“Oh, to live a simple life…one without all the hustle and bustle that makes us fret and worry …one that is pleasing to the Lord …one that is peaceful and satisfying.”
That thought seems to permeate my every waking minute these days as I watch the TV and the plethora of political advertisements that are played before me…each one designed to bash the opposing candidate and make me want to vote for the candidate that is “approving this message.” It seems that from the messages that are being relayed by the candidates that a simple life these days is strictly out of the question….
Unless you turn the TV off and turn to God’s word…and Paul's writings to the Thessalonians. Paul tells them, in a loving but forceful manner, the secrets to a simple life in Chapter 5, verses 14-22.
“And we exhort you, brothers: warn those who are lazy, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for another and for all.”
And then, as Paul continues, he lists six of what I like to call “stepping stone” fundamentals. Each of these fundamentals is written with the express design to help us across the quagmire of a hectic life. If we are willing and able to follow these simple steps, we can achieve our goal to have a walk of peace and serenity with our Lord ….a simple walk of faith that dispels fret and worry and gives us the life we desire.
Even if we falter or fail to achieve each of these steps, our lives will be richer and more rewarding if we only accomplish a few of the following….So, go on, take the first step to
REJOICE ALWAYS….in all things find the joy that passes understanding.
PRAY CONSTANLY…remember, God is in the small stuff, He’s just waiting to hear you ask for His help.
GIVE THANKS IN EVERYTHING…for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
DON’T STIFLE THE SPIRIT…. He is living inside you to help you become like Christ.
DON’T DESPISE PROPHECIES…..rather test all things and hold fast to what is good.
STAY AWAY FROM EVERY FORM OF EVIL….the Bible says “FLEE”; however, if you steer clear of evil, you won’t have to run from it.
These six simple guidelines will permit you to live a God-fearing, God-honoring life …..And what can be simpler than that!
REMEMBER……God has called each of us to cast all our burdens on Him, to seek His face and to walk in daily communion with our Lord….and quite simply put, that’s THE LIFE WE WERE CREATED TO ENJOY!
Walking His Way….Living the Simple Life,
WPQ
Friday, October 24, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
LOOKING BACK TO FORGE AHEAD
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I have difficulty in letting go of the past.
I guess it's for that reason alone that Paul admonishes us in Philippians 3 to forget what lies in the past and to strain forward to what lies ahead in order that we might press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus……
And believe me, I’m all for that; but sometimes my lack of faith keeps me frozen in the position I’m in…. neither moving forward nor sliding back. It is in times like these that I must look back in order to forge ahead.
Let me explain….God has been so very, very, VERY GOOD TO ME. It is when I look back that I can see the providential hand of God at work in my life and I know that the God of my past is still in control of the present and knows what lies ahead in my future. So, I ask myself,why do I stand there frozen in complacency, when God has called me to serve Him in expediency. The answer, simply put.....I’ve forgotten all that God has done for me, and through me, in my past.
Now,we all travel through the valley of adversity wondering if we will ever come out of the other side; yet, when we place our faith and trust in God, WE ALWAYS DO…often scarred, broken, even bitter that our travel and travail have been so deep; but, our Father who loves us with an unwavering love, ALWAYS, ALWAYS HAS OUR BEST INTEREST AT THE HEART OF HIS HEART.
So, the next time adversity rears its ugly head in your life or things seem to have come to a standstill, I encourage you to do what I do ….look back to the faithfulness of your Heavenly Father and all that He has done for you; the blessings that have been yours; the divine intervention that kept you safe and secure in this evil and despicable world.
You will see as revealed in His Holy Word in Job 12:22, “He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light."….and as you stand, firmly grounded on the mountaintop and cast a glance to the valley below, you will see all that God has brought you through. Maybe then, you will understand that in each situation, God has made a spiritual deposit in your life upon which you can draw and that because of this and the tough times that God has seen you through...your faith account in Him can never be overdrawn.
I don’t know about you, but there are too many things in my past that still plague me; however, I am so thankful that I am leaving these in the rear view mirror as I travel life’s highway with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ….and now, I try to only look back when it will help me forge ahead.
