Greatness

What does it really mean when we say, “God is great!”

Does it mean that He has somehow decided to listen to us and do things according to our opinion? Does it mean that we silly humans have stopped hurting each other and ourselves? Does it mean that we have finally attained everything that we think we should somehow have or deserve?

OR does it mean that we have surrendered our opinions and admitted that we are short sighted and myopic in our views?

OR does it mean we have decided to not allow the roller coaster called life and life situations to dictate our faith in God?

OR does it mean we have come to the conclusion that we need to walk in thankfulness instead of deservedness?

It is only when we purpose to disconnect from the things of this world and put focus on who and what God promises to, will we be able to stand firm in the face of adversity. God is an amazing and mighty God with our without our approval. He is the one who spoke this earth into existence and is the one who intersected our lives with hope, peace, and joy.

How long will we choose to allow this world and the people in it to decide our worth and what goals we should run after? God has called us worthy and has an amazing journey in store for those who call Him Lord. I am challenged today to lay aside my own ideas of what this life should look like and allow the Lord to redefine my motives, my goals, and my ultimate destination.

Saying God is great means that He is big enough and awesome enough to lead and guide me. Saying God is great means that I don’t have to be anything but His child.

Deuteronomy 3:23-24
At that time I pleaded with the LORD: “Sovereign LORD, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do?

It is 5:30 AM

It is 5:30 AM and I am sitting here thinking about the more important things of this life. The Lord is my #1 thought this morning. He has walked with me since I have been a child teaching me how to best navigate this life. He has stood by me when I have walked down wrong paths and embraced sin and temptation- loving me, healing me, and placing my feet back on the path of truth. He has also placed a barrier around me of peace when the nuclear warheads have attempted to blow up my life. In truth, the scars are very real from some of those bombs that have went off, but as the destruction was set in motion, so was the Holy Spirit’s guiding, leading, and healing touch. As with anyone who lives through life trauma and the dying of something, there are questions that may never be answered, but where I am sitting now, I am thankful for the presence of the Lord. One of the greatest things that has happened in my life in these last years is the ability to find God’s fingerprints where He is working, and at times even get to see Him in action. Today, as I think of my life that is filled with the joy of marriage, children, friends, a purposeful ministry, and a fulfilling job- I am at peace.

Thank you Lord for being the faithful and consistent healer and life giver for my life and family.

I am not sure where this devotional finds you this morning. You may be in the midst of suffering the consequences from your own personal life decisions, possibly facing the ramifications from someone else’s decisions, or at a time of peace from the worries of this world. Whichever situation you are in- be encouraged! Your Lord and Maker is actively present in your life and longs to be invited to draw near into your situation. He has jumped through all of the hoops, built the bridges, and created the paths for you to be able to have a life giving relationship with Him. All you need to do is choose to sit at His feet and surrender.

In Joshua 4, the Bible tells us of a time that Joshua was leading His people across the Jordan and the Lord went before them and made a way for them to walk on dry ground. Though it may seem impossible that God would move in your life like this, He can, and He will. Take the first step to seeing a miracle and turn to Him. He has an amazing way of taking care of His children.


Dear Lord,
It is time for me to start my day and I choose once again to ask the Lord to go before me and guide my day. Please be with my wife and my boys. We need you to be present and active in each of our lives.

Amen

Be Strong- Be Courageous

I have to first apologize for not writing a devotional in a few months. The Dahir family has been through quite a few changes and the time factor has become a little difficult to manage. We have started a new church in the Sparks area called Freedom Fellowship in Spanish Springs. The Lord has been bringing us wonderful people to touch and transform our community. I have also become the Vice Principal of Excel Christian School and help run the sports program, teach, and administrate. It has been a blast to be a part of the faculty at this school and get to know the students that the Lord has put in our care. On top of that, I will graduate in May of 2011 with my Psych degree and a minor in Christian Counseling from Liberty University. I share all of this to catch you up on my life and to lead into today’s devotion.

It is easy to look at all of the work, all of the difficulties, all of the despair and become overwhelmed with the work that is at hand. The idea of being strong and courageous sounds wonderful for about an hour and then when the flood of this life does not begin to recede, become taken by worry and fear. The idea of being strong becomes a dismal dream and any hopes of being courageous are a play-write at best.

Joshua 1:7-9
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Over the years when I have read this scripture, I would try to use it as a steroid boost in order for me to be stronger and face my life. When Melissa and I read this for our morning devotional there was a totally different message that was being clarified for me by the Holy Spirit. God is not telling me to toughen up and quit complaining! Though that is a good idea. He is saying to stand firm in the truth and keep your eyes on Him. Nothing that Joshua was being asked to do was going to happen because Joshua made it happen. God was telling Joshua to be strong and courageous and watch what He, Yahweh, was going to do for the people He loved so much. This is such an important message for each of our lives. When you look at your life and believe there is no way you are strong enough to face what is before you. I have to agree that you are probably correct. However, you are strong enough and able to stand as a disciplined child of God and watch God, who is strong enough, take care of you and the people surrounding your life.

