Hangin' Out

Isaiah 43:25 – “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins”

Several Saturdays ago, I had the privilege of hangin’ out with my two favorite girls in my life, my wife and daughter.  I had breakfast in the morning at the local Amish Market with my daughter, then coffee with my wife at a place we love called the Crescent Moon.  Later that day, I said to myself, “It doesn’t get much better than this!”.  It was so great…just sittin’, just talkin’, just laughin’, just hangin’.  Those times are so special and so valuable to me.

When I was reading Isaiah 43:25, it dawned on me what God was saying through this prophet, He said, “I’m blotting out your transgressions and I’m not going to remember your sins”.  But here’s the part that really, really got me, it was amazing when this light went on for me.  He said, “For mine own sake”!  I could understand if He said, “For your sake”, but He didn’t, He said “For mine own sake”.

Basically, what I believe the Lord was saying to us is, “I just couldn’t take not being able to hang out with you.  I just can’t take the thought of not being able to walk around with you, listen to you, and talk to you, and just plain do nothing but be together with you”.

See, Isaiah 59:2 says that in the old covenant, “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”  The new covenant of grace took care of all of that, and you know what?...it’s not just so that you can be with God, but God said, “I’m doing this for Me”!

It just does something for us when we know somebody really, really wants to be with us and enjoys our company.  God loves just hanging out with you and giving you His full attention.  That’s why He sent His Son to die for you and shed His blood, to break down the wall between us.  Ephesians 2:13 says that “once we are far off, but now we are brought near by the blood of Jesus”.

God WANTS to be with you today.  Wherever you go, whatever you’re doing, He loves being with you, He’s your best friend, and you are His best friend.  Enjoy!  

Adding Fuel to the Fire

1 Corinthians 15:56 – “The strength of sin is the law”

Recently in the news was a story of a man that accidentally set fire to three cars while trying to get rid of bed bugs!  The New Yorker was hospitalized after dousing the interior of his rental car with rubbing alcohol, hoping it would kill the insects, but instead caught fire when he lit his cigarette, and spread to two other cars nearby.  You could say his error in judgment added “fuel to the fire”. 

This same principle bears out in the Word of God when it comes to sin.  1 Corinthians 15:56 says the strength of sin (the fire) is the law (the fuel).  Just like when the man lit his cigarette and it set the car on fire, the same happens with the law, it excites sin, it fans the flames of sin, sin actually increases when operating by the law. 

Romans 6:14 says, “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law, but you are under grace”.  When the law is used to try to control sin, you can be sure sin will increase and abound.  But the answer to sin is not the law, it’s grace. The law is the fuel that adds to the fire of sin.  Grace is the “water” that puts the fire of sin out.  Grace empowers us to overcome sin.  Grace strengthens righteousness, the law strengthens works.  Grace gives freedom, the law brings bondage.  Grace is like a fire hydrant dose of water let loose on a little spark. 

If you want a sin situation in your life or the life of your loved one to go up in flames, pour on the law, rigidness, legalism, performance driven works, sin consciousness.  If you want freedom and spiritual growth, pour on the grace of God, His unmerited, undeserved favor, His Word, declare that you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, that sin has no dominion over you.  Then what?  Like Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery in John 8, “Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more”.  The Pharisees were adding fuel to the fire of sin with the law, demanding death.  But Jesus added grace, the water of the Word that put the fire of adultery out for good in her life. 

Next time you encounter sin, you choose, add fuel to the fire with the law, or water to the fire with God’s grace.  Hint: choose grace.  

A Living Legacy

Hebrews 9:17 – “For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.”

The late great North Carolina Men’s Basketball coach, Dean Smith, who passed away this past February at age 83, was one of the most successful college coaches in history.  Smith was called a “coaching legend” by the Basketball Hall of Fame, with a record of 879 wins and 254 losses over 36 seasons.   He was known for running a clean program, having a high graduation rate, with 96.6% of his athletes receiving their degrees, as well as being a caring and thoughtful man toward his players.  Remarkably, in his will, he said a final “thank you” to about 180 of his former “Tar Heels” players by making arrangements for each one of them to receive a $200 check with the notation “dinner out”.  His accountant enclosed a letter with the check stating how important each player was to Coach Smith, and that he wanted to reach out to them in a special way.

