However, I asked myself the question, as if I were speaking to Lot, “Lot, why did you move to Sodom? Why did you make that choice?”
When Abraham left Haran at the direction of God, he brought with him Lot, his brother’s son. God had spoken to Abraham and told him to go to a place that God would show him. Abraham and his family end up in the land of Canaan. Upon their arrival here, the Lord appears to Abraham and promises him this land and that the promise and the land would be passed on to Abraham’s children. Every thing seems to be going along great and then they hit a snag. A famine comes over the land. With the famine, Abraham decides to continue south to Egypt.
After being in Egypt a short time, Abraham and Lot leave Egypt and return to Bethel, where they had pitched their tents prior to their trip to Egypt. Things still are not normal. They were already rich and both Lot and Abraham have lots of herds and people working for them. Now, settled in one place there is conflict between the two camps. The bickering becomes so unsettling that Abraham finally approaches Lot and suggests they part ways. Abraham offers Lot first choice and promises to go in the opposite direction. The Bibles says Lot looked at the well watered plains of Jordon that were like the Garden of God and he wanted to live there. So Lot made the choice and lived in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent toward Sodom.
Why would he choose to live here? Did he not see the dangers of living in an area that was so perverse and ungodly? Was he not worried about his family and the exposure they would receive from these cities? Why would he choose Sodom, for the next time we read of Lot he is not living in the plains, he is not living in the cities in the plains, nor is he living with his tent door facing Sodom? He is living in Sodom and is a highly respected citizen sitting in the gate of the city. WHY!?
I think the clue is found in the scripture that describes the plains and cities let me quote:
“And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.” Gen 13:10 (emphasis mine)
Lot chose Sodom because it reminded him of Egypt. In his journey to Egypt he had gotten a taste for it and when he saw Sodom he disregarded all of the danger to satisfy that hunger. Of course, all through the Old Testament Egypt is an example of sin and the world. It is a type of a place that is far from God and the things God stands for. It is often typical of slavery and bondage. Lot had a taste for Egypt.
We as Christians would do well to be careful to protect ourselves from Egypt. There are going to be times in our walk with God when we will be in the blessings of God, yet it will seem the blessing will not last. Heed the warning; do not go to Egypt to find another blessing! Stand on the promise of God. Abraham left Canaan and Bethel where God had promised blessings and went to Egypt because of a famine. Lot was introduced to Egypt while there.
Parents, how often do we introduce our children to the world and its ways just because we are unsure of the promises of God? Do we give them a taste for Egypt in our moment of weakness? How often do we introduce ourselves to the bounty of Egypt and then wonder why we are struggling with ungodly desires and hungers. Have we looked at the cities of the plains and pitched our tents toward their offerings because of a trip to Egypt?
Sometimes we make mistakes, we are only human. There are times when we will fail to trust God in a moment of weakness and take a trip to Egypt. However when we come to ourselves we must realize we do have a choice. We can return to the place of God’s promise and claim His blessings or we can turn toward the place that reminds us of Egypt. The choice is ours.
Lot, why did you choose Sodom? It reminded me of Egypt…
Just a thought! God Bless…
Now, let me assure you, I do not have an inside track into the mind of Lot. I really have no way of knowing exactly what he was thinking or any way to find out exactly what he was thinking. However, I asked myself the question, as if I were speaking to Lot, “Lot, why did you move to Sodom? Why did you make that choice?”
When Abraham left Haran at the direction of God, he brought with him Lot, his brother’s son. God had spoken to Abraham and told him to go to a place that God would show him. Abraham and his family end up in the land of Canaan. Upon their arrival here, the Lord appears to Abraham and promises him this land and that the promise and the land would be passed on to Abraham’s children. Every thing seems to be going along great and then they hit a snag. A famine comes over the land. With the famine, Abraham decides to continue south to Egypt.
