Lets Chat

As a man I sometimes need to be reminded that a good relationship depends on quality communication. This is true if you are talking about a relationship with your wife, your children, your friends or co-workers, and most importantly God. I recently read a quote that said, “If you feel far away from God, guess who moved?” How profound is that? So how do we become closer to Him? Well it is easy, as I said above a good relationship requires quality communication. The Bible tells us how to communicate with God so it is no secret. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. John 5:16b

So how should we chat with the Big Guy? Well there are many ways suggested and if you are one of those people who need it broken down in a structured fashion you have to find one that works for you. I recommend looking at something like the A.C.T.S. method. It is simple really, start with A, start by adoring your Daddy, love Him, worship Him, and remember He created all, thus making us His treasure. God longs for us to love Him like He loves us. Next go on to C, confess to Him. God knows our sins, even before we commit them, He does not love us less but He does want us to own up to them and repent from them. This draws us closer to Him. The first part of the above bible verse suggests we confess our sins to others and pray for each other, if this is too hard at the moment start with Him. Now move on to T, thank Him. For some people this is easier than other because they see their blessings all around them. Again God created us; He breathed His breath into us. He gave us every sunrise and sunset, He raised every mountain and filled every stream, and He loves us with unconditional love and unfailing grace. That is something to be thankful for. Finally is the S, supplication, asking God to fulfill our needs and the needs of others. As I said there are many ways to structure your daily prayer life, this is just one example.

I like to have conversations with Him. I talk, He listens, I talk, He answers, and I usually miss it. This is because I often think prayer is about me. God answers every prayer and He does it in a few ways. The one everyone wants, “Yes, I think you are ready for this.” The one everyone is afraid of, “No, I know this is not good for you.” The one that everyone believes God just is not listening, “Wait, I have something so much better for you.” Finally He answers prayers sternly, reminding us that His grace is enough for us. Jesus said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Communication is the key to any successful relationship. God is the only one who gives us an infallible book on how to do it. If you have questions, read the Word of God, the answers are there within its living pages. I pray that everyone who reads this will be blessed in their day, know that Jesus died just for them, understand that God’s love is prefect and unfailing, and that they too can find peace in prayer to our Savior. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.1 Corinthians 15:57

 

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Be in the Light

A young mother holds her child for the first time. A comfort and joy comes after the pains of labor. The child, a boy, is laid to rest in a manger. After their travels there was no room in the inn, and the boy was meant to come on this day. High above the stables nestled directly above the manger where he laid shined a star so bright that it could be seen from all corners. In a time of darkness and despair God had sent a Light.

There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. John 1:9

Over 250 babies are born every minute in today’s world. On this day, a day we call Christmas there is 1440 minutes, that means 360,000 babies will be born to our world today. Born into a world where many will not make it to their first birthday. Many will die of starvation or thirst. Others will fall into the hands of darkness, sold or trained to fight wars that have no purpose or meaning. There will be some who grow up to be punching bags for abusive adults, others will not be seen or heard even though they were there all alone. A few will have what we like to call normal lives, graduate from school, maybe go on to college, and probably have a family of their own someday while working in an endless cycle of buying and selling. A select few will be seen by the world as the elite, with money and power at their every disposal, and the ability to change minds with just a simple word or two. This does not cover all who will be born this day but a vast majority. In this group of children will be men and women who devote their lives to shining God’s light, some may fall into a category above while others may choose to simply walk their own path guided by God.

So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Hebrews 9:28

So again our world has returned to darkness. Even those who claim to walk in the light straddle a fine line between where the shadows are and where the Light of Jesus shines. We are all sinners; we all need a Savior. Christmas has become part of that fine line we walk. It is a consumer driven world where many of us spend hours of our days finding and wrapping the perfect gifts but then go to church to worship the Light.  I enjoy the presents; enjoy seeing even my oldest teenager’s face light up when getting some trivial item like pajama pants but do I spend enough time being thankful for the most important gift? The Light.

Two thousand years ago our Savior was born to us, laid in a manger, hunted, He preached and taught, He guided, and He lit the path, and died for our sins. Just as it says in Hebrews above Jesus came to our world to be the Light, to take away the sins of many. Celebrate that life not only Christmas day but every day, for soon our Light shall return and take with him those who have been waiting. May the Light shine on you and your family this day and Merry Christmas.

“Yes, I am coming soon.”

Amen, come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20

Rock Bottom

Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.

                                                                                                J.K. Rowling

Many people hit rock bottom. For youth, our young people, the teens, rock bottom is so much closer to happening but often they don’t have as far to fall. As we get more invested into this world and our “stuff” the bottom seems further away but when we hit it we think it hurts more. Guess what, rock bottom whether you are young or old, rich or poor, healthy or sick, in company or alone hurts.

I have good news though. It comes from a loving and caring God. Psalm 40:2-3 tells us, He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a

rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. It is ok to hit rock bottom sometimes because when we do that is where we find the rock. Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God^; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:5-8

So if you get caught up in lies, in cheating, in stealing, in sexual immorality, drunkenness, and/or drugs, stuck in this world and not focusing on the true Kingdom there is hope. Jesus said “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 and in Jeremiah we find these words of encouragement, For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11God has a plan for us and while He may not dig us out of the hole we are in, he will jump right in with us if we allow Him and He will make us whole again.