GIVE A GOAT for CHRISTMAS

GIVE A GOAT for CHRISTMAS

As many of you may recall, last year I contributed and gathered funds from all of you, to buy Goats for the Needy around the world, through World Vision. Reading in James this morning, James 2:22 "You see that his(Abraham) faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did".

So with that in mind, I would like to be the store house for anyone who would like to exercise their faith with actions and care for the needy. These are very challenging, earthly, economic times. But I believe we live in a different economy-Gods economy. There are Godly principles that will take us past the 10.2 unemployment and concern about tomorrow. I'm unemployed for more than a year along with millions of others, but I consider myself RICH compared to the rest of the world, so I need to take action and be an advocate for those who have little. Each goat is only $75.00. Goats are given to families in twos. Goats are such a blessing for the needy, as they can breed them-sell them for more money for the family, milk, fertilizer for their gardens, etc. I understand that many people may find $75.00 a real stretch. AND that is completely understood. But here is the power in coming together as a large group. If you can not buy a whole goat, then maybe you can do a little and contribute 1/2 or 1/4. That's what we did last year. With lots of people contributing a little, we raised enough money to buy 32 goats. Way to go! I will do the same as last year, as all the contributions will be made in your name so you get the tax deduction. I am just submitting them all together so we can maximize our buying by coming together.

My address is:
Warren Watson
10716 Sierra Dr. E.
Puyallup, WA 98374

So whatever you can send....THANK YOU. We can change a person, a family and maybe even a community, by blessing a family with a goat.

God Bless,
Warren

Here is some information from the World Vision Website.... about giving a Goat.

Goat

Give a goat. Goats nourish hungry children and families with healthy milk, cheese, and yogurt. Goats also give a much-needed income boost by providing offspring and extra dairy products for sale at the market.

A healthy dairy goat can give up to 16 cups of milk a day. Goat milk is easier to digest than cow’s milk and is an excellent source of calcium, protein, and other essential nutrients that growing children need. Goats are practical animals — flourishing in harsh climates while producing valuable manure to fertilize crops and vegetable gardens.

Teopista, an AIDS orphan and World Vision-sponsored child in Uganda, is proud of her first gift ever — two donated goats that will help provide her with a brighter future. “I was very happy when I got the goats,” says the 10-year-old. “They will be of use to us. We will get money from them. I thank World Vision for thinking about me, too.”

Her aunt Restetuta feels the same way. “When the goats give birth again, we will sell off some of the younger [goats],” says Restetuta. “We will use the money to buy Teopista a school uniform, books, and beddings. We can also buy food with some of the money. I thank World Vision so much for all the help they have given us … we know that those goats will be of benefit to us in future.”

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Sensitivity

Scripture
Ephesians 4:18-19 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. ¹⁹Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

Observation
When I read this verse I immediately had to ask myself if I have had any hardening of my heart and a loss of sensitivity towards......everything and anything. Life seems to have a way of grinding a person down, it is easy to get cynical about things...people, work, politicians, friends, church, etc. Sometimes it is easy to fall into thinking that things are all bad, there is no hope, what will I(we) do?

Application
So I do not want my understanding in the things of God to be darkened, and my life in God to be separated by even a 1/100,000,000 of an inch because I am acting ignorant, then what do I do? The bible tells me that I need to remain sensitive and not let my heart be hardened by this life. OK how to I do that? The bible tells me in verse 23-24 to put on my new self, with my new attitude of my mind, the bible also tells me in Romans 12:2 that I need to be transformed by the renewing of my mind. I would say then that to stay sensitive and to keep my heart from being hardened, I need to be in God's word, which will keep my heart and my life pliable to the ways of God, instead of my own stiff necked thinking.

Prayer
My prayer is that I would not let my heart grow insensitive in any area of my life. As I stay in you, I will be renewed each day and be a better son for your kingdom. Amen.

Been Lavished On Today?

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. Do you ever feel that way that things are being stolen from you life, that life it not full? I do. But we know that is a lie, and so lets look at Ephesians 1 and see who the Bible says we are.

Scripture
Ephesians 1
³Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. ⁴For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ⁵he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— ⁶to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. ⁷In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace ⁸that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. ⁹And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, ¹⁰to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

¹¹In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, ¹²in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. ¹³And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.

Observation

The question I have is, has life lavished on you lately? Think about it. When was the last time you felt lavished. Your job probably doesn't lavish you, traffic doesn't lavish you, paying the bills doesn't lavish you, battling obstacles in this world doesn't lavish you. BUT the GOD of the universe, my GOD, lavished me and will keep on lavishing me because I am his child. Wow. Just in this small piece of scripture it shows what God has lavished me with; he chose me, I am holy, blameless, I'm adopted, he gave me Christ, I have redemption, forgiveness, the riches of God's grace, wisdom, understanding, I'm chosen, I'm marked with a seal.

Application

What does this mean to me? To me it represents what I read the other day in Psalms 25 that God wants and has provided everything for me to walk with him. He wants me to be humble and walks with him, not me out front and God coming along with me. He has lavished me with all things so we can walk together in richness, in fullness, in peace and have life to the FULL. Daily I need to come along side God and walk with him, and maybe it is semantics but when I pray, don't pray that God would be with as I does this and that, but that I WOULD be WITH GOD as I do this and that. I takes me out of the lead and puts God in control, where he should be. Because he is the one who has lavished all things on me. Praise Him

Prayer

Father, Thank you for opening up heavens doors and pouring out, lavishing me with all things. As you state in Ephesians 2:5, I was dead in transgression, but you poured out your grace on me, so I could join you, to see you wonder, your majesty, your greatness. Help me eyes to remain on you, rather than this present distracting world. Amen.

Psalms 25

Scripture
Psalms 25:4-5 Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; ⁵ guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

⁹ He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.

²¹ May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you.

Observation
It's not about me and what I know, but about God in me. Humbling myself and having the ways of the Lord guide me. I need to pray this frequently. God wants to take care of me, but many times I go off on my own "road trip" thinking that will be good, when in fact God is telling me, asking me, pleading with me to have me be humble, ask Him to show me the way, for Him to teach me which path to take in a landscape filled with paths that sometimes look just the same at the beginning, and once I am on the path to not just go on my merry way but continue to ask for guidance while on the path, and while I am walking to teach me about this path and walk because my hope is in Him. God has always wanted to walk with me.. Genesis 3:8 tells me that God was walking around the Garden of Eden looking for Adam and Eve, but they chose to make their own decision and not walk the path that God had established.

Application
How often do I do what Adam and Eve do? Decide to do this or that without following the voice of the Lord, or walk down this path because it looks right-feels good? The guidance in Psalms 25 must be loud in my life. There are many voices calling me here and there, and my own will wanting this or that, but if I humble myself, keep the ways of the Lord above my ways, keep God's instruction above mine and keep all my HOPE in the Lord, I will have refuge in the Lord.

