So What? – That's What! – Colossians 3:1

1  So, if your'e serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it!

– Colossians 3:1  (MSG)

So What? – That's What!

I love this . . . So What?!

Remember the "So What" back-and-forth that went on when you were a kid? 

Kid #1: I did this or that!

Kid #2: So What? 

Kid #1: That's What!

Kid #2:  . . . (the still and silent sound of crickets in the background)

That's all there was . . . there was really no come-back once the "Thats What!" was used.  That's What, is all there is and nobody can argue the validity or the finality unless . . .

As a Christian, if your That's What isn't reflected by your What's What (your actions), then those observing –  everyone you know, knows you, or is even on the outside just observing, are left to say So What!?  He's a Christian - So What!?  He doesn't act like it.  He's no fun to be around; he's always depressed and just mopes around; he's always negative and critical; he badmouths his coworkers; he steals office supplies; he speeds and cuts people off in traffic (even though he has a "fish" on his bumper); he cusses like a sailor; he drinks like a fish; he's always late to work; and on-and-on it goes.

If we really want our "That's What!" to be the exclamation point to the question of our Christianity, then we need to show who Christ really is in our lives.  We need to be the light in the ever-growing darkness that is spreading across our land. We need to stop and take a look at the things that we say and do, at the places we go, and at the way that we get there. We need to always be aware that there are people watching us and taking notice of this "Christian" life, and we need to act like we believe that who we say we are is really who we are.  Knock-off Christianity is easily spotted and quickly dismissed, and I pray that I will never be the "Christian" who causes someone to decide to say So What to Jesus.

So . . how about it?  Are you serious about living this resurrection life with Christ?  Me too . . . so let's act like it!

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for the wonderful resurrection life that I have in You. I am so sorry for the times that I have not been a good example of that life. I pray that I can act like I know the Love, and Power, and Grace, that You so freely gave, so that everyone who knows or sees me will never say So What to my life in You.

Have a blessed day everyone!

–  Richard

Together We Are ALL Giant Killers – 1 Chronicles 20:4-8

4 And after this there arose war with the Philistines at Gezer. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite struck down Sippai, who was one of the descendants of the giants, and the Philistines were subdued. 

5 And there was again war with the Philistines, and Elhanan the son of Jair struck down Lahmithe brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver's beam. 

6 And there was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number, and he also was descended from the giants. 

7 And when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea, David's brother, struck him down. 

8 These were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants. 
- 1 Chronicles 20: 4-8

Together We Are ALL Giant Killers
Don't you love it when you get a "nugget" from scripture that you have read through several times in the past?  Especially in scripture where there are so many names that are difficult to read and pronounce.  I know for me, by the time I get to the end of the chapter, my mind is usually reeling from all the names I can't pronounce that I find myself just skimming over the last lines.  The last line is where I found my nugget today.

The verses in today's devotion tell a story about some of the giants that David AND his servants killed.  We all know the story of David and Goliath but how many of us were aware of the story of Sibbecai and Sippai?  How about the story of Elhanan and Lahmithe?  Then there was Jonathan (David's nephew) who killed a giant so big, and ugly, and deformed (24 fingers and toes!), that the bible doesn't even bother to give him a name!  These giants were all killed, not by David the giant killer, but by his servants, and family, and friends – those who David had influence over.  The members of his household who had learned through David's actions, that Giants are no match when you seek after God with your whole heart!

This same kind of Power exists for us today, and if we would just tap into the strength that is available to us in God's Word and the fellowship of His church,  we would realize the ability to take on the giants in our lives, and destroy the attack that the enemy has designed for us – even the big, ugly, hairy, foul-smelling giants with 8 eyes, and 6 heads, and 7 arms!  There are no giants that we can't defeat because God has our back.

So how do we do it?  It's a simple 1 - 2 - 3 - 4

1. Be in the Word! Everyday! It's how we get to know Who God is.
2. Pray! Prayer is so powerful and it should be the force that drives the lives of each and every one of us. It's how God talks to us and how we grow our relationship with Him.
3. Worship! Praise God! Sing to Him! Rejoice when you do it and show Him that you love Him so much that the song in your heart just has to come out!
4. Serve! Be a part. Get involved. Don't just attend church but BE the church – an active, involved, serving, committed, tithing, and believing force in the life of your local fellowship.

There is real power when all four of these become a habit in your life, and I guarantee that when you finally become a Word-reading, Praying, Worshipping, and Serving Christian, that the "big-uglies" the enemy sends your way will be no match! And when God gives you the Power to slay those giants, your family members, and your coworkers, and your friends will see what God has given you the power to do, and they will have the faith that their own big, ugly, hairy, 12-toed giant can be defeated as well.  Before you know it all the giants will be on the run – addiction, fear, doubt, anger, divorce, disease, unemployment, depression, abuse, apathy, and on-and-on – they will all be on the run because of the power of God that is spreading throughout our land!

