Encourage People!!

"Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, but an encouraging word makes it glad." Proverbs 12:25 (Amplified Bible)

A simple challenge for you today. Be an encourager. The bible says that one encouraging word can make the heart of a man glad. So today be an encourager, everyone loves to be encouraged. This is definitely something I struggle to do, so this is a good challenge for me as well! I pray that you make someones day just a little brighter! Show God's love through your mouth! Be blessed!

I'm sure it will make you feel better too!

Time to Fall

"The arrogance of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in the loftiness of your dwelling place, who say in your heart, who will bring me down to earth?' "Though you build high like the eagle, though you set your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down," declares the LORD" Obadiah 1:3-4 (NASB)

We have all heard it before; pride is wrong and is a snare. But even more than that it is a reason for God to "bring you down". In Obadiah the Lord is talking about Edom and how the people there feel as though they cannot be beaten. Their hearts are filled with arrogance, and even more, are filled with arrogance when it comes to beating and persecuting God's people. But I love what God says, "I will bring you down.". It makes me want to laugh but also tremble in terror. God humbles the arrogant, that is easy to understand and that is why I want to laugh at God's statement; God will humble them and I already know He will. I get to have that insight when I see those arrogant people, but what terrifies me is that I can be an arrogant person that God will have to humble. And trust me, humbling doesn't feel good at all. It is embarrassing and painful. It feels like a demolition of your soul.

Every once in a while I find myself in those situations. I get humbled and it hurts, but it feels good because you know that God is working on you and that you will be better for it after. And what hurts most is when God uses the people that are close to you when He does this. For me it's usually my mother or girlfriend. The people who aren't afraid to tell you that you suck sometimes. I have come to learn that being open to humility and the trials that bring it is something we all need to be. I think it is actually a good thing to be humbled, right? But even more to look for those opportunities to be humbled as well. Do you know what I'm saying? For example, every so often when my girlfriend and I are just talking we will ask each other what are we doing wrong? Asking each other where can we do better, what have we done to hurt each other. Now if you know me you will know I HATE being wrong. Even at an early age I hated it. But one of the biggest lessons that I have come to learn, and still struggle with, is that fact that I'm not always right. So it hurts when she tells me what I have done wrong. I don't like being wrong but even more I don't like hurting her and hearing that I did humbles me a lot. God and people have shown me this time and time again.

When God exposes your arrogance it is not pretty. It awful and hurtful but beautiful and needed. If you find yourself being like Edom and thinking that your high place is safe, just wait, God will bring you down. Strive for humility, strive to place God first. An easy way to remember this is that at the end of the day one little mistake, one thought, one wrong motive, anything, and you deserve to die. Simply, God is holy and deserves perfection, which you can't give. EVER. So arrogance has no place in your heart, only holiness.

No Fancy Title Just Jeremiah 11:8 [Part 2]

"Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do: but they did them not." Jeremiah 11:8 (KJV)

In part one the focus was on the inclining of our ears; taking time to intentionally listen to the whispers of God. Now the focus switches to second part of that sentence: "But walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart."

As kids we all had great imaginations, we created such intricate worlds and stories all within our minds. We created rules and laws, whatever we thought should be allowed was. I remember pretending to be The Mighty Ducks, an old t.v. show my brothers and I loved. We would play it with our best friends in our basement. We had the control room, and the secret base; we had story lines and different events taking place that we all "knew" were happening. In our minds we had invented a world separate from the real one. They only rules were the ones we made up.

People have always said that as you grow up you begin to loose your imagination, but I tend to disagree. We don't loose it, it just moves places. It starts in our head, but moves to our hearts. We begin to think that we can define what the rules are. We tend to believe that our decisions are best. But when we begin to walk in the imagination of our evil hearts we being to go in the opposite direction of God. When we begin to place our way ahead of Gods we have a problem. The bible says over and over that our hearts will lead us wrong, that our heart is deceptive. Our hearts tells us to do what we want, and normally not what God wants.

What is the central word in that first sentence of Jeremiah 11:8? Its 'but'. This word placed in between the two statements shows us a relationship. When they didn't incline their ears they were following the imagination of their evil heart. When you do one you will do the other. If you listen you will follow Gods way; but if you choose your evil heart then you won't be listening to God. I pray that today you will "kill" your hearts imagination; no more of your way but Gods. Destroy it, ruin it, crucify it. Why wait to choose Gods way over your own. It's time to take a stand against yourself. Jesus said that to follow him you must die to yourself.

It's time to die, to find a better way to live.

