Children of Abraham rejoice!

Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. - Galatians 3:7 NIV

Do you understand how big this is for us as children of Abraham? God promised him well…everything. He promised him land, a great nation, and blessings. The Bible says that we are children of Abraham and therefore we are entitled to all that God promised him. Yes! That means that if we have faith, recognize that Jesus is our Lord and savior and accept Christ into our lives, we too are entitled to all of that. I’m not sure about you, but I can always use additional blessings!  This means that everything God promised Abraham, we’re also entitled too!

Now, before you start asking God for everything, please remember that it’s not all about you. I know, I know… You already had your list for God, but the promises of God are also for you to be the best you so you can bring others to the Kingdom. We’re here to serve the Lord. So if you think that the promise God put in you is just for your success, think again. Of course God wants you to succeed and be successful, but He also wants you to be able to help others. Abraham was a servant, and he was obedient to the Lord, and because of that he was rewarded.

I challenge you today to release your faith! You’re a child of God and Abraham, and you have been given many incredible promises. Receive that! 

Can we keep the crazy to a minimum?!?

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  - Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

That’s right! The Word of God is just as relevant today as it was 2000+ years ago. In this very charged political climate that we are in right now, it’s very important for Christians to understand how important this is. We need to pray for our country, the candidates, and our churches. Things are changing, and it’s very easy to become part of this world. We don’t want to hurt people’s feelings, so we allow things to happen that go against God’s Word. This is where our soul and spirit sometimes feel divided. But God’s word is sharper than any two edged sword as the passage above states, and we can’t allow our feelings and emotions dictate how we live our lives. Our thoughts and attitudes affect everything we do. So we need to stay rooted in the Bible, and when we feel divided, we can go back to the Word of God and understand what God wants from us. I’ve seen some very mean and really awful things on Facebook about this election. The sad part, is that the really bad stuff is coming from people who call themselves Christians. It hurts my heart because we’re supposed to be disciples of love. We can’t be disciples if we’re spewing hateful things all over social media. If I wasn’t a Christian, and I saw that, I would seriously question if Jesus was so loving why are His people acting like this, but rest assured, it hurts Him as well, and thankfully He is also a God of grace. So he grants us grace even when we do things that are not of His Word.

My challenge to you this week as we go to the polls is to prayerfully ask God what His will is for you in this election. He will put the right candidate in the White House. I also challenge you to not get caught up in the craziness on social media. Don’t feel compelled to comment on things that upset you because you want to get your political point across. I can almost tell you with certainty that your post will not change the mind of someone whose mind is already made up. 

Don't leave the game until the timer hits zero!!

You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. 19 You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor. - Job 11:18-19 

We’re in the midst of college football season, and everyone has their team, and it’s a crazy time especially here in Tennessee. A lot of people follow the University of Tennessee Volunteers, and while I don’t follow them, I was flipping through the channels one Saturday and saw that they were losing 20-3. I am a sports fan, so I had heard the reports about them being the underdogs and that they had an 11 game losing streak going into the game against the Florida Gators. The expectation for their win was extremely low. I don’t know about you, but if I’m going into something and everyone around me expects me to lose, that doesn’t really give me the confidence I need to come out on top. In fact, they were booed off the field by their fans at half time. I can’t imagine how the players felt in the locker room. But I CAN imagine the coach and how it’s his job to inspire his team even though it seems all hope is lost. He probably gave them one of the most inspirational half time speeches ever. And guess what? It worked! Because they came back and won that game! I was shocked! But then Lord spoke to me about us Christians giving up before we should. The Vols could have easily came out for the second half and just rolled over, but they didn’t! I know there have been times in my life when God has given me a promise and when it was taking too long, or not going as I had planned, I want to give up and just say forget it. My mind monsters start telling me that maybe I was wrong about the promise, maybe God didn’t promise it. Maybe I just wanted it so I told myself it was from God and it really wasn’t. But I’m here to tell you that if you feel that way, do NOT believe that lie! If God put that promise in you, then He will bring it to pass. Don’t let those mind monsters have control. Do what you need to do to stay in it and not give up! God will give you the grace you need. Just ask Him. The Bible says that if we hold on, we’ll be lifted up on wings like eagles. That’s His promise to you.

My challenge for you this week is that when you feel like all hope is lost, do what the Vols did. Don’t roll over and give in to your fears. Come out fighting and you will have the victory! 

Jesus be my floatie

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. - Isaiah 40:29-31 (NIV)

How strong is your faith? What is it that will make you try anything knowing that whatever you try, you can’t fail? It’s the feeling of knowing that you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be, you’re in the will of God and as long as you stay there, you will succeed.

