Fishing

I like to go fishing, although I don’t get out as much as I'd like. I enjoy the sun on my face as the water laps on the side of the boat. I like the smells of the lake, and the beauty of the foliage along the shores. Nothing tastes as good as food eaten outside, so I take an apple or a sandwich. The exhilaration of a strike or catch as they battle and splash up to the boat lasts a long time.

The disciples that fished didn’t quite do it like that. It wasn’t leisure; it was their livelihood. It was about feeding their family and selling their catch. It was work, and it could be frustrating. Nets could be heavy or light, full or empty. They battled the elements and the weather.

Jesus tried to reach them where they lived. When He said he’d make them fishers of men, they understood what He meant. It would be work and frustrating. There would be battles. But there would be great victory too. They couldn’t give up. It was for a greater good.

We need to take those examples to heart today. The harvest is plentiful if we continue to work and do not give up.

No Excuse

It is a great time of year where I live. The leaves are changing into beautiful reds and golds. The squirrels are busy gathering nuts. The geese are resting and eating in preparation for their long flights. The deer are more active, feeling the mating season coming.

I have always loved the beauty of nature. I’ve seen the power of Niagara Falls, and stood on a mountain with views that take your breath away. I have sat on the hot sand of a beach and watched dolphins play, with a backdrop of a ocean that seems to extend forever(I’ve often thought that the ocean is a great visual example to unbelievers of what eternity is like).We have the Smoky Mountains, Grand Canyon, Great Lakes and Lake Tahoe just in our country. There are countless other vistas in other lands.

Imagine what this great creation will look like in its future glory, after its renewal, when the curse is no more. Paul talks in Romans 8 about how nature groans for that as we groan for that.

This is all the work of our Creator. He has used His hands as His paint brush and sculpting tools. It is His handiwork that is evidenced all around us, and it is majestic. It is so majestic that Paul says in Romans 1:20 that God’s power and divine nature are clearly seen, that the whole world reveals them. Man has no excuse for not honoring Him; we’ve seen His work.

Promoted

We have all seen situations where an understudy or back up comes on to replace the previous first stringer. Maybe it’s happened with a TV show, with a quarterback, or even a president. It happens all the time, in every walk of life.

Imagine having to replace a man who once was a prince in line for a kingdom, educated and developed. Then that man was appointed by God to be the deliver of His people. That man talked with God, and walked with God while in His presence. He was there when God wrote down the Ten Commandments. He led battles, and God did countless miracles through him. He watched as God covered him with His hand. Now his time had come to set aside, right at the entrance to the promised land.

Yes, Joshua had a tough act to follow. He had millions of Israelites to lead into the promised land. He had battles to fight, and lands to conquer. He had to make huge decisions. But Joshua had great faith, possibly greater than Moses. He had been to the land of the giants and knew God would deliver it to them. He had been trained by Moses, and seen God work through him. He was ready.

God told him in the first chapter of Joshua repeatedly to “be strong and courageous”. God used that phrase three times within four verses. Then the Israelites echoed it back to Joshua in the last verse of the chapter.

God was basically telling him, you are promoted, so be strong and courageous. There are battles to be fought, decisions to be made, but I am with you always. Joshua then crossed the Jordan and defeated Jericho. He dealt with Achan’s sin, made the sun stand still and defeated many armies. After conquering the promised land, he was responsible for distribution of the territories. He was strong and courageous, and walked and talked with God.

There is a great lesson here. God wants us to be strong and courageous as well. We have battles to fight and victories to claim. There may be walled cities or great struggles but He is at our side. We need to shoulder the responsibility of our ministry, whatever that ministry is. God will always be with us as we finish our race to what He has promised us. Be strong and courageous.

Pew Potatoes

Everyone knows what a couch potato is. It’s someone sitting in front of the TV, completely zoning out on their show, with chips, snacks and drinks nearby. They don’t do any work, and they don’t exercise what they have.

We have in our churches what some would call “pew potatoes”. They sit in their pew (same seat every Sunday) zoning out on being a “Christian”. They think attending church is ministry. They demand to get fed by the pastor and staff, but don’t want to open their own Bible or spend any real time with God. They, also, don’t want to do any work, and don’t exercise what they have.

How did they get this way? Why do we have some whole churches like this? Our walk with God is about us and Him, and about us serving our God and our brothers. It’s about doing! Get off your pew.

Pure Joy

In my old NIV Study Bible there are 218 references to the word joy. The word is used throughout both Testaments. David talks about singing and shouting with joy throughout the Psalms, and the joy of being in God’s presence. Joy is listed in Gal 5:22 as one of the fruits of the Spirit. 218 times throughout the Bible! We are told about joy, great joy, and greater joy. In one verse, we are told about pure joy. What a verse that must be!