I hope you’ll do the same….after all, God’s counting on each of us in the days that lie ahead to be SALT & LIGHT to His world…
Looking forward …straining for the prize,
WPQ
I guess it's for that reason alone that Paul admonishes us in Philippians 3 to forget what lies in the past and to strain forward to what lies ahead in order that we might press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus……
And believe me, I’m all for that; but sometimes my lack of faith keeps me frozen in the position I’m in…. neither moving forward nor sliding back. It is in times like these that I must look back in order to forge ahead.
Let me explain….God has been so very, very, VERY GOOD TO ME. It is when I look back that I can see the providential hand of God at work in my life and I know that the God of my past is still in control of the present and knows what lies ahead in my future. So, I ask myself,why do I stand there frozen in complacency, when God has called me to serve Him in expediency. The answer, simply put.....I’ve forgotten all that God has done for me, and through me, in my past.
Now,we all travel through the valley of adversity wondering if we will ever come out of the other side; yet, when we place our faith and trust in God, WE ALWAYS DO…often scarred, broken, even bitter that our travel and travail have been so deep; but, our Father who loves us with an unwavering love, ALWAYS, ALWAYS HAS OUR BEST INTEREST AT THE HEART OF HIS HEART.
So, the next time adversity rears its ugly head in your life or things seem to have come to a standstill, I encourage you to do what I do ….look back to the faithfulness of your Heavenly Father and all that He has done for you; the blessings that have been yours; the divine intervention that kept you safe and secure in this evil and despicable world.
You will see as revealed in His Holy Word in Job 12:22, “He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light."….and as you stand, firmly grounded on the mountaintop and cast a glance to the valley below, you will see all that God has brought you through. Maybe then, you will understand that in each situation, God has made a spiritual deposit in your life upon which you can draw and that because of this and the tough times that God has seen you through...your faith account in Him can never be overdrawn.
I don’t know about you, but there are too many things in my past that still plague me; however, I am so thankful that I am leaving these in the rear view mirror as I travel life’s highway with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ….and now, I try to only look back when it will help me forge ahead.
I hope you’ll do the same….after all, God’s counting on each of us in the days that lie ahead to be SALT & LIGHT to His world…
Looking forward …straining for the prize,
WPQ
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Unto these Hills
I just returned from my early morning walk around my neighborhood and let me just say, WOW!!!!! WHAT A GLORIOUS MORNING.
To see the changing of the trees as they shed summer’s green for fall’s foliage of red, yellow, orange and crimson is truly a sight to behold. I can just see our heavenly Father, with brush in hand and the earth as His canvas, making stroke after tireless stroke as He paints His masterpiece in the hills and valleys of our world.
There is a high ground in our neighborhood that allows you to look north and see the mountains in the Upstate and into North Carolina’s Blue Ridge chain. Even from this great distance, you can see the changing of the color guard as the mountains take on the palettes of fall. This morning, I was truly mesmerized by the crystal blue sky as it seemed to kiss the top of each mountain peak. Now, I have lived before, as many of you do now, in an area that was “vertically challenged” and each fall, I felt like something was missing …that somehow, fall was not truly fall (my favorite time of the year). It was the lack of those mountain peaks that left the fall experience somewhat diminished.
But not today….My heart seemed to sing and before I knew it my step had slowed and I was standing still, just taking in the sight of those mountains …stretching, straining toward Heaven and their Creator. It was then that I realized that even in the midst of all that is strangling our country and perplexing us on every side, there is peace to be found on the mountaintops.
God’s word says it best in Psalms 121:1-2, “I lift my eyes unto the hills. From where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.” But there’s even more comfort in the rest of the passage… “He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day or the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. (My emphasis) The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” Psalm 121:3-8.
The one who made those mountains is still in charge ….and He’s just waiting for us to turn from our wicked ways and acknowledge Him as Lord. God is ready to help; in fact, He’s already done His part ….the rest is up to you and me. Do we trust our God and His sovereignty in our lives or do we want to wear the crown and be the one in charge? That’s a question that we must answer everyday if we truly want to know the “peace that passes all understanding.”