Prayer
Father I thank You that I was able to see that giant slaying is not just for the Davids of this world, but that we ALL have it within us to defeat the enemy.  I pray that as we take on the giants in our lives, that we will not fear or be distracted by how big, or scary, or messy the situation, but we will stand firm in our faith in You.  I thank You for the Victory that is ours by the power of Your Holy Spirit!  Giants beware for my God is a mighty God!

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

Jesus is praying for you! – Luke 22:31-32

31 "Simon, Simon! Listen! Satan has received permission to test all of you, to separate the good from the bad, as a farmer separates the wheat from the chaff. 

32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you turn back to me, you must strengthen your brothers."
– Luke 22:31-32

Jesus is praying for you!
What comfort to know that our Lord prays for us.  He knows that we are going through many trials, both from the world, and also the trails that we put on ourselves – out of pride, or fear, or doubt, or anger, etc.  He cares that we overcome and that we get through it all so that we can stand strong in our faith.

The scripture also implies that we will surely be tested and that the enemy will even be given permission to try our faith.  And that's OK – because we have an intercessor (Jesus), who has a direct line with the Father.  Jesus' prayers for us are powerful, and if we are faithful to not turn away when things get tough, He will hold us up to the Father, and He will present us worthy.  As long as we hold on to Him, every day, He will pray for us, every day.  And every day – for that day – we will have victory over the enemy. Praise Jesus!

Now here's the important part . . . the scripture tells us (and this is so important), He (Jesus), expects us to encourage (strengthen), one another with our victories.  In fact it says we Must strengthen each other.  The victory that we receive shouldn't be hidden or hoarded like the "precious" in the Lord of the Rings movie.  It needs to be out there – shining brightly for all to see.  Your victory, or healing, or sobriety, or restored relationship, or new job, or paid bills, or whatever the situation might be, need to be told to everyone, so that they can receive encouragement, and so that they can know that we serve a God who cares – who loves us so very much that He takes the time to see to our every need!  No matter how small or insignificant we may think it is – Jesus covers it in prayer. People need to hear that so that they can have confidence when they face the same thing . . . or their own thing. They need to know that Jesus is there for them too!

I don't know about you, but I need His prayers every day, because when I open my eyes in the morning, I am waking up to a world that is out to destroy my faith.  I need Jesus to be speaking life to the Father . . . about me.  I need Him directing His angels before me (and after me), because I can leave a messy trail wherever I go.  I know that I need Him . . . believing in me . . . each and every day.  How about you?

PrayerLord Jesus, Thank You for being my Prayer Warrior.  Thank You for speaking to the Father on my behalf.  Thank You Lord for taking the time to see me through this day and for believing in me – so that I will persevere; so that I will overcome; so that I will stand victorious – this day – over anything and everything the enemy can devise to throw my way.

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

The Key to Victorious Living – Galatians 2:20-21

20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.   The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.   

21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"
– Galatians 2:20-21

The Key to Victorious Living
Can you remember back when you first became a Christian?  If you were like me, you were so enthusiastic about your new life that you would have laid claim to being willing to be right there with Jesus, taking every lash of the whip, enduring every thorn as it was being pressed down upon your head, and ultimately hanging on the cross . . . in fact, willing to hang with Christ on the opposite side of the same cross!  Yeah . . . Peter claimed the same thing – until the time came where it was actually a possibility.  How quickly we can change the tune we are singing when adversity smacks us right between the eyes.

It's easy to be a Christian when things are going great – especially in this country, where we have an abundance of luxuries and we can choose where and how we want to worship.  I've often fantasized that I was on the front lines of "life-and-death/in-the-jungles of evil" evangelism, standing firm in my faith and shielding the unfortunate peasants from the on-rushing rebels (oh the stories that would be written).  Then I remember that I am still anxiously afraid to go downtown and share my faith with a stranger!  Earth to Richard . . . time to come back to reality!

The good news is that God knows our weaknesses, and He knew that we would need a Savior, so . . . He sent Jesus, who willingly, and with much love, and forgiveness, accepted His role in the reconciliation of all God's children.  He knew what He was walking into, and He even had 32 years to try to get out of it, but His love for us was (and still is), so strong, that He took every taunt, and jeer, and slap, and spit, and lash, and thorn, and nail, until He died – but that's where the real story begins!

Because Jesus died, we, who are called by His name, are alive!  We have Christ IN us.  We have the secret of the power of the universe coursing through our veins!  We ARE victorious Conquerors because of the new life we have been given!  But here's the rub . . . we must CHOOSE to take advantage of everything that Christ is.  In order to be victorious we have to choose to live victoriously.  In order to conquer our demons, we must choose to put on the armor of Christ and to live as conquerors.  In order to realize the power of Christ that each of us has at the mere whisper of His name, we must choose to live by faith in Him.  We must have faith in the fact that by His choosing to go to the cross for us, we, who are called by His name, have the ability to love the unlovable, forgive the unforgivable, move the unmovable, and speak life into those who would oppose us.