I hope you are encouraged to be STRONG and to find your COURAGE. God can and will do wonderful things in your midst. You can trust Him!

God Values You

This week in church I taught about how God values you as an individual. He does not look at you or me and decide that we are too messed up, broken, or beyond repair. He looks at us and believes we are just as valuable as the day he chose to send His son to this world to take our place. Jesus does not for a moment wonder what compelled Him to step out of the Garden of Gethsemane and accept our place on the cross. There are days that I feel He should have sold the whole lot of us and start over. That brings me right back to the part o the story that I get on my knees and thank my Jesus for sparing me and loving me in spite of myself.

Have you thanked the Lord today? Have you noticed that He is not surprised by who you are? Not the facade you allow everyone to see but the true you. He sees you and values you!

This is why we need to be careful to not allow our personal views of each other to get in the way of how God sees things.

If there is anything I want to leave you with today is that God has such love for you and that alone should inspire you to show that same love to the world around you.

Think about this today.

Genesis 1:26
Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."

Because God made us in His image and in His likeness should that fact alone cause you to treat the person next you a bit different?

Blessings- PK

Judge Not- Grace only

Romans 2:1
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? 4Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?

What a difficult and freeing scripture. Depending on if you are the one that did the hurting or the one hurting will determine how much you either enjoy this scripture or disdain it. What has helped me walk forward in forgiveness and bring my judgmental attitude to a lower level is to take my life and look at the whole picture and not only my immediate surroundings. Maybe the person who has wounded me has truly been a worse friend than me today. However, take the picture of my life from as far back as I can remember to the present day and it is far simpler for me to see that I am just as rotten and diseased as any amount of evil this world has thrown at me. On the days where the memories of the wrong doing are too difficult to handle or the pain is still distracting, I take a walk on the wild side and imagine what my life would be like if I stopped following the Lord and ignored the leading of the Holy Spirit. This is when I can see who I really am and at that point, it becomes very easy to extend grace and mercy to the people in my life.

When we get to heaven and stand before the Lord, He is going to ask me why I did the things I did, adopted the attitudes that were expressed, and walked in judgment towards the people He entrusted in my life. At that point I could try and argue my point of view, but I have a feeling that there is not an excuse that is going to matter. I am responsible for my actions, attitudes, motives, and each and every word spoken. One day I will give an account to the Lord for me, and I pray on that day, that this scripture helped guide each and every moment that He has left me here on this earth.

Lord,
I truly thank you for allowing me to be your representative on this earth. I choose to walk forward with my eyes focused on you and my heart loving each and every person you put in my path. I am only a mere man and have no right to judge another. Please help kill my pride and give me the eyes to see what you see. Instead of brokenness, you see them healed and complete. Instead of despair, you see them beaming with joy. Instead of using drugs, fame, sex, or success to bring fulfillment, you see them robed in your righteousness with a peace on their face that only comes from finding hope in you. I love you Lord and thank you for forgiving me and allowing me to experience your grace. Help my daily life truly represent who you have been in my life. Amen and Amen

True Worshippers

Why is worship so confusing for people?

For those of us who grew up with the concept of singing songs at church it seems to be natural but depending on your background, depending on your gender, depending on your experience, it will have different meaning and may bring a nuance of fears.

As you read through the following scripture I encourage you to ponder the thoughts and questions in bold that I have inserted. Worship truly is one of the main avenues that the Lord speaks to me, calms my heart, and gives me direction. If you need a touch from God, I encourage you to set aside your pride, your preconceived ideas about worship, and take the time to fall on your knees and surrender to Him. He is always faithful to show up.


John 4:4-42
4 Now he had to go through Samaria.
5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph.
6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.
7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?”
8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?”

(For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?
12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?”
13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,
14 but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”
16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”
17 “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband.
18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”
19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet.
20 Our fathers worshipped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”

1. People will always use their differences in worship to deflect truth

21 Jesus declared, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.
23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks.
24 God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth.”

2. What must be done to worship in spirit and truth?

25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
26 Then Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am he.”
27 ¶ Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no-one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”

3. Religiousness will always distract from the heart of worship

28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people,
29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”
30 They came out of the town and made their way towards him.

4. Worshipping the Lord will bring empowerment

31 Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.”
32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”
33 Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?”
34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.
35 Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.
36 Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.
37 Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true.
38 I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labour.”
39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.”

5. We Worship That Which Seems Most Powerful!

40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days.
41 And because of his words many more became believers.
42 They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Saviour of the world.”

6. Worshipping the Lord as a lifestyle is the best witness

__________________________________

This is a wonderful song that reminds us to come to God as we are. He loves us more than we can imagine.

Just Come As You Are
By Pocket Full of Rocks

Come as you are
He’s not mad at you
And He’s not disappointed
His grace is greater still
Than all of your wrong choices
He is full of mercy and he is ever kind
Hear His invitation
His arms are open wide

You can come as you are
With al of your broken pieces
And all your shameful scars
The pain you hold in your heart
Bring it all to Jesus
You can come…
As You are
As You are

Louder than the voice
That whispers you’re unworthy
Hear the sound of love
That tells a different story
Shattering the darkness
And pushing through the lies
How tenderly He calls you
His arms are open wide
Oh you can come as you are

You can come as you are
With all your broken pieces
And all your shameful scars
The pain you hold in your heart
Bring it all to Jesus
You can come as you are

As You Are

Jesus is about bringing freedom!