I am so thankful for my walk this morning….it allowed me a glimpse of God’s majesty and it calmed my trouble soul. Those “hills” will be etched in my mind as I look to my Lord and Savior for his direction today….I trust and pray that you too will find that peace that only God can give and you will know that our God never sleeps, never slumbers …FOR HE IS ALWAYS JUST A PRAYER AWAY !
Living Large in His Family,
WPQ
To see the changing of the trees as they shed summer’s green for fall’s foliage of red, yellow, orange and crimson is truly a sight to behold. I can just see our heavenly Father, with brush in hand and the earth as His canvas, making stroke after tireless stroke as He paints His masterpiece in the hills and valleys of our world.
There is a high ground in our neighborhood that allows you to look north and see the mountains in the Upstate and into North Carolina’s Blue Ridge chain. Even from this great distance, you can see the changing of the color guard as the mountains take on the palettes of fall. This morning, I was truly mesmerized by the crystal blue sky as it seemed to kiss the top of each mountain peak. Now, I have lived before, as many of you do now, in an area that was “vertically challenged” and each fall, I felt like something was missing …that somehow, fall was not truly fall (my favorite time of the year). It was the lack of those mountain peaks that left the fall experience somewhat diminished.
But not today….My heart seemed to sing and before I knew it my step had slowed and I was standing still, just taking in the sight of those mountains …stretching, straining toward Heaven and their Creator. It was then that I realized that even in the midst of all that is strangling our country and perplexing us on every side, there is peace to be found on the mountaintops.
God’s word says it best in Psalms 121:1-2, “I lift my eyes unto the hills. From where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.” But there’s even more comfort in the rest of the passage… “He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day or the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. (My emphasis) The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” Psalm 121:3-8.
The one who made those mountains is still in charge ….and He’s just waiting for us to turn from our wicked ways and acknowledge Him as Lord. God is ready to help; in fact, He’s already done His part ….the rest is up to you and me. Do we trust our God and His sovereignty in our lives or do we want to wear the crown and be the one in charge? That’s a question that we must answer everyday if we truly want to know the “peace that passes all understanding.”
I am so thankful for my walk this morning….it allowed me a glimpse of God’s majesty and it calmed my trouble soul. Those “hills” will be etched in my mind as I look to my Lord and Savior for his direction today….I trust and pray that you too will find that peace that only God can give and you will know that our God never sleeps, never slumbers …FOR HE IS ALWAYS JUST A PRAYER AWAY !
Living Large in His Family,
WPQ
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Praying for November 4th
It has been several weeks since I lasted posted a daily devotional here at Salt & Light. I wish I could say that I have been too busy trying to learn the ins and outs of a new job or that I was caught up in many spiritual endeavors that kept me from my keyboard; however, the simple truth is that I have been too despondent with our situation here in America to think clearly and write plainly.
That ended yesterday while having my quiet time and reading from my devotional book, TGIF by Os Hillman. Os’ wrote concerning the need to pray for those in authority via Paul’s exhortation to young Timothy in 1Timothy 2:1 which reads, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone- for kings and all those in authority.”
Paul tells his young protégé to make the first work of the church prayer and intercession for those in authority….and I believe he was not only speaking of our elected officials, but also your boss, your pastor or anyone that has been placed in a position of leadership and authority. We have probably all believed that those in politics, military, religion and economics have somehow always controlled the earth; but, in our society today, we are seeing the transfer of God’s anointing upon all the saints in the body of Christ in order to get His will accomplished here on earth.
And nowhere will that be more evident than on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 when we, as followers of the one true God, go to the poles to cast our vote for our future leaders. We should be praying for the anointing of the one that God has chosen to lead us through these difficult and trying days…our nation is under fire from all sides. In fact, our ability and right to worship freely; our ability to decide our own economic fate based on our efforts and hard work; our right to be a sovereign nation…..all these and so much more hang in the balance on that day…..a day that may well decide whether America will continue to be the land of the free and the home of the brave.
What can you do you might ask? First, do what Paul told young Timothy to do….PRAY, PRAY AND CONTINUE TO PRAY WITHOUT CEASING FOR THE LEADERSHIP OF OUR NATION!!!!! Secondly, go to the poles early and vote for John McCain….he may not be all that we would like for him to be, but he is SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE ALTERNATIVE. Thirdly, in a humble and loving way, encourage everyone you know to pray for the election of John McCain and to do their part to make this happen. This is not one of those times that you can sit idly by and hope that someone else will do what must be done ….you are that SOMEONE!!!!
