I Celebrate the Day

Every since Adam and Eve rebelled, God has seen His fair share of heartaches and heartbreaks. God has seen His people oppressed by the Egyptians and later by the Babylonians. His people and many of His chosen leaders continually turned their backs on Him. Half of the kings of Judah and Isreal led the Israelites away from God and into destructive behaviors.

I can picture God with a heavy heart sitting Jesus down, like a father would a son getting ready to have a very serious conversation, and telling His beloved son, "This rebellion has gone on far too long. I have continually intervened on their behalf and they continue to rebel against Me....But I will never give op on My people. It is time, my Son, to truly set people free." I can picture Jesus giving His Father a hug, the type of embrace you would give someone that is getting ready to go on a long journey, and Jesus saying, with nervousness in His throat but confidence in His heart, "Let's do it!"

We read in Luke 4:16-22 that Jesus shows up at the local synagogue in Nazereth - the scroll of the prophet Isaiah is handed to Him and Jesus reads Isaiah 61:1;

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for He has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come." Then He said, "The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!" What could this mean?

Bring Good News to the poor: Many times when we think of this verse we think of the poor financially, but I always look at this verse differently thinking of the poor in spirit, spiritually bankrupt, having a void. So I decided to see what the word poor meant and it means, people in a vulnerable position, persecuted and oppressed. That is what all of us are without Jesus.

Captives released: Common sense tells us that Jesus did not just come for those in prison but for those in bondage in their addictions, destructive behaviors, or even bad religious habits. Anything that keeps you from God, He came to set you free from it.

Blind: Obviously we are not all physically blind. Many of us will see perfectly our whole lives, but Jesus says He wants us all to come out of our darkness and into the light.

Oppressed: Those who carry heavy burdens, those being abused, not just physically but emotionally, verbally, spiritually - by the world and its influences. Physical and mental distress.

Lord's favor: God's goodness even though we don't deserve it.

These verses apply to all of us. We hear all the time "Jesus came to die for you." But this Christmas remember...He was also BORN for you!

Check out this video...this song says it better than anything I have ever heard!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUjfN7cpv3o

Merry Christmas!!

Be blessed,
Steve

Two Paths

"You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate.
The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it."
Matthew 7:13-14

The image of two paths is common in Judaism. Analogies like the one we read here usually stand for two roads leading to either paradise or hell. One path looks rugged, the other appears smooth. We all get to this crossroad...

The narrow road is like the wedding feast in Matthew 22, where God sends out invitations not once, not twice but three times to come to His Son's wedding feast. We have all received this invitation. We stand at the crossroad and wonder is it worth it to get to the Father's house? The narrow road looks difficult, but you start down the path.

You are told that the sacrifice you are making is great.
The bruises you receive penetrate deep into your muscles to the point that you start to limp.
You constantly have to stop and stretch your back, legs and arms.
There are places to rest and put up your feet but those moments seem few and far between.
Your vision gets blurred and many times you lose your focus.
They tell you to never look back but it is easier said than done.
You have to always be alert because danger is near.
You hear voices in the woods telling you to give in and give up.
Some compare the journey to a fight, some to a battle.
Some say you can start to breed doubt.
The journey is long and tiresome and you wonder if you even chose the right path.

You hear how the other path is easier, even carefree.
They tell you the greatest temptation isn't the rugged path or the constant fighting, but wondering if you chose the right way.
That is when you start questioning everything and you feel the doubt.
You hear of this feast and how it is worth the trek but at times you wonder if maybe there is an easier route to this house.
You wonder if maybe the two paths connect to the same house. You hear rumors that all paths lead there.
So why not take the one with less cuts and bruises?
But you also hear the wounds of those on the smooth road aren't as visible but they run much deeper, even piercing the heart.
It is easy to convince yourself that those on the other path are better off, even happier.
Those who take the narrow path, well the majority, seem defeated, unjoyful and lack self-confidence.

But in John 14:6 Jesus said;
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."

Those who take the narrow road may get beat up. But we forget the good things that God does. God chose you - you did not choose Him. God intervened and destroyed my life - but now I have a peace that passes understanding.

So you stand at the crossroad of the two paths and count the cost. Deep down you know there is only one way and being welcomed to the feast will be well worth it, because many are called but few are chosen.

Be blessed,
Steve

Psalm Prayer

O' Lord why do You stand so far away? Why do You hide when I am in trouble? (Psalm 10:1) O' Lord how long will You forget me? Forever? How long will You look the other way? How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart everyday? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? Turn and answer me, O' Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die. (Psalm 13:1-3) Yet You are holy... (Psalm 22:1-3) I pray to You O' Lord, my rock. Do not turn a deaf ear to me. for if You are silent, I might as well give up and die. Listen to my prayer for mercy as I cry out to You for help, as I lift my hands toward Your holy sanctuary. (Psalm 28:1-2) Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but You. Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my request to You and wait expectantly. (Psalm 5:2-3) My life is poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax, melting within me. My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth... (Psalm 22:14-15) Do not stay far away from me, for trouble is near and no one else can help me. (Psalm 22-11) O' Lord don't rebuke me in Your anger or discipline me in Your rage. Have compassion on me, Lord, for I am weak. Heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony. I am sick at the heart. How long, O' Lord, until You restore me? (Psalm 6:1-3)

