Stories

     A good book or movie keeps our attention with drama, suffering, separation, tears, laughter, and deep joy. I always look for the happy ending, for true love to win, for the soldier to come home, for the good guys to be standing at the end. Our life stories include conflict, suffering, good times and hard times. With Jesus our stories, each one of our stories, will have a happy ending.

     We know the end of the story. Not only is it a happy ending, it is a perfect ending. And the perfect ending is just the beginning. One of the criminals next to Jesus on a cross of his own, understood who Jesus was and asked Him to remember him when He came into His kingdom.

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”  Luke 23:43

     Looking back on your life, can you spot the hand of God working? Has He placed you at the right place at just the right time on more than one occasion? Has He answered a prayer? What you may have seen as coincidence now shines in your heart as another story to tell of your Lord and Savior. Before we knew Him He knew us.

     Fill youself with His Holy Spirit. Put yourself in God’s hands to finish out your story on this earth. Watch for opportunities. Seek His face as you wait. Ask Him for guidance when you just aren’t sure. He knows you so well.

Before a word is on my tongue, you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.  Psalm 139:6-8

     He is our God. We won’t understand it all. We see only in part right now. He hears you. He understands you. He sees your heart and He will continue your story, until He welcomes you into paradise. A happy ending. A new beginning of never-ending splendor. Such knowledge is too wonderful!!

Dear Jesus,

We give our lives to You. Write our stories to glorify You, to be different in the world around us, shining with Your love. We do know the end of the story. It ends with You. It began with You. It’s all about You. Give us new stories to tell. Write new stories about You on our hearts.

Amen

    

Stories

     I love to listen to stories of faith. There is something rare and special about the fellowship of God. In this fast-paced, surface-loving, outward appearance, power-hungry, money-grabbing society that begs for something deeper, something real, something to hang onto for eternity. That something, that someone is Jesus.

     Learning to trust Him, spending time in His Word and living for the desires of His heart takes time. How and where and when do we find time for intimacy with God? It is essential if we want God to write the stories of our lives. We can dog paddle our way inch by inch trying to control the events and people around us. We can make lists, add to our calendars, strive toward our goals, but how do we know we are doing things God’s way if we don’t take the time to listen?

     That is what He longs for with us, to make our hearts His home. We can try to work our way into heaven, but God does not ask for our works. He asks for us. That’s it. He sees us as His beloved children and He will take us in His arms and say,

     Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”  Isaiah 30:21

     Prayer, reading the Bible and spending time with Him will show us the desires of His heart for us as He continues to write our stories under the umbrella of His own great and never-ending story. I want to be a part of it, don’t you? Let’s tell each other our stories of faith. Did your faith grow by reading a certain Bible passage? Which one? Did someone in your life tell you about Jesus? Who was it? A relative? A friend? A pastor? When did the Bible first become real and alive to you? When did you receive your first Bible? Do you have a faithful friend to walk alongside in your journey of faith? Share your story. It is an important part of God’s love story.

Dear Jesus,

Continue to write our stories as You make Your home within us. Please give us other Christians to become a part of our lives. Guide our actions and our words as we share our stories with others. Give us that intimate time with You each and every day. Make us part of your never-ending story of love.

Amen

Stories

     Is there a character, a Bible story, a parable that resonates with you? Sometimes the ordinary folks scattered throughout the Bible assist us in making sense of our own lives. We see ourselves in their mistakes, in their personality styles, in their attitudes and we can laugh or cry right along with them.

     Are you a Moses, starting your faith journey late in life and when God calls your name, you say, “Who am I?” We don’t believe God can use us at this stage in life. Who me? (see Exodus 3) David was a man after God’s own heart. (see Acts 13) He was the weakest and the youngest of his strong and able brothers, but God chose him to be king. His roller-coaster journey is written in poetic emotional detail in the Psalms. And after his infidelity, after he had his mistress’ husband killed and after the death of his child, he cries out to God to forgive him. God used him mightily and the lineage of Jesus runs through him.

     Peter is reckless and willing to try to walk on water in his unswerving faith. Unserving , that is, until he denied Jesus three times. Have you ever denied Jesus? (Matthew 26) He always forgives us and calls us back. Saul persecuted and wanted to kill all Christians until he was changed in a moment on the road to Damascus. Even his name changed to Paul. His personality never changed. (Acts 26) God used this strong personality to spread the gospel to the Gentiles and to write most of what would become the New Testament.