Luke 4:14-20
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.

16He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. 17The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

18"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
19to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

20Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."


Do you notice that it does not say to pull yourself out of your poverty and then come?

Or get free of your depression, your addictions, your habits, your self destructive tendencies, your sadness, your chains, and then come….

Or heal yourself of your brokenness and then come…

Or overcome the oppression you are feeling and then come…

Instead it is clear that Jesus took care of it all.

Roman 5:6-8
6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

This is important for our own lives and as we share the gift of faith, grace, and hope with others.

For those of us who have heard this for years it is very easy for us to believe and even possibly quote these scriptures, but have we taken the time to realize how this truth should change how we think, how we act, and who we are?

Here are a few points to ponder. Ask the Lord to speak to you through His scriptures and as you read these questions.

1. How does this affect us?

2. How should we approach God?

3. How should we approach life?

4. How should we approach others?

A Dream Come True

As most of you know my wife and I were pastors in Las Vegas for many years. Then after 15 years of marriage decided that we must take a step back and take a break from the treadmill of ministry. We moved to Virginia and pretty much disappeared from the world that we grew to love for so long. While in Virginia, the Lord began to heal many parts of our heart that were shredded through years of ministry, personal issues, and relationship deterioration. While we were in Virginia we met some great friends, sought the Lord for our future, and started to discover what next steps the Lord would have for us. During one of the weeks while we were praying and fasting, I awoke from a dream where I was preaching at a church. When I was finished preaching, I went outside to figure out what church I was at. The name of the church was Freedom Fellowship. I then looked to see who the pastor was and came to a startling realization that I was the pastor. I woke up and told Melissa about this crazy dream and then just stored the dream in that place where I ponder the crazy possible ideas that God might be asking of me. Through prayer, good counsel, and seeking the Lord we ended up Reno, NV, where my brother and sister live with their families. We began working at Hillside Foursquare Church with our friends Pastor Louie & Joni Locke and served in whatever capacity was needed. It was during this time that I had the same dream where I was preaching at a church that was called Freedom Fellowship, where I was supposedly the pastor. I did not see how this was going to happen, so once more I shared it with Melissa and a few close friends and then left it alone. In February, the Lord opened the door for me to go back and teach at the church that I pastored at for so long in Las Vegas, NV. I knew that we needed to go back, say thank you, and allow the Lord to seal that part of our life. This was a difficult but healthy process. While we were there, the Lord did wonderful things in our hearts and we truly had a great time with our Las Vegas church family. Do not get confused, there were a lot of tears and difficult situations for my heart and mind, but it also was a time of freedom for both Melissa and I. We love our church family in Las Vegas, but we also know that it is no longer where the Lord is asking us to serve. It was during our time there in Las Vegas that the Lord made it very clear that we were to begin the church I dreamt about. Melissa or myself have never hoped to or thought about church planting. In fact, we would had told you that you were out of your mind if you had told either of us that not only we were going to plant a church, but that we would be excited about it.

There are so many messages sitting in this testimony that will surface over the next many years of teaching. The message that I want to focus on for this blog entry is that God will always bring health and direction. I think of Elijah when he got scared of Queen Jezebel and ran. The Lord met him in the desert, fed him and took care of him, led him to a cave for shelter, and then told him to get back to work. I do believe that leaving Las Vegas was an important step for both Melissa and myself. Many times I felt like I was stranded in the desert licking my wounds and was as lost as I have ever been. But it was during that time the Lord was feeding us and bringing us both back to a place of health. He led us to a place of shelter and rest and now we are standing, refocused, and are looking to our future with expectancy. I personally have never been more sure of who I am and what the Lord is asking of me. Which brings us to the next step of God’s love- He is giving us new directives and asking us to get back to work. We are listening to God’s voice and stepping out into the unknown.

Psalm 27:5
For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.

We do thank the Lord for each and every one of you who have prayed for us and believed in God’s plan for us over the years. If you find yourself in Sparks, NV, on a Sunday morning please plan on stopping by. The dream that God gave is coming to fruition. The church will be called Freedom Fellowship, and when you come I will be teaching God’s promises for today’s journey.

Any Where... Any Pulpit!

This weekend the opportunity presented itself to go to Las Vegas and teach at a friend’s church. I was very excited to see him and his family and to share a message about the seeds that we sow in our lives to his congregation. I did two services for their church. The first service would be what he called “Street church” and the second was a more traditional church in side of a building. I had no idea what to expect for the street church but my son and I got in our car and drove down to Home Depot to wait and see what we would be doing for that day. Pastor Alex and some of the members of his congregation went around and invited people to come and hear God’s word and eat with us. As the people gathered I was looking for a place to put my notes and bible so I could teach. One of the congregation members said he would be right back with my pulpit. This is when he came running up with a shopping cart and turned it up on its side and created a pulpit for me. We had a wonderful service and I had the opportunity to pray for many people to allow the Lord to soften their hearts and make their hearts fertile for God to grow good things.