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. the skies display Your craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make You known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. (Psalm 19:1-4) When I look at the night sky and see the work of Your fingers, the moon, and the stars You set in place - what are the people that You should think about us, mere mortals that you should care for us? (Psalm 8:3-4)

I am praying to You because I know You will answer, O' God. Bend down and listen as I pray. Show me Your unfailing love in wonderful ways. By Your mighty power You rescue those who seek refuge from their enemies. (Psalm 17:6-7) My heart has heard You say, "Come and talk with Me." And my heart responds, "Lord, I am coming." You have always been my helper. Even if my Mother and Father abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.(Psalm 27:8-10) In my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from His sanctuary; my cry to Him reached His ears. (Psalm 18:6) At the blast of Your command, O' Lord, at the blast of Your breath, the bottom of the sea could be seen, and the foundations of the earth were laid bare. You reached down from heaven and rescued me; You drew me out of deep waters. He led me to a place of safety; You rescued me because you delight in me. (Psalm 18:15-16, 19) I love You Lord; You are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my Savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. You are my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. (Psalm 18:1-2)

Keep me safe, O' God, for I have come to You for refuge. (Psalm 16:1) My eyes are always on the Lord, for He rescues me from the traps of my enemies. (Psalm 25:15) Lead me in the right path, O' Lord, or my enemies will conquer me. Make Your way plain for me to follow. (Psalm 5:8) You renew my strength. You guide me along the right paths, bringing honor to Your name. (Psalm 23:3)

Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. (Psalm 27:3) I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for You were watching over me. (Psalm 3:4) To the faithful You show Yourself faithful; to those with integrity You show integrity.(Psalm 18:25)

May we shout for joy when we hear of Your victory and raise a victory banner in the name of our God. May the Lord answer all our prayers. (Psalm 20:5) Rise up, O' Lord, in all Your power. With music and singing we celebrate Your mighty acts. (Psalm 21:13) But I trust in Your unfailing love. I will rejoice because You have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because You are good to me. (Psalm 13:5-6) O' Lord, I give my life to You. I trust in You my God! No one who trusts in You will ever be disgraced... (Psalm 25:1-2)

I will praise You, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things You have done. I will be filled with joy becaluse of You. I will sing praises to Your name, O' Most High. (Psalm 9:1-2) Because we follow You, let Your face smile on us, Lord. (Psalm 4:6) What joy for all who take refuge in Him!!! (Psalm 2:12)

Be blessed,
Steve

Follow Me as I Follow

It amazes me how much our kids repeat our habits whether good or bad. Unfortunately, they seem to pick up our bad habits quicker than our good ones. It must be easier to do wrong...

"Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ."
Philippians 3:17-18

Sometimes we water down what Paul was really like. He was a murderer and not just some murderer but a killer of God's people. On that road to Damascus a ray of hope came into his life and now he doesn't just say pattern your lives after mine but he lives it. He urges the Corinthians to imitate his life in 1 Corinthians 4:16. That is a bold statement.

Can we say the same thing? Do we live a life that people want to follow?

How do we get to that place where people imitate us for a good, godly reason? Not because of our sense of style, our athletic ability, musical talent, or the house or car we own. But people want to be like us because we follow Christ?

"Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had." Philippians 2:3-5

Jesus brought the good news to the poor, proclaimed the captives free, the blind could see, the oppressed were set free. Not just physically but spiritually. He gave a voice to the mute and names to the faceless. Hope. He became one of us, but more than that, He became our servant, showing us how to live.

The only way to become like Christ is to spend time with Christ.

"Tell me how much time you spend alone with God and I will tell you how spiritual you are. Not how many meetings you go to, not how many gifts you have, not how many sermons you preach, not how many records you have made. Tell me what time you spend alone with God and I will tell you how spiritual you are." Leonard Ravenhill

Do people know you spend time with Jesus? They will by your life. This was true with Paul, the two prisoners, and the other disciples. To have the attributes, attitude and to be someone who people want to be like, you have to spend time with God. If you spend time with Jesus you will start to change and people will notice.

So the question is, why should people follow you?

Be blessed,
Steve

Who is in Control?

Remember the popular bumper sticker a few years back that said, "God is my co-pilot"? Think about that statement. If you truly believe that then it means God is not in control of your car, someone else is, and that someone is you.

One of the definitions of the word control is "the power to rule".

So who is really in control of your life?

Society tells us that we should take control of our life. And let's be honest, we love being in control. We think that our way is best so we have to give our opinion to anyone who will listen. Having some sort of control in our life isn't necessarily bad, but the attitude or motive behind it can be.

Colossians tells us these are some of the things lurking in us: lust, anger, selfishness, greed, pride, disobedience, gossip, envy, breaking your promises, dirty language, rage, idolatry, drunkenness, jealousy and impurity. Paul tells us that when we are in control these are the things that come out of us. They are lurking in us and as long as we have control over our lives they are going to keep coming back because we are ALL sinners!

But I hear over and over, "well I don't do that", "that isn't that bad" or "everyone does it". My favorite is "I'm a good person, especially compared to..." But Paul tells us in Romans 3 that no one is good! We are NOT the standard...God is...and when we compare ourselves to Him everyone will fall short.

