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iForgot

January 2, 2012 in God, True Stories with 0 Comments

Stupid receipt!  I’m usually pretty good about keeping receipts for the purchases I make, especially when there is a warranty involved; however, I must have forgotten where I put this one.  Since I’m rarely guilty of losing things (this is connected to my OCD tendencies!), I feel like I need to search high and low until the item is located.  When I first start looking, I accept the search as a “fun challenge” but the longer I search, the more the “fun challenge” turns into “anger management.”  After an hour of hide and seek, I gave up.  I have no clue where I put that stupid receipt.  Every possible location has been turned upside down.  I absolutely hate losing track of something valuable, but I’m human.  I lose stuff.

God never loses stuff.  Ever.  God has never lost track of you even though you may have lost track of Him.  I was reminded of this truth while recently reading through the words written by the psalmist in Psalm 139:7-10 (NKJV),

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.  If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.”

God has not forgotten your location. He lovingly cares about every one of His children and because He is a perfect Father, He has never lost track of His family.

What Happened After Dark?

September 8, 2011 in God, Relationship with God, True Stories, Truth with 0 Comments

Since the beginning of the school year, it seems like we have been busy every single night, which means that some other things in our schedule had to be put on hold…like mowing the yard.  I finally realized that the yard could no longer be ignored unless we wanted to compete with the Amazon jungle, so I decided to cram it in right before the sun went down.  I knocked out the front yard without any visibility issues, but when I arrived in the back yard the light was quickly fading.  Rather than leaving the yard half done, I determined to quicken my pace and try to complete the job even though there was limited light.  Miraculously, I was able to finish the entire yard in just 30 minutes, which is approximately 15-20 minutes less than it normally takes.  I was proud of myself, that is, until I woke up the next morning and noticed that some sections of grass had been missed the night before.

The darkness limits what I see, but light exposes the truth.

If you are walking in darkness, you may not think you are missing something; however, when you are walking in the light, you will know if you are missing something.  Since the apostle John identifies God as light (1 John 1:5), He becomes the ultimate determiner of truth, which means that the truth cannot be known without exposure to God and His word.  The more a person is exposed to the Light, the more he or she will become aware of the darkness in his life.  This is one of the major reasons I believe that those who walk closest to God often feel the most unworthy to be in His presence.

If you constantly feel the weight of your sin as a result of being exposed to the Light, be grateful to a God who reveals the darkness in your life and leads you into the light.

I Am Hated!

May 12, 2011 in God, Life, Readiness, spiritual warfare, Thoughts with 2 Comments

I’m not certain about this but I don’t think there are a lot of people who hate me, although there are many who probably dislike me.  Hatred is a pretty strong feeling and implies that one individual is hopeful for the demise or destruction of another.  I have honestly done my best to maintain peace in my relationships and would never relish in others hating me.  Some people enjoy being hated.  I don’t.  However, while studying yesterday I was reminded that I am hated by Satan.  He hates you too.  Peter, one of Christ’s apostles, wrote the following words to the first century church, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).  Today, Satan is actively seeking your demise.  He is going to use temptation, disappointments, and persecution to destroy you.  He is going to chase down your character, your family, your insecurities, your ministry, your past, and your thoughts so that he can move in for the kill.  That’s how he rolls.  He hates you.  He hates God.  He hates what is good and right.

So, how does a follower of Christ combat the devil’s hatred for them?  Peter answers that question with these words, “Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are” (1 Peter 5:9, NLT).

1. Stand firm against Satan. Don’t back down from the fight.  God, who indwells all who believe in Christ, is greater than Satan’s lies and deceit (1 John 4:4).  Through God’s power and strength, believers can stand firm against Satan’s attacks.
2. Be strong in your faith. The best way to resist the devil is to remain obedient to the ways of God.  A holy life is no match for the onslaughts of Satan.
3. You are not alone. Many others, like you, are being attacked by Satan and his oppressors.   You have not been singled out, but the devil is doing his best to wage war against God and any who love Him.

You must be watchful and alert to the attacks of Satan.  He hates you.  He wants to destroy you.  You don’t have to sit back and take it.  Stand firm.  Be strong.  You are not alone.

Most Boring Book of the Bible?

May 10, 2011 in Communication with God, God, Honesty, Motivation, Thoughts with 2 Comments

Stick with me until the end on this one.