     My heart understands Jesus’ friend, Mary. When He went to Mary and Martha’s house for dinner, Martha was busy with many things. Mary is sitting at His feet listening to what He said. Martha complained to Jesus and He said, “Martha, Martha you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed-or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and I will not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10:41-42  There is a beautiful book I recommend called, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, by Joanna Weaver.

     Wherever you are, late in life beginning a journey with Jesus, wondering how to be forgiven for a shameful past like David, worried about back-sliding like Peter, too busy to find much time to listen to Jesus like Martha, or wondering what to do with a transformed life like Paul, the Bible is filled with people just like you and just like me, trying our best to seek Jesus and sit at His feet. And there He is, right in the middle of it all. Choose the best way. Choose to follow Him.

     Wherever you are right now, He is there, too. Ready, willing and able to say.  Yes, it’s you I choose. Yes, I forgive you. Let’s turn this life around. Or tenderly as to Martha, slow down and sit with me for awhile and we’ll figure it out together.

     He can and will use you and me with all of our imperfections. It is because of His power and His Spirit and His life-altering, compassionate forgiveness and new beginnings. Read all about it. You are there in the middle of the story.  He is calling you.

Dear Lord,

We thank you for giving us true tales that teach, that meet us right where we are. The Bible tells the true stories of real life, real suffering, real guilt; too busy, too old, too young, too scared. Yep, there we are in all of it. Take our lives and use us, just as you did with the ones You loved in Scripture.  Who am I and what will You do?

In Jesus name,\

Amen

Stories

     Visiting their house in Robbinsdale on Sunday afternoons was as predictable as the sun rising each day. Climbing the white wooden stairs up to their one-bedroom home brought me into a world of good food, laughter and broken English. My grandparents on my mom’s side, Pella and Ole (don’t you love it?) made me feel special and cherished.

     Do you have wise and caring elders in your life? Pella and Ole have been gone for decades now, but I still picture them, Grandpa in his workshop as he made me picture frames and bowls out of hundreds of popsicle sticks. He made red and white windmills to put in the backyard for my grandma. She loved the color red. No one could ever imitate my grandma’s homemade rolls after she was gone and she could never give us the exact recipe when she was still on earth. It was “a little bit of this and a little bit of that.”

     They called me, “Yudy.” Pella talked most often about “her Jesus.” As she rocked in her wooden rocking chair with the red cushions, she read her Swedish Bible hour after hour. I have that worn Bible in my possession. I can’t read the words, but I know she poured over that Book for hours on end and prayed for all of us as she did. She sang hymns all day long as she knit her woolen scarves and mittens for her large family.

Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord. Ephesians 5:19

     My grandma would tell me of the day the whole family went to a Billy Graham tent meeting, one of his first. It was somewhere around 1950, maybe a little earlier. Pella, Ole, Margaret (my mom) and their other three children would take Jesus into their hearts on that summer day. I have always had a soft spot for Billy Graham when I think of all of the lives he has changed as he presents the gospel of Jesus to the world.

     Jesus shaped Pella and Ole’s lives and they helped to shape mine. That’s what happens when we meet the Lord. The seeds we carry in our hearts are planted along the way into the lives of others. Pella taught me what was good.

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine but to teach what is good.  Titus 2:3

Dear Father,

Thank you for the older men and women of faith. They have known you for so long and have great wisdom to share. Help us to take in what is good to share with our families just as Pella and Ole did for me. I am blessed.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Stories

     One of our group turned 85 this week. She grew up in a Chrstian home, married a pastor and raised five children, teaching them about Jesus. Three others in our Tuesday morning Bible study feel as if they have known and loved Jesus since they were very young girls. Another lived in an abusive home. She lived in fear and didn’t meet Jesus until a Godly man came into her life.

     Others, like me, were “social” Christians for a time; sitting in a pew on a Sunday morning and going home and living their own lives. Then we all shared a common thread…until I started to read the Bible…until someone asked, “Who is Jesus to you?”…suddenly I developed a hunger for the Word of God…someone brought me to a Bible study.

     We have begun a new study called, “God’s Story, Your Story” by Max Lucado. God has placed us here, at this particular time, for a reason. The darkness around us is deepening and He is challenging us to share His light with others. It’s safe for us to share and witness on Tuesday mornings. We all love each other and we all love Jesus.

