No More Excuses

Jesus is the perfect man. His way is the right way. He never asked us to do anything that he did not do himself. He tells us to love God with all of our heart soul mind and strength. He tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves. He also calls us to do something that is diametrically opposed to human nature. He says that we should love our enemies. How can I love someone that has mistreated me, lied to me, stolen from me, abused me, turned their back on me, etc? Well, what did Jesus do? I want you to really think about this. Jesus selected 12 men to be his apostles. One of these men went by the name of Judas Iscariot. For 3.5 years Judas traveled with Jesus. He was never isolated from the group. He was never treated differently from the others. He did everything that the other apostles did. And yet Jesus knew that he would betray him. What did Jesus give to Judas? Love. Selah.

So why does God require this same response of us? He is giving us the privilege to be the face, hands, and feet of God in this world, where love and grace are sorely needed.

"You have heard that it was said, 'you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be the children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5: 43-48

AHA!!!

I have heard many times over the years that God loves you and has a plan for your life. I thought that it was just a pat phrase that people used when trying to share and lead others to Christ. I did not put much stock in the phrase because nobody pointed out to me what that plan was. Now while I could fill in the blanks with my own ideas, it just became crystal clear to me what the Lord seeks to do DAILY through everyone that has put faith in His son Jesus. Ephesians 2: 10 says "For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
Everyday, whether we pray or not, whether we are prepared for the day or not, God has prepared situations specifically for us to encounter where we have the opportunity to do good. He brings people, problems, and circumstances our way that we are uniquely positioned to help. That, my friends, is awesome! Here is the plan. God plans, we embrace. Think about all of the times you have prayed "God use me, take me, let my life bring you glory." Think about all of the times after that where you had "inconveniences" cross your path where someone needed something from you. Think about the times where you were the only one to witness a situation or person that needed help. Coincidence? No, providence. God wants to use you. Just open your eyes to the opportunities He puts before you everyday.

Change My Name

How I long to rise to see myself everyday as God sees me. How many of us feel trapped by our nicknames, or even our birth names? How many of us feel tied to our circumstances? How many of us feel unable to shake free from the way we grew up? How many of us feel that we are married to failure?

"Isn't this the carpenter's son?" "Isn't this the son of Joseph?" "Has any good thing come out of Nazareth?" "A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country."

God is not tied to our circumstances. He is rightly called the God of Hope. He is the giver of every good and perfect gift. We do not have to be defined by our past, our present, our failings. Here is how I will define myself:

I am a child of God

I am forgiven of my sins

I am more than a conqueror through Him that first loved me

I am a part of God's family

I am a recipient of God's Holy Spirit

I have eternal life

I have an advocate (lawyer) with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous

I have a savior who will never leave me or forsake me

I have a God that loves me with an everlasting love

I have a God who will order my steps in His word

I have exceeding great and precious promises from God

I have the understanding that ALL THINGS will work together for good because I love God and

am called according to his purpose

Look up! Look up! God is seated in heaven. He is sitting down and absolutely in control!