​As I am writing here in Tulsa the sky is azure blue and cloudless. The sun is shining brightly. New grass and vegetation carpet the landscape. Spring flowers are blooming. Bright red cardinals are singing their melodic song. Frisky squirrels are feasting on acorns. The temperature will be a perfect 72 degrees today! Picturesque day in Oklahoma!
But for the previous four days (April 25-28) the heavens were dark, dismal and dangerous in Tulsa and throughout Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and Iowa. Severe weather paid an unwelcome visit to our neighborhoods.
Thunderstorm Warnings. Tornado Watches. Tornado Warnings. Flash Flood Warnings.
Local and national meteorologists logged overtime hours warning of the potentially life-threatening storms descending upon us from on high.
Massive, daunting, scary storms. Howling winds. One system after another after another inundated our city with record rainfall. Sheets of rain spawned flash flooding. Booming thunder and streaking lightning lit up the sky, interrupting sleep. Tornadoes lurked within the massive wall clouds rumbling over the plains. Animals hid in their hidey holes. Tulsans and Oklahomans took shelter and cover in their homes while the storms did their thing.
Sadly, lives were lost. People were injured. Property damage was inestimable. Thousands of people were displaced. Within a few short moments, the storm victim’s future changed in dramatic fashion. Folks are holding on to the rope of hope that there will be a better day as they begin to rebuild what was destroyed.
Thankfully, the wicked weather has passed. How different today is from yesterday.

• After a natural storm, we regroup. Venture outside. Assess damage. Clean up debris. Return to our “normal” lives. Then we reflect on the storms. Thinking about how we will prepare for the next one that rumbles over the rolling plains of the Midwest.

Storms.
In Mark 4: 35-41, Jesus and His disciples were caught in a sudden, dangerous storm on the Sea of Galilee.
“And He Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” And being aroused, He rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace (hush) be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.” Mark 4: 38-39
Their boat was quickly filling up with water. Sinking looked like a real possibility. Peter thought they were going to perish. While Peter panicked, Jesus slept peacefully in the back of the boat.
Waves tossing the boat around rocked the Lord to sleep. Peter woke Jesus up, expressing his concern that they might perish. The Lord took command of the situation. He got up, rebuked the wind and sea with a “peace be still”….and the crisis ended. The wind died down, the sea was completely calm, and the disciples were amazed. “Who then is this that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”
Jesus not only rebuked the wind and sea. He rebuked the disciples with “Why are you so timid? How is it that you have no faith?” I believe Jesus expected Peter to rebuke the storm while the Master enjoyed His nap!

• I am also convinced Peter and the disciples were different men after the storm.

Who wouldn’t be having witnessed Jesus wake up from taking a few “ZZ’s” to calm the threatening waves with His word? During and after the storm, Jesus’ followers learned something about faith. How to trust in the Father when storms swirl around us. I am sure they also thought about not panicking again when storms blew into their lives!
Smack dab in the middle of a life-threatening storm, Jesus declared “Peace be still.” What do you think about His faith? How about your faith? Would you panic like Peter because of the waves or trust in the Father like Jesus did?
The point of the scenario on the Sea of Galilee: FAITH. Trust in God during a storm.

• Life’s spiritual, mental, emotional, relational, health and financial storms, like natural ones, come and go. Life storms have a life span.
• THEY TEST OUR FAITH IN JESUS! How you and I respond to them is a mark of our maturity in the Lord.

I believe that once a life storm has passed, there are numerous things we can reflect on regarding the storm.
Reflections After Life’s Storms

• We can give God praise and thanks for protecting and caring for us during the storm.
• We can learn life lessons from the storm. Especially lessons about faith.
• We can glean and gain wisdom from God.
• We can put our faith in Him to meet our every need as we rise above storms.
•  We can prepare ourselves for the next storm that will inevitably blow our way.
• We can share with others how we passed through the storm successfully.
• We can rejoice that storms do not last forever. Storm-less days do return!

Rubber meets the road. When storm clouds hover over your life, what will your Christian profession look and sound like? Will faith in God carry you through? How will your behavior in Christ mature through and after the storm? Will others watch you pass through life’s storms victoriously in Christ?
AFTER THE STORM is a comforting place to be when we know that we managed the storm well with faith in Jesus Christ.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight. II Corinthians 5:7
A Word For Your Week: Our attitude during and after a life storm is a predictor of how you and I will manage the next one.

​Our run, gun, gotta-get- it- done culture contributes to running on the ragged edge of life. That ragged edge can be a frustrating and dangerous place. You and I are not at our best when running on the ragged edge.
 
The ragged edge looks something like this. Life is running ahead of your energy level. You are huffing and puffing just to keep up. You feel physically pooped out and emotionally strung out. Burning the candle at both ends leaves you burned out. Relationships are stressful. You feel spiritually dry and empty. And you wish someone would stop the carousel for a moment so you can get off!
 
The prophet Isaiah, who wrote 2,800 years ago, understood that you and I need renewal.
 
“Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” Isaiah 40:30-31
 

• God’s solution to the problem of ragged edge living is RENEWAL.