     What happens when we are around our acquaintances and neighbors and other strangers God places in our paths? Then it gets a little scary. What will they think? I won’t know what to say. What if they think I’m weird? Jesus doesn’t care if we take up space on a pew on a Sunday morning. He doesn’t keep score on how many Bible verses we have memorized. He wants us to know Him. When our love and knowledge of Him deepens so does our commitment. Here are two verses. Here are our marching orders.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15

     You have a story. You have a hope in you. You have the answers to eternal life. It’s all about Jesus. He will use all of it; hurts and joys from the past and the present to share His good news, the great news for our future.  He changes everything. Let’s go and make disciples.

Dear Jesus,

Give us confidence in You. Give us opportunities to share our stories with someone in our lives. There is a hurting world all around us crying out for You.

Amen

Changing Our Missions

     The stories of our lives are as numerous as the grains of sand on a beach, as unique as each individual snowflake. And yet, through Jesus, we are united in our mission; to share Him through our lives and stories. We are united in the same Holy Spirit, the resurrection Spirit of our God. We are created in His image.

     Our missions in life change after giving our lives to Him. Our missions often change from being self-focused, from achieving power or money, from striving for attention, from a false image facing the world, to a humble giving up of our own desires to find His purpose. Our superficial and selfish ambitions become supernatural and sacrificial, and somehow, we become much more richly blessed.

     By giving up our lives, we gain true life! What a concept. Only our God could imagine this redemptive work of grace and hope.

Jesus said:

“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” Matthew 16:25-26

    Our mission becomes His as He changes our minds, our moods,  our morals, our messes, and makes it our mission to use all of it for His glory. All of our uniqueness, our personalities, our passions can become the basis for His story to unfold. Amazing grace. Amazing God.

Dear Jesus,

It sounds frightening to give up our lives. We want control where there is none. We want success and it comes up empty. We want love and we find it in You. You give it unconditionally and sacrificially. Show us how to do the same, as You become our mission, each in our own special way.

Amen 

Changing Our Messes

     We’ve all been there; in the depths of a pit, stuck in the mud and mire of our past. We are left with wounds. We suffer with shame. There is a trail of mess in all of our lives.  We hear the gospel. We read the Word and we believe. Jesus begins to take away the hurt, the shame. He forgives it all.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire. He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.  Psalm 40:2

“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.  Isaiah 1:18

     Our past messes and hurts are forgiven. We can offer forgiveness and we are set free. Jesus continues to heal our past. He walks with us and changes us in our present. And He offers us a future filled with perfection and love forever.

     We forgive, but we do not forget and because of that, God can use our messes to become our message. Our stories become a part of His and we tell others about the transforming power of Christ. Our messes are a testimony to who He is and we can offer the same love, forgiveness and compassion He first gave us.

Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story-those He redeemed from the hand of the foe.  Psalm 107:2

     Let His story become yours. You fit in just perfectly for this time in history. Your story makes a difference. Let Him use your messes, your hurts, your lessons to show His healing power. You are changed and others may want to know the reason for the hope within you.

Dear Lord,

Somehow you use our past mistakes, along with the suffering we have been through to show Your glory. Teach us how to use our past as a way to share our message about You. Thank you for Your forgiveness, for helping us out of the pits of our past.

In Jesus name

amen

Changing Our Morals

     Belonging to Christ changes us; our minds, our moods, and our morals. The Holy Spirit within begins to convict us. Our knowledge of Jesus increases through His Word and through prayer and our lives slowly become His. The little white lie doesn’t seem so little anymore. The extra change given at the grocery store is burning a hole in our pockets until we return it.

     The slightest enhancement on our tax return is deleted. The swear words don’t flow easily from our lips. The list goes on and on. Before I share the Scripture verses for today I want to remind you that God never condemns. We are no longer under condemnation. We are free in Christ. We are not under the law. We are free in His truth. He always knows and wants what is best for us and what is healthy for our minds, bodies and souls.

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature; sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.  Colossians 3:5

But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these; anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.  Colossians 3:8-10

     Our lives are a journey of growing in the knowledge of Jesus and being renewed day by day. His Spirit within will tell us what to do and how to do it. It’s all about cooperating. As His ambassadors in the world we should be walking, talking and acting like the One we are representing. How do we do that? We can go back to that battle of the mind we talked about on Monday.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2

     Set your minds on Him. Over time you may not even recognize your old self. Enjoy the journey. Set your minds and your hearts on Jesus. He will do the rest.