Prayer
Father, forgive me when I do not humble myself before you and ask for your teachings. I repent of my own ways and ask that your ways are the ones I walk in. I cannot hope in anyone but you, so thank you for taking care of me and walking with me in the way you have chosen for me. Amen.

Do I Accept It?

Scripture
Mark 4:20
Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it and produce a crop-thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.

Observation
Through out this portion of scripture Jesus has told us about different types of seed being sown and what happens to it, but this specific verse is the only one where He says that we "accept" the seed(the word).

Application
When I hear the word, do I accept it? I have to ask myself that question, OR do I filter it with my own thoughts, societies thoughts and ways or persuasive arguments from others? Who am I listening to, and even more...who's words am I accepting as "truth" in my life? The Bible says clearly in John 1:1 that the Word was in the beginning, the Word is with God and the Word is God. Absolutely, the Word is the only truth I should accept into my life. But the "voices in my head"-my own selfish ways/my pride/me/me/me want to twist my mind and try to justify not accepting the whole Word as truth, etc. This acceptance is shown in reality in Romans 12:2-Do not conform any longer 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. Yes. That is my desire. So what do I need to do...1. Read and meditate on God's word to get it into me, 2.Accept what I am reading unfiltered, 3. Keep renewing my mind.....through the reading and acceptance of the word.

Prayer
Father, the Word is the only truth I should accept in my life. You have given me the words of life in it, so I will continue to see your Greatness. Your Holiness is on display throughout the Bible. Let your word penetrate my life unfiltered, so that the people who are deaf and blind in this world will see your Greatness. Amen.

The Original FDIC

FDIC

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
The Bible talks about another type of Deposit that has nothing to do with the Federal Government(Yeah).

Scripture
2 Corinthians 5:5 Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Observation
There is daily chatter as to the banks going bankrupt and the FDIC coming in to bail out the bank. There was even talk last week that the FDIC is getting low on money about 14 Billion left; some concern about having to fund the FDIC but they think they will make it. BUT look at this verse, God has deposited in me THE SPIRIT as a guarantee of what is to come. What about a new FDIC....Father Deposited In Christ

Application
Just think about that verse again. God made us for the VERY PURPOSE of becoming more like him, and wearing his heavenly dwelling not this earthly one, and so we would understand his seriousness about God wanting us to see His greatness He took his own Spirit, came to me and DEPOSITED it in me, so I would know that there is a guarantee of things to come. I have not been left alone. And we don't have to worry about this FDIC being short on funds, application fees, etc;, all are welcome to come, and have a deposit put in them as well. My God is an active God, doing things in me. If I make my job a god, an idol to me it doesn't deposit anything in me as a guarantee, if I idolize my children they will not deposit things into me and other dead gods do not put into me anything that would guarantee something for me. I would even go so far as to say that if I run "my balance" low because of my own depravity, that my own FDIC would come to me and re-deposit into me. Praise the Lord!!!

Prayer
Father, You have given me all things, and put yourself and your spirit into me as a deposit so I would know of the guarantee of things to come. I know the cost that came with making that deposit. I don't take it lightly that you care and love for me and will keep my bank full by depositing in me. Let the things that I do today reflect my praise and adoration for what you have done, and keep doing for me.

Covering My Ears

Scripture
Acts 7:57 At this they covered their ears and yelling at the top of the their voices...
Acts 7:39b and in their hearts turned back to Egypt

Observation

Stephen was preaching the truth to the Sanhedrin and of course they were offended when he was done because they were "religious" people and the truth of God's ways made them made. Not much has changed today!! But two portions touched my heart today. After Stephen was finished the group got very angry-because of they own guilt and sin in their life compared to the truth of God that Stephen had spoke about, and so their covered their ears up, and started yelling as loud as they could to drowned out Stephen. They had done the same thing their fathers had done with Moses and "turned their hearts back to Egypt".

Application
Have I covered my ears in regards to what God whats me to do? Have I or do I put my fingers in my ears and hummmm out loud to not hear Gods voice? In doing that have I turned my heart back to Egypt(back to something I thought was better than now)? As a human I want to trust what I can see and feel. As God speaks to me, it is not about what I see/feel/taste, but about the Voice of the Lord telling me to go, go & do. If I want to cover my ears so I can't hear, and pretend that God is not speaking to me, then the blessing of obedience will possibly go to someone else. I don't want that. I don't want my heart to turn back to other things. So when God speaks(whether it makes sense to this body or not) I need to obey. My Father knows all things, and will not give me a snake when I ask for a fish(Matt 7:9-10).

Prayer
Father, Thank you for the reminder in your Word which makes it so clear that Your Voice and Your Way is the only way to go. Keep my hands lifted to you, instead of on my ears trying to block out your Voice, keep my heart pointed to you and not to things that would distract me from walking in your ways. I pray that for each one of my family members. Let us all be obedient to you, and what you would have us do for you today/tomorrow and for out entire life. Amen.

For the NAME

Scripture

Acts 5:41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.

Observation
All the apostles had been jailed, put through a mini-trial, FLOGGED, then released. Think about it, they were flogged((v. t.) To beat or strike with a rod or whip; to whip; to lash; to chastise with repeated blows), then they rushed back out, as a group, into the temple courts yelling, whooping it up, high 5'ing each other, so they could begin again to proclaim the Name of Jesus to everyone out there.

Application
The question I have for myself is.....What am I going to do for the NAME of Jesus today? I probably will not be put into jail, set free from jail by angels, captured again, beaten with leather and metal whips, and then released. BUT somewhere, somehow, I need to let the world know about the NAME of Jesus. What the NAME has done in my life! What will it be, I need to be alert and ready when the Holy Spirit prompts me......just obey.

Prayer
Father, The Name of Jesus is worth rejoicing over. Help me in every action and deed to represent the Name of Jesus, for what that Name means in my life. I ask that you would open up opportunities for me to share the Name of Jesus with the broken world. To speak life and hope to them, and when they hear about the Name, I ask that the power of the Name would break through the hardness in hearts and begin to set people free from sin and death. Amen.

Refreshment

Scripture
Acts 3:19
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord


Observation
"That times of refreshing may come from the Lord". What a wonderful statement. I looked up refreshing in the Greek and it simply means "a cooling". Think about a super hot summer day, sitting outside in the evening and a cool breeze blows by how you feel. It is truly refreshing. Some cool water on your face-ahhh, your feet in some water-nice.

Observation
This portion of scripture is Peter preaching to the temple goers, and it is a salvation message, so what is in it for me? Repentance is what. This human body and mind want to go their own way; become their own god. Exodus 20:3, the first commandment "You shall have no other gods before me". So if I have tried to make my own way, make my own decisions, walked down my own path without putting GOD before me to light my way and guide me then I need to repent. Once I repent, the Bible is clear that I will feel the coolness of God's spirit on me and will be refreshed. That constant refreshment is what I need.

Prayer
Father, you are all about renewal and within that refreshment. I desire the refreshment of you, but that comes from letting you be the God of my life. Amen.

