The cost of sin

Three days ago I began to feel that itchy scratchy feeling in the back of my throat and I remember that this too is a result of this fallen world. My wife has been wonderful and taken on an even larger part of the workload at home and with the baby. The problem is that makes me feel guilty, along with having to work the next five days straight. Why have I taken the time to tell everyone about my complaints? To let you know that Christ is strong even in our weakness. Our time hear on this earth is but a passing vapor and our time not feeling good is even less. Please take time today to pray for those who are hurting without Christ, that they may find Him and accept Him as Their personal Savior.


In His Service

Trust in the unseen

A few days ago I wrote about fear, and how we had not been given a Spirit of fear.  Well, today I was tested as I went with a group of students from my work to repel down a 90 foot face of a cliff above the Osage River.  To my amazement, as I walked to the cliff, and got clipped in I was not afraid of the height, I was not afraid of the chance of falling, but I was having problems trusting that this very small thing called a GriGri was supposed to hold all my weight, and keep me from moving down very quickly.  I stood on the edge, I stepped off the edge, I began to sit back, and I stood back up.  This took place three times as I told myself, this is not going to work, I can't hold my weight with my arms for 90 feet down.  Well, I didn't have to, that is what the GriGri is for.  When I finally just put my trust into it and leaned completely back, to my surprise, it did just what it was supposed to and held all my weight for me.  Now I am not going to act like it was something easy, and that I just bounded down the face, but it got easier as I went, and I can't wait until I get a chance to do it again.  It is difficult to trust Christ to be our Lord and King, but we will be blessed when we do so.  I know that if you are a Christian, you have trusted Him as your Savior, but go the next step, step off the ledge and trust Him with all your decisions, trust Him with all your finances, trust Him with all those things that you can not do yourself.  

In His Service

Fear itself

The famous quote is that fear itself is the only thing to fear. The fear of fear? What is the fear of fear? It is anxiety, worry, and other paralyzing feelings. It is what happens when we let the thought of things that this world might do to us take over. Not the things that are really happening, but those that could. Seems silly doesn't it. It is very serious though. We can deal with the things of this world, but we often seem helpless dealing with our thought life. Remember, if you are a Christian, you have the Spirit of Christ dwelling in you. Paul wrote to Timothy with these words; "For God has not given us a Spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind.". The cure? Remember Christ dwells in you, He has given you power over all attacks, act out your love for your neighbor and this will keep you from being idle and thinking fearful thoughts, and remember, spend time in the Word of God so that you can put off those sinful thoughts, and put on thoughts of God, and His will for your life.


In His Service

Marinate

The other day someone was nice enough to bless my family with a bag of frozen chicken breasts. So, I decided today to make some Italian dressing and marinate them before cooking. It is amazing to me how the chicken just sitting in the dressing will soak up the flavor. Then, when cooked, it will fully bring out the flavor.
Well, I guess my point is, what atmosphere are you marinating in. Who are you spending the majority of your time with? When God tests you, and the heat is turned up, what flavor is going to be brought out, that of love or anger?


In His Service

Running the race

Paul told Timothy he had fought the good fight, and finished the race. Well, I have been trainig for a 5k recently, and it is a 10 week training plan. Three weeks in, Ian was born and I took two weeks off. As I began running today, I started feeling pains in areas that I forgot could hurt. I take my running time as a time also to pray and meditate on God's promises. I began to think how hard it is sometimes to be disciplined in the things of the Lord. How sometimes when God gives us trials to chasten us or to strengthen us it can down right hurt. Yet when I look around at how God has blessed me now, and think about the place he is preparing for my eternity, I can't help but worship Him with praise. Please take time today to worship our Creator and Lord, fighting the good fight and winning the race.


In His Service

Four keys to becoming more Christ like

Tonight at Fuel the topic is from 1Samuel 11. From this we can see 4 keys on how to reflect the character of our Lord, Jesus Christ. The first key is prayer, we see this both in Christ's life, and also in the life of other leaders in the Bible. This passage talks about one of David's men who lifted up his spear to kill 300 men. We to have something we can lift up in this battle that we fight. We can lift up our voices in prayer. The power of prayer can be seen in every life of a believer, but not always to it's ultimate extent. Moses lifted up his hands in Exodus 17, and the children of Israel advanced. When his hands were lowered they would begin to be defeated. He had men around him willing to lift up their hands also in support of him. Are you lifting up your hands in prayer? Is there a brother or sister in Christ who could use your support in lifting up their hands?
The second point would be to know God's Word. It talks about Eleazar and how his hand fought so much that it got stuck to the sword. In our lives, God's Word is our sword. When Jesus was tempted by the devil, he used God's Word to rebuke him. When times get rough, or you are being tempted, have you spent enough time in god's Word to resist the temptation? Next we see David long for a drink, and his men risk their lives to bring him one. David knowing what they went through, and how precious the drink was, he decided he could not take it, but instead pours it out to the Lord. This is much like Mary's spikenard that she poured out on the feet of Jesus. The Lord appreciates when we give things in our lives that would give the world much joy, because our joy should rest in Him alone. This the third point would be to give of yourself.
The last often seems to be the hardest, as it is to a abide in the Lord, and endure whatever comes your way. Jesus talked about this in the 15th chapter of John when he said; "abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch can not bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me." And the second part to that point would be to endure. Paul wrote in his first letter to the church in Corinth that he endured and that they should imitate him.
I challenge you as I have been challenged, to imitate Christ!



In His Service

Time. . . Who has enough?

It's Friday and just hours before Fuel. I'm wondering where the week went, and what happened to all those plans I made. As most of you know, my second son was born 12 days ago. I've since started back working, tried to help my wife out, and keep time for myself to spend with Christ. The days pass quickly, but I look at it as I'm one day closer to being home.
Please remember that nothing is impossible with God. Take time this week to get into His Word, give thanks in prayer, and love your neighbor.


In His Service