As my son and I were leaving we both felt very satisfied and joyful that we were able to take part in this service. This time of teaching reminded me of the scriptures that I read about Jesus and how would walk somewhere and teach along the way. Wherever He found Himself, He pointed people to His Heavenly Father. The evening service was also a neat time of seeing the Lord move, however, the people that we spent time with in the morning keeps coming to the surface of my heart.

Here are a few things that the Lord is showing me through this experience.

1. Do not wait to make a difference. You do not need a building or the ability to pay for electricity to share the truth of Jesus’ word. Simply be available to share those truths that the Lord has shown you.

2. It is important to meet people where they are. If people have to come to church they may never hear about the amazing gift that Jesus has given.

3. The best pulpit just may be a shopping cart. I have spoken for many different styles and sizes of pulpits over the years. I have to say that the Lord did something very special in my heart that morning that we took a shopping cart, God’s word, and shared the truth.

Question for the day
What pulpit has God put in your life that He is asking you to use to share His truth?

Acts 20:24
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

Reflection

I had the opportunity yesterday to hang out in downtown Reno, feeding the homeless, giving away waters, doing dramas, and praying for people, with a group of students from a local Christian school here in Reno. I was so proud of them. They each stepped in there and let the Lord use them.

One of the main conversations that we kept having is how this type of outreach is more of a lifestyle of kindness and availability than something that must be planned as an outing. By the end of the day, it seemed that many of the youth truly understood and were ready to see how God might use them on a regular basis.

As I was teaching and sharing about being an ambassador for Christ, the Lord reminded me that I needed to make sure that these are not just words to share but a life to live. Am I being a good reflection for others as I stand for my God?

Here are a few qualities of an ambassador…
#1 Ambassadors treat others the way the person they are representing would

#2 Ambassadors make decisions that honor the person they are representing

#3 Ambassadors understand that each thing that is said affects more people than just the people in their life- they affect anyone that is somehow tide to the person that is being represented.

#4 Ambassadors take great honor in the role they have been given

I pray that as we walk forward and live for the Lord that the world that is looking for a Savior can look to our lives and see a true understanding of how much their Creator loves them.

2 Corinthians 5:20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.

A Melancholy Heart

This morning I woke up with emotions of joy, sadness, and a longing to press forward. I had a dream that involved many of the youth, men and woman that the Lord has brought into my life and allowed me to teach and train over the years. There was joy because I was able to see some of the wonderful things that were now being accomplished because of the seeds that were planted in their hearts, through our relationship and how they have grown. There was also sadness because some of those seeds did not grow properly and some of those people in my dream were struggling and making bad decisions. I remember in my dream beginning to cry. I truly cared for these people. Each of these decisions they were making were showing the world the condition of their heart. Then before my dream was over, one of the youth that I pastored for some time stepped forward and encouraged me by showing me his life decisions. I found those tears of sadness began to be tears of joy and I felt a pull to step forward and make sure that I planted more seeds.

This was an interesting dream because as much as I have dreamed in the past and the Lord has used these dreams to speak to me, I can never remember feeling these emotions before.

I do not know where you are at or what you are doing but please allow my dream to also encourage you.

#1 Remember that the Lord puts each person you come in contact with there and you have an opportunity to plant good seeds of who the Lord is.

#2 Not every seed planted will grow correctly, but the Lord sill continue to guide and prune each of those people’s lives. He cares for them enough to give His life and has a great plan to bring wholeness and redemption.

#3 The actions we partake in give those surrounding us a very accurate view of the condition of our heart. Work on the heart and the actions will change!

#4 Keep pressing on! If you have had disappointments, do not allow them to stop you from doing what God has asked of you!

#5 Do not allow yourself to stop caring for people as a defense mechanism. Sometimes when we get hurt it is easy to shut down and not allow people within arms reach. While you and I are still alive we have a responsibility to point people towards the only place to find hope- Jesus Christ. This can only be done if they are close enough to see what is really happening in your life.

It is weird because I am still being touched by a few of those emotions that I felt in my dream. For those of you who have allowed me to speak into your lives over the years, I thank you for the trust and pray that there have been good seeds planted that have pointed you toward your Creator. If it seems your life is not where it supposed to be, it is never to late to run to the Lord and allow Him to once again shape and direct your life. I believe the emotions I am feeling are just a small understanding of how God feels towards each of us. He has great plans for us and I encourage you to run to Him. If you feel lost, I hope you are comforted by the fact that the Lord is with you, just waiting for you to turn and surrender once more.

Matthew 18:10-14
"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. "What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.

True Wisdom

John 8:9
At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman standing there.

This is such an amazing story and I think it is significant to point out that this is not parable or a story told by Jesus to cause people to think. This was an actual true-life account of just one of the situations that Jesus encountered while on this earth.