We have Christ IN us!  Let's think on that today!  Think about what that really means!  Ask God to show you how to tap into that power – that love – that life . . . in, through, and with, Christ.

Prayer
Father I thank You that You gave us Your Son in order that we might live.  I pray that as I draw closer to Him and to You, that I will be able to increase my faith and start living beyond my own understanding.  I need Your Spirit Lord, to grow beyond the limitations of my simple mind so that I can live in the fullness of the power of Your Son.  I thank You for the work that You are doing in my brothers and sisters and I pray blessing over each one of them as they also draw closer to You. I thank You in advance for the victory that is on the way for each one of them.

Have a blessed day everyone!

–Richard

I Hope So – Psalm 33:20-22

20 We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. 

21 In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. 

22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you.
– Psalm 33:20-22

I Hope So

Help for any situation is available through our Lord, Jesus.  The Bible is a book of HOPE and in it we can always find scripture that reminds us that God is our help and our shield; that we can rejoice, and our hearts can leap in our chest at the mere thought of His grace, and His goodness, and His love for us.

I don't know about you but I need to remember these things.  I need to read the words and think on how truly amazing God has been in my life – especially when I was weak and I needed Him the most.

I had a nervous breakdown once and it wasn't pretty.  One day after work (when I was living in Texas), I got in my car and I just started driving. I didn't know where I was going but I just wanted to get away.  Looking back, were things really that bad? No, not really, but in my mind they were, and all I knew to do was to just get away.  I wasn't in my right mind and if I'm to be truthful, it crossed my mind during those 3 days of driving to plow my car into an embankment or off a bridge – but God. . .

God knew the confusion in my mind and the pain in my heart, and He knew that I needed protection to get me to a place where I could be safe and let Him help me regain my thoughts and see clearly again . . . He lead me safely to my parent's house in Oregon.  When I arrived, I slept for days.  I don't even remember how I got there or which route I took – that's how out of it I was.  God got me through that "glimpse" of time in my life, and He protected me until I was able to see and think clearly again.  I know that I, in my debilitated state of mind, cursed Him a few times during that breakdown, but He still loved me and He still saw to it that I was OK.

He loves us so very much!  He knows that we aren't perfect, and that from time-to-time, we are going to make a mess of things.  He never questions and He never accuses – He just says:

"Come into the strength and protection of my loving arms and let Me care for you. I will hold on to you and I will see you through. I will make you strong once again because I made you. I know the success you are to become, and I have a plan for you to bring others to Me.  You are mine and I will never leave you."

So you see, no matter what you are facing today, no matter what is up against you, there is Hope!  God is our Help and He is our Shield, and He will get you through whatever it is that you are facing. Just call out to him . . . He will never fail you!

Prayer
Father thank you for Your loving arms of protection. You are my hope and I thank You for all those time when I needed You and You were faithful.  You hear me cry and You reached Your hand across the heavens – just for me.  I trust in Your love and in Your peace.

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

Sometimes You Just Have To Do It Yourself! – James 5:13

13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.
– James 5:13

Sometimes You Just Have To Do It Yourself!

We all believe in the power of prayer right?  So why is it that we believe in other people's prayers over our own?  I mean no one knows exactly what we need better than we do, and God knows exactly what's going on with us (now and in the future), so why is it that when we are hurting, or sick, or in need of a miracle, we go to others to pray for us before we pray for ourselves?  We should be crying out to God as soon as the need arises, with the faith that God (who loves us by the way), is listening and ALWAYS has our back.

Now, before you get your tail-feathers ruffled, please know that I know that it is scriptural to go to the elders of the church and to be prayed over and anointed with oil . . . BUT, I believe (and it is just my belief mind you), that before going to the elders, we should be seeking God ourselves and believing with all the faith and conviction we can muster, that we have just as much, if not more, healing power in our petitions to our Father than anyone else does . . . but the key is faith - not in the prayer, but in our Father who is hearing that prayer.  It is always good to get the elders and the saints praying and interceding, but I believe that it should start with us.  WE need to be praying for our needs, our healings, our desires, and our mountain-moving miracles.  Our Father (who loves us by the way), wants each one of us to trust in Him so much that He is the first one we go to when we need something . . . anything . . . everything!

Look at it this way – when you have something very good happen to you, you don't go to someone else and ask them to rejoice for you do you?  You don't go to the elders and sheepishly ask them to sing praises to God for the good things that are happening to you do you?  No!  You rejoice!  You sing praises!  You shout to the Lord with a mighty voice and You give Him thanks!  You have the same ability to praise Him as you do to pray to Him.

