Defending Truth

I was watching an episode of Dr. Drew this week. I was saddened at the Christian man who was being attacked for his beliefs. Have you noticed that the stage never seems to be balanced with opinions? It is never a winning situation. The Christian man walked away looking beat down. He put himself in a position of publicly arguing the Truth. But what do you do when you believe the truth must be told? Does the Word of God need you to defend it? I look at the life of Christ. He did both. In one situation he went into the temple turning tables over. He saw sin in the house of God and He did something about it. But when He was being wrongly accused, He remained silent. Never once did he try to convince those that cursed and beat Him. When the adulteress woman was brought to Jesus to be stoned, He knelt down and began to draw in the dirt. He didn't argue with her accusers, He just asked them a simple question. Their silent answer sent them away leaving the woman with her Redeemer.

I have a challenge for Christians. Talk to God before you speak. The written Word of God was inspired by the Holy Spirit. So ask the author what you should do about each situation you encounter. I believe we have good intentions but we end up doing more harm than good. Too many people preach the truth but don't come close to living it. The biggest testimony is our life not our words. The best thing you can do is turn others towards Christ. Don't argue over the Truth. At the same time, we must not diminish the Truth. Believe God's Word and stand firm. But arguing will never lead someone to the answer. In fact, it causes them to run from it. I'm not encouraging you to remain silent, but to ask God first.

God is so much bigger than we tend to give Him credit. We often believe He can't do it without us. Yes, we are the vessel He uses but at the same time He is God. Seek His face and speak the Words He would speak and nothing more. We are to be the light in the darkness. Don't let your mouth be the bushel that hides what the world needs to see. The life of Christ shows us that with each situation life brings, our response may be different from one to the next. But Christ was in relationship with His Father. He spoke what His Father told Him to speak. We must do the same. It is about relationship, not religion.

Trials to Victories!

The house was cold when we got up this morning but I was trying to not turn on the heater. I mean it's April for goodness sake. We should be opening our windows for some fresh air. Besides, I was wearing sandals just yesterday. I don't think I will ever understand the weather in Hobbs. I am just glad the Lord didn't call me to be a weather reporter. Anyway, I was in the laundry room starting another load when I realized how cold I was. The warm clothes from the dryer felt wonderful in my arms. And then I had a thought. Where do I find the most pleasure? Do I prefer to be hot or cold? Many of you could easily blurt out one or the other. But I realized the pleasure comes from being relieved from hot or cold. It is so wonderful to be shivering and someone offer a warm blanket next to the fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa. Or to be dripping with sweat and given a cool drink next to a high speed fan. What does this mean? When we walk in the middle of the road you tend to forget how blessed you are. If you never have a trial, you never have a victory. If we never walk in the valley, we don't notice how beautiful the mountain really is. Don't run from the situation you might be facing right now. Trust in the Lord and let Him bring your victory. You are a blessed child of God. He is always faithful and He will never leave you.

Have you Missed Me?

Where does time go? I have been blowing and going like most of you I am sure. I can't believe that I haven't blogged in over 3 weeks. The topic I want to discuss today is God's grace. I have been amazed how He uses us in spite of us. Like I have said many times, I am my worst enemy. But I am in awe of how I can feel like I have spent no time with God and He ends up speaking through me. In all honesty, there are days that I feel my worst and God gives me a word for someone. Or things can get quiet around me and I feel God reveal His truth to my heart. Why is His grace and love not conditional? Because it would not be grace or love. God chose us before we chose Him. In the middle of the dirty water God picked us out. Isn't that amazing. Amazing Grace. Let God touch your heart in a special way. Be aware of how God sees you. He is proud of you because He sees who you're going to be. I love the story of Gideon crouched down in the wine press. The angel appears and calls out "O' mighty man of valor!" Gideon was the least of the least and he was hiding out in a wine press but God saw something different. Praise God! You are a child of the King. You have been given power and authority in your life. Rise up out of the pit and claim what God has set aside for you. He says we are more than conquerers through Christ Jesus. So, I don't know about you but I am encouraged. God wants to use you and He will. Just be ready to say "Yes Lord!"

Nothing Gonna Stop You!

