Where Do You Turn For Strength?

How many battles have you entered and felt unprepared? Whether it's a student in your class that wants to make themselves took better by putting you down or a neighbor that parties late into the night before your big presentation at work, each opportunity presents us with choices to make. Do we lean on our God given values, do we become tattletales in the sight of the world, or do we bottle up the frustration and pain until it explodes on some random person or even ourselves?

Each day can bring it's own set of challenges and it can feel like you're running out of tricks to use. You do your best to stay calm, to turn the other cheek, and walk away from fights, but each occurrence seems to bring you down a notch, closer and closer to the breaking point. We see so much today in the way of bullying and the recipients losing their will to go on. Where do we draw our strength from when we end up beaten and bruised? Do we seek healing and if so, from whom?

If we will take a chance and ask God to let us tap into His great resources He will provide. There are so many examples in the bible of people who were shunned by society, mocked and driven out by their own families, and yet they were able to stay strong, clinging onto the strength provided by God. Christ Himself drew strength from His Heavenly Father. Each struggle is a demonstration of how we can remain focused on Christ. Each one a reminder that this world isn't our home, but just a temporary stopping point on the way to Heaven and the New Earth.

Our God provides when asked, He knows your needs and already has the gifts lined up to send your way. Our God, our fortress of protection, will wrap you in His arms and reassure you that He's got you covered. His strength is more than enough to face your problems, His sword and shield obliterates your enemies. No longer can they touch or harm you in any way. Wrapped in His mighty arms He restores our confidence and reignites our passion. Life is so worth living again because we know that we're backed up by the most powerful One in the universe. So when you're struggling with life's battles, reach out to Christ, call out His name, and be ready to receive His gifts that will bring you through your challenges.

- Thoughts from Psalm 68

encounter: Where in your life today do you need some "extra" help from GOD?

Spreading His Love

You and I know God pretty well. We're still peeling back the layers, getting to know the depths of His love and inner beauty--but from the path we've taken so far, His wisdom shared and love provided, we can see that our God is committed to us beyond any worldly measure. A mother's love for her newborn baby, a couple's love for each other after fifty years of marriage--these things are but a taste test of the feast of God's love for us.

But how many people truly know of this love? How many just take a glance at Christians and see the conflict of people that have this wonderful message, yet still slip and fall? Do they say we're living in a fantasy world, full of disconnected dreams from reality? If they don't see the examples of the fallen restored, if they don't hear about the acceptance of God's church, what inspires them to seek out Christ's healing?

Hearing about the life of Christ on Earth and reading the stories of those that came before and after are the sparks that can light a fire in somebody's heart. Carefully prepared by Christ, these sparks reach the kindling which spreads to the smaller branches, and soon enough, their fire for life is a blazing beacon for others lost in the darkness. God's love knows no boundaries. He has no limits of who can claim Him as their Savior.

Life is such a precious gift from God. God's power and majesty can be observed all around us. To travel through life not realizing the one who created you, Who is constantly chasing after you to return home, is such a loss of time. Our God races ahead in our journey and prepares the way. He knows the decision points we'll make in life that can draw us closer and He's already putting up the road signs to help direct our travels. Pray today for yourself to be able to see these signs. Pray today for your family and friends that their eyes will be opened and they will see God's direction for their lives. Pray that you'll notice the signs God has placed in someone else's life and be able to help them make the right choice. Our God is holy, our God is just. Blessed be the one who discovers the true potential in following our God above.

- Thoughts from Psalm 67

encounter: What sparks have inspired you to love GOD deeper? Who has been an example, a light, of GOD's love in your life?

Don't Hold Back the Praise

Glory to God who reigns over all of the Earth! Glory to God who has accepted us as His own! Glory to our God who continually is working in our lives to clear out the trash that's weighing us down and replacing it with His burdens. God's requests for our lives are made in perfection, forged in Heaven and placed into the willing heart. Having created each one of us, God knows exactly what we're capable of, how much we can handle, and what brings joy into our life. His burdens are designed to help us grow and each one is given to us in love.

What are some of the things you do when you recognize how God has blessed you? Do you sing praises to our Heavenly Father? Do you thank the One who saved you from destruction? Do these praises stay within yourself or do you let them ring out loud, testifying of the love shown to you by our Redeemer?

It's easy to get into a groove of quick, “thanks God”, where it's like giving a high five and then just keep walking on, but how would you feel if that was the response to you saving someone from a burning car or broken marriage? When God's taken the time to form a rescue plan and He successfully implements it to the last detail, how can we just give Him a head nod and just keep walking? True thanks in the honest moments of life brings a closer connection as you realize just how loving and thoughtful our God is to each one of us.