Dear Father,

Thank You for Your convicting Spirit. Take away our fear as we listen to Your voice. You want the very best from Your children. We love You.

In Jesus name

Amen

Changing Our Moods

     Wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning? Co-workers annoying you? Someone cut you off in traffic? Angry at your spouse? Time for a pity party? We all have our moods. The world doesn’t understand us. No one else gets it. Why don’t they follow the rules?  

     The humbling sacrifice of our God takes the puff out of our pride. He died for us while we were yet sinners. His example, His love, His understanding allows us to give others the benefit of the doubt, to forgive when it seems impossible, to smile when we feel like our faces might crack.

Get rid of bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32

     A perfect and holy God forgives us. We know, because of Him, we will live forever. That is something to be grateful about every single day. Be kind because He is kind. Show compassion because He is compassionate. Be grateful for His grace. Look for the blessings. They are all around us. We have the breath of life today. We are forgiven. Can we show mercy and grace to others with a smile? I think I’ll give it a try today.

Dear Father,

Your Son, Jesus changes even our moods. Move us away from grumpiness, pride, anger and unforgiveness. Let us show the kindness and goodness You have shown us. Help us to see others through Your loving eyes. Give us gratefulness today.

Amen 

Changing Our Minds

     Last week we studied the armor of God. Our warfare is not against flesh and blood. It is a spiritual battle. Defensively, we wear the breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, the belt of truth, the shoes of peace and hold the shield of faith firmly in place. Our two offensive weapons are the Word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit, and prayer.

     Our own minds and our thoughts can be our greatest enemy. Negative thoughts about ourselves and others can become habitual. We don’t recognize the power of the mind. I highly recommend a book by Joyce Meyer called The Battlefield of the Mind if you have not read it. Again, the Word of God can help us overcome our thought processes in order to believe God above all else.

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.  2 Corinthians 10:4-5

     Take captive every thought? This morning, believe you are chosen and loved. You are here for a purpose. We can overcome the powers of darkness as we study and believe the Word of God. Jesus used the written Word to combat the temptations of Satan. Satan knows our weaknesses and when we are most vulnerable. With every temptation, Jesus spoke the Word of God out loud. It is a powerful weapon, the power to demolish the strongholds in your life.

Dear Father in heaven,

Your Word gives us the power to overcome even our own thought processes. Help us to demolish whatever is keeping us from serving and obeying You. We capture every negative thought and change them to believing in Your love for us.

In Jesus name,

Amen 

More Offense

     Finally, in this rich chapter of Ephesians 6, Paul gives us one more spiritual weapon. Disciplining ourselves to be in God’s Word, and reminding ourselves of who we are in Christ are powerful ways to resist the devil’s schemes. Speaking and listening for God’s voice and His direction, both in His Word and in prayer keep us on the offense.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.  Ephesians 6:18

    Prayer sets our hearts and minds on Jesus. Satan would love to keep us as far away from God as possible, and he is creative in his tactics. His lies usually have some truth to them, as he entices us with his counterfeit ways. Praying in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of requests and praying for each other adds one more protective layer.

     Put on the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, the shoes of peace, and take up the shield of faith. Read the Word of God and pray incessantly. We have the power to stand firm against anything.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? Romans 8:35

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  Romans 8:37

Dear Jesus,

You love us and give us all of the spiritual tools we need to stand firm in our faith, in our salvation, in our right-standing with You. We walk in Your peace. Help us to invade satan’s territory with powerful prayer and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

Amen

Offense

     Our defensive armor protects us. Our faith, the truth of Jesus, our salvation and the peace which passes all understanding keep us going. But just as in a good football game, the defensive line can weaken, our line of defense can slip and we become vulnerable. The belt of truth loosens and just as Eve heard from the serpent, we hear the words, “Did God really say..?” Seeds of doubt cloud our trust in God. Our hearts are broken and the breastplate of righteousness is taken away. What do we do when our defensive spiritual armor weakens for any reason?\\ Thankfully, God gives us two offensive weapons. Let’s look at one today.