The story begins when these Pharisees found a woman caught in the act of adultery. Yes, this whole scenario is a bit strange, if she was caught, then where is the man that she was with. However, to continue with the story they dragged her in front of Jesus in order to find a way to trap Him in His message of love, hope, and mercy. The Pharisees knew the law stated that she was to be stoned to death and had every intention of seeing it fulfilled. It is important that we do not get stuck on the sin of adultery. Yes, adultery is a very difficult sin to deal with that has far reaching repercussions but if we were to equate sin to poison it doesn’t matter which brand of poison is chosen as it will all bring death. How did the Lord deal with all of this sin? The sin of adultery of the woman and the sin of pride and arrogance from the religious men were all sitting before Jesus awaiting His judgment. He took a moment and wrote in the dirt. No one knows for sure what He wrote. I wonder if He drew a cross, wrote some of the Pharisees sins, or maybe just needed to put Himself in a time out in order to respond to these Pharisees, as He should. After looking up from His doodling Jesus made one statement that would cause the whole group to disperse.

“If any of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”

Then Jesus went back to drawing his picture in the dirt.

This is where we see Jesus’ words break through the hard hearts of these religious men. Scripture tells us that beginning with the older ones each of the accusers dropped their rocks and walked away. Now why do you think the older ones were first? I see only one true reason for this response- they have lived longer and have had time to realize their own shortcomings and sinful moments.

After all of the accusers left there was only one person there who could throw the stone with a clear conscious and He chose to die for the woman’s sin instead of allow death to rule. Jesus did tell this woman to go and sin no more.

So what lessons of wisdom can we walk away with from this story about Jesus and His love for you and I?

#1 Jesus is very serious about the love and forgiveness He has for us

#2 Do not be so quick to pick up stones and throw them at others- we all have much more in common than we like to admit

#3 Jesus’ love does not give us the freedom to do what we want- He made it very clear that the woman was to go and sin no more

#4 The freedom Jesus gives is to be able to walk forward in a peace that only comes because He gave His life away

#5 Notice the story does not say that the woman picked up the rock and began stoning herself to death- she accepted Jesus’ forgiveness as should you and I


Dear Lord,

Please help us understand, accept, and embrace your love and forgiveness. Protect our heart from becoming arrogant and judgmental. Fill us with your Spirit to the place that if we are cut open that we will bleed of your love and mercy. Thank you for your love and for being patient with us in those moments where we take our eyes off the hope that you created for us as you gave away your life.

Amen

In God's Time

At this they tried to seize Him but no one laid a hand
on Him because His time had not yet come.
John 7:30

During this life there will be moments where we find ourselves basking in the radiant sunshine only to turn the corner and feel entrenched in the darkness of shadows. There are lessons to be learned during each of these stages. However, it is crucial to our existence that we have the understanding that in both situations our God is present and unchanging.

On many occasions the Bible speaks of situations where the main characters in the story were about to be killed, maimed, and wounded, but the Lord did not allow the destruction to befall them. Scripture after scripture speaks of times with Jesus where He was able to walk untouched through the crowds of those who desired to harm Him. Other examples are Daniel, Gideon and his army, King David, the three brothers Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo and many others. Have you ever thought of adding your name to that list? That long list of heroes of the faith, that though they were human, loved their God and served Him valiantly. Adding your name to that list has nothing to do with the word hero or the rush of pride that comes with that title. The ability to add your name to that amazing and miraculous list has everything to do with our God and His most wonderful love. In truth, there is not one person mentioned in scripture, besides Jesus, that deserved the love that God offered them. They each had sinful desires, moments where fear overtook their faith, acts of disobedience, and a tendency to self-destruct. Our God did not look at them and disqualify them. Instead, He took their weaknesses and used the person in spite of themselves. Their name is on that list because God made it so and made the decision to love the unlovely.

Though I hope this conversation brings you to a sobering realization of what we are really made of, there is not a stone of judgmentalism hidden behind my back waiting to be launched. This realization should bring each of us to our knees and remind us of our need to run to our only hope. I am so thankful that the Lord has placed my name on His most protected list. This doesn’t mean that the lion’s cannot devour my flesh or that I will not be burned in the fiery furnace. But it does assure me, that like Jesus, there is no one or nothing that can overtake or consume my life until the right time- which is God’s time. And when that time is to come it will not lead to destruction but to a perfect graduation.

Scripture also gives us many examples of God’s people laying down their own desires, painful moments, scarred memories, and ultimately, their very lives, to follow and honor their God. As I have grown older and served the Lord, my biggest fears are not found in the possibility of losing this life or the pleasures that surround it, my fears are wrapped up in the idea of whether God is or is not in control. On those days where I can bask in the rays of His presence and I am able to sense His guidance, my fears are subsided and I can raise my head high. However, on those days where the voices that are hidden in the shadows keep screaming my name and the waves of fear seem to be rising higher than the foundation I am standing on, my faith begins to crumble. As I read out of John today the Lord reminded me that my life is in His hands- even in those moments where my worries have blinded me to the truth of His overpowering protection.

