Luke 12: 25 5/26/2020*

“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?”

That’s a legitimate question… Jesus asked it while He was teaching on anxiety…. Have you thought about it? Have you contemplated what you can and cannot control?

It seems that Jesus is making a connection between anxiety and humility.  The question determines whether or not you have a realistic view of your capabilities.

If you don’t you will waste time worrying about things you don’t control … like Christ’s example, of when you die… That is determined before you are born (Psalms 139) - So no one changes it by worrying.

Consider this question carefully. - If God gave you the option to decide every outcome today - would you take it? ...If you would – then your view of yourself is too big - and your view of God is too small. 

At the end of the day that is definition of anxiety…. It is believing you must control the uncontrollable… If that is your position…then anxiety is the only possible response.

But Humility comes from understanding that God controls all – and it destroys anxiety. It is produced by having a tremendous view of God. It is not thinking badly of yourself, it is just not thinking of yourself at all…. And that is a byproduct of seeing how overwhelmingly powerful God truly is.

Once you see it - you will stop worrying about you - and instead focus on the glory of The Lord.  Suddenly you will trust Romans 8:31 “If God is for us who can be against us?” And when that occurs - anxiety evaporates.

So, think about Jesus’ question…. What do you control?

If there is something bothering you that you control – change it.

If there is something troubling you that you don’t control … talk to God about it - He loves you and can change anything.

Philippians says to worry about nothing and pray about everything ….” And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

You don’t control everything… but God does…. Give it to Him and He will give you a peace so powerful that it will be the death knell of anxiety - and the birth of freedom.

 “Not everything that weighs you down is yours to carry.”
—Anonymous

John 14:15 5/19/2020*

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

Jesus spoke these words and they are not difficult to understand.  In the original language they mean… “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

Yet many people do their best to interpret them in some other way…any other way!  Desperately trying to secure grace without sanctification. Trying to find a way to twist the words of Christ into fire insurance so they can keep living as their own god.

We love the gospel…the good news that we are redeemed…but we balk at obedience…. nevertheless, redemption is always offered with transformation.

Why would God pay for your sin and not deliver you from its power?  Grace and sanctification are the bookends of salvation.  They identify it as valid and offer assurance to the believer.

If you try to claim grace without sanctification - you end up with license.

If you strive for sanctification without grace - you are involved in legalism.

The definition of salvation requires both…  Which brings us back to our verse - “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

You are saved by grace alone - but saving grace is never alone…It changes you.  Ignoring this truth results in people carrying around chains that were unlocked years ago… and worse, others confidently lost in their religion.

This point was too important for Christ to mince words… He said “it is finished” - he was referring to the rescue mission that freed you from the power of sin.  You are no longer a slave to your old life - you have the ability to resist temptation. You may not be perfect…but you will be different.

Scripture is clear …resist the devil and he will flee from you…Stop sitting in your open prison cell … The cross not only paid for your sin, it freed you from its power. You are pushing a Ferrari…get in, start the engine, and go.

Stop listening to the lie that you must obey your flesh… that body perished, and you have been reborn.  There is nothing sadder than a Prince living like a pauper…put on the armor of God and live like the champion God made you to be!

“Sanctification grows out of faith in Jesus Christ. Remember holiness is a flower, not a root; it is not sanctification that saves, but salvation that sanctifies.” - Charles Spurgeon

Genesis 41:46 5/12/2020*

“Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt.”

When Joseph was seventeen, God told him that he would someday reign over many people.  This verse says it was thirteen years before any hint of fulfillment of that dream began.

Between God’s promise and it’s fulfillment - things did not look very promising – He was criticized by his family…His brothers planned to kill him but instead sold him into slavery …As a slave he was falsely accused of sexual harassment and imprisoned. 

He endured a decade and a half of misery after God promised he would rule.  Yet, during this time there was no complaining or self-pity from Joseph … He continued to serve God and care for others while in prison – He did not plead his case, seek revenge, or force his own way. Day by day, he faithfully waited on the Lord.

Are you patiently waiting on the Lord?... or are you experiencing a season of fear and anxiety?  Are things not like you hoped they would be? Perhaps you are a slave to a situation - or in prison because of things you have done. Maybe you are suffering because of the dishonesty of others.