 
Study Isaiah 40: 25-31 in its entirety to grasp what God is saying about renewing our strength. Please note that Isaiah said young people, vigorous young men grow weary, tired, and stumble badly. Not being as young as I once was, and tiring more than I used to, this encourages me to know that even the young whippersnappers still get tired, fall from time to time, and need renewed.
           
Running on the ragged edge is not God’s best for His children. Running our faith race renewed and refreshed in the Lord is His will for us.
 
The key to renewal from the ragged edge is waiting on the Lord.
 
Those who choose to wait on the Lord for strength will receive it. We erroneously think that renewal comes from doing more on our part. The Word says waiting is the gateway to spiritual renewal. Waiting, not wishing, working or worrying brings renewal.
 
The promise to those who wait is “will gain new strength.” When you and I are weary from running on the ragged edge, new strength and power is what we need…. strength that is fresh from the Lord who never gets tired or weary. God is never weak or lacking in strength and power. New strength is what you and I gain when we wait on the Lord.
 
Running On The Ragged Edge
 

• The ragged edge is a place of weariness and weakness.
• The ragged edge produces a negative attitude and pessimistic outlook.
• The ragged edge stifles ideas and quenches creativity.
• The ragged edge makes possibilities look impossible.
• The ragged edge discourages us from taking steps of faith.

 
Running Renewed In The Lord
 

• Renewal in the Lord is a place of strength and refreshing.
• Renewal in the Lord produces a positive attitude and outlook.
• Renewal in the Lord inspires ideas and stimulates creativity.
• Renewal in the Lord makes the impossible look possible.
• Renewal in the Lord motivates us to move forward in faith.

 
When we wait on the Lord, gaining new strength, three things happen. First, we mount up and soar like eagles. Second, we run and do not tire. Third, we walk and do not become weary (faint is the word in the King James Version.).
 
I have been a Christian for fifty-two years. One of my favorite things is to get away to be alone with the Lord in nature where people cannot find me. I love to wait on Him. Isaiah 40:31 is my life verse. Lo and behold, without failure, God sends eagles, most often hawks, to soar over me when I am praying. Soaring. Gliding effortlessly on the wind. No wings flapping like ducks, geese and other birds.
 

• My spirit soars and I am renewed when I watch the hawks soar overhead!

 
I don’t about you, but I like that soar like an eagle deal. And you can sign me up for running without getting tired and walking without weariness or fainting. That’s the way I want to live my life in Christ.
 
My friend, please listen to me. Why be worn out when you can be renewed daily with God’s strength and power?
 
If you are running on the ragged edge right now, make a quality decision for yourself. Get off the fast track. Slow down. Catch your spiritual breath.
 
Wait on the Lord. Get alone with Him. Draw from His power. Mount up with God’s strength. Rise up above the ragged edge of weariness. Live each day renewed in the Lord.
 
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.”                                      I Corinthians 9:24
 
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have finished the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”                                                                              II Timothy 4:7-8                                        
A Word For Your Week: Run your race renewed in Christ.
 
 

• Stop nailing yourself and others to the Cross.

 
As a Christian Pastor for over forty years, it amazes me how so many professing Christians believe in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ but live their lives continually crucifying themselves and others repeatedly.
 
Sadly, many believers in Jesus, for some non-biblical reasons, hold on to sin that was nailed to Christ’s Cross.
 
Our scripture for this week makes me want to jump out of my chair and shout Hallelujah! as loud and as far as I can.
 
“And when you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all of our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” Colossians 2:13-14
 
Paul says that when we were “dead” in our sins, unable to pay their debt and redeem ourselves, God made us “alive together with Him” (Jesus). You and I moved from death to life. How? Through forgiveness of sins.
 
How did Jesus pull that off? The not so favorable (“hostile to us”) certificate of debt, the list of our sins, was canceled. Negated. Torn up. Jesus, when He became sin for us, bearing our sins in His body on the Cross, nailed your and my sins to the Cross where His precious blood covered them. What we owed was paid in full!
 

• Jesus was nailed to the Cross with our sins so you and me would not have to be crucified.

 
 II Corinthians 5:21 states “He made him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
 

• Christians have right standing and a personal relationship with God because Jesus took our sin upon Himself to pay the ransom for our freedom. Now you can shout Hallelujah!

 
BOTTOM LINE: OUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN. FORGOTTEN. TO BE REMEMBERED NO MORE. NAILED TO AN OLD RUGGED CROSS. NOT JUST SOME CROSS. THE CROSS OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST~.
 

• So, what does this Good News mean for us? It means that we can stop beating up on ourselves for our sins. We can stop tearing others apart by nailing them to crosses. We can stop being so uptight with life and start enjoying the freedom and joy that forgiveness in Christ has provided. We can start loving a whole lot more and hating a whole lot less.

 
Considering this incredible truth, I have some questions we need to answer.
 