…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Ephesians 6:17b

     The sword of the Spirit, the Word of God is our greatest weapon, along with prayer. Our powerful offensive weapons will bring us back to standing firm with our armor safely around us. Our shield of faith is put in place as we read:

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the word about Christ.  Romans 10:17

     Our belt of truth fits tightly around us once again as we read:

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.  John 8:32

     We place our shoes of peace securely on our feet as we walk out into the world around us:

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  John 14;27

     And our hearts are covered once again by the breastplate of righteousness:

God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.  2 Corinthians 5:21

     The Word of God. It begins and ends there. Jesus is the Word come to life in the flesh. (John 1) Let the power of the Holy Spirit guide you in truth, peace, faith, and righteousness as you wear your armor today, wielding the sword of the Spirit; the Word of God etched in your hearts

Dear Jesus,

We thank you for the Word of God today. Your Word gives us life and hope and truth. Remind us to read it daily to keep us protected from satan and his angels. You are the Word. You are the way, the truth and the life.

Amen

More Defense

     Our hearts are covered with the breastplate of righteousness. Our belts of truth are buckled tightly around us and our feet walk out into the world with a peace unlike any other. Our spiritual armor continues today with two more pieces to hold and to wear as our defense against our spiritual enemy.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation…Ephesians 6:16, 17a

     Our sheld of faith allows us to trust God when the circumstances seem impossible. Faith teaches us to be patient in affliction. Faith keeps us in belief in the one true God when others do not. This shield extinguishes not some but all of the flaming arrows of the evil one.

     Our last piece of defensive clothing is the helmet of salvation. That moment we hear the gospel of truth and accept Jesus as Savior redeems us forever. Knowing in our minds we are saved forever, that Christ will bring us to heaven forever, keeps us filled with hope and joy.

     Put on the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, the shoes of peace and the shield of faith. You are protected with the spiritual armor of our mighty God. There are two weapons of offense we will read and talk about tomorrow.

Dear Lord,

We thank you for your spiritual armor. Our weapons protect us each day as we trust you, remember your gift of salvation, as we offer peace and truth and hope in our daily lives.

In Jesus name

Amen

Defensive Armor

     The battles around us and within us are spiritual in nature. Our flesh battles against the Holy Spirit within us as believers. Satan flings his arrows at us to get us off track, to muddle our mind, and to destroy our trust in Jesus. In the 6^th chapter of the book of Ephesians, Paul gives us spiritual armor to wear. Most of this armor is defensive.

     Today, we will look at a few of the defensive pieces of armor. Place them around you as you wake up each morning.

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  Ephesians 6:15-16

     When we clothe ourselves with Jesus, His presence protects us. Daily reminders of who He is and what we can do through Him will keep us safe under our spiritual armor.

     When the world tries to fool us into believing lies about God, we pull our belt of truth around us a little bit tighter. We know Jesus is the One. He is the way, the truth and the life. (John 14:5). When we fall short or are reminded of our sinful nature, we are protected by the righteousness of Christ. God, the Father, sees the image of His Son when He looks at us. We are new creations. The old has gone. The new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

     Jesus gives us the peace that passes all understanding. It is not peace as the world gives, but the peace of becoming His children. The peace of the gospel of truth. The gospel that will give us eternal life. (See Philippians 4:6, 7 and John 14:27)

     Walk out the door with the shoes of God’s peace. The gospel of truth He gives us as believers is meant to be shared. We are in right standing with God. His righteousness covers our hearts. His truth holds us together, and we can walk out our lives filled with His peace. And tomorrow we will cover our heads and add another layer of the defensive armor of Christ.

     Is the battle too much right now? Read the first two words of the Scripture verses we looked at today. “Stand firm.” Jesus will fight the battle. He’s got this.

Dear Father,

You give us so much protection. Clothe us with Jesus. Protect us in our battles. We stand firm today with the shoes of peace, the breastplate of righteousness and the belt of truth buckled tightly around us.

In Jesus name

Amen

The Battle

     I have been awake since 2:00 a.m. The battle for sleep comes with age. What type of battle are you engaged in at this season of life? What comes to mind when you hear the word “battle”? There is the battle of the bulge, the battle against addiction, the battle to get through the day dealing with anxiety or depression. There are battles within a family, in a war overseas. There is the battle against cancer.

     Satan is the enemy. He and his deceptive angels are fighting in the spiritual realm to keep us distracted, manipulated, fearful and joyless. Their wiles may sound deceivingly good. Our battles are not against flesh and blood.

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of the dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Ephesians 6:11-12

     Satan’s power is limited. He understands his time is short and he is pulling out the stops. God gives us some weapons of warfare. We will talk about some of them tomorrow. In the meantime, think about the battles you have fought in the past and what you are fighting against today. God is on your side. He is within you. Let this verse give you hope.