Psalms 139

Have you read Psalms 139? Amazing scripture to meditate on, and try to contemplate the reality of what it is saying.

God has searched me.
God knows me.
God is familiar with me.
God knows what I am thinking and going to say.
God's Spirit is with me where ever I go.
God's has laid his hand upon me.
God made me.
God has ordained all the days of my life.
God is always with me.
God will test me and my thoughts.
God will lead me to everlasting life.

Being reminded that God Knows all, needs to lead me to peace. My flesh may try to rise up, and fight against those things which "I" can't make sense of, but God Knows. I have more faith in God than me, His ways are better than mine, so my way needs to hit the highway.

Being Acquainted with me

Scripture
Psalms 139:1 O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.

Observation

When I think about searching something I get an image in my mind of a CAT Scan, or an MRI. Something that searches places and things that we can not see, or maybe not even feel. God has already done that. He will not be caught "off guard" by some he finds, like a doctor might. He has searched me and his search is complete. Nothing will be a surprise, and because of that he "knows" me. Looking the word "know" up in the Hebrew it is everything you would think about knowing; to reveal, be made know, distinguish, be acquainted with, to perceive, etc.

Application
What is the point today? The point is that the all knowing God has taken an interest in me and knows me. The question is do I know him? The pastor yesterday was preaching out of Proverbs and talked about the ups and downs of life and how we question why this or that has happened and we may even get an "ATTITUDE" about it. He got a puzzle out and threw it on the floor. He picked up ONE piece and asked if any one could tell what the big picture was supposed to be. No, not from one piece. So it is with our life. Today is one piece. Possibly 6 months is one piece. Possibly a YEAR is one piece. So why do we in our short sightedness "question" why this is happening to me?! God knows me, my position in all this is get to know God. Not just a good feeling, but know the nature of God, get the big picture of who God is, and have full confidence that this "ONE PIECE" that "I" can't figure out, is a part of a big picture, a big life for the kingdom that God has for me......because he knows me like no one else does, and I am Thankful for that.

Prayer
Thank You Father for knowing me, and because you know me I will trust you. Mine small mind, and small thinking can't make sense of some things, but because you know me and what is best for me and building the Kingdom of God I can rest in what I see today. Whether today seems good or bad, wrong or right, high or low you know me and I ask that my eyes would be focused on kingdom thinking instead of stinkin thinkin if something doesn't seem right in "my" eyes. I would know that where ever I am, is part of the glorious BIG picture you are piecing together for me....even now. Amen.

Animals Grazing

We have all seen the pictures and you can see them in your mind right now. Hundred's, if not Thousand's of animals grazing in green pasture. The animals are at complete peace. They graze, then look for more luscious pasture, but in most cases the pasture is all the same, a wonderful, beautiful green waving in the wind. When the animal is full it lays down to rest on the soft pasture. Two verses remind me of this pasture that God has put before us, and how we are to approach it. Let's take a look.

Scripture

John 10:9 I am the gate. whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture.

Psalms 23:1-2 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.

Observation

The Greek translation of pasture is "he shall not want the needful supplies for the true life".

The Hebrew translation is to "make habitation, to abode". Would that describe me? Am I in a place where I do not want the needful supplies for a true life? Where do I put my value of this lift; things in this world or the supply from heaven(my pasture)?

Application

As humans we search a lot. We come in and go out. We look for love, search for peace, try to create success(whatever that means) and try to figure out the meaning of life. So we do alot of what verse 9 says, BUT we don't do it all. It tells me that Jesus is my gate keeper, that I will go in and out, but that I WILL FIND Pasture. I will find that place where the grass is high and rich in nutrients, and will provide coolness when I want to lie down in it. So what is the pasture and how do enjoy it? Won't it come from communicating more with God through his word, his Holy Spirit and his Son? Consuming and resting in the ways of the Lord. That is my desire and pursuit: to go Grazing.

Prayer

Father, we tend to make this life much more complicated than you ever designed it. Thank you for provided a Good Shepherd to lead me, to protect me and to provide for me. Your pasture, your place of supply and rest are plenty and all I need. I pray that my eyes, and my desires would be satisfied with what you provide. That nothing else will be even a whisper of a temptation, because all other things are a lie and lead to death. Your pasture, your provision is the place of peace that I need. Amen.

The Great Escape

Scripture

John 8:34-36 (New International Version)
34Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Observation

What a wonderful way to start the week. The Scripture making it so very clear, that I was a slave to sin but because of Jesus I have been set free.

Application

Live like a freed slave today. Being set free from a life of bondage and slavery, into a life of freedom should make me kick my heels up, run around the yard, enjoy the air more, BUT most of all it should make me worship the God to planned my escape. Back in 1963 there was a movie about the Great Escape. Forget about a simple movie plot, God put everything into motion, through Christ, to come into the prison(this world), show us the plan of escape(his death/burial and resurrection) and then expose the route of escape(to believe him and follow him only). So all praise goes to the Father for being God, and also for what he has done for me.

Prayer

Father, How thankful I am that you devised a plan and executed it for my escape. Your plan was not for me to held captive in this world-like a slave, but to live freely. The plan was not without a cost and sacrifice and I thank you for baring that cost for me. May the life I walk today, represent the freedom you have provided for me, and that it would give you all the praise. Amen.

Feasting

Scripture

John 6:57

Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.

Observation

Jesus is giving me instructions on how I am to live and what leads to eternal life.

Application

As I read this a thought crossed my mind. We sit down at least three times a day to eat. We go to buffet bars with 100's of choices of foods, we spend hours preparing meals...just to feed this body which is going to die and decay. Why do we put so much time and energy into a worthless cause? The physical answer is that we NEED it to live, I get that, but the comparison comes to how much time am I feasting at the banquet table of God versus feeding a dieing vessel? Jesus tells me that I need to feed on him. So what does that mean? For me it means to follow what he has said, and do it. Know him and his ways in such a manner that when faced with "something" my reactions will mirror those of our Lord. As with physical eating, "I am what I eat". So it should be in my spiritual walk. My life should be a representation of what I am eating spiritually.

Prayer

Father, you have provided me with real food and real drink so I may live. Help me today to come to the table to feast off of you. Let me take the time to sit and savour the wonderful fragrance of the food you have prepared, to feed off the platters set before me, and to drink the redeeming blood of Christ so that it is your life that is running through my veins. Amen.

Give It All Away

John 6:8-11 (New International Version)

8Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, 9"Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"
10Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. 11Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish

Just some thoughts today.