In Hebrews 9:17, the author describes the significance of the testament that was written to “us” as believers in Christ.  A legacy is defined as a gift given…by will; a bequest.  Jesus left us a gift, a new covenant (testament), a better covenant based upon better promises.  Just like that gift that Coach Smith left for his players, solely meant for them to enjoy, Jesus writes to each of us and tells us to enjoy the good life He has provided for us, bought and paid for with His blood.  He left for us everything we could ever want or need or desire, above and beyond what we could think, pray or imagine.

The legacy that Coach Smith passed on to his players was worth far more than of monetary value, especially for billionaire Michael Jordan, who also received a $200 check.  On a much grander scale, the legacy that Jesus has secured for us also far surpasses any monetary value because through His death we receive the ultimate gift of eternal life.  Jesus died so that those who believe on Him could live forever with Him.  It doesn’t get any better than that folks!

John 10:10, Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly”.  What a legacy.  All you and I need to do is simply receive it, take it, and enjoy it.  Like Coach Smith, in the new covenant Jesus is saying “dinner is on Me, health is on Me, more than enough for your spring wardrobe is on Me, your household is saved on Me”.  It’s a living legacy that Christ secured for us, through the finished work on the cross.  Make a decision to receive it today!

I Don't Own a White Flag

Hebrews 12:3 - "Consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest you be wearied and faint in your minds".

Did you know that the state of New Jersey has established what is called a "safe surrender" program offering persons wanted by the police for non-violent crimes to turn themselves in, and, usually, be granted probation or a reduced fine instead of jail time?   So far, 3,901 people have turned themselves in, including 550 people who weren't actually wanted for anything, who simply wanted to check to see if they was a warrant out for them.

In the Christian walk, there is no such thing as a "safe surrender" program!  Christians who refuse to quit don't own a white flag - the symbol of surrender declaring that they have given up the fight and the enemy has won.  Listen, no one ever said it was going to be easy, especially if you're going to do what God has called you to do.  I've been there!  There will be opposition, an enemy who is trying to get you to wave that white flag and give up on the things of God.

Maybe you feel like giving up, stopping the fight, going for a "safe surrender" program, compromising your goal or promise from God's Word.  I have advice for you today, "burn that white flag" and stir up the spirit inside of you to fight.

In Hebrews 12:3, the writer says to "consider him that endured".  Consider means to set your mind on, to fix yourself upon, to focus upon.  It goes on to say, "lest you faint".  Faint means to cease to be able, but interestingly, you cannot cease to do something you are able to do.  The game the enemy plays is to try to convince you and me that we can't do what God says we can do.  Say this, I'm not going down without a fight…in fact, I'm not going down at all".
 

Here are five things that will help you in the fight:

1.    Train yourself to see what's not there, to look beyond the problem

2.    Always focus on getting better not bigger.  If you get better, no one can stop you from getting bigger.

3.    You have to know your "core", core strength comes from what you're gifted to do, not what you can't do.

4.    Don't just tell people how to live, just live it.

5.    Be willing to change when God says change.

Go ahead, get rid of that white flag, you're not going to need it!

Bed, Bath, Beyond

John 5:8 – “Rise, take up thy bed and walk” 

Many of you are familiar with the retail store called Bed, Bath and Beyond, great name, right?  Great truth too…from John’s gospel, a bed, bath and beyond experience like no other! 

In John, chapter 5, there was a pool called Bethesda, meaning house of mercy.  It was a public infirmary for the blind, weak, paralyzed and sickly.  It was told that when the waters started to move in the pool, the sick person who could make it in the water first would be healed.  One day, when Jesus was visiting this pool, He spoke to one of the sick folk and asked him a very important question “Do you want to be made whole?”  This is a key factor in receiving a change in your situation, because we can get so used to our “condition” that we can’t even imagine what it would be like without it.  

