Obnoxious.

It was a beautiful day out, so I had all my windows down as I left work one day last week to head over to do my volunteer shift. I stopped at our local Steak & Shake to get a snack. I placed my order and pulled forward so the next car could pull up and order. The car behind me had a couple of guys in it who were just being obnoxious. They were rude to the person taking their order, just being rude in general. Then they set their eyes on me. You see, on the back of my van I have several things that identify that I am a Christian. Stickers, license plate holder, even my license plate itself. All of a sudden I hear from the car behind me "praise Satan!" "Praise the Devil!" Being yelled in my direction. I'm like, "oh great." Then I started to judge them. Telling myself what a complete bunch of jerk, losers they were. Then The Lord reminded me,

Matthew 7:1 Amplified Bible

7 Do not judge and criticize and condemn [others unfairly with an attitude of self-righteous superiority as though assuming the office of a judge], so that you will not be judged [unfairly].

Then I felt The Holy Spirit nudge me, telling me not to judge them, but to pray for them. So I started praying for them. I prayed for softened hearts, that Jesus would reveal Himself right there in their car. I asked Jesus to forgive them for they knew not what they were saying (even though I'm sure that they did). (There I go judging again). I'm still a work in progress!

Then I heard one of their car doors open and close. I'm like "here we go." You know that Christianity is under attack more than ever these days. So I thought that things were going to get physical. I kept looking in my mirrors and could not see anyone. I left enough space between me and the car in front of me to make a quick escape if I had to. I kept looking and looking. Nothing. No one was out of the car that I could tell. Phew!

Then I noticed that it had gotten really quiet. No more verbal jabs, no more mocking. Nothing. When I was finally able to pull forward enough to be able to actually see their car from a better angle, I noticed that not only had God shut their mouths, He also had them roll up the windows. Thank You Lord!

I immediately thought about the story of Daniel and how God had shut the mouth of the lion while Daniel was in the lions den.

Daniel 6:22 Amplified Bible

22 My God has sent His angel and has shut the mouths of the lions so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also before you, O king, I have committed no crime.”

So I urge you not to judge other people. I know that it is really hard as I still do it myself from time to time. We need to pray for our enemies. Pray that our lives reflect Jesus and His love for all.

Birds Of The Air.

 This afternoon on my way home from work, I had to stop at a stop sign and wait for my turn to go. It so happened that I was sitting next to a little grass field. I noticed a whole bunch of birds flitting around and making a whole bunch of noise. There was so much commotion that I took a harder look at was going on. I noticed there was a Cardinal, Blue Jay, Robin, and a couple of other kinds of birds that I couldn't recognize. They were all chirping and singing, flying to and fro. Walking on the grass, dodging each other as they flew past one another. To me it looked like they were having a grand ole time!

It got me thinking about us. You know, humans. How come we can't be like that? Talk and laugh and joke around and just have good time with each other, no matter what we look like. Lift each other up, instead of tearing each other down, just because of their race or nationality! 

The birds didn't care that each of them were a different kind of bird. They were just enjoying themselves and each other.

Matthew 6:26 The Message

26 “ Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

If birds are free to be themselves in the care of God, how much more can we as the children of God. He cares about the birds, but He cares so much more about us.

Jesus is love, not hate. He wants us to love one another, no matter what nation or tribe we come from.

Romans 12:10 Amplified Bible

10 Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], give preference to one another in honor;

We are all part of one big family. The family of God! He created one race, the human race! When I look at some of my coworkers who are different than me, I don't look at them as being African American, Hispanic, or any other race. I see them as Mr. Mrs. or Ms. My brothers and sisters in Christ!

Galatians 3:28 New Living Translation

28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile,[a] slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.

So I encourage you tonight to be like the birds of the air. Be free with each other. Sing and dance. Goof around and be free to love each other. Have fun and enjoy each other. Life is too short to go around hating people just because of skin tone.

Remember, Jesus died for us all.

Pedal To The Metal.

 How many of us feel like our lives are like having the "pedal to the metal" lately? With things seeming to start to open up with the pandemic, it seems like we are busier than we have been in a long time. Work, meetings, games, practices. The list goes on and on. It seems like we cannot have one more thing added to our calendar or we just might go crazy. We run so fast and so far that we grow weary. We don't know when we'll be able to get some much deserved rest.

This is where Jesus comes in.

Matthew 11:28 English Standard Version

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

That's just it. Jesus doesn't want us to be weary or heavy burdened. He wants us to come to Him and rest in Him. He is the Prince Of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

It seems like the busier that we are, the less time we have for Jesus. To me the word busy is an acronym meaning, "Being Under Satan's Yoke". I think that is what the enemy wants, to distract us from time with our Savior. The less time we spend with Him, the more the enemy can tempt us into doing something not worthy of God.

Psalm 46:10 New Living Translation

10 “Be still, and know that I am God!

You see, He wants us to be still and spend time with Him. Not running to and from. Always on the go. We need to take time to refresh, rest and renew our strength. How do we do that. We read our Bibles. Spend time in prayer. Communicate with The Father! He longs to hear from us.

Isaiah 40:31 English Standard Version

31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

So I encourage you to push the pause button every so often. Seek after and spend time with God and He will give you a new strength to keep going. Don't put Him on the back burner thinking that He is just another thing to do. He is the only thing that matters. We need to start acting like it.

I'm Not Rich, But I'm Not Broke Either.

 I saw this somewhere on Facebook the other day. It was a meme saying that the person was not rich, but not broke either. I don't live in a giant mansion, or drive the most fancy and expensive cars. Have vacation homes across the globe. Don't have a Maid or a butler to help take care of the home. What I do have is a family, house, car & job all provided by God. I don't have any of this on my own. He has provided for me and my family.