So besides taking an honest moment to thank our Savior, what else can we do? Another sign of a thankful heart is sharing your rescue story with others. Because God has done this great act in your life, rescuing you from certain pain and discouragement, how can you remain silent? How can His acts of love not become apparent in your life? Don't be afraid to shout for joy, to call your spouse or close friend, or to post your story online. Christ has done this marvelous work in your life and it's ok to be overjoyed and share with others. By stepping forward in this, you might just bring someone else to seek out God's rescue plan for themselves. Praise God for His second chances! Praise God for the air we're breathing! His breath brings life and comfort. His arms demonstrate acceptance and commitment. Praise be to our God who never gives up on those that seek His face!

- Thoughts from Psalm 66

encounter: What experience of GOD might you be willing to share with someone?

We Are Truly Blessed

Our God is truly amazing! He didn't just create the trees, flowers, mountains, rivers, and vast oceans to stare in awe of their beauty. He didn't just create the animals to be creatures of habit, each one fulfilling a need of nature. He didn't just create the stars, nebulas, and other galaxies to entice the eyes during the night. All of these things He created so that when He created man, a being capable of independent thought and action, that man would have every need and want fulfilled by the imagination of God's creation.

The love of our God is so incredible that the Bible uses many words just to describe the vast array of aspects of His love. You think that when you're dating or married that your love of your significant other drives you to do awesome things, to go above and beyond your normal daily activities just to make them happy? With our Heavenly Father, His love goes way beyond anything we're capable of so how much do you think He's worked just to be with us, to communicate with us, and shared so much of His vast resources so that we can experience life beyond our limited imaginations?

Have you discovered for yourself who God truly is? Have you looked out into the vast forests and listened to the rustling leaves? Have you sat at the edge of a river and watched the waves form as the water flows over the uneven surface below? Have you witnessed the animals of the wild, taking care of each other, teaching the young how to survive and thrive? Have you used your imagination at night to stare into the sky and find beauty, to pick out the patterns of the stars and watch the Milky Way galaxy rotate across the sky through the night?

Our God created the science that holds everything together. He created the love between parents and their children. Our Heavenly Father gave us a drive to explore, to grow, and experience new things. Each one of us brings something special to the whole. Not one of us is considered extra and tossed aside. And all of this, is just here on Earth where sin has invaded and corrupted. Can you imagine what awaits us in Heaven? Have you ever dreamt of what will be once sin has been removed? What a glorious vision will soon come to reality. No longer forced to hide because of our sin, we'll walk freely in the presence of our Creator. What a glorious time that will be! Praise to our Father who has blessed us beyond our wildest imaginations!

- Thoughts from Psalm 63

encounter: In what ways today, through nature or circumstance, have you experienced glimpses of GOD's love for you?

Now is the Time

As we journey through life, now is always the best time to make sure you are giving God your all. Now is the best time to make sure your focus is correct and pure. This goes beyond the “you never know how long you're gonna live” argument. This is about experiencing life at its best and living a God-inspired life as a witness to others. With each day being a blessing full of opportunity and growth potential, how can we pass up on even a single day?

It's an easy argument we fall into sometimes. We look around and say, while God's coming soon, it probably won't be for another year or two at least so that gives me time to focus on school, work for that promotion, or take that vacation I've always been dreaming of. Our priorities get out of whack and God takes a lower spot on our list. But our relationship with God should always be our top priority. Without Him as our number one goal, the rest just falls into chaos, stealing our time and energy away until one day God is a distant memory from your important things to do list.

To push God aside until the end is like saying, I've married the best spouse I could ever find and yet I didn't put anything into the relationship except a couple of occasions each year until the last few years of our life. Just think about all of the potential you've just passed up. Think about all of the shared joy, the intimacy lost, and the shared life experiences that could've been? Why would you risk doing that? How much more should Christ be the focus of each day?

In the end, I want to be able to say that I've grasped every moment that God presented me, that I never took a moment for granted. God's love for us causes an overflowing of blessings from His thrown and to not have your arms extended, ready to catch them, is such a waste of precious moments. As a sinful person, I know I'll miss some every now and then, but to intentionally ignore them until the final moments of life goes well beyond a “missed opportunity”. Place God at the top of your list today. Make Him the number one thing on your mind and heart as you begin this day. Dwell on Him until the final moments of consciousness disappear. Trust that He'll make it more than worth your time and effort.

