Walk as He Walked

1 John 2:6 So to walk even as He walked.

 In order for us to even try to walk in the way Jesus walked on this earth, we must know how He walked. We must study the Scriptures and put them deep in our minds and hearts. Some of the things Jesus did: He ate with the tax collector who was deceptive and selfish and considered an outcast by his own people He allowed prostitutes to be included in his inner group He cared for all people, feeding them, healing them with no strings or expectations attached. He did not defend himself when people accused him falsely He did not react when people made fun of him He set his eyes on his purpose but allowed interruptions with grace and love. The list could go on and on, but, if you are like me, you already feel far too short of your goal to walk like our Lord. Jesus is glorified through the way we walk. Let us all seek him and prayer, confess our commissions and omissions and ask his Holy Spirit to enable us to walk in his way.

Turn Again

Lamentations 3:40 Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.

What an appropriate scripture for the beginning of a new year. It is good to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us ways that separate us from God. It is so easy for things to creep into our lives that separate us from His perfect will for us. These are areas in our lives we must turn away from and turn again to the Lord. These little areas catch us by surprise. They are not necessarily bad things, but they are things that keep us from doing His will for us. Take some time for a spiritual check-up. Your life will be greatly enriched when you do.

Soar Like Eagles

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

This verse of scripture has been quoted innumerable times in our church in the last 2 weeks. Just like a baby eaglet, we must learn to mount up and soar like the mature eagles do. Their wings are very strong and they have learned to soar on the winds. Our wind is the Holy Spirit. If we stay immersed in His Spirit we can soar through all of life. We must be well grounded in scripture to know how to let God’s Spirit stay within us and empower us to soar. When we are full of His Spirit and walking in His ways, we will “wait” on Him. The word “wait” is the same as our word “waiter” which means to serve. As we serve Him in the way and with the power He gives, we will walk constantly without fainting. Our walk will not weary us. Where we are weary we must look to see if we are trying to accomplish something for our own glory or by our own might. Let’s really keep our focus on God and His Word and stay in the power of His Holy Spirit in 2010

New Year

Phl 3:13-14

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus

  Today is the first day of a new year.  Hopefully you reflected on the past year yesterday.  Today is a day to take the advice offered in Philippians.  The past is past.  Ask God for forgiveness of the wrong things done and the right things left undone.  Accept His forgiveness and forgive yourself.  Forgive all those who have caused you hurt or pain and ask God to forgive them.  Then, put all that behind you along with your accomplishments of the old year.  It is time to press on toward the new.  Ask God to direct you.  Be open to new things from Him – new ministries, new talents, new adventures, new mountains and new valleys.  Change can be frightening only when we forget Who is the Author and Finisher of our lives.  Walk into the new knowing nothing can touch us without first passing through our Father’s hand.  Have a blessed and Christ centered 2010.

Loking Back and Forward

Jn 13:35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

 As 2009 ends and 2010 begins, many of us will take time to think back over the past year and wonder and make plans for the new year. The most important question is, “What about your life during the past year communicated the love of God to others?” The question for the next year, “How can you better show the love of God in your life to others you meet?” Love is expressed in many ways: a smile, a door held open, a phone call, a visit, an encouraging word.” The lack of love is also shown by what words come out of your mouth: a complaint, a bad word about someone else, gossip. Take time to reflect on the past year. Ask God to show you how you can better show and share His love with others during the next year. Let all people know you are His disciple by the way you show love for another.

Blessed are the Meek

Mt 5:5 Blessed are the meek,

So often this verse is misunderstood. The problem is in the word “meek.” Many think meek means weak. Those involved with horses understand “meek” is used to describe a stallion that has been domesticated. The stallion is still a powerful as he was before taming but that power is now under control of the rider. We are to use our power, the talents God gives us, under His control and direction. We are to be sensitive enough to His gentle touch on our reigns to know what direction He wants us to go. It is for God’s glory that we were created and given dominion over this earth. Are we meek? Are we under the control of our God? Do we feel His gentle nudge as the stallion feels the gentle pressure of the rider’s knee? Are our eyes ready to see the needs He puts in front of us? Be sure to take time to tune into the One Who holds your reigns.

Light Overcomes Darkness

Isa 9:25-26 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.

Many years ago we were in Carlsbad Caverns When we got into the center of the biggest “room” of the cave the guide asked us to stand very still. Then he turned off the lights to let us see what total darkness looked light. The he struck a match and we were amazed at how much light that tiny match flame shed in the huge cavern. Darkness cannot take over light. Light can and does overtake darkness. Jesus came into this world to bring God’s light. When we accept Him His light comes into us. It is up to us to let that light shine out to others in this world. Are you letting His light in you shine out? This world is consumed with darkness. It is up to us to let His light shine.

Eyes Have Seen Salvation

Lk 2:30-32 For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”

These words were said by Simian when he saw Jesus being brought to the temple for His name dedication. Tonight is Christmas Eve. I will be substituting for the organist at our church’s 6PM candlelight service. Our tradition is to go to an 11:00 candlelight service, which we have done every year of our marriage. We will go to a big church with bell ringers and glorious music. After that we ride around and look at the lights. When we get home it is Christmas day. We take time to thank God that we have seen His salvation in our own lives. We think Him for including gentiles with His blessing. We thank Him for giving us the ability to share His Great News with others through our ministries. We thank Him for the joy and love surrounding us and pray for those who don’t know His joy and love. We also pray for those who are persecuted because they do know His joy and love. I will probably shed some tears as I pray for those and for the ones who are separated by wars. But tonight and tomorrow are times to rejoice and praise God and give Him the glory for His wonderful gift to us. Have you seen the light of His revelation? If not, you can do so right now. Just accept His Son, Jesus, Whose birth we celebrate now, as God’s only Son, sent down in the form of human man, experiencing all we experience and dying on the cross without sin of His own but with our sins so we can be forgiven and adopted as children of God, the Father Almighty. Confess you are a sinner and ask Him to be the Lord of your life. Thank Him for forgiving you, forgive yourself and tell someone Jesus is your Lord and Savior. You’re life will never be the same again.

Transmissions

Ps 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God;

Yesterday our 16-year-old grandson asked to drive the golf cart. He was in a hurry as he was backing up and put it in drive without stopping, which resulted in a stripped transmission. That golf cart will not go anywhere now. We are much like the gears of a transmission. Between reverse and drive you must go through neutral. Being in a hurry in life without slowing down our “engines” (our brains and our bodies) results eventually in “stripping our gears.” We will soon find we cannot proceed anywhere. We must take time to “be still and know our God.” We cannot do this in constant activity. During these last 2 days before Christmas, don’t be so busy that you don’t take time to “be still and know your God.” These days are all about His Gift to us. We express His love by giving to others but let’s not forget to give Him the gift of our attention and love.

In the Midst of Joy

Gal 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

A group of us went caroling tonight. We went to the houses of those who were house bound. At one of the houses the lady is bed bound in the last stages of her battle with cancer. I hung back after the others left and prayed for her. As I left I say her husband with tears in his eyes. It meant so much to him that someone would stop and pray. In the midst of this joyous season there are many who suffer – physically, emotionally, financially and spiritually. We must be sure not to be so wrapped up in our joy that we fail to share the burdens of those around us who are suffering. Go do something for someone who is suffering today, be it a phone call, a visit or an errand.