Notice that Jesus didn’t ask, “Do you want to be healed?”, He asked, “Do you want to be made whole?”  Why?  Because He knew that sickness, poverty, depression and any other prolonged negative circumstance affects every area in a person’s life.  It’s all they think about from morning until night.  They’re not thinking about others, or a bright future or all the amazing opportunities available to them.  It’s about survival.  Jesus is saying, “I’m offering wholeness, not only physical health, but restoration in every area of your life that has been stolen”.  

In John 5:8, Jesus said three things.  First, He said “rise”, meaning change your position, change the way you are thinking to the way He thinks, start to believe that this is not how it’s going to be forever, make the first move toward change by deciding in your mind to simply get up!  He wants us to come to where He is, and not just ask Him to come to where you are.  In John 17:24, Jesus prays for us to “be with Me where I am”.  

Next, He says, “take up thy bed”, meaning, you are NOT going back to that bed!  Everyone that sees that bed in your hands will know that you’ve been delivered.  Taking up your “bed” of affliction says that you are NOT the same, you are the victor and not the victim, and you are NOT going back. 

Lastly, He says “walk”, or live as the delivered, go “beyond” where you were, break through the barriers and limitations that have held you back, put one foot in front of the other!  Open up that savings account and deposit 25 cents a week if you have to, enroll in one college course at a time until you get that degree.  There is certainly nothing wrong with a gradual progression in a positive direction, there’s power in consistency.  In Exodus 23, they took the land little by little.    

So, next time you see a Bed, Bath and Beyond store, think of these three commands, “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk!”…transformation God’s way!!!

Sweatless Grace

Ezekiel 44:17-18 – “And it shall be, when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with bleached linen clothing. And no wool shall come on them while they serve in the gates of the inner court, and inside. Turbans of bleached linen shall be on their heads, and shall have bleached linen undergarments on their loins. They shall not clothe themselves with anything that causes sweat.” 

Did you ever buy a deodorant that didn’t…do what it was supposed to do, stop the sweat?  I have.  Though I meant to buy an antiperspirant, I picked up something else instead.  I realized it after preaching when I had those big sweat circles under my armpits on my nice shirt.  Yuck, right?  

If you study the Old Testament through the eyes of grace, you will see it in a lot of places.  Like this one in Ezekiel 44:17-18.  It’s speaking of the priest’s garments, and specifically the High Priest, who went into the Holy of Holies on behalf of the people once a year.  It tells us here that they were not to wear anything that would cause them to sweat or perspire.  Interestingly, these priests were a type of Christ in the New Covenant.  In John 1:14 it says that Jesus is “full of grace and truth”.  The law represented works, self-effort, performance, SWEAT, working hard to get something. 

Now I’m not saying you never do anything, and get lazy.  Instead it’s a matter of who or what you are trusting in.  Are you trusting in the length of your prayer time and your prayers?  How long you fast?  How much you give?  I believe in all those things, but grace is a response, not a means to an end.  Did you get that?  

In grace it’s done, finished, you can rest in the promises of God.  Again, not the kind of rest where you don’t do anything and say, “I don’t have to go to church, I’m under grace”, or “I don’t have to give, I’m under grace”.  No you go to church in response to the grace of God, you give in response to the grace of God. 

Sweat represents working for something, earning something, hard work.  Sweat comes from living under the law.  Jesus said “Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).  Rest is grace.  So enter into His rest today.  Trust in the finished work of Jesus, the High Priest of your confession.  Simply agree with Him, stop trying to make the Word happen in your life.  Enjoy the sweatless grace that Jesus provided for you today!  No sweat!

Who's Your Daddy?

John 17:25-26 – “O righteous Father, indeed the world has not known You; but I have known You, and these have known that You have sent me. And I made known to them Your name, and will make it known, so that the love with which You have loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” 

In the movie Taken, Liam Neeson plays a character named Bryan, the father of a young adult girl abducted in Paris by a human trafficking ring.  The outlook is not good as the daughter is bound for slavery and her father discovers her plight while still back in the U.S.  Somehow “Bryan” manages to make contact with the abductors through his daughter’s phone and delivers this famous message… 

“If you let my daughter go now, that will be the end of it.  I will not look for you, I will not pursue you.  But if you don’t, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you”. 