5,000 men plus women and children were following Jesus. One family had something to eat and they may have given the 5 small barley loaves and 2 small fish to the eldest son. The group stops, its time to eat, the mother and father sit the family down and ask the eldest to get the food out. In the mean time, Andrew is looking around to see any of the 10000 brought food. No. He only sees a boy getting some food out of his hand sown bag. I want to ponder a few things: There is NO place to buy food up on the mountainside-a person had to provide for themselves, so how did the transfer of food take place. In verse 11 it says that Jesus took the loaves. So the boy gave all he had, but did he just hand it over? Did the family/father tell him to put it away so they could eat it later, and not to let any one know he/they had it? If you were on a mountain side and someone came up and took the food you had, would you fight them and have a "UFC battle royal on the hill"? I think I would. But that didn't happen. A boy, a family gave it all away. Why? Obedience! "Jesus, the Christ, has asked for it, I don't know why or what is going to happen but the Master needs it so I have it to give. Here, I release my hands of the only food I have".

God has given me everything I have. But it is not mine. If he asks for it, in whatever way, I need to do as the boy and his family did and give it all away. Amen.

Where Shall We?

Scripture
5When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" 6He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.


Observation
I love this about God. He knows what he is going to do in our life and situation, but he really wants to know who we are going to trust. Phillip tells Jesus that is would take 8 months worth of wages to feed all these people, he was in a panic because of what he saw and the challenge before him. Then Peter tells them that there is a little something here, but how far will that go? Jesus steps in and tells everyone to sit down, calm down, things are going to be OK.


Application
Psalms 121:1-2 says, where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. There it is-simply put. My help comes from the Maker of Heaven and Earth. What I bring is incredibly small, just like the 5 loaves of bread and two fish. Yeh right, that's going to feed close to 10,000 people. I know that Americans are over eaters, but the average American eats 4.7 pounds of food a day. The 5 loaves and 2 fishes probably didn't weigh that much together, and there are 10,000 people to keep. But no worries, God is there. Did he want Phillip to go into a rant about how much it was going to cost to feed all these folks, or did he want Phillip to turn to him and pronounce his inability to deal this overwhelming situation, but to declare, "I don't have the resources myself to buy all the food for the crown, but Jesus, I know that because you are with me, that we can figure something out together." Where was Phillip looking to get his help from?-Phillip or the Maker of Heaven and Earth? Where should I look today? Me? The Bailout Government? or The Maker of Heaven and Earth?


Prayer
Father, Your word is clear that your desire is for us to seek you first, because that is where all good things come from. To know you. Today, I pray that I would look to you first in all areas of my life, because you are my helper. The government won't help me, but you will. I really can't help myself because I have nothing to give, except me. So I give you myself, and ask that you would continue to make me who you want, and to do your will.

Am He

John 4. The story is about Jesus stopping to get some water, where the Samaritan's got their water. The Jews and Samaritans did not "hang out" together. But Jesus starts a conversation with a woman and explains to her the difference between his living water and the earthly water that we constantly thirst for. He told her about the 5 husbands she had had, and that she was living with a guy now. Let's' pick up the story in verse 25

Scripture

25The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."
26Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he."

28Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29"Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ[b]?" 30They came out of the town and made their way toward him

Observation

The well is over a mile from town. When Jesus told her that he was the Messiah, all she wanted to do is tell the people in town....a mile away. Forget about the water, she just met the Messiah.

Think about it. It is in the middle of the desert, she/her family needs water for the day and she leaves the water jar behind ( will another Samaritan steal it while she is gone) what type of response will she get from those back home? Where's the water? Where's the jar? What are you doing? The only answer she could utter, after rushing back to town was, "Come, see a man who told me everything, could this be the Christ?

Application

The challenge for me is; do I react this way? When I sat down today to have an encounter, a life changing engagement with Christ did I think about who I should tell and let them experience this living water, or did I think about mowing the yard later? Each time I open the scriptures and encounter Jesus, what is my response? Is it..."Oh that's nice" or is it "my mind just went completely blank as to MY agenda, because I have just had living water poured in and on me, I have eaten and will not hunger again and so what do I need to do about this life altering encounter I just had with Christ Al-Mighty?" What would have happened had the Samaritan woman just said that it had been nice meeting you Jesus, hope you have a nice day, then got her water and carried it back home? What will I do today? Pack the water home, or leave it all behind because I have met "The Christ"?

Prayer

Father, you have given Christ to this dying world. He did not come just so I could say "that it was nice to meet him", but he came to change me, to radically move things around in my life, so my priorites would change, so your kingdom would come on this earth like it is in heaven. Help me today to live like I have met Jesus today for the first time. That I would not consider things of this world, but that I would leave my things behind, like the water jar, and do things that may seem "crazy" to those around, but they are not because I am being obedient. Amen.

Scripture

John 2:10 (The Message)
9-10When the host tasted the water that had become wine (he didn't know what had just happened but the servants, of course, knew), he called out to the bridegroom, "Everybody I know begins with their finest wines and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff. But you've saved the best till now!"

Observation

I have always seen this portion of scripture, Jesus turning the water into wine, as the beginning of Jesus's miracles but I have seen much more today. According the scripture, the way of the world is to serve the good stuff at the beginning and then when people can't taste a difference bring out the cheap stuff. But as always, Jesus and our Heavenly Father do things better and contrary to the world.

Application

What I am seeing here is that there are definitely two contrary ways of doing things. I knew that but this scripture is clear--"Jesus is saving the best until NOW". What I am hearing God speak to me, is that God's Best has been saved for me TODAY. What does that mean? I think that we have a tendency to say, "Yeah-but I don't feel better today I feel worse, Yeah-but I don't have as much money in the bank and things are bleak, Yeah-but I don't know what is going to happen in the future". What fools. Things, Things Things. Is that all I am going to think about, or limit my God to? What is my hope then, what best do I think has been saved for me NOW? Could it be that I accept "the best for now" as.....continued lavish love for me when I deserve God's wrath as a sinner, grace where I have earned none, righteousness of God given to me-the unrighteous? Could it be that the Jesus has saved the best for me today, as another NUGGET of revelation about who HE is, what HE is to my life, what HIS true sacrifice meant to me, what I have been REDEEMED from. So the best has been saved for me today, the best of this world is as chaff to God, so I accept the gift of Jesus's best for me today. I am NOT going to base it upon what I can see, feel or taste but ON FAITH. Jesus has saved the best for me now, today, so I accept it.

Prayer

Father, Thank You that you have saved the best, for me, until now-Today. Your word says that you have given me all things and those are the best things.

Access

Have you ever had the privilege of having been granted the access to someone? An important person, someone of significance? The Bible has something to say about access, let's check it out.

Scripture

Romans 5:1-2

1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a]have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.

Observation

The God of the universe wants a relation with me, and has given me the access to his throne, to his kingdom, to HIM, and I finally have Peace with God. There is no more warring with God. There is no more angst back and forth. Glory!!! How did I get that access? The Bible says that is come only through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. In John 3:5-7 the Bible says; "Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again."

Application

How do I apply access to God and having peace with him? First I have to have Faith in Jesus Christ and be born again. Now that I have access, what now? What would I do if I had access to the President? What would I ask him? What would it benefit me? That is small potatoes to the access I have with God. He has opened Himself up for me to know, to enjoy, to lavish in, to engage with, to love, and most of all to enjoy each other for eternity. In this world I may be granted access to someone for a period of time, but God has granted me access for eternity. Forever in relationship. Wow, what a God we serve.