We have filled our lives full of these heavy burdens, these sins. Jesus offers us freedom from these burdens but we have become comfortable with them. We are afraid to let go of our habits because anger may be the only way we know how to deal with things. Gossip makes us feel like a part of the crowd. Lust makes us feel wanted. Money makes us feel powerful. Pride makes us feel like we are somebody. But in Matthew 11:28-29 Jesus says He wants to take this burden from us. It is hard to let go of these habits in my life, which is silly because they are destructive not only to me but to others around me. But as I turn them over to Jesus He gives me: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control, Galatians 5:22-23.

Only He can do this. If you are not going to the cross, to Jesus Himself, you are only putting a band-aid over a wound. We need to remember that we are NOT God, we are NOT in control! If you claim to be a Christian you have nailed these sins to the cross. If we are going to be the body of Christ this crap has to go! You must give up control. You will know if you have control or if God does by what is coming out of you.

"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives." Galatians 5:24-25

Be blessed,
Steve

Being Pursued By God

What would you do if your spouse cheated on you...would you want to stay married?

God asked a certain prophet named Hosea to marry a prostitute and to remain faithful even though she would not remain faithful to him. Do you think you could do what God asked Hosea to do? Imagine Hosea's surprise when God asked him to take on this assignment. I would have loved to be a part of that conversation. If it was like mine and God's there was a lot of questioning on Hosea's part and he was really asking, "are You sure?"

Can you imagine Hosea asking Gomer to marry him? Or how that even happened? It had to be weird on both sides. Imagine marrying her knowing that she was going to be with other men, but he was still intimate with her. We know that Hosea fathered at least three of her children. Being intimate had to be difficult, just being a husband had to be hard for him. Knowing what was happening he had to have asked God, "Okay, how long do I have to endure this?" Read Hosea, it never says that they divorced or that he left her.

But this story isn't just about Hosea and Gomer or God and the Israelites or even the Father waiting for the prodigal son to come home. It is about us and our relationship with God. We all have a sin or struggle that we cannot seem to shake or get rid of...we ALL have at least one that we sit there and go...crap I did it again! Whether it be anger, bitterness, greed, envy, jealousy, gossip, lust, cussing etc...fill in the blank. When we do it we know we are letting God down and that is one of the worst feelings in the world.

Try to imagine God saying to you what He said in Hosea 2:2, “But now bring charges against Israel—your mother—for she is no longer my wife, and I am no longer her husband." OUCH!!! Imagine breaking God's heart soooo much that He finally has enough and wants to break it off. He gives you a divorce certificate. How would you feel?

We might say, "I thought He loved His people? That seems pretty harsh." But we put God in a catch 22 don't we...We curse Him when things go bad and we forget Him when things are going great.

But the awesome part is that God never does give us the divorce certificate...

This paints a beautiful picture of God's undying love for His people...

But we don't keep cheating on God just because He will forgive us. Paul warns us in Galatians 5:13 not to use our freedom to do what we please.

Where many of us would have bailed long ago, God sees redemption. Where we see damaged goods, God sees people with purpose.

Read Hosea chapter 2: 8, 13

This doesn't sound like a ticked off God. I picture the tears of a Father when he sees a hurting child. Yes, He is disappointed when I mess up, absolutely, it crushes Him! He doesn't ever enjoy disciplining us either. Why do I say that? Because when I read Hosea 2:13-16 I see a God that is in pursuit of you and I.

He will win us back...
Speak tenderly to me...
Transform my situation (whether circumstances or sin) into hope.
We will have intimacy with God again, a love that no human body can contain.
More importantly we will always have a relationship with Him, at least on His part.

Look at Hosea 2:19-20

Forever you will be His, this doesn't sound like someone who is tired of you.
He shows you a better way to live
Unfailing, always there
His compassion runs deep
You will know Him as God, your God.

Hosea 3:1 tells us that no matter what we do God will still love us...
The best thing to know is that you are not alone in this battle...even though you feel like it. You feel dumped on by this world, nothing seems to be going right, God is telling you He understands. We have done the same thing to Him for years and yet, He still pursues us even though He shouldn't give (at least me) the time of day. We get mad at Him when He doesn't seem to be working on our time table or is slow in answering a prayer or doesn't seem to answer at all. But the bottom line is we should tremble in awe of the Lord and His goodness as Hosea writes in 3:5. Yes, we do get beat down. Yes, we do screw up. But you know what? God is bigger than my sin and my circumstances. This isn't just a pep talk. I have been in the valley and on the mountain top. I have received good and bad news and God has asked me to do some hard things. But to know God is in pursuit of us is amazing all in itself, especially when I think about how much I have let God down. You confess - God forgives, I believe John tells us that in 1 John 1:9. And Paul tells us in Romans 8:38 that nothing can ever separate us from His love.

We bring the divorce papers - not God! We reject Him - He does not reject us!

Someone needs to hear that today...I know I did.

Read Hosea
6:6 - wants us to show love and to know Him
7:7 - wants us to cry out to Him
7:8 - wants to redeem us
7:14 - wants honesty from our hearts, tell Him how you really feel
7:16 - wants us to turn to Him
8:12 - wants us to listen to Him because He knows what is best
8:14 - when He is showering blessings on us (which is more than we give Him credit for) don't
forget Him
11:1 - He loves us
11:2 - He is calling us
11:3 - He helps us in our journey
11:4 - He leads us
11:8 - He doesn't give up on us
12:6 - Come back to Him when you find yourself slipping, learn to love and speak for those who
cannot speak for themselves, and always depend on Him
14:1 - Confess your sins/struggles to Him
14:2 - He will forgive us and graciously receive us.
14:7 - Be restored, refreshed and renewed...