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

     The ultimate battle is won. Jesus has overcome the world with His sacrifice. Let’s continue to be His soldiers in the world around us, shedding the darkness with His light.

Dear Lord,

Give us strength and confidence in You to face our battles today. Help us to remember our battles are not against flesh and blood, but against the forces of evil. You will get us through.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Prayer

     A prayer begins our relationship with Jesus as Savior. It is a necessary part of life to keep our relationship with Him growing and active. Prayer changes circumstances, heals hearts, intercedes for friends and family.

     Do you find yourself trying to pray and something comes immediately to mind? Suddenly you remember an e-mail you have to answer or the phone just happens to ring as you begin your time with God. The quiet intimate time with Jesus seems impossible until it becomes a habit. The habit will eventually become the time you look most forward to, the quiet time to get to know and understand the voice of God.

     And we pray, not only in a quiet, set-apart time, but any time. Jesus is alwas with us. That fact allows us to pray in the middle of a meeting, in a line at the post office, as we remember a sick friend, or witness an accident. Praying can be habitual and part of our existence, as we practice the presence of God. 

Pray continually. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Satan would love to distract us enough, keep us busy enough, make us comfortable enough, proud enough, uncertain enough, to make us believe we do not need prayer. Let prayer become a priority. Find a special time each day for prayer and Bible time. Those two things, understanding and studying God’s Word and sitting in His presence in prayer will change your life forever. This relationship with Jesus gives us joy and hope.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

     Prayer has great power; the power that first connected you to Jesus. The Holy Spirit within you will guide you into prayer, how to pray, what to pray and who should be included in your prayers. It is an honor to pray for others, and if someone prays for you, you are blessed.

     I am pausing in my writing, right now, to pray for each reader. May Jesus fill your hearts and minds with blessings in the joy and hope of His salvation and love.

Dear Father,

Let each person reading these words feel Your presence in a new and powerful way. I pray those “Holy Spirit shivers” are running up and down as we unite together in praising You and in believing in the power of prayer and Your mighty presence.

In Jesus powerful name we pray,

Amen

Power

     The moment we become believers, we receive the power of the Holy Spirit. That spiritual power is beyond this world, beyond what we see with our eyes, or hear with our ears or touch with our hands. It is a deep and abiding force that guides us through the rest of our lives. The breath and Spirit of Christ rests upon us. It is beyond our natural abilities. It is supernatural

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1;13

     Yes, that moment you first believed the Holy Spirit was given to you. Are you ready to hear more about this great power? These next verses never fail to fill me with awe and wonder at what He offers freely when we believe that He exists and died and rose again for us. Paul is praying this prayer for his brothers and sisters in Ephesus. Let this be a prayer for you today. Let it soak into your heart.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at the right hand of the heavenly realms. Ephesians 1:18-20

     The same power that raised Christ from the dead is given to us?! Resurrection power. I could use a little of that today. You, too? Feel that great power in prayer, through your struggles, beyond your circumstances and in trusting His ability to use all things for His good. We may not understand it all until we are in heaven, but all of this, every single thing in our lives, will be, somehow, in some way, used for His glory. We are included in His glorious inheritance. Believe it!

Dear Lord,

We don’t see all things clearly right now. It becomes muddled in our daily existence, but we trust You. One day we will see it all and how you used us in unexpected ways. Tune us in to our Holy Spirit power today and every single day for the rest of our lives. Teach us how to be in constant contact with You and to share the power of Your great love with others.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Plan

     There is no other person on the planet like you. God’s plan for your life is different from any other. You were born at just the right time, for just the right season, for just these moments. You are gifted with a certain personality type, with natural, in-born gifts to share, and when the Holy Spirit comes to live within you, God enhances all of those unique attributes with gifts of the Spirit. These gifts are to be used for the common good. (See 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4 and Romans 12 for the gifts of the Spirit)

     God’s plan will fit perfectly, with great precision, with who you are and where you are and with what you do best. Do you make a plan or go with the flow? Are your decisions based on logical thinking or from the heart? Do you connect with the world with your five senses or your intuition? Gifted in administration? Love to entertain? Are you quiet and prefer one-on-one conversation to a crowd setting? Love to teach or to stay behind the scenes setting up for the teacher? Are you meant to shepherd a small group or use your Biblical knowledge to help others?