After being in Egypt a short time, Abraham and Lot leave Egypt and return to Bethel, where they had pitched their tents prior to their trip to Egypt. Things still are not normal. They were already rich and both Lot and Abraham have lots of herds and people working for them. Now, settled in one place there is conflict between the two camps. The bickering becomes so unsettling that Abraham finally approaches Lot and suggests they part ways. Abraham offers Lot first choice and promises to go in the opposite direction. The Bibles says Lot looked at the well watered plains of Jordon that were like the Garden of God and he wanted to live there. So Lot made the choice and lived in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent toward Sodom.
Why would he choose to live here? Did he not see the dangers of living in an area that was so perverse and ungodly? Was he not worried about his family and the exposure they would receive from these cities? Why would he choose Sodom, for the next time we read of Lot he is not living in the plains, he is not living in the cities in the plains, nor is he living with his tent door facing Sodom? He is living in Sodom and is a highly respected citizen sitting in the gate of the city. WHY!?
I think the clue is found in the scripture that describes the plains and cities let me quote:
“And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.” Gen 13:10 (emphasis mine)
Lot chose Sodom because it reminded him of Egypt. In his journey to Egypt he had gotten a taste for it and when he saw Sodom he disregarded all of the danger to satisfy that hunger. Of course, all through the Old Testament Egypt is an example of sin and the world. It is a type of a place that is far from God and the things God stands for. It is often typical of slavery and bondage. Lot had a taste for Egypt.
We as Christians would do well to be careful to protect ourselves from Egypt. There are going to be times in our walk with God when we will be in the blessings of God, yet it will seem the blessing will not last. Heed the warning; do not go to Egypt to find another blessing! Stand on the promise of God. Abraham left Canaan and Bethel where God had promised blessings and went to Egypt because of a famine. Lot was introduced to Egypt while there.
Parents, how often do we introduce our children to the world and its ways just because we are unsure of the promises of God? Do we give them a taste for Egypt in our moment of weakness? How often do we introduce ourselves to the bounty of Egypt and then wonder why we are struggling with ungodly desires and hungers. Have we looked at the cities of the plains and pitched our tents toward their offerings because of a trip to Egypt?
Sometimes we make mistakes, we are only human. There are times when we will fail to trust God in a moment of weakness and take a trip to Egypt. However when we come to ourselves we must realize we do have a choice. We can return to the place of God’s promise and claim His blessings or we can turn toward the place that reminds us of Egypt. The choice is ours.
Lot, why did you choose Sodom? It reminded me of Egypt…
Just a thought! God Bless…
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Momma's House, Daddy's at Home!
I drive a bus for a day school here in the city we live in. I have passengers who are over the age of eighteen and under the age of four or five. All of these are developmentally disabled for various reasons. One of the four year olds on my bus has cerebral palsy. A couple of the children are autistic and others have behavioral problems. At first I was a bit apprehensive about working in this environment because they tell you a lot of the bad things that you will have to deal with, however, I have been touched in many ways be the sweetness of these people.
The other day, at about 6:55 AM we pulled up in front of a home to pick up a little two year child. The child was standing out front with their mother and when they saw the bus approach they got so excited the child was jumping up and down. I stopped and then tooted the horn to make the child laugh. This child struggled to climb up the steps with their little short legs and stopped beside me to show me their new shirt. One of the aides took the child back to their seat and got them strapped into their car seat. The mother stood on the steps and watched the process, talking to me for a moment. Then her child stretched out their arms toward her indicating they had to have a kiss good-bye. Momma went back and gave them a kiss then climbed off the bus and headed toward the door of the house. As we rolled down to the end of the road to turn around the little one began to cry and say “Home! Home! Home!”
I looked over at the house that the child lives in. It is an old mobile home with unpainted wood siding. It sets in the trees and never sees the sun at all. The side that is visible from the road is the north side and it is cover with green moss. The yard is neatly kept with a few interesting landscape additions. As I looked at the house and its kind of dismal appearance I thought to myself, “Why would anyone want to go to that home?” Then just as quickly I realized it wasn’t the house they were talking about. The child wanted to be where Momma was. That was home.