Be blessed,
Steve

Make War

Many of us have been abused by this world. Like a helpless woman in an abusive situation we have endured physical, emotional or verbal abuse. We are not unlike the Israelites. They were abused and opressed. But God sent Moses and he got Aaron and together they went to rescue them.

God has heard your cry and He has sent someone to rescue you. He has come to set you FREE!!!

But after all He has done you refuse to trust Him. Like the Israelites you wonder if you should leave your captivity, after all it is all you have known. You come to the place where you and God are standing on a cliff. You look around you and realize it is all yours, freedom, peace, rest. But just like the Israelites in Deuteronomy 1, you see the giants. You realize all you will need to face and you wonder if it is really worth it. You know you will have to face them to gain total victory. You start wondering, doubting and questioning if you will ever win. And just like the Israelites you become weaker by the second because of all your doubting. You would think that the Israelites would have remembered all the miracles that just happened to set them free but obviously they forgot. We are just like them, God has done many miracles in our own lives. But what God has done is yesterday's news and we have today's battles.

Yet in Matthew 18 we are told that if we have faith as small as a mustard seed we can move mountains. Nothing is impossible with God!!!

But you say your mountains are too big.
Those people have really hurt me.
My scars are too deep.
I just can't seem to shake this sin off.
My debt. My sin. My hurt. My family. My spouse. My job or lack thereof. My health. My life.
Those are your mountains and you tell them to move and they don't. You wonder why you seem so defeated...well...can I be blunt...you are defeated. Excuses only dig you into a deeper hole. Murmuring and complaining only add to your headaches.

God told Moses that He was with him so he should go and conquer the land and crush those giants. That same promise is also for you. Just like God wouldn't let the Israelites fight the descendents of Anak alone, He won't let you face your giants alone.

For you to be free you must break that bondage. To be at peace means that you have to calm the inner turmoil. To have rest means that you must fight the battle. So you must FIGHT!!! In a fight you must endure and Jesus tells us in Matthew, "those who endure to the end will be saved." Let's be the new generation of Israelites that conquer when God tells them to. It is time to stand face to face with your giants, and your mountain, whatever it may be, and Make War!!!

Be blessed,
Steve

Being Renewed

Someday I would love to hear Lazarus tell me what happened the four days he spent in the grave. Did he go up to heaven and if he did was he disappointed to come back to earth? Or did he really feel like he was asleep, like it was all a dream? There are details I would love to know but I will leave it up to the scholars and my imagination. But what I do know is that we all have our own Lazarus story....

I, and many of you, have been there, feeling like all hope is gone. You are on your death bed and I am not talking physically, even though some of you have been there, I am talking spiritually. Jesus seems distant, like Lazarus must have felt when Jesus didn't come to heal him. We probably had the same question Lazarus had, "I thought Jesus loved me." The burdens and the doubts. You have more questions than answers. Your prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling and back to you. The Word seems to have lost its meaning and your circumstances seem to overpower your faith. As Casting Crowns says in one of their songs, your life becomes a slow fade. The desires for this world tempt you and you are like one without God.

Sometimes we are dead or dying (spiritually) because of our sins. Basically we are not following God's standard for how He would like us to live.

When we constantly go against what God desires for us it leads to decay and death, Galatians 6:8. When we are under control of our sinful nature we cannot, I repeat, CANNOT please God, Romans 8:8. A good prayer is the one I always quote, Psalm 139:24, point out anything that offends you and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Another reason you could be dead/dying spiritually is that you have fallen asleep. You're tired, worn out, you just can't seem to take another step. The battle has taken its toll and the wounds are just too big to mend. You feel like you are rotting in a grave and everyone has forgotten about you....

Your spiritual condition could be caused both from sin and weariness, but either way God wants to renew you!!! Webster's dictionary describes renew as to revive. We have hope, Colossians 2:13-15.

For those who are dead/dying because of sin God has made you alive with Christ, for He forgave all your sins!!!!! Not just the lust, greed and hatred, but the gossip, bad thoughts, the lying. Remember what happened at Calvary...your sins are nailed to that cross, that bad record...gone!!!! Remember Lazarus, we don't know this for fact, but knowing human nature when he got sick he may have gone to many doctors before he sent his sisters to Jesus. You need to turn to Jesus so He can renew your strength.

For those asleep, Jesus is telling you, like He told His disciples, it is time to wake up Lazarus for He is asleep. He is calling your name, He is weeping for you to wake up, for He misses you. You are God's masterpiece, Ephesians 2:8-10, you may feel forgotten by God like Lazarus and his family felt, but He has not abandoned you and He is going to finish the good work He started in you, Philippians 1:6.

Just like God did in the valley of the dry bones, He is breathing life back into you... That thumping you feel, it is your heart beating again. The power running through your veins, that is God. You should start to get feeling back because God is beginning to renew you!!!!

Be blessed,

Steve

Being Restored

For the last couple of months I have felt discouraged, trying to do things on my own, leaning on my own strength and wisdom (or lack thereof). Exhausted, drained and going through the motions. So I took a one month sabbatical to focus on being refreshed, redeemed, and restored. Am I fully there? No. But I have allowed the restoration and healing to take place in my life so I don't end up back in that dark lonely place.

Restoration: Webster's dictionary: To bring back to health and strength.

I want to share about a person in the Bible who went through the restoration process, hopefully we will see our story in here as well.