This line in the move resonates with me because it speaks to the Grizzly Bear heart deep inside of every father.  “You touch my kids and I will come for you”.  This is what daddy’s do.  We protect our children from wicked people.  If anything happens to our children, we don’t stop until they are safe in our arms. 

That’s exactly what our heavenly Father did!  He loved us more than He loved His very own self by sending His only Son to go into the enemy’s camp and take us back to Himself.  Jesus said, “when you see Me, You’ve seen the Father”.  Jesus came to show us who our daddy really was, our dear Heavenly Father.  A Father who wouldn’t let us be taken into slavery, into darkness, into depths of despair.  He’s so in love with us, that He sent His Son as the express image of His love for us, to redeem us, to purchase us with His blood.  John 1:18 says, “No one has seen God at any time; the Only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him”.  

He’s our Daddy!  He’s the One on the telephone to every demon, every spirit of fear, sickness, abuse, depression, declaring their defeat.  He stripped him of his power to harm us.  He’s set us free, He’s coming after us, just like the character in the movie relentlessly went after his abducted daughter in Paris, France.  Nothing will stop Him.  Nothing is going to get in His way of getting His kids, He’s on a mission, and He’s the Father from whom all fatherhood takes its name.  

How dare the enemy touch God’s property, His beloved children, His sons and daughters!  He’s saying, “That’s my beloved son!” and “That’s my precious little girl”.  This isn’t a Bible study as much as it is a “Daddy study”.  When the God in you meets your abductor, He’s going to say, “Remember me?  We spoke on the phone…”  Know how much God loves you!  Nothing can ever stop Him from blessing you!  That’s who your Daddy is!

Deposit Slip

Matthew 12:34 - "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks"

You know how it works, when you deposit money in the bank, you are able to pay bills and write the checks you need.  To my amazement, now you can take a photo of a check and deposit it electronically without ever leaving home!  Whichever method you choose, after you make the deposit, the bank provides you with a deposit slip, which is documented evidence that you made the deposit. 

This simple transaction reminded me of something so powerful concerning speaking the right words.  Proverbs 18:1-2 says that death and life are in the power of the tongue.  In Matthew 13:34, I believe Jesus gives us a key principle concerning speaking right words...health words, life words, blessing words.  

But why do so many people try desperately to control their tongue, and still have such a hard time.  Because you can't say the right things without your "deposit slip".  The meaning of "abundance" in verse 34 is depository or deposit.  In other words, if I make the right deposits, and regular deposits, eventually my mouth is going to speak out what's been deposited inside.  

When I make regular deposits of the Word of God inside my heart, I won't even have to work so hard to control my tongue.  The Word will come out, and will frame my world around me!

But it all starts with your "deposit slip" which tells you, "Yes, the Word is in your account, and each time you open your mouth, you're making a withdrawal, and it's the Word that's going to come out!"  Don't expect to make withdrawals of the Word when you haven't deposited the Word in your heart, your "check" will "bounce"!

So when trials come, or you are believing God for a certain situation, hold up your "deposit slip" and speak the Word!

C.S.I. - Christ Scene Investigation

John 20:6-7 (21st Century King James Version) "Then came Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulcher and saw the linen cloths as they lay and the napkin that had been about His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but wrapped together in a place by itself." 

The hit show C.S.I. has been around for a long time, and although I am not a fan, I am fascinated by documentaries about real "Crime Scene Investigations".  The training, strategy, procedures and the brilliant minds that help solve the crimes are amazing to me. 

Imagine if there was an episode featuring the investigation after the death and resurrection of Jesus, and I was on the case.  There is one detail I would make sure got special attention.  It was when Mary went to the tomb early in the morning and found it "empty", and how she told Peter and John the amazing news.  I would have the cameras zoom in on Peter's face in shock, and then scan the tomb at what he saw. 