Serious Questions That Need Answered
 
Ø  Why do we keep dragging up old lists of our sins and drawing up new lists of sin?
Ø  Why do we put up with people who point fingers at us and shame us with past sins?
Ø  Why do we think that nailing people and their sins to the cross makes us superior in some way?
Ø  Why do we drive nails into our hearts when Jesus took the nails for us?
Ø  Why do we rehearse and nurse past sins that have been washed away?
Ø  Why do we pin others and try to exact a pound or two of flesh from them when Jesus’ flesh was ripped apart for all of us?
Ø  Who do we think we are when we hold people’s sins against them when Jesus doesn’t?
Ø  Do we really think it is all right to crucify people who do not agree with us, offend us, or make life difficult for us?
           
Take a minute to chew on these important questions.
 
Was His sacrifice not good enough? Was Christ’s blood not holy enough? Not pure and strong enough to wash us clean? Does sin somehow have more power than forgiveness? Oh my, we are on extremely dangerous ground if we believe we must overrule or override His crucifixion in some way. How could the holy blood of God’s only Son not be enough? The nailing is done. The blood was shed. It is finished. Forgiveness is complete.
           

• When we crucify ourselves and others, we crucify Jesus all over again. Why would we want to do that? Oh God. Please forgive us for cheapening the supreme price your Son paid for our sin.

 
Please listen to me for a moment. If you confess Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, put your hammer and nails down. Stop making sin lists. Stop crucifying yourself. Stop crucifying others. Jesus Christ was crucified once and for all for all of us.
 

• Set yourself and others free by realizing that Christ’s death on the Cross means sin is forgiven for time and eternity!

 
“Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”                           I Peter 1:18-19
 
A Word For Your Week: Christ’s death on the cross means we can stop nailing ourselves and others to a c

One of the many things I love about Jesus Christ is how the truth He taught in the Bible makes the Kingdom of God and salvation simple.
Simple enough for a thick-headed, self-centered, questioning, stubborn guy like me. It is too easy to make walking by faith difficult, to overthink belief, to complicate what is simple, to try and figure out why God does what He does.
I wonder if our heavenly Father sits on His throne and shakes His head in bewilderment as to why His followers make living for Christ difficult. Just a thought!
For instance, what about prayer? You and I can be tempted to turn praying into a spiritual ritual, a dogmatic exercise, a complicated dialogue of do’s and don’ts when conversing with the Lord.
Jesus cuts through the proverbial mustard regarding prayer in Matthew 7:7-11.
“Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find, knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives and he who seeks finds and to him who knocks it shall be opened.
Or what man is there among you, when his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he shall ask for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?
If you then being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to them that ask Him?”  
Wow! Prayer and God’s response is profoundly simple.

1. Jesus declared that if we ask, seek and knock we will receive, find and things will open up. Receiving, finding and things opening from God happens when everyone (including you and me) asks, seeks and knocks. Profoundly simple!
2. Jesus said no man will give his son a rock when he asks for bread or a snake when he asks for a fish. You and I as earthly fathers would never give our sons or daughters a rock or snake when they asked for bread and fish.
3. Jesus made it clear that if we give good gifts to our children when we are “evil” (sinful, imperfect beings), “how much more” will God give good things to all who ask Him.
4. The key to this passage: ASK God for good gifts. “How much more” is the flipside of asking.

“How much more” is based on God’s great love for us!
I am a father and grandfather. I love to and thoroughly enjoy giving good things to my offspring when they ask. Warms my Doodah heart to bless them. Of course, I would never give them a rock when they asked for a Ding Dong! Or a snake if they asked me for some salmon.
You and I are sinful, imperfect human beings. Certainly not very godlike at times. But we still give good things to our kids. Why? Because we love them.
“How much more” does God love us who are His sons and daughters through faith in His Son Jesus Christ.

• GOD IS A GOD OF MORE, NOT LESS.

Worth thinking about.
If you and I would give good things to our children, why is it hard for you and me to believe that God wants to give you and me good things even more than you would to your kids? God is not stingy with His love and goodness. He lavishes, pours His everlasting love, mercy, grace and abundant goodness upon those He loves and those who ask. I like that! I hope you do too!
Today there is a trending phrase that goes like this. “I love you. I love you more!” Nice. Guess what? As God’s kids we love Him, and you guessed it, He responds I love you more.
Out of His “I love you more” flows “How much more.”
How is your prayer life? Are you asking, seeking and knocking? Jesus said to ask. Put your faith in action to ask God for the good things He promises in His word.
Keep prayer simple. Believe God has your best interest at heart and will give good things to you because you ask!
My friend, I challenge you this week to ask, then receive “how much more” God has planned for you. Amen and Amen!
“You do not have because you do not ask.” James 4:4
“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” Romans 8:32
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in all things, you may have an abundance for every good deed.” II Corinthians 9:8
A Word For Your Week:

​Believing then acting on our belief is something you and I do.
Luke 17:11-19 records the amazing, inspiring, healing miracle of ten people with leprosy.
Scenario.
Jesus and His disciples were traveling to Jerusalem. Entering a “certain village” along the way, ten people with leprosy “stood at a distance from Him.”    
Leprosy was and is a horribly debilitating, disfiguring disease. A person with leprosy in Jesus’ day was socially isolated, ex-communicated from the community. A leper had to announce they were “unclean, unclean” whenever they were in public.