And lastly…..don’t forget to thank God for the opportunity to stand in line to cast your ballot….so many across this world have NO idea what that is like…to actually have a voice in choosing who will be their leader. If you take this opportunity to vote for granted, it may very well be taken away in the not too distant future.
THIS ELECTION IS THAT SERIOUS….don’t be fooled or lulled into a false sense of security regarding what lies ahead for our great nation…your vote will determine who leads this country through the worst economic times we have ever faced …..My prayer is simple ……God help us as only He can!
Voting for God’s leader ….praying for those in authority,
WPQ
That ended yesterday while having my quiet time and reading from my devotional book, TGIF by Os Hillman. Os’ wrote concerning the need to pray for those in authority via Paul’s exhortation to young Timothy in 1Timothy 2:1 which reads, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone- for kings and all those in authority.”
Paul tells his young protégé to make the first work of the church prayer and intercession for those in authority….and I believe he was not only speaking of our elected officials, but also your boss, your pastor or anyone that has been placed in a position of leadership and authority. We have probably all believed that those in politics, military, religion and economics have somehow always controlled the earth; but, in our society today, we are seeing the transfer of God’s anointing upon all the saints in the body of Christ in order to get His will accomplished here on earth.
And nowhere will that be more evident than on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 when we, as followers of the one true God, go to the poles to cast our vote for our future leaders. We should be praying for the anointing of the one that God has chosen to lead us through these difficult and trying days…our nation is under fire from all sides. In fact, our ability and right to worship freely; our ability to decide our own economic fate based on our efforts and hard work; our right to be a sovereign nation…..all these and so much more hang in the balance on that day…..a day that may well decide whether America will continue to be the land of the free and the home of the brave.
What can you do you might ask? First, do what Paul told young Timothy to do….PRAY, PRAY AND CONTINUE TO PRAY WITHOUT CEASING FOR THE LEADERSHIP OF OUR NATION!!!!! Secondly, go to the poles early and vote for John McCain….he may not be all that we would like for him to be, but he is SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE ALTERNATIVE. Thirdly, in a humble and loving way, encourage everyone you know to pray for the election of John McCain and to do their part to make this happen. This is not one of those times that you can sit idly by and hope that someone else will do what must be done ….you are that SOMEONE!!!!
And lastly…..don’t forget to thank God for the opportunity to stand in line to cast your ballot….so many across this world have NO idea what that is like…to actually have a voice in choosing who will be their leader. If you take this opportunity to vote for granted, it may very well be taken away in the not too distant future.
THIS ELECTION IS THAT SERIOUS….don’t be fooled or lulled into a false sense of security regarding what lies ahead for our great nation…your vote will determine who leads this country through the worst economic times we have ever faced …..My prayer is simple ……God help us as only He can!
Voting for God’s leader ….praying for those in authority,
WPQ
Monday, September 29, 2008
Good news ...or Bad news?
So many of us today, even in perilous times, want to view the world through our rose-colored glasses. We refuse to listen to bad news and often close our ears to anything that might upset us. We only want to hear GOOD NEWS.
In fact, it seems to be a game for many folks. We have all had someone say to us, “I have some good news and some bad news…which do you want to hear first?” And usually, without fail, we always want to hear the good news first.
So here goes……
The GOOD NEWS is simply this…..John 3:16, “For God so loved the world (your name goes here) that He gave His only Son that whosoever (your name goes here) believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
And that, in its simplest form is the good news that God has delivered to His creation….if we believe that Christ died for our sins and accept Him as our Lord and Savior, we have eternal life with the Father and His only Son.
THAT’S THE GOOD NEWS AND NOW, THE BAD……
Later in the same chapter, John 3: 36, spells out the bad news, “Whoever (your name goes here) believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever (your name goes here) does not obey the Son shall NOT see life, but the wrath of God remains on him (your name goes here).”
Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior and friend….then; you are welcome at the feast that is being prepared for those who have been adopted into the family of God. If you do not know him, the consequences are spelled out in no uncertain terms….the WRATH OF GOD IS UPON YOU.
