Thank You…

I’m so grateful today to know the Lord. He is so good to me! Not only has he saved me and delivered me from my past and covered my sins in the blood, but he has restored my life. I can honestly understand the passage of scripture that says, I shall not want. I’m not lacking any good thing. He’s completed my life. He alone! I’ve found that being complete and content doesn’t require a wife, a lot of money, “stuff”, or anything else this world has to offer. He has made me complete. Now anything else is icing on the cake. Cake that has all sorts of ingredients mixed into it. Ingredients of trials along with sweetness, brokenness and stirring. It’s cake that has been through the oven, or as we like to say, “the fire”. And because He did the mixing, He’s involved in it all. He’s been faithful. He’s caused all things to work together for my good, to show that He is good. And when people in my life taste the product of what He’s made, they can taste His goodness.

Thank you Father for your goodness to me. Thank you for your kindness. I pray that others will see you when they see me. I pray that others will want what I have, which is YOU!

Peace Like A River

Peace like a river

Isaiah 66:12

For thus says the LORD, “Behold, I extend peace to her like a river…”

When I went to college in Tennessee, one of my favorite things to do was to go up to the river with my friends. We would put on our swimsuits and take off our shoes and walk all over and even slide down the big rocks that the river had smoothed over.

There aren’t too many rocky places where you can walk barefoot without being injured. It’s dangerous. The rocks are sharp. It’s hard, it’s irritating, and you can’t run like you could on a smooth surface. But there’s something different about the rocky places that the river runs through. The same rocky place that was such torture to travel through becomes full of stepping-stones. That ground that hindered your walk becomes transformed into something you can now venture through with stride. That’s what the river does.

In the book of Isaiah, the word compares the peace of God to a river. What a beautiful picture of what this peace does to the rocky places in our lives. Sometimes life causes us to go into places that are rough. Even the will of God can require us to walk into situations that are difficult and potentially painful. Often the paths we take aren’t easy. They’re tough. The troublesome seasons, the scary seasons, the hostile environment, the stressful workplace, recovering from addictions, death, illness, finances, divorce, wayward children. We walk through things that could tear us up. These are the places where the peace of God is so irreplaceable in our lives. It allows us to continue on the course that we’ve begun. With the peace of God, these places lose their ability to trip you up and slow you down. The things that would prevent you from moving further due their threatening conditions can now be walked upon thanks to the river of peace. Yes, they are still rocky places, but they are rocky with a river!

The good news is this… This peace like a river is available to us as believers. Jesus said, “Peace I give to you. Not as the world gives.” He’s still giving it today. As a matter of fact, the moment you entered the family of God it was deposited into your very being. Galatians tells us it’s a product of the Holy Spirit. Grasp onto it today. Keep your mind on Him. Talk to Him and tell him what you need with a thankful heart. Ask God for His peace to smooth over the path in front of you through a divine internal, unexplainable tranquility that comes though your faith in His love for you.

Philippians 4:6-7

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep him in perfect peace,

Whose mind is stayed on You,

Because he trusts in You.

The Temple of God

The temple of God has always been such a special place. Intricately designed by God the father himself. In Exodus chapter 26, God gave Moses such specific instructions to follow when building the tent of tabernacle. The details are so exact that there’s no room for interpretation. It’s precise. It’s clearly spoken by the Lord, for the Lord, the way He wants it. -The way it needs to be. This goes here, that goes there. This is to be this color and this is to be the fabric…woven this way. I want this many of these over here, 7 inches apart from the 8th fold of the 17th crease of the 3rd side.

You get the point- it was specific!

Not only for the inside, but also for the courtyards which surround it.

Later when a new temple was being built in 1 Chronicles, God placed the instructions into David’s heart, once more to a tee. In both of these instances, God’s design was so elaborate and beautiful that nothing needed to be added. Nothing human minds could have conjured up would have made it more beautiful. On the same hand, nothing needed to be taken away either. Each piece was thought up, designed, and perfectly placed to the likings of the master designer of the universe! Who could argue? If there were any questions of, “Why is that there?” or “What is that for?” the builders could just simply say, “Because that’s the way God wants it.”

Since Christ Jesus came and purchased our very lives, the temple of God is no longer made of stone or woven threads.

1 Corinthians 6:19 -20 says, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

You are a temple. I am a temple. And God still has specific instructions for his temples. This hasn’t changed. The temple is still God’s design. He’s still definitive on it’s interior and it’s surroundings. It’s designed with purpose and to His liking. And there’s nothing we could add that would increase splendor, and nothing we should remove or neglect that’s a part of God’s design. Honor God with your temple today. Guard it and be careful of what you bring inside. The Holy Spirit desires all of it! There’s no room for our junk. There’s no room for anxiety, or fear, nor is there room for any idols. Get into the word and be reminded of God’s instructions today. Make the changes he desires and if anyone has anything to say about it, you can respond with…” That’s the way God wants it!” What a high honor that He would live inside of us. What proof that we’ve been made beautiful by design through Him who loves us.

