"It's just words"!

One of the biggest blessings I experienced from my stroke in 2007 was the only deficit that I have from the stroke.  My "Word Recall" isn't back to where it used to be.  People tell me that not being able to find the right word is just part of getting older!  But, I know when it is hitting me and I clam up because I don't want to say anything that might offend or embarrass.   

The "tongue" can be a blessing or a curse!   How many times have you regretted saying something? Proverbs 18:21 says " Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."  Proverbs 21:23 follows that with"Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. ". 

Maybe GOD is showing me through the stroke that sometimes it is more important to "Be still....and KNOW that I am GOD"!   A quote that I am reminded of is... “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”! 

LORD remind me that words, whether kind or cruel, can NOT be taken back!   

"Now FAITH is...."

Mark 6:5-6

"And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them.

And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching. "

FAITH is a funny thing!  Hebrews 11:1 says that "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."   In 2007 I was "miraculously" healed, according to my own doctor's records.   My faith that I was going to be healed was non-existent as the medicine I was given to put me in the COMA made sure of that.   My wife says her faith was not anything special, she just knew I was going to be okay!   

But, isn't that what faith is all about! She KNEW I would recover.  She did not hope or wish!   She KNEW!  These few people in the book of Mark  who were able to be healed were in a position to be helped.  "A few sick people" is all we know about them.  They could have had a cold or they could have been suffering from Leprosy!   But when we are sick, we look for help!!

According to scripture, JESUS could do no mighty work in Nazareth.   Luke 4:24 says "And he said, "Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown."   People attempt to rationalize or reason away things that GOD supernaturally does!   I have done it!  

LORD, work on me not to marginalize the works of YOUR hand in my life!   YOU ARE GOD and I PRAISE YOU!!!

I am WEAK!

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:10

I am NOTHING without HIM!  Whenever I forget and start to proceed in life on my own, HE has a way of reminding me where I could/should be without HIM!  "For when I am weak, then I am strong.". 

Lord, keep it always on my mind how YOU make/made me what I am and where I would be without YOU!!

ZACCHAEUS!

Luke 19:1-10

He (Jesus) entered Jericho and was passing through.  And there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich.  And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small of stature.  So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way.  And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today." So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.  And when they saw it, they all grumbled, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner."  And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold."  And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.  For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."

JESUS saw a need.  Zacchaeus had heart problems (Divine Diagnostic Tools) and JESUS healed them!  The rich need JESUS too, it is just harder for them to see the need!  We must not forget that rich and poor, young and old, sick and healthy need Christ.   Many people "grumble" when others are blessed.  Others rejoice with them. 

LORD, help me be one that rejoices when others find success and not be a "grumbler"!

Game of CHANCE!

But Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.". Matthew 19:26

GOD did not "hap harzardly" write scripture!  HE did not just throw words out there and take a chance that we MIGHT need them one day. When HE wrote this verse by divinely inspiring Matthew, HE used just the words HE wanted us hear and the words we needed to hear.  

The verse starts out with "But Jesus looked at them"!  Can you imagine JESUS, the SON of GOD, looking at you with those eyes!  When you imagine the eyes of the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE meeting your eyes. And for HIM to say "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."   How "One on One" can you get?   

We cannot do some things.   Some things can ONLY be done by HIM!  HE and HE alone gets the GLORY! If we could do something's, we would take credit and praise for doing those things.  GOD is GOD!   

Seventy times seven!

Matthew 18:22

"Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."

If GOD forgives my sin, why can't I forgive someone else's sin.  GOD chooses to blot out my iniquity, covering the sin with the precious blood of CHRIST.  Though my lack of worthiness is not something to EVEN be discussed, HE lovingly forgives and forgives.  

How can I fault someone for their sin when it cost the very life (BLOOD) of Christ to keep me?  I am not even worthy to be called a "Christian".  But, I thank GOD that HE, through HIS mercy and grace, called me to serve HIM!  

GOD, lead me to become more forgiving as YOU forgive me.  

The Last shall be first!

Last shall be first! 

Matthew 20:1-16

1 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.