Matthew 26:31: Tonight all of you will desert me. I can imagine some of the looks on their faces. Thomas has that look on his face of confusion, like what are you talking about? Philip gives a silly look of disbelief. Matthew rolls his eyes and quietly tells Bartholomew, "I would never."

Jesus continues and quotes the prophet Zechariah and says, "God will strike the shepherd and the sheep of the flock will be scattered." Peter chimes in boldly what everyone is privately thinking and the bunch stops. "Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you." Jesus replies, "I tell you the truth, Peter - this very night, before the rooster crows you will deny me three times." Peter responds, "Not even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!" Here is the clincher..."And all the other disciples vowed to do the same."

Haven't we all gotten cocky like Peter and the other disciples? After a prayer meeting, a conference, a concert, a church service, missions trip, camp, retreat, or anytime we get a touch from the Almighty, we get pumped, excited, the blood rushes through our veins, we start making bold statements like Peter and the rest of the disciples, "I will die for you" or we have said "I will not let You down again God!!!" And poor Jesus says the same thing He probably did to the disciples, "Just settle down there powerhouse, relax." Because look what happens in the next couple of verses during one of the most crucial points in history. The disciples are sleeping, while Jesus is praying His heart out. Not once, not twice, but three times He had to wake them up. Funny, only a couple of hours have passed, not days or months, since they made their declaration to Jesus, and they are already getting lazy. Unfortunately, we have all been there, done that and got the t-shirt.

In verses 69-75 we read how Peter did end up denying Jesus. We all have been in Peter's shoes. I don't know exactly what Peter was feeling or not feeling but I know what I feel like when I let God down. I don't know about you, but it is the worst feeling in the world. I actually lose all feeling, I become numb. My heart sinks, my shoulders slump, my eyes are locked looking to the ground, I don't know if I should cry, yell or stay silent. I can sense a dark cloud hovering over me, almost a depressing feeling. I am the kid in the candy store that got caught stealing and I don't have any excuses for why I did what I did. I just want to be alone, to just run away, even death looks pretty good. Speechless and numb...

But there are brighter days!!!!

We read in John 21:15-17 where Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him. It is like Jesus is reminding Peter of a very meaningful conversation they had back in Matthew 16...Jesus never forgot. Yeah Peter let Jesus down BIG time but Jesus still restores him and remembers His promise to Peter. It is like He is telling Peter, "Yeah you did let me down, heck you denied knowing me." But I can see Jesus looking into Peter's eyes and telling Him through John 21, "Man, you are FORGIVEN AND FREE!!!" WOW!!!

And guess what? He hasn't forgotten you either! None of you are far from His outstretched arms.

Right now He is removing the guilt, the shame and the dark cloud of crappiness that has been hovering over you. You are starting to see rays of hope and healing. That feeling, yeah, that is called hope. Remember that feeling of strength and health, it is coming back. I'll never forget when my dad spanked me it was the worst feeling, not just the physical pain but the emotional pain as well, letting my dad down. But what was awesome was the hug afterwards, it always let me know it was all going to be okay. Jesus, just like He did with Peter, is picking you up right now, restoring you in right standing with Him, embracing you and telling you that you are FREE and FORGIVEN!!! David says it best in Psalm 23:3, "He restores my soul..." So it is time to stand up straight and give God praise!!!!!

Be blessed,
Steve

Our Focus is Off...

We've seen it before. A group of friends from church go out to lunch after service. They are talking about how awesome church was and how mightily God moved, but before you know it the conversation changes. First someone critiques the worship team, then someone starts in on the pastor and before you know it they are all sitting around bashing everyone and everything they can think of.

For some reason I don't think this is what God had in mind when He started the church. Why do we do this?

Well, we could justify our actions and say that it is our human nature and we are a part of this fallen and sinful world. Or we could use the excuse that everyone does it. But what did Jesus tell us in Matthew 7:1-5? Don't we love to do this...point out someone else's speck (faults) instead of dealing with our own log (shortcomings)? Isn't it much easier to judge someone else's heart than to stare into the mirror and do a self-evaluation?

Many times I find myself seeing where others fail, judging or criticizing them, when my relationship with God isn't what it should be. Or, I do these things when my complete focus isn't on God. The problem is that we are spending way too much time focusing on others instead of God. During worship we are thinking more about the style of music, the selection of songs, than we are about God Himself. Even with other ministries we love to tell someone how to run them but we won't get involved ourselves. As long as we are focused on others it keeps the attention off of us. We should spend our time lifting our eyes towards God, if we did that we wouldn't have to worry about what people around us are doing.

When we are looking up and fixing our eyes on God, we should pray Psalm 139:24, "Point out anything in me that offends You". When we complain, criticize or judge we are part of the problem and not the solution.

In 1 Corinthians chapter 5 the Bible does tell us that there is a time when we should judge, not gossip or criticize, someone in the church. In the context of this scripture the Corinthian church was allowing a man in their congregation to sleep with his step mother, gross, but they were not doing anything about it. In Luke 17:3-4, we are told that if someone is sinning we should rebuke them, but also be willing to forgive and be patient with them. At the same time we should make sure that the sin they are committing is not rebellion against a man-made rule, petty church dogma, or a conviction we may have in OUR relationship with God.