I love this saying, "There is no person on Earth and no devil in hell that can keep you from the greatness God has for you." If you are determined to keep your eyes on Jesus, what can stop you? NOTHING! Take it one step at a time and be obedient. Start your day off asking God to open your eyes to His will. Slow down and be observant to each step you take. God has a plan that is so big for your life. Don't let yourself get in the way of God's greatness. You get to decide. Don't let your past nor your present affect your future. Decide to follow Jesus no matter the cost and keep steppin'. Do what you can and let God do what you can't. I believe in you, Jesus believes in you so how about you believe in you!

Wiggle

I just shared with CJC the message that Joyce Meyer spoke at the C3 conference in Grapevine, TX this past weekend. For those of you that couldn't join us, I must share with you as well. Joyce shared from the book of John. She talked about the man who laid by the pool of Bethesda giving every excuse why he could not be healed. For 38 years he suffered with an illness that robbed him of life. He was only steps away from the answer but no one would help him to the water. Joyce said, "Wiggle." If you will do what you can, God will do what you can't. I love that. Don't sit around wishing and hoping. Do SOMETHING! Don't sit around blaming others for your situation. Take RESPONSIBILITY! If this man couldn't walk to the pool, could he wiggle? She told the story about a man who wanted to hear from God. He went before the Lord and fell on his face in prayer. "God speak to me. What do you want from me?" He stayed there for hours. Then suddenly he heard the Lord speak to his heart. "Get up, get dressed and go to work." What in the world does this mean. He went in to his home and his wife said "Did you hear from God?" "Yes, honey," he said. "He said to get up, get dressed and go to work." Well that certainly wasn't what he or his wife were hoping for. They were desperate for change and they needed direction from God. Well, sometimes God is asking us to just be faithful in our natural world. In being faithful and obedient, God brings about the supernatural. We must listen and obey. And for some of us it is a simple request to "Wiggle." Get up and do what you can. And do it to the best of your ability. Do it for the Lord. He will take care of the rest. Our instruction isn't always big. But the Word says that obedience is better than sacrifice.

Groundhog Day

6:01 a.m on February 3rd was quite a day for Phil Conners. Have you ever seen Groundhog Day with Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell? Bill Murray's character, Phil, was forced to relive February 2nd until he got it right. For many of us, we would give anything for the chance to relive a certain day. But can you imagine being stuck? Death could not even make it stop. Same song, same people, same weather and same events. Ughhhh! It would get so old and tiresome. But then one night he went to sleep and when he woke up it was different. Rita, Andie MacDowell's character, asked if it was a good different or a bad different. Phil responded that anything different was good. We may not get the chance to take back words that we said or actions that we made but tomorrow can be different than today. If I've said it once I've said it a million times, you have a choice. Do you wish to remain the same person or do you desire to grow? When we grow, things change. Change brings something different. A well known definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over expecting a different result. If we aren't willing to accept change we can't expect something different tomorrow. One of the many good things about our God is that He is patient. We give up on ourselves and on others but God never gives up on us. Another great thing about our God is that He doesn't expect us to change on our own. He tells us in His Word that He will provide all we need. He has fruit and gifts that He desires to give. We just have to be obedient and then be ready to receive. So since we can't take back what we have already done, let's seek God's help to never live that day again. Happy Groundhog Day!

Right for you and Wrong for me

I was talking to a friend today and we were discussing a variety of argumentative issues in the church. For example, rated R movies, consumption of alcohol and gambling. Almost everyone has an opinion about each. And most opinionated people don't have a problem sharing what they think. Most of us have made our decision about each of these because of an outside influence. But my challenge to you is to seek the Word of God first. Second, ask the Holy Spirit to tell you what is best for you. I love how the NKJV of the bible translates 1 Corinthians 6:11-12 "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." This is what the Word of God says about these issues. Now it is between you and the Holy Spirit to decide what is helpful and what is not. Have you allowed something to have power over you? You hear people often say that they don't want to give their life over to Christ because they will have to stop having fun. It is quite the opposite. God never said you can't but He did say, "Should you?" Once again our Lord gives us a choice. Why in the world do we let man dictate what is right and wrong for our lives? Let God speak to you and then listen and obey. But don't judge those around you that don't do what you do. Their relationship with God is totally different and He may not be sharing with you what He is sharing with them. You focus on you and get your eyes off of others. My struggles are not your struggles and my victories are not yours either. We are each precious in the sight of God and His plan for us is unique. Let Him work on His masterpiece and create something that has never been seen before.