Prayer

Thank you Father for granting me access to you. I was a sinner, a snake, but you justified me by faith in Jesus and allowed me to walk in relationship with you. I never want to take that for granted. Help me to daily lavish, wildly, in the access to have given me. Amen.

God's Kindness

Scripture

Romans 2:4 (The Message)
3-4You didn't think, did you, that just by pointing your finger at others you would distract God from seeing all your misdoings? Or did you think that because he's such a nice God, he'd let you off the hook? Better think this one through from the beginning. God is kind, but he's not soft. In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change.

Observation

I can point my finger and accuse others of all the problems in their life but that gets me no where. What I have to have to keep the wrath of God from me is God's Kindness.

Application

I think there is a perception that God is sitting in heaven with a Big Club just waiting for us to mess up so he can club us in the back of the head. God does see what we do, and he has already made it clear in the scripture what our sin will lead to and that is death. He doesn't have to hit me in the back of the head, I'm doing it to myself already. But in this scripture, there is something Paul talks about that I haven't heard for a while. God's Kindness. God is not a bully. He is Kind and He is leading me to change my life for the better, an eternal change. How do I apply this scripture today? For me, it is a WONDERFUL reminder about God's heart. He is Kind and will lead me that way. Allow God to take my hand, surrend the pride about doing things myself and let God to Kindly take me on a journey full of richness and eternal life.

Prayer

Father, You Kindness leads me repentance! Thank you for taking my hand and gently leading me to the truth. Help me today, to continue to let you guide me with you Kindness and have none of ME try to guide me. Amen.

Who Am I Listening To

Scripture

Matthew 16:12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducee's.

Observation

In this current world, in the US, I don't know of a person who says they are a Pharisee or Sadducee. So how does this scripture apply to me?

Application

This scripture is specifically telling me to guard myself against any teaching that does not line up with the Bible, and if it gets into me it has the possibility of increasing in volume like yeast does.

So what does that mean. It means things like Oprah, The Situation Room, The Ellen Show, The View, Many newspapers, Larry King, Jay Leno, fill in the blank; they are proclaiming things to us that are not from the bible. and we ingest it, and ingest it and ingest it. It is time we stopped taking it in and started spending more time with the Word of God, so the real truth would be in me instead of "teachings" from Pharisees and Sadducee's.

Prayer

Father, forgive me for allowing some yeast of the this world to be injected into me. Please remove it, clean it up and heal the wound. I ask that your word be would the yeast that would rise up and fill me. Thank You. Amen.

Do I Nullify or Confirm

Scripture

Matthew 15:6 Thus you nullify the Word of God for the sake of your traditions

Observation

This scripture made me wonder this.....do I have traditions in my life that I think are good, but they are actually not in line with the scripture and that is nullifying the Word in my life?

Application

I don't have an answer to that question right now, but now that I have seen and read it and acknowledged it in my heart...I have to do something with it. I need to keep it alive in my heart and QUESTION the things I do and the intent behind them. I really can't say, "That's the way I have done it, so that is what I am going to do". What IF I am wrong? Then I have nullified the Word in my life because I am making my ways and traditional actions more of a priority than God's Word. So I need to STAY ALERT to anything that "I have always done that way" and see if it lines perfectly up with the Word of God, and if it does not then I need to decide if I am just going to keep doing it that way and nullify what God is trying to do in me, or do I repent of MY ways and obey the Bible and receive the fullness of it? What IF I......follow the scripture exactly as it is written today and act on what it says. Imagine the change in this world if we all did that.

Prayer

Father, Thank you for your Word as it warns me against following traditions of man and myself and the nullification of your Word in my life if I do that. You have provided me the Word to reveal your greatness to me, and I ask that you would show me any traditions in my life that are blocking your Word from penetrating DEEP into my heart. Amen.

Who Me?

Scripture

Matthew 14:16 Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat".

Observation

The Bible has just told me in Matt 13 that I have been given the secrets and mysteries to the Kingdom of God. So here Jesus is telling me not to send the needy away, that I need to give them something to eat.

Application

I know this scripture could have lots of interpretations, but the Holy Spirit is telling me today that something has been given to me....I have been given Christ, I have been given Faith to believe in Christ, I have been given all good things, I have been given direction by the Holy Spirit, I have been given a relationship the God Almighty and this scripture tells me to "give" the needy something they need. It is not up to me to call my pastor or church( I'm not saying that that wouldn't be necessary at times) or an agency to help someone, but I need to give what I have been given. So how do I do that? I need to be responsive to the Holy Spirit promptings, and give when it looks like there is no way to give, as was the short sightedness of the disciples,.."We only have 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes!!!"(What shall we do????-Warren Paraphrased). So whatever someone needs today Jesus has told me..."You give them something"....that is what I must to because what would happen to the world if I lived out the words of Christ, instead of just reading them. What If I...........................

Prayer,

Father, you have given me all things and they are not for me to put into my safe storehouse to protect from this ugly sinful world. But rather you have told me to give them away, that the needy really don't need to go anywhere but here, because you have called me to be a distributor of your eternal goods. I pray that you would help me to keep the warehouse open, that I would not be a collector but rather a exporter of all things. I ask that my eyes and ears be open to those in need, and how I can give them....with what you have given me. Amen.

Is it just me, or in America are we so obsessed with money that when something in the Bible mentions a produce return of 100, 60 or 30 that we think in terms of money. It seems like many of the discussions I have heard over they years focus on a monetary return. What if it is NOT about money?

Scripture

Matthew 13;8-16 Amplified

8Other seeds fell on good soil, and yielded grain--some a hundred times as much as was sown, some sixty times as much, and some thirty.
9He who has ears [to hear], let him be listening and let him [a]consider and [b]perceive and comprehend by hearing.
10Then the disciples came to Him and said, Why do You speak to them in parables?
11And He replied to them, 8Other seeds fell on good soil, and yielded grain--some a hundred times as much as was sown, some sixty times as much, and some thirty.
9He who has ears [to hear], let him be listening and let him [a]consider and [b]perceive and comprehend by hearing.
10Then the disciples came to Him and said, Why do You speak to them in parables?
11And He replied to them, To you it has been given to know the secrets and mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.
12For whoever has [spiritual knowledge], to him will more be given and he will [c]be furnished richly so that he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
13This is the reason that I speak to them in parables: because [d]having the power of seeing, they do not see; and [e]having the power of hearing, they do not hear, nor do they grasp and understand.
14In them indeed is [f]the process of fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah, which says: You shall indeed hear and hear but never grasp and understand; and you shall indeed look and look but never see and perceive.
15For this nation's heart has grown gross (fat and dull), and their ears heavy and difficult of hearing, and their eyes they have tightly closed, lest they see and perceive with their eyes, and hear and comprehend the sense with their ears, and grasp and understand with their heart, and turn and I should heal them.(A)
16But blessed (happy, fortunate, and [g]to be envied) are your eyes because they do see, and your ears because they do hear, but to them it has not been given.