This week I began my trek through the book of Leviticus.  Honestly, Leviticus is not a very popular book of the Bible with modern-day worshipers.  There may be many reasons why, but the most glaring one is that most of the ceremonies and guidelines written in the book are no longer practiced in our culture today.  These practices were specifically designed so that the nation of Israel could comprehend what it meant to properly worship and obey God.  In reality, New Testament worshipers do not practice these sacrifices or rituals because Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross paid the penalty for sin (death) once for all (Hebrews 9:12; 10:8-10), making these sacrifices and offerings unnecessary.  However, just because the rituals written in Leviticus are no longer practiced, should we ignore the practical implications for the modern-day worshiper?  Absolutely not!

One of the biggest lessons to be learned from Leviticus is the necessity of marrying the heart to actions.   Sacrifices were acceptable ONLY when the attitude of the heart was right (see the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4).  Going through the motions in order to “get God off your back” is a waste of time.  A sacrifice is not a sacrifice if you don’t mean it.  After King David committed adultery and conspired to murder the woman’s husband (2 Samuel 11), he finally came to place of repentance and sacrifice one year later (2 Samuel 12; Psalm 32 and 51).  David was convinced that the heart and actions had to be joined together if a sacrifice was to mean anything.  Here are the beautiful words he wrote in a repentant prayer to God, “For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite [repentant] heart— These, O God, You will not despise” (Psalm 51:16-17).

True worship and sacrifice does not come from the hands or the feet but from the heart.

Caught on Video (14 Years Ago)

March 15, 2011 in Family, God, Marriage, True Stories with 1 Comment

This past weekend  we had some friends over to our house and, for some unknown reason, my wife popped in our wedding video.  Leah and I were married on May 31, 1997 (almost 14 years ago) and watching that video brought back some good memories.  Our friends, our family, our bridesmaid who fainted during our vows, the Irish dancers, the bagpiper, and so many other moments were captured on that day.  I listened to my words.  I watched my body language.  I relived the moment my wife walked down that aisle.  All good memories.  Looking back to that moment fourteen years ago made me realize that our wedding was only the beginning.  Sure.  Our wedding day was a confession of our love and commitment to each other, but those words must be lived out every day following.  For better or for worse.  For richer.  For poorer.  In sickness and in health.  I meant those words fourteen years ago and I mean them today.  Marriage has good times.  Marriage has hard times.  During the good times we are thankful.  During the hard times we are prayerful.  But, no matter what, the words which were spoken on our wedding day must be the heart cry for each day.

Whether you are married or not, all of us have (or can have) a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, which somewhat mirrors a marriage.  A relationship with God begins at your moment of faith in Jesus’ death for sin, His burial and resurrection which guarantees eternal life (1 Corinthians 15).  This confession of faith is similar to the wedding day where the relationship begins.  When hard times come, look back to the day of your faith.  You received God’s forgiveness, love, and mercy then and those things are still available today.  If God loved you then, He still loves you now.  If He forgave you then, He’ll forgive you now.  If God extended His mercy then, He will grant you mercy once again.

For better or for worse, God will not leave you.

My Daughter, My Bodyguard

January 18, 2011 in Family, Funny Stories, God, Security, True Stories with 1 Comment

On the way to church Sunday morning, we were stopped at a red light and I was first in line.  I decided to use my time wisely so I checked an e-mail I had received on my phone.  The light must have turned green because the car beside me started moving forward.  I began to put my phone down, but before I could do that the individual behind me honked his horn.  It had literally been 1 second since the light turned green.  Talk about impatient!  I made the mistake of saying, “I hope he wasn’t beeping his horn at me!”  My daughter, who always defends her daddy, turned around in the backseat, looked straight at the people in the car behind us, and stuck out her tongue at them (and made the noises that go along with it).  I quickly checked my rearview mirror to make sure I could take the guy in case he didn’t like my daughter’s response to his horn honking.

I love that about my wife and kids.  They defend me.  They’ve got my back because we’re family.

I believe defending family is built into us.  Jesus Christ defends those who are His against those who attempt to bring accusations or harm.  Paul writes these words in Romans 8:33-34, “Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.”

When You Feel Like a Failure…

November 22, 2010 in Failure, God, Relationship with God, Thoughts with 3 Comments

Each day I’m reminded about far I am from actually living up to God’s standards and some days I honestly feel like a failure.  It seems as if I overcome one obstacle just in time for my next weakness to be exposed.  I have confidence that God is working in my life and changing me, but I’m always aware that I have a long way to go.  I’ve become accustomed to feeling a little behind and I believe a lot of Christians feel the same way.  During these times of guilt and frustration, we must remember that God does not love us based on performance.  Performance based love is human.  God’s love is supernatural.  He loves us even though we are not deserving.