Today's scripture tells us . . . are you suffering?  Then YOU pray!  Are you happy?  Then YOU sing praise!  I think a lot of times we stay in our suffering for far too long, simply because we don't have the faith that God (who loves us by the way), will hear our simple petitions.  I'm here to tell you that He does and He will!  He wants you to come to Him with every aspect of your life; when you are happy, when you're sad, when you're sick, when you're grieved, when you're worried, when you're stressed, when you're freaked-out, when you're mad, and sad, and scared all at the same time.  He wants to be a part of your life – EVERY part of your life (not just on Sunday mornings).  He wants you to trust Him and to know Him and to have faith in Him.  He is your Father, and He loves YOU unconditionally, and completely, and without exception.  Won't you show Him that you understand how this relationship thing works and call out to Him today – no matter what's going on with you?  Oh and by the way, in case you didn't get the "subtle" message, our Heavenly Father Loves us . . . He loves me . . . and He loves you too!

Prayer
Father, Thank You for ALWAYS being there for me.  I know there have been times when I looked to others to do the asking for me instead of asking myself because I lacked the faith that You would hear my prayers, and I'm so sorry for hurting You like that.  How disappointed You must be when I do that.  I just want You to know how much I love You!  I just want You to know that I am learning to trust and to have faith, not only in my ability to get Your attention, but in Your desire to show me how much You love me!

Have a blessed day everyone!

–Richard 

Don't Be Afraid! – Acts 18: 9-10

9 And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent ; 
10 for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city."
– Acts 18: 9-10

Don't Be Afraid!
This is such an interesting bit of scripture for me because in it, we are told that Paul, the mighty preacher of the Gospel, the champion for Christ, was afraid.  I guess it shouldn't be surprising, considering all the beatings he took and the countless times he was left for dead for speaking the truth to his own people.  It seemed like every time he opened his mouth to try to convince folks to turn to Christ, he was either arrested, or jailed, or beaten, or stoned, or shipwrecked.  Come to think of it, I guess I would be downright shaking in my boots if every time I mentioned Christ those things happened to me.

But God knew just how to comfort Paul.  He knew that Paul needed encouragement and he needed to know that God had his back.  He came to Paul when he was at rest so that He could re-energize him and put fire back into his soul.  He gave Paul the pep talk he needed so that he could go on with his mission –  just like He will do for us today.

Now our problems are nowhere near the level of Paul's (at least not for anyone I know).  We don't have to face the kinds of attacks and persecution for our faith that he did, but God still speaks to us and encourages us all the same.  I think that He might be just a little disappointed sometimes in the way we can get down and discouraged.  I mean, look at the things we have to go through – we think God has forgotten about us if we get a flat tire, or we lose our job, or we get a bad report from the doctor.  All valid concerns, and I don't want to discount how very heavy these things can weigh on our lives . . . but at the same time, none of it is too big for God.  Still, He is patient with us, and He wants us to know that He has our backs today . . . just like He had Paul's back.

You see it doesn't matter that we aren't on a conversion quest like Paul – that was his mission.  What does matter is that we know what our mission is and we do it to the best of our ability.  Can it be scary to witness to a co-worker – you bet.  Will you be persecuted for speaking out against things like gay marriage – probably (especially in this valley).  Will there be times when you are afraid to say anything because of fear of not being accepted or liked – almost a guarantee.  But that's OK.  Our God knows what we are facing.  He knows the hearts of the people we will be witnessing to, and He knows the motives of those who will come against us.  We can take heart in knowing that He will come to us, and He will encourage us through it all.  In Him we have all the hope we will need to be re-energized and refreshed so that we can carry the gospel to everyone we know.  After all, He has our backs, and He's telling us "Don't be afraid any longer!"

Prayer
Father, thank You for understanding the things we face each day. And while for the most part, they might not be life-threatening events like Paul had to deal with, they are very real and often scary just the same.  It is beautiful to know that You care and that You want us to be encouraged and refreshed through it all.  I am so humbled to know that You see each one of us in our moment of weakness and You say, "Don't be afraid, I am with you."  Thank You Father.

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

What Shape Are You In?

3 So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel.
4 And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.
– Jeremiah 18:3-4

What Shape Are You In?
Ceramics was my favorite class in high school – OK, I know it was a "skate" class and I probably should have been taking my core studies more seriously, but I thrived in that class.  I loved everything about it.  I loved the way the clay smelled; I loved the cool feeling of it in my hands; I loved the way I could squish it between my fingers; I loved its forgiving nature, and most of all I loved the way I could shape it into interesting and cool things.

I would get lost in the clay – my imagination coming to life in the figurines and sculptures that I was able to skillfully produce.  Each piece would take on a life of its own and it usually came out completely different than what I had initially planned for it to be – usually for the better.  Not so much because of my lack of vision or skill as I started out, but because each piece of clay had characteristics of its own and so it would kind of dictate what I could do with it.  I quickly learned however, that I could work the clay into submission, and by kneading it, and twisting, and punching the air bubbles out of it, I could reconstitute the clay to get it to be what I wanted it to be.