Recently I was on vacation and we were at the beach, and my grandson who is 2 was completely terrified of the water and the sand. I mean he would not stand in the sand or get his feet wet. Even when he was being held he would cry hysterically. My daughter forgot to bring his floaties so I went to the store and picked some up for the next day. My daughter was convinced that he still wouldn’t get in the water. But we put them on him anyway. We went back to the beach, and believe it or not, they made all the difference! He was no longer afraid of the water. In fact he loved being in the water so much that when it was time to go, he didn’t want to leave and cried to get back in the water! I said to my family, who knew that 2 little floaties could do that. It got me thinking about life and how we struggle with faith on a daily basis. We all have moments when we don’t want to get in the water or even put our feet in the sand because of fear. Fear is very powerful, real and it can also keep us from God’s best if we don’t use His Word as our floaties and realize that if He put the dream in us, He’ll do His part, and we need to do ours. Don't just sit back and say 'I'm waiting on the Lord" Faith without works is dead, If God told you to do something, then do it. I understand that having faith can seem so easy, but with so many thing coming at us blindsiding us, our faith sometimes falters, and that's okay. But don't live there. Have your moment, then get busy! You've got a lot to do! 

I want to challenge you today to not give up even in the face of adversity. When you’re terrified, turn to your life-jacket. The Lord Jesus and even when it still seems impossible, just remember, nothing is impossible with Him to those that believe. 

You want me to dance and praise now? ….. What?

Let them praise His name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp. Psalm 149:3 NIV

When you’re in the midst of a crisis, the last thing you want to do is dance, make music or praise God. In fact my first instinct is usually to cry, get angry, or run away from everyone. But, thank goodness over the years, I’ve learned that even though my feelings are real, they’re just temporary. I know that I will praise God even in the midst of my struggle because He’s the ONLY one that’s going to get me through it. Yes, we want to talk to our friends and have someone we can see hear us, and that's the human part of us, but God wants us to be dependent on Him.

Sometimes that’s really hard for me. Recently I was in a situation where I knew I shouldn’t have been, but I went anyway. It was an awful time, and I remember during the night a few times saying to myself and out loud - I hear you Lord. When it was over I called my friend to vent and even though she laughed hysterically at my adventure, she also said you know God was testing you right? And I failed that test because I didn’t listen to the still small voice of The Holy Spirit. I didn’t get mad at God, I was mad at myself for not listening! Then, I said thank you Lord for the additional confirmation, I praised Him and thanked Him for his grace. I listened to some praise and worship music and just chalked it up to experience.

When you’re in the midst of something that hurts, or makes you angry, don’t let your feelings or emotions win. Instead, do what the scripture above says, and praise His name with dancing and making music.

Yes.... I know your deepest thoughts

Psalm 26:2 (ERV) Look closely at me, Lord, and test me. Judge my deepest thoughts and emotions.

That is a bold prayer. Most of us have things that we wouldn’t want anyone to know about. And the thought that God would look closely at you and not only test you, but look at our deepest thoughts and desires! What!? That’s enough to make anyone nervous. But guess what? He already knows. God knows us better than we know ourselves, and the news gets even better! He still loves you! So when you ask Him to look at you and to judge your thoughts and emotions, this is showing a sign of spiritual growth. You’re asking God to help you be better! Isn’t that what we all should be aiming for? 

We all want to have the life that God has for us. But until our hearts and our desires line up with God’s Word, we can’t advance. If God can’t trust you with a little, how can He trust you with your deepest desires? I want all God has for me, and as I look over my life, if He had given me some of the things I was asking for at the time when I was crying, praying, begging and demanding, I would have completely messed it all up! God prepares us for a reason. He doesn’t withhold stuff because He wants to see us suffer, in fact nothing could be farther from the truth. The Bible is filled with people who lived abundant lives in every area of their lives. But they had to go through the process before God gave them their promise. And they got it. They received what God promised them, because they remained faithful, and they did what God asked. (Being obedient is a whole other blog!)

So what are you waiting for? Don’t be afraid to ask God to look closely at you, test you, and to judge your deepest thoughts and desires. When He does and you respond the right way, look out! Things will start to fall into place and God will accelerate you to your promise. 

Are you focused on the goal?

Philippians 3:13-14 The Message (MSG) I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running and I’m not turning back.

I don’t know if there’s anything else that needs to be said after reading that verse of scripture. I mean wow! If you are going through anything right now and you feel like you’ll never be good enough or that it’s too late, this verse is a reminder that you shouldn’t believe the lies of the devil. He would love it if you gave up. But don’t do that to yourself! If Paul can say this about himself and be one of the greatest men of faith EVER, surely we can find joy knowing that even in suffering we still win!

I have been experiencing some spiritual warfare lately related to a promise that I believe God has put in me. It’s been a true season of suffering. I wish I could say that I never got upset or angry or wanted to give up, but I have many, many, many times. Just last night I was crying and pleading with God to end this once and for all. The circumstance is still there, but I’m not angry anymore, I’m not bitter. I realize that God is still for me. Even though I’m still dealing with the pain and hurt, I know that God will always be here, and I’m looking forward. I’m letting what’s in the past stay in the past. Yesterday is the past. I’m running forward and I’m not turning back, just like Paul said in Philippians.

I encourage you today, if you’re dealing with things from your past that are causing you to be bitter, angry and hurt. Cast your cares on the One who can handle it.