You Win

On February 27, 2023   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Romans 8: 28

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

I have been thinking about this verse lately. For those of you who have read the Word of the Day for a while, you know that I have written on it multiple times. I call this the Lemonade scripture by which I mean that God takes our lemons and turns them into lemonade. I want to revisit this verse today because we all need to remind ourselves that our Father is always looking after us and turning the sour lemons of life into sweet lemonade.

When Paul wrote that “all” things work out for our ultimate good, what do you think he had in mind? When we speak of all things it necessarily includes good things, mediocre things and bad things. Do you, though, think that Paul was thinking of the good things? No. He could just as easily have written that God causes the bad things in our lives to work out for our good. That is what he was really saying. He was thinking about the stumbling blocks, the “no’s” you get when you’re looking for a yes, and all the other things that don’t go as you would have liked.

The first thing we must understand is what this verse does not mean. It does not say, nor does it mean, that God makes bad things happen to you. Only with this realization can we understand the promise which is embedded here. The promise is that God is with you, and He is going to turn around the junk the devil meant for harm so that it works out for your benefit.

I am intrigued that just a few verses later Paul ties this thought in, “Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or trouble, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” (v. 35). These verses come together to show the comprehensive work of the Lord. It is the love of God which is working for you such that none of these “bad things” carry the day. Jesus said, “I’ve told you this so that my peace will be with you. In the world you’ll have trouble. But cheer up! I have overcome the world,” (John 16: 33 GW). It is Paul’s revelation of the love of Christ which drives this entire discussion. He understands the dynamic of Father, Son and us. All was done for us.

Paul concludes beginning in verse thirty-seven with, “in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord,” (verses 37 – 39). He tells us that it is because of the love of God that we overcome those things which do not initially go in our favor. God’s love triumphs over the lemons turning even the most rotten things sweet for us. This conquering, which is our inheritance, is through Him who loves us. Nothing can separate us from God’s love and His love turns things around. In other words, You win, if you don’t give up!

I hope you are seeing this and see that you don’t have to eat lemons. You can, instead, drink lemonade. It is God’s love which sweetens the lemons and turns them into something favorable. The one last thing I would share is that the role you play in this overcoming victory is in calling those things that currently are not what they should be as though they already are (Romans 4: 17). Call that lemon, lemonade. When lemons happen, just call them out. Say, “This has to work to my good because God said so.” Then let go of the stress of it and look forward to it working out for you. Treat it as a seed and look for your harvest!

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Prayer Temple

On February 20, 2023   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

2 Chronicles 7: 15

My eyes shall be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place.

After Solomon built and sanctified the temple, God made him the above promise. God’s omnipresence and attention would always be in the temple. At the time, that promise would have meant a great deal to the people of Israel. However, we don’t live in Israel. What has it to do with any of us?

The answer for that question is in John 14, verse 23, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him.” The apostle Paul made it clear, “Don’t you know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?” (1 Corinthians 3: 16 GW). These verses bring 2 Chronicles into sharp focus for our lives today. God’s eyes and ear are always attentive to the prayers offered in His temple and you are His temple.

Do you ever feel like you are praying into a void? Me too! Sometimes it seems like our prayers are cast into a vast silence of brooding space. However, now we know that is not true so how we feel can be overwritten with truth. Last week’s Word of the Day told us that nothing can separate us from the love of God. The point I tried to get across was that we should not let our feelings be the final authority. The same applies here. Though it does not always feel like God is listening, the truth is that He has no choice. He tied Himself to His temple thousands of years ago. Besides that, He loves you and is always attentive to your voice because He loves to hear from you. Still, I like having scripture to stand upon when I am not feeling my strongest. Scripture is solid and reliable.

So, what would you like to pray for today? Father is waiting and listening. Let Him know the desires of your heart.

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Omnipresent Love

On February 13, 2023   /   Word of the Day   /   1 Comment

Romans 8: 35

Who shall separate us from the love Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

The first thing I find interesting in this passage is that Paul begins by asking “who” shall separate us from the love of Christ and then goes on to list things rather than writing a list of who might do this separation. Is there a revelation in there that Paul had that we do not?

The main point of the passage, though, is obvious. There is nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. When a person is going through tribulation, persecution, etc. they can feel very lonely and separated from God. The truth, however, is that no thing can separate us from Jesus, Father, and the Holy Spirit.

Economically we are going through a bit of a famine right now, but you can overcome in this time of economic down turn and any other trial that tries to make you falter because the God of the universe is alive and well and living right inside of you. There is no thing and no one, the devil included, that can separate you from the love of God and the power of God. You are seated at the right hand of the Father with the glorious Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah. Reread the list above and let it sink in how encompassing the list really is. If those things cannot separate you from the love of Christ, then nothing can.