When I got saved, I was discipled by some very religious Christians. I got to the point that I would judge believers who didn't listen to Christian music. If an artist didn't say Jesus in their lyrics I looked down on them. This is not good, why not? Let's look at Romans 14:21-23. We all have our own convictions in some gray areas. Take music for example. I listen to harder Christian music and I have been in many debates with other believers about whether the music is actually "Christian" or not. I had one customer in particular come into the Christian bookstore where I work. He said that he could feel the devil in the music I listened to. I told him to stop judging and asked him some questions and we got into a good debate. Later on, I felt God telling me to give him some free music that we had in the back of the store. I gave him some worship and gospel music. We talked things out, apologized and moved on. This last Thursday he came in and came straight to me and said thanks for the music. He shared with me that he recently lost his 21 year old son and that the music I gave him really helped him to heal.

Another good example of Romans 14 today is what we watch or what we wear. Those are our own convictions. If a person claims to be a Christian and is sexually immoral, lusting, into idolatry etc...we should confront them. But make sure you do it out of love and you have checked the log in your own eye before trying to get the speck out of theirs.

Read James 3:7-12. How can we lift our hands and praise God, say we love God, claim to be a follower of Christ and bash, criticize or judge another person's heart or character, especially if they are a believer?

We shouldn't, and we need to stop. Every single one of us is guilty of this. No wonder people don't want to come to church. Especially when we are claiming we love God with one breath and cursing our brother or sister with the next. We complain about them to our families, in front of our kids, to our friends, non-believers, co-workers and fellow believers.

I don't believe this is what God intended for His church.

Read 2 Corinthians 12:19-21. If Jesus were to come to your church or mine would He find these things going on? Just remember He doesn't need to come in physically. He knows if you do them or not. But James 4:11 tells us "Don’t speak evil against each other".

Many times it isn't the "BIG" sins in our lives, but the "little" ones that can destroy us. Things like gossip, judging others, criticizing and complaining. God wants us to experience His full glory and stop these petty things as we crave Him and His Word, 1 Peter 2:1-3.

We are told in Ephesians 4:29, "Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them."

If we are focused on God, we will please Him. Let God take care of the details of others' lives. Our AIM should be to live in harmony and build one another up as it says in Romans 14:17-19. Because as the Bible says the world will only know us by our love...

Be blessed,
Steve

Simple Prayer

Deuteronomy 8:9-18

"It is a land where food is plentiful and nothing is lacking. It is a land where iron is as common as stone, and copper is abundant in the hills. When you have eaten your fill, be sure to praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. “But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees thatI am giving you today. For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful! Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. Do not forget that he led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with its poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock! He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. He did allthis so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in orderto fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath."

* To heed this warning in Deuteronomy, the Jewish people developed a tradition of offering specific, short prayers throughout the day - from when they awoke until they fell asleep.

* Each of these tiny prayers of thanksgiving are called Barakah, which means blessings.

* In the English language the word blessing usually means having favor upon someone, but the Bible often speaks of the word blessing to mean praise, to acknowledge God as the source of all blessings. In Deuteronomy 8:10 many translations use the word blessings instead of praise.

* The word Barakah to the Jew also means to kneel down. So when you combine the words praising and kneel down, the Barakah means to kneel down mentally and humbly praising God for His goodness.

In Jesus' day each prayer was just one short line that started with "Blessed is He". Within a couple of years, the Rabbi's declared that one should call on the name of the Lord in prayer by using the phrase, King of the Universe. So the past 1,700 years the first line in their prayer is this...Blessed are you, O'Lord our God, King of the Universe."

Jews had a simple prayer or Barakah for everything...for opening your eyes by saying, "Blessed is He who opens the eyes of the blind." For after you went to the bathroom, budding flowers, a rabbi, a beautiful person, being reunited, the smell of an orange, saying "Blessed is He, who has given us the pleasant smell of fruits." Or when someone died, "Blessed is He, who is the True Judge."

I was watching Morgan and having a conversation with her...and I got this overwhelming feeling of gratitude and the presence of God. We all have had these moments whether it be at work, in the car, spending time with family or friends, at a funeral, wedding or sunset. Those moments cause us to bow our hearts and in thanksgiving to give simple praise, a Barakah.

Unfortunately, we take a lot of life (blessings) for granted...It doesn't rain in Israel from May to October and Israel isn't really known for their rain showers period. One Rabbi says this, "The best time to pray is during a rain shower, because God is in a good mood, ready to hand out blessings." Another Rabbi says, "Rain gives joy to the whole world, including birds and flowers... the only time we give praise is during a dry time."

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 tells us to, "pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances..."

We also complain...a lot...

Our jobs, our circumstances, our church, spouses, our performance, kids, how we have sounded when we sang or taught, how much we get paid... When we should learn from the Jews in the simple prayer of Barakah...even though it is traditional and repititious, we can learn to mentally or physically bow our hearts in thanksgiving and praise to God...

See also;
Ephesians 5:18-20
Colossians 3:15
Philippians 4:6

Be blessed,
Steve

Motions by Matthew West

What if we gave God everything? Would our lives look different? If God's passion truly burned in our hearts would we be able to just go through the motions?

I created this video to challenge us with these questions. Are you tired of going through the motions? Do you want to experience more of God?

Watch this video and tell me what you think.

Be blessed,
Steve

Job well done religion look what you have created...