2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

3 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace,

4 and to them he said, 'You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.'

5 So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same.

6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?'

7 They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You go into the vineyard too.'

8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.'

9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius.

10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius.

11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house,

12 saying, 'These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.'

13 But he replied to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?

14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you.

15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?'

16 So the last will be first, and the first last."

I always get a bit riled up when I read this part of scripture.  It really ticks me off that someone could live like the devil for 40 years and THEN start living for the LORD for a few years and get the same reward I get! How does that seem fair?  Where is my "union boss" who protects me from discrimination?  

But, then I am reminded of Isaiah 64:6 that say MY BEST is but filthy rags before a Holy GOD.   A couple of verses later scripture points out that HE is the potter and I am just the clay.  A potter may make and remake a piece of pottery many times until he works out ALL of the imperfections!  

A WISE OLD MAN once told me that "We try to be MORE than GOD intended for us to be!"  LORD, help me to be just what you desire me to be.  No more, no less.  I surrender to YOUR plan for my life!

iPads come to ______schools!

This article was posted on Facebook recently.   The headline gave the indication that this "state-of-the-art technology" would have a real impact on educating our youth.  It seems most people are convinced that if we spend MORE money on education it will cure our poor performing school district's problems.  

And it's not just education!  Drugs, crime, abortion and "unwanted" pregnancy, political affiliation, and on and on....... there is a SHORTFALL in today's society that is ruining our future.  We must realize that SIN is the culprit!  Romans 7:17-18 states "So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.  For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.". 

We (Society) can't understand WHY we can't succeed in fighting poverty, education of our kids, crime prevention, or any other area of life!  " For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out" said the Apostle Paul in verse 18.  Until (and IF) we come to the realization that we are, in ourselves, DOOMED we will continue to miss the mark!

Don't think that we can accomplish anything without a HOLY GOD!  Jeremiah 17:9 says "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? ".  We don't have the ingredients to make the desired cake.  Our only hope is to seek MERCY from a HOLY GOD!   

Intensive Care Unit!

While sitting in church yesterday I was convicted about how MY life was being bettered by attending the body to which I belong.  Church is not a place to socialize with people you like.  Church is a hospital for people who  "realize" their need of a Saviour and Redeemer.  Sometimes, folks don't know that they are even sick until it is too late.   Whether it is  ICU, Progressive Care or general care.  We all need HIM...and for HIM to minister to us!

In 2007 I was in ICU for 20 days, and in a medically induced COMA much of that time!   I was SICK....almost died!  My doctors records indicate "However, he has had a remarkable recovery that can only be defined as a miracle from God!"  Sometimes, I am in a spiritual  "ICU" to let GOD heal me.  I find that I have to be in a spiritual "COMA" to stay out of God's way and let HIM work!  HE doesn't desire, or need, me to help him!  I pray HE "molds me and make me" to what HIS desire for my life is!  

WINNING and LOSING!!!

Thoughts are running in my head.  The college football team I support just lost to an unknown team and the coach is being fired on FACEBOOK.   Everyone seems to have an opinion what to do to "FIX" the problem.    Fire them all, fire the head coach, fire the defensive coach, fire the offensive coach, and any number of other remedies!  Everyone seems to have the answer!

In less than 12 hours, it will be time to go to Sunday School and church.   Of the thousands of fans who either  attended this game or paid attention to SOME game today, I wonder how many have an opinion about whether or not to WORSHIP in the house of the LORD tomorrow?  

Everyone has opinions!   I have opinions, and I have to get used to most of them not being correct!  The sad thing is, the things that we mostly have opinions in have very little impact in our lives.  

We celebrate when our team does well and we through victory parties when our candidate wins an election. But do we make sure our LORD is celebrated on just ONE DAY per week?  Do we spend more money going to a football game than we do giving to our church?  

Five years ago I had my perspective adjusted.  I was in a COMA for twenty days and almost died!  Life is much more than a football game, or any other activity you choose to insert.  

I pray you don't have to get a "PRIORITY ADJUSTMENT" like I had.  Listen for HIS direction in your life.   Psalms 46:10 says "Be still and KNOW that I am GOD...."!   