- Thoughts from Psalm 61

encounter: How you might intentionally place GOD at the top of your agenda for today?

All Will Be Made Right

I'm sure we've all questioned the fairness of life. We look at people that comes across as jerks, yet they capture the public's eye, receiving special favors and benefits you'll never see. We struggle with our own morals as others coast through life while you have to sweat for every dollar earned just to break even each week. We watch the television and see groups casting fear upon others because they want every bit of power and control over the people. Tolerance is a broken sign hanging at the entrance, but those within consider it a joke.

We see all of these things and it blows our minds. Every fiber within us says that we should be following God's Word, putting His law into effect in our lives, and demonstrating His example to the part of the world He's placed in our lives; But when every step in your life feels like wading through drying cement, you begin to wonder, why are the scales so imbalanced? Why do the people with no morals, no thought of the well being of others, seem to have so many opportunities thrown their way?

The reason for all of this is quite simple. We, the followers of Christ, are foreigners in this world. Even though God created it, sin came in and took over. The door was opened and the floodgates lost all control, drowning every bit of God's creation in sin and doubt. Mankind started to question the role and even the existence of God and the world we live in today reflects that in every sense. God's world has been turned upside down. Fear and destruction rule the day and so we must fight for each and every moment to stand out from the crowd and be the example Christ wants us to be.

This world in our current state is not our home. There is a day that is coming where evil will be destroyed. We will be reborn and the world will be restored back to God's original intention. A day is coming where fear will be forgotten, where we won't struggle to survive, but thrive in the open love so freely given to us by our Savior. On that day, the faithful followers will celebrate with our Lord. We will be free to worship without fear of persecution. We will no longer be mocked for our trust in Christ. Freely we will step outdoors and proclaim that Christ is Lord over all of creation. What a day that will be! What a future we can live for today!

- Thoughts from Psalm 58

encounter: When life seems the most unfair, how do you cope with the injustice? Where do you turn to when the world seems so upside down from GOD's intention?

The Arms that Protect from the Storms

Do you remember when you were little and a big thunderstorm would come through? The lightning flashed and the thunder crashed all around you. For the big thunderstorms, the walls would rattle and anything on a shelf would be slightly shifted with each blow. Who did you turn to when you were scared? I bet your parents were first on your list of safe havens. To you, they were bigger, stronger, smarter, and calmer. They knew what action to take and their words calmed your fear.

To a young mind, seeking out the strength and courage of an adult is almost an instinct. They have this presence about them that says, "I know what I'm doing, trust me to take care of you." Somewhere along the way, though, we start to build up that strength inside of us. We realize that some storms are momentary things and we aren't bothered by their journey. We're taught how to handle the larger storms, where to run for shelter and what not to do when the floods come.

But some storms are bigger than we are. They're beyond our experience. We do our best to suck it up and face them head on, but inside we tremble in fear. We seem to have forgotten about our parents reassurance they freely gave us. We think that because we're adults now we're supposed to never fear and know how to face every situation, but that's not always the case. So we need to remember what we did when we were young. We ran to our father and mother.

As children of God, know that you can always run into the arms of Christ. When you're scared of the "what ifs" that can happen, when the thunder rattles your soul, run to the arms of our Heavenly Father. He will wrap you in His robe and surround you in His love. When the storm tries to seek you out, all it will see is the Creator of the universe. In the arms of Christ we seek refuge. In the arms of Christ we are given courage. And when the storm has passed, life returns to a celebration of praise and worship to the One who rescued you. Praise God in your school for the storms He's helped you through. Praise God in your job because He reassured you. Praise God because the attack on your family bonds or friendship held strong because of His grace. Praise God because His arms are always open to you and me.

- Thoughts from Psalm 57

encounter: What is your instinctive response to the ominous storms? Given GOD's offer of shelter and protection, what is your plan for when the next set of storm clouds gather?

Christ is Ensuring the Victory

What can man do to me that God cannot repair? What can man do to you that's effects would linger throughout eternity? Those that have the fear of God living inside them, a fear that drives us to always improve ourselves and discover the deeper layers of Christ, are not afraid of what this world is capable of. The actions of man are finite and their effects die off the further we distance ourselves from them. The closer we stand to our Savior, the more He is able to protect our hearts.

While most of us don't have armies looking for us as David did, we do find ourselves constantly under attack. It sometimes seems our face is plastered over wanted posters placed everywhere we go. You no longer ask if you'll face a challenge today, but instead, what will it be? But God in His wisdom adorns us in His armor. His shield is made to be perfectly balanced just for you. Knowing what lies ahead, Christ given you His best advice.