No Fancy Title Just Jeremiah 11:8 [Part 1]

"Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do: but they did them not." Jeremiah 11:8 (KJV)

How many times have we prayed, "Lord open my ears to hear you!"? Have you ever thought that maybe it's not God's job to open your ears? Maybe God is waiting for you to, in fact, open your own ear?

From examining the words of God in Jeremiah we can see that He paints a different picture about listening than what we normally believe. He says that the Israelites did not incline their ears. In studying this verse I found out that the word for 'inclined' in Hebrew actually means to literally turn, to take action; it's a verb. Not only just a verb but a verb that is related to the person to which the ear belongs. Yes, that is sort of a common sense statement, but yet many of us don't actually believe it.

Sometimes God is actually just waiting for us to turn our ears towards Him, to take responsibility. But this opens up a whole other question: how do we intentionally turn our ears toward God? Well the obvious answer that many of us can think of is to read the bible and pray more, and yes you must do these things to develop your relationship with Him. However, I want to focus more on the idea of having to turn your ear, like why would God use an image of an intentional listening. I think it has something to do with the story in 1 Kings 19:

"After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave." 1 Kings 19: 13 (NIV)

After all the big noises and huge displays of power God comes to Elijah in the whisper. Not in the fire, not in the earthquake, but in the quiet whisper. In Psalms it talks about being still and knowing the Lord. You need to quiet yourself to hear the quiet whisper that comes to your ear. It's not that you have ask God to speak any louder, but you need to quiet yourself, quiet the answers you want, quiet your plans and hear the whisper of the Lord. I pray today that you will intentionally turn your ear and listen to the voice of God, He hasn't stopped talking, you're just not tuning in...

For Such a Time as This.

And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish." Esther 4: 14-16 (NIV)

Esther was a young girl, a very young girl in fact. This book calls her a virgin, which in that time meant a girl of a young age. If you read in chapter 2 it talks of how Esther immediately gained the respect of the King's man in charge of the women, and it says he gave her all the best things that he could. Now looking back with hindsight, we can see the hand of God even when no one was aware of it; how God was putting into place the pieces of Esther's journey. It never seemed like Esther ever doubted or questioned God and what He did, maybe it was because she was a woman and the men were the ones who discussed God, or maybe it was that she, even at that young age, trusted in God. This trust and reliance is displayed greatly in the above dialogue. Mordecai tells her that maybe for such a time as this she was in that position, that at the right time God had orchestrated her life in order that she may save the Jews of the kingdom. It's easy to assume that when Mordecai said what he said that it was not just wishful thinking but in fact crediting God; because he was a Jew, and the Jews had the understanding that the whole earth is God's and everything in it is God's as well and that He had a personal role in the life of His people. With that understanding in mind it's easy to see why Esther responded the way she did; she knew Mordecai wasn't just being hopeful but was actually speaking God's truth, that God had placed her there for that time, to do that task, and she was willing to die if that was what it meant. She says "if I perish, I perish." She had grasped the selfless perspective of Jesus, that it is not always about her. She was placed in authority not for her gain, but for the gain of her people. Not knowing how it would turn out, she bravely stepped before the King, her life on the line. She did what God had placed her to do and, as we know, the Jews were saved.

Your life is "a for such a time as this" kind of life. God has you here and now for a purpose greater than you can probably imagine. Do you think that Esther thought the fate of the Jews rested on her? I assume not. When she first became Queen do you think she put it together that she was gaining authority for that reason? The same is with many of us, we can't see the big picture, only what is in front of our nose. We need to trust in the God that is bigger than us. You were created for such a time as this, to help that certain person, cause, country. To effect change in someone or something. Your life right now isn't a mistake! Hear the words of Mordecai, "for such a time as this..". You are here for some purpose, are you living like it? Are you willing to risk it all like Esther? God is faithful to see you through it, be faithful to Him. You don't know whose life hangs on yours, whose salvation God is calling you too...

"For if you remain silent at this time...you and your father's family will perish" Esther 4:14(NIV)

"For I am Not Among You"

"And the LORD said to me, 'Say to them, "Do not go up nor fight, for I am not among you; otherwise you will be defeated before your enemies." So I spoke to you, but you would not listen. Instead you rebelled against the command of the LORD, and acted presumptuously and went up into the hill country.The Amorites who lived in that hill country came out against you and chased you as bees do, and crushed you from Seir to Hormah." Deuteronomy 1:42-44 (NASB)

The Israelites heard the clear command of the Lord, yet did what they wanted instead. God told them not to go and fight because He wasn't with them and they would be defeated. And guess what happened when they decided to go fight...they we chased the way bees chase a threat to their hive and crushed! No mercy whatsoever.