     All of these and more can be used to influence the kingdom of God. The community of faith works together as a body. Jesus is the head, and we make up the other parts. Just as our body cannot function without all of its working parts, so our communities cannot function without all of us working in unity.

     The beautiful thing, well, one of the many beautiful things about the body of Christ, is that God gives special honor to the unseen, less focused-on gifts. Do you pray for others continually? Maybe you sharpen the pencils in the pews. Or you come early and stay late before and after the meetings? You are highly honored by our God.

     God’s plan is just right. Not too much, not too little, a one-of-a kind blueprint that fits you like a glove. And He will give you the power to do what you are meant to do in ways that may seem impossible without our Creator. He will pull out all of the stops to influence His children on earth. He needs you, and we are in it together.

If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.  1 Corinthians 12:26-27

From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.  Ephesians 4;16

     Discovering your gifts and doing your part is an awesome adventure. As you read God’s Word, He will show you the way you should go.

Dear Jesus,

We thank you for each part of the body of Christ all over the world. How you orchestrate all of us to work for Your kingdom is beyond our imaginings. Show us our part. Are we your eyes focused on a hurting world? Are we Your hands offering a loving touch to someone in need, or Your feet going to unsaved parts of the world? We all share Your great and powerful heart in love.

Amen

Purpose

     How do we find purpose on earth? What is it all about? If Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, what does He expect from you and me? He gave up everything to give us new life. I know I have nothing to give in return. There is nothing we CAN do, nothing God needs. He IS everything. What He wants and asks from us is to have a relationship with Him. He wants intimacy. He wants to work His plan with us and through us.

     As we get to know Jesus through His Word and through prayer, our purpose begins to become clear. Knowing Him, putting Him first, recognizing we can’t do anything without Him, finds us surprisingly able to do things we could not imagine. Our confidence is in Him, rather than our own efforts and He will use you and me to fulfill His purposes on earth.

     He may use your story, your suffering, your life as a testimony to others. People may notice a change and ask you about the hope that is in you. You might speak boldly about your faith to someone God places in your path. Jesus may even ask you to reach out to someone you don’t like very much. You and I couldn't do it on our own.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is iimpossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

     Get to know Him. Open up the Good Book. Imagine a new life filled with possibilities. Most of the thoughts in our head, what we worry about, compete for, save to buy, work towards, will not come with us into heaven.

     When we meet Jesus, He will burn up the things that won’t come with us in through those pearly gates. But the things we did with Him and for Him and through Him? They will be refined like gold, beautiful and lasting. Good enough to last forever.

Their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved-even though only as one escaping through the flames.  1 Corinthians 3:13-15

     This work is not anything we can do on our own, but only with Jesus, the foundation. He shows us what to do and how to do it, through His Holy Spirit, through His Word, through our time of prayer.

     Ready to give it a try, this purposeful life? It comes down to the heart and His love.

As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.  Proverbs 27:19

     What is the condition of your heart? Let it melt into a life with Christ.

Dear Jesus,

You give our lives meaning and purpose. Show us how to take the next step. Help us focus on Your love and getting to know You more intimately this year. We are one in spirit with You and the Father when we believe.

Amen

Perfection

    I want us to work backwards this week. We begin on this minus 50 degree windchill kind of day in Minnesota focusing our eyes on the end of the story, and the warmth of heaven. If you are a believer in Christ (if you are not, stay tuned all week) we know we will live forever!

     One day, af the end of these earthly lives, we will live in perfection. We will have new bodies, and yet will remain our unique selves. Let this truth give you strength and hope today; giving promise to a parent’s heart as they witness their child suffer with illness, disability or disease; joy to a widow’s heart as she continues to miss her partner; an end to the labored breathing that comes with lung disease; a day to be free of temptation and addiction. A new beginning at what appears to be the end of the road.

     Finite to infinite, imperfect to perfect, perishable to imperishable, the unseen will be seen, time will become timeless. (See 1 Corinthians 15) It puts our suffering, our temptations, our grief into perspective. God will redeem all of it.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  Romans 8:18

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  2 Corinthians 4:17-18

     We will meet Jesus face-to-face. We will live in glory. No time-frame, no hussle and bussle. No more scurrying from place to place. No more stress! We can drink our coffee for hours on end. We will have time to speak to others in history. We will see Moses and Elijah, John and James, Mary and Joseph, Abraham and Isaac. Forever.There is no end to our story, other than a giving up of our imperfect souls and bodies. We aren’t striving and struggling just to get to the end of this life. The end is the beginning of it all. Feel the hope. See the glory. Live out your life with passion and love. All of this is achieving a glory that far outweighs it all.

