Easter Week - Tuesday

     Yesterday we started our journey through Holy Week by looking at what Jesus did on both Palm Sunday and the following Monday.   Quite an amazing transformation in just 24 hours!  The Israelites went from laying down palms at the feet of His donkey to breaking His heart by money-changing inside the temple.  What appeared to be celebratory was not... the people of Jerusalem were patting Him on the back in public while many were plotting behind the scenes to speed up His demise.  What I love about Jesus is that He knew this was going on... yet continued to bravely do ministry in the face of it.  

He could hear the footsteps of His coming crucifixion but He never took His eyes off of His purpose.

On Tuesday of that same week, Jesus continued revealing the true intentions of those He came into contact with.  This time, He was tested with a series of questions.  Those that stood against Jesus were constantly trying to catch Him in a lie...or to cause Him to sin.  Here are a few of the questions they asked Jesus on Tuesday:

Q:  Who gave you the authority to do what you do? 

A:  “He answered them,

“I also will ask you a question. Now tell me, was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?”

And they discussed it with one another, saying,

“If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”

So they answered that they did not know where it came from.

And Jesus said to them,

“Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”  - Luke 20:3-8

Q:  Should we pay taxes to Caesar or not?

A:  “But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, “Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?”  They said, “Caesar’s.”  He said to them,

“Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.” - Luke 20:23-26

I love that.... they tried to catch Jesus in a trap... He left them speechless with His wisdom!  They weren’t done... but each question the people asked, Jesus gave them a flawless and holy answer...

But Jesus‘ Tuesday wasn’t over... He had yet more wisdom to share with the people...

As they exited the temple, the Disciples were marveling at their beauty. Jesus takes this opportunity to share some more incredible facts with them.  Here’s a quick list:

(from Matthew 24:1-25:46)

All of the beautiful temples would fall.

There would be many false prophets pretending to be the returning Christ

Those that follow Christ would be persecuted for His name’s sake

No one except the Father knows the exact date and time of Jesus‘ return

Be ready for the Son of Man will come at an hour you don’t expect

People will be separated like sheep and goats (believers and non-believers)

This lengthy passage is known as the Olivet Discourse by scholars and I recommend that you read it in its entirety.   Jesus continued to use parable to illustrate complicated concepts to His detractors... never once slipping... never once sinning.  Christ would be dead in just a few days and He knew it.   Yet He spent his last week pouring into the people who would mock and torture Him.  

They would try to silence Him forever. 

God had other plans.  

The resurrection is coming…  Praise God for His goodness and sacrifice today…

Easter Week - Sunday/Monday

Yesterday began what Christians around the world celebrate as Holy Week... Jesus’ final week on planet Earth BEFORE His resurrection from the grave. As we prepare our hearts for this upcoming Easter weekend, I thought it would be great to explore each of the days leading up to Easter... what happened in Christ’s life, what it meant, and how it all led to his crucifixion and ultimate victory over death and the cross. The Bible doesn’t specifically list these events chronologically, but scholars have pieced together what they believe to be an accurate timeline. Let’s take a brief look at yesterday (Sunday) and into Monday.

PALM SUNDAY

Jesus sends two disciples to secure a donkey and a colt for His entry into Jerusalem

“As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. 2 “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.”
This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said,

“Tell the people of Jerusalem, ‘Look, your King is coming to you.He is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt.’”
The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it.
Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,
“Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!”
The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked.
And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Matthew 21:1-11

Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem as a hero! People cheered, shouted praise, and placed palm branches down in the streets as a sign of worship and respect. As we move on throughout the week... don’t forget the reception Christ received during His entrance. The feeling of goodwill and reverence would soon give way to violent outrage and disgust. Why did the people turn on Christ? Did they really feel inside like they were acting on the outside? Let’s keep looking ahead.

MONDAY

Christian scholars have surmised through archaeology, context, and significant study of the ancient texts, that Jesus did two things on the final Monday of His pre-resurrention life.

#1: “In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once.” - Matthew 21:18-19

#2: And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. And he was teaching them and saying to them,“Is it not written, My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” - Mark 11:15-17

At first glance, these verses may seem disconnected. Jesus starts His morning cursing a tree and continues it by tossing some tables over. However, both acts were intentionally done by Christ to show the decay that had come over the nation of Israel. He knew the true hearts of the people... those same people that just 12 hours prior were singing His praises.

In the first case, the fig tree was often symbolically used to represent the nation of Israel. Jesus comes to it... sees leaves but no figs... and curses it for it’s lack of fruit. Here was a tree with potential for wonderful produce... but instead sat unprepared, unready, and disconnected from it’s purpose. The tree sat barren... just like the hearts of those Israelites that claimed to love Jesus. Their purpose was to bear fruit as believers...but, instead, they had turned to religion and legalism. Jesus wants us to fulfill our purpose, bear fruit, and reach the potential for which we were created.

The second passage demonstrates again how the Israelites’ hearts had become hardened to their real purpose. Here they were selling items inside the very place that they were supposed to be praising Christ. Jesus knew that He had to set things straight and reminded those causing the trouble that the church was a place for prayer and worship only. This wasn’t sinful anger... but righteous discipline.

These two Monday events foreshadow what Christ would face on Friday of this week... The smiles that He walked past on Sunday were barely hiding the contempt and lack of respect the people of Jerusalem had for the Son of God. Unfortunately, It would get worse... and then infinitely better!

There are just a few days left until we kick off our Easter services! See you there!

Gold

In the recent Summer Games (2012), Kim Rhode won the gold medal in skeet shooting making her the first American to win 5 Olympic medals in 5 consecutive Olympic games. That’s a span of 20 years and not her only distinction. In the 2012 games, she hit 99 out of 100 skeet setting a new Olympic record and tying the world record for the event. As if that wasn’t accomplishment enough... her first medal was in the 1996 Summer Games making her the youngest female gold medalist in Olympic shooting. 

How does this happen?

In an interview with the New York Times, Rhode answers the question of how. She shoots anywhere from 500 to 1,000 rounds every day of the week year around. To save you the math, this is 3,000,000 plus shots with a shotgun. That’s 600,000 rounds per medal.   Over three million practice shots.  Time after time.  Every single day on her calendar.  

Kim would be the first to tell you... it’s all about the preparation.  What you do on your own time is as important (if not more so) than what you do in the spotlight.  Her excellence on the range is due to her diligence, discipline, and perseverance.  In other words... there are no shortcuts.  Gold medals don’t hang around the necks of those that wing it... that hope for the best... that count on good fortune or a favorable breeze.  Champions don’t materialize... they are made.

In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul talks about this type of preparation.  

“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!  All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.  So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”  

All of us run the race of life.  We lace up our shoes each morning, get on a bus or in a car, and head somewhere that requires us to make a difference.  We make decisions, contribute to relationships, communicate ideas, raise children, and live out the life that unfolds in front of us.  But are we successful?  Do we make the most of every opportunity or do we find ourselves reacting... flat-footed.  Underprepared for the challenges...

Which brings us to the next important question... how much training do we do?   How much of our day is preparation?  How many minutes are spent intentionally trying to better ourselves?  Are we living on purpose?

- How much time is spent reading and meditating on the scriptures? How many Bible verses have I memorized and keep on my heart?

-  How many people do I hold grudges against?  Why haven’t I forgiven them?  

 Am I raising my children in a way that honors God?  How much quality time do I spend with them?  Do they know God?

 Am I being the husband/wife that God wants me to be?  Is most of my energy spent trying to change my spouse or is it spent becoming a better one?

 Do I spend my day blaming others or confessing my shortcomings to God?

When was the last time I asked for forgiveness?  Given forgiveness?

Am I living out what I claim to believe?   Or do I tell people I believe it because that’s what they expect me to say?

We can avoid these questions or we can run toward them.  Don’t settle.  Bronze is a beautiful color... but you were created for gold.  The eternal prize Paul was talking about?  The everlasting salvation found in Christ...making a Kingdom difference in the lives of those around you... changing the destiny of someone bound for eternal separation from God into a life-changing eternal relationship with Him.  Growing in Christ... Not surviving life but really living it to its fullest.  That’s what we’re after.  That’s why we train.  To reach the potential that God has placed in our hearts... to fulfill our destiny... to become the men and women that change the world.... and give all glory to God in the process. 

But we can’t do it if we aren’t prepared.  It isn’t easy.   Christ never promised us ease of lifestyle... He promised eternal reward.   The challenges will be hard... the competition fierce... and the opposing team?  An enemy that prowls like a lion just waiting for us to stop growing and start settling.   Ready to win?  Every race... every result... the path to every gold medal was all started the same way.  

Deciding to begin.   

Eventually

A pilot always looked down intently on a certain valley in the Appalachians. "What’s so interesting about that spot?" Asked a fellow pilot. "See that stream? Well, when I was a kid I used to sit down there on a log and fish. Every time an airplane flew over, I would look up and wish I were flying... Now I look down and wish I were fishing."

Why does it seem that no matter where we are... we want to be somewhere else?

Then when we get there... we either want to go back to where we just came from... or somewhere new.

Never satisfied.

Ever felt that way?  Ever wonder why you are where you are... Ever sit and think about how great it could be if you were in place A or with person B?   Ever have a longing to be someplace...get there...and wish you had never left the first place?  That feeling of dissatisfaction and regret can sting... and if we’re not careful... that simple question “what if” can derail us from a fulfilled life.

The Apostle Paul dealt with that... but he didn’t let it control him.   He figured out a way to be satisfied where he was...

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.  I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”  Phil. 4:11-13

Paul’s “secret” to living in every situation?  Contentment through Christ.  Commitment not abandonment.   Pushing through not giving up.  Seeing adversity as an opportunity to trust God and not as an obstacle.    

Today you might be facing the giant of dissatisfaction.  You have the choice... sit in neutral, look out the window, and daydream about what it would be like to escape where you find yourself... Or pray and ask God to reveal to you how to make the most of where you currently are.  Contentment doesn’t mean that everything is perfect... it simply means that you realize three things:

 God is in control. 

 You won’t be where you are forever.  

There is something you will learn in your current situation that you couldn’t get any other way.

The grass isn’t greener on the other side of the fence.  It’s greener where it’s watered.    You have to make the intentional decision to carry the water with you.  The Living Water (John 7:37-39).   Not wait to see if things improve... not grumble when they don’t change right away... but make the best of the situation you’re in.  Learn from it.  Seek God in it.  Dare to rise above your circumstances and praise God in spite of how the world tells you to react.   God has given you an incredible life... don’t waste a second of it wondering “what if”.   Instead... focus on what’s in front of you and keep moving forward.  

Even baby steps will get you to where you need to be eventually.  

Fully Committed

Poker players call it “All In”...  

Some know it as the mathematically impossible...“110%”  

Nike says “Just Do It”

You and I know it simply as...commitment.  

What does God want us to commit to?  

1 Kings 8:61 - “And may your hearts be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.”

God wants us to be fully committed to following His guidelines for our lives.   Life’s too short to think partial commitment is good enough... God wants our all.  If we told our spouse that we will be faithful 80% of the time...that wouldn’t work.  It has to be 100%.  God is worthy of our total commitment to His direction for our lives.  

Galatians 6:9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

God wants us to be fully committed to moving forward.  Don’t EVER give up... the harvest is on the other side of the hurt.  

What other benefits come from full-on commitment to God?

REWARD - “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”  2 Chronicles 15:7

SUCCESS - “Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.”  Proverbs 16:3

JUSTICE and RIGHTEOUSNESS - “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act, making your righteousness shine like the dawn, your justice like the noonday.”  Psalm 37:5-6

AN AMAZING LIFE! - “Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.”  James 1:12

I challenge you today...

Be bold.

Dive in.

Trust God.

Persevere.

Commit to loving Jesus more.

Commit to loving others more.

Resist the temptation to compromise, fold, back down, stay silent, or be lukewarm.

You can do it... I’ll be praying for you as you do.  

Are you “all in”?  Let me know in the comments below. 

Turning Over Rocks

In an earlier century, there lay a large boulder in the middle of the roadway. Traveler after traveler walked past the boulder, veering off the side of the road to get around it. All the while, they were shaking their head and muttering, "Can you believe that? Someone should get that big thing out of the way. What an inconvenience!”

Finally, a man came along and, seeing the boulder, took a branch from a tree and pried the boulder enough to get it rolling and rolled it off to the side of the road. Lying underneath the rock, he found a small bag with a note. The man picked up the note and read it. It was a letter from the king and it read as follows: "Thank you for being a true servant of the kingdom. Many have passed this way and complained because of the state of the problem and spoken of what ought to be done. But you have taken the responsibility upon yourself to serve the kingdom instead. You are the type of citizen we need more of in this kingdom. Please accept this bag of gold that traveler after traveler have walked by simply because they didn’t care enough about the kingdom to serve."

So many complain.  So few do anything.

You’ve seen it at your child’s school... in your workplace... maybe even where your bed is.  Problems as big as boulders sitting square in the middle of progress... and nobody does anything to make the necessary changes.  It’s frustrating isn’t it?  They may yell at the problem.  Gossip about the problem.  Write Facebook posts about the problem.  Talk to their spouse about the problem.  Maybe even pretend the problem isn’t there. 

Truth is... ignored problems don’t go away.  Side-stepped issues don’t solve themselves.   

We know that there is a difficult conversation that needs to be had... or a really nice person let go from a position that they simply can’t do... or a relationship issue that needs to be dealt with...Or maybe it’s something simpler...

...providing assistance to someone who no longer can help themselves.

...preparing food for the homeless in the area

...lending a shoulder to cry on 

...sharing the Good News of Christ with a hurting community (or a judgmental family)

The Bible talks specifically about the role of the Christ-follower regarding acts of service:

“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”  Acts 20:35

God doesn’t tell us to step around it... avoid it... ignore it... or dismiss it.  He tells us to dive into it.  Get our hands dirty.  Own it.  Jesus gave each one of us gifts, abilities, and talents.  The catch is... they aren’t for us.  They are for glorifying God, removing boulders, mending fences, enhancing lives, and serving those that can’t return the favor.  “Christian” isn’t a word describing those that believe... it’s a directive to be the one to act.  

Believers do - not just say... 

Move forward - not around... 

Get involved - not lost...  

God-followers are servants.  The minute we forget that, we slip from disciple to disobedient.  I want to challenge you today... if you see a problem...step in.  Get involved.  Share the love of Christ.  Serve those God puts in your path.  Help people who haven’t earned it.  Stand out and be counted as the person who always puts themselves second. And someday, when Jesus says “well done”... you can smile knowing you always put Him first.  

Lost Sleep

There is a story told about a woman who for many years couldn’t sleep at night because she worried that her home would be burglarized. One night her husband heard a noise in the house, so he went downstairs to investigate. When he got there, he found a burglar. The husband said to the burglar, "Come upstairs and meet my wife. She has been waiting 10 years to meet you."

The tragic thing about the story above? If the robber had come in ...and the woman had never previously thought about him... he would have stolen stuff and left. One event. One outcome. Instead, this robber stole much more... 10 years of sleep... peace of mind... tranquility... contentment...

The what-ifs were much worse than the burglar who eventually showed up.

Worry is just like that. Precious seconds of our lives spent waiting for someone or something to happen. Sometimes it comes and sometimes it doesn’t. But our bodies and minds don’t know the difference. The scenario in our head seems very real...and our body reacts. Stress, high blood pressure, sleeplessness, anxiety, tension, irritability... all byproducts of a life focused on what could happen over what sometimes actually does.

Worry is powerful... and many times it leads us to turn away from God and try to manage it ourselves. Problem is... there usually isn’t a problem. Look at these stats:

An average person’s anxiety is focused on :
40% -- things that will never happen
30% -- things about the past that can’t be changed
12% -- things about criticism by others, mostly untrue
10% -- about health, which gets worse with stress
8% -- about real problems that will be faced

8%. That tells me that 92% of what we worry about is unnecessary. In the Psalms, David dealt with the 92% too... only he chose a different path than worry.

“O God, have mercy on me,
for people are hounding me.
My foes attack me all day long.
I am constantly hounded by those who slander me,
and many are boldly attacking me.
But when I am afraid,
I will put my trust in you.
I praise God for what he has promised.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?” Psalm 56:1-4

David chose to trust. Not try to trust. Not say he was going to trust. Not tell others to trust. Not think that trusting was a good idea. Not hear a message about trusting and then worrying all the way home. Not just trusting when things were going great. Not trusting when he ran out of his own power. Not trusting in the small things and trying to handle the big things. Not trusting his past successes. Not trusting his gut over his God.

He trusted.

Is this always easy? Are you always going to feel like trusting? Maybe not. My suggestion to overcoming worry may seem cliché but it works...

Take it one day at a time.

One day.... one decision...one choice at a time. Handle what’s now instead of what may never be. Intentionally decide...even if it’s hour by hour...to give things to God instead of allowing the enemy to intimidate us with scenarios and what-ifs.

We are a masterpiece... and our lives are a beautiful mosaic of experiences (both uplifting and challenging). Let’s turn our hearts and minds over to Christ...there’s no need to worry anymore.

Whispers

“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.” 1 Kings 19:11-12

Life is loud.  

During the course of a day you are bound to hear sounds so noisy that you can barely hear yourself think.  Maybe for you it’s the sound of a boss yelling, a teacher correcting the class, or maybe even a child crying for mommy.  For others it’s the scream of regret... or the pounding thump of ridicule.  There is loudness everywhere.  

If we aren’t careful, the noise of the world can drown out the voice of God.  Today’s verse talks about just that... God’s voice wasn’t in the howling windstorm or the booming   earthquake.  Elijah couldn’t even hear it in the roaring fire.  God was communicating with him in a whole new way:  the quiet whisper. 

He still does that today.  God doesn’t raise His voice to communicate with us. He doesn’t signal us in shouts or yells or pointed fingers or accusations.  God whispers.  He nudges.  He speaks to us in the quiet spaces of our heart... not with judgment but in love.  We just have to quiet our spirit enough to hear Him.  

Having trouble connecting with God?   Wondering what He wants you to do with your life?  Retreat to where the sound isn’t... open up the Word... and listen for the gentlest voice you can hear.  God has something to tell you.

Pain, Prayer, Peace

Tony Campolo tells a story about being in a church in Oregon where he was asked to pray for a man who had cancer. Campolo prayed boldly for the man’s healing. 

That next week he got a telephone call from the man’s wife. She said, "You prayed for my husband. He had cancer." Campolo thought when he heard her use the past tense verb that his cancer had been healed! But before he could think much about it she said, "He died." Compolo felt terrible.

But she continued, "Don’t feel bad. When he came into that church that Sunday he was filled with anger. He knew he was going to be dead in a short period of time, and he hated God. He was 58 years old, and he wanted to see his children and grandchildren grow up. He was angry that this all-powerful God didn’t take away his sickness and heal him. He would lie in bed and curse God. The more his anger grew towards God, the more miserable he was to everybody around him. It was an awful thing to be in his presence.

But the lady told Compolo, "After you prayed for him, a peace had come over him and a joy had come into him. Tony, his last three days were his best days in a long long time.”

There are three things we can learn about pain in Tony’s story...

1)  Pain is purposeful

2 Corinthians 12:7-9 “…even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.  Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”

Even though we may be hurting... God will not let that pain be wasted.  Like the Apostle Paul (and the husband in our story above), we may be asking God to take away what hurts.  If He were to do that, we would miss out on the growth that will come as a result of enduring through it.   A lesson learned without pain is sometimes a lesson we have to learn again.  It seems that time after time in scripture we find breakthrough only comes with breakage... of hearts, of self, of desires, or of our own attitudes.

When we begin to see our challenges through God’s lens, we realize that it is in our lowest points that we receive our greatest blessings.   At the end of your rope?  Feeling at the bottom of the pit?  Don’t give up.  Your pain matters and God will use it.  Not for torment... but for triumph.   

2)  Prayer is powerful 

“So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.”  Colossians 1:9

The husband in today’s story appreciated the prayer from Tony Campolo.  You can picture the scene... he comes home full of hope... ready for the cancer he was battling to fall away under the mighty declared word from a strong and powerful prayer.  

He wanted a healing prayer.  God healed him.  It just wasn’t the way the man expected it.  

When it didn’t happen right away, the man became bitter and thought that God was ignoring him.  In actuality, God had every intention of granting his request.  By calling him home to Heaven.  Prayer is powerful and important.  We need to do it with faith.  But what kind of faith?  Faith that God can do it?  (We know He can).  Faith that He’ll do it quickly?  (God does things in His own perfect time).  Faith that it will be done the way we want it to come out?  (most of us want our prayers answered our own specific way).   

No.

We need to pray with the faith that (when it comes to healing) God always says yes.  God always heals.  Sometimes right away...sometimes a delay for our growth... and sometimes to call us home.   

Prayer shouldn’t be a last ditch effort... it should be the powerful first step.  Pray expectantly... pray intentionally... and pray faithfully.  God knows what’s best...and He always brings healing.  

3) Peace is possible

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7

This young lady’s husband went to Heaven with a smile on his soul.   How?

Before God said yes and healed him by bringing him home... He gave him a great gift... peace.  Tony Campolo prayed with him... and the power of God showered his heart with   an unexplainable sense of calm.  

Feeling stressed about your pain?   How long has it been bothering you?

Looking like the situation is hopeless?  helpless?  empty?

Remember... Jesus can calm the storm.  With a simple word, Christ made the waves cease and the clouds part.  Panic was replaced with perspective.  The Alpha and Omega... Prince of Peace... Lord and Savior of the Universe came to earth so that we can overcome.

Your pain... He feels it.

Your heartbreak... He feels it.

Your setback... He feels it.

Your life... He sees it.   Pray out.  Claim healing.  He will be there.  When the waves crash against the side of your life... don’t cower and shrink back.  There is nothing on this planet that Christ can’t guide you through.  Peace is not only possible in chaos... God specializes in providing it.  

And when you hurt.  He heals.  Every time.  

Your pain has a purpose... your prayer has power... and peace is possible. 

Stay strong and know that I am praying for your restoration.  

Good

Psalm 145:9-16

The Lord is good to everyone. 
He showers compassion on all his creation.
All of your works will thank you, Lord,
and your faithful followers will praise you.
They will speak of the glory of your kingdom;
they will give examples of your power.
They will tell about your mighty deeds
and about the majesty and glory of your reign.
For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
You rule throughout all generations.
The Lord always keeps his promises;
he is gracious in all he does.
The Lord helps the fallen
and lifts those bent beneath their loads.
The eyes of all look to you in hope;
you give them their food as they need it.
When you open your hand,
you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.

Psalm 145 above reminds us of why God is so good all the time...

He is compassionate (vs. 9) - He cares about us on an intimate level... He knows it hurts and He never leaves us.

He is strong (vs. 11 and 12) - God is powerful enough to take our biggest struggles away... and determined enough to let us endure them to develop perseverance.

He keeps His promises (vs. 13) - When God says it... He doesn’t change it. His word is steadfast, true, and meant to be taken literally in your mind and heart. You may not be able to bank on much in this world... but God does what He promises He will do.

He is gracious (vs. 13) - We get what we haven’t earned. God gives grace when we deserve punishment.

He helps us up when we fall (vs. 14) - Feeling beaten down? We all do from time to time. God never leaves us when we are at our weakest...when we stumble... when we fail. In fact, it is during those times that when we turn to Him... He helps us back up.

He provides (vs. 16) - Too many times we look to God and wonder... “Why would a good God not provide for me?” What we miss is what we already have. When we look at our situation through the lens of gratitude...we realize that God provides what we need not necessarily what we want.

Every single thing we have, are, or will ever be comes from God.

Don’t let your circumstances or emotions determine your opinion of the goodness of God. He is and always will be the same. Unflinchingly in love with you... Committed to helping you discover and reach your potential... Intentionally nudging your heart to obedience... Lovingly whispering encouragement to your soul.

Even when we don’t understand why
Even when we don’t see the fruits of our labor
Even when the skies grow cloudy and the rains fall in our lives
Even when the enemy tries to convince us otherwise...

God is good.

I may not understand the world but God is good.
Bad things may happen but God is good.
I may feel life is unfair but God is good.
I may not see the destination and get frustrated in the road to get there...

But God. is. good.

Pace

Many see life like the croaking of a frog.  

RIBBIT  -  rest  -  RIBBIT   -  rest.  -  RIBBIT - rest

Perfectly metered...equally paced.  Off, on, off, on.   Work, home, work, home.  A perfect    blend. 

This is NOT life.  You may hear this in a swamp but you won’t see it in your neighborhood.  We get into trouble when we feel like our lives should live up to this unrealistic expectation.  It simply isn’t possible or necessary.  

Life is much more like the song of the bird.  Music... loud, soft, long rests and short blasts.  Melodic...flowing...pausing...restarting.  It isn’t loud crescendos all the time... often it’s calm melodies... thoughtful passages where great focus is placed on the benefit of the entire piece over one grouping of instruments.  Sometimes it gets very loud and stays there... only to give way to a necessary silence.  A time to catch your breath, turn the page, and continue playing.  Unequally paced...intentionally asymmetrical.

The key to a fulfilled life is seeking Christ in all things... realizing that we should be focused on His rhythms over the hard cadence of what the world deems to be healthy. 

I love the way this verse from Matthew talks about it.  

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”  Matthew 11:28-30

Recover your life.   Unforced rhythms of grace.  Real rest.

Only through Christ.  

Jesus didn’t try to balance His ministry... spending equal time with His disciples and those He came to serve.  Instead He knew that He had a limited time to make an impact for the Kingdom... 

He gave His all to fulfill His purpose... 

Intentionally poured into His family when He was with them... 

Involved those He loved in what He was doing... 

Stayed connected to God through honest communication in prayer..

It wasn’t balance He was after... it was rhythm.   The world may have said He wasn’t balanced... and they would be right.  He wasn’t going for parity.  He was fulfilling His purpose.

We should do the same.

Thrive where you’re planted... make the most of the season you’re in... and dance to the perfect rhythm of life by following Christ.  Give up the pursuit of balance and embrace the ebb and flow of God’s timing and mission for your life.

Let the frogs croak... you weren’t meant for the bog anyway.   

For You

How often do we forget the power of God?   Sometimes it’s when we are in financial crisis... other times we get scared when the doctor tells us she found something on our X-rays.  Fear sets in.  Storm clouds gather.  We feel helpless, hopeless, and alone. Can God REALLY do what the Bible says He can?

I think some of the most common doubting takes place when it comes time to pray.   Is God listening to me?  Does He even care?  If He does hear me... what will his answer be?  What if He says “wait”  or even  “No..”  What will I do then?  If you’ve ever found yourself wondering the same thing when you pray, today’s verse has good news for you  Ready for it?  Here it is:

“If God is for us, who can ever be against us?”  -  Romans 8:31b 

God is for you.  

Read that one more time...  God is for you.

Paul asks... “If God is for us, who can ever be against us?”

Great question... but doubt no more... God is for you. He has your best interests in mind.  He is your protector, sustainer, provider, caretaker, and loving Heavenly Father.  Even if you question His power... or face challenges and stresses that seem beyond your ability to handle them... God always knows what’s best for you.  Stand strong knowing that even though you may not receive the prayer answer you’re expecting... He is listening.   The response you get will always be the right one.... in the right time... and there is nothing on Earth that will be able to stand against you with the King of Kings in your corner.  

Never give up... Keep going.

Never stop praying... He’s listening.

Never forget... God is for you.

And He always will be.  

So Many Starfish

Let’s start off our week by talking about the third step of obedience….

A man is walking along the shoreline of an ocean when he comes up on a little boy standing in the midst of thousands of starfish that had washed up along the shore. The man watches the little boy as he picks up a starfish and one by one throws them back in the sea. The man watches for several minutes then walks up to the boy and asks, "What are you doing?" The little boy answers, "I'm saving these starfish so they won't die." The man says to the boy..."There are too many to save, it won’t make any difference." 

Some would say that the man has a point.. after all...there are so many starfish on the beach... what will throwing a few back do?  How can the kindness and generosity of one boy make a difference?  Truth is... one person can’t do it all.  

But one person can do something.  And when enough people do something... big things happen.  Lasting change occurs.  What once seemed unachievable becomes reachable.   Every act of generosity matters... and every sacrifice... every gift... every commitment toward helping someone become the person they were created to be is important.   

You have to answer two important questions:  

1)  Are you obedient in your giving?

2)  Are you able to part with the temporary to affect the eternal?  

When you follow God’s directive to be generous… you put yourself in a position to be blessed.  So many are wondering why they aren’t experiencing the breakthrough in their lives…  could it be because they have shifted into worshiping the provision and not the Provider?   When we give of our resources, God does something supernatural with the money… making it far more effective than if we’d had spent it ourselves.   

Looking back at the starfish story... I want to share with you what the boy said in response to the man’s discouraging words:

“The man says to the boy..."There are too many to save, it won’t make any difference." 

The little boy reached down and picked up another starfish and said, "it will make a difference to this one" as he threw it into the ocean.”

You may hesitate to give because you don’t think it matters... that your commitment won’t make a difference.  Let me assure you... it does.  Your kindness...your faithfulness...and your generosity in supporting the vision of Potential Church affects not only campus development now... but will help assure that future generations will discover and grow in Christ just as you have.    It’s my prayer that we wouldn’t see giving as just an opportunity to give resources... but understand it as a chance to change lives with what God has blessed us with.  Let’s come together... all of us... and make a difference for the Kingdom. 

First Place

“They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.”  Romans 1:25

     Back when I was in elementary school, one of the most coveted positions in the classroom was line leader.  Everybody wanted it.  Few got the chance.  It was the coolest job there was.  As you walked, the class walked.  If you stopped at the water fountain, all 24 of your friends did too.  Being first had power.  Head of the line meant something.

Being first was important.  

It still is.  Only now, it isn’t walking in the front of the line... it’s putting the most important thing first in your mind and heart.  We don’t have to wait for a teacher to assign it... we get to pick it ourselves!  We get to decide what leads out in our lives everyday...

Number one matters.

True commitment requires sacrifice.   When it comes to what leads our lives, this couldn’t be more true.  In order for us to commit to making God first... to lead us... to guide us... to light the way...  something/someone that isn’t God needs to be moved from the number one spot and either made to be number 2 or 3... or lower. 

Maybe money’s been your idol for awhile... directing your thoughts and actions.  Perhaps it’s ego... or family... or power... or success... or maybe for you it’s that guilt you’ve started to focus all of your attention on.  Something has been in God’s place in your life and it needs to be given it’s proper position.  I believe that if we are going to change this world for Christ... to reach our God-Potential... to fully commit to God’s plan... we need to make and keep Him first. 

God’s opinion matters... Not the opinion of those who didn’t sacrifice themselves so that I could live eternally.

God’s words are true... Not the words of those who have ulterior motives or are trying to manipulate me

God’s values are perfect... Not the values of a world who couldn’t care less about my morality or thought life.

God’s place is first... Not behind something that fades, rusts, leaves, betrays, confuses, or abandons me.

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn once said, ““We always pay dearly for chasing after what is cheap.”  I agree with that... time to move the cheap stuff out of the way and replace it with some One priceless.   

The Switch

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”  Romans 3:23

I read of a small boy who had been consistently late for dinner. One particular day his parents had warned him to be on time, but he arrived later than ever. He found his parents already seated at the table, about to start eating. Quickly he sat at his place, and then noticed what was set before him--a slice of bread and a glass of water. There was silence as he sat staring at his plate, crushed. 

Sometimes we make mistakes.  Sometimes we repeat the same mistakes.  Again and again and yet again.  Our plate sits in front of us... and we feel far more than hunger pains….regret.  sorrow.  guilt.  shame.  sadness.   We hurt.  

We stare at disappointment and realize that we caused it... We sinned... we did the wrong thing.  Will we hurt forever?  Will they ever forgive?  Will God ever see us the same way?  Am I broken?  Unloved?   If only we had one more chance...one last conversation...one opportunity to wind the clock back and make things right.

This young boy’s story wasn’t over...

Suddenly he saw his father’s hand reach over, pick up his plate and set it before himself. Then his dad put his own full plate in front of his son, smiling warmly as he made the exchange. When the boy became a man, he said, "All my life I’ve known what God was like by what my father did that night.

What is God like?

Sacrificial and unconditionally loving.

Full of grace...not condemning judgment

Full of hope...not unending despair 

Full of forgiveness...not relentless blame

God reaches across the table and replaces what we deserve with what we haven’t earned.   As Christ-followers, when we ask for forgiveness, He takes our bread and water... our sin... our punishment... our condemnation... our mistakes... and allows us yet another chance. 

Grace from a loving Father.

Love from a graceful God. 

Feeling discouraged by past failure?   Afraid to show your face around God’s table?

Don’t be.  

There will always be a chair waiting... plenty of food... and a warm embrace from the One who knew that you would sin and created you anyway.   

One Move

“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness.” - Romans 8:26a

I read the story of a 10-year-old boy who decided to study judo although he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident.

The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. He was doing well, so he couldn’t understand why, after three months of training, the master had taught him only one move. "Sensei," the boy finally said, "shouldn’t I be learning more moves?"

"This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you’ll ever need to know," the sensei replied. Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.

Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals. This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened. "No," the sensei insisted, "Let him continue."

Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion.  On the way home, the boy and the sensei reviewed every move. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind: "Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?"

"You won for two reasons," the sensei answered. "First, you’ve almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm."

What the boy had seen as his biggest weakness had become his biggest strength.

You’ve lived with what you have perceived to be a weakness for a whole long time.  Anger, abuse, depression... divorced parents... migraines... OCD... doubt...  

What are we supposed to do with our weaknesses?  The Bible has a reply.

“Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”  2 Corinthians 12:9

Scripture tells us that when we are weak... God is strong.  We shouldn’t shy away from or blame away our weaknesses... but instead... recognize them and realize that those areas of our life are where God’s power will get us through.  Is God enough to get you through those depressing days?  Does He have enough power to help you come to terms with past abuse?  Can God REALLY heal?  Can you really trust Him?  

Yes... He is more than enough... and He is always good... and He is always love... and He is never-changing... and He is forever faithful... and He is everywhere at one time... and He is the beginning and the end... and He loves you... and He will never stop... and He always knows what’s best... and He knew we’d be weak in some area... and He created us anyway... and He has a purpose for us... and He wants us to turn to Him when we run out of our own power.

God made you for a reason... weaknesses and all.  

Don’t let the devil trick you into thinking you’re broken.  Leverage that part of your life and allow God to fill those dark spaces with light.  He doesn’t love you any less because you’ve had setbacks... you are His child and He loves you with the warm embrace of a father who cares.

Why do we have weaknesses?  To show God’s power in and through them.  And once we persevere through the trials... we are able to assist others through those same issues in their own lives.   We may be weak in the situation... but the pain becomes useful when we help others realize that they aren’t alone... and remind them that they will get through it... and that God still does what seems impossible.

Sounds like strength to me.

Still

“Be still, and know that I am God!”  Psalm 46:10a

There may be no greater killer of happiness that stress.  Busyness and fatigue lead to discouraging thoughts and eventually affect your health in adverse ways...

But this is unavoidable, right?  Stress is just built into everyday life...isn’t it?

Is there any hope for peace?  Is a stress-controlled life possible?

Take some time during your week to pray... meditate on scripture... take a deep breath... get alone... 

Even Jesus did this.  He knew the value of getting away and regrouping.   I can already hear you screaming at your iPad... “Pastor.. my day is WAY too hectic for meditation or solitude”  

Then I would say that your day is way too busy.  

I have found in my 20+ years of ministry that people do what they want to do.  If they think it’s valuable enough, they’ll make the time no matter what they have to adjust.  You must first value “being still” before you’ll make it part of your day.  Trust me... once you start, you’ll wonder what took you so long.   Remember, as I’ve said before in my teachings, life is rhythmic.  There are notes and rests... and if you only play all fast notes... the music of life becomes just noise.  Rests are as important in beautiful melodies as tones... play both.  

Take some time today to “be still” and listen for God... you’ll hear things from Him that only patient and expectant silence will allow.  

Keep Walking

It didn’t matter what the weather was in Detroit… financially-challenged James Robertson did what he did every other day.  He hit the alarm clock and went to work.  But James’ story was a little bit different.   You see, James didn’t have a car.  No problem… take the bus, right?  Nope.  No bus routes were even close.   So Mr. Robertson did the unthinkable…. he walked.  Every single day… regardless of the weather… James Robertson traveled the 21 miles round trip on foot.   For 10 years, James did whatever it took to get him to his job… in fact, he had perfect attendance!

One day, financial executive Blake Pollack had seen enough.  He had passed James every day on his way into the city and made the decision to do something to help him.  He started picking him up and taking him to his job each day.  Pollack shared the story with a friend of his, Evan Leedy… and together they started a GoFundMe page on Robertson’s behalf.  Hoping to raise the $5000 needed for a used car… the result surpassed even their wildest dreams.  They didn’t raise five thousand to help James… they raised $300,000!  Just recently they presented the car of James Robertson’s dreams to him… a 2015 Ford Taurus.   James said he loved that car because it was “plain on the outside and tough on the inside…just like him.”  The rest of the raised money was given to Robertson as a reward for his decade of diligence and great work ethic.  

Total strangers reaching out to reward the faithful diligence of someone they didn’t know.  

Now take a minute today and imagine your situation.  You may feel like James Robertson.  You’ve been working hard… plugging away… staying faithful when those around you have quit.  You spend your weekends serving and your nights making ends meet at a second job.  Your month seems to last longer than your money… your children are draining your patience and your health isn’t what it used to be.  Yet you keep on walking.  You keep getting it done.   You won’t accept not having something as an excuse to not get where you need to get in life.  

If that’s you… keep going.  God’s got you.

Keep honoring God with your resources… keep sacrificing temporary comfort for long-term gain.  Keep pouring out love and forgiveness to others when they haven’t earned it or deserve it.  

Keep going.  Regardless of the weather… keep going.  I can promise you this… someone is noticing your efforts.  Someone has been driving by and sees you climbing yet another mountain on your way to your destiny.  Someone has been walking by you and taking notes.  Someone sees the tears of frustration and lifts you up.   Someone you already may know. 

It’s God.

God knows.  He sees you.  He will provide a way.   He will provide reward.  He will make things right.

You just can’t give up.  

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9)

James Robertson walked to work for 10 long years.  That’s 54,600 miles before his situation changed… 

Every day wondering if it was worth it.  Each footstep crying out for him to turn back.  But he kept on.   It’s time for you to keep going too.  You may be facing the blizzard of divorce… or the flood of financial instability…. or the hailstorm of bad relationships… or the blistering heat of loneliness and isolation.   