James writes in James 1:5 , “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds…”. What?! Pure joy, that’s what the Word says. How many of us pout or cry when we face trials, or pray that a burden is lifted immediately? Pure joy.

Why? The testing of our faith develops perseverance, which must be finished so we can be complete and mature. So it’s a matter of knowing that if we stay strong , we will be complete. Many Christians like microwave testing, a short blast. Others look for alternative routes. Still others give up after a while, not wanting to stick it out. It’s part of the plan God has to complete us.

I am no way trivializing the weight and devastation that some trials can have on people. Many are crushing in magnitude. I have has trials that I have felt anything but joy. But it’s relying on God and His grace for His strength and an eternal, not temporal, outlook.

Paul was an example for this kind of pure joy. Thrown in jail, what does he do? He sings. Back in jail, waiting for execution. What does he do? He sleeps. He wrote in Romans 5:3 ..”we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Remember, not matter what, God loves us unconditionally, and wants us to be mature in Him. He cares for what we go through. He is there to carry us when we need it, and to let us walk through fire when we need to.

Many trials? We’re being completed. Pure joy.

World's Wages or His

Do we seek the world’s praise or acknowledgement for what we do for the Lord? Do we want to be part of the world, or are we strangers living in it?

The following is excerpted from God at Eventide, a classic and companion to God Calling (February 2, My Wages)-

"If the world understands you, then you are speaking its language, actuated by its motives, living its life according to its standards. Will you have this?

Remember I said very clearly, "Ye cannot serve God and mammon." If you serve God, then, for your work, you should surely look to God for reward.

So many of My servants serve Me, and yet expect to receive the gratitude and praise, or at least the acknowledgment of the world. Why? You are not doing the work of the world. Why expect its pay?"

Fast Food World

This is a fast food world. We want things on the go. We need to drive-through now. If we wait three minutes in the lane, we get upset. We want things our way, we want to pick and choose the things we like and things we don’t like. All hail the remote!

We like our life like this, but we want our church like this, too (and some are like that). We want this program but not this one, or one kind of music but not another. Some churches try to have something for everyone, a church ala Carte. Chuck Colson and other authors have written about this McChurch mentality.

The saddest thing is when Christians try to apply this to their relationship with God. God, I’ll do this faithfully but I don’t want to do that other thing you want. Or, I’ll worship and praise you Lord, but I’m not going to do that one.

That's not what God wants for us or from us. He wants us to slow down and wait on Him. To slow down, and be still before Him. Persevere, and grow. He desires obedience more than sacrifice.

Peace

Some times in our daily life we need a little peace. Phones are ringing, horns are honking, and people are shouting. Maybe we are being attacked, or maybe we are disciplining a child. We need some peace.

When I was younger I would go out behind our garden to some trees with large branches. You were hidden there, and safe. The branches covered you. No one could see you. I felt some peace in that spot.

David was probably attacked as much as anyone in the Scriptures. He was on the run from the Philistines, Saul, and even his own child. The Psalms are full of verses where he asks God to protect him or spare him.

In Psalm 17:9, David uses a similar illustration to my trees. He asks God to cover him with His wings. This brings to me a visual of a great hawk or eagle, hiding her chicks. In the previous verse he asks God to keep him the apple of His eye.

Jesus told the disciples that He gives us peace, and His peace is different that the worlds. It’s permanent and fulfilling. What worldly peace can claim that?

Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.

I want to be like My Jesus

In today's society and in Christianity itself, many gloss over who Jesus was and how He ministered. The scriptures talk about Jesus going to Pharisees homes for dinner. He talked to a woman who was considered an enemy of Jews. He went places we never would dare today, and associated with people we never would.

The following are lyrics to My Jesus by Todd Agnew. A real prayer for the humble today.

Which Jesus do you follow?
Which Jesus do you serve?
If Ephesians says to imitate Christ
Then why do you look so much like the world?

Cause my Jesus bled and died
He spent His time with thieves and liars
He loved the poor and accosted the arrogant
So which one do you want to be?

Blessed are the poor in spirit
Or do we pray to be blessed with the wealth of this land
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousness
Or do we ache for another taste of this world of shifting sand

Cause my Jesus bled and died for my sins
He spent His time with thieves and sluts and liars
He loved the poor and accosted the rich
So which one do you want to be?

Who is this that you follow
This picture of the American dream
If Jesus was here would you walk right by on the other side or fall down and worship at His holy feet

Pretty blue eyes and curly brown hair and a clear complexion
Is how you see Him as He dies for Your sins
But the Word says He was battered and scarred
Or did you miss that part
Sometimes I doubt we'd recognize Him

Cause my Jesus bled and died
He spent His time with thieves and the least of these
He loved the poor and accosted the comfortable
So which one do you want to be?