Matthew 6:26 New Living Translation

26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?

If this it what you consider being rich? Then yes I am. But I still have to work for it. God provided all the above, but He also provided me with a job to make sure that we don't go broke. I get up and go to work everyday, even when I don't feel like it. When I am totally exhausted or burned out, I still go.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 New Living Translation

10 Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”

I don't know about you, but I like to eat. I like to buy things and do stuff. If I don't go to work, none of this will happen. It's a fact!

I've been lucky over the last 9 years of working where I am working. I have received a raise every year of employment. We have received bonuses and have never had our hours cut. In fact work has increased during this pandemic. I say lucky but what I really mean is blessed. It has been God doing this on my behalf. I turned this job over to Him from the very first day. 

Colossians 3:23 Amplified Bible

23 Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men,

So I want to encourage you today. If you have a roof over your head, a bed to lie on, food to eat & a family that loves you, you are a rich person! Don't compare yourself to what others have. They may have the fancy car and big house, but they may not also have a loving family. Or know the love of The Father!

So....You Think You're A Good Person.

 How many of us have family and friends who think that they are good people? They can't believe that they aren't invited to things, included in conversation. "I can't believe that I wasn't invited to that party or event." "I can't believe that I've been left out of (whatever it is)". "I can't believe that nobody is talking with me." They go around complaining about all of this and then make the statement, "I'm a good person." "I don't know what's wrong with people." That is where we go wrong with that kind of thinking.

The Bible tells us a different story about people, and their goodness.

Psalm 14:3 New Living Translation

3 But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not a single one!

You see, in our minds we are good. We do good things for our community. We have families. We aren't out committing any crime. We are productive members of society. This is our flesh speaking. We don't see anything wrong with how we are living. We think that we are good people.

Micah 6:8 Amplified Bible

8 He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you Except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion), And to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]?

How many people have you come across that really live like this? I can think of a lot of people who are  not kind to anyone, nor show any compassion to anyone. Over blown ego's. They think that the world revolves around them, and they let you know it. No one lives up to God's standard. We think that we do, but alas we do  not.

Romans 3:23 New Living Translation

23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

So I urge everyone tonight to continue to chase after God. Continue to seek Him and what He has for you. Humble yourselves. 

Ephesians 5:1-2 Amplified Bible

5 Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]; 2 and walk continually in love [that is, value one another—practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others], just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God [slain for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.

Garbage In, Garbage Out.

A couple of weeks ago I was having one of the worst weeks of my work life. No matter what I did or tried to do, nothing seemed to go right. My schedule was crammed packed with deliveries of product and  outbound shipments. Those who know, I work by myself. I am the shipping/receiving department. So I was overwhelmed with trucks. Then I had spacing, electrical and time issues. Everything just seemed to keep piling up on top of one another. Not a good week.

I figured out that during that week, I had changed the music that I was listening to on my way to work. I took out my worship music and put in some classic rock. I just wanted a change. Boy did it change. Not for the better either. Not that I was listening to anything aggressive like Slayer or Pantera. Just some REO, Styx, Journey. You get the picture. So while I'm listening to this music, I keep hearing a voice saying "the joy of The Lord is my strength." I heard this over and over again. I'm like "yes Lord, I know that, but I just want to listen to this stuff." So I kept on rocking out to the classics. And my week continued to go down hill. Everyday I kept hearing, "the joy of The Lord is my strength." And then He added 'Rend Collective' at the end of that statement. They are a worship band from Ireland. I know that they have a song titled "The Joy of The Lord Is My Strength". 

So  Monday rolls around and I'm gearing us for another super busy week. Before I pulled out of the garage, I changed cd's (I'm still old school). I put in Rend Collective and low and behold, that song came on as I was driving. Crazy right. Not with The Lord. He knew. He just wanted me to know. So when I got to work, I check my calendar and what do you know. The work load lessened, by quite a bit. Thank You Lord. Sometimes I can be a bit stubborn! No, you are saying. But The Lord kept after me, reminding me of who He is.

1 Kings 19:11-12 New Living Translation

11 “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.

So I encourage you today to be careful of what you allow your eyes to see and ears to hear. Music, movies, tv shows, whatever. It can affect you in a very dramatic way! Good & bad.

And never ignore the still small Voice of God!!

Good Friday Plans.

 Like me, some of you might have Good Friday off of work. What are your plans for the day? Shopping, movie, hiking, biking, whatever else you could do today. I'll tell you what. Whatever you have planned for the day, is nothing like what Jesus did for us on this day! 

What did He do for us exactly you may ask.

1. He was betrayed by one of His disciples (Judas).

2. He was tried and convicted in an illegal trial.

3. He was sentenced to crucifixion.

4. He was beaten beyond recognition.

5. He had to carry His own cross to His place of execution, all the while being spat upon, insults hurled at him. People hitting Him.

6. He was nailed to a cross and raised up between two other criminals.

7. His side was pierced with a sword to make sure that he was indeed dead.

8. He was taken down and placed into a tomb and a big rock was rolled across to block the opening.

All of these events can be found in The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

Matthew 26-27, Mark 14-15, Luke 22-23, John 11-19

We call this day Good Friday. Doesn't seem like a very good day to me. Everything He went through was horrific. An accurate representation of this event can be seen in the movie 'The Passion of The Christ'.

So while we go about enjoying this day off of work. Let's remember what it is really all about. Jesus died a sinners death for us, so that we may live sin free.

Lets live a life worthy of His death and everything that He went through for us. We deserved that punishment, not Him! That's the kind of God we serve. He was willing to die for us.

Romans 5:8 New Living Translation

8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.