Why do you wait?

"Lee Thompson Young, who starred in Disney’s “The Famous Jett Jackson” and most-recently in TNT’s “Rizzoli & Isles,” committed suicide, his manager told FOX411. He was 29.

Young’s body was discovered by his landlord, according to TMZ, after his co-stars from “Rizzoli & Isles” requested someone check in on the actor when he did not show up for work". 

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2013/08/19/rizzoli-isles-star-lee-thompson-young-reportedly-dead-at-2/#ixzz2cVsZFwGL

I am in a state of shock.  I cannot believe that this young man is gone.  I cannot believe that one more young person has fallen prey to the lies of the enemy. There is absolutely no truth in him and when he whispers his words of deceit many believe.  What must he have told Lee, alone in his apartment that caused him to take his own life?  What must he even now be whispering to many others, preparing them to do the same thing? 

He comes to kill steal and destroy us.  He blinds the eyes of those in this world, so he can destroy them by their own hands.  Look around you, suicide has increased, drinking, drugs, sex without restraints all at record breaking high.  Why?  Our common enemy is roaring like a lion, seeking whom he can devour. 

The picture painted looks dark, but I tell you that hope is in the light of Jesus.  Why have you not given him your life?  Why do you wait for tomorrow?  Do you not know that tomorrow may be too late?

I beg of you, give your life today to the One who is faithful and able to keep you.  Give your life to Lion of Judah, who is greater than he that is in the world. Give your life to Jesus; he is the way, the truth and the life.  His hands are reaching for you.  Give your life today.

 Lord, I confess that I am a sinner. I need you Jesus to come in to my life. I am hot mess without you.  I do not want to be devoured nor do I want to be deceived by the Prince of this world. Instead Lord, open my eyes as I open my heart to you. Jesus, please be Lord of my life. Take me Father into your fold. I am relinquishing control. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Living by Rewards

Do you find it interesting how our lives have become the sum total of points we collect? Our actions are centered around the collection of these points for the reward we will get at the end. So we spend more on credit cards to redeem free things later on. We swipe our bank cards for movie tickets.  Let’s not forget Air Miles rewards for those are the best. Now here we are with points at the office, be nice to each other and you will be rewarded. 

 

It reminds me of the experiments with the dogs who salivated at the sound of a bell anticipating a meal, that was their reward.  Their points.  Are we not doing the same thing?  I get emails from this company and that and each time I fall into the trap...do this and get that. 

This is life and unfortunately, some of us have placed our Christianity into a points reward system. Go to church often and get points for heaven. Don't swear, more points.  Follow the rules and well the mansion will be even bigger.  :-)

That is not the way God designed for us to live. Jesus, took all the laws and condensed them into two.  Love the Lord God with all your heart, mind and soul. Love your neighbors as yourself.  He did not subscribe to a "points collecting program".  The truth is we will never be able to do enough to get into heaven.  I can almost see your face.  Now what? 

Well my friend, God's grace is enough; that unmerited favour.  You get what you don't deserve because of grace.  Grace gives you the point free assurance of calling Heaven your home.

I hope the next time you swipe your card to gain those extra points, you smile and thank God for HIS grace.

God BOUGHT Us

I love music!  I have bought several discs over the years so that I could sing along in the comfort of my home or car.  As a praise and worship leader my ears are always listening out for that song that will cause our hearts to worship God.  So, I can safely estimate that I have spent hundreds of dollars on this passion.  While going through my inventory of worship cds, I noticed that I have a lot of empty cases.  I went through my house, car, garage searching for the missing items to no avail.  Finally, I decided that I will have to buy them back.  I loved them that much and so I am willing to buy them again. 

I have to say that God brought to mind the story of Hosea and Gomer.  Do you know it?  God told Hosea, his prophet, to marry a woman who was of questionable reputation.  He did, without hesitation or question.  I have to love Hosea, he is so obedient.  His wife did not stay faithful, but ran off again to her old prostituting profession.  She ended up on a block to be sold as a slave.  What did Hosea do, well, he bought her back.  He loved her that much, and well God told him to buy her back. 

God was willing to do the same for us.  Only, his son was the payment, to "buy us back" from sin.  His blood was the cleansing agent to bring us once again into relationship with God our Father.  I know my example of buying back cds are nothing by comparison.  However, if I am willing to invest again in something so meaningless, how much more will God invest in us, His very own creation.  How much will He do to find the one that is lost?  My heart swells with joy at this revelation. God will come after someone like me, someone like you.  After all, God has bought us back!

Why did you doubt?

Matthew 14:22-33

New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Walks on the Water

²² Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. ²³ After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, ²⁴ and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
²⁵ Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
²⁹ “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

I have always admired Peter's courage for stepping out of the boat unto the waters.  He was not alone, as the bible suggests that he had eleven other guys with him.  Yet, he was the only one who had the courage to step out.  He was the only one who made such a request and then followed through, however briefly.

I was speaking to a dear friend of mine who told me some of the challenges she currently faces. Her husband's company is letting people go, and so he is applying for a job in another state. She is pregnant and fighting with gestational diabetes, using insulin to try and achieve regular numbers.  She has little boy that is supposed to start school soon.  She would need to sell her house, find a new job, pack up to leave, deliver a baby and more.  She has a lot on her plate, more than I have the space to write about here.  There was no doubt about it, she needed a booster. 

So I began to remind her of her Big and Great God.  Just like David did in Psalms 77, we have to encourage our self by remembering what God has already done.  I reminded her that when she prayed for a new home, God answered; when the doctors said she wouldn't get pregnant God came through and she is now pregnant for the 2nd time; when she didn't have a job, God gave her one just at the right time. God did that for her, in her book of Acts and He is the same God today.  As I pressed send on the email she replied: 

The nurse just called they are increasing my insulin dosages again :-(

The good news is right now things are closer to being in range, not quite there yet but they hope these little extras will top me off. Well at least until I get the next surge of pregnancy hormones.

Yeah I just need to trust God. I can empathize with Peter when he tried walking on water. It is hard to keep focused when the water seems like it is going to swallow you whole. You can keep your eyes on Jesus but your flesh can get overwhelmed with fear and worry which sinks the ship.

She is right, flesh wars against our spirit.  It invites things like doubt and fear to come in and like Peter, we sink.  Jesus' response as he lifted a sinking Peter was, "...why did you doubt?"  Doubt sinks a man just like a storm will sink a ship.  Even now I can picture Jesus asking me the same thing, "why did you doubt?"  Why did I allow the circumstances to become bigger than my super awesome, all knowing God?  Why did I allow fear to cripple me from moving towards the path Christ has for me?  Why did I not see that He is with me even when the storm winds were howling about?  Why did I doubt? Why did you?

Today, I want to encourage you, as much as my friend and myself.  Our problems are not greater than God's solution.  When the Lord said Be still and know that I am God, it really is good advice.  Allow your minds to be still in Him.  Allow yourself the liberty to look upon Him and not outward or inward.  Allow His presence to permeate your space and therefore, squeeze out any room for doubt.  It is time my friends to step out of our storm tossed boats, into the waiting arms of a Saviour who bids us "Come".