Our lives are very much the same in the hands of our Father.  He has a plan for our lives but because of our will and sinful nature, we fight against His craftsmanship.  And, if you are anything like me, it usually takes a lot of reshaping and twisting, and punching the air bubbles out, before the Lord can get you to a place where He can mold you into something beautiful.

For me it took years of painful experiences, culminating in a nervous breakdown, 2 divorces, and a lot of lost brain cells, before I was at a place where God could work with me.  The beauty is that He was patient, and He was willing to let me try to work things out on my own until I got to a point where I needed Him.  He knew the plans that he had for me – the plans He STILL has for me, and He waited until I was willing to submit to his waiting hands so that He could take my life, and begin to work out all of the "air-head" bubbles.  And now, when He sees that I am starting to work against Him, He skillfully kneads my back into shape – it isn't always gently, but He knows which areas of my life need to be worked on, and He holds me gently in His hands while I go through the lesson.  I always come out with a brand new perspective on the direction He has designed for me, and I become more pliable as He continues to mold me into the masterpiece my life will become.

He is working on your masterpiece as well – He is working to shape you into His unique and wonderful design.  Will you submit to His touch on your life today?

Prayer
Father, You are the master Potter and I am so willing to allow You to mold me and to shape me into the man you want me to be.  I am so thankful that You understand just how to work the clay that is my life in order that I can become pliable in Your loving hands.  Shape me Lord – take out all of the impurities like lust, and pride, and conceit, and stubborn unforgiveness.  Mold me Lord, so that I can become what You have designed and then I can make a difference in my world . . . for You.

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

Just Believe! – – John 1:12

12 But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God ...
– John 1:12

Just Believe!
We talk about faith and belief but we mix it with our own understanding of how things work so what ends up happening sometimes, is that our faith and belief end up being a by-product our own point of view.

Growing up in Catholic school, we used to say the Apostles Creed every morning (right after the Pledge of Allegiance).  For those not familiar, it starts out like this:    I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
    the Maker of heaven and earth,
    and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord...

The problem was that I didn't even know who God really was.  I  sure didn't know who Jesus really was.  I recited the words of that prayer because the authority figures in my life told me to – not because I truly believed in them.

I see a lot of that still today.  I see well-intentioned Christians who talk of faith and belief but who, by their very words and actions, don't really buy into everything God says about who He is and who Jesus is.  I've even heard people who consider themselves to be Christians who say that the Bible is just a book of stories, and they only consider parts of it to be true.  I worked with one lady who told me that her pastor was teaching them that there were many ways to get to heaven and that Jesus was just one of the many ways.  How confused must that congregation be!

Sometimes, we don't have to look much further than our own beliefs to find incredible stories of half-hearted faith and we can end up wondering (doubting), if God can REALLY get us out of the trials we find ourselves in sometimes.  If we take an honest look back at the times when we were faced with something really big, we will most likely see that we finally turned to God AFTER trying to figure things out on our own.  But God knows how weak our faith can sometimes be, and He is ALWAYS faithful to get us through to the other side of the problem – despite our weak belief.  It might not always be the way we would have done it, but we always end up learning and growing as a result . . . that is, until the next time we're in trouble and we question God's abilities all over again.

What awesome victory we would have, if we just "got it" one day.  If we just woke up and realized that God is who He says He is; that Jesus is Lord, and He IS the risen Christ, and that through Him ALL things ARE possible for us because we BELIEVE IN HIM.  That Jesus IS our life source, and He IS our portion for every need and every desire . . . because He IS our every need and desire.  How beautiful would our lives be if we would just believe; believe that the Bible IS the very breath of God, given to us as a gift for survival in this crazy world; believe that every book, every chapter, every verse, and every word IS absolute and not open to our own understanding or interpretation.

Maybe one day we will learn to truly believe and when we do, we will see amazing power in our lives and we will see the world change . . . and our God, who loves us even in our unbelief, will be glorified!

Prayer
Father, I believe in You.  I believe every sentence of Your Word and I am so thankful that You have given me the way to find Your Heart through the pages of Your Word.  I have seen You change me as I explore it, and I am in awe of Your Holy Power that pours from every page.  Lord Jesus, I lift up those who are being deceived today.  I pray that their eyes can be opened to the lies that the enemy is feeding them, and that they can experience Your true Love through the Power of Your Word.  I thank You that You are a patient God and that You are putting fire in the hearts of Your true believers to reach out to those being led astray.  May we reach out in Love, and Joy, and Peace, without condemnation or accusation – just like You did for us.