Now, we can all say we know that God knows best, but when it comes down to actually listening to God we all sudden begin to think that WE know best. We shut our ears and in our arrogance make a decision for ourselves even when God says "Don't go or you will be defeated!" But we can also see that God says "for I am not among you." God told them that He wouldn't be with them if they decided to go. That is a very complex statement. We believe that God is everywhere, at all times, so how could He not go with them?

"The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here." Ex. 33:14-15

Here in Exodus Moses and God are having a conversation and God tells Moses that He will send his presence with them. And Moses' response is key, he has an almost shocked reaction to the Lord's statement. He was taken back by the idea that God's Presence doesn't have to go with them! Now God is talking about His manifested power, as in the Pillar of Fire. Moses and the Israelites took that power and guidance for granted. And God now in Deuteronomy is talking about the same thing; yes, His glory and weight is going to be where they are, it has to be, but the power of God was removed from them becasue of their disobedience. Are you not listening to God? Are holding back his Presence from going before you? I pray that today your ears are open to the voice of the all-knowing God. Hear him and obey.

A Stranger in Your Land

"When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt; I am the LORD your God." Lev. 19: 33-34 (NASB)

Have you ever encountered a stranger? Did you ever hang out with some you normally do not? How do you treat those kind of people? I think this command from God himself is pretty clear. When someone comes into your "land" or how about sits at your table at lunch, or sits beside you in class, do you treat them as family? Do you love them as yourself? This isn't some profound idea, or a new a revelation, but another challenge. The next time you encounter a "stranger in your land" treat them the way God has commanded. Treat them as one of your own and just wait to see how they react.

He Longs for Us

"I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves about on the ground. I am the LORD who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy." Lev. 11: 44-45 (NIV)

Most people see this as command for perfection, or as a call to be set apart. To be holy because God is holy seems like a very daunting task. How could humans ever be holy like God is holy? It is in fact impossible. But I would like to propose a different perspective about this command. The obvious interpretation is that God wants us try to be like him; to be holy, but why? Why would God ask such an impossible task of humans? I think that answer is simple, because he LOVES US. Yes, because he loves us he tells us to be holy. Make sense? Think about it like this, God has always longed for a face to face, extremely personal, relationship with us but he knows that because of our imperfection that could never happen so he tells us to be holy so we can be close to him. Now just think about that for a second, this isn't a condemning task but an invitation to come close!

Now this is taken out of the Old Testament, way before the freedom Jesus gave us to enter into a relationship with God that was originally intended. But this verse is still so impactful. We find it placed in the midst of all these rules and laws that God has put in place and he calls out to his people saying this is all so that we can have fellowship. The Israelites would have the understanding that when God called himself Holy he meant that he was beyond everything we are and understand, that by ourselves we could never stand before him without death unless we were Holy like him. So when God uttered the words "be holy as I am Holy" they knew what he meant, they knew it wasn’t a heavy burden to bear, they knew it came from the unending love of God and his extreme longing for us. I pray that today you will encounter this longing God has for you, and the greatest thing of all is that now, through Christ we have an easy way to get into this relationship, but in knowing that do not forgot that God even when the earth began wanted a relationship with you, that’s why Jesus came.

Who's Steering your Ship?

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

What lives in you? Who lives in you?

Paul is talking in regards to following the Old Testament law in this passage of Galatians, but he makes a very important and interesting statement in the midst of it. He says that he shared the crucifixion with Christ and that now it is not him living but Christ living in him. The Kings James version says:

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:" Galatians 2:20 (KJV)

It makes this statement a little more clear; Paul in flesh still lives, that is easy to decipher, but behind the physical body Paul says that it is no longer him but Christ in him. It is Christ who defines WHO he is. In the second part of verse 20 he talks about how it’s only by faith that he lives. Paul is denying everything we usually use to live by in that simple statement, by faith I live, not by knowledge, or his own wisdom, and not by experience; not by any human resource but by faith in Christ he lives.

It is like Paul is saying that he is just a ship; he has all the components to move and sail the oceans but he is just pieces of metal intricately put together. Without a captain to steer the ship it’s obviously going to crash. Paul gives total control to a new captain. Humbly laying down control to the one who ALWAYS knows where to direct the ship, whether or not we know where He is taking us.

Who controls your ship? What or who lives in you? And a better question is do people watching you know who is steering your ship? Is it pride? Fear? Loss? Guilt? Or is Christ your Captain?

His Weight..