In our youth we are inexperienced. The challenges we face are smaller and a training ground so that we can build a solid foundation in Christ. As we become adults, though, we're asked to face the bigger enemies of our day, not just for ourselves, but for our family and friends. Together we can stand strong in our trials. United in Christ, we combine our experience and hold onto our wisdom spoken from His mouth to our hearts.

The joys of this world may not compare to what we'll experience in heaven, but God provides each one as a blessing to restore and nourish our hearts. Through His training we can face the demands of man. Their mocking words are just words. They do not understand the strength we're given when we call out to our Savior. Take some time today to look back at your life to review and apply the moments that God trained you for and saved you from the evil in this world. Each encounter brings growth. Each experience builds trust in our Lord. Face today, trusting that God has already given you the skills and knowledge you need to be victorious.

- Thoughts from Psalms 56

encounter: What experiences with GOD in your past have equipped you to better handle the challenges of today?

The End to Evil's Reign is Coming

I bet if I were to ask for a show of hands of how many people are tired of all the pain and suffering they witness each day there wouldn't be a lowered hand. Each day we're surrounded by destroyed relationships and disease to the point where we consider it second nature. It's a unique day to remember when you can find a little patch on Earth where there is only peace and joy present.

The devil has us figured out pretty well. He's had so many years of practice that it doesn't take much thought in recognizing our weak points. The challenge then for us is to know our own weaknesses and recognize the situations that will push those buttons. But we must not dwell on our weaknesses because those aren't the things that uplift our souls to Christ. By concentrating on something, it becomes the focus of your life and if you're always living in fear, how can Christ enter into your heart. His very knock would cast shivers down your spine and you'd run off into a corner, hoping He didn't hear you inside.

Today we need Christ in our lives. With billions of people the devil can mess with, it's not hard to start negative trends that test our faith in Christ. Each time we think we've found a place for a piece of the puzzle of our lives, the devil's hammer comes crashing down on the table and knocks things around. He does it on purpose, hoping that it will break our spirits, that we'll give up and give in to his temptations. But Christ is stronger than all the combined evil of the world. Existing long before a single atom of our universe was even created, He understands the pressures on our lives, He lived through them on Earth Himself.

Each day may be a challenge for you, but each success builds trust in our Lord. The devil may bang his hammer in your life, but more and more the pieces are coming together. We begin to recognize the complete picture of how all of this will play out and recognize that we have chosen the winning side. Each day may be an endurance test, but each victory from God brings courage to face the next challenge. When in doubt, seek out the voices that speak the words of strength from God. When you recognize that this world in its current state was never God's intention, you realize that our time here is only temporary and soon the faithful will return home to perfection. Remember the victories in your life so you can stand strong for His glory.

- Thoughts from Psalm 55

encounter: How do you see GOD working in your life amidst the challenges?

The Time to Choose is Now

Why do we lust after “better” things than what we've already been given? Why do we fight with others, saying if I can't be happy no one else is going to be happy? When we let our own desires take over, we're accepting the ways of this world into our lives and God can't tolerate that. He's a jealous God and wants us all in for Himself. With greater gifts comes greater responsibility. God's not going to let everyone that prays to Him win the lottery because He knows how it will corrupt your spirit, tempting you to be selfish instead of compassionate.

Think about it. What are your intentions when you pray? Why do you ask the things you ask for? Who would be benefitting from your granted request? Would it be yourself? Would others only get a minor portion of the gift? When you ask God for a better job or a raise in your current one, what would you do with the extra cash? Would you use it wisely, investing it for GOD's Kingdom, or would you instead go buy that new pair of shoes or new tablet you've been drooling over?

It's time to stop cheating on God. You can't straddle the fence and play both sides, God vs. the world. It's time to stop listening to the temptations of the devil and tell him to run away because you're a child of God who's sick of all the pointless jealousy and fighting over the most minuscule things, blown out of proportion so much they make the headline news.

If you've been struggling with this, today is a great day to tell God that you're ready for a change in attitude. You're ready to start realizing the many gifts you already have and start using them for His glory. You're ready to start listening to God's Spirit, living within your heart, so that you'll extend the love of God to others, the love He's graciously given you even when you didn't deserve it. Trust that He knows you better than you know yourself and that He's providing for everything you need to help those around you. When your ministry grows and God see's your faithful attitude, He'll grant you even more gifts to further His cause of sharing His message of grace.