Not sure what that means? Just take a walk through the Old Testament and see how God dealt with the enemies of His people…it’s not a pretty picture….that is why I’m so thankful that I will not have to endure God’s wrath.
But you say, “That’s the Old Testament God of hell, fire and brimstone. The God of the New Testament is all about LOVE.” And that is true, for in the New Testament, God demonstrates His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
However; the verse you read above comes from the NT and it is the promise from a God that is holy and just. You will reap what you have sown …unless the shed blood of Christ covers your sin and your faith in His Son becomes the substitution for your disobedience, rebellion and disdain for a holy God.
The Good News…..God is waiting for you; willing and able to apply the sacrifice of His Son’s shed blood to redeem you and to usher you into His Kingdom as a joint heir with Christ….
The Bad News…..if you have not made a decision for Christ, then you have made a decision against Christ…. and the wrath of God is hanging over you like a mighty ax about to fall.
Don’t delay and run the risk of passing into eternity without Christ….the stakes are too high….your eternal life, where and how you spend it, hangs in the balance.
If you want to make that decision today, just pray this simple prayer….
Heavenly Father,
I am a sinner and I am living apart from the plan you have for my life. I confess my sin and ask Jesus to come into my heart and live. Make me a new creature with a heart for you and instruct me so that I may follow Jesus in all I say and do. I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior and I want to live for Him everyday. Thank you for saving me and making me part of your family.
AMEN.
If you just prayed this prayer, I’ve got GOOD NEWS for you….welcome to the Kingdom of God…you are a Child of the KING.
BLESSED AS HIS CHILD,
WPQ
In fact, it seems to be a game for many folks. We have all had someone say to us, “I have some good news and some bad news…which do you want to hear first?” And usually, without fail, we always want to hear the good news first.
So here goes……
The GOOD NEWS is simply this…..John 3:16, “For God so loved the world (your name goes here) that He gave His only Son that whosoever (your name goes here) believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
And that, in its simplest form is the good news that God has delivered to His creation….if we believe that Christ died for our sins and accept Him as our Lord and Savior, we have eternal life with the Father and His only Son.
THAT’S THE GOOD NEWS AND NOW, THE BAD……
Later in the same chapter, John 3: 36, spells out the bad news, “Whoever (your name goes here) believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever (your name goes here) does not obey the Son shall NOT see life, but the wrath of God remains on him (your name goes here).”
Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior and friend….then; you are welcome at the feast that is being prepared for those who have been adopted into the family of God. If you do not know him, the consequences are spelled out in no uncertain terms….the WRATH OF GOD IS UPON YOU.
Not sure what that means? Just take a walk through the Old Testament and see how God dealt with the enemies of His people…it’s not a pretty picture….that is why I’m so thankful that I will not have to endure God’s wrath.
But you say, “That’s the Old Testament God of hell, fire and brimstone. The God of the New Testament is all about LOVE.” And that is true, for in the New Testament, God demonstrates His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
However; the verse you read above comes from the NT and it is the promise from a God that is holy and just. You will reap what you have sown …unless the shed blood of Christ covers your sin and your faith in His Son becomes the substitution for your disobedience, rebellion and disdain for a holy God.
The Good News…..God is waiting for you; willing and able to apply the sacrifice of His Son’s shed blood to redeem you and to usher you into His Kingdom as a joint heir with Christ….
The Bad News…..if you have not made a decision for Christ, then you have made a decision against Christ…. and the wrath of God is hanging over you like a mighty ax about to fall.
Don’t delay and run the risk of passing into eternity without Christ….the stakes are too high….your eternal life, where and how you spend it, hangs in the balance.
If you want to make that decision today, just pray this simple prayer….
Heavenly Father,
I am a sinner and I am living apart from the plan you have for my life. I confess my sin and ask Jesus to come into my heart and live. Make me a new creature with a heart for you and instruct me so that I may follow Jesus in all I say and do. I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior and I want to live for Him everyday. Thank you for saving me and making me part of your family.
AMEN.
If you just prayed this prayer, I’ve got GOOD NEWS for you….welcome to the Kingdom of God…you are a Child of the KING.