Whether you feel that your life is basking in the sun or walking ominously through the shadows, nothing can steal you away from the loving arms of God. Run to Him! Allow Him to renew your hope and give you strength. He is an amazing God with an amazing plan. The shadows that may seem to be controlling your life may only be there to remind you how desperately you need the sweetness of God’s embrace.

You do not want to leave too, do you?

Has the Lord offended you?

Are there questions that have gone unanswered?

Have you been pushed to the limits of your faith and understanding and had to make a decision to still hold on?

In John chapter 6, Jesus finishes sharing a difficult teaching for his followers to understand and many people begin deserting him.

Verse 66
From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

This is a very strong life statement. What happens in someone’s life that would cause them to make a decision to turn and run from the Messiah? There is a part of me that has always thought these people must be crazy. However, once life begins to take more than you were you were ready to give and you find yourself standing on ground that is foreign, it usually always seems like a good time to run. The Bible guarantees that we all will face these types of struggles in one fashion or another. So, then how do we stand strong during some of the hardest times in life? How do we follow the admonition of Ephesians 6 that tells us to keep standing and ward off the enemy?

I believe we find the answer in verse 67 and 68 of John 6.

You do not want to leave too, do you? Jesus asked the twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know you are the Holy One of God.”

The disciples did not even think of running anywhere else because they were sold out and had nowhere else to go. This doesn’t mean they were stuck with Jesus, but that they put all of their stock in the person and message of Christ. This is a way of serving the Lord that is not lived out very often. Most of us trust the Lord, but have a plan B, and C- just in case he doesn’t come through. There is a big part of who I am that has always relied on my own skills and ability to get me through if the Lord didn’t function like I thought he should.

This pride has been my folly. This pride assumed many things over the years that were nothing but seeds of destruction. I long to be like the disciples and when the weather shifts and life begins to get scary I have nowhere to run but to God.

If the Lord allowed the worst to happen and then asked me
“You do not want to leave too, do you?”
that I would be able to say in response,
“Lord, to whom shall I go? I have placed all my hope in you and trust you for my survival.”

Thought for the day
It is safer to be in the most difficult storms resting in the arms of God than to be sitting in what may seem like a safe harbor far away from God.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for your guidance and for your word that reminds me of who I am and who I need to be. Forgive me for my pride. Please continue to strip me of anything that does not allow me to place my whole trust in you. I know the safest place I can be is in the "Lion’s Den" with you sitting next to me.

I love you Lord,

Kristopher

Looking for a Sign

John 6:25-27

When they found him on the other side of the lake , they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered, “ I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

This scripture brings to light a very sad part of our humanity that if we are not careful can and will easily rule our lives and poison our relationship with our creator. Jesus had just finished doing an amazing miracle where he took five small barley loaves and two fish and fed 5000. There was even enough food that people were full and there were many baskets left over. Following this miracle, many of the people believed that Jesus was the Messiah.

What happened between the day before, where the people were ready to believe in the person of Christ, and the next day, that Jesus himself felt the need to point out that those present were only their to fill their stomachs once more?

#1 Time
We tend to forget so easily how amazing the Lord is.

#2 Hunger pains
Too many times those things we hunger for will only mislead us. This is why the Bible tells us to hunger for righteousness.

#3 An easy way out
This is a hard truth but the longer I live the more that this can easily rule my day.

Before we begin to judge and think of how crazy these people must have been, let’s take a look at our own lives and evaluate how and why we run and look for our Savior. To begin the introspection, please allow me to share an example out of my own life where my broken humanity tried to win the day and rule my motives.

The Lord has sustained our family in some of the most amazing ways. He has shown us grace and mercy, provided solid friendships, lead us through turbulent waters, opened the hearts of friends and family to give us a roof over our head and food on our table, and at times even given us what we needed before we knew we needed it.

If the Lord did all this and more, then why do I keep running to him and accusing him of being distant and non-responsive. Just the other day I was taking a quick peak into my checking account and was saddened by the numbers that were present. I went to the piano and began playing one of the songs that I have added to my personal worship favorites, We Will Remember, by Tommy Walker. As I played it and sang this song to the Lord, (I was trying to draw near to Him) I felt the Lord ask me a poignant question.

Would you be seeking me like this if you did not have a need?

He then said something like this to my heart…

Kristopher,
I love you and have been with you every step of the way. I have no plans on leaving you. In fact, I am hoping that we can continue to grow in relationship and walk this path of life together. However, please come to me because you simply love me and enjoy my presence and not just because you feel desperate and have run out of places to find hope.

This was a shameful and real God conversation for me. As we seek Jesus, may it be with pure motives. Jesus is not our meal ticket, He is our creator, redeemer, savior, and friend.

He longs to spend time with us and allow us to understand Him in new ways that will help stabilize and strengthen our lives.

My challenge for today…

Spend time with Jesus, simply because He is Jesus.

Taking a Step back

This weekend I had the opportunity to spend time with a group of youth and watched how the Lord started breaking into the lives of these young men and woman. He started by getting them to take a 2-day hiatus away from the regular routine of their life. Then while away from the stronghold of habits and familiarity, He began His work. The youth went from staring at each other and the leaders, to smiling a bit more. They went from a distant look of a person who knew of a God that loved them, to a group of people who believed once more that God is walking with them. The Lord touched lives on all levels, some in small ways and I truly believe that some of the youth decided to walk on a whole different path after they had this time of drawing near to the Lord.