- Thoughts from James 4:1-12

encounter: With what you currently have, how are your gifts and talents being used for His glory?

There's so Much More to Life

If your means of gaining power is to beat others down and stand on top of them, just remember that flesh decays; Your mountain will soon become a hill and then a pile of sand, blown away by the winds of time. There's a lot of truth to this, especially when you consider how much the phrase “15 minutes of fame” is thrown around or just the sheer number of public figures struggling to get your attention and maintain control. The problem with this approach is that in-order to maintain the power, more people must be crushed to sustain the pile.

You don't have to go far to see people trying to point out the flaws of others in order to make themselves look better. While society in general tends to appreciate a good scandal, the truth is that we also sometimes get tired of them as well because of their never-ending stream of one after another. We focus on pointing out somebody else's flaws, hoping that nobody will notice our own. But if your life is spent pointing out the flaws of others then you're concentrating on only the negative emotions, which means your mind and heart will only be focused on the lying, cheating, and slander.

Those that have seen the truth from God and opened their hearts to His Word don't focus on the negative emotions. For them, being at the top is merely a gift from God, given to those in whom He trusts the responsibility to. You don't have to be a famous public figure to make a difference in the life of someone else. You don't have to throw around riches like confetti to help rebuild the life of someone in need. All you need is the active love of God in your life.

When you accept Christ into you life, things change. Perspectives are made new. Eyes are opened to the reality that we're surrounded by people who just want to be loved, recognized as an individual instead of a number, and accepted for who they are. When we take the step to demonstrate God's love to somebody else, we take a bold step to be a part of God's rebuilding process. What a privilege God offers us. Pray that, today, God will use you to touch the life of someone else and show them there's so much more to life than the world has to offer.

- Thoughts from Psalm 52

encounter: Who is someone you might build up today? What will you do to bless their life?

Sin Doesn't Have to be the End

Sin, the big S-word. It scares us by holding us up to a perfect standard. It subdues us into thinking that we're now and forever alone. Scoffed at, we begin to lose hope. What are some of the ways in which we describe sin? Sometimes we call it a mistake, a slip of the tongue, an act performed in the heat of the moment without thought of its consequences. But what is sin really? Sin is probably best described as rebelling against God in choosing to not follow His example and will for our life.

All of the time in the news media we see celebrities and other public figures that get caught in the moment. Society reacts with anger and rage at what was said or done. In a short time, the individual comes forward and makes a public statement apologizing for their negative act. Whether they are sincere or not in the long run doesn't matter to the people because after a short period of time, we've seen others fall as well and forget about the bad event that happened a couple of weeks ago.

The followers of Christ, though, realize a few things about sin and confession. We were born sinful, tainted from birth. We understand that we will slip and stumble along the way. Perhaps in our plummet we'll reach out and grab onto someone else, taking them down with us as well. The follower of Christ also realizes that there is redemption from our Savior. When we are truly sorry for our negative actions, we know that we can seek God out, asking for His Spirit to come purify our hearts and cleanse our bodies from all things that could cause us to stumble again.

The beauty of Christ is that He wants to help, even when our sins hurt Him. We walk around with our Christian badges pinned to our shirts and even though the image we present the world doesn't always reflect our loving Savior, Christ is always prepared for when we ask for His help and forgiveness. When asked, God sends His Holy Spirit to cleanse our hearts. Our sin is wiped away and forgotten in God's record book. Joy in God's salvation is freely given. God's grace is boundless, His mercy never ending. When you're scared, subdued, or scoffed at, trust that you can always reach out for Christ. His love for us drives Him to restore our hearts. Our regret will be turned into determination and our eyes will be opened a bit more into who our compassionate God truly is.

- Thoughts from Psalm 51

encounter: What sin has been difficult for you to forgive? A sin in yourself? A sin in another? How might the Holy Spirit help you with your difficulties and restore GOD's joy in your life?

Because of His Sacrifice

Back in the days of David, it was a common practice to bring the best animal from your herd to be sacrificed for the sins that you had committed. This did two things. First, the penalty for sin--death--was exercised on the animal. The second thing is that this innocent creature was paying the cost of somebody else's sin, thus representing what was to come with Jesus coming down to Earth and sacrificing Himself for all of humanity.

While the act of sacrificing was a constant reminder of what happens when you go against God's Word, did God really need the animals given to Him in this manner? After all, He created the entire world and every living creature that dwells within it. Every animal from the forest, every bird in the sky, and every marine creature in the sea bears the ownership mark from God. Each one of them is special to Him. Each one has a name that is known by the Creator. The act of sacrificing was a way to show the commitment of God's followers and in turn, they would receive His rescue and nourishment when they called upon His name.