1. THE LEPERS HAD A SERIOUS NEED. (Verses 12-13) Though unclean outcasts, they were not embarrassed. The leprous men were desperately determined to ask for healing. From a distance they raised their voices. Loudly so Jesus could hear.
2. THEY ASKED JESUS TO HAVE MERCY ON THEM. (Verse 13). The Jewish Law and societal expectations showed them no mercy. In concert, the ten called on the “Master” to show them mercy. It was obvious to everyone observing that the mercy they sought was cleansing, healing, relief from leprosy. The ten needed a miracle.
3. THEY OBEYED WHAT JESUS TOLD THEM TO DO. (Verse 14a). They did not debate. No questions. No hesitation. They went to the Temple to report to the priests according to Jesus’ instructions. They did what Jesus told them to do.
4. AS THEY WENT, THEY WERE CLEANSED! (Verse 14b). Imagine! You are one of the lepers. Having suffered with leprosy most of your life. As you are walking to the Temple you gaze upon your flesh. The leprous skin is gone! Disappeared. In an instance. Ten lifelong lepers…unclean to clean! A healing miracle happened!!!
5. ONE OF THE TEN RETURNED, GLORIFYING GOD AND THANKING JESUS. (Verse15-16). He was a Samaritan. The Jews looked down on the Samaritans. Not Jesus. His heart was stirred with compassion as ten leprous men cried out for mercy. With His word, mercy is granted. Go. See the priests. Show them your miracle.
   •  I wonder what the priests thought when they heard the lepers story. Probably had not seen this before in their priestly duties.

 

• One healed guy came back to Jesus. One. Only one. Where were the other nine? Cleansed and shamefully ungrateful.

 

1. JESUS TOLD THE GRATEGUL, FORMER LEPER: “RISE, GO YOUR WAY, YOUR FAITH HAS MADE YOU WELL.” (Verse 19). I can only imagine how thankful and joyful the one healed leper was. I can see him leaping, dancing and praising God! Jesus said to him “Your faith has made you well.” Go your way as a former leper who has a testimony of God’s miraculous, healing power!

Note: Jesus told the ten to go to the priests. Now He tells the one thankful man to go his way as a healed man. FAITH GOES!
TRUTH: Healing was in the going because going was an act of faith in Jesus.

• Faith is active. It believes. Confesses. Obeys God’s directions. Cleansing, healing and miracles happen in the going to do what Jesus directs us to do. Then gratefully and joyously returns to give God glory and Jesus thanks for the received miracle.

Friends. Sometimes when we need cleansing, or healing or some miracle from Jesus, we sit when the Lord tells us to get up. Get off your spiritual fanny (my words, not Jesus’), do what I direct you to do. Go with faith. Believe then receive what you have asked for.
Worth Thinking About

• Are you telling Jesus specifically what you need?
• Are you obeying without questioning what Jesus tells you to do?
• Are you giving God the glory for what He has done?
• Are you thanking Jesus for what He has done?
• Are you rejoicing that your faith in Christ has made you well?
• Are you sharing with others what Jesus did for you as you were going?

Personal note: the more I walk by faith with Jesus, the more I realize faith is demonstrated by obedience to the Lord’s directions. Saying I believe is proven by taking action on that belief. To say I have faith and not act on it borders on unbelief in my book.
MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST, DO YOU NEED JESUS TO HEAL YOU? RESTORE YOU? FORGIVE YOU? PROVIDE FOR YOU? PROTECT YOU? IF SO, GET UP. GET GOING TO HIM. GET GOING TO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU TO DO.
Mary, mother of Jesus “Whatever He says to you, do it.” John 2:5
A Word For Your Week: With faith-filled obedience to Jesus, RECEIVE YOUR MIRACLE AS YOU GO.
 

I do know this about His whereabouts. The Almighty One, your and my Creator and Redeemer is not hiding out in some galaxy far, far away. According to His Word, through His Son Jesus Christ, He is right here. Right now.
 
Almighty God makes His home in the hearts of Christians through the Holy Spirit.
 
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price’ therefore, glorify God in your body.”                       I Corinthians 6:19-20
 
Think with me for a moment. If as a Christian, my body is God’s temple where He resides, then why have I heard some Christians use phrases like “When God shows up”
” I am waiting for the Lord to show up.” “God hasn’t shown up yet.” “I sure hope God shows up soon.” I even heard a preacher say from the pulpit in a message recently that “God finally showed up.”
 
Sounds like God has a showing up problem, doesn’t it? I am sorry. This does not line up with scripture.
           
Our verse for this week tells us that God, speaking through Moses, assured Israel that they need not fear the opposing Canaanites in the Promised Land.
 
“You shall not dread them, for the Lord your God is in your midst, a great and awesome God.”  Deuteronomy 7:21
 
Hey, My people, listen up. No reason to fear anyone or anything. Why? Because their Lord and God, who is a “great and awesome God” would be in their midst. “In your midst” means with you. Right in the middle of things. Not somewhere out there, out of touch with your life. But right here with you every step of the way.
           