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

It's Already Yours – Ephesians 1:3

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
– Ephesians 1:3

It's Already Yours!
In the movie Trading Places, Eddy Murphy plays a down-and-out street hustler who because of a bet between two wealthy businessmen, is taken from the streets and thrust into the lap of luxury.  He is given a new, fully-furnished luxury town home (complete with butler, limousine,  and chauffer), a new job with a Wall Street investment firm, and enough wealth to sustain him for the rest of his life.  In the scene where he is taken to his new town home for the first time, "Valentine" (Eddie Murphy's character), starts taking the nick-knacks and valuable antiques from around the living room and hiding them in his overcoat – his face is all lit up like he just hit the jackpot or won the lottery.  The two businessmen just look on and chuckle in amusement, and they try to explain that he doesn't need to "steal" the valuables because they are all his to do with as he pleases.  In a classic comedic move, Valentine looks directly into the camera with a huge grin and a "Can you believe this?" look on his face.  It isn't long before we see Valentine fully integrated into his new life and living as a successful Wall Street executive.  He is even giving investment advice to seasoned stock brokers and market analysts.  He is no longer the down-and-out street hustler – he has become a new man – a new creation if you will.

I can picture God standing by with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, chuckling in amusement as we discover the blessings that have always been available to us, and are ours for the taking.  I think that too often we timidly approach God, and with feeble prayers, we ask for a small blessing when all the time there is a huge blessing in the waiting.  God is just waiting for us to get to a point in our lives when we have the faith to take it, and to be ready to handle the responsibility of receiving it.  Like a parent eagerly waiting for a child to open a marvelous gift, He delights when we discover the blessings He has already designed for us.

Scripture tells us that God has already blessed us in the heavenly realms with EVERY spiritual blessing in Christ.  It doesn't say that He WILL bless us – it says that we are ALREADY blessed.  We just have to have the faith to take and accept what is already ours.  And once taken, we have to be mature enough to live the blessing and take on the new life in that blessing.

Example?  You ask for and believe/have faith, that God will bless you with a boldness to preach the Gospel.  God sees that you are spiritually ready, high-fives Jesus, and sends the Holy Spirit to the "Heavenly Storehouse" with instructions to deliver your blessing.  Next thing you know, you receive an invitation to give your testimony in front of the congregation at church.  Afterward, someone who just happened to be visiting your church, comes up to you and says, "You know,  I am headed to India for a missions conference, and I want to pay your way to go with us and tell your story on the opening night of our conference – there will be thousands in attendance!"  You had a small street ministry in mind, but God already had a global outreach blessing ready for you . . before you were even born!

I know not everyone is called to be a speaker or a preacher, but I think you get the idea.  So how do I tap into these blessings that already mine you ask?  It's simple really – you ready for it?  Here it is:

Love the Lord with ALL your heart.
Love the Lord with ALL your soul.
Love the Lord with ALL your mind.
Love the Lord with ALL your strength.
Love your neighbor as yourself.

The key is love – the love OF Christ and the love we find IN Christ.  If we can just figure out how to stop loving ourselves so much, and stop focusing on what it is that WE want, and how WE want our lives to unfold, then we can put our focus where it belongs.  The blessings which are already ours and have always been waiting for us, will be at our disposal and we can realize the abundance of life that God has designed for each one of us.

Prayer
Father, I thank You for the blessings that You have waiting for me.  I pray that I can take hold of the faith to handle the awesome magnitude of Your vision for my life.  Teach me to love with all that I am so that I can claim the  spiritual blessings in Christ that Your Word promises.  Grow me Lord, so that I can handle the blessings once I receive them.  I look forward to seeing the direction my life will take because of Your great love for me.  Help us all Lord, to catch Your vision for our lives and to have the faith to believe in them . . . like You believe in us.

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

Pour Out Your Heart

8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.
– Psalm 62:8

Pour Out Your Heart
Have you ever heard the saying He wears his heart on his sleeve?  It is usually used to describe someone who is emotional and is quick to let his emotions take over.  Have you ever know anyone who hides their heart in a vault?  They never let on what they are feeling, and they tend to hold in all their emotions so as not to let on what they are feeling.  Not only is this unhealthy for the person, but it is unhealthy for everyone else around them when all the pressure of their pent-up emotions finally reach a boiling point!

When we go to God in prayer, He not only wants us to wear our hearts on our sleeves, but He wants us to fully expose it, and lay it completely open at His feet.  He wants us to trust Him and to be completely transparent about what we are feeling – even with the things we might feel are silly or insignificant.  He wants us to be completely vulnerable (naked if you will), so that nothing is hidden or held back, because we are totally exposed.  He already knows everything that's there anyway.  He just wants us to acknowledge Him as God – you know . . . the one who created every fiber of our being.  He wants to know, that we know, who He really is.