In contrast, those that have listened to the Word of the Lord and have chosen to ignore or twist its meaning will catch the wrath of God. Those that make a choice to disregard God's Word and live life on their own won't survive long under their own strength. Their alliances will eventually betray them. They will become weak among their peers and be tossed aside when they've served their purpose. There is no hope in choosing to go against God's Word. There is no resurrection for those that defy God's will for their lives.

When Christ returns in His full glory, sin won't have a chance to live in His presence. The glory and majesty that surrounds Christ is the ultimate sin repellent. Only those that have lived their lives for Christ and surrounded themselves in His love and mercy will be able to stand tall in the presence of our Savior. The final judgement will put an end to the sinful ways of this world. Reborn in Christ's perfection, the temptation to ignore God will be lost forever. Christ's presence will no longer be hidden. Instead, we will walk hand-in-hand and see eye-to-eye with the one that rescued us from our path to destruction. Blessed be the One that will one day come to bring salvation to all who remain faithful to His Word.

- Thoughts from Psalm 50

encounter: What reminds you today of the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on your behalf? What helps you remember the tremendous price paid for your salvation?

A Passion for Christ

John the Baptist's mission on Earth was to prepare the people, baptizing them with water to remove their sins. One day he knew that the Son of God would be introduced to him and that it would be obvious who He was because the Spirit of God would descend upon Him. John knew it was Christ when he baptized Him, there wasn't a single doubt in his mind. So the next day, when John saw Christ again, he pointed Him out to two of his disciples. Without a second thought they ran after Jesus and Jesus accepted them as His own disciples.

The next day they ran into Phillip, who in turn, with great excitement, went to grab his brother Nathanael. His brother was doubtful until He met Jesus and with a few words, Jesus had Nathanael convinced of Who He was. Jesus said that if he was impressed by just the few words, he hadn't seen anything yet because Heaven in the coming days would be poured out from Jesus to the people; Angels would be making special trips to and from Heaven, giving witness to Christ as He performed His acts of grace and healing.

The excitement and passion in these men, even as they're just beginning to meet Jesus, is amazing. They got up and left, convicted of whose presence they were standing in. They came to serve and learn, and little did they know just what an adventure they were in for. Yes, there would be times of doubt and fear, distrust and arguing amongst themselves, but they knew they had to be in the presence of Christ and they didn't hold anything back in reaching Him.

Look around your church. You'll probably see a mixture of people, some passionate about being in church, volunteering for service, and not only attending in the classrooms, but also during the week in small bible study groups. There are others though, that have lost the spark. Life has beaten them down. They attend out of habit or searching down the wrong path for something that doesn't exist. It is these people we need to reach out to. They need God more than anything. They need friendship, love, forgiveness, and grace that can only come from God in Heaven. If your passion has dimmed, it's not to late to light this fire in your heart again. God has never left you; He will never ignored you. He longs for you to accept the deep healing He can provide. Take a chance and reach out to a passionate person, ask for support, and be amazed at the work God will perform in your life.

- Thoughts from John 1:29-51

encounter: What gets you excited? How would you characterize your experience of church lately? Who do you deem passionate about Christ Jesus, and what might help build relationships with them?

Be Thankful for His Blessings

Praise be to God who prepares the way for us as individuals, as church communities, and as nations. Individually He looks after us because He loves all of His children. Each child is unique and brings joy to our proud Father. As church communities, He opens new opportunities, bringing in new people to fill needs as they arise, and providing guidance so that those who need to be reached and receive comfort cross paths.

God also supports those who place Him first. God wanted the Israelites to succeed, to be a blessed nation, and so time and time again He stepped in to ensure that threats were removed, that they were rescued when Israel had become surrounded, and to rejuvenate their passion for the living God. Surrounded by many idol worshiping nations left many temptations on their doorstep, but God stepped in to clear them out.

Worshiping the Lord with each success, Israel grew and multiplied. But as the saying goes, “with great power comes great responsibility”, the people needed to stay focused on God. When the success went to their heads, the nation started slipping away. When the celebrations became more about themselves and less about God is when things started going downhill.