So what can we learn from this group of youth?

How can we take their experience and be reminded of who we are supposed to be?

#1 Make the time for God
We cannot keep running around in circles claiming that God is our source of strength without setting aside a part of our life to actually spend time with Him.
#2 Take moments away from the familiar and comfortable
I believe strongly that finding ways to break our daily routine helps us from being stuck in places that we do not even realize is a trap. When you take time to retreat and ask to show up the most wonderful thing will happen, He will show up.
#3 Allow the Lord to help you take that next step
When we look at the lives of youth it is easy to somehow think we are more mature than they are and that we deal with real problems compared to them. These youth that I spent time with are no different than you and I. They are dealing with life and watching their humanity attempt to control them. Does this really sound any different than the normal grind of your day? Each of these youth are on their own journey and God is asking them to not worry about the whole journey- just take that next step and when that is done then deal with what is around the corner. I believe He is saying this same thing to you today.

When is the last time you have asked the Lord what step He would want you to make in your life to honor Him and look His ambassador? I promise when you do their will be ideas that arise of what the Lord might just be asking and has been asking for some time if you were listening. Once you feel that that you know of a couple of things then pray and ask the Lord for clarity and strength. He will guide you and strengthen you to step into all that He has for you.

While Jesus was on this he often took the time to retreat and renew His mind and heart. What a great example to follow.

Mark 1:35-37 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"


Dear Lord,

I thank you for each of the youth that were at camp this weekend. I pray that you keep their hearts soft and their eyes focused on you and what you are asking. I also ask that you help me, and those reading this, to truly seek you and allow you to guide our steps. When we want to make excuses of why we are running in circles please find a way to get our attention and bring our focus back to the path that you have laid before us.

Amen

Living Out Our Faith

This morning, my wife and I read in James chapter 2 and pondered on the idea of what it means to have faith with deeds. This idea of needing to watch our deeds causes a problem for many people.

If we are saved by grace and the Lord has truly done everything that was needed to bring wholeness, what deed must be done, besides surrendering to Him?

Can we somehow make God’s redemption better by our actions?

The answer is easy.

There is nothing you can do to be more complete in Christ once He has miraculously taken your brokenness and made you whole and pure.

If this is the case, then why are deeds important? Another way to look at this is to understand that every moment we are alive and each breath we take is living out our faith. If my deeds are honoring to the Lord and the amazing commitment He has made to me, then it is the direct result of a faith that is strong. If the actions of my day and the attitudes that I form dishonor the Lord then that also speaks very clearly of what my faith looks like and will only prove that my faith is faltering.

For example, this week as a family we are going to tithe and give to the Lord as He has asked. There is a part of my brain, that if I allowed it to rule, may talk me out of tithing and spend the money on one of the many “needs and wants” that we have. If I chose to do that, the Lord will still love me, but it is a good litmus test of where my faith in God is and if I truly believe that He can supply for my life better than I can. Then, let’s say that I do tithe. This does not make God love me more or less. Remember, the Lord loves us completely right now with every doubt, attitude and problem that may be present. The action of tithing this week will only be the faith that is already resident lived out.

This is important as we grow in the Lord. I hope and pray that my life will daily shine as a man who doesn’t just speak about faith or profess faith, but whose actions speak louder than anything said. May the Lord help each of us increase our faith, so the actions we put our lives to will honor the amazing love that God has given us.


James 2:14-19 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

Keeping to the Simple Things

Why do we make it so hard to serve the Lord? It seems the more simple I keep my obedience the Lord is able to move and affect me and my families lives.

The choice…

Trust like a child…

Pick up my cross daily…

Keep my eyes focused on Jesus…

Forgive as the Lord has forgiven you…

If I give away my life then I will find it…

Embrace and allow the Holy Spirit to be your guide…

As you go make disciples of all nations baptizing them…

OR

As I go make this life about me and let worry about the lost…

Embrace this world and its desires and let it be my guide…

Hold on to my life and guard it- after all I am #1…

Forgive if they somehow deserve it…

Keep looking at the storms…

Live daily for self...

Walk in fear…

The choice…


1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

This scripture changed altered my very existence when I was 17 years old. Now 20 years later it is still such a powerful reminder of who God wants me to be and what He has for my life. We each must decide on a daily basis- will we serve the Lord, our flesh, or the world. There is only one of these that will bring hope, peace, and joy. Who and what are you serving?

Live it Loudly

Who do you say that I am?

This was a very important question that was asked to Peter by Jesus in Matthew 16:13-20. The answer that Peter gave is what put his life on a course that would honor the Lord and make such an impact that 2000 years later his life is still used as an example for all to see.

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."


"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."


Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

As stated in this scripture it was this very confession that allowed the Lord to give Peter such an amazing authority and future. My hope and prayer is that the decisions of who I am and what I do scream so loudly that this world knows that I confess Jesus as the Son of the Living God.