It's funny the things that we do sometimes.  There are times when I've been praying and found myself thinking, "I can't tell God that – it's too embarrassing!"  Isn't that just dumb?!  That would be like trying to hide an elephant behind my back!  Everyone would be able to see it no matter how hard I try to deny or hide it.  God knows ALL about us, even the things we try to hide or keep secret.  He knows our thoughts, He knows our dreams, He knows our hurts, and He knows our past, so we might as well give Him ALL that we are – the good, the bad, and the embarrassing!  But if we aren't willing to give Him our ALL, how can we expect HIm to show us ALL that He has for us?  I believe that God will use the degree of openness of our hearts to help us along the way, as our future turns into our present – the more we are open to Him, the more opportunities He will open up for us.

We need to understand that God is our refuge – our hiding place.  He is with us when we are all alone, and we are completely safe in His embrace.  But sometimes, (a lot of the times), we just totally ignore Him.  How that must hurt.  He opened up His arms wide, totally exposing himself to the world, and He overcame sin and death . . . for us, and we aren't even willing to share our hearts with Him.  

I know it's difficult for me to do, but I also know that if I want to realize my dreams, if I want to get where He wants me to go, if I want to experience All that He has planned for me, I need to expose all there is about me.  I need to let Him mold me, and take all of the disgusting, dirty, beautiful, awkward, excellent, demented, creative, embarrassing, and wonderful parts of me, and use them (because they are me), to expand His kingdom.  I have nothing to lose by having nothing to hide, and I have everything to gain by exposing everything to Him!

Prayer
Father, I want so badly to pour out my whole heart, everything I am to You but sometimes I am so ashamed.  Sometimes I forget that You know it all anyway, and I realize that my stubborn pride and shame is just blocking the blessings that You have in store for me.  Help me to be vulnerable.  Help me to trust and to let go of all my inhibitions.  Help me to come to You like a child, full of awe, and wonder, and pure delight.  Help me Lord to see, and know, and trust You as the God of ALL of me.

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

He Is is Who – That's Why!

5 Why are you downcast, O my soul?  Why so disturbed within me? 

    Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.
– Psalm 42:5

He Is is Who – That's Why!
Did you ever wonder why we question everything?  From the time we are able to utter our first words, we are questioning.  I remember when I was a teenager, I spent the weekend at my grandparent's home doing yard work and helping out with some painting that needed to be done.  My cousin was living in a studio apartment that was attached to their garage and during the entire weekend, her daughter, my 2 year old niece, followed me around and asked me two questions over and over.  "Whatcha doin?"  and "Why?"  By the end of the weekend I vowed never to have children.

This is what we must sound like to God sometimes: 
us:     "Lord, whatcha doing?"  
Him:   "I'm teaching you to be a fruit tree."
us:     "why?"
Him:   "Because I need you to become an orchard."
us:     "why?""
Him:   "Because I need you to give good fruit to my people."
us:     "why?"
. . . and on and on it goes.  

I'm sure glad He has more patience than I did – or still do for that matter!  I think I'd be tempted to answer all those "Whys" by sending down a lightning bolt.  But asking why is part of who we are – it is our nature – we will always want to know why. 

Now don't get me wrong,  I am just as inquisitive as the next person, and I think we are always going to try to understand the reason that things happen the way they do.  But the truth of the matter is that we will never know the answer to some of the "whys" – not while during our time on earth anyway.

Instead of asking "Why?"  we should be asking  "Who?"  Who knows the depth of my pain?  Who sees the bigger picture in my life?   Who is interested in forming my character through various trials?   Our heavenly Father is the answer.  He is the one who knows, who sees, and who cares.  He loves us so much and He wants us to know and love Him, despite our painful circumstances.  He wants us to believe in Him and to Have faith that He will see us through – every time.

He wants us to know that He is God and He needs us to know what that means – no fear, no doubt, no concern – just Him . . . that's Who!

Prayer
Father, You are the one who knows the reasons for all things.  You have my life in Your hands and as You shape and mold me into the man You want me to become, I will yield myself to Your way.  Please forgive my selfishness and for questioning Your motives.  I pray that as I continue to grow in Your grace, my need to satisfy my curiosity will diminish and I will learn to wholly trust and believe in You and allow You to reign freely in my life – for all of my life.

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

What Are You . . . Anyway?

1  If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 

2  If I have the gift ofprophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge ; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 

3  And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
– 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

What Are You . . . Anyway?

Are you a lover? Or a "clanger?"  Are you something?  Or are you nothing?  I must admit that I am still a bit "clangy," and the Bible says that makes me "nothing" and that the work that I do, even though through my obedience God can do miracles so that others may benefit from it . . . I don't benefit at all.  Pretty harsh you say?  I don't think so.

Before I became a Christian I was not a nice person at all.  In fact, I pretty much hated everybody.  The events of my childhood and the consequences of my behavior as a youth, and on through my early 30's, left me with a warped view of the world, and an especially twisted opinion about God.  Basically I was full of hate, especially for myself, and I was headed down a steep path of destruction.