If you will choose to wait in faith – God has made a promise to you in Isaiah 40:31 - “…those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

Joseph endured over a decade of anguish after God’s promise, and like Joseph you may be suffering right now too…You may be walking and trying not to faint. But keep walking.

Keep putting one foot in front of the other…. because no matter how dark it seems - the time is coming when you will mount up on wings like an eagle if you will just wait on the Lord.

Have faith in God…wait expectantly for His deliverance. And while you wait – grow – trust – study - believe.  Handle what is in front of you today and have confidence in God for tomorrow.

Like Joseph you have no idea how or when God will deliver you – so just focus on the fact that He will….and take the next step.

“God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.” - Andrew Murray

Matthew 6:7 5/5/2020*

“And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.”

How passionate is your prayer life?

In this verse, Jesus is warning us not to allow our prayers to become religious rituals that we recite so we can check a box. Babbling unemotional phrases does not change anything.

Prayer should be the most intense part of your day. Meeting with God should impact you emotionally, physically, and spiritually. It should be exhausting and rejuvenating at the same time.

Routine prayer is not the objective…Life changing, impassioned communication with God is the goal.

Jesus prayed so deeply He sweat blood; Jacob had a new name and a noticeable limp after wrestling with God.  Moses’ face glowed after meeting with the Lord. How big of an impact has prayer had on you lately?

Maybe your expectations are too low…Perhaps prayer is more powerful than you imagine. Could it be that you are neglecting your most formidable weapon?

When Christ died, the vail separating man from God in the temple was torn in half (Matt. 27:51). His death allowed us unrestricted access to the Father.  The price Jesus willingly paid would indicate the value of communicating directly with God is enormous.

Prayer is the only thing you do that effects real change in areas you otherwise cannot control. Worry alters nothing and ignoring problems does not make them go away. But walking into the Throne Room of God and hitting your knees changes everything.

Let me encourage you to re-evaluate your prayer life. Maybe you should raise the bar.  Quit asking for mundane things… Stop regurgitating monotone phrases…Get serious with God.  Write down your prayers and assess them often. Be passionate and personal with your Father.  Consistently be still and listen…it will change your life.

However, be warned…. if you choose to do this it will be difficult…The enemy will do anything he can to distract you because prayer is the only power you have that he fears.

Fight for it…. You are missing blessings if you are not impacted every time you meet with God. 

Circumstances do not determine the vibrance of your life…time spent with your Father does.

“I know of no better thermometer to your spiritual temperature than this, the measure of the intensity of your prayer.” – Charles Spurgeon

Philippians 2:4 4/28/2020*

“not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. “

It is tempting to skip over this phrase as “church language” but before we do, we should consider that Paul wrote it in a Roman prison facing the death penalty.

He is modeling what he is writing by ignoring his own needs and meeting the needs of those he loved in Philippi.

While incarcerated, he writes to thank, instruct, and encourage his friends. He does not argue for his release, he doesn’t beg them to help him… in fact he does the opposite -  He says, “…what has happened to me has actually helped to spread the gospel” (Philippians 1:12).

How frustrating it must be for the enemy that Paul has such faith that he is unshaken by attacks and sees God’s response in every situation.

What about you?...What are you doing during your confinement? Are you meeting the needs of others - or are you focused on your own suffering?

Your response will be the difference between being a victim - or being victorious.

In 1675 the famous puritan preacher John Bunyan was arrested for preaching without a license. He spent six months in prison during which time he wrote The Pilgrim’s Progress, one of the most famous books ever written. It has positively impacted the walk of Christians all over the world. If you have not read it you should. When imprisoned, Bunyan did not waste time in self-pity he went to work for God.

My point is – we are all suffering – but what are we producing?  Are we taking the battle to the enemy like the Apostle Paul, and John Bunyan did?...or are we grumbling about our misfortune.

Let’s frustrate the enemies plans, by flooding the world with love and good deeds…fulfilling the needs of others and glorifying God with an attitude that circumstances cannot affect.

Let me challenge you this morning to saddle up…Put on the armor of God and find someone to help today…spend your energy serving others – Trust God, and I assure you He will make you more than a conqueror during this challenging trial.  