Cause my Jesus would never be accepted in my church
The blood and dirt on His feet might stain the carpet
But He reaches for the hurting and despises the proud
I think He'd prefer Beale St. to the stained glass crowd
And I know that He can hear me if I cry out loud

I want to be like my Jesus!
I want to be like my Jesus!

Not a posterchild for American prosperity, but like my Jesus
You see I'm tired of living for success and popularity
I want to be like my Jesus but I'm not sure what that means to be like You Jesus
Cause You said to live like You, love like You but then You died for me
Can I be like You Jesus?
I want to be like you Jesus!
I want to be like my Jesus!

The Workers Sit in A Seminar

Many years ago a great Christian band had a song with a line that's stayed with me. It said that while we are sitting in our seminars and classes that people around the world are starving. How sad. Is that what God called us to?

How many people not only do this , but would prefer to do it. Great fellowship, learning from the Word, a great and holy time. They're right, it can be a time of much encouragement and growth. We need that. But we also need to balance out that with being God's hands and feet. More people need to get out and show what God's love is. Remember, there are two of those important Two Greatest Commandments.

Author John Bevere said that we have so emphasized who we are in Christ for the last 20-30 years, we've done it to the neglect of what we are to do in Christ.

That same band had another song we should remember. Aliens and Strangers. That's what we are in this world. Our citizenship is in the heavenly realm with our Creator. This world is passing away, and it seems quicker each day. We can't afford to be in too many seminars.

The World's 23rd Psalm

I have no shepherd.
I am in want and need.
I have no one to feed me.
In green pastures I have no rest.

I have no one to lead me to quiet waters.
I am thirsty.
I don't know where to turn.
As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
evil surrounds me.
I am terribly afraid for no one is there to comfort me.
I have no feast prepared before me.
I am overwhelmed by enemies.
No one anoints my wounds or fills my cup.
My cup is empty.
All the days of my life are filled with deceit and disappointment.
I have no home for eternity.
Will I dwell in an evil hosue forever?

Between the Trees

The Bible is several books within one book. It is story of God's love and His redemptive mercy. It is history and lessons of the saints who went before. It is our guidebook to this life on earth and to our daily walk with Him. It is also a book about trees.

In Genesis in Eden God planted many trees, with two in the middle. The Tree of Life was there to offer life to those who eat from it. The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was also in the middle of the garden. Even the smallest child can tell you the story of what happened there.

Trees are mentioned many other places. David in Psalms talks about a blessed man being planted like a tree by the stream. Jesus cursed a fig tree, and used trees as an illustration to talk about fruit. A sycamore tree plays a prominent part in the story of Zacchaeus.

The most important tree in the Bible is the one of Savior was hung on to die.

Finally, in the last chapter of the Book in Revelation, there is the Tree of Life. I see it as a majestic, shining tree. The leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. It provides its fruit, and the curse is no more.

So, as the Bible shows, it is all about living our life between the trees.

Bound to Come Some Trouble

As Rich Mullins so eloquently sang, there is bound to come some trouble in your life. Don't we know it. This life we have is not perfect, and God never said it would be. We each have our own trials to bear and obstacles to overcome.

James says in Chapter 1 that trials and testing develop perseverance, and perseverance leads to maturity and completion. Paul talked about boasting to the other churches about the Thessalonians faith in the persecutions they were facing. But we don't like to stay the course for too long, we want relief and answers now.

The fathers of our faith, from Abraham and Moses all through the Old Testament, faced trials of great odds. The disciples were jailed, beaten and all died martyr's deaths except John. Our Christ and King was beaten, persecuted and hung on a cross to wash away the terrible sins we have today. Shouldn't we expect valleys and disease and deaths?

Our trials can be heavy and hard, ripping at your heart and spirit. Know that God knows, and is there for you. I don't understand how people can go through some of life's situations without the Lord. Many would say we only need God because we're weak. I say right on to that; His power is made perfect in our weakness. When he's walked you through it, you will be more mature for it if you've leaned on Him. When you are on the other side of it, if you've trusted Him, you will be closer to what He wants you to be.

Like Little Children

Although my own children are relatively grown know, I still have occasion to spend time with young children. Over the past several years, I have helped with several bible school programs in different locations. It is so cool to watch children. It's amazing to watch children learn about God.

Children believe for many reasons, but when they believe, they believe right now. They believe because we tell them it's so, and the trusted adults can never be wrong!? Maybe it's because they read what the Bible teaches and they know that's God Word. Or possibly, they see the world and just know it just makes sense, that a loving God would do whatever it takes to save us.