God would show up for Israel because He was there with them. Israel did not have to look for God to show up. The show was in town. God was the main attraction. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, God is the God who always showed (shows)up.
 
The way I read God’s Word, the God of the Bible is a sovereign God who does show up. Because He is God who does not have to check in with anybody else before He acts, God can show up in any way He wants to.
 
 How God shows up is up to Him, not me!
 
Well-meaning, sincere people of faith can become frustrated when God does not seem to be working on their behalf. It is hard for all of us at times to wait for the Lord to work. Isaiah 64: 5 states “When You didst awesome things which we did not expect, You did come down, the mountains quaked at Your presence. For from of old they have not heard nor perceived by ear, neither has the eye seen a God besides You, WHO ACTS ON BEHALF OF THE ONE WHO WAITS FOR HIM.”
 
Could it be that God shows up on our behalf when we show up to wait on Him?
 
Maybe, just maybe this showing up thing is more about me, than God. What about daily fellowship with the God who is with us? How about worship, prayer, Bible reading, meditation, listening for God’s voice, obedience to His direction and fellowship with fellow believers in Jesus?
 
 I have a feeling if I show up to meet with Him, He will show up because He waits for me to show up!
 
Truth: God does not need to show up. I do.
 
Why We Sometimes Think God Has Not Shown Up
 

• We do not feel God’s presence. We think we must “feel” God.
• God did not show up the way we thought He should show up.
• God did not show up the way He did the last time He showed up.
• God did not show up for me the way He did for another person.
• God did not manifest Himself in some spectacular, miraculous way.
• Our theology regarding a sovereign, merciful God is messed up.
• We have erroneously followed some teaching that you must wait for God to show up.
• We do not know our Bibles well enough to know that God always shows up!!!

 
God cannot not show up. It is not possible for the God who is with us to not show up.
 
 God shows up because He has already shown up! God came to earth as Jesus. Jesus Christ is Immanuel which means “God with us.” God shows up through Jesus in our lives.
 
I have a word for any of you, who like me, like to sense God’s presence every moment of the day. I have learned and continue to learn that the Lord Jesus is with me every moment of everyday. His Word says so. Faith does not have to feel God’s presence. Faith trusts in the promise of God’s presence, especially when we do not feel like He is near.
 
Be encouraged my fellow Christian. No matter what you may be facing at this moment, God is here and near to help you victoriously overcome your challenges.
 
 GOD IS WITH YOU. HE IS FOR YOU. HE IS WORKING ON YOUR BEHALF THIS VERY MOMENT.
 
Just a thought: you and I need to rethink this “showing up” thing.
 

• Could it be that you and I are the ones that need to show up, not God? Pretty good thought huh?

 
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8
 

• If you struggle with God showing up, confess that what you think is not true. It is not biblical. Give it up. Once and for all. Immerse yourself in the Word, studying scriptures that reveal God’s omni-presence in the lives of those who choose to believe in Him.

 
My brothers and sisters in Christ have a great day because GOD IS WITH YOU!!!!!!  
                
“I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:20b
 
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”    Joshua 1:9
 
“For He Himself has said,” I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.”                                                                                                                           Hebrews 13:5
 
A Word For Your Week: When looking for God to show up, you show up first.

​Last weekend, all over the world, Christians joyously celebrated Christ’s powerful, glorious resurrection from the dead. My heart was stirred deeply once again as I focused on the Cross and empty tomb. What a Savior!
What is incredible to me, as a follower of Christ, is that the same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead resides in little old me. See Romans 8:9-11.
 Resurrection life and power is mine. Glory to God!
As I reflect on Easter 2024, I am pondering what resurrection life means for me and what my responsibility is to share my life in Christ with people who do not know Him.
I would like to share some personal thoughts about my Christian witness to America.
I love my country. I am a citizen patriot who proudly flies the Stars and Stripe at my home every day. I served as a Hospital Corpsman in the United States Navy during the Viet Nam War.
 I firmly believe in the foundational principles of our nation that our forefathers, most who believed in God and His Word the Bible, established in our Constitution and Bill of Rights almost two hundred and fifty years ago.
Without question, the world has never known a country like ours. America has been an exceptionally great nation, a beacon of light, life and hope, bringing untold blessing to the world when it has adhered to its Judeo-Christian roots. But sadly, our spiritual/moral light has dimmed, our hope is waning, and life, the way our Maker designed it, is slowly but surely slipping into an abyss of death.
America is fast becoming a culture of death.
A spirit of darkness and Satanic evil hovers over our nation. If you do not believe me, what about the thousands of babies’ lives we terminate in their mother’s wombs every single day? What about the fact that the United States has one of, if not the highest, murder rates per capita of civilized nations? How “civilized” is that?
What about the multitudes of Americans who die agonizing, horrible deaths from drug overdoses? What about our embarrassingly high divorce rate, in our “enlightened” society? A divorce decree delivers death to family relationships. Walking out on loved ones, instead working out issues is far too commonplace.
Do I need to tell you about violent home invasions? Terrorism in our churches, malls, schools, hospitals, places of employment. Foul, filthy, profane language, which is becoming the norm, demeans people and speaks death into the lives of all of us made in the image of a Holy God.
Domestic violence, perversion of sexual relationships, sexual abuse and assault, corruption of power, disrespect for lawful authority, ambushing and killing of police officers, evil-based blockbuster movies and entertainment venues, anti-Christian talk shows, pop culture music, and video games focus on death, not life.
What troubles my heart most is that so many people, who have bought into the deceptive, death producing lies of the evil one, participate in the above. What is really disturbing, and grieves my spirit, is that some “professing” Christians behave no differently. This should not be.