"I have been away from my writing too long. Maybe this is not so much a prison as an office from which I can reach the world with Christ’s message."  - John Bunyan

Matthew 6:11 4/21/2020*

“Give us this day our daily bread.”

Most of us recognize these words as part of “The Lord’s Prayer” and have recited them numerous times prior to athletic events.

But what exactly do they mean?...

Jesus is teaching His disciples how to pray…and this verse makes up about 10% of the instructions…so it is important.

Jesus is not teaching words for us to mimic – He is teaching us an attitude to live by. A few verses later, He says, “do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.”

So, by instructing us to only ask for today’s provisions - and only concentrate on today’s problems - He is doubling down on a lifestyle that concentrates on right now.

You are not called to dwell in the past - or worry about the future…just deal with what is in front of you.

Great athletes know you must approach competitions one play, one shot, or one step at a time…. Worrying about the clock, or Constantly checking the score board will just distract you.

The same is true in life. When you feel like your falling behind - and running out of time it is easy to succumb to anxiety. Your imagination takes off and you find yourself dealing with future problems that do not exist yet. The mountains begin to look bigger and bigger – and you begin to question how you will endure.

God says don’t do that…He knows it is hard to hang on for a year…or a month …or even a week. But you can make it one day. So, He says - do that – Get through today – then rest - and in the morning and I will give you what you need again.

Meet with him often during the day. A no-huddle offense can be effective in football, but it is a disaster in life. You need time each morning with God. You need instruction and assurance. You need to huddle up with the Lord. Trust Him – Wait on Him – use the strength he provides in the moment. 

Prayer is the most powerful force on the planet. So, hit your knees, receive your provisions for today… stop worrying about tomorrow and fight the battle at hand.

“Forever is composed of nows.”
― Emily Dickinson

Proverbs 17:22 4/14/2020*

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

This is not superstition - it is a biblical and medical fact.

Research confirms that optimism influences healthiness. Studies show that cheerful people appear to have better cardiovascular health - and optimism (as measured by the Optimism-Pessimism scale of the MMPI) can improve recovery rates in medical patients by nearly 20%.

Science validates what God said nearly 3,000 years ago in Proverbs... That our attitude impacts our well-being.

Our culture likes to reverse that… we use circumstances as an excuse for our bad attitudes - but this verse indicates that our attitude may be contributing to our difficult circumstances.

Each of us have struggles in our lives. Some more than others - but we all have problems. Conversely, we all have a list of things for which we can be thankful… Choose today to focus on that list.

On good Friday I decided to spend some time only thanking God for all He has done for me. I am embarrassed to say that it was difficult to pray without falling back into the usual routine of listing my requests. But I restricted myself to giving thanks only - and I cannot tell you how powerful it was.

I was amazed at the things that flooded my mind – the answered prayers I had missed – remembering the storms God has carried me through - the amazing people God has placed in my life.

I was shocked by how much of my prayer life has been spent telling God what I want Him to do next …and what little time I have spent asking for guidance and thanking Him for His blessings.

Scripture says the “Joy of the Lord is our strength’ - and instructs us to “rejoice in the Lord always” …That doesn’t mean we are ignorant of problems - it just means we won’t allow them to rule us.

Let me challenge you today to spend some time in prayer dedicated only to giving thanks.  Spend the day cheerfully acknowledging God’s gracious love for you.

Choose to have a cheerful heart based on the faith you have in your Heavenly Father.  It is great medicine - with no harmful side effects.

“The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.” —Helen Keller

Matthew 7:24-27 4/7/2020*

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”

The storm has landed. How’s your house doing?

Gale-force winds are testing the stability of your construction, and according to Christ, the strength of your house is based on the foundation.

Whether or not you have heard the words of Jesus is not the question …. what you say you believe isn’t the issue….it apparently boils down to “Obedience”. Jesus said that is the bedrock of our faith - yet most of us don’t like to talk about it.

Jesus is not teaching “works” salvation - He is talking about faith. What you “do” is dictated by what you “believe”.  …. So, if this storm is producing cracks, examine your obedience, because it is the thermometer of your faith.

Maybe your obedience has been misdirected to idols… Perhaps during this storm, you are realizing that money lied about its power…. or you are recognizing that self-centeredness is not an effective strategy.