Observation

Did you catch what Jesus said in verse 11!!! To you it has been given to know the secrets and mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. The secrets and mysteries of the Kingdom Of Heaven have been given to me.

Application

God has opened up his kingdom for me, through Christ. The kingdom of God is mine for the taking. How does money even compare to that? It's not a 100/60/30 fold return on money given, it is a 100/60/30 times return on what my eyes/eyes and heart take in from hearing God's word. That's where I want and need the return. Where does my treasure lie? In a financial return of 100 times, or having my eyes hear a secret from the Kingdom of God, and having the Holy Spirit grow that seed in me 100 times, for Kingdom returns.

So what does this look like? First, I need to spend time with the Master Gardner, He will be planting. Second, have open ears and open eyes so I receive the planting with gladness. Ask the Gardner to constantly till my soil to keep my soil "good". The Bible says in Matthew 13:22, "but the worries of life and the deceitfulness of riches choke it(the good seed) making it unfruitful". So if I stop worrying about this vapor of a life that I have, and stop running after the riches of this world and be deceived that that will make me happy, keep my soil freshly tilled by God each day, then the secrets and mysteries of God's Kingdom, given to ME, will produce 100, 60 or 30 times the initial planting. Think about this. Just God putting Himself and His mysteries into me should be enough to last me throughout eternity. But Jesus is saying, (warren paraphrased) Oh but wait just a second. God will reveal himself to you and plant himself in you and give you knowledge about his ways. BUT, if you will remain in me and keep the soil ready, keep your eyes open and see, keep your ears open and hear, and keep the callouses from forming, then what God has planted in you will grow 100, or 60, or 30 times." More of God? He wants to share 100 times more with me than he has already. I need to stay prepared.

Prayer

Father, What a great gift you have given me...the knowledge of the secrets and mysteries of heaven! You are wanting to reveal more of you to me. You are ready. I ask that you would clean out my ears and wash out my eyes, scrape away any callouses that have formed so I ingest the knowledge you have given me. I want my soil to be ready, I want to know 30 times, 60 times or 100 times more of you. But that will not come if my soil is hard, or if there are weeds there. I ask that you till me and weed me of things that would stop the knowledge of the secrets of heaven from being made clear to me. Amen.

What's on my Store Shelf?

Scripture

Matthew 12:35

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.

In the Message:

It's your heart, not the dictionary, that gives meaning to your words. A good person produces good deeds and words season after season. An evil person is a blight on the orchard. Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation."

Observation

As I let the Lord examine my heart, I will find out what type of inventory I have on hand. Is my heart empty, low on inventory or is it stocked full with inventory faced perfectly on each shelf? What have I stored up, or what am I stored up on?

Application

So I guess the question would be, why would my store shelf's be empty or full? Looking at the scripture it goes back to verse 30 when Jesus says, "He who is not with me is against me". So if I am with Christ I have the beginning of storing up good things. But it goes on to say, that the things that overflow out of my heart is really coming from what is stored up in me. So what types of things am I bringing into my store house? I have one BIG #10 can of Jesus on my shelf because I am with him, but throughout the day what other inventory am I storing up? Did I show agape love to my "neighbor"-good stored up, did I deny myself and lift up others-good stored up, did I speak words of encouragement and hope-good stored up, did I speak ill-will and gossip-evil stored up?

For me this is a great barometer as to what is stored up in my heart. Is it good or evil? If there is more evil than good, then I need to go to the Warehouse and get new inventory. More time with the Lord, more time in His word, more time in prayer so my shelves will be full of all things good.

Prayer

Father, Thank you for being the only warehouse I need to come to, so I can store up good things. All good things are from you and for your glory only, if my store is full then it is because or you and will only be used to glorify you; not me. Help me today, to follow you ways and speak words of good to those I meet. If there is evil words and deeds in me, I ask that you remove them and as I seek you more replace them with good. Amen.

Things Revealed

Scripture

Matthew 10:25
25At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.



Observation

I guess the question here is WHY were things revealed to little children and not to the wise and learned? Is it because children accept things as they are and don't try to add into what Jesus is saying with "their years of experience, their own beliefs/philosophy and prejudices?" Is it because children are naturally curious about things without their curiosity having an agenda?(like most of us adults) Years ago there was a show which Bill Cosby hosted called, "Kids say the Darnest Things", and it was a show with out takes of kids asking and saying simple things that we completely relevant to them at that point. It was kind of silly, but children are not tainted with other mental games, if they have a question about something they will ask it. I was asked by my step-granddaughter last week, if the grapefruit, which had a bruise on it, was hurt when it got bruised. She hurts when she gets a bruise, so her question is a valid one.

Application

How do I go through life with the curiosity of a little child, having an open mind to all things, so the things of God will be revealed to me? Is it as simple as just believing what God and Jesus is telling me, without Warrens Wisdom( I think that may be an oxymoron) saying, "I know that the Bible says this but it makes sense to do it this way" when I am adding on to the word with a "Yeah, but.....................". So my challenge today is to view things through a child's eyes. Yesterday when I person stopped in the middle of the road with no cars in front of them, and I am just sitting there behind them( then gave them a couple honks) then a couple blocks later when they turned I could see that it was a couple very elderly women who were looking side to side like they were lost and needed some help. Would a child of 4 or 5 honked at them? They probably would have had the attitude that the people needed some kind of help. Look at the help I gave....honking.

Prayer

Father, you have revealed things to children, in fact you have told us that the kingdom of God belongs to the children. Help me today have the eyes and thinking of a child so that I accept everything you have said, so that I do not filter your word with any of my thinking, so that I will ask curious questions about life and you because I want to know more of you, not for any agenda. Just because you are worth knowing. Thank you for revealing yourself to me. Amen.

Freely Give

Scripture

Matthew 10:8
"Freely you have received, freely give"


Observation

What a wonderful verse from a set of instructions Jesus is giving The Twelve right before they hit the road. I did NOTHING to deserve what I have received from God. He gave me the Faith to believe in him as well. I was sitting at a table with it completely empty. The table, my plate, my cup, my life. Empty. Jesus fights through opposition and finds me there. It's just Jesus and I-nothing else around. He asks me what I need. I need something to eat...so Jesus turns and when he turns back around his arms are full of food. What else do I need he asks? I need something to drink. He turns and then pours into my glass a water that ever refills itself after I drink. What else he asks? I need love I say. He reaches for me and touches me, and I am filled with a love I have never known.