• The root of a death culture is sin.

Yes, sin. Plain old defiance of God. See Romans 3:10-18, 23.  Individually and corporately shaking our arrogant fists in His holy face, willfully choosing to reject His standards for our lives. Rebellion against our Creator and defiance of His Word, instead of reverence and respect, distances men and women from life.
Death and dying is the new normal in America. Breaks my heart. What can be done?
The Bible, God’s Word, has the answer. Jesus removed the distance between death and life when He sacrificed Himself on a cruel Roman cross for our sins.
Before His death and resurrection, Jesus’ friend Lazarus had died. Standing at the foot of Lazarus’s tomb, weeping with his sisters Mary and Martha, Jesus declared to Martha “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).
What a word for grieving, hurting hearts. Death is not the end. Life is. Resurrection life. It comes through believing in Jesus who said “I am the way, the truth and the life; no man comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6). Jesus paved the way to eternal life through His resurrection.
My friends, all of us must answer Jesus’ pivotal question to Martha “Do you believe this?”

• Steve Roll believes this. How about you?

If you are alive in Him, do not hide or hoard it. Boldly, unashamedly, unapologetically declare it. Lovingly share your faith in Jesus Christ. People are dying in the darkness. Headed for hell. Folks for whom Jesus died need to see His light in you and me because the Lord said you and I are the light of the world. (Matthew 5:14-16).
May the resurrection life of Christ in you and me shed bright, redeeming light into the hearts of precious people who, though they are stumbling in the darkness and confusion, are searching for lasting answers in these evil days.
Truth is: You and me are Christ’s Goof News ambassadors sharing eternal life through faith in God’s Son.
May we be found faithful in these challenging days.
 “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to his death, in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:10-11
A Word For Your Week: Share resurrection life in Christ with those who have lost their way.

​If you know me, you are aware that I am passionate about restoration. The Lord has given me a compassionate, tender heart and a wise, discerning spirit. Watching God work in the lives of people who are experiencing a life crisis is priceless!
Miracles happen in the hearts of broken people as the Lord mends and binds up their heartache. (See Jeremiah 30:17, Psalm 147:3, Psalm 34:18, Psalm 23:1-3, Psalm 30:11, and Matthew 11:28-30).
Over many years of restoration counseling, I have observed that certain behaviors prevent good-intentioned people from being emotionally healthy and establishing long-lasting, fulfilling, mutually satisfying relationships. As I thought about this in my study today, the Lord put on my heart to share with you ten things you and I can do to have a healthier emotional life.
I must give you a heads up. This list is not for the faint of heart. You may well see yourself in one or some of these tips. Do not be offended. Refuse to become defensive. I am not your enemy. As your brother in Christ, I am in your corner with the Lord. Choose to open your heart and allow God to search you like David did.
“Search me O God and know my heart. Try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me and lead me in the everlasting way.” Psalm 139:23-24
When we permit the Holy Spirit to point out hurtful ways in our life, healing and health is on its way!

• Let God search your heart. Lord, here I am. Warts and all. You know what is on my flops, fumbles and failure list. You know where I fall short. Where I am not healthy emotionally. I need your help to manage my emotional life better. I surrender and submit to You. Go ahead. Examine me. Search me with the light of the Holy Spirit. Heal and restore me with the sword of the Spirit.

You have my unconditional permission to check me out. I promise no more denial, excuses, justification or rationalization on my part.

• Get off the guilt trip train. Why walk around in shame and feeling guilty when God declares you Not Guilty in Christ? (Romans 8:1-2). The blood of Jesus covers your sin and shame. Stop condemning yourself. Lay down that beat stick. Build yourself up.

 

• Stop acting like a control freak. Controllers drive away the very people they want to have in their life. No one wakes up in the morning and declares “I hope someone controls me today.” Controllers are insecure. Surrender your insecurities and trade them in for security in who you are in Christ.

 

• Stop playing the victim card. Stop sucking your thumb and dragging your emotional blankie around! No one likes adult thumb suckers. Take your thumb out of your mouth. Stop pouting. Then burn your I-am-a-victim blankie. Do it right away.

 

• Quit throwing pity-poor-me-parties. Poor me. Woe is me. Nobody cares for me. Everybody hates me. I might as well jump off a cliff. No one would miss me. Oh hogwash! Clean up your self-pity-party pig pen! Get off the pity poor me potty! Stand tall as to who the Bible says you are in Christ!