Don't be so caught up with the small things in life.   GOD can get your attention.  

What a you talking about?

Acts 17:5

"But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd."

We should not try to lump all "Jews" into this group.  After all, Jesus and His disciples were Jews!  But these were unbelievers and were trying to start trouble.   We have the same problems today.  People who claim to be "Christian" go around trying to stir strife and discord just to prove whatever their point is!

It is important to note the words "they formed a mob"!  Why do we seem to always get someone to stand with us when we are trying to establish a view?  

"Set the city in an uproar" tells everything they were doing.  They were not interested in determining if Paul and Silas were teaching heresy, rather they were interested in "stirring the pot"!

In verse 11 of the same chapter, Paul and Silas have moved on to Berea.  v. 11 says "Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.". 

Rather than trying to start/stir trouble, the Berean's received the word with "eagerness" and verified what was preached with "Scripture"! What a Novel concept!  

The WORD of GOD should be our authority.  No politician, preacher, or anyone else should be able to sway your beliefs!  Do we know enough about what HE says to be able to live ONE DAY without reviewing scripture?

FATHER GOD, remind me that I need to get Daily Updates from Your Word!

Mark 3: 1-2

Mark 3: 1-2

"Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand.  And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him."

From time to time I have to be reminded that an Almighty GOD does not do things by chance or circumstance.   JESUS does not "happen" upon people who needed healing or miracles performed in their lives.   GOD puts certain people in our lives to make us who we need to become.  

JESUS did not just happen upon the man with the withered hand.  This man was here for a purpose.  In verse 3, JESUS in angered by the Pharisees and their "hardness of heart".  All they were consumed with was their OWN desires to keep what power and wealth they had and to eliminate the threat to their status. 

We need to be careful NOT to be so caught up in what we think is best.  Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us that our feeble ways are not HIS ways.  HIS plan doesn't always line up with my plans.  I need to trust in HIM and pray that I become more like HIM.  

TOO BIG TO FAIL!!

We are in the midst of the political season in our country.  This country is spending untold Millions of dollars to sway voters to vote in like manner.  

We keep hearing about The "LEFT" is the cause of the problems in this world.  Others swear that is The "RIGHT" where all problems begin.  You could present a case for your choice that carries with it many facts and data that persuades in your favor.  

But the sad fact is, GOD ALMIGHTY has been so ignored, ridiculed, and not taken seriously by society that HE is preparing to take HIS protective hand away from us.  GOD is a gentleman and HE will not force HIS self on anyone or anything.  

GOD can, and does, cause even people who are do not worship HIM to do HIS will!   Even Pharaoh,  King of Egypt who had held Israel captive for 430 years, was moved to let the Israelites go free.  Then, the King had his heart changed and went after them.   In Exodus 14:13-14 scripture reads "And Moses said to the people, "Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.  The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.".  The rest, as they say, is history!  

You don't have to be a history professor to know The United States of America has been blessed by GOD in it's short history.  The are TOO many battles to list that the USA should have lost.  But GOD intervened and we prevailed.  

Now, so-called scholars and intellects are wanting us to believe that "We are TOO big to fail"!  The BIBLE does not mention any power like the USA in the end times.  How could we go from being SO powerful to SO vulnerable in such a short period of time?  In 1960, when I was born, America had $286 BILLION in debt.  Tonight, we will exceed the $16 TRILLION mark in debt!   The United States of America has become so comfortable, relaxed, and bloated that we cannot shake the FAT!  We are too overweight to ever lose enough "dead weight" to get healthy again.  

We have taken our eyes off of our PROTECTOR and have been admiring our success!  We are so "drunk" on our own wealth and security that we cannot see the doom that is about to hit. 

CARMAN sings a song called "America Again"!  In the song there is a line that says "When it gets to the point that people would rather come out of the closet than clean it, it's the sign the judgement of GOD is gonna fall"!!  

GOD ALMIGHTY, forgive this servant for being so caught up in worldly possessions and getting ahead in life, that I have neglected my country going down the tube!