I am not a second, third or fourth generation pastor. I didn't cut my teeth on the church pews. Growing up attending church wasn't high on the priority list not even on Christmas or Easter. Then on September 22, 1995, God decided to intervene and change my world view forever. A decade plus years later I find myself smack dab right in the middle of the American Christian subculture. (aka the bubble).

After living my way for the first 18 years I was suddenly immersed into a whole new planet.

Becoming a believer, as we all know, is like trying to fit into a foreign land. You have to learn a whole new language (Christianize), culture (do's and don'ts) and ideas (the seven steps to this or that). The only thing that is different about settling into the Christian culture, than the secular world, is that you always have to be ready for a pot luck.

When you first become a believer in Christ, everything seems exciting and perfect. Then over time the spiritual glasses come on and a different picture comes into focus. You start to realize there are far more Pharisees in the church than followers of Christ. Instead of looking at images of Jesus' followers on Sunday mornings, you see reflections of man and our rules.

Come to think of rules, it is not that hard to adjust and adapt to the Christian culture. You learn very quickly what words to say, when to raise your hands in worship, pull the heart strings of human emotions, and to take off your hat when you pray.

My question to you is this, if Jesus were to walk into the majority of churches today how would He be received? Unfortunately, I think if Jesus were to walk into most churches He would be shunned and sadly we probably wouldn't even recognize Him.

Why are people not only leaving the churches in droves but their faith altogether? Where have we gone wrong? Maybe because what Jesus taught isn't lived out in our lives? Maybe we have become more rule oriented than driven by love? Whatever the excuse, it needs to change.

Is the American Church living the same Jesus that is portrayed in the Bible?

Be blessed,
Steve

A Heart Like Jesus - Max Lucado

What if, for one day, Jesus were to become you?

What if, for twenty four hours, Jesus wakes up in your bed, walks in your shoes, lives in your house, assumes your schedule? Your boss becomes his boss, your mother becomes his mother, your pains become his pains? With one exception, nothing about your life changes. Your health doesn't change. Your circumstances don't change. Your schedule isn't altered. Your problems aren't solved. Only one change occurs.

What if for one day and one night, Jesus lives your life with His heart? Your heart gets the day off, and your life is led by the heart of Christ. His priorities govern your actions. His passions drive your decisions. His love directs your behavior.

What would you be like? Would people noctice a change? Your family - would they see something new? Your co-workers - would they sense a difference? What about the less fortunate? Would you treat them the same? And your friends? Would they detect more joy? How about your enemies? Would they receive more mercy from Christ's heart than from yours?

And you? How would you feel? What alterations would this transplant have on your stress level? Your mood swings? Your temper? Would you sleep better? Would you see the sunsets differently? Death differently? Taxes differently? Any chance you would take fewer aspirin or sedatives? How about your reaction to traffic delays? (Ouch, touch a nerve). Would you still dread what you are dreading? Better yet, would you still do what you are doing?

Would you still do what you had planned to do for the next twenty four hours? Pause and think about your schedule. Obligations. Engagements. Outings. Appointments. With Jesus taking over your heart, would anything change?

Adjust the lens of your imagination until you have a clear picture of Jesus leading your life, then snap the shutter and frame the image. What you see is what God wants. He wants you to "think and act like Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5

God's plan for you is nothing short of a new heart. If you were a car He would want to control your engine. But you are a person, so God wants to change your heart. "...let the spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God - truly righteous and holy." Ephesians 4:23-24

God wants you to be just like Jesus. He wants you to have a heart like His. I'm going to risk something here. It's dangerous to sum up grand truths in one statement, but I'm going to try.

God loves you just the way you are, but he refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus.

God loves you just the way you are. If you think His love for you would be stronger if your faith were, you are wrong. If you think His love for you would be deeper if your thoughts were, wrong again. Don't confuse God's love with the love of people. The love of people often increases with performance and decreases with mistakes. Not so with God's love. He loves you right where you are.

God's love never ceases. NEVER!!!! Though we spurn Him. Ignore Him. Reject Him. Despise Him. Disobey Him. He will not change. Our evil cannot diminish His love. Our goodness cannot increase it. Our faith does not earn it anymore than our stupidity jeopardizes it. God doesn't love us any less if we fail or more if we succeed. God's love never ceases.

God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way.

Be blessed,
Steve

Silence...

Why are we so uncomfortable with silence?

Our lives are surrounded by noise. We seem to fill every moment of every day with some kind of activity. Even during our down time we watch tv, listen to our iPods or have the stereo on. Do we ever take time in silence to "listen" to God? Does your schedule, the way you spend your time, the way you live your life look like someone who wants to hear from God?

You are in control of your priorities. If you chose to fill your life with noise and not make time for God that is your choice. But in Matthew 5:14 Jesus calls us to be a "city on a hill" and a "light to the world". That light can't shine if it isn't plugged in to the light source! We can accomplish a lot for ourselves but if we leave God out our efforts are pointless.

God wants you to grab the remote control of your life and shut the busyness off. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God!" We need to be silent before God and listen to what He is trying to tell us. He will point out those things in our life that offend Him, Psalm 139:24, yet verse 17 tells us that His thoughts about us are "precious". He loves us! He wants to restore, refresh and renew our relationship with Him! He wants to encourage and strengthen us!

I have Matthew 6:33 tattooed on my arm but do I remember to live it? We add all this stress to our lives trying to do so much on our own when Jesus told us that worry won't accomplish anything. We should be focused on Him and He will make everything else fall into place. Why do we fill our schedule with so much busyness and noise and worry and stress when all it does is sap our strength?