 

• Stop blame-shifting. If you want your hurt to be healed, stop pointing your finger (Isaiah 58:8-9). Oh, how you and I like to point our finger at others. Somehow, we think finger pointing will make us feel better about ourselves. Blame-shifting shows us how small and emotionally insecure we really are. With the Holy Spirit’s help, take a hard, honest look at yourself. Then adjust your attitudes and behavior accordingly. It is not everybody else’s fault. Maybe it is your fault. Ever thought of that?

 

• Stop pushing the panic button. The sky is not falling every day. Life happens. Good days and not so good ones come and go. People in perpetual crisis drive others crazy! No one wants to come running when you panic and cry wolf over and over again. Prescription for not panicking: Grow up. Get over it. Get on with it.

 

• Relinquish your drama king or queen crown. Leave the drama for the beauty pageants, soap operas and reality shows. Stop exaggerating, over thinking, over generalizing and expecting people to jump and keep adjusting your drama crown.

 

• Give up your whining about entitlement. No one owes you anything. Period. You and I brought nothing into this world and will surely exit without even our birthday suit. Whiners are not winners. You cannot build healthy relationships with emotional losers. Quit whining…. and throw away the Kleenex!

 

• Step off the stupid train. Forrest Gump said “What stupid is, stupid does.” Good line in a movie, but not an effective way to live life. Why stay stupid, doing the same dumb

thing over and over and over again? Why keep stumbling into the same emotional pothole? For goodness sake, drive around the hole in the road. Find a better way to manage your emotions.
Maybe you can add another tip or two for yourself. Get alone with the Lord and run this list by Him. Be quiet. Patient. Listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit. God loves you and will point out what you need to change in the coming days.
Please take care of yourself emotionally every day. You, your family and friends will be glad you did!
A Word For Your Week: Search my heart Lord, heal my hurts and make me emotionally healthy.

​A spirit of demonic, ever-darkening fear stalks our world, nation and people everywhere.
Frightening scenarios…troubling circumstances…unanswered questions…beyond our control tempt us to be terrified, anxiously wondering if there is hope for the future.
Satan, the enemy of our souls, along with his hell-bent minions, who pledge blind allegiance to the Evil One, work relentlessly and tirelessly to deceive, divide and destroy humanity. Through lies, falsehood, hatred, division, violence and perversion of what is pure, our spiritual enemy’s end game goal is to eradicate all that is holy, righteous, just, good and true in humanity.
Sounds depressive huh?
My friend, do not be disheartened, discouraged or depressed.
Our word for this week from Psalm 46 is God’s remedy for times like these. Read the eleven verses as a unit. I will highlight the truths revealed for our encouragement.
THEME OF THIS PSALM: God is our refuge even though the world is falling apart.

• GOD IS NEAR.

 
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Verse 1). “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.” (Verse 11)
“Very present help in trouble” means Johnny on the spot. Right with us. Near as near can     be. God is with us as our refuge, shelter. Our stronghold. Our fortress. Our strength. Our Heavenly Father has never taken a hike on us when life heats up. He cannot forsake His blood-bought sons and daughters, It is not in His holy character to abandon His children.

• Do you believe Almighty God is present, near you no matter what?

 

• DO NOT FEAR.

 
“Therefore, we will not fear, even though the earth should change, and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though the waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.”  (Verses 2-3.)
 
Today’s fear producing issues. Economic collapse. Political upheaval. Anarchy. Terrorism. Riots. Wars and rumors of wars. Sexual perversion. Moral implosion. Eco-system disasters. Disrespect for authority. Racism and bigotry. Worldwide pandemics. Food shortages. Cataclysmic natural disasters. Christian persecution. The world without Jesus is rapidly hurtling in a handbasket toward a fiery, eternal hell.
 
The above sounds like mountains crashing into the sea to me!
 

• The word is clear: DO NOT FEAR “even though” everything falls apart around us.

 

• BE STILL AND KNOW GOD.

 
“Be still (cease striving, let go, relax) and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.” Verse 10
 
My friends, cease striving. Stop trying to figure things out. Relax. Chill a little bit in God’s presence. Let Go… Let God. Hand off your anxiety, fear, and the uncertainty you feel to the Lord. As our helper and stronghold, God has got it.
 

• “Even though,” no matter what happens, God is on the spot, beside us and inside us, to take care of us! Believe it.

 

• “Even though” is no reason to fear because God is near! A very present help in trouble.

 “Even though” means life’s disasters do not rattle the Lord! Never have. Never will. Bottom line:  If God be for us, and He is, what can any human being on the earth do to us? Nothing folks!
Paul writes in Romans 8:31 “If God be for us, who can be against us.”  I heard a pastor say “If God is for us, everybody else might as well be” I say amen and amen to that!
Personal Application

• Does “Breaking News” trouble and terrify you? Leaving you discouraged, depressed, saddened and feeling hopeless?
• Do you push the proverbial panic button when unwelcome news knocks on your mind’s door?
• Are you listening to dysfunctional folks who are not managing life well currently?
• Are you dwelling on the lies of the Evil One who hates you and wants to destroy you?
• REJECT THE ABOVE! TOSS IT OUT! Resist the lies of the evil one. In Jesus’ mighty name command Satan to go back to hell where he belongs!