Application

Jesus has given me everything I need. He gave The Twelve everything they needed. So the question I have for myself is.....How have I given to others what Christ has given to me? How did I share the Love of Christ today? I don't have to go on a mission to do that. What about letting an extra person go ahead of you on the freeway, how about letting the person in the grocery store line, who looks like they have things for dinner in their cart, go ahead so they can get home sooner with their family, how about buying some of the groceries for the person ahead or behind you? How have I shown Hope to a dying world? Did I give some time to a worthy cause helping the needy, did I share Hope with a co-worker who is facing difficulties at home or did I just say "I'm sorry to hear that-I hope everything works out OK", because you didn't want to offend? My eyes have to be open to this today. The word has been injected into me, so I must do something with it. If I don't do something, if I don't do what the Bible tells me to do then I am as the Pharisees and Sadducee's and should be called a hypocrite for not doing what I have been called to do.

Prayer

Father, You have given me everything, and because of your great love to me, you have shown me how I am to love others. I ask that you would assist me in showing your greatness to those who are dying. You have provided me with Love, Hope, Faithfulness, Goodness, Gentleness, Kindness, Peace, Patience and Self-Control before I even knew I needed them. You have given me YOU. Thank you for coming to me, empty and hopeless, and opening up your kingdom and passing all good things out to me. You didn't do that so I would have a Big Barn full of things, but rather us me as a vessel to show the world of your wonders. Help me to give, as you have given to me. Amen.

Put it into Practice

Scripture

Matthew 7:24 Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built is house on the rock.


Observation

I think this one is pretty simple....When I read the word and hear God's voice I need to do what I have heard. I need to put into practice the things I read.


Application

OK I am supposed to do what I hear. But my mind wants to hold me back. So for me I need to keep myself marinated in the word so that my thinking will be renewed-Romans 12:2. When the time comes that I am going to do what I heard, instead of my mind telling me that I am stupid for subjecting myself to "that", or that "that" would be a colossal waste of time...my renewed mind will put into practice what I have heard. Jesus told me to love, give to the needy, to pray for others, to not judge and that if I do those HE sees my obedience and will reward me. The thing is I am not doing it for the reward, I'm doing because it to be obedient, to put into practice all the things I have heard.

Prayer

Father, You have given me the words of life. I ask that my ears would be wide open to hear clearly from you, and that my mind would continue to be renewed to your way. My ways produce death and destruction, but you bring hope and life to those who accept it. I also ask that you would work with me in putting into practice all the words I hear from you. Regardless of what it looks like to this world, I want to put into practice the words you have given to me. Continue to make my heart one of obedience, bringing glory to your kingdom. Amen.

My Attender

I've read this verse many times, and have thought about how glorious it was to have Angels come and attend to Jesus. They ministered to him straight from heavens glory, and they took care of every need he had, coming out of the 40 day fast. I was struck with something different today.

Scripture
Matthew 4:11
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him

Observation
After 40 days and 40 nights of tempting, Jesus needed an "infusion" (to speak) and it came straight from his Fathers throne and glory in the form of angels.

Application

Here's what is different this morning. Jesus was attended by angels. Who am I attended by? And when am I attended? I've never fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. The Bible says in John 16 where Jesus is speaking; John 16 7-8 7But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

Jesus continues:

13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

Jesus sent me his attender-The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will give me and make known to me what Jesus is. Think about that and read it again. Jesus sent me a Counselor, The Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit, so that I would have 1) A Guide, 2)The words of Jesus immediately interpreted and spoken to me, 3)Tell me things about my future and the future, 4)Make the things of Jesus know to me.

So what am I going to do with my Attender today? Am I too busy doing these earthly functions to sit down with my Attender and have him reveal more of Jesus to me? How do I do that? It is through meditation and talking with my Attender. The Bible says in Joshua 1:8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. What a keen idea! If I keep the Word of God in my heart, so it does not depart from my mouth, and meditate on all of it, Jesus has told me that he will reveal all things through the Holy Spirit. The question is, will I be a regular attendee with my Attender, or will I only talk and hope the Attender is there when I am in trouble?

Prayer

Father, What a gift you have given me! You have given me Christ the Saviour of my life and then you provided a direct line from Christ for me. You have told me that I will never be alone. You provide all things. My Attender, the Holy Spirit is ready to reveal more of Jesus to me. I open myself up for that, and ask that you would continue your work in me as I metamorphosis from a human trying to be spiritual, into a spirit-led person who just happens to be human. Amen.

Three Times with the Tempter

Scripture
Matthew 4:3-11

3The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread."
4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'[a]"
5Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: " 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'[b]"
7Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'[c]"
8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9"All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
10Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'[d]"
11Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Observation

The tempter came after Jesus three times

Application

If the tempter came after the Son of God three times, how many times will he come to us with temptations? I am a Redeemed Son of God, but I am human, subject to temptation and sin. The Lord spoke to me today that this scripture reveals why I need a minute/hourly/daily infusion of God in my life. The tempter is going to come at me a hundred different ways. If he thought he could trip up Christ, the Son of God with three tries; as a human-who has a track record of sinning and giving into temptations-what/when/how will he try on me. I am not going to get caught up in that, but what God is asking me to do is prepare. Be in full gear. Be trained. Be alert. In this book I am reading, Lone Survivor-about Navy SEAL's, the author-the Lone Survivor of an Afghanistan ambush-says that they are trained from the beginning to speak to their partner about ANYTHING that is different/anything funny/anything unsettled because they have to be alert at all times. So how do I do that? More time in study, more time in meditation, more time in prayer. The time in training will reap rewards when the tempter is near.

Prayer

Father, You are my protector. Your word says that you do not tempt anyone, it is only the evil one. Thank you that you have given to me everything I need to defend the tempter. You gave me Jesus, your Spirit, spiritual gifts for discernment and every tool of defense. It is through you that my defense comes, it is through you that I have victory, it is you I praise for it. Amen.

The Tempter

Went to the gym yesterday. Doing something to burn off a couple pounds, keep myself strong to fight off muscle strains/pulls and sickness. I was there about two hours. Do I do the same in my spiritual life, or do I "just don't have enough time"?

Scripture

Matthew 4:3 The temper came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread".

Observation

My mind went lots of different directions when I read this and what I first saw and heard is that "The temper will always come". Warren paraphrased. He came after Jesus, he is going to come after me. My mind quickly went to 1 Peter 5:8 where the bible says, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." You know I feel like I am a good person, how will tempted today? Yesterday, in church, the sermon was from Number 11, about a complaining spirit. Maybe today I will be tempted to complain about my "lot", compared to others and not embrace the vast blessings God has lathered me with, maybe I will be jealous about the big boat and Cadillac sitting in my neighbors driveway, maybe I will speak words of strife and discord to a stranger for cutting me off in traffic, etc; my point is that the tempter will always come in one form or another, and the question is, "Am I trained to see the tempter for what he is, am I trained to combat him in hand to hand battle, do I spend more or less time training for the spiritual battle I know is coming then I do at the gym training this physical body which is going to fall apart anyway. Which one gets priority?