Dear Lord,

Please take my heart and purify it. Take my faith and strengthen it. Take my resolve to serve you and intensify it. I pray for my life and each person who will read this, that you challenge them today to confess you are Lord. Not just by attending church on a Sunday or somehow slowly leaking that you are their Savior when it is convenient, but that each of our lives will be a banner to your promises and truth.

God be with us.

Facing the Monsters

I remember when my kids were young and their imaginations would look into the darkness and conjure up the scariest monsters. We would talk with them and tell them that there were no monsters and that they were safe. But it wasn't until we actually turned on the light and the darkness was gone that they would settle in and trust that everything was going to be OK.

One of the biggest lies that the human race falls into is the belief that facing difficult situations and the unknown will somehow bring pain and death. When the truth is as we face those situations it is like turning on the light in a dark room. It is only scary as long as the light is off. However, when the brightness shines out and brings truth, fear is no longer part of the equation. When the light is turned on and all can be seen it is time to deal with the truth. There are times that I have turned on the light only to find a huge mess and how I wish I could just turn off the light and it would all go away. This is not reality or what God has asked of us. The only spiritual beings that dwell in the shadows and darkness are Satan and his minions. Why is it that we so often want to join him with our secrets and shadowed corners full of pain and fear?

Isaiah 42:16

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.

Ephesians 5:8-14

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

Both of these scriptures bring a promise to those who step into the God’s truth that the Lord will guide, protect, and love them while they walk this journey called life. This does not mean that the journey will always be free of mountains to climb or dangerous obstacles to overcome. It simply means, that as we take each step, we can do it with all of God’s direction, grace and truth. Here are a few steps for you to begin walking into the light and allow the Lord to give you strength to face the truth.

Pray- ask God for strength, this light can only be turned on by the Lord and what is found should only be faced with His empowerment.

Read and memorize scripture- Even when Jesus was facing His largest temptations head on he did not simply rely on His resolve. He quoted scriptures that brought light into the darkness and ultimately overcame the plans of Satan.

Go and Talk- This is so important. I know many people who struggle with the first two steps and make it to this step and then shut down. I believe without this step the darkness will prevail. We need to confess our sin. Face those who have hurt us or those we have caused pain. This time of facing the darkness is not to pick up stones to throw or position your self to be pelted by stones. This time of facing the darkness is to set you free and allow the light to shine into the darkest areas of the heart. This is the place where true freedom will be found.

Trust the Lord- Ultimately in the end it is all about trusting the Lord and allowing Him to guide us. We must not believe the lie that we can handle these situations alone.


I hope these steps are encouraging to you. There is nothing easy about facing the monsters that try to rule this life, but I promise you that as you face them the truth is never as scary as your imagination. The release you will find as you take away the unknown factors will produce seeds in your life that will lead to living in hope and joy once more.

May God bless you on your journey…

A New Year and a New Perspective

What is it that causes you and I to be joyful and happy or walk in despair and sadness? At large it seems to be the results of what we have done and/or the results of what others have done to us. I am being challenged to focus on the results of what the Lord accomplished for us when He sacrificed His life to give us a hope and a future. To focus on the Lord is no easy task, however, this is truly the only way that we can look beyond our surroundings and walk in joy.

This last week I was evaluating my year and where the Lord has brought me. At first a nice smile came to my face as I thought of my wife, children, family, friends, and all of the other blessings that the Lord has brought into my life. Then as if on cue the voice of despair began reminding me of things that have been lost and mistakes that were made. Quickly the smile began to depart from my face and tears began to well up. At that moment, I asked the Lord for strength. After praying, The song, The voice of Truth by Steven Curtis Chapman, came on the radio. This was very significant and helpful in allowing me to recognize what was happening in the spiritual realm. This song challenged me to listen to the voice of truth instead of my own voice and the whispers of despair that try to bring bondage to my soul. As the song was playing, I asked the Lord to help me hear the voice of truth. After praying, I slowly felt that the whispered lies I was listening to fade and the presence of the Lord and of what could only be angels reassuring me. I sensed that they were surrounding my car as I drove, protecting me and bringing a light to the darkness. At that moment, all of the feelings of despair washed away. I would love to be able to tell you that I have been on some strange spiritual high since that happened. Instead, I will tell you the truth. The very next day I woke up in fear and began the process of tuning into the frequency of truth sent out by the Lord all over again. This only confirms to me that the Lord is consistent and I am the broken one. How is that I am able to go from the feeling that God’s presence is enveloping me to being scared and fearful of what might be out there?

If I find the answers to this question, I promise to let you in on the secret. For now my hope lies in the fact that every time I run to the Lord, He is faithful and makes Himself known in a way that redirects my thoughts and emotions.

1 Peter 5:5-11
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen

I do thank the Lord for each of the blessings in my life and plan to keep my focus on Him. I believe that as I do this that I will know best how to love my bride, my children, my family, my friends, and whoever the Lord decides to bring upon my path.

May God Bless You! I hope that 2010 is full of much laughter and smiles.