The "empty" tomb was not completely empty, sure it was missing a body, and that fact should stop us in our tracks.  But as the investigation unravels, the clue involving the linen cloths that were left behind would spark questions such as, "Who would take the time to unwrap a corpse?  Could this be a case of grave robbery?  Maybe by His disciples?"  They observe the large stone that was rolled aside, and the broken Roman seal, and question the soldiers guarding the tomb, "Who could have overpowered them and moved such a heavy stone?  Nah, too unlikely.  

The burial cloth itself would reveal that it was recently purchased by someone very wealthy who could afford such costly material.  "What thief would toss aside such valuable merchandise?"  Then the camera zooms in on a key clue, the folded napkin.  There is more to this than meets the eye.  According to Barbara Richmond's book Jewish Insights of the New Testament, the proper way to express gratitude after an evening of food and fellowship was to crumple your napkin.  But if you had an unpleasant evening, you would fold the napkin and leave it as you found it.  Jesus took the time to fold the napkin as if to say, "I've been to the grave, I will not return, not doing this again".  

Jesus who faced death on our behalf and was raised to new life, will never die again.  He did this once, for all sin, He's not going to "die again".  The "Christ Scene Investigation" is conclusive, solved, no longer a mystery.  The empty tomb wasn't completely empty, God left us with key information, His Word, the truth that has the power to set us free!  Jesus died, was buried, and He rose again.  Case closed.  Jesus died, never to die again.  It is finished, paid in full! 

Six Powerful Words

Acts 13:43 “When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.” 

If you are ever asked to share your faith with a group of people and you are stuck for ideas, I highly recommend that you share this six-word gem from Paul and Barnabus…”continue in the grace of God”.  What a powerful and simple message!  Why?  Your appeal to the people… 

“Are you working so hard that you are on the verge of burnout? You need to continue in the grace of God.”  “Are you worried that you’re not doing enough for Jesus?  Continue in the grace of God.”  “Are you distracted and confused by Old Testament teachings like generational curses, or End Time anxiety?  Continue in the grace of God.” “Are you facing financial difficulties, sickness, or demonic oppression?  Continue in the grace of God.”  “Want to make something out of your life?  Continue in the grace of God.”  How about “Advice to give your adult children as they leave your house?  Continue in the grace of God.” 

What does it mean to continue in the grace of God? 

1.    It’s only grace from start to finish – there is nothing greater that can help us in any area of life.

2.    Grace comes to us through faith alone – so continuing in the grace of God is continuing in the faith.

3.    Since grace is a person, and that person is Jesus – keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, see Him as your solution, and keep trusting Him. 

In Acts 13:43, Paul and Barnabus were speaking to “Jews and devout converts to Judaism”, people who had been raised under the law.  What is the greatest danger or temptation to those who are used to living under the law?  To return to the law, or worse yet, to try to mix the law with grace.  

Paul’s exhortation was to “continue in the grace of God”.  In other words, don’t go back to where you came from.  Don’t go back to a performance based way of thinking and doing.  Don’t go back to measuring your performance or comparing yourself to others, causing a cycle of guilt, and condemnation, or fear of punishment, or even boasting. 

So, as He said to these devout Jews, God is saying the same to us today, “Continue in my grace”, don’t go back, you’ve been redeemed, made righteous, you are free!”  Continue in the grace of God!

Run Under His Wings

Psalm 91:4 - "He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust". 

When you picture a magnificent flying bird, it won't be a chicken that comes to mind.  I've never seen a chicken fly, eagle yes, chickens no.  

In Isaiah 40:37 it says that we shall mount up with wings as eagles, but in Psalm 91 it speaks of being under His wings, there is a difference.  This promise in Psalm 91 is not speaking of a flying bird, but of a bird with a sheltering wing.  One indicates strength, while the other indicates protection.  "Under His wings" is a picture of a mother hen, who when she senses danger will sound the alarm to her baby chicks and cluck wildly as she ushers them under her wings where it's safe and secure. 

Matthew 23:37 says, "how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!"   Notice the mother hen does not run to each chick and round them up, but instead, they run to her and she gathers them under her wings.  In times of trial, that's what God wants us to do, run to Him, not away from Him.  I marvel when people say to me, "Pastor Joe, I would have been in church last Sunday but I'm really going through some things right now.  As soon as I get through this I'll be there!"  This is so backwards, it's not funny. 