The false gods that make promises in the sunshine - fail in the dark storm - so check their validity.  Because no matter how impressive the structure is – if the foundation crumbles it’s worthless.

The good news is you can rebuild.  Don’t waste this pain.  This can make you stronger… grow from it. If your life is unstable tear it down, abandon the old foundation and build on one that will withstand the assault.

You need to have iceberg faith. 90% of an iceberg is underwater…but it is that unseen foundation that allows it to destroy anything that comes against it. Your “house” needs to be built the same way.

Have a faith that impacts what you do, and who you are…According to Jesus, that is the game changer when you face a storm.  When (not if) the rain comes - that alone will determine whether or not you stand.

 “Obedience is the fruit of faith.” - Christina Rossetti

Matthew 10:29-31 3/31/2020*

”Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So, don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows..”

As you watch the world battle a powerful virus do you feel afraid, isolated, and unnoticed?... In this scripture, Jesus dispels the lie that “God doesn’t care”.

There are approximately 400 billion birds in the world – sparrows are basically worthless…. Yet God is aware of each one of them.  

You, however, are made in God’s image and are infinitely more important to Him than sparrows… He is aware of every detail in your life… provides each breath you take - and knows the number of hairs on your head. God knows your fear and anxiety …and they matter to Him. Your pain impacts God’s heart.

Why did Jesus weep at Lazarus’ funeral? He knew he was going to call Lazarus out of the grave…so why did He cry? The reason was because Lazarus friends and family were weeping… and because Jesus loved those people - He hurt…so Jesus wept.  Even when our grief is from a lack of information…He grieves with us. He weeps with the those who are wounded.

But His tears are never from fear or desperation - and ours shouldn’t be either. God is not pacing the floor. He has a plan. As Easter approaches and we celebrate the greatest rescue mission in history…let us rely on the proven love that prompted God to send His Son.  

The message of Easter is that you matter to God…Not as a group - but as an individual. God made salvation personal, because he loves you personally.  Isaiah 43:1 says, “…I have called you by name….” He died for you - by name. He doesn’t distantly love you - He lives in your heart. He is your ever-present help in times of trouble. (Psalms 46)

Trust Him.  Understand that when your sin threatened to separate you from Him … He gave His Son to stop it.  He paid the ultimate price to rescue you - and He will never leave you.  

Hold on tight… you are not alone…and nothing is out of His control.

“The shape of true love isn’t a diamond. It’s a cross.”
 – Alicia Bruxvoort

Romans 12:12 3/24/2020*

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

The three “Be’s” of survival… Be joyful, Be patient, and Be prayerful.

Hearing that we should be joyful in difficult times is perplexing because we have confused Joy, with happiness. Happiness results from circumstances…Joy exist in spite of them.  Our joy comes from our hope which has also been mis-defined… Hope is not wishing …it is being certain.  Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith is being sure of what we hope for. It is being certain of what we do not see.”

That kind of hope allows us to endure tests joyfully because we trust in Christ. We have hope - not like the world does- but a hope built on confidence in God’s power.

Secondly “be patient” – This is alien to us. Our culture has literally killed patience. We irritably drum our fingers as the microwave takes 10 seconds to heat our food.  We want instant answers to any problem we face.

Can you remember the last time you were patient in a time of affliction?  How have you been handling the long lines at the grocery store? Or waiting for an answer to your current problem?….  When is the last time you were patient because you had hope (certainty) in God and that assuredness impacted your countenance with others in your life?

Finally, “be prayerful”.  Anxiously complaining improves absolutely nothing.  It worsens the problem by producing fear. But If you believe the bible, you must believe that prayer changes things. 

James says, “You do not have because you do not ask God”. Colossians says, “devote yourselves to prayer”. Thessalonians says, “Pray continually”

As a planet we have been given a “time out” … We are being told to be still. Psalms 46 says, to be still and know that He is God. …so, are you doing that?…. All the urgent stuff you thought had to be done can apparently wait. Break the 24-hour news cycle and dedicate some time to prayer… it will completely change your heart.

Be joyful in affliction because you are certain of God’s love. Be patient because you are certain of His power, and be prayerful because there is no safer place to be in times of trouble then in your Father’s arms.

“The first virtue in a soldier is endurance of fatigue; courage is only the second virtue.”  - Napoleon Bonaparte