Application

1 Timothy 4:7 tells me to "Train Myself". So the practical question is how. How do I train? Just as each person reacts differently to physical training and has a different routine, so it is with spiritual training. What I mean is that if all I do is sit-ups, then there are 100's of other muscles which are being ignored and will weaken. Ask the spiritual trainer what "routine" you should do today, he knows what is going to happen today, and the best way to prepare for it. I may start with "Word Warmups", then move into "Prayer Pumps" and then "Listening Lifting" and then "Praise Pushes" and then "Meditation Muscle Flex". The biggest struggle is getting there. Most people just do not want to go to the gym, and the same is with this training, but it is a must because the tempter is coming. So when I get to the spiritual gym, I need to let my trainer guide me to the machine that will provide me with the strength training for that day/moment.

Prayer

Father, Thank you for the word that gives me warning. You have not left me here without telling me what is going to happen. But not only what is going to happen, but you have given me the tools to overcome the struggles of today. You have given me Jesus, the over comer of all. You have given me your Holy Spirit so you can talk to me. You have asked me to train myself, so I submit myself to you for training. Train me in ways which will strengthen your kingdom here on earth. Train me in ways so that when the tempter comes my way, I will recognize it, know it, understand how to defend against it and give you the praise for providing me with all things.

Ax and Winnowing Fork In Hand

Scripture
John 3:7-12 Amplified

7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee and escape from the wrath and indignation [of God against disobedience] that is coming?

8Bring forth fruit that is consistent with repentance [let your lives prove your change of heart];

9And do not presume to say to yourselves, We have Abraham for our forefather; for I tell you, God is able to raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones!

10And already the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

11I indeed baptize you [a]in (with) water [b]because of repentance [that is, because of your [c]changing your minds for the better, heartily amending your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins]. But He Who is coming after me is mightier than I, Whose sandals I am not worthy or fit to take off or carry; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

12His winnowing fan (shovel, fork) is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear out and clean His threshing floor and gather and store His wheat in His barn, but the chaff He will burn up with fire that cannot be put out.

Observation

John the Baptist is painting a picture of Jesus to the Pharisees and Sadducees(the snakes). His words are NOT, "Jesus is such a nice guy you are really going to like him", "Jesus wants everyone to just get along, so tell him how you guys have done it and I'm sure Jesus will be OK with that". John has told me and the Pharisees that Jesus is coming/has come, to take action/to start a revolution; Jesus is packing an AX and if you are not producing, the AX is going to chop you down and then throw the dead, non-producing tree into a consuming fire(that's new to the Pharisees), if I am not producing fruit-Jesus will create fruit producers out the rocks laying around me, and Jesus is taking his winnowing fork and is going to get after it. Jesus is serious. Can you see the picture of a huge pile of wheat, and Jesus is not overwhelmed by the enormity of the wheat pile, but excited about getting in there and thrashing the wheat with his fork, so he can separate the good wheat from the worthless chaff. Jesus is actively throwing wheat in the air, there's dust/chaff blowing in the wind, separating itself from the good and valuable wheat kernel. And so there is no contamination of the wheat Jesus has worked to separate, he turns to the chaff and burns it with unquenchable fire so that it is completely eliminated.

Application

And I serious about the Gospel of Jesus? Am I carrying an AX, a winnowing fork, am I bold enough to go into a church where church is a hobby/a social event and call it as it is, would I call my acquaintances a brood of vipers because they are living in sin and practicing evil worldly deeds-but say they are Christians? Or do I have an attitude that I don't want to judge anyone, that is God's work..."I'll pray for them". Jesus is the head of the revolution, and I need to follow what my leader is doing. I am not judging people when I tell them what the Bible says about something. The Bible is the final word about all things. Applying this portion of scripture means that I need to know what the Bible says about things. I need knowledge to seriously talk to others about what Jesus said. No one cares what I believe, or will be convicted from my beliefs, but as I tell people about what the Bible says is truth, the Holy Spirit will work through the spoken word. The AX, winnowing fork, boldness....I do have and it is the Bible. I need to continue to be serious about study, so I am capable of seperating truth from lies(winnowing) because the Bible is clear about all things. Study and know.

Prayer

Father, You sent Jesus to start a revolution in the world, to seperate religion and personal beliefs and start relationship with us. You made it clear from the beginning of Jesus ministry that he came to do a mighty work, a work that would divide the proud and arrigant from the humble and seeking, a work that produces fruit and destroys the dross. Thank you for including me in this revolution. This is nothing that I can do, but because you have given me an instruction manual on how I can participate, help me to follow each instruction as it is written. I ask for clarity. And then because I know the manual, I pray that you would put me in front in this revolution. A revolution needs doers. Make me a doer. Thank you that you are a God of action, and I submit myself to you, to use me as you would to call and say things as they are, according to your word. Amen.

Running

Running is good. Keeps the heart rate up, makes the heart strong, builds muscle mass, (it may kill the knees though). But the Bible has something to say about running too.

Scripture

2 John 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

Observation

The Bible is saying that if I run ahead of the pack, if I try to lead the race and when I do that, if I don't continue practicing the teaching of Christ I don't have God. What it does not say is that it is wrong to run and lead, because there is nothing wrong with being out front for God. But this scripture is saying that if "I" run out ahead and try to do it all myself; I am now out front and can do this and do that because I can, and don't have the teachings and disciplines that Christ has told me to follow, then I really don't have God.

Application

This reminds of a verse in James, chapter 4 verse 10; Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. My life should have nothing to do with/about me. I don't have to take off on a strong run and try to be first, to lead the race because I want to. It is about humbling myself to the ways of Christ, and the Bible says that I will have both the Father and the Son. So how do I do that? I lay all things at the feet of Jesus. I put down anything that concerns me, put down dreams I have, put down relationships, put it all down. And then Jesus and I will go together on this race.

Prayer

Father, I am so thankful that you have not asked me to run ahead without you. You are my personal life coach, and without you I am nothing. Your word tells me that you will lift me up, that I don't have to try to lead the way. I don't want to lead the way without you. I ask that you would come along side me in this race. I am thankful that you will not out pace me, you will stay beside me with everything that I need, because you are my provider and protector. Amen.

Walking on Air

Scripture

1 John 5:3 This is the love for God; to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.

Observation

How awesome is it that the ways of God, what He has outlined for me, the path he has me walking on, the "things" he would have me do are all designed to lighten my daily walk. I will never feel burdened by obeying his word, instead I am free.

Application

Obey the commands of God and live a burdensome free life. What does that look like? How do I put that into practice? Love instead dislike people. Give instead of being selfish. Trust God in all ways instead of trusting the direction "I" think I should go. Avoid places and things of evil and embrace places of praise. As I look throughout the Bible there are commands all over the place. Each one of them is for my good. Each one of them will create a burden free life for me. All I have to do is obey them!

Prayer

Father, Your way is the only way. You have created for me a burden free life. It is me who chooses to pick up the cares of this world and carry the burden. I pray that you would forgive me for thinking my ways are better than obeying what you established. I ask that you would help me obey your commands, every one of them, because you want to carry my concerns and make my way light, like I'm walking on air. Amen.