BLESSED AS HIS CHILD,
WPQ
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Spending time with Jesus
Remember that old saying that everyone always uses…”Sometimes, you can’t see the forest for the trees.” I feel sure that this saying was almost a life’s motto for one of my favorite bible stories involving a tax collector by the name of Zacchaeus.
Poor old Zack was always the shortest guy in the place and I can just picture him when he heard that Jesus was coming through the city of Jericho. He certainly wanted to see this man who was doing such great and might works throughout the region, but he knew it would be like any other time that a crowd was involved….he would have to push and shove and crawl and climb…..Wait a minute, that was it. He needed to climb…..he needed to climb above the fray and frustration of the maddening throng if he wanted to see Jesus. If he couldn’t shove his way to the front of the crowd, he would just climb above them. So he ran ahead on the road that would surely bring Jesus his way, found just the right sycamore tree and climbed up its branches to a spot that assured him the best view of the Master.
And then, something great and wonderful and totally unexpected happened…Jesus looked up, saw him and told him to hurry and come down since they were going to be spending the day together…..and before that day ended, Zacchaeus was a CHANGED MAN!!!!
You and I, often, find ourselves in the same predicament as old Zack…we want to see Jesus, but the toils and cares, the frustrations and frantic pace of today’s world, the “to do” list that never seems to shrink but only grows longer…..all these “things” and so much more keep us from seeing the one that means more than anything to us.
We want to spend time with the Master and just like Zacchaeus, the Lord of Hosts wants to spend time with us. So the solution is really quite simple…..find your sycamore tree and just climb. Climb above the fray, climb to a new height so you can see Jesus. Leave behind all those “giants” that are blocking your view, find the branch that gives you the best vantage point and just spend time with the Master. He will look up and see you waiting for him and He will invite you to come down and meet Him ….to share a quiet meal as you feast on the Bread of Life and devour His word. When you do this, you will have left behind the maddening crowd, your worldly problems and all that hinders you from seeing the Master ….and there in your sycamore tree…. YOU WILL MEET JESUS.
I trust that no matter what hinders you from spending time with the Master will be set aside and your life will be touched in a new way today.
Go on, have a great climb…..the Master’s waiting to spend some quality time with the one He loves…YOU!
Living in the moment…looking forward to eternity,
WPQ
Poor old Zack was always the shortest guy in the place and I can just picture him when he heard that Jesus was coming through the city of Jericho. He certainly wanted to see this man who was doing such great and might works throughout the region, but he knew it would be like any other time that a crowd was involved….he would have to push and shove and crawl and climb…..Wait a minute, that was it. He needed to climb…..he needed to climb above the fray and frustration of the maddening throng if he wanted to see Jesus. If he couldn’t shove his way to the front of the crowd, he would just climb above them. So he ran ahead on the road that would surely bring Jesus his way, found just the right sycamore tree and climbed up its branches to a spot that assured him the best view of the Master.
And then, something great and wonderful and totally unexpected happened…Jesus looked up, saw him and told him to hurry and come down since they were going to be spending the day together…..and before that day ended, Zacchaeus was a CHANGED MAN!!!!
You and I, often, find ourselves in the same predicament as old Zack…we want to see Jesus, but the toils and cares, the frustrations and frantic pace of today’s world, the “to do” list that never seems to shrink but only grows longer…..all these “things” and so much more keep us from seeing the one that means more than anything to us.
We want to spend time with the Master and just like Zacchaeus, the Lord of Hosts wants to spend time with us. So the solution is really quite simple…..find your sycamore tree and just climb. Climb above the fray, climb to a new height so you can see Jesus. Leave behind all those “giants” that are blocking your view, find the branch that gives you the best vantage point and just spend time with the Master. He will look up and see you waiting for him and He will invite you to come down and meet Him ….to share a quiet meal as you feast on the Bread of Life and devour His word. When you do this, you will have left behind the maddening crowd, your worldly problems and all that hinders you from seeing the Master ….and there in your sycamore tree…. YOU WILL MEET JESUS.
I trust that no matter what hinders you from spending time with the Master will be set aside and your life will be touched in a new way today.