 

• My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, NEVER FEAR. THE GOD YOU SERVE IS NEAR.

No matter what is going on in life, be still. Know deep down in your spirit, without any doubt, that God is God. The Almighty One can and will manage any and everything life sends your way.
As long as you and I live on this fallen earth, “even though” will be part of our life. The question we must answer: will we overcome “even though” with resolute, immovable faith in the One who overcomes on our behalf?
I dare myself and you to live like that every day!
“For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, and My covenant of peace will not be shaken, says the Lord who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” I Corinthians 15:58
A Word For Your Week: “Even though” is a call for Christians to stand firm with confident faith in the Lord Jesus Christ no matter what is happening.

There is so much “noise” and “clutter” today in our culture, clamoring for our faith. Think about it. Political personalities, celebrities, pollsters, media darlings, elitists professors, religious superstars, military power, slick salespeople, master marketers, economic forecasts, “trending” products and services ad nauseum, in your face infomercials and more seek your and my trust.
 
 I cannot speak for you, but trust is a big, huge deal to me.
 
LIFE IS ABOUT TRUST.
 
 According to Webster trust means “assured reliance on the character, ability, strength or truth of someone or something, dependence on something future or contingent, hope, one in which confidence is placed.” 
 
My friends, trust and faith are foundational to success and satisfaction in life. Relationships with God and people must be built upon trust if they are to be healthy, productive and satisfying.
 
At seventy plus years I am convinced that as humans we must trust someone or something to make sense of life on earth.
 
When people, things, or systems break my trust, it is extremely disappointing. Generally, I am a trusting person. I want to put my faith in others and be able to rely and depend on them. But not everyone nor everything is worthy of trust. I have had trust broken by people more than once. Each time was very disheartening and disillusioning.
 
Looking around today, only the God of the Bible fits Webster’s definition to a tee.
 
Reliability based on character, strength, and truth describes God. We can put our hope and faith in our Creator because He alone can be counted on to be who He says He is and do what He says he will do.
 
Our Creator put the ability to trust within our souls. Trust originates and ends with Him. Being a God of goodness and grace, He entrusts us to decide where to put our trust.
 
Trust is up to us. Who we trust is our choice.
People, even well-meaning ones, often fall short of this standard of trust. Anyone or anything less than God is not to be our primary place of trust. That is why the Word warns us not to trust in men, or money, or military might, or anything but God Himself.
 
The psalmist knew where to put his trust. According to Psalm 143:8, Davide knew who to rely on.
 
“Let me hear Thy loving-kindness in the morning, FOR I TRUST IN THEE.” Teach me the way in which I should walk; FOR TO THEE I LIFT UP MY SOUL.” Psalm 143:8                                                                   
David believed that God alone was worthy of trust.
 
He looked and listened for God’s loving-kindness every single morning. David began the day depending on God because God was dependable. David put His faith in God because God was faithful. David trusted God to take care of every need because God was trustworthy.
 
Note that David lifted his soul up to God. Why? BECAUSE HE TRUSTED IN HIM. David put his personal faith and confidence in the Lord. It is a sad commentary on our day that so many people in our secularized society lift up and sell their souls to almost anyone or anything except the Living God who can save their soul.
 

• Have you had your heart broken because you misplaced your trust? Are you reeling from a life blow because you sold your soul to an untrustworthy person? Have you broken trust with yourself in some area of your life? Do you feel like checking out on humanity because it is hard to find someone you can truly trust?

 
Before you throw in the towel on trust, I have good news for you. Turn your eyes toward God and trust in Him.
 
With David, we can confess with confidence, “I TRUST IN THEE” because:
 

• God will never revoke His everlasting covenant with His people. (Psalm 105:8-10)
• God will never break His promises found in His Word. (I Kings 8:56)
• God will never change His mind concerning His love for us. (Micah 7:18-20)
• God will never take a hike when we are hurting. (Psalm 34:18)
• God will never abandon or forsake His faithful followers. (Hebrews 13:5-6)
• God can be trusted to meet our every need, every time. (Philippians 4:19-20)
• God can be trusted to send Jesus back to take us home to heaven! (John 14:1-6)

 
The question of the hour and every hour is: Who are you trusting in today?
 
Paul writes in Romans 10:13“Whoever believes in Him (puts their trust in Jesus Christ) will never be disappointed.” Throughout my life, people, institutions, services, products material stuff, and myself have disappointed me.
 
Because of His divine nature and holy character, God cannot and will not ever disappoint those who trust in him. If you do not want to be disappointed, trust in God.
 
I have decided to trust in the Lord who can be trusted. Trust will always be tested. With God’s help, I desire to pass the trust test.
 
I ask you once again “Who do you trust?”
 
“The steadfast of mind Thou will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in Thee.” 
                                                                                                                        Isaiah 26:3
 
 “The fear of a man brings a snare, but he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted.”                                                                                                                               Proverbs 29:25
 
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not lean upon your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”       Proverbs 3:5-6
 
A Word For Your Week: Trust in the One who can be trusted.