I have another three year old who is adopted from the foster care system. This child’s mother or father brings them out to the bus every morning and again there is a big production of goodbyes after they are in their car seat. I love to see the love and care they show this child. I also love to see the adoration this child has for the parents. This child thinks that the father “hung the moon.” When we return in the evening as we pull up to the house the child begins to watch to see if the father’s truck is in the drive way. If it is there the child begins to holler, “Daddy home! Daddy home! Daddy home!” This happens so often that now all of the children will holler with him, “Daddy home!”
It is amazing, some of these children can barely talk, even at four years old, but when it comes time for them to be the next stop they know they are getting close to home. One of the students cannot speak at all. I noticed that she shows her happiness and stress by voice inflections not words. One afternoon, right after she began to ride my bus, I had to run to route a little different and failed to turn on her street but drove past it. She immediately began to holler and carry on. I realized she knew where home was. I am now careful to take her home the same way everyday and she is happy.
The other day another child’s mother went on an out of town field trip with an older sibling. This child stayed with a grandparent who met us each morning at the home to put the child on the bus. The first morning the child was fine, Momma had just left and they had Grandma. However, the next morning it was a different story. The child was crying when they got out of the car. Grandma promised them the world if they would stop crying. She said, “I will take you anywhere you want to go tonight, just don’t cry!” It didn’t matter they kept on crying. As we were pulling away I was surprised to hear the child saying, “I want my Momma!” I had thought they were crying because they didn’t want to leave Grandma, but it was Momma who was being missed. There just isn’t a substitute for Momma, not even grandma.
Someone once said, “Home is where the heart is.” I would have to say this is very true. I would also have to say that with these children, home is where the loving parent is, and be it Momma or Daddy. They are what make it home. It isn’t the appearance of the house that makes it home. Neither is it the location of the house but it is the recognition of who and what is there, Momma and Daddy and lots of love.
I have found the same to be true in my relationship to God. Home is where Momma is. The Church is our spiritual mother. It births us. It nourishes us. It is where we are fed. It is where we go when we hurt. It is where we go when we need loving. It doesn’t matter so much what the house looks like. It can be a store front or it can be a beautiful edifice. I have seen it housed in garages, school houses and exquisite buildings, it really doesn’t matter as long as Momma is there. Momma is going to make it all right!
Of course Daddy provides the security and provides. He is there with His strength and power. That quite strength that reassures us the world can be shaking on the outside, but as long as Daddy, our Heavenly Father, is home, everything is going to be alright!
I love to drive up to the house and begin to feel the anticipation of knowing that Momma is there. All of the problems and pressures of the day and week will be shared with her. Those bumps, scrapes and boo-boos are going to be doctored. The emptiness inside me is going to be replaced with satisfaction. The loneliness I am feeling will leave with the sweet fellowship of Momma’s loving care.
I love to walk into the house and recognize that Daddy’s home. The fear and uncertainty is gone, Daddy’s home. There is safety and security now because Daddy’s home. Those around me can also feel the excitement from with in me and they too come to recognize that Daddy’s home.
There just isn’t a substitute for Momma! There is nothing in the world that can ever take her place. When you are away from Momma there is something inside your soul that cries out for her. There are a lot of things that try to take her place in our lives, but nothing and no one can take the place of Momma!
No, it doesn’t matter where it is nor does it matter what it looks like on the outside, just as long as it’s Momma’s house and Daddy’s home! That is where my soul longs to be…
Just a Thought! God Bless…
The other day, at about 6:55 AM we pulled up in front of a home to pick up a little two year child. The child was standing out front with their mother and when they saw the bus approach they got so excited the child was jumping up and down. I stopped and then tooted the horn to make the child laugh. This child struggled to climb up the steps with their little short legs and stopped beside me to show me their new shirt. One of the aides took the child back to their seat and got them strapped into their car seat. The mother stood on the steps and watched the process, talking to me for a moment. Then her child stretched out their arms toward her indicating they had to have a kiss good-bye. Momma went back and gave them a kiss then climbed off the bus and headed toward the door of the house. As we rolled down to the end of the road to turn around the little one began to cry and say “Home! Home! Home!”