Our place of deliverance and of healing is found under the wings of our loving God.  My advice to you, if you're in a vulnerable place today, is this...run under His wings, run to His Word, run to your covenant, run to your place of prayer, run to church, into the corporate anointing with all those other chicks.  You are safe in Him.

Once Shaved, Always Shaved

1 Corinthians 1:8-9 – “Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” 

I know that beards are making quite the comeback these days, but every day, no matter what, like most men, I shave.  Many women do too.  Perhaps you shaved at one time, but that doesn’t mean that you are “shaved” now.  You have to work at being “shaved”.  You may profess a belief in shaving, but faith without regular works of shaving, shaves no one.  Shaving is a tricky business, you need to “hold fast” when you shave.  You have to work out your shaving with fear and trembling.  And lastly, he who shaves to the end will be shaved.  

I’m smiling as I write this because, apparently, shaving and being saved have much in common…you have to work hard at both…at least that’s what some people think. 

On the contrary.  When you are secure in your Father’s love, He holds you, He keeps you, He will never let you go, ever.  But many are not secure.  They’ve been told that they have to abide, continue, hold fast to the end, overcome, obey, endure and lots of other things to stay saved.  Naturally, this unsettles people.  “What if I don’t do what God expects of me?”  “What if I stumble?”  One of the main reasons that people are insecure about their salvation is that they don’t see salvation as a person. They treat the gift of salvation as though it comes in a box.  If you don’t hold onto it, you may lose it.  Or like your car keys, you can misplace your salvation if you are not careful.  Salvation is not a box or a thing, it’s a Person.  “It is Christ living in you”, Colossians 3:4, “Christ Who is your life”.    

Have you ever broken a promise or failed to keep your word?  You probably have.  Now you know why some people are worried they may fail God.  They made a commitment to follow the Lord, but the pattern of their lives reveal a consistent inability to deliver.  They have good days when they feel they are serving with their whole heart, and they have bad days when they feel like a failure.  The problem is, they are standing on the commitment and promises they have made to God when they ought to be standing on the Rock Solid promises He’s made to us. 

In 1 Corinthians 1:8-9, Paul is addressing the church in Corinth, which you might say were…pretty scandalous.  Yet, he clearly said, “He will keep you firm to the end”.  You are blameless because Jesus is blameless.  

1 Corinthians 1:21-22 says, “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come” (NIV).  The word guarantee means a down payment, or pledge.  God has more good stuff planned for us, guaranteed, to the end.  It’s not about us folks!  It’s about Him.  Be secure!  In Him!

Do the Next Right Thing

Isaiah 50:7 - "The Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded.  Therefore have I set my face like a flint and I know that I shall not be ashamed." 

Have you ever found yourself feeling as if you've got far too many burdens, too many people depending on you, too many things on your list of things to take care of.  Or perhaps you find yourself in the throes of loneliness, so deep you can't even make the simplest of decisions?  Have you just gone through a crisis or a troubling situation?  Are you tempted to get in a panic, or collapse and give up and feel sorry for yourself?  Listen to these words of wisdom… 

Do it immediately, do it with prayer
Do it reliantly, casting all care 

Do it with reverence, tracing His hand
Who placed it before thee, with earnest command 

Stayed on omnipotence, safe beneath His wings
Leave all resulting, do the next right thing 

What is the "next right thing" for you to do?  Small duties perhaps?  Tasks that nobody will notice?  Something that you would get out of if you could?  Speak to someone that you haven't spoken to in years?  Make right a wrong?  A responsibility that you've been asked to take on, which you really don't feel qualified for?  Say thank you?  Get organized?  Get a job?  Put away that credit card?  Pay off your home?  Spend time with your family?  Forgive someone?  Ask for forgiveness?  Put the dishes in the dishwasher instead of the sink?  Go back to school?  Sit down and relax?  Leave a kind note for your loved one?  