The temptation of repeated success can begin a journey down the road of self-reliance. We start to say to ourselves, “I've got experience now. God has trained me well so I don't need Him anymore.” This is the path to our own destruction. Each victory, large or small, is a gift from God. Each step forward in the path He laid out is a blessing, straight from the throne of God. As we continue to glorify our Protector, others will be drawn in because it's not natural to not claim a victory as your own. Remember to always thank God for each day of life, for time with family and friends, for the opportunity to worship Him, and for any other blessings He's placed in your life. What an amazing God we serve, who trusts us with His gifts of love and asks so little in return. May His blessings continue to flow upon you.

- Thoughts from Psalm 47

encounter: What are today's victories where you can give GOD glory and appreciation? What are some areas of self-reliance you are willing to surrender and acknowledge GOD's power in your life?

Walking in God's Rhythm

When we trust in God, all things are possible. We can set our goals to be bigger than what we can accomplish on our own because we trust in His power to move mountains. We've seen God's work in our past and are amazed at what was achieved when we told God, “Not our abilities, but Yours.” The blessings of seeing God's work in action can drive us to continue a path of growth, but not always is this a path to continue on.

Starting a church can be a scary thing. Will there be enough people regularly attending to fill the seats and pay the bills? Will there be enough active members or will they slip in after a service starts and slip away during the closing song? When the core group is established, we want to grow our numbers, more is better, right? If I've got thirty people attending each week, maybe we can get to fifty and then a hundred. But sometimes, God's plan for you starting a church isn't about bringing in mass groups of people.

Church is about forming a connection to our Creator through coming together to study His Word. It's about opening up to our Lord and letting Him cleanse our hearts. It's about unlocking all of the doors so that God can perform a complete job within us. No area is off limits. But doing this requires trust in others to not reject us because of our past mistakes. Perhaps a group of thirty is enough to form a solid trust among the membership. Larger groups could cause those that need His change to sit in the back, never fully engaging in God's gift of redemption.

So celebrate the blessings that God has given you both now and in the past. Don't try to move faster than God because He has a purpose for you right now. There are goals that need to be accomplished so that as a group, you can all move forward with confidence and trust when the time is right. Be thankful for the tools you've been blessed with each day. Every tool, when used to it's full potential, will glorify God and His work in your life. Don't be discouraged when you use the successful plans of others and they don't produce the same results. Each of us has been uniquely designed and the blueprints God's laid out for us call us to our own path, specially created just for us. When we follow God's plan, we realize just how amazing His blessings are, perfectly balanced for us and our future.

- Thoughts from Psalm 44

encounter:  Are you most comfortable learning and sharing in a small group, one on one, in a large classroom setting, or some other formulation?  Where and how are you diving into the Word in the midst of community?

Many Ways For The Same Goal

How you worship Christ only matters in how you answer the question, does this method bring me closer to Christ? Jesus didn't create a bunch of clones, using the same exact design like robots off the manufacturing line. Instead, He gave us unique abilities, personalities, and quirks that make each of us special. We approach God differently and together, each of us adds to the collective perspective of our Heavenly Father.

Some choose to worship in a more traditional method with responsive readings from the Bible, using the poetic hymns for song, and worshiping in awe, realizing just how big God is and how our little minds have no chance of comprehending Him here on Earth. Others emulate the celebration that will occur in heaven with active music, cheering, dancing, raising our hands in worship of our awesome God. They celebrate the energy of life that God provides, casting off their burdens and living in unrestrained worship.

Who is to say which method of worship is right and which is wrong? Does one method bring person A closer to Christ and the other method Person B? We are all different in what touches our hearts. Some need to hear a simple message over and over again to remind them of God's uncomplicated plan we are supposed to be living. Others can pull out the beauty of a finely written poem, using it to visualize in their minds how God cares and looks after each of us, how His love is pure beauty and never wavers.

John's disciples were questioning why the disciples of Jesus didn't fast like John's disciples or the Pharisees. This is how Christianity implodes, when you have internal conflict because you believe your method of worship should apply to everyone else, but what works for you may not work for another. Your relationship with God is unique and designed for you alone. We need to stop criticizing how one group worships differently than you and instead praise God that He created a method that touched someone else's heart, drawing them to God. Worshiping God is to celebrate a life of pure love that can only come from Christ. Let us all come together, praising God for redeeming each of us in ways meant specifically for you and me.

- Thoughts from Mathew 9:14-17

encounter: Share what aspects of worship move and touch your heart, mind, and soul. Why do these practice mean so much to you as your adore Christ Jesus?

