God’s Great Objective!

God delights in glorifying His Son. He wants to see all people saved. Yet there is a specific, ultimate goal that He goes to great lengths to accomplish.... What do you suppose it is? What is God after today, right here and now? What is it that God wants? He wants you and me, and He wants all of you and me...
2 Tim 2:19 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness." NIV

God has one great objective for all people. That non should be lost and all come to repentance.
God is relational and he wants us to understand that either he is Lord of all or not Lord at all. God will, can and does intervene in areas of our lives all the time and we need to make room in our lives for that eventuality.

A Higher Standard

Luke 12:48 "From the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."

Whether we like it or not, we are called to a higher standard than the average person. We cannot afford to be critical or selective. As Christians we are obligated to be loving and merciful and that in an ever increasing measure. "For to whom much is given, much will be required."

Our testimony becomes worthless unless our walk matches our talk. If we have a poor work ethic take long breaks, read the Bible on company time, we alienate ourselves as elite and leave others feeling like they are somehow inferior. Jesus attitude was to put himself on their plain socially in order to minister to their need.

It is all to easy to categorize people. Either we like them and we will talk to them or we do not like them and avoiding them. The Lord expects us to hold ourselves to a higher standard of wisdom, humility and grace. When criticized we cannot afford to become defensive. Jesus always took the high ground by always looking for an opportunity to minister even to those who were critical of him. By responding to our coworkers with patience, love and compassion we have an opportunity to make an impression on them which when mingled with prayer can break down the barriers and allow Christ into their lives. Our lives preach the only sermon some people will ever hear.

He Knows Your Name!

John 10:3
3 "The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out." NIV

They look pretty much the same to me but the shepherd knows them all by name. I, unfortunately, have trouble with remembering names so I write them out on note paper to remember them. I am so thankful that Jesus easily remembers our names and I found out why.
In Isaiah 49:16 "See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands." (NLT) Wow! To think that we are being thought of by the Lord all the time. My name is on his hand.
This then would also mean that He cares about matters to us. He knows when we are sick or under stress or burdened. The Bible is very specific about how much He cares for us. John also writes, 1 John 3:1 "We really are his children" (NCV) It is almost as though John thought some of us would think "Not me", maybe Billy Graham or Mother Teresa but surely not me. So he made a special emphasis here to make sure we would not miss the message.
You are important to Jesus. Remember that and thank him for it.

Brokenhearted

Psalm 34:18 "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Losing a loved one will always be difficult. When it happens we must remember the only way out is through. There are no easy fixes or pills which can heal the feelings of hurt and loss. The passage of time along with loving friends and family help us heal. Here are some things you can do in the mean time.

1. Holidays, birthdays and anniversaries are difficult so plan ahead if possible. Do something totally different instead of the traditional activities. Do what feels best to you.
2. Let the church family help you. Reach out and let others pray with you. Your friends will not understand unless you tell them.
3. Talk to God. Sorrow is draining. Ask the Lord to strengthen you when you feel down. Isaiah 40:29 7 31 says: "He gives strength to the weary ... those who hope in the Lord ... renew their strength."
4. Keep your expectations in check. Have a reasonable expectation as to how much you can handle. Treat yourself as you would treat your best friend. Be kind and nurturing to yourself.

More Like Jesus

Isa 64:8 "We are like clay, and you are the Potter." (NCV)

God loves you just the way you are, but He loves you too much to leave you that way!
Where did you get the idea that you cannot change? Aren't you glad that God does not consult your past before considering your future? Like the Potter he can take you and mold you and make you a vessel of honor.
Max Lucado in his book "Just Like Jesus" "God can no more leave your life unchanged than a mother can leave her child's tear untouched." Is it possible that this might be a reason for some of the pain you are experiencing lately?

He Remembers

Hebrews 6:10

James Sizoo made this comment: "Glamour isn't greatness, applause isn't fame, prominence isn't eminence. The man of the hour isn't apt to be the man of the ages. A stone may sparkle but that doesn't make it a diamond. People may have money but that doesn't make them a success. It's the seemingly unimportant people who determine the course of history. The greatest forces in the universe are never spectacular. Summer showers do more good than hurricanes but they don't get a lot of publicity. The world would soon die but for the fidelity, loyalty, creativity and commitment of those whose names are un-honored and unsung."

You do count in God's kingdom. Listen, "God …. will not forget your work and the love you have shown... as you .. .helped his people." (Heb 6:10) "People look at the outside … the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Sa 16:7 NCV) God knows how hard you have been working behind the scenes caring for others.

Will Rogers is quoted as saying, "We can't all be heroes, somebody has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by." "Don't get discouraged and give up, for (you) will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time" (Gal 6:9 NLT) Remember God keeps his promises.

Pun Lovers

For Pun Lovers

Arbitrator: A cook that leaves Arby's to work at McDonald's.

Avoidable: What a bullfighter tries to do.

Bernadette: The act of torching a mortgage

Burglarize: What a crook sees with

Control: A short, ugly inmate

Counterfeiters: Workers who put together kitchen cabinets

Eclipse: What an English barber does for a living

Eyedropper: A clumsy ophthalmologist

Heroes: What a guy in a boat does

Left Bank: What the robber did when his bag was full of loot

Misty: How golfers create divots

Paradox: Two physicians

Parasites: What you see from the top of the Eiffel Tower

Pharmacist: A helper on the farm

Polarize: What penguins see with

Primate: Removing your spouse from in front of the TV

Relief: What trees do in the spring

Rubberneck: What you do to relax your wife

Seamstress: Describes 250 pounds in a size 6

Selfish: What the owner of a seafood store does

Sudafed: Brought litigation against a government official

Job 8:21
21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. NIV