Keep on.  One foot in front of the other.  

God is sending a driver to pick you up soon.  

His blessings are on the way.  

Breakthrough is coming.  

You just can’t quit.   

Walk on friend.  Walk on.  For someday the journey will shorten but the character built by the trials will last forever.  

Love Others

Leonardo Da Vinci, just before he started work on his "Last Supper" had a violent argument with a fellow painter. Leonardo was so bitter that he determined to paint the face of his enemy, the other artist, into the face of Judas, and thus take his revenge by handing the man down in infamy and scorn to succeeding generations. The face of Judas was, therefore, one of the first he finished. And everyone could easily recognize it as the face of the painter with whom he had fought with. 

But when he came to paint the face of Christ, he could make no progress. Something seemed to be baffling him, holding him back, frustrating his best efforts. Finally he came to the conclusion that the thing that was frustrating him was that he had painted the face of his enemy onto the face of Judas. He painted out the face of Judas and was then able to resume his work on the face of Jesus and this time did it with the success that the ages have acclaimed. 

Sometimes negative feelings can hold us back from where we desire to be in life.  Like Leonardo, maybe it’s the spirit of revenge... or perhaps it’s anger, jealousy, or spitefulness.  God’s plan for our lives doesn’t revolve around any of these.   In fact, those reactions that we feel entitled to actually get in the way of our obedience toward Him... and His blessing on our lives.  God has a much better idea...

Love others

“‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’”   Matthew 22:36-40

The second part of the verse we looked at yesterday unlocks another clue as to how to be obedient.   Loving others.  This is not a suggestion or an option.  If we are Christ-followers we are told to love those that He has placed around us.  Friends... enemies... those that encourage AND those that tear us down.  Not an easy task... but one that we must figure out to be obedient.  How do we do that?  How can we love those that we don’t even like?

 Recognize that our lack of love for them is sin.  Confess it... and ask for God to remind us of how He loves us (even in our broken and sinful condition).  We tend to expect God’s love but struggle to pass it along to others.

Choose not to be controlled by feelings.  You can’t force yourself to feel love... but you can CHOOSE to love in spite of the negative feelings.  It’s will over want.  (Matt. 5:43-44)

Trust God to help you love them.  What we cannot do ourselves... the Holy Spirit can do within us.  God’s word says to do it... so it can’t be impossible.  We can count on God to provide the strength and will we’ll need to love even the most unloveable.  

 Pray for them... not that they’ll change... but that God would help you see them differently.  Pray for their success...that they would grow and thrive... that God would bless them.  He may not change them but the exercise will DEFINITELY change you.

Today’s devotional is the type that many will dismiss as impossible.  Or unfair. It just doesn’t seem right to have to love someone who treats us poorly or gives us no love in return.   But remember, God’s thoughts are not like ours (Isaiah 55:8).  He died for the world.  Everyone.  Not just the nice... or the semi-perfect... or the put together... He sacrificed Himself for everyone.  There will be people in this world that you might not like to be around... but they can be loved because they are His creation too.  God loves them just as much as He loves you.  

Spend a few minutes and take some inventory.  Are there people you have labelled as unloveable?  Pray for them today.  Not that God would change them... but that He would give you some fresh insight... a renewed heart... a different way of seeing the world.  Your life will never be the same.  When we obediently love God and love His creation... we are blessed... and we take steps toward our God potential.  

Love Him

I am often asked... 

“Why doesn’t God answer my prayer?”

“What does God want me to do with my life?”

“Why won’t God give me clarity?”

“When are things going to get easier?”

“Why don’t I get the same blessings as my friends?”

 My answer is always the same.  It’s one little word that, when lived out, changes things.  God blesses us... our lives move forward... we gain lucidity...  and our life’s purpose and direction come into focus.  Nine letters that are easy to say but challenging to commit to.  That word:

obedience.

John Newton, the writer of the most popular hymn in history, "Amazing Grace" said:

"… if two angels in heaven were given assignments by God at the same time, one of them to go and rule over the greatest nation on earth and the other to go sweep the streets of the dirtiest village, each angel would be completely indifferent as to which one got which assignment.

It simply wouldn’t matter to them. Why? Because the real joy lies in being obedient to God. For a Christ follower, the important thing isn’t what God has us doing; the important thing is that we’re doing what God wants us to do." 

(Lee Strobel, God’s Outrageous Claims, 93)

Regardless of our profession, income, or social status...God wants us to live our lives in a particular way.  When we do, He blesses us.  When we don’t, we struggle.  It’s not God being mean... it’s us missing the mark.  It’s not because we don’t know what He wants from our lives... it’s because we decide daily to simply not do them.  So what does obedience look like?  What does it take to please God.   There are several ways... but we’ll start with the most important two...

Love Him

“‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’”   Matthew 22:36-40

Jesus said that the first step of obedience is loving God.  Always putting Him first.  It means maintaining a growing and thriving relationship with the One who created us.  This includes putting His agenda above our own... consulting Him and allowing Him to guide decisions... reading scripture and actually living out the words therein.  Loving God means affection for Him... expressing our genuine love with our whole heart.   We must be loyal to Him... protect His name and speak it often... spend time with Him... listen for His voice... talk to Him... honor Him... brag about Him... and so much more.    Obedience begins a commitment (or re-commitment) to love God first and above all others.  If He isn’t our first and most important influence... we have someone (or something) in the wrong place. 

Take a few minutes today in prayer and tell God how much you love Him... write it in your journal... tell a close friend... and never forget that as much as you love Him...

He loves you more.   And He always will.  

Join me tomorrow and we’ll look at the second way we can please God...