Being fake

In Luke 18:9-13, Jesus is telling a parable about a Pharisee and a tax collector. How they both were praying and the Pharisee said out loud, "Thank you that I am not a sinner like everyone else, especially like that tax collector." The Pharisee goes on to tell God how "good" and "spiritual" he is. But the tax collector (they were despised and hated among the people) stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead he beat his chest in sorrow saying, "O God, be merciful to me, for I am sinner." Jesus goes on to say that the tax collector, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God.

In Matthew 21:31, Jesus tells the crowd how the prostitutes will inherit the kingdom of God before the Pharisees (religious). Too many times we look for the right words to say or try to prove to God how good we are, even if Romans 3:10 tells us no one is good.

God is looking for the real, the broken, and those who want to pursue Jesus. We have to stop putting on a show. God sees through the mask we put on.

So be like the tax collector, someone who realizes he is messed up and needs God to embrace and forgive him. Let God wrap you in His arms.

Be blessed,

Steve

I'm NOT ALRIGHT!!!

1 Kings 17-19 recounts the story of Elijah and the many miracles God performed through him. Yet, even after all God brought Elijah through we see in 1 Kings 19:3-4 that Elijah runs away when his life is threatened by Queen Jezebel. He becomes dispondent...he says, '“I have had enough, Lord,”...“Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”' This blows me away...after all these miracles why would Elijah RUN?

I look back at my life and remember some of the miracles God has done through me and for me. But my first 2 1/2 years back in Colorado I went into a complete depression. I felt the enemy attacking constantly; I became drained, weak, questioning my calling and faith. I just wanted to sleep the day away. I asked God to take my life.

Just like Elijah I had to admit that I was not alright!!!! But God tapped me on the shoulder and reminded me that He was still with me, even though I was walking through the wilderness. My bread and jar of water in the wilderness came in the healing of my daughter and in seeing a lump go away on a girl afraid that it was cancerous. I was seeing lives changed for the glory of God right in front of my eyes. Once followers of the evil one they were now becoming disciples of the Most High!!!!

Think about the miracles God has done through you and for you....

Think about the times when you were in the wilderness, when God gave you the hot bread and water....

Think about those days when life was not worth living, your faith didn't seem real, God seemed distant and you just wanted to sleep the day away.

He is still with you!!

It is okay to say you are not alright, you are broken inside. But remember all that you go through leads back to Him!!!!

In Matthew 6 Jesus reminds us to look at the lilies of the field...look at our mountains, stars, the sunrise or sunset...the birds of the air, and yet you are far more valuable to God than these things.

Stop looking for God in the big things of life. Look instead at the small things; a child's smile, a simple hug or a kiss from a loved one. But more importantly - your Father's whisper that you are His!!!

Be blessed,

Steve

When the Spirit of the Lord...

Last year my wife preached at a women's night at our church. When she came home she was telling all about what had happened that night. As she was preaching she said that it was like somebody else had taken over. At the end of the night as she was praying for and seeing women give their hearts to the Lord she felt drained. In the next couple of days she would try to go to bed and the Lord wouldn't let her sleep and so she would start writing another sermon. I couldn't believe the excitement and renewed passion for God in her life.

As I have been doing a study on the life of King Saul, I came across a verse in I Samuel 10:6, that reminds me of what my wife experienced.

I Samuel 10:6, "At that time the Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you and you will prophesy with them. You will be changed into a different person."

When King Saul allowed God to move the Spirit of the Lord accomplished things through Saul that he couldn't do by himself. God has been telling my wife to preach for a long time. When she finally gave in the Spirit of the Lord accomplished mighty things through her.

So the question is...will you let the Spirit of the Lord come powerfully on you?

Imagine what God could do through you if you let Him?

For further study read Acts 2.

Be blessed,
Steve

God's love letter

Have you ever doubted God? Feeling you have let God down over and over and there is no way He could forgive you again? Felt worthless? Unreliable? Like you can never live up to God's standards?

Why should I even be living? What is the point?

All those are lies..... Here is what God says about you...

"I made and created you (Psalm 119:73). I made all the delicate, inner parts of your body and knit you together (Psalm 139:13). I watched as you were being formed in utter seclusion (Psalm 139:15). I saw you before you were born, everyday of your life was being recorded in my book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed (Psalm 139:16). Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman to the world (Jeremiah 1:2). Long ago, even before I made the world, I loved you and chose you to be in Christ, my Son, to be holy without fault in my eyes. My unchanging plan has always been to adopt you into my family, by bringing you to myself through my Son, Jesus the Christ (Ephesians 1:4-5). Even though all have sinned and all have fallen short of my glorious standard, but in my gracious kindness, I declare you not guilty. I have done this through my Son Jesus the Christ, who has freed you by taking away your sins (Romans 3:23-24). For I have sent my Son into the world and gave my only Son, so that anyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). I am not really being slow about my promise to return, as some people think. No, I am being patient for your sake. I don't want anyone to perish, so I am giving more time for everyone to repent (II Peter 3:9). I did not send my Son into the world to condemn it (John 3:17). Remember that you are in a race that everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. All athletes practice self control. They do it for a prize that will fade away, but you do it for an eternal prize (II Corinthians 9:24). Run with endurance the race that I have set before you. You do this by keeping your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith (Hebrews 12:1-2). From the ends of the earth cry out to me, when your heart is overwhelmed. I will lead you to the towering rock of safety, for I am your safe refuge, a fortress where your enemies cannot reach you (Psalm 61:1-3).

I love you (John 3:16).

Your Heavenly Father"

Be blessed,
Steve