Chris Taylor

Equipped

There was a stay at home wife who kept trying to get her husband to get a good lawn mower. The husband was always so tired after a full day’s work that he kept putting it off. One day the wife who was fed up with the overgrown yard decided she’d try a new approach. She figured if she could make him feel guilty, he might get it done. So that evening after a long day of work, the husband pulls in the driveway to find his wife outside cutting the grass with a pair of scissors. He walks inside and comes right back out, then handing his wife a toothbrush he said, “don’t forget to sweep the porch when you’re finished.”

Of course this is humorous, but as crazy as it seems to visualize someone cutting a yard with scissors, there are many who aren’t taking advantage of the proper tools they have access to. Through God we’ve been given everything we need to live and to work for Him, yet sometimes we settle for our own methods. We use tools crafted by this world rather than tools from the creator of the universe. To put it this way seems so foolish, but it’s true. When a couple has marriage problems, they seek secular counsel, or a new spouse to better fit their needs. When someone struggles with identity, they try to find who they are through searching out what pleases them. When someone feels they’ve been wronged, they used the tool of retaliation. When someone needs freedom from addition, they try all types of tools, but they aren’t doing the trick. There are those who can’t get past a season of mourning because they’re stuck on the tool of anti-depressants.

Then there are others who use tools of persuasion and charisma combined with opinion to preach a message. Singers who use the tool of vocal ability alone to lead people into worship. Youth leaders who use only games and outings to train up warriors. These are examples of using scissors to mow the yard. There are powerful and effective tools ready and available to the believer.

Here’s the thing… we’ve got work to do. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

The jobs have been assigned. You’ve been hired! You work for the greatest employer there is. You’ve been chosen to do the work angels could have been chosen for. To bring a message of hope To lead others to Christ. To heal broken hearts and homes. To be peacemakers. Some are to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelist, some pastors, some teachers, some encouragers, and the list goes on.

None of these things can be done without the tools that are required for the job. Using our abilities alone, without God’s power and provision is like digging a giant ditch with a spoon rather than a backhoe! You may see some results, but lack the power to really get the job done.

Here’s the great news! Whoever God calls, he also equips.

Well where are these tools? You most likely have one of them on your bookshelf, and you hopefully have the other in your very body. We have the power of the Holy Spirit and we have the Word of God. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Acts 1:8 tells us that the Holy Spirit gives us power. So here we have the equipment, and the power to understand and use it!

It would be crazy to have a shelf full of top-of-the-line tools, and yet proceed with faulty and unproductive methods. So grab ahold of those tools that God has provided for you! Use the manual. Take advantage of the counselor on duty. Receive the instructions and do the work!

Hebrews 13:20-21

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Shipwrecked… the course advised against

Acts 27:18-26

18 We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. 19 On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.

21 After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. 22 But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23 Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. 26 Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.”

… 42 The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. 43 But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. 44 The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely.

Here in this story we find a group of men who are in the midst of a raging storm. The violent battering has caused much to be lost. It’s dark. The sun, although there, hasn’t shown itself for days due to the thick darkness of the clouds and the rain. All this damage and loss due to a detour that they were advised against by the believer on board. Yet in the thick of the storm, God sends a messenger, an angel, to remind Paul that there is still a purpose to fulfill and that he’s going to make it through this storm. Not only that, but he’s graciously been given the lives of all the men on board. ALL the men on board, including the slaves, are going to make it out alive. The ship will be lost, but what’s of value will make it out. The cargo didn’t make it. The method of travel didn’t make it. What they had put their trust in didn’t make it. What they had packed as provision didn’t make it. But their lives made it. Even the lives of the slaves were of value to God. (One of them happened to write most of the New Testament) But there was still a wreck. Those who knew how to swim were the first off. Then those who didn’t had to find something to take hold of so they wouldn’t drown.

This is a picture of our country today. We are in a ship that has believers, non-believers, agnostics, atheists, and slaves. Leaders of the ship have decided to take a turn totally against the advice of the believers. Totally against God’s direction and instruction, we’ve found ourselves in the midst of a storm. It’s raging. It’s causing damage and it’s causing loss. Yet there’s still hope because there’s still purpose. The promises of the Lord are still going to be fulfilled. The salvation of God isn’t about the ship, nor is it about the cargo… it’s about the lives. It’s about the free man and the slaves. He doesn’t want anyone to be lost. And just like it was with Paul, we’ve graciously been given the lives of those around to keep them from death… to help them to shore. We may know how to swim because we’re trained and we’ve been in these deep waters before, but others are going to be looking for something to hold on to. There’s only one thing that can keep them from drowning! That’s faith in Christ Jesus. He’s the only way to life! He is the life. Focus on the lives, not the ship. Part of our purpose is to make known what God has declared. Speak hope and life so that those in the grip of fear and on the edge of death have something (Someone!) to trust in.

The water is bad

2 Kings 2:19-22Amplified Bible (AMP)

19 And the men of the city said to Elisha, Behold, inhabiting of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees, but the water is bad and the locality causes miscarriage and barrenness [in all animals].

20 He said, Bring me a new bowl and put salt [the symbol of God’s purifying power] in it. And they brought it to him.

21 Then Elisha went to the spring of the waters and cast the salt in it and said, Thus says the Lord: I [not the salt] have healed these waters; there shall not be any more death, miscarriage or barrenness [and bereavement] because of it.

22 So the waters were healed to this day, as Elisha had said.

What a perfect picture of our country today. Inhabiting it is pleasant, but the water is bad. And I’m not talking about the water coming out of the tap in your kitchen. I’m talking about the spiritual water that people are drinking for satisfaction.

Think about all of the pleasurable things that are polluted and are causing death and fruitlessness. We have music, something God created, and yet the music many people listen to is saturated with filth and vulgarity. The water is bad. We have movie theaters and television, but the films are contaminated with sexuality and curse words. The water is bad. We have something as innocent as dating that’s ripping the purity from our teens on a daily basis. The water is bad. The internet is flooded with pornography. The water is bad. It’s killing people! It’s keeping them from becoming fruitful and it’s causing miscarried dreams and purposes. It’s leaving people barren because they’re drinking from something that has no life giving nutrients that are vital to survival. The poison has worked it’s way into our workplaces and families and churches. It’s in our schools and in our government. The water is bad! It’s all around.

This was the condition of the city of Jericho in this Bible story. Though the place was nice and a great city to live in, the water was bad. Though there was such great potential, the water was bad. So Elisha did something that really made me think. He said, “bring me a new bowl and put salt in it.” Then Elisha went to the spring of the waters and cast the salt in it and said, Thus says the Lord: I [not the salt] have healed these waters; there shall not be any more death, miscarriage or barrenness [and bereavement] because of it.

Notice that it wasn’t the salt itself that healed the waters. It was the Lord that healed the water. His word declared it healed. So why the salt? God could have healed the water with just his word! But he chose to use the salt, accompanied with his word.

Matthew 5:14 tells us that we as believers are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

Wow we are the SALT! The water is bad but God has placed us in this polluted and life-choking world so that we can be part of the purifying process. God’s the healer of the water, but he’s chosen us to accompany his word. In fact, we’re the ones who should be declaring the word. How do we do this? I see it all the time. Especially recently with the Christian movie production companies who are bringing clean films to the theaters. They’re placing salt in the water. How about the worship music that is lifting up the name of Jesus? It’s salt in the water. People can enjoy it without the pollution. But how does this apply to you? God wants to use you as the purifying agent in your office, in your school, in your relationships. Salt. Accompanied by his word. When you walk through a puddle of conflict, the area around you should be unable to stay muddy or murky.

Father we see that the land you’ve given us is well situated, but the water is bad. You’ve already placed the salt in the water! It’s us. Help us to fulfill our purpose and use us as you heal this land!

Feelings…

Romans 12:1-2

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

I believe that feelings are a product of your mind, heart, and perspective. A product of things that can be not only changed, but transformed and renewed. If you feel like giving up because you can’t change how you feel… You’re right! But I can assure you that change will come when you focus on and follow the truth. Put it in your mind. God’s word is true! Don’t look at it as rules and regulations… Look at it as a promise of FREEDOM! As believers we lay our lives down as an act of worship every day. We don’t do as the world does, even when we feel like it and desire to. Worship isn’t just something we do when we feel like it. Why else would the Word call it a sacrifice? A sacrifice is laying something of value down for something of more value. Through this process, we prioritize by placing the Lord above all else, which is where he belongs. And when He’s in his proper place, other things fall into their proper places! This includes those things you haven’t been able to change on your own, such as your feelings. Below is one of my favorite poems from Martin Luther.

“Feelings come and feelings go,
And feelings are deceiving;
My warrant is the Word of God–
Naught else is worth believing.

Though all my heart should feel condemned
For want of some sweet token,
There is One greater than my heart
Whose Word cannot be broken.

I’ll trust in God’s unchanging Word
Till soul and body sever,
For, though all things shall pass away,
HIS WORD SHALL STAND FOREVER!”

― Martin Luther

The Spirit of Completion

A dear friend and pastor taught me something several years back that has really stuck with me. What he taught me is the importance of completion. He said that there is a spirit of completion that God wants us to obtain in our lives. It’s something that many people don’t have. This is very apparent in addicts and others who get stuck in cycles that they are unable to break. It’s also seen in folks who always leave things hanging. They always leave loose ends and leave projects unfinished. These may be somewhat tangible things such as a book you started, yet never got past the 3^rd chapter. Or a weekend home project that you started 2 years ago that has left your home in a permanent state of incompletion. Then there are the not so obvious areas such as relationships and personal growth. Both of which have seasons of completion in order to transition into newness and depth.

Life has chapters just like a book. We complete one and move on to the next. We conquer mountains, fight through temptations, win battles, reconcile relationships, and resolve conflicts. These are things we complete. We tie up loose ends through hearing people out and following through. We turn the pages by forgiveness and moving forward. We persevere! We run the race – a race that has a finish line. We don’t just do this because it’s recommended or so that we can continually get ahead in life. We do this because completion is an aspect of God’s character. Even from the beginning, as God created the heavens and the earth, He completed something each day. Then we skip ahead several chapters of time when Jesus says, “It is finished” as he hung on a cross. He completed something! And although one thing was completed, the Father proves once again that He never just leaves things “hanging”. Although the payment for our sin was complete, and although the law was fulfilled… Jesus was placed in a borrowed tomb where he walked into hell and took Satan’s own house keys away from him. The Father raised Christ from the dead so that we too can LIVE! Talk about completion. Now as we jump many chapters ahead to the here and now, we find ourselves, and there’s a great work that has begun in us! And there’s good news found in Philippians 1:6 that tell us that He who has begun this work in us is faithful to complete it. COMPLETION!

The spirit of completion is necessary in the life of the believer. It’s proof of God’s work in our lives. This is not always easy. As a matter of fact, it is seldom easy. But it’s necessary. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says that to everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven. Seasons aren’t meant to last. They change. But the change should come through completion, not neglect. If there is an area in your life that needs completion, I encourage you to follow the Lord to the finish line. He’s always leading in that direction! Pray for conviction and Spirit led commitment to the purposes you’re meant to fulfill in your life. If you’ve been called to a fast, complete it. If you’re in a difficult season in your marriage, persevere and complete it. If you’re enrolled in school, complete it. If you’ve started a project at work or home, complete it. And most of all, the race you’re running for the Lord…. Complete it! Just like Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7 said, “ I have fought the good fight, I have finish the race. I have kept the faith”.

Tie up the loose ends knowing that God’s going to do the same. It won’t be long until our time on earth is complete. He’ll leave no loose ends and won’t leave us hanging. He’s going to follow through. Let’s make every effort to do the same!

Is this it?

1 Chronicles 11:3, 9 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron. David made a covenant with them at Hebron in the Lord’s presence, and they anointed David king over Israel, in keeping with the Lord’s word through Samuel.
Vs.9 David steadily grew more powerful, and the Lord of Hosts was with him.

David had been told that he would be the king of Israel and there’s no telling what he thought in his mind. I know I’ve cherished words spoken over me. I bet he imagined a grand coronation with feasting and celebration all around. But I wonder if he ever thought he’d take the position in a time when the people were over run and in trouble? Did he think to himself, “Is this it? Is this what I was anointed for?” The king and his family (including David’s best friend) were dead. The Philistines had won and the Israelites had fled from their camps. They feared even entering into the cities which were theirs only a few days before.

God’s word came true to David. He became king; however, David had some work to do! The great thing is that The Lord was with him through all of the work, as well as the battles, and the victory was given to David because he trusted God.
Maybe you’ve been called to a position and you’ve always imagined it a certain way in your mind, and yet your currently in a place that needs some work! David’s first moments as king weren’t glamorous and filled with treasure, but he was still king. He wasn’t appointed in a day of victory, but he was still Royalty.
His career and calling started with the worst part of the position, and yet it was the part that took back what belonged to God’s people! It built up the kingdom. Be encouraged today by simply trusting that God knows what He’s doing! Stepping into the promise land often comes with a battle. But the battle is the Lord’s and there’s a victory on the horizon.

The Great Escape

1 Corinthians 10:12-13

So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall. No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it.

It’s crazy how sometimes we can be ashamed of what temps us and we don’t talk to anyone about it because of our shame or fear of what someone’s gonna think. Well if that’s you today then let this verse sink in… NO temptation has seized you EXCEPT what is COMMON to man. That means that there isn’t a temptation that you can have that others haven’t or don’t also have. You aren’t alone in your struggles. Never believe that lie from Satan. Also, know that God is aware of our temptations and will not allow us to be “trapped in a room” with them. We know this because the word says that He always provides a way of escape for us. Just like a building with emergency exits! I pray today that The Lord will shine bright lights on, and make obvious your ways of escape!

Be blessed today