I looked over at the house that the child lives in. It is an old mobile home with unpainted wood siding. It sets in the trees and never sees the sun at all. The side that is visible from the road is the north side and it is cover with green moss. The yard is neatly kept with a few interesting landscape additions. As I looked at the house and its kind of dismal appearance I thought to myself, “Why would anyone want to go to that home?” Then just as quickly I realized it wasn’t the house they were talking about. The child wanted to be where Momma was. That was home.
I have another three year old who is adopted from the foster care system. This child’s mother or father brings them out to the bus every morning and again there is a big production of goodbyes after they are in their car seat. I love to see the love and care they show this child. I also love to see the adoration this child has for the parents. This child thinks that the father “hung the moon.” When we return in the evening as we pull up to the house the child begins to watch to see if the father’s truck is in the drive way. If it is there the child begins to holler, “Daddy home! Daddy home! Daddy home!” This happens so often that now all of the children will holler with him, “Daddy home!”
It is amazing, some of these children can barely talk, even at four years old, but when it comes time for them to be the next stop they know they are getting close to home. One of the students cannot speak at all. I noticed that she shows her happiness and stress by voice inflections not words. One afternoon, right after she began to ride my bus, I had to run to route a little different and failed to turn on her street but drove past it. She immediately began to holler and carry on. I realized she knew where home was. I am now careful to take her home the same way everyday and she is happy.
The other day another child’s mother went on an out of town field trip with an older sibling. This child stayed with a grandparent who met us each morning at the home to put the child on the bus. The first morning the child was fine, Momma had just left and they had Grandma. However, the next morning it was a different story. The child was crying when they got out of the car. Grandma promised them the world if they would stop crying. She said, “I will take you anywhere you want to go tonight, just don’t cry!” It didn’t matter they kept on crying. As we were pulling away I was surprised to hear the child saying, “I want my Momma!” I had thought they were crying because they didn’t want to leave Grandma, but it was Momma who was being missed. There just isn’t a substitute for Momma, not even grandma.
Someone once said, “Home is where the heart is.” I would have to say this is very true. I would also have to say that with these children, home is where the loving parent is, and be it Momma or Daddy. They are what make it home. It isn’t the appearance of the house that makes it home. Neither is it the location of the house but it is the recognition of who and what is there, Momma and Daddy and lots of love.
I have found the same to be true in my relationship to God. Home is where Momma is. The Church is our spiritual mother. It births us. It nourishes us. It is where we are fed. It is where we go when we hurt. It is where we go when we need loving. It doesn’t matter so much what the house looks like. It can be a store front or it can be a beautiful edifice. I have seen it housed in garages, school houses and exquisite buildings, it really doesn’t matter as long as Momma is there. Momma is going to make it all right!
Of course Daddy provides the security and provides. He is there with His strength and power. That quite strength that reassures us the world can be shaking on the outside, but as long as Daddy, our Heavenly Father, is home, everything is going to be alright!
I love to drive up to the house and begin to feel the anticipation of knowing that Momma is there. All of the problems and pressures of the day and week will be shared with her. Those bumps, scrapes and boo-boos are going to be doctored. The emptiness inside me is going to be replaced with satisfaction. The loneliness I am feeling will leave with the sweet fellowship of Momma’s loving care.
I love to walk into the house and recognize that Daddy’s home. The fear and uncertainty is gone, Daddy’s home. There is safety and security now because Daddy’s home. Those around me can also feel the excitement from with in me and they too come to recognize that Daddy’s home.
There just isn’t a substitute for Momma! There is nothing in the world that can ever take her place. When you are away from Momma there is something inside your soul that cries out for her. There are a lot of things that try to take her place in our lives, but nothing and no one can take the place of Momma!
No, it doesn’t matter where it is nor does it matter what it looks like on the outside, just as long as it’s Momma’s house and Daddy’s home! That is where my soul longs to be…
Just a Thought! God Bless…
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