Lastly, receive this truth despite your feelings. Put feelings to the side because they will mislead and handicap you. You may feel alone, but the fact is that you are not. You may feel isolated but No Thing and No One can isolate you from the love that sent Jesus into this world in the first place. Let truth overcome emotion. Let Jesus reign overall, including emotions and circumstances. Know beyond reason that the love that sent Jesus is present and watching over you today.

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Light in the Darkness

On February 6, 2023   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Romans 2: 19

[A]nd are confident that you yourself are a guide to people who are blind, a light to those in darkness.

The way of Christianity, it is not always easy to discern. One thing I have learned, though, is that we must walk in the light. You are not surprised by this, I am sure, but I find it a more challenging issue to live than we may believe.

Jesus said, “I have come as Light into the world, so that no one who believes in Me will remain in darkness,” (John 12: 46). Because of this statement, we go about the world trying to lure people out of the darkness and into the light. The compassion which drives that task is commendable. The problem I have seen is in the way we go about it. I have witnessed more condemnation, criticism, judgment and loathing in our approach than compassion. Jesus came as the light so that none should remain in darkness. We believe ourselves redeemed from a life of darkness and yet, we plunge ourselves right back into that shadowy world when we begin to address others. Believe this, one cannot defeat darkness with darkness. Only the light can dispel darkness.

The one who fights against another by criticizing and judging, only condemns himself. This is a hard lesson. We think we are of the light, but do we remain in the light when we see something we believe is amiss?

“I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life,” (John 8:12). Life is in the light and so is love. I know, it gets old hearing about love, but it really is the only way to fight the darkness. Prayer has the power to change situations and people, but that prayer must be a prayer of reconciliation, healing, redemption and forgiveness. Only the light can overcome darkness. That means there is a better way to pray than asking God to change what we think is wrong with someone. It means hateful speech and harsh criticisms are to be set aside in favor of kindness.

If you watch, you will see other Christians and even whole churches focusing on methods of darkness. Obviously, that is not the way, but we only realize that darkness has crept back in when we stop and look around. I think when you observe the life around you, you will see that many of us are trying to dispel the darkness with more darkness. I know, though, that I can count on you to be a light, a true light in a dark place. Let Jesus’ light within you shine and bring joy and healing to an already hurting world.

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Story Time

On January 30, 2023   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Jude 20 – 21

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith; praying in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

May I tell you a story today? Recently I attended an event where I met another pastor. He and I began to discuss our ministries and to my surprise I characterized my ministry by saying, “I hang out in God’s love.” I told him that is the most important topic of my ministry. Let me tell you why that is funny.

When I was young, I thought the pastors who preached on love sounded like a bunch of milk toast sissies. I was young, tough and strong. I wanted to hear about a strong God. Then I ran into my pastor for my life, Pat Markley. No one would every call Pat a sissy. In fact, he was a former navy seal. It was no accident that our Father led me to Pat. I needed that image to help me understand that true love is tough and strong. So, though I have learned much since then, I still found myself surprised identifying myself and my ministry in such a manner.

The other pastor immediately began to speak of God’s wrath. Again, a bit funny in that I had just had a conversation with someone else about God’ compassion where I said, “How can anyone know the Father and believe Him to be angry?” We have made great sport about God striking us with lightening when we say something foolish, but I always thought people knew better. Well, this pastor believes it is his job to preach on God’s wrath. This same preacher (perhaps a better moniker than pastor) had just quoted John 3: 16 to me, “For God so loved . . ..” I mean, get a revelation, “God is love,” (1 John 4: 8).

I encourage you to read the book of Jude. It is quite short. Jude does spend 19 verses recounting the history of the wicked and from that this preacher got his message. However, it isn’t until verse 20 that Jude begins to address his audience and when he does direct his words directly to his audience, his message is love. He spends the first part of his book on the historical record, but his conclusion, his actual message comes after the conjunction “but” in the twentieth verse. That is the way arguments are constructed. The prelude is the background against which the message shall be forecast. His message, then, is “keep yourselves in the love of God.”

Our God is love; He is characterized by love. He did not send his beloved son to earth to die a horrible death just so He could pour out His wrath upon us! Come on! God isn’t sending people to hell. His whole thing is saving people from hell. Some people refuse to be saved, and that is their choice. With free will comes the choice to choose heaven or hell. Back in Deuteronomy God told us the choice between life and death was ours to make but His recommendation was that we choose life (Deuteronomy 30: 19).