Go on, have a great climb…..the Master’s waiting to spend some quality time with the one He loves…YOU!
Living in the moment…looking forward to eternity,
WPQ
Monday, September 22, 2008
Living on the Sidelines
There are many Christians in our world today that are living on the sidelines of life. They have given there hearts to the Lord, asked for forgiveness and been “born again”; but it is at that point there growth stops.
They are playing it safe…not venturing too far from the safe harbor of church, home and family. They have heard the Great Commission, but somehow have determined that it doesn’t apply to them. Their witness is lukewarm at best; their motto being, “No harm, No foul!” They applaud the good works of others, but seldom look for opportunities to share their faith and be counted for God in a world that is increasingly hostile.
Christ had something important to say about this in Matthew 16:24-26, “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to come with me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What will it benefit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?”
In other words, playing it safe just won’t cut it for God. He is calling each of us out of our “comfort zones” and challenging us to take up our cross and live a life for Him. Sure, there will be hardships, trials, set-backs, disappointments and calamities….but where’s the profit in playing it safe and missing out on all that God has promised his faithful followers. Christ told us that He came to give us LIFE….and what are you exchanging for the life that Christ has promised?
There's a payoff to the rest of this passage in Matthew as Christ continues in verse
27, “For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of the Father….and then He will REWARD each according to what he has done”….(or my thought, how he has lived).
How you live, what you do for Christ and His Kingdom, the willingness to lose your life in obedience to Him….all these will determine what Christ and His angels bring with them as your reward. So, take a good look at your life…do you like what you see? Are you losing your life in Christ and do others truly see Jesus in you?
There’s an old saying that applies to any contest that says, “YOU CAN’T WIN UNLESS YOU ENTER…..and that surely applies to life. You can not be all that God wants you to be; you can not accomplish all that God wants you to do; you can not live the life that God desires for you…living on the sidelines.
You’ve got to get in the game, mix it up and trust that God will make all things work out for good as you love Him and seek His face. Lose your life in Him and you’ll come out the winner… It’s a PROMISE you can believe ….and a life that’s well worth living….
Remember…YOU’VE GOT TO ENTER TO WIN…. And Jesus will soon return with your prize….ETERNAL LIFE WITH HIM.
Counting the days…watching the eastern sky,
WPQ
They are playing it safe…not venturing too far from the safe harbor of church, home and family. They have heard the Great Commission, but somehow have determined that it doesn’t apply to them. Their witness is lukewarm at best; their motto being, “No harm, No foul!” They applaud the good works of others, but seldom look for opportunities to share their faith and be counted for God in a world that is increasingly hostile.
Christ had something important to say about this in Matthew 16:24-26, “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to come with me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What will it benefit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?”
In other words, playing it safe just won’t cut it for God. He is calling each of us out of our “comfort zones” and challenging us to take up our cross and live a life for Him. Sure, there will be hardships, trials, set-backs, disappointments and calamities….but where’s the profit in playing it safe and missing out on all that God has promised his faithful followers. Christ told us that He came to give us LIFE….and what are you exchanging for the life that Christ has promised?
There's a payoff to the rest of this passage in Matthew as Christ continues in verse
27, “For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of the Father….and then He will REWARD each according to what he has done”….(or my thought, how he has lived).
How you live, what you do for Christ and His Kingdom, the willingness to lose your life in obedience to Him….all these will determine what Christ and His angels bring with them as your reward. So, take a good look at your life…do you like what you see? Are you losing your life in Christ and do others truly see Jesus in you?
There’s an old saying that applies to any contest that says, “YOU CAN’T WIN UNLESS YOU ENTER…..and that surely applies to life. You can not be all that God wants you to be; you can not accomplish all that God wants you to do; you can not live the life that God desires for you…living on the sidelines.
You’ve got to get in the game, mix it up and trust that God will make all things work out for good as you love Him and seek His face. Lose your life in Him and you’ll come out the winner… It’s a PROMISE you can believe ….and a life that’s well worth living….
Remember…YOU’VE GOT TO ENTER TO WIN…. And Jesus will soon return with your prize….ETERNAL LIFE WITH HIM.
Counting the days…watching the eastern sky,
WPQ
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