Whether you measure up or not, God loves you.

“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:6,8

“But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)” – Ephesians 2:4, NLT

My Nightly Routine

October 11, 2010 in Fear, God, Security, True Stories with 1 Comment

Every single night, without fail, my kids want to be tucked into their beds.  They absolutely refuse to go to sleep unless either Leah or I (usually both of us) has made sure they are safely in their beds and that the bed sheets are adequately covering their little bodies.  Most of the time the “tucking in” process also includes a room temperature check/adjustment as well as a hug and a kiss.  I’m convinced that sometimes this process is unjustly extended so they can stay up later, but most of the time I believe they want to be tucked in to feel safe and secure.  Before they close their eyes and drift off to sleep, they want to be assured that mom and dad are nearby.  We are.  We always are.  When they call for us, we will be there.

Every kid in the world wants to be tucked in because children find comfort and protection from their mother and father.  Like a child, you were created to find safety and security with God the Father.  Proverbs 18:10 reminds us that “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”  God is nearby.  He is.  He always is.  When you call for Him, He will be there.

What makes you feel safe and secure?

Things You Should Know About My Past

October 4, 2010 in Failure, Forgiveness, God, Guilt, Life, Personal Stuff, Relationship with God, Sin, Thoughts, Weakness with 14 Comments

Letting go of the past is, well, not so easy.  Looking back over my life, I could list numerous regrets and sins which I would be ashamed to admit; in fact, some of those things have been hard to release from memory.  Although I have sought God’s forgiveness from my past sins, I still find it complicated to forgive myself.  How could I be so stupid?  Why did I let that area slip?  I knew better.  This morning as I was sitting down to pray and study for my Sunday message at The Summit, something from my past popped into my head out of nowhere.  At first I wondered, “Where did that come from?”  In that moment, I began an honest prayer to God and claimed His forgiveness. I know God had already forgiven me, but all the memories flooded my mind again.  Through the years, especially when regret plagues my soul, I have often reminded myself that the past changes for no one.  The page has been turned.  Yesterday is out of reach.

If your past cannot be altered, why have you been so consumed with it?  Don’t get me wrong, I understand that sin brings consequences, but does God really desire for you to live in a continual state of regret for things you cannot change?  I really do not think so.  Once you have turned from sin (repented) and received God’s forgiveness, you must release the sin.  Isaiah wrote concerning this very topic, “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.  We have left God’s paths to follow our own.  Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).

Listen, you have done some terribly stupid things in the past.  So have I.  God knew you would break His commandments and sometimes stray away from Him, so He took drastic measures 2,000 years ago when He treated His own Son, Jesus, as if He had committed those sins you actually committed.  Those very sins which have consumed your life, have been shouldered by Jesus Christ.  He shouldered that divorce.  He shouldered that lie.  He shouldered your perversion.  He shouldered your secret sin.  He shouldered your cheating.  He shouldered your deception.  He shouldered your failings as a parent.  He shouldered that lust.  He shouldered that bitterness.

There are a few things you should know about my past, but thankfully my past has been erased.

MapQuesting God

September 22, 2010 in Communication with God, Disappointment, Faith, Fear, God, Life, Perspective, Relationship with God, Thoughts, Tragedy, Trials with 2 Comments

Why does God feel distant?  Why is God remaining silent?  Why does it feel like God has abandoned me?  These are questions I have asked plenty of times since becoming a follower of Jesus.   Typically these questions begin surfacing when an unforeseeable circumstance arises and the outcome cannot be governed by me.  I may pray for divine intervention, but when rescue does not arrive quickly I doubt God’s nearness.  I may search the Scriptures for peace, but when the answer is not clear I am overcome with confusion and bitterness.  I may seek wise counsel for clarity, but when the explanations are unsatisfactory I am filled with uncertainty.

I’ve been contemplating this dilemma lately.  Is there a way that these questions can be reconciled?  I believe there is a clear answer.  My feelings do not determine truth. In other words, the way I feel is not an accurate reflection of reality.  David, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote these words in Psalm 37:25, “Once I was young, and now I am old.  Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned….”  According to Scripture, God NEVER forsakes or abandons the righteous.  Although I may feel alone in my circumstance, the truth is that God will NEVER leave me.

God’s proximity is not measured by my perspective, but by His promise.

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