After that evening and discussion regarding wrath versus love, I came home and read Jude multiple times. I read it and prayed until I was certain Father had ministered His wisdom to me regarding the book. I came away with the conviction that God is love. To know the Father is to know love. My mission is to bring people into the presence of God. In His presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16: 11). How can His presence be full of joy if He is an angry, vengeful God? To know God is to know unsurpassed love. The more we get to know Him, the more we will see that He is love.

Therefore, my message is simply this, God loves you! He loves you far more than you can even imagine. He loves you more than you love your own children. He wants you saved and living eternally with Him in heaven. Be blessed in the truth.

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Let’s Go!

On January 23, 2023   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Habakkuk 2: 2

Then the LORD answered me and said, “Write down the vision and inscribe it clearly on tablets, so that one who reads it may run.”

Do you have a vision? Do you have pictures in your mind of things you would like to see come to pass? If so, great! Let’s bring them to maturity. Perhaps you began this month with some goals, dreams or objectives. It may be time to renew plans. Either way, step one is to write those things down.

January is almost done, but it is not too late to put some energy into those thoughts you had on January 1st. One of the best things we can do is to put those ambitions before our eyes. Have you ever made a dream board? Maybe now is the time. What is it that you truly want? What do you want badly enough that you are willing to get out of bed a half hour earlier? What are you truly passionate about? If you don’t have a passion, think about it a little. What do you love? What would you do if you knew it was possible? Life is a great gift. Let’s live it to the fullest.

Find some pictures of that thing you want or objective you would like to reach. What does it look like to have accomplished your goal. What will you look like. Will the attainment of some big goal look different on you? Will you gain a new level of confidence?

We saw last week that Jesus is willing to give us that for which we ask. He said, we don’t ask but that we should. It is early in the year. If you aren’t where you wanted to be by this point in January, no worries. Let’s pick ourselves up and begin again. Who says January first is the only time we can set ambitious goals. I say, today is the day. Let’s get excited about our lives and live fully.

Write down what it is that you really want. Put it in front of your eyes so that you are constantly reminded. Don’t let that dream slip away from you. Jesus is ready and willing. Father is waiting to partner with you and the Holy Spirit is standing on GO. Write the vision, make it plain and then run with it! This year can be our best ever without regard to anything that has gone before. You deserve it, God wants it so let’s go!

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Ask and Receive

On January 16, 2023   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

James 4: 2     God’s Word Translation

You don’t have the things you want, because you don’t pray for them.

Many of us know this verse as, “You have not because you ask not.” Seeing it in the God’s Word Translation certainly sheds some light on the meaning held within the text. It is clear that James, Jesus’ brother, thinks we should ask Father for the things we want. What do you think Jesus would, himself, say? Here are some quotes from Jesus.

John 15: 7  NASB

If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

GOD’S WORD Translation
If you live in me and what I say lives in you, then ask for anything you want, and it will be yours.

John 15: 16

You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.

John 16: 23

And on that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you.

John 16: 24
Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.

GOD’S WORD Translation

So far you haven’t asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive so that you can be completely happy.

There is a theme here which I am sure you see. I was reading my Bible recently when these verses seemed to shout for attention. Jesus wanted to bring to my notice that he and the Father want to answer prayer. It seems they want us to ask. That wasn’t all though. He wanted me to believe and to encourage you to believe that when we ask, we receive. The message he conveyed was, ask believing that he will answer; expect that he will provide.

I was very excited but also a little overwhelmed by the message because it seemed so urgent. Consider, this is a glimpse from only one book. Run a search on the word “ask” in Matthew and see what you get. The point is that this is not an isolated statement. Jesus wants to get across to us that he has a methodology in place. He seems to be moving us into an understanding that there is an established method for working with him on our needs and wants. This is not a begging forum. Father God and Jesus have established a way for us to work together and Jesus wants to take this opportunity to train us.

In my mind’s eye, I see a business office. I can see Jesus sitting in what looks more like a conference room than an executive office. The walls are predominantly glass which likely represents openness and accessibility. It seems this “office” is set up to receive people and to facilitate open, ready access to him. People stream in, give him their requests and then leave. It looks so simple. Give him the request, believing he will take care of it. As I watch people enter and hand him their requests, they have no stress on their faces. If anything, they look like the matter no longer occupies any of their mind space.

I am overwhelmed by Jesus’ insistence that we ask him. I have felt that way towards people myself at times. You see them struggle with something for which you have a skill or a tool. You want to offer; you want to jump in and help but you know you cannot. They must come on their own for it to have value to them. So, you wait. You drop little hints or try to make yourself plainly visible hoping they will ask, but so often they don’t, so you meander off. I think Jesus and our Father want to help us way more than we let them. I think they are dropping little hints to us hoping we will ask for their help.

Ask and you shall receive, but ask in belief and faith. Ask knowing that your heavenly Father wants to help you and Be Blessed.

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