The Great Wedding

Adorned in the brightest materials, highlighted with gold and precious metals, we stand before the Groom. He spared no expense in preparing this event for us. To ensure it went off without any interruption, He fought every enemy that would dare stand up to His desire to have us. His love for us drives Him to make sure every “i” is dotted and every “t” crossed. No detail is overlooked and no corner is cut in preparing for this glorious day.

The New Testament refers to Christ as the Groom and the church as the bride. The people are the church and right now we are all preparing for that great wedding day. We don't want any distractions and so we focus on our Savior. We don't want any forgotten items so we vigorously study His word so that every desire of the Groom is followed. After all, He picked us out. He could've chosen anyone else, but instead He called for us to be His bride.

But God isn't just about the visuals, He inspires all of the senses to come alive with His plans. We're adorned in the finest scents. We've been washed clean in His righteousness so that not a single spec of sin lingers on our bodies. The finest meal is being planned and a feast will ensue the ceremony. Excitement fills the air. The hour is approaching and everything is coming together for one perfect celebration.

Can you feel the time approaching? Does your heart feel the excitement of the coming events? The ultimate celebration, full of trumpets filling the air with their joyful song, proclaiming each of us as we march down the aisle towards our Savior. So many lives have been touched, so many hearts have been rescued from the path of sin. In His grace He accepted us and made us new. Soon we will stand in the presence of our Lord. Soon we will take our place in the Heavens. What an awesome day that will be! Tears of joy will flow, hearts will overflow in love, and mighty hugs will let us know that we've finally come home. Praise God, our perfect Groom!

--Thoughts from Psalm 45

encounter: When you think of the most festive celebration, what type of emotions do you believe the planner wants to elicit in the honored celebrant?  How do you imagine GOD, the groom, feels about you, His bride?

Celebrate Christ's Better Plans

Jesus and His disciples load up into their boat to take His message of hope to more people. During their trip, Jesus lays down to sleep while His disciples handle the boat. A storm approaches, building in intensity. Some of the disciples are experienced fishermen, which have surely handled their share of storms before, but nothing like this.

As the chaos of the storm multiplies it becomes too much for the men to cope with. In their panic, they realize that Jesus is still asleep and they awake Him, pleading for Jesus to save them all from the storm. Jesus is astonished at their lack of faith, but still calls out for silence. The elements obey and the lake becomes calm and peaceful. The disciples stand dumbfounded. They can't believe their eyes that Jesus has control over the storms of nature.

When you read this it seems quite odd. You have the disciples who are doing everything to survive and realize their efforts aren't enough. They reach out to Jesus and beg Him for His help and Jesus follows through and calms the storms. They are amazed that He followed through, but what were they expecting. Were they hoping for an extra person to bail the water over the side? Were they hoping He would help take down the sails or handle the rudder?

Jesus in His wisdom decided that their request for saving would mean the storm was removed. We often pray for little things from God, hoping to just get enough to cover this months bills, to be able to wake up in time to make it to class, for that one person at work to not nag me as much today so I can keep my emotions in check. Jesus has bigger plans for your redemption and when He follows through, don't stand their with your mouth hanging open, but praise Him because He knew exactly what you needed and provided a solution just for you.

- Thoughts from Mathew 8:23-27

encounter: What might be some larger ways you may believe in GOD? How has Jesus surprised you?

God's Voice Rocks All of Creation

When the Israelites gathered at Mount Sinai and God spoke to them, the people begged God to stop because his trumpet-blast voice pierced their body and soul. It shook the Earth and nobody, not even Moses, was left without fear in their hearts. But that's not our experience now. Coming to Jesus at Mount Zion, where God resides and judges, where Jesus is the mediator, and where thousands of angels gather, Christ brings His voice of hope to the people.

If God's voice couldn't be avoided at Sinai, how much more do we need to listen today to Christ's voice, speaking words of grace and making His judgements of who gets their name written in the book of life. His voice shook the Earth when He spoke, but He is going to speak once more and this time, not only the Earth, but the entire heavens will be shaken. His voice will cleanse the universe of sin, revealing only the things that truly matter to God.

Are you excited for that day? A day when there will be no more suffering, no more pain, no more lies. It'll be biggest celebration of praise of worship to God that mankind has ever known. God's not a bystander behind the scenes, He's actively working to set things straight and on that glorious day, all of the work He's accomplished will be revealed. The truth, the whole story, will be laid out for everyone to see and the only response will be that our God is just and true to His promises.

- Thoughts from Hebrews 12:18-29

encounter:  What is your emotional response to even the concept of hearing GOD's voice? Explore what may be the foundation of these feelings you have about GOD.