26
Feb '19
Are you a Hall of Famer?
26
Feb '19
The Pro-Football Hall of Fame and National Baseball Hall of Fame have a lot in common. Their inductees are people who have contributed something great to their sport. It may be on the field through demonstrating superhuman like skills, or possibly on the sidelines or in the dugout due to a history of excellence in strategy and player development.
These people are memorialized and remembered for the sum of their accomplishments. Not merely in appreciation for what they did for their sport, but also as a reminder that the people who walk the halls of fame that they too can achieve greatness.
The Bible has it’s own Hall of Fame. In Hebrews Ch. 11 we are provided with a “Hall of Faith”. The individuals listed here, both Men and Women, are highlighted for their faith in God in the face of difficult circumstances.
On Sunday evenings, we are walking through the book of Exodus. This book details how Moses lead the journey of the Israelites from their slavery in Egypt to the point where God Himself filled their camp in the tabernacle.
Its no wonder that he is listed in Hebrews 11:23. But what we don’t often thing of is that those in Canton, OH (Football HOF) and Cooperstown, NY (Baseball HOF) were not without any faults. They had good days and bad days. But the sum of their lives and contributions is what was important.
Moses had his share of faults and rough times.
- He was abandoned as a baby. – Exodus 2:3
- He was a murderer. – Exodus 2:12
- He lacked courage. – Exodus 4:1
- He had a speech disability. – Exodus 4:10
- He was too old to be useful. – (Moses was 80 when God called him) – Acts 7:23 & 7:30
But there is not a problem GOD can’t fix, in fact, he used Moses to work miracles and lead his people out of Egypt. The total sum of his life and devotion to GOD is why he is in the Hall of Faith. God doesn’t focus on the time or two that you fell, he celebrates the entirety of your devotion to him.
So maybe today you are thinking that your not good enough for GOD, You are right! Even though you’ve had rough days and fallen down in your walk with God, it’s not too late to get up. HE is waiting for YOU to look for HIM through your weakness, so HE can show up big time.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, Today help me to pick myself up when I stumble. I know I can do this on my own. Take my weaknesses and use them for your kingdom. I don’t want to be know by the number of times I’ve fallen, but for the sum total of the times I got up and walked with you. AMEN.
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22
Feb '19
God of Pennies
22
Feb '19
This life can beat you down. Each day you have a choice, get out of bed….or stay in bed. Some choose to stay in bed because they have the false belief that they’re not good enough to…(fill in the blank).
In fact, some feel as their lives are worthless. But that is simply the enemy (Satan) trying to confuse you.
During the early 2000’s property values were on the rise, people would get excited to see how much their homes were worth.
However, in 2008 and the few years afterwards, that value plummeted. Nobody could “redeem“ (exchange something for payment) a home because it was not “worth” what was owed on it. Everything in the home was the same….why the difference in value? The value was calculated on the rules of man, demand and market condition.
But you, Christian, your value does not come from what others think of you, or even what you think of you. It comes from God Himself.
He thought you so worthy and valuable, that he left his throne in heaven just to show you how much you mean to Him. He paid what YOU owed and in so doing, showed you what you are worth. You are priceless. Even though you might feel like you are only worth pennies, My God is a God of Pennies.
For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life inherited from the fathers, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. 1 Peter 1:18-19
Prayer: Lord, Please help me to start today by finding my worth not in what others think of me, but in you alone. AMEN
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18
Feb '19
Kick the Habit
18
Feb '19
People that suffer with addiction often find that everyone has an opinion to offer on how to “kick the habit”. But one of the most successful things one can do is to have an accountability partner. Someone who they can reach out to for support and guidance when their cravings return. These helpers will even offer a “tough love” to help those suffering realize the destructive nature of their addiction.
However, if the addict chooses to indulge in secret, away from the eyes of their accountability partner, their efforts to beat the addition often fail.
Sin can be like an addition, it can feel good (for a while) and it might not even hurt anyone (until later), but just like the strongest drug, it cannot be conquered alone. We try to carry out our sin in darkness, away from others, but someone always sees, someone always knows.
The Bible talks a lot about Sin and how humans fail at trying to both beat it and hide it. For God sees everything.
I am watching them closely, and I see every sin. They cannot hope to hide from me. Jeremiah 16:17 (NLT)
¹³Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. Hebrews 4:13 (NLT)
Ouch! Even if we are awesome at keeping our sin a secret from our spouse, our family and our church, He always sees and we’ll have to explain ourselves someday.
Jesus is the ultimate accountability partner, always available, every ready to listen and have our backs.