When God decided it was time, and He called me out of the "cozy" little hate-filled life that I had made for myself, He healed me of many things, and He delivered me of my 15-year drug addiction.  He left many things for me to work on though, and one of those was learning how to love . . . but first I had to learn how to forgive.  Forgive the priest for molesting me when I was 8; forgive those charged with protecting me and nurturing me in my childhood, but instead ended up hurting and scarring me both physically and emotionally; forgive my "friends" for all the things they convinced me to do that caused me to make bad decisions (hey, I had to blame somebody right?); but mostly I had to forgive myself.  I had a lot of self-hatred to deal with.  It has been a process, but now, with forgiveness from my past taken care of, He is continually working with me on learning how to love . . . everyone.

Everyone?  Are you kidding?  How can you possibly love everyone?  To tell you the truth, I don't have the answer to that one, but the Bible tells us that we are to love as Christ Loves us – and that means everyone.  In my own capacity it is impossible.  In my own limited understanding of "humanity" and what makes us tick, it cannot be done.  But God!  God can show us how, if we let Him.  He can bring us to a point of seeing beyond the obvious; seeing past the exterior; seeing His children (everyone), as equal to ourselves and equal in His eye.  He can show us how to love because He IS love.

So how about it?  Is there someone out there who just rubs you the wrong way?  Do you start to get angry at the mere mention of their name?  Clang! Clang! Clang!  Every time you call on God, He has to listen past all the clanging to hear what you are trying to say to Him.  I struggle with this Clang-itis every day, and I'll bet that most of you do too.  It's just our humanity, and our sinful, and selfish nature that we need to learn how to control.  We need to learn how to let God turn even the slightest bit of dislike into a pure and holy love – for everyone – even those who in our eyes, don't deserve it.  They are the ones who need to experience God's love the most . . . through you and through me.  Then, we will be Clang-Free, and that, will truly be something.

Prayer
Father forgive my prideful and selfish ways.  Forgive me for the times when I see Your children as enemies, and for thinking evil thoughts about them.  I need You to help me see them as You do.  I need You to show me how to love because I must admit that I am having a difficult time trying to do it on my own. I don't want to keep hurting You and sinning against You Lord, and I pray that I can start showing Your love to everyone, and that by doing so, it might just turn them towards You.  Thank You Lord, for loving me despite my clangy nature.

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

Hope and Encouragement

7  But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us;

8  we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed ; perplexed, but not driven to despair;

9  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 

11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
– 2 Corinthians 4:7-11 (English Standard Version)

Hope and Encouragement
It's only just barely Wednesday and already, this has been a long and tiring week – at least it has felt that way to me!  The rainy weather has my old friend arthritis playing havoc on my body, and work has been crazy, and even though I got them done last night, the stresses of having to get the taxes done has taken its toll, and the fact that I've been neglecting my school work and the semester looms ahead has me all stressed out, and-on-and-on, etc., etc., (now would be a good time for someone to play me a hauntingly sad song on the violin).  Add not feeling well and having no energy to the mix, and all I wanted to do today was crawl back into bed and sleep until weekend.  I know I can't do that though (sigh), . . . and so I press on.

How about you?  Has your week been as crazy, and tiring, and stressful as mine?  We all have different things that we are going through, and we are all affected in many different ways.  We can choose to give in to the pains, and the pressures, and the stresses, and use them as an excuse to escape from the world, but I think the Lord would rather we remember His Word that says, ALL of this happens "...so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our bodies." 

He does not, and He will not, give us more than we can handle (even though it may seem too much when we are in the moment), but He wants us to continually look to Him for our strength – our energy – our peace – our rest – our healing, and our delivery.  Christ IN us can do anything!  He will be our champion when we feel like we can't do one . . . more . . . thing.

He will be our smile and He will be our joy when we are so distraught, and sick, and tired, and stressed, and it seems like life has no meaning.  He will carry us when we feel like we are too weak to move.  He is so that we can be!  So let's look to Him today! Let's cry out to Jesus with eyes and arms and spirits lifted up! Let's show Jesus that we believe what He says and we are willing and ready to receive the life that only He can give us. 

Because according to God's Word to us, we may be afflicted in every way – but we will NOT be crushed. We may be perplexed about our situations – but if we look to Him we will NOT be driven to despair. We will be persecuted by the world – but because He is our Lord we will NOT be forsaken. We may, from time-to-time be struck down – but because of His shed blood, we will NOT be destroyed. 

He is our Deliverer, and He is our Redeemer, and He is our Portion! 

Thank You Jesus!

Prayer
Lord, I am so tired.  I have had a tough week and I need You right now.  I need You to help me to do the things I need to get through my day.  I know that in You I can do it all, and so I am asking You to be my strength and my energy today.  I need You to carry me a few steps so that I can get the momentum from Your love and joy.  Just a jump-start Lord – that's all I need right now, then I can carry You with me throughout the rest of my day. Thank You Lord – You are always there for me, and You never neglect me.  I love You.

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard