Awake At 30

In just a few moments, this same sky can turn from deep yellow, orange, and reddish hues to more blue and brighter yellows. The difference from one to the next is the introduction of more light. As the sun comes up, the light continues to dispel the darkness and the sky becomes clearer.  Do you see the parallel? "...And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.” (Matt.4:13-16) "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the...

An Invitation What if I were to offer you 10 opportunities to hear a message that will change your life forever? Would you come with me to hear it... What if I were to tell you that each session would come from a proven book that always produced perfect results when carefully followed? Would you come with me to learn from it... What if I were to assure you that by hearing these sessions taught, and by following the instructions given, you would have more riches than you could ever comprehend? Would you want to take part in that... What if I assured you that by hearing and obeying you would be adopted into a family that stretched across the whole earth, whose Father never leaves or forsakes, whose brothers and sisters sacrifice themselves for the well-being of their siblings, and whose inheritance will be so glorious that only the highest of human terms are used to describe it - yet even those can't quite begin to touch the true beauty and glory of it? Would you want any part of...

Every Interaction A Blessing Have you considered the fact that each interaction we have with another person is a blessing? I haven't seen this in the complete sense until just recently, or if I have realized it before I haven't reflected that knowledge in my actions. I ask forgiveness for this failure of mine and hope my realization of it can help others avoid the pitfalls that are put in front of each of us. After reading Matthew 9 and seeing how Jesus interacted with those whom others would accuse of interrupting Him and His day, I see how our Lord treated these interactions differently than most would. As our Lord was approached, He took time with these and, as a result, He blessed their lives. Take a look at John 4 where Jesus' taking the time with others, Samaritans no less (!!), led to immense blessings. Consider that the lives of others can likewise be blessed by an interaction with us because we follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. No, we're not going to ...

Focus While doing some personal study and reflection this morning I had a realization: All things in this world tend to fade away in an instant when our focus is on our Lord. There's a peace that comes when that shroud is lifted and we metaphorically see the beauty of our Lord before us. Purpose becomes clear, duty becomes an anticipated objective, fighting to go home becomes a welcome obstacle. Strengthened by the might of the Lord we stand up straight and look the coming issues of life right in the eye, ready to take on whatever comes, knowing that while in this wilderness of life our Lord is ever with us as a pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night. There is only one road that interests me, that's the narrow road home to the Promised Land of Heaven, my home. Recognizing our goal, seeing our duty and our objective, we stand ready to fight against satan and his deceptions and temptations. While knowing this, we also acknowledge that only if we draw near the Lord ...

Hated “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also..." (Jn.15:18-20) These words Jesus spoke to His disciples before He would shortly go to the cross to die for the sins of the world. These words were spoken to His disciples; like those by His side at this time, we are His disciples we're truly been obedient to His commands (Matt.6:33; Matt.11:28-30; Lk.13:3; Jn.14:23-24; Mk.16:15-16). The saving words of Jesus Christ will cause those of this world, whose hearts are set on sin and darkness, to hate us for speaking it. As the scripture says, the world hated our Savior so they will certainly hate us for sp...

Convenient Betrayal "Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Him to them. And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. So he sought how he might conveniently betray Him." (Mk.14:10-11) ...might "conveniently betray" Him. What a haunting statement and what an alarming warning unto us. Do you see it? Betray: to give into the hands of another; treacherously deliver up Judas sought out those who would take the Lord, thereby betraying His Lord to evil men, and he did so for greedy "gain". But we know the end of his story, don't we? What did Judas really gain out of this transaction but condemnation? What do any of us ever really gain from sinning against our Lord; for, in essence, exchanging our Lord for some temporal or carnal gain? It is my hope that we all see the futility there and recognize that there is no winning option in living that kind of life. We often, rightly, condemn Judas be...

With All Your Might "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going." (Eccl.9:10) A good verse to remember, especially when we're tempted to not be industrious, to be lazy, or to not give something our best effort. There are times when we need to relax and regain our strength, but there are also times when that relaxation ends and we need to get back to work. Our life should not be one of constant recreation or relaxation, this is wasting the life the Lord has given us - our role here on this earth within this body, both of which God created, is to work with the time He is so graciously giving us. So whatever we find to do, provided it is right to do of course, then we need to give it our best. This is yet another area in the life of a Christian where we should be set apart from the world. Even when we're doing some "menial" task, we give it our best. Understand...