Whatever you’re dealing with today, lean on Jesus. Ask Him to help you beat it, together you are unstoppable.
Prayer: Lord Jesus I need your help to take control over the things in my life I feel powerless against. Please direct my every step, guide each decision, AMEN
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06
Feb '19
Now Where Did I…?
06
Feb '19
It never happens to me unless I’m rushing to go somewhere or I have to do something quickly. Whatever I need, is lost. It almost never happens when you have nothing urgent to accomplish. How many times have you sat at a stoplight and asked yourself “Wonder where the remote control is?” Probably never. But when you have 1 minute until your favorite program comes on, that little piece of plastic pops into your head and…it’s gone.
We all lose things. Car Keys, Wallets, Pens, Children at Wal-Mart. 🙂 When we discover they’re missing we’re moved frantically to search and find them.
The BIBLE tells us that those of us who have not accepted JESUS as our Lord & Savior are like lost sheep, coins and even a lost son.
JESUS explains in Luke Ch. 15 through parables that each time these people desperately search for their item and find it, they celebrate!
Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (Luke 15:3-7)
Right now JESUS is searching for his lost sheep. Day after day you may feel the Holy Spirit tug at your hear saying “Repent and come with me”. He’s urgently trying to locate each and every one of them. The urgency is because time is short. Even if you accepted JESUS, but have stumbled a bit, now is YOUR time to come back. Recommit your life to him.
Each one of us has things that we wish we would have never done, or wish we could stop doing. The good news is that ALL of it can be 4-GIVEN 4-EVER. All you have to do is ask.
Say “Jesus, I don’t like the direction my life is heading, I have sinned. I turn from that sin now and want to follow you. Please come into my life and help me turn away from my sin.” AMEN.
If you prayed that prayer, you’re not alone. Reach out, we’ll walk beside you as you take your next steps in your new life.
Next time you lose someTHING…remember to pray, Because someWHERE…someONE is “lost” as well.
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02
Feb '19
All Hands, Abandon Ship
02
Feb '19
9:00am – “bergs, growlers and field ice”
1:42pm – “passing icebergs and large quantities of field ice”
1:45pm – “passed two large icebergs”
7:30pm – “three large bergs”
9:40pm – “Saw much heavy pack ice and great number large icebergs. Also field ice.
At 10:30pm The final warning was transmitted from operator Cyril Evans of the Californian. The ship had stopped for the night in an ice field some miles away, but the radio operator receiving the warning cut it off and signaled back: “Shut up! Shut up! I’m working Cape Race.” As he was sending passenger messages (like texts) to another station to relay back home. Exactly one hour and nine minutes later the Titanic hit an iceberg that they had been warned about. Two hours and forty minutes later, she was gone along with 1,502 people on her. The Titanic had received several ice warnings, but ignored them. 4/11 – 6 Warnings 4/12 – 5 Warnings 4/13 – 3 Warnings 4/14 – 7 Warnings The old testament prophets provided many warnings as well, But few listened.
- “But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die.” (Ezekiel 18:21)
Jesus came and died on the cross for our sins. He didn’t stay dead, he arose on the third day and is currently with his father in heaven. But he’s not going to stay there either. One day soon, he’ll return for his church. We need to be ready. But When? The BIBLE has provided us with all the answers!
- “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Matthew 24:36)
Don’t be like the Titanic and ignore the warnings you have been given. Each time you hear of the saving grace of JESUS and disregard that small voice that tells you to “Come”, you ignore the lifesaving message. I tell you that we have ALREADY hit the iceberg, and we are SINKING fast. There is not much time for you to run and cling to the lifeboat (Jesus). ALL HANDS, TO THE LIFEBOAT.
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17
Jan '19
5 Minutes with God
17
Jan '19
Do you think you could spend 24 hours in prayer with God?
These days it’s hard to find a spare minute to do anything let alone an entire hour.
The interesting thing about time with God is that its the same as exercise.
You don’t feel or see the results from one exercise session. It takes a few…or a bunch 🙂
But all of that effort (or time) adds up and you begin to feel the benefits.
In fact, you may feel like a new person. And you should!
To get one full day with God per year, you’ll only have to spend 4 minutes per day with Him.
This year as you work to build a “new you” by focusing on your health, don’t neglect your Spiritual Health. Spend 4 minutes, even 5 with God in prayer.
Here’s one to get you started >
Jesus, Please help me this day to take a few minutes to spend time with you. Let me see reflections of you and your love in different areas of my life throughout this day. In your Holy Name AMEN!
Only 23hrs and 55mins to go….
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