How do you know what the next right thing to do is?...trust in the living God!  It's a simple way to live, every minute of every day.  Listen for His voice, obey His prompting, and just do the next right thing.  I really like that bumper sticker that says, "Do right - and leave the consequences to God"?  Just do your part, don't be concerned about anyone or anything else, leave that part to God.  

It's just so simple, every day, all day…do the next right thing!

Bobo's Back!

Matthew 6:9 “Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed by thy name” 

Some of you may remember me talking about Bobo in recent years, a dog in my neighborhood where I grew up.  He was chained up in the yard at his house, all day long, rain or shine, near the softball field where we played.  Bobo was a huge black dog with matted fur and very large teeth, and barked nonstop.  

Unfortunately, Bobo hadn’t been treated right, he was abused, beaten, and had cold water thrown on him by his unfit owner.  Often times, Bobo would get loose, and word got out real quick that “Bobo’s loose!!!”  I can’t say I blame him, if I had an owner like that, I would run for my life too.  But he was a terror to be reckoned with. 

It’s sad to say, but when people outside the church hear what some Christians are saying about God, they too run as far away from God as they possibly can.  When they hear, “God caused my accident to bring me closer to Him”, “God took my child”, “God sent the 9-11 attacks, He is judging America”, “God wants us poor to keep us humble”, “God is mad at me”, and so on.  This stuff makes God sound more like the “godfather” instead of God our Father.  

If a child approached his parents the way “religion” has conditioned us to, it would be considered child abuse.  For some reason, when it comes to tragic and unexplainable negative events, they want to place the blame on God.  This is SO opposite of the truth of who God really is and His immeasurable, unconditional, limitless, unearned, intense love that He has for all of mankind.  He is not angry, He poured out His anger and wrath on Jesus over 2,000 years ago.  Jesus freely took all sin, past, present and future on Himself on the cross and said, “It is finished” (John 19:30).  

If you’ve been an angry “Bobo” Christian who has suffered from the deception of who you have assumed God to be, you need to take a good look at the Word!  God is good and there is no fear in approaching God.  We need to believe that ourselves and shout this good news from the rooftops.  We need to make it perfectly clear that every good and perfect gift is from above (James 1:17), God has no sickness and heartache and death to give.  

You need to get into a church that speaks of God’s goodness and grace.  You need to receive God’s love for you, a love so passionate and powerful that He sent His precious Son, His only Son to die for you and take your sin to the cross.  Don’t be like Bobo, live your life loved by God for all the world to see!

Take What's Yours

Matthew 6:11 – “Give us this day our daily bread”. 

Some of my favorite memories are of dinner time as a young boy in the Fortunato household.  Imagine five kids, mom, dad, around the kitchen table…a lot could, and often would happen.  People talked over one another, lots of hijinks, questions were asked that you were supposed to answer, it was really interesting.  But there’s one thing that none of us ever did, beg our parents for food.  We never had to say, “I know I don’t deserve it, but could you please give me a crust of bread, I’m really hungry”.  On the contrary, it was survival of the fittest at our dinner table.  I learned pretty early, if you wanted a pork chop at our table, you better take it while you can. 

Notice in Matthew 6:11, it doesn’t say, “Give me this day my daily bread?”, it isn’t a question, this is a demand.  Not an arrogant demand, like “God, I’m forcing you!”  But more like a child who comes into the kitchen, walks up to his mom and says, “Mom, I’m hungry, I want something to eat”.  Do you think the mom would grab the child and say, “Get down on your knees and beg!”  Absolutely not.  Providing meals is a basic part of the family relationship.  Children expect mom and dad to me their needs.  It’s familiarity with their parents’ love that makes them bold in their approach.  

God wants us to be this way with Him.  He desires all believers to be so familiar with His love that our approach toward Him is bold (Hebrews 4:16).  He really desires for His children to believe that all His provision they need has already been made.  They just have to reach out in faith and “take it”.  Simply say, “Father, thank You!  I receive my healing”, “I receive my covenant prosperity, I love You Father”.  You aren’t making God do something.  You just know in your heart that He’s already supplied, so you reach out and take it. 

“Give us this day our daily bread!”  Just take advantage of what He’s already done.  Appropriate it.  It’s yours!