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends. With the Lord a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a day.  2 Peter 3:8

    Our sufferings last only a moment in light of eternity. Take in that strength today. Count on that hope. Believe in eternity. All of this will be redeemed in His glory. And every breath on this earth can be lived for Him. Every breath is precious. He gave you life on earth and He gives new life forever.

Dear Lord,

You give us hope for tomorrow, when we will be like You, with new bodies in a perfect world. A new heaven and a new earth, with Your glory shining all around us. The Son will be the sun of heaven. No more night. No more tears. The hope of glory. Our blessed assurance.

It is Jesus.

Amen

Real

     Authentic, real, genuine, servant of God. Can we become fully His, living the lives He called us to live? Let that be our goal this year. Wouldn’t it be great to rest in living God’s way? We are all made in His image, yet there are no two alike. We have different colored eyes, various personality types, and we each have varied passions and values.

     God sees you as you are, and He sees who you will become with His gentle guidance and His love. He has called you. He has prepared work for you and only you. Has He placed a passion in your heart, a dream for the future? Remember, it took Moses 80 years to lead the people out of Israel. Abraham was almost 100 when he and Sarah had Isaac. Caleb was still healthy and strong, in his 80's, when he walked into the promised land.

     God’s purpose for us will never end, until we walk from this life into eternity with Him. Is it time to get real? There is so much that isn’t in the world around us. False pride, false eyelashes, false sincerity, and false hopes surround us. Lies and greed and unforgivenss and rage abound. All of the falseness of the world and the schemes of Satan want to hold us back from living our genuine, authentic lives.

    Is this the year for a real relationship with Jesus? He is calling you.

As for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as His anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit-just as it has taught you, remain in Him.  1 John 2:27

    There’s the secret. Remain in Him. He will teach us. He is real and not counterfeit. His anointing, His call is waiting. Is it time?

Dear Jesus,

You promise to teach us all things through Your Holy Spirit. Show us how to live authentic lives filled with Your purpose for us, to live real lives of love and mercy. You show us how.

Amen

Renewed

     Things change when you become a believer. You may not have seen lightning strike or heard the angels sing. You see the same face in the mirror the next day, feel the same lure of temptation or go back to the same old habits. But, you are changed. God now sees you through the image of Christ. Your heavenly Father sees no more sin. You are different and over time, Christ changes us a little at a time to be more like Him.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here.  2 Corinthians 5:17

     You have been renewed and transformed. You are in Christ! Believe that this morning and throughout the year. Renew your mind each day with His Word. Listen for Him above all of the other noise around you and be changed!

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

     The things of the world will become less attractive as the Holy Spirit within you begins to guide your steps. Let David’s words from Psalm 51 be our prayer today in the renewing of our spirits and in taking the next step into a bright new year filled with the light of Christ leading the way. You are a new creation!

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. Psalm 51:10-12

Reborn

     Happy New Year! May 2014 bring great hope and peace for each one of you. Is today the day to accept Him? You have witnessed the Christmas story time and time again. There is something about Jesus. Something real. You have witnessed His love through others. You have seen the movie. Do you believe in the virgin birth, the sacrifice He suffered, the resurrection from the dead? Do you believe?

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live even though they die, and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”  John 11:25-26

     If so, and even if you already are a believer, read this prayer with me. That’s all it takes. A moment in time. A moment to be reborn into the kingdom of God, shifting all of your sin onto Him. It is not an even exchange. We receive His image for all of our crud. He gives us everything we do not deserve and we have nothing to give Him back. All consuming, all-encompassing love. It is yours for the asking.

Dear Jesus,

I do believe You came to earth, born of a virgin. You lived as one of us, but had no sin. You died in my place. You suffered for me on the cross and by Your shed blood I am forgiven. Please forgive me for everything I have done against You and others. I give all of it to You now and my sins are wiped away as far as the East is from the West. You rose again on the third day and one day I will arrive in heaven to live with You forever. Thank you Jesus. I accept You as Savior. Take my life and use me to do Your will.

Amen

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” John 3:3

     Your spirit is born again. The Holy Spirit of Christ has come to live within you and you are eternity bound! He will never leave you. Let this prayer bring you great peace and joy as you begin this new year, a year of new beginnings. A year filled with a new song in your heart!