"...the whole earth is full of his glory." Isaiah 6:3 (NIV)

This relates to my last post, but is a little different. Just recently I have had a new insight into how amazing Isaiah 6:3 really is. The Hebrew word for glory here means weight, significance, or heaviness. Now you have to realize that the Hebrew language is one of "concrete thought" or language based on the senses, touch, taste, smell etc. and of functionality. So when the Hebrew people would make a word, it was based on the senses or what they use it for. So if they define the glory of God as the weight or heaviness of God, it is based on the idea of the feeling of God's weight. To feel something, or to have weight, is to exist; so one could also say that the Jews had the idea of the feeling of God's existence filled the earth. Now I don’t know about you, but that is somewhat mind blowing. To think about the weight of God, the feeling of his existence, forever surrounding you wherever you go is very humbling. David even says in Psalms:

"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there." Psalms 139:7-8 (NIV)

The Jews had such an amazing grasp of the presence of God, how he is EVERYWHERE; even into the depths, or as the King James version says, even in hell God is there. The earth, even this universe, is Gods' and everything in it belongs to him. He exists and is present everywhere, at any time.

And knowing God is everywhere - that his weight fills the earth - can change how you view everyday and especially your quiet times with God. First, do you live your life in every moment with the truth that God's weight, existence, glory is surrounding you? It can almost put a deeper level of fear and reverence in your heart. Secondly, have you ever heard some pray or tell you that "God showed up!”? This statement is one that is said when the knowledge of Gods glory isn’t in mind. We don’t have to go anywhere and pray God shows up, we should be praying that instead WE show up. That our hearts are ready to receive what he has, that we are made aware; that OUR EYES BE OPENED TO SEE THE GLORY OF GOD. Today make ready your hearts to see the glory of God wherever you find yourself. I pray that today you experience the weight, the significance, of our Creator.

He is Already There.

"Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy." Acts 14: 17 (NIV)

Paul travelled many places, spreading the gospel to all the people he encountered. But Paul had an understanding of God, that is alittle different than alot of people these days. As a jewish man Paul had the realization that he never had to bring God anywhere; God was and is always there, everywhere, people just don't realize it. Paul went to places not to bring God, but to open the eyes of people to see how God was already moving in their midst. In Acts 14 we find Paul in Lystra. They didn't believe in Christ but in Zeus. On top of Paul preaching the gospel of Jesus we see him here pointing out to the Lycaonians how God has already been interacting with them. He was essentially a tour guide of the acts of God ( The tour guide idea isn't mine, its Rob Bells... just so you know). We too should be as Paul, not only preaching the good news of Christ but also trying to point out how God is already present, the works of His hands and heart in the lives of our peers. Be on the look out for opprotunites to be a tour guide for someone, guide them and lead them to the knowledge of how much God cares and is working on their behalf!

In Whatever We Do..

"So that you may bear yourselves becomingly and be correct and honorable and command the respect of the outside world." 1 Thes 4:12 (AMP)

"[S]o that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders." 1 Thes 4:12 (NIV)

These are very powerful words. Live your daily life so that you many have the repect of everyone. In all you do, all the simple tasks, do you gain the repsect of the people around? Do you act honorable? Do you act in a way to command the respect of everyone? What would this look like though?I think that this is the biggest question. How can we do this? I think that this principle is completely related to what Paul says in Colossians:

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Col 3:17 (NIV)

In whatever it is we do, the smallest of tasks to the biggest, we need to do it in the name of Chrsit. I think it can easliy be said that "In whatever you do" is the exact same thing as "your daily life". The everyday tasks - whether mundane or exciting - are to be done to the glory of God. With this in mind every task, every word, every action, should be done with passion, effort, and enthusiasm so that you may be worshipping God in it but also gain the respect of all men around you. Today be aware of your attitudes as you live, are you living as to give glory to God or to yourself? Do you, with your attitudes, gain the respect of men? Think about it, mull it over, decide what you can do. Dont take my word for it either, go into the Bible, figure out if what I say is true. I hope today that as Christians we can live lives the command respect and give God all the glory.

In the Line of Fire

"If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. John 8: 7-9 (NIV)

Everyday as we walk in amoungst people, we encounter much of the same things as Jesus did, especially like the scenario in John 8. We see a group of people judging and making fun of someone. I know everyday I see this walking through the halls of a highschool. Now, for just a second, take a step back and try to imagine what it would look like if you actually did the same thing that Jesus did and took a stand for the one being picked on. How would the people react? How would the person being made fun of react? I think this is an easy way to express the great love of God to someone, to stand in the line of fire and help the hurting. Allow the spirit to guide you to the right place at the right time, be open and receptive, hear His voice and impact the life of a peer - who doesnt want to do that??