I challenge you this week to spend time alone with God every day. Try turning everything off and allow God to speak through the silence. Good communication is essential in any relationship, and that involves listening as well as speaking. Don't be uncomfortable with the silence. Quiet your heart and really listen to what God is saying to you.

Be blessed,
Steve

At The Refuge we get naked...

Do I have your attention now?

I wish other churches would be brave enough to do the same. It is hard to be naked, even in front of your spouse. When you are naked you are vulnerable, EVERYTHING is visible. But when we are in total humility and surrender before our God that is when He can begin to poke and prod and weed out all the secret sins and rebellion that we try to keep hidden deep inside where no one can see. God knows us so well...Psalm 139 reminds us that God knows all about us...even our very thoughts...we can't hide anything from Him. But still we try. We go along day by day living our lives and telling the world that we are following God but maybe what we are really following is a set of beliefs set down for us by some institution.

In the book, Jim and Casper go to Church, author Jim Henderson says this about the way he sees Christians attempting to live their lives:

"Beliefs are part of life, but when we make them the central identifier of our lives, they can make us mean at worst and shut off to good ideas at the very least. I simply think Christians need to make a small change. We need to major in otherliness and minor in beliefs, that's all."

Are you guilty of practicing "beliefism" or "otherliness"? Is it about religion or a relationship?

God, the God who created the universe, loves us and sacrificed His only Son for us!! We need to prostrate ourselves before this incredible, holy and righteous God! In total submission we should ask Him to reveal to us anything that offends Him (Psalm 139:23-24) and to cleanse us from that sin and renew in us a passion for Him! We need to remember that we are sinners, just the same as the drunk at the bar, no better, no different. We need to humble ourselves before God and cry out to Him like David did after sinning with Bathsheba:

Have mercy on me, O God,
because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion,
blot out the stain of my sins.
Wash me clean from my guilt.
Purify me from my sin.
For I recognize my rebellion;
it haunts me day and night.
Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;
I have done what is evil in your sight.
You will be proved right in what you say,
and your judgment against me is just.
For I was born a sinner—
yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.
But you desire honesty from the womb,
teaching me wisdom even there.

Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Oh, give me back my joy again;
you have broken me—
now let me rejoice.
Don’t keep looking at my sins.
Remove the stain of my guilt.
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a loyal spirit within me.
Do not banish me from your presence,
and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you.
Then I will teach your ways to rebels,
and they will return to you.
Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves;
then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness.
Unseal my lips, O Lord,
that my mouth may praise you.

You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.
You do not want a burnt offering.
The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
Psalm 51:1-17

I urge you today to get naked! Be broken and repentant before God. Until you do you will never be able to move on...to truly experience God's grace and mercy...to really be used by Him.

Experience intimacy with God as you never have before...be real...be humble...be open...be transformed...get naked!!

Be blessed,
Steve

John the Baptist in modern times

He was one of the icons of America. Millions of youth gathered to see him, to hear him, to be with him. Anything he did, they did. Millions followed him blindly. And then one day, everything changed.

He met Jesus.

Jesus changed his life. Suddenly his former life of drugs, alcohol, parties and carelessness was a disgusting nightmare to him. He was transformed by the grace of God.

His hair grew into dreadlocks. His clean-shaven face took on a beard. He tattooed his entire body, as if he was a piece of artwork. Suddenly he was a walking storybook of God's love. Images of God's life-changing grace were forever burned onto his body. His message changed from selfish and empty words to truth.

He had wasted his entire life up to this point...he never wanted to go back there again. He became a modern John the Baptist...the man in the "wilderness", the crazy one, the scary-looking man who shouted out prophecies against fake religion and preached about the Kingdom of God in a new and intriguing way. He was the man who rejected the wealthy, elite, and respected, and spent his time with losers... druggies...criminals...

He brought hope and love to the outcast of our society, and continues to reach out to those who most label as hopeless.

His name is Brian "Head" Welch. For more of his testimony visit www.brianheadwelch.net. You can also read his autobiography, Save Me From Myself, or Washed By Blood a rewrite of his autobiography formatted into chapters that can be used for small group study, complete with discussion questions. You can also purchase his first solo CD, "Save Me From Myself", online or at select Christian retail outlets and some Target stores.

Be blessed,
Steve

Making 2009 count...

Proverbs 14:23 says, "Work brings profit but mere talk leads to poverty."

We all have dreams, passions, and goals that we want to see achieved in our lifetime. When I was a youth pastor in Kansas I took the youth kids to the local cemetery. As we walked around and looked at the headstones we stopped and had a discussion about life and death at the cemetery. One thing I did notice about the headstones and the people buried underneath them was the dreams, passions and goals that were never met. They were buried with them. Yes, some met their goals and saw their dreams come true but many just talked about their dreams, like Solomon tells us in the Proverb. It takes hard work, God's favor and you need to take a risk to see your passions achieved.

In I Samuel 16 we see Samuel looking for a new king to take over Saul's spot. When he is led to Jessie's house he looked at all of his children and finally came across David and anointed him. David was not Samuel first choice but David was God's choice. Once David was anointed "God's spirit came upon him powerfully."

God has gifted you to do something for His kingdom. He has given you desires and passions to see fulfilled, so make 2009 count. Stop talking and start doing... don't be buried with your dreams.

Be blessed,
Steve