They trust unconditionally, unlike their jaded, twice burnt, all-knowing parents. They don't question the little things. Ever notice how the little things don't matter to kids?

In the past I was on a missions trip ministering to many children. Our bus would drive up to the compound and they would be waiting for us. They would be hanging on us and laughing with us, always wanting to know things. When we left, they would hug us with tears in their eyes, and then race besides the bus yelling that they would see us tommorrow.

That how we should be with God. Waiting for Him, and enjoying His presence and wanting to learn. And not being able to wait until that quiet, special time with Him the next day. This is what God meant by having faith like little children to enter His kindomw.

Fallow Ground

Fallow ground can be a good thing. When the ground is not tilled or planted and just left to rest for a season, it is called fallow ground. It was important enough to leave ground fallow that the Israelites were commanded to leave the land unplanted for one year each 7^th year.

But fallow ground can be a bad thing as well. Today the Conservation Reserve Program can keep acres out of production for up to 10 years. The rain falls and lays, and the sun bakes it hard. Weeds grow, are mowed short, then grow again. There is no tilling, no planting or weeding, and no harvest. When it’s finally put back in production, it takes some time and work to get it producing.

Sometimes we Christians are like fallow ground. Occasionally we need a season of rest. We need a time to pray and wait on the Lord without ministry responsibilities. If we are Christians we have ministry responsibilities.

Christians can also be like the hard fallow ground as well. We know all the scriptures and sermons. Trials have beaten us down, or beaten us hard, or both. Weeds grow in our life, but they are trimmed to respectability, not hoed out. We aren’t producing. There are many fields of this type ground filling the pews every Sunday.

My prayer for myself and each one of us is that we allow God to be our farmer. Let Him refresh you while you wait and rest in Him. Or, let Him plow you anew. Let Him break up that hard crust on your topsoil, fertilize, and plant new seed in you. He will water and nuture so you can be fruitful again.

Religion

Religion. Everyone has one. They might tell you they don’t, but they do. Some are Christians, and others are christians. For many it’s a faith of no god, and others a lack of a god. For some people it’s sports, for some celebrities, and for others their job. The dictionary says one definition of religion is” something one believes in and follows devotedly”.

In Florida, it could be the sun and surf. In California it’s the lifestyle. People worship the Hoosiers in Indiana and the Buckeyes in Ohio. And it’s celebrities throughout the country. Some people’s religion is their religion.

I’m not saying that sports are bad, or not work as hard. Or to keep the TV and movies off. I’m just saying some Christian’s basements are a shrine to their team, which they spend more time on than with God. Some Christians spend more time on the knees in their beautiful garden that on their knees in front of Him.

What is your religion? The Bible says that pure religion is this: to take care of those who can’t, like widows and orphans, and to keep oneself from being polluted by this world(James 1:27). This falls in line with Jesus’ two great commandments- love God with all your heart, soul and mind(if you really do, you won’t be polluted), and love you neighbor as yourself(taking care of others).

Persevere

In this fast-food, microwave, click a mouse society, the last thing we want to do is wait. New technologies and their applications have made us impatient. We won't pull ahead in the drive-through to wait for another two or three minutes. We complain when our internet connection isn't fast enough or it takes awhile to download pages or files. We want it now.

And times are tough. The economy is rough, and it feels like cancer and disease is running rampant. We as Christians feel persecuted.

But God wants us to persevere. He wants us to wait on Him, wait for Him, be still and know that HE is God. No matter what.

It can be hard. James(one of my favorite books in the Bible) says that to be mature and complete we must persevere. Later he says that he who does under trial is blessed, and receive the crown of life God has promised. We've all heard stories of people who have prayed for a spouse's salvation, for 10, 15, 20 years. What if they stopped? Can we even pray or stand a trial for 2 weeks let alone that long.

We are called to persevere, and what promises we have.

Purpose

I have always resisted the temptation to start a blog, although I may be the only person on the planet who hasn't started one. I have always felt that many bloggers just want to hear themselves talk, to have their own soapbox. You can get lost amidst the din and confusion of all the opinions on blogs and forums on the net. So, why?

I wanted a soapbox! No, just kidding. I finally felt that this might be a good medium to plant some seeds as it were, to encourage and water those seeds. The purpose is to shed some light in what can be a dark world. It is not my light I shed, only a hope to reflect the true Light. I believe we are in this world to glorify and love God, and to serve Him and others. Everything else is just weeds(I'll save that for another post).

My hope is that these words can be a reflection of God's love. I don't know everything, and am better than no one. I want to share and learn, to encourage and build up, and to help others point their face towards Him. It may be a story , a devotion, or thoughts on Scriptures or current events. My prayer is that it touches lives and glorifies Him.